Januarii 3. 1664. Imprimatur, WILL. MORICE. THE SECOND TOME OF AN EXACT CHRONOLOGICAL VINDICATION AND HISTORICAL DEMONSTRATION OF OUR British, Roman, Saxon, Danish, Norman, English Kings Supreme Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction, Over all Prelates, Persons, Causes, within their Kingdoms and Dominions; From the First Year of the Reign of King John, Anno Dom. 1199. till the Death of King Henry the III. in the year 1273. WHEREIN The several branches of our Kings Ecclesiastical Sovereignty are truly stated; the Popes usurped Universal Monarchy, subverted, by their own Popish Assertions concerning the Virgin Mary, Transubstantiation, and Christ's corporal presence on earth in every Hostia. Popes, Popish Prelates Intolerable USURPATIONS on, unchristian Practices against the Persons, ancient undoubted ECCLESIASTICAL, TEMPORAL PREROGATIVES, JURISDICTIONS, RIGHTS of these KING'S CROWNS, PRIVILEGES, the LIBERTIES, PROPERTIES of the Churches, Kingdoms, Clergy, Nobility, Commonalty of ENGLAND and IRELAND; By Legates, Nuntioes, Delegates, Bulls, Palls, Exemptions, Dispensations, Non-obstantes, Decretals, Canons, Appeals, Citations, Journeys to Rome, Inhibitions, Sequestrations, Provisions; Ratifying void, vacating legal Elections, Presentations to Ecclesiastical Dignities, Benefices, at their pleasures; By Croysadoes, Procurations, Tenths, Firstfruits, illegal Oaths, Extortions, Rapines, Excommunications, Interdicts, Absolutions from Oaths, Vows, open Treasons, Rebellions, Wars, to depose, enslave our KINGS, KINGDOMS, and make them HOMAGERS, VASSALS, TRIBUTARIES to the SEE OF ROME: With their, and our Parliaments, Nobles, Clergies, Commons successive memorable Complaints, Oppositions, Letters, Writs, Prohibitions, Proceedings against them, in the height of Popery. The principal Transactions of State between these Kings, and the Popes, Cardinals, Legates, Court of Rome; with their unparallelled Avarice, Bribery, Simony, Treachery, Tyranny, Frauds, Impieties, Extortions, Corruptions; are impartially related; out of the best Historians in or next that age, and irrefragable rare Records in the Tower, not formerly published; With Useful Observations on, from them: And several Indices to this Tome. By WILLIAM PRYNNE Esquire, a Bencher and Reader of the Honourable Society of LINCOLN'S INN. Tit. 3. 1. Put them in mind to be subject to Principalities and Powers, to obey Magistrates, to be ready to every good work. 2 Pet. 2. 14, 15. An heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children; which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam, who loved the wages of unrighteousness. LONDON: Printed for the Author by Thomas Ratcliff, 1665. and are to be sold by Abel Roper at the Sun over against St. Dunstan's Church in Fleetstreet; Gabriel Bedell at the inner Temple Gate; and Edward Thomas at the Adam and Eve in Little Britain. To the Right Honourable EDWARD Earl of CLARENDON, Lord High Chancellor of ENGLAND, Chancellor of the University of OXFORD, and one of His MAJESTY'S most Honourable Privy Counsel. MY LORD, IT is the Institution of God and Nature, that all things (by a divine and natural right) should terminate in their Original, and revert to the Spring from which they issue: Hence St. Paul (the a Acts 22. 21. Rom. 11. 13. c. 15, 16. 2 Tim. 1. 11. Apostle of the Gentiles, and of our b See Tom. 1. Book 2. ch. 1. p. 3, 5. British Isle,) resolves; that as c Rom. 11. 36. Col. 1. 16. all things in heaven and earth, visible and invisible, whether Thrones Dominions, Principalities, Powers, or other Creatures, were and are created By; so likewise TO and FOR GOD, their d Rev. 1. 8. ALPHA and OMEGA. Yea King Solomon long before him, not only concluded in point of Divinity, e Prov. 16 4. See Isay 43. 21. The Lord hath made all things FOR HIMSELF; but thus demonstrates it by natural experimental Philosophy, f Eccles. 1. 7. All rivers run into the Sea; unto the place from whence the Rivers come, THITHER THEY RETURN AGAIN. This Contemplation hath excited, yea obliged me (in point of Right, and Equity) not only to return, but dedicate this Large Chronological Vindication, and Historical Demonstration, to Your Lordship, from whose unexpected Voluntary Motion, and Subsequent Encouragements, (to collect, publish it for the Honour of our Kings, Nation, Church, Kingdom, and benefit of Posterity) it received its Original Conception, Augmentation, Production, at vacant hours (borrowed for the most part from my natural rest and repasts) without the least neglect of my other distracting public Employments. Which may justly excuse all Defects of Ornament, Method, Style, Substance, any Curious Eyes shall discover therein; or in my yet uncompleted Preceding or Succeeding Tomes of the same heroic subject; not hitherto at large, historically discussed by any Antiquary, or Historian I have seen. I have prefaced this Tome (brought forth into the World, like g Gen. 38. 29. Pharez, before its elder brother) with a brief, necessary Introduction, to supply the want of my Larger Introduction comprised in the First Book of the First Tome, not yet completed, over-large to be annexed to this, as I at first designed: Wherein I have h Page 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. truly stated that ancient Sovereign Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction claimed, exercised (as there was occasion) by our British, Roman, Saxon, Danish, Norman, English Kings, which I have historically vindicated in Fact, and Right, in this and my other intended Tomes. Whereunto I have subjoined a short Synopsis of i Page 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 Roman Popes and their Parasites impudent Claims, to a Universal Antimonarchical, if not k 2 Thes. 2. 3. 4. Bishop Abbot, Dr. Squire, Dr. Beard, others in their Books of Antichrist. Antichristian Sovereign Monarchy over all Churches, Empires, Kingdoms, Nations, Emperors, Kings, Prelates, Priests, persons throughout the world, as well in Temporals as Spirituals, under their own forged Titles, of Christ's Universal Vicars, His, and St. Peter's Successors; which Supremacy they have for sundry ages l See Philip de Mornay Hist. Papatus attempted to exercise and enlarge upon all advantages, by scandalous Bulls, Excommunications, Interdicts, Treasons, Rebellions, Absolutions of Subjects from their Oaths, Allegiance; deposals of Christian Emperors, Kings: wresting their Crowns, Regal Authority and Kingdoms out of their hands, by force, and fraud, to the grand disturbance of all Christian Realms, to which they have m Page 9 291. forged Titles. The n Page 10, etc. 65, 67, 68 sandy foundations of this their pretended Papal Monarchy, I have utterly subverted in a new way, by the avowed practices of their own Popes, Church, and Articles of their Romish Faith; concerning the o Page 16, to 64. Universal Empire, yea p Page 16, 23, 26, 38, 39, 53, 55, 56. Deification of the Virgin Mary: whom they have not only q Page 20, 21, 22. seated Soul and body in the very Throne of the sacred Trinity in heaven, but elevated r Page 24, 25, 54, 55. above God the Father, and Christ her Son, intituling her to all their s Page 27. 53. Sovereign Power over all creatures in heaven, earth hell: to all their t Page 25, 40, 42, 43, 48, 49, 54. Divine Attributes, Titles, Offices, Worship; u Page 28, 29, 39, 40, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55. invoking, adoring her in their public, private authorized Devotions more than them; yea ascribing to her a x Page 21, 22, 27, 28, 39, 40, 49, 53, 55. commanding power over them in heaven itself. And by their Doctrine of y Page 66, 67, 68 Transubstantiation, or Christ's real presence, both in his human body, soul, Deity, in every consecrated Host, adoring it as God, Christ himself; seconded with their Legends of his frequent z Page 68, to 74. corporeal real visible apparitions on earth: which infallibly overturn the foundations whereon they build St. Peter and their own Supremacy. Upon which occasion I have briefly, and I hope irrefragably refuted by new Topics, (not hitherto used, or not fully pressed by Protestant Divines) their a Page 56, 57, to 64. idolatrous Invocations, Adorations of the Virgin Mary and other Saints, wherein they not only imitate, but far exceed the ancient b Page 56, 57, 58. Idolatry, Heresy of Pagans, & the c Page 58, to 63. Collyridian heretics: Together with their pretended d Page 75, to the end of 80. Doctrine, Miracle of Transubstantiation; (the Great Diana's of the Pontificians now most insisted on) to reduce them from their Romish e Page 55, 56. Idolatry, Superstition, Errors, and keep unstable Protestants from apostatising to them in this and succeeding ages, by the seducements of their superabounding active Emissaries. This Tome (as those intended to succeed it) principally consists of memorable Records (preserved in the Tower of London) not formerly published: intermixed with observable Historical passages (pertinent to my Theme) taken for the most part out of our best ancientest Historians of the Roman Religion, writing in, or nearest the reigns of K. John and Henry the 3d, which I have printed at large in their proper Dialects, as most authentic, the better to communicate them to foreign Nations, and prevent all Cavils of Pontifician or other Critics against their translations: with some useful Observations on, & Deductions from them, for the Readers information, or Romanists refutation, if not conviction; all which I hope are so genuine, solid, impartial, that no carping Zoilus, nor Advocate for Popes or the Court of Rome, shall be justly able to quarrel with, much less to refute or contradict them. All the Records herein transcribed, were perused with my own eyes, and carefully examined, reexamined by the Originals: which are of so venerable, irrefragable authority, (being carefully enroled in the respective years they bear date, by sworn Clerks, without any rasure, alteration, diminution, and so remaining till this present) that no person by our Common Laws, ( g 21 E. 3. f. 40. 21 H 6. f. 20. Brook Averrment 14. ) may, or aught to aver against them. By their Verdict I have here not only corrected some mistakes, ratified, illustrated sundry obscure, dubious passages in our Historians, Chronologers; and King John's printed Charter, but also supplied many observable defects, omitted, or pretermitted Bulls, Letters, Patents, Writs, Records, Transactions relating to the Ecclesiastical Supremacy of our Kings, the Church-affairs, Archbishops, Bishops, Clergy, Laws, Customs, Spiritual, Temporal Courts, Jurisdictions, proceedings in England, and Ireland, not extant in, nor remembered by any Histories or Law-books whatsoever; not unworthy the knowledge, if not of his Sacred Majesty, yet of the greatest, learnedest Counsellors, Officers of State, Prelates, Divines, Judges, Professors of the Common, or Canon Laws, the studious Nobility, Gentry, (whether Protestants, or Pontificians) of both these Kingdoms, from whose public, if not private view, they have hitherto been concealed. If these my crude Historical Collections (which I had neither sufficient time, nor leisure to digest, polish according to the dignity of the subject matter) shall through the Almighty's blessing on, and Your Lordship's favourable Acceptation of them, produce any Glory to God, any honour, advantage to our Reformed Protestant Religion, Churches, Realms; any satisfactory Vindication of His Majesties, or His Royal Predecessors Sovereign Ecclesiastical, Civil just, ancient Rights, Prerogatives, against the injurious claims, pretences of Usurping Romish Popes, or Prelates; any reformation of revived old Ecclesiastical Usurpations, Excommunications, Vexations, Corruptions, Exactions, Extravagances, redressed, suppressed by these and our other King's Writs, Prohibitions, even in times of Popery; any conviction, conversion, reduction of seduced Pontificians, or Romish Proselytes to due obedience to his Majesty, and the bosom of our Church, by discovering to them the manifold unchristian, if not Antichristian Practices, Corruptions, Vices, Frauds, Errors, Exorbitances of Popes, (the Visible Heads,) & Popish Cardinals, Legates, Nuntioes, Prelates, the chief pillars, hinges of the Roman Church; and the manifold just occasions given by them to our Kings, Kingdoms, to renounce all dependence on, all communion with them; Or, if they shall contribute any increase of knowledge, or other benefit, to the honourable Profession and Professors of the Law, whereof Your Lordship under his Majesty is, (and long may you still continue in all splendour and felicity to be) the most eminent Patron, as well as Member, (all which particulars were the chief ends aimed at in this Undertaking) I shall then repute my extraordinary expense, pains therein, sufficiently remunerated; and be thereby encouraged, with greater vigour and all possible expedition, through God's gracious assistance, to complete the anteceding and succeeding Tomes of this Chronological Vindication. Which, if God shall vouchsafe me life, health, opportunity to finish; I hope I may crave leave, to sue forth my Quietus est, from any future labours of this nature; because it will then be high time for me only to prepare for another world, & conclude with ( h) Philemon 9 Paul, the aged, ( i) 2 Tim. 4; 6, 7, 8; ) I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith; Hence forth there is laid up for me a Crown of righteousness, which the Lord the Righteous Judge shall give me at that day; and not to me only, but unto all them also who love his appearing. Which Crown of Righteousness, that this Sovereign ( k) 1 Tim. 6. 15. Rev. 17. 14. c. 29. 16. ) Lord of Lords, and King of Kings, may most graciously bestow upon Your Lordship in Heaven, after You have long served, honoured both HIM, His MAJESTY, His Realms, Churches in your ( l) Acts 13. 36. ) Generation upon earth, shall be the daily prayer of Your Lordship's most Humble, Devoted, Obliged Servant, WILLIAM PRYNNE. From my Study in Licolns' Inn, May 29. 1665. the most joyful day, Festival of his Majesty's Birth and Restitution to his Royal Throne at Whitehall. To the Candid and Ingenuous Readers, especially Professors, or Students of the Common Laws, in England and Ireland. Kind Readers, I Here present to your View and Censure, The Second Tome of An Exact CHRONOLOGICAL VINDICATION, and HISTORICAL DEMONSTRATION of our British, Roman, Saxon, Danish, Norman and English KINGS SUPREME ECCLESIASTICAL JURISDICTION over all Prelates, Persons, Causes within their Kingdoms and Dominions, etc. A Subject heretofore cursorily handled, debated by Sir Edward Cook, in the First Part of his Fifth Reports, Of the King's Ecclesiastical Law; by Sir John Davis in his Irish Reports, The Case of Praemunire; by Sir Christopher Sybthorp Knight, one of His Majesty's justices of the Court of Chief Place in Ireland, in his Friendly Advertisement to the pretended Catholics of Ireland, Dublin 1621. Part 1. Concerning the King's Supremacy, and the Oath in that behalf to be taken: and of late by my learned Friend, Sir Roger Twisden, in his elaborate, acute Vindication of the Church of England, in point of Schism, as it stands separate from the Church of Rome, and was reform 1 Elizabethae, London 1663. But never yet Chronologically and Historically Vindicated, Demonstrated, by any Lawyers, Antiquaries, Historians, Chronologers, or Divines, in such ample manner, as the Dignity of the subject matter, demerits; or as some learned ( a Carolus Molinaeus Comment. ad Edict. Hen. 2. contra parvas Da●as et Abusus Curiae Romanae. De Excellentia Regni Francorum, et Coronae Franciae, Claude Fauchet, & Pierre Pithou Preuves des Libertez de L'Eglise Gallicane. Philippus de Morney Historia Papatus: Laurentius Bochellus. Decreta Eccles. Gallicanae. ) French, and ( b Melchior Goldastus, Monarchia Romani Imperii, Tom. 3. Antonii de Rosellis, Monarchia, and others. ) German Lawyers, Antiquaries, Writers, have Vindicated the Sovereign Ecclesiastical Prerogatives, Rights, Liberties of the Kings, Emperors, Churches of France and Germany, in large Folio and Quarto Volumes; when as our Histories, Annals, Records afford us more copious Precedents, more numerous, eminent Monuments of this kind, than France, Germany, or any other Christian Kingdom throughout the World, as I hope to evidence in due time, for the Honour of our Kings, Kingdoms, Churches, Nation, if God send life, health, opportunity, encouragements to accomplish such an heroic Undertaking, not hitherto essayed by any of our own or other Nation. If any shall demand, why I preposterously (against my Chronological Method) published this Second Tome before the Edition of the First? I answer; Because in my primitive undertaking of this Subject, (upon the motion of an Honourable Great Officer of State) I designed it to be the First, beginning my Collections from the First Year of King John, when the Charter, Clause, Fine, Liberate, and Patent Rolls in the Tower begin; All the rest, (except some few Chartae Antiquae of former Kings reigns never transcribed into Rolls,) being long since perished, or lost beyond recovery: and accordingly fitted it for the Press; But afterward upon second thoughts, and motions, mounting my Chronological Collections, (in relation to the Kings of our Isle) as high as the first preaching, embracing of the Gospel therein by the Apostles, or their Disciples, and to Lucius our first Christian King, and deducing them down to King John, in a more copious manner than I originally intended; (a Work of much pains, search, study, difficulty, requiring far longer time to compile then this Tome, & swelling to another large Folio Volume;) and my Chronological Introduction to it from Adam, (the first Monarch in the World) till Christ's Ascension into Heaven; and from thence, (in relation to the Roman, Greek, Germane Emperors, and other Christian Kings in foreign parts, till our modern age, thought fit to be superadded) amounting to another Volume, requiring a larger proportion of time than I can yet promise to myself, had I no other public or private Divertions to interrupt its progress: I was thereupon not only induced, but in some sort necessitated to praepone this Second Tome in point of publication, before the First, lest death or sickness should deprive posterity of both. Whereas if God shall preserve my life, bealth; afford leisure and encouragement, I intent to publish the First, with other ensuing Tomes with all convenient expedition. What the General▪ and particular Contents of this large Volume are, the Title Page, the Table of the Books and Chapters, and Index in the close thereof, will fully satisfy the perusers. If any require an account from me, What persons may probably receive information or benefit thereby? I answer with all humility, and sobriety, That (if I be not much mistaken,) Our KINGS Themselves, their Great Officers of State in England and Ireland, the reverend, learned Prelates, Divines, Judges, Lawyers, Nobility, and Gentry in both these Kingdoms; and all studious professors of the Protestant Faith, or Romish Religion, may receive more or less advantage thereby in these particulars. First, our Kings and Counsellors of State may herein discern, the ancient Ecclesiastical and Civil Prerogatives, Jurisdictions, Rights, Liberties of the Kings, Crowns, kingdoms, Churches, Clergy, Subjects of England and Ireland, herein vindicated; and by what Papal artifices, frauds, conspiracies, policies, treacheries, violences, instruments they were gradually invaded, undermined, encroached, usurped upon, and trodden under foot by Popes, their Legates, Nuntioes, Agents, Confederates; how they were countermined, opposed, and those recovered from them by degrees. 2ly. Our Protestant Bishops, Clergy may here learn and discover, how treacherous, rebellious, seditious, undutiful, their Popish predecessors frequently were to our Kings, Kingdoms, Curches, yea to their own interests; how oppressed, fleeced, tyrannised over, vexed, squiesed, enforced to troth to and from Rome, and other foreign parts, whiles under the Tyrannical Usurped Jurisdiction, Citations, Censures, arbitrary Power, Rapines, Provisions, Oppressions of Popes, their Legates, Nuntioes, and other Agents sent from Rome; and what just cause our Kings, Kingdoms, Churches had, in point of conscience, as well as policy for their public ease, liberty, safety, tranquillity, prosperity, to cast off their Usurpations, Innovations, Oppressions, and renounce all subjection to, or communion with the Roman Pontiffs, See, Court, for their manifold Corruptions, Extortions, Abuses, Frauds, unsatiable Avarice, detestable Tyranny, Bribery, Simony, Injustice, Ambition, Pride, Treachery, antimonarchical, and antichristian practices, which even our Popish Kings, Nobles, Commons, yea sundry of our most conscientious Romish Prelates, Monks, Priests, Historians publicly abominated, and protested against, with highest detestation. Which if now duly pondered by those of the Romish persuasion, may justly move, persuade them to reject both the pretended Authority, Sanctity, Infallibility, and real Corruptions of the Popes, Court, See, Church of Rome, and return to their due Allegiance to our Kings, and unto the bosom of our Reformed Church; wherein the true worship of God is more sincerely performed, his Word more orthodoxly, powerfully preached, his Sacraments more purely administered, then in any of the Roman Churches, or in the Pope's own Chapels. 3ly. All Judges, Practisers, Students of the Common Laws in England or Ireland, may here peruse some memorable resolutions and Records concerning points of Law; many Excellent Rare Writs, Prohibitions, Patents, and other Records not formerly published, (for the most part hitherto unknown;) against the illegal Constitutions, Canons, Assemblies, Oaths, Inquisitions, Interdicts, Excommunications, Provisions, Extorsions, Rapines, Oppressions, Vexations, Citations, Appeals, & other Usurpations of Popes, Legates, Nuntioes, Delegates of Rome; yea some of our Popish Archbishops, Bishops, Archdeacon's, and their Ecclesiastical Officers, Courts, upon the Rights, Prerogatives of the Crown, the King's Temporal Courts, Laws; the Advowsons', rights, Properties of Patrons; the Liberties, consciences of the Subjects in England and Ireland, when ever invaded, or endangered by them. 4ly. The learned Nobility and Gentry of both Nations studious of History, Antiquity, Church or State-affairs, may herein peruse many rare, useful Records, never formerly brought to public view, illustrating divers obscure, rectifying some mistaken passages, supplying sundry defects in our Histories and Annals in the reigns of King John, and Henry the III. especially concerning the Archbishops, Bishops, Bishoprics, Affairs of Ireland, and sundry transactions between these Kings, their Ambassadors, Procurators, and the Popes, Cardinals, Legates, Nuntioes, Court of Rome, not extant in former Histories or Authors. Perchance some Readers may demand, why I printed all the Records in their proper Latin or French Dialect, and most of the Historical passages interwoven with them out of Matthew Paris, Matthew Westminster, and other Latin Historians, Writers, in their own Language? I answer, I did it upon 3. accounts, 1. Because I conceived they would be more authentic, useful, grateful (especially to Lawyers and Gownsmen) in their original proper Dialects, then in the best English Translation. 2ly. To avoid all cavils, exceptions of Critics, or Romanists, against their translations, wherewith they would evade, when as now they cannot deny nor disprove their authority, being presented to them in their proper words. 3ly. To make them more communicable and diffusive to Statesmen and Scholars in foreign parts. If any Chronologers shall find fault, that some few Records and Historical passages herein mentioned are inserted out of their due Chronological series, or years to which they relate; If they consider, that this was occasioned, either by the continued series of the History to which they relate, happening in divers years, which could not well be disjoined without greater inconveniences; or to unite some Records or Stories of the same kind together, illustrating or ratifying each other, though different in time; or else by casualty or oversight at the Press; and withal if they observe how the distinct years, rolls of every Record, and of most Historians, are truly cited, quoted in the Text or Margin: I hope it will be reputed no Solecism, nor just ground of complaint. Perhaps some other curious Perusers of this Work, may charge me with Tautology, or surplusage, for inserting several Letters, Procurations of our Kings to Popes, Cardinals, and Proctors sent to Rome, or several Patents, and Prohibitions to distinct persons, Courts, running almost in the same words; But I hope the rarity and novelty of them, never formerly published in print, their confirmation and explanation of each other, (especially in cases of Prohibitions) and the matters contained in them, not mentioned in Story, together with my care to avoid the censure of omitting or concealing any records of this nature wherewith others might upbraid me: And the constant Practice of the Clergy, Popes, Prelates, Church and Laics of Rome, (most likely to pick quarrels with me) in repeating sundry dozen, scores, if not hundreds of Paternosters together on their Beads, (though that prayer was purposely instituted by Christ himself, * Mat. 6, 7, 8, 9, 10. to avoid and condemn all such repetitions) and likewise Reiterations of Ave-maries', of the name of Jesus, and other Petitions, ejaculations in their Primers, Litanies, Missals, Jesus Psalters, Breviaries, Offices, Hours of the Virgin Mary, Manuals of Prayers, and other their Books of public and private Devotion; will at least acquit▪ if not justify me against this exception. That which I deem some polite, dainty Readers will most censure me for, is want of Elegant, lofty, eloquent language, embellishments and transitions: But this defect, my declining age, want of competent time to review, polish every passage; together with the gravity, variety of the subject matter, the usual Vulgar stile of most of our Records and Law-books, will apologise for this defect: A plain English Garb, modest natural beauty, bush, being in Gods and wise men's judgements, better, decenter, commendabler, than any fantastic * Zeph. 1. 8. 1 Pet. 3. 3. outlandish habit, a painted, spotted face, or effeminate, powdered, frizzled head, not of Gods or Nature's making, but the Barbers or Tyre-womans'. To conclude, all I shall desire of my ingenuous Readers, is, a friendly construction and kind acceptation of these my Lucubrations, a free pardon of all defects, or involuntary oversights, (if any shall occur therein) together with their cordial prayers for God's assistance, and enablement of me in the completing of the remaining Tomes, if they shall be judged useful for the public, or grateful to posterity: there being few or none I know, or hear of, who will probably be at the pains or cost to carry on or complete them, when I am translated hence to a better world, and shall rest from all my studies, labours in this. Farewell. The GENERAL CONTENTS of the BOOKS and CHAPTERS contained in this Second Tome; All the particulars whereof, being many and various, are comprised in the TABLE. BOOK 3. CHAP. 1. page 227. COntaining Evidences of King John's Supreme Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction over all Bishops, Religious and Ecclesiastical persons, Causes, Bishoprics, Monasteries, Tithes, Advowsons', in granting Licenses to elect, and to approve or reject Bishops, Abbots, when elected; Examining the Jurisdictions of all Ecclesiastical Courts, Imprisoning, banishing Bishops, Clergymen, seizing their Bishoprics, Spiritualties; Confiscating their Goods, Benefices, for their Contempts, Rebellions, Treasons against him, and obedience to the Pope's Interdicts, and other unjust Commands: with other particulars; and his strenuous, vigilant defence of the Rights of his Crown, against Provisions, and other Papal and Prelatical Usurpations in England and Ireland, till the 15. year of his Reign. CHAP. 2. page 270. Of King John's most unworthy prostitution, not only of the undoubted Rights and privileges of his Crown, but of Himself, his Diadem, Kingdoms of England and Ireland, after so many years Glorious Contests, to the Tyrannical Usurpations of Pope Innocent, and his own Traitorous Bishops and Clergy; Of his resignation of his Crown and Kingdoms by Two supposed. Charters, (but in truth only by one) to the Pope and his Successors, and resuming them as their Feudatory, under an Annual Rent. His Oath of Homage and Fealty to the Pope, The Validity of this Charter, these Rents, and their payment debated; the present and subsequent Oppositions against them: This King's Opposition against the Encroachments of his Treacherous, Rebellious Bishops and Clergy, who dealt most perfidiously with, and stirred up the Baron's wars, Rebellions against him, after they had forced him to resign his Crown, and protested against his unkingly actions, when accomplished by their own procurement and designs; With other memorable particulars and Records, relating to these transactions; and this King's Charters, proceedings in Ecclesiastical Elections, Affairs, as Supreme Patron within his own Dominions. BOOK 4. CHAP. 1. King Henry the 3. his succession to King John; his Coronation, necessitated Oath, Homage, Subjection to, Transactions, compliance with the Pope and See of Rome, against his own and the Nobles wills; his and their Complaints, Oppositions, Prohibitions against the Popes, Bishops, Clergies Encroachments, Exactions both in England and Ireland; With the chief passages concerning Ecclesiastical affairs in them during the first 20 years of his young and troublesome reign. CHAP. 4. pag. 447. Containing sundry Records, Patents and Historical passages, evidencing this Kings Supreme Jurisdiction in and over Ecclesiastical persons, Courts, Affairs, in England and Ireland: The intolerable Usurpations, Extortions, Oppressions, Innovations, Proceedings of Popes, their Legates, Agents, Instruments, to the prejudice of the Rights, Privileges, of the King, Church, Kingdom, Subjects in both these Realms, with the several Complaints and Oppositions against them: The English and Irish Bishops, Covents, Courts Christian's Encroachments upon the King's Temporal Courts, Rights, Royal Dignity, and Subjects Liberties; The Prohibitions, Writs, Oppositions against them; With the principal Ecclesiastical Affairs and transactions in relation to England and Ireland; from the beginning of the 21. to the end of the 40th, year of King Henry the 3d. his reign. CHAP. 3. p. 872. Comprising sundry evidences out of Law-books, Histories, and Records, manifesting this Kings Sovereign Ecclesiastical, as well as Temporal Authority, over all Ecclesiastical persons, Courts, Causes in England and Ireland. The Popes and his Instruments intolerable Extortions, Oppressions, Innovations, Encroachments both upon the King's Prerogative, and Subjects Liberties, Properties, and their respective Oppositions, Complaints against them. Together with our Popish Prelates, and Ecclesiastical Synods, Courts illegal Usurpations upon the King's Temporal Rights, Courts, Crown, Dignity, and People's Privileges; With the several Prohibitions, Writs, Mandates issued to restrain them: And some other Ecclesiastical Affairs, transactions between the King, Pope, and Court of Rome, from the end of the 40th. Year of King Henry the 3d. till the expiration of his Reign, Anno Domini 1272. A Brief, Necessary INTRODUCTION to An Exact Chronological Vindication, etc. wherein the Ancient Sovereign Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction claimed and exercised by our Christian British, Roman, Saxon, Danish, Norman, and English Kings within their Dominions, is particularly stated; The Usurped pretended Universal Monarchy and Supreme Authority of St. Peter, and Popes his imaginary Successors in his Chair at Rome, as well in Ecclesiasticals as Temporals; with their Claims, Titles to, and Grounds thereof, are concisely related, and fully refuted, subverted, even by the contradictory Practices, Devotions, Resolutions, Principles, Assertions of their Roman Church, Popes, Doctors, Votaries, concerning the Virgin Mary, and Christ; in opposition to our Reformed Protestant Churches and Religion. THis Second Tome being brought forth to the World's View before the First, I repute it not only convenient, but necessary, by way of Introduction to the Chronological and Historical part thereof, to present you with a Brief Account of these 4. particulars. First, What Sovereign Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction it is, that our Christian Kings and Monarches, as God's Vicars, have claimed, exercised over all Prelates, Spiritual or other persons, causes within their Kingdoms and Dominions by an ancient undoubted Right in all ages, from their first Conversion to Christianity, as Supreme Heads or Governors of them next under God, upon all emergent Occasions, unless when forcibly or fraudulently interrupted therein by Popes and Popish Prelates: and in what particular branches it principally consists. Secondly, What pretended claims, the Popes or Bishops of Rome of later ages have made, and still make to the Supreme, Universal Ecclesiastical, and likewise to the Sovereign, absolute Temporal Jurisdiction or Monarchy over all Patriarches, Bishops, Clergymen, Emperors, Kings, Princes, Nobles, Laics, Churches, Empires, Kingdoms, Nations throughout the World, whether Christian or Pagan; and particularly over our Kings, kingdoms, Istes of Great Britain and Ireland. Thirdly, By what fictitious Titles, Deeds or Conveyances, they derive and appropriate this Universal Ecclesiastical and Temporal Monarchy, wholly and solely to themselves and their successors in the See of Rome. Fourthly, That the very Practices, Resolutions, and established Doctrines of their own Popes, Doctors, concerning the Virgin Mary, Christ, and Transubstantion, refute, yea totally subvert this their pretended Title, Right, unto this their Sovereign Universal Monarchy. For the first of these: The Sovereign Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction claimed, exercised by our Kings, Monarches, as Gods Vicats, over all Prelates, Persons, Causes within their Kingdoms, and Dominions in all ages, from their first conversion to Christianity, as Supreme Heads or Governors of them next under God, upon all emergent occasions▪ is a See Bishop Jewels Defence of the Apology of the Church of England, part 1. ch. 2▪ divis. 3. part 6▪ ch. 11. 12, 13, 14, 15, 16. Queen Elizabeth's Injunctions, Articles of Religion, An. 1562. Artic. 36. confirmed by the Stature of 13 Eliz. ch. 12. Articles of Ireland, n. 57, 58. B● Ushers Speech in the Castle-Chamber at Dublin, 22 Nou. An. 1628. Concerning the Oath of Supremacy, Lond. 1634. not (as our Romish Antagonists would persuade their seduced Proselytes) an actual absolute authority to Administer the Word, Sacraments of Baptism & the Lords Supper, or confer holy Orders by their own actual imposition of hands, or exercise the Priests or Bishops peculiar ministerial Offices; nor yet by their Laws, Edicts, or Royal commands to abrogate, repeal, contradict, or dispense with any divine Laws, Precepts, Ordinances, Institutions, Duties, enjoined or prescribed by GOD himself to his Church or Christians in the Old or New Testament; nor to set up or countenance any Idolatry, Heresy, Sect, False Doctrine, Worship, Superstition, Innovation, Corruption, Vice repugnant to the Word of God; which all true Christian Monarches, Kings, how great soever, have utterly disclaimed: but it b See Bishop Jewel & Bishop Usher in (a) Sir Roger Twisden his Historical Vindication of the Church of England, chap. 5. A learned pithy Treatise to this purpose. principally consists in these ensuing branches, which will best define and explain it. First, in a Sovereign power by their Laws, Edicts to command, enjoin all Ecclesiastical and other persons whatsoever within their Dominions, to serve, worship, profess, fear, love, obey the only true God: to believe, embrace the Holy Scriptures, and Articles of Faith revealed in them; to observe, keep, use all Gods moral Commandments, Evangelical Precepts, Sacraments, Institutions; perform all religious public and private duties prescribed to them in their respective places, callings, as Christians, relating unto God, as well as to men; and to punish all such by themselves or their subordinate Ecclesiastical or Civil Magistrates, who shall obstinately, wilfully or supinely offend in any of the premises, with Ecclesiastical or Civil censures, according to the quality of their persons and offences. 2ly. To prohibit, suppress, and extirpate to their power all Atheism, Blasphemy, Heresy, Idolatry, Paganism, Irreligion, False worships, Religions, Errors, Superstitions, Sects, Schisms, Profanations, Crimes, tending to God's dishonour, the prejudice or scandal of the true Religion, the endangering of their Subjects souls, or disturbance of the Churches as well as Kingdoms public peace, by Laws, Edicts, and suitable punishments inflicted on all who are guilty of such offences, as opportunity shall require. 3ly. To protect, maintain, countenance, encourage the Churches, Ministers, and people of God committed to their care in the faithful public and private discharge of their Christian duties both towards God and man. 4ly. To provide a competent number and succession of pious, holy, learned, painful, able Bishops, Ministers, Pastors, diligently to preach, teach God's Word, catechise, instruct both by Doctrine and Conversation; pray with, for, administer the Sacraments duly, and perform all other Episcopal, ministerial offices to them, and all their Subjects throughout their Realms; To provide competent maintenance for them: to enjoin them diligently, faithfully to discharge their pastoral duties; avoid all scandals, offences, exorbitances in Doctrine, Life: And to rebuke, correct, remove, deprive them for negligence, Heresy, Schism, Simony, Scandalous Crimes, and other offences in, or against their sacred places and Functions. 5ly. To prescribe, institute public standing Sacred days, Festivals, Fasts for Gods ordinary public worship; and Church-meetings, extraordinary Festivals, Fasts, Humiliations upon extraordinary emergent Occasions, (as Mercies, Victories, Dangers, Wars, Pestilences or other Judgements) and see them religiously observed. 6ly. To erect new Churches, Chapels, Parishes, Bishoprics, Archbishoprics, Colleges, Houses of Religion; divide, unite, or dissolve old; to translate Bishops Sees from one City to another; yea Abbeys, Priories into Bishoprics, & Bishoprics into▪ Archbishoprics; To endow them with what Ecclesiastical Privileges, Franchises, Jurisdictions, Exemptions they please: to limit the bounds of their Dioceses, Provinces; exempt what peculiars, Churches, Free Chapels, Religious Houses, Societies they think meet from their Archiepiscopal or Episcopal Visitations, Jurisdictions, Censures; To settle their respective precedencies in all public Councils, Solemnities, and determine all Controversies concerning the same. 7ly. To elect, nominate, approve, confirm; (yea anciently to invest per Annulum & Baculum) all Archbishops, Bishops, Abbots, Priors, and present to all Ecclesiastical Dignities, Offices, Benefices any ways belonging to their Crowns by patronage, lapse, or other prerogative, upon vacancies by death, translation, Simony, resignation or deprivation. To grant Charters, Licenses to Deans, Chapters, Covents or other persons to elect Bishops, Abbots, etc. yet so as to approve, or disapprove their Elections, when made and tendered to them for their approbation, upon just exceptions; To alter the manner of such elections for special reasons: To command Archbishops, Bishops, & other Officers by their Writs to ordain, consecreate, install, admit, institute, induct them when elected, approved, or Clerks presented by them, at such convenient times, places as they shall prescribe; and to punish them for their contempts or neglects therein: To remove, translate Archbishops, Bishops, Abbots, Priors, Priests, and other Religious Persons; yea transfer their Temporalties, Revenues, Glebes, Tithes, Relics at their royal pleasures, from one Archbishopric, Bishopric, Abbey, Priory, Benefice, Order, Church to another, upon just or necessary reasons of piety, or state polity for the public good. 8ly. To seize, sequester, and enjoy to their own proper uses, the Temporalties, revenues of all Archbishoprics, Bishoprics, and other Ecclesiastical dignities, during their Vacancies, with all incident profits any ways belonging thereunto, till they in their piety, justice or prudence shall deem convenient to fill them with successors. 9ly. To seize, sequester, confiscate the temporalties, real, personal estates; and indict, arraign, imprison, outlaw, judge, condemn, banish, execute the persons of all Archbishops, Bishops, Abbots, Priests, or other Ecclesiastical orders, for their Contempts, Treasons, Rebellions, Conspiracies, Seditions, Murders, Felonies, or other civil Crimes against their Crowns and dignities, even in their temporal Courts, in as ample manner as any of their Lay-Subjects, notwithstanding Papal exemptions. 10ly, To demand and receive for the public defence of the Church, Realm, and safety of their Government, persons, both Dimes, Aids, Subsidies, Firstfruits, and Oaths of Homage, Fealty, Allegiance and Supremacy, from all their Prelates, Clergy; as well as from their Nobility or Commonalty. 11ly. To summon National, Provincial, Parliamentary Councils or Synods, at such times and places as they shall deem convenient, upon all just occasions; to compile out of the Scriptures, and publish forms of Creeds, Confessions of Faith, Articles of Religion, Liturgies, Laws, Canons, for the suppression or reformation of Atheism, Blasphemy, Heresies, Schisms, False Doctrines▪ Corruptions, neglects in matters of Religion, Doctrine, Divine Worship, Sacraments, Ceremonies, or circumstances belonging to them; or concerning the manners, lives, good government, ordering, disposing of all Ecclesiastical persons, Fabrics, Glebes, Tithes, revenues, or other Church-affairs whatsoever, and reforming of any abuses in them. To preside in their proper persons, or by such as they shall appoint, in all such Councils▪ Synods; to direct all their proceedings; to alter, reject, approve, or ratify by their Edicts all or any of their Confessions, Articles, Laws, Canons, Votes, Decisions, Sentences, as they shall see just cause, when presented to them for their approbations: And to remove, prorogue, or adjourn such Councils, Synods, & dissolve them at their royal pleasures. 12ly. To receive, hear and determine, by themselves, their Assistants or Delegates, all final Appeals from, or Complaints against the irregular Proceedings, or unjust Sentences of any Ecclesiastical Councils, Synods, Archbishops, Bishops, Courts, or Jurisdictions whatsoever; (who have no more, nor other Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction nor conusance of any causes whatsoever, commonly styled * See 37 H. 8. c. 17. 1 E 6. ch. 2. Sir John Davis his Irish Reports, p. 96, 97, 98. Spiritual or Ecclesiastical, but what they by their Laws, Charters, Concessions under their Great Seals have conferred on them; and what they derive by, from, under them, and execute in their rights, steads, names, by their authority.) To prohibit, restrain, redress by their Prohibitions and other Writs from time to time (wherewith our Records abound) all such illegal Usurpations, Encroachments of Jurisdiction upon their Royal Prerogatives, Temporal Courts, Jurisdictions, Laws, or the Properties, Rights, Liberties, Consciences of their Subjects, by Ecclesiastical Constitutions, Canons, Visitations, Courts, Inquisitions, Oaths, Vexations, Interdicts, Excommunications, Sequestrations, Extorsions, Procurations, or any other Extravagances. 13ly. To prohibit any Ecclesiastical Prelates, Persons, to resort to General Councils beyond the Seas, unless specially licenced, elected, sent, or permitted by them; or assemble in any Synods or Convocations within their Realms, without their summons; or to debate, conclude any thing in them to the derogation or prejudice of their Crowns or Kingdoms; or * See the Statutes and Customs of Clarendon, Tom 1. Book 2. ch. 12. p. 611, 612, to 616. Tome 2. Book 4. ch. 2. p. 799. excommunicate any of their Barons, Officers, Tenants in Capite, or any persons inhabiting within their Cities, Burroughs, Castles, Manors, ancient Demesnes, without their precedent privity and licence, if within the Realm; or licence of their Lieutenants, Chief Justice, or the Chief Officers of such Cities, Boroughs, Castles, Manors, or Demesnes: And command them when they or other Subjects are unjustly or illegally excommunicated, to absolve, and release them too, if imprisoned upon a Capias Excommunicatum, * 26 H. 8. c 3. 28 H. 8. c. 10. 31 H. 8. c. 1●. 36 H. 8. c. 17. 1 Edw. 6. c. 2. 1 Eliz. c. 1. 8 Eliz. c. 1. without any Oath at all, or pledges ad r●manendum, upon caution or pledges given, only to stand to the judgement of the Church. 14ly. To appoint Vicegerents general, or other Commissioners of their natural born Subjects, by their Letters Patents under the Great Seal, to visit the Ecclesiastical State, persons, and punish, correct, order and redress by Ecclesiastical Censures in their rights and by their authority all Heresies, errors, crimes, offences, contempts whatsoever, punishable by the Ecclesiastical or Spiritual Laws of their Realms. 15ly. To nominate and appoint what Archbishop or Bishop should anoint, crown, or re-crown Them or their Queens, Sons; and at what times, places; notwithstanding any pretences of custom, or prescription to the contrary. 16ly. To licence Archbishops, Bishops, Clergymen to make Wills, devise goods, Legacies; or to hold other Ecclesiastical promotions, benefices, (by way of Commenda) with their Bishoprics; and exempt Clerks employed in their special service from residing on their benefices during such employments and their royal pleasures; without Episcopal coercion or censure for Non-residence●: To deraign or enable Monks, Nuns, and other religious persons, to purchase lands, or take farms, or sue, elect, marry, upon special occasions. 17ly. To prohibit the alienation of Lands from, by, or in mortmain, unto any Ecclesiastical or religious persons, houses; or the appropriation of any benefices to them, without their special Licence; or the ordination of the sons of Villains by Ordinaries to be Priests, Deacons; or the admission of them, or any Infants to be Monks or Nuns, by Abbots, Priors, Abbesses, without their Lords or Parents previous assents. 18ly. To admit, install, induct Clerks into Prebendaries and other Benefices, and collect Subsidies granted by the Clergy, by Lay hands, or other persons particularly authorized by their Patents for that purpose, when Ordinaries, Archdeacon's, prebend's, or other Ecclesiastical Officers neglect, or refuse to do their duties therein. 19ly. To denounce Anathemaes, Execrations, and Excommunications by their own royal Charters, as likewise with and by their Bishops, against all infringers or violators of their Charters, and the Donations, Privileges, granted in or by them to Monasteries, religious Houses, or to the generality of their Subjects, by the Great Charters of the Liberties of England, and the Forest, and by other public or private Charters; And to command their Bishops to excommunicate all such as should take up arms against, or deprive them of their just Rights. 20ly. To prohibit all their Archbishops, Bishops, Clergy, Subjects to own, acknowledge, or receive any person for Pope, (especially in cases of Schisms and pluralities of elected Popes) but such as themselves should first receive, admit, and proclaim to be a lawful Pope, upon due examination of the legality of their Electors, claims in Councils or Synods specially summoned by them for that purpose. To disown them, their Papal authority, Legates, Bulls, when and whiles they oppugned, disowned their just Regal Jurisdictions, Rights, Laws, or requests: and To set up new Popes in opposition against them upon just occasions. 21ly. To prohibit all Appeals to Popes or the Court of Rome: All resort of any of their Archbishops, Bishops, Abbots, Priors, or other Ecclesiastical persons to the Pope's presence, Court of Rome, Councils upon summons or otherwise, without their special licence first obtained, under pain of High Treason, banishment, confiscation of their estates, and other penalties: nor yet during Papal schisms or vacancies of Popes, to seek for any confirmations, Dispensations, or Faculties from Rome, but only from their own Metropolitans. 22ly. To permit no Pope's Legate à latere, Nuncio, or Agent to come into their Dominions, unless by their special previous request, or licence; nor yet to enter, land in, nor pass through their Realms to Scotland, Ireland, or other places, without first taking a special Oath, or giving caution, to bring, receive, act or do nothing in their going, staying, or returning, to the Kings or kingdoms prejudice, nor against the rights or prerogatives of the Crown. 23ly. To prohibit any Bulls, Letters, Messengers, to be sent out of, to, or brought from Popes, or the Court, Agents of Rome, into their Realms or Dominions, (especially in times of jealousy, discord or variance between our Kings and Popes, Bishops) under pain of imprisonment and other mulcts; and command all Officers of the Cinque-ports and other Havens, diligently to search after and seize such Bulls, Letters, and the importers or exporters of them, with care and diligence. 24ly. To prohibit their Papal Laws, Canons, Decretals to be read, used, taught, professed or executed in their Realms, and order their books to be torn, burnt; the professors of their Canon Laws to be silenced, as inconsistent with, repugnant to the Laws, Customs, Peace, Profit of the Realm; the Rights, Prerogatives of their Crowns; and oppressive, vexatious to their Subjects. To order all Canons made by their own Bishops, Convocations, without or against their Royal assents and their Nobles in Parliament, or in derogation of their Laws, Crowns, Rights, or Subject's Liberties, to be nulled, revoked, suppressed. 25ly. To prohibit under pains of Praemunire, and other severe punishments, all Papal Provisions, or Donations of Bishoprics, Ecclesiastical Livings, Dignities or Preferments; All Collections of Annates, Firstfruits, Peter-pences, Croysadoes, Procurations, Dimes, Tenths, and other Extortions by Popes and their Agents; To banish their Legates, Nuntioes, Italian or other Merchants, Usurers, Brokers, and other instruments of Rapine, Oppression, Extortion; with their foreign beneficed Clergymen, (who devoured, transported the wealth, disclosed the secrets of their Realms, but starved the souls of their Subjects,) out of their Dominions; Yea Popes themselves, with their whole Papal usurped Jurisdiction, Errors, Superstitions, Innovations, repugnant to Christ's institutions, and the sacred Scriptures. In these respective Heads, and some other particulars of less moment, which may be reduced under them, the Sovereign ancient Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction claimed and exercised by our Kings from time to time, doth principally consist, as our Histories and Records attest beyond contradiction. Which (though sometimes hindered, interrupted by the unchristian Interdicts, Excommunications, and antimonarchical Practices of insolent Tyrannical Domineering Popes; seconded with the execrable Treasons, Conspiracies, Rebellions of their own Prelates, Subjects, or foreign potent Enemies excited by and confederating with these Roman Pontiffs) they still claimed and retrived at last. For the 2d. The Popes of Rome, (as St. Peter's pretended Successors in his wooden II. Chair reserved at Rome (for which Pope a Ribadeniera Les Fleurs des vieth Saints, Part 1. p. 150. De la Chaire de Saint Pierre a Rome. Paul the 4th. Anno 1557. instituted an Annual solemn Festival to be celebrated by all the Catholic Church, on Jan. 18. and to which the Pope's pretended Supremacy and Infallibility are annexed) and as Christ's Universal Vicars, Successors, in his Regal and Sacerdotal Sovereign Power over all powers, creatures, both in heaven, earth, and under the earth;) do challenge to themselves, a General Sovereign Monarchical Jurisdiction, as well in Temporal, as Spiritual and Ecclesiastical things, over all Churches, Empires, Kingdoms, Nations, Bishops, Clergymen of what degree soever, and all Emperors, Kings, Princes, Potentates, Persons throughout the World, as well Pagan as Christian; not only to feed and instruct them, as their Universal Pastors, but likewise to root out, pull, or throw down, destroy, plant, build up, remove, depose, rule, correct them with Ecclesiastical and Temporal censures, b See Dr. Marta Pars 1. c. 17. n. 15 c. 23. nu. 1. 7. c. 24. n. 1. 9 28. c. 42. n. 1. 17, 19, 23▪ and to dispose of, transferr, their Dominions, Crowns, Sceptres, Bishoprics, Benefices, as they shall seem meet, and give them to whomsoever they please; yea their usurped power is so absolute, that to use their own words, instances in some, not all particulars; c Dr. Marta De Jurisdictione, pars 1. c. 24. n. 40, 41. pars 4. Cas. 79. n 33, 36. cas. 93 n. 3. 14 Pars 2. c. 37. n. 2. 5 Papa de plenitudine potestatis, potest declarare, limitare, et dispensare, contra Ius divinum, et contra Apostolum; Potest tol●ere jus positivum sine causa. d Marta, Pars 2. c. 43. n. 61. pars 3. c. 17. n. 4, 5. Pars 4. Cas. 195. n. 14. 25. Cas. 74. n. 1, 6, 7, Est super omnia Concilia, quae interpretatur, tollit, corrigit et alterat. Potest omnes res Ecclesiae alienare, etiam si jurasset non alienate, quia sibi non potest imponere legem etiam jurejurando. Potest ultimas voluntates moriemium alterare et commutare, and that sine causa, (against Gods and all other men's resolutions, Gal. 3. 15.) In brief, e Marta, Pars 4. Cas. 56. n. 1● Pars 1. c. 15. n. 14. c. 18. ●▪ 34. c. 19 n. 6. c. 9 n. 9, 5. Papa est judex Ordinarius omnium hominum totius mundi, et potest citate et judicare quemlibet ubicunque existentem. Papa omnia potest de plenitudine potestatis quam solus habet, caeterorum Principum nullus; Yea ejus sententiae est standum, etiamsi contradiceret Ecclesiae: For Papa solus potest sententiam definitivam proferre in Episcopos totius orbis: Yet he alone is so supertranscendently paramount all other persons whatsoever, that f Alvarus Pelagius de Planctu Eccles l. 1 c 14 to 79. Marta Pars 2. c. 37. n. 32, 33, 34. Papa nec de, nec pro ullo crimine deponi, judicari, redargui, vel accusari, potest etiamsi esset incorrigibilis, et perseveret in peccato notorio, vel turbaret statum Vniversalis Ecclesiae, quoniam superiori caret coram quo posset accusari, et ex quo non potest ab alio judicari, frustra esset denunciatio et admonitio; none being obliged so much as to admonish him privately for the most notorious scandalous crimes, but only those Grandees qui circa ejus latus sunt, sed reverenter, non per modum correctionis, sed per reverentiam charitatis: Yea, if h De Romano Pontifice ●. 4. c. 15. See Amesius Bellarminus Enervacus, l. 3. c. 6, 7. Cardinal Bellarmine may be credited, Si Papa erraret praecipiendo viti●, et prohibendo virtutes (as some Popes have done) tenetur Ecclesia credere vitia esse bona, et virtutes malas, nisi vellet contra conscientiam peccare, nec de hac re dubitare, sed simpliciter obedire: Or, if he should send innumerable souls to Hell (by illegal Excommunications, or such impious commands, his evil example, or absolute will) yet, nemo potest illi dicere, Domine cur ita facis▪ And this must be believed, * Alvarus Pelagius de Planctu Eccles. l. 1. Art. 37. Marta pars 1. c. 9 n. 4. the necessitate salutis, under pain of Heresy and Damnation. I shall instance in more considerable branches of the Pope's Monarchical Power, insisted on by Dr. Marta and others quoted by him, to wit, i Marta, Pars 1. c. 41. n. 1. 19, 20, to 36. Papa potest excommunicare et privare omnes Reges et Principes sua dignitate, et absolvere eorum subditos a Sacramento, ne eyes fidelitatem observent, recusantes stare capitulationi pacis, of Pope's prescribing: et potest Regna, Civitates, vel Castra interdicere, vel auferre uni et dare alteri, pro bono pacis: et propter pacem publicam, potest remittere omnia damna et injurias subditorum. * Marta Pars 1 c. 9 n. 14. etc. c. 15. n. 12. c. 16. n. 7. c. 17. 6. c. 29. n. 16. Pars 4. cas. 56. n. 3. cas. 198, 199. Appellandum est ad Papam ex transmarinis Ecclesiis, ab Episcopis totius Drbis, a Conciliis, ab Imperatore et Regibus, et ab omnibus potestatibus, et eorum sententia ad Papam: Sed non a sententia Papae ad Imperatorem, vel Concilium est appellandum. l Idem Pars 4. cas. 56. n. cas. 59 n. 1, 5, 11. Statutum vel Privilegium a Papa concessum, nullo modo potest prohibere, ne habe atur recursus vel appellatio ad Papam, quia Pontifex Summus est judex Drdinarius omnium hominum totius mundi, et Ecclesia Romana est Refugium omnium oppressorum. Sed a judicibus Laicis appellatur ad Papam, quando injustitia Imperatoris vel Regis, aut aliorum Principum non recognoscentium superiorem, est notoria. Non solum ratione peccati commissi propter notoriam injustitiam, vel quia ejus causa potest turbari pax universalis sed etiam ratione propriae temporalis jurisdictionis quam Summus Pontifex habet in Universo.; Yea, m Idem Pars 4. Cas. 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 10 20. Cas. 61 n. 17. & Parson 2. c. 44. Leges Principum Secularium etiam ad publicam utilitatem et necessitatem conditae, nullo modo ligant Ecclesiasticos, nisi fuerint a Pontifice confirmatae. Clerici et Ecclesiae, etiam volentes et cum Episcopi auctoritate, non tenentur ad onera publica, vel subsidia, vel annona, vel tributa, nisi consulto et approbante Romano Pontifice: That the Pope (and Bishop too) may repeal, null all Laws of Emperors, Kings, kingdoms, against the Privileges, Canons, Constitutions of the Church or Clergy; Et quod possit praecipere Laicis, ut cassent hujusmodi statuta de libro Statutorum, alias submittere locum interdicto. Yea Bishops, Clergy men's persons, lands, estates, goods, are so wholly exempt fró any Secular Jurisdiction by the Laws of God (as they style their Canons) & the Church, that n Ibid. Pars 4. cas. 42. Nullus Clericus etiam in flagranti crimine repertus, vel de fuga suspectus, potest ullo modo capi, vel prehendi per Laicus, vel Laicos Principes aut Judices. Yea such is their malice to Christian Emperors, Kings, Princes, and temporal Judges, (to whom they will allow no Jurisdiction at all in or over Ecclesiastical persons or things) that they resolve, o Idena, Pars 4. Cas. 11. n. 13. cas. 10. nu. 6. cas. 64. n. 4, 5, 6. Pars 2. cas. 6. Quod ipse Papa (by all his omni potent boundless Sovereign Papal power, which they attribute to him) non potest concedere alicui Principi jurisdictionem judicandi in Ecclesiasticos, nec totum ordinem Clericalem, nec causas Clericorum submittere jurisdictioni Laicorum: because forsooth, Clerici sunt majores Laicis, etiam Principibus, et exempti a Deo de jurisdictione Imperatoris et Principum, et ad Dei solius judicium reservantur. Item, quia reputantur privati, respectu jurisdictionis Clericorum, cum nullam in eos exercere possunt. Ergo non possunt Principes urgere consuetudines, vel Privilegia acquirere jurisdictionem in Clericos. Propter quam rationem ita decisum est pluries in Rota Romana (ut decis. 2. de Consuetudine in antiquioribus; & decis. 10. eodem Tit. in antiquis) ubi consuetudo Anglicana (in the Controversy between King Henry the 2. and Becket Archbishop of Canterbury) quod Rex habeat jurisdictionem cognoscendi in Clericos, non valet: Et hanc opinionem tenet Innocentius in c. postulasti de foro compet. Archid. in c. 1. n 2. glossa eodem, tit. l. 6. Richus de Curte, in tract. de consuetudine, sect. 5. nu. 31. Rebu●●us, super concordat is Franciae, in tit. de protectione concordatorum, col. vers. fin. Tertio infertur, Stephan. Aufrer. in Addit. ad Capit. Thol. dec●s. 126. And which is yet far more, Popes and Popish Canonists assert, Statutum puniens Concubinas Clericorum a Marta Pars 4. Casus 44. (made by Christian Kings or Emperors) non valere: Et, judices seculares nullo modo posse animadvertere in Concubinas Clericorum, nisi in subsidium, implorati prius pro brachio ab Ecclesiasticis; Quia Concubinae Clericorum, etiam respectu concubinatus sunt de foro Ecclesiastico, et nullo modo illarum animadversio respectu dicti concubinatus pertinet ad judices Laicos: Quia ratione adjuncti, concubinatu patrato per Clericum, Concubina efficitur de foro Ecclesiae, et ad Ecclesiasticum judicem est remittenda: quia Concubinae Clericorum dicuntur deorum familia, et idem privilegium habet * And by like consequence all Sodomites, Murderers, Traitors, Thiefs, Malefactors, if received into Bishops or Priest families. familia quod Dominus. Nec possunt Principes aut judices Laici punire Concubinas Clericorum ob negligentiam judicis Ecclesiastici, quia hoc non est jure Canonico dispositum, et regula incurtendae Excommunicationis (which they must incur by punishing them, even in case of their wilful neglect) est in contrarium. For which Dr. Marta citys Antoninus de Prato, Vbertinus de Carreggio, Stephanus Aufrerus, Bossius, joannes de Arnono, Alciatus, Menochus, Socinus, Sapia, Andreas S●culus, Socinus junior, Bartolus, Parisius, Panormitanus, Goffredus, Ferrarius, Beomond (in tractatu de Concubinis) Nota. Riminaldus signior, Riminaldus junior, Follerius, and the Bull of Pope Leo the 10. de publicis Concubinis, resolving, Cognitio istius criminis Clericorum & eorum Concubinarum pertinet ad solos Ecclesiae Praelatos Et Pontifex; Leo prohibet per haec verba Secularibus, ne se intromittant circa hujusmodi animadversionem; Praeterea inhibemus omnibus Secularibus viris, etiam si regall praefulgeant dignitate, ne ullum qualecumque inferant impedimentum, quocunque quaesito colore, Praelatis, qui ratione officii sui, adversus subditos suos pro hujusmodi concubinatu, et aliis causis, sibi a jure (Canonico) permissis, procedant; (by punishing them by their Lav Judicatures) Nulla ergo voluntas Christianissimi Regis praesumi potest in ferendo legem, in animadvertendis Clericorum Concubinis, quod cum jure Canonico, tam specialiter per ipsum Pontificem inhibitum fuerat. Statutum itaque, de puniendis Concubinis Clericorum per judices seculares nullo modo valere potest, (though convicted thereof, per sententiam, aut confessionem in jure factam, seu per rei evidentiam, quae nulla potest tergiversatione celari) quia est contra libertatem Ecclesiae. Prima ratio est, quia cum haec cognitio (as well as sornicatio) pertineat ad Ecclesiam, hoc statutum esset de directo contra Ecclesiae jurisdictionem, et ita libertatem illius infringeret it a in terminis hujus Statuti probat; Felynus in Ecclesia Sanctae Mariae, n. 102. de Constit. Secunda ratio est valde notabilis Petri de Ancharan in Cons. 196. n. 4. Quia per hoc Statutum detegerentur crimina Clericorum, et * Their own sins, not their punishments, detect and defame them, 1 Sam. 2. 12● to 18. 29, to 36. Mat. 2. to 10. Jer. 23. 1● to 33. infamarentur saltem de facto, et in mentibus fidelium scandalum generaretur, as jacobus Bertochinus, jason, Rebuffus, Io. de Anania and Felynus (in their Texts there cited) conclude; et consuetudo et statutum emanans ad opprobrium Cleri (as they style it, though in truth for their honour and reformation, springing merely from the Piety and Justice of every Christian Emperor, King, State, to punish the Incontinency, adultery, Whores, Concubines of any Priests, Prelates, though Popes and Bishops connive at, or neglect to punish them) Non tenet: as Pope Leo and all the forecited Popish Doctors, (or rather Panders for the Romish lecherous Clergy) magisterially resolve: And that with this further addition, in derogation of the Temporal as well as Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction of all Christian Emperors and Kings; b Marta pars ●● Cas. 28. n. 7. Cas. 58. n. 9 Laici non possunt corrigere jus Canonicum, nec derogare juri Canonico, in this or any other particular: Laicusfactus Clericus post delictum, non est amplius de jurisdictione seculari, sed est de foro Ecclesiae, eriam de delicto ante commisso: (be it murder, theft, or any other Civil crime, as well as whoredom, adultery, or sodomy:) Et factus Clericus post judicium inchoatum coram judice Laico, non tenetur comparere coram eo, nec potest amplius a judice Laico multari vel judicari. After all which they superadded; c Marta pars 4. Cas. 33. n. 14. Cas. 64. n. 19 Cas. 117. n. 6, 7, 8. Cas. 141. n. 4. Cas. 176. n. 1. Laici non possunt facere testimonium contra Clericos in causa criminali, quia Laici sunt suspecti, infesti et odiosi Clericis. And all this by the Popes, Bishops, Clergies transcendent Sovereign Jurisdiction, who by their Canons and Constitutions may null and control all Kings, Princes penal Laws, against their crimes, vices, persons, estates, or pretended Privileges; eclipse, restrain, suspend, abrogate their Regal Ecclesiastical and secular Jurisdictions, and render them mere cyphers at their pleasures; resolving further by their Canons; d Marta pars 4. Case 101. n. 8, to 15. & Cas. 64. See 37 H. 8. c. 17. Laici sunt omnino incapaces jurisdictionis Ecclesiasticae, nec longa consuetudine, nec temporis cujuscunque decursu, nec praescriptionibus etiam immemorabilibus, neque ex scientia et tolerantia Summi Pontificis, sive consensu tacito, aut privilegio, jurisdictio in Ecclesiasticos, vel eorum bona acquiretur, quae Principibus prodesse non possunt. Statuta Laicorum non sunt servanda in Curia Episcopi, nec ligant Ecclesiasticos, nisi fuerint expresse approbata per Papam: no though, edita in patrocinium Clericorum, si statuta sint per modum legis. And yet not only Bishops, Priests, but all Emperors, Kings, and secular Judges must rigorously observe and obey all their Antimonarchical Canons, Laws; e Marta Cas. 4. & Cas. 50. Imo in foro seculari, et ibi causae juramenti, et similes decidendae sunt secundum jus Canonicum. These with sundry other Antimonarchical particulars you may read asserted at large in Franciscus Bozzius Eugubinus, De Temporali Ecclesiae Monarchia, lib. 5. printed Coloniae Agrip. 1602. dedicated to Pope Clement the 8. in Thomas Bozius, De Temporali Ecclesiae Monarchia, Coloniae 1602. Jacobus Almayn, De Temporali Potestate & Ecclesiastica, Parisiis 1526. Josephus Stephanus, De Potestate Coactiva Romanae Pontificis, Romae 1586. & De Adoratione Pedum Summi Pontificis, Romae 1588. Alvarus Pelagius, De Planctu Ecclesiae, l. 1. Artic. 14, to Artic. 79. Venetiis 1560. Augustinus Triumphus, De Potestate Ecclesiae; Robertus Bellarminus Cardinalis, De Romano Pontifice; De Potestate Papae in Temporalibus, adversus Barclaium, Coloniae 1610. Responsio, & Apologia pro Responsione sua ad lib. Jacobi Magnae Britanniae Regis; & Apolog. pro Jurament. fidelitatis, Coloniae 1610. Alexander Carerius, De Potestate Romanae Pontificis, Coloniae 1601. in sundry Popes, Cardinals, Popish Schoolmen, Doctors, Canonists cited by them; and to name no more, by Dr. Marta, a Neapolitan Lawyer and Advocate in the Court of Rome, Tractatus de Jurisdictione, per & inter Judicem Ecclesiasticum & Secularem exercenda, Moguntiae 1609. & Genevae 1620. dedicated by him, Sanctissimo & beatissimo Patri & Domino nostrò Paulo Quinto, Pontifici Optimo Maximo; to whom he renders this reason of its dedication to him, in his Epistle. Et sane cuinam potius tot lustrorum jurisdictionis lucubrationes debentur, quam Tibi, qui et Vicarius Dei in terris, et e quo emanat omnis jurisdictio, unicus in Orb Pontifex, Imperator et Rex, omnium Principum superior, rerumque et personarum Supremus et Dominus; as he endeavours to evidence him, his predecessors, and successors, especially in the first and last part of this his Folio Treatise. Hear only f Commentar. ad cap. oporter, Distinct. 79. n. 13, 39, 64. Radulphus Cupers his assertion of the Pope's transcendent Universal Monarchy; Papa non solum Regibus et Caesaribus, sed omnibus sub coelo et supra coelum potestatibus exaltatur. And this passage in the Oration of g Surius Concil. Tom. 4. p. 658, 659. Stephanus Patracensis Archiepiscopus, 4 Maii 1515. to and before Pope Leo the 10th. and the Council of Lateran in Rome; Ipse Magnus Constantinus à divina gratia afflatus desuper, cognita aeternitate Regis gloriae & potestate in Regno suae Ecclesiae, et se possessorem malae fidei in mundi Principatum post resurrectionem illius ex mortuis advertens, Sceptrum Imperii Orbis et Vrbis, ac Monarchiam Vniversi, vero ac proprio Domino, et omnium Creatori Victori Deo, et homini in sede sua Romana Sylvestro Pontifici Maximo, in jure primario et naturali Christi aeterni Sacerdotis, secundum ordinem benedicti patris plene cessit, et Christum Regem magnum in suo Vicario per obedientiam adoravit, (the forgery and falsity whereof sundry others and myself have * See Tom. 1. Book 2. ch. 3. p. 56, to 64. elsewhere refuted) aliamque sedem jussu illius et concessione Apostolica quaesivit, et sub obedientia sedis Apostalicae in Byzantio erexit. After which he subjoins; Quapropter Bernardus, ad Eugenium, tanquam ad summuni Hierarchicum in coelo Ecclesiae virum, in quo erat omnis potestas super omnes Potestates tam coeli quam terrae, recte scripserat, Tibi data est omnis potestas, in qua qui totum dicit, nihil excludit. Thus have you heard the altitude, universality, and extent of this their Papal supertranscendent power in general. What particular claims, Titles, Popes and their Advocates for them, have made to the City and Empire of Rome, Germany, the Isles and Dominions of Sardinia, Corsica, Canaries, Nigraria, and all other Islands whither the light of the Gospel hath been diffused; the Indies and New World, the Dukedom of Loraign, Switzerland, the respective Kingdoms of Arragon, Bohemia, castle, Croatia, Dalmatia, Denmark, France, Granada, Hungary, Jerusalem, Italy, Lions, M●j●rca, Minorca, Naples, Navarre, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Sicily, Spain, Transylvania, Vallachia, and particularly to our Kingdoms of England, Ireland, and Scotland, you may read at leisure in Dr. Marta, De Jurisdictione, pars 1. cap. 26. Gregorius Papa 7. lib. 1. Epist. 8, 13, 28. Augustinus Steuchus, De Donatione Constantini, p. 199, etc. Carerius, l. 3. cap. 3. Polydor Virgil Hist. l. 17. Baronius Annal. Anno 1097. nu. 18, etc. Anno 1173. nu. 9, 10. Henricus Spondanus, Epitome. Annal. Baronii, An. 740. nu. 30. 775. nu. 7. 847. nu. 8. 1135. nu. 4. 1159. nu. 3. 1172. nu. 2. in Matthew Paris, Matthew Westminster, and Walsingham, An. 1155, 1213, 1214, 1301, 1302. and Dr. Richard Crakenthorp of the Pope's Temporal Monarchy, cap. 1. For the third particular, by what fictitious and perverted sacred Charters Popes III. claim this their transcendent power and Universal Monarchy, the premised Authors will inform you, and I have * Book 1. ch. 2, 4, 5. elsewhere at large related. The Texts they principally insist on are Gen. 1. 16. Jer. 1. 10. Psal. 2. 8. Psal. 72. 8. Isa. 9 6, 7. Psal. 45. 16. Psal. 89. 27, 37, 38. Dan. 2. 44. c. 4. 3, 34. c. 6. 26. c. 7. 14, 27. Mich. 4. 7. Ephes. 1. 20, 21. Luke 1. 23. Mat. 16. 14, 18, 19 John 21. 15, 16, 17. All which the premised Popish Authors and others blasphemously or absurdly apply and appropriate to St. Peter and themselves, as pretended successors to Christ, in his Kingly and Priestly Sovereign power. I shall only mention and insist on two Texts more, as properest for their purpose. The first is Mat. 28. 18, 19, 20. where our Saviour Christ, immediately before his ascension into heaven, after his triumphant resurrection from the dead, spoke thus to his eleven Disciples jointly, (not to Peter alone) saying, All power is given unto me, both in heaven and in earth: Go ye therefore and teach all Nations, etc. and lo I am with you always, unto the end of the world. Whence they thus * Thomas Bozzius, De Temporali Ecclesiae Monarchia, l. 1. c. 23. l. 2. c, 16▪ l. 3. c. 14. l. 4. c. 14. Marta de Jurisdictione, pars 1. c. 4. si, 36, 37. c. 8, to c. 14. Alvarus Pelagius de Planctu Eccles▪ l. 1. Artic. 37. and sundry others. infer by head and shoulders; Ergo all this power in heaven and earth then given to Christ, was immediately at his corporal ascension into heaven, transferred to, appropriated by him wholly and solely to St. Peter, and his Successors at Rome, (not Antioch his first See) as Christ's immediate Successors or Vicars in his Regal and Sacerdotal Sovereignty. For answer hereunto, I would here seriously demand of any ingenious Papist, or religious Votary to the See of Rome, whether there be one syllable, or the least implication in this Text, 1. That this Sovereign Power was then given to our Saviour, only on purpose to delegate the immediate right or exercise of it both in heaven and earth, to any other person or persons? Or 2ly, That it was transferred wholly and solely to St. Peter, but not to the rest of the Disciples, to whom Christ then jointly spoke these words, and as much to any other of them as to Peter; with this superadded precept and promise, inferred and deduced from this his power; Go ye (in the plural number, not thou Peter, or Peter only) therefore into all the world, etc. And lo I am with you (all, not with Peter alone, and his Roman Successors) always, even unto the end of the world. Or 3ly, What shadow of evidence can they produce, that St. Peter ever claimed or exercised such a Sovereign power, as than delegated to him by Christ; which himself professedly several times disclaimed, both in words, deeds, and writing, as Acts 2. 34, 35, 36. ch. 4. 10, 11. ch. 5. 31, 32. ch. 8. 14. ch. 10. 25, 36, 42. ch. 11. 2, to 19 1 Pet. 2. 6, 7, 13, 14, 17. ch. 5. 1, to 7. 2 Pet. 2. 1, 10. ch. 3. 2, 15. directly and infallibly assure us, against this Pontifical whimsy. Or 4ly. What irrefragable proof, that St. Peter ever sat an actual or sole Bishop of Rome, or fixed his Sovereign Episcopal Chair or See for ever in it? which the Sacred and Evangelical story seems to a See Centur. Magd. 2. c. 7. col. 518, to 530. contradict. Or 5ly. That ever Christ himself, or St. Peter, transferred or perpetually appropriated this Sovereign Universal Kingly and Priestly power, to any or every the Bishops of Rome that should succeed him in that See, (in case he ever sat there) to the end of the world, though an Heretic, Schismatic, Adulterer, Sodomite, Nicromancer, Simoniac, Child, Tyrant, or the most ambitious, avaritions, vicious, flagitious, luxurious, impious, atheistical Prelate ever breathing in the world, as many of them have been, or a notorious strumpet, (as Pope Joan) as their b Benno Cardinalis, Platina, Stella, Martinus Polonus, Sabellicus, Fasciculus Temporum, Volaterranus, & Barns, Balaeus, Centuriae Magdeburgensis, and others in their lives, & Book 1. ch. 5. Theodoricus à Niem, & Marius de Schismate. own & other Historians attest; to omit the frequent plurality of Popes at once, condemning, excommunicating, murdering, degrading one another, as antichristian and uncanonical. Till all these with other particulars be fully demonstrated by Scripture, or other irrefragable Authorities, not by their own Testimonies in their own cases, this Text (to which themselves entitle the Virgin Mary, as Queen, Empress of heaven and earth) will no more evince St. Peter's or the Pope's Universal Monarchy, than those premised. Their second claim and c Franciscus Bozzius de Temporali Papae Monarchia, l. 4. c. 14. Antonius de Rosellis Monarchia, pars 1. c. 18. Arnoldus Carnotensis, Tract. de Laudibus Virgins. Title to it, is Phil. 2. 9, 10, 11. Wherefore God hath highly exalted him, (Christ Jesus, not Peter) and given him (not Peter or his Roman successors) a Name above every Name; that in the Name of Jesus (not Peter or the Pope of Rome) every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth: And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ (not Peter, not the Pope) is Lord, to the glory of God the Father, (not of St. Peter or his successors at Rome.) But how this Text (which they likewise allege for the Virgin Maries Universal Monarchy) can with any colour of truth, or without highest blasphemy, injury to Christ, be applied, appropriated by Popes and their Parasites to Mary, or to Peter and themselves, as Christ's Vicars upon earth, let all who have judgement or conscience discern: Since St. Paul the Apostle hath appropriated it to Jesus Christ alone, d See Eph. 1. 20, 21, 22. Rom. 8. 34. Hebr. 10. 12, 13. as highly exalted to, and sitting down on his Father's throne, at the right hand of his Majesty, in the highest heavens, as his words expressly resolve; and it is altogether incommunicable to St. Peter, much more to Popes, as every syllable in the Text, context, and the illative Wherefore, infallibly demonstrates. They must therefore for ever disclaim any colour, right or Title to this their Universal Sovereign Monarchy, or any other misalleged Texts, which I have e Book 1. ch. 2, 4. elsewhere answered at large, and shall not here insist on. The original basis, groundwork, reason of St. Peter's and the Pope's Universal Monarchy, in Temporals and Spirituals, is thus laid down by f De Jurisdictione, pars 1. c. 22 n. 1, to 10. Hostiensis in cap. superbis, de voto, D. Antoninus in 3. parte Summae, Tit. 3. cap. 2. Jac. Almayn de Potestate Papae, c. 8. Carerius, and others. Dr. Marta and other Pontificians: Duo tempora considerantur in Christo. Alterum ante passionem; & tunc propter humilitatem judicare recusavit. Nam Lucae c. 12. dixit, Quis me constituit divisorem inter vos? & Joan. c. 18. Regnum meum non est de hoc mundo. Alterum verò post resurrectionem, & tunc dixit; Data est mihi omnis potestas in coelo & in terra: Mat. ult. & Joan. ult. Sed post resurrectionem dedit potestatem Petro, eumque constituit Vicarium suum: (transferring all this his Sovereign Power both in heaven and earth, to him and the Pope of Rome.) Ergo ex potestate Domini, metimur potestatem Vicarii. Et Pontifex Romanus similem habet potestatem divinorum, & jurisdictionem in temporalibus & spiritualibus, quam habuit Christus Dominus noster, ut perfectus homo: Et ex ordinatione divina constitutus est super gentibus & regnis, & habet utramque potestatem de & per se, & potest jurisdictionem temporalium temporaliter, non autem directiuè tantum exercere. So as by their determinations, St. Peter and Roman Popes had neither any Temporal Sovereign Regal or Pontifical Universal power over all Kingdoms, Nations, Churches, Monarches, Bishops in the world before, but only from and after Christ's resurrection and ascension into heaven, when he both received all Power in heaven and earth formerly promised, and then given him by his Father, and immediately transmitted the right and exercise thereof to St. Peter, and Pope's succeeding him at Rome, (not Antioch his first See) as his sole Successors and Vicars, to manage both his Kingly and Priestly offices on earth, during his personal absence from his Church, by reason of his corporal residence at his Father's right hand in heaven, until his second coming to Judgement; he having no need of a Vicar general, or Successor to represent his person, or supply his corporal absence from his Church, and exercise his Kingly or Priestly offices whiles bodily present upon earth, and therefore instituted none till he ascended into heaven. So as Christ's corporal absence from the earth, upon his departure to heaven in his humane nature, and bodily presence; and the necessity and conveniency (as they hold) of one Universal Vicar and Viceroy, to supply his bodily absence, and succeed him in the execution of these his offices in the Church Militant throughout the world, are the sole reason, ground, foundation of St. Peter's and the Popes pretended Temporal and Ecclesiastical Monarchy. And if this basis thereof be once subverted, the whole superstructure must presently fall to the ground, and come to ruin. I shall therefore in the 4th. place address myself to undermine this foundation, with all convenient brevity: 1. By express Scriptures. 2ly. By the Resolutions, Canons, Decretals, Doctrines, Practices of the Church, Councils, Popes, Cardinals, Schoolmen, Casuists, Canonists, Civilians of the Church of Rome, in opposition to those of the Protestant Religion, relating to the Virgin Maries Monarchy, and Christ's corporal presence still on earth, which utterly subvert St. Peter and Popes pretended Regal and Pontifical Supremacy depending on it. The Scriptures I shall cite are these. The first is, Ephes. 4. 8, 11, 12. When he (to wit Christ) ascended up on high, (to heaven) he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. And he gave some (not Peter alone) to be Apostles, and some Prophets, and some Evangelists, and some Pastors, and Teachers; for the perfecting of the Saints, for the work of the Ministry, and for the edifying of the body of Christ: Compared with 1 Cor. 12. 28, 29. And God hath set some (not one) in the Church; first Apostles, (not Peter to be first or sole Apostle) secondly Prophets, thirdly Teachers, after that miracles, than gifts of healing, helps, governments, (not Peter to be sole or supreme Governor) diversity of tongues. Are all Apostles? are all Prophets? are all Teachers? are all workers of miracles? have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret? Here St. Paul by the spirit of God, enumerates what ever gifts Christ at his ascension into heaven bestowed on his Apostles, Church, or men in general. In which Texts it is observable; First, That there is not one syllable of any peculiar gift, much less of all his Regal and Sacerdotal power in heaven and earth, then bestowed on Peter or any of his successors, as his sole Universal Vicars or successors in both; which being a matter of so grand moment to his Church, as Popes and Pontificians deem it, would certainly have been specified, and not pretermitted by St. Paul; yea by all the four Evangelists, the Penmen of the Acts of the Apostles, and by St. Peter himself in his large Oration to the Apostles, in his first Sermon to the Jews and strangers at Jerusalem, immediately after Christ's ascension, Act. ch. 1. & 2. & 3. & 4. in his Sermon to Cornelius Act. 10. and in both his own Epistles general, wherein there is not the least mention or intimation of any such gift or power bestowed on him by Christ, but * 1 Pet. 2. 9, 13, 14, 17. c. 2▪ 7, 9, 13, 14. c. 5. 1● to 7. 2 Pet. 1. ●. c. 3. 15. the contrary. 2ly. That the first gift he then bestowed on men, was Apostles, or Apostleships; not worldly Empires, Kingdoms, Nations, Crowns, Sceptres, Principalities, Dominions; and that upon all the eleven Apostles, not St. Peter alone, in the selfsame equality and degree, at the very time of Christ's ascension, and immediately after on Mathias, chosen in the place of Judas; as is undeniable by Christ's giving all the Apostles the selfsame Apostolical mission and Commission, when he declared to them, that all power was given unto him both in heaven and in earth, Mat. 28. 16, 18, 19, 20. by St. Peter's and the other Apostles own resolutions, Acts 1. 15▪ to the end; especially vers. 22, 23, 25, 26. Act. 5. 31, 32. c. 10. 38, 41, 42. 1 Pet. 1. 1. c. 5. 1. 2 Pet. 1. 1, 16. c. 3. 2, 15. Gal. 2. 7, 8, 9, 11. and by the Holy Ghosts descending equally on them all in cloven tongues, and giving them all equally the gifts of tongues, within few days after Christ's ascension, Acts 2. 1, to 10. 3ly. That both the Commission, and all gifts Christ gave to the Apostles jointly, or to others at his ascension, were only Ministerial, not Imperial, Judicial, or Magistratical; to wit, * Ephes. 4. 11. 12. 2 Cor. 1●▪ 4, 24. c. 5. 20. for the perfecting of the Saints, for the work of the Ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ; not to be Sovereign Universal Monarches over all Empires, Kingdoms, Nations, Churches of the world; to root out, pull or throw down, destroy, build, plant them at their pleasure, or to exercise Sovereign Dominion over the Lords Churches, heritage, or other Christians faith; expressly prohibited them by Christ, and disclaimed both by St. Paul and Peter, Mat. 20. 25, 26. Luke 22. 25, 26. 1 Pet. 2. 13, 14. c. 5. 1, 2, 3, 5. 2 Cor. 1. 24. Rom. 13. 1, to 7. Tit. 3. 1. The second sort of Texts are, Acts 2. 34, 35, 36. where St. Peter himself in his first Sermon to the Jews and Gentiles at the feast of Pentecost, soon after Christ's ascension into heaven, asserts and proclaims with the highest confidence that can be, both to all Jews and Gentiles, that Christ did not transfer his Sovereign power which God conferred on him, after his triumphant resurrection, unto him, or his successors at Rome, but reserved it entirely in and to himself, till the end of the world; in these observable expressions. For David himself saith of Christ (in reference to his ascending into heaven) * Psal. 110. 1. The Lord said unto my Lord, sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool: Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, That God hath made the same Jesus whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ. Which he thus seconded, both before the Council and High Priest of the Jews, Acts 5. 31, 32. Him hath God exalted with his right hand, to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins; and we are witnesses of these things. And in his Sermon to Cornelius, Acts 10. 36. he adds; He (not I) is Lord of all. Which St. Paul (whom he styles, Our beloved brother and fellow Apostle, and whose Epistles he voucheth as concurring with his own, 2 Pet. 3, 15, 16.) thus amplifies, 1 Cor. 15. 24, 25, 26. For Christ must reign till he hath put all his enemies under his feet; the last enemy that shall be destroyed, is death: Then cometh the end, when he shall deliver up the Kingdom to God, even the Father, when he shall have put down all rule, and all authority and power: Compared with Ephes. 1. 20, 21, 22. Col. 1. 17, 18, 19 Phil. 2. 9, 10, 11. 2 Tim. 5. 14, 15, 16. And St. John thus thirds, Rev. 11. 15, 16, 17. And there were great voices in heaven, saying, The Kingdoms of the world are become the Kingdoms of the Lord, and of his Christ, and He (not St. Peter, or the Pope his pretended successor) shall reign for ever and ever. And the twenty four Elders fell upon their faces and worshipped God; saying, We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, waist, and art to come because thou hast taken to thee; (not delegated to the Pope, or St. Peter) thy great power, and hast reigned. And Rev. 19 6. I heard as the voice of a great multitude, and as of mighty thunderings, saying, Allelujah, for the Lord God omnipotent (not Pope) reigneth. Moreover, David in relation to the Kingdom & Kingship of Christ, after his resurrection and ascension, assures us, Psal. 29. 10. The Lord sitteth King for ever Psal.. 97. 1. The Lord reigneth, let the earth rejoice, let the multitude of Isles be glad thereof. Yea Dan. 2. 44. c. 4. 3, 34. c. 6. 26. c. 7. 14, 27. Luke 1. 33. It was prophesied and predicted of Christ, That his Kingdom shall never be destroyed; that his Kingdom is an everlasting Kingdom, and his Dominion an everlasting Dominion, from generation to generation, (without any inter-regnum or succession) and shall be even unto the end, and shall not pass away, (or be transferred) and shall not be left to other people, (therefore not to St. Peter, or Roman Pontiffs of several Nations) and all Dominions shall serve and obey him, (not St. Peter or Popes:) Compared with Mich. 4. 7. And the Lord (not Popes) shall reign over them for ever. Isa. 9 6, 7. Luke 1. 38, 39 And the Lord God shall give him the throne of his Father David, and the government shall be upon his shoulders, and he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever, and of his Kingdom, and of the increase of his government there shall be no end. Therefore by the concurrent verdicts of St. Peter himself, backed by St. Paul, St. John, and all these sacred Texts, it is infallible, that Christ neither at his ascension, nor at any time else, ever transferred the right, exercise, dominion of his Kingdom, Church, or government thereof, much less of all Kingdoms, Nations, Monarches in the world, to St. Peter or his Roman successors, but entirely reserved it to himself, as personal and untransferrable to any other. And so they must bid farewell for ever to St. Peter's pretended Universal Monarchy and Patrimony, as Christ's Successors or Vicars, by the Testimony of all these sacred Texts, whereon they would gladly found and establish it. The third Texts are such as destroy both St. Peter and all Pope's Titles to Christ's Universal High Priesthood, or Shepherdship over the Catholic Church, as the precedent do their Kingship. The first is St. Peter's own expression, 1 Pet. 5. 2, 3, 4. Feed the flock of God which is amongst you; neither as being Lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock: And when the Chief Shepherd (Christ) shall appear; (therefore Christ, not he, was then Chief Pastor of the Sheep) you shall receive a Crown of glory that fadeth not away. The next is that of St. Paul, Hebr. 13. 20. Our Lord jesus Christ brought again from the dead, is the Great Shepherd of the Sheep▪ to whom be glory for ever and ever, Amen; compared with Hebr. 7. 21. to the end, ch. 10, 12. 15, to 22. and Psal. 110. 4. The Lord swore and will not repent, (in relation to Jesus Christ and his Priesthood) Thou art a Priest for ever after the order of Melchizedech: And they truly were many Priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death; but this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable (or untransferrable) Priesthood, (that passeth not to another by succession or delegation; therefore not to St. Peter, or any other Roman Pontiff) Wherefore he is able to save to the uttermost, all that come unto God by Him, (not by Peter, Mary, or the Pope) seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. For such an high Priest became us who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens, (are any Roman Pontiffs so qualified?) and who needed not daily, (as these Priests did, and all Popes and Masspriests too) to offer up sacrifice for their own sins, and then for the peoples; for this he did * Therefore ●● is not reiterated daily in their Masses. once, when he offered up himself, and is consecrated for evermore: For by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us: After he had offered one sacrifice for ever, he sat down at the right hand of God; from henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool; for by one offering he hath perfected for ever those that are sanctified: And having him an High Priest over the House of God (not St. Peter, nor his successors) let us draw near with a pure heart in full assurance of faith. Pope's therefore and their seduced Pontificians, must now bid adieu to their Antichristian Titles of Pontifex Optimus Maximus; Pontifex Summus, Sanctissimus, Episcopus Vniversalis, Oecumenicus, Pastor summus, Pastor Pastorum; and to their Vicarship, and succession in Christ's Universal High Priesthood, as well as to his Kingship, unless they will renounce all these Canonical Scriptures, Vnking, Vnpriest our Saviour Christ, and usurp both his Royal Throne and Chair, upon Christ's pretended Donation of them to St. Peter at his ascension; (who never heard of, claimed, but professedly disavowed any such Gift; and all Popes of Rome too for some hundreds of years:) Of no greater Credit or Validity than their forged Donation of all Ecclesiastical and Temporal Sovereignty and Dominion from * See Tom. 1. Book 2. ch▪ 3. c. 56, to 64. Constantine the Great, which refute and destroy each other. Now because the sacred Scriptures are of little or no Authority in the Church of II. Rome, but as they are glossed, interpreted from time to time by Popes themselves in their own causes, for their own advantage, I shall in the next place, subvert the foundation of their pretended, Universal Monarchy, by their own established, Romish Devotions, Practices, Doctrines, directly or consequentially contradicting, overturning each other by a divine infatuation: I shall reduce them to these two general heads. 1. Such Practices, Devotions, Doctrines of the Roman Church and its members, as directly invalid, diminish, subvert the Sovereign Universal, Kingly, or Priestly offices of Christ himself; and by consequence St. Peter and the Popes, which they derive from him. 2ly. Such as subvert the Pope's alone. To begin with their Practices and Devotions, as they deem them; The Romanists (as you heard before) acknowledge, that our Saviour Christ, as God and Man, did not receive the actual possession or exercise of his Universal Kingly power in earth or heaven, (especially in Temporals) till after his resurrection, and his ascension in his humane body and nature into heaven, to the Throne of his Majesty; not whiles he was a sucking babe in his mother's arms, or hanging nailed on his Cross, or entombed in his sepulchre; the lowest acts, parts of his humiliation, antecedent to his actual Sovereign Exaltation and Regal Power; as Phil. 2. 1, to 12. Ephes. 2. 19 to 23. Mat. 28. 18, 19 Lu. 24. 26. Acts 2. 23, to 27. c. 5. 30, 31. c. 13. 33, 34. Heb. 1. 3. c. 12. 2. Rev. 3. 21. c. 5. 12, 13. resolve. Now how do Popes, Popish Churches, Councils, Cardinals, Bishops, Doctors, Priests, Monks, Nonnes, Laics, and the whole Church of Rome picture, represent our Saviour Christ to the eyes of their bodies and minds, either in all or most of their public or private a a Missale Romanum, Salmanticae, 1588. p. 16, 17, 21, 36, 39 465. Missa Votiva de Sancta Maria, p. 59, 60, 61, 62. Horae Beatae Mariae secundum usum Sarum, Parisiis 1509. Title page, & f. 10. and all other Offices, Primers of our Lady. The Office of the Virgin Mary, St. Omers, 1631. Title page, & p 36, 56. Our Lady's Primer in Latin & English, Paris 1538. p. 55, 65, 74. The Epistles and Gospels, f. 56. and others. Masse-books, Breviaries, Offices, Psalters, Primers, Processionals, Manuals, Rosaries, or other Books of Devotion, and Religion; in all their Collegiate, Cathedral, Parochial Churches, Chapels, or private Oratories, Monasteries, Colleges, Cells, Closets, or Crosses which they erect, and in their public or private Masses, Processions, devoutest prayers, and addresses to him, when they most implore his grace or assistance; Not as a most glorious, triumphant Sovereign King of Kings, or head of all Principalities and Powers; or as their only high Priest, Advocate, Mediator, sitting in Heaven on the Throne of his Majesty and glory, at his Father's right hand, there making perpetual intercession for them, to reconcile and bring them to his Father; But rather as a despicable sucking babe or infant lying, in his swaddling clouts in his Mother's arms, lap, bosom, breast; or at her feet, in a cratch or manger; as if he were still an infant, and not grown to his manly stature: Yea they make him such a frail, despicable infant, that his very bones (and limbs too) may now be easily broken and knocked off from his body, (contrary to John 19 33. 36. Ps. 34. 26. A bone of him shall not be broken) and he tumbled down out of his mother's arms to the ground; witness this famous Legend recorded for a most certain miraculous truth, by our b Chron. Gervasii, col 1499, 1500. Gervasius Dorobernensis. Anno Gratiae 1187. King Henry the 2d being in Castello Radulphi in Provincia Bituricensi, wherein the French King intended to besiege him: Est ibidem Coenobium Monachorum habitus nigri, in honore beatae virgins Mariae dedicatum. Quo cum Braibanceni Regis Angliae stipendiarii festinarent, ut ea quae in eadem Ecclesia reposita erant, absportarent, Lemovicensis Vicecomes armatus accessit, eorumque ab ingressu Ecclesiae cohibuit furorem, fugatoque tandem latronum Cuneo, remanserunt quidam ex ipsis in ipso atrio Ecclesiae tessara ludentes. Cum ergo quidam ex ipsis, ut moris est, sort perderent, alii vero lucro inhiantes eos qui perdebant probris irritarent, high qui perdebant furore succensi, in Deum et beatam ejus genetricem nefandas blasphemias jactitabant, ac si ecr●m esset culpa quod hujusmodi infortunia eis accidebant, Vnus autem ex eis insanior caeteris, arrepto lapide, ad imaginem Sanctae Virginis Mariae in lapide sculptam projecit, quo infantem feriens, ejus manum dejecit in terram. Qua ruente, ipse quoque puer e gremio lapsus est inferiusque solito resedit. De brachio autem pueri simul et manu quae jam in terram lapsa est sanguis uberrime manavit, ac si viventis hominis vigor esset in lapide. (It seems this statue of their Saviour was transubstantiated into his very body and blood, as well as the Hostia) Ipsa vero Imago Mariae ac si suo compateretur filio, conjectis manibus ad humeros proprios Vestimentum lapideum abrupit, et corpus proprium fere usque ad mamillas detexit. Hic vero qui lapidem jecerat, absque mora corruit et expiravit, caeterique amentes effecti sunt, (as mad as they who forged and believed this Legend) Vicecomes autem Lemovicensis accurrens manum pueri sanguine madidam apprehendit, magnumque defensionis proemium laetabundus absportavit. The like miracles we have recorded of abundance of blood issuing out of the little Images of our Saviour, wounded or crucified by jews since his ascension into heaven, publicly read in the Roman Church, recorded for truths by Sigebertus; yea by Baronius himself and Henricus Spondanus his Epitomiser, Anno Christi 446. nu. 3. Anno 560. nu. 1. Anno 765. nu. 2. which blood they * See Thomas Beacon his Relics of Rome reserve and show to the people, who adore it, as the very blood of Christ himself in several places; Yea our * col. 444. See Baronius & Spondanus, An. 765. nu. 2. Radulphus de Diceto in his Abbreviationes Chronicorum, Anno 765. out of Sigebertus and others, stories. Judaei Imaginem Jesu Salvatoris nostri invenientes in domo Judaei ibi relictam à quodam Christiano, eam deponunt, & omnia opprobria quae Judaei Jesus Christo intulerunt, imagini ejus inferebant; tandem lancea latere ejus aperto, exivit de eo sanguis et aqua. Quod illi supposita ampulla suscipientes, omnes infirmos in Synagoga sua collectos sanabat. Quod cum vidissent Judaei, baptizati sunt omnes (when as the shedding of Christ's blood, and sight of the miracles wrought at his Passion converted no one Jew) and in memory hereof, Passio autem Dominicae Imaginis, celebratur singulis annis 5 Idus Nou. (the day of our Gunpowder Treason) apud Beretham in Syria, where this Image was crucified: So as they had two good Fridays, the one for the Passion of our Saviour, which is movable, changing every year; and the other for the passion of his very image, which is certain; Or 2dly. They represent and adore him as a diminutive, despicable babe or dwarf, whose real natural glorified body born of the Virgin Mary (if they believe b Gratian De Consecratione, Distinct 2. & their Glossers thereon, Peter Lombard, Sententiarum l. 4. Distinct. 9, 10, 11, 12. & Alexander Alensis, Albertus Magnus, Pe●ius de Alliaco, Ant, Andreas, Aquinas, Jo. Bachon. Gabriel Biel, Bruliser, Dionys. Carthusianus, Capreolus, Durandus, Estius, Faber, Faventinus, Aegidius de Roma, Gorichem, Holcot, Hervaeus Brito, Media Villa, Ockam, Jo▪ Duns Stotus, Jo de Rada, Henr. Tamarit, Henricus de V●rumaria, & other Schoolmen thereon, Summa Angelica, Summa Rosella & other Canonists, tit. Eucharistia, Paschatius, Radbertus de Corpore & sanguine Domini c. 14. Concil. Lateranum sub Innocentio 3. Anno 1215. cap. 1. & Concil. Tridentinum, Sess. 13, De Sanctissimo Eucharistiae Sacramento. their own Popes, Councils, Doctors, Churches resolutions, which they deem infallible) is now contained in, or under the narrow species and circumference of every small consecrated Host, Chalice, yea in every part thereof, without its organical parts and corporeal dimensions locally distinct from each other, yet appearing sometimes miraculously (as they relate) upon the Altar, and in the sacred Host or Chalice to some of their Priests and other Saints, either in the form of a petty infant, lamb, or morsel of flesh, or some drops of blood, for confirmation of their Doctrine of Transubstantiation; (though he never knew nor taught it) but never in the shape or proportion of his full-growen humane body in which he suffered on earth, and with which he ascended into heaven, which body St. Peter himself, and all Creeds resolve, c Acts 3. 20, 21 the Heavens must receive, until the time of the restitution of all things, and his coming to judgement; and other Texts define, to be d Acts 2. 27. 30, 31. Psal. 16 10. 1 Cor. 15. 42, 43. to 49. 53, 54, 57 incorruptible; being prepared and given him only by God, when he was e John 1. 14. Gal. 4. 4. Heb, 2. c. 10. 5. ● See Missale Romanum Salamanticae p. 187, 204. Missa Votiva de Sancta Cruse, p. 50, 54. Officium secundum usum Sarum, f. 14, 57, 86, 154. The Primer of our Lady, Paris 1538. f. 90, 91. The Epistles and Gospels. made flesh, and born of a woman; and was never corporally present but in one place at once: Or, in such an inglorious, inhuman, unkingly, despicable body, as wants both the form, lineaments, accidents of a human body, appearing in and under the form, species, accidents, dimensions of mere bread and wine; which every Communicant worthy or unworthy, doth not only actually receive into his mouth, but chew with his teeth, swallow into his belly, (yea rats and mice may devour) in consecrated wafers; and which the meanest, vilest Priest can make, and create at his pleasure, as well as the greatest, holiest Pope, Bishop, and then lift up and down, turn or overturn, imprison under lock and key in a Pix, and send abroad to every sick person, carry about in procession, or devour at his pleasure; Or in such a strange body, as is really, corporally, insensibly present in above ten thousand Hostia's, Altars, Pixes, Chalices at once: which yet they solemnly adore with Latria, as their very Lord, God, Saviour, Creator; and doom all for Heretics who comply not with them herein. Or 3ly. They picture, carve, represent, pray to, and adore him, f 62. Molanu● SS. Imaginum Hist. as still hanging on, yet nailed to, but not taken down from his Cross whereon he suffered (their most usual representation of him in all their Crucifixes, Churches, Chapels, Colleges, Crosses, Closets, Missals, Breviaries, Offices, Litanies, Manuals, or Books of Devotion, Caeremonials, Processionals, Statues, Pictures, and Good Friday Devotions) as if he were not yet risen again for their justification, or sitting at God's right hand to intercede for them as their advocate. Or 4ly. As yet lying in his grave in their Good Friday g See Ludovicus Vives Notae in Augustinum de Civit. Dei, l. 1. c. 29. Didacus' de Tapia in Tertiam Partem Thomae, Artic. 8. 546. Will. Lindanus Apologeticus in Germanos Tom. 3. n. 75. Interludes: wherein they not only re-crucifie, but re-interre him in his Sepulchre, as if not formerly crucified, dead, buried: And not only so, but in the famous City of Venice in Italy, (as h Europae Speculum, London, 1638. p. 19, 20. Sir Edwin Sands an eyewitness assures us) they have erected a stately Sepulchre of Christ, whereon is written, Hic situm est Corpus Domini nostri jesu Christi with verses annexed, Conditur hoc tumul●;; as if his crucified body were there yet actually interred, and never ascended into heaven; where there is likewise hanging in a printed Table a prayer of St. Austin, with Indulgence for no less than fourscore and two thousand years granted by Pope; Boniface the eighth, and confirmed by Benedict the eleventh, to whosoever shall say it (before his Tomb and interred Body) and that for every day toties quoties; which is very observable, for that in a few days a man may provide for a whole million of world's pardon, if they did last no longer than this hath done hitherto: But if Christ's body be still interred in that Venetian Sepulchre as the inscriptions attest, or elsewhere, S. Paul assures both them and us, 1 Cor. 15. 12, to 20. that their faith, preaching, (and this their prayer and indulgence too) are vain, yea, they are yet in their sins, are of all men most miserable; and their deceased Roman Saints and ancestors, are likewise perished. In this inglorious, unkingly manner do they now usually represent, pray to, and adore our glorified Saviour Jesus Christ, the King and Lord of glory. On the contrary, how do the Churches, Popes, Prelates, Priests of Rome▪ and all their Members usually paint, portray, represent, stile, invoke, adore, and blazon abroad the Sovereign Imperial and Regal Authority of the Virgin Mary over all Angels, Creatures, Persons, powers both in heaven, earth, purgatory, hell; * See Bishop Ushers Answer to the Jesuite● Challenge, p. 481, 482, 483. yea over God himself, and Christ her son, to the derogation, subversion both of Christ's Sovereign Universal Monarchy, Priesthood, and chief branches thereof, if not of his Prophetical office; and of St. Peter's and all Pope's pretences, Rights, Titles to them: which because not hitherto pressed against them in this kind, or to this end by any of our Protestant Writers; I shall the more largely and fully charge against them. 1. They usually Carve, portray, paint the Statues, Pictures of the Virgin Mary, (as visible experience attests, past contradiction) and represent her by them to their eyes, thoughts, when they pray unto her, in all their i See p. 14, 15. before, & Bernardini de Busti his Mariale, Pars 12. De Cooronatione Mariae, Sermo 1 & 2. Michael Lochmair Sermo 6. 75, 76. Offices, Primers, Psalters, Hours, Rosaries, Missals, Breviaries, Books of Devotion, Churches, Chapels, Monasteries, Altars of our Lady, especially on all their public Festivals dedicated to her honour, in greatest State, Majesty, Crowned with a Crown, or Rays of glory, as the Empress, Queen, Lady of heaven, earth, and all creatures in them, but Christ her son only in the form or shape of a small sucking infant, lying in her lap, bosom, arms, or at her feet. 2ly. They style, pray to, invoke, worship, adore her in all their public Liturgies, Offices, Hours, Rosaries, Crowns, Anthems, Psalters, Primers, and private Devotions, k Officiu● Mariae, secundum usum Sarum, Paris. 1509. f. 38, to 44. Our Lady's Primer in Latin & English, Paris. 1538. f. 85, 86. Breviarium Romanum Pii 5. Rothomag. 1600. p. 482. A Manual of Prayers, St. O. mers 1625. p. 283, 284, 285. The Litany of our Lady of Loretto, to be said on saturdays. Bernardin, de Busti, Mariale Pars 3. Sermo 3. & 4. quarta Excellentia Nominis Virgins, Pars 11. Sermo 1, 2. Pars 12. Sermo 1, 2. throughout, and elsewhere, S. Bernardi Sermo de Assumptione Beatae Mariae, Anselmus Cantuariensis. Michael Lochmair, Sermo 6. 75, 76. The Rosary of our Lady. and in their Postils, Sermons, Writings, proclaim, assert her to be, in respect of her Regal Universal Monarchy; Imperatrix, Augusta, Regina et Domins Coeli coelorum, Mundi, Terrae, et Totius Orbis, ac exercituam cunctorum Angelorum et Martyrum; Imperatrix or Regina Angelorum, Patriarcharum, Prophetarum, Apostolorum, (therefore of St. Peter, and his pretended successors of Rome) Confessorum, Virginum, et omnium Sanctorum, yea, Imperatrix, Regina, & Domina, or at least, Ferulae Diabolorum; ipsa enim contrivit Diaboli potentiam, sicut praedictum fuit Gen. 3. dum ipsi Diabolo Dominus ait, Ipsa conteret caput tuum, confunditque ejus astutiam; juxta illud Judith 14. una mulier Hebraea confusionem faciet in Domo Nabuchodonosor. Item dejecit ejus maliciam, juxta illud quod ipsius in persona dicitur, Judith, c. 9 Erit memorialis. primus tui cum manus foeminae dejecerit eum. And if this be not sufficient, l Bishop Jewel, p. 336. History of the Council of Trent. Ambrose Catherinus in the Council of Trent, sessio 2. styled her, Fidelissima Dei et Christi Socia: Cardinal Bembus in his Epistle to the Emperor Charles the 5th. calls her Dominam et Deam nostram, our Lady and Goddess. And m Bernardin. de Busti Mariale, pars 3. Sermo 5. praerogativa 1, 8. others, Dea Dearum, The Goddess of Goddesses. 3ly. They positively assert that the Virgin Mary, (not St. Peter) during the time of Christ's passion, and from his ascension into heaven, was the sole Queen, Mistress, and Instructor of his Church on earth; n Bernardini de Busti Mariale Pars 3. Sermo 3. De tertia Excellentia Nominis Virginalis, quae dicitur Regalis O. P. See Anselmus Cantuariensis De Laudibus Mariae. Alexand. Fabricius Destructorium Vitiorum, pars 4. c. 38. Michael Lochmair, Hildephonsus, Augustinus Leonissa, & others de Assumpt. B. M. Bernardinus Senensis, ser. 51. & 61. Quod ipsa est Regina coelorum, et totius orbis, de qua Propheta inquit, Ps. 44. Astitit regina a dextris tuis, etc. Sicut ergò Regnum Regina gubernat, sic beata Virgo quando Rex Christus per mortem se absentavit, Ecclesiam Dei in illo triduo Rexit, quia fidem illibatam sola servavit. Similiter quando Rex Christus ad coelum ascendit, (let Popes and their advocates for St. Peter's Supremacy and Rule over the Universal Church from the time of Christ's ascension, observe it) ipsa tanquam soeli Regina Ecclesiam gubernavit, quia totius Ecclesiae Magistra permansit (not St. Peter.) Similiter, quando Rex Christus alicui faciem suam maxime abscondit, tunc ipsa Regina misericordiam suam maxime ostendit; quando homo ad ipsam cum devotione cordis recurrit. (A strange position, seconded with this observable inference.) Ideo illuo quod vanae mulieres dixerunt de Luna, nos exponerepossumus (verè) de ista virgine, quod haebetur Jer. 44. 17, 18, 19 scil. Sacrificemus Reginae coeli, & libemus ei libamina, sicut fecimus nos & patres nostri, & faciamus ei placentas ad colendam eam: Nam ex eo tempore quo cessavimus sacrificare Reginae coeli indiguimus omnibus, & gladio & fame consumpti sumus; quando autem sacrificavimus ei saturati sumus panibus, & benè Nobis erat, malumque non vidimus. An evidence that the Romanists imitate those Idolatrous Jews both in their Idolatry and obstinacy, in adoring their Queen of heaven now, upon the selfsame grounds, as they did their Queen of heaven in the Prophet Jeremy's days. 4ly. To enable Mary to be a Complete Sovereign Mistress, Governess, and Instructor of the Church on earth after Christ's Passion and Ascension, as well as Queen and Empress, they further add, o Bernardinus de Busti Mariale Pars 12. Serm 1. pars 1. Ipsa virgo sicut nunc est Regina coeli, ita etiam cum viveret esset Regina mundi, (therefore not St. Peter, or the Pope) vel saltem regni Judaici: Nam ipsa virgo benedicta recta linea descendit de genere David, & ei debebatur regnum Judaicum quod fuerat ab Herode usurpatum; & omnes dignitates & nobilitates respectu sanguinis, habuit Christus à sola matre sua; Hanc autem Regiam dignitatem, quod vere esset Rex Judaeorum (quamvis noluit administrare regnum temporale, imò fugerit, Joan. 6.) transmisit in ipsum mater sua, quae fuit filia David, et Regina sui Regni, etc. Item ipsa erat sponsa Dei; Deus autem est Imperator coeli & terrae et consequenter ipsa erat Imperatrix mundi dum adhuc viveret. Praeterea cum Imperans mundo debeat per electionem promoveri, in electione autem electores tenentur eligere meliorem et sapientiorem atque sufficientiorem: cumque ipsa benedicta virgo esset omnibus puris hominibus quae unquam fuerunt sapientior et sufficientior, et plena donis Spiritus Sancti; Ergo ad ipsam ex electione fienda pertinebat Imperium et gubernatio totius mundi: Praeterea Christo secundum humanitatem dedit Deus Imperium & Monarchiam totius mundi, unde ip●e ait; Mat. ult. Data est mihi omnis potestas & in coelo & in terra; sed filio sine liberis morienti succedit mater. Ergo ipsa (not St. Peter or his Roman successors, as they pretend from this Text of Matthew, by their own Doctors resolutions, ratified and approved by sundry Popes, without observing how fatal it would be to their Universal Monarchy) erat Imperatrix totius mundi; immediately upon Christ's ascension into Heaven; O igitur Regina nostra serenissima profecto tu dicere potes illud, 1 Esdr. 1. Omnia regna terrae dedit mihi Dominus. (Ergo, not to St. Peter, nor the Pope, without disseising, dethroning this their Queen & Empress of Heaven, and of the whole world, both before as well as after her Assumption.) Yea they further assert, p Bernardin. de Busti Mariale, pars 2. Sermo 1. De pars 3. quae dicitur significationis T. Item Maria illuminata fuit super Platonem, super Ptolomaeum Regem Aegypti; super Moysem, super Stephanum, qui vidit coelos apertos, Act. 7. super Paulum, qui raptus fuit usque ad tertium coelum, & audivit arcana quae non licet homini loqui; super David, qui fuit eximius Prophetarum; super Joannem Baptistam, qui plus fuit quam Propheta, ut ait Salvator, Mat. 11. super Joannem Evangelistam, de quo Augustinus inquit; Si paulò altius intonasset, totus mundus eum capere non potuisset, quando dixit, In principio erat verbum. Et breviter concludo, Habuit omnem scientiam atque cognitionem (as well in Naturals, Morals, Politics, as Divine mysteries) quam unquam aliquis hominum habiterit vel habebit. Habuit ergo intellectum magis elevatum et illuminatum quam aliqua unquam habuerit pura creatura; Habuit etiara tantam cognitionem Creatoris, ut verificaretur illud Psalmi, In lumine tuo videbimus lucem. Hereupon they thus salute her with new Aves, which the Angel Gabriel never knew; q Officium beatae Mariae secundum usum Sarum 1509. f. 41. Ave Maria, promissio Prophetarum, Ave Maria, Regina Patriarcharum etc. Ave Maria, Magistra Evangelistarum, Ave Maria, Doctrix Apostolorum, etc. Yea they assert, That Christ when he ascended into Heaven, left his Mother Mary behind him, and did not assume her with him soul and body into heaven till Anno Christi 48. (14 years after his own Ascension, as r Baronius & Spondanus, An. Christi 48. who largely discourse hereof. Ribadenier● in Festo Asssumptionis Mariae. Bernardini de Basti Mariale, Pars 11. pars 6 Michael Lochmaii, Sermo 74, 75. S. Brigittae Revelat. l. 4. c. 23. l. 6. c. 71, 72. Bernardini de Busti Mariale, Pars 11. Sermo 1. De Assumptione Mariae, Pars. 3. quae dicitur Causationis 9 Michael Lochmair Sermo 74. S. Brigittae Sermo Angelica, De Virgins Excellentia, Sermo 2, 3, 4. Revelat. l. 1. c. 8, 9, 10. Baronius, Spondanus, and most accord, though they much differ and contradict each other herein, both in the time, manner, circumstances, and reality of her Assumption, of which there is little or no mention in any old Ecclesiastical Historians or Fathers of the Church.) Primò igitur Christus demisit matrem suam in terris post suam ascentionem respectu consolationis, respectu fidelium remanentium, scil. Apostolorum, & aliorum fidelium. Solatium visibile quod de corporali ejus praesentia habebant fidelibus suis subtrahere jam voluit et idcirco matrem Ecclesiae Consolatricem; VICE SVA (not St. Peter) dereliquit. Demisit ergo Christus matrem suam in terris, & noluit eam adducere secum in coelum, quia Apostolis nimis durum fuisset simul privari praesentia Solis et Lunae. Secundo dimisit eam in terris post suam Ascentionem, ratione instructionis, respectu scribentium, ut scilicet fideles instrueret de rudimentis fidei, maxim de his de quibus nulii mortalium nisi ipsi constare potuit. Quamvis autem Evangelistae Spiritu Sancto s Maria post Assumptionem docebat Apostolos, Tho. Waldensi● Doctrinnalis Fidei, l. 2. Artic. 3. c. 73. p. 374. distante Evangelia sua scripserint, nihilominus credi potest, et verisimile est, quod de talibus cum ipsa Virgine conferebant. Similiter, et alii legentes Evangelistarum scripta ab ipsa quaerebant, si haec ita se habebant. Et non est dubitandum, quin Spiritus Sanctus plura beatae Virgini revelanda servaverit. Quis enim melius scire potuit de Magis venientibus, cum Stella, de fuga in Aegyptum, de Angelica salutatione, & verbis inter ipsum & Archangelum Gabrielem factis, de nativitate Christi, & de circumcisione ejus, & de oblatione ipsius in templo, & de reliquis ad filium suum pertinentibus, quam ipsa, quae singula fuit experta, & cuncta Christi opera per triginta & tres annos oculis propriis aspexit? unde dicitur Luc. 2. Maria autem conservabat omnia verba haec conferens in cord suo. Et ob hoc fortè Lucas plura de Christi infantia scripsit, tanquam familiarior Virgini, nam Capellanus ejus asseritur fuisse. Reliquit ergo Dominus matrem suam Magistram Apostolorum, et omnium fidelium; Therefore not St. Peter, nor his pretended Roman successors. 5ly. To make her yet a more complete and competent High Priest, Governor and Instructor over the Church on earth as well as in heaven, they further assert of the Virgin Mary, t Bernardinus de Busti Mariale, Pars 4. Ser●o ●1. Pars 3. H. & Albertus there cited. Licet Sacramentum ordinis non recepit, tamen quicquid dignitatis vel gratiae ordinibus confertur, in ipsa excellentissimè fuit. In ordinibus enim confertur septiformis gratia Spiritus Sancti; haec autem omnifarie gratia repleta fuit. Ita cum tria sint in Sacramento ordinis, dignitas ministerialis, potestas spiritualis, & administratio executionis. Haec omnia beatissima virgo aequipollenter et excellenter in se habuit. Ministri enim Ecclesiae habent dignitatem beneficialem per characterem excellentiae; beatissima autem virgo habet Coronam regiam Ecclesiae militantis et triumphantis; (not St. Peter, nor the Pope) unde et Summus Ministrorum Papa dicitur, Servus servorum Dei; haec autem appellatur, Regina et Domina Angelorum, et Imperatrix totius mundi. Item in Ministris Ecclesiae est potestas Spiritualis vel Episcopalis delegata a Domino, vel subdelegata et Vicaria. In ipsa autem est plenitudo potestatis coelestis perpetua, ex authoritate ordinata. Item, in Ministris est executio ligandi et solvendi per usum Clavium. In ipsa autem est Dominandi legitima potestas ad ligandum et solvendum per Imperium, et sic quicquid est dignitatis et gratiae in ordinibus in genere, constat in beatissima virgine minime difuisse. Haec Albertus. Et ne videatur virtutes sive dignitates generales habuisse, * specialibus. spiritualibus caruisse, dicimus ipsam singulorum ordinum dignitates et gratias per aequipollentiam et cum excellentia possedisse. Habuit namque cum Exorcistis, Daemonum expulsionem. Nam de illa praedictum fuerat, Gen. 3. Ipsa conteret caput tuum. Figurata quoque fuit per Hester quae vicit Aman; & per Judith quae Olofernem interfecit, Judith 13. Cum ostiariis habuit introductionem mundorum, & immundorum exclusionem. Vnde Ezeck. 44. dicitur, Porta haec clausa erit▪ & non aperietur; sed Dominus ingredietur per eam. Porta haec principem & imitatores suos introducit, & indignis clausa erit. Habet etiam cum Acholytis illuminotionem. Vnde Num. 24. dicitur, Orietur stella ex Jacob. Habuit cum lectoribus omnium Prophetiarum expositionem ad literam in seipsa, de qua scriptum est Esa: 7. Ecce virgo concipiet, etc. Habet cum Subdiaconis Doctrinae Apostolicae conservationem, unde per Arcam, in qua erat Deuteronomius & manna, & divina sapientia. Ideo de ipsa dici potest illud, Sap. 8. Doctrix est enim Disciplinae Dei. Habet cum Diaconibus verbi Domini servationem, et aliis adscribendum narrationem, et Consiliorum Domini perfectam impletionem. Unde Luc. 2. dicitur, Maria autem conservabat omnia verba haec, etc. * Pars 4. Sermo 11. Habet cum Sacerdotibus Dominici corporis per se▪ ipsam formationem, tractationem, et communicationem. Hoc est quod Corpus Dominicum mediante ejus verbo et consensu de Carnibus et sanguinibus ipsius formatum fuit, et ipsum familiarissime et diutissime tractavit, et in cibum et potum nobis communicavit, et per hoc nos omnes ad jugum suum suave, et onus leve Charitatis ligavit, et ab omnibus culpis et poenis absolvit, et vitam nobis aeternam contulit: juxta illud Salvatoris, Jo: 6. Qui manducat me, & ipse vivet propter me. Habet quoque cum Episcopis, et Clericorum ordinationem, Praebendarum collationem, Templorum consecrationem, ac sacrarum virginum velationem. Ordinat enim Episcopus Sacerdotes per Sacramenti collationem, beatissima autem virgo per continentiae obligationem juxta illud, Isa: 52. Mundamini qui fertis vasa Domini. Confert etiam Episcopus Praebendas instituendo, beatissima autem virgo Praebendas faciendo. Consecrat quoque Episcopus templa corporalia dedicando, beatissima autem virgo templa spiritualia Castimonia inspirando, et sibi illa specialiter vendicando. Consecrat etiam Episcopus Virgines exterius benedicendo▪ beatissima autem virgo consecrat virgins interius virtutibus adornando, et eas filio suo desponsando, & non tantum opprobrium sterilitatis eis auferendo, sed eas sibi spiritualiter in filias adoptando, ad divinimi cultum dedicando, et ad statum dignissimum exaltando, juxta illud, Sap: 6. Incorruptio facit esse proximum Deo. Habet etiam cum Papa beatissima virgo (let Popes and their Advocates observe it well) omnium Ecclestarum sollicitudinem: quia Papa est Pater Patrum; ipsa vero est Mater omnium Christianorum, immo omnium bonorum: Juxta illud, Sap. 7. Qui● omnium bonorum mater est. Habet etiam excellentius Papa potestatis plenitudinem; Omnes enim dignitates Ecclesiae introductae sunt in servitium, Mar. 20▪ Beata virgo non fuit assumpta in Ministerium, sed in salutis auxilium, et Regni consortium, et in coadjutorium, juxta illud Gen. 2. 18. quia non fuit Vicaria, sed Socia, et particeps in regno, etc. (Note it well,) Papa enim solum habet eam in vita ista, sed non in coelo, nec in purgatorio, nec in inferno; sic habet virgo. Sicque patet quod quicquid est dignitatis vel gratiae in Sacramentis Ecclesiae, hoc totum virgo benedicta habuit plenary; cui sit sempiterna Gloria per omnia secula seculorum, Amen. Yea they assert, Maria habuit omnium artium * Bernardinus de Busti Mariale pars 4. Sermo 9 D. ●. to Z. Gratiis Mariae. scientiam. Scivit enim artes mechanicas, et omnes artes liberales. Item ipsa Imperatrix fuit et Leges condere potuit, et Legis interpretatio penes ipsam fuit. Scivit etiam Theologiam et excellentissimam et elevatissimam Theologiae habuit scientiam. Scivit Librum Sententiarum: et totam Bibliam, et omnia purae creaturae scibilia intellexit; jura quoque Civilia et Canonica, ac Leges et Decreta scivisse in summo, probat Albertus super Missus est, c. 138. Scivit etiam Philosophiam, Medicinam, Mathematicam, Musicam, & Juris prudentiam. And they add, that she alone (which no unerring. Pope's ever yet did) destroyed all heresies; * Sermo 51. De festivitate D. Mariae, Artic. 3. c. 4. Ideo de ed Ecclesia dignè canit (write Bernardixus Senensis, Bernardinus de Busti, and others) tu cunctas haereses sola interemisti in universo mundo, quoniam totam veritatem Dei sic concepit, quod esset ipsius genetrix veritatis. Yea she had, Gratiam Sanitatum, operationem Virtutum, Spiritam Prophetiae, in such abundance, that she was Summa prophetissa; habuit etiam discretionem spirituum, genera linguarum, Interpretationem sermonum, et gratiam Apostolorum, Evangelistarum, ac Pastorum, in the highest perfection, as Albertus, super Missus est, Bernardinus de Busti, and others assert▪ * Bernardinus de Busti, Mariale, pars 12. Sermo 2. pars ●. H. Et fuit coronatae corona praedicatorum, quia in ipsa sola remansit fides de filio Dei, quam aliis praedicavit, & eos in fide roboravit. If then the Virgin Mary had all the Dignity, Power, Jurisdiction and Grace that the Sacrament of Orders could confer upon her, and of every Particular Order in the Church of Christ, or Rome, yea all in far greater fullness and perfection then ever St. Peter or any Popes of Rome, or other Bishops, Apostles, Evangelists, Prophets had, and such large knowledge in all these Arts, Laws, especially in Divinity, and all these several kinds of Graces, as the premises aver, which enabled her both to instruct, govern the Apostles, Church Militant, and all believers, when our Saviour left the earth, and committed to her the care and government of them at his Ascension into Heaven; How St. Peter or his Successors can lay the least claim or Title to their Universal Monarchy and Priesthood over it, as Christ's successors or Universal Vicars therein, without any assignment, claim, or Charter from the Virgin Mary, (to which they never pretend) or without divesting her of this Sovereign power derived to her from Christ her son; let Popes & Pontificians resolve their own consciences, and all their seduced Proselytes, when they are able: Especially if we add to this, the remaining reasons they render why Christ left his Mother behind him upon earth: * Bernardin. de Busti Mariale, Pars 11. De Assumptione Mariae, Serm. 1. pars 3. Tercio eam demisit, ratione confortationis, respectu patientium. Quarto demisit eam, ratione honorationis, respectu obviantium. Nam cognoscens Dei filius matrem suam virginem gloriosam esse inter omnes creaturas preciosam, prius voluit ei locum praeparare preciosum & amaenum, in quo ipsa sublimaretur, et postmodum de coelo descenderet ad ipsam assumendam. To which reason * De Excellentia B. Virgins, c. 7. Anselmus Archbishop of Canterbury▪ † Mariale pars 11. Sermo 1. De Assumptione Mariae, pars 3. quae dicitur Consolationis, M. Sebastianus Barradius, Jesuita Concord. Evang. l. 6. c. 11. Bernardinus de Busti, and some others, blasphemously add: Fortasse Domine (Jesus) hoc agere voluisti, ne tuae Curiae (coelesti) veniret in dubium, cui potius occurreret; tibi scilicet Domino suo primo in assumpta carne coelum petenti; an ipsi matri, similiter in ipsum regnum materno jure tecum ascendenti. Prudentiori ergo et digniori consilio praecedere illam volebas, quatenus ei locum immortalitatis in regno tuo praeparares; et sic comitatus tota Curia tua festinans illi occurreres, eamque sicut decebat matrem tuam per teipsum exaltares. Which assertions of theirs, approved, ratified by Popes, sundry of their Doctors, and publicly printed, preached, believed in the highest and solemnest Feast of the Virgin Maries Assumption, infallibly contradict, refute, subvert the very foundation of St. Peter's, and consequentially of the Pope's Universal Temporal or Ecclesiastical Monarchy, supposed to be transferred to him by Christ himself at his ascension, as his only Successor, or Vicar General. 6ly. They positively assert, that Christ hath assumed her soul and body into heaven, and placed her therein, far above all orders of Saints or Angels, even at his own right hand, in the very throne of the Trinity: That on the day of her Assumption, (which they observe as a double Festival, with grand devotion in the Church of Rome) a St. Bernardus Sermons deAssumptione beatae Mariae, Bernardinus deBusti Mariale pars 11. Sermo 2. DeAssumptione Mariae, pars 3, 4, 5, 7. pars 3. Sermo 3. De 3, 4, 5. Excellentia Nominis Virginalis, Anselmus Cantuar. DeAssumptione Mariae, & De Excellent. Mariae, S. Brigittae Sermo 1, 2, 3, 4. Divinitus Revelata, De Excellentia B. Virgins, & Revelationum, l. 1. c. 8. Michael Lochmair, Sermo 6, 75, 76. Bernardinus Senensis, Sermo 51. assumpta est cum honorabili societate, & cum ineffabili jocunditate, & cum mirabili claritate, & cum terribili potestate: Non tantum Dominus Jesus Christus laureatus, corpore glorificato, occurrit suae benedictae matri cum toto Angelorum exercitu, omniumque Sanctorum comitiva, sed etiam ipse Rex aeternus Deus trinus et unus, potest dici huic sacratissimae virgini triumphaliter obviasse, non motu locali sed complacentia familiari, et glorificationis influentia principali. Hanc ergò sponsam coram tota coelesti Curia aeternus Pater recognovit, Matrem unigeniti sui, et regni sui consortem & dixit illud,; Es. 40. Domum Majestatis meae glorificabo. Sicque benedicta virgo quasi altera Hester de triclinio foeminarum, id est, de Ecclesia militante adducta est, per Filium suum in gloria Majestatis, et per totam militiam coelestis Curiae ad Cubiculum supernae Regis, et ad Thronum Dei Patris vehitur, et ipsius sede Trinitatis ad Christi dextram collocatur: Et illud figuratum fuit, Hester 2. Et tunc donavit illi Deus, fontalem foecunditatem ad generandum spiritualiter omnes electos, et etiam ad laetificandos ipsos Angelos in aliquo gustu et gradu, et experientia divinorum. Ipsa igitur virgo ex hoc accepit a Patre rationem paternitatis et sublimitatis Regalis ac Imperialis super omnem creatam naturam. Nihil tibi aequale, O Domina, nihil comparabile. Omne quod est, aut est supra te, aut infra te: Supra te solus Deus, infra te omne quod non est Deus: (Therefore Peter and the Roman Pontiffs.) Yea they add; b Bernardinu● de Busti, Mariale pars 12. Sermo 1, 2. jesus Rex aeternae gloriae in gloria suae Majestatis reverentia filiali ipsam adoravit; non ut quamlibetcunque matrem, sed singularis sufficientiae, magnificentiae, & diligentiae et sublimis Deus eam ut suam reverendissimam matrem reverenter adorat, et ad eam venerandam honore inextimabili corporaliter se inclinat. O stupendum prodigium et inauditae altitudinis fastigium! ut a muliere Dei filius recognoscat suum esse humanum! Quid non deberet virgini concedere quam tantum voluit honorare? Profecto isto respectu honoris non respiceret Dei filius millesies mille millia Seraphin, et infinities; (si dici liceat) infinitos: (much less than of St. Peter's or Popes.) Sic ergo tota Trinitas umformi ac concordi voluntate, hanc sacratissimam Virginem ostendit esse suam sponsam incommunicabilis charitatis, inattingibilis dignitatis, mundi Dominam imperceptibilis potestatis, electorum omnium generatricem piam inexplorabilis pietatis, omnium Dei hostium conculcatricem triumphantissimam, insuperabilis strenurtatis, omnium coelestium the saurorum dispensatricem largifluam pro suae complacentia voluntatis, omnium superiorum delitiarum et consolationum gustatricem affluentissimam in triclinio divinae Majestatis. Super hunc dilectum suum in●ititur mater illa foelicissima, et in aureo reclinatorio divinae Majestatis reci●nbeus, inter sponsi, imo Filii sui brachia requiescit. O quanta dignitas, quam specialis gloria inniti super illum quem reverentur Angelicae potestates! Whence they inferte; Absurdum ergò est, ut tam gloriosam Virginem non venerentur linguae hominum, quam tota Trinitas sic honorat tamque veneratur sublimitas Angelorum, etc. Yea they make this an Article of their Faith; c Sermo Hieronymo a●tril ●●▪ Michael Lochmair, Sermo 76 DeAssumptione Mariae, P. Bernardinus de Busti, Mariale pars 11. Sermo 1. pars 6. D. and sundry orbers in their Postils and Sermons of her Assumption▪ d●Bernardinus de Busti, Mariale pars 11. Sermo 2. De Assumptione, pars ●. P Q. R. See Yldephonsus & Anselmus Cantuar. De Assumptione Mariae. Crediturque, quod ipse Salvator per se totus festivus, cum tota militia coelorum genetrici obviam occurrerit, et cum gaudio eam secum in throno collocaverit, alias quoque non implesset quod in lege ipse mandavit, Honora Patrem tuum & Matrem tuam, etc. They further add; a Maria fuit assumpta sublimiter, quia ipsa apparuit in coelo impyreo super omnes ordines Angelorum, juxta illud Psal. 8. Elevata est magnificentia tua super coelos. Item apparuit in coelo tanquam Regina in throno ad regnandum cum Filio, secundum figuram 3 Reg. 3. Elevata est ad culmen triplicis dignitatis; scilicet, Altissime, super coelos, id est, super Angelos universos: Latissime, ut sit regnum ejus latum, ut elevetur thronus ejus (sicut David) super Judam et Jerusalem, non solum a Dan usque Bersabet, sed a mare gratiae usque ad mare gloriae, et a flumine influxuum divinorum, usque ad terminos orbis terrarum, regnans super omnem creaturam: (Therefore over St. Peter and Popes themselves.) Tertio elevatur ad culmen dignitatis firmissime: Ipsius dignitas est super omnes sublimissima, et latissima, et firmissima, ita ut non posset moveri sublimitas montis quamdiu durat firmitas lapidis, nec regnum matris, quamdiu durat Imperium prolis: Dan. 7. Tanta autem excellentia exaltavit Dei Filius Matrem suam super omnes Choros Angelorum, quod si ibi ubi ipsa refedit esset multitudo, novam constitueret Hierarchiam, as she doth a new Quaternity, instead of a Trinity of Persons, if this be Catholic Divinity. 7ly. In their Sermons a Bernardinus de Busti, Mariale pars 12. Sermo 1. prologue, & pars 1. Anselmus Cantuar▪ DeAssumption● & Excellenti● Mariae. De Nominatione, & De Coronatione Mariae, they assert, after her Assumption, Quod ipsa tanquam Regina coeli diademate coronata sedet a dextris Filii, cujus gloriam in spiritu videns Propheta David, inquit Deo, Psal. 44. Astitit Regina à dextris tuis in veste deaurata, circundata varietate. De gloriosa Virgin Maria, (cujus capiti imposuit, Deus diadema regni coelestis) possumus dicere illud, Eccles. 45. Corona aurea super caput ejus. Et nos (all Roman Catholics who profess and adore her for their Queen) tibi dicere possumus illud, Tob. 13. In omnia saecula regnum tuum: & Psal. 144. Regnum tuum Regnum omnium saeculorum: & Dan. 2. Regnum quod in aeternum non dissipabitur. Veni igitur et super nos regnum accipe. Judis. 19 Deregno enim tuo dici potest illud. Psal. 103. Et regnum ipsius omnibus dominabitur: & Luc. 1. Regni ejus non erit finis. Tu namque in te habes omnes boni Regis, et bonae Reginae proprietates. O Regina excellentissima, Tu et filius tuus (not St. Peter nor the Pope) estis de quibus principaliter dixit Deus, Prov. 8. Per me Reges regnant. Beati autem sunt qui veniunt sub vestro regimine. Datus est ei thronus Regis, super omnes thronos. Nam si ipsam improportionabiliter super omnes creaturas diligit, ergo improportionabiliter super omnes collocavit. Ipsa est super omnes creaturas potentissima. Yea they mount her yet one step higher; Ipsa virgo benedicta licet sit subjecta, Deo quantum creatura, superior tamen illi dicitur et praelata in quantum est ejus mater. Vnde Luc. 2. de Christo scriptum est, quod fuit subditus illi. O ineffabilis dignitas Mariae, qui Imperatori omnium merult imperare! And upon this account it is, they use these expressions to the Virgin Mary, in their Crowns, Anthems, Litanies, Offices, Breviaries, Hours, Psalters of our Lady old and new, and other their printed public and private Devotions, authorized by the Church, Popes of Rome, and in their late Breviary corrected and set forth by Pope Pius Quintus, b Bernardinus de Busti, Mariale pars 1 2. Sir more 2. pars 1 Z pars 3. Sermo 1 & 3. The Primer of our Lady in Latin and English, Parisii● 1538. f. 88, 89. Bernardinus de Busti, Mariale pars 3. Sermo 1. pars 3. I. K. Q. pars 10. Sermo 2. pars 7. Breviarium Romanorum, Rothom. 1600. p. 480, 482. See Bishop Jewels Defence of the Apology of the Church of England, 3. part ch. 18. p. 360. 6. part ch. 7. divis. 2. p. 682. ch. 17. divis. 2. p. 771. Dr. Boys his Postils, p. 145. Gloriosa Domina excelsa super sydera, Dei Mater alma, etc. Funda nos in pace mutans nomen Eve. Soluè vincla reis, proffer lumen coecis; mala nostra pelle, bona cuncta posce; Monstra te esse matrem, per te sumat preces: Impera Filio, jube benedicere. And use this Anthem to the Virgin as one of her 7. spiritual Joys; Gaude nexu voluntatis, & amplexu dignitatis juncta sis altissimo, ut ad votum consequaris quicquid virgo postularis a jesu dulcissimo. Hence c Sermo 1. De Nativitate B. Mariae. Petrus Damianus writes of and to Mary; Accedis ante aureum humanae reconciliationis altar, non solum rogans, sed Imperans; Domina, non ancilla. And their Seraphical canonised Bishop and Cardinal d Corona B. Virgins, Operum Tom. 6. Edit. Romae Anno 1588. Bishop Ushers Answer to the Jesuits Challenge, p. 487, 489. St. Bonaventura, prescribes this prayer to be used to her, in his Corona, printed at Rome itself with his other Works, Anno 1588. O Imperatrix ac Domina nostra benignissima, jure matris impera tuo dilectissimo filio Domino nostro jesu Christo, ut mentes nostras ab omni terrestrium ad coelestia desiderio erigere dignetur. And in the 35. Psalms of his Lady's Psalter, printed with it, he hath this versicle to this Empress; Inclina vultum Dei super nos, COGE ILLUM peccatoribus misereri. The harshness whereof some of the Romanists have thus qualified in his Psalter printed at Paris Anno 1596. Inclina vultum Filii tui super nos; coge illum precibus, nobis peccatoribus misereri. Whence e Operum Parifiis 1616. p. 970, 971. George Cassander, a learned modern Pontifician, in his Consultatio, (written by the command of, and dedicated to the Emperors Ferdinand and Maximilian the 2.) Artic. 21. De Intercessione & meritis Sanctorum, thus censures the Psalters of the Church of Rome: Quid quod totum Psalterium, (as in that of their great Dr. Bonaventura, and others) sublato ubique Domini Nomine, (and particularly Ps. 110. 1.) in Nomen Dominae commutatum legitur? Quin vero et eo ventum est, ut etiam Christus jam in coelo regnans, matri subjiciatur; quomodo in nonnullis Ecclesiis canitur: Ora Matrem, et jube Filio, O foelix puerpera, jure matris Impera, Nostra pians scelera Redemptori. And elsewhere they thus pray to the Virgin; Thou callest thyself the handmaid of Jesus Christ, but as God's law teacheth. f Historia Chr. August. Commemoratio Virginis Mariae. See Dr. John White his way to the True Church, Epistle to the Reader. Thou art his Lady Mistress; for right and reason willeth, that the Mother be above the Son; therefore pray him humbly, and command him from above, that he lead us to his Kingdem at the world's end. 8ly. They yet further assert and proclaim to all the world, in vindication of the Virgin Maries Sovereign Imperial Regal and Lordly Dominion; g Bernardinus de Busti, Mariale pars 1 Officium Conceptione Mariae, pars 3. Sermo 2. pars 3. quae dicitur Interpretationis D. E. Maria interpretatur Domina, sive Dominatrix. Ideò illi canit Ecclesia; O gloriosa Domina excelsa super sydera. Nam si Imperator est Dominus totius mundi, Imperatrix est Domina orbis; (which they prove by sundry Texts of the Civil Law.) Est etiam beata Maria Domina coeli et mundi. Upon this account Bonaventura in his Lady's Psalter, and Bernardinus de Busti in his Officium Conceptionis Mariae, authorized by the Bull of Pope Sixtus the 4th. thus blasphemously turn Dominum into Dominam, beginning their Vespers and Office with it for her honour. * See Fox Acts & Monuments, Vol. 3. p. 276. Bishop Ushers Answer to the Jesuits Challenge, p. 492. Psal. 110. 1. Dixit Dominus DOMINAE MEAE, sede a dextris innocentiae meae, Allelujah. Dixit Dominus, cum reliquis de Sancta Maria, Laudate pueri Dominam super omnes gentes in conceptu gloriosam, Allelujah. And to evidence this her Sovereign Dominion, they produce these solid reasons for it. Primo, propter Dominium, de qua ipsa inquit, Eccles. 24. Gyrum coeli circumivi sola, & profundum abyssi penetravi, & in fluctibus maris ambulavi, & in omni terra●steti, & in omni populo & omni gente primatum tenui. Ipsa enim tanquam Domina coelum circumivit, et ubique dominium accepit: (Therefore not St. Peter, nor his pretended successors.) Vel dicitur, Gyrum coeli circumivi, quia omnes Sanctos gerit & circumivit, eosque ad intercedendum pro nobis solicitè inducit. Et dicitur sola, quia ipsa orante omnes orant, et ipsa silente omnes silent. Vnde Anselmus in * De Excellentia B. Virgins Mariae. lib. orationum, dicit; Te Domina tacente nullus orabit, nullus ad juvabit; te autem orante omnes juvabunt, omnes orabunt. Secundo, dominatur in inferno unde subdit,; & profundum abyssi penetravi. Non enim tantum dominatur Daemonibus minoribus, qui sunt in superficie terrae; nec tantum mediocribus, qui sunt in medio inferni; sed etiam maximis, qui sunt in profundo. Tertio, daminatur in Purgatorio ideo subdit,; & in fluctibus maris ambulavi. Poena enim purgatorii dicitur * It seems it is only a watery, not fiery Purgatory, as they fancy it. fluctus, quia est transitorius; & dicitur maris, quia est amara. In illius fluctibus ipsa ambulat, quia meritis suis miseros a poenis illius liberat. Quarto, dominatur mundo ideo subdit,; in omni terra●steti, & in omni populo & omni gente primatum tenui. In mundo quidem sunt tria genera hominum, quidam sunt mali, quidam boni, quidam verò tepidi. Ipsa quidem dominatur malis eos ad poenitentiam reducendo; dominatur bonis eos in gratia conservando; dominatur tepidis illos in gratia ferventer proficere faciendo. 9ly. They affirm and teach, that the Virgin Mary; h Bernardinus de Busti, pars 3. Sermo 2. pars 3. E. See Vega Jesuita in Apoc. 12. Fect. 2. nu. 3. Secundo, principaliter dicitur Domina propter jus dominii adquisitum. Acquirit autem quis dominium alicujus rei aut ratione emptionis soluto precio; aut ratione operationis, quando aliquis rem operatus est, & eam in esse produxit; aut ratione electionis. Virgo igitur beata habet jus dominandi; Primo ratione emptionis quia cum Filius suus emeret & redimeret humanum genus, ipsa ad hanc redemptionem faciendam est multipliciter operata, precium scilicet redemptionis ministrando, et ipsum redemptorem mutriendo. Secundo ratione operationis, quia ipsa est mater Dei, qui cuncta in esse produxit:; Hebr. 3. Omnia autem bona Filii facta sunt matris, cui sine liberis morienti in omnibus bonis successit. To which I shall annex that of i De Arcani● Catholicae Veritatis, Dr John White, qua supra. Aretine; For the love of Jesus and Mary, God created the World; for the love of the undefiled Virgin, who is the Wisdom of the World, God made Heaven and Earth; and it was not only made for her love, but also preserved; for it could no way stand, our deeds are so-evil, but that she by praying for us mercifully upholdeth it. Tertio (dicitur Domina mundi) ratione electionis, quia Deus ab aeterno ipsam eligit in habitationem. 10ly. They argue; k Bernardinu● de Busti, Ibid. Tertio, principaliter dicitur Domina propter multitudinem subditorum, (to wit, all Angels in heaven, Men on earth, in Purgatory, and Devils under the earth) Mater Domini omnis creaturae, effecta est Domina omnis creaturae. Ideò merito dici potest de illa illud, Gen. 1. 28. & Gen. 27. 29. & ad quamlibet creaturam illud, Gen. 16. Revertere ad Dominam tuam, & humiliare sub manu ejus. Quia igitur, magnae Dominae magna dona largiantur; Hest. 2 universis● et omnibus misericordiae sinum aperit, ut de plenitudine ejus accipiant universi. Hence, l Bernardinus de Busti, Mariale pars 1 2 Sermo 2. pars 1; O. Tot creaturae serviunt gloriosae Virgini Mariae, quot serviunt Trinitati. Omnes nempe creaturae quemcunque gradum fecerunt in creaturis, sive sint spiritus, ut Angeli; sive rationales, ut homines; sive corporales, ut corpora coelestia, vel elementa, et omnia quae sunt in coelo vel in terra; sive damnati, sive beati, quia omnia quae sunt divin● imperi● subjugata, gloriosae Virgini sunt subjecta; Ipse enim qui Filius Dei & Virgins benedictae volens ut sic dicam, paterno principatui quodammodo aequiperare maternalem. Hence they introduce the 12. Orders of Angels and Stars, thus crowning her with their praises; Qui omnes eam coronant, quia ipsam perpetuè venerantur, mirantur, & laudant. Seraphin enim mirantur & laudant in ea charitatem succensam; Cherubin, sapientiam tam profundam, Throni, potestatem & quietem in Domino sic tranquillam. Dominationes, tantam super Angelos praeeminentiam. Virtutes, tantam miraculorum efficaciam. Potestates, tantam super Daemones potentiam. Principatus, tantam de omnibus regnis providentiam. Archiangeli, tantam de omnibus locis diligentiam. Angeli, tantam de omnibus singulis hominibus custodiam. Martyrs, tantam in tribulatione constantiam. Confessores, tantam sobrietatem et temperantiam. Virgins vero, tantam ipsius puritatem et munditiam. Vnde illi dicere possumus illud, 2 Par. 6. Te laudat omnis virtus coelorum, & tibi est gloria in saecula saeculorum, Amen. IIly. From the Letters of m Bernardinus de Busti, Mariale pars 3. Sermo 3. S. T. V. De 3. & 4. Excellentia Virginis Nominis, quae dicitur Regina, & Imperatrix. R. and I. which they find in her name Maria, they attribute and appropriate to her de jure, the Titles and Sovereignty of Regina, & Imperatrix coeli, terrae et mundi. Primo, quia ipsa genuit coelestem Imperatorem, & ideo potest ab eo petere quicquid vult, Si ergo imperat filio ratione maternalis jurisdictionis, qui fuit subditus ei, Lu. 2. multo magis imperat omnibus creaturis filio suo subjectis. Est etiam Imperatrix, quia aeterni Imperatoris est sponsa. Quoniam verò Deus illi tradidit Imperium Orbis, et omnium continentium in eo; Dixit ei, quod habetur in 4. Aeneid. Imperium sine fine dedi, his ego nec met as rerum, nec tempora pono. And from thence they thus assert her Sovereign power and right of receiving all Appeals immediately to herself, from all oppressed persons, Devils, Tyrants, Powers whatsoever, yea from the very Justice of God and Christ himself, who hath constituted her the Lady Chancellor of Heaven, and given, assigned all his mercy to her alone, to manage, dispose of at her pleasure, reserving only his Justice to himself; which they thus relate and aver for an undoubted Article in their new Roman-Creed. Tantae autem authoritatis in coelesti Palatio est ista Imperatrix, quod omnibus aliis Sanctis intermediis omissis, ad ipsam licet ab omni gravamine appellare. Licet enim secundum jura civilia debitum medium servetur in appellationibus. (Imperatores, etc.) tamen in ipsa servatur stylus juris Canonici, quo omisso quolibet medio appellatur ad Summum PontificemQuilibet ergo potest ad eam appellare. Vnde de ipsa dicere possumus illud, quod scriptum est in C. ad Rom. 2. q. 6. ubi dicitur; Ad eam ab omnibus oppressis est appellandum et concurrendum quasi ad matrem, ut ejus uberibus nutriantur, authoritate defendantur, et a suis oppressoribus releventur, quia non potest, nec debet mater oblivisci filii sui. Confidenter igitur unusquisque appellet ad ipsam, sive gravetur a Diabolo, sive ab aliquo Tyranno, sive a corpore proprio, aut a divina justitia. Primo, licet appellare a Diabolo, sic fecit Theophilus quidam, qui ut scribitur in miraculis ejusdem Virgins, ab Episcopo. suo à Vice-Dominatu depositus, in tanta desperatione cecidit, quod Diaboli servum se fecit, & de sua servitute Chirographum manu propria conscripsit, & Diabolo tradidit. Postmodum ad eor suum rediens & penitens, ▪ ad Imperatricem appellavit, & ipsa totum irritum fecit, & Diabolo ut Theophilo Chirographum redderet praecepit, & sic ipsum in statum pristinum restituit, & gratiam ac veniam sibi impetravit. Secundo, licet appellare ad ipsam, si quis gravatur à Tyranno, quod patet in h. Basilio, cui cum n See Baronius & Spondanus, An. 363. nu. 13, 14. Julianus Apostata ad praelium contra Persas vadens minatus fuisset, quod in reditu suo Civitatem suam destrueret, Sanctus Basilius ad Imperatricem istam appellavit, quae Militem quendam nomine Mercurium jam defunctum suscitavit, qui super equum conscendens, atque ad Julianum pergens, ac lancea fortiter vibrans ipsum occidit. Ideò dicit Sanctus Philebertus in quodam Sermone, veniant ad beatam Mariam justi cum Basilio, effectum celerem percepturi; veniant & peccatores cum Theophilo desideratam gratiam adepturi. Tertio, licet ad ipsam appellare, si quis gravatur à corpore proprio, sicut patuit in Maria Egyptiaca, quae ut habetur in vita Sanctorum Patrum cum multo tempore carnali concupiscentiae deservisset, tandem ad Imperatricem istam confugiens & appellans, concupiscentiam vicit & castitatem servavit. o See, Gabriei Biel Epositio Canonis Missae, Lectio 80. D●. Reynolds De Idololatria Romanae Eccles. l. 1. c. 1. Dr. Boys his Postils, p. 145. Quarto, licet ad ipsam appellare, si quis a Dei justitia se gravari sentit, quod significatum fuit, Hest. 5. ubi dicitur, quod cum Rex Asierus Judaeis esset iratus, Regina Hester ad ipsum placandum accessit. Cui Rex ait, etiam si dimidiam partem regni mei petieris dabitur tibi. Ista ergo Imperatrix figuravit Imperatricem coelorum; cum qua Deus Regnum suum divisit. Cum enim Deus habeat justitiam et misericordiam; justitiam sibi in hoc mundo exercendam retinuit, et misericordiam matri concessit; et ideo si quis sentit se gravari a foro justitiae Dei, appellet ad forum misericordi● matris ejus. Which is seconded by Gabriel Biel, * Se●mo 76. Michael Lochmair, St. Bridget, and sundry other Romanists: Upon which account as God himself is styled in Scripture, p 2 Cor. 1. 3. c. ●. 8. ● Pet. 5. 10. the Father of mercies, and the God of all grace and consolation; so now they style, yea fly and pray to her as to the Mother of all Mercy and Consolation; witness these Titles they give her in all their public and private Devotions; q Bernardinus de Busti, Mariale pars 3. Sermo 2. pars 2. Derivationis ●. and throughout his Mariale; Officium beatae Mariae secundum usum Sarum, f. 42, 43. and in all other their Offices, Breviaries, Rosaries, Primers, and Books of Devotion. Mater Misericordiae, Mater Gratiae, Origo spiritualium fontium et sluminum: Quod secundum omnes Doctores, Maria derivatur a Mari, quia sicut omnia flumina intrant mare & exeunt ab ipso, Ecclis. 1. ita omnes gratiae divinae irruant in beatam Virginem, caeteris per partes gratia praestatur: Mariae vero tota se infundit gratiae plenitudo, ab ipsa autem Virgine nobis gratiae communicantur. Ipsa est fons hortorum, Gen. 2. irrigans superficiem universae●terrae; nec ipsae herbae nec plantae virtutum possunt germinare, nec crescere, aut proficere, nisi sint ab ipsa aqua gratiae irrigatae. O dispensatrix misericordiae, et eleemosynaria gratiarum et divitiarum Dei; O thesauraria altissimi; O cibus et refectio humanae mentis; O auxiliatrix in omni calamitate; O vena misericordiae; O unica spes, etc. Noli me abjicere a misericordia tua▪ sed respicere me digneris tua dulcissima gratia, sicut te cum Johanne respexit filius tuus Dominus et Redemptor, etc. Which prayers and addresses to her, as the only mother, fountain of all Mercy, Pity, and Grace, are grounded upon Bernardinus de Busti, St. Bernard's, St. Brigets, Anselmes, and sundry other Romanists assertions and interpretations, that r Mariale pars 3. Sermo 5. De Prima Praerogativa incipiente ab M scilicet quod beata Virgo est Mater Mise●icordiae, S. Brigittae Revelationes, & Sermo Angelicus. per primam hujus nominins literam M. significatur, quod ipsa est Mater Misericordiae; Misericordia enim ejus est omnibus Misericordiis aliorum Sanctorum omnium excellentior, generalior, communior, & major. Omnibus se diffudit, nec est qui se abscondat à calore ejus. Ejus misericordia prae caeteris omnibus est diuturnior; caeteris non exaudientibus Maria non deserit. Ejus misericordia est omnibus generalior, quia ubique generaliter invenitur, scilicet, in mundo, in judicio, et in coelo. Primo in mundo, quia misericordia ejus plena est omnis terra; Nec mirum, quia ipsa habet miserendi potentiam, sapientiam, et voluntatem promptam. Secundo subveniet in judicio: Ipsa enim beata virgo cum filio ad judicium veniet, & ibi erit in magno honore quantum ad se, & in magna utilitate quantum ad nos: domesticis suis dabit cibaria; illos etiam vest it duplici stola gloriae & beatitudinis, etc. animae & corporis. Tertio, ejus misericordia apparet in coelo, quia ejus claritas in beatis est causa gloriae, laetitiae, & honorificentiae. Mariae praesentia totus illuminatur orbis, adeo ut ipsa superna civitas clarius rutilet, virgineae lampadis illustrata fulgoribus. Misericordia Virginis omnibus est communis, et omnibus misericordiae sinum aperit; ipsaque est templum Dei, unde nemini claudit gremium p●etatis. Ejus misericordia est omnibus aliis major longitudine, latitudine, sublimitate, & profunditare. Quis benedictae misericordiae tuae longitudinem, latitudinem, et profunditatem investigare posset▪ Longitudo enim ejus usque ad diem novissimum subvenit universis eam invocantibus. Latitudo ejus replet orbem terrarum, quia ejus misericordia plena est omnis terra. Profunditas sedentibus in tenebris, & umbra mortis se communicavit & gratiam obtinuit; precibus suis obtinendo reis veniam, aegro tismedelam, pusillis corde robur, afflictis consolationem, periclitantibus adjutorium, & liberationem. Licet igitur diversis nominibus nuncupetur, tamen nullum est praeclarius nomen eique convenientius quem Mater Misericordiae. Nam si illam Imperatricem, Reginam, Dominam, Dominam Dominarum, Dea Dearum, appelles, important solum quandam excellentiam, & non benignitatem, nec videbitur esse Dea vel Domina peccatorum. Non etiam videtur esse appellanda Regina gloriae, quia gloria est tantum in coelo, & none in terra, nec in inferno, net in purgatorio, sed misericordia in quolibet horum est, ergo maximum Regnum est misericordiae, et consequenter Maria debet appellari Regina et Mater misericordiae. * Bernardinus de Busti, Mariale Pars 12. Sermo 2. Pars 1. L Regnum misericordiae est super omnia Regna, & propterea propriè convenit Matri Dei, quae omnium Regnorum Dei est Regina. Praeterea ipsa super patrimonium & proprietatem Filii sui est Regina: Sed hoc patrimonium est misericordiae, quia Dei proprium est misereri semper & parcere, Ergo beata virgo proprie Misericordiae est Regina et Mater. Ideo illi canit Ecclesia; Salve Regina misericordiae. Et iterum, Maria mater Gratiae, mater Misericordiae. 12ly. They further add from A. the fifth and last letter of her most sacred name; n * Bernardin. de Busti Mariale, Pars 3. Sermo 3. De quinta Excellentia Nominis Virginals, quae dicitur Augustalis X. Psalterium Bonaventurae. A significat beatam Virginem esse (not only Advocatam, but) Augustam totius orbis. Si enim uxor terreni Imperatoris appellatur Augusta; multo magis conjuncta et desponsata coelesti Imperatori benedicta Virgo appellari debet Augusta: maxim, quia ipsa augmentavit Imperium divinum super humanum genus deperditum, atque ipsa mediante auctus est fidelis populus colens Deum. Ideo de illa dici potest illud Psal. 104. Et auxit populum suum vehementer. Ad istam igitur Augustam debent omnes tribulati recurrere, quia ipsa neminem spernit, sed omnes benignissime recipit, et semper residit et expectat ad se venientes. oh Ibid. Pars 3. Serm. 3. de 1 & 2. Excellentia quae dicitur Augustalis. Vnde Thronus Dei appellatur. Ideo Apostolus. Hebr. 4. ait, Adeamus cum fiducia ad thronum gratiae ejus, ut misericordiam consequamur, & gratiam inveniamus in tempore oportuno. Rogemus ergo istam serenissimam Augustam, ut nos ab hostium insidiis et impugnationibus protegens, atque populo Dei annumerari faciens, in bonis operibus pierce verantes usque ad finem, ad contemplandam post hujus vitae transitum ejus (not Dei, or Christi) gloriosam Majestatem in coelesti faciat patria sublimari, Amen. 13ly. They further add from the letter A, Ipsa est Arca Thesaurorum Dei, quae figurata est in Arca Tabernaculi; in qua Divinos the sauros suos omnipotens Deus collocavit, maxim serenissimae misericordiae et charitatis: Yea, p Bernardinus de Busti, Mariale pars 2. Sermo 1. De Nativitate Mariae, pars quae dicitur Jocunditatis T. Ipsa est fenestra coeli, per quam Deus oculis suae misericordiae nos respicit. Vnde canitur in Officio ejusdem Virgins, Intrent ut astra flebiles, coeli fenestra facta es: Dicere autem potest Virgo benedicta, quae est ostiariaria (yea ostium) paradysi, juxta illud Joan. 10. Ego sum ostium; per me si quis introierit, salvus erit; (blasphemously transferring this Text from Christ to her) Ideo O peccatores a patria coelesti exules intrate per portam istam: Ite, O infirmi ad medicum: accedite O orphani ad parentem: pergite O coeci ad lumen: properate O afflicti ad consolationem: ambulate O virgins post speculum pudicitiae: festinate matres ad matrem Dei; currite O viduae ad nutricem veri sponsi: Proficiscimini O pauperes ad thesauratricem bonorum coelestium: Egredimini O incarcerati per januam perfectae libertatis. Nosque omnes in hac miseriarium valle laborantes, rogemus eam cum beato Augustino in sermone hodierno, (fathered on him by Popish Impostors) Sancta Maria succurre miseris, juva pusillamines, refove flebiles, ora pro populo, interveni pro Clero, intercede pro devoto foemineo sexu: sciant omnes tuum juvamen, quicunque celebrant tuam sanctam Nativitatem. Assiste parata votis poscentium, et repende omnibus optatum effectum. q Ibid. pars 2. Sermo 2. U, Z. Ipsa enim Maria est virga aurea. Hest. 5. Cum enim Rex Assuerius esset iratus, extensio illius virgae ipsum placavit, & Regina Hester in palatium introduxit, & omnia impetravit. Ipsa quippe virgo beata Deum placat, quia est nostra Advocata. Cum enim Deus percutit cor peccatoris virga aurea, id est, devotione Virgins, statim placatur, et illi aeternam poenam remittit. Et ideo possumus dicere Deo illud, Prov. 23. Si percusleris eum virga, non morietur. Sic & Christus cum nos percutit virga, id est, devotione virginali, nos facit liberos a servitute Diaboli. Haec quoque beata virgo figurata per virgam auream, in palatium coeleste nos introducit, quia est janua paradisi. Vnde canit Ecclesia in Officio beatae Virgins, Tu regis alti janua & porta lucis fulgida. Omnia etiam nobis impetrat ista virga aurea, quia est mater Dei veneranda; Dicit enim ei filius ejus illud 3 Reg. 2. Pete mater mea, neque enim fas est ut avertam faciem meam à te. Beatus qui audit me, & vigilat ad fores meas quo●die; qui me invenerit, inveniet vitam, & hauriet salutem à Domino, Prov. 8. 14ly. If this be not sufficient, in pursuance of the premises, they dogmatise; r Bernardinus de Busti Mariale Pars 3. Sermo 1. Pars 2. quae dicitur Figurationis. Sciendum est, quod Deus ipsi ministrae suae commisit Officium ministrandi et dispensandi omnes eloemosynas et gratias, quas de coelo in terram ad nos mittit. Non solum autem fecit eam Deus eloemosynariam suam, per quam nobis pauperibus & esurientibus dedit panem illum coelestem, qui de coelo descendit, Joan. 6. sed etiam fecit ipsam Ceilariam suam vinariam, id est, Spiritus sancti abundantiam, in quam introduxit beatam virginem, et fecit eam suam dispensatricem, Cant. 2. Ideo ipsa inquit eyes, Cant. 5. Bibite amici & inebriamini charissimi. O s Idem, Pars 3. Sermo 2. De beatissimae Virginis Nominatione. nomen gloriosae virginis suavissimum, nomenque jucundissimm Maria! Prima litera M. misericordiam ostendit, & pietatem ejus qua plena est omnis terra. Tu es digna nominari, & ab omnibus amari & revereri, quia per te gratiam adquirimus, gloriam impetramus: per te Maria franguntur vincula, solvuntur debita, vincuntur vitia, solidantur conf●acta, recuperantur perdita, renovantur vetera, roborantur infirma, magnificantur minima, ima exaltantur, incepta promoventur, infecta perficiuntur, perfecta conservantur, daemons fugantur, purgatur cor, mens refulget, et animus inslammatur, liquescit pectus, dulcescit gustus, et decoratus aspectus. Yea Maria, (writes t De Festivitatibus B. Mariae Virgins, Sermo 51. cap. 3. Bernardinus Senensis) omnibus sapientibus & insipientibus copiosissima charitate debetricem se fecit, omnibus misericordiae sinum aperit, ut de plenitndine ejus capiant universi, scilicet, captivus redemptionem, aeger curationem, peccator veniam, justus gloriam, angelus laetitiam, demum tota Trinitas gloriam, filii u Bernardus de Busti Ma●iale Pars 3. Sermo 2. pars 3. Interpretationes G, H. Dei persona humanae carnis substantiam, ut non sit qui se abscondat a calore ejus. 15ly. Sciendum est ergo, quod isti gloriosae Dominae virgini benedictae, omnes creaturae reverentiam exhibent, & faciunt illud quod de filio suo praecepit Apostolus Phil. 2. (which Popes allege for their Sovereign authority, & their Lady mary's Advocates for hers) In nomine Jesu Christi omne genu flectatur coelestium, terrestrium, & infernorum. In nomine igitur Virgins Mariae dicuntur genua flectere agmina coelestia. Angeli etenim nomen ejus Mariae maxime venerantur et reverenter adorant, et ipse filius matrem suam Dei veneratur et laudat: Quia ergo Christus, ut scriptum est Lu. 2 erat subditus beatae Virgini, ideo haec est vera locutio, (true blasphemy indeed) Beatae Virgini omnis creatura est subdita, et Deus. Vnde Bernardus Homil. 1. super Missus est, ait, Deus cui serviunt potestates, & principatus obediunt, subditus erat matri, & non tantum matri, sed Joseph propter Mariam, ex quo eam veneratur. Secundo, sibi flectunt genua omnia terrestria, id est, omnes generationes, & quae praecesserunt & quae sequuntur, & quae venturae sunt, sicut ipsa inquit Luc. 1. Omnes generationes vocabunt me beatam. Tertio flectunt sibi genua omnia infernalia, id est, Daemons, qui velint nolint ipsam adorant, et ad ejus nominationem pavent et tremunt, unde dicit, Sanctus Gerardus Episcopus & Martyr. Invite quoque Infernus beatae Mariae ululat, & procacissimi daemones clamant; secundum enim Papiam, Domina interpretatur dans minas; & ipsa inimicis humani generis dominans, minas infert. Item secundum catholicos, interpretatur Domina, id est, domans manus; & ipsa domat daemonum manus, et potestates, ideo timent et venerantur. Yea a Mariale pars 12. Sermo 2. pars 1. S. Ratione glorificationis, Tanta est gloria Virginis Matris Dei, quod tantum excellit in gloria naturam Angelicam et humanam simul junctam, quantum circumferentia firmamenti excellit in magnitudine centrum suum, cum intelligat in filio suo, se quasi alterum ipsum Deitate vestitum: Whereto b Tractatus de Laudibus Virgins. Arnoldus Carnotensis adds, Maria constituta est super omnem creaturam, & quicunque Jesus curvat genua, matri quoque pronus supplicat; et Filii gloriam cum Matre non tam communem judico quam eandem. Which c Comment. in Apoc. 12. sect. 2. nu. 3. Ludovicus Lucius Hist. Jesuitica, l. 2. c. 4. p. 218. Viega the Jesuit likewise asserts in the selfsame words for Roman Catholic Divinity. Whence ᵈ Bernardinus de Busti concludes, Boni filii est magis velle quod mater honoretur quam ipse, Christus ergo Optimus filius qui tantam honoravit matrem in terris, nunquid eam honorare despexit in coelis? Boni quoque * Mariale, pars 11. Serm. 1. pars 6 E. & pars 7. Y. filii est velle ut magis serviatur matri quam sibi. No wonder than they honour and serve her more than Christ her son, and equalise her with him, both in her Universal Sovereignty and Glory, as one and the same with his; yea make her assumption into heaven more solemn and glorious than her sons▪ Per comparationem utriusque, ista virginis assumptio Pompa solennior. Inveniuntur quippe Angeli soli Redemptori occurrere potuisse; Matri vero filius ipse cum tota coeli Curia tam Angelorum quam justorum hominum occurrens, evexit eam ad beatam sessionem. 16ly. They thus daily crown the Virgin Mary for their Queen and Empress * Bernardini de Busti Mariale, Pars 12. Sermo 2. de Coronatione Mariae, pars 3. quae dicitur Recordationis O. of heaven and earth, with this Crown, and vow obedience to her; Cum enim facimus Coronam perinde est ac si ejus Capiti Coronam imponeremus, et ipsam nostram Reginam constitueremus; Corona enim solummodo datur Regibus et Reginis. Tunc ergo ei dicimus, O Maria Imperatri● coeli, Reginaque mundi; ecce quod te elegimus pro Regina nostra, et nos servulos tuos facimus, et in perpetuum sub Imperii tui servitute vivere volumus. Et ideo sumus mittentes Coronas ante thronum Apoc. 5. thronum tuae Majestatis. Quia autem miseris misericordia est necessaria, quae est plenitudo virtutum in singulis; & nos sumus miseri, ideo tibi offerimus Coronam, non quod egeas nostris Coronis aureis vel argenteis, sed ut per hoc confitentes te esse magnam Reginam, mereamur sub dominio tuo semper permanere. Scimus enim, quod non potest Rex alienare Castrum, Villam, aut Civitatem invitis hominibus inhabitantibus. Et ideo postquam nostra Regina facta es, non poteris nos refutare sine consensu nostro. Illud enim solum quis dicitur posse facere quod de jure perjuste facere potest: O igitur Domina et Regina nostra, ecce quod nos servi tui promittimus tibi servare omnem illam fidelitatem quam tenentur quilibet boni subditi custodire erga dominum suum, ideo etiam tu teneris erga nos esse fidelem. Dominus quoque fideli suo in his omnibus vicem reddere debet; quod si non fecerit, merito censebitur maledictus, etc. Debet autem unusquisque Christianus se et sua omnia in manu tua committere, et nullam * Bernardini de Busti Mariale Pars 12. Serm. ●. de Coronatione Mariae, pars 1. C. permittere transire diem quin saltem unam dicat Coronam ad laudem tuam. O igitur Regina nostra serenissima, profectò tu dicere potes illud in Esdr. 1. 1. Omnia regna terrae dedit mihi Dominus. Et nos tibi dicere possumus illud, Tob. 13. In omnia secula regnum tuum, & Psal. 144. Regnum tuum Regnum omnium seculorum; & Dan. 2. Regnum quod in aeternum non dissipabitur, Veni ergo et super nos regnum accipe▪ Judic: 19 De regno enim tuo dici potest illud, Psal. 103 Et regnum ipsius omnibus dominabitur; & Luc▪ 1. Regni ejus non erit finis. Tu quoque in te habes omnes boni Regis et bonae Reginae proprietates. Undo tu potes dicere de devotis servitoribus tuis; 2 Para. 12. 1. Sciant distantiam servitutis meae & servitutis regni terrarum: Et quid mirum, O Virgo benignissima, si nobis est jucundum tibi servire, cum servierit Jacob pro Rachel septem annis, & videbantur dies pauci pro amoris magnitudine, Gen. 29. O bona Domina, tu scis quod tuus serbus sum ego; Psalm 115. Ne igitur transeas servum tuum, Gen. 18. sed pro tua benignitate dignare dicere de me, Erit mihi servus sempiternus, 2 Reg. 27. & illud Isa. 42 Ecce servus meus, suscipiam eum, Electus meus, complacuit sibi in illo anima mea▪ Placeat humanitati tuae dicere mihi illud, Esa▪ 49. Servus meus es tu, quia in te Gloriabor. 17ly. St. * Sermo 61. Artic. 1. cap. ●: See Bishop Ushers Answer to the Jesuits Challenge; p. 480, 481▪ & Bernardin de Busti Mariale, Pars 3. Serm. 3. pars 3. & pars 12. Serm. 2. pars 12. Serm. 1, 2. Bernardinus Senensis thus positively resolves, De Monarchia autem Vniversi nunquam Chris●us testatus est (by way of Legacy, or grant, no not to St. Peter) eo quod sine Matris praejudicio nequaquam fieri poterit: Insuper, noverat, quod potest Mater filii irritare testamentum, si in sui praejudicium sit confectum. Ex his omnibus apertissime claret, quod Mater Jesus Maria haereditario jure omnium qui sunt infra Deum habet Regale Dominium et inclytum obtinet Principatum. Therefore it is most certain by this Saint's verdict, he never assigned his Universal Monarchy, & all Power in heaven & earth, to St. Peter or his successors at his ascension, or since; whence Petrus Damianus (the first † Baronius & Spondanus, An. 1056. n. 2. & 1095. n. 6. instituter of the Office of our Lady) thus assures the Virgin, and her Disciples, Data est Tibi omnis potestas in coelo et in terra; as well as * Sermo 1. De Nativitate B. Mariae, Tom. ●▪ Socii, Sept. ●▪ Bernardinus de Busti, and others in the forecited places. In respect of which her Universal Sovereignty, their canonised Cardinal St. Bonaventura thus concludes the last Psalm in his Lady's Psalter, by metamorphosing Dominum into Dominam; Laudate Dominam in Sanctis ejus, Laudate eam in virtutibus & miraculis ejus; Omnis spiritus laudet Dominam nostram. I shall now appeal to the Judgements, Consciences of all sober Pontificians, as well as Protestants▪ Whether all the premised Practices, Prayers, Panegyrics, Resolutions of these their Seraphical Doctors, and canonised Saints, approved, magnified by the Popes, Church of Rome, and devoutest Roman Catholics of all Orders or Fraternities dedicated to our Lady▪ and the Sovereign Regal Imperial Dominion, Powers they thus ascribe unto her over all Angels, Powers, Creatures both in heaven, earth, Purgatory, and Hell itself, be not totally inconsistent with, derogatory, subversive to St. Peter's & the Pope's Universal Temporal and Ecclesiastical Monarchy? And whether they must not henceforth disclaim them as inconsistent with, and destructive to their Sovereign Ladies, Queens, and Empress mary's Monarchy; or else cease any longer thus to court, adore; sing, pray unto her, and renounce all their premised passages, practices, postils, Prayers relating to her Sovereign Majesty, as mere high Treasons, Heresies, Blasphemies against their Universal Lord and Monarch St. Peter, and his Roman Successors; who never yet pretended themselves to be Viceroys, Vicar's General, or Successors to Mary in this her Supreme Authority, which they have unadvisedly or erroneously asserted, not well considering how inevitably it refutes and subverts their own; and her sons too; who as he will admit of no equal or corrival with him in his Royal * Isay 42. 8; c▪ 48. 11. Glory; so much less in his Prophetical or Sacerdotal Offices, of Mediation, Advocation, Reconciliation, Salvation, and the like, to all which they entitle the Virgin Mary, to hers and his dishonour, as I shall in the next place clearly evidence. 1. Although the Scripture be express, that as there is but one God, so there is but one Mediator between God and Men, the Man Christ jesus, who gave himself a Ransom for all, 1 Tim. 2. 5, 6. who is likewise styled The mediator of the new Covenant, Hebr. 8. 6. c. 9 15. c. 12. 24. by whom only we have access unto the Father, and the throne of Grace, Ephes. 2. 18. c. 3. 12. Rom. 5. 2. c. 8. 34. Hebr. 4. 15, 16. and in whose name alone we are to make all our addresses & petitions to God the Father, John 14. 13. c. 15. 16. c. 16. 23, 25, 26. Col. 3. 17. Yet the Roman Church and Popes have entitled their Queen Mary to this peculiar office of Mediatorship, from the first letter M. in her name; For, Secundum devotos Doctores (as y Mariale Pars 3. Serm. 1. pars 3. quae dicitur significationis H. etc. Bernardinus de Busti informs us) nomen Virginis componitur ex quinque literis, propter quinque beneficia quae contulit mundo, quae incipiunt ab una ipsarum literarum. Per M. enim significatur (by their Cabalistical Romish Divinity, that I say not Blasphemy) quod ipsa est Mediatrix nostra, scilicet inter nos et Deum; quia enim per media sedantur discordiae et lites dirimuntur. Ideo homines a Deo discordantes debent beatam Virginem (not Christ her son) Mediatricem interponere, ut pacem cum creatore suo possint reformare. Ipsa namque nata est mundo, ut per filium suum humanum genus conciliaret Deo. Ante enim quam virgo Maria esset in mundo, tanta erat discordia inter Deum et hominem propter peccatum primorum parentum, quod nullus quantumcunque sanctus et justus audebat accedere ad Deum pro gratia impetranda. Sed omnes ex hac vita decedentes ad infernum descendebant, boni ad limbum, mali autem ad aeternam poenam infernorum: Beata autem Virgo sua mediatione nobis misericordiam impetravit, et gratiam atque gloriam, juxta illud Psal. 47. Suscipimus Deus misericotdiam tuam in medio templi tui; id est, beatae Virgins; quia multipliciter dicitur medium vel Mediatrix Vnde. z Sermo in Apoc. 2. De Assumptione B. Mariae. Bernardus in quodam Sermone, Mediatrix est Maria inter Solem et Lunam, id est, Christum et Ecclesiam. Primò ergo est Mediatrix nostrae Salvationis; juxta illud, Psal. 47. Deus autem Rex noster ante secula operatus est salutem in medio terrae, id est, ex utero Reginae Mariae, ad quam sicut ad mediam, & sicut ad causam rerum ad negocium singulorum respiciunt, & qui habitant in coelo, & qui habitant in terra, & qui in inferno, & qui nos praecesserunt, & nos qui modo sumus, & qui nos sequentur, & nati natorum, & qui nascentur ab illis. Qui in coelo sunt ut restaurentur, qui sunt in inferno ut eripiantur, qui nos praecesserunt, ut prophetae fideles inveniantur, qui sequentur ut glorificentur. Ideo beatam te dicunt omnes generationes, Tu Genetrix Dei et Regina Coeli, et Domina mundi, qui generationibus cunctis vitam et gloriam genuisti. In te reperiunt Angeli et justi gloriam, peccatores veniam. In te oculi totius creaturae merito respiciunt, quoniam de te et in te benigna manus omnipotentis Dei quos creaverat recreavit. Secundò est Mediatrix nostrae conjunctionis et unionis, quia nos disjunctos etdivisos a Deo illi conjungit et unit. Tertio, est Mediatrix nostrae justificationis. Daemons enim nostram justificationem impediunt: Sed Virgo Maria illorum impedimenta expellit, et ideo nostram justificationem perfecit. Quinto,; est Mediatrix nostrae reconciliationis. Peccator enim efficitur inimicus Dei propter peccatum carnalis concupiscentiae, vel superbiae, aut avaritiae. Ista autem Dei Mediatrix hos inimicos Dei saepe reconciliat, dum eos ad poenitentiam revocat. Quintò, est Mediatrix nostrae Intercessionis; Ipsa eam pro nobis quotidie intercedit. Ideo Bernardus in Sermone de Annunciatione ait, Si ad Deum Patrem vereris accedere, ad Filium fuge; quia hunc tibi fratrem Maria dedit. Sed si fortè in ipso majestatem divinitatis vereris ad, Mariam recurre, quae est humanitas pura, et ipsa exaudietur pro sua reverentia. Sexto, ipsa est Mediatrix Communicationis, quia cum adhuc esset in mundo, communicavit cum sanctis qui erant in via, et cum illis qui erant in patria; & quantum ad hoc potest appellari firmamentum, quod est in medio aquarum quae sunt super coelos & infra, Gen. 1. So Bernardinus de Busti, and St. Bernard thus long before him. a In Nativitate Mariae, De Aqueductu, Sermo. & Michael Lochmai● Sermo 103. D. Ad Patrem verebaris accedere, solo auditu territus, ad Filium fugiebas: Jesum tibi dedit Mediatorem: Quid non apud talem Patrem Flius talis obtineat? Exaudietur utique pro reverentia sua. An verò trepidas & ad ipsum? Frater tuus est, & caro tua, temptatus per omnia absque peccato, ut misericors fieret. Hunc tibi fratrem Maria dedit. Sed fortè & in ipso Majestatem vereare divinam, quia licet factus sit homo, manserit tamen Deus. Advocatum habere vis ad ipsum? Ad Mariam recurre. Pura siquidem humanitas in Maria; non modo pura ab omni contaminatione, sed & pura singularitate naturae. Nec dubius dixerim exaudietur, et ipsa proteve●entia sua. Exaudiet utique Matrem Filius, & exaudiet Filium Pater. Filioli haec peccatorum scala: haec mea maxima fiducia est: haec tota ratio spei mei. Vellus est medium inter rorem & cream, mulier inter solemn & Lunam, Maria inter Christum et Ecclesiam constituta. Hence he introduceth the Church thus praying to her, as the Mediatrix between her and the Sun, under the Title of the Moon, from Apoc. 12. b De Verbis beati Joan. Apoc. 12. Sermo Jam te Mater misericordiae per ipsum syncerissimae tuae mentis affectum tuis jacens provoluta pedibus Luna, Mediatricem sibi apud solem justitiae constitutam devotis supplicationibus, ut in lumine tuo videat lumen, et solis gratiam tuo mereatur obtentu quam vero amavit prae omnibus, et ornavit stola gloriae induens, et coronam pulchritudinis ponens in capite tuo. Plena es gratiarum, plena tore coelesti, innixa super dilectum deliciis affluens. Ci●a hodie pauperes tuos Domina: ipsi quoque Catelli de micis edant: nec puero Abrahae tantum, sed et camelis potus tribuas de supereffluenti hidria tua. c De Evang. Lect. Luc. 10▪ Sermo 2. Ipsa nempe Mediatrix nostra, ipsa est per quam suscepit misericordiam tuam Deus, ipsa per quam et nos Dominum jesum in Domus nostras suscepimus. Bernardinus de Busti with sundry others in their public Prayers, and private Devotions▪ as they invoke her by the Name of O Mediatrix Dei et hominum: So they argue she was conceived without original sin, d Bernardin. de Busti Mariale▪ pars 12. Sermo 2. pars 2. T. pars 2. Serm. 6. T. Sermo 8. pars 1. Ratione Mediationis, quia beata Virgo fuit Media inter Creaturam et Creatorem. Ergo fuit perfectissima omni perfections quae in creaturam cadere potest: Et ideo sicut coelum chrystallinnm est medinm inter coelum empyreum & stellatum ita tu es Mediatrix Dei et hominum. Hoc quoque tibi convenit, quae divinae vindictae impetum moderaris, et iracundiae ejus calorem temperas, atque ab inflammatione et exterminio interventu tuo mundum conservas et defends:; Of which more in the 3d. and 5th letters of her name, concerning her Redeemers and Advocates offices. Hence Bernardinus Senensis useth these extravagant passages concerning her Redeeming, * Bernardinus de Busti Ordinis Francisci, Pars 1. Serm. 7. de Conceptione Mari●▪ pars 1. B. saving Adam and all Mankind, and the Saints in the Old as well as New Testament from Damnation, and all their temporal and spiritual Enemies; Licet Adam & Eva propter transgressionem divini praecepti totalem meruissent adnihilationem & exterminationem, cum omni posteritate sua; tamen praevidens divina Clementia hanc purissimam virginem esse in lumbis ipsorum radicaliter, a quibus nasci debebat ipsa nobilissima sponsa Dei, a qua filius aeterni Regis generari debebat: juxta illud, Psal. 132. De fructu ventris tui ponam super sedem meam: suspendit indignationem suam, et primos parentes cum omni natura humana ab aeterno exterminio liberavit. Ob ejusdem quoque virginis amorem praeservavit No de diluvio, Abraam de coede regum, Isaac de Ishmael, Jacob de Esau, ac populum Judaicum de manu Pharaonis, & de captivitate Babylonica liberavit, David quoque de Leone, & de Golia, & de Saul; et breviter, omnes indulgentiae et liberationes factae a Deo in veteri Testamento. secundum praedictos Doctores, ob virginis dilectionem provenere: unde verificatum fuit illud, Prov. 25. Gratia & amicitia, scilicet beatae Virgins, liberat, scilicet ab omnibus malis, as well spiritual as tempora●. Besides, their * Albertus' super Missus escap. 54. Bernardini de Busti Mariale Pars 3. Sermo 2. part 1. A. & Pars ●. Sermo 7. part 1. C. & Sermo 5. Consid. 1. F. Seraphic Doctors comparing Mary with Eve▪ infer from Gen. 3. dicitur, Et vocavit nomen ejus Eva, eo quod esset mater omnium viventium. Si ergo illa appellata est Eva quae erat mater omnium viventium vita naturae; multo fortius illa beatissima virgo quae est mater omnium viventium vita gratiae. Eva damnat, Maria salvat, unde ipsa nomen● Eve mutavit. Illa enim omnes homines generat in mundum, ista in coelum: Illa mater carnalis, ista spiritualis. Illa mater miseriae, ista misericordiae; Illa principium mortalitatis, ista principium regenerationis; Illa gratiam perdidit, ista gratiam invenit; Illa transivit, & nos transire fecit in culpam, ista nos surgere fecit de culpa in gratiam; Illa de latere viri dormientis facta, ista de cord Domini vigilantis. Illa viro suo occasio fuit perditionis▪ haec viro suo ADJUTORIUM REDEMPTIONIS. Illa desponsatur origo corruptarum, haec desponsatur mansura virgo virginum. Illa prima virginitatem perdidit; ista prima virginitatem Deo conservavit illa à Diabolo decepta, ista ab Angelo edocta Illam Diabolus vicit per superbiam, ista Diabolum vicit per humilitatem: Et sic patet, qualiter mutavit nomen;; Evae. Ideo ipsam virginem exorat Ecclesia Dei. Sumens illud ave Gabrielis ore, funda nos in pace mutans nomen Evae. To which he subjoins, Maria dicitur Stella, quia vivificat. Siquidem mors regnabat ab Adam, Rom. 5. Veniente autem hac Stella, omnia mortua sunt vitae restituta: Quip ipsa est lignum vitae, etc. Hence * In Expositione Canticae Virginis Mariae Magnificat. Jacobus de Valentia, Episcopus Christopolitanus, thus antichristianly writes, Peccando post baptismum videntur contemnere & despicere passionem Christi, & sic nullus peccator meretur quod Christus amplius intercedat pro ipso apud patrem, sine cujus intercessione nemo potest liberari a poena aeterna nec temporali; nec culpa quam ipse voluntarie perpetravit: et ideo fuit necesse, ut Christus constitueret matrem suam praeelectam Mediatricem inter nos et ipsum. Et sic in hac peregrinatione non relinquitur nobis aliud refugium in nostris tribulationibus et adversitatibus, nisi recurrere ad Virginem Mariam Mediatricem, ut velit placare iram Filii. Hence * Chronica, Pars 3. Tit. 24. c. 3. Antoninus Archbishop of Florence records, that St. Dominick being at Rome in the Papacy of Honorius the 3d. nocte quadam orationi incumbens, vigilanter, vidit ad Patris dexteram exurgere Filium in ira sua, ut interficeret omnes peccatores terrae, et disperderet omnes operantes iniquitatem, etc. Cujus irae dum nemo potest resistere, occurrit propicia virgo Mater, et rogavit ut parceret eis quos redimerat, et justititiam misericordia temperaret. Ad quam Flius Nun vides (inquit) quantae mihi irrogantur injuriae? justitia mea tanta mala non sustinet impunita:; whereupon his Mother promising her Son to send her two faithful Servants, St. Dominick, and St. Francis, as the only means to reduce these sinners to him; Filius dixit, Ecce placatus suscepi faciem tuam, and by this her Mediation appeased Christ's wrath against them; who thereupon committed these two Freers and their Orders to his Mother's special service and protection, to reconcile these sinners to him, by the aid of her intercession and advocation on their behalf; Upon this groundwork, their a Pag 289. See Bishop Jewels Defence of the Apology, part 6 ch. 7. divis. 3. p. 682. Hercules Lipomanus cries out in his marginal agony; Ecce quam potentissima est Sancta Dei genetrix, et quomodo nullus salvus fieri possit, nisi per eam! Hence their St. b De Excel. beatae Mariae. Anselm, c Sermo 51. de Festivitatibus Mariae, Artic. 3. cap. 4. Bernardinus Senensis, and others, in their Ecstasies and Extravagant Devotions, thus magnify her as the Ladder and gate of Heaven, the recoverer, restorer, reconciler, redeemer of the lost World, etc. Quid nos tantilli, quid nos actione pusilli, quid in laudibus ejus referamus, cum etiamsi omnium nostrorum membra verterentur in linguas, eam laudare non sufficerent. Altior enim est coelo de qua loquimur virgo, abysso profundior, cujus la●des dicere conamur; si coelum inquam te vocem, altior es; si vero matrem Gentium, praecedis, si formam Dei te appellem, digna existis: si Dominam Angelorum, per omnia esse probaris. Quid igitur digne de te dicam? Maria est flos et janua Paradysi, Gloria generis humani, thronus et Camera Regis aeterni, Charitas Dei, lucerna mundi, scala coeli, Regina Angelorum, terror Daemonum, refugium peccatorum, Imago et speculum puritatis, exemplum et regula honestatis, fons et taberna Gratiarum, mons et scala virtutum, arca Coelestium Thesaurorum, consolatio pauperum, refrenatio divitum▪ recreatio humilium, confusio superborum, solatium electorum, conductrix peregrinorum, portus naufragantium, murus obsessorum, requies tribulatorum, mater orphanorum, tutela viduarum, scutum pugnatorum, dulcedo contemplativorum, magistra praedicatorum, fortitudo laborantium, Advocata poenitentium, medicina aegrotantium, forma justorum, spes et laus credentium, et * Marian Catholics. titulus Catholicorum. Gloriosa Virgo, & Mater misericordiae, Regina et fons torius dulcedinis et pietatis, quid dicemus? quo organo vocis exprimemus, quantum tibi debemus? Quicquid protulerimus minus est, et quasi nihil ad ea quae tibi exequio debemus. Tu ante omnem creaturam in ment Dei praeordinata fuisti, ut omnium foeminarum castissima Deum ipsum hominem verum ex tua carne procreares, ut prae omnibus post filium Regina coelorum effecta Gloriosa regnares; ut perdito mundo recuperares aditum, et vitae perennis emolumentum properares. Tu Genus humanum aeternitatis Gloria nudatum per tuum virgineum partum in pristinum statum deduxisti: tu principem mortis everti●●i: per te ad aeternam Gloriam quicunque perventuri sumus pervenimus, et per te est si quid boni sumus, sive possumus, sive habemus. Tu post Deum summa ac singularis consolatio nostra, tu ad regna coelorum Dur et Subventio nostra. Tu quaesumus esto in ipso ●eatitudinis regno susceptrix, ac perpetua exaltatio nostra, quae Christo jesu dulcissimo filio tuo gioriosa con●egnas, Regina coeli, Domina mundi, per iufinita seculorum secula, Amen. Upon this account a See Dr. John White, his Epistle to the Reader, sect. 14. before the Way to the True Church. Antidotarium Anim●, p. 101. prescribes this prayer to her, as a special Antidote to save and preserve the souls of Roman Catholics: O Mary, the learnedest Advocate of the guilty, the only Hope of the desperate; the SAVIOUR of sinners, I beseech thee at the last day, enlighten me with the beams of thy most bright face: Then there is no other Hope but thee; SAVE ME O SAVIORESSE, REDEEM ME O REDEEMER; my sins load me, the flesh defileth me, the Devil lieth in wait for me. Besides, in her public Offices, Hours, they thus publicly salute, invoke her; b Officium B. Mariae, secundum usum Sarum, f. 38, 40, 41, 42, 47, 81, & sundry other Offices, Hours, Psalters of our Lady. Ave Maria, abyssalis Fons omnis Gratiae, et Misericordiae. Ave Maria, SALUS, et consolatrix Peccatorum, et Vivorum et mortuorum promptissima, Mater Orphanorum, Consolatio desolatorum, via errantium; SALUS & SPES in te sperantium, Fons SALUTIS, Fons Consolationis et indulgentiae; ostend michi faciem tuam, et vitam aeternam michi tribuas. Ad te hodie o unica spes miserorum confugio, plenus siducia. Tibi meipsum et omnes necessitates meas devote recommendo. Te hodie matrem et matronam prae omnibus eligo ac praeopto. Noli ergo piissima mater abjicere me miserum peccatorem propter peccata mea nimia, et nolime abjicere a misericordia tua propter eum, qui amore mei nudus et dilaceratus pependit in cruse ante te; sed respicere me digneris tua dulcissima gratia, et materna pietate in hora mortis meae suscipe animam meam, et offer illam dulcissimo filio tuo jesu. O beata Maria mater Dei, Peccatorum Interventrix, concilia me antequam infernus me devorat. Exaudi me, SALVA ME. Defend me a poenis inferni. Stella coeli extirpavit quae lactavit Dominum, Mortis pestem quam plantavit primus parens hominum. Yea their canonised St. Bernard, and c Mariale Parson 1. de Conceptione Mariae, Sermo 7. Y. Bernardinus de Busti, extol her as Parentum Reparatricem, et posterorum vivificatricem. Superadding, Propterea cur Eva ad Mariam, cur mater ad filiam, filia pro matre respondeat, ipsa matris opprobrium auferat, ipsa patri pro matre satisfaciat, quia ecce si vir cecidit per foeminam, jam non erigitur nisi per faeminam. And in his Officium Conceptionis beatae Mariae, authorized by the Bull of Pope Sixtus the 4. to be publicly used in all Churches, especially▪ on the feast of her Conception without original sin (as they hold) he begins her Devotissimum officium, with this Hymn, Gaude Mater Salvatoris, Porta coelt tu vocaris, MUNDI SALUS saevientis, caput cedens Holofernis. Mare ficco call transis, currus mergens Pharaonis; Inque Zion dominaris, pulsans inde Jebuseos, etc. Asueri Regis sceptrum caput tangens virgo tuum, mori fecit laqueatum Aman sanctis inimicum: Babylonis Rex in praedam non abduxit te captivam; Philisthei nec Goliae es transfixa pugione. Sicut suum sol●nitorem, nunquam perdit nec decorem; Primi patris sic tu labem nullam sentis nec faetorem. Tu sol occasum nesciens, etc. delicti nubes profugans. Nullus in te confidentes unquam vidit infoelices; Vere tibi nam devotus est necesse sit beatus. Ad te ergo nos clamantes in hac valle lachrymantes: Ad nuptias aeternales fac venire triumphales. A men. Besides most d S. Bernardus Homil. 2 super Missus est, f. 5. Bernardinus Senensis, Sermo 51. Artic. 2. c. 2. & their Vulgar Latin Bible. Pontificians frequently apply that text of Gen. 3. 15. to Mary, translating Ipsum into Ipsa, as if meant most properly of Mary herself, not of Christ her seed; asserting her to be the principal Saviour, Redeemer of lost Mankind by breaking this Serpent's head; adding, Et si adhuc dubites an de Maria dixerit, audi quod sequitur, Ipsa conteret caput tuum. Cui haec sancta victoria, nisi Mariae? Ipsa proculdubio caput contrivit venenatum, quae omnimodam maliciam, suggestionem, tam de carnis iliecebra quam de mentis superbia dedurit ad nihilum. Hence they te●●h & enjoin all Roman Catholics, thus to salute, invocate Mary, as in sundry other Offices, Hours, Psalters, Crowns, Rosaries, dedicated to her name and worship, so likewise in the very beginning of their * 〈◊〉▪ Horae beatissimae Virgins, secundum usum Romanum, used in Rome and elsewhere; Salve Regina Mater Misericordiae, VITA. dulcedo et spes nostra, Salve; Ad te clamamus exules silii Evae, ad te suspiramus gementes et flentes in hac lachrymarum valle: Eja ergo Advocata nostra, ill●s tuos misericordiae oculos ad nos converte; et jesum benedictum fructum ventris tui post hoc exilium nobis ostend: O clemens, O pia, O dulcis Maria, Dignare me. e Pars 12. De Coronatione Mariae Sermo 2 at the end. Bern. de Busti in the close of his Mariale, (dedicated to Pope Alexander the 6. and highly applauded by him) bestows this New Crown of Blasphemy, rather than Glory, upon this their new Redeemer Queen Mary, which quilibet devotus ad gloriam ipsius debet dicere, O cibus et refectio humanae mentis, O vita nostra, O auxiliatrix in omni calamitate, O mater pietatis, O vena nostrae salutis, O principium nostri amoris, O Redemptrix universi, O mutatrix cursus naturalis, O Recuperatrix perditi orbis. O Renovatrix humanae naturae, O Mediatrix Dei et hominum, O spes solida nostrae mercedis, O ductrix omnis fidelis errantis, O fundamentum nostrae fidei, O mare in quod effluunt omnia flumina divinorum charismatum, O sagitta contra serpentem antiquum, O portus defiderabilis, O schola omnium virtutum, O pons periculosi hujus mundani fluminis, O ardour superni amoris, O scala per quam in coelum ascenditur. O vas et templum Spiritus sancti, O speculum in quo resplendet omne bonum, O norma justititiae, O castitatis magistra, O innocentiae forma, O ante nostrum judicem Advocata fidelissima, O gloria Angelorum, O decor omnium coelorum, O dispensatrix donorum Dei, O mater aeterni verbi Dei, O portinaria paradisi, O aqua melliflua quae das bibere omni sitienti, O exemplar humilitatis, O Secretaria aeterni consilii, O tabernaculum sanctum, O refugium nostrae miseriae, O Vivisicatrix ab aeterna morte, O thesauraria altissimi, O puella super omnes praeelecta, O vox Prophetarum, O desiderium Patriarcharum, O flamma inter Seraphin, O lumen ad Cherubin, O throna inter thronos, D Domina inter Dominationes, O Maxima Princeps inter principatus, O columna omnis potestatis, O virtutum suprema virtus, O Archangela inter Archangelos, O omnium Angelorum ornamentum, O hortus deliciarum, O corona justorum, O triumphus coeli empyrei, O filia Patris aeterni, O genetrix divinae majestatis, O sponsa Paracieti, O Regina et Imperatrix Orbis universi, defend nos a malignis spiritibus, & fat ut in die judicii audiamus unigenitum filium tuum nobis dicentem, Venite benedicti patris mei, possidete regnum quod vobis paratum est ab origine mundi. In quo regno perenniter te laudare et glorificare valeamus (in the first place) cum filio dilectissimo tuo, per omnia fecula seculorum. Amen. Hence their f See Fox Acts & Monuments, Vol. 3. London 1641. p. 273, to 277. Seraphical Bonaventura, Bishop of Alba, a Cardinal Priest and canonised Saint of Rome, in his blasphemous Psalter printed at Argentine 1495. Part. 2. f. 84, etc. soars as high or somewhat higher than his fellows, using these ecstasies of Devotion towards his Saviouresse the Lady Mary, Ecce Domina SALVATRIX MEA, fiducialiter agam in te & non timebo; quia fortitudo mea es, et facta es mihi IN SALUTEM. Exulta TOTUM HUMANUM GENUS, QUIA TALEM DEDIT TIBI MEDIA TRICEM Dominus Deus tuus: Confitebor tibi Domina, quia abscondisti haec à sapientibus, (the wisest sort of Christians the Protestants) & revelasti ea parvulis, (the childish Romanists and Pontificians) who thus bespeak and pray unto her in their devotions penned by him; O benedicta, in manibus tuis reposita est nostra salus. Quemadmodum enim infans sine nutrice non potest vivere, ita nec sine Domina nostra posses habere SALUTEM. Yea he concludes with this new anti- Athanasius Marian Catholic Creed; Quicunq, vult SALVUS ESSE, ANTEOMNIA OPUS EST, VT TENEAT DE MARIA (hanc) FIRMAM FIDEM: Quam nisi quisq, integram et inviolatam servaverit, absque dubio in aetermim peribit: And thus upbraids all those who will not undoubtedly believe her to be their Savioresse; Generatio prava ac perversa, agnosce Dominam nostram SALVATRICEM TVAM, Nunquid ipsa est Mater tua quae possedit te, et in fide generavit te? Moreover, he not only thus invokes her, O Mediatrix nostra, O Mediatrix inter Deum et hominem; O Advocata miserorum, oculi servorum tuorum ad te diriguntur, etc. but thus wittingly altars, perverts the words of several Psalms, Texts from Dominum into Dominam, or eam, etc. as for other purposes; so for this of her Salvation and Reconciliation of them. * See Fox Ib. p. 274, etc. Psal. 2. Venite ad eam, qui laboratis et tribulati estis, et dabit refrigerium animabus vestris. Psal. 3. Deduc me ad portum Salutis, & spiritum meum redde factori meo. Ps. 6. Domina ne in furore Dei sinas corripi me, neque in ira ejus judicari, etc. De portu inferi et de ventre abyssi libera nos. Aperiantur nobis januae sempiternae, et enarremus in aeternum mirabilia tua. Quia non mortui, nec qui in inferno sunt, laudabunt te Domina, sed qui tua gratia vitam aeternam obtinebunt. Ps. 12. Salvum me fac mater pulchrae dilectionis, etc. Gyrum terrae sola circuis ut subvenias invocantibus te, etc. Psal. 47. Omnes gentes plaudite manibus, etc. quoniam Ipsa est porta vitae, janua SALUTIS, et vitae nostrae RECONCILIATRIX; spes poenitentium, solamen lugentium, pax beata cordium, atque SALUS. Miserere mei Domina, miserere mei, quia tu es lux er spes omnium confidentium in te. Psal. 51. Miserere mei Domina, quae mater misericordiae diceris; et secundum viscera misericordiarum tuarum munda me ab omnibus iniquitatibus meis, etc. Psal. 54. Domina in nomine tuo SALVUM me fac, et ab injustitiis meis libera me. Ps. 71. Domina, in te speravi, non confundar in aeternum, in tua misericordia libera me, etc. Ps. 105. Confitemini Dominae nostrae, et invocate nomen ejus, etc. Salus sempiterna in manu tua, Domina, etc. Ps. 136. Non invenietur Propitiatio sine illa. If these blasphemies be not sufficient, a Mariale pars 9 Sermo 2. Assimilatio 2. Quare beats Virgo dicitus Scala coeli. Bernardinus de Busti, and others out of St. Bernard will further assure us. Beata Virgo Maria dicitur scala coeli, quam vidit Jacob Patriarcha, Gen. 28. Scala dicitur, quia per ipsam Angeli ad nostram protectionem descendunt, & gratiae divinae per eam nobis donantur, cui profecto scalae Dominus innixus est, quia nihil Nos Deus habere voluit quod per Mariae manus non transiret, et nihil ex operibus nostris sibi esse gratum, nisi per manus matris offeratur. Ideo modicum illud quod Deo offerre desideras, gratissimis Mariae manibus cura tradere, si repulsam non vis habere. Hoc etiam patet exemplo quod legitur in Chronic is nostris, (a most observible one in good earnest, worthy special notice, evidencing that there is no so safe or speedy ascension for Christians into Heaven by the red Ladder of Christ our Saviour's blood, as by this white ladder of Heaven the Virgin Mary, by Christ's own revelation to St. Francis, thus recorded by Bernardus de Busti, and * See Speculum Vitae Francisci & Sociorum ejus, parte 2. c. 45. Speculum Exemplorum, Distinct. 7. Exempl. 41. others.) Quod quadam die Sanctus Franciscus vidit duas scalas, unam rubeam, cui Christus innixus erat, et aliam albam, in qua virgo erat. Et cum ad monita beati Francisci fratres scalam rubeam ascendere conarentur, dum ire inciperent, retro multi cadebant, et ascendere non poterant. De qua re Sanctus Franciscus flendo dolebat: cui Christus dixit, (if you dare credit his Legend) Fac ut fratres tui ad Matrem meam currant, et ad scalam albam, atque per eam ascendant. Tunc beatus Franciscus exclamare coepit, dicens. Currite fratres ad scalam albam, et ascendite per eam. Quod facientes fratres a beata Virgine laeta facie suscipiebantur, et in coelum cum facilitate ascendebant. Whence most other Roman Votaries run principally to this Ladder, as the only easy, safe, speediest Ladder to obtain Salvation, and ascension into Heaven. But enough of these their blasphemies, rather than devotions, where of there are hundreds more in Bernardinus his Mariale. 2ly. Whereas the sacred Scriptures, Saints, and Church therein, made God himself, Jesus Christ his Son, and the Holy Ghost their only aid, help, hope, comforter, deliverer, refuge, Saviour in times of all their Temporal or Spiritual troubles, dangers; praying only to God or Christ alone for deliverance, help, comfort, salvation out of them, ascribing all their deliverances and salvation only unto God, Deur. 33. 7, 26, 29. 1 Chron. 12. 18. 2 Chron. 20. 4, etc. Psal. 10. 14. Psal. 18. 2, 3. Psal. 20. 2. Psal. 28. 7. Psal. 30. 10. Psal. 33. 18, 19, 20. Psal. 35. 2, etc. Psal. 39 7. Psal. 40. 17. Psal. 42. 5. Psal 43. 5, 11. Psal. 44. 26. Psal. 46. 1, 11. Psal. 63. 7. Psal. 71. 5, 12, 14. Psal. 78. 7. Psal. 89. 17. Psal. 108. 12. Psal. 115. 9 10, 11. Psal. 116. 6. Psal. 118. 13. Psal. 121. 1, 2. Psal. 124. 8. Psal. 106. 11. Psal. 68 19, 20. Psal. 96. 2. Psal. 98. 2, 3. Psal. 144. 10. Psal. 146. 3, 5, 6. Psal. 147. 11. Jer. 18. 4. c. 17. 7, 13. Lam. 3. 24. Joel 3. 16. Hos. 13. 9 Isa. 14. 14. c. 50. 7, 9 Mat. 15. 25. c. 8. 25. c. 14. 30. Luke 2. 25. Col. 1. 5, 27. 1 Thes. 1. 3. 1 Tim. 1. 1, 15. Tit. 1. 3, 4. c. 2. 13. 1 Pet. 1. 3, 21. Hebr. 13. 6. 1 John 4. 14. 1 Sam. 7. 8. 1 Chron. 16. 35. Psal. 80. 2. Psal. 106. 47. Isa. 25. 9 c. 33. 22. c. 35. 4. c. 37. 10, 35. c. 43. 3. 11. c. 45. 15, 21. c. 49. 16. c. 52. 10. c. 60. 16. c. 63. 1. Psal. 80. 3, 7, 9 1 Chron. 16. 35. Jonah 2. 9 Jer. 3. 23. c. 15. 10. c. 30. 10. c. 31. 7. c. 46. 17. Hos. 1. 7. c. 13. 4, 10. Zeph. 3. 17, 19 Zach. 8. 7, 13. c. 9 16. c. 12. 7. Mat. 1. 21. c. 18. 11. John 4. 42. c. 12. 47. c. 14. 15, 16. c. 15. 26. 1 Tim. 2. 15, 16, 17, 18. Hebr. 5. 7. c. 7. 14. Acts 5. 31. c. 13. 23. Ephes. 5. 23. Phil. 3. 20. 1 Pet. 1. 1, 11. Judas 25. Rom. 15. 5. 2 Cor. 1. 3. 2 Thes. 2. 16, 17. Isa. 51. 3. c. 61. 2. Psal. 71. 21. Psal. 119. 81. Zach. 1. 16, 17. 2 Tim. 1. 9 Psal. 3. 8. Acts 4. 11. which sacred Texts (with sundry more) I desire all Pontificians and Marian's seriously to peruse. The Popes, Doctors, and Church of Rome, in direct opposition to all these Scriptures, from A. the second Letter in the name of Maria, proclaim her to be, and pray to her as their only aider, or chiefhelp, hope, deliverer, comforter, yea Saviour, in all their corporal or spiritual dangers, troubles; attributing their deliverance and salvation unto her alone, not God or Jesus Christ: witness not only the premised passages, but these other Assertions, Invocations, Prayers in their authorised Writers, Offices, Psalters, public and private Devotions. a Bernardinus de Busti, Mariale pars 3. Sermo 1. De Nominatione Mariae, pars 3. N. See Augustinus de Leonissa, Sermons de Ave Maria, Petrus de Palude Sermo de Annunciatione Mariae, Michael Lochmair, Serm. 6, 75, 76. Bernardinus Senensis, Serm. 51, 61. and others. Secunda litera nominis beatae Virginis est A. (writes Bernardinus de Busti) per quam significatur, quod ipsa est Auxiliatrix nostra Ideo. Augustinus in quadam Sermone inquit; Domina nostra, Auxiliatrix nostra, tuo filio nos reconcilia, tuo nato nos recommenda, tuo filio nos representa, fac benedicta per gratiam quam invenisti, per praerogativam quam meruisti, per misericordiam quam peperisti, ut sicut te mediante filius tuus dignatus est particeps fieri infirmitatis & miseriae nostrae; sic quoque te intercedente participes nos faciat gloriae & beatitudinis. Haec illa beata igitur Virgo fuit Adjutrix sive Auxiliatrix nostrae Redemptionis, et Auxiliatrix nostrae Justificationis. Primo▪ enim fuit Auxiliatrix nostrae Redemptionis, quantum adquatuor genera causarum. Primò, quantum ad causam efficientem, quia illum genuit qui nostram salutem operatus fuit. Secundò, quantum ad causam materialem, quia de suis visceribus nostrae redemptionis materiam ministravit. Tertiò, quantum ad causam formalem. Quartò, quantum ad causam finalem, quia nobis ad beatitudinem consequendam nobis à Deo data fuit: Vnde dicitur, Apoc. 12. quod in capite ejus est corona 12. stellarum, quia omnes Sancti per ipsam sunt coronati. b See Michael-Lochmair, Sermo 60. L. Secundo, ipsa est Auxiliatrix nostrae Justificationis, quia efficaciter adjuvat, in omni statu, in vita, in morte, et post mortem, tam bonos quam malos. In vita, bonos scilicet, in gratia conservando; malos verò ad misericordiam Dei per poenitentiam reducendo. In morte, ab omnibus insidiis Diaboli protegendo. Post mortem, animas in suas manus suscipendo, et eas ad coelum deducendo: Vnde canit Ecclesiae, Maria Mater gratiae, Mater misericordiae, Tu nos ab host besiege, & in hora mortis suscipe. Tertio videndum est propter quod adjuvat; circa quod notandum est, quod plura sunt, propter quae nos adjuvare tenetur. Et primo, propter abundantiae suae cumulum. Secundo, propter debitum. Tertio, propter commissum officium; she being appointed auxilium ordinarium, quo militante cessat extraordinarium, scilicet aliorum Sanctorum. Et ideo omnes debent in necessitatibus suis ad eam recurrere tanquam ad matrem, cui commisit Deus officium maternum; unde illi dicere debemus illud, quod canit Ecclesia, dicens, Monstra te esse matrem. Nemo ergo se reputet pauperem, nec in miseria permaneat, cum sit amicus tam divitis potentis, sed confidenter ad postulandum ipsius adjutorium pergat. Deus enim de ea confidens, omnes gratias faciendas ei commisit. Item omnibus succurrit; Nam adjuvat tribulatos, dans eyes patientiam. Adjuvat etiam tentatos, dans eyes victoriam. Adjuvat quoque in Dei amore famelicos, dando eis refectionem internam. Quarto, nos adjuvat propter suum animum viscerosum. Quinto, propter divinae liberalitatis impensum illi beneficium: Ideò de sua plenitudine nobis debet effundere, & nobis filiis suis tanquam bona mater coeleste regnum imperare. Possumus etiam aliam rationem assignare, quia ipsa tam gratiam Dei, quam humanum genus, amissam invenit. Et ideò non debet gratiam quam invenit occultam tenere, sed nobis propalare & reddere, alias reputabitur fur. Hence they thus fly, pray to, salute, invocate Mary in their public and private Devotions, as their only constant aid, help, guide, sanctuary, harbour, protector, deliverer in the troublesome Sea of this world. c Officium B. Mariae secundum usum Sarum, 1509. f. 38, to 46. Litaniae Deiparae Virgins, quae in alma domo Lautetana omnibus diebus Sabbati, etc. decantari solent; and in most of their other Psalters, Hours, Offices, Litanies, Crowns, and Rosaries, beatae Mariae. O mater Orphanorum, consolatio desolatorum, via errantium, salus et spes in te sperantium, fons misericordiae, fons salutis et gratiae, salus et consolatrix vivorum et mortuorum, vena et a●yssalis fons omnis misericordiae. Obsecro te Sancta Maria pietatis plenissima, venias & festines in auxilium & consilium meum, in omnibus orationibus & requisitis meis; & in omnibus angustiis & necessitatibus meis; & in omnibus rebus in quibus ego sum facturus, locuturus, aut cogitaturus; omnibus diebus ac noctibus, horis atque momentis vitae meae; et in novissimis diebus o●tende mihi faciem tuam. Mecum sis in omnibus tentationibus, tribulationibus, necessitatibus, angustiis, et infirmitatibus meis, et maxime in hora exitus mei ne desis mihi clementissima Virgo Maria, Amen. Ave mundi spes Maria, ave mitis, ave pia, Angelorum Imperatrix, peccatorum consolatrix, consolare me lugentem, consolare peccatorem, et ne tuum des honorem alieno aut crudeli, precor te Regina coeli. Me habeto exeusatum apud Christum tuum natum, cujus iram expavesco et furorem pertimesco. O Maria Virgo noli esse mihi aliena, gratia coelesti plena. Audi nos, nam te filius nihil negans honorat. To which they accumulate from M. the first Letter in her name; d Bernardinus de Busti, Mariale pars 3. Sermo 4. De Nominatione Mariae; De Prima Praerogativaincipiente ab M. Z. Maria in scriptura appellatus manus Dei; de qua exponi potest illud, Deut. 33. Omnes Sancti in manu ejus sunt. Et illud Job 12. In cujus manu est omnis anima viventis. Per istam manum Deus nobis tribuit bona paradisi; per ipsam etiam electo suo succurrit; Psal. 88 Manus mea auxiliabitur ei. Et Psal. 24. In manu ejus omnes fines terrae. Haec est illa manus de qua dicitur, Psal. 144. Aperis tu, manum tuam & imples omne animal benedictione, etc. juxta illud, Psal. 138. Spero autem quod ad regnum coeleste me perducet, etc. Haec est illa manus de qua exponi potest illud, Sap. 3. Justorum animae in manu Dei sunt. Illa est illa manus Dei fortissima quae Daemones prostravit, propter▪ quod omnes Angeli eam benedixerunt. Sap. 10. Haec est manus Dei, quae protegit unumquodque devotum, cui inquit Dominus, Isa. 51. Sub umbra manus meae protexi te. De qua etiam scriptum est, Non est abbreviata manus Domini, scilicet, ad subveniendum nobis, etc. Sicut in manu sunt quinque distinctiones digitorum, sic in ipsa sunt quinque effectus gratiarum. Beata Maria est nobis tanquam pollex, à pollendo, eo quod prae caeteris pollet virtute et potestate: Est tanquam: index, quia sapienter viam quae ducit ad patriam supernam nobis ostendit: Est tanquam digitus medius, quia tanquam Mediatrix nos Deo reconciliat: Est etiam tanquam digitus medicinalis, quoniam vulnera peccatorum nostrorum sanat: Est etiam tanquam digitus auricularis, quia aurem nostri cordis aperit, ut verba Dei audiamus: Diceus illud, Eccles. 44. qui audit me non confundetur. Which he thus seconds: e Bernardinus de Busti, Mariale pars 2. Sermo 5. De Nativitate Mariae, De septima conditione sponsae coelestis R. Gratiose manus. Manus quoque sponsae suae replevit Deus gratia in tantum, quod dedit ei potestatem extendendi manus suas super quoscunque peccatores ad se recurrentes, et eorum animas. Vnde de illa dicere possumus illud, Job 12. In manu ejus est anima omnis viventis; Et ideo ipsa quae est gratiosissima extendit manum suam in retribuendo, scil. suis servitoribus. Psal. 54. Item adjuvat manu sua benedicta suos devotos. Vnde ipsa dicit illud, Psal. 88 Manus mea auxiliabitur ei, & brachium meum confortabit eum, scil. qui ad meum confugiet patrocinium. Dedit quoque sponsus coelestis benedictae Virgini, virtutem extendendi manum suam super mare, id est, supra amaricatos et eos consolandi juxta illud,; Psal. 88 Ponam in mari manum ejus, etc. Et ideo, O gratiosissima Virgo unusquisque tribulatus debet ad te recurrere et dicere cum Propheta, Psal. 118. Fiat manus tua, ut salvet me. Et Psal. 140. 3. Emitte manum tuam de alto, eripe me, ut non infigar. Et protinus liberatus dicere poterit cum eodem Propheta, Psal. 137. Posuisti super me manum tuam, & salvum me fecit dextra tua. O manus beatissima sanctissimae Virgins, quibus spero deduci ad locum aeternae foelicitatis. Vnde de ejus benignitate confisus, dicam cum Propheta, Psal. 138. Illuc manus tua deducet me & tenebit me dextra tua. Et iterum confidenter dicam, Cara speranza mi a tu say purquella per cui spero anchora esser electo; Eandare all celo alume de tua stella. O manus benedictae sponsae coelestis, de qua dici potest illud, quod inquit David de manu Dei, Psal. 144. A peris tu manum tuam & imples omne animal benedictione. O igitur peccator bonum novum, O peccatrix optimum novum, non diffidas, non disperes, etiamsi commisisti omnia peccata enormia, sed confidenter et secure ad istam gloriosissimam Dominam recurras: invenies enim eam in manibus plenam curialitate, pietate, misericordia, gratiositate, et largitate; plus enim desiderat ipsa facere tibi bonum, et largiri aliquam gratiam quam tu accipere concupiscas. Vnde illi inquit Bern. Ave gratia plena. In ventre, gratia Divinitatis; In o'er, gratia Affabilitatis; In cord, gratia Charitatis; In manibus, gratia Misericordiae, et largitatis. Yea they attribute not only Divine Omnipotency, but Deity itself to her, to protect, rescue all her Servants who implore her aid. Hence f In Epistola Dedicatoria Historiae Lauretanae ad Cardinalem Aldobrandinum. Horatius Turselinus the Jesuit, writes; Matrem quippe suam praepotens ille Deus Divinae Majestatis potestatisque Sociam (Mariam) quatenus licuit, adscivit. Huic olim coelestium mortaliumque principatum detulit: ad hujus arbitrium (quoad hominum tutela postulat) terras, maria, coelum, naturamque moderatur. Hac annuente, et per hanc divinos thesauros mortalibus, et coelestia dona largitur; Vt omnes intelligant, quicquid ab aeterno illo augustoque bonorum fonte in terras profluat, fluere per MARIAM. Whom g Tractatus de Laudibus Virgins. Arnoldus Carnotensis thus seconds; Constituta quippe est super omnem creaturam, etc. et Filii gloriam cum Matre non tam communem judico quam eandem. h Mariale pars 12 Sermo 2. in Excellentia 21, & 28. Bernardinus de Busti out of his zeal to the Virgin Mary, not only follows, but outruns them; Tanta est gloria Virgins Matris Dei, quod tantum excedit in gloria naturam Angelicam & humanam simul junctam, quantum circumferentia firmamenti excedit in magnitudine suum centrum, cum intelligatur in Filio suo, se quasi alterum ipsum Deitate vestitum. Ipsa Dei mater de omnipotentia Filii sui, cui est innixa quantum vult sibi assumit. Yea, i Mariale pars 11. Sermo▪ 1. pars 7. Z. cum Deus est Pater rerum creatarum, Maria est Mater rerum creatarum. Deus illum genuit, per quem sunt omnia facta; Maria illum genuit, per quem sunt omnia refecta & salvata. Sicut ergo Deus sua potentia cuncta patrando Pater est et Dominus omnium; ita beata Maria suis meritis cuncta reparando, mater est et Domina rerum. Per has ergo rationes impossibile est, ut aliquis homo ad eam conversus, et ab ea respectus damnetur, quia ipsa genuit eum per quem mortua revivunt, et per quem homines ex peccato salvantur. Ipsa ergo est mater justificantis et justificatorum. Ipsa mater salvantis et salvandorum. Quomodo ergo desperemus cum salus sive damnatio, ex boni fratris et bonae matris pendeat arbitrio? Besides, their canonised Saint and Cardinal k In his Works, printed Argentine 1495. Tom. 2. p. 84, etc. & Romae 1588. See Fox Acts & Monuments, Vol. 3. p. 274, 275, 276. Bishop Ushers Answer to the Jesuits Challenge, p. 488, 489. Bonaventura, in his Antiscriptural Psalter, thus metamorphoseth Lord into Lady, or Mary, in all these sacred Psalms of David, relating to God the Lord, his protection or deliverance from enemies, or other dangers; as Psal. 1. Beatus vir qui intelligit nomen tuum Maria, gratia tua animam ejus comfortabit. Psal. 2. Quare fremuerunt inimici nostri & adversum nos meditati sunt inania? Protegat nos dextra tua mater Dei, ut acies terribiliter confundens et destruens eos. Psal. 3. Domina quid multiplicati sunt qui tribulant me? In tempestate tua persequeris et dissipabis eos. Psal. 4. Cum invocarem, Exaudisti me Domina, & è sublimi solio tuo mei dignata es recordari. A rugientibus praeparatis ad escam & de manibus quaerentium me liberabit gratia tua. Quoniam benigna est misericordia & piet as tua in omnes qui invocant nomen sanctum tuum. Psal. 5. Verba mea auribus percipe Domina, etc. Converte luctum nostrum in gaudium, & tribulationem nostram in jubilationem. Corruant ante pedes nostros inimici nostri, virtute tua eorum capita conterantur, etc. Psal. 7. Domina mea in te speravi, de inimicis meis libera me Domina▪ Conclude or a Leonis & labia persequentium constringe. Non moreris propter nomen tuum facere nobis misericordiam tuam, splendour vultus tui fulgeat super nos, ut servetur conscientia nostra, apud altissimum. Si persequitur inimicus animam meam Domina adjutorio tuo comforter, ne vibret gladium suum contra me. Psal. 13. Vsque quo Domina oblivisceris me, & non liber as me in die tribulationis? Vsque quo exaltabitur inimicus meus super me? potentia virtutis tuae contere ipsum, etc. Magnificamus te gratiae inventricem, per quam saecula reparantur, etc. Psal. 16. Conserva me Domina, quoniam speravi in te, etc. Psal. 20. Exaude me Domina in die tribulationis, etc. Psal. 25. Ad te Domina levavi animam meam. Psal. 28. Adte Dominam clamabo, etc. Miserere mei in die angustiae meae, et in luce veritatis tuae libera me, etc. Psal. 31. In te Domina speravi, non confundar in aeternum; in gloria tua suscipe me. Tu es habitatio mea, & protectio mea, etc. Educas me laqueo, quem absconderunt mihi, quoniam tu es adjutrix mea: In manus tuas Domina commendo spiritum meum. Psal. 34. Benedicam Dominam in omni tempore, etc. In periculis, in rebus dubiis invocate eam, et in necessitatibus invenietis auxilium. Psal. 54. Domina, in nomine tuo salvum me fac, & ab inimicis meis libera me, etc. Psal. 70. Domina, in adjutorium meum intend, etc. Miserere servorum tuorum, super quos invocatum est nomen tuum: (it seems they are now Marian's, not Christians.) Psal. 71. In te Domina speravi, non confundar in aeternum, sed in tua misericordia libera me. Psal. 91. Qui habitat in adjutorio Matris Dei, in protectione ipsius commorabitur, etc. Clamate ad illam in periculis vestris & flagellum non appropinquabit tabernaculo tuo. Psal. 125. Qui confidunt in te Mater Dei, non timebunt à facie inimici. Psal. 130. De profundis clamavi ad te Dominam, Domina exaude vocem meam. Fiant aures tuae intendentes, etc. Psal. 134 Ecce nunc benedicite Dominam, omnes qui speratis in nomine sancto ejus. Psal. 140. Eripe me Domina ab omni malo, & ab haste inferni defend me. Psal. 145. Oculi nostri sperant in te Domina. And then they thus laud her for her deliverances of, and mercies to them; Laudationem tuam loquitur lingua mea, & benedicam te in saeculum saeculi. Psal. 148. Lauda Jerusalem Dominam; glorifica illam etiam o Zion. Ipsa enim construit muros tuos, & filios tuos benedicit, gratia sua te impinguat pacemque donat terminis tuis. Hence l S. Bernardi Ho●●elia 2. supper Missus est, recited and approved by Robertus Holkot, Lectio 35. super lib. Sapientiae, & Lectio 202. St. Bernard, and our Robert Holkot out of him, assure their Auditors; Ipsa Maria est praeclara & eximia stella super hoc mare magnum & spaciosum necessario sublevata, micans meritis, illustrans exemplis. O quisquis te intelligis, in hujus saeculi profluvio magis inter procellas et tempestates fluctuare quam per terram ambulare, ne avertas oculos a fulgore hujus sideris si non vis obrui procellis. Si insurgant venti tentationum, si incurras scopulos tribulationum, respice stellam, voca Mariam. Si jactaris superbiae undis, si ambitionis, si detractionis, si aemulationis, respice stellam, voca Mariam. Si iracundia, aut avaritia, aut carnis illecebra naviculam concusserit mentis, respice ad Mariam. Si criminum immanitate turbatus, conscientiae fidelitate confusus, judicii horrore perterritus; barathro incipias absorberi tristitiae, desperationis abysso. cogita Mariam. In periculis, in angustiis, in rebus dubiis Mariam cogita, Mariam invoca, non recedat ab ore, non recedat a cord; & ut impetres ejus orationis suffragium, non deseras conversationis exemplum. Ipsam sequens non devias, ipsam rogans non desperas, ipsam cogitans non erras, ipsa tenente non corruis, ipsa protegente non metuis, ipsa duce non fatigaris, ipsa propitia pervenis. m Lectio 35. & 202. super lib. Sapientiae. Robert Holkot out of Cassiodorus subjoins; Tu patrona humani generis, Tu afflictis reis medicina singularis. Quis tuo non egeat munere cum sit peccare common? Et ideò non in armis nostrarum virtutum confidamus, sed in issius Virginis gratia, in qua est omnis spes vitae et virtutis: qui intuetur illam permanebit confidens. Studeamus ergo scutum nostrae orationis ipsius imagine exornare, et pondus nostrae deprecationis sibi imponere; Nam quicquid filio suo offert necessario acceptum est. Et ideò dicit Bernardus super Missus est, Crede frater, quicquid illud est, quod Deo offerre paras, Mariae commendare memento, ut eodem alveo ad largitorem gratiae gratia redeat quo influxit. Ergo orationem nostram duo debent complere, Christus videlicet et Maria; habemus ergo nomen et verbum pro nostra oratione servanda; Virgo benedicta ab aeterno praedestinata, praesanctificata et Dei filio consecrata, et cunctis creaturis superposita. Hence n S. Pernard. Sermo 4. in Assumptione Mariae. St. Bernard thus excites all persons to reverence, extol, and resort upon all occasions to her aid and mercy; Sileat misericordiam tuam Virgo beata, si quis est qui invocatam eam in necessitatibus suis sibi meminerit defuisse. Nos quidem servuli tui caeteris in virtutibus congaudemus tibi, sed in hac potius nobis ipsis. Laudamus virginitatem, humilitatem miramur, sed misericordia miseris sapit dulcius, misericordiam amplectimur charius; recordamur saepius, crebrius invocamus. Haec est enim quae totius mundi reparationem obtinuit, salutem omnium impetravit. Constat enim pro universo genere humano fuisse sollicitam, cui dictum est, Ne timeas Maria, invenisti gratiam, utique quam quaerebas. Quis ergo misericordiae tuae, O benedicta longitudinem & latitudinem, sublimitatem & profundum queat investigare. Nam longitudo ejus usque in diem xovissimum invocantibus eam subvenit universis. Latitudo ejus replet Orbem terrarum, ut tua quoque misericordia plena sit omnis terra. Sic & sublimit as ejus Civitatis supernae invenit restaurationem, & profundum ejus sedentibus in tenebris & in umbra mortis obtinuit redemptionem. Per te enim coelum repletum, infernus evacuatus est, instauratae ruinae coelestis Jerusalem, expectantibus miseris vita perdita data, sic potentissima et piissima charitas, et affectu compatiendi et subveniendi abundat effectu: aeque locuples in utroque. Ad hanc igitur fontem sitibunda properet anima nostra. Ad hanc misericordiae cumulum tota sollicitudine miseria nostra recurrat. Ecce jam quibus potuimus votis ascendentem te ad filium deduximus, & prosecuti sumus saltem à long, Virgo benedicta: Sit pietatis tuae ipsam quam apud Deum gratiam invenisti notam facere mando, reis veniam, medelam aegris, pusillis cord robur, afflictis consolationem, periclitantibus adjutorium et liberationem Sanctis tuis precibus obtinendo. As they thus fly and pray to Mary, for grace, mercy, aid, help, protection, * Legitur quod quaedam devota juvencula docuit quendam aviculam dicere, Ave Maria, ità quod garriendo vix aliud proferebat; Quadam autem die volucris rapax ipsam rapuit & asportavit; quae cum clamare●, Ave Maria, statim illa avis rapax mortua cecidit, & avicula ad gremium juvenculae est reversa. Bernardinus de Busti, Mariale pars 12. Sermo 1. pars 3. P. deliverance in all their dangers and distresses, so they ascribe to her alone the praise and glory of all their preservations in, and deliverances from all infirmities, dangers, perils, all victories over their enemies, corporal or spiritual, private or public, not to God or Jesus Christ; as you may read at large in the Postils, Sermons of our Lady, Monkish Historians, and in Bernardinus de Busti his Mariale, Pars 1. Sermo 7. Pars 12. Sermo 2. De Coronatione, Pars 3. Michael Lochmair, Sermo 6. & 7. S. Brigittae Revelationes, lib. 1. c. 16. b. c. lib. 4. c. 7, 54, 55, 106, 126. lib. 6. c. 23, 24, 39 & Revelationes Extravagantes, c. 80. Genebrardi Chron. p. 845. Yea they confidently assure us, that not only men, women, and children have been rescued from enemies, but even * Parrots and speaking Birds, from Eagles, and Hawks, by invoking Mary, and saying Ave Maria, the aider of all creatures in their miseries, as well as of men. To instance in some few examples, o An. 717. nu. 3. An. 730. nu. 3. An. 971. nu. 4. An. 1123. nu. 2, 3. Baronius and Spondanus assure us, That precibus sanctissimae Dei genetricis & auxilio, Constantinopolitana Civitas ab obsidionibus Saracenorum & ingentibus periculis saepissimè liberata est, non ob aliam causam quam quod celeberrimus illic esset ejusdem cultus & quod ei Civitas olim fuisset dedicata. Hence Johannes Zemisca Imperator Constantinopolitanus, Anno Dom. 971. & Johannes Comnenus Imperator, Anno 1123. having obtained great Victories over the Bulgarians, Turks, Scythians, and other enemies, open Dei genetricis Mariae, (as they story Baldwin did over the Saracens the same year in the Holy Land) in gratiarum ejus actionem, (as to the Goddess of Victory) Imaginem beatae Mariae magnificentissimo currui impositam, ut Civitatis patronae, Constantinopolim deduxerunt; the first of them, equo albo vectus, the latter of them, pedes currum pr●●cedens, as they relate out of Curopolites and Nicetas. Ejus quoque auxilio Pelagius Rex Asturium in Hispania, exercitum 80000. Saracenorum fugavit, & 20000. eorum cum Duce occidit, cujus ideo memoriae spelunca illa famosa, dicta Sanctae Mariae de Covodouga, dicata est. p Chron. Joannis B●omton, col. 727, 728. Anno 648. Pope Gregory the 1. ordered the Image of the Virgin Mary, painted as they say by St. Luke's hand, to be carried about in Procession in Rome, to free the Romans à Peste inguinaria; with which they had been long afflicted and wasted; Et ecce tota aeris infectio (as the Chronicle of Bromton informs us) & turbulentia Imagini cedebat, ac si ipsam Imaginem fugeret, & ejus praesentiam ferre non posset, sed post Imaginem mira serenitas & aeris puritas remanebat. Tunc in aere (ut serunt) auditae sunt voces Angelorum canentium; Regina coeli laetare, Allelujah; whereupon the Plague was stayed by her mediation: Upon which account, in time of Pestilence they thus specially pray to her for preservation and deliverance from it; q Bonaventurae Psalterium, Ps. 9●. Officium beatae Mariae secundum usum Sarum, f. 40. and most other Offices, Psalters, Breviaries. O gloriosa Stella Maris, a Peste succurre nobis; and give thanks to her for their deliverance from it. Yea our Leycestrensis and r De Eventibus Angl. l. 2. c 6. col. 2368. & l. 3. c. 5. col. 2494. Henricus de Knyghton story, that in the reign of King William Rufus, quidam Clerici itinerantes tempestat● fulguris, in nocturno discutiente cecinerunt, Ave Maris Stella, etc. & cum pervenerint ad hunc versum, Monstra te esse matrem; beata Virgo quoddam velum super ipsos expandit, sub cujus umbra securi donec transiret tempestas permanerunt. The like they relate of other Clerks in Gascoign, Anno 1367. I omit all other precedents of later times, mentioned by s Of Anrichrist, part 3. chap. 3. Dr. Beard. 3ly. Whereas Psal. 19 14. Psal. 34. 22. Psal. 111. 9 Psal. 78. 35. Psal. 49. 7; 15. Psal. 69. 18 Psal. 71. 23. Psal. 72. 14. Psal. 103. 4. Psal. 107. 2. Isa. 41. 14. c. 43. 1, 14. c. 44. 6, 22, 23, 24. c. 47. 4. c. 48. 17, 20. c. 49. 7, 26. c. 52. 3, 9 c. 54. 8. c. 59 20 c. 63. 9, 16. Luke 1. 68 Gal. 3. 13. c. 4. 5. Rom. 3. 24. 1 Cor. 1. 30. Ephes. 1. 7. Col. 1. 14. Hebr. 9 12, 15. 1 Per. 1. 18. Rev. 5. 9 Tit. 2. 14. Ephes. 2. 16. 2 Cor. 5. 18, 19, 20. Col. 1. 21. and other Scripture Texts, make Jesus Christ the only Restorer, Repairer, Reconciler, and Redeemer of Mankind, they from the third Letter in her name, R. conclude; t Bernardinus de Busti, Mariale Pars 3 Sermo 10. De Nominatione Mariae, Pars 3. quae dicitur significationis, T. Per R. significatur, quod ipsa est Restauratrix, & Reparatrix, ac Reconciliatrix, yea Salvatrix nostra too; quia ita reparavit genus humanum, ut nunc sit fortius quam esset ante. Reparari autem dicitur, quod est totaliter perditum vel diminutum. De hoc autem beneficio, a Dei matre recepto, loquens Aug. in Sermone De Nativitate Virgins, inquit. Mater generis nostri poenam intulit; genitrix Domini nostri Salutem attulit mundo; auctrix peccati Eva, auctrix meriti Maria: Eva occidendo obfuit, Maria vivificando profuit; percussit illa, sanavit ista. Haec est beata illa Maria quae totius orbis reparationem et liberationem obtinuit, salutemque hominum impetravit. To which they add, u Bernardinus de Busti, Mariale Pars 3. Sermo 2. Pars 3. quae dicitur Interpretationis, & Parson 4. Sermo 11. Pars 3. H. That Mary hath a just Title to the Dominion and Sovereignty of the world, ratione emptionis, quia cum Filius suus emerit & redimerit humanum genus, ipsa ad hanc redemptionem faciendam est multipliciter operata, precium scilicet Redemptionis ministrando. Beata Virgo fuit assumpta Domino in Salutis auxilium et regni consortium et adjutorium; juxta illud, Gen. 2. Faciamus ei adjutorium simile sibi. Nam fuit etiam perticeps passionis pro genere humano, quoniam omnibus discipulis & ministris fugientibus sola sub cruce constitit, & vulnera quae filius corpore, ipsa corde suscepit. Vnde & tunc gladius ipsius Virginis animam pertransivit. Hence their grand Seraphical Doctress x Sermo Angelicus de Virgins Excellentia, cap. 12. St. Bridget, to whom Christ himself (as they report) sent a special Angel to reveal and preach the excellencies of the Virgin Mary, in her Sermon dictated by this Angel, informs us, That although three flames of charity to redeem the lost world, shined forth most brightly in the three persons of the Trinity, and radiantly shined to all the Angels and creatures in Heaven, ex hoc tamen humani generis redemptio secundum aeternam Dei praeordinationem venire non poterat, antequam Maria esset genita, in qua tam fervens charitatis ignis accendi debebat, quod ejus odorifero fumo sublimius ascendente, ignis qui in Deo erat seipsum in eum infunderet, et per eam huic frigescenti mundo illabaretur, to excite him to save and redeem it. And in her y Revelationes & Opera, Noremburgh 1521. Revelationes Extravagantes, cap. 3. she relates, that Christ himself revealed to her, Vrbs, humana creatura quam Diabolus quadruplici peccato obsedit, (in their Mother Eve) quodammodo liberavit Mater mea Sanctissima, quando voluntatem suam totam dimisit in manus meas, et mallet omnem tribulationem pati ad hoc ut animae salvarentur. Propter hanc igitur voluntatem, ego Deus ad aeterno Filius Dei factus sum homo in Virgin, cujus cor erat quasi cor meum. Et ideo bene dicere possum, quod Mater mea (in the first place) et ego, quasi cum uno corde salvavimus hominem: Ego patiendo corde et carne, ipsa cordis dolore et amore. Which mystery and Article of the new Roman Creed, is thus further revealed and published to the world by their Aretinus, in his Book De Arcanis Catholicae Veritatis, p. 515. z See Dr. John White his way to the True Church, Epistle to the Reader. Adam following sin incurred death, but the glorious Virgin and her Son being no partakers of Adam's sin, and altogether free from original sin, of right were to be impassable and immortal; but for as much as the death of Christ was needful for the redemption of Mankind, therefore it was necessary that the body of Christ should be passable and mortal; and so likewise the immaculate Virgin being to bear a Son passable and mortal, which was to be one flesh with her, and that could not naturally be, if she were impassable and immortal, therefore she was also necessarily mortal, and so both the Mother and the Son died. The death and passion of Christ and the Holy Virgin, was for the Redemption of Mankind: It was impossible she should have died before the passion of her Son. Another reason is, that she also might come between, and be a mediator between God and us, for the remission of sin, to remove that which came between God and Adam when he committed it. Thus they join Mary in the very work of Redemption with Christ, in point of Doctrine; and thereupon invoke her as their Restorer, Repairer, Reconciler, and Redeemer, in their public Prayers and private Devotions, as I have * Here p. 29, to 36. already evidenced in her Title of Mediatrix. 4ly. Whereas the Scriptures resolve, that Jesus Christ is the only true light of the world, enlightening all the world with the saving light of his grace, and splendour of his glory, being the light of the Gentiles, Church and his people; John 1. 4. to 10. c. 8. 12. Isay 9, 10. etc. c. 42. 10. c. 46. 9 Ps. 118. 27. Lu. 2. 32. Acts 13. 47. Rev. 21. 22. The Pontifician Seraphical Doctors from I. the 4th letter in her name, thus proclaim and extol her to be the only light and illuminatrix of the Church. a Bernardinus de Busti Mariale Pars 3. Serm. 1. pars 3 T▪ Serm. 5, 6, 7. Pars 2. Sermo 4. Pars 9 Serm. 4. pars 2. per▪ totam. & Serm. 2. pars 5. T, U, etc. Pars 10. Robertus Holkot Lectio 35. super Lib. Sapientiae, Offificium Conceptionis Mariae, Bern. de Busti, Mariale, Pars ● Bernardus Homil. 2. super Missus est, & De Assumptione Mariae, all their Psalters, Hours, Crowns, Rosaries, Litanies, Anthems of our Lady, Ave Stella, etc. Quarta litera nominis ejus est ay, per quam significatur, quod ipsa est Illuminatrix nostra, quos in officio & omni virtute illuminat, etc. ut verificaretur in illa illud Psalmi, In lumine tuo videbimus lumen. Et illud Lu. 2. Lumen ad revelationem gentium, & gloriam plebis tuae Israel. Cui nascenti dixit Deus illud, Isa. 49. Dedi te in lucem gentium, ut sis salus mea usque ad extremum terrae. Ideo ipsa inquit, Eccl. 24 Illuminabo omnes sperantes in Domino. Hence they style, and magnify her, as Stella matutina, stella maris, sol nunquam occidens, occasum nesciens, Luna rutilans, sydus lucem pariens, candour lucis aeternae, stella illa nobilis ex Jacob orta, cujus radiis universum illumina●mundum, cujus splendor in supernis fulget, et inferis penetrate, terras etiam perlustrans, & calefaciens mentes magis quam corpora. b Mariale, Pars 11. Sermo 2. pars 2. N. to Z. Tu vallem lachrymarum tenebrosam scil. mundi illuminas, errantes reducis, et peccatoribus iter quo ad coelestem patriam pervenire possent ostendis. Tu parens restaurativa omnium creaturarum. Tu stella matutina quae Christianos navigantes per mundi pelagus ad portum salutis adducis et dirigis. To which they accumulate, Mariae praesentia totus illustratur orbis, adeo ut ipsa coelestis patria clarius rutilet virgineae lampadis irradiata fulgore. Comparing her to the Sun, Moon, 7. Stars, Planets in all respects; and making her the very brightness, splendour, glory of heaven, earth, and all creatures in them: whence they salute her with an Ave stella maris, stella matutina, stella fulgentissima, and the like. 5ly. Whereas God himself hath advanced Jesus Christ to his own right hand, there to appear in his presence for us, as our only Advocate, and to make perpetual intercession for us to his Father, as Isay 53. 12. Rom. 8. 37. Heb. 7. 25. 1 Joh 2. 1, 2. and other Scriptures resolve; the Church and Popes of Rome, who will admit no women publicly to preach or plead as Advocats in any of their Courts, have yet constituted the Virgin Mary the principal, best, diligentest, learnedest, if not only Advocate of their Church, & all Roman Catholics, yea of all lost mankind, investing her in this chief branch of her son's Priesthood, and making their addresses chiefly to her, to the grand dishonour of her Son, if not of all their other invoked, canonised Saints. Upon which account, c Mariale pars 9 Serm. 2. in Exord. P. pars 11. Sermo 2. De Assumptione Mariae, pars 3. B. 2. Officium Seraphin. Bernardinus de Busti asserts, Mariam fabricavit Deus ut nostrae indulgentiae subveniret; quia boni judicis officium est assignare Advocatum orphanis et miserabilibus personis. Ideo Deus omnipotens videns miserabilitatem humani generis, tanquam bonus judex vivorum et mortuorum, providit nobis de optima Advocata, fabricando hanc sapientissimam virginem, ut apud ipsum pro nobis continue intercederet, et causas nostras peroraret. Upon which account he introduceth the blessed Virgin at the time of her Assumption into heaven, thus speaking to the Choir of Seraphins, (the highest order of Angels nearest to God's throne, inviting her to reside in their company.) Filius Deus meus et homo super omnes Angelicos ordines meritò elevatus, non habet ibi * Sociam. societatem sibi quo ad humanitatem: Et adeò sicut ego in mundo fui ei socia in tribulationibus, ita etiam ei debeo associari in consolationibus. Et sicut ille ibi ascendit, ut continuè appareat vultui Dei pro hominibus, Heb. 9 Ita ego debeo ibi ascendere, ut appaream vultui ipsius filii pro peccatoribus, et sic humanum genus habeat semper ante faciem Dei adjutorium simile Christo ad procurandam suam salutem. Vnde Sancta Mater Ecclesia in oratione secreta vigiliae meae assumptionis orat Deum, dicens; Munera nostra Domine apud Clementiam tuam Dei Genetricis commendet oratio, quam de hoc seculo transtulisti, ut pro peccatis nostris apud te fiducialiter intercedat Ascendam igitur super vos, ad Patrem meum & Patrem vestrum, & Deum meum, & Deum vestrum, to execute this my Advocate's office for mankind. Whence he avers, d Mariale pars 11. Sermo 2. pars 2. Z. & pars 4. Q. Ipsa semper stat coram Deo ad intercedendum pro nobis, sicut promisit Eccl. 24. dicens▪ Vsque ad futurum seculum non desinam; id est, usque ad diem judicii non cessabo interpellare Deum pro vobis. Misericordiam habuit in ore pro salute mundi apud Deum invocando et intercedendo: et in opere conferendo iniserationis auxilium, universaliter omnibus et ubique; et in omni necessitate atque temporibus. This he proves beyond contradiction, from A, the 5th. and last letter in her name Maria, in this manner. e Mariale Pars 3. Serm. 1. pars 3. De Nominatione Mariae Pars 10. Sermo 2. pars 7. See Mich. Lochmair Sermo 74. De Assumptione B. M●tiae, & most other Romish Postillers in their postils on that Feast. Quinta litera nominis beatae Virginis est A, per quam significatur, quod ipsa esse Advocata nostra; Yea, humani generis Advocata, quae non sustineret repulsam; quoniam antem homo habens aliquam causam cum habet sapientem & bonum Advocatum, potest sperare quod de sua causa victoriam reportabit, & consequenter citò jus su● obtinebit, (for which he quotes several Canonists.) Hanc ergo dignissimam Advocatam habentes laetari debemus & exultare, quod ipsa causas nostras coram Deo assumen, ipsas sapienter incipit: inceptasque multis allegationibus defendit, et defensas ad prosperum finem deducit. Primo enim sapienter incipit, captando benevolentiam in exordio, quod est proprium boni advocati, quod quilibet bonus oraton debet in exordio reddere auditorem attentum & benevolum. Secundo, Insinuat nostram miseriam. & ideo ultimo petit Dei misericordiam. Ideo figurata est per illam muli●●em sap●entissimam, quae dixit ad David, 2 Reg. 24. Sicut Angelus Domini sie & Dominus meus Rex, ut nec maledictione nec benedictione moveatur. Deus enim est tantae bonitatis, quod nec nostris benedictionibus extollitur, nec nostris peccatis & malédictionibus movetur. Deinde subdit, omnes morimur, & quasi aquae dilabimur quae non revertuntur. Secundò, causas nos●ras multis allegationibus defendit. Primo, sapientiae verbo non nimis prolixo, sic solent facere advocati, dicentes judici, dicam unum verbum pro causa mea, & postea multa dicunt. Ipsa ergo Advocate nostra compendiosis & sensu plenis sermonibus animum Judicis coelestis ad suum votum inclinat. Ideo significata est per Abigail, cui dixit David, (1 Reg. 25.) Benedictum eloquium tuum, & Benedicta tu quae prohibuisti me ne ulciscerer me manu mea; Ecce audivi vocem tuam, & honoravi faciem tuam. Secundo, Advocata pietatis signo Vnde. Bernardus super Cant. ait, O homo, securum accessum habes ad Deum, ubi habes matrem ante filium, filium ante patrem: filius ostendit patri vulnera & latus, ma●er ostendit filio pectus et ubera. Nulla ergo tibi poterit esse repulsa ubi tot sunt Charitatis insignia. Tertio, advocate sanctitatis merito, Si enim merita aliorum Sanctorum pro nobis apud Deum intercedant, multo fortius merita illius quae plenitudinem obtinuit meritorum, et gratiarum, habetur Lu. 1. poterant nobis divinam gratiam impetrare. Quarto, invocat ardenci desiderio de sideria enim sanctorum sunt intercessiones pro nobis ad Deum. Non autem ociosa ibi manet, sed in suprema sita poli nos commendat suaeproli pro●●●●●s et justis et peccatoribus subsidia salutis mentis et corporis. Tertio pri●cipaliter ipsa virgo causas nostras ad prosperum finem perducit. Tunc autem Advocatus causam suam ad debitum finem perducit, quando est sollicitus, peritus at que in Curiagratiosus, facundus, & gratiosus coram Rege & familia Regis. Fuit ●tttem et est talis Advocata nostra; Maria, loquens David Deo, inquit, A●titie Regina à dexteris tuis. Ecce quantae sollicitudinis est et diligentiae, non enim ullam ad horam recedit. Sequitur, in vestitu deaurato; ecce quantae sapientiae. Infinitus est thesaurus hominibus. Sequitur, circundata varietate; ecce quantae gratiae; nam coram Rege & ejus famitia in tantum est gratiosa, quod omnes eam circundant, associant et honorant. In coelo enim tot sunt varietates, quot sunt sanctorum ordines, qui tanquam domicelli et domicellae Reginam suam actociant, matremque Domini sui venerantur. De qua f De Assumptione B Mariae, Ser●o 1. f. 46. Bernardus, Ascendens ergo Virgo beata in altam dispensabit ipsa quoque dona hominibus. Quid ni daret? Siquidem nec facult as ei deest, nec volunt as; Regina coelorum misericors est. Praecessit nos Regina nostra, & tam gloriosè suscepta est, ut fiducialiter sequantur Dominam se●vuli clamantes; Trahe nos post te in odour unguentorum tuorum currimus. Advocata praemisit peregrinatio nostra, quae tanquam judicis mater suppliciter et efficaciter negotia nostra nostra pertractabit. Propterea eanit Ecclesia in illa Antiphona quam dicitur composuiss● Joannes Dama●●mus dicens, Eja ergo Advocata nostra, illos tuos misericordes o●ulos ad Nos converte, scil. in praesenti nobis impetrans gratiam fil●● t●●, ut in futuro vitam aeternam, Amen. Hence they pray to this their Advocate, g Bernardinus de Busti, Mariale pars 2. De Nativitate Mariae, Sermo 2. pars 3. at the close. Sancta Maria succurre miseris, conforta pusillanimes, ref●●●●●ebiles. Dra pro populo, interveni pro Elero, intercede prodevote foemineo sex●. Sentiant omnes t●●●● juvamen quicunque celebrant tuam sanctan Nativitatem: Assiste parata votis poscentium, et repende dmnibus optatum eff●●●m; Sit tibi studium assidue orare pro populo Dei quae nieruisti benedicta praemium praesentis mundi, Amen. They further add h Bernardinus de Busti Mariale pars 2. Sermo 2. ●. Virga dicitur beata, Maria, Primo aurea; quae significatur per virgam auream Hester 5. Ipsaquippe virgo beata Deuni iratum placat, quia est nost●● Advocata. Qanta appellatur virga vigilans, Hier. 1. Ipsa enim vigilat super devotos suos, ut custodiat ipsos: et ideo etiam nos debemus vigilantes esse et fe●vidi in devotione e●us. Ideo benedicta virgo inquit, Prov. 8. Ego diligentes me diligo, & qui nunc vigilaverunt ad me (in their morning Offices, Vigils, Prayers to me as their Advocate) invenient me: beatus qunaudit me, & qui vig●●●●ad fores meas quotidie; qui me inveniet, invenierit vitam; & hauriet salutem à Domino: et eos qui diligebunt eam, diligit Deus. They further assert i Bernardinus de Busti Mariale, pars 10. Sermo 2. De Gaudiis Mariae, pais 7. Pars N, de Assumptione Mariae, Serm. 2 pars 2. Z, C, R Q, R, S, B. Ipsa est humani generis Advocata, quae non potest sustinere repu●sam, quoniam apud Deum meruit gratiam. Ipsa semper stat coram Deo ad intercedendum pro Nobls, sicut promisit dicens, Eccles. 24. usque ad futurum seculum non desinam; id est, usque ad diem judicii non cessabo interpellare Deum pro vobis. Beatissima Virgo dicitur Centrum coeli; quia ad ipsam omnes respiciant tanquam ad Mediatricem. Ipsa quasi Luna speciosa & formosa, etc. misericordiam habuit in cord, exhibens maternae compassionis affectum; et in opere, conferendae miserationis auxilium universaliter omnibus et ubique, atque in omni necessitate et temporiens. Whence she told the Angels, That they had the custody but of one or two men or Cities apiece, Ego non tantum unum virum vel mulierem, Civitatem seu Gentem vel provinciam custodio, protego, & conservo, sed omnes mundi homines, scil. universum orbem, et omnes provincias, civitates et gentes. O sanctissima Dei mediatrix e● homin●m! O●●rtet impleri Scriptura, Gen. 2. ub● Deus ait, Non est bonum hominem esse solum, faciamus ei adjutorium simile sibi. k Ibid. Pars 11 Sermo 2. pars 6. G. Ipsa etiam pro nobis filio preces fundit, & ubera ostendit; unde est altera Hester, quae apud Regem pro nobis assistit. Omnes ergo signamus animas nostras devotione illius magui signi, ut sub ejus protectione vivamus secure. Item apparuit in coelo tanquam Advocata in Curia ad interpellandum pro mundo; unde figurata est in illa sapiente inuliere quae intravit ad David ad interpellandum pro Absolone, 2 Reg. 24. Yet more, l Marriage pars 12. Sermo 2. pars 2. A & B. 2. Beata Virgo advocando pro nohis coram Deo, nos vincere in omni causa facit, et contra daemonum impugnationes et illusio●●● defendit. Eloquentiae admirabilitas licet fuerit in multis, cam Christicolis quam Paganis, in nullo tamen tanta fuit, quanta in magistra Ecclesiae Catholicae, et Advocata nostra Virgine benedicta, quae sua dulci facundia Imperatorem coeli et terrae iratum pacificavit, et non uni tantum homini ipsi contrario, sed toti generi humano liberationem a morte aeterna impetravit. In tantum etiam aures Dei sua●i oratione demulsit, ut illum attraheret a summo coelo usque ad terram, et tam dulciter allocuta est, ut suaserit Deo fieri hominem, et tam suaviter cecinit, quod se in filium Deus illi donaret. O lingua diserta beatae Virgins! O Advocata eloquentissima, quae dicendi virtute et efficacia cyrographum nostrae damnationis de magni Dei manibus cadere fecit! And to make her a complete Advocate, Mediatrix, and Redeemer for us, equal to her Son, they assert it as an Article of their Faith, m Bernardinus Senensis Sermo 51. Artic. 2. c. 2. Bernardinus de Busti Mariale, Pars 1. & Offictum Conceptionis Mariae, Paulus Venetus Tractatus de Conceptione Virgins Mariae, Franciscus de Mayro, Michael Lochmair, Augustinus Leonissa, and sundry others in their Sermons de Conceptione Virgins Mariae, cited by them. Fuit beata Virgo per gratiam praeservationis atque sanctificationis, concepta & praeservata ab originali peccato, & ab omni actuali culpae, tam veniali quam mortali; against the express resolutions of sundry Texts in the Old and New Testament; as Gen. 6. 5. to 13. Psal. 14. 2, 3. Psal. 12. 1, 2. Psal. 25. 15. Psal. 38. 3, 4. 1 Pet. 2. 24, 25. Eph. 5. 26, 27. Tit. 3. 4, 5, 6. 2 Chron. 6. 36. Prov. 20. 9 Jam. 3. 2. 1 John 1. 8, 10. c. 2. 1, 2. 1 Kings 8. 46. Job 14. 4. Ps. 51. 5. Eccles. 7. 20. Rom. 3. 9, to 20. 23. c. 5. 12, to 17. c. 7. 1, to 25. Dan. 5. 5, to 16. Neh. 9 16, to 36. Psal. 106. 6. Ephes. 2. 1, to 19 Lu. 1. 46, 47, 50, 54, 68, 69, 75, 77, 78. Acts 3. 26. Mat. 1. 21. Isay 53. 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 11. Gal. 2. 16, 17. c. 3. 10, 13, 14. Rom. 8. 3. to 14. with others; it being the sole prerogative of Jesus Christ to be free from original and actual sin, 1 Pet. 1. 19 c. 2. 22. Hebr. 4. 15. c. 7. 26, 27, 28. c. 9 14. Rom. 8. 3, 4. John 14. 13. c. 8. 48. 1 John 3. 5. This they endeavour to prove by sundry forged Miracles, Revelations, miserable perversions of Scripture Texts; and reasons forged out of their own whymsical brains, whereof this is one of the principal. k Bernardinus Senenfis, Sermo 51. Artic. 2. c. ●. Bernardinus de Busti Mariale pars 1. ●. Offic. Conceptionis B. Mariae Paulus Venetus Tract. de Conception Virgins Mariae. Franciscus de Mairo, Michael Lochmair, and others De Concept. V. M. Bernardinus de Busti Marialae, Pars 10. Sermo 1. pats 12. Serm. 2. and sundry others. Congruum fuit propter intercessionem. Congruebat enim Advocatam humani generis tanta puritate fulgere, ut nullum peccatum haberet quod ejus conscientiam morderet. Now to excite all sorts of persons to apply themselves wholly or principally to her mediation, they assert her advocation, intercession on their behalf to God & her Son to be so powerful, that she never can suffer any repulse, or denial, but always prevails in all her suits and petitions; whence they in their Sermons, postils, Missals, Primers, Offices, Hymns of our Lady's joys, thus chant and court her, l Officium B. Mariae secundum Usum Sarum 1509. ● 35, 36. The Primer of our Lady in Latin and English, 1539. and in all other Offices, Primers, Rosaties of our Lady. & Breviarium Romanum. Gaude splendens vas virtutum, cujus pendens est ad nutum tota coeli Curia Te benignam & foelicem; Jesus dignam genetricem veneratur in gloria, Ave Maria. Gaude nexu Caritatis & amplexu dignitatis, juncta sis Altissimo, Vt ad votum consequaris, quicquid Virgo postularis a jesu dulcissimo; Ave Maria gratiae plena. Gaude mater miserorum, quia pater secuturum dabit te colentibus, Congruentem hic mercedem, et foelicem poli sedem regnis in coelestibus, Ave. Gaude virgo mater pura, certa manens & secura quod haec septem gaudia non cessabunt, nec decrescent, sed durabunt et florescent, per aeterna secu●a. These joys of hers were first revealed by the Virgin to Archbishop Becket, (as m Bernardinus de Busti Mariale Part 10. Ser●● 2. pars 7. De Gaudiis Mariae. * Michael Lochmair Sermo 6. Bernardinus de Busti relates;) who thus rendered the 5th of them, Gaude quod filius meus mihi semper est obediens, et meam voluntatem, et cunetas preces meas semper exaudit. Gaude, quod Deus semper ad beneplacitum meum remunerat servitores meos in hoc seculo et in futuro. And then they subjoin this undoubted promise from our Lady herself: Quicunque cum hiis gaudiis laetando in hoc seculo me venerabitur, in exitu animae suae de corpore praesentiam meam obtinebit, et ipsam animam ab hostibus malignis liberabo, et in conspectu filii mei ut mecum gaudia possideat praesentabo. To this St. Bernard, * Lochmair, Bernardinus de Busti, and others, superadd; De plenitudine ejus accipiant omnes, etc. (contrary to John 1. 16. Eph. 1. 22, 23. Col. 1. 19 which place all fullness in Christ alone, who filleth all in all.) Ideo acutius intuemini, quanto devotionis affectu eam a nobis voluit honorari quae totius gratiae plenitudinem posuit in Maria. Nam si quid spei, si quid gratiae, si quid virtutis in nobis est, er ea novimus redundare. Hence their canonised n De Excellentia B. Virgins Mariae, c. 6. St. Anselm first, and after him o De Vita Christi, pars 1. c. 68 Ludolphus Saxo Carthusianus, p De Verbis Domini, Tom. 2. l. 2. c. 2. Chrysostomus à Visitatione Cisterciensis Monachus, and q Of the Mass, l. 2. part 2. ch. 3. Henry Fitz. Simon a Jesuit, blasphemously assert, Nihil utilius post Deum memoria matris ejus: Velociorque est nonnunquam salus memorato nomine ejus, quam invocato nomine Domini Jesu unici filii sui. Quare ergo propitior salus in recordatione ejus quam filii sui saepe percipitur? Dicam quid sentio. Filius ejus Dominus est & judex omnium, discernens merita singulorum dum igitur ipse à quovis suo nomine invocatus, non statim exaudit, profectò id justè facit. Invocato autem nomine matris, et si merit a invocantis non mererentur ut exaudiatur, merita tamen matris intercedunt ut exaudiatur. Hoc denique usus humanus quotidie probat.; Whereupon Anselm concludes his Book of her Excellency with this prayer to her, wherein he useth these expressions. Proculdubio benignissimus filius tuus Dominus noster Jesus Christus erit ad concedendum quic quid voles promptissimus & exaudibilis. Fantummodo ergo velis salutem nostram, et vere nequaquam salvi esse non poterimus: Siquidem filius tuus ubi volunt atem tuam suae dilectissimae matris magis porrectam adverterit, illuo servat a aequitatis ratione, judicii sui sententiam, sive ad misericordiam inflectendo, sive ad justitiam intendendo pronuntiabit. Subveni ergo velis Domina piissima, etc. ut filium tuum totius mundi Salvatorem, et te ejus reconciliatricem esse veraciter sentiamus. Ab initio denique renovationis humanae, omnibus sub tuum praesidium confugientibus hucusque succurristi, & iacirco prae omni creatura omni laude dignissima dici & esse meruisti. Eja succurre oramus, ut laus quam per tot secula dignè possedisti, continuo tibi dicat in gratia ipsa qua mundo perdito subvenisti. T●bi ergo nos commendamus, tu procura ne pereamus, etc. A. men. Yea m Comment. in Apoc. 12. sects 2. nu. 6. Viega the Jesuit affirms, Maria est nomen tantae virtutis, ut ad ejus Invocationem coelum rideat, infernus conturbetur. Est illa spiraculum hominis, quia sublato ejus patrocinio peccator vivere diutius non potest: And n Mirror des Rosaries f. 349, 352, 354, 362, 366, 376. Ludovicus Lucius Hist. Jesuitica, l 2 cap. 4. p. 218. Alanus de Rupe, blasphemo animo & calamo scribit, such is the power of her advocation, that it delivers not only souls out of Purgatory, but, etsi tota Trinitas jurasset per vulner a Christi, se nunquam misericordiam facturam peccatori, Maria impepetrabit; et quod reprobi et praesciti per devotionem Rosarii Mariae vitam aeternam asse quantur. Upon this Account they thus further court and extol the prevalence and benefits of her advocation and fullness of all grace. o Bernardin. de Busti Mariale pars 11. Serm. 1. De Assumptione Mariae pars 3. M. Sermo 2. pars 2. L. De Excellentia B. Virgins, c. 6. Ludolphus Carthusianus de Vita Christi pars 2. c. 68 Chrysostom. à visitatione De Verbis Domini Tom. 2. l. 2. c. 2. Hinc nos per te haereditamus misericordiam miseri, ingrati gratiam, veniam peccatores, sublimia infimi, coelestia terreni, Deum homines, mortales vitam, et patriam peregrini: Yea they in their devotions style her, Tu es aqua vitae, de qua dicitur Is. 55. Accipe aquam vitae gratis; sed heu, quia tu conqueri potes de quibusdam indevotis tuis, & dicere illud Hier. 2. Me dereliquerunt fontem aquae vivae; in refusing to own her for their Expiation, refrigeration, Reconciliation, and Redeeming Saviour. But to encourage all their seduced Catholics to resort to her as their most potent Advocate and Mediatrix, they further assert, p Bernardin. de Busti Mariale pars 11. Serm. 1. pars 3. M. Serm. 2. pars 2. Ipsa quoque super omnes creature as est potentissima. Licet enim omnes Sancti in coelo potentes sint apud Deum, tamen ipsa omnes excedit in potentia. Nec immeritò. Ipsa enim est mater coelestis Imperatoris. Item, quia sancti sunt potentes apud Deum propter merita; quia unus meruit plus alio, ideo est potentior eo. Ipsa autem Gloriosa Virgo plus meruit sola, quam omnes Sancti & ideo ipsa ait,; Eccl. 24. In Jerusalem potestas mea, scilicet, super omnes alios Sanctis. Sed quid tanta potentia Mariae nobis prodest, si illa de nobis non curaret? Sed O Christiane, bonum novum nuncio tibi; Sicut Maria apud Deum omnibus sanctis potentior est, ita et pro nobis apud Deum diligentius intercedit et ferventius. Et ideo peccator, ne permittas te desperationis barathro demergi, sed confidenter ad istam potentissimam et Clementissimam Advocatam recurre. Ipsa enim omnino tibi succurret quia et poterit. Si enim potuit Deum facere hominem, et Creatorem creaturam, infinitam finibilem, impassibilem mortalem, immensum parvulum, aeternum temporalem, invisibilem et incorporeum visibilem ac corporeum, atque Divinam Majestatem sub forma servi: Et fi suis blanditiis et virtutibus potuit Deum trahere de coelo in terram, multo magis et facilius poterit nos trahere de terra ad coelum. O igitur serenissima Regina nostra, quia subest tibi cum volueris posse. Sap. 12. Ideo miserere omnium quia omnia potes. Hence their two grand Saints and her devoted servants, q De Excellent: beatae Mariae, c. 7. 12. Sermo 2. supper Missus est. Anselm and De Assumpt. Mariae, Bernardinus de Busti. Mariale pars ●. Sermo 5. De septima Conditione Sponsa coelestis. Bernard, with sundry others out of them, speak thus to God himself, Quomodo veniam ad te nisi per Mariam, per quam venisti ad me? qui enim per aliam viam vadit, potius de viat quam vadit. And thus to Mary herself, Sancta Maria Virgo beata, tu ●ia es per quam homo venit ad Deum, et peccator ad veniam, et per quam venit ad peccatorem venia: Non enim venit ad gratiam, qui non novit venerare Mariam. And no wonder, since they affirm, s Bernardinus de Busti Mariale pars ●. Sermo 5. De Nativitate Mariae, De septima conditione Sponsae coelestis D. ult. pars 5. Serm. pars 11. Sermo 1. De Assumpt. Mariae, Azorius Jesuita, Hom. Tom. 4. De devot. Mariae Virgins, Sect. Assi nula●io. A tempore quo virgo Maria concepit in utero Verbum Dei, quandam ut sic dicam jurisdictionem seu authoritatem obtinuit omni Spiritus sancti processione temporali, ita ut nulla creatura aliquam a Deo obtinuit gratiam vel virtutem, nisi secundum ipsius pietatis dispensationem. Hinc Bernardus devotissimus ait, Nulla gratia venit de coelo ad terram, nisi transeat per manus Mariae. Et Hieron. Serm. de Assumptione, (falsely attributed to him) inquit, In Christo fuit plenitudo gratiae, sicut in Capite influente. In Maria vero sicut in collo transfundente. Vnde Cantic. 7. de Virgin ad Christum Solomon ait, Collum tuum sicut Turris eburnea. Nam sicut per collum vitales Spiritus à Capite descendunt in corpus; sic per Virginem a Capite Christo vitales Gratiae in ejus Corpus mysticum transfunduntur. Vnde iste est ordo divinarum Gratiarum effluxus, ut prius à Deo influant in Christi animam benedictam; deinde in animam virginis Matris deinde in Seraphim, & sic successive in alios ordines Angelorum & Sanctorum. Demum in Ecclesiam militantem: Cum enim tota natura divina, totum etiam scire, posse & velle divinum intra Virginis uterum extiterit clausum, non timeo dicere, quod omnis fluxus gratiarum quandam jurisdictionem habuit haec virgo, de cujus utero quasi de quadam divinitatis oceano rivi et flumina emanabant omnium gratiarum, etc.; Upon which account they address themselves to her as their most powerful, merciful, learnedest Advocate, and Meditor between God and Man; craving audience and acceptance even with Jesus Christ (our sole Advocate and Mediator) and God the Father, not for Christ's own Passion, Merits, Intercession, Grace or Pity; but for mary's alone: to which they yet See office▪ beatae Mariae secundum usum Sarum, 1509. f 11, to 19 35, to 47. 51, 55, 75, to 86. and all other her Missal●, Offices, Hours, Litanies, Rosaries, Crowns. sometimes (forgetting themselves) annex the petty merits and intercessions of other inferior Saints. I shall close up their Lady mary's Advocateship, and her other Offices peculiar to Jesus Christ, with this Cabalistical Contemplation and Prayer of her most devoted Advocate Bernardinus de Busti, who after many extravagant Encomiums of her transcendent Excellencies, from the 5. Letters in her name Maria, in each of which he hath found out several offices and Excellencies peculiar to her, hath made a further discovery of her Prerogatives and Titles in every Letter throughout the Alphabet, and turned them into this Alphabetical prayer. Magnale, pars 12. Serm. 2. de Coronatione Mariae, pars 1. E. in fine ejusdem. Habet quoque alias innumeras Excellentias', quas devotis mentibus contemplandas relinquo; solummodo aliquas tangam quae incipiunt ab aliqua literarum alp●abeti, sic invocando et orando eam per discursum singlarum literarum. A. Advocata humani Generis, defend causam nostram, et ora pro nobis. B. Benedicta super omnes mulieres▪ fac nos nos a tuo filio benedici. C. Consolatio desperatorum et confortatio eorum, ne permittas nos in desperationis barathrum mergi. D. Dulcedo devotorum, fac nos devotionis suavitate repleri. E. Excellentissima omnium creaturarum, recommenda nos tuo et nostro Creatori. F. Fons divinarum Gratiarum, sitientibus et arentibus nobis aquas salutares effunde. G. Gratiosa Dei, Angelis & hominibus, fac nos sponso tuo Coelesti gratiosos. H. Honorificentia populi Christiani; fac nos nitentes esse tuae venerationi. I. Imperatrix Paradisi, impetra nobis ut efficiamur participes tui regni. K. Karismatum Dei dispensatrix, paupertatem et mendicitatem nostram subleva. L. Laborantium requies et refrigerium, aeternam nobis pausationem praepara. M. Mater nostra et Dei; fac nos cum filio tuo fratre nostro conjungi. N. Nobilitas Mundi, ne dimittas nos peccati ignobilitate confundi. Nutrix pupillorum et Orphanorum, nobis miseris et Orphanis subveni. O. Ornamentum Vniversi, fac nos virtutibus et bonis moribus ornari. P. Pacificatrix discordantium, nos discordes et rebelles tuo Nato jubeas concordari. Q. Quarta Hierarchi● praesidens, nos in tertia fac locari. R. Regina coeli et terrae, nos tuos servos suscipe. S. Spes omnis tribulati, adjuva nos naufragos in hoc mari. T. Tutela oppressorum, saevientium in nos iram compesce Daemonum. V. Vita mundi, fac recludi portas mortis et inferni. N●sque tecum fac deduci in terram viventium. Amen. Upon serious perusal of all the premises, I conceive all judicious conscientious Papists, must be enforced to make the same public confession and acknowledgement, as * Consultatio, Artic. 21. De cultu & meritis Sanctorum, In his Works, Parisiis 1616. p. 970. Georgius Cassander a moderate ingenious learned Romanist, (by command and approbation of the Emperors Ferdinand the 1. and Maximilian the 2. his successor) did about the year of our Lord 1565. Veruntamen, & illud fatendum est, et multos et magnos errores hoc praetextu intercessionis et meritorum (Sanctorum) in vulgi animos et mores invasisse; quibus etiam quorundam Doctorum virorum inconsiderata scripta et dicta occasionem et fomentum suppeditarunt, quos imprimis et quidem summa diligentia correctos oportuit: Vt ex quibus contrarii errores, totius Ecclesiae consuetudinem damnantium, originem duxerunt: quare nisi remotis causis ea quae ex causis efficiuntur, non facile removentur. Primus itaque error est, quod impii homines, et in peccatis perseverantes, ac nullam vitae emendationem meditantes, Sanctorum intercessioni ac meritis temere confidunt, nec ipsi poenitentia ducti preces suas ad Deum adjungunt, quem errorem non uno in loco Chrysostomus graviter reprehendit. Haec falsa et perniciosa opinio, quantum in vulgus invaluerit nimis compertum est; existimarunt enim homines improbi, et in sceleribus suis perdurantes, sola Sanctorum (quos sibi patronos diligerunt, et frigidis ne dicam prophanis Caeremoniis coluerunt) intercessione et patrocinio veniam sibi et gratiam apud Deum esse paratam; quae perniciosa opinio, quantum etiam fieri potuit commentis miraculorum confirmabatur. Alter error est, quod homines etiam non mali, certos sibi Sanctos, tanquam patronos et tutores delegerunt, in eorum meritis atque intercessione plus quam in Christi merito fiduciam posuerunt, atque adeo unico illo advocationis Christi officio obscurato, Sanctos, atque imprimis Virginem Matrem in illius locum substituerunt. Quin et eo ventum est, ut etiam Christum jam in coelo regnans Matri subjiciatur, etc. Yet for all this, the Popes and Church of Rome (who pretend they cannot err) have been so far from purging out in their Indices Expurgatorii, or suppressing in their Indices librorum Prohibitorum, these their transcendent blasphemous exorbitant Devotions, that they still approve, defend, justify, reprint, confirm, practise them both in public and private: Yea which is more strange, instead of censuring the compilers and asserters of the premised Passages, Psalters, Hours, Offices, Crowns, Rosaries, Postils, Prayers, for their intolerable Extravagances, Blasphemies, Idolatries; wrest, corruptings most sacred Texts in the Old and New Testament, peculiar to Jesus Christ as God and Man, and the Three Persons of the sacred Trinity, and appropriating them to Mary, they not only advanced them to great honours, and Ecclesiastical preferments whiles they lived, but have since canonised them for most devout, eminent Seraphical Saints in their Church, and Heaven itself, for making the Virgin Mary the greatest Idol in the Christian world, and highest Invader, Usurper of all her Sons Regal, Prophetical, Pontifical incommunicable Offices, Titles, Excellencies; witness the preferring, magnifying, and canonising of a Bibliotheca Patrum, Tom. 7. p. 430, to 471. Antoninus, Vincentius, Surius, Ribadeniera, Lipomanus, Opmeerus, and others, in the several Lives of these their Saints, and their Lives prefixed to their Works. Yldephonsus' Archbishop of Toledo in Spain, (one of the first Idolisers of the Virgin, and asserters of her exemption from the contagion of all original and actual sins) St. Bernard Abbot of Clareval, and St. Anselm Archbishop of Canterbury, (his two seconds therein) St. Thomas Becket Archbishop of Canterbury, the Author of her Joys; St. Dominick and St. Francis, her two grand Chaplains, sent out into the world by her special designation, whose Orders amongst others, are specially devoted to her Service and Adoration; St. Bonaventura, made a Bishop and Cardinal, the compiler of her most blasphemous Lady's Psalter, who turned the word Dominus, attributed to God alone, into Domina, and Mater Dei, throughout the Psalms of David; St. Bernardinus de Senis; their illuminated Doctress b See her Works and Revelations in Folio, all most in every page, & Sermo Angelicus. St. Bridget, (instructed from Heaven by divine immediate Revelations from Christ himself, and Mary the Queen of Heaven, or Angels specially sent by them unto her from time to time) and their St. Catherine of Senis, to whom she frequently appeared with her Son Jesus Christ: Yea all the Freers of St. Dominicks Order, are not only taken into, and continued in her peculiar service, under her protection whiles on earth, but also sheltered, fostered sub scapulari, capaque decorata coloris Sapphirini Virgins Matris gloriosae ad dextram Filii sui sedentis in coelis: sub hoc securitatis tegmento, in hoc pietatis gremio, vidit ille contemplator sublimium et prospector Domini secretorum Divus Dominicus Fratrum sui Ordinis innumeram multitudinem singularis protectionis custodia, et brachiis amoris peculiaris complexam: when he was rapt up into Heaven in spirit; and there espying many of all other Religious Orders, near mary's and her Son's throne, but none of his own; upon which weeping for grief, as if none of them had been saved, thereupon Christ himself with his own hand lift up his Mother's coat or mantle, (tantae capacitatis et immensitatis, quod totam coelestem patriam amplexando dusciter continebat) and showed him an innumerable company of his brethren lying in her arms and bosom, under the secure shelter of this her large celestial coat or mantle, as c Historiarum, pars 3. Tit. 23. cap. 3. St. Antoninus' Archbishop of Florence, and d Revelationum, l. 3. c. 17. St. Bridget (to omit others of less authority) have assured us; Sed audi mirabile, (adds St. Bridget in the Virgin's words, thus complaining to her Son of the degeneracy of St. Dominicks Order, devoted to her service) Dominicus assignavit filios suos sub mantello meo lato; et ecce pauciores sunt nunc sub mantello meo lato, quam tunc erant sub scapulari suo stricto. Nec tamen omnes vivente ipso Dominico habuerunt ovina vellera, & Dominicos mores, etc. But I much doubt whether such extravagant Magnificats, Passages, Devotions, Practices, Adorations▪ enthusiastical, cabalistical, seraphical Postils, Sermons, Prayers, Hymns, Adulations, Panegyrics as the premised, will bring any of their Authors, Practisers, or this chaste Virgin's Adorers, (especially lecherous Freers) under her very coats, or into her amorous arms and bosom, at Christ's right hand in Heaven; since they have rather just cause to fear, that Christ should thrust them for the same into the very bottom of the bottomless pit of Hell, being in truth the greatest affronts, contempts, dishonours they can possibly put upon this most humble blessed Virgin, or on God the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost; whereby they have changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the Creature (Marry) more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever, Amen; as * Rom. 1. 1, 2, 25. St. Paul himself (the first Apostle of the Romans, and Church of Rome) and St. Peter too 2 P●t. 2. 1 2. etc. assures them; who thus prophesied of these False Teachers, and his pretended Papal Successors: There shall be false Teachers among you, as there were false Prophets among them, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction; and many shall follow their pernicious ways, by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of: And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you, (as they do of all the parts of the Virgin's Offices, Oblations, Images, Relics, Crowns, Rosaries, Masses, Psalters) whose judgement now of a long time lingreth not, and their damnation ceaseth not: They having not only equalised her with, but advanced her in sundry particulars above God the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, and that in point of e See Dr. Beard of Antichrist, part 3. ch. 3, 4, 5, 6. Divine Adoration, as these ensuing particulars superadded to the premises will demonstrate. 1. As they have f Bernardinus de Busti, Ma●iale Pars 3, 10, 11, 12. advanced her soul, body, and placed her person on the very Throne of the Trinity, on Gods and her Sons right hand in heaven; g See Mr. Fox his Acts & Monuments, Vol. 3. p. 277. The Fraternity of the Rosary. so they have erected, dedicated as many, if not far more Churches, Chapels, Oratories, Religious Houses, Orders, Fraternities, Societies, Brotherhoods of Monks, Nuns, and other Votaries, styled by her name, for her special worship, adoration, service, honour here on earth, as unto God, or Christ her Son. 2ly. They have compiled, published, dedicated not only hundreds of Postils, Sermons, Legends, but of Offices, Masses, Primers, Psalters, Crowns, Rosaries, Anthems, Hymns, Litanies, Liturgies, Magnificats, Matins, Evening-Songs, Hours, Collects, Complins, Processions, Manuals, and other sorts of Prayers, Poems, Books for her divine worship, service, adoration; more frequently, fervently, devoutly used in the Church of Rome, than those relating to the worship of God the Father, Son, or Holy Ghost; especially in our Lady's Churches of Sarum, Walsingham heretofore, and our Lady at Halls, Grace, Lawrett●, Nantvill, Aix, Sechem, Frankvile, Paris, Ara coeli, St. Maries le Grand at Rome, C●vodo●ga in Spain, de P●●ari, Caesaraugustae, and sundry other places at this very day; to whose Person, Images, Pictures, Altars they make more Prayers, Vows, Pilgrimages, Oblations, and ascribe more Miracles, Deliverances, then to God the Father, or Son, as their h See Lypsius Diva VirgoHallensis, Antwerp. 1604. Turselinus' Jesuita Historia Lauretana, Baronius & Spondanus An. 367. nu. 2. An. 718. nu. 3. An. 1118 nu. 7. & annal nu. 27. Petrus Canisius De Sancta Maria, l. 5. throughout, Dr. Beard of Antichrist, part 3. ch. 3. Histories and experience evidence. 3ly. They have consecrated every Saturday throughout the year to the Virgin Mary, upon which account i Mariale, Pars 6. Sermo 2. m. Bernardinus de Busti informs us, Multae meretrices in die Sabbati non peccarent propter reverentiam Virgins (taking the more liberty on the Lord's day) et multi videntur beatam Virginem in majori reverentia habere quam Christum Filium ejus (note it) magis ex simplicitate moti quam scientia. Sed quia honor Matris redundat in Filium. Prov. 17. Patientiam habet Filius Dei in hac quodammodo virorum et mulierum simplicitate. Excellent Seraphical Divinity, much like that of their Freer * Jo▪ Sleidanis Comment▪ l. 15. Mr. Cartwright his Confutation of the Rhemish Testament, Act. 1. sect. 8. Tecel, who to set forth the glory and prevalency of the Pope's Pardons, (whereof he was the Pedlar) for the encouragement and comfort of Harlots and Whoremongers, so far forgot the honour and reverence he should have given (like these Harlots) to the chaste Virgin Mary, that he impiously averred, If a man had lain with our blessed Lady, the Mother of Christ, and gotten her with Child, yet the Pope's pardon was able to set him free from this offence. Besides, as if one day in each week were not sufficient for this Queen of Heaven's adoration and honour, they have ex Abundanti at several times, by their Bulls and Canons dedicated no less than five grand solemn annual Festivals or Holidays; (to wit, of her k See all their Kalendars, Martyrologies, Offices, Primers, Bernardinus de Busti his Mariale, and all their Postils, Sermons on these days; Surius Concil. Tom. 4. p. 122. De Vitis Sanctorum, & Ribadeniera. Conception, Nativity, Salutation or Visitation, Purification, and Assumption soul and body into Heaven) to her peculiar worship and adoration; which are usually more religiously, devoutly, magnificently observed by all sorts of Romish Votaries, Orders, with more varieties of divine Services, Prayers, Hymns, I itanies, Anthems, Crowns, Aves, Postils, Sermons, Panegyrics, Orations, Processions, than any days or Festivals dedicated to Christ her Son, or God the Father, as their Postils, Psalters, Primers, Breviaries, Missals, Rosaries, Crowns, Offices, Hours of our Lady, and other Books attest. 4ly. Whereas Vows are a part of divine worship to be made and performed to God alone, as Numb. 21. 2. c. 30. 3, to 15. Psal. 50. 14. Psal. 65. 1. Psal. 66. 13. Psal. 116. 14, 18. Psal. 132. 2. Isa. 19 21. resolve. Whence l 2. 2ae. qu. 88 Art. 3. Aquinas and Cardinal m De Cultu Sanctorum, cap. 9 Bellarmine assert, Votum soli Deo fit, as well as Oaths and Sacrifices: Yet the Franciscans and Dominicans, with other Religious Orders in the Church of Rome, when they enter into Religion, make their Vows and Professions in this form, as n Pere Basil, Declaration a Sedan, 1639. p. 46. Pere Basil a late Franciscan informs us; Je Frere Basile fait vaeu & promise a Dieu le Pere tout puissant, (omitting God the Son, and Holy Ghost, like the Council of Oxford in their Excommunications) a la B. Verge Marie, au B. S. Francois, et a vous mon Pere, (one motive of his renouncing the Roman Church and Religion.) And Cardinal o In Thomam 2. 2ae. qu. 88 Cajetan records, In professione Fratrum Praedicatorum sic vovetur; Voveo Deo, et B. Mariae, et omnibus Sanctis; on whose Relics they likewise vow and swear, as well as on the Evangelists; whereby they idolise and adore her and their Saints as Gods, to their and God's dishonour. 5ly. They call and entitle all their Offices, Hours, Psalters, Primers, Masses, Litanies, Crowns, Rosaries, Anthems, Hymns, Prayers, Magnificats, Churches, Chapels, Altars made for her public worship and adoration, by her name alone, as Officium, Horae, Psalterium, Missa, Litani●, Corona, Rosarium, Ecclesia, etc. beatae Mariae, (not Dei, Christi, or Spiritus Sancti) preferring her before them, and her adoration before theirs, since her Name thus gives them both their denomination, form, and being. In which Books of their public and private Devotions it is observable; 1. That they have usually 5, 7, 10, or more Ave Maries, (besides Salves, as * A Prayer for to save her, as if not yet actually saved. Salve Sancte Parens, Salve Regina, or Mater Misericordiae, and other Collects, Prayers, Anthems, Litanies) prescribed to be said to her, for every Pater Noster they say to God the Father; their Maries Crown (as p Mariale Pars ●2. Sermo 1. Pars 2. L. M. Rosarium B. Mariae, Dr. Boys his Postils, p. 662. Sir Edwin Sandys his Relation, p. 5, to 9 George Dowly Priest, his Brief Instruction, p. 211 212, 213. Jean Crispin L'estat de L'eglise, p. 498, 510. Thomas Beacon his Relics of Rome, vol. 3. f. 334. Bernardinus Senensis and others inform us) consisting of 63. Ave mary's, and but 12. Pater Nosters; and their Rosaries, Primers, Chaplets, Beads, being usually made up with 150. Aves, and 15. Pater Nosters; so as by this computation they adore, worship, invoke, praise and magnify her at least 9, 10, or 20 times more in their public and private Devotions, than they do God the Father, Son, or Holy Ghost. Yea their devout canonised q Ribadeniera Fleurs des Vies des Saints, p. 222. St. Margaret, said no less than a thousand Ave mary's on every Vigil and Festival dedicated to the Lady Mary, as their Legends record for her honour, in adoring the Virgin a thousand times more than God the Son, or Father. 2ly. That in them they usually begin with an Ave Maria and Pater Noster said to Mary, and always annex an Ave Maria to the end of every Pater Noster, as a branch thereof, or necessary Appendix to it; as if they could not possibly adore and pray to God the Father in Heaven, without adoring, invoking her as their Goddess or Mother in Heaven; though Christ himself when he r Mat. 6. 7, to 14. Lu. 11. 2, 3, 4. instituted and prescribed the Pater Noster, never annexed the Ave Maria to it, which was at first no Prayer to, but a mere salutation of her, s Lu. 1. 26, to 32. used only once, not 10, 20, or more times together, and that only by an Angel specially sent with a message to her from God, not by any men or women without the like message or commission; and that to her person alone, when present with her on earth, and she amongst women, which they now use only to her while absent, and as far distant from them, as the highest Heavens are from Earth, where they place her (body and soul) on the Throne of Majesty, far above all Orders of Saints or Angels, having no women nor Saints in her company; which Aves they utter only to her Pictures, Images, as if she were present in them. 3ly. They say and direct their very Pater Nosters in her Offices, Hours, Crowns, Rosaries, etc. to her, as a part of her worship, service, kneeling before her Images, Pictures, Altars, not to God the Father, which Pater's some of their t Ribadeniera Fleurs des Vies des Saints, Feste the L'assumption, p. 128, to 130. Habbarden, Fox Acts & Monuments, p. 310, 311. George Dowly Priest, his Brief Instruction, p. 214. Catechismus Tridentinus, cap 5. de Oratione, Pelargus Jusuita, Locus 16. Doctors justify they may say to her, and other Saints too; whereas u In his Works, London 1622. p. 145. Dr. Boys his new Mater Nostra, (compiled out of their own Authors and Offices) would be far more suitable to her service. 4ly. That they have many more Religious Orders of Freers, Nuns, and other Fraternities, Sodalities, dedicated to her x See Henry Stafford his Female Glory, p 228, to 238. Antoninus & Ribadeniera in the Lives of St. Dominick and St. Francis. worship, adoration, and obliged daily to say her Offices, Litanies, Hours, Crowns, Rosaries, Collects, Anthems; and dedicate, offer more y Polydor Virgil De Invent. Rerum, l. 5. c. 1. Francis de Croy his First Conformity, c. 19, 25. rich Gifts, Oblations of all sorts at and to her Altars, Churches, Chapels, Orders, Images, especially more Tapers, Candles on Candlemas day, and make more Pilgrimages to them, then to God the Father, Son, or Holy Ghost. 6ly. They begin their first Morning, Noon, Evening Devotions, with Ave Maries to her Majesty, to which they are specially summoned z Calderinus Tractat. 1. De Interdictis, pars 1. c. 79. Albertus' de Rosatis Dictionarium, Verbum Campanile, Philippe de Marnix, Le Tableu de difference de la Religion, pars 1. p. 178. Sir Edwin Sandys his Relation, p. 8. by ringing an Ave Mary Bell, (which no Interdict can suspend) as soon as they awake; about which there happening a long Suit in the Court of Rome between their 4. Orders of Frees, which Order ought to ring it first each morning, the Pope and his Conclave at last gravely resolved, by an immutable Decree, That that Order which first rose every morning, should first ring the Ave Mary Bell, if they pleased. Besides, they commit the custody of their souls, bodies, senses, and all they have to her hands, not to Gods, first and last each day, by this Prayer prescribed them in their public a Officium beatae Mariae secundum usum Sarum, f. 42. Offices, Hours, and particularly in the beginning of their Horaebeatae Mariae secundum usum Romanum, p. 7. In manus tuas, o Sanctissima Virgo Maria, ego indignus peccator (or servus tuus) body commendo totum corpus meum, & totam animam meam, quinque sensus meos, & totam vitam meam, & omnes actus meos, etc. Yea sundry of their Monkish and other Predicant Writers, b Dr. Boys his Postils, p. 664. begin their Sermons, Books with an Ave Maria, Salve, Gaude Maria, or some other address unto her; and end them with Laus beatae Virgini, instead of Laus Deo: Yea their great Historian Cardinal Baronius, concludes the c Antwerpiae 1597. First Tome of his Annals thus; Sanctissimae Virgini Mariae (not Deo) ut haec omnia accepta fecimus, ità pariter offerimus: And their grand Champion Cardinal Bellarmine, affixeth this Postscript to the d Lugduni 1587. & 1595 two First Tomes of his Controversies, Laus Deo, Virginique Matri Mariae, coupling both of them together, as coequals; and then adding, Deo item jesu Christo after her; and Gregorius de Valentia the Jesuit closeth up his Books de Missa, & de Purgatorio, with Laus Deo & B. Virgini Mariae, item jesus Christo, (as e Protestants Appeal, Bo. 2. c. 1●. Sect. 10. p. 240. Bp Morton, and f postils, p. 664 Dr. Boys observe) setting the Cart before the Horse, Laus Mariae Virgini, before filio ejus: And no wonder, since almost throughout Bernardinus de Busti his Mariale on her festivals, and most Postillers, Writers of her Excellencies, and in sundry Prayers in her Litanies, Psalters, Offices, Hours, Crowns, Rosaries, directed jointly to Mary, and Christ her Son, or God, she is praeponed before them, and first saluted, adored, invoked, and they only in the rear or last place; more particularly in this Prayer of their Canonised St. Anselm Archbp. of Canterbury, her devout Chaplain, in the end of the last g Operum, Tom. 3. Coloniae Agrippin● 1560. p. 260. Tome of his Works. Anselmi nuper praecatio, Matri Virgini Mariae, simul & filii ejus, In which he first invokes her with, Sancta & inter Sanctos, post Deum singulariter S. Maria, etc. O mater salutis! O templum pietatis & misericordiae, etc. confessing the filthiness of his Nature to her with shame and grief, as offensive to her transcendent purity, imploring her pity; with, Sana ergo clementissima infirmitatem, & deal quae te offendit foeditatem. Aufer benignissima languorem, & non sentias quem horris foetorem. Sana animam servi tui peccatoris, etc. Nunquid tu Domina mea mater Dei poteris perditum clamantem non curare? At last he introduceth her Son, and thus conjoins the mother and son together, as coequals. Nun ille filius hominis venit vocare ad poenitentiam peccatores, & Mater Dei contemnet precantem in poenitentia? Sed si pariter ambo offensi est is, nun & ambo clementes est is? Fugiat ergo reus justi Dei, ad piam matrem misericordis Dei; refugiatque reus offensae Matris, ad pium filium benignae Matris. Ingerat se reus utriusque inter utrumque. Injiciat se inter pium filium et Matrem; Pie Domine, parce servo matris tuae; Pia Domina, parce servo Filii tui, quia me injicio inter duas tam immensas pietates, non incidam inter tam potentes severitates. Non erubescam quod spero in vobis hanc pietatem. Dic mundi Iuder cui parcis? Dic mundi Reconciliatrix quem reconciliabis? si tu Domine damnas, et tu Domina averteris homunculum bona vestra, cum amore, mala sua cum moerore confitentem. But no marvel they thus place the Mother before the Son; or Father, and their Lady before their Lord; because, 7ly. As they have obliterated their Name, Title of Dominus, etc. and thrust in hers of Domina and Maria instead thereof throughout David's Psalms in their Saint Bonaventura his Psalterium beatae Mariae, and Bernardinus Senensis his Officium Conceptionis Mariae, authorized by their Pope's Bulls; So it is likewise observable, that in their Horae beatissimae Mariae secundum usum Romanum, Antwerpiae 1568. p. 328. to omit others set forth by authority of their Church and Popes, they have metamorphosed St. Ambrose and their own Te Deum laudamus, etc. into Te Matrem Dei laudamus, Te Mariam virginem confitemur. Te aeterni patris sponsam, omnis terra veneratur. Tibi omnes Angeli & Archangeli: Tibi omnes Principatus humiliati serviunt. Tibi omnes potestates et supernae virtutes; tibi omnes coelorum dominationes obediunt, etc. Tibi cuncta Angelica creatura, delectabili voce proclamabant. Sancta, Sancta, Sancta Maria Mater Dei & Virgo, etc. Te gloriosus Apostolorum chorus, creatoris Matrem collaudat, etc. Te tota coelestis curia coelorum Reginam honorat, Te per universum mundum sancta Ecclesia invocando celebrat Matrem divinae Majestatis, Venerandum te veram Regis caelesti puerperam, etc. Tu Angelorum Domina, Tu Paradysi janua, Tu scala regni coelestis, etc. Te ergo poscimus servulis tuis subveni. Salvanos populum servorum tuorum Domina, ut simus participes haereditatis tuae; Et regenos, & extol usque in aeternum. Per singulos dies O Domina te salutamus, Et laudare te cupimus in aeternum, devota ment et voce. Dignare dulcis Maria, nunc & semper sine delicto nos conservare. Fiat misericordia tua nobiscum, quia Maria in te confidimus; In te dulcis Maria speramus, ut nos defendas in aeternum. 8ly. In the Popish Council held at Oxford, Anno 1222. 6 Henry 3. under Stephen Langton Archbishop of Canterbury, (that arch Rebel to King John and his Realms, enthralled to the Pope by his Treasons and Rebellions) the whole Council and all the Prelates, Clergy of England, were so intent upon the Privileges of the Church, and honour of the Virgin Mary, with other Saints, that in the very Prologue of their Canons and Excommunications (agreed upon in that Council) they quite forgot the Names of God the Son, and Holy Ghost; inserting mary's and the Saints in their steeds; as our learned Bishop f Bishop Jewels Defence of the Apology Part 2. ch. 8. divis. 1. p. 308. Jewel observes, yea all the Editions, in g Provincialium Constit. l. 5 De Sententia Excommunicationis, f. 248. Lyndewoode, h Constitutiones Leg●timae, f. 12●. Johannes de Aton, i Conciliorum, Tom. 3. p. 360 Laurentius Surius, and others attest. Ex auctoritate Dei Patris omnipotentis, et beatae Virginis et omnium Sanctorum, (not Filii, & Spiritus sancti) & praefati Concilii, Excommunicamus omnes illos qui Ecclesias suo jure maliciose privare praesumunt, aut per maliciam earundem libertates infringere vel perturbare contendunt. It seems God the Son and Holy Ghost were not present in this Council, but only God the Father, the Virgin Mary, and Saints, else they could not have been thus quite forgotten. 9ly. In the Litania Deiparae Virginis ex sacra Scripturae desumptae, quae in alma domo Lauretana omnibus diebus Sabbatis, Vigiliarum & Festorum ejusdem Virginis musicè decantari solent, printed at the end of the Instructions and Advertisements of Dr. Gaspar Laerte of the Society of Jesus, (how to meditate the Mysteries of the Rosary of the most holy Virgin Mary, translated out of Italian into English) as they sacrilegiously wrest, apply sundry Scripture Texts unto her, not meant nor intended of her, and amongst other Titles thus style her, Faeminarum restauratio, Reparatrix Parentum, Reparatrix Posterorum, Mediatrix Mundi, Auxiliatrix praesens, Causa salutis humani generis, Advocata nostra, Advocata Evae, Obses fidei nostrae apud Deum, Scala coelorum, Redemptio captivorum, Adjutrix destitutorum, Solatium mundi, Christianorum profugium, Spes desperantium, Spes unica peccatorum, Spes Christianorum sanctissiima, Laetitia Sanctorum, Expectatio et Proemium bonorum, etc. So they likewise obliterate the usual clauses proper to Christ as God, with his Name and the Title of Lord, and thus insert new petitions unto her, instead of Christ, God, the Lord, in their Litanies. Per sanctam nativitatem tuam, per admirabilem annunciationem tuam, per memorabilem purificationem tuam, per gloriosam assumptionem tuam, libera Nos, Virgo gloriosa, Peccatores, ut veram poenitentiam nobis impetrare digneris. Resp. Te Rogamus audi nos. Vt Societates tibi peculiari obsequio devotas conservare et augere digneris. Resp. Te Rogamus audi nos. Vt Ecclesiae sanctae cunctoque populo Christiano curam & unitatem impetrare digneris. Resp. Te Rogamus audi nos. After which there follows in the breviary, Intercedente beata Maria Regnum etiam Angliae, una cum universis in ea commorantibus ab haereticorum feritate converte; the like Metamorphoses they have made in other parts of their ancient Liturgies and Missals to adore and deify her instead of God the Father, and the Son. Finally, as k Excitat. lib. 8. Bishop Jewels Defence of the Apology, Part 2. divis. 1. c. p. 366. Cardinal Cusanus and others, who assert her to be born without original sin, write, that she stood in need of no Saviour, Non indiguit virgo Liberatore, qui ipsam absolveret a sententia in Adam et in posteros lata, quod ipsa sub principatu authoris mortis nullo unquam tempore fuit. Maria non est deleta de libro mortis, quia in ea nunquam fuit, etc. So on the contrary, l Mariale pars 12. Sermo 2. De Coronatione Mariae, pars 1. K. M. See Bp Ushers Answer to the Jesuits Challenge, p. 494. Bernardinus de Busti seraphically and blasphemously averrs, Sola benedicta Maria plus fecit Deo, vel tantum, ut sic dicam, quantum fecit Deus toto generi humano. Ipsa perfectionibus orbis ultimam perfectionem adduxit, cum ea ipsi universitatis auctori, ut ita dixerim, nonnulla adduxit; puta aeterno principio inceptionis exordium; aeternitati divinae temporale periodum, infinitati immensae quantitatem corpoream: (Whence St. Bridget brings in all the Saints praying thus unto her. c Revelátionum, l. 4. c. 74 K, etc. O Domina benedicta, tuportasti Dominum in te. Tu Domina omnium es: Quid est quod non poteris? Quod enim tu vis, hoc factum est, & c) Neither rests he here, but elsewhere thus repeats it with additions, and far greater impudence; d Mariale pars 6. Sermo 2. pars 2. quae dicitur Causalitatis U. Sed ô Virgo gratissima, nunquid tu aliquid fecisti Deo? Nunquid vicem ei reddisti? Profecto, si fas est dicere, tu secundum quid, majora fecisti Deo quam ipse Deus tibi et universo generi fecit humano. Volo ergo ego dicere (such is his in pudence) quod tu ex humilitate tacuisti: Tu enim solum cecinisti; Quia fecit mihi magna qui potens est. Ego vero cano et dico, quia tu fecisti majora ei qui potens est. Deus namque hominem de limo terrae formavit: Tu vero beatissima virgo Deum de tuis preciosissimis sanguinibus generasti, et illum purissima carne tua cooperuisti & velasti: Item, Deus hominem de fructibus paradysi educavit; & tu ipsum Deum pavisti ubere de coelo pleno; cujus lactis una gutta parvula praevalet omnibus lignis paradysi, fructibusque omnibus totius mundi. Deus quoque hominem pellicea induit veste; Et tu Virgo gloriosa Dei filium tuis panniculis inv●luisti, & postea tunica incensutili induisti, quae praevalet omnibus tunicis mundi. Et sic discurrendo probare possum, quod tu virgo dignissima secundum quid, multa ampliora beneficia contulisti Christo, quam Deus homini in suae creationis primordio. Their late e Petrus Opm●erus, Opus Chronogr. p. 414 & Ribadeniera in his life, Sermo 61. Artic. 1. cap. 11. See Bishop Ushers Answer to the Jesuits Challenge, p. 494. Canonised Saint Bernardinus Senensis sings the like Magnificat to the Virgin; Sola benedicta Virgo Maria plus fecit Deo vel tantum (ut ita dicam) quam fecit Deus toto generi humano. Credo etenim certe quod mihi indulgebit Deus, si nunc pro Virgine loquar. Congregemus in unum quae Deus homini fecit, & consideremus quae Maria virgo Domino satisfecit: (which he recites, compares, and then concludes:) Reddenda ergo singula singulis, scil. quae fecit Deus homini, & quae fecit Deo beata Virgo, videbis, quod plus fecit Maria Deo, quam homini Deus: Vt sic pro solatio dicere liceat, quod propter beatam Virginem (quam tamen ipse fecit) Deus quodammodo plus obligetur nobis, quam Nos sibi. Good Roman Catholic Blasphemy! demeriting no less than a canonisation by the Popes and Church of Rome. Neither doth the Jesuit f Tom. 3. Conc. in Assumpt. S. Barthol. Osorius come much short of them. Dubitant aliqui, an Maria adeò bona mater Christi dici debeat, ac bonus est aeternus Pater. At verò si duntaxat filium ab utroque genitum attendamus, in nihilo Pater excedit matrem. Idem enim filius est ab utroque genitus; et hac ratione Mater adeo bona Maria est, ac aeternus Pater. To which he g Tom. 5. Dominic. 4. Epiphan. See Ludovicus Lucius Hist. Jesuiticae, l. 2. c 4. p. 218. elsewhere adds, Cui ergo B. Mariam comparabimus? Non Evae, non Sarae, non Racheli, nec Lunae, nec Soli. Cui igitur? PLANE DEO bona omnia continenti. Therefore h Praefatio ad lib de Ecclesia triumphante, & l. 2 c. 1, 6. Bishop morton's Protestant's Appeal, Book 2. ch. 12. sect. 10. Cardinal Bellarmine, had little cause thus to censure Luther for this saying; Papistae, inquit Lutherus, B. Mariam Deum constituunt; omnipotentiam ei tribuunt, omnes se ad eam conferunt, et plus gratiae ab ea expectant, quam a Christo jesu. Horrenda est haec ejus impostura, etc. Quis enim Catholicorum uni vero Deo, coeli Reginam, Mariam ullo modo aequavit? since these thus equalise her to him; and their own i In Augustin. de Civit. Dei, l. 8. cap. ult. Ludovicus Vives confesseth, Multi Christiani in re hona plerumque peccant, quod Divos, Divasque non aliter venerantur quam Deum, especially the Virgin Mary; and their learned Bishop k Comment. in 2 Tim. 3. p. 511 Claudius Espencaeus assures us, that their Christiani vetuli & seniculi, as well as their benè & devotius educati pueri, hodie non minus tribuunt Divis quam Deo; qui hunc quam illos minus placabilem aut exorabilem putant; concluding it with an utinam mentiar, as a truth beyond denial. I appeal now to the Souls and Consciences of all sober judicious Pontificians, or Roman Catholics, and other ingenuous Christians, for whose conviction and satisfaction I have so largely insisted on the premises: 1. Whether the Popes, Church of Rome, with these their Seraphical Doctors, Saints, Predicants, whiles they thus over-advance, extol the Virgin Mary, have not thereby in a great measure dethroned, ungodded (if I may so speak) both God the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, and advanced this their Lady, Queen, Empress, Goddess of Heaven and Earth above them, adoring her with, yea investing her in all their Divine Attributes, Titles, Offices; adoring, extolling, honouring, invocating, serving her far more than all or any of their sacred persons, equallizing her with them in all respects, and making, styling her a Goddess, yea Dea Dearum, as they directly style her; not to her honour or her Sons; but to hers and his a See Claudius Espeneaeus Comment. in Tim. 3. p. 118. Bishop morton's Protestant Appeal, Book 2. ch. 12. Sect. 12. great dishonour, and reproach; as b Defensio, lib. de Officio pii viri. George Cassander resolves, Hoc non est Filium honorare, sed potius Filio contumeliam facere. 2ly. Whether they are not herein guilty, (as b Mr. Fox his Acts & Monuments, Vol. 3. p. 277. Mr. Fox, c Defence of the Apology, Pars 2. ch. 18. p. 366. part 6. ch. 7. divis. 1. p. 682, 683. Bp Jewel, d Dr. Rainolds de Idololatria Romanae Ecclesiae throughout, Ormerod. his Paganopapismus. e Bishop Morton his Protestants Appeal, Book 2. chap 12. Sect. 9, 10, 11, 12. Dr. Rainolds, ᵉ Bishop Morton, and others assure us) of most transcendent blasphemy, execrable Idolatry, and more apparent wresting, perverting, altering, corrupting innumerable Texts of sacred Scripture, than any former Heretics in the Christian Church? Against Deutr. 4. 2. c. 12. 32. Josh. 1. 7. Prov. 30. 6. Rev. 22. 18. 2 Pet. 3. 16. 3ly. Whether the Romanists in invocating, adoring, crying to the Virgin Mary as aforesaid, and other Saints, be not more brutish than the very brute beasts of the field, young Lions, and Ravens, who both look up, and cry, seek to God alone (their creator, not to any Saint or creature) for every thing they want, as these Scriptures resolve; Psal. 104. 21, 24, 25, 27, 28. Ps. 145. 15, 16. The young Lions roar after their prey, and seek their meat from God The eyes of all creatures in the sea and earth,; both small and great beasts, fish and creeping things (as well as men) wait all upon God, that he may give them their meat in due season▪ etc. Thou openest thy hand and fillest the desire of every living thing. Joel 1. 20. O Lord the beasts of the field cry also unto thee. Jon. 3. 8. Let man and beast be covered with sackcloth, and cry mightily unto God. Psal. 147. 9 God giveth to the beast his food, and to the young ravens that cry, (to him for it.) Job 38. 41. who provideth for the raven his food, when his young ones cry unto God: whence the Psalmist, Psal. 148. 11, 12. exhorts beasts and all cattle, creeping things and flying fowls, (as well as Angels, Kings of the earth, and all people, high or low, young and old, males and females) to praise the name of the Lord (a part of divine adoration and prayer) for his name alone is excellent, his glory above the earth and heavens: Not the Virgin Maries, as they assert; & Psal. 150. 6. Let every thing that hath breath (as well beasts, fowls, fishes, and creeping things, as men) praise the Lord; not our Lady, as * See Here, p. 29. Bonaventure hath blasphemously perverted it. 4ly. Whether they be not more sottish, stupid herein, than the very worst of Pagan Idolaters, who by the light of Nature never prayed to any Saint, Angel, creature for help in time of trouble, nor adored any thing, but what they really believed to be a God, and their God, able to help and save them. Hence Plato in his Alcibiades 2. De Oratione ad Deum, Legum Dialog. l. 4. & 6. and in his Definitiones Philosophorum Rerum, resolves; That God only is to be adored, sacrificed and prayed to in public and private; defining, Sacrificium est donum Victimae DEO. Praecatio est petitio bonorum, aut quae bona videntur hominibus à DEO. The like saith Cicero in his Books de Natura Deorum; Ovid. Fastorum lib. & Tristium, l. 1. Eleg. 1. Virgil. Aeneid. l. 3. Homerus, Iliad. l. 9 Terentius Phormion. Act. 2. Scen. 2. Dionysius Halicarn. Antiqu. Rom. l. 2. pa. 5. Plutarchi, Numa Pompilius, Pindarus, Euripides, Sophocles in their Poems, Diodorus Siculus, Alexander ab Alexandro Gen. Dierum, lib. 3. cap. 13. and other Heathen Authors attest; whence Jonah 5, 6. when God sent a mighty tempest, so that the ship wherein Jonah fled from Tarshish was like to be broken; the heathen mariners being afraid, cried every man to his God; Yea the shipmaster coming to Jonah (who lay fast asleep) said unto him, arise, call upon thy God, if so be that God will think upon us that we perish no●. After which, ver. 14. They cried unto the Lord, and said, we beseech thee O Lord, we beseech thee let us not perish, etc. So Jonah 3. 8. The King and people of Niniveh proclaiming a fast, prescribed, that both man and beast should cry mightily unto God. The Psalmist assures us, Psal. 107. 18, 19, 23, 28, 29. That all sorts of men in their afflictions, and all that go down to the sea in ships, (like the mariners in Jonah) do then cry unto the Lord God in their trouble, and storms (not to any Saint, Angel, or other creature) and he bringeth them out of their distresses. Thus the Priests of Baal cried and prayed unto Baal to hear them, as to their God, 1 Kings 18. 21, 24, 26, 27. Thus the Idolaters transplanted from Assiria and other Countries to Samaria, being destroyed by Lions, made and served several Gods of their own, and yet feared the God of the land, 2 Kings 17. 26. to 35. So the * Jer. 11. 12, 12, 13. c. 2. 28 Isay 45. 20. c. 8. 19 Israelites revolting to Idolatry, cried and offered incense only unto the new Gods they had chosen, to save them in the time of trouble, which they could not do. Yea the most sottish Idolater, who planted, watered a tree, burned one part thereof, and made the residue a God, fell down unto it, worshipped and prayed unto it, (upon this account alone that, he believed it to be his God,) saying, Deliver me for thou art my God, Isa. 44. 9 Yea Cyrus and Artaxerxes, two heathen Kings, prescribed prayers and sacrifices to be made unto the God of heaven for their lives, and the lives of their sons, Ezra 6. 8, 9 c. 7. 21. And the Athenians erected an Altar to the * Acts 17. 23, 24. unknown God they ignorantly worshipped. As the a Deutr. 6. 13 c. 10. 20, 21 Mat. 4. 10. c. 6 5, to 12. c. 11. Ps. 4. 1, 5, 6. Ps. 5. 2, 3. Ps. 10. 1, 17. Ps. 17. 1. Ps. 18. 2, 3, 5. Ps. 25. 1, 2, etc. Ps. 28. 2. to 6. Ps. 27. 4, 7. Ps. 28. 1. Ps. 31. 12 Ps 65 2. Ps. 32. 6. Ps. 72. 8, to 12. Ps. 73. 25. Ps. 86. 6 to 12. Ps. 95. 6, 7. Psal. 100 1, 2, 3, 4. Psal. 102 1, etc. Ps. 148. & 150. and most other Psalms, 1 Kings 8 22, to 62. 2 Chron. 6. 12, to 42. c. 14. 7, 11. c. 20. 5, to 14. c. 30. 18, 19, 20. c. 32. 20, 21. Ezra 9 6, etc. Neh. 1. 4. etc. c. 9 4, 5 etc. Job 15. 4. Isay 37. 14, etc. c. 56. 7. c. 45. 22, 23, 24, 25. c. 44. 5, 6. Jer. 14. 9 to 22. c 25. 15. Dan. 6. 10, 11. c. 9 3. to 21. Joel 2 12. to 22. Zeph. 2. 3. Z●ch. 3. 9 Hab 3. 2. Acts 17. 23. to 30. c. 1. 24. c. 4. 24, &c c. 8 22, 24. Ro. 10. 13, 14. Joh. 4. 23, ●4. c. 16. 23, 26. Ephes. 2. 18. c. 3. 13. to 21. c. 5. 19, 20. Scriptures are express, that God only is to be adored, worshipped, prayed to; That the Apostles, Saints in the Old and New Testament never made any prayers or supplications to any Angel, Saint, but God alone; yea Christ himself in the Lord's prayer instructed his Disciples to pray only to God, no petition or clause of that exact pattern of prayer being communicable to any Angel, creature but only to God: So the Roman Historians and Poets, as b See my Signal Loyalty and Devotion of true Christians, and also Idolatrous Pa● gans to their Sovereigns, part 1. ch. 5. p. 63, to 87. Tacitus Annal. l. 4. c. 3. l. 16. c. 6. Seneca de Consolation ad Polybium, c. 31, 32. Martial Epig. l. 4. Epig. 1. l. 7. Epig. 51. l. 10. Epig. 32. l. 11. Epig. 4. C. Plinius secundus, Epist. l. 10. Epist. 44, 45, 60, 101. Panegyr. Trajano dictus, p. 21, 25, 49, 52, 59, 142, 167, 168. julius Capitolinus in Vita Antonini Pii, p. 10. Aelius Lampridius, p. 280, 281, 333, to 358, 388, in the Lives of Antoninus D●odumenus, & Alexander Severus, julius Capitolinus, p. 412, 413, 423, 424, 439, 440, 459, 460, 473, etc. 490, 491, 492. & Flavius Vopiscus, p. 860, to 693. record, that the Pagan Romans prayed only to their Gods, and none else, for the lives, safeties of their Emperors and others; yea reputed prayer a divine worship, adoration, peculiar only to the Gods, and incommunicable to any others. If therefore the Roman Church, Popes, believe not Mary and other Saints to be real Gods; and yet invoke, adore her or them as their only Aiders, Protectors, Saviour's, Deliverers in their distresses; They are far more sottish, idolatrous, than the very bruits and sottishest Pagan Idolaters, there being no precedent in the Old or New Testament, of any prayer made to Angels, or Saints departed, or other creature, but unto God alone, or what was reputed to be a God, who c 1 Chron. 6. 30. c. 28. 9 Acts 1. 24. Rome 8. 28, 29. Ps: 1. 8, 9 10. Ps. 139. 1. Ps. 65. 2. Jam. 1. 6, 7. Is. 43. 20. c. 46. 7. Jer. 2. 28. Ps. 145. 19 Ps. 108. 6. Jer. 11 12. c. 31. 7. Hosea 13. 1●. knew, searched the very secrets of their hearts, and was able to save and deliver them in their extremities; which none but the true God alone can do: Now whereas Popes and Popish Doctors have fancied, that the Virgin Mary and other Saints departed, do know their persons, necessities, hear their prayers, and can supply their wants; it is directly contradicted by Job 5. 1 c. 24. 20, 21. 2 Kings 22. 20. 2 Chron. 6. 9 c. 34. 28. Eccl. 3. 22. c. 6. 4, 12. c. 7. 24. c. 8. 7. c. 9 5, 6. Isay 63. 1, 6. c. 8. 19 c. 26. 13, 14. Psalm 88 5, 10. Psal. 115. 17. Lam. 3. 6. John 5. 25. Augustinus De Cura pro mortuis, p. 13, 14, 15. And whereas they suggest, That they see all their prayers and necessities in the looking glass of the Deity, as their d Cajetanus, Scotus, Durandus, and other Schoolmen, in 4 Sentent. distinct. 25. Bellarmin. de Beatudine Sanctorum l. 1. c. 29. Morel, Becanus, Manuale Controvers. l. 1. c. 7. De Invocatione Sanctorum, Sect. 20. Seraphical Doctors resolve, it is the most sottish whimsy that ever was invented: For 1. the Scripture assures us, that God is invisible in his own essence; that no man nor eye hath seen, or can see God at any time, Rom. 1. 20. Col. 1. 15. 1 Tim. 1. 17. c. 6. 16. Heb. 11. 27. John 6. 46. cap. 1. 18. 1 John 4. 12. 20. If then God be thus invisible in himself, how can he be fancied to be a mere common looking-glass, which not only all Saints departed clearly behold, but likewise see all things done or spoken on earth by reflection in him, who is invisible. 2ly. No species can be received into or reflected by or from a glass, but only at a convenient distance, and that by a corporeal visible substance, capable to receive & reflect corporeal species visible to the eye: But that all things acted, yea all prayers uttered on earth, should be visible, or reflected in God a Spirit, at so grand a distance as the highest heavens are from earth, and that so visibly, as all the Saints, Angels in heaven, do or may exactly see and take knowledge of them, is a most extravagant fantasy. 3ly. That Prayers, which are either merely mental, or vocal, having no visible colours, species, being always said to be heard by God himself, who is therefore styled a God hearing prayers, Psal. 65. 2. 1 Kings 8. 30, 34, 36, 37, 43, 45. 2 Chron. 6. 21, 23, 25, 27, 30, 33, 35, 39 Nehem. 1. 6. c. 4. 4. Job 27. 9 John 11. 42. Psal. 4. 1. Psal. 10. 17. Psal. 17. 1. 6. Ps. 20. 1, 9 Ps. 27. 7. Ps. 28. 2. Ps. 30. 10. Ps. 39 12. Ps. 54. 2. Ps. 61. 1. Ps. 64. 1. Ps. 84. 8. Ps. 102. 1. Ps. 119. 149. Ps. 130. 2. Ps. 140. 6. Ps. 143. 5, Neh. 9 27, 28. should not be heard but only seen by Mary, the Saints or Angels now in heaven, and that in speculo Trinitatis, is as great a solecism, absurdity, contradiction, as to aver that men may see sounds with their eyes, or in a looking glass, and see colours with their ears: since sounds, prayers are only the objects of the ears, not eyes; and colours of the eyes, not ears. Hence the Prophet Daniel thus prayed to God, Dan. 9 18, 19 O my God incline thine ear and hear, open thine eyes and behold our desolations, etc. O Lord hear, O Lord hearken; Hence we read of the seeing eye, and the hearing ear. Prov. 20. 12. That the ear only (not the eye) trieth words, as the mouth tasteth meats, Job. 12. 11. c. 34. 3. Hence hearing with the ears, and seeing with the eyes of the body or mind, are usually put in contradistinction in Scripture, Isay 6. 9 Mat. 13. 13, to 19 Mar. 4. 12. Eccles. 1. 8. Lu. 8. 10, 11. John 12. 40. Acts 28. 26 Rom. 11. 8. Therefore the Virgin Maries or other Saints seeing (not hearing) their prayers in heaven, in the lookingglass of the Trinity: is as gross, as senseless a Bull, repugnant to the Nature of God, the whole series of Scripture, and common sense, as * Just like their drinking Christ's blood and the Sacramental wine in eating the consecrated dry bread. absurdity itself can invent; which no rational man can believe, till deaf men can see voices, sounds with their eyes, hear or taste colours with their ears, mouths. 4ly. If the Virgin and Saints departed, because they † Can an ignorant Country Clown, Novice know all that the learnedest Divine▪ Physician, or Lawyer knows, because he sees their faces? see God, do therefore certainly see, know all things in God, that he sees or knows, (especially all men's hearts and mental prayers) and hear, understand millions of prayers made in all kind of languages they never knew on earth, at one instant, they should then be as omniscient as God himself, and so Gods outright, as they make the Virgin Mary. 5ly. Whether by all the premised particulars it be not apparent, that the Popes, Clergy, and whole Church of Rome have been, and still are far worse, greater Heretics and Idolaters, than the Collyridians', condemned for Heretics and Idolaters too in the primitive Church, about the year 370. by Epiphanius Bishop of Constans in Cyprus, and others; whose Heresy, Idolatry is related to be only this; Haec haereses in Arabia, & Thracia, & superioribus partibus Scythiae emicuit, introduced, practised only by a few women; f Epiphanii Episcopi Lib. 3. Tom. 2. contra Haeres. Haer. 79 col. 882 etc. See Cent. Magd. 4. col. 299, 485. Dr. Fulke and Mr. Cartwright Answer to the Rhemish Testament, on Acts 1. 14. Sect. 7. Quidam enim mulieres currum quendam, five sellam quadratam ornantes, expanso super ipsum linteo, in die quadam illustri anni per aliquot dies panem proponunt, et offerunt in nomen Mariae. Omnes autem de pane participant. This they did in honour to her as the Queen of Heaven, as his, Ne dicant honoramus Reginam coeli, intimates: This is all they were guilty of. Now compare these and the Romanists heresy and idolatry to her together, and we shall easily discover how far they outstrip them in all particulars. 1. This their Heresy and Idolatry was introduced, practised only by women, and those but few, simple, seduced by the Devil, like as Eve was of old; But theirs was introduced, fomented, propagated, justified by Monks, Popes, Prelates, Priests, Canonists, Casuists, Schoolmen, reputed the wisest, holiest, most Seraphical Doctors in the Church of Rome, led by the unerring Spirit of God (as they pretend;) and is universally practised by their Male as well as Female Catholics of all orders & degrees. 2ly. They only at one solemn time in the year did publicly set little Cakes of bread, called Collyrides, in a Chariot thus adorned, for some few day's space, before the Virgin Maries Image, & then offered them to her themselves; but consecrated no Priests, nor Religious Persons, Orders, Churches, Chapels, Altars, Images, compiled, used no public Offices, Psalters, Primers, Crowns, Masses, Litanies, Anthems, Prayers, Aves, Salves, made no Processions, Pilgrimages to her, as the Pontificians practise, not at one time of the year alone, but daily, or on all saturdays, and 5. annual Festivals dedicated to her. g Ann. 1157. nu. 2. & 1195. nu. 6. Henr. de Knyghton de Event. Angl. l. 2. c 5. col. 2359. Baronius and Spondanus assure us, that Petrus Damianus at the request of some melancholy Hermits, was the very first who introduced the Office and Service of the Virgin Mary into his Private Monastery, Anno 1056. with much opposition of Gozo and others, who dissuaded his Monks from the use thereof; and that her office was not publicly received nor practised in the Church, till confirmed afterwards by Pope Vrban the 2d. in the Council of Claremont, An 1095. their Hours, Psalters, Crowns, Rosaries, Litanies, Mariales being introduced long after by degrees: Therefore not used by these Collyridians'. 3ly. They offered only little Cakes unto her in a Chariot: These Prayers, Praises, Incense, Gold, Silver, Pearls, Jewels, Tapers, yea Houses, Churches, Lands, and things of greatest value, her Churches, Chapels, being more richly adorned then their Chariot. 4ly. They all divided and did eat the cakes they offered to her in this their May-game, feasting themselves therewith: But all their oblations bestowed on her, are divided amongst her Priests and Freers, for the maintenance of her worship. 5ly. They placed only one Image of her in a Chariot: These erected thousands of costly Images, Statues to her in stately Churches; yea oft times carry them about * See here, p. 41. in Gilded Chariots, or on Prelates, Priests, Prince's shoulders in their Processions, Triumphs, with a glorious Imperial Crown on her head, and a royal Sceptre in her hand, with Christ her son as yet a sucking babe, lying unactive in her arms, ruling and domineering over him as * Here, p. 16, 22, 23, etc. aforesaid; when they had nothing but her bare Image, without her babes. 6ly. Though they thus honoured, and called her, The Queen of Heaven, yet they gave her no other Titles, applied no Attributes, Offices, Texts of Scripture peculiar unto God or Christ, unto her: Whereas they honour, adore, pray to and extol her, not only with the very same Title of The Queen of Heaven, but with far more and greater Divine Titles, Attributes, Excellencies, Offices, and wrest, corrupt sundry express Scriptures for that purpose, which they appropriate to her, though peculiar unto God, or Christ our Saviour, which the Collyridians' never did. 7ly. They made, published no such Magnificats, Mariales, Books, Anthems, postils, Sermons, to extol her transcendent Excellencies, and excite others to worship, adore her in such sort as they, and were never guilty of such extravagant blasphemies prayers, assertions as those forementioned: Therefore their Heresy, Idolatry in these and other premised respects is greater and more detestable than the Collyridians'. 9ly. All the Arguments produced by Epiphanius against these Collyridians', which then suppressed their Heresy and Idolatry, directly condemn the adoration of the Virgin Mary, as not only ridiculous, foolish, repugnant to the Scriptures, not warranted by any precedents in sacred story, or the Primitive Church or Saints; who never invoked nor adored Mary, nor any other male or female Saints how great or holy soever, nor any Angel, but God alone, but as introduced by the Devil's suggestion, yea damnable and destructive to their souls; as these passages (worthy special observation) will demonstrate. First, in his prologue he writes of this their Heresy, * Epiphanius Haeres. 79. col. 881, 882, 8●●. Quae sane et ipsa ridicula est, ac ludibrii plena apud prudentes reperitur. Incipiens autem de ipsa tractare, & opiniones ipsius recensere, stoliditatis enim potius condemnationem incurret, quam ut aliquid sapientiae in ipsa, esse judicetur, quemadmodum etiam aliae similes huic fuerunt. Sicut enim supra per contumeliam in Mariam, high qui haec opinari videntur nocivas opiniones in Cogitationes hominum seminant; sic etiam hi ad alteram partem inclinantes in summo detrimento depraehenduntur, quo illud quod apud externos quosdam philosophos celebre est, dum dicunt, extremitates aequalitates, etiam in ipsis impleatur. Aequale est enim in utrisque his sectis detrimentum, illi quidem vilipendent sanctam Virginem, high vero rursus ultra decorum glorificent. Hi enim qui hoc docent, qui sunt praeterquam mulieres? Muliebre enim genus lubricum est, erroneumque ac intellectu humili praeditum, etenim et ipsi Diabolo visum est hoc a mulieribus evomere. Quemadmodum enim supra apud Quinullam & Maximillam ac Priscillam ridicula sunt dogmata, sic etiam hic:, 2ly. He thus proceeds against and encounters their heresy, after his recital of it. Nunc autem clare de ipsa dicemus & confutationes contra ipsam pro viribus Deum invocantes apposituri sumus: quo hujus simulacrificae Haeresis radicibus excisis, a quibusdam talem rabiem exolvere in Deo possumus. Age igitur, virilem animum induamus, et harum mulierum insaniam dissipemus. Totum enim hoc mulier is opinio est, et Evae rursus deceptae morbus, imo potius serpentis, bestiae illius irritativae, et quae locuta est in ipsa, est haec erroris promissio, nihil in medium affereus, neque promissa perficiens, sed solum mortem efficiens, ea quae non sunt, velut quae sunt nominans, et per visionem ligni inobedientiam faciens et aversionem ab ipsa veritate, et ut ad multa se converteret. Aestimare autem licet qualia impostor ille seminarit, dum ait, eritis sicut Dii; sic et harum opinio per praedictae Bestiae elationem impulsa est. Name in hac Natura rursus mortem, velut saepè dixi. Primum equidem statim consideremus, ab aeterno usque in hunc diem, cui non manifestum est, quod daemoniorum est Doctrina et forma et abalienata aggressio, Deo enim ab aeterno nullatenus mulier sacrificavit, non ipsa Eva & quidem in transgressione constituta. At non ausa fuit amplius talem impiam aggressionem perficere, non una ex ipsius filiabus, etc. where he proves at large, by sundry Scripture precedents and Texts, which I pretermit, that no women ought to be Priests, or to offer sacrifice, or speak in the Church, as these women offered sacrifices to Mary, Then he thus proceeds to refute their invocation and adoration of Mary. Vndè vero nobis rursus haec nova fabula excitata est? Vnde mulierum fastus: et insania muliebris? Vnde nutrita malicia rursus per foeminam nobis foemineam opinionem mentibus infundens, suam voluptatem operans à proposito decedere miserum hominum naturam cogere conatur? Caeterum suscipiamus animum ipsius Job, firmitatem Athletae illius armemur justa responsione, in labia assumpta. Dicamus & ipsi, velut una ex stolidis mulieribus locuta es, unde enim non stolidum hoc apparebit, omni prudentiam habenti, eamque per Deum adepto. Vnde non est simulacrificum hoc studium, et Diabolicus conatus? Praetextu enim justitiae semper subiens hominum mentem Diabolus, mortalem naturam in hominum oculis Deificans, statuas humanas imagines praese ferentes per artium varietatem expressit. Et mortui quidem sunt, qui adorantur, ipsorum vero imagines, quae nunquam vixerunt, neque enim mortuae esse possunt quae nunquam vixerunt, adorandas introducunt, adulterante ment ab uno et solo Deo commune scortum, ad multam multiplicis coitus absurditatem irritatum, et Nota. quod temperantiam legitimi conjugii unius viri detrivit. Revera, sanctum erat corpus Mariae, non tamen Deus: Revera virgo erat ipsa virgo et honorata, sed non ad adorationem nobis data, sed ipsa adorans eum qui ex ipsa carne genitus est, de ●oelis vero ex sinibus paternis accessit. Et propterea Evangelium monuit nos dicens, quod ipse Dominus dixerit, h Joan. 2. 4. Quid mihi & tibi cura est mulier? nondum venit hora mea. Quo non putarent aliqui magis eximiam esse sanctam virginem, mulierem eam appellavit, velut prophetans, quae futura essent in terra sectarum ac haereseon gratia, ut ne aliqui nimirum admirati sanctam, in hanc haeresim ejusque deliramenta dilabantur. Est enim ludibrium tota res, et anicularum fabula, ut ita dicam, tota haeresis tractatio. Quae vero scriptura de hoc narravit? Quis prophetarum praecepit hominem adorari, nedum mulierem? Eximium equidem est vas, sed mulier, et nihil a natura immutata, verum et intellectu, et sensu in honore honorata, velut corpora sanctorum; et siquid amplius ad glorificationem dixerim, sicut Helias, ex matre virgo et sic manens in perpetuum, et translatus, et mortem non conspicatus; sicut Johannes qui super pectus Domini recubuit, quem diligebat Jesus; sicut Thecla sancta, et Maria adhuc honoratior hac est, propter dispensationem mysterii qua digna facta est. Sed neque Helias adorandus est etiamsi in vivis sit, neque Johannes adorandus, quanquam per preces suas proprias dormitionem suam admirandam effecerit, imo potius ex Deo gratiam acceperit. Sed neque Thecla, neque quisquam Sanctus adoratur. Non enim dominabitur nobis antiqus error, ut relinquamus Deum viventem, et adoramus ea quae ab ipso facta sunt. i Rom. 1. 25. Coluerunt enim & adorarunt creaturam praeter Creatorem, & stulti facts sunt. Si enim Angelos adorari non vult, quanto magis eam quae genita est ab Anna, quae ex Joachim donata est Annae, quae per preces, & omnem diligentiam sec undum promissionem patri ac matri data est, non tamen aliter genita est praeter hominum naturam, sed sicut omnes ex semine viri & utero mulieris. Tamet si enim Historia Mariae & traditiones habent, quod dictum est patri ipsius Joachim in deserto, Uxor tua concepit; tamen non quod sine conjugio hoc factum, neque sine semine viri, sed futurum Angelus missus praevaticinatus est, ut ne qua haesitatatio fieret propter id quod in veritate factum est, & jam ex Deo ordinatum & justo promissum. Et undiquaque videmus scripturas sic narrantes. Esaias enim praedixit de futuris in filium Dei implendis. k Isay 7. 14. Ecce Virgo in utero habebit, & pariet filium, & vocabunt nomen ipsius Emanuel, etc. Solum enim ipsum decuit, soli ipsi natura cessit, hic velut plastes, & rei potestatem habens, seipsum de virgine velut de terra efformavit, qui de coelis descendit & carnem induit. Deus Verbum ex Sancta Virgin, non tamen ut adoretur virgo, neque ut Deum hanc efficeret, non ut in nomen ipsius offeramus, non ut post tot secula mulieres Sacerdotes ac sacrificulas ostenderet. Non complacuit hoc Deo in Salomne fieri, non in Maria. Non permisit ipsi dare baptisma, non benedicere discipulos, non impetrare in terra jussit, sed et solum ipsam sanctificatam esse, dignam factam esse regno ipsius. Non appellatae Matri Rufi, non his quae secuta sunt ipsum à Galilea, non Marthae sorori Lazari & Mariae, non alicui ex sanctis mulieribus quae dignae facta sunt à praesentia ipsius salvari, & subministrarunt ipsi ex propriis suis bonis, non mulieri Chananitidi, non è sanguinis profluvio laboranti ac sanatae, non ulli alicui mulieri in terra hanc dignitatem demandavit. Vnde igitur rursus nobis rotundus et in orbem se gyrans Draco? Vnde renovantur ob aliquo illa consilia? Sat in honore Maria, Pater, et Filius, et Spiritus sanctus adoretur; Nota. Mariam nemo adoret, non dico mulierem, imo neque virum. Deo debetur hoc mysterium; Neque Angeli capiunt talem glorificationem. Deleantur quae male scripta sunt in cord deceptorum: Tollatur ex oculis cupiditas ligni. Convertatur rursus figmentum ad dominum. Revereatur Eva cum Adam ut Deum colat solum; ne ducatur serpentis voce, sed permaneat in Dei praecepto, ne comedas de ligno. Et erat lignum non error, sed per ipsum lignum facta est inobedientia erroris. Ne comedat quis de errore, qui est propter sanctam Mariam. Nam etsi pulchrum est lignum, sed tamen non ad Cibum; et si pulcherrima est Maria, et sancta et honorata, at non ad Nota. adorationem. Hae vero rursus renovant fortunae mixturam, et praeparant Diabolo et non Deo mensam, velut scriptum est, Et pascuntur cibo impietatis, velut dicit divina Scriptura, & m Isay 7. 18. foeminae terunt pollinem, & filii colligunt ligna, ut faciant placentas oleo subactas exercitui coeli. Compescantur a Jeremia tales Mulieres, et ne turbent orbem terrarum. Ne dicant, honoramus n Jer. 44. 17, 18, 19, 25. Reginam coeli; novit enim Taphnas has punire. Noverunt loci horum aedificiorum corpora suscipere ad putrefactionem. Ne credas. Israel mulieri. o Prov. 6. 25. 26. Resulta à malae mulieris consilio. Mulier enim preciosas virorum animas corripit. Hujus enim pedes ducunt utentes post mortem in Infernum. Ne attendas pravae mulieri, mel enim distillat à labiis mulieris meretricis, quod ad tempus lenit gutturtuum, postea tamen amarius felle reperies, & magis acutum quam anceps Gladius. Ne credas huic mulieri pravae, (omnis enim Haeresis est prava mulier) amplius vero mulierum haeresis haec, et ea quae est ejus qui primam mulierem decepit. Honoretur mater nostra Eva, velut a Deo formata, ne audiatur autem, ut ne persuadeat filios, ut edant de ligno, et transgrediantur mandatum. Poenitentiam vero agat etiam ipsa, vam loquio convertatur pudefacta, et foliis ficus am●cta. Consideret autem seipsum etiam Adam. et non amplius ipsi credat. Nam erroris persuasio, et mulieris ad contrarium consilium mortem proprio conjugi effici, et non solum, sed etiam filiis. Subvertit figmentum Eva per transgressionem irritata, per vocem ac promissionem Serpentis, seducta ex praedicatione, et ad aliam sententiam progressa. Quapropter omnium Dominus & Salvator volens curare morbum, & aedificare subversum, & corrigere imminutum, quandoquidem à muliere mors in mundum venit, ex muliere virgine ipse genitus est, quo mortem concluderet, & defectum expleret, & imminutum perficeret. Revertitur autem nobis rursus malitia, ut defectum in mundum producat. Sed neque juvenes, neque senes credunt mulieri, propter temperantiam ab initio. Non ludificat Aegyptia castum Joseph, neque evertit, etc. Quam multa dicere possem. Sive enim velut ipsam adorantes Mariam, Ipsi offerant collyridem sive placentam vanae istae mulieres, sive pro ipsa offerre conantur, praedictam hanc putidam oblationem totares stolida est, et aliena, et ex Daemonum motu fraus et impostura. Quo vero non longius extendam sermonem, sufficient nobis relata; Maria in honore sit, Dominus adoretur. justi enim nemini exhibent errorem, Jac. 1. 13, 14, 15. Deus malis non tentatur, & tentat etiam ipse neminem, neque servi ipsius ad deceptionem; Vnusquisque vero tentatur ex propria concupiscentia, attractus & inescatus. Deinde cupiditas parit peccatum, peccatum autem perfectum parit mortem. Caeterum quum de omnibus his haec sufficere, O charissimi putemus; et hanc, ut ita dicam Cantharidem, forma quidem auricolorem, alatam vero ac volantem, venenumque ejaculantem, et virus in seipsum habentem, per Doctrinam veritatis contriverimus, ad unam illam quae adhuc restat pergamus, Deum invocantes, ut opituletur nobis, quo veritatis partes investigemus, et contra adversarios confutationem perfectam efficiamus. All these ancient Passages of Epiphanius directly condemn the Heresy and * See Mr. Cartwright and Dr. Fulke Answer to the Rhemish Testament, on Acts 1. 14. Sect. 7. Idolatry of the Church of Rome, for offering not only the Sacrifices of Tapers, Gold, Frankincese, and other things, but even of Prayers, Praises, Psalms, Thanksgivings, and solemn Vows to the Virgin Mary, and other Saints, which the Collyridians' never did; whom yet a Apparatus, An. 48. nu. 14. An. 373. n. 5 Cardinal Baronius, Spondanus, b De Cultu Sanctorum, & De Ecclesia Triumphante. Bellarmine, and other Pontificians confess to be both Heretics and Idolaters, only for sacrificing Cakes, and adoring her as aforesaid; which I desire all Romanists seriously to consider. 6ly. I further appeal to all judicious, unbiased Roman Catholics, whether upon serious consideration of the premises, our Protestant Kings, Bishops, Churches of England, Scotland and Ireland, had not just cause, grounds, in point of conscience, to abominate all these heretical, blasphemous, idolatrous Abominations, Devotions, Assertions, Practices of the Church of Rome, as Antichristian Innovations, Corruptions, to * 2 Cor. 6. 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 1 Cor. 5. 10, 11, 11. Rev. 18 4. I say 52. 1● Ro. 16. 17, 18. 2 Thes. 3. 6. 2 Tim. 3. 1. to 10. 2 John 10. 11. 1 The Primer in English and Latin, Paris 15●8. f. 29. Officium B. Mariae Virgins nup. r reformatum, & P● V. Pontificis Maximi jussu editum, Ro●en 1632. Horae B. Mariae ad usum Romanum, Antwerpiae, 1568. p. 8. 2 Le●esma, Petrus Canisius Summae Doctrinae Christianae, p. 78. Catechismus Tridentinus 3 Georgius Bartholdu. Pontanus R●●ua e Parachorum, Col●●●●ae Agrip. 1611. p. 60, 61, & Pontific●●● Romanam lib 2 p. 367, 368. separate themselves from them, and all others of like nature accompanying them; and to renounce the Pope's usurped Authority, which introduced, fomented, establshsd them, and would never to this day suppress or reform them, after all detections, convictions of their execrable impiety, idolatry, and inconsistency with the Principles, Verity, Purity of the Christian Religion, and Divine Worship of God alone, prescribed in his Word. 7ly. Whether this was not the main ground of their impious bold obliterating the 2. Commandment out of the Decalogue in all their 1 Offices, Primers, Hours, Psalters of our Lady, and most of their late ² Catechisms, because it is diametrically repugnant to, and inconsistent with their erections, invocations, adorations of, prostrations to the Images, Statues, Pictures of our Lady, and saying Ave mary's, Pater nosters, with other prayers to and before them, as if she and they were God himself. And because it is directly contrary to this their usual form of consecrating their adored Images of God, Christ, the Virgin Mary, and other Saints, thus recorded in their 3 Rituale Parachorum. Benedictio Imaginum Dei, aut B. Mariae Uirginis, vel Sanctorum. Adjutorium nostrum, etc. Domine exaudi, etc. Dominus vobiscum, etc. Oremus. Omnipotens sempiterne Deus, te suppliciter exoramus, ut hanc Imaginem in memoriam et honorem tui, vel unigeniti filii tui Domini nostri jesu Christi, vel beatissimae Uirginis Matris Domini, vel beati N. praeparatam bene † dicere et sanctificare † digneris, ut quicunque ad ipsum venerandum se devote inclinaverint, salutem mentis et corporis consequantur, et quicquid juste petierint, se impetrasse fatentur, etc. Et aspergantur aqua benedicta. And to the larger special form, de Benedictione Imaginis beatae Mariae Uirginis, to be made by their Bishops alone in all their Pontifical accoutrements, with no less than 4. special Prayers; quatenus precibus ejusdem sacratissimae Uirginis quocunque eandem Reginam et gratiocissimam Dominam nostram coram bac effigie suppliciter honorare studuerint, et de instantibus periculis eruantur, et in conspectu divinae Majestatis tuae de commissis et omissis veniam impetrent, ac mereantur in praesenti gratiam quam desiderant adipisci, et in futuro perpetua salvatione cum electis tuis valeant gratulari. And with the reptition of Psal. 87. & 123. Unto thee lift I up mine eyes, O thou (blessed Lady Mary) that dwellest in the Heavens, etc. with the Magnificat Luke 1. and Allelujahs, Ave mary's, and these two special Antiphonaes chanted to her before her new consecrated Images, by their whole Cathedral Chorus, with sound of Organs, Sacbuts, and all kinds of Music, (as at the consecration of * Dan. 3. 5, 7. Nebuchadonosors golden Image) Sub tuum praesidium confugimus, Sancta Dei genetrix, nostras deprecationes ne despicias in necessitatibus, sed a periculis cunctis libera nos, semper Uirgo gloriosa et benedicta. O gloriosa Dei genetrix Uirgo semper Maria, quae Dominum omnium meruisti portare, et Regem Angelorum sola Uirgo lactare, nostri quesumus pia memorare, et pro nobis jesum Christum deprecare, ut tuis fulti patrociniis ad coelestia Regna mereamur pervenire. All which are prescribed in the very Pontificale Romanum, Clementis 8. Pontificis Max. jussu restitutum atque editum, authorized by his special Bull prefixed to it, in perpetuam rei memoriam, Datum Romae apud Sanctum Petrum, sub Annulo Piscatoris, die decima Februarii 1596. Pontificatus nostri anno quinto; printed then at Rome, and since that Antwerpiae 1627. lib. 3. p. 364. Which Prayers, Antiphonaes, Images, can no more consist with, nor stand upright before the Second Commandments presence, than the Image of Dagon with and before the * 1 Sam. 5. 2, 3, 4. Ark of God, but must needs fall down on their faces, and lose both their heads and feet before it, which it quite cuts off; to prevent which they have totally expunged it out of all their Offices, Primers, Hours, Crowns, Litanies, late Catechisms, and other Offices of our Lady, worthy our special notice. 8ly. Whether the premised passages concerning their Lady Mary's Universal Sovereign Power, Monarchy over all Angels, powers, Kingdoms, Nations, Persons, Churches, Creatures both in Heaven, Earth, Purgatory and Hell, as their real Lady, Queen, Empress, Goddess; with her Prophetical and Sacerdotal Offices of the Advocate, Mediatrix, Reconciliatrix, Redemptrix, Saviouresse, Helper, Instructor, etc. of all Catholics, Saints, or Sinners, and of all afflicted, distressed persons in earth, purgatory, and hell itself, do not very much eclipse, impeach, if not subvert the Sovereign Kingly power, Priesthood and Prophetical Offices of Christ; and totally overthrow all St. Peter and Pope's Claims, Titles, Charters, pretences thereunto, even by their own premised Doctrines, resolutions, and these very Texts of Psal. 110. 1. Mat. 28. 19, 20. Phil. 2. 9, 10. with others, on which they found her temporal Monarchy over the whole Church, world, whiles on earth, and ever since her Ascension into Heaven: And if so, as the premises clearly evidence; Whether they must not now in point of conscience, justice, policy, henceforth renounce their Popes pretended Universal Ecclesiastical and Temporal Monarchy over all Churches, Kingdoms, Nations, Persons throughout the world; if they will avoid her displeasure, retain her favour, or enjoy the benefit of her Intercession, Advocation, Mediation, and Reconciliation; Or else abandon her forecited Dominion, Monarchy, and Empire over them, to retain and enjoy the Popes; Or otherwise professedly disclaim and abjure both their pretended Monarchies, Powers, as inconsistent with Christ's Sovereign Regal, Sacerdotal, Prophetical Offices, and the ancient Sovereign Ecclesiastical and Temporal Prerogatives of all Christian Emperors, Kings, Monarches, but more especially of our own? I have the longer insisted on these particulars, as not only most pertinent to subvert the Popes pretended Universal Monarchy, Vicarship, and the very foundations whereon it depends, and as most powerful arguments both to reclaim all seduced Pontificians from the Idolatry of the Church of Rome, and keep all unstable Protestants from Apostatising to her; but likewise because our two Archbishops of Canterbury, * See his Treatise De Excellentia B. Virgins Mariae; & Bernardinus de Busti, Mariale Pars 10. Sermo 2. sect. ult. De Gaudiis Mariae. Anselm and Becket, (canonised for Saints in and by the Popes and Church of Rome) who first introduced the Offices, Joys, public Invocations of the Virgin Mary into our English Church, and extolled her Sovereignty, Excellencies above her Sons, were the two first grand Traitorous Oppugners, Underminers of our Kings Ecclesiastical Sovereignty and Jurisdiction, as well as of Jesus Christ's, and first Propugners of the Pope's Usurpations; not unworthy observation. I might here subjoin to these their Catholic Blasphemies concerning the Virgin Mary's Monarchy, Mediation, Redemption, etc. the like concerning her two grand Chaplains St. Francis and St. Dominick; to whom their followers apply sundry Scripture Texts peculiar to our Lord Jesus Christ his person, Kingly and Priestly Offices, in derogation of his Sovereignty, Priesthood, Advocation, and of the Virgin Maries and Popes too: Witness their a Pag. 4, 5, 6, 13, 14, 17, 24, 66, 78, 144, 149, 247. See Philippus Mornay Hist. Papatus, Salmutii 161 1. p. 344, 345. Vincentius Belvacensis Speculum Hist. l. 3. c. 97. Antonini Chron. pars 3. Tit. 24. c. 1, 2, etc. Ribadeniera Fleurs des Vies des Saints, part 2. p. 281, etc. Bernard. in Rosario, & Vitis Patrum. Conformitatum Sancti Francisci, (presented by Bartholomaeus de Pisis to, and specially approved by the General Chapter of the Franciscans, Assisii 2ᵒ Augusti 1389. as Liber Aureus, yea by Pope Gregory the 9 Alexander the 5. Nicholas the 3. Benedict the 12. since printed and reprinted by public authority) wherein they assert of St. Francis; Ipse merito dicere posset illud, quod cantatur in Evangelio; Omnia mihi tradita sunt à Patre meo. Ero illi in Patrem, & ipse erit mihi in Filium. Hic est Dei gratia, totus Christo conformis: Omnis perfectionis exemplar; In gloria Dei Patris Deificatus: In gloria Sanctorum Deo unitissimus. Vnde et praefuit universae creaturae, factus unus Spiritus cum Deo. Quem Ecclesia militans ADVOCATUM apud Deum possidere meruit. Exiens de vulnere laterale Christi, jesus typicus passione factus, ad similitudinem jesu Christi crucifixi. In eo passio jesu Christi pro genere humano renovatur. De quo David dixerit; Gloria & honore coronasti eum, & constituisti super opera manuum tuarum; Datus est, in lucem Gentium. Quod propter unam Missam beati Francisci placatus fuerit Deus pro toto mundo. Omnes salvantur qui moriuntur in ordine et sub regula Sancti Francisci. Et indutio cuculli dat ei plenam peccatorum remissionem, tam a poena quam a culpa. In a word, Christus oravit, Franciscus exoravit. Witness what b Chronica pars 3. Tit. 23. c. 1, 1, 3, 4. Laurentius Surius De Vitis Sanctorum Tom. 14. Theodoricus de Alpodis in Vita ejus, Ribadeniera Fleurs des Vies des Saints part 2. p. 85, to 96. Philippus Mo●nay Historia Papatus, p. 346, 347. St. Antoninus Archbishop of Florence, Surius, Ribadeniera, and others, story of St. Dominick; Christus post mortem dicit, Omnis potestas mihi dara est in coelo & in terra: Et haec potestas non parum communicata est Dominico, (therefore not wholly transferred to the Pope or Virgin Mary) coelestium, terrestrium, et insernorum. Nam Angelos Sanctos in suum Ministerium habebat, ad nutum ejus Daemones contremiscebant, nec imperium ejus recusare valebant: (for which they produce several examples) Quia Christo similis, à Demino Christo aptissime denominatus est Dominicus. Dominicus namque quasi totus Domini: Vt Christus sit Dominus absolutè, & authoritatiuè, Dominicus autem principaliter & possessive: Whom as they parallel with Christ in many things, so they prefer before Christ in others, as in the multitude of his miracles, and prevalency of his Prayers and Advocation. Nam Christus cum in horto oravit, Calicem à se transferri, non fuit exauditus, etc. Dominicus autem cuidam religioso viro sibi familiari insinuavit; se nunquam a Deo aliquid postulasse, quod ad votum non obtinuerit. That, Christus Dominus dilexit nos, & lavit nos à peccatis nostris in sanguine suo; but by one suffering. Dominicus verò charitatis perfectione non vacans, pro salute omnium animam ponere promptus erat: For which end, trinam disciplinam quasi de manu propria non cordula, sed cathena ferrea usque ad sanguinis effusionem▪ capiebat; pro suis culpis unam quae minimae erant, pro in purgatorio existentibus aliam, tertiam pro iis qui versantur in mundo. That at his death, to comfort his sorrowful and mourning Disciples, he used the same words to, and Prayer for them, as Christ did to his Disciples John 17. promising them, In loco ad quem vado utilior vobis ero quam hic: Et post mortum ADVOCATUM POTIOREM HABEBITIS, quam in hac vita habere possitis: As if he would then prove a better Advocate for them in Heaven, than the Virgin Mary, or Christ himself: Who both honoured him so far, That adfuit in hac hora transitus sui beata Virgo cum Filio; as was revealed to Freer Guala, than Prior, afterwards Bishop of Brixia, who saw Heaven opened, and two most white Ladders let down from thence: Summitatem unius scalae tenebat in manu beata Virgo Maria, alterius summitatem Filius ejus Jesus Christus tenebat: Angeli autem discurrebant per eas ascendendo & descendendo; at the end of both which Ladders St. Dominick was placed in a Chair fastened to them; Scalas autem illas sursum trahebat Dominus Jesus cum Matre paulatim, & ducebatur sursum simul cum illis scalis sedes pariter cum sedente comitantibus Angelis. Denique receptis in coelum scalis & sede cum sedente, apertura illa coeli clausa est, visuque disparuit. In brief, they prefer him before St. Paul, and all the Apostles; recording, that before his birth there appeared to all the people two Images in the Church of St. Mark at Venice, the one of St. Paul, with this motto under it, Per istum itur ad Christum; the other of St. Dominick, with this inscription, Facilius itur per ipsum; Quia (writes St. Antoninus) Doctrina Pauli sicut caeterorum Apostolorum, erat Doctrina inducens ad fidem & observantiam praeceptorum: Doctrina Dominici ad observantiam consiliorum; et ideo facilius per istum itur ad Christum: and so by his Mediation and Advocation, they may easier go and be reconciled to God the Father, then by Christ's, St. Paul's, or their grand Advocate the Virgin Maries. I shall no longer insist on these or any other of their Saints Powers or Advocations, but proceed to the second sort of established Doctrines and Practices in the Church of Rome, which directly overthrow the very foundation of St. Peter's and the Pope's Universal Monarchy over the World and Church Militant; to wit, * See Here p. 10, 11. Franciscus Torrensis De Summi Pontificis, supra Concilia auctoritate, lib. 1. & 2. Christ's personal corporal absence from his Church, and all Kingdoms, Nations on Earth, during his residence at his Father's right hand in Heaven; which could not be supplied but only by constituting St. Peter and Popes his pretended Successors in his Chair at Rome, to succeed him in his Supreme Universal Monarchy and Priesthood, as his sole Viceroys and Vicars, to instruct, feed, comfort, direct, rule them in his stead, until his second coming to Judgement. This foundation of St. Peter's and Popes pretended Universal Monarchy, Vicarship, as it is directly contradicted, 1. By our Saviour's own express promises, made to his Apostles, Church, at the very time of his ascension, when he informed them, * Id est, in Eucharistia, secundum humanam & divinam naturam, writes Petius Canisius Societat. Jesus, Summa Doctr. Christianae, De Eucharist. Sacramento, sect. 4. p. 153. all power is given to me in heaven and earth; and that with a special Ecce, Mat. 28. 20. And lo I am with you always, even to the end of the world: And before that time, Mat. 18. 20. Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them: As likewise Hebr. 13. 5, 6. For he hath said, c Deut. 31, 6. 1 Chron. 28, 20. Josh. 1. 5. Psal. 56. 4, 11. I will never leave thee nor forsake thee; So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, I will not fear what man can do unto me. Compared with Ps. 125. 2. As the mountains are round about Jerusalem, so the Lord is round about his people from henceforth even for ever. Isa. 43. 2. When thou passest through the waters I will be with thee, and through the rivers they shall not overflow thee; when thou walkest through the fire thou shalt not be burnt, neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. Fear not, for I am with thee. Psal. 91. 15. He shall call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him, and honour him. Isa. 41. 10, 13, 14. Fear thou not, for I am with thee be not dismayed, for I am thy God; I will strengthen thee, yea I will help thee, yea I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. For I the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not, I will help thee. Fear not thou worm; Jacob, and ye men of Israel; I will help thee, saith the Lord, and thy redeemer the holy one of Israel. Together with Jer. 1. 8, 19 c. 15. 20. c. 30. 11. c. 39 17, 18. to the same effect; Thus experimentally fulfilled after his ascension into heaven, Acts 18. 9, 10. Then spoke the Lord unto Paul in the night in a vision, Be not afraid, but speak and hold not thy peace. For I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee. 2 Tim 4. 16, 17, 18. At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me; notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me, that by me (not Peter) the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear; and I was delivered out of the mouth of the Lion. And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me to his heavenly kingdom. 2ly. By Christ's reiterated promises to send the Holy Ghost as a Comforter unto his Apostles, Church, Saints, to supply his absence, (not St. Peter, or the Pope) John 14. 16, 17, 26. I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever: Even the spirit of truth, for he dwelleth in you, and shall be with you. I will not leave you Orthans, I will come to you; because I live; ye shall live also. But the Comforter, the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, etc. John 16. 7, 8. It is expedient for you that I go away; for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. And when he is come, he shall convince the world of sin, etc. which promises he fulfilled in sending the Holy Ghost upon them in cloven tongues, immediately after his ascension; Acts 2. and by shedding him on them and us abundantly, through Jesus Christ; Tit. 3. 5, 6. 1 Cor. 12. 4, 5, etc. 3ly. By Christ's express provision for his Churches, when he ascended up on high, and gave several gifts unto all his Apostles and others, (not to Peter alone) for the perfecting of the Saints, for the work of the Ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, to wit, his Church; Ephes. 2. 8, to 17. 1 Cor. 12▪ 4, etc. to 31. All which as they subvert this foundation of St. Peter's and Pope's pretended Monarchy and Vicarship. So likewise; 4ly. It is directly refuted, disproved, and totally overturned by the avowed Practices, established, professed Doctrines of the Church and Popes of Rome; to wit, of the breads and wines * Petrus Canisius Sum. Doctr. Christianae, De Eucharist. Sacramento, sect. 4, 5, 6. Sec Here p. 15. real transubstantiation in the Sacrament of the Lords Supper, by Hoc est corpus meum, etc. uttered by the Priest, into the very natural body and blood of Jesus Christ, born of the Virgin Mary, crucified on the Cross, ascended into Heaven, accompanied with his humane soul, and actually united to his Deity; his whole body, person both as God and Man, being really and substantially present in, and contained under every consecrated Hostia, and each part thereof, and in every drop of the consecrated wine too on earth; and thereupon adored by them as their Lord God and Saviour, with Latria or divine adoration; whose very body is made and continually reserved by them in all their Churches, * See Benedictio Tabernaculi pro corpore Domini nostri Jesu Christi in eo condendo: Missale parvum pro Sacerdotibus in Anglia itinerantibus, Anno 1624. p. 146. Pixes, under lock and key, carried about in Processions, and to sick persons; as their Popes, Councils, Doctors of all sorts assert, and their grand Council of Trent, hath thus Affirmatively and Negatively resolved in direct words. d Concilium Tridentinum, Sessio 13. Decretum de Sanctissimo Eucharistiae Sacramento, Surius Concil. Tom. 4. c. 3, to 5. p. ●34, to 937▪ Thomas Waldensis Doctrine. Fidei, Tom. 2. De Sacramento Eucharistiae, c. 25. sect. 2. Semper haec fides in Ecclesia Dei fuit, statim post consecrationem, verum Domini nostri corpus, verumque ejus sanguinem, sub panis et vini specie, una cum ipsius anima et divinitate existere, sed corpus quidem sub specie panis, animamque sub utroque, vi naturalis illius connexionis et concomitantiae, qua partes Christi Domini, qui jam ex mortuis resurrexit non amplius moriturus inter se copulantur, divinitatem porro propter admirabilem illam ejus cum corpore et anima hypostaticam unionem. Quapropter verissimum est, tantundem sub alterutra specie, atque sub utraque contineri: Totus enim & integer Christus sub panis specie, & sub quavis ipsius speciei parte; totus item sub vini specie & sub ejus partibus existit. Quoniam autem Christus Redemptor noster corpus suum, id quod sub specie panis offerebat, vere esse dixit, ideo persuasum semper in Ecclesia Dei fuit, idque nunc denuo Sancta haec Synodus declarat, per consecrationem panis et vini conversionem fieri totius substantiae vini in substantiam sanguinis ejus: quae conversio convenienter et proprie a Sancta Catholica Ecclesia transubstantiatio est appellata. Nullus itaque dubitandi locus relinquitur, quin omnes Christi fideles pro more in Catholica Ecclesia semper recepto latriae cultum, qui vero Deo debetur, huic Sanctissimo Sacramento in veneratione adhibeant. Neque enim minus est adorandum quod fuerit a Christo Domino, ut sumatur institutum. Nam illum eundem Deum praesentem in eo adesse credimus quem Pater aeternus introducens in orbem terrarum dicit,; Et adorent eum omnes Angeli Dei; quem Magi pro●identes adoraverunt, quem denique in Galilea ab Apostolis adoratum fuisse Scriptura testatur. Declarat praeterea Sancta Synodus, pie & religiose admodum in Dei Ecclesiam inductum fuisse hunc morem, ut * Co●pus Christi day, See Rib●denicia & Surius on that Fevistal, & others Postils thereon. singulis annis peculiari quodam et festo die praecelsum hoc et venerabile Sacramentum singulari veneratione ac solemnitate celebraretur, utque in processionibus reverenter, et honorifice illud per vias et loca publica circumferretur, etc. Consuetudo asservandi in sacrario Sanctam Eucharistiam, etc. antiqua est. Porro deferri ipsam sacram Eucharistiam ad infirmos et in hunc usum diligenter in Ecclesiis conservari, praeterquam quod cum summa aequitate & ratione conjunctum est, tum multis in Conciliis praeceptum invenitur, & vetustissimo Catholicae Ecclesiae more est observatum. Quare Sancta haec Synodus retinendum omnino salutarem hunc et necessarium morem statuit. To which they subjoin these Canons in the Council of Trent, against the Wicklevists, Hussites, Lutherans, Protestants, and all other dissenters from them. * Surius Ibid. Canon 1. Siquis negaverit in Sanctissimo Eucharistiae Sacramento contineri, vere, realiter et substantialiter corpus et sanguinem, una cum anima et divinitate Domini nostri jesu Christi, ac proinde totum Christum: Sed dixerit tantummodo esse in eo, ut in signo, vel figura aut virtute, Anathema sit. Canon 2. Siquis dixerit, in Sacrosanctae Eucharistiae Sacramento remanere substantiam panis et vini, una cum corpore et sanguine Domini nostri jesu Christi, negaverit que mirabilem illam et singularem conversionem totius substantiae panis in corpus, et totius substantiae vini in sanguinem, manentibus duntaxat speciebus panis et vini, quam quidem conversionem Catholica Ecclesia aptissime Transubstantiationem appellat, Anathema sit. Canon 3. Siquis negaverit in venerabili Sacramento Eucharistiae sub unaquaque specie, et sub singulis cujusque speciei partibus separatione facta totum Christum contineri, Anathema sit. Canon 4. Siquis dixerit, peracta consecratione in admirabili Eucharistiae Sacramento, non esse corpus et sanguinem Domini nostri jesu Christi, sed tantum in usu dum sumitur, non autem ante vel post, et in hostiis seu particulis consecratis, quae post communionem reservantur vel supersunt, non remanere verum corpus Domini, Anathema sit. Canon 6. Siquis dixerit, in Sancto Eucharistiae Sacramento Christum unigenitum Dei filium non esse cultu Latriae etiam externo adorandum, atque ideo nec festiva peculiari celebritate venerandum, neque in processionibus, secundum laudabilem et universalem Ecclesiae Sanctae ritum et consuetudinem solenniter circungestandum, vel non publice, ut adoretur populo proponendum, et ejus adoratores esse idololatras, Anathema sit. Canon 7. Siquis dixerit, non licere sacram Eucharistiam in sacrario reservari, sed statim post consecrationem astantibus necessario distribuendam, aut non licere, ut illa ad infirmos honorifice deferatur, Anathema sit. These Canons and Doctrines of theirs, are confirmed by the generality of all their e See Th. Waldensis Doctrinalis Fidei, Tom. 3. Tit. 4. De Missarum Sacr. c. 38. Tom. 2. De Sacramento Eucharistiae, cap. 21, to 9●. Canonists and Glossers, in Gratian De Consecratione, Distinctio 4. by all their Schoolmen, Divines, and others, in their Treatises De Sacramento Eucharistiae, De Missae Sacrificio, & Transubstantiatione; their f See the Rhemists in their Notes on Acts 1. vers. 11. & 1 Cor. 10. & 11. Commentators on the Evangelists, Acts, and St. Paul's Epistle to the Corinthians, of which there are thousands; who generally assert▪ Verum et totum Christi corpus et sanguis, in vera carne et forma et quantitate, quam de Virgin sumpsit, et habuit in cruse, sub specie panis et vini, ubique est vere et realiter in quolibet altari ubi consecratur, vel asservatur, tamen non subjicitur corporis sensibus. Hostia consecrata est identice corpus Christi, et Deus secundum essentiam. From these their Roman Catholic premises, I shall thus argue: If the very natural body and blood of Jesus Christ, born of the Virgin Mary, crucified for us on the Cross, together with his humane soul and Deity, be really and substantially present in and under every consecrated Hostia and piece thereof, in every sacred drop of Wine, and in every Church, Pix, Place throughout the world, where the Elements of Bread and Wine are consecrated, or Hostiaes' reserved, as their Councils, Schoolmen, Casuists, Canonists, Missals, and Popes themselves resolve; Then St. Peter and Popes neither are nor can be his Vicars-general in any such Church or Place, because the sole ground, or chief foundation whereon they found St. Peter and the Pope's Universal Vicarship over the Church Militant on earth, is Christ corporal absence from it in his humane body and nature, upon and ever since his ascension into heaven, as g See Baronius An. 34 sect. 59 See Here p. 15. Hervaeus Brito Quodlibetti Sept. qu. 5. Tho. Waldensis Doctrinalis Fidei, Tom. 2. De Eucharistiae Sacram. c. 21, to 95. they acknowledge: But by their own premised contradictory Resolutions, Christ himself remains always not only spiritually, but likewise corporally and personally present on earth in both his Natures, in every consecrated Hostia, and sacred drop of Wine, and will be so in all their Churches where Hostiaes' are and must be reserved, till the end of the world; therefore they cannot possibly be his Vicars or Successors: For if Christ's corporal presence with his Church and Disciples, but in one place alone at one time, before his ascension into Heaven, (he being never corporally present in two places at the selfsame time when on earth, as all the h Mat. 15. 21, 29. c. 24. 23. c. 26. 36. c. 28. 6. Mar. 1. ●5. c. 6. 46. c. 16. 6. Lu. 2. 4, 6, 15, 31, 36. c. 21. 37, to 52. Joh. 6. 3, 15, 43. c. 11. 28. c. 12. 36. Evangelists attest, but only in one) did really exclude, totally disable St. Peter himself to be his Vicar-general, because he needed no Vicar whiles himself was there corporally resident: And since by the rules of the Canon, Civil, and Common Laws, In praesentia majoris cessat potentia minoris, the Popes or other Bishop's Vicars-general, and Kings Viceroys being useless, and having no actual Jurisdiction at all as such, when and where Popes, Bishops, or Kings themselves are really present in proper person: Then à multo fortiori, Christ's personal corporal real presence as aforesaid, in every Hostia, Chalice, Pix, Church, and on every Altar, (especially in Rome, and other great Cities where there are so many Hostiaes' continually consecrated, reserved, adored, and carried in Processions) must exclude St. Peter's and Pope's pretended Vicarship in every Church, Place throughout the Pope's Dominions, and the world, even to Christ's second coming. And so much the rather, because their i Bernardinus de Busti, Mariale pars 11. Sermo 1. pars 5. quae dicitur Consolationis, Michael Lochmair Sermo 76, 77. Gasper Lao●ite, of the glorious mystery of the Assumption of our Lady, Georgius Bartholdus Pontanus, Aureum Diurnale Concionatorum, Ribadeniera Fleurs des Vies des Saints and most others in their Histories and Postils of her Assumpnon. Doctors, Writers, Legends assure us, that Christ in his very humane body, nature, since his ascension, hath sundry times descended from his Father's right hand in heaven, to his Saints and Church on earth, upon several occasions; 1. To visit his Mother Mary in her sickness; 2ly. To inter her body, after he had ascended with her soul into heaven; 3ly. At her corporal assumption into heaven, some 15 or 16 years after his ascension, (many years before St. Peter's death) For, 1. They assure us, that her death being predicted by an Angel sent from heaven, who saluted her with sundry Ave Maries; thereupon, Apostoli cum essent in diversis mundi partibus dispersi, in quibus fidem Christi praedicabant, desiderans illos videre beatissima Virgo ante mortem suam, affectansque eos esse praesentes sacrae dormitioni, & ejus corpori impendere sepulturam, Dominus noster Jesus Christus filius ejus, eos fecit esse ante conspectum Matris suae dilectissimae. What speeches she made to them, and in what sort they condoled her death, (Christ having left her with them to comfort them and supply his absence) you may read at large in Bernardinus de Busti; she assuring them, Cum filius meus semper permansurus sit vobiscum; Mat. 28. 20. Ego. quoque nunquam recedens ab eo vos non deseram, sed ad pugnam confortabo, ad filium advocabo. That likewise, Jesus Christus filius ejus eam in infirmitate visitavit. Ipse Dominus Jesus de coelo descendit cum Angelicis ordinibus, cum Coetu Patriarcharum, cum Martyrum exercitu, cum Virginum Choro, cum societate confessorum, & omnium Sanctorum, qui omnes ipso Domino incipiente subsequentes dulcia cantica circa lectum beatissimae Virginis frequentabant, etc. Ipse enim Dominus Jesus post suavissima oscula & dulcissimos amplexus dixit dulcissimae matri suae illud, Cant. 3. Veni de Libano, etc. Ascendit autem coelos Dominus noster Jesus Christus, cum anima gloriose suae dilectissimae matris, cum ineffabili totius curiae coelestis jubilatione, et ad dextram Throni sui in Gloria eam collocavit, etc. After which, 2ly. Ipse Dominus Jesus sicut sua dilictissima mater corpus ejus mortuum sepelierat: Ita etiam voluit corpus ipsius matris propriis manibus in sepulchro coaptare, etc. Opus enim miscricordiae sepelire mortuos. Ergo ipse Pater Misericordiarum Dominus Jesus matris suae sepulturae, in propria persona voluit interest. 3ly. How he afterwards descended personally with all the Angels, to assume and carry up her body in triumph into heaven, you have * Here p. 17, 19, 20, 23, 24, 28. formerly heard. Now these three descents of Christ in his natural body (during St. Peter's life) did certainly interrupt or suspend his pretended Vicarship. How many scores of times he hath corporally descended from thence, and visibly appeared on earth to several of their Romish Canonised Saints, you may read at large in Vincentius his Speculum Historiale, Jacobus de Voragine, Antonini Chronicon, Hercules Lipomanus, Surius, Capgrave, Ribadeniera, and sundry others who have written the Legends and Stories of their Lives. Our k Chron. Joannis Bromton, col. 1076, 1078 See St Bernard in vita Malachiae Archiepiscopi, Giraldus Cambrensis, Hybernia, etc. Mr. Cambden of Ireland, p. 116. Henr. de Knyghton de Event. Angl. 1. 2. c. 10. col. 2399. Monkish Chronicles relate, that Christ personally appeared to St. Patrick in Ireland, before he was made a Bishop, dans sibi textum Evangelii, & baculum unum, qua adhuc manent in patria illa apud summum Archiepiscopum; per quem baculum, ut aiunt, Patricius primus vermes ejecit: After which, Eduxis Dominus Patricium in desertum locum, ubi fossam rotundam intrinsecus obscuram ostendit, (since styled Purgatorium Patricii) dicens; Quod si veraciter quis poenitens per diem & noctem in illa fossa manserit, & fide constans per illam transierit, videbit tormenta malorum, & gaudia beatorum: After which Christ disappeared. They further assert, that Christ appeared to l Chron. Gervasii, col. 1401. Thomas Becket Archbishop of Canterbury, when he celebrated the Mass, and said unto him with an audible voice; Thomas, Thoma, Ecclesia mea glorificabitur in sanguine tuo, (twice one after another) & tu verè glorificaberis. That m Henricus de Knyghton de Event. Angl. l. 2. c. 10. col. 2399, 2432, 2433. Anno Dom. 1188. Jesus Christus visibiliter apparuit in ne'er, Cruse pendens, apud Dunstapulam in Anglia, videntibus multis: That about the year 1216. Christ himself in the form of a beautiful Child appeared to St. Edmund Archbishop of Canterbury near Oxford, with this Inscription in his forehead; Jesus Nazarenus Rex Judaeorum; saluting him with a Salve dilecte mi, miror quod me non agnoscis, praesertim cum ad latus tuum in scholis, & alibi jugiter assistam quod igitur videris in fancy meascriptum, hoc fronti tuae singulis noctibus imprime.; I shall instance only in two foreign particulars of special Note, omitting all others: The first is, Christ's often appartions to their Seraphical Doctor St. Francis, and sending a Seraphin to him with a Crucifix, who actually imprinted in his hands, feet, and side, the characters of all the wounds which Christ suffered on the Cross, as Antoninus, Bonaventura, Bernardinus de Senis, Ribadeniera, and others attest in his life. The second is, his frequent apparitions to, and personal familiar almost daily converse with their St. Catharine de Senis, (his most beloved Mistress) whether she were praying, meditating, waking, or sleeping, so that he seemed to be almost perpetually with her: thus related by n Chron. Antonini pars 3. Tit. 23. c. 14. sect: 4, to 12. Surius de Vitis Sanctorum, Tom. 2. Ribadeniera Fleurs des Vies des Saints, part 1. p. 435, to 442. Antoninus' Archbishop of Florence, and others out of him: That St. Catharine having chased away a great company of Devils which assaulted her, quaedam magna lux supernè totam camerulam suam illustrans apparuit, ac in luce illa Dominus Iesus Christus crucifixus, totaliter cruentatus, vocavitque de cruse Virginem, dicens, Catharina, vides, quanta ego passus sum pro te, etc. Et illa victoria habita de inimicis, cepit sacratissimus sponsus ejus Iesus familiariter conversari cum ea, ut incredibile videretur. Apparebat igitur sibi frequentius, Dominus jesus, et diutius solito cum ea manebat: ducebatque secum aliquando beatissimam genetricem suam, aliquando beatum Dominicum, quandoque Mariam Magdalenam, vel Joannem Evangelistam, vel Apostolum Paulum, & alios, secumque confabulabatur sicut amicus cum domestico suo, et frequenter simul Dominus et ipsa dicebant Psalmos, ambulando per camerulam, sicut solent agere duo Clerici vel religiosi suum officium dicentes. Crescente verò quotidie amplius in ea gratia conditoris, unus dierum Christus ei apparens disibiliter sibi eam desponsavit, adstantibus ibi gloriosissima ejus genetrice Maria, ac beatissimo Johanne Evangelista, Apostolo Paulo, ac beato Dominico, & come his David Propheta Psalterium in manu gestante; ac supersuavissime modulante. Et tunc Dei genetrix Maria cepit manum extendere ad Filium, postulans, ut ipsam Catharinam Virginem dignaretur sibi desponsare in fide. Quod annuens Dei filius unigenitus, annulum protulit aureum, habentem in suo circulo quatuor margaritas ac adamantem in summitate inclusum; quem annulum digito Virginis dextra sua imponens, ait; Ecce desponso te mihi Creatori & Salvatori tuo in fide; remansitque annulus in digito; non quidem secundum visionem aliorum, sed tantum secundum Virginis visionem. Post dispensationem praedictam coepit Dominus eam paulatim ad conversationem humanam trahere, unde & postquam sibi apparebat, ut ostendisset sibi quaedam arcana, et cum ipsa horas et Psalmodium dixisset: Subjungebat, vadas quia hora est jam prandii, etc. Et sis cum eyes. Et postea reverta●is ad me, etc. & ad cellulam revertens, sponsum suum jesum imminebat, quem dulcius amplexabatur, & reverentius adorabat. Ex tunc vero cepit, in ea oriri desiderium sacrae communionis sumendae, ut non tantum spiritus ejus ●niretur sponso suo, sed ut corpus ejus (ut it a dixerim) corpori ejus socieretur Sacramentaliter. Erat satis inter Laicos vulgatum, quod Catharina ista quotidie communicabat, atque ex sacro absque alio cibo vitam transigebat. Utique verum non crat, non enim quotidie, said frequenter Sacramentum su●ebat. Senis commoranit Confessori suo significabat, quod tardaret missam suam, quia intendebat adesse, & communicare; sed cum nimis tardaret, peracta consecratione, ●um Sacerdos jam pertransisset ad fractionem hostiae primam in duas parts, Deo dispensante praeter intentionem ejus in tres partes facta est divisio; quarum una in magnitudine quasi unius fabae aspectum ejus subterfugit. Ista particula, (which the Priest could no where find, after much search) was carried by Christ himself to St. Catharine, who coming late, was praying in the Church far from the Altar, the Priest not knowing she was there, her Companions being unwilling she should communicate that morning, she thereupon being loath to grieve them, recurrit ad benignissimum sponsum suum Jesum, qui sublatam a Sacerdote particulam ad eam attulit, et eam propriis manibus communicavit. Cum accipere vellet hostiam parvulam sibi porrigendam, ipsa hostia distans à patina per aliquod spacium, per se accessit ad patinam, vel manum celebrantis divinitus mota, quam e● tradidit. Pluries etiam Sacerdote celebrante, vidit in hostia consecrata puerum jesum, eliquando etiam sub diversis formis ostendentibus magnitudinem Sacramenti. After which Christ appeared to her with a glorious Crown of Gold in his right hand, and a Crown of Thorns in his left, and proffering her which of them she would choose; she electing the Crown of Thorns in this life, to receive the Crown of Gold in the next, she thereupon set it on her bead with such violence, that it pricked and put her to great torment: Yea Christ himself at another time, actually imprinted the wounds of his body, on her body, in this manner, as she related to her Confessor. Dominum meum vidi crucifixum super me magno cum lumine descendentem. Tunc ex sacratissimorum suorum cicatricibus unlnerum quinque in me vidi radios sanguineos descendere, qui ad manus, ad pedes & cor ●ei tendebant corpusculi, ad latus ●inistrum; which put her to such intolerable pain in all the five places, especially at her heart, that she swooned and was like to die; being thus united to Christ in his passion on earth, which she could not be in heaven, the prints thereof remaining in her body. Not long after, o Ibid. Sect. 10. f. 182. Gum semel ferventius Dominum orasset, ut auferret sibi proprium cor, daret que sibi cor secundum ipsum: videbatur sibi, quod adveniens Dominus latus ejus sinistrum aperuit, & cor ejus auferret & absconderet, sicque sine corde remaneret: Postque una dierum in Capella Ecclesiae praedicatorum Senis, circumfulsit eam lux de coelis; & in luce apparuit Dominus ejus, habens in manibus cor rubicundum & lucidum; ad cujus aspectum in terras cecidit, et appropinquans Dominus, aperuit latus ejus sinistrum intromittens cor istud, & dicens; Ecce filia sicut postulasti pridie abstuli tibi cor tuum, & dedi tibi cormeum, quo semper vivas; clausitque latus & abscessit: & pro miraculi signo, remansit in ipso loco cicatrix obducta, ut asseruerunt sociae, quae pluries hoc viderunt. Post hanc cordis immutationem, (and exchange of her heart for Christ's heart) dictbat Confessori suo, tantum gaudium tantamque jubilationem possidere mentem suam, quod grandis erat admiratio qualiter omnia possent in corpore remanere, tantumque ardorem esset in cord suo, quod iste ignis materialis videretur respectu ejus potius refrigerans quam urens, & magis frigidus quam accensus. Altera vice apparuit ei Rex Regum cum coeli Regina matre sua, & Maria Magdalena, dicens, Ecce filia Christiana pro ampliori solatio tuo trado tibi Mariam Magdalenam in matrem, ut possis ad eam cum omni fiducia recurrere, tuique curam spiritualem sibi committo. All these particulars (with others of this kind) are recorded for undoubted truths by Antoninus' Archbishop of Florence, canonised for a Ronvere an Saint, by Laurentius Surius, with others; and last of all by Ribadeniera the Jesuit in her Life, in his Fleurs des Vies des Saints, thus specially approved by the Doctors of Theology at Paris, in the French Translation of him by Rene Gaulier Ang●vin, the last day of November 1608. In les Fleurs des Vies des Saints, A Paris 1637. ●v●● Approbation des Decteurs; who attest in their Approbation thereof, au quel n'avons rien trouve que ne soit conforme à la Foy de l'Eglise Catholic, Apostolic & Roman: Et pourtant l'avons juge tresutile & necessaire pur estre mis in lumiere; yea thought worthy to be dedicated, A le Royne mere du Roy. Now if this be agreeable to the Faith of the Roman Catholic Church, that Christ so familiarly, frequently, and almost continually conversed with this their famous Canonised St. Catharine, for 20. years' space or more together, in his bodily and natural presence on earth, imprinted the five wounds of his own body on hers, showed himself corporally and visibly present oft times to her, when the Priest lifted up the consecrated Hostia, once actually delivered the Eucharist to her with his own hands, thus solemnly espoused her to himself, and exchanged his own heart for hers, not in imagination only but reality; How Popes who lived in that age, could be his real Vicars-general, to supply his corporal or personal absence upon earth, being so visibly present and resident even at Senis and Rome itself, where she frequently was, let them resolve their judicious Proselytes when they are able. I shall further add to this, that Paschatius Ratbertus, (one of the first professed asserters of Transubstantiation, and Christ's corporal presence in the Eucharist) with sundry of their Legends, Monkish Historians, Schoolmen, Canonists and Casuists assure us, that as this St. Catharine did frequently see Christ himself, appearing to her in the shape of a petty Infant in the consecrated Hostia, so he hath likewise several times visibly, really, and miraculously appeared therein to several of their Saints, Priests, and others; sometimes in the form of a little Infant, sometimes of a Lamb, other times in form of raw flesh; and frequently in drops of blood issuing out of the Hostia. I shall recite Paschatius his words and instance to this effect at large, being the first of this kind, I have yet observed. p Paschatius Rathertus De corpore & sanguine Domini, cap. 14. Bibl. Patrum, Coloniae Agripinae, Tom. 9 pars 1. p. 131. Nemo enim qui Sanctorum vitas & exempla l●gerit, potest ignorare, quod saepe haec mystica corporis et sanguinis Sacramenta, aut propter dubios, aut certe propter ardentius amantes, Christum visibili specie in agni forma, aut carnis et sanguinis colore monsirata sint quatenus de se Christus clementer adhuc non credentibus fidem faceret, ita ut dum oblata frangitur vel offertur hostia, videretur agnus in manibus, et cruor in chalice, quasi ex immolatione profluere, ut quod latebat in mysterio, patesceret adhuc dubitantibus in miraculo. Fecit enim hoc pietas divina quibusdam jam credentibus, & tamen adhuc dubitantibus, ut & ipsi fiduciam de veritate perciperent, et aliide miraculo ad fidem solidarentur, & de Christi gratia per eandem fidem uberius partisiparentur. Nam quae verit as re promisit, sine aspectu credenda sunt. Sed quia duri corde sumus, voluit divina mansuetudo in quibusdam omnibus satisfacere, ut ulterius de his ●am nemo dubitet. Porro quod si nec ostensa creduntur, nec ea quae veritas testatur ex fide communicantur, quaer at quilibet ob satisfactionem sui quid expectet, quoniam nihil extra veritatem est; et quicquid veritas habet hoc ostensio per speciem quando placuerit repraesentat. Unde credere oportet, quod et haec oportunissime ostensa sint, et nihil dubitare de iis quae veritas repromittit quia quisquis extra veritatem aliquid quaerit, non nisi falsitatem invenit, & semetipsum (si ea quae à Christo dicta sunt nonreceperit) extra veritatem s●cludit. Quod autem dixi saepe quibusdam ardentius Christum amantibus haec praemonstrata fuisse, unum à pluribus pandam. Nam quidam Presbyter fuit Religiosus valde;; * Plegils' v. Codex. Plegiles nomine, frequenter Missarum solennia celebrans ad corpus Sancti Nini Episcopi & Confessoris, qui cum digno moderamine Sanctam Christo propitio duceret vitam, coepit omnipotentem Deum piis pulsare precibus, ut sibi monstraret naturam corporis Christi atque sanguinis. Itaque non ex infidelitate, ut assolet, sed ex pietate mentis ista petivit. Fuerat enim à puero divinis legibus imbutus, & propter amorem superni Regis olim patriae fines & dulcia liquerat arva, ut Christi mysteria exul sedule discer●t. Idcirco ejus amore mag is succensus, quotidie preciosa munera offerens poscebat sibi praemonstrari, quae foret species latitans sub forma panis & vini. Non quia de corpore Christi dubius esset, sed quia vel sic Christum cernere vellet, quem nemo mortalium jam super astra levatum, in terris * passim. passum, conspicere potest. Venerat ergo dies, * ut. & idem celebrans pie solennia Missarum more solito procubuit genibus; Te deprecor, inquit, omnipotens pande mihi exiguo in hoc mysterio naturam corporis Christi, ut mihi liceat eum prospicere praesentem corporeo visu, & formam pueri, quem olim sinus matris tulit vagientem, nunc manibus contrectare. Qui dum talia precaretur, Angelus de coelo adveniens affatur; Surge, inquit, propera, & si Christum videre placet, adest praesens corporeo vestitus amictu, quem sacra puerpera gessit. Tum venerabilis Presbyter pavidus, ab imo vultum erigens, vidit super aram Patris filium puerum, quem Simeon infantem portare suis ulnis promeruerat. Cui Angelus inquit, quia Christum videre placuit, quem prius sub specie panis verbis mysticis sacrare solebas, nunc oculis conspice, manibus attrecta. Tum Sacerdos coelesti munere fretus, quod dictu mirum est, ulnis trementibus puerum accepit, et pectus proprium Christi pectori junxit. Deinde profusus in amplexum dat oscula Deo, et suis labiis pressit pia labia Christi. Quibus ita exactis, praeclara Dei membra restituit in verticem altaris et replevit coelesti pabulo Christi mensam. Tunc rursus homo prostratus deprecatus est Deum, ut dignaretur ipse iterum verti in pristinam speciem. Qui expleta oratione surgens à terra, invenit corpus Christi in formam remeasse Priorem, uti deprecatus fuerat. Et mira omnipotentis Dei dispensatio, qui ob unius desiderium, ita se praebere dignatus est visibilem, non in figura Agni, ut aliis quibusdam sub hoc mysterio, sed in forma pueri, quatenus et veritas patesceret in ostenso, et Sacerdotis desiderium impleretur ex miraculo, nostraque fides firmaretur ex relatu. Veruntamen non prius idem communicasse pueri corpus et sanguinem legitur, quam rediret in prioris formae speciem: Ne absurdum videretur quod praesumpserat, & fides uberius requiratur interius in ●odem, quod exterius visu conspexerat. Hoc interim dixisse sufficiat de ostensione carnis Christi pro assertione veritatis; although this Miracle was seen only by this Priest himself, and no other spectators. Our famous Historian q De Gestis Regum Angl. l. 3. p. 114, 115. See Bp. Ushers Answer to the Jesuits Challenge, p. 70, 71. Willielmus Malmesburiensis, relating this Miracle out of Paschatius, Presbyterum Plegildum, visibiliter speciem pueri in altar contractasse, & post libata oscula in panis similitudinem conversum Ecclefiastico more sumpsisse; adds, quod arroganti cavillatione ferunt Berengarium, sic carpere solitum; speciosa certè pax Nebulonis, ut cui oris praebuerat basium, dentium inferret exitium; quaele de pusione Judaico, quod in Ecclesiam cum coaequaevo Christiano fortè & ludibunde ingressus, * Which occasioned the Pagans forgery, that the Primitive Christians did in their Feasts kill and cat an Infant covered with past, and divide him amongst them, etc. Minucius Felix Octavius, Epiphanius Haer: 26. See Bishop Mortons' Institution of the Sacrament of the Lords Supper, Book 5. ch. 10. sect. 12. vidit puerum in ara membratim discerpi et viritim populo dividi. Id cum innocentia puerili parentibus pro vero assereret, in rogum detrusum, ubi occluso ostio aestuabat incendium, multis postea horis, sine jactura corporis, exuviarumque & etiam crinium à Christianis extractum. Interrogatusque quomodo voraces ignium globos evaserit, respondit Illa pulchra foemina, quam vidi sedere in cathedra, cujus filius populo dividebatur, semper mihi in camino astitit ad dextram,; (not Christ the little divided Infant) flammine as minas & fumea volumina peplo suo summovens: A Miracle calculated more for Mary's honour, than Christ's her Son. To these miraculous apparitions of Christ himself in the form of a little Child in the Hostia, the Popish Patrons of Transubstantiation have added sundry other Miracles out of forged Authors and Saints Legends; Tho. Bozius De Signis Ecclesiae, l. 14. c. 7. Coccius De Thes. Catholico, l. 6. De Eucharistia, Mr. Brerely Tract. 4. l. 3. Bellarmine of the Sacrifice of the Mass, De Eucharistia, l. 3. c. 8. Baronius Anno 1059. nu. 20. Anno 1091. nu. 20, 21. Mr. malon the Jesuit in his Reply, (to omit others) relate 12. more Miracles, collected by Bishop Morton in his Institution of the Lords Supper, Book 4. ch. 2. sect. 1, 2, 3. One to an ancient Eremite, Anno 400. out of Simeon Metaphrastcs; another in the King's Chapel at Paris, Anno 1258. wherein Christ appeared in the Hostia in form of a little Infant; as they say he did to r Crantzii Metrop. Saxoniae, l. 1. c. 9 Hist. Sax. l. 2. c. 23. Spondanus Epit. Barony An. 785. nu. 3. p. 764. Wintichindus, a Pagan Saxon Prince, converted to the Faith eo maximè miraculo, quod in communione Paschali vidisset sacratissimam Eucharistiam ab omnibus sum● forma pulcherrimi pueri; in which form he frequently appeared to s Ribadeniera in her life, Here p. 70. St. Catharine of Senis, when she communicated, (which two last examples Bozius and Coccius have omitted.) The other Miracles are only his apparitions in form of a Lamb, t Joan. Diaconus, Vita Gregorii 1. l. 2. c. 41. Surius Tom. 4. p. 257. Henr. de Knyghton de Event. Angl. l. 1. c. 5. col. 26 51 finger, raw flesh, or drops of real blood issuing out of the Hostia, or the appearance of blood in the Chalice. Whereunto I shall add what u De Vita & Miraculis Edwardi Confess. soris, col. 389. our Ailredus Abbas Rievallis, and the x Chronicle, col: 949. Chronicle of Bromton record, that King Edward the Confessor, and Leofric Earl of Chester, being in St. Peter's Church of Westminster at Mass; Agitur in altari coeleste mysterium, manibus Sacerdotis divina Sacramenta tractantur. Et ecce speciosus ille forma prae filiis hominum Christus Jesus in ara consistens, oculis utriusque visibiliter corporalibus apparuit; who, in eleuntione corporis Christi Sacramentum illud, a forma panis in formam unius pueri aperte viderunt transmutari: Puero dextra elevata primo Regem, postea Comitem benedicente; So Bromton. Sacraque dextera super Regem extensa, signum Sanctae Crucis eum benedicendo impinxit. At Rex dimisso capite, divinae adorabat praesentiam Majestatis, humiliatoque corpore tantae benedictioni reverentiam exhibebat. Comes itaque hoc viso, versus Regem continuò se vergebat, ut illam sanctam visionem illum faceret intueri. Cui statim Rex ait, Domine Comes, quod tu vides, Dei misericordia cooperante video, et ego, et jesum Christum Salvatorem meum in forma humana visibiliter adoro, cujus nomen sit benedictum in infinita secula, Amen. Ind ad preces lacrymasque conversi, inebriantur ab ubertate domus Dei. Post finem officii conferunt de coelesti visione sermonem, suspiriisque crebro sermonem interrumpentibus. Te nunc, ait Rex, Leofrice, per ejus quem vidimus majestatem obtestor, ne quoad usque vixerimus sermo proferatur in publicum, ne vel nos in perniciem nostram ob favorem vulgi pulfet elatio, vel fidem deroget dictis infidelium aemulatio. This Earl notwithstanding, divina ut creditur inspiratione edoctus, it a Domini sui servavit imperium, ut tantae virtutis sublimit as posteros non lateret; revealing it in his Confession to a certain religious Monk of Worcester, rogans ut literis tradat tantae visionis arcanum, which was kept secret till long after the King's death, and then read by the Freers in the ears of all the people. Ita quod Rex voluit esse caelatum. Dei est providentia propalatum, ut & Regis humilitas probaretur, et nichilominus prodito miraculo fides credentium confirmaretur. Our c See here, p. 266. Fox Acts and Monum. Vol. 1. p. 328. Chronicles likewise story of Peter the Hermit, (executed by King John for a false Prophet and Traitor) That Christ had twice appeared to him in shape of a child between the Priest's hands, once at York, another time at Pomfret, and that he had breathed on him thrice, crying, Peace, Peace, Peace; teaching him many things, which he anon after declared to the Bishops. Therefore he was not only visible, but acting and speaking too in this shape in these Hostia's, if we believe these three domestic Miracles. Moreover, d De Event. Angl. l. 5. col. 2651. Henry de Knyghton stories, that in the year 1382. Cornelius' Clonne, a Knight, (and disciple of Wickliff,) who would by no means believe the consecrated bread to be Christ's very body, hearing Mass in the Chapel of the Freers Predicants in London, in fractione hostiae respexit, et vidit oculo suo corporali in manibus fratris celebrantis veram carnem crudam et sanguinolentam divisam in tres parts. Admirans vero & stupefactus, vocavit Armigerum suum ut ipse videret, qui tamen nichil vidit nisi sicut prius solebat. Miles vero in tertia particula similiter quae in calicem mitti debuit, vidit eundem colorem albedinis quae prius erat, sed tamen vidit in medio ejusdem particulae hoc nomen Jhesus, scriptum * Drawn perchance before with red letters, like that cheat in Hospinian; Hist. Sacram. l. 4. c. 12. literis carneis crudis et sanguineis, quod admirabile erat aspectu. Et in crastino in festo Sanctae Trinitatis idem frater praedicans in Cruse sancti Pauli, pronunciavit istud toti populo, & in fine Sermonis idem Miles ibidem praesens narravit oretenus totum processum publicè & apertè ad confirmationem fidei nostrae: Et promisit se ibi pugnaturum & moriturum in causa ista, quod in Sacramento Altaris est verum corpus Christi, & non panis materialis solum, ut ipsemet prius credidit. Yea e See Fox Acts and Monum. Vol. 1. p. 195: & 2 p. 446. Osberne a Monk of Canterbury, in the life of Archbishop Odo relates; That certain Clerks then maintaining that the bread and wine after their consecration remained in their former substance, and were not transubstantiated into the very body and blood of Christ; a special Miracle was then wrought for their conversion, by blood dropping out of the Host, as Odo was breaking it over the Chalice; at the sight whereof Odo himself wept for joy, and those Clergymen which before believed not Transubstantiation, were converted, and blessed the Archbp. that ever he was born. By these & * See Rod. Hospin. Hist. Sacram. l: 4. c. 12. other lying Miracles they endeavour to prove the truth of Christ's bodily presence in the Hostia; Th. Bozius concluding g Bozius De Sign. Eccles: l. 14. supremus locus detur miraculis, velut testimonium ipsius Dei, Which Miracles showed by God, do forcibly confirm the same, adds h His Book of the Liturgy of the Mass, p. 188 & 389. Mr. Brerely: and i In his Reply; Epist. to the Reader. Mr. malon the Jesuit styles them, Miraculous demonstrations in confirmation of the Catholic cause; much like the k Bozius de Sighs. Eccles. l. c. 7. Mules adoration of the Hostia in the Hospital of Drochora in the Kingdom of Valentia, An. 1239. and of Bovibile his sick Mules refusing his provender 3. days space, and the falling down on his knees to the Hostia brought to him by St. Anthony of Milan in solemn procession, thereby to convert the Master from his Heresy, in not believing the Hostia to be Christ's natural body; which miracle was for the great consolation and edification of the Catholics, though it would Ribadeniera in the Life of St. Anthony, Fleurs des Vies des Saints part 1. p. 563. not convert Bovibile himself, who had not so much understanding as his Mule to acknowledge and adore his Maker in the Hostia, as ⁱ Ribadeniera stories in the life of of St. Anthony of Milan; on the high Altar of whose Church the Mule is yet engraven adoring the Hostia, to confirm them in the faith of Transubstantiation, and Adoration of the Host. But whatever some Catholic Doctors assert of the reality of these miraculous transubstantiations; yet k 3 Parte, cue, 76. Art. 8. Tho. Aquinas, yea l Tom 3. Disp. 15. Sect: 2. & m. 3. Thom qu. 76. A●tic. 8. disp. 193 c: ●. Vasquez, and m Richardus de Media Villa in 4. Sent. Dist. 10. & Scotus Ibid. Summa Angelica Eucharistia 8. nu. 34. Becanus, two Jesuits, but especially Franciscus Collius' Professor of Divinity at Milan, De Sanguine Christo Miraculoso, printed cum Privilegio Anno 1617. with others, repute all or most of these Apparitions and Miracles; First, not to be the true body, flesh, or blood of Christ, and at most but only a colour or sign thereof: 1. n Operum. Mog●ntiae 1635. Tom. 2. Opuscul. 17. De Triplici Sacrificio. Appendix. An Christus aliquando appareat in Sacrificio Missae sub ●o●ma carnis aut sanguinis? Because they had not the lineaments, shape and proportion of Christ's body crucified on the Cross. 2. Because he cannot appear in his proper form in two places at once. 3ly. Because it were heinous wickedness to enclose him in a Pix appearing in his own form. 4ly. Because blood cannot now be shed out of his glorified body. 5ly. The shedding of his blood out of his body and veins was only on the cross▪ 6ly. No part of his flesh can be reserved out of his body without great undecency. Secondly, That they proceeded only from a vehement imagination, or a melancholy, weak or crazy fantasy or apprehension, especially when seen only by one or two persons, not by all others present. Thirdly, That they were only ex parte videntium tantum, & non ex parte Eucharistiae. Fourthly, That hujusmodi apparitiones solent fieri per illusionem Daemonum; whereupon Becanus cautions, Qualibet talis apparitio diligenter examinanda est. Maxim autem suspecta esse debet apparitio quae fit mulierculis; wherefore he and their wisest Doctors wave all these apparitions of Christ in the form of flesh and blood in the Eucharist, as Res incerta, de qua nihil affirmare ausim; Yea most * Rod. Hospin. Hist. Sacram. l. 4. c. 12. Protestants deem them mere figments, Impostures, or impious frauds of their Priests, to delude the vulgar. As for Alexander Alensis, Gabriel, Palacius, Bozius, Coccius, Breerly, malon, and others, who repute them real Miracles and apparitions of Christ's natural body, flesh, and blood; I leave them to consider how little they advance the reputation of their Doctrine of Transubstantiation, only showing the unconscionableness of their Disputers, (as o Institution of the Lords Supper, Book 4. ch. 2. Bishop Morton largely proves) in requiring faith of others to believe such and such apparitions of Christ and his blood, which they themselves by their own Reasons, Contradictions and Conclusions have made incredible. To pretermit † See Will. à▪ Gent. lib. Mirac. in Sacra Eucharistia. Vincent. Spec. Hist. l. 30. c. 37. Efford. c. 92. Rod. Hospin. Hist. Sacram. l. 4. c. 12. other pretended miracles and apparitions as aforesaid in the Eucharist. p Ypodigma Neustriae Ann. 1215. p. 55. Tho. Walsingham from the testimony of William de Bonvil an English Knight, relates this Miracle, that Otho Imperator dysenteriae morbo laborans, cum instante morte viaticum recipere non auderet (quia nihil retinere poterit) tamen corpus Christi ad instantiam ejus, ut illud videret, allatum humiliter adoravit, & cum quasi amplexaturus brachiis expansis, nudatò corpore appropinquaret, hostia illa in loco illo ubi cor latuit facta apertura intravit, prosiliens de manibus Sacerdotis, et absque omni cicatricis vestigio reclusus est sic que recumbens spiritum reddidit,; (this miraculous Hostia leaping so nimbly out of the Priests hands, passing through Otho his ribs into his bear't, being no other but Christ himself, as they reputed, who came into his disciples after his resurrection, the doors being shut, Jo. 20. 19 26.) Our q Chron. Johan. Bromton, 2035. Henr. de Knyghton de Eventibus Angliae, l. 6. c. 10. col. 2388. Ranulphus Cestrensis, Polychron. l 7 c. 29. Historians likewise record of Hugo de Sancto Victore, Prior of St. Victors near Paris, Quod cum in extrema infirmitate laboraret, & nullum cibum retinere posset, corpus tamen Dominicum sibi dari instanter postulavit, quod cum propter jugem vomitum non posset eucharistiam retinere, & hac de causa fratres ei verum Sacramentum afferre noluissent, rogavit eos ut saltem Sacramentum super ejus latus poneretur. Quo facto latus infirmi aperuit, & hostia corpori se immisit. Others write, that Ille Eucharistiam consecratam videns, sed retinere non valens, erectis manibus ait, Ascendit filius ad Patrem, & Spiritus ad Deum qui creavit illum: & statim expiravit, & corpus Domini disparuit; as they r Chronicon Johan. Bromton, col 1023. Genvasius Actus Pontif. Cant. 1664. story that it did in the day of King Stephen's Coronation, cum Rex communionem corporis Christi esset percepturus, Eucharistia inter manum Archiepiscopi & os Regis subito elapsa, disparuit: as his true and perfect body, after his resurrection, and before his ascension, vanished out of the two disciples sight, Luk. 24. 31. These forged Miracles to support their Doctrine of Christ's corporal personal presence in his natural body and blood in their consecrated Hosts, Chalices by way of Transubstantiation as aforesaid, (which hath really transubstantiated many hundreds of orthodox Christians bodies into ashes, burnt as Heretics for not believing it) seconded with their adoration of the Hostia in their Elevations, Processions, Pixes, Altars, (especially on the Feast of * See Ribadeniera Fleurs des Vies des Saints on this Festival Corpus Christi) as they no ways prove what they affirm, so they totally overturn the foundation of St. Peter's and their Pope's Universal Monarchy and Vicarship, as I have evidenced; Let all Romanists therefore henceforth take their choice, either to renounce St. Peter and the Pope's pretences, claims thereto; or else to abjure their Trent Popes, Councils, Doctors, Churches Canons, Articles touching the Eucharists Transubstantiation, reservation, adoration, subversive of and inconsistent therewith; And that upon these further grounds, discovering its falsity, vanity; which I shall but briefly touch. First, It is directly contrary to many express Scriptures, to some Articles of the Christian faith, and to the Nature and properties of Christ's human body. 2ly. It is accompanied with manifold absurdities, contradictions, impossibilities, and apparent untruths, which a See Bishop Morton his Institution of the Lords Supper, p. 291, to 30●. 230, 240, 241, 255, 256, etc. Archbp. Cranmer, Bp. Jewel, Dr. Hoyle, Mr. Gataker, Dr. White, Peter Moulin, Chemnitius Examen. Concil. Trid. pars 2. Rod. Hospinianus, Hist. Sacrament. and sundry Treatises against Transubstantiation. others have at large demonstrated, and I shall not insist on. 3ly. It is contrary to the verdict, evidence, testimony of our senses, both of seeing, feeling, tasting (if not of smelling too) which God, yea Christ himself have made, resolved to be not only competent, but b Sensus non fallitur circa proprium objectum, Bellarmin. l. 3. De Eucharistiae, c. 24. infallible Judges of the truth and real presence of Christ's human body, yea ground of the truth of the very Articles of our Faith, concerning his Nativity, Passion, Burial, Resurrection and Ascension into heaven, as these signal Texts assure us, 1 John 1. 1, 2, 3. Mat. 24. 20. c. 13. 17. c. 28. 10. Rev. 1. 7. John 19 37. Lu. 1. 1, 2, 4. c. 2. 10, 11, 12, 16, 17. 27, 28, 30. c. 23. 47, 48, 55, 56. c. 24. 3, 12, to 36, 38, 39, 40, 50, 51, 52. John 20. 14, to 30. 1 Cor. 15. 5, 6, 7, 8. Acts 1. 3, 4, 9, 10, 11. c. 7. 57 c. 13. 31. And St. Peter himself an eye witness of them frequently avers, Act. 2. 22, 32. c. 3. 15. c. 5. 31, 32. c. 10. 38, to 42. 2 Pet. 1. 16, 17, 18. 4ly. Whereas the Romanists as their last and best refuge, pretend their Transubstantiation to be a Miracle; it is so far from a miracle, that it is directly contrary to the nature, properties of every real miracle wrought by any person in the Old, or by Christ or his Apostles in the new Testament; and that in these respects; which because others have not fully pressed, I shall most insist on. 1. All miracles are ever so visible, apparent, conspicuous to the eyes and senses of all those in whose presence they were wrought, that they leave no place for any ambiguity or dispute, carrying a self-conviction with them beyond contradiction, being therefore usually styled in the Scripture, c Exod. 10. 1, 2. Num 14. 11. Deut. 4. 34. c. 6. 22. c. 7. 19 c. 26. 8. c. 29, 31. c. 34, 11. Josh. 24, 17. Neh. 9, 10. Ps. 78. 43 Ps. 105. 27. Mat. 12. 38, 39 Rom. 15. 19 Mar. 12 17, 20. Joh. 20. 30 Act. 4. 30. c. 5. 42. 1 Cor. 12. 12. Heb. 2. 4. See Joannis Scapulae Lexicon col. 623, 624, 1455, 1456. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, in Greek; in Latin, Signa; which we English, Signs; because they are always visible to men's eyes, like Merchant Marks, or Seals upon their Wares; like d Jer. 10. 2. Dan. 6. 27. Jer. 7. 11. Act. 2. 19 Ps. 74. 4. Comets or signs in heaven, Beacons upon a hill; ᵉ ensigns of soldiers set up in a field; or as Signs hung up at Inns, Taverns, Shops; or else 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, etc. which we translate Spectaculum in Latin, in English a spectacle, or public show, from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, spectatio, or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, spectare cum admiratione, to behold a thing with admiration, as we use to behold a Comet, new blazing Star, or any strange, unusual spectacle, or glorious sight, or monstrous creature; an invisible Miracle, not apparent to men's eyes, senses, being a direct contradiction both to the Nature and property of a miracle, as these direct Scriptures resolve; Exod. 4. 1, to 10. 28. 30. c 7. 10, 11, 12, 17. to 22. c. 8. 16, to 20. Deut. 7. 19 c. 29. 3. Josh. 24. 17. Num. 14. 22. 1 Kings 18. 20, to 40. John 2. 9, 11, 23. c. 6. 2. 26. c. 5. 25, 26. c. 4. 45, 46, 52, 53, 54. c. 7. 31. c. 9 8, 9, 10. 16. 25. c. 11. 45, 46, 47. c. 12. 17, 18, 37. Mat. 9 29. 30, 33. c. 11. 5. c. 22, 23. c. 12. 38, 39 c. 15. 30, 31. c. 21. 14, 15. c. 24, 35. Mar. 7. 35, 36, 37. Lu. 18. 43. c. 23. 8. Act. 2. 2, to 12. 22. c. 3. 2. to 13. c. 4. 16. 21, 22. c. 6. 8. c. 8. 6, 7, 8, 13. c. 9 41, 42. c. 14. 10, 11. c. 15. 12. c. 9 11, 12. Heb. 2. 4. with others in the margin. Now this their pretended Miracle of Transubstantiation, which is almost daily and perpetually wrought in all Churches, Countries, but e Est Corpus Christi penitus in visibile oculo corporali in Eucharistia, quia nec potest videri nec per naturam, nec per gloriam, nec per miraculum oculo corporali sub Sacramento, etc. Richardus de Media Villa, Scotus and others, in Sent. l. 4. dist. 20. Petrus Lombardus, & Richardus de Media Villa, and other Scholmen. Sentent. l. 4. dist. 13. Summa Angelica Eucharistia 1, 2. whereas Ocham holds the contrary. never visible to the eyes, or but rarely seen, never appearing to all the Communicants or people's eyes, senses present at their Masses or consecrations of the sacred Elements; must necessarily be no miracle, but a mere absurd forgery, or imposture. 2ly. All real Miracles done by God's appointment or commission, were very rarely wrought, and that only in some places by a few extraordinary persons, as Moses, Aaron, Elias, Elisha in the Old Testament, and by Christ and his Apostles in the New; not daily, ordinarily, nor by every ordinary Prophet, all Evangelists, or Ministers; whence St. Paul even in the Apostles age resolves, 1 Cor. 12. 10. 29. To another is given the working of Miracles; to another divers kind of Tongues, etc. by the same spirit. Are all workers of Miracles? Have all the gift of Tongues? But this pretended Miracle of Transubstantiation, is almost daily and perpetually wrought in all Churches throughout the world year after year; and that by * Bellarmin, Canisius, Summa Angelica & Rosella: De Eucharistiae Sacramento. Gratian de Consecratione, Dist. 2. every ordinary Priest whatsoever, good or bad, holy or unholy, as well as by St. Peter himself, or the greatest Pope, Patriarch, Bishop, Cardinal, as they resolve: Therefore it can be no miracle. 3ly. Every true Miracle wrought by Moses, Aaron, Elisha, Christ, or his Apostles, was wrought for the g Exod. 4. 8, to 17. 28, 30. 1 Kings 18, 20, to 40. John 2. 23. c. 6. 2. 14. c. 11. 47, 48. Mar. 16. 20. Acts 8. 6. 13. confirmation of the truth of the Messages, Doctrines, or Articles of faith they were sent to deliver, preach, publish, to work faith or belief thereof in the beholders of them, by the very fight of the Miracles themselves, which were collateral to their Messages, Doctrines; not the very Messages or Doctrines they delivered. But this pretended Miracle of Transubstantiation being invisible, and contrary to the verdict of men's senses, confirms very few or none in any article of the Christian faith; and if at any time visible by an extraordinary apparition of the Hostia in the form of a child, lamb, raw flesh or blood, it is ᵍ wrought only to confirm the belief of itself, not of any other point or article of our Christian faith: Therefore it is no Miracle. Fifthly, No ordinary part or Ingredient of any Sacrament in the Old or New Testament, was ever a real or proper Miracle, but h Paschatius Ratbertus De Corpore & Sanguine. Dom. cap. 14. Bozius de Signis Eccles. l. 14. c. 7. p. 170. Bellarmin. l. 3. de Eucharistia, c. 8. only a mystery, or visible sign of an inward and spiritual grace represented in or by it: Nor was ever any real Miracle a necessary part of a Sacrament. But the miracle of Transubstantiation, as they resolve, is a necessary part, ingredient of the Sacrament of the Lords Supper, and soul of their Mass: Therefore no real, but forged Miracle. Sixthly, No real Miracle destroyed the use, or end of that very thing for which it was wrought, and of that sacred Ordinance to which it principally related, but ratified and confirmed it. Now this pretended Miracle of Transubstantiation when ever really or apparently wrought, destroys the end, use of the Sacrament of the Lords Supper, for which it was wrought, and to which it appertains; their i See their own definition of a Sacrament, & their Treatises and Books thereof. Schoolmen, Casuists, Canonists and Legends generally resolving, that when ever the consecrated Hostia or k Paschatius Ratbertus De Corpore et Sanguinis Do mini, cap. 14. Joannes & Paulus Diaconus in vita Gregorii 1. Bozive de Signis Eccles. l. 14. c. 7. Coccius Thesaur. Cathol. l. 6. Euchatistia. Bellarmin. l. 3. de Eucharistia, c. 8. Baronius & Spondanus, An. 1159. n. 20. & 1192. n. 20, 21. Petr. Aureolus in l. 4. Sent. Distinct. 9 qu. 2. & other Schoolmen, Summa Angelica, Eucharistia, sect. 3. nu. 6. 18. Aquinas 3. part, qu. 82. and other Schoolmen on this Text. See Bishop Morton his Institution of the Lords Super, Book 4. ch. 2. Sect. 2. ●p. 218, 219, etc. i Deut. 28. 19, 20, 24, 48, 51, 61, 63. Isay 65. 8. k See Pontificale, Rituale & Caeremoniale Romanum. Wine appears to the Priest or Communicant in the form of a little child, lamb, raw flesh, finger or blood, it is a divine Inhibition to them, not to eat, drink, or receive it, as Christ commanded, whiles it appears in such a form, till it resumes the form or species of bread and wine; which is very observable. Therefore by their own resolutions it can be no miracle, but a mere anti-Sacramental imposture, repugnant to its eating, drinking, the very ends for which it was instituted. Seventhly, No true real Miracle did ever transform the very words, nature of a benediction or consecration, into a mere destructive annihilating execration of the things consecrated. But this of Transubstantiation altars the very words of blessing & consecration, by which it is pretended to be wrought, into a mere destructive annihilating execration, of the very substances of the bread, elements, wine consecrated by their Priests, contrary to all other forms of consecration whatsoever in the Old or New Testament, and in the Church of Rome itself, which never really transubstantiated, much less annihilated the substances of the things or persons consecrated, but only altered their common use to a sacred, and thereby preserved, yea privileged their substances from any violence upon them. For instance: the consecrations of the Tabernacle, Temple, of all the utensils, vessels belonging to them, of Kings, High Priests, Priests, Levites, Prophets, and their vestments; as likewise of the Firstborn, first-fruits, Tithes, oblations, altars, days to God, by God's appointment in the Old Testament: Of Apostles, Bishops, Presbyters, Ministers, Deacons, children by baptism under the New: Of ᵏ Kings, Queens, Princes, Popes, Archbishops, Bishops, Priests, Abbots, Monks, Nonnes, or other Persons: Of Churches, Chapels, Churchyards, Altars, Chalices, Corporals, Priests vestments, Bells, Holywater, Holidays, Chrism, Swords, Banners, Ashes, Images, Pixes, Candles, & other particulars mentioned in their Roman Caeremonials, Pontificals, Rituals, did & do never change, much less annihilate the matter, substances of any of them; but only their use; yea the consecrations annexed to their substances, which they exempt, preserve from all violence, injury, profanations, as a Psal. 105. 15 Isay 65. 8. sacred, to which they were exposed before their consecrations, as they all resolve and decree. That therefore the very words of benediction, consecration pronounced over the elements of the bread and wine in the Eucharist; should not only transubstantiate but annihilate and destroy their very substances, as some * Lessius Jesuita Opusc. l. 12. c. 16. Joan. Pallanterius de Castro, Lectiones aureae. Bellarmin. de Eucharistia l. 3. c. 24. Glossa in in Grat. De Consecr. Dist. 2. sect. 1. Romish Grandees assure us, against the use, scope, end of all other consecrations whatsoever, and metamorphose their very benediction into the b Deut. 28. 2● to 65. Heb. 6. 8 Mal. 2. 1, 2. 2 Kings 22. 19 c. 47. 22, 25. greatest curse or execration, worse than that Christ denounced against the c Mat. 21. 19, 20. Mar. 11. 20, 21. barren Figtree, which made it only to wither and dry up, but did not quite annihilate it; yea worse than the d 2 Pet. 2. 6. condemnation of the Cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, which God turned into ashes, but not into mere nothing; inflicting on them the very e 2 Pet. 3. 10, 11, 12. judgement of the last day, when the heavens shall pass away, and the elements, earth, and works that are therein shall be burnt up and dissolved, instead of a benediction and exemption from violence; is not so much miraculous, as monstrous, impossible, incredible, untheological. Eighthly, God and Christ never wrought a Miracle, but to manifest, or advance their glory, divine adoration, and destroy Idolatry, John 2. 11. 1 Kings 18. 24. 24. 32. But this pretended Miracle serves only to introduce and advance a new kind of Idolatry, in adoring the consecrated Host with divine adoration, as if it were God himself: when as it is in truth but a creature; which is both material and formal Idolatry; as f See Bishop Morton his Institution of the Sacrament, etc. Book 7. ch. 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 Book 8. c. 1. sect. 5. Pet. Moulin, Bishop Jewel & others. sundry Protestant Divines, and some Pontificians acknowledge: Therefore it can be no Miracle: Especially, if in the Ninth place we consider the sandy foundation whereon this Miracle is built, to wit, on these 4. or 5. words pronounced over the Hostia by the Priest, thus prescribed in the Canon of their Mass, Hoc est enim corpus meum: Which being at this day pronounced over the bread, 1. Not by Christ himself in person, as at first; but only by the Priest, who is but Christ's Minister, Representative at most. The words g See Robertus Holkot, in l. 4. Sentent. qu. 3. Bishop Mortons' Institution of the Sacrament of the Lords Supper, Book 2. chap. 4. This is my body, etc. pronounced by him, must be false, or the Priest's body, or can only produce a representation of Christ's body, as he is Christ, but in representation. 2ly. Not uttered by Christ then, or Priests now, as words of consecration (his benedicton of the bread and cup being † See Gulielmus Stuckius, Antiqu. Convivalium, l. 2. c. 36. Burtorfius & Baldwinus Wallaeus Com. in Mat. 26. v. 25, 26, 27. precedent to them. Mat. 26. 26, 27. Mar. 14. 22, 23, 24. Lu. 22. 17, 19 1 Cor. 10. 16. c. 11. 23, 24. 1 Tim. 4. 4, 5.) much less of operation, or transubstantiation, directed to the bread itself, or wine, to make them his very body and blood; but only by way of excitation, directed wholly to the Disciples and Communicants, as a reason why they should receive it, as the word Enim infallibly demonstrates, which themselves in the Canon of the Mass annex to Hoc est (enim) corpus meum; as Christ annexed it to hic est enim sanguis meus Novi Testamenti, etc. Mat. 26. 28. 3ly. Because now used only as an historical commemoration or recitation, rehearsing what Christ did and said when he first instituted this Sacrament, and delivered it to his Disciples above 1600 years past; as Lu. 22. 19 1 Cor. 11. 24, 25. their own Canon of the Mass: and Micrologus, c. 23. assure us by their Qui pridie quam pateretur; accepit panem in sanctas & venerabiles manus suas, etc. deditque discipulis suis dicens; Accipite, etc. Hoc. est enim corpus meum, etc. Hoc quotiescunque feceritis in mei commemorationem facietis: not as a thing now really acted over again by Christ when the Priest recites this History. Which words used by way of historical commemoration of what Christ then did, spoke, can no more (in point of reason or experience) actually transubstantiate the very bread and wine now consecrated by the Priest in memorial thereof; then his reading or recital of the History of the Creation, Gen. 1. or drowning of the old world, building the Temple, the several battles, slaughters of men in the Old Testament, or of Christ's conception, birth, circumcision, crucifixion, burial, resurrection and ascension in the New, in the Church or at Mass, can produce a new actual creation of the world, or new Deluge, Temple, new Battles, slaughters of the selfsame or other men, or a new real conception, birth, circumcision, crucifixion, burial, resurrection, ascension of Christ himself; neither the reciting, acting, nor representing of any History past, ever yet producing an actual real reacting of it in specie or individuo; Therefore this historical rehearsing of what Christ did and spoke when he instituted his Supper, cannot possibly make every piece of bread, drop of wine, (made, consecrated above 1600 years after Christ's passion) his very natural body and blood born of the Virgin Mary, erucified and shed upon the Cross, by way of adduction or production, without any new addition thereunto, or creation of a new body and blood, which he had not before, h See Bishop Mortons' Institution of the Sacrament, etc. Book 4 ch. 1, 2. & the Popish Schoolmen there cited. no not by a miracle, or divine omnipotency. 4ly. The words then uttered by Christ (admit he used the word est, not usual in the Hebrew tongue, which he then spoke, as some observe) are not direct or positive; This bread or wine is turned into, or is become, or is made my body, and my blood, used in all other real transubstantiations of one thing into another both in the Old and New Testament, as Gen. 19 26. Exod. 4. 4. c. 7. 10, 17, 18, 20, 21. c. 8. 16, 17. John 2. 9 c. 1. 14. Rev. 16. 4. 6. Whence the Devil himself when he tempted our Saviour to work a transubstantiation of stones into bread, used this expression, Matth. 4. 3. Command these stones to be made bread: But only (as their Latin Translations render it) Hoc est corpus meum: which Verb ●●●, est, or is, relating to the words Hoc, and Hic; and both of them only to the bread and cup, which Christ took, blessed, broke and delivered to his Disciples, as the q Mat. 26. 26, 27, 28. Mat. 14. 23, 23. Lu. 22. 19, 20. Evangelists, and r 1 Cor. 23, to 50. St. Paul expressly resolve, (not to any s Suarez Jesait. in Thom. Disp. 58 sect. 7. p 755 Bellarmin. l 1. De Eucharistia, c. 11. Greg. de Valentia, l. 1. De praesentia Corp. Christi, c. 9 Individuum vagum, matcria prima, or ᵗ planè nihil, as some of their Seraphical Doctors absurdly determine) it must of necessity be interpreted significatively, commemoratively, or sacramentally, not identically; since Per hanc dictionem HOC NIHIL DE. MONSTRATUR, Bartholomaeas Brixiensis Glossa in Gratianum. De Consecrat. Dist. 2. cap. Timorem, f. 650, with others. Disparata de disparatis non praedicantur identicè; it being impossible that bread and wine, creatures specifically distinct from Christ's mystical body and blood, should be identically his body and blood, but only representatively, commemoratively, or sacramentally, as u Salmeron Je●uita Tom. 9 Tract. 16. Sect. Priventur igitur, p. 109. Archiepisc. Caesariensis, Defensio Fidei Realis praesentiae, c 58 Bellarmin de Eucharistia, l. 2. c. 9 l. 3. c. 19 See Bishop Mortons' Institution, etc. B●o. 2. cap. 1. sect. 4. some of their own Doctors confess. In which sense it is most usually taken throughout the Old and New Testaments in texts of like nature, as Gen. 9 17. c. 41. 26, 27. Dan. 2. 38. Ezech. 5. 5. c. 37. 11. Mat. 11. 14. c. 13. 30. c. 8. 37. 1 Cor. 15. 4. Gal. 4. 25. Rev. 17. 9, 12, 15, 18. More particularly Isay 40. 6. All flesh is grass: surely the people is grass; that is, as or like to grass in respect of frailty, 1 Pet. 1. 24. Job 14. 2. Psal. 102. 11. Psal. 103. 15. Jam. 1. 10. So Eccles. 1. 2. c. 3. 9 c. 12. 10. All is vanity. Job 7. 16. my days are vanity. Psal. 39 5, 11. Surely every man is vanity, every man in his best estate is altogether vanity; Eccles. 11. 12. Childhood and youth are vanity, that is, like to vanity. Psal. 144 4. Thus is Is used in all languages by all sorts of persons, and in our own English dialect, as these several instances known to every child, ordinary Porter, and Peasant, will demonstrate. For instance: if any persons come into a Room or Gallery, where are Statues, Pictures, or Hangings garnished with several portraitures of Men, Beasts, Fishes, Trees, Flowers, Fruits; they usually say of these Statues or Pictures; This is King Henry the 8. This is King Edward the 6. and so of all other Kings: This is my Father, this is my Mother, this is my Wife, etc. Yea this is the Virgin Mary; This is my Saviour Jesus Christ in her Arms; This is Christ upon his Cross; This is his body, this is the wound in his side, these are his pierced hands and feet; This is a Lion, This is a Whale, This is an Eagle, This is a Vine, This is a Rose, this is an Apple; and so of all other Pictures. If we pass through any City where are Inns, Taverns, Shops, with signs affixed to them, we use the self same language of them, This is the Sun, This is the King's head, This is the Bear, etc. styling the very Houses by the names of the creatures, persons, whose statues or pictures only are affixed thereunto. The like we say of Ships in a Fleet, distinguished by such signs. If we resort to a well furnished Library or Booksellers shop, we likewise say, This is St. Augustine, this is St. Chrysostom, this is Plato, this is Seneca, etc. calling every of these, and all others writings, Authors themselves; Thus we style our own and other men's hand-writings, print of Seals, and declarations of their wills in writing, when we mention, yea give them in evidence upon Oath. This is my hand, this is my seal, this is my will; or this is the hand, seal, will of such a person. And to name no more particulars; every Pope in his Bulls and Instruments usually styles himself St. Peter; the Pope's palace, Petri limina; the revenues of the Roman Church, St. Peter's Patrimony, yea the rends reserved on St. Peter's or our Lady day, St. Peter or our Lady's rents, or Peter-pences, only because payable on the days dedicated to their memories. Now that the Verb Is, (against sense, reason, the rules of Grammar, and all these vulgar forms of speech used in all ages, languages by all sorts of persons in these and other particulars) should be predicated only identically, substantially, in This is my body, and necessarily signify, that the bread is really transubstantiated into, become, made Christ's very natural body and blood born of the Virgin Mary, but not significatively, representatively, that it is only the figure, representation, or Sacrament of his body and blood; and be so peremptorily asserted, when accompanied with variety of absurdities, impossibilities contradictions which attend this sense; may more justly be styled a Miracle, (or Monster, than Transubstantiation, which they found upon it: The rather, because as the Scripture no less than ten several times expressly styles the bread after as well as before its Consecration in the Eucharist, * 1 Cor. 10. 16 17. c. 11. 26, 27, 28. Lu. 24. 20, 25. Acts 2. 46. c. 20. 7, 11. Bread, because it still remained bread in its substance as well as in its species and accidents; So the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, est, or is, in sacred Writ, did never yet signify, is now made, become, turned, or transubstantiated into the very substance of the thing it is predicated of, and that by its bare pronunciation, at the very instant after it is pronounced, but only significatively or improperly as aforesaid, as these instances will most convincingly evidence beyond contradiction. Sundry Evangelical Texts expressly style and aver, the Church & faithful Christians, to be the members, body, bones, flesh of Christ, yea, Christ himself, witness Ephes. 1. 22. The Church, which is his Body: and reciprocally, Col. 1. 24. His body which is the Church. Eph. 4. 11, 12. He gave some Apostles, etc. for the edifying of the Body of Christ. 1 Cor. 12. 27. Now ye are the body of Christ, and Members in particular. Ephes. 5. 30. For ye are Members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bone; and they two (Christ, and his Church) shall be one flesh, which is therefore called Christ. 1 Cor. 12. 12, 13. For as the body is one, but hath many Members, even so is Christ; to wit, his Spouse the Church. Ephes. 4. 13. Till we all come, etc. unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ: Whence St * Enar. in Ps. 127. & Ps. 26. Tit. Psalmi. Augustine affirms, Ipsi Christiani cum Capite suo, quod ascendit in coelum, Vnus est Christus: omnes in illo et Christi, et Christus sumus. Now although Christ took upon him their very x John ●. 14. Heb. 2. 11, to 18. c. 4. 15. Phil. 2. 7, 8. human nature, flesh and blood, and was made man like to them in all things, sin only excepted; yea y John 17. 2●; 22. c. 15. 4, ●● 8. Ephes. 3. 17. Gal. 2. 20. 1 Cor. 11. 3. Eph. 1. 22, 23. made one with them and they with him, as their spiritual head, husband, he dwelling, abiding in them and they in him: whence he cries out when they are persecuted, z Acts 3. 4, 5. Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? I am jesus whom thou persecutest: and when they are visited, fed, clothed, he particularly affirms, a Mat. 25. 34, to 46. I was an hungered, and ye gave me meat, I was thirsty and ye gave me drink, I was a stranger and ye took me in, naked, and ye clothed me, sick▪ and in prison, and ye visited me▪ Verily I say unto you, in as much as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me: and so vice versa in the negative; Yea though he superadded of those who are his Apostles, Ministers, He that heareth you heareth me, and he that despiseth you, despiseth me; Neither of all which was ever once affirmed by him of any of his Apostles of the consecrated bread or wine in the Eucharist, whose nature, similitude he never assumed. Yet no Roman Pontiff, Council, Priest or Prelate, did ever from all or any of these Texts professedly assert, or once endeavour to prove, that the Church and every believing Christian, Priest, was really transubstantiated into the very Natural Body, Members, Flesh, Bones of Christ, and into Christ himself; but only into his mystical body, members, flesh, bones, in a mystical and spiritual sense; yea though St. Augustine (cited by b De Consecratione distinct. 2. cap. Quia. p. 652. Beda in 1 Cor. 10. Gratian, Beda,) and c Chrysost. in Mat. 26. Hom. 83. St. Chrysostom too asserts, Quia passus est Dominus pro nobis, commendavit nobis in isto Sacramento sanguinem suum & corpus, quod etiam fecit nosmetipsos, nam et corpus ipsius facti sumus & per misericordiam ejus quod accepimus nos sumus.; Yet Bartholomaeus Brixiensis and other Glossers thus interpret it. Haec relatio refertur ad Ecclesiam, non ad corpus suum sumptum de virgine. Non ergo fecit nos corpus suum quod natum est de Virgin, & sumitur in altari sub specie panis & vini, sed fecit nos corpus suum spirituaie, icil. Ecclesiam fidelium:▪ ●hough Chrysostom averrs, * Ibid. & Hom. 24. in 1 Cor. 10 Nos secum Christus in unam quasi massam, (ut ita dicam) reducit, neque in fide tantum, sed reipsa nos corpus suum effecit. Then much less can these words of our Saviour; This is my body, This is my blood of the New Testament, etc. uttered by him but once, necessarily or probably infer, that the Consecrated bread and wine, whose Natures, shapes, accidents, Christ never assumed; which were never styled Christ himself, his members, flesh, bone; one, or one flesh with him, in Scripture, infer or imply any real transmutation of them into the very substance of his natural body & blood born of the Virgin, preaexistent so many hundred years before, what ever erroneous Popes, Romish Councils, or Doctors, for their own private lucre (to make their Mass, a real propitiatory sacrifice for quick and dead) have hitherto disputed, defined to the contrary. Finally, Whereas a De Eucharistia l. 2. c. 24. etc. Maldonet, Pererius, Tolletus Medina, & Ribera in Joan. c. 6. Bellarmine, Maldonet, and other Pontificians do principally (next after hoc est corpus meum) ground their Doctrine of Transubstantiation, and Christ's corporal personal presence in the Eucharist, on John 6. 53, 54, 55, 56. Verily, verily I say unto you, except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you. Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood hath everlasting life; For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. He that eateth my flesh and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me and I in him: I answer 1. a Hom. 7 & 9 super Levit. ● Enar. in Ps. 98. 5 Tractat. 25, 26. in Joan. De Doctrina Christiana l. 3. c. 16. Ep 17. add Dardanum. Origen, * Augustin. Bertramus, with Berengarius of old, and of later times Cardinal Cajetanus in his Commentar. in Joan. cap. 6. Hermannus Bodius in his Collectanea, (as b Bibliothec. Sanctae, lib. 5. Annot. 120. l. 6. Annotat. 196, 198. Sixtus Senensis confesseth) Cornel. Jansenius in his Concord. Evang. in Joan. 6. Biel, Cusanus, Taper, Hesselius, and Petrus Lombardus l. 4. Dist. 8. D. besides other Docti, & religiosi, & probi viri Catholici of the Roman Church, as c Maldonet. in Joan. 6. c. 53. Maldonet acknowledgeth; as well as Luther, Oecolampadius, and other Protestants resolve; that this Chapter, Text was never intended of the eating of Christ's body and blood in the Sacrament, but only of our mystical or spiritual eating and drinking it by faith alone; as these unanswerable arguments will evidence: 1. Because these words were spoken by d As is evident by Joh. 6. 1. c. 7, 2. to 45. c. 11. 47, to 57, c. 10, 12, etc. Christ near a year or more before the institution of the Lords Supper. 2ly. They were spoken to all the people and Capernaites, who followed Christ only for the loaves, John 6. 26, to 67, to whom he never administered the Sacrament, not to his 12. disciples, e Mat. 26. 20, 26, 27. Mat. 14. 18. etc. Lu. 22. 14, etc. Joh 13. 21, etc. to whom only he administered it at his last Supper in private. 3ly. Because it speaks only of the eating of that f ver. 32, 33, 34, 35, 41, 47, 48, 50, 51, 58. bread and flesh of his which came down from heaven, not of the Sacramental bread or wine, of which there is not one syllable in this Chapter, being not then instituted. 4ly. Of that eating and drinking which is only spiritual, g Ver. 29. 35, 40, 47, 63, 64. Amesius Bellarminus Enervatus Tom. 3. p. 102, 103, 104. by faith, not oral by the mouth or teeth, and so St. Peter himself as well as Christ then expounded it, v. 69. 5ly. Of such an eating Christ's flesh, and drinking his blood without which none can have spiritual or eternal life: Therefore not of a Sacramental eating; else all infants and others who die before they receive the Sacrament, must necessarily be damned: which the Church of Rome as well as Protestants contradict. 6ly. Of such an eating and drinking only which gives eternal life to all who eat Christ's flesh, and drink his blood; which the Sacramental eating doth not, for all unworthy communicants eat and drink damnation to themselves, 1 Cor. 11. 23, 24. 7ly. Of such an eating his flesh and drinking his blood, as their dwelling is in Christ, and Christ in them, John 6. 56. but that dwelling is only spiritual or mystical, h John 17. 20, to 24. Gal. 2. 20. Eph. 3. 17. by faith alone, not by i See Bishop Morton his Instit. of the Sacrament of the Lords Supper, Boo. 5. ch. 3, to 8. eating, swallowing, bodily inhabitation, union or commixture with the bodies of the Communicants, as many Romanists in odium haereticorum assert, by k Suarez Jesuit. Tom. 3. qu. 79. Disp. 64. secr. 3. p. 882. Suarez his confession. 2ly. Admit this Text meant of the Sacramental eating Christ's flesh & drinking his blood; it proves only a quite contrary transubstantiation to that the Romanists assert, to wit, of the flesh of Christ into meat or bread indeed; & of his blood into drink or wine indeed; not of bread into his flesh indeed; as the words infallibly attest. 3ly. It utterly subverts their half-communion; and depriving Lay-communicants totally of drinking Christ's blood, by taking from them the sacred Wine, Cup, here severed from their eating his flesh in the consecrated bread; as not only sacrilegious, but damnable; since none by the express Letter of the objected Text, can have any everlasting life, or dwell in Christ, and Christ in them, unless they drink his blood as well as eat his flesh, being here thrice coupled together with the conjunction and, yea ratified with this double asseveration of Christ himself, who is the truth; Verily, Verily, I say unto you; So as they must now either renounce their half communion, or this abused Text, and their Doctrine of Transubstantiation founded thereon: Which as it subverts St. Peter's and their Popes usurped Universal Ecclesiastical and Temporal Monarchy, Vicarship, and as it is wholly inconsistent with it, or their Ladies, Queens, Empress, Goddess Mary's Sovereignty, or the ancient undoubted Ecclesiastical and Temporal Rights of all Christian Kings; so particularly of our Kings of England and Ireland; whose Papal usurpations on their Crowns, were the original occasion of many horrid Conspiracies, Insurrections, Rebellions, Treasons, Wars, Attempts against their sacred Persons, Prerogatives, Subjects Liberties, Properties in former ages, as the ensuing Exact Chronological Vindication, etc. will at large demonstrate during the Reigns of King John and Henry the 3d. to which I shall now apply myself; having been more large in this Introduction to it, to help fill up the vacant Pages left for the second Book, which I originally designed to have annexed thereunto; but amounting to an entire Tome of itself, was necessitated to sever from it. THE SECOND TOME, AND THIRD BOOKE. The Prologue. I Am now (through Divine assistance) arrived at the Second TOME, and Principally intended part of An Exact Chronological and Historical Demonstration of our British, Roman, Saxon, Danish, Norman, English Kings Supream Ecclesiastical jurisdiction over all Prelates, Persons, Causes, within their Kingdoms, and the Popes and Popish Prelates intolerable Usurpations on, Oppositions against the same: beginning with the Tempestuous Reign of our Unfortunate King John, when the Ancientest Charter, Clause, Fine, Liberate, Patent, and other Rolls, yet extant in the Treasury of the Tower of London, begin: the Jaws of Alldevouring Time having totally consumed all precedent Rolls of this nature, during his Predecessors Regins, except some Ancient Charters, and other Fragments of Records never reduced into Rolls. In this King's Reign we meet with the Highest Attempts▪ the most Audacious Dangerous Conspiracies, and Treasonable Vsurpations, ever formerly made, not only upon the just ancient Rights, Priviledges, Prerogatives of the Crown, but also upon this King and his Kingdoms of England and Ireland themselves, occasioned by the Treacheries, Rebellions of some of his disloyal Popish Prelates at home, (instigating the Barons to take up Arms against Him;) and by the Unchristian Practises, Tyranny of Pope Innocent the III. combining with those perfidious Bishops, who persuaded him to Interdict the whole Kingdom, Excommunicate King John himself for sundry years, and at last to deprive him of his Crown, Kingdoms, and give them to the King of France; yea enjoining, exciting him, and other foreign Enemies, to raise puissant forces by Land and Sea, to deprive him and his Posterity of the Crown and Realms of England and Ireland by open force. The Clashes betwixt the Papal Crosier and Royal Scepter during his reign (arising from small beginnings) and the contests between Him, Stephen Langeton Archbishop of Canterbury, and the Bishops, Barons confederating with him, far exceeding those of King Henry the I. and II. with Archbishop A●selm, and Becket, his trayterous predecessors, (canonised for their Treasons,) and producing the saddest Tragedies ever acted in any Age on the Theatre of our other Little World; Which though resolutely, and gallantly resisted, encountred by King John, with great Regal Magnanimity, Courage, Prudence, and good success for sundry years at first; yet at last through the Terrors of the Pope's long-continued Interdicts, Excommunications, Abjudication of him from his Crown, Kingdoms, the formidable Forces of his Foreign Enemies ready to invade, seize upon Him, and them; the Treachery of many of his own Bishops, Clergy, Nobility, Subjects, (all absolved from their Allegiance to him by this nocent Pope Innocent) on whose cordial assistance he could not safely rely; but principally through the panic Fears, Terrors, wrought in his mind by the prophecies of Peter the Hermit, forged Letters, and the uncessant intoxicating Solicitations of Pandulpbus the Pope's Legate, representing all these Dangers to his sad melancholly Thoughts in their blackest colours; persuading him there was no other possible means left to preserve his Life, Crown, Kingdoms, ward off the impendent Dangers disperse the Tempestuous Clouds then hanging over him, or to save his Immortal Soul, but by making his peace with God, and taking Sanctuary in Pope Innocents' bosom, by casting Himself down at his Papal feet, and resigning his Crown, Kingdoms of England and Ireland into his hands, to protect, dispose of as his Own; was thereupon in conclusion (though with much reluctancy) induced to resign them by a detestable Charter into this Pope's Legates hands, to his use, to become the Pope's feudatory under an Annual Rent; yea to do Homage, swear Fealty to him and his successors, as their Vassal, to his perpetual Infamy; as likewise to part with other Chief Flowers of his Royal Ecclesiastical Prerogative, and Jurisdiction over his perfidious Usurping Popish Bishops, to his own and his Successors grand prejudice. Which encouraged succeeding Popes, Prelates upon every opportunity to make many new successive dangerous bold Incroachments upon the Prerogatives, Rights, Priviledges of our Kings, their Subjects Liberties, Properties, to their Intollerable Grievance; till at last they were necessitated by degrees to shake off their unsupportable Papal yokes, and Usurpations. I shall begin with some Histories and Records in the first Year of King John's Reign, evidencing the Supreme Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction both claimed and exercised by him in and over all Persons, Causes within his Realms; with his vigilant care, industry to preserve the same against Foreign Papal, Domestick Episcopal and Monastical Usurpations, upon several emergent occasions: proceeding in a Chronological Method, except only where the Series of the History, (to make it complete and more intelligible) or some other just occasion, shall necessitate me to resort to Subsequent Years and Records, before their just order of Time. BOOK III. CHAP. I. Containing Evidences of King Johns Supreme Jurisdiction over all Bishop's Religious and Ecclesiastical Persons, Causes, Bishoprics, Monasteries, Tithes, Advousons, in granting Licenses to elect, and to approve or reject Bishops, Abbots, when elected; examining the Jurisdictions of all Ecclesiastical Courts; Imprisoning, Banishing Bishops, Clergymen; seizing their Bishoprics, Spiritualties; Confiscating their Goods, Benefices, for their Contempts, and Obedience to the Pope's Interdicts, and unjust Commands, with other particulars; and his strenuous vigilant defence of the Rights of his Crown, against Provisions, and other Papal and Prelatical Usurpations in England and Ireland, till the 15. year of his Reign. IT is very observable, that King John at his Coronation in Westminster Abby, An. Dom. 1199 June 9 Anno Dom. 1199. was sworn in the first place by Hubert Archbishop of Canterbury (as ( a Hist. Angl. p. 190. Holinshed, Speed, Daniel. ) Matthew Paris and others relate:) Quod sanctam Ecclesiam & ejus ordinatos diligeret; & eam ob incursione malignatium INDEMNEM CONSERVARET; & Dignitates illius bonafide et sine malo ingenio SERVABIT ILLAESAS, as ( b Annalium pars posterior, p. 793. ) Roger Hoveden expresseth it. This Archbishop with all the Bishops, Abbots, Nobles present at, and consenting to this Oath, and doing Homage and Fealty to him, thereby declared him to be Supreme Governor, Patron, Protector, and Head on Earth of the Church of England, as well in Ecclesiastical as Temporal affairs, else this Oath had been Nugatory. The 13. of June following, he was solemnly divorced in Normandy, in the presence of 3. of his Norman Bishops from the Duke of Gloucesters' daughter: Unde magnam Summi Pontificis Innocentii tertii, & Curiae Romanae indignationem incurrit, praesumens temere contra Leges & Canones dissolvere, quod eorum suerat Auctoritate Colligatum, as ( c Ymagines Historiari, col. 706. Mat. Paris, Mat. West. Hoveden, Henry de Knyghton, Holinshed, Daniel, Grafton, Speed, in Johan. Annis 1199, 1200. ) Radulfus de Diceto informs us: But he no more valuing their Indignation than he did their Canons and Laws, soon after married Isabel sole daughter and heir of the Earl of Engolesme, who was crowned Queen, Octob. 8. by Archbishop Hubert; this Pope and Cardinals not daring to question, or null his marriage. Immediately after ( d Mat. Paris, Hist. Angl. p. 191. Hoveden Annal pars posterior, p. 793, 770, 771, 768. Neubrigensis Hist. Angl. l. 5. c. 21. Mat. Westm. Anno 1196. p. 71. Antiqu. Eccles. Brit. p. 140. Holinshed p▪ 150, 151. ) Pope Innocent the 3d. sent his Legate to King John, desiring him to release Philip Bishop of B●lvoire, (taken Prisoner by King Richard the first in the Field, and kept Prisoner by him all his life, notwithstanding this and other Pope's importunate Letters for his enlargement) UNDER PAIN OF AN INTERDICT, who had-then by the space of two years been detained under most cruel Imprisonment; (some months in his very Arms, in which he was taken fight, not suffered to be put off day or night) But because the said Bishop was taken in Arms as a Soldier and Plunderer, against the Dignity of his Order, the King (notwithstanding this Pope's entreaties and menaces) would not enlarge him until he had paid 6000. marks of sterling money to his Exchequer, and 2000 marks for his expenses, during his Imprisonment under King Richard and himself; which he accordingly paid: And till he had also taken an Oath before the Cardinals and other Bishops, never thereafter to bear Arms, during his life, against any Christians. In the year 1177. no less than 30. Nuns of the Monastery of Ambresbery, were accused and convicted at one time for their unclean Lives, to the dissolution and infamy of their Order, whereof they had been publicly defamed: Whereupon Rex (King Henry the 2d. by power of his Regal Prerogative) expulsis Sanctimonialibus, de Abbatia de Ambresberie, propter Incontinentiam, & per alios domos Religiosos, in arctiore custodia distributis, expelling the Nuns from this Abbey for their Incontinency, distributed them throughout other Religious houses, in stricter custody, (by way of penance) and gave it to the Abbess and Nuns of Founteveroit, for a perpetual possession; who sending a Covent of Nuns thither from Fount-Everoit, Richard Archbishop of Canterbury inducted them into the Abbey of Ambresbery, on the 1. of the Kalends of June, (being the Lord's day) King Henry the Father, Bartholomew Bishop of Exeter, John Bishop of Norwich; and many other of the Clergy and people being then present, as ( Annalium pars posterior, Francofurti 1601. p. 1601. p. 560, 561. Monast. Angl. pars 1. p. 191. ) Roger de Hoveden relates in precise terms: And by his Charter, Anno 1179. confirmed the Lands of this Abbey to them, with many Liberties, and that by advice and consent of the Archbishop of Canterbury, and many other Bishops, Great men, and Barons of the Realm. King John in the first year of his Reign, by his Charter, reciting all the premises in the Prologue, confirmed this Charter of his Father, ratified these Nun's Deprivations and Imprisonments in other Monasteries, for their Incontinency, by his Father, with consent of his Bishops, Nobles, and request of Pope Alexander, transferring this Abbey, and all Lands thereto belonging, from one rank of Nuns to another, takes both these Nuns Persons, Lands into his Royal protection, as if they were his own demesnes, grants them several Tithes, Churches, large Privileges, and prohibits BY HIS REGAL AUTHORITY, GRANTED TO HIM FROM GOD, that none of his Officers or Subjects should disturb them therein, nor implead them, but in the presence of himself and his Heirs. The Charter itself runs in these words. JOhannes Dei gratia rex Angliae, dominus Hiberniae, etc. Sciatis Moniales de Cartae An. 1. Johannis Reg. nu. 103. Cartae Antiquae lit. B. nu. 8. Monasticon Anglicanum Vol. 1. p. 191. Vol. 2. p. 868. Ambresburia, circiter xxx. propter vitae suae turpiditudinem, & ordinis sui dissolutionem, & infamiam quae divulgabatur publicè, mandato domini papae Alexandri, voluntate etiam domini regis Henerici patris nostri, consilio quoque & prudentia Richardi Cantuariensis archiepiscopi, apostolicae sedis legati, & Joselini, Sarum, & Bartholomei, Exoniensis, & Rogeri Wigornensis, & G. Londonensis, & aliorum plurimorum Episcoporum, & Magnatum, & Baronum nostrorum, a monasterio suo fuisse amotas, & in aliis monasteriis collocatas, & moniales de ordine Fontis Ebrardi ibidem, ad serviendum Deo introductas. Quamobrem concedimus, & presenti cartâ confirmamus, ordini & religioni Fontis Ebrardi, pro salute animae regis Henerici patris mei, & religionis honestate, pro salute nostra, & omnium antecessorum nostrorum, donationem quam dominus rex Henricus, pater noster, fecit ecclesiae prefatae Fontis Ebrardi, scilicet, ecclesiam sanctae Mariae, & sancti Melori de Ambresbery, cum omnibus rebus quae ad eam pertinent, tam in ecclesiasticis quam in mundanis possessionibus, ut ordo & instituta ecclesiae Fontis Ebrardi ibidem quiete conserventur, & conventus monialium multo major quam fuerat, sub custodia Priorissae, secundum ordinem praefatae ecclesiae Deo famuletur. Hanc ecclesiam, cum▪ omnibus rebus quae ad eam pertinent, & omnes possessiones Fontis Ebrardi, sciatis nos velle manutenere, & defendere, & liberas & quietas esse ab omni seculari servitio & exactione, & gravamine, & accepisse in manu nostra & defensione, & protectione contra omnes homines sicut propriam nostram & domini regis Henerici, patris nostri, & antecessorum nostrorum elemosinam, etc. (with sundry other Lands) Quare volumus & firmiter praecipimus quod praedictae moniales, & earum ministri, & servientes, omnes possessiones suas, & elemosinas habeant; & teneant, cum sacha & socha, & Tol & Theam, & Infangenethef & Utfangenethef, & cum omnibus libertatibus, & liberis consuetudinibus, & quietantiis suis in bosco, & plano, in pascuis, & pratis, & pasturis, in aquis & molendinis, in viis & semitis, in stagnis & vivariis, in mariscis & piscariis, in grangiis & vergultis, infra burgum & extra, & in omnibus rebus, solutas, liberas, & quietas, de siris & hundredis, de placitis & querelis, & de pecunia pro murdris & latrociniis, & de Hamscka & de Forstall & de Wapentake, & Hidagiis, Geldis, Denegeldis, Hornegeldis, Fornageldis, & assartis factis ante confirmationem domini Regis patris nostri factam, anno scilicet incarnationis Domini MCLXXIX. & de assisis, & donis, & Scotis, & auxiliis, & operationibus castellorum, domorum, wallorum, parcorum, vivariorum, pontium, fossarum, & flegwita, & hengewita, & flemanfremtha, & summagio, & warpeni, & averpeni, & Theingpeny, & hunderedespeni, & de Mischening, & blodewite, & ●ithwite. Et sint in perpetuum quietae pertotam terram nostram, citra mare, & ultra mare, tam per terram, quam per aquam de theoloneo, & passagio, & pontagio, & tallagio, lestagio, stallagio, & de omni consuetudine & omnibus occasionibus quae ad nos, vel ad haeredes nostros, vel successores nostros pertinent vel pertinere possunt, excepta sola justitia mortis & membrorum. Prohibemus etiam regia authoritate a Deo nobis concessa, ne aliquis hominum, sive minister noster, sive alius, in tota terra nostra prae●ato monasterio, vel ullis rebus ad ipsum pertinentibus, molestiam sive in juriam, sive contumeliam inferat, nec res, vel jura sua, nec nativos, vel fugitivos suos, vel catalla earum, pro consuetudine aliqua, vel servitio aut exactione pro aliqua causa disturbet de rebus suis, quas homines earum affidare poterunt suas esse proprias; nec de aliqua possessione sua in placitum ponatur nisi in praesentia nostra, vel haeredum nostrorum, sicut carta domini regis Henrici patris nostri, & regis Richardi fratris nostri testantur. Testibus Willeilmo comite Arundelliae, R. comite Leicestriae, W. de Stagno, B. camerario, W. de Clapam, W. de Cantilupo, R. de Wanci, W. de Ewla. R. de Montebegun. Dat-per manus Huberti Cantuariensis archiepiscopi, cancellarii nostri, xxx. die Augusti apud Rupem Andel. Anno regni nostri primo. This Patent of King John is recited and confirmed by an Inspeximus, Pat. 22. H. 6. pars 1. m. 14. wherein I shall desire all Romish Votaries to consider, the notorious incontinency of these professed Virgin-Nuns in this age, no less than 30. of them in one Abbey were notoriously defamed, condemned, thrust out of their Abbey, and sent Prisoners to other Houses by Pope Alexander the third his direction, King Henry the second, the Archbishop and Bishops, his Nobles and Barons joint assents, ratified by, and related in 3. Charters, under the Great Seal of England, in three Kings Reigns, (Henry 2. King John, and Henry 6.) as well as related by Roger de Hoveden, therefore no fiction, but an undoubted truth; for which the King, Bishops, and most of his Peers gave their judgement against them: (as King ( g Gualt. Mapes & cambden's Britania in Glostershire, Berkley Castle ) Edward the Confessor formerly did in a like case, against the Abbess and Nuns of Berkley) Neither were or are the Nunneries and Nuns in foreign parts more chaste than these were, as ( h De Corrupto Ecclesiae statu, c. 23. De imimpudita vita & conversatione Monialum; quae fuerant ex Monasteriis Prostituta, & ex puella velata, Scortum publilicum, Lugdun. 1613. p. 22. ) Nicholaus de Clemangiis (Archdeacon of Baion Anno Dom. 1417.) attests in these words. Restant nunc solae Moniales: De his autem plura dicere verecundia prohibet, ne non de caetu Virginum, sed magis de Lupanaribus, de dolis & proca●●a Meretricum, de stupris & incestuosis operibus dandum sermonem, prolixe trahamus. Nam quid obsercro aliud sunt hoc tempore puellarum Monasteria, nisi quedam, non dico Dei Sanctuaria, sed veneris execranda prostibula? Sed lascivorum et impudicorum juvenum ad libidines explendas receptacula, ut idem hodie sit puellam velare, quod et publice ad scortandum exponere. The like is affirmed, attested by ( i Onus Ecclesiae, cap. 21, 22, 23. ) Episcopus Chemnensis, ( k De Vanitate Scientiarum, c. 63. ) Cornelius Agrippa, ( l De Continentia, l. 4. c. 11. l. 5. c. 7, 8. l. 6. c. 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13. See my Histriomastix, p. 214, 445, 880, 881 882. ) Claudius Espencaeus, ( m De Planctu Ecclesiae, l. 2. Artic. 3. & 28 ) Alvarus Pelagius, with sundry other Romanists, as well as by our learned John Bale, Bishop of Ossery, for England, in his Acts of English Votaries. But of this enough. The same first year of his Reign, the Abbot of Westminster dying, the Monks by King john's licence elected Ralph Arundel, Prior of Harle, for their Abbot; after which electioni facto, Dominus Rex qui praesens aderat assensum praebuit: Whereupon he n Radulphus de Diceto, Ymagines Histor. col. 708. was consecrated Abbot; No Bishops, Abbots, Priors, or other Ecclesiastical persons being elected to any Dignities, but by the King's previous licence, and subsequent assent to the person elected, who might approve or reject him at his Royal pleasure. In the second year of his Reign, the Dean and Chapter of Lexoven, within this Anno Dom. 1200. Kings Hereditary Dominions in France, presuming to elect a Bishop without his consent, he sent this memorable Prohibition to them, to preserve this ancient right of the Crown, descended to him from his Ancestors. JOhannes Rex, etc. W. Decano & Capitulo Lexovi, Satis novit discretio vestra Cartae 2 Johannis Regis, m. 19 dorso. quid juris & dignitatis antecessores nostri & Nos similiter in ordinandis Ecclesiis Cathedralibus vacantibus in potestate nostra constitutis huc usque optinuimus, & quod praedictis Ecclesiis cum eis vacare contigerit, non nisi de voluntate et assensu nostro potest nec debet in Pastoribus provideri. Verum cum jam Lexov. vacet Ecclesia & illius ordinatio de nostro velut de sui Principis ex antiqua consuetudine & ratione multiplici voluntate pendeat & assensu, volentes jus suum in omnibus conservare illaesum, ne quid per aliquorum malitiam in hac parte de iure nostro depereat, aut quicquam in praeiudicium iuris nostri et despendium dignitatis nostrae ab aliquo statuatur; ad Dominum Papam solemniter appellavimus, & per praesentes literas, & earum latores Appellationem illam innovamus. Mandantes vobis et firmiter prohibentes, ne aliquatinus in Pastorem Ecclesiae vestrae aliquem, nisi de voluntate et assensu nostro eligere praesumatis, quod Nos nullo modo posse fieri permitteremus. Verum cum Clerici & fideles nostri sitis, vobis mandamus quatinus sic iuris et dignitatis nostrae indempnitati prospiciatis, sicut volueritis, quod juri & Dignitati Ecclesiae vestrae prospiciamus, ad quod Deo teste salvo iure nostro promptam & pronam gerimus voluntatem. Teste G. Filio Petri, etc. apud Nottingham, decimo octavo die Novembris. This King's appeal to the Pope, mentioned in this Prohibition, was not to make him Judge of his Right, but merely to preserve it from the Popes and others invasions on it, by any clandestine machinations, or extraordinary means that might be used to interrupt or defraud him of it. The same year this King by his Charter commanded all Clerks then imprisoned for offences throughout England, to be delivered to Hubert Archbp. of Canterbury, upon his demand of them; the original ground and warrant (as I apprehend) of all Bishops demanding Clerks, imprisoned, arraigned for Felony, and criminal offences, to be delivered to them, to make their Purgations; before which Charter they had no power to demand, nor others to deliver them to their Ordinaries, when demanded as their Clerks. A pregnant evidence of the King's Supremacy over all Ecclesiastical persons, Clerks. REX etc. Omnibus etc. Sciatis nos concessisse venerabili Patri nostro, H. Cantuariensi Cartae 2 Johannis Regis m. 33. dorso. Archiepiscopo, Custodiam omnium Clericorum Captivorum pro quocunque forisfacto fuerint capti vel detenti, unde vobis firmiter precipimus quod eidem Archiepiscopo reddatis omnes Clericos quos in custodia vestra habeatis si quos in custodia habebitis, vel quos vos pro aliquo forisfacto quodcumque sit contigerit habere. Et prohibemus ne quis aliquem Clericum pro quocunque forisfacto detinere praesumat postquam praefatus Archiepiscopus ipsum requisiverit. Teste Willielmo Maresc. apud Argentem, sexto die Junii. This King as Supreme Patron of the Bishopric of Norwch, granted the Bishop this memorable Charter to recover all Lands and Tenements thereto belonging, unjustly alienated by his Predecessors. REX Justiciariis, Vicecomitibus & omnibus Ballivis & Ministris suis, salutem: Chartae Anno 2. Johannis Regis memb. 27. Dorso. Sciatis Nos concessisse Venerabili Patri nostro in Christo J. Norwicensi Episcopo, quod omnes Terras, Tenementa, & Possessiones, tempore praedecessorum suorum ab Ecclesia sua injuste alienatas, juste possit revocare. Et si in illis revocandis consilio Curiae nostrae indiguerit: Volumus & concedimus quod idem Episcopus, si voluerit Curiam suam in Curia nostra ponat, ut loquelae suae quas ibi posuerit, per Judicium Curiae nostrae & consuetudinem Regni terminenter. Teste W. Briwer. apud Esseleg. decimo quarto die Octobris. In the second year of his Reign, jeoffery Plantagenet, Archbishop of York, a Hoveden Annal. pars posterior. p. 811, 817. Mat. Paris Hist. Angl. p. 1●6. 157. 194. Holinsh p. 143, 147, 163, 170. Godwin in his Life, p. 517, 518. King john's base Brother, opposed, obstructed the levying of Carvage, (demanded and granted to the King by common consent, paid by all others) on the demesne Lands of his Church or Tenants, beating the Sheriff of Yorks Servants, excommunicating the Sheriff himself by name, with all his Aiders, and interdicted his whole Province of York for attempting to levy it; Whereupon the King, much incensed for these intolerable affronts, summoned him to answer these high contempts, his not going over with him into Normandy when summoned, and also to pay him 3000. marks, due to his Brother King Richard; and by his Writs commanded all the Archbishop's Servants, wherever they were found, to be imprisoned, as they were, for beating the Sheriff's Officers, and denying to give the King any of the Archbishop's Wine, passing through York, summoned Jeoffry into his Court to answer all these contempts, and issued Writs to the Sheriff of Yorkshire, to seize all his Goods, Temporalties, and to return them into the Exchequer, which was executed accordingly. The King and Queen repairing to York the next Mid-lent, the Archbishop upon soberer thoughts made his peace with him, submitting to pay such a fine for his offences as 4. Bishops, and 4. Barons elected by them, should adjudge, and absolved William de Stutvill, the Sheriff, and James de Poterna, whom he had excommunicated, and recalled his former Interdict. The same year there fell out a great b Hoveden Annal. pars posterior, p. 817, &c difference between this Archbishop, the Dean and Chapter of York, and the Archdeacon of Richmond. The Pracentors' place at York falling void, the Dean and Chapter would not suffer him to present Ralph de Kyme, his Official, to it, but themselves gave it to Hugh Murdac, Archdeacon of Cliveland, the day after he had given it to Kyme; and when the Archbishop would have put him into the Praecentors' stall, the Dean told him, It belonged not to him to put any man into a stall, neither shall you there in place him, because we have given it by authority of the Council of Lateran: Whereupon when the Archbishop could not have his will, he excommunicated Murdac; he likewise injured Honorius, Archdeacon of Richmond, by challenging to himself the Institutions of Churches and Synodals, against the ancient Dignities and Customs of the Archdeaconry, which the Archbishop pretended Honorius had resigned and confirmed to him by his Charter, which he denied. The Dean and Chapter, and Honorius, severally complained of these injuries to the King, who thereupon issued these Patents and Writs for their relief, against his violence, to the Sheriff, and Dean and Chapter of York. REX, etc. Vicecomiti & Ballivis suis, etc. Mandamus vobis & praecipimus, Chartae 2. Johannis Regis m. 12. dorso. quod dilectum Clericum nostrum Magistrum R. de Sancto Eadmundo, Archidiaconum Richmond. custodiatis, protegatis & defendatis. Et non sustineatis quod de Archidiaconatu suo Richmond. per Clericum vel Laicum aliqua ei fiat violentia vel injuria. Teste meipso apud Eborum, secundo die Marcii. REX, etc. S. Decano & Capitulo Eborum, etc. Sciatis, quod pro debitis quae Eborum Archiepiscopus nobis debet, & pro defaltis & aliis causis rationabilibus cepimus in manum nostram Baroniam et Regalia quae Archiepiscopus Eborum, de nobis tenet, & hoc fecimus per iudicium Curiae nostrae Nos autem contra eundem Archiepiscopum ad Dominum Papam appellavimus pro nobis & nostris, & pro statu Regni nostri. Teste G. Filio Petri, Comitat. Essex. apud Cunesburgh. quinto die Marcii. This Honorius Archdeacon of Richmond, complained to the Pope as well as the ● Hoveden Annal pars posterior, p. 817, 818, 823, 824, 825, 826. King, of the injurious encroachments of this Archbishop, who suspended some of his Clerks, interdicted some Churches within his Archdeaconry, and excommunicated the Archdeacon; all which the Pope in a special Letter requires him to retract, as null and void: He also sent three Epistles more, the first to the Dean and Chapter of York, the second to the Bishop of Ely, and Archdeacon of Northampton, the third to King John himself, to defend Honorius his rights, against the Archbishop's injuries and encroachments, recorded at large by Hoveden: That to the King is short but sweet, acknowledging his Supreme Ecclesiastical power. INNOCENTIUS, Episcopus servus servorum Dei, illustri Regi Anglorum, etc. Hoveden p. 825 Interest Regiae Cels●t●di●is Ecclesias, et viros Ecclesiasticos in suo iure tueri, et malignantium impetus ab eorum molestationibus potenter et regulariter Effrenaere. Cum itaque dilectus filius Magister Honorius Archidiaconus Richmondiae, usque a Deo vir literatus, & honestus existat, ut ex scientia & honestate ipsius non solum Eboracensi Ecclesiae honor accrescat, sed & tibi etiam utile possit obsequium pervenire. Serenitatem tuam rogamus, modemus et exhortamur in Domino, eo attencius, quod non minus diligenter quam fideliter negotiis a tua serenitate sibi injunctis in curia nostra cognoscimus indulsisse, quatinus eum in sua justitia manuteneas, & defendas, nec permittas ipsum vel Clericos suos contra libertates Archidiaconatus Richmondiae, per alicujus inquietantiam aggravari. Vale. That to himself is very observable, manifesting by this Pope's own Testimony, how little this Archbishop esteemed the Pope's power, or Appeals to Rome, being then newly introduced and made use of by this Bishop, (though capacitated to be an Archbishop, confirmed, consecrated by the Pope's order) against former customs and privileges of this Realm, will appear by this ranting Letter of Pope Innocent to him. INNOCENTIUS, a Hoveden Annal. pars posterior. p. 817, 818. Episcopus servus servorum Dei, Episcopo Eboraci, Salutem & Apostolicum benedictionem. St Magisterium recognosceres Apostolicae sedis, et debitam ei reverentiam et obedientiam exhiberes, non praesumeres plenitudini potestatis ipsius, et privilegio dignitatis in aliquo derogare, cum ab ea in partem sollicitudinis evocatus, ipsam in tuis necessitatibus, in quas temere teipsam induxeras, senseris saepius adjutricem. Non enim excusare te potes, ut debes, quod illud privilegium ignoraris per quod omnibus injuste gravatis facultas patet ad sedem Apostolicam appellandi, cum et tu ipse aliquando ad nostram audientiam appellaris, et a tuis gravaminibus non semel, sed saepius ad nos fueris appellatum, nec ipsum privilegium te licuerit ignorare. Verum ut cessent caetera, ex eo solo ad invocationem nostri nominis a subditorum tuorum molestatiombus debueras abstinere, quod in multis & arduis negoti●s, & petisti & obtinuisti favorem tibi Apostolicum exhiberi. Sed ut rerum monstrat effectus. nec authoritatem nostram attendis, nec factam tibi gratiam recognoscis, nec appellationibus defers, quae interponuntur ad sedem Apostolicam aggravatos. Ecce enim cum d●iectus filius noster Magister Honorius, Richmondi Archidiaconus, in plena possessione Libertatum Archidiaconatus Richmondi existens, cum Clericis suis a te propter manifesta gravamina, & varias injurias ad sedem Apostolicam appellaverat, tu nihilominus in eum, et quosdam Clericos suos suspensionis et aliquas Ecclesias Archidiaconatus ejusdem interdicti sententiam promulgasti. Nec hoc contentus excessu, postquam ipse iter arripuit ad sedem Apostolicam veniendi, suspensis quibusoam Clerici, ejus, et Ecclestis interdictis, et excommunicatis quibusdam, de facto fantum quia de jure non potuisti, certam a caeteris extorsisti pecuniae quantitatem, statum ejus et Clericorum suorum turbans in pluribus et confundens. Quia vero tantae praesumptionis excessum, incorrectum nec volumus, nec debemus relinquere tuae fraternitati, per Apostolica scripta Mandamus, atque praecipimus, quod taliter, quae praedicta sunt corrigas per teipsum, quod adversum te nos non cogas durius commoveri, qui tolleravimus hactenas temeritatem tuam in multis. Alioquin noveris nos Venerabili fratri Eliensi Episcopo dilecto filio Abbati de Waltham, per scripta nostra praecipiendo mandasse, et ut praedictus excommunicationis suspensionis, et interdicti sententias talfter a te illatas nullas esse denuncient, et te ad restitutionem eorum quae vel a Clericis, vel ab Eceles●is Archidiaconatus ejusdem post appellationem ad nos legitime interpositam extorsisti, et recompensationem damnorum per Censuram Ecclesiasticam, appellatione remota compellerint, et quicquid per te vel tuos in prejudicium ejus, vel suorum invenerint immutatum, in statum pristinum nostra freti authoritate reducant, et sub praemissa te districtione compescant, ne Archidiaconum vel ejus Clericos injuste molestes, aut statum vel libertates eorum audeas perturbare. Sciturus procerto, quod cum durum sit tibi contra stimulum calcitrare, nisi abstineas ab hujusmodi, et mandatis nostris reverenter obedias, manus nostras in te ultra forte quam timeas curabimus aggravare, ne tui nobis imputentur excessus. Datum Laterani, 3. Nonas Februar●●, Pontificatus nostri anno. I find not that this Archbishop was any ways daunted with this high menacing Epistle, but proceeded still against Honorius, till restrained by the King's Writs, Appeals to Rome being but then in their very Infancy, and that not as to a Supream Judicature, but only by way of complaint, as a Voluntary persuading Arbitrator, and that by the King's licence first obtained, as Learned * An Historical Vindication of the Church of England, in point of Schism p. 28, to 40. Sir Roger Twisden truly observes. This Pope in his Epistle to the Bishop of Ely, (who did nought therein) relates, That K. Henry the I. when he would create a new Bishopric at Karleol, because the Archdeaconry of Richmond would be prejudiced thereby, obtained from the then Archbishop of York some Privileges, in recompense of part of the Archdeaconry then substracted from it, which the Archdeacon's enjoyed ever since, which Jeoffry then endeavoured to subtract, confessing hereby that the King had an inherent power without the Pope, to create new Bishoprics, subtract, alter the Diocese, Privileges both of Archbishops, Bishops, & Archdeacon's, so as to bind their successors thereby. In this second year of King John, b Hoveden Annal. pars posterior, p. 806, 807, 808. Hubert Archbishop of Canterbury, against the King's Royal Prerogative, intending to celebrate a general Council at Westminster, without the King's special Writ, thereupon (the King being then in Normandy) Geoffry Fitz Peter, Earl of Essex, being then chief Justice of England, sent a Prohibition to inhibit it; yet the Archbishop, contra Prohibition em Gaufridi, held the Council, wherein he made and promulged several Decrees, statuens ea a suis subditis inviolabiliter observari. Two of them are very memorable: The first prohibiting Archbishops, Bishops, Archdeacon's or Deans, in their Visitations, c See Octoboni Constitutiones apud Johan. de Aton, f. 88, 89. De procurationibus non exigendis. Ne subditos suos talliis & exactionibus gravare praesumant, sustinemus autem pro multis necessitatibus, quae aliquotiens superveniunt, si manifesta & rationabilis causa extiterit, cum charitate modicum ab eis valeaent auxilium postulare. Cum enim dicit Apostolus, Non debent filii Thesaurizare parentibus, sed parentes filiis, multo longe a paterna pietate videtur, si praepositi subditis suis graves existant, quos in cunctis necessitatibus pastoris more debent fovere. Archidiaconi, aut sui Decani nullas exactiones vel tallias in Presbyteros seu Clericos exercere praesumant. The second, Sicut in Lateranensi Concilio salubriter a sanctis Patribus est provisum, inhibemus, ne a personis Ecclesiasticis deducendis ad sedem, vel Sacerdotibus, vel aliis Clericis instituendis, aut sepelendis mortuis, aut benedicandis nubentibus, seupro chrismate, seu quibuslibet aliis Sacramentis aliquid exigatur. His adjicimus, ne pro licentia celebrandi divina a Sacerdotibus, vel docendi a Magistris aliquid exigatur, & si solutum fuerit, repetatur: De ejusdem etiam Concilii auctoritate prohibemus, ne novi census ab Episcopis, vel Abbatibus aliisve Praelatis imponantur Ecclesiis, nec veteres augeantur; Si quis autem contra hoc venire praesumpserit, portionem cum Gihezi, se noverit habiturum, cujus factum exactione turpi muneris imitatur. By what Law such exactions of Procurations, Fees for Orders, Institutions, Inductions, Licences of Ministers and Schismatics, are since taken and claimed as duties, I cannot yet discover. It seems these Decrees were not esteemed obligatory, nor regarded, (Lyndwood, Aton, and most Histories taking no notice of them) because made against the King's Prohibition, and Bishops and their Officers profit, though much for the people's ease. Geoffry Archbishop of York, having the year before (as you * Here p. 230, 231. heard) much incensed the King against him, for opposing the levying of Carvage, for which he compounded and made his peace with the King; the Sheriff and his Officers having exceeded their Commission, not only in spoiling him of all the Goods and Manors of his Archbishopric, but likewise violently entering into the Lands, and taking away the Goods of other Clerks and Religious persons: Upon their forementioned agreement, and the Archbishop's humiliation and submission, the King issued forth this Writ to preserve the Rights of his See of York. JOhannes Dei gratia, etc. Venerabili Patri E. eadem gratia Elyensi Episcopo, Abbati Pat. 3. Johan, Regis m. 25 Rufford, & Archidiacono Northampton. Meminimus quod durante discordia inter Nos, & Venerabilem Patrem in Christo, & Fratrem Charissimum, G. Eborum Archiepiscopum, quedam per Ballivos nostros in damnum ipsius Archiepiscopi sunt attemptata, quae ob rancorem tempore discordiae conceptum fieri sustinuimus; verum pace postmodum apud Porcestriam, inter nos reformata, omnia in praejudicium juris ipsius tempore discordiae attemptata cassavimus, & adhuc cassamus. Nolumus enim quod occasione eorum quae durante discordia in dispendium juris ipsius Archiepiscopi vel Ecclesiae suae facta fuerint, idem Archiepiscopus vel Ecclesia sua dampnum sustineat, vel aliquod detrimentum incurrat, Teste meipso apud Bangy, duodecimo die Januarii. This King in the same year and Patent Roll, issued forth these two memorable Patents in the behalf of Hubert Archbishop of Canterbury, for his Justices to assist him in his Courts, for the recovery of the demesne Lands unjustly alienated from his Archbishopric, by due course of Law. JOhannes Dei gratia Capitali Justiciario Angliae, & Justiciariis de Banco, etc. Volumus Pat. 3. Johan. Regis m. 5. n. 24. quod cum Venerabilis Pater noster in Christo, Hubertus Cantuariensis Archiepiscopus, voluerit revocare in Curia sua ea quae injuste alienata fuerint ab Archiepiscopatu Cantuariensi, unus vel duo de vobis qui fueritis Justiciarii de Banco, in Curiam suam veniatis, cum ex parte sua requisiti fueritis, ad auxilium ei impendendum in hiis quae ad Curiam suam pertinent, quod ea possit sicut justum fuerit revocare. Et ideo vobis mandamus & firmiter praecipimus quod ita faciatis. Teste meipso apud Toarc, decimo quinto die Februarii. REX, etc. Capitali Justiciario suo, & aliis Justiciariis suis Angliae, etc. Volumus Pat. 3. Johan. Regis, in. 4. n. 20. quod Venerabilis Pater noster in Christo Hubertus Cantuariensis Archiepiscopus revocet in Curia sua secundum consuetudinem & libertatem Curiae suae omnia dominica sua injuste alienata, per Sacramentum liberorum & legalium hominum de Visneto. Volumus etiam quod si requisierit duo de Justiciariis nostris, in Curiam suam mittantur ad illud videndum, & auxilium ei impendendum si necesse fuerit, salva dignitate nostra. Et ideo vobis mandamus & firmiter praecipimus quod ita faciatis. Teste meipso apud Vernol. sexto die Marcii. In this third year of King John, the Dean and Chapter of Sagion, (within his Dominions An. Dom. 1201 in France) knowing that no Bishop ought to be elected or admitted but by his previous consent, nominated four persons to him, petitioning his Majesty to elect one of them for their Bishop, which he did by this Record. REX Capitulo Sagiensi, etc. Accesserunt ad nos quidam Canonici vestri apud Pat. 3. Johan. Regis m. 3. intus. Andel. pro electione Episcopi vestri, & ex parte Universitatis vestrae nominaverunt nobis has personas, scilicet, Abbatem Sancti Edrulfi, Abbatem de Trepa, Johannem de Oilleya, Herbertum filium Radulfi, Labbe, postulantes ut ex hiis nominatis reciperemus ad Episcopatum Sagiensem quem vellemus et idoneum videremus. Nos autem Communicato Consilio virorum magnorum & prudentium consensum in personam Herberti filii Radulfi nominatam, qui inter caeteras personas, Nobis magis sdoneus videbatur et potius secundum Deum eligendus. Mandamus igitur vobis ut eundem Herbertum, in quem jam consensimus, in electum vestrum gratanter recipiatis, & ejus electionem sollempniter celebretis, intendentes ei sicut electo vestro de cetero. Teste meipso apud Andet. vicesimo nono die Marcii. The same year of King John, Geoffry (as some records) or Gilardus Archdeacon of Brechunon, as Hovedon styles him, pretending himself to be elected Bishop of St. David's in Wales, with the King's consent, by Provision from Pope Innocent the 3d. intruded himself into possession of the Temporalties thereof, and likewise endeavoured to make it an Archbishopric, as anciently it was, to the prejudice of the Archbishop of Canterbury, citing Hubert Archbishop to Rome, and procuring a precept to him to consecrate him Bishop of St. David's. This being the first Papal Provision of any Bishopric I meet with; I shall recite the whole proceedings of the Pope & Cardinals therein, & the Archbishops and King's opposition against it. The story whereof is thus related at large by * Annal. pars posterior, p. ●97, 798, 799. Roger de Hoveden, Gervasius Dorobernensis, & our Records. EOdem Anno Magister Gilardus Menevensis Electus, suscitavit controversiam super jure Metropolitico Ecclesiae Menevensis, jus ejusdem Ecclesiae, & pristinam Metropolitani dignitatem coram Domino Innocentio Papa tertio, & Cardinalibus videlicet, Octaviano Hostiensi, & Portuensi, & Johanne Albanensi, Episcopis Cardinalibus, & Jordano de Fossa Nova, & Sephredo, & Johanne de S. Paulo, & Johanne de Salerno, & Gratiano, & Hughelno, & Huguncione Cardinalibus, publice protestando: Est autem * See Giraldus Cambrensis, Itin. Cambriae l. 2. c. 1. sciendum quod Postquam Beatus Dubricius, urbis Legionum Archiepiscopus heremum eligens, Beato David suae dignitatis cessit honorem; Beatus David extunc sedem Archiepiscopalem usque Meneviam transtulit, & ibidem Archiepiscopus factus est, & post Illum Vigenti quatuor ibidem pallio usi sunt, & plena Metropolitica dignitate, quorum ultimus fuit sanctus Samson, qui propter Ictericiam passionem qua peste catervatim homines in Wallia tunc temporis occubuerunt, navigio in Armonicam Britaniam transiens in Ecclesia Dolensi, tunc forte vacante praefectus est, & Pallio S. David quod secum asportaverat, ibidem usus est, qua occasione illa Dolensis Ecclesia continue Turovensi Ecclesie pallium affectando rebellis extiterat usque ad tempore praedicti Innocentii Papae tertii; cujus anno secundo * Recorded at large by Hoveden, Annalium pars posterior, p. 797. Mat. Paris p. 191. causa est decisa, & illa adventitia Dignitas Dolensi Ecclesia est adjudicata Menevensis autem Ecclesia eadem occasione, vel propter ignaviam, vel paupertatem pallio semper hactenus caruerunt. Omnes tamen Episcopi Menevensis Ecclesiae, scilicet. Novemdecim Episcopi a discessu Samsonis usque ad tempus Henrici Regis Angliae primi, omni dignitate Archiepiscopali usi sunt, * Therefore a Pall from the Pope was not necessary to the creating or essence of an Archbishop. excepto pallio, et habuerunt sussraganeos septem, scilicet Landavensem, & de Sancto Paterno in Ker dikan. quae sedes, quia Parochiani pastorem suum interfecerunt, olim obsolevit, & Menevensi Diocesi est adunata, & Bangorensem, & de S. Asaf, in Wallia, vero ab Anglis dudum occupata; trans Sabrinum Cestrensem, & Herefordensem, & Wigornensem. Praedictus vero Rex Henricus Walliam suo Regno subjugavit, & ( d Therefore it was then the Kings (not Popes) Prerogative to put down, create Archbishops, Bishoprics, enlarge, divide or unite their Provinces and Dioceses. ) ideo praedictam Menevensem Ecclesiam, et alias Walliae Ecclesias suffraganeas Menevensis Ecclesiae, Ecclesiae regni sui scilicet Cantuariae subjicere cupiens, Bernardum Clericum de Camera sua, quem in Menevensi Ecclesia Wilfrido Epiicopo subrogari procuravit, & apud Cantuariam, per regiam ( e Praerogativam had been truer, fitter. ) violentiam consecrari fecit: Et hic suit primus Menevensis Ecclesiae Episcopus a Cantuariensi Archiepiscopo consecratus; & post eum David, & Petrus, a Regibus Angliae compulsi, similiter a Cantuariensi Archiepiscopo sunt consecrati, praestitis Sacramentis contra Canones extortis de non suscitanda lite super iure Metropolitico contra Cantuariensem Ecclesiam in perpetuum. Bernardus tamen defuncto Henrico Rege primo, movit questionem super jure Ecclesiae suae Metropolitico contra Theoballum, Cantuariensem Archiepiscopum: Unde Papa Eugenius in hac forma scripsit Theobaldo Cantuariensi Archiepiscopo. Epistola Eugenii de Dignitate Metropolitanae Ecclesiae Sancti David. EUGENIUS Episcopus servus servorum Dei, Venerabili Fratri Theobaldo Cantuariensi Archiepiscopo, salutem & Apostolicam benedictionem. Venerabilis Frater noster Bernardus, Episcopus S. David, ad nostram praesentiam veniens, Ecclesiam S. David, olim Metropolin fuisse asseruit, viva voce, & eandem dignitatem sibi a nobis restitui postulavit. Cum autem circa petitionem istam invigilans diu in Curia nostra commoratus esset, tu Frater Archiepiscope, tandem eo praesente ex adverso consurgens, in praesentia nostra adversus eum querelam deposuisti, quod debitam tanquam primo Metropolitano obedientiam subtraxisset, tibique inobedient, & rebellis existeret, cum a Predecessore tuo tanquam a Metropolitano primo consecratus esset & viva voce, & scripto Cantuariensi Ecclesiae professionem fecisset & in multis postea, tanquam alii suffraganei, tibi obedisset, & astitisset. Ille vero consecrationem negare non potuit, sed professionem se fecisle, & obedientiam exhibuisse omnino negavit: Quod tu audiens, duos testes in medium produxisti testimonium perhibe●tes; quod ipse illis videntibus, & audientibus post consecrationem suam, & viva voce, & scristo Cantuariensi Ecclesiae ( f O the little truth and faith of this ambitious Prelate's Allegation. ) professionem fecisset. Nos igitur auditis utriusque partis rationibus, & diligentius inquisitis, & testibus tuis studiose examinatis communicato fratrum nostrorum Consilio, juramenta eorum recipimus, et ut ipse Episcopus tibi tanquam primo Metropolitano obedientiam & reverentiam exhibeat, iustitia dictante praecipimus. (Here the Pope and his Cardinals approve what the King had done without their privity, concerning this Welsh Archbishopric.) Unde quoniam singulis Ecclesiis & Ecclesiasticis personis suam dignitatem & justitiam volumus conservare, Beati Lucae Festivitate proximi sequentis Anni tibi & ipsi diem praefiximus, ut tunc praesentibus partibus de dignitate Ecclesiae S. David, & libertate sua, rei veritatem cognoscamus, & quod justum fuerit authore Domino exinde statuamus. Datum Meldis, 3. Kal. Julii. Epistolam autem istam praedictus Magister Gilardus, invenit in Registro Eugenii Papae. Cujus rei occasione, & ad praedicti Gilarili instantiam, jus Ecclesiae suaepublice in Curia Romana protestant is. (being the first precedent of this kind.) Innocentius Papa, Hubertum Cantuariensem Archiepiscopum super statu Menevensis Ecclesiae, & dignitate Metropolitica literis suis Citavit: (The first citation of this nature, who refused or neglected to appear thereon:) quas etiam literas praedictus Gilandus, ad perpetuam rei gestae memoriam, m eiusdem Papae Registro scribi procuravit. Praecepit etiam idem Papa praedicto Archiepiscopo, quatinus supradicto Gilardo Menevensi electo ita consecrationem impenderet, quod sacramentum illicitum, quale extorquere solebant praedecessores sui ab Episcopis S. David, scilicet de non prosequendo jure Metropolitico contra Cantuariensem Ecclesiam, non exigeret, sed tantum Canonicam obedientiam juxta communem formam facere. Praecepit etiam idem Papa, Lincolniensi, Dunelmensi, & Eliensi Episcopis, quod si Archiepiscopus Cantuariae saepe dictum Gilardum, consecrare differret, ipsi Apostolica authoritate freti illum consecrare non differrent. But neither the Archbishop nor other Bishops obeyed these his Papal Injunctions to them, but oppugned them in the highest degree, for instead of consecrating him Bishop, the Archbishop canceled his election, upon this account, because it was made at Rome: Thus related at large by ( g Acta Pontificum Cantuar. col. 1682. ) Gervasius Dorobernensis, in his life. COntroversiam quam in odium & contemptum Archiepiscopi suscitaverat Gilardus Menevensis Archidiaconus, ipse Archiepiscopus prudentissime redegit ad nichilum, ut ipse G. qui paulo ante Menevensis Ecclesiae Archiepiscopus esse volebat, & Ecclesiae Cantuariensi subjectionem debitam septem Episcoporum subtrahere moliebatur, ad pedes Archiepiscopi pronus accederet, satisfaciens humiliter de tam iniqua praesumptione, et eidem Archiepiscopo suum resignavit Archidiaconatum. Archiepiscopus autem post temporis intervallum eidem G. dedit Ecclesiam, 25. Marcarum, & Clericus Archiepiscopt iuratus factus est qui ante fuerat hostis iniquus. Et quia idem G. Menevensis Ecclesiae in Curia Romana se dicebat electum, hoc ipsum cassavit Archiepiscopus, & alium ●acravit Canonice electum. Dicantaln quod voluerint de operibus Huberti, ego istud maximum censeo quod Episcopos 7. in subjectione retinuit Cantuariensis Ecclesiae, et Rebellem Gilardi contrivit astutiam. How highly King John himself (though then in Normandy with his Queen) was incensed against Gilardus, for procuring Pope Innocents Procuration and Provision to elect him Bishop of St. David's, taking possession of the Temporalties thereof by colour of it, without his privity, election, or Royal assent, and endeavouring to new make it an Archbishopric, to the grand prejudice and derogation of the ancient Rights and Prerogative of his Crown, descended to him from his Ancestors, both to assent or disassent to all Bishop's elections within his Dominions, and enjoy their Temporalties during their vacancy, till restored to the Successor by his special order, will appear by these four successive Writs & Proclamations of his, directed to all the Clergy and Laity both of England and Wales in general, and the Chapter of St. David's in special, strictly enjoining them all upon their duty and allegiance to him, in defence of the Rights and Prerogatives of his Crown, against this Archdeacon's and Pope's Usurpations, as they tendered his honour, and the public peace and safety of the Church and Realm, to oppose and resist Gilardus his rash, turbulent, disloyal attempts and Innovations against him, to their power, according to their Allegiance, and no ways to aid or countenance him therein, by advice or otherwise, it being unjust to do it. Three of them are thus recorded one after another in the Patent Roll of 3. Johannis, and the other in the 5th. year following. REx, etc. Omnibus, etc. Audivimus quod G. Archidiaconus de Brechunon in Pat. 3. Johan. Regis m. 7. n. 18. grave, et manifestum dispendium dignitatis nosirae, & Ecclesiae Cantuariensis, in Episcopatu Menevensi Archiepiscopum constituere, & super hoc faciendo dicit, se nostrum impetrasse assensum; unde scire vos volumus quod nunquam in hoc assensum prebuimus, nec unquam ei consentiemus, set ei in hoc penitus deficimus. Mandantes vobis et in fide qua nobis tenemini precipientes quatenus nullatenus ei in hoc temerario proposito suo assistatis, bel ei in hoc consilium vel auxilium prestetis, set viis omnibus quibus poteritis processum suum impediatis sicut dignitatem nostram diligitis. Teste meipso apud Vernol. Octavo die Marcii. REx, etc. Omnibus; &c, sciatis quod G. Archidiaconus de Brech. manifeste Pat. 3. Johan. Regis m. 2. operatur contra Coronam et dignitatem nostram, qui se gerit Electum Menevensem; cum Nos in eum eligendum nunquam prebuimus assensum. Et inde trahit in causam. W. Abbatem Sancti Dogmaelis in cujus electionem consensimus Temporalia etiam Episcopatus Menevensis quae vacante sede debent in nostra manu esse, ex diuturna et Approbata Regni nostri consuetudine, contra Coronam et Dignitatem nostram sibi committi * To wit, by Pope Innocents' procuration. procuravit; haec et alia contra nos impudenter perquirendo qualia nullus alius post coronationem nostram contra nos attemptavit. Et quoniam haec nulla ratione sustinebimus, mandamus vobis, quod sicut honorem nostrum et dignitatem diligitis, quam sicut fideles nostri fovere et manutenere tenemini, predicto G. Archidiacano in nullo ad hoc consilium, vel auxilium, vel assensum prestetis, set predictum Abbatem sancti Dogmaelis quantum poteritis adiuvando, predicto G. Archidiacono in quantum poteritis resistatis, Quicunque autem aliter fecerit manifestum erit ipsum nobis et dignitati nostrae adversari. Teste meiplo apud Rupem Aurmall, Decimo die Aprilis. JOhannes Dei Gratiâ, etc. Omni Clero, et Populo Angliae, etc. Universitatem Pat. 3. Johannis Regis m 7. intus n. 28. vestram scimus non latere, quod Custodiae Episcopatuum, et Abbatiarum vacantium in Regno nostro in temporalibus, omnibus Antecessoribus nostris et nobis hactenus ex diuturna et approbata consuetudine Regni nostri consueverunt competere. Verum quia Galfridus Archidiaconus de Brichunon, qui se gerit Electum Menevensem, et ●u●us Electioni non consentimus, nec unquam consensimus, Custodiam temporalium Episcopatus Menevensis in damnum et dispendium dignitatis nostrae Coronae presumit usurpare, quod nos nulla ratione salva dignitate nostra sustinere possumus, vel debemus; Vobis mandamus, et firmiter precipimus, ne quis vestrum predicto G. in temporalibus, quae ad jam dictam Ecclesiam spectant respondere, vel ipsum ad ea optinenda promovere, aut manutenere presumat, sicut nostram diligit fidelitatem, et Coronae dignitatem. Sciatis enim quod si quisquam vestrum in contrarium pro eodem G. aliquid attemptaret, pro manifesto habebimus ipsum dignitati nostrae et Coronae inimicari, Teste meipso apud Rothomag. Decimo Septimo die Decembris. Sub eadem forma scribitur Capitulo Menevensi. This turbulent Arch-deacon notwithstanding all his pretended submission to the Archbishop proceeding afresh in the Court of Rome (most likely by the Pope's encouragement) to obtain his ends; thereupon the King issued out this severe Proclamation against him as a public enemy and disturber of the peace of his Kingdom. REx, etc. Omnibus Baronibus, & fidelibus per Episcopatum Menevensem constitutis, etc. Quot et quantis Machinationibus nos et opprimere, et dignitatem Pat. 5. Johannis, m. 7. intus▪ Coronae nostrae expugnares et regni nostri consuetudines ab antiquis temporibus in Electionibus Episcoporum optentas; G. Archidiaconus de Brecnuno pro posse laboraverit extinguere, tam in Curia Romana quam alibi, satis norunt universi; per eum enim non stetit quod pravis suggestionibus ejus et dilationibus maliciosis et venenosis, non solum pax parcium vestrarum, immo totius Regni nostri tranquilitas turbaretur, maxime cum inimicis nostris nequiter communicando talia confixerit quae nobis et regno nostro manifestum importarent dispendium, si iniquitas ejus prevaleret, et pro voto praecessisset in actum, unde non immerito ipsum inter inimicos nostros duximus numerandum, vobis & omnibus nos diligentibus mandantes, et districte prohibentes, ne ejus promotioni aliquo modo consentiatis, immo ejus promotionem pro posse impediatis. Non enim justum est quod ille fidelibus nostr●s diligatur vel promoveatur qui in damnum, et dispendium dignitatis Regis et juris regni perturbationem anesat. Teste meipso apud Tastnu. Undecimo die Septembris. This was the memorable, vigilant, prudent, gallant opposition made by King John against the first provision of Pope Innocent, who * Additamenta Mat. Paris M●. f. 135. Sir Roger Twisdens historical vindication of the Church of England. p. 58. 59 to eclipse the King's prerogative, first endeavoured to introduce them aswell in France as in Wales, Ireland and England. Pope Innocent the 3d. a man of a haughty Antichristian Spirit (like Hildebrand his predecessor) the better to invade the Rights of Christian Kings and their Subjects, especially of England and France, under a specious pious pretext (set on foot by some of his preceding Pontiffs) of sending them and their Nobles out of their Realms, to rescue the Holy Land out of the Saracens and Infidels hands, and raising moneys as well from the Laity as Clergy to maintain this holy War, that * See Mr. William Tynda●s practice of Popish Prelates so he and his Legates in their absence might usurp their Regal Authority and Supreme Government both in Church, State, and impoverish them and their Subjects to enrich themselves with a great part of the moneys raised for this end; in the 3d. year of King John sent forth this general Letter De Subventione facienda terrae Jerusolomitanae, recorded at large by * Annal. pars posterior, p. 799, 800. Hoveden. INNOCENTIUS Episcopus, Servus Servorum Dei, Universis Sanctae Matris Ecclesiae Praelatis, ad quos praesentes literae pervenerint, salutem, & Apostolicam Benedictionem. Graves Orientalis terrae miserias & necessitates urgentes jam potius, peccatis exigentibus deflere cogimur quam referre, etc. Verum quia id quasi modicum, immo vero modicum ad tot necessitates ipsius Provinciae sufficere nullatenus reputamus. Universitati vestrae per Apostolica scripta Mandamus, & ex parte Dei omnipotentis in virtute Spiritus Sancti sub interminatione divini Judicii districte praecipimus, quatenus singuli vestrum Quadragesimam partem omnium Ecclesiasi icorum reddituum & proventuum suorum, prius tamen deductis usuris, quarum solutio vitari non possit, in Subsidium Terrae sanctae convertunt. Omnibus Clericis tam Subsidiis quam Praelatis qui Quadragesimam ipsam sponte ac fideliter solverint de Dei omnipotentis Misericordia & beatorum Apostolorum Petri & Pauli Authoritate confisi Quartam partem injunctae sibi poenitentiae relaxamus, dummodo nulla fraus interveniat, & pia devotio suffragetur. Scita autem se culpabiliter, duriter et dure inculpabilem, qui tantillum subsidium in tanta necessitate Creatori et Redemptori suo negaverit exhibere, a quo Corpus & animam & universa bona quae habet, accepit, & nos qui (licet indigni) vices ejus exercemus in terris, hujus culpae duritiem nullatenus dissimulare possemus. Nec aliquo modo credatis, quod per hoc in dispendium vestrum legem vobis imponere intendamus, ut a vobis in posterum quadragesima, quasi debita et consuetudinaria requiratur; immo nullum ex hoc vobis prejudicium volumus generari, qui tantae necessitatis Articulum nobis, et vobis supervenisse dolemus, et quod simile de cetero non contingat optamus. Volumus etiam & nihilominus vobis precipiendo Mandamus, quatinus vos fratres Archiepiscopi & in Episcopis, in Metropolitana Ecclesia, vel si hoc ibi fieri propter hostilitatem vel aliud evidens impedimentum non poterit, in duobus vel tribus locis provinciae vestrae sine dilatione convenire; & curetis inter vos juxta formam mandati Apostolici de ipsius terrae subventione tractare, et post reversionem suam quilibet vestrum in sua diocesi, Concilium convocet sine mora, author●tate nostra precipiens Abbatibus, & Prioribus, tam exemptis quam aliis Archidiaconibus, & Decanis Universis omnino Clericis in ejus Diocaesi constitutis, justa aestimatione proventus et redditus suos taxent et infra tres menses post factam eis denuntiationem Quadragessimam partem valoris eorum sub ipsius Episcopi testimonio, et aliquot Religiosorum virorum, adhibitis nihilominus ad cautelam aliquibus fidelibus Laicis et discretis, in locum idoneum, ejusdem Diocaesis non differetur consignare. Quod & nos vobis fratres Archiepiscopis, & Episcopis sub eadem districte Mandamus. Ab hac autem generalitate monachos Cistercienses, etc. excepimus. Here this Pope takes upon him upon pretext of necessity for relief of the holy Land only to advise and recommend to all the Prelates of the holy Church the levying of the fortieth part of their Estates and Benefices, and in what manner to levy it, not absolutely to impose it to their prejudice. Whence * Matthew Paris, & Matthew Anno 1201. p. 199. Mat. Westm: p. 77. Westminster thus expresse it; Ad instantiam Innocentiae Papae, Data est quadragesima pars redditum omnium Ecclesiarum ad subsidium terrae promissionis: Therefore a free Gift, not an imposed Tax. Neither would the King of England or France suffer it to be levied in their Realms by the Pope's Authority, but only by their Royal Order, grant and assent thereto, as * Hoveden thus expressly relates. Annal, pa●s poste●ior, p. 828. 829. PApa Innocentius, misit unum Cardinalem ad Regem Franciae, & ad Regem Angliae, postulans subsidium fieri de terris earum ad subventionem terrae Jerosolomitanae. Ad cujus mandatum, ipsi Reges concesserunt se daturos ad subventionem prefatae terrae Quadragesimam partem omnium reddituum An Entreaty only, not perempto y command. suorum de uno Anno; (and no more they stinting the sums and duration of it.) Et Rex Angliae hoc ipsum mandavit fieri de redditibus et Ercaetis, et Wardis suis Angliae, et praecepit, ut omnes laici terrarum suarum simili modo quadragessimam partem reddituum suorum darent in Eleemosynam ad subventionem terrae jerosolomitanae. Unde Galfridus filius Petri, tunc temporis summus Justitiarius Angliae in hac forma scripsit Vicecomitibus, Ballivis Angliae; evidencing this Alms to be imposed, granted not by the Popes or Kings mere absolute power, but the free grant and advise of his Nobles and Peers, as a mere Alms, Gift and Benevolence. GAlfridus filius Petri Comes Essex, Universis Vicecomitibus Balliae suae, salutem▪ Sciatis quod dominus Rex Angliae ad instantiam, & praedicationem cujusdam Cardinalis a summo Pontifice missi in Franciam, de consilio Magnatum suorum de partibus transmarinis concessit, ad sanctae jerusalem subsidium, quadragessimam partem valoris omnium redituum, et terrarum suarum unius Anni, tam de Wardis, quam de Excaetis in manu sua existentibus. Quod etiam ipsi Magnates sui ultra mare voluntarie concesserunt; Ad eorum etiam instantiam scripsit Dominus Rex omnibus Angliae Magnatibus per literas patentes, rogans et inducens eos, quatenus puro Corde et Charitatis intuitu, idem illud de valore omnium reddituum et terrarum suarum unius Anni concederent, * Note this memorable clause▪ quod quidem nec de debito, nec de consuetudine, nec de coactione, nec de aliqua alia Authoritate Apostolica conceditur vel postulatur. Unde precepit quod omnes Comites et Barones de qualibet Ballia in primis admoneantur, inducantur diligenter, quatenus pro se hanc collectam faciant in terris suis hoc modo, scilicet ut quilibet quadragesimam partem valoris cujuslibet Villae suae, sicut posset poni ad firmam per annum. Et si in eadem Villa fuerint per servitium militare tenentes, dent quadragesimam portionem modo praedicto; si autem fuerint libere tenentes, similirer dent eandem portionem modo praedicto, computato reditu quem Dominis suis solverint per annum. Hanc autem collectam, colligi faciant per tam discretos, & legales qui ad hoc possint & sciant sufficere, qui eam recipiant tam de Comitibus, quam de Baronibus praedictis. Et postquam per manus eorum, fuerit collecta, receptores predictae collectae faciant in scriptum redigi distincte & aperte, quantum de quolibet receperint tam de Comitibus quam de Baronibus & Militibus, & libere tenentibus, & nomina singulorum, & Villarum, quantumcunque de singulis Villis & quorum quaelibet sit, imbreviari faciant. Summam autem de Dominicis, & de Wardis, & excaeris, & redditibus Domini Regis faciant separatim imbreviari. Si quis vero Clericus Laicum Feodum habuerit in Ballia aliqua, vel homines tenentes Laicum Feodum in eorum terris, fiat haec collecta per praedictos collectores modo praedicto. De terris autem Cruce signatorum praedicta Collecta fiat modo praedicto; Ita tamen quod eorum pecunia seperatim reponetur ab alia, & summa pecuniae, & nomina singulorum, quorum ipsa pecunia fuerit subscribantur, ut illi, qui iter arripuerint pecuniam suam prompte recipiant. Provideatur autem quod pecunia illa sit collecta; ita quod unusquisque Vicecomes simul cum Collectoribus habeat eam apud Novum Templum Londoniae a die S. Hillarii in quindecim Dies, & imbreviamentum modo predicto ordinatum. Viz de summa pecuniae & nominibus eorum qui eam deberint, & nominibus Villarum, de quibus data fuerit pecunia praedicta, & quantum de qualibet datum fuerit. Si qui autem contradixerint huic collectae assensum praebere, nomina eorum imbrevientur, et coram nobis represententur, apud Lundonium, ad terminum praedictum, & hoc breve, & nomina collectorum ibidem habeantur. Valete. This therefore was but a voluntary precarious Alms and Collection, left arbitrary by the Pope to the King, who by advice of his Nobles and Barons beyond Seas, reduced it to a certainty, and recommended it to the Nobles and Barons of England by way of entreaty, with directions how to levy it in the proportion he had fixed on, as a thing not granted, nor required by the King out of debt, duty or custom, or by any Apostolical authority, but merely as a voluntary Alms and Benevolence, which other Nobles beyond Sea had voluntarily granted, and the King at their request did by his Letters Patents entreat the English Nobles and Barons out of mere charity to imitate. So as this is a most pregnant evidence against the Pope's pretended Jurisdiction to impose any such Tax upon King, Clergy, or Subjects, (as some Popes and Pontificians would thence infer) from this Usurping Popes Letters, whose Agent embezzled much of this coin for the Popes own private Coffers, as our Historians observe. Indeed this Pope by his special * Hoveden Annal. pars posterior, p. 819, 820. Letter to all the Archbishops and Bishops of England, commanded them to admonish all those who had formerly taken the Cross upon them, and afterwards laid it down, to resume it, and repair forthwith to the Earl of Flanders, notwithstanding any Papal Dispensation fraudulently obtained to the contrary from his Predecessors, or else after admonition given them, publicly to excommunicate them by name (if known) on every Lord's day and Holy day, with Bell, Book, and Candle, and likewise to interdict them, without admitting any appeal, and to seclude them from all Divine Offices wheresoever they came. But that any Archbishop or Bishop put this Antichristian severe command of his in execution, I find not in our Historians, who barely recite it, and the premises prove it was never put in execution. In the fourth year of King John, some Irish Bishops and Archdeacon's, Suffragans An. Dom. 1202 to the Archbishop of Dublin, endeavoured without this King's precedent licence and assent, to elect an Archbishop, and get him confirmed at Rome by the Pope, against the King's right and dignity: Whereupon he entered this Appeal against them before himself, to preserve his right and dignity therein. VEnerabili Patri in Christo J. Dei gratia titulo Sancti Stephani, in Caelio monte, Pat. 4. Johan. Regis, m. 10. Presbytero Cardinali, & Apostolicae sedis legato J. eadem gratia, etc. Et debitam reverentiam. Cum accepissemus Clocharen. & Cloanen. & Cenanen. Ardacen. Episcopos & Archidiaconum Ardmac. & quosdam Alios velle manifeste operari contra ius et dignitatem nostram super Ecclesia Ardmacana, Appellavimus. Et ne ab illis vel ab aliis super praefata Ecclesia contra jus, et dignitatem nostrum aliquid statuatur, Appellationem illam coram nobis per has literas nostras Patentes, & per nuncios nostros innovamus. Teste meipso apud Cenom. decimo quinto die Augusti. These Suffragans proceeding to elect an Archbishop without the King, contrary to his Inhibition and Appeal, he going to Rome to get approbation, consecration, and possession of it by the Pope's authority, the King thereupon the next year issued out Writs to all his Suffragans and Subjects within the Archbishopric, commanding them to make the like Appeal against him as he had done, as one that acted against the rights and dignity of his Crown, and was his Enemy, and by no means to receive him for their Archbishop upon his return into Ireland. REX, etc. Suffraganeis sedis Armacanae, etc. Propositum est nobis quod Eug. Pat. 5. Johan. Regis, m. 10. n. 21. dictus electus Armacanae Ecclesiae contra assensum nostrum et post appellationem nostram ad Dominum Papam, a nobis interpositam Romam profectus est, ut in Archiepiscopum Armacanum contra dignitatem nostram promoveatur. Et quia manifestum est, ipsum E. sicut inimicum nostrum contra dignitatem nostram operari. Vobis mandamus quatinus cum appellaverimus & appellationem nostram per has literas nostras Patentes & per latorem praesentium adhuc innovemus una Nobiscum pro statu Ecclesiae vestrae, et dignitate nostra appelletis, sicut nos et honorem nostrum diligitis. Et si dictus electus in terram nostram Hyberniae redierit, nullatenus eum in Archiepiscopum recipiatis. Teste meipso apud Rothomagum, Vicesimo secundo die Maii. Sub eadem forma scribitur omnibus fidelibus in Archiepiscopatu Armacan. constitutis. Pope Innocent being so vigilantly and strenuously opposed by King John's Patents and Prohibitions, in this business of conferring the Archbishoprics of St. David's and Ardmagh, on persons elected without his consent, by his own Papal Consecrations of them, and Provisions to them, contrived how to usher in Provisions by degrees, without any observation; to which purpose he employed the Archbishop of Ragusium, whom he discharged from that Church for fear of death, to move King John to bestow a Bishopric and other Benefices on him in England▪ to relieve his necessities and support his dignity; whereupon the King out of his Royal bounty bestowed the Bishopric of Karliol, and the Archbishop of York the Church of Meleburn upon him. The Pope being informed thereof, sent a Letter to King John, wherein he took upon him by his Apostolical Sees benignity, to grant this Bishopric and Benefice to him, to supply his wants; admonishing and exhorting the King at his Pontifical request, to confirm this Bishopric on him, which the King accordingly did at his Petition by this Patent, reciting the Pope's Letter. REX, etc. Venerabili Patri in Christo, & Fratri Charissimo J. Dei gratia Eborum Pat. 5. Johan. Regis, m. 4. n. 11. Archiepiscopo, J. eadem gratia Rex Angliae, Dominus Hyberniae, Dux Norm. Aquitan. Comes Andeg. salutem. Literas Domini Papae suscepimus in haec verba▪ INNOCENTIUS Episcopus Servus Servorum Dei, Dilecto filio Johanni, Illustri Regi Angliae, salutem & Apostolicam Benedictionem. Ad supplicationem instantem Venerabilis Fratris nostri Ragusini Archiepiscopi, eum a Cura, & sollicitudine qua tenebatur Ecclesiae Ragusinae duximus absolvendum, eo videlicet quod ibi non poterat secure morari, & si accessum haberet ad illam mortis sibi periculum imminebat. Ne vero idem Archiepiscopus in vituperium Ministerii nostri defectum in temporalibus paciatur, Episcopatum Karliolensem, et Ecclesiam de Meleburne, cum omnibus pertinentiis eorum de munificentia ac liberalitate tua, ac concessione Venerabilis fratris nostri Eborum Archiepiscopi ei benigne collatis, de sedis Apostolicae benignitate concedimus ad ipsius indigentiam sublevandam: Serenitatem Regiam monentes attentius et hortantes, quatenus eundem Archiepiscopum nostrarum praecum optentu, sic officialii pontificalis intuitu recommendatum velis habere, ejus necessitati compatiens & ipsius subveniens paupertati, & dona praesentia per illustrem munificentiam sic reddens ampliora, ut per hoc Regi Regum, qui Sacerdos in aeternum videaris obsequium exhibere, cum illud quod Ministris ejus impenditur sibi protestatur impendi. Datum Ferentin. Idus Maii. Pontificatus nostri Anno sexto. Nos autem juxta petitionem Domini Papae praescriptam ipsi Archiepiscopo Ragusin. praedictum Episcopatum Karleolensem de munificentia et libertate Regia (not by the Pope's Authority or Provision) ei concessimus, mandantes vobis quatenus ei tanquam Pastori et Episcopo nostro in omnibus intendatis. Teste Domino Cantuariensi Archiepiscopo, apud Merleb. Decimo die Januarii. Sub eadem forma scribitur Abbatibus, Prioribus, Archidiaconis, & omnibus Clericis Episcopatus Karliolensis. The same year there being many contests between the Dean and Canons, and Geoffry Archbishop of York, who by his Archiepiscopal Authority and violence, did much oppress them; the King upon their complaint, by his Royal Authority, and Letters Patents granted them this protection against him and his Instruments, for the Church's peace. REX, etc. Omnibus, etc. Sciatis nos suscepisse in pacem, custodiam, & protectionem Pat. 5. Johan. Regis, m. 2. intus. nostram Decanum & Canonicos Sancti Petri Ebor. & omnes homines, res, redditus & possessiones eorum. Et ideo vobis mandamus & firmiter praecipimus quod praedictos Decanum & Canonicos, & omnes homines, terras, res, redditus & possessiones eorum manu-teneatis, custodiatis, & protegatis, & defendatis sicut nostra dominica: & Prohibemus ne praedicti Decanus & Canonici ponantur in placitum de aliquo quod in pace tenuerint tempore Regis H. Patris nostri, vel Regis Richardi fratris nostri, vel tempore nostro, quamdiu controversia duraverit inter Archiepiscopum Eborac. et ipsos: Etsi Archiepiscopus Eborac. vel aliquis Clericus, vel Laicus, praedictis Decano et Canonicis, vel Clericis, vel hominibus suis, in aliquo fortiam aliquam intulerit, vel eos in aliquo molestaverit: Praecipimus quod fortiam illam statim facias amoveri, et id quod eis forisfactum fuerit, sine dilatione emendari: Et corpora armatorum qui inventi fuerint, in rebus vel redditibus eorum qui fortiam aliquam eis fecerunt sine dilatione capiatis, nec dimmitatis sine mandato nostro, vel Capitalis justiciarii nostri. Teste G. filio Petri, etc. Willielmo Briggner, Hugone de Nevil, apud Eboracum, Anno Regni nostri quinto. This year * Mat. Paris Hist. Angl. 1204. p. 204. Mat. Westm. p. 81. Godwin in his Life, p. 173. Godfrid Bishop of Winchester deceasing, Petrus de Rupibus, a Knight and great Soldier, vir equestris ordinis & in rebus bellicis eruditus, Procurante Rege Johanne, ad Episcopatum electus, succeeded him, who going to Rome, Vbi magnis Zeniis liberaliter collatis, ad Ecclesiam Wintoniensem, maturavit Episcopus consecrari, write Matthew Paris, and Matthew Westminster. In the 6. year of King John, the Bishop, Dean and Chapter of Durham, the Dean Anno Domini 1205. and Chapter of York, with sundry other Deans and Chapters, Abbots and Priors, within the Province of York, to prevent the unjust arbitrary Excommunications, Suspensions, and Interdicts of Geoffry Archbishop of York, against their own Persons, Tenants, Lands, and Possessions, by reason of some differences between them concerning their Jurisdictions and Ecclesiastical Privileges, which they complained the Archbishop invaded, appearing before the King at York, did there in the Kings own presence appeal him before the Apostolic See, prefixing a certain day, to which the King by these Letters Patents gave his Royal testimony and assent, they not daring to appeal without his licence. REX, etc. Omnibus, etc. Noverit universitas vestra, quod cum Dominus Phil. Pat. 6. Johan. Regis m. 3. Dunolmensis Episcopus, Decanus & Capitulum Sanctae Mariae Eborac▪ de Seleby, de Witeby, de Fontibus, de Riveal, de Rupe, de Ruchford, Abbates de Bridlinton, de Wirksope, de Blithe, de Novo Burgo, de Kirkham, de Marton, de Beolton, de Sancto Oswaldo, Priores, coram nobis apud Eboracum, essent constituti, in praesentia nostra proposuerunt, quod in omnibus erant parati Domino Archiepiscopo Eborac. Canonicam obedien●●●m exhibere, salva reverentia quam debent * The Bishop of Durham being formerly Exempted by Pope Clement's Bull from obedience to him, to whom Pope Celestine with a Non obstante, by another Bull commanded him to submit. Chron. Johannis Brompton, Col. 1224. Romanae Ecclesiae, & salvis privilegiis suis & libertatibus Ecclesiarum suarum. Ne autem praedictus Archiepiscopus motu propriae voluntatis in terram nostram sive homines nostros, sive in ipsos vel homines suos, vel possessiones eorum aliquam sententiam excommunicationis, suspensionis, vel interdicti poneret, coram nobis ad sedem Apostolicam appellarunt, terminum in Octabis Sancti Andreae, appellationi prosequendae praefigentes. Et quia appellatio illa coram nobis interposita, eidem per literas nostras testimonium perhibemus. Acta sunt ista apud Eborum, sexto die Marcii. Anno, etc. Sexto. To conclude the story of this turbulent Archbishop of York, about two years after (Anno Dom. 1207.) * Mat. Westm. An. 1207. Mat. Paris An. 1207. p. 212. Thomas Stubs Actus Pontif. Ebor. col. 1724. Holinshed, p. 163, 170. Godwins Catalogue of Bishops, p. 587, 588. King John and his Nobles meeting at Winchester, placing his hope and strength in his Treasures, required and received through all England, the 13. part of all moveables and other things, as well of the Laity as of all other Ecclesiastical persons and Prelates; all of them murmuring at it, imprecating and * They had forgotten Rom. 13. 6, 7, 8. wishing an ill event to such rapine, but not daring to contradict it. Only Geoffry Archbishop of York, not consenting, but openly contradicting it, privily departed from England, and in his recess, Anathematis sententia innodavit, actually excommunicated all men specially within his Archbishopric, making this rapine and levying this Tax, and in general all Invaders of the Church or Ecclesiastical things, for nonpayment of this Tax. Wherewith the King was so highly offended, that he seized his temporalties, and banished him the Realm till his death, about 7. years after; postquam per s●ptennium pro libertate Ecclesiae & executione justitiae exilium passus est, write * Hist. Angl. An. 1213. p. 224. Mat. Westm. p. 92. Matthew Paris, and Matthew Westminster. Such was this Archbishop's opposition to the King's Prerogative and legal aids esteemed by the disloyal Monks and Clergy of that age. I am now arrived in my Chronological Method at the original occasion of the highest, longest-lasting, and most tragical contests between King John, and his traitorous perjured Monks, Bishops, Clergy, and the Pope confederating with them, and their most notorious Usurpations upon the undoubted Prerogatives of the Crown; King, Kingdoms of England and Ireland, ever acted on our English Theatre in any age: the sum whereof is this. Upon the death of Hubert Archbishop of Canterbury, Anno Dom: 1205. (the 6. Anno Domini 1205. of King John's reign) there fell out an unhappy difference about the Election of a new Archbishop without the King's licence, against his Prerogative Royal, and afterwards upon a double election, which Pope Innocent the 3d. taking advantage of, vacated both, & forced the Monks at Rome against their wills, oaths, to elect Stephen Langton a Cardinal (his creature) whom he recommended to them, and consecrated Archbishop against the King's consent; who refusing to admit him Archbishop, thereupon the Pope interdicted the whole Kingdom several years, next excommunicated, after that deposed the King from his Crown, which he gave to the King of France, absolved all his Subjects from their allegiance, and at last by force, menaces, and subtle persuasions, induced the King to resign his Crown, kingdoms to the Pope, and resume them from him as his feudatory. The Monks, Bishops, Pope's Antimonarchical gradual Proceedings herein, with this Kings strenuous Oppositions against them for 8. whole years space, are briefly recorded by a Henry de Knyghton, de eventibus Angliae, l. 2. col. 2414, to 2424 Antiqu. Eccles. Brit. and Godwin in the Life of Stephen Langhton, Mr. Fox Acts and Monuments, Edit. 1640. vol. 1. p. 3●0, to 333. the fullest of all others. Fabian, Holinshed, Caxton, Cr●fton, Daniel, Speed, Stow, Baker, and others in the life of King John. many of our Historians, but most fully by Matthew Paris, and Matthew Westminster, from whom they extract their Narratives; whose relations thereof I shall present you with at large in their own stile, enlarged with additional Records not extant in them or other Historians, because the ground of all subsequent overbold Papal and Prelatical Usurpations on the Crown, Kings, Kingdom, Church of England and Ireland. b Mat. Paris, Anno 1205. p. 204, 205. Mat. Westm. p. 82. DEfuncto itaque Archiepiscopo Huberto tertio Idus Maii, antequam corpus ejus sepulturae traderetur, adolescentes quidam de conventu Cantuariensis Ecclesiae, (timentes ne Rex more suo electionem suam impediret, adds Matthew Westminster) Rege non inquisito, so one; or as another of them expresseth it, Regis consensu * No● is omitted in the printed Copies of Mat. Paris. non requisito, Reginaldum Subpriorem suum in Archiepiscopum eligerunt, & media de nocte post factam electionem, Hymno, Te Deum Laudamus cantato, prius super majus altare, ac deinde in Archiepiscopali Cathedra posuerunt; Verebantur enim, quod si electio sine Regis consensu ad ipsius aures pervenisset, ipse processum negotii impedire laboraret: (as he had cause) Unde nocte eadem idem Subprior, praestita cautione juratoria, quod sine licentia & literis specialibus Conventus se electum non gereret, vel literas Conventus de rato quas habebat, alicui promulgaret, assumptis secum de Conventu quibusdam Monachis, Curiam Romanam adivit. Hoc autem totum factum est, ut electio illa Regem lateret, donec probarent si rem inchoatam in Curia Romana possent perducere ad effectum. Sed electus praefatus, statim ut in Flandriam applicuisset, spreto quod fecerat juramento, se Ca●t●ariensem esse electum, clara voce confitetur; & ad hoc Romanam se adire Curiam, ut factam electionem confirmaret. Literas insuper Conventus, quas de rato habebat, quibuslibet ostendit; credens in hoc causae suae meritum non mediocriter promoveri. Tandem vero Romam perveniens, Electionem suam Domino Papae, & ejus Cardinalibus illico publicavit, literasque suas de rato palam omnibus ostendens, constanter a Domino Papa exegit, ut electionem factam, benignitate Apostolica confirmaret. Papa vero cum festinatione respondens; dixit se velle deliberare donec majorem haberet certitudinem de premissis, being glad of such an opportunity to wrest the disposition of this fat Archbishopric out of the Monks and Kings hands too, to subject both the Church and Crown of England to his usurping power, which King John so strenuously opposed. To carry on this business, with as much art and disguise as was possible; Per idem tempus ad Monachos Ecclesiae Cantuariensis contuendos, Papa Innocentius ejusdem Ecclesiae suffraganeis scripsit sub hac forma. INNOCENTIUS Episcopus servus servorum Dei. Venerabilibus fratribus Vniversis Mat. Paris, Hist. p. 204. suffraganeis Cantuariensis Eeclesiae salutem, & Apostolicam benedictionem; Cum tempore Legis Mosaicae, quae legitur ad perfectum neminem adduxisse, carnales parentes apud Carnalem populum in ea reverentia● fuerunt & honore, ut qui eis malediceret, morte mori de mandato Domini juberetur, multo magis sub lege Gratiae constitutos, quae preciocissimo Christi sanguine rubriata portas aperit Paradysi, ne legis transgrediendo mandata, mortis damnationem incurrant; tanto convenit diligentius praecavere, quanto noscitur amplius formidandum animae quam Corporis incurrere detrimentum. Si ergo Carnales Parentes tanta sint reverentia prosequendi; quid est de spiritualibus praesumendum? nisi sicut corpus spiritus sup rat dignitate, sic reverentia & honore spirituales parentes Carnalibus praeferantur. Haec autem nos fracres praemississe noveritis, quia cum vestram debeamus desiderare salutem, veremur ne presens tribulatio, quae vobis (ut dicitur) procurantibus suscitata est, Matrem Cantuariensem Ecclesiam, quam utique velut matrem tenemini revereri, vobis periculum generet animarum, & eidem Ecclesiae tantum pariat detrimentum, ut quod dispendiosa contentio generabit, vix possit prolixiori temporum spatio restaurari. Quocirca universitatem vestram monemus attentius & hortamur in Domino, & per Apostolica scripta mandamus, quatenus diligentius attendentes, quid super his honori vestro expediat & saluti, non molestetis indebite Cantuariensem Ecclesiam matrem vestram: cujus honores & jura fidelitatis debito tenemini defensare, ne de vobis merito conqueratur & dicat; Filios enutrivi & exaltavi, ipsi vero me non solummodo non cognoscunt, sed & severissime persequuntur. Non autem perea quae premissimus, vos a vestra prosequenda justitia dehortamur, sed Pia nos facit affectio trepidare, ne terminis statutis a patribus non contenti, alii faciatis injuriam ea occasione reperta quod velitis prosequi jura vestra. De caetero fratres, omnipotens Dominus illuminet mentes vestras, ut remota omni contentionis materia, debitum matri vestrae non negetis obedientiam, vel honorem, * This Pope much forgot these Laws himself in this affair. nec contra divinum, nec naturale mandatum aliis faciatis, quod vobis fieri non vilitis. Datum Romae; apud Sanctum Petrum sexto Idus Decembris, Pontificatus nostri Anno Octavo. Monachi interea Cantuarienses, cum de Suppriore suo cognovissent, quod violato Juramento quod fecerat, statim ut in Flandriam applicuisset se Electum gesserat eorum detegendo secretum, commoti sunt vehementer contra eum, & continuo quosdam de Conventu Monachos miserunt ad Regem, requirentes abeo licentiam Pastorem sibi idoneum eligendi. Quibus Rex protinus, absque omni conditione, benigue annuit quod petebant, et secretius eis alsoquens ostendit eis Episcopum Norwicensem, * The King had then good cause to make choice of such a one. magna sibi familiaritate conjunctum fore, ipsumque solum ex omnibus Angliae Prelatis secretorum suorum esse conscium. Unde sibi et regno suo magnum asierebat provenire commodum, si eum ad Archiepiscopatum Cantuariensem transferre potuissent. Rogavit igitur Monachos, ut una cum Clericis suis, quos missurus erat ad conventum, hanc petitionem suam exponerent illis, multos Conventui promittens honores si ipsum exaudire decrevissent. Monachi vero ad propria reversi, Conventui, per ordinem retulerunt ea quae sibi a Rege fuerant impetrata. Conventus autem ut Regem quem offenderant sibi reconciliarent, convenientes in Capitulo Johannem Norwicensem Episcopum unammiter elegerunt; & illico quosdam de Conventu Monachos ad Electum dirigentes (qui tunc pro agendis rebus Regis apud Eboracum erat) mandantes ei, ut Cantuariam cum festinatione veniret. Nuntii quoque praepositum iter expedientes Episcopum jam dictum apud Notingham invenerunt, qui Regis expletis negotis ad partes Australes properabat, veniensque ad Regem, Cantuariam simul profecti sunt: atque die sequenti maxima multitudine in Ecclesia Metropolitana concurrente, Prior Cantuariensis, Rege presente Electionem factam de Johannis de Grace Episcopo Norwicensi, palam cunctis pronunciavit, & assumentes eum Monachi, cum Hymno Te Deum Laudamus, portaverunt ad majus Altare, tandemin Cathedra Archiepiscopali illum collocantes: & hoc fuit seminarium totius sequentis discordiae quae per secula detrimentum, Angliae generavit, & damnum irrestaurabile. Quo facto, Rex videntibus cunctis misit electum illum in possessionem rerum omnium ad Archiepiscopatum pertinentium, & sic singuli ad propria sunt reversi. Sicque in hac electione factus est novissimus error pejor priore, sicut rerum exitus evidenter ostendit. The next year, 1206. Rex misit ad Curiam Romanam quosdam Cantuariensis Ecclesiae Anno D 1206. Monachos, inter quos precipuus, erat Magister Helias de Brantefeld; quibus de fisco copiosas e Mat. Paris p. 205. Mat. Westminster, p. 82. 83. Rex ministravit expensas, ut electionem de Episcopo Norwicensi factam, impetrarent a Domino Papa confirmari. Miserunt autem eodem tempore, Episcopi Cantuariensis Ecclesiae suffraganei procuratores Romam, gravem coram Domino Papa querelam proponentes, Quod videlicet Monachi Cantuarienses sine illis electionem temere Archiepiscopi praesumpsissent celebrare. Cum ipsi una cum illis de jure communi & consuetudine antiqua electioni interesse debuissent Allegarunt etiam procuratores memorati super premissis Decreta & exempla, quosdam testes producentes, & literas testimoniales exhibentes, quibus ostendere nitebantur, quod ipsi suffraganei una cum Monachis tres Metropolitanos eligerunt. Monachi vero e contrario asserebant, quod privilegio speciali Romanorum Pontificum, & de consuetudine approbata, & antiqua, sine Episcopis Electiones facere consueverant, quod etiam per testes idoneos docete promiserunt. Auditis hinc inde allegationibus, testibusque admissis & diligenter examinatis, prefixus est dies a Domino Papa partibus, duodecimo scilicet Calend. Januarii ad pronunciandum, ut tunc venient, quod jus dictaverit recepturi. Eodem Anno f Mat. Paris, p. 206. Johannes Ferentius Apostolicae sedis Legatus Veniens in Angliam, eamque perlustrans, magnam pecuniae summam congessit, & tandem apud Raddingum in Crastino Sancti Lucae Evangelistae Concilium celebravit. Quo facto, sarcinulis cum magna cautela dispositis & prudenter commendatis, festinus viator ad mare perveniens Angliam a tergo salutavit: his business being only to exact mony. g Mat. Paris p. 206. 207. Circa dies istos, Papa Innocentius suffraganeis Cantuariensis Ecclesiae Episcopis sententiam dissinitivam sub hac forma direxit. Majores Ecclesiae causas ad sedem Apostolicam referendas, & Canonica tradit authoritas, & approbata * That custom was then very new: see Bernard de consideratione ad Eugenium Papam, l, 3. consuetudo declarat: cum igitur inter vos, & dilectos filios nostros Priorem, & Monachos Cantuariensis Ecclesiae, super jure illius Archiepiscopi eligendi controversia verteretur, proponentibus vobis quod tum ex jure communi, tum ex antiqua consuetudine, una cum illis debetis ipsius Archiepiscopi electionem celebrare. Illis autem e contrario respondentibus, quod de jure communi & privilegio speciali; & de consuetudine approbata & antiqua Cantuariensem Archiepiscopum eligere deberent sine vobis, lite coram nobis per procuratores idoneos super hoc legitime contestata, diligenter audivimus, quae partes in presentia nostra proponere curaverunt. Pars siquidem vestra & decreta pariter & exempla studuit allegare, quosdam testes producens, & testimoniales literas exhibens quibus ostendere nitebatur, quod vos tres Metropolitanos elegeratis una cum illis: cum per literas & attestationes sit probatum vos & alio loco & alio tempore non sine illis, electiones hujusmodi celebrasse. Testes autem producti ex parte Monachorum, legitime probaverunt, quod Prior & Conventus Cantuariensis Ecclesiae a longis retro temporibus electiones Episcoporum in Capitulo suo, sine vobis usque ad haec tempora celebrarunt, & easdem obtinuerunt a sede Apostolica confirmari. A nobis etiam & predecessoribus nostris, per privilegii paginam est statutum, ut decedente Archiepiscopo Cantuariensi, nullus ibi qualibet surreptionis astutia seu violentia proponatur, nisi quem communi consilio, major pars Monachorum sanioris consilii, secundum Dominum & sacrorum Canonum sanctiones providerit eligendum. Nos igitur his & aliis, quae coram nobis allegata sunt, auditis & perspicaciter intellectis, quia constat evidenter, quod vos sine illis secundum assertionem vestram eligere non debetis, Monachis exclusis vestra non valet electio; & electio Monachorum sine vobis celebrata, quia a sede Apostolica meruit confirmari valebat. Cumque necessarium fuerit alterutrum confirmare, de communi fratrum nostrorum consilio vobis & successoribus vestris super jure Cantuariensem Archiepiscopum eligendi, silentium perpetuum imponimus, & Monachos Cantuarienses ab impetitione ac molestatione vestra, & successorum vestrorum per sententiam diffinitivam absolvimus, Authoritate Apostolica decernentes, ut Monachi Cantuariensis Ecclesiae & successores eorum de caetero Archiepiscopum eligant sine vobis. Datum Romae apud Sanctum Petrum Duodecimo Kalendas Januarii, Pontificatus nostri Anno Nono. The King in the mean time writes Letters of thanks to all the Notaries, Chaplains, and other Officers of the Pope at Rome, for their assistance, and advice to his Agents in this business, and likewise imparts his mind to the suffragans of Canterbury concerning it by his chief Justice, not mentioned by our Historians. REX dilectis Amicis suis Venerabi libus viris suis omnibus Domini Papae Notari●s Pat. 8. Johan. m. 2. intus. & Capellanis, etc. Grates vobis referimus multiplices, eo quod ad negotia nostra in Curia promovenda nunciis nostris auxilium & consilium benigne prestatis, qui se multum laudant de vobis. Remittimus autem ad Curiam fideles nostros Abbatem de Bello loco, Thomam de Ardinton, & Aufridum de Dena, dilectionem vestram rogantes attencius, quatinus eis subveniatis in negotio Cantuariensis Ecclesiae promovendo, ●uxta dignitatem nostram et consuetudinemregni nostri vobis saepius expositam, ita quod de Devotis vobis efficiamur devotiores. Teste Domino Petro Wintoniensi Episcopo apud Rochingham Vicessimo die Februarii. VEnerabilibus Patribus in Christo, Vniversis Episcopis Cantuariensis Ecclesiae suffraganeis, Pat. Johan. Regi; m. 4. J. Dei gratia, etc. Rogamus vos attencius quatinus sicut honorem & utilitatem Regni nostri & Ecclesiae Anglicanae diligitis & desideratis, ea quae Justitiarius noster vobis ex parte nostra proponet super provisione Ecclesiae Cantuariensis diligenter & celeriter exequi studeatis, quia negotium illud magnam instantiam desiderat. Teste meipso apud Porec. Vicesimo Sexto die Maii. What this business was is not expressed in particular, but in general, it was to preserve the rights and Dignity of the Crown, in relation to the See of Canterbury, to own him only for Archbishop, who was elected by his Royal assent. Not long after, the Pope summoned the Monks of Canterbury the second time before him concerning the election of the Archbishop, to vacat both Elections, and enforce them to a new; thus related by * Matthew Paris. Circa dies istos, steterunt Romae coram Domino Papa, Monachi Cantuariensis Historiae Angliae p. 212. 213. Mat. West. 84. 85. Ecclesiae, turpem admodum causam ad invicem agitantes. Nam quaedam pars eorum per literas Conventus de rato presentaverunt Reginaldum Suppriorem Cantuariensem, sicut multoties fecerant Electum ad Archiepiscopopatum, instantius postulantes, ut ejus electio confirmaretur. Altera vero pars eorundem Monachorum per literas similiter de Rato, presentaverunt Johannem Episcopum Norwicensem multis rationibus ostendentes, electionem de Suppriore nulla esse, tum quia facta erat de nocte, et sine solempnitate et assensu Regio, tum quia a majori & saniori parte Conventus non fuerat celebrata, sicque his rationibus propositis, petierunt ut illa electio confirmaretur, quae clara luce diei. Rege presente et consentiente, cum testibus idoneis extitit celebrata. His auditis & perspicaciter intellectis, procurator Supprioris allegavit, secundam electionem irritam esse & inanem, quia qualiscunque esset prima electio, sive justa, sive injusta, debuerat prima Cassari, antequam secunda celebraretur electio. Unde constanter postulabat, ut prima electio rata haberetur. Denique post longas hinc & inde disceptationes, cum Dominus Papa intellexisset partes in unicam personam non posse convenire, atque utramque electionem vitiose & non secundum sacrorum Cano●um sanctiones celebratam fuisse, de consilio Cardinalium suorum ambas cassavit, partibus diffinitione Apostolica interdicens, & per sententiam diffinitivam statuens, ne de cetero ad Archiepiscopatus honores alteruter Electorum aspiret. Summatim hac fuit causa & seminarium Erroris. Rex posuerat verbum suum in ore duodecim Monachorum Cantuariensium, ut quemcunque eligerent, ipse acceptaret. Convenerat autem inter Regem & eos, prestito juramento, & fidei interpositione, quod nullo modo alium, quam Johannem Episcopum Norwicensem eligerent. Habebant & similiter Literas Regis. This crafty Pope vacated both these Elections on purpose to force the Monks to elect whom ever he should commend unto them, against the right of the King's Crown, to grant Licences to elect, and approve the Archbishop when elected, that so having wrested out of his hands, the disposition of the See of the Primate and Metropolitan of all England to confer it on his own creatures; he might rule both the Church and Kingdom at his pleasure; in pursuance of which design the perfidious Monks complied with him against the King: as the Historian thus relates. * Mat. Paris, p. 213. Sed ipsi Monachi, postquam intellexerunt electionem dicti Johannis Papae nimis displic●re & cassari, suggerentibus Cardinalibus & Domino Papa; & affirmantibus licere eis eligere, quemcunque vellent, ut secrete electionem celebrarent, si strenuum & precipue Anglicum eligerent, elegerunt per consilium Papae Magistrum Stephanum de Langeton Cardinalem, quo non erat major in Curia, imo nec ei parem moribus & scientia. Ex tunc igitur non potuit ei Papa in multiformi tribulatione deesse. CAssatis itaque Electionibus memoratis Dominus Papa nolens diutius sustinere, Mat. Paris Hist. Angl. p. 213. 214. Mat. Westm. p. 85. 86. ut gregi dominico cura deesset Pastoralis (the ground of all subsequent provisions to Bishoprics) persuasit Monachis Cantuariensis, qui procuratores coram eo constituti fuerant pro negotio Ecclesiae Cantuariensis, ut eligerent Magistrum Stephanum de Langeton, Presbyterum Cardinalem, virum in literali scientia Mat. Parker on the life of Stephen Langton. tum discretum, & moribus ornatum, asserens ipsius promotionem, tam ips● Regi, quam universae Ecclesiae Anglicanae plurimum profuturam. Monachi vero adhaec respondentes asserebant, non licere praeter Consensum Regium et sui Conventus Canonicam electionem celebrare. At Papa, quasi rapiens verbum ex Ore ipsorum dixit: sciatis vos plenariam habere in Ecclesia Cantuariensi potestatem, nec et super electionibus apud sedem Apostolicam celebratis, * This Pope could produce no Pre●ident to prove this pretended custom. solet assensus Principum expectari. Vnde vobis qui tot & tales estis, quod plene su●●icitis ad electionem, in virtute obedientiae, et sub paena anathematis precipimus, ut illum in Archiepiscopum eligatis, quem Nos damus vobis in Patrem et Pastorem animarum vestrarum. Monachi quoque excommunicationis sententiam incurrere metuentes, licet inviti et cum murmuratione assensum tamen praebuerunt. Solus ex omnibus Monachis Magister Helias de Brantefeld, qui pro parte Regis & Episcopi Norwicensis advenerat, noluit consentire. Caeteri autem omnes cum Hymno Te Deum Laudamus, electum memoratum ad Altare detulerunt. Deinde Decimo Quinto Kalendas Julii in Civitate Viterbii, a Papa prefato munus consecrationis suscepit. The Pope to salve this grand encroachment on King John and the Crown of England, endeavoured by gifts and compliments to pacify and court him out of it: To which purpose, Sub eisdem diebus, Innocentius Papa cupiens in proposito suo Regem Mat. Paris, p. 214. 215. johannem habere favorabilem, quia cognoverat eundem Johannem cupidum esse, & diligentem inquisitorem & acquisitorem Gemmarum pretiosarum, * Munera quidem magna misit, sed misit in hamo. misit ei hanc Epistolam cum tali Xenio quod in eadem potest perpendi. Innocentius Papa tertius, Johanni Regi Anglorum: etc. Inter opes terrenas, quas mortalis oculus concupiscit, & quasi clariora desiderat, aurum, obrizum & lapides pretiosas principatum credimus obtinere. Licet autem his & aliis divitiis vestra regalis abundet excellentia, in signum tamen dilectionis & gratiae, quatuor Annulos Aureos cum diversis lapidibus pretiosis, tuae magnitudini, destinamus. In quibus te volumus specialiter intelligere, formam, numerum, materiam, & colorem, ut mysterium potius quam donum attendas. Rotunditas enim Eternitatem significat, quae initio caret & fine. Habet ergo Regalis discretio quod in forma requirat, ut de terrenis transeat ad caelestia, de temporalibus ad aeterna procedat. Quaternarius autem qui numerus est quadratus, constantiam mentis significavit, quae nec deprimi debet in adversis, nec in prosperis elevari, quod tunc laudabiliter adimplebit, cum quatuor virtutibus principalibus fuerit ordinata, viz. Justitia, Fortitudine, Prudentia, Temperantia. Intelligas ergo in primo, Justitiam quam exerceas in judiciis. In seenndo; Fortitudinem quam exhibeas in adversis. In tertio, Prudentiam quam observes in dubiis. In quarto, Temperantiam quam in prosperis non demittas. Per aurum vero sapientia designatur, Quia sicut Aurum praeeminet metallis universis, sic sapientia donis omnibus antecellit. Propheta testante. Requiescet super eum spiritus sapientiae, etc. Nihil est autem quod Regem magis oportet habere. Unde Rex ille pacificus Solomon, ●olo a Domino sapientiam postulavit, ut populum sibi commissum perinde sciret gubernare. Porro Smaragdi Viriditas fidem, Saphiri serenitas spem, Gran●ti rubicundit●s Charitatem. Topatii Claritas operationem bonam significat, de qua Dominus; Luceat Lux vestra. Habes igitur in Smaragdo quod credas, in Saphiro quod speras, in Gran●to quod diligas, in Topatio quod exerceas, ut de virtute in virtutem ascendas donec Dominum Deorum videas in Zion. Haec autem cum ad Regis presentiam pervenissent, primo 〈◊〉 ei complacuerunt, sed post non multos dies subsequentes aurum, obr●zum, in s●oriam, & derisum, gemmae in gemitus amor in rancorem, sicut sequens sermo declarabit, sunt flebiliter commutata, ut ex sequentibus constiterit. * Mat. Paris, p. 214. His ita gestis Papa Innocentius Reg● Anglorum literas direxit, exhortans humiliter & devote, ut Magistrum Stepha 〈◊〉 ●● 〈◊〉 getune, Sancti Chrysogoni Presbyterum Cardinalem, ad Archiepiscop 〈◊〉 〈◊〉▪ Canonice electum, benigne susciperet, & qui de Regno suo originem 〈◊〉. non solum in saecularium scientia literarum Magistri nomen prome●uit, sed & Doctor ●sse in Theologicis disciplinis. Et cum praecipue vita ipsius & mores scientiae magnitudinem excedant, ejus persona tam anim● suae quam corpori erit non mediocriter profutura. Denique cum multis in hu●c modum verbis tam blandis quam persuasoriis Regem ad consensum inducere p●rstitisset, Priori & Monachi Cantuariensibus, per literas in virtute Sanctae obedientiae praecep●, ut Archiepiscopum jam dictum in pastorem susciperent, eique in tempo 〈◊〉 simul & spiritualibus humiliter obedirent. * Mat Paris, p 215, 216. Mat. Westm. p. 86. Cumque tandem Literae Do 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ad Regis Anglorum notitiam pervenissent, ●ratus est Rex vehementer de promotione Magistri 〈◊〉, ●ari●er & Norwicensis cassatione, crimenque proditionis in Monachos Cantuarienses refundere sa●ege●at. Dixit enim quod in praejudicium ●uae libe 〈◊〉, ●●●e ipsius licentia Suppriorem suam e●egerant, & postmodum, ut quod ma●● gesserunt, quasi sibi satisfaciendo palliarent, eligerunt Episcopum Norwicensem, & pecuniam de fisco accipientes ad itineris expensas, ut electionem de Episcopo memorat● factam apud sedem Apostolicam impetrarent confirmari, in cumulum iniquitatis suae elegerunt ibi Stephanum de Langetune, inimicum suum publicum, eumque fecerunt in Archiepiscopum consecrari: Ob hanc quoque causam idem Rex in furorem versus, et indignationem, misit Fulconem de Cantelou, & Henricum de Cornhelle, Milites Crudelissimos et humanitatis ignaros cum ministris armatis, ut Monachos Cantuarienses, sicut crimine laesae majestatis reos, a Regno Angliae expellerent, vel sententia Capitali condemnarent. Illi autem mandatum Domini sui non segniter exequentes, Cantuariam sunt profecti, et nudatis Ensibus Monasterium ingressi, voce furiosa Priori et Monachis ex parte Regis praeceperunt, ut velut Proditores Regiae Majestatis, incontinenti de Regno Angliae exirent. Et si hoc facere Nota. noluissent, affirmaverunt cum juramento, quod ipsi injecto igne, tam in ipso Monasterio, quam in aliis officinis omnes illos cum ipsis aedificiis concremarent. Monachi vero nimis inconsulte agentes, sine violentia et omni manuum injectione, recesserunt omnes praeter Tredecim valetudinarios; qui in domo infirmorum jacentes, incedere non valebant. Et protinus trajecti in Flandriam, in Abbatia Sancti Bertini honorifice recepti sunt, & in aliis Monasteriis transmarinis. Deinde jubente Rege substituti sunt in Ecclesia Cantuariensi Monachi quidam de Sancto Augustino, ad Ministrandum ibidem, Fulcone prefato procurante, imo omnia bona corundem Monachorum distrahente, et confiscante, terris tam Archiepiscopi quam Monachorum remanentibus incultis. Exierunt autem Monachi saepe dicti, de Monasterio suo in exilium. a Mat. Paris Hist. Angl. p. 215, 216. Exclusis hoc ordine Monachis Cantuariensibus, b See Fox Acts & Monuments vol. 1. p. 325. Rex Anglorum Johannes ad Papam nuncios cum literis direxit, in quibus expresse et quasi comminando ipsum arguebat, quod electione Norwicensis Episcopi turpiter repulsa, Stephanum quendam de Langetuna sibi penitus ignotum, et in Regno Francorum inter hostes suos publicos diutissime conversatum, fecerat in Cantuariensem Episcopum consecrari. Et quod magis in prejudicium, et subversionem Libertatum ad Coronam suam spectantium redundat, ipsius Consensu a Monachis qui illum postulasse debuerant, nec rite requisito, eundem Stephanum temere promovere praesumpsit. Unde asserebat se sufficienter admirari non posse, quod tam ipse Papa quam universa Curia Romana ad memoriam non reducunt, in quantum ejus dilectio Romanae sedi fuerit hactenus necessaria, in hoc rationis oculum non figentes, quod uberiores sibi fructus perveniant de Regno suo Angliae quam de omnibus Regionibus citra Alpes constitutis. Addit insuper, quod pro Libertatibus Coronae suae stabit si necesse fuerit, usque ad mortem; immutabiliter affirmans Nota. se non posse ab electione simul et promotione Norwicensis Episcopi quam sibi utilem intelligit, revocari. Tandem negotii summam in hoc conclusit, quod si de premissis non fuerit exauditus, omnibus Romam petentibus maris semitas angustabit: ne terra sua diutius evacuata ipsi minus ad hostes ab ea depellendos sufficiat. Et cum Archiepiscopi, Episcopi, et alii Ecclesiarum Prelati, tam de Regno Angliae, quam aliarum terrarum suarum, in omnium scientiarum plenitudine sufficienter abundent, si necessitas coegerit, extra Nota. terras suas justitiam vel judicium ab alienigenis non Emendicabit: A most royal; heroic, just and equal resolution. Cumque haec omnia ad Domini Papae audientiam, per Regis nuntios pervenissent Mat. Paris p. 215, 216. Fox Acts and Monuments, vol. 1. p. 325, 326. Regi Anglorum scripsit in haec verba, which are very High, arrogant, menacing, and Antimonarchical, displaying his Antichristian pride and spirit. INNOCENTIUS Episcopus Servus Servorum Dei, Charissimo in Christo Filio, Johanni illustri Anglorum Regi salutem, & Apostolicam Benedictionem. Cum super negotio Cantuariensis Ecclesiae nos tibi scripserimus, humiliter, diligenter, benigne exhortando ac rogando, tu nobis (ut salva pace tua loquar) rescripsisti quasi comminando, et exprobando contumaciter et proterve. Et cum nos tibi supra jus deferre curemus, tu nobis secundum jus deferre non curas, minus quam deceret attendens, quod si tua nobis devotio plurimum est necessaria, nostra tamen tibi non parum est opportuna. Cumque nos in tali Casu tantum honorem nulli Principum detulimus quantum tibi, tu nostro tantum derogare attendis honori, quantum in simili casu nullus Princeps derogare presumpsit, quasdam Frivolas occasiones pretendens, quibus asseris, quod Electioni de dilecto filio nostro Magistro Stephano, titulo Sancti Chrysogoni Presbytero Cardinali a Monachis Cantuariensibus celebratae, non potes portare consensum, quia videlicet inter tuos est conversatus inimicos, et persona ejus est tibi prorsus ignota. Porro juxta proverbium Solomonis, frustra jacitur rete ante oculos pennatorum, cum intelligamus illud, ei non esse imputandum ad culpam, sed ad gloriam potius adscribendum, quod Parisiis diu vacans liberalibus studiis, in tantum profecit, ut meruerit esse Doctor, non solum in liberalibus facultatibus, verum & in Theologicis disciplinis. Ac si per hoc cum vita concordet Doctrinae, dignus est habitus praebendam obtinere Parisiensem. Unde mirabile gerimus, si vir tanti nominis de tuo regno ducens originem, tibi potuit esse saltem quoad famam ignotus, praesertim cum ter scripsisses illi postquam nobis extitit in Cardinalem promotus: quod licet disposueris eum ad tuae familiaritatis obsequium evocare, gaudebas tamen quod ad majus erat officium sublimatus. Sed illud potius te attendere decuisset, quod in terra tua natus est, de parentibus tibi fidelibus ac devotis, quodque in Eboracensi Ecclesia fuerat Prebendatus, quae longe major & dignior quam Pariacensis existit. Unde non solum ratione carnis & sanguinis, verum & obtentu ecclesiastici beneficii & officii, te ac regnum tuum affectu sincero diligere comprobatur. Nuncii vero tui causam nobis aliam expresse runt, quare non prestitisti ejus electioni consensum, quia videlicet nunquam fuerat requisitus ab illis, qui eum a te debuerunt postulare, asserentes quod literae illae quibus mandavimus, ut super hoc negotio procuratores ad nos idoneos destinares, ad te minime pervenerunt. Et Monachi Cantuarienses, quamvis pro aliis negotiis ad tuam presentiam accessissent, pro postulando tamen consensu nec literas, nec nuncios direxerunt; Unde iidem nuncii cum multa instantia nobis supplicarunt, quatinus ex quo nobis complacuit hanc tibi honorificentiam reservare, ut Monachi e Cantuarienses regium postularunt assensum, quoniam hoc factum non erat, dilationem congruam concedere dignaremur, infra quam posset id fieri, ne juri tuo contingeret derogari. Contra personam Electi quiddam ad ultimum proponentes, quod cum manifeste factum sit, Ostium oris claudere debuissent, presertim cum si verum esset, promotionem ejus jam impedire non posset. Licet autem super Nota. Electionibus apud sedem Apostolicam celebratis, non consueverit assensus Principum expectari, Duo tamen Monachi fuerunt specialiter deputati; ut ad te pro requirendo assensu venirent, qui apud Ydivoriam fuerunt retenti, ut injunctum sibi mandatum exequi non valerent, & praefatae literae de procuratoribus ad nostram praesentiam destinandis, tuis fuerunt Nuntiis assignatae, ut eas tibi fideliter praesentarent. Nos quoque qui super eandem Ecclesiam Cantuariensem plenitudinem potestatis habemus, regium super hoc dignati sumus implorare favorem. Et Cursor noster qui Apostolicas tibi Literas presentavit, literas quoque Prioris ac Monachorum, qui ex mandato totius Capituli Cantuariensis Celebraverunt electionem memoratam, super assensu praetendo, Regiae sublimitati porrexit. Ideoque non vidimus oportere denuo post haec omnia regium postulare consensum. Sed illud Agere disposuimus, non declinantes ad dextram vel ad sinistram, quod Sanctorum Patrum Canonicae sanctiones, statuunt faciendum, ut videlicet nihil morae vel difficultatis rectis dispositionibus auferatur ne gregi Dominico diu desit cura Pastoralis. Quocirca vel discretioni tuae vel Regali Prudentiae suggeratur a quoquam, quod aliquatinus valeat a consummatione hujus officii revocari, quoniam absque * The contrary appeared in both. vi & dolo canonica sit Electio de persona idmea concorditer celebrata, sine damno famae & periculo conscientiae differre non possemus. Tu ergo Fili Charissime, cujus honori supra jus deferri curavimus secundum jus, nostro studeatis honori deferre, ut gratiam divinam & nostram uberius merearis, ne forte si secus egeris, in eam te difficultatem inducas, de qua non facile valeas expediri, cum tandem opporteat eum vincere, * Phil. 2. 9, 10. cu●●lectitur omne genu Coelestium, terrestrium & infernorum, cujus nos vices in terris, licet immeriti exercemus. Ne igitur eorum consiliis adquiescas, qui tuam femper turbationem desiderant, ut melius possint in aqua turbida piscari, sed nostro beneplacato te committas, quod utique tibi cedet ad laudem, gloriam et honorem. Quia non esset tibi tutum in hac causa Deo et Ecclesiae repugnare, pro qua beatus Martyr et Pontifex Gloriosus Thomas sanguinem suum recenter effudit, presertim ex quo Pater et Frater tuus clarae memorie tunc Reges Anglorum in manibus Legatorum Apostolicae sedis illam pravam consuetudinem abjurarunt. Nos autem si nobis humiliter acquieveris, sufficienter tibi & tuis providere curabimus, ne super hoc valeat vobis aliquod prejudicium generari. Datum Laterani, Pontificatus nostri Anno Decimo. King John being no ways courted out of, nor terrified from his Royal Rights An. Dom. 1208 and Dignities by the courtship or menaces of Pope Innocent, thereupon Anno Dom. 1208. he thus most injuriously proceeded against him. INNOCENTIUS Papa, cum Regis Johannis Anglorum cor adeo induratum didicerat Mat. Paris, Hist. Angl. p. 216, 217. (when as his own heart rather was thus hardened) quod nec blandis ejus admonitionibus nec asperis comminationibus adquiesceret, ut Stephanum Cantuariensem Archiepiscopum recipere vellet, tactus dolore cordis intrinsecus Willielmo Londinensi, Eustachio Elyensi, & Malger● Wigorniensi Episcopis, de consilio Cardinalium suorum dedit in mandatis, ut accedentes ad Regem memoratum, ipsum pia sollicitudine pro negotio Cantuariensis Ecclesiae convenirent, salubriter exhortantes in Domino, quatenus eo pacto se vinci à Deo permitteret, ut victus Domini vinceret, ipsumque cui servire, regnare est, in sui favorem provocaret. Quod si forte ipsum contumacem, sicut hactenus extitit, invenirent et Rebellem, Regnum Angliae totum sub Interdicto concluderent, Authoritate ei Apostolica denunciantes: Quod si per hoc pertinaciam suam non duceret corrigendam, ipse manum adhibere curaret Graviorem, cum necesse sit eum vincere, qui pro salute Ecclesiae Sanctae Diabolum, et ejus Angelos debellams, claustra Tartarea spoliavit. Suffraganeis quoque Cantuariensis Ecclesiae Episcopis, aliisque illius Diocaesis Praelatis in virtute obedientiae per sedis Apostolicae literas expressit, ut Archiepiscopum praefatum in Patrem susciperent & Pastorem, eique charitate debita obedire curarent. Hereupon Londoniensis, Elyensis, atque Wigorniensis Episcopi, ex injuncto sibi delegationis Officio, (being more obsequious to the Pope's illegal, than their King's lawful mandates) Regem Johannem adeuntes, mandatumque sibi Apostolicum per ordinem exponentes, humiliter lacrymisque profusis supplicabant, quatenus Dominum habens prae oculis, Archiepiscopum Cantuariensem & Monachos ad Ecclesiam suam revocaret, honoraret, & eos charitate perfecta diligeret, scandalum interdicti evitare curaret; ut per hoc retributor meritorum & potentiam sibi multiplicare dignaretur temporalem, & gloriam post Mortem largiretur sine fine mensuram. Cumque idem Episcopi pro ejus salute vellent protrahere sermonem, Rex quasi in furiam versus, contra Dominum Papam et ejus Cardinales in verba blasphemiae prorupit, jurans per dentes Dei, quod si ipsi vel alii quicunque ausu temerario terras suas supponerent Interdicte, Nota. ipse incontinenti universos Angliae Praelatos, Clericos pariter et ordinatos, ad Papam mitteret, et bona eorum omnia confiscaret. Addit etiam, quod Romanos quoscunque sive in quibuscunque terris suis reperiri potuissent, erutis oculis naribusque praecisis, Romam destinaret: Vt hiis intersignis a caeteris possent nationibus ibidem discerni. Ipsis insuper Episcopis expresse praecepit, quatenus cum summa festnatione a suo conspectu recederent, si suorum corporum vellent scandali discrimine evitare. A most Heroic, Royal resolution, worthy a King of England, thus affronted by a Tyrannising Usurping Pope, and perfidious Bishops. The King before this final harsh Answer given to them, had condescended as far as possible to gratify the Pope in receiving Stephen Langhton to be Archbishop of Canterbury, upon these Bishops first acquainting him with the Pope's mandate to them, promising to do any thing therein which his Council should think fit and reasonable, saving in all things to him and his Heirs the right and dignity of the Crown belonging to them, as appears by his Letters Patents to these Bishops, attested by 7. Earls, and 3. Barons, (which our Monkish Historians conceal) near 3. months before the Interdict. REX, etc. Londoniensi, Elyensi, & Wygorniensi Episcopis salutem. Sciatis quod parati Pat. 9 Johan. Regis, m. 3: n. 22. sumus obedire Domino Papae sicut debemus, & mandatum ejus super negotio Cantuariensis Ecclesiae ad vos directum, quod nobis ostendist implere, cum concilio fidelium nostrorum sicut decet secundam rationem: Salvis nobis in omnibus et heraedibus nostris, jure nostro, et dignitate nostra, et libertatibus nostris. Testibus G. filio Petri, Comite Essex, R. Comite Cestriae, W. Comite Arundel, W. Comite Sarisburiens. fratre nostro, R. Comite de Clara, S. Comite Winton, A. Comite Oxon, R. filio Rogeri, R. Constab. Cestriae, W. Briewer. apud Lameli. Vicesimo primo die Januarii. But the Bishops would admit of no such terms or conditions, but the King must absolutely part with his Right, that so the Pope from thenceforth might dispose of the Archbishopric of Canterbury and all other Bishoprics in England, Wales and Ireland (by this Precedent) if submitted to, at his pleasure. Whereupon the King commanded them to deliver these his Letters Patents to his chief Justice, saving his right and dignity, before the Interdict pronounced by them, as this Record informs us. REX, etc. W. London. Episcopo, etc. Mandamus vobis quod literas nostras Patentes R Pat. 9 Johan. 7 ●gis, m. 2. n. quas fecimus vobis & soc●●s vestris executoribus mandati Apostolici super negotio Cantuariensis Ecclesiae adimplendo, salvo jure et dignitate nostra, tradatis Justiciario nostro G. filio Petri. Et in hujus rei Testimonium vobis has literas nostras Patentes inde mittimus. Teste meipso apud Suhant, Vicesimo tertio die Marcii. During the King's Treaty with the Bishops, Simon Langeton the pretended Archbishop's Brother, repaired to the King at Winchester, entreating him in the presence of the Bishops to admit his Brother to the Archbishopric, which he proffering to do, saving only his right and dignity: So soon as ever the King began to mention it, he presently replied in an insolent manner, That he would do nought for the King therein, unless he would wholly refer himself into his hands, without any such saving. Which he and the Bishops concealing from the people, and raising false scandalous rumours touching the Kings proceedings herein, to alienate his Subjects affections from him, the King thereupon was enforced by his Letters Patents and Proclamations, to publish the truth thereof to all his Subjects in Kent, (most concerned therein, being under the Archbishop's Jurisdiction, and most of them Tenants to the Archbishopric) to undeceive them. REX, etc. Omnibus hominibus totius Kanciae, etc. Sciatis quod Magister Simon Pat. 9 Johan. Regis, m. 2. n. 15. de Langeton, venit ad nos apud Wintoniam, die Mercurii proximo ante mediam quadragesimam, & coram Episcopis nostris rogavit nos, quod Magistrum S. de Langeton, Fratrem suum reciperemus in Archiepiscopum Cantuariensem: Et cum loqueremur eide salvanda nobis in hoc dignitate nostra, dixit nobis, quod nichil nobis inde faceret nisi ex toto poneremus nos in manum suam. Hoc autem vobis mandamus, ut sciatis malum et injuriam nobis in hac parte factam. Et mandamus vobis quod credatis hiis quae Regin. Cornehull, vobis dixerit ex parte nostra, de facto praefato ibidem inter nos et praedictos Episcopos et ipsum Simonem facto, et de facienda super hoc praeceptum nostrum. Teste meipso apud Winton. Decimo quarto die Marcii. The King during this Treaty with the Bishops, to preserve the Rights of his Crown, committed the custody of the Temporalties of the Priory of Christ-Church, and Archbishopric of Canterbury, to certain Commissioners during his Royal pleasure, by these Patents. REX, etc. Fulconi de Kantilupo, & Reginaldo de Cornubia, etc. Sciatis quod commissimus Pat. 9 Johan. Regis, m. 3. n. 21. Magistro Radulpho de Sancto Martino, & Roberto de London. custodiam Ecclesiae Christi Cantuariensis, cum omnibus quae ad interiora ejusdem Ecclesiae spectant, & commissimus eidem Roberto, & Henrico de Sandwico, custodiam omnium Maneriorum Prioratus ejusdem Ecclesiae cum omnibus pertinentiis suis. Et commissimus praedictis Magistro Radulpho, & Roberto, & Radulpho de Arden. custodiam omnium Maneriorum Archiepiscopatus Cantuariensis, cum omnibus pertinentiis suis quamdiu nobis placuerit. Et ideo vobis mandamus quod ea illis tanquam custodibus nostris statim visis literis istis ita liberari faciatis, & bene imbreviari omnia quae eis liberaveritis. Teste G. filio Petri, apud Westmonasterium, Vicesimo tertio die Januarii, Anno Regni nostri Nono. REX, etc. Omnibus tenentibus de Archiepiscopatu Cantuariense, & Prioratus, Ibidem. etc. tam Militibus quam aliis, etc. Sciatis quod commissimus R. de Cornehull, custodiam praedicti Archiepiscopatus & praedicti Prioratus cum omnibus quae ad eosdem Archiepiscopatum & Prioratum pertinent, & vobis mandamus quod ei tanquam custodi nostro sitis in omnibus intendentes & respondentes quamdiu nobis placuerit. Teste meipso apud Winton. Decimo quarto die Marcii. The Bishops after the King's final peremptory Answer to them, formerly recited, resolved to enforce the King to quit his Royal right and dignity, by an Antichristian Interdict of his Kingdom, which they could not persuade him to part with by their Treaty; thus related by * Hist. Angliae p. 217, 218. Matthew Paris. REcedentes autem Episcopi memorati, cum fructum penitentiae in Rege non invenerunt, in Quadragesima sequenti, executionem sibi a summo Pontifice demandatam, exequi non verentes, prima die Lunae in passione Domini, quae tunc contigit decimo Kalendas Aprilis, sub generali Interdicto totam Angliam incluserunt: quod sicut in Autentico Domini Papae, expressum habetur, non obstantibus privilegiis, ab omnibus est inviolabiliter observatum. Cessaverunt itaque in Anglia omnia Ecclesiastica Sacramenta, praeter solummodo confessionem et viaticum in ultima necessitate, et Baptisma parvulorum; (Quod ex callida indulgentia Papae concessum est ut abalienatis a Rege sibique conciliatis Regni subditis tam Regnum quam Regem sibi subiiceret, adds * Antiqu. Eccles. Brit. p. 148. Matthew Parker.) corpora quoque defunctorum de Civitatibus et villis efferebantur, et more canum in biviis et fossatis sine orationibus et Sacerdotum ministerio sepeliebantur. † In their Chronicles and Histories. Trevisa, Fabian, Caxton, Fox, Speed, with others add, That all the doors of Churches and other places where Divine Service before was used, first in London, and after in all places throughout the Land, were shut up with Keys, Walls, and other fastenings, no public Prayers, Masses, or Divine Service must be once celebrated within them for sundry years ensuing; by which unchristian Interdict this flourishing Church of England was publicly deprived for many years together of the very Face of Christianity, even by Pope Innocent, Christ's pretended Vicar, who acted here like Julian his professed Enemy, immuring up the doors of all Christian Temples, in despite of their God, and for the Kings bore crossing of his unjust Papal Usurpations, in defence of his Prerogative Royal, censured even God and Christ himself, to lose their public Worship, and all the People, Bishops, Clergy to hazard their souls, living like Infidels, without God's Service and blessed Sacraments, yea and dying, like Dogs to be tumbled into every ditch without Christian burial: So well did he pursue our Saviour's trebled precept to Peter, whereon he founded his Papal Sovereignty, John 22. 16, 17. Feed my Sheep, Feed my Lambs. Matthew Paris subjoins, Quid plura? Recesserunt latenter ab Anglia, Willielmus Londinensis, Eustachius Elyensis, Malgerus Wygorniensis, Jozelinus Bathoniensis, & Eglantine idius Herefordensis Episcopi, (chief Actors in this unchristian Tragedy) satius Arbitrantes sevitiam commoti Regis ad tempus declinare, quam in terra Interdicta sine fructu residere. † William Caxtons Chronicle part 7. But before their departure they excommunicated all the King's Officers, who seized their Temporalties and Goods for this their Treasonable and Antichristian proceedings, not only against himself, but his whole Realm, though not guilty of any contempt against the Pope. The King hereupon out of just indignation and retaliation, thus rigorously proceeded against these Traitorous Prelates, and all the Clergy confederating with the Pope and them, against his Rights and Sovereignty, banishing the chief Actors, and seizing the Possessions and Goods of the rest. Thus registered by * Hist. Angliae p. 217, 218. Matthew Paris. REX igitur Anglorum ob causa Interdicti ment nimis confusus. misit Vicecomites suos & alios iniquitatis ministros in omnes ●ines Angliae, praecipiens tam Praelatis singulis quam eorum subjectis cum comminatione terrifica, ut incontinenter a Regno exirent, et super hac injuria peterent sibi a Papa justitiam exhiberi. Episcopatus insuper, Abbatias, Prioratus, sub Laicorum custodia deputans, universos redditus Ecclesiasticos confiscari praecepit. Sed in hoc sibi caute prospiciebant Praelati generaliter omnes totius Regni, quod de monasteriis suis exire noluerunt, nisi per violentiam expellerentur, Quod cum a Regiis Ministris suisset compertum, Noluerunt alicui ingerere violentiam, sicut nec a Rege praeceptum habuerunt: sed bona eorum omnia in usus Regis convertentes, victum eis & vestitum parce ex rebus propriis ministrabant. Horrea Clericorum Rege jubente, obserata sunt ubique & ad commodum fisci distracta, Presbyterorum & Clericorum focariae per totam Angliam a Ministris Regis captae sunt, & graviter ad se redimendum compulsae: viri religiosi sive quicunque ordinati qui itinerantes reperti sunt in via ab equis suis projiciebantur, spoliabantur, & a satellitibus Regis turpiter tractabantur, nec fuit qui eis iustitiam exhiberet. Venerunt ea tempestate in confinio Walliae ad regem, m●n●●r● cujusdam vicecomitis, ducentes praedonem unum, manibus a tergo vinctis qui sacerdotem quendam in via spoliaverat & interfecerat, quaerentes a Rege quid super tali eventu sibi fieri placeret. Quibus incontinenter respondit dicens,: Inimicum meum interemit, solvite illum & sinite abire, * The King might more justly punish the parents of the Archbishop and Bishops who Interdicted England, than they his Subjects, and whole Realm for his pretended disobedience to the Pope. Parentes quoque Archeepiscopi & Episcoporum qui Angliam sub interdicto posuerunt, jubente Rege capiebantur, atque bonis omnibus spoliati in carcerem trudebantur. Inter hec omnia mala perendenabant Pontifices prefati in partibus Transmarinis, omnimodis viventes in delicius, & sese murum pro domo Domini non opponentes, secundum Redemptoris sententiam, cum Lupum viderunt venientem dimiserunt oves, & fagerunt. Such was the Piety and Sobriety, as well as Loyalty of Nota. these Ghostly Fathers, who made all to fast from God's public Worship. After this general seizure of the Bishops and Clergies Temporalties and goods, such of them as submitted to the King, and refused to comply with the Interdict, celebrating Divine Service, and administering the Sacramentsto the people according to their duties both to God, the King and people, the King by special writs restored their Temporalties, chattles, goods to them, retaining in his hands the Lands and goods of all Abbots, Priors, Religious houses and Clerks, who submitted to the Interdict, as is evident by these two Patents for restoring the Possessions, lands and goods of the Bishops of Winchester, and Norwich, who complied with the King, as did Philip Bishop of Duresme, heartening him to contemn the Pope's causeless curse, though at last, when the King surrendered his Crown, they were all enforced to cry peccavi for it, as * See Speeds Chronicle. Book 9 Chap. 8. Sect. 40. p. 971. Godwins Catalogue of Bishops, in the Life of Peter de la Roche Bishop of Winchester. p. 173. in the Life of Philip of Poitiers Bishop of Durh●un. p. 511. Claus. 9 Johan. Regis mem. 5. Godwin observes, REx, etc. Roberto Lupe, & G. de Serland, Sciatis quod reddidimus domino Wintoniensi Episcopo, Episcopatum Winton. & omnes terras, res, redditus & possessiones suas, & Wardas suas, & omnia sua capta in manum Domini Regis, occasione Interdicti, Custodienda per manum suam. Et ideo vobis mandamus, quod ei Episcopatum suum, & omnia sua in Balliva tua habere faciatis, & in pace terrae saciatis, Retentis in manu nostra, terris, redditibus & rebus omnium Abbatum, Priorum, & domorum Religiosorum, & etiam Clericorum de Episcopatu suo. Teste W. Briwer. apud Waverle, Quinto die Aprilis. Per eundem. Sub eadem forma scribitur, aliis in quorum Ballivis habet terras, res vel tenementa. MAndatum est Roberto de Burgata, quod faciat habere Episcopo Norwicensi, Ibidem. totum Regale, quod ad Episcopatum suum pertinet, & omnia Maneria sua, & omnes terras & Wardas suas, & omnia sua capta in manu Domini Regis occasione interdicti, retentis in manu Domini Regis omnibus terris, redditibus, & rebus omnium Abbatum, Prioram, & virorum Religiosorum, & etiam Clericorum de Episcopatu suo. Mandatum est etiam eidem quod faciat habere.— Rogero omnes redditus, & res Clericorum habentium redditus de feudo suo, & donatione sua, & omnes terras, redditus, & res Abbatum de feudo suo, si alicujus crociae habent de dono suo, & Priorum seu cujuscunque domus religiosae si sit de dono suo, quia ipse domino Regi inde respondebit. The King was so just in these his proceedings, as not to seize the lands or goods of any Religious Persons or Clerks, but those who refused to celebrate Divine Service, from and after a certain day prefixed to them, as is evident by this Record, touching the Religious Persons and Clerks within the Bishoprics of Lincoln and Ely. REx omnibus de Episcopatu Linc. Clericis & Laicis salutem. Sciatis quod a Pat. 9 Regis 11. die Lunae proxima ante Florid Pasch. commissimus W. de Cornhull Archid. Huntingdon & Gerd. de Camvill, omnes terras & res Abbatum & Priorum, & omnium Religiosorum, & etiam Clericorum de Episcopatu Lincolniae, qui divina extunc celebrare noluerint, & mandamus vobis quod eis extunc sicut Ballivis nostris sitis intendentes. Sub eadem forma scribitur omnibus de Episcopatu Eliensi quod sint intendentes ab illa die com. Surr. Yea, this King was so indulgent, as to permit all Archbishops, Bishops, Abbots, Priors, Religious persons and Clerks throughout England, to sell their corn by sums, till the feast of St. Katherine, after their barns were shut up, as appears by this Writ issued to all Sheriffs of England. MAnsatum est omnibus Uicecomitibus Angliae, quod permittant Archiepiscopos, Claus. 9 Johan Regis, m. 10. dors. Episcopos, Abbates, Priores, & omnes viros religiosos, & omnes clerios Uendece blada sua per summas, usque ad festum Sanctae Katerinae. Matthew Paris informs us, that John Abbot of St. Albon, being specially Additamenta Veta. 23. Abbattum Sancti. Albani. p. 109. 110. Speeds. Hist. p. p. 570. 571. commanded by the King to celebrate divine service during the Interdict, called all his Monks into the Chapterhouse, persuading them to obey God (meaning the Pope) rather then man (the King) and patiently to endure the King's anger, which God in due time would bring to an end. For which high contempt, the King seized all the Temporalties of the Abbey, prosecuted this Abbot, put out the Officers of the Abbey, and placed his own in their steads, till this Abbot at last complied, and paid six hundred marks to the King, to purchase his peace and take off the sequestration. HIc in interdicto multas pressuras, & tribulationes perpessus est, quarum unam huic libello duximus inserendam; significavit ei Rex Johannes, ut spre to Papali mandato in Interdicto divina celebraret. Et super hoc, habito consilio in Capitulo, ait, Fratres oportet obedire magis Deo, (the celebrating of Divine Service as he commanded, had been to obey God, not to intermit it on the Pope's Inhibition, when both God and the King commanded it) quam hominibus; sustineamus iram principis, dabit Deus his quoque finem. Et sic Domino Papae obediens, quamvis Magister Alexander filius Cementarii (tunc Minister Regis) consuluisset in contrarium, noluit Regi in hoc casu obedire, Iratus igitur Rex vehementer de contemptu sui mandati (accipiens sic sponte malignandi occasionem) occupavit in manu sua totam Abbatiam. Et ejectis nostris suos per omnia apposuit custodes seculares videlicet, Magistrum Robertum Londoniensem, Clericum suum superiorem, virum versutum & per omnia Regi Johanni Domino suo conformem, qui etiam inter ipsum Regem & admirabilem Murmelinum, Crebra internuncia & secreta (de Apostasia ut dicitur) intermeans detulerat Ipse igitur Robertus, ejecto & deposito nostro Cellerario instituit suum, quendam scilicet secularem, virum versutum, & avarum nimis, suae quae dum potuit avaritiae consulentem. Similiter ignominiose nostro janitore ejecto, subrogavit alium, Robertum nomine, qui sustigatis ingredientibus & egredientibus, & perscrutatis, erat conventui quasi spina in oculo. Aegre igitur nimis haec ferens Abbas Johannes, ut videlicet tam libera, tam nobilis domus in suo tempore, tali Laicorum jugo praemeretur, Regem (imo Tyrannum) justus injustum, agnus adiit Leopardnm (thus doth the venomous Monck●bespatter King John) deditque sexcentas Marcas, ut Custodes nos opprimentes amoveret, & liberam in pace cum suis pertinentibus totam sineret Abbatiam. The same year the white Monks complied with God and the King, in saying An. Dom. 1201. Mat. Paris, p. 218. Mat. West. p. 86. 87. Speeds History. Book. 9 ch. 8. Sect. 40. p. 571 divine service, for which presumption this Antichristian Pope suspended them the second time. Albi Monachi in principio Interdicti cessantes, postea ad mandatum sui principalis Divina celebrare presumpserunt, sed haec praesumptio cum ad summi Pontificis noticiam pervenisset, ad sui maiorem confusionem denuo sunt suspensi. And when as the next year (1209.) procurante Stephano Cautuariensi Arciepiscopo, indultum est Ecclesiis conventualibus in Anglia (but not to parish Churches, on purpose to please the Monks, and engage them on the Popes and Archbishop's side, against the King who sequestered their lands, for not celebrating Divine Service, according to the Charters of their foundation and rules of their respective orders) ●emel in hebdomada celebrare Divina, * Mat. Paris, p. 218. Albi autem Monachi hoc privabantur indulgentia, eo quod in principio interdicti cessantes postea ad iussionem sui Abbatis principalis, Papa inconsulto, celebrare praesumpserint: Most partial Papal Justice. The King perceiving that the Pope, and Bishops, intended not only to seduce but to absolve his Subjects from their allegiance to him, like a wise Prince, required pledges from all the great men he suspected, to be delivered to him for their future fidelity, which most of them submitted to, others refused, thus related and aggravated by our Monks to render him odious. INter haec & consimilia opera Impietatis, Rex Johannes in se reversus metuebat, ne Mat. Paris Hist. Angl. p. 218. Mat. Westm. p. 86, 87. Dominus Papa post Interdictum, manus in eum extenderet graviores, illum nominatim excommunicando, vel Magnates Angliae ab ejus fidelitate absolvendo. Vnde ne Regni iura amittere videretur, misit manum militarem ad omnes Regni potentes, & quos praecipue suspectos habebat, exigens obsides ab eis, quibus posset eos, si forte processu temporis ab ejus fidelitate absolverentur, ad debitum revocare obsequium; Adquieverunt multi Regis jussionibus, & alii filios, alii vero nepotes & carnaliter propinquos nunciis tradebant. Venientes tandem ad Willielmum de Brause virum nobilem, & obsides ab eo, sicut ab aliis fecerat exigentes, repagulum conditionis invenerunt. Matildis enim uxor ejusdem Willielmi procacitate muliebri verbum rapiens ex ore viri, nunciis respondit. Pueros meos Domino vestro Regi Johanni non tradam, quia Arthurum Nepotem suum quem honorifice custodisse debuerat, turpiter interfecit. Quod verbum, cum vir ejus audisset, increpavit eam & dixit: Quasi una ex stultis mulieribus contra Dominum nostrum Regem, locuta es. Nam si ipsum in aliquo offendi; paratus sum & ero Domino meo, & sine obsidibus satisfacere, secundum judicium Curiae suae & Baronum parium meorum, certo mihi assignato die & loco. Nuncii autem ad Regem reversi, cum ei quae audierant, retulissent, Rex graviter perturbatus, misit Milites suos & servientes latenter, qui ipsum Willielmum cum tota sua familia comprehenderent, & sibi sub omni festinatione praesentarent. Sed idem Willielmus ab amicis suis praemonitus, cum uxore sua, & filiis & propinquis ad Hyberniam aufugito. * Anno 1208. Matthew Westminster (exceeding all bounds of truth and modesty) superadds, Rex vero interim nunc hunc, nunc illum, de magnatibus Regni, vel pecunia injuste mulctavit, vel libertatibus, aut possessionibus spoliavit, nonnullos uxoribus suis Zelotipavit, filias defloravit, ita quod manifeste tam Deo, quam hominibus exosus videretur & detestabilis. Insuper ut appareret ejus insatiabilis avaritia, gulae inextinguibilis sicut & corporis libido, capturam avium prohibuit, & nobilium arctavit venationes, unde non tantum amorem omnium amisit, imo odium incurrit inexorabile, etiam exosum eum habuit uxor propria, quam de adulterio adulter defamavit, & suspectos eidem familiares, ignominiose necavit, & in arcta custodia ipsam jussit custodiri: & inter caetera ipsius flagitia, apud Nottingham, quamplures obsides pueros innocentes, alter Herodes patibulo fecit suspendi. Vnde tam Anglici, quam alieni desubjugo intollerabili talis tyranni cupientes jam excurrere, caeperunt districte cogitare ad cujus principis sinum aliquod refugium possent invenire. But this doubtless is a mere Monkish forgery, contrary to all rules of Policy, as well as Justice, and his Subjects adhering to him in such a time of danger. In the midst of these contests and Interdicts, the Subprior and Monks of Monteacute acknowledged his Sovereign Jurisdiction over them, which he exercised at their request, in removing their Prior for his misgovernment and dilapidations, and commanding another to be placed in his room, by this memorable Record. REX, etc. Omnibus, etc. Monstraverunt nobis Supprior & Monachi de Monte Pat. 9 Johan. Regis m. 4. intus, n. 23. Acuto, quod Durandus qui Prior fuit ejusdem loci, male & inutiliter gessit se in regimine Prioratus illius, & illum adeo intus & extra destruxit, quod inde meruit amoveri. Nos vero tam istas quam alias multas, & graves quaerelas audientes de eo, & injurias, cum domus illa de speciali elemosina nostra sit et honori et dignitati nostrae congruat ut utiliter tractetur; Mandavimus venerabili Patri nostro J. Bathoniensi Episcopo, ut accitis secum quos viderit expedire diligentem, super hiis faciat inquisitionem: Volentes quod si idem Episcopus, ita esse invenerit & per literas suas patentes id testificatus fuerit, praedictus de Prioratu illo in nullo de caetero se intromittat, quia volumus quod domui illi de alia persona honesta, et utili provideat. Ita quod dignitas nostra quam in illo Prioratu, et aliis habemus in nulla minuatur. Teste meipso apud Odiham, Vicesimo primo die Decembris, Anno Regni nostri Nono. Yea several Bishoprics and Abbeys becoming void during the Interdict, thereupon the King granted Licences to elect new Bishops, Abbots, Priors, such as he recommended and approved, who were accordingly admitted to them, and discharged their spiritual functions in them, notwithstanding the Pope's Inhibition, when * Fox Acts and Monuments, vol. 1. p. 328. some of the Bishops, and others of the Rebellions Clergy who fled beyond Seas, died of several diseases, by the just Judgement of God, during the Interdict they pronounced. The King being exasperated against the Rebellious Clergy, took all just and legal occasions to exercise his severity against some of them, to reduce others to obedience; which Matthew Paris thus relates, in odium Regis, (if we may credit him) in Anno Domini 1209. one signal example at Oxford. PEr id tempus, Clericus quidam apud Oxoniam, liberalibus vacans disciplinis, mulierem Mat. Paris Hist. Angl. p. 218, 219. Mat. Westm. p. 88 quandam casu interfecit, quam cum mortuam deprehendisset; per fugam sibi consuluit. Praefectus autem urbis & multi alii accurrentes cum mulierem exanimem invenerunt, ceperunt quaerere homicidam illam in hospitio suo, quod cum tribus sociis suis Clericis locaverat, & facti reum non invenientes, ceperunt tres socios ejus Clericos memoratos, & de homicidio penitus nescios, & eos in carcerem retruserunt. Deinde post dies paucos, Rege Anglorum jubente, in contemptum Ecclesiasticae libertatis, extra villam educti suspendio perierunt. Quod cum factum fuisset, recesserunt ab Oxonia ad tria Millia Clericorum tam Magistri quam Discipuli, ita quod nec unus ex omni Universitate remansit; quorum quidam apud Cantebrigiam, quidam vero apud Radingum, liberalibus studiis vacantes, Villam Oxoniae vacuam reliquerunt. Yet, Eodem anno Hugo Archidiaconus Wellensis, & Regis Cancellarius, ad Episcopatum Lincolniensem, eodem Rege procurante, electus est, qui continuo post factam Electionem, totius Episcopatus a Rege liberam dispositionem accepit: And was consecrated by the Archbishop of Rohan, so as the King during the Interdict disposed of his Bishoprics as before, to such who were loyal and obedient to him. Whereupon the Pope considering how much his Interdicts were generally slighted throughout England, proceeded one degree further, to excommunicate the King by name in all Conventual Churches, every Lord's day and Holy day, though no Divine Service must be used in Parish Churches; such was his daring Impiety, thus related by his Creatures. * Mat. Paris, p 218, 219, 220. Mat. Westm. p. 88 SUb his denique diebus, cum Rex Anglorum Johannes, jam fere per biennium, ut dictum est, generaliter per totam Angliam persecutionem gravissimam ratione. Interdictitam contra viros Ecclesiasticos, quam La●cos nonnullos infatigabiliter continuasset, & de correctione simul & satisfactione omnibus spem omnimodam ademisset: Papa Innocentius ipsius Rebellionem diutius inultam dissimulare non potuit: (though he could not only dispense with, but countenance his Bishops and Monks Rebellions against the King.) Vnde de consilio fratrum ●uorum Cardinalium ad extirpandum radicitus Ecclesiae scandalum, Londoniensi, Helyensi, & Wygorniensi Episcopis, dedit in mandatis, Vt Regem memoratum nominatim excommunicatum pronunciarent, et sententiam singulis diebus dominicis et festivis in omnibus Ecclesiis Conventualibus per totam Angliam solemniter publicantes, ipsum facerent ab omnibus arctius evitari. Sed cum Episcopi jam dicti confratribus suis, qui in Anglia remanserant Episcopis, alii que Ecclesiarum Praelatis publicationem sententiae Authoritate Apostolica commisissent: (they being willing to sleep in a whole skin, and translate this dangerous business to others. But they like prudent and loyal subjects slighting the Pope's commands:) effecti sunt universi metu Regio vel favore, canes muti; non audentes latrare. Vnde injunctum sibi officium exequi dissimulantes, in mandatis Apostolicis secundum juris ordinem minime processerunt. Veruntamen sententia in brevi facta omnibus notissima in viis, plateis, necnon in aliis hominum conventiculis, confabulatione licet secretissima, omnium ora replevit. Inter quos cum die quadam sederet apud Westmonasterium ad Scaccarium Gaufridus Archidiaconus Norwicensis, Regiis intendens negotiis, caepit secretius sermocinari cum sociis suis assidentibus de sententia in Regem lata, dicens, non esse tutum viris beneficiatis in obsequio Regis excommunicati ulterius immorari. Et his dictis, ad propria, non licentiatus recessit. Sed cum post paululum, ea quae facta fuerunt, ad Regis notitiam pervenissent, non mediocriter perturbatus, misit Willielmum Talbot Militem cum Armata manu, qui ipsum Archidiaconum comprehensum, et vinculis asperimis constrictum sub Carcerali Custodia recluserunt, ubi post dies paucos Rege praefato jubente, * A Cooie, or Cap of Lead, Speeds Chronicle, p. 571. Capa indutus plumbea, tam victualium penuria, quam ipsius Capae ponderositate compressus, migravit ad Dominum. A just reward for such a signal and singular Traitor. During this Interdict and Excommunication, Alexander Abbot of the Benedictines, vir corpore elegantissimus, facie venerabilis, literarum plenitudine imbutus, ita ut Parisiis celebris haberetur, Magister, et Rector, et Lector in Theologia, (as ( a Anno 1209. p. 88 ) Matthew Westminster, ( b Ms. ) Thomas Sprot, ( c Centuria 3. Scriptorum Brit. c. 57 ) Baelaeus, and ( d Speeds History p. 571. ) others inform us) openly pleaded and fomented the King's cause against the Pope, out of Ambition, write the Monks, but in truth out of true grounds of Conscience and Religion, as Matthew Paris his relation (though partial) discovers. ( e Mat. Paris Hist. Angl. p. 219, 220. ) INgessit se lae Interdicti tempestate consiliis Regi●s Pseudotheologus, quidam Magister Alexander, dictus Cementarius, qui suis iniquis praedicationibus Regem non mediocriter ad crudelitatem commovit. Dixit enim illud generale flagellum Angliae, non ex culpa Regis, sed ex subditorum flagitiis pro venisse: Affirmavit etiam ipsum Regem virgam esse furoris Domini, et ad hoc principem constitutum, ut regat populos aliosque subditos in virga ferrea, & tanquam vas figuli confringat universos, ad alligandos potentes in compedibus, & nobiles suos manicis ferreis. Ad Papam quoque non pertinere de Regum, sive de quorumlibet potentum laica possessione, vel subditorum regimine, ( * Omitted in Printed Copies. judicare) verisimilibus quibusdam probavit Argumentis: Cum praecipue principi Apostolorum Petro, nihil a Domino nisi Ecclesiae tantum, ac rerum Ecclesiasticarum sit collata potestas. His igitur & his similibus fallaciis, Regis adeo favorem promeruit, ut plurima a viris Religiosis Beneficia per Regis violentiam, obtineret. Sed cum tandem ipsius perversitas ad summi Pontificis aures pervolasset, ipso Papa procurante, bonis ac Beneficiis omnibus spoliatus, ad tantam demum miseriam per ductus est, ut in habitu pauperimo & cultu, necessitate compulsus sit panem suum cum dolore ostiatim mendicare. Quem videntes multi subsannando dixerunt Ecce homo,; qui non posuit Dominum adjutorem suum dum steravit in multitudine divitiarum suarum, & prevaluit in vanitate sua. Fiat ergo nunc contra Dominum semper, & dispereat de terra memoria ejus, proco quod non est recordatus ut faceret misericordiam. Propterea Deus destruet eum in finem, & oratio ejus erit in peccatum, ut eradatur habitatio ejus de terra viventium. Which might have been more properly applied to the exiled Traitorous Bishops and Monks, then to this ( f Ms. & Speeds History, p. 571. Mat. Paris An. 1207. p. 212. ) Theologiae Doctor eximius tam Seculari quam Ecclesiastica sapientia imbutus & Regis connutritius, as Thomas Sprot describes him. ( g Centur. 3. Scriptorum Brit. sect. 57 p. 249. ) Balaeus in his life informs us, that he was Abbot of the Benedictines in Canterbury, and for his eminent Learning sent by King John Anno 1206. with his solemn Messengers to Rome, Vt cum magnis illis proceribus, super sceptri sui jure & authoritate Regia in Anglorum Regno disceptaret: Quoniam Romani Pontifices, Tyrannide plus quam Pharaonica in Regnis Christianorum omnia confundebant, Regnum (ut facturum esse Antichristum Paulus admonuit) super omne quod dicitur Deus usurpantes, Probabat igitur rationibus & scripturis coram Rabbinis illis, Non esse in Regnis a Deo constitutis, potestate Regia Dominationem majorem: Episcoporum vero nullum esse temporale Regimen dicebat, cum Christi Regnum de hoc mundo non sit. Allega vitquae Gregorii magni dicta ad Augustinum monachum, de Anglorum Ecclesiae ab omni servitutis jugo immunitate, atque contra omnes in ea conflictatione praevalebat. He writ 3. Books against the Pope's Usurpations and Power, viz. De Cessione Papali, De Ecclesiae Potestate, De Potestate Vicaria, in defence of his Sovereign King John; for which his Loyalty he was afterwards by the Pope's power deprived of all his Benefices, by Pandulphus the Popes Legate, (after King John's surrender of his Crown) and thus enforced to beg his bread, when the Arch-traytors to the King were restored to their Bishoprics, with all the profits of them and damages sustained, during their banishment for their Treasons. Thus Dat●veniam corvis, vexat censura columbas. This severity of the Pope against the King's loyal Clerks and Champions, might justly excuse his severity against his disloyal perjured Bishops, Monks, and Traitors, especially against Hugh Bishop of Lincoln, to which Bishopric he caused him to be elected, advanced, yet proved Treacherous to him. EOdem tempore Hugo Lincolniensis electus, impetrata a Rege licentia ad Anno 1209. Mat. Paris, Hist Angl. p. 229. Edit. Lond, 1640. partes transfretandi Gallicanas, ut ab Archiepiscopo Rothomagensi consecrationem acciperet, continuo ut Normanniam applicuit, contulit se ad Stephanum Archiepiscopum Cantuariensem, & facta ei Canonica obedientia, Decimo tertio Kalendas Januarii, munus ab eo consecrationis accepit. Sed cum id a Rege compertum fuisset, suscepit in manu sua Episcopatum iam dictum: Atque omnia illius emolumenta in usus suos converut. Waltero quoque de Gray sigillum suum tradens, Rex facit eum Cancellarium suum, qui in omnibus regni Agendis, Regis studuit facere voluntatem. What little regard or dread the Nobility of England then had of the Popes Interdict, or personal excommunication of King John, though they had general notice thereof, will appear by all their attendance on and communication with him at Windsor, during Christ's Nativity: Of which Matthew Paris, and Matthew Westminster take special notice, and thus relate. Anno. 1210. ANno Dominicae Nativitatis Millessimo ducentessimo Decimo, Rex Johannes Mat. Paris. Edit. London. 1640. p. 229. Mat. Westm p. 88 fuit ad Natale apud Windleshores, presentibus omnibus Angliae Magnatibus, & communicantibus ei, non obstante sententia qua fuerat innodatus, quae licet non pu●licata, omnium tamen partium Angliae climata pervolavit, & aures subintravit. This they did for the most part out of loyalty, but others out of fear. Omnibus enim sese subtrahentibus Rex nocive insidebatur. How injurious Pope Innocents' Interdict and excommunications were against King John, may be evidenced by his excomunicating his Nephew Otho the Emperor, his confederate, just about the same time, with some others upon the like account, (Only for executing his coronation Oath, which this Pope himself had given him, in rescuing the Castles and Lands of the Empire out of his usurping Powers) thus impartially recorded by Mat: Paris, not impertinent to our English affairs. Circa dies istos Otho Romanorum Imperator memor Sacramenti quod fecerat, cum à Historiae Angliae. Edit. Londi. 1640. p. 229, 230. Papa ad Imperium fuerat sublimatus, quod videlicet dignitates Imperii conservaret, & jura dispersa pro possibilitate suarevocaret, fecit per Sacramentum legalium hominum imperii Dominica Castilia sua, & alia jura ad dignitatem imperialem spectantia per quiri, & quaecunque per recognitionem ad jus imperii spectare didicerat, in usus suos convertere laborabat. Hac autem de causa Orta est dissensio gravissima inter dominum Papam & Imperatorem memoratum, eo quod tempore quo vacabat Imperium, Idem * Behold the Pope's Justice. Papa Castilia plurima cum rebus aliis occupaverat quae ad dignitatem imperii pertinebant. Vnde Imperator quia quod suum erat revocare studuit, ipsum Papam sine merito ad odium provocavit. Fredericum quoque Regem Siciliae, idem Imperator graviter persecutus est, qui similiter dum vacaret imperium quasdam munitiones occupatas detinuit. Vnde Papa memoratus ipsum Imperatorem per Nuncios, & literas frequenter admonere studuit; ut eum * It is a persecution in this Pope's Judgement for the Emperor to demand restitution of his unjust Rapines, according to his Oath. a persecutione Romanae Ecclesiae, quam a Regis Siciliae ac tutelae commissae sedi Apostolicae exheredatione, cessaret. Imperator autem Nunciis domini Papae tale perhibetur dedisse responsum, Si, inquit summus Pontifex Imperii jura injuste possidere desiderat, a Sacramento quod tempore Consecrationis meae ad dignitatem Imperialemme jurare compulit, absolvat; quod videlicet dispersa Imperii jura revocarem. Denique cum Papa ipsum Imperatorem a prestito juramento, quod omnes Imperatores in sua consecratione, inspectis sacrosanctis Evangeliis jurare tenentur, absolvere noluit, & Imperatore contra Imperii jura, quae jam parte maxima, in manu potenti revocaverat, reddere contempsit: idem Papa in ipsum Imperatorem, * Excellent Papal Justice. sententian excommunicatonis tulit, atque Vniversos, tam Alemanniae quam Imperii Romani Magnates, ab ejus fidelitate absolvit. Et hoc odium Regis Johannis, & iram essicaciter obduravit. This being just King John's case, in relation to the Archbishopric of Canterbury. And was he here in either the Vicar of Christ or St. Peter's successor? or could the Devil himself, had he sat in his chair, have given a more unjust diabolical sentence in such a case as this, pronounced by a misnamed Innocent? It is very observable what Glorious Victories, and admirable successes, without effusion of blood, both in Ireland, Scotland, and Wales, God gave to King John whiles under the Popes Interdict, curse, and excommunication, (as not offended with him) which the Monks his greatest enemies thus relate. EOdem Anno, Rex Anglorum johannes, apud Pembroc. in Wallia copioso Exercitu An. Dom. 1210. Mat. Paris, Hist. Angliae p. 220, 221. Mat. West. Holinshed, Speed, Grafton, Stow, Anno. 1210. congregato, profectus est in Hiberniam, & ibi applicuit Octavo Idus Junii. Cumque venisset ad Dublinensem Civitatem, occurrerunt ei ibidem plus quam viginti Reguli illius regionis, qui omnes timore maximo perterriti, homagium ei & fidelitatem fecerunt. Pauci tamen ex regulis supersederunt, qui ad Regem venire contempserunt, eo quod in locis inexpugnabilibus habitabant. Fecit quoque Rex ibidem construere leges & consuetudines Anglicanas, ponens Vicecomites aliosque Ministros, qui populum regni illius juxta leges Anglicanas judicarent. Hoc ita gestis Rex in manu forti progrediens, cepit plurimum hostium suorum munitiones, fugientibus a facie ejus Waltero de Lasci viro nobili, cum aliis multis, qui in manus ejus incidere metuebant. Tandem veniens in Provinciam Regionis illius, quae Mide nuncupatur, Matildam Uxorem Willielmi de Brause, & Willielmum filium ejus cum uxore sua, in quadam munitione obsedit & caepit, a quo clam evadentes, & postea rursus capti in Insula de Maij, Regi sunt presentati, vinculis constrictos asperrimis, misit in Angliam, & in Castello de Windleshores, sub arcta custodia deputavit: qui omnes Rege jubente fame perierunt. Rex denique Johannes cum in parte maxima de tota Hybernia pro libitu suo disposuisset, Naves cum triumpho ingressus, in Angliam applicuit tertio Kalendas Septembris. Deinde Londonias cum festinatione properans, fecit omnes Angliae Prelatos in sua presentia convenire. Venerunt autem ad hanc generalem vocationem Abbates, Priores, Abbatissae, Templarii, Hospitilarii, Custodes Villarum ordinis Cluniacensis, et aliarum Regionum Transmarinarum, cujuscunque dignitatis et ordinis, (notwithstanding the Popes Interdict, and his own personal Excommunication) qui omnes ad tam gravem compulsi sunt redemptionem, ac rerum Ecclesiasticarum dilapidationem, quod summa extortae pecuniae excrevisse fertur ad Centum Millia Librarum sterlingorum. Albi quoque Monachi de Regno Angliae aliis exceptis, Quadraginta Millia Argenti in hoc tallagio (vellent nollent) cassatis privilegiis, Regi persolverunt. Cujus rei seriem siquis plenius prosequeretur, lachrymas excuteret tyrannorum, & animos audientium perturbaret: Writes this disloyal partial Monk; when as the Pope's Taxes and proceedings against the King should rather do it. He likewise * Mat. Paris Hist. Angl. p. 227, 228, 229, 230, 231. Mat. Westm. p. 87. entered into a league with Otho the Emperor, and forced John King of Scots, who received his Fugitives and runaway Subjects, and harboured them in his Kingdom, out of mere fear of his Army, valour and successes, to intercede and send to him for peace, to pay him 11000. marks to purchase his peace with him, and to put in Hostages for his fidelity, without any fight between them; Yea the Welshmen themselves, formerly Rebellious, soon after his return from Scotland, voluntarily repaired to him at Woodstock, (Quod temporibus anteactis fuerat inauditum, as our Monks affirm) and there did Homage to him. After which, Anno 1211. he entering into Wales with a puissant Army as far as Snowdune, Reges omnes et Nobiles sine contradictione subjugavit. De subjectione in posterum obsides viginti octo suscepit, et inde cum prosperitate ad Albuni Monasterium remeavit, Lewellin Prince of North-wales being enforced to render himself to his mercy, without any battle or fight at all. These admirable successes, with his Lords, Nobles, Subjects constant attendance on, and adherence to him, notwithstanding the Popes Interdict, Curse, Thunderbolts; thereupon the Pope attempts to decoy him out of his Royalties and Resolutions by a Treaty, to which end he dispatched two Nuntioes to the King, who in his victorious return from Wales, * Mat. Paris, Ibidem. veniens apud Northamptonam, Nuncios Domini Papae ibidem cum mandatis Apostolicis obvios habuit. Pandulphum videlicet Subdiaconum & Domini Papae familiar ssimum, ac de militia Templi fratrem Durandum: Qui ad hoc venerunt, ut pacem inter Regnum, & Sacerdotium reformarent. Rex autem ad exhortationem Nunciorum gratanter concessit, ut Archiepiscopus Cantuariensis, & Monachi atque omnes Episcopi ab Anglia proscripti, cum pace sua redirent ad propria. Sed quia de damnis datis, & de bonis eorum confiscatis, Rex, Archiepiscopo & Episcopis satisfacere noluit, (having no reason to do it, these Bishops putting him to so vast expenses both at Rome, and in his Wars against those they stirred up against him) Nuncii infecto negotio ad Gallias remearunt. The Chronicle compiled by the Schoolmaster of St. Alban, in the last year of K. Henry the 4th. and then printed by him, reprinted by Winkind Worde 1502. by William Caxtons appointment, whose Title it bears, adds much to this relation, of a conference first between the King and exiled Bishops, and soon after between these Nuntioes and the King, relating their insolent speeches and behaviour towards him, omitted by other Historians, (transcribed in part by Mr. Fox) which I shall here insert. * Caxtons' Chronicles, pars 7. King John, and Fox Acts and Monuments, vol. 1. p. 326, 327, 328. These four Bishops (who Interdicted the Kingdom, and cursed all them that put or should meddle with holy Chirche goods, against the will of them that ought them) went over the Sea, and came to the Bishop of Canterbury, and told him all the thing. And the Archbishop to them said, that they should go again to Canterbury, and he should come thither to them, or else he would send unto them certain persons in his stead that should do as much as if he himself were there. And when the Bishops heard this, they turned again into England, and came unto Canterbury: The tidings came to the King that the Bishops were come again to Canterbury, and himself might not come thither that time, he sent thither Bishops, Earls, and Abbots, for to treat with them, that the King should receive the Archbishop Stephen, and the Prior, and all the Monks of Canterbury, that he should never after that time nothing take of holy Chirche against the will of them that oweth the goods. And that the King should make full amends to them of whom he had any goods taken. And the holy Chirche should have all Fraunchise as far forth as they had in Saint Edward's time the holy Confessor. So when the form of accordment thus was ordained; it was in a pair of Indentures, and they put their Seals to that one part, and they that came in the King's name put their Seals to that other part of the Indentures. And four Bishops aboyesaid took the one part of the Indentures to them, and that other part of the Indentures they bore with them to show to the King. When the King saw the form and understood, he held him full well apaid of all manner of things as they had ordained, saving as touching restitution of the goods for to make again. To that thing he would not accord, and so he sent word again to the four Bishops, that they should do out and put away that one point of restitution. * An undutifull obstinate Answer. But they answered, That they would not do one word out. Tho sent the King to the Archbishop by the four Bishops, that he should come to Canterbury for to speak with him there, and sent unto him safe conduct under Pledges. That is to say, his Justices, Gilbert Peyteum, William de la Brener, and John Fitz Hugh, that in their conduct safely he should come and go again at his own will: And thus in this manner the Archbishop Stephen came to Canterbury. When the Archbishop was come, the King came to Chilhaz, for he would no nigh Canterbury at that tyme. But he sent by his treasurer Bishop of Winchester, that he should do out of the Indentures the clause of restitution for to make of the goods. And the Archbishop made his * A strangedisloyal Oath, & insolent Answer Dathe, that he would not never do out oo word thereof, ne yet it change, of that the Bishops had spoken and ordained. And though the Archbishop go again to Rome, without any more doing. King john was then * Had he not just cause? wrother then ever he was before, and let make a common cry throughout all England, that all those that had holy Chirche Rents, and went over the Sea, that they should come again into England at a certain day, or else they should lose their Rents for evermore. And that he commanded to every Sheriff throughout all England, that they should inquire if any Bishop, Abbot or Prior, or any other Prelate of holy Chirche, from that day afterward receive any Commandment that cometh fro the Pope, that they should take the body and bring it before him, and that they should take into the King's hands all their Lands of holy Chirche, that were gave to any man by the Archbishop or by the Prior of Canterbury, from the time of the Election of the Archbishop. And commanded that all the Woods that were the Archbyshops should be cast down unto the ground, and all sold. Andin the same year the * By the Popes and Bishop's instigation, See Speeds Chronicle, p. 571, 572. Irishmen began to War upon King John, and the King ordained him for to go into Ireland, and lete arear an huge Tax throughout all England, that is for to say, Thirty Thousand Marks; And thus he sent throughout all England unto the Monks of the Order of C steaux, that they should help him of Six Thousand Mark of Silver. And they answered and said, That they durst nothing do without their chief Abbot of Cisteaux. Wherefore King John when he came again from Ireland, did them so much sorrow and care, that they wist not whither to abide, for he took so much ransom of every house, and the sumine amounted to Nine Thousand and Three Hundred Mark, so that they were clean lost and destroyed, and voided their houses and their londs throughout all England. And the Abbot of Waversay drade so much his menace, that he forsook all the Abbey and went thence, and privily ordained him over the See to the house of Cisteaux. When the tidings came to the Pope, that the King had done so much malice, than he was towards the King full wrath, and sent two Legates unto the King, that one was called Pandulpho, and that other Dur●unt, that they should warn the King in the Pope's name, that he should cease of his Persecution that he did unto holy Chirche, and amend the wrong and the trespass that he had done to the Archbishop of Canterbury, and to the Prior, and to the Monks of Canterbury, and to all the Clergy of England. And that he should restore all the goods again that he had taken of them against their will, and else they should curse him by name. And to do this thing and to confirm the Pope took them his Letters in Bulls Patents. These two Legates came into Englond, and came to the King to Northampton, there that he held his Parliament, and full courteously they him salued, and said, Sir we come from the Pope of Rome, the peace of the holy Chirche, and the Lond to amend. And we admonish you first in the Pope's half, that ye make full restitution of the goods that ye have ravished and taken of holy Chirche, and of the Lond, and that ye receive Stephen Archbishop of Canterbury into his dignity, and the Prior of Canterbury and his Monks, and that ye yield again unto the Archbishop all his Londs and Rents without any withhoulding. And Sir yet moreover, That ye shall make restitution unto all holy Chirche, whereof they shall hold them well paid. Tho † A Royal and Gracious Answer. answered the King, as touching the Prior and his Monks of Canterbury, all that ye have said I will do gladly, and all things that ye will ordain; But as touching the Archbishop, I shall tell you in my heart as it lies, That the Archbishop leave his Archbyshoprick, and that the Pope then for him would pray, and then upon a venture me should like some other bishopric to give him in Englond: And upon this condition I will him accept and receive And nevertheless, as Archbishop in England if he abide, he shall never have so good safe conduit, but that he shall be take. Tho said Pandulph unto the King, Sir, holy Chirche was wont never to discharge an Archbishop without cause reasonable: But it * A most ise● lent Reply. ever hath heene wont to chastise Princes, that to God and holy Chirche were disobedient. What how now said the King, menace ye me? Nay said Pandulph, But ye now have openly told, as it standeth in your heart. And to you we will tell what is the * A strange unparallelled An●christian Antimonarchical Message and Sentence, delivered to theface of a King in his Kingdom, & in the presences of his own Parliament. Pope's will; And thus it standeth, that he hath you holy interdicted and accursed for the wrongs that ye have done to holy Chirche, and to the Clergy. And forasmuch as ye dwell, and heath in will to abide in malice and in wretchedness, and will not come out thereof ne to amend, ye shall understond, that this time afterward the sentence is upon you given, and holdeth stead and strength, and upon all though that with you hath communed before this time, whether they been Earls, Barons or Knights, or any other whatsoever that they be, we them assoil safely unto this day. And from this time afterward, of what condition soever they been, we them accurse, that with you comyne any word, and do we sentence upon them openly and specially. And we assoil clean Earls, Barons, Knights, and all other men of their homages, services and fealties, that they should unto you do. And this tiding to confirm, we give plain power to the Bishop of Winchester, and to the Bishop of Norwich; And the same power we give into Scotland, to the Bishops of Rochester and of Salisbury: And in Wales we give the same power to the Bishop of Saint david's, and of Landaff, and of Saint Ass; And moreover we sent throughout all Christendom, that all the Bishops beyond the Sea, that they do accurse all those that help you, or any Counsel giveth you in any manner need that ye have to do in any part of the World. And we assoil them alsoe all by authority of the Pope, and command them alsoe with you for to fight, as with him that is Enemy to all holy Chirche. Tho answered the King, What may ye doe more to me? Tho answered Pandulph, We say to you in the * He tells us not where it is written. word of God, that ye, ne no Heir that ye have never after this day may be Crowned. Tho said the King, By him that is Almighty God, and I had wift this ere that ye came into my Land, that ye had brought me such tidings, I should have made you ride all one year. Tho answered Pandulph, Full well wend we at our first coming, that ye would have been obedient to God, and holy Chirche, and have fulfiled the Pope's Commandment; And now we have showed unto you, and pronounced the Pope's will, as we were charged therewith. And as now ye have said, that if ye had witted the cause of our coming, that ye would have do us to ride all au hole year. And as well ye might have said, that ye would have taken an hole year of respite by the Pope's leave. But for to suffer what death ye could ordain, we shall not spare for to tell you holy all the Pope's Message, and his will that we were charged with. And anon though commanded the King, the Shyriffs, and Baylyffs of Northampton, that were in the King's presence, that they should bring forth all the Prisoners, that they might be done to death before Pandulph, for because the King weaned that they would have gaynsaid their deeds for cause of the death, all thing that they had spoken afore. When the Prisoners were come before the King, the King commanded some to be hanged, and some to be drawn, and some to draw out their Eyes out of their head. And among all other there was a Clerk that had falsyde the King's money, and the King commanded that he should be hanged and drawed. And when Pandulph heard this Commandment of the King, he start him upright quickly, and anon * A strange unparallel'd insolency & contumacy. axed a Book and a Candle, and would have cursed the King, and all them that would set upon the Clerk any hand; And Pandulph himself went for to seek a Cross. And the King followed him and delivered him the Clerk by the hon, that he should do with him what he would; and thus was the Clerk delivered, and went thence. And Pandulph and Duraunt his fellow, went from the King, and came again to the Pope of Rome, and told him, that King johan would not amended be, but ever abode so accursed. And nevertheless the Pope granted that year throughout all England, that Priests might sing Mass in covenable Churches, and consecrate our Lord's body, and give it to sick men which were likely to pass out of this World; and alsoe that men might christian Children over all the Land. And when the Pope wift and saw that the King would not be under the rule of holy Chirche for no manner thing, the Pope then sent to the King of France in remission of his sins, that he should take with him all the power that he might, and go into england for to destroy the King john. Thus far this Chronicle. Can any Christian or Loyal Subject, though the most passionate Votary to the Church of Rome, read these proceedings without the highest detestation and abomination of them, as diametrically repugnant to the practice and precepts of Christ, of St. Peter, all the Apostles, and to the principles of Christian Religion? or at least not acknowledge with * Answer to Cook, part 2. c. 9 Speed p. 571. Parsons the Jesuit, (no friend to our Kings or Monarchy) That many godly wise men at that time did wish, that Pope Innocent had not stood so hard with King John in such a point as this was, for contenting him with a person grateful to him in that See: The dismal effects whereof both to the King and Kingdom, Lords and Commons, Bishops and Clergy themselves, being most ghastly, rueful, execrable to all godly sober minded Christians, and moral Heathens. But to return to Matthew Paris his relation of some of these proceedings. EOdem Anno (1211.) Innocentius Papa cum Rex Anglorum Johannes, Nunciis ejus An. Dom. 1211 Mat. Paris Hist. Angl. p. 221, 222. Mat. Westm. p. 89, 90. sibi monita praedicantibus salubria, acquiescere contempsisset, multimodam ipsius contumaciam supra modum admirans, (instead of ordering and reforming his own) Reges et alios omnes tam pauperes, quam potentes ad Coronam Angliae spectantes, a Regis fidelitate et subjectione absolvit, districte et sub poena excommunicationis prohibens universis et singulis quatinus ipsum, in mensa, consilio, et colloquio arctius evitarent, (which few or none submitted to.) Habuit autem Rex hac Interdicti tempestate consiliarios * Equissimos had been better, truer. iniquissimos, (or fautores & consiliarios praecipuos in hoc errore & pertinatia, so Matthew Westminster) quorum nomina pro parte hic ponere non omittam. Willielmus quoque frater Regis, & Comes Sarisburiensis, Albericus de Veer, Comes Oxoniensis, Gaufridus filius Petri, Angliae Justitiarius; Tres Episcopi Curiales, Philippus Dunelmensis, Petrus Wintoniensis, et Iohannes Norwicensis, Richardus de Marisco, Regis Cancellarius, Hugo de Nevilla, Proto-forrestarius, Willielmus de Wortham, Custos Portuum Maris, Robertus de Veteri Ponte, & Yvo Frater ejus, Brienus de Insula, & Gaufridus de Luci, Hugo de Bailul, & Bernardus Frater ejus, Willielmus de Cantelu, & Willielmus Filius ejus, Fulco de Cantelu, & Riginaldus de Cornhelle, Vicecomes Kanciae, Robertus de Braibroc, & Henricus Filius ejus, Philippus de Vletotes, & Johannes de Bassingburne, Philippus Marci, Castellanus de Nottingham, Petrus de Maulei, & Robertus de Gaugi, Gerardus de Ati●, & Ingelardus Nepos ejus, Falco & Willielmus Brivere, Petrus Filius Hereberti, & Thomas Basset, & alii multi quos longum esset enumerare, qui Regi in omnibus placere cupientes, consilium non pro ratione, sed pro voluntate (or impetu voluntatis perniciosum, as Matthew Westminster) dederunt. Thus the defaming pencils of every Monk did brand those faithful Counsellors and Subjects then adhering to the King, against the Usurping Pope, Traitorous Bishops, and their Brother Monks of Canterbury. When this Antichristian absolution of the Nobles and all other Subjects from the King's allegiance would not shake his most magnanimous resolution, nor his people's Loyalty, the Pope's Legates, and Popish Prelates forged new devises to effect their designs by fraud and terror; to which purpose they procured sundry Letters from several quarters to be brought to him, whiles he sat at dinner at Nottingham, intending to invade and extirpate the Welshmen with a formidable Army, (whom they had stirred up to Rebel against him, and invade England) to divert him from his design, all to this effect, That there was a secret Plot laid to betray and destroy him: which he causing to be read to him after dinner, he adhuc spretis hiis comminationibus, marched to Chester, where he met with new Letters to the like effect, which caused him to dismiss his Army and design against the Welshmen. ITerum venerunt ad eum nuncii & literae, quod videlicet Rex, si bellum aggrederetur Mat. Paris Hist. Angl. p. 222. incaeptum, aut a suis magnatibus perimeretur, aut hostibus ad perdendum traderetur. Rex autem cum talia audisset, perturbatus est valde, & animo consternatus, atque cum intellexisset Magnates Angliae, a suo esse fidelitate absolutos, majorem literis sibi destinatis fidem adhibuit. Unde propositum utiliter commutans, jussit omnem exercitum ad propria remeare, veniensque ad Urbem Londoniarum, misit nuncios ad magnates universos, sibi de fidelitate suspectos, exigens obsides ab eis, ut probaret qui vellent & qui nollent, ejus obtemperare praeceptis. Illi vero Regiis Jussoribus resistere non audentes, remiserunt Filios, Nepotes, & Cognatos suos, ad libitum Regis Et sic indignatio ejus aliquantulum conquievit. Veruntamen Eustachius de Vesci, & Robertus filius Walteri, de proditione memorata accusati & Regi nimis suspecti, recesserunt ab Anglia, Eustachius videlicet in Scotiam, & Robertus ad Gallias divertentes. Besides, the Prelates and Priests suborned and set up one Peter an Hermit, a Anno 1212. counterfeit Prophet, to terrify the King, and alienate the people's hearts from him by his false Prophecies, thus reported by Matthew Paris and others. SUB hiis quoque diebus, erat in provincia Eboracensi, Heremita quidam Petrus Hist. Angl. p. 22●. 223. Mat. Westm. p. 92. nomine, qui eo quod multis futura multa praedixerat, sapiens dicebatur. Hic inter alia quae spiritu cunctis astantibus, & audire volentibus, illud praedicando publice asserebat, quod non foret Rex in die Dominicae Ascensionis proximo sequentis nec deinceps, sed die illa coronam Angliae, ad altum transferri praedixit. Cujus assertio cum ad Regis notitiam devenissit, & ipso jubente, ad ejus praesentiam adductus fuisset: Quaesivit ab eo Rex, si die illo esset moriturus, vel quo ordine a regni solio privaretur? Qui respondit: Noveritis certissime, quod die predicta Rex non eris. Et si de mendacio convictus fuero, de me quod placuerit faciatis. Cui Rex, fiat, inquit, secundum verbum tuum. Tunc Rex tradidit illum Willielmo de Harecurt custodiendum, quem idem Willielmus, Custodibus & Arctioribus vinculis constrictum, apud Corruum incarcaverit, donec probaret quem exitum res haberet. Quod verbum in brevi per remotas provincia; ita disseminatum est, quod fere omnes, qui hoc audi●runt, dictis ejus adeo fidemadhibuerunt, ac si assertio illius de Coelo sonuisset. * Acts and Monuments, vol. I. p. 328. Mr. Fox, and some other Historians observe, that this false counterfeit Prophet, set up by the Prelates and Priests, called Peter Wakefield of Poiz, was an idle gadder about, and a prattling Merchant: This Peter they made to Prophecy lies, rumouring his Prophecies abroad, to bring the King out of all credit with his people. They noised it daily amongst the Commons of the Realm, that Christ had twice appeared to this Prophet of theirs in shape of a Child between the Priest's hands, once at York, another time at Pomfret, and that he had breathed on him thrice, saying, Peace, Peace, Peace, and teaching many things which he anon after declared to the Bishops, and bid the people amend their naughty living. Being rapt also in spirit, they said, he beheld the Joys of Heaven, and sorrows of Hell. * Note the fruits of this Popes Interdict. For scant were there three (saith the Chronicle) among a thousand that lived Christianly. This counterfeit soothsayer prophesied of King John, that he should reign no longer than the Ascension day, within the year of our Lord 1213. which was the 14th. from his Coronation, and this (he said) he had by Revelation. Then was it of him demanded, whether he should, be slain or expelled, or should of himself give over the Crown? He answered, he could not tell, but of this he was sure (he said) that neither he, nor any of his Stock or Lineage should reign, that day once finished. The King hearing of this laughed much at it, and made but a scoff thereof: Tush (saith he) it it is but an Idiot Knave, and such a one as lacketh his right wits; But when this foolish Prophet had so escaped the danger of the King's displeasure, and that he made no more of it, he got him abroad and prated thereof at large (as he was a very idle vagabond) and used to tattle, and talk more then enough: so that they which loved the King caused him a non after to be apprehended as a Malefactor, and to be thrown into prison, the King not knowing thereof. Anon after, the fame of this fantastical Prophet went all the Realm over, and his name was known every where (as foolishness is much regarded of people where Wisdom is not in place) specially because he was then imprisoned for the matter, the rumour was the larger; their wonder were the wantoner, their practising the foolisher, their busy talks and other idle occupyings the greater, continually from thence (as the rude manner of people is) old Gossips tales went abroad, new tales were invented, Fables were added to Fables, and lies grew upon lies: so that every day new slanders were raeised on the King, and not one of them true; Rumours arose, blasphemies were spread, the enemies rejoiced, And treasons by the Priests were maintained, and what likewise was surmised, or other subtlety practised, all than was Fathered upon this foolish Prophet: As, Thus saith Peter Wakefeild, thus hath he Prophesied, and this shall come to pass, yea many times when he thought nothing less. When the Ascension day was come which was Prophesied of before, King John Commanded his Regal Tent to be spread abroad in the open field, passing that day with his Noble Council, and men of Honour, in the greatest solemnity that ever he did afore, solacing himself with Musical instruments and songs, most in sight amongst his trusty friends. When that day was passed in all prosperity and mirth, his enemies being confounded, turned all to an Allegorical understanding, to make the Prophecy good, and said He is no longer King, for the Pope reigneth, and not he, yet he reigned still and his son after him to prove that Prophet a liar. Then was the King by his Council persuaded that this false Prophet had troubled all the Realm, perverted the hearts of the people, and raised the Commons against him. For his words went over the Sea by the help of his Prelates, and came to the French Kings ear, and gave unto him a great encouragement to invade the Land, he had not else done it so suddenly. But he was most foully deceived▪ as all they are and shall be, that put their trust in such Dark drowsy dreams of Hypocrites. The King therefore commanded that he should be drawn, and hanged like a Traitor. When these false Prophecies would not work the King to comply with their ends, the Pope, at the Bishop's petition, having proceeded to the utmost extremity, judically to depose him, and to give his Crown to his enemy the King of France, commanded him with force of arms to seize upon his Kingdom, exciting all Soldiers and Warriors in divers Nations to take up arms against him, under the self same Indulgences as those that visited the Holy land, and fought against the Saracens in which Treasonable proceedings his English Bishops were employed as principal actors, thus related by Matthew Paris. Circa hos denique dies, Maugerus Bishop of Worcester one of the Rebellious An. Dom. 1212. Mat. Paris Hist, Angl. p. 223. Mat. Westm, p. 91, 92. Bishops dying in exile at Pontiniac (ob libertatem Ecclesiae Anglicanae, & executionem Justitiae write our malicious partial Monks,) Stephanus Archiepiscopus Cantuariensis, Willielmus Londinensis, & Elias Eliensis Episcopi Romam profecti, innuerunt Domino Papae multimodas rebelliones, & enormitates quas fecerat▪ Rex Anglorum Johannes (they should rather have remembered and repent of their own manifold Treasons, and Rebellions against their King) a tempore interdicti usque in presentem diem manus s●vitiae et crudelitatis contra Dominum sanctumque Ecclesiam infatigabiliter aggravando. Unde humiliter Domino Papae supplicabant ut Anglicanae Ecclesiae ●am quasi in extremis laboranti dignareturi pie miserationis intuitu subvenire. Tunc Papa gravi maerore propter desolationem regni Angliae confectus, de consilio Cardinalium, Episcoporum, et aliorum virorum prudentium, sententialiter definivit, ut Rex Anglorum Johannes a solio regni deponeretur, et alius Papa procurante, succederet, qui dignior haberetur. Ad hujus quoque sententiae executionem scripsit Dominus Papa potentissimo Regi Francorum Phelippo, quatenus in remissionem omnium suorum peccaminum, hunc laborem assumeret, ut Rege Anglorum a solio Regni expulso, ipse et successores sui regnum Angliae jure perpetuo possiderent. Scripsit insuper omnibus Magnatibus, militibus, aliisque bellatoribus per diversas nationes constitutis, ut ad Regis Anglorum dejectionem sese cruce signarent, Regemque Francorum in hac expeditione ducem sequentes, vindicare injuriam Universalis Ecclesiae laborarent. Statuit preterea ut quicunque ad expugnandum Regem illum contumacem opus impenderint vel auxilium, sicut illi qui sepulchrum Domini visitant, tam in rebus, quam in personis, et animarum suffragiis in pace Ecclesiae securi permaneant. His ita gestis, misit Dominus Papa a latere suo Pandulphum subdiaconum ad partes Gallicanas, cum Archiepiscopo & Episcopis supradictis, ut in ipsius presentia, ea quae superius digesta sunt, exequatur. Sed Pandulphus a Papa recedens, remotis omnibus secretissima allocutione sciscitatus est, (of purpose to overreach and trepan both the Kings of England and France, and work his own designs on both) si forte in Rege Anglorum Fructum poenitentiae inveniret it a quod vellet satisfacere Domino, & Ecclesiae Romanae, atque aliis omnibus illud negotium spectantibus, quid sibi inde fieri placeret? Tunc Papa Pandulpho quandam pacis formam evidenter expressit, cui si Rex assentire decreverit, apud sedem Apostolicam poterit gratiam invenire. Haec autem pacis forma inferius descripta continetur. Per idem tempus Rex capi fecit Galfridum de Norwic. clericum suum fidelem, prudentem, & elegantem, & in Castro de Nottingham paena excogitata usque mortem torqueri. Quod videns Magister Williemus de Neccoto socius dicti Galfridi, vir non minoris valoris, fugit in Franciam, & apud Curbolium diu latitavit, ne sicut Galfridus immerito necaretur. These Clerks then secretly confederated with the Bishops to depose the King; who to secure himself against their confederates by special Writs (issued to all the Sheriffs of England, remaining on Record though not printed in our Historians) banished all those out of the Realm, who had received any Churches, or Rents from the Archbishops or Bishops of England, or Prior of Canterbury then beyond the Seas, who deprived of him his Crown, and to seize their Churches and rents to his use, and return them into his Exchequer. REX Vicecomiti Middlesex, etc. Praecipimus tibi, quod capias in manum Claus. 14. Joh. Rs. m. 8. dorso. nostram omnes Ecclesias & redditus quos Archiepiscopi vel Episcopi Angliae, vel prior Cantuariae, qui ultra mare sunt, dederunt in Balliva tua in absentia sua, & praecipias omnibus illis qui ea de dono eorum receperunt, quod sine dilatione exeant de terra nostra. Et scire facias distincte in crastino sancti Johannis Baptistae, Anno Regni nostri Decimo Quarto, Baronibus nostris de scaccario ubi fuerint redditus illi & qui illi sint qui eos receperunt. Teste W. Brigwer apud Westmonasterium Quinto die Junii, per breve de privato sigillo. Eodem modo scribitur omnibus Vicecomitibus Angliae. The next year, Anno Domini Millesimo Ducentisimo Decimo tertio Mense Anno Domini. 1213. Mat. Paris Hist. Angl. p. 223. 224. Mat. Westm. p. 92. 93. Januario, redierunt a Curia Romana Stephanus Cantuariensis Archiepiscopus, Willielmus Londonensis, & Elyensis Episcopi, & habito in partibus transmarinis Concilio., Regi. Francorum, & Episcopis Gallicanis cum Clero pariter & populo, sententiam, quae in Regem Anglorum Romae pro Contumacia lata fuerat, solenniter promulgarunt. Deinde exparte Domini Papae, tam Regi Francorum, quam caeteris universis in remissionem suorum peccaminum injunxerunt, ut omnes pariter ad Angliam hostiliter accedentes, johannem Regem a Regni solio deponerent, et alium qui dignus efset authoritate Apostolica subrogarent. Tunc Rex Francorum rem diu desideratam intelligens, accinxit se ad pugnam, atque omnes suae ditionis homines, Duces videlicet, Comites et Barones, Milites et servientes, cum equis et Armis jussit in Octavis Paschae, sub nomine Culvertagii apud Rothomagum, ita potenter convenire, ne crimine laesae Majestatis damnum exheredationis incurrere viderentur, vulgariter sub nomine Felonis. Fecit praeterea omnes naves suae potestatis, & alias multas quas colligere poterat frumento, vino, carne & diversis armamentis optime munire, ut in omnium copiam rerum tam numerosus excercitus abundaret. Tunc temporis quoque Rex vulpina calliditate ab omnibus Religiosorum domibus ad excusandum excusationes in peccatis, chartas exegit, quibus testarentur se gratis contulisse, quaecunque ab eye violenter extorsit. Upon those great Preparations of the French against England. REX Anglorum Johannes, de omnibus quae in transmarinis partibus agebantur, per exploratores edoctus, cogitavit qualiter callide insidiis sibi paratis resistere potuisset. Fecit itaque mense Martio idem Rex inbreviare omnes Naves de universis portubus totius Angliae per hoc Breve, quod singulis portuum Ballivis in haec verba direxit. JOhannes Rex Angliae, etc. Precipimus tibi quatenus statim visis literis ist is, eas in propria persona, una cum Ballivis portuum ad singulos Portus de Balliva tua, & facias diligenter inbreviare omnes naves ibi inventas, quae possunt ferre sex equos, vel plures, & praecipias exparte nostra magistris omnium navium illarum, & illis quorum naves sunt; quod sicut se, & Naves suas, & omnia sua diligunt habeant illas apud Portesm: in media Quadr agessima, bene adornatas bonis & probis Marinellis & bene armatis, qui ituri sunt in servitium nostrum ad liberationes nostras; & tunc habeas ibi memoriter & distincte inbreviatum quot naves in singulis portubus inveneris, & quorum ipsae sint, & quot equos quaelibet ferre possit. Et tunc facias nobis scire quot & quae naves non fuerint in portubus suis die dominica proxima post cineres sicut preceperamus, & habeas hoc breve. Teste meipso apud Novum Templum, tertia die Martii. His ita gestis de Navibus, misit Rex alias Literas ad omnes Vicecomites Regni sui sub hac forma. JOhannes Rex Angliae, etc. Summone per bonos summonitores Comites, Barones, Milites, & omnes liberos homines & servientes vel quicunque sint, & de quocunque teneant, qui arma habere debeant, vel arma habere possint; & qui homagium nobis vel ligantiam fecerunt, quod sicut nos, & seipsos & omnia sua diligunt, sint apud Doveram ad instans clausum Pascha, bene parati cum equis & armis, & cum toto posse suo, ad defendendum caput nostrum, et capita sua, et terram Angliae, et quod nullus remaneat, qui arma portare possit, sub nomine * Of being reputed a Turn-Tayle, or Runaway, for which offence, he not only became for ever infamous, but likewife forfeited all his lands, goods, hand, and life too in some cases; s●e Leges Canuti, pars 2. c. 12. 14. Concil: Aenhamens. c. 24. Leges Cont●ssoris cap. De Heraetochiis & Hom. ● c. 10. Gulielmi S●mneri Glossarium Tit. Fridwita. Spelmanni Glossarium, and Dr. Wat's his Glossarium. Tit. cnl. vertagium. Culvertagii et perpetuae servitutis. Et unusquisque sequaetur Dominum suum, & qui terram non habent, & armahabere possint, illunc veniant ad capiendum soliditas nostras: Et tu omnem attractum victualium, & omnia mercata Ballivarum tuarum venire facias, ut sequantur excercitum nostrum, ita quod nullum mercatum de Ballivis tuis alibi teneatur, & tu ipse tunc sis ibi cum praedictis summonitionibus. Et scias quod scire volumus quomodo venerint de Ballivis tuis, & qui venerint & qui non. Et videas quod tu ita effortiate venias cum equis & armis, & haec ita exequaris ne inde ad corpus tuum nos capere debeamus. Et tu inde habeas rotulum tuum ad nos certificandum qui remanserint. His ergo literis per Angliam divulgatis convenerunt ad maritima in locis diversis & Regi magis suspectis, videlicet apud Doveram, Ferversham, & Gipeswicum, homines diversae conditionis & aetatis, nihil magis quam opprobrium Culvertagii metuentes. Sed cum post dies paucos tantae multitudini victus defuisset, remiserunt ad propria Principes Militiae ex inermi vulgo multitudinem copiosam, milites solummodo, servientes & liberos homines cum Balistariis & sagitariis juxta maritima retinentes. Venit praeterea de Hibornia Johannes Episcopus Norwicensis, cum militibus quingentis & equitibus multis ad Regem, & ab ipso gratanter susceptus est. Omnibus igitur congregatis ad pugnam, aestimati sunt in exercitu apud Barham donam inter milites electos, & servientes strenuos & bene armatos, sexaginta millia virorum fortium, quibus si erga Regem Angliae et defensionem Patriae cor fuisset et anima una, non fuisset Princeps sub Coelo, contra quem regnum Angliae se non defenderet. Constituit preterea Rex cum adversariis, navale praelium conferre, ut eos pelago submergeret antequam terram occuparent. Habebat namque classem uberiorem quam Rex Francorum, unde maximam securitatem concepit hostibus resistendi. What, King John in point of prudence, Policy, Valour, War, Justice, Conscience, could have done more than he did to protect and defend the invaded Rights of his Crown, Kingdom, people, Church of England against the manifold unparallelled Treasons, Policies, Stratagems, Usurpations, affronts, unjust demands, Interdict, excommunication, dijudication from his Crown and Kingdoms, and intended invasions of this insolent Pope and his Agents, his own perjured Traitorous Bishops, Monks, Clergy, and their domestic confederates; his French and other foreign enemies, with admirable courage, gallantry, prudence, success, for 8. years' space together, transcends my understanding to define; the times and circumstances duly considered, for which he really deserved more honour, thanks from the Crown, Church, Realm and people of England, than all of his predecessors, had he still persevered in his former unshaken magnanimous Resolutions, and not been decoyed by Pandulphus; must strangely to fail in his last actings, his Army and Navy then raised, through God's assistance being able to have encountered all the forces raised against him, and dissipated them like a mist before the Sun. BOOK III. CHAP. II. Of King John's most unworthy prostitution not only of the undoubted Rights and Privileges of his Crown, but of Himself, his Diadem, Kingdoms of England and Ireland, after so many years glorious Contests, to the Tyrannical Usurpations of Pope Innocent, and his own Traitorous Bishops and Clergy: Of his resignation of his Crown and Kingdoms by two several Charters, to the Pope and his Successors, and resuming of them as their Feudatory under an Annual Rent: His Oath of Homage and Fealty to the Pope: The Validity of these Charters, Rents, and their payment debated; The present, subsequent Oppositions against them: His Oppositions to the Encroachments of his Treacherous, Rebellious Bishops and Clergy, who dealt most Treacherously with, and stirred up the Baron's Wars, Rebellions against him, when they had enforced him to resign his Crown, and protested against his Unkingly actions, when accomplished by their own procurement and designs: With other memorable particulars and Records relating to these Transactions; and this King's Charters, proceedings in Ecclesiastical Elections, Affairs, as Supreme Patron therein, within his own Dominions. HAving presented you with King John's most heroic, vigilant, strenuous defence of his supreme Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction over all persons, causes, within his Realms and Dominions, for 14. years' space; I shall in the next place inform you, by what arts, menaces, fears, terrors he was at last (by the intoxications of the Pope, and his Legate Pandulphus, when he had raised such a puissant Army as might have secured him against all Foreign Invaders, ( a Mat. Paris, p. 2. ) a small part of his Navy burning and sinking all the French Kings Fleet in Flanders, soon after the surrender of his Crown) suddenly emasculated, and totally metamorphosed into a quite contrary person, resolution, and induced not only to part with most of the ancient Ecclesiastical Prerogatives united to his Crown, but with his very Crown, Kingdoms themselves, which he resigned to the Pope, becoming his sworn Vassal, Tenant for his own Kingdoms, under an annual rent, which rendered him a scorn, derision to his Bishops, Barons, Subjects, and all other Christian Kings; with the Arguments and Policies by which the Pope and his Legates effected these their unjust designs. You heard in the precedent Chapter what a puissant Army and Navy King John had provided to resist the Invasions of the French King and all his Confederates, who conspired to deprive him of his Crown, Kingdoms; and what secret Agreements, Articles, Instructions the Pope had given to Pandulphus to communicate to K. John, whereby he might purchase his peace at Rome, if condescended to by him, without any hesitation. I shall now proceed to inform you out of Matthew Paris, how Pandulphus proceeded to accomplish the Pope's designs, and decoy King John to submit to his most unworthy Proposals. DUm autem Rex Anglorum cum innumera Armatorum copia circa maritima, Regis Mat. Paris Hist. Angl. p. 225. Mat. Westm. p. 92, 93. Francorum prestolaretur adventum, applicuerunt duo fratres de Militia templi apud Doveram, & venientes amicabiliter ad Regem dixerunt ei, Missi sumus ad te, O Rex potentissime, ex parte Pandulphi subdiaconi ac Domini Papae familiaris, qui pro utilitate vestra, & Regni vestri, vobiscum petit habere colloquium: proponet enim quandam tibi pacis formam, qua poteris Deo & Ecclesiae reconciliari: licet in Curia Romana ● jure Regni Angliae abjudicatus fueris, & sententialiter condemnatus. Rex vero cum Templariorum verba intellexisset, misit Templarios memoratos propter Pandulphum quantocius transfretare. Venit ergo Pandulphus, (ut dictum est) invitatus ad Regem, & apud Doveram, cum ipso locutus est, dicens: Ecce Rex Francorum potentissimus in Ostio Sequanae fluminis cum innumera navium multitudine & maximo, militum, equitum, peditumque stipatus agmine ad hoc expectat, ut majoribus adhuc vallatus catervis, super vos & Regnum vestrum hostiliter veniat, & quasi Domino & summo Pontifici rebellem, a Regno te violenter depellat, atque authoritate sedis Apostolicae Regnum Angliae perpetuo jure possideat. Veniunt & cum illo omnes Episcopi dudum ab Anglia proscripti, cum Clericis & Laicis exultantibus: ut ipso duce sedes Episcopales, cum rebus aliis, te invito recipiant, & obsequium vobis olim & antecessoribus vestris exhibitum, ipsi de caetero reverenter impendant. Jactat se praeterea idem Rex Chartas habere omnium fere Angliae Magnatum de fidelitate & subjectione, unde plenam concepit securitatem ad finem optimum rem perducere inchoatam. Consule ergo saltem nunc quasi in extremis agenti, utilitati tuae, ut ad poenitentiam redeas, & Dominum quem contra te ad vindictam provocasti gravissimam, placere ne differas, si enim sufficientem volueris praestare cautionem, judicio Ecclesiae parendi, & humiliari pro ipso, qui se pro te humiliavit, poteris ex Clementia sedis Apostolicae Regnum recuperare, a quo pro contumacia Romae abjudicatus fuisti. Nunc autem ne supergaud●ant de ●e inimici tui, revertere ad cor tuum, cavens ne te in talem difficultatem inducas, de qua te volens expedire non valeas. Rex denique Johannes his auditis ac medullitus intellectis, confusus est valde, & ment nimis perturbatus, videns undique sibi periculum imminere. Erant enim quatuor causae principales quae ipsum ad poenitentiam simul ad satisfactionem compulerunt. Prima▪ Quod jam per quinquenium excommunicatus permanserat. Deumque & Sanctam Ecclesiam in tantum offenderat, quod de salute animae penitus desperabat. Secunda, Quod Regis Francorum adventum metuebat, qui circa maris littora cum innumera Armatorum copia expectans, insidias suae dejectionis parabat. Tertia, Quod si forte cum hostibus supervenientibus belli certamen iniret, Verebatur ne a Magnatibus Angliae, & propria gente, solus in Campis relinqueretur, aut inimicis ad perdendum traderetur. Quartam, Vero causam aliis plus omnibus timebat: Instabat enim dies Dominicae Ascentionis, in qua juxta Prophetiam, P. Heremitae, de quo superius relatum est, cum ipsa vita Regnum, tam temporale quam aeternum amittere verebatur. His autem & consimilibus causis in desserationem dilapsus, persuasionibus Pandulphi & quievit, & subscriptam pacis formam non sine dolore concessit. juravit ergo Rex, tactis Sacrosanctis Evangeliis in praesentia Pandulphi, se judicio Ecclesiae pariturum, & sexdecim cum eo Comites & Barones ex potentioribus Regni in animam ipsius Regis, Quod si forte facti poeniteret eum pro possibilitate ad satisfactionem compellerent. Hereupon this perplexed King, intoxicated by Pandulphus, entertained the most dishonourable terms of Peace that ever were formerly proposed to him. COnvenerunt apud Doveram, decima tertia die Maii, videlicet die Lunae proxima Mat. Paris Hist. Angl. p. 2. 5, ●26. Mat▪ Westm. p. 9●▪ 93. ante Ascensionem Domini, Rex & Pandulphus, cum Comitibus, Baronibus, & turba multa nimis, ubi in subscriptam pacis formam unanimiter consenserunt. JOHANNES Dei gratia Rex Angliae, Omnibus praesentes Literas suspecturis, salutem. Per has Patentes Literas, sigillo nostro munitas, volumus esse notum, quod nobis praesentibus, hi quatuor Barones nostri, Willielmus scilicet Comes Sarisberiae, frater noster, & Reginaldus Comes Bononiae, Willielmus Comes Warennae, & Willielmus Comes de Ferrariis, juraverunt in animam nostram, quod nos subscriptam pacis formam, bona fide per omnia curabimus observare. In primis itaqu● solenniter absolute juravimus stare mandatis Domini Papae, coram ejus Legato & Nuncio, super omnibus pro quibus excommunicati sumus, ab ipso & veram pacem, & plenam securitatem praestabimus venerabilibus viris Stephano Cantuariensi Archiepiscopo, W. Londinensi▪ E. Elyensi, G. Herefordensi, J. Bathoniensi, & Huberto Lincolniensi Episcopis. Priori quoque & Monachis Cantuarjensibus, & Roberto filio Walteri, & Eustachi● de Vesci, necnon & caeteris Clericis & Laicis ad hoc negotium contingentibus, prastando simul coram eodem Legato vel Delegato publice juramentum, quod ipses cum suis nec laedemus, nec laedi faciemus, vel permittemus in personis vel rebus; illisque dimittimus omnem indignationem, & in gratiam nostram eosdem recipiemus, ac tenebimus bona fide; quodque praefatos Archiepiscopum et Episcopos non impediemus, nec saciemus nec permittemus aliquatenus impediri, quo minus ipsi libere suum exequantur officium et plena Jurisdictionis suae authoritate, prout debent utantur. Et super his tam Domino Papae, quam ipsi Archiepiscopo, & singulis Episcop s nostras Patentes Literas exhibebimus, facientes ab Ep scopis, & Comitibus, & Baronibus nostris, quot & quos praefati Archiepiscopus & Episcopi postulant juramenta, & eorum Patentes Literas exhiberi, quod ipsi bona fide studebunt, ut haec pax & securitas firmiter observetur. Et si forte, quod Deus avertat, per nos ipsos, vel alios contra venerimus, ipsi pro Ecclesia contra violatores securitatis & pacis, mandatis Apostolicis inhaerebunt, nosque perpetuo vacantium Ecclesiarum custodias amittamus. Quod si forte nequiverimus ad hanc ultimam partem juramenti eos inducere, videlicer, quod si per nosmetipsos, vel alios contra venerimus, ipsi pro Ecclesia contra violatores pacis & securitatis, mandatis Apostolicis inhaerebunt. Nos propter hoc Domino Papae ac Ecclesiae Romanae per nostras Patentes Literas, obligavimus omne jus Patronatus, quod habemus in Ecclesiis Anglicanis. Et sic omnes Literas quae pro securitate praedictorum sunt exhibendae, praefatis Archiepiscopo & Episcopis ante suum ingressum in Angliam transmittemus. Si vero nobis placuerit, saepe fatus Archiepiscopus & Episcopi praestabunt, salvo honore Dei & Ecclesiae, juratoriam cautionem, & literatoriam, quod ipsi nec per se, nec per alium contra personam nostram vel Coronam nostram aliquid attentabunt, nobis praedictam eis pacem & securitatem servantibus illibatam. De Ablatis autem plenam restitutionem, & de damnis recompensationem sufficientem omnibus impendemus, tam Clericis quam Laicis ad hoc negotium pertingentibus, non solum rerum, sed omnium libertatum & restitutas conservabimus libertates. Archiepiscopo quidem, & Episcopo Lincolniensi a tempore suae consecrationis, aliis autem a tempore discordiae inchoatae. Nec obstabit aliqua pactio, vel promissio, seu concessio quo minus & damna recompensentur & restituantur ablatatam vivorum, quam & defunctorum. Nec aliquid retinebimus pretextu servitii, quod nobis debuerat impendi, sed postea nobis debita pro servitio recompensatio tribuetur. Statimque omnes quos detinemus Clericos, faciemus absolutos dimitti, ac restitui propriae libertati, cum Laicis qui hujus occasione negotii detinentur. Incontinenti quoque post adventum illius qui nos debet absolvere, faciemus de parte restitutionis ablatorum octo Millia librarum legalium Esterlingorum pro solvendis debitis, & faciendis expensis Nunciis praedictorum Archiepiscoporum, & Episcoporum, & Monachorum Cantuariensium assignari, sine impedimento quolibet per potestatem nostram, ad eos libere deferendorum ut expediti veniant in Angliam honorifice revocati, videlicet Stephano Cantuariensi Archiepiscopo, duo Millia & Quingentas Libras. W. Londinensi septingentas & quinquaginta Libras. J. Bathoniensi septingentas & quinquaginta Libras. H. Lincolniensi septingentas & quinquaginta Libras. Priori & Monachis Cantuariensibus Mille Libras, & protinus postquam pacem illam duxerimus acceptandam, assignari faciemus absque mora Archiepiscopo & Episcopis Clericis ac Ecclesiis universis, in manibus nunciorum, vel procuratorum Nota. ipsorum, mobilia omnia cum administratione libera eorundem, & in pace dimitti. Interdictum vero utlagatio vulgariter nuncupatum, quod proponi fecimus contra Ecclesiasticas personas, publice revocabimus, protestando per nostras Patentes Literas Archiepiscopo tribuendas, id ad nos nullatenus pertinere, quod illud de caetero contra Ecclesiasticas personas nullatenus faciemus proponi: revocantes praeterea utlagationem Laicorum ad hoc negotium pertinentium, & remittentes omnia quae post Interdictum recepimus ab hominibus Ecclesiasticis praeter Regni consuetudinem & Ecclesiae libertatem. Sivero super damnis vel ablatis aut eorum quantitate vel aestimatione, quaestio fuerit de facto suborta, per Legatum vel delegatum, Domini Papae, receptis probationibus terminetur. Et his omnibus rite peractis, relaxabitur sententia Interdicti, (not before.) Super caeteris autem capitulis, si quae fuerint dubitationes subortae, de quibus merito debeat dubitari, nisi per Legatum vel delegatum Domini Papae, de partium fuerint voluntate sopitae, ad ipsius referantur arbitrium, ut super his quae ipse decreverit observentur. Teste meipso apud Dover. Decima tertia die Maii. Anno Regni nostri Decimo quarto. Rebus ut jam dictum est, expeditis, convenerunt iterum Rex Anglorum, & Pandulphus, Anno 1213▪ cum Proceribus Regni, apud domum Militum Templi, juxta Doveram, decimo quinto die Maii, in vigilia scilicet Dominicae Ascensionis, ubi idem Rex, iuxta quod Romae fuerat sententiatum resignavit Coronam suam, cum Regnis Angliae et Hiberniae, in manus Domini Papae, cuius tunc vices gerebat Pandulphus memoratus. The Schoolmaster of ( a Chron. part 7. Johan. ) St. Alban, William Caxton, ( b Speeds History p. 571. Fox Acts and Monuments, vol. 1. p. 329. ) Speed, and other of our Chronologers, relate the form and manner of the resignation of his Crown to be thus. Then put the King him to the Court of Rome, and thenne gaat he up the Ream of Englond and of Irelond for him and for his Heirs for evermore that should come after him, so that King John and his Heirs should take the two Reams of the Pope's hands, and should every year pay farm unto the Court of Rome a Thousand Mark of Silver. And though took the King the Crown off his head, and set it upon Pandulphus his knees, (at whose feet he also laid his Scepter, Robe, Sword, and Ring, his Royal ensigns, as ( c In Phil. Augusto, Speeds Hist. p. 576. ) John de Serres relates) and these words said he in hearing of all the great Lords of Englond. Here I resign up the Crown and the Realm of england, into the Pope Innocentius his honds the third, and put me holy in his Mercy, and in his Ordinance. Tho received Pandulph the Crown of King John, and kept it five days as fore seasing, taking off two Reams of england, and of Irelond; And confirmed all manner of thing by his Chartre that followeth after., There recited in English, in Mr. Fox his Acts and Monuments; but I shall present you with it as recorded by Matthew Paris, (if there were two successive Charters made, as he and others relate.) Facta autem resignatione dedit Papae & ejus successoribus Regna praedicta, quae & Mat. Paris Hist. Angl. p. 227. Mat. Westm. p, 93. Charta subscripta confirmavit. JOHANNES Dei gratia Rex Angliae, etc. Omnibus Christi fidelibus hanc Chartam inspecturis, salutem in Domino. Universitati vestrae per hanc Chartam sigillo nostro munitam, volumus esse notum, quob cum Deum et Matrem nostram, Sanctam Ecclesiam offenderimus in multis, et proinde divina misericordia plurimum indigeamus, nec quid digne offerre possimus pro satisfactione Deo et Ecclesiae debita facienda, nisi nosmetipsos humiliemus et Regna nostra, volentes nosipsos humiliare pro illo qui se pro nobis humiliavit usque ad mortem, gratia Sancti Spiritus inspirante, * All the premises prove the contrary, that it was done by fraud, force, circumvention, against his will, and without the Baron's advice. non vi Interdicti, nec timore coacti, sed vostra bona spontaneaque voluntate, ac communi consilio Baronum nostrorum conferimus, er libere concedimus Deo et Sanctis Apostolicis ejus Petro et Paulo, et Sancto Romanae Ecclesiae matri nostrae, ac Domino Papae Innocentio ejusque Catholicis successoribus, totum Regnum Angliae, et totum Regnum Hiberniae, cum omni jure et pertinentiis suis, pro remissione omnium peccatorum nostrorum, et totius generis nostri, tam pro vivis quam pro defunctis, et a modo illa ab ea et Ecclesia Romana tanquam secundarius recipientes et tenentes in praesentia prudentis viri Pandulphi, Domini Papae Subdiaconi et familiaris: Erinde praedicto Domino Papae Innocentio ejusque Catholicis successoribus, et Ecclesiae secundum subscriptam formam fecimus et inravimus, et homagium legium in praesentia Pandulphi, si coram Domino Papa esse poterimus eidem faciemus; Successores nostros et haeredes, de uxore nostra, in perpetuum obligantes, ut simili modo, summo Pontifici qui pro tempore fuerit, et Ecclesiae Romanae sine contradictione debeant fidelitatem praestare, et homagium recognoscere. Ad judicium autem hujus nostrae perpetuae petuae obligationis et concessionis, volumus et stabilimus, ut de propriis et specialibus redditibus nostris praedictorum Regnorum pro omni ser vitio et consuetudine quae pro ipsis facere debemus, (salvis per omnia denariis Beati Petri) Ecclesia Romana Mille Marcas Esterlingorum percipiat annuatim, in festo scilicet Sancti Michaelis quingentas Marcas, et in Pascha quingentas, septingentas scilicet pro Regno Angliae, et trecentas pro Regno Hyberniae, salvis nobis et haeredibus nostris justitiis, Libertatibus et Regalibus nostris. Quae omnia sicut supra scripta sunt rata esse volentes atque firma obligamus nos et successores nostros contra non venire, et si nos vel aliquis successorum nostrorum contra haec attentare praesumpserit, quicunque ille fuerit, nisi rite Commonitus resipuerit, cadat a jure Regni: Et haec Charta obligationis et concessionis nostrae, semper firma permaneat. Teste meipso apud Domum Militum Templi jurta Doveram, * Observe that it is not said, His Testibus, but Coram H. etc. they refusing to subscribe such an execrable deed, Sealed and delivered only in their presence, if at all. coram H. Dublinensi Archiepiscopo, johanni Nor wicensi Episcopo, Galfrido filio Petri, W. Comite Saresberiae, W. Comite Pembroc, R. Comite Bononiae, W. Comite Warrennae, S. Comite Wintou, W. Comite Arundel, W. Comite de Ferrariis, W. Briwere, Petro filio Hereberti, Warino filio Geroldi, Decimo quinto die Maii, Anno Regni nostri Decimo quarto. This Charter would not suffice the Usurping Pope and his Legate, but King John must likewise swear Homage to the Pope and his Successors, and become their most absolute Vassal in this new form. CArta itaque Regis in scriptum, ut dictum est redacta, tradidit eam Rex Pandulpho Mat. Paris, Hist. Angliae p. 227, 228. Romam Papae Innocentio deferendam, & continuo cunctis videntibus homagium fecit subscriptum. Ego Iohannes Dei gratia Rex Angliae, et Dominus Hyberniae, ab hac hora et in antea fidelis ero Deo et Beato Petro, et Ecclesiae Romanae, et Domino meo Papae Domino Innocentio ejusque successoribus Catholice intrantibus. Non ero in facto, in dicto, consensu vel consilio ut vitam perdant vel membra, vel mala captione capiantux. Eorum damnum si scivero impediam, et remanere faciam si potero, alioquin eis quam citius potero intimabo, vel tali personae dicam, quam eis credam pro certo dicturam. Consilium quod mihi crediderint, per se vel per nuncios suos, seu Literas suas secretum tenebo, et ad eorum damnum nulli pandam me sciente. * How this came to be St. Peter's Patrimony, against his express precept, 1 Pet. 2. 13, to 18. c. 5. 2, 3, 4. I cannot define. Patrimonium Beati Petri et specialiter Regnum Angliae, et Regnum Hyberniae, adjutor ero ad tenendum et defendendum contra omnes homines pro posse meo. Sic me adjuvet Deus, et haec Sancta Evangelia, Amen. Acta autem sunt haec, ut praedictum est, in vigilia Dominicae Ascensionis praesentibus Episcopis, Comitibus, & Magratibus supradictis. Pandulphus autem (with most Antichristian pride, and intolerable insolency) pecuniam, quam in arram subjectionis Rex contulerat, sub pede suo conculcavit, Archiepiscopo dolente et reclamante. Having thus presented you with a full and faithful History of King John's resignation of his Crown and Kingdoms of England and Ireland, to Pope Innocent and his Successors, the successive Interdicts, Excommunications, Abjudications from the Crown, Treasons of his Prelates, Subjects, Forces of his invading foreign Enemies, unchristian Frauds, unrighteous Policies by which it was effected, and this gallant King's enforcements to it, against all his former Heroick Oppositions, Resolutions: I shall desire the greatest Votaries to the See of Rome, to resolve these Quaeres. 1. Whether Pope Innocent (who in all his former Epistles, proceedings against King John, pretended that he sought nothing else or more but King John's repentance, and reception of Stephen Langhton Archbishop of Canterbury, and grieved at nothing so much as England's desolation) did yet by all the premised circumventions, frauds, practices, display to all the world, that the principal thing he sought after, was the very Crown, Kingdoms of England and Ireland, to united them to the See of Rome, as St. Peter's pretended Patrimony, though with the Kings and Kingdoms great grief and desolation? 2. Whether this Resignation gained, extorted from King John by so many years successive unchristian detestable Perjuries, Treasons, Interdicts, Excommunications, Abjudication from the Crown, Hypocrisies, Frauds, Menaces, Lies, false suggestions by Pope Innocent himself, (who was sole Judge of King John in his own case) and his confederates, and such unjust invasions of the Rights of his Crown, can in point of Justice, Law, Reason, Conscience be reputed a Good, Valid, Legalor equitable Title for him and his successors to claim the Realms of England and Ireland, as part of St. Peter's Patrimony, or the rends reserved annually out of them, as a just Papal revenue, admitting King John had a legal power to resign his Kingdoms without the joint consent of all his Nobility, subjects, Kingdoms, which he had not, as they oft protested both in and out of Parliament? 3. Whether all or many of these abominable, insolent, injurious, Machivilian if not Atheistical practices, proceedings against King John, diametrically repugnant to all rules of Christianity, Piety, Justice, moral honesty, and express precepts of Christ himself, St. Peter and Paul * Book. 1. Chap. 4. 5. forecited, proclaim not this Pope Innocent one of the grandest Nocents, Hypocrites, Antimonarches, Impostors, Usurpers, Atheists, Monster of Impiety, Arrogancy, Covetousness, Ambition, that ever sat in St. Peter's pretended chair; and King John the only Innocent and pattern of patience, justice, clemency, and unparallelled humility, far below his Royal dignity, and the place, person, and public trust he then sustained, notwithstanding our Monkish Historians defamations of him? 4. Whether the serious consideration of these proceedings of Innocent, seconded with those succeeding them, were not of themselves a sufficient ground for the King and Kingdoms of England and Ireland, without any guilt of Schism or Injustice, for ever to exterminate the Usurped Antimonarchical Usurpations, and foreign jurisdiction of the Bishops and See of Rome, and to hold no future communion with them, to prevent the like attempts? especially when so magnified, justified by our Monkish Historians in that age, by late Popish Parasites of all sorts, and most succeeding Popes, who still make fresh successive claims to the Crown, Kingdoms of England and Ireland, and the annual rent then reserved out of them as St. Peter's undoubted Patrimony. But more of this in due place. Pope Innocent and Pandulphus having thus cheated, decoyed King John of his Crown, Kingdoms, yea all his Regal Honour, Glory, Wisdom, Magnanimity and Renown acquired by his former oppositions against them; and the King of France (their mear stalking horse to gain this rich booty, to his vast and frutlesse expense) of his elevated hopes to possess and enjoy it by the Pope's donation, his next design was, how to take off and pacify the French King from his intended invasions; and so sent the Archbishop and his confederates into England, there to insult over and trample upon King John, as they had done abroad; wherein he thus proceeded. HIS ita gestis, Pandulphus cum Cartis memoratis transfretravit ad Gallias, Mat. Paris Hist. Angl. p. ●28. Octo millia Librarum Esterlingorum secum gerens ut Archiepiscopo & Episcopis, Monachisque Cantuariensibus, ac caeteris causa interdicti exulantibus in parte restitutionis faceret ablatorum. Cum autem tenor Cartarum, & prefatae pacis forma, illis omnibus placuisset, persuasit diligenter Pandulfus, ut pacifice redirent in Angliam Episcopi supradicti, residuum restitutionis illico percepturi: Deinde Regem Francorum diligenter admonere caepit, qui jam paratus fuerat in manu violenta ad Angliam hostiliter transfretare, ut desisteret a proposito, & ad propria pacifice remearet, non enim potuit sine offensione summi Pontificis terram Angliae, vel ipsum Regem infestare, cum ille paratus sit Deo, & sanctae Ecclesiae ejusque ordinatis satisface re, atque Domini Papae Catholicis jussionibus obedire. Haec audiens Rex Francorum, iratus valde dixit, se jam in apparatu Navium, Victualium & Armorum plusquam seraginta Millia librarum expendisse & ex praecepto Domini Papae Laborem pretatum & in peccatorum remissionem suscepisse. Et ut verum fateamur, idem Rex suggestionibus Pandulphi ascensum nullatenus praebuisset, nisi solus Comes Flandrensis Philippus ipsum sequi contradixisset. Fuerat enim Regi Anglorum confaederatus, & ideo contra pactum suum venire noluit. Dixit praeterea idem Comes injustum fuisse idem bellum, quod ad debellandum Regem Anglorum susceperat, cum nullus Antecessorum suorum jus aliquod sibi hactenus in Regno Angliae vendicasset. Adjunxit insuper quod Rex Francorum terras suas & castella injuste occupaverat & occuputam hereditatem suam contra justitiam detinebat, quare cum ipso ad Angliam venire nolebat. Lo here a clear confession of the Earl of Flanders, of the Injustice of King John's deprivation, and King of France his intended War to deprive him of his Kingdom by the Pope's command: who being diverted by Pandulph from invading England, turned all his forces and Fleet upon Flanders; and by a divine ● Mat. Paris p. 228. 229. retaliation had all his Navy burnt and taken by a small party of King john's ships, summoned to resist King Philip's landing in England, to his great grief, vexation, and damage, the English burning above a 100 of his ships on shore, and taking above 300. more, laden with Wine, Victuals, Arms, and other things. The many insolences of the Pope's Legate, and exiled Bishops Treasons, rebellions against King john, encouraged his Nobles in like manner to disobey, and capitulate with him, and that upon this occasion. REX apud Portesmue exercitum congregavit immensum, ut ad Pictaviam * Mat. Paris p. 229. transfretaret, disponens a parte Occidentali, sicut illi qui erant in Flandria a parte Orientali, Regem & Regnum Francorum inquietare, necnon cum omni nisu terras amissas, ad suum dominium revocare. Sed aliter accidit quam sperabat, Magnates enim Angliae ipsum sequi noluerunt nisi prius a sententia Excommunicationis absolveretur. Hac ergo districtione, Rex compulsus, misit Chartas * It was but Duodecim as the Record resolves. viginti ●quator Comitum & Baronum ad Archiepiscopum & Episcopos praescriptos, ad maiorem securitatem, ut omni metu deposito, venirent in Angliam, omnia sua et ablatorum damna, secundum praescriptae pacis formam, illico percepturi. These Charters, and Patents of theirs and the King, being extant in no Historian, I shall present you with them out the Patent Roll in the Tower. VEnerabili in Christo Patri S. Dei gratia Cantuariensi Archiepiscopo totius Angliae Pat. 15. Johan. Regis m. 12. Dorso parte prima. Primati, & sanctae Romanae Ecclesiae Cardinali, G●filius Petri Comes Essex, R. Comes Bolon. & Comes Cestriae W. Marescal Comes Penbroc. W. Comes Warren. W. Comes Arundel, W. Comes de Ferrari. Willielmus Briwer, Robertus de Ros, Gilbertus filius in Reinulf. Rogerus de Mortuo Mari, & Petrus filius Hereberti, salutem & debitam reverientiam. Sciatis quod bona fide studebimus, quod Dominus noster I. Rex Angliae pacem et securitatem vobis et aliis tam Clericis quam Laicis negotium quod inter Anglicanam Ecclesiam et ipsum Regem versatum est contingentibus, firmiteer observabit, secundum formam pacis a Domino Papa ei transmissam et ab eo acceptatam. Et si forte (quod Deus avertat) Rex ipse, vel aliquis alius ex parte sua contravenerit, nos pro Ecclesia contra violatores securitatis et pacis, mandatis Apostolicis inhaerebimus, et ipse perpetuo vacantium Ecclesiarum custodiam amittat. Preterea promitimus, quod si quid omissum est, vel minus plene factum, circa hoc negotium in hoc scripto propter accelerationem adventus vestri in Angliam, id post adventum vestrum secundum formam praedictam perficietur. Et in hujus rei Testimonium, etc. Salutem in Domino. Haec Autem omnia supra dicta nos firmiter observaturos, noveritis nos de mandatis Domini Regis, tactis sacro-sanctis spontanea voluntate corporali Sacramento firmasse. Eodem modo scribitur singulis Episcopis cum Archiepiscopo existentibus, scilicet Londonensi, Herefordensi, Eliensi, Bathoniensi, & Lincolniensi, & Priori & Monachis Cantuariensibus. The Kings own Patent reciting this of the Earls and Barons, follows in this form. REX Dei gratia Cantuariensi Archiepiscopo totius Angliae Primati, & sanctae Pat. 15. Johan. m. 12. intus num. 48. Romanae Ecclesiae Cardinali, salutem: Sciatis quod secundum formam mandati Domini et Uenerabilis patris nostri I. Dei gratia summi Pontificis, veram pacem ac plenam securitatem vobis praestamus, nec non caeteris tam Clericis quam Laicis hoc negotium quod inter nos et Ecclesiam Anglicanam versatum est contingentibus, nec vos nec vestros laedemus vel laedi faciemus, aut permittemus in personis vel rebus, vobisque remittimus omnem iudignationem, et in gratiam nostram vos recipimus, et tenebimus bona fide et quod vos non inpediemus, nec faciemus aut permittemus aliquatinus impediri quo minus vestrum libere exequamini officium, et plena jurisdictionis vestrae Authoritate prout debetis utamini, Et super hiis vobis juramenta & litteras Patentes fidelium nostrorum Venerabilium Patrum, Domini. H. Dublin. Archiepiscopi, P. Wint. J. Norwic. Episcoporum, & praeterea Duodecim Baronum nostrorum, scilicet, G. filii Petri Comitis Essex, Justiciarii Nostri, R. Comitis Bolon, R Comitis Cicest. W. Comitis Marescall, Comitis Pembroc. W. Comitis Waren. W. Comitis Arundel, W. Comitis de Ferrariis, Willielmi Briwer, Roberti de Ros, Gileberti filii Ranulf. Rogeri de Mortuo Mari, & Petri filii Hereberti▪ fecimus exhiberi, quod ipsi bona fide, studebunt ut haecpax et securitas firmiter observetur. Et si forte quod Deus avertat, per nos ipsos vel alios contra venirmus, ipsi pro Ecclesiae contra violatores securitatis et pacis mandatis Apostolicis inhaerebunt, Nosque, perpetuum Ecclesiarum vacantiam custodiam amittamus: (thrust in by the Pope and Pandulph, on purpose that the Pope by his Provisions might dispose of them, as he had done of the See of Canterbury, wrested out of the King's hands) Et ideo vos rogamus, quod ad nos secure sine dilatione in Angliam venire festinetis; si quid vero in hoc scripto omissum fuerit vel mi●us plene factum, cum in Angliam veneritis, id secundum formam mandati Apostolici perficietu●: Et in hujus rei Testimonium, etc. Test. H. Dublinensi Archiepiscopo, P. Wintonensi Episcopo. G. filio Petri, W. Marascal, Comite Penbroc. apud Templum de Ewell XXIV. die Maii, Anno Regni n. xv. EOdem modo scribitur singulis Episcopis ultra mare existentibus cum Archiepiscopo, scilicet Londonensi, Herefordensi, Eliensi, Bathoniensi, Lincolniensi, Episcopis, & Priori & Monachis Cantuariensibus, Teste eodem. At the same time this King sent his Letters Pattens to Robert Fitzwater and other Laymen to teturn into England, whence they fled upon the Bishop's quarrel. REX Roberto filio Walteri, Mandamus vobis quod secure veneatis in Angliam Pat. 15. Johan▪ Regis▪ ● 12. secundum formam mandati Apostolici, quia pacem & securitatem, secundum formam mandati Apostolici vobis praestamus. Et in hujus rei testimonium has literasnostras Patentes vobis mittimus Teste Domino, P. Wintoniensi Episcopo apud Wingham, Decimo Septimo die Maii Anno regni nostri Decimo Quinto. Eodem modo scribitur Eustacio de Vescy. They likewise in pursuit of the Pope's agreement enforced him by letters patents to the Archbishop, publicly to disclaim his ancient undoubted Right to outlaw any Clergy men, though never so great Traitors Rebels, dated 11. days before the former Patents. REX Venerabili Patri in Christo S. Dei gratia Cantuariensi Archiepiscopo, &c Pat. 15. Johan. Regis parte secunda m. 8. Intus. I. eadem gratia Rex Angliae, etc. Sciatis quod per has Literas nostras Patentes protestamur, quod ad nos nullatenus pertinet Clericos Utlagare. Teste meipso apud Templum de Ewell, xv. die Maii. Anno etc. Decimo quinto. Never was any King of England before or since so fettered, and reduced to such extremities and Unkingly condiscentions, to Traitorous, Rebellious Prelates, and their Confederates, who had Interdicted his Kingdom for seven years' space, excommunicated, deprived him of his Crown, engaged the French, all his foreign Enemies, and most Christian Nobleses, Soldiers, in a public Crossodo against him, as if he had been a Saracen, thereby enforcing him to resign his Crown, Kingdoms to the Pope, to swear Homage to him as his Vassal, and to hold his Kingdoms from him under an annual Rent; and then by his Writs, Letters Patents, his Nobles Letters, Oaths, thus submissively to write unto, send for them again and again to hasten their return, engage to perform all agreements made on their behalf, to their full content, under such forfeitures as these, and to receive them with all honour, before their least submission, precedent humble addresses to him, or Interdict released; all which sufficiently discovers their pride, obstinacy, disloyalty, and his unparallelled humility. Upon receipt of these Letters, the Archbishop and Bishops not making such haste into England as the King expected, he thereupon sent this second Letter to them to hasten their return, and appointed Bishops, Earls, Barons, to receive them at their Landing, and to conduct them to him with all safety and honour, instead of guarding them to a deserved Execution. VEnerabilibus in Christo Patribus S. Dei gratia Cantuariensi Archiepiscopo totius Claus. 15. Johannis Regis, parte 2. Dors. m. 8. Angliae Primati, & Sanctae Ecclesiae Romanae Cardinali, & omnibus suffraganeis suis Episcopis cum eo existentibus. J. eadem gratia Rex Angliae, etc. Mandamus vobis quod bene veneritis in Angliam, scientes quod jamdiu vos expectavimus, et adventum vestrum desideravimus, unde in occursum vestrum mittimus fideles nostros Dominum H. Dublinensem Archiepiscopum, J. Norwicensem Episcopum, W. Comitem Arundel, Matthaeum filium Herberti, W. Archidiaconum Huntingtoniae, rogantes quatenus ad nos venire festinetis, sicut praedicti fideles nostri vobis dicent. Teste meipso apud Stokes Episcopi, primo die Julii. And to take away all pretexts for their delay, he sends them this second Patent, disclaiming his intended Utlacy of Treason against them and their Confederates, and undoubted Regal power to Outlaw any Clerks for Treachery and Rebellion, when as neither they nor the Pope ever renounced their Usurped power to Interdict, Excommunicate, Dethrone, and give away his Realms to his mortal foreign Enemies. REX Omnibus, etc. Sciatis quod Interdictum quod vulgariter Utlagatio Pat. 15. Johan. Regis, parte 2. m. 8. intus. nuncupatur, quod proponi fecimus contra personas Ecclesiasticas, publice revocavimus et revocamus, protestants per has Literas nostras Patentes, id ad nos de personis Ecclesiasticis minime pertinere, nec illud de cetero contra personas Ecclesiasticas, faciemus u●●a●enus promulgari. Teste meipso apud Bellum, Decimo tertio die Junii. Anno Decimo quinto. The 17. of August following these Bishop's Landed at Dover, and were conducted in state to the King at Winchester; the manner of the King's extraordinary humiliation to, reception of, and begging pardon from them, prostrating himself to the ground at their feet, and their insolent proud carriage towards their offended Sovereign, though with some Crocodiles tears, is thus related by Matthew Paris. PAndulp●o itaque mediante, necessariis omnibus ad repatriandum paratis▪ ascenderunt Mat. Paris Hist. Angl▪ p. 229, 230. naves S. Cantuariensis Archiepiscopus, W. Londinensis, E. Eliensis, H. Lincolniensis, E. Herefordensis Episcopi, cum caeteris Clericis & Laicis, causa Interdicti exulantibus, & apud Doveram, Decimo septimo Calendas Augusti applicantes, in die Beatae Margaratae Virginis, Wintoniam ad Regem venerunt. Rex autem cum eorum adventum cognovisset, venit obviam illis, et viso Archiepiscopo et Episcopis, * Lo the King's transcendent humility to these Traitors, who should have fallen down on their knees to him. cecidit pronus in terram, ad pedes eorum lacrymis profusis, (they should rather have fallen down at the King's feet, and craved pardon for their Treasons and practices against him with tears) Obsecrans ut de se ac Regno Angliae misericordiam haberent. Videntes ergo Archiepiscopus & Epsicop. tantam Regis humilitatem, cum lachymis illum de terra levaverunt, ducentes a dextris & a sinistris, ad ostium Ecclesiae Cathedralis, ubi cum Psalmo Qui quagesimo. videntibus magnatibus cunctis, & ubertim prae gaudio flentibus, sicut mos est Ecclesiae, illum absolverunt. Et haec absolutio facta fuit in Capitulo Wintoniensi. (But pray mark upon what reasonable and dutiful terms it was made for their own and the Pope's advantage, and his dishonour and prejudice.) In hac autem absolutione juravit Rex, tactis Sacrosanctis Evangeliis, quod Sanctam Ecclesiam ejusque ordinatos diligeret, defenderet et manu-teneret, contra omnes adversarios suos pro posse suo, quodque bonas leges Antecessorum suorum, & praecipue leges Edwardi Regis revocaret, & iniquas destrueret, & omnes homines suos secundum justa Curiae suae judicia judicaret, quodque singulis redderet jura sua. juravit etiam quod omnibus ad Interdicti negotium pertingentibus infra proximum Pascha plenariam restitutionem faceret ablatorum, sin autem, * Non▪ in pristinam excommunicationis sententiam revocaretur. juravit praeterea Innocentio Papae ejusque Catholicis successoribus, fidelitatem et obedientiam, sicut superius in scripto redactum continetur. Deinde Archiepiscopus ducens illum in Ecclesiam, missam celebravit. Et missa peracta ad mensam, cum Rege residentes, Archiepiscopus cum Episcopis, & magnatibus universis, epulabantur in laetitia & jocunditate. (The very next day after their coming to Winchester the King issued out Writs to all Sheriffs of England, to inquire of their damages.) In crastino autem misit Rex Literas ad omnes Vicecomites Regni Angliae praecipiens ut de singulis Dominicorum suorum Villis quatuor Legales homines cum praeposito apud Sanctum Albanum, primo die nonas Augusti facerent convenire: ut per illos & alios ministros suos de damnis singulorum Episcoporum & ablatis certitudinem inquireret, & quid singulis deberetur. The form of these Writs to Sheriffs being omitted by all our Historians, I shall here insert. REX Vicecomiti Sumerset & Dorset, etc. Praecipimus tibi quod sine dilatione ex Claus 15. Johannis Regis, parte 2. m. 8. Dorso. parte nostra praecipias Roberto de Berkhel, Rogero de Penton, & Osberto filio Willielmi, quod omni occasione postposita, veniant ad diem, & locum, quos Dominus Episcopus Bathoniensis tibi scire fecerit, ad audiendam inquisitionem de ablatis et dampnis Episcoporum et Clericorum, et omnium virorum Ecclesiasticorum et aliorum negociorum Ecclesiae contingentium faciendam coram Clericis Domini Cantuariensis Archiepiscopi quos ad hoc per Literas suas Patentes assignaverit. Et summone ex parte nostra omnes illos de Balliva tua, qui Custodiam vel aliquam Ballivam habuerunt de rebus Ecclesiasticis a tempore motae discordiae inter nos & Clerum Angliae; quod tunc coram praedictis Clericis Domini Archiepiscopi compareant ad praedictam inquisitionem audiendam. Teste meipso apud Northampton. xxxi. die Augusti. in Archiepiscopatu Cantuar. Galfridus filius Petri, Comes Essex. Simon de Pateshull. in Episcopatu Winton. Willus Briwer. Rogerus de Scures. Walterus de Aundely. in Episcopatu Exon. Richardus Flandrensis. Eudo de Bello Campo. Robertus de Albamara. in Episcopatu Eliens. Comes Roger le Bigod. Robertus Pikot. Robertus de Burnvil. in Episcopatu Wygorn. Petrus filius Herberti. Willus de Arden. in Episcopatu Bathon. Robertus de Berkelie. Osbertus filius Willi. Rogerus le Penton. in Episcopatu Cestr. Thomas de Estlegg. Willus de Warr. in Episcopatu Norwicen. Galfridus de Aumbly. Willus filius Rocellini. Philippus de Burnham. in Episcopatu Landaff. Richardus Fladr. de Glamorgan. Walterus de Suly. in Archiepiscopatu Eborac. Jordanus Foliot. Johannes de Birkin. in Prioratu Cantuariens. Matheus filius Herberti. Willus de Cernton. Willus de Risseteford. in Episcopatu Cicestriens. Simon de Rockingham. Robertus de Sauvag. Robertus de Pet. Pont. in Episcopatu Londoniens. Comes W. Marescall. Jacobus de Poterna. In Episcopatu Lincolniens. Radulphus de Normanvill. Thomas de Muleton. Alexand. de Pointon. in Episcopatu Herefordens. Robertus de Mortuo Mari. Walterus de Clifford. Rogerus Huscarl. in Episcopatu Sarr. Godefridus de Sancto Martino. Petrus de Scudamore. Henricus filius Ancheri. in Episcopatu Menevens. Thomas de Lauda. Willus de Barry. in Episcopatu Roffens. Galfridus de Sunderness. Richardus de Valle Bedonis. in Episcopatu Dunholmens. Rogerus de Andree. Walterus de Monasteriis. There were other Writs sent to the King's Judges to proceed in the said Inquisition. REX, G. filio Petri Com. Essex, & Simoni de Pateshall, etc. Mandamus vobis Claus. 15. Johannis Regis, pars 2. m. 8. dorso. quod procedatis in Inquisitione facienda de Ablatis et dampnis per Archiepiscopatum Cantuariensem, sicut provisum est ad terminum ad hoc constitutum, et distincte inbreviari faciatis ex parte nostra, et Archiepiscopus ex parte sua, quid singuli solverint Balivis nostris, et quid ab eis exigitur, et quantum et quare, quia quod Balivi nostri recognoverint se recepisse de hiis quae ad hoc negotium pertinent, id reddi faciemus. Et si de aliquo orta fuerit contentio unde fieri debeat probatio, probationem inde audire volumus coram nobis in praesentia Domini Archiepiscopi ad terminum quem nos et ipse providebimus, quia Contentionem illam coram nobis terminari volumus, qui solutionem facturi sumus: praeterea provideatis vobis de articulis exactionum et receptionum. Audivimus enim quod quaedam exactiones sicut de serviciis nobis factis in exercitibus Walliae et Hyberniae, et de quibusdam aliis quae ad hoc negotium nequaquam pertinent. After which he issued out other Writs to all the Commissioners and Inquisitors of those damages in this form. REX, Galfrido de Aumbly, Willielmo filio Roscelini, & Philippo de Burnham, etc. Claus. 15. Johannis Regis, pars 2. m. 8. dorso. Mandamus vobis quod conveniatis ad diem et locum quos Offic. Domini Norwicensis Episcopi vobis scire faciet, coram Clericis Domini Cantuariensis Archiepiscopi quos per literas suas assignavit, ad Inquisitionem faciendam de omnibus ablatis et dampnis illatis Ecclesiae et Clero, et Laicis, hanc causam contingentibus de praedicto Episcopatu, et vos sitis cum illis ad Inquisitionem illam faciendam quia volumus quod plenarie fiat, nec remaneat propter aliquas Literas quas inde super hoc miserimus. Et scire faciatis omnibus illis qui Ballivas habuerint in praedicto Episcopatu de rebus Ecclesiasticis vel aliis hanc causam contingentibus, quod veniant ad praedictos diem et locum Inquisitionem illam audituri. Et si non venerint, nihilominus inquisitio illa procedat. Et si quod dampnum evenerit per defectum ipsorum non nobis sed illis eveniet. Teste meipso apud Novum Templum London, sexto die Octobris. Eodem modo scribitur omnibus Inquisitoribus supradictis. After this general compliance with them, the King conceiving he had given them full content, and settled all things in peace, resolved to pass with an Army into Picardy▪ whither the Nobles refused to follow him, animated by the example and secret persuasions of the Bishops, to divert him from invading France, where they had been succoured; which Matthew Paris relates in these words. INde vero apud Portesmue, Rex cum festinatione veniens ut transfretaret in Pictaviam, Mat. Paris Hist. Angl. p. 229, 230. Galfrido filio Petri, & Episcopo Winton. Regnum Angliae commisit, praecipiens ut cum Consilio Cantuariensis Archiepiscopi (though his most implacable Enemy) omnia Regni negotia ordinarent. Quo facto venerunt ibidem, ad Regem numerosa militum multitudo (by the Archbishop and his Confederates instigation) conquerentes, quod in diutina, quam ibi fecerant expectatione, omnem pecuniam suam consumpserant, unde ipsum sequi nequiverant, nisi de fisco illis necessaria ministrarentur. Quod cum Rex facere recusasset, iratus cum privata Familia Naves ascendit & post triduum apud Gersea insulam applicuit, magnatibus suis domum reversis, ubi cum Rex sese derelictum cernebat, necessitate compulsus ad Angliam remeavit. Whiles these things were acting, the Archbishop, Bishops, Nobles meeting at St. Alban, about the damages to be restored by the King to the Bishops during their exile, by the Archbishops and Bishop's instigation, to depress the King all they could, fell to demand the confirmation of their Liberties, granted by his Grandfather King Henry the 1. which the King condescended to. DUm haec agerentur, interfuerint Consilio apud Sanctum Albanum, Galfridus filius Mat. Paris, p. 230. Petri, & Episcopus Wintoniae, cum Archiepiscopo, & Episcopis, & Magnatibus Regni: ubi cunctis pace Regis denunciata, ex ejusdem Regis parte firmiter praeceptum est, quatenus leges Henrici avi sui ab omnibus in Regno custodirentur, & omnes leges iniquae poenitus enervarentur. Denunciatum est praeterea, Vicecomitibus, forestariis, aliisque Ministris Regis sicut vitam & membra sua diligunt, ne a quoquam aliquid violenter extorqueant vel alicui injuriam irrogare praesumant, aut scotalla alicubi in Regno faciant, sicut facere consueverunt. Rex vero Johannes cum se a quibusdam Magnatibus quasi derelictum cognovisset, (by reason of some new Treasons then hatching against him by the Archbishop) magnum congregavit exercitum, ut rebelles ad consuetum obsequium revocaret. Cumque arma movere incoepisset, venit ad eum Archiepiscopus apud Northamptonam dicens, plurimum in injuriam sui Sacramenti, quod in absolutione sua praestiterat, redundare, si absque judicio Curiae suae contra quempiam bellum mov●ret. Quod audiens Rex cum ingenti strepitu, dixit, se Regni negotia propter Archiepiscopum non differre, cum Laica ●udicia ad ipsum non pertineant. In crastino autem summo diluculo iter furibundus arripiens, versus Nottingham properavit: Secutus est quoque Regem Archiepiscopus memoratus constanter affirmans, (like another Pope Innocent, in a presumptuous daring manner) quod nisi ab inceptis celerius desisteret, omnes qui versus quempiam ante relaxationem Interdicti hostiliter arma gestarent, praeter ipsum solum anathematis vinculo innodaret. Sicque ab incaeptis Regem revocans Archiepiscopus, non prius ab eo recessit, donec diem competentem ad Curiam Regis veniendi, & ibidem juri parendi Baronibus impetrasset. This English Pope and Archtraitor in pursuance of his implacable malice and revenge against the King, (notwithstanding his extraordinary favours and submissions to him) soon after caused all the Bishops, Abbots, Priors, Deans, and Nobles of the Realm to meet together at London upon pretext of satisfying his and the exiled Bishops damages, but in verity to engage them in a New Rebellion against the King to deprive him of his Crown, and confer it on Lewis the French Kings son, as they did in the conclusion, under pretext of demanding the confirmation of the Charter and Liberties granted by King Henry the first, there produced by the Archbishop, which the King had but newly ratified at St. Alban; thus storied by Matthew Paris. EOdem Anno octavo Calendas Septembris, convenerunt in civitate Londoniarum Hist. Angliae. p. 230. 231. Rog Wendover. n. s. Speeds. Hist. p. 579. apud Sanctum Paulum, Stephanus Cantuariensis Archiepiscopus, cum Episcopis, Abbatibus, Prioribus, Decanis et Baronibus regni, (to promote a New Rebellion under a pretext of Religion, even whiles the Interdict was contrived by him, as a curb upon the King) ubi Archiepiscopus indulsit tam Ecclesiis Conventualibus quam Presbyteris secularibus ut hor as canonicas in Ecclesiis suis audientibus Parochianis suppressa Voce cantar●nt (before the Interdict was released.) IN hoc Colloquio (ut fama refert) Archiepiscopus memoratus convocatis seorsim quibusdam regni proceribus coepit affari eos secretius in hunc modum; Audistis, inquit, quomodo ipse apud Winton. Regem absolvi et ipsum jurare compulerim, quod Leges iniquas destrueret, et leges bonas, videlicet leges Edwardi revocaret, et in regnofaceret ab omnibus observari. Inventa est quoque nunc Carta quaedam Henrici primi Regis Angliae, per quam si volueritis, Libertates diu amissas, poteritis ad statum pristinum revocare, which * Mat. Paris. p. 230. charter he recites at large, then read unto them by the Archbishop. CUm autem haec Charta perlecta, & Baronibus audientibus intellecta fuisset, gavisi sunt gaudio magno valde, & iuraverunt omnes in praesentia Archiepiscopi saepe dicti, quod viso tempore congruo, pro hiis libertatibus si necesse fuerit, decertabunt usque ad mortem. Archiepiscopus vero promisit eis fidelissimum aurilium suum pro posse suo, et sic confederatione facta inter eos, Colloquium solutum est. This being the real design of this Assembly. As the King was thus ridden, trampled upon, and intolerably abused, betrayed by the Archbishop, Bishops and Barons inveagled by them on the one hand, so was he by the Pope's Agents on the other. Pandulphus, besides his formentiond insolences, endeavouring to wrest out of his hands the power of imprisoning Clerks for felonies, that so they might be at his own disposal, and act any villainies with impunity, as these two Patents evidence. REX dilecto & fideli suo Brieno de Insula, etc. Sciatis quod ad petitionem Pat. 15. Johan. Regis part 1. m. 11. 12. intus. Magistri Pandulphi Domini Papae Nuncii, concessimus quod Robertus Dosset, Run Bullock, Galfridus de Stanford, & Willielmus de Welmsford, qui capti fuerunt propter rectum furti facti in vivario nostro de Cliva; & aliis vivariis; & quos habetis in custodia vestra Deliberentur. Et ideo vobis mandamus, quod eos sine delatione deliberari faciatis, & in hujus rei testimonium has literas nostras patentes vobis inde mittimus, Teste Domino P. Wintoniensi Episcopo apud Wingham, primo die Jun. Anno regni nostri Decimo quinto. REX Reginaldo de Cornhill, etc. Mandamus vobis, statim visis Literis istis, liberetis Magistro Pandulpho Domini Papae Nuncio Johannem Clericum Domini Hereford Episcopi quam habetis in Custodia apud Roffam salvo Custodiendum donec certum fuerit, utrum fuerit Clericus vel Laicus: Et in hujus rei testimonium has literas nostras Patentes vobis mittimus. Teste Domino H. Dublinensi Archiepiscopo apud Chileham Duodecimo die Junnii, Anno regni nostri decimo quinto. Per eundem. These most * Tit. 4▪ 26. unchristian disloyal proceedings of the Pope, his legates, Archbishops, Bishops, and English Clergy against the King, so much alienated his affections from the very Christian Religion they professed with their Mouths, but denied in their hearts, practices, that (if we credit * Mat. Paris p. 233. Matthew Paris, who willingly traduces him upon all occasions) after the death of Geoffery Fitz-Peter chief Justice of England (the chief pillar and support of the Realm of England) King John conceiving himself absolved from, and that he had liberty to go against all the Oaths, agreements, & extricate himself from the unjust conditions of peace he had made dolenter, with much grief and reluctancy wherewith he was entangled: poenituit ipsum graviter et amarissime, quod ad praedictae pacis consensum inclinaretur. Whereupon thinking to finde better usage from very Turks then from the Pope, his own Bishops and rebellious subjects, who were Christians, he resolved to put himself and his Realm into their hands, and to renounce the Christian Religion, which the premised proceedings of the Pope and Prelates against him made him repute as vain and ineffectual. Such was the fruit of these Antichristian proceedings against him, Misit ergo nuncios secretissimos cum festinatione summa, videlicet Thomam Hardentonum, & Radulphum filium Nicholai Milites, & Robertum de Londino clericum, ad Admiralium Murmelium Regem magnum Aphricae, Marocchiae, & Hispaniae: significans eidem, quod se et Regnum suum libenter redderet eidem et dederet et deditum teneret ab ipso, si placeret ei, sub tributo. Necnon et legem Christianam quam vanam censuit, relinquens, legi Mahometae fideliter adhaereret. To which message being delivered, Murmelius after a little deliberation returned this modest answer. Modo inspexi librum in Graeco scriptum, cujusdam Graeci sapientis & Christiani, nomine Pauli (the Apostle) cuju● actus & verba mihi maxime complacent, & accepto: Vnum tamen de ipso mihi displicet, quod in lege sub qua natus est non stetit, sed ad alia tanquam transfuga & i●co●st●ns avolvit. Et iddico de domino vestro Anglorum Rege, qui relicta piissima et mundissima lege Christianorum sub qua nascebatur, cereus et instabilis gliscit transmeare. No●it qui nihil ignorat D●us omnipoteks, si exlex essem, illam prae omnibus eligerem, & acceptam amplexar m. Postea vero sciscitabatur, cujus conditionis esset Rex Angliae & regnum ejus. Of which T. Hardenton gave this account of the King, that he was Egregie & ingenue atavis Regibus magnis procreatus: & of the kingdom, terra ejus opulenta & suis contenta bonis, etc. Regnum etiam ab * Misprinted injancto. injuncto & coronato gubernatum, ab antiquo liberum esse dignoscitur, ad nullius pr●terquam Dei spectans Dominationem: (the more shame for the Pope to invade & make it Tributary) Ecclesia etiam & nostrae cultus religionis plus quam in aliqua mundi parte ibidem prosperatur, ac * A forgery for the Pope's advantage. Papalibus & Regiis legibus pacifice gubernatur. Hereupon, Tracto igitur abalto praecordiali suspirio, respondit▪ Rex, Nunquam legi vel audivi, quod aliquis Rex tam prosperum Regnum possidens subjectum et obediens, suum sic vellet sponte pessundaxe Principatum, ut de libero faceret tributarium, de suo alienum, de faelici, miserum; et se alterius sine vulnere victum, dedere voluntati. Quinimo de multis legi & audivi (qui) sibi libertatem (quod laudabile est) compararent: Modo autem audio, quod Dominus vester * He was neither. miser, deses et imbellis, qui nullo nullior est, de libero servus fieri desiderat, qui omnium mortalium miserrimus est. Postea vero sed cum contemptu inquisivit cujus aetatis esset, staturae a● streunitatis: Cui Responsum est quod aetate fuit quinquagenarius, & omnino canus, corpore fortis, nec procerus, sed potius compactus, & formae ad robora convenient●s etc. Quod cum audisset Rex, respondit, Virtus ejus juvenilis ac virilis tepuit jam & refrigescit. Infradecennium, dato quod tamdiu victurus sit, virtus ejus deficiet antequam arduum quid consummaverit, si nunc inciperet in defectum declinaret, nec aliquid valeret. Quinquagenarius enim decidit occulte, sexagenarius manifeste. Pacem de caetero sibi adquirat & quiescat. Colligens ergo omnia inquisita & responsa Nunciorum, post parvum silentium, facta subsannatione, in signum magnae indignationis, sprevit ille Admiralius Regem Johannem, dicens, nullius est Rex ille, sed Regulus jam desipiens & senescens; nec curo de eo: Indignus est mihi confederari; & conspiciens Thomam & Radulphum torvo vultu, Ait, Non redeatis iterum ad meam praesentiam, nec videant oculi vestri amplius faciam meam. I ama, sed potius infamia Domini vestri, jam Apostatae desipientis faetorem exhalat in conspectu meo teterrimum. Recedentibus igitur cum Rubore nunciis, intuebatur Rex ille Admiralius Robertum Clericum, qui tertius erat Nunciorum, qui p●rvus erat & niger, unum brachium longius habens reliquo, & digitos inordinatos, scilicet duos sibi Cohaerentes & faciem Judaicam. Perpendens igitur Rex, quod tam despicabilis persona, ad tam arduum negotium declarandum non destinaretur, nisi saperet ut callidus & intelligeret, videns ejus coronam & tonsuram, & inde discernens quod esset clericus, jussit eum ad se evocari, quia aliis loquentibus adhuc tacuerat, stans remotus. Ipso igiter retento & spretis aliis, Rex cum eo multa loquebatur secretius quae postea ipse Robertus amicis suis pateficit. Inquisivit autem dictus Rex ab eodem, si Rex Angliae Johannes * aliquibus polleret moribus, & † A likely story si liberos strenuos procreasset; & si potens esset in vi generativa. Addiditque quod si Robertus super his interogatis m●nt●retur, nunquam praecipue clerico crederet Christiano. Tunc Robertus sub attestatione legis Christianae se promisit, ad omnia interrogata veraciter responsurum. Dixit igitur affirmative * A very probable tal● that he should thus defame King John, and yet be rewarded and advanced by him for this Embassy. quod potius fuit Tyrannus, quam Rex; potius subversor quam gubernator, oppressor suorum, & fautor alienorum. Leo suis subditis, Agnus alienigenis & rebellibus, qui per desidiam suam Normaniae Ducatum, & alias mult as terras amiserat. Etinsuper Angliae Regnum, amittere vel destruere sitiebat. Pecuniae extortor insatiabilis, possessionum suorum naeturalium invasor & Destractor. Paucos vel potius nullos strenuos generavit sed patrizantes. Sponsam sibi habet exo●a●, & ipsum odientem, incestam, maleficam, & adulteram, & super haec saepius convictum: unde Rex sponsus ejus comprehensos laqueo jussit super stratum ejus suffocari. Ipse Rex nihilominus multos procerum suorum & etiam consanguineos Zelotipavit violenter, ac filias corrupit nubiles, & sorores, In cultu autem Christiano prout audistis fluctuans & deffusus. Haec cum audisset Rex Admiralius non tamen sicut prius ipsum sprevit, sed detestabatur & in sua lege maledixit & Ait; Quare permittunt miseri Anglici talem super ser●gnare & dominari? vere effeminati sunt & serviles. Respondit Robertus patientissimi hominum sunt Anglici donec supra modum offendantur & damnificentur. Nunc autem sicut Leo vel Elephas cum laesum se senserit v●l cruentum, irascuntur, & executere colla de sub jugo opprimentis, etsi sero proponunt & conantur. Et cum haec omnia ipse Rex Admiralius audierat, Anglorum nimiam redarguit patientiam▪ quam formidolositatem recta interpretatione fuisse interpres asseruit qui ad omnia presens extiterat. Multosautem praeter hos tractatus, & confabulationes habuit Idem Rex cum eodem Roberto, quae postea Amicis plenius in Anglia declaravit. Collatis igitur ipsi Roberto, muneribus preciosis in auro & argento, gemmis variis & holosericis ipsum in pace dimisit. Recedentes autem nuncios alios, * A likely story. nec salutavit nec aliquibus muneribus honoravit; Cumque autem ad propria remeassent nuncii & quae viderant & audiverant domino suo renuciassent doluit, dominus eorum Rex Iohames vehementer usque ad Spiritus Amaritudinem, quod si● ab ipso Rege Admiralio contemnebatur, et quod in proposito suo impediebatur. Robertus autem de extranels donis sibi collatis Regem liberaliter respexit, ut saltem sic preciperet, quod favorabilius alliis audiretur, licet primo repulsus tacuisset. Unde ipse Rex ipsum plus aliis honoravit, & quasi pro praemio * It was granted him 3 years, or more before this fictitious Embassy. Custodiam Abbatiae potius sancti Albani, quamvis non vacaret, * The true ground of this fiction, and ●lander of King John. improbus exactor concessit, ut sic de alieno Clericum suum fidei transgressor remuneraret. Ipse igitur Robertus, inconsulto imo invito Abbate, qui protempore fuit, videlicet Johanne de Colla viro religiosissimo & literatissimo, omnia quae in Ecclesia, & Curia fuerunt, pro libitu diripuit, & sibi appropriavit. Et in qualibet Balliva quas obedientias appellamus, constituit (maxime in janua) janitorem omnium diligentem exploratorem & protervum unde plusquam Mille Marcas ab eadem domo asiute nimis emunxit Robertus Clericus memoratus. Hic tamen quosdam Abbatis Ministros praecipuos cum quodam S. Albani Monacho, videlicet Dominum Clericum Magistrum Walterum Monachum Pictorem dilexit, & habuit familiares, quibus gemmas suas & * Note this Embassy or his relation of himself and King John. alia secreta revelavit, sibi a dicto Admiralio collata & dicta, audiente Matthaeo qui & haec scripsit & ennaravit. If this Embassy to Admiralius were a real truth, it discovers the transcendent wickedness and impiety of the Popes, Archbishops, and Bishops Treasons to, cheats put upon King John, which should cast him upon such a temptation and necessity as this, to trust a Saracen rather than a Christian, and to renounce the Christian Religion as vain: But the whole contexture proves it a most scandalous malicious forgery of this Monk of St. Albars, for sequestering that Abbey. 1. It is recorded by no other Historian but himself. 2. All the parts thereof appear to be a malicious satire, Libel, invective against King John, invented by the Historians under the Person of Murmelius and Robert one of the Ambassadors, to render him odious to his subjects, excite them to rebel against him and deprive him of his Crown, as a person unfit and unworthy to reign over them, and to justify their election of Lewis of France for their King. 4. All the premised passages Glorious Victories, successes of King John, prove him to be a quite contrary person to what was here represented to Admiralius. 5. Had he formerly resigned up his Crown and Kingdom or under an Annual Tribute Rend to the Pope, as this Monk relates, King John had then no power to surrender or subject them to Murme lius a Sarazen without the Pope's consent. 6. This Kingdom being subject to none but God, it was a very great impiety in the Pope to unite and enthrall it to the See of Rome. 7ly. That King John would renounce the Christian Religion as vain, and embrace the Mahometan as true, is most improbable; it had been truer of Pope Innocent. For 1. King John commanded all Bishops, Abbots, Monks, Priests, to celebrate Divine Service and Sacraments, during the above 6. years Interdict, in all their Churches, when the impious Pope and Prelates prohibited them, and suspended those who obeyed his pious precept. 2ly. He seized all the Temporalties, Benefices, Goods, of those who disobeyed him. 3ly. He encouraged all who celebrated Divine Service and Sacraments. 4ly. He with most passionate importunity pressed the Pope and Bishops to release the Interdict, and that Divine Service and Sacraments might be every where administered, which they both delayed and refused, till their own covetous and ambitious ends were satisfied, showing himself a far more religious, devout, zealous Christian, than the Pope, Bishops, and his Clergy, who for above 6. years' space together suspended all Divine Service and Sacraments throughout his Realm, against his will and Writs, to wreck their own malice upon this King, and deprive him at last of his Crown and Kingdoms. 5ly. His constant profession and maintenance of the Christian Religion during his life, * Speeds History p. 588. the 5. Religious houses he built, and his piety at his death, prove this to be a malicious forgery, that he would embrace Mahumetanism, and abjure the Christian Religion. 6ly. It is very improbable, as this forged Narrative relates, that King John would make himself and his opulent Kingdom a Tributary and Vassal to another Prince so remote, of his own voluntary motion, without War or Conquest. 7ly. That King John should send such mean and despicable Ambassadors as these here mentioned, to so great a Prince as Murmelius, about so weighty an affair as this. 8ly. That he should do it with such privacy, that none of his Nobles should know or consent unto it. 9ly. That these Messengers should find this Saracen King reading St. Paul's Epistles, when they were presented to him, and that he should profess the Christian Religion to be the best and purest of any, yet blame St. Paul for electing it before that wherein he was educated. 10ly. That Robert should make such a relation to him and them concerning Admirallus his description of his own deformity, of King John his Master's Tyranny, Vices, and unworthiness to reign, and King John continue him in his favour notwithstanding. 11ly. That Robert only of the three should be rewarded by Murmelius, and that with so many and rich presents, being so despicable a person, and the first (who was the most honourable, eloquent, properest person) go unrewarded. 12ly. The ground of this Historians malice, and frequent Invectives against King John, and this forged Legend of his against him and this Robert, was because the King seized the Lands and Monastery of St. Alban into his hands, (whereof he was a Monk) for their Abbots and Monks refusal to celebrate Divine Service during the Interdict, upon the King's command, and committing the custody thereof to this Robert, at least three or four years before this pretended Embassy, discovers Robert's Embassy thither, and claiming the custody of this Abbey, by giving him a great share of the gifts bestowed on him by Murmelius, to be a mere * Speeds History p. 588. forged Fable. 13ly. He subjoins this further forgery of King John's mis-belief, and denying the Resurrection of the dead, (grounded only upon his speech or jest of a fat Stag) * Hist. p. 234. Speeds History p. 567, 568. Diebus quoque sub eisdem adeo insipiebat Rex Johannes ut de mortuorum Resurrectione futura, & aliis fidem Christianam contingentibus male sentiret, & quaedam inenerabilia diceret deliramenta, quorum unum duximus recitandum, (as the worst of all the rest, and that but a truth, discovering his little esteem of the merits of Popish Masses, by which the Monks got and held their livings) Contigit ut venatu capto cervo quodam pinguissimo, in praesentia Regis cum excoriaretur, & aeridens diceret, O quam prospere vixit iste, nunquam tamen missam audivit! To make King John some amends for these malicious slanders, (who to over-top his new English Pope and Barons, by that Papal hand by which himself was subjected to them) this Historian gives Pope Innocent the 3d. this true Character, evidencing him to be little better than a Devil incarnate. EX tunc igitur Rex Johannes, praeconceptum propositum suum a quo credidit resilire, Mat. Paris Hist. Angl. p. 235. & suam coepit conditionem deteriorare & deterioratam in perniciem Regni solidare. Oderat quippe quasi virus viperium omnes Regni generosos, praecipue tamen Sacrum de Q●ency, Robertum filium Walteri, & Cantuariensem Archiepiscopum Stephanum, Noverat autem, et multiplici didicerat experientia quod * A true Character of Pope Innocent. Papa super omnes mortales ambitiosus erat, et superbus, paecuniaeque sititor insatiabilis, et ad omnia scelera pro praemiis datis vel promissis Cereum et Proclibum. Missis igitur sub omni festinatione Nunciis, magnam The sauri summam ipsi transmisit & promisit ampliorem, spoponditque suum se esse et semper fore subiectum tributarium (which intimates his first mentioned Charter and Homage to the Pope to be a forgery) ea conditione, ut nacta subtiliter occasione, Cantuariensem Archiepis. confundere niteretur, & Barones Angliae quos prius foverat, excommunicaret. Et hoc sitienter desiderabat, ut in excommunicatos exhaeredando, & incarcerando, & necando posset malignari. Quae igitur nequiter subarraverat, nequius, ut in sequentibus dicetur, solidavit. The Pope greedy of this new booty, forthwith dispatched his Legate into England, a person every way as covetous, ambitious, wicked, tyrannical as himself; of whose coming near England the King no sooner heard, but he dispatched this Letter to him, by Messengers to attend and hasten his arrival. VEnerabili Patri in Christo, N. Dei gratia Tusculan. Episcopo Apostolicae sedis Legato. Claus 15. Johannis Regis, parte 2. D●●s, m 7. J eadem gratia Rex Angliae, etc. & debi tam Patri cum devotione reverentiam. Audito adventu vestro versus partes nostras, nos cum toto Regno nostro gavisi sumus in Domino, de Religione, & honestate vestra fiduciam gerentes pleniorem. Mississemus autem ad vos, sicut dicens & dignum esset, nuncios nostros, nisi communis relatio nos decepiss●t, quae vos in festo exaltationis Sanctae Crucis Capitulo Cisterciensi debere interesse asserebat. Cum vero certos de Appropinquatione vestra rumores audissemus, fuimus in remotis Regni nostri partibus ultra Eboracum, & statim latores praesentium prudentes viros & familiares nostros Eborac. & Seleby Abbates, in occursum vestrum misimus: Mandantes quod bene veneritis, & plures & sollemniores nuncios misissemus si viae fidelibus nostris tutae essent. Nos vero in occursum vestrum versus mare venire f●stinamus, vestram Rogantes sanctitatem, quaetnus quam citius poteritis in Angliam venire f●stinctis, & voluntatem vestram nobis si placet significetis. Teste meipso apud Thikehull, Decimo nono die Septembris. The time of his arrival, manner of his reception, Pomp, Covetousness, new Usurpatious as well on the Bishops and Clergy, as the King, Kingdom, Subjects, are thus recorded by Matthew Paris. EOdem Anno, circa Festum Sancti Michaelis, venit in Angliam Nicholaus Thusculanensis Mat. Paris Hist. Angl. p. 236, 237. Episcopus, & Apostolicae sedis Legatus, ut dissensiones inter Regnum et Sacerdotium authoritate Apostolica reformaret? Et licet terra Interdicta fuisset, ubique tamen cum processione sollemni & cantuum modulatione & indumentis festivis, honorifice receptus est. Cumque ad Westmonasterium pervenisset, Willielmum Abbatem dilapidationis & incontinentiae a Monachis suis accusatum illico degradavit. Venerunt autem ad eum Oxoniae Burgenses quorum instinctu & praesumptione duo Clerici (de quibus superius fecimus mentionem) suspensi fuerant absolutionem postulantes. Quibus indicta poenitentia inter caetera praecepit, ut ad singulas Civitatis Ecclesias, depositis indumentis, pedibusque nudis flagella portantes in manibus euntes, a Presbyteris Parochianis absolutionis beneficium cum Psalmo Quinquagesimo impetrarent. Nec licuit eis nisi diebus singulis, singulas petere Ecclesias, ut tam ipsi quam aliitalia praesumere formidarent. Legatus itaque cum septem tantum equitaturis in Angliam veniens, * A very Royal Guard. quinquaginta in brevi & familia multa stipatus incessit. Conveniente tandem Archiepiscopo Cantuariensi, cum Episcopis, & Magnatibus Regni Londonii, in praesentia Regis & Cardinalium, tractatum est ibidem, pec triduum inter Regnum et Sacerdotium de damnis Episcoporum et Ablatis, facta ex parte Regis oblatione Episcopis praefatis ad plenariam restitutionem? Centum Mille Marcarum argenti continno numerandarum? (A vast sum, besides what they formerly received.) Etsi vero post inquisitionem investigari possit, Custodes Ecclesiarum, aliosve Regis Ministros amplius abstulisse, juratoriam obtulit Rex et fide jussoriam cautionem, quod pro Episcoporum, et ipsius Legati arbitrio, infra sequens Pascha satisfactionem plenam omnibus faceret ablatorum. Ad hoc autem Legatus consensit, (being most just and satisfactory) volens instanter hoc fieri, indigne ferens quod non statim suscepta fuit oblatio. Vnde protinus suspicatum est, Legatum plus aequo parti Regis consentire. Episcopi quoque negotium protrahentes, ablatis conditionibus obviabant. Habito consilio, ut prius inquirerent de ablatis & damnis, & summam diligentius Regi inquisitam ostenderent, & sic simul acciperent quod quaerebant. (Such was their unsatiable avarice and perverseness, thus to continue the Interdict on the whole Realm on this account.) Audiens itaque Rex dilationem sibi dilectam, praebuit illico consensum. Et sic eo die, infecto negotio recesserunt. The next days proceedings clearly demonstrate that the true design of this meeting by secret compact between the Legate, Archbishop, and Bishops, under pretext of satisfying their damages, and releasing the Interdict, was only to decoy and enforce the King to a new resignation of his Crown, in the presence of the Archbishop, Bishops and Clergy, (not present at the first resignation, if really made) and procure a second Charter of surrender of his Kingdoms of England and Ireland, to the Pope and his Successors, and resumtion of them from him under an annual rent, and new Oath of Homage to him, the first Charter being either forged, or not really sealed or delivered, and a mere nullity. Which last Charter though the Archbishop, Bishops and Barons totally disliked, disclaimed, and never assented to, after it was sealed and delivered, yet they covertly promoted, and never dissuaded him from it, to render him odious and despicable to all his Subjects, and foreign Princes, to effect their own designs upon him. VEniente vero die crastina, convenerunt omnes iterum ad Sanctum Paulum in Ecclesia * Mat. Paris. p. 237. Cathedrali: ubi post multos, et varios de Interdicti relaxatione tractatus, ante majus altare coram Clero et populo exacta est a Rege et innovata, illa non formosa sed famosa subjectio; qua in manum Domini Papae Diademate cum Regno resignato, tam Dominium Nyberniae quum Regnum subdidit Anglicanum. * It seems there was but one Charter, yet twice sealed and delivered, as this passage intimates. Charta quoque Regis, de qua superius diximus, quae prius cera signata fuerat, et Pandulpho tradita; nunc auro Bullata est, et Legato ad opus Domini Papae et Romanae Ecclesiae resignata. Super ablatorum vero restitutione, tertio nonas Novembris apud Radingum diem statuerunt. Cumque die jam praelibato, omnes ut superius, convenissent, Rex die illa non comparuit, sed die tertia apud Wallingford, iterum pariter convenerunt. Vbi Rex ut supra de omnibus ablatis, Episcopis et aliis universis se satisfacturum gratanter spopondit. (Yet lo the unsatiable covecousness and perverseness of the Bishops.) Sed hoc illis quorum Castella diruta, domus subversae, pomeria cum nemoribus succisa fuerant, parum videbatur. Vnde Rex et Episcopi in hoc pariter consenserunt, ut in arbitrio quatuor Baronum se ponerent; et sic ipsorum judicio satisfaceret universis. After this, Convenerunt iterum Rex cum Legato, Archiepiscopo, cum Episcopis, Magnatibus, ac omnibus viris Religiosis, ad Interdicti negotium contingentibus, apud Radingum, octavo Idus Decembris: Vbi singuli Chartam porrexerunt in publicum, omnium ablatornm pariter & damnorum summam continentem. Sed Legato Regifavorem praebente, solutio omnium dilationem accepit, excepto quod Archiepiscopus & Episcopi, dudum ab Anglia proscripti, ibidem quindecim Millia Marcarum Argenti perceperunt. By which relation we may discover, 1. The insatiable avarice, obstinacy, perverseness of the Bishops, to any cordial, dutiful agreement with the King; and the great trouble, vexation, delays, and frequent meetings they put the King and Nobles to, about their pretended damages. 2ly. Their transcendent impiety, in robbing God and the whole Kingdom of his Divine public service, by deferring the release of the Interdict from time to time, till all their unreasonable demands were satisfied. 3ly. Their execrable Treason and disloyalty, in enforcing the King once or twice actually to resign his Crown to the Pope, and swear Homage to him, to procure a future discharge of the Interdict, and yet maliciously keeping it on foot till, or after full satisfaction made by the King of all their excessive damages, and unreasonable demands. Before I proceed further in this Chronological History, I shall present you with a true Transcript of the second Charter of Resignation, made by King John at Paul's, out of the Charter Roll in the Tower of London; and of the Homage he then swore to the Pope, being almost the same in syllables with the first, (if any such) but different in some material words, clauses, here noted in the Margin, which second Charter is not printed in any of our Historians. JOHANNES Dei gratia etc. Omnibus Christi fidelibus praesentem Carta 15 Johannis Regis, num: 31: intus Chartam inspecturis, salutem. Vniversitati vestrae per hanc Chartam * Sigillo nostro Aurea Bulla nostra munitam volumus esse notum, quia cum Deum et Matrem nostram, Sanctam Ecclesiam offenderimus in multis, et proinde divina misericordia plurimum indigere noscamur, nec quidem quod digne offerre possimus pro satisfactione Deo et Ecclesiae debita facienda, nisi nosipsos * Humiliemus. humiliare pro eo qui se pro nobis humiliavit usque ad mortem, gratia Spiritus Sancti inspirante, non vi * Interdicti. inducti, nec timore coacti, set nostra bona spontaneaque voluntate, ac commnni consilio Baronum nostrorum * Conferimus. offerimus, et libere concedimus Deo et Sanctis Apostolis ejus, Petro et Paulo, et Sanctae Romanae Ecclesiae matri nostrae, ac Domino nostro Papae Innocentio tertio, ejusque Catholicis successoribus, totum Regnum Angliae, et totum Regnum Hiberniae, cum omni jure et pertinentiis suis, pro remissione peccatorum nostrorum, et totius generis nostri, tam pro vivis quam pro defunctis, et a modo illa * ab eo. a Deo, et ab Ecclesia Romana tanquam * Secundarius▪ Feodum recipientes et tenentes, * not in the first▪ in praesentia Venerabilis Patris nostri Domini Nicholai Tusculanensis Episcopi Apostolicae sedis Legati, & Pandulphi Domini Papae Subdiaconi, et Familiaris; * not in the first Fidelitatem, Exinde praedicto Domino nostro Papae Innocentio ejusque Catholicis successoribus, et Ecclesiae Romanae secundum subscriptam formam fecimus et juravimus, et homagium ei ligeum * not in the first pro praedictis regnis Deo, & Sanctis Apostolis Petro & Paulo, & Ecclesiae Romanae & eidem Domino nostro Papae Innocentio tertio, per manum praedicti Legati loco & vice ipsius Domini Papae recipientis, publice fecimus. Successores & Haeredes nostros de Uxore nostra, in perpetuum obligantes, ut simili modo, Summo Pontifici qui pro tempore fuerit, et Ecclesiae Romanae sine contradictione debeant fidelitatem praestare, et homagium recognoscere. Ad indicium autem hujus nostrae perpetuae * Obligationis. oblationis et concessionis, volumus et stabilimus, ut de propriis et specialibus Redditibus nostris praedictorum Regnorum pro omni servitio et consuetudine quod pro ipsis facere debemus, (salvo per omnia denario Beati Petri) Ecclesia Romana Mille Marcas Sterlingorum percipiat annuatim, scilicet in festo Sancti Michaelis, Quingentas Marcas, et Pasch. Quingentas Marcas, septingentas scilicet pro Regno Angliae, et trecentas pro Regno Hyberniae, Salvis Nobis et Haeredibus nostris Justitiis, Libertatibus et Regalibus nostris. Quae omnia sicut supradicta sunt, rata volentes esse * not in the first perpetua ac firma: Obligamus nos et successores nostros contra non venire; et si nos vel aliquis successorum nostrorum hoc attentare praesumpserit, quicunque fuerit ille, nisi rite Commonitus resipuerit, cadat a jure Regni: Et haec Charta * Obligationis. oblationis et concessionis nostrae, semper permaneat. EGo Iohannes Dei gratia Rex Angliae, et Dominus Hyberniae, Carta 15 Johannis Regis namero 15. ab hac hora inantea fidelis ero Deo et Deo et Beato Petro, et Ecclesiae Romanae, ac Domino nostro Papae Innocentio tertio ejusque successoribus Catholice intrantibus. Non ero in facto, dicto, consensu, vel consilio ut vitam perdant vel membra, vel mala captione capiantux. * Eorum. Eorundem damnum si sciero, impediam, et removere faciam si potero, alioquin eis quam citius potero intimabo, vel tali personae dicam, quam eis credam pro certo dicturam. Consilium quod mihi crediderint, per se vel per nuncios, seu per Literas suas secretum tenebo, et ad eorum damnum nulli pandam me sciente. Patrimonium Beati Petri et specialiter Regnum Angliae, et Regnum Hyberniae adjutor ero, ad defendendum et tenendum, contra omnes homines pro posse meo. Sic me Deus adjuvet, et haec Sancta Evangelia. De quibus ne possit in posterum dubitari, ad majorem securitatem praedictae * Obligationis. oblationis, et concessionis nostrae, praesentem Chartam nostram fecimus Sigillari, et pro concessu hujus praesentis et primi Anni Mille Marcas Sterlingorum per manum praedicti Legati Ecclesiae Romanae persolvimus. Testibus Domino * Those Bishops only attest it who were banished. S. Cantu●ricnsi Archiepiscopo. W. London, P. Winton, R. Elyensi, H: Lincolniensi Episcopis, Waltero de Grace Cancellario nostro, W. Com: Sarum Fratre nostro, R: Comite Caestriae, W: Mar: Comite Pembroc: W: Comite de Ferrariis, S: Comite Wintoniae, Roberto de Ros, Petro filio H. Briwer. M: filio Hereberti, Briano de Insula, Dapifero nostro. Dat: per manum Magistri Richardi de Marescis apud Sanctum Paulum London, tertio die Octobris, Anno ab incarnatione Domini MCCXIII. Regni vero nostri Decimo Quinto. Before I present you at large with the Judgements, Resolutions of others concerning the Nullity of King Joh●s Charters, and the Rent reserved on them, in the age wherein they were made, and since: I shall crave leave to acquaint you with my own thoughts concerning this doubt, whether he made & sealed two Charters, or only one? I am clear of opinion that King John never made and sealed but one Charter, and took but one Oath of Homage and Fealty to the Pope, to wit the last, sealed with a Golden Seal, not two, as Matthew Paris, and others misguided by him, conceive; for which I have these strong inducements. 1. This only is extant on Record in the Charter Rolls of King John, the other not, nor any mention or memorial concerning it; and had the first (of so great moment to the King, Kingdom, Pope) been real, it would have been carefully recorded in the Charter Rolls as well as the latter. 2ly. There is no mention made in any of Pope Innocents' Letters, Messages to the Barons and Bishops of England, King John himself, the French King, or any else, but only of this latter Charter, sealed with his Bull of Gold. 3ly. King John himself, his Bishops, Barons, in their Appeals and Invectives against him, hereafter cited, mention only the latter Charter, without any intimation of a precedent. 4ly. Matthew Paris himself, in his ensuing passages Anno 1231. concerning Stephen Langhtons protestation and appeal against it, and the vacating of the new Chancellor's election by the Pope, and the Ambassadors and Proxy of King Henry the 3d. and the whole Kingdom in the Council of Lyons, Anno 1245. mention only one Charter then casually burnt; and the Parliament of 40 E. 3. do the like: Therefore but one. 5ly. Because the Popes, Cardinals, King's Letters and Records concerning it, hereafter transcribed, resolve as much. 6ly. It is very improbable that the Pope would demand, or King John make two distinct Resignations of his Crown and Kingdoms, by two Charters, and take two Oaths of Homage and Fealty to him, and that almost in the selfsame words, without any additional clauses, covenants, either by the King or Pope, within the compass of five months, the first bearing date May 15. the other the 3d. of October next following. And if King John was so unwilling, and hardly enforced, persuaded to seal the first Charter, and so much grieved, perplexed, reproached, contemned, derided, as he was, for sealing the first Charter, as Matthew Paris and others relate, & the release of the Interdict continued still as a bridle over him after its sealing, when he expected its final release, he would never have sealed the second, through any menaces, force, or persuasions whatsoever, especially before the Interdict was finally discharged, which continued long after the last Charter was sealed, through the Archbishops and Bishop's obstinacy, Treachery, Impiety. 7ly. It is not probable the Barons or Bishops would have permitted him in their presence to have made a second Charter and Homage to the Pope, since they so much detested the first. 8ly. Matthew Paris his relation of his proffer to resign his Crown and Kingdoms to Murmelius the Sarazen, compared with those Messengers relations to him, touching the present freedom of the Kingdom, subject only unto God, after his first supposed surrender of it by Charter and Homage to the Pope, proves this Embassy to be fabulous, or his first Charter of Resignation fictitious, both being inconsistent. 9ly. His own relation what moved King John to send to the Pope to resign his Crown and Kingdoms to him, on purpose to curb the Archbishop, Bishops, and Barons, after their restitution, and to bribe him with a great sum of money to effect it, knowing him to be the most covetous, ambitious, proud person in the world, contradicts the story and inducements for making his first Charter sealed with Wax, upon far different grounds. In fine, I conceive this mistake of two distinct Charters, (the one sealed with Wax, the other with Gold,) surrendering the Kingdoms of England and Ireland to the Pope, and resuming them under an annual rent, grew from this occasion. Pandulphus the Popes first Legate brought a form of an accord of Peace between the Pope, exiled Bishops, and their confederates and King john, drawn at Rome, which if he would submit to, he might be received into the Pope's favour, the Church's bosom, and preserve both his kingdoms and life: This agreement he swore to, and sealed the 13th. day of May, and delivered to Pandulphus, recorded by Mat. Paris at large; the Earls and Barons siding with the Pope, were to enforce him to perform and see it duly observed; perchance he then treated with him three days after concerning the resignation of his Crown and kingdoms to the Pope, and had some oath or engagement from him afterwards to ratify it under his seal, which this Monk mistake for the Charter, actually surrendering his crown in October following; which I conceive to be the Charter recited in the Autographum of Pope Innocents' Bull under his Seal, witnessed with the Subscriptions and Seals of 12. Cardinals, and 3. Bishop's dated Novemb: 4. 1213. a full month after this second Charter October 3. before, and sent to King john; wherein the Pope declared to him, how willingly and joyfully he accepted the Kingdoms resigned to him, and set them again to King john, (which * Of the Pope's Temporal Monarchy, p. 245, 246. Dr. Crakenthorp mistook for his first Charter) and the same with that in the Manuscript collection of Nicholas Cardinal of Arragon. There are several Opinions among Popes, their Flatterers, Historians, and others concerning the Pope's right to England and Ireland, and these two Charters of King John granting, and resuming from Pope Innocent and his successors his Realms of England and Ireland under an annual Rent; which I think fit here to relate and examine, ere I proceed further, being the grandest Papal encroachment on the Crown. (a) Lelius Zecchus, (b) Marta, (c) Alvarus Pelagius, (d) Augustinus Steuchus, and other Popish parasites, as they assert in general, That the Pope is absolutely the a De Romano Pontif. p. 82, 83 b Pars 1. c. 25. 18. 20. c De Planctu Eccles. lib. 1. Artic. 37. to 66. d De Donatione Constantini p: 100 to 200. See Dr. Crakenthorp of the Pope's Temporal Monarchy, cap: 1. p. 10, ●● 20 Lord of the whole Christian world, and that Kings and Emperors must acknowledge their Empires and Kingdoms to be held of him, the whole world being his territory: So they assert, that the Emperor of Rome, Germany, the Kings of France, Arragon, Naples, Granado, Portugal, Spain, Sicily, Jerusalem, Bohemia, Hungaria, Denmark, Swecia, Norway, Croatia, Dalmatia, and Scotland, are the Pope's Vassals, Tributaries, holding all their Crowns, Kingdoms from him as his Feudatories, under several annual rents and tributes, and an Oath of Homage and Fealty. It is no wonder therefore if they pretend the like Title under the like Tenure and Vassalage to the Realms of England and Ireland. Pope Alexander the 2d. had the impudence to affirm, That ever since the kingdom of England received Christianity, it hath been in the hands and power of St: Peter, if his Epistle be not forged by (e) Baronius. If this were a truth, than King john's resignation of his kingdom to the Pope, was only a restitution of that ancient right the Pope had thereto before in Recognition of the Pope's Sovereign Dominion over e Baronius Anno 1068. num. 1. Dr. Crakenthorp of the Pope's Temporal Monarchy, p. 14. it; and his resuming of it from the Pope under an annual rent, nothing but an f Part. 1. c. 15 n. 14. c. 25: n. 20. c. 29. n. 13, 14, 15. g De Potestate Romano Pont●f. l. 2. c. 21. n. 5. c. 16. n. 31. c. 21. n. 7 h Ecclesiast: c. 51. p. 168. 169. Dr. Crakenthorp of the Pope's Temporal Monarchy, p. 11, 12, 13, 17, 19, 20. a Apologia pro Torto c. 3, 4. Stanisl. Christ. in Exam. Cathol: f. 33. Baronius, Anno 1173: n, 9, 10. Becanus contro. Angl: qu. 9 n. 1, 2. c. 26. n. 39 Dr. Crakenth: of the Pope's Temporal Monarchy, p. 19, 20 b Mat: Paris, p. 277, etc. c See Hall's Chronicle, Holinshed, Fox, Stow, Baker, & others. d In the Supplicat: of Souls: see Speeds hist: P. 577. revival of the former Service due to Rome, as (f) Marta, (g) Carerius, and (h) Schioppius argue in the cases of Constantine's pretended Donation, Charles the Great, Pippins, and others grants of Lands and Territories to the See of Rome. But none of our Monks or Historians of that or any age since, though professed Votaries to the Pope, ever made such a pretence or conclusion as this. Therefore it is a mere forgery. (a) Cardinal Bellarmin and other Romanists falsely aver, That the kingdom of England was semper Beneficiarium et Tributarium Romano Pontifici because King; Ina and Offa, Anno 740. Adelphus' Anno 847. paid a penny for every house to Saint Peter by way of Tribute, confirmed by several Laws: And King Henry the 2d. acknowledged the Pope to be his Temporal Lord, himself his Feudatory, and his Kingdom the Pope's Patrimony: The falsehood of which having at large refuted, I shall pretermit as fabulous; only if true, it quite subverts or enervates this Charter of King john and reservation of the annual rent, as a New thing, honour, rent, not formerly acknowledged by his predecessors. But their principal Title to England and Ireland is from King john's Charter under his golden Bull, which they boast to be yet extant in the Vatican; by which the Pope hath (as Bellarmine and Marta assert) Directum Dominium in Regnum Angliae et Hiberniae, that King john and his Successors are thereby made Feudatories and Vassals to the Pope, whence b Pope Innocent the 3d. in a vaunting manner said of King john, Vassallus noster est Rex Angliae, et Romanae Ecclesiae. To counterplead and enervate this Grand pretended Title of the Pope, I shall desire the Readers to consider; 1. That Sir Thomas Moor Lord Chancellor of England (who (c) lost his head under King Henry the 8. his Master (in defence of the Pope's Supremacy in England) is so far ashamed of Pope Innocents' proceedings against King john, that he avows it in print, (d) to be utterly UNTRUE; that King John did make his Realms thus Tributdry to the Pope, or that ever such pensions were paid to Rome for them; (wherein doubtless he mistakes) Adding, That if he so did, or any other English King should so do, such an act was of no validity at all; as Rossius Warwicensis also resolves. 2ly. That (e) Edmond Campian (a great Advocate for the Papacy) writes; Such Instruments might happily then be moved and drawn, and yet die unratified, though the copies stand recorded; denying any annual pensions paid thereby for England or Ireland to Rome. 3ly. (f) M. Antonius Coccius Sabellicus informs us; That this pretended Rent e Hist. of Irel. l. 2. c. 3. f Aeneadis 9 l. 5 Basileae, 1538. p. 549. out of England and Ireland was granted by King john out of a Religious Vow, to expiate his gaining these kingdoms by fratricide; without mentioning any Charter or resignation. Ha●d m●ri●ò post Johannes Rex Angliae, Ricardum fratrem interfecit, Regnumque parricidio adeptus, à Ludovico Philippi filio, qui tum in Gallia regnabat gravi bello petitus est. Tum vero novisse fertur, si regnum sibi incolume mansisset, futurum ut Anglia et Hybernia vectigales essent Apostolicae sedis, magnumque auro pondus voto nuncupavit, quod duae illustres Insulae quotannis Romano Pontifico penderent; sui itaque Voti damnatus, quum ipse, tum Successores plerique ut rite actum erat, ratum habuere. But this voluminous Historian is utterly mistaken in his whole relation of this pension: For 1. King john did not murder his brother, g Mat. Paris, Mat. Westmin. Wendover, Polichronicon, Walsingham Ypodigma. Bromton, Hen. de Knyghton, Speed, Holinshed, Graston, Stow in his life. King Richard, who died of a shot out of Chaluz Castle, as all our (g) Historians record. 2ly. He obtained not the Realm by parricide, but by his Brother's special bequest at his death, and heir to him. 3ly. This Rent was granted before Lewis the French Kings Son warred on him; upon Philip's intended invasion; but admit it true, the very force of war nulls it. 4ly. None of our Historians mention any such Vow of King John, as the cause of this grant. 5ly. Not one, much less many of his Successors acknowledged it rightly granted, nor ever confirmed, but protested against it, as null; though one or two of them now and then voluntarily paid it, upon other grounds. * Edit. 1511. Raphael Volaterans Geogr. l. 3. f. 54. concurring with Sabellicus records, that Johannis cum gravi bello à Ludovico Gallorum Rege premeretur, EX VOTO Angliam, Iberniamque Romano Pontifice Vectigales fecit, ut auri Marcas 70. quotannis penderent, Anno salutis 1208. he being mistaken in the occasion, quarrel, sum, year of the grant, which was not till 1213. and Lewis his war above a year after that: And admit it true, this Vow, Grant being made by Duresse and force of War, can be of no validity. 4ly. (h) Polydor Virgil a Stranger, (but yet the last collector of the Pope's Peter-pence g Histor. l. 15. h Cent. Magd. 13. c. 8. col. 760. Speeds History, p. 577. in England, who pried into our Histories, Annals) and the ay Century writers out of him, write thus of this Rent and Grant: reciting King john's surrender of his Crown, Nunquamnisi à Romano Papa recepturus (sic enim fieri jusserat Nocentius crudelis et sanguinis Anglici▪ sitientissimus, add the Centuriators) ex quo fama est Johannem cupientem perpetuare memoriam muneris accepti (therefore a mere free gift, not tribute, in their judgements) ea lege fuisse se Beneficiarium (not tributarium) ut Reges deinceps à Pontifice duntaxat Romano jura regni consequerentur. Caeterum has reconciliationis Leges qui secuti sunt Reges mimme servarunt, neque Annales Anglici de hujusmodi donatione loquuntur. johanni tantummodo qui deliquisset imposita, non item Successoribus sustinenda fuisse satis constat. So that by this resolution of the Popes own Collector in England, the grant of these annual rents obliged only King John himself, the delinquent, who imposed them, not his heirs, successors or kingdoms in the least degree: To which the Century collectors assent. 5ly. (a) Matthew Paris, and Matthew Westminster themselves, (both Monks, a Annis 1213, 1214, 1231. p. 245. extraordinary Votaries to the Popes, and inveterate Enemies to King John) deride & scorn his Charter to the Pope, which they first inserted into their Histories, styling it Lugubrem, detestabilem, non formosam, sed famosam subiectionem, Scriptum toto mundo execrabile, etc. And relate the Judgements of the English, French, and others, who reputed it Null, void, and a most detestable example; thereby sufficiently intimating their own concurrence therein. 6ly. As the Archbishop of Dublin openly protested against the first Charter and the Legates insolency when he received it, and the money he trampled under his b Mat: Paris▪ ●▪ 237. Archiepiscopo dolente & reclamante, feet, as [b] Matthew Paris himself records: so he writes, That Stephen Langton the Archbp. the Pope's own Legate, great creature, and a Cardinal, though he underhand consented to and abetted it, to render King john despicable, detestable to his Barons, Subjects, and all foreign Princes, to accomplish his own designs and wreck his malice upon the King, yet (to preserve the hereditary Rights of the Kingdom inviolable, and accompiish his own ends the better) so soon as this Charter was sealed, and presented at the high Altar in Paul's, and delivered to the Pope's Nuntio, he stepping c Mat. Parker, Ant●qu. Eccles. Brit. 15●. out in the presence of the King, Legate, Barons, and all there present, in the name of the Clergy and Kingdom, boldly and earnestly presented at the same Altar in solemn manner his Appeal against this Charter, so detestable to the whole world, as Rossius Martinus, Dr. Beard, and others relate. But hear [d] Matthew Paris d Hist: Angl. p: 370, 371 Edit: Londini 1640. himself. Ralph Bishop of Chichester, than Chancellor of England being elected Archbishop of Canterbury by the Monks after the death of Richard, and the Monks of Canterbury pressing the Pope to confirm his election, Anno 1231. thereupon the Pope made diligent inquiry of Simon Langton (Stephen's Brother, elected, but rejected by King john, and the Pope too at his request, to be Archbp. of York:) concerning Ralph's person and disposition; thereupon Respondit, illum curialem esse, & illiteratum, rapidum in verbis, & festinum: & quod durius est, si ad illam dignitatem promoveretur, moliri volentem, ut anhelante ad hoc Rege, cum toto regno juvante, excuteret Angliam de sub jugo domini Papae et Curiae Romanae, qui eidem tenetur sub tributo; ut soluto vinculo tributi, Nota. quo irretivit eam Rex johannes, solita Deo et Ecclesiae sanctae serviret libertate. Et ad hoc vellet usque ad expositionem capitis decertare, innixus juri et appellationibus Stephani Cantuatiensis Atchiepiscopi; quas fecit solenniter idem Stephanus ante Altare Sancti Pauli Ecclesia Cathedrali Londinensi, cum redderet coronam Angliae memoratns Rex johannes in manns Legati, conficiens scriptum toto mundo execrabile. Papa autem his auditis sermonibus, postulatione cassata, concessit, ut Conventus Cantuariensis alium Archiepiscopum, ac talem eligerent, qui sibi esset Pastor Animarum salubris, et Ecclesiae utilis Anglicanae, et Romanae fidelis ac devotus tus. Monachi igitur domum reversi, Conventui retulerunt quomodo fuerant a sno desiderio defraudati. And after the Election of two others, whom the Pope rejected, were enforced to elect St. Edmond whom the Pope recommended ● Gervasius Dorobernensi Antiquitates Ecclesiae Brit. in vita Edmundi & Godwins Catalogue of Bishops, p 66, 67. to them. In this Historical passage, there are seven most observable circumstances considerable. 1. That Simon Langton, brother to Stephen Archbishop of Canterbury, his principal agent for his restitution, privy to all his Actions, being made Archdeacon of Canterbury by him, and at this time holding that office, informed the Pope of these Appeals of his brother Stephen Archbishop of Canterbury, publicly made at Paul's Church London, when King john there summoned his Barons, and sealed his Charter to him: Therefore no fiction, but a real truth. 2ly. That this information was within 16. years after the resignation and charter thus made. 3ly. That King Henry the 3d. and the whole kingdom than groaned under, and resolved to cast off this unjust Tribute, Charter, and to protest against it as invalid. 4ly. That if Ralph were admitted and consecrated Archbishop (the design in electing him to that place) he would certainly with the peril of his life protest against this reserved Rent and Charter as void in Law, because Stephen his predecessor had thus appealed against it at the very sealing and delivery thereof, as not only void, but detestable, and therefore the King and kingdom would wholly exempt themselves from it; which had been a vain surmise had there been no such appeal. 5ly. That Simon himself, as well as his Brother Stephen, acknowledged this Charter and Tribute, to be not only detestable in itself, and to the King and kingdom of England, but even to the whole world; and therefore certainly most illegal and invalid. 6ly. That Pope Gregory the 9th believed both the truth of this relation and Appeal, and upon this information and ground alone vacated the election of Ralph, to prevent this design of the King, kingdom, and Archbishop elect, to shake off this Tribute and yoke of bondage, enforcing them to elect another more compliant with his designs, to preserve his interest in this annual Rent, though reserved by such a most detestable Charter. 7ly. That it was afterwards insisted upon in the Council of Lions, and not gainsaid by the Pope. 8ly. That the English Barons themselves, though they were present, and & connived at this charters sealing and delivery by the King, the better to effect their own designs against him, being made most contemptible and quite devested of his Royal honour, and most of his authority thereby, yet they abominated, declaimed, Hist. Angl. p. 264. protested against it and him with highest Indignation and detestation when executed, witness these passages and Speeches of theirs recorded by (a) Matthew Paris, First, within few months after this second resignation and Charter, Anno 1215. All the Nobles assembled in a Great Council at London, together with the Archbishops, Bishops, Abbots, Priors and Clergy (where the King ratified the Great charter, and Charter of the Forest, and Charter concerning the freedom of Elections to Bishoprics and Monasteries) perceiving King John's heart both by his gestures and speeches to be totally averted from them, and himself almost distracted with sad melancholy thoughts, for sealing his second Charter to the Pope, and Confirmation of the Great Charter, and that of elections) antequam ipsum Concilium solveretur continua ment praesaga futuros eventus ponderabant; dicentes; Vae nobis immo toti Angliae carenti rege veraci, et oppressae Tyranno subdolo, et summis conatibus regnum Angliae evertenti. Nos jam Romae subjecit et Romanae Curiae, ut protectionem ab ea consequeremur, timendum est ne injuriosas suppeditationes in posterum inveniamus; Nunquam audivimus de aliquo Rege, qui nollet colla servituti subtrahere, iste sponte succumbit. Et sic lamentantes Regem recedendo reliquerunt, ad propria revertentes. A strong evidence they never advised, assented to, or approved it (as both Charters falsely recite) but thus openly and jointly declaimed against, lamented the sad consequences of it, which they both foresaw, feared; and thereupon departed from him to their homes with much grief and discontent, as one who had used his utmost endeavours to subvert a miserable Kingdom, by subjecting his own and their free necks to the Pope & Court of Rome, under pretext of obtaining protection from them. After this, Anno 1216. the Barons being driven almost to desperation, resolving utterly to reject King John and elect a new King, which they did, thus openly inveighed against him, for this his Charter, of Resignation, and against Pope Innocent himself, making it the principal argument of their revolt from him. Circa hos dies, cum denique Barones, qui jam omnia amiserant, quae propensius in Hist. Ang. Edit Londini p. 278 279. mundo diligebant, & spem bom melioris penitus non habebant, ut per se recuperarent amissa, tacti sunt dolore Cordis intrinsecus, & quid agerent ignorabant, maledicentes Regis versutiam, tergiversationes et infidelitatem, et ducentes suspiria geminando: Veh tibi Iohannes Regum ultime, Anglorum Principum Abominatio, Nobilitatis Anglicanae Confusio. Heu Anglia jam vastata, et amplius vastanda: Heu Anglia, Anglia omnibus bonis hactenus Princeps provinciarum, facta es sub tributo, non tantum flammae, fami, et ferro, sed servorum ignobilium et advenarum imperio subjecta, et suppeditata: cum nihil infelicius quam servorum subjici servituti, Legimus quod multi alii Reges, immo ut Reguli, usque ad mortem pro liberatione terrae suae subjectae dimicarunt: sed tu johannes (lugubris memoriae pro futuris seculis) et terra tua ab antiquo libera, ancillaret excogitasti, et operam impendisti, et ut alios tecum traheres in servitutem, quasi cauda serpentina medietatem stellarum a firmamento te ipsum primo depressisti, factus de Rege liberrimo, Tributarius, firmarius, et vassalus servitutis; terrarum nobilissimam Chirographo servitutis aeternae obligasti, nunquam a Compede servili liberandam nisi miseratus ille, qui nos et totum mundum, quos sub pecc jugo vetusta servitus tenuit, dignetur quandoque liberare. ati Et quid de te Papa? qui pater sanctitatis, speculum pietatis, tutor Justitiae, & custos veritatis, toti mundo deberes lucere in Exemplum, tali consentis, talem laudas, & tueris? Sed hac causa Exhaustorem pecuniae Anglicanae & Exactorem Nobilitatis Britannicae tibi inclinantem, defendis, ut in Barathrum Romanae Averitiae omnia demergantur: sed haec causa & excusatio, est ante Deum culpa & accusatio; Et sic Barones Lachrymantes, & Lamentantes Regem & Papam maledixerunt, peccantes inexpiabiliter, cum scriptum sit. Principi non maledices; & veritatem & reverentiam transgredientes, cum illustrem Johannem Regem Angliae servum asserverunt, Cum Deo servire regnare sit Tandem decretum est, ut aliquem potentem in Regem eligerent per quem possint ad possessiones pristinas revocari, credentes quod nullus Johanne pesor vel durior possit dominari, & tale miserabile statuentes Argumentum, — Fortuna miserrima tuta, Nam timor eventus deterioris abest. Cumque aliquandiu, quem oligerent haesitassent, demum in hec pariter consenserunt, ut Lodovicum filium Philippi Regis Francorum sibi praeficerent, & ipsum in Regem Angliae sublimarent. Besides King John himself in his Letters to the Pope complains, that his Earls and Barons were devout and loving to him till he had subjected himself to his Dominion, but since that time, & specialiter ab hoc, they did all rise up against him. And, when he * Mat. Paris p 256. alleged to them, that the Realm of England was St. Peters patrimony, and held of the Pope, etc. they slighted it so, as to return no answer to it. Yea Pope Innocent himself in his Epistle to all Christian people wherein he Nulls the Great charter of Liberties complains thus of the Barons; ut ordine perverso in illum insurgerent postquam Ecclesiae satisfecit, qui assistebat eidem quando Ecclesiam offendebant. And the French Kings Barons, H. the 3. and his Proctors in the Council of Lions, with the Parl. of 40 E. 3. peremptorily affirm, that the Barons never assented to it: Therefore this clause inserted into the Patent that it was made, Communi Consilio Baronum Nostrorum, must needs be a false suggestion and untruth, which makes it Null in Law. 8ly. There is an antient Manuscript styled * Dr. Crakenth▪ of the Pope's Temporal Monarchy, ch 12. d. 348, 349. Speeds History, p. 581. Eulogium in the famous Library of Sir Robert Cotton, which records, that in the year 1214. (soon after this Surrender and Charter of King john) there was a Parliament called at London, wherein Stephen Archbishop of Canterbury, and all his Clergy, cum tota laicali secta, with all the Lay sect being present▪ Per Domini Papae praeceptum illa obligatio praefata, quam Rex Domino Pap● secerat, cum fidelitate et homagio relaxatur omnino, primo die Julii. i● then Pope innocent himself in full Parliament totally released King john's Charter, Obligation, Rent, Homage and Fealty made him for these kingdoms, immediately after their making (upon the Archbishops appeal against it, ●or as extorted from him by such atheistical impious Interdicts, Excommunications, menaces, frauds, circumventions, Crossadoes, and foreign forces raised against him, and fraught with nothing but untrue suggestions, not upon any real considerations, as the Author of this Treatise positively asserts) How any of his Successors or Roman Advocates (especially in this Age) can in justice or equity insist thereon to entitle themselves to the Sovereign Temporal Dominion, Jurisdiction of England and Ireland as St. Peter's Patrimony, without the greatest absurdity and shameless impudence, no rational creature can discover. 9ly. After King john's surrender of his kingdom, and confirmation of the Charters to the Kingdom and Bishops, with the Pope's ratification of them too, his friends, courtiers, flatterers, soldiers, and common people; for this his Resignation of his Crown, did thus deride and jeer him to his very face, to exasperate him against the treacherous Bishops and his Barons, as well as against the Pope, and raise New Commotions. HIS peractis & ex utraque parte approbatis, exultaverunt omnes, credentes Deum, Mat. Paris Hist. Angl. p. 253. 254. misericorditer Cor Regis tetigisse, Cor ab eo lapideum abstulisse, & Cor Carneum addidisse, & ut in eo fieret optima dextrae Excelsi permutatio. Speraveruntque omnes & singuli Angliam quasi Aegyptiaco Jugo, quo diu ante premebatur, per Dei gratiam suis temporibus liberatam, tam per Romanae Eccesiae protectionem, cujus alis se credebant obumbrari, & sic velut sub Clypeo Divinae Militiae, cui servire regnare est, pace & libertate gaudere, tum propter Regis humilitationem desideratam; quam speraverant omni mansuetudini & paci faeliciter inclinatam. Sed longe aliter, proh pudor, et proh dolor, et nimis dissimili quam speratum fuit evenit. (Treachery, Perjury, Fraud, Rebellions, Hyporcrisy and Accords obtained by wicked Machivilian Policies, never ending in expected Tranquillity and security) Credebatur fortuna arridendo Nectar propinasse, cum fellita pocula, & venena preparavit. Ecce enim filii Belial (diabolo procurante) qui successibus hominum ex antiqua sua consuetudine, videlicet ruptarii nequissimi qui bella potius quam pacem voluerunt, regiis auribus verba discordiae susurrando instillarunt. Dixerunt enim grunniendo et derisionibus multiplicatis subsannando: Ecce vigesimus quintus Rex in Anglia, ecce jam non Rex nec etiam Regulus, sed Regum opprobrium: malle deberet non Rex: quam sic Rex esse. Ecce Rex sine regno: Dominus sine dominio: Ecce Alficus nauci et angularis, rota quinta in plaustro: Regum ultimus, et populi abjectio. Heu miser et servus ultimae conditionis, ad quam servitutis miseriam devolutus es? Fuisti Rex, nunc faex: fuisti maximus, nunc minimus. Nihil infaelicius quam fuisse foelicem. Et sic iram provocantes, addendo flammam vento ab igne sulphureo scintillas excitarunt. Therefore there was certainly no common universal consent to this surrender, Charter, but a general detestation of, and declaration against it in the higest degree; which made it null in Law. 10ly. Whereas it is recited in the Charter: Nos gratia Spiritus Sancti inspirante, non vi inducti▪ nec timore coacti, sed nostra bona et spontanea voluntate offerimus et libere concedinius Deo et Sanctis Apostolis. etc. & Domino nostro Papae Innocentio tertio, ejusque Catholicis Successoribus, totum Regnum Angliae, & totum Regnum Hiberniae, etc. This is most false and untrue: For as King john was enforced to it sore against his will to his great grief, as the premises evidence; So he was so much ashamed of, and exceedingly discontented at it, that rejecting all the English, he deeply lamented that ever he was born into the world, or that ever his mother nursed him to do such detestable, unroyal, shameful actions, and was almost quite distracted with the thoughts thereof; which Matthew Paris thus expresseth. TUnc Rex nimis credulus susurris abominabilium Ruptariorum, quos ex consuetudine Hist. Angl. p. 254. in propriam perniciem nimis libenter, abjectis naturalibus suis hominibus, educaverat, animum summutavit; & cor ejus pessimis consiliis inclinavit: leve est enim sluctuantem movere, & proclivum ad mala, ad flagitia praecipitare. Tunc Rex ab alto ducens suspiria, concepta indignatione maxima, caepit in seipso tabescere, lamentationibus multiplicatis conquerendo dicere: ut quid me genuit mater mea infoelix, et impudica? Vt quid genibus exceptus? ut quid uberibus ablactatus infaustum accepi incrementum? Ferrum mihi potius quam Alimentum debuit praeparari. Caepit frendere dentibus, oculis torvis intuitum retorquere, arreptos buculos et stipites more furiosi nunc corrodere, nunc corrosos confringere. Et inordinatorum gestuum plurimis argumentis, conceptum dolorem, imo furorem manifestare. etc. And when he heard Tidings of the defeat of his Forces in France by King Philip, soon after this surrender and Charter, (where * Matthew Paris observes; In hoc Hist. Angl. p. 255. autem casu Rex Anglorum, qua raginta Millia Marcarum, quae tempore Interdicti à Monachis Cisterciensibus, consilio Ricardi de Marisco & similium aulicorum impudenter abstulerat, consumpsit, ut fidem faceret Proverbio, quo dicitur, Non habet eventus sordida praeda bonos,) animo nimis consternatus, astantibus dixit; Postquam Deo reconciliatus, Nota. me ac mea regna, proh dolor, Romanae subjeci Ecclesiae, nulla mihi prospera, sed contraria omnia advenerunt. Yea the shame and infamy of it stuck upon his spirit till his dying day. 11ly. Philip King of France, together with his Son Lewis, & his Proctor, and all the Nobles of France Anno 1216. with one mouth, protested against this Charter and resignation to Walo the Pope's own Legate, (when purposely sent to them by Pope Innocent to dissuade them from invading England, as being then St. Peter's Patrimony) not only as null, void in itself for several reasons, but of most pernicious example to all kingdoms; thus at large recorded by Matthew Paris. SUb his diebus, Magister Walo a Domino Papa missus venit in Franciam, ut Lodovici Hist. Angl. p. 270. 271. progressum in Angliam authoritate Apostolica impediret. Qui cum▪ ad Regem Philippum pervenisset, porrexit litteras ex parte Domini Papae deprecatorias; in quibus continebatur, ne * Permiteret. praeter mitteret filium suum Lodovicumi Angliam hostiliter adire, vel Regem Anglorum inquietare in aliquo: sed ipsum, ut Romanae Ecclesiae vassallum protegeret, defenderet, et diligeret; cujus regnum ad Romanam Ecclesiam ratione Dominii pertinebat. Rex autem Francorum, cum haec verba intellexissit, incontinenti respondit: Regnum Angliae patrimonium Petri nunquam fuit, nec est, nec erit. Rex enim Johannes, Nota. multis retroactis diebus, volens fratrem suum Regem Richardum a regno Angliae injuste privare, et inde de proditione accusatus, et coram eo convictus; damnatus fuit per judicium in Curia ipsius Regis: quam sententiam pronunciavit Hugo de Pusat, & Episcopus Dunelmensis. Et ita nunquam fuit verus Rex, nec potuit regnum dare. Item si aliquando fuit verus Rex, postea regnum forisfecit per mortem Arthuri; de quo facta damnatus fuit in Curia nostra. Item nullus Rex vel Princeps potest date regnum suum, sine assensu Baronum Nota. suorum, qui regnum illud tenentur defendere: et si Papa hunc errorem tueri decreverit, perniciosissimum regnis omnibus dat exemplum. Tunc quoque magnates omnes uno ore clamare coepernnt: quod pro isto Arriculo starent usque ad mortem, ne videlicet Rex vel princeps per solam voluntatem suam posset regnum dare, vel tributarium facere, unde nobiles regni efficerentur servi. Acta sunt haec apud Lugdunum die Decimo quinto post Pascha. IN crastino itaque procurante Rege Francorum supervenit Lodovicus ad colloquium, Mat. Paris, p. 270. 271. & torvo vultu respiciens Legatum juxta Patrem suum resedit. Quo facto, Legatus multis precibus caepit rogare Lodovicum, ne iret in Angliam ad invadendum, vel occupandum patrimonium Romanae Ecclesiae, et patrem ejus, ut prius fecerat, ne ipsum permitteret ire. Rex autem Francorum Legato protinus respondit, dicens; Ego Domino Papae, & Ecclesiae Romanae devotus semper fui, & fidelis, & in omnibus agendis suis negotia sua omnia efficaciter hucusque promovi: Sed nec modo per consilium meum, vel auxilium Filius meus Lodovicus contra Romanam Ecclesiam aliquid attentabit. Veruntamen si jus aliquod de regno Angliae sibi vendicat, audiatur, & quod justum fuerit, concedatur eidem. Ad haec miles quidam, quem Lodovicus procuratorem suum constituerat, surgens, audientibus cunctis respondit: Domine Rex, res notissima est omnibus, quod Johannes dictus Rex Angliae, pro Arthuri nepotis proditione, quem propriis manibus interemit, in curia vestra, per judicium Parium suorum ad mortem sit condemnatus: ac postmodum a Baronibus Angliae pro multis homicidiis & enormitatibus aliis, quas ibidem fecerat, ne regnaret super eos reprobatus. Unde Barones contra eum guerram moverunt, ut ipsum a solio regni immutabiliter depellerent. Praeterea Rex saepe dictus, praeter assensum Magnatum suorum, regnum Angliae Domino Papae contulit et Ecclesiae Romanae, ut iterum illud reciperet ab eis tenendum sub annuo tributo mille marcarum. Et si coronam Angliae sine Baronibus alicui dare non potuit, potuit tamen dimittere eam. Quam statim cum resignavit, Rex esse desiit, et Regnum sine Rege vacavit. Vacans itaque regnum sine Baronibus ordinari non debuit. Unde Barones elegerunt dominum Lodovicum ratione uxoris suae; cujus mater, Regina scilicet Castellae, sola ex omnibus fratribus & sororibus Regis Angliae vivens fuit. Tunc Legatus proposuit, quod Rex Johannes erat Cruce signatus, unde ex constitutione generalis Concilii pacem habere debuit usque in quatuor Annos, & omnia sub protectione sedis Apostolicae secura permanere: unde medio tempore Lodovicus non debuit guerram dicto Regi movere, nec eum a regno privare. Ad haec procurator Lodovici respondit: Rex Johannes ante crucem sumptam guerram moverat Domino Lodovico; & castrum de Buncham obsederat & illud destruxerat, etc. Legatus itaque his rationibus non contentus; prohibuit, sicut prius, sub paena excommunicationis, ne Lodovicus Angliam intrare praesumeret: & patrem ejus, ne ipsum ire permitteret. His auditis, Lodovicus Patri suo dixit: Domine: etsi ego homo vester ligeus sum de feudo quod mihi dedisti in partibus Cismarinis, de regno Angliae ad vos non pertinet statuere quicquam: unde me subjicio judicio Parium meorum, si debetis cogere me ne prosequar jus meum: quia pro haereditate uxoris meae usque ad mortem, si necessitas coegerit, decertabo. Et his dictis Lodovicus cum suis a colloquio recessit: Quod videns Legatus, Rogavit Regem Francorum, ut salvum sibi conductum praeberet usque ad mare. Cui Rex respondit: Per terram nostram propriam conductum libenter praestabo; sed si forte incideris in manus Eustachii monachi, vel aliorum hominum Lodovici, qui custodiant semitas maris; non mihi imputes, si quid sinistri tibi contingat. Haec audiens Legatus, iratus a Curia recessit. By which passages it is apparent, that the King of France, his Son Lewis, and all the Nobility of France, unanimously resolved, with highest indignation and detestation, this Charter to be a mere nullity, because made by King John, than no lawful King, and without the Baron's consent, and of dangerous precedent to all other Kingdoms; thereupon thus slighted the Pope's command, and his Legates, not to War upon King John, or invade England, being St. Peter's Patrimony. And dare any Pope or other Champion of the Church of Rome, now own or justifie such a universally condemned Charter as this? 12ly. King Henry the 3d. (King John's heir, and next successor) though much devoted to the Pope and his Legate, as * See Mat. Paris, Mat. Westminster, Holinshed, Daniel, Speed, & others Anno 1 H. 3. instrumental to Crown and restore him to the actual possession of his Kingdoms, after his Father's death, not only disclaimed and endeavoured by the assistance of his Chancellor and whole Kingdom, to free himself from the Vassalage of this pretended Rent and Charter, Anno 1231. as you have heard, but in the general Council of Lyons, Anno 1245. (about 31. years' next after this grant and Oblation) by his Ambassadors and Advocate, made a special protestation against it, as a mere Nullity, extorted by War, Force from King John, against the Archbishop's protestation, and against the Baron's consent; thus related by (a) Matthew Paris, and (b) Matthew Westminster. a Hist. Angl. p. 639, 646. b Flores Hist. pars 2. p. 193, 195. PEr idem tempus, Rex sano fretus Consilio, ex quo certificabatur de Concilio generali in proximo Lugduni celebrando, Nuncios solennes ad Concilium destinavit; videlicet Comitem Rogerum Bigod, johannem filium Galfridi, Gulielmum Cantilupo, Philippum Basset, Radulphum filium Nicholai, Milites, et Gulielmum de Powic, Clericum: ut Domino Papae, et toti Concilio gravamina exponerent quae Regno Angliae in multis a Romana Curia diatim inferentur: Praecipue de Tributo in guerrae tempore extorto, in quod nunquam consensit Regni universitas, cui contradictum fuit et aperte per Stephanum Archiepiscopum Cantuariensem, reclamantem. Quod in posterum factum est. In this Council when assembled, on the very day that Pope Innocent the fourth propounded his complaints against the Emperor Frederick, to depose him, Gulielmus de Powic, qui cum Nobilibus Domini Regis Angliae procuratoribus Comite Rogerio, et aliis sociis praesens affuit, volens haec praedicta, per interruptionem differre, surgens in medio, gravamina Regis et Regni Angliae proponens satis eleganter: CONQUESTUS EST GRAVITER, QUOD PER CURIAM ROMANAM EXTORTUM EST TRIBUTUM INJURIOSE NIM IS TEMPORE GUER RAE A REGE JOHANNE, DUM SUMMA MENTIS ANGUSTIA TORQUERETUR, CUI ETIAM MANIFESTE CONTRADICTUM FUIT, ET EX PARTE UNIVERSITATIS REGNI; RECLAMATUM, QUOD TALIA NULLO MODO FACERE POTERAT, PER OS VENERABILIS STEPHANI CANTVARIENSIS ARCHIEPISCOPI, QUO NON ERAT TUNC MAJOR IN REGNO. IN QUOD TRIBUTUM NUNQUAM PATRES NOSTRI CONSENSERUNT, VEL ALIQUO TEMPORE CONSENTIENT, UNDE SIBI PETIT INSTANTER EXHIBERI JUSTITIAM CUM REMEDIO. Ad quod Papa non oculos elevans, nec vocem, dissimulavit, donec quae magis eum angebant primitus exuperasset. From the consideration of which passage, and that of Simon Langhton Archdeacon, and of his Brother Stephen Langhton Archbishop of Canterbury, thus recorded by Archbishop * Antiqu. Eccl. Brit. p. 450. Parker his Successor, in his Life, Sed Stephanus Langton et si has injurias & cala nitates tam Regi quam Regno conflavit, tamen cum rebus composit is in Cantuariensi Archiepiscopatu cum Regis benevolentia sedisset quietus, victus amore atque charitate Patriae, cum Iohannes Rex in Pandulphi manus Sceptrum et Diadema Regium concessisset, iniquissimo id animo ferens, accedens ad altare, ob tam indignum Papae facinus continere se non potuit quin in appellationis vocem, a tam grandi illato Angliae praejudicio prorupit. I am clear of opinion, that Archiepiscopo dolente & reclamante, applied by * Hist. Angl. p. 228. Matthew Paris and others to the Archbishop of Dublin, at the sealing of the first Charter, and Legates trampling on the earnest money or rent, was in verity the appeal of Stephen Archbishop of Canterbury, at the sealing and delivering of the second Charter, (unless one of them appealed for Ireland, the other for England) since the Archbishop of Dublins appeal was never insisted on in the Council of Lions or elsewhere, but only this of Archbishop Langhtons; which had it not been true as well as the other Allegations, the King and his Advocates would never have propounded them so solemnly in this general Council, and Pope Innocent the 4th. for his own and his Predecessors honour (Innocent the 3d.) would have there denied this appeal to be true; but his stupid silence, without the least reply either then or afterwards, is a convincing argument of their verity, and this Charters nullity. 3ly. * Hist. Angl. p. 648. Matthew Paris relates, that the Pope setting his Study in Lions on fire, a little before this Council, to burn some lose papers and things of small value, that so by pretext thereof, Occasionum Dominus Papa acciperet pecuniam petendi & extorquendi à Praelatis ad Concilium properantibus; the fire exceeding his intended bounds, Cumbusta sunt etiam quaedam quae habebuntur chariora. Et fuit multorum assertio, quod detestabilis illa Charta, quae de tributo Angliae, sub flebilis memoriae Rege Iohanne confecta fuerat, eodem incendio in cinerem est redacta. And if so, (as is most probable by his forementioned silence in the Council, to Powics complaint against it) how a Charter thus burnt, nulled by divine providence, gotten by such sinister, forcible, fraudulent means, should be still in force, no Lawyer or Statesman can resolve. 4ly. The Pope returning no satisfactory Answer at all to the Procurators of the King, and generality of England, touching this Charter, exacted Rent, or other grievances than complained of, thereupon they departed thence with indignation. The Pope soon after (as † Hist. Angl. p. 660. Matthew Paris informs us) being conscious of the burning and invalidity of King John's Charter, sent a Transcript thereof (no man can suppose he would send the original 31. years after its date) to all the Bishops of England to subscribe and seal, to give it the best countenance he could thereby. MIsit igitur ad singulos Episcopos Angliae, praecipiens districtissime, ut quilibet eorum illi Chartae detestabili, quam lachrymabilis memoriae Rex Anglorum johannes, reclamante Archiepiscopo Cantuariensi Stephano, infoeliciter confecit de tributo, signum suum appenderet, ut magis roborata perpetuaretur. Quod ipsi Episcopi timore inexcusabiliter effaeminati, non sine enormi Regis et Regni, (proh dolor) fecerunt praejudicio. Vnde cum Dominus Rex hoc audisset, in maximam iram excandens juravit, quod etsi etiam ipsi Episcopi turpiter fint incurvati, ipse firmiter staret pro Regni libertate, nec unquam dum vitales carperet auras, censum sub nomine tributae Curiae Romanae persolveret. Porro Episcopus Londinensis F. ultimus et invitus in arcum pravum versus, signum suum dictae Chartae apponens, minus aliis meruit reprehendi. Simili quoque modo, cuidam amplae Chartae transcriptae de verbo ad verbum, (as that of K. John's Charter was) secundum Chartam Bulla Papali communitam, de sententia depositionis in Imperatorem Fredericum lata, apposuerunt omnes Praelati signa sua, tam ad majorem roborationem quam memoriam rei sempiternam. From whence I shall observe: 1. That King John's original Charter was then either actually burnt or lost, else what needed this desired subscription and sealing a new transcript of it? 2ly. That this Pope held it invalid (if not burnt) for want of the Bishop's seals and subscriptions to confirm it. 3ly. The unparallelled Treachery, Unworthiness, Cowardice, Slavery of all the English Archbishops and Bishops in that age, who fearing the Pope more than either * Prov. 24. 21. 1 Pet. 2. 17. God himself or their King, (against Gods and St. Peter's peremptory commands) out of an Unenglish, Unmanly, Unchristian fear of his indignation, after such a general complaint against this Charter and Tribute, made by the King and whole Kingdom in the general Council of Lions, and the protestation of Archbishop Langhton himself, in the name of all the people of England, durst thus presume upon the Pope's Decree, Mandate, without the Kings, Barons, Kingdom's privity, and against their resolutions, Traitorously to subscribe, seal, and as much as in them lay ratify this detestable Charter; such broken reeds were they then for the King, Church, Barons, Kingdom to depend on; yea so perfidious to them, as upon all extremities to desert, betray them, to advance the Pope and his interest, to the Kings, Kingdoms, Churches, their own prejudice and enthralling. 4ly. Their like unworthy compliance in setting all their seals to the Pope's excommunication of the Emperor Frederick, the King's alley, though his Ambassadors protested against it in the Council of Lions. 5ly. The King's just indignation against the Bishops, for this their Treachery, Cowardice, and Unworthy compliance, and his magnanimous resolution to unburthen the Kingdom of Papal exactions, and never to pay this Rent or Tribute to Rome whiles he breathed. 6ly. That neither the King nor Barons ever subscribed or ratified this Transcript, but only the degenerous, craven Bishops▪ and that in a clan destiny manner▪ Therefore it neither obliged the King, Barons, Kingdom, or Commonalty of the Realm, and was but a mere insignificant nullity. 15ly. That the Parliament of England, Anno 40 Edw. 3. was specially summoned for this particular occasion of King John's Charter, and the Rent therein granted, which the Pope (after above 50. years' discontinuance and non-claime) intended to revive and put in execution, by issuing out a Process against the King and Kingdom, to demand the Homage and Rent reserved to him and his Successors by virtue of that Charter; whereupon the King craved the advice of the Bishops, Dukes, Earls, Barons, Knights, Citizens, and Burgesses then assembled, in case the Pope should proceed against him or the Realm for this cause, and what they would do therein; who upon mature deliberation severally resolved, that King John had no power at all to make such a Charter, or grant such a Rent, without his Barons and Commons consents: That it appeared by several evidences, they never gave their assents thereto, and so the Charter null and void: and that if the Pope should issue out any Process to demand the Homage or Rent against the King or his Kingdoms, they would resist him with all their might. I shall here present you with a true Transcript of the Parliament Roll itself, thus Recorded in French. ET ceste chose fait feust commande as Grantz & Communes q'ils se depertisont & Rot. Parl An. 40 E. 3. n. 7, 8. q'ils y feussent lendemain, cest assavoir, les Prelatz & Grantz en la Chambre Blanch, & les Communes en la Chambre de peintz, an quele lendemain nostre Seigneur le Roy, les Prelatz, Ducs, Counts, Barons en mesme le Chambre blanche, les Chivalers des Countees, Citiens, Burgeis demurrantz en la Chambre de peintz, feust monstre a eux per le Chanceller, Comment ils avoient entendug les causes du summons du Parlement en general, mes la volunte le Roy fust, que les causes feussent monstres a eux en especiall. Loux disoit, coment le Roy avoit entendu, que le Pape per forcedun fait quel il dit, que le Roy Johan fesoit au Pape, de lui faire homage pur le Royalme Dengleterre, et la terre Dirlande. Et que per cause du dit homage qil lui deveroit paier chescun an perpetuelment mill Marcs, est en volunte de faire process devers le Roy, et son Roialme pur le dit service, et ceus recoverir, de qel le Roy pria as ditg Prelats, Ducs, Countees et Barons, lour avys et bon conseil, et ce qil efferroit en cas que le Pape vorroit proceder devers lui ou son dit Roialm pur celle cause. Et les Prelats requeroient au Roy qils se purroient sur ce per eux sont aviser, et respondre lendemain, queux Prelatz le de lendemain, a de priems pur eux mesmes, & puis les auters Ducs, Countz, Barons & grantz responderent, & disoient, que le dit Roy Johan ne nul autre purra mettre lui, ne son Roialme, ne son people en tiele subjection saunz assent et accorde de eur. Et les Communes sur ce demaundez et Avisez, respondirent en mesme le manere: Par quoi feust ordein et assentu per Commune assent, en manere qeusuyt: En ce present Parliament tenuz a Westm: lundy prosche in apres la Num. 8. invention de la Seint Croice, la● du Regne le Roy Edward quadrantessime, tant sur lestat de Seint Eglise come des droitz de son Royalme, et de sa Corone meinteinur, entre auters choses estoient monstres, Coment ad estee parlee et dit, que le Pape per force dune fait qiele il dit que le Roy John iadys Roy de Engleterre fesoit au Pape, au perpetuite de luy faire Homage, pur le Royalme Dengleterre, et laterre de I●eland, et pur cause du dit homage de lui rendre un annuel cens, ad este en volunte de fair process devers le Roy pur les ditz services, et ceus recoverer, la quele chose monstre as Prelatz, Ducs, Countz, Barons, et la Commune, pur ent avoir lour avys et bon Conceil, et demand de eux, ce qe le Roy enferra en cas que le Pape vorroit proceder, ou rien attempter devers lui, ou son Roialme pur celle cause; queux Prelatz, Ducs, Countz, Barons et Communes eu surce plein deliberation, responderent et disoient dune accord, que le dit Roy Johanne, ne nul autre, purra mettre lui ne son Roialme, ne son people en tiele subjection, sanz assent de eux, et com piert per pluseurs evidences, que si ce feust fair, ce feust fait sanz lour assent, Et encountre son serement en sa Coronation. Et outre ce les Ducs, Countz, Barons, Grants et Communes accorderent et granterent, que en cas que le Pape se Afforceroit ou rien attempteroit per process, ou en autre manere, de fait de Constreindre le Roy ou ses Subjects de perfaire ce qest dit, qil voet clamer cella partie, qils resistont et contre esteront oue tout leur puissance. Since this unanimous gallant peremptory resolution of K. Edward the 3d. and all his Bishops, Dukes, Earls, Barons, Commons assembled in this Parliament, against this Charter, thus resolved to be null and void, and to resist the Pope with all their power in case he should demand or issue any process against the King or his kingdom to recover it, (being 297. years past) No Pope ever presumed (for aught I can find) to demand this Homage or Rent of any of our Kings, or to send out Process to endeavour its recovery; And a discontinuance, non-claim of this Charter, Homage, Rend for so long a space, upon such a solemn deliberate Parliamentary resolution, entered with special care in the Parliament Rolls, must needs be a perpetual bar in point of Law and Justice, against such a void, injurious Charter, procured with so much perjury, treachery, impiety, fraud, force, circumvention, as you have already heard. 16ly. All our Histories, Chronicles, generally Old and New, declaim against this Charter as most detestable, infamous, illegal, null in Law, and no ways obligatory to our kings or kingdoms in the least degree; yea the Author of the Answer to Bellarmines Apologia, cap. 3. and learned Dr. Richard Crakenthorp in his Treatise of the Pope's Temporal Monarchy, cap. 12. p. 245. to 262. proves the Nullity of it by 4. strong Arguments, and Mr. John Speed in his History of Great Britain, London 1623. p. 577, 580, 581. proves both Charters void by many more Reasons; the sum of them is, That this was an act in King John I. Of manifest perjury against his Coronation Oath. 2ly. Of Constraint. 3ly. Of Combination. 4ly. Of fear, he being drawn thereto by the Pope himself, who had set up both the French power, and his own Barons and Prelates against him. 5ly. An act of a person actually interdicted, excommunicated by the Pope himself; and so unable to avouch or grant any thing to the Church or Pope. 6ly. The witnesses, if any were, stood excommunicated for conversing with him. 7ly. Neither the Barons. 8ly. Nor the Clergy. 9ly. Nor the body of the Kingdom, people. 10ly. Nor his next heir and successor to the Crown ever consented thereto. 11ly. Fraught with many false untruths; as done freely and voluntarily, without fear or force, in a general assembly of the Barons by their advice and consent, by the inspiration of the holy Ghost; because the King had nothing fit to give away to God or the Pope for the satisfaction of his sins, but his crown and kingdoms. 12ly. From the proviso of exception in the Grant, Salvis nobis & haeredibus nostris, Justitiis, Libertatibus, & Regalibus nostris, extant in both charters (if there were two) which saves the right of Sovereignty, Kingship, and Sovereign Dominion in and over the Kingdoms of England and Ireland entirely to the King; which he never transferred to the Pope. The Liberty of a King is freely and absolutely to rule his Subjects according to Law, without being subject or servant to any Superior, and the very essence of Regality, Independency of Authority, on any but God alone. Now these being expressly reserved, excepted▪ utterly made void whatsoever was before mentioned, either as granting Sovereignty, and doing homage and fealty by his Successors for the Kingdoms to the Pope, as his Subjects; and the subsequent clause of losing the right and inheritance of the crown, in case of contradicting aught therein mentioned▪ after due admonition, a mere Nullity, inconsistent with Monarchy, or the Kings or kingdoms Rights. To which reasons I shall subjoin, I. That this Charter was procured by the Pope's own wrongs and Duresse against King john; I. By interdicting his whole kingdom; 2ly. Excommunicating him by name; 3ly. Absolving all his Subjects from their Oaths of Allegiance and Fealty; 4ly. By depriving both him and his heirs of their kingdoms, and giving them to the French King and his heirs. 5ly. By publishing a general Crossado for all Christian Barons, Knights, to assist the French King to deprive him of his kingdoms by force of arms. In all which Antichristian proceedings the Pope being both Judge and Party, & K. John the only person injured; these his own wrongs, frauds, force, can give him no just Title by any Laws; Frauds and circumventions being expressly (a) prohibited Christians in the Gospel, especially towards a I Cor. 6. 8. I Thes. 4 6. b Summa Angelica & Rosella, tit. Dolus & Fraus, Gratian caus. 16. qu. 6. & 26. qu. 3. 20. qu. 4. Littleton, sect. 676 etc. Cookes I Instit. f. 317. 209. b Brook & Fitzherbert Abridgment, tit. Covin, Collusion, Duresse c Summa Angelica & Rosella tit. Judex. Littleton, sect. 212, 2 R. 2. c. 2. 33. I H. 6. c. 4. 20 E 23. Cooks I Instit: f. 141, 234. & 8 Report f. 118. 3 Instit. f. 32, 33. Alensis, Sum. Theolog. pars 3. qu. 40. sect. I. qu. 4. Artic. 15. d Hobards Reports. f. 85, 86. one another. It is an old teceived Maxim in all Laws, (b) Fraus & Dolus nemini patrocinantur; whence Charters, Dowers, Remitters gained by fraud, collusion, circumvention, force, are mere Nullities. That (c) Nemo in propria causa potest esse Judex (especially if Judex & Testis too.) Yea Pope Gregory the I. and a whole Council denowced an Anathema against the Pope himself, or any other that should presume to be a Judge in his own cause, sive in rusticano, sive in urbano praedio; (much more than in case of two kingdoms;) whence Bartholomeus Buxiensis, Dr. John Thierry and other Canonists in their Glosses on Gratian, cause: 16. qu. 6. resolve downright Papa in sua causa Judex esse non debet; yet Alvarus Pelagius De Planctu Eccles: l. I. Artic: 34, 35. affirms the contrary upon this strong presumption and supposition: Quod non debet aliquam causam a se remittere, immo non potest (licet suspectus) quamdiu est Papa, Papa enim aut sanctus est aut sanctus praesumitur; non enim praesumendum est quod alias faciat Papa quam Christus vel Petrus cujus est Vicarius & Successor; Which presumption ceased in King John's case, neither of them being ever Judges in their own case, but submitting to the Judgement and execution of the Civil Magistrate; and never denouncing such Interdicts, curses against any, nor procuring such a surrender, charter of temporal kingdoms to themselves as the Pope did here; much less by such unchristian practices. To which I shall add, that this is a Maxim frequently resolved in Law-books by all the Judges of the Realm, That none can be judge in his own case, who have further adjudged, that d if an Act of Parl: make any person Judge in his own case, the very Act itself is void in Law, being against the Law of Nature, which ought not to be violated, and all Judgements given thereon are void. Since therefore all these Judgements of Interdict, Excommunication, Deposition, transferring his Crown to the French, this Agreement from Rome, and oath to perform it, were all made by the Pope himself, both Judge, Party, chief Witness, and his professed Enemy too, and that upon his Legates and Bishops bare Informations and false Suggestions; in King's Iohns absence, without Oath, Summons, or Liberry to purge himself before any Lawful, indifferent Judge, Arbitrator, or Tribunal; thereupon the Charters on this Account are mere Nullities in Law to all intents and purposes. 2ly. If Pope Innocents' deprivation of King John and his heirs, and giving away his Crown to the King of France and his heirs were good in Law, (as he reputed them) than King John after this Sentence and grant to the French King had no power to resign to, or resume his Crown and Kingdoms from this Pope; nor he to approate them to himself as St. Peters Patrimony, against his grant to the King of France, who by his own command was at so prodigal expense in raising an Army to take possession thereof. And so this Resignation, Charter void by his own Act. 3ly. It is a received Maxim in the Laws of [a] England, (seconded by sundry * 1 H. 4. c. 6. 2 H. 4. c. 2. 6 H. 4. c. 2. 6 H 8. c. 15. 31 H 8. c. 13. 1 Edw. 6. c. 8. 18 Eliz c. 2. 43 Eliz. c. 2. Brook Patents 1, 2, 54, 93. 97. 102. 48. Fitzherb. Grant 29, 30, 35, 36, 58, 110 Cook 2 Rep. f. 50. to 54. 3 Rep. f. 31. 75 76. 5 Rep. f. 93. 94. 6 Rep. f. 55. 56. 8 Rep. f. 28. 58. 167. Statutes, hundreds of Resolutions by all the learned Judges of the Realm from age to age) That if the King be misinformed, circumvented▪ or mistaken in the considerations, grounds, motives of his Grants, especially by the circumvention of those to whom they are made; the Charters of grant in such cases are merely void to all intents. Therefore this Charter must be so above any I ever yet read. For 1. it recites, That King john publicly acknowledged, he had offended God, and his holy mother the Church (meaning the Pope and his Traitorous exiled Bishops) in many things, for which he much needed God's mercy; to wit, in not admitting Stephen Langton, unduly elected, to be Archbishop by this Pope's own practices, force, fraud, against the just rights of his Crown and Liberties of the Church of England; in not submitting to his impious Interdict, but commanding all Bishops, Priests, to celebrate divine Service, Sacraments notwithstanding it, and punishing those who disobeyed; in not subjecting himself to his Excommunications, unreasonable demands, seizing the Temporalties, goods of his Treacherous Bishops, and refusing to restore them, for interdicting his Realm, and depriving him of his Crown, etc. When as this Pope and they on the contrary by these impious proceedings, had more highly offended God, his Church, & the King, for which they more needed mercy, and to make public acknowledgement and satisfaction thereof to the King by some humble Address; rather then to extort this Charter from him upon such a false surmise. 2ly. That he needed to humble himself and both his kingdoms, for these his pretended personal sins, whereof his kingdoms (especially Ireland) were not guilty, and so needed not to be humbled for them. 3ly. That he had nothing fit or worthy to make satisfaction to God or his Church for these his surmised sins, but the humbling of himself and his Kingdom so far as this (against all rules of Law, Justice, and without precedent in any precedent age whatsoever in sacred or profane story) to resign both his Crown, kingdoms to this Pope and his Successors, resume them from his Legate as his Tributary▪ under an annual rent; and to swear homage and fealty to him and them; when as God himself (the King of Kings) never required any such satisfaction from the worst of the Kings of Israel and judah; and this satisfaction was neither actually made to God, nor yet to his Church, but merely to Pope Innocent himself and his Successors, who was then neither God, nor his Church, but a professed Enemy to both; as his above six years continued Interdict and proceedings demonstrate. Besides, the Church offended by his proceedings, if any, was the Church only of England, by the Archbishops, Bishops, and Monks of Canterbury's, confiscations and exile; not the Church or Pope of Rome, who had no Right to dispose of the See of Canterbury, or any of the Bishops and Monks seized Temporalties: Therefore the satisfaction and Charter should have been only made to the Church of England, and those Bishops, Monks, not to this Pope Nocent, and his Successors. 4ly. The satisfaction that was made▪ by the King to the Archbishop, Bishops and Monks, in admitting, restoring them to their Temporalties, goods confiscated, and what ever unreasonable damage they could pretend to, (though Arch Traitors, Rebels, Enemies to him, deserving rather a Gibbet, after so many successive Treasons and Practices against him;) was more than sufficient, (being then made and secured to the Church he had offended) without this resignation, or oblation of his kingdoms to this Pope, by this charter, and swearing homage to him. And so the charter void upon this account. 5ly. That this Charter was made by the inspiration of the holy Ghost, is as direct a lie and blasphemy against the holy Ghost, as that of Ananias to St. Peter; who lied not only to men, but to * Acts 5. 1. 2, 3. God. For, 1. The holy Ghost never instructed any King to resign up his Kingdoms, without his Subjects consents, to any who had not the least right or pretence thereto. 2ly. He never taught any Pope, Prelate, Apostle, or Clergyman, to receive Crowns, Sceptres, kingdoms, or Oaths of Fealty, Homage, and subjection from Kings to them, as their Vassals, but expressly prohibits them to do it; commanding them to live in subjection to them, and not entangle themselves in though affairs of this world; as I have largely demonstrated. 3ly. The * Here, p. 271, 272. premised, passages of Mat: Paris, Mat. Westminster, and others assures us, That Pope Innocent, and his Legate Pandulphus inspired those motions into King John, which induced him to make this Charter; which were full of Antichristian menaces, and untruths, (As that near all the Barons and Commons of England, had by their * Here, p. 271▪ etc. Charters promised homage and fealty to the King of France, and to assist him to seize his Crown and kingdoms by force of arms, etc.) Now whether such an insolent Impostor as Pandulphus, such an Antichristian Pope as this Innocent, were in truth the holy Ghost, or their false fraudulent menaces, surmises, infused into this King, by the inspirations of the holy Ghost, or can be so reputed without blasphemy, let all sober Christians judge; they really proceeding from the very father of Lies, the * John 8. 44. Devil. 6ly. This pretended holy Ghost inspired him, to insert these 8. notorious Lies, and false Suggestions together into the very next words of the Charter: 1. That he did it, non vi inducti; so the later Charter, but the first, non vi interdicti; 2. Nec timore coacti; 3. Sed nostra bona spontaneaque voluntate; (which 3. * Here, p. 294, to 302. all the premised passages disprove.) 4. Ac Communi consilio Baronum nostrorum offerimus, as the last; or conferimus, as the first Charter. (Contradicted by the * Here p. 296, to 300. Barons themselves, King Henry the 3d. the whole Kingdom, and their Proctors to the Pope's face in the Council of Lions, King Edward the 3d. and his whole Parliament, by our Historian, yea the French King and all his Nobles, as you have heard.) 5. Libere concedimus, etc. 6ly. Deo, & Sanctis Apostolis Petro & Paulo, (who neither required, approved, nor accepted this satisfaction, nor to whom King John ever intended it.) 7ly. Et Sanctae Ecclesiae Romanae matri nostrae, (she being then his and our Church's stepmother, enemy, not mother) all made stales to usher in this clause; which hath the sole colour of truth: Ac Domino (nostro is added in the last, not in the first charter) Papae Innocentio, ejusque Catholicis successoribus, totum Regnum Angliae, & totum Regnum Hyber niae (the word nostrum is omitted in both Charters, and annexed to neither; therefore void in Law) cum omni jure, & pertinentiis suis: 8ly. For this pretended end; Pro remissione omnium peccatorum meorum (the only supposed delinquent) & totius generis nostri, tam pro vivis, quam pro defunctis; the later whereof were no ways privy to, not guilty of his surmised offences against the Pope and Church. Which Charter being against his Oath, trust, office, duty, and the Laws, increased his Sins, but could no ways tend towards the remission of them, as this Pope and Pandulphus untruly suggested. 7ly. It's Nullity in Law is most apparent, from these 3. grand defects: 1. King John's surrender of his Crowns, kingdoms to Pandulphus at least 5. days before, was only by word of mouth, not Patent, or Charter, and so void in Law. 2ly. Pandulphus had no special Letter of Attorney from the Pope, either to receive this charter or surrender to the Pope's use, or regrant his kingdoms to King John under this special annual rent, homage, and other conditions. 3ly. Here is no reconveyance of them from the Pope or his Legate to King john by any special Bull, but only King John's bare charter to the Pope. Therefore all a mere void Pageantry, passing just nothing. 8ly. The Tenure of King John in the last Charter quite subverts the Pope's Title: For whereas the first runs; Et amodo illa ab eo, (to wit, Pope Innocent) the later is, amodo illa A Deo, & Ecclesia Romana tanquam feodum (the first is secundarius) recipientes & tenentes. That the Kings of * Here, p. See 16 R. 2. c. 5. 37 H 8. c. 17 1 Eliz: c. 3. 1 Jac. c. 1. England hold their Crowns, Kingdoms, immediately and only from God (and King john as well as his Predecessors, not from the Pope or Church of Rome) I have formerly evidenced: Therefore he by this Charter holding and receiving it only from God (not the Pope) to whom he here granted it, (as concedimus Deo evidenceth) * Prov. 8. 15, Dan. 4. 25. by whom alone King's reign, & receive their kingdoms, the Pope being not mentioned in this clause, and the Church of Rome no party to this Charter, nor Proprietary of our Realms, nor exalted so as to out God himself of the King's immediate Tenure of his Crown from him alone, as his Sovereign Lord, the Charter must needs be void; 9ly. Upon this account, the Oath of Homage made and sworn by the King to Pope Innocent in the presence of his Legate Pandulphus, seeing all the branches thereof relate only to him and his Successors, not to God, St. Peter, St. Paul, or the Church of Rome (only inserted for a blind, in the prologue, not in any branches of the Oath) must necessarily be void in Law and conscience; else God the Supreme Landlord, and his Church alone commanding one thing, and the Pope another contrary thereunto, (as oft he doth) the King and his Successors by his Oath and Homage should be bound to obey the Pope, before God or the * Acts 4. 19, 20▪ c. 5. 29. Church, under pain of forfeiting their right in the two kingdoms, which were both irreligious and absurd. 10ly. The Clause whereby the King obligeth his heirs and successors to do homage to the Pope and his Successors, and not to contradict any thing in this charter under pain of forfeiting his Right to these kingdoms, is contrary to the Rights and Prerogatives of the Crown, specially excepted out of this grant, yea contrary to the coronation Oath, and Laws of the Realm: Therefore it makes the Charter Null to all intents, of which anon more largely. 11ly. It is observable, 1. That the thousand marks yearly pension for England and Ireland at two several feasts, Michaelmas and Easter, is no reservation made by the Pope, (and so no rent-service at all) but a special grant of the King himself. 2ly. That he granted it only as an indicium, or token of this his perpetuae oblationis, (so the last Charter, not obligationis as the first) & concessionis thrice styles it: Therefore being only an Oblation (not * Most of our Historians ignorantly style it, an Obligation, from Matth: Paris his mistake. obligation) made by him unto God to expiate his sins; it could not be a Tribute, rent-service or rent-charge, but a mere voluntary pension. 3ly. That he granted it only de propriis & specialibus redditibus nostris (not haeredum nostrorum, a great flaw) praedictorum regnorum (without the word nostrorum in the first, inserted into the last) and so out of his Exchequer only, not his Demesnes. 4ly. That it was in lieu of all other services; pro omni servitio & consuetudine (quae in the first, but quoth in the later charter) pro ipsis facere debemus; except only Peter-pences: Therefore no Tribute, but a pension, to exempt him from all other duties formerly exacted out of either kingdom, not a rent, or service now due by his resignation & resumption of his Crown and kingdom from the Pope. 5ly. That this Annual oblation is not granted by the King to God, or to St. Peter, and St. Paul, (the chief pretended Landlords) and which is more considerable, not to Pope Innocent himself and his canonical Successors, but only Ecclesiae Romanae; Now although * De Planctu Eccles. l. 1. Art. 31. Alvarus Pelagius informs us, Vbicunque est Papa, ibi est Ecclesia Catholica; Yet whether the Pope alone, or the Pope with his Cardinals, or the Pope with his Cardinals and Diocesan Bishops, or the Pope and a General Council jointly; or a General Council alone, or the Cardinals, and Clergy of Rome, without the Pope, be the Church of Rome, is yet * See Sir Humphrey Lyndes Via Devia, Bishop Morton of the Church, Bellarmin. de Ecclesia; Dr. John Whites Way to the true Church, & Defence thereof unconcluded, undecided by their great Doctors; and so the grant void for uncertainty. 6ly. There is no grant or clause of Distress, Interdict, Excommunication, Sequestration, Entry into the demesne of these Realms, or any other coercive means to recover this Rent in Law or Equity, if in arrear and unpaid at the terms in this Charter mentioned, (a very great oversight) and so a mere voluntary pension, oblation to be paid at will, but no Tribute or real rent, as hath been generally mistaken. Now because I found no mention in our Histories of any payment of this Annuity or oblation to this Pope or his Successors, by King John himself, or any of his Successors, but only an intimation by King Henry the 3d. and kingdom (complaining against it in the Council of Lions, and endeavouring an exemption from it) that it was demanded, and paid too as a kind of Tribute and public Grievance; I did for my own satisfaction make diligent search in the Liberate, Clause and Patent Rolls, to discover what demands and payments were heretofore made thereof by any king; which I shall here ptesent you with as a rarity not formerly observed by any. Upon my strictest search, I can find no payment thereof to Pope Innocent by King * See here, p. 290. John himself which granted it, but only † for one year beforehand when he sealed his Charter; who dying about 3. years after, during which his kingdom was infested with civil Wars between him and his Barons, invaded by Lewes of France made King by the Barons in his stead, his Lands, Rents seized, his treasure exhausted, and the people every where miserably plundered, it is probable there neither was nor could be expected any other punctual payment of it. His Son and Successor H. the 3d. being an Infant, crowned at Gloucester by Walo the Pope's Legate, (who was very instrumental to restore him to his Crown, and expel Lewes, only to preserve the Pope's interest rather than the Kings) after his Coronation Oath, by this Legates means, fecit homagium Stae Romanae Ecclesiae et Dom: Innocentio Papae de regno Angliae et Hiberniae; et juravit, quod mille marcas quas Pater ejus tulerat Romanae Ecclesiae (therefore his Father's mere grant, not Pope's reservation) fideliter persolveret quamdiu praedicta regna teneret; as * Hist. Angliae p. 278. Matthew Paris records; yet notwithstanding this Oath (made by an Infant King not ten years old, and so void in Law) I cannot find in the Liberate Rolls (where all warrants for payments of all Pensions granted by the King, or sums of money issued out of his Exchequer to any persons are carefully entered) any warrant to pay this oblation, till the 12th. year of King Henry the 3d. (full 15 years after its first grant by King John) when the King upon an extraordinary occasion to work his ends with the Pope and Cardinals, and to advance, gratify his Chancellor, issued this ensuing Warrant. REX E. Thesaurar: & Camerariis suis salutem; Liberate de Thesauro nostro * Liberate 12 H. 3. mem. 8. intus. Magistro Stephano Clerico Domini Papae, ad opus ipsius Domini Papae, de Annuo Censu, eidem Domino Papae debito, de termino Sancti Michaelis Anno, etc. xi. et de Termino Paschae, Anno etc. xii. Teste Rege apud Westm: 21 die Febr: Anno etc. xii. The ground of this Warrant I conceive to be this: After the death of Stephen Langton, the Monks of Canterbury gaining the King's licence to elect an Archbishop, Anno 1229. chose * Mat. Paris, Hist: p: 342, 343. Antiqu. Eccles. Brit: & Godwin in the Life of Richard Walter de Hevesham a Monk, whom the King refused to allow of for sundry reasons, resolving to make Richard his Chancellor Archbishop: Walter posting to Rome to get confirmation and consecration from the Pope, and the King's Proctors there excepting against him▪ pressing the vacating of his election, and making Richard Archbishop with much importunity, they could not prevail with the Pope or Cardinals to stop Welter's confirmation, or promote Richard, till Habito tractatu detestabili de praemissis, promiserunt Domino Papae ex parte Regis Anglorum Decimationem omnium rerum mobilium, ab universo Regno Angliae & Hyberniae, ad guerramsuam contra Imperatorem sustinendam, ut eos in Regis proposito exaudiret: whereupon the Pope and Cardinals forthwith vacated Welter's election for his insufficiency, and made Richard Archbishop. No doubt the same occasion drew on the payment of this Pension, being both the same year, and the warrant after the tenth promised, was most probably seconded with a promise of paying this pension, else the Pope and Cardinals would not have so readily gratified the King in this his importunate suit: which being fully granted, the King by way of gratitude made this other Warrant for payment of this annual Pension the very next year, for one moiety at Michaelmas 12. and another moiety at Easter 13. of his reign. REX W. Thesaurario & Camerariis suis salutem Liberate de Thesauro nostro Anno. 1238. Liberate 13. Hen. 3. mem. 7. intus. Magistro Stephano Capellano Domini Papae ad opus ipsius Domini Papae Quingentas Marcas de termino sancti Michaelis Anno Regni nostri Duodecimo▪ et Quingentas Marcas de termino Paschae Anno, etc. Decimo Tertio de Annuo Censu suo Mille Marcarum. Teste Rege apud Westmonasterium Quinto die Maii, Anno, etc. Decimo Tertio. The King having now obtained his end, by these two successive annual payments, had no mind nor care to pay it afterwards, the rather because the Pope and his Cardinals fell at variance about it; the Cardinals demanding the moiety thereof, as reserved not to the Pope and his successors, but to the Church of Rome, of which they were the most noble members and Pillars, they being much displeased with King Henry for paying the whole thousand marks to the Pope alone, and not paying the moiety thereof to them. Whereof the King being informed, to avoid the Cardinal's causeless displeasures, and continue in their favours of which he had then special occasion, and withal to please the Pope whose Counsel and assistance he then needed, and implored, writ thus unto the Cardinals in the 19th. year of his reign. VIris venerabilibus & amicis in Christo Karissimis, universis Dei gratia sanctae Claus. 19 H. 3. part 2. mem. 6. intus. Romanae Ecclesiae Cardinalibus, H. eadem gratia, Rex Angliae, etc. salutem, & sinceram in Domino dilectionem. Quia ex quorundam relatione ad nos pervenit, quod aegre fertis et indignanter quod de annuo Censu sanctae Romanae Ecclesiae debito, a Regno Angliae et terra nostra Hiberniae quingentas Marcas non percipitis, cum * They deemed not the Pope alone, to be the Church of Rome in that age. ejusdem Ecclesiae membra sitis nobilia, et collumpnae, set in Summi pontificis cedit indivisus. Ne a vobis indignationem ea de causa reportemus, tanquam pro voluntate nostra Censum illum dividere possimus, & ne solutio talis nobis imputetur, universitati vestrae significamus, quod in prima concessione illius Census, insertum fuit in Charta Domini Iohannis Regis patris nostri inde consecta, quod sanctae Romanae Ecclesiae redderetur census memoratus pro indiviso. Nosque innitentes tenori ejusdem Chartae, hucusque Censum illum Domino Papae n●mine memoratae Ecclesiae solvere consuevimus, per certum Nuncium suum literas suas nobis deferentem; penitus ignorantes bucusque, utrum Domino Papae integre remaneret, aut divise. Vt igitur appareat innocentia nostra in hac parte, & habita de nobis tollatur suspicio, rogamus attentius quatenus erga Dominum Papam instare velitis & procurare, quod nobis det in mandatis, quod de Quingentis Marcis illius Census divisim, vobis respondeamus, & nos promptos invenietis & paratos inde gratanter vobis respondere: In aliis & aliis gratiam a vobis promereri Cupientos & favorem. Teste Rege apud Westmonasterium Vicesimo Quinto die Februarii. At the same time the King writ and sent several Letters to the Pope, and to every Cardinal severally, closely sealed, and a general letter to all the Cardinals, unsealed, by his Procurators, imploring an extraordinary favour from them, which partly induced him three years after to pay this pension as formerly, and leave it to themselves to divide, as these letters to them more than insinuate, compared with the former. REverendo Domino ac patri in Christo sanctissimo G. Dei gratia summo Pontifici Claus. part 2. Anno. 19 Hen. 3. mem. 6. intus. H. eadem gratia Rex Angliae, etc. Salutem & tanto Patri debitum honorem & reverentiam. Sperantes ob affectionem sinceram, quam erga personam nostram, & Regnum nostrum similiter vestri gratia geritis, quod paternitati vestrae placere debeat, si de statu nostro simul & Regni nostri tranquillitate laeta ad nos perveniant, significandum vobis duximus: quod quoad personam nostram in bona (benedictus Deus) sumus prosperitate, & quoad Regnum nostrum, in quiete & optata pacis tranquillitate consistunt universa. Magnatibus de terra nostra singulis & universis cum Clero votis nostris unanimiter concordantibus, nobis in mera & mutua dilectione permanentibus. Ita quod spem habemus in Domino certissimam a duritia temporum praecedentium quibus hucusque enormiter gravatum est Regnum nostrum, tum per hostilitates, tum per discordias pluries exortas respirare, & statum nostrum & regni nostri, in melius reformare. Nec est ad presens quod prosperitati terrae nostrae gravius se opponat, quam sterilitas anonae precedentis simul & presentis, & defectus eorum sine quibus stare fragilitas humana non potest. Hac quidem adversitate gravius impeditur status regni nostri quo melius in plena consistit prosperitate. Cum autem quaedam Negotia habeamus specialia pro quibus necesse habemus sedis Apostolicae consilium & auxilium implorare, dilectos Clericos nostros Magistrum Willielmum de Kilkenny, & Robertum de Summercote, quibus negocia ipsa commisimus sanctae Paternitati vestrae plenius exponenda, commendamus Rogantes attentius & devote, quatenus ipsos vel alterum eorum, si ambo presentes esse non possint, benigne ac mansuetudine solita admittentes, negotia illa favorabiliter prosequi velitis, & nos tanto favorabilius exaudire quanto Sanctae Romana Ecclesiae (quae honorem nostrum sui reputare debet honoris incrementum) filii sumus specialiores, & ad eaquae in omnibus suum respiciunt profectum sumus promptiores. Memorati quidem Clerici nostri vel alter illorum causas sufficientes & tationes supplicationis nostrae efficaces sanctitati vestrae plenius exponent. Quae quidem ad favorem & gratiam nobis impendendam vos non immerito inducere debent & movere, de incolumitate vestra, quam Ecclesiae suae & nobis Conservet Altissimus, petimus si placet, vice versa certificari: Teste Rege apud Westmonasterium Vicesimo Quinto Februarii. Eodem modo scribitur singulis Cardinalibus per Literas Clausas, & universis, per Literas Patentes. The next warrant I find in Record for paying this pension, is in the Liberate Roll of 22. Hen. 3. wherein I desire the Reader to observe, that notwithstanding the King's complimental Letter to the Cardinals concerning his accustomed manner of paying this mighty pension to the Pope's special Nuntioes: Yet it was not at all paid by him, from the 16. year of his reign, till the 22. year; and then only for his 16th. year and no more, so that he and his Cardinals needed not to have quarrelled about dividing it, when it was not at all paid; and that not as a rent, but bare voluntary oblation or Annuity payable at pleasure, not of mere right or duty. REX Thesaurario & Camerariis suis salutem: Liberate de Thesauro Bonacurs Anno 1239. Liberate 22. Hen. 3. mem. 10. intus. Ingelesk, Amery Coss & sociis suis Mercatoribus Florentinis, mille Marcas ad opus Domini Papae de Annuo Censu su●, videlicet de termino Paschae Anno. XVI. et de Termino sancti Michaelis Anno eodem. Teste P. Wintoniensi Episcopo apud Westmonasterium, Vicesimo Tertio die Jan. From 22 H. 3. this Pension was detained and not paid, by the general consent of the King and Kingdom, as appears by Matthew Paris his * Here p. 293, 299, 300. forecited passages, Anno 1231. and 1245. their complaint against it in the Council of Lions, and the King's resolution never to pay it more whiles he lived: For which general complaint, Pope Innocent the 4th. Anno 1246. was so incensed against the King and English, that Anno 1246. he studied to be revenged of the King and Kingdom, endeavouring to engage the French King to War against them, as * Hist. Angl. p. 669, 670. Matthew Paris thus informs us. EOdem tempore ortus est rumor sinister, & ex rumore suspicio non modica, quod Dominus Paparancorem in Cord retinuit, cum tamen non subfuisset causa rationabilis: iratus est valde, et multiformiter ampullose coepit comminari Anglorum Regi et Regno, ut si posset Fredericum edomare, et per consequens recalcitrantium Anglorum qui de oppressionibus Romanae Curiae, et maxime de Tributo in Concilio conquesti sunt, insolentem superbiam conculcabit. Non enim, ut ei videbatur, licuit miseris Anglis, pro multiformi etiam injuria (so they reputed this Annual Pension amongst the rest, as the greatest) flagellatis lachrymari vel mutire. Conabaturque in illo diuturno ac secreto Colloquio, quod habuit apud Cluniacum cum Rege Francorum, persuadere & acuere Regem ipsum, ut insurgeret ad tantae injuriae vindictam tantam, ut ipsum Regulum Anglorum, vel Nota. usque ad exheredationem impugnaret, vel enormiter laesum sese omni mode voluntati Romanae Curiae, vellet, nollet inclinaret. Et ad hoc juvaret eum omni conatu Ecclesia et Papalis Authoritas. Quod constanter Rex Francorum dicitur renuisse, tum quia ipsi Reges consanguinei sunt, & eorum Reginae sorores: tum quia jus non habet Rex Francorum in Regnum Angliae manifestum: tum quia Treugae inter ipsos Reges initae sunt quas maluit prolongare, ratione peregrinationis suae, quam proditiose rescindere: tum quia instabat validior inimicus & Ecclesiae Romanae nocivior, videlicet Fredericus edomandus: tum quia antequam Regnum Angliae, Francis cederet, non modicus sanguis Christianus effunderetur: tum quia Christiani in terra Sancta jam a Paganis oppressi & obsessi Regis Francorum adventum desideratum, quasi naufragantes aurae lenioris prosperitatem praestolantur. Before all which sober, serious, Christian Considerations, this Antichristian Pope endeavoured to prefer his own private Revenge, and thousand Mark Annual Pension out of England and Ireland, thus complained against and then detained. The very next year after, 31 H. 3. I find this Warrant issued for its payment, to the Treasurer of the New Temple, as a mere voluntary Annual Pension issuing out of his Exchequer. REX Thesaurario & Camerariis salutem. Liberate de Thesauro nostro fratri Roberto Anno 1247. Liberate 31. Hen. 3. mem. ●. intus. de Sukelinghall Thesaurario Novi Templi London. mille Marcas de anno XXXI. de Annuo Censu mille marcarum quem idem Dominus Papa percipit ad Scaccarium nostrum: primo die Octobris Anno Regni nostri XXXi. This Warrant was granted only (as appears by Matthew Paris his History of this Hist. Angl. p. 699. year) to induce the Pope to indulge this frivolous privilege, that when ever the Pope conferred any Bishopric or Benefice in England upon his Cardinals or Nephews, or any Italian by his Provisions, they should earnestly petition the King, it might be thus provided: by which he was the more enslaved to the Pope's Usurpations, instead of being exempted from them. The next warrant I have found for its payment, is 4. years after, and that only for that year, (35 H 3.) without styling it a duty, which was to issue only out of the King's Exchequer, like other ordinary pensions. This payment was (as I suppose) to obtain the Pope's favour to confirm Aethelmare the King's Brother Bishop of Winchester, which he did this year at the King's solicitation, * Mat. Paris, Hist. p. 788. Non obstantibus juventute, & literarum ignorantia, & omnimoda ad tantam dignitatem, & tot animarum regimen insufficientia. Anno 1251. Concessa est etiam eidem ab Domino Papa tantagratia, ut prius obtentos redditus retineret, Procuravit enim haec omnia urgenter Domini Regis vigil diligentia. REX Thesaurario & Camerariis suis salutem, Liberate de Thesauro nostro ad Liberate 35 H. 3. m. 2. intus. opus Domini Papae, mille Marcas, de Termino Sancti Michaelis, Anno etc. xxxv. de Annuo Censu mille Marcarum quas percipit ad Scaccarium nosirum. Teste Rege apud Westmonasterium Decimo Nono die Octobris. Per Regem. For above 9 years' next ensuing I find no warrant at all for its payment; but in Anno 1261. the Liberate Roll of 45 H. 3. I meet with this warrant for paying One thousand Marks, not for that, but the precedent year 44. REX Thesaurario &▪ Camerariis suis salutem; Liberate de Thesauro nostro Liberate 45 H. 3▪ m. 13. intus Pro Domino Papa. fra●i johanni de Kanciae de Ordine Fratrum Minorum Nuncio Domini Papae in Angliam, mille Marcas ad opus ipsius Domini Papae de Anno Regni nostri quadragesimo quarto, de Annuo Censu mille Marcarum quas percipit ad Scaccarium nostrum. Teste meipso apud Windes. sexto die Februarii. The principal cause of this warrant was (if I mistake not) to procure the Pope's dispensation with his Oath made to the Barons for observing the Statues made by them at Oxford, which he solicited for and received this year, as * Histor. Angel p: 958. Mat. Paris informs us, Poenituerat eum jam jurare taliter, metuens quodammodo notam perjurii, misit igitur ad Papam secretè, rogans, ut ab hoc se juramento absolveret, quod facillimè impetravit; and thereupon issued this warrant for this years' Pension. After this Warrant it continued unpaid for 7. years together, whereupon the Pope to allure and enable the King to pay him the 7. years' Arrears, with a greater overplus to his own Coffers, gave him a Tenth to be collected of the Clergy and Religious persons throughout Ireland; whereupon the King issued these two Patents in the 51. year of his reign to the Collectors of this Tenth, to make payment thereof without delay out of the Tenths collected, which should be allowed them on Account, being the first warrant of this Nature. REX dilecto Clerico suo Magistro Willielmo de Bakepuz, & soci● suo Collectoribus Anno 1267. Pat. 51 H. 3. m. 11. intus. Decimae sibi a sed● Apostolica concessae in Hibernia, salutem. Cum sanctissimo Patri Domino Clementi Papae quarto teneamur in septem Millibus Marcis de Areragiis Annui Census Mille Marcarum quas de nobis percipit ad scaccarium nostrum, quam quidem pecuniam, de Decima nobis concessa in Hybernia persolvi volumus sine mora: Vobis mandamus quod predicta septem Millia Marcarum Magistro Senicio ipsius Domini Papae Clerico, vel ejus certo Nuncio has literas deferenti modis omnibus Liberetis de decima aute dicta, & nos eas in eadem decima volumus allocari; In cujus, etc. Teste Rege apud sanctum Paulum London. Vicesimo sexto die Julii. REX Venerabilibus Patribus O. sancti Adriani Diacono Cardinali Apostolicae sedis Legato, & W. Eborum Archiepiscopo Angliae Primati, & discretis viris Magistris S. Cantuar. & R. Cleiveland in Ecclesia Eborum Archidiaconis salutem. Cum sanctissimo Patri Domino C, Papae teneamur in septem Millibus Marcarum de Arreragiis annui Census mille Marcarum quas de nobis percipit ad scaccarium nostrum, Quam quidem pecuniam de Decima nobis concessa in Hibernia persolvi volumus sine mora. Uos rogamus quatinus predicta Septem Millia Marcarum eidem Domino Papae omnibus modis assignetis de Decima antedicta▪ Et nos eas in eadem Decima faciemus allocari; In Cujus, etc. After this for two years' space and an half this Annuity remained unpaid, and then the King at the Pope's importunity Anno. 54. of his reign, sent these Letters Patents to the Bishop and Dean of Lincoln, to pay it without delay or difficulty to the Nuntio of the Sea Apostolic and Church of Rome, out of the tenths of the Diocese of Lincoln, promising to allow it, and allowing it on their Account by this Patent. REX Episcopo & Decano Lincolniae salutem. Cum vos assignaverimus ad satisfaciendum Anno 1270. Pat. 54. Hen. 3. mem. 27. intus. Magistro Sinicio Apostolicae sedis & Ecclesiae Romanae Nuncio et procuratori, nomine ipsius Ecclesiae, de Duabus Millibus Quadringentis et Uiginta et una Marcis quatuor solidis sex denariis et obolo in quibus eidem Ecclesiae tenemur pro Arreragiis Annui Census Mille Marcarum, quas dicta Ecclesia de nobis percipit ad scaccarium nostrum, quam quidem pecuniam de Summa nobiscum pro Decima Lincoln. Dioc. conventa persolvi volumus sine mora; vobis mandamus quatinus pecuniam predictam prefato magistro Sinicio, vel ad ejus mandatum nomine predictae Ecclesiae sine dilatione, vel difficultate aliqua, modis omnibus vos vel alter vestrum plenarie liberetis de summa predicta. Nos enim pecuniam ipsam quam eidem vel ad ejus mandatum solveritis, unde liter as suas de Acquietancia penes vos habueritis, vobis in Summa predicta nobiscum conventa volumus allocari, & per presentes Literas allocamus; In cujus, etc. Teste Rege apud Westmonasterium Decimo die Novembris. This is the last payment during King Henry the 3d. his reign, who paid it with much reluctancy and unwillingness, delaying it many years together, and never issuing out Warrants to pay it, but when he had extraordinary pressing occasions to make use of the Popes and Cardinal's favour and assistance, whereby he might reap far greater advantages than the damage of its payment now and then at his own pleasure, amounted to. King Henry the 3d. deceasing in the 57 year of his reign, and King Edward the 1. succeeding him, Pope Gregory the X. in the 3d. year of his reign, sent this complimental Bull unto him, (the original whereof I found in the White Tower, with sundry other Bulls of consequence, long buried under dust and cobwebs) humbly requiring and beseeching the King to assist and advise Nogerius his Chaplain, in collecting the Tribute of the Church of Rome, and Peter-pences, in England, Wales, Scotland, and Ireland, to give him a safe conduct whenever desired, and particularly to assign unto him freely and fully seven years' arrears, formerly due, and that present years Annual Pension, wherein he stood bound to the Church: The Transcript whereof I shall here present you with. GREGORIUS Episcopus Servus Servorum Dei, Charissimo in Christo Filio Anno 1275. Edwardo Regi Angliae Illustri, salutem & Apostolicam Benedictionem. Quod ad benevolentiam tibi, & favorabilem matrem tuam Romanam Ecclesiam reverentiam jugiter exhibens filialem, non solum de juribus in quibus teneris eidem promptitudine sibi respondeas liberali, immo etiam ubicunque de suis pertractandis Negotiis agitur fructuosus Adjutor & propitius habearis, firmam spem gerimus & infallibilem fiduciam obtinemus. Cum itaque dilectum filium Magistrum de Nogeriis, Capellanum nostrum, nobis & fratribus nostris merito suae probitatis acceptum, pro Censibus Colligendis, et denario Beati Petri, ac debitis praefatae Ecclesiae requirendis, aliisque nostris, et ipsius Ecclesiae Negotiis, ad partes Angliae, Walliae, Scotiae, & Hyberniae, jamdudum duxerimus transmittendum; Celsitudinem Regiam requirimus attentius & rogamus, quatenus Capellanum ipsum benigne recipiens, & honeste per tractans Annuum Censum, in quo Constat eidem Ecclesiae te teneri, pro instanti et septem transactis annis, in quibus non fuit Census hujusmodi persolutus, Capellano ipsi nostro, et Ecclesiae memoratae nomine Llberaliter facias, et integre assignari dictum Capellanum praefata negotia promoventem, habens circa illa pro nostra, & Apostolicae sedis reverentia propensius commendatum, eidem super hiis ac etiam in securo conductu per Reginum tuum cum ab ipso fueris requisitus auxilium opportunum & consilium impensurus. Ita quod proinde serenitatem Regiam dignis laudrbus gratiarum actionibus prosequamur.; Dat. Lugduni viij. Idus Novembris. Pontificatus nostri Anno Tertio. I cannot find in the Liberate or other Rolls, that those arrears were ever satisfied by King Edward the 1. which incurred in his Father King Henry the 3d. his reign: But by Pope Martin the 4th. his Bull, and his Nuntioes solemn acquittance to him, declared by his agreement before Witnesses of quality, and attested under their Seals, it appears, that King Edward the 1. after a Treaty about these 8. years' arrears, Anno Dom. 1283. was contented and promised to pay 4000 Marks for 4. years incurred during his reign, at the Feast of Michaelmas, Anno 1277. by the hands of foreign Merchants there named, the receipt whereof he acknowledged by his Bull, in form following. MARTINUS Episcopus servus servorum Dei, Karissimo in Christo filio Claus. 10. Edw. 1. mem. 4. dorso. Edwardo Regi Angliae Illustri salutem & Apostolicam Benedictionem. Exparte tua fuit propositum coram Nobit, ut cum de Annuo Censu Mille Marcarum Argenti in quo Ecclesiae Romanae teneris pro Dctennio jam transacto in festo Beati Michaelis de mense Septembris tunc currente Anno Domini Milesimo Ducentesimo septuagesimo septimo, terminato, ipsi Romanae Ecclesiae fuerit pro parte tua per diversas solutiones integre satisfactum, nec fueris de satisfactione hujusmodi a sede Apostolica opportunas quietationis literas assecutus. Petebatur a nobis ut providere tibi in hac parte paterna diligentia curaremus. Nos igitur Petitioni tuae, utpote justae benignius annuentes, praesentium tenore fatemur, de Censu hujusmodi pro prefato Dctennio fore prefatae Romanae Etclesiae satisfactum. Ad tuam tuorumque Heredum cantelam & futuram memoriam presentes tibi Literas concedentes. Dat. apud Urbem veterem 11. Non. Feb. Pontificatus nostri Anno primo. UNiversis presentes Literas inspecturis Gifredus de Vezano Canonicus Cameracensis, Camerae Domini Papae Clericus, Apostolicae sedis in Anglia Nuncius salutem in Domino. Noveritis nos Litteras apostolicas vera Bulla & integro filo bullatas recepisse in haec verba. Martinus Episcopus servus servorum Dei Gifredo Camerae nostrae Clerico salutem & Apostolicam Benedictionem. Cum super solutione annui census Mille marcarum Sterlingorum in quo Karissimus in Christo filius noster Rex Angliae illustris pro triennio preterito et etiam pro instanti Anno in proximo terminando nobis et Ecclesiae Romanae tenetur, tibi, nostro et ipsius Romanae Ecclesiae nomine facienda, sub certa forma eundem Regem per nostras Literas requiramus. Nos de discretionis tuae industria plenarie confideutes, faciendi eidem Regi nostro & Ecclesiae prefatae nomine, refutationem plenariam de hujusmodi censu quatuor Annorum postquam de illo tibi nostro, & ipsius Ecclusiae nomine fuerit integre satisfactum, plenam tibi Authoritate presentium concedimus facultatem. Dat apud urbem Veterem Duodecimo Kalend Septembris. Pontificatus nostri Anno primo. Cumque Serinissimus Dominus Edwardus Rex Angliae Illustris vobis nomine sanctissimi Patris Domini Martini summi Potisicis & Romanae Ecclsiae pro annuo Censu mille Marcarum in quo idem Rex summo Pontifici et Ecclesiae Romanae tenetur quatuor Millia Marcarum sterlingorum per manus Barontini Walteri, Richardi, Gudicionis, & Henerici de Podio de Societate Ricardorum de Luka, pro quatuor Annis in premissis Literis Apostolicis comprehensis & terminatis in festo sancti Michaelis proximo praeterito Currente Anno Domini M●llefimo Ducentesimo Octogesimo primo persolverit, et recognoscamus et confiteamu● de ipsis quatuor Millibus Marcarum nobis esse promissi nomine a dicto Domino Rege per Manus dicttorum B●tuntini, Ricardi et Henrici pro supradictis quatuor Annis integre satisfactum. Nos concess a nobis per easdem Literas Apostolicas facultate facimus eidem Domino Regi nomine Domini nostri summi Pontificis & Romane Ecclesie Refutationem plenariā de hujusmodi Censu praedictorum quatuor Annorum de quibus praefatae Litterae Apostolicae faciunt mentionem, et qui in dicto festo sancti Michaelis proximo praeterito terminati fuisse noscuntur. In quorum omnium testimonium has Literas Patentes fecimus & sigillo nostro munivimus. Et Venerabiles Patres Domini Godefridus Wigornensis & Willielmus Norwicensis Episcopi, ac Magister Ardicio Primicerius Mediolan. Domini Papae Capellanus & in Anglia Nuncius, qui dictas Litteras Apostolicas viderunt, & recognitioni, ac confessioninec, non refutationi premissis interfuerunt sua sigilla praesentibus apponi fecerunt, ad majoris roboris firmitatem. Dat. London. sexto Idus Novembris Anno Domini supradicto. Et Memorandum quodistae duae Literae precedentes Liberatae fuerunt Thomae de Gunneis, apud Cestriam die Sabbati proximo ante festum Apostolorum Petri & Pauli Anno etc. Decimo per manum Johannis de Langeton, in Garderoba Regis custodiendae. King Edward was very backwards to pay this Pension any more, so that Pope Martin the 4th. dying, Anno 1285. and Hmorius the 4th. succeeding, sent Letters to the King, requesting him to pay 3. years' arrears then due unto him, which he refused or neglected to do during his Papacy: whereupon Pope Nicholas his Successor in the 17. year of his reign, sent this Bull unto him, entered in the Clause Rolls, requiring him to pay the said 3. years' arrears, and 2. years more since incurred, entirely and freely, that so he receiving it gratetully, might from thence deservedly commend his Munificence: Intimating thereby, that it was rather a voluntary bounty, than duty in this King to pay it, who thereupon issued a Warrant to his Treasurer for payment thereof, and to receive an acquittance for it; the Transcript whereof I shall here present you with. NICHOLAUS Episcopus Servus Servorum Dei, Charissimo in Christo Filio Claus. 17 E. ●. m. 4. Edwardo Regi Angliae Illustri, salutem & Apostolicam Benedictionem. Honorem tuum fili Charissime decere credimus, ac tui & Regni tui profectibus expedire, ut quod juste debes Sacrosanctae Romanae Ecclesiae, Matri tuae, sic promptus exolvas, quod gratiam acquiras ex debito, & commendari mereatur Celsitudo Regia ex affectu. Cum igitur Census Annuus Mille Marcarum sterlingorum a te, sicut nosti, eidem Romanae Ecclesiae debeatur, ac felicis recordationis Honorius Papa quartus, Predecessor noster super solutione ipsius Census, de tribus Annis debiti facienda a te sub certa forma tibi direxerit scripta sua, et nondum Camerae sedis Apostolicae de dicto Censu pro eisdem tribus Annis satistactum existat, Serenitatem Regiam requirimus et rogamus attente, per Apostolica tibi scripta mandantes, quatenus Censum ipsum pro eisdem tribus Annis jam praeteritis et etiam pro duobus sequentibus terminandis in proximo futuro Festo Beati Michaelis, dilecto filio Magistro Giffredo Camerae nostrae Clerico in Anglia commoranti, has tibi Literas praesentanti, nostro et Ecclesiae praedictae nomine facias integre et liberaliter assignari. Ita quod nos id gratum habentes Magnificentiam tuam possimus exinde merito commendare. Dat. Rome, apud Sanctum Petrum, iiij. Kalend. Maii. Pontificatus nostri Anno primo. Et memorandum quod die Veneris proxima post Festum Assumptionis Beatae Mariae, Anno Regni etc. Decimo septimo apud Ledes, liberata fuit ista Bulla, Magistro Willielmo de Luda, tunc custodi Garderobae Domini Regis, in eadem Garderoba custodienda. Upon receipt hereof, the King to gratify this Pope, (of whose favour and assistance he was then to make extraordinary use, about his great affairs in France and Gascoign, as is evident by his Letters and Proxies to him and his Cardinals, entered in Rot. Vasconiae Anno 17 E. 1. pars 2. m. 2. dorso) issued this Warrant to his Treasurer to pay these arrears. REX Thesaurario & Camerariis suis salutem. Liberate de Thesauro nostro Liberate 17 E. 1. m. 2. intus. Magistro Giffredo de Vezano, Domini Papae Clerico, Quinque Millia Marcarum per manus suas eidem Domino Papae Liberand. de Annis Regni nostri Duodecimo, Tertiodecimo, Quartodecimo, Quintodecimo, et Sextodecimo, videlicet de quolibet Anno Mille Mat cas, de Annuo Censu Mille Marcarum, quem idem Dominus Papa percipit ad Scaccarium nostrum: Et recipiatis ab eodem Magistro Giffredo sufficientem quietanciam de pecunia suptadicta. Teste Rege apud Ledes, Decimo octavo die Augusti. This is the very last demand and payment of this Annual Pension I can yet discover, by King Edward the 1. or any of his Successors; the contests between this King Edward, his Successors, Nobles, Parliaments, and Popes, growing so high concerning the title to Scotland, Provisions, First-fruits, and other Usurpations on the King, Crown, Kingdom, Church, people, that they would never pay this pretended, illegal Tribute any more; and when the Pope intended about 58. years after this, to demand it and the arrears thereof from King Edward the 3d. you have * Here, p. 301, 302. heard how he and his whole Parliament Anno 40 E. 3. resolved to withstand him therein with all their might, as being void and un-obligatory either to the King or Kingdom. Now left any Pontificians should conclude from these recited voluntary payments of it by some of our Kings now and then, that they admitted it a just right and duty, to which they were bound by King John's Charter, the premises quite refute it, not one of our Kings paying it constantly, willingly, cordially, as a duty, but merely as a Political bribe or gratuity, to get the quicker dispatch of their affairs they were then necessitated to transact at Rome, where nothing would succeed well without money, and Annual Pensions too, (of 50. 60. 100 Marks by the year, besides other gratuities) given and paid by our Kings as well to Cardinals and Pope's Notaries, as to the Pope himself, without which our Kings themselves could hardly, and that with much expense and delay, obtain their justest suits. There are many precedents of such Annual Pensions given and paid to Cardinals, Notaries, Officers of Popes, in our Patent and Liberate Rolls, for the foresaid ends. I shall present you only with these few instead of many others. REX omnibus ad quos, &c, Salutem; Sciatis quod concessimus Venerabili Pat. 6. Edw. 1. mem. 24. intus. Patri Domino M. Sanctae Mariae in Porticu Diacono Cardinali Sexaginta Marcas singulis Annis ad Scaccarum nostrum percipiendas, viz.) Unam medietatem ad Scaccarium nostrum Paschae, & aliam medietatem ad Scaccarium nostrum Sancti Michaelis, donec per nos eidem uberius provideatur. In cujus, etc. Teste Rege apud Westmonasterium Decimo Octavo die Januarii. REX Thesaurario & Camerariis suis salutem. Liberate de Thesauro nostro dilecto Liberate 13. Edw. 1. mem. 5. intus. Clerico nostro Magistro Angelo Domini Papae Notario Decem Marcas de Termino Paschae Anno regni nostri 13. de annuo feodo suo viginti Marcarum quod de nobis percipit ad Scaccarium nostrum. Teste Rege apud Westmonasterium Vicesimo Octavo die Maii. REX eisdem salutem. Liberate de Thesauro nostro eidem Angelo Triginta Pat. 29. Edw. 1 mem. 6. intus. Marcas, de Termino sancti Michaelis Anno Regni nostri Nono, et Viginti Marcas Anno regni nostri decimo, de annuo feodo suo Viginti Macca rum quod de nobis percipit ad Scaccarium nostrum. Teste ut supra. REX omnibus ad quos, etc. Salutem. Attendentes affectionis sinceritatem Pat. 30. Edw. 1. mem. 7. intus. & diligentiae sollicitudinem quas vener abilem Patrem Lucam de Flisco sanctae Mariae via lata diaconum Cardinalem Consanguineum & amicum nostrum Carissimum erga nos & negotiorum nostrorum expeditionem gerere novimus et habere, quinquaginta Marcas sterlingorum annuatim per aequales portiones ad scaccarium nostrum, videlicet in festis Paschae et sancti Michaelis percipiendas duximus concedendas: In cujus, etc. Dat. apud Donypas Decimo quarto die Octobris. Per breve de privato sigillo. Consimiles Literas habet venerabilis Pater Dominus Petrus de Piperna sanctae Mariae novae Diaconus Cardinalis, Amicus Regis Karissimus, de quinquaginta Marcis sterlingorum annuatim percipiendis ad scaccarium praedictum in festis predictis. Teste ut supra. Per breve de privato sigillo. Consimiles Literas habet venerabilis Pater Dominus Willielmus de Pergumo sancti Nicholai in carcere Tulliano Diaconus Cardinalis Amicus noster Karissimus, de Quinquaginta marcis sterlingorum annuatim percipiendis ad scaccarium praedictum in festis praedictis. Teste ut supra. Per breve de privato sigillo. Consimiles Litteras habet Venerabilis Pater Franciscus sanctae Mariae in Cosmodii Diaconus Cardinalis et amicus Regis Karissimus de Quinquaginta Marcis sterlingorum annuatim percipiendis ad scaccarium predictum in fest is predictis. Teste ut supra. Per breve de privato sigillo. REX omnibus ad quos, etc. Qui sincerae Affectionis fervore, & gratuitae binevolentiae Pat. 31. Edw. 1. mem. 41. intus. De pensione concessa Cardinali. studio nostris utili atibus procurandis invigilant & insistunt, dignum duximus & naturali consonum esse novimus aequitati, ut eis mutuae vicissitudiais beneficia rependamus. Attendentes igitur venerabilis patris Domini Gentilis, titulo sancti Martini in montibus Presbyteri Cardinalis, amici nostri Charissimi circumspectam industriam, et sollicitudinem operosam quas in nostris negotiis in sancta Romana Curia promovendis hactenus adhibuit, eumque adhibiturum speramus Deo propitio in futurum, pensionem annuam Nota. Quinquaginta Marcarum sterlingorum ad scaccarium nostrum percipiendam, ad duos Anni Terminos, videlicetin festis Paschae et sancti Michaelis per aequales portiones sibi duximus tenore praesent ium concedendam; In cujus; etc. Teste Rege apud Odynham Vndecimo die Januarii. In all these Pensions and Annuities, I shall desire the Readers to observe; 1. That they are granted out of the King's Exchequer only; payable half yearly at the feasts of Easter & Michaelmas; just as King John's pension of a thousand Marks by the year to the Pope was; 2ly. That the warrants for payment of the one & other run in the same form. 3ly. That the sole motive or ground of our Kings granting and paying these pensions, was only to get the easier dispatch of their businesses in the Court of Rome by the assistance of these their Pensioners, which otherwise (for Rome's and the Pope's credit) they could not obtain, were their suits never so reasonable. And this was the sole reason why any of our Kings paid this annuity, first granted by King John, at any time to any Pope, even to procure a speedy auspicious answer, or else assistance from him in their affairs with foreign Princes, or relating to their own Rebellious Prelates, Subjects, or complaints against the Popes and his Legates intolerable Usurpations, Exactions on their Crowns, or Subjects; Not that they ever reputed King John's Charters valid, or obligatory to him or them in the least degree, they protesting, resolving the contrary, as the premises demonstrate. Now to evidence this Charter and Rent yet more fully to be null in Law beyond contradiction, I shall desire the Pope's learnedest Advocate's pleading for their validity to take notice of these particulars: 1. That the whole 8. Council of Toledo in Spain under King Recesuinthus, and this * Surius Concil Tom. 2. p. 865, 866. King himself about Anno 660. decreed, That not only the ancient Crown-lands of the kingdom, but whatever Lands and Revenues their Kings acquired, quae pro solo constat eos imperii percepisse fastigio, should not descend to their sons, but to the Successor of the Realm; and not be alienated from the crown, nor subjected to the King's person, but Regal power; Regem terrenum jura faciunt, non persona, quia non constat sui mediocritate, sed sublimitatis honore. Quae ergo honori debentur, honori deserviant, & quae Reges accumulant Regno relinquant, ut quia eos regni gloria decorat, ipsi quoque regni gloriam non extenuent, sed exornent, by enlarging, not extenuating or alienating the Revenues thereof; which this Council enjoined their succeeding Kings by Oath to observe. 2. That it is the general received Resolution of the learnedest Doctors and Professors of the Civil Law, That no Emperor or King elective or hereditary, can alienate or subject the Royalties of his Crown, kingdom to any other person whatsoever, (especially to a foreign Prince or Potentate) without the general consent of his Nobles, Barons, Subjects; they being in truth but trusties, not Proprietors of all their Crown-lands, Rents, Revenues, for the Defence, Government and Benefit of their kingdoms, not absolute Inheritors of them; and the alienation thereof a direct breach both of their Oaths, Trusts; and their Supreme Sovereign power, essential to, inseparable from their Regalities: This they resolve in the cases of Constantine, Charles the Great, P●pins, and Othoes pretended Donations of Rome and Italy to the Pope and his Successors, the same in substance with King john's. a In Cod. De omni agro desert. l. Quicunque desertum. f. 185, 186. Parisiis 1509. Lucas de Penna, a most eminent Professor of the Civil Law, resolves, Imperii Regalia sunt inalienabilia; and although the Emperor should swear, that he would not revoke such Royalties as were alienated to the prejudice of his Crown and dignity, posset tamen ea, non obstante juramento revocare; because the Emperor at his Coronation swears, jura regni sui et honorem Coronae illibata servare. From whence he (and b Dr. Crakenthorp's Defence of Constantine cap. 8. p. 160. 167. others) infer; That by virtue of this Oath, the Emperors are strictly obliged in duty both to God and to the Empire, to take unto themselves not only those fair and large Territories which the Pope hath either by fraud or force invaded, decking himself with the plumes of their Eagle; but especially they ought to resume that Dominion and Sovereignty of Authority in those very Lands which the Pope now challengeth as his own. For this Sovereignty being the most proper and essential Privilege belonging to any Imperial Crown; by virtue of this their sacred Oath, they ought utterly to refuse (as they may) that other coacted Oath whereby they are most injuriously tied to permit the Pope (that man of sin) quietly to enjoy their Imperial Possessions, Rights, Royalties, and tread both themselves and their Crowns under feet. The Romish c Index Expurgat. juxta Concil. Trident. Decretum Phil. 2. Regis Catholico jussu concinnatus. Gelder's of all passages in Books that make against their Roman Pontif, or Religion, have gelt this masculine passage (of no less than 178. lines in folio) out of Penna, which comes home to King Johns case. d In Prooemio de feud. n. 32, 33 Baldus Perusinus a learned Civilian, writing of the pretended Donation of Anno 1571. Constantine to the Pope, delivers this as his own and other Doctor's resolutions therein. They determin, Hanc donationem quoad expropriationem territorii, Dignitatis et jurisdictionis, non valere, nec possibilem esse. The commodities, profits, and profitable Dominion may be granted, salva semper ab Imperio recognitione et fide. For to say, that the Emperor could by this donation mutilare Imperium, and cut off the Members thereof, est species fatuitatis; it being never his intention: nor yet King Johns, as the Saving in the Charter fully demonstrateth: a In Rubr. ff. de Verborum obligat. Fr. Aretinus a Grand Doctor of the Civil Law, not only assents unto; but highly applauds the judgement of Baldus hereiri; Eleganter tradit Baldus, quod Imperator non potest dare quotam Imperii, neither a third, nor a fourth part, nor half of his Empire; whereby Baldus means, That the Empire being an entire and universal power, the Emperor by giving aught, ceaseth not to be the Universal Lord of all belonging to the Empire. b De Pontificis Potestate Axioma. Franciscus Vargas lays down these 2. Positions, 1. Suprema Principis Jurisdictio est prorsus inabdicabilis. 2. Impossibile est Imperatorem facere aliquem vel parem sibi, vel superiorem; citing Baldus, with divers other Lawyers concurring with him herein: His reasou is, Quia Lex Regia contradicit; and that it is inconsistent with Regality: Therefore King John could not alienate his Regality, nor make the Pope his superior in his own Realms. Didacus Co●arruvias writing of the Supreme Sovereignty belonging to a King or Emperor, resolves; c Pract. Quaest. c. 4. nu. 1. Nullo modo alienari potest, though in giving Lands, Cities or Territories, the King use never so ample and abundant words in his charter, Because this Sovereignty is essential to Regal Majesty. He and Vargas citing Gulielmus Benedictus, Carolus Degrassatus, and Felinus concurring with them herein. Boetius Epon. professedly, and at large discusseth this point, and thus resolves it, d Boetius Epon Heroic. quaes. qu 3. nu. 43. The Donation of Constantine did no way concern the alienating or giving up of the Roman Empire; but only the alienating of all the places in Italy, and in the whole West. Constantine did not Abdicate his Empire, or give it to the Pope ne per Occidentem quidem, no not in the West, nor in Italy, nor in the very City of Rome; he honoured the Pope as much as he could, citra imperii vel abdicationem, vel alienationemullo e Ibid. quaest. 5. nu. 19 modo, without either abdicating, or any way alienating the Empire. He gave to the Pope a certain right of Jurisdiction, and Rule in the Western Regions, Imperio Romano inferius atque minutius, but inferior and less than Imperial ● Ibid. num. 27. Authority. He gave to the Pope Imperium honorarium duntaxat et secundarium, sed minime supremum, an honourable and secundary Government, but not the Supreme. That supreme Authority in solidum penes Constantinum remansit etiam in Occidente. And in his * Glossa in cap. Constantinus, post. 1. qu. 5. nu. 211. Commentary, which for the honour and credit of Constantines Donation he hath made upon it, he sets this down with a Memorandum, Notabis hinc, That the Empire or Sovereignty in Italy and in the West, was not transferred by Constantine to the Pope, and very often he repeats the like. Albericus de Rosate, a famous Civilian, is most punctual in this particular. g De Quadrienii praescript. Bene à Zenonii nu. 4. f. 111. col. 4. Let us see (saith he) whether Constantine's Donation could be offarce to the prejudice of his Successors? Accursius holds it could not: so doth John de Parisiis, Because none being deputed to an Office, may do aught against his own Office. But it is against the Office deputed to the Emperor, to impair his Empire, or to cut and take away any one part from it; For by the same reason that he may cut away one part, he may cut away also another, and so may his Successors; and so the Empire should at last be brought to nothing and utterly destroyed, which is against the Public good, and the end why the Empire is ordained. Ex quo verè credo, Whereupon I do truly believe, that the aforesaid Donation De jure, cannot be of force to prejudice the Empire, or the Successors. He adds, h De Jurisdict, Jud: lex finali S. per iniquum n. 4. f. 146. That praescriptio dat utile Dominium Ecclesiae, (praestitis tamen Tributis & Censibus Imperatorum) Directum non tollit. Contra Principem non nisi quoad utile Dominium praescribitur; because the Pope in using this Dominion, doth it as the Emperor's Deputy or Minister, and in the Emperor's name, and so the Sovereignty still rests in the Emperor, against which there is no prescription. As for prescription by the Canon Law, that is least available for the Pope: For by the Canon Law there is required to a valid prescription, TITULUS, & BONA FIDES; Both which (in this case of Constantine's Donation, and so in King john's too) he saith, seem to be wanting, for there is a Title pretended, where there is no Title at all, quia datus per eum quidare non potuit, and because the alienation is made contrary to Law, as we have showed: Bona fides also is here wanting, because the Pope and his Successors knew, Res esse alienas, hoc est Imperii. Thus Albericus most clearly resolves; whose words and reasons extend as fully to King John's Charter, as to Constantine's pretended. Donation to the Pope. a Monarchiae. pars 1. c. 70, 71 p. 295, 296, 297, 298, 299. Antonius Rosellus, (noble both for his birth and learning in the Civil Law, and other Literature,) though he defends the Donations made to Popes by Constantine, Charles, Lewes and Otho; yet after long debate, he concludes thus: Firmiter teneo, That as to those lands and territories which the Pope hath from ancient times possessed by virtue of those gifts, they are good for the possession, profits, & utile Dominium, seeing therein the Imperial right is not taken away, SED DIRECTUM IMPERIUM EST PENES CAESAREM. Directum Imperium est in ossibus Caesaris, irremovibile, vel inalienabile; Habet ergo Papa executionem potestatis, in the Territories given him, but he hath not the Sovereign power over them, that belongs to the Emperor, who in all temporal goods and possessions is the Sovereign Prince; For as we daily see the Emperor gives Dukedoms, Earldoms, or Kingdoms, et tamen retinet in directo Dominio ipsam Inrisdictionem et Jus Imperii in ipsis bonis, aut commissis; even so in those gifts given by the Emperors to the Church or Pope JUS IMPERII et Jurisdictionem retinuit, et retinet, quamvis utile Dominium ejus, et executionem potestatis Pontifici commisit. He subjoins. The Donation to the Pope is good, quoad proprietatem & dominium particulare, sed non quoad Jurisdictionem totalem & Jus Imperii. Although the Pope be capable of Imperial right quoad subsidium, non tamen est capax principaliter, & ideo impossibile est per viam praescriptionis. Nay it is impossible, that in the same person should subsist the Imperial Authority and the Priesthood; & ideo impossibile est per viam praescriptionis. He further resolves, If there happen a controversy betwixt the Pope and the Prince concerning any mere temporal matter, I think the Emperor himself ought to be Judge herein; seeing in Temporal matters he is above all, even the Pope himself; & ipse est Judex suae causae, the Emperor is Judge in his own cause, as the Law teacheth. (Therefore King John, his Successors and Parliaments are meet Judges in the case of England, by like reason, who have adjudged this King's Charter void.) He proceeds one step further. Whereas the Popes to make sure that Authority which they use in the Patrimony of St. Peter, cause the Emperor to swear, that he will not exercise that Imperial Authority which he hath in those Lands, but permit the Popes to enjoy the same as they have used, (tying the Emperors by this Oath from the exercise of any Imperial Jurisdiction in those Territories) this learned Lawyer teacheth; That Emperors indeed after they have once taken this Oath, cannot intermeddle in those Lands, but aught by virtue of their Oath, leave the Jurisdiction therein to the Pope; But withal he adds, that seeing the Emperor retaineth still the direct dominion in those Lands, which dominion he cannot possibly pass away to the Pope, his Successors need not to take that Oath, and not taking it (saith he) they may actually use their own Imperial Rights, and Jurisdiction in the same, and it were better they would do so. b De Jure Belli & Pacis l 2. cap 6. sect. 2. to 12 etc. Hugo Grotius, (one of the learnedest, most judicious Lawyers, Scholars of this later age) positively concludes. Rex partem populi alienare non potest, nisi etiam pars de qua alienanda agitur consentiat; accedente populi consensu libero, alienari posse etiam à rege, quid obstet non video. c Belluga in pr. ●pec. in rub. 8. p. 3, & 4. Roch. de Curte de consuet: q. 5. col 6. Tom. 1. & alii alegat. a Vasq. lib. 1. cap. 1. Quare subscribere non possumus Jurisconsultis, qui de non alienandis Imperii partibus adjiciunt exceptiones duas, de publica utilitate, & de necessitate, nisi hoc sensu, ut ubi est eadem utilitas communis, & corporis & partis, facile etiam ex silentio etiam non longi temporis, consensus & populi & partis intervenisse videatur, facilius verò si etiam necessitas appareat. At ubi manifesta est in contrarium voluntas, aut corporis aut partis, nihil actum debet intelligi. Sub alienatione merito comprehenditur & infeudatio, sub onere. Quare videmus a pluribus populis irritas habitas ut alienationes, ita infeudationes Regnorum quas populis inconsultis Reges fecerant. Populum autem consensisse intelligimus, sive totus coiit, quod olim apud Germanos & Gallos fieri solebat, sive per Legatos partium integrantium mandato sufficiente instructos: Nam facimus quod & per alium facimus. (d) Sed nec pignori dari pars Imperii poterit, nisi consensu simili, * Smith de Rep●b. Angl. c. 9 B●ch. in Baliolo. Frossard. l. 1. c. 214. & 246. Monstrel Hist. c. 22. etc. Guicc. l. 16. non ea tantum de causa quod ex pignoris datione sequi alienatio soleat, sed quod et Rex teneatur populo ad exercendum per se summum Imperium, et populus partibus suis ad conservandum hoc exercitium in sua integritate, cujus rei gratia in societatem civilem coitum est. d Alberic. in c. intellectos de jurejur. Bart. in l. prohibens plane D. quod vi. Corset ●n tract: de excell: Regis q. 4. Loazes alla Vasq. c. 5. Natat cons. 367. Boni●. Rug. cons. 49. u. 43. Patrimonium quoque populi, cujus fructus destinati sunt ad sustentanda Reipublicae, aut Regiae dignitatis onera, a Regibus alienari nec in totum nec in partem potest: Nam in hoc jus majus fructuario non habent. Nec admitto distinctionem, si res modicum videat, quia quod meum non est, ejus nec exiguam partem alienare mihi jus est, sed in rebus modicis quam in magnis consensus populi ex scientia, et ex silentio facilius praesumitur. Existimat f fol. 4. c. 16. Barclaius, Si Rex regnum alienet, aut alii subjiciat, amitti ab eo regnum. Ego hic subsisto. Nam talis actus si regnum electione aut successoria lege deferatur, Nullus est; quae autem nulla sunt, nullum habent Juris effectum. Unde & de usufructuario, cui Regem talem similem diximus, verior mihi videtur Jurisconsultorum sententia, e De Jure Belli & Pacis l. 1. c 4 sect. 10. p. 89. si extraneo Jus suum cedat, nihil eum agere. Et quod dicitur ad Dominum proprietatis reverti usumfructum, intelligen●um legitimo tempore. Si tamen Rex re ipsa etiam tradere regnum, aut subiicere moliatur, quin ei resisti in hoc possit, non dubito. In fine, he resolves thus, g De Jure Belli l. 2. c. 13. Sect. 12, 13, 14. That the contracts of Kings prejudicial to their kingdoms, bind neither their Successors nor kingdoms, but are void. h Tacitus hist. l. 3. Apud Sapientes cassa habebantur, quae neque dari, neque accipi salva republica poterant. Si quo casu contractus incipiat vergere non ad damnum modo aliquod, sed ad perniciem publicam, ita ut ab initio contractus in extensione ad illum casum censendus fuisset injustus & illicitus, tunc non tantum revocari eum contractum posse, quam declarari eum non ultra obligare, quasi factum sub conditione sine qua juste fieri non potuit. Illud quoque a multis i Curt. jun. cons. 138. n. 4. cons. 157. n. 18. C●avetta de autem, 2. p. 1. partis primae n. 28. Bell. in spec. princ. rubr. 26. Ant. Gabr. lib. 1 tit. de jure quaes. non tollendo concls 6. n. 20. & concl. 7 vide citatos per Rein●ingium, libr. 11. class. 11. cap. 8. num. 26. traditum, beneficia Principum quae liberaliter sunt concessa semper posse revocari, sine distinctione transmittendum non est; i. e. nisi quod subditos attinet ad poenam, aut ob utilitatem publicam, Contractibus vero eorum qui sine Jure Imperium invaserunt, (the case of King John as to the Pope) non tenebuntur populi aut veri Reges, nam hi jus obligandi populum non habuerunt. And in his Adnotata he recites these examples of revocations of such gifts made by the Roman and Grecian Emperors, and Kings of France, Arragon, and Poland. Laudat & applicat, Mariana, ad immensam munificentiam Friderici Regis Neopolitani xxiv. 16 à Nerone donata etiam ab emptoribus repetiit Galba relicta decima. Tacitus Historiarum 1. & Plutarch. Pertinax etiam à libertis ea exegit, quae sub specie venditionis Commodo principi lucrifecerant. Macedo Imperator repetiit quae Michael Imperator elargitus fuerat. Zonara's de eo. Communi consensu placuit, ut qui pecunias multas nulla probabili ex causa accepissent, partim totas, partim dimidium redderent. Vide eundem Isaacio Comneno de donationibus Ludovici xi. Vide Serranum Carolo 8. de ejusdem donationibus etiam quae Ecclesiis facta non servatis Philippum Cominaeum lib. 9 Marianam. vero de donationibus quas Arragoniae Rex Ramirus fecerat, rescissis, Libro 10. cap. 16 de Isabellae donationibus rescissis per ipsam 272. Cromerum de Casimiti Regis Poloniae testamento partim probato, partim improbato xii. So that by Grotius his own Resolution, with the resolves of the Historians, Emperors, Kings, and near 20. famous Civilians cited by him in the Margin, King John's Charter and Pension must needs be void in Law to all intents, against himself, his Successors, kingdoms, their reasons, and resolutions extending punctually thereunto. * The General Hist: of France p. 576, 577, 578 Grimstons Imperial History, p. 646, 647. Francis the 1. King of France being taken prisoner in the battle of Pavia by the Emperor Charles the 5th. to procure his Liberty Anno 1525. by Articles under his hand and Seal ratifyed by his Corporal Oath, promised to consign and deliver up unto the Emperor the Duchy of Burgundy, for his ransom: Whereupon being enlarged, the Emperor pressing him to perform his Articles and Oath, he returned this Answer, to which he adhered; That it was not in the power of a French King to bind himself to the alienation of any Lands, Towns or Territories belonging to the Crown, without the consent of the General Estates of France, and of his Sovereign Courts and Officers, in whose hands the Authority of the whole Realm remained: And that he had no power to release his Right to any of the territories belonging to the Crown of France, without his Kingdoms and Parliaments consents; no not to purchase his own freedom and ransom thereby; wherein all the Civilians of France concurred with him. Much less than could King John surrender and alienate both his kingdoms to the Pope without any consideration at all. I shall conclude with the Authority of that most famous Grand Lawyer and Statesman John Bodin, in his Book of Commonwealth, translated into most Languages; where he thus resolves at large, with abundance of Reason and ingenuity, against the power of Kings or Republikes to alienate the public Revenues, discovering the manisold mischiefs, frauds ensuing thereupon. OF the Reg●l Revenues, some are public, some are private; the last may Bodin in his Commonwealth, lib. 6. p. 650, 651, 652, 653. be sold and made away, the first never. And to the end Princes should not be forced to overcharge their Subjects with Imposts, or to seek any unlawful means to forfeit their Goods, All Monarches and States have held it for a general and undoubted Law, That the public Revenues should be holy, sacred, and inalienable, either by Contract or Prescription. In like sort Kings (especially in this Realm of France) granting their Letters Patents for the reunion of Crown Lands, declare, That they have taken an Oath coming to the Crown, in no sort to sell or make away the Revenues. And although it were duly and directly made away, were it for ever, Yet is it always subject to be redeemed, and in such sort as the Prescription of an Hundred years, which gives a just title to the possessor, doth not touch the Revenues of the Crown: The Edicts, Decrees, and Ordinances of this Realm are notorious, not only against private men, but even against Princes of the Blood, who have been put from the division of the Revenues, and the Prescription of an Hundred years: And this is not peculiar to this Realm alone, but common to the Kings of England, Spain, Poland, and Hungary, who are accustomed to Nota. swear not to alienate the Revenues of the Crown. The which is also observed in Popular and Aristocratical States; and even at Venice the Law allows no Prescription. (the which many would limit to sixscore years) nor yet the Cantons of the Swissers. For King Henry 2. having requested the Seignory of Lucerne to engage themselves for a certain sum of money, Hugo the chief Magistrate made answer to the Ambassador, That both the Senate and Commons of Lucerne had sworn never to pawn nor engage their Lands. We read also that the same Ordinances were religiously observed in the two most goodly commonweals that ever were, Athens and Rome, wherein two Great Personages Themistocles and Cato the Censor, caused all the public Revenues to be seized on, the which had through tract of time, and sufferance of Magistrates, been usurped by private men; saying in their Orations, Nec mortales contra Deum immortalem, nec privatos contra Rempublicam praescribere posse: That mortal men could never prescribe against the immortal God, nor private men against the Common-weal. And therefore the Court of Parliament upon a civil request obtained by the King's Proctor General, against a Decree made in favour of the Successors of Foelix of Nogaret, to whom King Philip the fair 260. years before had given the Lands and Seignory of Calvisson, for his virtues and well deserving of the Commonweal, whereby it was revoked unto the Council, showing thereby, That Prescription hath no place when there is any question of the Revenues of the Crown. And the Court of Parliament at Rovan, by a sentence given the 14. February 1511. betwixt the King's Proctor, and the Religious of St. Omer, adjudging the possession of certain goods unto the King, allowing the Religious to relieve themselves by some other means, and to prove it duly by way of Inquest, and for cause; which words (and for cause) are not to be understood for the poor subjects of the Country only, but generally for all. And oftentimes the Treaties made betwixt Princes, have no other difficulties but for the preservation of the Revenues, the which Princes cannot alienate to the prejudice of the public. Henry the 8. King of England, in a Treaty made with the Pope, and Potentates Nota. of Italy, in the year 1527. caused this clause to be added, That they might not give away any thing of the Crown of France, for the redeeming of King Francis; and upon this point the breach of the Treaty of Madrid was grounded; for that the ancient custom of this Realm, conformable to the Edicts or Ordinances of other Nations, requires the consent of the three Estates, the which is observed in Poland by a Law made by Alexander King of Poland, according to the disposition of the Common Law, unless the sale were made at such time as the Enemy had invaded the Country; and that the form be observed from point to point, as in the alienation of Pupils goods, (the Commonweal being always regarded as a Pupil) and if there be any thing omitted, it is all of no force, or at least it is subject to recission, without restitution unto the Purchaser of the thing purchased: Neither can the Prince challenge that unto himself which belongs unto the public, no more than a Husband can his Wife's Dowry, wherein the Prince hath less right; for the Husband may abuse the fruits of his Wife's Dowry at his pleasure, but a Prince may well use, but not abuse the fruits of a public Dowry: As the Citizens that were in society with the Athenians complained, That the public money was to be put in Apollo's Treasury, and not to be wasted by the Athenians. Our Kings have and do acknowledge, that the propriety of the Crown Lands is not the Princes; for King Charles the 5. and 7. would not have the Crown Lands pawned, unless the Parliament at the instance of the King's Proctor had so decreed, as we may see in the ancient Registers of the Court of Parliament, and Chamber of Accounts: And the reason is, for that the Revenues belong unto the Commonweal, as wise Princes have always acknowledged. And when as K. Lewis the 8. died, (having given much by his Testament to poor Widows and Orphans) he commanded all his Jewels and moveables to be sold, to perform his Legacies, lest that any thing belonging to the Crown should be sold, as having no Interest in it. And for this cause Pertinax the Roman Emperor caused his name, being written upon the public Lands, to be razed out, saying, That it was the very Inheritance of the Commonweal, and not the Emperors, although they enjoy the Rents for the maintenance of their houses and the Commonweal. And we do also read that Antonius Pius lived of his own Inheritance, applying nothing that belonged to the public to his private use. Whom K. Lewis the 12. (called the Father of his Country) doth seem to imitate▪ who would not mingle his Patrimony and Revenues with that of the public, erecting the Chamber of Blois for his Lands at Blois, Coussy, and Monfort; and yet many have erroneously confounded the public with the Princes private Lands. Neither is it lawful for Sovereign Princes to abuse the fruits and Revenues of the Crown Lands, although the Commonweal be in quiet, and free from all trouble, for that they have the use only, and aught (the Commonweal and their house being maintained) to keep the surplusage for public necessity. Although that Pericles said to the Ambassadors of the Confederates, That they had no Interest in the employment of the Treasure, so as they were maintained in peace; for it was contained in the Treaty of Alliance, that the money which should be raised in the time of peace, should be guarded in Apollo's Temple, and that it should not be employed but by a common consent. But there is great difference between the Treasury or Exchequer in a Monarchy and in popular States; for a Prince may have a Treasury of his private Patrimony, the which was called Fiscus by the Ancients, and that of the public Revenues Aerarium; the one being divided from the other by the ancient Laws, the which can have no place in a popular or Aristocratical Estate. Yet there never wanted Flatterers to persuade Princes to sell their Revenues of the Crown, to make a great benefit; the which is a Tyrannical Opinion, and the ruin of a Commonweal. For it is well known, that the public Revenues consist chiefly in that which Dukes, Marquesses, Earls, and Barons did sometimes possess, the which either by Succession, Dowry, or by Confiscation have come unto the State, in Lordships, Coppyholds, in Fees, Alienations, Sales, Seisures, Rents, Amercements, Rights, Confiscations, and other Regalities, the which are not subject to Imposts and ordinary Charges, and oftentimes are gotten by them which are free from all Charges. Moreover, Commissioners granted to sell the public Revenues for the making of money speedily, allow it to be sold for Ten Years purchase, when as private Lands in Fee with Justice, Nota. are sold for Thirty Years purchase, and those that have Dignities at Fifty Years and more; so as some with the purchase of the public Lands, reap in one year more profit by the jurisdiction, than they paid for the Land. Others have paid nothing at all, taking the Valuation of the Revenue by Extracts from the Chamber of Accounts, given in by the receivers in Ten Years, who oftentimes have not received any thing, for that the profits of inferior justice is made in the chief and Regal Court. As for Sales the purchaser hath more profit than the Interest of the money which they have paid can amount unto; As also the receivers of the Revenues are not accustomed to give any account of Casualties, but for a small part. And in Farming out the Crown Lands the Farmers are liable to Subsidies, and are charged according to their abilities. There are infinite more abuses which the Commonwealth sustains by Sales of their Revenues; but the greatest is, that the money which is made is not put out to Rent, (like to those that think Nota. to be good Husbands) but is most commonly wasted and given unto them that have least deserved; and so for want of money to redeem this Land, the Commonweal falls to decay, then do they also sell the Commons, whereby the poor are relieved. It were more fit to sell the waste Lands of the Commonweal, the which no man will hire, and brings no benefit to the Commonweal, to the end the Treasury may be enriched, and that the Citizens may profit by the tilling thereof: But if they may have a Farmer it is not lawful to sell it: Although that Aristotle commends them of Constantinople, who sold their Lands for a continual Rent, the which is a mere Alienation, and money taken before, diminisheth the Rent; the which was expressly defended by an Edict made by Charles the Ninth. And although that afterwards he made another Edict for the renting out of waste Lands, and paying of Fines, by the persuasion of such as sought to make money; For the Parliament of Paris upon the Verification of the said Edict, decreed, That the Rents should not be redeemed, and that there should be no Fine paid at the beginning; and for that the Commissioners for this Sale did sue unto the King that it might be lawful to give money at the entry: The Court (all the Chambers being assembled) decreed, That the purchasers might not give above a third of the sum at the entry, in regard of the value of the Lands; the which third part should be received by the receivers of the Revenues, a part to be employed to redeem the revenues that are sold imposing a Quadruple penalty to be Levied as well upon Receivers, as those that had gotten any assignation of the said Monies. And it is not here needful to relate what losses the King and Common weal have sustained by such Alienation of the Waste Lands. King Francis the second coming to the Crown, Commanded his Proctors and Magistrates to redeem the public Revenues from private occupiers, wherein he Complained, that the Crown Lands and Revenues were so dismembered and wasted; as that which remained did not suffice for the charges that were laid upon them. But our King hath far greater cause to Complain now, when as there scarce remains any thing that is to be sold. In the general Accounts of the Treasure made in January, in the year 1572. there was no receipt See Bodin in his Commonwealth, Lib. 6. p. 654, 655. made of any Revenues, although there was six and Thirty Thousand Crowns in the Receipt, When as King Francis died, as it appeareth by an Account of the Treasure made in the year 1569. and by the same Estate the Alienation of the revenues, Impositions, and subsidies amounted to Fourteen Millions Nine Hundred sixty and one Thousand Four Hundred and seaventy Livres fourteen Sou and eighty deniers, not comprehending Twelve Hundred Thousand Livres, for the fourth and half fourth, and Four Hundred and fifty Thousand Livres upon the strike of salt, the which the Country Guienne redeemed in the years 1549. and 1553. Whereby it plainly appears that the King's Revenues are almost all engaged and made away, for fifteen or sixteen Millions at the most, the which is worth above Fifty Millions, for that Earldoms, Baronies and other seignories have not been sold for above nine years' purchase: and if it were redeemed and let to Farm it would amount yearly to almost Three Millions, the which would suffice to maintain the King's house in state, and to pay most of the officers their wages, not meddling with any of the other ordinary or extraordinary charges. And if we may compare a small Kingdom with a greater, the revenues of the Crown of England comprehending the Land, subsidies, Tares, Customs, Imposts and all other charges amount to little more than sixscore and ten Thousand pounds sterling a year, having a good part of the temporal Lands of the Church annexed to it, and yet the Queen doth maintain her Court, and the estate of her Realm very Royally, and redeemed the Revenues (not selling any.) 3dly. As all these Civilians, States, Kingdoms, Statesmen abroad; so our own Parliaments, Laws, Judges, Lawyers at home from age to age, have unanimously resolved, That the Kings of England cannot give, grant, alienate, sell, mortgage their kingdoms, nor the Manors, Lands, Rents, Revenues, Forts, antient Jewels, Ships, Magazines belonging to the Crown, settled on them in trust for the maintenance of their Government, the safety of the kingdom, and ease of the people from public Taxes, without common consent of their Parliaments, Lords, Subjects; and that if any alienations be made of them they may and aught to be resumed; as not only void in Law, but contrary both to the Oath, and duty of those Kings who alienated them. 1. This is most apparent, by the description of our King's Office used at their Coronations (the substance whereof still remaineth in the Oath yet taken) thus expressed in the Laws of King Edward the Confessor, Lex 17. (a) Moreover, The (a) Lambardi Archaion, Fox Acts & Monum. Vol. 1. p. 214, Bp. Bilsons true Difference etc. part. 3. p. 494. King by his Right, and by his Office, aught to defend and conserve fully and wholly in all ampleness, WITHOUT DIMINUTION, all the Lands, Honours, Dignities, Rights and Liberties of the Crown of his kingdom: And further to reduce into their pristine state all such things as have been dispersed, wasted and lost which appertain to his kingdom. Therefore this Surrender and Charter of King John was expressly against his Office, Duty of a King, and he and his Successors might and ought in justice to recall it, as void, prejudicial, and dishonourable. 2ly. By the several Acts of Resumption in all ages of lands given or alienated from the Crown by our Kings. The first I shall mention, is that of King Henry the 2. thus related in a Chronicon Johan. Brompton col. 1046, 1047. Brompton, b Historiae Ang. l. 2. c. 2. Nubrigensis, and others, Anno Dom: 1155. Quomodo Dominica Regis redintegrantur. Considerans autem Rex (Henricus secundus) quod Regii redditus breves essent, qui avito tempore uberes fuerant, eo quod Regia Dominica per mollitiem Regis Stephani ad alios multosque dominos majori ex parte migrassent, praecepit ea cum omni integritate, à quibuscunque detentoribus resignari, et in jus pristinum revocari. Et hi quidem qui regus oppidis seu vicis hactenus incliti fuerant; Chartas quas a Rege Stephano vel extorserunt, vel obsequiis emerant, quibus tuti forent protulerunt: sed quoniam Chartae invasoris Juri legitimi Principis praejudicium facere minime debuerunt, eisdem Instrumentis esse tuti minime potuerunt. So Neubrigensis; or as Brompton. Quidem verò in dies Chartas Regis Stephani protulerant: Quibus à Rege responsum est, Quod Chartae Invasoris praejudicium legitimo Principi minune faccre debeant. (The * See here, p. 297, 298, 299. case of K. John's Charters in relation to his Successors.) Itaque primo indignati, deinde conterriti, et contristati aegre quidem, sed tamen integre Usurpata, et diu tanquam solido jure detenta resignarunt. Cumque in cunctis Regni provinciis, omnes usque ad unum (de quo post pauca dicetur,) voluntati Regiae paruissent, Rex transhumbranas Provincias adiit. Comitemque Albemarlensem Gulielmum, qui ibidem sub Stephano Rex verior fuerat, de re consimili, eodemque, & cateros pondere authoritatis convenit. Ille diu haesitans multumque aestuans, tandemcorde saurius, potestati succubuit, et quaecunque ex Regio dominio pluribus jam annis possederat, cum ingenti anxietate resignavit, maxime famosum illud, et nobile Castrum quod dicitur Scarcheburch, quod idem Comes in Eboracensi provincia super rupis planiciem & turrim Infantium augustius fabricavit. In eadem ergo Piovincia Rebus ad votum gestis, Rex ad superiora Angliae remeans, solum Hugonem de Mortuo Mari virum fortem, & nobilem rebellem invenit, Castrum Regium de Brugenorth retinendo. Qui cum juberetur propriis esse contentus, & reddere quae de jure regio possidebat pertinacissime renuit, & se ad resistendum modis quibus potuit, praeparavit. Rex vero Exercitu celeriter congregato, Brigiam obsedit, & post tempus modicum fortiter oppugnatum in deditionem recepit, & dicto Comiti, cujus cor paulo ante quasi cor Leonis fuerat, humiliato & supplici veniam largitus est. After which to complete this resumption, Item repetiit a Rege Scotorum Northumbriam, Regi quoque Scotorum, qui boriales Angliae regiones, scilicet Northumbriam, Cumberlandiam, et Westmerlandiam nomine dictae Imperatricis et Haeredis ejus olim ad David Regem Scotorum adquisitas tanquam jus proprium possidebat, mandare curavit, regem Angliae non debere tanta regni sui parte fraudari, justumque est reddi quod fuit suo nomine adquisitum. Ille vero Rex Scotiae Regem Angliae in hac parte prudenter praevalere, Considerans, praenominatos fines cum integritate restituit, repetenti et ab eo vicissim Comitatum Huntingdoniae, prisco sibi Jure competentem recepit. By his Example c Chron. Johan. Brompton, col. 1259. Nubrigensis Hist. l. 5. c. 1. Grafton, p. 90. 149. King Richard the First, selling and demising much of his Crown-lands to raise moneys towards his Voyage to the Holy Land, upon his return thence Anno Dom. 1193. by persuasions and entreaties rather than force, resumed and got surrenders of them again, as void in Law, and prejudicial to the Crown. (c) Illi autem emptores mox Regio metu attoniti, nulla habita quaestione de sorte non percepta omnia resignarunt. Dunolmensis etiam Episcopus qui Comitatum Northumbriae gravi summa comparatum per aliquot annos possideret, resignando, desinens esse Comes, in simplicem Episcopum rediit, ut prius. Nec in hac parte prae caeteris privilegium habuit. Anno Dom: 1224. All the d Mat. Paris, Hist. Angl. p. 306, 308. Speed, p. 597. Daniel, p. 78, 80, 89, 123. Grafton, p. 401 Nobles and others of England, who had any of King Henry the 3d. his Castles and Lands, were enjoined to surrender them up to him by the Pope and Bishops, under pain of Excommunication. Saluberrimo usi consilio venerunt apud Northamptonam ad Regem universi, & a Comite Cestrensi incipientes, reddiderunt singuli Castilia & Municipia, honores & custodias Regi quae ad Coronam spectare videbantur. So in 1 R. 2. rot. Parl. n. 48. 10 R. 2. c. 1. 1 H 4. rot. Parl. nu. 100 6 H. 4. rot. Parl. n. 14. 8 H. 4. rot. Parl. nu. 29. 52. 1 H. 5. rot. Parl. n. 9 1 H. 5. c. 3. 26 H. 6. rot. Parl. n. 54. 29 H. 6. n. 17. 31 H. 6. c. 7. 35 H. 6. n. 47. 4 E. 4. rot. Parl. n. 39, 40. 7 E. 4. rot. Parl. n. 8. 8 E. 4. rot. Parl. n. 26. 13 E. 4. rot. Parl. n. 6. There are several resumptions and revocations made by Acts of Parliament, of the Grants of our Kings, of the Lands and Revenues of the Crown, to the public prejudice, and restitution of them made to the Crown, for the better support thereof, and ease of the people in their public Taxes; as being not valid nor obligatory to those Kings who made them, much less to their Successors; especially when made by those who (though Kings de facto) had no just Title to the Crown. Therefore King John's Charters upon this account might more justly be declared void, and repealed (if ever valid) then any others repealed by these Acts, which conveyed not the whole Kingdoms of England and Ireland, but only some parcels of the Crown Lands and Revenues, still held of our Kings by rents and services, as supreme Lords. 3ly. By this resolution of (f) Matthew Paris himself, and the Lawyers of England, a Hist. Angliae, p. 868. Anno Dom. 1251. in the case of King Henry the 3d. his secret mortgage of his Realm to the Pope, for moneys borrowed of him in his Wars, and disbursed therein by the Pope; which they declared to be null, void, and blasted at least by God's divine Judgement: Ipso quoque tempore Rex secus quam deceret aut expediret, se, suumque Regnum sub poena exhaeredationis, quod tamen facere nec potuit, nec debuit, Dom: Papae obligavit, ad solutionem totius the sauri, quam in expeditione sui belli pro ipso Rege foret expositurus. Unde Papa nulla gerens super Anglia viscera pietatis, largè, imo prodigaliter, mutuo pecuniam ab Italicis Vsurariis (quos Mercatores vocant) accepit. Quam ipsomet Papa extorquente, & mulgente a Rege, Anglia ultimae servitutis pedissequa, solvere cogeretur. Sed justo Dei judicio tota illa innumerabilis pecunia, rapta & praedata, penitus nullum vel Papae vel Regi commodum suscitavit. If this King could not mortgage his kingdom to the Pope for moneys lent, much less could King john surrender his kingdoms of England and Ireland to the Pope and his Successors, and resume them under an annual Rent, without any consideration. 4ly. The (1) Title of the Crown and kingdom of France being devolved by mere b See Walsingham, Holinshed Speed, Daniel; An: 14. E. 3. & the Parliament Rolls. right upon King Edward the 3d: there grew some fears and jealousies in the Nobility and Commons of England, that they should be put in subjection to the Crown and Realm of France, against Law, and their ancient privileges: to prevent which, the King and Parliament in the 14 of Edward the 3d. Statute 4. passed a special Act, printed in our Statutes at large, declaring, That the Realm of England never was, nor aught to be in subjection, nor in the obeisance of the Kings of France, nor of the Realm of France. And then Enacted, That the King of England or his Heirs, by colour of his or their Titles to Notá. the Crown, Seal, Arms and Title of the King of France, should not in any time to come put the Realm of England, or people of the same, of what estate or condition soever they be, in subjection or obeisance of him, nor his heirs or successors, AS KINGS OF FRANCE: nor be subject nor obedient, but shall be free and quit of all manner of subjection and obeisance, as they were wont to be, in the times of his Progenitors Kings of England FOR EVER. If the Kings of England themselves could not thus put the Realm, or all or any one of their English subjects in subjection and obeisance to the kingdom and Crown of France, as they were Kings of France, when rightful Kings both of France and England, as this Act declares and resolves; much less than could King John, without their assent, subject both himself, his Crown, kingdoms of England and Ireland, and all his Successors to the Pope, under Homage and an Annual Tribute, c Walsingham, Hist. p. 112. Speeds History, p. 688. Daniels Hist. p. 220. Henry de Knyghton de Eventibus Angliae, l. 8. c●l. 2556. he having not the least colour of Title or Right to either, and to whom they were not formerly subject, as the English were to King Edward before the Crown of France descended to him, being their lawful King. 5ly. In the Parliament of 2 E 3. The excessive Dower of Queen Isabel, the King's Mother, was by common consent of Parliament resumed into the King's hands, as prejudicial to the King, kingdom, and not settled by Parliament, and she reduced to an annual pension of One thousand pounds by the year in lieu thereof; or 3000. Marks, as Henry de Knyghton stories; No Jointures of our Queens being irrevocable in Law, unless confirmed by Parliament, a See An Exact Abridgement of the Records of the Tower, p. 430, 433, 439, 443, 444, 471, 473. 510, 565, 566, 568, 569, 654, 655, 683, as most have been. 6ly. All the Commons of England in their Petition, with the King, Lords, Commons, and whole Parliament of 16 R. 2. in c. 5. of Praemunire, declare and resolve, That the Crown and Kingdom of England hath been so free at all times, that it hath been in subjection to no Realm, or foreign power, but immediately subject to God, and to none other. Which by Pope's Provisions and suits in the Court of Rome for Benefices and other particulars (restrained in this Act under the penalty of a Praemunire) should in all things touching the Regality thereof be submitted to the Bishop of Rome, and the Laws and Statutes of the Realm be by him defeated, and frustrated at his will, to the destruction of the King, his Sovereignty, Crown, Regality, and of all his Realm; in defence whereof in all points, they would live and die, against the Pope's usurpation thereon, restrained, highly punished by this Law. If then the Resolution of this whole Parliament, King & kingdom be true, King john's subjecting and resignation of his Crown, kingdoms to the Pope and his successors, and Homage to them as their Vassal and Feudary by this Charter, must needs be void, null, as being most destructive to his Sovereignty, Crown, Regality, and both Realms of England and Ireland; and the ground of all Papal Encroachments complained of in this Statute of King Richard. 7ly. It is often adjudged, resolved in our b 21 E 3. 39 24 E 3. 42. Fitzh. Q●. Impedit 35, 53, 54 115, 118, 189, Presentment al Esglisse 1 i Livery 23. 1 H 5 Executors, 1. 8. 34 H 6. 34. 35 H 6. Fitzh. Devise 5. Plowden f. 245, 251. 256. 21 E 4. f. 45. b. Cook 3 Re●: f. 97. 1 Instit. f. 15. b. 16. a. Law-Books, c Hills Chronicle f. 10. 1●. ● Daniel f. 122, 138, 138. Histories, and the Statutes of 16 R. 2. c. 1. 4. 1 H 6. c. 5. 1 H. 6. rot. Parl. n. 18. 21 R. 2. c. 9 7 H. 4. 6. 25 H 8. c. 22. 26 H. 8. c. 13. 35 H. 8. c. 1. 1 Mariae, c. 1. & Parl. 2. c. 1, 2. 1 Eliz: c. 13. 13 Eliz: c. 1. 1 Jac. c. 1. That the Kings of England can neither by their Charters nor last Wills, alter, change, entail the hereditary descent and succession of the Crown of England, or disinherit the heir thereof, without the general consent of the whole Nation by special Acts of Parliament; nor yet demise, grant, sell, alien or pledge the ancient Jewels, goods, lands, rents, revenues, ships, forts, or ammunition of the kingdom, without particular Acts of Parliament enabling them; That all the Lands purchased by our Kings to them and their heirs, either in Gavelkind, Burrough English, or other Tenure, shall not descend to the King's younger sons; nor the Crown and Crown-lands (where there are two daughters) descend to, or be divided between both, as in cases of common persons; but all Lands and possessions whereof the King is seized in Ius Coronae, shall secundum jus Coronae, attend upon and follow the Crown (as all Wards, presentations, and debts to the Crown, in the deceased King's life-time, do likewise follow, and not go to the King's Executors) and shall all descend, come to him or her alone to whom the Crown descends, for the better support of the King, kingdom, and ease of the people from unnecessary Aids; (As was resolved in the cases of d Fox Acts and Monuments, Vol. 3. p. 13. 16. 17. Queen Mary, Queen I●ne, and Queen Elizabeth, against the Will of King Edward the sixth, settling the Crown on Queen jane, contrary to the Common Law, and two Acts of Parliament, whereupon it was adjudged void, though ratified under the Great Seal of England, and by the subscription of all the Privy Council, Nobles, and Judges, except Hales) Therefore, à fortiori, our Laws must null these Alienations of King john, and Pension to the Pope, as void and illegal to all intents, being never ratified by common consent in Parliament, but oft protested against therein as invalid, as the premises demonstrate. 8ly. It is declared, adjudged by e 1 E 3. c. 3. 5 R. 2. c. 6. See Brooks Abridgment, & Ashes Tables, tit. Duresse. several Acts of Parliament, and all our Law-books, That Feofments or Obligations made by menaces, force and Duresse, are voidable, and not obligatory in point of Law. To instance in particulars of greatest public concernment. In the Grand Parliamentary Council about the year of Christ 536. under our famous f Galfrid. Monmutensis Hist: Regis Brit. l. 10 c. 10, 11, 12, 13, 14. British King Arthur, wherein were sundry Kings, Princes, Dukes, Earls, Nobles, Archbishops and Bishops present; this King receiving a Letter from the Roman Senate, and their Procurator Lucius Tiberius, exacting the payment of the annual Tribute due to the Roman Senate and State from the Britons, which the Roman Emperor Julius Caesar reserved and commanded them annually to pay to the Romans upon their conquest of them: The Letter being read before the King and this Great Council, they all unanimously adjudged: That this Tribute was exacted exirrationabili causa, because it was exacted by Julius Caesar, who, invited by the divisions of the old Britons, arrived in Britain, and by force and violence subjected it to their power, shaken with domestic commotions. Now for that they obtained it in this manner by force, Uectigal ex ea injuste ceperunt; Nihil enim quod vi et violentia acquiritur, juste ab ullo possidetur, qui violentiam intulit. Irrationabilem ergo causam praetendit, quamvis jure sibi tributarios arbitratur. Whereupon they all peremptorily resolved not to pay id quod iniu●tum est, being thus extorted by force. The very case of the Rent, Pension, annual Tribute and Surrender of King John, extorted from him both by force and fraud. 2dly. Upon this very ground, King a Ingulphi Hist Mat. Paris, Mat Westm. Huntingdon, Hoveden, Walsingham, Ypodigm. Brompton, Higden, Polychronicon, Fabian, Knighton, Holinshed, Daniel, Stow, Grafton, Sir Jo H●ywood and others in the Life of K. Harold. Radulphus de D ce●o Abbreviationes Chronicon col. 481. Eadmerus Hist. Novor: l. 1. p. 5. etc. Harold receiving a Message from William the Conqueror before he actually invaded England, That according to his covenant with, and Oath made to him whiles in Normandy; that the Realm of England should remain unto him after the death of Edward the Confessor, he would deliver him the possession thereof, to avoid effusion of Christian blood; returned this answer to him, That he made this Oath through force and fear of death, whiles under his power in Normandy: That a forced Oath is not to be kept; For if an Oath which a Virgin had knowingly made concerning her body in her father's house, without her parents assent, was revocable and void: much more the Oath which he being under the Sceptre of the King, had made without his knowledge, by compulsion, aught to be nulled and made void. Moreover he affirmed, Nimis praesumptuosum fuisse, quod absque generali consensu Regni haereditatem vobis juraverat alienandam. That King Edward being then living, he could neither give away the kingdom in possession or reversion to him or any other, without the King's consent, ET SINE POPULICONSENSV, SENATUS DECRETO super Regnum Angliae mulierem extraneam inconsultis Principibus me non debere, nec sine grandi injuria posse adducere, novit. That however he and Edward had tampered for the Kingdom, yet Edward himself coming in by Election, not by any title of Inheritance, His promise (that he should enjoy it after him) was of no validity; for how could he give that, wherein he was not interessed? All which Allegations militate most strongly against the validity of King John's Charter, Pension, and Oath of Homage to the Pope, gotten by mere force, from one who had no right to grant, or alienate his kingdoms, or prejudice his Successors. 3ly. The * Baron's having by force of arms extorted the Confirmation b Mat. Paris, p. 243, to ●49. Speeds History. of the Great Charter from King John, Pope Innocent the 3d. himself upon King Johns complaint unto him against this force, repealed and nulled the Great Charter of their Liberties by his Bull, upon the account of force and fraud, Videns se omni consilio & auxilio destitutum, quicquid illi ausi sunt petere, non est ausus ipse n●gare. Unde compulsus est per vim et metum, qui cadere poterat in virum etiam c Mat. Paris, Hist. p. 256, 257. constantissimum, compositionem inire cum ipsis, non solum vilem et turpem, verum etiam illicitam et iniquam; in nimiam derogationem ac diminutionem sui juris pariter et honoris, etc. Nos tantae malignitatis audaciam dissimulare nolentes in Apostolicae sedis contemptum, Regalis juris dispendium, Anglicanae gentis opprobrium, etc. nisi per authoritatem nostram revocarentur omnia, quae a tanto Principe Cruce signato taliter sunt extorta; et ipso volente ea servare, ex parte Dei omnipotentis Patris et Filii et Spiritus sancti, authoritate quoque Apostolorum ejus Petri et Pauli ac nostra, de communi fratrum nostrorum consilio, compositionem hujusmodi reprobamus penitus et damnamus, sub intimatione Anathematis; prohibentes ne dictus Rex eas observari praesumat, aut Barones cum complicibus suis ipsam exigant observari; tam cartam quam obligationes, & cautiones quaecunque pro ipso vel de ipsa sunt factae, irritantes penitus et cassantes, ut nullo unquam tempore aliquam habeant firmitatem. Therefore from this Pope's own resolution against the Great Charter, within two years after King John's most detestable Charter to himself of his kingdoms surrender, homage, and annual pension, made with greater evidences of external and internal force, fear▪ (besides apparent fraud) more injurious to the King's Crown, opprobrious to the English Nation, than his Grand Charter to the Barons thus nulled, repealed, as never to be observed by the King or Barons, must much more than be void, and the observation thereof to be never exacted by the Pope or his complices. Upon this Account the * See Cooks 2 Instit. the Preface▪ Mat. Paris, p. 305, 306, 311, 312, 314, 324, 325, 375, to 385. 390, 391, 416, 420, 421, 451, 452, 624, 879. Great Charter was afterwards reconfirmed by New Oaths, and several Parliaments, without any force or fear upon our Kings, to take away all disputes concerning its validity. 4ly. judgements, Acts of Parliament themselves when obtained by force, fear, fraud, circumvention, derogatory to the King's Prerogative, and Rights of the Crown, have been totally repealed, nulled, and declared void by subsequent Parliaments for these very reasons; wiinesse the Parliament of 15 E. 3. reversed by 15 E. 3. Stat. 2. in the print, but in truth by 17 E. 3. rot. parl. nu. 3. the Parliament of 10 R. 2. reversed by 11 R. 2. c. 3. & rot. Parl. nu. 70. 113. & 21 R. 2. repealed by 1 H. 4. c. 3. the Parliaments of 38 & 39 H. 6. & 17 E. 4. c. 7. 1 Rich. 3. reversed by 1 H. 7. c. 1. Therefore much more ought King Johns forced Charters to be null and void upon this account, by the Fundamental Laws of England, wherewith the Civil Law accords, it being a principle in that Law ratified by a perpetual Edict, a Cod. de Transactionibus l. Interpositas, Honorius & Theodosius Cod de iis quae vi & metu gesta sunt L. Venditurus Interpositas metu transactiones ratas non haberi. And the Emperors Honorius and Theodosius in their Code of Laws, command, That those Sales, Donations and Transactions shall be void, quae per potentiam extortae sunt, which are extorted by power, as King john's Charter was. 5. Pope Pascalis the 2. being in the Army of the Emperor Henry the 5th. almost in b Abbas Uspergens. Chron. Ann. 1111, 1112▪ p. 255, 256. Alb. Stadius & Nauclerus, An. 1112. nature of a prisoner, about Investitures per Annulum & Baculum, of which he endeavoured to deprive the Emperor, after many contestations about them, did resign up the right of Investitures to the Emperor when he crowned and anointed him, Dato sibi in praesenti per manum Apostolico sub ttstimonio astantis Ecclesiae, privilegio investiturae Ecclesiasticae, juxta quod utriusque praedecessoribus placuerat, & permanere consueverat, cuius invulsibilem stabilitatem Dominus Papa mox sub Anathemate confirmavit: Whereupon they all sang Gloria in excelsis, etc. supposing all schisms and scandals utterly abolished thereby out of Christ's kingdom. After which the Pope with all his Bishops, Cardinals, Clerks, as well great as small, prospera Imperatori imprecantibus, & nimio amoris vinculo eum aliquandiu deducentibus per Longobardiam ad Alps, inde ad terras Germanicas foeliciter est reversus. The very next year this Pope calling a Council of Bishops to Lateran, Gerhard Bishop of Engolesm read the Pope's Writing made to the Emperor before all the Council; Privilegium illud, quod non est Privilegium, sed verè dici debet PRAVILEGIUM pro liberatorum captivorum Ecclesiae, à Domino Paschali Papa, per violentiam Regis Henrici extortum. And upon this pretext, that it was extorted by force, they all passed this sentence upon it; Omnes hoc in sancto Concilio congregati canonica censura, et autoritate Ecclesiastica iudicio sancti Spiritus denunciavimus, et irritum esse iudicamus, et omnino ne quid autoritatis et efficacitatis habeat penitus excommunicamus: et clamabant omnes Amen, Amen. 6ly. After him, * Mat. Westm. Anno 1301. p. 421, 422. Pope Boniface the 8. Ann. 1301. in his Bull to K. Edw. the 1. (relating some things done by the Kings of Scotland, which seemed prejudicial to their Rights, whereof the King of England took advantage to prove his Sovereign Dominion over Scotland) resolved; Et licet contra morem solitum aliqua fuerint hactenus in prejudicium▪ ea tamen utpote per vim et metum, quae cadere poterunt in constantem, illicita, nequaquam debent de jure subsistere, aut in eiusdem Regni praeiudicium redundare. If then Pope Paschal the 2. and the whole Lateran Council adjudged his Charter or Bull of Privilege, surrendering up to the Emperor only his ancient, just right of Investitures, to be null, void, and of no efficacy at all, because extorted from the Pope by violence of the Emperor, notwithstanding his confirmation of the irrepeleable efficacy thereof with an Anathema, his, and all his Bishops, Cardinals, and Clergyes approbations thereof, prayers for the Emperor, and great expressions of love and loyalty to him when and immediately after it was made, but the very year before. And if by Pope Boniface his resolution, things done through force or fear ought not to stand in Law, or be prejudicial to the Realm of Scotland, All Popes and their Advocates, unless strangely intoxicated or blinded with partiality, must now at last acknowledge, that King Johns Charter extorted from him, with greater force, violence, fear, then that from Pope Pascalis, detestable to all the world, dishonourable to the King, destructive to the Crown and its Regalities, prejudicial to the whole Kingdom, and so frequently condemned, abominated in all ages; and the Annual Pension, Oblation granted in it, was originally null, void, unobligatory in it self both to King John, his Successors and Kingdoms, for all the premised reasons and Authorities. I have thus largely insisted on the proof of this Charters nullity for 2. reasons. 1. Because Popes and their Parasites have so much vaunted of, and insisted on it in former and late times, as intitling the Pope to the supreme Dominion and Sovereignty of England and Ireland, and the Annual Pension of one Thousand Marks, as the grandest evidence of our Kings and Kingdoms vassalage to the Church of Rome. 2ly. Because it was the principal ground, occasion, introduction to all subsequent intolerable Usurpations, Enchroachments, Exactions of Popes upon our Kings, Kingdoms, Churches, Rights, Privileges, Properties; the subverting, nulling whereof, will null and invalid all other Usurpations founded on, or springing from it. Which considerations may justly excuse my prolixity in discussing its invalidity, and dipressing somewhat therein from my Chronological order. I now return to my Historical method, from the time of this Charters sealing. The Pope and his Legate Nicholas having by this Charter in a manner dethroned An. Dom. 1213 King John of his Regal Dignity, Authority, and made themselves more than Kings, Lords both of England and Ireland in their own apprehensions, began forthwith to play REX, to show themselves professed Tyrants, usurping the sovereign Authority both in Church and State, presenting to all Bishoprics, Abbeys, Spiritual Promotions, and Benefices then void, without the Patron's consent, by way of Provision and Collation, (which they oft attempted, but never could effect till now) to the prejudice of the Crown, and enthralling of the Church of England, not vouchsafing to consult either with the King himself, the Archbishop or Bishops concerning their disposal: Thus storied by Matthew Paris. EOdem tempore Innocentius Papa, Nicholas Apostolicae sedis Legato, Literas sub Mat. Paris▪ Hist. Angl. p. 237, 238. hac forma direxit. Cum non possit Ecclesiis Domini melius provideri, quam si eye Pastores pr●ficiantur idonei, qui non tam praeess●●●piant quam prodesse; fraternitati tuae, de qua plenam fiduciam obtinemus, per Apostolica scripta mandamus: quatenus Episcopatus et Abbatias Angliae nunc vacantes, facias cum tuo consilio de personis idoneis per electionem vel postulationem Canonicam ordinari; qui non solum vita, sed et scientia sint praeclari, verum * This clause was formerly inserted into all the King's Conge desliers, or Licenses to elect. etiam Regi fideles et Regno utiles, nec non ad auxilium et concilium efficaces, assensu Regio requisito. (Now inserted only to court the King out of his right, rather than to preserve it, as the sequel proved.) Cum ergo vacantium Ecclesiarum Capitulis, nostris Literis demus in mandatis, ut tuo consilio adquiescant; tu Dominum habens prae oculis, consulas super his viros providos et honestos, qui plene norint merita personarum; ne te cujusquam astutia circumvenire contingat. Si qui vero contradictores fuerint vel rebelles, tu eos per Censuram Ecclesiasticam, appellatione remota, compellas. Datum Laterani Calendis Novembris, Pontificatus nostri Anno Decimo Sexto▪ Legatus vero cum hujusmodi authenticum à Domino Papa accepisset▪ factus de Rege Tyrannus, spreto Archiepiscopi et Episcoporum Regni consilio, ●um Clericis Regis et Ministris ad vacantes accedens Ecclesias, ordinationes earum, secundum antiquum Angliae abusum, de personis minus idoneis celebrare praesumpsit. Nonnullos vero diversi ordinis, pro gravamine manifesto ad audientiam summi Pontificis appellantes, sed suspensos ad Curiam Romanam destinavit. Quibus adeo se inhumanum exhibuit, quod de rebus propriis, nec quidem denarium unum ad expensas itineris portare permisit. Parochiales insuper Ecclesias in locis diversis vacantes, Clericis suis distribuit, Patronorum consensu minine requisito. Vnde multorum indignationem, et multorum maledictionem pro benedictione promeruit: dum justiciam in injuriam, judicium in praejudicium commutavit. This was the very original of Pope's Provisions, and disposals of Bishoprics, Abbeys, with all sorts of spiritual Promotions and Benefices in England, ( * Here p. 234, to 239. formerly attempted▪ resisted, but not obtained till now) no Pope presuming to confer any Bishopric, Benefice, or Prebendary, in * Mat. Paris, Additamenta, 135. Sir Roger Twisdens Historical Vindication, p. 59 France or England, Usque ad tempora Domini Innocentii ●. qui primus assumpsit sibi jus istud in tempore suo; as the French Agent remonstrated to Pope Innocent the 4th. These Provisions after this Legate had thus once introduced with an high Tyrannical power, by pretext of Pope Innocents' Bull▪ soon over-flowed the whole Church of England (and France too) like a general deluge, for many succeeding ages, notwithstanding all oppositions and bootless complaints against them. Which the Archbishop & Bishops foreseeing, (though the chief instruments to dethrone their lawful indulgent King, and set up these Romish Tyrants in his Throne) to obviate this intolerable Papal innovation, and crush this Crocodile in the shell, perceiving withal the Legate more ready to gratify the King and his Clerks in the disposal of Bishoprics & Ecclesiastical preferments, than themselves or their Confederates, meeting together at Dunstaple, drew up an Appeal against his proceedings, which he slighting, and sending to Rome by Pandulphus, together with K. John's Charter, so highly magnified the King, and made such complaints to the Pope against the Archbishop and Bishops, as frustrated their Appeal; witness this relation. DEinde post octavas Epiphaniae convenerunt apud Dunestapliam Stephanus Cantuariensis An Dom. 1214 Mat. Paris Hist. Angl. p. 238. Archiepiscopus, cum suis Suffraganeis, ut de negotiis Ecclesiae Anglicanae tractarent ibidem. Molestè enim supra modum ferebant, quod Legatus supradictus, ut praediximus, illis inconsultis, Regiis favens voluntatibus, in Ecclesiis vacantibus Praelatos minus sufficientes posuerat, intrusione magis quam electione Canonica. Tandem cum hinc inde varia sorte tractassent, Archiepiscopus Cantuariensis duos Clericos, apud Burtonam super flumen Trente, ubi tunc Legatus erat, misit, qui eidem ex parte Domini Cantuariensis interposita appellatione prohibuerunt, ne contra dignitatem suam, ad quam ordinatio Ecclesiarum suae Diocaesis de jure spectabat, Praelatos in Ecclesiis vacantibus instituere praesumeret. Legatus autem appellationi factae non deferens, misit assensu Regio Pand●lphum jam saepe dictum, ad Curiam Romanam, ut Archiepiscopi et Episcoporum propositum irritaret. Quo cum pervenisset, famam Archiepiscopi Cantuariensis in conspectu summi Pontificis non mediocriter denigravit: Regemque Anglorum tantis ibidem extulit laudum praeconiis; asserens se Regem tam humilem tamque modestum eatenus non vidisse, ut in oculis Domini Papae idem Rex gratiam admirabilem obtineret. Restitit autem Pandulpho ibidem Magister Simon de Nota. Langetuna, frater Archiepiscopi Cantuariensis. Sed quoniam Charta Regis auro Bullata, Domino Papae de subjectione et Tributo Regni Angliae et Hyberniae a praedicto Pandulpho nuper delata fuerat, Magister Simon in suis contradictionibus non potuit exaudiri. Asserebat praeterea Pandulphus memoratus, in praesentia Domini Papae, Archiepiscopum et Episcopos in exactione, et ablatorum restitutione tempore Interdicti, nimis esse rigidos et avaros, quodque ipsum Regem et Regni Libertates plus aequo deprimebant. Et sic propositum Archiepiscopi & Episcoporum ad tempus accepit dilationem. A just reward for their former compliances with the Pope, against their most humble and modest King, thus highly applauded by Pandulphus, though most untruly aspersed by the Bishops and our Monkish Historians. Upon Pandulphus his information of the extraordinary covetousness and unreasonableness of the Bishops, touching the King's satisfaction of all their particular damages, beyond the rates of Justice or Conscience, before the Interdict released; and at the earnest solicitation of the King's Ambassadors and Procurators, sent to the Pope to reduce the Bishop's damages to certainty; and the King's caution both by his Oath and Patent to pay them, that so the Interdict might be released: The Pope upon hearing all parties, made this agreement between them▪ which he sent to his Legate, with orders to release the Interdict, the more to ingratiate himself with the King, Nobles, and Commons of the Realm, now become his Vassals. Clirca dies istos Papa Innocentius, Nicholas Thusculanensi Episcopo, pro relaxatione An. Dom. 1214 Claus. 16 Johannis Regis, pars 1. memb. 2. dorso. The Clause Roll differs in some particulars from the print in Matthew Paris. Interdicti, scripsit in haec verba. INNOCENTIUS Episcopus, etc. Venerabilis frater noster Johannes Norwicensis Mat. Paris Hist Angl. p. 239. Episcopus, & dilectus filius noster Robertus de Marisco, Archidiaconus Northanhumbriae, & Nobiles viri Thomas de Hundint●na, & Adam Nuncii, Charissimi in Christo filii nostri Johannis Regis Angliae Illustris, ex una parte, necnon Magister Stephanus de Langetuna, A. & G. Clerici, Nuncii Venerabilis fratris nostri Stephani Cantuariensis Archiepiscopi, ex altera parte, nuper in praesentia nostra constituti, asseruere concorditer & constanter, quod pro vitando grandium rerum dispendio, et gravi periculo animarum, expediebat quam plurimum, tam Regno, quam Sacerdotio, ut sine dilatione relaxetur sententia Interdicti. Vnde nos pro affectu paterno, sollicite in Anglia intendentes ad salutem et utilitatem communem, super his quae pacis sunt, tunc inde cum illis tractavimus diligenter, et tandem ipsis adquiescentibus, formam invenimus et statuimus infra scriptam: Sane praefatus Rex tantam pecuniam * Hiis quibus facta est restitutio in manus fecerit assignari. So the Clause R●●● Archiepiscopo Cantuariensi, Londinensi et Eliensi Episcopis, vel aliis quos ad hoc assignare voluerint, faciat assignari: computatis his quae idem Rex noscitur persolvisse, quod summa Quadraginta Millia Marcarum implerit. Quibus * Solutis. solitis, & cautione praestita inferius annotata, protinus sublato cujuslibet conditionis et appellationis obstaculo, relaxes sententiam Interdicti. Ac deinde singulis Annis, duodecim Millia Marcarum, in duobus terminis, in Commemoratione videlicet omnium Sanctorum, sex Millia Marcarum, & totidem in Festo Dominicae Ascensionis, apud Ecclesiam Sancti Pauli Londinensis eisdem faciat exhiberi, donec tota summa fuerit persoluta: * Omitted in Mat. Paris. Quae nobis Taxarint per Inquisitionem & mandato nostro perinde faciendam: Et ad hoc fideliter exequendum obligavit se * idem se. ipsum, ipse Rex per proprium juramentum, et per Literas Patentes, suo sigillo * munitas. communitas, necnon pex fide jussionem Wintoniensis et Norwicensis Episc. * Cestriae & Wintoniae, Comitum▪ Cestriensis, et Wintoniensis Episc. et Willielmi Mareschalli, Comitum, ita quod tam Haeredes ipsius Regis, quam successores eorum tenebuntur astricti. Quocirca nostra per Apostolica tibi scripta praecipiend● mandamus, quatenus secundum formam praescriptam procedere non postponas, nisi de mera & libera voluntate partes aliter duxerint componendum. Datum Laterani. The Charter Roll thus differs from Matthew Paris: Cestriae & Wintoniae Comitum, & W. Briwere, & W. Marr. Com. de Pembrock, si in Anglia fuerit, & Com. de Ferrariis, vel de Arundel. Et si absens fuerit dictus Marr. ita quod tam Haeredes ipsius Regis, quam successores eorum pari obligatione tenebuntur astricti. Quocirca mandamus quatenus secundum praescriptam formam procedere non postponas, nisi forte in aliam formam partes convenerint de mera & libera voluntate. Et si quid fuerit attemptatum circa personam dicti Regis occasione Juramenti praestiti Archiepiscopo ab eodem Rege in Pasch. praeter formam mandati nostri, acceptata forma ista denuncies illud penitus non valere. The King receiving from his Agents the Pope's Letters and Agreement touching the release of the Interdict, whiles he was demolishing the Castle of Melesin in France, which he had newly taken, dispatched Letters to William Earl Martial, all the Barons, Knights, and Subjects of England in general, and to several Corporations in special, to inform them thereof, and to give their uttermost assistance for the speedy discharge of the Interdict, which had so long continued on the whole Realm, which I shall here insert out of the Records, being not extant in our Historians. REX dilecto & fideli suo W. Comiti Maresc. salutem. Sciatis quod sani Dei Claus. 15 Joh. Regis, pars 1. m. 1. dorso. gratia & incolumes apud Rupellam, applicuimus die Sabbati proxima, etc. Dum adhuc moram fecissemus circa Castrum illud funditus prosternendum, venit ad nos a Curia Romana Willielmus de Sancto Andreno, afferens nobis Literas Domini Papae de forma Interdicti relaxandi in Anglia, quas Venerabili Patri nostro Domino P. Wintoniensi Episcopo destinavimus, unde vobis mandamus rogantes, quatenus ad negotium illud exequendum ad honorem Dei & nostrum & vestrum, consilium & auxilium efficax impendatis, & faciatis super negotio isto quod Dominus Wintoniensis Episcopus, Justiciarius noster vobis dicet, ad fidem et commodum nostrum, ut honorem inde habeamus et Regni nostri status in melius commutetur, unde merito vobis ad perpetuas teneamur gratiarum actiones. Teste meipso apud Rupellam, Octavo die Martii. Eodem modo scribitur omnibus Comitibus, Baronibus, & Magnatibus Angliae. Data eadem. REX Baronibus, Militibus, & omnibus fidelibus suis totius Angliae, salutem. Pat. 15 Johan. Regis, pars 1. m. 9 intus. Sciatis quod die Martis proxima ante mediam quadragesimam suscepimus Literas Domini Papae in partibus Pictaviae de forma relaxationis Interdicti Angliae, quas destinavimus Venerabili Patri Domino P. Wintoniensi Episcopo, Justiciario nostro: Et vos rogamus attentius tanquam dilectos & fideles nostros, de quorum dilectione & fidelitate plene confidimus, quatenus secundum quod idem Episcopus vobis dicet, consilium et auxilium vestrum ad honorem nostrum et vestrum, et statum Regni nostri in melius commutandum efficaciter super hoc apponatis, ut vobis inde ad uberes teneamur gratiarum actiones, & ut dilectio quam hactenus erga nos habuistis in hoc merito debeat commendari. Vnicuique vestrum si fieri posset Literas nostras super hoc transmissemus, sed ut negotium istud quod & nobis & vobis ad commodum cedet & honorem, cum majori expediretur festinatione, has Literas nostras Patentes vobis omnibus decrevimus destinare. Teste meipso apud Rupellam, Sexto die Martii, Anno Regni nostri Decimo Quinto. REX probis hominibus suis Cantuariae salutem. Sciatis nos & fideles nostros Pat. 15 Johan. Regis, m. 9 quos nobiscum adduximus, in Pictavia sanos esse & incolumes, etc. Recepimus & ibi suscepimus per manum fratris Willielmi de Sancto Andreno, Liter as Domini Papae de forma relaxationis Interdicti in Anglia, quas destinavimus Venerabili Patri nostro Domino P. Wintoniensi Episcopo, Justiciario nostro. Et vos rogamus attentius quatenus secundum quod idem Episcopus vobis scire faciet ad Interdictum illud relaxandum, in praestito nobis subsidium efficaciter impendatis, ita quod dilectionem vestram merito commendare debeamus; scituri quod praestitum quod nobis ad hoc feceritis plenè vobis reddi faciemus cum gratiarum actione. Et in hujus rei, etc. Vobis mittimus. Eodem modo scribitur Majori & Baron. London. Majori & probis hominibus Wintoniae, probis hominibus Northamptonae, Linc. Eborac. Oxon. Glouc. Hereford. Exon. Wigorniae, Cantabridgiae, Hunting. Bristol. Norwic. Data eadem. Eodem etiam modo scribitur Burgis & Dominicis Domini Regis. Teste eodem. By virtue of these Writs and Commissions the Legate and Nobles proceeded in this business during the King's absence, and brought it to effect, which Matthew Paris thus relates. TEmpore vero, quo Nicolaus Tusculanensis Episcopus & Apostilicae sedis Legatus, Anno Dom. 1214. Mat. Paris, Histor. Angl. p: 239. Mat. Westm. Anno 1214. per nuncios memoratos Domini Papae, authenticum acceperat, Rex Anglorum eratin partibus transmarinis. Sed quoniam idem Rex in recessu suo ab Angliae Legato jam dicto, & Willielmo Maraschallo, vices suas in hoc negotio commisserat, idem Legatus, in Urbe Londinensi Apud sanctum Paulum grande congregavit Concilium: Ubi congregatis Archiepiscopis, Episcopis, Abbatibus, Prioribus, Comitibus, Baronibus, & aliis ad hoc negotium Interdicti spectantibus, proposuit coram omnibus formam restitutionis super ablatis, & damnis a domino Papa partibus consentientibus Romae provisum, praecipiens constanter, ut certificaretur de quantitate solutae pecuniae Episcopis & aliis quibuslibet, a Ministris Regis causa Interdicti, quatenus per pecuniam solutam sciret quantum unicuique ad solvendum restaret. Probatum est igitur ibidem certa computatione, Archiepiscopum & Monachos Cantuarienses, simul cum Londinensi, Elyensi, Herefordensi, Bathoniensi, Lincolniensi, antequam ab exilio in Angliam redirent, per manum Pandulphi Duodecim Millia Marcarum Legalium Esterlingorum accepisse. Post adventum quoque eorum in Concilio Septimo Idus Decembris apud Radingum celebrato, quindecim Millia Marcarum, iidem Episcopi cum Monachis supradictis, inter se dividenda perceperunt, ita quod tota Summa simul conjuncta Viginti septem millium marcarum, quae ad supplementum Quadraginta Millium Marcarum praedictorum solven da restant sub fide jussione Wintoniensis & Norwicensis Episcoporum remanserunt, Additis Literis Regis Patentibus, ad majorem securitatem, juxta quod in Literis Domini Papae continebatur expressum. HIS ita gestis Nicholaus Thusculanensis Episcopus, & Apostolicae sedis Legatus, * Mat. Paris, p. 240. in die Apostolorum beati Petri & Pauli in Ecclesia Cathedrali relaxavit sententiam solenniter Interdicti, postquam duraverat annis sex, mensibus tribus, et diebus quatuordecim, ad Irrestaurabile damnum Ecclesiae, tam in temporalibus quam in spiritualibus. Qua relaxatione facta gaudium per totam terram pulsando, et hymno Te Deum Laudamus cantando, exortum est. And were not the Pope and English Bishops most Atheistically Impious, who continued this Interdict on the whole Church and Realm, so many years, months, days together, to God's disservice, Religion's scandal, the prejudice of the people's souls, and irreparable damage of the Church both in spirituals and temporals, out of mere ambition, pride, avarice, Rebellion, obstinacy and usurpation? The King (as a reward for this service, as I conjecture) bestowed the custody of the rich Abbey of St. edmond's upon this Legate, by these his Letters Patents. REX omnibus Vicicomitebus, ballivis, & fidelibus suis, etc. Mandamus vobis Pat. 15. Johan. Reg. Par. prima. m 5. intus. quod manuteneatis, protegatis & defendatis Abbatiam Sancti Edmundi, & homines, terras, res, & omnes possessiones ejus, nec eam vel bona ipsius in aliquo molestare praesumatis, quamdiu fuerit in manu venerabilis patris nostri Domini N. Thusculanensis Episcopi, Apostolicae sedis Legati, cui eandem Abbaciam commisimus custodiendam quamdiu nobis placuerit, retentis nobis excaetis & donationibus Ecclesiarum vacantium. Et in hujus rei testimonium vobis fieri fecimus. Teste me ipso apud Clarendon. Vicesimo Quinto die Januarii Anno regni nostri Decimo Quinto. He likewise at this Legates petition, granted his safe conduct into, and in England to one of his Agents, so as she gave security to the King, that no mischief should happen to the King or his Realm, by her or by any other persons she should bring along with her. REX dilectae sibi Martil▪ de Curtenay, etc. Sciatis quod ad petitionem Domini Pat. 15. Johan. Reg. Par. 1. m. 7. intus. N. Thusculanensis Episcopi Apostolicae sedis Legati, licentiam vobis dedimus & salvum conductum nostrum in veniendo ad nos in Angliam, & in morando, & in rediendo. Ita quod securitatem nobis faciatis quod per vos aut per alios quos vobiscum addureritis nullum malum nobis vel regno nostro eveniet. Et in hujus rei Testimonium, etc. Teste meipso apud Oxon. Decimo Quinto die Novembris Anno regni nostri Decimo Quinto. King John having satisfied and secured the damages of the exiled Bishops and Monks before the Interdict released, according to his agreement, other Abbats, Priors, Clergymen and Laymen repaired to the Legate, craving full satisfaction too for their damages sustained, by the King's proceedings during the Interdict, though never insisted on before. RElaxato itaque (ut dictum est) Interdicto venerunt ad Legatum Abbates, Priores, Mat Paris. Hist. Angl p. 240. Templarii, Hospitillarii, Abbatissae, Moniales, Clerici & Laici, scilicet innumera multitudo petentes de damnis & injuriis Interdicti tempore sibi illatis, fieri restitutionem. Asserebant enim quod licet ab Anglia non exierint, remanserant tamen in continua Regis & ministrorum ejus persecutione corporum suorum, & rerum non indemni fatigatione: Legatus vero universae multitudini conquerenti ita respondit, quod videlicet de damnis eorum & injuriis in literis Domini Papae nulla mentio facta fuerat. Unde nec debuit, nec de jure potuit mandati Apostolici fines praeterire. Sed tamen consilium dedit, ut de injuriis & damnis coram Domino Papa querelam deponerent & peterent sibi Justitiae plenitudinem exhiberi. His igitur auditis Universitas illa conquerentium Praelatorum sine spe melioris proventus ad propria sunt reversi. The King in pursuance of his Agreement issued these two writs on behalf of the Archbishop of Canterbury, and Bishop of Lincoln, to restore them to the possession of their Temporaltes in the Cinqueports and other places. REX Custodibus Portuum ●●●●●ae Mandamus vobis quod habere faciatis Venerabili Claus. 15. Johan. Reg. par. 2. m. 5. intus. Patri nostro S 〈◊〉 Archiepiscopo talem seisinam Custodiae Portuum de Sandwich, & de H●th, & de Rumenel, qualem Praedecessor ejus quondam Cantuariensis Archiepiscopus ●nde habuit die quo obiit. Teste meipso apud Novum Templum London, ●●r●io die Octobris. REX Vicecomiti Nottingham, etc. Praecipimus tibi quod diligenter inquiri facias Claus. 15. Johan. par. 2. m. 5. intus. si aliqui in feod. Venerabilis Patris nostri, H. Lincolniensis Episcopi, vel in feodo Ecclesiae suae absque assensu et voluntate ipsius vel ex empto, vel ex vadio, vel alio modo se miserint. Et siquos tales inveneritis, illos a feodo illo amoveas, & praedicto Episcopo feodum ill●d in bona pace habere facias. Volumus etiam quod si qua certa tenementa vel feoda sua post inchoatam discordiam ad detrimentum ipsius Episcopi vel suorum immutata inveneneritis, ei sine dilatione emendari fac. Teste meipso apud Porcest. Decimo Septimo die Julii Anno Decimo Quinto. You have heard how this Archbishop and his Suffragans were restored to their Bishoprics, and all damages sustained out of the King's Coffers, and otherwise rewarded for their unparallelled Treasons and Rebellions against King John. Yet on the contrary, all the Bishops and Clergy men who faithfully adhered to, complied or communicated with him, or any other excommunicated person, or received any Benefices from them during the Interdict and Excommunication, were by these Traitorous Prelates (made their Judges) and Popes censures, ordered to be suspended from all their Ecclesiastical Offices, Benefices, Preferments, and ordered to appear personally at Rome, before the Pope to be examined, ere their suspensions released, except only such as had given satisfaction to the Church for this offence, as this Record attests, mitigating this rigour in some part only. N. Tusculanensi Episcopo, Apostolicae sedis Legato. Olim (prout bene meminimus) Charta 16 Johannis Regis, m. 8. intus. Venerabilibus fratribus S. Cantuariensi Archiepiscopo, Sanctae Romanae Ecclesiae Cardinali, W. London. E. Elyensi, E. Herefordensi, & H. Lincolniensi Episcopis, nostris dedimus Literis in mandatis, ut viros Eeclesiasticos qui Charissimo in Christo filio I. Regi Angliae Illustri, tunc excommunicationis vinculo innodato, Ministerium, consilium vel auxilium praestiterunt, in hiis quae sunt contra Justitiam et libertatem Ecclesiasticam attemptata: Illos quoque qui ab eodem Rege post excommunicationem, vel ab aliis excommunicatis scienter per collationem vel praesentationem Ecclesiastica beneficia sunt adepti, et similiter eos qui ob causas excommunicati praedictas, excommunicationis suae tempore beneficia contulere, similiter Clericos et viros Religiosos qui publice communicaverunt praefato Regi, et aliis exc●ommunicatis Authoritate Apostolica nominatim in Casibus non concessis, ab officiis et beneficiis Ecclesiasticis suspenderent, donec se Apostolicae conspectui praesentarent, cum suarum testimonio literarum plenam et meram continentium veritatem. Illis duntaxat exceptis qui per satisfactionem condignam ad mandatum Ecclesiae redierunt. (This was the first sentence denounced against them, which because it now seemed too severe and burdensome, was thus qualified.) Quia vero divina gratia inspirante idem Rex ad mandatum Ecclesiae rediit, propter quod ejus meruit gratiam & favorem, et nimis onerosum esset ac durum ut tanta Clericorum multitudo, praesertim cum quidam illorum minus, quidam vero gravius in praemissis deliquisse noscantur, ad nostram praesentiam elaboret. Mandamus quatenus cum eis quos minus excessisse constiterit, misericorditer agas, prout pensatis undique circumstantiis videris expedire. How mercifully these Ecclesiastical persons were dealt with for their Loyalty to the King, is evident by the * Here, p. 257, 258, 259. forementioned proceedings against the White Monks, but especially against Alexander Cementarius, (enforced to beg his bread) who had many other fellow sufferers in a very high degree, instead of being advanced, rewarded, or at least indemnified, for their fidelity to their Sovereign. * Mat. Paris, Hist. Angl. p. 240. Illis diebus, per praedictum Legatum depositus est Radulphus de Arundel, Abbas Westmonasteriensis in crastino Sancti Vincentii per N. Abbatem de Wastham, missum ex parte Legati; fracto ipsius sigillo in capitulo. Cujus loco substitutus est Willielmum de Humes; Prior Frontoniae Monachus Cadonensis; by this Legates usurped power, who played the part of a Pope as well as King in England. The turbulent, traitorous Archbishop after the Interdict released, out of malice and discontent, stirred up the Barons to a new insurrection against the King about their Liberties, the groundwork whereof he had laid the year before; in pursuance of which, * Mat. Paris, Hist. Angl. p. 243. Convenerunt ad colloquium apud Sanctum Edmundum Comites & Barones Angliae, quasi orationis gratia, licet in causa aliud fuisset. Nam cum diu & secretius tractare coepissent, producta est in medium Charta quaedam Henrici Regis primi, quam iidem Barones à Stephano Archiepiscopo (ut praedictum est) in Urbe Londoniarum acceperant. Continebat autem ●harta quasdam Libertates, & Leges Regis Edwardi Sancti, Ecclesiae Anglicanae pariter & Magnatibus Regni concessas, exceptis quibusdam Libertatibus quas idem Rex de suo adjecit. Itaque convenerunt Vniversi ad Ecclesiam Sancti Edmundi, & incipientibus Majoribus, juraverunt super majus altare, quod si Rex Leges et Libertates jam dictas concedere diffugeret, ipsi ei guerram tam diu moverent et ab ejus fidelitate se subtraherent, donec eis per Chartam sigillo suo munitam confirmaret omnia quae petebant. Atque in hoc tandem, communiter consenserunt, ut post natale Domini simul omnes ad Regem venientes, Libertates praescriptas sibi peterent confirmari. Atque interim in equis sibi et Armis taliter providerent quod si forte Rex a proprio vellet juramento, quod bene credebant, resilire propter suam duplicitatem, ipsi protinus per captionem Castrorum suorum, eum ad satisfactionem compellerent. Et his ita gestis unusquisque ad propria remeavit. * Mat. Paris, Hist. Angl. p. 143, 144, to 254. Speeds History, p. 581, 582. Roger de Wendover. Holinshed, Grafton, Daniel. After the Nativity, Anno 1215. they all coming to the King, demanded the Anno 1215. confirmation of this Charter, who craved time to advise thereon till after Easter, being a great and difficult matter, highly concerning both himself and his Crown; the Archbishop and two more becoming his sureties, that then he should give satisfaction to all of them. The Barons against the time, rather preparing themselves for a Battle, than Conference with the King, assembled together at Stamford, with an Army inestimable for number, having Archbishop Stephen their principal Abettor and Conspirer, who yet seemed to side with the King, and was most assiduous about him: The Barons marching as far as Brackly, the King sent the Archbishop to treat with them, who brought back a Schedule of their claimed Liberties, with this Message; That if he presently confirmed them not to them by his Charter, they would force him to it, by seizing all his Castles and Possessions. Whereupon the King replied, Why do they not also demand the Kingdom; swearing never to enslave himself to such a concession? The Archbishop returning with this peremptory answer, the Barons forthwith seized Bedford Castle, and were admitted into London, the Citizens siding with them: whereupon the King appointed to treat with them at Running-meed, whither the Barons came with armed multitudes from all parts of the Realm; where after some parley, the King granted them their utmost desires, not only for their Liberties specified in Magna Charta, and Charta Forestae, which he then sealed, and by his Writs commanded to be put in due execution, but also that 25. Peers elected by them (to whom all were sworn to obey) should force the King to observe these Charters, if ever he receded from them, by seizing all his Castles, * Mat. Paris, Hist. Angl. p. 252. Juratum est etiam a parte Regis; Quod Anglicana Ecclesia Libera sit, & quod omnes homines de Regno nostro habeant & teneant omnes Libertates praefatas, jura & consuetudines benè & in pace, liberè & quietè, plenè & integrè, sibi & haeredibus suis, de nobis & haeredibus nostris, in omnibus rebus & locis in perpetuum: Et quod omnia supradicta, bona fide & sine malo ingenio, observabimus. All the Barons and Commons of the Realm then and afterwards taking the same Oath. The Archbishop and Barons thrust into this new Charter many Articles, Clauses for their own, the Churches, and Pope's advantage, not extant in the Charter of King Henry the 1. For whereas the first branch of his Charter runs thus: * Mat. Paris, Hist. Angl. p. 230, 231. Sanctam Dei Ecclesiam liberam facio: Ita quod nec eam vendam, nec ad firmam ponam, nec mortuo Archiepiscopo, vel Episcopo, vel Abbate, aliquid accipiam de dominio Ecclesiae, vel de hominibus, donec successor in eam ingrediatur. This clause is thus altered and enlarged in King John's Charter: * Mat. Paris, Hist. Angl. p. 246. In primis concessisse Deo, et hac praesenti Charta nostra confirmasse pro nobis et haeredibus nostris in perpetuum, quod Anglicana Ecclesia libera sit, et habeat jura sua integra, suas et libertates illaesas, et ita volumus observari, quod apparet ex eo, quod libertatem electionum quae maxima et magis necessaria reputatur Ecclesiae Anglicanae, mera et spontanea voluntate, ante discordiam inter nos et Barones nostros manifeste motam, concessimus, et Charta nostra confirmavimus, et eam obtinuimus a Domino Papa Innocentio Papa tertio, confirmari: quam et nos observabimus, et ab haeredibus nostris in perpetuum bona fide volumus observari. By which Clause the Archbishop and Bishops cunningly obtained and wrested a new Charter from the King, concerning the freedom of Elections to Bishoprics and Abbeys, (never insisted on before) to deprive the King of his ancient Right and Prerogative of recommending such as he though fit and faithful to him and the Kingdom thereunto, as right Patron of them. And whereas no Archbishop, Bishop, Abbot, Clerk, or Religious person could go out of the Realm, or repair to Rome, or to the Pope upon any occasion or Appeal, without the King's special licence first obtained, nor return without it in cases of contempt; they inserted this Article into this Charter: * Mat. Paris, Hist. Angl. p. 249. Liceat unicuique de caetero exire de Regno nostro, et redire salvo et secure per terram et per aquam, salva fide nostra; nisi in tempore guerrae per aliquod breve tempus, propter communem utilitatem Regni; exceptis Imprisonatis et Utlagatis, secundum Legem Regni, et gente contra nos guerrina et Mercatoribus. By which they obtained liberty to depart the Realm, and repair to the Pope or Court of Rome, to all foreign Monasteries, Councils, and to return again freely at their pleasure, to the great prejudice of the King, Kingdom, and enlargement of the Pope's usurped power and encroachments on the Crown. They likewise inserted for the Clergies advantage: * Mat. Paris, Hist. Angl. p. 248. Nulla Ecclesiastica persona amercietur secundum quantitatem beneficii sui, sed secundum Laicum tenementum suum, (of which they had seldom any) & secundum quantitatem delicti. Moreover the Archbishop and Clergy would not be satisfied with this Great Charter, thus ratified and sworn unto by the King, without another special Charter to themselves concerning the freedom of Elections, which the King himself must not only confirm and seal, but the Pope too: * Mat. Paris, Hist. Angl. p. 252, 253. Concessit insuper eodem Anno Rex Johannes, ut pronius corda Praelatorum et Magnatum sibi conciliaret, liberas in omnibus Ecclesiae Angliae electiones. Et procuraverunt tam ipse Rex, quam Magnates et Praelati, ut illa sua similiter hac Charta et concessio, A PAPA CONFIRMARETUR, (an Innovation not formerly usual, much advancing, countenancing the Pope's usurped power above the Crown, as if his ratification were more valid than the King's Charter under his Great Seal) unde ad maiorem securitatem, Regalis▪ Charta in Papali confirmatione inseritur Bullata. Volens autem Rex Johannes ad maiorem securitatem et robur diuturnitatis haec inviolabiliter observari; (as if the Pope's Bull were then more valid and perpetual than his own Charters) misit ad Dominum Papam Innocentium: rogans constanter, ut huic piae concessioni et confirmationi suae favorem dignaretur exhibere, et eandem Bullae munimine confirmare. Quae quia jam factus fuit obsequens Papae vassallus (an honourable Title for a King of England) et Rex Apostolicus, meruit quae petiit citius impetrare sub hac forma. INNOCENTIUS Episcopus, etc. Venerabilibus fratribus & dilectis filiis universis Ecclesiarum Praelatis per Angliam constitutis, salutem & Apostolicam Benedictionem. Dignis laudibus attollimus magnificentiam creatoris, postquam idem, qui est mirabilis & terribilis in consiliis super filios hominum, aliquamdiu tolleravit ut per flando discurret per Areolam horti sui spem tempestatis quasi ludens, taliter in orbe terrarum, ut sic ostenderet infirmitatem & insufficientiam nobis, statim cum voluit, dixit & Aquiloni, da, & Austro, noli prohibere, imperansque ventis per mare, statuit procellam in aura, ut nautae portum inveniant praeoptatum. Cumque enim inter Regnum et Sacerdotium Anglicanum, non sine magno periculo atque damno, super electionibus Praelatorum gravis fuerit controversia diutius agitata; illo tandem, cui nihil impossibile est, quique ubi vult spirat mirabiliter operante, Charissimus Iohannes Rex Anglorum illustris, liberaliter ex mera et spontanea voluntate, (Therefore an Act of grace, though forced, not of right, duty to the Bishops and Church) de consensu communi Baronum suorum, pro salute animae suae, et praedecessorum suorum et successorum, nobis concessit, et suis Literis confirmavit: ut de caetero in universis et singulis Ecclesiis ac Monasteriis, Cathedralibus et Conventualibus totius Regni Angliae, in perpetuum liberae fiant electiones quorumcumque Praelatorum, majorum et etiam minorum. Nos igitur hoc gratum et ratum habentes, concessionem hujusmodi vobis et per vos Ecclesiis et successoribus vestris, prout in eisdem Literis Regis perspe●imus contineri, authoritate Apostolica confirmamus, et praesentis scripti patrocinio communimus. Ad majorem autem firmitatem, et perpetuam memoriam hujus rei, praefatas Regis Literas super hoc confectas, praesentibus misceri fecimus, quarum tenor talis est. JOHANNES Dei gratia Rex Angliae, Dominus Hiberniae, Dux Normaniae & Anno 1215. * Mat. Paris, Hist. Angl. ●▪ 253. Aquitaniae, Comes Andegavensis, Archiepiscopis, Episcopis, Comitibus, Baronibus, Militibus, Ballivis & omnibus has literas visuris salutem. Quoniam inter nos et venerabiles patres nostros Stephanum Cantuariensem, totius Angliae Primatem et sanctae Ecclesiae Romanae Cardinalem, Willielmum Londinensem, E. Elyensem, E. Herefordensem, johannem Bathoniensem et Glastonensem, et Hubertum Lincolniensem Episcopos super damnis et ablatis eorum tempore interterdicti, per Dei gratiam de mera et libera voluntate utriusque partis plene convenit; volumus non solum eis quantum secundum Deum possumus satisfacere, verum etiam toti Ecclesiae Anglicanae salubriter et utiliter in perpettum providere. Ind est quod qualiscunque liscunque consuetudo temporibus et praedecessorum nostrorum hactenus in Ecclesia Anglicana fuerit observata, et quidquid Juris nobis hactenus vendicaverimus, de caetero in universis et singulis Ecclesiis et Monasteriis, Cathedralibus et Conventualibus, totius Regni Angliae, liberae sint in perpetuum, electiones quorumcunque Praelatorum, Majorum et minorum: salva nobis et Haeredibus nostris Custodia Ecclesiarum et Monasteriorum vacantium, quae ad nos pertinent. Promittimus etiam, quod nec impedire permittemus, per nostros, nec procurabimus, quin in universis et singulis Monasteriis et Ecclesiis postquam vacaverint praelaturae, quemcumque voluerint libere sibi praeficient electores Pastorem; petita tamen a nobis prius et Haeredibus nostris licentia eligendi; quam non denegabimus nec differremus. Et si forte accidat quod denegaremus, vel differremus; nihilominnus procedant electores ad electionem Canonicam faciendam. Et similiter post celebratam electionem noster requiratur assensus, quem non denegabimus nisi adversus eandem rationale proposuerimus, et legitime probaverimus propter quod non debemus consentire. Quare volumus et firmiter jubemus, ne quis vacantibus Ecclesiis vel Monasteriis, contra hanc nostram concessionem et constitution em in aliquo veniat vel venire praesumat. Si quis vero contra hoc aliquo tempore veniat, maledictionem Dei omnipotentis et nostram incurrat. His Testibus P. Wintoniensi Episcopo, W. Mareschallo, Comite Penbrock, Willielmo Comite Warrenniae, R. Comite Cestriae, S. Comite Wintoniensi, G. de Mandevilla Comite Gloverniae & Essexiae, W. Comite de Ferrariis, G. Briwere, W. filio Geraldi, W. de Cantelupo, H. de Novilla, Robertus de Wer, W. de Huntinfeild. Datum per manum Magistri Roberti de Marisco Cancellarii nostri, decimo quinto die Januarii, apud novum Templum Londini; Anno Regni nostri decimo sexto. Nulli ergo omnino homini liceat hanc paginam nostrae confirmationis infringere, vel ei ausu temerario contraire. Si quis autem hoc attentare praesumpserit, indignationem omnipotentis Dei, et beatorum Petri et Pauli Apostolorum ejus, se noverit incursurum. Datum Laterani, Tertio Calendas Aprilis; Pontificatus nostri Anno Decimo Octavo. That this Charter was originally contrived as well as promoted by the Archbishop, is evident by this Record. REX S. Cantuariensi Archiepiscopo, etc. Noverit sanctitas vestra quod grata Charta 16 Johannis Regis, part 2. m. 3. intus. est nobis, & accepta forma nobis nota de Electionibus faciendis, Salvo in omnibus Jure nostro. Dimittemus autem post nos Venerabilem Patrem nostrum P. Wintomensem Episcopum, una cum aliis fidelibus nostris quos deputabimus & potentes faciemus ad assensum nostrum praestandum in huiusmodi Electionibus salva dignitate nostra. Sciatis etiam quod nulla inter nos est controversia. Teste me ipso apud Turrim London. Duodecimo die Jun. This Charter (though it saved this part of the King's Prerogative, to petition him and his Heirs for licenses to elect & for his assent) gave a great wound to his Ecclesiastical Supremacy, and made all Chapters, Covents, Bishops, Monks, yea Popes and their Agents to slight his Regal Authority, and licenses too, insomuch that he could prefer no person to any Bishopric, Monastery, or Elective Dignity, but whom the Electors pleased to make choice of; and if he recommended any to them, though never so fit, and with great importunity, courtship, and submission to every Chapter or Covent, yet they to show their pride, power; and preserve their freedom in Elections, would seldom elect any whom our Kings recommended, unless upon some special reasons for their own emolument. The Archbishop besides this general Charter, obtained from the King this special Charter to him and his successors, of the Advowson, custody, disposition of the Bishopric and Temporalties of Rochester, during the vacancy, and that they should restore the Bishop of Rochester his Regalia, and receive Fealty from him as Patron of this Bishopric, without his regal assent before or after the election, reserving only a Fealty from the Bishop of Rochester, as to his Prince, but not for his Lands▪ whereby he created the Archbishop a petty King, and in some sort unkinged himself as to this Bishopric, giving away all the services due to him and his Heirs out of it; to the Archbishop and his successors, to reclaim him from his Treachery and Rebellion by this transcendent favour, which he presently turned into treachery. JOHANNES Dei gratia Rex Angliae, etc. Archiepiscopis, etc. Sciatis nos Carta. 16 Johannis Regis▪ m. 6. intus in cedula. pro saluto animae nostrae, & antecessorum, & successorum nostrorum Regum Angliae, de communi consilio Episcoporum, Comitum, Baronum, & aliorum fidelium nostrorum reddidisse & concessisse Deo & Ecclesiae Christi Cantuar. & Venerabili Patri nostro S. Cantuariensi Archiepiscopo, totius Angliae Primati, & Sanctae Romanae Ecclesiae Cardinali, Patronatum Ecclesiae Episcopatus Roffensis, cum omnibus pertinentiis, dignitatibus, libertatibus, & liberis consuetudinibus suis; Ita quod vacante illa sede Episcopali custodiam, et ordinationem illius Ecclesiae, idem Archiepiscopus et successores sui habeant libere et pacifice in perpetuum ut Patroni. Ita quod in Ordinatione illius Ecclesiae de Episcopo et Episcopi electione, nec ante, nec post electionem Episcopi (marcke it) Regius requiretur assensus, set totum ad Archiepiscopum quicunque fuerit pertinebit. Episcopus autem vel electus loci illius temporalia quae prius vocabantur Regalia, de manu praedicti Archiepiscopi et successorum suorum plenarie recipiet, et fidelitatem ei faciet de feodis pertinentibus ad Ecclesiam illam Episcopalem tanquam Patrono ejusdem Episcopatus: servitia autem quae nobis inde et Heraedibus nostris debentur, Episcopus, qui pro tempore ibi fuerit facerit predicto Archiepiscopo & successoribus suis in perpetuum tanquam Dominis et Patronis, et ipse Archiepiscopus et successores sui eadem servitia per manus suas nobis et successoribus nostris facient. Faciet quoque Episcopus Roffensis nobis et Heredibus nostris fidelitatem tanquam Principi, set non propter feodum. Quare volumus et firmiter precipimus, quod predictus Archiepiscopus et successores sui predictum Patronatum Episcopatus Roffensis cum custodia et ordinatione ejusdem, cum vacaverit, habeant et teneant libere et quiete, pacifice, integre, et plenarie, cum omnibus pertinentiis dignitatibus, Libertatibus, et liberis consuetudinibus imperpetuum sicut praedictum est. Prohibemus autem ex parte Dei omnipotentis, et Beatae Mariae, et omnium Sanctorum, et nostra, ne quis contra hanc piam et liberalem redditionem et concessionem nostram venire praesumat. Quod si quis fecerit maledictionem Dei et Beatae Petri, et omnium Sanctorum ac nostram incurrat. Testibus Dominis W. Londonensi, P. Wintoniensi, R. Elyensi, E. Herefordensi, J. Bathoniensi & Glast. H. Hunting. Episcopis, R. Comite Cestriae, W. Marr. Comite Pembroc, W. Comite Arundel, W. Comite Warren. W. Comite de Ferrariis, S. Comite Winton. W. Briwerr. Roberto filio Walteri, Galfrido de Mandevill, Richardo de Muntificher, Thoma de Erdington. Dat. per manum Magistri Richardi de Marisc. Cancellarii nostri, apud Novum Templum London. xxij. die Novembris, Anno Regni nostri Sexto Decimo. How well he requited the King, by betraying Rochester Castle to the Barons, soon after you shall * Here▪ p. 34● hear more. The Archbishop, Bishops, and Barons, having by treachery fraud, and force thus wrested all these Charters, and confirmations from King John, thereby in a manner totaly devested him of all his Ecclesiastical and Civil Royal authority in Church and state, deemed themselves, the Church and Kingdom in a most happy secure, flourishing, prosperous condition for the future; when God by his providence suddenly blasted all their hopes, by alienating the King's heart from them, and by making use even of the Pope's usurped power, interest in England, (which they were the principal instruments to promote to dethrone their Lawful King,) the instrument to scourge, excommunicate, punish, and revenge their Rebellions against the King, and null most of the Charters wrested from him, by his Bulls. For King John with drawing and obscuring himself from his Bishops and Barons in the Isle of Wight, sent messengers secretly to Rome, to complain and appeal to the Pope against their Treasons, rebellions, and the Charters forcibly extorted from him, whiles under the Pope's protection; who thereupon vacated the Charters, thus recorded by Matthew Paris. PER idem tempus steterunt Romae in praesentia Domini Papae, nuncij Regis Anglorum; Hist. p. 255. 256 Claus. 17. Johan. Regis. m. 22. dors. allegantes coram eo rebelliones et Iniurias, quas Barones Angliae (by the Archbishop's initigation) excitaverant adversus Regem memoratum, exigentes ab eo quasdam Leges et libertates iniquas, quas dignitatem Regiam non decuit confirmare. Et cum post motam inter eos discordiam, Rex et Barones de pace tractaturi multoties convenissent; idem Rex publice protestatus est coram eis, Regnum Angliae ratione Dominii ad Romanam Ecclesiam specialiter pertinere. (which he only complementally affirmed, but the Barons utterly denied it.) Vnde nec potuit nec debuit praeter conscientiam Domini Papae de novo aliquid statuere, vel quicquam in ejus praejudicium in Regno immutare. Quocirca cum interposita appellatione, seipsum et omnia jnra regni sui sub protectione sedis Apostolicae supposuisset; dicti Barones appellationi factae non deferentes, civitatam Londoniarum, quae caput regni sui est, proditione sibi traditam occuparunt, et adhuc detinent occupatam. Quod cum factum fuisset, ad equos convolantes et arma, exegerunt a Rege libertates praescriptas sibi confirmari. Ipseque eorum metuens impetum, quod petebant non ausus est denegare. Porrexerunt ergo nuncij memorati Domino Papae quaedam capitula de charta praedicta, in scriptum redacta, quae causae Regis magis videbantur congruere. Quae cum diligenter inspexisset, cum admiratione respondit, rugis contractis indignationem testantibus: Nunquid Barones Angliae Regem cruce signatum, et sub protectione sedis Apostolicae constitutum, a solio regni nituntur expellere, et Dominium Romanae Ecclesiae ad alium transferre? * Pope's cannot only ruffle but prophanly swear, when their own Usurped interests are concerned. Per sanctum Petrum, hanc injuriam non poterimus praeterire impunitam. Tunc Papa habita deliberatione cum Cardinalibus, chartam saepe dictam de libertatibus Regni Angliae concessis, in perpetuum per sententiam diffinitivam damnatam cassavit, et in illius rei testimonium, Regi Anglorum privilegium subscriptum transmisit. (By which sentence, and the several grounds, reasons therein alleged for avoiding the great Charter as obtained from the King through force, fear, circumvention, rebellion, this Pope totally nuls and subverts King John's Charter of Resignation and oblation made unto himself by like means but the year before.) INNOCENTIUS Episcopus, servus servorum Dei, universis Christi fidelibus Mat. Paris Hist. Angl. p. 256. 257. hanc paginam inspecturis, salutem & Apostolicam Benedictionem. Etsi Charissimus in Christo filius noster Johannes Rex Anglorum illustris, Deum et Ecclesiam vehementer offenderit, unde nos eum vinculo excommunicationis innodavimus, et regnum ejus Ecclesiastico subjecimus interdicto; ipse tamen (illo misericorditer inspirante) qui non vult mortem peccatoris, sed convertatur & vivat, tandem conversus ad cor, Deo et Ecclesiiae humiliter satisfecit; in tantum, quod non solum recompensationem prodamnis, et restitutionem exhibuit pro ablatis, verum etiam plenariam libertatem contulit Ecclesiae Anglicanae. Quinimo utraque sententia relaxata, regnum suum tam Angliae quam Hyberniae, beato * Deo, & Pa●●o, are omitted. Petro et Ecclesiae Romanae concessit, recipiens illud a nobis infeudum sub annuo censu Mille Marcarum, fidelitatis nobis inde praestito juramento, sicut per privilegium ejus Apparet * He mentions no other Charter but this. Aurea Bulla munitum. Adhuc etiam Omnipotenti Deo amplius placere desiderans, signum vivificae Crucis reverenter accepit, profecturus in subsidium Terrae Sanctae, ad quod se magnifice praeparabat. Sed humani generis inimicus, qui semper consuevit bonis actibus invidere, suis * Did not himself excite his his own Prelates, Barons, Subjects, the French, and all Christian soldiers against him by like subtle arts? callidis artibus adversus eum Barones Angliae concitavit, ita ut ordine perverso in illum insurgerent, postquam conversus Ecclesiae satisfecit, qui assistebant eidem quando Ecclesiam offendebat. Orta siquidem inter eos dissensionis materia, cum plures dies statuti fuissent, ad tractandum de pace, utrinque interim sollemnes Nuncii ad nostram fuerunt praesentiam destinati. Cum quibus habito diligenti tractatu, post plenam deliberationem scripsimus per eosdem Stephano Cantuariensi Archiepiscopo et Episcopis Anglicanis; praecipiendo mandantes, ut ad reformandam inter utrosque veram et plenam concordiam diligens impenderent studium et operam efficacem, omnes conjurationes et conspirationes, si quae fuerant forte praesumptae a tempore subortae discordiae inter regnum et sacerdotium, Apostolica denuntiantes Authoritate cassatas, et per excommunicationis sententiam inhibentes netalia de caetereo praesumerentur a quoquam. Magnates et Nobiles Angliae monendo prudenter, et efficaciter injungendo, ut per manifesta devotionis et humilitatis indicia, ipsum Regem sibi placare studerent: ac deinde si quid ab eo ducerent postulandum, non insolenter sed humiliter implorarent, regalem conservantes ei honorem, et exhibentes servitia consueta, quae ipsi et praedecessores eorum sibi et praedecessoribus impenderunt: cum ab eis ipse Rer non debet absque judicio spoliari, ut sic quod intenderent, possent facilius obtinere. Nos enim eundem Regem per Litteras nostras Rogavimus & monuimus, & per praefatos Archiepiscopum & Episcopos nihilominus rogari & moveri mandavimus, in remissionem sibi peccaminum injungentes; quatenus praedictos Magnates, et nobiles benigne tractaret et justas eorum petitiones clementer admitteret; ut et ipsi congaudendo cognoscerent eum in meliorem statum divina gratia esse mutatum, ac per hoc ipsi et Haeredes eorum sibi et Haeredibus suis deberent promptius et devotius * Famulari. familiari: plena eye in veniendo, morando et recedendo securitate concessa, ita quod si forte nequiret inter eos concordia provenire, in Curia sua per pares eorum secundum leges et consuetudines regni suborta dissensio sopiretur. Verum antequam Nuncii cum hoc provido & justo mandato rediissent, illi * Was not his own absolving of them from their oaths of Allegiance more unjust? juramento fidelitatis omnino contempto, cum et si Rex eos injuste gravasset, ipsi tamen non debuissent sic agere contra eum, ut in causa sua iidem judices et executores existerent. (Was not himself so in all his proceedings against King John?) Vassalli contra Dominum, et milites contra Regem, publice conjurantes non solum cum aliis, sed cum ejus manifestissimis inimicis praesumpserunt contra eum arma movere: (And did not the Pope, Archbishops, Bishops and their partisans, then join with the French to invade and depose King John their lawful King, though his vassals and soldiers?) Occupantes et devastantes terras illius ita quoque quod civitatem Londinensem, quae sedes est regni, proditione sibi traditam invaserunt. Interim autem praefatis Nunciis revertentibus, Rex obtulit eis secundum formam mandati nostri justitiae plenitudinem exhibere, quam ip●● om●ino spernentes, caeperunt manus extendere ad peiora. (And did not the Pope and exiled Bishops the like before?) Vnde Rex ipse ad audientiam nostram apellans, obtulit eis exhibere justitiam coram nobis, ad quem hujus causae judicium ratione Dominii pertinebat: quod ipsi sunt penitus aspernati. (Not acknowledging the Pope's Dominion over them by King John's Charter.) Deinde obtulit illis, ut tam ab ipso quam ab illis quatuor viri eligerentur prudentes, qui una nobiscum subortam inter eos discordiam terminarent; promittens, quod ante omnia revocaret universos abusus quicunque fuissent in Angliae suo tempore introducti: sed nec hoc illi dignati sunt acceptare. Tandem illis Rex proposuit, quod cum regni dominium ad Romanam Ecclesiam pertineret, ipse non poterat nec debebat absque nostro speciali mandato quicquam de illo in nostrum prejudicium immutare. Vnde rursus ad nostram audientiam appellavit, seipsum ac regnum cum omni honore, ac jure suo Apostolicae protectioni supponens. Sed cum nullo modo proficeret, postulavit ab Archiepiscopo et Episcopis, ut nostrum exequeretur mandatum; Ius Ecclesiae Romanae defenderent, ac tuerentur eundem secundum formam privilegii Cruce signatis indulti. Porro, cum ipsi nihil horum facere voluissent, (Though they readily Interdicted the whole Realm, excommunicated the King, and deprived him of his Crown upon the Pope's command before) videns se omni auxilio et consilio destitutum; quicquid illi ausi sunt petere, non est ausus ipse negare. Vnde compulsus est per vim et metum, qui cadere poterat in virum etiam Constantissimum, compositionem inire cum ipsis non solum vilem et turpem, verum etiam et iniquam; in nimiam derogationem ac diminutionem sui juris pariter et honoris. (And was he not thus compelled by force, fear, more vilely to resign his Crown, kingdoms, to this Pope and resume them from him by his Charter?) Quia vero nobis a Domino dictum est in Propheta. Constitui te super gentes & regna ut evellas & destruas, aedifices, & plants. (spoken to Jeremiah not the Pope, not then in being as I have largely proved) ● Here, p. 23, 24 25. Itemque per alium Prophetam: Dissolve colligationes impietatis, solve fasciculos deprimentes. Nos tantae malignitatis audaciam dissimulare nolentes, in Apostolicae sedis contemptum, Regalis juris dispendium, Anglicanae Gentis opprobrium, et grave periculum totius negotii crucifixi; quod ubique immineret nisi per Authoritatem nostram revocarentur omnia, quae a tanto Principe Crucesignato taliter sunt extorta, et ipso volente ea servare, ex parte Dei omnipotentis Patris et Filii et Spiritus sancti, authoritate quoque Apostolorum ejus Petri et Pauli, ac nostra, de communi fratrum nostrorum consilio compositionem hujusmodi reprobamus penitus et damnamus sub intimatione anathematis prohibentes ne dictus Rex eam observare presumat, aut Barones cum complicibus suis ipsam exigant observari; tam Chartam, quam obligationes seu cautiones quaecunque pro ipsa vel de ipsa sunt factae, irritantes penitus ex cassantes; ut nullo unquam tempore aliquam habeant firmitatem. Datum Agnaniae nono Calendas S ptembris Pontificatus nostri Decimo Octavo. A direct Judgment in point against King John's own Charter to this Pope. The Pope after this sentence pronounced to null the great Charter and Charter of the Forest, thought meet to write another Letter and Bull to the Barons of England, severely censuring them for their rebellion and desobedience to the King and his commands, and opposing his Papal interest in the Realm. CAssatis hunc in modum Libertatibus praedictis, idem Papa Baronibus Claus 15. Johan. Reg. m. 22. dor●o. Mar. Pa●is▪ Hist. Angl. p. 257. 258. Angliae scrip●●● in haec verba. INNOCENTIUS Episcopus servus servorum Dei, Nobilibus viris Baronibus Angliae spiritum consili● sanioris. Utinam in persecutione quam temere commovistis adversus dominum vestrum Regem, attendissetis prudentius fidelitatis praesiitae juramentum, jus Apostolicae sedis, nostrae provisionis mandatum, et privilegium Crucesignatis indultum. Quia proculdubio non sic processistis ad factum, quin omnes qui illud audiunt, quasi facinus detestantur; praesertim cum in causa vestra vos ipsos judices et executores feceritis eodem Rege parato Curia sua, vobis per pares vestros secundum consuetudines et leges regni, justitiae plenitudinem exhibere, vel coram nobis, ad quem hujus causae judicium ratione Dominii pertinet, vel etiam coram arbitris eligendis hinc inde una nobiscum in ipso negotio processuris. Vnde cum nihil horum dignati fueritis acceptare, ad nostram audientiam appellavit, seipsum ac regnum cum omni honore et jure suo Apostolicae protectioni supponens: publice protestando, quod cum ejusdem Regni dominium ad Romanam Ecclesiam pertineret, ipse non poterat nec debebat quicquam de illo in nostrum praejudicium immutare. Cum igitur illa compositio qualis qualis ad quam per vim et metum induxistis eundem, non solum sit vilis et tur●is, verum etiam illicita ex iniqua, ut merito sit ab omnibus reprobanda, maxime propter modum: (and was not Kings john's Charter to himself and successors much more such upon the same account?) nos qui tam Regi quam regno tenemur et spiritualiter et temporaliter providere, per Apostolica scripta vobis praecipiendo mandamus, & in recta fide consulimus, quatenus facientes de necessitate virtutem, renuncietis compositioni hujusmodi per vos ipsos, et satisfaciatis eidem Regi ac suis de damnis et. injuriis irrogatis: ut jdem Rex per manifesta devotionis et humilitatis indicia placatus a vobis, per seipsum emendet et benigne concedat quicquid de jure fuerit concedendum. Ad quod etiam & nos ipsum efficaciter inducemus. Quoniam sicut nolumus, quod ipse Rex suo jure privetur: ita volumus ut ipse a vestri gravamine desistat: nec per consuetudines pravas et exactiones iniquas, sub nostro dominio regnum Angliae opprimatur. Eritque firmum et stabile in perpetuum, quod tali modo fuit ordinatum. Inspiret igitur vobis ille qui neminem vult perire, ut adquiescatis humiliter nostris salubribus consiliis et mandatis, ne si secus egeritis, in eum incidatis necessitatis articulum quem tandem evadere sine multo gravamine non possitis. Quemadmodum ut de caeteris taceamus, nulla ratione dissimulare possemus grave periculum totius negotii Crucifixi quod utique emineret, nisi per Authoritatem nostram revocarentur omnino, qu● a tanto Principe Cruce signato taliter sunt extorta, etipso volente illa observari. Quare dum apud nos Archiepiscopus & Episcopi Angliae praesentes extiterint in Concilio generali quod ad expediendum crucis negotium principalius intendemus celebrare; procuratores idoneos ad nostram presentiam destinetis, secure vos nostro beneplacito committentes, quia nos ea favente Domino statuemus per quae gravaminibus & abusibus de Regno Angliae prorsus exclusis, Rex suo sit jure et honore contentus, et tam clerus quam populus universus debita pace ac libertatelaetetur. Datum Agnaniae nono Calendas Septembris Pontificatus nostri Anno Decimo Octavo. Cumque tandem Rege Anglorum procurante magnates Angliae has literas tam commonitorias quam comminatorias accepissent, noluerunt desistere ab ineaeptis, sed adhuc insurgentes eum acriter infestabant, dicendo de Papa illud propheticum. Ve qui justificatis impium, etc. So much did they (together with the Archbishop their ringleader) then slight and Contemn the Pope with his Bulls, mandates and A postolical Authority when they crossed their own interests, and humours. In the mean time the treacherous Archbishop, to demonstrate his gratitude to King John for the Patronage and Royalty of the Bishopric of Rochester newly * Here, p. 339. conferred on him and his successors, delivered up Rochester Castle with all the ammunition therein to the Barons: Erat autem paulo ante castrum illud a Rege Archiepiscopo fiducialiter commissum: veruntamen qua conscientia nescio. Dominus scit, * Mat. Paris, p. 258. regis illud tradiderit inimicis. Such an ungrateful Archtraitor proved he to his indulgent Sovereign; who after 3. Month's siege took it by force out of the Baron's hands; who principally by his encouragement proceeded most obstinately in their Rebellions against the King: whereupon the Pope proceeded to excommunicate them. EOdem tempore Papa Innocentius, videns Baronum rebellionem, quod videlicet Anno Dom. 1215. Mat. Paris, Histor. Angl. p: 260, 261. a persecutione Regis desistere contempserunt, excommunicavit eosdem, atque sententiae executionem Episcopo Wintoniensi, Abbati de Redinge, & Pandulpho Ecclesiae Romanae Subdiacono, sub hac forma commisit. Innocentius Episcopus, etc. P. Wintoniensi Episcopo, Abbati de Redinge & Pandulpho Ecclesiae Romanae subdiacono salutem & Apostolicam benedictonem. Miramur plurirhum & movemur, quod cum charissimus in Christo filius noster Johannes illustris Rex Angliae, supra spem Domino et Ecclesiae satisfecerit, et presertim fratri Nota. nostro Stephano Cantuariensi Archiepiscopo, et Episcopis ejus, quidam eorum minus quam oportuerit et decuerit ad sanctae Crucis negotium, Apostolicae sedis mandatum, et fidelitatis praeftitae juramentum debitum, imo nullum habentes respectum; ei contra perturbatores regni, (quod ad Romanam Ecclesiam ratione dominii pertinere dinoscitur) auxilium non praestiterint vel favorem, quasi conscii, ne dicamus socii conjurationis iniquae: (A true character of these Traitorous Prelates, himself formerly made use of against the King,) quia non caret scrupulo societatis iniquae, qui manifesto facinori desinit obviare. Ecce qualiter patrimonium Romanae Ecclesiae Pontifices praefati defendunt? qualiter Crucesignatos tuentur, imo qualiter se opponunt his qui distruere moliuntur negotium Crucifixi? Pejores proculdubio Saracenis existentes; (so he reputed these Bishops) cum illum conantur a regno depellere de quo potius sperabatur quod deberet succurrere terrae sanctae. Vnde ne talium insolentia non solum in periculum Regni Angliae, verum etiam in pernitiem aliorum regnorum, et maxime, in subversionem totius negotii crucifixi valeat praevalere, Nos ex parte Dei omnipotentis, Patris, & Filii, & Spiritus sancti, authoritate quoque Apostolorum ejus Petri & Pauli, ac nostra; omnes hujusmodi perturbatores Regis et Regni Angliae, cum complicibus et fautoribus suis excommunicationis vinculo innodamus, et terras eorum Ecclesiastico subijcimus interdicto; prefato Archiepiscopo et Coepiscopis suis in virtute obedientiae districtissime injungentes, (who yet neglected to yield him any obedience therein,) quatenus nostram sententiam singulis diebus Dominicis et festivis, pulsatis Campanis, et candelis accensis, solemniter per totam Angliam publicare procurent; donec satisfacerint Domino Regi de damnis et injuriis irrogatis, et ad ejus obse quium fideliter revertantur. Universis insuper ejusdem Regis Uassallis in remissionem peccatorum ex parte nostra jungentes, ut contra perversores hujusmodi, praefato Regi tribuant consilium et juvamen. Si qui autem Episcoporum, hoc nostrum praeceptum neglexerit adimplere, sciat se ab Episcopali officio suspensum, et subjectorum obedientiam esse subtractam: quia justum est ut eis inferiores non obediant, Note. qui suo superiori obedire contemnunt. Ne igitur mandatum alicujus tergiversatione valeat impediri, excommunicationis causam praedictorum, cum ceteris quaead hoc negotium pertinuerint, vobis duximus committendum; per Apostolica vobis scripta mandantes, quatenusprotinus omni appellatione postposita, procedatis sicut videritis expedire. The Archbishop and some of his Suffragans, cordial to the Barons, though pressed by the King, refused to excommunicate any of them; whereupon to leave him void of any excuse, the Pope's agents gave him a personal command to execute the excommunication which he delayed to do, whereupon they suspended him. HAC praeterea tempestate, P. Wintoniensis Episcopus, & magister Pandulphus, Mat. Paris, p. 261. 26●. ad Archiepiscopum Cantuariensem, personaliter accedentes, ex parte Domini Papae firmiter praeceperunt, Ut sententiam sedis Apostolicae in Barones Angliae Romae generaliter latam, Suffraganeis Cantuariensis Ecclesiae committeret publicandam: et ipsemet, quantum ad ipsum spectabat, singulis diebus Dominicis et festivis per totam Cantuariensem diocesim faceret publicare. Erat autem jam idem naves ingressus, ut Romam ad Concilium properaret, unde postulavit inducias, quousque Domini Papae colloquio frueretur, ad sententiam publicandam, constanter affirmans, quod tacita veritate sententia fuerat in Barones lata; et ideo nullo modo se illam publicaturum respondit donec super praemissis viva voce summi Pontificis cognosceret voluntatem. At memorati hujus rei executores, cum Archiepiscopum Domini Papae praeceptis inobedientem cognovissent, authoritate qua fungebantur usi, ipsum ab Ecclesiae ingressu acdivinorum celebratione suspenderunt. Quam ille suspensionem humiliter observans, sedem Apostolicam suspensus petivit. Cunc Episcopus Wintoniensis cum conjudice suo Pandulpho, Barones Angliae omnes, qui Regem a Regno depellere moliebantur, excommunicatos denuntians, singulis diebus Dominicis et festivis, latam sententiam innovavit. Sed Magnates quoniam in Authentico Domini Papae nullus eorum fuerit nominatim expressus, dictam sententiam non observantes, inanem et nullam reputabant. Hereupon King John complained to the Pope of the Baron's obstinacy, in rejecting all his proposals of peace and reconciliation to them, though never so reasonable, and that yet the Archbishops refused to excommunicate them. DOmino Papae salutem, & debitam tanto Domino ac Patri cum devotione reverentiam. Claus. 17 Joh. Regis, m. 32. dorso. Sanctitati vestrae grates referimus multiplices, de Literis vestris pro nobis a paternitate vestra Domino Cantuariensi Archiepiscopo & ejus Suffraganeis porrectis, ne● non Magnatibus & Baronibus terrae nostrae, pro certo scituri, quod Barones ipsi Literas vestras in nullo exaudierunt; Dominus vero Cantuariensis Archiepiscopus, et ejus Suffraganei mandatum vestrum executioni demandare supersederunt. (Though they were very forwards to pronounce the Popes Interdict against the whole Realm, and Excommunication of King John himself, and promote his deposition at the Pope's command.) Nos vero attendentes praemissa, asserebamus Baronibus nostris▪ Quod terra nostra * Patrimonium signifies only an inheritance actually vested in the Father, and from him descending or bequeathed to his Children, not to his Successors or mere strangers, as Popes are to St. Peter. Patrimonium erat Beati Petri, (A gross mistake, since St. Peter was never actually possessed of it in his life time, nor transmitted the inheritance thereof to Popes, as his Children or Successors.) et eam de Beato Petro et Ecclesia Romana, et de vobis tenebamus. (When as the Barons would never acknowledge England to be St. Peter's Patrimony, nor yet this King but only in compliment and policy, to gain the Pope's assistance to suppress the Bishops and Barons insolences and Rebellions, St. Peter having no Patrimony at all therein.) Adjecimus etiam, Quod cruce signati eramus, & pet●bamus beneficium & privilegium cruce signatorum, ne turbaretur terra hostra, (therefore the Kings, not St. Peter's Patrimony, nor the Popes) & ne consumeretur in malos usus quam in subsidium terrae Sancta expendere proposueramus, & appellavimus, per W. Maraschallum, Comitem Pembrock, & W. Comitem Warren. contra perturbatores pacis terrae nostrae. Verum quia cruce signati fuimus volentes in omnibus cum humilitate & mansuetudine procedere, salva appellatione nostra, obtulimus Baronibus illis, quod omnes malas consuetudines suscitatas, et per quemcunque introductas temporibus nostris penitus aboleremus, nec non et malas consuetudines tempore Regis Richardi, fratris nostri, subortas extirparemus; de consuetudinibus autem tempore Patris nostri suscitatis, si quae essent quae eos gravarent, per consilium fidelium nostrorum operare●ur. Sed nec hiis nec aliis supradictis contenti, omnia praemissa recusarunt. Videntes igitur quod ipsi manifeste nitebantur ad turbationem Regni nostri, rogavimus Dominum Cantuariensem Archiepiscopum, et ejus Suffraganeos, quod exequerentur mandatum vestrum, scilicet, quod secundum tenorem Literarum vestrarum consueta nobis exhibere et servitia. Et postea si quae a nobis petere vellent, cum humilitate et sine armis ea a nobis peterent, denunciantes eos excommunicatos qui p●st praedicta eis oblata pacem Regni nostri perturbarent. Et videbatur Episcopa Exon. et Magistro Pandulfo qui praesentes erant, quod de jure per sententiam excommunicationis eos compescere debebant: sed Archiepiscopus respondens ait, quod sententiam excommunicationis in eos nullo modo proferret, quia bene sciebat mentem vestram, et videbatur nobis similiter, quod ita facere debebat, quia mandavimus gentem copiosam de terris extraneorum ad succursum terrae nostrae. Et promisit nobis quod si eos revocare vellemus, non solum sententiam excommunicationis in eos inferret, verum etiam in quantum posset eye resisteret: Vnde gentem nostram revocavimus. Postmodum autem obtulimus eis per Literas nostras Patentes, per Dominum Cantuariensem Archiepiscopum, & duos vel tres Suffraganeos ejus eis delatas, quod nos eligerimus, ex parte nostra quatuor, & ipsi ex parte sua quatuor; Ita quod vos superiores constitueremini, de omnibus querelis Libertatum quas ipsi proponerent et ad suas nos responderemus, quod quicquid vos una cum illis Octo statueretis super omnibus quae ipsi peterent a nobis, nos gratum haberemus et teneremus. Et quamvis se humiliare noluerunt versus nos sicut debuerunt, nos tamen pro servitio Dei, et succursu Terrae Sanctae in tantum nos humiliavimus, quod haec praedicta eis obtulimus. Et praeterea eis obtulimus quod de omnibus petitionibus suis per considerationem Parium suorum justitiae plenitudinem eis exhi●eremus. Quod ipsi recusarunt. Ad haec Domine, die Veneris in crastino Ascensionis Domini, venit ad hos frater Willielmus de Camera vestra, vester familiaris, deferens nobis Literas vestras continentes, quod disposito peregrinationis nostrae itinere sanctitatis vestrae pedibus aliquem de nostris in Concilio representaremus, paternitatem vestram de processu nostro et itineris nostri expeditione certificantes, super quo pie paternitati vestrae taliter respondemus, quod cum perversis Baronum praedictorum inquietationibus ut ex praemissis vobis innotuit affligamur, nec possumus in eis bonum pacis invenire, quosal●em concordes afficiamur, ut sic facilius proposito insisteremus, vos de itinere nostro, et itineris nostri expeditione certos reddere non possumus: Unum pro certo scientes, quod multi signatorum qui ad Terrae Sanctae succursum se accinxerunt de partibus longinquis, viri magni & nobiles ut in consortio nostro eos reciperemus benigne per suas Literas & Nuncios postulaverunt, quos pro praedictis incommodis super mandatis suis adhuc certificare non potuimus. Praeterea Pater Reverende in praesentia praedicti fratris Willielmi vestri familiaris, nec non & Venerabilium Patrum Wygorniensis & Coventrensis Episcoporum, obtulimus praedictis Baronibus, quod de omnibus petitionibus suis quas a nobis exigunt in vos benignissime compromitteremus, ut vos qui plenitudine potestatis gaudetis, quod justum foret statueretis, et haec omnia efficere renuunt. Igitur pie Pater dominationi vestrae praesentia duximus declaranda, ut de consueta benignitate vestra quod nobis videritis expedire inde statuatis. Teste meipso apud Odiham, xxix. die Maii. Soon after this Letter of complaint to the Pope (whose power and usurpations increased An. Dom. 121● by the Baron's Rebellions) there was a General Council held at Rome, to which the Archbishop was summoned, and there suspended from his Archbishopric upon the King's complaints against him. EOdem Anno celebrata est Romae, Sancta & universalis Synodus in Ecclesia Sancti Mat. Paris Hist▪ Angl. p. 262, 263, 264. Salvatoris, quae Constantiana appellatur, mense Novembri, praesidente Papa Domino Innocentio tertio, Pontificatus ejus Anno Decimo octavo. In hoc Concilio steterunt contra Stephanum Archiepiscopum Cantuariensem, procuratores Regis Anglorum; Abbas videlicet de Bello loco, Thomas de Hundintona, & Godefridus de Croucumbe, Milites, constanter accusantes eum de conniventia Baronum Angliae, quodque ipsius favore et consilio iidem Barones dictum Regem a solio depellere molirentur. Et cum a sede Apostolica Literas accepisset, ut dictos Magnates per censuram Ecclesiasticam a persecutione Regis refraenaret, ipse id facere dissimulans, ab Episcopo Wintoniensi, et suis conjudicibus a divinorum celebratione et ingressu Ecclesiae suspensus: sicque ad Concilium prop●rans, manifestis indiciis se fuisse praeceptis Apostolicis rebellem ostendit. His & aliis multis, in hunc modum allegatis, Archiepiscopus quasi convictus, & non mediocriter confusus, nihil respondit; nisiquod a suspensione petiit absolvi. Cui Papa cum indignatione tale fertur dedisse responsum: Frater, * Pope's can swear publicly▪ per Sanctum Petrum non ita de facili beneficium absolutionis impetrabis, qui non solum ipsi Anglorum Regi, (This was no crime in him heretofore, but a virtue, by this Pope's resolution) verum etiam Romanae Ecclesiae, tot et tales injurias irrogasti. (This indeed was the only cause of his indignation, not his injuries to the King.) Volumus quoque cum plena fratrum nostrorum deliberatione decernere, qualiter tam temerarium puniamus excessum. Tandem habito super hoc cum Cardinalibus tractatu, suspensionis sententiam in ipsum Archiepiscopum subscriptis Literis confirmavit. (A just, divine retaliation for all his former Treasonable compliances with this Pope, and after that with the Barons against King John, from whom he had received so many obliging favours.) When this suspension of the Archbishop was executed, the Pope commanded all his Suffragans and Subjects to disobey him, till by his humiliation and giving sufficient caution for his future deportment, he should demerit it, as this Bull, or Letter to all the Clergy and Laity of his Province evidenceth. INNOCENTIUS Episcopus, etc. Dilectis filiis Clericis & Laicis per Cantuariensem Claus. 17 Joh. Regis, m. 17. dorso. Provinciam constitutis, salutem & Apostolicam Benedictionem. Ad communem volumus notitiam pervenire, quod nos suspensionis sententiam quam Venerabilis frater noster P. Wintoniensis Episcopus, & dilectus filius P. Subdiaconus, & familiaris noster Norwicensis electus, in Stephanum Cantuariensem Archiepiscopum authoritate Apostolica protulerunt, ratam habemus, & praecipimus inviolabiliter observari, donec idem Archiepiscopus, qui eam humiliter servat, mereatur ipsam juxta formam Ecclesiae Canonice praestitam relaxari, uno vinculo in aliud commutato. Quocirca universitati vestrae per Apostolica scripta mandamus quatenus & vos ipsi praescriptam sententiam firmiter observetis, cum interim nullam debeatis eidem obedientiam exhibere. Datum Laterani, 2. nonas Novembris. Pontificatus nostri Anno xviij. Here we cannot but with admiration consider, the just retaliation inflicted by God's wonderful providence on this Archtraitor to King John. 1. The whole Kingdom must be Interdicted by the Pope at this Archprelates instigation, for the Kings not admitting him to the actual possession of the See of Canterbury, against the rights of his Crown and Kingdom. 2ly. The King himself must be personally Excommunicated and not conversed with. 3ly. All his Subjects absolved from their allegiance and obedience to him, till his humiliation to the Pope: And now this Pope even at Rome itself, not only suspends, but ratifies this Archbishop's actual suspension from his Archbishopric, absolves all Clerks & Laymen in his Province from their obedience to him, and commands them to yield him no obedience at all, till he should humble himself to, and give satisfaction and caution to him for his future good behaviour. 2ly. That this Archbishop (the Pope's chief instrument to humble, depose K. John, & set up the Pope in his Throne) should become the greatest stickler against this Pope, the contemner, slighter of his Interdicts, Excommunications, Censures, wherewith himself so much terrified the King and Kingdom before. 3ly. That this Pope who had been the King's professed Enemy and Dethroner, should now become his prime Protector against those Bishops and Barons which himself first engaged to Rebel against him; though not upon King john's own account as their lawful King, yet as his Vassal and Tributary to the Church of Rome, much against his will, which providentially proved his greatest advantage in some respects, though most prejudicial and dishonourable to him in others. 4ly. The just punishment inflicted by God and this Pope upon Simon the Archbishop's Brother, a great stickler for him, and professed Enemy to the King, and that at this very time, upon this occasion. The Archbishopric of York becoming void, the King by his Letters Patents granted the Chapter of York a Licence to elect a new Archbishop, in the presence of five Commissioners, therein specially named, and with their consents, to prevent the election of this Simon Langhton, the Archbishop's Brother, a great Enemy to the King, this being the first Licence granted by him, after his * Her● p. 336, 337. forecited Charter to the Archbishop and Bishops for the freedom of Elections. REX Decano & Capitulo Eborac. etc. Cum Ecclesia vestra jamdiu Pastorali fuerit Pat. 15 Johan. Regis. pa●s 1. m. 5. intus. regimine destituta, nos in hoc compatientes, Pastorem sibi praefici idoneum, Deo acceptum, et nobis et Regno nostro utilem, salva dignitate nostra, vehementer afectamus, unde Venerabiles viros R. Eborum, H. Belli loci Regis, & R. de Seleby, Abbates, una cum fidelibus nostris Willielmo Briwer, & Willielmo de Cantilupo, Senescallo nostro, loco nostro ad vos transmittimus, ut ipsis praesentibus et assensum praebentibus Pastorem vobis eligatis idoneum, et nos ratum habebimus et stabile quicquid in praesentia ipsorum de assensu eorundem, super hoc factum fuerit. Quod si non omnes interesse valeant, quod inde factum fuerit in praesentia praefati W. Briwere, una cum uno vel duobus praedictorum Nunciorum de assensu eorundem, ratum esse volumus et inconcussum. Et in hujus rei Testimonium, etc. Vobis mittimus. Teste meipso apud Porec. Vicesimo sexto die Januarii, Anno Regni nostri xv. ●odem modo scribitur Priori & Conventui Coventr. Priori & Conventui Rames.. Capitulo Exon. Decano & Capitulo Cicestr. Priori & Conventui de Sancto Edmundo. Priori & Conventui de Burgo. Priori & Conventui Dunolm. ●n relation to Elections to be made by them of Priors and Bishops, to their then vacant Churches. After which the King sent this Patent of Appeal to the Chapter of York, in general terms, not to elect any person for their Archbishop suspected to be an Enemy to him, to avoid all misconstructions of his former Charter for freedom of Elections. REX dilecto sibi in Christo Capitulo Eboracensi, salutem. Sciatis nos appellasse, Pat. 16 Johan, Regis, pars 2. m. 3. dorso. ne quis de gremio Ecclesiae vestrae, vel alterius in Archiepiscopum Eboracensem eligatur, vel postuletur, qui nobis sit suspectus. Hancque appellationem nostram per has Literas nostras Patentes renovamus. Teste meipso apud Waling. Decimo tertio die Maii. Anno Regni nostri xuj. And because these two former inhibitions were general, the King by his express Charter secretly prohibited them to elect Simon La●ghton by name, to whom he would never give his Royal assent. UNiversis & singulis Capituli Eboracensis salutem. Prohibemus ne quis vestrum Chart. 16 Joh. Regis, m. 10, doiso. S. Decanum Eboracensem, eligat in Archiepiscopum Eboracensem, quia hoc esset contra honorem nostrum, et commodum Regni nostri: si quis autem ipsum elegerit, nunquam poterit sperare se pacem aut amorem nobiscum habiturum. Hoc autem secretum esse volumus. The Chapter notwithstanding the Kings and Pope's inhibition likewise, to gratify Stephen Archbishop of Canterbury, elected Simon La●ghton his Brother Archbishop of York: * Mat. Westm. Anno 1216. p. 99 Vir quidem parum habens gratiae popularis, ●tinam Dei: sed procurante Rege citò cassatus est. Poterat enim Rex jam factus Tributarius Papae, difficilia impetrare; Timebat autem Rex, ne si Stephanus Cantuariae Archiepiscopus in Australibus, & frater ejus Simon Ebor. Archiepiscopus factus in septentrionalibus dominarentur, quasi maximi Praelati in Anglia, omnia ad votum eorum disponerentur, et alter alterius auxilio fulciretur. So Matthew Westminister. Of which Matthew Paris renders us this larger account. CIrca dies istos, Canonici Eboracensis Ecclesiae, m●lto jam tempore Pastore viduati, Mat. Paris Hist. Angl. p. 261. impetrata a Rege licentia, ad electionem faciendam pariter convenerunt. Et licet a Rege multis precibus fuissent rogati, ut Walterum de Grace, Wigormensem Episcopum, sibi susciperent in Pastorem; tamen reclamantes illiteratum, ipsum eligere distulerunt. Veruntamen in electione procedentes, elegerunt Magistrum Simonem de Langetona, fratrem Archiepiscopi Cantuariensis, sterantes in eo scientiam, quam appellant sapientiam, scilicet morum aromate conditam scientiam, insuper favorem Domini Papae obtinere. Sed cum facta electio ad Regis audientiam pervenisset, misit Nuncios ad Curiam Romanam, qui contra electionem illam in praesentia Domini Papae exceptiones hujusmodi induxerunt. Allegabant enim Archiepiscopium Cantuariensem Regis Angliae hostem esse publicum, ut qui Baronibus Angliae incentivum contra Regem eundem praebuit et consensum. Vnde si dictus Simon, qui frater ejus est Archiepiscopi memorati, ad Archiepiscopatum Eboracensem promoveretur, par Regis et Regni diu stare non poterit. Haec igitur & similia allegantes incommoda, Papam ad consensum induxerunt: Unde Capitulo Eboracensi scripsit in haec verba. INNOCENTIUS Episcopus servus servorum Dei, etc. Cum Magister Simon de Langetona, cum quibusdam aliis Canonicis Eboracensibus, in nostra nuper esset praesentia constitutus, nos ei viva voce interdiximus, ne ad obtinendum Archiepiscopatum Eboracensem intenderet, quia id certis ex causis minime pateremur, & ipse quidem, quantum verbis expressit, huic annuit reverenter. Vnde mirari cogimur et moveri, si ipsum ambitio adeo ercaecaverit, ut cum sciret se post nostram prohibitionem, et suam promissionem expressam de jure eligi non posse, si tali praestiterit electioni consensum, quam, nullo alio contradicente, nos irritam haberemus. Sed ne hac occasione fiat in Anglia novissimus error pejor priore, vel Eboracensis Ecclesia diutius maneat pastore viduata, de communi fratrum noftrorum consilio, per Apostolica vobis scripta praecipiendo mandamus, et in virtute obedientiae districte praecipimus, quatenus electione hujusmodi non obstante appellatione, cum insolentias et machinationes hujusmodi sustinere nolumus, nec debemus, omni occasione ac tergiversatione cessantibus, aliquos ex vobis cum communi * omnium. omni potestate ad instans Concilium destinetis, qui saltem usque Calendas Novembris nostro se conspectui repraesentent, personam idoneam, cum nostro electuri vel postulaturi consilio in pastorem. Alioquin extunc nos ipsi curabimus de idoneo vobis Praesule * By way of Provision. providere, contradictores, si qui fuerint, vel rebelles, per districtionem Canonicam graviter punituri. Si vero praefatus Simon electioni de se factae consensit, nos poenam, in poenam suae praesumptioni statuimus, ut intelligibilis fiat, ne de caetero, absque dispensatione sedis Apostolicae speciali, ad Pontificalem eligi valeat vignitatem. Datum Idibus Septembris, Pontificatus nostri Anno xviij. The Canons of York, notwithstanding this Bull, appearing in the Council at Rome, were so bold as to justify their election, and present Simon Langhton to the Pope for their Archbishop elect, and press his confirmation of him: Which Matthew Paris thus relates, together with its event. HIS ita gestis, Canonici Eboracensis Ecclesiae praesentaverunt Domino Papae Mat. Paris, Histor. Angl. p: 263. Magistrum Simonem de Langetona, postulantes ut ejus electionem confirmaret. Quibus Papa: Noveritis quod ipsum non habemus pro electo, qui illum ad tantam dignitatem promoveri certis●de causis non patimur. Et cum praecipue contra prohibitionem nostram ista sit electio celebrata, nos eam cassamus penitus, et in perpetuum damnamus; decernentes utique ut intelligibilis fiat, ne absque dispensatione sedis Apostolicae ad Pontificalem eligi valeat dignitatem. Cassata igitur electione praedicta, dominus Papa Canonieis praecepit ut statim in electione procederent, sin minus ipse eis pastorem provideret idoneum. (By his newly usurped power of provisions.) Tunc Canonici sicut prius provisum fuerat, postulaverunt Walterum de Grai Episcopum Wigorniensem, propter carnis munditiam, ut asserebant, ut qui ab utero matris p●rmanserat usque in praesentem diem. Ad hoe dicitur Papa respondisse: Per sanstum Petrum, virginitas magna virtus est, et nos eum damus vobis. Itaque accepto Pallio Episcopus memoratus, rediit in Angliam obligatus in Curia Romana de decem Nota. Millibus Librarum legalium Esterlingorum. (Which he Paid to this Pope for his Pall, as a true successor to Simon Magus, not to Simon Peter, in his Symonical extortions.) In fine autem, soluto Concilio, extorsit Papa de unoquoque Praelato infinitam pecuniam: quam cum viaticis cogebantur ab usurariis suis mutuo duris conditionibus sumere. Matthew Paris in the Life of William Abbot of St. Alban, present in this Council, Vitae Viginti Trium Sancti Albani Abbatum, p. 117. relates that, Idem Abbas Willielmus, cum soluto Concilio, accepta licentia cum benedictione, vellet recedere, in muneribus non respecto, dixit ei Papa: Nonne tu es Abbas Sancti Albani, qui tot privilegiorum beneficia a nostra sede toties obtinuisti? Siccine decet talem ac tantum virum, me non respecto recedere? Et cum obtulisset quinquaginta Marcas, amice redargutus, coactus est antequam exisset a Camera (in quam poenituit eum intrasse) non sine turpi convitio, super solutionem Centum Marcarum satisfacere, quas mutuo ab usurariis Curiae, non sine duris accepit conditionibus. Levius tamen hoc tulit Abbas et aequanimius, quia hoc idem fecit Praelatis universis. Quam pecuniam numeratam, cum per aliquem de suis ante pedes Papales humiliter ac devote obtulisset, dedit ei cum su●benedictione sic comparata, remeandi licentiam. Et sic recedens, Romam murmurando salutavit, ibique reliquit eum Magister Rogerus Porretanus, (one of his Monks who▪ accompanied him to Rome) vir supra modum ambitiosus, (who advised this Abbot whiles at Rome) ut Abbas resignaret Abbatia●● suam in manus Papae, sub obtentu sanctitatis, s●iturus quod majorem & uberiorem, pro certo reciperet dignitatem, si Papa in tanto viro, talem videret humilitatem, & tam evidens sanctitatis argumentum. Sed Abbas nolens certa pro incertis commutare, consiliis ejus nullatenus acquievit: Dixitque ei, Magister, dictum est in proverbio vulgari: F●●lix quemfaciunt aliena pericula cautum. Hoc fecisti tu de redditu tu● Bathoniensi quem dimisisti, inhians uberiori, quem tamen nunquaem consequi valuisti. Et silui● Rogerus redargutus & confusus. There being nothing given, but every Ecclesiastical preferment sold by this Pope, to those that would give most money for it, yet no Simony nor crime in this Innocent. King John after all these proceedings against the Baron●, Bishops, and his good successes: AUdiens autem Rex Barones Angliae esse excommunicatos, Archiepiscopum C●ntuariensem * Mat. Paris, Hist. Angl. p. 263, 264. suspensum, Simonem fratrem ejus cassatum, Walterum de Grace promotum, & quod de Castro Roffensi pro lubitu disposuisset: elevatum est nimis Cor ejus, & continuo Castra movens, apud Sanctum Albanum cum festinatione perrexit. Quo cum pervenisset, praesente Conventu Capitulum intravit, Liter as de suspensione Cantuariensis Archiepiscopi fecit manifestè recitari; constanter exigens a Conventu, quatenus sub testimonio sigilli sui praefatae suspensionis confirmatio ad omnes Angliae Ecclesias, tam Cathedrales quam Conventuales, publicanda mitteretur. jurta illud Poeticum: Stricto supplicat ense potens. Quod cum ei a Conventu concessum fuisset, forte invito, continuo post Capitulum in Claustro cum paucis Consiliariis sedrsim recedens, disposuit qualiter inimicos suos, Magnates scilicet Angliae confunderet, et quemadmodum exteris nationibus, quae sub ipso militabant, stipendia provideret. Tandem Rex duos ordinavit exercitus: ut videlicet ex uno Baronum irruptiones Londini morantium reprimeret; ex altero, ipse Aquilonares Angliae provincias igne simul & ferro, quaeque sibi obvia conterendo, de●eret. These Soldiers of the King were so incensed against the Rebellious Priests and Clergy▪ * Mat. Paris, p. 265. Vt Sacerdotes ipsis altaribus ●stantes, signum Sancta Crucis manibus bajulantes, vel ipsum Dominicum corpus tractantes, sacris vestimentis venerabiles, altaribus astantes religione deferendi; irreverenter capiebantur, cruciabantur, spoliabantur, vulnerabantur: nec fuit Pontifex, Sacerdos, vel Levita, qui vulneribus inflictis oleum infunderet vel vinum: They likewise pillaged the Cathedral Church of Ely, which they entered with drawn Swords, and forced the Prior to pay them 200. Marks of silver to save their lives, and Church from burning, and wasted all the Baron's Houses, Manors, Lands with fire and sword. King John by reason of these high contests between the Priesthood and Kingship, the Baron's Liberties and his own Prerogative, was necessitated to resign up almost all his Ecclesiastical, as well as Temporal Jurisdiction, to the Pope and his Legates, retaining only his ancient right of granting Licenses to Chapters, Covents, to elect Bishops, Abbots, Abbesses, Priors, Deans, and of assenting to their Elections when made; which yet must be left arbitrary, with a si placet to the Pope and his Nuntioes approbations, who rejected or confirmed the person recommended, elected, assented to by the King, at their pleasures, who could hardly procure any Chapter or Covent to elect any person he had a mind to prefer, but with many petitions, solicitations to them by himself and his instruments, and by other unkingly shifts and devices, being oft crossed, affronted, and seldom gratified therein, but with much difficulty and entreaty, as these ensuing Records demonstrate. REX Venerabili Patri in Christo, N. Dei gratia Tusculanensi Episcopo, Apostolicae Pat. 15 Johan. Regis, pars 1. m. 5. intus. sedis Legato, etc. Noverit prudentia vestra Priorem & Conventum de Burton, secundum Deum & consuetudinem Regni nostri, eligisse sibi in Abbatem S. Priorem Wintoniensem, et Nos electioni eorum assensum praebuimus, ipsumque electum ad vos mittimus, Rogantes quatenus electionem eius SI PLACET, confirmare velitis. Et in hujus rei Testimonium, vobis mittimus. Teste me ipso apud Clarens, Vicesimo tertio die Januarii, Anno Regni nostri xv. MANDATUM est Domino Wintonienfi Episcopo quod omnem curam & sollicitudinem Claus. 16. Johan. Regis part. spiscissima m. 21. dorso. apponat ut Amita Roberti Ross, Monialis de Berking. promoveat in Abbatissam ejusdem domus; Et si hoc fieri non potest, quod soror Johannis de Basingburn, Priorissa de Elleschirch, promoveatur in Abbatissam, & si neutra illarum possit promoveri, quod Priorissa ejusdem domus in Abbatissam promoveatur. Et quod nullo modo permittat, quod soror Roberti filii Walterii in Abbatissam ejusdem domus promoveatur. The King's hands and Prerogative being so bound up by his Charter for free Elections, that he could not so much as promote, or hinder the promotion of any Abbess, Dean, Bishop, but only by his instruments, in such a disjunctive manner as this, and such a precarious way as was below a King, as he used this next ensuing for the Dean of York. REX Capitulo Eborac, etc. Quoniam de honestate dilecti nostri Magistri W. Claus. 16. Johan Regis, dors. 21. Archdiaconi Noting. certi sumus, & de fidelitate confidimus, vos Rogamus attentius, quatenus cum Ecclesiae vestrae utilis, et nobis dignoscatur esse fidelis, omni cessante Contradictione unanimi assensu ipsum eligatis in Decanum, quia nos in personam ejus favoribiliter assentimus. Tantum igitur inde facere velitis intuitu nostri et obtentu precum nostrarum, maxime cum justae sint et honestae, ut ad uberrimas vobis pro eo teneamur gratiarum actiones. REX Domino P. Wintoniensi Episcopo, &c, Quoniam de honestate dilecti nobis Ibidem. Magistri W. Archidiaconi Notingh. non dubitamus, ut de ejus fidelitate confidimns, nec possit ad praesens effectum capere voluntas vestra quam gessimus in corde de Nepote vestro in Decan. Eborum promovendo, quod moleste ferimus, ut omnis sopiatur contentio in praedicta Ecclesia, Uolumus, et vobis mandando injungimus, ut non obstante quod Nepos vester praedictus Decanatum illum non adeptus est, efficiatis quod dictus Archidiaconus Noting. ad Decanatum Eborum promoveatur, quia nos in personam ejus assentimus. Nec sit vobis haec res molesta, quoniam dicto Nepoti vestro alibi per Dei gratiam sufficienter providebimns et decenter. Apud Parten. Uicesimo die Septembris. REX Domino P. Wintoniensi Episcopo Justiciario Angliae, etc. Quoniam arduis perplexi negotiis in partibus Pictaviae petitioni Prioris & conventus Claus. 16. Johan. Regis, dors. 21. sancti Albani nobis factae, de eligendo sibi Abbate operam non potuimus ad praesens dare efficacem: Mandavimus eisdem, ut ab electione facienda cessent donec in Angliam venerimus, et post 15. diesex quo audierint nos advenisse in Angliam, coram nobis compareant nobiscum locuturi. Uos igitur eos inducatis ne dilationem istam moleste ferant, providentes ne interim electionem facere praesumant. Terr as autem eorum, tenementa, Nemora & homines, & omnia sua, sub protectione & Custodia nostra tuta esse faciatis & tranquilla, it a quoth in nullo vastentur, destruantur, vel minuantur; Teste me ipso apud Niort. vicesimo primo die Septembris. To such shifts was the King put by his Charter for free elections, to obtain his ends. How much the Covent and Monks of Durham opposed, affronted King John in the election of their Bishop, whereupon he was enforced to make use of the Popes and Legates plenitude of power, and yet could not effect his ends, but the Pope obtains his, to dispose of all Elections and Bishoprics at his pleasure, will appear by these Records. REX Priori & Conventui Dunolmensi, etc. A temero proposito resilire Claus. 16. John. Regis part. spiscissima m. 21. dorso. Quomam mandatum vestrum quod nobis fecistis de Decano Sarum, Deo et dignitati nostrae et voluntati domini Papae repugnare dignoscitur, cum preces vobis jamdudum fecerimus pro alio, pro quo etiam Dominus Papa scripsit Legato suo Angliae, ut vos induceret ad ipsum postulandum; post quidem postulaveritis eundem, et nos Regium praebuerimus Assensum vestrae postulationi, & nos insuper inde Domino Papae, cui super hoc nobis scribere placuit significaverimus voluntatem nostram, quae eidem ut credimus grata erit & accepta, cujus adhuc responsum non audivimus plene; plane vobis asserimus, quod nec mandatum vestrum gratum habemus, nec ei favorem adhibemus, nec assensum. Teste meipso apud sanctum Maxen. Sexto die Septembris. INNOCENTIUS Episcopus Servus Servorum Dei. Charissimo in Christo filio Johanni illustri Anglorum Regi salutem & Apostolicam Benedictionem. Chart. 16. Johan, Regis, m. 9 Credentes utilitati & honori tuo plurimum expedire si Venerabilis frater noster Norwicensis Episcopus, quem tibi omnino devotum coguovimus et fidelem, ad Dunolmensem Ecclesiam transferretur, ignari capitulum illius Ecclesiae dilectum filium Sarisburiensem Decanum, virum praefecto scientia, vita & fama praeclarum concorditer eligerint in Pastorem, Venerabili fratri nostro Thusculan. Episcopo Apostolicae Sedis Legato, direximus scripta nostra, ut faceret Dunolmense Capitulum Norwicensem Episcopum praedictum in suum Episcopum postulare. Cumque Legatus ad eorum accessisset Ecclesiam, ipsi decretum electionis quam fecerant praesentantes, ab eo confirmationem cum instantia postularunt. Legatus autem habens profecto Zelum sed non secundum Scientiam, in hac parte cum nos consuluisse debuer it, sine nostri exquisitione mandati, ex quo videbat electionem concordem fuisse processum apud idem Capitulum plurimum institit ut Norwicenscem praedictum in Episcopum postularent, set illis electoni firmiter innitentibus, tandem ad hoc eos per multam coartavit instantiam, ut salvo jure electionis, postulatio fieret, & utriusque electionis & postulationis videlicet, praesentaretur Apostolicae sedi decretum. Accedentes autem ad sedem Apostolicam Duo Monachi ex parte Dunolm. praesentato nobis utroque decreto apud nos pro electionis affirmatione sicut in mandatis acceperant, institerunt, eidem firmiter inhaerendo, praesertim cum in majori concordia electio quam postulatio celebrata fuisset, prout ex subscriptionibus apparebat. Nos vero electionem protinus confirmare distulimus, quia non fuerat Regius requisitus assensus. Verum memorato Decano monendo & suggerendo Mandavimus, ut quantum in eo est negotium ipsum omnino transferat in nostrum arbitrium, ita ut sive de juris rigore, sive de moderamine providentiae prout expedire viderimus procedamus. Cum igitur sit idem Decanus plene sufficiens ad officium pastorale, ac nos providere intendamus, utraque transcripta Literarum quas accepimus a Legato, nec non utriusque decreti regali excellentiae mittimus praesentibus interclusa; & nihil ominus consulentes, ut super ordinatione Dunelmensis quam Norwicensis Ecclesiae, si eam vacare contigerit, te penitus nostro committas Arbitrio, quia quantum cum Domino poterimus, libenter et efficaciter intendemus ad ea quae tuum respiciant commodum et honorem. Caeterum dilectus filius Magister Annuncius tuus, vir providus & fidelis, serenitati Regiae viva voce plenius exprimere poterit super hiis & aliis sicut a nobis accepit, nostrae beneplacitum voluntatis. Tu ergo beneplacitum tuum nobis differas intimare. Dat. Romae apud Sanctum Petrum, two. Idus Maii. Pontificatus nostri Anno Septimo Decimo. (You may here behold the Pope's juggling with the Dean, Chapter, and King too.) To which the Pope's Legate returned this Answer. SAnctissimo in Christo Patri ac Domino J. Dei gratia Pontifici, suus J. Dei & sui gratia Episcopus Tusculanus se ipsum ad pedes & ejus orationibus commendari. Peracto negotio Eboracensis Ecclesiae, per Dei gratiam concorditer & in pace sicut per alias Literas vestrae beatitudini nunciavi, ad Dunolmensem Ecclesiam subsequenter accessi, Priori & Conventui ejusdem Ecclesiae diligenter proponens, ut juxta mandatum vestrum eidem Ecclesiae cum meo consilio de persona Idonea providerent: Ipsi vero licet affeveranter proposuerint, se Authoritate quarundam Literarum vestrarum electionem fecisse, quas Literas & decretum eorum, qualiter Decanum Saresburiensem elegerant in Praelatum, mihi in Capitulo ostenderunt, tamen propter Literas vestras quas mihi misistis pro Venerabili fratre Episcopo Norwicensi, eisdem Literis & meo consilio coartati, salvo tamen jure si quid habent in electione praedicta, praefatum Norwicensem Episcopum in suum duxerunt Episcopum concorditer postulandum, & decretum inde solenniter factum per suos Nuncios vobis mittunt, a sanctitate vestra mecum humiliter deposcentes, ut inde quod vobis inspiraverit Dominus, faciatis. Dat. apud Midleham vi. Kalend. Marcii. IN Nomine Patris & Filii & Spiritus Sancti, Amen. Omnibus sanctae Matris Carta. 16 Johannis Regis, m. 9 intus in scheduia. Ecclesiae filiis, praesentis Decreti paginam inspecturis, W. humiles Prior & conventus Ecclesiae Dunolmensis, salutem in Domino. Sicut praevio bono pastore ingrediuntur & egrediuntur & sibi pascua inveniunt Oves dominicae, ita quidem fure vel mercenario aliunde quam per hostium intrante, eodem veri Pastoris destitutae sollicitudine Lupis rapacibus expositae extra loca pascuae devagantur errabundae. Nos igitur attendentes quod Ecclesia nostra jampridem boni Pastoris solatio privata, per multos inutiles pastores, nec non & longam vacationem magnis sit honoribus & multis libertatibus turpiter mutilata, cura quoque & consilio pene penitus destituta, ut juris ordine per omnina observato, de dei vultu Ecclesiae nostrae dudum Pastore carentis procederet electio; ita tandem Ecclesiae nostrae duximus. Post trinam ammonicionem E. bonae memoriae quondam Archiepiscopi nostri, praecedente etiam mandato Apostolico super electione facienda ad nos facto, nec non domini Regis assensu saepius super hoc requisito, porrectis nobis insuper a Domino Rege precibus pro quibusdam personis Ecclesiae nostrae minus inutilibus, et ad tanti honoris Dnus portandum minus sufficientibus, convocatis ad hoc fratribus nostris, in Capitulo convenimus, & ibidem consistentes, Spiritus sancti gratia vitae invocata, & matura deliberatione praehabita, virum venerabilem Richardum Decanum Ecclesiae Saresburiensis, unanimi consensu & sine Contradictione elegimus in Pastorem. Virum utique integrae famae, cuide Canonicis nihil credimus obviare institutis, in temporalibus bene providum, & in spiritualibus multum devotum, moribus & literatura praeclarum, quem credimus & scire & velle Ecclesiae nostrae deperdita restaurare, ac restaurata diligentius custodire, parati pro ipso quantum patitur justitia, & res exponere & personas: appellantes insuper tam pro electione quam pro electo nostro, ne inimico homine machinante aliquid in praejudicium hujus facti attemptetur. Ut autem factum nostrum debitae robur obtineat firmitatis stabile manens & inconcussum, praesens decretum sigillorum subscriptionibus roboravimus, & sigilli nostri appositione vallavimus. Ego W. Prior Subscribo † Ego Henr. Subprior Subscribo † Robertus Hostellarius Subscribo † Ego Johannes Subscribo † Ego Willus Subscribo † Ego Ambrose Elmosinarius Subscribo † Ego Radulphus Subscribo † Ego Thomas Subscribo † Ego Oswaldus Subscribo † Ego Johannes Subscribo † Ego Robertus Subscribo † Ego Rogerus Subscribo † Ego Willus Subscribo † Ego Robertus Subscribo † Ego Andreas Subscribo † Ego Michael Subscribo † Ego Galfridus Subscribo † Ego Anketinus Subscribo † Ego Hammond Subscribo † Ego Simond Subscribo † Ego Petrus Subscribo † Ego Johannes Subscribo † Ego Thomas Subscribo † Ego Henericus Subscribo † Ego Rogerus Subscribo † Ego Johannes Subscribo † Ego Heneri. Subscribo † Ego Robertus Subscribo † Ego Germanus Subscribo † Ego Robertus Subscribo † Ego Bartholomeus Subscribo † Ego Willus Subscribo † Ego Johannes Subscribo † Ego Willus Subscribo † Ego Willus Subscribo † Ego Radulphus Subscribo † Ego Gilbertus Subscribo † Ego Germanus Subscribo † Ego Robertus Subscribo † Ego Hammond Subscribo † Ego Robertus Subscribo. This Decree and Appeal they all thus sealed and subscribed, in direct affront and opposition to the King's Letters and requests unto them. The same year with some struggling the King procured R. de Marisco to be elected Bishop of Winchester, as these Records attest. REX dilectis sibl Abbatibus Eborac. & de Bello loco Regis & de Seleby, & Pat. 16 Johan. Regis, pars 1. m. 16. dorso. Willielmo Briwer, & Cantalupo Senescal salutem. Sciatis quod quicquid vobis alias Mandaverimus de assensu vestro communiter vice nostra prestando in Electione Wintoniensi Ecclesiae, in personam tamen dilecti et fidelis nosiri Magistri R. de Marisc. Archid. Northumb. Ecclesiae illi praeficiendum firmiter assentimus, et constanter, volentes proculdubio quod hoc mandatum nostrum speciale generali mandato nostro derogat prius vobis facto, maxime cum tempore illo sedes dictae Ecclesiae dignoscatur non vacasse. Mandamus igitur vobis quod in ejus personam cujuslibet alterius persona exclusa, assensum vice nostra praebeatis, quem quidem ratum habebimus, et inconcussum. Et in hujus rei testimonium, etc. Teste meipso apud Volvent. Vicesimo secundo die Maii Anno Regni 16. REX Priori & Conventui sancti Swithini Wint. salutem. Cum omni consonum Ibidem. sit rationi quod Principis Petitio, maxime pro pace et tranquilitate Regni porrecta, de facili debeat exaudiri, confidentes devobis quod nihil attemptare velitis nostrae contrarium dignitati, universitatem vestram audacter imploramus, attentius exhortantes, dilectum et fidelem nostrum Magistrum R. de Marisc. Archidiaconum Northumbr, Virum utique providum, Literatum, & honestum, nobis fidelem, Regno utilem ad consilium et Auxilium efficacem, vobis in Episcopum intuitu Dei et nostri liberaliter eligatis, maxime cum Dominus Papa sui gratia ejus affectet promotionem, scituri proculdubio, quod in ejus personam firmiter assentimus et constanter, nullatenus vol entes ab hoc proposito resilire. Et ut facilius huic petitioni nostrae condescendatis, ipsum R. ad vos destinamus a nexibus curiae penitus absolutum. Et in hujus rei testimonium, etc. Vobis mittimus. Teste ut supra. Eodem modo scribitur Priori sancti Swithini Wint. sine Conventu. He being elected upon these importunate Letters, and approved, the King thus Writ to the Pope's Legate to confirm him. DOmino N. Tusculanensi Episcopo Apostolicae sedis Legato J. Dei gratia Rex Ibidem. Angliae, etc. Noveritis quod monachi Wint. Ecclesiae dilectum & fidelem nostrum Magistrum R. de Marisc. Archidiaconum Northumb. unanimi assensu Capituli sui elegerunt, & nos huic electioni praebuimus et praebemus assensum, unde paternitati vestrae devotissime supplicamus, quatenus & vos manum con●●rmationis apponatis, cum constet nobis hanc vobis a Domino Papa concessam fuisse potestatem; Dominum autem Cantuariensem Archiepiscopum super hoc sollicitare nolumus, aestimantes quod ejus confirmationem maliciose differre attemptaret. Teste meipso apud Niors. Vicesimo octavo die Junii. Anno Decimo sexto. I find not in any of our Historians, nor in Godwins Catalogue, that he was ever consecrated Bishop of Winchester, notwithstanding his election, and the King's approbation and Letters on his behalf, so that he miscarried in this design, as he did in this of Hugo Foliot to St. David's. REX R. Hereford. Episcopo, etc. Quoniam ex fideli Magnatum & fidelium nostrorum Claus. 16 Joh. Regis, pars 3. m. 5. dorso. didicimus testimonio, dilectum & fidelem Hugonem Foliot, Archidiaconum Salop. magnae honestatis virum esse, scientia etiam & moribus bene ornatum, necnon Ecclesiae Menevensi, nobis & Regno nostro utilem, vos attentius rogamus, quatenus pro amore nostro ad Ecclesiam Menevensem, cum Literis nostris quas Capitulo ejusdem Ecclesae de memorato H. in Ecclesia promovendo destinamus, accedentes, ipsum Capitulum moneatis, et modis omnibus quibus poteritis inducatis, ut huic petitioni meae favorem praebeant benignum, ut ob meritum hujus nostrae petitionis ab eisdem exauditae, tam in rebus Ecclesiae suae alienatis revocandis adjutores, quam in aliis Ecclesiae suae negotiis suis promovendis benigni ipsis existere debeamus. Placeat discretioni vestrae ita dignitati et honori nostro in promotione praefati fidelis nostri insistere quod diligentia vestra a nobis merito debeat commendari. Apud Gendef. Decimo sexto die Januarii. REX dilectis sibi in Christo Capitulo Menevensis Ecclesiae, salutem. Quoniam ex Ibidem. fideli Magnatum nostrorum didicimus testimonio, dilectum & fidelem nostrum Hugonem Foliot, Archidiaconum Salop. magnae honestatis virum esse, scientia etiam & moribus ornatum, necnon Ecclesiae vestrae et Regno nostro utilem, nullis laboribus et expensis nostris parcere volentes, universitatem vestram attentius rogamus, quatenus tam Ecclesiae vestrae, quam nostrum et Regni nostri honorem pensantes, et utilitatem, ipsum H. in Pastorem, et Episcopum Ecclesiae vestrae eligere velitis. Hanc autem petitionem nostram tam benigne exaudire velitis, ut in jure Ecclesiae vestrae confovendo, et negotiis vestris efficaciter promovendo ob meritum praesentis petitionis nostrae exauditae nos benignos, et benevolos invenire debeatis. Apud Ge● def. I cannot find that he succeeded in this suit, nor yet in this his recommendation of three several persons to the Prior and Covent of Ramesy. REX Priori & Conventui de Rames. etc. Audito rumore quod Ecclesia vestra Pat. 17 Johan. Regis, m. 2. dorso. Pastore est destituta, eidem ad honorem Dei providere affectantes, pro dilectis nostris Abbate Eborum, Priore de Coventr. & Priore de Coldingham, universitatem vestram duximus rogandam, quatenus unum istorum trium vobis in Pastorem invocata Spiritus Sancti gratia unanimiter eligere non differatis. Speramus enim unum praedictorum virorum, praecipue cum magnae sint Authoritatis, & bonae famae nobis et Regno nostro utilem, et Ecclesiae vestrae Gubernationi, necnon et omnium rerum vestrarum dispositioni necessarium. Adquiescentes igitur taliter consilio nostro Petitiones nostras exaudientes, quod id ad honorem Dei cedere valeat & vestrum commodum, & quod proinde vobis gratias exsolvere debeamus. Teste meipso apud Farnham, Decimo nono die Aprilis. What interest King John claimed in giving his Royal assent or descent to the uniting of Bishoprics and Abbeys, whereof he was Patron, appears by these Records, concerning the union and disuniting of the Bishopric of Bath and Wells, and Abbey of Glastonbury, wherein the Pope had exercised the principal Jurisdiction by Usurpation. SAnct●ssimo Patri, etc. J. Dei gratia, etc. Et tam debitam quam devotam ut Domino Cl●us. 16 Jo● Regis, ●a 〈◊〉 ●. m 3. dorso. & Patri in omnibus reverentiam. Quoniam nostri et Haeredum nostrorum plurimum interest ne unio Bathoniae et Glaston. Ecclesiarum dissolvatur, parati sumus jus nostrum defendere sicut decet habita opportunitate. Ad quod tamen ea diligentia intendere non possumus ad praesens, tum propter statum & negotia Regni nostri, tum propter expeditionem quibus nos oportet omnem & continuam diligentiam adhibere. Quapropter Sanctitati vestrae supplicamus cum omni qua possumus instantia, quatenus negotium super unione praedicta, saltem suspendi velitis quousque a peregrinatione nostra nos reduxerit miseratio divina. Teste Domino P. Wintoniensi Episcopo, apud Walling. secundo die Maii. SAnctissimo Domino & Fratri J. Dei gratia Rex, etc. salutem. Quoniam ea quae Ibidem. Apostolicae Authoritatis deliberatione providè statuta sunt consistere decet stabilitate perpetua, ut nullatenus infirmentur, eo confidentius Paternitati vestrae duximus supplicandum pro conservatione unionis Bathoniae & Glastoniae Ecclesiarum, quam de assensu R. quondam Regis Angliae fratris nostri, Sanctae recordationis Dominus E. praedecessor vester stabilitat. Et postmodum vestra prudentia multiplici Authenticorum vestrorum beneficio roboravit: Cui etiam multis a retro Annis nostrum praebueramus assensum. * See Godwins Catalogue of Bishops, p. 296. Meminimus autem nos vacante s●de Bathoniensi & Glastoniensi sublimitati vestrae scripsisse pro ipsa unione rescindenda. Et similiter ad magnam instantiam nostram, et Regni nostri Magnates, Episcopi quidem, et Abbates, quamplurimum etiam Bathoniensis et Wellensis Capitula ob idem nobis supplicarunt. Quod proculdubio minime fecissemus, si tunc mem●res fuissemus assensus nostri quem eidem unioni adhibueramus, aut si multiplex praejudicium quod nobis et Haeredibus nostris, et dispendium quod Ecclesiis memoratis Bathoniensi et Wellensi, et etiam Glastoniensi imminere dignoscitur▪ animadvertissemus, sicut nunc clarius intuemur. Quodque vobis super eodem iterato scripsimus id nos fecisse recolimus ob iram et indignationem, quam adversus Uenerabilem Patrem nostrum I. Bathoniensem et Glastoniensem Episcopum, conceperamus, eo quod cum inimicis nostris Interdicti temporibus Angliae, fuerat in partibus transmarinis, nondum insuper intendentes ad praejudicia et dispendia praedicta, quae nunc videmus, sed nec etiam assensum nostrum quem praediximus ad memoriam reducentes. Placeat igitur Sanctitati vestrae, ut praedictarum unio Ecclesiarum indultam sibi firmitatem obtineat in perpetuum, ne ad successionem maliciosam tantae tamque sollempnis Authoritatis ordinem enervetur. Quod in non modicum nostri et Haeredum nostrorum similiter in Bathoniensis et Glastoniensis et Wellensis Ecclesiarum cederet praejudicium. Apud Walling. secundo die Maii. Hereupon the Pope referred the examination of this cause to his Legates in England, before whom King John constituted his Proctor by this Writ. REX N. Tusculanensi Episcopo, & Magistro Pandulpho, Domini Papae Subdiacono Claus. 16 Joh. Regis, pars 1. m. 4. intus. & Decano Sarr. salutem. In causa super unione Bathoniae & Glastoniae Ecclesiarum vobis a Domino Papa commissa, ad diem Jovis proximam ante Dominicam in Ramis palmarum in Capella Sancti Thomae juxta Oseneyam, apud Oxon. dilectum & fidelem nostrum Henricum de Ver, procuratorem nostrum constituimus; ratum habituri quicquid dictis die & loco in dicta causa mediante justitia fecerit, ad appellandum etiam si necesse fuerit dictum H. procuratorem constituimus. Judicatum solvi promittimus pro eodem idem parti adversae significamus. Teste meipso apud Oxon. Octavo die Aprilis, Anno Regni nostri xuj. Sub eadem forma scribitur Episcopo Cicestriae, & Magistro Pandulpho. Teste eodem. Dat. eadem. Anno eodem. The conclusion was this: That the Monks of Glastonbury prevailed with money Godwins Catalogue of Bps. p. 196. in the life of Joceline. and importunity to have their Abbey severed from the Bishopric, and to be governed by an Abbot as formerly, parting with no less than 4. Manors, and the Patronage of 6. Benefices to joceline Bishop of Bath and Wells, and his Successors, by way of composition, to obtain this disunion. The Pope and his Legates having stripped King John of his Crown, and most of the Prerogatives thereto belonging, seemed to make him some kind of recompense, by these two insignificant empty Privileges which they indulged to him, to give him some content, being mere Ciphers in themselves, without any substance. In this 16. year of King John, Robert de Corcu● a Cardinal of Rome, by the Pope's Authority, held a Council at Bordeaux in France, wherein he made sundry Decrees concerning Jews, Tithes, and other particulars, enchroaching upon the Rights of Temporal Princes and Barons, subjecting their persons to Excommunications, and Lands to Interdictions: and that in particular. From all which Statutes and Canons this Legate specially exempted King john's and his Heirs rights, as no ways to be impaired thereby, but rather preserved; which was but a mere Compliment, neither he nor his Kingdoms or Subjects being obliged thereby. ITem si Barones vel quicunque alii per Quadragintos dies veleo amplius excommunicationem Pat. 16 Johan. Regis, pars 1. m. 15. dorso. in eos latam sustinuerint, eorum subditi ab eorum fidelitate absolvantur, & eorum terra Interdicto supponantur, & nihilominus per eorum Dominos & Praelatos, & communes totius Provinciae contra eos directas puniantur, eorum Principe prius Convento, Feoda vero & terrae excommunicatorum in potestate Dominorum suorum consistant, quousque injuriam passis & Ecclesiae ab eisdem satisfactum fuerit competenter. Item, non compellantur inviti viduae vel alii per Principes ad Matrimonia contrahenda, etc. Attendentes autem devotionem & obedientiam Charissimi nostri Johannis illustris Regis Angliae, Domini Hiberniae, Ducis Norman. Aquit. & Comitis Andegaviae, nolumus quod per haec statuta nostra, vel alia quae fecerimus vice legationis in Regno Franciae, aliquid juris sui vel Haeredum suorum depereat; Sed potius jura sua volumus per omnia conservari. Et in hujus rei testimonium, haec Statuta nostra eidem Domino sigillo nostro signata habenda concessimus. Ita scilicet quod non noceant sibi vel Haeredibus suis. Besides, the Pope to gratify King John by putting a Feather in his Cap, when he had wrested his Crown from his head, and Sceptre out of his hand, granted him this pretended new privilege, exempting his Chapels from Episcopal Excommunication and Jurisdiction, without the Pope's special command; which in truth were by the Laws of the Realm exempted from them long before, by the King's inherent Regal prerogative; by which kind of grants of pretended privileges the Pope came to challenge and enchroach new Jurisdictions in the Realm, which they never exercised nor claimed before. IN NOCENTIUS Episcopus servus servorum Dei, Charissimo in Christo Chart. 16 Joh. Regis, m. 9 filio Johanni illustri Regi Anglorum, salutem & Apostolicam Benedictionem. Apostolicae sedis ampla benignitas sincere obsequentium vota fidelium favore benevolo prosequi consuevit, & illustrium virorum personas quas in devotione sua promptas invenerit & ferventes, quibusdam titulis decentius decorare. Vt igitur ex speciali devotione quam ad Romanam Ecclesiam et personam nostram habere dignosceris, Apostolicum tibi sentias accrevisse favorem, statuimus ne a quoquam tua possit Excommunicari vel Interdici Capella sine mandato sedis Apostolicae speciali. Tu ergo ne inde nascantur injuriae unde jura nascuntur, talem te super hiis satagas exhibere, ne per abusum (quod absit) privari ab hujusmodi beneficio merearis; quia juxta Canonicas sanctiones, privilegium mererur amittere, qui permissa sibi abutitur potestate. (And had not this Pope by this rule forfeited all his pretended privileges and right in England long before, by his Interdict, Excommunication, and disinheriting of K. John and his Heirs for ever?) Nulli ergo omnino hominum liceat hanc paginam nostrae constitutionis infringere, vel ei ausu temerario contra ire; si quis autem hoc attemptare praesumpserit, indignationem Omnipotentis Dei, et Beatorum Petri et Pauli Apostolorum ejus, se noverit incursurum. Dat. Romae, apud Sanctum Petrum, xviij. die Kalend. Maii. Pontificatus nostri Anno xvij. This privilege was made the ground of exempting the King's Free Chappels from the ordinary Taxes of the Clergy, Provisions of the Pope, Procurations, tenths, Archiepiscopal and Episcopal Visitations, as will hereafter appear; when as in truth the Common Law of England, Prescription time out of mind, and the Great Parliamentary Council of Clarendon, gave them this exemption without the help of this Bull. The greatest and best advantage King John gained by the surrender of his Crown, and most of his Regal Jurisdiction to the Pope, was his real assistance of him against his Arch-enemy Stephen Archbishop of Canterbury, and his Rebellious Barons, rather to preserve his own usurped interest in England then King john's. In pursuance whereof, he having formerly excommunicated all the Barons in general, which they slighted as null, proceeding still more obstinately in their Wars and Rebellions then before; the Pope at the King's request, proceeded to excommunicate some of them by name, with all others that should assist them, or that should invade or enter the Realm to deprive him of his Crown, he being the Church of Rome's Vassal, and the Realm of England belonging thereunto; and Interdicted all the Baron's Lands. Circa dies istos, fummus Pontifex Barones Angliae, quos prius excommunicaverat An. Dom 1216 Mar. Paris Hist. Angl. p. 266, 267, 268. in genere, ad instantiam Regis Anglorum, per subscriptas Literas excommunicavit nominatim & in specie. IN NOCENTIUS Episcopus, etc. Abbati de Albendune, Archidiacono Pictaviensi, & Magistro Roberto Officiali Norwicensis Ecclesiae, salutem. Ad vestram volumus pervenire notitiam, quod nos nuper in generali Concilio constituti, excommunicavimus & Anathematisavimus ex parte Omnipotentis Dei Patris, & Filii, & Spiritus Sancti, authoritate quoque Beatorum Petri & Pauli Apostolorum ejus, ac nostra, Barones Angliae cum adjutoribus & fantoribus suis, qui Johannem illustrem Regem Anglorum Cruce signatum, & * This was the only motive, ground of these Excommunications. Vassallum Romanae Ecclesiae persequ●●tu●, molientes ci Regnum auferre, quod ad Romanam Ecclesiam dignoseitur pertinere. Insuper excommunicamus et Anathematisamus onnies illos, qui ad occupandum vel invadendum Regnum ipsum, aut impediendum euntes in ejusdem Regis succursum, operam vel opem impenderunt, et terras eorundem Baronum Ecclesiastico subjicimus Interdicto. Aggravamus etiam in eosdem fortius manus nostras, st nec sic a suo dessiterint iniquo proposito, cum in hac parte * Were not this Pope, the exiled Archbishop and Bishops worse than the Barons or Saracens, when himself abetted them in their Treasons before his surrender of the Crown? pejores sint Saracenis: decernentes, ut si quis Clericus cujuscunque dignitatis aut ordinis, praedictas excommunicationis aut Interdicti sententias violare praesumpserit, Anathematis se sciat mucrone percussum: et ni quantocius resipuerit, ab omni officio et beneficio deponendum. Quocirca discretioni vestrae per Apostolica scripta praecipiendo mandamus, quatenus per totam Angliam publicari faciatis praescripta, eademque faciatis authoritate nostra, sublato cujuslibet conditionis et appellationis obstaculo inviolabiliter observari. Volumus etiam nihilominus & mandamus, ut quosdam Barones Angliae, quos Venerabilis Frater noster Wintoniensis Episcopus, & dilecti filii Abbas de Ridding, & Magister Pandulphus Subdiaconus & familiaris noster, delegati a nobis, excommunicatos personaliter nominaverunt, quia ipsos in praescriptis culpabiles invenerunt, videlicet, Cives illos Londinenses, qui fuerunt Principales praenominatae perversitatis auctores, & Robertum filium Walteri, S. Comitem Wintoniensem, R. filium ejus, G. de Mandevilla, & Willielmum fratrem ejus, Comitem de Clare, & G. filium ejus, H. Comitem de Hereford, R. de Percy, E. de Vesci, J. Constabularium Ces●riae, Willielmum de Mumbray, Willielmum de Albineto, W. fil um ejus, R. de Ros, & W. filium ejus, P. de Brus, R. de Cressi, Johannem filium ejus, Ranulphum filium Roberti, R. Comitem Bigod, H. filium ejus, R. de Ver, Fulconem filium Warini, W. Malet, W. de Monte-acato, W. filium Marescalli, W. de Bello Campo▪ S. de Kime, R. de Monte Begonis, Nicholaum de Stutevilla, necnon et alios in praedictorum praejudicium sententia nominatim expressos, cum complicibus et fautoribus eorundem, Authoritate Apostolica excommunicatos per totam Angliam publice denunciare faciatis, et ab omnibus arctius evitari, singulis diebus Dominicis et festivis solemniter innovari hujusmodi sententiam facientes ac denunciantes inviolabiliter observari: Civitatemque Londinensem Ecclesiastico suppositam Interdicto, contradictores per censuram Ecclesiasticam appellatione postposita compescendo. Magistrum etiam Bervasium Londinensem Cancellarium, qui sicut a Judicibus praefatis accepimus, dicti Regis, et suarum manifestissimus extitit persecutor, excommunicatum publice denuncietis ac suspensum, graviori etiam poena, nisi congrue satisfecerit, puniendum. Quod si nos omnes, etc. Datum Laterani xvij. Kalend. Januarii. Pontificatus nostri Anno xviij. How these Excommunications were executed by them he thus informs us. CUmque omnes Judices praedicti Literas memoratas accepissent, scripserunt omnibus Mat. Paris, Histor. Angl. p: 267, 268. Angliae Ecclesiis Cathedralibus sive Conventualibus sub hac forma. INNOCENTIUS Episcopus, etc. Hujus igitur Authoritate mandati, vobis districte praecipiendo mandamus, quatenus Barones Angliae cum omnibus adjutoribus et fautoribus suis, qui Dominum johannem Regem Angliae persequuntur, et omnes illos qui ad occupandum vel invadendum Regnum ipsum, vel impediendum euntes in ejusdem Regis succursum operam vel opem impenderunt, excommunicatos denuncietis; et terras eorundem Baronum Ecclesiastico Interdicto suppositas publicetis. Denuncietis etiam excommunicatos omnes Barones, qui in praemisso Domini Papae rescripto personaliter nominantur; cum aliis omnibus in praedictorum judicum sententia nominatim expressis. Videlicet, Walterum de Nor●una, Osbertum filium Alani, Oliverium de Wallibus, H. de Braibrock, R. de Ropesse, W. de Hobruge, W. de Manduit, Mauritium de Gaunt, R. de Berkele, Adam de Lincolana, R. de Mandevilla, W. de Lanvaleie, Philippum filium Johannis, Willielmum de Tuintuna, W. de Huntingfield, Alexandrum de Pointuna, R. de Munfichet, R. de Gressei, Galfridum Constabularium de Meutuna, W. Archidiaconum de Hereford, J. de Fereby, R. Capellanum Rob. r●i filium, W. Alexandrum de Suttuna, W. de Coleville, R. filium ejus, Osbertum Giffard, Nicholaum de Stanevile, Tho. de Muletune, Cives illos Londinenses, Magistrum G. Cancellarium, & Civitatem Londinensem, Ecclesiastico suppositam Interdicto, publice denuncietis. Has vero excommunicationis et Interdicti sententias in Ecclesiis vestris, tam Conventualibus quam Parochialibus ad vos pertinentibus publicari, ac singulis diebus dominicis et festivis faciatis solemniter innovari, ita diligenter singula Capitula mandati Apostolici exequendo, et quantum ad vos pertinet firmiter observando, ne in poenam Canonicam et contumacibus debitam incidatis. Valete. His igitur excommunicationis & Interdicti sententiis per totam Angliam in brevi publicatis, cum ad omnium notitiam pervenisset; sola Civitas Londinensis per contumaciam multiplicem illas adeo contemnendo desperit; quod nec eas Barones observare, nec Praelati publicare decreverunt. Dicebant enim generaliter, omnes Literas falsa suggestione fuisse impetratas, et ideo nullius eas esse momenti; et ex hoc maxime, Nota. quod non pertinet ad Papam ordinatio rerum Laicarum: cum Petro Apostolo et ejus successoribus non nisi * Ecclesiasticarum. Ecclesiarum dispositio rerum a Domino sit collata potestas. Vt quid ad nos se extendit Romanorum insatiata cupiditas? Quid Episcopis Apostolicis, et militiae nostrae? Ecce successores Constantini, et non Petri: non imitantur Petrum in meritis vel Operibus, nec assimilandi sunt in potestate: justus enim est Deus in meritorum recompensatione. Proh pudor! marcidi ribaldi, qui de armis vel liberalitate minime norunt, jam toti mundo propter excommunicationes suas volunt dominari, ignobiles usurarii, et simoniales. O quantum dissimiles Petro, qui sibi Petri usurpant partem? Sic igitur blasphemantes et recalcitrantes, ponentes os in Caelum, ad interdicti sive excomunicationis sententiam nullum penitus habentes respectum; pertotam civitatem celebrarunt divina, signa pulsantes et vocibus altisonis modulantes. Such was their high contempt of this Pope's Authority, Excommunications, Interdicts, and just censure of his usurped Authority, degeneracy from St. Peter's Doctrine and example. Upon the noise of this Excommunication and Interdict, the Barons slighting them with highest indignation, reviled K. john for enthralling himself, them, and the whole Realm to the Pope, and him for countenancing the King against them, refused to own him any longer for their Sovereign, and elected Lewes of France for their King, in such manner as I have * Here p. 295. formerly related; who thereupon, notwithstanding this Popes, and Walo his Legates * Here p. 296, 297. forecited Inhibitions, Excommunications, Interdicts, soon after entered England with a potent Army to aid the Barons. In the mean time the Archbishop's suspension was taken off, upon caution given, and a condition not to enter England till a peace concluded between the King and his Barons; and the Excommunication and Interdict against the Barons, Londoners, and their Complices, renewed. EOdem tempore, Stephanus Cantuariensis Archiepiscopus; Romae da●● cautione Mat. Paris Hist. Angl. p. 269, 270. quod staret judicio Domini Papae de rebus superius expressis, a sententia suspensionis absolutus est: ita tamen, quod ante pacem inter Regem et Barones Angliae plene reformatam, Angliam non intraret. Per idem tempus, instante festo Paschali, cum Abbas Abbendunensis, & conjudices ejus, contumaciam Baronum et Londinensis Civitatis cognovissent, manus suas in eosdem ertendentes, iterato edicto, omnibus Angliae Ecclesiis Conventualibus dederunt in mandatis, ut latam sententiam sub hac forma publicarent. H. Dei gratia Abbas Abbendunensis, etc. Exequentes mandatum Apostolicum nobis sic impositum, sicut tenor Literarum nostrarum, quas nuper vobis transmisimus, vobis plenius intimavit: Sancti Pauli, Sanctique Martini Capitulis, G. de Boclande ejus Ecclesiae Decano, & Conventui Sanctae Trinitatis Londonensis, Literas nostras Domini Papae, rescripti verba continentes, non solum semel, sed saepe misimus, ejus Authoritate Apostolica districte praecipientes, ut Excommunicationis et Interdicti sententias latas in persequentes Dominum Regem et Civitatem Londinensem, diligenter publicantes, inviolabiliter Observarent. Qui adeo irreverenter Apostolicum vi●pendere mandatum praesumunt, quod easdem sententias publicare vel etiam observare per contumaciam contempserunt: in divinis obsequiis excommunicatis scienter communicantes, sententiarum Domini Papae violatores, et mandati ejus contemptores manifestos omnino se in omnibus exhibendo. De quibus per Patentes ●●●eras Capituli Sancti Pauli, Sanctique Martini, Clericos & Nuncios ejusdem Decani nobis specialiter destinatas; & per alias sufficientes probationes plenam habentes certitudinem, constiterit. Praeterea de Regno Francorum quidam Nobiles advenerunt, cum armata manu Militum & Clientum; quos omnes proculdubio eadem excommunicationis sententia volumus esse ligatos. Nam contra Dominum Regem et Sanctam Romanam Ecclesiam invadunt Regnum Angliae, quotidie depraedantes illud, et pro parte detinent occupatum, quod est cunctis in Anglia et multis alibi manifestum. Quocirca jam dictos Nobiles, Castellanum scilicet de S. Audemaro cum suis sociis, qui contra Regem ad occupandum vel invadendum Regnum Angliae opem vel operam impenderunt; Insuper praedictum Decanum, necnon & omnes Canonicos, & Clericos, cujuscunque dignitatis aut ordinis, de Ecclesiis praefatis & Civitate, ad quorum notitiam mandatum pervenerit, vel qui se absentaverunt, vel quocunque modo procuraverunt, quo minus perveniret ad illos; Authoritate Apostolica, qua fungimur in hac parte, denunciamus excommunicatos: vobis eadem authoritate injungentes, quatenus omnes praedictos excommunicatos publice denuncietis, et faciatis per totam Parochiam vestram publicari, tam Decanum, quam Nobiles supradictos personaliter nominando. Ita & circa hoc & illud quod in primis Literis vobis directum continetur mandatum, solliciti existentes, ne penes summum Pontificem quod absit, possitis redargui negligentiae, sed potius de diligentia commendari. Valete. The Londoners and Barons slighted this Excommunication as much as the former, and so doth Lewes of France the Inhibition of the Pope and his Legate, not to invade England, for which undertaking having furnished himself, and his Father Philip by the Legates importunity inclining to dissuade him from it; thereupon, LOdovicus postea in crastino Sancti Marci Evangelistae apud Melun, veniens ad * Mat. Paris, Hist. Angl. p. 271, 272. Patrem suum; rogavit eum cum lachrymis, ne sui itineris propositum impediret. Addit etiam, quod Baronibus Angliae juramentum praestiterat, quod ipsis veniret in succursum: unde praeelegit ad tempus excommunicari a Papa, quam crimen incurrere falsitatis. Videns autem Rex constantiam filii sui, & animi augustiam, ment, voluntate, & adjutorio consensit: sed praevidens futurorum eventuum pericula, palam assensum non adhibuit: Et sic non quasi volendo vel persuadendo, sed quasi permitt endo licentiam concessit, & cum benedictione dimisit. Tunc Lodovicus, missis ad Curiam Romanam nunciis, qui ibi jus, quod sibi de Regno Augliae vendicabat, coram Domino Papa protestarentur: sub omni celeritate cum Comitibus, Baronibus, Militibus, & servientibus multis, qui secum iter Anglicanum juraverunt, festinavit ad mare, ut Legatum in Angliam praeveniret. Where he arrived with 600. Ships and Vessels from Calais, in the Isle of Thanet, june 12. and thence marching to London, cum ingenti omnium Baronum laetitia susceptus est; who together with ihe Citizens of London did all Homage and Fealty to him as their King. Ille vero tactis sacro-sanctis Evangeliis juravit, quod singulis eorum bonas leges redderet, simul & amissas haereditates: To gratify the Archbishop his great friend, then absent at Rome, and promote his designs against King john, Constituit dictus Lodovicus, Magistrum Simonem de Languetuna Cancellarium suum; cuius praedicatione tam Cives Londinenses, quam Barones omnes excommunicati divina celebrare fecerunt, qui etiam ipsum Lodovicum ad consensum traxerunt. So little did they value the Pope's Thunderbolts or Interdicts. EOdem tempore, cum Walo Legatus de progressu Lodovici in Angliam certificatus * Mat. Paris, Hist. Angl. p. 272. fuisset, ipse ut diligens mandati executor Apostolici, ipsum secuturus transfretavit, atque illaesus inter hostes transiens, apud Gloverniam ad Regem johannem pervenit. Quem Rex cum magna alacritate suscipiens, spem suam totam in eo posuit hostibus resistendi. At Legatus, Episcopis, Abbatibus, cum Clericis, quos habere poterat convocatis; Lodovicum nominatim cum complicibus et fautoribus suis, et praecipue Magistrum Simonem de Languetuna, pulsatis campanis et candelis accensis, excommunicavit; praecipiens Episcopis et aliis universis, ut singulis dominicis diebus, ac festivis per totam Angliam sententiam publicarent. Sed ad haec Magister Simon de Languetuna, et Magister Gervasius de Hobrugge, Ecclesiae Sancti Pauli Londinensis Praecentor, cum quibusdam aliis, dixerunt se pro jure et statu Lodovici appellasse, unde sententiam illam irritam habuerunt et inanem. Such a pitiful bugbear was it. In the mean time Lewes his Proctors at Rome endeavoured to satisfy the Pope that King john had no good Title to the Crown of England, and to make good his own Title thereunto, craving Justice against him therein, which put Pope Innocent to a great dilemma, as this account of these proceedings evidenceth. CIrca dies istos Lodovici nuncii, quos ad Curiam Romanam miserat, eidem scripserunt * Mat. Paris, Hist. Angl. p. 27a. sub hac forma. Excellentissimo Domino suo Lodovico, Domini Regis Francorum primogenito, D. de Corbolio, I. de Montevisito, & G. Limeth, nuncii, salutem & fidele servitium. Noverit excellentia vestra, quod nos die Dominica ad mensem Paschae venimus ad Dominum Papam, salvis personis nostris & rebus; & eodem die intravimus statim ad ipsum. Quem hilarem invenimus, sed vultu tristem se nobis exhibuit. Et praesentatis Literis nostris, & proposita salutatione ex parte vestra, ipse nobis respondit: Dominus vester non est dignus salutatione nostra. Ego vero statim respondi: Pater, credo quod auditis rationibus & excusationibus Domini nostri, invenietis eum dignum salutatione vestra, utpotè Christianum Catholicum, vobis & Romanae Ecclesiae devotum. Et sic illa die a praesentia Domini Papae recessimus. Sed in recessu nostro benignissime nobis dixit Dominus Papa; quod nos libenter audiret, quando & quoties vellemus. Sequenti die Martis, Dominus Papa misit servientem quendam ad hospitium nostrum, ut veniremus ad ipsum, & statim venimus ante eum, & ipse multa dixit contra nos, cum proposuissemus causam nostram, & quae vid bantur impugnare factum vestrum, & rationes vestras. Et statim finito sermone, percusso pectore suo cum magno gemitu, infremuit spiritu, & dixit: Heu mihi, quia in hoc facts Ecclesia Dei non potest evadere confusionem. Si enim Rex Angliae vincitur, in ipsius confusione confundimur: quia Vassallus noster est, et tenemur eum defendere. Note. Si Dominus Lodovicus vincitur, quod Deus avertat, in ipsius laesione laeditur Romana Ecclesia; et ipsius laesionem propriam reputamus. Secure enim semper habuimus, et adhue habemus; quod ipse in omnibus necessitatibus debeat esse brachium, solatium in oppressionibus, et refugium in persecutionibus Ecclesiae Romanae. Et in fine dixit, quod melius vellet mori, quam aliquod malum vobis accideret in hoc facto. Et sic illa die recessimus. Praeterea de consilio quorundam Cardinalium expectamus diem Ascensionis, ne quid statuatur contra vos, quoniam illa die solet Papa innovare sententias suas. Dixerat enim nobis Papa, quod ipse expectaret Nuncios Domini Walonis. Valete. After this Lewes his Advocates propounded three Objections against King John before the Pope, to invalid his Title to the Crown of England, which the Pope himself answered, with their replies to make them good; thus exemplified by Matthew Paris. PRima propo sitio contra Regem Angliae fuit in praesentia Domini Papae, a nunciis * Mat. Paris, Hist. Angl. p. 273. 274. supradictis quod Arthurum nepotem suum propriis manibus per proditionem interfecit, pessimo mortis genere, quod Angli murdrum appellant. Pro quo facto, idem Rex condemnatus fuit ad mortem in curia Regis Francorum, per judicium Parium fuorum. Ad hanc objectionem opponit dominus Papa, quod Barones Franciae non potuerunt judicare eum ad mortem condemnari▪ quia sit Rex * Fuit. inunctus, & ita sit superior: per Barones, tanquam inferiores, non potuit * Therefore King John being Supreme in his own Realm, by St: Peter's Doctrine, this Pope could neither excommunicate him, nor depose him from his Crown, whiles absent and unheard at he did, nor examine his title to it. ad mortem condemnari; quia major dignitas quodam modo absorbet minorem. Et praeterea incivile videtur, & contra Canones esse; in hominem absentem, non vocatum, non convictum, nec confessum mortis ferre sententiam. Ad hoc nuncii supradicti responderunt: Consuetudo est in regno Francorum, quod Rex habet omnimodam Jurisdictionem in homines Ligies suos: & Rex Angliae erat suus homo Ligius, tanquam Comes & Dux: Ergo licet esset alias Rex inunctus, tamen tanquam Comes & Dux, erat de Jurisdictione Domini Regis Francorum. Sed si Comes & Dux in regno Francorum delinqueret; posset & deberet judicari ad mortem per Pares suos. Imo si non esset Dux vel Comes, vel homo Ligius Regis Franciae, & deliquisset in regno Franciae, ratione delicti in regno perpetrati, potuerunt Barones eum judicare ad mortem. Alioquin si Rex Angliae, quia Rex erat inunctus, non posset judicari ad mortem: impune posset intrare regnum Franciae, & interficere Barones Franciae, sicut interfecerat Arthurum. Hujus autem negotii veritas talis est: Revera non fuit Rex Johannes juste vel rite abjudicatus a Normannia: quia idem Rex non Judicialiter sed violenter spoliatus, misit propter restitutionem Regi Francorum Phil. nuncios solemnes & prudentes, videlicet Eustachium Episcopum Elyensem & Hubertum de Burgo, viros disertos, & facundos, significans ei quod libenter veniret ad curiam suam juri per omnia super illa re pariturus ac responsurus; sed ut provideretur ei salvus conductus. Et respondit Rex Philippus, sed non sereno vultu vel corde: Libenter. In pace salvus veniat. Et Episcopus: Domine, & redeat. Et Rex: Ita sit, si Parium suorum judicium hoc permittat. Et cum supplicassent omnes nuncij Regis Angliae ut liceret ei salvo venire & redire; Rex Franciae iratus, cum juramento solito respondit: Per Sanctos Franciae, non nisi mediante judicio. Et cum adderet Episcopus pericula quae possent contingere per adventum ejus, ait: Domine Rex, non posset Dux Normanniae ad curiam vestram venire, nisi veniret Rex Angliae, cum una persona sint Dux & Rex, quod non permitteret aliquo modo Barnagium Angliae, etsi ipse Rex hoc vellet: eminerent enim pericula, ut nostis capturae vel caedis. Cui respondens Rex, dixit. Et quid hoc Domine Episcope? Bene scitur quod Dux Normanniae qui meus tenens est, Angliam sibi adquisivit violenter. Ec si subdito aliquid accrescit in honorem, perdatne per hoc Dominus Capitalis? absit. Ad quod cum Nuncii nihil poterant rationabiliter respondere, redierunt ad Dominum Regem Angliae, quae audierant & viderant nunciantes. Rex autem noluit se Committere dubiis casibus, & Judiciis Francorum qui illum non diligebant, maxime cum timeret, ut ei de turpissima morte Arthuri objiceretur, juxta illud Horatij: — quia me vestigia terrent, Omnia te adversum spectantia, nulla retrorsum. Magnates autem Franciae nihilominus processerunt in judicium, quod rite non debuerunt facere, ex quo judicandus abfuit, qui adesse voluit si posset. Unde si Rex Johannes abjudicatus fuerit per * His very case in relation to Pope Innocent, when Interdicted, excommunicated, deprived, by him, being then his capital Enemy. adversarios suos non rite abjudicabatur. Ad haec Papa, multi Imperatores, & Principes, & etiam Francorum Reges, multos in Annalibus occidisse leguntur Innocentes, nec tamen quenquam illorum legimus morti addictum. Et cum Arthurus apud Mirebel Castrum, non ut Innocens, sed quasi nocens, & proditor Domini & avunculi sui, cui homagium, & ligantiam fecerat, captus fuerit, potuit de Jure morti etiam turpissimae sine Judicio condemnari. SEcunda objectio contra Regem fuit, quod saepe citatus non personaliter juri pariturus comparuit, nec sufficientem responsalem pro se ad curiam Franciae destinavit. Ad hoc dicit Papa, quòd si Rex Angliae fuit tantum contumax, quia citatus non venit nec misit, sed propter contumaciam non solet quis puniri ad mortem, nec debet. Ergo Barones Franciae, non potuerunt judicare eum ad mortem, sed saltem alio modo punire eum; per ablationem scilicet feudi sui. Nuncii responderunt: Consuetudo est in Regno Franciae, quod ex quo aliquis accusatur coram suo judice, de tam crudeli homicidio quod Murdrum appellatur; & ille qui accusatur non venit, vero modo legitimo se excusat, pro convicto habetur, & tanquam convictus per omnia judicatur, & etiam ad mortem, ac si praesens esset. Ad haec Papa respondit: Quod pactio potuit esse inter Regem Franciae, & Ducem Normanniae, vel antiqua consuetudo, quod Dux Normanniae non debet venire ad citationem Regis Franciae, nisi in Marchiam: Unde si non venit citatus, nec deliquit, nec propter hoc potuit taliter puniri. Item dicit Papa: Quod si sententia lata fuerit contra Regem Angliae, non tamen mandata fuit executioni, quia non fuit occisus; unde proles, quam suscepit postea, debet ei in Regno succedere: quia * How then could he deprive him & his Heirs being guilty of neither? Rex Angliae non commisit crimen laesae Majestatis, nec crimen haereseos, pro quibus tantum filius exhaeredatur, pro delicto Patris. Ad haec Nuncii responderunt: Consuetudo est in Regno Franciae, quod ex quo aliquis est damnatus ad mortem, quod proles suscepta post sententiam damnationis, succedere non debet, geniti tamen ante sententiam succedere debent. Sed tamen super hoc, Nuncii litigare noluerunt. Item dicit Papa, Quod Rex Anglorum judicatus esset ad mortem, & etiam filii de carne sua geniti, non ideo Blanca deberet ei succedere; sed propinquiores de genere ejus, videlicet proles fratris primogeniti, & ita soror Arthuri, vel Otho, qui fuit filius sororis primogenitae. Et si ponatur, quod Regina Castellae debeat succedere, & ita Blanca filia ejus, non est verum: quia masculus debet praeferri, Rex scilicet Castellae. Et si nullus esset masculus, praeferri deberet Regina Legionum, tanquam primogenita. Ad haec Nuncii dixerunt: Filii fratris non debent succedere, ex quo tempore latae sententiae frater non vivebat: & ita neptis, soror scilicet Arthuri, non debet succedere, quia non est in linea descendenti, cum sit filia fratris: Similiter tempore latae sententiae mater Othonis non vivebat, ergo non successit, ergo Otho non debet succedere. Sed Regina Castellae vivebat, quae soror erat, & ideo successit: Ergo mortua Regina Castellae, proles successit, & succedere debuit. Ad haec dicit Papa: Quod Rex Castellae, succedere debet, quia masculus est; vel Regina Legionum tanquam primogenita. Nuncii dixerunt: Quod cum plures sint haeredes, qui alicui debent succedere, & ille qui primo loco debet succedere, taceat; vel haereditatem investiri debet haereditate illa secundum consuetudinem approbatam, salvo tamen jure alterius, si reclamaverit. Et ideo Dominus Lodovicus intrat Regnum Angliae, ut suum. Et si quis propinquior velit super hoc reclamare, Dominus Lodovicus faciet inde quod debet. TUnc dixit Papa: Quod Regnum Angliae suum proprium est, et est in Nota. possessione Dominii ratione fidelitatis, quae super hoc est ei facta per juramentum, et etiam ratione census, qui jam ei solutus est de Regno: Unde cum in nullo delinqueret, non deberet sibi guerram movere Lodovicus, nec deberet eum spoliare a Regno Angliae * Why would himself do it before his Charter of Surrender by War & force of Arms▪ per guerram; maxime cum Rex Angliae multas habeat terras in feudo Regis Franciae, de quibus potest ei movere guerram. Ad haec Nuncii: Mota fuit guerra & justum Bellum contra Regem Angliae, antequam Regnum illud esset Domini Papae. Sed de Regno Angliae venit Willielmus de Longa spata, & multi alii cum eo, in manu valida & armata; qui damna multa & injurias intulerunt Domino Lodovico in terra sua propria; & ideo Dominus noster potest movere justum Bellum contra Regem Anglorum. Ad haec Papa dixit: Quod licet Rex Angliae tanquam Vassallus ejus Lodovico, non ipse tamen deberet ei movere guerram; sed deberet conqueri Domino superiori, scilicet Papae, cui subest Rex Angliae, tanquam Vassallus ejus. Ad haec Nuncii responderunt. Quod consuetudo est, ex quo aliquis Vassallus alterius movet guerram alicui authoritate sua, ille cui mota est guerra, potest ei movere guerram authoritate sua, nec tenetur conqueri Domino illus. Et si Dominus vult defendere Vassallum suum quamdiu movet talem guerram, ipse Dominus dicitur facere guerram. Item dicit Papa: Quod in generali Concilio statutum est, quod inter omnes discordantes debet esse pax vel treuga usque ad quatuor annos, pro succursu Terrae Sanctae; & ideo tempore medio Lodovicus non debet Regno Angliae guerram movere. Nuncii dixerunt: Quod in recessu suo a Francia Lodovicus non fuit requisitus de pace vel treuga: & si requisitus esset, crediderunt tantam esse malitiam Regis Angliae, quod noluit pace vel treuga gaudere. Item dicit Papa: Quod Rex Angliae, cruce signatus est: unde ex constitutione generalis Concilii, ipse Rex & omnia sua debent esse sub protectione Ecclesiae. Ad hoc Nuncii responderunt: Quod Rex Angliae aute crucem sumptam guerram moverat Domino Lodovico, & damna multa fecerat, Castra sua ceperat; & adhuc Milites suos & servientes incarceratos retinet, & hucusque in guerra est contra Dominum Lodovicum, nec pacem vel treugam cum eo habere voluit, super hoc etiam saepe requisitus. Item dicit Papa: Quod de communi consilio generalis Concilii excommunicaverat Barones Angliae, & omnes fautores eorum, & ita Dominus Lodovicus fententiam incurrisse videtur. Nuncii dixerunt: Quod Lodovicus non adjuvat Barones Angliae, nec fovet eos, sed jus suum prosequitur: nec etiam credit Lodovicus, nec credere debet, quod Dominus Papa, vel tantum Concilium, injuste velit aliquem excommunicare. Nam tempore latae sententiae Dominus Papa nesciebat, quod Lodovicus haberet jus de Regno Angliae, & cum hoc illi constiterit, non credit Dominus Lodovicus, quod Concilium possit ei jus suum auferre. Item dicit Papa: Quod Rex Francorum & Lodovicus filius ejus, post sententiam a Baronibus Franciae in Regem Angliae latam, ipsum Regem appellaverunt, & pro Rege habuerunt: & cum eo tanquam cum Rege Angliae treugas statuerunt. Ad haec Nuncii responderunt: Quod post latam sententiam a Baronibus in Regem, nunquam illum pro Rege habuerunt: sed ipsum Regem depositum appellaverunt, sicut, Abbas depositus, & quilibet alius dici solet. Novissime vero dicit Papa: Quod ipse * non. statuet super hiis antequam veniant Nuncii Domini Walonis. By which relation we see the Pope himself became King John's Advocate, as well as Judge, not as King of England, but only because he was his Vassal, (as he frequently styles him) and the Kingdom of England his Kingdom, not john's, in point of Interest. Whiles these things were agitated at Rome, England was miserably a Mat. Paris, Hist. Angl. p. 357. Speed, p. 585. Holinshed and others. wasted and harried by Lewes and his Army in the East and South, and by King John in the West and North; whereupon 40. of the Barons, considering the miseries of their native Country, the power, successes of K. John, became sensible of their errors in rejecting him, and calling in and Crowning Lewes for their King, and being likewise informed by Viscount Melun on his deathbed, upon his salvation, That Lewes and 16. others of his chief Earls and Barons, whereof himself was one, had taken an Oath, That if ever the Crown of England were quietly settled on his head, he would condemn to perpetual exlle all the English who now adhered to him against King John, as Traitors to their lawful Sovereign, and would actually extirpate all their kindred; counselling them, timely to prevent their miseries, and lock up his words under the seal of secrecy; thereupon addressed their Letters of submission to K. John, hoping that Royal blood was ever ready to show mercy to such who were ready to yield and prostrate themselves, as solicitors for mercy. But before these Letters delivered, or any answer returned, King John fell suddenly sick at Swinshed Abbey, being at the mercy of an higher Sovereign. When he perceived that his death approached, he with penitent confession of his sins, and great devotion, received the blessed Eucharist, having the Abbot of Croxston both for his bodily and ghostly Physician; and then not only gladly forgave all his mortal Enemies and Persecutors, (though very difficult to flesh and blood) but also sent command to Henry his son to do the like, to whom he caused all present to swear Fealty, as next heir to the Crown, and sent Letters to all his Officers abroad to assist him. After which he commended his soul to God, and his body to be interred in Worcester Church, where he was afterwards solemnly buried, near the body of Bishop Wolston, renowned for his constant fidelity to his Prince, against the Nobles of his time. Our Historians much differ about his sickness, and true cause of his sudden death; some relate he died of grief, others of a fever, a third sort of a flux, a fourth of a surfeit, a fifth of poison: the most probable opinion is, that he was poisoned by a Monk of Swinshed Abbey, where he died, being of the Cisteaux Order, which the King had formerly b Here, p. 262. much oppressed and incensed; whereupon by way of revenge (to prevent further miseries to the Church, Realm, and gratify the Rebellious Bishops, Monks, Clergy, Barons, his professed Enemies, then highly enraged against him) this Monk presented the King with an envenomed Cup, whereof the King commanded him to be the Taster, of which both of them drinking, this Votary became the Diabolical instrument of his own and his Sovereign's destruction. Some of our Monkish Historians themselves relate, that the Monk revealing his intention of poisoning the King to his Abbot, though he poisoned himself to effect it, and saying, That he would suffer this voluntary Martyrdom for the public, as Caiphas said of Christ, better one perish then a whole Nation; the Abbot at this resolution and constancy of his, wept, and praysed God for joy: whereupon the Monk being absolved before hand by the Abbot, resolutely took the Cup wherewith he poisoned both himself and the King. For a reward and memory of which his execrable Treason, after his decease, five Monks of that Abbey did sing for this their Brother's soul specially, and so would do whiles the Abbey stood, as the Manuscript Chronicle of St. Alban, Caxton, Eulogium, ( c Acts and Monuments, vol. 1. p. 332, 333. ) Mr. Fox, ( d History of Great Britain, p. 586, 587. ) Speed, and others more at large relate: whereas on the contrary these Monk's fable, That it was revealed to a Monk, That King John was in Hell, though a Poet for so saying is censured by e Mat. Paris, Anno 1226. Matthew Paris himself as Reprobus versificator, who (though a bitter Enemy to K. John, as if he thought ill of, and renounced his Religion) gives us this final judgement of his death and future estate, only for his liberality to two Monasteries. f Mat. Paris, Hist. Angl. p. 277. Cum autem regnasset Rex Johannes annis octodecim, mensibus quinque, diebus autem quatuor, ab hac vita post hujus saeculi multas perturbationes, & labores inutiles, in multa mentis amaritudine subtractus, transmigravit; Nihil terrae, imo nec seipsum possidens. (Such was his infelicity througst his Prelates, Subjects Treachery.) Sperandum est autem, et certissime confidendum, quod quaedam bona opera, quae fecit in hac vita, allegabunt pro eo ante Tribunal jesu Christi: construxit enim Abbatiam Cisterciensis ordinis de Bello loco, et moriturus domui de* Crokestuna decem librarum terram contulit, opulentam. Yet the malice of many of his Bishops, Monks, Clergy, and other Enemies against him was such, that they would neither permit him to enjoy his Temporal Crown and Kingdoms on earth whiles he lived, nor permit God himself to bestow on him any Crown, or share at all in the Kingdom of Heaven, after his untimely death. I have now with all possible industry and integrity presented you out of our Histories and Records with the exactest Chronological History hitherto published, of the Popes and Prelates manifold, unparallelled, grand Usurpations upon the Crown, Kingdoms, Churches of England and Ireland, during the reign of King John, with his strenuous various oppositions against them for sundry years, till by armed violence, fear, fraud, treachery, perjury, rebellion, enforced to resign up his Crown, Scepter, Kingdoms, to his grand Enemy Pope Innocent the 3d. who afterwards undertook his protection against his Rebellions Prelates and Barons, not out of any love or respect unto him as King of England, but merely as his sworn Vassal and Tributary, by an enforced Charter, the nullity whereof both in Law and Conscience I have at g Here, p. 274 to 330. large demonstrated, against all Popes and their Parasites pretences. The new Usurpations made by this Pope, and the English Bishops confederating with him, upon this King's supreme Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction, during his unfortunate reign, are reducible to these heads. 1. An usurped arbitrary power for the Pope to examine in the Court of Rome, the Elections of Archbishops, Bishops, Abbots, though duly made by the Electors with the King's licence. 2ly. A Jurisdiction for the Pope to compel some few members of Chapters and Covents in England to elect whomsoever he recommended to be their Archbishop, Bishop, Abbot, without the consent of the majority of the Chapter or Covent, even in Rome itself, against their Oaths, Trusts, Charters, Privileges. 3ly. A Jurisdiction without the King's previous Regal licence to elect, or subsequent assent to such Elections, to compel the King himself to invest Bishops in the actual possession of their Temporalties, by Ecclesiastical censures, and force of arms, against the Rights and Privileges of the Crown. 4ly. A new Prerogative for the Pope or his Legates by their own Provisions or Translations to promote whom they pleased to any Archbishopric, Bishopric, Abbey, Deanery, Benefice, in England or Ireland, whereof the King himself or any other was rightful Patron, without and against his Royal assent, or the Patrons. 5ly. A mere arbitrary Jurisdiction to Interdict the King and Kingdom of England, to prohibit all Divine Service and Sacraments therein for sundry months, yea years together, against Gods and the Kings express commands; and that not for any personal or national scandalous crimes, found in the King or Kingdom, but merely for opposing the Pope's apparent encroachments on the Rights of the King's imperial Crown. 6ly. A power personally to excommunicate the King himself, and all others who should either eat, drink, discourse or communicate with him, only for disobeying the Pope's illegal commands, against his ancient Rights and Privileges. 7ly. An Authority to absolve all his Subjects from their Oaths of Allegiance and Obedience to him, till conformable to his Papal pleasure; and to dispense with the Kings own Oaths to his Barons and people. 8ly. A pretended supream Antichristian Papal authority, actually to deprive the King and his Heirs of his very hereditary Crown, Kingdoms, and give them away to other foreign Princes. 9ly. To command foreign Kings, and all Christian Nobles, Knights, Soldiers, by force of arms to seize upon and expel him his Kingdoms, and issue out Crossadoes to War against and dethrone him, as if he were a mere Saracen and Turk. 10ly. A Jurisdiction to deprive, suspend, sequester, excommunicate the Archbishops, Bishops, Abbots, Priors, Ecclesiastical and Temporal Peers, and Cities of the Realm at his Papal pleasure, and summon them to attend the Pope personally at Rome, to undergo his Papal censures. 11ly. A liberty inserted into the Great Charter for all Bishops, Clergymen, Monks, and others to depart out of the Realm, resort to Rome, or to the King's Enemies, without his Royal licence first obtained, and to return again at their pleasures. 12ly. A liberty for all Chapters, Covents, Monks, Clergymen, freely to elect whom they pleased to Bishoprics, Monasteries, Deaneries, and other preferments in the King's Donation, and to reject whatever persons the King should specially recommend unto them, though never so deserving; so as the King could prefer no person to any elective Dignity within his Realms, but whom the Chapters, Covents, Clergy should voluntarily elect, and the Pope or his Legates actually confirm at their pleasures. 13ly. A power to sequester, suspend, deprive, excommunicate, and reduce to extreme necessity all such Scholars, Clergymen, and Loyal Subjects, who had so much loyalty and courage as to appear in defence of the King and his Cause, against the Pope's illegal injurious encroachments; and to protect, advance, reward, encourage all Traitors and Rebels against the King, to advance the Pope's Usurpations. 14ly. A power to sell Archbishoprics, Bishoprics, Monasteries, and all other Ecclesiastical preferments, Palls, to those who would give most money for them; to extort moneys for Papal Benedictions, Valedictions, dismissions from attendance in General Councils, or the See of Rome, upon summons thither. 15ly. An over-awing authority over all the Bishops, Clergy of England & Ireland, to obey the Pope's most unjust, treasonable commands, against the express commands, protestations of the King, Barons, Kingdoms, to the Kings, Realms, and Church's prejudice. 16ly. A power to hear and determine, by Appeal or otherwise, all causes and controversies concerning elections, unions or disunions of Churches, or other Ecclesiastical Offices. As to the Kings and Kingdoms Temporal Rights and Jurisdictions, Pope Innocent made these unparallelled encroachments on them. 1. An actual Interdiction of the whole Realm sundry years, for a pretended personal contempt in the King alone; and after that the like Interdict of the Londoners and Barons temporal Estates, for their Rebellions and civil offences against the King. 2ly. An Antichristian power to dethrone, disinherit the King and his Heirs of their hereditary right in the Crown, Kingdoms of England and Ireland, and to transfer them to foreign Kings and Enemies, without the Kings or Kingdoms consent, or any trial, hearing of the King or Kingdom. 3ly. A forcible wrested resignation from the King of his Crown, Sceptre, Kingdoms to the Pope and his Successors, without his Barons or Kingdoms consents, by a void, illegal, extorted Charter. 4ly. A resuming of them by King John and his Heirs from the Pope and his Successors, under an Annual Rent or Pension; and extorting of an Oath of Homage and Fealty from the King, as a mere Vassal and Tributary to the Pope and Church of Rome, directly contrary to the Rights of the Crown, and freedom, Office, Royaly of a King. 5ly. A power to confirm, null, repeal the Kings own Temporal Charters, yea Great Charters of Liberties and the Forest, and judge of their validity or invalidity at his Papal pleasure. 6ly. A power to examine, hear, determine the Right and Title of King John and others to the Crown of England, and decide them in the Court of Rome, as the supreme Judicature in such cases. 7ly. A Jurisdiction to hear and determine all civil controversies touching Privileges, Rights, Franchises, between the King and his Barons, and excommunicate them for not submitting to his Papal Edicts therein. 8ly. A power to make Truces, and prohibit Christian Kings to War upon each others Kingdoms, under pain of Excommunication and Interdiction. 9ly. A pretended right to protect all Kings and Nobles who took up the Cross, from any civil proceedings, Wars against each other, during the Crossado, and to recommend, promote, grant, prescribe Taxes, Tenths, to maintain those Wars against the Turks, but in truth to fill his Papal coffers. 10ly. A power to exempt Treacherous, Rebellious Clergymen from being Outlawed or Interdicted by the King, and force the King by public Patents to disclaim this his ancient Prerogative, with his power of detaining any Clerks in Prison, for capital Crimes or Felonies, if demanded to be delivered by and to their Ordinaries. All these with some other Usurpations of less concernment, reducible to these heads, were introduced by Pope Innocent the 3d. during the reign of King John, never practised in England before by any of his ambitious Predecessors; and so fastened upon the necks of the King, Kingdom by wholesale, by means of King John's forced resignation of his Crown to the Pope, intestine Wars, differences between the King, his Bishops, Barons, this Pope and his Legates policies, that his Successors for many years after, though they frequently complained, petitioned against them, with much earnestness and regret, yet were hardly able with all their power or policy to resist, much less to shake them off, but only by piece-meal and inches as they had strength and opportunity to do it. I shall now proceed to his Sons and Successors long, yet troublesome reign, by like unhappy contests between the Cros●er and Sceptre, the King and his Barons, upon pretext of public Liberty, and our Ecclesiastical affairs under him. THE FOVRTH BOOK. CHAP. I. K. Henry the 3d. his succession to K. John; his Coronation, necessitated Oath, Homage, Subjection to, Transactions, Compliance with the Pope and See of Rome, against his own and the Nobles wills; his and their Complaints, Oppositions, Prohibitions against the Popes, Bishops, Clergies Encroachments, Exactions both in England and Ireland; with the chief passages concerning the Ecclesiastical affairs in them, during the first 20. years of his young & troublesome reign. KIng John being * Fox Acts and Monuments, vol. 1. p 331, to 336. Mat. Paris, Hist. Angl. p. 278. Caxton, Speed, Daniel, Graftor, Holinshed, Baker, Anno 1 H. 3. taken out of this world by poison, through the An. Dom. 1217 implacable malice of the Monks and Prelates, having then many Enemies both of Earls, Barons, and more especially of the Popish Clergy, Henry his eldest son was then but of the Age of 9 Years: at which time most of the Lords of England adhering to Lewes the French Kings son, (whom they had sent for before in displeasure of King John to be their King, and had sworn to him their Allegiance.) Thereupon William Earl Martial, a Noble man of great Authority, and a grave, sound Counsellor, friendly and quietly called unto him divers Earls and Barons, and taking this Henry the young Prince, son of King John, set him before them all, using these words, Behold Right Honourable and Wellbeloved: Although we have persecuted the Father of this young Prince for his evil demeanour, and worthily, yet this young Child, whom here you see before you, as he is in years tender, so is he pure and innocent from these his Father's doings: Wherefore in as much as every man is charged only with the burden of his own works and transgressions, * Ezech. 18. Neither shall the Child (as the Scripture teacheth us) bear the iniquity of his Father: We ought therefore of duty and conscience to pardon this young Prince, and take compassion of his Age as ye see. And now forasmuch as he is the King's natural and eldest son, and must be our Sovereign and King, and Successor of this Kingdom, come let us appoint him our King and Governor, and let us remove from us this Lewes the French Kings son, and suppress his people, which is a confusion and shame to our Nation, and the yok● of our servitude let us cast off from our shoulders. To these words spoke and answered the Earl of Gloucester: And by what reason and right (said he) can we so do, seeing we have called him hither and sworn to him our Fealty? Whereunto the Earl Marshal inferred again, and said: Good right and reason we have, and aught of duty to do no less, for that contrary to our mind and calling, he hath abused our affiance and Fealties. Truth it is, we called him and meant to prefer him to be our Chieftain and Governor, but he eftsoons surprised in pride, hath contemned and despised us, and if we shall so suffer him, he will subvert and overthrow both us and our Nation, and so shall we remain a spectacle of shame to all men, and be as outcasts of all the world. At these words all they, as inspired from above, cried all together with one voice, Be it so, he shall be our King; and so the day was appointed for his Coronation, which was the day of Simon and Judas. This Coronation was kept not at Westminster, forasmuch as Westminster at the same time was holden of the Frenchmen, but at Gloucester, the safest place (as was though) at that time in the Realm, Anno 1216. by Gualo the Pope's Legate, through counsel of all the Lords and Barons that held with his Father King John. The manner of his Coronation is thus related by Matthew Paris. LEgatus associatis sibi Episcopis & Comitibus memoratis, duxerunt eum ad Ecclesiam Mat. Paris, Hist. Angl. p. 278. Conventualem cum processione solemni, Regem acclamando. Ubi ante majus altare constitutus, juravit coram Clero & populo, appositis sibi sacro-sanctis Evangeliis, & plurimorum Sanctorum reliquiis, dictante juramentum Jocelino Bathoniensi; Quod honorem, pacem, ac reverentiam portabit Deo & Sanctae Ecclesiae, & ejus ordinatis, omnibus diebus vitae suae. Juravit etiam, quod in populo sibi commisso, rectam justitiam tenebit: quodque leges malas & iniquas consuetudines, si quae siut in Regno delebit, & bonas observabit, & ab omnibus faciet observari. Deinde fecit homagium Sanctae Romanae Ecclesiae et Innocentio Papae, de Regno Angliae et Hyberniae, et juravit quod Mille Marcas, quas Pater ejus Romanae * Therefore a free gift, not Rent or Tribute. contulerat Ecclesiae, fideliter persolveret, quamdiu praedicta Regna teneret. Et his ita gestis, Petrus Wintoniensis, & Jocelinus Bathoniensis Episcopi, ipsum in Regem ungentes, Coronaverunt sollemniter cum canticis & modulationibus, quae in Coronationibus Regum solent decantari. Tandem expletis Missarum solemniis, duxerunt Regem cum processione solemni, Episcopi & Comites saepedicti, regalibus indutum, ad mensam; ubi omnes in ordine suo considentes, epulabantur in laetitia & exultatione. In crastino autem Rex cepit homagia & fidelitates ab omnibus Episcopis, Comitibus, & Baronibus, aliisque omnibus qui aderant, & omnes ei fidelissimum obsequium promiserunt. Coronatus est autem Henricus tertius Anno Aetatis suae Decimo, in die Apostolorum Simonis & Judae, scilicet xxviij. die mensis Octobris. Rex autem post Coronationem suam remansit in custodia Willielmi Comitis Pembroc, magni videlicet Mareschalli; qui protenus misit Literas ad omnes Vicecomites de Regno Angliae & Castellanos, praecipiens singulis, ut Regi nuper Coronato essent intendentes, promittens omnibus possessiones pariter ac donaria multa, ita ut dicto Regi fideliter adh●rerent. Sicque Nobiles universi & Castellani, qui Patri ejus servierant, ei multo fidelius quam Regi Johanni adhaeserunt: quia propria Patris iniquitas, ut cunctis videbatur, filio non debuit imputari. Unde omnes sese ad defensionem praeparantes, Castilia sua optime munire coeperunt. Animabat praeterea eos qui partes Regis fovebant quamplurimum, quod singulis diebus Dominicis ac festivis Lodovicum cum complicibus ejus et fautoribus excommunicari videbant. Soon after, King Henry's party increasing, (many of the Baron's revolting from Lewes: Quod spreto juramento, terras, possessiones, & Castilia eorundem optimatum, quae Mat. Paris, Hist. Angl. p. 281, 286, 287. eorum auxilio subegerat, illis murmurantibus, in suam redegerat potestatem, ponens in eis milites & alienigenas nationes:) his Forces taking in many Castles, and the Pope likewise threatening to ratify the Excommunication denounced by Gualo against Lewes, unless he departed England; thereupon a Truce was made between Henry and Lewes till a month after Easter. In Whitsun week the Pope's Legate to encourage the King's Army to fight the French Kings Forces at Lincoln; Ostendit omnibus, quam iniqua erat Lodovici ac Baronum ei adhaerentium causa; pro qua fuerant excommunicati, & ab unitate Ecclesiae segregati. Et ut denique exercitum illum animaret ad pugnam, albis indutus vestibus cum clero universo: (he again) Lodovicum nominatim excommunicavit, cum complicibus & fautoribus suis, & praecipue omnes illos qui apud Lincolniam contra Regem Angliae obsidionem agebant, cum tota Civitate; continens scilicet & contentum. Eis autem qui negotium hoc in propriis personis expediendum susceperunt, de concessa sibi potestate ab omnipotenti Deo & sede Apostolica, plenam suorum veniam peccatorum, de quibus veraciter confessi suerunt, indulsit, & in retributione justorum, salutis aeternae praemi● repromisit. Deinde collata omnibus absolutione & Dei benedictione, ad arma convolarunt universi: After a sharp conflict they routed the Barons and Lewes forces, slew and took many of them prisoners with the loss only of three men, and took the City of Lincoln with all the Treasure and Baggage of the Enemy, those who escaped flying to London; many of them were cut off by the way. Whereupon Lewes sending to his Father Philip for aid, (who feared to assist him, being excommunicated) the King's ships watching the French fleet at sea, transporting Soldiers and supplies unto him, took Eustachius a Monk their Admiral, Prisoner, whose head the King's Brother Richard, cut off with his Sword as a most wicked Pirate and traitor to the King of England, despising the great sum of money which he proffered for his ransom: Soon after which defeats by Land and sea, both parties having a conference at Stanes, came to this agreement on the 3d. of September, which they swore to on both sides. JUravit in primis Lodovicus, & omnes & excommunicati & imprisii ejus cum eo, Mat. Paris, p. 188. tactis sacrosanctis Evangeliis, quod starent judicio Ecclesiae, & quod de caetero fideles erunt Domino Papae & Ecclesiae Romanae. Juravit etiam, quod incontinenter recederet cum omnibus suis de Regno Angliae; nunquam in vita sua malo animo reversurus. Et quod pro posse patrem suum Philippum induceret, ut Henrico Anglorum Regi redderet omnia jura sua in partibus transmarinis, & cum Rex foret, ipse in pace dimitteret. Juravit insuper, quod omnia castra cum terris omnibus, quas ipse & sui per guerram occupaverant in regno Angliae, Regi & suis redderet incontinenter. Rex autem Anglorum, tactis sacrosanctis Evangeliis, juravit cum Legato & Mareschallo, quod redderent Baronibus Angliae & aliis omnibus de Regno, omnia jura & haereditates suas, cum omnibus libertatibus ante petitis; pro quibus discordia fuit exorta inter Johannem Regem Anglorum & Barones. Nec nocumentum vel opprobrium obtineretur hinc vel inde, his qui huic vel alii adhaesissent. Insuper prisones omnes, qui ante hanc pacem provisam se redemerant, & suae redemptionis jam factae pecuniae partem suis creditoribus solverant, quod solutum est non reddatur eis●: sed siquid superfuerit ad solvendum, debitori penitus relaxetur. Prisones universi, qui apud Lincolniam capti erant, vel praelio naval● apud Doveram, sive in parte Regis, sive in parte Lodovici, ubicunque, statim sine omni difficultate, & sine omni redemptione & censu liberarentur. Et his ita gestis, absolutus est Lodovicus cum omnibus sectatoribus suis, servata Ecclesiae forma. Ac deinde singuli ruentes in pacis oscuculum, tristem laetitiam sub fraudis praetextu plurimi palliabant. Quo facto Lodovicus Londonias reversus, & ibi prae nimia a civibus paupertate, quinque millia librarum sterligorum mutuo accipiens, sub conductu magni Mareschalli ad mare cum festinatione pervenit, & cum opprobrio sempiterno ad Gallias transfretavit. Though the King and Kingdom were thus speedily and finally rid of this foreign French Usurper, yet the Pope and Romish Usurpers got great advantage, and firmer footing by it. For it is very observable, that although the Barons and Laymen who adhered to Lewis, had a general pardon and indemnity for their Treasons, Rebellions against the King, yet the Pope's Legate exempted all the Bishops, Abbots and Clergy out of this Act of pacification, for their contempts against the Pope's authority, that he might tyrannize over them, dispose of their Ecclesiastical promotions and benefices to his instruments, and put them to excessive fines at the present, to fill the Popes and his own coffers, and enrich his own friends with others Losses, as the Historian thus relates. Ab hoc quoque absolutionis et pacis beneficio, excepti fuerunt Mat. Paris, p. 288. Episcopi, Abbates, Priores, Canonici saeculares, et clerici multi, qui Lodovico ac Baronibus consilium praestiterant et favorem; et maxime Magister Simon de Languetuna, cum Magistro Gerv●sio de Hobrugge: qui in tanta obstinatione diu perstiterant, ut Lodovico et Baronibus excommunicatis divina facerent celebrare mysteria a presbyteris excommunicatis: unde ab omnibus beneficiis spoliati a Legato, Romam ire compulsi sunt. Nam illico post recessum Lodovici ab Anglia, Legatus misit inquisitores per omnes Angliae provincias, qui quoscunque de consensu etiam levissimo culpabiles invenerunt, cujuscunque essent ordinis vel dignitatis, suspensos miserunt ad Legatum, et ab omni beneficio spoliatos, qui illorum beneficia suis clericis abundanter distribuit, atque de damnis aliorum suos omnes divites fecit. Hugo quoque Lincolniensis Episcopus in Angliam veniens, mille marcas Legato de probata pecunia numeravit. Cujus exemplum multi tam Episcopi, quam viri religiosi insecuti, sumptibus nimis damnosis, gratiam sibi reconciliabant Legati. Clericorum quoque et Canonicorum saecularium ubique haustu tam immoderato laculos evacuavit; metens quod non seminavit, ut ex multis portionibus unum grandem acervum cumularet. The King by reason of his infancy and wardship, was unable to take notice of, or oppose these Usurpations, extortions of the Legate; and the Nobles adhering to him, were willing at this time to connive at them, as a just punishmen inflicted upon those Traitorous Bishops, Abbots, Priests and Clergy, for adhering to aforraign Usurper: his Papal power, being then only able thus to crush and fleece them. This gave great encouragement to this Pope and his Legates, to all future Popes and Legates usurpations, oppressions, provisions, rapines of like nature, upon no such just account as this might seem to be. It is evident by Claus. Anno 1. H. 3. m. 21. and Pat. 1. H. 3. m. 16. intus, that this Legate Gualo did bear chief sway in the King's council, and that the King sealed some Letters Patents, sigillis venerabilium Patrum Domini Gualonis, Sancti Martini Presbyteri Cardinalis, Apostolici sedis Legati, & Domini P. Winton. Episcopi, and sent them abroad under their seals, in the first year of his reign, quia sigillum nondum habuimus, as the Patent Rolls oft informs us. And this made the Legate more insolent. In the 2d. year of King Henry the 3d. the Archbishop of Dublin, in Ireland, and other Bishops there usurping upon the King's Crown and temporal courts, presumed An. Dom. 1218 to hold pleas in their Courts Christian, of lay fee; whereupon there issuing Prohibitions from the King's Court to stay these suits, they proceeded contemptuously notwithstanding, upon which there issued out this Writ of attachment against them to appear before the chief Justice of Ireland to answer the contempt. REX G. de Marisc. Justic. Hiberniae salutem. Mandamus vobis quod si H. Dublinensis, Pat. 2. Hen. 3. m. 6. dorso. & T. Tuamensis Archiepiscopi, & T. Clokor. Episcopus tenuerint placitum in Curia Christianitatis de Laico feodo Com. W. Mar. in Lagenia & A. Fernensis Episcopus, secutus fuerit placitum illud in Curia Christianitatis post prohibitionem nostram eis inde factam; quia idem W. Mar. fecit nos securos de Clamore suo prosequendo, tunc poni faciatis per vadium et salvos plegios, praedictos H. Dublinensem, & T. Tuamensem Archiepiscopos, & T. Clokoren Episcopum, quod sint coram vobis ad diem competentem prout videritis expedire, ostensuri quare tenuerint placitum in curia Christianitatis de Laico feodo ipsius Comitis in Lagenia, contra Prohibitionem nostram; et poni similiter faciatis per vadium, et salvos plegios praedictum Fernensem Episcopum, quod sit coram vobis ad eundem diem, ostensurus quare prosecutus est placitum illud in curia Christianitatis contra prohibitionem nostram. Teste Com. apud Gloucestriam Vicesimo die Aprilis. As these Archbishops usurped upon the King's Crown in his Courts in Ireland, so some Soldiers after the War ended, seized some of the Bishop's Castles and Lands in England, & contra Regis prohibitionem & illorum voluntatem, detinere praesumpserunt. An. Dom. 1219 Mat. Paris. Inter quos Robertus de Gaugi, post multas Regis admonitiones Castellum de Neuverk cum villa tota & pertinenti is multis, quae ad jus Hugonis Episcopi Lincolniensis spectabant, ei reddere contradixit. Whereupon the Protector being highly offended, by the King's command, raised a great Army, and marching thither in person with the King, besieged it, till surrendered to the Bishop by composition, he paying one hundred pounds to Gaugi, for the victuals in the Castle, without receiving any recompense for the Town, which he burned down before the siege. In the 3d. year of King Henry the 3d. the Bishopric of Leismore (united formerly to the Bishopric of Waterford, by the Pope's Legate in Ireland) whiles the Bishop was in England at the consecration of the Bishop of Carlisle, Macrobius a Canon of Leismore, procuring an election from the rest of the Canons, pretending the See to be then void, obtained the Legates and Kings royal assent to the election and restitution of the Temporalties, whereof the Bishop of Waterford complaining to the King, the King upon information of the fraud and circumvention, nulled that election, and commanded the Bishop to be put in possession of his Temporalties, notwithstanding his former Writs. REX Justic. Hiberniae salutem. Cum venerabilis in Christo Pater R. Waterford Claus. 3. H. 3. m. 8. intus. Pro Waterford Episcopo de Episcopatu Lismore Hibernia. Episcopus, de mandato Venerabilis Patris G. quondam Legati in Anglia, ad partes boreales pro Consecrando Episcopo Carleolensi accessisset, & Magister R. de Bedeford cum Magistro Macrobio & David Canonicis Lismor. ad Domum P▪ nunc Legatum in Anglia, & nos, & consilium nostrum advenisset, protestans & ostendens quasdem Literas quibus Capitulum Lismor. eisdem M. & D. Canonicis potestatem contulerat eligendi Pastorem ad Lismor. Ecclesiam quam tunc nobis asserebant vacare: Nos dictis eorum fidem adhibentes, electioni de persona ipsius Magistri R. sic celebratae Regium praestantes assensum, eo quod consona videbantur esse rationi quae fuerunt de eadem nobis proposita, si veritate fuissent subnixa, ipsum Magistrum R. in possessionem omnium bonorum ad Ecclesiam Lismor. spectantium tanquam Electum praecepimus: Sane cum postmodum reverteretur Episcopus ille Waterford, Episcopus proponens nobis et Concilio nostro, ipsum et praedecessores suos Lismor, Ecclesiam cum suis pertinentiis tanquam partem Episcopatus Waterfordensis diutius tenuisse et possedisse, exhibuit ipsi Domino Legato et concilio nostro literas Domini I. titulo Sancti Stephani in monte Celio Presbyter Cardinalis pridem in Hibernia Legato, super Ordinatione eorundem Episcopatuum, qui licet aliquando tempore Hiberniensi divisi extitissent ut dicebatur, ostendit, eos per ipsum Legatum coadunatos, nec poterat sic aliquis in ejus praejudicium, qui utrique praesedebat Ecclesiae, in unam earum per falsi suggestionem ingressum fraudulenter promeruisse. Nos igitur attendentes nunc ex ipsius relatione et operis exhibitione Majestatem nostram fallaciter per ipsum Magistrum R. esse circumventum, qui Lismoriensem Ecclesiam nobis dixit esse vacantem; et nos sic ejus electioni fecit tacita veritate consentire, decrevimus ut cum mendax precator carere debeat impetratis, nec ei praestare debeat patrocinium quod per fraudem et dolum nisus est a nobis et consilio nostro impetrasse memoratus Waterfordensis Episcopus in possessionem omnium bonorum praefatae Ecclesiae Lismoriensis inducat. Quocirca Uobis Mandamus, quatenus non obstantibus literis nostris quas ipse Magister R. de Bedeford suppressa veritate a nobis et Consilio nostro obtinuit, quibus possessionem eorum quae ad Ecclesiam Lismoriensem pertinent est adeptus, sine dilatione memorato Waterfordensi Episcopo plenam seisinam habere faciatis omnium possessionum quae ad ipsam Ecclesiam Lismoriensem noscuntur pertinere. Teste H. de Burgo Justic. apud Westmonasterium Septimo die Junii per Literas suas dominorum Winton. & Dunolm. Episcoporum, factas authoritate Domini Legati. IDem in narratione mandatum est Archiepiscopo Cassel, & in fine mandatum est ei, quod dictum Waterfordensem Episcopum, Episcopatum Lismoriensem, pacifice possidere permittat. Teste ut supra. Consimiles Literas habent Patentes direct. eisdem. A clear evidence of this King's Supremacy in and over Bishops, Bishoprics and Ecclesiastical persons, causes within the Realm of England, as also of the Pope's Legates late Usurpations there, to unite Bishoprics without the King. The Bishop of Ely, (an inveterate Enemy both to King John and King Henry the An. 1219. 3d.) going into France after Lewes his return thither, reported King Henry to be dead, and endeavoured to stir up a new War and rebellion against him: whereupon the King Writ to the Pope to deprive him, and bestow his Bishopric (by provision) upon some other, the Isle of Ely being a place of strength, and receptacle of Lewes and the Barons heretofore: in which Letter the King acknowledgeth the Pope's great favours and assistance to him, during his infancy, puts himself and his Realm under the protection of his Wings, (and by way of compliment) styles them, the Patrimony of the Church of Rome, to gain the Pope's readier Protection and assistance in his suits, Wars. SANCTISSIMO Patri ac Spirituali Domino suo H. Dei Claus. 3. H. 3. m. 13. dorso. gratia summo Pontifici, Devotus filius ejus H. sua post Deum gratia Rex Angliae, etc. recommendationem, et devota osculapedum. Incipiens respirare una cum regno nostro Majestatis vestrae, nostrae, et sacrosanctae Romanae Ecclesiae Patrimonio post tot Angustias et pressuras, quae Clarae Memoriae Patrem meum et me postmodum invenerunt; et ereptus, per Dei gratiam, et vestrae paternitatis sollicitudinem, ab ipso laqueo venantium vitam meam, cum tam aetas mea, quam status et tranquillitas regni nostri in teneritate concordent, nec ut ita dicam, sunt in aetate perfecti, sub tegmine Alarum vestrarum inenarrabili mihi clementia assistenti, de die in diem, gratia Dei et vestri gratia, recipio incrementum: Et ne tenellam mei plantationem manus inimica avellet, tanto confidentius, ea quae circa haec pertimesco, vestrae significo Sanctitati, quanto specialius subditus vester et creatura existo. Noveritis igitur Pater sancte, quod nuper cum sicut puerilis aetatis ut tales de facili infirmentur, essem, prout Deo placuit, infirmitate oppressus, Robertus qui se gerit pro Elyensi electo, non oblitus antiquam suae mentis et fellitam maliciam, quam contra Patrem meum, et me, ac dominationem vestram, ut dicam verius, exercuit manifeste, excommunicatis vestris et meis persecutoribus adhaerendo, statim quoscunque potuit contra me excitans cucurrit in Franciam, ibi una cum sequacibus suis me mortuum praedicando, unde multi contra me superbiae cornua et nocendi audaciam assumpserunt: Dei quidem et vestri gratia restitutus sum sanitati. Haec tamen sanctitati vestrae significo, supplicando, ne me permittatis redire ad Leonis fauces, nec reincidere inter malleum et incudem. Certum est enim quod Civitas Elyensis est optima munitio Regni nostri; Et quod dictus R. ibi exstitit praeintrusus, ut sicut res se habuit, reciperetur ibi Dominus Lodovicus. Dignemini igitur Pater Sancte, mihi et Regno vestro misericorditer praecavere, ne talis unquam occupet talem locum, praesertim cum et infideli juxta verbum Evangelicum, id quod videtur habere auferri debeat; et Majestas vestra multo competentius possit Ecclesiae illi de Pastore idoneo providere. Valea: in Domino sanctitas vestra. Moreover he repeats the assistance, protection and manifold favours he received from the Pope in his greatest straits, and dangers, in his Letter to his Legate, imploring his assistance against the French and other Enemies, according to the Pope's protection and direction to him. REX B. Titulo sanctorum Johannis & Pauli Presbytero Cardinali Apostolicae Claus. 3. H. 3. m. 6. dors. sed●s Legato salutem. Quanta nobis exhibuerit beneficia, et quantis nos Eripuerit tribulationibus et Angustiis, quam forti brachio et potenti nos sustentaverit sancta et veneranda sedes illa Apostolica, vestrae benignitati non possumus paucis reserare, quia quicquid potest Humanitatis et benignitatis a pio patre filio teneri et nutricio exhiberi, non negavit nobis fons ille paterni pectoris inexhaustus, misericordia repletus et pietate, qui quos semel intra sinum suae dulcedinis susceperit amandos, fovere non lassatur. Attendentes igitur quod velit palmes vitis via procedere, quod velint frondes fructus a flore facere, quod velit cum capite membrum incepta peragere, idem paternitati vestrae duximus devotis precibus supplicandum, rogantes in Domino, quatenus cum de immensa sua benignitate pius pater et Dominus noster summus Pontifex vobis per literas suas dederit in mandatis, ut si quos inveneritis illorum qui super Albigens. sunt signati qui Genti nostrae vel terrae nostro dominio subditae velint injurari, dampna aliqua eis inferendo, vel eas a nostra dominatione subtrahendo, ejus suffulti Authoritate, compescatis, velitis si placet, juxta injunctum vobis Mandatum, taliter et tam potenter circa nos in hac parte vestrae dilectionis plenitudinem exhibere, ut ipsius de qua non diffidimus, sentiamus ex operis exhibitione probationem manifestam, et sancta Sedes illa Apostolica quae nos et nostra sub sua suscepit protectione, gaudeat se ex vestra diligentia fructum uberiorem recepisse, quam quidem sedem ex nostra incommoditate non credimus, commodum reportare. Teste H. de Burgo Justiciario nostro apud Westmonaster. 24. die Julii. The same year the King writ a Letter to Pope Hadrian on the behalf of the Bishop of Karlisle (promoted thereunto by the Pope's provision and command to his Legate Gualo, desiring him to recall the alienations of several Impropriations alienated from that Church during the vacancy by the then Canons thereof, to its great impoverishing) though granted and conferred to that Church by the Charters of King Henry the First; who erected this Bishopric, and of sundry other Kings succeeding him. REverendissimo Domino & Patri in Christo dilectissimo H. Dei gratia summo Claus. 3. H. 3. m. 11. dors. Pontifici H. eadem gratia Rex Angliae, etc. salutem, & se & sua omnia. Cum in nostris ageret partibus merito nobis semper diligendus Venerabilis Pater. G. Titulo sancti Martini, Presbyteri Cardinalis, vir utique tam fidelis quam consulti pectoris, videns vidit Carleolensis Ecclesiae desolationem & ruinam, nec clausis praeteriens oculis quod in confinio Regnorum Angliae & Scotiae sit, eidem de mandato vestro Pastorem praefecit suae scientem domini caute disponere, nobisque pariter et regno nostro volentem prodesse: hic est ille H. quondam Abbas Belli loci quem vere dicimus virum in agendis providum, tam Literarum scientia, quam moribus insignitum, et quod potius collaudamus, in devotione Sanctae Romanae Ecclesiae paratissimum, et in fidelitate nostra multipliciter expertum. Uerum cum idem Antistes ad reformationem Ecclesiae suae, multis bonis et possessionibus mutilatae diligentius intendat, ex relatione ejusdem et praedecessorum nostrorum Regum Angliae Cartarum inspectione, nobis et Consiliariis nostris innotuit, Ecclesias subscriptas ex concessione bonae memoriae Regis Henrici primi, in prima fundatione Ecclesiae Carieolensis, eidem Collatas fuisle, videlicet in Episcopatu Dunolmensi, de assensu Hugonis tunc Dunolmensis Episcopi, Ecclesiam de Novo Castro, cum Capellis, & omnibus ad eam pertinentibus, Ecclesias de Newborne, & de Corbrigge, & de Rooberii, & de Wittingham, & de Werkwurth: & in Episcopatu Carleolensis, Ecclesiam de Penret, cum quibusdam aliis, & confirmatum fuit dictae Carleolensi Ecclesiae, per Chartas Regum Angliae, scilicet praedicti Regis Henrici primi, & secundi, & Regis Richardi Auunculi nostri, & Regis Johannis Patris nostri, & per privilegia plurimorum Pontificum, ut memoratas Ecclesias in usus proprios perpetuo possideret. Verum tamen tempore vacationis Carleolensis Ecclesiae, alienatae sunt ab ea et usibus suis omnino subtractae jam dictae Ecclesiae per incuriam et negligentiam ejusdem loci Canonicorum. Quod tanto gravius patimur, quanto minus Episcopali novimus dignitati sufficere quae suis sunt usibus reservata. De consilio igitur nostro pro eodem Episcopo, ad cujus honorem multo tenemur debito; Sanctitati vestrae in omni devotione duximus supplicandum, ut attendentes, si placet, Ecclesiae Carleolensis paupertatem, et quantis Pontificalem apicem necesse sit honoribus extolli, quam in nullo vilescere decet vel egere; revocatis, si placet, in irritum alienationibus dictarum Ecclesiarum factis temporibus quibus vacavit sedes Carleolensis, ipsas eidem Ecclesias restituere et confirmare velitis, in usus et honorem sui Pontificis, tanto benigniores nostris precibus aures accommodantes, quanto libentius et propensius nobis noscitur valuisse, et in posterum posse valere, ut de provectione sua, quae nostra est, una cum caeteris Apostolicae sedis beneficiis ad humillimas gratias et perpetuas devotiones vestrae debeamus assurgere sanctitati. Teste Com. apud Westmonasterium, Decimo septimo die Februarii. Per eundem & P. Wint. & Justic. VEnerabilibus Patribus & amicis in Christo charissimis Sanctae Romanae Ecclesiae Pat. 3 Hen. 3: m. 5. dorso. Cardinalibus suis in omnibus. H. Dei gratia Rex Angliae, etc. salutem & debitam Sanctissimis Patribus devotionem. Cum adhuc in nostris ageret partibus Venerabilis Pater G. titulo Sancti Martini Presbyter Cardinalis, merito nobis semper diligendus, de mandato Domini Papae Carleolensi Ecclesiae, tunc vacanti Pastorem prafecit idoneum, videlicet, H. quondam Abbatem Belli loci, virum utique in fidelitate nostra multipliciter expertum, suae perutilem Ecclesiae, totique pariter Regno nostro. Sane cum suam invenerit Ecclesiam tantis tempore vacationis suae possessiombus & honoribus mutilatam, videlicet Ecclesiis de Novo Castro, cum Capellis & pertinentiis suis, & de Neuborne, & de Corrbrigg, & de Reebrigg, & de Wintingham, & de Penred, quae sibi concessae fuerant in usus proprios in prima fundatione sua a Rege Henrico primo, & aliis praedecessoribus nostris Regibus Angliae, & per privilegia Romanorum Pontificum confirmatae ut Pontificali non sufficiant quae sibi sunt reservata, de Concilio nostro, cui innotuerunt haec omnia vestra duximus Sanctitati devotissimè supplicandum, ut eidem Episcopo fideli nostro cui multo tenemur debito, ac Sanctae Romanae Ecclesiae devotissimo, ad reformationem Ecclesiae suae diligentius aspiranti. Si placet, assistere velitis in consiliis et auriliis, quibus mediantibus ea quae dispersa sunt, et ab Ecclesia sua per incuriam et negligentiam habitantium in ea Canonicorum alienata, sibi restituta fuisse gratuletur, ut suis sufficiat usibus Episcopalis dignitas, quae nunc quasi vilescere cogitur et egere. Et quia provectionem ejusdem Episcopi meritis fidelitatis suae multipliciter exigentibus, proprium reputamus, et reputare debemus honorem, vestram sibi gaudeat in hac parte diligentiam taliter affuisse, ut ad obsequia & condignas devotiones vobis diebus perpetuis arctius teneamur obligati. Teste Domino P. Wintoniensi Episcopo, apud Westmonasterium, Vicesimo quarto die Januarii, Anno Regni nostri Tertio. By these Records it is evident: 1. That King Henry the 1. originally founded the Bishopric of Kartiol, and endowed it with several impropriations by his own Regal Authority; that he and his Successors settled and confirmed by their Charters sundry Lands and impropriations thereon: and that it is the right, duty of our Kings, (as founders of Bishoprics) to see the Lands and Revenues unduly alienated from them, restored, when there is just cause; which this King, (by reason of his infancy, being then under a Protector, and the Popes and Legates great usurped power in England at that season) could not easily effect by his Regal power, without the Popes and Cardinal's assistance, the true occasion of these his Letters to them. King Henry having continual occasions to make use of the Pope and Court of An. Dom. 1220 Rome about his Domestic and Foreign affairs, in the 4th. year of his reign constituted W. de St. Albin. his Proctor general therein, especially against the Son of the Earl of March, in Picardy, who against his faith to King John his Father, to marry his Sister, refused to do it, or to restore her without a ransom; whereupon he desired the Pope to command him to marry or restore her, or else to give order to two Bishops he names, and a Dean, to Excommunicate him for his disobedience, as these three Records attest. VEnerabilibus in Christo Patribus & amicis charissimis, universis Episcopis, Presbyteris Pat. 4 Hen. 3. m. 5. & Diaconis, Sacrosanctae Ecclesiae Romanae Cardinalibus, H. Dei gratia Rex Angliae, etc. Eo ampliorem de dilectione vestra gerentes fiduciam in nostris & nostrorum promovendis negotiis, novimus prudentiam vestram circa ea fidelius elaborasse, mittimus ad vos dilectum nostrum Willielmum de Sancto Albino, procuratorem nostrum, ad impetrandum et contradicendum in omnibus nostris et nostrorum negotiis quae contra nos et nostros fuerint proposita in Curia Romana; Rogantes attentius sinceritatem vestram, ut cum fueritis super hiis, ab eo ex parte nostra requisiti, de solita clementia vestra velitis, ea quae honoris nostri sunt consueta diligentia procurare. De negotio autem nostro quod exponet idem plenius de Johan. primogenita sorore nostra H. de Lizen. per Dominum J. Patrem nostrum pridem commissa, de qua traducenda fidei praestitit Sacramentum; vos duximus exorandos, quatenus laborare velitis, si placet, pleno effectu erga Dominum Papam, ut soror ipsa nostra restituatur, quam ipse fidei spreta religione superinducta matre nostra nobis reddere contradicit, volens nos per ipfius detentionem ad ejus redemptionem invitos compellere: Et rogamus vos, ut scribatur super hoc Xancton. et Limovic. Episcopis, et Decanis Burdeg. ut nisi munitione praemissa illam nobis curaverit restituere, ad id per * Here p. 378. censuram Ecclesiasticam rite compellatur. Teste H. de Burgo, Justiciario nostro, apud Notingham Vicesimo die J▪ nii. REX Domino Papae salutem, & se totum semper tam devotum, quam fidelem. Claus. 4 Hen. 3. m. 8. dorso. Cum a sedis Apostolicae gratia, dependeant si quae sunt circa nos serena, si quae prospera, necesse habemus vestrae dominationi proponere, quae in dispendium nobis veniunt et gravamen. Dominus autem I. Rex genitor noster agens quondam in partibus Pictaviae, Johannem filiam suam sororem nostram nuptui H. de Lexim. fil. Com. de March. concessit; qui licet eam de manibus ipsius Patris nostri Regis accepisset, et jurasset quod eam in Vxorem duceret, non observata tamen juramenti religione, spretaque sorore nostra, matrem nostram Reginam Maritali sibi foedere copulavit. Quam quidem sororem nostram nihilominus nobis reddere contradicit, immo eam detinendo contramandatum nostrum, ad ipsius redemptionem nos intemptat cohercere. Hanc igitur injuriam passi sub vestra protectione, Sanctissimae Paternitati vestrae supplicamus, quatenus scribere velitis Domino Xancton. Domino Limovic. Episcopis, et Decano de Burdeg. ut monitione praemissa nisi ei condescenderit, ad restituendam nobis dictam sororem nostram, spirituali Gladio H. compellant memoratum. Mittimus quidem ad pedes sanctitatis vestrae dilectum Clericum nostrum Magistrum W. de Sancto Albino, quem procuratorem constituimus ad impetrandum pro nobis et contradicendum in omnibus negotiis nostris, et nostrorum quae contra nos et nostros fuerint proposita, in Curia vestra, supplicantes tota devotione mentis ut in hiis et aliis quae nos contingunt benignas ei velitis aures accommodare, manum auxiliatricem eatenus porrigentes teneritudini nostrae, ut de pleniore respiratione nostra Ecclesiae Romanae cumulus accedat laudis et honoris. Teste H. etc. apud Notingh. Vicesimo die junii. The same year, the King taking notice of divers Usurpations upon the Rights of his Crown in Ireland, by Covents, Deans and Chapters, electing Abbots and Bishops as they became void, and the chief Justices approving them without his privity, licence, or Royal assent, issued this memorable Writ to his chief Justice of Ireland, to reform and prevent this dangerous Usurpation for the future. REX Justiciario Hiberniae salutem. Cum fuerit hucusque pex insolentiam Claus. 4 Hen. 3. m. 3. intus. tam diebus Patris nostri, quam nostris, de Collationibus Ecclesiarum quae nobis vacabant in Hibernia, plurimum juri nostro et dignitati derogatum, utpote cum aliqua earum vacare contigisset, statim nobis inconsultis inde fieret collatio. Nolumus quod ex hinc quae sic in nostrum dispendium sunt attemptata, ex nostra permissione convalescant. Mandamus igitur vobis et firmiter in fide qua nobis tenemini praecipimus, quatenus cum de caetero aliquam Ecclesiam quae de nostra sit advocatione vel ad nostram spectat donationem vacare contigerit; vos eam nullo modo conferatis, nec inde sine nostro assensu et voluntate quicquam faciatis. Teste H. apud Northampton. twenty-four. die Septembris. Per eundem. Idem etiam vobis dicimus de Ecclesiis Cathedralibus. This year the Earl of Albemarle refusing to deliver up to the King some of his Lands and Castles committed to his custody, at the time prefixed to him in the King's Court, and fortifying them with Arms and Victuals without the King's consent, for which he was excommunicated by the Bishop of Norwich, the Pope's Legate, together with his Complices; thereupon the King issued this Prohibition to all his Barons and Subjects in Lancashire, and 5. Counties more, not to aid, assist, or keep company with him or his Complices, but to avoid them as excommunicated persons, till they submitted to the King; and to be ready to obey the King's commands if he still continued obstinate, under pain of forfeiting their goods, seizing their lands, and imprisonment of their persons: Ecclesiastical censures being by the Popes and his Legates Usurpations, commonly inflicted in that age for Temporal offences and Rebellions, to reduce men to obedience to the King, as well as to the Pope or Church. REX Omnibus Comitibus, Baronibus, Militibus, & libere tenentibus in Comitatu Pat. 4 Hen. 3. dors. 7. Lancastriae, salutem. Quoniam W. Comes Albemarl, cui commissa fuerunt bona fide terrae quaedam nostrae et Castra custodienda, quae contra voluntatem, et praeceptum nostrum non solum detinet, set et ea de bladis et bonis vicinorum circumquaque illis invitis munit et firmat, licet de eisdem nobis reddendis certus dies ei fuerit in Curia nostra praefixus, quem respicere non curavit. Ipseque spretis omnibus mandatis nostris quibus obedire contempnit, torneamentum exercuit, & ei interfuit apud Brackele, ultimo habito, non formidans in sententiam illam incidisse quam ob hoc tulit in eum et complices et fautores suos nominatim, Venerabilis Pater Norwicensis electus, Domini Papae camerarius Apostolicae sedis Legatus, praesertim cum contra pacem nostram, et Regni nostri exerceantur et fiant: vobis mandamus firmiter in fide qua nobis tenemini praecipientes, quatenus sicut terras et tenementa vestra quae in Regno nostro tenetis diligitis, et exhaeredationem vestram, et vestrorum evitare volueritis: Cum idem Comes, et complices, et fautores sui propter praedicta sententia sint excommunicationis sollemniter innodati, nec mandatis Domini Legati vel nostris velint obedire: Vos eidem Comiti vel fautoribus et complicibus suis in nullo de caetero consilium vel favorem praebeatis nec aurilium, et eye in nullo communicetis donec Sacro-sanctae Ecclesiae de inobedientia et nobis de contemptu satisfecerint; Set potius tanquam excommunicatos et nobis inobedientes evitetis. Prohibentes omnibus vestris & illis qui de nobis tenent, quod ad Castrum de Salvata firmandum, vel muniendum nullum ei penitus consilium faciant vel auxilium, quod ut audivimus non minus de bonis & bladis vicinorum circumquaque eis invitis munit, quam de viribus hominum cujuscunque sint indefinenter firmare praesumit, non requisita voluntate aut praecepto nostro: Scituri pro certo, quod si quis post hanc prohibitionem nostram ei vel fautoribus et complicibus suis auxilium ad hoc fecerint vel consilium, non solum ad eorum terras et tenementa, verum etiam ad eorum corpora graviter Nos capiemus: firmiter etiam vobis praecipimus, quod nisi dictus Comes ab hujusmodi inceptis et factis desierit, quod parati sitis et prompti ad ea exequenda versus ipsum Comitem et complices suos quae vobis per Literas nostras demandaverimus exequenda. Et in hujus, etc. Teste H. etc. apud Hereford. xxx. die Novembris. Anno, etc. quarto. Eodem modo scribitur omnibus Comitibus, Baronibus, etc. in Com. Linc▪ Et omnibus, etc. in Com. Cumberl. Et omnibus, etc. in Com. Rotel. Et omnibus, etc. in Com. Leic. Et omnibus, etc. in Com. Eborum. The Earl (it seems) little regarding this Prohibition, soon after (Anno 1220.) * Mat. Paris, p. 298, 299▪ suddenly seized upon the Castles of Rockingham and Samori, whither the King speedily marching, found them utterly unfurnished of Victuals, they having not three loaves in them. After which the Earl and his Confederates pillaged the Commons of Bodrington, Depinge, and all the Country, putting men to ransoms, and with their plunders victualled the Castles of Fotheringie and Bohun▪ which the Kings fo●●es besieged and took: At last the Earl came to the King; under the conduct of Walter Archbishop of York; and by the mediation of Pandulphus the Legate, was reconciled to him, because he had faithfully and powerfully served the King and his Father in their Wars. Anno Dom. 1221. The King being under the wardship of Peter Bishop of Winchester, An. Dom. 1221 Mat. Paris, p. 298. Godwins Catalogue of Bps. p. 207. was on Whitsonday Crowned the second time at Westminster, by Stephen Archbishop of Canterbury: Soon after which there being a difference concerning the Bishopric of Ely, between Galfridus de Burgo, Archdeacon of Norwich, and Robert of York, the Pope at last nulled both their Elections; and conferred the Bishopric upon John Abbot of Fontain, who was consecrated at Westminster: The same year and day, Hugh Bishop of Lincoln was canonised a Saint in this form. AD natales Domini Sanctus Hugo Lincolniensis Episcopus a Papa Honorio canonizatus Mat. Paris Hi●●. Angl. p. 298. Godwins Catalogue of Bps. p. 207. est, & in Catalogo Sanctorum admissus: facta prius Miraculorum ejus inquisitione a Stephano Cantuariensi Archiepiscopo, & Abbate de Fontibus Johanni; sicut in hoc sequenti Domini Papae authentico continetur. HONORIUS Episcopus servus servorum Dei, dilectis filiis universis Christi fidelibus, praese●tem paginam inspecturis, salutem & Apostolicam Benedictionem. Divinae dignatio pietatis, Sanctos & electos suos, in coelestis Regni foelicitate locatos, adhuc in terra miraculorum coruscatione clarificat: ut fidelium per hoc excitata devotio, eorum suffragia digna veneratione deposcant. Cum igitur Sanctae recordationis Hugonem Lincolniensem Episcopum, quem sicut nobis plenarie constat, divini muneris largitas, tam * Mat. Paris, Hist. Angl. p. 295, 296, 297. in vita, quam etiam post vestem mortalitatis exutam, insignium miraculorum multitudine illustravit, Sanctorum Catologo Asscripsimus, universitatem vestram monemus, & exhortamur in Domino, quatenus eius apud Deum patrocinia devote imploretis: Ad haec statuentes, ut die depositionis ipsius, ejusdem festivitas annis fingulis devote de caetero celebretur. Data Viterbii, xiij. Kalend. Marcii, Pontificatus nostri Anno quarto. The transcendent virtues of this canonised Bishop, were his * Mat. Paris, Hist. Angl. p. 219, 220. Godwins Catalogue of Bps. p. 298. ingratitude and perfidiousness to King John, in resorting to this Archtraitor Stephen of Canterbury, receiving his Consecration from, siding with him against, and deposing of the King, contrary to his Oath and duty, (for which the King seized his Temporalties, and kept them in his hands near five years' space:) Yet for these virtues this Archbishop procured him to be canonised for a Saint. About the same time this Archtraitor Stephen (to canonize Treason against our Kings, as demeriting the highest honour and Saintship) caused his Traitorous insolent Predecessor Thomas Becket, to be translated, enshrined, adored with great solemnity: Thus related by Matthew Paris. EOdem tempore, levatum est de lapide marmoreo corpus Beati Thomae Archiepiscopi Mat. Paris Hist. Angl. p. 298. & Martyris, a Stephano Cantuariensi Archiepiscopo, praesente Rege, & omnibus ferè Episcopis totius Regni, cum Abbatibus, Prioribus, Comitibus, Baronibus, Clero & populo multo, in crastino Octavarum Apostolorum Petri & Pauli. Cujus corpus sanctissimum collocatum est honorifice in Pheretro, ex auro & lapidibus pretiosis mirabiliter fabrefacto. Interfuerunt etiam huic translationi, Archiepiscopi, Episcopi, Abbates, Priores, & alii multi de Regno Francorum, aliarumque diversarum Regionum, qui ob honorem & reverentiam Beati Martyris, ut tantae adessent solemnitati▪ alacriter convenerunt. Nam dignissimum omnibus videbarur, ut Sanctum Martyrem Christi generaliter honorarent et colerent, qui pro universali Ecclesia sanguinem suum fundere, et ad finem usque non timuit fideliter decertare. It is observable, That most of the English, many of the French Archbishops, Bishops, Abbots, Priors, Clergy, and of other Countries, were by the Archbishop's invitation present at the translation of this Archtraitor Becket, as most worthy to be honoured and worshipped as a Saint and Martyr for the universal Church of Christ, for which he shed his blood, and truthfully contested against his Sovereign till the last, only to exempt Clergymen, (though Traitors, Rebels, Murderers, Sodomites, Thiefs) from secular Jurisdiction, and overturn the ancient Rights, Prerogatives of the Crown, and Kingdom too, as the premises demonstrate. No wonder therefore that so many Archbishops, Bishops, and Clergymen, in our own and other Kingdoms, became Arch-traytors, Rebels to their Emperors and Kings, since it was the readiest way to procure the highest preferments that Popes could confer upon them in their lives, and a canonisation, adoration of them for Saints and holy Martyrs after their deaths. King Henry the 3d. this year issued on a memorable Prohibition and Proclamation to the Sheriffs of Middlesex, Hertford, and Surry, prohibiting any to enter into any the Lands of the Bishop of London under a penalty, as his Father King John had done before him. REX Vicecomiti Middlesex, salutem. Constat nobis & consilio nostro, quod Claus. 5 Hen. 3. m. 4. intus. Dominus J. Rex Pater noster per Literas suas Patentes, prohibuit ne quis Feoda W. quondam London. Episcopi ingrederetur, sive ex don●, sive ex venditione, sive ex invadiatione, sive ex concessione alicujus sine assensu et voluntare ejusdem Episcopi. Nos autem Venerabili Patri E. London. Episcopo, idem concedentes, prohibemus super forisfacturam nostram ne quis Feoda ingrediatur, sive ex dono, sive ex venditione, sive ex invadatione, vel concessione alicujus sine assensu et voluntate ipsius Episcopi. Et ideo tibi praecipimus, quod hanc prohibitionem nostram clamari facias per totam Ballivam tuam, et firmiter observari. Si quis autem contra hanc prohibitionem nostram Feodum ipsius Episcopi ingredi praesumpserit sine assensu et voluntate ipsius Episcopi, sicut praedictum est, tu sine dilatione eidem Episcopo plenariam inde seisinam habere facias, capiens ad opus nostrum ab illo qu● Feodum suum sic ingressus fuerit forisfacturam nostram in quam incidit ex hoc facto; durent autem Literae istae usque ad aetatem nostram. Teste H. etc. apud Turrim London. Tertio die Julii. Per eundem & Concilium Domini Regis. Eodem modo scribitur Vicecomitibus Hereford. & Surr. A pregnant evidence of our Kings Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction in and over Bishops and Bishoprics. Soon after, the King having in his Temporal Court recovered by Judgement the Church of Acley, against the Prior and Canons of St. Friswiths in Oxford, they by false suggestions, to detain the possession of the Church against the King, procured Letters from the Pope to certain Delegates to examine the cause again▪ in prejudice of the King's Court, Crown and Dignity; whereupon the King issued forth this memorable Prohibition to, and Appeal against them, to preserve his Right and Prerogative. REX Abbatibus de Stanlegge, & de Bordest, & Priori de Stanl. salutem. Sciatis Pat. 5 Hen. 3. m. 4. dorso. quod Venerabilis Pater P. Norwicensis electus, publice recognovit coram vener. Patribus E. London. P. Wintoniensi, J. Bathoniensi, W. Coventrensi, R. Sarisburiensi, & B. Roffensi Episcopis, praesenti etiam Domino Linc. & aliis fidelibus de Consilio nostro: Quod nunquam per ipsum vel mandatum suum, Prior & Canonici Sancti Fritswith Oxon. missi fuerant in possessionem Ecclesiae de Acleya, quam contra nos et judicium Curiae nostrae injuste detinent occupatam: Uerum quia, sicut audivimus, praedicti Prior et Canonici ad tuendum, si possent, intrusionem suam Literas Domini Papae ad vos tacita penitus hac veritate impetraverunt, per quas memoratam Ecclesiam cum pertinentiis tanquam ipsam Canonice fuerint ingressi, retinere nituntur in praejudicium nostrum, et contra possessionem juris nostri quam per judicium Curiae nostrae contra ipsos disrationabimus, vos rogamus discretioni vestrae mandantes, et in fide qua nobis tenemini firmiter inhibentes, quatenus ad manutenendam praedictorum Prioris et Conventus maliciam qua nos nituntur exhaeredare, nihil statuere velitis unde jus nostrum vel possessio juris nostri nobis adjudicata possit aut debeat retardari: Cum suppressa veritate ut diximus Literae praedictae ad vos sint impetratae: Nos igitur ne aliquid statuatis in praejudicium nostrum, et contra possessionem juris nostri, ut praedictum est, ad Dominum Papam, coram praedicto Legato, et praedictis Episcopis appellavimus et adhuc appellamus. Teste H. apud Westmonasterium, Vicesimo die Julii. Anno quinto. Per eundem & consilium Domini Regis. You heard before how the Bishop of Waterford in Ireland was restored by the Kings Writ to the Bishopric and Temporalties of Lismore upon complaint, which cause by reference from the Pope being referred again to the examination of the Pope's Legate, Archbishop of Canterbury, and Bishop of Rochester, who gave a diffinitive sentence therein against the Bishop of Waterford; thereupon the King issued this Writ to restore the Temporalties again to the Bishop of Lismore. REX Justiciario Hiberniae, salutem. Cum pridem Electus esset canonice in Claus. 5. H▪ 3. m. 12. intus. Episcopum Lismorensem, venerabilis vir Magister R. de Bedeff. nobisque fuisset eius electio rite praesentata, et interveniente assensu nostro debite prius requisito, confirmata foret ipsius Electio▪ quo sic erat idem R. in Episcop. Lismorensem consecratus. Mandavimus vobis ut eidem de Episcopatu praedicto cum suis pertinentiis plenam possessionem habere faceretis: Verum procedente tempore recurrente ad nos venerabili Patre Waterfordensi Episcopo, qui se dicebat possessioni ejusdem Episcopatus Lismor, tanquam juri suo & Episcopatui suo Waterford unito & ●●niuncto, possessionem sibi petebat instanter restitui, quia ut dicebat, ea fuerat injuste spoliatus, non vocatus, nec absens per contumaciam, quique de praecepto domini G. quondam Legati Angliae ad Consecrationem Karleolensis Episcopi tempore praefatae electionis se transtulerat, unde non potuit se adversario suo opposuisse, et factum fuit de consilio Communi ut ei possessio sua restitueretur. Suborta vero postmodum quaestione inter praefatos Episcopos de Episcopatu Lismorensi, & causa illa fuisset de mandato Domini Papae venerabilibus P. Norwicensi Electo, Apostolicae sedis Legato, S. Cantuariensi Archiepiscopo, & B. Episcopo Roffensi, demandata, adjudicata fuit demum dicto Lismor Episcopo, Episcopatus illius vera possessio & per sententiam diffinitivam assignata: facta igitur nobis rei istius plena veritate & noticia conveniente, et concordante consilii nostri assensu, Lismorens. Episcopum, decrevimus sua possessione investire. Vnde vobis▪ mandamus, quatenus ipsi Episcopo Lismor. de Episcopatu Lismor. cum omnibus suis pertinentiis plenam seisinam sine dilatione et occasione habere faciatis. Teste H. etc. apud Westmonasterium Octavo die Maii. Per ipsum Justiciarium & consilium Domini Regis. The Pope the same year sent a Legate into Ireland, who procured these Letters Patents from the King to the chief Justice and others of Ireland, to receive, honour, reverence and assist him, as the Pope's Legate, and likewise to advise with him upon any new occasion concerning the affairs of that Kingdom. A clear evidence the Pope could send no Legate thither without the King's consent, or Approbation to execute any Legatine Authority. REX Justiciario & Magnatibus & aliis de Hiberniae salutem. Cum dominus Papa Pat. 5. Hen. 3. m. 3. intus. miserat Magistrum Jacobum Capellanum & poenitentiarium suum Legatum in Hiberniae, virum utique scientia & religione probatum, vobis praecipiendo Mandamus, quatenus ipsum recipiatis, honorem et reverentiam ei exhibentes tanquam Legato Domini Papae, ac Consilium etiam et auxilium opportunum sicut expedierit ei inpendatis: Ita quod super hoc fidelitatem vestram possimus commendare. Et si qua etiam nova emerserint quae nos et statum Regni nostri contingant, ipsius consilium et auxilium requiratis. Teste H. etc. apud Westm. Vicesimo die Novembris Anno Quinto. You heard before, what a great contest there was between King John and the Monks of Durham, about the election of John Marisco for their Bishop against the Monks will, yet imposed on them by the power of the Pope and his Legate: how ill the Monks and this Bishop accorded, this Narative will inform you. SUb his diebus, exorta est magna inter Richardum de Marisco Episcopum Dunelmensem, Mat. Paris, Hist. Angl. p. 299. & ejusdem Ecclesiae monachos, dissensio; pro quibusdam libertatibus antiquis & consuetudinibus, quas iidem Monachi se gavisi sunt multis retro temporibus habuisse. Episcopus autem fraudulenter Monachis significavit praedictis, venirent ad eum cum privilegiis suis & Ecclesiae suae instrumentis; ut si quid in eis esset corrigendum ad perfectam eorum libertatem, ipsius arbitrio suppleretur. Prior vero & Monachi fraudem Episcopi habentes suspectam, instrumenta sua ei nullatenus ostendere voluerunt. Episcopus itaque cum munimentorum inspectionem habere non potuit, juravit, quod omnia bona eorum in usus suos converteret: adjiciens, quod si aliquam ex Monachis extra portas curiae suae inveniret, non aliam quam caput, redemptionem acciperet. Juravit etiam audientibus multis▪ quod eo vivente, pacem Dunelmensis Ecclesia non haberet. Nec multo post cum servientes Episcopi Monachum quendam ab Ecclesia quadam violenter extraxissent▪ & usque ad sanguinis effusionem flagellassent; Monacho conquerenti, & super hoc coram Episcopo querelam deponenti, respondit Episcopus, quod melius fecissent Ministri si Monachum occidissent. Sicque deinceps ita Monachis praefatis idem Episcopus injuriosus extitit & infestus; ut necessitate cogente, ad praesentiam Domini Papae appellantes, sese & sua omnia sub ejus protectione ponerent. Ac deinde Romam clericos mittentes & Monachos, Episcopum accusaverunt in multis. Contra quam accusationem, hoc sequens rescriptum impetraverunt a Papa. HOnorius Episcopus servus servorum Dei, etc. Saresberiensi & Elyensi, etc. Episcopis, Salutem, etc. Ita nobis in Odore bonae opinionis fratrum & cooperatorum▪ nostrorum convenit delectari, ut in pestilentibus, vitia non palpemus: cum non deoeat pro reverentia ordinis sustinere peccantes, quorum culpa tot eos dignos mortibus facit, quot ad subjectos perditionis exempla transmittunt, qui sola quae pravitatis exempla conspi●iunt imitantur. Hinc est, quod cum de venerabili fratre nostro Dunelmensi Episcopo saepius nobis insinuata fuissent quae ab Episcopali honestate nimium dissonabant, tandem inconculcatis funibus clamoris excitati, ut non pateremur cum perditione multorum, quiescere amplius in suis enormitatibus Episcopum memoratum: de quo insinuatio clamosa processit, quod postquam fuit ad officium Pontificale promotus, * His Episcopal vertues. re●s sanguinis, symoniae, adulterii sacrelogii, rapinae, perjurii, ac dilapidationis multiplicis est effectus, non formidans clericos, orphanos, acvi●os religiosos opprimere, testamenta decedentium impedire, Regia jura contra scientiam dilecti filii nostri Pandulphi Norwicensis electi munire, ac excommunicationi ligatus, ingerere se divinis. Item etiam appellationibus non defert ad Romanam Ecclesi. interpositis, statuta generalis concilii non observat, nunquam proponit populo verbum Dei, lingua & exemplo vitae pravum subditis praebet exemplum. Coram multis juravit, quod pacem ipso vivente Dunelmensis Ecclesia non habebit. Conquerente sibi Monacho quodam Dunelmensi, se a servientibus suis ab Ecclesia quadam fuisse extractum, & usque ad sanguinis effusionem pulsatum, respondit ei, quod melius factum fuisset, si servientes Episcopi Monachum perimissent. Ipse insuper Apostolicam regulam continentem qualis debeat esse Episcopus, penitus calcavit in cunctis. Nos ergo ne alienae culpae simus authores si clausis oculis tot & tanta praedicti Episcopi transeamus errata, cum adeo ad nos clamor super his ascenderit, ut dissimulationi amplius non sit locus, dignum duximus, ex officii nostri debito, descendere ut haec an ita sint, vel aliter, videamus. Quocirca fraternitati vestrae per Apostolica scripta Mandamus, quatenus inquisita super his & cognita, sollicite veritate quae inveneritis, vestris fideliter inclusis sigillis ad nostram praesentiam remittatis: ut Authore Deo, quod super hoc faciendum fuerit statuamus. Datum Viterbii▪ Pontificatus nostri Anno Quarto. CUM autem literae Domini Papae ad notitiam executorum pervenissent, ex Mat. Paris, Hist. Angl. p. 3●0. officio sibi injuncto, vocaverunt Episcopum Dunelmensem, cum Abbatibus, Prioribus, Archidiaconis, Decanis, apud Dunelmum, ad suum consistorium, & alios laicos & clericos illius provinciae quoscunque hujus rei esse conscios crediderunt. Illis autem omnibus, die sibi & loco statuto coram executoribus, comparentibus, recitatae fuerunt literae Domini Papae, audientibus cunctis, aperte & distincte ad intelligendum. Quibus perfectis & intellectis, surrexerunt Clerici Dunelmensis Episcopi quasdam refutationes frivolas & fallaces allegantes, contra executores praedictos, atque ne procederent in inquisitione praedicta, praesentiam Domini Papae appellarunt. Et sic facta appellatione episcopus cum Clericis suis recessit, diem statuentes adversariis, qua contra eum in Domini Papae praesentia comparerent. Interposita itaque appellatione, saepedictus Episcopus Romanam adivit Curiam, praemissis Clericis suis, qui sibi supervenienti Domini Papae gratiam praepararent. Unde contigit ut antequam Monachi Dunelmenses Romam venissent, clerici memorati actionem eorundem Monachorum non mediocriter infirmaverant. Unde post multas hinc inde coram Papa altercationes, tam Episcopi quam Monachi, immoderatis profusis expensis remissi sunt in Angliam ad executores supradictos, ut coram eis quod justum fuerit sententialiter statuatur. Duravit autem haec diu inter eos semel suborta contentio, donec mors Episcopi litem sicut ipse praedixerat, terminavit. What was the general corruption of the Pope, Prelates, Monks, Clergy in that age, appears by this relation. The Archbishop of Cassel in Ir●land, by his own usurped authority, interdicted the King's Tenants and Lands there, without reasonable cause, and after an Appeal, whereof the King complaining to Pope Honorius, he thereupon enjoined him to release the Interdict within 15. days, or in case of his refusal, authorised other Bishops to release it, and finally to hear and determine the cause, by this ensuing Bull. HONORIUS Episcopus servus servorum Dei, etc. Archiepiscopo Cassel Claus. 6 H. 3. dors. 5. salutem, & Apostolicam Benedictionem. Charissimus in Christo filius H. Rex Anglorum illustris, suam ad nos querimoniam destinavit, quod tu in homines et terras ejus sine causa rationabili, post appellationem ad nos interpositam, Interdicti sententiam authoritate propria contra statuta generalis Concilii promulgasti. Quocirca fraternitati tuae per Apostolica scripta mandamus, quatenus si est ita, infra xv. dies post susceptionem praesentum, sententiam ipsam sine difficultate relaxes. Alioquin Venerabilibus fratribus nostris Dar. Midens. & Osser. Episcopis, damus nostris Literis in mandatis ut ipsi extunc sufficienti ab eis super hiis pro quibus praedicta sententia est prolata, recepta iuxta formam Ecclesiae cautione, sententiam, relaxantes, eandem audiant, si quid postmodum remanserit questionis, & appellatione remota fine debito decidant, & faciant quod decreverint authoritate nostra firmiter observari. Dat. Alatri fourteen. Kalend. junii. Pontificatus nostri Anno sexto. Anno 1221. William de Marisco Bishop of London, of his own accord resigning his Mat. Paris Hist. Angl. p. 301, 305. Godwins Catalogue of Bishops, p. 144. Bishopric, Eustachius de Faucumberge, tunc Scaccarii thesaurarius, quinto Calendas Martii, in Episcopum Londinensem eligitur; cuius electio a Legato Pandulpho confirmatur & seven. Calendas; Maii apud Westmonasterium consecratur: Which Bishop soon after, petiit ab Abbate Willielmo & Conventu Westmonasteriensi processionem, procurationem, visitationem, & omnimodam jurisdictionem: propter quae ad Papam fuit appellatum. After which Appeal, this difference was by consent of both parties referred to Stephen Langhton Archbishop of Canterbury, two other Bishops, and two Priors, as arbitrators to determine: Qui Monasterium Westmonasterii ab omnimoda subjectione & jurisdictione Episcopi Londinensis penitus exemptum declaraverunt, (by virtue of the King's Charters) & ordinaverunt, quod Ecclesia de Stanes, cum pertinentiis suis, in usus proprios Ecclesiae Westmonasteriensis commutaretur; & manerium de Sunneb. in proprietat. Episcopi Londinensis, & Ecclesia ejusdem manerii cedat in usus proprios Ecclesiae Sancti Pauli in perpetuum: Which prevented all proceedings on this Appeal. The same year, upon the * Here p. 377. forementioned complaint and Letters of King Henry to Pope Honorius, against Henry de Lezimaco, Earl of March, the Pope sent this Bull to him, and Isabel his Wife, (the original whereof I found amongst other ensuing Bulls of his in the White Tower) threatening to Interdict his Lands, and Excommunicate his person, if he submitted not to the King's just demands. HONORIUS Episcopus servus servorum Dei. Dilecto filio Nobili viro An. Dom. 1222 6 Hen. 3. Hugoni de Lezimaco Comiti Marchiae, & Isabellae Uxori ejus, Pictavens. Dioc. salutem & Apostolicam Benedictionem. Intelleximus ex relatione Venerabilis fratris nostri Pandulphi Episcopi Norwicensis, quod tempore treugae initae, inter charissimum in Christo filium nostrum Henricum Regem Anglorum illustrem, ex parte una, & vos ex altera, mediante praedicto Episcopo tunc electo, vos juxta intentionem Episcopi memorati pro vobis & complicibus vestris, mandatis nostris stare iurastis, super hiis pro quibus in personas vestras, et fautorum vestrorum, ac complicum excommunicationis et in terras vestras et ipsorum, Interdicti fuerant per Venerabiles fratres nostros, Xantonen. Lemovicen. Episc. & dilectum filium Decanum Burdegaley, sententiae authoritate Apostolica promulgatae pro eo videlicet, quod dotem sororis ejusdem tu fili Comes, ea rejecta, reddere contempnebas, & quia Castrum de Campniaco, quo tu filia, priusquam invicem copularemini, spoliaras Regem & fideles ipsius, detinebatis indebite occupatum, & post inhibitionem nostram, ne Regem infestares eundem, Castrum suum Merpisii, tu Comes obsederas & occupaveras violenter; (all Temporal matters no ways belonging to his Papal Jurisdiction) Verum quia pati nec volumus nec debemus, ut mandata nostra vel per alienam eludantur astutiam, vel per proterviam contempnantur, nec vos decet abuti gratia in relaxatione praedictarum sententiarum vobis exhibita, cum potius expediat ut vos nostris et Regis ejusdem beneplacitis coaptetis, nobilitatem vestram monemus attente per Apostolica vobis scripta sub debito praestiti juramenti, praecipiendo mandantes, quatenus infra festum Sancti Andreae futurum proximo, dotem et Castra praedicta cum fructibus inde perceptis, et aliis, necnon et Castrum Merpisii praefato Regi, vel cui mandaverit ipse, sublato cujuslibet difficultatis et appellationis objecto, reddatis; de dampnis et injuriis irrogatis sibi et ejus fidelibus nihilominus satisfacientes eidem; alioquin praedictis Episcopis et Decano nostris damus Literis firmiter in praeceptis, ut vos et Complices vestros, et vestras et ipsorum terras in pristinas sententias reducentes, ex tunc vos excommunicatos denuncient, et perjuros et sententias ipsas pulsatis campanis, et accensis candelis singulis diebus Dominicis et festivis publicari solempniter faciant, et usque ad satisfactionem condignam inviolabiliter observari. Praelatos, quoque ac Clericos, si qui vobis in hac parte faventes, sententias non servaverint memoratas, ad praesentiam nostram cum suis testimonialibus Literis suspensos venire compellant. Nos quoque contra vos severius spiritualiter et temporaliter procedemus. Dat. Lateran. seven. Kalend. julii. Pontificatus nostri Anno sexto. This Original Bull under seal (with sundry more) I found in the White Tower, with this in the leaden Seal, Honorius Papa 3. Thus did this insolent Pope in mere Temporal affairs cast abroad his Thunderbolt of Excommunication with highest arrogance, to terrify and trample all Kings and Temporal Princes, Nobles, under his Papal feet. What Ecclesiastical censures were then inflicted upon Impostors and Blasthemers, this precedent will inform us. Hoc Anno comprehensus fuit quidam, paucis diebus ante Concilium celebratum An Dom. 1222. Mat. Paris Hist. Angl. p. 304, 305. Mat. Westm. Anno 1222. Walsingham Ypodigma Neustriae, An. 1222. Mat. Parker Antiqu. Eccles. Brit. p. 25. Hen●▪ de Bracton, l. 3. c. 9 f. 123, 124. etc. 23. f. 144. b. Fleta l. 3. c. 1. Polychron. l. 7. c. 34. Holinshed, Speed, Stow, Grafton, Anno 6 H. 3. Cantuariae, (mistaken for Oxoniae) a Magistro Stephano Cantuariensi Archiepiscopo, habens in corpore & membris, scilicet in latere, manibus, & pedibus, quinque vulnera Crucifixi, & in dicto Concilio simul cum eo, utriusque sexus, scilicet Hermaphroditus, ejusdem erroris quo Prior obcaecatus, fuit cum suo complice praesentatus. Super quo convicti, et publice confessi, iudicio Ecclesiae puniti fuerunt. Similiter & quidam Apostata judaeus, factus ex Christiano Diaconus; qui similiter est iudicialiter punitus, quem Falco statim arreptum suspendi fecit: by Judgement of the King's Temporal Court, (not Council) as Bracton informs us. The first imposter who counterfeited himself to be Christ, with two women his followers, counterfeiting themselves to be the Virgin Mary, the Mother of Christ, and Mary Magdalen, were immured together with him without any victuals, and starved to death, as some relate, and others that they were crucified. In this Council held at Oxford under Archbishop Stephen, many Constitutions were made, most of them very useful to reform extortions, abuses, Procurations in Visitations, the taking of any Fees for Letters of Order, Funerals, or administering any Sacrament; as also against Pluralities, Nonresidence, aud other abuses of Clergymen: Only it begins with this extravagant general form of Excommunication, enchroaching upon the King's Prerogative and Subjects Liberties in sundry particulars, warranted by no Authority from God the Father, or Blessed Virgin, as it pretends. EX Authoritate Dei Patris omnipotentis, & Beatae Virginis, & omnium Sanctorum, Johan▪ de Aton Constitutiones Legitimae Ecclesiae totiusque Regionis Anglicanae, fol. 121. Gulielm. Lyndewode Provincialis, l. 5. De sententia Excommunicationis, fol. 249, 250, etc. & praesentis Concilii, Excommunicamus omnes illos qui Ecclesias suo jure maliciose privare praesumunt: aut per maliciam earundem libertates infringere vel perturbare contendunt. Item, omnes illos qui propria temeritate Ecclesiastica beneficia in Cantuariens. provincia absque diocaesanorum authoritate, illicite occupant per intrusionem: & detinent sic occupata, cum eorundem fautoribus. Item, omnes illos, sive Clericos, sive Laicos, qui sequestrum Domini Episcopi in vacantibus Ecclesiis vel aliis de causis justis interpositum violare praesumunt, Clericis nihilominus hujusmodi ulterius puniendis prout statutum est in Synodo Synodali.. Item, omnes illos qui Ecclesias vel Coemiteria, sive caetera refugia Ecclesiastica contra Ecclesiarum immunitates violare praesumunt, vel bona in eis causa refugii existentia invadendo, vel auferendo, sive incendendo; homines in eis capiendo vel extrahendo ab eisdem. Item, omnes illos qui bona Clericorum aut hominum tenentium de Ecclesia, & praecipue manentium in terris Episcopalibus, injuste, aut violenter diripiunt: seu alias eos in propriis personis molestare praesumunt. Item, omnes illos sures, & latrones, & praedones publice diffamatos, qui de loco ad locum transeuntes, furta & rapinas ac depraedationes illicitas Dei timore postposito perpetrare non formidant. Item, incendiarios, sacrilegos, falsarios: cum omnibus praedictorum fautoribus, auctoribus, receptatoribus, defensoribus, complicibus, participibus, consilium praestantibus, & scientibus de hujusmodi furtis, vel rapinas ementibus, illique maxime hac sententia involvant, qui latrones in terris, Castris vel domibus suis tenent, vel de eorum latrociniis participes sive Domini fiant. Item, omnes illos excommunicationis sententia innodamus, qui pacem & tranquillitatem▪ Domini Regis & Regni injuriose perturbare praesumunt, & qui * Here p. 390, 391: jura Domini Regis & Regni injuste detinere & continere contendunt. Adjecimus, omnes illos sibi sententia involutos, qui scienter & prudenter falsum perhibent testimonium, vel perhibere procurant, vel etiam qui tales testes scienter producunt, & subornant, causa matrimoniali, ubi scilicet agitur contra matrimonium, vel ubi agitur ad alicujus exhaeredationem. Advocatos quoque omnes excommunicamus qui in causis matrimonialibus maliciose exceptiones proponunt, vel proponere procurant, ne matrimonia debitum sortiantur effectum, vel etiam ut contra justitiam processus ejus diutius suspendatur. Item, excommunicamus omnes illos qui gratia lucri, favoris, vel odii, vel alia quacunque de causa alicui maliciose crimen imponunt, cum infamatus non sit apud bonos & graves, ut sic saltem purgatio ei indicat vel alio modo gravet. Praeterea omnes illos excommunicationis sententia innodamus qui vacante Ecclesia maliciose opponunt se, vel opponi procurant super jure patronatus, quatenus sic verum patronum illius Ecclesiae collatione, saltem illa vice, defraudent. Excommunicamus omnes illos qui gratia lucri vel odii, vel aliter contemnunt exequi mandata Domini Regis contra excommunicatos edita, claves Ecclesiae contemnentes. Item, omnes illos qui in solvendis decimis suis Ecclesiis suis Parochialibus debitis & consuetis scienter fraudem fecerint: videlicet de omnibus fructibus terrarum & arborum: de faeno quocunque loco percepto, de pannagio porcorum, herbis ortorum, de apibus & nutrimentis animalium, & de foetibus quos nutriunt, lana, lacte, caseis quocunque coagulatis, & de omnibus quae renovantur per annum, piscationibus, venationibus, molendinis, & negotiationibus, artificiis, caeterisque justis laboribus, & licite acquisitis, & de omnibus aliis de jure, sive de consuetudine decimandis. Item, omnes illos qui viros religiosos, Clericos Beneficiatos, & eorum homines in solo Ecclesiastico degentes, talliis, vectigalibus, muragiis, tributis, fossatis, cariagiis, vel aliis exactionibus indebitis, & inconsuetis per injustas & violentas extortiones non modicum Ecclesiasticae libertatis praejudicium, aggravare praesumunt. Haec generalis sententia excommunicationis supradicta singulis annis in quatuor festis majoribus, videlicet, Nativitatis Domini, Paschae, Pentecostes, & diei Omnium Sanctorum, in singulis Ecclesiis innovetur, & solenniter recitetur a singulis Presbyteris Parochialibus, sacris vestibus indutis, pulsatis campanis, & accensis candelis, praesente Parochianorum multitudine in lingua vulgari. These Excommunicators had quite forgot * In Cantica Sermo 25. 77. & ad Clerum Sermo in Concil. Remensi. St. Bernard's Lesson. Sciant boni fidelesque Pastores, languentium sibi creditam animarum curam, non Pompam; medico● se, & non Dominos agnoscentes: parant confestim adversus haeresim animae, non vindictam sed medicinam. Audiant haec Praelati, qui sibi commissis semper volunt esse formidini, utilitati rarò: studete magis amari quam metui: suspendite verb ra, producite ubera; pectora lacte pinguescant, non typho turgeant. And the people might justly take up his complaint. Paucos habemus heu Pastores, multos autem excommunicatores. Parum est nostris vigilibus quod non servant nos, nisi et perdant Soon after this Archbishop and the Bishop of Lincoln, by their Usurped Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction, without the King's Royal Authority, commanded by their Injunctions that none should sell any victuals to the Jews, nor have any communion with them, whereupon they could find none that would sell any thing to them; of which the Jews complaining, the King by his Ecclesiastical Prerogative issued this Writ to the Mayors of Canterbury, Oxford, and Norwich, to countermand the Bishop's Injunctions, that all should sell victuals and other necessaries to them, and that they should imprison every one refusing to do it, till further order, as this Record informs us. REX Vicecomiti & Majori Cantuariae salutem. Ostenderunt nobis Iudaei nostri Claus. 7 Hen. 3. dors. 29. Linc. quod occasione praecepti Venerabilis Patris S. Cantuariensis Archiepiscopi, & Episcopi Lincolniensis facti de Iudaeis, ne qui eis victualia vendant, nec Communiam habeant cum eis, nec inveniunt aliquem qui eis aliquid vendant. Et ideo vobis praecipimus, quod visis Literis istis, praecipi et proclamari faciatis ex parte nostra in Balliva vestra, quod vendantur eis victualia et alia necessaria: Et si quem inveneritis qui eis deneget victualia et necessaria alia vendere in Civitate Lincolniae, et alibi, illum capiatis, et corpus ejus salvo custodiatis donec aliud inde praeceperimus. Teste H. etc. apud Westmonasterium, Decimo die Novembris. Eodem modo scribitur Majori & praepositis Oxoniae, de Judaeis Oxon. & Ballivis de Norwico, de Judaeis Norwic. The Archbishop Stephen Langhton persevering in his treasonable seditious practices An. Dom. 1223 against King Henry the 3d. as he had done against his Father King John, Anno 1223. demanded of him a confirmation of the Great Charter, granted and ratified by his Father, on purpose to raise new Wars and Rebellions upon the same account, and in the same manner as he had * Here p. 282, 283, 335. formerly done; thus registered by Matthew Paris. REX Henricus ad natale tenuit Curiam suam apud Oxoniam. Et postmodum, Mat. Paris Hist. Angl. p. 305. in octavis Epiphaniae, apud Londonias veniens cum Baronibus ad colloquium; requisitus est ab Archiepiscopo Cantuariensi, et Magnatibus aliis: ut Libertates, et liberas consuetudines, pro quibus guerra mota fuit contra Patrem suum, confirmaret. Et sicut Archiepiscopus ostendit evidenter, idem Rex diffugere non potuit, quin hoc faceret: cum in recessu Lodovici ab Anglia, juravit, et tota Nobilitas Regni cum eo; quod libertates praescriptas omnes observarent, et omnibus traderent observandas. Quod audiens Willielmus Briwere, qui unus erat ex Consiliariis Regis, pro Rege respondens, dixit: Libertates quas petitis, quia violenter extortae fuerunt, non debent de jure observari. Quod verbum Archiepiscopus moleste ferens, increpavit eum, dicens: Willielme (inquit) si Regem diligeres, pacem Regni non impedires. Uidens autem Rex Archiepiscopum in iram commotum, dixit: Omnes libertates illas juravimus, et omnes astricti sumus, ut quod juravimus, observemus. Et Rex protinus habito super hoc consilio, misit Literas suas ad singulos Vicecomites Regni; ut per Milites duodecim, vel legales homines, uniuscujusque Comitatus, per sacramentum facerent inquiri, quae fuerunt libertates in Anglia, tempore Regis Henrici avi sui; & factam inquisitionem ad Londonias mitterent ad Regem, in quindecem diebus post Pascha. Soon after, this Archbishop with 3. more Bishops came to Lewes the French King, to demand Normandy, and other transmarin Lands to be rendered to King Henry, according to his Oath upon the Peace made between them: He refusing to perform it, replied, (most probably by the Archbishop's direction, whose words he used) That King Henry himself had violated his Oath and agreement between them, especially Mat. Paris Hist. Angl. p. 305, 306. concerning their Liberties and Laws. De Libertatibus autem Regni Angliae, pro quibus guerra mota fuerat, qu● in recessu suo concessae erant, & ab omnibus juratae, ita actum est; quod non solum illae leg●s pessimae ad statum pristinum sunt reductae, sed & illis nequiores per totum R●gnum Angliae sunt generaliter constitutae. Quod audientes Archiepiscopus & Episcopi, cum aliud responsum habere nequiverant, ad propria sunt reversi, Regi Angliae ea quae audierant referentes: dealing here as he * Here p. 335, 336. formerly dealt between King John and the Barons. Besides, this Archbishop and his Officials usurping upon the Rights of the Crown on the one hand, as the Pope and his Legates did on the other, prohibited the payment of certain Rents, annually due to the Crown, during the vacancy of the Bishopric of Coventry, arising out of the Archdeaconries of that Diocese, in derogation of the Rights of the Crown; Whereupon the King issued forth this Writ unto him, running in a mild stile, in nature of a Prohibition, to redress this injurious encroachment, and preserve his Royalties. REX Cantuariensi Archiepiscopo salutem. Ex insinuatione custodum nostrorum Claus. 8. H. 3. m. 29. dorso. Episcopatus Coventrensis, accepimus, quod Officiales vestri redditus quosdam provenientes ex Archidiaconatibus Coventrensis Diocesis capiendo eos, ad manus praedictorum Custodum venire non permittunt; Vnde tanto vehementius admiramur quanto certius per inspectionem Rotulorum de scaccario nostro, didicimus quod temporibus praedecessorum nostrorm Regum Angliae, videlicet Avi, Auunculi, & patris nostri hujusmodi redditus simul cum aliis exitibus ejusdem Episcopatus, cum ipsum temporibus illis vacare contigisset, de quibus etiam ad scaccarium nostrum responderunt. Rogamus igitur paternitatem vestram, quatenus non permittatis ab officialibus vestris aliquid attemptari, quo minus redditus hujusmodi ad manus Baillivorum custodum nostrorum perveniant, immo potius juxta spem certam quam dilectione vestra gerimus, nos investitis, observetis et laetantes de hiis quae antecessores nostri sicut praediximus, authoritate regia sunt gavisi. Teste H. apud Westmonasterium Octavo die Novembris. The Bishop of Durham likewise exceeding the bounds of his Jurisdiction, to the prejudice of the Rights of the Crown, the King for redress thereof sent this memorable Prohibition to his Officers. REX Adae de jeland, Rogero Dandre, Jordano Hayron, Willielmo Britton, & Claus. 8. H. 3. m. 11. dors. Roberto de jeland, salutem. Praecipimus vobis ne teneatis placitum per aliquod breve Venerabilis Patris R. Dunholm. Episcopi, Cancellarii nostri, quali praedecessores sui temporibus praedecessorum nostrorum usi non fuerunt, et quale ad ipsum non pertinet, jure Episcopatus sui; et ne idem Episcopus utatur libertate aliqua in curia sua contra Coronam et dignitatem qua praedecessores sui jure Episcopatus sui usi non fuerunt temporibus Antecessorum nostrorum Regum Angliae, donec discussum fuerit in Curia nostra, utrum hujusmodi brevia et libertates pertineant ad ipsum Episcopum jure Episcopatus sui, vel non. Teste meipso apud Bed. XXX. de Junnii. The King likewise issued this subsequent Prohibition to the Archbishop of York, against trying the right of Advousons' in Spiritual Courts, and to admit a Clerk. REX Archiepiscopo Eborum salutem. Monstravit nobis Prior Dunholm. quod Claus. 8 Hen. 3. m. 4. dorso. cum Venerabilis Pater Dunholm. Episcopus, Cancellarius noster, impetrasset quasdem Literas de Advocationibus Ecclesiarum de Kirkel. Hovedon, & Bretenham, Welleton, & de Waketon, quas, sicut dicit, idem Prior ei injuste detinet, ipse postmodum alias Literas obtinuit vobis directas, ne ad Ecclesias illas personas admittatis donec in Curia nostra discussum fuerit, ad quem illorum pertineat illarum Ecclesiarum advocatio. Verum quoniam visum est Consilio nostro, quod ultimae Literae de prohibitione locum habere non debeant, nisi ubi agitur de ultima praesentatione, et Prior sibi timeat quod velitis de vacantibus Authoritate Concilii disponere si ultra tempus sex mensium eas vacare contigerit. Vobis mandamus rogantes, quatenus nisi alia justa subsit causa praeter dictam prohibitionem ad Ecclesiam de Hovedon vacantem, ad dicti Prioris praesentationem personam idoneam admittere non differatis. Teste Rege apud Wigorn. Vicesimo die Septembris, coram Domino Cautuariensi, Lincolniensi, & Bathoniensi Episcopis, & M. de Pateshull. These proceedings of the Archbishop and Bishops, (than most entrusted by the King) made him jealous of their Loyalty, and some secret designs against him, which by reason of their present power he durst not openly discover, but rather endeavoured to oblige them by commending their Loyalty: For which end, Anno 1223. King Henry having a resolution to resume the Castles and Lands belonging to the Crown of England, in the possession of his Barons and others, by advice of Hugh de Burgo his chief Justice, dispatched special trusty Messengers with Letters to the Pope and Gualo his Legate, commending the fidelity of the Archbishop and some other Bishops to him, and beseeching him to command them by his special Bulls to assist him against, and excommunicate all such as should rebel, or disturb the peace of the Kingdom, and to send particular Letters to the Earls and others there named, to aid him if there were occasion with their Forces; the chief design being not committed to writing, but privately to be imparted by word of mouth, by the Agents who carried the Letters, which I find thus entered in the Records. DOmino Papae salutem. De beneficiis immensae pietatis vestrae multimodis quibus Claus. 8. H. 3. m. 27. dors. suffragantibus de nubilo reducimur in serenum, supra regna constituti quae merito vestra sunt, sed ex hoc maxime, quod transmissis in Angliam Sanctitatis vestrae literis liberam nos ministrationem Castrorum et rerum nostrarum voluistis, paternitati vestrae, quas et quales possumus ad effusas assurgimus gratiarum Actiones eidem, quae de nobis et statu regni nostri semper sollicita est, pro certo referentes, postquam de pace nobis & terrae nostrae reddita gavisi sumus, nunquam majorem spem concepimus de prosperitate & melioratione status nostri & Regni nostri quem venerabilis & dilectus nobis in Christo Pater Cantuariensis Archiepiscopus, una cum Dunholm. Episcopo Cancellario nostro & Coepiscopis suis, & ceteris Angl●ae praelatis adhibita circa nos, & agenda nostra vigilant cura, Assistente semper Lateri nostro potenter & patenter in omni fidelitate Dilectissimo nobis H. de Burgo Justiciario nostro, cum caeteris fidelibus nostris quos inferius nominabimus, prosperum efficere & tranquillum. Set cum non dormiat ille qui pacifica semper Corda turbare nititur, si qua ex parte quorundam ex magnatibus simulantium se velle negotia nostra promovere, sicut vobis poterunt, si placet, praesentium bajuli plenius enarrare, vobis suggesta fuerint nimis audacter hiis contraria, inania et fide minus digna reputare velitis, quoniam cum multorum diversa sit plreumque voluntas non omnibus omnia quae circa nos versantur sunt accepta, si quid autem contradictionis emersum fuerit, quod absit, in Regno nostro facile sedare poterimus propitiante Domino, ex memorati Domini Cantuariensis Archiepiscopi Coepiscoporumque ejus, nec non et justic. nostri et aliorum nobis assistentium Consilio et auxilio. Petimus igitur a sancta Paternitate vestra quatenus Nuncios nostros videlicet, dilectos & fideles nostros Magistrum Stephanum de Lucy, & G. de Crancumb, qui vos plenius instruere poterunt de statu nostro, & Regni vestri, benigne audiatis, & negotia nostra quae ipsi vobis exponent expedire, velitis. Diligentiam Domini Cantuariensis & coepiscoporum eius agen●is nostris expediendis appositum propensius habentes Commendatum, dantes eye in mandatis, ut nobis assistant, rebellesque nobis et adversantes per Censuram Ecclesiasticam appellatione remota Compescant: scribere etiam velitis▪ H. de Burgo Justic. Ws Com. Sarr. Com. W. Marr. Com. Warren. Com. de Ferrariis Com. W. de Mandevill, Com. H. le Bigod, Com. H. de Warwick, Comiti Hereford, Comiti Arundel, Roberto filio Walteri, Roberto de Ros, Galfrido de Say, W. de Bello Campo. W. de Albin, Waltero de Clifford, Rogero de Clifford, Thomae de Muleton, H. de Vivon, firmiter iniungentes, ut agenda nostra solita diligentia promoveant, et nobis semper viriliter assistant, quos etiam de inceptis diligentiae et fidelitatis suae laudabilibus commendare velitis. Scribere etiam velitis certis personis (à) nunciis nostris vobis nominandis, quod si quid in animo conceperint contra nos, vel justiciarium nostrum, vel alios de nostris qui nobis assistant, a proposito tali resiliant et nobis firmiter adhaereant. Alioquin juxta providentiam vestram compescantur. Ut autem hiis quae vobis scribimus major fides adhibeatur, Paternitati vestrae notum facimus, quod literae praesentes a voluntate & praecepto nostro emanaverunt, & in praesentia nostra confectae & sigillatae fuerunt. Plura autem posuimus in ore dictorum Nunciorum vobis exponenda, quae si placet solita benignitate velitis exaudire, quae quidem propter marium pericula scripto noluimus commendare. Teste meipso apud London nineteen. Die Decembris coram H. de Burg. Justiciario, & Bath. & Sarr. Episcopis. The like Letter (with little variation) to the same effect, he then sent to Gualo formerly the Pope's Legate in England. DOmino Gual. salutem. De multiplici & solito suffragio vestro quo de Nubilo Claus. 8 Hen. 3. m. 27. dors. reducimur in serenum, in multis promoti, quas & quales possimus vobis effundimus gratiarum Actiones, dilectioni vestrae pro certo referentes, quod postquam de pace nobis & terrae nostrae reddita gavisi sumus, nunquam Majorem spein concepimus de tranquillitate & melioratione status nostri & regni nostri, quem venerabilis & dilectus nobis in Christo Pater, Cantuariensis Archiepiscopus, una cum Dunbolm Cancellario nostro, & Coepiscopis suis, & caeteris Angliae praelatis, assistente semper lateri nostro potenter & patenter in omni fidelitate, H. de Burgo Justiciario nostro, cum ceteris fidelibus nostris, prosperum effecit & tranquillum. Set cum non dormiat ille qui pacifica corda turbare nititur, supplicavimus Domino Papae, ut si qua ex parte quorundam ex Magnatibus nostris simulancium se velle negotia nostra promovere sicut presentium bajuli, sibi poterunt, & vobis si placet plenius enarrare, auribus Domini Papae † Si suggesta. suggesta fuerint hiis contraria inania & fide minus digna velit reputari, quoniam cum multorum diversa sit plerunque voluntas, non omnibus omnia quae circa nos geruntur, sunt accepta; si quid autem contradictionis emersum fuerit, quod absit, in Regno nostro, facile sedare poterimus propitiante Domino ex memorati Domini Cantuariensis Archiepiscopi, Coepiscoporum ejus, nec non & Justiciarii nostri & aliorum fidelium nostrorum nobis assistentium consilio & auxilio. Petimus igitur a dilectione vestra ut Nuncios nostros videlicet dilectos & fideles nostros Magistrum Stephanum de Lucy, & G. de Crancumb, qui vos plenius instruere poterunt, de statu nostro & regni nostri, benigne audire & in conspectum Domini Papae solita pro nobis facta intercessione reddere velitis expeditos; efficientes, si placet, quod diligentiam Domini Cantuariensis & Coepiscoporum ejus, Justic▪ etiam, & fidelium nostrorum specialius nobis assistentium, quod vobis expressius nominabunt praesentes Nuncii, circa nos appositum ut praediximus, habeat Dominus Papa Commendatum, istis ut spirituali gladio rebelles nobis, appellatione remota, compescant, ut secundum vires temporales nobis fideliter et potenter obsequendo laudabilibus inceptis suis firmiter insistant: scribi etiam impetretis a Domino Papa certis personis & * Inimicis. nunciis nostris nominandis, quod si quid in animo conceperint contra nos vel justiciarium nostrum, vel alios de nostris qui nobis assistunt, a proposito tali resiliant, et nobis firmiter adhaereant, alioquin juxta prudentiam Domini Papae et vestram compescantur: Ut autem hiis quae vobis scribimus Major fides adhibeatur Paternitati vestrae nobis dilectae notum facimus quod tam praesentes literae quam aliae Literae nostrae Domino Papae directae, a conscientia & praecepto nostro emanarunt & in praesentia nostra confectae & sigillatae fuerunt. Teste meipso apud London. Decimo Nono die Decembris coram H. de Burgo justic▪ & Bath & Sarr. Episcopis. The effect of these Letters concerning the King's Lands and Castles, is thus related by Mat. Paris. EOdem Anno surrexit murmuratio non modica a Magnatibus Angliae, contra Hubertum Mat. Paris, Hist. Angl. p. 306. de Burgo Justitiarium, qui pacem Regni conati sunt perturbare. Dicebant enim ad invicem, quod animum Regis exasperabat contra illos, & quod similiter non aequis legibus Regnum regebat. Accessit praeterea ad majoris odii incentivum, adventus nunciorum Regis, quos Romam miserat, qui Bullam Domini Papae Archiepiscopis Angliae, et eorum Suffraganeis deferebant, quae talem continebat sententiam, videlicet, quod Dominus Papa Regem Angliae plenae aetatis adjudicaverat, quod ex tunc negotia Regni idem Rex principaliter cum suorum domesticorum consilio ordinaret. Significavit etiam executoribus praelibatis Dominus Papa in Literis supradictis; quatenus authoritate Apostolica denunciarunt Comitibus, Baronibus, Militibus, et aliis uni●ersis, qui custodias habebant Castrorum, honorum et villarum, quae ad Regis dominium spe●tabant, ut continuo visis Literis, Regi illas redderent: Contradictores autem per censuram Ecclesiasticam ad satisfactionem compellerent. Unde pars maxima Comitum & Baronum, quorum corda concupiscentia possidebat, hujusmodi praecepta indigne ferens, bellumque suscitare disponens, convenit in unum, & conspiratione absque follibus conflata, supradictas occasiones praetendebat, ut pacem Regni perturbaret. Custodias autem jam dictas, per admonitionem Archiepiscoporum et Episcoporum, Regi reddere supersedit, volens potius arma movere, quam Regi satisfacere de praemissis. Hereupon, Anno Domini 1224. Rex Henricus ad natale tenuit Curiam suam apud An. Dom. 1224 Mat. Paris, Ibidem. Northamptonam, praesente Archiepiscopo Cantuariensi, cum suis Suffraganeis, & militia magna nimis. Comes vero Cestrensis, cum suis conspiratoribus, apud Leicestriam tenuit festum suum; tumens, & minas contra Regem & Justitiarium intendens, pro custodiis Castrorum ac terrarum, quas idem Rex exigebat ab illo. In crastino autem post Missarum solemnia, Archiepiscopus Cantuariensis, cum suis Suffraganeis Episcopis albis induti vestibus, et candelis accensis, excommunicaverunt omnes Regis et Regni perturbatores, et Sanctae Ecclesiae, et rerum Ecclesiasticarum invasores. Deinde idem Archiepiscopus misit solemnes nuncios apud Leicestriam ad Comitem Cestriae et suos complices; firmiter denuntians singulis et universis, quod nisi in crastino resignarent in manus Regis omnia Castella et honores ad Coronam spectantia; ipse et omnes Episcopi nominatim excommunicarent illos, sicut a Domino Papa fuerat demandatum. Tunc Comes Cestrensis & ejus complices, cum per exploratores edocti fuissent, quod Rex majorem quam ipsi, haberet numerum armatorum, consternati sunt valde: quia si facultas eis suppeteret, in Regem propter Justitiarium potencer arma moverent. Sed cum proprium conspexissent defectum, verebantur dubium certamen mire: et praeterea timuerunt Archiepiscopum et Episcopos, ne forte illos excommunicarent, nisi desisterent ab incoeptis. Unde saluberimo usi consilio, venerunt apud Northamptonam ad Regem universi, et a Comite Cestrensi incipientes, reddiderunt singuli Castella et municipia, honores et custodias Regi, quae ad Coronam spectare videbantur. Thus the Pope's Bulls, and Bishops Excommunications, (which here accidentally produced the best effect I read of, for want of power in the Barons to resist the King's Temporal Sword, Forces, not this Ecclesiastical Thunderbolt) were then made use of in most secular affairs, and not only the Temporal Lords and Commons thereby subjected, enthralled to the Popes and Prelates Jurisdictions, but the King and Kingdom too, upon mere politic and secular concernments and affairs. The same year, * Mat. Paris Hist. Angl. p. 309, 310. Mat. Westm. Anno 1224. p. 115, 116. Falcatius de Brent seizing upon Henry de Braybroc, one of the King's Justices Itinerant, for giving Judgement against, and imposing Fines upon him in Assizes of Novel-disseisin, for Lands and houses he had forcibly entered into in Luton, and afterwards carrying him Prisoner to Bedford Castle: The King, Bishops and Barons then sitting in a Parliamentary Council at Northampton, presently went and besieged the Castle, Tunc Archiepiscopus, & Episcopi universi; (after a treble summons and admonition to surrender it, withstood) ipsum Falcatium, & omnes qui in Castelli praesidio erant, candelis accensis, excommunicationis mucrone percusserunt: Which Excommunication they slighting and deriding, manfully defended the Castle near 9 week's space, till taken by force. Falcatius by judgement abjured the Realm for ever, and lost all his goods. After which, Romanam Curiam adiit, qui sciebat eam pro pecunia sibi de facili in quacunque causa propiciandam. Sed machinatio sua non est a Deo permissa, vel a sanctis quibus tot irrogavit injurias, writes Matthew Westminster. Yet Alexander de Savenesby sped better, who was then consecrated Bishop of Chester, Romae a Domino Papa Honorio, die Paschae; no doubt for current money. King Henry to pacify and gratify the Archbishop (of whose fidelity he formerly had cause to doubt) writ this ensuing Letter to the Pope, to give way for the return of his Brother Simon Langeton, into England, out of which (it seems) he was formerly banished, (as well as * Here p. 371. 372. excommunicated, and deprived of all his Ecclesiastical Benefices) for adhering to Lewes and contemning the Pope's excommunications. DOmino Papae salutem. Quod Venerabilis Pater S. Cantuariensis Archiepiscopus, Claus. 8. Hen. 3. m. 27. dorso. sirmiter & fideliter nobis adhereat, nos & agenda nostra ea sollicitudine promovendo, qua circa nos cuncta fuerint prospera, cuncta tranquilla, sicut paternitati vestrae notum fieri volumus, tam praesentium attestatione Literarum, quam nunciorum fidelium nostrorum viva voce. Volentes igitur sicut debemus, Sinceritate vestra digna vicissitudine respondere, ad ea ex multiplici merito suo nitimur quae sibi grata fuerint & accepta. Verum quia placeret ei plurimum sicut humanum est, Magistri Simonis fratris sui regressus in Terram nostram, regressum ipsius & moram libenter concederemus, si ad hoc vester assensus preveniret, quod ex multimoda affectione, sicut decet, exoramus, quia in nostra & multorum magnatum & fidelium nostrorum praesentia constitutus, idem Archiepiscopus promisit & manucepit, quod regressio ipsius, sive mora, nobis vel Regno nostro in nullo erit damnosa. Beneplacitum igitur voluntatis vestrae quam circa hoc expectandum duximus, recurrentibus sanctitatis vestrae Literis nobis petimus intimari. Teste meipso apud North. nineteen. die Decembris Coram H. de Burg. Justic. & Bathon. & Surr. Episcopis. I cannot finde that the Pope consented to this request, esteeming it very dangerous for this firebrand to return or continue in England, in this juncture of Affairs. What a Power the Pope then usurped in making and commanding Truces between England and France, (in which cases he frequently interposed his advice, and Papal Authority upon request, and sometimes by mere intrusion) will in part appear by this Record. REX, Venerabilibus viris & Amicis in Christo Charissimis, Episcopo Senon. & Claus. 8. H. 3. m. 27. dors. Episcopo Silvanectenis, salutem. Paternitati vestrae referimus de hiis quae de Mandato Domini Papae nobis duxistis per Liter as vestras intimanda, de Trugis inter Dominum Regem Franciae & nos prorogandis, & vobis significamus, quod nuncios nostros per dei gratiam ad concilium Parisiense ad tres septimanas Paschae mittemus ad audiendum inde per vos voluntatem & responsum ipsius Regis Franciae. Noveritis autem quod nos non interim intercipiemus erga ipsum Regem vel suos in trugis nisi ex parte sua prius fuerit interceptum. Nos autem ex parte Domini Papae mandatum accepimus per Literas suas, de Trugis prorogandis usque ad Quadriennium sicut ipse recepit. Teste Rege apud Westmonasterium Vicesimo Octavo die Aprilis. How the Pope recommended persons to the Bishoprickes in Ireland, when void (yet with the King's royal assent and approbation, (which he complementally requested) who then durst deny him nothing) these Records will inform us. REX Dublinensi Archiepiscopo salutem. Noveritis quod nos, juxta petitionem Claus. 8. H. 3. m 5. dors. Domini Papae ad nos directam pro dilecto nobis in Christo G. Artferten. Episcopo, ipsum Episcopum Duximus habere commendatum. Unde vos rogamus, quatinus ipsum benigne admittatis juxta mandatum Domini Papae, nobis pro eo directum, de facto suo ipsum habentes Commendatum: Et quod vestrum est in hac parte exequi velitis. Teste Rege apud Wodestock Decimo Quinto die Septembris Coram Justiciario & Bathoniensi Episcopo. DOminus Rex adhibuit assensum & regium favorem ad petitionem Domini Pat. 8. Hen 3▪ part. 3. m. 4. intus. Papae Electioni de Mauritio quondam Episcopo Cork in Archiepiscopum Cassel. Et Mandatum est omnibus, etc. quod ei tanquam Domino suo in omnibus intendentes sint & respondentes: In cujus, etc. Teste Rege apud London. Vicesimo Quinto die Augusti. DOminus Rex adhibuit assensum regium Electioni factae de Florentio olim Beleghatens. Archid. in Cleonensem Episcopum. Et Mandatum est Electo cassel. quod id quod suum est in hac parte exequatur. Teste ut supra. But though the King consented to these Papal requests, yet he would by no means admit the transmission of an Appeal to the Pope in a case of Bastardy in Ireland, pleaded in a Writ of Mortdauncester, after due proof and examination thereof in the Ecclesiastical Court there before the Archbp. of Dublin, who ought to certify the same; it being both dishonourable, of dangerous example, and prejudicial to his Crown and public Justice, to transmit that which belonged to his own jurisdiction Dignity, Court, to a foreign Papal Tribunal; as this memorable Record will evidence. REX Dublinensi Archiepiscopo, Justiciario Hiberniae salutem. Ad ea quae vobis Claus. 8. H. 3. m. 29. dorso. nuper nostris dedimus in mandatis, ut nobis rescriberetis quatenus fuisset processum in causa Nicholai de Felda, qui contra Abbatem & Canonicos sarcti Thomae Dublin. in Curia nostra Coram Justiciariis nostris petiit duas Carrucas terrae cum pertinentiis, in Kelredheri per Assisam de Morte antecessoris; Cui etiam coram eisdem Justiciariis objecta fuit bastardia, per quod ab ipsis Justiciariis ad vos fuit transmissus, ut in foro Ecclesiastico de ejus Bastardia sive legitimitate agnosceretis; nobis per Literas vestras significastis, Quod cum foro Civili terram praedictam peteret per Literas nostras, de morte Antecessorum versus memoratos Abbatem & Canonicos, obiecta et fuit nota Bastardiae, quare in foro eodem tunc non fuit ulterius processum; Memoratus etiam Nicholaus, de Mandato Justic. nostrorum in foro Ecclesiastico coram vobis volens probare se esse Legitimum, testes producit, et publicatis attestationibus suis post diutinas altercationes et disputationes, tam ex parte Abbatis quam ipsius Nicholai, cum ad Calculum diffinitivae sententiae procedere velletis, comparuerunt duae puellae minoris Aetatis, filiae Richardi de la Felle, Patris praedicti Nicholai, et appellaverunt, ne ad sententiam ferendam procederetis, quia in hoc manifestum earum verteretur praejudicium, eo quod alias praecluderetur eis via petendi Hereditatem petitam, nec possit eis subveniri per restitutionem in integrum, unde de Consilio virorum prudentium, ut dicitis, appellationi deferentes, causam secundum quod coram vobis agitata est, Domino Papae transmisistis instructam; De quo plurimum admirantes, non immerito movemur, cum de legitimitate praedicti Nicholai per Testium productiones et attestationum publicationem, puellarum praedictarum contra quas non agebatur, vel etiam de quibus nulla fierat mentio in Assisa memorata, nec fuerunt aliquae partes illarum in Causa praedicta, sententiam diffinitivam pro eo distulistis pronunciare, et male, quasi nostrum declinantes examen, et Volentes id quod per nostram determinandum esset jurisdictionem et dignitatem, Nota. ad Alienam transferretur dignitatem. Quod valde perniciosum esset exemplo. Cum etiam si adeptus esset praedictus Nicholaus possessionem terrae praedictae per Assisam praedictam, beneficium petitionis Haereditatis predictis puellis plane suppeteret in Curia nostra per breve de Recto, maxime cum per Literas de morte Antecessoris agatur de possessione, et non de proprietate, et ex officio vestro in Casu proposito nihil aliud ad vos pertinebat nisi tantum de ipsius Nicholai Legitimitate probationes admittere, et ipsum cum Literis vestris testimonialibus ad justiciarios nostros remittere: De consilio igitur Magnatum et fidelium nobis assistentium, Vobis Mandamus firmiter injungentes, quatinus non o●●●●te appellatione praemissa, non differatis pro eo sententiare, ipsum ad justiciarios nostros remittentes cum Literis vestris testimonialibus, ut eye de loquela postmodum agitata, postmodum possint secundum Legem et Consuetudinem terrae nostrae Hiberniae justiciae plenitudinem exhibere. Teste H. apud Glouc. Decimo Nono die Novembris. The Pope and Bishops by their Canons had prohibited all secular Powers, Juries, Oaths, and Suits at Law, * Britton. c. 34. Surius Concil. Tom. 3. p. 467. b. during the time of Advent, Sexagesima and Lent, upon pain of excommunication, as times devoted for prayers unto God, and to appease and accord discords, to the great obstruction of Justice, especial in Assizes and Inquests before the King's Justices in Eires, requiring speedy remedy: whereupon the King was enforced to procure this special Licence only for this year, for his Justices to take Oaths and proceed to trials of Assizes of Darreign Presentment, Novel-disseisin, Grand Assises, and Inquisitions, and to promise that it should not be drawn into consequence for the future, as this Patent resolves. REX universis praesentes literas inspecturis salutem. Cum venerabilis Pater S. Cantuariensis Archiepiscopus, Authoritate Domini Papae, Pat. 8. Hen. 3. m. 2. vel 1. intus. et de consilio fratrum suorum, fecerit nobis gratiam de juramentis praestandis, coram Justiciariis nostris de praecepto nostro itinerantibus, ab instanti Adventu Domini usque ad vigiliam sancti Thomae Apostoli, & a principio septuagesimae usque ad Dominicam qua Cantatur: Isti sunt dies, duntaxat in causis subscriptis, videlicet: in Assisis ultimae praesentationis, de Morte Antecessoris, Novae disseisinae, de Magna Assisa, & Inquisitionibus quae de terris emergent, coram eisdem Justiciariis nostris, vel per Judicium, vel de Consensu partium; Ita quod haec concessio tantum hoc anno durabit usque ad diem Dominicam supradictam; Nos per has Literas Patentes eis protestamur, quod haec concessio nobis ad praesens facta usque ad diem dominicam praedictam, non trahetur ad consequentiam post diem eundem: In cujus rei Testimonium eidem Domino Cantuariensi Archiepiscopo dedimus has Literas nostras Patentes sigillo nostro signatas. Teste meipso apud Westmonasterium Vicesimo Quarto die Novemb. Anno regni nostri Octavo. This restraint * Britton c. 35. Cookes 2. Instit. p. 264. 265. continued (unless specially dispensed with) till abolished (as to these Actions) by the Statute of 3. Ed. 1. c. 48. (or 50. as some distinguish it) being a very high usurpation upon the Justice, Rights, Prerogative of the King, and prejudicial to the subjects. Our Kings by reason of their manifold affairs in the Court of Rome, relating to their own transactions, Wars, Treaties, Realms, and Correspondences with the Pope and other foreign states, usually constituted sometimes general, othertimes special Proctors by their Letters Patents, to implead and defend in their names and rights all matters there depending for or against them, of which there are many different forms and precedents in our Records, take this (the shortest of any) for one. DOmino Papae Salutem. Dilectos & fideles nostros Magistrum Stephanum de Pat. 8. H. 3. m. 3. Lucy, & G. de Crancumb. Militem, Constituimus Procuratores in Curia vestra, ad impetrandum et contradicendum. In cujus rei Testimonium has Literas nostras Patentes fieri fecimus, duraturas usque ad festum sancti Johannis Baptistae Anno, etc. Octavo. Teste meipso apud London. Duodecimo die Decembris coram H. de Burg. Justiciario & Bathonensi & Saresburiensi Episcopis. King John had granted a Pension of 50. Marks by the year to Stephen a Cardinal in Rome, to promote his affairs there: King Henry the 3d. withdrew it, whereupon Pope Honorius sent this impotunate Bull to the King, to continue this pension to him for the good service he had done his father and him, and which he might do him for the future, with menaces to cross him in his designs and proceed rigorously against him, if he refused to continue this salary. By which we may clearly discern, that our Kings could do nothing at Rome in their affairs, but by granting pensions and money both to the Pope and Cardinals. HONORIUS Episcopus servus servorum Dei, Charissimo in Christo filio An. 8. H. 3. Illustri Regi Anglorum, salutem & Apostolicam benedictionem. Etsi beneficiorum collatio principaliter de gratia provenire habeat liberali gratia, tamen in justitiam transeunte, nequeunt revocari collata, quin utraque manifeste ledatur. Quare honori suo consulit liberalis, cum donata munifice nulla patiens poenitudine deformari, ea solvit hilariter & libenter, cum nonnunquam affectus effectui praeferatur. Sane dilectus filius noster Stephanus, sancti Adriani Diaconus Cardinalis exposuit coram nobis, quod cum Clarae memoriae Pater tuus ei adhuc in minori officio constituto, Annuum redditum Quinquaginta Marcarum contulerit, tu eum sibi, quod non decuit, hactenus subtraxisti; & licet ut eum sibi exolveres te rogantes pluries, & moventes etiam per alium secerimus commoveri; Nihil tamen nobis exinde respondere curasti. Qui si * For wresting his Crown and Kingdom from him. beneficia quae faelicis recordationis, Innocentius Papa praedecessor noster patruus ejus, patri tuo contulit recoleres, ut deceret, & attenderes grata obsequia quae tibi dictus Cardinalis impendit, & potèst impendere in futurum; multo majora sibi deberes offerre, ne dum quod debitum subtraheres requisitus, quod sine turpatione gratiae praecedentis & turbatione subsequentis Justitiae, nec non absque offensa nostra non poteris retinere. Ut igitur ex iteratione precum expressius agnoscas precantis affectum, Serenitatem tuam rogamus, monemus & hortamur sicut iterum, sic attentius, quatenus prudenter advertens, quod dona & gratiae sine poenitentia debent esse, dicto Cardinali subtractum redditum facias sine aliqua difficultate persolvi, Ita quod de Justitia gratiam sibi faciens, ipsum ad devotionem tuam reddas merito promptiorem, & nos tuam debemus munificentiam commendare: alioquin praeter id quod ipsum a tua devotione perturbans, rem amittes & meritum; nos (qui eidem in suo jure deesse non possumus, cui potius volumus gratiam impertiri) aliter exinde contra te procedere compellemur, & potuissemus procedere; Nisi nuntii tui nunc apud sedem Apostolicam existentes aliud suasissent. Dat Latteran 4. Kal. Martii, Pontificatus nostri Anno Octavo. In dorso, Scribendae quia redditu annuo Stephan. de sancto Adriano. The like Bull verbatim, and of the same date, he directed; Dilectis filiis Nobilibus viris, Huberto de Burgo, Justiciario, & Willielmo Brigwer, Consiliario illustris Regis Anglorum; concluding it thus Quocirca Nobilitati (vestrae) per Apostolica scripta mandamus, quatenus dictum Regem ad hoc moneatis attentius, & efficaciter inducere procuretis. So importunately eager were these Roman Harpies to detain all pensions once granted by the King, though determined by King John's death, who granted them, not binding his successor in Law or conscience to continue them. The Pope and See of Rome reaping much advantage by addresses from England, the King of France putting some stop to the King of England's Messengers free passage to Rome through his territories, thereupon Honorius dispatched this Bull to his Legate in France, to remove this obstuction as very prejudicial to his interest, the originals both of the former and this Bull I found in the Tower. HONORIUS Episcopus servus servorum dei, Dilecto filio R. sancti Angeli An. 9 H. 3. Diacono Cardinali Apostolicae sedis Legato, salutem & Apostolicam benedictionem. Cum hii qui ad Apostolicam sedem accedunt absque ipsius Injuria nequeant impediri, discretioni tuae praesentium Authoritate mandamus, quatinus provideas Efficaciter, quod Nuncii Charissimi in Christo filii nostri Henrici Regis Anglorum Illustris ad nostram praesentiam venientes, transitum habeant per Regnum Franciae veniendo, ac redeundo securum: habens super hoc cum Charissimo in Christo filio nostro Lodovico, Rege Francorum illustri, tractatum, & studens ita disponere cum eodem, quod Nuntios ipsius Regis Angliae non contingat in Franciae impediri, quia id in nostram redundaret injuriam manifeste. Dat Laterani 16. Kal. Julii, Pontificatus nostri anno Decimo. in sigill. Honorius Papa 3. King Henry the 3d. standing in need of a subsidy from the Bishops and Clergy, who of themselves were very unwilling to supply him, Pope Honorius thereupon sent this Bull to the Archbishops, Bishops, Abbots, Priors and Clergy, entreating them to grant him a competent subsidy, to be disposed off by common consent only for the public benefit of the Realm▪ and not vainly expended, promising that this grant of his and theirs should not be drawn into consequence for the future, leaving the grant free to the Bishops and Clergy to impose and proportion it. HONORIUS Episcopus servus Servorum Dei, Venerabilibus fratribus Pat. 9 Hen. 3. part. 1. dors. 3. Archiepiscopis & dilectis filiis Abbatibus, Praepositis, ac aliis Ecclesiarum Praelatis atque Rectoribus per Regnum Angliae constitutis, salutem & Apostolicam Benedictionem. Cum Ecclesia secularium Principum necessitatibus sponte communicat, necessarium eis susidium liberaliter impendendo, non est id liber tatis Ecclesiasticae praejudicium, sed officium potius charitatis. Cum ergo Charissimus in Christo filius noster Henriens Rex Angliae Illustris, nostrae subventionis auxilio dicatur plurimum indigere; Universitatem vestram rogamus et hortamur attentius, ac per Apostolica vobis scripta Mandamus, quatinus juxta facultates, Ecclesiarum vestrarum competens ei subsidium impendatis; proviso ut in singulis Dioc. congruae fiant hac de causa Collectae, et quae collecta fuerint sub testimonialibus literis Diocesani Episcopi et aliquorum Abbatum, aliorumve Praelatorum Diocesis, assignentur viris fidelibus et discretis, quos hujusmodi curae videritis deputandos, ipsique illa illibata conservent, donec deliberato consilio expendant ubi, quando, et quo modo Regi et Regno videbitur amplius expedire, unde, quem ad modum de receptis sic Literas testimoniales recipiant de Redditibus vel expensis, quatinus omnis suspitionis tollatur occasio. Et collecta pecunia non in super fluas et inutiles prodigatur expensas, sed in necessarias et utiles provide convertatur. Nolumus autem quod haec nostra gratia, nostraque Charitativa subventio, trahatur in Consequentiam vel exemplum. Uestraigitur sollicitudo provideat ut haec fiant ita * Hilariter. illariter, fideliter, diligenter, quod vestra Charitas et prudentia ex hoc merito debeat commendari. Dat Lateran. 3. Non. Februarii. The issue hereof you shall hear in due place. This year the Archbishop of Canterbury and his Suffragans, instead of granting An. Dom. 1225 the King a Subsidy, or punishing incontinent lecherous Clerks, passed these severe Decrees against their Concubines only, principally intended against the Wives of Clergymen, whom they deemed and styled Concubines in that age. EOdem Anno exivit decretum ab Archiepiscopo Cantuariensi & Episcopis ejus Suffraganeis Mat. Paris Hist. Angl. p. 313. in hunc modum. Concubinae Sacerdotum & Clericorum, qui infra sacros ordines constituti & beneficiati sunt, Ecclesiastica careant sepultura: nisi sane se correxerint, & (quia scriptum est, Vivens, vivens, ipse confitebitur tibi) incolumes, vel tanta earum in extremis appareat poenitentia▪ propter quam non immerito cum eis debeat dispensari. Item, non recipiantur ad osculum pacis▪ nec panem benedictum percipiant in Ecclesia▪ quamdiu Concubinarii eas detinent in domibus suis, vel publice extra domos. Item, si pepererint, non purificentur, nisi prius sufficientem praestiterint cautionem Archidiacono, vel ejus Officiali, de satisfactione in proximo Capitulo, post purificationem earum▪ facienda. Item, Sacerdotes, in quorum Parochiis Concubinae talium commorantur, si non hoc ostenderint Archidiacono, vel ejus Officiali, suspendantur. Et priusquam relaxentur, gravi poenitentiae subjaceant. Item▪ quae convinci poterit, quod Sacerdos eam carnaliter cognoverit, publicam agat poenitentiam, & solennem, ac si de adulterio esset convicta, tanquam pro duplici adulterio puniatur, ne tanti reatus impunitas, aliis transeat in materiam delinquendi. The Bishop of Cork in Ireland, having obtained the King's Royal assent, at the Pope's request, to be Archbishop of Cassel, taking a Journey to Rome to procure it, received this Writ for the restitution of his Temporalties after his return. MAndatum est Justiciario Hiberniae, quod reddi faciat Archiepiscopo Cassel, ea Claus. 9 H. 3. m. 13. intus. quae Ballivi coeperunt de Archiepiscopatu & terris Clericorum suorum, postquam Dominus Rex praecepit ei seisinam fieri de eodem Archiepiscopatu, & terris, & possessionibus ad eundem Archiepiscopatum pertinentibus, post iter suum arreptum versus Curiam Romanam. Teste Rege apud Westmonasterium, Quinto die Februarii. Some persons in Ireland detaining the King's Castles from him, Pope Honorius thereupon sent this Bull (extant under his Seal) to * Here p. 378, 379. excommunicate such who refused to deliver them upon demand to the King, far different from some Bulls of latter ages to the Irish Rebels. HONORIUS Episcopus servus servorum Dei, Venerabili Fratri Archiepiscopo Anno 9 H. 3. Dublinensi, salutem & Apostolicam Benedictionem. Cum Castra quaedam Hiberniae, ad dominium illustris Regis Angliae, ut dicitur, pertinentia contra voluntatem detineantur ejusdem, sicut ex parte sua fuit propositum coram nobis, fraternitati tuae per Apostolica scripta mandamus, quatinus ipsorum Castrorum Illicitos detentores, ut ea ipsi Regi, vel ejus Nunciis sine difficultate resignent, moneas efficaciter & inducas. Eos ad id summonitos si acquiescere non curaverint, per censuram Ecclesiasticam, appellatione remota, cognita veritate compellens. Dat. Lateran. two. Idus Maii. Pontificatus nostri Anno Decimo. in sigill. Honorius Papa 3. There being a controversy concerning the Liberties and Franchises of the Bishopric of Ely, the King issued forth this Writ of Inquisition, to make diligent enquiry thereof by the Oaths of twelve indifferent Knights, and to settle the Bishop in quiet possession of them after the Inquisition made. REX Vicecomiti Norff. & Suff. salutem. Praecipimus tibi quod diligenter inquiri Claus. 9 H. 3. m. 11. facias in pleno Com. tuo per Sacramentum duodecim de legalioribus Militibus Ballivae tuae, qui non sint de Libertatibus Eliensis Episcopi, qui melius sciant ac velint dicere veritatem, qualem seisinam Ecclesia sua Eliensis habuit de Libertatibus suis, in initio guerrae motae inter Dominum J. Regem Patrem nostrum, & Barones suos, & qualem Praedecessores sui habuerint tempore R. Regis Auunculi nostri, & tempore Domini J. Regis Patris nostri, scilicet, de Returno brevium, & de averiis captis, & de placitis infra Hundredum & Dimid. de Midford. & infra quinque Hundreda & Dimid. de Wickelaw, & Trelig. de Winestim. & de Amerciamentis colligendis, tam de aliis feodis, quam suis, exceptis Thesauro & murdro, de quibus idem Episcopus nullam Libertatem vel Curiam habere potest; & sicut idem Episcopus cognovit placita illa debent praesentari ad Comitat. de omnibus Hundredis praedictis, sicut de Hundredo Midford. Inquisitione autem illa diligenter facta sicut praedictum est, habere facias dicto Episcopo talem seisinam de Libertatibus praedictis, qualem secundum eandem Inquisitionem inde habere debuerit & praedicto modo. Teste Rege apud Westmonasterium, Decimo septimo die Februarii. Anno, etc. Nono. Per ipsum Dominum Regem, & Justic. coram London. Bathon. & Sarr. Episcopis, & M. de Patesh. & aliis de Consilio Domini Regis. Pope Honorius having formerly courted King Henry with a grant of a competent Subsidy from the Clergy to supply his necessities, soon after discovered his design therein, by dispatching Otto his Legate into England with Letters to the King for his own filthy lucre; the King knowing their contents, refused to give him any answer alone, it concerning the whole Church and Kingdom of England, but only in a Parliamentary Council of his Prelates and Nobles; thus related by Matthew Paris. EOdem Anno, Magister Otto, Domini Papae Nuncius, in Angliam veniens; pro Mat. Paris, Hist. Angl. p. 313, 314. magnis Ecclesiae Romanae negotiis Regi Literas praesentavit: Sed Rex cognito Literarum tenore, respondit, quod solus non potuit diffinire, nec debuit, negotium quod omnes Clericos et Laicos generaliter totius Regni tangebat. Tunc per consilium Stephani Cantuariensis Archiepiscopi, datus est dies a Rege in octavis Epiphaniae; ut convocatis omnibus Clericis et Laicis, super praefato negotio tunc tractarent apud Westmonasterium, et ibidem fieret quod justum singulis videretur. In the mean time the Pope and his Legate, bribed by Falcatius, made intercession for him to the King, for his return into England, from * Here p. 392. whence he was judicially banished, adjured, and restitution to his Wife, and what lands and goods he had lost. EOdem tempore, Magister Otto, ex parte Domini Papae, Regem Angliae humiliter Mat. Paris, Hist. Angl. p. 314. rogavit, ut Falcasio ●▪ bi reconciliato, Vxorem cum terris, & omnibus rebus amissis ad integrum restitueret, & ipsum, qui Patri suo, & sibi in guerra sua tam fideliter servierat, pura, ut decebat, diligeret charitate. Ad hoc quoque respondit Rex, Quod propter proditionem manifestam ab omni Clero & populo Regni, per judicium Curiae suae, ab Anglia fuerat in exilium pulsus; & licet Regni cura specialiter ad ipsum spectare videretur, debet legis quidem & bonas Regni consuetudines observare. Haec autem cum audisset Magister Otto, cessavit ulterius de Falcasio sollicitare Regem, (having gotten his money before hand.) And then like a Pope's Legate sent to fleece the Clergy, tunc idem Otto, cepit ab omnibus Ecclesiis Angliae Conventualibus, nomine Procuratoris, duas Marcas Argenti. Et sciendum est, quod tempore quo Magister Otto venit in Angliam, Dominus Papa misit Nuncios per orbem universum, exactiones ubique indebitas exigens, sicut inferius dicetur: Not fishing with St. Peter's net to catch souls, the least of his care, but to extort moneys from the Clergy and Laity throughout the world, by indirect and unapostolical means, to maintain his Pomp, Pride, Wars, and Antichristian designs. When the Parliamentary Council assembled, Otto read the Pope's Letter and Proposals, An. Dom. 1226. wherein the detestable Bribery, Symoney, Extortion, Avarice, Rapine of the Pope and Court of Rome, are so clearly confessed, discovered, and such a remedy to prevent them for the future prescribed by the Pope and Cardinals, as might justly induce all conscientious Christians, Kings, Kingdoms, for ever to abominate both the Court and Prelates of Rome: thus recorded by our Monkish Historians. Mat. Paris, Hist Angl. p. 316. Mat. Westm. Anno 1226. p. 188. ANno Domini 1226. Venit terminus Concilii ad festum Sancti Hillarii apud Westmonasterium praefixus, ubi Rex cum Clero & Magnatibus Regni comparere debuerat, ut Domini Papae mandatum audiret. Multis igitur in loco praefato congregatis Episcopis, cum aliis Praelatis & Laicorum turbis; Magister Otto, Domini Papae Nuntius, Literas apertè coram omnibus recitavit. In quibus idem Papa allegavit, scandalum Sanctae Romanae Ecclesiae, et opprobrium vetustissimum; notam scilicet concupiscentiae, quae radix dicitur omnium malorum; Nota. et in hoc praecipue, quod nullus potest aliquod negotium in Romana Curia expedire, nisi cum magna effusione pecuniae, et donorum exhibitione. Sed quoniam scandali hujus et infamiae Romana * St. Peter was far poorer than any of his Successors, yet took no bribes. paupertas causa est, debent matris inopiam sublevare, ut filii naturales. Quia nisi a vobis et aliis viris bonis et honestis dona reciperemus, † Pope's cannot live without bribes. deficerent nobis necessaria vitae, quod esset omnino Romanae incongruum dignitati. Ad istud itaque scandalum penitus eradicandum, per consilium fratrum nostrorum, Sanctae Romanae Ecclesiae Cardinalium, quandam providimus formam: cui si volueritis consentire, a scandalo matrem vestram poteritis liberare, et in * What security had they for this? Curia Romana sine donorum obsequio exhibitionem justitiae obtinere. Forma autem provisa haec est: Petimus in primis ab omnibus Ecclesiis Cathedralibus, duas nobis praebendas exhiberi, unam de portione Episcopi, et alteram de Capitulo. Et similiter de coenobiis, ubi diversae sunt portiones Abbatis et Conventus: a Conventibus, quantum pertinet ad unum Monachum aequali facta distributione bonorum suorum, et ab Abbate tantundem. (All these (if granted) must certainly be sold by the Pope, to those who would give most money for them to him, (which was most notorious Symoney) or else the Pope and his Successors must receive the Annual profits of them, without performing any Divine Service to God or the Church for them, contrary to all rules of Piety, Equity, Justice, Beneficium propter Officium, being the very dictate of Nature, as well as Law.) HIs in hunc modum propositis, persuasit ex parte Domini Papae Magister Otto, ut Mat. Paris, & Mat. Westm. Ibidem. consentirent Praelati, allegans supradicta commoda, quae in Literis continentur. Haec autem omnia audientes Episcopi, & Ecclesiarum Praelati, qui personaliter interfuerunt, divertentes seorsum ad colloquendum, cum super rebus propositis diutius deliberassent, responsum suum in ore Magistri Johannis Bedefordensis Archidiaconi communiter posuerunt. Qui veniens in praesentia Magistri Ottonis, per haec verba respondit: Domine, ista quae nobis proponitis, Regem Angliae specialiter tangunt, generaliter vero omnes Ecclesiarum patronos Regni: tangunt Archiepiscopos, et eorum Suffraganeos, nec non innumeros Angliae Praelatos. Cum ergo Rex propter infirmitatem, et Archiepiscopi nonnulli et Episcopi, et alii Ecclesiarum Praelati sunt absentes, in eorum absentia vobis respondere non possumus, nec debemus: quia si id facere praesumeremus, in praejudicium omnium absentium fieret Praelatorum. Et his dictis, venit Johannes Mareschallus, et alii nuntii Regis, ad omnes Praelatos, qui de Rege Baronias tenebant in capite, destinati: districte inhibentes, ne Laicum feudum suum Romanae Ecclesiae obligarent, unde a servitio sibi debito privaretur. (A just and prudent action in the King, to preserve the old Rights of his Crown, Kingdom, against all Papal and Prelatical Usarpations.) Haec autem cum Magister Otto intellexisset, statuit his qui aderant diem ibi in media quadragesima, dum ipse procuraret Regis adventum & absentium Praelatorum, ut tunc negotium sortiretur effectum. Sed illi absque Regis et aliorum, qui absentes erant, assensu, praefixum diem admittere noluerunt: unde singuli ad propria sunt reversi. And so by delays defeated this Papal design in England. The like proposals the Pope by his Legate made to the King and Bishops of France, at the same time, thus related by Mat. Paris, and pertinent to our History. HOc eodem tempore venit Magister Romanus ad partes Gallicanas, a Domino Mat. Paris Hist. Angl. p. 317. Papa missus ut ibi Legationis officio fungeretur. Quo cum pervenisset, fecit convocare Regem Francorum, cum Archiepiscopis, Episcopis, & Clero Gallicano ad Concilium, cum Comite Tholosano; pro quo specialiter ad partes illas missus fuerat, sicut sequens relatio declarabit. Convenerunt igitur ad Bituricam Civitatem ad Concilium, Lugdunensis, Remensis, Rothomagensis, Thuronensis, Bithuricensis, Anxianensis Archiepiscopi: Burdegalensis vero Romae fuit, & Narbonensis Ecclesia vacabat. Convenerunt igitur novem provinciarum, Suffraganei circiter centum, cum Abbatibus, & Prioribus, & singulorum procuratoribus Capitulorum, mandatum summi Pontificis audituri. Sed quoniam Lugdunensis Archiepiscopus vendicabat sibi primatiam super Archiepiscopum Senonensem, & Rothomagensis super Bithuricensem, Anxianensem, Narbonensem, & eorum Suffraganeos; timebatur de discordia, & ideo non fuit sessum ut in Concilio, sed quasi in Concilio. Quibus sedentibus, & lectis in publico Legationis Literis, (to divert them from this business) apparuerunt Comes Tholosanus ex una parte, & Simon de Monte forti ex altera; qui petiit sibi restitui terram Reimundi Comitis Tholosani, quam Dominus Papa & Rex Francorum Philippus sibi & Patri suo contulerunt, exhibens supra donatione facta utriusque, Papae scilicet & Regis, munimenta. Cumque hinc inde fuisset plurimum altercatum; (about this private business) praecepit Archiepiscopis singulis Legatus tunc praesentibus, ut convocatis seorsum unusquisque Suffraganeis, cum eis deliberarent super negotio praefato, & traderent Legato consilium suum redactum in scripto. Quo facto, Legatus excommunicavit omnes qui super hoc sua consilia revelarent; dicens se ea velle Domino Papae significare, & Francorum Regiostendere. POst haec, Legatus dedit in dolo procuratoribus Capitulorum licentiam ad propria Mat. Paris, Ibidem. revertendi, retentis tantum Archiepiscopis, Episcopis, & Abbatibus, & simplicibus Praelatis. Unde non immerito timuerunt, ne procurata eorum absentia, qui majoris prudentiae erant & experientiae, prae multitudine potentiores ad contradicendum, aliquid statueretur in praejudicium absentium Praelatorum. Quocirca dicti procuratores, post deliberationem diutinam, miserunt ad Legatum procuratores Metropolitanarum Ecclesiarum, qui coram eo sic allegaverunt: Domine, audivimus quod habetis Literas speciales a Curia Romana, de exhibendis praebendis in omnibus Ecclesiis Conventualibus, sive Cathedralibus. Quocirca multum miramur, quod non in hoc Concilio proposuistis eas nobis audientibus, quos specialiter tangunt. Unde rogamus in Domino, ne istud scandalum oriatur per vos in Ecclesia Gallicana, scientes quod sine maximo scandalo et inaestimabili damno, non posset hic ad effectum perduci. Quia esto quod aliquis assentiret, nullus esset ejus assensus in rebus quae omnes tangunt, cum fere omnes majores, et generaliter omnes subditi, necnon et ipse Rex, et omnes Principes parati sunt contradicere, et resistere usque ad Capitis Nota. expositionem, et omnis honoris privationem, praesertim cum videatur imminere propter hoc scandalum, subversio Regni et Ecclesiae generalis. Ratio autem nostri timoris est, quod cum caeteris Regnis non habuistis sermonem; et quibusdam Episcopis praecepistis et Abbatibus, ut cum praebendae vacaverint, ad opus Domini Papae reservarent. HIs auditis, cum niteretur Legatus persuadere ut omnes consentirent, ostendit Mat. Paris Hist. Angl. p. 318. tunc primo Domini Papae authenticum, in quo exegit a singulis Ecclesiis Cathedralibus duas praedendas, unam a Capitulo, et alteram ab Episcopo. Et in Coenobiis similiter, ubi sunt diversae portiones, Abbatis scilicet et Conventus, duas exegit praebendas, unam ab Abbate, et aliam a Conventu; aequali facta distributione bonorum suorum a Conventibus, quantum pertinet ad unum Monachum, (sicut ipse interpretatus fuerat Legatus) et ab Abbate tantundem. Tunc allegavit commoda, quae possent inde provenire, illud videlicet, quod amoveretur scandalum a Romana Ecclesia, quae mater est omnium Ecclesiarum, concupiscentia scilicet, quae radir est omnium malorum, cum nullus pro aliquo negotio in Curia Romana faciendo aliquid offerret, vel aliquis oblata reciperet. (A very prevailing argument to redeem, expiate one Symoney and Extortion, by and with another:) To which this memorable answer was returned. AD hoc respondit procurator Archiepiscopi Lugdunensis. Domine, nullo modo Mat. Paris, p. 318, 319. volumus esse sine amicis in Curia, & largitate donorum. Alii aeque sua incommoda allegabant, damna scilicet rerum, consiliorum, auxiliorum, obsequiorum, in hunc modum: Erit enim in qualibet Diocaesi, vel ad minus in provincia, nuntius unus continuus, procurator Romanus; qui non vivet de proprio, sed graves exactiones & procurationes exiget ab Ecclesiis majoribus, & forte minoribus; ut nullus remaneat impunitus, nomenque procuratoris habens, Legati officio fungetur. Item dixerunt, imminere turbationes Capitulorum, forte enim demandaret Dominus Papa, cum vellet, procuratori suo, vel alii, ut vice sua interesset electionibus, qui eas turbaret. Et sic lapso tempore devolveretur electio ad Curiam Romanam, quae in omnibus vel pluribus Ecclesiis Romanos poneret, vel tales qui eis plurimum essent devoti. Et sic nullae essent partes indigenarum Praelatorum vel Principum, cum multi sint viri Ecclesiastici, qui potius Curiae Romanae, quam Regi vel Regno providerent. Item addiderunt, quod si proportionaliter fieret bonorum distributio, omnes in Curia fierent divites, cum multo plus essent recepturi, quam Rex proprius. Et sic majores non solum divites, sed et ditissimi fierent. Cum igitur vermis divitum sit superbia, majores vix causas audirent, sed eas in immensum differrent, & minores scriberent inviti: Cujus rei experimentum in evidenti est, quia & modo negotia protrahunt, etiam post percepta obsequia, & securitate percipiendi; & sic periclitaretur justitia, & opporteret conquerentes mori in januis Romanorum, tunc plenissime dominantium. Item, cum vix possibile sit fontem cupiditatis desiccari; quod nunc faciunt per se, tunc facerent per alios, & suis multo majora quam nunc dari munera procurarent; modica enim nulla sunt, in conspectu divitum cupidorum. Item, multae divitiae facerent Romanos insanire, & sic inter diversas parentelas tantae orirentur seditiones, quod posset timeri totius excidium Civitatis, cujus etiam & modo penitus expers non est. Item dixerunt, quod licet se obligarent qui modo praesentes sunt, id non susciperent eorum successores; nec illam obligationem ratam haberent. Novissime autem, sic negotium concluserunt: Domine, moveat vos zelus universalis Ecclesiae, et Sanctae sedis Romanae; quia si omnium esset universalis oppressio, posset timeri ne immineret generalis discessio, quod Deus avertat. His auditis, respondit Legatus (ut videbatur, plurimum commotus in his omnibus) se cum esset in Curia nunquam huic exactioni consensisse; & ipsum Literas accepisse, postquam Galliam fuerat ingressus, & se multum super haec doluisse. Addidit etiam, super haec quicquid praecepit, tali conditione, licet tacita, intellexisse, si Imperium & alia Regna consentirent. Adjunxit insuper, se nihil amplius super haec attentaturum, donec per Regna alia Praelati consenserint, quod credidit provenire non posse. The greatest Votaries to the Pope, Court and Church of Rome, who shall seriously consider the premises, must needs (if they have any sparks of Christianity, Ingenuity, or common honesty remaining in their breasts) abominate these Papal demands, as most impious, and scandalous to Christian Religion. Whiles these things were acted in France, Otto pursuing his rapines in England, by exacting Procurations from the Clergy, was by the Archbishop's means suddenly recalled thence by the Pope, to his great discontent, and the prosecuting the Pope's former proposals committed to his trust, committed to the Archbishop; thus related by our Historian. EOdem Anno, cum Magister O●to Domini Papae Nuntius, tempore quadragesimali An. Dom. 1226. Mat. Paris Hist. Angl. p. 318, 319. ad Northanhumbriam profecturus, & procurationes desideratas exacturus; Northamptonam usque pervenisset, venerunt ad eum (Cantuariensi Archiepiscopo procurante) Literae Domini Papae, in quibus continebatur expressum, ut statim visis Literis Romam veniret, ejus potestate penitus enervata. Obliquo igitur oculo Literis inspectis, demisso vultu * The Pope's own Legates little regarded his Letters when they crossed their designs. eas projecet in ignem. Atque illico proposito mutato, clitellis vacuis ab Anglia recessit confusus, injuncto Stephano Cantuariensi Archiepiscopo, sicut erat in Literis Domini Papae expressum; ut convocatis Rege et omnibus Angliae Praelatis, responsum eorum super negotio, pro quo idem Otto missus fuerat, Domina Papae transmittere non omittat. Magistro igitur Ottone Angliam a tergo salutante, Stephanus Cantuariensis Archiepiscopus, vocatis ad Concilium cunctis apud Westmonasterium, post Pascha, quos negotium tangebat, recitari fecit Literas supradictas, de beneficiis Romanae Ecclesiae conferendis, coram Rege & Praelatis Angliae, qui ad ejus vocationem plene convenerant. Sed illis auditis, ac diligenter intellectis, singuli singulos ad visum monebant super concupiscentia Romanorum; qui illud morale non intelligunt, videlicet, Quod virtus reddit, non copia, sufficientem; Et non paupertas, sed mentis hiatus egentem. Tunc Rex, convocatis seorsum Praelatis & quibusdam Magnatibus, hoc Archiepiscopo dedit responsum: Ista quae suadet nobis Dominus Papa, universam Christianitatis latitudinem respiciunt: et quia nos quasi in extremis orbis constituti sumus partibus, cum viderimus qualiter caetera Regna erga tales se habuerint exactiones, Dominus Papa, cum ab aliis Regnis habuerimus exemplum in obsequiis, nos inveniet promptiores. Et his dictis, concessa est omnibus licentia recedendi. This was the issue of this Papal design, which miscarried both in England and elsewhere. King Henry to prevent the Usurpations of the Archbishops and Bishops of Ireland upon the rights of his Crown, in conferring Prebendaries belonging to the King, issued this Inhibition to them. REX omnibus Archiepiscopis & Episcopis in Hibernia constitutis, salutem. Pat. 10 H. 3. m. 3. intus. Mandamus vobis quod nihil attemptetis in praejudicium dignitatis nostrae circa collationes Praebendarum Ecclesiarum quae ad nos pertinent in Hibernia, sedibus ibidem vacantibus. Tantum inde facientes ne oporteat nos manum ad hoc apponere. In cujus, etc. Teste Rege apud Westmonasterium, Quarto die Julii. In his Conge desliers to Deans and Chapters in Ireland, to elect their Bishops, he did by his supreme Ecclesiastical Prerogative, restrain them from electing any Irish, (they being for the most part treacherous to the King, and injurious to the rights of his Crown) but only Englishmen, as this short Record demonstrates. DEcanus & Capitulum Clovens. habent licentiam eligendi, dum tamen talem Pat. 10 H. 3. m. 2. intus. eligant, qui Anglicus sit. Teste ipso R. apud Brugg. xxxi. die Augusti, Anno, etc. Decimo. This year Pope Honorius the 3d. sent this memorable Bull to Geoffry de Lizimaco, the Kings sworn Vassal, absolutely subverting all Papal dispensations, with Subjects just Oaths to their Sovereigns. HONORIUS Episcopus servus servorum Dei, Dilecto filio nobili viro Anno 10 H. 3. Galfrido de Lizimaco, salutem & Apostolicam Benedictionem. Fidelitatis vinculum quo vassallus tenetur Domino, est adeo celebre apud omnes, ut etiam religione juramenti, qua vallari assolet circumscripta, ipsum per se vinculum quasi pro sacro, ubique terrarum et gentium habeatur, nec extimetur levem notam incurrere, quicunque aliis extiterit violator; unde qui veteres revolvere volet * historias. istorias, inveniet multos pro illo servando inhumanis cibis, urgente obsidionis angustia, esse usos, et illis quoque deticientibus elegisse, potius fame deficere, quam ipsum fidelitatis vinculum violare. (How then can Popes dispense with such Oaths, and absolve Subjects from them, as Pope Innocent and others have done?) Tu vero (sicut charissimo in Christo filio nostro Henrico illustri Rege Anglorum conquerente didicimus) haec nequaquam prout te decuisset attendens, fidelitatem qua ipse Regi tenebaris astrictus, & adhuc quoque teneris, cum ab ea, ut creditur, te nequaquam absolveret nulla famis, nulla obsidionis coactus angustia, violasti, contra juramentum quo te ad illam servandam astrixeras, famae ac salutis tuae prodigus veniendo. Cum igitur totiens pecces quotiens facis contra fidelitatis juramentum (tuum) dicto Regi nos qui ex debito Pastoralis officii tenemur Deo de anima tua reddere (rationem) tam manifestum ipsius animae tuae periculum fine nostro dissimulare periculo non valentes, prudentiam tuam sollicitandam duximus et monendam, per Apostolica tibi scripta firmiter injungendo mandantes, quatenus famae tuae providens, et saluti, ad fidelitatem ipsius Regis occasione ac excusatione cessantibus, redeas, ut teneris, servesque sibi inviolabiliter praestitum juramentum, juramento contrario non obstante, si quod forsitan praestitisti, cum illicitum fuerit, et ideo non servandum; salubres monitiones nostras taliter auditurus, quod reconciliatus terreno, Coelesti quoque reconciliari Domino merearis. Sciens nos Venerabilibus fratribus nostris Aquen. & Vacaten. Episcopis, & dilecto filio Arc. Dec. Vasaten. per nostras Literas mandavisse, ut nisi curaveris infra mensem post receptionem praesentium nostrum in hoc adimplere Mandatum, ipsi te ad id per censuram Ecclesiasticam, sublato appellationis impedimento compellant. Tuergo, sicut vir providus, potius eligas errorem tuum humiliter satisficiendo corrigere, quam illi pertinaciter insistendo, inducere temetipsum in ejus necessitatis articulum de quo non facile te valeas expedire. Dat. Reat. Quint. Idus Januarii. Pontificatus nostri Anno Decimo. The consideration of this Bull (the original whereof I found buried in rubbish in the White Tower) may for ever refute the impiety and presumption of Pope's absolving Subjects from their Oath of allegiance to their Sovereigns, and discovers the nullity, impiety, and absurdity of such absolutions. The same year, the Pope by his Legate and Instruments published a Crossado in An. Dom. 1226 France, against the Earl of Tholouse, and Albigenses, contrary to all rules of Justice, Equity, Christianity, & thereupon inhibited the King of England to invade the French Kings Territories, whiles employed in this War: Thus related by Matthew Paris. PEr idem tempus facta est praedicatio in partibus Gallicanis a Legato Romano generaliter, Mat. Paris Hist. Angl. p. 319. Mat. Westm. p. 120. ut omnes qui possent arma movere, se cruce signarent super Comitem ●holosanum & populum ejus, qui omnes Haeretica foeditate dicebantur infecti. Ad ejus quoque praedicationem, multitudo maxima Praelatorum & Laicorum crucis signaculum susceperunt, plus metu Regis Francorum, vel favore Legati, Nota. quam zelo justitiae inducti. Uidebatur enim multis abusio, ut hominem fidelem Christianum infestarent: praecipue cum constaret cunctis, eum in Concilio, nuper apud Civitatem Bituricam habito, multis precibus persuasisse Legato, ut veniret ad singulas terrae suae Civitates, inquirens a singulis articulos fidei: et si quempiam contra fidem inveniret sentientem Catholicam, ipse secundum judicium Sanctae Ecclesiae, justitiae ex eis plenitudinem exhiberet. Et si Civitatem aliquam inveniret Rebellem, ipse pro posse suo eam cum habitatoribus suis ad satisfactionem compelleret. Pro se ipso autem obtulit, si in aliquo deliquit, (quod se fecisse non recoluit) plenam Deo et Sanctae Ecclesiae satisfactionem, ut fidelis Christianus; et si Legatus vellet, etiam fidei examen subiret. Haec quoque omnia Legatus contempsit, nec potuit Comes Catholicus gratiam invenire, nisi pro se et Haeredibus suis, Haereditatem suam deferens, abjuraret. (Such was this Popes and his Legates Tyranny, Injustice, Cruelty in this age and case.) Rex vero Francorum ad ejusdem Legati exhortationem cruce signatus, noluit expeditionem bellicam promovere, nisi Literis prius a Domino Papa impetratis ad Regem Anglorum inhibitoriis, ne sub poena excommunicationis Regem Francorum inquietaret, vel arma contra eum moveret de aliqua terra quam in praesenti possidebat, sive juste, sive injuste; dum idem Rex esset in servitio suo, et Ecclesiae Romanae, ad exterminandum Haereticos Albigenses, et eorum fautorem et complicem Comitem Tholosanum: sed eidem Regi, ad exaltationem fidei, consilium et auxilium impendere non tardaret. Et his ita gestis, Rex Francorum Lodovicus & Legatus, omnibus cruce signatis, diem statuerunt peremptorium, ut in Ascensione Domini apud Lugdunum, cum equis & armis, sub poena excommunicationis, venirent; ipsos ad expeditionem propositam secuturi. In the mean time the Pope by his Tyrannical Usurped power, sent prohibitory Letters to the King of England, to stop his intended Military Voyage into France, to recover his just Rights: Whereupon, REX Anglorum interea, qui ardenti desiderio sitiebat ad partes transmarinas Mat. Paris Hist. Angl. p. 319, 320. hostiliter transfretare; Convocatis Consiliariis suis, fecit recitari Literas sibi a Domino Papa transmissas, quaerens ab eis consilium, quid super tali inhibitione sibi foret agendum? Placuit itaque Praelatis et Magnatibus universis, ut differretur negotium desideratum, donec constaret de Rege Francorum, qui tam difficile opus et propositum habebat, adeoque sumptuosum, quem res esset exitum habitura. Such an awful power had the Pope then encroached over the King, Bishops, and Nobles of the Realm, that they durst not incur his displeasure, by disobeying his Inhibition, though never so illegal and unjust. Richard de Marisco, Bishop of Durham, dying suddenly at Peterborough Abbey, as Mat. Puris Hist. Angl. p. 320. Godwins Catalogue of Bps. p. 515, 516. he was posting to London with a great Troop of Lawyers, to prosecute his suits against the Monks of Durham; thereupon they bestowed this Epitaph upon him, worthy all ambitious Prelate's consideration. Culmina qui cupi tis, laudes pompasque siti tis. Est sedata si si me pensare veli Qui populos regi memores super omnia si Quod mors immi non parcit honore poti Vobis praeposi similis fueram, benè sci Quod sum vos eri ad me currendo veni The Monks out of their malice to him and King John, feigned this Monkish Vision, concerning both their Torments in Hell, for oppressing the * Here p. 262, 366. Cistercians, and taking their Wools from them by this Bishop's advice, which I shall here insert, because it hath relation to King John's death, poisoned by a Monk of this Order. DE hoc quoque Episcopo non credimus fore tacendum, quod circa biennium Mat. Paris Hist. Angl. p. 320. ante mortem ejus, Rex quondam Anglorum Johannes apparuit in visione nocturna cuidam Monacho de Sancto Albano, apud Thinemuam tunc commoranti: qui familiaris fuerat Regibus Anglorum, tam Regi Richardo, quam huic Johanni; ita quod in eorum negotiis exequendis aliquando Romam, aliquando in Scotiam, & ad alia loca plurima missus, propensioribus sibi studiis eorundem Regum gratiam comparavit, cujus nomen fuit Reimundus, quondam Prior Ecclesiae Sancti Albani. Monacho itaque in lecto quiescente, astitit ei Rex praefatus in vestibus Regalibus, de panno videlicet qui Imperialis vulgariter appellatur. Quem Monachus recognoscens, ac memoriter recolens, quod mortuus fuisset, sciscitabatur ab eo, qualiter se haberet. Cui Rex: Ita me hab●o, quod nemo pejus. Nam haec mea quae vides indumenta, adeò ardentia sunt & ponderosa, ut nullus qui in saeculo vivit, illa tangere sufficer●t prae ardore, vel propter ponderositatem portare, quin protinus moreretur. Sed tamen per Dei clementiam spero, & gratiam ineffabilem, & filii mei Henrici largam Eleemosynarum distributionem, necnon servitii divini honorem, quem Domino devotus impendit, me quandoque misericordiam adepturum. Quaeso igitur obnixius fraternitatem tuam, ut dicas Richardo de Marisco, nunc Dunelmensi Episcopo, quod nisi ante mortem suam correxerit flagitiosam vitam, & eam per poenitentiam & satisfactionem condignam emendaverit: sedes ejus, quae in inferno est, eum expectat praeparata. Et si his dictis tuis, & mandatis meis fidem adhihere contempserit, per haec intersignia omnem deponat ambiguitatem: Quod dum soli essemus in loco illo sibi notissimo dedit mihi consilium, tam mihi, quam sibi nimis damnosum, ut videlicet a Monachis * Here p. 262. Cisterciensis ordinis auferrem lanam suam unius anni, & quod multa alia dedit mihi consilia iniqua, pro quibus nunc perfero inen●rrabilia, quae etiam & illi debentur tormenta. Quod si adhuc dubitaverit credere mandatis meis, recolat quod in illo loco, & hora eadem, dedit mihi unum lapidem pretiosum, quem pro ingenti pecunia comparavit. Et his dictis, Rex disparuit, & Monachus expergefactus evigilavit. Upon his decease, there grew as great a difference between King Henry the 3d. and the Monks of Durham, about the election of a Successor, the King recommending one, and they electing another, as there was between King John and them, about the * Here, p. 352, 353, 354. election of this Richard; thus related by Matthew Paris, and Godwin. DEfuncto itaque Richardo Dunelmensi Episcopo, Prior et Conventus, cum a Mat. Paris Hist. Angl. p. 320, 321. Godwins Catalogue of Bishops, p. 516. Rege peterent licentiam eligendi Pastorem, Rex obtulit eis Lucam Capellanum suum: multa rogans supplicatione, ut illum reciperent in Pastorem. Monachi vero ad hoc responderunt, quod nullum reciperent, nisi Canonica electione praemissa. Rex autem e contra cum juramento affirmavit, ipsos futuros per septennium sine Episcopo, nisi praefatum Lucam admitterent ad Pontificatus honorem. Conventus vero illum ad tantam dignitatem indignum judicantes, de communi consensu fratrum elegerunt Magistrum willielmum Clericum suum, virum literatum, et honestum, Wygorniensem Archidiaconum, et ipsum Regi praesentaverunt. Quem cum Rex objectis quibusdam frivolis exceptionibus, recusasset; Monachi quosdam de Conventu Romam miserunt, ut electionem factam Authoritate Apostolica confirmarent. Rex autem, cum talia cognovisset, misit Romam contra Monachos, Episcopum scilicet Cestrensem, et Lentoniae Priorem, ut eorundem Monachorum propositum irritum facerent: Et sic diu illis altercantibus, negotium dilationem accepit. I find there was an Appeal about this Election, pending before the Archbishop of York, before whom the King constituted his Proctor by this Patent. REX, Venerabili Patri in Christo W. eadem gratia Eboracensi Archiepiscopo, Angliae Pat. 11 H. 3. pars 1. m. 12. intus. Primati, salutem. Quoniam prosecutioni negotii Electionis factae de Magistro W. Archidiacono Wigorn. in Episcopum Dunholm. a Priore & Monachis Dunholm▪ quod coram vobis vertitur inter nos ex una parte, & dictos Priorem & Monachos, & Magistrum W. Archidiac. ex altera, personaliter interesse non possumus, dilectum & fidelem nostrum Magistrum Stephanum de Lucy, procuratorem nostrum constituimus, ratum habituri qui●quid in dicto negotio coram vobis mediante Justitia duxerit faciendum. Teste Rege apud Westmonasterium, primo die Decembris. Per Justiciarium. The issue of this Appeal to Rome was this: After two years expensive contests, Mat. Paris Hist. Angl. p. 332. Godwins Catalogue of Bps. p. 516. the Monk's election of William was cancelled at Rome, Luke the King's Chaplain put by▪ and Richard Bishop of Salisbury elected Bishop by the Pope's favour, Anno 1228. the Pope only gaining by such contests. Anno Domini 1227. The King requiring the fifteenth part of men's goods generally An. Dom. 1227 Mat. Paris Hist. Angl. p. 336. Edit. Lond. 1640. Mat. Westm. p. 121. throughout England; Compulsi sunt etiam viri Religiosi, & Clerici beneficiati, hanc quintam decimam dare omnium bonorum suorum, tam rerum Ecclesiasticarum, quam Laicarum. Nec profuit eis appellatio ad Dominum Papam interposita. Sed ordine turbato, Archiepiscopi & Episcopi, authoritate Papali, per censuram Ecclesiasticam, quos Laica potestas non potuit; ad solutionem, omni destitutos solatio, compulerunt: being thus extorted by pretext of the Pope's * Here p. 396. forecited Bull. This fifteenth thus extorted perforce, against the wills of the generality of the Clergy of England, was made a precedent for the like Aid in Ireland, by virtue of the Pope's Bulls, and this forced extorting it, styled a free and laudable grant of the English Clergy themselves, as this Patent assures us. REX Abbatibus, Prioribus, Praelatis, ac Rectoribus Ecclesiarum in Provincia Pat. 11 H. 3. m. 10. Dublin constitutis, salutem. Cum Dominus Papa statu rerum et temporum exigente multiplici nos viderit auxilio indigere, ac propter hoc, tanquam pius Pater et providus, auxilium nobis fieri mandaverit de bonis et possessionibus Ecclesiasticis, tam in Hibernia quam in Anglia, ad quod Archiepiscopi, Episcopi, Abbates, et Priores, Domorum religiosarum Magistri per Angliam constituti, quintam Decimam partem omnium mobilium suorum, et Clericus inferior, aestimato ●●●uo valore singularum Ecclesiarum suarum, sextam Decimum partem inde nobis concesserunt * Mat. Paris ●vers the contrary. facile et laudabiliter inducti, liberalitatem vestram rogandam duximus & monendam, quatenus pensatis expensasarum oneribus quibus nos supponere necesse habemus, opportunitate recuperandi Jura nostra per mortem Regis Franciae praeventi, ad impendendum nobis auxilium, saltem quale Abbates, Priores, ac caeteri praelati & Rectores Ecclesiarum Angliae, nobis liberaliter impenderunt, faciles vos exhibere velitis & benignos, sub tanta liberalitate & festinatione, prout nobis plurimum expedit huic negotio finem debitum quantum in vobis est, imponentes, ut praeter gratiam Domini Papae, quam-inde merebitur devotio vestra, a Regia Serenitate futuris temporibus debeatis expectare Gratiam & favorem. Venerabiles autem Patres Archiepiscopum Dublin. & Fernensem Episcopum, ut secundum eorum dispositionem colligatur, & reservetur, & per eorum manus nobis exhibeatur dictum auxilium totius Hiberniae, & de singulis receptionibus eis ratio reddatur, constituimus loco nostro. Ut autem vos & totum Hiberniae Clerum securos efficiamus & certos, quod non trahetur in consequentiam, vel praejudicium generabit Ecclesiasticae▪ Libertati subventionis hujus exhibitio, super hac immunitate vestra & totius Hiberniae Cleri, Literas nostras Patentes conceptas in forma qua Praelatis & Clero Angliae literas nostras consimiles dedimus, Venerabili Patri Dublinensi Archiepiscopo & suffraganeis suis duximus transmittendas. Teste Rege Apud Westmonasterium 21. Die Decembris. Eodem modo Scribitur Abbatibus, etc. in Provincia cassel. constitutis, Abbatibus, etc. in Provincia Armacan. Abbatibus, etc. in Provincia Tuamensi constitutis. The like Patents issued to all the Archbishops of Ireland concerning this Aid. REX Archiepiscopo Dublinensi & Episcopo Fernensi salutem. De fide & diligentia Pat. 11 Hen. 3▪ part. 1. m. 12. intus. vestra praecipuam gerentes fiduciam, constituimus vos & rogamus vos ad hoc velle constitui, ut secundum dispositionem vestram colligatur, & reservetur, & per manus vestras nobis exhibeatur impendendum nobis a Praelatis & clero Hiberniae subsidium totius Hiberniae, & de singulis receptionibus vobis ratio reddatur. Ad quod juxta fiduciam quam de vobis gerimus, vigilantes vos exhibere & sollicitos ut (propter) executionem hujus negotii si d●bite facta fuerit & mature, vestrae debeamns assurgere dilgentiae cum condignae vicissitudinis promptitudine & speciali gratiarum actione. Teste Rege apud Westmonasterium 21. die Decembris. REX Cassall. Archiepiscopo salutem. Rogamus vos attentius quatenus certo die quem vobis scire facient venerabiles Patres H. Dublinensis, & J. Fernensis Episcopus, conveniatis apud Dublin ad audiendum * The Pope commands, but the King only petitions his Bishops. Mandatum Domini Papae, et petitionem nostram, quam nobis facimus super eodem Mandato de competent● auxilio nobis a Clero terrae nostrae Hiberniae faciendo, ad pacis terrae nostrae conservationem, et haereditatis nostrae in partibus transmarinis recuperationem. Teste ut supra. Eodem modo Scribitur Tuamensi & Armacano Archiepiscopis. How backward they were to levy this Aid notwithstanding these Patents, and Letters you shall hear anon. The Archbishops and Clergy of Ireland, having much encroached upon the King's Prerogative, in electing, admitting, and consecrating Bishops and Abbots, upon vacances, without the King's precedent Licence and Approbation, thereupon the King to prevent this growing Usurpation (lest it should by connivance and custom be challenged as a Right) issued forth this memorable writ of Prohibition to all the Archbishops of Ireland. REX Dublinensi Archiepiscopo salutem. Mandamus vobis firmiter in●ungentes, Claus. 11 H. 3. m. 7. intus. quatenus cum Ecclesiam Cathedralem vacare contigerit in Diocesi vestra quae sit de advocatione nostra, millatenus personam aliquam ad dictas dignitates vacantes admittatis, donec vobis per Literas nostras Patentes constiterit eos quorum interest eligere a nobis licentiam eligendi postulasse, et eam obtinuisse a nobis, et nos postmodum in Electum eorum affensum regium praebuisse. Teste meipso apud Westmonasterium octavo die Decembris. Eodem modo scribitur Armac. Archiepiscopo, Tuamens. & Cassal. Archiepiscopis. Teste ut supra. This year the Archbishop of Canterbury, (encouraged by a * Here p. 394. former precedent) without the Pope's order, by his own Authority, granted a Licence for the King's Justices Itinerant, to take Oaths and hold Pleas in some cases in Advent and Lent, upon the King's Leters Patents to him, that it should not turn to his prejudice, which not extending to the Archbishop of York, the King endeavoured to gain the same Licence from him upon like terms, as this Record informs us. REX M. de Pateshull, & sociis suis Justicariis ●tineraturis in Comitatibus Eborum, Claus. 11 H. 3. m. 8. intus. Lanc. Westmest. Northumberl. & Cumberl. salutem. Sciatis, quod Venerabilis Pater S. Cantuariensis Archiepiscopus concessit, quod Juramenta praestentur coram Justiciariis nostris Itinerantibus, ab instanti Adventu Domini, usque ad vigiliam sancti Thomae Apostoli, & a Principio Septuag. usque ad Dominicam qua cantatur. Isti sunt dies; videlicet in Assisis ultimae praesentationis, de morte Antecessorum, Novae diss. de magna Assisa, & de Inquisitionibus quae emergent, de terris, sicut plenius vobis constabit ex inspectione Literarum Domini Cant. quas inde vobis mittimus. Rogavimus autem Venerabilem Patrem W. Eborum Archiepiscopum, per Literas nostras, quas vobis mittimus ei porrigendas, quatenus concedens Juramenta in consimilibus causis praestari infra praecinctum suum usque ad praefat●m Terminum, Literas suas Patentes consimiles Literis Domini Cant. vobis inde habere faciat: ut autem liberius & facilius hoc velit facere, mittimus ei Literas nostras Patentes quas fieri fecimus Domino Cantuariensi; protestants, quod post terminum praefatum concessio praedicta ab eo nobis facta non poterit trahi in consequentiam. Vobis igitur Mandamus, quod cum praedictus Archiepiscopus hoc nobis concesserit, & Literas suas Patentes nobis habere fecerit Itiner. Justiciar. nostris in dictis Com. qui subsunt Jurisdictioni praedict. Cant. Archiepiscopi usque, ad praefatum Terminum, si opus fuerit continuetis sollicitudine & prudentia folita, quod non dubitamus vos esse facturos, negotiis nostris expediendis ad commodum & honorem nostrum intendentes. Teste meipso apud West monasterium tertio die Novembris. The King of France, by reason of the differences with King Henry, interrupted the free passage and return of his Messengers to and from Rome, which Pope Gregory the 9th. (then newly elected Pope) like * Here p. 369. his predecessor by this Bull (extant under his seal) directed to the French Bishops, endeavoured to remove, as very prejudicial to his See, by their mediation to the French King. GREGORIUS Episcopus servus servorum Dei, Venerabilibus fratribus An. 11 H. 3. Atrebaten. & Ambranen. Episcopis salutem & Apostolicam benedictionem. Cum Ecclesia Romana sit mater omnium Christi fidelium generalis, cunctis ad eam liber & securus esse debet accessus, quia si non permitteretur a filiis visitari, licet alii graviter laederentur, totaliter tamen in eam injuria redundaret. Unde licet inter Charissimos in Christo filios nostros, Francorum & H. Anglorum Reges Illustres, inimico super seminante Zizania, materia videatur discordiae pullulare, nequaquam tamen Nuntios dicti Regis Anglorum vel alios Anglicos ad sedem Apostolicam venientes, vel redeuntes ab eo, memoratus Francorum Rex praepedire debet, aut pati etiam ab aliis praepediri, si a nostri vult injuria, sicut convenit, abstinere; praesertim cum in omnes illos qui accedentes ad sedem Apostolicam, vel recedentes ab ea capere vel spoliare praesumpserint, lata sit excommunicationis sententia generalis. Quare vos eundem Regem per literas nostras rogavimus, mounimus, & hortati sumus attente, ut prudenter attendens, quod non expedit ut illius occasione vos provocet: Nuntios ejusdem Regis Anglorum, & quoslibet alios Anglicos per Regnum Franciae ad sedem Apostolicam accedere, vel ab ipsa recedere libere ac secure permittat, ita quod ipsius cognoscentes devotionis affectum, grata sibi ex hoc debeamus vicissitudini respondere. Quocirca fraternitati vestrae per Apostolica scripta mandamus, quatenus ipsum ad id moveatis attentius & efficaciter inducatis. Dat Lateran. 2. Ids. Maii Pontificatus nostri primo. The Leaden Bull hereto affixed hath this inscription; Gregorius Papa Nonus. Pope Gregory the 9 newly settled in his See, to promote his Antichristian malicious designs against the Emperor Fredrick, under a sacred pretence of zeal to rescue the holy land from the Saracens; set his instruments on work in all places to persuade all sorts of people to take the Cross upon them for this holy war, thus related by our Historians. EOdem anno, in fine mensis Junii, facta est motio magna in opus Crucis perorbem Mat. Paris, Hist. Angl. p. 32●. 326. universum Cruce signatorum, quae adeo fuit numerosa, ut ex solo Anglorum regno plusquam sexaginta millia proborum hominum, praeter senes et mulieres, profecti referantur. Hoc enim professus est Magister Hubertus, unus ex praedicatoribus in Anglia; asserens veraciter tot in suo rotulo conscripsisse. Qui omnes, & praecipue pauperes in quibus voluntas divina quiescere solet, & negotium Crucis magis prosperari, cum tanta devotione opus Crucis assumpserunt, ut sibi inde proculdubio Tonantis favorem acquirerent, quod signis constrat evidentibus declaratum. The multitude and proceedings of those who crossed themselves for this War, out of a blind zeal, are at large recited in this Pope's own Bull, directed this year, Omnibus Christi fidelibus, (recited at large in Matthew Paris) wherein there is this memorable passage, That the Pope engaged these his Votaries to break off the Truce that the Christians had made with the Saracens, and ratified with an Oath, two years before its expiration, contrary the judgement of the Duke of Lemburge, (whom the Emperor appointed General of the Army) and some of his Council, who upon advise had, resolved, Quod Treugam periculosum esset infringere, et cum fuisset juramento firmata, penitus inhonestum. To which was answered, Quod Dominus Papa excommunicaverat omnes Cruce signatos, qui in isto passagio non transirent, qui sciebat adhuc Treugam per biennium duraturam, & per hoc intelligebant, quod non volebat Treugam observari: Upon which ground they violated it, to the great scandal of Christianity, and damage of the Christians, whom he excited with all possible speed to hasten to Jerusalem, concluding his Bull thus: Clamat autem ad singulos Christi * Did not the▪ blood of Christians, shed in this needless War, cry louder? sanguis de terra, supplicat p●●vus & humilis exercitus, sed devotus, sibi celeriter subveniri: sperans in Domino, & confidens, quod negotium humiliter inchoatum, debeat ipso concedente ●oeliciter terminari. Vniversi igitur et singuli, qui Christum induistis per fidem, viriliter accingimini ad Terrae Sanctae succursum; cum hic causa communis agatur▪ vestrae sci●icet fidei, ac totius fidei Christianae: Nos enim promotioni hujus negotii, provisore Domino & auctore, non cessamus intendere: sperantes fiducialiter, quod in manibus fidelium, fideliter perseverantium, res debeat prosperari. Data Laterani, x. Calendas Januarii, Pontificatus nostri anno primo. The Pope in pursuance of this design, enjoined the Emperor Frederick the 3d. Anno 1228. Mat. Paris, p. 327. and others who had crossed themselves, by a set day to begin their passage to the Holy Land, under pain of Excommunication; in obedience whereunto, the Emperor to perform his vow, set sail with a small retinue toward the Land of Promise, but after 3. day's sail, falling sick by the distemper of the Sea, and corruption of the Air, he turned his sails, and landed at a designed Haven, as if he would return; which those who passed over before him, and hoped to have him their General, hearing of, animo nimis consternati, in eisdem navibus quibus venerant, plusquam xl. armatoram millia sunt reversi. Quod factum Imperatoris damnose nimis redundavit in dedecus & in praejudicium totius negotii crucifixi. Hereupon this Pope (discovering the real design of this Crossado to be only to affront and trample upon the Emperor, and all other Christian Princes, who disobeyed his Papal Edicts) excommunicated the Emperor for his pretended contempt, and sent abroad Letters of this his Excommunication, to be published in all parts, every Lordsday and Holiday, but more especially in England, to his great defamation; as this his Antimonarchical, Antichristian Bull, sent from Rome to the Archbishop of Canterbury, (the original whereof I found in the White Tower) not extant in any Writers I have seen, will at large demonstrate, being worthy the knowledge, consideration of all Christian Princes. GREGORIUS Episcopus servus servorum Dei, Venerabilibus fratribus An. Dom. 1228. 13 Hen. 3. Archiepiscopo Cantuariensi sanctae Romanae Ecclesiae Cardinali, & suffraganeis ejus salutem & Apostolicam Benedictionem. Quanto nobilius membrum in Ecclesiae Corpore laeditur, tanto acrioribus doloribus cruciamur, qui Cephae locum, licet insufficientibus meritis, obtinemus; verùm quia tectum vulnus si dimittatur in actum, solet in scandalum Corporis latius evagari, nos olim viso quod F. Romanorum mperator salutem propriam neglibebat, dum●falubre votum quod Domino Deo voverat additis juramentis detrectabat exolvere, non sine * Were not the Pope's usual dispensations with such vows and Oaths, yea the Oaths of subject's Allegiance to their Sovereign, a far greater scandal and detriment to Christianity? detrimento fidei & gravi scandalo totius populi Christiani, qui juxta sapientiae edictum, Vulnera dum sanas dolor est Medicina doloris, medicinalem Petri Gladium in eum exacuimus spiritu lenitatis, excommunicationis sententiam publicando, quam ipse in se voluntarius fecerat promulgari, nisi statuto termino transfretaret in terrae sanctae subsidium, et alia promissa fideliter adimpleret, sperantes ut percussus dolens, ad percutientem se in humilitate rediret, Domino exercituum requirendo; sed quod dolentes referimus, indurato Corde medicinam exhorrens et increpationem abhominans, disciplinae immo malleum velut stipulam reputans, non solum nulla paenitudine se correxit, verum etiam adjciens peccata peccatis, contra se dominum prediciter irritare ultra quam recensere nos deceat, ne videamur in ejus convitiis delectari, qui conversionem ejus desiderabiliter expectamus. Inter alia namque Claves contempnens Ecclesiae, quibus Dominus beato Petro et successoribus suis ligandi et solvendi contulit potestatem, sibi facit celebrari, vel potius quantum in ipso est prophanari divina enormius, in animae suae periculum et enervationem totius Ecclesiasticae Disciplinae: Unde timentes ne Plaga ejus fieret penitus desperabilis si male permitteremus obduci, neglecto vulneri cicatricem, & eo insanabile quo insensibile redderet malignia, studuimus apponere sanativum. Ut nam studium nostrum oblatum habuisset effectum. Cum enim piae recordationis H. Papa Predecessor per bonae memoriae Tusculanens. & Sabinen▪ Episcopos & Roffridum Clericum Camerae nostrae & dilectos filios G. Notarium nostrum & Abbatem sancti Martini Viterbien. & Cicestrien. ordinis eum Imperatorem diversis temporibus super diversis Articulis, in quibus Deum & Ecclesiam graviter offendebat, diligenter commoveri fecisset. Nos adhuc humiliantes cum Authoritatis Ecclesiae ad praesentiam ejus dilectos filios nostros, Titulo Sancti Sabini Praesbyterum & sancti Nichol. in Carcere Tullian. Decan. Card. curavimus destinari, nt eum super praemissis & subsequentibus vice nostra salubriter commoveret, qui licet de contingentibus nihil omiserit, nequaquam tamen eum potuerunt ad poenitentiam revocare, utinam ad nequiora nequaquam manus illicitas extendisset. Quare ne videremur deferre * He preferred his own arbitrary Papal will before God or the Emperor. homini contra Deum, ecce justitiam in judicium convertentes, in proximo praeterito festo Coenae Dominicae in praedictum Imperatorem excommunicationis sententiam duximus sollempniter promulgandam; tum pro eo quod, ut praemissum est, non transfretavit in subsidium Terrae sanctae, nec promissum numerum militum in expensis suis tenet vel transmisit, nec pecuniam quam promiserat destinavit; tum quia venerabilem fratrem nostrum, Taraten. Archiepiscopum ad sedem propriam accedere non permittens, eum populum suum non patitur visitare, tum etiam quia Templarios Hospitalarios bonis mobilibus, immobilibus, quae habebant in Regno, temere spoliavit, & quia Compositionem factam inter ipsum & Comites Celanen. & Rainaldum de Aversa, pro cujus observatione Romanae Ecclesiae ad precum ejus instantium fide jussit, servare contemnit. Et quia Comitem Rogerum cruce signatum sub Apostolicae sedis protectione receptum, Comitatu, & aliis terris indebite spoliavit, & filium ejus in Captivitate detentum, ad mandatum Apostolicum saepius iteratum reddere denegavit: Adjecimus quoque ut loca quaelibet ad quae ipse perveniret Ecclesiastico subjaceant interdicto, ut quam diu praesens fuerit ibidem nulla divina officia celebrentur, officio beneficioque privantes omnes cujuscunque professionis vel ordinis, qui ei postquam denunciatus fuit excommunicatus a nobis, divina ausu temerario celebrarant, vel antequam ad mandatum Ecclesiae redeat, de caetero celebrabunt, (O the Atheistical Impiety of Popes thus to rob God and man of Divine Service, Sacraments, out of mere pretended contempts against their unjust commands, wills!) Illud quoque non duximus omittendum, quod si de caetero se officiis divinis ingesserit, contra eum, tanquam contra Haereticum, et Clavium Ecclesiae contemptorem severitate debita procedamus. Et si ab Ecclesiarum, et Ecclesiasticarum personarum oppressionibus non destiterit, aut non cessaverit a conculcatione Ecclesiasticae Libertatis, vel excommunicatione contempta redire non curaverit ad mandatum Ecclesiae, omnes qui sunt ei juramento fidelitatis astricti, et specialiter homines Regni, juramento quo sibi tenentur absolvemus Nota. et denunciabimus absolutos, quia juxta * By what Decrees of God? decretum felicis recordationis Urbani Papae secundi praedecessoris nostri fidelitatem, quam homines Christiano Principi juraverint, Deo ejusque sanctis adversanti, et eorum praecepta calcanti, nulla authoritate persolvere cohibentur. Et si non cessaverit ab oppressione pupissorum, orphanorum, viduarum, seu Nobilium, aut aliorum hominum Regni, vel ejus destructione, quod ad Romanam Ecclesiam specialiter noscitur pertinere, pro quo etiam praedecessoribus nostris et Ecclesiae Romanae juramentum fidelitatis exhibuit, et homagium praestitit, merito poterit formidare se nostr. feudi privandum. Idemque Vniversitatem vestram movemus attente, per Apostlica vobis scripta districte praecipiendo mandantes, quatenus singuli praedictam sententiam sollempniter publicantes, denuncietis eam singulis diebus dominicis et festivis. Dat. Romae apud sanctum Petrum iij. Non. Aprilis. Pontificatus nostri Anno secundo. In Dorso. De Excommunicatione sollempniter lata die Coenae, & destinantur Literae Archiepiscopo Cantuariensi & ejus suffraganeis. Those who will seriously consider the Contents of this Pope's Antimonarchical Bull, must needs acknowledge it repugnant not only to Monarchy, Loyalty, Fidelity, Verity, and Common honesty, but to Christianity itself in the highest degree: yet his Antichristian pleasure and command must be preferred, obeyed by all our Bishops and Clergy, before all Laws of God, Nature, Nations, rules of Christianity, Oaths of allegiance, and Common Justice. The sentence, Excommunication and Bull of the Pope against the Emperor, is thus registered by Matthew Paris (much different from this in the contents.) CIrca dies istos, Papa Gregorius, cum Imperatoris Romanorum Frederici contumaciam, simul & crucifixi contemptum, ut sibi videbatur, impunitum diutius An. Dom. 1228▪ Mat. Paris, Hist Angl. p. 332. 333. Mat. Westm. Anno 1228. distulisset; tandem ne canis videretur latrare non valens, de consilio Cardinalium suorum, ipsum Imperatorem excommunicavit, & latam sententiam per literas Apostolicas in diversis mundi partibus publicari praecepit. Inter caeteros autem hujus sententiae, publicatores, Stephano scripsit Archiepiscopo in haec verba: Gregorius Episcopus, Stephano Cantuariensi Archiepiscopo, salutem, etc. In maris amplitudine spatiosa navicula Petri posita, vel potius exposita turbinibus tempestatum, sic jugiter procellis & fluctibus agitatur, ut ejus g●bernatores ac remiges vix contingat aliquando inter inundantium imbrium angustias respirare, vix Carybdis voragines transire, vix a Scylla declinare. Nam quandoque prospero flatu plenis velis ad portum vehitur, subito ventus irruens ex adverso, impulsus ab illo cujus halitus ardore facit, adaltitudinem maris & turbulentis profunditatis Oceanum▪ navis rapitur, quae cincta fluctibus mergitur, nec submergitur: quia in ea Dominus residens, discipulorum tandem clamoribus excitatur, dum fugat spiritus insufflantes, & mari ventisque imperat, fit tranquillum. Quatuor quidem procellae quatiunt navem istam. Nam perfidia Paganorum turba Terram inclytam, Christi sanguine consecratam impie detinere contendunt; rabies tyrannorum temporalia rapiens, exterminat justitiam, & conculcat Ecclesiasticam libertatem: haereticorum insania Christi tunicam scindere nititur, & subvertere fidei Sacramentum: falsorum fratrum & filiorum dolosa perversitas concutit viscera, & latus dilacerat matris suae. Sicque fores pugnae, intus timores: extra inficit Gladius, & domibus mors similiter intentatur. Sicque frequenter fit, quod Christi Ecclesia tot angustiis perturbatur; dum alere credit filios, nutrit in sinu ignem, serpentes, & regulos; qui flatu, & morsu, & incendio cuncta vastare nituntur. Hinc est, quod ad monstra hujusmodi perimenda, & expugnandas acies inimica, ac tempestatum inquietudines mitigandas, Apostolica sedes his temporibus cum multa diligentia quendam alumnum, Imperatorem videlicet Fredericum; quem quasi a matris utero excepit, uberibus lactavit, humeris bajulavit, de manibus quaerentium animum ejus frequenter eripuit, educare studuit, multis laboribus & expensis usque ad virum perfectum perduxit, ad Regiae dignitatis decorem, & tandem ad fastigium culminis Imperialis provexit; credens illum habere defensionis virgam, & baculum senectutis. Ipse autem dum in Theutonicam se transtulit, ad habenas Imperii obtinendas, jucunda, ut credebatur, auspicia, sed verius pericula matris obtutibus inferebat. Nam sponte, non monitu sede Apostolica ignorante, crucem suis affixit humeris, vovens solemniter se in Terrae sanctae subsidium profecturum. Deinde se & alios cruce signatos excommunicari obtinuit, nisi certo proficerentur tempore. Sed incidenter absolutionem petiit, & accepit, de parendo super haec mandatis Ecclesiae, prius praestito juramento. Exuberantem autem gratiam super ipsum Apostolica sedes infundens, ut festinantius ad Terrae sanctae transiret subsidium, ipsum contra morem ad coronam vocavit, qui ad hoc non invitatus, sed multiplicatis intercessoribus intercessoris invitari per magnificos nuncios consuevit. Sicque idem sub crucis vexillo usque ad haec tempora * Did not this Pope and others who preceded and succeeded him, much more do it, than this Emperor? propria negotia plenius, & perfectus consummavit. Tandem cum manibus foelicis recordationis Honorii Papae, praedecessoris nostri in beati Petri basilica recepisset diadema, de manibus nostris, tunc in minori officio constitutis, crucem resumpsit, voto publice innovato. Plures sub spe sui subsidii ad sumendam induxit, & certum recipit terminum transfretandi. Habito quoquo postmodum apud Verulas cum Ecclesia Romana colloquio, juravit publice, se in certo termino, a Romanae sibi Ecclesia praefigendo, & tanquam Imperatorem honorifice profecturum. Exinde apud Ferentium in colloquio simili, duorum annorum tranfretandi elegit sibi terminum, & praefixit. Sicque transiturum, & nobilem mulierem, natam Charissimi filii nostri in Christo Johannis Regis Hierosolymorum, illustris ipsius regni haeredem, in conjugem recepturum solemniter praestito juramento spospondit. Adjungentis, quod per hocad obsequium Terrae sanctae, non ut caeteri peregrini, sed ut Templarii & Hospitilarii se in perpetuum obligaret. Appropinquante itaque termino praelibato, caepit excusationes multiplices praetendere, se ad transitum asserens non paratum, & ut denuo ternorum sibi daretur terminus annorum, grandia obtulit obsequia Terrae sanctae cum obligationibus satis magnis. Apostolica vero sedes ne tantis laboribus exsufflatis & inutiliter sic exhaustis, totum dissolveretur negotium, quod huic Principi post Romanam Ecclesiam principaliter incumbebat: habito plurium Episcoporum & aliorum virorum consilio, de contingentibus nil omittens, venerabilem fratrem nostrum P. Albanensum Episcopum, & bonae memoriae G. titulo sancti Martini Presbyterum Cardinalem, ad Confirmanda illa, quae Imperator pro crucis obsequio spontaneus promittebat transmisit. Cumque apud sanctum Germanum cum pluribus Alemanniae Principibus pariter convenissent, Imperator propria manu juravit, quod inde ad biennium, id est, in passagio Augusti, nunc proximo transacto, omni excusatione & dilatione cessantibus, transfretaret, mille milites ibidem per biennium teneret ad suum stipendium, pro subsidio Terrae sanctae centum millia unciarum auri, in quinque passagiis tunc proximo futuris illuc destinaret certis assignanda personis. Et tunc Cardinales Presbyteri, de Imperatoris consensu, in conspectu Principum ac populi circumstantis, excommunicationis sententiam publice Authoritate Apostolica protulerunt in quam incideret Imperator, si forte in aliquo defecerit praedictorum. Obligavit insuper se Imperator ad centum chelendras, & quinquaginta galleias ducendas & tenendas ultra mare: & quod insuper duobus millibus militum passagium certis terminis largiretur, in animam suam jurari faciens, se ista quae diximus impleturum, & sponte consentiens in se & regnum suum ferri sententiam, si non fuerint observata. Qualiter autem haec impleverit, advertas, Nam cum ad ejus frequentem instantiam, multa cruce signatorum millia per excommunicationis sententiam coarctati in termino destinato ad portum Brundusii properassent, quia gratiam suam Imperator subtraxerat civitatibus ferie cunctis in portubus constitutis, & idem a praedecessore nostro, ac a nobis frequentius monitus, ut diligenter pararet omnia, & fideliter quae sposponderat adimpleret: ipse praemissorum, quae sedi Apostolicae & cruce signatis per praedicatores & literas suas fecerat, de sponsione passagii necessariorum & victus, suae salutis immemor, tamdiu in aestivi fervoris incendio, in regione mortis & aeris corruptela detinuit Christianum exercitum, ut non solum magna pars plebis, verum etiam non modica multitudo nobilium & magnatum, pestilentia, sitis ariditate, ardoris incendio, ac multis incommoditatibus expiravit. Inter quos defecerunt bonae memoriae Episcopi Andegavensis & Augustensis. Pars vero non modica infirmitate gravata regrediens, in viis, in silvis, & in planitiis, in montibus & speluncis occubuit jam ex parte. Sane reliqui vix obtenta licentia, licet galeiae, chalendrae ac naves sufficientes ad transitum victualium, hominum, & equorum, ut promiserat, non adessent, in festo tamen beatae Virginis cum jam temporis instantia immineret, ut naves transmarinis partibus inciperent remeare, sulcare maria inchoarunt: sed pro nomine Jesus Christi se discrimini committentes, ac credentes Imperatorem cominus eorum vestigia secuturum, Idem vero, evacuatis promissionibus, ruptis vinculis quibus tenebatur astrictus, calcato timore divino, contempta reverentia Jesus Christi, censura Ecclesiastica vilipensa, ac relicto exercitu Christiano, exposita infidelibus Terra Sancta, devotione populi Christiani abjecta; in suum & totius Christianitatis opprobrium retrorsum abstractus & illectus est ad consuetas Regni delicias objectionem corporis sui frivolis excusationibus, ut dicitur, gestiens palliare Attendite ergo, & videte, si est dolor sicut dolor sedis Apostolica, matris vestrae, sic crudeliter & toties deceptae in filio, quem lactaverat; in quem posuit in hoc facto spei suae fiduciam, in quem tot beneficiorum abundantiam cumulavit. Dissimulans interim, ne occasione inventa, se averteret a Terrae sanctae subsidio, exilia Praesulum, spoliationes, captivitates, & injurias multiplices, quas Ecclesiis, viris religiosis, clericis irrogavit; & obaudiens querelas multiplices pauperum, populorum, & nobilium patrimonii Ecclesiae clamantium contra ipsum, quas in aures Domini Sabaoth credimus introisse. Et quamvis Ecclesiae Romana tueri debeat filium tanta diligentia educatum, et magnificentia exaltatum; nunc ipsum gemit sine Marte victum, absque hoste prostratum: et in suae confusionis opprobrium, tam ignominiose deiectum. Non minus gemit exterminium exercitus Christiani qui non inimicorum gladiis, vel veritate defecit, sed calamitate tam miserabili est consumptus. Gemit etiam quod residua bellatorum, exposita maris periculis & fluctibus tempestatum, absque duce; praeceptore, & principe ducitur, quo ignorat, modicum profectura terrae sanctae utilitatibus. Quibus debitae consolationis solitum & opportunae subjectioni sauxilium, impedientibus jam maris frementis procellis, temporisque angustia juxta votum non possumus ministrare. Gemit insuper excidium Terrae sanctae utilitatibus, quibus debitae consolationis solatium, & opportunae subjectionis auxilium, impedientibus jam maris frementis procellis, temporisque angustia, juxta votum non possumus ministrare. Gemit insuper excidium Terrae Sanctae, quam nunc eripi de manibus Paganorum sperabamus; quam olim, ut asseritur, recuperasset Christianus exercitus per * Excambium. concambium Damiatae, nisi semel eis & iterum Imperialibus fuisset Literis Interdictum. Qui etiam non fuisset in manibus Paganorum inclusus; si galeiarum subsidium, ut ex parte sua promissum fuerat, & fieri poterat, subsecutum esset. Nam Damiata, quae ut astruitur, suo tradita nuncio, & aquilis Imperialibus insignata; eodem die crudeliter spoliata, & per suas deteriorata, viliter & ignominiose, per ipsos fuit infidelibus restituta. Recurrit etiam ad rediviva suspiria, & amissionem praescriptam, recolens Damiatae tot laborum angustias, tot expensarum dispendia, tot mortes fidelium, & tot excursus temporum, quae inutiliter affluxerunt; subortis lachrymis flere non cessat; nec est qui consoletur eam ex omnibus charis ejus, nec abstergat lachrymas a maxillis. Cum ergo vox ejus in Rama jam sonuerit, & Rachel non solum filios, sed haec omnia irremediabili lamentatione deploret; quis fidelium a gemitibus & suspiriis continebit? quis filiorum, cernens aquarum profluvia de matris oculis prodeuntia, lachrymas non effundet? quis matris non compatietur angustiis? nec immensis ejus doloribus condolebit? quis fidelium propter haec non ardentius inflammabitur ad subsidium Terrae Sanctae, ne Christiana juventus ex insperato casu penitus prostrata videatur, & ignominiose animo consternata? Nonne viri cordati, & filii Jesus Christi, debent ad subsidium Terrae Sanctae tanto fortius animari, quanto ignominiam jam amplius resultare conspiciunt ex insperata ruina in patrem & filium, in redemptorem atque redemptos, in Christum & populum Christianum? Nos igitur hoc negotium tanto ardentius resumere affectamus, & profundiori consilio lata intendimus remedia invenire; quanto magis necessitas, & ex multis inflata doloribus nostram grandis angustia mentem pavit: & sic cum Dominus populo suo modicum ostendit se iratum, de illius manu hoc tempore sacrificium non acceptans, qui prudentiam non est imitatus illorum, per quem salus in Israel consuevit. Non tamen misericordiae Dei sunt consumptae, nec ejus miserationes penitus defecerunt. Sperantes namque in misericordia Dei nostri, qui viam nobis ostendit, per quam in hoc opere prospere gradiamur: & viros secundum cor suum destinabit, qui praecedant in cordis puritate ac manuum munditia exercitum Christianum. Ideoque fraternitatem vestram obsecramus in Domino, per Apostolica scripta praecipiendo mandantes: quatenus haec clero et populis vobis commissis fideliter exponentes, ac inducentes eosdem ad haec exequenda, suos studeant animos praeparare; & ipsos ad vindicandam injuriam Jesus Christi sedulis exhortationibus invitetis, ut cum ipsos sedes Apostolica habito majori tractatu sollicitandos providerit, promptos inveniat & paratos. Porro, ne tanquam canes muti, non valentes latrare, videamur deferre homini contra Deum, non sumentes ultionem de illo, qui tantam injuriam populo procuravit, Imperatorem videlicet Fredericum, qui nec transfretavit in termino constituto, nec illuc in taxatis passagiis praescriptam pecuniam destinavit, nec mille duxit milites per biennium tenendos, ad suum stipendium, pro subsidio Terrae Sanctae ibidem, sed in tribus articulis manifeste deficiens, in his discriptae excommunicationis laqueum ultroneus se ingessit, excommunicatum, quanquam inviti, publice Nota. nunciamus, et mandamus ab omnibus arctius evitari: contra ipsum, si contumacia ejus exigerit, gravius processuri. Confidimus tamen adhuc in pii patris clementia, qui neminem vult perire, quod oculi mentis caligantes, hoc Ecclesiastico delibuti collirio, ●i non fuerit animo rebellis, lumine poterunt illustrari, ut suam aspiciat nuditatem▪ & ignominiam suam, quam incurrit, avertat: Sicque recurrat ad medicum, & ad matrem Ecclesiam revertatur, per humilitatem debitam: & satisfactionem congruam, salutis remedia recepturus. Non enim ejus salutem in Domino affectamus interire, quem olim syncere dileximus, in minori etiam officio constituti. Data Laterani, Pontificatus nostri Anno secundo. The Emperor justly incensed with the publication of these libellous, scandalous, and fabulous Excommunications against him in England, and all other Kingdoms, Churches, to his intolerable defamation; endeavoured to vindicate himself and his innocency, against the Pope's calumnies, by dispatching Letters into all parts, and particularly into England, thus recorded by Matthew Paris. IMperator itaque Fredericus, cum a referentibus se excommunicatum cognovisset, Mat. Paris Hist. Angl. p. 335. perturbatus est valde: & sicut Papa per Literas suas in omnibus Christianorum finibus latam fecerat sententiam publicari; ita dictus Imperator scripsit universis Regibus & Principibus Christianis, conquerens sententiam in eum fuisse injuriose latam. Denunciavit etiam singulis & universis, se non frivolis excusationibus, sicut ei Papa mendose imposuit, a peregrinatione reversum inchoata; sed maximae infirmitatis causa, illius super hoc testimonium invocans, qui est testisin coelo fidelis. Affirmavit insuper, quia quam citius sibi Deus prosperitatem praestiterit corporalem, votum suae peregrinationis (sicut decet Imperatorem) cum honore congruo persolvere Domino procurabit. Inter caeteros siquidem Catholicos Regis, Literas auro Bullatas Anglorum Regi transmisit; proponens in eisdem Romanam Ecclesiam tanto jam avaritiae succensam incendio, et concupiscentia manifesta; quod bonis Ecclesiasticis non sibi pro voto sufficientibus, Imperatores, Reges, et Principes exhaeredare, et Tributarios constituere non veretur. Habeat autem de praemissis Rex Anglorum ex se ipso exemplum, cujus * Nota. Patrem, Regem scilicet Johannem, tamdiu excommunicatum tenuit, quousque ipsum et Regna ejus constituit sub Tributo. Habeant etiam generaliter omnes idem exemplum de Comite Tholosano, ut alios Principes multos; quorum terras et personas tamdiu sub Interdicto concludere molitur, donec illos in consimilem redigat servitutem. Simonias, exactiones diversas, et a saeculis inauditas, quas in Ecclesiasticas personas incessanter exercent; usuras manifestas, et palliatas, quibus hactenus incognitis totum mundum inficiunt, praetermitto. Sermones tamen super mel mellitos, et super oleum mollitos, insatiabiles sanguisugae, dicentes Curiam Romanam esse Ecclesiam, matrem nostram, ac nutricem: cum sit Curia praetaxata omnium malorum Radix et Drigo; non maternos, sed actus exercens novercales, ex cognitis fructibus suis certum faciens argumentum. Revolvant haec inclyti Barones Angliae, quos Papa Innocentius Bullatis Literis communitos animavit, ut in Regem johannem quasi Ecclesiae inimicum insurgerent obstinatum. Sed postquam enormiter memoratus Rex est incurvatus, et se suumque Regnum Ecclesiae Romanae, velut effoeminatus, mancipavit; praedictus Papa Proceres, quos prius sustinuit et excitaverat, postposito mundi pudore Dominique timore, conculcavit, morti expositos et miserabiliter exhaeredantos, ut more Romano, protervo hiatu quod pinguius erat, proh dolor, absorberet! Et factum est, quod incitante Romanorum avaritia, Princeps provinciarum facta est sub Cributo. Ecce mores Romanorum, ecce laquei Praelatorum, quibus universos ac singulos quaerunt illaqueare, nummos emungere, liberos subjugare, pacificos inquietare, in vestibus ovium, cum sint intrinsecus lupi rapaces; Legatos huc et illuc mittentes, excommunicare, suspendere, punire potestatem habentes; non ut semen, id est, verbum Dei seminent fructificandum, sed ut pecuniam extorqueant, colligant, et metant quae nunquam seminaverunt. Sicque fit, ut Ecclesias sacras, pauperum refugia Sanctorum Mansiones diripiant, quas pii ac simplices Patres nostri in refectionem pauperum ac peregrinorum et religiosorum sustentationem fundarunt. Ex nunc ad Imperia et Regna degeneres et ignobiles (quos solae Literae faciunt insanire) ausu temerario contendunt anhelari. In paupertate quidem & simplicitate fundata erat Eccleha Nota. Primitiva, cum Sanctos quos Catalogus Sanctorum commemorat, foecunda parturiret. S daliud fundamentum nemo potest ponere, praeter illud quod positum est a Domino Jesus, ac stabilitum. Porro quia in divitiis navigant, in divitiis volutantur, in divitiis aedificant, timendum ne paries inclinetur Ecclesiae, ne maceria depulsa, ruina subsequatur. In nos etiam novit scrutator omnium, injuste debacchantur, dicentes nos nolle terminis transfretasse constitutis: cum multa me de eo, et Ecclesia, et Imperio inevitabilia ac ardua negotia, praeter infirmitatis incommoda, detinebant. Quorum primum fuit rebellium Siculorum insolentia. Nec videbatur nobis sanum fuisse consilium expediens Christianitati, nos in Cerram Sanctam transisse, Bellum intestinum post terga relinquentes: sicut nec medico, ferro infixo vulneri, fomentum adhibere medicinae. In conclusione quoque demum haec adjecit, exhortans orbis Principes universos ut contra tantam sibi prospiciant avaritiam, et iniquitatem, quia Tunc tua res agitur, paries cum proximus ardet. Ex hac itaque Imperator perturbatione commotus, excitavit contra Dominum Papam & Romanae Ecclesiae Patrimonium, seditionem gravissimam: invadens ejus Civitates, & occupans Castilia. Sicut idem Papa per Literas suas Romano Legato Francorum directas, evidenter expressit; recorded at lage by Matthew Paris, fraught with nothing but calumnies and lies, to defame the Emperor. These Antichristian proceedings against the Emperor, so exasperated the Citizens of Rome, that they expelled him the City, and chased him to Perusium. PEr idem tempus, populus Romanus in Papam Gregorium seditionem excitavit, & ●● Mat. Paris, Hist. Angl. p. 337. sollemnitate Paschali illum ejecerunt ab urbe; insequentes eum usque Viterbium Castellum suum. Ubi fortiter invalescentes, fugaverunt eum usque Perusium▪ Papa, aliud vindictae genus non habens, persecutores suos excommunicationis sententia innodavit. Which they dreaded not at all. King Henry the 3d. upon receipt of the Pope's Bulls against the Emperor, and the Emperor's Letters against the Pope, sent this Letter to this Firebrand, and another to the Emperor, advising an accommodation between them, for the better relief of the Holy-land. DOmino Papae, Sanctitatis vestrae Literas devotione qua decuit recepimus continentes Claus. 12 H. 3. m. 12. dorso. narratione brevi defectum succursus Terrae Sanctae, quem in praesenti sperabitis per Ministerium Imperatoris ordinatum fuisse: Sane dolorem vestrum, quem brevem esse decet, non audimus sine dolore, maxime, cum in salute vestra et Ecclesiae statu pacifico, regnantium pax consistat et Regnorum: Recepimus autem postmodum Literas Imperatoris qui te multis gravaminibus & injuriis ei ut dicebat, praeter suorum exigentiam meritorum, conquerendo, in eisdem Literis, notum fecit nobis, sicut & in aliis Regnis publicasse se dicit, quod in medio instantis Maii, proponit nihilominus transfretare. Literas easdem ostendimus Clerico vestro, Magistro Stephano, tunc praesenti nobiscum, de cujus consilio Imperatori rescripsimus consulendo, ut a debita vobis et Ecclesia devotione nullius temeritatis ausu recedens, humiliter obediat, et obsequatur vobis; siquidem ut Patri et Domino, cui in totius fidelitatis et obsequii plenitudine adesse volumus et tenemur, consulimus in Domino pro negotio Terrae Sanctae, cujus liberationem mundus desiderare debet ardenter, quatenus eundem si cum humilitate debita ad cor reverti voluerit, vestrisque parere mandatis, misericorditer recipere velitis ad pacem. Teste Rege apud Westmonasterium, Vicesimo die Februarii. The Emperor having recovered his health, to perform his vow, satisfy the Christians who had crossed and transported themselves to the Holy Land, pacific the Pope, and wipe off all scandalous reproaches, and the Bulls of Excommunication, took shipping again for this expedition; yet the Pope would not absolve, but kept him still Excommunicated. FREDERICUS Imperator mare Mediterraneum ingressus, ut Domino votum Mat. Paris, Hist, Angl. p. 338. peregrinationis persolveret, in vigilia Nativitatis Beatae Virginis Mariae apud Achon applicuit: venientes ei obviam Clerus terrae & populus cum magno honore, ut tantum dicebat virum, illum receperunt. Veruntamen quoniam noverant eum a Papa excommunicatum, non ei communicaverunt in osculo, neque in mensa: sed consuluerunt, ut Domino Papae satisfaciens, rediret ad Sanctae Ecclesiae unitatem. Templarii vero & Hospitilarii, in adventu ejus flexis genibus adoraverunt eum, genua ejus deosculantes, & omnis fidelium, qui aderat exercitus, glorificabant Deum in adventu ipsius: sperantes quod per eum fieret salus in Israel. Tunc Imperator (as he had just reason) ad universum exercitum gravem deposuit querimoniam, de Pontifice Romano, quod injustam tulerat in eum sententiam: affirmans se gravissimae infirmitatis causa, & aliorum arduorum negotiorum, quae totam tangebant Christianitatem, iter suum ad Terrae Sanctae subsidium distulisse. This perverse Pope on the contrary, to evidence his implacable malice against the Emperor, instead of absolving him from his Excommunication for not going to the Holy Land, now resolves not only to continue it, but makes actual War upon his Territories, to deprive him of his Temporal Crown, as Contumacious and Rebellious, because he went thither, and set up John de Brennes (whom he made his General) Emperor in his Throne: as Matthew Paris thus relates. CIrca dies istos, Papa Gregorius nimis moleste ferens, quod Romanorum Imperator Anno 1229. Mat. Paris Hist. Angl. p. 340. excommunicatus & rebellis, ad Terram Sanctam transierat: de illius poenitentia & satisfactione, ut rediret ad Ecclesiae unitatem, non mediocriter desperabat. Decrevit ergo eum, quem contumacem vidit & rebellem, ab Imperiali fastigio depellere: & alium quemlibet filium pacis & obedientiae, loco ejus subrogare. Sed quoniam hujus rei certitudo nobis non nisi per alios constare potuit, ponemus hic Literas Thomae cujusdam Comitis, quem Imperator cum quibusdam aliis in recessu suo, Imperii tutorem constituit & rectorem: quas Imperatori super hoc negotio in Syriam destinavit, & quas a quodam fide digno suscepimus peregrino. Excellentissimo Domino Frederico, Dei gratia Imperatori Romanorum, & semper Augusto, ac Siculorum Regi potentissimo; Thomas Comes Atteranensis, suus in omnibus fidelis ac devotus, salutem, & de Hostibus triumphare. Post recessum vestrum, Domine Excellentissime, Gregorius Pontifex Romanus, & magnificentiae vestrae Hostis publicus, congregato exercitu copioso per Johannem de Brennes, Regem quondam Hierosolymorum, & alios quosdam viros strenuos, quos militiae suae Principes constituit; terram vestram & hominum vestrorum hostiliter ingressus, contra Legem Christianam decrevit vos in gladio vincere materiali, quem non potuit dejicere in gladio, ut asserit, spirituali. Nam Johannes praefatus, de Regno Francorum, & aliis conterminis regionibus, militiam contrahens non modicam; sub spe Imperii, si vos possit subigere, de Thesauris Apostolicis, suis militibus stipendia ministrat. It aque idem Johannes, & alii sedis Apostolicae principes militiae, terram vestram & hominum vestrorum Hostiliter irgressi: Ignem in aedificiis & villis accumulant, spolia & armenta rapiunt, homines captos diversis cruciatibus torquent, & ad gravissimam redemptionem compellunt: nulli sexui parcun●, nec cuiquam extra Ecclesiam vel Coemiterium deferunt: Vicos & Castilia capiunt, non habences ad hoc respectum, quod sitis in servitio Jesu Christi. Et si quis de Imperatore mentionem facit, Johannes d● Brennes affirmat, non esse alium Imperatorem praeter ipsum. Mirantur super his amici vestri, Excellentissime Imperator, et praecipue Clerus Imperii vestri: qua consideratione et conscientia talia facere potest Pontifex Romanus, et contra Christianos arma movere. Maxime cum Dominus dixerit Petro, in gladio materiali percutere volenti: Mitte gladium tuum in vaginam. Omnis enim qui percusserit in gladio, peribit. Vel quo jure possit ille qui quasi diebus singulis praedones, incendiarios, et Christianorum tortores excommunicat, et ab Ecclesiae unitate separat, talibus assensum praebere, et Authoritatem praestare, similiter admirantur. Provideatis nunc obsecro, Imperator potentissime, securitati vestrae & honori super praemissis: quia inimicus vester saepedictus, Johannes de Brennes, omnes Portus cismarinos cum exploratoribus armatis non paucis munivit: ut si fortè incautus a peregrinatione redires, ipse vos sub captione conclusum incarceraret, quod Dominus avertat. Can any Romanist, Pontifician, Christian, Turk, or Sarazen read these unchristian extravagant proceedings of the Pope, but with highest detestation of his Diabolical impiety, malice, and injustice? But though this Pope unjustly persecuted him with fire and sword, and cursed him with Bell, Book and Candle, yet God so blessed him with success, that he speedily recovered Jerusalem and the Holy Land out of the Saracens hands, of which he gave a full account in his Letter to King Henry the 3d. which you may peruse at leisure in * Hist. Angl. p. 343, 344, 345. Matthew Paris; the form and inscriptions of the Golden Bull or Seal thereto affixed; (which are memorable) he thus describes. FOrma Bullae Imperatoris aureae erat talis: Ex una parte erat Imago Regia, & An. Dom. 1229. Mat. Paris Hist. Angl. p. 345. scriptum in circuitu, Fredericus Dei gratia Romanorum Imperator, & semper Augustus. Ex una parte vero Regalis Imaginis, scilicet super dextrum humerum, scriptum est, Rex Jerusalem. Ex alia parte ejusdem Imaginis, scilicet super sinistrum humerum, scriptum est, Rex Siciliae. Ex alia autem parte Bullae, insculpitur quaedam Civitas, scilicet Roma, & scribitur in circuitu, Roma Caput Mundi, tenet orbis froena rotundi. Erat autem Bulla aliquantulum major Bulla Papae. It is evident by the last Motto in this Seal, That the Emperor esteemed himself, not the Pope, The Head of the World, and of Rome itself, of which he held the reins; that the Pope had no real Jurisdiction in or over it, but only by pretext of St. Peter's usurped and abused Keys; which yet terrified his Superstitious Votaries of the Clergy so much, that none of the Bishops would or dared to say Mass within the walls of Jerusalem itself, when recovered from the Saracens, so long as the Excommunicated Emperor was within it; so much did they obey and fear this unchristian Pope, more than God, or this Victorious Emperor: witness this relation. INgressus est igitur, Sanctam Civitatem Hierusalem exercitus Christianus, & Patriarcha Mat. Paris Hist. Angl. p. 345. cum Episcopis suis Suffraganeis mundificavit Templum Domini & Ecclesiam Sancti Sepulchri, Sanctaeque Resurrectionis ejusdem, cum aliis Ecclesiis Sanctisque locis Venerabilibus Civitatis, abluentes pavimentum & parietes aqua benedicta, & agentes processiones in hymnis & canticis, reconciliaverunt Deo loca universa, diuturnis infidelium sordibus prophanata. Verum, quamdiu Imperator, qui excommunicatus fuerat, intra urbis moenia moram fecit, nullus Praelatorum (such was their baseness and impiety) Missam celebrare praesumpsit. Magister tamen Walterus, frater quidam de ordine praedicatorum, vir religiosus, providus, ac discretus, & in divina pagina eleganter eruditus, Anglicus natione, qui a Domino Papa officium praedicationis, in quo singulariter floruit, expeditus, in exercitu Christi susceperat, quod etiam per aliquod tempus foeliciter impleverat, celebravit divina in Ecclesiis suburbanis: unde devotionem fidelium plurimum excitando, ad obsequium crucifixi arctius animavit. The Pope enraged with (instead of rejoicing at) the Emperor's Victorious proceedings against the Saracens, as he invaded his Empire with fire and sword, to dethrone him at home, so he suborned the ambitious * Mat. Paris, Hist. Angl. p. 346, 347. Templars and Hospitalers (who envied his successes) to betray him to the Saracens, to murder, or take him Prisoner in the Holy Land, sumpserunt cornua ex odio Papali; audierant enim, quod jam Papa Imperium hostiliter invaserat. But this their Treachery was so execrable to the very Sultan of the Saracens, made privy to it, that he revealed it to the Emperor, and so prevented his destruction; who thereupon clavae more affectionately to this Pagan Sultan, then to this Antichristian Pope, or unchristian, perfidious Templars. Moreover the Pope procured Geraldus Patriarch of Jerusalem, to write a Letter to Mat Paris Hist. Angl. p. 346, to 350. all Christians concerning his slow proceedings against the Saracens, fraught with scandals, which the Pope dispersech into all parts, especially in England, to defame and withdraw the people's affections from him: Which done, Papa ad ejus dejectionem diligentius solito insurrexit, & collectioni pecuniae hiavit avidius, both in England and elsewhere, of which more in its due place. These Antichristian Papal Usurpations over, and proceedings against the Emperor abroad, were published by the Pope's Legates and Instruments in England, to overawe, terrify the King and Nobles, as well as Clergy, and abate their oppositions against his Usurpations and Encroachments on their Rights, especially in cases of Provisions, Appeals about Elections, and Church affairs, wherein he acted arbitrarily what he pleased, as these passages evidence. EOdem Anno, Cassata Romae electione Magistri Willielmi Scoti Dunelmensis electi, Anno 1228. Mat. Paris Hist. Angl. p. 332. Robertus Sarisburiensis Episcopus ad eundem Episcopatum electus est, postulatus, & translatus: post cujus promotionem Canonici Sarisburienses elegerunt Magistrum Robertum Bingeham Canonicum suum in animarum suarum Episcopum & Pastorem. Quo utique anno decisa est contentio inter Monachos Coventrenses, & Canonicos Litchfeldenses, super Episcopo eligendo, Romae per sententiam diffinitivam: Ita ut deinceps Episcopos alternatim eligant, Monachi primum, & Canonici eo defuncto alterum. Hoc tamen observato, ut Prior Coventrensis in electione primam semper habeat vocem. In hac autem sententia videtur plurmum juri Monachorum fuisse derogatum, qui eatenus semper Pontifices elegerant absque Canonicorum consensu. This year there grew a new contest between the King and Monks of Canterbury, about the election of the Archbishop, which occasioned an Appeal and decision of the election by the Pope at Rome, whereby the Pope got two years' payment of his Annual Pension granted by King John, (as you * Here p. 307. heard before) and a Tenth in promise the Historian will inform us. EOdem Anno, Stephanus Cantuariensis Archiepiscopus, apud Slindonam manerium Mat. Paris Hist. Angl. p. 337. Mat. Parker Antiqu. Eccles. Brit. p. 158. in Richardo. Godwins Catalogue of Bishops, p. 64, 65. suum seven. Idus Julii diem clausit extremum: & Cantuariae sepultus est pridie Nonas ejusdem. Quo sepulto, Monachi Cantuarienses impetrata a Rege licentia, elegerunt Monachum de gremio Ecclesiae suae, Magistrum Walterum de Hemesham, iij▪ Nonas Augusti; quem cum Monachi praesentassent Regi, ipse post diutinam deliberationem, eundem electum certis objectionibus refutavit. Primo quidem, ipsis objecit, Monachis, Quod talem elegerunt, qui sibi inutilis erat in Regno. Secundo, Quod Pater ejusdem de furto convictus, patibulo suspensus fuit. Tertio, Quod steterat in causis contra Patrem suum Regem Johannem, tempore Interdicti. Episcopi praeterea Cantuariensis Ecclesiae Suffraganei, eidem electo objecerunt; quia Sanctimonialem quandam oppresserat, et ex illa pueros susceperat. (A very chaste Monk, fit to be Primate of all England.) Adjicientes insuper, Quod electio Archiepiscopi sine istorum praesentia non debuerat celebrari. Electus vero praefatus, electioni factae firmiter adhaerens, post appellationem interpositam, assumptis sibi Monachis quibusdam Cantuariensibus, Domini Papae se conspectibus praesentavit: petens instanter, ut electionem factam confirmaret. Sed Dominus Papa, eum cognovisset, quod a Rege et Episcopis electio contradicta fuisset, distulit negotium, donec rei certitudinem cognovisset. Rex autem & Episcopi, cum audissent, quod electus memoratus ad Curiam Romanam iter arripuerat: objectiones praemissas in scriptum redactas, & tam Regio quam Episcoporum sigillo roboratas, per Roffensem & C●strensem Episcopos Domino Papae transmiserunt, Magistrum Johannem Bedefordensem Archidiaconum hujus negotii constituentes patronum. Nuntii tandem Romam pervenientes, Domino Papae Regis & Episcoporum Literas porrexerunt. Quibus Papa diligenter inspectis, de consilio Cardinalium statuit partibus diem in crastino cinerum: ut tunc mediante justitia causam sententialiter diffiniret. EOdem tempore, instante die cinerum, qui electo Caentuariensi & Nuntiis Regis Anno 1229. Mat. Paris Hist. Angl. p. 342. Mat. Paker Antiqu. Eccles. Brit. and Godwins Catalogue of Bishops, in the life of Richard. Anglorum fuerat praefixus; ut quid de jure foret a Papa diffiniendum inter partes, procuratores dicti Regis, scilicet Magister Alexander de Stavenesse Episcopus Cestrensis, & Magister Henricus de Sanford Roffensis Episcopus, & praecipue Magister Johannes de Heutona; Dominum Papam & Cardinales omnes assiduis petitionibus convenerunt: sed illos invenientes ex more difficiles, timuerunt valde a suo desiderio defraudari. Vnde habito tractatu detestabili super praemissis, promiserunt Domino Papae ex parte Regis Anglorum, ab universo Regno Angliae et Hyberniae decimationem omnium rerum mobilium, ad guerram suam contra Imperatorem sustinendam, ut eos in Regis proposito exaudiret. At Dominus Papa, qui rebellem Imperatorem super omnia aestuabat dejicere, tanti● promissionibus exhilaratus, trahitur ad consensum, et * If Popes can Judge for mere bribes, promises, as here, why not err likewise in Judgement sitting in their Chairs? Mat. Paris Hist. Angl. p. 342. sedens in Consistoria, haec quae sequu●tur proposuit. NUper ad audientiam nostram pervenit, electio Cantuariensis Ecclesiae, de quodam Monacho Waltero nomine. Et postquam audivimus quae pro se idem Monachus, & pro sua electione proposuit, auditis etiam objectionibus & exceptionibus Episcoporum Angliae, tam contra electionem praefatam, quam in personam electi, per Venerabiles fratres nostros Coventrensem & Roffensem Episcopos, & dilectum filium Archidiaconum Bedefordensem, in audient●a nostra propositis, examinationem circa electi praenominati personam, Venerabilibus fratribus nostris Domino Albanensi, Domino Thomae de Sancta Sabina, & Magistro ●. Cardinalibus, commisimus faciendam. Cumque electus coram illis constitutus, requisitus esset de descensu Domini ad inferos, utrum in carne, vel sine carne descenderit? male respondit. Item, de confectione corporis Christi in altare? male respondit. Item requisitus, de Rachele qualiter plorabat filios suos, cum primo esset mortua? male respondit. Item requisitus, de sententia excommunicationis contra juris ordinem lata? male respondit. Item requisitus, de matrimonio si alter contrahentium infidelis decesserit? male respondit. Super his omnibus articulis diligenter examinatus est a Cardinalibus, quem non solum dicimus minus bene respondisse, sed pessime. Cum igitur, Nobilis sit Ecclesia Cantuariensis et nobilem habuisset Praelatum, virum discretum, modestum, et de gremio Romanae Ecclesiae assumptum: et iste modo electus, quem non solum pronunciamus indignum, imo si de rigore juris procederemus, aliud dicere cogeremur, ita insufficiens est, quod ad tantum honorem non debet assumi, electionem de ipsa fa●tam omnino cassamus, Provisionem nobis dictae Ecclesiae reservantes. Here he gives Judgement for himself in the close of his Bull, though against the elect Archbishop in the premises; robbing both the King and Monks of their Rights and Privileges. CAssata sane in hunc modum electione praefata, procuratores Regis Angliae & Mat. Paris Hist. Angl. p. 343. Mat. Parker Antiqu. Eccles. Brit. & Godwin in the life of Richard the Great. Episcoporum Cantuariensis Ecclesiae Suffraganeorum, Literas de rato eorundem tam Regis quam Episcoporum, in Domini Papae praesentia exhibentes: proposuerunt de Magistro Richardo Lincolniensis Ecclesiae Cancellario, quod esset vir eminentis scientiae & literaturae, ac conversationis honestae, quodque tam Ecclesiae Romanae, quam et Regno Angliae esset non mediocriter fructuosus: atque modis omnibus coram Domino Papa ejus personam commendantes, Dominum Papam trahunt cum suis Cardinalibus ad consensum. Sicque memorato Richardo, non electo ad Archiepiscopum, sed dato; Dominus Papa Suffraganeis Cantuariensis Ecclesiae Literas in haec verba direxit. GREGORIUS Episcopus, etc. Ex commissa nobis a * Let him show by what Text such a plenitude of power, to confer all Bishoprics by his Bulls and Provisions, without due election, or King's consent, is granted to him or Peter. Domino cura Pastoralis officii, et concessa (licet immeritis) plenitudine Ecclesiasticae potestatis, cogimur Ecclesiarum omnium per quotidianam instantiam, sollicitudinem et curam gerere, eisque cum necessitas ingruerit, et ex justitiae debito, et ex gratiae beneficio, paterna diligentia providere. Inter caeteras autem particulares Ecclesias, & metropoles universas ad Cantuariensem Ecclesiam, tanquam ad nobilissimum sedis Apostolicae membrum, in ejus opportunitatibus oculos considerationis expandimus; quam mater Ecclesiarum, Apostolica sedes, tanto benigniori debet favore prosequi, quant● eam inter alias divina dispositio in spiritualium plenitudine et * Had it not been for this neither the Pope, nor King, nor Bishop elect would have contended for the bare Spiritual office. temporalium ubertate gratia praetulit ampliori. Hanc etenim velut paradisum voluptatis, et hortum deliciarum, ordinatione sua plantavit altissimus, de qua producere valuit lignum scientiae boni et mali: in institutione dignitatis metropolicae, lignum vitae: in ordine religionis Monasticae, et regularis observantiae disciplina, ligna pomifera: in Suffraganeis, quae per operationem Sanctam delectant in visu, per fidelem Doctrinam delectant in gustu, per opinionem bonam recreant in olfactu. De eodem loco fluvius egreditur, per quem * Perfidiosissimi proditoris had been a truer Epithet. gloriosissimi Thomae Martyris sanguis exprimitur; qui dum vitam mortuis, sanitatem aegrotis, libertatem servis, et audaciam timidis contulit; inde progrediens, in quatuor proculdubio capita derivatur. Cujus miraculorum excellentium signa dum sollicita meditatione discutimus, ratas & insolitas divinae plantationis delicias invenimus. Hujus itaque paradisi custodiae, bonae memoriae Stephano quondam Cantuariensi Archiepiscopo, Sanctae Romanae Ecclesiae Cardinali, viro utique * In Treasons and Rebellions against his lawful Sovereign, and the Pope too at last. pereminentissime donis scientiae, et munere gratiae, supernis carismatibus delibuto, et erepto de carnis ergastulo, et ad paradisi coelestis jucunditatem et requiem, sicut speramus et credimus, evocato: dilecti filii Cantuariensis conventus, electionem celebratam ab eis de Waltero Monacho Cantuariensi, nobis praesentare curarunt. Qua primo electionis merita, et examinata personae literatura, justitia mediante, cassata: hominem culminis, quem per vitam et scientiam, intellectum pariter et affectum, ad imaginem et similitudinem Dei conditum, habentem per salutarem Doctrinam vitae spiraculum, in paradiso, ut operetur et custodiat illum, duximus collocandum, Magistrum Richardum Lincolniae Cancellarium; quem tam ex fratrum nostrorum, qui eum in scholis noverunt, quam ex venerabilium fratrum nostrorum Roffensis et Coventrensis Episcoporum, et aliorum plurium testimonio, virum didicimus eminentis literaturae, conversationis honestae, famae integerrimae, excellentissimae industriae, Zelatorem animarum et Ecclesiasticae libertatis, Cantuariensis Ecclesiae, de fratrum nostrorum consilio, praesentibus praefatis Episcopis, * Without any precedent election. praeficimus in Archiepiscopum et Pastorem. Quapropter fraternitatem vestram monemus, & hortamur, per Apostolica scripta mandantes, quatenus tanquam charitatis filii & devotionis, ipsum ad honorem omnipotentis Dei, & Apostolicae sedis, & Cantuariensis Ecclesiae recipientes, cum humilitate debita & devotione sincera, intendatis eidem, & tanquam Patri & Pastori animarum vestrarum, & Metropolitano vestro obediatis humiliter & devote. Gaudere quidem debetis in Domino, quod * The Tenth, and money promised him, not God's grace, procured his Provision. illius gratia principaliter cooperante, qui inspirando praevenit, et adjuvantem prosequitur, provisum est laudabiliter Ecclesiae viduatae. Data, etc. This is the first instrument and form I find in History or Record, of a Pope's Provision to a Bishopric, which you see is very specious, lofty, Pontifical, rhetorical. Though the Pope by reason of the differences between the King and Monks, usurped by Provisions, thus to fill the See of Canterbury in the case of Stephen Langhton before, and this Richard his immediate Successor, being of greatest concernment for the Pope's interest on the one hand, and the Kings, Church of England's on the other, yet where the King gave his Royal assent to Bishops duly elected by his Licence, where there was no competition the Pope interposed not, as these two precedents in the selfsame year attest. EOdem Anno, Eustachius Londinensis Episcopus diem clausit extremum. In cujus Mat. Paris, Hist. Angl. p. 340. Godwins Catalogue of Bps. p. loco Canonici elegerunt Magistrum Rogerum, cognomento Nigrum; virum in literatura profundi pectoris, honestum, ac per omnia laudabilem, religionis amatorem ac defensorem, omni genere superbiae carentem, Canonicum de gremio Ecclesiae suae: quem Dominus Rex sibi praesentatum, sine difficultate recepit. Eodem tempore obiit Galfridus Elyensis Episcopus, mense Decembri, & sepultus est in Ecclesia Cathedrali sua, pridie Idus mensis ejusdem, sicut et praedictus Eustachius in sua. Quo Galfrido defuncto, Monachi elegerunt communi assensu Hugonem Sancti Edmundi Abbatem. Qui Regi praesentatus, gratanter susceptus est, et Episcopatus bonis omnibus investitus. Richard Archbishop of Canterbury by Provison, and these two Bishops elect, were the next year consecrated all together, as Matthew Paris informs us. EOdem tempore, in die Sanctae Trinitatis, Convenientibus Cantuariensis Ecclesiae Mat. Paris Hist. Angl. p. 350. Suffraganeis apud eandem Civitatem, consecratus est Magister Richardus Cantuariensis electus, per manum Henrici Roffensis Episcopi, * He had not then paid for it, being neversent but for ready money paid down. sine pallio, (therefore not absolutely necessary) ita quod licuit ei vel ordines celebrare, vel Ecclesias dedicare. Consecrati sunt etiam cum eo eadem die, per ministerium ejusdem Episcopi, ante majus altare in Ecclesia Sanctae Trinitatis, Rogerus electus Londinensis, & Hugo Elyensis, iiij. Idus Junii. What Letters of recommendation and reception of other Bishops this Pope sent to the Bishops of England, you may discern by this relation. HOc denique Anno venit in Angliam Archiepiscopus quidam Armeniae majoris, Mat. Paris Hist. Angl. p. 339. gratia peregrinationis: ut Sanctorum Anglicanae Regionis reliquias, & loca venerabilia, sicut & per alia Regna fecerat, visitaret. Literas quoque Domini Papae ad commendationem personae suae, viris Religiosis et Praelatis Ecclesiasticis exhibuit, ut ab ipsis cum debita reverentia reciperetur, et honorifice tractaretur. Hic demum, cum apud Sanctum Albanum veniens, causa orandi Angliae proto-Martyrem, ab Abbate & Conventu reverenter susceptus est. His fabulous story of the life of Joseph of Arimathea, even at that day in Armenia, (therefore if true not dead and buried at Glastonbury) you may read in Matthew Paris. How the Pope and his Legates (at the King's special request) intermeddled in restoring the Impropriations and Churches alienated from the Bishopric of Carlisle, appears by the * Here p. 375, 376, 377. Clans. 12 H. 3. m. 14. intu.▪ premises, and this ensuing Record. QUia constat Domino Regi, Ecclesiam de Novo Castro super Tinam, simul cum quibusdam aliis Ecclesiis a Praedecessoribus Domini Regis, Ecclesiae Carleolensi fuisse collatam, rogat Dominus Rex Eborum Archiepiscopum, quatenus cum ipsa Ecclesia vacans fuerit, quod suum est in hac parte, secundum ordinationem Authoritate Domini Popae factam, a bonae memoriae Dominis G. titulo Sancti Martini, Presbytero Cardinali, & P. Norwicens. Episcopo, Apostolicae sedis Legatis, exequatur circa personas Venerabilis Patris Carleolens. Episcopi. Teste, etc. Pluralities being prohibited by many Councils and Canons, the Pope took upon him, notwithstanding these Canons, (for money) to grant Clerks Dispensations to hold Pluralities. Amongst others, he granted a Dispensation to two of King Henry's Clerks, which he should name to hold pluralties, whom he nominated by these his Letters Patents. UT R. Sar. Episcopus, sciat quibus Dominus Rex vult gratiam dispensationis impendi, Anno 1228. Pat. 12 H. 3. m. 6. intus. quam dominus Papa Domino Regi concessit, de duobus Clericis suis ut plura obtineant beneficia, eidem Sar. Episcopo significat Dominus Rex, quod gratiam istam fieri vult L. Capell. Decano sancti Martini London. & Waltero de Kirkham; In cujus, etc. Teste Rege apud Westmonasterium Decimo Tertio die Februari. The King opposing the election and consecration of Bishops in Ireland without his precedent Licence to elect, and special approbation of them when elected, they thereupon appealed to the Pope; who sometimes heard both parties at Rome, sometimes referred the Appeal to be heard and determined by the Archbishop of the Province in Ireland; before whom the King constituted his proctor, to defend the Rights of his Crown by this ensuing Patent. REX Venerabili Patri in Christo Archiepisco Cassel. & Episcopo Fernensi & dilecto Pat. 12 H. 3. 〈◊〉. 4. intus. & fideli suo G. de Theurevil Archid. Dublin salutem. In causa quae vertitur coram vobis de mandato Domini Papae, inter nos & Magistrum Johannem Ocolingham, qui se gerit Electum Imelic. super Electione quae de ipso dicitur celebrata fuisse, dilectum & fidelem nostrum Magistrum Laurentium de London. Procuratorem nostrum constituimus ad Iura nostra procuranda et defendenda, ratum habituri, & gratum, quicquid in praedictis vice nostra duxer it faciendum. Hoc idem parti adversae significamus. Teste Rege apud Lambeth. Decimo die Maii. How fraudulently and unworthily the Bishops in Ireland, dealt with the King, this writ for seizing the Temporalies of the Bishop of Lismore into the King's hand, for his fraud, will discover. REX Dilecto & fideli suo Richardo de Burg. Justic. suo Hiberniae salutem. Quia Claus. 12 H. 3. m. 10. intus. Magister Griffinus, qui gerit se tanquam Electum Lismorensem, nos decepit prout intelleximus, asserendo se electum esse in Episcopum Lismorensem et confirmatum, cum non sit confirmatus, vobis mandamus quatenus statim visis Literis istis, Episcopatum Lismorensem qui est in manu ipsius Magistiri Griffini, cum omnibus pertinentiis suis et terris, et rebus, et redditibus, et omnibus possessionibus, ad eundem Episcopatum pertinentibus, in manum nostram capiatis, et salvo custodiatis, donec aliud inde praeceperimus.,, Teste meipso apud Westmonasterium Vicesimo Quinto die Aprilis. Although these Irish Bishops and Clergy men, were very prone to invade the King's Rights and Royalties, yet they were very backwards to contribute to his necessities or supplies though * Here, p. 406, commanded by the Pope's special Bulls, as this Record attests. REX Archiepiscopo Armachano & suffreganeis suis salutem. Quia nondum Pat. 12 H. 3. m. 4. intus. impensum est nobis auxilium a Praelatis et Clero Hiberniae, sicut in Anglia jampridem nobis est impensum: Et sicut Dominus Papa tam in Hibernia, quam in Anglia nobis fieri mandavit, rogamus Paternitatem vestram, affectuose. Quatenus, quo et quantum indigeamus auxilio pie pensantes, ac mandato Domini Papae reverenter obtemperantes, petitum jam pridem subsidium, sine mora nobis impendere velitis, et ab aliis impendi omni adhibita diligentia procuretis, ut tam munificentiae vestrae liberalitatem propriam, quam erga alios adhibitam diligentiam, multiplici gratiarum actione prosequi debeamus specialiores et obnixiores solito vobis affectu. Teste ut supra fiat autem solutio praedicti auxilii ad scaccarium nostrum Dublin. in manus J. Fernensis, & G. Archid. Dublin. The Arcbishop instead of collecting monies for the King upon these Letters, procured this Patent for him to receive the profits of all the Temporalties of Bishoprics falling void in Ireland during their vacancy, to satisfy a debt owing him by the King, till his debt should be fully paid. REX Justiciario Hiberniae salutem. Sciatis quod conceffimus Uenerabili Pat. 12 H. 3. m. 4. intus. Patri H. Dublin. Archiepiscopo, Custodiam omnium Archiepiscopatuum et Episcopatuum quos de caetero vacare contigerit, in Hibernia, ad percipiendum fructus et exitus inde provenientes quamdiu vacaverint per manum Ueneravilis Patris I. Fernensis Episcopi, et dilecti et fidelis nostri G. de Turrevil Archid. Dublin. donec debitum quod eidem Archiepiscopo debemus, de praedictis fructibus et exitibus ei plene solverimus; Cum autem soluto debito inde quieti fuerint praedicti Episcopus et G. de Turrevil exitus et fructus ab hujusmodi Archiepiscopatibus et Episcopatibus vacantibus provenientes ad opus nostrum reservent, inde ad Scaccarium nostrum Dublin. respondeant quam diu nobis placuerit. Et ideo vobis mandamus quod cum contigerit Archiepicopatus vel Episcopatus aliquos in Hibernia vacare, permittatis praedictum Episcopum Fernensem et G. de Turrevil de fructibus et Exitibus inde provenientibus libere et sine impedimento disponere, ad respondendum inde praedicto Archiepiscopo, et nobis postquam debitum ipsius Archiepiscopi persolutum fuerit sicut praedictum est. In cujus, etc. Teste meipso apud Westmonasterium Undecimo die Maii. By this Patent the King's right to retain, and dispose of the Temporalties and profits of all the Bishoprics in Ireland, during their vacancy, towards the payment of debts or otherwise, is most fully evidenced. What power the Pope then obtained in promoting, ratifying Truces made between the Kings of England and France, when accorded and reduced by them into certainty, this Record will intimate. VEnerabili in Christo Patri R. Dei gratia titulo sancti Angeli diacono Cardinali, & An. 1229. Claus. 13 H. 3. m. 16. dorso. Franc. Legato H. etc. Rex Angliae, etc. salutem & sinceram in Domino dilectionem. Grates paternitati vestrae referimus super Literis vestris, quas nuper per dilectum & familiarem nostrum Abbatem de Cliva transmisistis, & de mandato quod idem Abbas, ex parte vestra ore nobis exposuit. Sane quamuis per eundem quondam illum ad vos misimus vestrae paternitati, significassemus, quandam pacis formam illustrem Regem Franciae, & nos ineundam idem reversus in nullo nos reddidit certiores de dicta forma a praedicto Rege Franciae, approbata, vel etiam an illi esset adhuc patefacta. Et quoniam ad sedem apostolicam super tanto Negotio non expedit mittere sub incerto, ad vos mittimus praedictum Abbatem, & dilectum & fidelem nostrum Magistum W. de Cantilupo, rogantes, quatenus nos certificetis per eosdem, quae forma certa pacis Regi placuerit memorato, ut sic demum Nuncii certi Romam mittantur, qui negotium illud sub certa forma procurent, secundum quod a partibus providebitur melius eidem negotio convenire. Teste Rege apud Westmonasterium sexto die Februarii. That all elections to Bishoprics in Ireland ought to be made by the King's precedent Licence to elect, or else they were absolutely void, will evidently appear by this memorable Patent, though ratifying a special election for certain causes, made without it, with some cautions. REX Capitulo Lethlin. & Clero ejusdem Dioc. salutem. Licet Electiones Pat. 13 H. 3. m. 12. intus. quae assensu nostro irrequisito celebratae fuerint in Eclesiiis Cathedralibus quae de nostra sunt advocatione nullius esse debeant momenti, et pro nulla reputari, et post transitum piae memoriae R. quondam Lethlin. Episcopi, non optenta prius licentia nostra, ad eligendum vobis Pastorem processeritis, propter quod merito quantum ad nos nulla debeat esse Electio vestra. Uolentes tamen ad praesens, de gratia nostra et pro honestate W. Archidiac. Lethlin. Electi vestri vobis parcere Electioni factae de ipso in Episcopum Lethin. regium Assensum praebere duximus et favorem; Ita tamen quod prius Literas vestras fieri faciatis patentes justic. nostro Hiberniae porrigendas, de petita a nobis eligendi licentia, ne futuris temporibus nobis aut Haeredibus nostris in Electione consimili praejudicium valeat generari. In cujus rei testimonium has Literas nostras Patentes vobis mittimus. Teste meipso apud Westmonasterium Decimo Quarto die Novembris Anno regni nostri Decimo Tertio. This dispensation (though qualified in this manner) had this ill consequence, that it encouraged many Chapters and Covents in Ireland to proceed to elections without any precedent Licence from the King, and to procure a subsequent approbation or Licence afterwards, as subsequent Records will evidence. So dangerous is it for Kings to connive at, or dispense with such Encroachments upon their prerogatives, especially in case of ambitious, covetous, proud Prelates, and selfwilled refractory Clergymen. It seems there arose a question in Ireland in the 14th year of King Henry the 3d. whether Tithes should be paid of Fish in Ponds, especially such as belonged to the King; who by his Ecclesiastical Sovereign power, resolved and ordered they should be paid, and so declared by this Patent. MAndatum est Abbatibus, Prioribus, Comitibus, Baronibus, Militibus, Civibus, Pat. 14 H. 3. m▪ 4. Burg is, & omnibus infra Archiepiscopatum Dublin. quod non expectato mandato Regio vel assensu, de Gurgitibus Piscariis Ecclesiis in quarum Parochiis sunt Praedicti Gurgites vel Piscariae, decimas solvant, quia Rex non vult in periculum animae suae hujusmodi decimas detineant. Teste meipso apud Portesmue Decimo Nono die Aprilis, Anno etc. Decimo Quarto. You heard the year * Here p. 413. to 420. before of the Pope's malicious slanders and persecutions of the Emperor Frederick, with excommunications, fire and sword, of his endeavours to exact monies and tenths in all places especially in England, to carry on the war against him, and King Henry's Proctors promise to gratify him therein, for promoting his Chancellor Richard to the Archbishopric of Canterbury, and vacating the Monk's election; which he put in vigorous execution this year, publishing many libels against the Emperor to alien men's affections from him, which our Historians thus relate. VEnit eodem tempore in Angliam Magister Stephanus, Domini Papae Capellanus, Mat. Paris, Hist. Angl. p. 348. Mat. Westm. An. 1229. Mat Parker Antiqu. Eccles. Brit. p. 157. & nuncius ad Regem Angloruus; missus ut colligeret decimas, Domino Papae a nunciis ipsius Regis Romae promissas, ad guerram suam sustinendam, contra Imperatorem Romanorum susceptam. Audierat enim idem Papa de Imperatore praefato multa detestanda, quae faciebat contra legem Christianam: quorum tenorem in scriptum redigens, per diversas orbis partes literis Apostolicis publicare curavit. Proposuit autem contra eum imprimis, quod in die Annunciationis beatae Mariae, cum esset excommunicatus, intravit Sepulchri sancti Ecclesiam in Jerusalem, & ibi ante majus altare * He might lawfully do it when the Pope would not absolve, nor the Bishops Crown him, or celebrate divine service before him against God's command. propria manu sese coronavit, & ita coronatus resedit in cathedra Patriarchatus, & ibi praedicavit populo, excusando maliciam suam & accusando Ecclesiam Romanam. Imponens ei, quod injuste processerat contra eum, & notabilem eam fecerat invective & reprehensive, de insatiabili & simoniali avaritia. (It seems Pope's may defame and injure Emperors, but it is an unpardonable crime in them to complain of their Simonies or Crimes.) Egressus autem ab Ecclesia in comitatu satellitum suorum, sine omni persona Ecclesiastica▪ portavit coronam usque ad palatium Hospitalis. Item in palatio suo Achnonensi fecit convivari Saracenos, & fecit eis mulieres Christianas saltatrices, ad ludendum coram eis, quae etiam ut dicebatur commiscebantur eis. Item, foedus quod iniit cum Soldano nemo scivit qua conditione tractatum fuit inter eos, nisi ipse solus. Veruntamen manifeste videbatur quod magis approbaret (secundum quod perpendi poterat per gestus exteriores) * Did not the Pope in truth rather do it then the Emperor? legem. Saracenorum quam fidei nostrae; quia in multis ritus eorum imitatus est. Item, in scripto quod est inter ipsum & Soldonum, quod lingua appellatur Arabica Mosepha, continetur quod durantibus Treugis, ipse juvabit eum contra homines Christianos & Saracenos, & e coverso Soldanus ipsum. Item▪ spoliavit Canonicos S. Crucis in Achona, quibusdam redditibus quos recipere debebant in portu Achonensi. Item, spoliavit Archiepiscopum Nicholsiensem in Cypro. Item, protexit quendam Episcopum Surianorum potentia seculari contra Patriarcham, ab excommunicato & Schismatico ordinatum. Item, spoliavit Canonicos sancti sepulchri oblationibus ipsius Sepulchri, & Patriarcham oblationibus Calvariae loci, & loci● Golgatha, & Canonicos sancti Templi oblationibus suis, & per manus satellitum suorum fecit omnes oblationes istas colligere, propter quod factum frater Walterus * It seems Monks as well as Popes presumed to excommunicate the▪ Emperor, even whiles excommunicated by the Pope. Excommunicavit eum in Civitate Hierosolymorum & satellites suos. Item, in die Palmarum praedicatores, de pulpito ubi praedicabant▪ viliter & violenter fecit dejeci, & crudeliter tractari & incarcerari. Item, infra passionem Domini obsedit Patriarcham & Episcopos Wintoniensem, & Exoniensem, & Templarios in domibus suis, & cum vidit se non posse praevalere, confusus demisit. His igitur de causis, licet aliae non desint, quicquid egit in terra sancta pro nihilo reputans, Dominus Papa, movit guerram contra ipsum, asserens, justum esse et fide● Christianae necessarium, ut tam validus Ecclesiae persecutor a fastu Imperii depelleretur. Et quod his omnibus detestabilius est, contra matrem suam Romanam Ecclesiam gravem ercitaverat persecutionem, ita quod Castella ejus cum terris et possessionibus occupaverat, et velut hostis publicus detinuit occupatas. (Was not this Pope herein worse than any Turk or Saracen? and was this in Christianity or conscience a just ground for the Pope to wage war against him, whiles he was by his own command fight against the Saracens, with admirable success?) After the Pope's Legate had dispersed these and other Libellous Papers throughout England against the Emperor, as a prologue to his grand design of extorting monies; he thus proceeded. PER idem tempus, cum Magister Stephanus, Domini Papae capellanus & nuncius, An. 1229. Mat Paris, Hist. Angl. p. 349. Mat. Westm. p. 128▪ Mat. Park▪ Antiqu. Eceles. Brit. p. 157. 158 Regi Anglorum negotia ipsius Papae & sui causam adventus ostendisset; fecit Rex convenire apud Westmonasterium, Dominica qua cantatur Misericordia domini, Archiepiscopos, Episcopos, Abbates, Priores, Templarios, Hospitalarios, Comites, Barones, Ecclesiarum Rectores, & qui de se tenebant in capite, ad locum praefixum & diem, ut audirent, negotia memorata, et de rerum exigentiis communiter tractarent ibidem. Omnibus igitur congregatis, tam laicis, quam clericis, & eorum subjectis, Magister Stephanus coram omnibus recitavit literas Domini Papae; in quibus exigebat decimas omnium rerum mobilium, de tota Anglia, Hibernia, et Wallia, ab universis laicis et clericis, ad guerram suam sustinendam, quam contra Romanum Imperatorem susceperat Fredericum. Ostendit autem in literis memoratis, quod ipse solus hanc expeditionem susceperat pro * An impious falshood. universali Ecclesia, quam dictus Imperator, jam diu excommunicatus, & rebellis subvertere nicitur, sicut evidentibus apparet indiciis: (which himself did rather,) unde * Did Emperors enrich the Church of Rome to make War against themselves? divitiae sedis Apostolicae cum non sufficiant ad ipsum exterminandum, necessitate compulsus, ab universis Ecclesiae filiis implorat auxilium, per quod expeditionem inchoatam, et in parte jam foeliciter prosperatam perducere valeat ad desideratum effectum. Persuadet denique Dominus Papa, in conclusione negocii singulis Ecclesiae membris, quatenus sicut filii naturales Ecclesiae Romanae, quae * How proves he this? mater est omnium Ecclesiarum, potenter subveniant, ne quod absit, ipsa deficiente, membra cum capite succumbere videantur. His & aliis in hunc modum in autentico Domini Papae, patenter expressis, persuasit magister Stephanus omnibus qui aderant, ut consentirent, allegans * Pudorem & Incommodum had been ●itter. honorem et commodum, qui posset exinde obtemperantibus provenire. Rex autem Anglorum, a quo caeteri omnes sp●rabant habere defensionis auxilium, factus est (quia sic oportuit ●●●ri) ●aculus a●undineus, cujus fragmenta vulneraverunt in se confidentes: qui Romae per procuratores suos (ut * Here p. 262. supradictum est) ad decimas solvendas fuerat obligatus, non ●potuit contradicere: et cum nihil responderet, visus est tacendo assensum praebere. Comites vero, et Barones, ac laici omnes, plane decimas se daturos contradixerunt, nolentes Baronias suas, vel laicas possessiones Romanae Ecclesiae obligare. (An Heroick English resolution.) Episcopi quoque et Abbates, Priores et alii Ecclesiarum Praelati, post trium vel quatuor dierum deliberationem et murmurationem non modicam, tandem consenserunt; * O their baseness. metuentes excommunicationis sententiam vel interdicti sibi inferri, si mandatis Apostolicis obviarent. Consentientes igitur corde quali quali, sub quadam summa pecuniae ●inem conclusissent sibi tolexabili; nisi (ut asseritur) Stephanus de Segrave, Regis tunc Consiliarius, vir quidem sui solius amicus, versus in arcum pravum, quadam simoniaca conventione cum magistro Stephano facto, ad talem effectum rem perduxit, quod decimas ipsas plenarie sibi exigit et obtinuit, ad damnum Ecclesiae et regni inestimabile. Sed justo Dei judicio, haec fraudulenta procuratio praedicto Stephano justiciario non successit in prosperum. Tunc Magister Stephanus, Praelatis omnibus Literas Domini Papae procuratorias ostendit, quibus idem Papa ipsum ad dictas Decimas colligendas procuratore in constituerat, ut * The Pope's Taxes must be at the improved clear value, to make them slaves, double to that they paid the King to make them freemen. non secundum taxationem factam in Vicesima, quae paulo ante Regi data fuerat pro libertatibus obtinendis; sed secundum quod melius possunt, ad commodum Domini Papae, et uberius omnia bona et mobilia singulorum taxari. Videlicet de omnibus redditibus, proventibus, fructibus carucarum, oblationibus, decimis, nutrimentis animalium, & fructibus, de omnibus obventionibus Ecclesiarum. vel aliarum possessionum, quocunque nomine censeantur; non aliquibus debitis vel expensis aliqua occasione deductis. Habuit etiam ex eisdem Literis authoritatem Contradictores excommunicandi, et Ecclesias interdicendi. Vnde constitutis procuratoribus suis in singulis comitatibus regni, omnes illos excommunicavit, qui circa decimas ipsas reddendas, vel taxationem faciendam per se, vel per alium, colludium, pactum iniquum, subtractionem vel fraudem aliquam duxerint faciendam. Et quoniam negotium festinum exigebat auxilium, Praelatis omnibus et aliis sub poena excommunicationis indixit; ut vel mutuo, vel alio quocunque modo pecuniam perquisitam sibi traderent indilate, ut eam Domino Papae incontinenti transmitterent, eandem postmodum, decimis singulorum rite taxatis, plenarie recepturi. Erat autem idem Papa tot & tantis involutus debitis, ut unde * When did Christ or St. Peter give him commission to undertake such a War, to kill and destroy instead of feed his sheep and lambs? bellicam quam susceperat, expeditionem sustineret, penitus ignoraret. Et sic soluto concilio, murmurantibus cunctis, recesserunt. ET his ita gestis, misit incontinenti literas suas magister Stephanus ad singulos Episcopos, Mat. Paris, Hist. Angl. p. 349. Mat. Parker, Antiq. Eccles. Brit. p. 157. Abbates, Priores, & cujuscunque professionis viros religiosos regni; sub poena interdicti & excommunicationis, praecipiens, ut tali die tantam pecuniae summam sibi transmitterent de moneta ad pondus denarii probata, & nuper fabricata, ut inde creditoribus Domini Papae satisfacere posset, & ipsi poenas evaderent Interdicti. Erat enim in hujus rei executione adeo improbus exactor, ut etiam de frugibus Autumni futuri, qui adhuc in herba crescebant, singulos compelleret decimarum sibi precium exhibere. Praelati vero aliud remedium non habentes, calices, phialas, philacteria, & alia sacra altaris vasa, quaedam vendiderunt, nonnulla in pignus sub foenore posuerunt. Praeterea habuit idem magister Stephanus quosdam secum foeneratores nequissimos, qui se mercatores appellabant, usuram sub nomine negotiationis palliantes, qui egentibus, & exactionibus vexatis obtulerunt pecuniam: & urgente memorato Stephano, sub poena gravissima, coacti multi mutuo cepere, qui postea in laqueos eorum inciderunt, damna irrestaurabilia incurrentes. Continuis maledictionibus, sed occultis, repleta est terra imprecantibus cunctis, Exactio suis fiat exactoribus nunquam fructuosa. Quod juxta vota populi accidit, quia Non habet eventus sordida praeda bonos. Ex eo autem tempore non defuerunt in terra Anglicana quidem transmontani qui se Mercatores nominant, usurarii impiissimi, qui nihil aliud quaerunt nisi in laqueis suis, praecipue quos Romana curia angariat, illaqueare. Et sic abrasor pecuniarum magister Stephanus, Domini Papae Capellanus, Anglis foeda reliquit vestigia. Solus autem Comes Cestrensis Ranulphus stetit viriliter, nolens terram suam redigere in servitutem, nec permisit de feudo suo viros religiosos vel Clericos Decimas memoratas conferre; quamvis Anglia et Wallia, Scotia et Hibernia ad solutionem compellerentur. (A Noble president) Hoc autem multis in hac decimatione solatium praebebat & levamen, quod * This Pope was an universal Fleecer and fleyer of all his sheep, instead of a faithful feeder of them. regna transmarina & longe posita, non sunt ab hac exactione quieta. Cumque tandem istarum plenitudo divitiarum ad summum Pontificem pervenisset, ipse Johanni de Bresnes, & aliis militiae suae principibus, ita affluenter eas distribuit, quod graviter cessit in damnum Imperatoris, dum municipia ejus & castella in ejus absentia subvertebant. But the Emperor making a League for 10. years with the Saracens, and returning unexpectedly from the Holy land, interrupted his proceedings, and soon recovered all his Castles, so that the Pope was enforced by mediation of friends to stoop to the Emperor and make his peace with him, beyond expectation. EOdem anno, cum Fredericus Romanorum Imperator Terram sanctam Christianitati Mat. Paris, p. 351. 352. Mat. West. p. 128, 129. restituisset, & treugas decennales a Soldano Damasci impetratas, juramento hinc inde confirmasset, in die inventionis Sanctae Crucis, naves ascendit, ut transito mari Mediterraneo, reverteretur in terram suam. Sed quoniam audierat, quod a Johanne de Brennes in●idiae sibi parabantur (by the Pope's procurement) in portubus cismarinis, inconsulte timuit applicare, & ne de ejus captione gauderent inimici illius; in tuto loco applicuit, praemissis exploratoribus suis, qui conduxerunt illum ad portum securitatis & salutis. Cum autem prospere in Sicilia applicuisset cum modico comitatu, audivit quod aemuli ejus jam castella multa subjugaverant, & municipia, & quod etiam per terras Imperii liberum haberent discursum, & debaccharentur multi Papae stipendiarii, affluentia pecuniae inaestimabilis saginati, cum non esset qui eis obviaret. Sed cum tandem ejus divulgaretur adventus, confluebant ad eum homines Imperii naturales, qui per fidelitatem ei fuerunt astricti. Quibus vallatus, & ex aliis adventantibus confortatus, audacter prorupit in hostes, & terras amissas ac castra cepit paulatim revocare. The next year, Tempore quadragesimali, Imperator Romanus contra hostes suos ita invaluit; quod castra sua & jura omnia ad Imperium spectantia, potenter revocavit: quoscunque in castellis suis ex adversariis suis cepit, aut vivos excoriavit, aut patibulo suspendit. Johannes vero de Brennes, qui hostis ejus erat, & capitaneus post Papam, metuens incidere in manus illius, fugit in Gallias ad natale solum, cum stipendiariis suis quos Dominus Papa rapinis religiosorum ditavit, & praedis a pauperibus captis undecunque honoravit. Et sic mediantibus amicis & viris religiosis, statutae sunt treugae inter Dominum Papam, & ipsum Imperatorem, quousque in aliquam pacis formam convenirent. Afterwards, mense Augusti, Dominus Papa Gregorius, & Romanorum Imperator Fredericus, mediantibus utrorumque fidelibus & amicis, in concordiam convenerunt. Veniens enim Romam dictus Imperator, absolutus est: omnibus ad jura Imperii spectantibus ex integro revocatis. Comederunt ergo simul magnus Sacerdos & maximus Imperator, in palatio summi Pontificis per triduum: gaudentibus Cardinalibus & Potentatibus Imperii, de concordia tam desperata, & tam subito confirmata. Which yet afterwards broke forth into greater flames than before. The Bishops and Clergy having given and paid so large a Tenth to the Pope, to Anno 1230. Mat. Paris Hist. Angl. p. 352. support his Wars against the Emperor, to deprive him of his Imperial Crown and Rights, King Henry thought it but just, they should contribute towards his own Wars, to recover his own Rights in France; whereupon, Ad exactionem Regis, Archiepiscopi, Episcopi, Abbates, & Priores, per Angliam totam Regi eidem pecuniam dederunt non modicam, quasi per eam subtracta Patri suo jura posset revocare in partibus transmarinis. The ungrateful, covetous, ambitious Bishops of Ireland, at this time usurping upon the ancient Rights of the Crown, by endeavouring to deprive the King of the custody of their Temporalties during their vacancy, and their Tenants of liberty to sue in the King's Courts, without the Pope's assent thereto; the King thereupon writ this Letter to the Pope, and sent command to his Proctors strenuously to maintain his right, against these encroachments. DOmino Papae salutem: Quociens nova nos perurgent negotia quae sedis Apostolicae Claus. 15 H. 3. dors. 12. requirunt aminiculum, totiens ad ipsam sub cujus protectione securi consistere debemus, sicut speramus, confugere necesse habemus. Cum igitur in grave praejudicium nostrum et Regiae dignitatis laesionem qua praedecessores nostri Regis Angliae usi sunt et gavisi, jam contendant Episcopi de terra nostra Hiberniae, ea nos libertate privare, qua nos et praedecessores nostri soliti sumus Episcopis Hiberniae decedentibus, Episcopatuum suorum quamdiu vacaverint habere custodiam; Et quod eorum tenentes de caetero de placitis quae per Literas nostras deduci et terminari solent, a Curia nostra Justitiam non requirant: Et ad hoc impetrandum contra nos specialiter Episcopum Limer. destinaverint, vel destinare proposuerint, ad Curiam Sanctitatis vestrae; supplicamus attentius et devote, quatenus per alicujus suggestionem aliquid contra nos impetrare volentis nihil statui permittatis aut concedi, quod jura nostra laedat, aut potestate solita in hac parte nos destituat. Taliter preces nostras exaudientes quod contra persequentium nos machinamenta sub alis tuitionis vestrae indempnes consistere gaudeamus. Teste Rege apud Hereff. Vicesimo die Maii. Et mandatum est, Magistro R. de Cantilupo, H. de Nafford, Abbati de Cliva, & Alex. de Bassingburne, quod haec contra Regem in Curia volentibus impetrare, viriliter resistant. Ita quod ex hoc eorum fidelitatem & discretionem debeat habere commendatam. Teste ut supra. The Pope every year more and more encroaching and presuming on the King, not content with the Tenth he had granted him the year before, and the King's necessities for moneys, presumed to importune him by his Letters to bestow an Annual Pension of 40. Marks upon a Citizen of Naples, (most likely a Broker for the Pope in England) pretending it would be for his advantage; which the King denying by reason of his poverty and Wars, excused himself to the Pope in this modest manner, why he could not gratify him in this request. DOmino Papae salutem, & debitam Patri reverentiam: Transmissas nobis Sanctae Claus. 15 H. 3. dors. 12. Paternitatis vestrae Literas quibus pro Nobili Cive Romano Neapol. nos rogas●is ut in redditu annuo Quadraginta Marcarum, certis loco & termino praecipiendo ei providermus, omni qua decuit reverentia recepimus & honore. Satis quidem ex earundem Literarum continentia attendimus cum Civis praedictus de Nobilioribus & potentioribus urbis existat, non modicum per se ac suos nobis possit fructuosus existere; & ea ducti ratione nostri gratiae, potius nostrum quam ipsius Civis commodum respicientes, preces hujusmodi pro eo nobis duxistis porrigendas. Verum cum occasione guerrae nostrae quam nuper in partibus habuimus transmarinis, & ob causas alias varias tot & tantis Militum stipendiis fuerimus honorati, quod & hiis quibus ad praesens obligati sumus, vix respondere sufficiamus: Licet preces ac monita vestra parati simus humiliter ac devote pro viribus nostris sicut decet effectui mancipare, in persona memorati Civis, quod aegre ferimus, vos exaudire non valemus, unde Sanctitatem vestram, ea quae possumus affectione rogamus, quatenus id aures Sinceritatis vestrae non offendat, aut aliquatenus vobis displiceat, si faciente insufficientia nostra excusationem hujusmodi vobis praetendamus. Certi enim sumus indubitanter & firmiter credimus, quod si statum & honos obligationis nostrae attenderetis, nobis compateremini, qui nobis specialiter in hujusmodi honoribus providere tenemini, & ad nos ex●onorandos patrocinium vestrum impenderetis & consilium. Teste meipso apud Westmonasterium, xviij. die Aprilis. How ready the Bishops were to comply with the Pope in his unreasonable Exactions and Tenths, without resistance, you heard before; how obstinate and averse they then were to supply the King's necessities; and demands of Aids in Parliament, and to stand upon every Punctilio of their pretended Privileges, even when the Barons, Laity, and inferior Clergy supplied him, this passage will inform us. ANno Domini 1231. seven. Calendas Februarii, convenerunt ad colloquium apud Mat. Paris Hist. Angl. p. 354, 355. Mat. Westm. p. 134. Mat. Parker Antiqu. Eccles. Brit. p. 158. & Godwin in his life, p. 110, 111. Holinshed p. 213. Westmonasterium, Rex cum Praelatis, & aliis Magnatibus Regni; ubi exegit idem Rex Scutagium, de quolibet Scuto tres Marcas ab omnibus qui Baronias tenebant, tam Laicis, quam Praelatis. Cui Richardus Cantuariensis Archiepiscopus, (though made Archbishop by the King's extraordinary solicitation at Rome on his behalf, to his great expence and prejudice) et quidam Episcopi cum eo audacter resistentes dixerunt, Quod non tenentur viri Ecclesiastici judicio subjici Laicorum, cum absque illis concessum fuisset Scutagium in finibus transmarinis. Tandem vero, post multas hinc inde disceptationes, negotium, quantum ad Praelatos reclamantes pertinebat, usque ad quindecim dies post Pascha dilationem accepit. Omnes alii, tam Laici, quam Clerici, ac Praelati; favebant Regiae voluntati. How insolently this ungrateful Arch-prelate demeaned himself towards the King, by endeavouring to deprive him of the Rights of his Crown, in Wardships, in Excommunicating his chief Justice, and all other his Officers that executed his legal commands, and preserved his Royalties in Wards Lands, after a legal satisfactory answer given him by the King, and appealing to Rome against the King, even in a Temporal case of Wardship, to his trouble and vexation, (whither he sent Proctors to defend his Right against this encroachment) and in going personally to Rome without the King's Licence, there complaining to the Pope against the King and his chief Justice, of things wherein the Pope had no Jurisdiction, to enthrall the King and all his Officers of Justice to his own and the Pope's arbitrary wills; these passages will discover. PEr idem tempus, Richardus Cantuariensis Archiepiscopus, ad Regem veniens, conquestus Mat. Paris Hist. Angl. p. 355, 356, 357 Mat. Parker Antiqu. Eccles. Brit p. 157, 158. Godwins Catalogue of Bishops, in his life. est de Huberto Justiciario; quod Castellum de Tunebruge, cum villa & pertinentiis ejus, & alias quasdam terras Gileberti Comitis de Clare nuper defuncti, quae ad jus suum & Ecclesiae Cantuariensis spectabant, injuste detinebat. Unde idem Comes sibi & antecessoribus suis ipse & praedecessores sui ad recognitionem & homagium tenebantur. Qua de causa Regem rogavit, ut custodiam dicti Castelli cum pertinentiis sibi restitueret, & jura Ecclesiae Cantuariensis conservaret illaesa. Ad haec respondens Rex, dixit, Comitem praefatum de se tenere in capite; & vacantes custod as Comitum, & Baronum, & eorundem Haeredum, ad suam Coronam, usque ad aetatem legitimam, pertinere: unde sibi licere proposuit, tales custodias cui voluerit vendere vel conferre. Archiepiscopus vero, cum aliud responsum habere non potuit, excommunicavit omnes invasores possessionum praedictarum, et omnes, praeter Regem, (it was well he was excepted) qui cum eis communionem haberent. Et tam pro his quam aliis de causis Romam profectus; jus suum & Ecclesiae suae prosequi maturavit. Rex vero è contra, ut causam suam prosequeretur, Magistrum Rogerum de Cantelu Romam, cum aliis quibusdam nunciis destinavit. VEnit hoc tempore ad Curiam Romanam Richardus Cantuariensis Archiepiscopus, Mat. Paris Hist. Angl. p. 356, 357. & in praesentia Domini Papae proposuit haec quae sequuntur. Conquestus est in primis de Rege Anglorum, quod solummodo omnia Regni; negotia per consilium Huberti Justiciarii, aliis spretis Magnatibus, disponebat. Item, de Justiciario proposuit, quod habeat uxorem, cujus consanguineam prius habuerat sibi matrimonio copulatam: et quod jura Ecclesiae Cantuariensis invaserat, et injuste detinebat. Proposuit etiam, quod Episcopi quidam ejus Suffraganei, neglecta Pastorali cura, sedebant ad Scaccarium Regis, Laicas causas ventilantes, (and was not the King's cause of Wardship such, for which he appealed to the Pope?) & judicia sanguinis exercentes. Item, conquestus est, quod Clerici beneficiati, & infra sacros ordines constituti, plures habebant Ecclesias, quibus adnexa fuerat cura animarum: & quod insuper, sicut Episcopi, ab ipsis trahentes exemplum, curis saecularibus, & Laicorum se judiciis immiscebant. His au: tem & consimilibus, coram Papa propositis, petiit, ut talibus limam correctionis excessibus adhiberet. (The later being worthy redress, were annexed only to countenance the former complaints against the King and Hubert, which else would have seemed harsh.) Cumque haec omnia Dominus Papa diligenti studio intellexisset, & vidisset, quod universa quae proposuerat Archiepiscopus, justitia fuerant & ratione subnixa: jussit incontinenti, quatenus Archiepiscopi negotia, sive petitiones, expedirentur, justitia mediante. Proposuerunt autem in contrarium Clerici Regis, pro ipso Rege et Justiciario multa inaniter allegantes: sed parum vel nihil profecerunt, Quia, ut breviter dicatur, favor Archiepiscopi quicquid petiit, impetravit. (Such was the Pope's partiality, that this Prelate in a bad cause, could overbalance his own King in a just one, that concerned his Royalties.) Erat namque staturae elegantissimae, facundiae, admirabilis, scientia, & moribus incomparabilis; & allegavit pro eo, causa justa & favorabilis. (But observe God's justice on this ungrateful, treacherous, usurping Prelate, when he had accomplished his designs against the King, he was presently taken away by sudden death, before his return to reap the fruits of his conquest.) Archiepiscopus igitur Cantuariensis Richardus, cum expletis negotiis suis omnibus pro voluntate sua, repatriare maturavit, apud S. Gemmam, in domo fratrum minorum, tertia dieta citra Romam, diem clausit obiter supremum, iij. Nonas Augusti. Et sic ipso expirante, expirabant cum eo negotia impetrata. De quo hoc mirabile accidit, quia cum Pontificalibus, sicut moris est, corpus defuncti sepeliendum insigniretur; de nocte venerunt homines illius Patriae, qui haec omnia oculo fascinante inspexerant, aperuerunt de nocte sepulchrum, cupientes ut annulum & alia insignia Episcopalia fruerentur, nulla vi vel ingenio id potuerunt. De quo, non tamen signato, propositum consummare nequiverunt, recesserunt confusi, & pectora sua, in quibus scelerata corda latitabant, percusserunt. It had been well this Archbishop too had repent him of his oppositions against his Sovereign's Prerogative before his death, whose Crown, or chief flower of it (Wardships) he endeavoured to pull off whiles alive. The Pope upon the death of this Archbishop (having deprived the King and Monks of their rights in the election of two Archbishops before, by the Kings and their mutual differences) endeavoured now to wrest the power out of both their hands in the election of a third, in whose election they both concurred to prevent his feared Usurpation, as this History will demonstrate. DEfuncto, ut dictum est, Richardo Cantuariensi Archiepiscopo, decreverunt Monachi Mat. Paris Hist Angl p. 357, 358. Mat. Westm. Anno 1231. p. 130, 131. Mat. Parker Antiqu. Eccles. Brit. p. 159, 160. Godwins Catalogue of Bishops, in the life of St. Edmund. Cantuariae Radulphum de Nevilla, Cicestrensem Episcopum, sibi in Praesulem postulare, qui erat Regis fidelissimus Cancellarius, et inconcussa columna veritatis, singulis sua jura, praecipue pauperibus singulis, juste reddens, & indilate. In multis Regni perturbationibus stans directe; non arundo quolibet vento agitata, nec declinans ad dextram vel sinistram. Constanter igitur petierunt eum Monachi memorati quasi dignissimum & idoneum Ecclesiae suae approbatum defensorem, potentem verbo & opere, ut foeliciter Beato Thomae succederet assimilatus, qui de Cancellario factus est Archiepiscopus. Facta igitur rite electione, praesentaverunt eum Regi viij. Calend. Octobris. Quem Rox gratanter, quantum ad se pertinebat, acceptans, de maneriis et rebus aliis ad Archiepiscopatum adjacentibus, illum protinus investivit: (before his approbation by the Pope, or consecration here.) Et Monachi Romam profecturi, ad electum suum venientes, petierunt ab illo auxilium ad expensas itineris & servitium Curiae Romanae, & si qua sunt similia. Sed ille sentiens in animo, illud non penitus carere scrupulo simoniae ac ambitionis, plane affirmavit, quod propter hoc eis nec obolum unum donaret, manus tendens in coelum, & dicens: Domine Deus omnipotens, si vocandus sum, licet indignus, ad Archipraesulatus officium, fiat hoc te disponente. Si autem in hac sollicitudine Cancellariae, ne● non minoris officii, cui assignor Regno & populo tuo sum necessarius, non recuso laborem, fiat voluntas tua. Monachi vero, viri constantiam potius, quam rebellionem in hoc verbo pensantes, non ideo minus Romam profecti, electionem sive postulationem factam, petierunt a Papa, ut authoritate sua confirmaret. Dominus itaque Papa, facta, ut dicitur, a Magistro Simone de Langetuna diligenti inquisitione de persona postulati, respondit, illum Curialem esse, & illiteratum, rapidum in verbo, ac festinum: & quod durius est, si ad illam dignitatem promoveretur, moliri volentem, ut * Here p. 293▪ anhelante ad hoc Rege, cum toto Regno juvante, excuteret Angliam de sub jugo Domini Papae et Curiae Romanae, qui eidem tenetur sub tributo, ut soluto vinculo tributi, quo irretivit eam Rex Johannes, solita Deo et Ecclesiae Sanctae serviret libertate. Et ad hoc vellet usque expositionem capitis decertare, innixus juri et appellationibus Stephani Cantuariensis Archiepiscqpi, quas fecit solenniter idem Stephanus ante Altare Sancti Pauli, in Ecclesia Cathedrali Londinensi, cum redderet Coronam Angliae memoratus Rex Johannes in manus Legati, conficiens scriptum toti mundo execrabile. Papa autem his auditis sermonibus, Radulphi postulationem infirmavit, nulla●ue indicta causa pronunciavit ixritum. Sic volo, sic ●u●eo, stet pro ratione voluntas. Monachorum postulatione cassata, concessit Papa, ut Conventus Cantuariensis alium Archiepiscopum, ac ta●em eli●erent, qui sibi esset pastor animarum salubris, et Ecclesiae utilis Anglicanae, et Romanae fidelis ac devotus. Monachi igitur domum reversi, Conventui retulerunt, quomodo fuerant a suo de●ider●● defraudati. This was a very high Usurpation and affront to the King, to reject this Archbishop duly and unanimously elected by the Monks, and approved by him, only because he was faithful to the King and Kingdom, and likely to prove an Enemy to the Pope's usurped Interest; therefore they must elect one faithful and devoted to the Church of Rome, though treacherous to the King and Kingdom. The Monks hereupon petitioned the King to grant them his Licence to proceed to a new Election, according to the Pope's mandate directed to them; in which Papal mandate the King perceiving some clauses prejudicial to the Rights of his Crown, issued out this memorable Prohibition to the Monks of Canterbury, not to do any thing prejudicial to the Rights of his Crown, nor to elect any person Archbishop without his special Licence, nor to send any Monks to Rome, by the Pope's command, to elect an Archbishop there. REX, dilectis sibi in Christo Priori & Conventui Ecclesiae Christi Cantuariensis, Anno 1232. Pat. 16 Hen. 3. m. 7. salutem in Domino. Cum ex parte vestra accessissent ad nos quidam Monachi vestri, petentes a nobis licentiam eligendi, ostendentes etiam nobis mandatum Apostolicum vobis directum de electione vestra infra certum tempus celebranda, Nos praedictum mandatum diligenter inspicientes, quaedam in ipso contenta perspeximus, per quae quibusdam casibus contingentibus, nobis et juri nostro possit praejudicium generari. Hinc est quod vobis mandamus districte inhibentes, quatenus occasione praedicti mandati vobis directi, nihil in praejudicium nostrum vel juris nostri attemptare curetis; et praecipue si contingat vos mittere aliquos de vestris ad Curiam Romanam cum potestate eligendi; quod ibi nullam electionem celebrent licentia prius a nobis non petita: cum hoc manifeste in praejudicium, (sit) tum juris et privilegii nostri, quam possessionis nostrae per consuetudinem hucusque approbatae et optentae. Appellamus etiam ne quid contra praemissa in nostri praejudicium attemptare curetis. Et ad innovandam appellationem nostram coram vobis Magistrum R. de Cantilupo, latorem praesentium procuratorem nostrum constituimus. Teste meipso apud Lamph. Undecimo die Marcii. The Monks in pursuance of this Prohibition, by the King's Licence, elected John Mat. Paris Hist. Angl. p. 359. Mat. Parker Antiqu. Eccles. Brit. p. 159, 160. their Prior Archbishop, Conventus Cantuariensis elegerunt J. Priorem suum in Archiepiscopum & Pastorem animarum suarum. Qui cum esset Regi praesentatus, & ab eo receptus, profectus est Romam, ut electionem ritè factam, impetraret à sede Apostolica confirmari: whom the King by these his Letters Patents approved, desiring the Pope to confirm him, and likewise made new Proctors in the Court of Rome concerning this Election. DOmino Papae salutem. Reversis nuper in Angliam Nunciis Ecclesiae Cantuariensis Pat. 16 Hen. 3. m. 7. a Curia Romana, negotio pro quo sedem Apostolicam adierunt infecto. Prior et Monachi ejusdem Ecclesiae iterato petierunt a nobis licentiam eligendi, optentaque gratanter a nobis licentia, Subprior et Conventus Ecclesiae memoratae, dilectum nobis I. Priorem suum unanimiter in Patrem sibi elegerunt, et Pas●orem. Cumque ipsum nobis praesentassent, electioni de eo factae tanquam de viro provido et honesto, Regium assensum praebuimus et favorem. Idque Sanctitati vestrae duximus significandum, rogantes quatenus favorabiliter, quod vestrum est in hac parte exequi dignemini. In cujus, etc. Teste Rege apud Merleberg. Vicesimo secundo die Martii. REX, omnibus ad quos praesentes Literae pervenerint, salutem. Sciatis nos dilectos Pat. 16 Hen. 3. m. 7. & fideles nostros P. Sarracen. & Petrum Grimbald, constituisse procuratores nostros ad impetrandum & contradicendum in Curia Romana, vel eorum alterum si ambo ad hoc interesse non possint. In cujus, etc. dur. usque ad festum Sancti Michaelis. Anno, etc. xuj. Teste meipso apud Westmonasterium, Vicesimo quinto die Aprilis. The King to promote his affairs the better in the Court of Rome, where they of late miscarried though never so just, granted Annuities to some Cardinals, to obtain that justice from them by such Pensions, which he could not procure without them, whereof take this one precedent, recorded with the two preceding Patents. REX, concessit Reinero titulo Sanctae Mariae in Cosmedin. Diacono Card. xx. Pat. 16 Hen. 3. m. 7. Marc. singulis annis, ad festum Sancti Michaelis, percipiendas ad Scaccarium Regis, donec ei in competenti beneficio Ecclesiastico providerit. Teste Rege apud Westm. xxvij. die Aprilis. But yet all this would not prevail against the Pope's particular design to dispose of the Archbishopric of Canterbury to one of his own creatures, by vacating this second election as well as the first, though unanimously and canonically made by the Monks, and assented to by the King, and the person elected void of any just exceptions the Pope could take against him, against whom he yet thus arbitrarily proceeded. VEnit eodem tempore Romam Prior Johannes, electus Cantuariensis, in hebdomada Mat. Paris, Hist. Angl. p. 361, 362. Mat. Westm. Anno 1232. Mat Parker Antiqu. Eccles. Brit. p. 159, 160. Godwins Catalogue of Bps. p. 66, 67. Pentecostes. Et cum Literas suae electionis Domino Papae exhibuisset, praecepit Magistro Johanni de Columna, & aliis quibusdam Cardinalibus, ut examinarent illum, si dignus esset ad culmen hujusmodi promoveri. Qui cum examinassent per triduum electum illum, in decem & novem, ut dicitur, articulis diligenter; protestati sunt coram Domino Papa, se causam in ipso legitimae recusationis non invenisse. Veruntamen visum est Domino Papae in electo memorato, quod nimis esset senex et simplex, et ad tantam insufficiens dignitatem. Et cum persuassisset ei, ut cederet, electus humiliter factae electioni renunciavit, et licentiam petiit repatriandi. Tunc Papa, (cujus sola voluntas vim legis habuit) concessa licentia, Monachis ipsis praecepit, ut alium talem eligerent, cui onus suum communicare, et curam posset committere pastoralem. Hereupon the Monks proceeded to a third Election, Tertio itaque, J. cognomento Mat. Paris Hist. Angl. p. 364. Mat. Parker Antiqu. Eccles. Brit. p. 160. & Godwin. Blundus, Clericus apud Oxon. in Theologia stu●ens, ac legens, in Archiepiscopum Cantuariensem electus est. Qui à Rege susceptus, cum Monachis quibusdam Cantuariensibus Romam profectus est, ut electionem suam confirmari●a sede Apostolica impetraret. But this third person, though duly elected and approved by the King, sped no better than the other two elected, being cashiered by the Pope, as our Historians thus relate. PEr idem tempus cassatus est Magister Johannes Blundus Cantuariensis electus. Divulgatum Anno 1233. Mat. Paris Hist. Angl. p. 372. Mat. Parker Antiqu. Eccles. Brit. p. 160. quidem erat Romae, quod post electionem suam acceperat ex dono Petri Wintoniensis Episcopi Mille Marcas argenti; praeter alias Mille Marcas, quas eidem Johanni crediderat, ut promoveretur: unde constat manifestè quod magis ei nocuit quam profuit familiaritas Episcopi memorati. Scripsit etiam idem Episcopus Imperatori, ut suas partes interponeret, circa promotionem praedicti Johannis versus Papam: unde Papa perpendens notam Symoniae & ambitionis, dixit in corde ●uo illud Ovidianum: Et stricto supplicat ense potens. Unde cor Domini Papae non erat bene cum eo. Praeterea confessus fuerat Romae idem Johannes, ut dicitur, quod duo habebat beneficia; quibus cura annexa fuit animarum, contra statuta Concilii generalis; qua praesumptione, quia * Money will dispense with, and make any thing lawful at Rome, though prohibited by a General Council. carebat dispensatione, creditur reprobatus; licet allegatum fuerit contra, quod ea possederat ante Concilium. (You see the reason of vacating these Elections in the Pope's ensuing words,) Sed quoniam jam cassatis tribus Ecclesiae Cantuariensis electis, praefata fuit diu Ecclesia a pastore viduata, similis facta Sarae uxori Tobiae, & filiae Raguelis, tot viris viduatae; dedit Monachis, qui cum electo cassato venerant, potestatem eligendi Magistrum Edmundum, Ecclesiae Sarisburiensis Canonicum: (which himself alone had pitched upon, and recommended to them) virum honestae conversationis, & bene literatum, in Pastorem animarum suarum. Cui etiam Pallium transmisit, ne tanta sedes Metropolitana a Pastore diutius frustraretur. Monachi Cantuarienses vero qui Roma fuerant, nec ipsum Edmundum, instante ne Papa quidem, nec alium quemlibet, nisi de consensu Regis et Conventus sui recipere decreverunt. Papa enim tanquam ex taciturnitate Monachorum, qui aperte contradicere non audebant electo, transmisit Pallium, quo ductus in absentem, peregrinum et ignotum motu haud scimus ex historiis, (writes his Successor Matthew Parker) but no doubt some golden or silver spring was the true cause of this extraordinary Papal favour, and collating of him to this Archiepiscopal See, without any further election by the Monks that I can finde; About a year after he was consecrated at Canterbury, (most probably by the King's consent, he being present at his consecration) thus related by our Historians. EOdem anno, (1234. 18. H. 3.) in Ecclesia Christi Canturiae consecratus est Aedmundus ejusdem Ecclesiae electus, a Rogere Londinensi Episcopo, in Archiepiscopum Mat. Paris, p. 383. Mat. Park. p. 160. Cantuariensem, Dominica qua cantatur, Laetare Jerusalem, quae tunc fuit quarto Nonas Aprilis; praesente Rege, cum xiij. Episcopis. Et eodem die Missam cum pallio, quod caute ei de curia Romana Simon de Legro, ejus Ecclesiae monachus, detulerat, solemniter celebravit. This See continued void above 3. years after Richard's death, by reason of this Pope's vacating three successive due elections to it, to make way for Edmund, recommended to it by himself, without the Kings or Monk's consent, who by the Pope's vacating their 3. former elections without any right ground, but his own Papal pleasure, found it bootless to withstand his consecration, after the Pope had nominated him Archbishop and sent him a Pall as an earnest of its fruition, in despite of King or Covent. Now I return to my Chronological method interrupted by these treble elections, to make them more intelligible and entire. Anno 1232. The King in a Parliament at Westminster, demanding an Aid to pay Anno 1232. Mat. Paris p. 372. his debts incurred by his Wars: Praelati Regi respondentes, dixerunt; quod Episcopi multi & Abbates, qui vocati erant, non fuerunt praesentes, & sic petierunt inducias, quousque ad diem certum possent omnes pariter convenire. Praefixus est itaque dies, a quindecim diebus post Pascha: ut omnibus congregatis, tunc fieret quod erat de jure faciendum. They being backwards to supply the King, though overcomplyant to the Pope's exactions. This Popes, his Legates, and Agents usurpations, by exactions, Provisions, disposing Churches to aliens, and other Innovations, at this time became so intolerably oppressive, tyrannical to all sorts of people in England, that by several Letters of complaint dispersed against them, there was stirred up a general commotion and opposition against them throughout England, thus Recorded by Mat. Paris. SUborta est hac tempestate in Anglia maxima rerum perturbatio, immo ut Anno 1231. 1232. Mat Paris Hist. Angl. p. 358, 359. Mat. Westm. p. 134. Mat Parker Antiqu. Eccles. Brit. p. 158. 159. Holinshed, Speed, Grafton. verum fateamur, indiscreta praesumptio, propter Romanorum Insolentiam Clericorum; quae tam nobiles Regni, quam ignobiles, ad temerariam compulit ultionem sicut in subscriptis expressum continetur. Tali Episcopo & tali Capitulo, universitas eorum, qui magis volunt mori, quam a Romans confundi, salutem. Qualiter circa nos, et alias personas Ecclesiasticas Angliae, hactenus se habuerint Romani et eorum Legati, vestram non dubitamus latere discretionem; beneficia regni suis, secundum quod eis placet, conferendo, in vestrum, et omnium aliorum regni intollerabile praejudicium et gravamen. In vos etiam & coepiscopos vestros aliasque personas Ecclesiasticas, ad quos collatio beneficiorum pertinere dinoscitur, quod magis dignum est pro confusione notari, suspensionis sententias fulminando, ne alicui de regno beneficia conferatis, donec quinque Romanis nec dum proprio nomine nominatis, imo, nato Rumfridi, et nato talis et talis, in singulis Ecclesiis vestris per totam diocesin sit provisum, unicuique eorum in redditu centum Librarum. Alia etiam gravamina quam plurima tam laicis et magnatibus regni super advocationibus suis, et eorum eleemosynis, ab eis et antecessoribus suis datis in Pauperum regni sustentationem, quam Clericis et aliis viris religiosis regni, super rebus et beneficiis, inferendo. Nec praemissis contenti, ad ultimum a clericis regni beneficia quae obtinent, ut ea Romanis conferant, non secundum quod decet, sed sicut eis placet, auferre volentes in eis, illam intendunt prophetiam adimplere: Spoliaverunt Aegyptios, ut ditarent Hebreos, multiplicando Gentem suam, non magnificando laetitiam. Sic dolorem dolori nobis et vobis omnibus accumulando, ut melius nobis videatur mori, quam vivere sic oppressi. Vnde licet grave sit nobis contra stimulum calcitrare, tamen quia qui nimis emungit, elicit sanguinem, nos severitatem eorum animadvertentes, qui ab initio tanquam advenae sunt ingressi Romam, nunc autem nos non tantum judicare, sed etiam condemnare intendunt, allegantes onera importabilia, quae nec in se, nec in suos digito movere volunt. De communi consilia magis eligimus, licet tarde, resistere, quam eorum oppressionibus intolerabilibus amplius subjacere, seu majori subjici servituti. Hinc est quod vobis mandamus, districte inhibentes, quatenus cum nos Ecclesiam, Regem similiter et regnum nitamur a tam gravi jugo servitutis eripere, circa eos qui de Romanis vel eorum Redditibus se intromittunt, nullas partes vestras interponere praesumatis, pro certo scituri, quod si hujus mandati, quod absit, extiteritis transgressores, quae vestrae sunt incendio subjacebunt, et poenam, quam Romani incurrent, in personis, vel possessionibus vestris indubitanter incurretis. Valete. ITem religiosis & aliis, qui habent Ecclesias Romanorum ad firmam, universitas Prohibitione redderentur firmae vel redditus Romanis. praedicta salutem. Cum post innumerabiles confusiones et infinita gravamina, quae Romani, ut scitis, Regno Angliae inflixerunt ad praesens; in praejudicium Regis et Magnatum regni, circa advocationes Ecclesiarum suarum, et eorum Eleemosynas qui Clericos regni spoliare nituntur beneficiis suis, ut ea Romanis conferant, in majorem regni, et nostri confusionem, de communi consilio magnatum elegimus, licet tarde, resistere, quam eorum oppressionibus intolerabilibus de caetero subjacere, et eos per subtractionem beneficiorum suorum per totum regnum, quod aliis intendebant inferre, sic arctare, ut a regni molestatione desistant. Hinc est quod vobis mandamus, districte injungentes, quatenus de firmis Ecclesiarum, sive de redditibus camerarum quas de Romanis habetis, vel debetis eis, de caetero non respondeatis. Sed dictas firmas et redditus habeatis paratos incrastino Dominicae, qua cantatur, Laetare Jerusalem, procuratori nostro literatorio a nobis ad hoc dato: Abbates scilicet et Priores, in eorum Monasteriis: a lii vero Praesbyteri, et Clerici, vel laici, ad proprias Ecclesias tradituri. Pro certo scientes, quod si hoc non feceritis, quae vestra sunt incendio subjacebunt, et nihilominus periculum, quod Romanis imminet in personis imminebit valete. His ita gestis, praedicta universitas misit per milites & Ministros literas has, novo quodam sigillo signatas, quo sculpti erant duo gladii, & inter gladios scriptum erat, * The Pope is here beaten with his own sword, see p. 63. 64, 65. Ecce gladii duo hic; in modum citationum ad Ecclesias regni cathedrales: ut si quos invenirent contradictores, juxta quod provisum fuerat punirent eos. PER id tempus, 16. Cal. Januarii habitum est apud sanctum Albanum ingens Consistorium Abbatum, Priorum, Archidiaconorum, cum fere tota Nobilitate regni Magistrorum & Clericorum: qui omnes ad hoc convenerunt per Mandatum Domini Papae, ut celebrarent divortium inter Comitissam Essexiae, & virum suum; si ratio id dictaret. In crastino autem, Consistorio soluto, cum singuli redirent ad propria, Clericus quidam Romanus, nomine Cincius, qui Ecclesiae sancti Pauli Londinensis erat Canonicus, per praedictam universitatem, (ut creditur) non longe a villa sancti Albani captus est, & abductus a viris armatis, & capitibus velatis. Sed Magister Johannes Florentius Norwicensis Archidiaconus, qui huic consistorio affuit, ab hac captione evasit; & ad urbem Londoniensem fugiens, delituit ibidem multis diebus. Cincius vero post quinque septimanas, crumenis (ut dicitur) evacuatis, ad urbem Londinensem sanus & incolumis est reductus. ANno Domini 1232. Rex Anglorum Henricus fuit ad Natale apud Wintoniam Cui Petrus ejusdem urbis Antistes necessaria omnia procuravit; & festiva tam Anno 1292. Mat. Paris, p. 359. Matth. Westm. p. 130. Regi, quam suis exhibuit indumenta, cum donativis. In illis autem diebus natalitiis distracta sunt horrea de Wingham cujusdam Romani ditissima, per praedictam universitatem, ut creditur, a paucis armatis servientibus & capitibus velatis. Procurator vero illius Ecclesiae & custos, cum talem violentiam inspexisset, venit ad Vicecomitem regionis; & de violata pace Regis, & injuria Domino suo illata ei patenter ostendit. Ac Vicecomes mittens ad locum ministros suos cum militibus quibusdam vicinis, jussit inquiri, quidnam hoc esset. Venientes quoque ad horrea Milites memorati, invenerunt homines illos armatos & sibi penitus ignotos, qui jam ex maxima parte horrea evacuaverant, & bladum bonis conditionibus & ad commodum totius provinciae vendiderant; sed & Pauperibus charitative petentibus ex animo conferebant. Milites vero qui advenerant, cum interrogassent eos; unde essent, qui pacem Regis offendere, & talia facere praesumebant? illi continuo milites seorsum vocantes, ostendebant Literas Regis patentes adulterinas & sophisticas, prohibentes ne quis eos praesumeret impedire. At milites hoc audientes, tam ipsi quam alii, qui advenerant, pacifice recesserunt. Sicque infra dies quindecim distractis omnibus, armati illi de loco recesserunt, loculis plene refertis. Tandem cum haec violentia ad notitiam Rogeri Londonensis Episcopi pervenisset, convocatis Decem Episcopis in Crastino beatae Scholasticae Londoniis in Ecclesia beati Pauli, omnes hujus violentiae authores Anathematis sententia percussit; involventes etiam illos, qui in Cincium, Londinensis Ecclesiae Canonicum, manus injecerant violentas, cum universitate praedicta, & illis omnibus qui fecerunt sigillum & literas suprascriptas. So much did these Bishops comply with the Pope out of fear and flattery, to enslave themselves, our Church and Realm, to the Tyranny and Rapines of these Romish Harpies, whom the people still persecuted and spoiled notwithstanding this excommunication. For EOdem Anno distracta sunt horrea Romanorum per totam fere Angliam a viris quibusdam armatis, et adhuc ignotis, bonis conditionibus, Mat. Paris Hist. Angl. p. 362. See Holinshed, Grafton, Speed, Daniel. in H. 3. et ad commodum multorum. Et opus, licet temerarium, in solennitate Paschali inchoantes, sine contradictione et libere, quod inceperant compleverunt. Largas eleemosynas advenientibus distribuebant egenis, et quandoque nummos inter pauperes seminantes, eos colligere hortabantur. Delituerunt clerici Romani in Abbatiis, de injuriis sibi illatis murmurare non audentes: quia elegerunt potius res suas amittere, quam puniri sententia capitali. Erant autem hujus temeritatis auctores viri quasi quater viginti, & quandoque minus, qui magistrum habentes Willielmum quendam cognomento Witham (sive Robertum de Thinge, militem & virum generosum, sed sic palliatum) ejus omnia obtemperabant praeceptis. Sed cum post modicum tempus haec quae facta fuerant, ad summi Pontificis notitiam pervenerunt, indignatus est valde; & misit literas ad Regem Anglorum mordaces nimis, & increpatorias, quod tales in regno suo fieri permisit rapinas viris Ecclesiasticis: non habens respectum ad sacramenta quae juraverat tempore Coronationis suae, non solum de pace Ecclesiae manutenenda, verum etiam de recta justitia tam clericis quam laicis conservanda. Mandavit igitur in eisdem literis Regi, sub poena excommunicationis et Interdicti firmiter praecipiens; quatenus diligenti facta inquisitione, si quos hujus violentiae inveniret auctores, tam graviter puniret obnoxios, ut ex poena illorum caeteris metum incuteret et terrorem. Dedit etiam Petro Wintoniensi Episcopo, & Abbati Sancti Edmundi, per literas in mandatis, ut in Australi parte Angliae, facta inquisitione diligenti, quoscunque hujus rei invenirent culpabiles, tam diu denunciarent eos excommunicatos, quousque Romam venirent a sede Apostolica absolvendi. Similiter in parte regni Aquilonari, Archiepiscopo Eboracensi, Episcopo Dunelmensi, & Johanni natione Romano & Eboracensi Canonico, idem Papa eadem inquisitione commissa, praecepit, ut illius violentiae transgressores Romam mitterent absolvendos, appellatione non obstante. (Such an imperial mandatory power over the King, Bishops and subjects, thus to cite them to Rome, did he then usurp.) FActa igitur inquisitione de violentia memorata, tam a Rege quam ab Episcopis & executoribus predictis, & sacramento mediante cum examinationibus & ●testibus productis, inventi sunt multi transgressores, quidam de facto, quidam de consensu: quorum nonnulli Episcopi erant & Clerici Regis, cum quibusdam Archidiaconis, ac Decanis, militibus etiam & laicis multis. Quidam vero Vicecomites, & eorum praepositi & Ministri, pro eodem excessu Rege jubente, capti sunt, et incarcerati, et alii praetimore sibi per fugam consulentes a quaerentibus non sunt inventi. Principalis autem Domini Regis fustitiarius Hubertus de Burgo, ex hoc arguitur fuisse transgressor, quod praedonibus illis tam literas Regis patentes, quam proprias exhibuerat, ne quis eos de praefata violentia praepediret. Venit praeterea ad Regem inter caeteros, Robertus de Thinge, juvenis elegans, & miles strenuus, ex partibus Angliae Aquilonaribus originem praeclaram ducens: Qui aliis consentientibus, fruges Romanorum vendiderat, & Willielmum Wither se nominari fecerat, quinque servientes armatos, & hujus violentiae auctores circumduxerat: protestans manifeste, quod in odium Romanorum, & causa justae ultionis transgressus fuerat, qui per sententiam Romani Pontificis, et fraude manifeste nitebantur eum ab unica, quam habuit Ecclesia, spoliare. Addidit etiam, quod maluit ad tempus injuste excommunicari, quam suo beneficio sine judicio spoliari. Tunc Rex & executores praefati, militi dederunt consilium, ut quia in canonem latae sententiae inciderat, Romam absolvendus properaret: & jus suum coram domino Papa protestaretur, & quod Ecclesiam juste pariter & canonice possidebat. Dedit etiam ei Rex literas ad Papam testimoniales, de jure suo deprecans obnixe, ut militem illius intuitu exaudiret. EOdem anno, Rogerus Londinensis Episcopus, accusatus inter alios de consensu super districtione Mat. Westm. p. 134. Mat. Paris, Hist. Angl. p. 370. frugum Romanorum, saltem de consensu, profectus est ad sedem Apostolicam, ut suam ibi purgaret innocentiam. Qui post multos labores, & spoliationem obiter, & emunctionem loculorum in curia, demum vexatus inaniter remeavit. Nec multo post aegre sustinens usurarios Christianos, quos Caursinos appellamus, in civitate sua habitare, & foenora sua variato nomine palliantes exercere, conabatur eos a Diocaesi sua propulsare; sed ipsi recalcitrantes Romanae curiae fulti patrocinio, ipsi, post multos quibus exagitaverant, labores, silentium imposuerunt. Such was the Tyranny, Usury of the Pope and his Instruments, and so ineffectual the power either of the King or Bishops to withstand or redress their intolerable usurpations and exactions. You heard before out of Matthew Paris, that the King upon the Pope's peremptory mandate to him, issued forth Writs to inquire after and punish those who seized on the goods, and threshed out the corn of the Romans; I shall present you with two of them out of our Records. MAndatum est Vicecomiti Hereford, quod sicut seipsum diligit, & in fide qua Claus. 16 H. 3. m. 11. dors. Regi tenetur, diligenter inquirat per sacramentum Proborum & legalium hominum de Comitatu suo, qui homines se fecerunt de familia Wither. vel cujuslibet alterius, & itinerantes fuerunt per eundem Com. ad triturandum & vendendum blada, & alia bona clericorum Romanorum, & aliorum distrahenda & asportanda; & qui homines de Com. tuo dicta blada manibus suis trituraverunt, & eadem blada & alia bona vendiderunt & distraxerunt. Omnes autem eos de Balliva sua quos inquirere poterit, ibidem sic itineratos fuisse, capiat, & in prisona Regis salvo custodiat, donec a Rege aliud habuerit mandatum; & eos qui dicta blada trituraverunt, & eadem bona & alia bona vendiderunt & distraxerunt, ponat per vadium, & salvos plegios, quod sint coram Rege quando praeceperit, inde responsuri, & Inquisitionem inde factam sub sigillo suo, & sigillis eorum per quos facta fuerit, Regi mittat; & hoc breve. Teste Rege apud Westmonasterium octavo die Maii. Eodem modo scribitur omnibus Vicecomitibus Angliae. What execution was done upon these Writs especially against Hubert de Burgo, his Lands in several Counties, this Record will evidence. MAndatum est Vicecomiti Essex, quod de Manerio de Hadfeld Peverel, quod Anno 1233. Claus. 17 H. 3. m. 13. intus. est in mann H. de Burg. sine dilatione plenam seisinam habere faciat Roberto Passelewe, ad respondendum de exitibus ejusdem manerii Clericis Romanis, Italicis & aliis, de dampnis eis per ipsum H. illatis, donec super praedictis dampnis eis fuerit satisfactum. Teste Rege apud Westmonasterium septimo die Februarii. Per ipsum Regem. Eodem modo scribitur Vicecomitibus Norff. & Suff. de Maneriis, de Burg, Sutherton, Beston, Leminton, Rugham, Warnegay, Stowe, Rouberton, & Fineberg. Bedf. & Buck. de maneriis, de Aspel. & Henlawe, cum pertinentiis Northa pton. de terris in Ringsted, Chelveston, Caldecot, & Stanwic. Glouc. de terris in Elmore. & in Menstreworth. Eborum, de terris in Herthull, Dorset, de terra in Winfrod. Sussex, de terris in Flestyng, & Porteslad. Surr. de terra de Stienes, Warw. de terra in Wuleward. Kanc. de terris in Tunshal, Newton, Acholt, Ruseland, & Kingesdon. Noting. de terra in Wetel. Matthew Paris informs us, that this Hubert de Burgo, Anno 1232. being chief Justice of England, the King's principal faithful Counsellor, the greatest opposor of the Pope's usurpations and extortions, was by the power of the Pope and of Peter Bishop of Winchester, suddenly removed from all his Offices, and impeached of several crimes; some of them amounting to High-Treason, amongst other particulars, most insisted on. REX instanter exegit ab eo ratiocinium de Episcopatibus, & custodiis sine Warranto; Anno 1232. Mat. Paris Hist. Angl p. 376, 377, 378, 379. Mat. Westm. quae pertinent ad Dominum Regem. Item, de injuriis et damnis illatis, et clericis Romanis et Italicis, et nunciis domini Papae; contra voluntatem domini Regis, per auctoritatem ipsius Huberu tunc Justiciarij, qui nullum consilium voluit apponere, ut illa corrigerentur; quod facere tenebatur ratione officij sui, ad Justitiarium pertinentis. Hereupon Hubert, to prevent the rage and danger of his enemies upon those accusations fled to the Church of Merton, and there took sanctuary, whence the King commanded the Major of London by his Letters (the Londoners being his mortal enemies) to pull him forcibly, and bring him to him alive or dead; which the Major and Citizens readily undertaking and marching thither with a great force; the King, by the advice of the Earl of Chester (fearing the ill consequence of such a tumult) suddenly countermanded them thence, to their great discontent. After which Hubert to avoid apprehension taking sanctuary in a Chapel in Essex, Godfrey of Cranecumbe, (whom the King sent to apprehend him with 300. armed men, under pain of death) finding the Chapel doors shut, violently broke them open, apprehended Hubert and carried him thence bound with cords, a prisoner to the Tower of London. Whereupon the Bishop of London, under a pretext of violation of sanctuary, made this bold Encroachment upon the King and his Crown. MAne vero facto, cum Rogerius Londinensis Antistes cognovisset, quo ordine Hubertus extractus fuisset de Capella, venit celer ad Regem, increpans eum audacter, quod pacem Sanctae Ecclesiae violaverat, dixitque, quod nisi ipsum cum festinatione a vinculis liberatum remitteret ad Capellam, a qua erat violenter ejectus & extractus; ipse omnes hujus violentiae auctores excommunicationis sententia innodaret. So insolent were the Bishops then grown by the Pope's example. Whereupon Rex autem, licet invitus, reatum suum intelligens, remisit Hubertum ad capellam, ubi captus fuerat, a militibus armatis, restituitur ab eisdem, Quinto Calend Octobris. Quo facto, Rex dedit vicecomitibus Herefordiae & Essexiae in mandatis, sub poena suspendii, quatenus in propriis personis, & cum omnibus hominibus duorum Comitatuum, capellam obsidione vallarent, & ne Hubertus evaderet, vel a quoquam cibum acciperet, explorarent. At Vicecomites praefati, sicut eis praeceptum fuerat ad locum venientes, Capellam cum domo Episcopi, quae prope erat obsidentes, cinxerunt Capellam & locum per gyrum fossato lato satis & alto, decernentes ibi Quadragimta dierum excubias observare. Et Hubertus haec omnia aequanimiter ferens, puram habens conscientiam, ut dicebat, causam suam Deo secretorum conscio commendabat, rogans jugiter divinam clementiam, quatenus illum ab instanti periculo liberaret: sicut ipse super omnia honorem Regis semper dilexerat, eatenus & salutem. Et in praedicta Capella die ac nocte precibus incumbebat indefessus. Sed Rex, ipsius meritis male respondens; cui tanto servierat studio, quod Regi soli sibi placere sufficiebat, nunc in tali statu constitutus est, quod Rex omnibus generaliter prohibuit, ne quis pro eo rogaret, vel de Huberto in ejus praesentia faceret mentionem. After this (Anno 1233.) the Bishop of Winchester conspiring Hubert's death, he Anno 1233. Mat. Paris Hist, Angl. p. 388. Holinshed, Speed. procured a Soldier to carry him out of the Castle, where he was kept close Prisoner in Chains, into the Church adjoining; the rest of the Garrison Soldiers thereupon running tumultuously to the Church, Invenerunt eum ante Altare Crucem Dominicam manibus bajulantem. Quem atrociter arripientes, & fustibus pariter ac pugnis impie caedentes & pellentes, cum duobus liberatoribus suis illum ad Castellum raptim reducunt; & graviori quam prius custodiae committunt. Sed res gesta cum ad aures Roberti Saruburiensis Episcopi pervenisset, (He in imitation of the Bishop of London's precedent) venit celeriter ad Castellum, praecipiens ipsis Ecclesiae violatoribus, ut Hubertum ad pacem Ecclesiae quantocius reductum, in illo statu quo illum invenerant, dimitterent absolutum. Sed Castellani tumultuose satis Episcopo respondentes, dixerunt, se malle quod Hubertus suspenderetur, quam ipsi. Et cum illum reducere noluissent, Episcopus de commissa sibi potestate, omnes nominatim excommunicavit qui eum detinebant, et qui in eum manus in●icerant violentas. Tunc Episcopus ille, conjuncto sibi Rogero Londinensi Episcopo, & quibusdam aliis Episcopis, venit ad Regem, super injuria Huberto illata coram eo querelam deponens; nec prius ab eo recessit, quam Huberti liberationem impetravit: & sic in Ecclesia concedente, sed invito Rege, remissus est decimo quinto Calend. Novembris. Sed Rexiratus, Vicecomiti provinciae illius dedit per Literas in mandatis, ut Ecclesiam obsideret, donec Hubertus in ea ex ciborum inedia moreretur. Such was the insolency and usurpation of these Prelates upon the Crown, as thus to rescue a Prisoner impeached of High Treason, even against the Kings will, and to excommunicate all his Officers, who apprehended him by the King's command; when as * 26 H. 8. c. 13. 27 H. 8. c. 19 28 H. 8. c, 7. 31 H. 8. c. 10. 33 H. 8. c. 15. Keilway, fol. 188, to 192. Stamford, lib. 2 cap. 38. Hall's Chronicle, fol. 9, 87. 21 E. 3. fol. 17. 1 H. 7. f. 10, 23. and Brooke, Sanctuary. Sanctuary extended not to every Church or Chappel, nor yet to Cases of Treason, and was a most gross abuse and usurpation upon the Crown. The like insolency and encroachment the Bishop of London used, in the case of the Bishop of Carliste. PEr idem tempus, Walterus Carleolensis Episcopus, quibusdam injuriis a Rege sibi, Mat. Paris, Hist. Angl. p. 374. ut dicebat, illatis, apud Doveram navem erat ingressus, ut transfretarer. Supervenerunt autem quidam ministri Regis, ejicientes eum cum suis omnibus de navi: & firmiter ex parte ipsius Regis prohibebant, * Here p. 366. Magna Chatta c, 30. ne absque illius licentia de Regno exiret. Applicuit autem tempore quo haec facta erant ibidem, Rogerus Londinensis Episcopus, a Curia Romana reversus: qui videns injuriam, quae praefato inferebatur Episcopo, (though Dover was out of his Diocese and Jurisdiction) excommunicavit omnes qui in eum manus injecerant violentas. Et inde profectus ad Regem, invenit eum apud urbem Herefordensem in Wallia cum exercitu copioso. Ubi in praesentia Regis, & quorundam Episcoporu●●, de violentia Carleolensi Episcopo illata, supradictam excommunicationis sententiam innovavit: (though quite out of his Diocese) non mediocriter Rege murmurante, et ne talem ferret sententiam prohibente: (an intolerable insolent presumption and Usurpation on his Royal Prerogative.) Cum quo etiam omnes qui affuerunt Episcopi, illos excommunicaverunt universos, qui huius perturbationis occasionem praestabant. Every Bishop being then grown a second Pope, and sending abroad their Thunderbolts of Excommunication against the King's Officers, for obeying his Regal commands, as prejudicial to their pretended privileges. The Pope this year to enlarge his Jurisdiction over all Monasteries throughout Anno 1232. England, and other parts of the world, to gain moneys by Appeals to Rome, and make them more submissive to his Exactions, appointed special Visitors over them in all places by his Bulls, expressing in general terms, the viciousness and enormities of Monks and Monasteries in that age, which he held himself obliged both in duty and conscience to redress, though not to reform his own or Agents rapines and excesses. HOc quoque Anno, Papa Gregorius constituit visitatores super viros religiosos Mat. Paris Hist. Angl. p. 368, 369, 370. per orbem generaliter universum Christi nomine insignitum, sub hac forma. Gregorius Episcopus, Venerabilibus fratribus Suffraganeis Ecclesiae Cantuariensis, salutem & Apostolicam benedictionem. Egressus a facie Dei Satan, ad fortia manum mittens, de sua calliditate confisus, vitiorum laqueis ir retire molitur electos, in sortem dominicam evocatos: majores ibi parans ille tortuosus insidiator insidias, ubi graviores conspexerit corruptelas. Sane cum frequenter ad nostram audientiam pervenisset, quod Monasteria Cantuariensis provinciae in * Note this. spiritualibus enormiter & temporalibus, per maliciam & incuriam in eis habitantium, sunt collapsa, nos culpas eorum nolentes ulterius sub dissimulatione transire, ne si eas dimiserimus incorrectas, ipsas nostras efficere videamur, Monasteriis illis, quae ad Romanam Ecclesiam nullo noscuntur medio pertinere, in eadem provincia constitutis, Visitatores, Reformatores, & Correctores, tam in capite quam in membris deputavimus speciales. Plenaria sibi potestate concessa, ut visitantes eadem Monasteria vice nostra corrigant, & reforment, quae in ipsis correctionis & reformationis officio noverint indigere, constitutionibus vel correctionibus aliis in provinciali capitulo ritè factis, in suo robore nihilominus duraturis. Licet autem nobis in plenitudinem potestatis assumptis, cura cunctorum immineat generalis, quia etiam vos, qui vocati estis in partem sollicitudinis, super grege vobis commisso specialiter decet esse sollicitos & attentos, ne ovis morbida pereat, universitatem vestram monemus & hortamur, in virtute obedientiae districte vobis praecipiendo mandantes, quatenus singuli vestrum, tam in Civitatibus quam in Dioce sibus vestris, per vos-ipsos, aut per viros religiosos, qui experimento rerum in hujusmodi visitationibus sunt instructi, loca Monachorum, & Canonicorum regularium, necnon saecularium Clericorum, vobis subjecta, visitare curetis, tam Authoritate nostra quam vestra, generaliter universa reformantes & corrigentes, in capite & in membris, omni gratia & timore postpositis, in eisdem quae reformanda noveritis & etiam corrigenda. Salvis his, quae circa religiosos in provinciali capitulo provide sunt statuta, juxta constitutionem Concilii generalis, contradictores per censuram Ecclesiasticam, appellatione postposita, compescendo: Praeceptum nostrum taliter impleturi, quod ultionum Deus, in illo tremendo judicio, qui unicuique juxta opera sua reddit, de manibus non requirat sanguinem eorundem, & nos, ad limam correctionis Apostolicae apponere non cogamur. Data Spoleti, quinto Idus Junii, Papatus nostri anno sexto. Aliis autem Ecclesiis & viris religiosis, qui immediate ad Romanam spectabant Ecclesiam, non Episcopos, sed Abbates, ordinis Cisterciensis maxime, & Praemonstratensis, visitatores dedit; viros scilicet indiscretos, & nimis asperos; qui in hac visitatione ita insolenter & immisericorditer processerunt, quod pluribus Monasteriis rationis metas excedentes, compulerunt multos ad remedium appellationis confugere. Qui Romam profecti, post multas pecuniae effusiones, & labores, visitatores alios impetrarunt. Et ut tandem breviter dicatur, ista visitatio per orbem universum, ad ordinis potius deformationem, quam reformationem processit; dum omnes, qui in diversis orbis partibus unicam Beati Benedicti secuti fuerant regulam, per novas constitutiones ita inveniantur * Where then was the Unity, which Romanists make a Note of their Church, as the only true one? ubique discordes, quod ex omnibus coenobiis, vel aliis virorum religiosorum Ecclesiis, vix duo habeantur in norma vivendi concordes: Verum Abbas quidam Montis belli, dum in hac visitatione procedere formidaret, consuluit Dominum Papam super dubiis quibusdam articulis: a quo, in forma procedendi, talem meruit habere responsionem. Ea quae pro religionis honestate, & religiosorum salute provide ordinantur, Apostolico sunt munimine roboranda, ut suscipiantur devotius, & diligentius observentur. Cum ergo per dilectum filium Abbatem Montis belli, quaedam capitula nobis fuerint praesentata, quae ad castigandum transgressiones multiplices & excessus, quos in quibusdam coenobiis invenerant, videbantur pro salute ac honestate nostra laudabiliter statuenda. Nos examinari & corrigi fecimus, & praecipimus, ut inviolabiliter observetis, quae sigillis venerabilium fratrum nostrorum Hostiensis & Tusculanensis muniri fecimus ad cautelam. Et adhuc volumus, & praecipimus Authoritate Apostolica, ut visitatores ad generale capitulum, convocent Abbates & Priores non habentes, Abbates proprios, tam exemptos, quam non exemptos, qui non consueverunt capitulum celebrare, praesidentes in ipso capitulo generali, Canonico impedimento ablato. Eos igitur qui contempserint, vel neglexerint convenire, cessante cujuslibet appellationis obstaculo, per censuram Ecclesiasticam venire compellant, & usque ad satisfactionem condignam, quam in eos tulerint rite, non relaxent. Eadem censura facturi, quae in eodem capitulo deliberatione provida fuerint ordinata, firmiter observari, reddituri tam ipsi, quam visitatores, & alii quilibet, ministerii Domino, in cujus conspectu nuda sunt omnia & aperta, in extremo examine, rationem. Sed & omnem sollicitudinem & diligentiam, circa correctionem & reformationem ordinis ad visitationem coenobiorum studeant adhibere. Porro cum visitatores, secundum statuta generalis Concilii, in generali Abbatum capitulo processerint ad visitationis officium exequendum, de statu Monasteriorum & observandis regularibus observantiis, diligenter inquirant, & tam in spiritualibus, quam in temporalibus, corrigant & reforment quae viderint corrigenda: ita quod Monachos delinquentes, per Abbates loci corrigi faciant, eisque injungi poenitentiam salutarem, juxta Beati Benedicti regulam, & Apostolica instituta, & non secundum normam pravae consuetudinis, quae jam pro lege quibusdam Ecclesiis inolevit. Ipsi autem visitatores, Monachos quos contumaces invenerint & rebelles, juxta modum culpae, vice nostra, regulari censura compellant absque personarum delectu, non parcendo rebellibus ob suam pertinaciam, vel potentiam amicorum: quin ovem morbidam ejiciant ab ovili, ne inficiat oves sanas. Si vero Abbates in corrigendis, juxta visitatorum mandatum & regularia instituta, seipsis, suisve Monachis, inventi fuerint negligentes, proclamentur, corripiantur, & ita puniantur publice in capitulo generali, quod poena eorum sit aliis in exemplum. Prout si Abbas aliquis non exemptus, fuerit a visitatoribus nimis negligens & remissus inventus, id loci Diocesano denuncient sine mora, & per illum detur ei fidus & prudens coad jutor, usque ad capitulum generale. Quod si dilapidator inventus fuerit, aut alias merito amovendus, per Diocesanum, postquam sibi a visitatoribus fuerit denunciatum, amoveatur absque judiciorum strepitu a regimine Abbatiae & a Monasterio: provideatur interim administrator idoneus, qui temporalium curam gerat, donec ipsi Monasterio fuerit de Abbate provisum. Quod si forsan Episcopus hoc implere noluerit, vel neglexerit: visitatores, vel praesidentes in capitulo generali, defectum Episcopi ad sedem Apostolicam non differant intimare. Haec eadem circa exemptos Abbates fieri praecipimus, depositione tantum ipsorum sedi Apostolicae reservata. Ita tamen, ut Abbate, qui videbitur amovendus, interim per visitatores vel in capitulo praesidentes, ab administratione suspenso; administrator idoneus Monasterio deputetur. Illorum autem excessus, & alia quae visa fuerint intimanda capitulis, praesidentes nobis denuncient per fideles nuntios & prudentes; quibus de communi Abbatum contributione, juxta cujuslibet facultatem, sufficientes ministrentur expensae. Sequentes autem visitatores, Priorum perquirant vestigia diligenter visitatorum; & eorum negligentias & excessus referant sequenti capitulo generali, ut juxta culpam, debitam poenam portent. Et haec de visitatione sunt manifestata. Item, scripsit Dominus Papa super eadem visitatione facienda in Ecclesiis exemptis, in Provincia Cantuariensi sitis, in haec verba. Gregorius Episcopus, servus servorum Dei, dilectis filiis de Boxle, Cisterciensis, & de Bekeham, Praemonstratensis ordinis, Abbatibus Roffensis & Cicestrensis Diocaesum, & Praecentori Ecclesiae Christi Cantuariensis, salutem & Apostolicam benedictionem. Ille callidus supplantator, calumniator iniquus, qui non miratur quod flumen absorbet, nisi & ut Jordanis influat in os ejus, escas concupiscens electas, illis jacit pedicas in jacturam, qui stare probabiliter videbantur: * Let Popish Votaries note this. eosque variis incursibus non desinit attemptare, qui, ut ejus effugerent laqueos, se in claustralibus Castris receptarunt. Quare nos, & istius obviare malitiae, & horum, prout interest nostra, saluti consulere cupientes, libenter remedia quae possumus, procuramus, ut praeda de illius faucibus auferatur. Intelligimus siquidem, quod nonnulla Monasteria exempta Cantuariensis Diocesis, in spiritualibus deformata, & in temporalibus sint graviter diminuta: Dum * Note this their depravation. Monachi & Moniales eorum, Diabolica suggestione seducti, immemores pacti Domini Dei sui, quo non solum sua, sed seipsos professione ordinis abnegarunt; nec Ananiae & Saphirae mortis sententiam formidantes, non sine furti nota & noxa, Monasteriorum bona impropriè sibi appropriant & retentant, * Did not this Pope himself do thus? venantur non vinialiter lucra pecuniaria mercimoniis & usuris, sed & disciplina Monastica ordinis profligati personae patent contemptui, & religio blasphematur. Ne igitur talium culpas nostras efficere videamur, dum eas reliquerim●s incorrectas, visitationem, correctionem, & reformationem Monasteriorum ipsorum, tam in capite quam in membris, vobis, de quorum fide ac discretione indubitatam fiduciam obtinemus, super his & aliis committimus confidenter; concessa vobis super praedictis, appellatione remota, plenaria potestate, ac statutis in principali capitulo rite factis, in suo robore nihilominus duraturis. Quocirca discretionem vestram rogamus, & exhortamur attente, per Apostolica vobis scripta, in virtute obedientiae districte praecipiendo mandantes, quatenus praemissa juxta spem nostram talifer exequi studeatis, quod Deo gratum, & nobis posset esse acceptum. Contradictores, si qui fuerint, per censuram Ecclesiasticam, appellatione postposita, compescatis: alioquin in extremo examine de manibus vestris requirat eorum sanguinem Dominus ultionum. Quod si non omnes his exequendis poteritis interesse, duo vestrum nihilominus ea exequantur. Data, etc. Mandati igitur hujus executores vehementius, & secus quam deceret, se primo in Abbatiam Sancti Augustini Cantuariensis ingerentes, seque supra se incomposite efferentes, praecipue Abbas de Boxle, adeo Monachos perterruerunt, quod ad remedium appellationis coram praesentia Domini Papae necessario confugerunt: & Romam profecti, consumpto labore & effusa pecunia, alios visitatores impetrarunt. Similiter & illi de Westmonasterio, & illi de Sancto Edmundo, quorum Abbas piae memoriae Richardus, cognomento de Insula, genere clarus, sed moribus clarior, dum ut parceret expensis, in partibus commorans transmarinis, viam ingressus est carnis universae. Abbas vero Sancti Albani & Conventus, privilegiorum eminentiis, quibus insignita est Ecclesia Beati Albani Anglorum proto-Martyris, innitentes; inducias semel & iterum petierunt. So as all this Visitation and intended Reformation ended in Appeals to Rome, to fill the Popes and his Officers purses. King Henry not only to demonstrate his Charity, but Piety and Supremacy in causes Ecclesiastical, erected a special Church, House, and form of Government for the Jews, converted to the Christian Religion. CIrca idem tempus, Rex Angliae Henricus, quandam decentem Ecclesiam & Congregationem Anno 1233. Mat. Paris, Hist. Angl. p. 379. Conventuali sufficientem, cum quibusdam aedificiis adjacentibus, propriis sumptibus fabricavit; in loco ubi domum Conversorum, pro redemptione animae suae & Regis Johannis Patris sui, & omnium antecessorum suorum, constituit; anno Regni sui decimo septimo, videlicet Londoniis, haud procul a veteri Templo. Ad quam domum confugientes Judaei conversi, relicta Judaismi caecitate, sub quadam honesta vivendi regula, certum haberent in tota vita sua domicilium, tutum refugium, et sufficiens vitae sustentamentum, sine servili labore et foenoris emolumento. Unde factum est, quod in brevi Congregatus est ibidem Conversorum numerus copiosus, & ibidem baptizati & Christianorum lege instructi, vivunt laudabiliter, perito rectore ad hoc specialiter deputato gubernati. Similiter Spiritu-Sancto tactus, & pietatis intuitu compunctus Rex Angliae Henricus, quoddam nobile Hospitale Oxoniis constituit, non procul a ponte; ut ibidem infirmi & peregrini suae remedium reciperent sanitatis & necessitatis. As the King erected this House and Church for the converted Jews, so by his Royal Prerogative, upon a complaint the very next year, he resolved, that the Wife of a converted Jew, who refused to turn Christian with her Husband in his life time, should have no Dower of his House or Lands after his death, as this memorable Record informs us. OStensum est Regi ex parte Isaac de Cantuar. Judaei, quod cum emerit de Abbate Anno 1234. Pat. 18 Hen. 3. m. 27. dorso. See Cooks 1 Instit. f. 31, 32. Sancti Augustini Cantuar. quandam domum in Cantuaria quae fuit Augustini, conversi, & quam idem Augustinus postquam se converterat, dederat praedictae domui Sancti Augustini, Chera Judaea, quae fuit uxor praedicti Augustini, petit versus praedictum Isaac dotem suam, de domo praedicta: Quia vero contra Justitiam est, quod ipsa Chera dotem petat vel habeat de tenemento, quod fuit ipsius viri sui, ex quo in conversione sua noluit ei adhaerere et cum eo converti, Mandatum est Justic. ad custodiam, etc. quod si ita est, de caetero placitum inde non teneant. Teste Rege apud Cantuar. Quinto die Aprilis. This year the King received Letters from the Pope concerning Hugh de Burgo, Anno 1233. the great opposer of his Usurpations, (then in disgrace) as this Record informs us. REX, Margaritae Uxori H. de Burgo, salutem. Mittimus ad vos Robertum de Claus. 17 H. 3 m. 13. dorso. Briwes, Vicecomitem Norff. & Suff. ad loquendum vobiscum super quibusdam Literis impetratis in Curia Romana, pro praedicto Domino vestro & vobis, cui fidem habeatis, in hiis quae vobis dicet, ex parte nostra, de negotio praedicto. Teste Rege apud Westmonasterium, septimo die Februarii. The Bishop's meeting together at Gloucester Anno 1234. the King being jealous Anno 1234. that they intended to consult of some things prejudicial to his Crown, State, and Dignity, (as they had frequently practised in former times) sent this memorable Writ of Prohibition to them, not to treat of any thing of this nature, under pain of seizing their Baronies. MAndatum est omnibus Episcopis qui Conventuri sunt apud Glouc. die Sabbathi Pat. 18 Hen. 3. m. 17. in crastino Sanctae Katharinae, firmiter inhibendo, quod sicut Baronias suas quas de Rege tenent, diligunt, nullo modo praesumant tenere de aliquibus quae ad Coronam Regis pertinent, vel quae personam Regis, vel statum suum, vel statum consilii sui contingunt. Scituri pro certo quod si fecerint, Rex inde se capiet ad Baronias suas. Teste Rege apud Hereford. Vicesimo tertio die Novembris. After this the King and Bishops meeting at a Conference at Westminster, the King charged some of the Bishops with a design and endeavour to deprive him of his Crown, which they denied; whereupon one of them in a great rage, though out of his Diocese, excommunicated all those who raised such a report of them; which done, admonishing him to put away his evil Counsellors, and reform some other particulars, they threatened to excommunicate the King himself, and all contradictors of their proposals, unless they speedily submitted to them; as Matthew Paris thus stories. REX Anglorum venit ad Colloquium apud Westmonasterium in Purificatione Beatae Mat. Paris Hist. Angl. p. 381. 382, 383. Mariae, in quo quosdam Episcopos et maxime Alexandrum Cestrensem Episcopum graviter increpavit, de nimia familiaritate Comitis Mareschalli, et quod ipsum a Regni solio depellere nitebantur. Episcopus autem ille. praenominatus, Pontificalibus indutus, cum talia sibi objecta cognovisset, necnon quosdam qui Regi suggesserunt exasperando, Episcopos foventes partes Mareschalli Velle alium Regem creare, commotus est vehementer, maxime adversus Rogerum de Cantelu, legistam, arguens eum sceleris paterni, dicens, quod Patris sui proditoris & suspensi pro eadem proditione, sequens vestigia patrissavit. Excommunicavit igitur incontinenti omnes, qui contra Regem iniquitatem hujusmodi sceleris cogitabant, vel super Episcopos, qui omnino de salute et honore Regis sollicitabantur, malitiose talia imponebant. Et sic manifestata Episcoporum ac probata innocentia, confusis discordiae seminatoribus, siluit legista praenominatus, ab anathemate, ut videbatur, non immunis. Sic igitur intervenientibus Episcopis qui aderant, pacificatus est Alexander C●strensis Episcopus, & quievit spiritus illius, nimis ante amaricatus. Affuit quidem huic Colloquio Magister Edmundus Cantuariensis electus, cum multis Episcopis Suffraganeis, qui omnes Regis & Regni desolationi condolentes, venerunt ad Regem, & quasi uno corde, animo, & ore, dixerunt. Domine Rex, dicimus vobis in Domino, ut fideles vestri, quod consilium quod nunc habetis, & quo utimini, non est sanum nec securum, sed crudele & periculosum vobis & Regno Angliae; Petri videlicet Wintoniensis Episcopi, (a mere firebrand, and bloody Tyrant) & Petri de Rivallis, & complicium suorum. In primis, quia gentem Anglicanam odio habent & contemnunt, vocantes eos proditores, & facientes omnes sic vocari, & avertentes animum vestrum ab amore gentis vestrae, & corda nostra & gentis vestrae a vobis, quod apparet in Mareschallo, qui melior homo est terrae vestrae, quem per mendacia interseminata a vobis elongantes perverterunt. Et per hoc idem concilium, scilicet per dictum Episcopum, amisit Pater vester Rex Johannes primo corda gentis suae, deinde Normanniam, post, alias terras, & in fine totum Thesaurum exhausit, & fere dominium Angliae, & nunquam postea pacem habuit. Per idem consilium temporibus nostris turbatum fuit Regnum, & venit Interdictum; et denique factum est Regnum tributarium, et Princeps Provinciarum facta est (proh dolor) ignobilibus sub tributo. Et inita guerra & diu protelata, mortuus est Pater vester quasi extorris, nec in pace Regni vel animi, & sic mortem per eos admodum incurrit periculosam. Per idem consilium contra vos detentum fuit Castellum de Bedeford, ubi multum Thesaurum & strenuos homines perdidisti: ob quam causam, interim Rupellam in ignominiam totius Regni tui amisisti. Item, perturbatio nunc imminens, toti Regno periculosa, per eorum iniquum consilium accidit: quia si per justitiam & rectum judicium terrae tractati fuissent homines vestri, non evenisset ista perturbatio, & haberetis terras vestras non deductas, & Thesaurum inexhaustum. Item, in fide dicimus, qua vobis astringimur obligati, quod Concilium vestrum non est pacis, sed perturbationis terrae, quia sic crescere volunt, qui per pacem non possunt, scilicet per Regni perturbationem, & aliorum exhaeredationem. Item, quia Castella vestra & fortitudinem vestram habent in manu sua, quasi de gente vestra diffidere debeatis. Item, quia Scaccarium vestrum & omnes custodias & exchaetas maximas habent in potestate sua, placet talis exspectatio, & quomodo vobis respondebunt in fine, ut credimus, comprobatis. Item, quia nisi per sigillum vestrum, vel praeceptum sine sigillo Petri de Rivallis, vix aliquod magnum negotium fit in Regno, quasi vos pro Rege non haberent. Item, per idem Concilium naturales homines de Regno vestro, de Curia vestra expulsi sunt; unde timendum est tam de vobis quam de Regno, cum videamini magis esse in eorum potestate, quam ipsi in vestra, sicut per plurima constat exempla. Item, quia puellam de Britannia & sororem vestram habent sub potestate sua, & alias plures puellas nobiles, & alias mulieres nubiles, cum Wardis & maritagiis, quas dant suis, & disparagant. Item, quia legem terrae juratam et confirmatam, atque per excommunicationem roboratam, pariter et justitiam confundunt et pervertunt, unde timendum est, ne sint excommunicati, et vos, eye communicando. Item, quia non observant alicui promissionem, fidem, vel juramentum, vel scripturae munimentum; nec timent excommunicationem. Unde qui a veritate recesserunt, sunt desperati, ut qui in timore remanent, diffidentes. Haec autem fideliter vobis dicimus, & coram Deo & hominibus consulimus, rogamus, & monemus, ut tale consilium amoveatis a vobis, & sicut est in aliis Regnis consuetudo, Regnum vestrum tractetis per fideles homines vestros, & juratos de Regno vestro. Denunciamus enim vobis in veritate, quod nisi infra breve tempus ista correxeritis, IN VOS, et in omnes alios contradictores per censuram Ecclesiasticam procedemus, nihil nisi consecrationem Uenerabilis Patris nostri electi Cantuariensis, expectantes: (An insolent Papal speech to, and Usurpation over the King himself.) Et his ita dictis, Rex humiliter breves postulavit inducias, dicens se non posse ita subito consilium suum amovere, donec de Thesauro suo illis commisso ratiocinium audisset. Et sic solutum est Colloquium, recedentibus cunctis cum fiducia concordiae, celeriter obtinendae. Not long after, the Archbishop elect of Canterbury being consecrated; Convenerunt Mat. Paris Hist. Angl. p. 383. ad Colloquium dominica prima in Passione Domini, quae tunc fuit quinto Idus Aprilis, apud Westmonasterium, Rex, cum Comitibus & Baronibus, & Archiepiscopus nuper consecratus, cum suis Suffraganeis, ut Regno perturbato salubriter providerent. Archiepiscopus quidem conjunctis sibi Episcopis, ac caeteris qui aderant Praelatis, ad Regem veniens, ostendit ei consilium suum & Episcoporum, super desolatione Regni & periculo imminenti, replicando suprascripta incommoda, in Colloquio superius habito sibi expressa. Denunciavit etiam ipsi exprefle, quod nisi celerius errorem dimitteret, et cum fidelibus Regni sui pacifice componeret, ipse incontinenti cnm omnibus qui aderant Praelatis, in ipsum Regem sententiam ferret excommunicationis, (An undutiful menace to his Sovereign Lord, to his own face in Parliament,) et in omnes alios hujus pacis contradictores et concordiae perversores. Rex autem pius, audiens consilium Praelatorum, humiliter respondit, quod conffli●s eorum in onmibus obtempe●aret. Unde post dies paucos, intelligens proprium errorem, poenitentia ductus, praecepit Petro Wintoniensi Episeopo, ut pergens ad Episcopatum suum, curis intenderet animarum; & de caetero Regiis negotiis nequaquam interesset. Petro etiam de Rivallis immutabiliter jussit, cujus Anglia tota dispositionibus subjacebat, ut redditis sibi Castellis suis, & ratiocinium de Thesauris incontinenti redderet, & a Curia recederet, affirmans eum juramento, quod nisi beneficiatus & in sortem Clericorum fuisset admissus, ipse ei ambos oculos eruere faceret. Pictavenses insuper omnes, tam de Curia sua, quam de Castrorum praesidiis expellens, remisit in Patriam suam, praecipiens ut ultra faciem ejus non viderent. Ac deinde Rex, qui modis omnibus pacem sitiebat, misit Edmundum Archiepiscopum Cantuariensem, cum Episcopis Cestrensi & Roffensi, in Walliam, ad Leolinum & Richardum Comitem Mariscallum, ut cum eye de pace tractarent. Et sic Rex, dimissis iniquis consiliariis suis, revocavit ad obsequium suum naturales homines de Regno suo, subjiciens se consilio Archiepiscopi & Episcoporum, per quos sperabat Regnum perturbatum, ad statum prosperum revocare. Which the Bishop of Winchester had principally disturbed. In this Parliamentary Assembly (as I conceive) it was enacted, That no Assize of Darraine Presentment should be thenceforth taken of a Prebendary, as this Writ informs us. REX Justiciariis Itinerantibus in Comitatu Linc. salutem. Sciatis, quod Claus. 18 H. 3. dors. 3. coram Uenerabili Patre Cantuariensi Archiepiscopo, et coram majori parte Episcoporum, Comitum, et Baronum totius Regni nostri Angliae, et coram multis aliis consideratum est, quod nulla Assisa de Ultima Praesentatione unquam de caetero capiatur de aliqua Praebenda pertinente ad Ecclesiam Cathedralem. Et ideo vobis mandamus, quod si aliqua talis Assisa de caetero coram vobis Arran●ata fuerit, illum non capiatis. Teste Rege apud Westmonasterium, Duodecimo die Octobris. I find mention of this Writ, reciting this Parliamentary Act, in Plac. 18 H. 3. m. 15. Hil. 19 H. 3. Fitzherberts Abridgement, Title Darraine Presentment, 23. and his Natura Brevium, fol. 32. D. See 34 E. 1. Quare Impedit, 187. This year * See Glanvil 7. c. 15. Bracton l. 5. c. 19 Fleta l. 6 c. 38. Cooks 2 Inst. p. 96, 67. before the Statute of Merton, 20 H. 3. c. 9) I find this special Writ concerning a Trial and Certificate of Bastardy, issued to our Bishops, as the usual form in that age, and part of this King's Prerogative. REX tali Episcopo, salutem. Sciatis, quod cum A. de tali loco in Curia nostra Olaus. 18 H. 3. dors. 3. coram Justiciariis nostris apud Westmonasterium, peteret versus B. tantum terrae in tali Villa, idem B. objecit praedicto A. quod nullum jus habuit in terra illa, eo quod natus fuit ante Matrimonium sollempniter contractum inter C. Patrem & D. Matrem ipsius A. Et ideo vobis mandamus, quod convocatis coram vobis convocandis rei veritatem diligenter inquiratis, utrum praedictus A. natus fuit ante praedictum Matrimonium, vel post? et inquisitionem quam inde faceretis, nobis scire faciatis per Literas vestras Patentes. Teste, etc. Of which more in due place. As the King by his Ecclesiastical Prerogative and Laws determined those to be Bastard's who were born before Wedlock, against the * Cooks 2 Inst. p. 96, 97. Popes and Bishops Canons, who held them legitimate and inheritable, so he by the same Prerogative, commanded all common Whores, and Concubines of Priests (than much in use by reason of their vow of chastity and single life, which made them and Scholars most unchaste) to be imprisoned, and banished out of the University of Oxford, by his Temporal Officers, unless they had Lands therein, and by Oath and other security gave good assurance for their chaste and honest demeanour for the future, and not to resort to Clerks lodgings, as appears by this memorable Writ. REX Majori & Ballivis suis Oxoniae, salutem. Sciatis, quod pietatis intuitu Claus. 18 H. 3. memb. 16. concessimus, quod omnes publicae Meretrices & Concubinae Clericorum, quas coepistis, & in prisona nostra detinetis, eo quod contra probisionem nostram inventae fuerint in Villa vestra Oxoniae, deliberentur sub tali forma: Quod publicae Meretrices statim post deliberationem suam, Villam nostram exeant; Concubinae vero Clericorum tenementa habentes in eadem Villa, si juramentum vobis praestiterint, & securitatem sufficientem vobis fecerint, quod de caetero honestae se gerent, non habiturae accessum ad Clericos pro quibus sic captae sunt & detentae, post deliberationem suam, libere & sine impedimento stent in eadem Villa, & ibidem morentur; aliae vero domos aut possessiones in eadem Villa non habentes, Villam exeant ibidem ulterius non moraturae. Et ideo vobis praecipimus, quod tam publicas Meretrices, quam Concubinas Clericorum in forma praedicta deliberetis. Teste Rege apud Westm. Decimo die Julii. If a Clerk or Beneficed Person were indebted to the King, or incurred his just displeasure, the King by his Prerogative Royal commanded the Bishop of the Diocese to sequester all his Ecclesiastical Benefices, till his debt was satisfied, his displeasure remitted, and the sequestration discharged by special Writ, as in this following Record. REX Venerabili in Christo Patri T. Norwicensi Episcopo, salutem. Sciatis, H. 3. ●●o quod remisimus Richardo de Sancto Johanne Capellano, indignationem nostram, & ipsum in gratiam nostram recepimus. Et ideo vobis mandamus rogantes, quatenus omnia beneficia sua Ecclesiastica quae habet in Diocesi vestra, & quae occasione debitorum quibus nobis tenebatur sequestrari fecistis, eidem Richardo restitui faciatis, cum omnibus bonis suis in eisdem beneficiis inventis & proventibus inde perceptis. Teste Rege apud Kenington, sexto die Julii. How imperiously the Pope intruded himself into the Truces between Christian Kings in general, you heard before, in the Pope's Bull for a general Crossado; how far into these between the Kings of England and France, these two ensuing Records will inform us. REX, etc. Abbati Westm. salutem. Sciatis, quod assignavimus vobis socium Claus. 18 H. 3. m. 23. dorso. Magistrum johannem Blundum quem ad vos mittimus, ut ipse una vobiscum assistat Venerabilibus Patribus P. Wintoniensi, & W. Exoniensi Episcopis, in tractatu quem de mandato Domini Papae habituri sunt, cum Domino Rege Franciae de Treugis & Pace: Ita quod super praemissis omnis habeatur tractatus in praesentia vestra sicut idem Magister plenius vobis dicet, ex parte nostra. Et ideo vobis mandamus rogantes, quatenus laborem praedictum ad commodum & honorem nostrum pro nobis subire velitis, ita quod grates speciales a nobis inde reportare debeatis. Teste Rege apud Gloucest. xxv. die Maii. Per ipsum Dominum Regem, praesentibus Domino Cantuariensi, & aliis Episcopis. HENRICUS Dei gratia Rex Angliae, etc. Venerabili in Christo Patri P. Pat. 18 H. 3. m. 24. dorso. Wintoniensi Episcopo, salutem. Mittimus ad vos fratrem Mauric. Templarium, profecturum ex parte vestra, & Domini Exon. cum Literis nostris de salvo conductu ad Dominum Senon. Archiepiscopum & Episcopum Parisiensem, quibus etiam significamus▪ quod parati sumus parere mandato Domini Papae super pace formanda, vel Treugis prorogandis inter Dominum Regem Franciae, et nos. Et ideo mittimus ad opus vestrum & Domini Exoniensis Episcopi, ut salvo & secure possitis ad partes transmarinas accedere si fuerit necesse. Rogamus igitur vos quatenus una cum praedicto Episcopo, collega vestro quod vestrum est, & quod praedictum negotium deposcere videritis, diligenter exequi velitis: & ut de voluntate nostra vobis conster, scire vos volumus, quod placet nobis, ut si praedictae Treugae prorogari non possint usque ad Triennium, prorogentur ad terminum quem poteritis optinere. Et quia consilium petebatis a latere nostro vobis adhiberi; Vobis significamus, quod dilectos & fideles nostros Philip. de Albiniaco, & Radulphum filium Nicholai, qui ad praesens profecti sunt in Marchiam pro negotiis nostris, sicut ipsi scitis, vel aliquos alios de nostris quando necesse fuerit, & secundum quod a vobis accipiemus, die & loco quos nobis significabitis ad vos mittemus. Teste Rege apud Wodestock, Decimo die Maii. Eodem modo scribitur W. Exon. Episcopo. The Mandate of this Pope specified in these two Records, I conceive was grounded upon his universal command to all Christian Kings and States, to forbear all Wars upon this occasion. This insatiable turbulent Pope, to extort moneys under a pretext of Charity and Piety to rescue the Holy Land, even whiles there was a Truce with the Saracens, to exhaust all others purses to fill his own, and raise forces to suppress the Citizens of Rome, with whom he had then great contests about their privileges, issued out such an Antichristian Imperious Bull into England and other Countries, as trampled the Rights, Crowns, Liberties of all Christian Kings, Kingdoms, Cities, Clergymen, and Christians too, under his Papal feet; and gave every Monk employed in this design authority, for money, to dispense with Oaths and Vows, made by his own Papal command, exhortation, and menaces: witness this relation. DUm talia mundialis rota volvendo perturbaret in partibus vicinis, in Regnis Mat. Paris Hist. Angl. p. 386, 387, 364, 395. Orientalibus sicut & in Occidentalibus consimilis, imo molestior inter Christianos misera fuit perturbatio. Dominus enim Papa occasionem sumens a praedicta Imperatoris persecutione, argumentosas extorsiones praecipue in Anglia excogitans et multiplicans, Legatos sub specie simplicium nuntiorum, potestatem tamen habentes Legatorum, undique destinavit, qui multifariam exegerunt pecuniam: nunc praedicando, nunc supplicando, nunc praecipiendo, nunc comminando, nunc excommunicando, nunc procurationes exigendo; per Regnum Angliae infinitos extorres reddiderunt et mendicantes. Et ut efficacius The sauros omnium emungerent, et pecuniam quasi ad succursum Terrae Sanctae undique colligerent (cujus tamen pecuniae voluit suos, quos ad hoc ordinaret, esse collectores et dispensatores, nec tamen inde unquam sensit Ecclesia promotionem) scripsit Dominus Papa omnibus Christi fidelibus in haec verba elegantissima, quae corda hominum lapidea viderentur penetrare, nisi facta humilitati ac justitiae luce clarius adversantia sequerentur. GREGO RIUS Episcopus servus servorum Dei, Universis Domini nostri Jesus Christi fidelibus per Regnum Angliae constitutis, ad quos literae istae pervenerint, salutem & Apostolicam benedictonem. Rachel suum videns in verae fidei cognitione principium accresentium in salutem, & filiorum dexterae pia mater sancta Romana Ecclesia, cujus magna est quasi * Matris, mare de suae prolis internecione contritio, vocem lamentationis, fletus & luctus emisit hactenus, & emittit, quam audiri cupimus in excelso, ut per diem & noctem fidelium oculi dolores lachrymarum deducentes non taceant, & donec misereatur Dominus non quiescant. Lamentatur autem, quia domus coelestis panis, mons Zion, unde lex exiit, civitas Regis magni, de qua dicta & scripta multa gloriosa, terra quam Dei filius fuso pro nobis suo sanguine consecravit, Regni robur perdidit & fortitudinem. Flet, quia quondam libera sub impio tyrannidis jugo cogitur anc●llari. Luget, quia ubi pacem multitudo caelestis militiae cecinit, ibi pressurae gentis immundissimae scandalorum spurcitie, abominabiles simultates & schismata suscitavit, ac innovans exordia praeliorum misit ad desiderabilia manum suam, & sacrorum ordinum pias leges, & ipsius Naturae jura relegans a Templo Domini, diversis ibidem spurcitiis detestabilibus, & ignominiosis vitiis introductis, turpiter in suo stercore computrescit. Et ideo Hierusalem in suis derisa Sabbathis, obsorbuit, quasi polluta menstruis suosinter inimicos. Nam licet dudum charissimo in Christo filio nostro Frederico Romanorum Imperatori semper Augusto, Jerusalem & Siciliae Regi illustri, civitas eadem praeter Templum Domini, fuerit restituta: tamen quia Deus omnipotens tunc magnificentius agere cum populo suo Christiano non adjecit, Imperator praedictus treugas iniit cum Soldano: quarum terminus adeo est vicinus, quod tempus medium praeparationi vix sufficere creditur nisi ad quaeque necessaria per promptitudinem, spem & fervorem fidei festinetur. Ad ejus ergo succursum, nullum taedeat peregrinari, & pro patria certare cum spe victoriae, pro corona mori, pro illo sustinere dura & tristia, qui confusione concepta, sputo conspersus, caesus alapis, flagellis afflictus, coronatus spinis, coram Pilato sisti tanquam multorum criminum reus, pertulit Crucisixus ad ultimum, & potatus felle, lancea perforatus, emittens cum clamore valido spiritum, pro conditionis humanae viribus reparandis, cursum praesentis vitae saturatus injuriis consummavit. Hic est, ut repetamus altius, qui de paterno solio gloriae, coelis mirabiliter inclinatis, ad nostrae mortalitatis ima descendens, non dedignatus est Deus & homo, creator fieri creatura, suscipere dominus formam servi: ut qui non poteramus per nostram justitiam sperare veniam, consecuti per haec gratiam inauditam, haeredes Dei, cohaeredes vero Christi, divinitatis consortium, foelicitatis aeternae participium sortiremur. Et licet per gratiam adoptati, quotidie causas ingratitudinis cumulemus, ipse tamen abundat in divitiis bonitatis dum propter diversitatem voluntatum, virium facultatem delinquentibus, diversa pro tempore satisfaciendi genera contulit, varia medendi languentibus remedia suscitavit; dum terram, in qua nasci, mori, & resurgere voluit, tam diu ad exercitationem fidelium ab infidelibus detineri permittit, cum non sit abbreviata manus Domini, nec virtus ejus in aliquo diminuta, quin eam, sicut fecit cuncta de nihilo, liberare valeat in momento. Sed illas compassionis & dilectionis gratias exquirit ab homine, quibus ad omnis consummationis finem legisque plenitudinem ostendendam, ipse prior homini perdito & damnato voluit miseratus adesse: qui nullatenus permisisset manus impias contra pios usque adeo roborari, nisi & suam vindicari de nostra confusione providisset injuriam, & servari nostram de sua victoria disciplinam. Sub hac occasione delicati plurimi satisfacere pro modo criminum non valentes, nec volentes, velut in profundo malorum penitus desperassent, nisi occurrisset eis haec tabula: ut per hoc compendium suis positis pro Christo animabus consummati, breviter multorum temporum spacia complevissent. Multi etiam invenire locum ubi steterunt pedes Domini cupientes, prius ad bravium sine cursu, vel potius ad coronam sine gladio pervenerunt; illo suum remunerante militem, qui solam considerat in oblatione voluntatem. Ut autem propter praemissa fideles efficaciter & potenter expergiscantur; Nos de omnipotentis Dei misericordia, & beatorum Petri & Pauli Apostolorum authoritate confisi, ex illa quam nobis Deus, licet indignis, ligandi atque solvendi contulit potestatem, omnibus qui laborem istum in propriis personis subierint & in expensis, plenam suorum peccaminum, de quibus * Their true Repentance alone without their expensive Pilgrimage to the Holy-Land, would have obtained such a pardon. veraciter fuerint corde contriti, & ore confessi, veniam indulgemus: & in retributione justorum salutis aeternae poll cemur augmentum. Eis autem qui non in personis propriis illuc accesserint, sed in suis duntaxat expensis, juxta facultatem & quantitatem suam viros idoneos destinaverint: & illis similiter, qui licet in alienis expensis, in propriis tamen personis accesserint; plenam suorum concedimus veniam peccatorum. Hujus quoque remissionis volumus et concedimus esse participes, juxta quantitatem subsidij et devotionis affectum; omnes qui ad subventionem ipsius Terrae de bonis suis congrue ministrabunt. Personas quoque ipsorum et bona, ex quo crucem susceperunt, sub beati Petri et nostra protectione suscipimus. Nec non & eadem sub Archiepiscoporum, Episcoporum & omnium Praelatorum Ecclesiae Dei defensione consistant. Statuentes, ut donec de ipsorum obitu vel reditu certissime cognoscatur, integra maneant, & secura consistant. Porro, Ecclesiarum Praelati, qui in exhibenda justitia cruce signatis, & eorum familiis negligentes extiterint, sciant se graviter puniendos. Quod si quisquam contraire praesumpserit, per Ecclesiarum Praelatos, appellatione postposita, censura Ecclesiastica compescatur. Si qui vero proficiscentium illuc ad praestandas usuras juramento tenentur astricti; creditores eorum per Ecclesiarum Praelatos, ut remittant eis praestitum juramentum, & ab usurarum exactione desistant, eadem praecipimus districtione compelli. Quod si quisquam creditorum eos ad solutionem coegerit usurarum, eum ad restitutionem earum simili cogi animadversione mandamus Judaeos vero ad remittendos ipsis usuras, per saecularem compelli praecipimus potestatem. Et donec illis remiserint, ab universis Christi fidelibus, tam in mercimoniis quam aliis, per excommunicationis sententiam eis omnino communio denegetur. His vero, qui Judaeis debita solvere nequeunt in praesenti, sic Principes saeculares utili dilatione provideant, quod post iter arreptum, usquequo de ipsorum obitu vel reditu certissime cognoscatur; usurarum non incurrant incommoda: compulsis Judaeis proventus pignorum, quos interim perceperunt in sortem, expensis hecessariis deductis, computare. Cum hujus beneficium non multum videatur habere dispendii: quia solutionem sic prorogat quod debita non absorbet. Ut autem Terrae Sanctae subsidium divisum in plurimos facilius impendatur, obsecramus omnes & singulos per Patrem, & Filium ● & Spiritum sanctum, unum, solum verum aeternum Deum, postulantes vice Christi, pro Christo, ab Archiepiscopis et Episcopis, Abbatibus et Prioribus, et tam cathedralium quam aliarum conventualium Ecclesiarum capitulis, et clericis universis; nec non civitatibus, villis et oppidis, competentem numerum bellatorum, cum expensis necessariis secundum proprias facultates, in succursum Terrae Sanctae alacriter destinare. Et si ad hoc unumquodlibet non sufficiat, conjungantur in unum, quia pro certo speramus, quod personae non deerint, si expensae non defuerint. Postulantes hoc ipsum a Regibus & Principibus Comitibus & Baronibus, aliisque Magnatibus, qui forsitan per seipsos personaliter non accesserint ad obsequium Crucifixi: A civitatibus vero marinis, navale subsidium postulamus. Clericis vero hoc negotium necessariis providimus indulgendum; ut omni contradictione cessante, beneficiorum suorum proventus propter hoc valeant ad triennium pignori obligare. Ita tamen, quod illis quibus committendos duxerint, vel etiam obligandos, infra praescriptum tempus cum ea integritate proventus percipiant antedictos, cum qua ipsi eos perceperunt, si●n Ecclesiis, in quibus obtinent▪ personaliter residerunt. Quia vero subsidium Terrae Sanctae multum impediri vel retardari contingeret, si ante susceptionem crucis quemlibet examinare oporteret an esset idoneus & sufficiens ad hujus votum personaliter prosequendum: concedimus, ut (regularibus personis exceptis) suscipiant quicunque voluerint signum crucis. Ita quod si urgens necessitas aut evidens utilitas postulaverit; votum ipsum de mandato Apostolico possit comutari, aut redimi, aut differri. Universis autem Ecclesiarum Praelatis districte praecipimus, ut singuli per loca sua illos qui signum crucis disposuerunt, resumere: ac tam ipsos, quam alios crucesgnatos, & quos adhuc signari contigerit, ad reddendum Domino vota sua diligenter moneant & inducant. Caeterum, quia cursarii & pyratae nimis impediunt subsidium Terrae Sanctae, capiendo & spoliando transeuntes ad illam, & ab illa revertentes: nos eos, principales adiutores & fautores, excommunicationis vincula, innodamus. Sub interminatione anathematis inhibentes, ne quis cum eis scienter communicet in aliquo venditionis vel emptionis contractu: injungentes rectoribus civitatum et locorum suorum, ut eos ab hac iniquitate revocent et compescant. Alioquin, quia nolle perturbare perversos nihil aliud est, quam fovere, nec caret scrupulo societatis occultae, qui manifesto facinori desinit obviare, nos in personas, ette●●as eorum severitatem Ecclesiasticam curavimus exercere: cum tales non minus quam Saraceni adversentur nomini Christiano. Innovamus praeterea excommunicationis sententiam, in Laterano Concilio promulgatam adversus eos, qui Saracenis arma, ferrum, & lignamina deferunt galeiarum, quique in Pyraticis Sarracenorum navibus curam gubernationis exercent, vel in Machinis, vel quibuslibet aliis, aliquodeis impendunt consilium vel Auxilium in Terrae Sanctae dispendium; eosque rerum suarum privatione mulctari, & capientium servos, si capti fuerint, fore censemus. Praecipientes, ut per●omnes urbes marinas, diebus Dominicis & festivis hujus sententia publice innovetur. Et talibus gremium non aperiatur Ecclesiae▪ nisi totum quod de commercio tam damnabili perceperint, in subsidium Terrae Sanctae transmittant; ut aequo judicio, in quo deliquerint, puniantur. Quod si forte solvendo satisfacientes non fuerint, sicut alias reatus talium castigare; quod in poena ipsorum aliis interdicatur audacia similium praesumendi. Quia vero ad hoc negotium exequendum est permaxime necessarium, ut Principes & populi Christiani ad invicem pacem observent, juxta quod statutum est in concilio generali, volumus et mandamus, ut saltem per quadriennium in toto orbe Christiano par generaliter observetur▪ ita quod per Ecclesiarum Praelatos discordantes reducantur ad plenam pacem aut firmam treugam inviolabiliter observandam. Et qui adquiescere forte contempserit, per excommunicationem in personas, et interdictumin terras arctissime compellatur: nisi tanta fuerit injuriatorum malitia, quod non debeant pace gaudere. Quod si forte censuram Ecclesiasticam velipenderint, poterunt non immerito formidare, ne per authoritatem Ecclesiae, contra eos tanquam perturbatores negotii crucifixi, secularis potentia inducatur. Accingantur igitur omnes filii adoptionis divinae ad obsequium Jesu Christi, dissensiones & lites in pacis & delectionis foedera commutantes: credendo firmiter, quod si vere confessi fuerint & compuncti, foelici commercio laboribus suis, qui cito transeunt, aeternam requiem mercabuntur. Datum Spoleti, 2. Non. Septemb. Pontificatus nostri anno octavo. HAec cum per Christianorum climata, praecipue per Angliam, Christi fidelibus innotescerent, Mat. Paris, Hist. Angl. p. 388. Romanorum avaritia obfuit negotio crucia. & praedicatio per Praelatos, maxime vero per fratres Praedicatores & Minores fieret, quibus data fuit potestas cruce signandi, et votum data pecunia relaxandi: sese multi quorum non erat numerus, cruce signaverunt. Sed cito in tantam nobilitatem, ne dicam arrogantiam elevabantur Praedicatores & Minores, qui spontaneam paupertatem cum humilitate elegerunt, ut recipi curarent in coenobiis & civitatibus in processione solenni, in vexillis, cereis accensis, & in dispositione vestimentis festivis indutorum, & concessum est eis veniam multorum dierum suis conferre auditoribus, signatosque hodie, cras data pecunia a crucis voto absolverunt. Parvoque tempore succedente, facta est tanta commutatio, tam multiformis pecuniae exactio, nec sciri poterat in quam abyssum tanta pecunia, quae per Papales procuratores colligebatur, est demersa, quod fidelium circa negotium crucis tepuit, imo potius charitas refriguit generalis. Unde negotium Terrae Sanctae nunquam foelix super hoc suscepit incrementum. Praeterea graviter laedebatur omnium Conscientia, & in mediatione exardescente sauciabatur, quod tota illa pecunia impreciabilis, quae ex decima per magistrum Stephanum Domini Papae clericum cumulabatur, ad conterendum Imperatorem, facta pace, sicut colligi potest per Epistolam Papae suprascriptam, nec in minimo quadrante est restituta, nec ad aliquod Ecclesiae commune negotium vel honorem distributa. Imo nec dum penitus fuit extorta vel collecta, & ecce subita & occulta pax est reformata: & postea facta est inquisitio gravis, quis plene vel plenius persolvebat. This Pope as he intruded himself into the Differences, Wars, Leagues between Christian Kings in his precedent Bull, so likewise into their Treaties and Contracts of Marriage; & particularly into that between Frederick the Emperor, & Isabel sister to K. Henry the 3d. as this Bull of his (extant under seal in the White Tower) assuresus. GREGORIUS Episcopus servus servorum Dei, charissimo in Christo filio ▪ 18 H. 3. Illustri Regi Angliae, salutem & Apostolicam benedictionem. Quae tuae celsitudinis respiciant incrementum, libenter tibi facienda suggerimus, et eadem per nos ipsos oportuno tempore procuramus; Hinc est quod cum charissimus in Christo filius noster F. Romanorum Imperator semper Augustus, Jerusalem et Siciliae Rex Illustris, pro dudum tractato et firmato, sicut dicitur, Matrimonio inter te et ipsum, de dilecta in Christo filia Isabella sorore tua Illustri, feliciter consummando, ac pro ipsa, duce Christo, adeundum abdicato tarditatis spatio deducenda, juxta Consilium nostrum, ad tuam praesentiam sollempnes Nuncios duxerit destinandos, sublimitati tuae bona fide consulimus et attente rogamus, quatenus prudenter advertens, quid tibi et regno▪ tuo utilitatis proferat, et hanoris, cum principe terrae Regibus praeminenti, contrahere parentelam, tanti complementa negotii finem tribuas, affectatam diligentiam habiturus ut a re tam honorabili, tam salubri, nullius averti sinistro Consilio patiaris. Caeterum memoratos Nuncios hilari vultu recipiens, et honore pertractans quid tibi competat, et mittenti eorum verbis quae super hiis tuae Celsitudini proponenda duxerint, fidei plenitudinem largiaris. Dat. Perusti Non. Decembr. Pontificatus nostri Anno Octavo. Insigill. Gregorius Papa 9 The King returned this Answer to the Pope's Bull, concerning this Treaty and marriage, and his proceedings therein, entered in the Clause Rolls. DOmino Papae salutem, & debitam tanto domino, & Patri reverentiam & honorem. Anno 1235. Claus. 19 H. 3. part. 2. m. 6. intus. Quod ex affectione Paterna libenter nobis suggeritis, ea facienda quae nostrae celsitudinis incrementum respicere sentitis; & per ipsos vos liberaliter eadem tempore procuratis opportuno, sanctae paternitati vestrae copiosas referimus gratiarum actiones. Ad ea quae duxit nobis sanctitas vestra consulend. de matrimonio inter charissimum amicum; & fratrem nostrum futurum F. Dei gratia Romanorum Imperatorem semper Augustum, Jerusalem & Siciliae Regem illustrem, & dilectam sororem nostram Isabellam contrahendo & complendo, vobis significantes▪ quod cum certi simus & securi▪ quod pro sublimatione nostra, honore etiam & utilitate Regni nostri, quae ex tanti Principis confederatione consequi poterimus inde nos sollicitaveritis; Volentes in eo & aliis quae nobis duxeritis consulend ● & facienda tanquam filius sanctae Romanae Ecclesiae devotissimus humiliter ac devote, 〈◊〉 & beneplacito vestro, nos sicut decet committere, matrimonio, praedicto ad mandatum vestrum consensimus. Receptis enim hilariter nunciis Imperatoris praedicti, & ipsis tanquam a latere tanti principis destinatis sicut decebat honoratis, in praesentia magnatum nostrorum nobis tunc assistentium, praedictam sororem nostram eidem Imperatori concessimus in uxorem▪ ipsa sorore nostra, de voluntate nostra per verba de praesenti in ipsum Imperatorem consentiente per virum discretum P. de Vinea, Nuncium ipsius Imperatoris specialiter ad hoc destinatum, cum potestate consentiendi in ipsam sororem nostram nomine saepedicti Imperatoris, qui quidem nomine suo in ipsam mutuo per verba de praesenti consensit, & in Animam ejusdem Imperatoris juravit▪ quod ipsam duceret in uxorem, & in facie Ecclesiae solempniter desponsaret, ac eam honore Imperiali & affectione maritali tractaret▪ Ut igitur de processu memorati negotii plenius sanctitati vestrae constet, et quod a consilio vestro recedere non curamus, sicut nec debemus, quatenus processum est in praedictis vos duximus certificandos, attente rogantes & devote quatenus eundem Imperatorem, pro loco & tempore monere velitis & inducere, ut cum eidem in omnibus placere libenter intendamus, nobis voluntati suae & honori expositis debitam servat amicitiam, et commodum Regni nostri procuret, et utilitati constanter intendat, et potissime data opportunitate, ad jura nostra reeuperanda potenter nobis assistat. Ita quod ex affectione fraterna quam nobis o●●enderit sentiamus in matrimonio praedicto per consilium vestrum commodo nostro & honori provideri. Teste Rege apud Westmonasterium Vicesimo Quinto die Februarii. The King sent the like Letters to all the Cardinals at Rome, mutatis mutandis, entered at large in the same Roll. The contract made between King Henry the 3d▪ and the Emperor touching this marriage, and the security given by the King to the Emperor for his sister's Portion, is very observable, especially in that Clause whereby the King subjects himself to the Ecclesiastical censures of the Pope and Church of Rome, if he fail of payment at the times agreed, and his desire of the Pope's undertaking the Payment thereof as his surety▪ Which being not extant in our Histories, I shall here present you therewith out of the Clause Rolls. NOs Henritus Dei gratia Rex Angliae, etc. Vicesimo secundo die Februarii Indictione Claus. 19 H▪ 3. m 7. intus. octava, per praesens scriptum notum fieti volumus universis praesentes Literas inspecturis, quod nos ad consilium et ordinationem Domini Gregorii sacrosanctae Romanae Ecclesiae summi Pontificis, promisimus & corporaliter praestito jure jurando juravimus, dare in uxorem legitimam Isabellam charissimam sororem nostram Domino Frederico Dei gratia, invictissimo Romanorum Imperatori, semper Augusto, Jerusol. & Siciliae Regi, promittentes Magistro Petro de Vinea, magnae Imperialis curiae Judici, Nuntio & speciali procuratori praenominati Domini Frederici Imperatoris, pro parte Imperatoris, ejusdem nomine, antedictae Isabellae sororis nostrae in dotem Triginta Millia Marcarum Argenti optimi Sterlingorum ana tresdecim solid. & quatuor denar. per Marcam, de quibus tenemur solvere praefato Magistro Petro decimo die post resurrectionem Domini primo venturam, per eandem indictionem una cum praedicta sorore nostra tria Millia marcarum Argenti Sterlingorum ut dictum est. Et alia duo millia tenemur solvere antedicto Imperatori vel certo ejus nuncio in festo beati Johannis de mense Junii, ejusdem indictionis; alia vero quinque millia tenemur solvere praenominato Imperatori: vel certis nunciis ejus in festo sancto Michaelis in proximo venturo nonae Indictionis. Et alia quinque Millia tenemur eidem solvere in festo Paschae secundo futuro per eandem nonam indictionem; & iterum alia quinque Millia tenemur eidem solvere in festo beati Michaelis proximo secundo futuro decimae indictionis. Reliqua vero decem millia tenemur antedicto Imperatori, vel ejus certo Nuncio solvere in festo Paschae sequenti, per eandem decimam Indictionem: Ita ut ab isto Pascha usque ad duos annos completos antedicta 30. millia marcarum optimi & puri argenti sterlingorum sint eidem Domino Imperatori, aut ejus Haeredibus vel certis eorum Nuntiis integre persoluta. Salvo quod in quolibet praedictorum terminorum praeter primum beati Johannis scilicet debeamus quamlibet solutionem facere infra mensem a die ipsa in solutione taxato. Antedictam autem pecuniam prima tria millia marcarum tenemur solvere antedicto Imperatori vel pro parte sua apud London. in Regno Angliae; Ita ut non teneamur antedictum pecuniam eidem Imperatori transmittere extra regnum, praenominatam autem pecuniae quantitatem in dotem pro praedicta sorore nostra promisimus & sacramento firmavimus praeter omnem apparatum, Aurum & Argentum laboratum, & vasa, equos, pannos, laneos & sericos, quae omnia praenominata Domina soror nostra talia habere & deferre debebit, qualia tantam dominam portare, & tantam dominum recipere condecebit, de quibus omnibus & singulis adimplendis obligavimus nos sollempniter stipulatione legitima interposita, antedicto Magistro Petro obligationem nostram, pro parte antefati Imperatoris recipienti, scilicet tam de solutione bona fide & integre facienda, quam de terminis singulis observandis, ad majorem etiam cautelam Imperatoris, ejusdem hoc ipsum corporali praestito sacramento juravimus, per omnia & singula firmiter observare promittentes, nomine poenae decem millia marcarum argenti, si in terminis praetaxatis singulis antedicta poena decem millium marcarum non in solidum, set pro rata per singulos terminos comitatur. Subjecimus nos praeterea jurisdictioni, et sententiae summi Pontificis ac sacrosanctae Romarae Ecclesiae, ut antedictus summus Pontifex vel Romana Ecclesia, si in solutione praedictae pecuniae per singulos terminos cessaverimus, possit nos et successores nostres libere per censuram Ecclesiasticam coercere, exceptione fori vel regiae dignitatis a nobis aut successoribus nostris, Ecclesiastico judicio minime opponenda, aut apposita non obstante. Haec eadem etiam in omnibus & singulis articulis observare, de speciali mandato & in praesentia nostra corporaliter praestito sacramento firmaverunt Hubertus de Burg. Comes Kanciae, Gilbertus Mar. Com. de Pembroke, Radulphus filius Nicholai, Godefridus de Crancumb. Humfridus Comes Hereford. sacramento expressius & apertius inserentes, quod pro toto posse eorum ad hoc intendent, quod nos observare praedicta omnia & singula debeamus. Praenominati etiam singuli fideles nostri super hiis omnibus testimoniales apertas literas exhibebunt cum sigillis eorum pendentibus, antefato Magistro Petro ad cautelam & praesentiam antedicti Caesaris deferendas; Per praenominatas autem cautiones, nos saepedictus Rex praenominato Magistro Petro de Vinea obligavimus nos & successores nostros antedicta omnia & singula observare hoc adjecto; quod si praenominatus summus Pontifex vel Romana Ecclesia, vellet se domino Imperatori, de solvenda pecunia memorata nostro nomine obligare et constituere principalem debitorem, juxta formam a jure statutam, nos obligationem ipsam ratam habebimus, et ipsum summum Pontificem et Romanam Ecclesiam ab obligatione ipsa promittimus statuendis inter nos locis et terminis liberare, prout haec omnia per Nuncios et Literas nostras eidem Summo Pontifici et Romanae Ecclesiae curabimus destinare; eo salvo, quod antedictae Romanae Ecclesiae cautione recepta, et per praedictum Caesarem acceptata, praesentis obligationis nostrae Literae, nobis aut Nunciis nostris restitui debeant nullo unquam tempore valiturae, et a praedictis cautionibus omnibus nos et praedicti Nobiles nostri simus penitus absoluti. Quod si forte Domino avertente contingeret antedictam sororem nostram Isabellam prius in fata concedere, quam iter arripiat, vel postquam iter arripuerit priusquam ad Dominum Imperatorem virum suum perveniens, in facie Ecclesiae sollempniter & publice desponsetur, nos & successores nostri ab omnibus & singulis antedictis obligationibus absolvi debemus & liberi permanere. Item, si forte, quod absit, Imperatorem eundem prius contingeret in fata concedere, quam praenominata nostra soror desponsaretur ab eo, similiter nos & successores nostri remanere debebimus ab omnibus ipsis obligationibus absoluti, & antedicta soror nostra ad nos in Regnum Angliae secure & libere reducetur. Quod ipsum tam Dominus H. Venerabilis Colen Archiepiscopus, tam de recipienda a Domino Imperatore & desponsanda Domina, quam de ea in eventum sinistri casus libere reducenda, & alii Nobiles qui ad ipsam sororem nostram in Anglia recipiendam de mandato Imperialis Excellentiae venerint, Sacramento ab eis corporaliter praestito jurare debebunt, & nobis proinde apertas eorum Literas assignare; Obligavimus nos etiam antedicto Magistro Petro de Vinea pro parte Imperatoris praefati sibi & antedicto Archiepiscopo Colen, aut quibuslibet aliis Nobilibus Imperii pro parte ipsius Imperatoris venientibus, assignare saepedictam sororem nostram Decimo septimo die ineuntis mensis Aprilis, una cum sollempnibus Nunciis nostris ducendam ad Dominum Imperatorem praefatum ab ipso sollempniter desponsandam, & ab eo Imperiali honore affectione maritali tractandam. Ad perfectiorem etiam antedicti Matrimonii consummationem, saepedicta etiam Isabella soror nostra de mandato nostro, praesentibus dilectis & fidelibus nostris Richardo Comite Pictaviae & Cornubiae, Charissimo fratre nostro, Huberto de Burg. Comite Kanc. Willielmo de Ferrariis, Philippo de Albin. Hugone de Vivon. Radnlpho filio Nicholai, Godofrido de Crancumb, Amaur. de Sancto Amando, Johanne Mar. Roberto de Mucegros, Roberto de la Bruer, Walerando Teutonico, & aliis quampluribus fidelibus nostris, recepto consensu in se a praefato Petro de Vinea speciali procuratore Imperatoris ad hoc statuto, pro parte Imperatoris ejusdem, per verba de praesenti consensit in eundem Imperatorem velut in virum suum; similiter praefato Magistro Petro ut dictum est, ad hoc antefacti Caesaris speciali & legitimo procuratore statuto, recepit a praesenti ipsum Dominum Imperatorem in virum suum, recipiens annulum nomine Imperatoris praefati, & remittens eidem per eundem procuratorem suum annulum sponsionis. In cujus rei testimonium, has Literas fieri fecimus Patentes. Teste meipso apud Westmonasterium, Vicesimo septimo die Februarii. Anno Regni nostri Decimo nono. This agreement and security for payment of Isabellaes' Portion to the Emperor, and the Kings subjecting himself to the Popes and his Successors Ecclesiastical censures, in case of failer, being made without the Pope's precedent assent, the King thereupon certified the Pope thereof by this Letter. SAnctissimo in Christo Patri Charissimo, G. Dei gratia Summo Pontifici, H. Claus. 19 H. 3. Part 2. m. 4. intus. eadem gratia Rex Angliae, etc. salutem, & omnem devotionem. Juxta Sanctitatis vestrae consilium, & mandatum quod nobis per Magistrum Petrum de Vinea, Domini Frederici Dei gratia illustrissimi Romanorum Imperatoris, semper Augusti, Jerusalem, & Siciliae Regis, Nuntium, Apostolicis Literis direxistis Isabellam Charissimam sororem nostram consensu per verba de praesenti in eam & ab ea per praedictum Magistrum Petrum ejus procuratorem specialem & legitimum, habito & Sacramento a nobis corporaliter praestito, Domino Imperatori praefato dedimus in Uxorem, cum Triginta Millibus Marcarum Argenti memorato Domino Imperatori vel ejus Nuntiis statutis locis & terminis persolvend. prout haec & alia in scripto Conventionum inter nos & praedictum Magistrum Petrum de Vinea, habitarum sigillo nostro munito plenius continentur. Cum igitur de solutione pecuniae supradictae eidem Domino Imperatori cavere idoneè debeamus, Paternitati vestrae volumus esse notum, quod nos ad cautelam Imperatoris ejusdem, subjicimus nos et successores nostros jurisdictioni et sententiae vestrae ac Sacro-sanctae Romanae Ecclesiae, ut vos et successores vestri, et Romana Ecclesia, si in solutione praedictae pecuniae per singulos terminos cessaverimus, possitis nos et successores nostros per censuram Ecclesiasticam libere coercere, exceptione fori vel Regiae dignitatis a nobis aut successoribus nostris Ecclesiastico judicio minime opponenda, aut opposita non obstante. Teste Rege apud Westmonasterium, Tertio die Maii. By these Instruments the King and his Successors voluntarily subjected themselves to the Pope's Ecclesiastical censures, in this Secular affair, waving the Privileges of his Regal Dignity, which encouraged him to usurp the like power over him and other Princes, in other cases, against their wills. The proceedings in, and pompous solemnities of this marriage of the Emperor with this Isabel, not pertinent to my theme, you may peruse at leisure in * Hist. Angl. p. 414, to 418, Edit. Londini 1640. Matthew Paris, to whom I refer you. King Henry the 3d. intending this year to marry Joan daughter of the Earl of Pontini, advised her to write to the Pope for his dispensation, as he had done, to ratify the contract of Marriage between them; to which end he sent Proctors to Rome, but afterwards countermanded their proceedings therein till further order, as these Records inform us, all entered together in the Clause Rolls. HENRICUS Rex Angliae, etc. Dominae Johannae, etc. salutem. Quoniam Claus. 19 H. 3. part 2. m. 5. dorso. dilectos Clericos nostros Magistros W. de Gloucestria, & Richardum de Langedon Nuncios, & procuratores nostros ad sedem Apostolicam specialiter destinamus: Ut contractus Mattimonialis inter nos et vos initus, Authoritate Apostolica confirmetur, dilectioni vestrae Mandamus, quatenus per praedictos procuratores nostros Domino Papae Literas vestras Patentes dirigatis, ut ipse de consueta sedis Apostolicae clementia nobiscum supradicto negotio dispensare dignetur, ut sic utriusque nostrum concurrente consensu, dictum negotium ad finem optatum facilius perducatur. Formam autem Literarum vestrarum Domino Papae dirigendarum, vobis praesentibus Literis mittimus interclusam. Teste, etc. DOmino Papae, Ex parte dictae Dominae; Sanctae Paternitati vestrae Supplicamus humiliter ac devote, quatenus Matrimonium inter Dominum H. Regem Angliae illustrem et nos contractum de consueta sedis Apostolicae clementia dignemini confirmare; Pro hoc autem impetrando ad pedes Sanctitatis vestrae tales, etc. Procuratores nostros specialiter destinamus. In cujus, etc. Et mandatum est Com. de Ponti, & similiter Vxori suae sub forma suprascripta, paucis mutatis, quod Literas Patentes dictae Dominae J. quarum transcriptum Rex ei mittit, interclusam Domino Papae transmittant. REX, Magistris R. de Langed. Archid. St●ff. & W. de Glouc. salutem. Quia consilio nostro cui fidem adhibere tenemur, utile nimis videtur, et expediens, quod negotium illud de dispensatione petenda, quod Matrimonium consummari possit inter nos et primogenitam filiam Comitis Pontini suspendatur ad praesens: Vobis mandamus in fide qua nobis tenemini, quatenus nullo modo negotium illud Domino Papae, vel alicui Cardinali, vel alicui viventi reveletis, vel mentionem aliquam inde faciatis, donec specialem Nuncium nostruum propter hoc & alia negotia nostra ad vos miserimus; si vero perpendere possitis qamdiu in Curia steteritis quod aliquid de beat vel consilium nostrum impetrari impetrantibus, po posse vestro vos opponatis & indempnitati nostrae quantum in vobis est prospiciartis. Teste meipso apud Westmonasterium, Decimo sexto die Julii. DOmino Papae salutem. Certam de Sancta Paternitate vestra fiduciam obtinentes, Ibid quod preces nostrae solitum & optatum in oculis benignitatis vestrae favorem inveniant et gratiam, novis emergentibus negotiis, pro remedio petendo fiducialiter ad sedem Apostolicam confugimus. Cum igitur dilectos Clericos nostros Magistros R. de Langedon, & W. de Gloucestria ad quaedam negotia nostra procuranda necesse habeamus ad praesens ad pedes Sanctitatis vestrae destinare, ipsos synceritati vestrae recommendamus attentius, toto corde supplicantes, quatenus nostrae supplicationis obtentu eisdem Clericis nostris favorabiles vos exhibentes & propitios, in negotiis nostris, quae ad utilitatem nostram & honorem vobis exponent, ipsos libenter audire, & liberaliter, sicut speramus, exaudire dignemini, ut cum ad nos redierint foeliciter expediti; de gratia vestra nobis impensa hilares efficiamur & jocundi, & ad devotissimas Sanctitati vestrae teneamur gratiarum actiones. Teste, etc. apud Windeles, xiij. die Augusti. This Marriage Treaty and Licence on which they were sent was countermanded, and proceeded no further, the King altering his mind, and marrying Alienor the second Daughter of the Earl of Province, who was conveyed into England, married to the King, and crowned Queen this year, with extraordinary pomp and solemnity, as you may read at leisure in * Hist p. 24● Edit. ● 1640. Matthew Paris, Matthew Westminster, Holinshed, Speed, and other our Historians. This Pope was grown so insolently proud and peremptory in this age, by his premised Usurpations, that he would not vouchsafe to hear or admit the King's Proctors and Agents, sent to Rome upon his urgent affairs, without most humble suits and supplications to him in his Letters of Credence and Procurations, as the precedent Procurations, and this ensuing Record demonstrates. SAnctissimo Patri in Christo G. Dei gratia Summo Pontifici, salutem, & tanto Patri Claus pars 2 ac Domino omnimodam reverentiam, cum honore Apostolicae sedis. Pia Mater nonnunquam filiis suis desolatis solatium, oppressis subsidium pie petentibus, viscera pietatis consuevit misericorditer aperire. Quapropter ad ipsam tanquam ad piam matrem nostram, quae nobis sua gratia, ut filio suo devoto, continua compassione compatitur favorabiliter & benigne, cum Regiae dignitati necessitatem imminere videmus, confugimus confidenter. Hinc est, quod cum dilectos & fideles nostros P. Saracenum, & Magistrum S. de Steyland, Clericum nostrum pro quibusdam negotiis nostris ad sedem Apostolicam transmittamus, Paternitatis vestrae dilectioni affectione plena duximus supplicandum, quatenus ipsos in negotiis nostris, quae vobis exponent, audire benigne, & efficaciter exaudire velitis clementia consueta, ut hae preces nostrae benignitate vestra mediante nobis more solito fructum pariant copiosum, nosque exinde paternitati vestrae ad speciales gratias astringamur. Teste Rege apud Merewell, Vicesimo quinto die Maii. Anno, etc. Decimo nono. This year King Henry the 3d. made a Remonstrance to the Pope of the several injuries done to him by the Earl of Britain, in seizing upon his Castles, and revolting to the King of France, desiring the Pope by his Ecclesiastical censures to compel him to restore his Castles to him, or give satisfaction for them. DOmino Papae, salutem, & debitam ac devotam in omnibus reverentiam; ut Claus. 19 H. 3. pars 2. m. 5. intus. Sanctitati vestrae plenius innotescat qualiter erga nos se gessit P. Comes Britanniae, vestrae significamus Paternitati, quod cum dilectum fratrem nostrum R. Comitem Cornubiae & Pictaviae transmisissemus ad partes Wascon. pro defensione partium illarum, habito inter ipsum Comitem Britanniae, & praedictum fratrem nostrum Colloquio, nobis significavit, quod paratus erat ad servitium nostrum venire, & de nobis in capite tenere. Nobis igitur id mediocriter adhuc ferentibus, per transmissum ad nos fidelem nostrum S. de Mal● Leon● tunc superstitem, & Dominum perdilectum & fidelem nostrum Philippum de Albiniaco nos instanter sollicitavit super eodem. Cum igitur monitis suis adquiescentes exercitum totius Regni nostri convocassemus apud Portesm. habentes in proposito transfretare in Britanniam, ad jura Haereditaria nostra perquirenda in partibus transmarinis, memoratus Comes in eodem tempore ibi applicans, coram universis Magnatibus terrae nostrae, homagium nobis fecit de terra sua Britanniae, & Sacramentum de fideli servitio nobis praestitit, & tunc honorem de Richmond. in quo jus vendicabat, ei reddidimus, & plura alia feoda & terras ei dedimus non modicas. Revertente autem eodem Comite ad partes suas, & nobis per consilium suum in terra nostra remanentibus, cum in aestate sequenti aggregasset Rex Franciae universum posse ad invadendum terram praedicti Comitis, cum totis viribus nostris in succursum ejus ad suum mandatum transfretavimus in Britanniam, non sine gravi dispendio corporis nostri, & jactura irreparabili magnatum, & aliorum hominum nostrorum quos ibidem perdidimus. Cum ergo per adventum nostrum ab incursibus praedicti Regis Franciae defensus extitisset & securus, & ipso Rege sine obtentu propositi sui ad partes suas revertent●, vellemus similiter ad terram nostram redire, de consilio suo convenit inter nos & memoratum Comitem Britanniae, quod ad tenendum ei Milites & servientes, quandam summam pecuniae daremus eidem per annum tempore guerrae, & aliam summam pecuniae, si contingeret inter ipsum Regem Franciae, & nos tunc treugas iniri, sicut factum est, quod quidem sine omni defectu ei plene perfecimus. Novissime vero, cum instante fine treugarum inter ipsum Regem & nos essemus requisiti, ab ipso Comite de Militibus & servientibus mittendis in succursum suum, & ad Castrum nostrum Sancti Jacobi super Beveronam, quod fuit in manu sua, de Ballivo nostro, muniendum, & pro quo nobis reddendo cum venissemus in Britanniam ei dederimus Duo Millia Marcarum, gratanter annuimus ejus petitioni, destinantes ad eum dilectum & fidelem nostrum Amauricam de Sancto Amando Senesc. nostrum, cum numero Militum & servientium quem ipse Comes petierat. Quos postquam ad placitum suum retinuerat, ad nos remittens sub simulatione parcendi sumptibus nostris, nunciavit nobis, quod Castrum praedictum salvo custodiret ad opus nostrum; insuper ad mandatum ejus nobilem virum H. de Trublevill Senesc. nostrum Wascon. cum multitudine Armatorum ad eum misimus. Qui strenue & potenter suae instabat defensioni. In cujus etiam praesentia & praedictorum multitudinis Armatorum, juravit super verum Corpus Christi, quod nec pacem cum Rege Franciae fecerat, nec etiam cum eo tractatum inde habuerat. Licet siquidem ipse Comes, ut praediximus, in nullum nobis repererit defectum; Immo juxta Conventionem inter nos habitam & ultra ei semper satisfecerimus, per finem quem cum eo fecimus singulis vicibus, quibus propter hoc ad nos venit vel misit, & id idem adhuc facere pro viribus nostris essemus parati, tamen cum injuria sua, spreta fidei suae religione & Sacramento, de fideli servitio nobis praestito, sine eo quod nos diffideret vel aliquid nobis mandaret, a nobis recessit, & Regi Franciae adhaesit, homagium ei faciens, & reddens eidem ad exhaeredationem nostram praedictum Castrum Sancti Jacobi, & Castrum Celsum, quod Theobaldus Crespyn tenuit de nobis de Com. Andegaven. & Castrum de Maroyl, quod est de Com. nostro Pictaviae. Ne igitur super praemissis rei veritas vos lateret, vel ne per alicujus suggestionem minus veridicam crederetis aliquatenus, dictum Comitem per defectum Com. a nobis recessisse, praemissa Sanctitati vestrae seriatim duximus intimanda: Supplicantes attentius, quatenus ipsum Comitem, ut ad servitium nostrum et fidelitatem nostram redeat, et super pecunia a nobis recepta, et Castris praedictis per ipsum Regi Franciae liberatis, nobis satisfaciat, per censuram Ecclesiasticam coherceatis. Teste Rege apud Westmonasterium, Vicesimo quinto die Februarii. The Pope encouraged by such Letters as these, usurped a Papal power over the Temporal Rights of Kings and Secular Princes, and to Excommunicate or Interdict them at his pleasure: Though instead of Excommunicating this perjured treacherous Earl, he * sent for him to Rome, and made him chief Counsellor and General of the Hist. 22. Crossadoes by Sea and Land against the Grecians; Multis super hoc admirantibus, quod hominem tali not a proditionis multiformis infamem, ad sua ardua negotia vocaverat pertractanda. The Bishop of Winchester being sent for to the Pope to supply him with moneys and advice, to carry on this War, (it seems without the King's Licence) thereupon the Pope sent a Message to the King, to desire his Licence for the Bishops return into England, without any impediment; which the King assenting to, writ thus to the Pope and Bishop. DOmino Papae, Rex, etc. Significavit nobis Sanctitas vestra per Venerabilem Claus. 19 H. 3. part 2. m. 2. intus. Patrem A. Coventrensem & Litchfeldensem Episcopum, & dilectum & fidelem nostrum P. Saracenum Civem Romanum, quod gratum haberetis & acceptum, si Venerabilis Pater P. Wintoniensis Episcopus, cum gratia 〈◊〉 tra reverti posset in Angliam, & sicut ad ejus spectat officium curam securus 〈◊〉 Pastoralem, & super hoc ex parte synceritatis vestrae nos rogaverunt: Ad 〈◊〉 nctae Paternitati vestrae duximus respondendum. Quod cum idem Episcopus Regnum nostrum ultimo erivit gratis, et motu ductus proprio potius quam per nostram vel alterius compulsionem: Et etiam si bene recolitis, ad preces vestras, nobis specialiter inde directas sedem adiit Apostolicam, Unde si memoratus Episcopus voluntatem habuerit revertendi, & in Regno nostro commorandi, beneplacet nobis ipsius adventus. Nec erit qui ipsum super hoc aliquatenus impediat, aut cum redierit tranquillitatem ipsius perturbet. Licet etiam graviter versus ipsum moveremur, ad instantiam vestram conceptum rancorem, si quis esset, penitus ei remitteremus parati & expositi, tanquam filius Sanctae Romanae Ecclesiae devotissimus, in hiis et aliis vestris inhaerere consiliis, et voluntatis vestrae pro viribus nostris beneplacitum adimplere. Teste Rege apud Westmonasterium, iiij. die Maii. Anno, etc. nineteen. REX, Venerabili Patri in Christo P. eadem gratia Wintoniensi Episcopo, salutem. Claus. 19 H. 3. part 2. m. 2. Retulerunt nobis Venerabilis Pater A. Coventrensis & Litchfeldensis Episcopus, & fidel● nostri P. Saracenus Civis Romanus ex parte Domini Papae, quod placeret quod possitis cum gratia nostra in Angliam reverti. Et sicut ad vestrum spectat officium in Episcopatu vestro curam gerere Pastoralem, & super hoc per eosdem nos requisiverunt. Ad quod vobis duximus significandum: Quod cum Regnum nostrum ultimo exivistis, et sedem Apostolicam adustis gratis, et motu ducti proprio, nec per alicujus compulsionem id fecistis, et maxime ad preces ejusdem Domini Papae si bene recolitis; Unde si voluntatem habueritis revertendi in terram nostram, & ibidem commorandi, beneplacet nobis quod salvo & secure veniatis, & in Regno nostro sine impedimento moram faciatis, pro certo habituri quod in veniendo & morando nullum vobis faciemus vel fieri permittemus impedimentum, dampnum aut gravamen, set pro viribus nostris securitati vestrae providere curabimus. Teste ut supra. The Pope to get moneys and assistance in his Wars, had commanded this Peter Bishop Anno 1235. of Winchester (a better Soldier than Preacher) to assist him both with his purse and advice in his Military affairs against the Romans and Grecians; thus related by Matthew Paris. PEr idem tempus, Petrus Wintoniensis Episcopus, ad mandatum Domini Papae Mat. Paris Hist. Angl. p. 396. Roma●●rofectus est, instante solennitate Paschali: ut guerram ejus jamdiu contra Romanos accensam, ordinando juvaret. Novit enim eum Summus Pontifex pecunia abundare, et si non abundaret, ministrante Episcopatu Wintoniensi abundaturum; et maluit eum effundere Thesaurum suum in suo obsequio, quam alieno. Praeterea, idem Episcopus erat in obsequio Regis Richardi Bellatoris magnifici, diebus adolescentiae suae: ubi plus didicit in Bello dimicare, & Castra militum ordinare, quam Evangelii semina praedicando seminare. The Pope having made as much use of him as he could for those ends, importuned the King for his return into England, as you have heard. What other Letters the King sent this year to the Cardinals and Pope concerning his affairs, and the Annual Rent reserved on King John's Charter, I have * Here p. 307, 308. formerly related. The King this year issued forth an Attachment against the Treasurer of the Dean of the Arches, and others, for suing contrary to his Prohibition in Court Christian, for a thing which concerned not Matrimony or Testament, which Attachment was respited by this Writ, upon their submission. MAndatum est Justiciariis Domini Regis Itinerantibus apud Hertford. quod, etc. Claus. 19 H. 3. part 1. m. 13. intus. ponant in respetum, etc. Loquelam etiam quae est coram eis inter Johannem de Thiwing, & praedictum Thesaurarium Dec. de Arcubus, Magistr. G. Perdriz, & Gervas de Melkel, de eo quod idem Thes. prosecutus est placitum in Curia Christianitatis, de Catallis quae non sunt de Testamento, vel Matrimonio, contra Prohibitionem Regis, ut dicitur, et quod praedicti Dec. Magister G. et Gervasius tenuerunt idem placitum contra prohibitionem Regis, ut dicitur, ponant in respectum usque ad terminum praedictum. Teste Rege apud Westmonasterium, Duodecimo die Aprilis. The King hearing that the Pope intended to send a Legate into Ireland without his privity, and against his will, contrary to former custom and his Prerogative Royal, writ to the Pope, and also to his chief Justice to hinder this encroachment, and to yield more speedy dispatch, and readier obedience to his Letters, Writs directed to him in Ireland, then formerly he had done. REX, dilecto & fideli suo Richardo de Burg. salutem. Quod salvo applicuistis Claus. 19 H. 3. m. 18. in partibus Hiberniae, & ad Portum optatum prospere pervenistis postquam a nobis recessistis, sicut nobis significastis, est de quo plurimum gavisi sumus, vobis significantes, quod penes nos & statum Regni nostri omnia, Benedictus Deus, prospera sunt, & jocunda, plurimumque desideramus quod de statu terrae nostrae Hiberniae, simul & de vestro, similia frequenter audiamus; grates quidem fidelitati vestrae referentes de eo quod nos praemunire voluistis, quod sunt quidam qui procuraverunt Legatum destinari in Hiberniam. Vobis significamus, quod antequam Literas vestras inde recepissemus, idem audivimus, et ad Curiam Romanam transmisimus ad impediendum, ne praeter voluntatem nostram Legatus aliquis illuc accedat. Quia vero plures ad nos pervenerunt querelae ab hiis pro quibus Literas nostras vobis direximus, quod inutiliter eas obtinuerunt, eo quod minus proni, immo estis ultra modum difficiles in executione mandatorum nostrorum. Vobis mandamus, quod in fide qua nobis tenemini, cum contigerit nos pro nobis ipsis seu pro alio quocunque vobis Literas nostras dirigere, ipsas benigne recipere, & ea qua decet devotione exequi curetis, quod per dilationem executionis credi non possit, quod debitam nobis non exhibeatis reverentiam, sed potius ex devotione vestra debeatis merito commendari. Teste meipso apud Westmonasterium, Vicesimo secundo die Februarii. The Pope as he encroached upon the Election and Confirmation of the Archbishops and Bishops of England, so did he likewise upon the Election and Confirmation of Abbots, who must go to Rome to attend his pleasure for their approbation and confirmation, as in this memorable case of the Abbot of St. Alban, which I shall relate at large CUm haec cum tempore evolvente elaberentur; nuncii electi & Conventus Ecclesiae Mat. Paris Hist. Angl. p. 398, 399. Sancti Albani, duo Monachi, scilicet Magister Reginaldus Physicus, & Dominus Nicholaus de Sancto Albano, ambo Presbyteri, viri prudentes & compositi, cum suis Clericis, Magistro Galfrido de Langeleia, & Galfrido Focario, serviente & aliis, habentes Literas Conventus procuratorias, iter arripuerunt versus Curiam Romanam in Octavis Paschae, scilicet decimo septimo Calend. Maii, precibus omnium fratrum commendati. Hae autem fuerunt procurationes quas secum detulerunt. Reverendissimo Domino & Patri in Christo Charissimo Gregorio, Dei gratia Summo Pontifici, devoti filii sui, Prior & Coventus Sancti Albani, tam devotam quam debitam cum pedum osculo reverentiam. Noverit Sanctitas vestra, quod nos fratres nostros & Monachos, Reginaldum & Nicholaum, latores praesentium, cum Literis nostris seriem electionis nostrae continentibus, quam in Ecclesia nostra de fratre Johanne de Hertfordia, Monacho nostro, fecimus Canonice celebrari, ad pedes Sanctitatis vestrae destinamus: ipsosque ad▪ confirmationis munus a sede Apostolica petendum, et ad alia dictam electionem nostram contingentia, expedienda, procuratores nostros constituimus. Ratum & gratum habituri, quod per ipsos vel eorum alterum in dicto negotio, ratione praevia, fuerit expeditum. Valeat & vigeat Sancta paternitas vestra semper in Domino. Venerunt igitur ad Curiam Romanam apud Perusium. Et Domino Papa humiliter salutato, formam electionis & rei gestae seriem sub his Literis contentam, praesentaverunt. Reverendissimo Domino & Patri in Christo Charissimo, Gregorio Dei gratia Summo Pontifici▪ devoti filii sui▪ Prior & Conventus Sancti Albani, tam devotam quam debitam cum pedum osculo reverentiam. Cum Ecclesia nostra per decessum Venerabilis Patris Willielmi, bonae memoriae, quondam Abbatis nostri, qui viam universae carnis sexto Calend. Martii est ingressus, pastoris solatio existeret destituta, certificato super hoc Domino nostro Rege, ipsoque nobis eligendi licentiam concedente, nos prout potuimus citius & expeditius, volentes animarum periculis occurrere, & Ecclesiae nostrae indempnitatibus providere, his omnibus prius sub competenti data dilatione evocatis qui debuerunt & voluerunt potueruntque nostrae electioni commode interesse, ad eligendum nobis pastorem, diem certum praefiximus, in crastino Annunciationis Beatae Virginis. Adveniente autem die, praesentibus his qui propter hoc fuerant evocati, aliisque, tractare coepimus & conferre. Et quia res praedicta eo die non potuit expediri, in crastino, ut de eodem tractaremus, ingressi sumus Capitulum iterato, & ibidem post Dei clementiam super hoc misericorditer invocatam, tractare coepimus de praemisso. Et tandem in hanc eligendi spem, viris bonis de collegio nostro plenaria data fuerat potestas & collata, quod ipsi pro omnibus electionem nominarent, ratihabitione prius eisdem electoribus promissa, de persona per ipsos electa, & ipsis postmodum nominata. Electores siquidem praemisli ad hoc officium, cum Dei timore accedentes, cum lachrymis & orationibus Dei invocantes auxilium; diligenter & discrete, sicut exitus indicavit, de hoc negotio tractaverunt, qui per omnia unanimiter & concorditer post tractatus & collationes suas super hoc habitas▪ nobis virum per omnia idoneum, in Abbatem patremque & pastorem elegerunt, & postmodum ingresli Capitulum, nobis quem elegerant nominaverunt, scilicet fratrem Johannem de Hertfort, nostrae professionis Monachum, inter nos ab antiquo religiose & irreprehensibiliter conversatum. Nos siquidem ibidem unanimiter congregati, in personam illius quem elegerant, & nobis nominaverant, concorditer consensimus, absque omni discordia seu contradictione. Firmiter enim credimus▪ Sancte Pater, quod idem electus nobis & nostro Monasterio per omnia sit idoneus▪ cum in ipso nihil cur eligi non deberet, sciamus reprobum, nec in eo aliquid deficere perpendimus, quod canon exegit in electo. Hinc est▪ benignissime Pater, quare nos, qui filii vestri sumus, & immediate ad Romanum Pontificem spectantes, vobis in omni qua possumus supplicamus devotione▪ quatenus Dei intuitu, & ad levamen Ecclesiae nostrae, quae sub hac vacatura in magno navigat periculo, sub saeculari custodia constituta, electo nostro absque morae dispendio, officii sui confirmationem misericorditer impendatis. Nos autem, ut Reverenda Sanctitas vestra de praemissis fidem habeat indubitatam, sigillo Capituli nostri de communi totius Conventus consensu has Literas nostras Patentes, & rei gestae seriem continentes, fecimus consignari. The Pope after consideration, condescended to the Abbot's Election, but upon this condition, that he should take an express Oath of Fealty to the Pope and Church of Rome, and to his Successors, prescribed in his Bull directed to the Bishops, (the first encroachment of this kind upon Abbots, to my remembrance) which Oath suddenly tendered to him by way of surprise he took publicly before the Covent, and all the Clergy and people, at his consecration and instalment, thus related by Matthew Paris, a Monk of this Monastery. HIs autem Literis diligenter inspectis, habita cum fratribus deliberatione, concessit Mat. Paris Hist. Angl. p. 399. Summus Pontifex Monachis juste postulata, laboribus eorum paterno affectu compatiendo, necnon unitatem Ecclesiae suae concordem, & discretum in hoc negotio processum collaudando. Et ne res aliqua parte progressione usque ad finem careret laudabili, dedit in mandatis Elyensi & Londinensi Episcopis, ut examinata persona electi, benedictionis ei beneficium largirentur, vel alteruter, si ambo interesse non valerent, scribens eisdem sub hac forma. GREGORIUS Episcopus, servus servorum Dei, Venerabilibus fratribus Elyensi & Londinensi Episcopis, salutem & Apostolicam Benedictionem. Monasterio Sancti Albani Lincolniensis Diocaesis, quod ad Romanam Ecclesiam nullo medio pertiner, Abbatis solatio destituto, dilecti filii Prior & Conventus ipsius Monasterii, sicut accepimus, requisito prius, sicut moris est, assensu Regio et obtento, vocatis omnibus qui debuerunt, voluerunt, & potuerunt commode interesse, de Abbatis futuri substitutione tractantes, post diversos tractatus, quibusdam de collegio eligendi ei Abbatem, potestatem plenariam unanimiter contulerunt. Idem vero electores, Deum habentes praeoculis, collatione super hoc & deliberatione habita diligenti, & Spiritus-sancti gratia invocata, dilectum filium fratrem Johannem de Hertfort, ejusdem Monasterii Monachum, virum, ut asserunt, providum & discretum, ac in spiritualibus & in temporalibus circumspectum, & cum eye a puero laudabiliter conversatum, in Abbatem eorum, & Patrem concorditer & Canonice eligerunt. Quorum electionem solenniter publicatam, universi & singuli approbantes, nobis per dilectos filios fratres Reginaldum & Nicholaum, Monachos & Nuncios suos ac Literas humiliter supplicaverunt, ut cum per eundem Johannem, grata ipsi Monasterio in spiritualibus & temporalibus incrementa, sperarentur auctore Deo proventura, & rectis dispositionibus nihil debeat difficultatis afferri, electionem hujusmodi confirmare, de benignitate sedis Apostolicae dignaremur. Licet igitur praedicti Nuncii, sollicite super hoc institerint & prudenter, & nos pro eodem Monasterio libenter, quod cum Deo possumus facere, intendentes, electionem ipsam examinatam prout convenit diligenter, Canonicam invenerimus quoad formam; quia tamen de personae meritis plenam notitiam non habemus, fraternitati vestrae per Apostolica scripta mandamus, quatenus quae circa electi personam inquirenda fuerint, sollicite inquirentes, si eam sufficientem inveneritis ad ejusdem Monasterii regimen assumendum, praemissam electionem Authoritate Apostolica confirmetis, et electo faciatis eidem obedientiam et reverentiam debitam exhiberi, ac munus benedictionis impendi. Recepturi ab eo postmodum, pro nobis et Romana Ecclesia fidelitatis sollicitae juramentum, juxta formam quam vobis sub Bulla nostra mittimus interclusam. Alioquin, ea rite cassata, faciatis dicto Monasterio de persona idonea per electionem Canonicam provideri. Contradictores per censuram Ecclesiasticam, appellatione postposita compescendo. Formam autem juramenti, quod ipse praestabit nobis de verbo ad verbum, per ejus Patentes Literas suo sigillo signatas quam cito poteritis per proprium nuncium transmittatis. Quod si non ambo his exequendis potueritis interesse, alter vestrum ea nihilominus exequatur. Datum Perusii. Impetratis autem his Literis, cum aliis sub Bulla clausis, salutato Domino Papa & fratribus, necnon & respectis, redierunt Nuncii praedicti cum prosperitate, post moram in Curia factam per xv. dies. Episcopus autem Londinensis, alio se excusante, mandatum Apostolicum diligenter executus, examinatione rite facta, nihil reprobum in persona electi reperiens, munus solenniter benedictionis eidem impendit, in crastino scilicet Nativitatis Beatae Virginis, in Ecclesia Sancti Albani. Vbi apertae sunt Literae inclusae Domini Papae, quas, ut oportuit, electus in Abbatem benedicendus profitendo legit, in praesentia Episcopi et audientia Conventus, et totius populi et Cleri, sub hac forma. Of which, and the new Oath therein, you shall have an account in its due place. * Vitae Viginti Trium Sancti Albani Abbatum, p. 136, to 142. Matthew Paris in the Life of this Abbot John the 2. makes this more full relation of the manner of his Election. William the Abbot of St. Alban deceasing, the Monks thereupon sent this supplicatory Letter to the King, to grant them his Licence to elect another in his place. EXcellentissimo Domino & in Christo Reverendissimo, Henrico Dei gratia illustri Literae missae Domino Regi, d● ob●●u Abbatis Willielmi. Regi Angliae, Domino Hiberniae, Duci Normanniae & Aquitaniae, Comiti Andegavensi: devoti sui semper & humiles, Prior Sancti Albani & ejusdem loci Conventus, cum omni humilitate & devotione, aeternam in Domino salutem. Vestrae innotescimus Excellentiae, quod Venerabilis Pater noster Willielmus quondam Abbas Ecclesiae nostrae, in fata decessit: ideoque dilectos fratres nostros N. & N. latores praesentium ad vos destinamus. Excellentiae vestrae omni qua possumus devotione, et lachrymarum effusione, flexisque genibus supplicantes, quatenus divinae pietatis intuitu, nobis gratiam dign●nter impertientes, eligendi Pastorem liberam nobis concedatis facultatem. Statui domus nostrae misericorditer, si placet, compatientes, juxta necessitates, quos dicti fratres nostri vobis duxerint exprimendas. Valeat Regia dignitas in aeternum. Misimus insuper Literas amicis nostris in Curia, sub hac forma: ut ipsi negotium nostrum expedirent. They likewise sent this Letter to the Chancellor. URgentibus negotiis novis & inopinatis emergentibus, Priorum amicorum auxilium Cancellario. familiare & consilium evidens; suadet honestas, & compellit instans necessitas. Ideoque sincerae paternitati vestrae omni qua possumus devotione supplicamus, quatenus divinae pietatis intuitu, statui domus nostrae juxta necessitates quas fratres nostri N. & N. latores praesentium vobis duxerint exprimendas, misericorditer, & paterno subveniatis affectu, eo quod Venerabilis Pater noster Willielmus quondam Abbas Monasterii nostri, divino nutu diem clausit extremum: Nos Monachos suos quasi Orphanos piorum consilio relinquens & auxilio. Quorum indigentiae sic vestra dignetur consulere miseratio, ut Deus Pater Pupillorum, digna mercede vestram remuneret p●etatem. Having obtained the King's Licence to elect a new Abbot, they sent this summons to all the Priors of their Cells that had voices in the Election. FRater E. Prior Ecclesiae Sancti Albani ejusdemque loci Conventus, dilecto sibi in Ut conveniant Priores Cellarum ad Electionem. Christo▪ tali vel tali Priori, salutem in Domino sempiternam. Quum Venerabilis Pater noster Willielmus quondam Abbas Monasterii nostri, divino nutu diem clausit extremum, & oportet per commune consilium Ecclesiae nostrae provider● de Pastore; Mandamus quatenus in crastino Annunciationis Dominicae proximo affuturae, compareas personaliter apud Sanctum Albanum, una nobiscum tractaturus super electione Abbatis. Quod si forte non potueris justa ex causa praepeditus, te sub hac forma excuses per Literas tuas Patentes. Viris Venerabilibus Domino E. Priori de Sancto Albano ejusdemque loci Conventui, Frater N. Prior talis vel talis loci; tali vel tali, salutem. Praepeditus negotio certo, videlicet assignato, vel gravi detentus infirmitate, in crastino Annunciationis Dominicae apud Sanctum Albanum personaliter interesse non possum, una vobiscum super electione Abbatis tractaturus. Ideoque non expectata praesentia mea, in dicto negotio, quod vestrum est, exequamini. Valete. COngregatis igitur Fratribus die statuto & praefixo, videlicet die Dominica; non De progressu electionis. potuimus pro solemnitate illius diei tractare de electione. Et cantavimus ea die de Dominica procrastinantes solemnitatem de Annunciatione facienda: unde nec in crastino, scilicet die Lunae, nequivimus tractare de tam arduo negotio, quod tanta & tam morosa deliberatione indiguit. Die igitur Martis, convenientibus in unum tam Prioribus quam aliis, qui debuerunt & voluerunt commode in capitulo interesse; elegerunt s●llemniter Johannem de Hartfordia, Priorem de Hertford, Monachum suum professum, in Pastorem animarum suarum: virum pium, & Monachum ordinatum; Qui Domino Regi praesentatus, ab eo favorabiliter Dominica in Ramis Palmarum (tum quia elegans et venerabilis extitit statura, tum quia audierat quod dapsilis et Civ●●is ac socialis fuerat, dum Prior Hertfordiae fuerit) est susceptus: Et idcirco promptius, quia Rex semper domum Sancti Albani dilexerat: Cui Literas petitorias a Priore & Conventu sub hac forma transmisimus. ILlustri Domino suo & Magnifico, Henrico Dei gratia Regi Angliae, etc. devoti sui Literae miss● Domino Regi pro praesentatione electi. semper & humiles E. Pr●or Sancti Albani, & ejusdem loci Conventus, cum omni humilitate & devotione, aeternam in Domino, salutem. Regiae Excellentiae vestrae, Dominum Johannem Priorem de Hertfordia, virum idoneum et honestum, quem de benignitate et licentia vestra nobis concessa, in Patrem nobis elegimus et Pastorem, praesentamus. Cum omni humilitate et devotione supplicantes, quatenus ex innata vobis benignitate, solitaque clementia erga nos et Ecclesiam nostram concepta et habita, dictum Johannem electum nostrum, in gratiam recipiatis; vestrum eidem consilium, auxilium, et favorem, divinae, si placet, intuitu pietatis impendentes. Valeat, etc. DOminus autem Rex cum hoc audisset, & perpendisset progressum nostrum ordinatum Scribit Dominus Rex, Domino Papae, pro nobis in hoc negotio. & humilem, non tantum nobis suum favorem impertivit, & juvamen, imo Domino Papae & amicis suis in Curia Romana pro nobis scripsit sic, (Well knowing that nothing would be done therein at Rome, but by such Letters, seconded with underhard Bribes.) Reverendo Domino & Patri & in Christo Charissimo, Gregorio Dei gratia Summo Pontifici, Henricus eadem gratia Rex Angliae, etc. salutem: & tam devotam quam debitam in omnibus, tanto Domino & Patri reverentiam. Noverit Sancta Paternitas vestra, Nos electioni factae de fratre Johanne de Hertford, Monacho de Sancto Albano, in Abbatem Sancti Albani, Regium adhibuisse favorem et assensum. Et quia ad sedem Apostolicam immediate spectat electionis praedictae confirmatio, hoc Sanctae Paternitati vestrae duximus praesentium tenore significandum: Devote supplicantes quatenus eidem electioni munus confirmationis dignemini, si placet, favorabiliter impendere. Teste memetipso apud Abendon, primo die Aprilis, Anno Regni mei nineteen. Item Literae Domini Regis ad amicos suos in Curia Romana, pro electo. VEnerabili in Christo Patri, & amico specialiter dilecto, J. Dei gratia GG. Sanctae Praxedis Presbytero Cardinali: Henricus Dei gratia Rex Angliae, etc. Quotiens ingruente necessitate nos contingit, pro nostris vel alienis negotiis Apostolicae sedis implorare subsidium, ad eorundem negotiorum expeditionem, vestra nobis necessaria est diligentia: quam in omnibus vestri gratia nobis recolimus subvenisse. Cum igitur electioni factae de fratre Johanne Monacho Sancti Albani, in Abbatem ejusdem loci, Regium adhibuerimus assensum, et favorem, & immediate subjecta sit Ecclesia Sancti Albani, Sanctae Romanae Ecclesiae: Paternitati vestrae duximus attente supplicandum, quatenus cum Nuntii, & procuratores dicti electi ad obtinendum a sede Apostolica confirmationem dictae electionis, ad Curiam venerunt, ad assecutionem sui propositi in hac parte, vestra dignetur eis Paternitas auxilio & consilio subvenire. Per quam subventionem, multiplicetur vobis gratia nostra, quam ex diversorum negotiorum promotione non dubitamus eis vos comparasse. Teste meipso, primo die, etc. INjunctum est igitur duobus fratribus Monachis hujus Ecclesiae, videlicet Domino Continuatio & regressus ad materiam. Reginaldo de Bocking Physico, & Domino Nicholao de Sancto Albano, & cuidam Clerico nostro, Magistro scilicet Galfrido de Langeleia, ut Curiam Romanam protinus adirent: ut electionem ritè factam impetrarent à sede Apostolica confirmari: Qui se precibus Conventus commendantes, illico perrexerunt. Et statutum est in Capitulo quaedam specialia fieri pro eisdem Missarum & Orationum suffragia: Et cum ad Curiam Romanam (quae tunc Perusii fuerat) pervenissent; ut promptiorem a Domino Papa gratiam obtinerent, pecuniae quandam summam Papalibus pedibus obtulerunt: quam statim gratanter receptam, jussit Dominus Papa cuidam fratri Minori, Thesaurario ac Cubiculario Nota. suo, illam pecuniam in Gazophylacium suum deportare. Et accumulatis illis denariis, aliis candidis Esterlingis, noluit frater vel etiam forulum nuntiis resignare, nec Dominus Papa (quem Civilem et Dapsilem fore deceret) ad prandiolium invitare. Respectis igitur Janitoribus et Ministris Papalibus, in muneribus (quia sic oportuit, cum patulis rictibus ipsis donis inhiarent) recesserunt in crastinum (prout eis dictum erat) redituri. Et cum tunc advenissent, ostendentes Regios apices Domino Papae, tum propter ipsos, tum propter serotinum xenium, (aliis etiam Epistolis, quas secum amicis Domini Regis detulerunt adminicul antibus) gratiam ab illa venali Curia obtinuerunt. Respexerant enim amicos Regis quibus ejus Literas attulerant, donis uberrimis, qui solitas Literas Nota. steriles et infructuosas, sine muneribus concurrentibus parvi pendunt. Electione igitur confirmata, cum benedictione Apostolica (quam satis comparaverunt) gaudenter sunt reversi, nec unquam postea, ipsam Curiam diligere aut commendare potuerunt. Approbata vero quamplurimum fuit ab ipso Domino Papa & a cunctis fratribus Cardinalibus (& maxime a Domino Ottone, qui verba optima secit pro domo Sancti Albani) forma electionis & totius processus negotii, admirantibus universis, quod inter tot Capita fuit tam indilata sententia, & consensus uniformis. Et addidit Otto memoratus coram Papa, & cunctis assidentibus: Domine, semper religio, unitas, & concordia in illa domo viguerunt. Unde ab universis dictum est, quod non sine nutu Spiritus Sancti illud negotium fuerat prosecutum. Multitudinis enim credentium fuit cor unum, & anima una. Et ut audientes non lateat, haec est consuetudo eligendi Abbatem, in Ecclesia Sancti Albani. COnfessores, scilicet, tres vel quatuor, jubentur districte in virtute Spiritus Consuetudo in Ecclesia Sancti Albani, eligendi Abbatem. sancti (utpote qui cognoscit corda & renes singulorum) ut ipsi eligant duodecim de Conventu fratres electos, fideles, & peritos, ut ipsi vel de seipsis, vel de ipso Conventu Ecclesiae, vel de Cellis, unum idoneum eligant in Abbatem. De ipsis (inquam) quia sic non consueverunt antiquitus, imo de aliis quam seipsis, quod absurdum fuit & dissonum rationi. Et in hoc variata est antiqua consuetudo, & in melius commutata. Ut autem electio & labor tantae diliberationis super hoc negotio, nullatenus irritus habeatur & inanis, literas habent de Conventu penes se sigillo Conventus roboratas, ut ipse Conventus illum quem ipsi duodecim eligent in Abbatem, sine contradictione aut difficultate unanimiter in pastorem suscipient, & gratanter. Unde series negotij sic prosecuta, a summo Pontifice (ut praetactum est) palam coram omnibus est commendata. Et facta examinatione auctoritate Apostolica, illico confirmata. Veruntamen quia de persona Electi, Domino Papae non constabat, dedit in mandatis Eliensi & Londoniensi Episcopis, ut rite facta examinatione ex persona Electi, eundem in Abbatem confirmatum benedicerent, plene in omnem tam spiritualium quam temporalium administrationem instituentes. Cum autem rediissent Nuntij de Curia, ostendebant Literas Domini Papae Episcopis memoratis, qui electo scripserunt sub hac forma. HVgo Dei gratia Elyensis, & Rogerus eadem gratia Londoniensis Episcopi; Johanni de Hertford. Electo Sancti Albani, salutem. Mandatum Domini Papae suscepimus in haec verba. Gregorius Episcopus, etc. Hujus igitur auctoritate mandati nobis transmissi vobis mandamus, quod die Lunae proxima post festum Sancti Laurentij, in Ecclesia conventuali apud Crucem Roifiae compareatis coram nobis; parati examinationem subire, & Electionis (Deo dante) confirmationem suscipere, secundum formam mandati Apostolici. Quod & Abbas sub omni fecit maturitate. Affirmabant utique tam Episcopi memorati postquam audierant, quam nuntij nostri, quod prudenter processum est in hoc negotio. Et literas postulabant ad inspicendum, quas Conventus S. Albani Domino Papae transmisit sub transcripto. Quas si quis inspicere desiderat, in hoc volumine, ubi scilicet pingitnr Avicula, poterit invenire, cujus Rubrica & Titulus talis est. Literae missae domino Papae de morte Abbatis Gulielmi, de forma electionis alterius Abbatis substituendi, jam Electi; scilicet Johannis Londoniensis vero Episcopus, variis & arduis negotiis praepeditus, ne ad locum veniret memoraum, se excusavit: Episcopo Elyensi. sic scribens. VEnerabili fratri, & amico in Christo charissimo H. Dei gratia Elyensi Episcopo Literae excusatoriae Episcopi Londoniensis. R. divina miseratione Londoniensis Ecclesiae Minister humilis, salutem & sinceram in Domino charitatem. In negotio examinationis electi Sancti Albani, & confirmationis ejusdem, vobis & nobis a Domino Papa commisso, variis praepediti negotiis, die Lunae proxima post festum Sancti Laurentii, apud Crucem Roisiae & Ecclesiae conventuali interesse non possumus. Ideo non expectata praesentia nostra, quod vestrum est in dicto negotio, exequamini. Valeat paternitas vestra, semper in Domino. COnfirmatus est igitur Electus facta examinatione, sub tali scripto. Confirmatio & electi. In nomine Patris, & Filij, & Spiritus sancti. Inquisitis secundum formam literarum Domini Papae, quae circa personam Johannis electi Sancti Albani sunt inquirer da, tum per testes juratos, tum per propriae personae examinationem, invenimus ipsum ad regimen dictae Ecclesiae sufficientem. Unde electionem de ipso factam, auctoritate Apostolica confirmamus. Quo facto, misit Elyensis Conventui Sancti Albani ad majorem certificationem, literas, sub hac forma. HVgo Dei gratia Elyensis Episcopus, dilectis in Christo Priori & conventui S. Literae Elyensis Episcopi ad conventum Sancti Albani. Albani, salutem in Domino. Noverit discretio vestra, Nos juxta formam mandati Apostolici, electionem de fratre Johanne de Hartford in Abbatem Monasterij vestri Canonice celebratam, auctoritate Apostolica confirmasse. Quocirca authoritate Apostolica qua fungimur, vobis mandamus in virtute obedientiae districte praecipientes, quod eundem electum vestrum in Abbatem & Pastorem devote admittatis, obedientiam & reverentiam debitam eidem humiliter impendentes Valete. SCripsit insuper idem Episcopus super hoc Domino Regi, sub hac forma. Literae Elyensis Episcopi super hoc Domino Regi. Excellentissimo Domino Henrico tertio Dei gratia illustri Regi Angliae, etc. Hugo, divina miseratione Elyensis Episcopus, salutem, reverentiam, & honorem. Noverit excellentia vestra, nos juxta formam mandati Apostolici, electionem de Fratre Johanne de Heriford in Abbatem Monasterij Sancti Albani Canonice celebratam, authoritate Apostolica confirmasse. Quocirca excellentiam vestram rogamus, quod ob reverentiam sedis Apostolicae, dictum electum habentes commendatum, administrationem dictae Abbatiae eidem commutatis. Valeat Excellentia vestra semper in Domino. Scripsit insuper (Domino Rege accestante) & palam publicavit, Chartam istam Confirmationis. OMnibus Christi fidelibus literas has inspecturis vel audituris. Charta confirmationis. Hugo Dei gratia Elyensis Episcopus, salutem in Domino sempiternam. Noveritis quod cum nobis, & venerabili fratri nostro London. Episcopo commissum esset negotium a Domino Papa examinationis personae fratris Johannis de Hertford Electi in Abbatem Monasterij Sancti Albani, & confirmationis ejusdem, Episcopo Londoniensi in dicto negotio excusato literatorie, nos electionem ipsius Johannis in hunc modum confirmamus. In nomine Patris, & Filij, & Spiritus Sancti. Inquisitis secundum formam literarum Domini Papae, quae circa personam Electi Sancti Albani fratris Johannis sunt inquirenda, tum per testes juratos, tum per propriae personae examinationem, invenimus eum ad regimen dictae Abbatiae sufficientem. Unde electionem tanquam de persona idonea de ipso factam, authoritate Apostolica confirmamus. In cujus rei testimonium, his literis nostris Patentibus, sigillum nostrum duximus apponendum. Acta Anno Domini M. CC. XXXV. die Lunae, proxima post festum Sancti Laurentii apud Crucem Roisiae. In crastino igitur, scilicet Nativitatis beatae Virginis, in Ecclesia Sancti Albani ad majus Altare, in praesentia Episcopi London. & totius Conventus in Choro existentis, idem Episcopus eidem electo munus impendit benedictionis. Ubi apertae sunt literae inclusae, & bullatae Domini Papae, quas oportuit Electum in Abbatem benedicendum, profitendo palam legere, sub hac forma. Ego Johannes Monasterii Sancti Albani Abbas, ab hac hora in antea, Mat Paris Hist. Angl. p. 399, 420. Vitae 23. Sancti Albani Abbatum, p. 140 fidelis et obediens ero Sancto Petro, sanctaeque Apostolicae Romanae Ecclesiae, et Domino meo Papae Gregorio, ejusque Successoribus Canonice intrantibus. Non ero in Cansilio, aut consensu, vel in facto, ut vitam perdant aut membrum, aut capiantur mala captione. Consilium vero quod mihi credituri sunt, per se aut per Nuntios suos, sive per literas, ad eorum damnum me sciente nemini pandam. Papatum Romanum et * Regalis in the History. Regalem sancti Petri, Adjutor eye ero ad retinendum et defendendum, salva ordine meo, contra omnem hominem. (Not * See Cookes 1. Instit. on Littleton. f 64. 65. excepting the King himself as is usual in Homage and fealty to all other Lords.) Legatum Apostolicae sedis in eundo et redeundo, honorifice tractabo, et in suis necessitatibus adjuvabo. Vocatus ad Synodum veniam, nisi * Not excerting the King's inhibition. praepeditus fuero Canonica praepeditione. Apostolorum limina * A miserab'e servitude and expense, only to enslave and fleece them. singulis trienniis visitabo, aut per me aut per Nuntium meum, nisi absolvae Apostolica licentia. Possestones vero ad Monasterium meum spectaiites, non vendam, neque donabo, neque impignorabo, neque de novo infeudabo, vel aliquo modo alienabo, * They may do all this by his dear bought dispensation. inconsulto Romano Pontifice: Sic me Deus adiuvet, et haec sancta Evangelia. This New Oath of allegiance and fealty to the Pope and See of Rome, being the highest encroachment upon the King's Rights and Prerogative, making all who took it the Pope's subjects, vassals, villains, not the Kings, was sealed up and concealed both from the King and Abbot elect, till this very nick of his consecration and benediction, for fear it should be opposed, refused, as the Historian observes, and thus relates. Haec cooperta fuerunt, occulta, et clausa sub bulla, donec staret Pontificalibus ad Altare redimitus, quando nullo modo poterat ab ista abligatione resilire. Et cum rogasset Abbas ab Episcopo Londoniensi Rogero, quid Romae faceret? Episcopus, sicut jocundus extitit, jocose respondit sub▪ ridens, & ait: Amice ut offeras: & veritas in verbo latitavit. Rex autem super praemissis certificatus, Tenentibus de Sancto Albano scripsit in haec verba. HENRICUS Dei gratia Rex Angliae, etc. Militibus, liberis hominibus, & Mat. Paris. Vita 23. Sancti Albani Abbatum. p. 140. 141 omnibus aliis Tenentibus de Abbatia de Sancto Albano, salutem. Sciatis quod electioni factae de fratre Johanne de Hertford in Abbatem S. Albani, assensum Regium praebuimus & favorem. Et ideo vobis mandamus, quod eidem sratri Johanni tanquam Domino vestro, in omnibus quae ad praedictam Abbatiam pertinent, intendentes sitis & respondentes. Incujus rei testimonium, has literas nostras fieri fecimus patentes. Teste meipso apud Westmonasterium, decimo octavo die Augusti, Anno Regni nostri Duodecimo. EX tunc igitur Abbas plenarie constitutus, cepit homagia, & Juramenta, & fidelitates, omnium Abbatiae subditorum, installatus, & in omnibus Abbas habitus & firmatus. Sed ut non lateat simpliciores qualiter se gessit dum Electus esset, & qualiter in posterum se gerere debet Electus, praesentibus duximus inserendum. In the beginning whereof he thus expresseth the New Abbot's sense and detestation of this New Oath, and yoke of bondage imposed by the Pope on this famous Monastery, (and on others by his ill precedent in submitting thereunto) and of the Pope's manifold superadded exactions. ISte Johannes secundus Abbas, Prior quando que de Hertford & inde oriundus: praeter opinionem omnium nutu Dei sublimatus in Abbatem: Primo invitus et dolens, Romanorum jugum subiit servitutis: ut scilicet, de triennio in triennium, vel per se, vel peralium limina adiret Apostolorum, sicut in subdola professione ejusdem continetur▪ in magnum Ecclesiae damnum et gravamen, et insatiabilis Romanae Curiae emolumentum voluntarium et injuriosum. Primus quidem fuit in Abbatem creatus post Concilium Laterense generale, sub Papa Innocentio quarto celebratum: in quo illud continetur cum aliis gravaminibus, in Ecclesiae Sancti Albani (quae a fundatione sui primitiva libera & ingenua legitur extitisse) praejudicium, et si fas est dicere, injuriam et jacturam. Iste quoque Abbas in Novitate sua multis exactionibus fatigabatur, et expensis, sed prae omnibus Romanorum oppressionibus novis et inauditis coepit molestari. Et quod obstantibus antiquis privilegiis (quae non sine magna Sanctorum patrum injuria et Contemptu cassantur et spernuntur) non permissa est tam Celebris Ecclesia suis libertatibus gratulari. Id cujus rei triste praesagium, paulo ante ejusdem Abbatis creationem, & cito post (scilicet infra triennium) bis supra Ecclesiam beati Albani visum est fulgur usque ad incendium cecidisse, quod se meminit praevidisse, nec audivit evenisse. Et sicut non prodest sanctorum inniti Privilegiis aut indulgentiis, sic non obstitit fulguri impressio Papalis Cerea, in qua Agnus Dei figuratur, quae in Summitate Turris nostrae collocatur, quae ut dicitur, contra tales procellas abigendas virtutem habet & potestatem. I have related these Passages at large, to evidence the execrable Bribery, Simony, Rapine, extortions and insufferable usurpations of this Pope on the Crown and Church of England, recorded by Matthew Paris living in that age, privy to all these Transactions being a Monk of St. Alban, (little redounding to the honour of the Pope, Court or Church of Rome.) which though generally detested, yet could not be resisted, reform in that age by the King, Nobles or Clergy of England, who only murmured and made some bootless petty oppositions against them. The Pope to raise moneys for himself and his own Wars, under a pretext of supplying and aiding the Holy Land, against the Saracens, issued forth his Bulls for a new Crossado throughout the Christian world, which he caused to be re-published. HOc denique anno, qui est annus octavus postquam constitutae sunt treugae decennales Mat. Paris Hist. Angl. p. 396. 397. in Terra promissionis, inter Romanum Imperatorem Fredericum & Babyloniae Soldanum, facta est praedicatio crucis per orbem universum Christiana fide insignitum, ad commonitionem & instantiam Domini Papae Gregorii, qui literas in diversas orbis partes, sub hac forma direxit, (the same verbatim with those forecited, p. 447, 448, 449.) GREGORIUS Episcopus, servus servorum Dei, Universis Domini nostri Jeseu Christi fidelibus per regnum Angliae constitutis, ad quos literae istae pervenerint, salutem & Apostolicam benedictionem. Rachel suum videns in verae fidei cognitione principium accrescentium in salutem, & filiorum dexterae pia mater sancta Romana Ecclesia, cujus magna est quasi mare de suae prolis internecione contritio, vocem lamentationis fletus & luctus emisit hactenus, & emittit, quam audiri cupimus in excelso, ut per diem & noctem fidelium oculi doloris lachrymam deducentes non taceant, & donec misereatur Dominus, non quiescant, etc. Dat. Spoleti, 2. Nonas Septemb. Pontificatus nostri anno octavo. Assignati sunt autem praedicatores a domino Papa in opus crucis & animarum oberrantium lucrifactionem, per orbem universum, fratres de ordine Praedicatorum ac Minorum, cum magistris in Theologia perfectis, utpote magister Johannes da sancto Albano oriundus, aliquando Decanus Ecclesiae sancti Quintini, postea thesaurarius Ecclesiae Sarisburiensis, & alii viri discreti ac sancti; qui in opus Evangelii profecti, praedicaverunt ubique Domino cooperante, & sermonem confirmante sequentibus signis. Habuerunt autem ex mandato Apostolico, provinciarum Archidiaconos, & Decanos, qui in locis singulis parochianos, viros & mulieres convenire fecerunt: ita ut nullus remaneret sub poena Anathematis quin eorum praedicationibus interesset. Whereupon they inform us of this fabulous Miracle wrought upon a Cripple, to set on this design with more speed and vigour. COntigit autem hoc anno 3. Idus Junii, in villa de Clare, ubi magister Rogerus de Lewes, frater quidem de ordine Minorum, pro negotio crucis Evangelium Mat. Paris Hist. Angl. p. 397, 398. in Dominica praedicavit, ut mulier quaedam omni membrorum officio jam per triennium destituta, poenam metuens excommunicationis, paucum quod habuit argenti cuidam viro sibi vicino contulit, qui eam in humeris suis ad locum veheret praedicationis. Ubi cum gemens jaceret & lugens quousque vir Dei praedicationem absolvisset, motus compassione super gemitibus mulieris, quam lugentem jacere conspexit, accessit ad eam, atque causam ad quid illuc venisset inquisivit. Quae cum diceret, quod metu excommunicationis ad locum sermonis fuisset delata; praecepit ut iret in domum suam, nesciens quod membris omnibus esset dissoluta. Sed cum astantes vicini ejus testarentur, quod omnium erat usu membrorum jam elapso triennio privata, interrogabat, si crederet quod Deus potens erat, ut sibi, si vellet, redderet sanitatem? Cui illa, Credo Domine. Tunc vir Dei mulierem inter brachia complectens, levavit eam fiducialiter, & ait: Sanet te Deus omnipotens, in quem credis. Et cum mulier ad vocern jubentis se erigeret confidens in Domino, coeperunt ossa ejus & nervi cum compagibus dum surgeret crepare, ut visum sit astantibus, quod omnia ossa ejus in frusta fuissent comminuta. Et sic mulier sanitati pristinae restituta, abiit in domum suam, exaltans & magnificans Dominum qui talem servis suis contulit potestatem. Thus were the ignorant people cheated of their monies, and their blind devotion abused, year after year, by these pious frauds and forged Miracles of the Pope, and his freers Predicants, to the scandal of Religion. This year, Pope Gregory the 9th. to advance his own Papal Authority over all Christian Kingdoms, Churches throughout the world, by giving, prescribing Laws and Decretals to them to gain money for dispensations against them and other Canons, published his Books of Decretals bearing his own name, whereof we have this account. HIS quoque temporibus Gregorius Papa IX. videns Decretalium taediosam prolixitatem, sub quodam compendio eas eleganter abbreviatas & collectas, solenniter Anno 1235. Mat. Paris, Hist. Angl. p. 403. & authentice per totius mundi latitudinem legi praecepit et divulgari. Illas autem ab auctore ipsarum Gregorianas appellamus, sic incipientes: Rex pacificus, etc. In quibus quaedam innovavit, ne scilicet illegitimi in Praelatas vel Ecclesiastica beneficia, nisi adepta a The scope o● these Decretais▪ sede Romana legitimationis dispensatione, obtineant: sciens inde curiae Romanae pro impetratione tali, multa emolumenta provenire: sicut ex statuto Innocentii, pro dispensatione plurium beneficiorum obtinendorum. These monopolies of Papal Dispensations in these two cases of Illegitimations and Pluralties, being very gainful, though scandalous and unchristian Projects; And lest such who needed or desired such dispensations should want monies to purchase them, or any other indulgences or to defray Papal exactions upon all occasions, this Pope and his Agents sent abroad Usurers, and sharking Brokers into all Countries, under the Titles of Merchants, especially into England, which proved a pernicious pest and grievance to the Kingdom and Churchmen, as this relation of their practices discovers. INvaluit autem his diebus adeo Caursinorum pestis abominanda, ut vix esset aliquis in tota Anglia, maxime Praelatus, qui retibus illorum jam non illaquearetur. Mat. Paris Hist. Angl. p. 403, 404, 405. Etiam ipse Rex debito inaestimabili eis tenebatur obligatus. Circumveniebant enim in necessitatibus indigentes, usuram sub specie negotiationis palliantes: & nescire dissimulantes, quod quicquid accrescit sorti, usura est, quocunque nomine censeatur. Manifestum est enim, eorum accommodationes ab ordine charitatis sequestrari, cum non manum porrigant egentibus auxiliatricem, ut eis subveniant, sed circumveniant: non ut alienae succurrant inediae, sed ut suae consulant avaritiae, cum Quicquid agant homines, intentio judicet omnes. Debitores autem suos sub tali obligatione sibi obligaverunt. Universis praesens scriptum visuris N. Prior, et Conventus N. salutem in Domino. Noveritis nos mutuo recepisse apud Londinum, pro nostris et Ecclesiae nostrae negotiis utiliter expediendis, ab illo N. et illo N. pro se et sociis suis, civibus et mercatoribus civitatis N. centum et quatuor marcas bonorum et legalium esterlingorum, tredecim solidis et quatuor esterlingis pro qualibet cumputatis. De quibus centum et quatuor marcis, nomine nostro et Ecclesiae nostrae, bene nos vocamus quietos et integre protestamur pacatos: exceptioni non numeratae, non solutae, et non traditae nobis pecuniae, ac etiam exceptioni, quod dicta pecunia in usus nostros et Ecclesiae nostrae non sit conversa, omnino renunciantes. Quas praetaxatas centum quatuor marcas esterlingorum, praedicto modo et numero computandas dictis mercatoribus, vel uni ipsorum, vel eorum certo nuncio, qui praesentes literas secum attulerit, in festo sancti Petri ad vincula, scilicet prima die mensis Augusti, apud Novum Templum Londini, anno Dominicae incarnationis millesimo ducentisimo trigesimo quinto, per legitimam stipulationem promittimus, et tenemur nomine nostro et Ecclesiae nostrae, nos integre soluturos, et reddituros. Tali tenore adjuncto, quod si dicta pecunia praedictis loco et termino, sicut dictum est, non fuerit persoluta et reddita; ex tunc in antea semper transacto termino promittimus, et tenemur per eandem stipulationem, dare et reddere praedictis mercatoribus, aut uni eorum, vel eorum certo nuntio, per singulos menses duos, pro singulis decem marcis, unam marcam dictae monetae, pro recompensatione damnorum, quae damna et expensas ipsi mercatores ex hoc possent incurrere vel habere: ita quod damna et expensae et sors cum effectu peti possint, ut superius sunt expressa, et expensas unius mercatoris cum uno equo, et cum uno serviente, ubicunque fuerit mercator, usque ad plenam solutionem omnium praedictorum. Expensas etiam factas et faciendas, pro ipsa pecunia recuperanda, reddemus et restaurabimus eisdem mercatoribus, vel uni eorum, vel eorum certo nuncio. Quam recompensationem damnorum interessae, et expensarum, promittimus dictis mercatoribus in sortem dicti debiti nullatenus computari, ac non detinere dictum debitum sub praetextu recompensationis memoratae, contra voluntatem praedictorum mercatorum, ultra terminum antedictum. Pro quibus omnibus antedictis, firmiter et plenarie adimplendis, et inviolabiliter observandis, obligamus nos et Ecclesiam nostram, et successores nostros, et omnia bona nostra et Ecclesiae nostrae, mobilia et immobilia, Ecclesiastica et mundana, habita et habenda, ubicunque fuerint inventa, mercatoribus antedictis, et eorum Haeredibus, usque ad plenam solutionem omnium praedictorum, quae bona ab eis precario nomine recognoscimus possidere. Et volumus super omnibus antedictis ubique et in omni foro conveniri, renunciando pro omnibus antedictis, pro nobis et successoribus nostris, omni juris auxilio canonici et civilis, privilegio clericatus et fori, Epistolae Divi Adriani, omni consuetudine et statuto, omnibus literis, indulgentiis, privilegiis, pro Rege Angliae, et omnibus Regni sui a sede Apostolica impetratis et impetrandis, constitutioni de duabus dietis, beneficio restitutionis in integrum, beneficio appellationis et recusationis, * literis Nota. inhibitionis Regis Angliae; et omni alij exceptioni reali et personali, quae posset objici contra hoc instrumentum vel factum. Omnia ista promittimus fideliter observanda. In cujus rei Testimonium, praesenti scripto sigilla nostra duximus apponenda. Acta die quinta Aelphegi, Anno gratiae M. CC. XXXV. Talibus igitur inextricabilibus vinculis debitores suos Caursini constringebant. Qui ut verbo alludamus, vere Caursini, quasi causantes, vel capientes, & ursini nuncupantur. Indigentes tamen primo sermonibus mellitis & mollitis alliciebant, in fine vero velut jacula vulnerantes: unde multi propter verba eorum subscripta arguta, & a legibus extracta, causidicorumque cognata fallaciis, haec non sine Curiae Romanae conniventia fieri arbitrantur, illud Evangelicum commemorantes: Prudentiores sunt filii saeculi hujus, quam filii lucis, in generationibus suis. Judaei quoque novum genus usurae in Christianis comperientes, Sabbatha nostra immerito deridebant. The Bishop of London endeavoured to reform this worse than Jewish usury and extortion, but without success to his great vexation. EOdemque anno, Episcopus Londinensis Rogatus, vir quidem bene literatus & Mat. Puris Hist Angl. p. 404. religiosus, cum intellexisset hos Caursinos usuras sine erubescentia palam frequentare, vitamque spurcissimam deducere, viros religiosos variis fatigare, pecuniamque argumentose coacervare, & multos juga eorum coactos subire, commotus est & iratus, & Zelo Justitiae accensus, omnes illos quasi schismaticos admonuit, ut a tali enormitate, sicut animarum suarum salvationem deligerent, desisterent, poenitentiam agentes de commissis. Quod cum contempsissent, subsannantes, & deridentes insuper & comminantes, Episcopus armis accinctus Justitiae spiritualis, omnnes tales generaliter involuit anathemati, et jussit praecise et districte eos a civitate Londinensis, quae hactenus talis pestilentiae fuit ignara, citius elongari, ne Diocesis sua tali tabe macularetur. At ipsi tumentes et superbi, de Papali defensione confidentes, sine difficultate et morae dispendio, in Romana curia impetrarunt, Nota. ut dictus Episcopus, qui jam senuerat, valetudinarius et aegrotativus, citaretur peremptorie in remotis partibus ultra-marinis, coram Judicibus Caursinis familiaribus, quos elegerant ipsi ad voluntatem suam: ut compareret super tali injuria mercatoribus Papalibus irrogata, responsurus. Episcopus vero malens Patris verenda ut Sem tegere, quam ut Cam revelare; suscitatum tumultum sedavit pacifice: et haec sub dissimulatione pertransiens, causam tam ard●am sui * St. Peter was here too strong for St. Paul. Pauli patrocinio commendavit: Qui cum de rigore fidei et justitiae praedicaret, scripsit dicens: Et si Angelus vobis his contraria praedicaverit Anathema sit. How insolent, * See here p. 450. proud, covetous the degenerous Freers Minorites and Predicants grew in that age, through this Pope's favour, corruption and preaching up his Crossadoes, this Monk thus registers. Mat. Paris, Hist. Angl. p. 405. EOdem quoque tempore, quidam de fratribus Minorum, necnon & aliquide ordine Praedicatorum, impudenter nimis, suae professionis & ordinis immemores, in territoria aliquorum nobilium Coenobiorum se clam ingesserunt: sub praetextu officii sui adimplendi, & velut post crastinam praedicationem recessuri. Sed vel infirmitatem, vel quippiam aliud simulantes, manserunt: & fabricato ex ligno altari, superpositoque altariolo lapideo benedicto secum allato, Missas clandestinas demissa voce celebrarunt, confessiones multorum receperunt etiam parochialium, in praejudicium Presbyterorum. Dicebant namque, se talem a domino Papa suscepisse potestatem, ut eis scilicet fideles quae suo erubescunt Sacerdoti confiteri, vel dedignantur, quia consimili peccato constringuntur, vel timent, quia temulento, confiteantur; quibus injungant Minores poenitentias, & absolvant. Interim ad Romanam curiam misso procuratore festino & diligenti, contra religiosos, in quorum degebant territorio, concessam impetrarunt cum aliquo adjuncto beneficio mansionem. Quod si forte adhuc eis satisfieri non videretur, in verba contumeliosa & comminatoria proruperunt: ordinem alium quam suum reprobantes, aliosque de numero fore damnandorum asserentes: nec parcere callo plantarum suaarum, Nota. donec thesauros adversariorum suorum licet multos exhausissent. Unde in multis cedebant eis religiosi deferentes propter scandalum, & propter potentum offendiculum. Erant enim Magnatum consiliatores & nuncii, etiam domini Papae secretarii, nimis in hoc gratiam sibi saecularem comparantes. Aliqui tamen in curia Romana contradictores invenientes, obviis rationibus refraenati, confusi recesserunt; Dicente eis torvo vultu summo Pontifice, Quid est hoc fratres? quo prorumpitis? Nonne professi estis paupertatem spontaneam, ut discalceati, & inglorii peragrantes vicos, & Castilia, & loca remotiora, prout opus exigit, verbum Dei humiliter seminetis? praesumitis jam invitis Dominis feudorum mansiones vobis usurpare? Jam videtur in magna sui parte religio vestra expirare, & Doctrina refutari. Hoc audito recedentes, modestius se habere coeperunt, qui prius multiplicaverunt loqui sublimia gloriantes: & infra septa alterius arbitrio alieno morari & detineri recusantes. King Henry the 3d. so far degenerated from himself after his marriage, in complying with the Pope's usurpations, that he endeavoured by pretext of the Pope's Bull, to revoke some of his own grants as invalid, because they had not the Pope's assent unto them, for which he was much condemned by some of the Nobility, as one endeavouring overmuch to enthral his Kingdom and the right thereof to the vassalage of the Pope. EOdem tempore congregati sunt apud Wintoniam magnates Angliae praesente Rege Mat. Paris Hist. Angl. p. 416. sexto Idus Junij; Vbi Rex nitebatur per authenticum Domini Papae, quaedam, quae ante matrimonium contractum aliquibus contulerat, in irritum revocare, ac si esset impos sui, sine Domini Papae conniventia, ad quem, ut dicebat, Ius regni spectabat conferre. Unde multos commovit ad admirationem, dicentibus multis, quod magis quam decuit aut oportuit, regnum suum nitebatur Rex ejus subdere servituti, et extremis conditionibus mancipare. This year the Pope betaking himself to his usual cheat, to raise monies for his own use and Wars against the Emperor, under pretext of relieving the Holy Land, and dispensing with those vows for sums of money, which himself and his preaching Freers exhorted the people to enter into, for the remission of their sins, and salvation of their souls, gave no small scandal to these crossed votaries and others, who discovered the Imposture overlate, after he had cheated them of their Money by this art, ●refusing to restore any part thereof, as this passage will inform and assure us. EOdem quoque anno facta est praedicato solennis, tam in Anglia quam in Francia, Mat. Paris Hist. Angl. p. 418. a fratribus Praedicatoribus & Minoribus, & aliis famosis clericis, theologis, & religiosis, per authenticum domini Papae; cruce se signaturis plenam concedentibus peccatorum indulgentiam, de quibus confessi vere fuerint poenitentes. Qui civitates, castella, & pagos peragrantes, & in temporalibus multa remedia promittentes, scilicet de * See here p. 448. 449. usuris contra Judaeos ne amplius currerent, & protectionem domini Papae in redditibus & rebus impignoratis pro viaticis suis omnibus cruce signatis, infinitum populum, ad votum peregrinationis accinxerunt. Et postea misit Dominus Papa in Angliam, fratrem Thomam Templarium familiarem suum, cum authentico suo; ut quos vellet, & prout expedire videret, cruce signatos, accepta pecunia, quam se ducebat utilius ad promotionem Terrae sanctae expensurum, a voto peregrinationis absolveret. Quod cum viderent cruce signati, admirantes insaciatam Romanae curiae cupiditatem, magnam conceperunt mentibus indignationem, quod tot argumentis nituntur Romani tam impudenter loculos emungere populorum. Addiderunt namque Praedicatores: Quod si quis cruce signatus vel non signatus, qui in propria persona iter peragere non posset tam laboriosum, quod facultas permitteret in bonis, in subsidium Terrae sanctae conferre non omitteret, & sic plenissime indulgentia gauderet praenominata. Sed haec omnia auditores suspectos reddiderunt. Dicebant namque: Ecquis dispensator noster fidelis erit? Sicque factum est, quod Dominus Papa, concepta indignatione adversus populum, movit guerram, nummos extorquens; collegit decimam ex omnibus regionibus, et infinitam pecuniam adunavit, ut Ecclesiam defenderet. Sed cito pace composita, facti sunt Papa et Imperator amici, sed nunquam pecunia fuerat restituta. Et sic diatim, multorum devotio, fidesque titubavit plurimorum. a Surius Concil. Tom. 3. ps 620. See Cook 2 Instit. p. 96, 97. & 1 Instit. Sect. 399, 400. See Brooke and Fitzherbert Title Bastardy. Pope Alexander the 3d. and the Council of Lateran, about the year 1166. taking upon them the power and right to define what Children were legitimate, and who were Bastards, made these summary Decrees concerning it. Ante Matrimonium geniti, per Matrimonium post contractum fiunt legitimi. Non est exhaeredandus, quicunque ante desponsationem est natus. Ad Regem, non ad Ecclesiam pertinet de rebus haereditariis judicare. The two first of these Decrees being contrary to the Common Law of England, resolving all Children born before Marriage to be illegitimate, and not inheritable to their Parents, though afterwards lawfully coupled in Matrimony: Thereupon there arose a great question in England between the Bishops, Nobles, and Kings Judges, concerning this point, (long before the Statute of Merton) under King Henry the 2d. thus expressed by b De Legibus & Consuetudinibus Angliae, lib. 7. c. 14, 15. See here p. 445. Glanvil, upon a Writ directed to the Archbishop of Canterbury from the King's Temporal Court, in a real action, wherein the Tenant alleged Bastardy in the Demandant, Quod ipse Bastardus sit natus ante Matrimonium ipsorum. Et quoniam ad Curiam meam non ●● ectat agnoscere de Bastardia, eos ad vos mitto, mandantes, ut in Curia Christianitatis inde facias quod ad vos spectat. Et cum loquela illa debitum coram vobis finem sortita fuerit, mihi Liter is vesiris significetis quid inde coram vobis actum fuerit, etc. Circa hoc autem orta est Quaestio; Si quis antequam pater matrem suam desponsaverit, fuerit genitus vel natus, utrum talis filius sit legitimus haeres, cum postea matrem suam desponsaverit? Et qindem, licet secundum Canones et Leges Romanas talis filius sit legitimus haeres, tamen secundum jus et consuetudinem Regni, nullo modo tanquam haeres in haereditate sustinetur, ut haereditatem de jure Regni petere potest. Sed orta super hoc tamen contentione, utrum scilicet genitus an natus fuerit ante desponsationem, an post, discutietur id, ut dictum est, coram judice Ecclesiastico? & quod ab eo judicatum fuerit, id Domino Regi vel ejus Justiciario scire faciet; Ita tamen, quod secundum quod judicatum fuerit in Curia Christianitatis de Matrimonio, scilicet, utrum fuerit ille qui haereditatem petit, natus vel genitus ante Matrimonium contractum, vel post? In Curia Domini Regis supplebitur de adjudicanda vel abjudicanda ipsi, haereditate super qua contentio est, ita quod per judicium Curiae haereditatem ipsam obtinebit vel clameum suum perdet. The Bishops to advance their own Courts above the Kings, and the Canons made by the Pope and Lateran Council at Rome, above the Common Law and custom of the Realm in this particular, * Here p. 445. refused to return any Certificate in such cases, upon the King's Writs directed to them, or to act any thing against the Church's Canons, and were very importunate with the Nobles in the Parliament held at Merton, Anno 20 H. 3. to alter the Common Law in this point, according to their Canons, which the Nobles peremptorily refused to do, as the Statute or Merton cap. 9 and Henry de Bracton (a Learned Judge, who lived in that age) more fully informs us, in his excellent Discourse concerning Bastardy. c De Legibus & Consuetudinibus Angliae, lib. 5. De Exceptionibus, c. 15. f. 416, 417, 418. Qualiter opponi debeat Bastardia in primis videndum. Proponi quidem solet aliquando cum adjectione causae, quare Bastardus sit, & quandoque sine causa: sed quoniam ubi causa non adjicitur, sub tali responsione poterit esse obscuritas & incertitudo, quia cum sciri non poterit ad quod forum pertinere debeat cognitio, non refert, Utrum quis omnino non respondeat, vel obscure: ut si dicat tenens simpliciter, quod petens nihil juris habet, in re petita, quia Bastardus est, & paratus est probare Bastardiam ubi & quando debuerit, si prohibitio ex tali probatione & responsione statim mittatur ad Curiam Christianitatis, ita poterit quidem probatio quaelibet indifferenter fieri in Curia Christianitatis, quae in quibusdam est contraria Legi & Consuetudini Angliae, quod esse non debet, cum nihil aliud sit sub tali obscuritate transmittere inquisitionem de Bastardia faciendam ad Curiam Christianitatis, quam venire contra Legem & Consuetudinem Angliae. Ad talem igitur errorem tollendum, necesse est causam addiscere, ut si dicat tenens, frater nihil juris habes in terra petita quia Bastardus es, quia Pater tuus nunquam desponsavit matrem tuam. Talis cognitio Bastardiae recte pertinet ad judicem Ecclesiasticum, ex quo praecise deductum est Matrimonium, quia non pertinet ad judicem secularem discussio, utrum sit ibi Matrimonium vel non? cum ipse cui objicitur dicat contrarium. Idem erit si dicat, frater nihil juris habes in terra illa licet Matrimonium intervenerit, quia inter Patrem tuum & Matrem tuam contractum fuit Matrimonium illegitimum, ex quo prius contraxit cum quadam quae vixit tempore quando contraxit cum matre tua. Est igitur ad Curiam Christianitatis inquisitio in hoc transmittenda, quia ad judicem secularem non pertinet discussio, quis eorum & quae illarum sit legitima uxor, & quae non. Item, opponi poterit Bastardia cum adjectione causae, ut supra, sed non erit ad Curiam Christianitatis inquisitio demandanda, quia nihil pertinet ad judicem Ecclesiasticum cognoscere de prioritate, vel posterioritate nativitatis ejus cui opponitur Bastardia, cum sponsalia vel Matrimonium hinc inde concessa sint, non magis quam si quis ita diceret, frater nihil juris habes in terra illa, & si jus haberes, petere non potes, quia petis de tempore Henr. senioris vel ulterius quod omnem excludit●actionem: vel si dicat tenens sic, frater nihil juris habes in terra petita quia Bastardus, quia natus fuisti per tantum tempus ante sponsalia vel Matrimonium contractum inter Patrem tuum et Matrem tuam. Et quia hinc inde conceditur Matrimonium, bene poterit Rex in Curia sua inquirere sine alicujus praejudicio, utrum talis cui objiciatur, natus sit ante Matrimonium vel post? sicut inquirere poterit in aliis casibus, utrum natus in tempore Regis H. vel Regis J. & maxime in defectum Episcoporum, quia contrarii sunt Legibus et Consuetudinibus Angliae, nec etiam magis injuriosum est quam si Rex in placito Dotis in Curia sua fieri faciat inquisitionem, utrum mulier dotem petens dotata sit ad ostium Ecclesiae vel alibi? vel utrum sponsalia vel Matrimonium publicum sit, vel clandestinum? Et cum in Curia Domini Regis, Anno Regni sui Vicesimo, in crastino Sancti Vincentii apud Merton, coram Venerabili Patre tunc Cantuariensi Archiepiscopo, & coram Suffraganeis suis omnibus, & coram majore parte Comitum & Baronum Angliae, tunc & ibidem existentium pro Coronatione Regis & Reginae, pro quo omnes vocati fuerunt, generaliter tractatum esset de communi utilitate totius Regni, super pluribus articulis Regem & Reginam tangentibus, inter alia tractatum esset de hujusmodi objectione Bastardiae, Utrum (viz.) quis natus ante sponsalia et Matrimonium haberi possit pro legitimo, sicut ille qui post Matrimonium natus fuit? Ad quod omnes Episcopi responderunt, Quod omnes illi qui nati fuerunt ante sponsalia vel Matrimonium, ita erunt legitimi sicut illi qui nati erunt post Matrimonium quoad Dominum Deum, & quoad Ecclesiam, * nec voluerunt, nec potuerunt sine praejudicio Ecclesiasticae Nota. dignitatis respondere ad Breve super hujusmodi inquisitione facienda de Bastardia, rescribere Domino Regi, (viz.) utrum ante vel post, quia hoc esset in praejudicium Sanctae Ecclesiae, ut dicebant, sed rogabant Reegm & Magnates, quod ad hoc consensum praeberent, quod nati ante Matrimonium quoad omnia legitimi esse possent sicut illi qui post: et omnes Comites et Barones, quotquot fuerunt, responderunt una voce, * See Cookes 2. Justit. p. 96. 97. Quod noluerunt Leges Angliae mutare, quae usque ad tempus illud usitatae fuerunt et approbatae. Postea vero die Jovis proxime post festum Sancti Dionysii, Anno eodem, coram ipso Domino Rege, & subscriptis convocato consilio, provisum fuit, & concessum ab ipso Domino Rege coram Venerabili Patre E. Cantuariensi Archiepiscopo, R. Cicestr. Episcopo, Domini Regis Cancellario, R. Dunolm. Episcopo, H. Elyens. Episcopo, Episcopo Norwic. Episcopo London. Episcopo Bathon. Episcopo Exon. Episcopo Karleol. Episcopo Hereford. & Episcopo Roffen. Item coram Baronibus subscriptis Richardo Comite Cornubiae, & Petro G. Com. Marr. I. Com. Linc. W. Com. Warham. J. Com. Cestr. W. Com. Ferr. F. Com. Warr. H. Com. Kanc. H. de Ver Com. Oxon. H. Com. Hereford. Simon de Monte-forte Com. Leic. Item coram Baronibus subscriptis Radulpho de Tony, Philippo de Albinaco, R. filio Michaelis, H. filio Machute, J. Marescall, G. de Lucy, R. de Argento, H. Dispensatore, W. de Say, W. Bardolph, W. de Cantelupo, seniore, & W. juniore, R. Sylkard, W. de Bromich, A. de Sancto Amando, B. Curiall, E. de Syngoy, R. de Mussengoy, B. de Paucy, G. de Lucy, R. filio Hug. & aliis quampluribus tunc ibidem praesentibus, quod de caetero cum Bastardia objecta fuerit alicui de tali causa in Curia Domini Regis quod Bastardus sit, & ideo Bastardus, quia natus ante sponsalia vel Matrimonium contractum inter Patrem suum & Matrem suam, mittatur loquela ad ordinarium loci, & fiat inquisitio per hac verba, utrum (viz.) talis natus fuerit ante sponsalia vel Matrimonium, vel post? Et rescribat ordinarius per eadem verba Domino Regi sine aliqua cavillatione. Et in inquisitione illa facienda cesset omnis appellatio, sicut in omni alia inquisitione de Bastardia de qua inquisitio demandanda fuerit alicui ordinario facienda & maxime, quod milla fiat appellatio extra Regnum si de necessitate contingat appellari: & tunc praeceptum fuit, quod ita teneretur & observetur in futuro, tam de illis, quam de quibus judicium ex tunc faciendum esset in Curia Domini Regis, tam de placitis inceptis quam incipiendis cum hujusmodi Bastardia objiciatur ex tali causa. Et quod Assisa mortis antecessoris processit in Curia Domini Regis super hujusmodi Bastardia infra aetatem petentium, & ubi jurata dixit quod non fuerunt Haeredes propinquiores quia nati fuerunt in adulterio ante Matrimonium, probatur in itinere M. de Pateshull, in Com. Cant. Anno Regis H. filii J. undecimo Assisa mortis antecessoris si Henricus Pamsore decen. Norlington. Rationibus igitur supra dictis & ex tali communi consensu, in electione Domini Regis esse poterit, utrum velit inquisitionem illam faciendam, demandare ordinariis, vel illam facere in Curia sua, quia si illam in Curia sua fecerit cum exceptio ei data fuerit & aperta & ex certa causa non debet responsio esse obscura, sed sicut opponit exceptio quod secundum Legem & Consuetudinem Angliae Bastardus est, eo quod natus ante sponsalia vel Matrimonium, et sic ex tali causa replicare debet petens et dicere, quod legitimus est ex causa contraria, quia natus est post sponsalia vel Matrimonium, et sic contradicere intentioni tenentis, quia non contradicit, sed dicit simpliciter quod legitimus sit, et paratus probare se legitimum ubi debuerit, quia ad causam non respondet. Debet igitur dicere causam, quod legitimus quia natus est post sponsalia vel Matrimonium; si autem ex tali obscura responsione mittatur ad Curiam Christianitatis, & rescribatur obscure, quod legitimus, vel si causa objecta fuerit & non rescribatur per eadem verba, sed quod legitimus sit, in defectum Curiae Christianitatis fiat inquisitio in Curia Domini Regis, utrum ante Matrimonium vel post? quia videtur per hoc quod ibi possit esse fallacia, & verum rescribatur & falsum, sed diversis respectibus, quia poterit esse legitimus secundum statuta Ecclesiae quantum ad ordines, & quantum ad dignitates, & quantum ad Leges & Consuetudines Anglicanas Bastardus, quantum ad successiones, quia ibi licet legitimus ad praedicta sive ante sive post. Et cum taliter objecta fuerit Bastardia ex causa tali, si petens obscure respondeat, denegetur ei actio ac si nihil respondisset, & tenens se teneat in pace. Si autem tenenti objecta fuerit, & sic obscure responderit, quasi indefensus rem possessam amittat, quia non omnino respondere vel obscure, ad paria judicantur, etc. The Pope & Popish Clergy having made a Surius Concil. Tom. 4. p. 496, 729, 971. Richardus de Med. Villa. in 4. Distinct. 26. Artic. 4. qu. 2. Summa Angellica & Rosella Tit. Matrimonium & Sacramentum. Marriage one of their seven Sacraments of the Church, under the new Testament, though very improperly, it being instituted for Adam and all his Posterity at the very Creation, common to all Pagan Nations as well as Christian, (if not to some birds and beasts, who by the instinct of nature couple themselves together two & two, by a kind of conjugal tye, as Doves, etc.) and altogether inconsistent with their Sacrament of Orders, which it totally nulls and profanes by their Doctrine and Romish Canons, b Surius Concil. Tom. 4. p. 472. Tom. 1. p, 257. See Claudius Espensaeus de Continentia. Dr. Hall's honour of the Married Clergy. inhibiting Priests Marriage as inconsistent with their Orders, and nulling, defiling their Sacerdotal function more than professed Whoredom or Adultery. Thereupon inferred, that the King and his Temporal Courts, Judges, had no Jurisdiction at all in cases of Marriage, Divorce, or Bastardy, but only Popes, c Matrimonialis causa hodie ad Episcopum pertinet. Gratian Caus. 33. qu. 2. Surius Tom. 4. p. 972, 982. Bishops, and Courts Christian, as if Kings, and their Temporal Judges, Courts, were not Christian. Upon which mistake d Lib. 5. c. 19 f. 417. b. Bracton makes this inference, in the case of Bastardy. Ad Papam et ad Sacerdotium quidem pertinent ea quae spiritualia sunt, (true only in a qualified, ministerial sense) ad Regem vero et ad Regnum ea quae sunt temporalia, juxta illud, Coelum Coeli Domino, terram autem dedit filiis hominum. Et unde ad Papam nihil pertinet ut de temporalibus disponat vel ordinet, non magis quam Reges vel Principes de spiritualibus, ne quis eorum falcem immitat in messem alienam, (which subverts the Pope's Temporal Monarchy.) Et sicut Papa ordinare potest in spiritualibus quoad ordines et dignitates, ita potest Rex in temporalibus de haereditatibus dandis, vel haeredibus constituendis fecundum consuetudinem Regni sui. Habet enim quodlibet Regnum suas consuetudines & diversas; poterit enim una esse consuetudo in Regno Angliae, & alia in Regno Franciae quantum ad successiones, Which he further proves in this case of Bastardy. Wherein the Law being thus settled, declared in England, the King by this memorable Writ settled the like Law, and the Statute of M●rron in Ireland, and resolved some other points in Law there controverted, according to the Laws then used in England, upon the supplication of the Archbishop of Dublin, and chief Justice of Ireland, to be resolved therein. COnstitutiones factae apud Merton, superius irrotulatae scilicet viij. (vel xiij.) die Claus. 20 H. 3. m. 13. dorso. Februarii, sigillatae fuerunt sigillo Domini Regis, transmissae sunt in Hiberniam ut currant in partibus illis & teneantur sicut in Anglia, & de hoc fit mentio in brevi directo Justic. Hiberniae, inferius irrotulato. HENRICUS Dei gratia Rex Angliae, etc. Venerabili Patri L. eadem gratia Archiepiscopo Dublin. & dilecto & fideli suo M. filio Gerolai Justiciario suo Hiberniae, salutem. Accedens nuper ad Curiam nostram Georgius de Laffidell, nobis ex parte vestra supplicavit, ut vobis scire faceremus, quid juris sit secundum consuetudinem Angliae, in casibus subscriptis, videlicet, cum contingat filium alicujus Nobilis natum ex Matrimonio movere quaestionem fratri suo in fornicatione ante Matrimonium de eadem matre progenito super paterna haereditate? Item, si contingat quod frater natus ante Matrimonium defendendo se, dicat se esse legitimum, utrum in tali casu sit mittendus ad forum Ecclesiasticum, & c? Item, si mittendus sit, in qua forma, & c? Item, si contingat quod natus ante Matrimonium fecerit homagium suum de terris suis post decessum Patris sui, & ratione homagii sic facti vocaverit Dominum suum ad Warrantum, Quid juris sit de illa vocatione? Et si Warrantizare debeat aut velit sponte, utrum duellum possit esse de jure inter natum ex Matrimonio & Dominum Warrantizantem cum inter ipsos fratres esse non possit? Ad haec autem vobis significamus de primo Capitulo, Quod si natus ante Matrimonium cui movetur quaestio, cognoscat se natum esse ante Matrimonium, nec petere potest haereditatem, nec petitum retinere, secundum Angliae consuetudinem, nec talis si dicat se natum esse post, non est mittendus ad Curiam Christianitatis eo quod Clerus talem habet pro legitimo. Cum autem de casu illo anno praeterito tractatum esset coram Venerabili Patre Archiepiscopo Cantuar. & Coepiscopis suis, & Magnatibus nostris Angliae, scilicet utrum inquisitio de tali nato deberet fieri in Curia nostra, vel in Curia Christianitatis? Tandem praedictus Archiepiscopus & Episcopi petierunt, sibi dari potestatem inquirendi; postea vero processu temporis, quia in forma brevis nostri eis super hoc transmissi contentum fuit, quod respondere deberent, utrum talis natus esse ante Matrimonium vel post? Videntes hoc esse contrarium legibus suis, noluerunt ad hoc respondere, set reliquerunt nobis & Curiae nostrae hoc inquirendum & terminandum, & nondum provisum est in Curia nostra sub qua forma hoc debeat inquiri, vel per Sacramentum xii. Juratorum, vel per probationem a partibus producendam. Item, de Domino si debeat Warrantizare tenenti contra fratrem suum, vobis respondemus, quod non, eo quod tam natus post Matrimonium quam ante uno & eodem jure utuntur. Et Dominus in captione homagii potius circumventus fuit quam ratione astrictus. Nec esse poterit duellum inter eos praedicta ratione: Et praeterea quia Dominus tenetur plus Warrantizare petenti nato post Matrimonium, quam tenenti nato ante Matrimonium. Hiis igitur intellectis secundum quod praedictum est, in partibus vestris faciatis. Teste Rege apud Mortclack, Nono die Maii. The Bishop of Cloen in Ireland resigning his Bishopric, the Chapter thereupon, by the King's chief Justice his Licence only, without the King's special Licence first obtained, elected the Dean for their Bishop, who thereupon procured the King's dispensation and confirmation of his Election, though unduly made, and restitution of his Temporalties, by reason of the poverty of this Church; which occasioned other subsequent Usurpations of this kind, to the prejudice of the King's Prerogative, against * Here p. 378, 402, 407, 424. former Prohibitions in such cases. REX, Venerabili Patri in Christo D. eadem gratia Archiepiscopo Ardmacan. Pat. 20 Hen. 3. m. 9 intus. salutem. Sciatis, quod electioni factae de licentia dilecti & fidelis nostri M. filii Geroldi Justiciarii nostri Hybernia, ut dicitur, de Thoma Decano Cloenens. in Episcopum Cloenensem, (licet fieri non debuisset sine licentia a nobis ipsis inde prius petita et optenta) propter paupertatem tamen Ecclesiae Cloenensis, hac vice Regium adhibuimus assensum et favorem. Et ideo vobis mandamus, quatenus quod vestrum est in hac parte exequamini. In cujus rei, etc. Teste Rege apud Windes. xviij. die Aprilis. Et mandatum est M. filio Geroldi Justic. Hiberniae, quatenus quam cito praedictus Archiepiscopus per Literas suas Patentes ei significaverit, quod ipse dictam electionem Authoritate Metropolitana confirmaverit, ipse justic. de omnibus terris et tenementis ad dictum Episcopatum Cloenens. pertinentibus de quibus Elyas quondam Cloenensis Episcopus, praedecessor suus, seisitus fuit, die quo dictum Episcopatum resignavit, praefato electo plenam seisinam habere faciat. Teste ut supra. The Archbishops, Bishops, Abbots, and Clergy granted the King, upon his humble request to them, an extraordinary Aid to relieve his present necessities, upon condition it should not be drawn into consequence for the future to their prejudice; whereupon the King granted them this Patent to secure them and their successors from the like Aid. REX, Omnibus ad quos praesentes Literae pervenerint, salutem. Sciatis, quod Pat. 20 H. 3. m. 8. intus. cum nuper rogassemus Archiepiscopos, Episcopos, Abbates, Priores, et alias personas Ecclesiasticas de Regno nostro, quod pro urgenti necessitate nostra auxilium nobis impenderent, ipsi gratis et spontanea voluntate sua communiter nobis concesserunt quoddam auxilium de omnibus feodis suis, tam de illis de quibus nobis respondent, quando scutagium datur, quam de aliis quae retinent ad opus suum, videlicet duas Marcas de scuto: Ne igitur hujusmodi concessio et auxilii praestatio possit aliquo tempore trahi in consequentiam, concedimus pro nobis et haeredibus nostris, et praesentium tenore protestamur, quod pro gratia hac vice nobis facta, praedictis Archiepiscopis, Episcopis, Abbatibus, Prioribus, et aliis personis Ecclesiasticis, vel eorum successoribus aut Ecclesiis suis in posterum in nullo derogetur. In cujus rei testimonium has Literas nostras Patentes fieri fecimus. Teste Rege apud Westmonasterium, Quarto die Maii. The Prior of the Preaching Freers presuming this year to arrest and imprison some persons in Yorkshire, pretended to be unsound and Heretical in matters of Faith, when as he had no legal power to arrest or imprison such; the King thereupon by his supreme Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction issued this Mandate to the Sheriff of Yorkshire to arrest and imprison all Heretical persons, till his further order therein. SIgnificat Regi frater A. Prior Ordinis fratrum praedicat. Eborum, quod cum ipse Claus. 20 H▪ 3. m. 11. do●so. quendam de articulis fidei male sentientem, & pessime respondentem, invenisset, eundem tanquam infidelem arrestari fecit, et carceri mancipari; Quia igitur praefatus Prior nullam habet Jurisdictionem secularia judicia excercendi, nec aliquem arrestandi, vel carceri mancipandi; Praeceptum est Uicecomiti Eborum, quod cum plures sint in partibus illis infideles, et qui super Haeretica pravitate, sicut Rex audivit, possint convinci, ad mandatum ejusdem infideles arrestari faciat et carceri mancipari, nemini vel in divitiis abundanti, vel alio aliquo favore deferens in hac parte: Eosque salvo faciat custodiri quousque Rex aliud inde duxerit praecipiendum. Teste Rege apud Wintoniam, Nono die Januarii. The Bishop of London prohibiting any Victuals or other things to be sold to the jews this year (as some other * Here p. 387. Bishops had done before) under pain of Excommunication; the King thereupon issued forth this 〈◊〉 rit of Countermand to this his Usurpation, to the Mayor and Sheriffs of London. REX, Majori & Vicecom. London. salutem. Mandamus vobis quatenus Claus. 20 H. 3. m. 23. dorso. in Civitate nostra London. publice clamari faciatis, et firmitet prohiberi, ne victualia vel alia venditioni exposita, quae Iudaei nostri London. emere voluerint, eye denegentur vendenda; et si quis contra Prohibitionem nostram victualia vel alia denegaverit eis vendenda, illud sine dilatione faciatis emendari, dictos judeos nostros inde et aliunde manutenentes et protegentes. Teste Rege apud Westmonasterium, Sexto die Decembris, Anno. etc. Vicesimo. I shall close up this Chapter with a most memorable Prohibition against the Popes and Spiritual Courts Usurpations on the Crown. The Archbishop of Canterbury being sued by the Prior and Monks of Canterbury, for certain Advousons' of Churches, Possessions, Rents, and Services, in the Ecclesiastical Court, by authority of the Pope's Letters, despising the remedy of the King's Court where they ought to sue for them; thereupon the King issued forth this Prohibition to the Archbishop, prohibiting him upon his Faith and Allegiance to him not to answer them in that Court, it being prejudicial to his Royal Crown and Dignity, against which he should repute it a voluntary contempt in the Archbishop, if he should wittingly and willingly disobey this his Prohibition, by answering in that Court. REX, etc. Venerabili in Christo Patri E. eadem gratia Cantuariensi Archiepiscopo, Claus. 20 H. 3. m. 12. dorso. etc. salutem. Ad aures nostras nuper pervenit, quod cum controversia mota sit inter Priorem & Monachos Cantuariae, ex parte una, & vos ex altera, super advocationibus quarundam Ecclesiarum Possessionibus, Xeniis, & Servitiis quibusdam, Praedicti Prior et Monachi, spreto Curiae nostrae remedio, ad quam spectant hujusmodi placita, super praedictis trahunt vos in placitum in Curia Christianitatis, auctoritate Literarum Domini Papae. Quia vero sine manifesto praejudicio Regiae dignitatis nullatenus sustinere possemus, sicut et nec deberemus, quod placita hujusmodi in Curia Christianitatis ventilentur, vobis prohibemus firmiter injungentes, in fide qua nobis tenemini, et sub debito fidelitatis nobis factae, quatenus cum ad dignitates et jura Regia conservanda sitis astricti, super praemissis in foro Ecclesiastico nullatenus respondeatis: pro certo scituri, quod si hanc Prohibitionem nostram secus ageretis, credere non possemus, quin ex certa scientia contra Coronam et Dignitatem nostram id attemptaretis, et sic in foro praedicto respondendo Regiae dignitati manifeste derogaretis. Teste Rege apud Merewell, Vicesimo quarto die Maii. Of which you shall have a further account in the following year and Chapter. BOOK IU. CHAP. II. Containing sundry Records, Patents, and Historical passages, evidencing the King's Supreme Jurisdiction in and over Ecclesiastical Persons, Courts, Affairs, in England and Ireland: The Intolerable Usurpations, Extortions, Oppressions, Innovations, Proceedings of Popes, their Legates, Agents, Instruments, to the prejudice of the Rights, Privileges of the King, Church, Kingdom, Subjects, in both these Realms; with the several Complaints and Oppositions against them: The English and Irish Bishops, Covents, Courts Christian's Encroachments upon the King's Temporal Courts, Rights, Royal Dignity, and Subjects Liberties; Prohibitions and Oppositions against them; with the principal Ecclesiastical Affairs and Transactions in relation to England and Ireland, from the beginning of the 21. to the end of the 40. year of King Henry the 3d. his Reign. I Have in the close of the preceding Chapter presented you with King Henry the 3d. his memorable Writ of Prohibition directed to Edmond Archbishop of Canterbury, not to answer to a suit brought against him by the Prior and Monks of Trinity, concerning Advousons' of Churches, Lands, Services, and gifts to his Church, before the Pope's Delegates, authorized to hear the same, to the prejudice of the Rights of his Crown and Royal Dignity: I shall now begin this Chapter with this King's Prohibition, Attachment, for disobeying his former Prohibitions, issued against the Pope's Delegates themselves, (being three Abbots) and the Prior who sued him, with other Prohibitions not to proceed therein under pain of seizing their Temporalties, for citing the Archbishop to appear before the Pope out of the Realm, or elsewhere, upon this untrue suggestion to the Pope, that such cases had been formerly handled in Ecclesiastical Courts in the time of his Ancestors, without any Prohibition, which the King and his Counsel deny, sending special Messengers to the Pope's Delegates, together with Prohibitions to inhibit their proceedings, as these Records attest. REX Vicecomiti Kanc. salutem. Pone per Vad. & salvos Pleg. de Boxle, sanctae Anno 1237. Claus. 21 H. 3. m. 15. dorso. Radegund. & de Lesnes Abbates, quod sint coram justiciariis nostris apud Westmonasterium in Octabis Sanctae Trinitatis, ostensuri quare tenuerunt placitum in curia Christianitatis, super advocationibus Ecclesiarum Maneriorum Prioris et Monachorum sanctae Trinitatis Cantuar. et super xeniis, quae idem Archiepiscopus percipit, de Maneriis ipsorum Prioris et Monachorum, et super obedientiis domus sanctae Trinitatis Cantuar. contra Prohibitionem nostram, cum placita de advocationibus Ecclesiarum, alibi teneri non debeant, nec consueverint in Regno nostro quam in Curia nostra. Et praeterea, cum vacante Archiepiscopatu Cantuar. ad nos et Haeredes nostros dictorum xeniorum perceptio, et praedictarum obedientiarum dispositio pertineat. Pone etiam per Vad. & salvos Plegios praedictum Priorem, quod tunc sit ibi ostensurus, quare secutus est idem placitum in eadem Curia contra Prohibitionem nostram. Et habeas ibi nomina plegiorum & hoc breve. Teste Rege apud Windles Quinto die Maii. Per W. de Raleg. A Maur. de Sancto Amando, Bertramus de Crioil, Johannes de Plessetis, & Silvester Claus. 21 H. 3. m. 16. dorso. de Everdon Clericus, missi fuerunt ex parte Regis apud Roffian. 13. die Marc. ad judices delegatos ad inhibendum eis ne procederent in causa quae ventilabatur coram eis, inter Dominum Cantuar. et Priorem Sanctae Trinitatis Cant. de patronatu Ecclesiarum, quia hujusmodi placita spectant ad Coronam et dignitatem Regis: et si hujusmodi causae coram eis terminarentur, interesse ejus praejudicium verteretur. Postea scripsit eis sub hac forma. REX Abbati de Lesnes salutem. Audivimus quod Prior et Monachi sanctae Trinitatis Cantuar. coram te et Conjudicibus tuis trahit E. Cant. Archiepiscopum in placitum, in curia Christianitatis Authoritate Literarum Domini Papae, super advocationibus Ecclesiarium Maneriorum suorum, et super xeniis quae idem Archiepiscopus percipit, de Maneriis ipsorum Prioris et Monachorum, et super obedientiis domus Sanctae Trinitatis Cant. Quia vero manifeste est contra Coronamet dignitatem nostram quod praefata loquela teneatur in Cur. Christianitatis, cum placitum de advocationibus Ecclesiarum alibi teneri non debeat nec consueverit in Regno nostro quam in Curia nostra: Et praeterea cum vacante Archiepiscopatu Cantuar. ad nos et haeredes nostros pertineat dictorum xeniorum perceptio, et praedictarum obedientiarum dispositio, prohibemus tibi ne de cetero placitum illud teneas in Curia Christianitatis. Teste Rege apud Roff. 14. die Marc. These Abbots notwithstanding this Prohibition proceeded in these suits; thereupon the King issued this second Writ of Prohibition to them and the Prior of Trinity, not to proceed therein under pain of seizing their Temporalties. REX Abbatibus de Boxle, sanctae Radegund. & de Lesnes salutem. Memoriter tenemus, Claus. 21 H. 3. m. 10. nos alias inhibuisse, ne teneretis placitum in curia Christianitatis inter venerabilem Patrem E. Cant. Archiepiscopum ex una parte, & Priorem & Monachos sanctae Trinitatis Cant. ex alia, super advocationibus Ecclesiarum, Mariscis, Exeniis et servitiis hominum. Et quia non obstante prohibitione nostra praedicta, iterum summoneri fecistis eundem Archiepiscopum, ut certo die coram vobis compareat ad respondendum super praemissis, vel diem recipiend. quo per se vel per procuratorem, coram Domino Papa compareat inde responsurus, et literae Apostolicae quorum authoritate hoc faciatis per falsi suggestionem sunt impetratae, cum contineant eandem causam in foro Ecclesiastico alias fuisse tractatam, nullo praedecessorum nostrorum Regnum Angliae illum prohibente, quod manifeste falsum esse dignoscitur, cum hujusmodi causa nullo tempore alibi quam in Curia nostra et praedecessorum nostrorum tractari consueverit: Vobis districte prohibemus super omnia tenementa vestra, quae tenetis in Regno nostro, ne in dicta causa procedatis, ipsi Archiepiscopo diem praefigentes extra regnum nostrum, vel alio modo, ante adventum Domini Legati in Angliam, qui in januis est, cui volumus praedicta communicare, et in eisdem ejus uti consilio. Teste Rege apud Woodstock Decimo die Julii. After which I find no more proceedings in this case. The like Writ of Prohibition, upon the same grounds, was issued to the Abbot of St. Alban, and other Delegates of the Pope, in the case of the Archbishop of Canterbury, touching the Temporalties, Lands, and Services of the Bishopric of Rochester, during the vacancy. HENRICUS Dei gratia Rex Angliae, etc. Abbati sancti Albani & conjudicibus Pat. 21. H. 3. m. 13. Dors. suis salutem. Quibusdam referentibus audivimus, quod cum Custodia Episcopatus Roffensis ratione vacationis suae * By virtue of King John's Charter, Here p. 339. existar in manu venerabilis Patris E. Cantuariensis Archiepiscopi, cum omnibus ad Episcopatum illum spectantibus, tamspiritualibus quam Temporalibus, vos, eundem Archiepiscopum in causam trahitis in Curia Christianitatis, authoritate literarum Domini Papae, super quibusdam xeniis de Maneriis vestris annuatim debitis Episcopo Roffensi, qui pro tempore fuerint sicut annuus Redditus, desicut praestatio illa et venit de Laico feodo, temporalis est. Et quoniam si in causa illa optineretis nobis in futuro posset praejudicium generari, si contingeret quod vacarent eodem tempore tam Archiepiscopatus Cantuariensis, quam Episcopatus Roffensis, cum utriusque Custodia ad nos immediate pertineret; vobis prohibemus, quod causam illam in curia Christianitatis non prosequamini de caetero, quia prosecutio ejus manifeste est contra coronam, et dignitatem nostram, et etiam contra libertates nostras quas habuimus, de singulis Episcopatibus vacantibus in Regna nostro. Teste Rege apud Windles 14. die Novembris. In both these precedent cases of the Archbishop, the King by several Writs of Prohibition, countermanded the Pope's own Bulls and delegates as contrary to the Rights and Dignities of his Crown, and prohibited their proceedings, which gave some check to his Usurpations of this kind, though he was enforced to connive at or submit to other Papal encroachments for the present, as unable to withstand or redress them. The King's Clerks and Household Chaplains in those days wearing long hair and Peruwigs, (against the * 1 Co. 1● 4● Apostles and Natures dictates) thereupon the King out of piety and zeal to reform this abuse, issued this Writ to William de Perecat, authorising and strictly commanding him to cut their hair, and pull off their yellow Peruwigs, under pain of being shaved, and polled himself, as this Writ assures us. REX Willielmo de Perecat. salutem. Sciatis quod concessimus & plenam potestatem Pat. 21. H. 3. m. 3. dorso vobis dedimus, scindendi capillos Clericorum nostrorum, qui sunt de Hospitio nostro, et familia nostra longos crines habentium, et comas untrientium, et ad crocos Capillorum suorum deponendos. Et ideo vobis mandamus, quatenus ad hoc modo debito diligenter intendatis; hujusmodi potestatem nostram vobis concessam taliter exequentes, circa praedictos Capillos scindendos et crocos deponendos, ne ad Capillos vestros scindendos forcipes apponere debeamus Teste meipso apud Clyne secundo die Septembris. A memorable Precedent fit to be imitated and put in execution in our effeminate degenerous age, more peccant in this kind than any former times, there being more false Heads (if not hearts too) in England, and more longhaired Ruffians, both of the Clergy, Court, City, Country, needing such a Reformation and Reformer as this Writ prescribes, then in any precedent age. The King having newly founded and endowed the Hospital of St. John's in Oxford, whereby he became Patron thereof, the Archdeacon of Lincoln grew so presumptuous, as without the King's privity, to remove Freer William, to whom he had for a time committed the administration of the Temporalties thereof, and to make one Ely Master of the Hospital. Whereupon the King issued this Writ to the Archdeacon, and another to the Bishop of Lincoln, to rectify this his usurpation and presumption without delay. REX Magistro R. Archidiacono Oxoniae, salutem. Cum super Jure patronatus Claus. 21 H. 3. m. 13. dors. Hospitalis Sancti Johannis Oxoniae nobis quaestio referri non possit, nec debeat, utpote qui pro salute Antecessorum nostrorum idem Hospitale fundavimus, ac de bonis nostris ditavimus; Miramur non modicum, ac pariter movemur, quod vos nobis irrequisitis, fratrem Willielmum, cui administrationem temporalium ejusdem domus ad tempus commisimus amoventes, Elyam Capellanum ejusdem Hospitalis, Magistrum praefecistis, in regiae dignitatis praejudicium et gravamen. Quocirca vos requirimus firmiter prohibentes, ne falcem vestram mittatis in messem alienam, set potius jure vestro contenti, jus patronatus quod in dicto Hospitali obtinemus perturbare desistatis, culpam praecedentem per patientiam subsequentem taliter redimentes, ne de caetero de talibus ad aures magnificentiae nostrae querela perveniat. Teste Rege apud Westmonast. 27 die Maii. Item Mandatum est Domino R. Lincolniae Episcopo, quod det ipsi Archid. in mandatis, ut quod praesumptum est ab eo in hac parte sine morae dispendio studeat revocare. Teste Rege ut supra. The Monks and Converts of the Cistercian Order, contrary to their vows and rules, becoming common Merchants, buying and selling again Wools and Skins, to the prejudice of other Merchants, & scandal of their profession; the King for redress thereof issued this ensuing Writ of Prohibition to all the Sheriffs of England, to seize the goods and moneys of those Monks and Converts to his use, who should offend therein. MAndatum est Vicecomiti Rotel. quod in pleno Com. suo, & per omnes bonas Claus. 21 H. 3. m. 14. dors. villas Com. sui, & per totam Ballivam suam, clamari, etex parte Regis firmiter prohiberi faciat, ne aliquis Monachus vel Conversus Cisterciensis ordinis, lanam vel coria emat aliis vendenda, nec aliquis eis hujusmodi Mercandisas vendat per manum suam iterum vendendas. Et si de cetero aliquis Monachus vel conversus praefati ordinis interceptus vel convictus fuerit super hujusmodi emptione, tam Mercandisae quam denarii eis quorum fuerint deperdentur, et ad opus Regis incurrentur. Eodem modo mandatur omnibus Vicecomitibus Angliae. The Dean and Chapter of Artferten in Ireland, electing a Bishop upon an avoidance by resignation, without the King's Licence first obtained contrary to * Here p. 378, 402, 407, 424, 479. former Inhibitions, the King upon their Petition, would no ways confirm their election so unduly made, but declared it utterly void, lest he should derogate from, and destroy his own Regal Right, by such dispensations and connivance; yet because of the poverty of this Church, he did by special Writs Authorise the Archbishop of Dublin and his chief Justice of Ireland, to give the Dean and Chapter in his name and right a licence for a new election, and to give his royal assent to the person they should elect, as these 3. Records inform us. REX L. Dublinensi Archiepiscopo, & M. filio Geroldi Justic. suo Hyberniae, salutem. Claus. 21 H. 3. m. 1●. dors. Cum nuper nobis Nunciarunt Decanus & Capitulum Ecclesiae Artfertens. quod Ecclesia sua vacante per resignationem G. quondam Episcopi Artfertensis, praeter assensum nostrum et licentiam alium sibi eligerent in Pastorem, et instanter nos rogassent, per Nuncium suum ad nos propter hoc destinatum, quod Electioni suae assensum regium adhiberemus et favorem, non duximus ipsos in petitione sua exaudiendos, cum sic videremur juri nostro manifeste derogare, eo quod mos est, sicut non ignoratis, in Ecclesiis Cathedralibus ad nostram spectantibus advocationem, quod vacante sede ante Electionem celebrandam, licentia Regia est requirenda, unde Electionem praedictorum Decani et Capituli irritam, quantum ad Hos, reputavimus et inanem. Uerumtamen audita paupertate Episcopatus memorati, ut laboribus et expensis memoratae Ecclesiae parceremus, hanc eis duximus gratiam faciendam, quod concessa vobis potestate nostra hac vice, dandi eis talem eligendi licentiam, ipsam a vobis tanquam dignitate nostrae in hac parte utentibus requirant, et ea obtenta iterato ad eligendum procedant, et Electioni factae postmodum, de persona nobis fideli et nostrae terrae Hyberniae necessaria, authoritate nostra favorem regium praebeatis et assensum. Et ideo vobis mandamus, quod cum praedicti Decanus et capitulum ad vos venerint, aut certum nuncium cum literis Capituli sui patentibus ad vos miserint, licentiam praedictam petituri, ipsam authoritate nostra hac vice eis concedatis, et post Electionem rite celebratam, eidem Electo suo vobis praesentato nomine nostro assensum regium pr●beatis et favorem. In cujus, etc. Teste Rege apud Werleberg. sexto die Decemberis. ET mandatum est per Literas Clausas Decano & Capitulo Artferten. Ecclesiae, Ibidem. quod quia * See here p. 378, 402. Rex quidem inhibuit, ne in aliqua Ecclesia Cathedrali vacante in terra Regis Hyberniae, fieret electio, nisi Licentia a Rege petita prius et obtenta: Et ipsi nihilominus sine Licentia Regis processerunt ad Eligendum sibi pastorem, electioni per eos factae sine licentia, Rex non duxit assensum Regium praebere, cum ex eo posset sibi et Haeredibus suis praejudicium imminere, et volens Rex laboribus suis, quantum potest salvo jure suo, deferre, potestatem dedit L. Dublin. Archiepis. et M. filio Geroldi Regis Just. Hyberniae, eye licentiam eligendi, et Electo eorum assensum regium praebendis et praesentent electum suum eis, petita prius ab eis vice Regis licentia eligendi, et procedant ad electionem suam faciendam. Teste Rege ut supra. REX M. Cassalensi Archiepiscopo salutem. Quia vacante nuper sede Artferten, Claus. 21. H. 3. m. 11, 12. Ibidem. Decanus & Capitulum ejusdem Ecclesiae, praeter licentiam nostram quam prius debuerunt requisisse, eligere praesumpserunt, cum ad nos mitterent in Angliam Rogantes, quod Electioni suae assensum regium praeberemus, Noluimus, sicut nec debuimus ipsos exaudire: ut autem parceremus laboribus et expensis praedictorum Decani et Capituli, et dignitatem regiam servaremus illaesam, dedimus in mandatis venerabili in Christo patri L. Dublinensi Archiepiscopo, et Justiciario nostro Hyberniae, quibus potestatem dedimus hac vice dandi praedictis Decano et Capitulo Licentiam eligendi, et post electionem eidem assensum suum nomine nostro praebendi; Quod cum praedicti Decanus et Capitulum ad ipsos venerint vel miserint, licentiam petituri, eam authoritate nostra eis concedant, et electioni postea rite celebratae, Assentiant. Cum igitur oporteat ipsos licentiam adhuc ab Archiepiscopo et Justiciario nostro petere, ne Juri nostro derogare videremur, et petita licentia iterato eligere, paternitatem vestram rogamus attentius, quatenus et si per errorem et negligentiam praedictorum Decani et Capituli contigerit semenstre pertransiri, propter quod videatur forte vobis, quod ad Episcopatum illum manum possitis extendere, contra Coronam et dignitatem nostram inde nihil attemptetis ordinare, quia nullatenus sustineremus dignitati Regiae in hac parte derogari; maxime, cum ex parte nostra nulla fuerit negligentia que nobis debeat esse dampnosa. Teste ut supra. There being a great difference between the Bishop of Clochor in Ireland and Archbishop of Armach, and their tenants concerning spoliations, injuries and greivances touching their Churches, the Archbishop of Armach procuring the King's Letters to his Chief Justice by misinformation, whiles he was excommunicated: The King thereupon revoked his former Letters, and commanded his Chief Justice in Ireland to hear and determine the controversies between them, according to the Law and Custom of Ireland. MAndatum est M. Justic. Hiberniae, quod diligenter audiat querelas N. Clocoren. Claus. 21. H. 3. m. 16. dors. Episcopi quas audivit, & coram eo deponet per praeceptum Regis, super injuriis, gravaminibus, spoliationibus terrarum & Ecclesiarum, ei & suis irrogati ab Archiepiscopo Armach. et suis. Et querelis suis plenius auditis et intellectis secundum legem et consuetudinem terrae Hiberniae, plenani et celerem justitiam ei exhibeat. Nec remaneat aliquatenus eidem exhibitio Justitiae facienda occasione Literarum Regis quas aliquando Rex ei transmisit, pro parte praefati Archiepiscopi contra memoratum Archiepiscopum, de captione hominum ipsius Episcopi, quos ipse Archiep. Regi suggessit esse excommunicatos, quia ipse Archiepiscopus in impetratione earum per procuratores suos Regem circumvenit, cum ipse et sui fautores tempore impetrationis earundem Literarum essent excommunicati, sicut Regi postea plenius innotuit, exmandato Venerabilium Patrum Archiepiscopi Cantuar. et Episcopi Cycestrensis, Cancellarii Regis, conservatorum causae memorati Episcopi contra praefatum Archiepiscopum, qui ad mandatum Venerabilis Patris Dublin. quibus praefati Archiepiscopus Cantuariensis et Episcopus Cycestrensis, vices suas commiserant super executione praedicta, per literas suas Patent. eis significaverunt. Teste Rege apud Kenet. Decimo die Februarii. The Archbishop of Rohan being elected, and his election approved by the King this year, the King out of his extraordinary favour, dispensed with his personal Oath of fealty to him, accepting it from his Proctor at this time, provided that who ever was elected Bishop afterwards, should do his fealty to the King in proper person not by proxy, as this memorable Record attests. MAndatum est Magistro P. de Colle Medio, Electo Rotom. & capitulo ejusdem Claus. 21. H. 3. m. 19 intus. loci, quod propter specialem & fidelem amicitiam quam Dominus Rex invenit in praedicto Electo, & propter affectionem quam sperat ipsum erga dominum Regem velle continuare, quod petitioni suae quam fecerunt, ut fidelitatem a Magistro Bileberto de Commovill, vice ipsius Electi juraret in animam ipsius Electi, benigne condescendit; sed Dominus Rex vult eos scire, quod quociens de caetero continget Ecclesiam suam vacare, a nullo alio fidelitatem recipiet Dominus Rex, quam ab eo qui praefatae Ecclesiae praeficietur. Teste Rege ut supra. After his Proctor had thus sworn fealty to the King he issued this Writ to the Sheriffs and others to restore the Temporalties of his Archbishopric in England to this his Proctor, in the Archbishop's behalf. REX vicecomiti Eborum, salutem. Scias quod Electioni factae, de Magistro Petro Claus. 21. H. 3 m. 19 intus. de Colle Med'o in Archiepiscopum Rotom. quam Dominus Papa confirmavit, Regium adhibuimus assensum et favorem. Et ideo tibi praecipimus, quod de terris & tenementis ad Archiepis. praedictum pertin. in Balliva tua, & de quibus proximus praedecessor suus ejusdem loci Archiepiscopus obiit seisitus Magistro Gileberto de Comonvil, nomine ejusdem Electi plenam seisinam habere facias. Teste Rege apud Merleberg. Duodecimo die Decembris. Eodem modo scribitur Bullivo de Odyham, de terris & tenementis in Balliva sua. Upon the death of Richard Bishop of Durham, the King upon the Petition of the Prior and Covent, granted this Licence to elect a new Bishop. REX Priori & Coventui de Dunholm. salutem. Venientes ad nos cum literis Pat. 21. H. 3. m. 8. intus. capituli vestri patentibus fratres, Robertus Supprior, Thomas de Witwell, & Rogerus de Now Burgo, Monachi domus vestrae, nunciaverunt nobis Episcopatum Dunholmensem, vacantem esse per mortem R. quondam Episcopi eiusdem loci, et petierunt a nobis licentiam alium vobis eligendi in patrem et pastorem. Nos vero petitioni vestrae & suae in hac parte benigne condescendentes, licentiam vobis concedimus alium vobis eligendi in Pastorem, Rogantes quatenus talem vobis eligere curetis in Patrem & Episcopum, qui Deo devotus, nobis et regno nostro necessarius, et Ecclesiae vestrae Regimini utilis esse dinoscatur. Teste Rege apud Windles Quinto die Maii. Pope Gregory granted this special favour to King Henry, upon a Treaty with his Legate, that 6. of his Clerks might enjoy pluralities of Benefices; when as in his Instrument of dispensation there were only 5. which defect his Legate by his own power undertaking to supply, the King recommended a sixth Clerk to him by this Writ. REX Legato salutem. Nuper, sicut recolimus, London. constituti, cum vobiscum Claus. 21. H. 3. m. 4. dors. tractatum haberemus, de gratia nobis a Domino Papae concessa, dixistis nobis, quod Dominus Papa vobis cum sex de Clericis nostris dispensandi dederat▪ potestatem. Et nos secundum dictum vestrum, illam gratiam quam dommus Papa nobis fecerat sex de Clericis nostris concessimus, de●gratia liberali. Verum postmodum Dominus Valentinus Ecclesiae procurator nobis retulit, quod inspexerat autenticum ubi non nisi de quinque Clericis nostris mentio habebatur, sed dixistis ei vestri gratia, Quod illud quod in Autentico deerat, ex officio vestro suppletis, super quo multimodas vobis referimusigratiarum actiones, nihilominus discretionem vestram rogantes, quatenus illam sextam gratiam Willielmo Hardel Clerico nostro ad preces nostras concedatis. Teste Rege apud Windeles. 14. die Augusti. The Bishop of Norwich dying this year, the Monks elected Simon their Prior for their Bishop, whom the King disapproving, made a special Proctor against him before the Archbishop to hinder his confirmation, and to appeal against him to the See of Rome, if it were expedient, where he likewise constituted his Proctor, as these Records inform us. REX Cantuariensi Archiepiscopo salutem. Mittimus ad vos dilectum Clericum Claus. 21. H. 3. m. 13. dors: nostrum Magistrum W. de Kilkenny, Constituentes ipsum procuratorem nostrum ad assignandum quasdam causas contradictionis nostrae contra Electionem de Priore Norwic. celebratam, & contra ipsum Priorem & Electores ipsius, salvis nobis aliis Juris remediis competentibus; ratum habituri quicquid idem Willielmus super praemissis fecerit, Damus etiam eidem potestatem appellandi ad sedem Apostolicam si viderit expedire. Hoc idem Priori Norwic. & Monachis ejusdem lioci significamus. In cujus, etc. Teste Rege apud Westmonasterium Undecimo die Novembris. REX Domino Papae salutem. Constituimus dilectum Clericum nostrum Magistrum Claus. 21. H. m. 12. intus. Will. de Kilkenny, procuratorem nostrum in Curia Romana, ad prosequendum Causas contradictionis nostrae contra electionem, Electum & Electores Norwic. Ecclesiae; damus etiam eidem Magistro Willo. potestatem substituendi procuratorem in negotio memorato; ratum habituri quicquid idem Magister VV. vel ab eo substitutus procurator fecerit in praemissis. Idem praemissis electoribus & Electo significamus. Teste Rege apud Westmonasterium 23. die Januarij. What the issue was of this Election a Flores Hist. Anno 1237. p. 145. Matthew Westminsters, and b Hist. Angl. p. 422, 423. Godwins Catalogue of Bps. p. 345. Matthew Paris thus relate. INgressis itaque viam universae carnis, piae memoriae Venerabilibus Patribus Wigorniensi & Norwicensi Episcopis, elegerunt Monachi Wigorniae Magistrum Walterum de Cantelupo, filium Willielmi de Cantilupo, viri potentis & praeclari, in Praesulem & Pastorem animarum suarum: quem sine difficultate Dominus Papa acceptavit,▪ et in Episcopum consecravit. Norwicenses autem Priorem suum, virum religiosum & discretum, in suum sibi Praesulem elegerunt: cu us electio, licet rite facta, quia tamen Regi displicuit, quibusdam ridiculosis rationibus vel exceptionibus contradicentium, fuit diu in pendulo, non sine peccatorum scrupulis, impedita. After near three years contests, William de Raleigh was consecrated Bishop thereof, and the Prior put by. The deplorable, servile, irreligious condition of the Church and Realm of England at this time, under the manifold tyrannical Usurpations, Exactions, Corruptions of the Pope and his Instruments, (bonis terra in Regni perniciem saginati) is thus most emphatically remonstrated by an * Mat. Paris, Hist. Angl. p. 423. Miserabilis status Angliae. eye witness then living. TEmporibus illis ingruentibus, igniculus fidei coepit nimis refrigescere, ut penè in cinerem redactus, vix videretur scintillare. Jam enim simonia sine rubore perpetrata, usurarii manifeste diversis argumentis a popularibus & minoribus, pecuniam impudenter extorquebant. Expiravit charitas, libertas Ecclesiastica emarcuit, religio viluit suppeditata: & facta est filia Syon quasi meretrix effrons, non habens ruborem. Quotidie vilissimae personae et illiteratae, Bullis Romanis armatae, in minas statim erumpentes, redditus a piis Patribus in Uictus religiosorum et sustentationem pauperum et hospitalitatem peregrinorum collatos, spretis privilegiis a Sanctis nostris antecessoribus indultis, diripere non formidarunt: fulgur●ntibus enim sententiis, sine dilatione raptim postulata receperunt. Quod si ad refugium appellationis vel privilegii, recurrerent injuriam patientes & spoliati, statim suspendentes per aliquem alium Praelatum, authentico Papae compellente, fecerunt excommunicare. Et sic non prece, non canonice, sed imperiosa exactione simplices spoliarunt; Juxta illud Poeticum: — Armato supplicat ense potens. Unde factum est, quod ubi solebant nobiles & dapsiles Clerici, Ecclesiarum custodes & patroni, circumjacentis Patriae latitudinem sua opulentia nobilitare, transeuntes suscipere, pauperes recreare: ibidem abjectae personae moribus vacui, versutia pleni, procuratores et firmarii Romanorum, quicquid preciosum in terra fuit et utile abradentes; Dominis suis in remotas terras deliciose expatrimonio Crucifixi viventibus, et ex alieno superbientibus, transmiserunt. Erat igitur videre dolorem praecordialem, genas Sanctorum irrigare, querelas erumpere, suspiria multiplicare: dicentibus multis cum singultu cruentato, Melius esset nobis mori, quam videre mala gentis nostrae et Sanctorum. Uae Angliae, quae quondam Princeps provinciarum, Domina gentium, speculum Ecclesiae, religionis exemplum, nunc facta est sub tributo. Conculcaverunt eam ignobiles, et facta est in praedam degeneribus. Sed haec Anglis flagella, multiformes reatus procurarunt: irato eo, qui Regnare facit Hypocritam propter peccata populi, & Tyrannum dominari. No wonder then, that * Mat. Paris, p. 422. Mat. Westm. p. 142, 145. Temporibus eisdem, Graecorum debacchante solita insolentia, tam adversus Ecclesiam Romanam, quam suum Dominum Imperatorem Constantinopolitanum, (who sided with the Pope) Dominum Papam & omnem Ecclesiam adeo exasperavit, quod multorum erat sententia & volunt as, Cruce-signatorum exercitum super eos retorquere; the Pope sending for some Soldiers to the Earl of Britain, and making▪ him his General by Land and Sea, in this intended War against them, for which he wanted moneys. The Pope upon the King's request, under pretext to rectify some of these abuses (against which there was a universal complaint) sent Otto●one his Legate into England, who at first demeaned himself like a Wolf in Sheep's cloathing, to take off the scandal, odium, prejudice of the people, against the Pope, See of Rome, and Legates, till by degrees he put off his Sheep's clothing, and proclaimed himself a ra●ening Woolf, as well as his Predecessors; whose arrival in England and proceedings are thus recorded by * Hist. Angl. p. 424. Matthew Paris, and † Mat. Westm. p. 146. Adventus Ottonis Legati in Angliam. Matthew Westminster. EOdem quoque anno, nesciebatur ad quid circa festum Apostolorum Petri & Pauli, Dominus Otto Sancti Nicholai in carcere Tulliano Diaconus Cardinalis, per mandatum Regis venit Legatus in Angliam, nescientibus Regni Magnatibus. Unde plures adversus Regem magnam conceperunt indignationem, dicentes: Omnia Rex pervertit, jura, fidem, promissa in omnibus transgreditur. Nunc enim Matrimonio se sine suorum amicorum & hominum naturalium consilio, alienigenae copulavit: nunc Legatum, Regni totius immutatorem, clam vocavit: nunc sua dat, nunc data cupit revocare. Sic, sicque de die in diem, juxta dictum Evangelicum, in se divisum & dissipatum Regnum, est enormiter desolatum. Dictum est autem, quod Archiepiscopus Cantuariensis Aedmundus Regem talia facientem increpavit, praecipue de vocatione Legati; sciens inde in suae dignitatis praejudicium, magnam Regno imminere jacturam. Sed Rex, spret●tam suo quam aliorum suorum consilio, quod concepit animo nullatenus voluit propositum revocare. Venit igitur in magno apparatu Legatus praenominatus, & potentia magna. Et occurrerunt ei Episcopi & Clerici famosi usque ad littus; & aliqui in naviculis navigando, obviarunt ei, applaudentes & munera impreciabilia offerrentes. Imo etiam Parisiis in obviam ei, obtulerunt telas escarleti & vasa preciosa, nuncii diversorum Episcoporum. In quo facto nimis a multis meruerunt reprehendi, tum pro dono & pro dandi modo; quia in panno & ejus colore, videbatur legationis officium & adventum acceptari. Adveniens autem munera oblata omnia non accepit, sed aliqua, sed quae non recepit, jussit sibi reservari. Redditus autem vacantes, suis quos secum adduxit, dignis & indignis largiter distribuit. Rex autem ei usque ad confinium maris occurrit, & inclinato ad genua ejus capite usque ad interiora Regni deduxit officiose. Et adventantes Episcopi, cum Abbatibus & aliis Ecclesiarum Praelatis, eum cum omni honore & reverentia, cum processionibus & campanarum classico, & preciosis muneribus, ut decuit, & plus quam decuit, receperunt. With such cost, pomp, and servile obsequiousness did they entertain their greatest pest and grievance. DOminus autem Otto Legatus, prudenter & modeste se gerens, munera preciosissima Mat. Paris, p. 427, 428. Legati modestia. sibi oblata in magna parte respuens, contra consuetudinem Romanorum, indignationem in toto Regno conceptam (upon his sudden arrival in it) tamburlaine a Clero quam militia, citra opinionem multorum, per gestum suum ordinatum temperavit. Primo enim quosdam Magnates, ex quodam odio latenter concepto, sibi discordes, pacificavit; & indice osculo in bona fide confoederavit: Utpote Dominum Petrum Episcopum Wintoniensem, & Dominum Hubertum Comitem Canci●, & alios quamplures diu ante sibi dissidentes. Quos postquam Domini Legati pacificavit industria, omnibus Praelatis Angliae scripsit, ut in Octavis Sancti Martini, Londoniis convenirent, autenticum Domini Papae, de plenaria potestate Legationis sibi concessa vel tradita, communiter in Ecclesia Sancti Pauli audituri, & in eadem communiter de reformatione Ecclesiae Anglicanae tractaturi, & in praesentia ejus Concilium celebraturi. Before this Council assembled, the King in a Parliamentary Council of his Nobles, wanting moneys: * Mat. Paris, p. 430. Mat. Westm. p. 143. Indignatio Nobilium Angliae contra Regem. Petiit instantissime, ut sibi Regni tricestma concederetur & daretur; ut status Regni & Regis honorabilius sustentaretur, & firmi●s roboraretur. Quod audientes, cum graviter accepissent, responderunt, Quod saepius gravati, videbant alienigenas suis bonis saginari; statumque Regni prae paupertate vacillare, & multipliciter periculum imminere, etc. After some sharp contests between the King and Nobles, they at last with much difficulty granted him an Aid with certain conditions, that he should be counselled by his native Nobles, not by the Pope's Legate, and strangers Sed Rex tam Comitis Cornubiae Richardi fratris sui, quam aliorum suorum hominum spret●s consilio, magis ac magis, ut incepit, deliravit; et se voluntati Romanorum, praecipue Legati, quem inconsultius advocaverat, mancipavit adeo, ut videretur quasi vestigia sua adorare: affirmans, se tam in publico quam secreto, sine Domini sui Papae vel Legati consensu, nil posse de Regno disponere, transmutare, vel alienare: ut non Rex, sed feudarius Papae diceretur. His igitur et aliis deliramentis, Rex omnium Nobilium suorum corda cruentavit. Consiliarios quoque habuit infames & suspectos, qui hujus rei fomentum esse dicebantur: quos idcirco magis habebant Nobiles Angliae exosos, quia de Regno ipso duxerunt originem. Et hi erant, Johannes Comes Lincolniae, S. Comes Legriae, frater G. Templarius. Interim Domino Legato offerebantur dona pretiosa, tam in palefridis concupiscibilibus, quam vasis pretiosis, & vestimentis mollibus & duplicibus, pellibus variis & sylvestrib●s, nummis, esculentis, & poculentis: ita quod unus solus Episcopus, scilicet Wintoniensis Petrus, cum constaret ei quod Londoniis esset hyematurus, quinquaginta boyes pas●uales, & centum summas tritici electi, & octo dolia vini meracissimi, transmisit e● in alimentum. Alii quoque secundum vires & facultates suas ei similia contulerunt. Legatus vero, Romanam avaritiam temperando, non omnia, sed aliqua oblata sereno vultu suscepit gratanter: considerans illud Senecae Philosophicum: Omnia oblata recipere, avarum est: nulla, rebelle: aliqua, sociale. EOdem quoque anno scripsit Rex omnibus Magnatibus suis, ut coram eo & Domino Mat. Paris Hist. Angl. p. 431, 432. Legato, in festo exaltationis Sanctae Crucis, apud Eboracum convenirent, de arduis negotiis Regnum contingentibus tractaturi. Venerat autem eis obviam Rex Scotiae, vocatus a Rege Angliae, & Legato, apud Eboracum: ut ibi habita communi deliberatione, de pace reformanda inter eos, foeliciter componeretur: & Dei dante gratia, omnis lis mota praevia ratione sedaretur, & de juste utrique debitis satisfieret. Ubi tandem cum pervenissent, sic elaboratum est, ut Rex Scotiae perciperet de Regno Angliae, trecentas libratas terrae, sine Castri constructione, homagiumque Regi Angliae faceret, & foedus inter eos amicitiae sanciretur: & hoc se fideliter facturum Regi Angliae & conservaturum jura●et: & sic omnis querela & vendicatio ex parte Regis Scotiae, conquiesceret. After the peace thus concluded, this covetous Legate desiring to enter into Scotland, to pray upon it, as he had done on England, Volenti Domino Legato intrare Regnum Scotiae, (his chief design in summoning this Council at York) ut ibi de negotiis Ecclesiasticis tractaret, sicut in Anglia: respondit Rex Scotiae, Non me memini Legatum in terra mea vidisse, nec opus esse aliquem esse vocandum, Deo gratias, nec adhuc opus est, omnia bene se habent. Nec etiam tempore Patris mei, vel alicujus antecessorum meorum, visus est aliquis Legatus introitum habuisse, nec ego dum mei compos fuero, tolerabo. (So prejudicial did they deem a Legates entry to their Kingdom.) Veruntamen, quia fama te Sanctum virum praedicat, moneo te, ut si forte terram meam ingrediaris, caute progrediaris, ne quid sinistri ●ibi contingat. Indomiti enim & sylvestres homines ibi habitant, humanum sanguinem sitientes, quos nec ego ipse valeo edomare, qui etiam si in vos irruant, nequeo eos cohibere. Me etiam nuper, ut forte audistis, voluerunt invadere, & a Regno expellere exhaeredatum. Quibus auditis, Legatus avidam voluntatem intrandi Scotiam temperavit, & latera Regis sui, scilicet Angliae, sibi per omnia obedientis, non reliquit. Remansit autem cum Rege Scotiae quidam Italicus Legati consanguineus, quem Rex cingulo militari, terram etiam conferendo, ne penitus rebellis videretur, nobilitavit. Et sic soluto Concilio, Rex Angliae cum Legato suo versus Australia remeavit. Appropinquante vero tempore Concilii, jussit sibi Legatus Sedem parati in Occidentali parte Ecclesiae Sancti Pauli Londoniis fastigiosam nimis & solennem, longis trabibus & sedilibus gradatim exaltatam. Misit igitur Literas suas, ut vocati omnes Angliae Praelati, scilicet Archiepiscopi, Episcopi, Abbates, Priores installati, tam sub Conventus sui vel Capituli, quam suo nomine, Literas procuratorias deferentes, ut quicquid in Concilio statueret Legatus, ratum utrobique haberetur. Venerunt igitur omnes juxta mandatum Domini Legati, nimis vexati & fatigati in corporibus propriis, equorum & viaticis; utpote ingruente hyeme & multiformi tempestate, omnes Praelati suae Legatiae, Angliae tamen potissime. Advenerat etiam cum aliis ad idem Concilium properantibus, quidam Clericus, nomine Magister Walterus, cognomento Pruz, qui palam asseruit, omnes fere Plane tas sub uno signo, scilicet Capricorno, tunc convenientes, commotionem magnam in aere facturos, & ventos validissimos commoturos: pestemque magnam animalium, praecipue cornutorum; quae pecudes vel pecora appellamus, subsecuturam pronuntiabat. Nota. Et addidit quasi jocose: Utinam non * hominum cornutorum, scilicet Episcoporum. Nec fefellit omnino haec praedicentis opinio. Statim enim Ecclesiam Sancti Pauli, ubi tunc erant congregati, t●ntus ventus concussit, quod omnes, praecipue Legatum, tremor magnus occupavit. Nocte autem Sanctae Ceciliae, nubeculae teterrimae, turritae, & inordinatae, Luna existente prima, in occidente apparuerunt; & coeperunt mug●re tonitrua, micare coruscationes, venti quoque commoveri, & per totam noctem sequentem & diem ventus inhorruit validissimus, qualem non se meminit aliquis praevidisse: & hic ventus per quindecim vel plures dies duravit continuatus. Corruerunt robora radicitus avulsa, domus, turres, aedificia, motionem senserunt vel ruinam; ut merito aer perturbationi hominum videretur concordare. Cum igitur convenissent Londoniis Praelati Angliae, in Ecclesia Sancti Pauli, die prima Concilio assignata, scilicet in crastino octavarum Sancti Martini, non comparuit Legatus; quia Episcopi rogaverant eum, ut ea die daretur eis copia inspiciendi Nota. quae proposuit statuere, & secum super his deliberare, ne * aliquid in praejudicium eorum statuere attentaret. Altera igitur die, constitutis in secretis & abditis locis militibus armatis & servientibus circiter ducentis, quos ei ad instantiam precum suarum Dominus Rex commodaverat: timebat enim valde sibi, eo quod dicebatur, eum nimis velle desaevire in eos, qui plura habebant beneficia, & praecipue in illegitimos. Apparuit autem summo mane, scilicet diluculo, in Ecclesia praedicta. Erat autem ibi tot expectantium multitudo tam compressa, quod ipsi Legato erat ingressus difficillimus. Et ingressus Ecclesiam, coram majori Ecclesia, Pontificalibus se induit, scilicet * Christ never went nor sat, in such state, ornaments, procession, nor the Apostles & St. Peter in their first Council, Act. 15. as this Legate did. superpellicio, & desuper Cappa chorali, Pellibus variis furrata, & Mitra. Et praecedentibus Archiepiscopis Cantuariensi & Eboracensi eum, cum processione solenni, cum cruce & cereis accensis, & cum Letania, sedem suam ascendit per gradus pompose, ut dictum est, praeparatam, & jam pomposius tapetis & palliis redi●●tam: collocante se a dextris Domino Cantuariensi & Eboracensi a sinistris: propter quod orta est inter eos dissentio, scilicet de ordinatione sessionis. Et appellatum est ex parte Eboracensis, pro jure suo, quod sibi vendicabat. Lecto igitur solenniter Evangelio, scilicet, † Christ was no such Shepherd as this Legate, and proud Prelates. Egosum Pastor bonus, sicut moris est, dictisque collectis propriis ab ipso Legato, & cantato Veni creator Spiritus, appellatoque ab Eboracensi, ut dictum est; sederunt juxta Legatum duo Archiepiscopi, Cantuariensis a dextris, Eboracensis a sinistris. Quibus dixit Legatus, volens ipsam controversiam pacificare, neutrius tamen juri derogando: * A Learned Argument, worthy observation, against St. Peter's pretended primacy See Mat. West. p. 146. In Bulla Domini Papae stat imago Pauli à dextris Crucis in medio Bullae figuratae, & Petri à sinistris: nulla tamen inter tantos Sanctos est orta unquam contentio, ambo enim sunt in coaequali Gloria. Veruntamen propter Petri clavigeri dignitatem, & Apostolatus principatum, necnon & Cathedralem dignitatem, cum Prioratu vocationis, merito à dextris Crucis eius imago collocanda videtur. Sed quia Paulus credidit in Christum, quem non vidit; à dextris figuratur: Beati enim qui non viderunt, etc. Sic Dominus Cantuariensis totius Angliae primas, & qui praeest antiquissim● ac nobilissimae Ecclesiae Cantuariensi, necnon & Londonensi, quae est Sancti Pauli, non sine ratione à dextris est collocandus. Et ex tunc sequentibus diebus fedit Cantuariensis a dextris, Eboracensis a sinistris. Secundo autem die, Concilio jam incepto, missi sunt ex parte Domini Regis, Comes Lincolniensis Johannes, et Johannes filius Galfridi, et Willielmus de Raele, Canonicus Sancti Pauli: ut dicto Legato * See here p. 443. A Prohibition to this purpose to the Bishops assembled at Gloucester. ex parte Regis et Regni inhiberent, ne ibi contra Regiam Coronam et Dignitatem aliquid statuere attentaret. Et remansit ibi, ut hoc observaretur, Willielmus de Raele, indutus Cappa Canonicali et superpellicio, aliis recedentibus. An Argument of the King's care to preserve the Rights of his Crown and Kingdom as far as possible, against Papal, Legatine, and Prelatical encroachments. Eodem quoque die petiit Dominus Simon Cantuariensis Archidiaconus, Dominum Legatum in audientia omnium, ut audiretur ab omnibus authenticum suae Legationis, a Domino Papa sibi commissum: quod & factum est. Et eodem die, ad impetrationem Domini Regis, lectum fuit quoddam privilegium, de festivitatibus Sancti Edwardi per totam Angliam celebrandis. Et de mandato Domini Papae, de Sanctis Francisco & Dominico canonizatis. Et quia audierat Dominus Legatus, dum adhuc in hospitio suo esset, multos pluribus Ecclesiis beneficiatos, nobiles sanguine & possessionibus, & illegitimos, de quibus mentionem in quodam statuto Concilii fecerat, * This fear was an evidence of his guilt. contra ipsum murmurasse, & ei etiam insidias praeparasse: quosdam Magnates, scilicet Comitem Marescallum G. & Comitem Lincolniae J. & Comitem de Monte-forti S. & quosdam de familia Domini Regis, cum gladiis & fustibus munitos, ad tuitionem sui suorumque, secum ad Concilium duxit & reduxit. In Concilio vero, cum statutum contra eos qui * Pluralities for private persons pomp and state preferred before the general good of the people's souls. plura beneficia obtinuerunt, contra Concilium Lateranense, pronunciaretur, Episcopus Wigorniensis Walterus, scilicet de Cantelupo, surgens in medio, deposita Mitra sua, sic Dominum Legatum est affatus. Pater Sancte, cum multi Nobiles, quorum sanguis noster est, plura obtineant beneficia, cum quibus nondum dispensatum est, quorum etiam aliqui provectae sunt aetatis, & usque ad praesens honori●ice vixerum, & hospitalitatem ad posse procurando, eleemosynas patentibus januis erogarunt, durum esset nimis, tales suis beneficiis spoliatos, in ignominiosam trudi paupertatem. Quidam vero juvenes feroces ac strenui, maximis periculis se opponerent, ancequam suis se sinerent privari beneficiis, unico tantum retento. Quod bene perpendo per memetipsum. Antequam enim ad istam vocarer dignitatem, proposu● in animo meo, quod si unicum amitterem beneficium talis praetextu constitutionis, omnia amitterem. Unde timendum est, quod multi ad praesens in simili proposito perseverent. Quoniam igitur multitudo talium in causa est, Sanctae Paternitati vestrae supplicamus, quatenus ob salutem vestram & nostram, super hujusmodi statuto Dominum Papam consulatis. Praeterea, cum statutum vestrum in religione Sancti Benedicti, ad omnes aequaliter se extendat; & durum sit multis, tum propter locorum penuriam, & praecipue Monialibus, cum sint debiles & fragiles, hoc statutum observare, necesse est huic rigori discretum addere temperamentum. Super quo etiam postulamus, ut Dominum Papam super his velitis consultare. Cui Dominus Legatus respondit, Quod si omnes Praelati, scilicet isti praesentes Archiepiscopi & Episcopi, una cum eo, super his Domino Papae scriberent, libenter consentiret. Et sciendum, quod quia aliqui opinabantur, sicut datum fuit intelligi Domino Legato, quod statuta sua robur nisi tantum in tempore suae Legationis non obtinerent; jussu ejusdem surrexit in medio quidam Clericus suus, Magister scilicet Although, & aperto libro authentico, scilicet registro Domini Papae; ad majorem authoritatem, ut validius talium opinionem improbaret, quandam decretalem legit distincte & aperte, quam Dominus Legatus distinguens approbavit: per illam asserens manifeste, quod etiam post recessum ejus, sua statuta perpetuae firmitatis robur debeant obtinere. Nec praetereundum, quod primo die Concilii, collocatis, ut praedictum est, Archiepiscopis Cantuariensi, scilicet a dextris, Eboracensi vero a sinistris, perlectoque Evangelio, Ego sum Pastor bonus, dictisque collectis ad hoc pertinentibus, indictoque silentio, & turba compriment castigata, Dominus Legatus sedendo quasi ●ubam vocem suam exaltans, sermonem suum inchoavit, thema suum sic praeordinando: In medio sedis & in circuitu ejus quatuor animalia plena oculis ante & retro. In sermone prosequendo innuens, quod Praelati, quasi animalia habentia oculos ante & retro, debent esse in rerum saecularium dispositionibus providi, & in spiritualibus circumspecti, Priora sequentibus caute continuantes. Et post sermonem legi fecit statuta, alta voce & distincte, quae firmiter statuit observari, quae subscripta in hoc libro duximus annotari. Quoniam domum Domini decet Sanctitudo & Ministros ejus, a Domino dicitur, Mat. Paris, p. 433. Sancti estote, quoniam Sanctus sum ego Dominus Deus vester. Satagit astutia humani generis inimici, ut Sanctitatem subtrahat vel destruat utrobique, dum in plerisque locis ut ne consecrentur Ecclesiae vel retardat, & ne suo digne fungantur officio, Ministorum mores & vitam multorum vitiat & depravat, Sanctorum Patrum regulis & statutis, generaliter omnibus Christianae religionis profectibus opponendo. Huic est igitur armata manu a cunctis Christi fidelibus fortiter in fide resistendum, & ad ejus molimina renovatis & novis semper utendum viribus enervanda: sicut Isaac puteos quos foderant filii Abrahae, sed humo impleverant Palestini, prius studuit renovari, deinde alios fodere prorsus novos. Denique nos Otto, miseratione divina, Sancti Nicholai in carcere Tulliano Diaconus Cardinalis, & Apostolicae sedis Legatus, ad partes Angliae, cum Legationis officio a sede Apostolica destinati: divino fulti auxilio, et astantis Concilii suffragio et consensu, ad roborandum et reformandum statum Ecclesiasticum in partibus Anglicanis, salvis aliis Canonicis institutis, quae cum reverentia volumus & cupimus observari, quaedam ex commissa nobis pote●tate duximus observanda, quae per certos articulos fecimus digeri & distingui. After which follow all the Canons made and promulged in this Council, which those who please may peruse at leisure in * Hist. Angl. p. 435, etc. Matthew Paris, and in Johannes de Aton, his Constitutiones Legitimae Ecclesiae totiusque Regionis Anglicanae, ab Legatis à Latere Summorum Pontificum collectio, fol. 1, to 121. with his Gloss upon them. The 1. Canon was for the Dedication and Consecration of Churches, many Cathedrals as well as Parish Churches being then unconsecrated: The 2. and 3. concerning Ecclesiastical Sacraments and Baptism: Others concerning the covetousness of Priests, their hearing Confessions, the qualities of such as were to be ordained, their Farmers and Vicars, Presentations to Churches, not dividing one Church into more, the Residence of Bishops and Priests, Pluralities, the habit of Clerks, Clandestine Marriages of Priests, Priests Concubines, their son's succession in their Benefices, protecting of Thiefs, Murderers, eating of flesh, the Office of Archdeacon's, Bishops, their Judges, Procurations, undue, unjust Citations, Exactions by Procurations, Registers, abuses of Proctors and Ecclesiastical Judges, and an Oath to be prescribed to them, to prevent the like abuses for the future. In this Council, this Legate introduced the use of Oaths in Ecclesiastical Courts and Causes, never formerly used in England, under a specious pretext, by colour whereof the Bishops and their Agents, extending their Authority beyond the Canon, introduced these and other Oaths, against the Laws and Customs of the Realm, to the people's great oppression, as you shall hear anon, till the King by his Prohibitions restrained this Usurpation. The Canon first introducing an Oath of Calumny made in this Council, runs in these words. * Mat. Paris, p. 438. Jusjurandum Calumniae. Jusjurandum calumniae in causis Ecclesiasticis cujuslibet, & de veritate dicendi, in spiritualibus quoque, ut veritas aperiatur facilius, & causae celerius terminentur, statuimus de caetero praestari in Regno Angliae, secundum Canonicas et Legitimas Sanctiones, obtenta in contrarium consuetudine non obstante. Huic statuto utiliter annectentes, ut judiciales induciae judicis dentur arbitrio, juxta Legitimas & Canonicas Sanctiones. The nature, kinds, forms, words of this Juramentum Calumniae, you may read at large in Johannis Schneidewini, a most famous Civilian, professor Academiae Witebergensis, in quatuor Institutionum Imperialium D. Justiniani libros, Commentarius, printed Argentorati 1599 lib. 4. Tit. 6. and Tit. 16. De Juramento Calumniae, to whom I refer the Readers desiring satisfaction therein. He resolving p. 1102. Istud juramentum hodie non aestimatur uno Nota. obolo, quia facti sumus contemptores Dei, & religionis ejus. Unde ego puto, quod litigatores nostri temporis, potius jurant le calumnia committenda quam vitanda, & ideo melius esset, quod istud juramentum ex toto tolleretur a judicio, causa vitandi tot perjuria, non obstante quod hoc juramentum sit inventum ob publicam utilitatem. The corrupt depraved condition, extraordinary Rapines, Simony, Covetousness, Extortions of the Pope, Court, and Church of Rome in that age, which gave general scandal to all conscientious Christians, and some Cardinals themselves, yea caused the Greek Church wholly to separate from the Latin, deny the Supremacy of Rome, and renounce all obedience to her, is thus recorded by Matthew Paris, out of a private Letter sent from Rome to the Pope's Legate in England, advising him to moderation, to prevent a total rejection of the Pope and See of Rome. EOdem quoque tempore, circa dies Domini Natalitios, quidam Romanae Ecclesiae Mat. Paris Hist. Angl. p. 441, 442. potens ac specialis Consiliarius, scilicet Dominus J. de Columna Cardinalis, Legato in Anglia commoranti, secretius scripsit in haec verba. Frater fratri, Levita Levitae, dilecto dilectus in Christo, salutem. Si pagina exarata secretum valeret extraneis, & ob locorum distantiam non subjaceret discrimini, multa calamo commendarentur, quae lingua subticet nec pandit amico. Veruntamen haec charitati vestrae celare non debeo, quod nimis avide, vel potius inconsulte, se mater immersit fluctibus, et in fauces luporum ultronea se jactavit, duorum tantum fuit consilio, tertio annuente, quin verius gressu praecedente consilium, et cocis praecedentibus cum tractatu. Hinc est, quod libertas abjicitur, servitus inchoatur, sanctuarii sydus effunditur, ancillatur patrimonium, superbia exaltatur, tonantium carcer emitur, honor contemnitur, appetitur confusio, armatur molestia, tranquillitas effugatur, non curatur de fratrum et exterorum scandalo, irrisionibus irridetur, caecus loco dividitur, differuntur negocia, instantes protracti sermonibus diutina expectantium lassitudine fatigantur. Bene vobis accidit, quod ab his tormentis abstracti, abiistis ad Regionem long inquam, ne videret is mala gentis vestrae & sanctorum, ne pulsaremini quotidianis ictibus, crebris punctionibus lacerati. Voluimus reformare statum, ut saepe tentavimus, & ecce deformis destitutio subintravit. Incassum traduntur consilia, ubi voluntas non sistitur fr●no prudentiae, sed impetu agitata, prosilit ad procliva, nec patitur retardari. Accedit quoque ad doloris cumulum, nobilis illa Columna, qua tam magnificè structuram Ecclesiae sustentabat, recolendae videlicet memoriae Dominus Sabinensis, subito subtractus de medio; molestiae primum dolore percussus, ac postmodum infirmitate lenta vexatus, obiit in Domini potentias ingressurus; ruinae casum occasionaliter matri relinquens, cum gemitu & moerore. Redierunt fratres a regione dissidente cum Principe, sed pacis impressa vestigia non apparuerunt; quia non paruerunt pacis bajulis discordiae sectatores. Antiochensis a societate distrahitur, nec a redeuntibus commendatur. Vellem quod breviori familia stiparetur amicus, ne fieret aliis Oneri, & obtrectantium dentibus laceraretur. Et quia invalescentibus fluctibus scandalorum & plurium tempestatum, necessarius estis matri, vos ad reditum praeparate. Datum Viterbii, festo Sancti Lucae. Hoc igitur & similibus indiciis manifeste compertum est, Ecclesiam Romanam, Mat. Paris p. 441. Dei (proh dolor!) indignationem incurrisse. Ipsius enim Magist 〈◊〉 us et Rectores, non populi devotionem, sed marsupia plena quaerunt denariorum: non animas Deo lucrifacere, sed redditus rapere, et pecuniam congregare, religiosos opprimere, poena, usura, simonia, et aliis diversis argumentis, sibi aliena impudenter usurpare. Non curatur de justitia et honestate, de simplicium informatione: * And is it not so still? imo cum quocumque modo quis beneficio Ecclesiastico investitur, de summa pecuniae, quam inde sortiri possunt, statim sciscitatur: ultima vero vel nulla quaestio oritur de Sancto vel ejus nomine, quo Ecclesia intitulatur: hinc imprecatio, murmur in populo suscitavit, & diatim ira Dei merito provocatur. Visa igitur tanta malitia & oppressione, erigitur Graeca Ecclesia contra Romanam: Imperatorem suum expellendo, & soli Archiepiscopo suo Constantinopolitano, nomine Germano, obediendo. Qui procaciter Graecorum errores, non tantum veteres, imo novos & adinventos defendens, enormiter a religione Catholica delirat. Eorum enim haec est desipientia: Asserunt, Spiritum Sanctum non à Filio, sed à Patre solo procedere, eo quod scriptum reperiatur: Spiritus veritatis, qui à Patre procedit. Praeterea, conficiunt de fermentato. Et in multis, Latinis contradicunt, & eos spernunt, Ecclesiam Romanam in pluribus condemnantes, magis tamen ejus facta quam dicta. Constituit igitur sedem suam, quasi alter Lucifer, in Aquilone, scilicet in Constantinopoli, Graecorum Civitate Metropolitana, filius scilicet degener & Antipapa, vocans Ecclesiam suam et asserens digniorem, et Ecclesiam Romanam sororem ejus dicens esse, non matrem: eo quod Beatus Petrus Apostolorum Princeps quondam, prius quam Romam venerat, Antiochiae, quae Imperio Graecorum adjacet & pertinet, sedem constituit Cathedralem. Addens, quod Antiochia omnem quem potuit Apostolo Christi, & sic Christo, exhibuit honorem & reverentiam: propter quod Theophilis meruit appellari. Roma vero eundem Apostolum Petrum & Coapostolum ejus Paulum, post probra & contumelias, mortis supplicio condemnavit. Hinc honor & reverentia, illinc dedecus & insolentia: unde Graeci filii, Romani vero privigni, jure meruerunt appellari. Veruntamen, ut ex tenore suprascriptarum Epistolarum perpendi potest, praedictus Germanus Archiepiscopus convocare desiderat Graecos suos & Latinos, scilicet Romanos, ut propositis utrinque rationibus, in unam sententiam conveniant; quos fortius rationum & authoritatum corroborat adminiculum: ut universalis Ecclesia Deo militans, una & integra nuncupetur, & juxta Salvatoris decretum, unus sit Pastor, & unum ovile per totius mundi latitud nem. Scribit igitur idem Germanus Domino Papae in haec verba. His two Epistles to Pope Gregory and the Cardinals of Rome, concerning a brotherly union between the Greek and Latin Churches, and Pope Gregory's Epistles in answer to them, (wherein he justifies his pretended Primacy by misapplyed Scriptures) being overlong, and not so pertinent to my subject matter, those who please may peruse in * Hist. Angl. p. 442, to 449. Matthew Paris: Only I cannot pretermit this passage in Germanus his Epistle to the Cardinals, touching the large extent of the than Greek Church. † Mat. Paris, p. 446. Hoc solum addam, & verbo finem imponam, quod videlicet multae & magnae Gentes sunt, quae nobiscum sapiunt, & nobiscum, qui Graeci sumus, conveniunt in omnibus. Primi, illi qui in prima parte Orientis habitant, Aethiopes, deinde Sylli, & alii qui graviores sunt, & magis virtuosi, scilicet Hyberi, Lazi, Alani, Gothi, Chazari, innumerabilis plebs Russiae, & Regnum magnae victoriae Bulgarorum. Et hi omnes tanquam matri nostrae obediunt, in antiqua Orthodoxia immobiles hactenus persistentes. This year the Greek Churches with all these her members, renounced all obedience to, and communion with the Church of Rome, upon this just occasion, (for which the Church and Realm of England might then more justly have rejected her iron yoke of bondage, had they been able to accomplish it.) HOc schisma & dissidium inter Romanam Ecclesiam & Graecam, tale sumpsit seminarium. * Mat. Paris, Hist. Angl. p. 449. Quidam Archiepiscopus electus canonice ad quendam nobilem Archiepiscopatum in Graecia, vel postulatus, Romam adiit confirmandus: nec potuit exaudiri, nisi pro impetratione illa, infinitum aurum promitteret. At ipse detestans prostantis Curiae Simoniam, infecto negotio recessit; & hoc toti Graecorum nobilitati nuntiavit. Et alii, qui Romam adierant, testimonium de similibus aut deterioribus perhibebant: Et sic omnes a subjectione Romanae Ecclestae tempore Gregorii istius recesserunt. Indeed they never acknowledged any subjection to the Church of Rome before, but only retained a brotherly Christian communion with her, which they now renounced for her manifold corruptions. The Pope and his Cardinals, upon Germanus and the Greek Churches Letters to them, endeavouring to prove St. Peter's universal Supremacy over all Churches, from * See here p. 57 etc. 67. to. 72. Tu vocaberis Cephas, quod interpretatur Petrus. Pasce oves meas, etc. and answering their objections against it very unsatisfactorily, resolved to reduce them to obedience by force of arms, not argument or Scripture; and published a Crossado against them, as if they were worse than Infidels, most unchristianly diverting the forces defigned to aid the Holy Land against the Saracens, to murder and destroy the Greek Churches, especially that of Constantinople. HIS autem salutaribus monitis auditis, sed non exauditis, non se Graeci Ecclesiae Mat. Paris Hist. Angl. p. 449. Romanae subdiderunt: forte tyrannidem, et avaritiam ejus pertimescentes; vel erecti in contumaciam, juxta dictum Evangelistae, quod invitati ad coenam noluerunt venire, se tamen excusantes: humiles in excusatione, superbi & contumaces in operis executione. Super quo Dominus Papa & Cardinales tractatum habentes diligentem, proposuerunt exercitum Cruce signatorum universalem, super eos reflectere. Et facta praedicatione, signati sunt nonnulli, super Gracos, praecipue Constantinopolitanoes, profecturi. For which purpose he sent Baldwin their deposed, expelled Emperor, with all the forces he could raise, to War upon and subdue them, who arrived in * England, where he received some small supplies of money. Mat. Paris, p. 453. Mat. Paris, Hist. Angl. p. 465. Mat. Westm. p. 250. Baldewinus Imperator. Constantin. in Graeciam armata manu tendit. EIsdem temporibus, profectus est in partes Graeciae, ad expugnandum sibi & Ecclesiae Romanae rebelles, Imperator Constantinopolitanus Baldewinus, in manu robusta, & militia non minima, quantam & qualem, omnes ejus amici & consanguinei potuerunt administrare. Qui etiam, ut thesaurum accumularet & adaugeret, reliquias charissimas & certissimas vendidit Regi Francorum, necnon & quaedam sibi charissima impignoravit. Erat namque a Francorum Nobilibus ducens originem. Cui etiam Papa, in odium et gravamen aemuli sui Imperatoris Romanorum Prederici, modis omnibus, quibus scivit et potuit, manum extendit auriliatricem. Hereupon the Archbishop of Antioch, and Germanus Archbishop of Constantinople were so far incensed against the Pope and Church of Rome, that they excommunicated them, asserting themselves and their Churches to be above the Pope and Church of Rome, yea more ancient and excellent than they, even by Arguments drawn from St. Peter himself. ANno quoque sub eodem, ad tantam ausus est proterviam impetu temerario Mat. Paris Hist. Angl. p. 465. Antiochenes se praesert Romano Pontifici. prorumpere Antiochenus Archiepiscopus, (consentiente Germano Constant inopolitano Archiepiscopo, Grecorum advocato, & vices agente Antipapae,) quod Dominum Papam cum tota sua Romana Ecclesia et Curia, inani authoritate excommunicavit. Et blasphemando, se suamque Ecclesiam solenniter praedicando, tempore et dignitate Domino Papae et Romanae Ecclesiae praeposujt, et esse, et fuisse Romana Ecclesia excellentiorem▪ eo quod beatus Petrus Apostolus, primo Ecclesiam Antiochenam cum summo honore rexerat per septennium ibidem, cum summa qua decuit receptus reverentia, & similiter honorifice incathedratus. Rom. vero fuit multis injuriis & convitiis, multipliciter lacessitus: tandemque sub imperatore Nerone passus, cum Coapostolo suo Sancto Paulo, speciali Graecorum d●ctore, dirae mortis supplicium consummavit. Unde merito clarior & amabilior eidem esse tenetur ea Civitas & Regio, cum suis Civibus & omnibus incolis, quae eidem beato Petro Apostolo honorem & reverentiam contulerunt, quam quae dedecus & tormenta inflixerunt. Potestatemque ligandi & solvendi, liberaliter potius Ecclesiae Graecorum contulisse, quam Romanae: quam simoniae & usurae, avaritiae & aliorum facinorum maculis constat jam sordere. Hac & aliis rationibus superticialibus, suas in propriam perniciem cicatrices, dictus Antipapa palliavit, & excusationes in peccatis excusavit. Sed columna Ecclesiae Dominus Papa, verus divi Petri successor, (etsi non plene imitator) non movebatur, omnem vindictam reservans, in tempore retributionis: Sending Baldwin with Arms to subdue them, though with very ill success, as * Mat. Paris, and Mat. Westminster relate. SEd defuit divinus favor propositis. Periit enim Francorum in ejus exercitu multitudo Mat. Paris Hist. Angl. p. 598. Mat. Westm. p. ●50. Imperat. Constantin. victas ad Imperat. Fr. confugit. numerosa. Ipsoque eodem tempore, cum fugisset Imper. Constantin. a persecutione Graecorum, nec quicquam haberet in aerario, ut bellum amplius continuaret, & Graecorum impetus continuos sustineret, confugit ad consilium & auxilium Imperatoris Romanorum Frederici. Qui Graecis tum terribiliter comminando, tum consultius postulando, tandem treugas per annum unum impetravit. Interim procuravit idem Imperator Fredericus, ut filiam suam cuidam magno Principi Graecorum, nomine Battacio, matrimonio copulavit. Quod Domino Papae simulque toti Curiae Romanae molestum videbatur & grave, quia per ipsum Battacium schisma ortum est inter Ecclesiam Romanam & Graecam. Unde ipsa Romana Ecclesia vocat eum schismaticum, & factum est obstinatius odium proinde, inter Dominum Papam & Imperatorem Fredericum. This schism of the Greek Church from, and opposition against the Pope and Church of Rome, made the Pope and his Court fear the like schism and revolt in England, occasioned by the Legates violent proceedings, extortions, and advancement of strangers to Benefices; whereupon he intended to recall him thence to prevent these ill consequences; but the Legate loath to depart, prevailed with the King and others to solicit the Pope for his continuance in England, upon pretence of public good. EOdem tempore, Dominus Papa & tota Curia Romana, audiens tot tumultus in Anno 1238. Mat. Paris Hist. Angl. p. 450. Anglia fuisse subortos pro alienigenarum multitudine, quam Rex inconsulte vocaverat: et pro adventu Legati in Angliam, quem similiter in depauperationem suorum in Angliam attraxerat: multosque contra ipsum commoveri: sub magna eundem Legatum festinatione revocando, rigorem ejus temperavit, sic scribens ei. GREGORIUS, etc. dilecto filio Ottoni, Sancti Nicholai in ●●rcere Tulliano Diacono Cardinali, Apostolicae sedis Legato, salutem & Apostolicam benedictionem. Cum sic intellexerimus, quod nonnulli Clerici habentes plura beneficia sint in Regno Angliae, & contra eos, propter parentum potentiam, juxta generalis statuta Concilii, sine turbatione Regni & sanguinis effusione, procedi non possit: attendentes quod si peccatum non debeat pro scandalo vitando committi, bonum tamen quod agi debeat, prudenter interdum intermittitur, ut scandalum evitetur: discretioni tuae per Apostolica scripta mandamus, quatenus si contra dictos Clericos sine scandalo procedere non poteris, subsedere procures. Et eisdem, vel aliis proximis, Dominus Papa timens ne quid sinistri ei accideret, vocavit eum. Sed Legatus malens adhuc in Anglia remanere, & metere ubi non seminaverat, caute procuravit, ut scriptum Domino Papae destinandum componeretur, & appenderentur sigilla Regis & fratris sui Comitis Richardi, & omnium Episcoporum, in testimonium veritatis: scilicet, quod multum utilis esset mora sua in Anglia, tam Regi, quam Regno, et Ecclesiae Anglicanae. Et hujus tenoris scriptum Domino Papae transmissum, mentem suam pacificavit. I find this supplication to the Pope for the Legates stay in England, thus entered in our Records, being procured by his own solicitation. SVpplicatum est Domino Papae, quod pensatis periculis diversis quae Regi & Pat. 22 H. 3. m. 9 dorso. Regno suo possent imminere ex revocatione Legati, quem Dominus Papa jampridem revocavit, indulgere velit, ut dictus Legatus Officio Legationis suae fungatur in Anglia, donec negotia Regia per ipsum laudabiliter incepta, prospero fine fuerint terminata, & tranquillitas Regis Angliae, cui extitit per omnia necessarius, sicut P. Saracenus ei exponet, ejus moderamine fuerit in posterum fortius roborata. Teste Rege apud Kenton. vi. die Marc. Eodem modo scribitur per clausas Papae & Cardinalibus quod partes suas interponant. After this, the King to honour this Legate all he could, and secure him and his followers from violence where ever they traveled through England, granted him this Patent and Protection. REX, Omnibus Ballivis & fidelibus suis per quorum Ballivas Venerabilis Pater Pat. 22 H. 3. m. 4. O. Dei gratia S. Nicholai in carcere Tulliano Diaconus Cardinalis, & Apostolicae sedis Legatus, transiturus est, salutem. Mandamus vobis firmiter praecipientes, quatenus cum idem Dominus Legatus vel sui per Ballivam vestram transitum fecerint, ipsos honorifice admittatis, & salvum conductum per Ballivam vestram eis faciatis. Ita quod pro defectu vestri sibi vel suis nullum dampnum eveniat. In cujus rei testimoniam, etc. Teste Rege apud Ely, x. die Junii. The Legate soon after travelling to Oxford, was there honourably entertained and presented by the University and Scholars at first, which through the insolency of his Porter and Cook ended in a Tragical Tumult, Excommunication, and Interdict; thus registered to posterity. TUnc vero temporis, Dominus Legatus cum Oxoniam adventasset, & honore Mat. Westm. Anno 1238. p. 146, 147. Mat. Paris Hist. Angl. p. 453. 454. Discordia inter Legatum & Scholares Oxonienses. summo, prout decuit, reciperetur: hospitatus est in domo Canonicorum, scilicet Abbatia de Ossenciae. Clerici vero Scholares, eidem xenium honorabile in poculentis & esculentis transmiserunt ante prandii tempus. Et post prandium, ut eum salutarent, & reverenter visitarent, ad hospitium suum venerunt. Quibus advenientibus, janitor quidam transalpinus, minus quam deceret aut expediret facetus, & more Romanorum vocem exaltans, & januam aliquantulum patefactam tenens, ait: Quid quaeritis? Quibus Clerici: Dominum Legatum, ut eum salutemus. Credebant enim confidenter, ut ef●ent honorem pro honore recepturi. Sed janitor conviciando loquens, in superbia & abusione introitum omnibus procaciter denegavit. Quod videntes Clerici, impetuose irruentes intrarunt: quos volentes Romani reprimere, pugnis & virgis caedebant: & dum objurgantes ictus & convitia geminarent, accidit, quod quidam pauper Capellanus Hyberniensis ad Ostium Coquinae staret, & ut quippiam boni pro Deo acciperet, instanter, more pauperis & famelici, postulaverat. Quem cum Magister Coquorum Legati (frater Legati erat ille, & ne procuraretur aliquid venenosum, quod nimis timebat Legatus, ipsum ipsi officio praefecerat, quasi hominum specialissimo) audivit, nec exaudivit, iratus in pauperem, projecit ei in faciem aquam ferventem, haustam de lebete ubi carnes pingues coquebantur. Ad hanc injuriam exclamavit quidam Clericus de confinio Walliae oriundus: Proh pudor! ut quid hoc sustinemus? Et arcum, quem portavit, tetendit, (dum enim tumultus accreverat excitatus, Clericorum aliqu●arma, quae ad manus venerunt, arripuerant) ipse missa sagitta corpus Coci, quem Clerici Satyrice Nebuzardan, id est, Principem Coquorum, vocabant, transverberavit. Corruente igitur mortuo, clamor excitatur. Ad quem stupefactus Legatus, & nimis perterritus timore, qui posset in constantissimum virum cadere, in turrim Ecclesiae indutus Capa Canonicali se recepit, seratis post terga Ostiis. Ubi cum noctis opacae conticinium tumultum pugnae diremisset, Legatus vestimentis Canonicalibus exutus, equum suum optimum ascendit expeditus, & ducatu eorum qui vada secretiora noverunt, amnem, qui proximus erat, licet cum periculo, transivit, ut ad protectionem alarum Regis ocyus avolaret. Cleri enim furia infecti, Legatum etiam in abditis secretorum latebris quaerere non cessabant; clamantes & dicentes: Ubi est ille usurarius, simonialis, raptor reddituum, & sititor Nota. pecuniae, qui Regem pervertens, & Regnum subvertens, de spoliis nostris ditat alienos? Insequentium autem adhuc clamores cum fugiens Legatus audiret, dixit intra se: Cum furor in cursu est, currenti cede furori. Et patienter omnia tolerans, factus est sicut homo non audiens, & non habens in ore suo redargutiones. Cum autem (ut praedictum est) amnem vix pertransisset, paucis, pro difficultate transitus, comitantibus, caeteris in Abbatia latitantibus, ad Regem anhelus & turbidus usque pervenit, & lachrymabiliter, singultibus sermones suos interrumpentibus, rei gestae ordinem, gravem super hoc reponens querimoniam, tam Regi quam suis collateralibus explicavit. Cujus querulis sermonibus cum Rex attonitus nimis compateretur, misit properanter Comitem Warenniae cum armata manu Oxoniam: eos qui latuerant Romanos eripere, & Scholares arripere. Inter quos captus est truculenter Magister Odo Legista, & ipse cum aliis triginta vinculis & carceribus in Castro de Waligeford, quod non multum distat ab Oxonia, ignominiose mancipatus. Legatus vero contrito laqueo liberatus, Episcopis convocatis nonnullis, Oxoniam supposuit Interdicto: & omnes illi enormi facto consentaneos, excommunicavit. Postea in bigis, more latronum, ad arbitrium Legati Londinum sunt transvecti, & ibidem carceri & vinculis arctaeque custodiae, redditibus spoliati, & anathe mate innodati, mancipantur. Such was his transcendent Tyranny against these Oxonians, for this tumult occasioned by the insolency and inhumanity of his own Porter and Cook, which rendered him very odious, so as he deemed himself secure in no place, without armed Guards to protect him, which he requested and obtained from the King, till his reconciliation to the University of Oxford, upon their extraordinary humiliation and penance, thus related by our Historians. LEgatus vero, qui versus partes Angliae Aquilonares tetenderat, flexo loro, Londinum Mat. Westm. p. 147. Mat. Paris, p. 454. Reconciliatio Universitatis Oxoniae cum Legato. reversus est. Et vix ausus in Regali hospitio Episcopi Dunelmensis, ubi solito hospitabatur, commorari: significavit Rex Civitati Londinensi, ut eundem Legatum diligentibus excubiis cum armata manu, ut pupillam oculi, custodirent Major Civitatis cum Civium universitate. Legatus igitur Archiepiscopum Eboracensem, & omnes Episcopos Angliae, authoritate qua fungebatur, ut Londinum convenirent, districte convocavit: de statu Ecclesiae & Cleri periclitantis, decimo sexto Calend. Junii comuniter tractaturi. Quo cum die praefixo pervenissent, tractatum est diligenter per Episcopos, ut salvaretur status Clericalis Universitatis, veluti secundae Ecclesiae: quibus & Legatus condescendit, salvo tamen honore Ecclesiae Romanae; ne improperando diceretur, ut q●i venerat Clerum cum Ecclesia reformare, potius deformaret. Tandem suggestum est Legato ab Episcopis ab universitate Cleri, quae ibidem in praesenti fuit, quod certaminis discrimen a familia sua sumpsit exordium; & in fine certaminis Clerus deteriorem calculum reportavit: insuper jam de Clero pars magna, ad nutum suum carceri mancipatur; & pars reliqua mandato suo parens, parata fuit humiliter subire, in loco ab Oxonia circiter tribus distante dietis; ad petitionem tot & tantorum virorum, ad misericordiam, quod comitantibus Episcopis pedes euntibus Scholares omnes ibidem congregati, ab Ecclesia Sancti Pauli, quae fere per unum milliare ab hospitio Legati distabat, pedesirent; ita tamen, quod cum venirent ad hospitium Episcopi Carleolensis, illinc sine capis & mantellis discincti & discalceati, usque ad hospitium Legati procederent; humiliter veniam postulantes, misericurdiam & veniam consequendo conciliarentur, quod & factum est. Videns autem dominus Legatus hanc humiliationem, recepit eos in gratiam suam restituens Universitatem loco suo ipsius municipii; Interdictum cum sententia misericorditer ac benigne relaxando, literasque eis conficiendo, ne illis proinde nota infamiae aliquando procaciter objiceretur. I find these several Patents and Records, concerning this Oxford tumult and reconciliation to the Cardinal, and revocation of the Scholars to the University, upon pledges given to appear before and stand to the Cardinal's censure. REX Vicecom. Oxoniae & Majori salutem. Praecipimus vobis quod in praesentia Pat. 22. H. 3. m. 7. intus. Magistrorum Roberti Bacun, & Johannis de Rogat, recipiatis Literas Patentes singulorum Magistrorum regentium apud Oxoniam, & singulorum Clericorum beneficia Ecclesiastica habentium, qui sunt in Villa Oxon. quod ad mandatum Domini Legati, vel mandatum ipsius super transgressione, eidem Domino Legato facta nuper apud eos, et ab alus Clericis Oxon. commorantibus et beneficia non habentibus, plegios salvos recipiatis si, illos vobis possint invenire, Clericos vel laicos, videlicet singuli Clerici singulos plegios, quod similiter, ad mandatum ipsius Legati, vel nostrum, venient parituri mandatis ipsius Domini Legati super transgressione praedicta. Et omnes Clericos praedictos & magistros tam beneficiatos quorum Literas Patentes receperitis, de veniendo, ut praedictum est, quam alios beneficia non habentes, a quibus plegios reciperitis sicut praedictum est, libere & sine impedimento, a Villa Oxon. recedere, & illuc redire cum voluerint permittatis. Alios autem Clericos, qui plegios nobis invenire non poterunt ut praedictum est, a Villa Oxon. recedere, nec illuc redire permittatis, donec pleniorem de transgressione praedicta, fieri fecerimus inquisitionem. Teste Rege apud Windeshore Septimo die Maii. REX Constabulario Majori & Balivis suis Oxon. & omnibus aliis ad quos praesentes Literae pervenerint, salutem. Sciatis quod Venerabilis Pater VV. Pat. 22. H. 3. m. 6. Karl. Episcopus, manucepit coram nbois Magistrum Johannem de Mekilon, Michaelem de Sanct Albano, Petrum de Karleol. & Henricum de Rad. socios suos Galf, de Sanct Agatha & Nicholaum socium suum, clericos, habendi eos coram Domino Legato ad mandatum nostrum, vel ad mandatum ipsius Domini Legati, ad parendum mandatis ejusdem Domini Legati super transgressione ei & suis nuper facta apud Oseneij. Et ideo vobis mandamus, quod eosdem Clericos cum hominibus, equis & hernesio suo ad partes suas ire, & alibi quo voluerint, libere permittatis, non obstante mandato quod nuper fecimus, ne Clerici recederent ab Oxon. sine Mandato, & de ipsis alibi arrestandis. Teste Rege apud Westm. 11. die Maij. Per VV. de Ral. REX Constabular. Majori & Balivis suis Oxon. & omnibus aliis ad quos praesentes Pat. 22. H. 3. m. 6. literae pervenerint, salutem. Sciatis quod dilectus & fidelis noster Henricus de Baillol. manucepit coram nobis pro Engerim de Baillol. Bernard de Hindel. Roberto de Paxton. Adam de Bockingfield. Clericis, habendi eos coram Domino Legato ad mandatum nostrum, vel ad mandatum ipsius Domini Legati, ad parendum mandatis ipsius super transgressione ei nuper illata apud Osenei. Et ideo mandamus quod eosdem Clericos cum hominibus, equis & hernesio suo ad partes suas, ire & alibi quo voluerint, libere permittatis, non obstante mandato nostro quod nuper fecimus, ne Clerici recederent ab Oxonia sine mandato nostro. Teste Rege apud Westmonasterium 12. die Maij. Per Amaur. de Sancto Amando. REX Constabulario Majori & balivis suis Oxoniae salutem. Sciatis quod concessimus Pat. 22. H. 3. m. 6. omnibus Clericis Oxoniam commorantibus, quod ipsi libere & sine impedimento, ingredi & egredi possint villam Oxoniae, & ad partes suas seu● alibi quo voluerint ire, ad praefatam villam Oxoniae quando voluerint redire. Et ideo vobis mandamus, quod eosdem Clericos praefatam villam ingredi & egredi, & ad partes suas ire, & ad praefatam Villam si voluerint redire libere, & sine impedimento permittatis, non obstante praecepto nostro quod vobis fecimus, de Clericis ab Oxonia recedere non permittendis. Reddi etiam faciatis omnibus Clericis praedictis Catalla sua quae capta sunt occasione transgressionis factae in Dominum Legatum vel suos, exceptis illis qui de praedicta transgressione rectati sunt per inquisitionem quam inde fieri fecimus, & illis qui occasione praedicta in carcere detenti sunt. Teste Rege apud West. 15. die Maij. REX Archidiacono & Cancellario universitatis Oxoniae salutem. Mandamus vobis Pat. 22. H. 3. m. 9 intus. rogantes, quod publice in locis quibus videritis expedire denunciari faciatis, quod omnes Clerici qui fugerunt, aut se subtraxerunt de Villa nostra Oxoniae, pro insultu facto in Dominum Legatum apud Osenyam, secure & sine timore captionis corporum suorum & amissionis rerum suarum, veniant ad ipsum Dominum Legatum poenitentiam facturi, & absolutionem recepturi de transgressione sua, si voluerint. In cujus, etc. Teste Rege apud Rading Nono die Julii. How prevalent this Legate was with the King, in disposing even of the Aids granted to him at his pleasure, will appear by this Record REX omnibus, etc. Sciatis, quod concessimus Venerabili Patri O. etc. Apostolicae Pat. 22. H. 3. m: 11. intus: Concessio facta Domino Legato de ordinando per ipsum de Tricesima. sedis Legato, quod de Tricessima nostra nobis concessa in Regno nostro Angliae cum collecta fuerit, de consilio suo, eam in loco tuto & competenti reponi faciemus, & de ea prudenter expendenda ad honorem & utilitatem nostram, consiliis suis nos supposuimus; ita quod sine ipsius consilio nihil inde ordinabimus. In cujus, etc. Teste meipso apud Roff. 28. die Novembris. This Legate not only purveyed for himself, but likewise procured Prebendaries and other Ecclesiastical preferments, in the King's gift, for his Chaplains (to the great offence of his English Subjects) as these following Records will demonstrate. REX concessit, & quantum ad eum pertinet, dedit Magistro Ate Clerico Domini Pat. 22. H. 3. m. 10. Legati quandam Prebendam in Ecclesia de Norton. vac. & ad donationem Regis spectantem, ratione Episcopatus Dunholm. etc. Et mandatum est Johanni filio- P. Custodi ejusdem Episcopatus, quod eidem Magistro de praedicta Praebenda sine dilatione plenam seisinam habere faciat. Teste Rege apud Westmonasterium 13. die Januarii. St. Martin's in London being one of the Kings Free Chapples, exempt from all Episcopal Jurisdiction and visitation, the King upon this consideration granted this Prohibition, to the Prior and Dean of St. Gregory in Canterbury, not to proceed in a suit concerning the state and Liberties thereof, and appealed likewise to the Pope. REX Priori Sancti Gregorii Cant. & Decano ejusdem Civitatis, salutem. Cum Pat. 22. H. 3. m. 10. Henricus Rector Ecclesiae Sancti Leonardi trahat in causam coram vobis Herebertum, Canonicum Ecclesiae sancti Martini London. ejusdem Ecclesiae procuratorem super quibusdam, statum & libertatem dictae Ecclesiae tangentibus, quae in editione praedicto Hereberto facta continentur super quibus contra dictum procuratorem ferretur praejudicium, qui sumus dictae Ecclesiae sancti Martini patroni, quae nostra libera Capella est, & ab omni Jurisdictione Episcopali per * See here p. 358. sedem Apostolicam exempta, ne contra ejusdem Ecclesiae Decanum & Capitulum, vel eorundem Procuratorem ulterius in dicta causa procedatis, Dominum Papam appellamus, William de Wakering. Capellanum procuratorem nostrum ad appellandum nomine nostro, & appellationem nostram innovand. constituentes ratum habituri, quicquid idem W. appellando & appellationem innovando coram vobis fecerit. Teste apud Windl. 6. die Maii anno regni nostri. 22. Moreover the King granted this memorable Prohibition to the Archdeacon of Oxford, not to hold plea of Legacies and other things belonging to his Chapel of Stinefeld, which it seems was one of his free Chapples, and appealed thereupon to the See Apostolic. REX Magistro R. Archidiacono Oxoniae, salutem. Noveritis ad nos pervenisse Pat. 22. H. 3 m. 7. intus. De Appellatione. quod persona de Northleya, & ejus procuratores Legata defunctorum, & quaedam alia, ad Capellam nostram de Stinefeld. secundum antiquam & approbatam consuetudinem pertinentia, in nostrum praejudicium extorquere nituntur. Quare discretioni vestrae prohibemus, quatenus in causa, quae vertitur inter Joseph. Capellanum praedictae Capellae nostrae, & Parochianos ipsius super praemissis, ex una parte, & personam de Northleya & ejus procuratores ex alia, minime procedatis, in praejudicium regiae dignitatis. Et ne aliquid contra Excellentiam nostram praesumatis in causa memorata, sedem Apostolicam appellamus. Teste Rege apud Wodstock. 9 die Septembris. The King by these Letters Patents, granted a Licence to the Bishop of Lincoln to erect a Vicarage in the Church of Essenden, whereof he was Patron. REX Episcopo Lincolniensi, salutem. Sciatis quod ordinationi fiendae per vos, & Pat. 22 H. 3. m. 5. intus. De vicaria facienda. Magistrum Nicholaum de Farnham, de competenti Vicaria in Ecclesia ejusdem Magistri de Essenden. quae est de advocatione nostra, assensum nostrum adhibemus. In cujus rei testimonium, etc. Teste Rege apud Westmonasterium 19 die Maii. Per ipsum Dominum Regem. This year there happening a difference between the King, and Monks of Durham about their Bishop elect, whom the King would not approve; he thereupon issued these Letters Patents to the Archbishop of York, appointing his Proctors to appeal to the See Apostolic against this Election, only for delay to preserve his right. REX Eborum Archiepiscopo, salutem. Noverit paternitas vestra nos appellationes Pat. 22. H. 3. m. 10. De Procuratore Constituendo. quas dilecti Clerici nostri magistri S. de Steyland, Domini Papae Capellanus, & VV. de Glouc. & Blasius de Mara. in negotio electionis Dunelm. coram vobis apud Eborum & apud Blid. prius interposuerunt; Ratas habentes, dilectum Clericum Blasium de Mara. latorem praesentium, ad dictas appellationes innovandas, & appellandum de novo, si necesse fuerit, procuratorem nostrum constituimus. Et ne ulterius in dicto negotio procedatis sedem Apostolicam appellamus. In cujus rei testimonium has literas nostras vobis mittimus Patentes. Teste meipso apud Westmonasterium Tertio die Febr. anno regni nostri 22. After which he constituted another Proctor in this case and renewed his appeal. REX Venerabili Patri VV. eadem gratia Eborum Archiepiscopo Angliae, salutem. Pat. 22. H. 3. m. 5. intus. De Procuratore Constituendo. Noverit Paternitas vestra quod nos appellationes, quas dilecti Clerici nostri Magistri Simon de Steyland. Domini Papae capellanus, & Willielmus de Glouc. & Blasius de Mara. in negotio electionis Dunelm. coram vobis apud Eborum & Blyam, & Pontem fractum interposuerunt ratam habentes, ad dictas appellationes innovandas, & appellandum de novo, si necesse fuerit, praedictum Magistrum S. procuratorem nostrum constituimus, & ne ulterius in dicto negotio procedatis sedem Apostolicam appellamus. In cujus rei testimonium has literas nostras Patentes vobis mittimus. Idem parti adversae significamus. Teste Rege apud sanctum Edmundum primo die Junii anno regni nostri 22 The like Proctor he constituted in the difference about the election of the Bishop of Norwich, referred to the Pope's Legate, to determine. REX Domino Legato, salutem. In causa electionis quae vertitur inter Pat. 22 H. 3. m. 4. nos ex una parte, & Priorem & Conventum Norwic. Ecclesiae, ex altera, Authoritate Domini Papae sanctitati vestrae commissa, dilectum Clericum nostrum magistrum Williel. de Kilkenni, procuratorem nostrum constituimus. Ratum habituri, quicquid idem Magister Williel. fecerit justitia mediante, in causa memorata. Idem parti adversae significantes. Teste Rege apud Ditton. undecimo die Junii. This year Richard Earl of Cornwell, with all the Nobility and Barons of England, (except the Earl of Kent) and generality of the Citizens and people of England made a commotion against the King, by reason of this Legate, and other aliens, by whom he was wholly swayed, neglecting and suffering them extremely to oppress his natural subjects; The contests hereupon are at large related by Matthew Paris. ET sperabatur certissime tunc, quod ipse Comes Richardus esset liberaturus terram Mat. Paris, Hist. Angl. p. 451. 452, 453. tunc, tam a Romanorum quam aliorum alienigenarum misera, qua premebatur, servitute, & omnes a puero usque ad hominem senem, crebras in ipsum benedictiones congesserunt. Nec adhaesit aliquis Regi, nisi solus Comes Cantiae H. Quod comperiens Rex, animo & vultu nimis consternatus, nobilium terrae singulos per nuntios suos interrogavit, diligenter sciscitando, si in hunc vel illum in hac jam exorta tempestate, possit de adiutorio confidere? Cui responderunt universi, praecipue cives Londinenses, asserendo universaliter, quod honori suo, & commodo Regni procuratum est circumspecte, quod incipiebatur ab ipso Comite Richardo, licet ipse Rex salubri consilio ejus non adquiesceret: unde incepta nullo modo impedirent. Haec comperiens Legatus, summam adhibuit, imminere videns pericula, diligentiam, ut Regem suis naturalibus hominibus reconciliaret, secreto admonens Comitem R. & Replicans, quod ipse qui Capitaneus hujus impetus factus est deinceps ab incaepto desisteret, promittens Regem ei ampliores possessiones collaturum, & Dominum Papam collatas confirmaturum; addens, quod si omnes terrae in Regem insurgerent, ipse qui frater ejus, cum eo contra omnes stare haberet indefessus. Ad quod respondit Comes R. domine Legate, De terris Laicorum et earum confirmationibus nil ad vos, de rebus autem Ecclesiasticis curam geratis. Nec miremini, si status Regni moveat me, cum sim haeres solus apparens. Rex enim cum fere omnium Episcopatuum terrae & multarum escaetarum custodias habuit, nullum tamen Thesaurus ejus sentit ad Regni tuitiones incrementum: cum tamen undique variis vallemur inimicis. Praeterea, redditus & beneficia Ecclesiastica, a piis praedecessoribus nostris collata (praecipue quae contulerunt antecessores nostri viris religiosis) permittit quasi spolia diripi, & alienigenis, cum abundet ipsa terra viris idoneis, distribui: & fit Anglia quasi vinea sine maceria, quam vindemiant omnes qui praetergrediuntur viam. Cum autem audisset Legatus hos sermones, Regem adiit, una cum Episcopo Legatus studet Pacem facere inter Regem & suos magnates. Wintoniensi P. monens & muniens, ut se ex tunc voluntati suorum juste in eum insurgentium, subderet & obtemperaret: nunc minis, nunc monitis, nunc precibus eundem reformantes. Rex videns impetus suos favoribus caruisse, & omnes fratri suo Comiti Richardo inclinantes; quaesivit quae potuit diverticula: inducias deliberandi postulando, ut competentius responderet. Induciae igitur ad instantiam petentium concessae sunt Regi (licet cum difficultate) usque in crastinum Dominicae primae quadragesimae. Convenerunt igitur Magnates die statuto Londini super his diligenter tractaturi. Et venerunt multi equis & armis communiti, ut si Rex circumventus per levitatem recalcitraret, ad praemissa complenda cogeretur. Ibi igitur post multas multorum deceptationes, se subjecit Rex quorundam provisioni de gravioribus viris; jurans se eorum provisioni adquiescere. Quod & factum est, & in scripta redactum, & appensa sunt tam Legati quam aliorum Magnatum Sigilla, omnibus in communi manifestanda. Interim his nondum perfectis, sed cum spe tamen pendentibus, Simon de Monte forti (who had unlawfully married the Countess of Pembrock, the Kings and Earls sister, and to prevent a divorce, Extorta prius undecunque potuit immensa pecunia, Romanam curiam adiit quam speravit pecunia circumvenire, ut illicito matrimonio liceret gratulari) humiliavit se Comi●●●. & obtinavit ab eo osculum concordiae. Quod gravissime alij Magnates acceperunt, sine quorum conniventia hoc fuit attemptatum, quorum laboribus fuit res hucusque deducta. Quibus enormibus factis totum negotium in magna parte mutilatum, perfectum non sumpsit effectum, sed miserias regni continuavit, & famam Comitis Richardi in magna parte denigravit: & sic factus est deinceps suspectus, qui credebatur baculus fortitudinis. Edmond Archbishop of Canterbury, Anno 1237. Hebdomada ante Natale transfretavit & Romam adiit, nec propter Legatum ipsum revocantem, voluit remanere, unde sibi ex tunc adversabantur. The occasion and success of this his journey against the Legates revocation is thus reported by * Mat. Paris p. 463. 465, 468, 469. Edit Londini, Mat. Parker, and Godwin in Vita Edmundi. Matthew Paris. Anno 1238. Illo quoque Anno, etc. data est sententia a Domino Papa pro Monachis Roffensibus, super controversia mota inter Archiepiscopum Aedmundum & eosdem Monachos, de eligendo sibi Episcopo, & data est senteutia pro eye, tam de petitorio quam de possessorio: & confirmatus est electus eorum, magister Richardus de Wendoure, die sancti Cuthberti. Convenerat autem eosdem Monachos dictus Archiepiscopus, expensis & laboribus exinanitos: insuper transalpinaverat, ut sicut jus dictaret, lis tanta debito fine determinaretur. Similiter data est sententia tunc temporis contra eundem Archiepiscopum, qui tunc in Curia Romana praesens fuit, super gravi causa, quae versabatur inter eum & Comitem Arundelliae: & condemnatus est utrobique in expensis, circiter mille marcarum: relaxata sententia quam tulerat, idem Archiepiscopus in Comitem supradictum. Habuit enim adversarium validissimum Ottonem Legatum: qui & ad hoc etiam Regem efficaciter stimulavit. After the death of Henry de Sandford Bishop of Rochester, the Monks of Rochester Mat. Paris, Hist. Angl. p. 395. Godwins Catalogue of Bishops. p. 150. Mat. Westm. Anno 1238. p. 150. Mat. Parker, p. 164, 165. elected Richard Windeley, a learned man, for their Bishop; who being presented by the Monks to Edmund Archbishop of Canterbury for his confirmation, he refused to admit him, unde Monachi Domini Papae praesentiam appellarunt. Upon this Appeal the Pope gave judgement for the Monks against the Archbishop, and condemned him in costs of suit, confirming their Election in despite of the Archbishop, with whom the Pope was very angry for opposing his shameless and intolerable exactions in England: whereupon this Bishop elect was consecrated at Canterbury in St. Gregory's Church, by the Archbishop, the Bishop of London, and other Bishops; quia Archiepiscopus suspenderat Ecclesiam Cantuar. à divinarum celebratione, praemissa debita postulatione à Priori Roffenfi Ricardo, & installatus fuit in die S. Andreae apud Roffen. Although the Archbishop miscarried in these two precedent suits at Rome, yet he obtained an Indulgence from the Pope to the prejudice of the Monks of Canterbury, thus related. † Mat. Paris p. 457. Mat. Parker, and Godwin in Vita Edmundi. Archiepiscopus Cantuariensis Aedmundus, a curia Romana rediens, venit in Angliam. Qui contra Monachos suos Cantuarienses, quamvis cum gratia Conventus ab Anglia recessisset, a Domino Papa pro se impetravit: unde suborta est discordia nimis enormis & indecens inter gregem & Pastorem; & passa est Ecclesia damna multa, & dedecus, suspensionem & ignominiam. Unde vocatus Legatus ad reformationem illius deformationis, dum in capitulo Cantuariensi praesideret, propter quoddam scriptum, in quo privilegium quoddam, tempore beati Thomae impetratum, continebatur (quod quidam imprudenter combusserunt) Priorem Cantuariensem deposuit, & ad districtiorem ordinem, ut ibidem perpetuam ageret paenitentiam, destinavit, quosdam Monachorum dispersit, quia (ut dicebatur) in praedicto privilegio, quae sibi videbantur manifeste adversari, pietate minus discreta occulte abraserat, & quae pro eis agere apposuerat. Et quia tales rasurae in tam authentico scripto non poterant diligenter intuentes latere, ne † Note the rasures and forgeries of Monks. notam infamiae falsarii Conventus incurreret, unus fratrum combussit inconsultus. Unde Legatus, cum mentionem illius scripti fecisset Archiepiscopus, interrogassetque, & non inveniretur, & licetinviti de re gesta veram facerent confessionem, Legatus, merito commotus in vindictam tanti excessus; Priorem ab administratione amovens, aliquos qui rei videbantur dispersit, commonens ut arctius viverent perpetuo poenitentes. Postea, quia Prior cum saecularibus Capitulum intravit, contra domus approbatam consuetudinem, ad electionem celebrandam, Conventus sibi priorem absque assensu Archiepiscopi elegit. Unde hoc audito, Archiepiscopus electionem reprobando cassavit: totum Conventum, praecipue electum & electores, non tantum suspensionis, sed etiam anathematis vinculis innodavit. Conventus autem contra Archiepiscopum in hoc ad praesentiam domini Papa constanter appellavit. The Legate lodging at this time in the Archbishop's Palace, and the Archbishop lying in the Monastery of St. Augustine's, lest he should thereby claim a Jurisdiction over it, made this Protestation Chronicon, Willielmi Thorn. Col. 1884, 1885. in writing; Noverit universitas vestra, quod cum de mandato sedis Apostolicae speciali, Dominus Otto Apostolicae sedis Legatus, in domibus nostris apud Cantuariam morabatur, nos de speciali gratia Abbatis & Conventus Monasterii Sancti Augustini Cantuariae, ad Romanam Ecclesiam nullo medio pertinentis, & in eorum domibus infra septa sui Monasterii per aliquot dies in nostris expensis hospicium habuimus: Protestants, per hoc eorum privilegiis, & compositioni inter nos & ipsos initae, nos in nullo velle in posterum derogari, & ut de hac nostra protestatione & voluntate successoribus nostris liqueat, in futuro has literas nostras fecimus, etc. Anno Domini M. DD. XXX VIII. Edmundus Archiepiscopus mandavit officialibus Willielmi Thorn. Chron. Col. 1883. & Decanis suis, ut in Capellis & Ecclesiis Parochialibus denunciari facerent in genere, excommunicatos omnes illos qui maliciose terras vel possessiones occuparunt, libertates scienter impugnarunt, decimas vel redditus injuste detinuerunt ad istud Monasterium de jure spectantes. Hoc addens in fine, Hoc mandatum nostrum exequentes, quod non de negligentia redargui, sed de diligentia debeatis merito commendari. How corrupt the Pope, Court of Rome, and what unjust sentences were given by them for bribes and money in that age, this story, amongst others, will inform us. * Mat. Paris, Hist. Angl. p. 455. Mat. Westm. p. 148. Interim S. de Monte forti, cum gratia Imperatoris & Literis supplicatoriis, se transfert ad Curiam Romanam: & effusa & promissa infinita pecunia, a Domino Papa impetravit: ut ratum habeatur Matrimonium, quod non sine laesione conscientiae contraxerat cum Alienora Regis Henrici 3. sorore. Votum enim solenne fecerat coram Aedmundo Archiepiscopo, continuanda in vita sua castitate. The Pope for money dispensed with this Marriage; Quamvis votum solenniter factum coram Aedmundo Archiepiscopo Cantuariensi repugnaret, ut liceret illicitis abuti amplexibus. Scripsitque Dominus Papa Legato Ottoni, ut pro praefato Simone de Monte forti, solenniter sententiaret. Quo audito, frater Willielmus de Abendune, de ordine Praedicatorum, & multi alii periti, Zelum Dei prae oculis habentes increpaverunt hanc sententiam; sanctitatem Papae circumveniri, & animas periclitari, Christumque Zelotypari veraciter affirmantes. Quia licet, sicut pars adversa protestatur, habitum cum velo non assumpserit mulier de qua agitur; annulum tamen, quo se Christo subarravit, vel potius desponsavit, assumpsit, & sic sponso Christo indissolubiliter copulatur; testante authentico scripto in Sententiis Magistri Petri, in tractatu de voto; scilicet libro quarto. In quo, praemissis rationibus & authoritatibus Sanctorum & Canonum, subinfert. Ex his apparet, virgines vel viduas voto continentiae astrictas, sive fuerint velatae, sive non, nullatenus conjugium sortiri posse. Quod itidem de omnibus intelligendum est, qui continentiam voverunt. Quod autem erat ante licitum, post votum erit illicitum. Sed aliquid forte subtilius, quam nobis datum sit intelligi, Romana Curia speculabatur. The sight and receipt of Golden Angles at Rome, overbalanced all Laws, Canons, Decretals, both of God, Man, Councils, and Popes themselves. Hence King Henry the 3d. soon after, when Simon de Montefort and his Wife, came to visit him and his Queen, and to accompany her to a Monastery for her Purification; * Mat. Paris, Hist. Angl. Edit. Londini 1640. p. 497, 498. Rex eum excommunicatum vocavit; prohibuitque ne ipse vel uxor ejus, quam ante Matrimonium inter eos contractum, nequiter & furtive maculaverat, festivis suis solenniis interesset: & cum multiplicaret convitia, Comes confusus cum uxore sua ad hospitium suum, per aquam venire properavit. Sed Rex statim eos praecepit ejici truculenter. Et cum flentes & ejulantes reverterentur, veniam flagitantes, Regiam iram non sedarunt. Dixit enim: Sororem meam seduxisti ante sponsalia, quod cum comperissem, ut vitaretur scandalum, dedi sed invitus. Et ut votum suum Matrimonium non impediret, Romam adiisti, Romanamque Curiam donis et promissis impreciabilibus, ut illicitum tibi liceret, corrupisti. Novit tunc praesens. A. Cantuariensis Archiepiscopus, qui Papae veritatem super his intimavit: sed victa veritas Romanae cessit avaritiae, muneribus multiplicatis. In cujus pecuniae solutione cum defecisti, excommunicationis sententia innodari meruisti. Ad cumulum etiam miseriae tuae, me inconsultum & nescium, fidejussorem per falsum testimonium interposuisti. Comes vero, cum haec audisset, erubuit, & cum dies inclinasset, per Tamesim in cymba minima cum uxore tunc & pauca familia ad mare festinanter declinans, continuo transfretavit. The like corruption, bribery, and partiality appeared in their proceedings, sentences at Rome, concerning the elections of Bishops, witness that concerning Winchester. * Mat. Paris, Hist. Angl. p. 456. Mat. Westm. p. 148, 149. Godwins Catalogue of Bps. p. 174, 175. Anno quoque eodem, quinto Idus Junii, obiit Episcopus Wintoniensis, Petrus scilicet de Rupibus. Qui cum Ecclesiam Wintoniensem circiter triginta duobus annis strenue rexisset, & laudabiliter peregrinationem fuam in Terra Sancta, una cum Exoniensi Episcopo, peregisset, domosque religiosorum plurimas construxisset; apud Fernham manerium suum, plenus dierum, facto nobili testamento, diem clausit extremum. Sepultus est autem in Ecclesia sua Wintoniensi, ubi etiam dum viveret, humilem elegit sepulturam. In cujus obitu totum Concilium Regni Anglicani, tam Regale quam Ecclesiasticum, jacturam incurrit irrestaurabilem. Rex vero audito de obitu Petri Wintoniensis, omnem quam potuit adhibuit diligentiam, ut inclinaret corda Monachorum Winton. ad electionem Gulielmi electi Valentini, ut eundem in praesulatum promoverent. Sed Monachi videntes ipsum esse alienigenam, & Nobilibus Regni suspectum, posseque de facili nocere ipse Regno, cum frater ejusdem electi Comes sit Flandrensis, & si forte in subversionem Regni conspirarent, alter alteri auxiliaretur, noluerunt aliquo modo consentire. Vnde Rex ipsis damna incessanter et gravamina undique inferre molicbatur. Ipsi vero maluerunt persecutionem pati pro justitia, quam soli Regi acceptum virum, curae pastorali insufficientem, moribus, gestu & literatura incompositum, natu alienum, & de effusione sanguinis infamem, in suarum animarum pastorem eligere, contra suarum conscientiarum puritatem. Dissimulantes igitur Monachi, sub induciis a Rege impetratis, eligerunt Gulielmum de Raele, virum discretum, & Regi familiarissimum, quem nullo modo credebant Regem velle repellere. Quod cum Rex cognovisset, iratus valde, nec electionem, nec electum acceptavit, imo ipsum Gulielmum electum a consilio suo et familiaritate propulsavit. Similique impetu, Episcopum Cicestrensem, quem Monachi pro spiritus postularent, ab officio Cancellariae privavit, & a sua familiaritate & consilio exclusit. Necnon Authoritate Domini Papae, missis ad Curiam Romanam Magistris Simone Normanno, & Alexandro seculari, legistis conductitiis, non sine multae pecuniae effusione, cassari procuravit. Matthew Paris thus relates the proceedings in this election, a little more largely. * Mat. Paris, Hist. Angl. p. 457, 458. In illisdiebus, Rex omnem quam potuit, plus & secus quam deceret, adhibuit diligentiam (quamvis prius saepe jurasset alienigenas amovere, non promovere) ut electus Valentinus (qui tamen vir sanguinum esse dicebatur) in Episcopum Wintoniensem promotus eligeretur. Quod constanter Monachi, ad quos specialiter ex antiquo jure pertinere dignoscitur electio, inter se renuentes, sicut moris est, Regem adierunt, licentiam eligendi postulantes. Rex autem antequam responderet, eos de electione & promotione electi Valentini, quem suum vocavit avunculum, sollicitavit. At Monachi dissimulantes, inducias super hoc deliberandi simul cum Conventu, ad quem pertinebat electio, postularunt. Sed cum Rex preces suas talibus induciis sensit effectu caruisse, divertens ad solitas cavillationes, petitioni Monachorum respondit: Intimatum est mihi, quod duo Archidiaconi Episcopatus Wintoniensis, electioni vestrae tenentur interesse; nec eos in praesenti video, unde petitioni vestrae non est annuendum. Cui Monachi responderunt: Quod et si electioni interesse (quod nimis absurdum & justitiae dissonum esse videtur) debeant, postulationi electionis interesse non debent. Et ita Rex, licet diu recalcitraret, justae postulationi eorum non potuit contradicere. Sed cum postea fida relatione cognovisset, quod iidem Monachi communiter de Willielmo de Raele, viro utique per omnia laudabili, diligenter tractarent, ut in Episcopum eligeretur, & omnes jam in eum consensisse: Rex iratus, nimis procaciter respondit: Renuistis electum Valentinum, dicentes eum virum sanguinum, & Willielmum de Raele, qui multo plures lingua, quam alius Gladio trucidavit, elegistis. Et in superbia & abusione juravit, se nunquam hoc ullo modo tolleraturum. Monachi igitur indignationem Regiam pertimescentes, declinarunt ab incepto. Interim Rex possessiones Episcopatus & instaurationes demoliendo, crebro in maneriis Episcopatus jacuit, agmine stipatus numeroso. Monachi igitur Wintonienses, videntes moram destitutionis damnosam; de sibi eligendo pastore diligenter tractaverunt. Quod cum cognovisset Rex, illuc illico acceleravit, & instantius quam deceret vel expediret, in Capitulum intrans; Conventum comminando & promittendo petiit, quatenus electum Valentinum, avunculum suum, in Episcopum eligerent. At illi, caute volentes Regiam indignationem declinare, impetus indiscretos induciis emollire studuerunt: & nolentes injustis petitionibus annuere, Episcopum Cicestrensem Radulphum de Nevil, Regis Cancellarium, unanimi consensu sibi in Episcopum & Pastorem animarum suarum postularunt. Cum autem videret Rex, iterum instantiam precum suarum effectu caruisse; justae postulationi Monachorum adversando, multa convitia congessit in eundem Episcopum, dicens eum impetuosum, iracundum, perversum; vocans omnes fatuos, qui eum in Episcopum postularunt. Insuper sigillum suum, quod idem Episcopus per universitatem Regni receperat custodiendum, Rex violenter abstulit, & fratri Galfrido Templario, & Johanni de Lixintuna commisit bajulandum: emolumentis tamen ad Cancellariam spectantibus, Episcopo, quasi Cancellario, redditis & assignatis. Prosequens autem Rex conceptum impetum, misit ad Curiam Romanam, Simonem Normannum, & Alexandrum saecularem, Legistas conductitios. Qui multa data et promissa pecunia, virum justum de jure suo privando, et justum judicium subvertendo, praedictam postulationem perperam cassaverunt: Such was the Bribery and Injustice of the Court of Rome in this age. These Appeals and contests about Elections, as they brought much filthy lucre to the Pope, his Court and Officers, so they extraordinarily advanced, and in a great measure confirmed his injurious Usurpations over the King, Kingdoms▪ Prelates, Covents, Chapters, Churches of England and Ireland, so as they could not for many years after retrench them, with all their complaints, diligence, oppositions against them. Soon after▪ Electus Valentinus Gulielmus Romam adiit, vocante eum Domino * Mat. Westm. p. 149. Papa ad qu●m fama ipsius pervenerat, quod vir crat in negotiis bellicis strenuus & circumspectus, (an ill qualification for a † I Tim. 3. 3. Bishop, in St. Pauls judgement) & procurante eodem Papa, in Curia Romana postulatus est in electum Leodiensem, & nihilominus tamen, ut electus Valentinus diceretur & esset, mutato solummodo nomine; scilicet, ut diceretur electus Leodiensis, & procurator Valentinus, ut abusio vocabulorum vitaretur. D monstruosa humanae caecitatis ambitio! Adhuc et ad Winton. non habito tamen respectu ad officium Pontificale, sed emolumentum temporale, Rege favente totis nisibus adspiravit. Which Matthew Paris thus relates. * Mat. Paris, p. 499. Tunc temporis vocatus est Willielmus electus Valentinus, procurante Papa (quia, ut dicebatur, proposuit eum habere ducem exercitus sui contra Imperatorem) ad Episcopatum Leodiensem, retenta procuratione Valentini Episcopatus, quasi non esset notatus de perpetrato homicidio: unde nec mirum, si cum stupore admirarentur haec audientes, quod adhuc tam anhelo spiritu and Episcopatum Wintoniae aspiravit, Regemque Angliae diligentem ad hoc constituit procuratorem. Heu, heu, quae numerosa pecunia Curiam Romanam adconsensum et permissionem inclinavit? * Mat. Paris, p. 509. Circa idem tempus, Rex vehementer oppressit Ecclesiam Wintoniensem, & quendam alienigenam, contra voluntatem totius Conventus, in eandem violenter intrusit, ut praeesset Conventui: (because they opposed the election of this Bishop W. de Valentia) Qui inordinate se gerens, timore Dei postposito, omnia subvertit, omnes pervertit: & thesaurum Ecclesiae dilapidando, foli Regi placere cupiebat. Unde libera electio Monachorum, dum idem Prior adulterinus fere medietatem stellarum secum cauda sua traxit, periclitabatur, & multorum corda ad electionem Willielmi avunculi Reginae in Episcopum, corrumpendo inclinavit: Rex enim ad hoc summo nisu anhelabat. But this William, cum a Domino Papa impetrasset, ut in Episcopum Leodiensem eligeretur, & Episcopatum Wintoniensem obtineret: apud Viterbium potionatus, ut dicitur, diem clausit extremum, die omnium Sanctorum, procurante Magistro Laurentio Anglica, sed postmodum eo rite purgato. Quod cum Papa audisset, doluit nimis, quia proposuerat de ipso facere ducem militiae suae in bello suo contra Imperatorem: et idcirco eundem quasi monstrum spirituale, et belluam multorum capitum effecerat. Noverat eum ad stragem strenuum, ad caedem pronum, ad incendia protervum: Magistrum Regis Angliae, amicum Regis Francorum, sororium utriusque, avunculum Reginarum, fratrem Comitis Sabaudiae, & aliis multis vel affinitate, vel consanguinitate confoederatum. Sed haec mors inopinata, omne hoc propositum transmutavit. Rex autem, cum hos lugubres rumores audivit, non se prae dolore capiens, scidit vestimenta sua, & ea projecit in ignem; & rugitum magnum emittens, noluit alicujus admittere consolationem. Regina quoque, quam causa familiarior stimulavit, funus avunculi deflevit tempore diuturno. So much was the death of this warlike, wicked, unpreaching, avaricious scandalous Prelate lamented, especially by the Pope. After his death, * Mat. Paris, Hist. Angl. Edit. Londini 1640. p. 519. Monachi Wintonienses a Romana Curia redeuntes, a Domino Papa impetrarunt, ut nullam alienigenam personam, & invisam universitati Regni, per Regis acerbam instantiam, vel imperiosas ejus preces in suarum animarum custodem & Episcopum eligerent; sed rite, ut justum & Canonicum est, quemcunque viderent idoneum, libere & sine exactione in suum Antistitem sumerent & Pastorem. Quapropter Dominus Rex in vehementem iram excanduit, quasi non potens invenire Angligenam illi Episcopatui sufficientem. Et ex tunc Priorille, quem Rex intruserat, diligentem curam adhibuit; ut constantiam Monachorum enervaret, & eorum qui pro Ecclesia hactenus viriliter steterunt, concordem unitatem dissiparet. Though K. Henry the 3d. was very obsequious to this Pope Gregory, yet the Pope was so unchristianly malicious towards the Emperor Frederick, (who married his sister by this * See here p. 450, to 455. Pope's solicitation) that he grew extremely angry with K. Henry for sending some few English Soldiers and money to the Emperor, to help subdue the Italians, who rebelled against him, and for writing an Epistle to him, to deal more mildly with him, so that he neglected all businesses, especially such as related to the King and English for a season▪ although his intended General the Bishop of Winchester cautelously passed over with Trublevile, laden with moneys and plate, to assist the Pope. * Mat. Paris, p. 454, 455. Eodem anno; statim post Pascha, misit Dominus Rex Angliae militare praesidium ad Dominum Imperatorem juvandum contra rebelles suos, in partes Italic●●, sub ducatu Henrici de Trubleville, viri in re militari peritissimi. Cum quo etiam misit J. Mansell, & Willielmum Hardel Clericum, & Civem Londinensem, cum pecunia stipendiariis distribuenda. Et strenue per totam aestatem exercitus Regis Imperatori militavit; & quarumdam Civitatum Cives, volentes obstare, vicerunt, & Imperio reddiderunt: ubi strenue se dictus J. Mansell gessit. Quod Papa nimis moleste tulit. Et circa idem tempus, direxit Rex elegantem Epistolam Papae: petens ut mitius ageret cum Domino Imperatore; Quod gravius accepit Papa, secus respondens quam deceret, et commotus est in tantam iram, ut per aliquod tempus omnia negotia, praecipue Anglicorum, suspenderentur. Cumque audiret electus Valentiae, quod profecturus esset talis exercitus in Italiam: caute, quasi Dux eorum; associavit se Domino Henrico de Trubleville, & cum eo transfretavit. Sub illis quoque diebus, electus Valentinus, videns nulli placere moram suam in Anglia: sponte, vel invitus, caute tamen, quia clitellis suis refertis, & equis oneratis auro & argento & vasis Regalibus, transfretavit. These * Mat. Paris, p. 450, 455, etc. differences and Wars between the Emperor, Pope, King, Italians, and Greek Church, upon the Pope's account, hindered the Emperor's voyage to the Holy Land, and aid of the Christians against the Saracens. The same year, * Mat. Paris, Hist. Angl. p. 459, to 465. Dominus Legatus Otho, omnes Abbates Angliae Nigri ordinis Anno 1238. Authoritate Domini Papae citavit, ut coram eo apparerent Londini in Ecclesia Sancti Martini: de statutis, quae Dominus Papa, habita deliberatione, ordinavit, de ordine Monastico reformando, tractaturi. Abbatibus igitur ordinis Nigri congregatis, exorsus est Dominus Legatus sermonem elegantem; & animans omnes ad patientiam, incepit sic. In nomine Domini nostri Jesu Christi, Patris, & Filii, & Spiritus Sancti, Amen. Cum grande sit opus & arduum, Civitatem Dei, quae est religio, novis & innovatis propugnaculis praemunire, contra versuti hostis insidias, qui eam novis & antiquis jugiter nititur machinis debellare: Nos Otho, miseratione divina, Sancti Nicholai in carcere Tulliano Diaconus Cardinalis, Apostolicae sedis Legatus; ex injuncto nobis Legationis officio, ad juvandum pro viribus tam favorabile opus nos obnoxios reputantes, quaedam tum ex Sancti Benedicti Patris regula, tum ex sacris Conciliis & Canonicis sanctionibus, tum ex statutis Abbatum ordinis ejusdem beati Benedicti, colligi fecimus & notari: quae si servata fuerint, sacrae religioni erunt in subsidium & tutelam. After which follow several Canons and Statutes, recorded at large by Matthew Paris, for regulating the abuses among Monks and Nuns, whereof this was one▪ relating the gross Simony then in use among these pretended Religious Orders. a Mat. Paris, p. 463, 464. De Symonia. Quoniam Symoniaca labes plerasque Moniales infecit, ut vix aliquas sine pretio recipiant sorores, paupertatis pretextu, volentes hujusmodi intolerabile vitium & scandalum totius religionis palliare: Ne id de caetero fiat, penitus inhibemus. Statuentes, ut quaecunque de caetero talem commiserit pravitatem, tam recipiens, quam recepta (sive sit subdita, sive Praelata) sine spe restitutionis, de suo Monasterio expellatur: in aliquem locum arctioris & strictioris regulae, ad agendam poenitentiam retrudenda. De his autem, quae ante hoc Synodale statutum taliter sunt receptae, ita duximus providendum: ut remotae de Monasteriis, quae sic perperam sunt ingressae & receptae, in aliis locis ejusdem ordinis collocentur. Quae si forte, propter earum nimiam multitudinem alibi nequiverint commode collocari; ne damnabiliter iterum in saeculo evagentur, recipiantur in eisdem Monasteriis dispensative; de novo mutatis Prioribus locis, & inferioribus deputatis & assignatis. He closeth his Canons thus. Hoc etiam circa Monachos, vel alios regulares, decernimis observandum. Verum, ne per simplicitatem vel ignorantiam se valeant excusare, praecipimus ut Diocaesani Episcopi singulis annis hoc faciant per suas Diocaeses, de verbo ad verbum fideliter publicari, etc. His Acceptatio Statutorum. igitur perlectis, Abbates & Priores congregati, audientes quod sancta religio per hoc non modicum reformata, foelix susciperet incrementum, verbum quasi hostiam coelitus missam cum omni alacritate & unanimi consensu susceperunt, facientes hoc in omnibus suis Capitulis publicari, transgressores ejusdem, graviter disciplina regulari percellendo. Fecerunt autem quamplures haec in martyrologia scribi: ut saepius in Capitulo recitata, sicut solet regula beati Benedicti, audientium cordibus inhaererent. b Mat. Paris, p. 465, 564. Anno 1238. Dedicatae sunt nobiles Ecclesiae conventuales, in Diocaesi Loncolniensi, in Marisco, videlicet Rameseie, Burgi, & Sautereie, a Venerabili Episcopo Lincolniensi Roberto. Ecclesia Rameseie, decimo Calend. Octobris, die scilicet Sancti Mauritii sociorumque ejus. Ecclesia de Burgo, quarto Calend. Octobris. Ecclesia de Sautereie, eadem septimana. The next year, (Anno 1239.) Dedicata est Ecclesia conventualis Abendunensis, similiter Ecclesia de Welles, & Ecclesiae Eveshamensis, Glovernensis, Theukeburiensis, Wicumberiensis, Persorensis, Alencestrensis, & multae aliae Ecclesiae per totam Angliam, secundum Constitutionem Londini per Legatum Ottonem celebratam. Which Constitution runs in these words. c Mat. Paris, p. 433. See Gratian de Consccratione, Dist. 1. Bochellus Decreta Eccles. Gal. l. 4. Tit. 1. Hostiensis Summa l. 3. Tit. De Consecratione Ecclesiae, Summa Angellica & Rosella, Tit. Consecratio. Basilicarum dedicatio, a veteri Testamento initium dignoscitur habuisse, & in Novo est a Sanctis Patribus observata; in quo est eo dignius & studiosius facienda, quo in illo tantum offerebantur hostiae animalium mortuorum: in isto vero coelestis hostia viva & vera, ipse scilicet unigenitus Dei filius, in altari offertur pro nobis, manibus Sacerdotis. Quare statuerunt provide Sancti Patres, ne in * Christ and his Apostles instituted and celebrated it always in unconsecrated places. aliis locis quam Deo dicatis, nisi necessitatis causa, celebraretur officium tam sublime. Porro, quia vidimus per nos ipsos, & a plerisque audivimus tam salubre ministerium contemni, vel saltem negligi a nonnullis, dum multas invenimus Ecclesias, & etiam Cathedrales, quae licet sint ab antiquo constructae, nondum tamen sunt consecratae oleo Sanctificationis. (An argument that their consecration was not so necessary as this Constitution pretends.) Volentes huic periculosae negligentiae obviare, statuimus, & statuendo praecipimus, ut omnes Ecclesiae Cathedrales, Conventuales, & Parochiales, quae perfectis parietibus sunt constructae, infra biennium, per Diocaesanos Episcopos, ad quos pertinent, vel eorum authoritate, per alios consecrentur. Sicque infra simile tempus fiat de caetero construendis. Et ne tam salubre statutum transeat in contemptum, si loca hujusmodi non fuerint infra biennium a perfectionis tempore dedicata, a Missarum solenniis usque ad consecrationem, manere statuimus Interdicta; nisi aliqua rationabili causa excusentur. Ad hoc, ne praesumant Abbates, Ecclesiarum rectores, antiquas Ecclesias consecratas, sub praetextu pulchrioris vel amplioris fabricae faciendae, diruere, absque licentia Diocaesani Episcopi & consensu, praesenti statuto districtius inhibemus. Diocaesanus vero diligenter consideret, utrum expediat dare licentiam, vel negare; & si dederit, attendat & intendat, ut opus quam celerius poterit, consummetur: quod extendi statuimus & volumus ad jam coepta. De Capellanis vero minoribus, nil novi duximus statuendum. Consecrationes earum, qualiter & quando fieri debeant, diffinitionibus Canonicis relinquentes. On what weak and false grounds these Consecrations were prescribed, appears by this Constitution; the chief end whereof was only to gain moneys by such consecrations, made with most ridiculous, absurd, superstitious Ceremonies, Formalities, Conjurations, and Profanations of sacred Scripture, as those who please may read at large in Pontificale Romanum, p. 209, to 282. cap. De Ecclesiae Dedicatione: and in Matthew Parker Archbishop of Canterbury, his Antiquitates Ecclesiae Britaniae, p. 85, 86, 87. Bishop Pilkington his Exposition of Aggeus, cap. 1. vers. 7, 8. & cap. 2. vers. 2, 3. Thomas Beacon his Relics of Rome, and Mr. Calfhill his Book against Marshal, fol. 91, 92, 93. who censure them as d See my Canterbury's Doom p. 114, to 127. Superstitious and Papal Innovations. Pope Gregory being informed that King Henry the 3d. by ill advice had alienated, or given away, and dissipated to sundry Bishops, Churches, and Noblemen, divers Liberties, Possessions, Dignities, and other things appertaining to the Right and State of the Crown of England, to the great prejudice of the Church of Rome, to which the Realm of England was well known to belong, obliging himself by his Charters and Oaths, not to revoke those Grants and Charters, commanded the King to revoke them, notwithstanding his Oaths, by this Bull, which I found extant under Seal in the White Tower. GREGORIUS Episcopus servus servorum Dei, Charissimo in Christo filio Anno 22 H. 3. illustri Regi Angliae, salutem & Apostolicam Benedictionem. Gravi sumus turbatione commoti, quod sicut audivimus, quorundam minus discreto ductus consilio, Libertates, Possessiones, Dignitates, et alia quamplura, quae ad jus et statum Coronae spectabant, in grave praejudicium Ecclesiae Romanae, ad quam Regnum Angliae pertinere dignoscitur, et enormem laesionem ejusdem Regni, in plures Praelatos, Ecclesias, et alios Magnates Angliae liberalitate improvida dispersisti, et de non veniendo contra alienationem hujusmodi te juramentis, necnon instrumentis publicis obligasti. Attendentes igitur quod ex alienatione praedicta, sedes Apostolica, cui praejudicare minime pótuïsti, non modicum laeditur, et Regnum ipsum vir subsistere poterit, cujus honor particularibus dimunitionibus enervatur; Serenitati tuae praesentium authoritate mandamus, quatenus juramentis et instrumentis praedictis nequaquam obstantibus, alienata praedicta revocare procures. Dat. Late an. x. Calend. Martii, Pontificatus nostri Anno Undecimo. in sigill Gregorius Papa IX. By colour of this Bull, the King revoked many of his Grants, as being invalid without the Pope's consent, as the e Here, p. 470 forecited passage in Matthew Paris assures us, relating to this Bull (as I apprehend) though he placeth his revocations a year or two before the date thereof, since I find no other Bull preceding it, nor any intimation thereof in this, enjoining him to violate his former Oaths, or to recall his Grants of this nature. Anno 1239. The Pope being informed by sundry frequent and almost daily complaints, Anno 1239. of the insatiable avarice and rapines of Otho his Legate in England, resolved to recall him the second time in show, but by compact between the King and Legate, still continued him at the King's request, to increase their oppressions, exactions, instead of redressing them. f Mat. Paris, p. 467. Legatus domum vocatus manet in Anglia Rege procurante. Dominus Papa audience per crebras admonitiones & fere quotidianas, scandalum jam in dies magis ac magis de Romanorum insatiabili cupiditate & avaritia inextinguibili oriri in Anglia, vocavit Dominum Ottonem Legatum suum: ut cum omni festinatione, Romam reverteretur. Quod audiens Dominus Legatus, convocavit omnes Episcopos Angliae ut Londinum die qua cantatur, Laetare Jerusalem, convenirent de reditu suo, & salvo conductu, communiter tractaturi. Dominus Rex vero, cum hoc audisset, timens sibi de Parliamento futuro in Octavis Paschae, in quo adventum speraverat electi Valentini, & confidens de praesentia Domini Legati, coepit nimis contristari: & timere, ne Magnates aut Proceres terrae unanimiter insurgerent in eum, propter varios & crebros ejusdem excessus & transgressiones, contra suas proprias constitutiones, toties promissas ac juratas. Instantissime igitur procuravit Dominus Rex, ut missis expeditissimis nuntiis ad Dominum Papam, moraretur dictus Legatus in Anglia, ut per eum imminens turbatio sedaretur. Ipse vero Dominus Legatus, Regem id petentem nolens contristari, sustinuit expectando. g Legatus non recessit procurante Rege. Legatus quoque ad Curiam Romanam maturando, a Rege, Archiepiscopis & Episcopis, Civibus quoque Londinensibus, in sermone quem propter hoc specialiter fecit, quasi irrediturus, humiliter salutavit. Equos nobiles sibi datos vendidit bonis conditionibus, & viles loco eorum comparavit: sarcinas disposuit, clitellas praeparavit. Sed Rex credens eo absente expirare, totis viribus elaboravit parumper adhuc ut moraretur. Miserat enim ad Curiam Romanam unum Legistarum suorum, quorum magnam catervam retinuit, quasi venator canes venaticos, super electores Praelatorum discopulandos, videlicet Simonem Normannum, ut impetraret a Papa, ut daret in mandatis Legato, quod adhuc in Anglia, ut multis obviaret ibidem periculis, remaneret. Nec fefellit eum sua opinio. Ecce enim omni supellectili Domini Legati cum aliis viaticis dispositis, Simon Normannus venit, ei offerens Literas secundum desiderium Regis impetratas. Quibus Domino Legato obtemperante, Rex prae gaudio saltitavit. Quod comperientes nobiles, qui Londini infecto negotio suo, & timentes Legati muscipulas, venerant, & comperientes vulpina diverticula Regis, recesserunt indignantes, & Regis verba sicut sophismata detestantes. Soon after, h Mat. Paris, p. 467, 488. Vocavit Dominus Legatus omnes Episcopos Angliae, ut in die qua cantatur, Laetare Jerusalem, convenirent Londini, de negotiis Ecclesiae tractaturi. Et debit ibidem cum diligenti deliberatione, quaedam statuta Monachis Nigri ordinis, sub succincta brevitate inviolabiliter observanda. In quibus, rigorem indiscretum in multis temperavit. But this was only a specious popular Prologue to his design, new exactions being demanded from the Prelates, who took time to advise thereof till their next meeting; in pursuit whereof, i Concilium Londinense inter Episcopos Angliae et Legatum. Convenerunt omnes Episcopi Londinum, pridie scilice: Calendas Augusti, de oppressionibus Ecclesiae Anglicanae tractaturi. Exigebat enim Legatus, post quotidianas Exactiones, Procurationes. Cui habito consilio, responderunt Episcopi communiter, quod toties bona Ecclesiae exhauserat Romana importunitas, quod nullo modo amplius tolerarent: exhibeat vos, qui inconsulte vos vocavit. Et sic non sine querulo murmure, a Concilio recesserunt. The Legate hereupon being defeated of his intended prey in England, resolved to make a new attempt to enter into Scotland, to make a prey of the Scot●ish Churches, under pretext of reforming them, where he met with great opposition from the King; thus related. k Mat. Paris, Hist. Angl. Mat. Western. p. 152. Ingressus Legati in Scotiam. Eisdem diebus Legatus in Scotiam intrare festinavit, dispositisque rebus necessariis, & ducibus Anglicis, qui viarum si forte pararentur, infidias explorarent, iter arripuit, hospitia sumptuosa eligens in Abbatiis & Ecclesiis Cathedralibus. Et antequam Regnum Scotiae intrasset, occurrit ei Rex Scotiae, non acceptans ingressum suum. Dixit enim, quod nunquam aliquis Legatus, excepto illo suo, in Scotiam intravit. Non enim, ut asseruit, opus erat: Christianitas ibi floruit, Ecclesia prospere se habebat. Et cum sermones multiplicarentur, et Rex fere ad contradicendum erigeretur, confectum est scriptum intercedentibus utriusque Regni Magnatibus inter eos: cujus tenor fuit, ut nunquam ratione illius adventus, talis consuetudo in consequentiam verteretur: insuper in recessu suo, scriptum illud signaret. Et hoc procuratum est, ne confusus in Angliam quasi repulsus reverteretur. Veruntamen mare non transiit: sed in bonis Civitatibus commorans cismarinis, vocavit Episcopos & nobiles terrae beneficiatos, & de rebus Ecclesiasticis ibidem pro libitu ordinavit, pecuniam non minimam colligendo. Mat. Westminster writes, that Nullo prohibente, Legatus ab omnibus Praelatis et Clericis beneficiatis 13. partem reddituum suorum Collegit: et Domino Papae transmisit. Rege vero in interioribus terrae commorante, Legatus sine Regis licentia clam et subito recedens, praedictum scriptum asportavit. Such was his perfidiousness. The same year Sir Robert de Tuinge and other Patrons of Churches, being deprived of their Patronages and Rights of presenting to Churches, by the Popes and his Legates Provisions, thereupon the King writ and sent a sharp Letter to the Pope by Sir Robert, complaining against, and desiring speedy reformation of this Innovation and grievance, which the Pope in some measure redressed, thereupon. l Mat. Paris, p. 495, 496, 497. Rob. de Tuinge Miles Romam adiit. Sub eisdem temporibus, quidam Miles de partibus Aquilonaribus Angliae oriundus, summo nisu renuens colla jugo subdere Romanorum, super patronatu cujusdam Ecclesiae ad eundem Militem spectante (in quam Ecclesiam per Archiepiscopum Eboracensem manus cupiditatis injecerant Romani) Romam adiit. Et cum gravem super hoc coram Papa querimoniam reposuisset, sub hac forma subscripta, meruit Literas impetrare. Per quod conjici potest, qua devotione viros Ecclesiasticos (a quibus impune licet sua Ecclesiastica bona rapere, pia Patrum intentione collata, et in sustentationem pauperum provisa) Romana diligit Ecclesia, semper hians, semper importuna. m Magnates Angliae aegre ferunt se privari jure patronatus Ecclesiarum. Ipsis quoque temporibus, Comites & Barones, & alii Magnates Angliae, ad quos ab antiquo jus patronatus Ecclesiarum spectare dignoscitur, dolentes se privari sua libertate, et per cupiditatem Romanae Ecclesiae jure conferendi Ecclesias enormiter privari, et alienigenas praecepto Papali illis ditari, quorum personas et conditiones penitus ignorabant, licet sero Domino Papae scripserunt: & ipsam Epistolam per dictum Robertum de Tuinge Militem, qui per eandem violentiam privatus jure suo super patronatu Ecclesiae de Luthunum in Diocaesi Eboracensi, conquestus est graviter nobilibus Regni, quod Archiepiscopus se asseruit nihil posse, vel contra Romanam Ecclesiam velle recalcitrare. Ipse igitur Robertus Romanam Curiam non segniter adiit, hanc Epistolam ex parte Magnatum Angliae praesentans. n Literae Magnatum Angliae ad Papam. Excellentissimo Patri & Domino G. Dei gratia Summo Pontifici, devoti sui de Cestriae & de Wincestriae, etc. salutem, reverentiam promptam, & paratam, si placet, devotionem. Mergente jam navicula nostrae libertatis, progenitorum nostrorum sanguine subacta, prorumpentibus in nos plus solito perturbantium procellis, dormientem Dominum in navicula Petri cogimur excitare, acclamantes jugiter et una voce: Domine salva nos, perimus: Ut cum judicium & justitia sint correctio sedis ejus, unicuique nostrum jus suum tribuat, et conservet illaesum. Ne si secus fieret, corruente charitate, devotioneque deleta, provocarentur filii contra Patris viscera, et mutuae dilectionis affectus, subintroducta injuria, penitus evanesceret. Cum igitur, Sanctissime Pater, a prima Christianitatis fundatione in Anglia, tali fuerint hactenus progenitores no●●ri gavisi libertate, quod decedentibus Ecclesiarum rectoribus, Ecclesiarum patroni personas idoneas eligentes, ae easdem Diocaesanis praesentaverunt, ab eisdem Ecclesiarum regimini praericiendas: verum * Then this mischief began as to Lay Patrons, though some years before this Letter. vestris temporibus, de conniventia vestra vel voluntate nescimus, talis contra nos invaluit adversitas, quod decedentibus Ecclesiarum rectoribus, quidam executores vestri, ad hoc dati, Ecclesias de patronatu nostro passim conferunt, in nostrae praejudicium libertatis, et in eminens periculum juris patronalis, licet super hoc pridem cautione literarum Apostolicarum nobis prospexeritis, continentium, quod decedentibus Ecclesiarum personis Italicis vel Romanis, authoritate provisionis vestrae in Ecclesiis promotis, licite possemus personas idoneas praesentare: cujus oppositum videmus quotidie demandari, (so little faith and truth was there then in Papal Bulls and promises) de quo plurimum miramur, cum non debeat ab uno & eodem fonte, aqua dulcis & amara defluere. Sane licet haec contra nos sit communis pestis introducta, pro qua contentiones, aemulationes, irae, rixae, nec non et caedes hominum poterunt fortassis exoriri; unius tamen comparium nostrorum afflictionem exempli gratia producere decrevimus in medium; ut quod contra eum & juris sui patronalis periculum hactenus est improvide procuratum, authoritate vestra, si placet, revocetur in irritum. Cum igitur Robertus de Tuinge patronus Ecclesiae de Lu●hunum decedente N. Italico, ejusdem Ecclesiae rectore, personam idoneam prasentasset ad eandem; obstante mandato vestro, distulit ipsum admittere Dominus Eboracensis, licet contra personam praesentatam nihil inveniret quod obsisteret, sed solam inhibitionem vestram praetenderet. Verum, cum in incendio vicinae domus, nostrarum immineat periculum: vobis tanquam patri supplicamus, quatenus tam praedictum Robertum quam nos omnes et singulos praedicta libertate praesentandi Clericos nostros ad Ecclesias nostras vacantes libere uti permittatis: injungentes praedicto Archiepiscopo, quod J. Clericum ad praedictam Ecclesiam ab eodem praesentatum, pro quo etiam preces effundimus devotas, praesertim cum sit negotiis Regis & Regno nostro necessarius, nisi aliquod Canonicum obstiterit, non obstante priori mandato vestro, admittat: Ut ex hoc nos ad propensiorem devotionem & famulatum Ecclesiae provocetis: Ne cum sit jus advocationis praedictorum feudorum, pro quibus Domino nostro militamus, cogamur illius invocare subsidium, qui jura et libertates Laicorum protegere tenetur et confovere. Valete. Hereupon the Pope fearing a general revolt from him and the See of Rome, by the English as well as the Greeks and other Churches, if he gratified them not in * Mat. Paris, ●●i●●m. Literae Papales ad Magnates▪ some measure in this their just request, returned them this answer. GREGORIUS Episcopus, servus servorum Dei, dilectis filiis, nobilibus viris, Richardo Comiti Pictaviae & Cornubiae, & Baronibus Angliae, praesentes literas inspecturis, salutem, & Apostolicam benedictionem. Cum ex operibus nostris, quae plenum perhibent testimonium veritati, sit liquidum universis, quod nos personam Charissimi in Christo filii nostri, Illustrem Regem & Reginam inter alios Reges & Principes Orthodoxos & regna, in quibus nomen colitur Christianum, in Charitatis visceribus specialiter gerimus, & pacem ac tranquillitatem eorum propensius affectemus, rite praesumi non potest, & omnino credi non debet, quod nos, quantum cum Deo possumus agere, seu tolerare velimus, quod juste possit honorem regiae serenitatis offendere, aut in eodem regno scandalum generare. Vnde cum intentionis nostrae non fuerit nec existat, ut beneficia in Regno Angliae constituta, quae ad praesentationem pertinent secularium patronorum, Authoritate nostra cuiquam conferentur, ●●cut ex quibusdam literis nostris, quondam in Angliam destinatis, quarum tenorem de verbo ad verbum celsitudini Regiae, sub bulla nostra duximus destinandum, colligitur evidenter; comperto nuper ex ejusdem Regis & vestrarum continentia literarum, quod quidam praedicti regni miles in Ecclesia de Lathun. Eboracensis Diocesis, quam olim cuidam de partibus nostris Clerico, ignorantes quod praesentatio ad Laicum pertineret, contulisse dicimur, jus obtinet patronatus, praelibati Regis & vestris precibus inclinati, concessionem eandem auctoritate Apostolicarevocamus, venerabili fratri nostro Archiepiscopo Eboracensi, nostris dantes literis in mandatis, ut eum quem dictus miles ad praefatam ecclesiam duxerit praesentandum, admittat & instituat in eandem, prout pertinet ad eundem, diuturnitate temporis cum per ipsum minime steterit non obstante, dummodo aliud sibi rationabile non obsistat. Tenore praesentium districtius inhibendo, ne alicui de caetero liceat Ecclesias praedicti Regni, in quibus laici sunt patroni, praeter eorum assensum, Apostolicae sedis auctoritate conferre. Datum, etc. (It is observable that the Kings and Clergies rights of presentation were not privileged by this Letter from his Papal usurpations on them by Provisions, Translations, Appeals, and Cassations of the persons elected which were by them still continued.) As the Pope Writ to the Nobles of England, so he directed his Letters to his Legate to the same effect, concerning the Advowsons' and Benefices of Lay Patrons. GREGORIUS Episcopus, servus servorum Dei, Legato salutem. Ad tuam volumus Mat. Paris, Ibidem. Litera Papae ad Legatum. notitiam pertinere, quod cum intentionis nostrae non fuerit, nec existat, ut beneficia Regni Angliae, quae ad praesentationem secularium pertinent patronorum, authoritate nostra cuiquam conferantur; nos nuper ex charissimi in Christo filii nostri Regis illustris, et nobilium virorum Comitum et Baronum Angliae insinuatione comperto, quod quidam in regno Angliae miles, in Ecclesia de Lathunun, Eboracensis Diocaesis, quam olim cuidam de partibus nostris Clerico, ignorantes quod praesentatio ad laicum pertineret, contulisse dicimur, jus obtinet patronatus: Regis & nobilium eorundem precibus inclinati, concessionem eandem auctoritate Apostolica revocantes, venerabili fratri nostro Archiepiscopo Eboracensi, nostris dedimus literis in mandatis, ut eum quem dictus miles and praefatam ecclesiam duxerit praesentandum, admittat & instituat in candem prout pertinet ad eundem, diuturnitate temporis cum per ipsum minime steterit non obstante, dummodo aliud rationabile non obsistat, districtius inhibendo, ne alicui de caetero liceat Ecclesias Regni praedicti, in quibus laici sunt Patroni, praeter eorum assensum Apostolicae sedis auctoritate conferre. Datum, etc. Per haec & his similia, perpendi potest in libra rationis evidenter (It is Matthew Paris his observation) quanti in his temporibus mundi senescentis, constet juris rigor et Ecclesiae reverentia, et pietas religionis. Solum enim datae sunt in direptionem et praedam possessiones personarum Ecclesiasticarum et imbellium religiosorum. jamjam igitur in antiquum Chaos mundus ruere comminatur. Tempore sub eodem Petrus Saracenus, this Pope's agent in England (taken and kept Mat. Paris, Hist. Angl. p. 467. 468. Prisoner by the Emperor passing from England towards Rome, for acting against him) quem dominus imperator Fredericus in vinculis pro redemptione sua detinebat, obtulit decem millia librarum bonorum esterlingorum ut sic saltem redemptus & liberatus, gratiam mereretur Imperialem. Quod annuit dominus Imperator, si Rex Angliae amicus suus pro tantae pecuniae solutione, & ne iterum Imperialem, ipse dictus Petrus Saracenus, vel aliquis suorum laederet dignitatem, occasione nacta ex hoc, fide juberet. Et scripsit etiam praedictus Petrus Saracenus ad dominum Papam & amicos suos, ut exhortarentur dictum dominum Regem Angliae, per dominum Legatum & alios Regi familiares, ut, sicut erat semper pronus & promptus, effundere pecuniam suam in promotionem Romanorum, sese & Regnum suum obligaret ad praedicta. Cum igitur dominus Legatus hujus negotii diligens esset mediator & procurator, dicebat, quod nullo modo posset suo Nuntio incarcerato deesse honeste. Dominus Rex autem videns paratam sibi muscipulam, & quantum esset periculum regni ipsius, id suis Romanis nihil curae esse, dummodo sua salvarentur sibi, profilit in verba iracundiae: jurans, quod poenituit ipsum, quod Legatum in regnum suum, qui bona terrae jam dissiparet, et confundens fasque nefasque, relictis honestis viris Angliae, advocasset. Facta est igitur Anglia eo tempore sub talibus Potentatibus, quasi vinea, quam vindemiant omnes qui praetergrediuntur viam, non habens ullam maceriam includentem, aut custodem vel vigilem satis diligenter excubantem. Nam quod semel vetuit, permittit iterum tepor Ecclesiasticus. The same year there fell out sundry contests between the Archbishop of Canterbury Mat. Paris, p. 468. Cantuariens●● Episcopus molestat Monachos. and the Monks there, and the Bishop of Lincoln and his Dean and Canons, about their Jurisdictions, Privileges and Visitations, which begat Appeals to Rome, thus related. Eo quoque tempore, aggravavit dominus Archiepiscopus Edmundus manum suam super Monachos suos. Et interdicta est Ecclesia Monachorum Cantuariensium; & novum quem sibi elegit Conventus Priorem, cum ipsis electoribus sententia excommunicationis innodavit. Lincolniensis quoque Episcopus, religiosorum Contentio inter Episcopum Lincolniensem & suos Canonicos. in sua Diocaesi, factus est malleus et immanis persecutor. Nimirum in suos Canonicos propriae Ecclesiae Cathedralis, qui eundem creaverunt, insurgens, exegit instanter, ut postposito decano Lincolniensi, ab ipso Episcopo, contra consuetudinem ecclesiae infra tempus cujus non extat memoria, visitarentur. Ipsi vero insistentes appellationi, tempusque protelantes nimiumque altercantes, tandem compromiserunt in Arbitros: scilicet; dominum Episcopum Wigorniensem W. & ejusdem Archidiaconum, & Magistrum A. de Blesciles, Qui si non Canonice processissent, liceret utrique partium, ad Dominum Papam iterum appellare, cessante interim utraque partium a visitatione. In qua adjectione, hoc, Cessante interim utraque partium a visitatione, videtur pars Canonicorum periclitari: Episcopus enim nunquam visitavit, nec potest cessare qui nunquam incaepit: sicut nec Diogenes, quae nunquam habuit cornua amittere. Veruntamen Decanus, pro quo Canonici certaverunt, visitare cessaret, & sic videtur possessione privari vel ad horam, unde murmure multiplicato, caepit oriri scandalum gravissimum. Mota igitur lite & controversia usque ad iracundiam, non permiserunt Canonici Episcopum in Capitulum, nec ullam super eos facere visitationem: Et p●●●tuit graviter super se talem Episcopum de tam hu●●li creasse, & hoc publice coram ipso eodem Episcopo protestabantur. Facta contentione magna, & utrobique inutiliter profusis expensis non modicis, appellatum est ad praesentiam Domini Papae: Constituto magistro Odone de Kinkenni Advocato, ex parte Capituli: Uno dierum casus contigit admirabilis. Dum unus Canonicorum, causam fovens Capituli, sermonem faciendo populo in medio illius nobilissimae Ecclesiae Lincolniensis, querimoniam reposuit coram omnibus, de oppressionibus Episcopi, & ait: Et si nos taceamns, lapides reclamabunt. Ad quod verbum, quaedam magna pars Ecclesiae corruit dissoluta. This year Magister R. de Meideneston, Episcopus Herefordensis, sponte cedens Mat. Westm. Anno 1239. p. 151. 152. Godwins Catalogue of Bishops. p. 317. Episcopalis, Episcopatui, 16. Calendas Januarii, habitum fratrum minorum apud Oxoniam accepit. The same year there arose sundry contests and transactions, about the election of Bishops thus reported. Sub eisdem temporibus cassati sunt, Rege procurante (eo quod propositum suum ad * Mat. Paris, Hist. p. 467. 469, 472, 473, 498, 500, 505. Cassantur Electi Norwic. & Cicester. Epis. votum non processerat de electione Willielmi Electi Valentini) Electus Norwicensis, Prior ejusdem domus, vir discretus, & per omnia commendabilis, & postulatus in Episcopum Wintoniensem, Episcopus Cicestrensis, scilicet Domiws R Cancellarius, vir fidelis & discretus; & fere inter omnes Aulicos singularis columna veriratis. The King soon after repent of this unconsiderate action, not only in vacating his election, but taking the great seal from him, whereupon he courted him to resume his Chancellor's Office, which be refused to do. Tunc temporis, Rex dolens de facto suo nimis enormi & indiscreto, quod dominum Mat. Paris, Hist. Angl. p. 469. Rex tentat revocare Cancel. Episcopum Cicestrensem, Cancellarium, qui irreprehensibiliter officium suum diu ante administraverat, secus quam deceret, ablato sigillo, à se & Curia sua repulerat, eundem blanditiis & promissis attentavit revocare, Sed ipse malens quietem quam curas: & emolumentum sigilli quam pericula: noluitincidere in laqueos quos evasit; recordatus qualiter ipsum vocatum, & instanter postulatum ad Episcopatum Wintoniensem, cassari perperam procuravit Dominus Rex, cui tam diu tam fideliter, patrique ejus in alio obsequio, ministravit. Radulphus Bishop of Coventry deceasing, the Monks obtaining a Licence from the King to Elect a new Bishop, resolved to choose such a one in the King's favour, as he would not probably refuse. Et tunc temporis circa festum Sancti Matthiae, Monachi Coventrenses, videntes Mat. West. p. 151. Mat. Paris p. 457. Godwins Catalogue of Bishops. p. 345. 258. Eligitur W. de Roele in Epis. Regem in electionibus processum canonicum procaciter semper impedire: nec in aliquem electum ab eis consentire, nisi cui favor Regiusinclinasset; ne amplius Ecclesia sua, per diuturnam & morosam expectationem, pateretur dispendia & damna irrestaurabilia: dominum Willielmum de Raele, domini Regis Clericum specialem, virum discretum, & legum terrae peritissimum, in Episcopum suum & animarum suarum pastorem, (utpote eum, in quo rationabiliter naevus reprobationis vel contradictionis non apparuit) unanimiter & communi consensu elegerunt. But he taking time to deliberate, whether he should accept of their Election, was in the interim chosen Bishop of Norwich, which Election he embraced, refusing that of Coventry. Whereupon the Monks of Coventry proceeded to elect another, who absolutely refused to accept thereof, though much importuned both by the Monks and Canons of Lichfield, * Godwins Catalogue. p. 258. who claimed a voice and right in the Election, which Matthew Paris thus reports. Monachi quoque Coventrenses, qui jam composuerant honestam formam eligendi, Electio Williel. de Raele in Epis. Notwic. cum Canonicis Lichfeldensis Ecclesiae, unanimi consensu Willielmum de Raele, cum, ut praelibatum est, sibi in Episcopum suum elegissent, timentes ne si alium quam Regi specialem accepissent, Rex in faciem contradicens, eos more solito inquietasset: pendens electus idem Willielmus adhuc haesitasset, & adhuc, utpote vir mirae prudentiae & experientiae, eventus futuros libra rationis trutinaret: videntes Monachi Norwicenses, se jam expectasse nimis, eo quod eundem Willielmum in Episcopum suum non elegissent, in qua electione nec Regem, nec alium offendissent, statim in unum convenientes, ipsum Willielmum de Raele, sibi in Episcopum suum elegerunt. Ipse vero Willielmus, Episcopatui Norwicensi, spreto alio Episcopatu quem favore subaravit, adhaesit. Maluit enim manere cum Anglicis in Anglia, quam cum indomitis Walensibus in Walliae contermino. After which he was consecrated Bishop of that See. ● Anno quidem eodem Willielmus Anno 1239. Mat. Paris, Hist. Angl. p. 498. Mat. West. p. 153. Consecratio Willi. de Raele in Epis. Norwicensem. de Raele rite in Episcopum electus Norwicensem in Ecclesia sancti Pauli Londinensi, ab Aedmundo Cantuariensi Archiepiscopo, praesente infinita Praelatorum & Magnatum multitudine, munus consecrationis accepit. Cujus cum prognosticum esset, Gaudium est Angelis Dei super uno peccatore poenitentiam, etc. Omnes bonam spem de ipso conceperunt, ut quasi alter Matthaeus, qui de telonia ad Apostolatum & Evangelii auctoritatem, sic de curiali occupatione ad magnae sanctitatis culmen subvolarat. The Monks of Coventry thus defeated of their expectation, proceeded to a new election, and chose Nicholas de Fernham for their Bishop, who refused to accept thereof, both in respect of his own insufficiency to undergo the weight and burden thereof, and in regard the Monks elected one, and the Canons another, which made the business litigious, whereupon he constantly refusing it; the Monks of Coventry consented to his Election, yet he still peremptorily resolved not to accept thereof; whereupon they at last chose Simon de Pate shall, who accepted it. Eodem tempore, postulato sive electo Willielmo de Raele ad regimen Ecclesiae Norwicensis, Mat. Paris, p. 472, 473. Godwins Catalogue of Bps. p. 245, 258. Electio Magistri Nicholai de Fernham in Episcopum Cestr. & assensum tam populo praebente, quam Clero, Monachi Coventrenses instanter procurarunt in negotio suo de aliquo idoneo pastore sibi eligendo, ne merito reprobanda electione amplius vexarentur: Elegerunt igitur Magistrum Nicholaum de Fernham, virum optime literatum, & quod pluris est, multiplici virtutum gratia decoratum, statura elegantem, discreto sermone facundum, vultu & gestu maturum & modestum; ne naevus reprobationis propositum eorum possit impedire. Quod cum Rex acceptasset, & Clerus, & populus: Magister Nicholaus, ut vir profundi pectoris, videns rem esse litigiosam, & in confinio Regionis Anglicanae, & reputans se more humilis & discreti, tanto oneri insufficientem, ponderansque tot animarum custodiendarum onus periculosum, in reddenda ratione, noluit aliquo modo adquiescere, sed oblatum onus cum honore constanter refutando, resignavit. Erat nempe res ita litigiosa inter Monachos & Canonicos, quod affirmaret pars Canonicorum tunc debere eligere, eo quod juxta formam, qua conquievit lis inter eos mota, celebrata electione una per Monachos, secunda electio ad Canonicos devolveretur. Sed Canonicis talia proponentibus, Monachi responderunt, electionem annichilatam ad effectum non pervenisse, nec finem fuisse sortitam per eventum non opinatum, quem ordinatio divina, non sua praemeditatio, quae omnia secundum voluntatem suam dispensat, disposuerat. Dixerunt Canonici: Nolumus vos ignorare, quod placet nobis electus vester, qui etiam ad majorem dignitatem sufficeret; sed nobis forma displicet eligendi, cum ad nos jure devolvatur electio, non ad vos, & hoc bene per factum nostrum probavimus. Elegimus enim nobis Decanum nostrum in Episcopum & custodem animarum nostrarum. Et cum insonuisset tumultus, qui comminaretur damnosam imminere discordiam, Decanus vir pius, & discordiam volens terminare, exaltando vocem in publico, ait: Sinite, sinite, nescio qua ratione me insufficientem ad onus Episcopale ass●mpsistis. Cota ment, to●o corde contradico, et cedo: Sed quiescat iste tumultus, & adhareamus omnes unanimiter illi bono viro, de quo tanta bona praedicantur hac vice; Salvo tamen jure suae Ecclesiae utrobique, miserunt omnes unanimiter, tam Canonici quam Monachi, ad dictum Magistrum Nicholaum, significantes, quod omnes qui prius dissidebant, in unum jam convenerant, ipsumque elegerant: suppliciter exorantes, ut honorem, licet onerosum, sibi in Domino, & pro Domino oblatum, gratanter suscipere dignaretur. Quibus Magister Nicholaus respondit: Grates vobis rependo multiplices junctis manibus, vos amici & Domini mei, tam Canonici quam Monachi, in quorum oculis tanti eram, ut me qualem qualem in pastorem vobis elegistis. Sed, amici mei, sufficit mea conditio mihi, & me gravat jam commissum onus vehementer, & cura ac custodia ratioque animarum mihi commissarum, sollicitat & perter●et. Quiescite igitur, quiescite, fratres charissimi, amplius me in hoc negotio inquietare. Dico enim vobis praecise, sive consentiatis, sive non, non adquiesco. Quod cognoscentes alii, inito consilio, elegerunt secundum praedictam formam, Dominum Hugonem de Pateshull (filium praeclari viri Domini Simonis de Pate shull, cujus sapientia aliquando tota Anglia regebatur) Canonicum Sancti Pauli Londinensem, & Domini Regis Cancellarium, in Episcopum & custodem animarum suarum. Ipse vero, ut vir honestus & discretus, habita deliberatione morosa, cogitans de illo Apostolico, scilicet: Qui bene administrat, bonum gradum sibi adquirit, & alibi: Qui Episcopatum desiderat, bonum opus desiderat: tandem motus & misertus super Ecclesiae desolatione, & lachrymis petentium, laboribus, curis, & expensis, adquievit, ut tristitia eorum in gaudium verteretur. Which election was confirmed the year following. † Mat. Paris, p. 505. Mat. West. p. 154. Godwins Catalogue of Bishops, p. 258. Electio Hugonis de Pateshull in Episcopum Coventrensem. Eodem tempore confirmata est electio Hugonis de Pateshull, electi Coventrensis. Qui cum Thesaurarius Domini Regis per aliquot annos antea fuisset, & se ibidem irreprehensibiliter habuisset; sedens ad Regis Seaccarium, accessit ad omnes Barones Scaccarii sedentes ibidem, secundum solitum ordinem suum, & cum omnes assurgerent ei, solitum honorem impendentes, ait eye; Amici mei, et socii charissimi, valedico vobis, non recedens unquam a vobis, sed a Scaccario: vocavit me Dominus, licet indignum, ad Regimen animarum. Et cum prorupissent in singultus verba sequentia, omnes singulatim os●ulatus est, pro recessu ipsius tenerrime lachrymantes. (A good precedent for all Bishops, to desert all secular offices and employments, when called to the cure of souls, sufficient to take up a whole man.) This year the Dean and Canons of London, in the Bishop's absence, presumed to Excommunicate the Mayor of London and his Officers, and to Interdict the Church of St. Paul; after which the Bishop and some other Prelates threatened to Interdict the whole City of London, only for apprehending Ranulphus Brito, a Canon of St. Paul's, in his house near the Church, and carrying him Prisoner to the Tower of London by the King's command, (being accused of High Treason by one William) unless he were forthwith released, & absolutely discharged, enforcing the King thereby to release him without any conditions, to prevent the Cities Interdict, much against his will, in high affront of his Regal Authority and Prerogative, a See here, p. 438, 4●9. Sanctuary extending not to this case, thus chronicled to posterity. b Mat. Paris, p. 473. Ranulphum quoque Britonem, Clericum, & Ecclesiae Sancti Pauli Londinensis Canonicum, qui aliquando Domino Regi fuerat familiaris, etiam Thesaurarius, criminaliter (Willielmus) accusavit. Quem Rex, cum haec audisset, capi praecepit per Literas suas, quas Majori Londinensi, scilicet Willielmo Goimero (sive Girardo Bat) destinavit, & in Turri Londinensi detrudi compeditum. Cui Major, c Where doth God forbid Mayors to arrest Traitors upon the King's command, though Clergy men? plus quam Deo obediens, Regia praecepta praecipitanter effectui mandavit. Ipsum enim Ranulphum a domo sua, quae vicina est Ecclesiae Sancti Pauli, truculenter extraxit, & in Turri Londinensi vinculis ferreis, quae vulgariter annuli nuncupantur, inclusit mancipatum. Quo cognito, Decanus Londinensis, scilicet Magister G. de Lucy, cum suis Concanonicis (quia Episcopus tunc praesens non fuerat) sententiam excommunicationis dedit in con●i●enti generalem, in omnes tantae enormitatis praesumptores, Ecclesiam Sancti Pauli supponens Interdicto. Rex autem admonitus per Episcopum, cum errores non correxit, & mala malis comminando cumulasset, Episcopus totam Civitatem Londinensem sibi subjectam, erat Interdicto suppositurus: (Such was his daring insolency in this case.) Cum autem parati essent tam Archiepiscopus Cantuariensis, quam Legatus, & Episcopus Londinensis, & multi alii Praelati, manum aggravare, Rexdictum Ranulphum, licet invitus, solvi, et in pace dimitti praecepit: Sed cum voluisset addidisse conditionem, scilicet istam, ut reservaretur, ut eum promptum exponerent, quando placeret ei ipsum accusare: respondit Ecclesia, (such was their undutiful peremptory deportment towards their Sovereign,) quoth nullo modo sub hac forma eum quasi incarceratum custodirent, sed absolutum reciperet Ecclesia, sicut liberum & absolutum eum in domo sua Regii satellites violenter rapuerunt. Dimissus est igitur eo modo Ranulphus, edoctus experimento, quanta volubilitate Aulicos Fortuna edomat, ab aula Regia se retraxit castigatus. This year, many Nobles and others having by the Pope's Bulls and Instigation Anno 1239. taken up the Cross for relief of the Christians in the holy Land against the Saracens, both in France, England, and elsewhere, when they had provided themselves for that expedition, were suddenly prohibited by the Pope, on purpose to employ all the Forces and Monies raised for this exploit against the Greek Church, and the Emperor Frederick▪ (whom he had now re-excommunicated and deposed) refused to obey the Pope's Countermand, resolving to proceed in this their expedition, as these Narratives will inform us, and into what snares thousands were drawn to their undoing by this Papal Cheat. * Per idem tempus congregati sunt Nobiles Crucesignati Franciae Mat. Par. p. 497, 498. Conventus Crucesignatorum Lugduni. & adjacentium provinciarum in Civitate nobili, quae dicitur Lugdunum, ut ibidem de assumendo itinere suo diligenter contractarent: Et dum conciliarentur, ecce ex parte domini Papae nuntius destinatus festinanter advenit, qui sicut ante omnes ad proficiscendum urgentet stimulaverat, & stimulando persuasit; sic vice versa, omnes ne iter arriperent, dissuasit, & ex parte domini sui Papae praecepit, ut ad propria propere remearent, & authenticum domini Papae super hoc monstravit universis. Ad quod unanimiter responderunt: Vnde haec in Romana Curia & in Papa multiplicitas? Nonne nobis hic terminus, hic locus per Legatos, & Papales praedicatores, multo tempore transacto praefixus est ad transitum? Secundum dicta & promissiones praedicatorum ad iter pro Deo succingimur; Victualia & arma, & quaeque nobis necessaria, paravimus: terras nostas cum omni supellectili nostra, & domibus, vel impignoravimus, vel vendidimus: amicis nostris valediximus: Thesauros nostros in terram sanctam praemisimus: adventum nostrum praenuntiavimus: portui appropinquavimus: & mmc ad negotium Crucifixi mpediendum, mutatis verbis, insurgunt Pastores nostri? Et non modicum indignati, pene insurrexerunt in Nuntium Papae, si non Praelatorum discretio furorem populi temperasset: who were justly incensed for this gross abuse. Nec mora, domini Imperatoris Nuntii, ne inconsulte & festinanter transirent, sine Mat. Westm. p▪ 152. ducatu & comitatu ipsius Imperatoris, diligenter persuaserunt super hoc Imperiales illis directas disserentes. In quarum tenore eleganter & sufficienter excusavit dominus Imperator sui transitus omissionem. Unde Crucesignatorum miserabilis facta est conditio. Dissipatum est enim consilium eorum, & facti sunt arena sine calce, aut maceria sine caemento. Redierunt multi ad propria murmurantes & obloquentes, & aliquorum Praelatorum falsas assertiones detestantes. Multi vero per maris discrimina intrantes portum Marsiliae, versus Terram sanctam cum magna desperatione velificarunt: quorum in Sicilia multi, majorum adventum praestolantes, tempus eorum expectarunt. Multi vero, ex licentia & benevolentia Imperatoris, petierunt Brundisium. Temporibus sub eisdem, dominus Papae dedit in mandatis Legato, ut distincte Ibi. p. 515, 516▪ Papa prohibet, ne Crucesignati transirent. prohiberet Crucesignatis (in Anglia) contra propositum terminum a praedicatoribus sibi praefixum, & intentionem & spem suam, quam ex pollicitis praedicantium praeconceperant, ne iter versus Terram sanctam arriperent, usque ad vernum tempus, & passagium quod est in Martio: sin autem, concessa sibi peccatorum indulgentia non gauderent. Hereupon (in opposition to this Pope's Prohibition and Designs) Sub iisdem diebus, Comes R. & alii Magnates Angliae conjurant simul prepositum iter arripere. in crastino scilicet sancti Martini, convenerunt Magnates Angliae Crucesignati apud Northampton. de itinere suo in Terram sanctam arripiendo contractaturi. Et ne per cavillationes Romanae Ecclesiae honestum votum eorum impediretur, nec ad effusionem sanguinis Christiani, vel in Graeciam, vel in Italiam, prout instillatum in eorum auribus fuerat, distoroveretur, juraverunt omnes, se in terram sanctam in expeditionem Ecclesiae sanctae Dei illo anno migraturos. Quorum Primus juravit Comes Richardus, omnium aliorum primicerius, super altare majus in Ecclesia omnium sanctorum, in medio Civitatis; Et post eum Comes G. Marescallus, si possit antea cum Rege concordari, idem repetiit sacramentum. Cui Comes R. Non idcirco omittas charissime sororie; hoc enim onus mihi assumo. Post ipsum Richardus Sward. & post eum Henricus de Trublevilla; & deinde Nobiles multi, quos longum esset dinumerare. Qui omnes uno humero & animo se ad obsequium crucis viriliter accinxetunt. * Mat. Par. p. 501. Imperator persuadet Crucesignatis▪ ne transfretarent. Consuluit autem per Epistolas suas Dominus Imperator Universitati Crucesignatorum, (upon a different account from the Pope) quod licet parati essent, & grave illis videretur, patienter tamen expectarent, neciter Hicrosolymitanum acciperent, donec quiescente spiritu iracundiae Papalis, gaudens eos comitaretur; quia parata fuit contra eos Orientalium ad certamen armatorum infinita multitudo. Quod cum alii contempsissent, indignans Imperator, prohibuit, ne Exercitui Francorum victualia de terris suis uberrimis finitimis, Apnlia scilicet & Cypro, & aliis terris suis venalia ministrarentur, vel sub ulla forma transportarentur. Quo audito, Saraceni caput extulerunt, & Christianis assumpta audacia, damna multa in corporibus & possionibus intulerunt, incendia & strages audacter exercentes. Et ad cumulum dolorum, Graecia suum Antipapam Germanum contra Romanam Ecclesiam erexit: Et Dominus Imperator, sratrem Heliam contra Papam opposuit, qui summus minister fuit aliquando ordinis minorum, & Praedicator nominatissimus, & sic coeperunt mala multiplicari super faciem terrae; Absolvit enim quos Dominus Papa ligavit anathemate, & generatum est scandalum in ecclesia. Illo enim summo procuratore machinante, Ecclesia Romana super usuris, et simonia, et rapinis variis reddebatur infamis, et filii in privignos convertebantur. Asserebat enim ipse praedictus frater Helyas, dominum Papam contra jura Imperii debacchari, pecuniam tantummodo sitire, & variis argumentis extorquere, preces, missas, exhortatiooes, & omnia (quae solent oppressos a persecutionibus liberare) non curare; sicut scriptum est, Petrus autem servabatur in carcere, oratio autem fiebat Act. 12. 1●. ab Ecclesia sine intermissione pro eo. Fraudem etiam facere de pecunia collecta ad succursum rerrae sanctae; scripta etiam ad beneplacitum suum in camera sua clam, & sine fratrum assensu, Et etiam vacuas, sed bullatas, multas Nuntiis suis tradere, ut in eis quod eis foret beneplacitum scriptitarent, quod erat horribile; & alia multa enormia imposuit domino Papae, ponens os suum in coelo. Propter quod dominus Papa eundem Helyam excommunicavit: Anno 1240. instead of refuting, or reforming these injuries, crimes and execrable abuses. Soon after Richard Earl of Cornwall, accompanied with many Nobles, Knights and Soldiers, according to their Oath, departing out of England, and travelling through France towards the holy land against the Pope's Prohibition, thereupon he sent them a new Inhibition. * Mat. P. Edit. Londini. p. 526 537, 538. Cum Comes R. ad S. Aegidium pervenisset, venerunt ad eum unus Legatus, & Archiepiscopus Arelatensis, authoritate Domini Papae consulentes & inhibentes, ne Comes transfretaret. Quod cum Comes vehementer admirans redarguisset, asserens, se credidisse veritatis firmitatem inesse dictis Apostolicis, & suis quos misit Praedicatoribus, moleste tulit nimis tales inhibitiones, & dixit: Omnia mihi ad transitum praeparavi, valedixi amicis, praemisi thesaurum & arma mea; naves paravi jam meis victualibus oneratas: & nunc mutato verbo, transfretare cum jam ad mare navem intraturus perveni, prohibet Papa, qui dicitur Successor et Uicarius Jesus Christi (qui nunquam verbi sui transgressor fuisse perhibetur) ne ad servitium Christi properem, ad omnia jam accinctus. Et cum viderent Legati illi, quod transitum suum nequirent impedire, coeperunt persuadere, ut relicto portu Marsiliae, intraret mare in portu qui dicitur Aquae m●rtuae. Quod omnes de exerci●u abhorruerunt, propter loci corruptionem & infirmitatem, & dis●uaderunt. Comes igitur▪ detestans Romanae Ecclesiae duplicitatem, cum magna mentis amaritudine Marsiliam tenebat, spretis Legatorum fallacibus et ambiguis sermocivationibus; & primo ad Rokam veniens, ibi classem totam ordinavit & oneravit. Misit autem ad Imperatorem status sui notitiam, & significavit ei Papalem muscipulationem per Nuntios sibi speciales, Robertum de Tuinge militem, & alios. Et in septimana infra octavas beatae Mariae sese vasto mari navigandum commsit; and arrived safely in the holy land, where he was received with extraordinary joy, processions, pomp, as well by the Prelates and Clergy, as of the Nobles, Soldiers and people, notwithstanding the Pope's Inhibitions which then grew very contemptible, as well as his brutish Anathemaes. Pope Gregory the ninth bearing an inveterat, implacable malice against the Emperor Frederick the second, (notwithstanding his * See here p. 408. to 418. former seeming reconciliation to him) intending to excommunicate, and depose him from his Empire the second time, caused sundry false Rumours, as he had formerly done, to be raised and scattered in all places to blast his Reputation, as if he were rather an Atheist or Mahometan, than a real Christian; when as these Antichristian slanders, and proceedings against the Emperor, demonstrated this Pope to be more Atheistical and Ethnical than Frederick, in the judgement of all unprejudiced persons. Ejusdem temporis curriculo, fama Imperatoris Frederici admodum est obfuscata & maculata, ab invidis inimicis & aemulis suis. Imponebatur enim ei, quod vacillans, Mat. Par. Hist. Angl. Edit. Lond. 1640. p. 482. & etiam exorbitans in fide Catholica, dixerit quaedam verba, ex quibus elici & suspicari potuit, non tantum fidei Catholicae in eo imbecillitas, quin imo, quod gravius & multo pejus est, manifestae & maximae Haeresis, & dirissimae blasphemiae enormitas detestanda omnibus fidelibus, & plane execranda. Fertur enim eundem Fredericum Imperatorem dixisse (licet non sit recitabile) tres praestigiatores callide & versute, ut dominarentur in mundo, totius populi sibi contemporanei universitatem seduxisse, videlicet Moysen, Jesum & Mahometum. Et de Sacratissima Eucharistia quaedam nefanda & execrabilia deliramenta & blasphemias, impie protulisse. Absit, absit, aliquem virum discretum, nedum hominem Christianum, in tam furibundam blasphemiam, os & linguam reserasse. Dictum etiam fuit ab aemulis suis, ipsum Fredericum Imperatorem plus consensisse & credidisse in legem Mahometi, quam Jesu Christi; & quasdam Meritriculas Saracenas fecisse concubinas. Surrepsitque murmur in populum (quod avertat Dominus a tanto Principe) Saracenis a multo tempore ipsum fuisse confoederatum, & amicum fuisse plusquam Christianorum, & id indiciis multis probare conabantur ipsius aemuli, qui famam suam conabantur obfuscare. Si peccabant, vel non, novit ipse qui nihil ignorat. Moreover this Pope fomented the Rebellions of the Milanese against the Emperor, Mat. Par. Edit. Lond. p. 444, 445, 472, 476. refusing to aid him in his just wars against them, being much offended with the King of Englaend for sending both aid of men and moneys to him: whereupon the Emperor thus continually affronted by him, marched into Italy, seized upon the greatest part of Sardinia, surrendered to him Anno 1239. as appertaining to the Empire; for which and other pretences, this Pope thundered out a new excommunication against him; published in all Countries, Churches with Bell, book and Candle, especially in England, absolved all his Subjects from their Oaths of Allegiance, deposed him from his Empire, and proffered it to the French Kings Brother; All which occasioned this Emperor for vindicating his own Innocency, detecting this Pope's Impiety, rapines, slanders, and Antichristian practices, to send abroad several Notable Letters, and the Pope to scatter abroad scandalous Libels and answers to them, which because for the most part written, but all of them sent to the King, Bishops and Nobles of England, and Pope's Legate there residing, recorded by Matthew Paris, and pertinent to my general Theme, I shall transcribe at large. Ipso quoque anno, dum in Italia dominus Imperator hyemaret, redditae sunt Mat. Paris, Hist. Angl. p. 468. 469, 470. Mat. Westm p. 151, 152. ei opulentis●imae Insulae in mari Mediterraneo sitae, & Civitati Pisanae proximae: scilicet Sardiniae pars maxima & potissima. Cujus Insulae jus, ad Patrimonium Beati Petri specialiter pertinere perhibetur. Imperator vero, ipsam ad imperium spectare ab antiquo asseruit; & per occupationes & alia ardua negotia Imperialia, Imperatores ea amisisse; ipsum ideo eam ad Corpus Imperii revocasse. Ego vero juravi, ait, ut jam novit mundus, dispersa Imperii revocare: quod non segniter adimpleri procurabo. Misit igitur dominus Imperator filium suum, ut sibi oblatam reciperet praedictae Insulae, contra prohibitionem Domini Papae, portionem.,,, Quod cum summa indignatione Dominus Papa accepit, ex tunc in manifestam consurgens ultionem: jacturam enim magnam reputavit. Est enim institorum refugium, naufragorum solatium, profugorum asylum Insula Sardiniae: quatuor Principibus, quos Judices vocant, gubernata. Jactura est gravis, sed modus jacturae multo gravior, & injuria videbatur: & odium inter eos natum, quasi vulnus inveteratum, saniem generabat. Eodem Anno, in Quadragesima, dominus Papa cum vidisset facta Imperator is Excommunicatio lata in Fredericum Imperatorem. nimis temeraria, & dicta sua peccata suum excusantia, scilicet, quod faventibus quibusdam Magnatibus & Judicibus Sardinicis, terram & Castra Episcopi Sardinici, sibi accepisset & tenuisset, & constanter assereret, ea esse de substantia Imperii, seque primo suo et maximo sacramento jura Imperii servare pro posse, nec non et dispersa congregare: ira vehementissima commotus contra Imperatorem, gravissimas contra eum proponens quaestiones & reponens querimonias, scribens & scribendo constanter & diligenter persuadens, per plures & pluries Nuncios solennes; quorum Authoritas meruit exaudiri, ut ablata restitueret, & desineret Ecclesiam suis possessionibus viduare, quam constat diuturna temporis praescriptione praedotari. Et more prudentis Medici, qui nunc fomentis, nunc ferro abscisionis, nunc vero utitur adustione, verba intermiscens blandis comminatoria, terribilibus amicabilia. Sed cum Imperator procaciter renuisset, & sua facta quibusdam causis apparentibus ratione fultis excusasset, Dominus Papa tunc praesentibus Cardinalibus Dominica Palmarum, * A spirit, and insolent rash Action proceeding neither from Christ, nor St. Peter, but rather from the Devil and Antichrist. in spiritu ferventis itacundiae, Fredericum dictum Imperatorem, ac si jam a culmine Imperii dejecissent eum, solenniter excommnnicavit, tradens eum Sathanae in interitu terribiliter possidendum. Et eisdem verbis utentes, quasi in fremitu furoris intonans, omnes audientes vehementer compulit adterrorem. Excommunicamus & anathematizamus ex parte Dei omnipotentis, Patris & Filii, & Spiritus Sancti, & auctoritate Apostolorum Petri & Pauli, Fredericum dictum Imperatorem, pro eo quod contra Romanam Ecclesiam seditionem iniit in Urbe, per quod intendebat * This Pope was both witness, judge, and party in this cause. Romanum Pontificem et fratres suos a sua sede repellere, et contra privilegia, dignitates, et honores, Apostolicae sedis Libertatem, nec non et Ecclesiasticam conculcare, contra juramenta, quibus super hoc Ecclesiae Romanae tenetur, temere veniendo. Item excommunicamus & anathematizamus eundem, pro eo quod venerabilem fratrem nostrum Episcopum Prenestrensem, Apostolicae sedis Legatum, ne in Legatione sua procederet, quam in Albigensium partes pro corro boratione Catholicae fidei sibi commisimus curam, per quosdam fideles suos mandavit impediri. Item, excommunicamus & anathematizamus eundem, pro eo quod non permittit quasdam cathedrales, & quasdam alias vacantes ecclesias in Regno ordinari, & hac occasione periclitatur libertas ecclesiae, perit fides, quia * And did not his Interdicts & Excommunications produce the like effects? non est qui proponat verbum Dei, nec qui regat animas, deficiente pastore. Et sunt nomina dictarum ecclesiarum vacantium, Cathanensis, Reginensis, Accriviarensis, Squilatensis, Resensis, Protentinensis, Hydrontine●sis, Policastrensis, Saretinensis, Aversanensis, Valvensis, Molopolitensis, Polimane●ensis, Melfrensis, Rapellensis. Monasteria vero sunt ista: V●rnusinum, & sancti Salvatoris Massanensis. Item excommunicamus & Anathematizamus eundem, pro eo quod in Regno Clerici capiuntur et incarcerantur, proscribuntur et occiduntur. Item, excommunicamus & Anathematizamus eundem, pro eo quod non permittit Soranam Ecclesiam reparari. Item, excommunicamus & Anathematizamus eundem, pro eo quod nepotem Regis Tunicii, venientem ad Ecclesiam Romanam pro suscipiendo Baptismatis sacramento, detinet, nec venire permisit. Item, excommunicamus & Anathematizamus eundem, pro eo quod Petrum Saracenum, nobilem Civem Romanum, ex parte Regis Angliae ad sedem Apostolicam venientem, cepit & detinet carceri mancipatum. Item, excommunicamus & Anathematizamus eundem, pro eo quod terras Ecclesiae, scilicet Ferrariam, Pingnogomam, Bendoniam, F●rrarianensem Diocesim & Condonensem, Lucanensem Diocesim, & terram Sardiniae occupavit, contra juramentum, quo super hoc Ecclesiae tenetur, temere veniendo. Item, excommunicamus & Anathematizamus eundem, pro eo quod terras quorundam nobilium de Regno, quas Ecclesia tenebat ad manus suas occupavit & devastavit. Item, excommunicamus & Anathematizamus eundem, pro eo quod quasdam Ecclesias Cathedrales, videlicet, Mons Regalis, Cepheladensis, Cathanensis, Squilatensis, & quaedam monasteria, videlicet Millitensis, sanctae Eufemiae terrae Majoris, & sancti Johannis in Lamis, bonis suis spoliavit. Item, excommunicamus & Anathematizamus eundem, pro eo quod multae Ecclesiae Cathedrales, & aliae Ecclesiae & Monasteria de regno, per iniquam de inquisitionem fuerunt fere bonis omnibus spoliata. Item, excommunicamus & Anathematizamus eundem, pro eo quod in Regno Templarii & Hospitalarii mobilibus & immobilibus spoliati, non sunt juxta tenorem pacis integre restituti. Item, excommunicamus & Anathematizamus eundem, pro eo quod talliae & exactiones contra formam pacis, ab Ecclesiis & Monasteriis pro ipso extorquentur in Regno. Item, excommunicamus & Anathematizamus eundem, pro eo quod in Regno Ecclesiarum Praelati & Abbates Cisterciensis & aliorum Ordinum, compelluntur per singulos menses dare certam summam pecuniae pro constructione castrorum novorum. Item, excommunicamus & Anathematizamus eundem, quod contra tenorem pacis, hi qui adhaeserunt Ecclesiae bonis omnibus spoliati exulari coguntur, tanquam proscripti, uxoribus & liberis captivati. Item, excommunicamus & Anathematizamus eundem, pro eo quod per ipsum impeditur negotium terrae sanctae, & reparatio Imperii Romani. Omnes autem qui juramento fidelitatis ei tenentur astricti, ab ejusdem observatione juramenti decernimus absolutos, ne sibi fidelitatem observent, districtius inhibentes, quam diu fuerit vinculo excommunicationis astrictus. Super oppressionibus & aliis gravaminibus nobilium, pauperum, viduarum, orphanorum, & aliorum de Regno, pro quibus idem Fredericus alias juravit stare mandatis ecclesiae ipsum intendimus amovere, & in ipso negotio, dante domino, procedemus sicut justum fuerit procedendum. Porro, pro omnibus & singulis supradictis, pro quibus dictus Fredericus a nobis diligenter fuit admonitus, & frequenter, nec parere curavit, eundem Fredericum excommunicationis et Anathematis vinculo innodamus. Caeterum, quia idem Fredericus, de dictis factis fuit, multis clamantibus, per universum quasi orbem, quod Catholica fide recta non sentiat, est graviter diffamatus: nos, dante Domino, super hoc loco suo & tempore procedemus, secundum quod in talibuś requirit ordo Juris. Quam sententiam cum suis causis in cunctis regionibus per Universos Praelatos, in Mat. Westm. p. 151. singulis Ecclesiis sibi subjectis cum solemnitate, pulsatis campanis & candelis accensis praecepit Dominus Papa promulgendam. His auditis, Dominus Imperator in iram excanduit vehementem, exprobrando & Quantum ira Imperatoris excanduit in Papam. multoties recitando, imponendoque Ecclesiae & ejus rectoribus, Quod omnes sibi essent ingrati, rependentes mala pro bonis: recolens quod fluctibus marinis & mille generibus periculorum se suaque, pro promotione Ecclesiae, & Catholicae fidei incremento, opposuisset. Et quicquid habet honoris Ecclesia in Terra Sancta, ejus labore & industriae affirmavit adquisitum. * Here p. 408, to 418. Sed Papa invidens, quod per adquisitionem alicujus Laici, Ecclesia tam foelix sentiret incrementum, qui tantum aurum & argentum magis quam fidei augmentum, testantibus operibus, cupiens, mihi paravit supplantationem, & ab omni Christianitate pecuniam extorquens, scilicet decimam partem, toto nisu suo, ut me Deo militantem & exponentem corpus telis, infirmitati, hostium insidiis, prius fluctuum saevientium nullis parcentibus periculis, elaboravit ut me exhaeredaret. Ecce quale praesidium patris nostri! Ecce quale praesidium in pressuris vicarii Jesus Christi! Nec adhuc sufficit furor persequentis. Erexit enim contra me * Here p. 416, 417, 427, 428. Johannem de Bresne, aliquando Regem Hierosolymitanum, quem novit in bello strenuum, & in militari d●sciplina peritissimum, & meum validum fuisse inimicum, in confusionem meam & subversionem mei, talia certe non verentis. Ditavit etiam ipsum pecunia non minima, quam a pauperibus Praelatis Ecclesiarum, per Orbem extorserat impudenter. Audiens autem talia per fideles meos, quot suspiria, quas lachrymas dolor iste generavit in corde meo, non est facile denodare: sed novit, qui nil ignorat. Sed caelans praecord●alem dolorem sub sereno vultu festinanter, ne forte id cognoscentes inimici, superbirent exultantes, & fierent nobis graviores, caepi tractare de pace, & captis treug●s, reditum maturavi. Et cum repatriassem, inveni terram meam a Papalibus parentibus et assimbus occupatam, quorum Dux fuit praed●ctus Johannes de Bresne, & capitaneus: quos Deo vindice comprehendi, & juxta merita eorum, qui crucifixi negotium impediverunt, puniendo recompensavi. Judicet Deus inter me Militem suum, & Papam ipsius vicarium. Novit enim Christus, novit & mundus, quod a veritatis tramite non exorbito. Ecce radix odii, & seminarium. Et factum est schisma in populo. Et redintegratum est per praesentiam Domini naturalis, scilicet Imperatoris, robur Imperii in temporis brevitate. The Monks of Mount Cassini excommunicating the Emperor in obedience to the Pope, he thereupon by a stratagem seized upon their Castle and Monastery, being an impregnable Fort, and turned them out of it; who thereupon repaired to the Pope, complaining of this pretended injury, who gave them good words, but no other relief, for their Obedience to him, but Rebellion against their Sovereign. Eodem Anno venerunt Monachi Montis Cassini (ubi Sanctus Benedictus Mansionem * Mat. Paris, Hist. Angl. p. 471. Adventus Monachorum Montis Cassini ad Papam Romanum. sibi elegit Monasticam) ad Papam, in vestibus laceratis & veteribus: Erant autem xiij. scilicet Conventus, & erant incompositi Comis & Barbis, & vultu lachrymabiles. Et introeuntes ad Papam, ceciderunt ante pedes ejus, conquerentes, quod Imperator ejecisset eos à Mansione sua, scilicet Monte Cassino. Erat autem Mons ille inexpugnabilis, imo inaccessibilisalicui, nisi ex voluntate Monachorum & aliorum inhabitantium in eo: nisi tantummodo quod R. G. per excogitationem, qua se mortuum simulavit, in feretro in illum delatus, Castra Monachorum subito occupavit. Quod cum Papa audisset, dolorem conceptum dissimulans, causam quaesivit. Cui Monachi responderunt: Quia obedientes vobis, Dominum Imperatorem excommunicavimus. Quibus Papa: Obedientia vestra salvabit vos; (contrary to St. Paul's and St. Peter's Doctrine in this case, Rom. 13. 1, to 9 Tit. 3. 1. 1 Pet. 2. 13, 14, 15.) Et abierunt Monachi, plus a Papa non accipientes. Eodem tempore, cuidam Monacho Cisterciensi apparuit manus candida, scribens in Scriptum mirabile. corporali haec verba. Cedrus alta Libani succidetur. Mars praevalebit Saturno & Jovi. Saturnus vero in omnibus insidiabitur Jovi. Erit unus Deus, id est, Monarcha. Secundus Deus adiit. Filii Israel liberabuntur à captivitate infra undecim annos. Gens qu●dam sine copite reputata, vagans veniet. Vae Clero, viget ordo novus, si ceciderit: vae Ecclesiae fidei, legum, et Regnorum. Mutationes erunt, & tota terra Saracenorum subvertetur. Scripsit eodem anno Dominus Imperator Senatoribus & populo Romano, asseruit, Mat. Westm. Flores Hist●●●. 1239. p. 152. quod quamplurimum admirabatur super hoc, quod permiserunt ipsum praecipuum Principem Principum, in Urbe excommunicari. Scripsit etiam Epistolas elegantes & prolixas Cardinalibus, & omnibus Magnatibus Christianis, praecipue tamen Regi Henrico, & fratri suo Richardo Comiti Cornubiae, sororiis suis, se in multis excusans rationibus, & Dominum Papam multipliciter accusans, & asserens, quod cum esset per omnia juri parere promptus & paratus, & Legatos solennes haec oblaturos destinasset, Papa haec praesciens, praecipitanter ante adventum Legatorum in ipsum ex industria sententiam fulminavit. Per idem tempus, scripsit Dominus Papa, Cantuar. & Ebor. Archiepiscopis prolixam nimis Epistolam, conquerens graviter de enormitate Imperatoris, imponens ei crimen haeresis. Scripsit autem tam Legato, quam dictis Archiepiscopis, ut ipsam Epistolam, per omnes suae ditioni vel legationi terras spectantes, publicarent; addens, quod ipse Fredericus, dictus Imperator, jam dotes Ecclesiae hostiliter invadens, eas sibi ausu temerario manciparet, tanquam Ecclesiae manifestus inimicus. Diebus autem illis, in Ecclesia Sancti Pauli Londinensis denuntiatus est excommunicatus Mat. Paris Hist. Angl. p. 474. Denunciatio excommunicationis Frederici Imperat. Fredericus dictus Imperator, ex praecepto Papae. Similiter per totum Episcopatum Londinensem, & postea per totum Regnum. Nec erat qui contradiceret, vel clypeum contradictionis opponeret: licet Rex honestam causam haberet, prae caeteris mundi Principibus, contradicendi, propter foedus propinquae affinitatis. Such was the cowardice, unworthiness, and more than slavish servitude both of the King, Bishops, Nobles in that age to this Pope, whom they durst not strenuously to oppose even in this just cause, neither in England nor Rome itself. Upon consideration whereof: * Mat. Paris p. 474. Literae Imperiales ad Senatum populumque Romanum. Eodem tempore, Dominus imperator, admirans quod robur Romanorum nimis enervatum, a constantia suae subjectionis debitae & fidelitatis tam fiducialiter promissae recalcitravit, permittendo in eundem Imperatorem, Dominum suum naturalem, sententiam excommunicationis inferri in Civitate: tam Curiae Romanae Cardinalibus, quam Senatori Urbis & Romanis, ex intimo cordis, tacto dolore praecordiali, scripsit in haec verba. FREDERICUS Dei gratia Romanorum Imperator, semper Augustus, Jerusalem & Siciliae Rex, Senatori Urbis, & suis Conromanis, salutem. Cum Roma sit caput nostri et auctrix Imperii, et Romanus Imperator a Romae vocabulo nuncupetur, ut sibi nostri nominis et honoris processus et auspicia debeamus: in admirationem vehementem rapimur, si ubi nostri promovendus est honor, et injuria repellenda, inter eos qui tenentur & debent pro culmine nostro se murum defensionis opponere insurgentibus ex adverso, ipsis audientibus & dissimulantibus contrarium patiamur. Propter quod graviter dolore compellimur, quia Romanus Antistes contra Romanum Principem, id quod alibi non auderet, sicut dicitur, in Urbe praesumpsit: et Romanum Imperatorem, auctorem Urbis, et venefactorem populi Romanorum, ipsis non resistentibus, impie blasphemavit. Ut benefactorum nostrorum tam Proceres quam populum Romanum, quibus specialiter & communiter studuimus liberali & spontanea munificentia providere, ac eorum intendimus continuatis augmentis, recte vocemus immemores extitisse, ac inerti somno detentos, ut de tribulo mallea vir non esset de tot Proceribus & turba Quiritum, vel unus de tot Romani populi millibus, qui pro nobis exurgeret, verbum unicum loqueretur, qui nostrae injuriae condoleret: cum nos Urbem antiquis Triumphorum titulis insignitam, novis nostrae victoriae successibus honoremus, & ad reformandum Romanum nomen, sicut in diebus antiquis, & exaltandum Romans statum Imperii, continuis laboribus intendamus. Quapropter necessario ducimur▪ requirere vos, instanter monere, pariter & exhortari, quatenus si omissum est aliqua negligentia vel torpore, nunc instanter ostendere debeatis, inducentes alios monitis & exemplo: ut omnes & singuli prompta voluntate consurgant ad nostram & communem injuriam ulciscendam. Quia cum idem Blasphemator noster, ausus alibi non fuisset in nostri nominis Blasphemiam prorupisse, de tanta praesumptione gloriari non posset, quod volentibus & nolentibus Romanis contra nos talia perpetrasset, cum potius id posset vestrae ingratitudini reputari, si quod ante factum fuit, impedire laudabiliter potuistis, ex post facto nostram & vestram injuriam, postponatis inultam. Nam cum alterutrum teneamur, et nos Romanum honorem et Romanos defendere, nomen nostrum, si ad hoc vos et eos negligentes invenerimus, cum nullus timor nos coegerit ad beneficia Romanorum, sed gratia induxerit specialis, per ingratitudinem istam licet prorsus inviti cogamur, ab universis exhibitam gratiam revocare. Datum Tervisii, mensis Aprilis die xx. Idem autem Dominus Imperator Fredericus, Cardinalibus paulo ante praescripserat, & eosdem Romanos in parte movit: sed nune postremo commovit vehementius. Scripsit in haec verba Cardinalibus. FREDERICUS Dei gratia Romanorum Imperator semper Augustus, Jerusalem Mat. Paris Hist. Angl. p. 474, 475, 476, 477. Aliae Literae Imperiales ad Cardinales. & Siciliae Rex, universis sacrosanctae Romanae Ecclesiae Cardinalibus, dilectis amicis suis, salutem, & sincerae dilectionis affectum. Cum sit Christus caput Ecclesiae, (not the Pope) & in Petri vocabulo suam fundaverit Ecclesiam supra Petram, vos Apostolorum statuit successores, ut Petro pro omnibus ministrante, vos qui estis Candelabra Ecclesiae, super Montem, non sub modio constituta, revera omnibus qui sunt in domo effectu bonorum operum luceatis, nec a publica mundi lingua ex conscientia generali vos subtrahere intendatis, cum ad singula quae praesidens sedi Petr proponit statuens, vel denuncianda decrevit, aequa participatio vos admittit: nisi praevius religionis Ecclesiae status, & zelus effervescens evitandi scandali generalis, vobis cautelam suggesserit ad futura. Quis enim non miretur & stupeat, quod tot venerabilium Patrum congregatione munitae Ecclesiae generali, sedens in solio (& utinam ●ustus Judex) velit inconsulte procedere, ac suis motibus excandescens, in Romanum tendit Principem, advocatum Ecclesiae, ac ad praedicationem Evangelii stabilitum, ob favorem Lombardorum rebellium, exercere gladium spiritualem, si dicere liceat, minus juste, cum alias quicquid ex objectis Ecclesiarum gravaminibus, quae dicuntur, objiciat, quantumve species per individua detinentur, vel emendationem reciperint, vel ex deliberata nostri provisione consilii sit in proximo, prout jussio jam praecessit debita, & integra emendatio secutura. Nam ecce per Patentes Literas Praelatorum, quos mandatum Apostolicum praestitit monitores, ejusdem testimonium declaratur: & praecedens nostra constitutio super revocatione Praelatorum damna passorum, & de praestanda integra satisfactione Praelatis, jam per Literas Venerabilis Archiepiscopi Messanensis, vocato ad hoc assessori nostro transmissas, evidens exhibet testimonium veritati. Propter quod non indigne dolemus, si Pater Apostolicus offendere tam graviter nos intendat. Unde dum in constantem virum tam vehemens cadit injuria, etsi patienter ferre velimus, immanitas negotii non permittit, quin ad ultiones quibus Caesares uti solent, facti violentia nos impellat. Veruntamen dum consideramus impatientiam procedentis, & difficultatem attendimus defensoris, si ex aequo liceret privatas exercere vindictas, quas in hominem per quem scandalum venit, & in sui participes sanguinis compensare possemus, & in ipsum & suos attemptata Sedis injuria redundaret, tolerabilius duceremus. Sed cum nec ipse, nec tota propter hoc sua passura progenies, tanti forent, ut culmen Imperii zelaret ultionem ipsorum, cumque Sedis authoritas audaciae sibi froena relaxet, et tot venerabilium fratrum moles eum in concepta fovere pertinacia videatur, angit nos altiori ment turbatio, quod dum nos intendamus a persequente defendere, oporteat nos defendendo gravius offendere resistentes: salva in omnibus Ecclesiae Sanctitate, quam cultu sacro et debita reverentia veneramur. Quapropter venerabilem coetum vestrum affectuosius deprecamur, quatenus motus Summi Pontificis, quos ex causis evidentibus non tam justos quam voluntarios mundus agnoscit, ex deliberata modestia compescatis: generali statui et praesenti quieti mentium, a scandalis providentes. Nam cum ad salutem omnium vestrum favorabiliter alligemur, ab injuriatorum offensa non poterimus aequanimiter abstinere: quin etsi obstare principiis non possimus, licite debeat injurias, quas revocare non possumus, injuriis propulsare. Datum Podonii, decima die Martii, undecima Indictione. These new feuds between the Emperor and Pope, caused many persons to forge or renew old Prophecies, which they applied to those times, and Pasquil's to be published by both parties, against each other, as well as Letters, and these in particular besides others. Et tunc temporis quaedam scripta, quae videbantur futurorum esse prognostica, Quaedam scripta prognostica. propter imminentia pericula, & discordiam ortam inter tam graves personas, quibus non sunt majores, imo nec pares, ad memoriam sunt redacta, & recenter recitata. Quorum unum est hoc sequens. Excitabitur Roma contra Romanum, & Romanus substitutus Romam Romano imminuet. Alleviabuntur virgae pastorum, & solatium eorum erit in otio. Turbabuntur seduli, & orabunt: & in lachrymis multorum erit requies. Humilis alludet furibundo, & furor extinguens palpabitur. Novus Grex serpet ad cumulum, & qui intitulantur in veteri, tenui cibo cibabuntur. Frustrata est spes sperantium, & requiescit solatium, in quo parat fiduciam. Qui in tenebris ambularunt, ad lucem redibunt. Et quae erant divisa & dispersa, consolidabuntur. Non modica nubes incipiet pluere: quia natus est immutator saeculi. Leoni substituetur agnus: Et agni in Leones depraedabuntur. Surget furor contra simplicem, & simplicitas attenuata spirabit. Decor convertetur in dedecus, & gaudium multorum erit luctus. Haec dicta anno gratiae M. C. XIX. jam instare intellectas comminationes in scripto dicebantur. Aliud scriptum, quod videtur procurasse Imperator, fertur tamen pro vero, quod inventi sunt hi versiculi in cubiculo Papae scripti, modus autem & auctor penitus ignoratur: Fata docent, stellaeque monent, avium que volatus, Totius mundi malleus unus erit. Roma diu titubans, variis erroribus acta, Totius mundi desinet esse caput. Quos versus cum Dominus Imperator, & alii multi interpretabantur in interitum & desolationem Papae & Romanae Curiae redundasse, Papa in eundem Imperatorem hos versiculos retorquebat: Fama refert, scriptura docet, peccata loquuntur, Quod tua vita brevis, poena perennis erit. Videns autem Dominus Imperator famam suam in hac tempestate periclitari, ut Excusatur Imperator per Admonitores. innocentiam suam manifestaret, procuravit ut nuntii ipsi, qui magnae authoritatis viri fuerant & solemnes, scriberent Domino Papae, ostendendo suam & Imperatoris innocentiam ac justitiam. Wherein all the crimes objected against him in the Pope's Bull of Excommunication, are particularly answered or excused one after another. SAnctissimo Patri in Christo Gregorio Dei gratia Summo Pontifici, sui devoti Herbipolensis, Literae Nunciorum. Wormaciensis, Vercellensis, & Parmensis Episcopi, humilem sui commendationem & reverentiam tam debitam quam devotam. Cum omni reverentia & devotione recipimus Literas Apostolicae Sanctitatis, per quas missi fuimus admonere Dominum nostrum Romanum Principem, super quibusdam capitibus, quae missa sunt eisdem Literis interclusa. Nos autem ex obedientiae debito, quo tenemur ad tantum debitum, haesitantes tamen, si monita nostra patienter acciperet, reverenter & devote pervenimus, & expositis singulis, quae Capitula continebant, ac vestrarum per eum habita copia Literarum, faciente Domino, qui gerit ac dirigit quo voluerit corda Regum, in admirabili devotione & insperata humilitate se monitis nostris pronum exhibuit, inclinata Imperialis audientia dignitatis. Ita quod nobis existentibus coram eo, praesentibus quoque Venerabilibus Panormitanensis, Messanensis Archiepiscopis, Cremonensis, Laudensis, Navariensis, & Mutinensis Episcopis, & Abbate Sancti Vincentii, convocatis etiam quampluribus ex fratribus ordinis Praedicatorum & Minorum, respondit ad singula quae proposuimus seriatim, prout in sequentibus distincte ac plenarie continetur, sicut dominationi vestrae responsionem ipsius juxta seriem Capitulorum expositam, secundum Apostolicam jussionem, sub fido testimonio tenore praesentium declaramus. Proposito Ecclesiae: Montis Regalis, Cephaludensis, Cathaniensis, & Squillatensis Ecclesiae, Milletensis, Sanctae Eufemiae Terrae Majoris, & Sancti Johannis in Lamis, Monasteria sunt spoliata fere omnibus bonis suis. Item, omnes fere Cathedrales & aliae Ecclesiae ac Monasteria, sunt per iniquam inquisitionem, fere omnibus hominibus suis spoliata. Responsio Imperialis: Super gravaminibus Ecclesiarum, quae indeterminate ponuntur, quaedam ignoranter commissa, corrigi jussa sunt, sine morae dispendio: quaedam vero jam correcta, sicut est in evidenti, de fideli & industrio nuncio nostro, ad hoc specialiter destinato: videlicet Magistro Willielmo de Tocto, Notario nostro: qui etiam jussus est transire per Romanam Curiam, & consulto Venerabili Messanensi Archiepiscopo, juxta consilium suum procedere, ad revocationem eorum, quae inveniret notabiliter facta. Sic quod in ingressu Regni, circa fines illos invenit quaedam, quae tenebantur per quosdam de familia Imperiali, quibus non pepercit, sed eos statim destituit, restituens destitutos: cum tamen habuerit in mandatis, quod ab Imperiali fisco etiam revocaret, si qua inveniret illicite deprehensa. Sic quod fama eorum quae gesserat perveniente ad Curiam Romanam, Dominus Papa dicitur approbasse mittentis providentiam, & diligentiam missi. Qui cum Regnum in diversas Provincias sit divisum, nondum potuit omnes peragrasse, ut quae corrigenda invenerit, corrigantur. Item, de Ecclesia Montis Regalis. R. Quod nullum gravamen habuit per Dominum Imperatorem, nisi velit notari de Saracenis, qui occupaverunt bona Ecclesiae per bellum, qui nec Dominum Imperatorem, nec Ecclesiam recognoscebant, nec in aliquo pro posse suo pepercerunt: imo destruxerant & depraedati fuerant eam, usque ad muros Ecclesiae, & alicui de Sicilia non parcebant: ita ut in partibus illis nullus vel rarus Christicola remansisset. Hos re vera fatetur Dominus Imperator exterminasse de Sicilia, cum multis laboribus & expensis: si reputant in hoc gravamen Ecclesiae, alias nescit quod unquam gravasset illam, nec vult gravare. Item, idem dicit de Ecclesia Cephalensi, nisi forte tangatur de Castro Cephalensi, quod velut munitissimam arcem supra mare, & stantem in Marchia Saracenorum, tenuerunt semper Reges Siciliae, & bonae memoriae Innocentius Papa mandavit Legato suo, tunc temporis pro servitio nostro in Sicilia existenti, ut illud reciperet ab Episcopo, ad cujus manus per turbationem venerat, & non de jure, & quod Legatus tempore pueritiae nostrae faceret teneri & custodiri pro nobis, nec Episcopo, nec praesenti restituitur, nec de jure restitui debet, quia non habet jus in re: & alias, quod falsarius, homicida, proditor, & schismaticus, publico testimonio comprobatur; quare si etiam haberet jus in re, quod absit, restitui non tenetur. Item, idem de Cathanensi Ecclesia: nisi forte tangatur de hominibus Demanii Domini Imperatoris, qui temporibus belli, propter locum securum & fertilem se Cathaniam contulerunt. Hos fatetur Imperator se ad Demania sua revocasse, secundum formam generalis constitutionis Regni, per quam etiam Comites & Barones, & omnes de Regno homines, de Demaniis revocant, ubicumque eos invenerint: sive in terris Ecclesiarum, sive in Civitatibus ipsius Imperatoris. Nihilominus tamen super his forma statuta est, & meta temporis posita, ad requisitionem Summi Pontificis acceptata, prout constat ex Literis testimonialibus Patriarchae Antiochensis, & Panormitanensis, & Messanensis Archiepiscoporum. Item, quod cum Ecclesia Miletensis & Sanctae Eufemiae, cum Abbate & Monachis Terrae Majoris, permutatio congrua facta sit de voluntate Praelatorum ipsorum & Conventuum, secundum formam juris, & ipsi hodie res tenent & possident permutatas. Tassale vero Sancti Severii, quod non erat in totum Abbatis Terrae Majoris Aconensis, ibi quaedam jura habebat quae tenebat in feudum ab ipso Imperatore, per judicium fuit juste destructum, quia homines illius loci tempore perturbationis occiderunt Paulum de Longotham bajulum Imperatoris, & armenta Imperialia diripuerunt: & nihilominus, ut dictum est, permutatio data est Abbati & Conventui pro parte sua, & hodie tenent. Locus Lamae cinctus est per sententiam ab Abbate Sancti Johannis rotundi: qui de eo, velut de re feudali, potuit & debuit secundum jus Civile & Canonicum, in Imperiali Curia conveniri. Propositio Ecclesiae: Templarii & Hospitalarii bonis mobilibus & immobilibus spoliati, juxta tenorem pacis non sunt integre restituti. Responsio Imperialis. A Templariis & Hospitalariis verum est, quod per judicium & per antiquam constitutionem Regni Siciliae, revocata sunt feudalia, & burgasatica, quae habuerant per concessionem invasorum Regni: quibus equos, arma, victualia, & vinum, & omnia necessaria ministrabant abunde, quando infestabant Imperatorem, & Imperatori, tunc Regi pupillo, & destituto, omne omnino subsidium denegabant. Alia tamen feudalia, & burgasatica dimissa sunt eis, qualitercumque ea adquisierunt & tenuerunt ante mortem Regis Willielmi secundi: seu de quibus haberent concessionem alicujus antecessorum suorum. Nonnulla vero burgasatica quae emerunt, revocata sunt ab eis, secundum formam antiquae constitutionis Regni Siciliae, quod nihil potest eis sine consensu Principis de burgasaticis inter vivos concedi, vel in ultima voluntate legari, quin post annum, mensem, septimanam, & diem, aliis Burgensibus saecularibus vendere & concedere teneantur. Et hoc propterea fuit ab antiquo statutum, quia si libere eis & perpetuo burgasatica liceret emere sive accipere, modico tempore totum Regnum Siciliae (quod inter Regiones mundi sibi habilius reputarent) emerent, & adquirerent: & haec eadem constitutio obtinet ultra mare. Propositio Ecclesiae: Item, quod non permittit Cathedrales & alias vacantes Ecclesias ordinari, & hac occasione periclitatur libertas Ecclesiae, perit fides: quia non est qui proponit verbum Dei, nec qui regat animas, deficiente Pastore. Responsio Imperialis. Cathedrales & alias vacantes Ecclesias▪ Dominus Imperator libenter vult, & desiderat ordinari, salvis privilegiis & dignitatibus, quae praedecessores sui Reges usque ad sua tempora habuerunt, & quibus ipse modestius, quam praedecessores sui hactenus usi sunt: nec contra ordinationem Ecclesiarum unquam fuit. Propositio Ecclesiae: De talliis & exactionibus contra formam pacis ab Ecclesiis & Monasteriis extorquentur. Responsio Imperialis. Talliae & collectae Clericis & persoms Ecclesiasticis, non pro Ecclesiasticis rebus, sed pro feudalibus & patrimoniasibus imponuntur; * Nota. secundum quod est jus commune, & obtinet ubique per orbem. Propositio Ecclesiae: De hoc quod Praelati non audent procedere contra usurarios occasione constitutionis Imperialis. Responsio Imperialis. Apparet generalis & nova constitutio contra usurarios edita per Imperatorem, per quam in omnibus bonis eorum publice condemnantur, & lecta est coram Praelatis, per quam etiam non interciditur Praelatis audacia procedendi. Propositio Ecclesiae: Quod Clerici capiuntur, incarcerantur, proscribuntur, & occiduntur. Responsio Imperialis. De captis & incarceratis nihil novit, nisi quod per officiales Imperatoris aliqui capti sunt, assignandi juxta qualitatem excessuum judicio Praelatorum De proscriptis vero novit, quod objecto quibusdam crimine laesae Majestatis, aliqui de Regno sunt proscripti. Novit etiam de occisis, quod propter impunitatem Clericorum & Monachorum, Venusina Ecclesia gemit obitum Praelati sui, a suo Monacho interfecti: & in Ecclesia Sancti Vincentii, Monachus Monachum interfecit: nec est inde aliqua vindicta sive poena Canonica subsecuta. Propositio Ecclesiae: De Ecclesiis Domino consecratis, quae prophanantur & destruuntur. Responsio Imperialis. Nihil omnino scitur, nisi forte dicatur de Ecclesia Luceriae, quae propter diutinam vetustatem per se dicitur corruisse, & quam Imperator, nedum quod re-aedificari permittat, imo paratus est ad honorem Dei & Ecclesiae, de suo pro re-aedificatione ejusdem Episcopum congrue adjuvare. Propositio Ecclesiae: Quod non permittit reparari Soranam Ecclesiam. Responsio Imperialis. Soranam Ecclesiam solam aedificari permittit, sed Civitatem non: àd minus diebus suis, quae judicio est destructa. Propositio Ecclesiae: Quod contra tenorem pacis, hi qui adhaeserunt Ecclesiae tempore turbationis, bonis omnibus spoliati, exulare coguntur. Responsio Imperialis▪ Adhaerentes Domino Papae tempore turbationis contra Dominum Imperatorem, secure in Regno morantur: nisi forte qui officia & jurisdictiones exercuerunt, metu ponendi rationem, vel aliqui, ne causis civilibus vel criminalibus conveniantur, morantur extra Regnum: de quibus vult Dominus Imperator, quod secure redeant, si sibi & aliis conquerentibus (non tamen de eo, vel ejus occasione, quod Ecclesiae adhaeserunt) velint facere rationem. Sed cum de forma pacis tractatur, recordatur quod Dominus Papa contra eam & contra opinionem fere omnium fratrum, detinet Civitatem Castellae. Pro qua detinenda, in praejudicium Imperii, recepit pecuniam, existente Domino Imperatore pro servitio ejus contra Romanos, & expendente proinde ultra Centum Millia Marcarum argenti: adeo quod magnum commodum inde est Ecclesia consecuta, tam de terra Romanis ablata, & sibi restituta, quam de libertate Ecclesiastica, reformata in Urbe, occasione servitii supradicti. Propositio Ecclesiae: De nepote Regis Tunicii, quem non permisit venire ad Apostolicam sedem, ad suscipiendum baptismi Sacramentum, sed captivum detinet. Responsio Imperialis. Quod nepos Regis Tunicii, non ut baptizaretur, sed ut aufugeret mortem, quam praeminabatur Patruus suus, de Barbaria fugit in Siciliam. Non tenetur captivus, sed liber per Appuliam vadit: & diligenter quaesitus, si baptizari velit, omnino negat. Si tamen vult baptizari, Dominus Imperator acceptat & gaudet, prout super hoc respondit alias Panormitanensi & Messanensi Archiepiscopis. Propositio Ecclesiae: De Petro Saraceno, fideli Ecclesiae, quem tenet captivum, in injuriam Ecclesiae: & fratre Jordane, qui tenetur captivus. Responsio Imperialis. Petrus Saracenus, tanquam inimicus Domini Imperatoris, & detractor ejus, tam in Urbe quam alibi, captus per eum. Item, non in negotium Regis Anglorum venit, sed tantum Literas ipsius attulit: ut si forte caperetur, capto parceremus, attentius supplicantes. Quibus non obtemperavimus, quia Rex nescivit, quas mihi paravit insidias. De fratre Jordane, quod ipsum nec cepit, nec capi mandavit: quamvis eum in sermonibus diffamaverat. Sed quia videtur a quibusdam fidelibus suis, qui norunt mores & versutias ejusdem fratris, quod status & mora ejus, si fieret in Marchia Tervisii, & Lombardia, suspecta forent & nociva Domino Imperatori: praestita satisdatione, quod in Marchia vel Lombardia remanere vel morari non debeat, ipsum liberari mandabat, & assignari eum jussisset Domino Messanensi Archiepiscopo: si dictum fratrem in praedictum modum, super se recipere voluisset. Propositio Ecclesiae: De eo quod ipse seditionem movit in Urbe contra Ecclesiam, per quam intendebat Romanum Pontificem & fratres suos à sua sede repellere, & contra privilegia, dignitates, & honores Apostolicae sedis, libertatem Ecclesiasticam conculcare. Responsio Imperialis. Seditio mota in Urbe contra Ecclesiam per Dominum Imperatorem, negatur. Sed cum ipse habeat fideles suos in Urbe, sicut praedecessores sui, tam Romani Principes, quam Reges Siciliae, soliti sunt habere, quia Senatores aliquando electi per potentiam adversariorum, eos offendere contendebant, astabat defensioni eorum: sicut astaret quoties in similibus expediret. Cessante vero causa, videlicet quod alius Senator communiter electus fuit, cessavit turbatio supradicta: prout constat de rei evidentia, ex testimonio Panormitanensis & Messanensis Archiepiscoporum. Propositio Ecclesiae: De eo quod mandavit quibusdamfidelibus suis, ut Episcopus Praenestinus, Apostolicae sedis Legatus, detineretur. Responsio Imperialis. Super mandato detentionis Episcopi Praenestini, respondit, quod nunquam mandavit, nec etiam id somniavit Dominus Imperator: quanquam de eo id juste facere potu●sset, tanquam de inimico suo. Qui, licet missus per Dominum Papam, tanquam vir Religiosus, tamen de mandato Domini Papae, ut ipse dixit, Lombardiam pro magna parte contra Dominum Imperatorem callide & perniciose subvertit, & Lombardoes contra ipsum in quantum potuit, animavit. Propositio Ecclesiae: Quod per eum impeditur negotium Terrae Sanctae, occasione discordiae quam habet cum quibusdam Lombardis: cum parata sit Ecclesia dare opem & operam efficacem, ut sibi & honori Imperii, super hiis, quae commissa sunt contra eum à Lombardis, congrue satisfiat: & Lombardi etiam ad hoc ipsum sint praeparati: moneatur super his omnibus, & responsum ejus significetur nobis. Responsio Imperialis. Super negotio Lombardiae dixit Dominus Imperator, quod illud multoties commisit Ecclesiae, nec inde est aliquod commodum assecutus: nisi quod prima vice, condemnati sunt Lombardi in quadringentis militibus: quos Dominus Papa tali modo fecit ei solvi, quod ipsos contra ipsum Imperatorem misit in Regnum. Secunda vice, condemnati sunt in quingentis militibus, quos non Imperatori, contra quem commissa erat injuria, sed sub protectione & ad requisitionem Domini Papae & Ecclesiae, quae offensa non erat, ultra mare transmitti pronunciavit, quod etiam nunquam factum fuit. Tertia vice, ad requisitionem Cardinalium, scilicet quondam Episcopi Sabinensis, & Magistri Petri de Capua, plene sicut Dominus Papa dictavit, commissum fuit dictum negotium Ecclesiae, nec unquam postea de hoc fuit verbum: nisi quando Dominus Papa novit, quod Imperator, postquam ei toties fuerat illusum, descendere cum exercitu a Germania in Italiam fe parabat, & tunc instanter petiit denuo negotium sibi committi: & Dominus Imperator, licet in eadem commissione naufragium saepe expertus fuisset, voluit tamen sibi committere ad certum diem & sub conditione, quod ad honorem suum & commodum Imperii firmaretur. Quam conditionem Dominus Papa, prout per Literas suas constat, admittere noluit: quanquam ad praesens per Literas suas dicat, quod Ecclesia negotium ipsum, salvo jure & honore Imperii, fuisset diffinire parata. Et ex hoc patet, quod Literae ipsae sibi invicem manifestissime contradicant. Et ne praetendatur, quod in praejudicium Terrae Sanctae, velit Dominus Imperator jura Imperii in Italiam restaurare, qualiter Dominus Imperator negotium Terrae Sanctae assumpserit, nec duxerit negligendum, apparet per Literas suas responsales Regibus Orbis & Crucesignatis in Francia scriptas, qui ipsum in Dominum & rectorem exercitus elegerunt: per quas etiam respondit insuper eisdem, quod negotium ipsum de consilio Ecclesiae, tractare volebat. Denique tamen super omnibus gravaminibus Ecclesiarum corrigendis, Notarius Domini Imperatoris in specialem nuntium, sicut superius est propositum, est transmissus. Addidit praeterea Imperialis responsio, quod id quod enormius est, & in admirationem & stuporem omnium audientium verti debet, post recessum supramemoratorum Panormitanensis & Messanensis Archiepiscoporum, quibus Dominus Papa Ecclesiae gratiam pro Domino Imperatore promisit, & quod voluit unum & idem esse cum eo, Domino Imperatore, prout decuit, non modice hoc attentante, postquam sufficienter fuerat eis ad quaedam capitula nussa per eos, responsum, prout in eorum attestatione consistit, post ●ergum & in confusionem eorundem Archiepiscoporum, eye omnino nescientibus, missae sunt Literae istae & Capitula interclusa Praelatis, quae licet speciem admonitionis contineant, sugillationem tamen Imperialis famae continent manifeste. Ultimo, generale verbum respondit & proposuit Dominus Imperator, quod cum ipse diu fuerit absens a Regno, & Regni statum ignore●, quicquid unquam in gravamine Ecclesiarum factum est, quod remaneat emendandum, integre & sine difficultate aliqua id emendari mandabit. Et nihilominus, propter umversale bonum, quod ex unione inter ipsum & Ecclesiam provenit, paratus est omnem prorsus securitatem, quae Ecclesiam & ipsum Imperium deceat, praestare Ecclesiae: quod ad honorem & exaltationem fidei Christianae, & ad honorem & libertatem Ecclesiasticam conservandum, sit unum & idem cum Ecclesia, viribus & potentia sua ad hoc ex toto conversis. Datum, etc. Haec postquam domino Papae intimata sunt, in vehementem iracundiam exarsit. Et Mat. Paris, Hist. An. p. 479. 480. Imperator conqueritur de injuriis sibi a Pontifice illatis. seipsum justificans, omnia haec praedicta pro frivolis habuit & inutilibus sermocinationibus, & sprevit quasi commenta contraria veritati. Scribens igitur Principibus & Magnatibus totius Christianitatis, tam laicis personis quam Ecclesiasticis, absolvit quot quot eidem Frederico fidelitate tenebantur, ut non ei tenetentur quasi Domino obedire. Fecit etiam per omnes terras sibi obtem perantes sententiam latam in eundem terribiliter, praecipue autem in Anglia, solenniter publicari, eurn graviter diffamando, ipsum inimicum manifestum Dei & Ecclesiae affirmavit. Quod cum Dominus Imperator festina relatione cognovisset, tactus dolore cordis intrinsecus, prorumpentibus crebris suspiriis, amicis querimoniam gravem reponens scripsit, in haec verba. FREDERICUS, etc. Inviti loquimur, sed tacere non possumus. Jam Literae Imperiales. enim securis ad radicem arboris posita, & gladius fere usque ad animam transiens, labia dissolverunt. Jusque datum sceleri scribimus, & populum contumacem dexteram in viscera propria vertisse condolemus. Juri praefertur in●uria, et voluntas Justitiae Dominatur. Dominum quidem Italiae, populi sceptrum contemnere conantur Imperii. Ac etiam propriae commoditatis immemores, libertatis ejusdem vagae luxuriam quieti pacis imponunt, & aequitati justitiaeque praetulerunt. Nec tamen a nobis rebellionem hu jus sumpsisse nunc primum exordium aestimetis, sed avitas & paternas prosequimur injurias, & productum jam ad alias regiones, libertatis invidiosae propaginem niti mur supplantare. Sed nec ista dissimulasse aliquolibet modo hactenus, aut conniventibus oculis pertransisse credatis. Quam primum enim in nobis pubescentibus, ac mentis & corporis calescente virtute, ad Romani culmen Imperii, praeter spem hominum, nutu solummodo providentiae divinae, conscendimus, ac Regnum Siciliae, praeclara maternae snccessionis haereditas, ad jura nostra pervenit, aciem mentis nostrae continuo direximus ad praedicta. Ac demum ad consummationem propositi nostri, miserabili casu de amissione Damiatae tunc temporis ministrante cum venerabili patre nostro H. summo Pontifice apud Verulas colloquio celebrato, Veronae de communi consilio pro negotio terrae sanctae & reformatione Imperii, solemnem curiam duximus indicendam: ubi tam nos quam Praedictus Papa, condiximus interesse. Quo proposito & volubilitate consilii, & metu rerum continuo praesentium, immutato; nos a tanto bono recedere non volentes, Ferentini denuo cum Papa praestito collatione habita, curiam apud Cremonam indiximus: ad quam, filium nostrum cum multis Principibus Imperii nostri vocavimus, cum decenti militum comitatu: nihilominus de Italiae partibus ducentes nobiscum milites, prout Imperialis excellentiae decus, & tantum negotium condecebat. Ex quo Lombardi nobis, & honori nostro rebelles, inspiritu contradictionis assumpti, & reprobum sensum dati, palliata occasione timoris, propterea quod armatorum consortio fruebamur: & nobis intendere tanquam ipsorum legitimo Domino contempserunt, & ingressu in Italiam viarum difficultate prohibito, filium nostrum & principes a nostris aspectibus subtraxerunt. Ad exaggerationem dein nequitiae adhuc occultae ac perfidiae, malitiam manifestam insolentiamque adjecerunt, quod contra nos & imperium conspirantes, nobis praesentibus & contemptis, conjurationes nefarias contraxerunt. Et sic desiderata filii nostri visione fraudati, in Apuliam redeuntes, quia praeparatio passagii transmarini, ad quod tenebamur ex voto, tunc temporis nos arctabat, causam ipsam de satisfactione nobis & Imperio facienda, arbitrio summi Pontificis commisimus terminandam; per quem, in quingentis Militibus pro negotio terrae sanctae sub eorum sumptibus per biennium exhibendis fuerunt nobis arbitrali sententia condemnati. Quos inito pacis Ecclesiam inter & Imperium discordiam seminante, ipsos contra nos in Apuliam transmiserunt: & sic per contrariae satisfactionis modum, praecedentes injurias geminarunt. Redeuntibus autem nobis de partibus transmarinis, ac inter nos & Ecclesiam dissensione sedata, de reformatione status Imperii concepto proposito inhaerentes, apud Ravennam iterum de consilio beatissimi patris nostri G. summi Pontificis, indiximus curiam generalem: sub inermi tantummodo & domestico comitatu, ut timor armorum & occasio frivola tolleretur. In qua, nedum Lombardi praedicti devotionis & obedientiae nobis signa praetenderent, imo in oculis nostris, fere civitatem Veronae & Ezelmum, de Romano tunc temporis ad nostrae fidelitatis obsequium noviter revocatos, extractis eorum Carrochiis, violenter invadere nitebantur, ad reverentiam nostrae praesentiae nullo habito omnino respectu. Accessum etiam filii nostri ad nos, vel nostrum ad eum per terras & vias Imperii, (quae & si nostrae sunt propriae, tamen omnibus sunt communes) denuo prohibentes: ita quod Patris oculus tunc temporis etiam filium non vidisset, nisi quod navali praesidio, amore paterno, qui contineri non poterat, stimulati, nos Aquilegiam sub maris dubia sorte, contulimus: ut praedictum filium nostrum & Principes, qui ad nos devote se contulerant, videremus. Nec adhuc defuit clementiae nostrae constantia, quin aggressionis hostilis furore deposito, iterum & causam ipsam committeremus arbitrio ecclesiae terminandam. Ex eo tamen unde credidimus humanitatis eisdem exempla protendere, cornua ipsis indevotionis ereximus: referentes ab eis pro debita fide perfidiam, & pro devotione contemptum, nec ulla de praedictis vexatio tribuit intellectum. Otto the Pope's Legate was very diligent to see the Emperor Frederick excommunicated, and the Pope's scandalous excommunications and Bulls against him published throughout England, as this narrative informs us. Et cum versus Scotiam iter dominus Legatus arripuerat, Capitulum sancti Albani Mat. Paris, Hist. Angl. p. 481. 482, 483. Denunciatur Imperator in Anglia excommunicatus. ingressus est, & prius facto sermone de Assumptione beatae Virginis, (hoc enim infra Octavas evenit) dominum Imperatorem excommunicavit. Monachi vero sibi de tali permissione, literas excusatorias obtinuerunt. Et eisdem diebus, pluries in Ecclesia sancti Pauli Londini, idem Imperator solenniter est excommunicatus: tali Papali authentico, quod Legato transmissum est, compellente. GREGORIUS Episcopus, servus servorum Dei, dilecto filio suo Ottoni Literae Papales acerbae contra Imperatorem Legato missae. sancti Nicholai in Carcere Tulliano, Diacano Cardinali, Apostolicae sedis Legato, salutem & Apostolicam Benedictionem. Sedes Apostolica, sicut totus fere orbis facti evidentia didicit, Fredericum dictum Imperatorem, ex quo ipsum ex utero matris excepit genibus, affectu materno profequens, lactavit uberibus, & humeris bajulavit: quem olim omni pene destitutum auxilio, & dubiis tantum derelictum eventibus, suo recepit patrocinio confovendum, opponens potenter invasoribus Regni sui qui in terram ejus ocalos aviditatis injecerant: Cujus jam fines ingressi, eam absque ullo defensionis obstaculo usurpabant; & defendens eundem ab insidiantibus vitae suae, qui aemuli saluti ipsius, conabantur animam ejus extinguere, & de terra ipsius memoriam abolere. Cumque idem protectionis Ecclesiasticae clypeo praemunitus, personae & Regni sui bonae memoriae G. de Ga●lganem Tituli sancti Anastasii, Presbytero, Cardinali, a sede Apostolica per multos Annos deputato Custode, majoris metas attigisset aetatis ● tandem ad altioris dignitatis apicem per eam extitit sublimatus. Sed diligentiae studium circa personam ejus impensum, labores plurimos quos Ecclesia subiit propter eum, que ad ipsum, perdidisse videtur; cum tot beneficiorum sit immemor, tantae gratiae sit ingratus▪ Et utinam illius ingratitudinis non excederet terminos, per quam perceptorum bonorum existeret negatione contentus. Porro, licet offensa quaelibet aculeos doloris importet, illa tamen jaculo graviori percellit; in qua ingratitudo pro gratia rependitur, & pro beneficiis maleficia compensantur. Verum, quantumcunque ipsum Apostolica sedes dilexerit, & supremae culmine potestatis erexerit saeculares, suis tamen exigentibus culpis, de quibus, quamquam pluries a nobis monitus satisfacere non curavit, coacti sumus, licet inviti, animadvertere in eundem. Nam & si Adam divina Providentia, excellentia dignitatis & auctoritatis extulerit, eui omnia animantia terrae subjecit; quia tamen sui jussa praeteriit Plasmatoris, ejus excessibus non pepercit. Quae autem a dicto Frederico, pro tot bonis sibi collatis Ecclesia retributionis praemia reportarit, discretionem tuam volumus non latere, pauca de multis praesenti pagina declarando. In Urbe siquidem gravem movit seditionem: exinde nos & fratres nostros, totis viribus nisus excludere, ut Apostolicae sedis honorem deprimeret, ac libertatem ipsius penitus conculcaret: contra juramenta praestita temere veniendo. Et venerabilem fratrem nostrum Praenestinensem Episcopum, dum ipsum ad partes Albigensium disponeremus pro corroboratione fidei catholicae destinare, per quosdam suos fideles in viam impediri mandavit. Cathedrales etiam Ecclesias, & alias vacantes Regni sui nequaquam ordinari permittit: in animarum periculum, & grave detrimentum ipsarum. Eas & quasdam alias nihilominus spoliando fere omnibus bonis suis: & * Were not this Pope's Taxes, Exactions, Rapines far greater than the Emperors? tallias ac exactiones indebitas Praelatis, religiosis, & aliis Clericis secularibus imponendo. Nobilibus, pauperibus, orphanis, & viduis, usque ad inanitionem extremam deductis, eos ad modicum dura & crudelis exactorum suorum acerbitas non patitur respirare: & s●c totum fere Regnum, quod est spirituale patrimonium beati Petri, pro quo juramento fidelitatis Apostolicae sedi tenetur, & ipsius ligius vassallus existet, quantum in eo est, in favillam quasi & cinerem jam redegit. Quod si postquam monitus fuerit a nobis, non duxerit corrigendum, nos super hoc, auctore Deo, sicut expedire videbimus, procedemus. Insuper negotium impedit Terrae sanctae, necnon etiam Imperii Romani. Praeterea cum tempore concordiae inter ipsum & ecclesiam reformatae, in manibus sedis Apostolicae Legatorum juraverit ecclesiae pr●ceptis obedire: & ipse mandatum ab eis receptum, quod terram ecclesiae, vel terras eorum quas tunc ad suas manus tenebat, aut ipsorum personas nullatenus caperet, occuparet, sive etiam devastaret, adimplere contempsit, terram ecclesiae occupando: videlicet in Lombardia, Ferrariam, Bondoniam, Pingnogoman, terram quidem Sardiniae, & Messanensem, Lucanensem Dioceses capiendo, & dejiciendo illos quos ad manus suas ecclesia reservavit, & devastando terras ipsorum: licet ex tunc in eum praesentem, ipsi Legati excommunicationis sententiam tulerint, si super his non faceret quod mandarent. Idem etiam nepotem Regis Tunicii detinet, ad Romanam curiam & ecclesiam, pro percipiendo sacri baptismatis lavacro, accedentem. Ac dilectum filium Petrum Saracenum nobilem civem Romanum, ex parte charissimi in Christo filii nostri illustris Regis Angliae, ad sedem Apostolicam missum, & filium ejus, carceri detinet mancipatos. Quia vero super his & quampluribus aliis excessibus pluries à nobis monitus, correctionis medelam non sentiens, cum suarum sint ulcera indurata culparum, quotidie deteriora committere non veretur: Nos haec absque Christi offensa, praeterire sub dissimulatione ulterius non valentes: de fratrum nostrorum consilio, ex parte Dei omnipotentis (cujus vicem in terris gerimus) licet inviti: & auctoritate beatorum Apostolorum Petri & Pauli, ac nostra, in eum excommunicationis et anathematis sententiam duximus promulgandam; tradentes ipsum Fredericum Satanae in interitum Carnis, ut spiritus ejus in die Domini salvus fiat: Omnes qui ei fidelitatis juramento tenentur, decernendo ab observatione hujusmodi juramenti absolutos, donec fuerit vinculo excommunicationis astrictus. Quocirca devotionem tuam monemus & exortamur attente, per Apostolica scripta tibi praecipiendo, mandantes, quatenus praedictam excommunicationis et anathematis sententiam, singulis diebus Dominicis et Festivis, pulsatis campanis et candelis accensis, solenniter publicari, ac absolutionem et inhibitionem nuntiari procures, et facias per totam terram tuae Legationis, modo simili publicari et etiam nunciari. Mandatum nostrum taliter impleturus, quod devotio tua possit exinde merito commendari. Caeterum cum praefatus Fredericus de aliis magnis & gravibus sit plurimum infamatus criminibus, nos, dante Domino, super his suo loco & tempore procedemus, prout in talibus negotiis natura requirit. Verum, quia terroris sonitus semper est in auribus impiorum, & etiam quando pax est, insidias suspicantur: eo quod turbata conscientia semper saeva praesumit: idem Fredericus prius quam sententia excommunicationis lata esset in ipsum, quasdam fratribus nostris decrevit literas transmittendas, pro parte inferius annotatas: quae post latam sententiam ipsis praesentatae, ad nostram & eorundem notitiam pervenerunt. Unde quia voluit Dominus occulta cordis ejus detegere, qui manifestat abscondita tenebrarum, & cordium secreta revelat, ex ipsarum literarum tenore colligitur, quam gerat devotionem ad Romanam Ecclesiam, matrem suam: quam ad summum Pontificem ac fratres ejus, ad sedem Apostolicam reverentiam habeat, cujus ratione Regni vassallus existit. Contra nos enim & ipsos, conspirasse videtur: ex quo, quantum & quale crimen incurrerit, satis patet. Inter caetera vero quae sua continebat Epistola, haec habebantur inserta: Propter quod non indigne dolemus, si pater Apostolicus offendere tam graviter nos intendat, ut dum in constantem virum tam vehemens cadit injuria, etsi patienter ferre velimus, immanitas negotii non permittat, quin ad ultiones, quibus Caesares uti solent, facti violentia nos impellat. Veruntamen dum consideramus impatientiam procedentis, & difficultatem attendimus offensorum, si ex aequo liceret privatas exercere vindictas, quas in hominem per quem scandalum venit, & in sui participes sanguinis, compensare possemus: ut in ipsum & suos attemptata nostrae sedis injuria redundaret tolerabilius duceremus. Sed cum nec ipse, nec tota propter hoc sua passura progenies, tanti forent ut culmen imperii zelaret ultionem ipsorum, cumque sedis auctoritas audaciae sibi fraena relaxet, & tot venerabilium fratrum-moles eum in concepta fovere pertinacia videatur: angit nos altiori ment turbatio: quod dum nos intendamus a persequente defendere, oporteat nos defendendo gravius offendere resistentes. Datum Laterani, tertio Idus Aprilis, Pontificatus nostri anno xiij. Cumque dominus Imperator super hac diffamatione certificaretur, factus de Rege Magna iracundia Imperatoris contra Papam, ejusque gravis querimonia. Tyrannus, non immerito magis ac magis in Mediolanenses & alios proditores suos, incanduit; quos Papa contra eum juvit efficaciter & animavit. Mediolanenses vero auxilio Papali facti animosiores, & comperientes rem agi pro capite, exierunt impetus furibundos facientes: concomitante quondam Legato de latere Domini Papae ad eorum auxilium destinato, Ferrariam & alias civitatis & castra Imperialia, dum se dominus Imperator ad loca remotiora transtulit, violenter occuparunt; loca vicina usque ad exterminium & internecionem, devastantes. Ne invenerunt obsessi misericordiam; petentes lacrymabiliter Legatum, ut civitatibus & substantia eorum omnimoda sibi redditis ad manum, tantum personis pro Deo parceretur: nec sunt exauditi nisi penitus & absolute se suaque sibi manciparent. Unde Nota. sancti viri & religiosi regiones Christianas inhabitantes, non minimum admirati tam inhumanam ac cruentam ferocitatem in Ecclesiastico Praelato, cum imprecationibus multimodis execrabantur, qui tantum usus gladio materiali non est recordatus facere misericordiam. Et invasit timor & horror corda, ne Dominus Deus exercituum effunderet indignationem suam super induratos, & ecclesia ruinam magnam pateretur: praesertim cum non curaret pars Papalis preces vel jejunia, Missas & processiones, nec praeciperet universaliter humiles preces Deo fundere, & sic iram Dei flectere; in quibus solet ecclesia in tribulationibus respirare, & triumphos de oppressoribus crebrius reportare. Sed spem totam ponens in pecuniae thesauris & rapinis, ad gladium & ultiones proprias irruit frontuosa: unde dolor & desolatio Christianorum, Magnatum oriuntur comminationes, furor & rancor, odium & iracundia inter ecclesiam & Imperium: flebile nacta principium, exitum flebiliorem minabantur. His igitur laesus doloris aculeis dominus Imperator, se intendens excusare, & dominum Papam accusare; multis Regibus & Principibus, praecipue Regi Angliae, et R. Comiti Cornubiae fratri suo, quasi charissimis sororiis suis, in quibus specialius confidebat, scripsit in haec verba. FREDERICUS Dei gratia Romanorum Imperator, semper Augustus, Jerusalem Mat. Paris Hist. Angl. p. 483, 484, 485, 486▪ 487, 488, 489▪ Literae Imperiales ad Comitem Cornubiae Richardum. & Siciliae Rex, Richardo Comiti Cornubiae, dilecto sororio suo, salutem & omne bonum. Levate in circuitu oculos vestros, arrigite filii hominum aures vestras, orbis scandalum, dissidia gentium, generale justitiae doleatis exilium: exeunte nequitia Babylonis a Senioribus populi, qui populum regere videbantur, dum judicium in amaritudinem, & fructum justitiae in absinthium convertunt. Sedete Principes, & intelligite populi causam vestram. A vultu Domini judicium vestrum prodeat, & oculi videant aequitatem. Scimus etenim, & in supremi Judicis virtute confidimus, quod cum apud vos pondus & pondus, mensura & mensura non fuerint, profecto modestiam & innocentiam nostram in judicii vestri libra praeponderare videbitis; calumniosis detrahentium labiis, & venenosis inventionibus fictionum: sed nec nunc primum causae nostrae justitiam, & residentis in sede Domini pravitatem, ad publicam mundi notitiam novimus pervenire. Quin praeter agillimae Famae praeloquium, quae frequenter in maximis virginum aurium deflorat, auditum: Nos ipsi, quod primitus rumor eduxerat, subsequentibus postmodum nostrae serenitatis affatibus firmaremus, qualiter iste novus athleta, sinistris factus auspiciis Pontifex generalis, amicus noster praecipuus, dum in minoribus esset ordinibus constitutus, beneficiorum omnium, quibus Imperium Christianum sacrosanctam Ecclesiam ditavit, oblitus, statim post assumptionem suam, fidem cum tempore renovans, & mores cum dignitate commutans; ac habens quodammodo de publica turbatione pruritum, in nos supremum & unicum filium Ecclesiae, suae malignitatis aculeos acuisset: dum occasione assumpta, quod propter imminens scandalum evitandum, sacramento praestito, et lata contra nos excommunicationis sententia, nos ad certi temporis obligaverimustransitum, adversa valetudine corporis praepeditos: adjectis plerisque capitulis aliis, de quibus antea nunquam fueramus muniti, vel admoniti; excusationibus nostris, contra Deum et Justitiam, omnino rejectis, excommunicationis sententia nos denunciavit astrictos. Cui, velut in nos primitus de nostra voluntate pro●atae, cum humilitate paruimus, & absolutionis beneficium, pristina nobis incolumitate corporis reddita, postulantes, dum nos ad transitum instanter pararemus. Quo petito suppliciter, & injuriose negato, in Terrae Sanctae subsidium sub pia voti prosecutione transivimus, existimantes vicarium Jesu Christi, ad ejus negotium potius, quam ad conceptae malevolentiae contra nos Odium aspirare. Sed is, quem speravimus ea solummodo quae sursum sunt sapere, & visu coelestia contemplantem, ment credimus in coelestibus habitare, subito inventus est homo, quinimo per inhumanitatis opera non solum a veritate sepositus, sed ab humanitate discretus: dum praeter impedimenta, quae nobis in Syria praeparavit, per nuntios & legatos, qui Soldanum Literis suis, quas nos captis ipsarum latoribus in testimonium reservamus, ne nobis terram divino cultui & Hierosolymitani Regni juribus debitam, redderet, monuerunt: Regnum nostrum Siciliae violenter intravit; sumpta occasione, quod R. filius olim Ducis Spoleti, praeter voluntatem & conscientiam nostram (prout postmodum per ipsius poenam evidenter expressimus) terram ecclesiae parabat intrare: & non prout sancti per fidem Regna vicerunt, sed per perfidiam & perjuria praedicans universis, aut si qui ad perjuriam praedicatione solummodo, provocari non poterant, provocabantur exemplo, dum ipsi praefecti Papalis exercitus, quo terram facilius obtinerent, nos captos in Syria manifeste jurabant. Redeuntibus nobis de partibus transmarinis, & injuriam nostram propulsantibus solum, nec juxta magnificum morem Imperii prodeuntibus ad vindictam, per concordiae medios verbum pacis libenter admisimus. Veram matrem nostram Ecclesiam, ex agnitione Catholicae fidei reperisse cognoscimus, sed patrem semper invenimus simulatum; dum ipsa reconciliationis die viam nostrae coufusionis excogitans, de redeundo in Italiam iterum sub inermi & domestico Comitatu, nobis instantissime persuasit: occasionem significans, ne velut ex priori & armato processu, timoris caus●m nostris fidelibus praestaremus; asserendo quod nobis omnia planissima faceret; Cujus contrarium per literas & nuncios suos manifestissime procuravit, prout constat testimonio plurium nostrorum fidelium, qui tunc temporis erant omnium conscii; velut ex eis quidam participes & alii principes factionis. Propter quod, filio & principibus nostris ad nos de Germania venientibus, per rebelles nostros itineribus publicis undique praepeditis: sed & eodem filio nostro Aquiligiam, navali praesidio cum summa difficultate recepto, ac in Teutoniam abinde destinato, in Regnum de necessitate redivimus: utpote quos ad arcendam rebellium nostrorum nequitiam, patris consilium vel Astutia potius miserat imparatos. Ubi quodammodo respirantibus nobis, & capescentibus requiem post labores, quieti nostrae sanctissimus Pater noster invidit, consiliatoris sibi formam assumpsit; instantissime persuadens, ut contra Romanos Excellentiae nostrae devotos, & alios rebelles nostros de Tuscia, qui jura Ecclesiae & Imperii detinebant, procederemus audacter, de suo favore securi quod nobiscum nostra & Imperii pondera participare volebat. Et sic ad multam ejus instantiam, Romanos, qui tunc temporis Viterbiam impugnabant, in favorem Ecclesiae nos oportuit diffidare: Nota. ipso mittente Literas latenter ad urbem, quod haec per nos praeter suam conscientiam & mandatum, faceremus in odium Romanorum. Et interim in Sicilia quadam seditione suborta, oportuit nos necessario conferre Messanam; ut factioni ibi inchoatae principiis obstaremus: occasione solummodo ista praetenta, quod tam nobilem nostram Siciliae Insulam voluimus amittere: nobis non requisitis, & omnino celatis, contra omne jus gentium, quod belli socios & participes statuit non relinqui, foedus iniit cum Romanis, per nos ad mandatum ejus, ut diximus, diffidatis; non attento, quod nos non sine dubia vice & honoris nostri fortuna, inter rebelles & seditiosos nostros remanentes inermes, copiosam & strenuam militam armatorum in ejus subsidium miseramus, quanquam personaliter interesse nequiveramus. Ad haec, cum conscientiae nostrae integritas, & pura devotio quam ad matrem nostram Ecclesiam habebamus, novercalia desiramenta patris agnoscere filium non sinebant: quin quod erat astutiae casui reputantes, satisfactionis nostrae causam invitricantis arbitrio saepius poneremus: qui tanto nobis vice qualibet illudebat aceribus, quanto constantius spem uberioris arbitrii promittebat. Medio deinde tempore, dum de negotio Italiae per Papam ad honorem Imperii componendo, ex praeteritorum conjectura discriminum, nulla spes nobis remansisset in posterum vel exilis, ac persecutionem eandem congruo tempore servaremus, expectantibus repente credimus arrisisse fortunam, reiterata discordia inter Ecclesiam & Romanos, in qua sic magnifice, sic devote thesauros nostros effudimus & personam, quod omnem omnino conscientiae pravae rubiginem de malevolentium cordibus credebamus erasisse. His etiam omnibus non contenti, ut de nobis prorsus indubitata securitas ecclesiae praeberetur, circa ipsam zelo devotionis summae succensi, & incentivo perfectae charitatis in Deo, ad praesentiam istius summi Pontificis, personaliter ivimus etiam non vocati; ducentes nobiscum Conradum charissimum filium nostrum, nunc Romanum in Regem electum, & Regni Hierosolymitani haeredem, quem nobis tunc temporis fratris sui manifesta transgressio filium unicum in paternae dulcedinis affectione reliquerat. Ac eundem, post oblatam Ecclesiae personam nostram, in totum obsidem Summo Pontifici nos offerre non puduit; unionem omnimodam inter nos & Ecclesiam, sub attestatione divini judicii humiliter postulantes: quamdudum nobis antea iste Praelatus Ecclesiae generalis, cum esset Episcopus Ostiensis, instanter suaserat expetendam. Propter quae omnia, dum serenam nobis totius Curiae faciem assertio demonstrata praetenderet, & verba gratissima tam Summi Pontificis, quam curialium omnium, sinceram ostenderent voluntatem; cum eis omnia perfecisse credentes, sub intentionis nostrae sanctae proposito, nec minus sub obsequiorum nostrorum fiducia, dissensionis causam inter nos & Lombardoes in sinu corrupti Judicis toties suffocatam, necnon & sedationem inter nos discordiae Cives & Nobiles Aconenses devotione promptissima duximus exponendum. Sicque de negotiorum nostrorum omnium prospera consummatione securi, in obsequium Ecclesiae personaliter alacri voluntate processimus cum exercitu copioso; quem sub magnis aerarii nostri stipendiis congregari tam de Germaniae quam de Italiae partibus feceramus. Nec prius a concepti propositi prosecutione destitimus, quam libertatem Ecclesiae conculcatam in Urbe, & terram exterius occupatam, in statum primum & debitum, nostra potentia reformavit. Indubitabiliter aestimantes, ut quod obtinere prius favor justitiae nostrae non poterat, devotionis obsequia promererentur. Sed audite retributionem mirabilem, quam pro tanta devotione, pro tot beneficiis, pro tam indubitatae fiduciae firmamento, Christi vicarius, pastor Ecclesiae nostrae Catholicae, fidei praedicator, nobis in singulis reddere procuravit. In primis super negotio ultramarino, quicquid per Ravennensem Archiepiscopum, dilectum Principem nostrum, tunc Apostolicae sedis Legatum, secundum formam expressam ab Ecclesia sibi datam, videlicet de reducendo nobis & praedicto Conrado nato nostro in possessionem plenam & pristinam omnium jurium nobis sub tractatum in Regno, fuerat rationabiliter ordinatum: statim adveniente Caesariense Archiepiscopo, nec Legato praedicto, nec nunciis nostris ad Curiam venientibus expectatis, nec ulla majori mora protracta, delatos Bisantios potuit numerare, inordinate fuit ex toto destructum negotium Italiae, nedum quod ad honorem nostrum & Imperii, sicut promiserat, ordinare, imo petentibus & inflantibus nobis ad revocationem hostium nostrorum, quod in Lombardia & Tuscia fideles nostros, tunc temporis divisim exercitum suorum copiis devastabat. Nec nos cum militibus, quos tunc in partibus ipsis, ut diximus, pro ecclesiae provinciis habebamus, ire permisit: nec aliquem nuntium seu literas voluit destinare, ex quibus per bella campestria sunt quamplurimum strages hominum, & ecclesiarum incendia subsecuta. Adhuc etiam tanta & superiori nequitia non contentus, civitatem Castellae per ipsum introactae tarbationis temporibus occupatam, quam reddi nobis forma pacis & fratrum suorum omnium consilia suadebant, receptis libris illius monetae solummodo, quae ad quinquaginta marcarum millia multa expendentibus, reddere recusavit. Ecce qualiter pater noster iste sanctissimus nos amabat! Deinde super profectibus nostris omnibus, & super pacificanda nobis Italia (maxime de qualibet patris, vel vitrici nostri potius benevolentia desperare coacti) apprehendimus arma & scutum, vires de Teutonum partibus (ad quas nos diebus illis, praevaricatio filii nostri de necessitate vocaverat) propter ingressum Italiae congregantes, militibus strenuis justitiam nostram armavimus, quam assequi precibus minime poteramus. Quod cum ad notitiam summi Pontificis pervenisset, sub praetextu treugarum pro Terrae sanctae subsidio fidelibus populis & terrae Principibus indictarum, armatum nobis ingressum Italiae, per Apostolicas literas interdixit. Oblitusque die eodem ipso, quo praedictas treugas indixit; nos tanquam defensorem & advocatum ecclesiae requisivit: quod contta Romanos, quos sibi jura ecclesiae subtraxisse dicebat, potenter procedere deberemus: iniquum in nobis reputans, quod domum nostram & possessionem avitam, quam nobis infidelium nostrorum rebellio furiosa praecluserat, viriliter ingredi nitebamur, quod justum crediderat in Romanis, qui patri vel avo seu parentibus suis in nullo prorsus extiterant obligati. Adjecit praeterea in literis antedictis, quod de negotio Lombardiae in ipsum praecise sine adjectione temporis & conditione aliqua nullo jure & honore Imperii reservato compromittere deberemus: per quod, vel nos in perpetuum a juris nostri prosecutione cujuslibet suspenderet; vel jus & honorem Imperii libere suffocaret. Quod cum nobis nec nostrorum consilia principum, nec praeteritorum dispendiorum memoria suaderent, ad artes alias postmodum se convertit: mittens nobis obvium in vestimentis ovium Lupum rap●cem, Episcopum Praenestensem: per quem, apud nos literis Apostolicis de vita Sanctissima commendatum, Placentiam nobis subditam & nostris amicam, ad factionis Mediolanensis revocavit perjuria; per eum firmiter aestimans, sic universaliter, & in tantum fideles nostros evertere, ut processus nostros in Italiam penitus enervaret. Qua spe, faciente divina clementia, quae suum tuetur Imperium, omnino frustratus, clamantibus apud eum rebellium nostrorum incendiis, depopulationibus reorum ex stragibus occisorum, quod ipsum de data eis rebellionis secura fiducia, nec non de fide mentita, quod contra nos, & Imperium ipsis assistere promisisset, publicis vocibus arguebant. Quia juxta petitionem ipsorum, occasione praedicta nos excommunicare juste non poterat, impedimenta clandestina nostris processibus undique praeparavit: literas & legatos per imperium & ubique per orbem, ut quoscunque posset, a fide & assertione nostra seduceret destinando. Quae omnia cum nostrorum fidelium fides & amicorum affectio conscientiam nostram latere non vellent, nolentes adhuc vinci a malo, sed in bono malum vincere cupientes, solennes nuncios nostros, venerabiles Petranensem Archiepiscopum Florentinum & Reginensem Episcopos, magistrum Thaddaeum de Suessa, magnae curiae nostrae judicem, & magistrum R. Portastal. Capellanum, dilectos ac fideles nostros, ad sedem Apostolicam duximus destinandos. Quibus oblata sibi per eos ex parte nostra devotione omnimoda, & ratione tractata contra Haereticam pravitatem, pro ecclesiastica libertate, de reformandis Ecclesiae & Imperii juribus (dudum inter nos & Ecclesiam expetitis, & expectatis) summus Pontifex de praesentium fratrum suorum consilio, Legatione nostra in omnibus suis capitulis acceptata, per eosdem & Archiepiscopum Messanensem, quem ad nos pro pace sua nuncium destinavit, excellentiae nostrae promisit, quae cessari mandaret ubique locorum ab impedimenti● omnibus, quae si nostris processibus objecisse, coram fratribus suis & Nunciis nostris fuit professus manifeste, prout haec omnia per testimoniales Antistitum omnium praefatorum literas manifestissime comprobantur. Cum qua responsione, nunciis nostris & suo ad nostram praesentiam redeuntibus; priusquam per tres Dietas a curia recessissent▪ eye omnino celatis, & in confusionem ipsorum, G. de Monte-longe, quem primitus ad nos nuncium miserat, & contra nos postmodum ad eversionem Mantuanam & aliorum fidelium nostrorum statuerat, in Lombardia Legationis officium plene commisit: arbitratus ut quanto sibi major daretur auctoritas, tanto majora nobis, & nostris impedimenta pararet. Quibusdam tamen Principibus nostris, Praelatis Italiae & Germaniae nobiscum in Curia manentibus, literas destinavit: sugillationem famae nostrae non modicam continentes, certis capitulis interclusis: & specialiter de gravaminibus, quae quibusdam Ecclesiis Regni nostri dicebantur illata: super quos, mandavit vos per eosdem principes admoneri, Quorum capitulorum omnium & responsionum nostrarum ad singula, seriem vobis sub testimonio publico misimus intuendam. Quibus omnibus, coram Principibus & Praelatis ac religiosis quam pluribus, cujuslibet ordinis sigillatim ostensis (quanquam de tanta Patris instabilitate confusos se filii reputarent & de verecundia (capitis praesentium rubor ora perfunderet) nihilominus tamen de ipsorum consilio praedictos Panormita●ensem Archiepiscopum, Magistrum T. & magistrum R. Portastel. excellentiae nostrae, cum Nunciis Civitatum nostrarum fidelium, ad sedem Apostolicam duximus remittendos▪ per quos ad satisfactionem omnem, mora qualibet & difficultate sepositis, obtulimus nos paratos Sed nec in his omnibus est aversus furor ejus, quin dictus Evangelizantis pacem Christi vicarius, sed actor schismatis & dissensionis amicus, contra traditiones Sanctorum Patrum, audiens Nuncios nostros portantes omnimodum nostrae devotionis xenium, & metuens ne supervenientibus ipsis, obice vallo justitiae, sine publico scandalo forte procedere non valeret; prae festinantia nimia conceptum edidit abortivum, in nos supremum Christianorum Principem, die Dominica Palmarum, contra solennem morem sacrosanctae matris Ecclesiae, & in coena Domini, postmodum praecipitavit sententiam, per quam (sicut per famam audivimus, licet hoc credere minime debueramus, contradicente saniore parte fratrum suorum) de quorundam Cardinalium Lombardorum consilio, nos excommunicationis vinculis dicitur astrinxisse; praepeditis Nunciis nostris per rautores & satellites suos, de patrimonio pauperum solidatos, qui jam applicuerant: & ne allegandum justitiam & innocentiam nostram, ac demum satisfactionem offerendam, etiam ad cautelam, ad praesentiam suam & aspectus publicos pervenirent. De quo licet nos singulari & propria ratione, propter nostram justitiam, & infamiam procedentis, malle merito debueramus, quod perperam & inordinate processerit, cum nequitiam suam editurus fuisset omnimodo, non forsitan antea crepuisset: dolemus tamen, & ex corde dolemus, propter verecundiam universalis Ecclesiae matris nostrae, quam Dominus noster Jesus Christus, sub specie virginis gloriosae, in passionis testamento discipulo commendavit. Alias nobis per talem, quem merito nostrum Judicem non habemus, nullam posse fieri reputamus injuriam: utpote cum se prius mimicum capitalem quam judicem nostrum, et opere fuerit professus et verbo, rebelles nostros et nostri Imperii publice confovendo. Indignum praeterea se tanti coertione Principis, & generaliter qualibet Pontificalis authoritate judicii reddidit; dum Mediolanensem Civitatem, quae pro maxima parte testimonio religiosorum quamplurium fide dignorum, inhabitatur haereticis, contra nos & Imperium manifesto favore tuetur. Et contra R. de Mandello Civem Mediolanensem, dudum Potentatem Florentinum, & Clarentinum. Episcopi Florentini, viri vitae probabilis ac famae approbatae, in plerisque capitulis supra haeretica pravitate, ob odium nostrum, & Mediolanensium gratiam, non admisit. Illum haberi praeterea Christi vicarium, et successorem Petri, ac dispensatorem animarum fidelium indigne fatemur; non ob dignitatis injuriam, sed ob perfonae defectum; quod dispensationes cum fratrum deliberatione maxima concedendas, in camera sua more Mercatoris cujuslibet, in libra Mercationis celatis fratrum consiliis (cum quibus secundum Ecclesiasticam disciplinam deliberare tenetetur) existens sibi bullator et scriptor et forsitan numerator. De quibus dispensationes insignes praeterire silentio non volumus, per quas Sipham gnatam quondam Connestablii Regni Cypri, contra separationis sententiam latam super hoc per Nicosiensem Episcopum, & de non habendo simul praestitum sacramentum Balianno de Jocelino, & sororem Johannis de Caesaria, Jacobo de Amendolia, qui prius sororem ipsius desponsaverat, proditoribus nostris, sibi invicem gradu tertio attinentes, concessit uxores; accepta non multae pecuniae quantitate: veruntamen quod quantitati vel numero defuit, odii nostri qualitas compensavit. Defectum etiam & praevaricationem ejus in illo dolemus, quod ut contra nos Nobiles & Potentes Romaniae sibi satellites fautores adquirat, effusione pecuniae non contentus, ipsis castra & possessiones Sanctis Patribus pia fidelium devotione donata, Romanam Ecclesiam nostro patrocinio commendatam dilapidando, largitur. Itaque non miretur universalis Ecclesia, nec populus Christianus, si nos talis sententiam Judicis non veremur, non in contemptum Papalis Officii, vel Apostolicae dignitatis (cui omnes Orthodoxae fidei professores, & nos specialius caeteris, subesse fatemur) sed personae praevaricationem arguimus; qua se solio tanti regiminis, monstravit indignum: & omnes Primates nominis Christiani sanctum intentionis nostrae propositum, & piae devotionis zelum in nobis agnoscant, & quod non ex odii fomite, sed ex causa justissima, Romanus Princeps contra Romanum Antistitem commonetur: dum metuit ne grex Dominicus, sub tali pastore per devia deducatur. Ecce quod sacrosanctae Romanae Ecclesiae Cardinales, per sanguinem Jesu Christi, & sub attestatione divini judicii, per Literas nostras & Nuncios attestamur: ut generale Concilium Praelatorum, & aliorum Christi fidelium debeant evocare. Nunciis quoque nostris, & reliquorum Principum accersitis: in quorum praesentia, nos ipsi praesentes cuncta quae diximus, sumus ostendere & probare parati, & his etiam duriora. Nec minus illa probabili ratione turbamur, quod iste rector Ecclesiae, qui deberet esse virtutum quarumlibet & constantiae maximae, sine macula cupiditatis, vas electum, ne error majorum in subditos propagaretur cum augmento contra promissionem suam Literis suis de fratrum consilio nobis factam, per quas in restaurandis Imperii viribus, non deesse nobis, sed adesse promisit auxilio, consilio, & favore, praeter personae nostrae infamiam, nedum blasphemiam, jus Imperii nititur conculcare: praesertim cum quantumcumque conscientiae nostrae librum sollicite revolvamus, nullam in nobis occasionem invenimus ad causam, propter quam iste inimicus homo contra nos debuisset tam acriter commoveri. Nisi quod cum ipso contrahere, de nepte sua desponsanda Henrico naturali filio nostro, nunc Regi Tunis & Gallur. nostra magnificentia credidit indecens, & reputavit indignum. Tu igitur dilecte, cum tibi dilectis, Princeps Orbis terrae profuturae, non nobis solum, sed Ecclesiae quae est omnium fidelium congregatio, condole: cujus caput languidum, Princeps ejus in medio est, quoniam leo rugiens, Propheta ejus, vesanus, vir infidelis, sacerdos ejus polluens sanctum, injuste faciens contra legem. Nobis tamen prae caeteris mundi Principibus, defectus est talis Summi Pontificis merito deplorandus, qui veluti sibi viciniores loco, & propinquiores officio, honores congerimus, & onera persentimus. Sed nec illud omittimus, in affinitatem nostram affectuose rogamus, ut contumeliam nostram ad injuriam vestram revoces. Ad domos vestras cum aqua concurrite, dum ignis accenditur in vicinis. Causam motus Pontificalis attendite, quod in favorem rebellium nostrorum procuratur. Quae causa, licet ad praesens expressa non fuerit, proculdubio tamen subest: similia vobis in vestris imminere pericula timeatis. Facilis enim, & Regnum & aliorum Principum omnium, humiliatio creditur, si Caesaris Romanorum potentia conteratur, cujus clypeus prima jacula sustinet adversantium. Haec est namque causa pro vero, videlicet de Lombardis, quae cor Papae pungebat, & urebat intrinsecus, licet ipsam foris educere, propter nostrum & audientium scandalum, non auderet: pro qua nobis per specialem suum nuntium fide dignum (cujus ad hoc testimonium invocamus) ore tenus expresse promisit, quod si negotium Lombardorum in ejus arbitrio poneremus, nedum quod in aliquo magnificentiam nostram offenderet, verum etiam totius Orbis decimas, Terrae Sanctae necessitatibus consecratas, nostris utilitatibus applicabat. Nec est mirum. Instantibus enim & acutis Lombardorum aculeis pungebatur, quibus, prout per aliquorum Praelatorum confessionem accepimus, contra nos et Imperium, corporale praestitit sacramentum; cum ipsos peregrinantibus nobis in partibus Syriae pro servitio Jesu Christi, transmisit in Regnum. Sed cum temporis fuerit ista promissio, fidem licite frangere poterat, & editum variare decretum. In quorum favorem, rem auditu horribilem, & discretione qualibet seu ratione carentem, facere minime formidavit. Cum enim per G. Brixiniensem, H. Cumanum, & alios Episcopos, nos faceret admoneri, quod vel satisfactionem Lombardorum per ipsum deberemus accipere, vel treugas pro Terrae Sanctae negotio per quadriennium, ut diximus, indictas Lombardis, cum ab indictarum treugarum jam quinquennium excessisset. Nosque rem tanti consilii, ad deliberationem nostrorum fidelium modico temporis spatio servaremus, monitionibus ipsis de approbatione Legati praedicti G. de Monte longo (scilicet qui apud Mediolanenses interim morabatur) inducias approbantibus supradictas, prout haec omnia liquido Praelatorum ipsorum testimonio comprobantur. Medio tempore, nec voluntatis nostrae judicio, nec fidelium nostrorum consiliis expectatis, conceptum virus evomuit contra nos; prout aliquorum relatio declaravit procedendo. Postremo, te pro nobis, imo vos totius optimates Orbis & Principes exigimus adjurantes, non quod ad propulsationem talis injuriae nostrae non sufficiant munimenta, sed ut totus mundus agnoscat, quod honor omnium tangitur, quicunque de corpore Principum saecularium offendatur. Datum Tervisii, xx. die Aprilis, nona Indictione. Hanc Epistolam, mutatis tamen titulis, & paucis in fine verbis, Dominus Imperator Lamentabile scandalum exortum. Regi Anglorum, multisque per Orbem Principibus, ut suam allegaret innocentiam, & Papalem manifestaret proterviam, destinavit: coepitque scandalum oriri per totius mundi latitudinem. Ipse vero Papa, cum haec fida cognovisset relatione, ipsum Imperatorem magis ac magis diffamando, multis opprobriis lacessivit, necnon & haeretica damnavit enormitate: prolixioremque Epistolam, ut ipsum damnabilem toti mundo redderet & infamem, Principibus & Praelatis terrarum transmisit invectivam, in haec verba. GREGORIUS Episcopus servus servorum Dei, Venerabilibus fratribus Archiepiscopo Mat. Paris, Hist. Angl. p. 488, 489, 490, etc. Literae Papales Cantuariensi, & Suffraganeis ejus, salutem & Apostolicam Benedictionem. Ascendit de mari bestia, blasphemiae plena nominibus; quae pedibus ursi, & leonis ore desaeviens, ac membris formata caeteris sicut pardus, os suum in blasphemias divini nominis aperit, tabernaculum ejus & sanctos, qui in caelis habitant, similibus impetere jaculis non omittit. Haec unguibus & dentibus ferreis cuucta confringere, & suis pedibus universa desiderans conculcare, fidei occultos olim paravit arietes, & nunc apertas machinas instruit Ismaelitarum, Gymnasia animas avertentia construit, & in Christum humani generis redemptorem (cujus testamenti tabulas stylo pravitatis haereticae nititur abolere, fama testante) consurgit. Igitur admirari desinite omnes, ad quos ab hac bestia contra nos edita pervenerunt obloquia blasphemiae: sed nos omni Deo servitute subjecti, detractionum sagittis impetimur; cum nec ab his opprobriis immunis Dominus relinquitur. Admirari desinite, si injuriarum in nos mucronem exerit, quod ad perdendum de terra nomen Domini jam assurgit: sed potius ut ejus resistere aperta veritate mendaciis, ac illius confutare fallacias, puritatis argumento postitis, caput, medium, & finem hujus bestiae Frederici dicti Imperatoris inspicite diligenter: & in ejus verbis abominationes duntaxat invenientes & scelera, contra ipsius dolos sinceros animos scuto veritatis armate. Attendentes qualiter sinceritatem Apostolicae sedis & nostram, Literis per diversa climata mundi transmissis, pollutis visus est maculare narratibus dictus Fredericus; figulus falsitatis, modestiae nescius, nec aliquo perfusus rubore mentitur: Quod nos ipsum nobis in minori officio constitutis, amicum pristinum, fidem, & mores, adepto Apostolatus officio, relinquentes, quia sicut sacramento praestito, & lata in ipsum excommunicationis sententia, tenebatur praefixo tempore in Terrae Sanctae subsidium vel succursum, infirmitate non potuit prohibente transire, vincula excommunicationis astringere, postulatum ab ipso sanitate resumpta absolutionis beneficium denegare, ipsumque in dictum transeuntem subsidium, per nuntios & legatos nostros Literas processui contrarias Soldano mittentes, impedire curavimus, ut sic esset de Regni Hierosolymitani recuperatione concepta frustratus: Regnum Siciliae, pro eo quod Reinaldus olim filius Ducis Spoleti, praeter ipsius conscientiam, terram invasit Ecclesiae, nos injuste & violenter intrasse, ac ipsius homines provocasse ad per jurium, falso conqueritur Seque de Syria in Apuliam redeuntem, illatae injuriae omisisse vindictam, acceptasse concordiam, & rediisse ad matrem Ecclesiam gloriatur: licet autem haec figmenta publica notitia reprobet, quia tamen nonnunquam rectitudinis sedem velatum occupat in aure sincera mendacium, apud quam pro se veritas non invenit advocatum; ne in corda vestra falsitas quaecunque possit fraude surripere, dignum est, verum rei per nos gestae modum & ordinem non latere, qui dictum Fredericum ante & postquam Apostolicae nostros suggessimus humeros servituti, sub vulpe latentem, omni euravimus gratia prosequi; donec spe, quae patri de filio solet innasci, sublata, idem Fredericus fremens in magnitudine sua, & ex adepta fortitudine infrunitus, matri Ecclesiae pro bonis mala retribuit: & in eam quam fucatis delinivit aliquando verborum fallaciis, virus effundere caudae aculeo, more scorpionis, incepit. Nam cum olim Terrae Sanctae necessitas, praedicta sententia, & juramentum, ac praefixus terminus transitum ejus exposcerent, & illud idem multa Millia Crucesignatorum ipsum Brundusii expectantia, cum instantia postularent: idem dictos Crucesignatos inibi, donec sub ignoti aeris intemperie diversis lugendae mortis casibus periere, detinuit, & perjurium ac excommunicationis sententiam gratis incurrens, infirmus fide, sed sanus corpore, ut securius Deo mentiretur, & Ecclesiam falleret, omissio promissio passagio, in lecto aegritudinis diebus aliquot simulatus decubuit, ac Terram Sanctam incursibus hostium Christi exponere minime dubitavit, ex eo nullo dolore percussus, quod ibi clarae memoriae nobilis vir Thuringiae Lantgravius, utinam non veneni periculo, sicut mundus clamat, extitit interemptus. Cumque de conficta aegritudine & aliis praemissis, nobis per Literas Praelatorum ibi morantium constitisset: ne disciplinae virga tanto subjecta facinori, nos & Apostolica sedes redderemur inde notabiles, Crucesignatorum mortem & Terrae Sanctae pericula deplorantes, & cupientes saltem in altero Ecclesiae lachrymas moeroris dextra debitae consolationis abstergi, ipsum latae sententiae in eum de consensu suo authoritate bonae memoriae Honorii Papae praedecessoris nostri, excommunicationis sententiae subjacere denunciavimus; summo desiderio postulantes, ut eum postmodum emendatum, tantorum revelatione damnatorum, optatam praestare operam audiremus; Literis nostris offerentes eidem, quod impartiremur sibi juxta formam absolutionis beneficium, quam cito arriperet iter in praefatae terrae succursum. Sed ipse, in cujus erat super his pectore cura minor; claves Ecclesiae parvipendens, non absolutus in Syriam transiit. Ubi cum Soldano, solis sibi moeniis Hierusalem restitutis, & illi grandi ad impugnationem Christianorum transmisso equorum & armatorum exercitu, sexennale foedus feriens, & templum Dominicum Saracenorum ibi laudes exclamantium Machometi curae relinquens, ex defensore mutatus est in hostem, Venerabilem fratrem nostrum Patriarcham Hierosolymitanum, & Templarios pro viribus expugnavit. Illud autem non debet ad sanae mentis credulitatem accedere, quod eum in recuperatione Regni Hierosolymitani nos vel Legati nostri, cum ad hoc multo labore sudaverit, grandiumque Ecclesia subierit onera expensarum, studuerimus impedire▪ Sed istud in notitiam omnis terrae pervenit; quod idem Fredericus sicut in Syriae partibus in propria persona Dei persequebatur Ecclesiam, sic citra mare ipsam diversis tribulationibus dicti Reinaldi Ministerio, quem contra consilium nostrum, suum in Regno vicarium reliquerat, affligebat. Cujus terram cum Literis aurea Bulla munitis, pecunia, & vassallis ipsius Frederici praefatus Reinaldus invadens, nonnullos Sacerdotes & Clericos suspendere, mutilare, ac fustibus caedere: necnon statu nostro turbato, Perusii partem ipsius terrae praeoccupare, praesumpsit. Quem licet fideles & devoti nostri, non valentes id ulterius sustinere, a parte terrae praedictae, Christo sponsae suae indulgente victoriam, ejecissent. Quia tamen idem Reinaldus nequaquam ab incepta persecutione cessabat, consultius aestimantes, si originalis militiae venas inciderent, quam jam excitati torrentis impetus novis replere rivulis expectarent; dictum Regnum Siciliae, quod est spirituale patrimonium Ecclesiae, ne inde nos percunctentur jacula, unde potius erat expectandum subsidium, intraverunt: multique ex ipsius Regni habitatoribus obedientes Apostolicae sedi, nequaquam ob id reputari debent perjurium incurrisse, cum a juramento fidelitatis, quod eidem Frederico praestiterant, ex lata in eum excommunicationis sententia, absoluti fuissent. Dicto quoque Frederico redeunti de partibus transmarinis, & ad sinnm matris Ecclesiae revertenti, pietatis apposuimus Apostolicae gremium; ipsique ad expetitum inclinati concordiam, absolutionis beneficium curavimus impartiri. Ad haec, idem mendacii filius▪ falsitates falsitatibus cumulans, ut quo plura mendaciorum retia orditus fuerit, eo gravioribus se doleat periculis irretitum; de novis mendaciis scriptura pronuntiat; quod eidem ut Lombardiam pacificus & inermis intraret, promittentes quod aspera sibi converteremus in plana, pro sua confusione subjecimus; & non permisimus obice nuntiorum & Literarum nostrarum intentionis suae metas attingere. Ac deinde, quia sibi potentia non suffragabatur armorum, in Regnum redire coactus, ad instantiam nostram Romanos, tunc Viterbium impugnantes, diffidasse; & in Viterbiensium subsidium strenuam misisse militiam se falso asserit, nosque scripsisse Romanis, id praeter conscientiam nostram fieri, & cum ipsis eo irrequisito reformasse concordiam, in querelam adducit, novo sibi blanditus mendacio, quod dissidentibus iterum ab Ecclesiae pace Romanis, idem non vocatus cum Conrado filio suo, quem nobis obtulerit obsidem, ad praesentiam nostram personaliter veniens, & arbitrio nostro motam inter ipsum & Lombardoes discordiae causam exponens, terram sedis Apostolicae occupatam ejus juri restituit, & libertatem Ecclesiasticam in statum primum & debitum reformavit. O utinam iste falsidicus esset vir habens spiritum! O utinam hujus propositio falsitatis, verum habuisset eventum! Ipsius vero negotium, quod per Venerabilem fratrem Archiepiscopum Ravennatem, de restituendis ei & dicto Conrado juribus, ipsis in Regno Hierosolymitano subtractis, ordinatum fuerat, nos quam cito delata potuit numerari pecunia, distribuisse fidelibus suis (quos non sine Ecclesiarum incendiis & hominum stragibus, hostilis devastabat insultus) ipsius interdixisse succursum; & ob id nos nuntium noluisse vel Literas destinare, contrarius veritati conqueritur. Ac Civitatem Castellae, contra formam pacis & fratrum consilia, in sui juris praejudicium detineri a nobis, suis exarare Literis stylo mendacii non veretur. Quanquam autem his figmentis modica veritas impermixta, aliquid coloris adjiciat, ut tamen apertius intelligatis, quod tantam hujus commenti seriem non modica falsitatis adjectio decolorat, scitote pro certo, quod cum sicut nunc ex temporum eventu cognoscitur, discretae menti verisimile videretur, ipsum de Lombardis suum potius consequi propositum potuisse, si se illis, quos populorum numerositas, profunditasque vallorum, armatorum copia, ac murorum reddit altitudo munitos, pietatis parentem exhibuisset, & clementiae Dominum, quam si trementibus pro culpa imposita subditis ultionis exerto mucrone terribilis occurreret in cuneis armatorum: ei nos, qui bona pacis procurare tenemur, bona fide suasimus, ut armatae militiae omisso terrore, sub indictarum omissione poenarum, & beneficiorum oblatione, illos ad Imperii devotionem reduceret. Qui etsiin Lombardiam famulis stipatus inermibus accessit, quia tamen consilii fidelis oblitus, in partem Cremonensium caedis, actor factus est schismatis, scissamque in discordias Lombardiam fortius scindere, & Mediolanens●s a se terroribus & minis abigere studuit, quos tamen adversa parte ad unitatem trahere potius debuit in funiculo charitatis: non est quod nostrae imputetur innocentiae, si spe frustratus in Apuliam rediit, ipso spei conceptae interitum procurante. Post haec super tuitione libertatis Ecclesiasticae, super extirpanda haeretica pravitate, nostris beneplacitis paratum se obtulit, ad quem recurrens litera nostra respondet: Quod cum in Regno suo, ubi nullus manum vel pedem absque ejus movet imperio, in fidem catholicam haeresis latius venena diffunderet, & libertas Ecclesiae quasi penitus concul●ata jaceret: non credebatur capiti salutis adhibere remedium, qui pedem suo reddiderat contractu morbosum: sicque responsum hujusmodi lapsu modici temporis approbante, audito quod quidam pravo seducti consilio, Ecclesiae terram intrare volebant, in Siciliam, quasi fuga capta, ne rupta promissio eum falsitatis arguerit, potius abiit: ac contra illos verbo vel opere in aliquo non processit, nobis improperans, quod revertentes ad urbem Romanos filios speciales Ecclesiae, ad matris devotionem paterna curavimus diligentia revocare. Idem insuper intellecto, quod illos ab Ecclesiae charitate sejungere quidam iniquitatis filii nitebantur, & excogitato, quod facilius hanc & illos opprimeret, si praefatam charitatem acerbius fraude solita vulneraret: nobis tunc Reate praesentibus, ad sedem cucurrit Apostolicam etiam non rogatus: ubi sub multa humilitate promittens, quod terram Ecclesiae perditam in primum statum reduceret, & ipsam pro viribus defensaret: in Tuscia, ad quam vires suas contulit, recuperationem cujusdam castelli, quod ad jus Ecclesiae modico reduci labore poterat, impedivit. Et cum adhuc manus tradentes nobiscum essent in mensa, cum hostibus Ecclesiae, sicut ex consequentia facti, & literis suis, quae a nobis in tantae proditionis testimonium reservantur, aperte convincitur, hoc signo dato, inde vicarius pepigit in ipso, certo die exinde recedente, illi ad arma iste mons pestifer devotionis obsequia praestitit. Attendite quales Ecclesiae famulatus occultus hostis impendit, qui in Ecclesiasticum transformari non erubuit famulum, ut nobis ad nocendum fieret efficacior. Pro firmo tamen vos tenere cupimus, quod nos his sub dissimulatione praeteritis circa eum adhuc non permittens immutari affectum Apostolicae puritatis, per dictum Archiepiscopum, commisso sibi legationis officio, jura ei & praefato Conrado in eodem regno Hierosolymitano mandavimus subtracta restitui. Qui licet id fecerit, quia tamen formam sibi datam, propter quod ab eo ad nos extitit appellatum: excedens Terram▪ Sanctam, quod est inauditum à saeculo, post appellationem hujus sententiae supposuit Interdicti. Nos attendentes quod ob id, in maximum ejusdem Terrae periculum, peregrini ex ipsa recederent, & alii inceptos ad illam transitus retardarent dictum sententiam, quae utpote latam post appellationem legitimam, ipso jure nulla fuerat, in omnibus aliis praefati alii Archiepiscopi, intacto remanente processu sufficienti, a Baronibus, Nobilibus, & Comitatibus Regni praedicti cautione recepta, in omni sinceritate de fratrum nostrorum consilio duximus relaxandam. Quod ergo ipse de nobis ob hoc labiis pollutis obloquitur, vester animus non turbetur; quia cum sit vas repletum vitiorum spurcitia, ea quae ipsius infecerunt animum, putat in aliis criminum deservire tormenta▪ ex quo cum malorum opprobria laudem, laudes quoque opprobrium resonent, a viro, cujus omnis lingua clamat infamiam, sugillationibus impeti eligimus multo fortius quam laudari. Sed forsan maculam opinionis suae, his credit abolere convitiis, quia se dum Viterbium moraretur inficiens, a facie hostium Ecclesiae non verecundus aufugit; & ad defensionem suorum fidelium, quos ipsius hostes in oculis ejus obsederunt, terram nullo prohibente vastarent, affirmans suum per nos ad illos interdici progressum, Imperialis honoris prodigus, sed timore prohibitus non accessit; ex eo innocentiam nostram accusans, quod ad evitanda hujus belli dispendia, nuntium a latere nostro non misimus. Sed nec mirum, cum eo tempore status Ecclesiae multiplici fuisset persecutorum afflictione turbatus. Venimus autem ad civitatem Castellanam, cujus cives se illi violato sacramento fidei, Ecclesia ignorante, prodentes, nullum jus per hoc in seipsis adquirere▪ nullum nobis circa possessionem, cum jurisdictionem civitatis & civium quasi possideret, Ecclesiam prodendo, potuerunt praejudicium generare. Quia illi, a quibus alteri potius quam sibi possidentibus non requiritur; possessionis initium, leges possessionum evertere, & extraneis jure conferre nequivit possessorum. Necnon qui de reddendis possessionibus Ecclesiae ratione ad eum pertinentibus, pluries juramentum praestiterat, satis improvide a nobis videbatur petere, quod non poterat absque per jurio retinere. Nec credi debet in hoc, nos sibi omnimodam coram arbitris vel alio modo justitiam exhibere paratos, fratrum nostrorum despexisse consilium; quod nunciis ejus inceptum judicium recusantibus prosequi, non fuerat requirendum; quin potius hanc petitionem ea duntaxat fraude intentasse proponitur, ut sic ei obloquendi de Ecclesia, & pacem inter ipsam & eum initam, irritandi occasio praeberetur. Illud quidem quod super facto Imperii inter caetera sua detestabilis testatur Epistola, noster edisserit his literis calamus; ut quo pluribus ejus fictio cognita fuerit, eo fortius ex suo maneat commento confusus; dum de nobis obtrectat, quod ad nostram translato notitiam eum ad recuperanda jura imperii cum multis bellatorum intrare millibus Lombardiam, sibi ne Italiam intraret armatus; & de negoto Lombardorum in nos praecise compromitteret, Apostolico scripto mandavimus, ut illud perpetuo suspendere, vel jus imperii libere suffocare possemus, contra ipsum venerabilem fratrem nostrum Prenestinensem Episcopum, per quem ejus vacuaremus propositum, transmittens, ei impedimentis clandestinis per legatos & literas nostras per orbem undique procuratis. Iste vero, cui ne veritatem fateri, aut enarare possit judicium, a divina forsan est indignatione negatum: sicut obtrectationes personae nostrae non verecundatur ex falsis assumere: sic & excusationes suas ex similibus propositionibus non veritus ordinare, se per nuntios suos venerabilem fratrem nostrum Panormitanum Archiepiscopum, & quosdam alios, ad Apostolicam sedem missos, devotionem omnimodam super Ecclesiastica libertate, & reformandis Ecclesiae & Imperii juribus, obtul isse; nosque id attentantes & promittentes, a cujuslibet ipsius impedimento cessare, nuntiis suis ad eum redeuntibus, dilecto filio Gregorio de Monte Longo, Notario nostro, in suorum eversionem fidelium, legationis officium commisisse asserit: ipsoque nihilominus praefatos Archiepiscopum & alios nuntios suos, ad sedem Apostolicam remittente, & offerente satisfactionem omnimodam, nos cum contradicente saniore parte fratrum nostrorum, contra traditiones sanctorum patrum, & solemnem morem Ecclesiae, injuste excommunicasse falso concludit: pro sua confusione subjungendo nos beati Petri vicarium, non habere ligandi solvendique potestatem, quasi velit asserere, nos concessa Apostolorum Principi * St. Peter had never any power of the keys committed to him in such a case as this Emperors appears to be. carere clavium potestate. Quaesumus igitur libram rationis assumite, & in ea perpendatis praedictum Fredericum contra Ecclesiam, excessibus & beneficiis, quae ab ea recepit, appensis, clarius videte: quod licet draco iste qui ad illudendum nobis formatus, & in escam populo Aethiopum datus existit, aquas persecutionum in subversionem Ecclesiae ex ore quasi fluvium miserit, Apostolica tamen sedes ipsius nequitiam inaestimabili beneficiorum misericordia superavit. Nam eum olim ab annis teneris illorum morsibus, qui terram ejus & sanguinem sitiebant, in lacuna confusionis expositum, parentum & amicorum solatio penitus pene nudum videns mater Ecclesia, protinus circa ipsum nutricis & bajulae officium executa, eum pallio▪ Apostolicae sedis operuit, de laqueo venantium eripuit, multis laboribus & expensis ad Regni solium & coronam Imperii sublimavit. Insuper hoc ei fecisse modicum reputans, & sibi Hierosolimitanum sub●jci Regnum, & illum undique per orbem exaltare procurans, licet ab eodem multiplici se laesam afflictione doleret, a paucis tamen retroactis temporibus, contra Henricum natum ejus (qui partem non modicam Alemanniae ejus jurisdictioni subtraxerat) potenter astitit: & inafflictorum sibi per eum oblita vulnerum, ipsum de novo quasi in Imperatorem erigens, Teutoniam Apostolicis litters ipsius reformavit disiderio. His & aliis, quae non sufficimus recordari, beneficiis ipsius construens munimenta decoris: sed iste baculus impiorum, terrae malleus, universam conturbare terram, Regna conterere, & orbem desertum ponere cupiens, libertatem Ecclesiasticam in dicto Regno Siciliae in opprobrium servitutis extremae deducens, & Ecclesias quas ut earum teneritudine suum ventrem impleret, quasi jam penitus exossavit; sordibus, oneribus, & angariis opprimens, eas bonis sacris, deputatis sanctorum usibus, spoliavit, personas Ecclesiasticas carceri mancipavit, ipsosque in examine vetito accusationes suscipere, tallias solvere, & bona Ecclesiastica, ut se a vexationibus redimant, exhaurire, & postremo exulare coarctat. Ecclesiis pastorum solatio viduatis, non permittit sibi sponsum eligere, viduitatis vestimenta deponere, donec alicujus adulterinis amplexibus, per compulsionem extiterint copulatae. De Christian●rū habitaculis construens moenia Babylonis, & aedificia in quibus divinum nomen excolitur, illuc transferens, ubi Machometus perditus adoratur: turbis undique collectis, Crucifixi fidem & nomen publice praedicari in eodem Regno prohibuit. Recuperationem Terrae Sanctae & negotium impediens, ad ejus consummationem de bonis suorum fidelium conferri interdixit. Contra juramentum praestitum, & pacis inter ipsum et Ecclesiam reformatae foedera, nobiles privatos castris & ali●s bonis suis, uxoribus & liberis captivatis, loca sua proscriptos relinquere, domicilia in aliorum transferre coloniam: nutritos in croceis, amplexari stercora, & ad extremam cogit inopiam devenire. Nec non dum afflictone comprimit simili pauperes, id tanto fortius Deo displicere putamus, quanto verius ipsos credimus innocentes. Quid plura? Baronibus, militibus & aliis hominibus ejusdem regni Siciliae, ad fortunam & conditionem servorum inaudita crudelitate redactis: jam pro majori parte ipsius Regni habitatores non habent de proprio unde s●ramine vili quiescere, ●uditates suas rudi sacco contegere, vel ventrem pene possent miliatio saturare. Cumque ululatus & clamores dictarum Ecclesiarum & hominum, a tempore dicti H. praedecessoris nostri, Ecclesiae aures continua deploratione pulsassent, & jam vix possemus eos absque lae●●one conscientiae sub dissimulatione transire: ipsum super correctione dictorum scelerum non semel, sed pluries, nunciis & literis monuimus, ac longa patientia temporibus expectavimus retroactis, si forsan oculos suos ad coelos erigere, exutus veterem, novumque indutus hominem, manus suas a tanta perpetratione facinorum cohiberet. De petita insuper emendatione dubii adhuc, volentes statum ejus proprio processu gratulari, eo Lombardiam cum armis intrante, mandavimus, ut in locis pro quacunque causa interdicto subjectis ipso praesente Interdictum minime servaretur: & eundem Fredericum nostris literis admonentes ut ne crucis negotium, quod ad utilitatem Ecclesiae, Imperii & totius populi Christiani fuerit ordinatum, impedire valeret, praecise in nos compromitteret: ne si contra Lombardoes, armata manu procedens, tantam daret exempli perniciem ut praesumeretur a pluribus, quod caeteros Ecclesia fefellisset. Ceterum quia redintegrare scissuras Shismatis, nostto incumbit officio servitutis; pro sedanda Imperii & Lombardorum discordia, Praestinum Episcopum, commisso sibi legationis officio, illa consideratione potissime duximus destinandum, ut sibi & quibuscunque discordantibus, minori haberetur ratione suspectus, quo suis actibus minus sirmamenti odii vel amoris ingereret, qui a mundo & carne ex susceptione sanctae religionis abstractus, in divini amoris altitudinem evolasset. Noster sibi destructor respondeat, quid ex hoc nobis & eidem Episcopo poterit imputari, si Placentiae inter patres, filios, affines, consanguineos, & germanos ordinata concordia, eo praesente & protestante, quod id salvis honoribus & juribus Imperatoris & Imperii, & quorumlibet aliorum fieret, consummationem accept? Quinimo idem blasphemus intelligat, sibi ad infamiam merito reputari, quod cum ad ipsius & nuntiorum suorum instantiam, venerabilem fratrem nostrum Ostiensem Episcopum filium nostrum T. tituli sanctae Sabinae Presbyterum Cardinalem, pro pace juxta formam ab eisdem nunciis inter Lombardoes & Imperium reformanda, ad partes misissemus; easdem▪ idem dictis Legatis petita & ampliora adimplere paratis, & delusis nobis reformationem pacis per ipsos noluit acceptare. Ecce, nunc intelligite, qualiter Imperii jura conculcavimus. Ex praemissis advertite, qualiter hic a nobis fuerit impeditus: quod longo & inani labore suos & suorum humeros decrevit prius conteri, quam passus extiterit per nos jura Imperii reformari. Praeterea, idem illatis Ecclesiae non contentus injuriis, data quibusdam rebellibus nostris non modica summa pecuniae, seditionem contra nos in Urbe molitus pluries commovere, ut nobis & fratribus nostris a sede nostra repuls●s, & concusso capite, fidei quod superaedificavit Dominus, impulsu ejusdem Frederici rueret leviori: Ferrariam & quasdam alias terras Ecclesiae, in Lombardiam contra juramentum praestitum temere veniens, occupavit. Super quo, & aliis credens detinere inanibus verbis dictos Panormitanum Archiepiscopum & alios nuntios suos cum literis de credentia, ad nostram duxerit praesentiam destinandos. Quibus offerentibus nobis satisfactionem super praemissarum offensarum emendatione: venerabilem ante & post ipsorum a curia nostra recessum, terram Sardiniae & Maessan● Lunensis Diocesim occupare, ad Romanam Ecclesiam pertinentes, non omittens, ipso iacto, ne ultra ejus expectaremus correctionem edocuit: ac non debere fidem sibi vel suis Nunciis adhiberi, operis evidentia demonstravit. Ex quo illud solum in conscientia sua legens, quod cor ejus ad conterendas Ecclesias & catholicam fidem dirigitur, de nobis, quibus se jam quocunque fraudis vellere occultare non potest, non immerito suspicatur; quod ipsius potentiam habentes justitiae ratione suspectam, cum melius sit ante tempus occurrere, quam; post inflicta vulnera remedium invenire, ad avertendas suorum progressuum semitas, officium Legationis dicto Notario commisimus: quod nequaquam juxta ipsius suspicionem id fecimus, sed ut per eum bellorum cladibus, animarum corporumque periculis obviare possemus. Ex praemissis igitur & aliis nequeuntes de ipsius correctione sperare, & dolentes nos ejus promissionibus toties & toties fuisse delusos: praefatum Fredericum, de fratrum nostrorum consilio, sententia excommunicationis durimus innodandum. Quamqnam ex hoc perditum intellectum resumere, & coram Deo potius humiliari deberet: eo tamen amplius inde furens, quo jam suam confusionem agnoscens, fortius veretur, ut Ecclesiae obsterricante manu educatur colubris tortuosus. Nos ex personae nostrae meritis indignos asserens, qualibet officii auctoritate Papalis: per nos praedicta sententia minime potuisse constringi, suis praesumptuose literis asserit: & nos qui temporibus nostris patrimonium Ecclesiae, per gratiam Dei, non modice ampliavimus, de dilapidatione bonorum Ecclesiasticorum, dispensationum processu, receptione munerum, & avaritiae vilitate redarguit. Ac contra eum, ex illo quod contrahendis inter neptem nostram & naturalem ejus filium, sponsalibus petitum subtraxit assensum, provocari falso confingit: illud apertius mentiens quod Longobardis contra eum & Imperium corporale praestitimus sacramentum: seu quod totius orbis decimas Terrae Sanctae utilitatibus reservatas, convertere promiserimus in ejus compendium, si arbitrio nostro negotium exponeret Longobardorum. Fatemur autem, nos defectu meritorum nostrorum indigne Christi esse vicarium: fatemur nos oneri tanto insufficientes existere, quod humana conditio non potest absque divino suffragio supportare; nihilominus tamen, vices nobis commissas, prout melius nostra permittit fragilitas, exequentes, secundum quod locorum, temporum, personarum, & negotiorum qualitas & natura requirunt, disponenda disponimus: & cum excellentibus personis pure & secundum Deum, cum necessitas id exposcit, de nostrae potestatis plenitudine dispensamus. Veruntamen non est dolor quod sic profundo gladio ejus feriat animum, sicut dum terminos Regum transgreditur, nec potest aggredi officia Sacerdotum. Propter quod idem qui pro auri fame dictum Regnum Siciliae jam redegit in cinerem, credens se, qui omni tempore vitae suae paucis pure, pluribus vero justitiam pretii venalitate corruptus exhibuit: quod in persona sua resuscitans magnum Simonem, luto temporalium maculare possit Ecclesiae puritatem, ut sic in spiritualibus grassari, & in suis permitteretur sordibus remanere: murum integritatis, Ecclesiae multis, & specialiter oblatione castrorum ac parentela inter suos & nostros contrahenda, pro qua nos per quosdam magnos Praelatos & nuncios suos pluries requisivit, tentavit infringere. Nunc vero quia id nulla instantia nulloque ingenio, sicut est in curia nostra quasi notorium, a nobis potuit obtinere: quin potius se cum suis perditioni relictum arcium suarum fallaciis in pejus proficere jam agnoscit, quia nesciat ultra quid faciat: seipsum mendaci suo in aliorum detractione deturpat, more meretricis Aegyptiacae, quae Joseph invitavit ad stuprum, & ab ipsos contempta, apud virum suum volens accusavit invitum. Unum quidem est de quo, etsi pro homine perditio sit dolendum, laetari non modicum & Deo regratiari debetis: quod volenti domino diutius occultari non patitur: umbra mortis iste, qui gaudet se nominari praeambulum Antichristi: non expectans propinquum suae confusioni judicium manibus propriis effosso suarum abominationum pariete, per dictas literas ejus suarum producit in lucem opera tenebrarum, in eis constanter proponens, quod per nos tanquam Christi vicarium vinculo ercommunicationis astringi non potuit. Sicque affirmans, non esse apud Ecclesiam a Domino beato Petro, et ejus successoribus ligandi atque solvendi traditam potestatem, dum Haeresim asserit, proprio sibi argumento concludit; consequenter ostendens, quod male sentiat de caeteris fidei Orthodorae articulis, dum Ecclesiae, super quam fides fundata consistit, auferre nititur concessum * If he had showed where, it had been well. verbo Dei privilegium potestatis. Sed quia minus bene ab aliquibus credi possit, quod se verbis illaqueaverit oris sui, probationes in fidei victoriam sunt paratae: quia iste Rex pestilentiae, a tribus Baratoribus, ut ejus verbis utamur, scilicet Christo Jesus, Moyse & Machometo, totum mundum fuisse deceptum: & duobus eorum ingloria mortuis, ipsum Jesum in ligno suspensum manifeste proponens: insuper dilucida voce affirmare, vel potius mentiri praesumpsit, quod omnes fatui sunt, qui credunt nasci de virgine Deum, qui creavit naturam, & omnia potuisse. Hanc haeresim illo errore confirmans, quod nullus nasci potuit, cujus conceptum viri & mulieris conjunctio non praecessit: & homo debet nihil aliud credere, nisi quod potest vi & ratione naturae probare. Haec; & alia multa, quibus verbis & factis Catholicam fidem impugnavit, & impugnat, suo loco & tempore, sicut decet & expedit, manifeste * It should have been actually and clearly proved before thus confidently divulged throughout the world. poterunt comprobari. Quocirca; universitatem vestram rogamus, monemus, & hortamur attente, in virtute obedientiae per Apostolica scripta districte praecipiendo; quatenus ne dictus Fredericus corda fidelium fallacibus verbis subvertere, vel contagione sua possit quomodolibet gregem Dominicum maculare, Clero & populo vobis subditis, supradicta plene ac * This they could not do, there being neither faith nor truth in these gross calumnies. fideliter exponatis. Datum Lateravi, Duodecimo Calend. Junii, Pontisicatus nostri Anno Decimo tertio. Clausula suprascripta mittitur Domino Regicum Literis praecedentibus, hoc modo: Quocirca, serenitatem Regiam monendam durimus et hortandam, quatenus supradicta tibi facias diligenter exponi, ne Regalis innocentiae puritas possit verbis fallacibus maculari. Datum Laterani, etc. ut prius. Haec igitur divulgata, & multis Regibus ac Principibus & Magnatibus, mutatis tantum Mat. Paris Hist. Angl. p. 495. Avaritia Romanorum fidem eorum elevat. titulis, transmissa per orbem, timorem & horrorem, necnon admirationem cordibus fidelium incusserunt, & Imperialem Epistolam suspectam, licet probabilia continerent, reddiderunt, unde corda multorum, qui prius cum alterutro steterant, fluctuantia reddiderunt. It nisi Romana avaritia devotionem populorum a Domino Papa plusquam expediret et deceret, avertisset: totus mundus hac Epistola exasperatus, in Imperatorem, quasi in manifestum hostem Ecclesiae, et Christi inimicum, graviter et unanimiter insurrexisset. Sed proh dolor! multi filii a patre suo Papa avulsi sunt, & Imperatori adhaerentes, asserebant; quod odium inexorabile inter eos jam induratum, praedicta jurgia ec invectiones excogitatas excitabat. Et injuste improperat Dominus Papa, quod eundem Fredericum dilexerit, & promoverit in novitate creationis suae; hoc enim totum factum est in odium Othonis, quem Ecclesia adjutorio Frederici usque ad mortem persequebatur, quia dispersa Imperii, secundum Sacramentum suum, viriliter congregare caepit, sicut qui praesens est Imperator Fredericus facere proponit. Unde hoc faciendo Fredericus militavit Ecclesiae, et plus tenetur Ecclesia Romana ipsi, quam Imperator Ecclesiae Romanae rationabiliter teneatur obligatus. Sentit Ecclesia Occidentalis, praecipue tamen religiosorum, & prae omnibus aliis devotissima Deo Anglicana Ecclesiae, Oppressiones Romanorum quotidianas, nec adhuc unquam pressuras sensit Imperiales. Addiditque populus: Quid sibi vult istud? Retroactis temporibus imposuit Papa Imperatori, quod ipse Machometo legique Saracenicae plus consensit, quam Christo vel legi Christianae: nunc autem in sua invectiva Epistola imponit eidem, quod tam Machometum, quam Jesum vel Moysem, quod horribile est recitare, vocat Baratazem. In Epistolis suis humiliter de Deo seribit Imperator & Catholice; nisi tantum quod hac ultima Papali personae derogat, non officio, nec publice praedicat: nec procaciter sustinet quicquam Haereticum ut novimus adhuc, vel prophanum: non usurarios nobis misit, vel raptores reddituum: (as this Pope and his predécessors did.) Et sic ortum est schisma in populis formidandum. Diebus etiam illis, videns Dominus Papa robur & constantiam Imperatoris nondum Imperator & Papa invicem persequuntur. enervatam, sibi & Romanae Ecclesiae nondum incurvari, misit per totam Alemanniam Praelatis, Magnificis, & alias manentibus, Epistolas prolixas commonitorias, & praecepit districte, ut omnes insurgerent in suum Imperatorem, Deo et Ecclesiae Romanae rebellem, et eundem magnis convitiis diffamavit. Absolvit etiam omnes, qui eidem fidelitatis juramento tenebantur, astricti, persuadens ut essent in infidelitate fideles, in inobedientia obedientes: (against St. Paul's and St. Peter's Doctrine, Rom. 13. 1, to 7. Tit. 3. 1. 1 Pet. 2. 13, 14, 15.) sed tantum promeruit Romanae Ecclesiae improbitas omnibus execranda, quod a nullis, vel a paucis, meruit Papalis auctoritas exaudiri. In ejusdem anm Aestate, Dominus Imperator volens Mediolanensibus proditoribus Desolatio Bononiensium, & aliorum fautorum Papae. suis, Bononiensium auxilia praecludere, in Bononienses impetum fecit formidabilem. Volebant enim in favorem Papae & M diolanensium suorum, exire ad debellandum exercitum Imperialem: cum ecce repente exeuntibus occurrit Imperator, & suos inter Cives & Civitatem armatos interposuit, & Civium cuneos terribiliter subito dissipavit. Qui fugientes, per quaedam diverticula cupientes ad Urbem remeare, sese in amnem, quem transire necesse habebant, praecipitaverunt: ita ut plures submersi, quam in ore gladii caesi, miserabiliter perierunt: (a just reward of Popish Rebels against their Sovereign.) Deinde, Dominus Imperator, postquam Bononienses illi dextras dederunt, qui in cavitate remanserunt, direxit suorum armatorum legiones versus Mediolanum. Et in brevi temporis spatio, fossata sua, quibus se Mediolanenses undique cinxerant, erectis machinis & applicatis pontibus multis, cum suo exercitu trans●it numeroso. Unde timor & tremor Cives invasit inopinabilis, & audito Bononiensium infortunio, gemitus gemitibus cumularunt. Unde negotium illud ad votum consummasset, nisi mota per Papam periculosa perturbatio, ad partes ulteriores provocatum Dominum Imperatorem transtulisset. Quod comperientes Cives, facti animosiores, extulerunt caput, & per vicinia discurrentes, Castra Imperialia obsederunt. Et per quendam Legatum, quem ad consolationem eorum illuc Dominus Papa miserat, solidati, Ferrariam obsederunt, hostiliter vallaverunt: nec ab eis nisi se absolute redderent, satisfactionem admiserunt obsessorum, hoc Legato persuadente, & Cives ad hoc Mediolanenses immisericorditer compellente. Circa dierum illorum curricula, Dominus Papa scripsit Regi Francorum, solemnes Mat. Paris, Hist. Angl. p. 500, 501. Papa & Curia Romana eligunt in Imperatorem Robertum fratrem Regis Francorum, qui id constanter renuit. eidem Nuncios destinando; significans eidem, ut juberet Epistolam suam coram ipso & toto Baronagio Franciae solemniter & memoriter legi & intelligi. Cujus summa & tenor talis fuisse perhibetur. Noverit dilectus filius Ecclesiae Spiritualis, Illustris Rex, & totum Francorum Baronagium, nos deliberatione & tractatu diligenti omnium fratrum nostrorum condemnasse, et a culmine Imperiali abjudicasse Fredericum dictum Imperatorem, et Robertum Comitem fratrem Regis Francorum, loco ipsius elegisse substituendum: quem etiam omnibus nisibus Ecclesia non tantum Romana, sed universalis, duxit non segniter adjuvandum, & efficaciter promovendum. Nullo igitur modo, tantum sponte oblatam dignitatem apertis brachiis suscipere ne pigritemini; ad quam opes & operam abundanter effundemus consequendam. Scelera enim praedicti Frederici multiplicia, sicut jam novit mundus, eundem irrestaurabiliter condemnarunt. Ad quod, inito consilio, circumspecta prudentia Francorum respondit: Quo spiritu vel ausu temerario Papa tantum Principem, quo non est major, imo nec par inter Christianos, non convictum vel confessum de objectis sibi criminibus, exhaeredavit, et ab apice Imperiali praecipitavit? Qui si meritis suis exigentibus deponendus esset, non nisi per generate Concilium cassandus judicaretur. De transgressionibus suis non est hostibus suis fides adhihenda, quorum Papa dignoscitur esse capitalis. Vobis adhuc insons, imo bonus fuit vicinus, nec quid sinistri vidimus de eo in fidelitate saeculari, vel fide Catholica. Scimus autem, quod Domino nostro Jesu Christo fideliter militavit, marinis & bellicis se periculis confidenter opponens. Tantum Religionis in Papa non invenimus. Imo qui eum debuit promovisse, & Deo militantem protexisse, eum conatus est absentem confundere, & nequiter supplantare. Nolumus nosmetipsos in tanta pericula praecipitare, ut ipsum Fredericum tam potentem impugnemus, quem tot Regna contra nos juvabunt, & causa justa praestabit adminiculum. Quid ad Romanos de prodiga sanguinis nostri effusione, dummodo suae irae satisfaceremus? Si eum per nos et alios devicerit, omnes Principes mundi conculcabit, sumens▪ cornua jactantiae et superbiam, quoniam ipsum Fredericum magnum Imperatorem contriverit. Sed ne in vacuum Papale mandatum videamur suscepisse, licet magis conster hoc ob odium Imperatoris, quam nostri dilectionem ab Ecclesia Romana derivasse, mittemus Nuncios prudentes ex nobis ad Imperatorem, qui quomodo Catholica sentiat, diligenter inquirant, nos super hoc certificaturos. Et si nil nisi sanum invenerint, cur infestandus est? Sin autem, et ipsum, imo etiam ipsum Papam, si male de Deo senserit, vel quemlibet mortalium usque ad internecionem persequemur. Quae cum audierunt Nuncii Papales, confusi recesserunt. Adierunt igitur Dominum Imperatorem Francorum Nuncii solemnes, ipsi mandata quae a Domino Papa receperunt, seriatim nunciaturi. Quod cum audisset Dominus Imperator, de immanitate odii stupefactus, respondit, se esse virum Catholicum, Christianum, sane de omnibus Orthodoxae fidei articulis sentientem. Et addidit, Non placet Domino meo Jesu Christo, ut unquam recedam a fide magnificorum Patrum, & Antecessorum, sequens vestigia perditorum. Judicet autem Dominus inter me & ipsum, qui me ita per Orbem tam nequiter diffamavit. Et tendens manus in Coelum, lachrymis obortis, singultando exclamavit, Deus ultionum Dominus reddat ei retributionem. Et conversus ad Nuncios, ait: Amici mei, & vicini charissimi, vere, quicquid dicat inimicus meus, sititor sanguinis mei, & honoris subversor, credo sicut alius Christianus; & si bellum mihi movere disponitis, non miremini si me defendam ab insurgentibus in me: Spero enim, quod Deus protector innocentium, me potenter liberabit. Novit enim Deus, quod Papa in favorem mihi rebellium, praecipue Mediolanensium haereticorum, contra me levat calcaneum, & insurgit iracundus. Sed vobis totus in gratiarum actiones assurgo, quod voluistis ante assensum per responsionem meam de praesenti causa certificari. Ad haec Nuncii: Nolit Deus ut unquam ascendat in cor nostrum, ut aliquem Christianum sine manifesta causa impugnemus. Nec nos pulsat ambitio; credimus enim Dominum nostrum Regem Galliae, quem linea Regii sanguinis provexit ad Sceptra Francorum regenda, excellentiorem esse aliquo Imperatore, quem sola electio provehit voluntaria: sufficit Domino Comiti Roberto, fratrem esse tanti Regis. Et his dictis, cum dilectione & gratia Imperiali recesserunt. Et sic in hoc proposito conatus Papalis irritus evasit. Persuasit interea Dominus Papa, & per Praedicatorum & Minorum ministerium Papa summa diligentia pecuniam colligit pro sua defensione. provocavit multiformibus argumentis, ut sibi pecuniam undecunque abrasam in detrimentum Imperatoris adquirerent. Et facti sunt eo tempore Praedicatores & Minores Regum Consiliarii & Nuncii speciales, ut sicut quondam mollibus induti in domibus Regum erant, ita tunc qui vilibus vestiebantur, in domibus, cameris, & palatiis essent Principum. Vocavit eum Dominus Rex tunc temporis fratrem J. de Sancto Aegidio ad consilium suum. Admirati sunt multi, quod preces fidelium non curavit Dominus Papa, sicut legitur de Petro servato in carcere. The Emperor justly incensed with these Antichristian proceedings of the Pope against him, resolved to march with an Army to Rome itself, to chastise him according to his demerits, and put a period to his vexations. Sub illis quoque diebus, cum vidisset Dominus Imperator, quod Papa non tantum Mat. Paris Hist▪ Angl. p. 502, 503, 504, etc. Imperator versus Urbem iter suum dirigit. sanguinem suum sitiret avidissime, imo in favorem rebellium Mediolanensium Haereticorum ad ejusdem vilissimam dejectionem anhelaret, relicto & ad horam suspenso belli quod proposuerat negotio, Urbi, ut terribilior suis appareret, audacter coepit appropinquare: Cui adventanti occurrerunt quasi Domino suo Viterbienses, cum aliis Nobilium Civitatum Potentatibus & Civibus reverenter cum honore, & cum numerosa Romanorum multitudine: Sicut ex tenore Epistolae Imperialis transmissae Regi Angliae colligi potest manifeste. FREDERICUS Dei gratia Romanorum Imperator, semper Augustus, Jerusalem Literae Imperatoris ad Regem Angliae. & Siciliae Rex, illustri Regi Anglorum, dilecto sororio suo, salutem & syncerae dilectionis affectum. Triplex doloris aculeus, qui cor nostrum quotidie pungit & stimulat, jam nos ultra flere non patitur, quin dolor intrinsecus prorumpat in gemitus, & gemitus exeant in clamores, dum per dissensionis novae materiam, ad quam universalis Ecclesiae rector & Pontifex, violenta nos quadam compulsione coegit, Catholicae fidei detrimenta cognoscimus, Eclipsim justitiae manifeste perspicimus, & Terrae Sanctae dispendium miserabiliter deploramus. Sed illa non minus angustia perurgemur, quod Hely Sacerdotis oculi ●alligantes, nullum horum periculorum aspiciunt: sed tanta circa nos iracundia commovetur, tanta circa Mediolanenses & eorum fautores rebelles Imperii dilectione perstringitur: ut orbe toto dubii successus eventibus, vel fortunae periculis potius prorsus exposito, ad conculcandam Imperii sacri justitiam, & Mediolanensium rebellium nostrorum auxilium totus assurgat. Nec nos super hoc laesae conscientiae stimulo pungimur, nec laedentis famae judicium expectamus: quin a multis retro temporibus, periculorum istorum omnium divina quadam inspiratione praesagi; praesens semper evitaverimus scandalum, istius Summi Pontificis gratiam omnia quocunque potuimus ingenio, licet frustra, laboravimus obtinere: personae nostrae non parcendo laboribus, rerum nostrarum non cavendo dispendiis, & persaepe fidelium nostrorum vitam pro suis & Ecclesiae Romanae subsidus liberaliter exponendo. Sed, quod dolentes referimus, nihil penitus cepimus toto tempore laborantes, nullam ab ipso pro nostris obsequiis affectionem retulimus: semper se contrarium nobis posuit, semper Imperii sacri profectibus obviavit. Imo quod crudelius ab omnibus debet reputari, existentibus nobis in Ecclesiae Sanctae subsidiis apud eum, Civitatem Castellae subtraxit Imperio: prout per Literas suas, quas Castellani nobis noviter assignarunt, manifeste probatur. Nihil tunc temporis etiam potuimus ab ipso de cunctis petitionibus nostris, nobis & Imperio favorabile reportare. Legato, quem tunc ipso tempore pro nobis se misisse dixit in Syriam, ut Aconensium & quorundam Regni Hierosolymitani nobilium, nobis & filio illatas injurias emendaret, authoritatem omnem per contrarias latentes Literas, subsequenter ademit. Eodem ipso tempore Mediolanensibus ne contra fideles Imperii Cremonenses insurgerent, nec Florentinis Vesenenses fideles nostros offenderent, potuimus aliquas Literas obtinere: cum nobis in auxilium ipsorum, ne indefensam dimitteremus Ecclesiam, procedendi licentiam denegaret. In Germaniam deinde procedentibus nobis, ad primogeniti filii nostri malitiam reprimendam, favorem omnem promisit ore tenus, sed per Nuncium suum Literas de credentia deferentem, Principibus nostris nobiscum praesentibus in Curia Maguntina, sub omni qua potuit attestatione latenter injunxit, ne electioni filii nostri minoris vel cujushbet de domo & sanguine nostro modo quolibet consentirent. Processum nostrum deinde in Italiam ad reformandum Imperium, in eadem per Literas & Nuncios suos, praesertim Episcopum Praenestensem, qui Placentiam & Mantuam omni qua potuit calliditatis fraude subjunxit, prout scivit & potuit, praepedivit. Tandem, cum post obtentam faciente Domino de Mediolanensium strage victoriam, prodesse sibi furtivas hujusmodi legationes & Literas non videret, ense nostrae justitiae, suae nequitiae fraudibus pravalente, processibus nostris coepit apertioribus obstaculis obviare: manifestius inhibendo Civitatibus & Nobilibus Marchiae, Anchonitensis, & vallis Spoleti, de quibus auxiliari tenebatur Imperium, non noceri, ne in Lombardiam venire vel mittere milites attentarent. Anchonitanis etiam & aliis locis maritimis, sub excommunicationis poenitentia, & banno Decem Millium Marcarum, injunxit: ut Venet is excellentiae nostrae rebellibus, contra mandatum & Interdictum nostrum, quaeque necessaria ministrarent, prout haec omnia per Literas suas evidentissime comprobantur. Aliquibus etiam nobilibus Marchiae Tervisiae, quos Imperii fide debiles & vacillantes effecerat, Literas destinavit, ut a nobis manifeste recederent: pro certo scituris, quod nisi ordinationi, & mandato suo negotium Lombardiae vellemus praecise committere, contra nos excommunicationis sententiam fulminaret. Super quibus omnibus, dilectorum Principum & aliorum fidelium nostrorum communicato consilio, qui nobis in obsidione Brixiae tunc temporis assistebant: volentes, ut duximus, inter nos & Ecclesiam scandalum praecavere, solemnes Legatos nostros ad sedem Apostolicam duximus transmittendos; per quos, & de quibusdam aliis frivolis, quae in Regno nostro Siciliae contra jus & libertatem Ecclesiae attemptata dicebat, satissactionem obtulimus; & desideratam inter nos & Ecclesiam unionem, Nunciis & mutuis cautionibus roborandam, multoties dudum a nobis per innumerabiles Nuncios expetitam, denuo repetivimus per eosdem. Quam cum libenter affectare se diceret, modum cautionis & formam judicio nostro committens; Nunciis nostris & suis cum unionis & pacis concessae fiducia redeuntibus ad nos alacriter, omnino celatis, Gregorio de Monte longo (quem pridem in Lombardiam suspectum nobis & nostris simplicem Nuncium habebamus, & quem de regione ipsa promiserat revocare) contra nos & nostros, in eadem provincia Legationis officium plene commisit. Ad majoris quoque coaggerationem nequitiae, dum nos propter unionis promissae fiduciam reportaret incautos, per quosdam Principes & fideles nostros admoneri mandavit super quibusdam gravaminibus, quae in Regno nostro Siciliae & Urbe Romana contra se & Ecclesiam per nostros officiales & Nuncios illata dicebat. Ad quae omnia cum Domino ipsorum admonitorum, ut minus aliorum quamplurium religiosorum judicio, serenitas nostra plenissime respondisset, responsionibus singulis ad singula capitula non contenti, verbum generale subjunximus: quod voluntatem & responsionem nostram in singulis suo judicio committebamus, & totum prout haec quamplurium Praelatorum omni fide dignorum Literis & testimonio manifeste comprobantur. Et cum super his omnibus, Nuncios nostros super responsionibus ipsis & satisfactione plenaria facienda, plena nostri culminis authoritate munitos ad ejus processus sul faciente astutia praecidendam: contra nos die Palmarum, qui processibus talibus est prorsus insolitus, contra morem Ecclesiae, perperam & injuriose processit. Nos autem, qui processum hujusmodi temeritate plenum, et justitia vacuum habebamus, ad fratres suos Literas & Legatos transmisimus, generale petentes Concilium convocari: in quo Judicis corrupti nequitiam, ac Imperii nostri justitiam & innocentiam nostram, argumentis arguere luce clarioribus spondebamus. Super quo nedum quod justitiae nostrae delataratio fuerit, imo contra jus gentium, quod violari Legatos & Nuncios non permittit: praedictos Nuncios nostros Episcopos, iste qui scribitur Servus Servorum Dei, turpissimo carceri mandavit intrudi. Attendite igitur & videte, si sunt ista facta Papalia, si sunt haec opera sanctitatis: et si compositae praedicationi conveniat in interitum mundi deducere, conculcare justitiam: et dissimulatis fidelium oculorum nostrorum judiciis, secundum infidelium Mediolanensium faciem judicare. Sed nec in his omnibus, cum contra nos spiritu oris sui licet perperam procedebat, ad justum Imperialis vindictae judicium movebantur; quousque ad extremam interemptionem nostram & manifestam exhaeredationem Imperii se ostendit temporaliter prosilire; dum nobis in Marchia Tervisina morantibus, ad pacificandam candem (quam ob dissensiones continuas & antiquas passim stragibus occisorum invenimus rubricatam) Marchionem Estensem, Comitem Sancti Bonifacii, & alios Nobiles Regionis, qui ad suggestionem Summi Pontificis simul in necem nostram conjuraverant; cum Civitate Tervisii, non modica data pecuniae quantitate, fecit nobis et Imperio rebellare. Civitatem nostram Ravenna, per Paulum Transurarum antea fidelissimum nobis, & factum postmodum per corruptionem Papalis pecuniae proditorem, tractante Magistro Legato Cardinali, tunc Marchiae & Imperio subtrahens, & ab eis sibi & Ecclesiae, tanquam Princeps & Pontifex, sacramenta fuscepit; & plateas publicas per Marchiam & Ducatum, quem ab Imperio detinebat, Nunciis ad nos venientibus & necessaria nobis & exercitui nostro deferentibus, praecludi mandavit; adeo quod nonnullos ex eis, more praedonio, bonis omnibus spoliatos, carceri mancipare praesumpsit. Haec omnia faciens, ut nos & Milites nostros tam Italos quam Germanos, vel famae perimeret▪ vel ab obsidione Mediolanensium & nostrorum depopulatione rebellium, necessario revocaret. Quibus omnibus non contentus, contra nos & Imperium se belli Ducem & Principem manifeste constituit; Mediolanensium & aliorum infidelium proditorum causam, suam propriam faciens, & ipsorum negotium ad se manifeste convertens, praefectos Mediolanensis, imo verius Papalis exercitus, statuens, loco sui Gregorium de Monte longo, praedictum, & fratrem Leonem Ministrum ordinis fratrum Minorum, qui non solum accincti gladiis & loricis induti, falsas militum imagines ostendebant, verum etiam praedicationi insistentes, Mediolanenses & alios, quicunque nostram & nostrorum personam offenderant, a peccatis omnibus absolvebant. Hodie quidem praedicti Legatus & Frater, contra nos & Imperium se scribunt rectores & Dominos: per quod evidenter datur intelligi, quod Papa non solum sit infidelium fautor, quos omnes pro majori parte publica mundi lingua testatur haereticos: sed in praejudicium et exhaeredationem Imperii, sibi Mediolani Regimen et Dominium temporaliter usurpavit. jam igitur ultra justo judicio tot provocati dispendiis, tot injuriis lacessiti, manus nostras continere nequivimus: quin apprehenderemus arma & scutum, nostram & totius Imperii causam contra publicum hostem publice contra temporalem temporaliter prosequentes, filialem illi nequivimus amplius dilectionem ostendere: quia nedum quod affectionis paternae dulcedinem nobis non redderet, nec dum injuriis exhaeredationis afficeret, sed vitam nostram et sanguinem crudeliter sitiebat. Sed Liguriae partibus, quae in deditionem nostram venerant, Militum & Balistariorum praesidio, non sine multis aerarii nostri dispendiis, prout expedit comminutis, ac in peregrinatione Tusciae multis Imperii juribus reformatis, praemisso nihilominus H. benigno filio nostro, illustri Regi Turrium & Galluris, sacri Imperii in Italia Legato, ad Anchonitanam Marchiam revocandam, nos personaliter versus Ducatum Spoleti, ac partes Urbi vicinas, erectis Aquilarum nostrarum victricibus signis, convertimus; totam terram nostris processibus occurrentem, usque Viterbium, Civitatibus admodum paucis exceptis; propter tam graves et infestos, ingratitudinem et offensam, ad jus et proprietatem Imperii revocantes. A Viterbiensibus autem & locis ac Civitatibus circumvicinis, cum summa devotione recepti, dum, jam hosti & adversario nostram ostenderemus potentiam, è vicino timore terribili licet juste perterritus, tamen per seram poenitentiam sibi non crederet posse consulere, in profundum desperationis immersus, ac viribus propriis omnino diffisus, Romano populo clamante nostrum ad Urbem gratanter accessum; garsones quosdam & vetulas, necnon & paucos admodum conductivos Milites, veris praeter solitum profusis lachrymis exoravit, ut contra nos crucem assumerent; in sua praedicatione mentitus, quod nos ad eversionem Romanae Ecclesiae ac violationem sacrarum reliquiarum beatisiimorum Apostolorum Petri & Pauli, procedere nitebamur. Excuset igitur recto judicio magnificentia Regia motum nostrum, ad quem nos adversarii nostri malignitas impulit; et quem, ad conservandum non magis Imperii quam omnium Regum et Principum terrae decus, justitia persuasit. Uosque prae caeteris orbis Regibus causam nostram tanto ferventiori favore debetis assumere: tantoque securius confovere: quanto velut totius oneris et honoris nostri participes, ac per nos ad istarum omnium moderamen, si bene recolitis, confidenter assumpti, et ab adversa parte contempti, innocentiam nostram et Imperii nostri justitiam puriori zelo ac sinceriori potestatis conscientia confovere. Datum Viterbii. His igitur per orbem auditis & cognitis, fama Domini Papae et auctoritas Terror mundi universi. magnam subiit ruinam et detrimentum: et subortum est scandalum, et coeperunt viri prudentes et sancti timere vehementer de Ecclesiae, et Domini Papae, et totius Cleri honore; et formidare ne Dominus in furore maximo populum suum insanabili vulnere sauciaret. In octavis vero Epiphaniae, congregati sunt Londini Archiepiscopi & Episcopi cum Queremoniae Episcoporum de oppressionibus Ecclesiae. multis aliis magnatibus, praesente etiam Legato, reponentes querimoniam gravissimam coram Rege in curia sua super variis injuriis, & oppressionibus & quotidianis desolationibus illatis Ecclesiae per iniquum Regis consilium (Especially by this Legate) contra suas chartas & juramanta temere veniendo, nec patitur suis pastoribus viduatas Ecclesias, restitutas respirare: sed ut ab eisdem Ecclesiastica bona variis argumentis extorquent, annis plurimis eas in manu sua detinet, nec patitur electiones canonicas celebrari: Super quibus injuriis illatis, & diatim multiplicatis, omnes se asserunt vehementer admirari, cum ipse Rex toties juraverit, se jura Ecclesiastica illibata conservare, ipsomet audiente, & candelam tenente, quod omnes Episcopi in violatores libertatum Ecclesiasticarum, simul sententiam sulminabant, in cujus sententiae consummatione, Rex ut alii, suam candelam extinxit inclinando. Et erant contra Regem in querimoniis Episcoporum capitula circiter 30. Et eatenus processum est, quod la●a sit iterum sententia terribiliter nimis in omnes Regis consiliarios, qui ejus animum ad praedicta enormia conabantur inclinare. Et nondum negotiis in Concilio praedicto perfecte expeditis, venerunt ab Imperatore duo Nuncii ad Regem, per quos ei literatorie significavit Dominus Imperator, Imperator Regem reprohendit, quod permittit pecuniam aspertari de terra sua in damnum utriusque. se non immerito nimis admirari, quod ipsum sinebat sine aliqua contradictione in sua Christianissima terra tam horribiliter et irrationabiliter excommunicari. Et quod ob●●tus foederis maritalis & amicitiae inter eos initiatae per matrimonium Isabellae jam Imperatricis, ipsius supremi Principis statum & famam permittebat denigrari. Quamobrem hujus rei coadjutorem, scilicet Legatum, quem Rex inconsulte in Regnum suum vocaverat, exposcit a finibus Angliae propulsari, quia ipsum inimicum suum & Regni Angliae esse veraciter affirmavit: abrasit enim undecunque impudenter omnem quam potuit pecuniam, ut Papae satisfaceret avaritiae et Imperialem confunderet dignitatem. Quibus nunciis Rex inito consilio, respondit; quod oportuit ipsum Papalibus et Ecclesiasticis mandatis obedire pronius caeteris principibus mundi, praesertim cum Tributarius vel feudarius Papae esse de jure comprobetur: et sic se excusando, turpiter accusavit; Rex vero, sperans in hoc placere Imperatori, scripsit Papae supplicans attentius, ut ipse gratia affinitatis mitius ageret cum Imperatore. Quod cum Papa audisset, in iram vehementem resolutus, contumeliosa in haec verba prorupit: Vere non invenitur in Anglia quis fidelis. Et ab ejus ore verbum rapuit quidam ibidem existens ex parte Regis, dicens: Pater sancte, idcirco non miremini, si Rex Angliae suis Anglicis fidem non perhibeat, sed alienigenis: quia vix est aliquis hodie Anglicus, cui fides debeat perhiberi. Et qui verbum protulit, erat, ut dicitur, Magister Simon Normannus, Pro quibus verbis utrobique prolatis, Magister Robertus de Sum●rcote Cardinalis in iram magnam commotus, & ipsam, ne in jurg●a prorumperet, more sapientis compressit. Erat nempe natione Anglicus: & Domino Papae, qui eum creaverat, in omnibus adversitatibus fideliter adhaesit. Rex autem cum ad se reversus timuisset, ne s●bi aliquid sinistri contingeret, eo quod Mat. Paris, p. 506. Legatus saepe admonitus noluit repatriare. tam familiarem occultum inimicum Regni, scilicet Legatum, habuisset: ei consuluit in bona fide, ne per moram suam in Anglia Imperialem magnitudinem amplius in iracundiam provocaret, sed festinanter transalpinans, Papae & sibi consuleret. Cui Legatus ait: Me vocasti a Curia, conductum salvum a te requiro, ut salvus redeam. Imperiales vero Nuncii, de quibus mentionem ante fecimus, cum haec omnia cognovissent, ad Dominum suum redierunt: omnia quae viderant & audierant, ut sagaces exploratores, nunciaturi. Legatus interea, sui non oblitus, nummos & redditus non segniter sibi rapuit: Legatus indefessus nummorum collector. procurationesque sibi dari compellens, mittebat Episcopis & Archidiaconis districta mandata, circa festum Annuntiationis Beatae Mariae, in haec verba. OTTO, miseratione divina, etc. Discreto viro, illi Episcopo, vel Archidiacono, Literae Legari. salutem. Cum necesse habeamus de mandato Summi Pontificis, moram trahere longiorem, nec possumus propriis stipendiis militare: discretioni vestrae, qua fungimur auctoritate, mandamus, et quaesumus, ut Procurationes nobis debitas in Episcopatu vel Archidiaconatu vestro, colligi facias nostro nomine diligenter: eas quam citius poteritis nobis transmissuri, contradictores per censuram Ecclesiasticam compescendo. Proviso quod quaelibet procuratio, summam quatuor Marcarum aliquatenus non excedat. Et ubi una Ecclesia non sufficiet ad procurationem hujusmodi habendam, duae pariter unam solvant Datum Londini, decimo quinto Calend. Martii, Anno Pontificatus Domini Gregorii Papae decimo tertio. Eodem tempore, Dominus Legatus accepit in mandatis Domini Papae, ut jam excogitato Mat. Paris, p. 507. Romani ut pecuniam emungerent, a voto Crucesignatos absolvunt. alio argumento pecuniam a fidelibus abraderet; hoc modo ● qui per sequens scriptum diligenti lectori satis manifestatur. Ille, vel ille Episcopus, dilectis in Christo filiis omnibus Archidiaconis per Diocaesim fuam constitutis, salutem. Literas Domini Legati suscepimus in haec verba. Otto, etc. Cum, sicut intelleximus, nonnulli Crucesignati Regni Angliae, qui sunt inhabiles ad pugnandum, ad sedem Apostolicam accedant, ut ibidem a voto crucis absolvi valeant: & nos nuper recepimus a summo Pontifice in mandatis, ut tales non solum absolvere, verum etiam ad redimenda vota sua compellere debeamus: volentes eorum parcere laboribus & expensis, paternitati vestrae qua fungimur authoritate, mandamus, & quaesumus, ut potestatem praedictam, a Summo Pontifice nobis concessam, faciatis in vestris Diocaesibus sine mora qualibet publicari; ut praefati Crucesignati ad nos accedere valeant, beneficium super hoc juxta formam nobis traditam accepturi. Datum Londini, xv. Calend. Martii, Anno Pontificatus Domini Gregorii Papae decimo tertio. These unparallelled Exactions opened the King's eyes by degrees, to consider, oppose, and redress them in some measure. Temporibus sub eisdem, oculi Regis aperti sunt, & Caursinis, praecipue Senonensibus, Quibusdam Caursinis Anglia interdicitur. terram suam interdixit: qui terram suam mundissimam, iniquis exactionibus palliatae usurae macularunt. Ipsi autem moleste ferentes & dolentes tales se pascuas amissuros, data pecunia, quae nimis solet impios justificare, adhuc pro magna parte latuerunt. Such was the corruption of that age. Eisdemque temporibus inceperunt ipsi Praedicatores fratres & Minores, & alii viri Data pecunia quilibet a voto crucis absolvitur. literati, praecipue Theologi, Crucesignatos absolvere a voto suo, accepta tamen pecunia quanta sufficere videbatur unicuique ad viaticum ultramarinum. Et factum est in populo scandalum cum schismate. Absurdum enim videbatur etiam simplicibus, quam diversis muscipulis simplicem Dei populum substantia sua moliebatur Romana Curia privare, nihil petens nisi aurum et argentum. The only God they adored. Proposuit etiam Dominus Papa eodem tempore, et dignum censuit extorquere Papa extorquet quintam partē bonorum a● alienigenis in Anglia beneficiatis. quintam partem bonorum, in redditibus ultramarinorum Clericorum beneficiatorum in Anglia ad ingerendum gravamen Imperatori, quem undique pericula inimicorum cingebant, quos Papa per pecuniam, ab Anglia collectam et extorram, sustentabat. Nec desinebat interim omnes absolvere, qui eidem Imperatori fidelitate tenebantur: et induratum est odium horribile, diatim suscipiens incrementum. Dicebant etiam Regi sui fideles: Domine, Princeps nominatissime, quare permittis Angliam fieri in praedam et desolationem transeuntium, quasi vineam sine maceria omni communem viatori, ab apris exterminandam: cum habeas efficax privilegium, ut non fiant tales in Regno isto exactiones: nec sit dignus privilegio, qui eo concesso abutatur? Quibus talia persuadentibus ait, Nec volo, nec audeo Domino Papae in aliquibus contradicere. (Such was his pusilanimity.) Et facta est in populis desperatio nimis deploranda. Ejusdem anni spatio, convenerunt apud Radingum omnes Angliae Archiepiscopi, Mat. Paris, p. 508. Legatus nititur inclinare Episcoposad solvendam quintam partem bonorum Episcopi, & majores Abbates, & quidam Magnates Regni, Papale mandatum a Domino Legato explicandum, audituri. Quo cum pervenissent▪ Legatus facto prolixo sermone, ut s●bi corda audientium inclinaret, tandem varias pressuras, quas pro justitia Ecclesiae sustinuit Dominus Papa, sustinendo insultus Frederici dicti Imperatoris omnibus pa●efeci●. Exigebat igitur instanter ex parte ipsius Papae, quintam partem bonorum suorum: quibus suffultus, injurias tam validi inimici valeret propulsare. Cui inito consilio, responderunt Episcopi, Quod nullo modo tam importabile onus, quod universalem tangebat Ecclesiam, subirent, sine prolixi consilii diligenti deliberatione. Et idcirco datus est illis dies remotior super hoc magno mandato deliberationis. Comes vero Richardus, & alii Magnates Crucesignati, ibidem existentes, illis omnibus, Comes R. valedicit Episcopis ad Radingum congregatis. qui●bidem congregati fuerant, valedicebant; quia parati fuerant iter Hierosolymitanum arripere. Quod cum vidissent omnes Praelati, in lachrymas resoluti, dixerunt Comiti Richardo: Cur nos Comes, spes post Regem unica, deseris? ant cui nos desolatos relinquis? Invadent nos in absentia tua alienigenae rapaces. Comes vero uni pro omnibus, scilicet Archiepiscopo Cantuariensi, flebiliter respondit: Pater mi & Domine, certe et si non essem Crucesignatus, abirem tamen, & absentarem me, ne viderem mala gentis nostrae, et Regni desolationem, quam credor posse, cum non possim, impedire. Anno 1240. Mat. Paris Hist. Angl. p. 509, 510. Increpat Imperator Regē Angliae, quod permiserit sententiam contra eum in terra sua publicari, et pecuniam colligi. The Pope's Legate excommunicating the Emperor, and indefatigably collecting, extorting moneys throughout England, and the King's Dominions, to carry on his Wars against the Emperor, he thereupon sent a just reprehensive Letter to the King his Brother-in-Law, thus related. Eodem tempore, significavit Dominus Imperator Regi Angliae, quod mirabatur supra modum, quod tam inconsulte Thesaurum suum, in detrimentum suum, alienigenis distribuisset, scribens ei in haec verba. FREDERICUS Dei gratia Romanorum Imperator, semper Augustus, Jerusalem & Siciliae Rex, illustri Regi Anglorum, salutem & sincerae dilectionis affectum. Cum inter Reges orbis & Principes affinitas interdum & Matrimonium contrahitur, tanto magis inter eos affectio debet vel unio potius suboriri, quanto majores aliis, & in altioribus positi speculis dignitatum, virtutum inferioribus debent exempla porrigere: quantoque per unanimes voluntates ipsorum pax & concordia firmior crescit in populis, honores servantur in alterutrum in suorumque roborantur in posterum jura Regnorum. Et cum hujus fructum ex affinitate nostra, nobis & vobis crediderimus hactenus proventurum (praesertim cum obligationem cognationis nostrae firmaverint sacra sequentium pignora filiorum) totum intentioni nostrae contrarium, quod dolentes & inviti referimus, experimur. Dum praeter id quod illatam nobis per Romanum Pontificem manifestam injuriam, quam nobis prae caeteris terrae Principibus prorsus intolerabilem credebamus, conniventibus oculis pertransisse, iniquam ipsius contra nos et plenam odio carnali sententiam permittendo, vobis audientibus et scientibus, non sine multa nostri injuria, et Imperii verecundia et jactura, per Regnum vestrum undique publicari, nunc, prout certo comperimus; eidem Capitali inimico nostro fatue obediendo, honorem nostrum et sanguinem sitienti, de Ecclesiis Regni vestri ac praedecessorum vestrorum, quos reputari nostros nostra compellit affinitas, pia largitione ditatis, ad impugnationem nostram pecuniaria sinitis subsidia, tallias, et collectas ministrari. Attendat igitur industria Regia, callidis non circumventa consiliis, si vos deceat et vobis expediat sororium & fratrem, aut saltem amicum, seu postremo quenquam Regem, aut Principem, cui non indixeritis praelium, sicut est Regni juris et moris, pecuniae vestrae viribus impugnari. Et quid refert auro et argento, vel armis, per vos, vel patientibus vobis, hostis nostri praesidia muniantur? Praesertim cum ab experto sciamus, quod majoris auxilii manum contra nos, Papae porrigere non possetis, quam si de Regno vestro permittatis pecuniam ministrari, de qua Mediolanensibus & aliis proditoribus nostris stipendiarios milites pollicetur▪ per quam devotos & fideles nostros a fidelitate nostra seducere nititur; adeoque quod aliquorum debilium fidem, in evidentem infamiam, & non minus in perpetuum eorum exitium, est hujus pretii venalitate mercatus. Pro Deo, frater charissime, non primum istud a vobis incipiat, vel contra nos saltem▪ quod gratis Reges a Regibus imp●gnentur: nec sic cervicem Regiam Papalis Domini jugum premat, ut in offensam Evangelici dogmatis et naturae, proximum, sororium, et amicum, imo fratrem, vos in tantum delectet offendere: maxime cum in instanti negotio non magis nostra, quam vestra, et aliorum Regum et Principum, si sane diligenterque attenderitis, per consequens res agatur. Quocirca serenitatem Regiam praesentium tenore affectuose requirimus ac rogamus, quatenus industriam ac potentiam vestram talibus, ex quibus tantum obstaculum formidamus, sicut amorem & honorem nostrum diligitis, tam strenue quam viriliter opponatis; non permittentes de redditibus, talliis, collectis, aut aliquibus aliis obventionibus Regni vestri, pecuniam aliquam ad Romanam Curiam deportari. Nec istud vos decet aut expedit conniventia qualibet aut dissimulatione pertransire; sicut vos non velle●s, quod contra vos á nobis & nostris qualiacunque petita vel petenda suffragia daremus aliquibus, vel modo quolibet dari pateremur. Alioqui▪ ne, dum simili, sed justitiori, per vos instruamur exemplo, & iis, qui vobis attinent, & quibus vinculo veteris dilectionis astringimur, hucusque negata, contra vos & Regnum vestrum, largiremur; dum vos Papa in prosecutione justitiae nostrae favorabiles invenerit, qui vobis in nullo penitus attinet, nisi quod Nota. gloriatur, quod non sine multa verecundia dicimus, in vobis habere dominii ligii potestatem. Super praemissis autem singulis, & super aliis omnibus servitiis nostris in ipsis partibus procurandis, ecce mittimus vobis H. Chalbaot, militem & fidelem nostrum, latorem praesentium: dilectionem vestram rogantes attentius, quatenus ea quae vobis ex parte nostra dixerit, sicut personae nostrae indubitanter dilectio vestra credat, & adimpleat cum effectu: ac per ipsum praecise ac determinate respondeat, quicquid de praedictis omnibus providerit & ordinaverit faciendum. Volumus enim in instantibus negotiis esse certi, a quibus debeamus expectare consilium, & a quibus sit cavendum. Et quia verbum Domini Imperatoris positum fuit in ore ipsius Nuncii, dicti H. Chalbaot, in magna parte mutilata est praesens amicabilis Epistola, & multa sunt taciturnitate praetermissa. Rex vero respondit rescribendo, quod voluntati Papae non est ausus contradicere: sed mirabatur supra modum, quod soror sua Imperatrix non adhuc coronam in locis & Civitatibus solennibus, in Imperio magnifice portavit. The Emperor this year to curb the Pope, and put a period to his vexations: * Mat. Paris p. 509, 510, 511. Imperator appropinquans Urbi multas capit Civitates. Captis treugis cum Mediolanensibus & Bononiensibus, vel quali quali pace ad modicum suspensiva: Dominus Imperator partes Urbi vicinas copioso stipatus exercitu consultius peragravit, & Urbes & oppida suo dominio mancipavit: exemplum a Viterbio Civibus & oppidanis capientibus. Unde Papa suae causae diffidens, in abyssum desperationis est demersus: & relinquerunt eum recedentes ab eo multi Cardinalium, ut vix eum, quem suo solo impetu videbant plus efferri, quam fraeno regi rationis & consilii, aliquis, praeter Magistrum Robertum de Sumercote, qui eum non potuit prae verecundia dimittere, quia ipsum creaverat, amplius sequeretur. Hereupon the Pope, to divert the Emperor from Rome, stirred up the Earl of Flanders to War upon the Emperor, and to invade his Territories and Friends; and procured the Earl of Province, and King of France to War upon the Earl of Tholouse, filling Christendom with bloody Wars: by means whereof the Christians, destitute of relief, were routed and miserably oppressed by the Saracens in the Holy Land: Upon which the Emperor, condoling their misfortune, sent a Letter to King Henry the 3●. wherein he manifested the Pope's indiscretion, and quarrels with him, detaining him from that expedition, to be the chief cause of their misfortune. In this Letter he recited, That praesens Romanus Pontifex, nostri sermonis & operis malignus interpres, quasi discrimen nostrae religionis & Catholicae fidei in dilatione commodi temporis ageretur, crebris monitis, mandatis & minis Crucesignatos ad transitum coepit impellere: alligans aliis, juxta sacrae scripturae verbum, onera gravia, quae digito suo movere recusat. Quod cum ad nostram notitiam pervenisset, eundem Antistitem multoties iterata prece rogavimus, ne tantum opus, quod deliberationem consilii, opportunitatem temporis, & grandem apparatum rerum & hominum exigebat, volubilitati & praecipitio fortunae committeret: nec servitium Jesu Christi, & Terrae Sanctae subsidium, quod nostrum & tantorum animos virorum accenderat, improvida celeritate confunderet, etc. Sed iste Romanus Antistes, haec omnia parvi pendens, ut in odium nostrum universa cogeret ad ruinam, Crucesignatis acrius institit, ut transirent; non attendentes, quod Christianorum reliquiae de partibus transmarinis, quae cum hostibus salutiferae Crucis treugarum nostrarum foedere quiescebant, ex motu Crucesignatorum violato foedere, poterant gladii periculis & famis exponi, cum non posset eye de subventione sceleri subveniri ac provideri. Tandem, intellecto quod idem Papa Crucesignatis eisdem de transitu Literas terribiliter iteraret, scripsimus eis ut per Regnum nostrum ad transitum properarent: & quod parati eramus quibuscunque possemus eis hilari munificentia subvenire, etc. His auditis, Dominus Imperator multorum corda sibi conciliavit; & coeperunt Mat. Paris Hist. Angl. p. 513. Imperator multorum corda sibi reconciliat, et Concilium generale convocatur. multi stare cum eo, qui in amore & reverentia ejus prius vacillabant. Romanorum etiam populus, spretis promissionibus Papalibus, Imperiali celsitudini coepit firmiter adhaerere. Senatores quoque cum Magnatibus Urbis, praeclaris sanguine, ipsi Imperatori dextras dederunt. Creatus enim erat unus Senator Romae auctoritate Imperiali, anno tertio praecedenti. Vnde ex tunc congregati sunt Cardinales, dicentes, quod noluerunt Papales impetus in periculum totius Christianitatis amplius tolerare. Igitur significaverunt Cardinales, inito prolixiori Concilio, Domino etiam Imperatore consentiente et petente; quod juxta petitionem suam bene volebant, ut convocaretur Concilium generale, sub quanta posset competenter celeritate, & rite celebrandum. Praefixus est igitur dies Concilii, proximo advenientis die Paschae: ut ea die cum resurgente Domino, resurgens Ecclesia valeat foeliciter respirare. In fine vero aestatis, comperiens Legatus Papam cum Imperatore treugas usque Mat. Paris, p. 522, 523. Papa conatur a treugis cum Imperatore factis resilire. ad Concilium in proximo Pascha celebrandum accepisse, iratus valde, significavit eidem, quod effoeminatus animo, & pusillanimis frangebatur, mersus in desperationem. Et immerito, cum in sola Francia jam collectam adunaverat in auxilium suum pecuniam, unde per annum integrum bellum consertum contra Imperatorem valeret indubitanter intrepidus continuare. Unde Papa haec audiens, poenitens & dolens quod treugas acceperat, vocavit Magistrum Johannem de Collumpna, & Dominum Reimundum, excellentes Cardinales, dictarum treugarum mediatores, & adversus Imperatorem intercessores. Et dixit Johanni: Confundor in memetipso quod treugas concessi inimico Ecclesiae Frederico. Vade igitur tu, qui interpres fuisti super hoc inter nos, festinus ad ipsum, ipsas me nolle acceptare denuncians, me illi inimicum fore ex hoc nunc & antea, sub diffidutiatione audacter attestando: (A Message more becoming the Devil's Vicar general, than Christ's, the Prince of Peace.) Cui Johannes: Absit Domine haec levitas verborum in ore tanti viri, ad tantum Principem destinanda, praecipue per nos, qui non vulgares reputamur: huic enim consilio instabilitatis ac infidelitatis nequaquam consentio, sed constanter contradico. Cui Papa: Nec ego de caetero te habeo pro Cardinali. Et ait ei Johannes: Nec ego te pro Papa. Et sic recessit, de amico factus adversarius. Juxta illud: Quidam Imperator injuriosus dixit in ira & superbia cuidam suo Senatori: Recede, non te amplius pro Senatore habeo. Cui Senator intrepidus: Nec ego te pro Imperatore. Sicut subditus Domino, ita Dominus subdito tenetur. Quod cum Regi Francorum innotuisset, praecepit pecuniam totam, quam in terra Legatus in Francia magnam pecuniam collegit. sua mellitis sermocinationibus & fellitis comminationibus ab universitate Cleri, Rege permittente, messuerat, ab eodem Legato extortam, in terra sua, donec rei exitum videret, reservari, ut sic saltem, etsi invitus, Papa fidelis, qui vicarius Christi in terris nuncupatur, inveniretur. Et sic durabant treugae adhuc inter eos inviolatae, exceptis tamen Imperialibus inimicis, scilicet Mediolanensibus, & quibusdam aliis Italicis, de quibus non pertinebat ad Papam sollicitari, sicut fuit ab initio in treugarum compositione primitiva. The Pope being thus disappointed of his rapines in France, to carry on his Wars, contrived to make up his prey in England by this politic stratagem. Papa vero de pecunia congreganda vigil contemplator, ab Anglia praedam desideratam Callida Papae exactio pecuniae in Anglia. expectans, significavit Legato, ut non sicut prius omnem simul Clerum convenire attemptet, ne forte audaciam alterutrum accipientes, pristinis rationibus & exceptionibus fulciantur contradicentes: imo potius singulatim quemlibet eorum conveniendo flectere conetur. Prius tamen omnibus modis constantia Regis enervata, ut qui cum Clero ante stetit, & ei dederat cornua, effoeminatus fiat ei ad ruinam. Haec cum intellexisset Legatus, de docto factus doctior ad nocendum, Clerum Legati diligentia in pecuniis colligendis. Angliae universaliter Londinum, Authoritate Papae, coram eo in festo omnium Sanctorum, convocavit. Ubi Clerus congregatus simul cum religiosis, Regem invenerunt adversantem eis, quasi inimicum manifestum: & factus est illis baculus harundineus in quo fulti confidenter vulnerantur per fragmenta. Videntes igitur tam Religiosi quam Archidiaconi & Clerici beneficiati, qui ad contradicendum Legato in faciem, & ad instans Concilium appellandum proprio spiritu erecti animabantur, quod facti sunt velut oves traditae rictibus Luporum cruentatis, mellitis & super oleum mollitis Legati seductionibus, quas postea in jacula convertit, consenserunt. The Emperor informed of the Pope's designs against him, to break off the Truce, raise moneys to make Wars against him, and the ill consequences that might arise if the General Council should assemble at the time appointed, sent Letters to the King of England and others, prohibiting the repair of any Bishops to this Council, rendering substantial reasons for it, expressed in the Letter and other writings, in pursuit thereof: Sub eisdem etiam dierum curriculis scripsit Dominus Im erator Regi Anglorum in haec verba. IMperator Regi, salutem. Qualiter ad multam instantiam Lombardorum Romanae Mat. Paris, p. 524, 525, 526. Epistola Imperatoris ad Regem Angliae. sedis Antistes contra nos inconsulto calore processerit, satis vos publica fama perdocuit. Qualiter etiam prius quam contra nos, religionis debito & Pontificatus gravitate depositis, hostiliter arma capiens, se Ducem & Principem nostrorum rebellium stabiliret, nos universale Concilium, & specialiter Nunciorum vestrorum praesentiam petissemus, serenitatem Regiam credimus non latere. Demum, notitiam vestram non latuit, qualiter ad quorundam ex fratribus ejus instantiam, qui pro reparatione tanti discriminis remedia cogitabant, praeter omnium requirentium spem, nostra magnificentia condescendit, ut Lombardis prorsus exclusis, permitteremus eundem ab insuetis infestationibus Sacerdotum per temporale treugarum subsidium respirare, utpote qui libenter pro sedatione scandali generalis, & Terrae Sanctae subsidio procurando, reperiri modos & vias patiebamur ad pacem. Sed ipse Lombardos eosdem, quibus confoederatus fuerat, a treugarum nostrarum foedere non est passus excludi, totius orbis dissidio Mediolanensium ac ipsorum sequacium suffragia praeferendo. Cui cum aliquatenus assentire nollemus, ut laesae Majestatis nostrae reos sub praedictarum treugarum involucro pateremur involvi, vel ipsos ullo modo Papae praesidio communiri, tandem postquam vidit eosdem rebelles nostros propria virtute deficere, nec ipsis posse temporalia remedia saltem quiete afferre, ad artes alias postmodum se convertit, satagens nos per venerabilem Brixensem Episcopum, ad nostram praesentiam accedentem, inducere, ut cum pro reformatione pacis inter nos & Ecclesiam, ut dicebat, quamplurium Regum Nuncios ac nonnullos de Occidentalibus partibus Principes & Praelatos ad Synodum intenderet convocare, Lombardos praedictos excellentiae nostrae inimicos, in treugis cum ipso usque in proximum festum resurrectionis Dominicae contrahendis, comprehendere deberemus, causam fingens, ut ex universalibus treugis, vocatis ad Synodum securitas largior praeberetur. Audite mirabilem circumventionis modum, ad depressionem nostrae justitiae excogitatum, dum pacem nobiscum habere velle se simulat, ut Lombardoes, ad tempus per treugarum suffragia respirantes, contra nos fortius postmodum in rebellione confirmet, utque contra nos ad discordiam se medio tempore pervenientium Praelatorum ad vocationem suam subsidia licentius praeparet, speciem nobis concordiae pollicetur. Et ut evidenter ad oculum videatis, quod pro discordia potius Concilium advocet, quam pro pace, formam hujusmodi advocationis attendite. In qua nihil omnino de futurae pacis tractatu describitur, nisi pro magnis & arduis Ecclesiae Romanae negotiis vocatorum praesentiam asserat opportunam. Tempus inspicite, dum Legatum nobis ante Concilium, postquam nos & aggressus hostiliter, nititur convocare. Considerate personas, dum spretis magnificentiae vestrae Nunciis, per quos sibi tractatum pacis hujusmodi frequentius obtulistis, nunc Provinciae Comitem, manifestum excellentiae nostrae rebellem, Ducem Venetorum, Marchionem Ostiensem, Comitem S. Bonifacii, Albericum de Romandiola, Biackinum, Gugsinum de Camino, & Paulum Traversanum, cum quibus in malum nostrum, data eis pecunia, prout est publica voce notorium, conjuravit, vocat expressis nominibus ad Synodum supradictam. Veruntamen ob reverentiam summi Regis, sic nominato Episcopo duximus respondendum, quod nos cum sacrosancta Romana Ecclesia matre nostra discordiam non habemus aliquam, sed ab hujusmodi Romani Pontificis impetu justitiam Imperii nostri defendimus, & injuriam propulsamus. Nihilominus tamen, cum ipso semper pacem habere optavimus & optamus, per quod generale mundi dissidium evitemus. Et ut tractatus pacis a remotioribus partibus non quaeratur, per eundem Episcopum ac alios bonos viros, justitiae nostrae conscios, & communis concordiae zelatores, ad praesentem tractatum pacis, ut mala de medio citius auferantur, obtulimus nos paratos; treugas etiam, licet nobis tanquam ad belli praesidia munitis infestas, inire concessimus cum eodem; sperantes per eos, velut per quandam salutiferam scalam, posse facilius ad excelsa palatia pacis ascendi. Lombardoes tamen excellentiae nostrae rebelles, a nexu treugarum hujusmodi, sicut semper exclusimus, sic in perpetuum excludemus; nec inter nos & eum, praesente discrimine, vocari Concilium per eundem, velut hostem publicum Imperii, permittemus: Praesertim cum nobis, Imperio, et omnibus terrae primatibus indecentissimum judicemus, honoris nostri causam suspecto foro subjicere, vel judicio Synodali: Sed omnibus ad Concilium ipsum convocatis, per terram nostrae ditioni subjectam, in personis & rebus securitatem denegamus. Quamobrem serenitatem Regiam praesentibus exhortamur, quatenus per Praelatos omnes & singulos Regni vestri, edicti Regii vulgato programmate divulgetis; ut nullus sub securitatis nostrae fiducia ad Synodum ipsam accedat. Nos enim quantumcunque Regni vestri fidelibus, ob amorem praecipuum quem erga vos gerimus, libentissime deferamus; praesumptuosam tamen audaciam eorum, qui ad inimici nostri vocationem accederent, nos non deceret ullatenus aequanimiter tolerare. Datum in Castris, in obsidione Faventiae, xiij. die Septembris, fourteen. Indict. A clear evidence of the Emperor's Prerogative, to prohibit, as well as to summon Councils, when called to his prejudice, to prevent the Pope's designs against him. Subscriptis igitur & quibusdam aliis causis rationabilibus, Dominus Imperator Causae quibus Imperator motus Concilium vult impedire. turbatus, & timens sibi laque os praeparari in Concilio celebrando, caepit illud impedire, his admonitus causis pro parte praelibatis. Primo, igitur Dominus Imperator tempus reprehendit inopportunum, & nimis festinum, ad quod nunquam consensit praefigendum. Item, quod sicut praelocutum fuit, & tam Papali quam Imperiali assensu determinatum, non vocat Dominus Papa vocandos ad Concilium, cum utriusque causa sit in ipso specialiter pertractanda. Item, cum pro pace, reformanda inter eos & confirmanda vocandum fuit Concilium, & non ob aliud, in scripto vocationis suae non facit super hoc Dominus Papa mentionem nisi tantum sic exprimens, pro arduis Ecclesiae negotiis, suppresso penitus pro qua causa vocari Concilium debuit principaliter, & sic obviat Papa promissis utrobique formatis & firmatis. Item, dicit Dominus Imperator, quod Dominus Papa ad Concilium publicos hostes, & manifestos Imperii vocavit, (quorum nomina Dominus Imperator in sua epistola exprimit,) & eosdem Imperialibus corrupit muneribus, ut vertantur in Arcum pravum, ut traditorum nominibus in perpetuum probose cum suis generationibus deturpentur, quibus non sunt tam ardua status Imperialis committenda. Item, dicit Imperator: Otto Cardinalis, Legatus in Anglia, & Rex Angliae, omnem fere thesaurum illius regionis, ad meam dejectionem anhelantes, exhauserunt: & nos, non sine Imperii magna verecundia, & ●amae nostrae sugillatione, in regno Angliae anathematis vinculis innodari fecerunt. Quapropter ipsos, & omnes Angliae Praelatos, nostros inimicos merito debemus reputare, qui pecuniam suam in nostrum gravamen effundentes, honorem nostrum pro posse suffocarunt; nec movit eos, quod nunquam eis nocens affinitatis foedere Anglorum Regi conjungor sociatius. Ipsorum igitur examen subire mihi foret absurdum, & penitus dissonum rationi. Item, dicit dominus Imperator, quod per treugarum acceptarum moram, nobis suspectam, imo dispendiosam, & dum Concilij tractarentur negotia (quae finem forte non poterunt sortiri repentinum) inimici nostri poterunt respirare, & ad gravamen Imperii, assensu & fomento Papae, quorum se constituit principem defensorem, & pro ipsis bellatorem, surgere fortiores. Item, dicit Dominus Imperator, quod Dominus Papa maximam quantitatem pecuniae expectat extorquendam a Praelatis Franciae, & praecipue Angliae, quam promisit hostibus Imperii se daturum: unde sumunt Papa & ipsi spem & cornua, quae merito sibi imminent formidanda. Sumpsit enim haec consuetudo ab praedecessore suo Innocentio, in ultimo Concilio exordium detestandum; ut celebrato Concilio non detur Praelatis recedendi licentia, donec Papa singulatim a singulis pecuniam extorserit, non habito respectu ad labores & viatica Praelatorum, in itineribus vexatorum. Item, dicit Imperator: quod omnes Praelati, praecipue Angliae, imo etiam Rex Anglorum, tenentur Papae per suam professionem et juramentum, tanquam Domino sententialiter non obligati, et Imperatori vel Imperio: Vnde judicat Imperator, eorum arbitrium merito ipsi fore nimis suspectum, et ratione formidandum, praesertim cum Papa ejus dignoscatur esse inimicus praecipuus et capitalis, membra tracturus ad consensum. Studet etiam et omnem effundit peritiam et industriam, ut ipsum confundat Imperium cum Imperatore. Sed secundum illud Ovidanum. Vt la●ro, sic cautus praecingitur ense viator: Hic parat insidias, hic sibi praestat opem. Cum igitur haec, & alia populo incognita, subtili rationis trutina libraret Dominus Imperator, sciens multos callere in ipsius nocumentum, caepit per praescriptam Epistolam vocatos & venientes ad Concilium, de imminentibus sibi periculis, scilicet, quod noluit eos defendere perditionem suam facientes transitum, civiliter praemunire. Moreover, the Emperor soon after proceeded to obstruct and prohibit the meeting of this Council, thus related. Circa eorundem temporum curricula, Dominus Imperator satis subtiliter considerans, quod si Concilium generale▪ celebraretur, cui praesidere habuit ejusdem Anno 1241. Mat. Par. Hist. Angl. p. 534. 535. Imperator prohibet Praelatos ad Concilium convenire. Capitalis adversarius, scilicet Dominus Papa, & cui obedire habebant omnes Praelati assessores quasi membra suo Capiti, ad se reversus cepit vehementer sibi formidare, & sibi praecavens, ait Optimatibus suis; Angustor undique, & Circumventus oppressuris variis torqueor, Imperio periculis jam imminentibus. Quia sicut jam paratum est, si Concilium generale convocetur celebrandum, praesidente inimico meo Capitali, cui non audebunt contradicere praesidentes Praelati sibi subjecti, me cum Imperio irrestaurabiliter condemnabit. Est enim Papa meus insatiabilis inimicus & adversarius manifestus, potens quemcunque eorum suae voluntati obvium a gradu suae dignitatis deponere, imo & depositum anathematis vinculis innodare, & in deterioris poenae confusionem praecipitare: longe aliter periclitatur causa nostra et Imperii Condito, nec non et omnium Principum, quam solus amplector contuendam. Reges orbis et Principes, quorum etiam causam, eorum factus 〈◊〉, foveo, ad meam non venirent vocationem vel mihi obedirent, nec mihi sub▪ ic●untur, ut possem eos cogere vel punire contumaces▪ psorum igitur adminiculo de●●tutus & praesentia, dubio foro committam Imperialis culminis causam dignissimam, & Inimici ejus Judices erunt? Absit hoc me superstite. Quibus rationibus ac persuasionibus consentientes Magnates sui providebant, quod licet in sui honoris praejudicum redundare videretur, ut mutaretur antecedens Concilium, tamen propter imminens periculum jam declaratum Concilium quod prius concesserat, impediretur. Ipsos igitur Praelatos coepit Imperator efficaciter Literis suis commonere, ut ad Concilium generale celebrandum, juxta Papalem advocationem, venire nequaquam festinarent! Ex tunc igitur Pra latos, qui per terram Romanam Curiam adierunt, tam in personis, quam eorum procuratoribus impedire, & suis renuentes persuasionibus obtemperare, hostiliter impugnare, capere, incarcerare, & torquere nec non & plures morte plectere detestanda, non cessabat Imperator. Quod cum audiret Dominus Papa, in eundem multiplicavit maledictiones & convicia, congessit excommunicationes, sententias innovavit. Arctabantur igitur hinc inde Legati, quos in virtute obedientiae praeceperat Papa, omnium pater Spiritualium, ad instans Dominicae Resurrectionis Festum Paschale ac Concilium quod salubriter praeparaverat, ac procuraverat convenire: inde repagulum contradictionis, & Impedimentum Imperialis sententiae formidabant. Hinc Scylla, inde Charibdis voraginis periculum minabatur. Vacillantium igitur corda Praelatorum, etiam singulorum, Dominus Papa solummodo tenore Epistolae suae sub hac forma exiliter consolabatur, hoc modo: GREGORIUS Episcopus, servus servorum Dei, Venerabili fratri, tali Literae Papales. Episcopo, vel tali, salutem & Apostolicam benedictionem. Petri navicula, matris Ecclesiae sinus, quasi negociorum operta fluctibus, & quaestionum urgentium agitata procellis, dexteram Jesus Salvatoris implorat. Ea quidem flatibus Aquilonis impulsa, dormire videtur Dominus, n utant discipuli, nautae quasi naufrugii verentur ventum, & eventum populi trepidant, clamat Petrus utinam tepescentibus caeteris, saltem porrigerent filii opem, & operam consilii salutaris, nec ipsam fluctus involvat, nec pyrata crudelis abducat. Porro, foedere naturalis pactionis irrupto, fides quatitur, charitas refrigescit, tepescit devotio, crescit & invalescit iniquitas in dominum, & proximum commissura; ex quibus fidei Christianae profectibus evidens praestatur obstaculum, sequuntur dispendia, & plebs devota fidelium, beneficio quietis excluso, variis molestiis fatigatur. Quae communis statura judicii Apostolicae dignitatis auctoritas, justae discussionis examine prudenter appendens, ut omnium generalis & una mater utilitati provideat, singulorum, manus fortium Regum videlicet, Praelatorum, Principum, & aliorum fidelium, non indigne advocare decrevit, ut multiplicatis clamoribus, dominum suscitet dormientem, & plurium adjuta consiliis, praementia faciat onera leviora: expeditionis optatae portum foeliciter petitura. Inter quos, te Frater Episcope, devotum Ecclesiae filium, & nobile membrum ipsius, ut venires ad matris Ecclesiae gremium ad proximum ventnrum festum Resurrectionis dominicae, literis recolimus Apostolicis convocasse. Verum, sicut pro certo didicimus, singularis ille dudum Ecclesiae filius, Apostolico provectus & defensus auxilio, de puero tunc omni destituto suffragio, ad Imperii culmen humero materno translatus, ea non contentus injuria, qua mercede recompensans, in qua patris irrumpit solium, matris exponere pudicitiam, & vendicare Sanctuarium indevotus intemptat, astutus ad haec in ipsa armatur insidiis, Praelatisnuper vocatis a nobis, accessum suis terroribus interdicens, ut nullius expers calumniae illam quam gravibus infestat molestiis, nec in filiorum patiatur solatio respirare. Cum igitur tam Sanctum generalis utilitatis propositum sub fiducia divini favoris assumptum, humanis non debeat versutiis retardari, fraternitatem vestram rogamus, monentes attente per Apostolica scripta, & districte percipiendo mandantes, * So they did who obeyed the Emperor rather than the Pope, Rom. 13. 1. to 8. Tit. 3. 1. Deum praeferens homini, & difficultaribus omnibus ob meritum fidei, ante in supra-dicto termino ad sedem Apostolicam accedere non omittas: ut mater filiorum roborata praesentia, hostis adversantis obstaculo providentia divina subsato, piae intentionis exordium foelici consummatione concludat. Nos enim super omnibus, quae ad tantum negotium expediunt, annuente Domino, providere curabimus, prout tibi exparte nostra plenius exponetur. Datum Laterani, Idibus Octobris, Pontificatus nostri anno decimo quarto. Facti igitur aequanimiores Praelati, ad iter inchoatum praeparaverunt imperterriti, sperantes indubitanter, quod Dominus Papa; Deo favente, saltem per mare vias sibi securissimas, praeparasset: Anglici tamen, Francorum consilio adquiescentes, obiterque ad loca tutiora se transferentes, utpote Norwicensis, & quidam alii, rei exitum sub silentio cautius explorarunt. During the Wars, and these contests between the Emperor, Pope and Bishops, Mat. Par. Hist. Angl 542. 543, 544, 545. about this Council, the Tartars encouraged by the Christians differences, invaded Hungary with a great Army: Pro qua immani tribulatione, & Ecclesiae damnosa, quae inter Dominum Papam & Dominum Imperatorem orta est discordia, indicuntur jejunia & orationes, cum eleemosynis largioribus diversis Regionibus; The Emperor by his Letters to the King of England, and other Christian Princes, signified the great danger all Christendom and Christian Religion were in, by the Tartars invasions, occasioned by the Pope's implacable malice in stirring up his subjects to rebel against him, and protecting, encouraging, assisting, them in their rebellions, whereby he was much disabled, to resist and fight the Tartars: Adding, Cum voluntas (Papae) pro jure fuerit, linguae lubricum discursum non regenti, & à multiplici genere dissidii, quod attemptavit, non dedignatus est abstinere, per legatos & nuntios suos, crucem quam adversus tyrannidem Tartarorum vel Saracenorum, terram sanctam invadentium & occupantium, exercuisse debuit & decebat, jussit contra me (brachium, & Ecclesiae advocatum) publicari, rebellibus nostris, graviter contra honorem nostrum & famam exultando conspirantibus. Et cum maxima nobis immineat cura, nos a domesticis & familiaribus hostibus expedire, qualiter & barbaros expellemus? And in his letters to the King of France, he added this Clause: ait enim, commovit vehementius, Reipublicae sedulus Procurator. Admiramur super Francorum prudentia, quod non subtilius caeteris Papales astutias consideratis, vel non attenditis cupiditates. Proponit enim ambitio ipsius insatiabilis omnia fidelium Regna suo subjicere dominatui, ab Anglorum conculcata Corona sumens exemplariter consequentiam, et ut culmen Imperii suis inclinet nutibus, ausa est praesumptuoso conatu, et ausu temerario, protervius inhiare. This Antichristian Pope notwithstanding the apparent danger to all Christian Princes by the Tartars invasion, and these Letters of the Emperor, proceeded impetuously in Mat. Paris Hist. Ang Edit Londini. p. 561, 562 563. Admonet Papa Praelatos, ut spreto Imperatore Concilium properent. his designs against him, convening a Council to depose him notwithstanding the Emperor's prohibitions, but with very ill success to his Legates and Prelates. Dierum ipsorum curriculo, infausto casu, dominus Prenestinus, nomine Jacobus, quandoque Legatus in Francia, & dominus Otto Cardinalis in carcere Tulliano Diaconus, aliquando Legatus in Dacia, & postea in Anglia, & Gregorius de Romagna, tunc ad Januenses Legatus missus, ut sibi omnes obedientes ab omnibus peccatis suis absolveret, apud Januam commorabantur, de classe sibi providentes. Erant autem cum ipsis Archiepiscopi, Episcopi, Abbates quamplurimi, qui cum timerent minas Imperatoris si transfretarent, frequenter Epistolas & nuncios à Domino Papa receperunt consolatorias & admonitorias, ut non omitterent navigando ad Concilium properare, imo potius spretis secularibus comminationibus, Patri spirituali promptius obedirent. Facta autem fuit conventio inter eos & Januenses, mediante non minima pecunia; ut ipsi Januenses omnes tam Legatos quam Praelatos, cum sua sequela, indempnes et illaesos, etiam invito Imperatore, ad Romanam Curiam salvo perducerent. Et dum super his tractatum haberent diligentem & prolixum, fluctuantibus aliquibus, quid tutius, quid consultius foret agendum, significavit Dominus Papa, quod in brachio seculari auxilium efficax tam validum obviam per mare, ad ipsorum ducatum & protectionem, ipsis exeuntibus de portu, indubitanter in navali expeditione transmitteret, quod nullo modo valerent resistere manus adversantium, nec etiam ipse Imperator, quem Dominus Papa Sathanae dederat in perditionem, utpote anathemate multiplici innodatum. Quo mandato nimis eos paterna consolatio animavit, imo adeo ut cujuslibet periculi discrimen, vel mortem amplecterentur. (But how vain and destructive this their groundless confidence and obedience to the Pope, proved, the sequel will demonstrate.) Cum autem haec praedicta Imperatori innotuissent, intellexit evidenter, quod Imperator petit a Praelatis ut per terram ad Concilium proficiscantur. Dominus Papa ad dejectionem ipsius sitienter anhelebat, & ad hoc tam districte Praelatos advocabat, in nullo voluntati ejus contradicturos, coepit formidare sibi vehementer, & desiderabat, ut per ipsum itinerantes, per terram venirent, ut plenius de jure, de quo confidebat, instruerentur, ne falsis suggestionibus circumvenirentur, nec aliquo modo sine tali certificatione ad Romanam curiam subito navigando transmearent. Missis igitur Legatis solennibus ad ipsos jam navigare praeparatos, significavit eis modeste & humiliter, ut pacifice & omni securitate per omnes terras suae ditioni subjectas, dummodo non per mare vel maritima, transmigrarent; scirentque certissime, quod nullus suorum ipsos offenderet itinerantes. Et si forte non crederent Imperialibus promissis, providerent sibi formam securitatis, & se eandem formam secuturum per omnia secundum eorum dispositionem, indubitanter promittebat. Imo etiam causam suam, postquam ipsis viva voce penitus explicasset, & per omnia ipsos ad unguem instruxisset, fideliter ac fiducialiter committeret, toti Concilio judicialiter examinandam, & sententialiter determinandam, discretumque examen tot & tantorum patrum sanctorum se spopondit subiturum. Et sic ipsos fore procuratores, advocatos & judices omni qua potuit instantia postulavit, persuadendo, imperando, supplicando, secundum illud Poeticum: Imperium, Promissa, preces, confudit in unum. Conquestus est insuper graviter de impetu Papalis persecutionis indefesso, ita ut audientes fere ad lachrymas provocavit & commovit, asserens, quod Dominus Papa ipsum, nec convictum, nec confessum, pro iniquissimo Haeretico, et fidei Christianae valido ac manifesto impugnatore fecit haberi, et multis regionibus excommunicari, et quam graviter scivit ac potuit scandalisavit, nomenque et famam, quo nihil est damnosius, irrestaurabiliter denigravit, et ad dejectionem ipsius nisibustotis anhelavit. Et nuper cum complacuerat & convenerat meae parti ac suae communiter, Concilium convocari, in quo praesto parabamus causas hinc inde propalare, judicium commune subituri, ipse Papa perperam formam convocationis praelocutae alteravit, publicos inimicos Imperii, ac Laicos & seculares personas convocando, potius ad praelia quam pacem praeparatos, secundum tenorem Epistolae Regi Angliae, & aliis Principibus transmissae: in qua retiacula abscondita & muscipulas Papalis astutiae certius detunicavi. In qua etiam Epistola praemunivi eosdem, ne praelatos suos per meam sinerent ditionem transmeare, sicut se suaque diligebant. Addiditque Imperator, sicut alias & in dicta Epistola mandaverat, quod periculosum foret & rationi dissonum penitus, Domino Papae manifesto adversario, & suis consentaneis, qui potius videntur conspiratores in subversionem sacri Imperii, quam Judices aequitatis, assessoribus causam principalem, & ejus circumstantias ignorantibus, tam arduam causam inaequali foro committere. Summopere igitur desideravit Imperator, ut per eum in pace venirent Praelati, Causae cur Imperator ad Praelatos non potest accedere. de causa sua plenius instruendi, ut de omnibus occultis circumstantiis eos certificaret. Ipse enim nullo modo ad ipsos Praelatos personaliter poterat accedere, tum pro carentia thesauri, quem effuderat in diuturna obsidione Faventiae, & aliis variis negotiis, quorum maximum de exercitu filii sui contra Tartaros, & aliis, quae opportuit cautius continuare; tum propter Januenses sibi rebelles, quibus noluit nisi in forti manu appropinquare. Praelati vero, Legatorum animati promissionibus et Papalibus Legati nolunt per terram ad Concilium proficisci. crebro missis Epistolis consolatoriis, in quibus se promis●t per mare obviam mitere juvamen festinum & efficax, noluerunt quomodolibet a proposito suo resilire. Dicebant etenim, Non est fides, adhibenda cavillalatoris dictis excommunicati. Contemptis igitut Imperatoriis consiliis & petitionibus, Praelati confidentes in multitudine Januensium, qui in navali certamine expediti, minas & vires Imperiales contempserunt, naves ascenderunt, praeambulis Januensibus, qui multiplicabant loqui sublimia, asserentes vires adversantium nullatenus sibi formidabiles, meticulosos & pusillanimes Praelatos & litteratos appellantes, & erat superbia eorum major quam potestas. Galeis igitur dispositis & ordinatis cum navibus, versus Orientem in clamore tumultuoso nautarum, & clangore buecinarum mare Tyrrhenum sulcaverunt. Quod eum Domino Imperatori significaretur, doluit se contemptum, & sua monita Imperator jubet Praelatos capi. cum precibus aspernari. Misitigitur ad Henricum filium suum, quem de consuetudine appellat naturalem, cui commiserat mare, & maritima custodienda cum navali exercitu ad impediendum transitum Praelatorum, ut ipsos jam navigantes capere non formidet, vel submergat, vel trucidet, (as they well deserved for their pride, contumacy, rebellion and Treachery) Dictus igitur Henricus, paternis praeceptis obediens, mifit obviam eisdem Janisensibus Legati cum Praelatis capiuntur. Legatos & Praelatos confidenter ducentibus, viginti galeias novas & solidissimas, manu militari optime communitas in prima fronte, quibus primicerius praeerat Stollius pyratarum peritissimus. Factoque congressu navali cruentissimo, Pisan●s quibus specialter praefuit Henricus cum jam dicto Stollio, qui per modum fulgurantis tempestatis irruit ad certamen, victi sunt Jaenuenses, captique Praelati cum Legatis, et aliqui submersi vel caesi, scilicet Archiepiscopus de Vesentia & multi alii quos longum est numerare. Ex Abbatibus tamen vix Savi●●ensis ope Johannis de Lexintuna, militis strenuissimi & elegantis, fratris sui▪ ac Nuncii Regis Angliae, evasit liber & illaesus. De hujusmodi autem infortunato casu▪ per hanc Epistolam, cui communis fama perhibet testimonium, evidenter certificamur. Captis igitur & praesentatis Praelatis & Legatis cum suis Januensibus Domino Imperatori, scripsit idem Imperator Regi Anglorum, necnon & aliis Principibus in haec verba: FREDERICUS Imperator, Regi Angliae salutem & sincerae dilectionis affectum. Epistola Imperatoris de captione civitatis Faventiae & Praelatorum in mari. Hilari affectione recepimus literas & nuntios vestros quos ad nostram praesentiam transmisisti, & tam ea quae literae continebant, quam ea quae iidem Nuncii ex parte vestra ore tenus coram nobis referebant, audivimus & intelleximus diligenter. Et ecce ad singula quae misistis prospere per eos, per magistrum Walterum de Ocra, dilectum nostrum Notarium ac fidelem, plenarie respondemus. Cui ea quae vobis ore tenus ex parte celsitudinis nostrae dicet, indubitanter tanquam personae nostrae credatis. Cui etiam plenam concessimus potestatem procedendi in negotio, pro quo nuntii supradicti venerunt, & complendi illud juxta formam sibi a celsitudine nostra datam. Ad hoc, cum nostris congaudeatis successibus & in nostrorum humilitatem rebellium fiat terror & caeteris cautela subjectis, jocunda insinuatione vobis describimus, quod cum civitas Faventiae suis diffisa meritis, & propria munitione confisa, beneficio temporis Hyemalis ausa fuerit nostrae rebellionis viribus praestare repagulum. Veris tamen instituto tempore haec eadem civitate, machinarum nostratum incursione quassata, muris irruentibus, & fossoribus nostris penetrantibus per meatus subterraneos intima civitatis, ut manualiter inter cives & bellatores nostros bella concurterent, & oporteret eos pro minis corpora cominus praestare gladiis exponenda, sumpserunt sanius pro eorum salute consilium, quibus expugnatio vicinum excidum minabatur, & ad implorandam nostram misericordiam continuo clamore saepe conversi, die Dominico, decimo quinto die Aprilis, mandatis nostris & beneplacitis se praecise manciparunt, subjicientes in nostram misericordiam civitatem, suas pariter & personas, praestitis fidelitatis debitae juramentis, & illicitis juramentis, si quae fecerunt, abjuratis. Ad quorum receptionem nostri Comes Imperii semperindivisa, & justi arbitra moderaminis, clementia nos induxit, quae victoris animum vicit, ut cum victis misericorditer ageremus: rati gloriosiorem esse victoriam, misereri conversis, quam in eorum casu ulcisci miserabili: pium genus vindictae pensantes, ignoscere noxis, dum potuimus ferius vindicasse. Remissa igitur gratis offensa, licet non minima, & reis Imperialiter absolutis, civium & civitatis, statu sub nostro, & Imperii jugo, (quo nihil suavius aut dignius esse probabunt) pro rerum qualitate disposito, dum ad depopulationem vicinae Bononiae nostrum verteremus propositum & affectum, Praelatorum turbam, cum Praenestino Episcopo, Ottonoque Thoringio sancti Nicholai in carcere Tulliano Diacono Cardinali, nostris adversaturam processibus, ex diversis provinciis congregatam, contigit suo infortunio Januam pervenisse. Ubi conveniente cum eis Gregoriis de Romagna, addito Legato Legatis, ut insimul ligarentur, & conspiratione cum Janvensibus rebellibus nostris facta, quidam de Regno Francorum navalem exercitum copiosum congregantes, pyratas suos armari fecerunt, cum quibus ad Papam Romanum, pro majoris causa dissidii, conjuraverunt advenire. Ad quorum impediendum transitum & accessum, nostram diu ante praevisam classem convenire fecimus apud Pisas, victoriosum Galeiarum Stollium praeponentes. Quos cum quibusdam nostris fidelibus, eorum praecognita motione, in lacis & portubus, quos vel alto mari praeterire non poterant, velut obvia, & necessario navigabilia transitu, ut eis transeuntibus potenter occurerent, destinavimus. Et aggressus galeiis nostris galeias eorum, quas praepotens Dominus, qui ex alto vider, & dimicat aequitatem dijudicans, invias vias eorum & excogitatam malitiam, insatiabilemque cupiditatem meditatus, in viribus & potentia nostra, quam effugere terra vel mari non poterant, Domino favente, Legatos ligatos simul tradidit & Praelatos. Et tribus galeiis eorum submersis, ac omnibus quae vehebantur in ipsis, cum viris qui ad duo millia aestimati sunt, sine spe recuperationis amissis, viginti & duae galeiae, non sine magna navigantium caede, cum personis & rebus, divina sic volente providentia, victae sunt a galeiis nostris, & triumphaliter captae. In quibus tres dicti Legati, cum Archiepiscopis, Episcopis, Abbatibus, et multis aliis Praelatis, nuntiis quoque Praelatorum et procuratoribus, qui ultra centum aestimantur, cum Ambassationibus civitatum rebellium Lombardiae, qui ad praesixum ire Concilium properabant, quatuor millibus januensium, exceptis specialibus et electis personis de janua, quae galeiis praeerant, et comitatui Praelatorum pro ducendis et reducendis eisdem januam, sicut inter eos fuerat infortunate conventum, ad manus nostras ligati pervenerunt, cum Praenestino illo, qui summum contra nos saepius incitaverat odium. Qui sub latentis lupi specie, in ovina pelle & agni chlamide, Deum inclusum gerere non confidat, cujus divinum judicium non defuisse arbitramur, et sciat quia Deus nobiscum est, sedens super Thronum, et dijudicans aequitatem, qui non solum per Sacerdotium, sed per Regnum et Sacerdotium, mundi machinam statuit gubernandam. Nos igitur, suum nobis caelitus Domino reserante consilium, & in plana tot aspera convertente, sudores bellicos, & aestivos pulveres non vitantes, nostrum foelix iter & intentionem omnimodam & conatus ad eum dirigamus, qui nobis & caeteris regnantibus exaltationis, & gloriae contulit incrementum. Et nos praedictorum Principes successuum nostrorum participes & vos, praecipue fieri gratulamur, quos in omni successurae faelicitatis eventu, ex unaminitate, qua unimur, cupimus esse consortes. Datae Faventiae, etc. Missa est igitur talis Epistola aliis Principibus quasi consolatoria, sed non omnes tenorem ipsius acceptabant, cum dicat Poeta ethicus; Gloria peccati non repetenda sui est. jussu igitur Imperiali ducti sunt per mare cursu diuturno, per spacium circiter trium hebdomadarum donec venirent Neapolim in Apulia: & in castro quod est vicinum civitati, & mare circumdatum, tutelae certissimae mancipantur. Sed non omnes aequa damnabat calamitas carceralis. Praenestini enim miserrima erat conditio. Et omnes jam vel morbus, vel lethaelis invaserat imbecillitas. Cum enim diu navigaverant sedentes glomeratim vincti & oppressi, cecideratque super eos aestus intolerabilis, muscis circum●olitantibus, & more scorpionum pugnentibus, fame & siti cruciati, & ad arbitrium nequissimorum nautarum imo hostilium pyratorum, lacessiti & objurgati, longum martyrium protraxerunt, quod pro obedientia (So the Pope miscalled it, but in truth for their disobedience, rebellion against the Emperor) subierunt. Videbatur igitur carcer requies, licet requie caruisset. Tabuerunt ergo, praecipue delicatiores, & variis infirmitatibus languerunt. Unde quidem religiosi, & multi alii, animas afflictas exhalantes ex miseria hujus mundi ad Dominum, non sine palma martyrii migraverunt. Et cito post, Dominus Praenestinus, obediens Domino Papae, usque ad mortem a nequam faeculo transivit ad requiem. The Imprisonment of these Prelates and Pope Gregory's * Mat. Paris p▪ 533. death soon after prevented the Councils meeting, and put a period thereunto. Having thus presented you with the tragical contests between Pope Gregory and the Emperor, from the year 1238. till 1242. I shall now return to that which more immediately relates to the Ecclesiastical affairs of England and Ireland. The Pope having granted a Provision to Roger Trinity Clerk, within the Diocese of London, directed to Otto his Legate to execute, he thereupon granted him the next Prebendary that should fall in the Church of Saint Martyn●; which being the King's Free Chapple, exempted from Episcopal Jurisdiction, the King to preserve the Rights of his Crown and privilege of his Free Chapples, issued this memorable Prohibition and Appeal to the Legate. VEnerabili in Christo Patri O. Dei gratia, Sancti Nicholai in carcere Tulliano diacono Anno 1238▪ Pat. 22. H. 3. m▪ 3. Intus. Cardinali, & Apostolicae sedis Legato H. eadem gratia Rex Angliae, etc. salutem & sincerae dilectionis affectum. Cum sicut audivimus Rogerus de sancta Trinitate Clericus, literas Apostolicas impetraverit vobis directas, super quadam Provisione ei in aliqua Ecclesiarum London. Dioc. facienda, vos dilectis nobis in Christo Decano et Capitulo Sancti Martini London. Provisionem illam faciendam authoritate qua fungitis demandastis Praebendam, si qua vacet, ad praesens vel cum aliqua in Ecclesia ipsa vacare contigerit conferendo. Cum igitur Ecclesia ipsa Capella nostra specialis existat, et ad nostrum Patronatum specialiter spectare dignoscatur, in spiritualibus etiam nullam Diocesano subjectionem impendere teneatur, sed ab Episcopali jurisdictione exempta penitus ab antiquo, Domino Papae sit immediate subjecta, ne praefato R. Clerico vel alii in praefata Capella nostra Praebendam aliquam conferatis, quod quidem in praejudicium nostrum non modicum redundaret, praesentiam Apostolicam Appellamus, et ad appellationem illam faciendam, Willielmum de R. Clericum procuratorem nostrum duximus constituendum. Teste meipso apud West. 25. die Julii. To prosecute this business with effect at Rome, he constituted a special Proctor by these his Letters Patents DOmino Papae Rex, salutem. Noverit Sanctitas vestra nos dilectum Clericum Pat. 22 H. 3. m. 3. intus. nostrum Magistrum Alex. le Seculer quem pro negotiis nostris ad Curiam Romanam destinavimus procuratorem nostrum constituisse, ad impetrandum & contradicendum pro nobis in eadem Curia impetratis & impetrandis. Dedimus etiam eidem Magistro Alex. potestatem substituendi procuratorem loco suo in negotio memorato si necesse fuerit. Ratum habituri quicquid idem Magister Alex. vel ab eo substitutus Procurator fecerit in praemissis. In cujus rei testimonium, has Literas nostras Patentes fieri fecimus, & sunt sine termino. Teste Rege apud West monasterium, xxvij. die Julii. Upon the * Here p. 493, to 497. forecited assault made by the Scholars of Oxford on the Legate and his Servants, the King issued this Writ to the Sheriff of Gloucester, to apprehend all Scholars, whether Scots, Welsh-men, Irish, or English, going from Oxford, guilty of that fact, to the great dishonour of his Government, and disturbance of the public peace, (casually omitted in its proper place.) REX Vicecomiti Gloucestriae, salutem. Cum Venerabilis Pater, etc. nuper Claus. 22 H. 3. m. 16. dorso. hospitaretur apud Oseneyam, Clerici quidam de Universitate Oxoniae timore Dei postposito, & spreta sedis Apostolicae reverentia, in gravem Regiae dignitatis iaesionem in praedictum Legatum & suos irruentes, eye tam de die, quam de nocte contra pacem nostram insultum dederunt, quosdam de familia sua interfecerunt, & slios graviter vulneraverunt, de quo vehementer moti sumus & perturbati, tam pro contemptu & injuria Sanctae Romanae Ecclesiae illata, quam pro manifesta pacis nostrae perturbatione. Et ideo tibi praecipimus firmiter in jungentes in fide qua nobis tenetis, & sicut teipsum & omnia tua diligis, per totam Ballivam tuam diligenter insidiari facias, si qui Clerici venientes de Oxon. de quacunque natione sive Scoti, sive Wallenses, sive Hibernienses, sive Anglici, a die Veneris proxima ante festum Sancti Marci, & inde recedentes occasione praedicta, per partes illas transitum facient. Et si quos tales inveneris, illos capias & salvo custodias in libera prisona, donec aliud inde praeceperimus: Scire etiam facias omnibus qui Libertates habent infra Ballivam tuam, quod sicut seipsos & Libertates suas diligunt, de praedictis Clericis capiendis idem faciant infra Libertates praedictas. The Pope's Legate presuming to hold Pleas before him in England, not only of all Ecclesiastical, but likewise of Temporal matters, belonging to the King's Courts, as of Fishings, Rents, Chattles and Debts; the King thereupon issued these ensuing Prohibitions to stay such suits, in a modest stile. LEgato Rex, salutem. Cum sicut audivimus Prior Sancti Jerusalem Anglioe, Thesaurarium Claus. 22 H. 3. m. 20. dorso. Ehoracensis Ecclesiae, super quadam Piscaria sua, coram vobis trahat in causam, quae quidem causa terminari debet in Curia nostra: Et nobis ex hoc possit praejudicium generari: Paternitatem vestram attente rogamus, quatenus cum plenam fiduciam de vobis reportemus, quod ea quae spectant ad Coronam et dignitatem nostram velitis plenius conservare, praedictam causam non sustineatis coram vobis de caetero ventilari. Et taliter has preces nostras exaudias, quod vobis ob hec teneri debeamus ad grates. T. Consimiles Literas habet Radulphus filius Nicholai de catallis & debitis. Consimiles Literas habet Magister de Ripar. de debitis. The Bishopric of Landaffe becoming void, the Pope by his own Papal Authority and Provision conferred it on John de Monmouth, who was consecrated Bishop thereof by the Archbishop of Canterbury, after the King's Royal assent to the Popes: Provision, Anno 1239. (not 1296▪ as Godwin in his Catalogue of Bishops, p. 427. mistakes) whereupon the King issued this Writ to the Earl of Gloucester and Hertford, to restore the Temporalties of the Bishopric to this new Bishop, he having formerly granted them to him, and Joan the King's sister for their lives, during the vacancy. REX dilecto & sideli suo Gilberto de Clare, Com. Gloucest. & Hertford. salutem. Pat. 23 H. 3. m. 15. Cum vobis & charissimae filiae nostrae Johannae consorti vestrae concesserimus custodiam Episcopatus Landaven. necnon & omnium Dominicarum & tenementorum ad Episcopatum illum spectantium, & in Dominico seu feodo vestro existentium tempore vacationis Episcopatus ejusdem. Habendum vobis & praesatae filiae nostrae ad totam vitam vestram tempore illo, salva nobis fidelitate ipsius quem in ejusdem loci Episcopum contigerit confirmari, prout in Literis nostris Patentibus vobis & praefatae consorti vestrae inde confectis plenius continetur. Ac Venerabilis Pater E. Cantuariens. Archiepiscopus, totius Angliae Primas, Cathedrali Ecclesiae Landaven. de Venerabili viro Magistro Johanne de Monemuth, authoritate Apostolica providerit, et ipsum in e●usdem loci praefecerit Episcopum et Pastorem. sicut per Literas ejusdem Archiepiscopi Patences nobis con●ta●: Nos hujusmodi Provisionem et praefectionem acceptantes, cepimus fidelitatem ipsius Magistri Johannis, & temporalia Episcopatus praedicti in manu nostra existentia, prout moris est, restituimus eidem. Et ideo vobis mandamus, quod temporalia Episcopatus praedicti in Dominico sen feodo vestro ex concessione nostra existentia, sicut praedictum est, eidem Magistro Johanni sine dilatione Liberatis. Teste Rege apud Aberconewey, quarto die Aprilis. The 12. of August following, the King to engage one of the Cardinals of Rome (who would do nothing without Bribes and Pensions) to promote his affairs there, granted him an Annual Pension of 20 l. payable at two Terms, out of his Exchequer during life, by this Patent. REX omnibus ad quos, etc. salutem. Obsequia fructuosa quae Venerabilis Pat. 23 H. 3. m. 10. Pater Dominus J. Titulo Sanctorum Marcelli & Petri Presbyter Cardinalis, nobis exhibuit dum erat in minori officio constitutus, & quae, sicut speramus, in futur. faciet, attendentes, viginti librarum sterlingorum eidem annuam concedimus Pensionem, percipiendam quamdiu vixerit ad Scaccarium nostrum; unam, viz. medietatem ad Scaccarium nostrum Sancti Michaelis, & aliam medietatem ad Scaccarium nostrum Paschae. In cujus, etc. Teste Rege apud Westm. xij. die Augusti. The 26. day of the same month, two of these insatiable Romish Cardinals procured the King's Letters Patents to his Chief Justice, Chancellor, Treasurer, and all other Officers in Ireland, to assist their Chaplain in the collection of their Procurations from the Clergy thereof. REX dilectis & fidelibus suis Justiciario suo Hiberniae, Cancellario & Thesaurario Pat. 23 H. 3. m. 10. de Scaccario suo Dublin. Justiciariis, Vicecomitibus, & omnibus Ballivis & Ministris suis de terra Hiberniae, ad quos praesentes Literae pervenerint, salutem. Cum Venerabiles Pater Beraldus Albanensis, & Simon Penestrensis Episcopi, Sacrosanctae Romanae Ecclesiae Cardinales, Magistrum Johannem Bonichy de Senis, Capellanum eorundem ad partes Hiberniae, pro Procurationibus eorundem Cardinalium jam transmittant: Vobis mandamus, quod praefato Magistro Johanni, cum ad partes illas venerit ex parte Cardinalium eorundem occasione praedicta, consilium & auxilium impendatis in hac parte, quotiens ab ipso Capellano ex parte dictorum Cardinalium fueritis requisiti. In cujus rei testimonium, etc. pat. quamdiu nobis pla●uerit. Teste Rege apud Westm. xxuj. die Augusti. Per Petitionem de Consilio. As the King promoted the Popes, Cardinal's Rapines, and intolerable Extortions on the Clergy and people on the one hand, so the Pope to gratify the King granted him a Tenth from the Clergy of Ireland, towards the relief of the Holy Land, on the other hand, in outward pretence to delude the people, which in truth the King, Pope and Cardinals shared between themselves; for the collecting whereof the King issued this Patent to all his Sheriffs, Bailiffs, and Officers in Ireland. REX Vicecomitibus & omnibus aliis Ballivis & fidelibus suis in Hibernia, ad Pat. 23 H. 3. m. 8. quos, etc. salutem. Cum Summus Pontifex Venerabilem Patrem T. Midden▪ Episcopum, & Magistrum T. de Chaddeworth, Decanum Ecclesiae Sancti Patricii Dublin. per Literas suas Bullatas deputaverit, ad Decimam in tetra praedicta nobis in subsidium Terrae Sanctae concessam, colligendam, prout in eisdem Literis plenius continetur: vobis mandamus, quod eisdem Episcopo & Decano ad eandem decimam colligendam sitis consulentes, & auxiliantes, quotiens ab ersdem Episcopo & Decano vel eorum altero, ex parte nostra super hoc fueritis requisiti. In cujus, etc. quamdiu nobis placuerit duratur. Teste Rege apud Thurrok. vi. die Septemb. Per ipsum Regem nunciante J. de bensted. There are some Writs of the like nature in the Clause Rolls of this year, which Rolls being for the present mislaid, I could not transcribe. The Monks of Cambridge having apprehended an Heretic (which they had no legal authority to do) the King thereupon (by his Ecclesiastical Prerogative) issued this Precept to the Sheriff of Cambridge, to bring this Heretic before him at Westminster, at the Kings own cost, to be examined and disposed of as he should direct. REX Vicecomiti Cantabrigiae, salutem. Praecepimus tibi, quod visis Literisistis Liberate 24 H. 3. m. 8. intus. sub salvo & securo conductu venire facias coram nobis apud Westm. Haereticum, quem fratres praedicatores Cantabrigiae tibi liberabunt. Et custum quod ad hoc posueris computabitur tibi ad Scaccarium. Teste Rege apud Westm. iij. die Augusti, Anno Regni nostri twenty-four. Who this pretended Heretic was, and what his Heresies, Matthew Paris thus informs us. Diebus illis quidam quasi honestae vitae ac severae vir, habitum & gestum praetendens Mat. Paris, Hist. Angl. p. 514. Quaedam Haereticae assertiones. ordinis Carthusiensis, captus est apud Cantabrigiam, nolens intrare Ecclesiam aliquam. Super quo diliramento cum requisitus, secus quam deceret, respondisset, arctiori custodia reservabatur, ita quod post paucos dies sequentes transmissus est ad Legatum, in turri Londinensi recludendus. Palam enim asseruit, dicens, Gregorius non est Papa, Non est caput Ecclesiae. Sed aliud est caput Ecclesiae. Ecclesia prophanata est, nec debent in ea divina celebrari, nisi rededicata fuerit. Vasa & vestimenta ejus reconsecranda sunt: Diabolus solutus est; Papa haereticus. Polluit Ecclesiam, imo mundum, Gregorius, qui Papa dicitur. Et praesentibus & audientibus domino Abbate R. de Evesham, & magistro N. de Finham, magistris quoque P. de Burdegali, & H. de Susa, & multis allis; dixit Legatus illi deliranti: Nonne concessa est desuper potestas Domino Papae solvendi animas atque ligandi, ut vices beati Petri exequatur in terris? Et cum omnes expectarent, quid responderet, credentes judicium ab hac sua responsione dependere, ait sub interrogatione, & non sub assertione: Quomodo possem credere, quod cuidam Symonali, et usurario, et forte majoribus facinoribus involuto, concedatur talis potestas, qualis concessa fuit beato Petro; qui immediate factus ejus Apostolus, secutus est Dominum, non tantum incessu pedum, sed virtutum claritate? Ad quod verbum erubuit Legatus, & ait quidam de circumsedentibus, Stulto rixandum non est, furno nec hiandum. Resolvit labra sua in alia deliramenta, there related. After which I find no more proceedings against him. The Archdeacon of Canterbury intending to build and erect a Church of prebend's or Canons at Maydeston in Kent, against the King's Prohibition and Appeal, to the disinherison and prejudice of his Crown and Dignity, the King thereupon issued this memorable Writ of Prohibition to the Sheriff of Kent, to proclaim, and prohibit all Laymen under pain of Imprisonment, loss of life, and member not to aid or assist him therein, by carrying stones, timber, or working therein. REX Vicecomiti Kanciae, salutem. Quia pro certo audivimus, quod E. Cantuar▪ Claus. 24. H. 3. m. 9 dorso Archid. ad exhaeredationem nostram, et grave praejudicium Coronae et dignitatis nostrae, nuper accessit personaliter usque Maydenston, et nobis invitis, appellantibus et prohibentibus, ibidem locum ubi Ecclesiam praebendalem construere proposuit, benedixit, assignando loca in quibus construenda sunt aedificia Canonicorum: Tibi praecipimus firmiter injungentes, in fide qua nobis teneris, quod per totam Ballivam tuam clamari facias, et firmiter supra vitam et membrum prohiberi, ne aliqua persona Laica de operatione quam dictus Archid. construere proposuit, in aliquo ligna vel lapides carriando, vel aliquod auxilium vel consilium praestando, sive operando se intromittat. Et si aliquem Laicum contra hanc Prohibitionem nostram inveneris aliquid attemptantem, corpus ipsius capias, et in prisona nostra salvo custodias, donec aliud inde tibi praeceperimus. Taliter hoc praeceptum nostrum executurus, ne si te in hac parte negligentem audierimus, ad te nos graviter capere debeamus tanquam praecepti nostri contemptorem. Teste Rege apud Clarendon, twenty-three. die Novembris. Per ipsum Regem & Consilium suum. The King out of favour to the Earl of Flanders, writ to his Proctors at Rome to assist the Earls Proctors all they could, and to dispense, in his particular case, with his Royal Privilege, of drawing no causes out of his Realm to Foreign Judicatures. REX Drogoni de Barentin, & Willielmo Hardel, & aliis procuratoribus suis Claus. 24. H. 3. m. 26. intus. in Curia Romana agentibus, falutem. Cum ad commodum & utilitatem dilecti avunculi & fidelis nostri Th. Comit. Flandr. tam per nos, quam per nostros laborare disponamus, vobis praesentium tenore injungimus mandantes districte, quod ejus procuratoribus ad curiam accedentibus, in hiis quae ad ipsum Comitem pertinere videbuntur, totis viribus assistatis, & ejus negotia, quatenus per vos fieri poterit, promovere curetis; Proviso quod occasione privilegii Anglicis concessi, Ne ad partes transmarinas seu extra Regnum Angliae trahantur in causam, nihil contra ipsum Comitem nomine nostro impetretur, quo minus in causa quae inter nobilem virum P. quondam Comitem Britaniae, & S. de Monte-forti, vertitur in partibus transmarinis coram judice suo procedatur. Nos enim, pro eo quod causa illa praefatum Comitem Flaundr. velut eum cujus res agitur tangit, magis eligimus, quoad causam illam privilegio renunciare praedicto, cum protestatione tamen quae ad ejus observationem in aliis causis videbitur necessaria, quam Comitem praefatum, in ipsius impedire processu. Vos igitur in hac causa nihil contra ipsum impetretis, nec quantum per vos fieri poterit impetrari permittatis. Nolumus enim si super hoc nostro nomine aliquid fuerit impetratum, quod eo ad impedimentum suae Causae aliquis utatur. Teste apud Clarend. 8. die Decembris. The Pope's Legate this year exacting the fifth part of all outlandish Clerks Benefices and Rents in England, to the Pope's use, as well from the King's Clerks as others, to their intolerable oppression, the King thereupon issued this memorable Prohibition to him, exempting certain Clergy men therein named from this exaction, though he connived at this extortion from others. REX Domino Legato salutem. Cum jam ex relatu quorundam receperimus Claus. 24. H. 3. m. 19 dorso. fide dignorum, quod de Clericis transmarinis tam nostris quam aliis in regno Angliae, beneficia et redditus habentibus quintam partem suorum reddituum et bonorum, ad opus Domini Papae, authoritate quarundam literarum suarum certis ad hos executoribus ex parte vestra exhibitis, nec saltem ipsorum indempnitate provisa, districtius exigitis: Nos attendentes & in animo saepius revolventes, quod hii qui nostris vacant obsequiis▪ intolerabilibus juxta regni consuetudinem fatigantur expensis, propter quod pensatis rerum circumstantiis, ipsorum foret immunitati ratione multiplici providendum, dilectionem vestram praesentium duximus tenore rogandam, quatenus honori vestro qui satis Apostolicae sedi convenire creditur, sic in hac parte prospicere curetis, quod dilectos nobis magistrum Walterum de Dya, Guydonem de Rascillum, magistrum Johannem de Dya, magistrum de Estoyland, H. Archid. Wint. L. Archid. Surr. Johannem de la Herce, Henr. de Berneval. I. de Steyland. Petrum Chaceport, Bertardum de Valentia, Emericum de Roches, magistrum Willum le Brun. W. le Pless, Selmo de Creft, magistrum Atte, & Willum. de Poypia Clericos nostros, praestatione quintae memoratae conservetis immunes. Cum enim Dominus Papa nobis super hoc, prout praedecessorum nostrorum temporibus fieri consuevit, hactenus scripserit, non sustinebimus, quod praefati Clerici nostri super exactione praedicta, in aliquo graventur; immo eisdem districtius inhibuimus, ne de honis suis aut redditibus pro portione memorata, alicui respondere praesumant. Nam etsi id quod in hac parte apud alios agitur quasi dissimulando pertransimus, istos tamen penitus esse volumus immunes. Addici etiam petimus supplicationibus praemissis, ut si quae compulsiones circa eosdem per executores praedictos in locis exercentur diversis, ipsos penitus ad nostram faciatis petitionem relaxari. Scituri pro certo, quod sustinere nullo wodo volumus, quod praefatae pecuniae Summa ab eisdem per aliquos extorqueatur. Teste Rege apud Westmonasterium novemdecem die Februarii. The Prior of Rupe, by Authority from the Pope exacting from the Clerks of the Churches in England, the advowsons whereof belonged to the Monks of Clungy, the tenth of their goods and rents for three years together, the King thereupon issued this notable Prohibition to him, inhibiting the Collection the eof, or any other Tax, to carry monies out of the Realm. REX Abbati & Priori de Rupe, salutem. Accepimus ex relatu quorundam, Claus. 24. H. 3. m. 26. intus. quod vos authoritate cujusdam concessionis Abbati & Monachis de Cluniac. per Dominum Papam factae, a rectoribus Ecclesiarum de sua atque Prioratuum suorum advocatione existentium, decimam bonorum et reddituum suorum de tribus annis proxime sequentibus, exigitis; ipsos Rectores ad solutionem decimae praedictae districte▪ compellendo. Quia vero id absque indebito multorum gravamine sustineri non posset, veluti, cum decedentium Rectorum Ecclesiae ad ipsos ultra tempus certum secundum diversarum partium constituta non pertingunt, si pro tribus annis responderet Rector, jam superstes, ipso forte citra lapsum primi anni decedente, pro successore suo videretur indebite gravari, & ex altera parte cum ipsi Priores quoad jura suorum Patronorum, qui de nostra Jurisdictione consistunt quasi pro secularibus habeantur personis, & a nobis proculdubio in hiis debeant tueri. Et praeterea, cum a Domino Papa super hoc nequaquam fit. erimus requisiti, nec moris sit, aut esse consueverit in Regno Angliae quod sine Conscientia et voluntate Principum, possent hujusmodi talliae vel collectae de Ecclesiarum Rectoribus extorqueri: Nolumus quod ad collectam pecuniae extra regnum nostrum trahendae authoritate praedicta per vos procedatur; Immo districte prohibemus, ne ab aliquibus Ecclesiarum rectoribus, de regno nostro tallias aut collectas praedictas, seu consimiles exigere vel extorquere praesumatis, quousque super hoc cum Episcopis Angliae, et aliis Magnatibus tam Clericis quam Laicis, tractatum habuerimus, et vobis aliud super eodem significandum duxerimus. Teste Rege apud Westmonasterium 21. die Februarii. How grievous the Pope's exactions, Injustice and proceedings were both to the Bishops and Clergy as well as others, these passages concerning Edmund Archbishop of Canterbury (Canonised soon after for a Saint at Rome) will in part demonstrate; though what he requested did somewhat impair the King's prerogative. Eodem tempore, Archiepiscopus Cantuariensis Edmundus, (having gratified the Anno Dom. 1240. Mat. Paris, Hist. Angl. p. 509. Pope and his Legate in consenting to the Aid demanded by them, which he at first opposed) credens & confidenter sperans, habere in Domino Papa tale adjutorium, vel saltem aliquod, quale invenerat in piae memoriae Papa Alexandro beatus Thomas Martyr, ejusdem Archiepiscopi praedecessor: coepit conqueri lachrymabiliter per Epistolas lugubres, & nuncios solennes, quibus credebat cor Papale lapideum in carneum convertere, quatenus illam detestabilem, & damnosam consuetudinem Ecclesiae aboleret; qua Reges, imo Tyranni, & Ecclesiae penitus inimici & rebelles, Ecclesias Cathedrales & conventuales suo pastore viduatas, non sinerent respirare, & eisdem incongruis pastoribus libere & canonice provideri; nec impediret Rex, motu suo plus voluntario quam rationabili earum electiones, per suos cavillatores, quos ad hoc detinu●t conductitios. Quarum si aliqua talis Ecclesia suo pastore viduaretur, vacans per sex menses, per Archiepiscopum loci eidem competenter provideretur. Cumque se ex fallaci promissione curiae Romanae certissime speraret Aedmundus alter fieri Thomas, cujus * Proditione ingloriosa rather. certamine glorioso * Bonae. malae consuetudines Angliae sunt deletae, Gregoriumque Papam induisse Alexandrum, beati Thomae coexulis, & coadiutoris, inventus est Papa Gregorius subito timidus ut homo, & ad Regis Angliae mandatum, qui hoc asserebat, esse contra suam Regiam dignitatem, totum illud pium propositum, super quo Archiepiscopus evam literas Papales, non sine magnae pecuniae effusione, obtinuerat, in irritum revocavit. Quo competro, Rex solito Tyrannior effectus, & procacius, electionem Bonifacij, contra libertatem Ecclesiae Wintoniensis procuravit, alias licet rite factas, & piecelebratas efficacius impediendo. Which * Flores Histor. pars 2. Anno 1240 p. 154. Matthew Westminster thus relates. Ipso eodem anno, Archiepiscopus Cantuar. Aedmundus non minima effusa pecunia, quoddam obtinuit privilegium tam regno quam sacerdotio gratissimum; scilicet, Ut si Ecclesia Cathedralis per menses sex vacaret, viduata pastore, per Archiepiscopum Dioecesanum eidem provideretur. Sed quia videbatur hoc in praejudicium regiae dignitatis, et jacturae redundate, cassatum est idem privilegium, pecunia iterum intervemente. Unde Archiepiscopus, cum vidisset sic justitiam manifeste, vacillare & tot labores suos annullari, inconsolabiter doluit, nolensque accipere consolationem, ex illo tempore cogitavit spontaneus exulare. This Archbishop to induce the Pope to continue this Papal privilege he had with Mat. Paris, His●▪ Angiolella p. 509. much money and pains obtained, to the prejudice of the King's Prerogative, condescended to the Pope's intolerable Tax, against his judgement and Conscience, to wit, quintae partis redditum; paying the Pope's exactors 800. marks, antequam violenter extorquerentur: quod videntes alii Praelati Angliae, in similem ruinam sunt prolapsi. After which, cum Dominus Archiepiscopus Cantuariensis Aedmundus, qui Mat. Paris, Hist Angl. p. 514. jam dictae exactioni detestandae spontaneus vel invitus, se diatim magis conculcari, et bonis suis temporalibus destitutum, libertatibus suis spoliari, affectus est tedio, quod viveret, et videret mala super terram, Increpansque Regem de promissione, nil nisi dilationes reportavit. Variis ergo lacessitus injuriis, exulans, transiit in Franciam, & castigata familia, apud Pontiniacum, ubi praedecessor ejus beatus Thomas exul commoratus est, orationibus & jejuniis vacans assidue, commoratus est. Dum igitur fortunalis rota sic mundanum cursum volubiliter exagitaret, Aedmundus Anno 1240. Mat. Paris, Hist. p. 526. 527. Mat▪ Parker, & Godwin in his life. Cantuariensis Archiepiscopus, qui spontaneum in transmarinis partibus exilium subierat, contabuit tam corpore quam animo, & ducens ab alto fuspiria, iterabat: O quam melius esse mori, quam videre mala gentis suae & sanctorum super terram. Quos enim ipse ligaverat, Legatus contra suam dignitatem malo grato suo absolvit, & è converso. Optans igitur dissolvi, & esse cum Christo, orabat, dicens: Heu mihi, quia incolatus meus prolongatus est. Jam satis est, imo nimium, quod omnia vidi volvi in praecipitium & ruinam: tolle animam meam, Domine Deus meus. Commoratus est igitur dictus Archipraesul per aliquot dies apud Pontiniacum, ubi beatus Thomas Martyr, praedecessor ejus exul commorabatur. Ubi die & nocte in lachrymis & jejunio pro statu Ecclesiae Anglicanae periclitantis, preces Deo & beato Thom● obtulit indefessus. Exhaustus igitur abstinentiae, & dolore maceratus exinanito corpore, delibato & debilitato, coepit ibidem graviter & infirmari. Et consilio fretus medicorum, apud Soysy, gratia melioris aeris hauriendi, se fecit transportari. Ubi per alicujus temporis spatium morbo languens dysenterico, vinculis carnis absolutus, valedicens nequam saeculo, universae carnis semitas est ingressus. Cujus anima exilium saeculare pro patria coelesti foeliciter commutavit. Vere enim exul, & solo corpore in hac peregrinatione commoratus, undique causis emergentibus languit lacessitus. Rebelles etiam, quos ipse judicialiter excommunicavit, Legatus procaciter & irreverenter absolvere non omisit, multa alia quae sua non erant, in praejudicium ipsius Archiepiscopi totius Angliae primatis, de consensu vel permissione Regis, temere & enormiter praesumendo. Sed haec pestis omnes Angliae Praelatos truculenter agitavit. Unde quidam Satyricus satis Satyrice Regem & Legatum dum ad invicem jocose confabularentur, & in omnibus agendis sese coadjutores fore contra omnes compromitterent, reprehendit, dicens; Eia, eia, nunc bene novi, quod ex quo pastor & lupus foedus inierint concordiae, ovibus imminet strages truculenta. Transiit igitur ex hoc mundo dictus Archipraesul Aedmundus, decimo sexto Calend. Funus Edmundi Cantuariensis Archiepiscopi. Decemb▪ infra scilicet octavas beati Martini, ipsi Confessori Confessor in multis assimulatus, absolutus de Conventu Cantuariensi Monachis poenitentibus. Obiit autem apud Soysy domum Canonicorum Regularium. The manner and place of his funeral is there descibed at large, which I pretermit. Dum enim adhuc viveret, videns se de hoc mundo cito migraturum, causam suam Deo & B. Thomae commendando, (qui ibidem ob similem causam exulans, invenit refugium) Pontiniacensi Ecclesiae corpus suum legavit. Contigit autem inter itinerandum dum sacrum corpus portaretur, propter famam Sanctitatis ipsius, ut illuc confluerunt aegrotantes, sanitatem a Christo ipsius precibus fideliber postulantes. Et factum est quod eundem una die ter dignatus est Dominus manifeste, meritis ipsius sancti exigentibus, miraculis praeclaris & titulo Sanctitatis insignire. Pro quibus solenniter hymnus Angelorum, scilicet, Te Deum laudamus, ter veneranter & devote cantabatur. Meruit igitur Pontiniacum corpore Confessoris, quod cum tumularetur, inventum est vermiculs & cilicio rudi corrosum, & genua ob frequentiam genuflexionum callosa, faeliciter venustari, quod fuerat aliquando beato Thomae tuitionis refugium & asylum. Et hoc idem Martyr Thomas aperte praedixerat. His Miracles and Canonisations are at large recorded by * Hist. p. 696. Mat. Paris, in succeeding years. Pope Gregory (before his death) to carry on his Wars and designs against the Emperor Frederick, and throw him from the Empire, Anno 1240▪ intended to by way of Provision to confer all the Benefices in England (especially of the Clergy and religious persons to the sons of Romans and other foreiners, upon condition to assist him against the Emperor) sending his Bull to three Bishops to confer no less than three hundred of the next Benefices that fell void within their Diocese, on these aliens. Circa illa tempora, facta est iniquissima conventio inter Dominum Mar. Paris, Hist. Angl. p. 514. Papam et Romanos, ut dicebatur; ut scilicet Papa quotquot essent in Anglia beneficia conferenda, praecipue religiosorum, Romanorum filiis vel consanguineis ad nutum eorum forent distribuenda. Ea tamen conditione, ut unanimter in Imperatorem hostiliter insurgerent, pro posse suo eundem a Culmine Imperiali non segniter praecipitarent, titulos antiquae strenuitatis sibi taliter adquirentes. Vnde infra paucos dies, postea misit Dominus Papa sacra praecepta sua Domino Cantuari Archiepis. Aedmundo, et Lincol. et Sarisberi. Episcopis, ut trecentis Romanis in primis beneficiis vacantibus providerent, scientes se suspensos a beneficiorum collatione, donec tot competenter providerentur. Vnde stupor magnus corda haec audientium occupavit, timebaturque quod in abyssum desperationis, talia audens mergeretur. A very daring and dangerous Usurpation on the King's Prerogative, the Church's Privileges and Patrons rights, the King the next year issueing out Writs to the Archbishops and Bishops of sundry Dioceses (by way of opposition) to inquire how many aliens were promoted to Benefices or Prebendaries, with their values and names, of which more in due place. Die Sancti Bartholomaei electus est in Episcopum Herefordensem Magister Petrus Mat. Paris, Hist. Angl. p. 119: de Egeblanke, qui aliquando familiaris clericus fuit, & procurator expensarum Williel mi electi Valentini natione Provincialis. Et post parvum temporis intervallum, cum magno honore est a Rege receptus, & confirmatus sine aliqua contradictione vel difficultate. Alius enim quidam Canonicus Lichefeldensis, vir per omnia commendabilis, electus, videns dies malos imminere, & Regem nullum fere nisi alienigenam acceptare, cessit: & regimen Ecclesiae Deo & Canonicis fratribus suis commisit disponendum. Not long after, die Dominica proxima ante Natal. Domini, consecratus est Anno 1241. Mat. Paris, Hist. Angl. p. 531. magister Petrus de Egeblancke in Episcopum Herefordensem, praesente & applaudente Rege & Nobilium multitudine, in Ecclesia Sancti Pauli Londini. Ubi etiam Monachi Cantuarienses pro jure suo Ecclesiae coram Legato ibid.▪ praesente & Archiepiscopo Eboracensi, & aliis Praelatis & Magnatibus reclamarunt. Eisdem diebus Monachi Dunelmenses Romae ad confirmandam electionem suam Ibidem p. 523. commorantes, in suo negotio consummando impediente Rege, nimis damnificabantur, ita ut suspenso negotio affecti taedio, quasi dolore contabuerunt. Decubuerunt igitur infirmati, juxta verbum Salomonis, dicentis, Spiritus tristis exsiccat ossa. Et mortui sunt qui ibidem commorabantur quatuor, qui electi de Conventu discretiores habebantur, cum quibusdam in Jure peritis clericis & ministris, ad consolationem eisdem assignatis, & sic periit pars Conventus potissima, utrum morbo eventuali, vel spiritu tristitiae, vel peste, vel potione lethifera, ignoratur. Quod cum electus scilicet Prior Dunelmensis, cognovisset, ab alto ducens suspiria abhorruit, licet Rex principalis causa fuisset, qui non permittit Ecclesias viduatis ordinari, quod ipse videretur tanti mali occasio, cessit spontaneus: asserens se nunquam statum pristinae laetitiae vel alacritatis recepturum. Monachi vero, quibus eligendi libera potestas relinquebatur, Regem, ut moris est, adierunt, ut concederet eye justain eligendi facultatem. Rex autem eis petita concedens, instantissime ipsos rogavit juxta illud Poeticum, Imperium, promissa, preces, confudit in unum. Ut magistrum Petrum de Egeblanke, electionem Herefordensem, natione Provincialem, vel Bonifacium avunculum Reginae, sibi postularent vel eligerent, quorum mores & scientiam penitus ignorabant; sciebant tamen utrumque alienae fuisse nationis, & tantae insufficientem dignitati. Nec indiget Anglia extra fines suos in remotis regionibus personas regimini Ecclesiarum idoneas mendicare, quae solet aliis tales saepius ministrare. Anno 1241▪ Mat. Paris Hist. Angl▪ p. 531. Electio Nicholai de Fernbam, in Episcopum Dunelmensem. After some time of consideration, Monachi Dunelmenses, post multos labores inutiles, & sumptuosarum expensarum effusiones multiplices, cedente Priore Dunelmensi praeelecto, & sic ejusdem electione cassata, elegerunt unanimiter, invocata Spiritus Sancti gratia, Magistrum Nicholaum de Fernham, virum moribus & scientia commendabilem, in Episcopum & Pastorem animarum suarum. Rexerat autem ipse dictus Nicolaus in artibus Parisiis per plures annos. Deinde de arte Medicinae Bononiae, in qua claruit gratiosus & peritus excellenter. Hic etiam postquam in Dialectica & arte Physicali & naturis ad plenum eruditus, ad Medicinam se postea conferens, spiritualem videlicet Theologiam, ipsa scientia & librorum copia se adeo restauravit, ut lecturiens ad Cathedram ascendendam sufficeret Magistralem. Ipsum igitur quasi expertum, & scientia multipliciter & moribus commendabilibus insignitum, peritorum consilio Rex & Regina ad suarum vocaverunt animarum & corporum custodiam & consilium familiare, hoc consulentibus & procurantibus Ottone tunc Legato, & Episcopo Carleolensi, & aliis secretis Regis consiliariis. Ubi cum prospere & prudenter se haberet, ad dicti Pontificatus dignitatem electus non adquievit. Videbatur enim ei inhonestum, illi consentire electioni, cum paulo ante, quando in Episcopum Coventrensem eligeretur, renuntiavit, nolens quomodolibet consentire. Igitur, ut obstrueretur os loquentium iniqua, qui forte dicerent, Ecce hic Hypocrita, pauperi Episcopatui renuntiavit, expectans uberiorem, summo conamine reluctabatur. Donec Episcopus Lincolniensis R. eum super hoc graviter redarguens, efficaciter ipsum ad hoc persuasit, ut consentiret, hoc modo: Ecee Monachi Dunelmenses, & eorum Ecclesia destituta pastore, lachrymis obortis solatium flagitant pastorale, nec consentis, cum Canonice eligaris? Adjuro per aspersionem sanguinis Jesus Christi, ut hoc onus subeas & honorem: quia Rex nullo modo, nisi manifeste desiperet, vestram reprobabit electionem. Si autem non consentias, Rex ibi apponet sua machinatione aliquem alienigenam et degenerem, nec non et imperitum, in subvers: onem Ecclesiasticae dignitatis, & periculum totius Regni, cum sit Dunelmensis Episcopatus in confinio Regnorum Angliae & Soctiae, & fint Castra Dunelmens. scilicet Norham & Dunelmum, Angliae ex parte illa repugnacula contra omnium inimicorum insultus. Quod cum audisset dictus magister Nicholaus, ab imo trahens suspiria, ait; Amplector virtutem obedientiae. In diocesi vestra mea habui ex gratia vestra quae obtinui beneficia; paternis igitur vestris monitis obtempero. Monachi igitur Dunelmenses gaudentes eum Regi praesentaverunt, tanquam suum Electum. Rex autem ejus electionem gratanter acceptans, cum in electo vel electione nihil posset rationabiliter reprehendere, suscepit electum sine morae dispendio. Qui cito postea foeliciter est confirmatus. Imminentibus autem diebus illis procurante Regis ira vindice, privatus est magister Ibidem p. 523. and 524. Simon Normanus (qui aliquot annis praeterlapsis Regis summus extitit Consilarius, Regiique sigilli bajulus) ab omni praeterquam uno, authoritate Papali, beneficio: Archidiaconatu Norwicensi viriliter praecipitatus. Et quia dispensationem impetraverat plura beneficia obtinendi, obtinere meruit, ne nimis in eum manum aggravare Papa videretur, redditum suum usque centum marcas annuas, licet nullus pro ipso intercessor existeret, arctando limitavit. Factus igitur opprobrium notis suis, fructus viarum suarum sic collegit, secundum illud Poeticum: — jam ad culmina rerum Injustos crevisse queror; tolluntur in altum, Ut lapsu graviore ruant.— Hic est ille qui iniqua consilia & Regno nociva dederat, qui Legatum in Anglia morari fecit succinctum ad iter Transalipnum, qui statutus coram Papa, interogante ab eo, cur Rex Angliae omnes suos naturales homines non diligens, alienos ad se vocaverit? respondit, Non est hodie aliquis Anglicus in Anglia probatus fidelis cui Rex possit secure credere: Quod verbum plenum ingratitudinis rapuit de ore polluto Magister Robertus de Sumercote, Cardinalis, Anglicus natione, ipsum vehementer super hoc reprehendens. And now you see how justly this unnatural viper, and flatterer of the Pope, Legate, King, was rewarded by them in the conclusion. Eodem anno, scilicet die Sancti Heironymi magister Audelmus, natione Coloniensis, Mat. Par. Hist. Angl p. 519. Consecratur Adelmus, in Archiepiscopum Armachanum. Dedicatio Templi Sancti Pauli Londinensis. vir moribus & literatura commendabilis, in Archiepiscopum Armachanum (quae Ecclesia Metropolis est totius Hiberniae) apud Westmonasterium, praesente Rege & Legato, & quamplurimis Episcopis, Wigorniensi ministerium peragente, solenniter est consecratus. Die vero Sancti Remigij dedicata est Ecclesia Sancti Pauli Londini, ab Episcopo ejusdem loci Rogero, praesente Rege & multis Episcopis & magnatibus: qui omnes ea die convivium cum ipso Episcopo & Canonicis laetanter celebrarunt. Ad quam venientibus, & devote ibidem orantibus, concessa est venia quatuordecim annorum. Quae omnia Legatus & omnes Episcopi praesentes confirmaverunt. But to return from these elections and consecrations of Bishops and Churches to the Pope's Exactions. Pope Gregory to carry on his Wars against the Emperor, oppressed the English Clergy and Religious houses (as well as the French,) with new, unheard of, and most intolerable Exactions, thus recorded to posterity. Per eosdem dies, venit in Angliam nova quaedam pecuniae exactio, omnibus Mat. Paris Hist. Angl. p. 515, 516, 517, 518. Nimis detestanda exactio Papalis pecuniae. saeculis inaudita et execrabilis. Misit enim Papa, Pater noster Sanctus, quendam exactorem in Angliam, Petrum Rubeum, qui excogitata muscipulatione infinitam pecuniam a miseris Anglicis edoctus er at emungere. Intravit enim Religiosorum Capitula, cogens & seducens eos ad pecuniam promittendam, & promissam persolvendam, exemplo aliorum Praelatorum, quos mentitis asserebat gratanter persolvisse: dixit enim, ille Episcopus, & ille Abbas, & ille, jam libens satisfecit, quidnam vos ignaviter tam moramini, ut grates cum muneribus amittatis? Fecit etiam praedictus Impostor jurare, ut hoc genus pecuniam extorquendi nulli hominum infra dimidium annum facerent manifestum, quasi eliciens hoc ex singulorum primitiva professione, cum tantum de honestis sit consilium Papale celandum. Hoc faciendo more praedonum domesticorum, qui fidem ab exspoliatis extorquent, ut nulli prodant nomina spoliantium. Sed etiam si homines silerent lapides Ecclesiarum contra grassatores clamorem levarent. Nec potuit hoc maleficium latere sub tenebris quomodo etenim possent Praelati, a suis & sibi subjectis pecuniam exigere, nisi causa exactionis exprimeretur? This Machiavilian policy of this Romish Impostor and Tax-master, with his Exactions proving very grievous to the Clergy and Religious persons of the Realm; Thereupon, Venerunt igitur Abbates vultu flebili & capite demisso ad Regem suarum patronum Ecclesiarum, dicentes: Domine Rex, sugillamur, nec licet nobis clamitare: jugulamur, nec possumus ejulare. Jujungitur nobis à Domino Papa impossibilitas, & exactio toti mundo detestabilis. Baronias a vobis tenemus, nec possumus eas depauperare sine vestri praejudicio; nec possumus vobis quae nobis incumbunt pro illis, respondere, et Papae nos incessanter torquenti satisfacere. Sic enim, & sic rediviva & semper nova, & inexpectata oritur nobis illata angaria a Romans excogitata, quae nos vel ad modicum non patitur respirare; ad asylum vestri Consilii, et ad sinum vestri patrocinii recurrimus, super his desolationibus consili●● et auxilium postulantes. Et qui loquebantur haec, fuerunt Dominus Abbas de Aedmundo, & Dominus Abbas de Bello. Quos Rex, cum haec audiret, torvo intuens aspectu, tumultuosa vociferatione perterrens, clamavit ad Legatum, qui tunc forte praesens extitit: Ecce Domine mi Legate, isti miseri seductores, pandentes secreta Papalia, obloquuntur, voluntati vestrae non adquiescentes: facite de ipsis quod vobis placet. Ecce accommodo unum de melioribus castris meis, ut eosin eo carcerali custodiae mancipetis. Quod cum audissent Abbates, supra quam dici possit confusione perculsi, recesserunt, Legato pro voto satisfacturi. Aliqui tamen, sed pauci, non adhuc vacillantes, nolentes adhuc colla supponere tam odibilis conditionis servituti, steterunt; requisita solvere renuentes, & subterfugia per inducias sibi vix requirebant. Cumque similia facere credebat Legatus, ipsi Petro Rubeo associatus, Episcopis apud Mat. Westm. p. 516, 517. Conventus Episcoporum apud Norhamtonam ob consimilem causam. Northamtonam propter hoc vocatis, edocti Abbatum exemplo, responderunt, habemus Archidiaconos nobis subjectos, qui norunt beneficiatorum sibi subjectorum facultates, nos autem Ignoramus. Omnes tangit hoc negotium, omnes igitur sunt conveniendi, sine ipsis nec decet nec expedit respondere. Datus est igitur eis dies responsionis, in octavis Sancti Johannis Baptistae, scilicet nativitatis. Quo die cum praedicti convenissent, coram Legato & ejus complicibus, noluerunt erecta cervice praedictam exactionem tam impudenter contradicendo negare: sed modesta responsione has exceptiones caute contradicendo rationabiliter proposuerunt. Dicunt, quod contribuere non debent, tum quia contributio fieret contra eum Exceptiones Episcoporum contra exactiones Legati. qui contradixit cum Principe suo, tum qui fieret ad effusionem sanguinis Christiani: quod patet ex forma scripti Apostolici, in quo continetur, ad debellandum Imperatorem. Tum quia fieret contra libertatem Ecclesiae, quod patet ex forma ejusdem scripti ubi dicitur, Contradicentes Ecclesiastica censura compescentes; ecce servitus & compulsio. Tum, quia alias dederunt decimas Domino Papae, sub hac protestatione, ne de caetero consimilis fieret exactio; multo fortius, nec nunc quinta pars est exigenda. Tum, quia timeri possit; ne ad consuetudinem traheretur, cum binus actus inducat consuetudinem, ut est in codice: De Episcopali audientia. Lege nemo, Tum, quia cum necesse habeant continue diversa negotia in curia Romana expedire, ad quam nisi per terram Imperatoris patet accessus, timendum esset, ne Imperator eorum captionem procuraret; ac ipsos certos de poena graviori, carcerali custodiae manciparet. Tum, quia cum Rex multos habeat inimicos, contra quos onus belli expectat sustinere, timens graviora, non esset tutum terram magis depauperare, praesertim cum vacuetur pro magna parte terra nobilibus in negotium Crucis proficiscentibus, & multum pecuniae ad viatica secum asportantibus. Tum, quia hoc verteretur in patronorum Ecclesiarum praejudicium; maxime cum non constet ipsos d●ctae contributioni consentire. Tum, quia generalis status Ecclesiae, ut dicitur, periclitabatur, propter quod generalis deberet fieri consultatio; ut sic, si esset necesse generalis fieret contributio; quod non est in casu isto; fama enim percrebuit, quod convocabitur Concilium, ubi talia sunt determinanda; necesse enim est sic fieri, ut tollatur scandalum generale, Cum autem haec Legatus & socii sui audissent, tacite confusionem suam dissimulabant, nacta temporis opportunitate ad hanc vel similem exactionem surrecturi. Sperantes autem adhuc Legatus & complices sui, alios quosdam ad suam inclinare Legatus congregat rectores Ecclesiarum in Bercshyre. voluntatem ut contribuerent, videlicet Rectores Ecclesiarum de Bercshyre, & quosdam alios, congregaverunt eos, convenientes eosdem multis sermocinationibus, minas minis addentes, & promissa promissis cumulantes. Quibus constanter responderunt, quod a forma responsionis noluerunt recedere, rationibus eorum fulti: quibus tamen alias, licet illae sufficiant, annectimus rationes. Dicunt omnes, & dicunt singuli rectores Ecclesiarum de Bercshyre, quod contra Responsiones praedictorum rectorum super contributione. Imperatorem non est contribuendum, ut contra Haereticum, cum non sit damnatus judicio Ecclesiae, vel convictus, licet excommunicatus, nec pro eo quod occupat vel impugnat patrimonium Ecclesiae Romanae; Ecclesia enim non utitur brachio saeculari contra haereticos. Item, sicut ecclesia Romana suum habet proprium patrimonium, cujus administratio pertinet ad Dominum Papam; similiter & aliae Ecclesiae suum, ex largitione & concessione Regum, Principum & aliorum Magnatum fidelium, quod in nullo est censuale vel tributarium Ecclesiae Romanae; unde non debent Praelati compelli de patrimonio suarum Ecclesiarum contribuere. Item, licet argumento Legis omnia dicantur esse Principis, non tamen dominio & proprietate, sed cura & sollicitudine: similiter Ecclesiae spectant ad Dominum Papa cura & sollicitudine, non dominio & proprietate; unde dicunt, quod non debent ad contribuendum compelli. Item, cum dicat Veritas, Tu es Petrus, & super hanc petram aedificabo Ecclesiam meam, reservavit sibi proprietatem, committendo curam, sicut patet ex verbis Evangelii sequentibus: Quodcunque ligaveris super terram, erit ligatum & in coelis; quodcunque sol. etc. Non quodcunque exegeris super terram, erit exactum & in coelis: unde dicunt, quod ad contributionem non possunt nec debent secundum Dominum & justitiam compelli. Item, cum ex authoritatibus Patrum Sanctorum fructus Ecclesiarum in certos usus, puta Ecclesiae ministrorum & pauperum, sint deputati, non debent in alios usus converti nisi Authoritate Ecclesiae universalis: unde de bonis Ecclesiae non est contribuendum ad pugnandum, maxime contra Christianos. Item, cum Clericis vix sufficiant proventus Ecclesiarum suarum ad victus quotidianos, tum propter earum tenuitatem, tum quia nonnunquam fames in regione ingruit messe deficiente, tum quia tanta sit multitudo pauperum & adventantium, quorum mori partem vidimus pro defectu alimentorum, tum quia nullus potest nisi unicum beneficium obtinere: unde pauperiores & vix sibi & pauperibus sufficiunt, non debent ad talem contributionem compelli. Item licet esset bonum contribuere, omitti tamen deberet & expediret propter scandalum jam suscitatum, & per orbem ventilatum, contra Ecclesiam Romanam: quia dicitur publice alias factae fuerunt hujusmodi exactiones, & clerici enormiter depauperati sunt, & statim exacta & extorta pecunia, composuerunt Papa & Imperator, nec est quadrans restitutus: imo si qua residua fuissent post compositionem & reddenda, graviter extorquebantur. Et dicit Canon: quod licet pro scandalo vitando peccatum mortale admitti non debet, bonum tamen quandoque omitti debet, ut scandalum vitetur: unde non debemus contribuere. Item, si contribuerent contra Imperatorem, non solum cruciatus corporis, sed mortis periculum immineret sedi Apostolicae pro Justitiae impetratione & peregrinantibus de hac regione ad Terram sanctam propter terrae liberationem: unde etc. Item, binus actus inducit consuetudinem; unde cum alias facta fuerit hujusmodi contributio, si modo fieret, verteretur in consuetudinem; unde, etc. Item exhaeredatio Principis Angliae & Magnatum terrae, considerata potestate Imperatoris, & debilitate & paupertate Regni Angliae, ex contributione hujusmodi immineret manifesta, unde contribuere non expedit, nec debemus. Item, cum Rex Angliae & Magnates, tam in jure haereditario, quam bona & appropriata consuetudine habent jus patronatus Ecclesiarum Angliae, & rectores, ad eorum praesentationem instituti nolunt, sicut nec debent, nec possunt, in aliquam contributionem consentire inconsultis patronis, quia sic possit ex Ecclesiis suis praejudicium generari, cum eaedem Ecclesiae sint per eosdem patronos terrarum ac reddituum propter hoc specialiter collationibus dotatae aut ditatae, ut rectores earum suscipiant hospites, tam divitum quam pau●●rum sustinentes hospitalitatem, tam Laicorum quam Clericorum, secundum suas ●●cultates locorum exigente consuetudine; a quibus si procedat talis exactio, oportet cessare, & ita patroni suo jure & intentione hac causa donandi, fraudati erunt, & sic donata repetere, vel saltem alia quaerent gravamina, nec iterum Ecclesias de suis bonis fundabunt vel conferent beneficia. Item. Cum istud petatur contra talem qui foedus iniit cum Principe nostro, praesertim per matrimonium, non debemus eo inconsulto contra eum contribuere. Item, quod cum nuper alias in pristina contributione in casu consimili promissum esset praebentibus authoritate istius ejusdemque Papae, quod de caetero non fieret hu●usmodi exactio, de dicto gravamine adhuc sentientes se gravatos, non debent contribuere, quia timent quod ex frequenti contributione in servilem & inusitatam trahantur consuetudinem, praesertim cum multi plerisque regionibus, nec adhuc Franci non consentiant contributionem. Nec est manifestum vel notorium, aliquod emolumentum per hujusmodi extorsiones Ecclesiae contigisse, utinam non ad detrimentum roborantur, utique & ditantur exinde hostes Ecclesiae, & ex validis fiunt validiores, & durum est nobis armis propriis perimi; quare non est contribuendum. Item. cum omnes, vel fere omnes, voto Crucis sint astricti, ad quae vota, vel per se, vel per alios competentes solvenda admonitionem Papalem receperunt, & huic tam arduo & utili negotio simul & semel etiam huic contributioni nequeunt satisfacere. Item, cum privilegio crucesignatorum sint muniti, quibus & fructus & obventiones reddituum suorum sibi integre triennio conceduntur, ad hoc non debent contribuere. Item, cum plures sint per literas Papales astricti ut de Decimis Ecclesiarum suarum, quae ad jus patronatus Monachorum Cluniacensis Ordinis spectare noscuntur, vel in quibus ipsi Monachi aliquod temporale vel spirituale jus habent, usque ad termiwm eis respondeant: unde non debent contribuere. Item, cum Dominus noster Rex Angliae undique habeat hostes capitales ei, ut dicitur, nocere praeparatos, ac Regnum sit destitutum consilio & auxilio proborum, in brevi peregre proficisci disponentium, maximam pecuniae summam qui secum deportabunt, nec esset tutum in tantum depauperare Ecclesias & regnum, quod ad tuitionem Reipublicae non sufficeret, timendum foret pro certo de irrestaurabili regni exterminio. Item, cum olim essen● ditiores Clerici Anglicana nationis quando videlicet omnes habuerant, vel major pars habuerit plura beneficia sine dispensatione, ac nunquam ab ipsis talis exactio fuit, licet per Imperatores tyrannos tunc temporis multi Patres Sanctissimi exilio relegati, in se & in membris suis ac facultatibus Ecclesiae durissima paterentur: unde non debemus contribuere. Item, in regno Franciae multae Decimae militibus ab Apostolicis Patribus concessae credantur, ut ipsi Romanam Ecclesiam tueantur, nec constat ab eis debitum suffragium esse negatum, nec etiam constat eorum suffragium Exercitui Domini Papae fuisse adhuc contributum, quare non debemus contribuere. Legatus igitur & sui complices, comperientes constantiam eorum tot fultam validis Legatus dissidium suscitat inter praedictos rectores. rationibus, nec se posse, ipsos simul cohaerentes frangere, cogitaverunt schisma inter eos & divisiones procurare. Adiit ergo Legatus Regem, & ipsum cito enervatum sibi inclinavit. Adierunt & complices ejus tam Episcopos quam eorum Archidiaconos, praecipue tamen Magistrum Alanum de Becles, Archidiaconum Sudburiae, aliis prius constantiorem, & quosdam alios ambitiosos, ad altiores dignitates aspirantes, adjutorium eye efficax pollicentes, ut dictae Universitati non consentirent, & sic divisis illis praevaluit pars adversa. The Pope's Legate extorting Procurations in money from the Monks of the Cistercian Order, out of insatiable covetousness; thereupon the Monks procured a kind of Prohibition from the Pope to inhibit such Procurations. Ipsoque anno, Legatus, ut pecuniae plus emungeret, apposuit & manum, ut a Mat. Paris Hist Angl. p. 527. Legatus conatur pecuniam a Monachis Cisterciensis ordinis emungere. Monachis Cisterciensis ordinis suae avaritiae satisfaceret, procurationes instanter erigendo. Sed ipsi viriliter contradicendo, Curiam Romanam privilegiis suis innitentes, ut contra hanc improbitatem impetrarent, adierunt; Literas eidem Legato sub hac forma reportantes. GREGORIUS Episcopus, etc. Legato Ottoni, etc. Licet tibi, si bene meminimus, Literae Papales nuper direxerimus scripta nostra, ut liceat tibi de Monasteriis Cisterciensis ordinis procurationes exigere moderatas, indulgentia concessa eidem ordini non obstante. Quia tamen non est intentionis nostrae, nec credimus esse tuae, ut contra ipsorum indulgentiam procurationes ab 〈◊〉 s pecuniariae exigantur, mandamus, quatenus cibis regularibus contentus, absque esu carnium, cum eos accesseris, prout in praedicta indulgentia continetur, procurationes pecuniarias occasione Literarum hu, usmodi non patiaris exigi ad eisdem. Otto the Pope's Legate, having long oppressed, pillaged the Realm and Church of England, was sent for the third time to Rome by the Pope, to be present in his intended Council against the Emperor, to advise him in his straits; whereupon the King not willing to detain him any longer in England, to avoid the just censure and displeasure of the Emperor, who had married his sister, * Mat. Paris p. 527. Legatus & Praelati Angliae (summoned to the Council) Papalibus mandatis obedientes, licet cum magno periculo, ad transalpinandum se, instantibus diebus natalibus praeparabant. Whereupon the King to ingratiate and oblige the Legate as well to promote his affairs at Rome, as in England, before his departure hence, Knighted and conferred an Annual Pension on his Nephew, feasted the Legate publicly at Westminster, and placed him at the feast in his own Royal Throne, to the great offence of his Nobles and Subjects, thus related by Matthew Paris. Henricus Rex tenuit Curiam suam apud Westmonasterium, ubi Magnates Regni Anno 1241. Mat. Paris Hist. Angl. p. 530. Rex Legatum in Regali sede collocat. quamplurimi festa cum eo Natalitia celebrarunt. Die igitur Natalis Domini, ad instantiam Legati, cui Rex summopere placere studuit, cinctus est ab ipso Rege balteo militari nepos ipsius Legati, nomine Advocatus, eidemque quoque redditum contulit Rex triginta librarum properanter, quem idem tyro statim vendidit, sciens se in proximo cum Domino suo recessurum. Et eodem die Rex quendam Provincialem cingulo simili solemniter insignivit, & redditu ditavit opulento. Finitis itaque in Ecclesia solemniis; Rex in ampliori Regia Westmonasterii pransurus, Legatum, quem ad prandium invitaverat, in eminentiori loco mensae, scilicet in Regali sede, quae in medio mensae est, non sine multorum obliquantibus oculis, collocavit. Ipso nempe Rege a dextris ipsius, Eboracensi vero Archiepiscopo a sinistris ejus sessionem accipientibus, consederunt consequenter tam Praelati quam caeteri Magnates, secundum ordinem suae dignitatis ac potestatis, Rege sic volente, et convivas disponente. Quarto vero die Dominicae Nativitatis, Legatus a Domino Papa irrefragabiliter ad Romanam Curiam revocatus, accersitis Angliae Praelatis valedicens, versus mare iter arripuit transalpinum. Quem cum strepitu tubarum suarum, & innumerabili multitudine Nobilium concomitantium, pompose nimis usque ad maris Rex duxit confinia: Et tandem cum ab invicem separandi, hinc Rex, hinc Legatus recesserunt, profunda traxerunt suspiria, quod tam cito disjungerentur: licet saepedictus Legatus in Regno Angliae irrestaurabile damnum Ecclesiae, moram jam traxisset triennalem. Igitur in crastino Epiphaniae, apud Doveram Legatus navem ascendens, post Regales Dicessio Ottonis Legati ex Anglia. amplexus & oscula, Legationis deposuit insignia, & transfretans, apporriatam Angliam a tergo salutavit, nullo praeter Regem, et quos idem Legatus bonis Regni saginaverat, de recessu suo condolente. Nec remansit eadem hora, (ut veraciter dicebatur) in Anglia tantum pecuniae, (exceptis sanctorum vasis et ornamentis Ecclesiarum) quantum a Regno jam extorserat Anglicano. Praebendas autem, Ecclesias, et varios redditus opimos plus quam trecentos, (a very great number in three years' space only) ad suam vel Papae contulerat voluntatem. Unde Regnum quasi vinea exposita omni transeunti, quam exterminavit aper de sylva, miserabiliter languit desolatum. Reliquit autem dictus Legatus Ecclesiam Cantuariensem, quae est inter omnes Angliae Ecclesias nobilissima, nimis perturbatam, et in viduitate languentem, cum multis aliis Cathedralibus et Conventualibus Ecclesiis, omni solatio destitutis. Nec ulla infirma terrae solidaverat, ut manifesto argumento monstraretur, quod non missus erat ad oves quae perierant, protegendas, sed ad pecuniam, quam invenerat, vindemiandam. (The chief end of the Pope's sending abroad his Legates, into foreign Christian Realms.) Idcirco meritis multipliciter exigentibus, Domino flagellante, per Imperatorem praeparantem muscipulas, illa praeda meruit spoliari; factus praeda de praedatore, secundum illud Propheticum: * Isa. 33. 1. Vae qui praedaris, nonne tu praedaberis? A just judgement of God upon this Roman Harpy. Eodem tempore, permittente vel procurante Papa Gregorio, adeo invaluit Mat. Paris Hist. Angl. p. 535, 536. Curia Romana similis meretrici. Romanae Ecclesiae insatiabilis cupiditas, confundens fasque nefasque, quod deposito rubore, velut meretrix vulgaris et effrons, omnibus venalis et exposita, usuram pro parvo, Simoniam pro nullo inconvenienti reputavit, ita ut alias affiries provincias, imo etiam puritatem Angliae, sua contagione maculavit. Etsi multa, quae se offerunt, exempla abundant, unum duxi, ut pateat quam juste, etsi sero, excanduit ira Dei in dicta Curia, breviter memorandum. Dominus Papa Gregorius, cuidam suo cupiens speciali subvenire, missis in Angliam Papa petit redditum centum Marcarum a Monachis de Burgo. literis, quosdam super Ecclesiis dignoscitur sic aggravare. Missum est tunc temporis Abbati & Conventui de Burgo, mandatum Apostolicum cum precibus armatis, & monitis terrificis, ut redditum alicujus Ecclesiae, cujus patronatus ad eos spectabat, quae annuatim Centum ad minus valeret marcas, Papae conferrent. Et si in duplo plus valeret, bene ei complaceret: concederet autem Dominus Papa ipsis illam Ecclesiam tenendam ab eo ad firmam annuam▪ ita scilicet, ut pro ea annuatim Centum Marcas solverent Domino Papae, omne residuum in proprios usus convertentes. Et ut memoratos Abbatem & Conventum ad consensum hujusmodi Provisionis (imo potius pernitiosae pactionis, et Symoniae et occultae fraudis) quasi proprio usui necessariae, inde facilius Dominus Papa inclinaret, scripsit quibusdam Clericis transalpinis, in Anglia optimc beneficiatis, ut ipsos super hoc efficaciter admonerent, deinde compellerent, concessa eis potestate. Ipsi igitur Papalibus parentes jussionibus, venerunt Burgum, vocatisque Monachis dixerunt, Ecce fratres & amici imminet vobis ad manum magnum Papale beneficium. Postulat enim a vobis, quod vos deberetis flexis genibus & junctis manibus ab ipso humillime postulare. Et cum cuncta seriatim quae peteret Papa explicassent, sposponderunt ipsi, quod quasi fide jussores, & fideles executores, omnia haec fideliter ex parte Papae consummarent, dummodo petita clam, quasi sine scandalo, concederent postulata, facientes de necessitate virtutem. Ipsi autem responderunt, Se sine Regis permissione hoc facere non posse, qui Patronus est et fundaror ejus, et multarum in hac regione Ecclesiarum. At ipsi clanculo haec fieri flagitabant, similia in aliis Ecclesiis facturos se sperantes, & ab illa concessione sumentes exempli consequentiam. Monachi autem nolentes fallacibus circumveniri sermocinationibus, inducias petierunt; donec Abbas eorum, qui tunc absens erat, domum rediens, assensum, si videret expedire, huic praeberet postulationi. Miserunt igitur ad Abbatem suum, hujus rei seriem eidem explicantes; Abbas autem per quendam fidelem, & prudentem Clericum suum Willielmum de Burgo, Regem & ejus super hoc consilium est affatus, intimans pericula quae inde emergere potuerunt. At Rex comperiens hujusmodi factum Ecclesiae illius, et consimili modo aliarum esse detrimentum, cum ipse sit earum defensor, patronus et gubernator, laqueos absconditos, et Romanae Curiae detestans avaritiam, prohibuit districtius, ne tam enorme factum amplius etiam aera macularet. Moreover, the Pope under pretext of the Crossado against the Saracens, cheated Mat. Paris Hist. Angl. p. 546. Votum Crucis pecunia data solvitur. the people of their moneys, and the Holy Land of their vowed assistance. Circa dies illos, ut quasi mille argumentis misera terra Anglicana suis bonis viduata spoliaretur, fratres Praedicatores & Minores, autentico Domini Papae communiti, in praedicatione sua plenam peccatorum remissionem concesserunt omnibus Crucesignandis pro Terrae sanctae liberatione. Et statim vel in Crastino, vel tertia die postquam multos devotos signaverant, ea conditione a crucis voto eos absolvebant, ut quantum suppetebat facultas, pecuniae suae portionem in subsidium Terrae sanctae conferrent largiorem. Et ut ad hoc Anglicos inclinarent pronius ac promptius, ipsam pecuniam asserebant Comiti Richardo deferendam, chartam ipsius super hoc certius ostendentes. Insuper a senibus & valetudinariis, mulieribus, imbecillibus, & parvulis, crucem accipientibus, vel accipere proponentibus, tantundem indulgentiae, accepta prius ab eisdem pecunia, concesserunt, ostendentes super hoc Comitis Richardi scriptum testimoniale, a Romana curia impetratum. Et hoc genere emungendi loculos est infinita pecunia propter favorem Comitis adquisita. Quis autem custos aut fidelis dispensator inde fuerit, hic jam quaeritur, nam nescitur. Moreover after the oppressing Legates departure out of England when the English expected ease from their more than Egyptian Papal Taxmasters, their bricks were doubled rather then diminished, by new Exactors. Labentibus autem dierum illorum curriculis, & ludente fortuna in mortalium mutabilitate, Mat. Paris. p. 547. Duo Papales clerici pecuniam per totam Angliam in u●ū Papae exigunt. non adhuc cessavit avaritia Romanorum insatiabilis. Quia post recessum Legati remanserunt in Anglia duo Papales Clerici, quasi vices Legati supplentes, exactores indefessi, scilicet Petrus cognomento Rubeus, & Petrus de Supino, autenticum Papale retinentes Procurationes exigendi, interdicendi, excommunicandi, et pecuniam variis modis a misera Ecclesia Anglicana extorquendi: ut talibus rapinis Ecclesia Romana, secundum assertionem eorum, quae damnificabatur multiformiter, respiraret. Scripsit igitur imperiose praedictus Petrus Rubeus, qui se alteri praeferebat, habens se per modum Legati, epistolas suas & literas autenticas illi Abbati, vel illi Priori, cujus titulus talis praeponebatur, Magister P. Rubeus, domini Papae familaris & consanguineus, salutem, etc. Et sub tali titulo Procurationes, et collectas varias exigebat et extorsit. Praeterea, socius suus Petrus de Supino in Hyberniam, permittente Rege, ex parte Papae veniens, & autenticum ejusdem deferens, a Praelatis Hyberniae omnibus, brachio adjutus saeculari, cum magna tyrannide collegit. Unde quidam suspensi Londinum ad eundem Petrum venerunt, secundum voluntatem ejus satisfacturi. Rediens igitur ab Hybernia idem Petrus in Autumno sequenti, & Romam tendens, mille & quingentas marcas secum clitellis refertis asportavit. Per idem tempus Petrus de Supino, clericus Domini Papae, instantissime ex tota Mat. Paris. p. 554, 555. Hybernia pecuniam, scilicet vicesimam, per autenticum Papale extorquens collegit, indeque absque diversis donativis, mille quingentas marcas reportavit. Magister quoque Petrus Rubeus, cujus titulus fuit, Domini Papae familiaris & consanguineus, ex partibus Angliae Borealibus, & missis nunciis per Scotiam, autentico Papali similiter communitus, pecuniam diligentissime ac festinanter studuit adunando duplicare. Et sic subito refertis clitellis sub conductu Monachorum Cantuariensium, apud Doveram clanculo mare transierunt. Audierant enim per cursores suos expeditissimos, quod Dominus Papa irremediabiliter aegrotaret, ita ut jam vel obierat, vel foret in proximo moriturus. Repentinam igitur & clandestinam cum praeda sua fugam, tam per mare quam per terram inierunt, quia timebant, ne Rex certificatus de morte Papae, pecuniam totam quam collegerant, prudenter retinuisset, consilium habiturus, quid inde faceret, cum alius Papa succederer. Et cum vix Franciam ingressi fuissent, ecce magister Walterus de Ocra, nuncius Imperialis, deferens literas Domini sui de credentia ad Regem festinanter, sed tamen nimis sero, mandata de statu Curiae Romanae veniens nunciavit, persuadens, quod si adhuc tales in Anglia invenirentur, tam praedam quam praedones retineret. Sed cum didicisset, quod elapsi erant, increpans Regis ignaviam, iratus statim recessit, dolens quod frustra advenisset. Ipsosigiture vestigio diligens investigator insequebatur, ut eorum quasi vulpecularum Maeandros prudenter perscrutando, Domino suo Imperatori viarum suarum diverticula nunciaret. Who met with most of their spoils converted to the Emperor's use. Pope Gregory having the year before, sent a Bull to the Archbishop of Canterbury, and Bishops of Sarum and Lincoln, to provide by his Papal Provisions no less than 300. Benefices which should first fall void with in their Diocese, for Romans, Italians, and other aliens, to the Kingdoms and Churches great prejudice: the King thereupon issued these ensuing Writs to the Archbishops, Bishops, Officials and other Ecclesiastical officers under written, to return him a particular of all the Ecclesiastical Benefices, Prebendaries and their respective values, with the names of the persons on whom they were conferred. And likewise to inquire, what sums of money had been levied for the Pope's use, what arrears were yet unpaid thereof, and to secure them. REX Venerabili in Christo Patri W. Eborum Archiepiscopo, salutem. Mandamus Claus. 25 H. 3. m. 8. dorso. vobis firmiter injungentes in fide qua nobis tenemini, quatenus per literas vestras sine morae dispendio nobis significetis, quae, et quanta beneficia clerici Romani, et alii, tam Anglici quam ultramarini habeant in Diocesi vestra ex collatione, vel provisione Summi Pontificis, vel Legati, vel alterius provisoris Authoritate sedis Apostolicae, scilicet tam Ecclesiastica quam alia beneficia praebendalia; nomin a etiam praedictorum Clericorum nobis sci●e faciatis. Teste Rege apud Mer leberg. 12. die Junii. Eodem modo scribitur R. Li●c. R. Lond. W. Carl. H. Elyensi. R. Roff. P. Hereff. N. Dunholm. R. Sarr. H. Coventr. & Litchf. Archid. Cantuar. Offic. Exon. & Offic. Episco. Winton. After which he issued this ensuing Writ: REX Venerabili in Christo Patri W. eadem gratia Eborum Archiepiscopo Angliae Claus. 25 H. 3. m. 1. dorso. De inquisitione facienda. primati, salutem. Paternitatem vestram rogamus, quatenus in singulis Archidiaconatibus vestris diligenter inquiri faciatis, quot, et quae beneficia Clerici Romani, sive Italici habeant in Diocesi vestra. Quae etiam beneficia collata fuerunt quibuscunque Clericis, undicunque fuerint oriundi, per Provisionem factam authoritate Apostolica, sive beneficia illa consistant in Praehendis, sive Ecclesiis Parochialibus, et tam de nominibus eorundem beneficiorum, et de eorum valore, quam de nominibus praedictorum Clericorum nos certificare velitis, infra Octab. Sancti Martini. Anno etc. 26. Inquiri etiam faciatis, quantum pecuniae concessum fuerit Domino Papae in Diocesi vestra in contributione nuper facta in regno nostro, tam a viris Religiosis, quam ab aliis personis Ecclesiasticis, et quid, et quantum fuerit inde solutum, et quantum inde restat solvendum et a quibus. Et id quod adhuc restat solvendum de pecunia praedicta, salvo colligi in singulis Archidiaconatibus vestris et custodiri faciatis, donec nos inde certificaveritis. Talem igitur & tam diligentem inquisitionem de praedictis fieri demandetis, quod inde ad praedictum terminum certificari possimus, & quod inde vobis ad gratias teneamur speciales. Teste Rege apud Westmonasterium 27. die Octobris. What listsor certificates were returned by virtue of these Writs, I have not yet found amongst the Records in the White Tower or elsewhere. The Pope having sent Peter Rubeo his forementioned Agent into England to spoil the oppressed English Clergy of the small remainder of Treasure, his Legate Otto had left them, he presumed to Tax the Clerks attending upon the King, and to grant Provisions of prebend's and Churches during their vacancy, to the prejudice of the King and his Crown, whereupon the King issued these ensuing memorable Writs, extant in the Clause Rolls of this year. REX Magistro Petro Rubeo, salutem. Satis vobis expressimus tam literatorie Claus. 25 H. 3. m. 12. dorso. quam viva voce, quod omnes Clericos in obsequio nostro specialiter commorantes a contributione facenda ad Subsidium Dommi Papae, esse volumus immunes Quapropter Vobis mandamus, quatenus ad contributionem illam a redditibus Petri de Wackering. nichil exigatis, nec aliquid inde capere praesumatis, & si quid inde ceperitis, id ei sine morae dispendio restitui faciatis. Teste Rege apud Westmonasterium, etc. REX Archidiacono Huntingdon. salutem. Cum magistro Petro Rubeo Procuratori Ibidem m. 15. dorso. Domini Papae dederimus in mandatis expresse, quod ad contributionem ad opus Domini Papae factam, sive faciendam, a Clericis obsequio nostro fideliter vacantibus nichil exigat, vel aliquo modo extorquere praesumat. Vobis mandamus firmiter injungentes, ne a magistro Nicholas de Farnham in Archidiaconatu vestro beneficium obtinente, occasione praedicta aliquid exigatis, vel ad hoc faciendum aliquatenus compellatis, sine dilatione restituentes eidem si quid de beneficio ipsius receperitis ad contributionem praedictam, et cohertionem, si quam propter hoc fecistis, penitus relaxando. Et sic hoc mandatum nostrum adimplere curetis, quod nos non oporteat ad hoc aliter interponere partes nostras. Teste meipso apud Merleberg. xxvii. die Januarii. REX magistro Petro Rubeo salutem, non credebamus de vobis, quod Claus. 25. H. 3. m. 15. do●so. gratiam nostram ad opus Domini Papae vobis impensam velletis per ingratitudinem compensare, immo potius ipsam gratanter admittere, & * Vos nobis. nos vobis grates opportuno tempore exhibere. Cum igitur alias signisicaverimus vobis expresse, quod Clericos obsequio nostro vacantes a contributione facta seu facienda ad opus Domini Papae immunes esse volumus, vos ipsos nichilominus, ad contribuend. demandatis compelli, nobis ipsis nullatenus in hac parte deferentes. Super quo miramur plurimum et movemur. Adhuc vobis mandantes et rogantes attente, quatenus nec magistrum Nicholaum de Fernham, nec alium nobis specialiter obsequentem adp raedictam contributionem faciendam compelli aliquatenus faciatis, et procuratoribus dictorum Clericorum, si quid ab ipsorum redditibus receptum fuerit occasione praedicta, sine dilatione restitui facientes. Scituri, quod singulis Archidiac. ipsorum dedimus in mandatis, quod nichil ab eis exigant vel recipiant ad contributionem praedictam, si quid ad hoc receperint restituendo. REX magistro Petro Rubeo, salutem. Certum & indubitatum habere potestis, Ibid. m. 17. quod nunqum fuit intentionis nostrae, quod Clerici obsequio nostro specialiter intendentes, neque aliegenae neque indigenae, aliquid contribuerent ad subsidium Domino Papae praestandum. Et cum alias vobis significaverimus, quod ad quintam praestandam ad subsidium memoratum nullatenus sustinere vellemus, quod Clerici obsequio nostro vacantes contributionem aliquam facerent, in hac parte specialius a contributione minori immunes esse volumus Clericos supradictos. Quapropter dilectioni vestrae mandamus, attente rogantes, quatenus ordinariis locorum in mandatis dare velitis, quatenus a Clericis obsequio nostro vacantibus, nihil exigant ad contributionem praedictam vel extorquere praesumant. Et si quid jam ad hoc captum fuerit ab eisdem, id eis sine morae dispendio restitui faciatis, nobis significantes, quid super hoc duxeritis faciendum. Teste Rege apud Windeles. Decimo die Januarii. REX dilecto sibi in Christo Archidiacono Glouc. salutem. Significamus & etiam Pat. 25. H. 3. m. 6. intus. DeProhibitione Contributionis ad opus Domini Papae factae. viva voce exposuimus magistro P. Rubeo, Nuncio Domini Papae, quod non est intentionis nostrae, nec etiam volumus aliquatenus sustinere, quod vel viros Religiosos vel Clericum aliquem ad contributionem faciendam ad opus Domini Papae compellat. Et ideo vobis Mandamus inhibentes districte, ne ad mandatum ipsius magistri Petri, vel suorum, viros Religiosos seu Clericos, ad contributionem praedictam faciendam aliqua Censura Ecclesiastica compellatis. Scituri, quod si secus egeritis, nos contra vos tanquam perturbatorem pacis Ecclesiasticae, quam conservare tenemur, modis quibus expedire viderimus, procedemus. Teste Rege apud Glouc. xi. die Junii. REX Decano & Capitulo Sancti Pauli London. salutem. Cum Ecclesia vestra Pat. 26. H. 3. m 6. Pro Ecclesia Sancti Pauli London. protectioni Dei et nostrae vacante sede specialiter sit commissa, nullatenus sustinere possuimus nec debemus, quod sub praedicta protectione juri et libertati ejusdem Ecclesiae in aliquo derogetur. Cum igitur, sicut audivimus, magister P. de Depham. per Petrum de Arch. sicut dicitur datum a sede Apostolica provisorem, nisi eidem assignaveritis stallum in Choro, et locum in capitulo, sede vacante procuraverit, Ecclesiam vestram suspendi. Quia hujusmodi assignatio si ipsam absque consensu nostro fieri contingeret, Vobis firmiter inhibemus ne praefato magistro P. sive alicui alii hujusmodi assignationem vacante sede aliquatenus assignetis. Teste Rege apud Westmonasterium 12▪ die Octobris. Et prohibitum est magistro Petro de Archippus ne alicujus authoritate praefatam Ecclesiam suspendere, vel in eadem sede vacante contra dignitatem Regiam aliquid praesumat attemptare. Et prohibitum est magistro Petro de Depham. ne in hujusmodi Procuratione contra dignitatem Regiam aliquatenus prosequi praesumat. If any Religious person did cast off the habit of his order, and become a Layman, or wander abroad out of his Monastery without consent of his Abbot or general of his Order, the King upon complaint, by his Ecclesiastical prerogative, usually issued forth his Writs to apprehend them as Apostates, and deliver them over to their Superiors, to be condignly punished; witness this ensuing Writ. REX Willielmo de Vescy, & omnibus aliis fidelibus salutem. Quia datum Pat 25. H. 3. m. 8. dorso. est nobis intelligi, quod quidam frater Siwardus, qui aliquando professus ordine fratrum Praedicatorum, in Scandalum ipsius ordinis recessit a domo ipsorum fratrum de Berewicke, et tanquam Apostata Laicorum obsequio et aliorum, contra honestatem suae Religionis non erubescit adhaerere: Vobis mandamus rogantes, quatenus nullus vestrum de caetero, ipsum in obsequio vestro retinere praesumat, nec impediat, quin fratres ejusdem ordinis, insistentes ad ipsum Siwardum de errore suo revocandum, cum ipsum invenerint secundum exigentiam ordinis sui arrestare possint, et tractare. Scituri quod sine indignatione nostra praedictum Siwardum in obsequio vestro retinere vel alias contra ordinem praedictum fovere aut manutenere non possitis. Teste, etc. Moreover, such was the extent of the King's prerogative in Ecclesiastical affairs, that if any dead person was buried in any Place or Church, contrary to his declaration in his last will or Testament, bequeathing his corpse to be interred in some other Church, the King upon information thereof issued forth Writs, to take up his body and translate it to be interred in the place designed by his will: witness this memorable Writ, in the case of Aleanora his own Kinswoman, buried by his own command, in the Priory of St. James in Bristol, contrary to her testament, to be removed, and interred in the Nunnery of Ambresbury. REX dilectis sibi in Christo Priori & conventui Sancti Jacobi Bristol, salutem. Pat. 25. H. 3. m. intus. Quia pro certo didicimus, quod Alienora quondam consanguinea nostra, quam in domo vestra fecimus sepeliri, in ultima voluntate sua corpus suum legavit Domui de Ambresbury. ibidem tradendum sepulturae; Nec decet quoad sepulturam Corporis sui, nec in aliis, de quibus Testamentum condidit, aliter ordinare quam disposuit; vobis mandamus, quod cum Priorina de Ambresbury, pro corpore illo transferendo ad domum suam ad vos venerit, vel aliquos de suis miserit, corpus illud amoveri, et ad domum suam deferri sine impedimento permittatis, Nolumus enim quod alibi sepeliatur quam in vita sua fieri disposuit. In cujus etc. Teste Rege apud Westmonasterium 20. die Octobris. Edmund Archbishop of Canterbury deceasing, and making executors to dispose of his goods according to his last will and testament, the King upon his Executors petition issued forth this Writ to the Guardians of the Archbishopric, to deliver all the goods belonging of right to the Archbishop's executors, to and call all his Bailiffs to account for the better execution of his Will. REX Custodibus Archiepiscopatus Cant. salutem. Praecipimus vobis quod Claus. 26. H 3. m 3. intus. parte prima. Pro Executoribus Testamento E. quondam Cant. Archiepis. co●i. omnia bona quae supersunt foelicis memoriae E. quondam Cant. Archiepiscopi, habere faciatis Executoribus Testamenti faciendum. Et omnia bona quae fuerunt ipsius Archiepiscopi et cesserunt in usus nostros, reddi faciatis eisdem Executoribus de exitibus ejusdem Archiepiscopatus ad executionem praefatam faciendam. Ita quod occasione nostri nichil deperiet dicto Testamento, retentis tantum ad opus nostrum carucis maneriorum ejusdem Archiepiscopatus, pro rationabili praecio, de quo praecio forisfaciatis executoribus praedictis, diligentem etiam fieri faciatis Inquisitionem in pr●sentia praefatorum executorum, si qui aliquid habuerunt de bonis ipsius Archiepiscopi; et si quos inveneritis, qui bona aliqua de suis habuerunt, per inquisitionem illam, illos distringatis ab bona illa sine dilatione reddenda praefatis executoribus. Distringi etiam faciatis omnes Ballivos et praepositos, de tempore ipsius Archiepiscopi, ut praefatis Erecutoribus de tempore suo rationabilem compotum reddant, ut eis inde sine dilatione satisfaciant. Teste meipso apud Wintoniam primo die Maii Anno regni nostri 26. The Bishop of Worcester, and other Delegates of the Pope by virtue of his Bulls and commission, holding Plea of a Prebendary in the Church of Lincoln, whereof the King was Patron, and right of visitation and Procurations, wherein the right of Patronage determinable only in the King's temporal Court, was like to come in question, to the prejudice of the King's Crown and Right; thereupon the King issued these two memorable Inhibitions to the Pope's Delegates, not to proceed therein, in the first whereof his Supreme care and protection of the Church, by divine institution, with his Bishop's obligation to him upon this account, are thus expressed. REX W. Wigorn. Episcopo, salutem. Cum Nos constituerit Altissimus Claus. 26. H. 3. m. 7. Ecclesiae Defensorem, quam sua gratia suffragante defendere volumus et debemus, dignum esse judicium arbitramur, ut Praelati Ecclesiae grata nobis vicissitudine respondeant, tempore opportuno defendendo, conservando jura et Libertates Regiae dignitatis. Sane cum vobis et conjudicibus vestris super contentione quadam orta inter venerabilem Patrem R. Episcopum Linc. et Decanum et Capitulum ejusdem Ecclesiae, Causa a sede apostolica sit commissa, quae sine magno praejudicio dignitatis nostrae in foro Ecclesiastico non poterit ventilari, praesertim cum libertates praebendarum Ecclesiarum Cathedralium, quarum ad nos pertinet patronatus, deduci non possint in judicium sine nobis, et praefatus Episcopus Linc. visitatores et procuratores exigat in praebendis Ecclesiae memoratae, non sine nostri juris injuria, et Regiae dignitatis praejudicio manifesto, paternitati vestrae mandamus, Inhibentes, ne in causa praedicta aliquatenus procedatis, donec de consilio nostro provisum fuerit et discussum, utrum in causa praedicta, necne, possitis procedere absque injuria nostra et laesione Regiae dignitatis. Teste Rege apud Castelacr. 22. die Martii. REX magistro R. de Kirk. & H. de Ho. & aliis principalium delegatis, si affuerint, Claus. 26 H. 3. m. 7. dorso. salutem. A memoria nostra non excidit, nec a vestra credimus excidisse, qualiter alias vobis literas nostras direximus, inhibentes ne in causa quae vertitur coram vobis authoritate Apostolica inter R. Lincoln. Episcopum et Decanum et Capitulum super visitatione et procuratione quas praefatus Epis. exigit in Praebendis Linc. Ecclesiae in praejudicium regiae dignitatis, processum aliquem haberetis. Adhuc autem iterato vobis duximus inhibendum, ne in eadem causa aliquatenus procedere praesumatis: Scituri pro certo, quod si secus ageritis cum injuriam regiae dignitatis non possimus aequanimiter sustinere, nos contra vos cum jurisdictione Regia procedamus. Teste ut supra. A memorable evidence and expression of the King's Sovereign regal Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction. King Henry being to take a royal voyage beyond the Seas against the French, thereupon issued this Writ to the Archdeacon of Canterbury (the See being then void) to cause prayers to be made to the most High, throughout his Archdeaconry, for himself, his Queen, children, the prosperous success of his affairs, and safe return home, in form ensuing. REX Archid. Cantuar. salutem. Cum Auctore Domino in proximo simus Claus. 26. H. 3. m. 7. dorso. transfretaturi, et certam geramus fiduciam, quod mediantibus precibus fidelium, iter et Actus nostros prosperari velit Altissimus; dilectionem vestram rogamus attentius, quatenus per totum Archidiaconatum vestrum, pro nobis et Regina nostra labiorum victimas Altissimo faciatis offerri, ut de misericordia sua propositum nostrum feliciter adimplere valeamus, ad propria cum prosperitate reverri, et etiam pro liberis nostris Drationes fieri faciatis, quod Dominus ipsos conservet incolumes. Teste Rege apud Castelacr. 27. die Martii. The Archdeacon of Derby petitioning the King, that some Clergymen imprisoned for the death of a man, might be delivered to his custody, according to Ecclesiastical Liberty; thereupon the King issued this Writ to the Sheriff of Nottingham and Derby, to deliver them to him before the Coroner, upon security given for their appearance before the King's Justices at the next Assizes, or in the King's Bench, when he should require it, there to stand to their trial, if any would prosecute against them. ARCHID. Derbi Regi humiliter supplicavit, per Literas suas Patentes, quod Claus. 26. H. 3. m. 3. par. 2. dor. Simonem Rectorem Ecclesiae de Trussel. Hugonem de Dereb. Capellanum, & Rogerum de Trussel. acolitum, captos & detentos in prisona Regis Nottingham, pro morte hominis secundum Libertatem Ecclesiasticam, ei liberari faceret. Et Mandatum est Vic. Nottinghamiaes & Derebi, quod in pleno Com. suo coram Coronatoribus Regis, praefatos prisones eidem Archid. faceret liberari: Ita quod eos habeat coram Justiciariis Domini Regis ad primam Assisam, cum in partes illas venerint, vel coram Rege quando praeceperit, ad standum recto, si quis versus eos loqui voluerit. Teste W. Eborum Archiepiscopo apud Westmonasterium secundo die Octobris. There being a Council of Bishops and other Prelates appointed to be held at Oxford, in the 26. year of Henry the third, the King suspecting, that some things would be propounded and attempted therein against his Crown and Dignity; appointed his special Proctor to sit therein, and to appeal against all such proceedings if attempted, and likewise to deliver somethings to them by word of mouth from the King, to which they might give credit, by this memorable Patent. REX Venerabilibus in Christo Patribus W. Eborum Archiepiscopo, Angliae primati, Pat. 26. H. 3. m, 21. & omnibus Episcopis, & aliis Praelatis qui conventuri sunt apud Oxoniam, salutem. Dilectum & fidelem nostrum Galfridum de Langel. ad vestram praesentiam duximus transmittendum, ad appellandum pro Nobis, ne in Concilio nunc apud Oxon. convocato, contra Coronam et dignitatem nostram aliquid statuere praesumatis. Quaedam etiam posuimus in ore ip●us vobis exponenda, cui super hiis fidem adhibeatis. Teste Rege apud Merleberg. XXIX die Novembris. There happening a controversy concerning the affairs and elections of the Churches of Canterbury and Winchester in the Court of Rome, by way of Appeal, the King constituted special Proctors therein, by these his Letters Patents. REX omnibus, salutem. Sciatis nos constituisse magistrum Henricum de Secus, Pat. 26. H. 3. m. 9 dorso. Priorem Antipolitanum, & magistrum Willelmun de Seint. Amur. procuratores nostros, tam in negotiis Cantuariensis, quam Ecclesiae Wintoniensis prosequendis in curia Romana. Ratum & gratum habituri, quicquid ipsi duo vel alter eorum in negotiis praedictis duxerint faciend. In cujus, etc. Teste Rege apud Westmonast. Septimo die Martii. The like special Proctor he appointed in the case of an Inquisition before the Pope's Delegates in England, between the Bishop of Bath and others, the Patronage of whose Churches belonged to the Crown. REX Venerabilibus patribus Herefordensi & Exoniensi Episcopis & Abbati sancti Pat. 26. H. 3. m. 12. Edmundi, salutem. In negotio inquisitionis, quod inter vos vertitur ex una parte, authoritate Apostolica, & Venerabilem Patrem Bathoniensem Episcopum ex altera, magistrum Robertum de Ford. Procuratorem nostrum constituimus, ratum & gratum habituri quicquid idem magister Robertus in dicto negotio Inquisitionis justitia mediante coram vobis duxerit faciendum. Hoc idem dicto Episcopo significamus. Teste Rege apud Merleberg. 28. die Novembris. The Prior and Covent of Trinity in Canterbury during the Vacancy of the See, and the King's absence in foreign parts, encroaching Archiepiscopal jurisdiction upon the suffragan Bishops and their subjects, to their great oppression, and prejudice of the King's Crown and dignity, he thereupon issued this memorable prohibition to them, to stay all proceedings till his return into England, to hear and determine these differences by the advice of the Council of the whole Realm. REX Priori & Conventui Sanctae Trinitatis Cant. salutem. Ex insinuatione Claus. 27 H. 3. m. 7. dorso. quorundam Episcoporum, de regno nostro suffraganeorum Cantuariensis Ecclesiae nobis innotuit, quod finibus vestris non contenti, manus ad ea quae ad dignitatem pertinent Archiepiscopalem, aliter quam deceret extendere nitimini, quantum in vobis est intendentes libertates ecclesiarum suarum hactenus obtentas adnullare, et ipsis ac subditis suis quasi jugum quoddam servitutis imponere, non solum in grave ipsorum praejudicium, set et manifestam Regiae dignitatis laesionem, ut asserunt. Cupientes igitur sic ipsis regni nostri Praelatis, qui nostrum inde consilium invocarunt, adesse, quod vobis aut Ecclesiae vestrae Juri non videamus praejudicasse, devotionem vestram monendam duximus et rogandam; vobis etiam singulis ac universis consulimus et mandamus, sicut alias Mandavimus, quod Articulos qui materiam contentionis inter vos linquunt, utpote insolitos et hucusque ut dicitur inauditos, teneatis in suspenso, quousque in Anglia revertamur, ut tunc convocato consilio totius Regni nostri liberius deliberemur, qualiter super tam arduo negotio ad concordiam vos revocemus. Mandavimus enim Eborum Archiepisco, Karl. Episcopo, et W. de Cant. quod nichil novum aut insolitum, vel aliqua quae lisi non fuistis die quo ultimo transfretavimus vel antea, in perturbationem Cleri et regni nostri vos interim attemptare permittant. In quo non intendimus Juri vestro in aliquo derogare. Teste Rege apud Burd. 26. die Junii. During the vacancy of the Archbishopric of Canterbrury, the King wanting victuals to supply his forces in France, * districte praecipendo, significavit Archiepiscopo Mat. Paris p. 577. Eboracensi Regni custodi, ut blada Archiepiscopatus Cantuariensis, & aliorum maneriorum & Episcopatuum tunc vacantium, cum Baconibus & sale, & aliis hyematuro necessariis, pannis quoque advestes faciendas adjectis, sibi sine morae dispendio usque Burdogaliam, transmitterentur. Unde absque denariorum multitudine, missa sunt decem mille summarum frumenti, & quinque millia avenae, cum totidem Baconibus, ac si esset Anglia puteus inexhaustus. Most of these Provisions were raised out of the Temporalties of the Archbishoprics and Bishoprics then in the King's hand: The Archbishopric being void by the * S. e here p. 563. 564. death of Edmund, King Henry used his utmost endeavours to procure the Monks of Canterbury to elect Boniface his Queen's uncle (a foreigner and every way unfit for such a trust) to succeed him, whom they accordingly elected upon the ensuing considerations. Temporibus sub eisdem, Monachi Cantuariae Romam ex parte Conventus destinati, Anno Dom. 1241. Mat. Paris. Hist. Angl. p. 536. Monachi Cantuarienses absolutionem a Papa impetranit & Bonifacium Eligunt in Archiepiscop. See Mat. Parker Antiquitates Ecclesiae Britanae, Godwins Catalogue of Bishops in the life of Boniface. pro absolutione obtinenda, qua Archiepiscopus, E. eos terribiliter innodaverat, mense Aprili a Romana curia redierunt. Qui impetraverant, ut existentibus eorum negotii Abbate & Archidiacano Sancti Albani, & Priore de Dunestaple executoribus, ad cautelam absolverentur. Sed huic impetrationi antiquus eorum persecutor, Magister Simon de Langetune, Archidiaconus Cantuariensis, se statim appellando opposuit contradicens, asserens constanter, quod per falsam suggestionem & veri suppressionem, fuerant litterae talis absolutionis nequiter adquisitae. Sed ipsi, qui Regi certissime promiserant se Bonifacium in Archiepiscopum suum electuros, juxta quod R. devotissime supplicaverat, gravem super Archidiaconi Simonis illata injuria & excogitata malitia coram Rege querimoniam deposuerunt. At Rex partem fo●ens Monachorum, & acceptans de Bonifacio promissam electionem, terribiliter est eidem Simoni Archidiacono comminatus, quod si non a temerario proposito suo quam citius desisteret, Regiam cum effectu, per omnia sentiret indignationem. Quod cum comperit dictus Simon Archidiaconus, sciens quod Papa in nullo Regem offenderet, et sentiens se jam senem et inveteratum transalpinatorem, quievit, et a proposito concepto resilivit. Monachi autem Cantuarienses, comperientes Papam et Regem sibi vicissim indulgere, et alt. alterius quibuscunque precibus inclinari, elegerunt sibi in pastorem animarum suarum, invocata Spiritus sancti et Regis gratia, Bonifacium electum de Bal. Hominem procerae staturae, elegantem corpore, avunculum dominae Alienorae, illustris Anglorum Reginae, Monachis tamen praenotatis, scientia, moribus, etaetate penitus incognitum, et tantae dignitati, respectu praedecessorum Archipraesulum Cantuariensium (ut dicebatur) insufficientem; Hac tameu consideratione, quia si alium elegissent, Rex adinventis erceptionibus quibuscunque, electionem cassasset reprobatam, qui favorem Papalem in omnibus obtinebat. Rex autem omnibus modis volens memoratum Bonifacium, vel jam electum, vel cito eligendum, promovere, & nomen ejus exaltare, ne forte dominus Papa, quasi insufficientem, eundem reprobaret; imo ut potius videretur sufficiens & idoneus tantae dignitati, jussit chartam confici, in qua commendabatur supra modum persona dict: Bonifacii, & eidem scripto sigillum Regium in testimonium appendit veritatis. Et misit eam Episcopis Abbatibus, praecipiens, vel imperiose supplicans, ut & ipsi sigilla sua similiter apponentes, huic Regiae assertioni certum testimonium perhiberent. Multi ergo conscientiae suae integritatem nolentes infringere, & timentes illud praeceptum Dominicum, Non falsum testimonium perhibebis, firmiter eidem renuerunt obtemperare. Quamplurimi autem digniorum clericorum, videlicet Episcopi & Abbates aliqui, Regiis comminationibus perterriti, & enerva●i, sigilla sua, scilicet pignora & testimonia suae fidei, spreto Dei timore, plus hominem quam Deum reverentes, apposuerunt, & eundem Bonifacium in suum superiorem gratanter acceperunt. Quippe cum de nobilissimo sanguine natus, & Regnorum utrorumque Principibus, ipse procerus & satis sufficiens; fuerit specialissimus. Monachi tamen Cantuarienses, Regis praeventi supplicatione, vehementer doluerunt se Regi in hoc consensisse. Unde quidam Monachorum ad se reversi, suam miseriam cognoscentes, ut perpetuam poenitentiam agerent ab Ecclesia sua recedentes, ad ordinem Curtusiae convolarunt. Boniface being thus elected Archishop, the King thereupon dispatcshed his Letters and Proctor to the Pope and Cardinals at Rome, for his confirmation, thus entered in our Records, though not extant in historians, wherein he thus flattered the Pope beyond all measure, to obtain his desired purpose. SAnctissimo Patri ac Domino, divina providentia Summo Pontifici, H. eadem gratia, etc. salutem. Sanctitati vestrae petitiones nostras tanto cum Pat. & Chart. Anno 27. H. 3. m. 17. dorso. majori porrigimus fiducia obtinendi, quanto non solum ad regni nostri commoda, set etiam ad Ecclesiae Romanae fructuosum honorem per ea quae petimus aspiramus. Quicquid enim honoris vel commodi regno nostro accreverit, ad vestrae dominationis augmentum est specialiter referendum. Cum igitur nuper Ecclesia Cantuar. per mortem bonae memoriae E. quondam ipsius Archiepiscopi destituta pastore, petita prius, prout moris est, a nobis eligendi licentia, et obtenta, Prior et Conventus ejusdem, vocatis omnibus, ut intelleximus, qui vocandi erant, et praesentibus qui debebant et poterant interesse, de prudenti viro et nobis Charissimo Bonifacio de Sabaudia procuratore Bellic. Ecclesiae avunculo nostro, sibi canonice ac concorditer providerint in Archiepiscopum et in patrem: Et Nos provisionem eandem ratam habeamus quantum nostra, interest et acceptum, dilectum & fidelem Clericum Nuncium & Procuratorem nostrum magistrum Robertum Anketil. Canonicum Dakensem, & nobis gratum, ad hoc & alia nostra negotia, quae sibi hac vice apud sedem Apostolicam promovenda commisimus constitutum, ad sanctae Paternitatis vestrae pedes transmisimus, devote per eum & praesentes literas nostras ex affectus cordis intime, quantum possumus humiliter supplicando, quatenus in eodem B. avunculo nostro geminam nobilitatem morum & generis, & tam ipsius quam suorum devotionem erga. Deum & Romanam Ecclesiam attendentes, nec non utilitatem Regni tanquam rei vestrae pensantes, dictum B. jam a Deo promissum nobis in subsidium speciale, & proli nostrae non modicum fulcimentum, & Cantuariensi Ecclesiae in Archiepiscopum, difficultate qualibet & impedimento postpositis, impenso, de sedis Apostolicae liberalitate consueta confirmationis munere concedatis. In hoc vel de Jure quo dictum B. juvari credimus●, vel si necesse fuerit, de gratia speciali petitionem nostram sic efficaciter admittentes, quod ex eo paternae dilectionis affectum quem erga nos & Haeredes nostros geritis, manifestis ut optamus, indiciis ostendatis. Et nos ad exaltationem Coronae nostrae fructum quem bene de sublato nobis majore fratre speravimus, de minore per Dei gratiam consequentes, vobis & S. Romanae Ecclesiae fortius imposterum astringatis. Rogamus & attentius supplicamus, ut in praesenti negotio & aliis ad nos spectantibus, dicto Clerico nostro exauditionis aures benevolas praebeatis, de sedis Apostolicae clementia consueta, personam ipsius nichilominus nostri contemplatione habentes vestri gratia propensius commendatam, utaffectum quem Sanctitatem vestram ad nos & haeredes nostros habere credimus, in hoc facto cognoscamus evidentius per effectum. Quicquid enim in nostris maxime negociis quae habet procurare apud sedem Apostolicam, gratiae invenerit aut favoris, nobis reputabimus esse factum. Teste Rege apud Burd. 17. die Feb. Super eodem negotio, & consimiliter scribitur omnibus Cardinalibus, videlicet, Dominis Roman. Portuen. & Sanctae Ruffin. Reg. Hostiens. & Velletr. Jacobo Penetrino Episcopis S. Titulo Sanctae in Transtiberim, Johanni Titulo Sanctae Praxedis; Senobaldo Titulo Sancti Laur. in Latin. Presbyteris; Reinero Sanctae Mariae in Cosmedi. Egidio Sanctorum Cosmae & Damiani, Ottoni Sancti Nicholai in Carcere Tulliano, & Richardo Sancti Angeli Diaconis. Upon the receipt of these flattering Letters fraught with overmuch Courtship, (and the intercession of some golden Angels superadded thereunto) the Pope confirmed Boniface, to the admiration of many; as Matthew Paris thus stories. Eisdemque diebus Bonifacius Electus Bellicensis Auunculus Reginae, natione Provincialis, Mat. Paris Hist Angl. p. 586 Mat: Westminster, p:▪ 160. Confirmatur Bonifacius in Archiepiscopatum Cantuar. Mat: Parker, & Godwin in Bonifacio. non sine multorum admiratione, in Archiepiscopum Cantuariensem, Rege hoc diligentissime procurante, a Domino Papa confirmatur. Dominus Rex ut efficacius Bonifacium promoveret in Archiepiscopatum Cantuariensem confecit unum scriptum, in quo miro modo ipsum Bonifacium, licet ipsum non cognovisset, commendavit in moribus, & scientia & generositate, instinctu Reginae. Et apposito signo suo, fecit ut fere omnes Angliae Praelati consequenter apponerent. Solus autem Abbas Sancti Albani hoc falsum testimonium caute declinando vitavit. Cum enim vidisset signum Abbatis Westmonasterii appensum, dixit, injurjatum fuisse ei, cum Abbas Sancti Albani digniorem esse constet, dicente ejus privilegio, sicut beatus Albanus Protomartyr est Angliae, ita & ejus Abbas primus sit omnium Abbatum Angliae ordine & dignitate, ergo ejus signum deberet apponi. Et sic permissum est hoc donec excuteretur. Hoc scriptum missum est Domino Papae, ut de bonitate Bonifacii plenius certificaretur. There being a great contest between the King and the Prior and Monks of Winchester about the election of their Bishop, they electing first William de Raeley Bishop of Norwich; whom the King and Pope opposing, thereupon they elected Ralph * See here, p. 500, 501, 502: a Godwins Catalogue of Bishops, p. 174, 175. Mat: Westminster Anno 1243. p. 175. Nevil, whose election was likewise vacated: After which, according to their first resolution, they elected the Bishop of Norwich again; whose election was suddenly made, and quickly confirmed at Rome: yet the King ceased not to spurn againstit, commanding the Mayor of Winchester to forbid the New Bishop entrance into the City, which he did; who thereupon excommunicated him for his labour and interdicted the whole City. The King thereupon so persecuted the Monks, that he imprisoned divers ofthem, and so afflicted the Bishop, that he was forced to fly the Realm, and pass into France for a season. Thus related by Matthew Paris, and Mat. Westm. Mat. Paris Hist. Angliae, p. 554. Rex Iratus Episcope Norwicensi. Curriculo temporum eorundem Rex continuans conceptam iracundiam aggravavit adversus Episcopum Norwicensem eo quod postulationi consensit de se factae ad Episcopatum Wintoniensem; Noluit enim, quia nec decuit renunciare. Exigebat tamen Rex chartam ab eodem de renunciatione, quod idem Episcopus facere constanter renuebat. Orta exinde occasionaliter quadam dissensione gravi in Episcopatu suo per quendam scriptorem Curiae, qui pro sua temeraria usurpatione vulneratus est, multa inconvenientia sunt secuta. Unde multi tam Clerici quam Laici baculati, vulnerati, & pugnis impie sunt percussi, & per brachium secularem multis damnis & injuriis lacessiti. Nec voluit aliquo modo Rex, ut jurejurando affirmabat, a talibus gravaminibus desistere, nisi dictus Episcopus, ut praetactum est, chartam conficeret quod nunquam ad Episcopatum Wintoniensem transferri se permitteret, quod omnino dissonum fuit rationi, et Episcopali contrarium professiom. Quia si Dominus Papa in virtute obedientiae id ei praeciperet, nullo modo, si filius esset obedientiae, aliquatenus posset contradicere. Sub illis diebus, quidam Aulici satellites, qui de Regiis praeceptis confidentes & enormia c Mat. Paris, Hist. Angl. p. 538. Constantia & oppressio Monachorum Wintoniensium. saepe ex levibus nanciscentes, venerunt Wintokiam, sciscitantes arroganter, qui Monachorum noluerunt Regiis mandatis obedire super electione, vel postulatione Wintoniensis Episcopi, quique illi erant qui Episcopum Norwicensem, Willielmum videlicet de Raele, Regi non obtemperantem, tam procaciter postularent, ut nullo terrore vel precibus resilire dignarentur? O Monachorum superbia, cucullatorum improbitas obstinata. Facta igitur inquisitione per Priorem intrusum, qui totius turbationis fuit Machinator, ejecerunt a Monasterio eosdem Monachos, non senium, non personas, vel ordinem, vel demum reverentiam Ecclesiae vel claustri considerantes. Quos etiam carcere, fame, convitiis & infamia, viliter & indigne, in totius ordinis Monastici dedecus, & ignominiam, afflixerunt. Sub eisdem diebus, ipse Brito, quem violenter Dominus Rex praeposuerat Conventui Mat: Paris, p▪ 554. Matth: Westminster, p. 160. Vexatio Monachorum Wintonicnsium. Wintoniensi, quasi Priorem, Conventum multis modis affligere satagebat. Procurante enim eodem Impostore, ut justam causam habere videretur, quod Conventus ei contradicens excommunicaretur, ortae sunt dissensiones. Et vocatis Regiis satellibus post quadraginta dies elapsos, dixit: Ite & vindicate Regiam & nostram injuriam in rebellibus nostris, excommunicati enim sunt, nec est aliqua offensa in eos manus violentas injicere. Catervatim igitur ruunt aeditui Regales, & crudelius quam a Rege imperatum est, vel a falso Priore persuasum, manus prophanas in Monachos ad majus Altare fugientes, ut ibidem tutum haberent refugium, violenter injecerunt. Et impellentes viriliterque trahentes, ita ut pavimentum cruentarent, ab Ecclesia ejecerunt. Et in conspectu Civium, prae dolore et admiratione flebiliter ejulantium, usque ad castrum Regium, & ad Husvebeie raptim tractitabant, pugnis coedentes, * Mat. Westm: Anno 1241. p● 160. Fecit etiam Rex personam Bonifacii electo Bellac: magnificando commendari, ut dignus videretur esse vel ad Archiepiscop. Cantuar: aut Episcopatum Winton: quo promoveretur. Sed res effectum non est sortita licet multorum Praelatorum testimoniis tituli ipsius roborarentur. baculis impingentes, probris afficientes, hos hic, hos illic incarcerantes, vinculis & compedibus binos & binos manciparunt. Et spreto Dei timore, religione, habitusque reverentia, squalore carcerali, tenebris, fame & frigore, cum opprobriis, non sine palma martyrii, cruciarunt. Ipsi autem scientes haec omnia sibi pro executione justitiae violenter inferri, patienter, imo gaudenter sustinuerunt, qui digni sunt pro Christo contumeliam tolerare. The King likewise writ to the Pope, not to permit the Monks of Winton (then at Rome to justifië their election) to take up any provisions or moneys upon the account of the Church or Monastery of Winton, whereof he was Patron; and likewise importuned him, by way of Provision, to confer the Bishopric upon his Uncle * Boniface; who being soon after elected and confirmed Archbishop of Canterbury, he moved the Pope both by his Letters and Proctor, not to consent to the Bishop's translation from Norwich to Winchester, to the prejudice of his Crown and honour; and to give way that the Prior and Monks might proceed to the election of another Bishop, as these Letters to the Pope entered in the Patent and Charter Roll of 27 H. 3. inform us; DOmino Papae Rex salutem. Quia Wintoniensem Ecclesiam tanquam ad nos de Pat: & Chart: 27 H: 3. memb. 16. dorso. speciali jure Patronatus spectantem tueri & exaltare, ac ejus Oppressionibus seu afflictionibus obviare, necnon indempnitatibus providere tanto affectuosius volumus & debemus, quanto in ejus exaltatione nos contingeret specialius gloriari, Sanctitati vestrae supplicamus, quatenus per Benedictum de Burgo Monac. Wintoniensem & sequaces ejus, nostri & nostrorum adversarios nominis & honoris in Curia vestra, contra sui voluntatem Prioris vagantes, expensis eam non permittatis gravari, seu debitis onerari, faciendo eis provisionem ad expensas & mutuum vestri gratia denegari; quod enim eorum expensae sive debita de bonis Ecclesiae praedictae solverentur, non possemus aequanimiter sustinere. Teste Rege apud Burd. primo die Februarii. Super eodem negotio scribitur omnibus Cardinalibus. Teste ut supra. EIdem Domino Papae, Rex salutem. Cum inspirante gratia sancti Spiritus, Pat: & Chart: 27 Hen. 3. Ib. mem: 17 sitis a Deo supra omnes in eminenti specula cum potestatis plenitudine constituti, et sub vobis alii sunt in sollicitudinis partem gradatim positi, specialiter autem Reges et Principes, in tutelam Ecclesiarum et subsidium oppressorum, ad vos recurrendum esse credimus quotiens negotiorum imminet difficultas, ut per providentiam, et circumspectionem vestram & sacri vestrarum fratrum Collegii dominorum Cardinalium, Ecclesiae sacrosantctae remedium adhibeatur, quod expedit, & salubre Consilium apponatur. Cum igitur Wintoniensis Ecclesiae quam tanquam ad nos de speciali jure Patronatus spectantem tueri et exaltare, tanto affectuosius volumus & debemus, quanto specialius in ejus exaltatione & gratia nos contingeret gloriari, ardenti cupiamus desiderio indempnitatibus providere, ac ejus afflictionibus seu oppressionibus obviare, non possumus ideo, sicut nec debemus, sub dissimulatione sufferre, ipsam per aliquem occupari, qui ad eam ambitiose per abrupta intendat ascendere, vel transire, non debet vestra circumspectio admirari, si nos cum nostra intersit interponamus partes nostras. Quocirca dominationi vestrae paternitatis Sanctissimae supplicamus, quatenus Episcopum Norwicensem, in nostrum et honoris Coronae nostrae praejudicium et non modicum detrimentum, sicut alias scripsimus praedecessori vestro, mandati ejus non servato tenore, & venerabilis patris Domini O. Sancti Nicholai in carcere Tulliano tunc Legati in Anglia, spreto consilio, de quo duntaxat Ecclesiae jam dictae per electionem Canonicam seu idoneam, in Pastorem contra Sanctiones canonicas postulatum, non sustineatis transferri, sicut honorem nostrum diligitis ad eandem; cum Prior ipsius Ecclesiae & ejus complices, utpote illi ad quos per aliorum in obedientiam, peccatum, negligentiam sive culpam tota de jure illa vice devolvebatur, ipsi Ecclesiae providendi potestas, de B. de Sabaudia, secundum tenorem mandati Apostolici, dicti Legati consilio adhaerentes, Canonice ac concorditer providerunt. Quae si forte provisio ad effectum non pervenerit, de ipso quem ad altiora provehi, per vos cupimus et speramus, per magistrum Robertum Auketill, & per praesentes literas, cum quanta possumus devotione ac precum instantia vobis & sacro fratrum vestrorum Collegio iterum supplicamus, ut jam dicto Priori, Archidiaconos Winton. & complicibus eorundem quos obediendo mandato dicti Praedecessoris vestri & Domini Legati sequendo consilium, nullus debet intelligere peccavisse, sed meruisse potius gratiam de benignitate sedis Apostolicae consueta nostri contemplatione honoris, eo quod semper a nobis requirenda est licentia concedatur facultas iterum eligendi ipsos in hoc & aliis negotiis suis quae nos tangunt, prout praedictus clericus, noster ex parte nostra vobis explicaverit viva voce, habentes amore nostri & precum interventu nostrarum propensius vestri gratia commendatos, ut affectum quem vos ad nos habere credimus, in hoc facto cognoscamus evidentius per effectum. Quicquid enim pro nobis apud sedem Apostolicam invenerit gratiae, aut favoris, nobis reputabimus esse factum, & ne credatur susurrone aliquo suadente, nos dissimulando velle translationem dicti Norwicensis Episcopi ad Winton. Ecclesiam sustinere, supradictum magistrum procuratorem nostrum constituimus generalem, ad omnia quae nos tangunt ratione vel occasione provisionis factae de ipso B. Specialiter autem ad proponend. & prosequendum in euria Romana contra eundem Episcopum, ipsumque postulantium personas, & formam factae postulationis, de ipso exceptiones quascunque competentes & competituras nobis secundum quod viderit expedire. Nos opponentes ipsi & eum postulantibus, nec non postulationi suae ut incepimus incessanter, ratum habituri & gratum, quicquid super praemissis in praedicta curia ipso Procuratore nostro fuerit factum procurante. Teste ut supra. The differences between King Henry, the Monks, and this Bishop Elect of Winchester, transmitted to posterity by our Historians, are thus related. Tempore quoque sub eodem, Episcopus Norwicensis postulatus in Episcopum Wintoniensem, à Domino Papa, quem sibi valde propitium invenit, Rege minus Anno 1243. Mat. Paris Hist. Angl. p. 586. Mat. Westm. Anno 1241. 1244. p. 160. 185. Godwins Catalogue of Bishops, p. 345. 346. invito et renitente, confirmatus est. (Notwithstanding his foresaid Letters to the Pope.) Certificati autem Monachi Norwicenses super confirmatione Domini Willielmi de Rale, qui Episcopus eorum extiterat, ad Episcopatum Wintoniensem postulati, invocata spiritus Sancti gratia, magistrum Walterum de Suffeld. virum eleganter literatum, moribus, fama, genere pollentem, unanimiter in Episcopum & suarum pastorem animarum eligerunt. Qui cum Regi, ut moris est, praesentaretur, satis et electum et electionem acceptando reputavit irreprehensibilem. Veruntamen donec plenius constaret ei de confirmatione Wintoniensis, favoris suspendit ad tempus plenitudinem. (He was afterwards confirmed by Boniface Archishop elect of Canterbury.) Rex autem eisdem diebus nimis commotus erga Episcopum Wintoniensem Willelmum Mat. Paris, p. 587. Mat. West. p. 174. 175. de Rale, eo quod se quasi Episcopum Wintoniensem gerebat; & a cunctis, praeter quosdam Monachos Wintonienses habebatur & dicebatur, renuit recepi ab eo in osculo, vel ipsum in aliquo amicabili verbo recipere. Qui tamen omnes Angliae Nobiles praecipue Ptaelatos, & in osculo, & in gratis eloquiis, post adventum suum de partibus ultramarinis, tam gratanter quam gratulanter susceperat, & civiliter advocarat. In eujus rei tristi prognostico, Episcopus luce clarius perpendens, Regis iram inveteratam in odium pertinax induratam fuisse, penes amicos suos, quos fortunae minime credidit esse sectatores, donec visitaret eum oriens ex alto, & tepesceret Regis indignatio, latitavit. Rex autem, persistens in ira sua, ad maneria sua arctam posuit custodiam per suos satellites: qui, ut de more solent, limites praecepti tyrannici saeviendo transgredientes, Episcopatui subjectos satis inhumane tractantes, propriis emolumentis avidius intendebant. Et cum Episcopus praenominatus causa intrandi in civitatem, ad suam sedem Cathedralem specialiter spectantem, scilicet Wintoniam pervenisset, jussit Rex portas Civitatis arctissime custodiri. Priorautem Wintoniensis, si dignus est nomine Prioris censeri aut nominari, magnam partem Monachorum, in unam conflavit conspirationem, ut in suum Episcopum calcaneum levarent; asserens in propatulo, omnes qui ei pr●berent auxilium vel consilium, inimicos Domini Regis fore manifestos, et proinde graviter puniendos: ita ut tam inter Monachos quam seculares, ortum est schisma, & usque ad sanguinis effusionem gravis & detestabilis discordia. Igitur ipse miser, habitum tantummodo portans religionis, qui nomen non officium Prior Winton. moritur. Prioris Ecclesiae Winton. sibi temere Usurpaverat, & praecepto regio se fecit Prior nominari, & a multis haberi, postquam illam nobilem Ecclesiam diversimode, non sine multa delapidatione, scandalo, & conventus ipsius Ecclesiae, variis afflictionibus turbaverat, multis afflictam sollicitudinibus, animam miseram exhalavit, viarum suarum fructus recepturus. Rex autum, nulla ratione refraenatus, sed propriae voluntatis impetu potius exagitatus, Anno Dom. 1243. Mat. Paris. p. 587. 588. Mat. West. p. 175. manum aggravans potentissimam, & in Episcopum praedictum & ejus bona gravando protendens, clamari fecit, et prohibuit, ne quis Willielmum de R●l●, (qui se falso, ut ait, Episcopum Wintoniensem fecit) solenniter acclamaret, hospitio susciperet, vel eidem in venalivus communicaret, vel necessaria victualium ministraret, et qui ei in aliquo horum subveniret, hostis Regis, imo publicus haberetur. Misit etiam idem Rex literas suos Oxoniam, ut eundem Episcopum coram Universitate diffamaret, asserens eundem per falsam suggestionem a Domino Papa impetrasse, ut in Episcopum Wintoniensem postularetur, et transferretur, & quod omnem dolum suum coram curia Romana & Regno sufficienter probando detunicaret. Ad quod effectui mancipandum, cursores suos Romipedas jam destinavit. Fecit etiam Episcopatum Norwicensem infiscari, ut ubique, & omnino eidem aditus ad solatium excluderetur. Misit insuper dictus Dominus Rex contra memoratum Episcopum Theobaldum Monachum Westmonasteriensem, Priorem Hurleiae, ad Romanam curiam, nec non & Magistrum Alexandrum Legistam cognomento S●cular●m, ut ipsi dictum Episcopum, vel quacunque prece, vel quantocunque precio, a sua dignitate praecipitarent. Episcopus autem memoratus Gulielmus, ne Ecclesiam suam visitaret, Winton. adi●t. Major autem civitatis, & suorum concivium nonnulli, super hoc praemuniti, & praecepto ipsius Regis animati, omnes portas Civitatis contra ipsum praeclusit. Episcopus vero nudis pedibus ad unam portam civitatis, & postea ad alias extra civitatem, cum suis presbyteris & clericis, aditum humiliter, ut Ecclesiam suam Civitas Wintoniae supponitur Interdicto. intraret, postulavit; omnes enim portas in adventu suo clausas inveniebat. Obstantibus autem Majore civitatis & ministris Regis, & ubique introitum procaci●er denegantibus, & probra probis cumulantibus, Episcopus civitatem totam, cum Ecclesia Cathedrali, et omnibus aliis interdicto supposuit, nec non, et omnes Monachos sequaces et fautores Prioris intrusi per Regem, Anathematis vinculo terribiliter innodavit. I shall now proceed to inform you what our Records attest concerning it. The King having appealed to Rome against the Bishop of Norwich Election, and translation to Winchester, sent his Appeal to Robert Ludlowe, to publish and execute: he against the King's intention, exceeding his commission, by armed force, seized the Bishop's goods and provisions, as well within as without his Church, which the King disliked, reprehended, and commanded to be restored, by this Writ. REX magistro Roberto de Ludelawe, salutem. Auditis & intellectis hiis quae Pat. 28. H. 3. m. 10. & 11. nobis significastis per literas vestras, satis inde non potuimus admirari; cum vos propter discretionem vestram, de qua confidebamus, miseramus, ad stultitiam Laicorum compescendam, si quae vellent attemptare, quae essent ad deteriorationem causae nostrae, contra▪ W. de R. Episcopum, ea fecistis quae Laicos fecisse non debuerat. Res & victualia sua quae deportari fecit a partibus Norff. tam in Ecclesia quam extra Ecclesiam arrestando, & vim armatam convocando ad talia perpetranda, quae nostris exprimere literis aborremus, quae si vellemus, quod Deus avertat, perpetrari, non id fieri mandassemus in manu Clericali. Hinc est, quod non mediocriter moti super praemissis, Vobis Mandamus, quatenus bona ipsius Episcopi per vos arrestata, tam in Ecclesia quam extra, nec non & omnia bona occasione ipsius Episcopi arrestata, visis literis istis deliberari faciatis, ab executione caeterarum crudelitatum vestrorum quae continebantur in literis vestris quas nobis misistis, vos penitus abstinentes: licet enim per vos Appellationem nostram, & in ea nobis adhaerentes ab omni violentia intendamus defendi & tueri, non tamen contra aliquos alios crudelitatem aliquam volumus perpetrari. Sed potius ea quae ad tuitionem appellationis & partis nostrae pertinent, taliter exerceatis via media incedendo, quod nec de duritia, nec de negligentia redargui debeatis. Vos igitur praecepta nostra, quae vobis injunximus, viva voce, & quae prius Vicecomitibus & caeteris Ballivis nostris demandaveramus, quae omnia diligenter volumus observari, firmiter teneatis & observetis. Et si super aliquibus forsitan haesitetis, consilium nostrum requiratis, antequam aliquid novum durius attemptetis. Teste Rege apud Waliford. Vicesimo secundo die Decembris. The Bishop soon after presuming against the King's Appeal, to enter into the Bishopric of Winchester, to confer orders, excommunicate his subjects, the Mayor, Citizens, and interdict the whole City of Winton. for obeying his commands (as you heard before) and intending to proceed de novo in the like contempts, the King thereupon, (to preserve his own Royal Prerogative and Jurisdiction Ecclesiastical, and evidence his supremacy in and over all Ecclesiastical persons, causes) issued this Writ to the Guardians of this Bishopric; touching his proceedings against him in this Appeal, commanding them personally to acquaint the Bishop therewith, to read it to him in the presence of witnesses, to declare all his excommunications void, and that he would severely proceed against him, if he persisted in his obstinacy, and submitted not to his Appeal. REX Custodibus Episcopatus Winton. salutem. Licet contra W. de Raleg. appellaverimus Pat. 28. H. 3. m 10. & 11. in hunc modum, Dicit Dominus Rex, etc. ut patet ex alia parte R●●uli in appellatione facta contra eundem Episcopum, & post appellationem quam de diversorum Jurisperitorum Regni nostri, quos huic habere potuimus, fecimus, magistros Oxon. in Jurelegentes, & alios viros Religiosos & Jurisperitos consuluerimus, & per omnes dicta appellatio fuerit approbata; dictus tamen Episcopus haec omnia parvipendens, & spernens, supra dictum Episcopatum, sicut intelleximus intravit, ordinesque celebravit ibidem, sententiasque diversas excommunicationis et suspentionis protulit, nuncque de novo manum suam totis viribus aggravando, Majorem et Ballivos nostros Winton. excommunicavit, contra privilegia nostra prohibentia, nequis in tales sententias proferat, nisi Authoritate Rescripti Apostolici, specialem facientes de dicto nostro privilegio mentionem, et Civitatem Winton. interdixit; quae omnia licet de facto tantum teneant, tamen utcunque famam nostram sugillant, nec ipsa de catero possumus conniventibus oculis praeterire. Ideoque vobis praecipiendo Mandamus, quatenus convocatis Abbate Abbatiae de Hyda, Priore fratrum praedicatorum, cum duobus vel tribus de fratribus, & Gardiano fratrum minorum, cum totidem & aliis viris Religiosis honestis & fide dignis, quos habere poteritis, ad dictum Episcopum accedatis, & supradicta omnia de verbo ad verbum legi faciatis, iterum ex eisdem causis, & supradicto modo nomine nostro appellantes & supplicantes. Postea sibi ex parte nostra offeratis, nos paratos incontinenti mittere Parisius ad omnes magistros in jure, ibidem regentes & alios Jurisperitos, qui ibidem poterunt reperiri. Et si audita dicta Appellatione, & plene intellecta, ipsam dicant, tanquam inanem & frivolam non fuisse admittendam, nec fore Nuncios & procuratores nostros, quos jam ad Curiam Romanam, pro prosecutione dictae appellationis misimus, & alios qui jam sunt in procinctu Itineris sui, revocabimus, & in aliis omnibus erga ipsum Episcopum, nos habebimus secundum quod decuerit, & sicut praedicti Magistri Jurisperiti dixerint faciemus. Quod si dictam Appellationem tanquam rationabilem, seu probabilem admittendam fuisse, & fore dixerint, idem Episcopus Episcopatum exeat, et Clerici quos ordinavit suspensi permaneant, et quicquid post et contra Appellationem praedictam factum est, sicut hoc totum de jure fuerit, in irritum revocetur. Ita quod haec omnia & offensas et injurias contra nos & nostros attemptas corrigat & emendet, juxta dictum & consilium Magistrorum. Quod si hoc totum renuerit, sciat pro certo, quod nos contra ipsum et suos taliter procedemus, quod paena decente sentiat se errasse. Hiis autem omnibus lectis coram ipso, post sigillum nostrum, hiis praesentibus literis faciatis opponi sigilla praesentium testificantium lectionem & oblationem praedictas, & responsum Episcopi supradicti apponentes, diem & annum, quibus nomine & de mandato nostro, haec omnia legeritis & optuleritis, & postmodum haec omnia universo Clero & populo Winton. publicetis, & transcriptum retinentes nobis incontinenti facta publicatione praesentes literas transmittatis. Supradicta etiam sic intelligimus, quod licet Appellatio per magistros Parisienses approbaretur, nichilominus tamen postea Appellationem nostram prosequentes, super praemissis voluntatem & judicum sumum Pontificis audivimus, & secundum quod judicaverit per omnia faciemus. Quod si hoc totum renuerit, et sic per elationem et ambitionem nimiam, nos et nostros sic in Episcopatu morando et administrando contra Deum et justitiam, quasi in Regno nobis fortior sit, offendere eligit; It●rum nomine nostro propter haec nova gravamina ad sedem Apostolicam appelletis, & ad tuitionem ad Electum Cantuariensem. Nos enim dante Domino super hoc justum & salubre consilium capiemus. Teste Rege apud Wind. primo die Januarii. The Bishop notwithstanding this Writ and Appeal, persevering in his obstinacy, the King thereupon seen this second Writ, to the Guardians of the spiritualties, and writ a Letter to the Pope, answering all his Cavils and exceptions against this Appeal. REX Custodibus Episcopatus Wint. Vicecomitibus Suthamp. & Sur. salutem. Nuper Pat. 23. H. 3. m. ●0. Dorso. pervenit ad aures nostras quod VV. de Ral. Episcopus, post Legitimas nostras appellationes quas ad Dominum Papam interposuimus, propter multiplices injurias & magna gravamina quae nobis & nostris intulit, denunciavit magistrum Henericnm de Secus, Clericum nostrum Specialem & in hoc negotio nostrum procuratorem, & Monachos quosdam Sancti Switini Winton. nobis adhaerentes, et quosdam alios sententia Excommunicationis innodat●s, quam injuriam in Curia nostra nobis factam, tanquam gravissimam ad animam revocamus. Et cum tam grave delictum contra Nos attemptat, nullatemis impunitum possumus derelinquere, vobis districtius praecipiendo Mandamus, sicut vos ipsos & vestra diligitis, si idem Episcopus contra Appellationes nostras, legitime ad sedem Apostolicam interpositas, Episcopatum Winton. intret, ad officium Episcopale exercendum, eundem nullo modo hospitemini, nec hospitari ab aliquo saico permittatis, nec aliquem de Clericis suis, nec aliquem de hiis qui se gerent suos officiales. Immo sub paena memorata omnibus Laicis de Balliva vestra inhibeatis, ne cum praescriptis contractus faciant, vel commercia contrahant. Item, Laicos ejusdem Episcopatus, et suos concomitantes capi faciatis, et captis detineatis donec aliud a nobis acceperitis mandatum, maxime cum post publicationem nostrarum appellationum ad provocationem animi nostri superiora attemptasset, praecipue cum officialis electi Cantuariensis ad cujus tuitionem appellavimus, causas praedictarum nostrarum appellationum approbaverit. Et quicquid in praejudicium ipsarum attemptatum fuerit, irritum pronunciavit et inane, nosque, Clericos nostros & alios nobis adhaerentes in eodem statu in quo fuimus, fuerunt, & nostrae tempore appellarionis interpositae pronunciavit fore tuendos, & manutenendos; hanc autem p●nam contra memoratum Episcopum, vos volumus exercere et suos, quamdiu infra Episcopatum Winton. fuerint, & non extra, elapsis etiam quatuor diebus postquam per vos admoniti fuerint, quod dictum Episcopatum exeant, nec ipsi ulterius remaneant contra appellationem nostram per dictum officialem approbatam. Teste Rege apud Westmon. 11. die Januarii. The day following the King writ thus to the Pope concerning this Appeal. DOmino Papae Rex, salutem. Noverit Sancta Paternitas vestra nos appellasse Pat. 28 H. 3. m, 10. dorso. contra W. de Radleg Episcopum in hunc modum. Dicit Dominus Rex, etc. ut infra Rotulam, postmodum vero quia praedicti custodes ipsum Episcopum invenire non poterant in partibus Winton. ad praedicta mandata nostra exequenda, Anno etc. xxviij. viij. die Januar. lectae fuerunt praedictae Literae in praesentia W. de Ral. Episcopi, & in praesentia Abbatum W stm. & de Tichfeld, fratris Walteri Prioris fratrum Praedicatorum London. Magistri Alex. Secularis, Johannis de Gatesden, & aliorum plurimorum virorum Religiosorum & Laicorum side dignorum apud Suwerk, quibus idem Episcopus secundum subscriptas responsiones respondit, & quibus responsionibus secundum subscriptas replicationes replicavit Dominus Rex s●c. Licet Dominus H. Rex Angliae nihil petierit ab W. de Ral. Episcopo, sed ei cum omni humanitate & humilitate diversos modos obtulerit, secundum quos paratus erat facere quicquid deberet, salva appellatione sua, ipse tamen Episcopus responsum dedit minus sussiciens & injustum: Unde contra primam Responsionem quam fecit id●m Episcopus sic dicit. G. cum Domini Papae Literas receperit continentes, quod ipsum a Cura Ecclesiae Norwicensis absolutum Wintoniensi Ecclesiae, de fratrum suorum consilio, praefecit in pastorem, omnem postulationis defectum in dicta Ecclesia de eo factae, de suae potestatis supplens plenitudine, per quas in virtute obedientiae ei injungitur, ut Wintoniensem Ecclesiam adeat, & in Episcopatu officii sui debitum exequatur, si secundum Regis petitionem super exceptionibus contra suae Jurisdictionis exercitium, ex parte sua propositis Magistrorum Parisiensium examinationem subiret, contra omnem sanctionem C●nonicam dubitare videretur, an Apostolico mandato deberet obedire, cum in certis nec discussionibus, nec locus existat conjecturis. Sic replicat idem Dominus Rex extra judicium, & salva sua appellatione. Quod cum summus Pontifex quantumcumque scribat praecise, legitimas tamen exceptiones contra suam mandatum admittere per Decretalem suam dicat: Etidem Dominus Rex contra Literas Domini Papae tales exceptiones opposuerit, quas si Dominus Papa audivisset, recepisset, nec in translatione dicti Episcopi taliter processisset, nec Literas quas idem Episcopus sibi a summo Pontifice directas asserit, concessisset, contra omnem fanctionem Canonicam. Et idem Episcopus praedictas exceptiones admittere debuisset, & quousque Dominus Rex de praedictis per summum Pontificem certificatus esset, ab ingressu & administratione Wirton. Episcopatus, nisi gratia quam sibi factam asserit abuti vellet, penitus abstinere: Nec obest supplementum plenitudinis potestatis; nam & ipsum, & omnia quae in Literis continentur, per subreptionem & falsitatem obtenta fuerunt, sicut in appellatione Domini Regis apparet. Et si principale non tenuit, non valuit quod ex eo vel ob id sequebatur: Contra secundum, cujus tenor talis est. Item cum dictae exceptiones ad Domini factum infirmandum proponantur, & ab earundem effectu, num videatur, quod ab ipso qui jura tuetur injuriandi occasio oriatur. Cum minor in majorem Imperium non habeat, dictis Magistris authoritate Domini Papae minime requisita, in facto praefato omnis discussionis potestas a jure denegatur, & tam ipsorum praesumptio, quam eorundem examen in Apostolicae sedis praejudicium eligentium ultioni debet subjacere. Sic replicat Dominus Rex extra judicium, & salva appellatione sua. Idem Dominus Rex, quod ad infirmandum, quod factum est per summum Pontificem, ex certa scientia nihil proponit, sed ad subreptionem & falsitatem praedictas detegendas, & ad id quod dictus summus Pontifex circumventus fecit in melius reformandum, quod alias factum fuisse legitur in Decretalibus legibus & Decretis, nec examen Magistrorum Parisiensium obtulit ad discussionem aliquam diffinitivam faciendam, set ad causas appellationis suae videndas, & ut de plano rescriberent, an ipsas frivolas, an probabiles judicarent, sicut in oblatione per ipsum facta plenius continetur: Contra tertiam etiam cujus tenor talis est. Item, si absque juris offensa ipsorum eligi posset discussio in praemissis, tamen eorum subjacere sententiae nec Regni utilitati congruerit, nec Majestati Regiae conveniret illam, cum in utroque jure in Regno suo existant peritissimi, si alterius regionis examen invocaret, vel de suorum fidelitate diffidere, vel circa praemissa videretur insufficiens ipsorum consilium reputare, quod celsitudinem Regiam non deceret, quae secundum legum statuta non solum armis, set etiam legibus esse debet decorata; maxime cum praedecessorum suorum temporibus majores mundi Principes super causis dubiis Regium requirere consilium consueverunt, et jurisperitorum Angl. convocatione formatum in omnibus comprobare. Sic replicat idem Dominus Rex extra judicium, & salva sua appellatione, quod cum de consilio jurisperitorum Regni sui quos tunc habere potuit, appellationem dictam fecerit, & postea Magistros Oxon. in jure regentes consuluerit, & alios viros religiosos, certum est quod non diffidit Dominus Rex de consilio suorum jurisperitorum, sed cum ipse Episcopus oblationem sibi factam per Magistrum Henricum de Secus, sicut in appellatione sua continet, & quam ratam habuit, & habet, renuerit, ipse incidit in diffidentiam quam eidem Domino Regi imponit; hoc enim facile cognosceret si cum superioribus consilium habuisset. Et quia consilium Magistrorum Parisiersi●m renuit, ut in responsione sua satis innuit, ex hoc novo gravamine ad Apostolicam sedem appellat, & ad tuitionem ad Cantuar. electum, & appellationem antiquam innovat, sicut in suis Literis plenius continetur. Addit etiam Dominus Rex; quod oblationem quam fecit de Magistris Parisiersibus, ex maxima humilitate & aequitate processit, & ut pertinacia & ambitiosa voluntas ipsius Episcopi luce clarius appareret, quia cum idem Episcopus consilium sive cognitionem jurisperitorum de Regno, sicut dictum est refutavit, credere posset aliquis, quod juste & probabiliter moveretur quasi innueret, quod nullus de toto Regno auderet dicere contra voluntatem Regiam. Et ideo obtulit cognitionem plenariam Magistrorum illius Civitatis, quam habet odio super omnes, sicut illam cui inimici sui capitales dominantur, & in ea conversantur, nec tam audacter Dominus Rex hoc obtulisset, nisi jus suum foret apertissimum. Unde cum dictus Episcopus cognitionem plenariam subjectorum & non subjectorum amicorum & inimicorum renuerit, quo spiritu ducatur satis ostendit: Item contra quartam, cujus tenor talis est. Item, ad hoc quod Dominus Rex per Literas suas appellationum causas continentes, videtur innuere, quod quasi cui Regno suo fortior existeret procedit, respondet, Quod per potentiam secularem vel aliam nunquam suis resistere proposuit voluntatibus, sed in hiis quae Regiae congruunt dignitati in omnibus affectat obedire, & siquid in sui praejudicium contra justitiam attemptaverit, corrigere, dum tamen in executione officii authoritate sedis Apostolicae suis humeris alligati non posset negligens reputari. Sic replicat idem Dominus Rex extra judicium, & salva sua appellatione, Quod facta ipsius Episcopi verbis ipsius, de quo dolet Dominus Rex, aperte contradicunt: Et quae per ipsum attemptata sunt in praejudicium Domini Regis, et nimium contemptum, licet non in toto, in parte tamen in Literis Domini Regis, quae ipsi Episcopo heri lectae fuerunt, in quibus oblatio cognitionis praedictorum Magistrorum continetur late declaratur. Et si se circa praedicta vellet corrigere, bene faceret, quod etiam quis in propria causa datus sit executor a seculo non est auditum. Idem etiam Episcopus non in minimum contemptum Apostolicae sedis, quae quemlibet juste appellantem tuetur, & maxime illum, qui jam ad ipsam iter arripuit, in Magistrum Henricum de Secus supradictum consiliarium Domini Regis, & procuratorem in hac causa, post appellationem supradictam, & licentiam quam ab amicis & familia sua Winton. receperat, & jam iter arripuerat causa prosequendi hanc causam, sicut audivit Dominus Rex, excommunicationis sententiam promulgavit de facto, quia de jure non potuit, sed certe quod uni ex minimis suis fecit, etc. Et qui vos tangit, etc. nec mirum, quia pars corporis sui est. Teste Rege apud Westm. xij. die Januar. Moreover the King to these his replies to the Bishop's cavils, superadded these reasons against his translation and ordination to Winchester. DIcit Dominus Rex se non teneri ad recipiendum W. de Raleg. Episcopum Norwic. Pat. 28 H. 3. m. 11. in Winton. Pontificem, occasione rescripti Apostolici dicto Domino Regi oblati. Innocentius Servus Servorum Dei, etc. In amore virtutum, etc. seu occasione postulationis de ipso facto in Wintoniensem Ecclesiam, & per summum Pontificem sicut asseritur confirmatae, & hoc illa ratione, quia appellatum fuit ex parte ipsius Domini Regis, contra dictam postulationem ad sedem Apostolicam, & procuratores missi qui in causa praefatae postulationis coram bonae memoriae Domino Gregorio Nono, multas exceptiones proposuerunt, & in multis aliis processerunt. De qua appellatione seu processu in praefato rescripto nulla fit mentio: Immo hiis omnibus suppressis, innuit ipsum Episcopum amicum fore Regis & ei devotum; Cum ipse Dominus Rex ipsum Episcopum reputet fortissimum inimicum et diu steterit, quod propter rancorem contra ipsum conceptum non comparuerit coram Regia Majestate. Item, Quia Dominus Innocentius supradictus in ordinatione & translatione quam de persona praefati Episcopi dicit fecisse in Wintoniensem Ecclesiam seu confirmatione praedicta, sicut praesumit Dominus Rex, non plene certificatus de facto contra privilegia Regia, veris procuratoribus Domini Regis insciis et absentibus, et quibusdam etiam ex ipsis per aliquos ex fratribus Apostolicae sedis licentiatis, cum nulla spes haberetur super creatione summi Pontificis, nec postea revocatis, nec Domino Rege citato, nec aliquo praesente qui jus Regium defenderet. Item, quibusdam Canonicis Linc. qui sicut nunciatum est Regi, pro certo dicebant se procuratores Domini Regis, cum super praedictis nullum mandatum haberent, praesentibus & ipsis & quibusdam aliis asserentibus quod Domino Rege placeret, si dictus Episcopus Norwicensis ad Ecclesiam Wintoniensem transferreretur, & quod credebant pro certo ipsum Episcopum omnino Domino Regi fore reconciliatum, quod salsum erat. Immo Dominus Rex quam cito scivit Dominum Papam creatum, incontinenti per Nuncios suos Literas misit eidem, significans quod super hoc mitteret ad sedem Apostolicam procuratores suos, & supplicans, ne Dominus Papa ante adventum procutatorum dictorum in aliquo super hoc procederet, ignoranter asseritur processisse. Unde si ita est, immo quia ita est, liquet summum Pontificem in negotio praedictae ordinationis sive translationis vel confirmationis deceptum fuisse. Et quicquid ex parte dicti Episcopia summo Pontifice in hac parte obtentum est per falsitatem, & sub eptionem obtentum, maxime cum tempore illo quo summus Pontifex in praemissis finaliter processisse dicitur, propter famam dictae reconciliationis, sicut verisimiliter praesumitur, motus praefatus Episcopus esset per Cantuariensim Ecclesiam vacante sede, excommunicationis vinculo innodatus, secundum quod postea recognovit, Literas a sede Apostolica super hoc impetrando, quam excommunicationem summus Pontifex supradicto tempore penitus ignorabat. Et quia talia facta Romanorum Pontificum, sicut jura testantur, non prohibentur, immo conceduntur in melius reformari, nec de hiis alius quam summus Pontifex posset cognoscere super praedictis omnibus et singulis, offert Dominus Rex, se paratum fore stare judicio summi Pontificis, & prohibet praefato Episcopo, ne Episcopatum Winton. intret, nec tanquam Episcopus in aliquo per se vel per alium administret in prejudicium juris Regalis, seu Regiae dignitatis, quousque super praemissis per summum Pontificem fuerit judicatum, & secunda jussio, si justum fuerit, emanaverit. Quod si huic scripturae oblationi seu prohibitioni acquiescere nolit praedictus Episcopus, Dominus Rex, tam contra ipsum, quam contra coexecutores suos quos habet, ex praemissis causis, & qualibet per se ad hoc sufficiente. Et quia antequam dictum rescriptum Domino Regi praesentasset, & Metropolitanae & aliis vicinis Ecclesiis publicasset, seu responsum Domini Regis super hoc congruo tempore expectasset, & antequam ab electo Cantuariens. per Dominum Regem admisso, seu Episcopo Hereford. vicem ipsius electi gerente, authoritatem haberet, se per suas Literas Winton. Episcopum nominavit. Et usus est jurisdictione ord naria subditos Ecclesia Winton. vocando ad se & citando, & quaedam alia exercendo, non praesentatus legitime Domino Regi, nec per ipsum investitus, contra g neralem consuetudinem et privilegia Regni Angliae, in praejudicium Regiae dignitatis. Et quia transcriptum aliorum rescriptorum super praemissis ad ipsum Episcopum & Clerum & populum Winton. obtentorum, in quibus multa falsa suggesta, & vera suppressa, dicto Regi cujus super ipsis deliberare intererat, tradere denegavit. Et quia oblatum fuit sibi per Magistrum Henricum de Secus, ex parte Domini Regis appellantem, quod ipse duos probos viros honestos & jurisperitos, quoscunque vellet, & Rex totidem toto Regno eligerent, qui quatuor diligenter viderent causas supradictas: Et si judicarent ipsas rationabiles, & probabiles, idem Episcopus abstineret se ab ingressu Episcopatus & a ministratione ejusdem, quousque Dominus Rex iterum super praemissis certificaretur de voluntate summi Pontificis; si vero ipsas frivolas judicarent, incontinenti Dominus Rex ipsum admitteret in Wintoniensem Episcopum, ipse Episcopus hoc admittere renuit, & oblatione praedicta penitus refutata & nulla, nedum petita, sed nec oblata Domino Regi fidelitate debita, in praejudicium Regis et Regiae dignitatis, administravit, ad sedem Apostolicam appellat, et personam suam uxorem et filios, et consiliarios, et omnes eidem Domino Regi adhaerentes, Episcopatum Winton. Capellam et totam terram suam protectioni Domini Papae supponit, et ad sedem Apostolicam super praemissis omnibus universis et singulis incontinenti mittit Procuratores sufficientes, et ad tuitionem praedictae appellationis et pertinentium ad eundem, ad electum Cantuariens. appellat, et diriguntur istae Literae Priori et Capitulo Sancti Swithini Winton. Quibus mandatum est, quod jura Regis & ea quae praedictam appellationem Regis contingunt, & quae ad Coronam et dignitatem Regi pertinere dignoscuntur, fideliter et firmiter servent, et in nullo in praejudicium Regis, contra praemissa venire praesumant. Teste Rege apud Westm. primo die Decembris. Et ex eisdem causis supplicavit & supplicat Dominus Rex contra translationem et confirmationem praedictas, si quae sunt, et sequentia, ex eisdem venia impetrata. Eodem modo scribitur Archid. Surr. & Wint. & universo Clero & populo Wint. Civitatis & Diocaesis. REX Abbatibus, Abbatissis, Prioribus, Priorissis, & aliis Praelatis, Rectoribus, & Pat. 28 H. 3. m. 8. dorso. Presbyteris Ecclesiarum Winton. Episcopatus, salutem. Mittimus ad vos Literas Officialis B. Cantuar. electi & Executorum suorum, super tuitione nobis & nostris, & nobis adhaerentibus in appellationibus nostris contra W. de Radleg Episcopum, concessas: vobis mandantes, quatenus eas benigne audiatis & videatis cum vobis fuerint praesentatae, tenorem earum observantes, nec facientis aliquid contra eas in praejudicium appellationum nostrarum & tuitionis supradictae. Teste Rege apud Merleberg. xxvi. die Februarii. MAndatum est Majori & Ballivis Winton. quod honesto modo et sine violentia Claus. 28 H. 3. m. 13. dorso. amoveri faciant Magistrum Galfridum de Fering, qui se gerit in Civitate Winton. et extra, pro Officiali W. de Radl. Episcopi, et vice ipsius utitur jurisdictione ordinaria. Teste Rege apud Clarendon, ix. die Martii. This Bishop was much vexed, terrified with these Writs and proceedings of the King against him, he and his fellow Bishops, neither by their solicitations nor insufferable menaces to Interdict his Royal Chapel, nor by others intercessions, being able to gain any answer from the King till his Proctors return from Rome; whereupon the Bishop absented himself for a time, and soon after fled secretly into France, without the King's licence, to avoid the severer effects of his just indignation, thus published by our Historians. Circa idem tempus, Lincolniensis, Wygorniensis, Herefordensis Episcopi, Regem quasi Mat. Paris Hist. Angl. p. 597. Mat. Westm. Anno 1244. p. 178, 179. Episc. Winton. ●●git in Franc. fugientem prosequentes è vestigio, tandem eundem apud Westmonasterium invenientes, eum acriter increpabant de persecutione & tyrannide, quam in eorum fratrem coepiscopum Wintoniensem non desinebat diatim exercere. Et dum preces precibus addiderunt, & minas minis adjunxerunt, parati Capellam ejus interdicto supponere, petiit Rex inducias, ut ipsis super hoc praecise responderet, donec nuntii sui, qui transalpinarant, remearent. Sperabat enim indubitanter, quod ipsi corrupta Curia, quicquid ment conceperant, effectui manciparent. Episcopi autem supradicti Regiae petitioni benigne consenserunt. Sed cum Episcopus Wintoniensis teporem eorum comperisset, x. Calend. Martii, clandestinam fugam arripuit, navem Londini ascendens, partes Gallicanas aditurus. Et per Tamesim navigans, in alta maris instanter se suscipiens, antequam ad Regis notitiam, vel etiam aliquorum suorum familiarium, rumor hujusmodi pervenisset, in portu Sancti Walerici prospere applicuit. Et inde se ad Abbevillam transferens, obvium habuit Regis Francorum nuncium solennem, qui eundem Episcopum ex parte Domini sui Regis cum gaudio & vultu suscepit serenissimo, in omnibus ei spondens ejusdem Regis consilium & auxilium, cum consolatione & protectione. Praecepitque ex parte Domini sui, ut Major Abbevillae promptam haberet totam communiam ipsius Civitatis, ad ejusdem Episcopi defensionem, si forte insequerentur ad nocendum aliqui ex parte Regis Anglorum, ita scilicet, ut si opus expostularet, ad arma convolantes, hostiliter pro Episcopo contra omnes illi adversantes, dimicarent. Sic igitur exulante Winton. Episcopo, fama Regis Anglorum per omnes partes cisalpinas Mat. Westm. Flores Hist. An▪ 1244. p. 179. Mat. Paris Hist. Angl. p. 598. non mediocriter denigratur. Dicebant enim Franci, Anglorum semper aemuli, materiam sumentes exinde nequiter obloquendi: Eia, eia, ecce Rex Angliae contra omnes Regni sui inimicos deses & imbellis, omnes Sànctos Episcopos suos persequitur & proscribit. Nunc beatum Thomam, nuper gloriosum Aedmundum Cantuar. Archiepiscopos, & in praesentiarum Episcopum Winton. qui etiam ei dru diligenter ac fideliter servivit, non permittit vel Ecclesiam suam ingredi, vel Regni sui pace gratulari, malens alienigenas & ignotos promovere. Quod cum electo Cantuariensi Bonifacio innotuisset, dolens de Regis Angliae infamia, ipsum Regem per amicabilem super hoc corripiens Epistolam, admonuit diligenter ipsum Regem, ut memoratum Episcopum revocans, in pristinam amicitiam suscipiens, & familiaritatem, ingredi permitteret in Episcopatum suum, & Episcopale officium suum libere exercere, ac libertatibus suis, & possessionibus temporalibus gratulari, ne ipsi Regi▪ & Regno deterius eveniret. Episcopo Wintoniensi consolatoria, & Regi commonitoria verba amicabiliter scripsit in hunc modum. BONIFACIUS Dei gratia Cantuariensis electus immeritus, Venerabili in Mat. Paris Hist. Angl. p. 598. Litera Bonifacii Cantuariensis Electi ad Episcopum Winton. Christo Patri Willielmo, Dei gratia Wintoniensi Epis●opo, salutem in Domino▪ Quoniam nobis, & officio nobis injuncto, vos devotos per Literas vestras obt●●ist●s, devotioni vestrae congratulamur in Christo. Sane cum per Magistrum W. Clericum vestrum, quaedam a nobis duxeritis requirenda, ●ciatis nos petitionibus vestris, quantum cum Deo, et sine juris offensione potuimus, admisisse, sicut a dicto W. plenius audietis. Scituri, quod nisi an●● adv●ntum nostrum in Angliam, inter vos & Dominum Regem pax reformata fuerit, nos ad illam viriliter intendentes, graviora experiemur, ut res finem convenienter sortiatur. Et quia sigillum proprium non habemus, sigillo Bellicensis Capituli utimur in praesenti. Valete. ITem idem Regi sic: Literas quorundam Suffraganeorum Cantuariensis Ecclesiae nuper Ejusdem Literae ad Regem Angliae. recepimus, nobis devote supplicantium pro pace, inter vos & Venerabilem Patrem ad Wintoniensem Ecclesiam postulatum, cujus postulationem ab Apostolica sede admissam, asserunt reformandam. Nos igitur desiderantes Regni tranquillitatem, & Ecclesiasticae pacis stabilitatem, & attendentes ipsam in hac parte periclitari, dictorum Patrum petitioni, quae tam Ecclesiae quam Regni utilitatem continere dignoscitur, sicut condecet, inclinantes, Celsitudini vestrae cum devotione supplicamus, quatenus memoratum Patrem ad gratiam vestram, more boni Principis, & Dominum timentis, dignemini revocare. Et quia sigillum proprium, etc. ut prius. Scripsit etiam idem electus Episcopo Herefordensi P. ut idem vigilanter & efficaciter versus Regem, eundem persuadendo, deprecando, comminando, negotio Domini Wintoniensis intenderet. But yet this Archbishop's Letters and others Intercessions would not pacify the King's indignation, nor yet the Pope's Letters, who took an extraordinary Bribe to procure his peace, as our Historians thus relate. * Mat. Par. Hist. Angl. p. 614, 615. Matthew Westm. p. 178, 179. Papa diligentia in reconciliando Episc. Winton. Cum vero talibus fluctibus mundus intum●sceret, & Syniam talibus procellis concussisset, non cessavit etiam Angliam anxius exagitare. Rex etenim, licet crebras & efficaces petitiones & admonitiones a Domino Papa pro Episcopo Wintoniensi, adhuc in Franciae partibus exulante, suscepisset, fretus tamen conciliis clericorum aulicorum, suis tantum emolumentis inhiantium, graves movet contra Episcopum questiones. Scripsit cito post Dominus Papa, ipsi Regi efficacissime, ut ipso Episcopo in amicitiam revocato, sinum panderet misericordiae, & pro promotione & pace Episcopi, cui Episcopus, ut dicitur, ne de ingratitudine possit redargui, octo millia marcarum numeraverat, & Dominus Papa, ne de contemptu valeret corripi, nec unumdenarium tejecisse. Ac pro ipso, tum charitatis intuitu, tum respectu tantae pecuniae numeratae, diligentissime scripsit Domino Regi Angliae in haec verba. INNOCENTIUS Episcopus, etc. Charissimo in Christo filio Regi Angliae, Literae Papales ad Regem Ang. pro Epis. Wint. salutem & Apostolicam benedictionem. Postquam Dei benignitas humilitatem nostram ad Apostolicae vocavit officium dignitatis, illam concepimus de tua serenitate fiduciam, quod in his quae sunt ad honorem Ecclesiae, se promptam habere & vigilem exhibere. Provenit ex hoc, quod cum venerabilem fratrem nostrum quondam Norwicensem, Wintoniensi Ecclesiae de fratrum nostrum consilio concessimus in pastorem, preces tibi direxerimus speciales, ut eidem pro divina & nostra reverentia te redderes affectu benevolum, & effectu serenum, ac si quae castra, & maneria ipsius Ecclesiae, prompta benig n ate ei faceres assignari. Tu vero, sicut mirantes audivimus & dolemus, nedum preces hujusmodi voluisti deducere ad effectum, imo quod est gravius, in verba, nihil debitae▪ modestiae vel reverentiae filialis habentia, prorupisti, quod nulla postulatio inregno Angliae, per sedem Apostolicam admitti possit vel debeat te invito, et quod illam quam nos in spiritualibus, tu in temporalibus habeas potestatem: nec quis postulatus possit absque tuo consensu possessionem temporalium obtinere. Adiecisti praeterea, quod translationem ipsius Episcopi reputares invalidam, tanquam a nobis per vitium surreptionis obtentam. Haec siquidem fili charissime, non Dei, non Ecclesiae, non tuae resonant sublimatis honorem, non sapiunt justitiam, non redolent aequitatem, praesertim cum teneat * A Papal Legend. omnium credulitas pia fidelium, quod Apostolicae sedis auctoritas liberam habeat in Ecclesiis universis potestatem a Dei providentia: nec arbitrio Principum ipsa stare cogitur, ut eorum in electionum vel postulationum negotiis requirat assensum. In quibus tamen Dominum habendo prae oculis, sic provide procedit & caute, quod per Illam nullius possit honori detrahi, vel justitiae derogari. Sicut etiam in translatione ipsius Episcopi dignoscitur processisse, in quo promovit hominem scientia, moribus, & honestate perspicuum, ac in spiritualibus & temporalibus circumspectum, olim tibi charum & amabilem, ac semper tuis beneplacitis secundum Dominum totis viribus intendere cupientem, per cujus industriam probatam, in plurimis honoris & commodi proficere poteris incrementis. Sed tamen non suggerat astutia susurronum, a quibas parare dispendia virtuosis, pro indifferenti ducitur, dummodo sua specialia commoda vel privata desideria consequantur. Tuam itaque celsitudinem affectione qua possumus exhortamur, & obsecramus in Domino Jesu Christo, quatenus ab impia suggestine talium Regiae pietatis avertens auditum, Ecclesiam Dei continuo prosequaris honore, & indultae sibi desuper libertatis privilegium, conservare studeas illibatum. Nunc & in posterum tui Regni Praelatos, ea quae in spiritualibus seu temporalibus spectant ad ipsorum Ecclesias, libere consequi & pacifice possidere permittas. Caeterum, solerti considerans meditatione, quod in Apostolici prosecutione officii, divini nominis deservimur honori, quae de praefato Episcopo cum solenni deliberatione fecimus, non ad animum revoces, non aliquo impedimenco perturbes. Sed qui cordi nostro statuimus, ut te specialem inter alios terrae Principes habeamus, in ipso impertiri procurans honorem, sibi castra & maneria, cum fructibus inde perceptis a tempore translationis hujusmodi, omni postposita difficultate, resignes, ac benevola benignitate conced●s, quod solicitudinem ei creditam possit cum effectu prosequi, tua favente gratia speciali. Alias autem, cum libertatem Ecclesiasticam in diebus nostris velimus non minui, sed Deo propitio augeri cupiamus, nullatenus sustinere poterimus, quod nos in ipso Episcopo tam praejudicialem injuriam patiamur. Datum Laterani, tertio Calend. Martii, Pontificatus nostri anno primo. Simili modo scripsit Dominus Papa Anglorum Reginae Epistolam elegantem, pro Mat. Paris. p. 615. 616. Mat West. An. 1244 p. 181, 182. Episcopi Wintoniensis negotio, in cujus Epistolae titulo, asserit Papa ipsam Reginam sibi esse, (sed nescitur qua ratione) consanguineam, nisi forte ut haberet eam suis negotiis proniorem, & petitionibus favorabiliorem. Ipsum igitur verbis elegatissimis petit & exhortatur, (sciens quia mulier, quasi molliens herum dicitur) ut ipsa Regis viri sui in hoc rigore & rancore, quem concepit erga Episcopum Wintoniensem, studeat emollire. Scripsit idem Dominus Papa electo Cantuariensi, Wigornensi & Herefordensi Episcopis, ut ipsi dicto negotio diligenter intenderent, annectens in fine Epistolae, ut nomina susurronum, animum Regis pervertentium, sibi in literis suis rescriptis mitterent annotata. Upon receipt of these Letters, the King sent certain Articles to the Bishop of Winchester to subscribe, without which subscription he would not receive him to his favour: To which the Bishop returned this Letter and Answer. EXCELLENTISSIMO, etc. Cum vestris beneplacitis quantum cum Deo Mat. Paris Ibid. Literae Epis. Wint. ad Regem Angliae. poterimus totis viribus intendere cupiamus, fratrem Hugonem desancto Heudorio, à vestra serenitate ad nos destinatum, cum omni qua decuil suscepimus reverentia. Deinde ex parte vestra exposuis nobis articulis ab eodem, ad singulos respondimus, Juris & aequitatis sectantes, ut credimus, rationes, prout dictus frater Hugo vestrae Majestati suis literis plenius, ut ab eo accepimus, intimabit. Affectantes toto mentis desiderio, ut super eisdem articulis, quantum secundum Dominum poterimu●, vestram voluntatem adimplere, pietati vestrae devotissimè supplicamus, quatenus Ecclesiae Wintoniensis compatientes angustiis, ob Apostolicae sedis reverentiam, ad gratiam vestram nos admittere velitis pariter & favorem, & indignationem, divini nominis obtentu misericorditer remittere, quam ad quorundam fors●n sugg●stionem, contra nos vestra concepit Regia celsitudo. Et quia de articulis, super quibus convenit Dominus Rex Episcopum Wintoniensem, mentio facta est, videndum est quibus & qualiter responderit Episcopus. In primis, quod cum ex tenore privilegiorum Domini Regis, et tam jure quam consuetudine Regni sui obtentum sit ab antiquo, quod electi et postulati post electionem et postulationem celebratam, per electores et postulatores, ipsi Domino Regi debeant praesentari, et post confirmationem, ante administrationem in spirtualibus vel temporalibus faciendam, ei juramentum fidelitatis praestare, quae in persona ipsius Episcopi sunt omissa, apud Dominum Papam studeat procurare, quod non obstante praemissa, de caetero in similibus casibus, privilegia ipsa, jus et consuetudo permaneant in suo robore firmitatis, et ab ipso specialiter confirmentur. Secundario, quod idem Episcopus relaxet sententiam interdicti, in civitatem Wintoniensem promulgatam. Tertio, quod ad cautelam absolvat omnes Clericos, et laicos, et alios, et praecipue Wintonienses, quos ratione controversiae inter Dominum Regem et Episcopum, ertortae excommunicationis sententia innodavit. Quarto, quod Priorem Wintoniensem quem Dominus Rex ibidem constituit non amoveat, sed ex sua gratia stare permittat. Quinto, quod omnia beneficia Ecclesiastica, ad suam donationem spectantia a Domino Rege post motam controversiam, inter eos in eodem Episcopatu vel alio collata, ratificet, & possessores pacifica gaudere possessione permittat. Sexto, quod contra magistrum Henricum de Seusa, nec quosquam alios clericos vel monachos memoratos, occasione hujus controversiae nullam instituat actionem: imo omnem indignationem, offensam, injuriam, & rancorem remittat. Septimo, quod si quod jus vel actio sibi competit super exitibus Episcopatus Wintoniensis, pro tempore retroacto, ea penitus ob honorem Regium, Domino Regi ex sua liberalitate remittat. Octavo, quod idem Episcopus a Papa procuret, quod omnibus Clericis Domini Regis, quorum nomina sibi ad mandatum suum per Episcopos Wigorniensem & Herefordensem, & Archidiaconum Cantuariensem, sunt transmissa, omnem ind●gnationem remittat, & eos admittat in gratiam pleniorem, ita quod quantum ad famam, & beneficia & status conditionem, conserventur illaesi. Ad primum articulum Domini Regis respondet Episcopus Wintoniensis, Quod cum Responsum Episcopi Wintoniens. postulatores sui, facta postulatione de Domini Regis licentia, ipsum secumdum Regni consuetudinem eodem Domino Regi praesent assent, et postmodum dicta possulatione per Dominum Papam admissa et confirmata, idem Episcopus literas Domini Papae super hoc eidem Domino Regi directas, tam per fratres praedicatores, quam minores Clericos, & milites, ei porrig▪ procurasset, qui ex mandato ipsius devote Domino Regi supplicarunt, ut de ipsius licentia se ejusdem conspectui posset praesentare: facturus eidem quod regni sui consuetudo postulat et requirit. Nec hoc post magnam i●●anuam obtinere potuissent, ex parte illius Episcopi nihil omissum poterit reputari, cum per ipsum non steterit quin omnia in dicto articulo Domini Regis con●enta & posiulata, essent adimpleta. Ad secundum & tertium respondit ita: Quod cum Domini Regis gratiam fuerit assecutus, quam tota ment desiderat, & sui Episcopatus possessionem pacificam obtinuerit; Interdicti et excommunicationis sententias in forma juris benigne relaxabit, ad quod pactionis vinculo, secundum Dominum & Justitiam astringere se non potest. Omnem tamen gratiam, quam secundum Dominum poterit excommunicatis, obtentu Regiae petitionis intendit impartiri. Ad quatuor autem articulos sequentes respondit: Quod cum r●s tangant spirituales, & spiritualibus annexas, quae conditionis seu pactionis formam non admittunt, in forma a Domino Rege petita dictos non potest nrticulos adimplere. Veruntamen cum Domino suo Regi reconciliatus fuerit, & suam gratiam, & Episcopatus possessionem pacificam obtinuerit, de dicti Domini Regis & suorum fidelium consilio, cum tanta benignitate procedet, quod in praemissis quantum secundum Dominum poterit, se favorabilem exhibebit. Ad articulum vero super exitibus Episcopatus, respondit: Quod cum favorem Regis assecutus, Episcopatus possessionem habuerit, & ei de eorundem exituum aestimatione constiterit, Domini Regis ita voluntati obtemperabit, ut in hoc ab eo merito debeat commendari. Ex ipso igitu● tempore, Dominus Rex petitionibus Domini Papae, & aliorum Magnatum Mat. Paris Hist. Angl. p. 617. Mat. Westm. p. 181. Fraus Magis●i Henr. de Seusa. precibus emollitus, mitius agebat Rex cum Episcopo Wintoniensi, tum propter Domini Papae diligentem supplicationem, tum propter Episcopi humiliationem & modestam responsionem. Pace igitur pro foribus apparente: Quod audiens Magister Henricus de Seusa, Regis Clericus, fomes & procurator discordiae memoratae, qui in Curia Romana contra Episcopum Winton. steterat Regis procurator, cui Rex contulerat opimum beneficium, videlicet custodiam hospitalis Sanctae Crucis extra Civitatem Wintoniensem, coepit cogitare & dicere intra se, propria laesus conscientia: Quod si pax inter dictas partes plenius ac planius reformaretur, inter amicos Regis Episcopus praecipuus haberetur, nullique secundus in consiliis Regiis, utpote discretus & circumspectus sublimaretur: ipsumque eundem Henricum, & merito, usque ad confusionem persequeretur. Rex quoque ea facilitate eum sperneret, qua secutus est. Considerans igitur haec omnia, de pecunia, quam de Rege non minimam, ad dejiciendum Episcopum Wintoniensem, acceperat, in partes suae nationis subito & clam divertens, asportavitque secum totam dictam pecuniam, & per eam adquisivit sibi, (utinam non comparavit) unum Episcopatum, ipsius proventum rei non officium desiderans. Et nuncius, corvo factus consimilis, Dominum suum Noe defraudanti, nuncium cum onere negotii, quod humeris suis susceperat bajulandum, nequiter reliquit imperfectum. Nec apparuit postea in Regno Angliae, bonis Regni plenius saginatus. Not long after, Dominus Rex saniori usus consilio, Dominum Episcopum Wintoniensem Anno 1244. Mat. Paris Hist. Argl. p. 619. Episcopus Wintoniensis revocatur & reconciliatur Regi Angl●ae. amicabiliter a partibus revocavit transmarinis, gratiam suam & ablatorum restitutionem, ad instantiam Domini Papae, & aliorum Magnatum, pro ipso praecordialiter petentium, pollicendo. Unde Episcopus in spem erectus meliorem, salutato Rege Francorum, & reddita eidem gratiarum actione, de sibi impensis ab eo beneficiis, & eo quod ipsum exulantem, in Regno suo receptaverat, & protexerat repatrians, Nonas Aprilis apud Doveram prospere applicuit. De cujus adventu omnes Angli, praeter illos Clericos Regis, aulicos, discordiae seminatores, quos propria conscientia sauciebat, gratulabantur, dicentes: Benedictus qui venit in nomine Domini. Sperabatnr enim indubitanter, quod prudentia sua & sensu, quo abundavit & praepollebat, tam Regem quam Regnum, nec non & Episcopatum suum, in statum optimum solidando promoveret. Qui Regis se praesentiae gratulanter praesentans, hilari vultu & placabili est admissus, ac si semper fuisset ab ejusdem Regis offensa alienus. Quorum de die in diem ex insolito amor cumulatur & congratulatio, sicut seriptum est: Post inimicitias clarior exstat amor, etc. Circa eadem tempora, Episcopus Wintoniensis, valedicens Regi Francorum, & eis, Mat. Paris Hist. Angl. p. Reconciliatur Ecclesia Wintoniensis suo Episcopo. qui eidem exulanti sinum aperuerant misericordiae, & gratias referens, securus de gratia Regis Angliae, versus partes Wintoniae ut Ecclesiae suae desolatae pastorali sollicitudine consulendo disponeret, & deformata reformaret, iter maturavit. Quod audiens Prior Wintoniensis, licet sero, faciens de necessitate virtutem, se Episcopo suo adventanti humiliavit. Similiter & alii, tam saeculares, quam Monachi, qui pacis fuerant perturbatores, & discordiae seminatores, confisi nimis in Regis protectione, ad Dominum & Episcopum suum satisfacientes sunt conversi. Et cito post, videlicet die decollationis beati Johannis Baptistae, relaxata est sententia Interdicti lati ab Episcopo in Ecclesiam et Civitatem Wintoniensem, cui subjacuerant, sub forma●uris liberaliter absoluti., Memoratus autem Prior J. de Cauz, similiter sub eadem forma cum suis complicibus est absolutus, depositus tamen, & alii cum eo, quos idem Prior temere instituerat, obedientiarii, & ministri saeculares. Major autem Civitatis, qui magis offenderat, majori poenae subjacuit satisfaciendo. The payment of the moneys which this Bishop gave to the Pope and others to purchase his peace with the King, and the charges of his troublesome suits stuck so close to him, that although he lived very privately all his life, retiring himself to * Godwins Catalogue of Bishops, p. 175. Turin, yet he was never able to recover himself out of debt, having been held out of his See near five years' space by the King, who kept the profits of it in his hands. The whole series of this History, (which I have conjoined though acted in several years) most eminently displays the King's Ecclesiastical Regal Prerogative, and constant resolution to regain, maintain, and support it, against this Prelates and the Pope's Usurpations, and his fevere proceedings against the Bishop, till he submitted to, and complied with his Proposals, notwithstanding all menaces and mediations from at home or abroad. Soon after the beginning of this unhappy controversy between the King and Bishop of Winton, there fell out another costly difference between the Bishop of Lincoln, and the Abbot of Westminster, about an impropriation, discovering the covetousness of Prelates and Clergymen in that age. Circa illud tempus, discordia mota inter Dominum Robertum Lincolniensem Episcopum, Anno Dom. 1241. Mat Paris Hist. Angl. p. 552. Discordia inter Episc. Lincoln▪ & Abbatem Westmonaster. & Dominum Richardum Abbatem Westmonasteriensem, nimis sumptuosa & utrique partium damnosa, diatim recens suscepit incrementum. Nitebatur enim summopere Episcopus, infirmitatis ipsius Abbatis sufficientibus privilegiis, super Ecclesia de Heswelle in proprios usus redigenda, ipsam Ecclesiam occupare violenter, & nacta exili occasione Monachis ablatam, alii conferre; scilicet Domino Nicholas, quem idem Episcopus satis inhumane beneficiis suis privaverat. Sed Abbas tamen jure, quam privilegiis suis suffultus, restitit ei in faciem viriliter. About the same time there also happened a hot contest between the King and Robert Grosthead, Bishop of Lincoln, (a contentious choleric Prelate) concerning the Church of Thame, conferred on John Mansel by the Pope's Provision, which the Bishop had formerly bestowed on another Clerk, who stoutly opposed the Pope's Provision; thus related. Ipsis quoque diebus, orta est gravis discordia inter Dominum Regem, & Episccpum Mat. Paris, Ib. Discordia inter Regem & Episcopum Lincoln. Lincolniensem, eo quod quidam Regis Clericus, prudens & fidelis, Johannes nomine, cognomento Mansel, in possessione Ecclesiae de Thame Regis favore & auxilio missus est, ratione Provisionis a Domino Papa impetratae. Quam Ecclesiam Dominus Episcopus cuidam Clerico, videlicet Magistro Simoni de Londino, Poenitentiario Episcopi Dunelmensis, praecontulerat vacantem. Unde Episcopus Lincolniensis commotus, Dominum Regem per Huntund. & Legr. Archidiaeonos diligenter admonuit in Wallia adhuc commorantem, ut Deo gratus, de sibi tam inopinata victoria, tam enormem excessum corrigere festinaret, ne fortè Dominus iratus risum verteret in moerorem. Quibus Rex: securus respondeo, Quia appellatum est. Nec debet quicquam pendente appellatione innovari. Nec quicquam attemptavi nisi Jurisperitorum consilio, & Apostolica fultus authoritate. Cui unus Archidiaconorum respondit: Domine Rex, Dominus noster Episcopus Lincolniensis privilegium habet ab Apostolica sede concessum, quo usus est, quod nulli per Apostolicum mandatum teneatur providere, nisi fiat illius privilegii mentio specialis. Sed in hujus Papalis mandati tenore, quo utitur praedictus Johannes, ratione cujus se in dictam Ecclesiam, vestro confisus ad jutorio, violenter intrusit, nulla sit dicti mentio privilegii. Quapropter non tenetur Episcopus Lincolniensis ipsi in hoc ca●u respondere, praesertim de collatione Ecclesiae de Thame, quam vacantem alii rite praecontulerat. Et esto, quod nullum tale habuisset privilegium, absurdum est, ut aliquis se ingerat in possessionem alicujus Ecclesiae inconsulto Episcopo Diocaesano, nedum invito, licet Papali confisus authoritati, cum omnia velit Dominus Papa fieri ordlnate. (So little did they value the Pope's illegal Provisions of this kind.) Et quid opus discordiae vel injuriae jam sic attemptatae? Pro meritis ipsius Johannis praecellentis, circumspecti & competenter literati, ad petitionem vestram & suam inclinabitur de facili Dominus noster Lincolniensis, ut provideatur eidem in tanto, v●l uberiori beneficio, & erit collatio utrobique licita & honesta. Et ne secus fiat, humiliter & devote postulat Dominus noster Episcopus, qui praeparatus est in omnes suae Ecclesiae dignitatis laesores et invasores, anathematis sententiam fulminare. Quod cum audisset tam dictus Johannes, quam Rex & ejus consiliarii, ait Johannes: Domine mi Rex, absit ut per me inter tam nobiles personas discordia, vel aliqua perturbatio oriatur. Cedo patienter. Satis mihi Dominus ad beneplacitum suum, vita vestra comite, providebit. Sed cum Rex dilatione●● accepisset, dispositis disponendis in Wallia, & relictis ibidem Walleranno Theutonico, & aliis prudentibus, & potentibus viris, ut Castris adificatis, infirmiora terrae roborantes, armis & militia communirent, venit Londinum laetabundus. Venit & illuc dictus Episcopus, paratus inferre sententiam in ipsum Johannem specialiter, & omnes suae Ecclesiae, & libertatis perturbatores. Quod cum dicto Johanni innotuisset, venit ad Regem humiliter, & ait: Domine mi, ecce ad manum Lincolniensis Episcopus vehementer perturbatus, ne occasione mei amplius dissidium oriatur, vel scandalum ventiletur, resigno Ecclesiam illam litigiosam. Quod cum Rex audisset, timens ne juxta verbum Episcopi, aliquando secus quam deceret impetuosi, quem ad hoc in procinctu vidit praeparatum, subiret exilium, Episcopatu suo Interdicto, rigorem quem conceperat, mitigavit, nec dedit amplius Johanni cornua; quem vidit renuentem. Quapropter meruit idem Johannes uberiori beneficio, scilicet Ecclesia de Maydnestan, Rege largiente protinus investiri, & eodem anno, Ecclesiae de Hovedene uberrimae possessione ampliari. Episcopus igitur mitigatus, Rege postulante, in publico praedicans, utpote in cujus pectore reconditae sunt claves scientiae, hanc utriusque humilitat m satis eleganter commendavit, faciens inter caetera comparationem radiorum solarium, qui sunt rectissimi ad Regalem & regularem justitiam. Videns autem Rex Episcopi mentem jam bene pacatam & pacificatam, controversiam nimis damnosam & inhonestam, motam inter ipsum Episcopum & Abbatem Westmonasteriensem, pro Ecclesia de Heswelle, cupiens sedare, non permisit Episcopum recedere, donec omnia procurante prudenter id Abbate, foeliciter pacificarentur. Cessit igitur Ecclesia illa de Heswelle in possessionem Westmonasteriensis, reservata praesentatione vicariae ipsi Episcopo. In quo facto magnum suscepit Ecclesia Westmonasterii utilitatis & honoris incrementum. Auxerat igitur absque illo non minimo commodo, Abbas ille Richardus Abbatiam suam redditibus trecentarum Marcarum annuarum, strenuitate sua in perpetuum adquisitis. But the greatest and longest-lasting controversy, between the Bishop and his Chapter, wherein the King had an interest, * Here p. 577. formerly touched) still remained undecided, thus described by Matthew Paris. Remansit autem adhuc controversia damnosissima & indecentissima inter ipsum Mat. Paris Hist. Angl. p. 553. Discordiae inter Episc. Lincoln. & ejus Capitulum. Episcopum Lincolniensem, & ejus Capitulum Lincolniense. Unde aliqui Canonicorum ibidem praesentes, scilicet Londini, ab Episcopo adeo fatigati sunt & damnificati, quod coacti sunt unam chartam monstrare, & tenorem ejus in communi dilucidare, ut Ecclesia Lincolniensis necesse habeat jugum subire novae servitutis hac occasione. Cum ante conquestum Angliae fuisset sedes Episcopatus, qui nunc Lincolniae, apud Reparatio Ecclesiae & Episcopatus Lincolniensis. Dorkcestriam, & meritis Episcopi tunc praesidentis exigentibus, & locus a Domino Papa anathematizaretur, & Episcopus deponeretur, (for * See Mat. Paris Hist. Angl. p. 11, 15. Godwins Catalogue of Bishops, p. 230, 231. Simony) vix remanserunt tantae rei post multos annos vestigia, & sic desiit tam sedes quam cura Episcopalis tempore diuturno. Tempore igitur Will. Rufi Regis Angliae, filii Will. primi, destructae fuerunt multae Ecclesiae in Nova Foresta, ipso sic jubente. Sed tandem poenitentia ductus, consilium salubre concepit, in reconciliatione illius peccati, jam dictum Episcopatum nobilem restaurare et ampliare, et locum in melius commutare. Empta igitur quadam terra, vel commutata a quodam nobili, M. ●e Gaunt, qui cum Patre suo venerat in Angliam ad conquestum, & illam acceperat in sorte retributionis post victoriam, fundavit dictus Rex Willielmus secundus Ecclesiam, quae nuncest Lincolniae. Qua perfecta, vocavit duos Cardinales Legatos, qui accepta potestatis plenitudine super ordinatione Episcopatus & Ecclesiae illius a Domino Papa affuerunt. Et convocatis octo Archiepiscopis, & sexdecim Episcopis, ordinari fecit solenniter nimis ipsam Ecclesiam, & statui ejus Canonicos, scilicet saeculares, & eorum redditus & portiones distingui & assignari, ut sub Episcopo & Decano ordinate & honorifice sub certa disciplina in perpetuum deservirent, & permaneret ordinatio ●al●s ac tanta, tot Sanctorum Patrum authoritate, Apostolica quoque pagina communira in perpetuum inviolabiliter duratura. Fuit autem ordinatio talis, Quod Episcopo ordirato, & Canonicis in suis possessionibus constitutis, ex tunc ordinate & disciplinate Deo & ejusdem sacratissimae matri nocteque dieque deservirent. Quorum Canonicorum si quis a●ramite disciplin● d viaret, & correptus non corrigeretur, per Decanum visitatus puniretur, nihil prius Capitulum pertimens & increpationem in ipso factam. Si autem ●ec sic se corrigeret, privaretur per annum suo beneficio, vel per biennium, secundum quantitatem delicti. Quod si adhuc rebellis fuerit, advocaretur Episcopus in adjutorium, ad coercendum induratum. Quod si adhuc obstinatus incorr gibiliter recalcitraret, * As Supreme Ordinary. ipse Rex privatum ab omni beneficio poena graviori puniat. Et cum omnibus talis ordinatio complacuisser, in scriptum redacta est, et Apostolica authoritate roborata, et inscripserunt. Et dedicata Ecclesia, omnes qui praesentes erant solenniter excommunicarunt omnes hujus ordinationis perturbatores. Unde Canonici dicunt, quod ex quo Decanus nec est negligens, vel nescius, vel impotens visitandi delinquentes, & excessus corrigendi, injuste & impudenter se ingerit Episcopus ut visitationes exigat, nec videtur penitus illaesus a mucrone sententiae tam solenniter latae a tot sanctorum multitudine. His auditis, Rex partem se vendicavit habere in hujus causae negotio: unde pars Episcopi & Capituli in magna parte infirmata est. Nec potuit propter talis repaguli impedimentum res optatum finem pac●● componendae sortiri, sed dilationis coepit sumptuosam expectationem. During this controversy between this Bishop and his Dean and Chapter, there arose a new hot angry contest between the Bishop and Monks of Canterbury, about Jurisdiction and Visitation, wherein they excommunicated one the other, and yet slighted these their mutual Anathemaes, as ridiculous Nullities; thus transmitted to posterity. Profluentibus eorundem dierum decursibus, Rege adhuc in transmarinis commorante, Anno 1243. Mat. Paris Hist. Angl. p. 581, 582. Matthew Westm p. 174. Dissentio inter Conventum Cantuariensem & Episcopum Lincolniensem. orta est gravis contentio inter Conventum Cantuariensem, & Episcopum Lincolniensem, hoc modo. Quidam Clericus exegit importune nimis ab Abbate de Barden●ia, quoddam debitum, de debitis antecessoris ejusdem Abbatis. Cumque oriretur super hoc controversia, Archidiaconus Lincolniensis desiderans quandam Pontificalem dicti Abbatis & ejus Conventus, qua diu quiete gavisi sunt, dignitatem enervare, ait Clerico memorato dictum debitum exigenti: Conquerere mihi graviter & solemniter in hac tibi illata injuria, & ego edomans ipsos Monachos indomitos adversarios tuos, omne tibi debitum restituam, violenter ab eis, si sic oporteat, extorquendo: (good Archdeacon Justice.) Ipse igitur, juxta cavillatoris consilium, gravem de Abbate & Monachis reposuit in propatulo coram Archidiacono super hoc querimoniam. Citavit igitur Archidiaconus Abbatem, ut coram eo compareret, etiam in sua libertate, responsurus, & super hoc juri pariturus. Quod cum videret Abbas hoc esse juri Ecclesiae suae & consuetudini contrarium, contradixit appellando. Archidiaconus igitur repulsum jure se videns, citavit Abbatem, ut alibi compareret: Abbas autem noluit, innitens priori Appellationi suae. Sciebat enim ipsum insidiari ei, & nihil aliud quaerere, nisi suae libertatis perturbationem & infirmationem, tali nacta occasione, pluribus edoctus argumentis praeteritis, & nunc certior inchoatis. Noverat etiam experimento evidenti, quod si haec causa usque ad Episcopum ascenderet (quod Archidiaconus versute quaerebat) foret illi Episcopus favorabilis in subversionem libertatis Monachorum, qui habebatur Religiosorum persecutor generalis, praecipue tamen quibus potuit adversari privilegiatorum. Archidiaconus igitur, quaerens discordiae seminarium ventilandae, super hoc conquestus est Episcopo, nodum in scirpo perscrutando. Citavit igitur Episcopus Abbatem, ut multiplicibus his excessibus responderet. Abbas igitur, immobiliter innisus Priori suae appellationi, noluit huic citationi obedire, sciens ipsum ad iram praecipitem, & Archidiacono suo in hac causa nimis favorabilem. * A contentious choleric Bishop. Stomachatus igitur, & ira plusquam deceret intumescens Episcopus, statim quasi contumacem, dictum Abbatem excommunicavit. Quod Abbas patienter sustinens, humiliter sententiam servavit, ne in posterum de contemptu puniretur. Post haec, non multis diebus elapsis, misit Episcopus visitatores ad Bardenay, personas videlicet saeculares, potius paratos in Monachos protervire, quam excessus, si quos invenirent, corrigere: Noluerunt igitur ipsos admittere, tum quia ex parte Episcopi venerunt adversari, ex adversario manifesto destinati, tum quia missi saeculares ordinis Monastici ignari penitus extitere, tum quia Abbas eorum, qui erat ipsorum pastor & capitaneus, per quem deberet eorum consilium solidari, sententiae vinculo per ipsum Episcopum fuerat innodatus. Ipsos igitur visitatores protervius instantes, & jam objurgantes, & violentam manuum impositionem sese exponendo provocantes, repulerunt ipsi janitores, & extra portam repulsos excluserunt, dicentes: Petimus humiliter, ut citius recedatis, antequam irruant in vos, nobis etiam invitis, multi ad hoc ardenter animati, quorum impetus non poterimus refraenare. Ipsi autem comminantes recesserunt, & super his Episcopo conquesti, de magnis majora loquentes, dicebant; Monachos armatos habuisse ad irruendum in eos, quos etiam ministri Monachorum baculaverant, ut asserebant, veritatis metas impudenter transgredientes. Episcopus igitur supra modum ad iram provocatus, comminatus est Abbati & Conventui ruinam & confusionem, ad posse suum se praeparaturum. Abbas igitur, multo moerore perculsus, arctius quid agendum cogitabat. Per inquisitionem igitur certificatus, quod Conventus Cantuariensis privilegium habebat appellationes recipiendi & tuendi, vacante sede Papali, ad refugium talis remedii convolavit, reponens gravem super tali gravamine querimoniam. Indignatus idcirco Episcopus, convocatis A. Episcopo Cunerensi, & quibusdam Abbatibus Nigri ordinis, scilicet Ramesis & Burgi, in sua Diocaesi existentibus apud Herefordiam, memoratum Abbatem de Bardenay absentem, nec pro se responsalem habentem, quasi convictum & contumacem, eo quod videbatur ei ipsum non rite in appellatione sua processisse, & ipsi quasi Episcopo suo prius non fuisse conquestum, ignomunose nimis deposuit. Significavitque Conventui de Bardenay, quod in nullo ei obedire tenerentur, sed merito pro cassato & deposito eum, necnon & excommunicato, haberent. Quod cum Conventui Cantuariensi innotuisset, quod scilicet memoratus Episcopus Lincolniensis privilegia sua tam contemptibiliter violasset, convocatis & congregatis quinquaginta Presbyteris ipsius Diocaesis, in pleno Conventu, in quo quinquaginta, vel etiam plures Monachi Sacerdotes habebantur, candelis accensis, pulsatisque omnibus campanis, ipsum Episcopum Lincolniensem, quasi ingratum, et Ecclesiae, cujus Suffraganeus esse comprobatur, rebellem, solenniter excommunicavit. Episcopus autem, ut viderat talis Literas mandati, ipsas ad pedes suos projectas viliter conculcavit, non sine hoc videntium vehementi admiratione, propter effigiem beati Thom● impressioni cereae consignatam. Et adeo in vehementem iram excanduit, ut omnibus diceret audientibus: Non quaero ut aliter orent Monachi pro animamea in aeternum. Et convitiis affectum ipsum Nuncium capi praecepit. Quod cum ministri, ob reverentiam Sacerdotii (Sacerdos enim fuit qui mittebatur) hoc facere tardassent & trepidassent, eundem Presbyterum a domo sua, quasi vile mancipium, vel etiam latronem, praecepit expelli. Vnde magis reddidit omnes attonitos & admirantes, qui in domo erant, viros discretos & literatos. Quia etsi nulla alia causa subesset, posset rationabiliter ille Sacerdos ipsum Episcopum super violenta manuum injectione accusasse. Dictus autem Episcopus, Monachorum sententiam parvipendendo, imo viiipendendo, non omisit celebrare, Ecclesias dedicare, et alia Pontificalia officia exercere: non perpendens, quod ex contemptu, etsi injusta sit sententia, robur tamen indeformidabile posset sortiri justitiae. Revolventibus eorundem dierum circulis, Episcopus Lincolniensis nuncios suos Mat. Paris Hist. Angl. p. 585, 586. Episcopus Lincoln. & monachi Cantuariens. litigant in curia Romana. Literae Papales. solennes, clericos & discretos, ad Romanam curiam, ex una parte, & Conventus Cantuariensis, ex alia parte, ad dirimendum litem inter eos ventilatam, destinarunt. Qui super hoc talem diffinitionem meruerunt reportare. INNOCENTIUS Episcopus, servus Servorum Dei, dilectis filiis, Conventui & Priori Ecclesiae Christi Cantuariensis, salutem & Apostolicam benedictionem. Exhibita nobis venerabilis fratris nostri Episcopi Lincolniensis petitio, continebat, quod cum vobis contendentibus jurisdictionem Metropolitanis, quam ad vos, Cantuariensi sede vacante, in provinciam Cantuariensem, tam ex privilegio sedis Apostolicae, quo nunquam adhuc usi fuistis, quam de jure communi, pertinere dicitis, in eum & suos subditos committendo eorum causas & appellationes ab eis interpositas exercere: ipse grave sibi ex hoc prjudicium generari conspiciens, ad sedem Apostolicam, cujus interest quaestiones tam arduas, Metropolitana sede vacante, dirimere, provocasset; vos in eum & in ejus subditos, suspensionis & excommunicationis sententias, occasione hujusmodi, pro vestrae voluntatis arbitrio promulgastis. Quare nobis humiliter supplicavit, ut provideri sibi super hoc paterna sollicitudine curaremus. Volentes igitur ex officio nostro sic eidem Episcopo & suis subditis subvenire, quod jus alterius non laedamus, universitati vestrae per Apostolica scripta mandamus, quatenus infra octo dies post receptionem praesentium, absque vestro & partis alterius praejudicio, relaxetis praedictas sententias ad cautelam. Alioquin venerabilibus fratribus nostris Archiepiscopo Eboracensi & Episcopo Dunelmensi, damus literis nostris in mandatis, ut ipsi ex tunc sine praejudicio partium, tam super petitorio, quam etiam super possessorio, sententias relaxent easdem, contradictores per censuaram Ecclesiasticam appellatione postposita compescendo. Datum Anagniae, decimo Calend. Septembris Pontificatus nostri Anno Primo. The Bishop of Lincoln excommunicating the Monks of Bardeny on the one part, and the Prior and Monks of Canterbury excommunicating the Bishop and his Officers on the other, concerning which both sides appealed; the King thereupon, as Supreme moderator in such cases, issued forth this Prohibition to the Archbishop of York and others (who had then the government of the Realm in his absence) not to apprehend, or cause to be apprehended any of those Monks, by pretext of any excommunication of the Bishop of Lincoln, or other suffragans of the province of Canterbury after the Appeal exhibited, till himself, then in France, should return into England, to hear and decide their difference. REX Eborum Archiepiscopo, Carl. Episcopo & W. de Cantil. salutem. Mandamus vobis, quod nullum de Monachis Abbaciae de Bardenay Claus. 26. H. 3. m. 7. dorso. capi faciatis, aut capi permittatis occasione alicujus sententiae in eos latae per Episcopum Lincol. vel alium suffraganeum Cantuariensis Ecclesiae post Appellationem interpositam, et ad sedem Cantuar. ad tuitionem. Et de aliis excommunicatis per dictos Suffraganeos post hujusmodi appellationem, sub dissimulatione pertranseatis, donec in Angliam redierimus, ita quod non capiantur. Teste Rege apud Burl. x. die Julii He likewise issued this ensuing Writ to them to seize all the appropriate Benefices belonging to the Abbey of Bardeney during the vacancy, into his hands, as belonging to him and his predecessors by their ancient Royal Prerogative, reserving to the Monks only their usual reasonable Estovers, and that they should repair the House & Church. REX Eborum Archiepiscopo, Carl. Episcopo & W. de Cantilupo, salutem. Cum Claus. 26. H. 3. m. 7. dorso. omnia beneficia Ecclesiastica ad Domum de Bardenay spectantia & usibus Monachorum appropiata, domo praedicta vacante, ad custodiam nostram de jure spectare noscuntur, sicut et tenementa eorum laica, miramur vehementer quod praedicta beneficia in manum nostram non cepistis, sicut capi consueverunt in hujusmodi domibus vacantibus in manus praedecessorum nostrorum temporibus suis. Et ideo vobis mandamus, quod praedicta beneficia in manum nostram capi faciatis, a monachis solitum & rationabile estoverium suum inde, & aliis ad domum suam pertinentibus exhiberi, & Ecclesiam & domos ejusdem Abbatae sustentari faciatis, & residuum in manu nostra retineatis. Teste ut supra. King Henry being beyond the Seas (in France) when this controversy happened, the Bishop of Lincoln, with the rest of the suffragan Bishops of the Province of Canterbury, by their petition, complained to him against these proceedings and other vexations of the Prior and Monks of Canterbury, as prejudicial to their Churches, Ecclesiastical liberties, and mere Innovations, tending to the disturbance of the public peace of the Realm: Whereupon the King, not having then and there leisure, to hear and determine this difference with the advice of his Nobles, by virtue of his Ecclesiastical Prerogative, sent this memorable Prohibition, to stay all proceedings between them till his return into England. REX Dominis Cistriensi, Exoniensi, Eliensi, Sarr. Linc. Wigorn. & Roff. Pat & Chart. insimul 27. H. 3. m. 10. Dorso. Episcopis, salutem. Etsi sedem Cantuar. Ecclesiae in sua velimus libenter tueri libertate, & Priorem & monachos ejusdem Ecclesiae syncerae Charitatis brachiis amplexemur, nolumus tamen, nec nostrae fuit intentionis aliquando, quod favor noster eis impensus, vobis aut alicui vestrum cedere debeat in dispendium, aut caeteris Ecclesiis de regno nostro, quibus praesidetis in laesionem redundare; Vestrae igitur petitionis instantia pulsati, & sicut decuit eidem propensius inclinati, auditis & intellectis plenius, quae per Magistrum Girardum de Wesebam. nobis significastis super molestiis, quibus ut asseritis, dicti Prior & Monachi intendunt vos non solum fatigare, sed & statum regni nostri evidenter immutare, cum sine consilio vestro & aliorum Magnatum nostrorum de regno nostro, in partibus remotis agentes, non possumus ad praesens aliquid certum super praedictis ordinare: Damus in mandatis Eborum Archiepiscopo, Carli. Episcopo, & VV. de Cantilupo, quod ipsos Priorem et Monachos nichil insolitum, nichil novum, vel aliquid quod temporibus praedecessorum nostrorum et Regum Angliae et nostro usi non fuerint, in Cleri et regni nostri perturbationem seu praejudicium libertatis alterius Ecclesiae, permittant attemptare, quousque in Angliam revertamur. Dictis etiam Priori et Monachis damus in mandatis, quod articulis universis, quibus vos indebite fatigare nituntur interim supersedeant, et adventum nostrum patienter expectent. Teste Rege apud Burd. 26 die ●unij. About the same time there hapnning a controversy between the Bishop of Aquen in France, and the Citizens (then under the King's obedience) he slaying one, and imprisoning three others of the City, upon the Citizen's petition, the King cited the Bishop to appear before him by virtue of his Ecclesiastical prerogative; after which he authorised J. Mansel, as his delegate, to hear and determine these differences; and prohibited the Bishop in the mean time to molest the Citizens again, under pain of incurring his Royal displeasure, by these his Letters Patents. REX ad querimoniam proborum hominum de Aquis, fecit summoneri Episcopum Claus. 27 H. 3. m. 3. dorso. Aquensem, quod sit coram eo responsurus, quare hostiliter invasit praedictos homines, in enorme dedecus Regis, et ejus dignitatis laesionem, et ●x eis tres caepit, et unum occidit. Et praefixus est dies apud Burdeg. quinto die Natalis Domini. Teste Rege apud Burdeg. 15. die Decembris. Idem dies praefixus est praedictis Civibus, & ibidem ad prosequend▪ contra Episcopum praedictum. Teste ut supra. REX proposuit in proximo mittere J. Mansel, ad partes Aquenses pro quibusdam Par & Chartley▪ insimul 27. H. 3. m. 17 negotiis suis ibidem expediendis. Et visum est Regi et consilio suo, quod inter caetera agenda sua, audiantur coram eodem Johanne & aliorum fidelium Regis, quos assumet, contentiones ortae inter Episcopum Aquensem, & Cives Aquenses, & per ipsos si poterit fieri terminentur. Et etiam mandatum est eidem Episcopo, quod non oportet quod propter eas contentiones accedat ad Regem in Octabis Purific beatae Mariae, sed coram eis quod justum fuerit recipiat & faciat. Et inhibitum est eidem Episcopo, ne iterum eos molestet, sicut vult Regis vindictam evitare. Teste etc. Item mandatum est Civibus Aquensibus super eodem negotio. The King having the year before, denied the Cistercian Monks leave to go to a General Chapter for denying him an aid▪ this year granted this royal Licence and Protection, to the Provincial of the Monks, to send over one Abbot or two Monks of that Order, to visit certain houses of their Order in England, which they could not do without his special authority. ABBAS de Savinaco habet licentiam, quod possit mittere aliquem Abbatem de ordine Pat. 27 H. 3. m. 17. dorso. Cisterciensi quem volu rit, vel duos Monachos ejusdem ordinis in Angliam, ad quasdam domos de praedicto ordine Visitandas. Et ideo mandatum est omnibus quod praedicto Abbati, sive praedictis duobus Monachis, in veniendo▪ in Angliam, ibidem morando, a●t inde recedendo nullum faciant impedimentum aut gravamen. Et habet inde literas Domini Regis Patentes. Teste Rege apud Burd. 31. die Januarii Anno Regni sui 27. The King granted special privileges to his Clerks of Chancery (being then Clergy men) to receive Provisions of benefices, and be discharged from residing actually on them, which the King ratified by this Patent, notwithstanding any former mandate of his to revoke them. REX Eborum Archiepiscopo, salutem. Vt paternitati vestrae plenius constet, Pat. & Chart. 27. H. 3. m. 9 intus. quod non fuit aliquando intentionis nostrae, quod gratias, quas dilectis Clericis nostris G. de Wulward. & sociis suis Clericis de Cancellaria nostra, vel etiam aliis semel concessimus, de provisione facienda, per aliquas literas nostras vobis postea directas revocassemus, aut potestatem vobis inde subtraheremus; vobis iterato man damus, quod in forma qua pro singulis eorundem Clericorum nostrorum, vobis alias scripsimus, non obstante aliquo mandato nostro contrario (quod quidem non recolimus, vobis fecisse) quam cito poteritis eis provideatis Provisionem Nicholai Lungespe, si oportunitas se obtulerit, quodei providere possitis, sicut alias vobis mandavimus, provisioni dictorum Clericorum nostrorum de Cancellaria nostra tantummodo praeferentes. Teste Rege apud Burd. primo die Junii. The King whiles in France sent this Writ to the Archbishop of York then Custos Regni, to confer Benefices that should fall void on such Clerks of his, who to their great danger and expense, continued with him, and incurred many various casualties in his services beyond the Seas, commanding them all in general, and one of them only in special by name, to be first provided for in this kind. REX Eborum Archiepiscopo, salutem. Non est Admiratione dignum si praecipue Claus. 27 H. 3. m. 10. dors. Clericorum nostrorum invitamur promotioni, velimusque eis beneficia conferri, qui nobiscum in partibus transmarinis in variis casibus & fortunis permanserunt, & adhuc in eisdem partibus nobis assistunt; pro quo licet plurium petitionibus inclinati pluribus provisiones concesserimus, de beneficiis Ecclesiasticis eis conferendis, volumus tamen praescriptos Clericos nobiscum ibidem morantes caeteris omnibus ad beneficia Ecclesiastica, de dono nostro obtinenda praeferri. Quocirca paternitati vestrae mandamus firmiter injungentes, quatenus eisdem Clericis nobiscum, ut praediximus, in servicio nostro commorantibus, ex quo vacare continget secundum continentiam Literarum suarum, de provisione vobis directarum, prae omnibus aliis beneficia Ecclesiastica conferatis, scilicet praebendalia & alia loco nostro. Inter quos solum Will. Hardel. praecipue volumus nominari. Taliter in hac parte vos habentes, quod praedicti Clerici nostri pro laboribus suis immensis fructum reportent, & utilitatem, & vos specialiter ex hoc habere debeamus commendatos. In these days, such Ladies who held Castles and Lands of the King in Capite or by Knight service, presuming against Law and custom, to marry themselves to whom they pleased without the King's privity or licence first obtained, the King thereupon issued this Writ to the Archbishop of York and others, (who had the custody of the Realm during his absence in France) to seize the Castle of Warwick, and such other lands as they should think fit, more than the ordinary security, as a pledge; that Margery the Earl of Warwick's sister, should not marry without his licence, under pain of forfeiting the said Castle and lands so pledged, to the King and his Heirs. REX Eborum Archiepiscopo, Karl. Episcopo, & W. de Cantelupo, salutem. Claus. 27. H. 3. m. 11. dorso. Cum per experientiam didicimus, quod quamplures Dominae Regni nostri, spreta securitate, quae per * See Bracton. l. 2. c. 37. 38. f. 88 Magna Charta. c. 7. Coke 2. Instit. p. 16. legem & antiquam consuetudinem Regni Angliae capi solet, & debet ab eis, ne se maritari permitterent sine consensu et voluntate nostra, non requisito super hoc nostro assensu, quibuscunque voluerunt indistincte se fecerunt maritari, unde tam nobis quam Coronae nostrae et dampnum et opprobrium emerserunt. Et quia nobis et dignitati nostrae volumus acrius a similibus praecavere, ne futuris temporibus nobis et Haeredibus nostris, per hujusmodi praesumptionem et insolentiam dampnum inevitabile generetur: Vobis mandamus firmiter injungentes in fide qua nobis tenemini, quatenus sine dilatione a Margeria sorore quondam Comitis War. quae est una de generosoribus mulieribus Regni nostri, & Castrum habet ingentis fortitudinis & situm versus partes Marchiae, pro quo nobis nullatenus expediret, quod aliquem in virum acciperet, nisi de ipso tanquam de nobis ipsis confiderem, Castrum de War. & de terris suis, quas ipsi eligetis in plegium capiatis, praeter securitatem debitam, quod ipsa nulli viventium, sine licentia nostra in matrimonio copulabitur. Ita quod si forte temerar io ausu contra hoc fecisset, Castrum praedictum & terrae in plegium similiter captae, nobis perpetuo & Haeredibus nostris incurrantur. Teste Rege apud Burd. 27. die Martii. The Archdeacon of Oxford, exacting an annual Procuration from the King's Church of St. Cross, without Oxford, which was not used to be paid in former times; The King reputing this New exaction (as all others of this kind or Nature, are and aught still to be reputed, imposed by Ordinaries, Archdeacon's or other Ecclesiastical, as well as Temporal Officers, upon any of his subjects) a derogation to his own Prerogative and Liberty, and a new unaccustomed servitude to his subjects; thereupon strictly enjoined the Guardians of the Realm during his abode in France, to use special care, diligence and vigilance to prevent and redress it, as this memorable Writ attests. REX Eborum Archiepisco, Karleolensi Episcopo & W. de Cantilupo, salutem. Audivimus Claus. 27 H. 3. m. 9 dorso. nuper, quod Archid. Oxon. ab Ecclesia nostra Sanctae crucis extra Oxon. quam Pontius de Pontibus tenet, annuam exigit procurationem, quae retroactis temporibus, ab eadem non solet erogari. Et quia libertati nostrae non minimum derogaretur, si praedicta, nobis inconsultis, novam ac insolitam subiret servitutem, non permittatis quod idem Archid. pro suo voluntatis arbitrio, praedictam extorqueat procurationem. Taliter vos habentes in hac parte, quod ex hoc sicut de folita sollicitudine vestra singulis agendis nostris vigilanter adhibita, vos habeamus specialiter commendatos. Teste Rege apud Burd. 22. die Aprilis. The Archbishop of Cassals in Ireland intending to sue his suffragan Bishiops, the King sent this Writ to his chief Justice there, to permit him to sue them only for the spiritualties of their Bishopric, but expressly to prohibit him to sue them for their Temporalties and Lands belongnig to his Crown and Dignity, and not to seize any of them into his hand upon the Archbishop's mandate, without his special royal precept. REX M. filio Geroldi, salutem. Mandamus vobis quod si Casserensis Archiepiscopus Claus. 27 H. 3. m. 2. intus. impetat H. Limiricensem, G. Lismorensem, D. Lannensem, B. Artfertensem, & C. Imilensem Episcopos suffraganeos suos, super spiritualitate Episcopatuum suorum, in nullo vos inde intromittatis, nec permittatis, quod idem Archiepiscopus inquietet ipsos Episcopos, super terris et rebus temporalibus spectantibus ad Coronam et dignitatem nostram, nec vos ad mandatum praefati Archiepiscopi manum mittatis ad eorum temporalia, sine speciali praecepto nostro. Teste Rege apud Westmonast rium XIII die Octobris. Per G. dispenser. The King having expended his Treasure in his unfortuate Wars in France, Anno 1242. Mat. Paris Hist. Angl. p. 576. Petit auxilium a Cistierciensibus. scutagium per totam Angliam fecit extorqueri; non sine multo gravamine Anglorum, pro scuto tres marcas, vel ut alii volunt, viginti solidos, extorsit: which being not sufficient to supply his necessities, Significatum est eo tempore districtus, & amicabilter supplicatum Archiepiscopo Eboracensi, a Rege Anglorum, ut ipse Archiepiscopus omnes Abbates Angliae ordini Cisterci●nsium subjacentes, in unum authoritate Regis congregaret, & congregatos dulcibus affatibus conveniret. Deprecans attentius ex parte ejusdem Domini Regis, pro Regni promotione in partibus transmarinis militantis, & etiam personam suam casibus belli ancipitis exponentis, ut eum in exhibitione pecuniae efficater promoverent, & juvarent promovendo. Cui illi in unum congregati, responderunt: In quo, domine? At Archiepiscopus: In parvo. Et cum inquisissent Cistercienses: In quo parvo? Ait Archipraesul: In tanta pecunia quantam potestis habere pro lana vestra anni unius. Similis factus dicenti, Da mihi animas, caetera tolle tibi. Non enim posset quis alimentorum penuriam per paucos dies tolerare, & vitae carere sustentaculis, quin animam exhalaret. Sed verbum Regis positum fuit in o●e Archipr● sulis. At ipsi Cistercienses, comperientes sibi parari laqueos & damnum imminere, prudenter Responfio Cisterciensium. responderunt in hoc modo. Domine Archiepiscope, novit authoritas vestra, quod nos omnes membra sumus unius capitis, nec possumus sine nostro generali Cisterciensi. capitulo istud, quod ex parte Domini nostri Regis petitis, concedere. Item, esto quod celebraretur in praesentiarum capitulum generale, novimus, & novisse tenetur discretio vestra, quod non licet nobis quempiam juvare ad bellum gerendum, per quod sanguis effunditur, praecipue Christianus, ne juvantes ad hoc propter horrorem sanguinis irregulares efficeremur. Sed efficacibus & indefessis prec●bus, Eleemosynis, & aliis operibus pietatis ipsum dominum & patronum nostrum animo libenti juvabimus. Et indubitanter credendum est, quod sic melius & certius praevalebit, & gloriosius triumphanti, coeleste juvamen, nisi vacillet fides, quod absit, sibi sentiet profuturum. Quibus cum Archiepiscopus torvo aspectu & adverso vultu respondisset, dicens: Qua fronte ipsum Regem in necessitatibus vestris aliquid rogabitis, qui ei sic tergiversando supplicanti in instanti articulo respondetis? Ait quidam Abbatum Cisterciensium: Domine, recolimus, quod quando consecrabatur in Regem, juravit se cuilibet justitiam exhibiturum. Non petimus ab eo quicquam speciale, non potest nec debet illud nobis denegare, quod juratum est generale. Nos justo regat moderamine, gravamen nullum contra justitiam inferendo. Si autem pro salute animae suae suorumque antecessorum, & statu Regni sui, aliquod bonum speciale nobis contulerit, sinum pandimus gratanter recipientes. A resolute answer of ingrateful covetous Monks. Hereupon, Ipso quoque anno non permissi sunt Abbates Cisterciensis ordinis Mat. Paris Ibid. Matthew West. Anno 1242. p. 170. transfretare, ad generale capitulum nunc, eo quod eodem anno (a Rege rogati de lanarum suarum exhibitione, eum juvare noluerunt) nec voluerunt, timentes sibi a Regis fatellibus, maxime per mare, quasi ipso Rege nesciente, eo quod lanas suas unius anni, ut dictum est, negaverunt, laqueos praeparari: se igitur eleganter per procuratores excusarunt, ne viderentur talia procurasse. Per idem tempus, videlicet in crastino Sancti Micha●lis, dedicata est Ecclesia Conventualis Mat. Paris Hist. Angl. p. 576. Mat. Westm. Anno 1242. p. 169. Dedicatio Ecclesiae Waltham Canonicorum de Waltham, ab Episcopo Norwicensi, solemniter valde, assistentibus aliis plurimis Episcopis, Praelatis, & Magnatibus venerabilibus: statim post dedicationem Ecclesiae Sancti Pauli Londinensis, ut peregrinantes hinc inde indistanter remearent. Eodemque tempore, Adam Abbas de Wareduna, confirmatus est in Episcopum Cunerensem. Qui Episcopatus est in Hibernia, subjacens Metropolitanae Diocaesi Archiepiscopi Armachani. Eodem tempore, Griffinus filius Leolini in carcere fratris sui David tenebatur in Mat. Paris, p. 551. Episcopus Bangorensis solicitat Regem Angliae pro libertatione Griffini. arcta custodia vinctus, quem in dolo vocaverat ad pacificum concilium, sub ducatu Magistri Richardi Bangorensis Episcopi, & quorundam aliorum Nobilium Walliensium, propter quod facinus Episcopus ipse recessit a Wallia, ipso David excommunicato. (Who slighting his Excommunication as a vain scarecrow, thereupon the Bishop,) Veniens ad Regem Angliae, super hoc scelere nequiter perpetrato gravem reposuit querimoniam, postulans instantissime, ut Rex liberaret injuste a David nepote suo fratrem incarceratum, ne tanta talisque facinorosa transgressio remotas regiones Curiamque Romanam, in honoris Regii laesionem, macularet. Rex igitur David nepotem suum graviter super illa prodit one increpans, praecepit & persuasit efficaciter, ut fratrem suum liberans, famae suae restaurationem & absolutionis beneficium promereretur. Quod tamen procaciter David facere abnuit, Regi veraciter significans, quod si ipsum Griffinum a carcere liberaret, profecto nunquam Wallia pacis gauderet securitate. Quod cum Griffino innotuisset, Regi latenter significavit, quod si ipsum a carcere fratris potenter liberaret, terram suam ab ipso Rege teneret, fideliter inde ducentas Marcas annuatim cum gratiarum actionibus & obsequii retributione persolvendo, praestito super hoc fidelitatis juramento, & obside tradito speciali: Insuper juvaret eum diligenter, omnes libi rebelles Wallenses longinquos & indomitos subjugare. Quidam etiam potent ssimus Wallensium, nomine Griffinus, filius Madoch, adjutorium Domino Regi spospondit indefessum & securum, si Walliam intraret hostiliter, moturus bellum contra David fallacem & multis injuriosum. The King thereupon entered Wales with a great Army, subdued it without effusion of blood, and enlarged Griffin, who swore Homage and Allegiance to him. Circa idem tempus, scilicet postquam generale Capitulum ordinis Cisterciensium Anno 1243. Mat. Paris Hist. Angl. p. 585. Generale Capitulum Cisterciensium solutum solutum est, venerunt Abbates recedentes ab eodem Capitulo, hos rumores veraciter de adventu Regis Francorum ad illos venientis nobis nunciates, videlicet, quod mutato more Romanorum, scripserat Dominus Papa eorum Capitulo, orans eleganter, ut continue & instanter Domino preces funderent pro Ecclesiae statu vacillantis. Similiter, & quidam Cardinales, & alii potentes, hoc impreciabile munus ab eis flagitabant, ut scilicet Ecclesiae & suo statu roborato tutius Deo militando famularentur. Noverant enim, quod, eo quod Abbates ejusdem ordinis anno praeterito, ne ad Capitulum accederent, per bella fuerant impediti, tunc plenius ad Capitulum generale convenirent. Rex autem Francorum instantius aliis auxilium & precum instantiam postulabat, quia se senserat, postquam iter in Pictaviam moturus bellum arripuerat, nimis de corporis sui statu debilitatum & deterioratum, & alacritate corporali potius indigentem. Solus autem Rex Anglia, missis illuc nunciis solennibus, auxilium pecuniare ab eis instantius postulavit. Erant autem ibidem Monachi ab omni Natione Christiana quae sub coelo est. A quibus omnibus, non sine Anglorum, qui ibidem erant, confusione, solam meruit sine benedictione repulsam. Exigebat enim ab constitutis in Anglia lanas Abbatiis. The King upon this denial and affront of theirs, by way of retaliation, Eodem Mat. Paris p. 607. Rex prohibet lanas Cisterciensium vendi. anno, prohibuit Dominus Rex, ne lanae Cisterciensium Monachorum venales ad partes transmarinas ad suum commodum transveherentur, volens eos sic gravare & damnificare, eo quod eum transfretatum in Gasconiam, auxilio pecuniari nec voluerunt, nec etiam valuerunt, juvare. Petrus de Supino, and Petrus de Rubeo, Pope Gregory's Legates and grand extorters of moneys in England, Ireland, & Scotland, to maintain his Wars against the Emperor, departing speedily out of the Realm, so soon as they received secret tidings of this Pope's death, (which was for some days concealed from the people) thereupon, Mat. Paris p. 555, 566. Pecuniacollecta per Papales exactores Imperiali aerario addicitur. Walterus de Ocra, Nuncius Imperialis, eos pedetentim insequebatur; iter suum equis non parcentes maturabant. Et cum transalpinassent, se in suorum parentum Civitates & domos clanculo receperunt, pecuniam, qua onerati venerant, in locorum abditis reponentes, praesentiam quoque suam non omnibus exponentes. Et cum nec ipsos, nec praedam eorum, praedictus Walterus liquido potuit invenire, nisi per levis famae sibila, haec omnia Domino suo Imperatori significavit. Dominus igitur Imperator per singulas Civitates Italiae ditioni suae subjectas, diligenter fecit indagari, qui fuissent illi Papales Nuncii vel Mercatores, qui ad subversionem Imperii et Reipublicae, & fomentum belli, per diversas Regiones, praecipue Anglicanam, fraudulenter collegerant pecuniam, ut Papae ipsam conferrent, & sic ei darent cornua & pruritum ad perturbandum Imperium. Fecit igitur ipsos capi, et captos arctius, quasi f●nestos inimicos, conveniri, et infiscata omni eorum substantia cum domibus et totius parentelae eorum, viris spectabilioribus cum uxoribus et liberis incarceratis, inquiri jussit districte de summa pecuniae ad opus Papae collectae, per tabelliones et scripta penes Mercatores Civitatum, et conscios et consortes reposita, et omnia fecit prudenter restitui. Et sic miserabilibus personis Ecclesiasticis, sub alis Papalibus protegendis, penitus spoliatis, adversarii Ecclesiae majora gravamina fortius intulerunt. The sudden death of this turbulent oppressive Extortioner, Pope Gregory the 9th. Anno 1243. See Platina, Onuphrius, Balaeus, Laertius, Cherubinus, Opmerus, in Coelestino 4. & Innocentio 4. Mat. Paris Hist. Angl. p. Mat. Westm. p. 173. the decease of Celestine the 4th. in 12. day's space after his election, and near two years' vacancy of the Roman See before Innocent the 4th. his election, by reason of the Schisms amongst the Cardinals, and the Emperor's interpositions, exempted England from Papal Exactions and Provisions above two years' space. At last, Anno 1243. Die Nativitatis Sancti Johannis Baptistae, creatus est in Papam Dominus Sinebaldus Cardinalis, postquam vacaverat sedes Papalis per annum & novem mensibus. (Cardinales in unum propter metum Imperatoris congregati, elegerunt Senebaldum Cardinalem in Papam, virum in Decretis, & jure Canonico eleganter eruditum, pecuniae tamen non contemptorem, adds Matthew Westminster.) Et die Apostolorum Petri & Pauli consirmatus est, & vocatum est nomen ejus Innocentius Quartus. Et confirmatus, statim confirmavit sententiam latam a praedecessore suo Gregorio in Imperatorem Fredericum. Creatus autem est Anagniae, unde Romani & Romanorum Imperator, quasi pro duplici injuria ipsi Papae moliebantur gravamina, & insidias paraverunt, & eo instantius, quia Imperator credebat Papam sibi favorabilem habiturum. Posuit igitur Imperator in transitibus viarum & portuum arctas custodias, & per mare galeias, ne Bullarnm portitores transmearent, libera transitu gratulantes. Nec multum post haec, Dominus Imperator duos fratres de ordine Minorum comprehendit, eo quod Literas jussu superiorum suorum, ad suscitandum bellum inter quosdam Magnates, praecipue contra Imperatorem, furtive detulerunt, et comprehensos jussit suspendi. They being the common Carriers of the Roman Pontiffs Bulls and Letters of this nature, when their Legates or Nuntioes had no free passage. This Pope treading in the footsteps of his Predecessors, soon after his instalment dispatched a new Roman Harpy and Extortioner with extraordinary large powers into England, before he was sent for or expected, to fleece, yea flay the Clergy, Laity, Church, Realm, and dispose of all Ecclesiastical rents and preferments at his pleasure to the Pope's kindred and aliens, as these ensuing narratives inform ns. Circa idem tempus, misit Dominus novus Papa quendam novum in Angliam pecuniae Anno 1244. Mat. Paris Hist. Angl. p. 594. Novus Papa novum mittit pee●niae extortorem in Angliam. extortorem, Magistrum videlicet Martinum, autenticum Popale deferentem, et habentem potestatem excommunicandi, suspendendi, et multipliciter voluntati suae resistentes puniendi. Qua roboratus potestate, suspendit Praelatos Angliae a collatione beneficiorum, donec voluntati Papali satisfactum fuisset, redditus ad opus Clericorum suorum et consanguineorum postulanti. Indignum tamen judicabat aliquem redditum suscipere, nisi triginta Marcas aut supra valentem, ne quisquilias colligere tantus vir videretur. Coepit igitur dictus Magister Martinus munera, praecipue palefridos concupiscibiles imperiose exigere et ertorquere a Praelatis, maxime a Religiosis, praecipiens per Literas districte illi Abbati, vel illi Priori, ut ei equos, quales decebat specialem Domini Papae Clericum insidere, transmitterent: Contradicentes autem & excnsationes & causas negationis protendentes, etiam rationabiles, (utpote Abbatem de Malmesburia, & Priorem de Meriona) * suspendendo. suspendenda usque ad plenam satisfactionem, graviter punivit. Sedulus etiam explorator Ecclesias vacantes & Praebendas consideravit, ut ipsas patenti sinui Papalis indigentiae praesentaret. Inter quas dum Praebenda opima Sarisburiensis Ecclesiae, spectans ad Praecentorem, vacaret, invito Episcopo & nimis dolente cum toto Capitulo, manus rapidas eidem Praebendae statim injecit, et jussu Papae, cuidam puero nepoti suo, non sine multorum cordium amaritudine et stupore, contulit. Credebant enim multi & sperabant, quod Romana Curia a Deo multipliciter jam flagellata, froeno moderaminis suam avaritiam solitam aliquantulum saltem coerceret. But no Divine nor Humane Laws, Judgements, Medicaments, could cure or allay this Roman Dropsy, Avarice, Rapine. Matthew Westminster renders us this ampler and more particular account of his powers and proceedings. * Mat. Westm. Anno 1244. p. 177, 178. Circa idem tempus, consisus Dominus Papa nimis de Regis simplicitate & patientia, quendam novum pecuniae extortorem, non insigniis Legati redimitum, sed inauditis potestatibus communitum, nomine Martinum, transmisit in Angliam, qui se in solitum legatorum & Papalium Nunciorum & Clericorum receptaculum, scilicet in Novum Templum Londini, statim recipiens, potestatem suam, redditus recipiendi, et pecuniam multipliciter extorquendi manifestavit, et eam exercuit diligenter usque ad multorum cordium summam amaritudinem et conscientiarum laesionem. Habebat enim potestatem, collationem beneficiorum prohibendi donec ad votum suum, ipsi foret satisfactum. Qui exiles redditus quasi quisquilias, despiciens, opimis manus rapidas injecit: habebatque potestatem excommunicandi, suspendendi, & multipliciter voluntati suae, licet impetuose resistentes puniendi, & pro voluntate; quasi ipso die in Papali cancellaria, Bullatas Chartas autenticas more protulisset consueto. Unde a nonnullis, nec sine causa dicebatur, ipsum plures Chartas Bullatas sed vacuas, ad placitum suum scribendas, quod absit, detulisse. Coepit igitur memoratus Magister Martinus undique munera, praecipue palefridos concupiscibiles, & vasa pretiosa imperiose a Praelatis exigere, exigendo extorquere, maxime a Religiosisad opus suum (stulte enim orat qui sui obliviscitur) et ad opus Papae redditus et Praebendas praeelectas: utens hac odibili adjectione, non obstante privilegio, etc. Inter quas dum Praebenda opima quaedam Sarum vacaret, dictus Magister Martinus, sedulus explorator, avidas & aduncas manus injiciens, irrequisito, imo potius invito, loci ipsius Episcopo, contulit ipsam cuidam adolescentulo, Domini Papae nepoti. Similiter & alias ipsius Papae consanguineis, quibus idem Papa mirabiliter abundavit, collegit dictus Magister Martinus indefssus, non sine multorum peritorum stupore. All their comfort in the mean time was this good news; that, In octavis vero Purificationis Beatae Mariae Virginis, obiit vas superbiae, et omnis fomes contumeliae inter Dominum Papam et Imperatorem exortae. Johanne de Collumna, Cardinalis Romae. Qui vir Martius, & genere praeclarus inter omnes Cardinales, Castris & Palatiis necnon & Thesauris, & redditibus instauratus, claruerat potentissimus. These unexpected new Grievances, Extortions, Provisions, Powers of the Pope's avaricious imperious Agent, made the English to begin to meditate how they might totally cast off the insupportable Roman yoke of bondage; their grounds exciting them thereunto, and their proceedings therein, are thus presented to us by our Historians, being ushered in with the sad tidings then received from the Holy Land. * Mat. Paris p. 602, 603, 604. Mat. Westm. Anno 1244. Angli meditantur jugum servitutis Papisticae excutere. Dum autem in Syria tot mundi turbinibus genus humanum exagitaretur, in Anglia etiam & ejus confiniis, Saevit in humanis divina potentia rebus. Romana enim Curia, rubore deposito, tempore novi Papae nostri Innocentii quarti, secus quam speravimus, non desinebat per provisiones quotidianas, redditus impudenter extorquere. Exiit igitur (licet sero) murmur, in cordibus Anglorum diu conceptum et retentum, in manifestam querimoniam, et quasi parturientes locuti, non poterant amplius sese continere. Patientia enim eorum desidiosa erat, et humilitas infructuosa, imo potius et damnosa. Et in unum Convenientes totius Regni Nobiles, Regem efficacissime super Mat. Westm. p. 180. hoc convenerunt, asserentes, se malle mori, quam amplius tales enormitates tolerare. Non enim eorum, neque antecessorum suorum intentio fuerat, quando contulerunt bona viris Religiosis & aliis locis pia consideratione constructis, ut ipsa ad arbitrium Papae viris Italicis ignotis, et eis quos noverant simoniis et usuris pollutos, et viciis multimodis, quibus non est cura, praedicatio, vel hospitalitas Christi fidelibus impendenda, contribuerent: as Masthew Westminster abbreviates their complaint, thus more at large recorded by Matthew Paris. Et in unum convenientium talis erat consideratio Regi et Regno intimanda. Si mentis oculis intueretur Dominus Papa statum Primitivae Ecclesiae in Anglia; medium & praesentem, non concuteret Ecclesias & Ecclesiasticas personas, nec illas arctaret hujusmodi exactiombus & angariis, & quod suum non est, ab Ecclesiis non vendicaret, nec extorqueret. Praedicante enim in Anglia beato Augustino Anglorum Apostolo, Rex Athelbertus conversus ad fidem Christi, Londinen em, Roffensem, & Cantuariensem instituit Ecclesias. Hic Clericos & Sacerdotes, ibi Monachos apponens, assignatis illis speciali patrimonio suo, terras & possessiones sufficientes ad sustentationem eorum, quos ad hoc solum deputavit, ut in locis sibi assignatis divina celebrarent, laudesque Deo die ac nocte & gratiarum exsolverent actiones, & eleemosynas, & alia pietatis opera exercentes, hospitalitatem pauperum sustentarent pro mensura facultatum. Consimiliter alii Reges in aliis Cathedralibus Ecclesiis & Praebendalibus, & Conventualibus, quod videri potest si decurratur ad eorum instrumenta & modos donationum. Nec adeo libertati dederunt hujusmodi possessiones, quin tria sibi reservarent semper propter publicam Regni utilitatem, videlicet expeditionem pontis et arcis reparationes vel refectiones, ut per ea resisterent hostium incursibus. Si igitur ista & consimilia dantur locis spiritualibus, & locorum Episcopis, tanquam certis personis, in Cathedralibus Ecclesiis dicimus, & Abbatibus, & Abbatiis, de patrimoniis & Laicis feudis Regum & Principum, quo jure poterit, praeter in juriam juris alieni, in alios usus praemissa convertere? Praesertim ad illos, ex quibus oriuntur caedes, & incendia, & sanguinum effusiones, cum dicente Petro, Domine, si percutimus in gladio? respondit Dominus, Converte gladium in vaginam. Item, si transmitterentur substantiae Clericorum Angliae ad Italiam, unde procurarent pontis & arcis refectionem, & expeditionem, si ingrueret necessitas? Unde sectarentur hospitalitates? Quo modo morarentur in certis locis sibi deputatis? Item, praeter alia mala, quae possunt evenire adeuntibus Curiam Romanam de Regno Angliae per satellites Imperatoris, unum quasi in evidenti est, & in promptu, quod cum terra Imperatoris non distabat ab Anglia nisi modico freto, quod transmeari potest uno fluxu & refluxu maris, & tendat jam Imperator ad partes illas, verendum esset, ne sic provocatus hostiliter Regnum ingrederetur, prout dixit Magister Walterus de Ocre coram Rege in communi colloquio Baronum Londini: supplicans ex parte Imperatoris devotissime Regem et Barones, quod non permitterent tallias fieri in Regno, vel a Clericis, vel a Laicis, in subsidium Domini Papae contra Imperatorem, inculcans mnl●oties, quod si secus fieret, sine pruritu tot accumulatis Regno bellis, scalperent se Rex & Regni Magnates usque ad ossa. Item, cum de voluntate & mandato & consilio Ecclesiae nuptui traderet Dominus Rex sororem suam Imperatori, ex qua proles suscepit, quas de stirpe nostra & Anglorum sanguine constat esse, quid aliud esset, contribuere contra Imperatorem, nisi confundere oriundos ex natione nostra? quod absit. Et quid aliud esset, nisi dare occasiones Imperatori, ne possit Domino nostro Regi subvenire in recuperationem terrarum suarum? Item, si attenderet Dominus Papa afflictiones & jacturas, quas sustinuit Anglia per Ludovicum Regem Francorum, qui hostiliter ingressus est eam, qui nec pepercit Ecclesiis, nec Ecclesiasticis personis, sed omnia depraedatus est, ita quod vix poterunt hactenus Praelati Angliae respirare, non adderet afflictionem afflictioni super afflictos: imo consultius exigeret aestimationem damnorum, quae fuerunt illata Ecclesiae, & exinde promoveret exercitus suos in hostes, quod facere posset, etiam contradicente Rege Angliae, & sine convocatione Imperatoris contra Regem & Regnum. Item, aurum habet Ecclesia, Civitates, munitiones, & Castra, quae etsi non sufficiant contra tantum Principem, advocet ad manus suas beneficia Italicorum & Romanorum quae non modica contulit eisdem, tam in Anglia quam in aliis Regionibus: & ex eorum fructibus, quos ita beneficiavit, sumptus faciat hostiles, & non de nostris, scilicet de his quae nobis non contulit, imo soli contulerunt patroni, quantum in ipsis fuit, quos oportet de necessitate sustentare, si vergant ad inopiam. Attendere etiam deberet, quod Pharaoh in afflictione populi Israelitici, Sacerdotes & Levitas ab omnibus hujusmodi exact onibus absolvit. Rex igitu● his supr●dictis provocatus injuriis, & Romanorum multiplici lacessitus Mat. Paris Ibid. Rex Angliae scribit Papae, conquerens super exactionibus suis. avaritia, Domino Papa scribit sic: SAnctissimo in Christo Patri, ac Domino J. Dei gratia Summo Pontifici, Henricus, eadem gratia Rex Anguae, etc. salutem, & pedum oscula beatorum. Quo amplius paternae voluntati se inger● silius, & mandatis ejus promptius se exponit, atque devotius; eo amplius paternum ●abere patrocinium promeretur, & devotionis suae & obsequiorum commoda reportare. Ind est▪ quod cum omni tempore Regni nostri, nos & Regnum nostrum, in omnibus & per omnia paternitatis vestrae voluntati exposuimus, & mandatis, licet tamen in quibusdam nostris Regnique nostri negotiis paternam solicitudinem invenerimus plerunque & g atiam, in quibusdam tamen Provisionibus vestris, Clericis Angliae et aliarum Regionum frequenter a vobis concessis, nos et Regnum nostrum sentimus non mediocrirer praegravatum et oppressum. Tot et tantis etenim Ecclesiae Anglicanae oneratae sunt hujusmodi Provisionibus, quod non solum patroni, et hi quorum interest conferre Beneficia Ecclesiastica, jure suo defraudantur, verum etiam sed proinde multa deficiunt opera charitatis: cum illa Beneficia, quae religiosis domibus ad sustentationem ipsarum conferri soleant misericorditer, et fere omnia alia, in vestris Provisionibus refundantur. Cum igitur sedes Apostolica ita petentibus debeat esse favorabilis, quod jus alterius non laedatur, paternitatem vestram duximus exorandam, quatenus ab hujusmodi Provisionum concessione dissimulare, vel ad tempus desistere, vestrae placeat sanctitati. Interea paternitati vestrae supplicamus, quatenus jura nostra et libertates, quae non aliena, sed propria potestis merito reputare, paterna sollicitudine velitis tueri, et illaesa et integra conservare, nec aliquorum suggestionibus eadem velitis in vestra Curia aliquatenus perturbari. Nec contra nos vestra Sanctitas moveatur, si in aliquibus tenori mandatorum vestrorum obviavimus, cum ad hoc nos compulerit clamor conquerentium, qui nemini debemus in suo jure deesse, sed ex concesso nobis a Deo Regiae dignitatis officio, in Civilibus plenam justitiam exhibere. His itaque verbis, vel elegantioribus, Dominus Rex nimispatiens et remissus, praedecessori suo, videlicet Papae Gregorio, supplicaverat, ut parceret Regnum Angliae talibus exactionibus affligere. Sed nec ille, nec iste, motus voluntarios dignabantur super hoc refraenare. Vnde credimus, Dominum et Apostolum suum Petrum (cujus vestigia non sequebantur) adversus Ecclesiam Romanam non immerito provocatum, arcum tendere et parare illum. The Pope then offered this new affront to the King: Nec arbitror materiae meae vel alienum fore, vel impertinens, vel etiam Historiae Papa Walliam sibi etiam vult subjugare. Regni Angliae penitus inutile, posteris nostris elucidare, qualiter dictus Papa Innocentius Quartus, (such was his avarice, treachery, ingratitude to King Henry) David Principem Northwalliae, Domino Regi Angliae multiformiter obligatum, a fidelitate Regis exemptum, dominio suo voluit mancipare, quingentas Marcas annuas a tenemento Northwalliae et ejus pertinentis percipiendo. Et haec sunt obligationes & instrumenta, quibus tam David quam alii Magnates Wallensium Domino Regi Henrico tertio tenentur obligati. Several Charters made to the King by the Princes and Nobles of North-wales, ratified by their Oaths, are there recited at large, not pertinent to my Theme; only I cannot pretermit these following ratifications of them by Oath, and voluntary submissions to Ecclesiastical censures of Excommunication and Interdict; by the Bishops therein nominated, in case of violation, of which the Pope took no notice. Et ad omnia firmiter tenenda, ego David juravi super crucem sanctam, quam coram Mat Paris. p. 606, 607. Mat. Westm. p. 180, 181, 189. me feci deportari. Venerabilis etiam pater Howelus Episcopus de Sancto Asaph, ad petitionem meam, firmiter promisit, in ordine suo, quod haec omnia praedicta faciet, & procurabit modis quibus poterit observari. Edenevet s●quidem Wagan, per praeceptum meum, illud idem juravit super crucem praedictam. Actum uc supra. Praeterea concessi pro me & haeredibus meis, quod si ego vel haeredes mei contra pacem Domini Regis vel haeredum suorum, vel contra articulos praedictos, aliquid attentaverimus, tota haereditas nostra Domino Regi & haeredibus suis incurratur. De quibus omnibus & singulis, suppolui meet haeredes meos jurisdictioni Archiepiscopi Cantuariensis, & Episcoporum Lon●inensis, Herefordensis, & Coventrensis, qui pro tempore praeerunt, quod omnes, vel unus eorum, quem Dominus Rex ad hoc elegerit, possit nos excommunicare, et terram nostram interdicere, si aliquid tontra pradicta attentaverimus. Et procuravi, quod Episcop● de Ba●gor, & de S. Alaph, Chartas suas Domino Regi fecerunt, per quas concesserunt, quod omnes sententias tam Excommunicationis, quam Interdicti, a praedictis Archiepiscopo, Episcopo, vel aliquo eorum, ferendas, ad mandatum eorum exequentur. A clause then usual in Leagues and Charters between Princes. Haecidcirco dixerim, (writes Matthew Paris) ut pateat mundo quot, quantis, * Hist. Angl. p. 607. Matthew Westm. p. 180, 181. David conatur jugum Regis Angliae excutere. & qualibus obligationibus sese Domino Regi, tam David nepos ejus, proditor, &▪ fratricida, & omnes alii Nobiles, moribus tamen ignobiles, de Wallia, manciparunt. Qui jam rupto consanguinitatis foedere, fidei constantia, instrumentorum tenore, nimis impudenter contra Dominum suum recalcitrantes, bellum moverunt, & ipsum non mediocriter in Marchia damnificaverunt. Insuper dictus David, volens collum suum de sub jugo fidelitatis Domini Regis excutere, ad alas Papalis protectionis confugit, (the commonifanctuary of refuge to all perfidious Rebels against their lawful Sovereigns) spondens, se tenere Walliae partem, eum contingentem, ab ipso Papa. Cui favit Papa. Et quod stupenda admiratione dignum arbitror, contra Regem rebellanti sinum aperuit refugii et protectionis: nisi s●c forte contigisser, ut suppressione veritatis, & suggestione falsitatis, istud fuerit impetratum. Et quis Christianorum ignorat, Principem Walliae Regis Angliae esse Vassalulum? Soon after, * Mat. Paris p. 619, 620. Mat. Westm. p. 188. the King summoning a Parliament of the Archbishops, Bishops, Abbots, Priors, Earls, Barons, and Nobles at Westminster, desired an Aid of money from them against the Scots, promising to confirm the Great Charter of their Liberties▪ The Nobleses peremptorily persisting in their resolution, not to grant him any Aid; thereupon, Tunc Dominus Rex demum sp●rans saltem Clerum ad desiderium suum inclinare, convocatis Praelatis, porrexit illis Papales apices in publico, sub hac forma; requiring them to grant the King an Aid for the reasons therein mentioned. INNOCENTIUS Episcopus servus servorum Dei, etc. Archiepiscopis, Literae Papale● ad Praelatos Angliae. Episcopis, & dilectis filiis Abbatibus, Prioribus, Archidiaconis, Decanis, & aliis Ecclesiarum Praelatis, & clericis per regnum Angliae constitutis, salutem & Apostolicam benedictionem. Debet mater Ecclesia hos qui Regali praeeminent dignitate, illa praerogativa prosequi, & ea muneris gratia praevenire, quod in ipsius devotione potestas semper ferveat, & ad ejus per consequens subjectorum obsequia pervigil habeatur. Cum igitur inter Reges caeteros orbis terrae Charissimum in Chisto filium nostrum Regem Angliae illustrem, singularis dilectionis brachiis amplectamur, qui veluti Princeps Catholicus et devotus Romanam Ecclesiam, matrem suam, filiali subjectione et obsequio devotionis, sic semper studuit venerari, quod nequaquam ab ipsius beneplacitis declinaret, quinimo quae ipsi grata novit et placita, sollicitudine prompta peregit: non est mirum, imo condedecens est, et condignum, si ipsius precibus facilius annuamus, si honoris ipsius et status quaeramus gloriam et augmentum: si ad quod affectus ipsius dirigatur, vestrae liberalitatis effectus consonet in id ipsum. Sane cum idem Rex, sicut ex parte ipsius fuit propositum coram nobis, pro quibusdam negotiis magnis et arduis, quae sibi imminebant, adeo subierit gravia, et subire adhuc ipsum oporteat onera expensarum, quod vestrae subventionis indigere subsidio dignoscatur, universitatem vestram rogamus, monemus, et hortamur attente, per Apostolica scripta mandantes, quatenus attendentes prudenter, quod vos decet et convenit, eo libentius ipsius Regis supportare labores, et gravamina relevare, quo minus posset sine vestri status et honoris dispendio alicujus jacturae vel incommoditatis onere praegravari, sibi de vestris redditibus honestum subsidium liberaliter conferatis. Ut idem expensarum suarum, vestrae subventionis propitiante dex era, perferre levius onus possit, vosque provide vobis ejusdem Regis, cujus honorum es●is participes, honoris & gloriae non expertes favorem & gratiam, quibus proculdubio indigetis, valeatis futuris temporibus vendicare, & nos, qui haberi volumus ex hoc ad vestra & vestrarum Ecclesiarum commoda promptiores, devotionis vestrae promptitudinem non immerito commendemus. Datum Jan●uae 4. Cal. Augusti, Pontificatus nostri anno secundo. Similiter autem scripsit singulis Praelatis sub eadem forma, non sine multae pecuniae effusione, Papae transmissae, pro labore scripturae. Et cum per commune consilium, a quo noluerunt recedere, provisum esset, ut responsio ad literas Papales pro Rege deprecatorias, prorogaretur usque ad terminum praenotatum, recedentibus Magnatibus, ultimo die Concilii, quod sex diebus duraverat, usque ad noctem, sollicitavit singulos Praelatos deprecans, ut in Crastino iterum convenirent. Quibus convenientibus, in infirmaria, scilicet in Capella Johannis Evangelista, misit dominus Rex Comitem Legriae S. P. de Subandia, Radulphum filium Nicholai, Willielmum de Cantelupo, Johannem filium G. qui exposuerunt eis ex parte Domini Regis ejus desiderium, petentes diligenter, ut obtemperetur Regiae voluntati, secundem petitionemsaltem Papalem, si Regia postponeretur. Exposuerunt etiam Regis instantem egestatem, & imminentia Regis & regni pericula, videlicet motum in Gasconia, insolentiam quoque Wallensium reprimendam. Petierunt ergo Praelati transcriptum Epistolae Papalis, ut sibi super hoc consulerent. Et dum talia agerentur, ante expectatum ecce Rex solus festinanter, & ex abrupto advenit, protestans cum suo solito jus-jurando, quod honor eorum, honor suus foret, & e converso. Et super praedictis preces exaggeravit. Respondentibus igitur illis, quod super hoc diligentem haberent tractatum, Rex recessit perturbatus. Et cum super hoc propensius tractarent, volentibus aliquibus ut mitius Regi responderent ipsi Praelati, quam Laici; respondit Lincolniensis, proferens hanc Theologiae authoritatem: Non dividamur a consilio communi; Quia scriptum est, Si dividamur, statim omnes moriemur. Et sic prorogata sunt omnia usque ad terminum memoratum, tam super petitione domini Papae pro Rege, quam ipsius Domini Regis. Perpendens autem Dominus Rex, quod omnessimul non potuit enervare, recurrens ad versutias Romanoruns, attemptare proposuit singulos singulatim, sicut alias fecerat, simulatis sermocinationibus circumventos sibi inclinare. Rediensque petiit, ut saltem adhuc per unum diem moram protelarent. Quod quidem Praelatorum caute attendentes, noluerunt illaqueari. Sed summo mane recedentes, retia quibus aliquando involvebantur, prudenter evaserunt. Et murmurante Rege, solutum est concilium. The Bishops and Nobles before their departure, agreed on these Propositions to be presented and assented unto by the King, before they would grant him any Aid. De libertatibus alia vice emptis, concessis, & per Chartam Domini Regis confirmatis, Provisio magnatum consensu Regis facta: quod de caetero observentur. Ad cujus rei majorem securitatem, fiat nova Charta, quae super haec specialem faciat mentionem. Et ab omnibus Praelatis solenniter excommnicentur, qui scienter & prudenter libertates a Domino Rege concessas vel impugnare, vel impedire, quo minus observentur, praesumpserint; & reformetur status eorum qui post ultimam concessionem in libertatibus suis laesionem incurrerunt. Et quia propter virtutem sacramenti praestiti, nec non propter timorem sententiae latae a sancto viro Aedmuudo, quod ea vice promissum fuerat hactenus non exstitit observatum, ne hujusmodi periculum de caetero eveniat, & sic fiant novissima, pejora Prioribus, de communi assensu quatuor eligantur, Potentes & Nobiles de discretioribus totius Regni, qui sint de consilio Domini Regis, & jurati, quod negotia Domini Regis & Regni fideliter tractabunt, & sine acceptione personarum omnibus Justitiam exhibebunt. Hi sequentur Dominum Regem, & si non omnes, semper duo eorum ad minus praesentes sint, ut audiant querimonias singulorum, & patientibus injuriam celeriter possint subvenire. Per visum & testimonium eorum tractetur Thesaurus Domini▪ Regis, & pecunia ab universis specialiter concessa, & ad commodum Domini Regis & Regni expendatur, secundum quod melius & utilius viderint expedire. Et erunt libertatum conservatores. Et sicut de omnium assensu eliguntur, sic etiam sine communi assensu non poterit aliquis eorum amoveri, aut suo officio privari. Uno eorum sublato de medio, de assensu & electione trium, loco illius alius substituatur infra duos menses, Nec sine ipsis, sed cum necesse fuerit, & ad eorum instantiam, iterum conveniant universi. Brevia contra Regem & consuetudinen▪ Regni impetrata, penitus revocentur & aboleantur. Memorandum quoque, de sententia ferenda in contradictores. Item, de obligatione sacramenti in invicem. Item, de itinere Justitiariorum. Justitiarius & Cancellarius ab omnibus eligantur. Et quia frequenter debent esse cum Domino Rege, poterunt esse de numero conservatorum. Et si aliqua interveniente occasione, Dominus Rex abstulerit sigillum suum a Cancellario, quicquid fuerit interim sigillatum, irritum habeatur & inane. Deinde Cancellario fiat restitutio. Nullus substituatur Cancellarius, vel Justitiarius, nisi solummodo per solennem & universalem omnium convocationem, & liberum assensùm. Duo Justitiarii eligantur in Banco. Duo itidem Barones in Scaccario constituantur. Unus quoque ad minus▪ Justitiarius Judaeorum deputetur. Hac vice autem per communem, universalem, liberamque omnium electionem, fiant & constituantur omnes Officiarii praedicti: ut quemadmodum omnium negotia sint tractaturi, sic etiam in eorum electione concurrat assensus singulorum. Et postmodum, cum necesse fuerit alius loco alicujus ipsorum praedictorum substitui aut subrogari, per provisionem ac auctoritatem quatuor illorum Consiliariorum praedictorum, fiat illa substitutio aut subrogatio. Hactenus suspecti, aut minus necessarii, a latere Domini Regis amoveantur. These were the particulars the Bishops and Nobles projected, and made no doubt to effect, had not the unseasonable motion of Martin the Pope's Instrument interrupted their design for the present, as the Historians thus relate with much grief. Et dum hujusmodi negotia utilia nimis Reipublicae, in spatio trium hebdomodarum Anno 1244. Mat. Paris Hist. Angl. p. 621. 622, 623, 624. diligenter pertractassent Magnates, hostis humani generis, pacis perturbator, & schismatum suscitator Diabolus, haec omnia per Papalem avaritiam infoeliciter impedivit. Credens enim Dominus Papa, quod flexibiles Angli colla sua jam dictae contributioni, juxta consuetudinem suam subdidissent, tum propter Regis aviditarem, tum propter suae petitionis instantiam, misit a latere suo quendam clericum suum magistrum Martinum, quem propter improbam rapacitatem suam multi magistrum Mattinum appellarunt, habentem novam et inauditam potestatem; videlicet ampliorem, quam unquam meminimus aliquem habuisse. Manus enim extendit ad contributionem exigendam: Provisiones secundum mentis suae impetum, ratione relegata, ad opus ignotum faciendas: redditus violenter extortos, consanguineis▪ Domini Papae conferendos, authoritate Papali truculenter armatus, cujus novas Chartas, secundum desiderium suum, et secundum repentini casus emergentis negotium, singulis diebus ostendit. Vnde fuerunt qui dicerent, ipsum habere multas schedulas non scriptas, tamen bullatas, ut in eis quicquid et placeret, scriberet: quod absit. Missus est igitur iste Legatus sophisticus ad Regem primo, supplicans ei, ut et ipse vicem reddens Domino Papae, (who by his precedent Bull had charged the Prelates and Clergy of England to grant the King an Aid, on purpose to engage the King to consent to the aid now demanded from them for himself in the first place, before the King's supply) diligenter insudaret, ut Praelati Angliae ad contributionem Domino Papae faciendam, generaliter consentirent: ad minus, ad compromissionem, et festinam solutionem decem millium marcarum. Cui Respondit Rex: Quod Magnates sui, tam Praelati & Clerici, & tam Comites quam Barones, & Milites, tam frequenter bonis suis variis argumentis spoliantur, quod jam sibi vix sufficiunt: nec mihi Regisuo, nec Papae volunt vel valent contribuere. Veruntamen mihi ipsi humiliato, & suae voluntati inclinato, jam modestius respondentes, juvamen juxta suas facultates promiserunt. Quod cum audisset Magister Martinus, dejecto vultu recessit, nullam de Regis adjutorio spem reportans. Veruntamen convocatis Praelatis, apices Apostolicos ostendit sub hac forma, singulatimque primo Archiepiscopis, & Episcopis, & postea Abbatibus exemptis, & non exemptis. INNOCENTIUS Episcopus, servus servorum Dei, etc. Abbatibus, Litetae Papales a Praelatis Ang. contributionem exigentes. eorumque Conventibus, exemptis, & non exemptis, in Cantuariensi Diocesi constitutis, salutem & Apostolicam benedictionem. Illam de vestrae synceritatis affectibus spem gerimus & fiduciam obtinemus, ut quoties sedi Apostolicae matri ucstrae necesitatis articulus imminet, ad vos, tanquam dilectos ejus filios et devotos, ac pro ipsius oneribus relevandis semper paratos et promptos, incunctanter cum omni fiducia recurrere valeamus. Cum igitur sedes ipsa Apostolica praedicta, per ea quae piae memoriae Gregorii Papae, praedecessoris nostri Authoritate in Anglia aliisque Regnis Populi Christiani, pro ejusdem sedis subsidio sunt collata & collecta, non adhuc a debitorum suorum, quae pro catholicae fidei, Ecclesiasticae libertatis, & patrimonii sui defension (or rather to maintain his unjust Wars, and Traitorous designs against his Sovereign Lord the Emperor) contraxerat, onere valeat relevari, ad vestrae devotionis effectum, necessitate cogente, fiducialiter recurrentes, universitatem vestram, de consilio fratrum nostrortm rogamus, attentius monemus per Apostolica scripta praecipiendo mandantes, et mandando praecipientes, quatenus praescriptae necessitatis & oneris instantia, qua Romana Ecclesia, mater vestra spiritualis graviter perurgetur, affligitur, & pene opprimitur, affectione pensantes, ut convenit, filiali, & compassionem super hoc habentes debitam erga ipsam, nobis & sibi, pro solutione debitorum illorum praedictornm, in ea subvenire curetis pecuniae quantitate, et summa, qualem et quantam dilectus filius noster Magister Martinus, Camerae nostrae Clericus, & lator praesentium, vobis ex parte nostra duxerit declarandam, exprimendamque. Eamque ipsam pecuniam, per vos collatam, dicto Magistro Martino, aut ipsius nunciis, infra terminum, quem idem vobis praefiget, assignetis; Preces nostras (or rather insolent Papal Commands) taliter impleturi, quod nos devotionem vestram merito commendare possimus, & super hoc aliter procedere non cogamur. Datum Laterani, septimo Idus Jan. Pontificatus nostri anno primo. Cum autem haec Londini prolata, diligenter a Praelatis omnibus, praecipue tamen ab Abbatibus essent intellecta, noluerunt Abbates soli respondere, sed adjuncti aliis, quia eodem modo scriptum fuit eis, studiose super his contractaverunt. Conquerentesque ad invicem, dixerunt: In arcto constitutus Rex Dominus & Patronus noster, & multarum Ecclesiarum nostrarum fundator & instaurator, thesauro destitutus, rogat auxilium ad defensionem & munimen Regni, id est Reipublicae, & hoc idem Dominus Papa postulat instanter pro ipso Rege: Ecce duplex petitio, utrobique valida & efficax. Supervenit autem alia Papalis non expectata postulatio. Prima quia duplex praeponderat, & est favore dignior. Ex Regis enim liberalitate aliquam expectamus retributionem: ex Papa vero, nullam. Hinc tamen impetimur, illinc perurgemur: hinc premimur, illinc coarctamur, & quasi inter incudem & malleum conterimur; & velut inter duas molas exagitamur. Et dum talia, non sine cordium cruentatorum amara sollicitudine, Mat. Paris Hist. Angl. p. 623. 624, 625. Nuncii Imperatoris prohibent, ne Angli faciant Contributiones Papae. diversimode revolverentur, ad omnium Magnatum notitiam omnia pervenerunt. Perstrepit murmur in populo, et quid agendum ignorantes, omnes ad Praelatos accesserunt, ut uno per omnia consilio uterentur, quia hoc negotium generalem statum regni contingebat. Et ecce Magister Walterus de Ocra, & quidam alii solennes nuncii Domini Imperatoris, Londinum advenientes ad Concilium, Epistolam Imperialem in medium protulerunt. Et statim, Magistro Martino multum murmurante, & inde grunniente, perlecta est in praesentia Domini Regis & totius Concilii. In qua Epistola se excusabat Dominus Imperator, de contumacia, super qua reddiderat eum Dominus Papa infamem, asserens, se velle humiliter justitiae parere, & mandatis Ecclesiae stare & satisfacere. Cui etiam perhibebant testimonium Dominus Imperator Constantinopolitanus, & Dominus Comes Tholosanus, per literas suas patentes ibidem in propatulo demonstratas. Justificans etiam se Dominus Imperator Fredericus in tenore ejusdem chartae, & per nuncios itidem offerentes, protestatus est, quod Dominus Papa proterve exigebat se seisiri civitatibus & castris & terris quibusdam, de quibus non adhuc constat, si pertineant ad Imperium vel Ecclesiam; & incarceratos quosdam, quos tenebat quasi suos seductores, liberari, antequam idem Imperator absolveretur. Timens igitur, ut ait, irretiri, et Papalibus laqueis alligari, supposuit se dispositioni & censurae Regum Francorum & Anglorum, ac Barnagii Regnorum eorundem. Nec sic, ut ait, a Domino Papa exaudiri, nec appendi potuit ejusdem tam justa humilitas. Et super hoc conquestus est graviter universis. In calceigitur sermonis in charta conscripti, inculcans addit Dominus Imperator Fredericus, cum quadam etiam comminatione adjuncta, quod omnia transmissa in aurilium Domini Papae, fuerint addita Imperiali the sauro. Vnde modis omnibus quibus potuit, supplicabat, ne Anglici in suum detrimentum Papae aemulo suo aliquid contribuerent. Addidit etiam, quod si Rex Angliae suis obtemperaret consiliis, Regnum Angliae * See here. p. 273. 274, 287, 290, etc. a tributo, quo injuste Papa Innocentius tertius illud ligaverat, potenter ac juste liberaret, necnon et ab aliis Papalibus gravaminibus, quibus diatim opprimitur, illud eriperet. Per quod Dominus Imperator multorum corda sibi conciliavit. Insertum etiam fuit chartae memoratae, quod si Rex huic mandato non obtemperaret, quoscunque de suis in ditione sua posset reperire, gravi puniret ultione. A Letter, advice, resolution worthy a Magnificent Christian Emperor. Convenientibus autem iterum Magnatibus cum Praelatis generaliter Londini, scilicet Consentiunt Magnates Angliae in auxilio pecuniari praestando. a die Purificationis Beatae Mariae in tres septimanas, Concilium super praedictis negotiis & tractatum habuerunt diligentem. Affuerunt etiam illic quorundam absentium procuratores, videlicet Cantuariensis & Eboracensis Archiepiscoporum, triumque sedium Episcopalium tunc vacantium, ex parte Capitulorum, Coventrensis, Cicestrensis & Coventr. Et renovata fuit petitio Domini Regis, super auxilio pecuniari sibi faciendo. Circa quod de die in diem convenit eos Dominus Rex, tum in propria persona, tum per internuncios solennes, per quos promisit se libertates quas juraverat in Coronatione sua, super quibus Chartam confecerat, integerrime servaturum. Ad quarum etiam tuitionem, rogavit, ut singuli Episcopi in Diocaesibus suis, sententiam ferrent in ipsum, et omnes, qui contra memoratas libertates venirent in aliquo articulo. Tandem unanimiter, cum nullo modo ad aliam formam possent flecti, concesserunt Domino Regi, ad maritandam filiam suam primogenitam, de omnibus, qui ten e nt de Domino Rege in capite, de singulis scutis viginti solidos solvendos, scilicet medietatem ad Pascha, et aliam ad festum Sancti Michaelis. Et cum relatum esset Domino Regi, ut ad memoriam tam haec quam praeterita reduceret, recordatum est ei, quoties similia a suis fidelibus, quos fovere debuit, non depauperare truculenter, & sine solutione promissorum, eisdem extorserat. Post captionem Bedefordiae, statim concessum est ei Carucagium de tota Anglia, scilicet de qualibet Caruca duo solidi. In anno sequenti, quintadecima omnium mobilium. Iterum, iturus in Britanniam, coepit non modicam pecuniam a Praelatis etiam & viris religiosis, Burgensibus, & Judaeis. Post reditum suum de Britannia, coepit Scutagium, scilicet de Scuto tres Marcas. Item, postea concessa fuit quadragesima pars omnium mobilium. Item, postea trigesima pars omnium mobilium. Item, quando maritavit sororem suam Isabellam Domino Imperatori Frederico, coepit Dominus Rex ad maritagium suum Carucagium, videlicet de qualibet Caruca duas Marcas. In nativitate autem filii sui, in magnum dedecus sui, multa munera, quae ad magnam summam pecuniae ascenderunt, violenter & impudenter extorsit. Item, iturus in Gasconiam, coepit a Praelatis, viris religiosis, Burgensibus, & Judaeis, & a quibuscunque potuit aliquid abradere, pecuniam multam, imo pene infinitam. Rediens autem a Gasconia inglorius & seductus, jussit ut Magnates & Praelati ipsi occurrerent etiam usque ad mare, qui ibidem illum diu expectantes frustra, tandem ipsum in muneribus multis & impreciabilibus exceperunt. Similiter & Cives Londinenses, & alii. Et qui munera nobilia compertus est non contulisse, aliquo argumento redargutus, damnificabatur. Qualiter autem pro hac praesenti contributione & omnibus aliis, promissa & pacta adimplebit Rex, noverit ille qui nihil ignorat. Et cum novisset Magister Martinus Nuncius Domini Papae, quod Magnates Angliae Responlum Praelatorum super petitionibus Magistri Mar●ini. Regiae contributioni generaliter consensissent, inhiabat avidius ad negotium suum, ad quod missus fuerat, consummandum, quod adhuc suspensum expectabatur, videlicet de adjutorio Domino Papae pecuniari faciendo. Congregatis igitur omnibus, ait, Veri fratres, ac Domini Romanae Ecclesiae filii dilectissimi, in quorum sinu reposita est tota spes Papalis, quid respondetis & vos Patri vestro spirituali super negotiis Romanae Ecclesiae matris vestrae, ut per Epistolam Papalem certificamini, sic oppressae? Domino vestro temporali obedienter obtemperastis, videlicet Domino Regi; Absit ut Patri vestro spirituali, scilicet Domino Papae, in vobis confidenti, et pro statu universalis Ecclesiae contra ejus rebelles dimicanti, manum non porrigatis auxiliatricem. At Praelati prudenter considerantes sermones ipsius mellitos & mollitos, favo dulciores, & oleo molliores, cum tamen essent in fine felle amariores, & jaculis pungentiores, non sunt incurvati. Sed praehabita deliberatione, ponentes verbum commune in ore Domini Decani Sancti Pauli Londinensis, viri discreti & facundi, haec ipsi Magistro Martino praedicto retulerunt. Domine, respondet tibi universitas Praelatorum Angliae, jam de auxilio pecuniari Domino Papae contribuendo, quam de redditibus, quos à singulis Ecclesiis sibi per te Dominus Papa postulat exhiberi. Ista quae proponis, Dominum Regem Angliae specialiter tangunt, generaliter autem omnes Ecclesiarum patronos. Tangunt etiam Archiepiscopos, et eorum Suffxaganeos, necnon universos Angliae Praelatos. Cum ergo Dominus Rex propter infirmitatem, Archiepiscopi, Episcopi, & alii Ecclesiarum Praelati, sint absentes, in eorum absentia, respondere non possumus, nec debemus: quia si id facere praesumeremus, in praejudicium omnium absentium fieret Praelatorum. Et illis dictis, venit Johannes Marescallus, & alii Nuncii Domini Regis, ad omnes Praelatos, qui de Rege Baronias tenebant in Capite, districte Nota. inhibentes, ne Laicum feudum suum Romanae Ecclesiae obligarent, unde a servitio sibi debito privaretur. Haec cum Magister Martinus intellexisset, statuit his qui aderant diem in medio Quadragesimae, dum ipse procuraret Domini Regis adventum & absentium Praelatorum, ut negotium tunc sortiretur effectum. Sed illi absque Regis et aliorum, qui absentes erant, assensu, praefixum diem admittere noluerunt: unde singuli ad propria sunt reversi. Veruntamen authoritate novarum Literarum, quibus ad placitum abundabat Magister Martinus, iterum aliqui Praelatorum convocati, memoratae contributioni noluerunt consentire, sed jam efficatius restiterunt, dicentes per praedictum responsalem: In primis, paupertas Regni Angliae, cui undique imminent bellorum pericula, non permittit huic exactioni consentire, quae toto Regno comminatur. Praetextu cujus paupertatis plures adhuc Ecclesiae aeris alieni pondere, & praecipue Monasteria, praegravantur. Item, cum Legato Cardinali exigente fieret contributio nuper propter onus aeris alieni, quo dicebatur Ecclesia Romana praegravari, in magnum gravamen nostrum, nec tamen in utilitatem Ecclesiae sit conversa, fortius nunc simplici nuncio exigente, timeri potest, ne consimile vel deterius contingat ista vice. Item, si nunc iterum fieret, timeri posset non immerito, ne ad consequentiam traheretur, cum binus actus inducat consuetudinem. Item, cum in brevi celebraturus Concilium credatur Dominus Papa, & certe jam dicatur, ubi indubitanter Praelati omnes et singuli gravabuntur, tum in magnis itineribus, et sumptuosis laboribus, tum etiam in visitationibus, gratis vel non gratis, Domino Papae, aut quibusdam aliis, quos nunquam munera spernere vidimus, faciendis, contingeret, quod per afflictiones afflictis additas, pauci invenirentur, qui possent moles hujusmodi importabiles ferre aut sustinere. Item, cum sancta mater nostra Ecclesia Romana aere alieno onerata plurimum affligatur, justum est & honestum, ut cum pondus hujusmodi sustinere non praevaleat, sibi ab universis devotis suis filiis, qui omnes in brevi cre ●untur in Concilio convenire, fiat subventio. Et quod principaliter tangit, ab omnibus comprobetur, ut sic melius Ecclesia relevetur, & sirguli minus praegraventur. Cum autem haec audisset contra exactionem Ecclesiarum & Praebendarum, & auxilii pecuniaris tam efficaciter & constanter inferri, dicitur Magister Martinus oblatrasse comminando. Quod Praelati patienter sufferentes, soluto Concilio recesserunt: In calce Sermonis addentes, Quod Imperiales minas, si contribuissent amplius, formidabant. Martin thus defrauded of his expected Aid, betakes himself to his Rapines: Et tunc autem insidiando, manus avidas redditibus vacantibus latentius injecit: Utpote Sarisburiensis Ecclesiae Thesaurariae, quam nepotulo Domini Papae conferri procuravit, & aliis plurimis, de quarum collationibus et ablationibus, ob reverentiam Ecclesiae Romanae honestius est omittere, quam propter scandalum enarrare. Eodem vero anno, tertio Idus Septembris, consecratus est in Episcopum Batoniensem Mat. Paris Hist. Angl. p. 630. Rogerus consecratur in Episc. Batoniensem. Magister Rogerus, Sarisburiensis Ecclesiae Ptaecentor, vir eleganter moribus & scientia Theologiae praeditus, apud Radingum. Cujus redditibus jam vacantibus, Magister Martinus, Domini Papae Clericus, Papali fultus authoritate, avidas manus injecit, cuidam Papae consanguineo conferendis. Eodemque tempore, factae sunt inauditae extorsiones pecuniae et reddituum, Mat. Paris Hist. Angl. p. 626. Mat. Westm. p. 180, 181. Martini Cleric● Papae inauditae extorsiones. per Magistrum Martinum, Londini commorantem, scilicet apud Novum Templum. Per modum enim Legati se gerens, licet Legati vestibus, pro privilegio Regis sophistice salvando, non insignitus, passim significavit imperiose illi Abbati, vel illi Priori, ut sibi darent et mitterent munera pretiosa, Palefridos desiderabiles, et in esculentis et poculentis sumptuosa xenia, et vestimenta adornativa. Quod cum fecissent, ipse Martinus remisit eis quae ei missa fuerunt, asserens ea esse insufficientia, & praecepit eye, ut meliora sibi sub poena suspensionis et anathematis transmitterent. Suspendit autem omnes a collatione beneficiorum triginta Marcas valentium et supra, donec suae satisfactum foret cupiditati. Vnde miseri Anglici acerbiorem quam olim subierunt filii Israel, se doluerunt in Aegypto Britannica tolerare servitutem. Hereupon the King issued this memorable Writ of Prohibition to this usurping, oppressing Roman Harpy, to stop his invasions upon the Rights of Patrons by Papal Provisions, which neither he nor his Nobles would or could any longer endure, and whereof they would complain to the Pope and Cardinals, to put a bridle to him: Wherein the King amongst other things informs him, That no Legates ought to come into the Realm, unless they were specially desired from the See Apostolic, by the King himself. REX Magistro Martino, Clerico Camerae Domini * Papae. Regis & ejus Nuncio, salutem. Claus. 28 H. 3. m. 4. dorso. Non capit in vobis Sermo noster, nec recepit impressionem Sermonis nostri cor vestrum lapideum, quod erga nos est nimium induratum. Nos autem illud mollificabimus, & de necessitate virtutem vos facere faciemus, quoniam subversionem quam in Regno nostra intenditis attemptare, non possumus nec volumus sustinere. Ad memoriam quidem, si vultis, bene poteritis revocare, qualiter pluries vobis scripsimus satis recenter, quod nullo modo sustinebimus Abbatem de Burgo S. Petri, praesentationibus Ecclesiarum ad patronatum suum spectantium, privari ad praesens, ad quos nostros praesentavit Clericos speciales. Porro, non credimus vos latere, & si placet, vobis praesentibus innotescat; Quod Legati in Regnum nostrum non veniunt, nisi per Nos a sede Apostolica Nota. specialiter postulati. Et qui hucusque postulati venerunt, et in majori officio missi fuerunt, nunquam mandatum Apostolicum pervertere, et * The Cases of Pandalphus, and Nicholaus Thusculane ●sis, Pope's Legates, forecited p. 273, to 290, etc. should have been excepted. jura nostra, et Magnatum nostrorum subvertere intenderunt, nec id effectui manciparunt; et de Majoribus Magnatibus nostris Episcopos et Abbates merito reputamus, qui inter alios Majores possident Baronias, quos sicut et Laicos, si Regnum nostrum conservare velimus, necesse habemus protegere et tueri. Discretionem igitur vestram attente rogamus precibus inculcatis, quatenus praesentationes praedictas impedire nullatenus praesumatis, attentius attendentes, quod Magnates nostri non modicum contra patientiam nostram obmurmurant super beneficiorum surreptione, quam in Regno nostro facere incepistis, quam nec nos possumns, nec volumus, nec ipsi possunt, nec volunt aequanimiter tollerare. Vos igitur tam in praemissis, quam in aliis agendis vestris in Regno nostro, vos ita modeste gerere studeatis, quod jura nostra, et Magnatum nostrorum, nullatenus perimatis; quoniam si secus egeritis, protervitati vestrae et injuriae fraenum debitum imponemus, non sine revelatione execrabilis facti vestri, quod Domino Papae, et omnibus Cardinalibus, et toti Romanae Ecclesiae curabimus intimare. Si quod autem mandatum praesentationibus praedictis contrarium Episcopo Lincoln. direxeritis, id celeriter revocetis. Teste Rege apud Novum Castrum super Tinam, Decimo die Augusti. Martin notwithstanding these Prohibitions and Complaints, proceeded on still in his rapines and Exactions; the King at last protecting and conniving at him, for the * Here p. 609, 610. Anno 1245. Mat Paris Hist. Angl. p. 638. Magister Martinus invigilat redditibus colligendis. Aid the Pope had enjoined the Clergy to grant him. Whereupon, Instabat interim vigilantissime & incessanter, saepedictus ille Magister Martinus Domini Papae Clericus, redditibus, quomodolibet ad opus Papae, Papalibusque consanguineis congregandis ac conferendis. De cujus proterva et injuriosa rapacitate honestius et tutius esset, ob reverentiam Sanctae Romanae Ecclesiae, arbitror silere, quam aures offendere audientium, et mentes fidelium talia enarrando perturbare. Redditus autem Thesaurarii Sarisburiensis, cum aliis multis, violenter, ut praetactum est, sed praecipue a viris religiosis, rapiuntur; Procuratiae, et munera exiguntur sibi festinanter transmittenda, et contradicentes graviter puniuntur. Rex quoque parti suae favit, eundem contra omnes protegens, forte propter retributionem, & facta est Regni conditio miserrima. Ipso quoque tempore, obiit Magister Elyas de Derham, Canonicus Sarisburiensis. Cujus redditibus vacantibus, manus rapaces injecit Magister Martinus, ad opus Papae. After which he seized upon the Temporalties of some Bishoprics then void, belonging to the King, who thereupon grew very angry with him. Upon which occasion, * Mat. Par. Hist. Angl. p. 639. Mat. Westm. p. 191. Fecit Dominus Rex eodem tempore per singulos Comitatus diligenter inquiri, summam reddituum Romanorum et virorum Italicorum, quos Romana Curia fraudulenter et violenter ditavit in Anglia. Et inventa est summa reddituum eorum annuatim, sexaginta Millia Marcarum: ad quam summam non attingit redditus annuus totius Regni Angliae. Vnde Rex, licet sero, et in admirationem est expergefactus, et in iracundiam, nec immerito, est commotus. The copy of these Writs of Inquiry issued to all the Sheriffs of England, not extant in our Historians, I find thus recorded in the Clause Rolls of this year. REX Vicecomiti Northamptoniae, salutem. Praecipimus tibi quod per Sacramentum Claus. 29 H. 3. m. 10. dorso. proborum & legalium hominum de Com. tuo, per quos rei veritas melius sciri poterit, cum quanta poteris diligentia inquiras; Quae beneficia Ecclesiarum Parochialium, Praebendarum, et Pensionum de Camera, et de omnibus aliis beneficiis Italici, videlicet Romani, Tuscani et Lombardi, et alii ultramarini habent in Com. praedicto, et quantum valeant per annum. Et inquisitionem inde factam sub sigillo tuo et sigillis eorum per quos facta fuerit, nobis distincte, caute et aperte sine dilatione mittas, et hoc breve: Ita quod eam habeamus ad tardius in festo Sanctae Trinitatis, sicut corpus tuum diligis. Teste Rege apud Woodstock, twenty-three. die Maii. Eodem modo scribitur omnibus Vicecom. Angliae. Moreover, the Nobles to prevent the Pope's extravagant Exactions, Bulls and Provisions, caused all such as brought them into England, to be diligenty searched and apprehended. Urgente igitur necessitate totius Regni Angliae maxima, praeceptum est ipso tempore, Mat. Paris Hist. Angl. p. 638. Custodiuntur Portus ne curores Papales sntrarent in i Angliam. ex parte aliquorum Magnatum, pro multiformi et incessabili oppressione et depraedatione Regni dolentium et miserantium, ut diligenter et arcte custoditis omnibus portubus Angliae, Papales Literae, quae quotidie ad emungendam pecuniam portabantur, caperentur. Contigit autem eisdem diebus, ut unus Domini Papae cursor, talibus Literis Bullatis one ratus, apud Doveram applicans, pervenisset. Quem statim custos portus illius & Villae praepositus comprehendit, ut sibi mandatum erat, & abstulit ab illo omnes illas Epistolas & Bullatas Literas, multas abominationes de diversis argumentis emungendi pecuniam continentes, et ipsum cursorem in Castro Doverae incarcerari fecit. Quod cum audisset Magister Martinus, Regem adiit, super hoc querelam ei praesentaturus. Cujus rei cum Rex se auctorem negasset, (for fear of displeasing the Pope, though he issued out Writs for thaet purpose at the Nobles importunity) ipsum eursorem liberari praecepit, & in perniciem Regni & honoris sui, ipsas Epistolas a Majore Doverae fecit violenter extortas Magistro Martino gratanter praesentari, & aliquarum effectu ad votum gratulari. The Writs issued to the Guardian of the Cinque-ports and others, for seizing the persons of all such as brought in any Romish Bulls or Letters, is thus entered on Record Claus. 29 H. 3. m. 10. dorso. in the Tower. REX Bertramo de Cryoyle, salutem. Mandamus vobis in fide qua nobis tenemini firmiter injungentes, quod nec Archiepiscopum, nec Episcopum, Abbatem, vel Priorem, fratrem Praedicatorem vel Minorem, vel aliquem virum Religiosum cujuscunque fuerit ordinis, vel alium cujuscunque Nuncium, Clericum, vel Laicum, Anglicum vel Alienigenam, de hiis quos applicare continget in Portu Dovorum, vel aliquo Quinque Portuum, ulterius procedere permittatis, antequam diligens factum fuerit scrutinium de hiis quae super se portaverint, sive Literas deferant, sive Literas deferant, sive alia, & inde certificati fuerimus per missionem earundem Literarum ad nos ubicunque fuerimus in Anglia; & interim corpora eorundem Arrestari faciatis: Ita quod ulterius non procedant, donec inde voluntatem nostram vobis scire fecerimus. Istud autem firmiter observari faciatis, Nisi solum de hiis quos bene seiveritis esse de fide & amicitia nostra, vel specialium nostrorum. Teste Rege apud Clippenham, Tricesimo primo die Marcii. Et mandatum est Ballivis Portus de Heath, quod nec Archiepiscopum, nec Episcopum, Abbatem, vel Priorem, fratrem Praedicatorem, vel Minorem, vel aliquem virum Religiosum, cujuscunque fuerit ordinis, vel alium cujuscunque Nuncium, Clericum, vel Laicum, Anglicum vel Alienigenam, de hiis quos applicare continget in Portu suo, ulterius procedere permittant, antequam diligens, etc. ut supra, usque ad illam clausulam nisi solum, etc. Moreover the King at the earnest request and complaint of his Nobles, against his own private inclination, issued forth this memorable Ptohibition to the Abbot of St. Edmund's, not to give or pay any Subsidy to Martin the Pope's Agent, or to suffer him to confer any Benefices on any person without his privity, till the Nobleman's Proctors returned from the Council of Lions, where they intended to Appeal against these innovations and oppressions. REX Abbati de Sancto Edmundo, salutem. Cum pro oppressionibus innumerabilibus Claus. 29 H. 3. m. 8. dorso. factis in Regno nostro per Ecclesiam Romanam, ob quam Magnates nostri ad sedem Apostolicam appellarunt, et quosdam pro ipsis pro universitate totius Barnagii Angliae ad Concilium in brevi celebrandum, ad appellationem suam prose quendam duxerint destinandos, Nos attente rogaverunt, ut nullam immutationem per Nuncios Apostolicos usque ad reditum praedictorum Nunciorum fieri patiamur; Nos, licet inviti, voluntati Apostolicae contrarium aliquid facientes, volentes tamen nostris condescendere Magnatibus, quod quidem honori nostro novimus convenire, vobis mandamus firmiter injungentes, quod sicut Baroniam et tenementa vestra diligitis, Magistro Martino Clerico Camerae Domini Papae, vel alicui Nuncio Apostolico nullum subsidium impendatis, donec praefati Nuncii redierint a Concilio supradicto, aut certum responsum receperimus ab eisdem, nec interim ad ipsius mandatum praeter conscientiam nostram aliqua beneficia conferatis, vel ab ipso conferri permittatis. Moreover the King at the Nobles request, sent this Writ to his chief Justice in Ireland upon the same account, to hinder John Russin, Martins Agent sent over into Ireland, to extort any money or Provisions, or confer any Benefices there, or to do any thing to the prejudice of his Land or Crown, until he should receive the Kings further command therein. REX M. filio Geroldi Justic. Hiberniae, salutem. Ad vestram volumus notitiam Claus. 29 H. 3. m. 9 dorso. pervenire, Quod Magnates nostri Angliae ob gravamina non modica et immoderatas oppressiones quibus Summus Pontifex viros religiosos, et alios Clericos terxae nostrae inquietat, obmurmurant, et ment turbantur; Ita quod ea de causa missuri sunt in proximo solempnes Nuncios ad ipsum Summum Pontificem, petituros cum instantia, quod a praedictis oppressionibus desistat. Et quia, sicut audivimus, Martinus Clericus et Nuncius Domini Papae, qui in Anglia moratur, quendam Clericum nomine johannem Ruffum, jam misit in Hiberniam, ut similes in terra nostra Hiberniae faceret oppressiones: Vobis mandamus, quatenus ipsum johannem, vel alium Literas Apostolicas deferentem, vel ipsius Martini, non permittatis a viris religiosis pecuniam aliquam extorquere, vel * Provisiones. Promissiones aliquas facere Romanis vel Italicis de Beneficiis Ecclesiasticis virorum religiosorum, vel aliarum personarum Ecclesiasticarum, vel aliquid exigere quod terrae nostrae Hiberniae nocere possit, donec aliud a nobis habueritis mandatum. Teste Rege apud Westm. primo die Junii. The Kingdom being thus generally grieved by this shameless oppressor, thereupon the Nobles meeting secretly at a Torney, against the King's Prohibition, consulted how to send him packing out of the Realm, and sent a terrible menacing message to him, within four days to depart the Realm, under pain of being cut in pieces; whereupon he repairing to the King, who gave him a sharp answer, demanded a safe conduct from him, to guard him from the fury of the Nobles and people to the Seaside, and thereupon departed the Realm in a terrible panic fear; thus related by Matthew Paris. His diebus, videlicet in crastino Apostolorum Petri & Pauli, postquam quaedam Mat. Paris Hist. Angl. p. 640. Dicessus meticulosus Magistri Martini ex Anglia. Torneamenta plena occulto odio per Dominum Regem, propter imminens periculum, prohibebantur, apud Luitonam & Dunestapliam congregatorum, missus est Fulco filius Warini ex parte universitatis Regni, ad Magistrum Martinum, Papae Clericum saepedictum, Londini commorantem, apud Novum Templum. Qui torvo vultu respiciens, eum sic est affatus: Recedens statim, exi ab Anglia. Cui Magister Martinus: Quis mihi hoc mandat? An tu ex te ipso hoc habes? Cui Fulco: Hoc tibi per me mandat armatorum, qui nuper apud Luitonam & Dunestapliam apparuerunt, universitas. Et si sano credis consilio, ne moreris usque in tertium diem, ne tu et omnes tui in trustra concidaris. Recedente igitur Fulcone irato nimis, & minas minis cum terribili juramento cumulante & exaggerante, Magister Martinus trepidus & anhelus, statim Dominum Regem adiit, & dixit e●: Domine Rex, talia nunc audivi: fit ne hoc authoritate vestra, vel vestrorum temeritate? Cui Dominus Rex: Non me hujusmodi rei authorem profiteor; Sed Barones mei vir se continent, quin insurgant in me, eo quod tuas in Regno meo, et eorundem, quae jus et modum excedunt, depraedationes et injurias hactenus toleravi. Quorum etiam furorem vix compescui, quin et in te irruentes, te membratim non dilacerarunt. Cui Magister Martinus humili & trepida voce ait: Peto igitur, Domine Rex serenissime, ob Dei amorem, & Domini Papae reverentiam, liberum exitum, & tutum à terravestra cum conductu vestro recessum: Cui Dominus Rex, commotus & iratus nimis, ait: Diabolus te ad inferos inducat et perducat. Dumque circumsedentes vix Regem mitigassent, jussit Rex cuidam Marescallo Palatii sui, nomine Roberto Norisco, ut ipsum Magistrum Martinum usque ad mare salvo perduceret. Qui cum statim iter aggrediens, ducem suum Robertum dictus Magister Martinus juncto latere sequeretur, & quandoque, ut contingit, equitantes aliquos conspiceret vel transeuntes, ipsum timor & tremor adeo contraxerunt, ut si terra hiaret, sub cespite latitaret. (O the strange fear and terror that guilt infused into this impudent Papal oppressor, though armed with the Popes own Bulls!) Et cum procedentes, ad lymbum cujusdam sylvae venalis pervenissent, quam electus Cantuariensis venalem exposuerat, ubi compatriotae ad emenda & eligenda robora convenerant, conspiciens eos Martinus, pavidus ait, duci suo Roberto, Heu heu, quod timebam, accidit mihi. Ecce nos invasuri. O amice & Domine mi Roberte, habesne filium, nepotem, consanguineum, vel amicum, quem cupis in redditu Ecclesiastico promoveri? Praesto sum ut procurem omnia tibi postulata. Ecce insidiantes animae meae: protege me sub umbra alarum tuarum. Cui respondit Robertus: Absit ut aliquis meorum talem habeat in Ecclesiasticum beneficium per me ingressum. Nescio qui sunt illi. Veruntamen ad ipsos vado quantocyus, te me hic expectante, ut monstrato Regis autentico, si malevoli sint, eorum reprimam temeritatem. Qui ad ipsos veniens, cum rei veritatem cognovisset, cito rediens ad Martinum, ut illuderet ei, ait: Vix eorum compescui furorem, quin te frustatim detruncassent. Sed nunc latenter & caute ambulemus, ne deterius quid tibi contingat: & navigans irrediturus, sisapis, recedas, ne in laqueos quaerentium animam tuam infoeliciter praecipiteris. Ex tunc igitur Magister Martinus equinis lateribus non parcendo, moram ducis redarguens, ad mare properabat. Et ad Doveram perveniens, die Sancti Suitheni navem ascendens, multos in recessu suo laetificavit. Sed ne virulentae pestis efficacia penitus cessaret, cuidam Magistro Philippo, auctoritatis sibi concessae adhuc exequendi in extorsione reddituum, potestatem concessit, et sic post terga foeda reliquit vestigia. Haec igitur dixerim, ut sciat quilibet, quam formidolosi sunt hi solum pecuniae inhiantes, quos propria sauciat conscientia. There being nothing that so much encouraged the Pope's Exactions, to proceed in their Rapines, as the sordid timidity and baseness of the English Prelates and Clergy, in not publicly resisting them with that courage and resolution as the Nobles and Commons than did, out of a generous public spirit. Matthew Westminster thus relates Martin's departure out of England, somewhat different in some circumstances from Matthew Paris. Audiens autem Dominus Rex, multos de protervitate dicti Magistri Anno 1245. Mat. Westm. p. 191, 192. Martini graviter conquerendo murmurare, reversus ad se, licet sero, coepit dolere, quod tantum tolerasset Romanos alienis bonis saginari, et ubi non seminaverunt tantum messis congregasse. Fecit igitur per singulos Comitatus Angliae inquiri, summam reddituum Romanorum, et inventum est, quod ad tantundem pecuniae ascendisset, quantum redditus ipsius, videlicet lx. Millia Marcarum puri redditus, exceptis aliis variis emolumentis. Admirans igitur Rex insatiabilem Romanae Curiae protervitatcm, misit ad ipsam Curiam procuratores suos, ut contradicerent de Tributo injuriose imposito, et ut coram Concilio querimoniam reponerent de oppressionibus, et injuriosis exactionibus, quas Dominus Papa quotidie non desinit in Anglia exaggerare. Misitque Dominus Rex Fulconem filium Warini, ut diceret praedicto Magistro Martino, quod sibi caute praecavens, a terra sua cito fugeret. Non enim poterat furorem volentium irruere aliquatenus cohibere. Fulco igitur mandatum Regis exequens fideliter, ex parte universitatis Angliae dixit eidem Magistro Martino, ut ante quartam diem sequentem nullatenus in Regno inveniretur, ne extunc in frustra concederetur. Magister igitur Martinus more Romanorum, qui fugantes fugiunt, et fugant fugientes, multum timens pelli suae, accepto Domini Regis conductu, ab Anglia ante tertium diem clanculo fugit repentinus. Magister interim Martinus ad Dominum suum Papam cum pervenisset, & quae Mat. Paris Hist. Angl. p. 640. Magister Martinus conquerifur Papae. praescripta sunt eidem plenius enarrasset, infrenduit Papa, et ira excanduit vehementi. Et recolens quod tam Rex Francorum, quam Arragonum, ingressum Regnorum suorum vetuissent ipsi postulanti, nec Rex Anglorum adventum suum in Angliam acceptasset, imo potius ipsum execrando Nuncium suum et Clericum ab Anglia probose ejecisset, dixit in iracundia magna, voce susurra, oculos obliquando, & nares corrugando: Expedit ut componamus cum Principe vestro, ut hos Regulos conteramus recalcitrantes: contrito enim vel pacificato dracone, (meaning the Emperor) cito serpentuli conculcabuntur. (A most insolent Speech of a proud Antichristian choleric Pope.) Quod verbum in vulgus promulgatum, in multorum cordibus offendiculum indignationis generavit. * Mat. Paris Hist. Angl. p. 627, 628. Mat. Westm. p. 186. Alexander King of Scots (An. 1244.) having by his Charter to K. Henry the 3d. Charissimo & ligio Domino nostro, (as he styled him) promised and granted for him and his Heirs, Quod in perpetuum bonam fidem ei servabimus pariter & amorem; Et quod nunquam aliquod foedus inibimus per nos, vel per aliquos alios, ex parte nostra, cum inimicis Domini Regis Angliae, vel haeredum suorum, ad bellum procurandum vel faciendum, unde damnum ei vel Regnis suis Angliae & Hiberniae, aut caeteris terris suis eveniat, vel possit aliquatenus evenire, nisi nos injuste gravent, etc. Which Charter was ratified by his Oath, and the Oaths of most of the Nobles of Scotland, in the presence of the Pope's Legate. Haec itaque, ut firmius robur in perpetuum obtinerent, & alia inferius annotata, transmissa sunt ad Dominum Papam, ut haec omnia confirmaret, hoc modo. (It being then grown in use by * Here p. 452, 453, 454. former precedents, for Princes voluntarily to subject themselves to the Popes and other Bishop's Ecclesiastical censures and Excommunications, if they violated their Charters, Leagues, Oaths, and Agreements to each other.) SAnctissimo in Christo Patri, Innocentio Dei gratia Summo Pontifici, Alexander eadem gratia Rex Scotiae, Comes Patricius, Comes de Stratherne, (with 47. more Earls and Nobles therein named) salutem, & debitam cum omni honore reverentiam. Sanctitati vestrae significamus, nos Sacramentum corporaliter praestitisse, coram Venerabili Patre Ottone, Tituli Sancti Nicholai in carcere Tulliano, Diacono Cardinali, in Anglia, Scotia, & Hibernia, tunc Apostolicae sedis Legato, ac Chartam nostram confecisse, quae ita incipit: Sciant praesentes & futuri, quod ita convenit in praesentia Domini Ottonis Sancti Nicholai, etc. Quae Charta penes Dominum Regem Angliae & nos remanet chyrographata. Item aliam: quae sic incipit: Ad omnium vestrum notitiam volumus pervenire. Cum ex forma praecedentium nostrarnm pateat obligationum, subjecimus nos jurisdictioni vestrae, ut nos et haeredes nostros per censuram Ecclesiasticam possitis coercere, si aliquo tempore contra memoratam pacem vencrimus: Etsi nonnunquam contingit, quod quidam nostrum, omnes, vel unus, contravenire temere praesumerent, vel praesumere nituntur, & ex hoc tam animabus nostris quam haeredum nostrorum grave posset generare periculum, & corporibus nostris & rebus non minimum immineret detrimentum: Sanctae Paternitati vestrae supplicamus, quatenus alicui Suffraganeorum Archiepiscopi Cantuariensis detis in mandatis, ut nos haeredesque nostros ad praefatae pacis observationem compellat, prout in instrumentis inde confectis plenius continetur. Alias, super eadem pace, quod Canonicum fuerit, authoritate vestra statuat, contradictores, etc. Et ad istius petitionis nostrae consummationem, praesenti senpto sigilla nostra apposuimus. Haec autem cum consummata fuissent, amici facti sunt, ut sperandum est, indissolubiles, Domini Rex Angliae, & Rex Scotiae, absque simulatione & verborum scrupulosa contentione. Soon after this League with the Scots thus ratified, * Mat. Paris p. 628, 629. David Prince of North-wales invading and pillaging the English, against his forementioned Oath and Charter, (encouraged by the Pope's Bulls of Exemption) thereupon the King in the Archbishop's absence sent this Writ (together with a copy of the Archbishop's delegation and David's Charter) to the Bishop of Worcester, to excommunicate him with his adherents and favourers, according to the clause in the Charter * Mat. Paris p. 605. Here p. 600, 601. forecited. REX W. eadem gratia Wigorn. Episcopo, salutem. Cum David filius Lewellin Claus. 29 H. 3● m. 18, 19 dorso. quondam Principis Norwalliae summiserit se & omnes alios Wallenses qui sibi adhaererent, & eorum terras Jurisdictioni Venerabilium Patrum Cantuariensis Archiepiscopi, & quorundam Suffraganeorum ipsius vel aliquorum ex ipsis in solidum, quorum nos ipsi examen eligere vellemus; quod si a forma pacis inter nos & ipsum initae aliquando resiliret, liceret eisdem Archiepiscopo & Episcopis quibusdam eorum quos nos eligeremus, per sententias excommunicationis et interdicti ipsum David et alios Wallenses sibi adhaerentes coercere, donec ad condignam satisfactionem venirent, et super hoc corporale praestitisset Sacramentum: Nos quia praedictus David cum quibusdam complicibus suis terram nostram & Baronum nostrorum, spreta Sacramenti sui religione, hostiliter invasit, coercionem super hoc invocavimus Venerabilium Patrum B. Cantuar. electi, & P. Hereford. Episcopi, qui cum profecti sint ad Curiam Romanam, suam nobis Jurisdictionem in hac parte, per Literas suas Patentes, quas vobis mittimus simul cum transcripto Literarum ipsius David, demandaverunt exequendam; super quo Paternitatem vestram rogamus quatenus praedictum David & complices suos, et fautores debita fcriatis authoritate praedicta coercione, ut super eo quod contra formam pacis praedictae, inter nos & nostros attemptavit, debitam non effugiat vindictam. Teste apud Merleberg. xxix. die Novembris. Hereupon to avoid this Excommunication, and exempt himself from the King's Allegiance: * Mat. Par. Hist. Angl. p 632. Mat. Westm. p. 180, 181, 189. David Princeps Northwalliae cupit liberari a jugo Anglorum. Eorum temporum curriculo, David Princeps Northwalliae, neposque Domini Regis Angliae, timens vehementissime impetus Regis Anglorum, contra eum merito commotum, (qui ad Asylum Papale ut praetactum est fugerat, & favorem invenit ut collum de jugo Regis excuteret) misit ad Dominum Papam Nuncios solennes, per quos ei significavit, quod se suamque terram totam contra Regis Anglorum jus contuendam Ecclesiae Romanae resignavit, ipsi tamen David tenendam, suisque haeredibus, reddendam inde annuatim quingentas Marcas. (In imitation of King John's * Here p. 273, 274, 289, 920 forecited Charter to Pope Innocent the 3d.) Et Literas super hoc, nacta occasione justitiae, non sine maximae pecuniae inutili effusione, meruit obtinere, sub hac forma. ILlustri viro, Domino Henrico, Dei gratia Regi Anglorum, etc. Abbates. Haberconmiaes, Literae quas idem Princeps a Papa contra Regem Angliae impetrav●t. & de Kemere, Cisterciensis ordinis, Inquisitores dati a Domino Papa, salutem in Domino. Mandatum Domini Papae recepimus in haec verba. INNOCENTIUS Episcopus, servus servorum Dei, dilectis filiis Abbatibus de Haberconmia, & de Kemere, Cisterciensis ordinis, Bangorum Diocaesis, salutem & Apostolicam Benedictionem. Ex parte dilecti filii nostri, Nobilis viri David, Principis Northwalliae, fuit propositum coram nobis, quod cum inter ipsum, quem parentes ejus in alumnum Romanae Ecclesiae donaverunt, & charissimum in Christo silium nostrum Regem Anglorum illustrem, bellum longo tempore perdurasset, tandem postquam fuit in Venerabilem fratrem nostrum Episcopum de Sancto Asaph, & collegas ipsius, de stando hinc inde eorum arbitrio super omnibus querelis, juramento a partibus praestito, concorditer, bonis viris mediantibus, compromissum. Idem Rex, non attendens, quod pendente illorum arbitrio, sibi super hoc aliquid attentare non licebat, in praedictum Principem ex insperato hostiliter irruit, ad praestandum quod super praedictis, de quibus compromissum fuerat, & juratum, ac aliis ipsius Regis, mandare per vim compulit, & metum, qui cadere poterat in constantem. Cum igitur ea quae vi & metu fiant, carere debeant robore firmitatis, (therefore King John's Charter of Resignation of his Crown and Kingdoms to Pope Innocent the 3d. * Here p. 271, 273, 326, 327, 368. by force and fear, must be void by this his Papal resolution) discretioni vestrae per Apostolica scripta mandamus, quatenus inquisita super hoc diligentius veritate, si rem inveneritis ita esse, authoritate nostra praedictum Principem ab observatione sic extorti juramenti penitus * See Gra●ian caus. 15. qu. 6. caus. 32. qu. 4. absolventes, sententia, si qua occasione hujusmodi in ejus personam, vel terram, ab aliquo forsan lata fuerit, jurta formam Ecclesiae, sine difficultate qualibet, sicut justum fuerit, relaxetis. Testes vero, etc. Datum Januae, septimo Calend. Augusti, Pontificatus nostri Anno secundo. Hujus igitur authoritate muniti, vobis mandamus, quatenus in Vigilia Sanctae Agnetis virginis, apud Keyrus, in Ecclesia Gustefend, coram nobis compareatis, super contentis in autentico, dicto Principi responsuri, si vobis videritis expedire. Haec cum ad audientiam Domini Regis, & suorum Magnatum pervenerunt, & cito post ad notitiam aliorum Principum fama referente pervolarunt, indignati vehementer, et Romanam avaritiam detestantes, ipsum Regem non attendere Mat. Westm. p. 189. hujusmodi mandata Papalia tam injuriosa persuadebant, et ad hostile certamen animabant, ad reprimendam tam ingrati novam insolentiam, et ut ipsum David sine dilatione impeteret, accelerabant. (So little did the King or his Nobles value this Pope's most insolent Bull, or his Delegates illegal summons.) Quod cum cognovisset Dominus Papa, conniventer haec omnia dissimulabat: et conniventibus oculis dissimulando elabi permisit sub silentio, praemio tamen, quod acceperat ab ipso David, non restituto. The King hereupon, instantibus Calendis Julii, omnibus Comitibus, Baronibus, Militibus, Mat. Paris Hist. Angl. p. 640, 661, 662, 663. Rex Angliae parat e●●●diti●nem in Walliam. Mat. Westm. Anno 1245. & aliis, qui ei servitium militare debebant, ut se convenienter in Walliam profecturum sequerentur, per Literas suas Regias strictissime submonitis & convocatis, non valens, nec volens amplius subitos incursus & discursus Wallensium aequanimiter tolerare, preparavit se, ut ad illorum terminos potenter expugnandos iter & vexilla dirigeret, milite stipatus copioso. Then marching with his forces to Gannok, they wasted Wales with fire and sword: Abbatiam de ordine Cisterciensi, Abercukunam nominatam, (whose Abbot was one of the Pope's Delegates that summoned the King) omnibus bonis, etiam calicibus & libris irreverenter depraedantes, officinas ejusdem combusserunt. And the English invading them on the one hand, and Irish forces on the other, he destroyed these Welsh rebels (notwithstanding the Pope's absolution and protection) exterminio irrestaurabili. Hybernenses enim in adventu suo totam Englesiam, quae est omnium Wallensium quasi nutrix & refugium, vastaverant, & in recessu si quid residiwm infuerat, in ore gladii trucidarunt, & in favillam redigerunt; ita quod omnia quasi incultam & vastam eremum sive solitudinem relicta visa sunt. The King wasted the other parts of Wales in like manner, and prohibited any victuals to be brought from England or Ireland to the Welsh. Wallenses igitur infoelicissimi, hyemali ingruente rigore, multiformi inedia, cum domiciliis & omni victualium genere distituti essent, nec in spem ullam melioris fortunae vel conditionis erigerentur, cum omnes terrae suae jacerent incultae, in semetipsis contabuerunt, fame, & frigore, & desperatione, tam ment quam corpore miserabiliter perituri languerunt. Not long after, Anno. 1246. circa initium Veris, quando solent promptius se accingere praeliaturi, ad belli necessaria, David Princeps Northwalliae, & nepos Regis innumeras animi amaritudines, post terrae suae destructionem, variasque caedes, & famis inedias hominum suorum, quasi variis tribulationibus lacessitus, de hac valle morientium, ad vallem transiit mortuorum; Walliam perturbatam, & miserabiliter relinquens desolatam. In cujus loco Wallenses filium Griffini sibi in Principem elegerunt. Quod cum idem Griffinus audisset, Regem, qui eum in sinu misericordiae receptaverat, & jam per multum temporis honorifice aluerat & exaltaverat, relinquens, more leporino ad latibula Wallensium, saltu confugit repentino. Where I shall leave him. To return from the Wars and proceedings against the Welsh Rebels excited by the Pope's Bulls, I shall relate some Differences between the King, Deans, Chapters and others, arising about the Elections and confirmations of Bishops, wherein the King was very industrious to preserve; and regain his ancient eclipsed Royal prerogative therein, as they were studious to entrench upon it. Tempore autem Dominicae Nativitatis imminente, (Anno 1241) elegerunt Canonici Anno 1244. Mat. Paris Hist. Angl. p. 558. Godwins Catalogue of Bishops p. 146. Edit Londini. Mat. Westm. Anno 1241. 1244. Londinenses in Episcopum & Pastorem animarum suarum Magistrum Fulconem, Decanum Eboracensem, virum discretum & circumspectum, moribus compositum & genere praeclarum: contra tamen Regis voluntatem, qui pro Episcopo Hertfordiensi, Magistro scilicet Petro de Egueblanche, capitulum Sancti Pauli instantissime petierat, ut ipsum in Episcopum postularent. Magistrum quoque Willielmum de Sanctae Mariae Ecclesia, vitum laudabilem ipso eodem tempore, scilicet Canonicum ejusdem Ecclesiae & Cancellarium in Decanum unanimiter ordinarunt. But by reason of the King's opposition against Fulco his election, he was not consecrated Bishop till the year 1244. After many tedious expensive contests between the Monks of Durham and King Henry about the election of a new Bishop, wherein the King prevailed (as you * Here p. 565. 566. heard before) there was likely to happen a difference at this new Bishop's consecration about his subjection to the See of York, which he at last thus publicly made and subscribed. Eodem Anno, magister Nicholaus de Fernham, electus Dunelmensis consecratus est Mat. Paris, Hist. Angl. p. 546. Mat. Westm. Anno 1242. p. 172. in Episcopum Dunelmensem apud Gloverniam, in Ecclesia Sancti Oswaldi: quinto Idus Jun. ab Archiepiscopo Eboracensi Waltero, praesentibus Rege & Regina, Episcopis, Abbatibus quamplurimis. Et quia super professione sua mota fuit quaestio ab aliquibus volentibus dissidium ventilare, noluit idem Nicholaus illicitam sibi usurpare libertatem, ut ad insolentiam prorumperet recalcitrando. Talemque in propatulo suam solenniter in consecratione sua, coram cunctis Praelatis & Magnatibus, in praesentia sui Metropolitani dicti Archiepiscopi W. fecit professionem distincte & articulatim elevata voce, in hunc modum, prout moris est: Ego Nicholaus Ecclesiae Dunelmensis electus, profiteor Eboracensi Ecclesiae, tibique Pater Waltere Archiepiscopo, & successoribus tuis canonice substituendis, canonicam subjectionem, reverentiam, & obedientiam, & hoc propria manu subscribo. Et incontinenti coram omnibus subscripsit crucem in capite chartulae in causto, & tradidit Archiepiscopo penes se in Thesauro reservandam. This Bishop falling sick of an incurable Dropsy, is fabled to be miraculously cured of it, by drinking some of the hairs of St. Edmund Bishop of Canterbury in Water, which his Barber shaved from him in Anno. 1241. Mat. Paris, Hist. Angl. p. 546. his life time: After which, Anno 1249. sentiens se annosum, valitudinarium, & infirmum, malens relinquere divitias, quam a divitiis derelinqui, Episcopatum suum Dunelmensem, obtenta tali a Domino Papa licentia, resignavit. Et datis ad hoc provisoribus, Archiepiscopo Eboracensi, & Londinensi, & Wigorniensi Episcopis, assignata sunt ei tria maneria, videlicet de Hovedia cum pertinentiis, Stocton, & Esingtuna. Recedens igitur a Dunelmo, accepta ibidem a fratribus licentia, ad alterutrum dictorum maneriorum mansurus perrexit, ut in pace ibidem sine querelarum vel causarum strepitu, exutus a sollicitudinibus mundanis, sibi jam expectanti donec ejus veniret immutatio, liberius vacaret orationi penitus intendendo. Super hoc Dominus Rex certificatus, omnia residua non segniter haud invitus, in suam coepit custodiam et potestatem, ut ibidem uberrimos pecuniarum fructus, semper tamen jejunus & avidus, deglutiret. Ad quae sibi amplexanda et congerenda, illico misit unum de clericis suis, Thomam videlicet de Newerca. Anno 1241. There fell out a great quarrel between the King, and the Prior and Covent of Coventry and the Bishop elected by them against the King's Will, thus related by our Historians. Labentibus autem eorum dierum profluviis, obiit Episcopus Cestrensis, Hugo de Mat. Paris Hist. p. 558. 579. Mat. West. An. 1243. p. 171. Mors Hugonis de Pateshalle. Pateshulle, seven. Idus Decembris, vir viribus adhinc integer & aetate. Qui cum toto aetatis suae tempore laudabilitet vixisset, demum iniquo fretus consilio, versus est in arcum pravum, malleusque factus religiosorum, praecipue eorum qui ipsum creaverunt, in morte sua parum plangi meruit, licet parum plus quam per unum annum in Cathedra sedisset Pontificali. Quod cum audissent Prior & Monachi Coventrenses, convocatis Canonicis Licthfieldensibus, elegerunt Monachum & Praecentorem suum Gulihelmum de Monte Pessulano virum sanctum, & moribus, & scientia prope Deum, Coventrensis Ecclesiae in Episcopum & pastorem animarum suarum, pro electo suo habent & protegunt. Sed Dominus Rex, sicut jam ei moris erat, alium malens in Episcopatum promovere, statim se opposuit, neque electionem, neque electum acceptans. Et stantibus cum eo, aliquibus de Canonicis de Lichefeldia contradicentibus, & Abbatem de Evesham Richardum, qui tunc sigilli Regii bajulus, vices supplevit Cancellarii, pro quo Rex supplicaverat, eligentibus: unde Rex factus adversarius Ecclesiae Coventrensis, ipsum Priorem & Conventum in multis quibus potuit damnificavit. Adversantibus itaque tam Rege cum suis satellibus, quam quibusdam Canonicis Lichfieldensibus, domus Coventrensis magnam induit confusionem & jacturam, adeo ut Conventus dispergeretur, aliarum domuum subsidia petiturus. Domus autem Sancti Albani, charitatis & honestatis intuitu, ipsum Priorem cum aliquibus Monachis suis, & famulis & equis liberaliter, per annum & aliquot menses adjectos, cum summo honore sinum pandens misericordiae, suscepit alendum. Matthew Westmister subjoynes. Et lite ventilata, fiunt utrobique dispendia morosa & sumptuosa, viz. 245 lib. The Abbot by his own purse and the King's favour notwithstanding the insufficiency of his election, having obtained the Pope's favour for his confirmation. But he dying soon after, there grew a new contest about this Bishopric, Anno Dom. 1245. thus related. Et dum his mundus diebus volveretur, & secum mutabilis traheret mutabilia, electus Mat. Paris Hist. Ang. p. 641, 642. W. electus Coventrens. resignat jus suum. Coventrensis, videlicet Willielmus, cognomento de Monte Pessulano, Monachus & Praecentor Ecclesiae Coventrensis, vir bonus & sine querela & ambitione, cum audisset quod magister Willielmus de Drouhedale lugubriter expirasset, qui suus fuerat diligentissimus Advocatus in Anglia, comperiensque quod Dominus Rex Angliae promotionem suam non acceptasset, & Magistrum Laurentium, de quo superius mentio facta est, ipsi electo potenter sentiens & efficaciter adversantem, & constanter accusantem, comperiens quoque Canonicos Lichfeldenses ipsum inimicabiliter persequentes, considerans etiam quod domus sua Conventrensis damnis & injuriis pro sua electione impetebatur, tactus dolore intrinseco inconsolabiliter doluit, quod electus unquam exstitisset. Tot igitur lacessitus tribulationibus, Papalem adiit praesentiam, & singultibus sermonem prorumpentibus, ait: Pater sancte, impulsus undique, eversus sum, ut eadam. Dominus Rex Angliae, cum suis consiliariis, meam graviter infestat innocentiam: non enim ut novit Deus, hanc ipsius promerui persecutionem. Et si consequenter hanc, ad quam eligor rite, dignitatem, unquam pace in Anglia gratularer. Omnia igitur in manus vestras resigno. (A loyal Practice of a Bishop elect, who would rather give this usurping Pope a power to dispose of this Bishopric than the King, the right Patron thereof.) Absit a me ut amplius Ecclesiae meae causa sim jacturae ac perturbationis. Provideat paterna solicitudo vestra ipsi Ecclesiae tam diu cura Pastorali viduatae. Cui cum vix Dominus Papa annuisset, recessit ipse, quasi gravi sarcina liberatus. Quod videntes qui salutem animae Domini Regis in veritate sincero corde desiderabant, doluerunt periculum sibi et Regno propter hoc et plura alia imminens, quia multus in causa fuit; vehementer formidantes et timentes. Quo cognito, diligentissime (in new affront of the King and his Prerogative) procurante Rogerus de Weseham Decanus Lincolnlensis eligitur in Episcopum Cestriae. primo & praecipue Episcopo Lincolniensi, loco ipsius Willielmi de Monte Pessulano praedicti (qui jam jus suum ultro, ut dictum est, penitus resignaverat) electus est & subrogatus in Episcopum Cestrensem sive Coventrensem, Magister Rogerus de Weseham, Decanus Ecclesiae Lincolniensis, vir moribus & scientia eleganter insignitus, Rege Angliae irrequisito: ne et ipsam Electionem cavillatoriis, ut sibi moris erat, exceptionibus impugnaret, et in laesionem animae et famae suae amplius impediret. Episcopus igitur Lincolniensis, suum in hac parte consecutus desiderium, Ecclesiam de Aillesberria, quam ex multo tempore desideraverat, a Decanatu Lincolniensi (eo quod credebat Decanum ex ejus ubertate cornua audaciae assumentem, contra Episcopum Lincolniensem recalcitrare) radicitus sequestrare & abalienare, statim & incontinenti ipsam Magistro Roberto de Marisco contulit, non sine magno & multo Ecclesiae suae prae judicio, ut multis videbatur, & injuria, cum a tempore cujus non exstat memoria, Decanatui Lincolniensi semper dignoscitur adhaesisse. Such was his Episcopal usurpation and injustice both to the King and Dean to advance his own Jurisdiction thus related by Mat. Paris. Anno 1244. There arose a grand contest between the King, the Archbishop of Mat. Paris Hist. Angl. p. 638. 652, 653. Edit, Lond. Mat. Westm. Anno 1244. p. 184. Canterbury elect and other Bishops, about their rejecting the Bishop of Chichester duly elected, and approved by the King, thus related by our Historians. Robertus Passeleve, Regis thesaurum jam multis marcarum millibus inopinabiliter adaugens, ejus gratiam mirabililer est adeptus. Quod videntes Canonici Cicestrenses, ipsum esse idoneum & perutilem, quia prudentem & circumspectum, ad Ecclesiae suae regimen censuerunt; Et sperantes Deo placere & Domino Regi, nec non & Regis gratiam & tutamen, & suae Ecclesiae promotionem se proinde consecuturos, ipsum Robertum Passeleve in Episcopum suum elegerunt. Quod comperientes Electus Cantuariensis et Episcopi Angliae quamplurimi, indignati sunt valde. Et spreto Regis simul timore et amore, eundem Robertum in nimis arduis quaestionibus per Episcopum Lincolniensem examinantes, electionem et electum reprobaverunt et cassaverunt. Et Magistrum Richardum de * Witz. Wiz loco ipsius statim, Regio assensu irrequisito, subrogarunt. (A very bold and almost unpresidented attempt) The King being then at St. Alban, supervenerunt rumores, qui tam aures quam cor regium perturbabant, scilicet de Roberti Passeleve clerici sui, qui corpus & animam regio famulatui exposuit, repentina cassatione, qui ad Episcopatum Cicestrensem electus fuerat, et alterius loco ipsius, videlicet Magistri Richardi de Withz, sine assensu regio, subrogatione. Dominus igitur Rex, cui derogatum fuit, iratus valde, Episcopatum caepit in manum suam, non permittens novum electum aliquem habere ingressum in eundem Episcopatum vel Dominium; So Mat. Westmister expresseth it; but Matth. Paris thus; Unde Regis ira excanduit in Electum & Episcopos vehementer; Protinusque redditus dicti Magistri Richardi, idoneis ac dignis personis postquam electus fuit, sunt collati. Magister enim Martinus, Domini Papae Clericus ad hoc constitutus, redditibus ejus vacantibus qui praesens fuerat, & promptus, inhiabat. Quod cum audisset Dominus Rex, iratus vehementer, prohibuit ne novo electo, qui eo inconsulto electus fuit, in sui et Regni enorme praejudicium, introitus in Baroniam Ecclesiae suae pertinentem, vel possessiones seculares, aliquatenus concederetur: Moreover the King justly incensed by this affront, issued a Mandate to the Guardians of the Bishopric of Chichester and Sheriff of Sussex, so strongly to guard the gates of the City day and night, that neither this new pretended intruded Bishop, nor any of his should enter into it, as this Record assures us. MANDATUM est B. de Sabaudia Custodi Episcopatus Cicestr. Quod de die Claus. 29. H. 3 m. 10. dorso. et de nocte, ita custodiri faciat januas Civitatis Cicestriae, quod nec Richardus de Wicio, qui se gerit Episcopum Cicestriae, nec aliquis suorum Civitatem illam ingrediatur. Teste Rege apud Wind. 21 die Aprilis. Eodem modo Mandatum est Vicecomiti Sussex. Mat. Westminster, superadds; Rex insuper concepit magnam indignationem Flores Histor. 1244. p. 184. adversus omnes qui haec procuraverant, praecipue adversus electum Cantuariensem Bonifacium, quem maxime redarguit ingratitudinis; imponens ei, quod esset laesor Regiae dignitatis ●● principio suae promotionis. Et ab imo trahens Rex suspiria, tacitus tandem ait, Merito haec patior, quia impediens liberam electionem Cantuar. ubi tot sancti praecesserunt, prorsus indignum ibi censui promovendum. Cum haec agerentur, Cantuariensis electus Bonifacius, & Wigorni●nsis & Herefordensis Anno 1245. Mat West. p. 189, 190. Mat. Paris, Hist. Angl. p. 634. 635. Episcopi, qui inter omnes alios Angliae Episcopos erant Domino Papae specialiores, et Anglis suspectiores, ad voluntatem ejus perficiendam, etiam in detrimentum regni, quia ipse eos creavit, proniores, Dominum Papam propter quaedam, (quae nesciebantur ab universitate) secreta negotia subito adeuntes transfretarunt: ad votum facta dispositione in domo Cantuariensi, tam de conventu, quam curiae familia, obedientiariis, & obedientiis, plus quam alicui antecessorum alii ejusdem memorati Bonifacii unquam permissum exstiterat. Asserebat etiam idem Electus Bonifacius, quod facta diligenti inquisitione, obligata fuit Ecclesia sua Cantuariensis ex parte Archiepiscopatus, alieno aere plus quam quindecim Millibus Marcarum, et quasi irrestaurabilirer compedita. Vnde naves ascensurus apud Dover am in recessu suo, jussit nemora Archiepiscopatus abscindi et vendi, et quasdam collectas et tallias, tam in Clero, quam in populo, fieri graviores. Et constituit quendam suum officialem natione Pictaviensem, Magistrum Hugonem de Mortimer, qui diligenter mandata sua exequebatur. Quas quidem Tallias multi factas effe dicebant ad quendam militem Provincialem expugnandum. Qui audito testamento Comitis Provinciae Reimundi filiam ejus juniorem furto repentino ac nocturno surripere proponebat, etc. Electus igitur Cantuariensis Bonifacius, a praedecessorum suorum vestigiis imprudenter & impudenter exorbitans, cum fratre suo Philippo Ball, eo quod avunculi fuerunt Puell● supradictae, hinc negotio martio curam apposuerunt, Anglieanae sumptuosum & damnosum Ecclesiae, ad quae sustinenda diversa acquirendi pecuniam argumenta consingentes, thesauros thesauris cumularunt, militibus stipendariis, & aliis viris sanguinum distribuendo. Asserebant itaque ut aliquo colore peccatum tegeretur, se hac pecunia necessario eguisse ad Ecclesiae Cantuariensis liberationem, quam (ut dicebant, non sine magna injuria antecessorum sanctorum, Ecclesiae eidem qui praeerant eamque irrepraehensibiliter rexerant) aere alieno fere irrestaurabiliter praecedentes Archiepiscopi obligaverant. Impetravit electus Bonifacius a Domino Papa inauditum privilegium, quod nunquam alii meminimus praeconcessum. Similiter effrater ejus Philippus in hoc negotio deditus armis, privilegium, non sine multae paecuniae effusione, scilicet ut liceret redditus, quos obtinuit in Anglia, et Episcopatus proventus Valentini similiter, et quaedam majora, quae tunc sibi fuerant, profutura, tenere a Curia Romana impetravit. Soon after the Bishop of Chichester, obtruded by Boniface and his suffragans into that See, without any election at all, against the Kings will and prohibition, departing privily out of Engl. resorted to Boniface and the Pope for protection & consecration; the like did the Bp. of Coventry secretly elected without the King's privity, for fear he should have hindered their consecrations. Where the Pope in despite and contempt of the King and his Proctors Appeal against them: these two Bishops were consecrated by the Pope himself, together with Archbishop Boniface their Patron, as Mat. Paris and Mat. West. thus commemorate. Anno 1245. Mat. Westm. p. 192. Mat. Paris Hist. Angl. p. 641. Anni quoque sub illius curriculo consecratus est a Domino Papa Lugduni in Archiepiscopum Cantuariensem Bonifacius, natione Provincialis, plus genere, quam scientia coruscus: plus armis Martialibus, quam spiritualibus formidabilis, qui procurantibus Rege Angliae & Regina nepte sua ad hanc promotus est, foeliciter utinam dignitatem. Hujus frater Philippus Bal. electus Valentiae, ipsis diebus ad Archiepiscopatus Lugdunensis promotus est possessionem: Priore cedente ob causas post dicendas. Qui tantam a Domino Papae meruit obtinere dispensationem, ut Archiepiscopatus retenta cum suis commodis potestate, Episcopatus Valentini Bal. proventus perciperet, uberrimorumque reddituum quos in Anglia & Flandria possederat, quod plus ut videbatur, ob quasdam causas seculares fiebat, quam spirituales, libere & licenter asportaret, & praeposituram Brugensem obtineret. Hic igitur elegans corpore, & armorum peritia praepollens, copios●sque redditibus saginatus, factus est quasi Princeps Papalis Militiae, et Cusros praepotens pacis in Concilio Lugdunensi celebrando. Et idcirco potissime, quod generis Claritate coruscabat. Consecrati sunt etiam Magister Richardus de Withz in Episcopum Cicestrensem, et Magister Rogerus de Weseham, Decanus Lincolniensis in Episcopum Cestrensem, a Domino Papa Lugduni, vixi moribus et scientia adornati. Nec est omissum pro appellatione procuratoris Regii constanter reclamantis, eo quod in horum promotione Regius assensus non requirebatur. Imo in facie dictum fuit ei, quod quia Rex sibi concessa dignitate et privilegio abutebatur, indignum se reddidit hoc honore laecabundum. Et sic Regis et Regni ipsius, Regiis peccatis exigentibus, dignitas vacillabat. Haec igitur postquam Regi innotuetunt duorum Episcopatus, scilicet Cicestrensis et Cestrensis, bona temporalia jussit infiscari. Mat. Paris, p. 685. Baronia Episcopo Cestrensi restituta. At last after much mediation, Anno 1246. Dominus Rex, precibus amicabilibus mitigatus, Domino Episcopo Cicesirensi Rogero (eo quod esset vir benignissimus, & omnium haberet favorem) Baroniamsuam in pace benigne restituit. Matthew Westminster thus briefly relates the story of those Bishop's elections and consecrations by the Pope, and King's proceedings against them. Flores Historiarum. p. 192. Eodem quoque tempore Gulihelmus de Monte Pessulano, electus Coventren. nolens amplius injuriosos impetus, quos a Rege diu sustinuerat, tolerare, jus suum in manus Papae patienter resignavit. In cujus loco Magister Rogerius de Weseham, Theolgus, videlicet Decanus Lincoln. electus est Episcopo Lincoln. procurante, Rege penitus irrequisito. Vnde antequam plenam Episcopatus sui posset obtinere possessionem, ●ulta sustinuit dispendia et pacis damnosam (nec immerito) dilationem. Simili quoque modo, ipso eodem tempore irrequisito Regio assensu, cassata electione Roberti Pessuleu, electus est in Episcopum Cicestren. Magister Richardus de Withz, vude ne tanta Regis injuria remaneret inulta, Baronia ad Episcopatum pertinente privari meruit, multo tempore, donec multiplicatis intercessionibus impetravit, tam ipse quam electus Cestren. ut uterque ex Regis gratia suae possessionis gauderet plenitudine. (A pregnant evidence of the King's Ecclesiastical Prerogative over them and their Bishoprics.) Eodem Anno Consecrati sunt Lugduni, ubi ad huc Dominus Papa commorabatur, Bonifacius de Provincia in Archiepiscop. Cantuar. et Magister Richardus de Withz, in Epis. Cicestren. et Magister R. in Episcopum Cestren. a Domino Papa, non sine Regni Angliae magno damno ac periculo. Papa enim sic Episcopos attraxit, Nota. ut magis ei tenerentur obligati, et contempto Rege, fierent in damnum Reg. proniores. The true reason of these Papal encroachments on the Crown. The Archbishop of Armach in Ireland committing two high contempes against, and Usurpations upon the King's Royal Prerogative and Privileges, both in holding Pleas of Advousons' and Patronages in the Ecclesiastical Court, belonging only and immediately to the King's Temporal Court and Dignity, and drawing them into an Ecclesiastical Judicature, and out of the Realm, before the Pope's Delegates, contrary to his duty and Allegiance, in a suit between the Prior of Lanton and him; the King thereupon issued this most memorable Prohibition, to prohibit him to proceed therein, under pain of seizing all his Temporalties, since such proceedings tended to the utter prostration and overthrow of his Crown and Royal Dignity, which he neither would nor could permit, nor any Loyal Subject desire. REX Armachano Archiepiscopo, salutem. Non credebamus de vobis antequam Claus. 28 H. 3. m. 7. dorso. haec res gesta faceret manifestum, quod aliqua impetrare velletis quae Regiae dignitati generare possent praejudicium aut gravamen; sed in contrarium res est versa, quod sine animi anxietate non possumus referre. Ad praesens enim duo gravamina nobis intulistis, videlicet, a sede Apostolica impetrando, ut extra terram nostram quae de terra nostra conveniatur, super terris et Ecclesiarum advocationibus, quae quidem causae ad Regiam dignitatem spectare noscuntur sive personis Ecclesiasticis, sive Laicis, super hiis injuria irrogetur. Et etiam hoc contra dignitatem Regiam vos non latuit impetrare, cum impetratio vestra de privilegio nostro faciat mentionem. Cum igitur contra nos dupliciter delinqueritis in hac parte, tum quia causas ad dignitatem Regiam immediate spectantes ad forum Ecclesiasticum trahere volentes, tum quia contra privilegium nostrum, sic temere venientes, paternitati vestrae mandamus inhibentes, et firmiter injungentes ne super terris, aut Ecclesiarum advocationibus extra terram nostram sive infra in foro Ecclesiastico Priorem de Lanton, vel quemcunque alium in causam trahere praesumatis, sicut gaudere desideratis omnibus possessionibus vestris, quae de nobis tenetis: indubitanter enim scire potestis, quod hoc nullo modo poterimus sustinere; praecipue cum sic Coronam nostram prosternere et Dignitatem nostram possitis penitus enervare, quod velle nullatenus deberetis si fidelitas sit in vobis. Teste Rege apud Stanford, septimo die Julii. The King in further pursuit hereof, to preserve this his ancient inherent Royal Dignity, enjoyed time out of mind, and the Pope's special indulgence, issued forth this Appeal, in nature of a Prohibition, to the Pope's Delegates in foreign parts, not to proceed in this cause between the Prior of Lanton and Archbishop of Armach, constituting a special Proctor to prosecute this Appeal by these Letters Patents. REX Abbati de Pontiniaco, Decano & Archid. Antissiod. salutem. Cum a sede Pat. 28 Hen. 3. m. 4. dorso. Apostolica nobis specialiter sit indultum, ne quis de Regno nostro in for● Ecclesiastico, extra Regnum nostrum, per Literas Apostolicas trahatur in causam, et Prior de Lanton, extra Glouc. super quibusdam non ad forum Ecclesiasticum, sed mere ad dignitatem nostram spectantibus, sicut in Regno nostro a tempore cujus non extat memoria est obtentum, conveniatur ab Armachano Archiepiscopo, coram vobis per Literas Domini Papae, ne in causa illa procedatis, tum propter praedictum privilegium nostrum, tum propter ea quae ad dignitatem nostram spectare noscuntur, sedem Apostolicam praesentibus appellamus. Ad quam appellationem in praesentia vestra, si necesse fuerit innovandam, procuratorem nostrum constituimus Willielmum de Lanton Clericum, praesentium portitorem. In cujus, etc. Teste Rege apud Westmonasterium, Vicesimo fexto die Aprilis. After the long contests * Here p. 596 597. formerly touched, and much money spent between the Bishop, and the Dean and Canons of Lincoln, at the Court of Rome, the Pope by advice of his Brethren gave sentence for the Bishop, against the Dean and Canons, which he ratified with this dear purchased Bull. Eisdem vero temporibus, dum solis orbita circularis jam declinans versus tempus Anno 1245. Mat. Paris, Hist. Angl. p. 667, 668. Mat. Westm. p. 186. Episc. Lincoln. privilegium a Papa impetratum. hyemale vicinaretur, Episcopus Lincolniensis Robertus, quietis nescius, multis adversans, quam plurimisque ei adversantibus, Ismaeli consimilis, post multos labores et pecuniarum inaestimabilium effusiones, hanc a Domino Papa, quem cum multis donariis respexerat, contra Canonicos suos meruit impertrationem obtinere. INNOCENTIUS, etc. Venerabili fratri Episcopo Lincolniensi, salutem & Apostolicam benedictionem. Inter caetera, quae nostrum animum qui universali regimini, quamvis immeriti, disponente Domino praesidemus, insultibus impetunt successivis; illud nos frequenti meditatione perurget, ut Ecclesiae causarum agitatae non deficiant sub dispendiis quaestionum & litibus, quae propter concertationes & diffugia partium, videntur quodammodo immortales, finis debitus imponatur. Cum igitur inter te ex parte una, & Decanum & Capitulum Lincolniensem ex altera, super eorum & Ecclesiarum Praebendalium & Ecclesiarum caeterarum de dignitatibus & communa, visitatione, & reformatione morum, ac correctione, tam Decani, quam Canonicorum, & Clericorum chori, & etiam ministrorum, ac vicariorum, & Capellanorum, & Parochianorum dictarum omnium Ecclesiarum, necnon reverentia & obedientia Canonica tibi ab eis praestanda, & quibusdam aliis dignitatibus, & officium Episcopale contingentibus, suborta fuisset materia quaestionis; Nos post diversas commissiones hinc iude ab Apostolica sede ad Judices diversos obtentas, & processus habitos per easdem; causam ipsam, finem sibi cupientes imponi, ad examen nostrum duximus revocandam. Cumque tu & procurator partis alterius in nostra essetis praesentia constituti, fuit ex parte tua propositum, quod cum ex diligentia pastoralis officii tenearis de jure communi Capitulum Lincolniensem, & omnes Ecclesias Praebendales de dignitatibus & communa visitare; ac ea, secundum formam juris, quae ad visitationis spectant officium, adimplere; cum tam Capitulum quam Ecclesiae tibi sint de jure communi subjectae, necnon excessus tam Decani, quam Canonicorum universorum, & singulorum Clericorum de choro, & ministrorum eorundem, vicariorum etiam Capellanorum & Parochianorum praedictarum Ecclesiarum corrigere, ac eorum mores, ne ipsorum sanguis de tuis manibus requiratur, reformare. Causam etiam omnium praedictorum, cum ad invicem eos movere contingeret, vel ipsos contrarios tuae Diocaesis, vel alii contra ipsos, sive sint civiles, sive criminales, examinare ac desidere, ad te, tanquam ad ordinarium, proprie pertineat, dum tamen ad Ecclesiasticum forum spectent: Decanus & Capitulum se tibi super his contra justitiam opponebant, propter quod praemissa libere non poteras, prout officii tui cura exigit, adimplere. Adjiciebas praeterea, quod tu cum sis caput Lincolniensis Ecclesiae, & a te, tanquam a capite, ante electionem Decani Lincolniensis celebrandam tuus de jure sit requirendus assensus; ipst tua irrequisita licentia, se debere ad electionem Decani procedere, asseverant: super quo tibi petebas justitiam exhiberi. Dicebas praeterea, quod cum Decanus in sui confirmatione, & Canonici cum Praebendae ipsis conferantur, jurare tibi de jure Canonicam obedientiam teneantur; iidem id hactenus indebite facere non curarunt. Proponebas insuper, quod cum lege Diocaesana Decanatus, dignitatum, et Praebendarum vacantium sequestratio ad te de jure pertineat; praefati Decanus & Capitulum se tibi super hoc contra justitiam opponebant. Quare petebas super praemissis jus tuum declarari, ac dijudicari tibi per diffinitivam sententiam, teque ad visitationis officium in Capitulo Lincolniensi, et Ecclesiis Praebendalibus de dignitatibus et communa, et ad correctionem excessuum, et morum reformationem omnium praedictorum, non obstante Decani et Canonieorum reclamatione, admitti debere, diffinitive pronunciari, ac imponi eis perpetuum silentium, nisi sedis Apostolicae privilegio, vel alio jure speciali, tueri se possent super impedimentis et obstaculis supradictis. Petebas etiam procurationem ratione visitationis Cupituli debitam, & expensas faciendas in lite: ac ut ipsi quotiescunque te ad Ecclesiam Lincolniensem venire contigerit, contra te Ecclesiae campanas pulsare faciant, & exhibeant reverentiam tanquam Patri. Quodque Decanus aliquem Canonicum ad jurandum ei Canonicam obedientiam, nisi dignitas Episcopalis & auctoritas excipiatur, de caetero non compellat: nec cogat Canonicos jurare aliquas consuetudines, quae sunt contra Canonicas sanctiones: neque statuta, quae sint contra Canones, & auctoritatem & dignitatem Episcopalem, ulterius in Capitulo ipso non edat. Petebas insuper, ut cum Praebendarum & Ecclesiarum de dignitatibus & communa visitatio, ad te de jure communi pertineat, quod Decanus de caetero ab earum visitatione desistere per sententiam cogeretur. Procurator vero partis alterius, litem contestando, respondit, Narrata non esse vera, ut narrabantur: & petita fieri non debere. Lite igitur super his legitime contestata, rationibus quoque ac allegationibus utriusque partis diligenter auditis: Nos postquam fuit causae conclusum, deliberatione habita diligenti, de fratrum nostrorum consilio pronunciavimus, te ad visitationem tam Decani et Capituli, quam Canonicorum Clericorum chori, ac ministrorum, etiam Capellanorum Ecclesiarum et Parochianorum ad omnes praedictas Ecclesias pertinentium. Et ad correctionem excessuum, ac morum reformationem libere admittendum. Pro visitatione autem in Cathedrali Ecclesia facienda, procuratio a Capitulo non praestetur. Excessus tamen Canonicorum Cathedralis Ecclesiae, qui consueverunt corrigi per Capitulum, per ipsum, juxta Ecclesiae consuetudinem hactenus pacifice observatam: ad commonitionem & jussionem tuam, successorumque tuorum, infra competentem terminum, eye praefigendum a te, vel eisdem successoribus, corrigantur. Alioquin extunc tu, vel successores ipsi, Deum omnipotentem prae oculis habentes, ipsos ut animarum cura requirit, per censuram Ecclesiasticam corrigatis. Mandamus etiam, ut praedicti Canonic● tibi Canonicam obedientiam & reverentiam exhibeant & observent. Obligare se tamen ad hoc juramento, manuali praestatione, seu promissione, minime teneantur; cum ad hoc consuetudine non juveris. In caeteris potitis, ab impetitione sua, praefatos Decanum & Capitulum absolventes. Nulli ergo omnino hominum, lice at hanc paginam nostrae diffinitionis infringere, vel ausu temerario contraire. Si quis autem hoc attentare praesumpserit; indignationem omnipotentis Dei, & beatorum Petri & Pauli Apostolorum ejus, se noverit incursurum. Datum Lugduni, Octavo Calendas Septembris, Pontificatus nostri anno tertio. The King this year issued his Writs to all the Sheriffs of England, to inquire what Landsany Archbishops, Bishops, Abbots, and other Religious persons, who were Aliens, or any Normans had in England, and to return the particulars of them, with their respective values. REX Vicecomiti North. salutem. Praecipimus tibi, quod sicut teipsum & omnia Claus. 28 H. 3. m. 13. dorso. quae habes diligis, diligenter inquiras per Sacramentum proborum & legalium hominum de Com. tuo, quas terras & quae tenementa Archiepiscopi, Episcopi, Abbates, Priores, & alii viri religiosi transmarini teneant in Balliva * tua. : Et omnes terras illas & tenementa per eosdem Inquisitores extendi facias, quantum valeant terrae praedictae instauratae, omnimoda instaur. et quantum de instaur. et extentam illam distincte et aperte in scriptis redactam et inquisitione praedicta insertam sub sigillis eorundem Inquisitorum nobis sine dilatione mittas, et hoc breve. Diligenter etiam inquiras per Sacramentum eorundem, qui Comites vel Barones, Milites, viri religiosi, vel alii de Regno nostro Angliae, aliquas terras habeant de terris Normannorum, vel Alienigenarum in Balliva tua, exceptis terris illis quae captae sunt in manum nostram per aliam Inquisitionem quam de terris Normannorum fieri fecisti per praeceptum nostrum, provisurus, quod praedicti Archiepiscopi, Episcopi, & viri religiosi transmarini, nec alii de Regno nostro disseisientur, vel aliquod dampnum incurrant de hujusmodi terris vel rebus suis occasione harum Inquisitionum, vel hujusmodi extentae, donec a nobis aliud habueris praeceptum. Teste Rege apud Windesor, xxij. die Martii. Eodem modo scribitur omnibus Vicecomitibus Angliae. Matthew Paris gives us this account of the Kings seizing the Lands of Normans in England. Circa dierum illorum curricula, Rex Francorum Parisiis convocatos omnes ultramarinos, Mat. Paris Hist. Angl. p. 595. Normanni privantur terris suis ia Anglia sitis. qui terras habuerunt in Anglia, sic est affatus. Quicunque in Regno meo conversatur habens terras in Anglia, cum nequeat quis competenter duobus Dominis servire, vel penitus mihi, vel Regi Angliae inseparabiliter adhaereat. Unde aliqui terras & redditus habentes in Anglia, eas relinquentes, possessionibus, quas habebant in Francia, adhaeserunt; aliqui e converso. Super quo certificatus Rex Angliae, omnes de Regno Franciae, praecipue Normannos, jussit terris suis, quas in Anglia habuerunt, disseisiri. Unde Regi Francorum videbatur, quod Rex Anglorum, quia non in adoptionem eorum statuit conditionem terris hinc vel inde suis privandorum, ut ad alterutrum Regum transmigrarent libere, sicut & ipse Rex Francorum fecerat, treugas initas inter eos confregisset. Sed quia nimis corpore debilitatus post reditum suum de Pictavia fuerat, noluit certamina suscitare, imo potius dissimulando pertransire, & impetuosas Normannorum querelas, & insurgendi in Regem Anglorum proterviam & avidam voluntatem, reprimere satagebat. This Record and passage of Matthew Paris, will very well explain the Statute De Praerogativa Regis, An. 12 E. 2. c. 12. and Stamford's Gloss thereon, Placita Coronae l. 3. c. 36. compared with Bracton l. 2. c. 35. sect. 12, 15. And l. 5. De Exceptionibus, c. 24. sect. 1. fol. 427. Est etiam & alia exceptio quae tenenti competit ex persona petentis propter defectum nationis, quae dilatoria est & non perimit actionem, ut si quis Alienigena qui fuerit ad fidem Regis Angliae, tali non respondeatur, saltem donec terrae fuerint communes, nec etiam sive Rex ei concesserit placitare, quia sicut Anglicus non auditur in placitando aliquem de terris & tenementis in Francia, ita nec debet Francigena & Alienigena qui fuerit ad fidem Regis Franciae, audiri placitando in Anglia; sed tamen sunt aliqui Francigenae in Francia, qui sunt ad fidem utriusque, & semper fuerunt ante Normanniam deperditam & post, & qui placitant hic & ibi, ea ratione qua sunt ad fidem utriusque, sicut fuit W. Comes Marr. & manens in Anglia, & M. de Feynes manens in Francia, & alii plures. Et ita tamen si contingat guerram moveri inter Reges, remaneat personaliter quilibet eorum cum eo cui fecerit ligeantiam, & faciat servitium debitum ei cum quo non steterit in persona. And c. 25. sect. 3. Item respondere poterit, quia particeps de quo dicitur nihil capere potest, quia est ad fidem Regis Franciae, & nihil capere poterit antequam fiat fides Regi Angliae, & cum terrae sint communes & concordes, & ideo non est necesse quae in brevi nominentur. The Sheriff of Cambridge and Huntingdon seizing the Lands of the Prior of St. Neoth and others, by pretext of the King's Writs (the * Here p. 630. year before) to seize the Lands of all Prior Aliens into the King's hands, the King upon the Prior's complaint issued this Writ to the Sheriff, to restore the possession of their Lands unto them, and to show by what warrant he seized them, and to hear his judgement. REX Vicecom. Cantabrig. & Hunting. salutem. Monstravit nobis Prior de Claus. 29 H. 3 m. 10. dorso. Sancto Neoth. quod tu occasione praecepti nostri, quod nuper tibi fecimus de terris Abbatum & Priorum, & aliorum virorum religiosorum de partibus transmarinis, cedentium vel decedentium in manum nostram capiendis, ipsum Priorem de Prioratu suo Disseisivisti, in manum nostram caepisti. Quod quidem ex dicto mandato nostro elicere non potuisti. Et quia fines ejusdem mandati nostri excecisti, tibi praecipimus quod eidem Priori de praedicto Prioratu suo, cum omnibus pertinentiis suis, & omnibus aliis de partibus transmarinis, quos de terris suis contra formam praedicti mandati nostri in aliquo Disseisivisti talem seisinam habere facias, qualem inde habuerunt ante susceptionem ejusdem mandati nostri. Et si quid de bonis eorum ea occasione caepisti per pacem quam tecum fecerunt, vel alio modo, id eis sine dilatione reddi facias. Et tu nihilominus sicut corpus tuum diligis, coram nobis in crastino Claus. Pascha, ubicunque tunc fuerimus in Anglia, ad ostendendum, quo warranto ipsum Prioratum caepisti in manum nostram, & terras quorundam aliorum, & ad audiendum inde judicium tuum. Ei habeas ibi hoc breve. Teste Rege apud Westmonasterium, Undecimo die Aprilis, Anno Regni nostri xxix. There being a Parliament summoned at London this year by the King, and the Bishops being likewise required by Martin the Pope's Agent to repair thither about an Aid to the King and Pope, the King thereupon fearing some designs from Scotland, commanded the Bishop of Durham, notwithstanding his former summons, to remain at home for defence of those parts, till further order, by this Writ. REX N. Dunelmensi Episcopo, salutem. Mandamus vobis rogantes, quod ne Claus. 28 H. 3. m. 11. dorso. que occasione adventus B. Cantuariensis electi, cui ob nostram reverentiam, & ejus honorem occurrisse proposuistis, neque occasione alicujus summonitionis nostrae seu quaestionis vobis hactenus factae, a partibus vestris vos versus partes transferatis Australes, sed ad securitatem nostram & vestram, & ad tuitionem partium vestrarum, in eisdem propter quorundam insidias, de quibus ad vos rumor satis manifeste, ut credimus, pervenit, remaneatis, donec habitis cum fidelibus nostris tractatu pleniore & certitudine evidenti, aliud vobis duxerimus significandum. Nos autem super omni summonitione & quaestione facta, vos interim conservabimus indempnes. Teste Regeapud Westm. xxij. die Aprilis. The * See the First Part of my brief Register, Calendar and Survey of Parliamentary. Writs, p. 51, 52, 58, 112, 113, 218, 219. like Writs upon the like occasion I find issued to the Bishop of Durham and others, Claus. 30 E. 1. m. 7. dorso, Claus. 6 E. 2. m. 12. dorso, Claus. 20 E. 3. pars 2. dors. 22. Claus. 46 E. 3. dors. 11. Claus. 12 R. 2. m. 42. dorso. The Sheriff of Buckingham distraining the Tenants of the Abbey of Westminster for Hidage, and view of Frankpledge, against the Liberties granted them by the King's Charters, as their supreme Lord, the King thereupon issued this Precept to the Sheriff for preservation of their Liberties. CUm inter Libertates quas Rex concessit Abbati & Conventui Westm. concesserit Claus. 28 H. 3. m. 13. dorso. eis, quod quieti sint in omnibus Comitatibus Angliae, de Hydagio, & visu F●ancipledgii: Mandatum est Vicecom. Buck▪ quod averia hominum suorum de Cypham, de Estburnham, de Dilherst, & de Brekewell, quae capit pro Hydagio, & visu Francipledgii deliberari faciat. De caetero ab eis non exigens vel exigi permittens Hydagia, vel visum Francipledgii, vel aliquid contra libertates eye a praedecessoribus Regis concessas. Teste, etc. The Pope having granted authority to the Bishop of Hereford to give special dispensations to such of King Henry's meritorious Clerks as he should recommend unto him from time to time, (to receive more benefices than one, and exemption from residence on them) specially recommended John Mansel, and three more of his Clerks to the Bishop, to grant them the benefit of the Pope's indulgence, by this Patent. REX Venerabili in Christo Patri P. Hereford. Episcopo, salutem. De promotione Pat. 28 Hen. 3. m. 7. dorso. Clericorum nostrorum nobis fideliter obsequentium esse sollicitos nos oportet, & praecipue de ipsorum Provisione, sollicitiores esse debemus, quorum obsequium nobis est magis gratum & acceptum, sua gratitudine mediante. Cum igitur Dominus Papa vobis injunxerit, ut cum dilecto Clerico nostro Johanne Mansel dispensetis, secundum formam vobis ab eo transmissam, cum a nobis fueritis requisiti, paternitatis vestrae dilectionem requirimus & rogamus attente, quatenus cum praefato Clerico nostro juxta mandatum Apostolicum misericorditer dispensetis, ut idem Clericus noster qui multo majoribus quam ei possemus facere dignus esset, gratiam Apostolicam ad instantiam nostram sibi sentiat fructuosam, nosque vobis pro laudabili exeeutione mandati praedicti gratias speciales impendere debeamus. Teste Rege apud Westm. Octavo die Aprilis. Eodem modo scribitur eidem Episcopo, pro Gwidone de Russilum, Pet. Chaceport, & Magistro Henrico de Secus. The Freers Minorites having petitioned the King that none of their Order might be elected an Archbishop or Bishop in Ireland for the future, nor that he should assent to such election, if casually elected without the consent and testimonial of the Provincial and Freers of that Order, the King thereupon in pursuit thereof, issued this Inhibition to all the Chapters of that Order, and chief Justice of Ireland. REX Universis Capitulis Ecclesiarum Cathedralium & ordinis fratrum Minorum Pat. 28 Hen. 3. m. 2. dorso. in Hybernia, salutem. Cum nonnulli boni viri de ordine fratrum Minorum nobis supplicarunt, quod concederemus eisdem, quod nullus frater ordinis sui ad aliquam dignitatem Archiepiscopatus sive Episcopatus in Hybernia eligatur de caetero, nec si aliquis eorundem fratrum forte sic eligatur, idem electus assensum praebere possit hujusmodi electioni sine consensu & testimonio ministri sui Provincialis & fratrum ejusdem ordinis discretorum; Huic petitioni suae honestae duximus annuendum. Vobis mandantes, et etiam firmiter inhibentes, ne fratrem aliquem ejusdem ordinis sic eligatis vel eligi permittatis, nisi in forma praedicta, pro certo scituri, quod electioni factae de aliquo hujusmodi fratre in Archiepiscopum vel Episcopum nullo modo assensum Regium adhibebimus, nisi sub forma praedicta. Teste, etc. Et mandatum est M. filio Geroldi Justiciario Hiberniae, quod hujusmodi electiones de fratribus ordinis praedicti fieri prohibeat. About this time there happened a great controversy between the Freers Predicants and Minorites, wherein their pride, avarice, ambition, extortions as the Pope's instruments, and other vices are thus set out by each other, in their proper colours. Et ne mundus turbinibus undique multiplicatis vacare videretur, inter fratres Minores Mat. Paris Hist. Angl. p. 592. Controversia inter ●iatres Praedicatores &. Minores. & Praedicatores controversia eisdem temporibus ventilata, multos, eo quod viam perfectionis, videlicet paupertatis & patientiae, videbantur elegisse, movit in admirationem. Asserentibus enim Praedicatoribus se fuisse Priores, & in hoc ipso digniores, habitu quoque honestiores, a praedicatione merito nomen & officium se sortiri, & Apostolica dignitate verius insigniri: respondent Minores, Se arctiorem vitam & humiliorem pro Deo elegisse, & idcirco digniorem, quia sanctiorem, & ab ordine Praedicatorum ad ordinem eorum fratres posse, & licenter debere, quasi ab inferiori ad ordinem arctiorem & superiorem transmigrare. Contradicunt eis in faciem Praedicatores, asserentes, quod licet ipsi Minores, nudi pede, & viriliter tunicati, cinctique funiculis incedant, non tamen eis esus carnium, etiam in publico, vel dieta propensior denegatur, quod fratribus est Praedicatoribus interdictum: quapropter non licet ipsis Praedicatoribus ad Minorum ordinem, quasi arctiorem & digniorem, avolare, sed potius e converso. Sic igitur, sicut inter Templarios & Hospitalarios in Terra Sancta, sic & inter illos humani generis inimico zizania seminante, ortum est discordiae enorme scandalum, & quia viri literati sunt & scholares, universali Ecclesiae nimis periculosum, in indicium magni judicii prae foribus imminentis. Et quod terribile est, & in triste praesagium, per trecentos annos, vel quadringentos, vel amplius, ordo Monasticus tam festinanter non coepit praecipitium, sicut eorum ordo, quorum fratres jam vix transactis viginti quatuor annis, primas in An●lia construxere mansiones, quarum aedificia jam in Regales consurgunt altitudines. Hi jam sunt, qui in sumptuosis & diatim ampliatis aedificus, & celsis muralibus, thesauros exponunt impreciabiles, paupertatis limits, & basim suae professionis, juxta Prophetiam Hyldegardis Alemanniae, impudenter transgredientes. Morituris Magnatibus, & divitibus, quos norunt pecuniis abundare, diligenter insistunt, non sine ordinariorum injuriis & jacturis, ut emolumentis inhient, confessiones extorquent, & occulta testamenta, se suumque ordinem solum commendantes, & omnibus aliis praeponentes. Unde nullus sidelis, nisi Praedicatorum & Minorum regatur consiliis, jam credit salvari. In acquirendis privilegiis solliciti in Curiis Regum & potentum consiliarii, & cubicularii & thesaurarii, paranymphi, & nuptiarum praelocutores, Papalium extorsionum executores, in praedicationibus suis, vel adulatores, vel mordacissimi reprehensores, vel confessionum detectores, vel incauti redargutores. Ordines quoque auctenticos, & a sanctis patribus constitutos, videlicet a sanctis Benedicto & Augustino, & eorum professores contemnentes (prout in causa Ecclesiae de Scard●burc, in qua Minores turpiter ceciderunt, patuit) suum ordinem aliis praeponunt. Rudes reputant simplices, & semilaicos vel potius rusticos, Cistercienses Monachos: Nigros vero, superbos, & Epicuros. Soon After, * Mat. Par. Hist. Angl. p. 596. Correctio Ordinum Praedicatorum & Minotum, exemplo S. Benedicti. Fratres, praecipue Praedicatores, ordinis ignaros, a tramite disciplinae Sancti Benedicti, nimis impudenter exorbitasse deprehendebantur: Whereupon, Papalis severitatis moderamine corriguntur, & auctoritate Literarum talium in viam meliorem diriguntur. Pope Innocents' Bull for their reformation you may read in Matthew Paris. The Abbots, Priors; and other Ecclesiastical persons of the Diocese and Province of Canterbury, being summoned to a Convention at Maydeneston in Kent, to contribute an Aid to the Pope or Archbishop, when as they had not yet given any satisfaction to the King, as to the Aid the Pope had by his Letters granted him, from the universality of the Clergy of England; the King thereupon issued this memorable Prohibition to them, not to grant any Aid at all to the Pope, Archbishop, or any other, without his Royal assent thereto. REX Abbatibus, Prioribus, & omnibus aliis personis Ecclesiasticis vocatis hac Pat. 29 Hen. 3. m. 8. do●so. die Veneris in Septimana Paschae usque Maydenestan, salutem. Cum Dominus Papa per Literas suas nuper nobis concesserit, quod universitas totius Cleri Angliae, subsidium nobis conferat, in quo nondum nobis est satisfactum: Et vos, sicut audivimus, authoritate Domini Cantuariensis Archiepiscopi convenire debeatis super aurilio eidem Archiepiscopo, sive Domino Papae praestando: Vobis mandamus firmiter inhibentes, ne dicto Archiepiscopo, seu Domino Papae, seu alii subsidium aliquod praeter assensum nostrum concedatis. Teste Rege apud Windes. nineteen. die Aprilis. There being an Inquisition pending between the King, by Papal Authority, and the Bishop of Bath, the King by this Patent constituted a special Proctor therein, the business depending before two Abbots, to whom it was referred. REX constituit Magistrum R. de Cantilupo, procuratorem Regis in negotio Inquisitionis, Pat. 29 Hen. 3. m. 3. intus. quod vertitur inter Regem ex una parte, Authoritate Apostolica, & Ba●hon. Episcopum ex altera, ratum, etc. quicquid idem Magister in dicto negotio Inquisitionis mediante justitia duxerit faciendum. Et diriguntur Literae Sancti Edmundi, & de Persor. Abbatibus. Teste Rege apud Wigorn. primo die Augusti. A baptised Jew turning an Apostate, the King upon information thereof sent this special Mandate to the Sheriff of Oxford, to apprehend and imprison him when he should be named to him, till the Ordinary of the place should order what belonged to him. MAndatum est Vicecomiti Oxon. quod quendam Apostatum qui vitam Judaeorum Claus. 29 H. 3. m. 12. intus. deseruit, & baptizatus fuit, & Acolitus postmodum factus, & postea Apostatavit, cujus nomen ei scire faciet frater Robertus Bacun, capi & in prisona Oxon. detineri faciat, donec loci Diocaesanus inde fecerit, quod ad se viderit pertinere. Teste meipso apud Waledon. Quinto die Aprilis, Anno Regni nostri xxix. Per Paulinum Peyur. The Pope sending a Legate into Ireland upon a particular occasion, the King thereupon granted a special Writ to his Chief Justice, to admit him into Ireland for that purpose, but not to execute any other Authority there whatsoever, without his special licence, without which he could not so much as enter into Ireland. REX Justiciario Hyberniae, salutem. Ad duo Authoritate Apostolica exercenda, Claus. 29 H. 3. m. 7. dorso. Magistro J. de Frussyn, Clerico & Nuncio Domini Papae, concessimus licentiam in Hyberniam transfretandi, viz. ad absolutionem impendendam hiis qui manus violentas in Clericos injecerunt, & ad pecuniam colligendam in subsidium Terrae Sanctae. Et ideo vobis mandamus, quod ipsum ad exercenda praemissa benigne admittentes▪ a Praelatis & aliis ad eadem permittatis admitti. Non sustinentes, quamvis Praelati sustinere vellent, quod aliam jurisdictionem exerceat, donec aliud a Rege habuerit mandatum. Teste, etc. The Pope presuming by his usurped authority to ordain a Bishop of Elfin in Ireland without the King's Royal assent, the King, although it tended to the derogation of his Royal Prerogative, upon which account the Archbishop of Tuam refused to consecrate him; yet notwithstanding because he had received a laudable testimony from the Pope and others touching the person, out of his mere special grace was content to give his Royal assent to his ordination and consecration; and thereupon to restore the Temporalties to him by this special Patent, without which the Pope's Provision had been ineffectual to him. REX M. filio Geroldi Justiciario Hiberniae, salutem. Sciatis, Quod etsi per Pat. 29 Hen. 3. m. 2. intus. ordinationem factam a Summo Pontifice de J. quondam Archid. Elfin. in Episcopum Elfin. libertati Regiae fuerit derogatum, eo quod praeter assensum nostrum constat esse factam: Quia tamen de persona ejusdem J. testimonium laudabile perhibetur, sicut ex Literis Domini Papae plenius audivimus, et M. Tuamensis Archiepiscopus munus consecrationis, sine assensu nostro ei noluerit impendere, ordinationi praedictae de gratia nostra Regium assensum adhibuimus et favorem. Et ideo vobis mandamus, quod de omnibus terris & tenementis, & Regiis aliis ad praedictum Episcopatum pertinentibus, & in manu nostra existentibus, eidem J. plenam seisinam habere faciatis. Teste Rege apud Gannak in Castris, Quarto die Septembris. The Chief Justice in Ireland in a case of Assize of Novel Disseisin between two Irish Bishops, refusing to give Judgement against the Defendant, till he received the King's direction therein, for fear of being excommunicated by the Defendant Bishop▪ who threatened to excommunicate him; the King thereupon checking him for his cowardice, commanded him to proceed to give Judgement and Damages in the cause, notwithstanding the threatened excommunication, and to Attach and imprison those Judges and others, who presumed against his express Prohibition to hold Plea of these Lands in the Bishop's Court, to the contempt, prejudice, and disinherison of his Crown and Dignity, and not to suffer from thenceforth any suits of this nature to be held in any Ecclesiastical Court, or to suffer any of his Rights to be lost. REX Justiciario Hiberniae, salutem. Auditis & plenius intellectis Literis vestris Claus. 29 H. 3. m. 10. dorso. quas super processu Assisae novae disseisinae quam venerabilis Pater Cristinus Imlicensis Episcopus arramiavit versus Alanum Episcopum Clon. de tenemento suo in K●lcomyr, nobis transmisistis▪ ut inde voluntatem nostram vobis responderemus, non potuimus non mirari quod metu alicujus excommunicationis, vel al●a ratione super tam manifesta disseisina quam dictum Clon. Episcopum, fecisse ex confessionem sua liquet aperte, judicium proferre distulistis, & dicto Clon. Episcopo amerciato, & ad damna dicto Imlicen. illata restituenda, condemnato secundum legem & consuetudinem terrae nostrae Hiberniae, seisinam eidem Imlicen. Episcopo, de dicto tenemento rehabere non fecistis; volentes igitur quod super disseisina praedicta suppleatur, quod minus actum est hucusque: Vobis mandamus, quod non obstantibus minis dicti Clon. vel cujusquam alterius de sententia excommunicationis in vos, vel in dictum Imlicensem Episcopum lata, vel in alium de Ballivis nostris ferenda, ad judicium inde proferendum sine dilatione procedatis, dissesitorem praedictum amercientes secundum modum et qualitatem transgressionis; disseisito seisinam restitui faciatis cum damnis suis ei inde adjudicatis. judices vero qui spreta Prohibitione nostra in foro Ecclesiastico super dicto tenemento processerunt, et hoc in Curia nostra recognoverunt, et dictum Episcopum Clon. contra Coronam nostram, placitum illud et dignitatem nostram prosequendo, capi, et in prisona nostra salvo custodiri faciatis, donec super tanto contemptu et tam enormi transgressione plenam et condignam nobis fecerint emendam. In casibus consimilibus cum evenerint, in fide qua nobis tenemini, eodem modo vos habentes, et processum observantes, ita quod de jure nostro nihil per defectum vestrum nobis depereat.. Teste meipso apud Windes. Anno Regni nostri xxix. King Henry having the Patronage of the Priory of Lewes by reason of a Wardship, issued this memorable Inhibition to the subprior and Covent, not to permit any person whatsoever to present to any Church belongining to the Priory which was or should be void, during the vacancy of the Priory, upon pain to forfeit all they had▪ REX Subpriori & Conventui de Lewes, salutem. Quia ex certa Relatione fide Claus 29. 3. ● 35. intus. dignorum intellexerimus, quod existente domo vestra sine Priore sicut nunc est W. quondam Com. Warren. fuit in possessione praesentandi ad Ecclesias, de patronatu vestro, quas in hujusmodi vacationibus vacare contingebat, & Idem jus modo residet penes nos ratione Custodiae Haeredis praefati Com. in manu nostra, existenti. Vobis firmiter inhibemus, quod sicut omnia bona ve●●●a quae in vestra tenetis potestate diligitis, ad Ecclesias, qu● vacaverint postquam fuistis Acephali, vel quas vacare continget, ad instantiam cujuscunque nullatenus praesentare praesumatis. Teste Rege apud Gudeford 27▪ die Januarii. The Archbishops and Bishops of the Realm in this age, could not make their last Wills and Testaments, nor devise any of the Corn sown, or stock or goods on their Bishoprickes, nor their movable or immovable goods, without the King's special Patent, grant and licence, authorising them to do it, and ratifying their wills, against himself, his heirs and successors, as these two memorable Patents intimate. The first of them to the Archbishop of York. REX omnibus, etc. salutem. Sciatis quod concessimus. W. Eborum Archiepiscopo, Pat. 29 Hen. 3. m. 5. intus. Pro Domino, Eborum Archiepiscopo. quod quandocunque voluerit, libere & licenter condere possit testamentum suum, & pro voluntate sua ordinare, tam de bladis seminatis in terris Episcopatus sui & Ecclesiae suae, quam de omnibus aliis mobilibus suis; & similiter immobilibus personam suam ratione Ecclesiae suae, seu ratione sui ipsius contingentibus. Ita quod si de eo humanitus contingat, quod nollemus, executores Testamenti sui liberam habeant administrationem omnium praedictorum ad executionem Testamenti sui faciendam prout inde ordinaverit, sine impedimento nostri & Haeredum nostrorum & Ballivorum nostrorum. In cujus, etc. Teste Rege apud Woodstock▪ 22 die Maii. The second is to the Bishop of Karlisle. REX omnibus, etc. salutem. Sciatis quod Testamentum quod W. Karl. Episcopus Pat. 29 H. 3. m. 4. intus. Pro Domino Karl. Episcopo. condidit, vel conditurus est quocunque tempore, & quacunque hora tam de bladis in terra, quam de Wardis & firmis, & omnibus suis mobilibus, pro nobis & haeredibus nostris gratum habemus & acceptum, & illud concedimus & confirmamus: prohibentes ne aliquis Ballivus, noster vel Haeredum nostrorum, quae idem Episcopus reliquerit ad executionem Testamenti sui faciendam, manum mittat, vel in aliquo se inde intromittat, vel aliquo modo Testamentum illud impediat, quia tam Testamentum suum, quam executores Testamenti sui cepimus in protectionem & defensionem nostram, & haeredum nostrorum. In cujus, etc. Teste Rege apud Windes. 5. die Julii. Pope Innocent the 4. was one of the first Popes who presumed to summon a General Council by his own Papal Authority, without and against the Emperor, and that purposely out of malice to excommunicate and depose him, against all Laws of God and man, for which end he sent abroad his Nuncio's and Letters as to other Kings and Prelates, so particularly to the King of England, and all Archbishop's Bishops and other Prelates, to summon them to a General Council to be held by him at Lions in France. Anno eodem circa medium Quadragesimae, venerunt Nuntij Domini Papae in Angliam de convocando Concilio generali, tale mandatum Papale bajulantes: INNOCENTIUS Episcopus, servus servorum Dei, dilectis filiis, Abbatibus Mat. Paris Hist. Angl. p. 636. 637, 638. Mat. Westm. p. 190. Papa convocat Concilium generale apud Lugdunum. & Prioribus per Angliam constitutis▪ salutem & Apostolicam benedictionem. Dei virtus, & Dei sapientia, cujus ineffabili subjecta sunt omnia Majestati, a fundationis initio splendore virtutum suam illustravit Ecclesiam. Et sic insignem, reddidit singularis privilegio potestatis, ut per ejus ministerium suum justitia consequatur effectum, & sedato bellorum turbine, mundo possit tranquillitas provenire. Hujusmodi enim praeeminentiam dignitatis dum nos reverenter attendimus, quiregimini generalis Ecclesiae, licet immeriti, Divina providentia praesidemus, reddimur corde solliciti, quod tempestatis horror qua ipsa turbatur Ecclesia, et religio▪ Christiana con●utitur, per nostrae provisionis auxilium caelesti pietate propitia propulsetur. Hinc est, quod nos▪ ut ipsa Ecclesia perfidelium salubre▪ consilium & auxilium fructuosum, status debiti possit habere decorem, ac deplorando Terrae sanctae discrimini, & afflicto Romano Imperio propere valeat subveniri, ac invenire remedium contra Tartaros, & alios contemptores fidei, ac persecutores populi Christiani: nec non pro negotio quod inter Ecclesiam et Principem vertitur, Reges torrae, Praelatos Ecclesiarum, & alios mundi Principes duximus advocandos. Rogamus etiam devotionem▪ vestram & hortamur attente, per Apostolica vobis scripta praecipiendo mandantes, quatenus ad praesentiam nostram, omni prorsus occasione postposita, usque ad proximum festum sancti▪ Johannis Baptistae, personal●●er venire curetis; Ut ipsa Ecclesia ex vestra▪ visitationis honore▪ spirituale gaudium▪ & ex nostra industria consilium percipiat prosuturum. Scituri, quod nos dictum▪ Principem in praedicatione nostra citavimus, ut per se, vel per suos nuntios in Concilio celebrando compareat, responsurus nobis, et aliis, Nota▪ qui aliquid contra ipsum durerint proponendum, et satisfactionem idoneam praestiturus. De personarum autem & evectionum moderato numero, illam cum veniritis providentiam habeatis, quod vestris Ecclesiis nimis non sitis onerosi. Datum Lugduni, tertio Calend. Februari●, Pontificatus nostri anno secundo. Eisdemque diebus Dominus Rex enormiter, ut sibi suisque videbatur, pa●●us injuriam, eo quod plures jam Episcopi sine suo assensu creabantur, Rex Angliae mittit procuratorem ad Curiam Romanam. super hoc conquesturus, et pro suo jure ab antiquis temporibus obtento et approbato, allegaturus ad Curiam Romanam Magistrum Laurentium de Sancto Martino, Clericum suum, virum circumspectum, et Iurisperitum suum, destinavit Procuratorem; similiter etiam pro aliis arduis negotiis Regem et Regnum contingentibus prudenter ac fideliter cum diligentia expediendis. Maxime tamen pro negotio Roberti Passelevae Electi Cicestrensis, tam praecipitanter, inconsulto tam Rege quam Capitulo Cicestrensi, in medio regni sui eassati, et per electum Cantuariensem Bonifacium, quem noviter, non sine multorum murmure & contradictione in Regnum suum vocaverat, & ad tantam promoverat digni atem, depulsi. Promeruisset utique Dominus Rex non minimum in causa favorem. Sed quia multos viros idoneos, & praecipue religiosos, quos potius promovere & tueri, sicut quondam sancti Reges fecerunt, teneretur, excogitatis argumentis, et frivolis exceptionibus, falsis, ac potius malitiosis, toties repulit, et cum rite eligerentur, in ignominiosam confusionem praeciptavit, merito procuratum est tanti mali remedium. Vt scilicet eo, qui tot mala machinabatur, ignorante vel etiam contra dicente Ecclesiis viduatis provideatur, quibus viri idonei, ne grex Dominicus detrimentum patiatur, maturius praeponantur, quod videtur consonum rationi. Sed de Regni potius quam de Regis perturbationius, et ●uinis Anglorum Nobiles doluerunt. Cum autem haec ad Concilium generalis convocatio, ad audientiam Praelatorum Aliqua Praelati ne ad Concilium eant per Regem excusantur. pervenisset, multi ad iter praeparantur arripiendum. Aliqui tamen Regiis negotiis intendentes, aliqui valetudinarii, & senes, se per Regem, vel competentes Procuratores excusarunt. Regi etiam, qui pro aliquibus humiliter domino Papae supplicaverat, Papa favorabiliter sic rescripsit. INNOCENTIUS Episcopus, etc. Charissimo in Christo filio, Regi Anglorum Literae Papales. illustri, salutem & Apostolicam benedictionem. Erga personam tuam, tanquam filii & devoti Apostolicae sedis, specialis paternum gerentes dilectionis affectum, precibus tuis, quantum cum Deo possumus, libenter attentum accommodamus auditum, & benignum impertimur assensum. Sane per dilectum Magistrum Laurentium, Nuncium tuum aepud sedem Apostolicam constitutum, & per Literas Regias, a nobis humiliter postulasti, ut cum instanti aestate proponens ad perfidiam quorundam tuorum rebellium conterendam, exercitu congregato dirigere gressus tuos, Venerabilem fratrem nostrum Carleolensem Episcopum, & ailectum filium Abbatem Westmonasteriensem, custodiae Regni tui, quamdiu in expeditione permanseris, providè deputaris, ipsos & Venerabiles fratrem nostrum Episcopum Landavensem, omnibus bonis Episcopatus sui, per inimicos Regios denudatum, & dilectos filios Sancti Edmundi, morbo podagrico laborantem, ac de Wautham senio confractum & confectum, Abbates, ne ad Concilium veniant, quod in instanti festo Nativitatis beati Johannis Baptistae, Deo dante, celebrabimus, haberemus benigne ac misericorditer excusatos. Nos itaque Celsitudinis Regiae Regnique tui propensius affectantes commodum & quietem, & tibi, ac pro te tuis, quantum pro Deo fieri potest, exhibere parati, gratiam & favorem devotioni tuae praesentium authoritate concedimus benignitate postulata: sublimitatem tuam hortantes attente, ut moleste non feras, quod petitionem tuam pro Venerabili fratre nostro Eboracensi Archiepiscopo, in Literis Regiis praedictis expressam, & per memoratum Magistrum ex parte tua insuper nobis inculcatam, super excusatione consimili, non duximus admittendam. Quia cum ipse sit honorabile Ecclesiae Dei membrum, ejus praesentiam praefato Concilio credimus opportunam. Datum Lugduni, x. Calend. Junii, Pontificatus nostri anno secundo. Similiter quidam alii Angliae Praelati, tam Abbates quam Episcopi, diversis causis Quldā Praelati Angliae excusati remanét sed Abbas de Burgo Curiam coactus adiens, accusatur, maleque tractatur. expressis praepediti, & sese rationabiliter excusantes, quia valetudinarii, vel senes, vel infirmi, (utpote Episcopus Eliensis, & Abbas Sancti Albani, & quidam alii) per procuratores suos, per quos Dominum Papam & Cardinales, sic volentes, salutarunt, & preciosis muneribus respexerunt, licenter remanserunt. Abbas autem de Burgo, vir sine querela, qui specialius aliis super hoc mandatum Papale suscepit, & non sine molestia ad Curiam Romanam cum pervenisset, per Magistrum Martinum Papae Clericum, in Anglia commorantem, graviter accusatus est, pro eo quod quandam Ecclesiam, quam cuidam viro idoneo contulerat, ad opus cujusdam consanguinei Domini Papae, ipsi Magistro Martino noluit, sicut nec debuit, confer: (procuring a Prohibition from the King, forecited.) Unde dictus Abbas cum in Curia Papali apparuisset, ipsum Dominus Papa, vel per Papam, Papales, probose objurgatum, a Palatio suo jussit ejici, tam turpiter et irreverenter, quod nunquam postea plenam admittens consolationem, contristatus, in incurabilem praecipitatus est infirmitatem. Unde eodem anno, * Mat. Paris p. 669. post multas indignas vexationes, tribulationes, & infirmitatem, quam in jura Romana ob id initiaverat, in magnum Ecclesiae suae damnum, jacturam & perturbationem, quam prudenter rexerat, viam universae carnis est ingressus. Such was the Tyranny of this peremptory, usurping, Antichristian Pope, trampling the persons, privileges, Crowns, Rights of all Christian Emperors, Kings, Princes, Prelates, Abbots, Nobles, Kingdoms under his Papal feet, and more particularly those who had either any courage or conscience to withstand his injurious Usurpations, as this Abbot did at first. Per idem quoque tempus, Dominus Rex sano fretus Consilio, ex quo certificabatur Mat. West. An. 1245. p. 193. de Concilio generali in proximo Lugduni celebrando, Nuncios solennes ad Concilium destinavit, videlicet Comitem, Rogerum Bigod, Johaennem filium Galfridi, Gulihelmum de Cantilupo, Philippum Basset, Radulphum filium Nicholai, Milites, & Gulihelmum de Powic, Clericum, ut Domino Papae et toti Concilio gravamina exponerent, quae Regno Angliae in multis a Romana Curia diatim inferuntur: praecipue de Tributo in guerrae tempore extorto, cui contradictum fuit, et aperte per Stephanum Archiepiscopum Cantuar. reclamatum. Which Matthew Paris thus more largely expresseth; Tunc vero, licet sero, Mittuntur nuncii universitatis Angliae ad Concilium. Dominus Rex Anglorum, aliquantulum conversus ad se, coepit detestari Romanae Curiae insatiabilem cupiditatem, et totius Regni, imo etiam et Ecclesiae per eam factas injuriosas occupationes, illicitasque rapinas. Composita igitur per Regni universitatem eleganti Epistdla, in qua extorsiones Papales nimis execrabiles, et exactiones multiformes Legatorum ejus, et quorundam Clericorum potestate inaudita fungentium, continebantur, ut sequens sermo declarabit. Cum qua viri nobiles ac discreti ad Concilium destinantur, gravem super his, et praecipue super exactione Tributi, in quod nunquam consensit Regni universitas, coram Concilio querimoniam reposituri, et talium relevamen onerum importabilium Regno Angliae misericorditer impendi, rogaturi: (which as the affairs of England then stood they ●ould hardly redress themselves, till this general Complaint and Petition first made against them in this general Council.) Electi sunt igitur, et ad hoc, nomine totius universitatis Regni Angliae ad Concilium Lugdunense missi, Comes Rogerus Bigod, Johannes filius Galfridi, Willielmus de Cantelupo, Philippus Basset, Radulphus filius Nicholai, & Magister Willielmus de Poweric, Clericus. I find in the Clause Rolls of 29 H. 3. this Letter sent by the King to the Pope, reciting his sending of these solemn Nuntioes to this General Council, according to his command, who were then in their journey to his Court, from whence they should hasten to his Holy Paternity with all possible expedition; earnestly requesting him, that if before their arrival any thing should happen to be handled or mentioned in this Council concerning his affairs, or the state of the Kingdom, that it might be suspended till they presented themselves before him. DOmino Papae Rex, salutem, & debitam tanto Patri reverentiam & honorem. Clans. 29 H. 3, m. 9 dorso. Cum sollempnes Nuncii nostri quos ad Concilium per vos in proximo celebrandum, sicut nobis mandastis, duximus destinandos, in procinctu sint itineris veniendi ad Curiam, & quam cito poterunt illuc venire festinant, Sanctam Paternitatem vestram rogamus cum effectu, quatenus si ante adventum eorundem Nunciorum nostrorum in dicto Concilio contingat, aliquid tractari seu mentionem fieri de negotiis nostrum, & Regni nostri statum contingentibus, ea si placet teneri faciatis in suspenso quousque commode se possint vestro conspectui praesentare. Teste Rege apud Westmonasterium, viij. die Junii. He likewise directed another Letter by them to the Emperor, entered in the same Roll, reciting, that he had sent Ambassadors to this Council, of the Noblest and discretest men of his Realm, who should use their uttermost endeavours to effect a laudable and desired peace between him and the Pope, to his honour; desiring him when they came to his Excellency's presence, to grant them a favourable reception and audience, that so by his desire they might procure a convenient increase of his Imperial honour. DOmino Imperatori Rex, salutem. Ille novit qui nihil ignorat, & Imperialem Claus. 29 H. 3. m. 9 dorso. Excellentiam non credimus ignorare, quod honorem vestrum totis visceribus affectamus, ad quod fraternae dilectionis affectio nos excitat jugiter & inducit. Sane laborem animi nostri quo diutius laboravit Altissimus sui gratia consummabit; sicut enim ex voluntate vestra novimus processisse, ad Concilium Lugduni convocatum Nuncios mittimus sollempnes, de Nobilioribus & discretioribus Regni nostri, qui ad honorem vestrum super pacis reformatione, per Dei gratiam laudabiliter laborabunt & effectum consequentur optatum; vestram igitur Excellentiam exoramus, quatenus praefatos Nuncios nostros ad vestram praesentiam accedentes commendatos habere velitis, & eye benignam audientiam exhibere, qui utinam vestro desiderio conveniens honoris Imperialis augmentum procurent. The King did then likewise by his Letters Patents constitute three of these Ambassadors, together with two others his Proctor's general in that Council, to propose, impetrate and contradict on his behalf, whatever they should deem expedient, and ratifying whatever they should do according to justice. DOmino Papae Rex, salutem. Cum dilectos & fideles nostros Nobiles viros Pat. 29 Hen. 3. m. 8. dorso. Willielmum de Cantilupo, Johannem filium Galfriái, Radulphum filium Nicholai, ad vestram praesentiam destinemus, ipsos una cum Barthol. Pecche, & Magistro Laurentio de Saencto Martino, Procuratores nostros constituimus, ad proponendum pro nobis quae viderint proponenda, & ad impetrandum quae viderint impetranda, & ad contradicendum quae viderint contradicenda, ratum habituri & gratum quicquid iidem in hac parte mediante justitia duxerint faciend. Teste ut supra. He then likewise granted special power to one of them by this Patent, to give his Royal assent to the translation of any Bishop, which by the advice of the Pope, his Cardinals, and his own Ambassadors sent to this Council, should happen to be translated, for the benefit of the Realm; without whose assent neither the Pope, Cardinals, nor Council could translate any of his Bishops. OMnibus, etc. Rex, salutem. Ad universitatis vestrae notitiam volumus pervenire, Pat. 29 Hen. 3. m. 8. dorso. nos Magistro Laurentio de Sancto Martino, potestatem nostram dedisse, ut si forsitan de Concilio Domini Papae, & Cardinalium, & Nunciorum nostrorum processerit in instanti Concilio, aliquem Episcopum pro utilitate Regni nostri debere transferri, praefatus Magister L. ad translationem illam faciendam possit assensum Regium adhibere. Teste meipso apud West monasterium, Decimo die Junij, Anno Regni nostri xxix. The Pope having called this General Council at Lions, and given the King of England notice thereof, as aforesaid, he thereupon issued this memorable Patent and Writ to all the Archbishops, Bishops, and other Prelates of England, Ireland, and Gascoign, which should repair to that Council by the Pope's summons, and his Royal Licence, that as they were obliged by their respective Oaths of Fealty to be faithful to him in all things belonging to his Royal Crown and Dignity, so they should use their utmost diligence and endeavours in this Council, both to acquire, conserve and defend the Rights of his Crown and Kingdom, and not do any thing therein against him, or those Rights which his Predecessors and he by ancient and approved custom had used, nor give their assent to any one that should attempt to procure or ordain any thing against the same, under pain of violating their Oaths, and forfeiting all the Temporalties they held of him. And so to demean themselves therein, that he might rather commend and render them special thanks for their benefit and virtue, then reprehend or reprove them for ingratitude, in due time. REX Archiepiscopis, Episcopis, & omnibus aliis Praelatis terrae suae Angliae, conventuris Pat. 29 Hen. 3. m. 5. dorso. ad Concilium Lugd. salutem. Vinculo juramenti nobis estis, at nostis, astricti, quo nobis in omnibus ad Regiam dignitatem spectuntibus et Coronam, omnem quam poteritis fidelitatem observare debetis. Quapropter vobis mandamus, in fide et fidelitate quibus nobis tenemini firmiter injungentes, quatenus tam ad adquisitionem, quam conservationem, necnon et defensionem jurium nostrorum, et Regni nostri, omnem quam poteritis diligentiam adhibere curetis. Et ne in praejudicium nostri, vel ejusdem Regni in Concilio Lugd. et ne etiam contra nos vel jura nosira, quibus praedecessores nostri et nos ex antiqua et approbata consuetudine usi sumus, procurare vel attemptare aliqua praesumatis, nec etiam alicui hujusmodi procurare vel statuere volenti assensum praebeatis, sub vinculo juramenti memorati et poena amissionis temporalium quae de nobis tenetis, Vobis firmiter inhibemus. Sic igitur vos in hac parte geratis, quod de beneficio vestro et virtute gratitudinis, vos debeamus potius specialiter commendare, quam de contrariis a vobis attemptatis, quod absit vestram ingratitudinem increpare et ultionem debitam, nobis opportuno tempore reservare. Teste, etc. Eodem modo scribitur Archiepiscopis, Episcopis, & omnibus aliis Praelatis, etc. ut supra, de Hybernia & Wasconia. The King by former experiments having * Here p. 268, to 282, 300, 301. just grounds to suspect they would rather comply with the Pope against their Oaths, then with him, to the betraying of the Rights of his Crown and Realm to his Papal Usurpations, which God by his extraordinary providence thus prevented in a great measure. Diebus vero Rogationum, in triste praesagium, apud Lugdunum quaedam Domini Anno 1245. Mat Paris Hist. Angl. p. 638. Mat. Westm. p. 191. Combusta est camera Papae. Papae camera, quae conclave, id est, Guarda roba dicitur, cum omnibus quae in ipsa continebantur, combusta est, asserentibus nonnullis sinistrè interpretantibus, quod gratis accensa est, ut sic occasionem Dominus Papa acciperet pecuniam petendi et extorquendi a Praelatis ad Concilium venire properantibus. Sed cum incendium plus quam credebatur desaeviret, combusta sunt etiam quaedam quae habebantur chariora. Et fuit multorum assertio, * Here p. 273, 274, 290, 291, 299, 300. quod detestabilis illa Charta, quae de Tributo Angliae, annis singulis▪ Ecclesiae Romanae solvendo, sub stebilis memoriae Rege Johanne, confecta fuerat, eodem incendio in cinerem ibidem est redacta. Cum autem Dominus▪ Papa graviter conquereretur suis familiaribus, & quibusdam Mat. Paris Hist. Angl. p. 642, 643, 644. Mat. Westm. p. 193, 194. Papa munera pretiosa a multis Praelaris accepit. magnis Praelatis, maximè Cluniacensi & Cisterciensi Abbatibus, ut sic cito in propatulo talis ventilaretur querimonia, quod videlicet aere alieno Ecclesia Romana fere irrestaurabiliter obligata praegravaretur. Et hac nacta occasione, intelligi daret, se maximè auxilio indiguisse pecuniari, unde ab ipsis tanquam à filiis charissimis & specialibus, subsidium pecuniare instanter postulavit. Venerunt ad eum Praelati multi, in saeculo abundantes, & amplioribus possessionibus inhiantes, gratiam Papalem, utpote paternam desiderantes; labores, & pericula sua deplorantes: sed quod Imperiales laqueos evasisset, & ad filios sibi devotos appropinquasset, alacriter eidem congratulantes, suae obtulerunt paternitati munera in equis, vasis, vestibus, auro, argento, & omni supellectili preciosa & desiderabili, inaestimabilia. Ex quibus Abbas Cluniacensis non ultimus esse desiderans▪ ne de●es haberetur, impetrata licentia ac potestate cellas suas depauperandi, ut Papam ditaret: suam Ecclesiam depauperans, & suis Prioratibus praegravatis & spoliatis, tantam pecuniae quantitatem praesentavit, quod audientibus admirationem magnam non immeritò generavit: multa munera multaque xenia in equis desiderabilibus & pretiosè phaleratis Papae contulit, quorum etiam aliqui pecunia erant onerati. Unde in Lingonensis Episcopatus dignitatem, a Domino Papa meruit sublimari. Imo intelleximus ex relatu Prioris de Westacre, qui est Monachus Cluniacensis, quod Dominus Abbas Cluniacensis praedictus, dederit Domino Papae tunc incontinenti, quater viginti elegantissimos palefridos decentissime phaleratos; & cuilibet Cardinalium unum palefridum optimum, & unum summarium electissimum: & erant Cardinales circiter duodecim. Papa autem, malens quod ipse Abbas suus foret stabularius, quam aliquis alter, praecepit Abbati, equos sibi datos ad suum opus benè custodire. Contulit quoque dictus Abbas Domino Papae in pecunia numerata, & vasis pretiosis, Thesaurum non minimae quantitatis. Quo exemplificatus, similiter & Abbas Cisterciensis, non minora, ne secundus haberetur, munera, filiali provocatus devotione, patri suo Domino Papae afflicto, & indigenti asseritur obtulisse. Archiepiscopus vero Rothomagensis, qui se suamque Ecclesiam non levibus ob hoc debitis irretivit, ipsi Domino Papae, ne quasi ultimus redargueretur, complacere cupiens, Papales Thesauros non mediocriter adaugendo cumulavit. Quod audiens Abbas Sancti Dionysii, Archiepiscopalem adoptans & ambiens dignitatem, emunctis ac extortis ab Ecclesia sua multis librarum millibus, Domino Papae charitatiuè conferendis, in * This was no Simony in the Pope or them. Rothomagensem sublimari meruit Archipraesulatum; hoc efficaciter praedecessore suo, jam Cardinali, procurante. Hoc autem cum audiret Rex Francorum, singularis & specialis Ecclesiae Sancti Dionysii oeconomus & patronus, coegit dictum Abbatem, quem ambitionis redarguit, memoratam pecuniam aliunde mendicare. Et sic uterque, videlicet tam Abbas, quam Archiepiscopus, post se foeda relinquentes vestigia, ut ad status desiderabiliores convolarent, suas, quas regendas susceperunt, Ecclesias depauperantes, per multorum Regnorum spacium scandala generarunt. Matthew W●stwinster addes; Archiepiscopus autem Rothomag. P. & Abbas Sancti Dionysii, natione Anglus, cum haec audissent, volentes Priores datores superare, tantam in moneta numerata pecuniam Thesauro Papali addiderunt, ut haec scientibus, quantitas & numerus stuporem non immerito generaret. Unde Archiepiscopus suam relinquens Ecclesiam, irrestaurabiliter pecunia spoliatam, in Cardinalem multo Domino Papae specialem, meruit sublimari; Abbas autem Sancti Dionysii in Archiepiscopum Rothomag. simili conditione pomposius infulari: Abbas vero Cluniacensis in Episcopum Lingonensem, quod multum desideraverat, ut unus esset ex Paribus Franciae, incathedrari. Cito etiam post, Archiepiscopus Lugdunensis, vir sine querela, & pacificus, & jam vergens in aetatem senilem & valetudinariam, nolens aliquatenus, ut Papam saginaret, suam Ecclesiam destruere, imo potius dolens, quod Papa totam Christianitatem & universalem Ecclesiam turbaturus, illuc adventasset, & suum Archiepiscopatum onerasset sua praesentia, & ad Concilium Praelatorum universalium advenientium, omnia in manus Domini Papae spontè resignavit. Cujus loco, Papa procurante, vir bellicosus, & secularibus negotiis aptior quam spiritualibus, subrogatus est, Philippus de Sabandia, frater Archiepiscopi Cantuar. Bonifacii, ut sic Papa tantis viris & tam generosis suam partem cautius roboraret, & genus eorum Romana Curiae astutius confederaret; * This Popes and Prelates worldly policy, overbalanced their piety. Curam animarum non sine multorum justorum oblocutione postponendo. Electus igitur Lugdunensis, Philippus memoratus, ex Papali indulgentia opimos redditus, quos in Anglia habuit & multis aliis locis, licenter retinens, ut fortius & efficacius Papalibus intenderet & secularibus negotiis, suam diu distulit consecrationem, nec officium Episcopale curabat exercere. Similiter & frater ejus, Cantuar. Archiepiscopus Bonifacius, suae immemor Ecclesiae, nec recolens sanctitatis suorum in Ecclesia Cantuar. praedecessorum, quasinauta navem, curam omisit pastoralem; & se per multum tempus in partibus Lugdunensibus, multum a Cantuar. distantibus commorans, absentavit. Vnde Ecclesia Anglicana, quae per ipsum speraverat respirasse, pro consolatione induit confusionem et desolationem. Alii quoque Praelati, singulis diebus ad Curiam Papalem adventantes, munera impreciabilia, quae stuporem intuentibus merito possent generare, festinanter ac certatim Romano Pontifici obtulerunt. Ita ut videretur multis, & ab eisdem palam affirmaretur, quod Dominus Papa propter hoc Lugdunum gratanter venisset potius, quam à facie alicujus aufugisset. Quibus omnibus Dominus Papa sinum, ne contemptus & elatio videretur, acceptationis aperuit: asserendo se multo pluribus indigere, honestas praeferens suae indigentiae jugiter excusationes, cum secundum, nescitur si vera, ejus assertionem, Romana Ecclesia occultis de causis, plus quam in centum & quinquaginta millibus librarum approbatae monetae exceptis usuris, quae serè ad numerum sortis ascendebant, teneretur obligata. Eodem tempore, cum vellet Dominus Papa (for his kind reception at Lions, Mat. Paris Hist. Angliae, Edit. Londini 1640. p. 658. Papae volenti invadere quasdam Praebendas vacantes, resistunt Canonici Lugdunenses. by his Provisions) quibusdam Praebendis Lugdunensis Ecclesiae vacantibus quosdam alienigenas consanguineos vel affines suos, inconsulto Capitulo intrudere, restiterunt ei in facie Canonici Lugdunenses; comminantes, et cum juramento obtestantes, (most likely by the English Nobilities examples) quod si tales apud Lugdunum apparerent, non posset eos vel Archiepiscopus vel Canonici protegere, quin in Rhodanum mergerentur. Nec ipsi, qui beneficium fuerant accepturi, ultra usquam comparuerunt. Eisdemque diebus, dum quidam Ostiarius Domini Papa protervius cuidam Civium Lugdunensium, introitum civiliter & humiliter postulanti, incivilius & frontosius, quam deceret, denegaret; idem Civis indignatus & iratus, manum praedicti Ostiari● penitus amputavit. Unde idem mancus, cum coram Domino Papa gravem reponeret querimoniam, brachium suum ostendens mutilatum, Dominus Papa, secundum legem Civitatis, vindictam sibi postulavit exhiberi. Quam Philippus de Sabaudia, custos pacis Ecclesiasticae, procuravit quali quali modo, ut honor Paplis saltem superficialiter salvarerur. Had his Papal Usurpations and Agents been thus resolutely opposed in other places, the world had never been so oppressed and molested by them, as they were to their intolerable vexation▪ The day of the Session of the Council of Lions summoned by this Pope, being come, our Historians give us this account of the Inception thereof, and Proceedings therein. Anno gratiae millesimo ducentesimo quadragesimo (misprinted decimo) quinto, Mat. Paris, p. 642, 643, etc. Mat. Westm. p. 294. sub Innocentio tertio Papa, celebrabatur aliud Concilium generale proximum, in quo decretum & scriptum est, quod non deberet de jure Concilium generale celebrari, nisi semel infra quinquaginta annos, quod est spacium clausum jubileo. Anno enim jubileo, vel infra tempus contentum infra annos quinquaginta, semel celebrari habet generale Concilium: in quo omnia collapsa habent reformari, & in bono statu restitui & solidari. Altius igitur Solis orbita cursum suum peragente, videlicet circa aestatis medium, Initium actorum in Concilio Lugdunensi. cum jam festum Nativitatis beati Johannis Baptistae advenisset, congregati sunt Lugduni ex totius fere Christianitatis latitudine Praelatorum venerabilium innumerabilis multitudo, vel eorum idonei; Imperatoris quoque, & multorum Principum, aliorumque Procuratores, secundum Papalis mandati tenorem, Concilium celebraturi. Multos tamen, ne advenirent, impedivit Imperator Fredericus, praesciens quod ad suum impedimentum & dedecus ipsos Papa convocarat. Absentes autem quamplurimi Praelatorum, per eos quos promiserunt procuratores, sese ex legitimis causis sufficienter excusarunt. Multi etiam Praelati ex Anglia tum propter senium, tum propter infirmitatem, tum per Regias preces pacificè remanserunt, sese per procuratores suos destinatos rationabiliter excusantes, ut supra latius dictum est. Inter quos, Abbas Sancti Albani, corpore gravis, & jam ad senilem declinans aetatem, Magistro Martino, qui tunc temporis in Anglia prosperè commorabatur, testimonium veritati suae per hoc perhibente; se rationabiliter per quendam Monachum suum, Johannem videlicet de Bulum, & quendam Clericum suum, Magistrum Rogerum de Holdene, suam excusavit absentiam: & sic indemnis & quietus remansit, Domino Papa per ipsos civiliter salutato. Veruntamen de Regno Hungariae, quae pro multa sui parte per Tartaros est vastata, nulli venerunt, & propter regionum distantiam nullus advenire valuit, aut voluit. De Alemannia, bello Imperiali perturbata, pauci Praelati ad Concilium minimè convenire potuerunt. De Terra vero Sancta, quae multo patuit discrimini, nullus penitus potuit illuc advenire, sed nec advocari. Occasionaliter tamen illuc adve●●t de Terra Sancta Episcopus Beritensis, totius Syriae Nuncius generalis, & Syndicus omnium Christianorum Terrae Sanctae▪ mandatum bajulans lugubre, de exterminio, permittente Deo, in Terra Sancta perpetrato. Dum autem Dominus Papa multos jam Praelatos, licet tamen non omnes, vidisset Qualiter Papa prima die Concilium initiavit congregatos, die Lunae proxima post festum Nativitatis Sancti Johannis Baptistae: intravit Dominus Papa cum fratribus Cardinalibus, Patriarchis, Archiepiscopis, Episcopis, & aliis Praelatis ad Concilium convocatis, simul & procuratoribus absentium tam Principum quam Praelatorum, in refectorium Religiosorum Sancti Justi, apud Lugdunum. Fuerunt itaque ibidem absque Cardinalibus, duo Patriarchae, scilicet Constantinopolitanus, qui & Antiochenus, & Patriarcha Aquilegiae, qui & Venetiae: Imperator quoque Constantinopolitanus, Comes etiam Tholosanus, & procuratores Angliae, Comes Bigod, cum sociis suis Nobilibus; Archiepiscopi vero & Episcopi, Centum & Quadraginta. Proposuitque Patriarcha Constantinopolitanus statum & necessitates Ecclesiae suae, asserens, quod olim habuit sub se Suffraganeos plus quam triginta, quorum vix jam tres remanserunt. Subjungens insuper, quod Graeci, et quidam alii inimici Ecclesiae Romanae, totum jam Imperium Romaniae fere usque ad portas Civitatis Constantinopolis violenter occuparunt; qui in nullo Romanae Nota. Ecclesiae obedientes, ipsamque detestantes, hostiliter eidem adversantur. Unde dolor & confusio omnium Christianorum imminet, cum ipsa sua Ecclesia primo fuisset privilegiata, et merito plus caeteris honoranda: primo enim constat, beatum Petrum Antiochiae (quae Civitas Graecorum Imperio vel Regno subjecta est) ab antiquo sedisse: et inde Simonem Magum, et alios Haereticos, confusos aufugasse. Ad quod Papatacuit. (being unable to reply thereunto.) Consequenter propositus fuit sermo fidelis, & omni acceptatione dignus, de canonizatione scilicet beati Aedmundi Cantuariensis Archiepiscopi: quem Dominus evidentissimis miraculorum signis illustravit. Cujus rei assertioni, cum constanter testimonium octo Archiepiscopi, & circiter viginti Episcopi perhibuissent, & instanter, ut in ipso Concilio veneranter, ad majorem solennitatem, canonizaretur, postularent: ait Dominus Papa, non suo, sed aliorum spiritu invidorum aversus, dicens; Urgent nos, dilationem non capientia Ecclesiae nimis ardua negotia, quare hoc merito ad praesens tempus suspendere debeat expectatum. Sed, vita Comite, in posterum neglectui non commendabitur: & quia Deus & mundus sanctitati & virtutibus ejus perhibent testimonium, in Domino gaudemus, & gratias ipsi referimus uberiores. Affuit etiam praesens ibidem Thaddaeus de Suessa, Domini Imperatoris Frederici procurator, vir prudens, & eloquentiae singularis, Miles, & Legum Doctor, & Sacri Palatii Judex Imperialis: pro Domino suo Imperatore, tamburlaine constanter, quam diligenter responsurus. Imperator vero praesciens graves fore quaestiones movendas (nec immerito) contra ipsum, necnon & Papalem iram diutinam, jam versam in odium, discretos ac solennes suos procuratores & prolocutores ad Concilium destinavit, viz. Thaddaeum de Suessa, Petrum de Vinea, & Magistrum Walterum de Ocra, Clericos facundos & discretos, & cum eis Milites Nobiles & disertos. Congregata vero sancta & universali Synodo, in Ecclesia Sancti Justi apud Lugdunum, proposuit in medio Dominus Papa graves contra Fredericum querimonias, ita ut intelligerent liquido omnes maxime propter hoc Concilium fuisse convocatum. Inter quas graves querimonias gravissima contra Imperatorem Fredericum resonabat, quod Praelatos in mari truculenter invasit, submersit, coepit, & incarceravit. Procuratores vero, prout causa eorum toleravit, satis prudenter ad objecta responderunt. Pro cujus pace, & pristinae amicitiae reformatione, Thaddaeus obtulit pro Domino suo Imperatore confidenter, ad unitatem Romanae Ecclesiae totum Romaniae, id est, Graeciae Imperium, revocare: & quod sese Tartaris, & Chorosminis, & Saracenis, & aliis Ecclesiae hostibus & contemptoribus, Christo fideliter militando, potenter opponet. Et quod statum Terrae Sanctae discrimini magno & manifesto periculo jam patentem, suis sumptibus propriis personaliter, pro posse suo reformabit, & ablata Romanae Ecclesiae restituendo, de injuriis satisfacere. Ad quae omnia respondit Dominus Papa dicens exclamando▪ O quam multa & quam magna sunt promissa, nunquam vel nusquam tamen adimpleta vel adimplenda. Sed & haec nunc constat sunt promissa, ut securis jamad radicem posita, illuso Concilio, & soluto, per dilationem avertatur. Pacem nuper in anima sua juratam, secundùm formam praestiti sacramenti teneat, & adquiesco: Porro Quo teneam nodo mutantem Protea vultus? Et si concederem sibi postulata, & resilire vellet, nec aliud spero, quis nunc pro eo cavens Note the insolency of this Roman Pontiff. fide juberet, ut cogeret resilientem? Et cum duos Reges, videlicet Francorum & Anglorum, Thaddaeus ad hoc spospondisset fide jussores; Respondit Dominus Papa: Nolumus, Quia si pacta commutasset, vel penitus infirmasset, nec aliud credimus, propter frequentiam, aliquo tempore in posterum, opporteret nos animadvertere in eosdem: & tunc haberet Ecclesia tres, quibus non sunt in saeculari potentia majores, imò nec pares, inimicos. Sed cum rationes Papales praevaluissent, omnes ferè in ipsum Imperatorem frenduerant, Anglici tamen dolentes de sua confusione, propter affinitatem, quae inter Dominum ipsorum, Regem Angliae, & ipsum Imperatorem contrahebatur, & foedus amicitiae inter ipsos initum, & prolem, quam ex Isabel Imperatrice, Imperator susceperat, diu dissimulantes siluerunt. Invaluerunt tamen undique insurgentes Imperatoris adversarii, nec poterant Imperiales Nuncii vel exaudiri, vel audiri. Et cum procuratio Thaddaei ad hoc non sufficeret, neque temporis satis habuerit, ut haec consummarentur competenter, siluit contristatus. Unde Thaddaeus, (soon after) videns damnationem Domini sui imminere ait, Verè dies ista, dies irae, calamitatis, & miseriae. Thereupon, Gulielmus de Powic, qui cum Nobilibus Domini Regis Angliae procuratoribus, Comite Rogerio, & aliis sociis praesens affuit, volens haec praedicta per interruptionem differre, assidentibus ibidem Anglicanae universitatis procuratoribus assurgens in medio, gravamina Regni Angliae, ex parte universitatis Angliae, proponens satis eleganter, conquestus est graviter, Quod tempore belli (guerrae) per Curiam Romanam extortum est Tributum injuriose Nota. nimis a Rege johanne, dum summa mentis angustia torqueretur, cui etiam manifeste contradictum fuit, et ex parte universitatis Regni reclamatum, quod talia nullo modo facere poterat, per os venerabilis Stephani Cantuariensis Archiepiscopi, quo non erat tunc major in Regno. In quod Tributum nunquam Patres Nobilium Regni, vel ipsi consenserunt, nec consentiunt, neque in futurum in aliquo tempore consentient, unde sibi petit instanter exhiberi justitiam cum remedio. Ad quod Papa nec oculos elevans, nec vocem, verbum non respondit, sed dissimulavit, donec quae magis eum angebant primitus exuperasset. Et post paululum silentii, dictus Magister Gulielmus proposuit in medio gravissimam querimoniam de multiformi reddituum extorsione et pecuniae in Anglia per Curiam Romanam factam, a Praelatis Angliae, quasi a servis ultimae conditionis: hanc elegantem ostendens Epistolam ex parte universitatis Angliae. REverendo in Christo Patri, Innocentio Dei gratiâ Summo Pontifici, Magnates Mat. Paris, p. 646, 647. Epistola universitatis Angliae super extortionibus Curiae Romanae. et universitas Regni Angliae, recommendationem, cum pedum osculo beatorum. Matrem nostram Romanam Ecclesiam totis visceribus diligimus & amamus, ut debemus; & ipsius honoris incrementum & augmentum, affectione quanta possumus affectamus, ad quam habere refugium nos oportet temporibus opportunis; ut dolor aggravans filialis, materno solatio mitigetur. Quod quidem solatium, mater filio eo tenetur mitius & facilius impertiri, quo ipsum maternae dulcedinis alimento, gratum repetit & devotum. Esse quidem non potest immemor mater illa illius gratitudinis, quam ei a longe retroactis temporibus Regnum Anglicanum impendit, concedendo eidem, ad exaltationem suam, et conservationem majorem, subsidium decens, et non modice fructuosum: ut per hoc inter Ecclesiam ipsam et Regnum praedictum, foedus dilectionis firmius iniretur. Quod quidem subsidium, processu temporis beati Petri denarius extiterit nuncupatum. Ipsa vero Ecclesia hujusmodi subsidio non contenta, aliis temporibus tam per Legatos, quam per alios Nuncios multiplicatos, subsidia petebat diversa in Regno praedicto: quae ei a filiis suis, tanquam devotis, et matrem suam sincerae dilectionis brachiis amplexantibus, fuerunt concessa liberaliter et libenter. Paternitatem etiam vestram non credimus ignorare, quod Praedecessores nostri, sicut viri Catholici, creatorem suum diligentes pariter & timentes, animarum suarum, & Praedecessorum suorum, necnon & successorum saluti insistere cupientes, Monasteria fundaverunt, & bonis suis, tam terris Dominicis, quam Ecclesiarum patronatibus ditaverunt: ut viri Religiosi in Monasteriis illis primam Religionem laudabiliter exercentes, & cum summa devotione altissimo famulantes, pace & plena tranquillitate possent gratulari, prout Religioni dignoscitur convenire, de dictis Dominicis necessaria capientes. Et ut Clerici sui patronatuum suorum Ecclesias obtinentes, pro eis labores subirent exteriores, & eos defenderent, inhaerentes Religioni secundae, ab incursibus aliorum. Quapropter non sine magna molestia nostra, et gravamine intollerabili nobis valde, praefati religiosi possent patronatibus suis, aut Ecclesiarum collationibus, aliquatenus defraudari. Sed ecce per vos et praedecessores vestros, nullam considerationem habentes, quod praeter subsidia supradicta, jam ditantur in Anglia Italici (quorum est jam numerus infinitus) Ecclesiis ad ipsorum religiosorum spectantibus patronatus, qui rectores Ecclesiarum dicuntur, praefatos religiosos, quos deberent defendere, relinquentes penitus indefensos, nullam curam animarum gerentes, sed Lupos rapacissimos gregem dispergere, et oves rapere permittentes. Vnde vere dicere possunt, quod non sunt boni pastores, quoniam oves suas non cognoscunt, nec pastorum notitiam oves habent. Hospitalitati Eleemosynarumque largitioni, sicut statutum est in Ecclesia, non insistunt: sed fructus tantum percipiunt, extra Regnum asportantes, Regnum non mediocriter depauperando, et redditus occupando. Quibus redditibus fratres, nepotes, consanguinei nostri, et caeteri bene meriti de Regno Angliae praedicto beneficiari tenerentur; qui possent et vellent dicta charitatis opera, et etiam plura alia misericorditer et pie exercere, et Ecclesiis ipsis personaliter deservire; ut qui altari deserviunt, vivant etiam de altari, secuudum dictum Pauli. Ipsi vero nunc necessitate compulsi, laici et exules sunt effecti. Vt autem vobis veritas plenius innotescat, Italici percipientes in Anglia sexaginta millia Marcarum, et eo amplius Nota. annuatim (aliis perceptionibus diversis exceptis) plus emolumenti meri redditus de Regno reportant, quam ipse Rex, qui est tutor Ecclesiae, et Regni gubernacula moderatur. Porro, post creationem vestram firmiter sperabamus, et adhuc speramus, eam de vobis fiduciam reportantes; quod vestrae paternitatis misericordia mediante, gaudebimus Eleemosynas nostras praedictas, tempore vestro fore statui debito et pristino reformandas. Sed tacere non possumus gravamen nostrum, quo non solum gravamur, sed etiam opprimimur ultra modum. Videlicet, quod Magister Martinus praefatum Regnum, sine Domini Regis licentia, cum majori potestate, quam unquam vidimus habere Legatum a Domino Rege postulatum, nuper ingressus (licet non utens legationis insigniis, multiplicato tamen legationis officio) novas quotidie proferens potestates inauditas, excedens excedit: quaedam beneficia jam vacantia, triginta Marcas, vel amplius, annuatim valentia, personis Italicis conferendo: quibus decedentibus, et patronis ignorantibus, alii supponuntur; et sic patroni suis collationibus defraudantur. Adhuc etiam idem Magister Martinus beneficia consimilia, cum ea vacare contigerit, personis nititur assignare. Quorundam beneficiorum collationem Sedi Apostolicae reservando, et a viris religiosis pensiones immoderatas insuper extorquendo: contradictores et resistentes Excommunicationis et Interdicti sententiis passim, non absque magno discrimine et animarum periculo, supponendo. Cum igitur praefatus Magister Martinus, non sine totius Regni perturbatione non modica, jurisdictionem exercens memoratam, quam a conscientia vestra credere non possumus emanasse, eo quod in multis majori fungeretur officio, quam unquam fungi Legatum aliquem videremus, privilegio Domini Regis admodum derogando, per quod ei a sede Apostolica specialiter indulgetur, ne quis in Anglia legationis fungatur officio, nisi a Domino Rege specialiter postulatus: Sanctae paternitati vestrae supplicamus quantum possumus humiliter et devote, quatenus, cum pius pater ad relevationem oppressionis filiorum manum misericordiae teneatur extendere; ab oppressionibus et gravaminibus memoratis, nos velit vestrae paternitatis benignitas tempestivo ac efficaci remedio, cito relevare. Quantumcunque namque Dominus noster Rex, qui est Princeps Catholicus, et jugi vigilatione obsequiis divinis intendit, corporis sui consumptionem non considerans, in obsequio jesu Christi sedem velit Apostolicam revereri, et Ecclesiae Romanae, sicut filius ejus charissimus, commodi et honoris desideret incrementum et augmentum; jure tamen Regio dignitate que Regia plenius conservatis: nos tamen, qui in negotiis suis portamus pondus dierum et aestus, et quibus una cum ipso Domino Rege, intendere conservationi Regni diligenter incumbit, dictas oppressiones, Deo et hominibus detestabiles, et gravamina nobis intolerabilia, non possumus aequanimiter tolerare; nec per Dei gratiam amplius tolerabimus, vestrae pietatis remedio mediante; Nota. quod festinum et tempestivum, habere credimus et speramus. Placeat igitur paternitati vestrae hanc supplicationem nostram taliter exaudire, quod a Magnatibus et universitate Regni Angliae, tanquam a filiis in Christo charissimis, speciales gratias debeatis merito reportare. A memorable Epistle, worthy the Magnanimity, Honour, Gallantry of the freeborn English Nobility, Gentry, Nation. Cum autem per praedictos Nuncios in medio Concilio legerentur, & in propatulo Papa differt respondere Legatis Angliae. manifesto, facto optimo silentio, proponerentur, Dominus Papa non respondit: quia, ut asseruit, tam arduum negotium morosa indiguit deliberatione. Suspendit igitur ad tempus responsionem, licet urgenter instarent Nuncii praedicti, tam solennes & magnifici, postulantes certam super his responsionem, indistanter tamen se responsa daturum pollicendo. Addebant quoque idem Nuncii, prioribus querimoniam gravem & seriam; videlicet, de violenta oppressione, intolerabili gravamine, et Non obstante▪ impudenti exactione et injuria, quae per hanc invisam adjectionem, Papalibns Literis frequenter insertam, Non obstante, etc. exercetur; per quam jus pro nihilo habetur, et autentica scripta enervantur. Altiori igitur insistens negotio Dominus Papa, postquam se talia providè promiserat correcturum, in Dominum Imperatorem Fredericum, sine aliqua palpatione, dissimulatione, vel dilationis indultu, sententiam depositionis in pleno Concilio, licet Thaddaeus et ejus socii constanter reclamassent, plenam satisfactionem pollicentes, non sine omnium audientium et circumstantium stupore et horrore terribiliter fulminavit, as Matthew Westminster, or fulguravit, as Matthew Paris phraseth it. Before I proceed to the Pope's Excommunication and Deposition of the Emperor Frederick in this General Council, formerly excommunicated by his Predecessor Pope Gregory, I shall by way of Introduction render you a brief account of Pope Gregory's death, the schisms amongst the Cardinals about the New Pope's Election, long vacancy of the See by reason of it, and of this Pope's malicious proceedings against the Emperor before this Council assembled. Pope Gregory after many unchristian contests with the Emperor, dying suddenly of Anno 1241. grief and discontent, because the Emperor had suprised a strong Castle he had newly built, and committed to the custody of his Bishops, * Mat. Paris▪ p. 555, 556. See Balaeus in his Life. Obitus Gregorii Papae: causa accelerationis mortis ejusdem. Quod Castrum Papa de novo, de pecunia Crucesignatorum construxerat ad parentelae suae tuitionem: Quod Castrum Imperator subitô obsessum subvertit, & omnes quos in eo invenit, suspendit. Et in signum talis subversionis, quandam Turrim semidirutam reliquit, ut memoria tam culpae quam vindictae nequaquam moreretur. Quod Dominus Papa, conceptos, quos tamen ipse sibi suscitaverat dolores, impotens sustinere, undecimo Cal. Septemb. viam universae carnis est ingressus, pro meritis à summo Judice recepturus. Thereupon the See continued void for some space upon this occasion, which hindered the Election. * Electio Papalis impedita. Ipsorum dierum curriculò, mortuo, ut praedictum est, Gregorio Papa, fuerunt decem Cardinales in Curia praesentes, duobus existentibus in carcere Imperatoris. Qui cum, ut moris est, tractassent de electione, quia mutilata fuit concio eorum, non poterant concorditer vel competenter in unum convenire. Miserunt ergò ad Imperatorem humiliter postulantes, duos Cardinales confratres suos sub quacunque vellet conditione ad Curiam destinaret, ne promotio universalis Ecclesiae, quae maximè consistit in electione Papali, per ipsum impediretur. Quod Imperator benignè concessit, mitigatus precibus Comitis Richardi, ita videlicet, ut de eorum reditu ad Carcerem & ad Priorem statum & conditionem, nisi Otto in P●pam eligeretur, remearent. Convenientibus igitur in unum, in Palatio quod Regia Solis dicitur, Quinque Cardinales elegerunt sextum, scilicet Galfridum Mediolanensem, et huic electioni favet Imperator congratulans. Tres verò residui elegerunt quartum, scilicet Romanum, cui electioni opposuit se Imperator, habuit enim ipsum infamem, tum propter persecutionem universitatis Parisiacae, quando etiam dicebatur corrupisse Reginam Franciae B. tum quia imponebatur ei, quod foverat dissidium inter Papam Gregorium jam defunctum, & ipsum Imperatorem. (A just cause of the Emperors refusing him, and vindication of his old Prerogative in the election of Popes.) Nomina eligentium primum sunt, Aegidius Aspanus, Stephanus filius Comitis, Episcopus Port●●nsis, Remerus de Viterbio, Johannes de Columna, Robertus de Sumercote Anglicus. Nomina autem eligentium alterum, sunt, Richardus Hannibal, Episcopus Hostiensis, qui de more primam habet vocem in electione Papali, & Senebaldus Episcopus Sabinensis. Suscitatum est grauè schisma inter fratres propter dictas electiones, quia debet haberi Papa & acclamari, cujus electioni duo partes consenserint electorum. Juxta decretalem illam Alexandrinam quae sic incipit, Licet de vitanda discordia, etc. Et sic infecto tanto Ecclesiae negotio, divisi sunt, imo potius dispersi mentibus et corporibus. (Such was the Unity of the Cardinals and Church of Rome in That Age, whereof they so much boast in This.) Sub ejusdem temporis mutabilitate, Magister Robertus de Sumercote, Cardinalis, vir Mors Roberti de Sumercote, Cardinalis. discretus & circumspectus, omnibus amabilis meritò & gratiosus natione Anglicus, dum in Palatio, quod Regia Solis dicitur, inclusus tenebatur, cum aliis fratribus de electione tractantibus, viam universae carnis est ingressus; potionatus, ut dicitur, eo quod Papatui dignus videbatur & idoneus, ab aemulis suis Romanae nationis, qui eum contemnebant. Simili peste quidam alius periit, insidiis praeventus invidorum. Johannes quoque de Columna, Cardinalis, dirutis Castris suis & Palatio à Romanis, eo quod Imperatori favorabilis videbatur, captus est, et custodiae carcerali mancipatus. Divisis circa illud tempus omnibus fere Cardinalibus et dissidentibus, Mat. Paris, p. 557, 558. Redit Otto in carcerem Imperatoris. et electione Papali sub desperatione suspensa, rediit Otto ad carcerem Imperatoris, ut interpositos obsides liberaret, & se à praestito sacramento & fidei interpositione adquietaret. Et hoc valde acceptavit Imperator. Veruntamen adhuc ipsum tenuit incarceratum offensus idcirco, quia ipsum Imperatorem in Anglia Legatus excommunicavit, et excommunicari permisit, et non mediocriter diffamavit. Sed mitiùs egit cum eo, quia invitus hoc fecisse perhibetur, obedientiae Papalis coactus violentia. After this, Ipso quoque Anno, post multas disceptationes et diversa Galfridus Mediolanensis Papa electus citò moritur. Mat. Paris, Platina, Onuphrius, Sella, Barnes, Balaeus, and others in Coelestino 4. schismata, tam damnosa quam periculosa, inter Cardinales, Sathana seminante, suscitata, elegerunt fratres, jam pauci facti a tribulatione malorum et dolore, Magistrum Galfridum Mediolanensem in Papam, (who was called (oel●stine the 4th.) virum moribus praeditum & scientia, sed in aetatem senilem jam declinantem & debilitatum. Unde cum jam vix sexdecim diebus sedisset, praematura morte praeventus, naturae debita persolvens, utinam non, ut dicitur, potionatus, sedem Papalem, imo universalem Ecclesiam reliquit desolatam. Eisdem temporibus convenerunt Episcopi Angliae, videlicet Archiepiscopus Eboracensis, Colloquium Episcoporum Angliae. Lincolniensis, Norwicensis, Carleolensis, cum aliis multis gravibus religiosis ac discretis Ecclesiastics personis, tractaturi super multiplici desolatione Ecclesiae, & divinam consolationem postulaturi. Statue●unt igitur quasdam orationes speciales cum je juniis fieri ab Ecclesia generaliter per Angliam, ut Dominus Ecclesiam Romanam Pastorali & Papali regimine destitutam, relevare & restaurare dignaretur. Exemplum accipientes in actibus Apostolorum, quando incarcerato Petro oravit Ecclesia pro eo sine intermissione. Consenserunt etiam in unum, ut ad Dominum Imperatorem mitterent universi Nuncios favorabiles cum precibus lachrymabilibus, quatenus rancorem & omnem animi indignationem pro salute animae sincero corde remittens, deposita omni tyrannide, Ecclesiae Romanae promotionem non impediret, imo misericorditer respirare permittens, licet lacessitus, studeret promovere. Mortui enim erant, qui ipsum ad iram provocaverant. Tyrannicum enim videbatur, & rationi dissonum, ut innocui culpam luerent nocivorum. Et cum circa electionem Nunciorum, qui etiam transitum facientes per Franciam & alias regiones intermedias, obiter Praelatos ad similia provocarent eleganter & diligenter, sollicitarentur, quilibet eorum causas cavillatorias praetendens, onus tantae sollicitudinis ac periculosi laboris pro Christo & ejus Ecclesia assumere sibi recusavit. Tandem, quia Cantabit vacuu● coram latrone viator; Praedicatores & Minores, quia vagi sunt, & norunt omnes provincias peragrare expediti, ad hoc elegerunt, cum alios non invenissent. Quod cum ad Imperialem audientiam pervenisset, respondit Imperator: Quis promotionis Ecclesiasticae processum impedit? Profecto non ego. Imo pertinax Ecclesiae Romanae superbia, et insatiabilis cupiditas. Et si impeditor successuum tam Anglicanae quam Romanae forem Ecclesiae, quis admiraretur? Haec enim summopere Nota. me conatur ab Imperiali culmine praecipitare: illa me excommunicando, non mediocriter diffamando, pecuniam in meum detrimentum suam effundere non desistit. Et sic carebat praeparatus coetus Episcoporum Angliae in hac parte efficacia, et profectu privabatur. Processit igitur annus ille Curiae Romanae inimicissimus, peccatis ejus illud manifeste promerentibus. Anno 1242. Fideles Imperatoris ceperunt habitu diffiguratum Archiepiscopum Mat. Paris Hist. Angl. p. 563. Capitur Archiepiscopus Coloniensis. Coloniae, versus Alemanniam à Roma repatriantem; qui conspiraverat ad Imperatoris dejectionem simul cum ipsis Praelatis, qui ad Concilium generale venire proposuerant. Sed audito eorum casu, qui per terram isse proposuerat, flexis loris per alia diverticula remeans, positis insidiis undique captus & retentus est. Sed quia is qui ceperat eum, Alemannus erat, & notus Pontifici, cautè permisit eum abire, praestito sacramento & fide interposita, quod nunquam insidias vel gravamen Imperatori machinaretur. Sed illud male tenuit postea juramentum, ut in sequentibus declarabitur. (Such was the faith of Popish Prelates.) Tunc etiam temporis, Dominus Imperator Fredericus, significavit Cardinalibus, Mat. Paris, p. 579, 580. Dissentientibus Cardinalibus impeditur electio Papalis, & vacat sedes, corpore dispersis, & voluntate dissentientibus, ut in unum convenientes, unanimiter Papam eligerent. Asserebat enim, in hoc eorum crimine, etiam ipsummet notam infamiae non minimam contraxisse. Credebatur enim, & dicebatur à multis, veritatem rei ignorantibus, quod ipse principaliter Ecclesiae Romanae promotionem impediret, et vacationem sedis Apostolicae procuraret. At ipsi Cardinales, non adhuc inter se saltem scintillantem sub cinere charitatis igniculum invenientes, (impediente Sathana antiquo humani generis inimico) nec concordes, nec convenientes Pontificem Romanum eligere voluerunt. Veruntamen instanter Dominum Imperatorem Fredericum postulabant, ut si se pacis ac libertatis Ecclesiasticae haberi cuperet aemulatorem, sub bonae pacis spe certissima, quos adhuc tenuit incarceratos Praelatos Ecclesiae, liberos abire permitteret. Imperator igitur, dictis Cardinalium fidem adhibens indubitatam, & firmiter credens, Legati & Praelati captivi liberantur. tam Papam eligendum, quam ipsos Cardinales pacem Regno et Sacerdotio congruam et honorabilem provisuros, omnes quos habebat incarceratos Praelatos et Legatos, liberos sine aliquo impedimento vel redemptione, liberaliter abire permisit. Cardinales autem adhuc obstinati, & in dissentione & odio mutuo permanentes, Necdum Cardinales possunt in electione Papali consentire. et Imperatorem quasi pro deluso habentes, seminante zizania inter eos Sathana▪ nec adhuc voluerunt convenire, ut unanimiter Spiritus Sancti gratiam invocando postularent, ut Ecclesiae universali & Papali sedi soeliciter ac ritè providerent: Cum, tamen, nuper liberati à carcere Imperiali, in districto veritatis examine, & verbo veritatis, quae est Deus, promisissent ipsi Imperatori, suo liberatori, ut ipsi efficaciter pacem Ecclesiae, & Imperio convenientem, & sedi Papali consilium, pro posse suo procurarent. Cum autem vidisset Imperator Fredericus, haec effectu caruisse, & se sua spe defraudatum, Imperator bona Cardinalium suis militibus depopulanda tradi●. in iram excanduit vehementem. Et congregato exercitu copioso, ex novem aciebus constituto, qualibet ex quinque millibus armatorum equitum existente, Romam ex magna parte obsedit, ratione eorum qui dicti schismatis, in detrimentum Ecclesiae & Imperii, tam Civium, quam Cardinalium, procuratores & fautores esse videbantur. At Cives, causa quorum Urbem expugnare proposuisset Imperator, se legaliter excusaverunt, suam sufficienter purgantes innocentiam, & asserentes, Cardinales tam locis quam cordibus dissidentes, in diversis Urbibus dispersos fuisse et latitantes. Jussit igitur Imperator obsidionem solvi, et edicto Imperiali per totum exercitum suum proclamari ac juberi: Ut omnes possessiones et Ecclesiae Cardinalium, et Civitates Ecclesiae, ab ipso exercitu depopularentur. Cardinales timentes sibi conveniunt ad electionem Papam. Igitur quidam Saraceni, & alii vastatores, & malefici, tempore belli stipendiis Imperatoris militantes, irruunt in Albaniam, Nobilem Civitatem, eam feraliter devastantes, ita quod nec Ecclesiis in Civitate existentibus, videlicet centum & quinquaginta, minimè pepercerunt: Asportantes vestimenta, calices, & libros, imò etiam quaecumque videbantur eis venalia, vel quomodolibet profutura, Civibus datis in praedam, & miserabile exterminium. Et cum paratus fuisset exercitus, in alias possessiones Ecclesiae simili furore debacchari, significaverunt Cardinales Domino Imperatori, humiliter deprecantes, ut parceretirae suae, juberetque cessare grassatores. Et ipsi indubitanter, secundum praeceptum suum et desiderium, Deum habentes prae oculis, Ecclesiae et Imperio idoneum quantocius Romanum Pontificem providerent. Mitigatus igitur Imperator, rabiem vastatorum edicto compescuit Imperiali. All which proceedings were evidences of his Ecclesiastical Supremacy over the Cardinals and Church of Rome itself, and election of a New Pope. Per idem tempus, (upon the English Prelates forementioned instigation) miserunt Mat. Paris, p. 582, 583. Franci volunt Papam eligi. Franci solennes Nuncios ad Curiam Romanam, significantes persuadendo praecisè & efficaciter, ut ipsi Cardinales Papam rite eligentes, universali Ecclesiae solatium pastorale maturius providerent: vel ipsi Franci propter negligentiam eorum, de sibi eligendo et providendo summo Pontifice citra montes, cui obedire tenerentur, quantocius contractarent. Et hoc audacter significabant, confisi de antiquo privilegio suo, per Sanctum Clementem beato Dionysio concesso et obtento: qui concessit Apostolatum eidem Dionysio super gentem Occidentalem. Unde ipsi Cardinales, quasi quibusdam stimulis, hinc Domini Imperatoris, inde Francorum agitati, Romam convenientes adierunt, ut Papam eligerent in unum ibidem congregari. The Cardinals thus assembled, there arose a Question amongst them, In whom St. Peter's Primacy resided during the vacancy of the Roman See? At last they resolved it remained in them, and took upon them to dispose of Livings by Provisions, and to control the Pope's Provisions in England, made upon misinformation, which caused them to defer the Election, to keep this power in their own hands the longer. Dierum illorum circulis revolutis, quia multi dubitabant, si Papalis potestas, sede Mat. Paris, p. 583. Potestas Papalis ad universitatem Cardinalium devolvitur sede vacante. vacante, ad fratrum, id est, Cardinalium universitatem devolveretur, an non? per has Literas, quas opusculo huic inserere duxi, pleniùs certificamur. MIseratione divina, R. Ostiensis, & Vellet J. tituli Sancti Praxedis, S. tituli Sancti Laurentii in Luc. S. tituli Sancti Mariae trans Tyberim, Presbyteri, R. Sancti Mariae in Cosmedin, E. Sanctorum Cosmae & Damiani, O. Sancti Nicolai in carcere Tulliano, Diaconi, Sanctae Romanae Ecclesiae Cardinales, Religioso viro Abbati de Wareduna, salutem in Domino. Ex parte Magistri Petri Apostolorum Principis Basilicae Canonici, Rectoris Ecclesiae de Morduna, nati Jacobi Johannis Capot, Civis Romani, fuit propositum coram nobis, quod dudum Sanctae recordationis Dominus Gregorius Papa, falsis suggestionibus provocatus, Eliensi Episcopo suas direxit Literas, continentes, ut praefato Magistro, vel alii ejus nomine, de proventibus Ecclesiae supradictae minimè responderet, nec etiam permitteret responderi, sed Ecclesiam ipsam ad manum suam retinens, proventus ipsius perciperet & servaret, ut de utrisque juxta suum beneplacitum disponi deberet, contradictores per censuram Ecclesiasticam appellatione postposita compescendo. Decernens Dominus Papa praedictus, nihilominus irritas et inanes omnes Literas super Ecclesia et proventibus ipsis, nomine praefati Magistri obtentas a sede Apostolica, vel etiam obtinendas, ut scilicet nemo conveniri posset per illas, nec aliquis authoritate posset procedere earundem. Et si processus esset habitus per easdem, esset irritus et inanis, nisi de praemissis plenam facerent mentionem; Decano Eboracensi, & Archidiacono Richemundiae ad haec omnia exequenda deputatis. Sed idem Episcopus, in hujusmodi mandati executione procedens, tibi per suas Literas dicitur injunxisse, ut si firma Ecclesiae supradictae, vel aliqua pars ipsius, apud te for san resideret, ipsam deponi faceres apud Bernewelle, in custodia Prioris & Sacristae loci ejusdem, & ab inde in anteà, dicto Magistro vel alii ejus nomine de proventibus Ecclesiae supradictae, nullatenus responderes, sed eos deponi faceres ibidem, ut de eisdem possit secundum dispositionem hujusmodi summi Pontificis responderi. Quare praefatus Magister nobis humiliter supplicavit, ut cum indignum sit, & omni rationi contrarium, ut poena ipsum alligare debeat â suggestis prorsus insontem, provideri super hoc ei misericorditer dignaremur. Nos autem, penes quos potestas residet, Apostolica sede vacante, volentes praefato Magistro gratiam facere specialem ob suae meritum probitatis, tibi districte praesentium authoritate mandamus, quatenus eidem Magistro, vel procuratori, vel Nuncio suo, de firma Ecclesiae supradictae, subtracta sibi authoritate mandati praedicti, plenam satisfactionem impendas, & ei de caetero, ut teneris, integre respondere procures, non obstantibus praedictis Literis, vel processibus habitis per eadem. Alioquin, ne mandatum nostrum ad nos vacuum revertatur, noveris nos Priori fratrum Praedicatorum Norwicensium, & Petro de Arche, Canonico Ecclesiae Sancti Angeli de Ferentino, nostras Literas destinasse, ut te ad id, si necesse fuerit, per censuram Ecclesiasticam debeant coarctare. Datum, etc. Anno Dom. 1243. Apostolica sede vacante. After this Act of the Cardinal's Papal Authority, they proceeded to the Election of a New Pope, and on the Feast of the Nativity of St. John Baptist, An. 1243. elected and created Innocent the 4th. Pope, who being confirmed on the Feast of St. Peter and Paul, presently ratified the sentence of Excommunication, denounced by his Predecessor Pope Gregory the 9th. against the Emperor, and confederating with the Citizens of Viterbium, and the parts adjoining, raised an Army, routed the Emperor's forces, took sundry Castles from him near Viterbium, and made the Emperor to retreat from thence. Videntes autem qui partes circumjacentes inhabitant, quod Imperator Mat. Paris, p. 585, 588, 589. turpiter, non sine magno rerum dispendio & dedecore & hominum jactura secesserat, recesserunt multi à fidelitate ipsius, & Romanis atque Viterbiensibus sunt confoederati; Secundum illud Poëticum: Mobile mutatur semper cum Principe vulgus. Obfuscata est igitur non mediocriter fama Imperatoris: captus enim erat Comes Imperatoris fama diminuta. Simon de Tuscia, cui fiducialiter commiserat Viterbium custodiendum, cum suis complicibus, qui Romam, captivus trahebatur, amissumque fuit ipsum Viterbium, cum quibusdam Civitatibus & Castris circumjacentibus, ipseque Imperator quasi fugam iniit. Denigrata est fama ipsius, & sinistro susurro divulgatum, quod nunquam divina officia audire dignabatur, vel orare, vel personas Ecclesiasticas digne venerari, vel in fide Catholica sane loqui vel sentire, a concubitu muliercularum Saracenarum abstinere, imo potius tam Saracenos, quam alios infideles in terram Imperii vocare, et Vrbes construere permisit munitissimas. (A most notorious calumny, secretly dispersed by this Pope and his Predecessor, though abundantly refuted by the Emperor's Answers to it, and Letters to Christian Princes.) Recesserunt igitur ab Imperatore multi Nobiles et graves ac potentes: Ab Imperator multi deficiun Nobiles. Mat. Westm. An. 1245, 1246. Videlicet, Marchisii de Monte ferrato, & de Mala spina, Vercella, Alexandria, & multae Nobiles Civitates. Et multiplicati sunt inimici ejus, prout solent homines fortunae sequentes serenitatem. In Alemannia etiam multi abierunt retrorsum; et nolentes amplius stare cum eo, alium sibi in Regem elegerunt, vel Imperatorem, videlicet Andegravium, virum elegantem & strenuum: cui Germanis & Italiae pars potissima consilium & auxilium usque ad capitum expositionem, sp●spondit indefessum. But he loving the Emperor, & Romanae Curiae odivit cavillationes, refused to consent to the Election the Papal party had made of him for their Emperor; and upon private conference with the Emperor, datis dextris confoederati sunt, ut de suspecto factus est idem Andegravius amicus tutissimus, & omnibus qui eum elegerant manifestè significavit, quod tam temerae praesumptioni non adquievit. Veruntamen, qui oderunt ipsum Imperatorem Fredericum, extulerunt caput. Intermeantibus igitur Nobilibus & profundi consilii personis, tractatum est diligenter de pace inter Ecclesiam & Imperatorem. Sed noluit aliquo modo Imperator jurare, ut staret Ecclesiasticae censurae absolute, nisi praecognitis causis, et praevisa via, et omnibus conditionibus, nec quomodolibet quaedam acquisita, ad Imperium jure antiquo spectantia, resignare. Et sic, procurante humani generis inimico, (or rather the Pope, his Vicar General, rather than Christ's) ira rediit rediviva. The Emperor was so desirous of Peace, that after this, se spospondit Ecclesiae & Ecclesiasticis Praelatis satisfacturum, Circa securitates designandas, offert cautionem juratoriam, literatoriam, & fidejussoriam per Reges, Principes, & Magnates, & Comites locorum. Praeterea circa praedictas cautiones committit se ordinationi Domini Papae, & Tractatorum per praesens scriptum, (recorded at large by Matthew Paris) and Sealed with his Imperial Seal; but the Pope's obstinacy would not rest satisfied therewith. Istud Papae & Imperatoris mutuum dissidium; as it hindered him and all Christian Mat. Paris, p. 592, 614. Discordia Imperatoris & Papae omnibus necet. Kings, Princes from aiding the Christians, against the cruelty of the Tartars, ad injuriam Christi, & uni versalis Ecclesiae & totius Christianismi; so, totius mundi latitudinem perturbasset. Unde discordia eorum longè latèque per orbem ventilata (utpote quibus non sunt majores, imò nec eis pares, in tota Christianitate) corda Tartarorum, imò omnium Paganorum, necnon & universorum Christi inimicorum, exhilaravit, & in spem erexit tutiorem. Adeò ut superbiendo & jactitando dicerent, Deum Christianis offensum, qui sese ad invicem impugnant & corrodunt: & sibi potius propitium Deum, qui ipsos multiplicavit, & eorum dominium dilatavit. Yea, Sectae pullulant, fide vacillante. Inter Ecclesiam & Imperium discordia, nunquam talis. Interim Dominus Imperator, videns Dominum Papam ex novo creatum, confirmata Via versus Romam arctius cunstodiuntur. Prioris sententia, ipsi nequaquam velle parcere, nolens etiam stare mandatis Ecclesiae absolutè, jussit vias, portus, & pontes arctissimè custodiri, ne quis portans pecuniam, quam scivit Romanam Curiam insatiabiliter sitire, posset transmeare. Filius autem ejus Conradus huic operi operam impendens diligentem, adeò vigilanter tam per mare quam per terras transire volentibus aditus praeclusit, ut nec fratribus Minoribus, vel Praedicatoribus (the Popes and his Confederates Messengers and Intelligencers) vel alicui alii transfigurato, quem deprehendere posset, pepercisset, quin comprehensum, usque ad animae exhalationem torqueret. In the mean time Cardinal Columna died at Rome; qui inter omnes Cardinales in possessionibus saecularibus claruit potentissimus: unde efficacissimus discordiae inter Imperatorem & Papam seminator exstitit & sustentator. The Emperor through the Pope's perverseness, revolting from his former promises, * Mat. Paris, p. 617, 618. Calcaneo Papali insidias tetendit, & laqueos absconditos: de quibus Dominus Papa praemonitus, Imperatoris vulpinos Maeandros, in quantum potuit, evitavit, & suspectos habuit, nec se credebat ei, vel suis. Whereupon creating ten of his Creatures and Confederates Cardinals, he privily fled with them from Rome to Castellana, from thence to Sutrium, the Emperor informing him, Quod nihil faceret de conventis, nisi literis absolutionis prius habitis. Cui cum contradicendo respondisset Dominus Papa, hoc fore dissonum rationi, orta est discordia inter eos. Dominus igitur Papa, suae praesagus perturbationis, extunc repentinam & clandestinam fugam arripere satagebat, nullo tamen conscio, ne fugienti Dominus Imperator repagula praepararet. Fuerunt tamen qui dicerent, * The issue proved this to be a real truth. ipsum magis amore munerum, quae delaturi erant illi Cisalpini, nec ausi erant terras transire Imperatoris, ut ipsis sinum aperiens occurreret, quam pro timore alicujus persequentis. Unde sumpta qualiquali occasione versus Januam, quae sibi patria fuit genialis, gressus impiger dirigebat. Eadem igitur die, significatum fuit Domino Papae, (ut idem posteà asserebat) quod trecenti Milites Tusci erant in veniendo ipsa nocte, ut ipsum apprehenderent.. Dominus igitur Papa, non mediocriter attonitus, & perturbationis vultum praeferens, in hora primi somni, relictis Papalibus ornamentis, veterem induit Senebaldum, & leviter armatus equum ascendit velocissimum, manu non vacua, & vix cubiculariis consciis, clam subitoque discedens, non equinis pepercit lateribus: ita quod ante primum, triginta quatuor milliaria pertransivit, nemine comitante, vel ipsum sequi potente. Media autem nocte clamor factus, Ecce Papa recessit, nescientibus aliquibus, nisi aliquot sed paucis Cardinalibus. Petrus verò de Capua, cum uno solo Comite, non sine viarum discrimine, secutus, invenit Papam ipso die apud Castrum supra mare, quod dicitur Civitas vetus. Venerant autem ibidem in occursum Papae viginti tres Galeiae, quarum unaquaeque sexaginta viros benè ferro armatos, & centum & quatuor remiges assignatos continebat, exceptis nautis, & sexdecim Bargae. Propter quod argumentosi suspicabantur, haec omnia diu antè praevisa Dominum Papam desiderasse. Fuerunt autem cum armatis, & eye praefuerunt, potestas Januae, quem Admiratum vocant, & majores Civitatis, qui se omnes jactabant esse vel affines vel consanguineos Papae, propter retributionem. Intravit igitur unam Galeiarum illarum Dominus Papa, serò cum septem Cardinalibus, & paucis aliis comitantibus. Et vix magnum mare intraverant navigantes, ecce occupat ipsos tempestas valinissima, non tamen ex adverso, et erectis velis, non sine marimo timore et periculo, eadem via qua navigantes capti erant Praelati, per centum milliaria; die Veneris sequenti, compellente tempestate rapti, applicuerunt in portu insulae cujusdam Pisanorum; and at last after many perils and difficulties he arrived at Janua; where, Receptus est à concivibus, consanguineis, & affinibus suis, in Urbe ipsa qua natus est, in campanarum classico, in cantu & Musicis instrumentis; Dicentibus omnibus & conclamantibus: Benedictus qui venit in nomine Domini. Quibus & ipsi responderunt: Anima nostra sicut passer de laqueo venatoris erepta est. Cum autem Domino Imperatori haec innotuissent, morè Satyrico infrenduit, & Imperator Fredericus aegrè fert fugam Papae. ait, scriptum est, Fugit impius nemine persequente. Obstupuit & doluit nimis, & suorum Portuum & Civitatum custodes ignaviae & desidiae redarguit, qui adversarios suos permiserunt liberè pertransire. Fecit igitur in circuitu Januae, praecipuè versus Galliam, exitus viarum, ne ad Papam pecunia portaretur, arctissimè custodiri. Et jam acclamabatur Dominus Imperator manifestus Ecclesiae persecutor. Nec reputabat Dominus Papa adhuc ipsam Civitatem Januam, tutum forè refugium, non ignorans potentiam Imperatoris esse latissimam, secundum illud Poëticum: An nescis long as Regibus esse manus? Ipsis quoque temporibus, dum videlicet Dominus Papa moram apud Januam continuaret, Imperator Fredericus sibi multos potenies amicos conciliat. consentientibus Mediolanensibus simul cum Liguribus Italicis quibusdam, etiam Romanis & multis de Nobilioribus Alemanniae, procurante Papa animatur quidam de maximis Alemanniae potens, quem nominant Andegravium; ut Imperialem sibi dignitatem assumens, donec plenius exaltaretur, ope fultus multiplici tam Praelatorum quam Magnatum, bellum moveret contra Tyrannum Fredericum, persecutorem Ecclesiae jam puhlicum & generalem. * By the Popes and his Creatures calumnies. Denigrata est enim fama sua, non mediocriter, & dicebatur quod jam non firmo gressu in lege Domini ambularet, Saracenis confoederatus, Saracenicas meritriculas sibi retinens concubinas, & alia quae relatu sunt indigna & morosa. Cumque haec attentaturus memoratus Andegravins, secum & Optimatibus suis convocatis deliberaret, quid super hoc agendum, dixerunt ei amici sui, temerarium forè hoc aggredi, & ancipiti casui se, qui tranquilla pace gaudebat, committere, quicquid pars Papalis ei promitteret. Et dum super hoc penderet sententia, ecce Imperator rapido cursu illuc advolans, paucis & consciis & concomitantibus, cui haec nota facta sunt, animum dicti Andegravii adco effoeminatum divertit ab hoc proposito, quod facti sunt Dominus Imperator & ipse Andegravius amicissimi & confoederati & affines: & dedit Andegravius Imperatori munera & Imperator ei. Et hoc negotio consummato, sicut clanculo venerat Dominus Imperator & subito, sic recessit. Ipsorumque temporum curriculo, ut partem suam, quam credebant adversarii jam infirmatam, magis roboraret, Dominus Imperator dedit filiam suam nuptui cuidam Principi potentissimo Graecorum, nomine Botatio Romanae Ecclesiae exoso & inobedienti, & ideo schismatico. Quod audientes adversarii Imperatoris, siluerunt confusi. The Pope's Cardinals and Kindred repaired to him to Janua, exigentes redditus ad usus filiorum & Nepotum suorum, praecipue ex Regno Angliae sibi conferendos; yet he thought himself not secure there, by reason of the Emperor's Forces surrounding all passages by Land and Sea; Hereupon the better to provide for his Nephews. Eodem tempore se transtulit Dominus Papa clam à custodibus Imperialibus, ad Anno 1244. Mat. Westm. p. 187. Astensem Civitatem. Et citò post raptim & noctu Lugdunum se contulit. Extunc igitur cogitavit Concilium generale congregare, praecipue ut Imperatorem deponeret, et ibi, vel in inferioribus Galliae partibus ignominiose eum ab Imperiali culmine praecipitaret. Rex autem Franciae comperiens, quod Dominus Papa Regno suo appropinquavit, sciens, quod de adventu suo nihil bom Regivel Regno proveniret, convocavit Magnates suos, consulens eos quid super his foret agendum? et cum convenissent, ecce Papalis petitio directa est ad ipsum Regem et proceres, ut liceret ei ad Remensem Civitatem, quae tunc suo Antistite viduabatur, se transferre: (which he neither could nor durst attempt, notwithstanding his Papal pretended Supremacy over all Kings, Kingdoms, without the King's previous licence.) Quod cum Franci attoniti audissent, statim constanter responderunt; Haec se nullo modo velle tollerare. Rescripsit ergo Rex Franciae Domino Papae moderatè; Proceres suos nullatenus velle consentire ut in Franciam veniret: timebant ne quasi mus in pera, anguis in sinu, hospites suos remuneraret: Nota. nec permitterent duo magna luminaria in suo climate apparere, ne, uno aliud absorbente, eclipsis fieret: nec valuit verborum elegantia, in Epistola Papali composita, vel exemplum de foelicis memoriae Papa Alexandro sumptum, constantiam Francorum enervare. Dicebant enim, quam dissimilis ille vir huic puero? Such unwelcome guests were Popes to their own most Christian Son the King, & his whole Kingdom of France; yea such pests and plagues were they to all Kingdoms, whether they or their Legates came; into whose Dominions neither they nor their Legates could nor durst enter without their Royal Assents, notwithstanding their pretended Sovereign Monarchy over all Kings and Kingdoms of the World, to dispose of them at their pleasures. The Pope receiving this Answer from the French, by the policy of his Cardinals, greedy of English Gold and preferments, moved the King of England to entertain him in his Realm, informing King Henry, what an extraordinary Honour and Benefit it would be to him and the whole Kingdom. Whereupon the King at first was desirous to grant this request, but upon serious advice of the Rapines, Simony and grievances that would ensue thereon, he upon second thoughts rejected it, as Matthew Paris thus attests. Ipsis quoque diebus, Domino Papa procurante, sed tamen dissimulante, quidam ● Mat. Paris, p. 636. Consilium subdolum quorundam Cardinalium. Cardinalium, qui solius erant amatores pecuniae, Chartam quandam Domino Regi, sub specie multae amicitiae, transmiserunt, cujus tenor talis exstitit. Consilium damus vobis amicissimum, vobis salubre et honorificum, et Regno vestro gloriosum, nec mediocriter profuturum; Videlicet, ut preces Domino Papae per solennes Nuncios dirigatis, humiliter eidem supplicantes, quatenus dignetur Regnum Angliae, in quo jus dignoscitur habere speciale, sua praesentia foeliciter illustrare: Et nos ipsum supplicationi vestrae reddemus, proposse supplicando, favorabilem, qui vestrum & Regni vestri foelices successus desideramus. Excellentissimus enim vobis honor foret, & gloria immortalis, ut temporibus vestris, quod non recolitur aliquibus diebus evenisse, Dominus Papa, qui patrum pater esse dignoscitur, Anglorum finibus personanaliter appareret. Recolimus etiam eum dixisse, unde gaudemus, quod gratanter videret delicias Westmonasterii, et divitias Londinenses. Haec cum Domino Regi innotuissent, gaudebat, & huic subdolo consilio de facili incurvaretur, nisi peritorum consiliis ad contradicendum, vel dissentiendum erigeretur. Qui dicebant, quod satis, imo nimium, jam suorum Caursinorum usuris, et Romanorum ac Italicorum rapinis et simoniis, Angliae puritas maculatur, quamvis non ipse Papa praesentialiter bona Ecclesiae et Regni dissipet et praedetur. Similiter & Regni Francorum introitus, quem per solennes Nuncios postulavit, & Arragonum denegabatur. Infamia enim Curiae Papalis id promeruerat, cujus foetor usque ad nubes fumum teterrimum exhalabat. And could he be then Christ's Vicar, or St. Peter's Successor? This Pope at last coming into France, much against the Kings and many of the Clergies wills, summoned the Council of Lions on purpose to Excommunicate and depose the Emperor, as you hearo before, pronouncing him Excommunicate the second time in France, before the Council. The form of the Excommunication denounced against him in the Council, sent into England and all other places to publish, is thus registered by Matthew Paris. INNOCENTIUS Episcopus servus servorum Dei, &c: Sacro praesente Concilio, Anno 1245: Mat. Paris, p. 648, 649, etc. Papa Excommunicat Fredericum Imperatorem in Concilio Lugdunensi. ad rei memoriam sempiternam, ad Apostolicae dignitatis apicem, licet indigni, dignatione divinae Majestatis assumpti, omnium Christianorum curam vigili sedulaque solertia gerere, ac intimae considerationis oculo singulorum facta & dicta discernere; & providae deliberationis statera librare debemus, ut quos justi vigor examinis dignos ostenderit, congruis attollamus et evehamus favoribus; quos autem reos et culpabiles invenerimus, poenis debitis pro gravitate culpae, afficiamus et deprimamus: appendentes femper meritum & praemium aequa lance, retribuendo cuique juxta qualitatem operis, sive boni, sive mali, poenae, vel gratiae quantitatem. Sanè cum àiu bellorum diuturna commotio, nonnullas professionis Christianae provincias & regiones graviter afflixisset; nos toto cupientes mentis affectu tranquillitatem & pacem Ecclesiae Sanctae Dei, ac generaliter cuncto populo Christiano restituere ac reducere: ad praecipuum Principem saecularem, hujus dissensionis ac tribulationis auctorem, à foelicis recordationis Gregorio Papa Praedecessore nostro, Pro suis excessibus anathematis vinculo innodatum, speciales Nuncios magnae auctoritatis viros, venerabiles videlicet fratres nostros P. Abbatem Albanensem, tunc autem temporis Rothomagensem Archiepiscopum, & W. Sabinensem tunc, quondam vero Mutinensem, Episcopos, ac dilectum nostrum filium Gulielmum, Basilicae duodecim Apostolorum Presbyterum Cardinalem, tunc Abbatem Sancti Facundi; qui salutem zelabantur ipsius, duximus destinando. Facientes sibi proponi per ipsos, quod nos, & fratres nostri, quantum in nobis erat, pacem per omnia secum habere nitimur; ut cum omnibus hominibus paratisumus; optabamus pacem sibi & tranquillitatem dare, ac mundo etiam universo. Et quia Praelatorum, Clericorum, omniumque aliorum, quos detinebat captivos, & omnium tam Clericorum, quam Laicorum, quos ceperat in galeiiss, restitutio, poterat esse pacis & reconciliationis plurimum inductiva; illum, ut eos restitueret, (cum hoc idem, tam ipse, quam sui Nuncii, antequam ad Apostolatus vocati essemus officium, promisissent) rogari & peti ab ipso fecimus per eosdem, ac proponi insuper, quod iidem pro nobis parati erant audire & tractare pacem, ac etiam audire satisfactionem, quam facere vellet Princeps de omnibus pro quibus vinculo erat Excommunicationis astrictus, et offerri. Praeterea, quod si etiam eum in aliquo contra debitum laeserat Ecclesia (quod tamen non credebat) parata erat corrigere, ac in statum debitum reformare. Et si diceret ipse, quod contra justitiam in ullo ipsum laeserat Ecclesia, vel etiam quod nos eum contra justitiam in ullo laesissemus; parati eramus vocare Reges, Praelatos, & Principes, tam Ecclesiasticos, quam saeculares, ad aliquem tutum locum, ubi simul per se, vel per solennes Nuncios convenirent. Eratque parata Ecclesia etiam de consilio Concilii sibi satisfaccre, si cum laesisset in aliquo, ac revocare Excommunicationis sententiam, si quam contra ipsum injuste tulisset: & eum omni mansuetudine & misericordia, (quantum cum Deo & honore suo fieri poterat) tractare; & de injuriis & offensis ipsi Ecclesiae suisque per eum irrogatis, satisfactionem ab ipso recipere. Volebat etiam Ecclesia omnes amicos suos, sibique adhaerentes, in pace ponere, plenaque securitate gaudere; ut nunquam hac occasione possent aliquod in posterum subire discrimen, aut periculum. Sed licet sic apud eum pro pace paternis monitis & precuminsistere curaverimus lenitate, idem tamen Pharaonis imitatus duritiam, & morè Aspidis obturans aures suas, hujusmodi preces & monita, * As he did the Emperors in reality. elata obstinatione, ac obstinata elatione et superbia despexit ac contempsit. Et licet processu temporis, in die coenae Domini proximo nuper praeterita praecedente, coram nobis & fratribus nostris Cardinalibus; praesentibus charissimo in Christo filio nostro Constantinopolitano Imperatore illustri, coetu quoque non modica Praelatorum, & de senioribus ac sanioribus Senatoribus Populoque Romano, & juxta multitudinem aliorum, qui eodem die, propter solennitatem ipsius, de diversis mundi partibus ad Apostolicam sedem convenerunt; quod staret mandatis nostris & Ecclesiae, per Nobilem virum Comitem Tholosanum, ac Magistros Petrum de Vinea, & Thaddaeum de Suessa, Curiae suae Judices, & procuratores suos, speciale super hoc ab ipso mandatum habentes, praestiterit iuramentum, postmodum tamen quod * And did not Popes do the like to him? juraverat, non implevit. Quinimò ea intentione ipsum praestitisse juramentum probabiliter creditur, sicut ex factis sequentibus colligitur evidenter, ut eidem Ecclesiae ac nobis illuderet potius, quam pareret; cum anno & amplius jam elapso, nec adipsius Ecclesiae gremium revocari potuerit, nec sibi de illatis ei damnis & injuriis curavit satisfacere, licet super hoc extiterit requisitus. Propter quod non volentes, nec etiam valentes, absque gravi Jesu Christi offensa, ejus iniquitates & scelera amplius tolerare: cogimur, urgente nos conscientia, animadvertere in eundem. Et ut ad praesens, de caeteris ejus sceleribus & iniquitatibus taceamus; quatuor gravissima, quae nulla possunt celari tergiversatione, commisit. Dejeravit enim multoties; pacem quondam inter Ecclesiam & Imperium reformatam, temerè violavit; * The Emperors seizing of Rebels & Traitors to him, declared Sacrilege by this Pope. Perpetravit etiam sacrilegium, capi faciens Cardinales Sanctae Romanae Ecclesiae, ac aliarum Ecclesiarum Praelatos et Clericos, religiosos, et saeculares, venientes ad Concilium, quod idem praedecessor duxerat convocandum. De haeresi quoque non dubiis & levibus, sed difficilibus & evidentibus argument is suspectus habetur: plura siquidem eum commisisse perjuria satis patet. Nam olim cum in Siciliae partibus commorabatur, priusquam esset ad Imperii dignitatem electus, coram bonae memoriae G. Sancti Theodori Diacono Cardinali, Apostolicae sedis Legato, foelicis recordationis Innocentio Papae, praedecessori nostro, & successoribus ejus, Ecclesiaeque Romanae, pro concessione Regni Siciliae, ab eadem Ecclesia sibi facta, fidelitatis praestitit juramentum. Et sicut dicitur, illud idem postquam ad eandem dignitatem elect us extitit, & venit ad Vrbem, coram eodem Innocentio suisque fratribus Cardinalibus & aliis multis praesentibus, ligium homagium in ejus faciens manibus innovavit. Deinde, cum in Alemannia esset, eidem Innocentio Papae, & ipso defuncto, bonae memoriae Honorio Papae, praedecessori nostro, & ejus successoribus, ac ipsi Ecclesiae Romanae, praesentibus Imperii Principibus ac Nobilibus, juravit, honores, jura, et possessiones Romanae Ecclesiae, pro posse suo, servare ac protegere bona fide. Et quod quaecunque ad manus suas devenirent, sine difficultate restituere procuraret, nominatis expresse dictis possessionibus in hujusmodi juramento; quod postmodum confirmavit, Coronam Imperii jam adeptus. Sed horum trium juramentorum temerarius extitit violator & transgressor, non sine proditionis nota, et laesae crimine Majestatis. Nam contra praefatum praedecessorem nostrum Gregorium, & fratres suos Cardinales, comminatorias Literas eisdem fratribus destinare; ac dictum Gregorium apud fratres ipsos, sicut apparet per Literas ab eodem tunc direct as: eisdem etiam, prout fertur, per universum ferè orbem terrarum multipliciter diffamare praesumpsit. Ac venerabilem fratrem nostrum Ottonem Portuensem, tunc Sancti Nicholai in carcere Tulliano Diaconum Cardinalem, & bonae memoriae J. Praenestinensem Episcopos, Apostolicae sedis Legatos, nobilia & magna Ecclesiae Romanae membra, personaliter capi fecit, et bonis omnibus spoliatos, ac per diversa loca non semel ignominiose deductos et circumductos, carceribus mancipari. Privilelium insuper, quod Beato Petro, et successoribus ejus in ipso, tradidit Dominus Iesus Christus, videlicet; Quodcunque ligaveritis super terram, erit ligatum & in coelis; quodcunque solveritis super terram, erit solutum & in coelis. (in quo authoritas et potestas Romanae Ecclesiae consistit) pro viribus diminuere, vel ipsi Ecclesiae auferre sategit, scribens se praefati Gregorii Papae, praedecessoris nostri, non vereri latam ab eo Excommunicationis sententiam in ipsum, non solum contemptis clavibus Ecclesiae non servando, verumetiam per se, ac officiales suos, et illam, et aliam Excommunicationis vel Interdicti sententias, quas idem omnino contempsit, cogendo et compellendo alios non servare. Possessiones quoque praefatae Ecclesiae Romanae, videlicet, Marchiam, Ducatum Beneventum, (cujus muros & turres dirui fecit) ac alias quas in Tusciae & Lombardiae partibus, & quibusdam aliis obtinebat locis, paucis exceptis, occupare non metuens, eas detinet adhuc occupatas. Et tanquam ei non sufficeret, quod manifestè, contra juramenta praesumendo talia, veniebat, per se, vel per suos officiales, earundem possessionum homines dejerare compulit: ipsos a juramento fidelitatis, quibus tenebantur ratione Ecclesiae, de facto, cum de jure non posset, absolvens; et faciens eosdem fidelitatem nihilominus abjurare praedictam, sibique fidelitatis hujusmodi juramenta praestare. Pacis verò ipsum violatorem existere planè constat; Quia cum olim tempore pacis, inter ipsum & Ecclesiam reformatae, jurasset coram bonae memoriae J. de Abbatis Villa, Episcopo Sabiniensi, & Magistro Thomasio, tunc temporis Sanctae Sabinae Presbytero Cardinali praesentibus, cum multis aliis Praelatis, Principibus, & Baronibus, quod staret & pareret praecise, absque ulla conditione, omnibus mandatis Ecclesiae, super his, pro quibus erat vinculo Excommunicationis expressis per ordinem coram eo: tunc temporis etiam omnibus Teutoniae hominibus, Regni Siciliae, ac quibuslibet aliis, cujuscunque conditionis aut status, qui Ecclesiae contra eum adhaeserant, omnem remittens offensam et poenam: et quod in nullo tempore offenderet, vel offendi faceret ipsos, pro eo quod Ecclesiae astiterant, praestari in anima sua per Comitem Acerrarum facient juramentum; postmodum pacem et juramenta hujusmodi, nequaquam erubescens irretiri perjuriis, non servavit. Nonnullos enim etiam ex ipsis hominibus praedictis, tam Nobiles, quam alios, posteà capi & incarcerari fecit; & eye bonis suis omnibus spoliatis, uxores eorum & filios captivare; ac insuper terras Ecclesiae, contra promissionem, quam eidem J. Sabinensi Episcopo, & Thomasio Cardinali fecerat, irreverenter invasit: licet ipsi ex tunc in eundem praesentem, si ullo modo praedictis articulis aut conditionibus contraveniret, Excommunicationis sententiam promulgaverunt. Et cum iidem Apostolica authoritate sibi commissa, ipsi mandassent, ut nec per se, nec per alium impediret, quin postulationes, electiones, & confirmationes Ecclesiarum & Monasteriorum, in Regno praefato, liberè de caeterò fierent, secundum statutum Concilii generalis: et quod nullus deinceps in eodem Nota. Regno viris Ecclesiasticis, ac bonis aut rebus eorum, imponeret tallias vel collectas, quodque nullus ibidem Clericus vel persona Ecclesiastica de caetero in civili vel criminali causa conveniretur coram judice saeculari, nisi super feudis quaestio civilis haberetur; ac Templariis, Hospitalariis, & aliis personis Ecclesiasticis, de damnis & injuriis irrogatis, eye satisfaceret competenter: ipse mandatum hujusmodi adimplere contempsit. Liquet namque undecim, aut plures, Archiepiscopales, & mult as Episcopales sedes, Abbatias quoque, & alias Ecclesias, ad praesens in Regno vacarepraedicto; easque procurante ipse, sicut apertè patet, fuisse diutius Praelatorum regimine destitutas: in grauè ipsarum praejudicium, & periculum animarum multarum. Et licet fortè in aliquibus ejusdem Regni Ecclesiis, electiones sint à Capitulis celebratae: quia tamen per illa eadem familiares Clerici sunt electi, probabili potest argumento concludi, quod facultatem non habent liberam eligendi. Ecclesiarum autem ipsius Regni, non solum facultates et bona fecit prout voluit occupari, sed et cruces, calices, thuribula, et alios sacros earum thesauros, et pannos sericos, velut cultus Divini contemptor, auferri: licet, ut dicitur, ipsis Ecclesiis (exacto tamen prius pro eis certo p●●cio) in parte fuerint restituti. Clerici quippe * And were they not more oppressed in this kind by Popes than Emperors? collectis & talliis, mutipl●●●●● affliguntur. Nec solum trahuntur ad judicium saeculare, sed, ut asseritur, coguntur subire duella: incarcerantur, occiduntur, et patibulis cruciantur, in confusionem et opprobrium ordinis clericalis. Praefatis autem Templariis, Hospitalariis, & personis Ecclesiasticis, non est de damnis illatis eisdem & injuriis satisfactum. Eum quoque certum est, sacrilegii esse perpetratorem. Nam cum praefati Portuensis & Praenestinensis Episcopi, & quamplures Ecclesiarum Praelati & Clerici, tam religiosi, quâm saeculares, ad Apostolicam sedem, pro celebrando Concilio (quod prius ipse petiverat convocari) per mare venirent, viis omnibus terrae ipsius, de mandato ejus, omnino praeclusis, idem destinato Henrico filio suo cum multitudine galeiarum, & per alias quamplures longè anteà serio praeparatas in partibus Tusciae, maritimis insidiis positis contra eos, ut gravius posset virus vomere praeconceptum, ipsos ausu sacrilego capi fecit, quibusdam Praelatorum ipsorum, et aliis in hujusmodi captione submersis; nonnullis etiam interemptis, et aliquibus hostili insequutione fugatis: reliquis autem bonis spoliatis omnibus, et de loco ad locum in Regno Siciliae opprobriose deductis, et circumductis, ac ibidem diris carceribus mancipatis; quorum aliqui macerati squaloribus et inedia pressi, miserabiliter defecerunt. Merito insuper contra eum de haeretica pravitate suspicio est exorta, cum postquam Excommunicationis sententiam a praefatis J. Sabinensi Episcopo, et Thomasio Cardinali, prolatam incurrerit, et praedictus Gregorius Papa ipsum anathematis vinculo innodavit, ac post Ecclesiae, Romanorum Cardinalium, Praelatorum, et Clericorum, a qua diversis partibus ad sedem Apostolicam venientium, captiones, claves Ecclesiae contempserit et contemnat, sibi faciens celebrari, vel potius, quantum in eo est, prophanari divina: et constanter asseruit, ut superius est narratum, in se praefati Gregorii Papae sententias Excommunicationis non vereri. Praetereà, conjunctus Saracenis amicitia detestabili, Nuncios & munera pluries destinavit eisdem, & ab eis vicissim cum honorificentia & hilaritate recepit: ipsorumque ritus amplectitur, illos in quotidianis ejus obsequiis notabiliter secum tenens, eorundem etiam more uxoribus, quas habuit de stirpe Regia descendentibus, ●unuchos, praecipuè quos, ut dicitur, serio ipse castrari fecerat, non erubuit deputare custodes. Et quod execrabilius est, olim existens in partibus transmarinis, facta compositione quadam, imò verius collusione, cum Soldano, Machometi nomen, in templo Domini diebus ac noctibus publicè proclamari permisit. Et nuper Nuncios Soldani Babyloniae, postquam idem Soldanus Terrae Sanctae, ac Christianis habitatoribus ejus, per se ac suos damna gravissima & inaestimabiles injurias irrogaret: fecit per Regnum suum Siciliae cum laudibus, ad ejusdem Soldani excellentiam, sicut fertur, honorificè suscipi, & magnificè procurari. Aliorum quoque infidelium perniciosis & horrendis obsequiis contra fideles ab●tens, & illis qui damnabiliter vilipendentes & contemnentes Apostolicam sedem, ab unitate Ecclesiae discesserunt, procurans affinitate ac amicitia copulari, clarae memoriae Ducem Bavariae, specialem Ecclesiae Romanae & devotum; fecit, sicut pro certo asseritur, Christiana religione despecta, per assisinos occidi: & Battacio, Dei et Ecclesiae inimico, a communione fidelium per Excommunicationis sententiam, cum adjutoribus, conciliatoribus, et fautoribus suis solenniter separato, filiam suam tradidit in uxorem. Catholicorum vero Principum auctus & mores respuens, neglecta salutis suae & famae integritate, pietatis operibus non intendit. Quinimò, ut de suis nefariis dissolutionibus sileamus, cum didicerit * Was not this this Popes own practice, rather than the Emperors? tantum opprimere, non curat oppressos injuriis relevare, manu ejus, ut decet Principem Christianun, ad eleemosynas non extenta: cum destructioni Ecclesiarum institerit, & religiosas ac alias Ecclesiasticas jugi attriverit afflictione & persecutione personas. Nec enim & Ecclesias, nec ulla Monasteria, nec H●spitalia, seu alia pia loca cernitur uspiam construxisse aut fundasse. Nunc igitur haec non levia, sed efficacia sunt argumenta de suspicatione haeresis contra cum: cum tamen haereticorum vocabulo eos jus Civile continere asserat, & latis adversus eos sententiis debere succumbere: qui vel levi argumento à judicio Catholicae Religionis & tramite detecti fuerint deviare. Praeter hoc, Regnum Siciliae, quod est * Pope's Temporals are now become their Spirituals. spirituale Patrimonium beati Petri, quod idem Princeps ab Apostolica sede tenebat in feudum, jam in tantam Clericis & Laicis exinanitionem servitutemque redegit, quod eis penè penitus nihil habentibus, & omnibus exinde ferè probris ejectis & expulsis, illos qui remanserunt ibidem, sub servili quasi conditione vivere, ac Romanae Ecclesiae, cujus principaliter sunt homines & vassalli, offendere multipliciter & hostiliter impugnare compellit. Posset etiam meritò reprehendi, quod mille squinatorum annuam pensionem, in qua pro eodem Regno ipsi Romanae Ecclesiae tenetur, per novem annos etamplius solvere praetermisit. Nos itaque super praemissis, & quam pluribus aliis ejus nefandis & ex●crandis excessibus ac flagitiis, cum fratribus nostris Cardinalibus & Sacrosancto Concilio deliberatione praehabita matura & diligenti, cum Domini nostri jesu Christi vices, licet immeriti, teneamus in terris, nobisque in beati Petri Apostoli persona sit dictum: * To depose Kings and Emperors from their Dignities, Crowns▪ is Popes binding & losing, but not Christ's no● St. Peter. Quodcunque ●●gaveris super terram, erit ligatum & in coelis, etc. memoratum Principem, qui se Imperio, et Regnis, omnique denique honore, ac dignitate reddidit tam indignum, quique propter suas iniquitates atque scelera a Deo ne regnet vel imperet est abjectus, suis ligatum peccatis a Deo ac abjectum, omnique honore ac dignitate privatum a Domino ostendimus ac denunciamus, et nihilominus sententiando privamus. Omnesque qui ei juramento fidelitatis aliquo modo tenentur astricti vel obligati, a Nota. juramento hujusmodi perpetuo absolvimus et liberamus: auctoritate Apostolica firmiter et strictim inhibendo, ne quisquam de caetero sibi tanquam * Against both St. Peter, St. Pauls, & Christs expresse commands, Mat. 22. 21. Rom. 1●. 1, to 10. Tit. 3. 1, 2. 1 Pet. 2. 13, 14, 15. 1 Tim. 2. 1, 2, 3. Imperatori vel Regi pareat, vel quomodolibet parere intendat. Decernendo quoslibet, qui deinceps ei, velut Imperatori, vel Regi, consilium praestiterint, seu favorem; ipso facto Excommunicationis vinculo subjacere. Illi autem, ad quos in eodem Imperio, Imperatoris spectat electio, eligant libere alium in ejus locum successorem. De▪ praefato vero Siciliae Regno providere curabimus, cum eorundem fratrum nostrorum Cardinalium consilio, sicut viderimus expedire. Datum Lugduni, decimo septimo Calend. Augusti, Pontificatus nostri anno tertio. Haec igitur in medio Concilio prolata, cunctis audientibus ad instar corruscantis fulguris, Procuratores Imperatoris recedunt confusi. non mediocriter timorem omnibus incusserunt. Magistri igitur Thaddaeus de Suessa, & Walterus de Ocra, & alii procuratores Imperatoris, & qui cum ipsis erant, emisso ejulatu flebili, hic femur, hic pectus in judicium doloris percutientes, vix à profluvio lacrymarum sese continuerunt. Et ait magister Thaddaeus memoratus, Dies ista, dies irae, calamitatis, et miseriae. Dominus igitur Papa, et Praelati assidentes Concilio, candelis accensis, in dictum Imperatorem Fredericum, qui jam jam Imperator non est nominandns; terribiliter, recedentibus et confusis ejus procuratoribus, fulgurarunt. The Pope and his Prelates in this Council published these two Canons to Regulate the Abuses of Excommunications, which they violated in an high degree by this their Excommunication against the Emperor. Ecclesiastica censura Judices damnabiliter abutuntur, cum de matris Ecclesiae gremio ex alterius culpa indiscretè per eam attentent evellere innocentes, ex qua illicitè Mat. Paris, p. 657. De sententia excommunicationis. notatus non laeditur, sed errante clavi converti dicitur in damnantem. Volentes igitur insolentiae, vel potius insolertiae talium obviare, constitutionem praesenti decreto sancimus, ut Judicum nullus excommunicato ab eodem participantes in locutione & aliis quibus ligatur particeps, excommunicatione minori, ante communicationem canonicam excommunicare praesumat: salvis constitutionibus contraillos legitimè promulgatis, qui in scelere praesumunt alieno participare damnato. Quod si ex locutione, & aliis, quibus excommunicato participans labitur in minorem, notati majoris divina invaserit contemnendo, ut facilius revocetur ad absolutionis beneficium, satisfactione praemissa, misericorditer obtinendum; poterit Judex post commonitionem canonicam, hujusmodi participes eidem consimili damnare censura. Aliter autem, in participantes excommunicatio non teneat; & proferentes, poenam legitimam poterunt formidare. Cum excommunicatio sit medicinalis, non mortalis, disciplinans, non eradicans, dum tamen in quem lata fuerit non contemnat; cautè provideat Judex ecclesiasticus, Ibid. p. 658. De sententia excommunicationis. ut in ea ferenda ostendat se prosequi quod corrigentis est & medentis. Quisquis ergo excommunicat, in scriptis proferat; & causam expressè conscribat, propter quam excommunicatio proferatur. Exemplum verò scripturae hujusmodi teneatur excommunicato tradendum infra mensem post diem sententiae, si fuerit requisitus: super qua sigillo authentico consignatas. Si quis autem Judicium hujusmodi constitutionis temerarius violator existat; per mensem unum ab ingressu Ecclesiae & divinis, noverit se suspensum. Superior verò, ad quem recurritur, sententiam ipsam sine difficultate relaxans, latorem excommunicationis ad expensas omnes & interesse condemnet, & aliàs puniat animadversione condigna, ut poena docente discant Judices, quam grave sit excommunicationum sententias sine maturitate debita in aliquem fulminare. Et haec eadem etiam in suspensionis & interdicti sententias, volumus observari. Caveant autem Praelati, & Judices universi, ne praedictam suspensionis poenam incurrant. Quoniam si contigerit eos sic suspensos divina officia exequi, sicut prius; irregularitatem non effugient, juxta canonicas sanctiones, super qua non nisi per summum Pontificem poterit dispensari. Solet autem à nonnullis in dubium revocari, an cum aliquis per superiorem absolvi De eodem postulat ad cautelam, dum in se latam excommunicationis sententiam asserit esse nullam; sine contradictionis obstaculo, munus debeat ei absolutionis impendi. Et ante ablutionem hujusmodi, qui se offert in judicio probaturum se post appellationem legitimam, in excommunicatione notatum, vel intolerabilem errorem in sententia fuisse patenter expressum, sit in caeteris, excepto probationis illius articulo, evitandus. In prima igitur dubitatione sic statuimus observandum, ut petenti absolutio non negetur; quamvis in hoc excommunicator, vel adversarius se opponat. In quo casu, tres tantummodò octo dierum indulgebuntur dilationes sic dicenti: ut si probaverit, quod opponit, nec relaxetur sententia, nisi prius sufficiens praestetur emenda, vel competens cautio, de jure parendo, si offensa dubia proponatur. In secunda verò quaestione statuimus, ut si is qui ad probandum admittitur, pend ente probationis articulo, etiam caeteris quae ut actor in judiciis acceptaverit, interim evitetur. Extra judicium verò, in officiis, postulationibus, & electionibus, & aliis legitimis actibus nihilominus admittatur. In this Council the Pope to raise monies and therewith forces to oppose and depose the Emperor, published a Croysado, with sundry Indulgences under the usual pretext of relieving the Christians, than pretended to be greatly distressed by the Saraceus and Tartars, thus registered in the Canons of this Council. De Crucis vero negotio, nonnulla sunt in Concilio salubriter & prudenter constituta: Mat. Paris, p. 658. De negotio Crucis. sed cum de contributione pecuniae facta fuit mentio, contradictum fuit Domino Papae in facie, maxime propter hanc adjectionem omnibus invisam: Conferant subsidium per manus eorum, qui ad hoc Apostolica fuerint providentia ordinati: (By which means the Pope would have fingered and converted, all the money to his own use:) Quia multoties et multipliciter conqueruntur fideles Ecclesiae; se de pecunia sua Terrae Sanctae in auxilium contributa, per Romanam curiam fuisse defraudatos: (And might they have resisted him to his face upon as just a ground in his Excommunication, yea deposition of the Emperor, to defraud him of his Rights and Prerogatives of his Imperal Crown?) Caetera verò fideliter ac salubriter ordinata, auribus & cordibus fidelium placentia anno Domini 1234. de Papa Gregorio de verbo ad verbum sunt conscripta: ubi etiam invenies Sermonem elegantissimum, ab eodem Papa Gregorio compositum: Et ille idem sermo, in hoc Concilio à domino Papa Innocentio quarto, quasirecens resumptus est. (As the Emperor's * Here, p. 409. 410, etc. Excommunication was) Affirmavitque Dominus Papa, haec omnia, maxime autem quae de Principe statuit, se irrevocabiliter observaturum. Haec autem cum intellexisset magister Thaddeus ab imo trahens suspiria, ait: Intelligo nullum remedium patere discrimini. Ejulansque & flens subintulit: Verè dies ista, diesirae: sicut anteà dixerat, cum ad Concilium plenum omnes Praelati candelas suas accensas inclinarent, & extinguerent; excommunicatum Imperatorem Fredericum deponentes. Et in calce sermonis adjunxit idem magister Thaddeus: Ex hoc tempore cantabunt haeretici, regnabunt Chorosmini, & insurgent Tartari. Et haec nunciaturus ad Dominum suum Imperatorem Fredericum est reversus. Dominus autem Papa omnibus in propatulo ait: Quod meumest feci, faciat & prosequatur super his Deus quod voluerit. Cum autem haec omnia audivisset & intellexisset Dominus Imperator Fredericus, Anno 1245. Mat. Paris, p. 658. 659, 660. Fredericus depositus a Papa seipsum coronat. vix se prae indignatione capiens, in vehementissimam iram excanduit. Torvoque vultu omnes circumsedentes adspiciens intonuit, dicens: Abjecit me Papa in Synodo sua, privans me Corona mea; Vnde tanta audacia? unde talis temeraria praesumptio? Vbinam sunt clitellae meae, thesaurum meum portatilem continentes? Et cum allatae fuissent, et coram eo ejus jussu reseratae essent, ait: Vide si jam sunt amissae coronae meae. Repertam igitur unam imposuit capiti suo. Et coronatus erexit se, et minacibus oculis, voce terribili, et insatiabili corde, dixit in propatulo: Non adhuc Coronam meam perdidi, vel Papali impugnatione, vel Synodali Concilio, sine cruento perdam certamine. Ad tanta prorumpet fastigia vulgaris superbia ut me praecipuum Principem, quo non est major, imo cui nec est par, ab apice dignitatis Imperialis valeat praecipitate. In hoc tamen conditio mea melioratur. In aliquo tenebar illi obedire, saltem venerari; Nunc autem ab amore et veneratione, necnon et ab omnimodae pacis absolvor adversus Papam obligatione. Ex tunc igitur efficacius et vigilantius, ut Dominum Papam gravaret, in thesauris, consanguineis, et amicis ejus damna et injurias irrogavit (as he had just cause.) Cogitavit igitur ut partem suam magis roboraret, filiam Ducis Austriae sibi matrimonio copulare. Et ad hoc consummandum solennes nuncios destinavit, & festinos ad eundem Ducem. Quod cum ad notitiam puellae pervenisset, amplexus & nuptiasipsius Frederici donec absolveretur, constanter refutavit. Hoc autem cum Pater Puellae etiam approbasset & dicto Frederico nunciasset, erubuit spretus ab utroque. Sed tamen induratus, volens avertere corda Regum & Principum, tam à devotione quam venerationae Ecclesiae & Praelatorum praecipuè Domini Papa scripsit Epistolam, quandam nimis reprehensibilem, in ea enim virosum propositum suum quod diu occultaverat, evomuit. But his Epistle, how ever censured by Papal parasites, was worthy this Emperor, and all Christian Kings had reason to thank, honour him for his prudent advice and magnanimous resolution therein, then to lessen their affections towards him; for defending all their Crowns and regal rights, against Papal usurpations, and showing them the readiest way to support them for the future. FREDERICUS, etc. Regi Angliae, etc. Illos foelices describit antiquitas quibus Epistola Imperatoris. ex alieno paratur cautela periculo. Status enim sequentis firmatur ex principio praecedentis. Et ut impressionem cera recepit ex sigillo, sic humanae vitae formatur mortalitas ab exemplo. Hanc utinam foelicitatem vestra serenitas anticipasset, vel praeoptasset: & quam cautelae solertiam vobis, ô Christiani Reges, ex nostrae Majestatis nimiae laesione relinquimus, nobis potius alii Reges et principes laesi similiter reliquissent. Porro, qui clerici nunc censentur, parum eleemosynis impinguati filios opprimunt donatorum; Ipsique nostrorum filii subditorum paternae conditionis obliti, nec Imperatorem, nec Regem aliqua veneratione revereri dignantur, quoties in Patres Apostolicos ordmantur. Quod autem ex circumlocutionibus nostris innuitur, ex Innocentii Papae quarti praesumptione comprobatur. Qui vocata Synodo, ut asserit, generali, contra nos, nec citatos, nec super aliqua fraude vel pravitate convictos ausus est sententiam depositionis statuere, quam praeter omnium Regum enorme praejudicium, non poterat stabilire. Quid enim nobis singulis Regibus singulorum Regnorum, afacie talis principis sacerdotum timendum non superest, si nos et principum electione solenni, et approbatione totius Ecclesiae, dum cleri fide ac religione vigebant, Imperiali Diademate divinitus insignitos, et alia regna nobilia magnifice gubernantes, ille deponendos aggreditur; cujus quoad temporalium detrimenta, non interest in nos aliquid exercere rigoris, etiam si causae legitimae probarentur. Verum, quos Sacerdotalis sic infestat abusio potestatis, et a summo conatur praecipitare deorsum; nec primi sumus nec ultimi. Et hoc quidem vos facitis obedientes simulatoribus sanctitatis, quorum sperat ambitio, quod totus Jordanis influat in os suum. O si vestrae credulitatis simplicitas, a Scribarum & Pharisaeorum fermento quod est hypocrisis, juxta Salvatoris sententiam, sibi curaret attendere! quot illius curiae turpitudines execrari possetis quas honestas et pudor prohibet recitare. Sane redditus copiosi, quibus ex plurimum depauperatione Regnorum ditantur, quemadmodum ipsi nostis, ipsos faciunt insanire, Apud vos Christiani, vel peregrini mendicant, ut apud nos Paterini manducent. Ibi vestrorum domos obruitis, ut hic adversariorum vestrorum oppida construatis. Sic de vestris decimis & eleemosynis tales pauperes Christi sustentati; qua beneficii recompensatione, qua saltem gratitudinis exhibitione se praebent obnoxios? Quanto manus largiores extenditis, tanto non solum manus, sed etiam cubitos avidius apprehendunt, suo nos laqueo detinentes, sicut aviculam, quae quanto ad evasionem fortius nititur, firmius alligatur. Haec vobis ad praesens scribenda curavimus, insufficenter exprimentia votum nostrum. Caetera verò secretius intimanda; videlicet in quos usus divitias pauperum, expendat prodigalitas avarorum. Quid super impetratione conceperimus obligando, quam per magnos mediatores intendimus, ut inter nos & Ecclesiam saltem pax superficialiter reformetur. Quid de Regum commmunibus specialibusque negotiis disponere proponamus: Quid super Insulis Oceani fuerit ordinatum: quid contra Principes universos quibusdam consiliis; quae nos, & quae nonnullos, quos habemus ibidem familiares & subditos, licet clandestina, latere non possunt, illa curia machinetur. Quantis viribus, quot virorum, qualiter instructorum ad bella in hoc ipso Vere, quod instat, omnes illos qui modò nos opprimunt, opprimere posse speremus, et si se nobis totus mundus opponeret. Quicquid fideles nostri latores praesentium vobis retulerint, certè credatis, & ac si Sanctus Petrus jurasset firmissimum reputetis. Nec vobis, petimus, videatur, quod per latam in nos sententiam Papalem, nostrae magnitudinis. Majestas aliquatenus incur vetur. Habemus enim conscientiae puritatem, ac per consequens, Deum nobiscum, cujus testimonium invocamus. Quia semper fuit nostrae intentio voluntatis, Nota. clericos cujusque ordinis ad hoc inducere, et maxime maximos: ut tales perseverarent in fine, quales fuerunt in Ecclesia primitiva, Apostolicam vitam ducentes, humilitatem Dominicam imitantes. Tales namque Clerci solebant Angelos intueri, miraculis coruscare, aegros curare, mortuos suscitare; et sanctitate, non armis, sibi Reges et Principes subjugare. At isti, saeculo dediti, delitiis inebriati, Dominum postponunt; quorum ex affluentia divitiaram et opum, omnis religio suffocatur. Talibus ergo subtrahere nocentes divitias, quibus damnabiliter onerantur, opus est charitatis. Ad hoc vos, et omnes Principes una nobiscum, ut cuncta superflua deponentes, modicis rebus contenti, Deo deserviant, debetis diligentiam adhibere. Haec cum ad Christianissimos Francorum & Anglorum Reges nunciata pervenissent, Mat. Paris, p. 660. Fama Frederici diatim deterio ratur. patuit luce clarius ipsis & eorum Magnatibus, quod Fredericus libertatem ac nobilitatem Ecclesiae, quam ipse nunquam auxit, sed magnifici antecessores ejus malo grato suo stabilierunt, toto conamine studuit annullare & de haeresi per idipsum se reddens suspectum, merito omnem quam hactenus habebat in omni populo igniculum famae propriae prudentiae & sapientiae, impudenter & imprudenter extinxit atque delevit. Reges tamen memorati, quia muliebre videretur & inhonestum statim infestare, quem prius protexerant, non sine murmure siluerunt adhuc dissimulantes. Ac per hoc domini Papae conditio, meliorata respiravit. Unum insuper omnes angebat tam Principes quam Praelatos vulnus angustiae, futura pericula ratione praevia ponderantes. Eo quod etsi dignus multipliciter Fredericus deprimi, et omni honore privari, tamen si eum, Deo juvante, auctoritas Papalis irrestaurabiliter deponeret, Romana Ecclesia, gratia Dei abutens, in posterum in tantam elationem, et intolerabilem superbiam sublevaretur, Nota. quod Principes Catholicos insontes et justos, et praecipue Praelatos, quavis levi causa vel deponeret, vel deponere probrose comminaretur, loquendoque sublimia, gloriandoque dicerent Romani licet a plebeia stirpe procreati: Nos ipsum maximum Dominum et Imperatorem Fredericum conculcavimus, et quis es tu, qui nobis temere credis resistere▪ Et ita provocati nobiliores, contra eos levabunt calcaneum: Deoque vindice, auctoritas Romana poterit deperire. Haec autem mundi volubilitate secum rapiente, Abbates diversorum climatum Cistercienses Mat. Paris, p. 660. 661. Mandatum Papae ad Capitulum Cisterciense. Capitulum suum instante exaltatae Crucis solennitate, sicut moris est, catervatim adierunt. Et cum ad Capitulum generaliter convenissent, mandatum Domini Papae susceperunt. Cujus tenor fuit hic: Noverit universitas vestrae statum Ecclesiae formidabiliter periclitantem precum instantia solitò vigilantiùs indigere. Subest enim urgens causa, quae toti Christianitati terribiliter comminatur. Nec curabimus de caeterò gladio uti materiali, sed tantum spirituali, contra Fredericum aliquando Romanorum Imperatorem, validum Ecclesiae Christi & obstinatum inimicum. Obstructum est os loquentium iniqua. Non vos moveant imperitorum, & veritatis ignarorum, precamur, obloquia; ut à nobis quasi praecipitanter putetis, & absque deliberato fratrum nostrorum & multorum peritorum moroso consilio contra ipsum Fredericum fuerit sententiatum. Non enim meminimus unquam, causam cum tanta deliberatione & diligenti examinatione fuisse excussam; & peritorum at que sanctorum mentibus, libratam extitisse; adeò quòd in secretis, aliqui fratrum nostrorum induerunt personam Advocati pro ipse: Aliqui autem è contrà personam adversantis: ut ex objectionibus & responsionibus inquirentium & disputantium, ut solet in Scholis, causae veritas radicitus hinc indeque discuteretur. Nec aliquam viam invenimus, sine Dei injuria, & gravi ejus offensa, & Ecclesiae ejusdem laesione, & nostrarum conscientiarum vulnere, aliter procedendi quam ut processimus, licet inviti, & ejusdem laesoris miseriae condolentes. Parati igitur sumus in hac causa, et pro illa, usque ad mortem stare; et pro ea, et in ea, tam omnes fratres nostri, quam nos mori, immutabiliter pro causa Dei et ejus Ecclesiae dimicantes. Haec postquam ad audientiam totius Capituli & universorum fratrum plenius pervenerunt, partem Frederici detestantes, mirabiliterque papali parti inclinantes Deum deprecabantur, ut Ecclesiam suam, quam supra firmam petram stabilivit, etsi laberetur, labi nullatenus sineret in aeternum. But to leave these contests between this Domineering, Tyrannising, Oppressing Pope and the Emperor, and return to those between the King, Kingdom, Nobles of England, and the Pope, in and after this Council, concerning their forementioned grievances, where they prayed redress by word of mouth, and their forecited Letter. Expectantibus autem universitatis Anglicanae procuratoribus, videlicet Comite Mat. Paris Hist. Angl. p 660. Conatus procuratorum universitatis Angliae irritus▪ Richardo Bigod, cum suis consortibus praenominatis, placabile Domini Papae, prout promiserat, responsum; tandem expressum est, quod postulata ad votum non reportarent. Irati igitur nimis procuratores memorati, recesserunt cum comminatione: terribiliter jurantes, se nunquam Tributum Romanae cupiditati omni saeculo detestabile soluturos, nec solvere permissuros; vel amplius reddituum Ecclesiarum (praecipue quarum Nobiles Regni esse patroni dignoscuntur) proventus extorqueti non passuros. Veruntamen Dominus Papa animo patienti & oculis conniventibus haec omnia dissimulando pertransiens, tempus rigidius agendi, respirante prosperitate, tacitus expectavit. Misit igitur ad singulos Episcopos Angliae, praecipiens districtissimè, ut quilibet eorum illi chartae detestabili, quam lachrymabilis memoriae Rex Anglorum Johannes, reclamante Archiepiscopo Cantuariensi Stephano, infoeliciter confecit de Tributo, signum suum appenderet, ut magis roborata perpetuaretur. Nota, Quod ipsi Episcopi timore inexcusabiliter effoeminati, non sine enormi Regis et Regni, proh dolor, fecerunt praejudicio. Unde cum Dominus Rex hoc audisset, in maximam iram excandens, juravit, quod etsi etiam Episcopi turpiter sint incurvati, ipse firmiter staret pro Regni libertate: nec unquam dum vitales carperet auras, censum sub nomine Tributi Curiae Romanae persolveret. Porro Episcopus Londinensis Fulco ultimus & invitus, in arcum pravum versus, signum suum dictae chartae apponens, minùs aliis meruit reprehendi. Simili quoque modo, cuidam amplae chartae transcriptae de verbo ad verbum, secundùm chartam Bulla Papali communitam, de sententia depositionis in Imperatorem Fredericum lata, apposuerunt omnes Praelati signa sua; tam ad majorem roborationem, quam memoriam rei sempiternam. (Such was the English Bishops Treachery, Timidity, Baseness both towards the King, Kingdom, Emperor, which made the Pope more intolerably insolent.) Anno gratiae 1246. qui est annus Regni Henrici III. Regis 30. fuit idem Rex ad Anno 1246. Mat. Paris, p. 669, 670. Papa indignatur Anglis, quod de eo conqueri in Concilio ausi sint. natale Domini Londini, ubi convocatis multis Regni Nobilibus una cum fratre suo, Regina quoque & Comitissa Cornubiae sorore Reginae, multisque Magnatibus; qui cum eodem Rege in Wallia pondera & aestus dierum sustinuerant, festa natalitia gaudenter celebrarunt, ut qui fuerunt in tribulatione consortes, participes fierent in exultatione. Eodemque tempore, ne gaudia mundi impermixta moeroribus mortalibus arriderent, ortus est rumor sinister, & ex rumore suspicio non modica, quod Dominus Papa rancorem in corde retinuit, cum tamen non subfuisset causa rationabilis: iratus est valde, et multiformiter ampullose coepit comminari Anglorum Regi et Regno, ut si posset Fredericum Notae▪ edomare, et per consequens recalcitrantium Anglorum, qui de oppressionibus Romanae Curiae et maxime de Tributo, in Concilio conquesti sunt, insolentem superbiam conculcabit. Non enim, ut ei videbatur, licuit miseris Anglis, pro multiformi etiam injuria flagellatis, lachrymari vel mutire. Conabaturque in illo diuturno ac secreto colloquio; quod habuit apud Cluniacum cum Rege Franc●rum, persuadere et acuere Regem ipsum▪ ut insurgeret ad tantae injuriae vindictam, tantam ut ipsum Regulum Anglorum, vel usque ad exhaeredationem impugnaret: vel enormiter laesum, sese omnimode voluntati Romanae Curiae, vellet, nollet, inclinaret. Et ad hoc juvaret eum omni conatu, Ecclesia et Papalis auctoritas. Quod constanter Rex Francorum dicitur renuisse, tum quia ipsi Reges consanguinei sunt, et eorum Reginae sorores: tum quia jus non habet Rex Francorum in Regnum Angliae manifestum: tum quia treugae inter ipsos Reges initae sunt, quas maluit prolongare, ratione peregrinationis suae, quam proditiose rescindere: tum quia instabat validior inimicus, et Ecclesiae Romanae nocivior, videlicet Fredericus edomandus: tum quia ante Regnum Angliae Francis cederet, non modicus sanguis Christianus effunderetur: tum quia Christiani in Terra Sancta jam a Paganis oppressi et obsessi; Regis Francorum adventum desideratum, quasi naufragantes aurae lenioris prosperitatem, praestolantur. Matthew Westminster thus relates the Prologue to, and grievances occasioning this Parliament, and therein complained of by the King. Peridem tempus convocati sunt Nobiles Regni, ut die, qua cantatur Laetare Hierusal●m, Mat. Westm. Anno 1246. p. 205, 206. L●nd●niis de arduis Regni negotiis diligenter, prout necessitas urgenter postulabat, contrecta●ent. Papa enim indignatione, quam concepit contra Regem ●t omnes Regni Nobiles, manum suam ad gravamina quotidiana, diversis excogitatis argumentis ad emungendam pecuniam extendit, et quotidie aggravavit. Intumuit enim et excanduit ira Papalis contra miseros Anglos, eo quod ausi erant de oppressionibus et injuriis sibi diatim illatis conqueri in Concilio. Multiplicabantur autem sine intermissione in Regno injuriae: et in conspectu ejus, videlicet in Curia sua, viluerunt Angli plusquam alii etiam ultimarum nationum. Vnde fertur dixisse: Expedit ut componamus cum Principe (id est, cum Frederico) ut conteramus illum regulum Angliae, * Nota. Vassallum nostrum jam recalcitrantem. Praeterea quia Dominus Rex obtinuit privilegium ut non veniat Legatus in Regnum nisi rogatus, misit quosdam sophisticos Legatos et transformatos, habentes potestatem magnam in extorquendis redditibus et pecunia, et in omnibus, Legatis proterviores, licet insignia Legatorum non haberent, nunc Clericos, nunc fratres Praedicatores, nunc Minores: de quibus Papa fecit suos bedellos et thelonearios, in laesionem et detrimentum ordinis et professionis eorum, qui spontaneam paupertatem et humilitatem Deo vovendo promiserunt. Unde quamplures eorum, sanas habentes conscientias, praecordialiter suspirantes doluerunt, dicentes: Heu quam cito, invidente Diabolo, noster ordo desipit! Per mille annos ordo Sancti Benedicti tantum non suscepit detrimentum. Misit etiam Dominus Papa manum ad ulteriora, ut scilicet bona sine testamento decedentium, non sine principum injuria et jactura, in gremio suae avaritiae amplecteretur: etiamsi infirmus, propter imbecillitatem non potens vel nolens loqui, pro se relinqueret testatorem, quae injuria et leges dicitur contraire. Praeterea, quod est inauditum, Davidis, Nepotis ac Vassalli Domini Regis Angliae, * Mat. Paris. p. 607, 660. See here, p. 621, 6●2. terram sibi injuriose usurpavit, sub gravi Tri●uto possidendam. Et citari fecit Dominum Regem, ut eidem Davidi satisfacturus super quibusdam, ut dicebat, injuriis sibi ab eodem Rege illatis responderet: in multorum sannam, et sibilum, et derisiones. Et citò post memoratus David medio sublatus, in morte sua paucos pro proditione sua meruit habere lamentatores. Convenerunt igitur (ut praeceptum urgebat Regium) Magnates Angliae universaliter, ut de praedictis efficax confilium haberent & festinum, prout necessitas non levis nec mediocris postulavit. Medio verò Quadragesimae, videlicet die qua cantatur Laetare Jerusalem▪ edicto Mat. Paris, p. 674, 675. Regio convocata, convenit ad Parliamentum generalissimum, totius Regni Anglicana totalis Nobilitas Londini; videlicet Praelatorum tam Abbatum & Priorum quam Episcoporum; Comitum quoque & Baronum; ut de statu Regni jam vacillantis, efficaciter, prout exegit urgens necessitas, contrectarent. Angebat enim eos gravamen intolerabile, a Curia Romana incessanter illatum; quod non poterant sine nota desidiae, et imminente ruina tolerare. Qui eo anxius mentibus sauciabantur, quod Papa promissionis suae transgressor, gravius quam ante eorum querimoniam manum diatim exasperans, aggravabat. Haec enim ejus promissa in Concilio Lugdunensi extiterunt. INNOCENTIUS, etc. Vniversis tam Cathedralium quam aliorum Praelatis, Privilegia impetrata in Concilio Lugdunensi. necnon patronis Ecclesiarum Clericis & Laicis, per Regnum Angliae constitutis, salutem & Apostolicam Benedictionem. Cum noluerimus per nos, aut alios, auctoritate nostra vobis inferri gravamina, sed à quorumlibet molestiis defendere vos potius, ut ad nos pertinet, intendamus, praesentium tenore vobis innotescat, quod si dilectus filius Magister Martinus Camerae nostrae Clericus, de mandato nostro aliquos vestrum à collatione beneficiorum seu praesentatione suspenderit, suspensionem hujusmodi, nisi specialiter pro certis personis, quas duodenario tamen numero comprehendi volumus, facta fuerit, duximus relaxandam: ita quod inter ipsas personas, illae quibus jam aliqua de praedictis beneficiis sunt collata, vel quae super obtinendis eisdem Literas ab ipsorum patronis▪ vel eis ad quos illorum collatio spectat, habent, minimè computentur. INNOCENTIUS, etc. Venerabilibus fratribus, Archiepiscopis & Episcopis, per Aliud Privilegium. Regnum Anglorum constitutis, salutem & Apostolicam Benedictionem. Cum sedes Apostolica illo affectu Anglicos prosequatur, ut ipsos inter alios confilios multiplici favore proponat attollere, ac speciali dono gratiae honorare; magno desiderio cupimus, eosdem Anglicos devotionis studio perseveranter insistere, ac laudabiliter exercitio proficere bonitatis, ut accepti & digni meritò inter caeteros habeantur. Hinc est quod universitatem vestram monemus, rogamus & hortamur, auctoritate Apostolica mandantes, quatenus vestrarum Civitatum & Diocaesum Clericos, & eos qui ascribi desiderant militiae clericali, praesertim Nobilium & Magnatum filios, attentis & sedulis exhortationibus inducatis, ut honestati morum, scientiae literarum & virtutum cultui ferventer intendant, studentes omni diligentia se gratos & idoneos exhibere, ac sedis praedictae gratiam, aliorumque benevolentiam, probitatis merito vendicare. Nos enim parati sumus Clericis Angliae bene meritis, Provisionis Ecclesiasticae dexteram liberaliter aperire; ac etiam cum illis, quos velut nobiliores et probiores, ampliori gratia noverimus esse dignos, super beneficiorum pluralitate honorifice dispensare. A subtle policy to retain the power of Provisions, and such Dispensations complained against, in his own hands. INNOCENTIUS, etc. Vniversis Archiepiscopis & Episcopis per Regnum Angliae Aliud. constitutis, salutem & Apostolicam Benedictionem. Vestra meretur devotio, ut vos Apostolica sedes opportuno favore muniat, & gratiae privilegio efferat specialis. Hinc est, quod nos vestris supplicationibus inclinati, volentes jura vestra illaesa servari, universitatem vestram monemus, rogamus, & hortamur, auctoritate Apostolica mandantes; ut beneficia Ecclesiastica, ad collationem vestram spectantia, cum ea vacare contigerint, personis idoneis conferre, quae velint & possint in eis utiliter deservire, absque cujuslibet contradictionis obstaculo, libere; prout ad vos pertinet, auctoritate praedicta, indulgemus. Nulli ergo hominum, etc. INNOCENTIUS, etc. Dilectis filiis, Ecclesiarum universarum Patronis, per Aliud. Regnum Angliae constitutis, salutem & Apostolicam Benedictionem. Fervens Anglorum meretur devotio, ut eos Apostolica sedes, tanquam speciales filios, brachiis maternae affectionis amplectens, & favore ipsos muniat opportuno, ac efferat gratiae privilegio potioris. Hinc est, quod nos vestris supplicationibus inclinati, volentes jura vestra illaesa servari; ut ad Ecclesiastica beneficia, in quibus jus habetis patronatus, cum eas vacare contigerit, praesentare illos, ad quos eorundem beneficiorum spectat collatio, personas idoneas, quae velint & possint in eis utiliter deservire, absque cujuslibet contradictionis obstaculo, libere, prout ad vos pertinet, auctoritate praedicta, indulgemus. Nulli ergo hominum, etc. INNOCENTIUS, etc. Illustri Regi Angliae, etc. Excellentiae tuae praesentium Aliud. tenore innotescat, quod licet Crucesignati in subsidium Terrae Sanctae, sint in multis exempti; nolumus tamen hujusmodi Crucesignatos Regni tui, quoad solitas ejusdem Regni consuctudines exemptos haberi, quineas teneantur, sicut alii, observare. INNOCENTIUS, etc. Illustri Regi Angliae, etc. Excellentiae tuae praesentium Causa contradictionis in Concilio pleno. tenore innotescat, quod cum nuper sacro approbante Concilio, vicesimam omnium Ecclesiasticorum proventuum in subsidium Terrae Sanctae, ac medietatem hujusmodi proventuum quarundam Ecclesiarum, personarum quarundam verò tertiam, & aliquarum vicesimam, in succursum Imperii Romani statuerimus deputandas, (prout in constitutionibus super hoc editis expressius continetur) Nuncii tui, quos ad praedictum Concilium destinasti, pro tuo totiusque Regni tui parte, hujusmodi constitutionibus in eodem Concilio contradicere curaverunt. Causa autem contradictionis haec fuit, quia scilicet decreverat Papa censum colligendi fore tradendum cui ipse volebat, quod suspectum fuit. Iterum eidem Regi, praesentium tenore magnitudini tuae notum fieri volumus, Aliud. quod etsi hactenus fortè aliquibus Ecclesiarum Praelatis, ut beneficia Ecclesiastica, quae in Regno tuo ante suam promotionem habuerant, * Commendaes. possent usque ad certum tempus libere retinere, fuerit ab Apostolica sede concessum, de caetero tamen non intendimus aliquibus similia indulgere. Praeterea unum Privilegium, ne scilicet Italicus Italico immediate succedat, et hoc impetratum est propter fraudes eorum, qui mortuis beneficiatis, alios furtim supponebant, sed omnia haec et alia, per hoc repagulum non obstante, infirmantur: ubi ergo fides? ubi jura, quae scriptis solebant solidari? exularunt. Such was the detestable Injustice, fraud, falsehood of the Pope and Court of Rome, whereby they illuded all their Oaths, Bulls, Concessions of just ancient Rights or Privileges, repugnant to their ambitious Usurpations, or filthy lucre, and subverted all Laws, Customs, Liberties of the Realm, and invaded all the Rights of the Crown at their pleasures. Convenientibus igitur ad Parliamentum memoratum totius Regni Magnatibus, Mat. Paris Hist. Angl. p. 677. Conventus omnium Nobilium Angliae. in primis aggressus est Dominus Rex ore proprio Episcopos per se, posteà verò Comites & Barones, deinde autem Abbates & Priores. Videlicet super his, pro quibus miserat Nuncios suos solennes ad Concilium Lugdunense, & quasdam indulgentias & Literas Papales, praenotatas, quas dicti Nuncii reportarunt, eye ostendit, & qualiter Dominus Papa dictis Nunciis, pro Rege & Regno multa bona promisit ac praemisit. Sed quia Dominus Rex post indulgentias memoratas, dictaque promissa, magis sensit Papam, prout communiter audivit, et vere postea didicit, manum aggravare, et quasi per contemptum plus solito in Regnum protervire, Ecclesiam opprimendo, ostendit eis articulos super gravaminibus et oppressionibus Ecclesiae et Regni sui, quorum tenor talis est. Gravatur Regnum Angliae, eo quod Dominus Papa non est contentus Gravamina Regni Angliae. subsidio illo quod vocatur denarius beati Petri, sed a toto Clero Angliae gravem extorquet contributionem, et adhuc multa graviora nititur extorquere, et hoc fecit sine Domini Regis assensu vel consensu, contra antiquas Consuetudines, Libertates, et Regni jura, et contra Appellationem et contradictionem Procuratorum Regis et Regni, in generali Concilio factam. Item, gravatur Ecclesia et Regnum, eo quod patroni Ecclesiarum Mat. Paris, p. 677, 678. ad eas cum vacaverint Clericos idoneos praesentare non possunt, prout Dominus Papa per literas suas eis concessit, sed conferuntur Ecclesiae Romanis, qui penitus idioma Regni ignorant in periculum animarum, et extra Regnum pecuniam asportant; illud ultra modum depauperando. Item, gravatur in Provisionibus a Domino Papa factis, in pensionibus exigendis, contra literarum suarum tenorem. In quibus continetur, quod ex omnibus retentionibus factis in Anglia non intendebat conferre nifi 12 beneficia post praedictarum confectionem literarum; sed credimus, multa plura beneficia ab eodem postea esse collata et Provisiones factas. Item, gravatur quod Italicus Italico succedit, et quod Anglici extra Regnum in causis auctoritate Apostolica trahuntur contra Regni consuetudines, contra jura scripta, quod inter inimicos conveniri non debent, et contra indulgentias a praedecessoribus Domini Papae Regi et Regno Angliae concessas. Item, gravatur ex multiplici adventu illius infamis nuncii, Non Non obstante. obstante, per quem juramenti religio, consuetudines antiquae, scripturarum vigor, concessionum auctoritas statuta, jura et privilegia debilitantur et evanescunt, quod infiniti de Regno Angliae oppressi sunt graviter et afflicti, nec se Dominus Papa versus Regnum Angliae in plenitudine suae potestatis revocanda, curialiter ita vel moderate gerit, prout procuratoribus Regni ore tenus dederat in promissis. I em, gravatur in talliis generalibus collectis et assisis sine Regis assensu et voluntate factis, contra appellationem et contradictionem procuratorum Regis, et universitatis Angliae. Item, gravatur eo quod in beneficiis Italicorum, nec jura, nec pauperum sustentatio, nec hospitalitas, nec divini verbi praedicatio, nec Ecclesiarum utilis ornatus, nec animarum cura, nec in Ecclesiis divina fiunt obsequia, prout decet, et moris est patriae, sed in aedificiis suis parietes cum tectis corruunt, et penitus lacerantur. Haec autem attendentes universi ac singuli, unanimiter consenserunt, ut adhuc ob reverentiam sedis Apostolicae, domino Papae humiliter ac devote, tam per Epistolas, quam per solennes nuncios supplicarent, ut tam intolerabilia gravamina et jugum subtraheret importabile. Scripserunt igitur Domino Papae in haec verba. The Archbp. and his suffragans, writ and sent an Epistle to the Pope by themselves: The Abbots, Priors and Covents of the Provinces of Canterbury and York by themselves; The Nobles and Universality of the people and Clergy of England by themselves, and the King by himself. The Archbishops and his suffragans Letter runs in these Words. REverendo in Christo Patri, Innocentio, Dei gratiâ summo Pontifici, Episcopi Querela omnium Anglorum super praedictis oppressionibus. Cantuariensis Provinciae suffraganei, cum recommendatione pedum oscula beatorum. Sedis Apostolica benignitas, quae nos nuper in Concilio Lugdunensi constitutos, in sinu honoris & specialis dilectionis collocavit, nec non ejus sublimitas, quas tot affectibus nostrae condescendit parvitati, ad zelum honoris & optatae prosperitatis sanctae matris nostrae, populipeculiaris, & spiritualium quodammodo adoptionis filiorum animos nostros, ●or, & affectus, fervore fidei & affectu sinceritatis revocant, utpote qui pro ea & ejus honoribus animo lubenti laborure disponimus, & ejus tranqui llitati pro viribus studere, ut tenemur. Sanè, quanto magis in devotione optamus reperiri ferventiores, tantò profectò, nostrum populum & Regnum in unitate Ecclesiae matris nostrae tenemur confovere studiosiùs. Quod utique absque dictae sedis adjutorio speciali, nulla prorsus via per nos poteris adimpleri. Nuper siquidem cum in Concilio illustris Principis & Domini Angliae Regis in media Quadragesima, essemus praesentes, quaedam audivimus quae vestrae sanctitati referimus dolentes, Regem scilicet & proceres, nec non populum quasi universum rodere, ac multiplicatis querimoniis murmurare, quod in collationibus beneficiorum, quae per provisores in Anglia siunt incunctanter, Nobilium atque aliorum vocationibus, contraeorum & Regni Privilegium, ad judicia extra Regnum, necnon aliis plerisque molestiis, quas vestrae beatitudini, ut credimus plenius insinuare proponunt, ipsi & Regnum atque populus universus jugo oppressionis intolerabilis existunt praegravati. Et haec publice objurgantes proponebant in cordibus, quasi se malle mori, quam ea cum magis ac magis de die in diem pullulare videantur, diutius tolerare; praesertim cum eadem gravamina, ipsos et eorum populum saepius, ut asserunt, ac durius affligant, promissione moderaminis, quam ipsorum procuratoribus a vestra sanctitate in supradicto Concilio factam esse dicunt, jam non obstante. Clamor insuper et tumultus tot et tantorum, quamvis nobis periculosus videretur, et ad diu tolerandum gravis, tamen per nos, qui ad hoc diligentia qua novimus laborare curavimus, ulla prorsus ratione nequiverat sedari. Sanè cum haec si procedant, dolorum initia & multorum malorum in Anglia, ut perpendimus & timemus, erunt fomenta, pedibus vestrae sanctitatis lachrymosis precibus prostrati deprecamur: quatenus fidei Anglicanae fervor em attendentes, et quod idem regnum sacrosanctae Romanae Ecclesiae specialiter extiterit devotum, turbationem ejusdem Regni Paterno occurrentes solatio, illis de Regno in his quae ad salutem et tranquillitatem pertinent ipsorum, ob Dei reverentiam prospicere velitis. Et nos eosdem quorum sitimus salutem & quietem, sic in unitate fidei, & devotione Ecclesiae studebimus conservare, quod Deo & Ecclesiae nec non vobis, pater Reverende, Christo propitio, cedat ad honorem. Ad hoc placeat Sanctitati vestrae praefati Principis nostri, & fratris ejusdem Comitis Cornubiae, animos sub honestatis forma pacificare, qui in facto pro invicem, se fore proponunt, non modicum gravatos, & causam asserunt gravaminis memorati, favorem Ecclesiae Romanae parti adversae nimis attributum. The Epistle of the Abbots, Priors and Covents of England to the Pope ran in this stile. SAnctissimo Patri ac Domini in Christo Charis. Innocentio Dei gratiâ universalis Literae Abbatum Angliae ad Papam. Ecclesiae Summo Pontifici, Devoti filii sui Abbates & Priores, eorumque Conventus provinciae Cantuariensis & Eboracensis, salutem & pedum oscula beatorum. Divinae Providentia Majestatis in numero, pondere, & mensura disponens universa, Ecclesiae sponsae suae sic jecit in Petra solida fundamentum, ut super structura stabilis fundamenti caemento sanguinis filii sui fortius solidati, facilius & faelicius surgeret paries erigendus. Ecclesia quidem universalis, quià sanguine Christi, qui plus clamat veniam, quam vindictam, sic suo sponso disponenti sub uno Patre regitur ac pastore, sicut arca in catalysmo regebatur in cubito consummata. Sanè Christus, Dei virtus & sapientia, Ecclesiam universalem, tanquam sponsam universalem, tanquam sponsam unicam, sibi copulavit, quia una est columba sua, electa sua, quae licet in particulares sit divisa, non tamen esse debet à cultu divino discrepans aut diversa: Ecclesia quidem Anglicana se semper sponso suo, qui cum ea traxit in utero virginali absque macula sive ruga, incessanter exhibuit gloriosam. De Civitate enim Dei, scilicet Ecclesiae Anglicanae, usque ad tempora novissima dicta sunt gloriosa, quae sacrosanctae Romanae Ecclesiae membrum speciale, Mons Libani, decor Carmeli & Saron, in divinis obsequiis frequens ac sollicita, cum caudore munditiae, tanquam aquam cor effundens puras ad Deum levat manus, orationis thura ad consistorium Trinitatis jugiter dirigendo. Licet autem divinis obsequiis sit intenta non modicum, condolet, tristatur, turbatur, propter exactiones, oppressiones, et tribulationes multimodas, qua invenerunt eam nimis. Quia, ut ex assertione magnatum, necnon et clamore populari accepimus, ventus irruens a deserto quatuor ipsius angulos, tanquam domum job, vehementer impulit et concussit. Vnde ipsa plausum in planctum, et laetitiam commutavit in lamentum, quia anima ejus in amaritudine est, nisi per vestrae gratiam Majestatis, caput ipsius jam demissum, sublimius elevetur. Ad vos igitur, Pater Reverende, tanquam ad columnam, quam fixit Deus & non homo, Ecclesia Anglicana recurrit; confidenter sperans in Domino, qui facit bonitatem, quod contra oppressiones ipsius salubrem adhibebitis medicinam, et per justitiam, quae de Caeloprospexit, mediante Dei et hominis unione, unicuique jus suum tribuetis, et in sua justitia conservabitis universos. Cum igitur simus sacrosanctae Ecclesiae filii fideles ac devoti, ut jacula minus laedant, praevisa, sedi Apostolicae duximus intimanda, videntes eidem multiplex periculum imminere, et nisi in multis a vobis contingat remedium adhiberi, timendum est ne tumultus fiat in populo, scandalum oriatur, et schisma multipliciter generetur. Commovetur enim populus contra Regem, ab ipsius fidelitate paratus recedere, nisi contra Nota. morbos imminentes per potentiam Regiam citius occurratur. Asserunt enim Proceres er Magnates, quod si Ecclesiae collatae Monasteriis, ab eisdem, Clericis Italicis conferantur, ipsas Ecclesias, et alia beneficia in proprietatem suam juste potuerunt revocare, quia ex eis fructus provenientes ad usus pauperum, et peregrinorum, debent de jure deputari, cum haec fuisset intentio conferentium, et causae conferendi. Provideat ergo sanctitas vestra, ut regnum et sacerdotium nullatenus sint divisa. Quia si Ecclesia Anglicana, quae quondam fuit posita in superbia saeculorum, secundum verbum Propheticum▪ quasi terra Gigantum detrahatur in ruinam, inter Regnum & Sacerdotium divisione facta, gemat tam populus quam sacerdos, et er hoc strages multorum posset subsequi sine mora. De injuriis, de quibus Proceres ac Magnates conqueruntur, per latores praesentium poteritis edoceri, ut correctione subsequente, moeror eorum in gaudium convertatur. The Epistle of the Nobility and Commonalty of England is thus recorded to posterity. SAnctissimo, etc. Devoti filii sui Comes Cornubiae Richardus, Simon de Monte Literae Universitatis Angliae ad Papam. Forti, Comes Legrecestriae, de Boun, Comes Herfordiae & Essexiae, R. le Brigod, Comes Norfolkiae, R. Comes Wyntoniae, W. Comes Albamarliae, H. Comes Oxoniensis, et alii totius Regni Angliae Barones, Proceres et Magnates, ac Nobiles Portuum maris habitatores, nec non et Clerus, et populus universus, salutem, & debitam tanto Pontifici in omnibus reverentiam. Sic mater Ecclesia tenetur filios suos confovere, ipsos sub alas suas congregando, ut filii sui non degenerent in obsequio matris suae, sed pro matre, si necesse fuerit, manum suam mittant ad fortia, & arma & scutum assumentes pro defensione sua cuilibet discrimini se opponat, de cujus uberibus lac sugunt consolationis, & ad ipsius dependent ubera pietatis. Mater enim filiorum uteri sui debet reminisci, ne si secus fiat, lactis pabulum subtrahendo, videatur novercari. Pater etia à filiis svam subtrahens pietatem, non pater, sed vitricus meritò debet appellari, cum filios naturales, spurios reputat aut privignos. Idcirco Pater reverende, currus Israel & auriga ejus, ad asylun vestrae pietatis recurrimus confidenter, clamantes post vos. Implorantes etiam humiliter & devotè, quatenus ob spem retributionis divinae, voces clamantium post vos dignemini misericorditer exaudire, et gravaminibus, injuriis▪ et oppressionibus regno Angliae, et Domino nostro Regi multipliciter impositis ac illatis, velitis salubre remedium adhibere. Alioquin necesse est ut veniant scandala, clamore populi tam Daminum Regem quam nos intolerabiliter impellente. Quoniam nisi de gravaminibus Domino Regi et Regno illacis, Rex et Regnum citius liberentur, oportebit nos ponere murum pro domo Domini, et libertate Regni. Quod quidem ob Apostolicae sedis reverentiam hucusque facere distulimus, nec ultra reditum nunciorum nostrorum, qui Nota. propter hoc ad sedem Apostolicam mittuntur, dissimulare poterimus quin Regni Angliae tam clero quam populo, qui talia nullatenus, sustinebunt, pro viribus nostris subveniamus. Et nisi citius praedicta per vos corrigantur, pro certo teneat vestra Sanctitas, quod non immerito timeri potest, quod tam Ecclesiae Romanae, quam Domino Regi tale periculum imminebit, quod eidem reme dium, quod absit, de facili non poterit adhiberi. A discreet Heroic Letter and Resolution in that age, worthy the Gallantry, Piety and Prudence of the oppressed English Nation. These Letters were backed with two more Epistles from the King himself, the one to the Pope, the other to his Cardinals, in these words. SAnctissimo, etc. Novit ille qui nihil ignorat, quòd matrem nostram Romanam Ecclesiam Literae Regis ad Papam pro liberatione Angliae ab oppressionibus Papalibus. semper habemus in visceribus dilectionis sincerae, sicut eam quam non dilige●● valemus, & ad quam imminentibus necessit at is articulis, ut filius ad matrem, quem suis lactavit uberibus, fovere tenetur, sub sua protectione specialiter militantem, confugimus confidenter. Uerum clamorem incomparabilem Magnatum Angliae tam cleri quam Populi non possumus obaudire, quantumcunque dilectionis affectionem erga dictam matrem nostram gerimus et gerere jugiter per Dei gratiam intendamus. Dicti namque Magnates magis solito invaluere clamantes, ut nos ab oppressionibus alias per nuncios suos sollemnes vobis ostensis, quae sicut fuerunt, novissima magis gravant majestas Regia faceret liberari. Quapropter cum dicti Magnates ad praesentiam nostram meritò destinent nuncios speciales, sanctitati vestrae supplicamus attentè, ut eorum supplicationibu taliter velitis annuere, quòd tam matri nostrae quam vobis filios nos reddatis benevolos & devotos. Ne si secus agatur, Ecclesia Romana, et nos in tali simus periculo constituti (quod avertere dignetur sua misericordia Deus mediante) quod nos oporteat in perpetuum subjacere. VEnerabilibus in Christo Patribus universis & singulis, Dei gratia Sanctae Romanae Aliae jusdem ad Cardinales de eadem. Ecclesiae Cardinalibus, H. ejusdem gratia Rex Angliae, etc. salutem & sincerae dilectionis affectum. Quantumcunque Romanam Ecclesiam diligamus, & ipsius affectemus commodum & honorem, clamorem Magnatum nostrorum Angliae tam cleri quam populi, qui magis solito invaluere, clamantes super oppressionibus, tam Domino Papae quam vobis alia significatis per sollemnes nuncios eorundem, dissimulando non possumus pertransire. Quapropter ipsi Domino Papae supplicant humiliter & devotè, ut justis supplicationibus corum ei faciendis per nuntios iteratos taliter condescendat, quod ipsos dictae Ecclesiae & nobis reddat magis favorabiles & devotos, & à fidelitate vestra nullatenus alienos. Paternitatis etiam vestrae dilectionem attentè rogamus, quotenus partes vestras velitis interponere diligenter, ut iterati nuncii dictorum Magnatum à Domino Papa & vobis possint taliter exaudiri, quod praefatae Ecclesiae et nobis non videatur periculum imminere, cui nos oporteat in perpetuum subjacere, quod timetur non medicum ab universis et singulis regni nostri. Teste meipso apud Westmonast. Vigesimo octavo die Martii Anno Regni nostri Trigesimo. Cum autem Dominut Rex supra praedictis oppressionibus quotidiè supervenientibus, Mat. Paris, p. 680. Quera querelis adduntur. (de quibus querelae multiplicabantur circumquaque) accesserunt multi per Curiam Romanam enormiter laesi et damnificati, sperantes Dominum Regem et suos in concepto proposito firmiter permansuros, multas injurias sibi illatas ad recentem memoriam Regis et Regii consilii conquerendo suscitarunt. Et quaedam quae prius non recolebantur, per querulos articulos articulis prioribus addebantur injuriae, non minimum Regi et Regno derogantes. In hunc modum: Nuper etiam ab Apostolica sede emanarunt Literae, non modicum Regis Querelae super Curia Romana. et Regni praejudicium continentes. Videlicet, quod aliqui Praelati decem Milites strenuos, etiam aliqui quinque, & aliqui quindecim invenirent Domino Papae, qui in servitio Ecclesiae Romanae starent per annum integrum, & Praelatorum Nota. stipendiis militarent, cum equis & armis sufficienter instructi, ubi Dominus Papa duxerit providendum. Quod servitium militare nulli nisi soli Regi et Regni Principibus debetur, nec ab aliquo usque ad nostra tempora, aliquo tempore exactum fuisse recolitur. Et si summo Pontifici placuisset, absque assensu Regio hujusmodi exactionem fecisse, aut proea non modicam redemptionem recepisse, nullatenus debuisset. Praeterea, ne Dominus Rex contra hoc sibi prospicere potuisset, fraudulenter fuit à quibusdam Nunciis Ecclesiae provisum, & singulis Praelatis ab eisdem mandatum, quod hujusmodi exactionem et pro ea gravem redemptionem receptam, usque ad dimidium annum, sub poena Excommuaicationis, nulli omnino revelarent. Item, in universorum & singulorum patronorum Ecclesiarum Angliae, praejudicium non modicum & gravamen, his diebus Domino Cantuariensi concessum est, ut obventiones sive fructus unius anni beneficiorum, quae vacare contigerint in provincia Cantuariensi, eidem Domino Cantuariensi conferantur. Such were the daring insolences, and strange new encroachments of this usurping Warlike Pope, upon the Church, Clergy, and Crown of England; quite contrary to Christ's doctrine, Mat. 26. 51, 52. Tit. 1. 7. 2 Tim. 2. 24, 25. Gal. 6. 1. Ephes. 6. 10, to 20. To which he superadded these avaricious demands. Eisdemque diebus, Dominus Papa videns in aliquorum Anglicorum ornamentis Mat. Paris, p. 683. Papa jubet sibi mitti aurifrisia qualia quidam Anglici portabant. Ecclesiasticis, utpote in capis choralibus & infulis, aurifrisia concupiscibilia, interrogavit, ubinam facta fuissent? Cui responsum est: in Anglia. At ipse: Vere hortus noster deliciarum est Anglia. Vere puteus inexhaustus est, et ubi multa abundant, de multis multa possunt extorqueri. Unde idem Dominus Papa, concupiscentia illectus oculorum, Literas suas Bullatas sacras misit ad omnes ferè Cisterciensis ordinis Abbates in Anglia commorantes, quorum orationibus se nuper in Capitulo Cisterciensi commendaverat, ut ipsi aurifrisia, ac si pro nihilo ipsa possent adquirere, mittere non differrent praeelecta, ad planetas et capas suas chorales adornandas. Quod mercenariis. Londinensibus, qui ea venalia habebant, non displicuit, ad placitum vendentibus: unde multi manifestam avaritiam Romanae Eeclesiae detestabantur. Eodemque tempore, cum audisset Dominus Papa, qualiter quidam in Anglia Mat. Paris, p. 685. Novum & inauditum statutum Papae. opulenti Clerici, videlicet Magister Robertus de Hailes, Archidiaconus Lincolniensis, qui paucis elapsis annis obierat intestatus, plura millia Marcarum, cum vasis multis argenteis, saeculo & saecularibus infoeliciter dimiserat: Archidiaconusque Bedefordiae Almaricus, quod pecunia abundans maxima post se indecenter relicta, obierat. Nuper quoque Magister Johannes de Hotoff, Archidiaconus Northamptoniensis, morbo repentino correptus, circiter quinque millia Marcarum cum triginta cuppis argenteis vel aureis & infinitis jocalibus, indecenter & improvise objisset intestatus, statutum super hoc novum et inauditum, non sine nota manifestae cupiditatis, suscitavit in Anglia promulgandum; ut si Clericus ex tunc decederet intestatus, ejusdem bona in usus Domini Papae converterentur. Quod negotium, Fratribus Praedicatoribus & Minoribus praecepit diligenter exequendum. Quod cum audisset Dominus Rex, detestans Romanae Curiae argumentosam ac multiplicem et multiformem avaritiam, hoc fieri prohibuit, comperiens illud in damnum Regni, et suum redundare praejudicium. The Pope's Agents notwithstanding the Kings, Nobles, Bishops, Abbots, and Commons Letters to the Pope, and Inhibition forementioned, presuming to levy a Tax for the Pope's use upon the Clergy, which the Bishop of London and other Prelates (such was their Treachery to the King, Kingdom and Church of England, out of flattery, servility to this usurping Pope, or to gain future preferments) promoted by their Warrants and Excommunications; the King thereupon issued forth his Prohibitions to inhibit the collecting thereof, thus related by Matthew Paris. Dierum etiam ipsorum curriculis, Dominus Rex Literas suas misit Mat. Paris, p. 685, 686. Mat. Westm. Anno 1246. Prohibet Rex Angliae solvere tallagium Papae. prohibitorias Praelatis Angliae, ne Domino Papae tallagium contribuerent. Domino etiam Abbati Sancti Albani, sicut & aliis, scripsit in haec verba. HENRICUS Dei gratiâ Rex Angliae, etc. Dilecto sibi in Christo Abbati de S. Albano, salutem. Audivimus, quod Venerabilis in Christo Pater P. Londini (Episcopus) compellit vos ad tallagium ad opus Papae perselvendum. Super quo miramur plurimum et movemur maxime, cum in praedicta convocatione provisum fuerat communiter per dictos Praelatos et Magnates, quod nihil fieret de tallagio illo ante reditum Nunciorum eorum a Curia Romana, ad quam iidem Nuncii sunt, sicut nostis, pro specialibus totius Regni nostri negotiis destinati. Quapropter vobis mandamus, firmiter inhibentes, quod nec ad mandatum praefati Episcopi, nec alterius, aliquid attemptetis contra Provisionem praedictam, sicut Baroniam vestram, quam de nobis tenetis, diligitis pacifice possidere. Quoniam attentationem hujusmodi, non possumus nec volumus sustinere. Teste meipso apud Westm. primo die Aprilis, Anno Regni nostri trigesimo. Notwithstanding these unsatiable Roman Harpies proceeded boldly in their Rapines, without shame or moderation. Et ne miseranda afflictorum Anglorum cessaret tribulatio, infra eosdem dies exegit Literae Papales executoriae Angliae Episcopis missae. Dominus Papa instantissimè non sub minima quantitate pecuniam, ponens brachium confidentiae in auro et argento, contempta Domini Regis Angliae, ac universitatis ejusdem Regni praecordialiter scribentium, et de talibus exactionibus conquerentium, lachrymabili querimonia, spretoque illo sapientiae salubri documento: Beatus vir qui post aurum non abiit, nec speravit in pecuniae Thesauris. Constituit executores in praedicto tallagio exigendo, extorquendo, & colligendo, Episcopum Norwicensem Walterum & quosdam alios, quos ad hoc assignavit speciales. Scripsit igitur Norwicensis Domino Abbati Sancti Albani, sicut & quibusdam aliis in haec verba, Epistolam Papalem continentia. Walterus Dei gratiâ Norwicensis Episcopus, viris venerabilibus Abbati & Conventui Sancti Albani, salutem sempiternam. Mandatum Domini Papae in haec verba suscepimus. INNOCENTIUS Episcopus, servus servorum Dei, Venerabilibus fratribus Wintoniensi & Norwicensi Episcopis, salutem & Apostolicam Benedictionem. Olim, sicut benè meminimus, vobis & Venerabilibus fratribus nostris, Lincolniensi, Wigorniensi, Londinensi & Coventriae Episcopis scripsimus sub hac forma. Cum nuper priusquam à praesentia nostra in Angliam rediretis, una vobiscum duxerimus ordinandum, ut sex millium Marcarum subsidium, quod ab Ecclesiis Anglicanis pro Apostolica sede fuerat postulatum, inter Episcopatus Angliae dividere curaretis pro vestrae arbitrio voluntatis, fraternitati vestrae per Apostolica scripta mandamus, quatenus quicquid inde feceritis, vel jam fortè fecistis, nobis per Liter as vestras latori praesentium assignandas exprimendo, tempus solutionis & locum studeat is quám citius intimare. Quod si non omnes his exequendis poteritis interesse, saltem tres vel duo vestrum ea nihilominus exequantur. Quia hic nihil est postmodum nostris auribus intimatum, fraternitatem vestram, de qua fiduciam gerimus specialem, movemus attentè, ac per Apostolica vobis scripta firmiter praecipiendo mandamus, quatenus Episcopos memoratos, qui praesentes fuerint in partibus Anglicanis, receptis istis Literis, admonentes & eisdem authoritate nostra mandantes, ut vicesima die post susceptionem praesentium in certo loco, quem vos duxeritis eligendum, vobiscum pro divisione conveniant praeliberata, et cum illis * The Bishops made the Pope's Tax-masters, to enslave the English Church, Clergy, King, Kingdom to the Pope. Episcopis, quos eodem die ibidem contigerit convenire, distributionem hujusmodi priusquam ab illo loco recesseritis, facere procuretis. Si verò ipsis aut nullo convenientibus eorundem, non fuerit super negotio praenominato processum, ex tunc infra unius mensis spatium praescriptam subsidii quantitatem; faciatis vobis vel Nunciis vestris ad opus Apostolicae sedis in loco quem elegeritis assignari, juxta ordinationem per dilectum filium nostrum Magistrum Martinum, Camerae nostrae Clericum, authoritate nostra in illis partibus quondam factam, quam ad praesens sub Bulla nostra vobis duximus destinandam. Contradictores, per censuram Ecclesiasticam appellatione postposita compescendo, indulgentia quacunque vel privilegio quolibet aut constitutione de duabus dietis, in generali Concilio edita, non obstante. Quicquid hactenus factum est, vel fuerit in hac parte, nobis absque morae dispendio per dilectum filium Linasium scriptorem nostrum, latorem praesentium, rescripturi: proviso, quod super praemissis illam solicitudinem habeatis, quod non possitis exinde de negligentia reprehendi, sed potius de diligentia commendari. Quod si non ambo his ex●quendis poteritis interesse, alter vestrum nihilominus ea exequatur. Hujus igitur authoritate mandati, v●stram in Domino monemus & exhortamur fraternitatem, vobis in virtute obedientiae, qua sedi Apostolicae tenemini, firmiter injungentes, quatenus de portione praefati Domini Papae subsidii vobis assignata, Nunciis nostris Literas vestras Patentes super solutione ejusdem deferentibus apud Novum Templum Londini, à die Paschae in tres septimanas satisfaciatis, talem in facto praesenti adhibentes diligentiam, ut devotionem vestram summo Pontifici merito debeamus commendare. Est autem portio vestra, octoginta Marcarum esterlingarum. Valete semper in Domino. Datum Londini, non Calendarum Ap ilis, Anno Domini 1245. Nos soli scribimus, quia Venerabilis frater Wintoniensis Episcopus, collega noster, ad tempus se excusavit. Being afraid or ashamed to join in such an unworthy illegal Papal Exaction with his Brother Bishops. Hoc autem mandatum cum ad aures Praelatorum, necnon & Magnatum pervenisset, Mat. Paris, p. 686, 687. Mat. Westm. p. 208. Prohibet Rex tallagium Papae persolvi. corda omnium audientium, vehementer non immerito medullitus exturbavit. Maxime eo, quod Nuncii universitatis Angliae super talibus gravaminibus, in Concilio Lugdunensi conquesti fuerant: Et postea in Anglia in Parliamento Regis, ubi congregata fuerat totius Regni tam Cleri quam Militiae generalis universitas, deliberatum fuerit, ut ob reverentiam Domini Papae, adhuc Nuncius totius illius universitatis ad ipsius Papae praesentiam destinaretur, ut manum correctionis talibus apponeret injuriis, non pondus oppressionis. Obstupefacti sunt igitur inopinabiliter, quia cum crederent levamen, spe frustrata, tale gravamen reportarunt. Haec igitur cum ad audientiam Regis pervenissent, in iram et admirationem excanduit et indignatus est vehementer, et Episcopis Angliae scripsit in haec verba. HENRICUS Dei gratiâ, etc. Venerabili in Christo, tali Episcopo, salutem. Licet aliàs vobis scripserimus, semel, secundò & tertiò, tam per Literas nostras clausas, quam Patentes, ne ad opus Domini Papae vel alterius Tallagium aliquod vel auxilium exigeritis a viris Religiosis, Clericis vel Laicis, cum nullum hujusmodi tallagium vel auxilium exigi possit vel consueverit, sine magno praejudicio Regiae dignitatis, quod nullo modo poterimus aut volumus sustinere: Vos tamen mandatum nostrum in hac parte▪ contemnentes, contra Provisionem per Magnates nostros, tam Praelatos quam Comites et Barones factam in Concilio nostro Londine●si, et concessam exactionem faciatis me moratam. Super quo miramur plurimum et movemur, praesertim cum facto vestro proprio non erubescitis contraire, cum vos et alii Praelati in praedicto Concilio communiter concesseritis, quod nihil de exactione hujusmodi faceretis, donec Nuncii nostri et vestri necnon et aliorum Magnatum nostrorum et totius universitatis Regni nostri a Curia Romana redirent, qui pro liberatione oppressionum, ad Curiam illam, si cut nostis, fuerant specialiter destinati. Vobis igitur mandatis inculcatis mandamus injungentes, firmius et districtius inhibentes, ne ad exactionem praedicti tallagii vel auxilii faciendam aliquatenus procedatis, sicut gaudere desideratis Baronia vestra, et possessionibus vestris, quas in Regno nostro tenetis. Et si quid inde cepistis, extra Regnum nostrum asportari nullatenus permittatis, sed illud salvo custodiri faciatis usque ad reditum Nunciorum praedictorum indubitanter scituri, quod si secus egeritis, nos ad possessiones vestras manum gravaminis, ultra quam credere velitis, extendemus. Hanc autem inhibitionem, vobis injungimus faciendam Archidiaconis et officialibus vestris, quam quidem pro libertate Cleri et populi facimus, novit Deus, etc.; A memorable heroic Writ and Inhibition. In bivio igitur angustiarum constituta Anglicana Ecclesia, quasi Mat. Paris, p. 687, 688. Angustiae propter inchoatam inter Regem & Papam controversiam. inter duas molas e contrario circumvolventes, miserabiliter conterebatur; hinc Scylla, inde Charybdis timebatur. Rex inde hac parte ad Regni salvationem et instaurationem, consilio fretus et roboratus generali, nitebatur: Papa ad ejusdem depauperationem anhelabat; utrique utroque jam eminus adversante. Multi itaque Praelatorum, timentes Regis in hoc suo concepto proposito instabilitatem, et consilii Regii pusillanimitatem, partem Papalem confovebant: (such was their baseness, Treachery to their King, Country, Church, and proper interests.) licet nunquam vidissent, quod per tales pecuniae effusiones, Ecclesia foelix susciperet incrementum, imo potius infaustum incurreret detrimentum. The King to prevent these intolerable Papal Usurpations, Exactions, Presumptions, Innovations, (which sundry of the Bishops and Clergy promoted to ingratiate themselves with the Pope, to their eternal infamy) summoned a Great Council of his Nobles at Wynton, Anno 1246. thus recorded by Matthew Paris. Die verò translationis beati Thomae Martyris, habitum est magnum Concilinm Mat. Paris, p. 687. Mat. Westm p. 208. Parlamentum habitum apud Wyntoniam. inter Regem et Regni magnates apud Wyntoniam, super multiplici Regni totius et maxime Ecclesiae dissolutione. Venerant enim qui missi ad Curiam Romanam fuerant nuncii memorati, videlicet Magister Willielmus de Povuic & Henricus de la Mare, verba Papalia, quae nihil mitigationis, imò potius exasperationis tenorem continebant; nunciantes, & affirmantes, quod nec in gestu vel verbis Papalibus, aliquid humilitatis vel moderationis super oppressionibus, quibus tam Regnum quam Ecclesia Anglcana gravabatur et conquesta est, poterant reperire. Dixerat enim Papa, illis aliquod optabile responsum expectantibus: Rex Anglorum qui jam recalcitrat et Frederizat, suum habet consilium, ego vero meum habeo, quod et sequor. Et ex tunc vix aliquis Anglicus in Curia negotium aliquod poterat expedire. imo velut schismatici repellebantur Nota. omnes probris lacessiti. Ita ut nullam habuerunt efficaciam Epistolae tot et tales ad Curiam missae ex parte Regis, vel universitatis tam Magnatum quam Praelatorum. Haec autem cum audisset Dominus Rex cum Magnatibus suis, doluit, & indignatus ac commotus est vehementer quod ipse & Nobiles sui, qui tot bona curiae Romanae gratanter toties contulerant, in sua justa petitione sunt repulsi. Fecit igitur Dominus Rex & merito praecepitque voce praeconia, in omnibus Comitatibus Regni sui per omnes Civitates, Burgos, Villas & fora, & congregationes, publicè acclamari, ne quis Praelatus, vel clericus, vel alius per Regnum Papali contributioni consentiret, vel aliquid pecuniae in auxilium ejus transmitteret, vel mandato Papali in contribuendis auxiliis pareret aliquatenus. Quod factum est. Illud autem cum audisset Papa, in vehementem iram excanduit, et iterato asperius, Praelatis scripsit Anglicanis, ut sub poena excommunicationis et suspensonis infra festum Assumptionis, nuncio suo apud Novum Templum Londini commoranti de praedicto auxilio satisfacerent. Et cum constanter pararetur, & sperabatur igiter certissimè quod Dominus Rex incaepto suo proposito constanter staret, pro Regni et Ecclesiae liberatione, papalibus extorsionibus, ut coepit viriliter resistendo, comminationibus Comitis Richardi fratris sui, sibilis ambitiosorum Clericorum Consiliariorum suorum, et quorundam Papalium Episcoporum, quorum principalis erat Wigorniensis, cui a Domino Papa concessa fuit potestas, terram etiam, ut perhibeatur interdicendi, quorum consiliis Dominus Rex se plus aequo inclinavit, eadem qua concepta fuit enervata est constantia levitate: minas Papales adeo pertinescebat Rex et trepidavit timore, ubi non erat: quia quae jam susceperat viriliter, muliebriter dereliquit, fractus succubuit et perterritus. Unde totus conatus tàm Magnatum quam Episcoporum, & spes de Regni & Ecclesiae Anglicanae liberatione miserabiliter & non sine multorum cordium cruento dolore, emarcut adnihilatus; Et totus iste apparatus quasi nebula à facie solis evanuit coruscantis, & impunè hiatibus Romanae avaritiae de memorata contributione est satisfactum. Haec tamen, licet infructuosa sint (addes * Page 208, 209. Matthew Westminster.) duxi scribenda, ut posteris innotescat vacillantis Regni divisio, & Anglorum nobilium (he should rather have added Episcoporum Papalium & ambitiosorum Clericorum, who seduced, traversed the King and Nobles to this unworthy compliance with the Pope as he records) corda mutantia, & Regis inconstantia muliebris. Et ut pestis mundum concuteret generalis Regnum Franciae consimili vulnere gemuit sauciatum, unde multi Nobilium cogitabant contra Papam stando recalcitrare, ut sequens sermo plenius declarabit. Magister autem Walterus de Occa, clericus Frederici, credens sicut & Dominus Mat. Paris, p. 693. suus Fredericus quod Dominus Rex Angliae in suo proposito firmiter permaneret, videlicet importunitati Romanae curiae viriliter resisteret, ipsi Regi quasi ad consolationem & formidinis amotionem, Epistolam duxit transmittendam; there recorded. Eisdem diebus (through the Bishops and Clergies treachery, cowardice and ill Rex iterum Romanis ad libitum pecuniam in Anglia colligere permittit. Counsel) enervatus est Regis rigor, quem viriliter conceperat, ut protervitatem Romanae Curiae constanter, ut sperabatur, & firmiter credebatur, potenter refraenaret. Et hoc, ut veraciter dicebatur, consiliis eorum qui optimos redditus suos amittere per Papalem indignationem vehementer formidabant: quae enim nimis praecordialiter amabant, elabi verebantur, secundum illud Poeticum: Res est solliciti plena timoris amor. Aversis igitur oculis et clausis auribus Dominus Rex, ad Arbitrium voluntarium Romanorum Regni sui et reipublicae inimicorum permisit licenter Ecclesiam Anglicanam sex millibus marcarum, ad magnam totius Regionis nostrae depauperationem, spoliari. Quas asportantes Nuncii ac mercatores Papales in auxilium Landegravii, insidias Frederici non penitus evaserunt. Qui graviter redarguit Anglicos effoeminatos, qui se ipsis de pauperatis omne genus hominum tolerant saginari, gravemque de Comitis Richardi effoeminata conniventia, et super hoc consensu reposuit coram suis commilitonibus querimoniam: qui in Regni Anglicani perniciem, parti Papali videbatur consensisse et in Imperii detrimentum, eo quod de crucesignatorum collectis substantiolis, permittente Papa, thesauros non minimos exaggeravit. Crevit igitur Romanorum audax protervia tanto procacius, quanto nullum in rapinis suis senserant contradictorem. Fugant fugentes, et fugiunt fugantes. Decrevitque Anglorum suppeditatorum, quorum inimici sunt Judices, spes cum consolatione. Saevientibus eodem tempore mundi maris turbinibus, cum audisset Papa, quod Corripitur Papa à Johanne Anglico Cardinale. Dominus Rex Angliae parabatur animo sè exactionibus suis contradicendo resistere, quia nec advenerant nuntii, qui effoeminatam formidinem suam et incurvationem ipsius nunciarent, in iram magnam excanduit vehementer, et Regnum Angliae ulciscendo supponere proposuit interdicto. Cui talia infrunito spiritu proponenti, se magister Johannes natione Anglicus Monachus Cisterciensis ordinis & Cardinalis, opposuit, dicens: Domine pro Deo parcatis irae vestrae, si dicere licet, indiscretae, fraenoque temperantiae motus voluntarios compescatis, considerantes quoniam dies mali sunt. Terra Sancta patet discrimini, Graeca Ecclesia recessit à nobis, adversatur nobis Fredericus, quo non est potentior, imò nec par inter Principes Christianorum. Vos & nos, qui culmen sumus Ecclesiae, à sede Papali, imò ab ipsa urbe, imò ab Italia exulamus expulsi. Hungaria cum suis terris sibi conterminis, nihil aliud, nisi à Tartaris expectat exterminium. Alemannia suis bellis concutitur intestinis. Hispania usque ad abscisionem linguarum Episcopalium desaevit. Francia usque ad egestatem per nos jam depauperatur, quae etiam in nos conspiravit. Anglia nostris injuriis multoties laesa, quasi asina Balaam, calcaribus et fustibus caesa, tandem loquitur et obloquitur, et se nimis intolerabiliter conqueritur fatigatam, et irrestaurabiliter damnificatam. Ismaletico igitur more omnibus odiosi, omnes ad odium provocamus. Et cum nec ad haec verba mens Papalis contrita ad compassionem vel humilitatem inclinaretur, quin ad poenam & ultionem inflammaretur, advenerunt nuncii ab Anglia, animum Papalem emolumentis inhiantem mitigantes: & affirmantes, quòd per amicos suos specialissimos in Anglia (quos non licet mihi haec scribenti ad praesens nominare) incurvatus est animus Regis, ut quod optat effectui celeri mancipetur, unde gaudium vultum & animum mirificè serenavit. Assumens igitur ex praeteritis audaciam Dominus Papa, miseros Anglos conculcandi Mat. Paris. p. 694. 695. Mat. Westm. p. 209. 210. Tyrannica exactio pecuniae Papalis. et conculcatos magis ac magis depauperaret apporiandi, vidensque eos dissipatos et effoeminatos; imperiose et solito imperiosius Praelatis Angliae demandavit, ut in Anglia omnes beneficiati in suis beneficiis residentiam facientes, tertiam partem bonorum suorum Domino Papae conferent, non facientes residentiam, dimidiam: multis adjectis durissimis conditionibus praedictum mandatum restringentibus per illud verbum et adjectionem detestabilem, non obstante, quae omnem extinguit justitiam praehabitam. Ad quod primò exequendum diligenter, Episcopum constituit Londinensem, (to enslave both the Church and Realm, to the Pope's intolerable Rapines.) Episcopus verò memoratus cum quibusdam aliis, quos ad hoc negotium exponendum Rex prohibet praedictam exactionem. convocaret, cum in Ecclesia Sancti Pauli Londinensi hoc in propatulo demonstravit, de hac contributione terribili tractaturus in crastino Sancti Andreae, omnesque audientes in stuporem commovit & dolorem; quia quod a Papa jubebatur, impossibile videbatur, et erat: Et ecce supervenerunt missi ex parte Domini Regis, Johannes de Lixintona Miles, et Magister Laurentius de Sancto Martino, ejusdem Domini Regis Clericus, districte prohibentes, ne universitates Anglicanae, tam execrabili mandato Papae, nec illi contributioni praelocutae, et in totius Regni desolationem demandatae, aliquo modo consentirent. Ipsi igitur talia nunciantibus libenter paruerunt, & post omnium convocatorum murmur & appellationes, gaudenter incepta interrumpentes, omiserunt. Scripsit igitur totius Angliae miserabilis universitas Domino Papae, impossibilia et intolerabilia praecipienti, explanans & recolens, solita gravamina corda omnium graviter sauciasse: quae Magister Martinus Domini Papae Clericus nuper extorserat. Et sic ad horam quievit tempestas, citò tamen posteà, ut dicetur, rediviva. Et ne sub silentio contradicentium verba efficacissima transeamus, ipsa huic scripto duximus inserenda. Veruntamen etsi constanter responderunt, constantius & efficacius respondissent, si in verbis et actibus Regis titubantibus fiduciam habuissent: (or rather if the King, discharging his duty with sufficient diligence, constancy, courage, could have had confidence in the Bishops and Clergy, who betrayed, & never cordially and constantly adhered to him therein.) The Archdeacon's and inferior Clergies opposition and Appeal against this Tax, prohibited by the King, (wherein the Bishops joined not) is thus recorded to posterity by Matthew Paris. Si nota esset conditio & status Regni Anglicani Domino Papae & ejus fratribus Mat. Paris, p. 694. 695. Responsio Cleri super irrationabili exactione Papae. tempore Concilii, nunquam ad statutum illud promulgandum, aliqua ratione processisset. Et si essent ei exposita pericula & incommoda, quae occasione hujusmodi statuti imminere possent Ecclesiae Anglicanae, ad hoc statuendum nullatenus moveretur. In Ecclesiis enim Cathedralibus ita obtentum est & observatum, quod per Canonicos in eisdem residentes, quorum in quibusdam Ecclesiis modica est portio de proventibus beneficiorum Ecclesiasticorum, quae in diversis locis obtinent, minores clericos exhibent, & alios Ecclesiae ministros, quorum portionem si contingat usque ad medietatem defalcari, peribit obsequium Ecclesiae, Canonicis non valentibus exhibere, cum ipsi Canonici, tanta portione defalcata, in Ecclesiis Cathedralibus residere non valeant. Et si in eisdē duxerint residendū, de medietate beneficiorum exteriorū nec seipsos aut etiam alios poterunt sustentare: & maximè cum Dominus Papa medietatem portionis absentium, in usus Terrae Romanae intendat applicare, computata portione non residentis, ac si ipse resideret. Nec etiam deductis oneribus aut expensis, quas circa collectionem fructuum, & alia multa fieri contingit, quibus non deductis, vix quarta pars penes Canonicos remanebit. Item, cum loca Religiosa per Regnum Angliae constituta, in proventibus de Ecclesiis Alia Causa. Parochialibus sint fundata, vix & in praesenti ipsis sufficiant beneficia cum aliis possessionibus sic collata, si illorum beneficiorum medietas subtrahatur, (to fill the Pope's coffers) compelletur una medietas mendicare, aut continget hospitalitatem subtrahi, aut utrumque in aliquibus locis fieri, quòd sine scandalo & animarum periculo fieri non posset: cum aliquos ex ipsis contingeret per orbem evagari, & ejusdem evagationis praetextu in peccatum multiplex incidere, non observata sanctorum Patrum regula, ad quam tenentur astricti. Item, cum in Regno Angliae hactenus sit obtentum & consuetudine observatum, Alia Causa & ratio. ut rectores Ecclesiarum parochialium hucusque, valdè hospitales extiterunt, & parochianis ad inopiam vergentibus alimenta praebere consueverunt, & eo praetextu non solùm summo creatori placere conati sint, sed etiam laicis quibuscunque, quibus clerici oppido infesti esse & consueverunt, deducta medietate beneficiorum, necesse habebunt, hospitalitatem subtrahere, & consueta pietatis officia denegare. Quibus subtractis incurrent odium subditorum, amittent gratiam transeuntium & vicinorum, subtrahentur rectoribus Ecclesiarum jura, nec ipsis pretextu paupertatis ea defendere valentibus, ab ipsis Laicis penitus opprimentur in universalis Ecclesiae scandalum & jacturam. Quidam verò ex eis, cum essent beneficia quae ad residentiam sex mensium non sufficiunt, vix aliunde victualia quaerant, si resecetur illorum beneficiorum medietas, compellentur mendicare, & continget in eorum Ecclesiis obsequia divina cessare, Quibus cessantibus, eorundem parochiani, in decimarum & proventuum solutione cessabunt, nec erit qui illius Ecclesiae jura prae inopia prosequatur, vilescit Ecclesiae dignitas, Clericorum caetus in contemptu, cessabunt praedicationes, animarum cura omittatur, fides exinde periclitabitur, populo contemnente Praelatorum Doctrinam & correctionem. Item, cum de bonis Ecclesiasticarum personarum pauperes, quorum infinitus & numerus Alia Causa & ratio. per annum sustententur, & multi generosi eorum consanguinei, & alii qui in eorum obsequiis commorantur, de bonis ipsorum victualia, necnon & stipendia recipiant, subducta medietate proventuum, cessabunt eleemosynae, licentiabuntur familiae, ad quod si deveniatur, pauperes fame peribunt, alii verò cum fodere non valeant, & mendicare erubescant, antequam fame pereant, necesse habebunt furtis, rapinis, & depraedationibus intendere, ex quibus multa sequentur homicidia, insurget tumultus populi, & de facili totius Regni Angliae turbatio. Item, cum multi sint clerici in Regno Angliae aere alieno graviter praegravati, si non Alia Causa & ratio. subducto aere alieno, si non deductis expensis quarum existimatio sextam partem redituum continet, quarum deductionem vix aliquis casus solet impedire, si non deductis Ecclesiae oneribus, consistentibus in pensionibus, Praelatorum procurationibus, & Ecclesiarum & ornamentorum reparatione, proventuum medietas exolvatur, ipsis de residuo vivere non valentibus, compellentur egere, cum tamen in talibus personis haberi debeat ratio eorum ne egeant, & maxime ubi immineret scandalum Ecclesiae universalis. Item, cum nuper nomine vicesimae, sex missia Marcarum Domino Papae Alia Causa & ratio. sint soluta, habita ratione aestimationis vicesimae ad aestimationem medietatis, summa petitae pecuniae sexaginta Millia marcarum summam continere continget una cum sexta parte reddituum, quam in collatione fructuum refundere contingit, cum partem illam non deducat, & eum preter haec à personis in primo mandato exceptis, ab his qui Centum marcas in redditibus obtinent vicessimam, ab his qui ampliores habent redditus partem tertiam habere nitatur, usque ad summam quater viginti Millium marcatum de bonis Clericorum per annum redigere oporteret; ad cujus quidem pecuniae solutionem, vix totum Regnum Angliae sufficere posset, quanto minus et clerici, cum eorum bona tantummodo in fructibus existant; qui licet venales annuatim exponi consueverunt, de eadem tamen pecunia multae fiunt emptiones, cum de manu ad manum pecunia proficisci contingat, et in regno remaneat. Ac si contingat de singulis venditionibus pecuniam deducere, et extra regnum deportare, deficerent emptores, nec contingeret in toto Regno tantam pecuniae Summam invenire, quod in gravi necessitatis casu per experientiam alias est declaratum, videlicet cum nobilis memoriae quondam Angliae Rex Richardus in partibus remotis captus esset & detentus, ad ipsius liberationem sexaginta millia marcarum soluta fuerint. Ad quod solvendum, totum Regnum contribuerat, nec exolvi poterat ad plenum, nisi ad hoc perficiendum, cruces & calices Ecclesiarum in solutum pro parte traderentur: quanto minus et nunc de bonis Clericorum tantum, tanta pecuniae summa redigi non posset, cum ipsam contingeret infra triennium triplicare. Cum igitur huic exactioni contradicat Ecclesia Anglicana per procuratores ut hanc contradictionem communem Domino Papae insinuare velitis pro statu Ecclesiae Anglicanae, praesentiam Domini nostri jesu Christi appellantes, et Concilii universalis, aliquo tempore per Dei gratiam convocandi. A Parliament being summoned and meeting soon after this Appeal, great complaints were therein made against this Tax and other miserable incessant Papal oppressions. In crastino igitur Purificationis beatae Mariae, Dominus Rex cum suis Magnatibus Mat. Paris, p. 698, 699. Mat. Westm. Anno 1247. Parliamentum Londini habitum, in quo querelae querelis cumulabantur super exactionibus Papa●●b●s. tractatum habens diligentem, per plures consilium▪ urgens dies protelavit. Timebatur enim vehementer, & veraciter Domino Regi referebatur, quod Rex Francorum se ad sibi subjugandam Gasconiam praeparabar. Quam amittere sibi probrosum, ignominiosum, & damnosum videbatur; cum ex sola Burdegali mille marcas annuas percipere consuevit. Convenerant etiam tunc ibidem, Archidiaconi Angliae, necnon et totius Regni Cleri pars non minima cum ipsis Magnatibus, conquerentes communiter super intolerabilibus et frequentibus exactionibus Domini Papae, pro quibus et Dominus Rex non mediocriter compatiendo tristabatur. Res enim publica periclitabatur, et commune negotium Regni totius agebatur, et eminebat tam populi quam Cleri immanis desolatio, et cunctis temporibus inaudita. Igitur coram Domino Rege reposita est querimonia lachrymabilis, cui pertinet Rempublicam protegendo, tales injurias et pericula propulsare. Tandem de communi confilio provisum est, ut gravamina terrae Domino Papae seriatim monstraturi ad Curiam Romanam Nuntii discreti destinarentur, has Epistolas subscriptas Domino Papae et Cardinalibus, ex parte communitatis totius Cleri et populi Regni Anglicani, eminus ostensuri. Which Letters of complaint, * Mat. Westm. p. 218, 219. super oppressionibus et intolerabilibus gravaminibus, quibus frequenter Ecclesia et Regnum gravabatur, ex corde omnium Praelatorum angustiato nimis, et usque ad amaritudinem spiritus provocato processit, et ne lugubre schisma subsequatur, ut non minimum formidatur, Epistola missa Papae. SAnctissimo Patri in Christo ac Domino I. Dei providentia summo Pontifici, universitas Literae ad Papam missae nomine totius Universitatis Angliae. Cleri et populi per Provinciam Cantuariensem constituti, devota pedum oscula beatorum: Cum Anglicana Ecclesia à tempore commendatae sibi fidei Catholicae, Deo & Sacrosanctae Romanae Ecclesiae matri nostrae placere studens, adhaeserit semper & servierit devotè, à coeptis obsequiis non recessura, per morum incrementa semper proficiens, Sanctitatis vestrae pedibus provoluta supplicat obnixè, quatenus in petitione pecuniae, quae diversimodè ab ea requiritur, in subventionem diversarum nationum, de mandato Sanctitatis vestrae cum gravi coertione, eadem pietas vestra parcere dignetur. Importabile est namque quod mandatur, et impossibile propter rerum defectus: Licet enim Regio nostra fructus reddat interdum ad alimenta gentis suae deputatos, aeris tamen copiam non reddit, nec redderet per tempora multa quanta requiritur his diebus. Sed & onere simili, licet non tanto, praeteritis diebus, & ob causas similes praegravata, portare nequit aliquatenus quod exigitur. Ad mandatum insuper Sanctitatis vestrae tempore praesenti ad opus Domini Regis nostri temporalis, (cui in necessitatibus suis deesse non possumus cum honestate, nec debemus) exigitur a Clero succursus, ut incursus hostiles, quos avertat Deus, propulsare possit, et patrimonii sui jura tueri, ac recuperare promptius occupata. Latores igitur praesentium cum supplicatione nostra, ad praesentiam Sanctitatis vestrae destinamus, ut pericula vobis exponant, & incommoda, quae in promptu sequerentur ex praemissis, & quae nulla possumus ratione portare, licet simus in omni vinculo charitatis, obedientiae & devotionis, vobis obligati. Et quia communitas nostra sigillum non habet, praesentes Literas signo communitatis Civitatis Londinensis, vestrae Sanctitati mittimus consignatas. This modest, humble Letter, was seconded with another to the Cardinals. R●verendissimis Patribus in Christo & Dominis, Sacrosanctae Ecclesiae Romanae Literae nomine ejusdē Universitatis Cardinalibus missae. Cardinalibus, devotisui, etc. salutem, reverentiam debitam & honorem. Ad universitatem vestram, velut ad bases Ecclesiam Dei fulcientes, humiliter supplicantes confugimus, & obnoxè deprecamur, quatenus pressuras quibus mancipamur attendere dignantes, opem ferre velitis, ut post repetita gravamina, quae Anglicanae Ecclesiae praeteritis diebus occurrerunt, respirare possit, & ex hoc vobis assurgere teneamur, ad debitas gratiarum actiones. A tempore namque ultimi Concilii Lateranensis, primò vicesima triennii in subsidium Terrae Sanctae, postmodum decima in subsidium Domini Papae, postmodum praestationibus aliis diversimodè & ad usus diversos, de mandato sedis Apostolicae Anglicana Ecclesia pulsata, profudit prompta voluntate quae potuit habere ad manus. Regi etiam nostro ac patrono temporali, ad mandatum sedis Apostolicae, iteratis vicibus secundum vires suas fecit succursum, & jam per preces vestras exigitur succursus iterato ad opus ejusdem Domini Regis (cui in necessitatibus suis deesse, nec potest, nec debet) ut hostium incursus repellere posset, & Regni sui jura tueri ac recuperare promptius occupata. Postremò autem, petitur ab eadem Ecclesia diebus istis, quod portare non potest, rerum penuria negante quod exigitur, ab aliis, videlicet, medietas bonorum, ab aliis tertia, & à reliquis vicesima omnium quae possident. Pars scilicet in usus Francorum, qui nos & gentem nostram persequuntur, ad conquestum Imperii Graecorum: pars in subsidium Terrae Sanctae, quae posset, ut mundus clamat, cum minori discrimine rehaberi ab hostibus. Pars autem ad usus alios, quos Apostolica sedes ordinaret. Durum quidem videtur nobis & absurdum, ut aliis abundantibus de bonis & laboribus nostris, nos & nostri, ac pauperes Regionis nostrae, quibus exhibitio propinquior competit, vacui jejunemus. Hostiles etiam insidias & incursus, quos Deus avertat, Rex noster & Regni militia repellere non valeret, nec posset pereuntibus & inopibus subveniri, aere Regni & aerario vacuato. Imò etiam & si venalia exponerentur omnia quae Clerus habet, non posset apud nos inveniri pecunia quaeexigitur. Sequerentur quidem infortunia multa ex praemissis, si ad ea, quod absit, cogeretur. Pro quibus vobis exponendis, praesentium latores Nuncios nostros communes ad vestram clementiam destinamus, petentes attentè, quatenus propter Dominum & honorem sedis Apostolicae, animum Domini Papae, & manus vestras ac consilia à gravamine tali revocare velitis; providentes, si placet, ut ad gremium & obedientiam matris Ecclesiae sic revocetis errantes & dispersos, ne dispergatis et alienos reddatis, prius in charitate & devotione collectos. Et quia communit as nostra sigillum non habet, praesentes Literas signo communitatis Civitatis Londinensis vestrae Sanctitati mittimus consignatas. His autem auditis infremuit Curia Romana, et suam doluit avaritiam Mat. Westm. p. 219. tam redargui quam refraenari. Timentes quoque Papa & Cardinales nè sibi, quod comminatione tali imminebat, ingrueret periculosa confusio, (to give some little content and ease at present) non penitus omittebant gravare Regnum & Ecclesiam Angliae (non enim permittebat hoc paternae charitatis inopia) sed rigorem memoratum tali moderamine temperarunt, ut ad undecim millium Marcarum summam, subsidium prius postulatum restrinxerunt. In quod Episcopi Angliae congregati, (without and against the inferior Clergies consents) & super hoc, consilium cum deliberatione habentes, pro persecutione Romanae Ecclesiae reprimenda, (when as the Pope and Church of Rome were in truth the persecutors of the Emperor, not the persecuted) ad hoc, licet grave sibi videretur, in praedictam pecuniae summam Domino Papae contribuendae consenserunt: (against the Kings and Nobles Letters and Prohibitions) In ipso tamen Concilio, quod omni charitate fraterna ac civilitate caruit, (such was their Legerdemain in this grand concernment) excluserunt omnes Abbates Angliae exemptos, voracitati Romanae Curiae periculosius exponendos. How much these Papal Exactions were soon after multiplied, notwithstanding these Letters, you shall hear in due place. Anno 1246. (and some years before) there arose these and other new pernicious Customs and Corruptions in the Court of Rome. * Mat. Paris, p. 683, 684. Nova in Curia Romana inolevit consuetudo, ut cum bellum inter aliquos Nobiles moveretur, unam partium ad eam confugientem, excommunicando alteram, (Excommunications being abused to all sorts of Injustice, Oppressions, Extortions, Rapines, Villainies, as the premised and subsequent passages abundantly evidence) et illos absolvendo, potenter foveret: ut qui per illam resurgeret, omni tempore ipsi teneretur obligatus: quod in Davide Principe Northwalliae fuerat manifeste comprobatum. Similiter, et alia detestabilis, ut scilicet si quis Clericus multis et opimis redditibus abundans, in Episcopum forte eligeretur, ex indulgentia Papali, intermeanti●us intercessoribus et muneribus, tam redditus prius obtentos quam Episcopatum licenter cupiditatis brachiis amplexetur: quod in electo Valentino Willielmo, constat fuisse propalatum: Necnon et alia nova sunt su●orta in Curia memorata, quorum memoria Sanctorum corda lachrymabiliter cruentarunt: for which neither this Pope nor his successors were ever once so much pricked at their stony hearts, as to endeavour to reform them, continuing their avowed shameful practice till this very day, notwithstanding many successive complaints against them. Amongst other practices, he made use of Croysadoes against the Saracens and Tartars, published and promoted principally by the Friar's Preachers and Minorites, to pick the people's purses to maintain Wars against the Emperor Frederick: Whereupon, * Praedicatores & Minores Nuncii Papae. Eo tempore Fredericus comperiens Papam abundare Anglico numismate, posuit custodias & insidias transitibus, pontibus, & portubus, ne quis aemulo suo Andegravio à Papa subsidium transportaret: (whom this Pope caused to be elected Emperor; the Archbishop of Colen, et cum eo multi Praelati et aliqui Laici, muneribus Ecclesiae prodigaliter, imo potius prodigialiter saginati, qui partem Papalem con●ovebant, adhering to him:) Fecit igitur Papa per Praedicatores & Minores mutato habitu, tum scripta consolatoria, quam alia juvamenta, ad Andegravium transvehi. For which & other services he and Pope Gregory bestowed many large Priledges upon these Freers, recorded at large by * Hist. Angl. 672, 673, 674 Mat. Paris, where you may peruse them. And notwithstanding the Tartars than invaded Hungary with a puissant Army, forcing the King of Hungary and his Subjects to leave the frontiers, and retire into fenced Cities and Castles; who writ to the Pope for aid against them, ut sollicitè sibi totique Christianitati de tam formidabili peste provideret; sed nec sic tamen aversus est Papalis impetus infrunitus, quin pecuniae colligendae totis rictibus inhiaret; (especially in England and France) not to War against the Tartars or Saracens, but only against the Emperor, whom he had Excommunicated, Deposed, against all Laws of God and man, setting up an Intruder in his Imperial Throne. Hereupon, Anno sub eodem, ortum est bellum multiforme in partibus Alemanniae & ejus confiniis, between the Emperor and Pontifician Party. To maintain which War, as he formerly published the forecited Decree, * Here p. 671, 672. Quod bona intestatorū in usus ejus cederent; and this hypocritical Decree made by him in the Council of Lions, * Mat. Paris p. 652. Mat. Westm. Anno 1245. Statuta de reparatione Terrae Sanctae & negotio Crucis. De reparatione Terrae Sanctae, & negotio Crucis. Afflicti corde pro deplorandis Terrae Sanctae periculis, sed pro istis praecipuè, quae constitutis in ipsa fidelibus noscuntur noviter accidisse, ad liberandam ipsam, Deo propitio, de manibus impiorum, totis affectibus aspiramus; diffinientes sacro approbante Concilio, ut ita Crucesignati se praeparent, quod opportuno tempore universis insinuando fidelibus per Praedicatores, nostrosque Nuncios speciales, omnes qui disposuerunt transfretare, in locis idoneis ad hoc conveniant: de quibus in ejusdem Terrae Sanctae subsidium, cum divina & Apostolica benedictione procedant. Sacerdotes autem & alii Clerici, qui fuerint in exercitu Christiano, tam subditi, quam Praelati, orationi ac exhortationi diligenter insistant: docentes eos verbo pariter, & exemplo, ut timorem & amorem Domini semper habeant ante oculos, ne quid dicant aut faciant, quod aeterni Regis Majestatem offendat. Et si aliquando lapsi fuerint in peccatum, per veram poenitentiam mox resurgant; gerentes humilitatem cordis & corporis, & tam in victu, quam in vestitu mediocritatem servantes, dissentiones & aemulationes omnino vitando, rancore ac livore à se penitùs relegatis: ut sic spiritualibus & materialibus armis muniti, adversus hostes fidei securiùs praelientur; non de sua praesumentes potentia, sed divina virtute sperantes. Nobiles, quidam & potentes exercitus, ac omnes divitiis & opibus abundantes, piis Praelatorum monitis & exhortationibus inducantur, ut intuitu Crucifixi, pro quo Crucis signaculum assumpserunt, ab expensis inutilibus & superfluis, sed ab illis praecipuè, quae fiunt in commessationibus & conviviis nimiis & sumptuosis, abstinentes; eas convertant in personarum illarum subsidium, per quas Dei negotium valeat prosperari; & eye propter hoc juxta Praelatorum ipsorum providentiam, peccatorum suorum indulgentia tribuatur. Praedictis autem Clericis indulgemus, ut beneficia sua integrè percipiant per triennium, ac si Non-residence. essent in Ecclesiis residentes. Et si necesse fuerit, ea per idem tempus pignori valeant obligare. Ne igitur hoc sanctum propositum impediri vel retardari contingat, universis Ecclesiarum Praelatis districtè praecipimus, ut siguli per loca sua, illos qui signum Crucis deposuerunt, resumere, ac tàm ipsos quam alios Crucesignatos, & quos adhuc signari contigerit, ad reddendum Domino vota sua diligenter moneant ac inducant: et si necesse fuerit, per Excommunicationis in personas, et Interdicti sententias in terras ipsorum, omni tergiversatione cessante, compellant. Ad hoc, ne quid in negotio Domini nostri Jesus Christi de contingentibus omittatur, volumus, & mandamus, ut Patriarchae, Archiepiscopi, Episcopi, Abbates, & alii, qui curam obtinent animarum, studiose proponant commissis sibi populis verbum Crucis; obsecrantes per Patrem, & Filium, & Spiritum Sanctum, unum solum verum aeternum Deum, Reges, Duces, Principes, Marchiones, Comites, & Barones, aliosque Magnates, necnon communia Civitatum, Villarum, & oppidorum, ut qui personaliter non accesserunt in subsidium Terrae Sanctae, competentem conferant numerum bellatorum, cum expensis ad triennium necessariis, secundum proprias facultates, in remissionem suorum peccaminum: prout in generalibus Literis, quas pridem per orbem terrae miserimus, est expressum, & ad majorem cautelam inferius exprimetur. He likewise sent his Agents, who were Freers, to raise moneys for the pretended aid of the Emperor of Constantinople, by these new devises. Eodem anno postquam Dominus Papa ad hoc Fratres Praedicatores diligenter exequendum Mat. Paris, p. 688, 619. Literae Papales Fratribus Minoribus missae. constituisset, Literas illud ministro Fratrum Minorum in Anglia, direxit, ut tam Fratres Minores quam Praedicatores, à via humilitatis & paupertatis voluntariae, quam se sectatores sunt professi, avertens, suos constitueret procuratores, Literas districtum praeceptum Papale cum diversis articulis continentes. Quorum unus tenor est, ut ipse vel fratres sui inquirant de usurariis vivis, & eorum per usurariam pravitatem malè adquisitis, & ipsa colligant ad opus Imperii Constantinopolitaniss, (this was the pretext, it being only for his own use) & quod per censuram Ecclesiasticam compescant contradictores. Alterius tenor est, quod qui velint Crucesignari pro liberatione praedicti Imperii, vel de catallis suis ibidem mittere sufficienter, de peccatis suis absolventur. Alterius tenor est, quod relicta in Testamentis decedentium per usurariam pravitatem adquisita colligant ad subsidium Imperii memorati, & quod compescant contradictores & rebelles. Alterius tenor est, quod colligant relicta in Testamentis decedentium, vel quae usque ad triennium relinquentur pro restitutione bonorum, quae decedentes malè adquisierunt, ad subsidium praedicti Imperii, contradictores & rebelles compescendo. Alterius tenor est, quodea quae relinquuntur distribuenda in pios usus, secundum arbitrium executorum testamentorum decedentium, nec praefata relicta ab ipsis testatoribus certis locis aut personis deputata fuerint, vel de jure aliis debeantur, aut per praedictos executores in usus hujusmodi sint conversa, ad subsidium Imperii praedicti colligant, & significent ci de quantitate ipsorum, & compescant, etc. Alterius tenor est, quod de malè adquisitis viventium inquirant diligenter, & colligant ad subsidium Imperii memorati: dummodo personae, quibus pro taliter adquisitis satisfieri deberet, inveniri non possint: & rescribant Papae, & compescant, etc. Alterius Literae talis est tenor, quod dictus minister habet potestatem absolvendi excommunicatos, qui scienter fraudem commiserint in his quae colligendae sunt ad Imperium praedictum: dummodo ministerio, vel fratribus suis, ad illud negotium deputatis, congruam satisfactionem impenderint. To all which new devised Papal Extortions to raise moneys, I shall sub join another of a different nature. Excommunications being grown very common and formidable in that age, some Knights and persons of quality liable to them, for money purchased from this Pope an Exemption from all Excommunications, by any person but by the Pope's own special command: particularly, * Mat, Paris. p. 696. Lambertus de Muletuna Miles, qui nuper Privilegium mirabile datis non paucis muneribus a Papa impetraverat, ut scilicet nulli liceret eum pro quacunque culpa excommunicare, nisi de speciali mandato Papae, ac si liceret eidem impunè peccare, & qui multos laeserat, plures fatigare, hoc modo à Domino meruit sauciari, ut cum phaleratis superbè equitando à quodam peracto suo rediret placito, descendens se querebatur morbo difficili praegravari. Et praecipitanter recubans, antequam depositis calcaribus discalceari potuit, morte palluit repentina. This crafty Pope to pacify King Henry's indignation against these and other his Rapines, thought meet to gratify him in some seeming measure, in his and his Nobles complaints against bestowing Bishoprics and Ecclesiastical Benefices by Provisions, that so he might countenance or connive at, not absolutely prohibit them; to which end, * Mat. Paris, p. 684, 699. Umbratile Privilegium, Rex Angliae à Papa impetrat. Ipso tempore Dominus Rex, nesciens se versutiis Romanorum subdolè verborum involucris muscipulatum, per quosdam aulicos suos ipsi Regi placere cupientes, privilegium quoddam sibi in Curia Romana gratanter suscepit, industria procuratorum Domini Regis elaboratum, Quod quanquam Papa pro suae voluntatis arbitrio, ad intolerabile Regni Angliae gravamen, passim et indifferenter Provisiones fecerit in Angliae de Beneficiis Ecclesiasticis ad opus Italicorum, nunc gratia Dei, in ipsa parte ita sedata est tempestas illa, quod quando Papa alicui vel aliquibus ex nepotibus ejus vel Cardinalium, ipse vel ipsi Cardinales rogabunt Regem cum instantia, quod placeat Regi, ut sic tali provideatur. Quo umbratili Privilegio ac deceptorio, amici Domini Regis fortunales, cor ejus demulcentes, ipsum strictius illoquearunt. In quo enim gravantur notarii ac tabelliones Romanae Curiae, ad munera cerei ac prostantes, si imperante Papa petitiones urgentes & rhetoricas Domino Regi transmittant, ut se ditent, et Regem depauperent? Nihil igitur aliud illud arbitror, nisi hamum inescatum: the King's Royal assent being not required before, but after the Pope's Provisions granted, and enjoyed by a Papal Non obstante, in case he gave not his Royal assent thereto upon the Popes and Cardinals requests. Boniface Archbishop of Canterbury this year (1246.) upon a feigned pretext, that his Church of Canterbury was involved in very great Debts by his Predecessor, but in truth by himself to carry on foreign Wars, and gratify the Pope, procured from Pope Innocent a grant of the First Years Fruits of all Benefices that should fall void within his Diocese during the space of seven years, till he should raise out of them the sum of Ten Thousand Marks, besides Two Thousand Marks yearly out of the Bishopric; thus registered by Matthew Paris. Per idem tempus, tales à Domino Episcopo Lincolniensi, ut major certificatio de Mat. Paris Hist. Angl. p. 670, 671. Mat. Parker Antiquitat. Eccles. Brit. in Bonifacio, and Godwins Catalogue of Bps. Impetratio Archiepis. Cantuariensis. praedictis habeatur, Literae emanarunt. UNiversis Sanctae matris Ecclesiae filiis, ad quos praesentes Literae pervenerint, Robertus miseratione divina Lincolniensis Episcopus, aeternam in Domino, salutem. Noverit universit as vestra, nos mandatum Domini Papae non cancellatum, non abolitum, in nulla sui parte vitiatum inspexisse, in haec verba: Innocentius Episcopus servus servorum Dei, Venerabilibus Fratribus, Episcopis, & dilectis filiis, Abbatibus, Prioribus, Archidiaconis, Decanis, Capellanis, & aliis Ecclesiarum Praelatis & Clericis per Cantuariensem Civitatem, Diocaesim, & Provinciam constitutis, salutem & Apostolicam Benedictionem. Ad hoc coelestis altitudo consilii, alta & ineffabili providentia universa disponens, rerum vicissitudines non sine dispensatione certae rationis alternat, nunc superiores inferiorum, nunc inferiores superiorum auxilio faciens indigere: ut humana conditio per alternationes hujusmodi, sui status instabilitatem agnoscat, & alterutrum sibi compatiens & subveniens, impleat legem Christi, qua diligere proximum quisque jubetur, & alterius onera supportare. Cum igitur, sicut Venerabilis frater noster Cantuarienfis Archiepiscopus nobis exposuit, Cantuariensis Ecclesia, tàm praedecessorum suorum, qui passi tribulationes innumeràs, fuere necessitatum plurium incommodis agitati, quam etiam vacationum ipsius Ecclesiae longiorum, temporibus quibus cogniti & ignoti pari passu circumflexerunt, ut ad se traherent & diriperent bona ejus, adeò grandi fuerit debitorum onere praegravata, quod vir possetab ipsis absque sedis Apostolicae providentia liberari; n●bis humiliter supplicavit, ut cidem Ecclesiae subvenire, ne usuris excrescentibus ipsius gravior & quasi irrecuperabilis sit jactura, de benignitate solita dignaremur. Verùm, cum eadem Cantuariensis inter alias orbis Ecclesias honorabilis habeatur, quod eam Romana Ecclesia, veluti filiam praedilectam, sinceris affectibus prosequitur, & praefert effectibus gratiae singularis; incujus odoris suavitate reficitur, statu recreatur tranquillo, & prosperis prosperatur: illámque ea praerogativa favoris & gratiae prosequamur, quod ipsius ardenti desiderio, & potentissimè ejusdem Archiepiscopi consideratione, qui tanquam filius devotus Ecclesiae & nobile membrum, cujus devotione fervens, vita perspicuus, & nobilitate praeclarus, nobis & fratribus nostris charus & acceptus plurimum habeatur: ipsius supplicationibus favorabiliter annuentes, de fratrum nostrorum consilio, damus venerabili fratri nostro Herefordensi Episcopo nostris Literis in mandatis, ut ipse per septennium et non ultra, omnium * This grant c● First-Fruits of Benefices to Bon face, made way for Pope's appropriating First-Fruits & Annates to themselves soon after. Beneficiorum Ecclesiasticorum, quae deinceps in Civitate, Diocaesi et Provincia Cantuariensi, vacabunt, primi anni provent us usque ad decem millium Marcarum summam. Quae si ante dictum septennium haberi poterit, nil amplius exigatur. Nec non duo millia Marcarum de ipsius Archiepiscopi redditibus colligat annuatim, et convertat fideliter in solutione debitorum Ecclesiae memoratae. Proviso, quod personis servientibus in eisdem Beneficiis, de praedictis redditibus idem Episcopus faciat competentem portionem pro ipsarum sustentatione, ne ipsa debitis defraudentur obsequiis, assignari. Et si forsan dictorum beneficiorum redditus hujusmodi primi anni esse debeant, juxta morem patriae, decedentium personarum; dictus Episcopus ipsorum beneficiorum redditus in anno colligat subsequenti: contradictores, auctoritate nostra appellatione postposita compescendo. Quocirca universitatem vestram rogamus, monemus, & hortamur attentè, per Apostolica vobis scripta praecipiendo mandantes: quatenus attendentes prudenter, quod dignum sit matris egentiam filiorum opibus relevari, cujus tàm devotè quam benignè debent onera supportare: eidom Episcopo ad exhibendos hujusmodi redditus & habendos, sic ope & opere promptos & sollicitos vos reddatis, quod ipsius Archiepiscopi favorem & gratiam vobis proinde futuris temporibus vendicantes: nos habeatis propter hoc specialiter ad vestra & Ecclesiarum vestrarum commoda promptiores. Datum Lugdum, 6 Calend. Septemb. Pontificatus nostri anno 3. In cujus rei testimonium, praesentibus sigillum nostrum feeimus apponi. Haec autem cum ad audientiam Regis pervenirent, primo obstupuit iratus Mat. Paris, p. 671. Ira Regis enervata. et commotus valde, clamose dicens: Miror si talia procuravit Regno meo dispendia Archiepiscopus Cantuariensis Bonifacius quem promovi. Nec sufficit ei quod electum meum Cicestrensem Robertum videlicet Passeleve, cujus promotionem procuraveram, procaciter praecipitavit: sed et diatim intendens bellis, ruptoris more, tam in Provincia quam Anglia, contra me jam jacturam et dedecus machinaturam. Ecce nova et inaudita pecuniaris extorsio: O quam multiformes sunt laquei venantium, ad subjectorum simplicitatem decipiendam! In hac equidem machinatione Nobiles mei, ad quos Ecclesiarum spectant patronatus, defraudantur; terra censu spoliatur, et similium consequentia formidatur. Tandem tamen Dominus Rex cum insibilatum fuisset ei, quod minimè irasci teneretur memorato Archiepiscopo pro dicta Roberti cassatione; tum eo quod in examinatione insufficiens reperiebatur, tum quia ejus cassatio multum Regi fuit utilis & lucrosa, cum quotidiè Regiis diligenter intenderit emolumentis, muliebriter in suo proposito resistendi fractus est, muliebri, ut dicitur, intercessione turpiter emollitus quia merito hoc nomen; mulier, quasi molliens herum, id est enervans etymologizatur. Nec proh dolor, viriliter pro Ecclesiae indemnitate, cum non constiterit Ecclesiam Cantuariensem alieno aere per Archiepiscopum Ae. sub usuris maxime irretitam in tantum, nec pro Regni sui tuitione, vel Sanctorum Pontificum Cantuariensium honore, stetit Rex, prout decuit et expedivit; sed eidem Archiepiscopo Bonifacio * The King at last assented to this grant. concessit per Angliam, secundum quod praedicitur, praedictam habere collationem. Veruntamen, per idem tempus prohiberi fecit Dominus Rex per Literas suas, ne quis veniens de Curia portans Literas Bullatas de Provisionibus faciendis praecepto Papali, ad extorquendam pecuniam de Ecclesia Anglicana, et depauperandum Regnum, permitteretur vagari per terram ad Praelatos: et si quis talis inveniretur, caperetur, carceri Regis retrudendus. Portus autem, hoc praecipiens portuum custodibus, fecit custodici. Sed hoc animos miserorum Anglorum parum exhilaravit, qui cor cereum Regis cognoverant: & ea facilitate advertendum, qua converti frequenti experientia certificabantur. (The Bishop's baseness, inconstancy, timidity, ill advice, and compliance with the Pope against the King upon all occasions, being the principal cause of the King's inconstancy.) The Bishops for their own Interest opposing this new Papal Exaction, were thereupon Excommunicated by the Archbishop, who forced them to submit to this Papal Innovation by the Pope's formidable authority, which they durst not strenuously to resist. Tempore quoque sub eodem, Bonifacius Cantuariensis Archiepiscopus, Episcopos Mat. Paris, p. 711, 712. Mat. Westm. p 227. Mat. Parker, & Godwin, in Bonifacio. Bonifacius Archiepiscopus Cantuariensis extorquet pecuniam. Cantuariensis Provinciae authoritate Apostolica suspendit, eo quod consentire noluerunt novae et inauditae contributioni, quam a gratia Papae impetraverat; videlicet, proventuum Ecclesiarum vacantium, ut primo anno vacationis fructus ipsi Archiepiscopo contribuerentur, ad liberationem debitorum: quibus, ut asserebat, ipsam Ecclesiam Cantuariensem praedecessores sui cum gravissima usura irremediabiliter obligaverant. Quod non sine injuria B. A dmundi immediatè praedecessoris sui, & aliorum Sanctorum, constat esse confictum. Episcopi vero contra Papalem auctoritatem et mandatum non valentes nec volentes recalcitrare, licet inviti, tandem cum summa mentis amaritudine consenserunt, ut absolvi mererentur. Iterum per Decanum Belvacensem hujus negotii executorem, mandatum receperunt: quod a Papa Excommunicarentur, et denunciarentur Excommunicatiper Provinciam Cantuariensem, omnes obloquentes, omnesque detrahentes, fraudemve facientes in negotio praenotato, exgratia Papae foeliciter concesso, exceptis Domino Rege, uxore, et liberis suis, et nobili viro Richardo Comite Cornubiae. How rigorously this Archbishop proceeded against all opposers of his Usurpations, whiles employed as a Soldier for this Antichristian Pope in his Wars, to murder men's Bodies, instead of discharging his Office of a Bishop to feed and save the people's Bodies and Souls committed to his care, is thus recorded. Diebus quoque sub eisdem, Archiepiscopus Cantuariensis Bonifacius, qui in partibus Mat. Paris, p. 728, 729. Mat. Parker Antiquitates Ecclesiae Brit. and Godwin. Mandatum iniquum Archiepiscopi Cantuariensis. Lugdunensibus, minus solicitus, quantum ad animarum custodiam, Ecclesiae, Domino Papae militavit, ab Ecclesiis in sua Provincia vacantibus, quas per annum retinuit, auctoritate fultus Apostolica, the saurum non minimum a miserrima Anglia, quae facta est vinea ab apris exterminanda, quam vindemiant omnes praetereuntes, extorsit: Et u● magis corda spoliatorum cruentaret, per Decanum Belvacensem, suum in hac procuratorem, fecit denuntiari, omnes fuisse Excommunicatos, qui clam vel palam obloquentes vel detrahentes, gratiam quam Dominus Papa concesserat, et contulerat eidem Archiepiscopo, quomodolibet impedirent, vel de proventibus aliquam subtractionem vel fraudem facerent supradictis, exceptis tantummodo Domino Rege & Regina, & eorum liberis, & nobili viro Comite Richardo. Et hoc mandatum praeceptum per totam Angliam in singulis Ecclesiis divulgatum, in multorum cordibus indignationem, tum propter ipsam injuriosam, et inauditam, avidamque pecuniae ertorsionem, tum propter annexam adulationem, generavit, Dominumque Regem talia tolerantem, et talibus consentientem, praecordialiter maledixerunt. King Henry by former contests having in some degree regained his Prerogative in the Election and Confirmation of Bishops, which the Clergy had violently wrested from King John and him; thereupon the Chapters and Covents became more compliable to him, electing such persons for their Bishops and Abbots, to whom they presumed he would readily give his Royal assent; hereupon the Bishop of Salisbury, and Abbot of Westminster, both deceasing this year; * Mat. Paris, p. 697. Mat. Westm. Anno 1247 See Godwin in his Life. Willielmus de Eboraco in Episcopum Sarisburiensem electus. Eisdem sub diebus, Canonici Sarisburienses, comperientes nullum ferè acceptum Domino Regi, nisi aulicum & curialem, praecaventesque Ecclesiae suae periculo, & Regiam captantes benevolentiam; Willielmum de Eboraco, Domini Regis Clericum familiarissimum, & legum Regni peritissimum, Beverlaci Praepositum, in Episcopum & animarum suarum Pastorem unanimiter elegerunt. Quae quia electio Deo placuit, ut credebatur, et Domino regi fuit accepta, sine morae dispendio confirmabatur. Dominus etiam Sylvester electus ad Praesulatum Carleolensem, qui prius se indignum reputavit, & idcircò non consensit, quoniam eum Deus vocavit à telonio ad ministerium, timore bono perculsus, in electionem memoratam humiliter consensit, ne Deo recalcitrans, reprobus haberetur: (as Matthew Paris ironically stories of him.) * Richardus de Crokesle in Abbatem Westmonasteriensem electus. Eorumque dierum circulis Magister Richardus de Crokesle, Archidiaconus Westmonasteriensis, vir elegans & jurisperitus & Domino Regi amicissimus, à toto conventu unanimiter est electus. Timebant enim Monachi, ne si secus fieret, Rex eorum patronus specialis, Ecclesiam suam jam semirutam relinqueret impersectam, quam gloriose coeperat aedificare. The Pope having this year canonised * Mat. Paris, p. 696, 607, to 612. Mat. Westm. An. 1246, 1247. Edmund Archbishop of Canterbury for a Saint (which he had long deferred) to gratify the King, and facilitate the imposing and levying of his Papal Exactions upon the Clergy and Realm, the King receiving the news thereof, gavisus est vehementer, & statim super hoc certificatus, praecepit, ut accensis multis cereis omnes Clerici de Capella Regia, assumptis festivis induviis, Missam solenniter, cujus introitus foret, Gaudeamus, etc. celebrarent; the King by his Royal Authority prescribing a special Mass upon this occasion: And the new elected Abbot of Westminster, qui dudum amator fuit beati Aedmundo Confessoris & Archiepiscopi, quia die canonizationis suae, ad tantae Praeelationis dignitatem vocabatur, jussit quandam Capellam in honore ipsius Sancti Aedmundi fabricari, ubi Deo & ipsi Confessori gloriosum, ut decebit, ministerium futuris temporibus impenderetur. Aucta est etiam ejusdem Abbatis dignitas, Domino Rege impetrante, ut scilicet Missam celebrans pontificaliter benedictionem, quando Agnus Dei cantatur, populo daret solenniter. Odo Archbishop of Rhoan being unable through sickness and other impediments to repair into England to the King, to swear Fealty to him for his Temporalties, constituted a Proctor to swear Fealty on his behalf, beseeching the King of his Royal grace to accept thereof, to which he was not obliged by Law. EXcellentissimo Domino suo H. Dei gratia Rex Angliae, etc. Odo miseratione Pat. 30 H. 3. m. 9 in doiso. divina Rotomagensis Archiepiscopus salutem, in eo per quem Reges regnant & principes Dominantur. Cum propter Concilium Domini Legati quod imminet, ac debilitate proprii Corporis pluribusque causis aliis, quas vobis exponere poterit plenius magister J. de Havylla lator praesentium, ad Serenitatis vestrae praesentiam personaliter * Serenitalis. accedere non possumus; Ad Excellentiae vestrae Curiam mittimus dictum magistrum, ut a vobis Regalia, quae a Regno vestro habe. mus, recipiat, et vobis Juramentum fidelitatis faciat loco nostri. Super quo in anima nostra plenariam sibi concedimus potestatem, unde vestrae Celsitudini supplicamus, quatenus ipsum benigne velitis admittere, et negotium pro quo mittitur expedire. Valete Dat. apud Denul. Dominica ante festum beati Michaelis Anno Domini 1645. Hereupon; REx replegiavit O. Rothomag. Archiepiscopo terras suas, captas in manum Claus. 30 H. 3. m. 24. intus. Pro Rotomag. Archiepiscop. Regis per praeceptum Regis, usque in unum mensem a Die Paschae, eo quod non venit ad Regem in Angliam post Creationem suam, ad faciendum Regi quod facere debuit de terris praedictis; & Mandatum est Roberto de Crepping, quod terr as praedict as ei usque ad eundem terminum in pace habere permittat. Teste Rege apud Wind. 3. die Decemb. Eodem modo scribitur Vic. Southt. Anno 1245. Abbas Cluniacensis, ● having * See here, p. 641, 642. Mat. Paris, p. 664. Abbas Cluniacensis extorquet à suis Prioratibus decimam. gifted, and entertained the Pope for several weeks) antequàm hospes suus Dominus Papa, Lugdunum petiturus recessisset; impetravit ab ipso licentiam, & scriptum super hoc; ut a toto ordine Cluniacensi decimam ertorqueret per unum annum; tum quia Dominum Papam exulantem & accedentem ad partes Cisalpinas, muneribus respexit impreciabilibus Abbas memoratus (dederat enim triginta palefridos phaleratos cum totidem equis clitellariis) tum quia splendidè procurando curialiter recepit, & exhibuit ferè per unum mensem. Et hanc decimam in omnibus membris percipiet Abbas praedictus, non obstante contradictione alicujus ordinarii. De qua quidem pecunia, percipiet Dominus Papa tria millia marcarum. Residuum autem cedet in solutionem debitorum, quibus Ecclesia Cluniaci pro promotione Romanae Ecclesiae noscitur obligari. Et sic concessit Papa Abbati; ut de propria cute sibi faceret latam corrigiam. Hereupon the Abbot by his Agents the next year, collecting this Tax and Tenth in England, from the Monasteries of his Order, in derogation of the King's Prerogative royal, the K. thereupon issued a Prohibition, prohibiting the Collection thereof; and afterwards sent an express Mandate to the Constable of the Tower, that taking with him the Sheriffs of London and Bailiffs of Southwark, he should go to the Priory of Bermundesy, and seize all the moneys collected for the use of the Abbot of Clunie against his Prohibition, and seal it up under their seals if they found it there, and likewise command the Prior, not to suffer any of the moneys to be thence removed, without the King's Privity, under pain of seizing all his tenements in England, as this record attests. MAndatum est Constabulario Turris London. quod assumptis secum Vicecom. Claus. 30 H. 3 m. 22. intus. De pecunia arrestanda. London. & Ballivis de Suthwerk, eant usque Bermudes, et videant, quod si aliqua pecunia collecta ad opus Abbatis Cluniacensis, contra prohibitionem Regis, ibidem deposita sit. Et si eam invenerint, tunc eam signari fac. sigillis suis, et ex parte Regis prohiberi faciat Priori de Bermudes, sicut tenementa sua quae habent in Anglia, diligit, quod nichil de pecunia illa praeter Conscientiam Regis removeatur.,,, Teste Rege apud Merton primo die Januarii. The King (as you * Here, p. 624, 925, 627. heard before) having for a long time seized the temporalties of the Bishopric of Coventry and Lichfeild, and detained them from Roger de Weseham, intruded into it by the Pope without his royal assent to the prejudice of his Crown, was at last content to restore them to him by the Pope's mediation, which he did out of his mear liberality and grace, by these ensuing Writs. REX omnibus Militibus, liberis hominibus, & omnibus tenentibus de Episcopatu Pat. 30 H. 3. m. 6. intus. * Coventr. Cestriae & Lichfield. salutem. Sciatis quod non obstante eo quod ordinatio quam Dominus Papa fecit de Magistro Rogero de Weseham, quondam Decano Linc. praeficiendo eum de facto Episcopum Ecclesiae Coventr. et Lechfield. facta fuit in praejudicium dignitatis nostrae, de mera liberalitate et gratia nostra, ad instantiam ipsius Domini Papae, temporalia ad eundem Episcopatum spectantia eidem Episcopo red. didimus. Et ideo vobis Mandamus, quod eidem Episcopo tanquam Domino vestro in omnibus, quae ad praedictum Episcopatum pertinent, intendentes sitis & respondent●s● Teste Rege apud Westmonast. 25. die Martii. Et Mandatum est Magistro de Wanton. Custodi ejusdem Episcopasus, quod de Castris, Maneriis & omnibus aliis ad praedictum Episcopatum pertinentibus, quae extiterunt Custodiae Regis ratione vacationis ejusdem Episcopatus, ei plenam Seisinam habere faciat. Teste ut supra. The Dean and Chapter of Elfin in Ireland, against the King's prerogative▪ elected a Bishop without the King's licence first obtained; the King upon petition, out of his special grace, gave his royal assent thereto, & that he should be consecrated by the Archbishop of Tuam, yet so, as by this his special grace at this time, no prejudice should accrue to the King, nor any prerogative to the Dean and Chapter for the future, to elect a Bishop before the King's Licence first obtained. REX adhibuit assensum Electioni factae de Thoma Decano de Archarda, Pat. 30 H. 3. m. 2. De Assensu electioni adhibito. in Episcopum Elfinensem & Mandatum est M Tuamensi Archiepiscopo, ut quod suum est exequaetur. In cujus, etc. Teste Rege apud Woodstock 21▪ die Augusti. Licet autem Decanus et Capitulum Elfin praedictum Eiectum elegerint, non praeobtenta a Rege Licentia eligendi; quia tamen periculum eidem Ecclesiae immineret, Rex electioni suae assensum durit adhibere. Ita tamen, quod occasione gratiae Regis hac vice eis impartitae, nullum Regi praejudicium in posterum generetur, nec illis aliquaw praerogativam conferat Electio illa, quin Capitulum Effin. cum sedes vacaverit, a Rege antequam eligant haveant licentiam eligendi. The King by his Ecclesiastical Prerogative having right to present to the Church of St Michael in Coventry then void, during the vacancy of the Bishopric, the Archdecons of Coventry and Salop, after the Bishop's death, during the vacancy, presumed, without the King's privity, in derogation of his royal prerogative, to appropriate ●● marks a year of the profits of the said Church to the Canons of Litchfield; and ●● marks more to the use of the Monks of Coventry, and the rest of the profits they allotted to the Vicar for the time being, who should serve the Cure; putting a Vicar into possession of the said Church. Which the King conniving at till a fit season, presented Ralph de Leicester his Clerk to the said Church, notwithstanding this appropriation, which he declared nul and void. Whereupon the Vicar cited him before the Pope's Delegates, and likewise kept forcible possession of the Church, with armed men against him. The King informed thereof by Ralph his Clerk, issued a Writ to the Sheriff of Warwick, to remove the force; who thereupon repairing to the Church with the King's Clerk, and finding resistance, broke open the Church doors, in which scuffel some were wounded, besides the Kings and Sheriffs intentions: The King avowed this act of the Sheriff as his own, being done by his Writ for his honour and service; yet the Bishop of Coventry excommunicated both the King's Clerk and all his men, with all those who assisted the Sheriff in executing the King's Writ; the King thereupon issued forth these two memorable Writs: the first of them to the Sheriffs of Warwick shire, to repair to the Bishop, to admonish and entreat him forthwith to recall his excommunication, under pain of seizing his Barony into the King's hands, in case of refusal, the Bp. being obliged by his Oath in respect of his Barony to maintain the King's honour and dignity, whom he could not more offend or dishonour, then by excommunicating his Subjects and Officers for obeying his commands, which none would thenceforth execute, if they should not be protected against such unjust excommunications; and commanded the Bishop of Lincoln, not to molest his Clerk by reason of this Excommunication, nor yet to publish it against him. The writ to the Pope's delegates not to proceed in this cause to dispossess his Clerks of this Church whereof he had gained actual possession; and to the Dean and Chapter of Licfield, Sheriff of Warwick, and the Clerk and Vicar not to prosecute this cause, runs in this stile. REX Vic. War. salutem. Cum ratione nostri regiminis, Ecclesiarum Claus. 30. H. 3. m. 5. dors. et Libertatum ipsarum dati sumus a divina Clementia ex debito defensores, injurias, et violentias a quibuscunque personis occasione quacunque illatas eisdem habemus cum industria propulsare, et justitia rationabiliter vindicare. Hinc est, quod cum alias tibi praeciperimus, ut vim laicam inventam in Ecclesia Sancti Michaelis de Coventria in ipsius praejudicium & dilecti Clerici nostri R. de Leyc. quem ad praedictam Ecclesiam Sancti Michaelis praesentavimus, & quem in possessionem ejusdem a Domino Papa delegati judices induxerunt, ne Ecclesia illa formam Castri assumeret, amoveres, tanquam in perniciem libertatis Ecclesiasticae introductam, ut vim laicam inventam non valens aliter amovere, nisi specialiter per ingressum, qui tibi clausis Ecclesiae ostiis non patebat, pro ingressu fractionem ostii quam fecisti, cujus forsan occasione fractionis et ingressus praeter intentionem no stram et tuam, aliqui laesi fuerunt, ut nostro pareres mandato, ratam, coram Coventr. et Lichfield. Episcopo habuimus et habemus plurimum et acceptam, tanquam nostro nomine regaliter expeditam. Quia verò occasione hujusmodi fractionis & ingressus, dicto R. Rectori Ecclesiae praedictae, nichil de jure ab aliquo potest vel poterit imputari, quia dictum factum, non suum sed nostrum fuisse penitus protestamur; et quia dictus Episcopus tam dictum R. et suos, quam omnes illos qui tecum fuerunt tunc temporis, nominatim de facto excommunicationis sententia innodavit; videntes ipsam in praejudicium regiae dignitatis, verum potius Ecclesiasticae libertatis latam fuisse; Tibi praecipimus, quod monitis et precibus inducas Episcopum diligenter, ut dictam sententiam quantocius studeat revocare. Quod si noluerit facere, sciat ipse, et hoc sibi dicas, * quod ad ipsius Baroniam Nota. manum nostram, quam cito nos super hoc certificaveris, extendemus; ratione namque Baroniae juramento de conservandis terrenis honoribus dignitatis regiae est astrictus. Quia magis offendere vel vituperare (Nos) non posset quam per suas * excommunicationes Nota. subtrahendo Subditos fideles nostros, a nostrorum praeceptorum executione, cum alias nostra jurisdictio non valeat explicari, nisi sint qui nostris mandatis pareant, ut tenentur: Super transgressione vero juramenti, altissimum ultorem poterit expectare. Taliter hoc praeceptum nostrum adimplens, quod regiae dignitati pro defectu tui nichil debeat deperire propter quod reputemus merito nos offensos. Teste meipso apud Woodstock 26. die Augisti Anno Regni nostri 30. Per eadem verba mutatis competenter mutandis, scriptum fuit Episcopo Lincoln. usque ad hoc verbum, stude at revecare. Et postea per haec verba. Hoc autem vobis significamus, ut illius facti intellecta plenius veritate, si forsitan dictus Episcopus vobis denunciaverit, dictum R. Clericum nostrum Excommunicationis sententia innodatum, ei propter hoc nullam molestiam inferratis, nec publicari illam sententiam faciatis, praesertim cum minus juste sit lata, et non de jure, licet de facto contra defensionem libertatis Ecclesiasticae, quod ex praemissis apparet, etc. in prejudicium Regiae dignitatis. Teste ut supra. REX Prioribus de Thurgarton & de Derb, & Archid. Stafford. salutem. Monstravit Claus. 30. H. 3. m. 5. dorso. nobis Radulphus de Leycestr. Rector Ecclesiae Sancti Michaelis de Coventr. quod cum decedente H. de Pateshull quondam Coventr. & Lichf. Episcopo, dicta Ecclesia Sancti Michaelis, tàm de jure quam de facto vacaret. sicut per Inquisitionem quam inde fieri fecimus nobis constitit, & constat manifestè, licet magistri A. de H. quendam Archid. Coventr. Th. de Wymundeham, & Petrus de Radenour, Archid. Salop. post mortem ipsius Episcopi de Ecclesia ipsa sic duxerint ordinand. videlicet, quod triginta marcae de eadem Ecclesia cederent in usus communes Canonicorum Lichfield. & alia triginta marcae in usus Monachorum Coventr. & residuum ejusdem Ecclesiae in usus vicarii qui pro tempore deserviret eidem; Nos fraudem illam dignitati Regioe factam usque ad tempus oportunum dissimulare volentes, & invenientes per Inquisitionem praedictam Ecclesiam illam esse vacantem, praefatum R. Clericum nostrum ad dictam Ecclesiam vacantem ratione Episcopatus Coventr. & Lichfield. vacantis & in manu nostra existentis, duximus praesentandum. Qui quidem R. vicario per dictos Magistros ad deserviend. illi Ecclesiae assignato possessioni ejusdem tunc incumbente, ad Judices delegatos literas Apostolicas impetravit, pe● quos possessionem dictae Ecclesiae finaliter est adeptus. Et quia Collationes tam Ecclesiarum Parochialium quam Praebendarum spectantes ad Episcopum ipso superstite, ad nos spectant sede vacante, et manifeste derogaretur dignitati nostrae, si Ecclesia praedicta, quam post mortem praedicti Episcopi vacantem invenimus, a praefato Clerico nostro, cui eam ratione regiae dignitatis contulimus, evinceretur, vobis prohibemus, ne in causa illa de caetero procedatis. Teste ut supra. Eodem modo scriptum est Decano & Capitulo Lichfield. ne prosequantur, & Judicibus Hereford. per eadem verba, & Henrico de Crok Praesbytero, ne prosequatur, ut supra continetur. By these Writs it is apparent; 1. That the King himself may by his Writs command Bishops to recall, and not to publish illegal Excommunications of his Officers, Clerks, Subjects; and command other Bishops to absolve them, and seize their Temporalties if they refuse to do it: 2ly. That such Excommunications are against his Crown and Dignity, as well as his Subjects Liberties. 3ly. That he, his Council and Court are the proper Judges of the Legality of such Excommunications. 4ly. That no Ecclesiastical Courts can hold Plea of Advowsons' or Churches after institution, and if they do, a Prohibition lies to hinder them. The King to gratify the importunity of two of his Clerks notwithstanding the Pope's Provisions were odious in England, granted liberty to the Archbishop of Canterbury and his official, for this time only, that they should confer Livings on them by Authority of the Pope's Provisions directed to them; so as this Licence of the King should not be drawn into consequence for the future. MAndatum est Magistro H. de Mortuo mari, officiali Cantuar. Archiepiscopi, Claus. 30 H. 3. m. 7. dors. quod licet provisiones Domini Papae per quas mandat provideri Clericis in Regna Angleae, odiosae sint in Anglia, tamen concedit Rex ad instanciam Clericorum suorum, * Their names discover them to be foreigners Guidonis de Russillun et Guidonis de Palude, quod hac vice provideat Hugoni Breshett, Clerico authoritate Summi Pontificis Domino Archiepis. et ipsi officiali commissa, Ita quod illa licentia Regis in consequentiam non trahatur. Teste Rege apud Woodstock. 27. die Augusti. The King having intelligence that the Pope intended by all means to dispose of the Archbishopric of Ardmath in Ireland, by way of Provision, to prevent his design, authorised his Chief Justice at this time to grant a Licence in the King's right to the Dean and Chapter, to elect a Bishop, and to consent to his election, and that they should demand such a Licence from him, so as he took caution from them by their Letters Patents, that it should not prejudice the King at any other time. QUia Rex accepit, quod Dominus Papa modis omnibus intendit ad ordinandum Claus. 30 H. 3. m. 2. dors. de Archiepiscopatu Ardmachano, Rex dat potestatem Johanni fil. Galfridi justic. Hiberniae, concedendi Capitulo Ardmachan. vice Regis, licentiam eligendi, et etiam electioni factae hac vice consentiendi: unde mandatum eidem justiciar. quod accipiat a praedicto Capitulo per literas suas patentes cautelam, quod alias non cedet in praejudicium Regis. Et huc significatum est eidem Capitulo, ut ab ipso licentiam petant eligendi. I shall conclude the History of this year (Anno 30 H. 3. 1246.) with Matthew Paris his observation: * Mat. Paris, p. 697. Mat. Westm. p. 216. Conclusic totius anni. Transit igitur annus ille Terrae Sanctae suspectus, Ecclesiae nocivus universali, adversarius Imperio, Regnis quoque Francorum et Anglorum depraedator, Romanae Curiae infamis et turbulentus: by reason of Pope Innocent's intolerable Insolences, Rapines, Oppressions, Innovations, Treasons, which he prosecuted with greater vigour the next year, Anno 1247. quiest annus Regni Domini Henrici 3. Regis 31. as the same Historian thus informs us. Eodemque tempore urgente mandato Papali redivivo, de importabili contributione Mat. Paris, p. 697. Mat. Westm. Anno 1247. Mat. Parker Antiqu. Eccles. Brit. p. 183. Concilium Londini convocatum. praetacta, ad quam Episcopi in generali Concilio clerum infoeliciter obligarunt, fecit Dominus Rex Magnates suos, necnon & Angliae Archidiaconos, per scripta sua Regia Londinum convocari. Quo cum pervenissent die praefixo, Episcopi omnes (such was their Treachery, Timidity, and Servility to the Pope, whose interest they preferred before the Kings, Kingdoms, Churches, and their own common liberty, and public safety) seize gratis absentarunt, ne viderentur propriis factis eminus adversari. Sciebant enim corda omnium, usque ad animae amaritudinem, non immerito sauciari. The Parliaments and Clergies Letters to the Pope, and proceedings therein are * Here p. 678, 679. formerly related. Notwithstanding which Letters, Pope Innocent sent several Freers Minorites and other Harpies, with the power, authority, but not the Name of Legates, into England, Scotland, Ireland, and France, to exact and levy moneys to carry on his Wars Mat. Paris, p. 700, 701. Mat. Westm. Anno 1247. Mat. Parker, p. 184. Duo Fratres Minores Anglici mittuntur à Papa in Angliam, ad pecuniam extorquendam. against the Emperor, which were generally opposed in most places; thus related by Matthew Paris, and others. Dum fortuna praestigiosa mundo talibus illuderet fallaciis, duo Fratres de ordine Minorum, Johannes & Alexander, natione Anglici, potestatem a Domino Papa obtinentes extorquendi pecuniam ad opus Domini Papae, in Angliam ab ipso Papa destinantur. Qui multis Bullatis Literis Papalibus armati, & sub ovino vellere lupinam rapacitatem palliantes, post ad Regem simplici intuitu, vultu demisso, sermone blando pervenientes, per Regnum vagandi postulabant auxilium, ad opus Domini Papae charitatem petituri, nullam se coertionem facturos asserentes. Ex licentia igitur Domini Regis, nihil sinistri super his meditantis, dicti fratres à Curia Regis, jam Legati sophistici donis Clericorum regalium superbientes, Nobiles mannos obsidentes, sellis deauratis falerati, preciocissimis vestibus adornati, calceamentisque militaribus, quae vulgariter Heuses dicuntur, saeculariter, imo potius prodigaliter calceati & calcarati, in laesionem et opprobrium ordinis et professionis suae, profecti sunt, officio et tyrannide fungentes Legatorum, et procurationes exigentes et extorquentes, 20. solidos pro procuratione parum reputarunt. Adeuntes igitur primo praecellentiores Angliae Praelatos, pecuniam ad opus Domini Papae sub poena formidabili procaciter exigunt, terminum responsionis vel solutionis nimis abbreviantes, Literas Papales fulminantes ostendendo, quas quasi cornua minacia protuletunt. Et cum ad Episcopum Lincolniensem pervenissent, qui semper ordinis eorum aemulator & amator singularis, adeo ut ad ordinem eorum propositum habuerat convolandi, extiterat, obstupuit vehementer, videns talem fratrum Minorum monstruosam in habitu & gestu, necnon & officio transformationem; non enim de facili deprehendi potuit, cujusnam ordinis jam essent vel conditionis. Et cum sacros apices Papalis mandati eminus dejurantes, praecipuè de credentia pecuniae, * non. nam parvam quantitatem, sex millia videlicet Marcarum, ex Episcopatu suo instanter exigebant. Cui Episcopus non sine magno cordis stupore & dolore respondit: Frater, haec exactio, salva Papali auctoritate, inexaudibilis et inhonesta est, quia ad implendum impossibilis est, nec me solum contingens, imo totius Cleri et populi, necnon et Regni universitatem. Arbitror igitur temerarium et absurdum tibi certum super hoc, inconsulta Regni communitate, praecipitanter dando responsum, tam arduo consilio ex negotio diffiniendo consentire. Et he inde recedentes, ad Ecclesiam Sancti Albani falerati & transformati (ut praedictum est) pervenerunt: & non curantes ad solitum fratrum Minorum hospitium, quod infra portam Curiae honestissimè cum omnibus pertinentiis aedificatum est ad opus specialiter Praedicatorum & Minorum, venire vel descendere, in hospitio solenniori, ubi scilicet Episcopi & honorabiles viri declinant, sunt recepti reverenter. Et ecce sicut ab Episcopo memorato, sex Marcarum millia exigebant, ita quadragintas Marcas ab dicto Abbate, ad opus Domini Papae, instantissime sub magna poena et in brevi termino, nisi ipsi ordinando providerent, persolvendas postulabant. Quibus cum Abbas eodem modo quo praedictus Episcopus respondit, humiliter respondisset, ipsi Fratres habitum cum gestu saecularem induentes, & equos suos nobiles ascendentes, cum minaci murmure recesserunt. Eisdemque diebus, Dominus Papa apices suos authenticos per solennes Nuncios Papa pet●●t à Praelatis Franciae pecuniam sibi mutuo praestari. Praedicatores & Minores, misit ad omnes Franciae Praelatos sigillatim; supplicans, ut unusquisque juxta suam possibilitatem, sibi unam quantitatem pecuniae accommodaret. Et ipse proculdubio cum respiraret, quod cuilibet competeret, redderet indubitanter: Quod cum Regi Francorum innotuisset, suspectam habens Romanae Curiae avaritiam, prohibuit; ne quis Praelatus Regni sui sub poena amissionis omnium bonorum suorum, taliter terram suam depauperaret. Et sic cum sibilo et derisione omnium Papales Legati sophistici quorum humeris hoc officium incumbebat, inanes et vacui a Regno recesserunt memorato. Et dum ima summis rota fortunalis sic commutaret, Dominus Papa non Mat. Paris p. 652. Mat. Westm. Anno 1245. Mat. Parker in Bonifacio. Martinus Capellanus in Angliam missus. credens sufficere ad pecuniam argumentose vindemiandam jam missos diversos numismatis collectores; in Angliam Magistrum Marinum, alterum Martinum Capellanum suum, qui ex nominis sui impositione in hoc mundano mari piscatorem non hominum, sed eorum possessionum, prudenter elegerat, destinavit; ut aliis venantibus, iste piscando miseros Anglos vel puniendo eminus inescaret, vel fallendo cautius irretiret. Nic igitur quamvis insigniis Legati non polleret, potestate tamen Legati, ut sic Domini Regis privilegio illuderetur, fortius armabatur. Illis quoque diebus, missus est à Domino Papa Godefridus filius praefecti Romae, Godefridus Bethlimitanus electus Legatus in Scotiam mittitur. electus Bethlimitanus Legatus in Scotiam, nescitur ad quid; cum ibidem fides Catholica vigeat incontaminata, & pax tam Cleri quam populi floreat roborata. Credebatur igitur, ut secundum Romanorum consuetudinem, quod praedictus Godefridus, velut adamas ferrum, sic attraxerit argenti concupiscibilis Scotorum redditus aduberes et concupitos. Eisdemque diebus missus est in Hiberniam Magister Johannes Rufus, ad pecuniam Missus in Hiberniam M. Johannes. ibidem colligendam, cum potestatis plenitudine quasi Legatus; non tamen insignibus Legati redimitus, ne videretur Papa Dominum Regem Angliae offendisse; qui privilegio tali se gaudet umbraliter communitum, ut non veniat Legatus in terram suam nisi postulatus. Memoratus igitur Johannes tam vigilanter mandato Papali, & suae indulsit utilitati & lucro, ut sex millia Marcarum ab Hibernia extorserit; quae per conductum religiosorum in festo Sancti Michaelis fecit Londinum transportari, & thesauro Papali gaudenter accumulari. Quae omnia Fredericum minimè latuerunt. Per idem quoque tempus, propter scandalum indecenter per diversa climata Constitutio de intestatis in irritum revocata. ventilatum, cogentibus Cardinalibus, revocatum est, quod paulo antè à Domino Papa, instigante manifesta avaritia▪ fuerat constitutum, & ad quod fratres Minores, in damnum & scandalum eorum & sui ordinis laesionem, exequendum procuratores constituerat, ut videlicet bona decedentium intestatorum, in usus proprios Dominus Papa sibi vendicaret, tamen quia in injuriam & damnum multorum redundabat, tum propter illam iniquam adjectionem, quae contra jura & omnem pietatem illi statuto addebatur. Quae talis extitit: Quod si infirmus testamentum conditurus imbecillitate repentina praeoccupatus, non posset expresse verba testimenti sui exprimere, & aliquem de amicis constitueret super hoc expressorem & executorem; non staret tale testamentum, sed pro nullo haberetur; & testator talis pro intestato reputaretur, et omnia bona ejus Papalis Charybdis deglutiret. Eodem anno, in principio Quadragesimae, venit quidam de ordine Minorum Johannes Mat. Paris, p. 705, 706. Exactio Papalis facta per Johannem Anglicam Minoritan. nomine, de quo facta est mentio in foliis praecedentibus; qui exigit ab Ecclesia Sancti Albani quadragintas Marcas auctoritate Apostolica, Londini, post festum decollationis beati Johannis, deferens mandata ab Apostolica sede ad votum impetrata de novo; quia Abbas memoratus, ad sedem Apostolicam et Cardinales, super tam importabili gravamine, appellaverat. Citavit igitur Abbatem auctoritate novi mandati Apostolici, ut ipse tertia die sequenti, scilicet in crastino Sancti Aegidii veniret Londinum, vel sufficientem procuratorem & benè instructum pro ipso destinaret; ut satisfaceret ei de subsidio Domini Papae dudum postulato. Misit igitur Abbas suum illuc procuratorem, scilicet suum Archidiaconum, ad diem illam. Qui quidem procuratores petierunt sibi fieri copiam illius novi mandati, & vix impetrarunt, & transcripserunt. Quod est tale. Innocentius Episcopus, etc. Dilecto filio suo J. Abbati Sancti Albani, Lincolniensis Diocaesis, salutem & Apostolicam Benedictionem. Quotidiana persecutionis instantia saecularis sua nos acerbitate compellit, ut pro subventione Apostolicae sedis resistentes eidem, necessariò recurramus ad auxilia subditorum. Quocirca discretionem tuam de fratrum nostrorum consilio rogamus, hortamur, & monemus attentè, per Apostolica scripta mandantes, quatenus his qua dilectus filius noster frater Johannes Anglicus, minister Provincialis fratrum Minorum Provinciae lator praesentium, Nuncius noster, ex parte nostra super subsidio sedis ipsius tibi proponet, adhibeas plenam fidem, & diligenter attendens, quod Ecclesia taliter resistendo, generale omnium Ecclesiarum & Ecclesiasticorum virorum prosequitur interesse, liberaliter & libenter ea studeas adimplere; ita quod id nobis & fratribus nostris esse possit acceptum, & tuae devotionis affectus per exhibitionem, quae testimonium est credibile veritatis, pateat actionum. Datum Lugduni, quarto Idus Octobris, Pontificatus nostri anno quarto. Cujus auctoritate ipsius procuratoribus injunxit frater Johannes, ut die octavo sequente comparerent loco, quo prius comparuerunt, nisi satisfacturi in 300. Marcis argenti. Alioquin mandatum Domini Papae exequeretur, excommunicando, interdicendo. Responderunt procuratores, quod Abbas fuit in destinando Nuncios suos speciales ad praesentiam Domini Papae, ad ostendendum ei gravamina sua, & ad satisfaciendum e● secundum facultates Ecclesiae suae & subditorum suorum, ab appellationibus prius interpositis non recedens. Haec cum benè processerat annus, contigerunt. Ordo quidem praeposterus, sed necessariò commutatus: ubi enim dolor, ibi & digitus. Ad majorem etiam Anglorum depressionem et gravamen, aucta est Mat. Paris, p. 706, 707. Aucta est potestas fratris J. per autenticum Papale. ejusdem fratris Johannis potestas et aggravata; sed & ipse stimulatus à Papa ut exigeret ampliora, his Literis. Innocentius, etc. Intellectis his quae tuis Literis intimasti, praesentium tibi auctoritate mandamus, quatenus si major pars Pralatorum Ecclesiasticorum Regni Angliae, tibi super exhibendo Ecclesiae Romanae subsidio, per te auctoritate nostra petito, respondit, se exemptos et alienos, ut majorem etiam quam petieris ab eisdem, assignent quibus volueris pro subsidio memorato infra terminum competentem pecuniae quantitatem, per Censuram Ecclesiasticam appellatione remota compescendo; quocunque privilegio, seu indulgentia qualibet non obstante, licet praesentes express●m de ipsis non faciant mentionem. Datum Lugduni, 16. Calendas Augusti, Pontificatus nostri anno quarto. Si quis autem Priores potestates ejusdem fratris Johannis videre desiderat, in libro Literarum ipsas poterit repetire. Haec igitur cum ad multorum audientiam pervenerunt, videlicet, quod tam Timent Ecclesiastici sua bona amittere. frequens extorsio pecuniae violenta per Papam et suos Legatos sophisticos et transformatos facta est, nec praevaluerunt sanctorum privilegia vel indulgentiae patrum ipsos defendere; formidabant vehementer, ne Principes et Magnates laici et saeculares, qui vel quorum praedecessores Ecclesias fundaverunt, dotaverunt, et ditaverunt, et suas ob hoc possessiones pro magna parte mutilarunt, et inde Chartas suas confecerunt, re acciperent Ecclesiarum bona et possessiones, exemplo Papae edocti, * The Pope's Non obstante's the ground of our Kings and Laymens'. Non obstante talis vel talis Chartae tenore; praesertim cum ex illis, contra fundatorum intentionem, Papa et sui, quos vult, Italici et alii alienigenae, indigenis esurientibus saginantur. The Abbot of St. Alban to preserve the Privileges of his Church, thus invaded by the Pope's Bulls and Harpies, advising with his Covent, appealed to the Pope against these his Exactions, which the Pope's Agents slighting, proceeded against him notwithstanding his Appeal, by the Pope's directions. Cum autem conventus ab Abbate consultus, memoratae Ecclesiae, scilicet Sancti Gravamen inauditum. Albani, se gravatum undique conspiceret, appellando ad sedem Apostolicam, quae solet omnium oppressorum pondera relevare, Monachum unum, scilicet Dominum Johannem Bulum, & Magistrum Adam de Bern ad sedem Apostolicam, videlicet Lugdunum, maturius destinarunt; sed antequàm rediret, memoratus frater Johannes Abbati Sancti Albani mandatum sub hac forma transmisit: Venerabili viro Domino Johanni Dei gratiâ Abbati Sancti Albani, frater Johannes Domini Papae Nuncius in Anglia, salutem in Domino. Licet vobis jamdudum pluries scripsimus, adhuc vobis semel, recepto super hoc cogente mandato, scribere decrevimus; rogantes & monentes, & in virtute obedientiae auctoritate Domini Papae praecipientes; quatenus omni occasione remota, die Martis proxima ante festum Sancti Thomae Apostoli, sitis apud Bereford in loco fratrum Minorum, de subsidio Romanae Ecclesiae ad plenum satisfacturi; taliter facientes, ne, quod absit, oporteat, ut inviti juxta praedicti mandati tenorem procedamus, nec propter Appellationem a vobis factam dimittere oporteat, quoniam super hoc recepimus speciale mandatum. Valete. Quod autem super his sitis facturi, nobis per latorem praesentium rescribatis. Appellatum est igitur ad Domini Papae praesentiam. Maluit enim tàm Abbas Appellatio ad P●pam. quam Conventus examen Papale subire, & praecellentissimi hominum, quam illius qui sub veste humilitatis & paupertatis tantam palliavit asperitatem. Verùm destinatis ad Curiam Romanam in quindena Sancti Michaelis Nunciis, instabat acriùs memoratus frater Johannes comminando. Missis igitur ad ipsum Archidiacono Sancti Albani, & quibusdam fratribus, ut ipsius Johannis rigorem mitigarent, respondit, quod quicquid rigoris justitia cum sua potestate permitteret, pleniùs exerceret; eò quod quando ad Sanctum Albanum fuisset, ipsi tanquam Legato, vel saltem Papali Nota. Nuncio, debitam reverentiam Monachi non exhibuerunt; imò à quibusdam de transgressione ordinis sui, qui habitum mutaverat, redargueretur; cum tamen satis reverenter ac curialiter, tàm in esculentis & poculentis, quam verbis satis mitibus ac discretis, exciperetur. Vix igitur tandem flexis genibus & verbis deprecatorus inducias impetrarunt, donec de Nunciis ad Curiam Romanam destinatis, aliquid certum audiretur. De quorum negotio expediendo, frater ipse Johannes nil boni vel favoris obtinendum pollicebatur. Scripserat enim Domino Papae exasperans eum vehementer, & asserens, quod solus Abbas Sancti Albani inter omnes Abbates Angliae recalcitrans mandato Papali non obedivit; quod idcirco manifestius apparuit, quia Nuncium destinavit. Unde Nuncii ad Curiam Romanam destinati, quasi quibusdam repagulis oppositis praepediti, diutiùs in Curia morabantur, & difficiliùs negotium suum expediebant. Tandem procurantibus amicis in Curia venalibus et conductitiis, finem fecerunt Domino Papae pro ducentis marcis; et sic donis et expensis omnibus computatis, absorbuit illius Curiae Charybdis insatiabilis trecentas marcas; et sic Ecclesia Sancti Albani, quae caeteris tutius et specialius sub alis Papalibus teneretur respirare, talibus continuis oppressionibus incessanter gravius caeteris vexabatur. Nam Episcopi, in quorum Episcopatibus cellae nostrae erant, non reputantes Literas Papales robur obtinere firmitatis, Priores cellarum vexabant; non enim considerabant tenorem Literarum, vel scire dissimulabant, in quibus expressè continetur, quod à praestatione praedictarum undecim (millium) marcarum exempti, per eos excipiebantur, ab ipsoque apporiandi exponebantur, & per Dominum Papam tres Clerici seponebantur. Quarum Literarum totalis sententia in libro Additamentorum continetur. Tandem cohibente eos inspectione dictarum Literarum, & Literis memorati fratris Johannis, cessarunt Episcopi, licet inviti, dictas cellas amplius fatigare; quae praerepta fuerant, minimè restituentes. The Pope's Powers and four Bulls to which Matthew Paris here and before refers us, are thus recorded in his Additamenta, published in the last Impression of his Works, Londini 1640. INNOCENTIUS, etc. Johanni Anglico, etc. Cum Venerabilibus fratribus Additamenta Matthaei Paris. p. 159. Potestas concessa fratri Johanni, de ordine Minotum primo. nostris Cantuariensi & Eboracensi Archiepiscopis, & Suffraganeis eorundem, necnon dilectis filiis Abbatibus exemptis & quibusdam aliis Clericis in Cantuariae & Eboraci Provinciis constitutis, de fratrum nostrorum consilio nostris dedimus in mandatis, ut hiis quae tu ex parte nostra super subventione Apostolicae sedis propones eisdem, adhibeant plenam fidem, et liberaliter ac libenter ea studeant adimplere: Discretioni tuae praesentium auctoritate mandamus, quod si qui forte ipsorum mandatum hujusmodi non adimpleverint per effectum, illos quos prudentia tua viderit esse cogendos, per te vel ordinis tui fratres quibus super haec commiseris vices tuas, ad id per Censuras Ecclesiasticas Appellatione recusata Nota. compellas, quocunque privilegio aut indulgentia qualibet non obstante, licet praesentes ex ipsis expressam non faciant mentionem. Datum Lugduni, quinto Idus Octobris, Pontificatus nostri anno quarto. Here this Pope not only authorizeth these Freers, against their Orders, Vows, Profession, to be his Tax-masters, Collectors, Extortioners, but likewise enables them to suspend, Interdict, Excommunicate the Archbishops, Bishops, Clergy, Abbots of England, who should oppose his intolerable Papal Exactions, notwithstanding any Appeal, Privilege or Indulgence whatsoever formerly granted them. INNOCENTIUS, etc. Fratri johanni Anglico, etc. Ecclesiae necessitatibus Item aliud Autenticum. circumscripti, venerabilibus fratribus nostris Cantuariensi & Eboracensi Archiepiscopis ac Suffraganeis eorundem, necnon dilectis filiis Abbatibus exemptis, & quibusdam aliis Clericis in Cantuariensi & Eboracensi Provinciis constitutis, De fratrum nostrorum consilio nostris dedimus in mandatis, ut hiis quae tu ex parte nostra super subventione Apostolicae sedis propones, eisdem adhibeant plenam fidem, & liberaliter ac libenter ea studeant adimplere. Caeterum quia onus quod in plures dividitur facilius supportatur, de prudentia tua plenam in Domino fiduciam obtinentes, dandi per te vel alios ordinis tui fratres, quibus super haec commiseris vices suas, authoritatem Archiepiscopis Suffraganeis & Abbatibus mrmoratis, ut subditos per Censuras Apostolicas appellatione recusata compellere possint, ut eos etiam per teipsum, vel dictos fratres similiter compellendi ad contribuendum super subventione praemissa de bonis Ecclesiasticis, juxta proprias facultates authoritate praeconcedimus potcstatem. Datum Lugduni, sexto Idus Octobris, Pontificatus nostri anno quarto. ARchiepiscopis, etc. Mandamus, quod I. pro quibusdam Ecclesiae Romanae negotiis Item aliud Autenticum. destinamus, pro reverentia beati Petri & nostri, recipiatis benignè, ac tractotis honestè, in nècessariis, & securo conductu eundo, meando, & redeundo, sibi pro se ac aliis quos secum duxerit, & in evectionibus corundem, si aliquando eos contigerit ipsas habere, necnon pro nunciis quos interdum duxerit destinandos liberaliter providentes, ita quòà vestrae dilectionis affectum possimus exinde commendare. Alioquin excommunicatos vos esse, etc. This Papal privilege for this Harpies protection and favourable reception by those he was sent to rob, spoil, plunder, was backed with this further Mandate, to inquire of all alienations and dispositions of Lands or Churches, and Simoniacal Contracts made by Ecclesiastical or Religious persons, or other Patrons, or his own real or pretended Nuntioes, to engross the sale and disposition of them by his Provisions into his own hands, whose Provisors agents unjust vexatious practices to gain Benefices or Pentions out of them, are here fully expressed to the life. INNOCENTIUS Episcopus, Servus servorum, etc. Dilecto filio fratri Johanni Mandatum Papae fratri Johanni de Ordine Minorum. Ordinis Minorum, Nuncio nostro in Anglia salutem, & Apostolicam Benedictionem. Nostris est nuper auribus intimatum, quod plerique Ecclesiarum Praelati regni Angliae, non attendentes ad humanos usus non debere transferri, quae juribus sunt ascripta divinis, jure patronatus, & advocationis quae in aliquibus Ecclesiis obtinebant, in personas laicas concessionis vel alienationis titulo, seu alias, pro suae voluntatis arbitrio transtulerunt, Capitulorum suorum aliquando interveniente consensu, & Diocesanorum, quod vix credimus accedente favore. Nonnulli quoque Abbates & Priores diversorum ordinum tàm exempti quam non exempti regni praefati propris Commodis per modos illicitos inhiantes (as this Pope and his agents really did) in Ecclesiis Parochialibus jus Patronatus exemptionis titulo, vel aliis perversis contractibus assequuntur. Et sic easdem Ecclesias quandoque de suorum Diocesanorum consensu, quandoque motu proprio non verentur suis, vel membrorum suorum contra Deum & Canonic as Sanctiones, usibus applicare. Quidam vero Executores super Clericorum Provisionibus dudum in eodem regno a sede Apostolica deputati, cum aliqua beneficia Ecclesiastica, de quibus eisdem Clericis provideri poterit, vacare contigerit, in alienis negotiis suae fidei confidenter commissis, privata commoda infideliter prosequuntur, dum Abbates et Priores aliosque Ecclesiarum Patronos, ad quorum praesentationem noscuntur eadem beneficia pertinere, excommunicant et suspendunt, ipsosque taliter impeditos, ad ordinationes Ecclesiarum suarum procedere non permittunt, donec sibi ipsis vel aliis suis consanguineis vel amicis, non autem illis quibus provideri mandavimus, a patronis eisdem, minis et dolis interdum inductis, eadem beneficia seu provisiones Annuae assignentur. Aliqui etiam executores hujusmodi, se nuncios nostros in Regno Angliae asserentes (quanquam alium praeter te in codem regno nos habere nuncium nesciamus) mandati nostri praetextu quo eye in aliquibus Clericis in eodem regno de beneficiis Ecclesiasticis, quae tanto tempore vacaverunt, quod ad nos est collatio secundum Lateranensis statutum Concilii devoluta, providere procurent, dicuntur injunxisse religiosos viros super Ecclesiis qua sibi concessas in usus proprios per longissima tempora pacifice possiderunt, infeffant, nec ab eorum super hiis infestatione desistunt, donec iidem religiosi aliqua summa pecuniae, vel assignatione annuae pensionis, vexationem suam redimere compellantur. Cum igitur haec non sint sub dissimulationis silentio trans●undae, discretioni tuae in virtute obedientiae districtè praecipiendo mandamus, quatenus per te ac alios seculares, vel cujuscunque religionis vel professionis viros, quos ad hoc in diversis locis ejusdem regni vice nostra, quam tibi super hoc praesentium authoritate concedimus, duxeris deputandos, super praemissis diligentiùs veritate, hujusmodi alienationes, venditiones, seu emptiones, de patronatibus vel advocatiis Ecclesiarum, quae cum spiritualibus sint annexae, vendi vel emi taliter nequeunt, à quibuscunque praesumptas vel in posterum praesumendas, quas irritas esse decernimus; denuncians nullas esse eas, & quicquid ex ipsis vel ob eas circa Ecclesiarum Parochialium statum inveneris temerè immutatum, in statum debitum de plano & absque judicii strepitu revocare procures. Executores verò praedictos, ad resignanda & restituenda quaecunque ips●s inveneris de praedictarum concussionum scelere percepisse, authoritate nostra per te ac alios quos ad hoc (ut praediximus) deputabis, qua convenit districtione compellas, redditurus nos nihilominus de illis quos de hiis deliquisse compereris, per tuas literas continentes meram & plenam rerum seriem, certiores, ut circa eos prout culpae qualitas exegerit procedamus. Contradictores per censuras Ecclesiae Apostolicae appellatione postposita compescendo, non obstante si aliquibus sit ab Apostolica sede concessum, quod excommunicari, suspendi, vel interdici non possint per literas Apostolicas, non facientes plenam et expressam ac de verbo ad verbum de indulto hujusmodi mentionem, seu quod ad susceptionem causarum vel executionum, quae sibi authoritate sedis ejusdem committi contingit, minime teneantur, vel constitutione de duabus dietis edita in Concilio generali. Datum Laterani quinto Idus Januarii, Pontificatus nostri Anno undecimo. This pretended reformer of these Simoniacal practices, and former Nuntioes abuses, rapines, armed with so many Papal Bulls, proved as bad yea worse an exactor, and oppressor, than any of his predecessors. Whereupon Per idem tempus, Dominus Rex comperiens Regnum suum enormiter Mat. Paris, Hist. Angl. p. p. 707, 708, 709 Convocatio Nobilium Angliae ad Parliamentum. periclitari, jussit omnem totius Regni Nobilitatem convocari, ut de statu ipsius, tam manifeste periclitantis Oxonii die qua cantatur, Quasi modo geniti, diligenter contrectarent. Praelatos autem maxime ad hoc Parliamentum vocavit arctius, quia videbat eos Dominus Rex tam frequenter depauperari per Papales extorsiones, et thesaurus Angliae tam frequenter asportabatur, nullumque commodum inde provenit Ecclesiae, imo multimodum incommodum generavit. Vnde veraciter perpendebatur, quod talis extorsio summo quamplurimum displicuit Creatori. Sperebatur autem certissime, aliquid salubre Ecclesiae, et Regno ibidem statuendum, quod tamen omnes hoc sperantes fefellit: Nam cum antea aliqui Praelatorum praetactae contributioni praeposuissent contradicere, ibidem omnes in contributionem undecim Millium Marcarum consenserunt; exceptis Exemptis, et tribus Clericis. Ipsi igitur Clerici per hanc impetrationem toti regno se suspectos reddiderunt, (and that deservedly, such was their sordid cowardice, treachery to the King, Kingdom, Nobles, Church of England, and their own interest.) Pecunia autem memorata per manus Wintoniensis & Norwicensis Episcoporum armatorum authoritate Papali soluta est & recepta, & Clerus compulsus est ad plenariam solutionem ejusdem faciendam. Exponebantur autem exempti Papali arbitrio, qui eis minimè pepercit; sed per fratrem saepedictum johannem tot jacturis et injuriis, ut praenotatur, fatigavit. Ne idcirco mitius cum Abbate Sancti Albani egit Dominus Papa, quo anno proximò praeterito ipsi Octoginta Marcas transmisit. Timebatur autem, ne Dominus Rex, ex permissione mutua & consensu relativo, inter ipsum et Papam Ecclesiam et etiam Regnum consimili exactione foret compulsurus. Sicut nuper pro Rege Dominus Papa scripserat Angliae Magnatibus, in pecunia colligenda promovendo. Not long after, to promote the Pope's Exactions, and drain the English Clergies purses, Applicuit in Anglia Episcopus Sabinensis, Romanae Ecclesiae Cardinalis, iturus Matth. Paris p. 708. Applicat in Angliam Sabinensis Episcopus Cardinalis Legatus. in partes Boreales Legatus, Norwegiam, Dac●am, & Suetiam; & Regem Norwegiae Haconem in Regem inuncturus & coronaturu●. Qui tamen in Angliam zingressurus, primo difficultatem de licentia a Rege invenit, quia semper solent Legati quales quales, et omnes nuncii Papales, Regna quae ingrediuntur depauperare, vel aliquo modo perturbare, donec jurasset in anima sua, quod ob nullum Regis vel Regni, vel Ecclesiae detrimentum, in Angliam veniret: nisi tantummodo tranquillum transitum faceret per ipsam terram de Portu Doverae ad portum Lennae, ad Regna ulteriora statim tempore opportuno, et obtento vento prospero, migraturus. Sed postquàm licentiam benignè dicto modo obtinuisset, intrepidus intravit, & Domino Rege salutato, & muneribus gratuit●s acceptis ab eodem, ad Lennam iter maturavit, et ibidem per tres ferè menses commorans, non potuit Romanis innatam cupiditatem cohibere, quin ad Episcopos et Abbates, et Priores nuncios furtivos, ad uberes mitteret postulando procurationes, et munera preciosa, in domibus Manerii Episcopi Norwicensis, quod Geywudae dicitur, commorando, ita quod quaestus sui, ad quatuormillia Marcarum ascendere dicebatur: veruntamen ut sub specie sanctitatis omnia palliaret, crebro sermonem faciebat populo. Et cum navem ascensurus fuisset, quem opulentissimè communiverat multo frumento & doliis quàmplurimis vino plenis praeelecto, & aliis victualibus, jussit cuidam fratri de ordine Praedicatorum in ipsa Missam celebrare, quod & factum est, non sine multorum, qui hoc non praeviderant, admiratione. Habebat namque in ipsa navi, sicut de Arca Noë legitur, (such was his Pomp and Pride) diverticula & tristegas, cameras & conclavia, quae specialiter propter ipsum artificialiter fuerunt composita. Et sic vento flante prospero, dataque Angliae, & suis Anglis prodigis benedictione, pelago septentrionali sese dives factus commisit. How he fleeced and preyed upon the Northern kingdoms for the Popes and his own advantage, as his Confederates had done the English and French, * Page 716. Matthew Paris informs us. Coronatus est Rex Hacon, & in Regem inunctus solenniter apud Bergas, ab Episcopo Sabinensi, Legato tunc in partibus illis existen●e. Pro cujus honoris et beneficii exhibitione, Papae Dominus Rex quindecim millia marcarum esterlingorum numeravit. Legatus vero acceptis donativis impreciabilibus quingentas extorsit marcas ab Ecclesiis Regni illius. Verunta. men idem Rex cruce signatus à Domino Papa impetravit recipere tertiam partem proventuum à viris Ecclesiasti●is Regni sui, ad suae viatica peregrinationis; The transactions and Letters passed between the King of France and Haco concerning this his pretended pilgrimage to Jerusalem (worthy perusal) you may read more at large in this Historian. The Pope not contented thus to extort money in all places by Croysadoes, Procurations, and such like Exactions, made a very gainful Trade of selling Archbishoprics, Bishoprics, and other Ecclesiastical Preferments to ambitious persons who would give most for them, as Matthew Paris thus insmuates in one memorable instance, of Odo Archbishop of Rhoan, of whom * Here, p. 686▪ before. Anno quoque sub eodem Odo Archiepiscopus Rothomagensis, quondam Abbas Sancti * Hist. Angl. p 709. Odo Archiepiscopus Rothomagus obiit. Dionys●●, divino, ut creditur, percussus judicio, subito obiit; cum jam vix per annum sophisticè sede Archiepiscopali praesidens, nomen tantum et officium sibi temere usurpasset, & Petro suo antecessori fructus Archiepiscopatus distribuisset. Ipse enim Anglicus Natione, Abbas extiterat Sancti Dionysii, quem ambitio et superbia adeo ad Archiepiscopatus praedicti dignitatem infoeliciter attraxerant, ut domum suam irremediabiliter aere alieno obligatam dereliquerit, et dignitatem praetextatam, symoniace in sui perniciem consequebatur▪ as most other Archbishops, Bishops and Abbots did in that Simoniacal age. Moreover this avaricious Simoniacal Pope made a gain of his very Bulls for canonising and translating Popish Saints, as he did this year by his long deferred Canonization and translation of St. Edmund, Bishop of Canterbury, (the Bull and History whereof, you may read at leisure in * Hist. Angl. p. 607, to 612. 696. Additamenta, p. 158. Anno 1246, 1247. De Eventibus Angliae, l. 2. c. 14. Matthew Paris, Matthew Westminster, Henry de Knyghton, Matthew Parker, and Godwin in his Life, (to omit all others) from whom this Pope's predecessors had extorted vast sums of money, and so much vexed, discontented (notwithstanding his pretended Sanctity and miracles) that he left his Bishopric, and * Here p. 563, 564. died for mere grief. And to add oppression to oppression, this Egyptian Papal Taxmaster to gratify Richard Earl of Cornwall, William de Longa Spata, and other English Nobles, to abate or take off their opposition against his insufferable exactions, granted them special Bulls (as he had done to the King of France, and Haco, who had taken up the Cross, under pretext of aiding them in their voyage to the Holy Land, for which they had crossed themselves) to exact moneys from the English, to their great oppression. Eodem quoque Anno Episcopus Wygorniae, & Willielmus Longa Spata, & Galfridus * Mat. Paris Hist. Angl. p. 709. Willielmus de Longa Spata, cum aliis Nobilibus cruce signatur. de Lucy, in Episcopatu Wigorniensi, & multi alii Nobiles de Regno Angliae, exemplo Regis Francorum, & Nobilium de Regno Francorum armati, cruce signabantur circa tempora Rogationum. Willielmus autem Longa Spata, ut de Crucesignatis emolumentum metens ubi non seminavit, prudenter ad instar Comitis Richardi, colligeret, Romanam Curiam adiit, & super negotio suo alloquens Dominum Papam, ait; Domine, videtis quod cruce signor, & in procinctu itineris paratus sum eum Domino Rege Francorum militare Deo peregrinando. Magnum nomen habeo et notum, Willielmus scilicet Longa Spata, sed subest res parva. Dominus enim Rex Angliae meus cognatus, & Dominus naturalis, nomen mihi Comitis cum substantia abstulit: hoc tamen judicialiter & non in ira sua fecit, vel impetu voluntatis, quapropter ipsum non criminor. Necesse habeo ad sinum misericordiae vestrae paternum refugere, auxilium à vobis in hac necessitate petiturus. Videmus namque nobilem virum Comitem Richardum, qui licet cruce non signetur, per obtentum gratiae vestrae in hac parte nimis fructiferae, à cruce signato populo non minimam pecuniam vindemiare in Regno Angliae, & ego ex eo spem consequenter accipiens, cruce signatus & indigens, eandem mihi postulo concedendam. Considerans igitur Dominus Papa loquentis facundiam, rationis efficaciam, corporis elegentiam, se ipsi favorabilem exhibuit, concedens ei in parte quae postulavit, latam videlicet ex aliena cute corrigiam. * Mat. Paris, p. ●11. ●●degit Comes Richardus pecuniam de Cruce signatis. Tunc etiam temporis Comes Richardus, authoritate Domini Papae, cujus indigentiae clàm & cautè satisfecerat, a cruce signatis infinitam collegit pecuniam, ita quod ab uno Archidiaconatu dicitur sexcentas libras reportasse, harum literarum fretus auctoritate. Consimilique cautela Willus Longa Spata mille marcas et amplius de cruce signatis, ut praescriptum est, reportavit; besides what Archbishop Boniface (qui in partibus transmarinis Domino Papae militabat) violently extorted by Excommunications from the Bishops and Clergy of his Province at the same time; of which before. In regard of the manifold Extortions this year both at home and abroad by the Pope and his agents principally to raise and maintain Wars against the Emperor, Mat. Paris and Matthew Westminster render us this Epitome, and brief character thereof. * Mat. Paris Hist. Angl. An. 1247. p. 717. Mat. Westm. p. 216. Brevis totius Anni descriptio Transiit igitur annus ille uberrimus in frugibus, in fructibus autem sterilis, Angliae nocivus, Walliae dominator Tyrannicus, Terrae Sanctae inimicus, suspectus et formidabilis, Ecclesiae nocivus universali, et spoliator turbulentus, Italiae cruentus, Imperio et Curiae Romanae infamis et inimicus, et praecipue Regno Alemanniae martius et hostilis; Regnis Francorum et Anglorum exactor hostilis et praedator turbulentus; odium generans in cordibus Praelatorum, et aliorum plurium contra Papam, eo quod Patronis violenter spoliatis, suspendit a beneficiorum collatione, quod est hactenus inauditum, et contra Dominum Regem, eo quod talia toleravit. As the Pope thus vexed, oppressed the Clergy and Religious persons on the one hand this year; so Bishop Grosthead and his Ecclesiastical Officers, vexed, oppressed the Nobility and Laity on the other hand, by Bulls & Privileges obtained at a dear rate from this Pope, as our Historians and Records inform us: For this Robert Grosthead Bishop of Lincoln after a long contest and suit at Rome, Anno Dom. 1245. purchasing from Pope Innocent the 4th. a Privilege * Here, p. 629, 630. Mat. Paris, p. 667, 668 forecited) to visit the Dean, Chapter, Canons, Clerks, Ministers of the Choir, and Cathedral Church of Lincoln, and all the Ministers, Chaplains, Churches and Parishioners belonginging to the Churches within his Diocese; et ad correctionem excessorum ac morum reformationem libere admittendum. And likewise, that the Canons of Lincoln should yield and render to him Canonical obedience and reverence; Obligare se tamen ad hoc juramento manuali praestatione, seu promissione minime tenneantur, cum ad hoc consuetudine non juveris. The next year (Anno. 1246.) he visited his Diocese in pursuance of this privilege, by his Archdeacon's, Deans and Officials, and (at the suggestion of the Friar's Minorites and Predicants) in his Visitations and Consistories made strict Inquisitions concerning the continency and manners as well of the Noble as ignoble, to the enormous defamation and scandal of many, compelling Laymen to present and give in testimony in these cases upon Oath; an Innovation never used in the Realms before: The King upon complaint thereof, issued forth Writs to the Sheriff of Lincoln, to inhibit any Lay persons within his County to appear before them to make any Inquisitions, or take any Oath at the will of the Bishop, except only in causes of Matrimony and Testament; which * Hist. Angl. Angliae. p. 693, 694. Matthew Paris thus records to posterity, living at that time, within this Diocese, and taking special Notice of these proceedings. His quoque diebus cum Episcopus Lincolniensis, supra quam deceret vel expediret Rex prohibet Inquisitiones ab Episcopo Lincolniensi Institutas. in Subjectos suos, ad suggestionem, ut dicitur, Praedicatorum & Minorum, desaeviret, ita scilicet, ut faceret Inquisitiones districtas per Archidiaconos et Decanos suos in Episcopatu suo, de continentia et moribus tam Nobilium quam Ignobilium, in enormem laesionem famae multorum et scandalum, QUOD NUNQUAM FIERI CONSUEVERAT, Dominus Rer audiens super hoc populi graves quaerimonias, CONSILIO CURIAE SUAE, scripsit Vicecomiti Hertfordiae in haec verba, Henricus Dei Gratia Rex Angliae, etc. Praecipimus tibi, quod sicut teipsum et omnia tua diligis, non permittas, quod aliqui Laici in Balliva tua ad voluntatem Episcopi Lincolniensis, Archidiaconorum, Officialium seu Decanorum ruralium in aliquo loco conveniant de caetero AD COGNITIONES PER SACRAMENTUM EORUM, VEL ATTESTATIONES ALIQUAS FACIENDAS, nisi in Causis Matrimonialibus vel Testamentartis. Quod cum audisset Episcopus, asserebat, Dominum Regem quorundam Conspiratorum qui jam in Francia in consimilem audaciam proruperunt, vestigia securum. An insolent undutiful answer of a furious turbulent wilful Prelate. The Conspiracy of the Nobility and Commonalty of France which Grostheads words related to, is thus recorded by Mat. Paris; They being intolerably oppressed by the Insolences, usurpations of the Pope, French Bishops, and Clergy upon their ancient Liberties, Rights, Privileges, by citing them into their Ecclesiastical Courts for Temporal Matters and causes belonging to the Civil Jurisdiction; judging them by new Canons and Constitutions made by themselves alone, without common consent in their Parliaments; when as they ought rather to be Judged by the Nobles and Laity, by whose Valour and Liberality they enjoyed all their Ecclesiastical Privileges and possessions; Excommunicating, interdicting, enforcing them to take new Oaths, and tyrannising over them at their pleasures, as if they were slaves, and vassals, rather than Freemen, they thereupon after all other fruitless complaints entered into a Solemn League and Confederacy against them, to vindicate and regain their ancient Rights and Privileges. Cum vero dierum istorum fluenta prolaberentur, tepuit devotio fidelium, * Mat. Paris p. 697, 698. Preuves des Libertez de Leglise Gallicane, p. 229, 230. Conspiratio quorundam Nobilium Franciae contra Papam. et filialis affectus Charitatis, quem quilibet Christianus adversus Patrem nostrum spiritualem, videlicet Dominum Papam gerere teneretur, non sine animarum periculo, laesus deperiit, imo et in odium execrabile, et maledictiones occultas est conversus. Videbant enim omnes et singuli, et videntes sentiebant, ipsum Dominum Papam pecuniae et pecuniarum rapinis, in multorum damnum, et depauperationem insatiabiliter inhiare. Nec credebant jam multi ipsum potestatem beato Petro concessam coelitus, videlicet, ligandi et solvendi obtinere, qui penitus beato Petro dissimilis probabatur. Resolutum est igitur os magna loquentium et obloquentium Nota. ubique locorum, et praecipue in Francia. In qua quidem multi Nobiles in ipsum Papam et Ecclesiam, quod nunquam meminimus evenisse, conspirabant, sicut in hac Chartula quae Gallica lingua conscribitur, quia sic ad notitiam nostram pervenit, poterit considerari. A tous ceux qui ces lettres verront, nous tous desquels les seaux pendent en cest present escript, faisons scavoir, que nous par la foy de nos corps avons fiance tant nous comme nos eirs a tousiours, a aydder les uns aux autres, et a tous ceux de nos terres, et d'autres terres, qui vouldront estre de ceste compagnie, a pourchasser et a requirir et a defendre nos droitz et les leurs en bonne fay envers la Clergy. Et pour ce qe serroit grieve choose nous tous assembler pour ceste besoigne, nous avons eslu par le common assent et octory de nous tous, le Duc de Burgoine, le Conte Perrun de Bretagne, le Conte de Angulesme, et le Conte de S. Pol, a ce que si aucuns de ceste communite avoit a faire envers la Clergie, tel ayd comme ces quatre devantdits esgarderoient que un homme luy deust faire, nous luy ferious. Et cest a scavoir, que a se defendre, pourchasser et requerir, chascun de ceste communite mettre la centiesme part par son serment de la vaillance de un an de la terre quil tiendra. Ct chascun riche homme de ceste compagnie fera lever ces deneers chascun an a son povoir a la Purifification nostre Dame, et les deliura ou il sera mestier pour ceste besoigne, par les letres pendantes de ces quatre avout nommez, ou des deux de eux. Et il aucun avoit tort, et il ne vouloit laisser par ces quatre avant nommez, il ne serroit pas ayde de la Communite. Et si aucun de ceste compagnie estoit excommunie par tort, cognu par ces quatre, que la Clergie luy feist, il ne lasseroit aller son droit ne sa querele pour les Communiment, ne pour autre choose qu'on luy face, si ce n'est par l'accord de ces quatre, ou de deux de eux, ains poursuiveroit sa droiture. Et si les deux des quatre moureroient ou alloient hors de la terre, les autres deux qui demuroient, mettroient autres deux en lieu de ces deux, qui auroient tel povoir que est a devant divise. Et sil advenoit que les trois, & les quatre allassent horse de la terre, ou mourissent, les douze ou les dix des riches de ceste communite esliront autres quatre, qui auront ce mesme pouvoir que les quatre devant ditz. Et si ces quatre, ou aucun de la Communite par le Commandement de ces quatre, faisent aucune besoigne, qui appertensist a ceste Communite, la Communite l'en deliureroit. Quia Clericorum superstitio, non attendens quod bellis et quorundam sanguine sub Carolo Magno et aliis, Regnum Franclae de Errore Aliud Scriptum contra Clerum. gentilium ad fidem Catholicam sit conversum, primo quadam humilitate nos seduxit, quasi vulpes se nobis opponentes, ex ipsorum castrorum reliquiis, quae a nobis habuerunt fundamentum, jurisdictionem secularium Principum sic absorbent, ut filii servorum secundum suas leges judicent liberos et filios liberorum, quamvis secundum leges priorum Triumphatorum, deberent a nobis potius judicari, et per Novas Constitutiones non deberet Antecessorum nostrorum consuetudinibus derogari, cum nos deterioris conditionis faciant, quam Deus etiam voluit esse Sentiles, cum dixerit, Reddite quae sunt Caesaris Caesari, & quae sunt Dei Deo. Nos omnes Regni majores attento animo percipientes, quod regnum non per jus scriptum, nec per Clericorum arrogantiam, sed per sudores bellicos fuerit adquisitum, praesenti decreto omnium juramento statuimus et sancimus, ut nullus Clericus vel Laicus alium de caetero trahat in causam coram ordinario Judice, vel Delegato, nisi super Haeresi, matrimonio, vel usuris, amissione omnium bonorum, et unius membri multilatione transgressionibus imminente, certis a nobis super hoc Executoribus deputatis, ut sic Jurisdictio nostra resuscitata respiret, et ipsi hactenus ex nostra depauperatione ditati, quibus Dominus propter eorum superbiam prophanas voluit revelare contentiones, reducantur ad statum Ecclesiae primitivae, et in contemplatione viventes, nobis sicut decet activam vitam ducentibus, ostendant miracula, quae dudum a seculo recesserunt. Haec cum audisset Papa, ingemuit spiritu perturbato, & cupiens eorum emollire corda, & constantiam enervare, admonitione praemissa eos minis perterruit, nec se sic sensit praevalere. Contulit igitur multis consanguineorum eorum multa beneficia Ecclesiastica, & licentiam * Licenses for Pluralities how introduced. plura obtinendi cum indulgentiis multis, necnon & plura ipsis Nobilibus contulit donativa, & sic multos eorum à praedicta praesumptione revocavit. Multos tamen perterruit hujusmodi tenor Epistolae, credebaturque haec a consensu Frederici emanasse, maximè cum hujusmodi clausula finalis concordet Epistolae Frederici quam multis misit Principibus. in cujus fine sic dicit, Semper fuit nostrae intentio voluntatis, Clericos cujuscunque ordinis ad ●oc inducere, & maximè maximos, ut tales perseberarem in fine, quales fuerunt in Ecclesia primitiva Apostolicam vitam ducentes humilitatem Dominicam unitantes. Tales namque Clerici solebant Angelos intueri, miraculis coruscare, etc. Require in anno 1245 in Epistola Frederici ad Regem Angliae missa & singulis Principibus. That the Kings, Nobles, and Parliaments of France and Normandy▪, somewhat before and after this, declared, protested in sundry notable Writings and Declarations, That neither the Pope nor his Legates had any right or power at all to Interdict, or Excommunicate the Realm or Kings of France; neither he, nor the Archbishops, Bishops, or Clergy of France, any Jurisdiction to Excommunicate or inflict any Ecclesiastical Censures upon the King's Barons, Ministers, Officers, without the King's Royal assent; that they commanded Bishops and Ecclesiastical Courts to absolve their Subjects when Excommunicated; allowed them power to hold Plea of Chattels only in three cases, you may read at large in Preuves des Libertez de Leglise Gallicane, cap. 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, etc. I shall recite but two instances, the first relating to Normandy whiles subject to the Kings of England. Extraict d'un Acte des Barons de Normandy, qui declare les Droicts du Roy sur Preuves des Libertez de Leglise Gallicane, cap. 4. p. 165. & cap. 35. P. 1263. les Eglises & personnes Ecclesiastiques de Normandy, An. D m. 1205. Notum facimus universis, ad quos praesens scriptum pervenerit, quod nos juravimus super Sacrosancta Evangelia, quod jura quae Henricus & Richardus quondam Reges Angliae habuerunt in Normannia, adversus Clerum & apud Lexovaeum & alibi, & jura nostra diceremus. Item diximus per Sacramentum nostrum, quod Archiepiscopus vel Episcopus, vel alia inferior Ecclesiastica persona, non debet ferre sententiam Excommunicationis in Barones, vel in Ballivos, aut in Servientes Domini Regis, aut in Clericos domus suae, Rege non requisito, vel suo Senescallo. Item diximus per Sacrament um nostrum, quod nulla Ecclesiastica persona debet aliquem trahere in causam pro fide, vel pro Sacramento quod fiat de feodo Laico, vel Castello hominis Laici, sed si fides data fuerit de Catallo Maritagii, vel de Legato Mortui, vel Catallo Clerici, vel Crucesignati, de causa illa bene possunt judicare. Item diximus per Sacramentum nostrum, quod in feoda terrae Gornaii et feritatis, et Goellenfontis non debet Archiepiscopus tenere nisi tria tautum placita, scilicet de Maritagio, et Legato Martui, et de Catallo Clerici. Actum Rothomagi Anno gratiae 1205. mense Novembris, Dominica post Octavem Festi Omnium Sanctorum, cum viginti Sigillis. This was the only Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction the Clergy of Normandy enjoyed▪ whiles under our English Kings. The second is this memorable Declaration, Prohibition, Arrest of King Charles the 5th. of France, and his Parliament, declaring the ancient Privilege of the Kings of France enjoyed time out of mind, (agreeing with this in Matthew Paris) That the King's Officers and Subjects ought not to be cited, vexed, excommunicated, interdicted by any Archbishops, Bishops, Archdeacon's, or other Ecclesiastical persons for executing their Offices; commanding them to revoke their illegal Excommunications and Interdicts denounced against them, for not delivering Clerks imprisoned for Murder upon their Ordinaries demands, and seizing their Temporalties, and summoning them to answer their contempts therein. Quod Officiarii Regii non possunt Excommunicari. Preuves des Libertez de Leglise Gallicane, cap. 5. p. 166, 167. An. Dom. 1369. CAROLUS Dei gratiâ Francorum Rex, Leodegario Waront Parliamenti nostri Hostiario, aut alteri primo dicti Parliamenti nostri Hostiario, & Servienti nostro, ad quem praesentes Literae nostrae pervenerint, salutem. Procurator noster generalis pro nobis, ac Petrus Garnerii Burgensis & Custos Justitiae nostrae in Villa de Medunta, Curiae nostrae exposuerunt, asserendo, quod licet per certa privilegia à sede Apostolica nobis & Praedecessoribus nostris Franciae Regibus concessa, quae adeo sunt notoria, quod nullus ea poterat sive potest ignorare; de hoc quod dicti Praedecessores nostri fuerunt & nos etiam fuimus & sumus in possessione & saisina pacifici, iidem quoque Praedecessores nostri dictas possessiones & saisinam continuarunt, & nos etiam continuavimus, à tanto tempore quod hominum memoria in contrarium non extabat, nullis Archiepiscopis, Episcopis, aut quibusvis aliis judicibus Ecclesiasticis, seu eorum Officialibus, apparatoribus, sive gentibus quibuscunque, authoritate sive virtute eorum jurisdictionis Ecclesiasticae ordinariae, vel alia quacunque de causa in Villis et locis nostris in Regno nostro Franciae situatis, maxime de nostro proprio domanio existentibus, cessum seu Interdictum ponere, seu poni facere, aut sententias Excommunicationis, vel Interdicti proferre, aut proferri, seu promulgari facere liceat quoquomodo: & nihilominus cum Robertus Munerii dictus de Maule, voerius & receptor noster apud Meduntam, pro suspicione homicidii in personam defuncti Magistri Johannis dicti Bout du Monde in dicta Villa de Medunta perpetrati, nuper in Carceres nostros apud Meduntam, sponte sua prisonarium se reddidisset & posuisset, gentes dilecti & fidelis Consiliarii nostri Episcopi Carnotensis, videlicet Petrus Peregrini Presbyter, Magister Domus Sancti Lazari de Medunta, & nonnulli alii Clerici in Curia Ecclesiastica dicti Episcopi frequentantes, necnon P— de Sancto Sylvestro Officialem Archidiaconi de Pinsereio, ex parte nostra propter debatum Jurisdictionis, inter dictos Episcopum & Archidiaconum contentiose, & de super quo lis inter dictos partes in ipsa nostra Curia pendere dicitur, commissum & deputatum se dicens, ac nonnulli alii Clerici in Curia dicti Officialis frequentantes, ac Camer●rius de Columbis peries praedictum Petrum Garnerii in dicta Villa de Medunta, quae est in & de proprio domanio nostro, nuper accesserunt, et eundem sub poena Excommunicationis ac Centum Marcarum Argenti requisiverunt, ut praefatum Robertum, necnon Gulielmum de Commeny Lachomum, pro suspicione homicidii supradicti ibidem prisonarium detentum, quos Clericos forè, & in habitu & tonsura Clericali existere asserebant, una cum casibus pro quibus detinebantur eis traderet, & deliberaret instrumentum super hoc à Roberto Gomer Presbytero illic praesente, sibi fieri requirendo. Verum quanquam idem Petrus eisdem amicabiliter respondisset, quod ipse locum tenens Ballivi de Medunta non existebat, nec ab his commissus extiterat, vel erat, nisi in casibus civilibus duntaxat, & ob hoc de dictis prisonariis eis tradendis, & deliberandis potestatem non habuerat nec habebat, praenominati gentes & officiales praedictorum Episcopi & Archidiaceni responsione dicti Petri vera & licita non obstante, eundem Petrum excommunicaverunt, et excommunicatum denunciaverunt, et quod deterius fuit et est, cessum seu Interdictum in praedicta Villa nostra posuerunt, et positum tenuerunt, atque tenent taliter, quod divinum servitium et alia Ecclesiae Sacramenta in ipsa Villa celebrari non possunt: Quae facta sunt, et fuerunt in nostri et Jurisdictionis nostrae temporalis dictorumque privilegiorum nobis ut supradictum est, indultorum ac possessionis, et saisinae nostrarum praedictarum, necnon praedicti Petri praejudicium et contemptum, ut asserunt. Procurator noster & Petrus Garnerii antedicti supplicantes, sibi super hoc de remedio competenti provideri, attento quod dictus defunctus tempore quo vivebat & decessit, erat noster Advocatus in dicta Villa, ac in nostra salva & speciali gardia notoriè & competenter publicata, quanquam dicta nostra Curia ex certis justis causis ad hoc ipsum moventibus ordinavit, & mandavit dictum Robertum Prisonarium, ad eandem nostram Curiam adduci. Quocirca tibi tenore praesentiam committimus, & mandamus, quatenus si decessu seu Interdicto pradictis sibi summariè constiterit praedictos Episcopum, Archidiaconum, & Camerarium, ac eorum Officiales, vicarios, promotores, & gentes de quibus pro parte dicti procuratoris nostri, & Petri super hoc fueris requisitus ex parte nostra requiras, & etiam praecipias eisdem si sit opus, ut hujusmodi cessum seu Interdictum in dicta Villa ut praemittitur, appositum revocent, et adnullent: quod si facere renuerint, aut plus debito distulerint, ●●sos ad hoc per captionem et detentionem temporalitatis eorundem, absque aliqua recredentia de hoc facienda viriliter compellas indilate: et insuper dictos Episcopum, Archidiaconum, et Camerarium, ac eorum Officiales, vicarios, et gentes, ex parte nostra requiras, ut ipsi et eocum singuli prout ad eos spectabit, Citationes, Monitiones, Sententias, Excommunicationes, denunciationes et processus Ecclesiasticos quoscunque contra praedictum Petrum aut alios Officiarios, vel Servitores nostros in praedicta Villa, occasione praemissorum factos seu inchoatos, similiter revocent omnino et adnullent: et ipsum Petrum et alios Officiarios nostros, et gentes si qui sint a sententiis Excommunicationum eorundem Episcopi, Archidiaconi, Camerarii, Officialiumque promotorum et gentium suarum sumptibus et expensis absolvi, et ab omnibus Citationibus, Monitionibus, denunciationibus, et processibus Ecclesiasticis totaliter cessari faciant indilate, ipsos ad hoc per captionem, et detentionem eorum temporalitatis praedictae compellendo: et in casu quo dicti Episcopus, Archidiaconus, Camerarius, et eorum Officiales, et alii praedicti, sententias Excommunicationis, ac Monitiones et processus praedictos contra dictum Petrum et alios Officiarios nostros factos et inchoatos revocare noluerint, et ad hoc se opponere voluerint, praedictos, quoad hoc opponentes, et etiam praedictos Episcopum, Archidiaconum, Camerarium, et gentes, et Officiarios suos superius nominatos, qui expleta praedicta fecisse dicuntur, adjornes ad certam brevem et competentem diem in nostro praesenti Parliamento non obstante quod sedeat, et ex causa videlicet dictos opponentes supradicta oppositione processuros, et ipsos et alios superius nominatos praedictis. Procuratori nostro, et Petro Garnerii, si et prout experiti voluerint, super praemissis, et ea tangentibus, responsuros, et ulterius processu●os et facturos, prout fuerit rationis, eisdemque ex parte nostra sub cerris magnis poenis nobis applicandis injungas ne interim ad ulteriores sententias Monitiones, et processus, contra dictum Petrum et alios Officiarios nostros procedant occasione pr●missorum, sed e● onmia in ●●atu in quo sunt teneant, quousque per dictam nostram Curiam partibus auditis aliud extiterit super hoc ordinat●●, eandem ●●●●ram Curiam ad diem super praedictis 〈◊〉; de requisitionibus, praeceptis, adjournamentis, nominibusque adjornator●m, & al●●s q●● 〈◊〉 in ●●● parte certificando competenter; ab omnibus autem Justitiariis & subditis nostris tibi in praemissis, & ea tangentibus p●rere volumus efficaciter, & jubemus. Quod prafata nostra Curia sic fieri voluit, & Procuratorio nostro, & Petro Garnerii memoratis concessit, & ex causa. Datum Parisiis in Parliamento quinto die Januarii, Anno Domini 1369. & Regni nostri Sexto. There are many like Arrests of the Kings and Parliaments of France, for seizures of the Temporalties of Archbishops, Bishops, Archdeacon's, and Ecclesiastic Judges, for admonishing, excommunicating, interdicting the King's Officers, and others, and refusing to absolve them when enjoined: and exceeding the legal bounds of their Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction: And some declaring the Monitions and Excommunications of Bishops against several persons, to be abusive, scandalous, vexatious, full of falsities, impostures, tending to sedition, rebellion, derogatory to the King's Crown and dignity, and commanding them to be revoked, yea torn, and publicly burnt by the Executioner as such; which you may peruse at leisure in the 5, and 6. Chapters of Prenves des Libertez de L'eglise Gallicane. The English Nobility and Laity in the Diocese of Lincoln, (as this innovating, turbulent Bishop conceived, encouraged by these Precedents of the French) unanimously opposed his Usurpations of like nature upon their Liberties, Reputations, Consciences, complaining to King Henry the 3d. and his Council against the Bishops, Archdeacon's, Deans and Officials vexations, and illegal Oaths, proceedings; the King thereupon by special Writs prohibited them, as prejudicial, derogatory to his Crown and Dignity, repugnant to the ancient Customs of his Realm, his people's Liberties, and hurtful to their fames, souls: But this obstinate headstrong Bishop slighting the King's Writs, and proceeding in these his illegal Vifitations and Inquisitions notwithstanding; the King and his Council upon new complaints the next year, (Anno 31 H. 3.) issued forth new Prohibitions to all Sheriffs within the Diocese of Lincoln, thus recorded in the Clause Rolls in the Tower. MAndatum est Uicecomiti Lincolniae, quod non permittat quod Claus. 31 H. 3. m. 1●. dorso. aliqui Laici in Balliva sua, ad vocationem Lincoln. Episcopi, Archidiaconorum vel Officialium eorum, seu Decanorum ruralium in aliquo loco conveniant de caetero AD ALIQUAS RECOGNITIONES PER SACRAMENTUM EORUM, VEL ATTESTATIONES ALIQUAS FACIENDAS, nisi in causis Matrimonialibus vel Testamentariis tantum. Teste, etc. Eodem modo scribitur omnibus Uicecomitibus Episcopatus Lincoln. Eodem quoque anno (as Matthew Paris relates) Dominus Rex Anglorum, exemplum Mat. Paris, p. 705. Nova Statura Regis Angliae. accipiens ab illis Baronibus, qui sua statuta sanxerunt in Francia, quibus et Dominus Francorum favorem jam praebuit, et sigillum apposuit; ad insatiabilem Romanae Curiae in parte ad praesens cupiditatem refraenandam, constituit in Anglia inviolabiliter observanda haec. Lites de fidei laesione et perjurio prohibentur a Rege, quando super his conveniuntur Laici coram judice Ecclesiastico. Prohibetur Ecclesiasticus judex tractare omnes causas contra Laicos, nisi sint de Nota. Matrimonio vel Testamento. Item, de novo praescribit Rex, certam formam Episcopis de Bastardia utrum scilicet ante Matrimonium contractum, vel post nati sint? Prohibentur Clerici per Breve Regis, instituere actiones suas coram judice Ecclesiastico super decimis; et appellatur illud Breve, Indicavit. De Sacramentis quae exiguntur a Clericis coram justitiariis Regis praestandis, quia dicuntur processisse in causis contra Prohibitionem Regiam; cum jurare non teneantur Clerici, nisi coram judice Ecclesiastico, maxime in causis spiritualibus. Item, de Clericis quos ministri Regis capiunt, propter famam quae a Laicis eis imponitur.; The Bishop of Lincoln, notwithstanding the former Prohibitions, and these new Statutes, proceeding in these his illegal Inquisitions and Oaths, in high contempt of the King's Crown and Dignity, and compelling men and women by Ecclesiastical Censures to appear and take his new devised Oaths against their wills; the King thereupon issued out new Writs to the Sheriff of Lincoln to attach the Bishop, and enforce him to put in good bail and sureties to appear before the King to answer this contempt, as these Records attest. REX Vicecomiti Lincolniae, salutem. Pone per Uadium et salvos Claus. 33 H. 3. m. 11. dorso. See Rastals Abridgement of Statutes, Prohibition 5. See Cooks 12 Reports, p. 26. Plegios R. Lincoln. Episcopum, quod sit coram Nobis in Octab. Sanctae Trinitatis, ubicunque tunc fuerimus in Anglia, ostensurus, quare fecit summoneri, et per Censuram Ecclesiasticam distringi Laicos homines et Laicas foeminas ad comparendum coram eo, et ad praestandum jucamentum pro voluntate sua, ipsis invitis, et in grave praejudicium Coronae nostrae et Regiae Dignitatis, necnon et magnam laesionem Regni nostri. Et habeas ibi nomina Plegiorum, et hoc Breve. Teste Rege apud Wistm. secundo die Maii. REX Vicecomiti Lincolniae, salutem. Pone per Uadium et salvos Plegios R. Lincoln. Episcopum, quod sit coram Nobis in Octab. Sanctae Trinitatis, ubicunque, etc. ostensurus, quare pro voluntate sua distringit Laicas personas suae Dioc. ad jurandum, eye invitis, in grave praejudicium Coronae et Dignitatis nostrae, et contra Consuetudinem Regni nostri. Et habeas, etc. Teste, etc. (Anno 35 Henr. 3.) The Bishop of Worcester, by the Bishop of Lincoln's encouragement, in his Visitations and Consistories by himself and his Officers, summoned Lay persons, as well Villains as Freemen, to take an Oath of Inquiry upon Articles at his own pleasure, without the King's special command, against the Custom of the Realm, and his Royal Dignity, which Innovation caused great scandal and raised a schism among the people; whereupon the King issued the like Writs to the Sheriffs of Gloucester and Worcester, (as he formerly did to the Sheriff of Lincoln and others, An. 30 & 31 H. 3.) REX Vic. Glouc. salutem. Audivimus, quod W. W●gorniensis Episcopus Claus. 35 H. 3. m. 6. dorso. See the Register of Writs, part 2. f. 36. Fitzherbert. Nat. Brev. f. 41. a. Rastals Abridgement of Statutes, Prohibition 5. transeundo per suam Dioc. vel Clericos suos specialiter destinando, compellit tam Liberos quam Uillanos, ad praestandum Sacramentum sine mandato nostro speciali, super Inquisitione pro voluntate sua fac. contra Consuetudinem et Regiae Dignitatis excellentiam: Et quia ex hoc scandalum magnum et schisma in plebe generatur; Tibi praecipimus, quod nullum Laicum de caetero coram eodem Episcopo vel Clericis suis comparere permittas ob causam memoratam, ita quod inde diligentia tua merito valeat commendari. Teste Rege apud Westm. 14. die Augusti. Per ipsum Regem. Eodem modo mandatum est Uic. Wygorn. Teste, etc. The Bp. of Lincoln and his Officers, notwithstanding the former Writs, still vexing those of his Diocese, as well Noble as Ignoble, citing many poor Husbandmen from place to place, and Excommunicating them for not appearing, so as they could not attend their Husbandry and Temporal affairs, to their great impoverishing & vexation; and likewise compelling them to inquire & give testimony upon Oath of the private sins of others, whereby many were defamed, and might easily incur the danger of perjury; The King upon the general complaint of his Subjects against these grievances and Innovations, An. 36 H. 3. sent this memorable Prohibition to the Bishop himself, commanding him from thenceforth to desist from these Citations and Vexations newly invented, against the long Custom of the Realm, bringing a double damage to his Subjects, which he neither would nor could any longer endure, without putting his Royal hands to redress them, and punish him for his contumacy. REX Episcopo Lincoln. salutem. Ex querela multorum accepimus Claus. 36 H. 3. ●●. 14. d●●so. tam Magnatum de Diocaesi vestra quam aliorum, per quosdam Clericos vestros et Decanos quosdam citari facitis passim, et indifferenter pauperes homines de Diocaesi vestra, et quosdam liberos homines cujuscunque sint homines, et trahitis eos de locis variis ad loca varia, et eos artari faciatis, per poenam Excommunicationis, ad comparendum coram praedictis Clericis et subditis vestris ad loca varia, et eis honerosa, dum vacare deberent agrorum cultur● et aliis Temporalibus agendis suis necessariis, per quod depauperantur indebite, et enormiter vexantur. Et insuper quod inauditum est, eos jurare compellunt praedicti scrutatores vestri de privatis peccatis aliorum, quae non sunt, ut dicitur, publica cohercione purganda; pro quo multi Christiani, forte praeter merita turpiter diffamantur. Et quia hujusmodi vexationes contra longam Consuetudinem Regni nostri sunt excogitatae, et duplex populo per eas imminet periculum, tum propter laborum necessariorum amissionem, tum propter Sacramentum praestitum super privatis factis aliorum, in quibus homines decipiuntur, per quod reatum perjurii de facili possunt incurrere; Vobis prohibemus, ne de caetero hujusmodi convocationes populi fieri faciatis in Diocaesi vestra, contra Regni nostri Consuetudinem et usum longaevum. Nec etiam audivimus, quod Ecclesia consueverit aliquem ad testimonium perhibendum compellere, nisi in certis causis, et nisi quis se gratia, odio vel timore subtraxerit a testimonio perhibendo. Et sciatis, quod nisi a praedictis inusitatis populi ac indebitis vexationibus desistatis, nos sustinere non poterimus ulterius, quin ad hoc manus Regias apponemus. Teste Rege apud Windes. 14. die Junii. By these premised passages and Regal Writs of Prohibition, it is most evident: 1. That Grosthead Bishop of Lincoln, by colour of a pretended Privilege and Grant from the Pope, (not King) was the first Introducer of Inquisitions upon Oath, and Oaths in private causes, into the Church, Realm of England, in the 30. year of King Henry the 3d. there being no warrant nor precedent (for aught I can find upon my strictest search) in Histories or Records, of any such Inquisitions or Oaths used in England or elsewhere, by Bishops or Ecclesiastical persons in their Visitations or Consistories. And no wonder, since a Tract. 35. in Mat. Origen, b In Sermone de Passione & Cruce Domini. Athanasius, c In Exposit. in Psal. 118. Ambrose, d Comment. in cap. 5. Matth. in cap. 4. Jer. & Comment. in Zach. cap. 8. Jerome, e Homil. 15. ●● Gen. Hom. in Psal. 5. Hom. 17 in Matth. Hom. 9 in Act. Apost. Hom. 8. & 19 ad Pop. Antioch. Hom. in Psal. 109. & lib. 1. De compunctione cordis. chrysostom, f Can. 4. in Matth. 5. Hilary, g Lib. 1. Panacii contr. Ossenos. Epiphanius, h Comment. in. Mat. 5. Cromatius Aquili● Episcopus, i Comment. in Mat. cap. 5. Euthymi●s, k Comment. in cap. 5. Jacobi. Oecumenius, l Enar. in cap. 5. Mat. Theophylactus, and other Ancients collected by m Sixtus Senensis Bibl. Sanctae, l. 6. Annot. 26. p: 433, 434, etc. Sixtus Senensis, from Mat. 5. 34, to 38. But I say unto you, swear not at all, etc. but let your communication be Yea, Yea, and Nay, Nay, for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil: and Jam. 5. 12. But above all things my Brethren swear not, etc. but let your Yea be Yea, and your Nay, Nay, le●t you fall into condemnation: and the n Pelichdorffius contra Waldenses, c. 36. Bibl. Patrum Tom. 13. p. 331. See here Book 1. ch. 5. p. 369, 370, 374, 375. Waldenses, with sundry modern Commentators, condemned the usual imposing of Oaths (interdicted to Christians under the Gospel) as dangerous, and not to be enforced upon any, (unless in extraordinary cases of necessity, for ending controversies) especially by, or on Clergymen: Whence the Author of the imperfect Work on Matthew (attributed to St. chrysostom) thus admonished Clerks who tendered Oaths to others: o Homil. 12. Tom. 2. p. 707. Audite Clerici, qui exigentibus▪ Evangelia Sancta porrigatis; quomodo potestis ab illo Juramento esse securi, qui occasionem perjurii datis? Si erat benè jurare justum, justè dicebatis; Quia de dimus illis Evangelium, ut jurent, non ut perjurent: nunc autem, cum sciatis, quia & benè jurare peccatum est: quomodo potestis esse liberi, qui occasionem datis peccandi in Deum? Haec de illis dicta sunt, qui jurant per Deum; eorum autem, qui jurant per elementa, execrabilior iniquitas est. Those Fathers and Godly Bishops then, who writ thus * Et quia pejurare non potest, qui non jurat, ideo ra●ò & non nisi necessitate▪ utamur juramento, etc. Beda in Mat. Evang. c. 6▪ Tom. 5. col. 13. against the ordinary imposing of Oaths under the Gospel, did never doubtless prescribe or enforce them on any in their Consistories or Visitations. Besides, it is most apparent, that ancient Councils and Popes were very careful to inhibit the imposing of Oaths upon Clergymen or Laymen, to prevent Perjury: Hence the p Surius Concil. Tom. 3. p. 280. Council of Cavailon under the Emperor Charles the Great, about the year 813. prohibited Bishops from exacting an Oath of Canonical obedience from Clergymen; or any Oath from Laymen in cases of Tithes, by these express Canons. Can. 13. Dictum est de quibusdam Fratribus, quod eos quos ordinaturi sunt, jurare cogunt, quod digni sint, et contra Canones non sint facturi, et obedientes sint Episcopo, qui eos ordinat, et Ecclesiae, in qua ordinantur: Quod juramentum, quia periculosum est, omnes una inhibendum statuimus. And Can. 18. Qui verò Decimas post crebras admonitiones & praedicationes Sacerdotum dare neglexerint, Excommunicentur, juramento vero eos constringi nolumus propter periculum perjurii. And our q See Bracton l. 3. f. 106. Mirror des Justias, l. 2. c. 2. Cooks 2 Instit. f. 44. 142. Statutes of Magna Charta, c. 28. of Marlbridge, 51 H. 3. c. 22. 3 E. 1. c. 30. & 2 E. 6. c. 13. prohibit Oaths of Parties and Champions upon the like account, to prevent Perjury. Pope Cornelius (as r Caus. 2. qu. 5. Gratian attests) affirmed in one of his Decrees, Nos ab Episcopis Sacramentum nescimus oblatum, (therefore not then used in their Courts or Visitations) nec unquam fieri debet nisi pro recta fide. Yea, Pope Honorius the 2. Pope Eugenius the 2. and the s Surius Concil. Tom. 3. p. 682. Council of Lateran under Pope Alexander the 3d. Anno 1180. expressly decreed and resolved according to former Canons, and Justinians Laws, Vt jurare Clerici omnino non audeant; Dignum est ut totus Clericalis ordo à praestando juramento immunis esse proculdubio censeatur. Nos itaque utriusque legis divinae & humanae intentione servata, decrevimus, ut non Episcopus, non Presbyter, non cujuslibet Ordinis Clericus, non Abbas, non Monachus, non Sanctimonialis, in quacunque causa vel controversia, sive criminali sive civili, jusjurandum compellatur qualibet ratione subire. Verum cum hac moderatione, ut Episcopus inconsulto Romano Pontifice, vel quilibet Praelatus inconsulto Praelato suo, minime jurare audeat: Et si quis in hanc constitutionem commiserit, veniam sibi deinceps noverit denegari. If then no Bishop, Monk, Clergyman, may be compelled by Judges or Laymen to swear, much less than should they compel Laymen or Clergymen to swear before themselves. Moreover▪ Pope * Surius Concil. Tom. 3. p. 682. Eugenius resolves, Canones Juramentum calumniae nulli prorsus indicunt. Sanè Romana Ecclesia in quibus causis de Decimis Ecclesiarum & rebus spiritualibus tantum agitur, juramentum calumniae nec dare, nec recipere consuevit: nor yet the Church of England, till Otto the Pope's Legate introduced it in a Council at London An. 1237. forecited p. 439. much less than did the Church of Rome or England use or enjoin any such Visitation, Inquisition, or Ex Officio Oaths as these Writs prohibited. Finally, Pope Paschal the 2. and the whole t Surius Concil. Tom. 3. p. 51●, 607, 674. Here, Book ●. p. 336, to 340. Book▪ 3. p. 327, 328. Council of Rome An. 1112. with other Councils, Popes since, resolve, That Oaths imposed by force, and taken by constraint against men's wills, are not only unlawful, but also void and unobliging: Therefore the enforced Visitation & other Oaths of Bishop Grosthead, his Archdeacon's, Deans, Officials were such, and justly prohibited, suppressed by the King and his Courts at their first introduction. The u Surius Concil. Tom. 3. p. 561. Council of Friburge under Arnulphus the Emperor A●▪ 893. c. 11. De querimonia inter Presbyterum & Laicum, resolves, Laicus praejuramento, si necesse sit, constringatur; Presbyter vero vice praejuramenti per sanctam consecrationem interrogetur, quia Sacerdotes ex levi causa jurare non debent. Manus enim per quam corpus & sanguis Christi conficitur (& will not the selfsame reason hold in a Layman's hand, per quam corpus & sanguis Christi recipitur) juramento polluetur? Absit, cum Dominus in Evangelio Discipulus suis (quorum vicem nos gerimus in Ecclesia) dicat, Nolite omnino jurare, sit Mat. 5. autem sermo vester, Est, Est, & Non, Non; quod autem his abundantius est, à malo est: Non dixit, quod amplius est, malum est, sed à malo; id est, a mals homine de cujus incredulitate cogimur jurare. And if those who press others to swear be evil uncredulous men, by this Councils and our * Id est ab illi infirmitate à quo cogeris jurare: Et haec infirmitas malum est; tu autem benè facis, qui bene juratione uteris, ut al●●ri persuadeas, quod utili. ter suades, Beda in Mat. c. 5. Tom. 5. col. 13. Venerable Beda his Exposition on this Text, than Bishop Grosthead, his and all other Ecclesiastical Officers, compelling Laymen to swear as aforesaid, were evil uncredulous men, and their Inquisitions, Oaths most justly inhibited by the King, his Courts, Council, and opposed by the Nobility, Laity of his Diocese, and the whole Realm, as a dangerous Innovation, not formerly practised in our Church or Realm. 2ly. It is evident by the premises, that both the Kings, Nobles, and Commonalty of England and France in that age, magnanimously, unanimously and strenuously oppugned the Usurpations, Encroachments, Innovations of the Pope, Prelates, Clergy, upon the Rights, Privileges of the Crown, and Liberties, Consciences of the Subject, against their extravagant Visitations, Inquisitions, Oaths, Excommunications, Canons, and new Ecclesiastical Jurisdictions, to preserve themselves from perjury, slavery, and unjust vexations. 3ly. That these Inquisitions, Oaths, and the enforcing of them by Ecclesiastical Censures on the Subjects, by these Bishops and their Officers, were generally, frequently opposed, and publicly complained against to the King, as well by the Nobility as Commonalty, and most strictly prohibited by special Writs of Prohibition, successively issued by the King, his Council, Courts, Judges, who all resolved these Oaths and Inquisitions to be, 1. New illegal grievances, than first introduced, contrary to the Custom and long-continued usage of this Realm. 2ly. Very prejudicial to the King's Crown and Royal Dignity. 3ly. New devised intollerable vexations, grievances, oppressions to his Subjects, and that in four respects: 1. Because they tended to the enormous defamation, and intolerable scandal of many of his Subjects of all ranks, and of both sexes. 2ly. Because they occasioned great schisms and divisions amongst his people. 3ly. Because they withdrew them from their Husbandry, and other necessary temporal occasions, to dance attendance from time to time, and place to place on them and their Officers, to their grand vexation and impoverishing. 4ly. Because they involved them in the danger or guilt of perjury, by enforcing them to swear concerning the secret, private actions of others, wherein they might easily be mistaken. All which reasons remain still in full force, against all such like Oaths, Inquisitions, Innovations, Vexations of Bishops, Archdeacon's, Rural Deans, Officials, and other Ecclesiastical Officers: which the King, his Courts, Judges, Council, may and aught by Law to prohibit, redress from time to time by like Writs of Prohibition for the Subjects relief upon all occasions; as is evident by these six ancient successive Writs, the Register of Writs, part 2. f. 36. Fitzherbert Natura Brevium, f. 41. a. Rastals Abridgement of Statutes, Tit. Prohibition, sect. 5. and x See Cooks 12 Reports, p. 26, 27, 28, 29. other Law-books concurring with these Writs. 4ly. That Bishops, Archdeacon's, Officials, and other Ecclesiastical Officers and Courts, had then no legal authority by the ancient Laws, usage, Custom of this Realm, to administer any Oath to Laymen, except only in causes of Matrimony and Testament, as these Prohibitions, with sundry others hereafter cited in their due Chronological order, the Statutes of 2 H. 5 c. 3. 2 E. 6. c. 13. and the last recited Lawbooks, resolve. 5ly. That y See Rastals Abridgement of Statutes, Prohibition 5. Bishops have been and may be legally attached, and their Temporalties seized into the King's hands, if they prejudice the King's Crown, Dignity, or vex his Subjects by administering, enforcing illegal Oaths and Articles of Inquiry upon them by Excommunications and other Ecclesiastical Censures, contrary to the Laws and ancient Custom of the Realm. 6ly. That by the z Cooks 3 Instit. p. 149, 164, 165. ancient Laws and Custom of this Realm, no new Oaths whatsoever may or aught to be framed, imposed on any of the King's Subjects, by any Bishops, Ecclesiastical, or other persons whatsoever▪ nor any old legal Oaths altered, but by special Acts of Parliament, prescribing both the form, words of the Oaths themselves, and the persons who shall take and administer them, who must be specially authorized either by express words in the Acts themselves, or by special Commissions from the King under the Great Seal of England, to administer them when made, and not otherwise. This is most apparent by all the Oaths heretofore prescribed to Justices of the King's Courts, Justices of Oyer and Terminer, and of the Peace, Barons and Officers of the Exchequer, Sheriffs, Under-Sheriffs, the Officers of the Court of Wards and Liveries, the Court of Augmentations, Customers, Searchers, Commissioners of Sewers, of Castles and Holds, Conservators of the Truce, Bailiffs of Franchises, Coroners, Sheriffs Clerks, Attorneys, the King's Privy Council, Knights of Shires, Burgesses of Parliament, Champions, Clerks of the Council, Mayors, and other Officers; by the several Oaths of Fealty, Allegiance and Supremacy, made from time to time for the necessary preservation of the Sacred Persons of our Kings, the safety of the Kingdom, and defence of the Rights, Privileges, Jurisdiction of the Crown against all Papal Usurpations, and Treasonable practices whatsoever, all made, prescribed by * See an Exact Abridgement of the Records in the Tower, p. 30, 33, 34, 37, 48, 51, 74, 88, 202, 294, 318, 323, 353, 369, 371, 372, 387, 456, 471, 473, 475, 565, 568, 608, 612, 667. special Acts of Parliament, as these ensuing resolve us: 9 H. 3. c. 28. 51 H. 3. c. 14. 3 E. 1. c. 40. 6 E. 1. c. 8. 13 E. 1. c. 43. 13 E. 1. Stat. of Winchester c. 6. 13 E. 1. Stat. Merchant, and Articles of Inquisition upon the Statute of Winchester, 34 E. 1. Statute of Liberties, c. 6. Totles' Magna Charta, 1556. f. 164, to 168. Rastals Abridgement of Statutes, Coroners sect. 3. 9 E. 2. Statute of Sheriffs, 17 E. 2. c. 4. 1 E. 3. Parl. 1. c. 8. Parl. 2. c. 4. 5 E. 3. c. 2. 9 E. 3. of Money, c. 9 15 E. 3. c. 3, 4. 15 E. 3. Rot. Parl. num. 10, 20, 28, 37, 41, 42, 17 E. 3. Rot. Parl. n. 11. 18 E. 3. Star. 3. 20 E. 3. c. 1, 2, 3. & Rot. Parl. num. 25. Rastal Justice and Justices, sect. 2, 3, 4. and Clerks of the Chancery, sect. 1. 21 E. 3. Rot. Parl. num. 7. 25 E. 3. Rot. Parl. num. 10. 25 E. 3. Stat. 1. c. 5. Stat. 4. c. 1. Stat. 7. of levying the Quindisme, 27 E. 3. Stat. 2. c. 1, 15, 16, 23, 24, 26. 31 E. 3. Stat. 2. 5 R. 2. Stat. 1. c. 11, 13, 14. 5 R. 2. Rot. Parl. num. 74. 6 R. 2. c. 12. 7 R. 2. Rot. Parl. num. 27. 9 R. 2. c. 3. 11 R. 2. Rot. Parl. num. 23. 12 R. 2. c. 8. 13 R. 2. c. 7. 14 R. 2. c. 3. 17 R. 2. c. 9 17 R. 2. Rot. Parl. num. 18. 21 R. 2. c. 5. 21 R. ●. Rot. Parl. num. 21, 37, to 44, 51, 52, 53, 89. 1 H. 4. Rot. Parl. num. 38. 4 H. 4. c. 10, 18, 20, 21. 8 H. 4. Rot. Parl. num. 66. 11 H. 4. Rot. Parl. num. 14, 39, 63. 1 H. 5. c. 6. 2 H. 5. c. 4, 6, 7. 4 H. 5. c. 2, 4. 1 H. 6. Rot. Parl. num. 62. 2 H. 6. Rot. Parl. num. 17. 2 H. 6. c. 10. 11 H. 6. c. 8. 11 H. 6. Rot. Parl. num. 14, 15, 16. 18 H. 6. c. 4, 10. 20 H. 6. c. 10. 23 H. 6. c. 2. 33 H. 6. c. 3, 5. 39 H. 6. Rot. Parl. num. 25, 26, 29. 3 E. 4. c. 3. 7 E. 4. c. 1. 8 E. 4. c. 2. 12 E. 4. c. 2, 3. 17 E. 4. c. 2. 1 R. 3. c. 6. 19 H. 7. c. 7. 22 H. 8. c. 8, 14. 23 H. 8. c. 5. 25 H. 8. c. 22. 26 H. 8. c. 2. 28 H. 8. c. 7. 10, 16. 31 H. 8. c. 14. 32 H. 8. c. 46. 33 H. 8. c. 22. 2 & 3 Phil. & Mar. c. 1. 1 Eliz. c. 11. 5 Eliz. c. 1. 8 Eliz. c. 1. 13 Eliz. c. 7. 18 Eliz. c. 6. 27 Eliz. c. 12. 29 Eliz. c. 4. 43 Eliz. c. 1, 2. 1 Jac. c. 9 3 Jac. c. 4. 7 Jac. c. 2, 6, 8. ●1 Jac. c. 7. 20, 33. 1 Car. 1. c. 1. 2 Car. 1. c. 1. The Petition of Right 3 Car. 1. 17 Car. 1. An Act for repeal of the Branch of the Statute of 1 Eliz. c. 1. (a mere Declaration of the ancient Common Law of England in point of administering Oaths by Ecclesiastical Courts and Persons) and the Act for Explanation of a Clause therein 13 Car. 2. p. 66, 67. The Acts for well Governing and Regulating of Corporations, An. 13 Car. 2. p. 11. 12, 13, 14, 15. The Act against Quakers and others refusing to take lawful Oaths, p. 3, 4, 5, 7. The Act for Ordering the forces in the several Counties of this Kingdom, p. 53, 54. An Act for the Uniformity of public Prayers, etc. p 73, 77, 80. An Act for Regulating the making of Stuffs in Norfolk and Norwich, p. 49, 108, 110. An Act for Distribution and supply of Threescore thousand pounds, etc. for relief of Poor and maimed Officers and Soldiers, p. 178, 188. An Act for preventing Frauds, and regulating Abuses in his Majesty's Customs, p. 210, 219, 238, 239. An Act for regulating the Trade of Silkthrowing, p. 290. An Additional Act concerning matters of Assurances used among Merchants, p. 352, 353, 354, 355, 356, An Act for repairing of Dover Harbour, p. 389, 392. An Act for the better Regulating of the Manufacture of Broad woollen Cloth within the West riding of the County of York, p. 411, 413, Anno 13 Caroli 2. with sundry other Acts made since, resolve. As all these Acts in general, so more particularly, The late Act for Safety and Preservation of his Majesty's Person and Government, against Treasonable and Seditious Practices and Attempts, Anno 13 Caroli 2. p. 6. resolves and declares, That the Oath usually called. The Solemn League and Covenant, (being not made by Act of Parliament, and without the King's Royal Assent) was in itself an unlawful Oath, and imposed upon the Subjects of this Realm against the Fundamental Laws and Liberties of this Kingdom; and that all Orders and Ordinances of both or either Houses of Parliament. (though all the Bishops as well as Temporal Lords be Members of, and present in them: much more than of any Council, Synod, Archbishop, Bishop, Archdeacon, Co●missary, or other Ecclesiastical person or officer out of Parliament) FOR IMPOSING OF OATHS, to which the King's Royal assent either in person or by Commission was not expressly had or given (and by consequence all other Oaths hereafter so made or imposed in or out of Parl.) were in their first creation and making, and still are, & so shall be taken to BE NULL AND VOID TO ALL INTENTS AND PURPOSES WHATSOEVER. And Sir Edward Cooke in his * c. 74, p. 164, 165. 4. Institutes, from the consideration of some of these Acts, asserts, That an Oath is so sacred, and so deeply concerneth the consciences of Christian men, as the same cannot be ministered to any, unless the same be * To wit, by prescription & usage time out of mind. allowed by the Common Law, or by some Act of Parliament: That no old Oath allowed by the Common Law, or an Act of Parliament, can be altered, nor any New Oath raised without an Act of Parliament, nor any Oath administered by any that have not allowance by the Common Law, or by an Act of Parliament. And so was it resolved in Parliament, Anno 26 Elizabeth. in the case of the undersheriff, and in the case of Commissioners for Policies of Assurance; in which Parliament I attended (writes he) as Attorney General. Whereunto he subjoins, That Oaths which have no warrant by Law, are rather Nova Tormenta, quam Sacramenta: and that it is an high contempt to 3 Institutes, c. 74. p. 161. administer any (old, much more than to make or impose a New) Oath, without warrant of Law, to be punished by Fine and Imprisonment: And therefore Commissioners that sit by force of any Commission that is not allowed by the Common Law, nor warranted by Authority of Parliament, (much less than such who have no Commission at all from the King under the Great Seal, but only from a Bishop, See the Authorities he there quotes in his Margin. Exact Abridgement of the Records of the Tower, p. 13, 18, 32, 34, 35, 44, 48, 53, 62, 66, 109, 406, 466, 443. See Rastal, tit. Purveyors. Archdeacon, or other Subject) that ministereth any Oath whatsoever, are guilty of an high contempt, and for the same are to be fyned and imprisoned: And no Commissions are legal but such as are allowed by the Common Law, or warranted by some Act of Parliament: And therefore Commissions (much more Articles) of new Inquiries, or of Novel Inventions are against Law, and ought not to be put in Execution. Dors. Claus. An. 19 R. 2. n. 17. Certain poor Christians that had spoken against the worshipping of Images, were by the Bishops inquired of, and sworn to worship Images, which Oath was against the express Law of God, and against the Laws of the Land, for that they had no warrant to minister the same. And in his 12. Report, f. 26, 27. Pasch. 4 Jacobi, He reports, That upon a motion made by the Commons in Parliament, in what cases the Ordinary may examine any person upon Oath? Chief Justice Popham and himself upon a reference and demand from the Lords of the Council, touching this question, upon good consideration and view of the Books resolved, That the Ordinary cannot constrain any Ecclesiastical or temporal person upon their Oaths to answer in cases of Infamy, Adultery, Incontinency, Felony, Simony, hearing of Mass, Heresy, etc. but only of Matrimony, and Testaments, it being not only against the ancient Laws of the Realm, but also in prejudice of the King's Crown and Diginty, as they proved by the forecited Books and Prohibitions. After these Prohibitions, I do not find by our Histories or Records, that any Bishops made Inquisitions upon Oath in their Visitations or Consistories from 36 H. 3. till Queen Mary's days, when * Fox Acts & Monuments, London, 1610. p. 1339. Bishop Boner introduced them: Yea b Provinc. Constit. l. 1. De cap. Extern. habitus, f. 13. a. De Jurejurando, l. ●. cap. Evenit, f. 80. b. William Lindewood our greatest Canonist and Advocate for Episcopal Jurisdiction, and the Canon Law, flourishing and made Bishop in King Henry the 6. his reign, writing of Episcopal Inquisitions, asserts, That solemn preparatory Inquisitions are regularly made, sine exactione juramenti, without exaction of an Oath; That from the beginning, when a general Inquisition is to be made (by Archbishops, Bishops, or Archdeacon's in their Visitations,) non debet exigi juramentum, an Oath ought not to be exacted, especially by which any one shall be constrained to detect another man's secret fin or offence. And Angelus de Elavasio a famous Canonist, writing about the year of our Lord, 1480. in his Visitatio 2. See Gratian, caus. ●. qu. 5. Summa Angelica, resolves, That Bishops and other Visitors in their Visitations, ought first to preach the word of God, and afterwards Inquirat et sine juramento et coactione, they are to inquire of those things which belong to their office to correct, without an Oath and coaction, inducing the people to reform those things that are amiss, by wholesome counsels and gentle persuasions, or or by reprehentions, as they shall deem meet. This course was observed in all the Visitations of our Archbishops of Canterbury recorded by d Mat. Parker, Antiq. Eccles. p. 185, 186, 187, 196, 199, 200, 204, 205, 225, 226, 227, 235, 267, 268, 309, etc. Matthew Parker, or Godwin in their Lives, out of our Historians, and their own Registers, wherein I find no mention of any Inquiry or presentations upon Oath; witness the Visitations of Boniface Archbishop of Canterbury, Robert Kylwarby, John Peckham, Walter Raynolds, John Stratford, Simon Islippe, William Courtney, Thomas Arundel, Thomas Bourgchier, John Morton, and others. All which I thought fit from these precedents to demonstrate, for vindication of the King's Prerogative, the ancient Laws, Customs of the Realm, the Subjects Liberties, and others information. I now return to my former Chronological method and theme. K. Henry the 3. not only to evidence his Devotion, (though Superstitious) but Ecclesiastical Anno 1247. Mat. Paris, p. 712, 713. Quaedam portio sanguinis Christi Londinum allata. Jurisdiction in Spiritual and Religious things, Feasts, and Relics, as they were then reputed: Circa idem tempus, scripsit Dominus Rex omnibus Regni sui Magnatibus, ut in festo Sancti Aedvardi, videlicet translatione, quae celebratur in Quindena Sancti Michaelis, jubens ut omnes ibidem convenirent, ut joeundissimos cujusdam Sancti beneficii coelitus Anglis nuper collati, rumores exaudirent: Et praetereà, ut tam gloriosi Regis & Martyris translationem venerarentur: tertio, ut Willielmi de Valentia fratris sui uterini, quem ipse Rex ea die baltheo cincturus erat militari, cum quibusdam Nobilibus juvenibus, interessent tyroeinio: ut sie festum multiplex praesentia ipsorum Magnatum, tàm Praelatorum, quam aliorum, jocundior, ad Regis & Regni honorem, serenaretur. Die igitur praefixo convenientes apud Westmonasterium, certificati de die Sancti Aedvardi, & dicti Willielmi tyrocinio, sciscitabantur, quinam essent illi jocundi rumores, quos ibidem forent audituri? Qui relati fuerunt fideles, & omni acceptione digni. Magister enim Templi & Hospitalis, cum testimonio quamplurimorum sigillorum, videlicet Patriarchae Hierosolymitani, Archiepiscoporum quoque & Episcoporum, Abbatum & aliorum Praelatorum & Magnatum de Terra Sancta, miserant quandam portionem sanguinis Dominici, quem pro salute mundi fudit in cruce, in quodam vase crystallino venustissimo, per quendam fratrem Templarium benè notum. Dominus autem Rex, utpote Princeps Christianissimus, ab Augusto Heraclio victoriosissimo ac piissimo Imperatore, crucem Sanctam exaltante, & à Rege Francorum, tune superstite, crucem eandem, ut praescribitur, Parisiis honorante, sumens exemplum; devoto spiritu ac contrito in vigilia Sancti Aedmundi, in pane & aqua jejunans, & nocte vigilans, cum ingenti lumine, & devotis orationibus, se ad crastinam solennitatem prudenter praeparavit. Praecepit igitur Dominus Rex, ut omnes Presbyteri Londinenses festiuè vestiti superpelliciis Rex Angli● defert sanguinem Christi ad S. Petrum Westmonaster. & capis, cum suis Clericis decenter vestitis, cum vexillis, crucibus, & cereis accensis, die crastina, videlicet Sancti Aedvardi, summo mane ordinatè & reverenter convenirent apud Sanctum Paulum. Quo & ipse Rex venit, & cum summo honore & reverentia ac timore accipiens illud vasculum cum Thesauro memorato, tulit illud ferens in propatulo supra faciem suam iens pedes, habens humilem habitum: scilicet pauperem capam sine caputio, praecedentibus vestitis praedictis, sine pausatione, usque ad Ecclesiam Westmonasteriensem, quae distat ab Ecclesia Sancti Pauli circiter uno milliari. Nec praetermittendum, quod ambabus manibus illud deferens, cum per stratam salebrosam & inaequalem pergeret, semper vel in coelum vel in ipsum vas lumina tenebat defixa. Supportatur autem palla per 4. hastas. Supportabantque duo coadjutores brachia sua, ne in tanto fortè labore deficeret. Conventus autem Westmonasteriensis, cum omnibus qui convenerant, Episcopis, Abbatibus, & Monachis, qui plùs quam centum aestimabantur, canentes & exultantes in Spiritu Sancto & lachrymis, occurrebant eidem Domino Regi sic adventanti, usque ad portam Curiae Episcopi Dunelmensis. Tunc autem reversi sicut ierant, videlicet processionaliter, ad Ecclesiam Westmonasteriensem, vix in ea prae copiosa turbae multitudine continebantur. Nec adhuc cessabat Dominus Rex, quin indefessus ferens illud vas, ut prius, circuiret Ecclesiam, Regiam, & thalamos suos. Demùm illud quasi donum impreciabile, & quod Angliam illustraverat, donavit & obtulit Deo & Ecclesiae Sancti Petri Westmonasterii: & charo suo Aedvardo, & sacro Conventui, qui ibidem Deo & Sanctis suis ministrant. Dominus Episcopus Norwicensis, qui & Missam eadem die solenniter celebravit, Episcopus Norwicensis concionatur populo de dignitate sanguinis Christi. populo praedicando asseruit, quod inter sacra quae inter mortales habentur, sacratissmum est sanguis Christi. Est enim pretium mundi, & ejus effusio, salus generis humani; & ut condignè illud magnificaret amplius, addidit illud Philosophi; Omne propter quod, dignius quam illud quod. Revera crux Sancta, sanctissimam quid est. Sed ipsa sacra fuit, propter sacratioris sanguinis aspersionem; non sanguis sacer, propter crucem. Et haec eum dixisse credimus, ut in possessione tanti Thesauri non minus gaudeat & glorietur Anglia, quam Francia in adeptione sanctae crucis; quam Dominus Rex Francorum non immerito diligit, & super aurum & topazion amplectitur & veneratur. Et addidit, quod pro maxima Domini Regis Angliae, qui dignoscitur esse inter omnes Christianitatis Principes Christianissimus, missus fuit ille Thesaurus impreciabilis ex parte Domini Patriarchae Hierosolymitani; cujus rei certitudo sufficienter examinatur, reverentia & sanctitate, ut plus in Anglia veneraretur, quam Syria, quae jam paenè derelinquitur desolata; viget enim ibi plus fides et sanctitas, ut novit mundus, quam in aliqua alia regione per totius mundi latitudinem. Cum autem examinaretur, & alii tardi cordis ad credendum adhuc * Had they not good cause to doubt? haesitarent, ait Dominus Theodoricus, Prior Hospitalis Hierosolymitani, Episcopis & aliis circumsedentibus: Domini charissimi, quid adhuc fluctuatis? Exigit ne ob hoc beneficium aliquis nostrum, vel Templarius, vel Hospitalarius, vel etiam frater qui portavit, vel de Domino Rege, vel alio, vel aliquo, aliquam in auro vel argento retributionem, vel quantulumcunque praemium? Et Rex: Nequaquam. Et Frater: * Let themselves resolve this Question. Quare ergo in damnationem animae suae tot & tanti viri, tali assertioni perhiberent testimonium, apponentes signa sua, quae sunt fidei pignora manifesta? Et approbata fuerunt verba, licet Laici, ab universis, tàm Episcopis quam auditoribus. Sed nunc ad propositum redeamus. Cum satis autem eleganter dictus Episcopus in sermone perorasset, annunciavit populo exultanti, quod quicunque ad sacratissimum sanguinem illic habitum, venerandum convenirent, gratuita ex * It seems this bloody Relic was not sufficient to purchase such a Pardon, without this superadded Bishop's indulgence. concessione omnium, qui illuc venerant Praelatorum, sex annorum, & 140. dierum veniam de injuncta sibi poenitentia liberè consequerentur. Et cum inter loquendum, aliqui de assidentibus obgrunuirent haesitantes, quaestionem hanc moverent: Quomodo cum plenè & integraliter tertia die post passionem resurrexerit Dominus, sanguinem in terra reliquerit? Quae quaestio ab Episcopo Lincolniensi ad unguem tunc determinabatur, prout habetur scriptum in libro Additamentorum; prout hujus paginae scriptor audivit, & de verbo ad verbum satis dilucidè scripsit. Such was the strange superstition, delusion, credulity of that age, as to believe this Relic to be the very blood of Christ, upon the Testimony of those Impostors, who under their hands and seals thus confidently attested it, though not present at Christ's passion, and living 1200. years after it. But let us hear Bishop Grostheads Legend, Argument evincing it to be Christ's blood, in answer to the premised Objections. Cum autem quod sacratissimus foret Domini nostri Jesus Christi sanguis, quem Additamenta Matthaei Paris. p. 161, 162, 163. Rex Henricus tertius die Sancti Edwardi, videlicet die Translationis ejus, Anno Gratiae 1247. indiciis, probationibus & examinationibus constaret evidentissimis, & omni acceptione dignissimis; tamen ab aliquibus qui tardicordes erant ad credendum, adhuc dubitabatur utrum verus sanguis Christi fuisset? Quibus haec relatio satisfecit inventa in Apocryphis, quibus non dissidet, imò concordat * The Evangelists in the History of Christ's death relate no such things as this fabulous Legend superadds thereunto. textus Evangelicae veritatis. Quod videlicet cum Joseph ab Arimathia nobilis decurio, qui sic dicebatur quia decem militibus praefuit, vel decurio, id est, de Curia & de numero Curialium, fuisset unus de auditoribus Jesus, & potius de discipulis, & amator specialis; compatiebatur ei, & sollicitabatur qualiter corpus conservari posset tam venerabile à furore Judaeorum. Erat enim amicissimus Jesus, sicut & Nicodaemus. Sed hii & alii divites occulti, propter metum Judaeorum; ne accusati, jacturam incurrerent & odium amicorum. Magnum enim vinculum servitutis in se habent divitiae. Crucifixo igitur Jesus & mortuo, postulavit Joseph corpus Jesus, ingrediens ad eum audacter (per quod creditur fuisse potens) & concessum est ei. Ipse igitur (licet obmurmurassent Judaei) cum omni honore & reverentia, ipsum corpus sanctissimum deposuit de cruce saucium & multiformiter cruentatum, habensque linteamen subtile dependens à collo & humeris (ne indignè tam dignum corpus nudis manibus contrectaret) ipsa sacra vulnera adhuc madida ac distillantia, sedulo ac devoto detersit officio. Imò etiam loca clavorum extractorum tincta cruore in ipso crucis patibulo, exhausit abstergendo; utens vice spongiae ipso linteamine. Cum autem jam non procul à Golgotha, id est loco Calvariae (loco videlicet crucifixionis) corpus Christi detulisset dictus Joseph tumulandum, in loco ubi nunc sepulchrum adoratur, in sepulchro novo in quo nullum adhuc corpus positum erat, non ignobiliter inciso, quod & ipse comparaverat, lavit corpus illud, quia multipliciter ut jam dictum dignoscebatur, saucium & cruentatum, tum propter sudorem ipsius, de quo scribitur, * Luc. 22▪ 44. Factus est sudor ejus quasi guttae sanguinis decurrentis in terra▪ tum propter flagella quibus caesus fuit asperrimè usque ad livorem & cruorem, tum propter coronam spineam quam Judaei plectentes violenter capiti ejus impresserunt▪ (cujus multi aculei caput & frontem non tantum pungerent & laederent, imò potius vulnerarent & cruentarent) tum propter clavorum per mediam manuum & pedum perforationem▪ tum propter militis lanceam qua ipse latus Jesu non tantum vulneravit sed aperuit; amplum enim fecit & hiatum patulum fortè saepius, vel saltem semel fecit impingendo▪ Memoratus igitur venerabilis decurio Joseph corpus ipsum lavit; hic enim erat Judaeorum consuetudo, & adhuc est aliquorum honestorum Christianorum, maximè religiosorum. Lavit, inquam, quia condiendum. Lavit, quia sanè arbitrabatur & religiosè dignum censuit sanguinem ipsum sibi prorsus vendicandum, & ut Thesaurum vel medicamen preciosissimum reservandum. Ipsamque aquam loturae rubicundam, & sanguine mixtam & tinctam, non projiciendam excepit in vase mundissimo. Reverentius tamen, ipsum purum sanguinem à vulneribus manuum & pedum distillatum; maximo autem timore & honore ipsum sanguinem cum aqua quem censuit praecordialem, à latere dextro foeliciter eliquatum & expressum, in vase recepit nobilissimo tanquam Thesaurum impreciabilem, sibi & successoribus suis specialiter reservandum. Manifestum est igitur, quadruplicem ibidem fuisse liquorem. Primò, Aquam rubicundam, scilicet loturam; quam ipse amicis infirmantibus distribuit efficaciter medicinalem. Secundò, Sanguinem puncturarum in capite & fronte, & scissurarum per flagella inflictarum cum sudore. Isti duo liquores, ex pluribus mixti dignoscuntur. Tertiò, Sanguis ex vulneribus manuum & pedum, qui purus fuit & impermixtus emanavit. Quartò, Ille formidabilis tremendae & reverendissimae recordationis cruor praecordialis, qui ex ipso corde Christi, vel saltem latere constat effluxisse. Praeter quos quatuor liquores, aquam cum sanguine de ipso latere scimus emanasse. Haec ergo cum piè & prudenter perfecisset Joseph, & corpus jam esset conditurus, supervenit Nicodemus eodem tactus spiritu pietatis, multum commendavit diligentiam Joseph. Erat antem Nicodemus nobilis & potens sicut & Joseph, unde in Evangelio dicitur fuisse Princeps Judaeorum. Et factus est ipsi Joseph in adjutorium & solatium. Isti namque duo nobiles ac religiosi viri, erant de discipulis Jesus, audientes eum clam; de noctibus videlicet, ne commoverent seditionem in populo, & plenius ab ipso eruditi expectabant Regnum Dei. Iste igitur Nicodemus prout praelibatum est, ut exequiarum tantarum decus adaugeret, & sua praesentia fide & devotione plenius prosequeretur: attulit (ut testatur * Joan. 19 39, 40, 41, 42. Johannes in Evangelio suo) mixturam myrrae & aloes quasi libras centum, ad condiendum corpus tantae auctoritatis. Erant enim devoti ac stabiles in fide, quia viderant multa ejus in vita miracula, necnon & in morte: quia terraemotum & tenebras universales (quod erat supra naturam cum tunc fuisset luna panselenos) aquamque de latere ejus (quod erat insolitum & miraculosum) distillasse. Loquitur igitur Johannes Evangelista exin pluraliter, propter associationem supervenientis Nicodemi; dicens, Acceperunt ergo corpus Jesus. Porrò, praeter illam myrram aloem quam attulerat Nicodemus; apposita sunt illi confectioni etiam aromata Joseph. Dicit enim Johannes, Ligaverunt linteis corpus ipsum cum aromatibus. Et sic conditum & involutum aptaverunt, & ordinatè posuerunt in monumento novo: quod compositum fuit per modum clibani▪ Ita videlicet, ut ibi plura corpora reponi potuissent. In ipso quoque sepulchro, nondum quis, nec postea, ponebatur. Decuit enim quod sicut in uterum virginis descendit, & ex virgine natus fuit primogenitus (id est unigenitus) & per clausam portam exivit: sic & in novo sepulchro in quo nullus positus vel ponendus erat, Christus dignè collocaretur. Et apposuerunt ostium ad os monumenti: lapidem quippe magnum. Unde * Mat. 27. 60. c. 28. 2. Matthaeus Evangelista vocat illud Saxum magnum. Et mulieres quae licet tres fuissent (quae postea venerunt, ut ungerent Jesum) nescientes quod jam unctus esset, sollicitarentur quomodo ab ostio monimenti revolveretur. Quo facto, recesserunt Joseph & Nicodemus, & qui eos sequentes, ipsis assistebant. Posteà verò accesserunt Judaei versuti & in odio obstinati: & ex permissione Pilati, * Mat. 27. 6●▪ 66. lapidem memoratum signaverunt, apponentes militum custodiam. Et cum inde recessissent Joseph & Nicodemus, partiti sunt inter se (ratione amicitiae & condiscipulatus) liquores memoratos: utpote pretiosam adquisitionem. Sic igitur devoluta fuit hujus charissimae rei possessio, de patribus in filios, & de amicis ad amicos. Videlicet inter nobilissimos, quod post multorum annorum curricula devenit ad possessionem Patriarchae Jerosolymitani, utpote Thesaurus Ecclesiae, cui praeesse Patriarcha dignoscitur, Anno Gratiae 1247. Qui tum propter discrimen Terrae Sanctae quam tunc timuerunt amittere Christiani, tum propter hoc, quod Regem Angliae Christianissimum cognoverunt, & ipsam terram Christianissimam: memoratus Patriarcha de Consilio suorum Suffraganeorum Magistrorumque militiae Templi & Hospitaliorum, & aliorum nobilium transmarinorum, qui in testimonium veritatis vel sigilla sua apposuerunt, vel assertionem mandati transmiserunt, saepedictum Thesaurum sanguinis memorati, piissimo Regi Angliae Henrico tertio, ut sub ejus tutela dignius veneraretur et tutius reservaretur, prudenter duxit transmittendum, & non pro alicujus commercii retributione, imo in merae charitatis liberalitate conferendum. Unde asserunt nonnulli, quod generosiori modo possidet illud munus Rex Angliae Henricus, tantaeque dignitatis reliquias quam Rex Francorum suas, quas paucis antea annis evolutis, institoriè adquisivit. Et si Sancta nimis sit crux vera, propter contactum Sancti corporis Christi; & corona, & lancea, & clavi; multo sanctior fuit sanguis ipse Christi, pretium videlicet humanae redemptionis, quia propter cruorem & in cruore sanctificata est crux & caetera, & non cruor propter crucem, vel propter alia passionis instrumenta. Sed quia tardi cordes & oblocutores solent sic objicere & dicere, quod cum Christus tertio Nota. die resurrexisset cum corporis integritate, & non exanguis, qualiter esse posset quod sanguinem suum post se reliquerit in terra. Responsum fuit sufficienter. Duo sunt sanguines, vel genera sanguinum. Unus enim sanguis est, qui ex nutrimentis generatur, qui aliquando ita superfluit, ut à naribus sponte prorumpat, vel aliquem alium exitum, ut minutione indigeat sic repletus. Et de tali sanguine Christi, habemus in terra, licet sanè non fuisset sanguinolentus; Deo sic volente, ut videlicet habeatur recentior memoria dominicae passionis. Est & alius sanguis, qui corpori animato substantialis. De quo dicitur, quod ptysis est consumptio substantialis humiditatis, id est sanguinis vitae necessarii. Qui secundum physicos dicitur amicus naturae, & de quo dicit * Gen. 9 4. L. vit. 17. 14. Moses, quod in sanguine sedes est animae. Sed ille sanguis reponitur in triclinio cordis, sine quo non posset quis vivere. De illo Christi sanguine, non habemus fortè in terris: Fortè dico, quia omnia quaecumque voluit, Dominus fecit. Surrexit enim Deus, & quicquid fuit de substantia corporis sui & decoris plenitudine, cum ipso, & quod de veritate humanae fuit naturae cum ipso, id est sanguis eidem consubstantialis. Alius verò qui distillavit habetur hic. Et nos quidem sic resurgemus, videlicet sine aliqua corporis vel mutilatione vel deformitate. Qualiscumque enim extiterit homo in hoc mundo, contractus, gibbosus, vel leprosus, vel nanus, vel abortivus, in resurrectione sibi plenè restaurabitur. Revera in corporis Christi, suorum * Joan. 20. 25, 27, etc. vulnerum stigmata, post resurrectionem suam, recentium, & adhue hiantium, quod apparuerunt, & quod se Christus post resurrectionem & glorificationem corporis palpabilem praebuit, & ad suum bene placitum visibilem, vel vulneratum monstravit, miraculosum & obstupendum. Ut sic videlicet dubitantium fides roboraretur, quia tam duri & tardi fuerunt quidam discipulorum ad credendum resurrectionem, quod postquam viderant, non crediderunt, & ut benedictio non verius & tamen credituris, largius donaretur. Tertia causa fuit & potissima, ut scilicet sic sciretur quod omnipotens fuit, ut contra consuetum usum & naturalem foret corpus ejus, qui fuit Dominus naturae, ad suum nutum & beneplacitum monstrabile, & palpabile, & saucium cerneretur, qui tamen ad discipulos intravit foribus obseratis. Et sic omnium cessare debent morsus detractatorum. How unsatisfactory this Legend, these Testimonies are to evidence this Relic to be Christ's very blood to any pious Christian, all men may judge; yet such was the Ignorance and Superstition of that age, that the King, Prelates, Clergy, and generality of the people received and really adored it as Christ's very blood wherewith they were redeemed, not only at first Anno 1247. but the next ensuing years, by the King's special Summons, prohibiting all Fairs or sales of Wares in London and elsewhere, to draw multitudes of people to Westminster to adore this false Relic, and enrich the Abbot, Monks, and Inhabitants by the profits of this Fair, which undid many Merchants resorting to it with their Wares, as Matthew Paris there present thus relates. * Mat. Paris, Hist. Angl. p. 726. Novae Nundinae constitutae apud Westimonasterium. Anno quoque sub eodem, Dominus Rex cum Londinum properaret ad festum Sancti Edwardi, quod est de translatione ejusdem Sancti, in Quindena scilicet Sancti Michaelis, tertio Idus Octobris, quamplurimis Praelatis, Magnatibusque sub obtentu amicitiae ec devotionis significavit, ut praesentialiter cum ipso apud Westmonasterium beati Edwardi festum solenniter ac devote concelebrarent. Venerunt igitur illuc vocati Comes Richardus, Comes Rogerus Bigod Marescallus, Comes Herefordiae, & Barones praeelecti cum Militibus nonnullis, Episcopi autem Wintoniensis, Londinensis, Elyensis, Wygorniensis, Karleolensis. Abbates autem & Priores quamplurimi. Jussit autem Dominus Rex denunciari, & voce praconia, fecit per totam Civitatem Londini, & alibi acclamari, quod constituit Nundinas novas exerceri plenè apud Westmonasterium per quindenam duraturas; omnes quoque Nundinas quae solent per tantum tempus per Angliam exerceri, utpote Nundinas Elyenses, & alias, & omnem mercaturam, quae solet Londini haberi, & extra tectum vel sub recto exerceri, sub poena magnae forisfacturae & jacturae praecisè interdixit, ut sic Nundinae Westmonasteriales populis & mercibus copiosius abundarent. Vnde factum est ut illic innumerabilis populus undique velut ad celeberrimas Nundinas conflueret, ibidemque translatio beati Edwardi, et sanguis Christi a populo illuc tracto et ibi congregato, inopinabiliter veneraretur. Verum omnes illic mercimonia sua emptui exponentes, cum non haberent tecta, nisi de panniculis tentoria, magnis incommodis premebantur, quia variis procellis aereis, ut tunc temporis solet, ingruentibus, algebant, madebant, esuri●bant, sitiebant mercatores; Pedes luto sordebant, mercimonia eorum imbribus contabuerunt. Vbi n●mque ad mensam pransuri sedebant, qui ad caminos refici consueverunt prandentes in medio familiae suae, penitus sic egere nescierunt. Episcopus autem Elyensis, pro jactura nundinarum suarum Elyensium, edicto Regio suspensarum, graviter conquestus est Domino Regi super hoc, qui tales adinvenit in gravamen subditorum novitates Sed nihil nisi inania verba mulcentis promissionis & futurae consolationis reportavit.; After this Anno 1249. the King by his Letters summoned his Nobles and Prelates magnificently to Anno 1249. lebrate the Feast of St. Edward in St. Peter's at Westminster, * Mat. Paris, p. 7●●. Mat. West. p. 236, 237. Congregati sunt igitur ibi quamplurimi, tum pro devotione & amore Sancti, tum pro Domini Regis ipsos v●cantis reverentia, tum pro veneratione sancti sanguinis Christi nuper adepti, et venia concessa ibidem obtinenda: Such was their blind anniversary devotion ●and superstition. For evincing whereof, I shall only subjoin, That Our learned Thomas Beacon in his * Chapter of the Relics; Third Part of his Works, fol. 182, 185. Relics of Rome, and others relate; That in the Church of Lateran in Rome (amongst other relics) they have the water and blood which flowed out of Christ's side when he hanged on the Cross; And that part of his foreskin which was cut away when he was circumcised. That in the 7th principal Church they have Two Cups, of the which one is full of the blood of Christ; the other full of the milk of the blessed Virgin Mary, (the Relics of whose milk, and hair, are showed in above 20 other places) That S. Swoll the Daughter of Fulco King of Jerusalem, and Wife of King Theodoricus, by the Consent of her Husband, became a Nun, or Anno 804. Religious woman at Jerusalem, where she found (as they write) a good quantity of Christ's bloud which, Nicodemus, and Joseph of Arimathea got out of the Wounds of Christ when they washed his body, and she sent it to her Husband; which bloud (as they say) is at this day kept * Fortè sanguinis ex imagine crucifixi Salvatoris in Syria effusi portio delata Mantuam fuerat: eaque multis editis miraculis omnium Christianorum pectora incredibili religione perfude▪ rat. Sigonius de Regno Italiae, l. 4. p. 101. at Bruges, and is there showed to the people on the Third day of May: Besides this Viol of his Blood, sent into England; which he likewise mentions. If the Relics of the blood of Christ shed on the Cross, be extant in so many places; than it could be no such peculiar blessing to England, as was then pretended, yea being found out only by this Nun above a thousand years after Christs death, it must doubtless be a Gross Imposture, as it was afterwards resolved, declared; and those most audacious false Witnesses, who durst thus publicly attest the truth and reality of it under their Hands and seals upon her single evidence, yea this our devout King, his Nobles, Prelates, Clergy were strongly deluded to believe lies, who annually adored this blood with such solemn Devotions, Processions, and used such artifices to induce the people to adore it, as you have already heard. In the year 1248. (32 H. 3.) the Bishop of Durham presuming upon the Privileges Anno 1248. * Mat Paris, Hist. Angl. p. 720, 721. of his Bishopric (being a County Palatine) granted by our King's favour, oppressing the Prior of Tynemouth against the Liberties granted to the Priory by the King's royal predecessors, and the Laws of the Realm, and refusing upon two former Letters sent unto him by the King, entreating him in a fair and friendly manner to desist from oppressing the Prior, in respect he was under his special protection; the Bishop notwithstanding most contemptuously and ungratefully persevering in his illegal vexations, aud slighting the King's former Letters; he thereupon by his royal Prerogative sent this special Writ and Mandate to him, to do justice to the Prior, or else he would do him justice himself, notwithstanding his Liberties, and punish the injuries done unto him, which he could not, yea ought not any longer to endure. HENRICUS Dei Gratiâ, etc. Dunelmensi Episcopo salutem. Non possumus Literae Regis Angliae ad Episcopum Dunelmensem. non mirari super eò, quod cum semel & secundò vos affectione plena rogaverimus, ut à vexatione dilecti nobis in Christo Prioris Thinemua desistatis, qui, sicut nostis, sub protectione & defensione nostra militat speciali, precibus nostris pro ipso porrectis, condescendere minimè curavistis, nolentes ad animum revocare, quod pro honore vestro, vobis detulimus in hac parte; credentes firmiter & sperantes, quod vestrae discretionis benignitas vos ad hoc gratis faciendum induceret, quod per legem Regni nostri, et Regiam potestatem vos facere oportebit. Vt autem vobis liqueat manifestè quod vobis hucusquè in facto isto volumus deferre; tertiò Paternitatis vestrae dilectionem duximus attentius implorandam, quatenus intuitu precum nostrarum et ob reverentiam quam Principi vestro debetis impendere, averia sive bona dicti Prioris, quae contra legem terrae coepistis, & detinetis injustè, quod per Libertates suas, quas habet per Chartas Praedecessorum nostrorum Regum Angliae, & maximè per Chartam Richard● Regis avunculi nostri, apertè poterit comprobari, & quibus temporibus praedecessorum nostrorum liberè usi fuerunt, deliberari, absque morae dispendio faciatis Scituri pro certo quod nisi infra octavas Sancti; Hillarii proximo futuras, has preces nostras plen● effectui duxeritis mancipandas, quantumcunque vobis detulerimus, & de jure deferre vellemus, Nos extunc, non obstante libertate vestra, cujus praetextu injurias vestras aliis illatas, sine correctione Regiae dignitatis, non debemus nec possumus sustinere, praedicta averia deliberari, et damna eidem Priori restitui, quae injuriae vestrae occasione sustinuit, et de vobis plenam faciamus justitiam exhiberi. Teste meipso, etc. Patet igitur per praedicta, quod injuriatum est enormiter dicto Priori & Conventui suo, qui gaudet eisdem privilegiis & liberatibus quibus & Ecclesia beati Albani, cui collatum est, quicquid fas est conferri alicui Abbati, in spiritualibus à Summo Pontifice, & à piissimis fundatore ejus Offa, & aliis Regibus Angliae, in temporalibus, quicquid Regia potestas potuit exhiberi, which Liberties he there recites at large. You have formerly heard the Pope's intolerable Extortions exercised by his counterfeit * Mat. Paris, Hist. Angl. p. 729, 73●. Mat West●. Anno 1248. ●ox Acts and Monuments, Vol. 1. Gravamina diatim Ang●iae à Curia Romana illata. Nuntioes, Freers, Harpies, Bulls in England and elsewhere, with the Oppositions Complaints against them, An. 1247. which notwithstanding he vigorously and impudently prosecuted, Anno 1248. (32 H. 3.) as Matthew Paris and others thus relate. Eodem Anno, multiplicata sunt cum augmento gravamina multipliciter excogitata, quae a Romana Curia in Regnum diatim Angliae miserae profluxerunt. Praeter angustiam & servitutem insolitam, eo quod suspendebantur Praelati a collatione beneficiorum, donec Romanae avaritiae satisfactum esset, nec contra hoc reclamavit Reguli pusillanimitas, pullularunt quotidie novarum oppressionum germina detestanda. Et si non omnia gravamina quia difficile esset, imo impossibile, describere, aliqua tamen, ut doleant inspectores, et dolentes Deo conquerantur, et eo quandoque propitio liberentur, huic opusculo duximus inserenda, ut omnibus pateat Angliae miseranda miseria, quae bonis rectoribus, et tutoribus proh dolor, viduatur. Abbas Abenduniae a Domino Papa mandatum acceperat, de provisione cuidam Romano sine morae dispendio facienda. Romanus autem ille, non quamcunque volens Ecclesiam accipere, sed opimam, e●pectavit sub silentio dissimulans, donec quaedam vacabat Ecclesia nobilis & opulenta, scilicet Ecclesia beatae Helenae in Villa Abendunensi, quae ad Centum Marcas aestimatur, omni referta commodo, utpote in Burgo, qui Coenobio subjacet memorato. Confestim●gitur istam exegit ille Romanus, qui diu siluerat, & instanter postulavit sibi authoritate conferri Apostolica. Eadem autem die qua vacaverat Ecclesia, urgentissimum accepit Abbas a Domino Rege mandatum, minis, conjunctis precibus contextum, ut et ipsam Ecclesiam conferret fratri suo uterino Aethelmaro, licet idem Aethelmarus jam tot abundaret Ecclesiiis et redditibus, quod nec miramur, si numerum eorundem ignoret et valorem. Abbas igitur circumplexus, & quasi inter duas molas ●●rcumvolventibus molaribus constitutus, quasi contritus, consuluit super hoc Conventum & amicos fideles & discretos, qui responderunt; Durum patet utrobique, veruntamen si Dominus Rex velit vos ab impetu Papali protegere, tolerabilius arbitramur, illum Ecclesiam conferre ipsi fratri Regis Domini Principis ac Patroni vestri, quam illi Romano qui vobis semper vicinus fieret insidiator vigil ac persecutor indefessus, & quasi semper spina in oculo. Significatum est igitur istud Domino Regi tempestiuè, cui Dominus Rex indubitatam promisit cum omnimoda protectione, & indemnitate protectionem. Hisigitur dictis confidens fallacibus Abbas, dicto Aethelmaro ad Regis contulit supplicationem. Romanus igitur iratus valde, confestim Papam adiit, et eidem rei seriem cum augmento provocationis plenius enarravit, graviter conquerendo. Citavit igitur Dominus Papa ipsum Abba em, ut personaliter coram eo apareret, de inobedientiae offensa responsurus. Abbas igitur Domini Regis omni destitutus consolationis auxilio super hoc crebrius requisito, Romanam senex et valetudinarius Curiam adiit, in multa mentis tristitia, pavore, et amaritudine. Vbi tandem post multas angustias et expensas non modicas, dicto Romano ad arbitrium Papae satisfecit annuas quinquaginta Marcas de Camera sua, in magnum suae Ecclesiae laesionem conferendo. Anno quoque sub eodem Abbate Sancti Aedmundi sublato de medio, Rex postposito Aliud enorme gravamen Papale. Dei & S. Martyris timore & reverentia, quem specialiter teneretur causa multiplici venerari, a domo illla vacarite tantam recepit pecuniam, quod videretur viscera misericordiae penitus amisisse, nam absque Ballivorum Regiorum stipendio mille et ducentas Marcas inde extorsit truculenter. Cum igitur alium fratres in loco Abbatis substituendum eligissent jam defuncti, quosdam de fratribus propter confitmationem ejusdem, ad Curiam Roman●m destin●runt. Facta igitur super hoc examinatione cavillatoria, reprobata est electio et electus, ut in retiacula immisericordis misericordiae sic incideret reprobatus. Et cum Monachi tristes recessissent & verecundi, revocavit eos Dominus Papa, dicens, Cum miseri misericordia indigeant, ex mera gratia nostra, vobis ad praesens, ne confundamini, ipsum Electum concedimus, illi ipsum coenobium beati Aedmundi liberè ac liberaliter conferendo. Veruntamen respiciat in Octingentis Marcis, et respondeat illi Mercatori quem illi assignabimus, cui in tantum obligamur. Et sic Monachi recesserunt illaqueati: Qui tot lacessiti injuriis & gravaminibus inconsolabiliter doluerunt, & unus eorum ante recessum à Curia apud Lugdunum mortuus est, alter apud Doveram rediens à Curia illa non curiali, viam universae carnis, non sine mentis amaritudine est ingressus. Whereupon he thus concludes this years' affairs, Transiit igitur annus ille aere temperatus & serenus, etc. Italiae inimicus, Alemanniae * Mat. Paris, Hist. Angl. p. 731, 732. lethifer, Angliae adversdrius, Franciae exitialis. Et ut brevibus concludam, in omni ferè regione Christianorum, thesaurorum consumptivus, Mundi finis multiplicibus argumentis indicativus. Vt sunt, surget gens contra gentem, & terrae motus erant per loca, (there being two Earthquakes in England, and one in Savoy) & consimilia. Praecipue autem Romanae Curiae infamis, pestifer, et perniciosus, iraeque divinae manifeste comminatorius. An. 32 H. 3. An Official held Plea of Layfee in Court Christian, and after the Kings Anno 32 H. 3. Writ of Prohibition and an Attachment for disobeying it, excommunicated the party, who was thereupon imprisoned by a Capias Excommunicatum; the King upon information of this practice and contempt, for the defence of his own Prerogative and his Subjects Liberties, granted a Writ to enlarge the prisoner, till the cause should be heard and determined in his Temporal Court, as this Writ doth evidence. OStensum est Regi ex parte Ceciliae quae fuit uxor Elyae Piscatoris, quod cum eadem Claus. 32 H. 3 do●s. 14. Pro Cecilia quae fuit uxore Elyae Piscatoris. Cecilia detulisset Official. Episcopi Winton▪ sicut Judici, & Drogoni le Tanur, & Haghenild uxori ejus, qui ipsam Ceciliam traxerant in causam in Curia Christianitatis, coram eodem Officiali, Literas de Prohibitone, ne implacitaretur de Laico feodo suo in Curia Christianitatis, & postea cum non ducerent deferendū prohibitioni Regis, detulisset Vic. Sutht. breve Regis de ipsis attachiandis, sicut Legis et consuetudinis est Regni, eandem Ceciliam ante diem sibi assignatum de prosequendo inde versus ipsos in Curia Regis, tanquam excommunicatam, de praecepto Regis capi procuraret, & in prisona Regis Winton. detineri; & Mandatum est Vic. Sutht. quod si ita est, ipsam Ceciliam à praedicta prisona statim deliberet, ●●c eam eadem occasione capi iterato, donec pr●ictum placitum terminetur in Curia Regis. Teste Rege apud Westm. 20 die Jan. If any person attempted to draw the King's Subjects into Plea in any Court out of the Realm, against the King's Privilege and Subjects Liberty, the King granted a Supersedeas and Prohibition thereupon, as this Record ensuing attests. REX J. Sarac. Decano Wellen. salutem. Mandamus vobis rogantes, quatenus in Claus. 32 H. 3. memb. 12. dors. cognitione causae vobis commissae à Domino Papa super medietate Ecclesiae de Denecastr. supersedeatis ex toto usque in Quindenam Paschae▪ Ita quod nullo modo causam illam remittatis ad Curiam, veniendo sic contra * It was the King's ancient prerogative, only ratified by the Pope's new grant. privilegium a sede Apostolica nobis indultum, Ne quis de regno nostro trahatur in causam extra Regnum Angliae. Ita vos habentes in hoc facto, quod neque nos ejusdem privilegii nostri, neque dilectus Clericus noster Magister R. de Neketon Juris sui quod habet in medietate praedictae Ecclesiae in aliquo per vos sentiamus laesionem. Teste Rege apud Sanctum Edmundum 9 die Octobris. The Pope at Archbishop * See here, p. 683, 684, 685. Boniface his request. granted him in Aid of his Church of Canterbury one years' fruits of every Church belonging to the Donation of Lay-Patrons when it should fall void, which though the Bishops and Clergy were enforced by the Popes and Archbishops censure to submit to against their wills, yet the Nobles in Parliament would by no means assent thereto; whereupon the King issued this memorable Prohibition to hinder this illegal Aid, and the Collection thereof, notwithstanding the Pope's Bull. REX W. Norwicensi Episcopo salutem. Quia Magnates terrae nostrae Claus. 32 H. 3. m. 12. dorso. noluerunt in ultimo Parliamento nostro quod fuit London. ut de Ecclesiiis ad donationem Laicorum spectantibus darentur unius anni fructus cum eas vacare contingeret, in Ecclesiae Cantuariensis subsidium ab Apostolica sede concessum, aliquatenus consentire. Vobis mandamus prohibentes districte, ne ab hujusmodi Ecclesiis cum vacaverint, vel quae post concessam praefatae Ecclesiae indulgentiam vacaverunt, occasione alicujus mandati fructus exigatis praedictos, vel earum Rectores ad conferendum dictum Subsidium compellatis, donec cum praedictis Magnatibus, sine quibus super hoc nichil volumus attemptare, colloquium habuerimus iteratum. Teste, etc. The Bishop of Chichester having sequestered and locked up the barns of a Clerk, thereby to extort this Aid of one years' fruits to the Archbishop's use, the King thereupon issued this Writ to him to take off his locks, that so he might freely dispose of his corn, and barns, else he would command the Sheriff of the County to unlock them, and to permit him the free disposition thereof. REX rogavit R. Cycestrensem Episcopum, quod seras suas quas apponi fecit Cl. 32 H. 3. m. 12. doiso. * horreis. orreis Wyberti de Kanc. de Gynnington, pro eo quod sructus unjus Anni Ecclesiae suae ad opus Cantuariensis Archiepiscopi nititur extorquere, deponat, et eidem Wyberto de Bladis et Orreis suis liberam habere faciat administrationem: quod si forte, quod absit, facere noluerit, Vic. Sussex seras▪ illas deponat, et liberam administrationem iude ipsum Wybertum habere permittat. Teste ut supra. The Dean and Chapter of Clon. in Ireland electing Friar Daniel for their Bishop▪ refused to present him to the King after his election, to approve, or disapprove of him, according to usual custom, and by the Pope's concurrence proceeded to his consecration, without the King's licence, to the prejudice of his royal Dignity; the King hereupon refused to restore the Temporalties to him, till at last upon the mediation of some great and religious men, he restored them by this Writ, upon condition, that the Bishop, Dean and Chapter should put in security by their Letters Patents, from thenceforth not to make any election▪ without first obtaining the King's licence, and that after the election made, they should present the person elected to him and his heirs for their approbation; as this Writ attests. REX Justi●. Hyberniae salutem. Licet Decanus & Capitulum Clonen. post Claus. 32 H. 3. memb. 6. dorso. electionem de fratre Daniele in suum Episcopum & Pastorem ●a●tam, eundem Electum, prout moris est, nobis, ut ei nostrum assensum impertiri vel denegare possumus, praesentare renuerint, ad ejus consecrationem nostro non optento favore, ex mandato Apostolico, in Regiae dignitatis praejudicium procedentes; quia tamen magni & religiosi viri pro eodem Episcopo nobis instantissimè supplicarunt; Vobis mandamus, quatinus accepta securitate per Literas Patentes signatas sigillis eorum Episcopi, Decani & Capituli, quod ad electionem hujusmodi faciendam fine nostra licentia petita de caetero non procedent, et quod personam Electi post electionem factam ante ipsius consecrationem nobis, vel nostris haeredibus praesentabunt, praedicto Episcopo de terris et tenementis et omnibus aliis ad praedictum Episcopatum spectantibus sine motae dispendio plenam seisinam habere fac. Teste apud R●senb●rgh▪ secundo die Julii. The King being informed, that certain persons intended forcibly to spo●l the Church of Dadington of a Meadow belonging to it, issued this Writ to the Sheriff of Northt. to prohibit the force, and to maintain and hold the Clerk in possession thereof, so far as he could do it with justice. DAtum est Regi intelligi, quod quidam intendunt spoliare Ecclesiam Aymari fratris Claus. 32 H. 3. memb. 8. doiso. R. de Dadinton, quodam Prato ad eandem Ecclesiam suam pertinente. Et Mandatum est Vicecomiti Northt. quod nullam vim fieri permittat quo mi●s eadem Ecclesia gaudeat possessione sua ejusdem Prati: Imo ipsum fratrem R. & suos in eadem possessione, quantum cum justitia poterit, manuteneat et defendat. Teste Rege apud Winton. 4. die Julii. King Henry by his Ecclesiastical Prerogative sent this Mandate to the Sheriffs of York and Nottingham, to permit the Dean and Chapter of St. Peter's in York to enjoy all their Liberties granted them by the Charters of his Predecessors Kings of England, used till that day; yet so, as by pretext thereof none of the Rights or Liberties of his Crown whereof he was seized, should be thereby impaired or meddled with. Claus. 32 H. 3. m. 12. intus. Pro Decano & Capitulo Sancti Pet●● Eborum. MAndatum est Vicecomiti Eborum, quod permittat Decanum & Capitulum Sancti Petri Eborum, ut omnibus libertatibus suis concessis eis per Chartas praedecessorum nostrorum Regum Angliae, quibus libertatibus usque in hodiernum diem usi sunt; Ita tamen quod de jure vel Libertatibus Regis quorum Rex extiterit in seisina usque in diem praesentem, occasione Eartarum praedictarum nichil eis dimittat. Teste Rege apud Westmonast. 16 die Februarii. Eodem modo scribitur Vic. Notinghamiae, de Libertatibus praedictis. Teste ut supra. The King's Justices in Eyre proceeding against the Archdeacon of Lincoln for prosecuting a suit in the Court Christian, contrary to the King's Prohibition, against the Abbot of Tinterne, procured this respite, till conference had with the King on a set day. MAndatum est H. de Bathonia, & Sociis suis Justiciariis Itinerantibus in Comitatu Cl. 32 H. 3. m. 12. Pro Ar. chid. Lincoln. Essex, quod demandam quam fieri faciunt Magistro Willielmo Lupo Archidiacono Linc. de processu Causae in Curia Christianitatis inter ipsum Archid. & Abbatem & Conventum de Tinterne, contra prohibitionem Regis, ponant in respectum; usque ad colloquium Regis, quod erit in Quindena Nativitatis Sancti Johannis Baptistae. Teste Rege apud Westmonasterium 19 die Februarii. The Canons of Paul's having committed a contempt against the King, he thereupon issued this Writ to the Sheriffs of London, to seize all their Beasts and chattels, and not to deliver them without the King's special precept. MAndatum est Vicecomitibus London, quod omnia averia & catalla Canonicorum Claus. 32 H. 3. memb. 14. dorso Sancti Pauli London, in Balliva sua inventa, capi faciant, et ea non deltherent sine speciali praecepto Regis. Teste meipso apud Westmonasterium 4. die Januarii. Some differences happening between the Sheriff of Cambridge and Bishop of Ely concerning the Conusance of Pleas and Liberties in the Isle of Ely, the King issued this Writ to the Sheriff, not to hold any Plea in his County Court, of things usually held within the Bishop's Liberty, during his own and his Ancestors Reigns. MAndatum est Vicecomiti Cantabrigiae, quod non teneat aliquod placitum in Comitatu Claus. 3. H 3. m 14. dorso. suo, quod teneri debet & solet in Insula Elyensi infra Libertatem H. Elyensis Episcopi, aliter quam teneri consuevit tempore Regis & temporibus Praedecessorum suorum Regum Angliae. Teste ut supra. Pope Innocent seemingly (but not really) to gratify King Henry in some trivial things, though he turned the deaf ear to other grievances, sent him this Bull, that no Ordinary, Delegate or Subdelegate, should denounce any sentence of Excommunication, or Interdict, or impose any Tax upon his Royal Chapels, Oratories, or the Canons or Servants belonging to them, against their Privileges formerly granted, without the special mandate of the See Apostolic. INNOCENTIUS Episcopus, etc. Regi Angliae illustri, salutem & Apostolicam Claus. 32 H. 3. m. 16. dorso. Benedictionem. Tanto libentius Celsitudinis tuae precibus benignum impartimur assensum, quanto inter Reges et Principes Christianos, te specialius reporta in Domino reputamus filium specialem et devotum, Tuis igitur supplicationibus inclinati, districtius inhibemus, ne ullus Ordinarius, aut etiam Delegatus, vel Subdelegatus in Capellas Regias et Oratoria eorundem, Ecclesiae Romanae immediate subjecta, seu Canonicos vel Servientes ipsorum contra tenorem Privilegiorum et Indulgentiarum Apostolicae sedis, Excommunicatiovis vel Interdicti sententiam audeat promulgare, seu aliquod ipsis onus imponere; quod aliis exemptis Ecclesiis non consuevit imponi, absque mandato sedis Apostolicae speciali, quod expressam faciat de hujusmodi inhibitione mentionem. Nulli ergo hominum, etc. Teste Dat. Lugduni 12. die Augusti, Pontificatus nostri anno tertio. A mere delusory Bull, this arbitrary fallacious clause, (absque mandato sedis Apostolicae speciali, etc.) being totally frustrated by special Mandate or Non obstante at the Pope's mere will and pleasure. This year there fell out a great difference between the King, his Prelates and Nobles in Parliament, principally occasioned by the Bishops and Clergy, who more readily promoted all the Pope's illegal Exactions, Impositions, notwithstanding the King's Prohibitions; but opposed and slandered the King upon every occasion, invading the Rights of his Crown, denying him Subsidies when demanded, charging him with unjust detaining the Temporalties of Bishoprics in his hands, and other exercises of his Royal Prerogative to supply his necessities, when they would not aid him; recorded by Matthew Paris. Circa festum Sancti Hilarii, Episcopo Bathoniensi Roberto viam universae carnis ingresso, Mat. Paris, p. 718, 719. Mat. Westm. Anno 1248. p. 229, etc. Obiit Episcopus Bathoniensis Robertus.▪ Generale Parliamentum habitum Londini. Dominus Rex, secundum consuetudinem suam, (as he might legally do by his prerogative) avidas manus bonis Episcopatus injecit, ut quicquid abradere posset, festinanter asportaret. Sub illius anni initiali curriculo, in octavis videlicet Purificationis, edicto regio convocata totius regni Angliae nobilitas convenit Londini, ut de Regni negotiis nimis perturbati & depauperati, & temporibus nostris enormiter mutilati diligenter & efficaciter simul cum Domino Rege contrectaret. Advenerunt igitur illuc excepta Baronum, Militum, Nobilium, necnon & Abbatum, Priorum & Clericorum, multitudine copiosa, novem Episcopi, cum totidem Comitibus; Videlicet, Archiepiscopus Eboracensis, Wintoniensis, Lincolniensis, Norwicensis, Wigorniensis, Cicestrensis Elyensis, Roffensis, Carleolensis; Comes Richardus, Comes Gloverniae, Comes Legriae, Comes Wintoniae, Comes Hertfordiae, Comes Rogerus Bigod Marescallus, Gomes Oxoniae, & praeter hos, Comes Lincolniensis, Comes de Ferrariis, Comes de Warrenniae, Comes de Richmundiae, P. videlicet de Subaudia. Huic autem magnae congregationi non fuerunt praesentes Archiepiscopus Cantuariensis B. qui transmarinis partibus Domino Papae militabat, & Dunelmensis, qui remotus fuit & valetudinarius, Bathoniensis autem, paulò antè obierat. Et cum praeposuisset Dominus Rex (non enim propositum suum latuit universitatem) pecuniare auxilium postulare; redargutus est graviter super hoc, quod non erubescebat tunc tale juvamen exigere, praesertim quia quando in ultima tali exactione, cui nobiles Angliae vix consenserunt, confecit Chartam suam, quòd amplius talem non faceret Magnatibus suis injuriam & gravamen. Reprehensus est insuper gravissimè (nec nimirum) super indiscreta vocatione alienigenarum, quibus omnia bona Regni indiscretè, prodigialiter & prodigaliter distribuit & dispersit, & Nobiles Regni ignobilibus extraneis maritavit, indigenas & naturales homines suos spernendo & postponendo, irrequisito assensu mutuo qui est matrimonii completivus▪ Reprehensus est insuper Dominus Rex, (and that principally by the Bishops and Clergies suggestions) quod Episcopatus et Abbatias, sicut et gardas vacantes, a sanctis et magnificis Patribus nostris fundatos, quos in manu sua diu tenet, et teneretur tutor esse et defensor, et proinde dicuntur esse in manu ejus, hoc est, sub ejus protectione, contra juramentum, quod fecit in Coronatione sua primum et praecipuum, usque ad destructionem depauperat. Calumniatur itaque Dominus Rex graviter à singulis & universis non mediocriter conquerentibus, eo quod, sicut Magnifici Reges praedecessores sui habuerunt, Justitiarium nec Cancellarium habet, nec Thesaurarium, per Commune Consilium Regni, prout deceret & expediret, sed tales qui suam qualemcunque, dummodo sibi quaestuosam, sequuntur voluntatem, nec qui Reipublicae, sed singularem quaerunt promotionem, pecuniam colligendo, custodias & redditus sibi primitus procurando, etc. Haec cum audisset Dominus Rex, confusus in semetipso erubuit, sciens haec omnia esse Rex promis●●● studet pacare universitatem Angliae. verissima. Promisit igitur verissimè ac certissimè se haec omnia gratanter emendaturum, sperans per talem humilitatem, licet fictam, omnium corda postulationi suae promptius incurvare. Cui inito consilio crebrius in●talibus promissis universitas irretita, respondit: Hoc videbitur, & infra breve tempus apparebit manifestè. Expectabimus adhuc patienter & prout se geret Dominus Rex, & se habebit vers●s nos, & nos ei in omnibus obtemperabimus. Dilata sunt igitur omnia, & in respectum posita, usque ad Quindenam Nativitatis Sancti Johannis Baptistae. Sed Dominus Rex interim vel suo spiritu, vel amicerum suorum, qui nollent suam enervari potestatem, induratus, & contra suos homines magis exasperatus, minimum emendationis in praedictis excesstibus, fidelibus suis, secundum quod promisie, curavit impendere. Hereupon, Adveniente autem Quindena Sancti Johannis Baptistae, mense Junii, Mat. Paris, p. 723, 724. Mat. Westm. Anno 1248. Exitus magni Parliamenti apud Londinum congregati. convenit Londinum totius Angliae Nobilitas, credens firmiter ex certa Domini Regis promissione, ut mutatis erroribus se consiliis sanioribus, collata sibi gratia divinitus, inclinaret. Convenientibus igitur in unum omnibus Regni primatibus, talis à Domino Rege profluit responsio illepida: Voluistis vos omnes Angliae primates, ad arbitrium vestrum parum civile, Dominum vestrum Regem incurvare, eidemque servilem nimis imponere conditionem, dum quod libet unicuique vestrum, illi frontose denegaretur. Porro licet cuilibet cujus et quolibet uti consilio. Caeterum, licet cuilibet patrifamilias que mcunque de domo sua illi vel illi officio praeponere, vel postponere, vel etiam deponere, quod utique Domino vestro Regi temere praesumitis denegare: praesertim cum Dominum servi, Principem suum Vassalli minime debeant judicare, vel suis arctare conditionibus: quin imo Domini arbitrio potius habent dirigi et voluntate ordinari, quicunque censentur inferiores. Non enim est servus supra Dominum, sicut nec Discipulus supra Magistrum: non foret utique Rex vester, sed quasi servus, si ad voluntatem vestram, sic inclinaretur. Quapropter nec Cancellarium, nec justitiarium, nec Thesaurarium, prout disponere proposuistis, nec amovebit, nec alios substituet. Similiter ad alios articulos, Regi satis salubres, cavillatoriè fuit responsum. Postulat autem a vobis auxilium pecuniare, ad jura sua, quae etiam vos contingunt, adquirenda in partibus transmarinis. Haec autem cum audissent Magnates, luce clarius perpenderunt, haec à consilio tunc suo emanasse, videlicet eorum quorum si universitatis barnagium exaudiretur, Dominium enervatum penitus exufflaretur, veruntamen videntes sibi versutè responderi & opponi, responderunt omnes quasi uno spiritu praecisè, nullo modo se amplius inutiliter velle depauperare, ut de bonis eorum alieni superbirent, & inimici tàm Regis quam Regni roborarentur, sicut nuper evenit in Pictavia, similiter in Gasconia, quo ipse praecipitanter & indiscrete, & contra eorum consilium & voluntatem properavit, unde adversi casus sibi evenerunt. Et benè credimus, quia hoc apparet ex Regis aviditate & egestate, quod clanculo captus fuit, & tacito facto fine, interpositis fide & juramentis & chartis cautè dimissus, & sic honore, Thesauro & terris privatus, dimissus est, & inglorius cum omni opprobrio abire permissus. Soluto igitur cum omni indignatione Concilio, unusquisque spe fraudatus à Parliamento frustra diu expectata, nihil nisi sannas cum frivolis, amissis laboribus cum expensis, ut solent saepius, reportarunt. Quod cum vidisset dominus Rex, in iram conversus vehementem, consiliariis suis Rex Angliae thesaurum suum vendit. dixit: Ecce per vos aversa sunt corda Magnatum meorum à me. Ecce, amissurus sum Gasconiam, Pictavia spoliatus▪ & thesauro destitutus, quid faciam? Inito igitur consilio pusillanimi, sine providentia provisum est, ut vasa, & utensilia, & jocalia thesauri sui Regij pro pondere venderentur, non habito respectu ad aurum, quo fulgebant argentea, vel ad opus artificiosum & laboriosum, & licet materiam superaret opus, ut saltem sic denarij adquirerentur. Addentes insuper consiliarij Regij probrosam consolationem, Regem demulcendo, insibilabant eidem: Sicut omnia flumina in mare refluunt, sic omnia quae nunc venduntur, ad vos profecto donis relativis qandoque revertentur, idcirco non moveatur dominus noster Rex. Et post venditionem inquisivit Rex, ubinam venderentur, & quibus, utensilia memorata? Et responsum est: Londini. Et Rex: Scio, scio, quod si thesaurus Octaviani venalis esset, civitas Londinum illum totaliter absorberet emendo, abundant enim illi rustici Londinenses, qui se Barones appellant, usque ad nauseam: urbs illa puteus est inexhaustus. Et statim concepit in animo suo, nacta tam levi occasione, ipsos cives bonis suis spoliare, prout subsequens eventus expressus comprobavit, & sermo continuatus plenius declarabit. Rex Sustinens enim, ut praedictum est, justam ab universitate Magnatum Angliae Mat. Paris p. 732, 733, 734. Cives Londinenses à Rege graviter affliguntur. repulsum, ne amplius bona sua in Regni confusionem effunderent, studuit subtiliter per alia argumenta, avaritiae suae situlam inebritare. Statim igitur post memoratae gaudia solennitatis, inito studuit consilio cives Londinensis gravare, hoc modo. Suspendit exercitium mercaturae civitatis ut praetactum est, per quindenam, novis nundinis apud Westmonasterium in multorum damnum & praejudicium constitutis, & protinus post hoc petiit, missus per satellites suos literis suis, argumentosas & imperiosas prece continentibus, ut ipsum juvarent efficaciter auxiilo pecuniari. Quo audito, cives praecordialiter ingemuerunt, dicentes: Heu nobis heu, ubi est Londinensis toties empta, toties concessa, toties scripta, toties jurata libertas. Quolibet enim ferè anno, quasi viles ultimae servi conditionis, per varias tallias depauperamur & causis vulpinis injuriosè exagitamur. Nec sciri potest, in quam voraginem, bona, quibus spoliamur absorbentur submersa. Quid plura? licet inaestimabilia exigerentur, tandem cives, non sine cruenta cordium amaritudine, ad contributionem duorum millium librarum, in brevi termino domino Regi conferendorum, licet inviti, descenderunt. Gravamen insuper solitum adhuc sine aliquo moderamine saeviebat. Omnia enim venalia, si non, quasi furtiva, absconderentur, praecipuè in esculentis & poculentis, ad opus Regis rapiebantur: nec tamen hospitium ejus dapsilitatis alicujus inde suscepit incrementum. Imò potius diatim, exulante verecundia, reprehensibili nimis arctabatur parcitate, & jam eliminata antiqua Domini Regis Angliae dapsilitate, jam Romanae mensae consuetudo subintrans, Regiae serenitatis famam & honorem non mediocriter denigravit. Eodemque tempore, Dominus Rex ad jam solitas cavillationes Romanas recurrens, Rex Angliae à nobilibus suis singulatim prece petit pecuniam. cum non posset omnes congregatos Regni Nobiles, ad consensum flectere, singulos ad se vocans, vel unicuique scribens▪ affatus est eos, impudenter supplicando, dicens▪ Pauper sum omni destitutus thesauro. Necesse habeo, ut quilibet vestrum juvet me efficaciter: obligor enim per chartam meam debito trigint a millium marcarum. Nec tamen aliquid exigo; nisi per gratiam. Qui mihi gratiam facturus est, reddam ei nacta temporis opportunitate talionem. Et qui mihi gratiam denegaverit, & ei gratiam denegabo. Et protendens causam fictam, quasi esset moturus bellum contra Regem Francorum, reposcendo in manu forti jura sua treugis jam expirantibus, nihil exinde à circumspectis nisi derisum & sibilum suscitavit. Nuper enim prohibitum fuit ei, ex parte Domini Papae, per Magistrum Albertum, ne aliquam terram a Domino Francorum Rege, quocunque titulo possessam, quomodolibet infestaret qui in Terra Sancta Deo et universali Ecclesiae cruce signatus militavit. (Which Papal prohibition being contrary to the Rights and Prerogatives of his Crown, the King held null and unobligatory, only the Nobles & Prelates averseness to aid him with moneys, than enforced him to connive at.) Et si non prohibuisset bene creditur, quod minime sufficeret ei militaris peritia, vel fortitudo, vel etiam undecunque extortus thesaurus, ad privandum Regem Francorum aliqua saltem possessiuncula. Non enim penitus vacuata creditur Francia thesauro vel militia. Sed ut dicti magistri nuntium omnes lateret, non permisit Rex illud aliquatenus publicari. Dictum est etiam, quòd potestatem receperat idem Magister A. terram Angliae, si rebellis esset Re●, mandato Papali interdicendi: sed haec omnia, quasi magno mysterio celata, tegebantur, ut ignaros Rex cautè circumveniret. Et dum sic patulo hiatu, Rex adquisitioni pecuniari avidius inhiaret, contigit, ut iter Rex Angliae mendicat pecuniam à Praelatis Abbatibus faciens versus Huntendonam, circa festum sancti Hilarii, misit pro Abbate Ramescie. Quem secretius alloquens, ait: Amice, obnoxius supplico, quatenus juves me, mihi centum libras conferendo, vel saltem commodando. Egeo enim, & necesse habeo ipsas habere sine morae dispendio. Et cum non posset Abbas honestè aliter respondere, ait: Dator aliquando fui; unquam, tamen vobis accommodator fui, vel ero. Et statim tantam pecuniam cum gravibus usuris à Caursinis mutuo accepit, ut eidem Regulo mendicanti sic satisfaceret. Eodemque tempore consimilibus precibus dominus Rex Abbatem de Burgo pulsavit, juvamen pecuniare postulando, asserens, majorem eleemosynam fore sibi juvamen conferre pecuniare, quam alicui ostiatim mendicanti. Abbas autem, cum se excusando non se precibus suis inclinavit, convitiis lacessitus, â domo Regis clanculo exivit. Ab Abbate vero Sancti Albani, simili sermocinatione sexaginta marcas eodem tempore extorsit, licet eodem anno, & similiter proximo praeterito, non minimam sophisticè emunxisset. Videns igitur Dominus Rex, nullum nec posse nec velle contradicere, spem certam concepit, quod nullus ei re fi steret Abbatum vel Priorem. Et cum ei repagula contradictionis opponerent Magnates Praelatis qui in arcum pravum conversi sunt, sed inviti, scripsit in hunc modum. HENRICUS Dei gratia, etc. Universis Abbatibus & Prioribus constitutis in Literae Regis ad Praelatos Angliae. Comitatu Essexiae & Hertfordiae, salutem. Si Regiae Majestatis dignatio, pro juribus Regni tuendis devotorum ac fidelium suorum amicitiam experiri voluerit, vel si ipsi suum Principem, sub cujus alis protecti respirant, obsequio corporali, & munerum oblatione frequenter honorent, temporibus congruis, non est mirum. Cum igitur jam deficientibus treugis inter Dominum Regem Francorum, & nos, pro recuperatione & defensine jurium nostrorum tam in cismarinis, quam transmarinis, partibus, ad quas nuper misimus comitivam, oporteat nos magnos sumptus, & ob causas diversas, liberalitatis manum pluribus aperire; dilectum & fidelem nostrum Simonem Passeleve, una cum singulis Viceco mitibus dictorum Comitatuum ad vos transmittimus, rogantes attentè, quatenus ipsosin negotio nostro, quod vobis exponent, imo● nos in eis favorabiliter audientes, ad alleviationem sumptuum praedictorum nos depecunia vestra tum abundanter juvetis, quod id vobis debeamus retributione compensare. The King upon these Letters, received very little pecuniary assistance from the Abbots, or Prelates, & that with great reluctancy; to avoid which the Bishop of Durham procured a licence from the Pope to resign his Bishopric, yet to retain three Mannors belonging to it during his life, and the rest to be held by provisors. Purificatione beatae Mariae imminente, Episcopus Dunelmensis, Nicholaus, Mat. Paris p. 730. 743. Mat. West. an. p. 1249. p. 138. Godwins Catalogue of Bps. p. 519. sentiens se annosum, valetudinarium, & infirmum, malens relinquere divitias, quam à divitiis derelinqui, Episcopatum suum Dunelmensem, obtenta tali a Domino Pa. pa licentia, resignavit, & datis ad hoc provisoribus Archiepiscopo Eboracenfi, & Londinensi, & Wigorniensi Episcopis, assignata sunt ei tria Maneria, videlicet de Hovedia cum pertinentiis, Stocton, & Essingtuna. Recedens igitur à Dunelmo, accepta ibidem à fratribus licentia, ad alterutrum dictorum maneriorum mansurus perrexit, ut in pace ibidem sine querelarum vel causarum strepitu, exutus à sollicitudinibus mundanis, sibi jam expectanti donec ejus veniret immutatio, liberius vacaret orationi, & contemplationi penitus intendendo. Super hoc Dominus Rex certificatus, omnia residua non segniter haud invitus in suam caepit custodiam & potestatem, ut ibidem uberrimos pecuniarum fruaus semper tamen jejunus & avidus deglutiret. Ad quae sibi amplexanda & congerenda illico misit vunm de Clericis suis, Thomam videlicet de Newerca. Hereupon the King was enforced to strain his Prerogative further than usual to raise monies. Rex interea vigil, & indefessus lucri speculator & perscrutator timore Dei, secus quam deceret, postposito, convenuti Dunelmensi, ad quem jus electionis pertinere dignoscitur, preces precibus transmittit accumulatas, per nuncios ad circumveniendum etiam prudentes & circumspectos satis eruditos, consulens, implorans et minis interpositis praecipiens; ut frater ejus uterinus Aethelmarus, ab ipso conventu unanimiter & favorabiliter in Episcopum Dunelmensem, & suarum Pastorem animarum eligatur, & ut hoc foeliciter fieret, secundùm illud Poëticum, Imperium, promissa, preces, confudit in unum. Cui Conventus humiliter respondit; Domine Rex, Regum Christianissime, memento Episcopus Dunelmensis Episcopatuum suum resignat. si placet, juramenti quod jurasti coronandus, primi videlicet & praecipuè, permitte sanctam Ecclesiam sua saltem aliquando gaudere libertate ut secundum Dominum nobis Patrem & Pastorem animarum nostrarum idoneum eligamus. Nosti, & novit mundus, quod & scientia & aetate insufficiens est frater vester memoratus, ut tam arduo officio colla supponat spirituali. Cui Rex respondisse perhibetur, Et ego potens sum, et bene mihi complacet, ut ipsum Episcopatum in manu mea teneam octo vel novem annis vel amplius, ut saltem tunc maturus aetate, vobis acceptetur. Which he might do by his Prerogative, to supply his pressing necessities. But he was not so good as his word; for the next year Walter de Kirkham, by his royal licence and assent, was elected and consecrated Bishop of this See. The King by reason of his Royal Prerogative during the vacancy of the See of Canterbury, presented William de Plessetis to the Church of Eneford then void, belonging to that See, who after his institution was opposed by Robert de Gloucester, claiming a right thereunto by the Pope's Provision, and commenced a Suit thereupon; which the Pope willing to determine, brought the examination of the cause before himself, and after many altercations, gave a definitive sentence for his own Provisor, against the King's Clerk, without considering the King's right, commanding the Bishops of London and Lincoln to put him into corporal possession thereof, to the manifest prejudice of the King's Crown, Right, and Dignity; whereupon the King issued this memorable Prohibition to the Bishops, setting forth the ancient Right, Prerogative of his Crown, the destructiveness of this Provision and proceedings of the Pope thereunto, and his duty to obviate the same; commanding them according to their Oath of Allegiance to defend the Rights of his Crown, and not to proceed or attempt any thing therein to its prejudice, under pain of seizing their Baronies, as this memorable Record attests. REX Episcopis London. & Lincoln. salutem. Olim Archiepisc. Cantuar. vacante Pat. 33 H. 3: m. 9 dorso. & nobis custodiam ipsius habentibus, Willielmum de Plessetis dilectum Clericum ratione vacationis ejusdem ad Ecclesiam de Eneford tunc vacantem, duximus praesentandum. Cui instituto ad nostram praesentationem in illa Magister Robertus de Glouc. se ●ppenens, asseruit, sibi per Abbatem de Boxleya auctoritate Literarum Domini Papae eodem tempore fuisse provisum in eadem Ecclesia: (the Pope's new Provision being preferred before the King's old Royal Jurisdiction.) Super quo inter ipsos postmodum lis est orta, quam Dominus Papa terminare volens, causam ipsam ad suum revocavit examen. In qua contra eandem Willielmum post multas altercationes habitas, quarum seriem praesentibus longum foret inserere, diffinitivam tulit sententiam, jure nostro in judicium non deducto: Mandans vobis, ut amoto quolibet detentore, praefatum Magistrum in ipsius Ecclesiae possessionem corporalem mittatis, ut dicitur, non sine nostrae dignitatis praejudicio manifesto. Cum enim ex approbata consuetudine et antiqua, debeamus ad hujusmodi Ecclesias vacantibus sedibus praesentare, patenter advertitur, quod si praemissa sententia speratum sortiretur effectum, contingeret eundem Clericum nostrum Ecclesia memorata destitui, et Ius nostrum quod in ipsa praesentatione habuimus, et in consimilibus praesentationibus habere debemus, per consequens enervari, sic que proculdubio nostrae ●aederetur Coronae dignitas, et nostra gravis ac enormis exhaeredatio sequeretur. Verum discriminis tanti periculo volentes occurrere, sollempnem Nuncium cum Literis nostris ad Apostolicam sedem transmisimus, quibus Domino Papae factum et Ius nostrum in praemisso negotio referamus. Quapropter vobis, quorum est Iura nostra tueri, prohibemus districte in virtute juramenti fidelitatis, quo nobis estis astricti, firmiter injungentes, ne super Ecclesia praefata aliquid attemptetis vel exequamini contra nos, aut nostrum Clericum supradictum: Scituri quod si secus egeritis, contra vos super Baroniis vestris, juxta quod decet Majestatem Regiam, procedamus. The Canons of York being by the Pope's authority questioned in the Spiritual Court by the Abbot of St. Genovefe and his Covents, for the sale of the Manor of Brumford within the Realm, when as Spiritual Courts ought not to hold Plea of any Lands or Chattels, but only of Matrimony, Testament, and Tithes; the King thereupon issued this Prohibition and Supersedeas to them. REX Abbati Sanctae Genovefae, & Conventibus suis, salutem. Cum cognitio Ibid. memb▪ 4▪ omnium Causarum tangentium fundum aliquem, sive res aliquas in Regno nostro, exceptis causis Matrimonialibus, et Testamentariis, seu Decimarum, ad dignitatem et Coronam nostram spectant: Ita quod de eis alibi quam in foro nostro cognosci non debeat, nec consueverit temporibus praedecessorum nostrorum aut nostro; vos rogamus, quatenus causae motae coram vobis auctoritate Apostolica inter quosdam Canonicos Eboracensis Ecclesiae super venditione Manerii de Brumford, siti in Regno praedicto, Supersedeatis omnino. Alioquin Magistro Nicholas Archidiacono Elyensi et Henrico de Helegeya, vel eorum alteri quem praesentem esse contigerit, damus potestatem appellandi Apostolicam sedem pro nobis in causa praefata. Teste Rege apud Geytinton sexto die Augusti. King Henry the 3d. having conquered * See here, p. 621, 622, 623. Wales, subdued the Welshmen, and brought them under the Laws of England, notwithstanding they had put themselves under the Pope's protection rendering him an annual Tribute, to defend them against the English; the Welsh Bishops, siding with their Countrymen against the King, had their Bishoprics, Churches so spoilt and destroyed, that they were enforced to beg their bread, and live upon the Alms of others, the Archbishop of St. David's dying for grief: whereupon a new Bishop was elected by the King's licence, to whose election he gave his royal assent: Exercising the same regal Prerogative in the election and confirmation of all Bishops in Wales from thenceforth, as he did in England, thus registered to posterity. Arctabatur Wallia eisdem diebus, cessante eorum cultura, commercio, & pecudum Anno 1247. Mat. Paris Hist. Angl. p. 715, 718. custodia Pastorali, & caeperunt consumi inedia, Anglorum & invitilegibus incurvati. Emarcuit antiqua eorum superba nobilitas, & etiam virorum Ecclesiasticorum cithara, conversa & in luctum & lamenta. Obiit ergo quasi prae dolore contabescens, Episcopus Misera oppressio Walliae. Menevensis, id est Sancti David. Episcopus vero de Landaff Willielmus, caecitate percutitur. Episcopus de Sancto Asaph, & Episcopus de Bangor; destructis Episcopatibus caede ac incendio, mendicare, ut de alieno viverent, cogebantur. Eodem tempore venit ad Sanctam Albanam Episcopus de Bangor Richardus, ut eidem depauperato sinus pateret misericordiae, & ibidem cum Domino Abbate, donec Episcopatus ejus, qui per bellum destructus erat, aliquantulum restauraretur, habitaret, & ipse cum Clericis suis à pressuris quae circumdederant eos, respiraret. * Thomas Wallensis Episcopus Menevensis. Vacante igitur sede Menevensi, post innumeras Walliae tribulationes per bellum & Principum eorum mortem, electus est in eundem Episcopatum Magister Thomas, cognomento Wallensis, eo quod in Wallia fuerat oriundus, Lincolniensis Ecclesiae Archidiaconus; Cui electioni, licet Episcopatus pauperrimus extitisset, consensit, tum propter Episcpum Mat. West. An. 1247. p. 228. Lincolniensem, qui Canonicos suos superaverat, tum propter hoc, quod in natali patria ad curam vocabatur, & ad dulcedinem originis suae quilibet naturaliter attrabitur, tum ut miseros compatriotas suos; sua praesentia, consilio et auxilio consolaretur. Cui etiam electioni Dominus Rex gratanter consensit, et electum acceptavit, non multum constituens super hoc difficultatis, cum exilis fuerit Episcopatus. King Henry the 3d. having thus presented to the Bishopric of St. David's, (as you heard before) the Dean and Chapter of St. Asaph having obtained a Licence from the King to elect a new Bishop, by their Letters Patents made this observable Protestation and acknowledgement of the King's ancient right to grant a Congee deslier or Licence upon their request, to elect a Bishop for their See upon every avoidance, before any election could be made, and to assent to the person elected after his election. UNiversis Christi fidelibus ad quos praesens Scriptum pervenerit; Decanus & Capitulum Pat. 33 H. 3. m. 3. de Sancto Asaph, salutem in Domino. Consuetudini antiquae et dignitati quas Dominus Henricus illustris Rex Angliae, et progenitores sui habuerunt in Ecclesia Anglicana, de petenda licentia eligendi vacantibus Episcopatuum sedibus, et de requirendo assensu Regio post factam electionem, obviare nolentes, protestamur et recognoscimus nos quociens Ecclesia nostra Pastore vacaverit, ab illustri Domino Rege Angliae et Haeredibus suis debere reverenter petere licentiam eligendi, et post electionem factam assensum eorum requirere. Et ne super hoc futuris temporibus dubitetur, praesenti Scripto Sigilla nostra fecimus apponi. Act. apud Sanctum Asaph 1249. in crastino exaltationis Sanctae Crucis. The Bishop elect of St. Asaph and his Chapter about the same time made the like Protestation and Recognition under their Seals, thus entered in the Claufe Rolls. OMnibus Christi fidelibus ad quos, etc. E. Dei gratiâ electus de S. Asaph, & ejusdem Claus. 33 H. 3. memb. 11. dors. loci Capitulum, salutem in Domino. Consuetudini antiquae et dignitati quas illustris Rex habet, et progenitores sui habuerunt in Ecclesia Anglicana, de petenda licentia eligendi vacantibus Episcopatuum sedibus, et de requirendo assensu Regio post factam electionem, obviare nolentes, protestamur et recognoscimus, quociens Ecclesia nostra Pastore vacaverit, ab illustri Domino Rege Angliae et Haeredibus suis debere reverenter petere licentiam eligendi, et post electionem factam assensum eorum requirere. Et ne super hoc futuris temporibus dubitetur, praesenti Scripto Sigilla nostra fecimus apponi. Act. etc. The King having obtained the confirmation of an Immunity from Pope Innocent, which he formerly enjoyed by his own Royal Prerogative, exempting all his Free-Chappels, Oratories, and Canons in them from all Episcopal and Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction, Censures and Impositions, enjoined all Archbishops and Bishops through England perpetually to observe the same without violation, by this Writ. REX Venerabilibus Patribus Archiepiscopis & Episcopis per Regnum Angliae Claus. 33 H. 3. m. 6. dorso. constitutis, salutem. Sciatis nos habere Literas Apostolicas in haec verba. * See p. 720. INNOCENTIUS Episcopus, etc. Charissimo in Christo filio Regi Angliae illustri, salutem & Apostolicam Benedictionem. Tanto libentius Celsitudinis tuae precibus benignum impartimur assensum, quanto inter Reges et Principes Christianos, te specialius in Domino reputamus dilectum filium et devotum. This itaque supplicationibus inclinati, districtius inhibemus, ne aliquis Ordinarius, aut etiam Delegatus, vel Subdelegatus in Capellas Regias et Oratoria eorundem, Ecclesiae Romanae immediate subjecta, seu Canonicos vel Servitores eorundem, contra tenorem Privilegiorum et Indulgentiarum Apostolicae sedis, Excommunicationis vel Interdicti sententiam audeat promulgare, seu aliquod ipsis onus imponere, quod aliis exemptis Ecclesiis consuevit imponi, absque mandato sedis Apostolicae speciali, quod expressum faciat de inhibitione hujusmodi mentionem. Nulli ergo hominum liceat hanc paginam nostrae inhibitionis infringere, vel ei ausu temerario contraire; si quis autem hoc attemptare praesumpserit indignationem omnipotentis Dei, et Beatorum Apostolorum Petri et Pauli se noverit incursurum. Dat. Lugduni, 12. Calend. Augusti, Pontificatus nostri anno secundo. Volentes igitur Privilegium praedictum perpetuam firmitatem habere, vos rogamus et hortamur attente, quatenus illud inviolabiliter observetis, et faciatis vestris subditis observari. Et ne aliquis attemptet aliquid contra illud, sedem Apostolicam appellamus. Teste Rege apud Northt. 5. die Augusti, Anno Regni nostri 33. The King in pursuance of this Privilege, issued this Writ of Prohibition, concerning his Free-Chappel of Pencrich. REX Thomae de Wymundeham, salutem. Prohibemus tibi, ne de caetero Claus. 33 H. 3. memb. 9 dorso. intres infra limites liberae Capellae nostrae de Pencrich, exercendo ibidem aliquam Jurisdictionem, contra Libertates et consuetudines temporibus nostris, et Praedecessorum nostrorum usitatas super exemptione liberarum Capellarum nostrarum quas habemus in Anglia. Teste Rege apud Clarendon, nono die Junii. The King as Patron of the Bishopric of Durham, and Supreme Governor of the Church of England, declared, That the Successor Bishop who resigned his Bishopric, ought not to pay the Debts of his Predecessors, and thereupon prohibited any distress to be made upon him by this Writ. QVia Nicholaus quondam Dunelmensis Episcopus qui cessit Episcopatui suo non Claus. 33 H. 3. memb. 9 dorso. tenetur solvere debita Praedecessorum suorum quondam Dunelmensis Ecclesiae Episcoporum, Mandatum & Vicecom. Eborum, quod nullam districtionem super ipsum Episcopum faciat pro aliquibus debitis Praedecessorum suorum, sed districtionem si quam propter hoc fecerit penitus remittat, et averia sua ea occasione capta deliberari faciat. Teste, etc. He likewise issued two * Here p. 705. forecited Writs to the Sheriff of Lincoln, to summon the Bishop of Lincoln to appear before him; Ubicunque tunc fuerimus in Anglia, ostensurus, quare fecit summoneri, et per Censuram Ecclesiasticam distringi Laicos homines et Laicas foeminas ad comparendum coram eo, et ad praestandum juramentum pro voluntate sua, ipsis invitis, in grave praejudicium Coronae, et Regiae Dignitatis nostrae, necnon et magnam laesionem, et contra consuetudinem Regni nostri, etc. Teste Rege apud Westm. secundo die Maii. Sub eodem quoque annali curriculo, (1248.) obiit Magister Simon de Langetuna, Mat. Westm. Anno 1248. p. 232. Mar. Paris, p. 730. Moritur Simon de Langetuna. frater Stephani Cantuariensis Archiepiscopi, ejusdim Ecclesiae Archidiaconus; qui fratrissare negligens, si Ecclesiae suae persecutor et perturbator extitisset non est mirandum: quinimo Regna Francorum et Anglorum, et eorundem Regnorum corda et status, ex multiplici bello non mediocriter movit, commovit et damnose perturbavit, sicut suo loco plenius enodatur: being the Pope's great instrument. It is the observation of Matthew Paris Anno 1249. that when Cardinal Remerius at the Pope's instigation, had published an infamous Satyrical elegant Letter against the Emperor Frederick, whereby his fame was not a little blasted in divers parts of Anno 1249. the world, * Mat. Paris p. 737, 738. Imperator graviter diffamatur. ut jam pejor Herode, & Juda, vel Nerone censeretur: Talis enim Epistolae foetor exitialis ex factis suis exhalans, fidelium audientium aures & corda, non sine stupore & gemitu, quam plurimum exasperavit. Haec igitur pagina auditu horribilis, cum ad multos pervenisset, medullas auditorum penetrando centra Fredericum erexisset, nisi Papales ejusdem Frederici abversarios, avaritiae, symoniae, et usurae, aliorumque vitiorum maculae coinquinassent. Qui inter caetera deliramenta, cruce signatos impudenter exagitant, nunc sub poena Excommunicationis ad Terram Sanctam, nunc ad Imperium Romaniae, nunc innuendo ut super Fredericum insurgant et transmittantur, elaborant. Et quod detestabilius judicatur, Praedicatores et Minores facientes suos telonarios, viatica cruce signatorum quovis extorquent argumento. Unde etsi ignominiosa ipse tyrannus Fredericus operetur, adhuc tamen infinitos manifestos et quamplures occultos, in odium Romanorum, proh dolor, invenit fautores, et in facinoribus adjutores. He subjoyns soon after, * Mat. Paris, p. 740. Eisdemque temporibus, Fratres Praedicatores & Minores, de praecepto Domini Papae, cui obedienter obtemperavant, instanter Fratres Praedicatores & Minores telonarii Papae. nimis ac diligenter praedicationibus intendebant: & ad augendam fidelium devotionem, cum magna solennitate ad, loca, ubi praedicatio eorum prius indicebatur, accedebant & advenientibus, multos dies indulgentiae concedebant. Occurrebant namque eis Sacerdotes & Clerici in vestibus albis, cum crucibus & vexillis, trahentes secum fidelis populi non minimam numerositatem, sicut solet diebus rogationum. Praedicantes igitur pro negocio crucis, homines cujuscunque aetatis, sexus, vel conditionis, vel valoris, imo etiam valetudinarios vel valetudinarias, et aegrotantes et senio deficientes cruce signaverunt: et in crastino et etiam incontinenti pro quantocunque precio crucem a cruse signatis deponentes et reaccipientes, quemlibet a voto suae peregrinationis absolvebant. Quod videbatur multis inconveniens et absurdum, quia non post multos dies consequentes, Magistro Berardo Clerico et Italico vindemiante, Comes Richardus in aerario suo omnia coacervavit. Unde non minimum scandalum in Ecclesia Dei et universo populo est exortum, et tepuit fidelium devotio manifeste. Whence * Anno 1249 p. 240. Matthew Westminster justly styles this year, Aunus Romanae Curiae infamis. Tunc quoque temporis, rediit a Curia Romana Episcopus Norwicensis Mat. Paris, p. 742. Walterus, qui, ut dicebatur, privilegium adquisierat infame, de pecunia Rediit a Curia Romana Episcopus Norwicensis. ex Episcopatu suo extorquenda: to make up the moneys he had spent in Bulls and Gifts at Rome. Anno quoque sub eodem, circa Paschalem solennitatem, Archiepiscopus Rothomagensis, Mat. Paris, p. 740. quidam videlicet frater de ordine Minorum, origine Francus, venit in Angliam, ut quosdam redditus adjus Ecclesiae suae pertinentes, impetrata Regis gratia, revocaret. Archiepiscopus Rothomagensis venit in Angliam. Quod cum prudenter impetraverat, facto Regi homagio de ipsis redditibus (as his Predecessor did) erant enim in Anglia, remeavit. The same year there happening a discord between the Abbot of Burg and his Covent, about Dilapidations, and for enriching his poor kindred with the Goods and Revenues of the Church, in enorm Ecclesiae suae damnum, and not reforming upon complaint, he was at last constrained, to prevent a deprivation, to resign his Abbey into the Bishop of Lincoln's hands, who assigned him one Manor for his more honourable maintenance, though he did not deserve it. * Mat. Paris, p. 743. Discordia intet Abbatem de Burgo & ejus Conventum. Regales autem illuc statim à Domino Rege missi, emolumentis inhiantes, redditibus Abbatiae avidè inhiantes, rapinis & exterminio domus illius intenderunt. Irascibatur quoque Rex vehementer, volens occasionem habere contra domum ipsam, quia dictum fuit ei, quod quia Domino Regi favorabilis et munificus fuerat, persequebantur ipsum Abbatem suum Monachi, et accusaverant. Conventus igitur, ut Domini Regis confiscantis omnia, declinarent indignationem, Johannem de Cadamo, Priorem Ecclesiae Sancti Swithini, Wintoniensem, ipso Rege sic volente et imperante, licet de domo alia, & natione alienum, videlicet Normannum, sibi in Abbatem vellent nollent, elegerunt. This year Robertus Passeleve, Curiae volumina detestans, ad frugem melioris vitae Mat. Paris, p. 74●, 746. Robertus Passeleve vitat Curiam. convolavit, & ad gradum promotus est Sacerdotii. Propter quod Dominus Episcopus Eliensis, ipsi Roberto bonam Ecclesiam de Deham, quae fuerat Jeremiae Domini Regis Clerici nuper defuncti, contulit; sperans ipsum Sanctum forè post diutinam vitam sterilem, Sacerdotem. Sed Dominus Rex ipsum Episcopum conferentem, & ipsum Robertum recipientem, ●dio maximo persequebatur, quia Episcopus memoratus illam Ecclesiam Ethelmaro fratri Domini Regis non contulerat. Anno 1250. Many of the English Nobility, Bishops, Gentry and Commonalty Anno 1250. crossed themselves for the relief of the Holy Land, some of them selling their Lands to defray their expenses in that expedition: * Mat. Paris, p. 747, 748. Multi Angliae Nobiles crucesignativendunt sua praedia. Innumerabiles quoque nolentes in propatulo signum crucis vel accipere vel in humeris portare, secreto voverunt & proposuerunt firmiter Terram Sanctam devotè ac potenter adire, muscipulas Romanae Curiae formidantes. The King himself soon after sending for all the Citizens of London, remitted all his anger and rancour towards them, and humbly craved pardon from them for all the injuries, oppressions, and unjust seizures of their goods formerly made. * Rex cum multis Nobilibus crucesignatur. Eodemque die Dominus Rex crucem suscepit de manu Archiepiscopi Cantuariensis Bonifacii. Et p-steà ipse Archiepiscopus cruce signavit alios Nobiles, whose names you may read in Matthew Paris: who subjoyns, Sinistri verò interpretatores asserere praesumpserunt, quod non propter aliud suscepit Dominus Rex crucem, nisi ut tali occasione violenter a suis Nobilibus, qui prius ei contradirerant id petenti, pecuniam extorqueret sub obtentu Terra Sancta conquirendae, (as Popes then usually did) et crucis negotii promovendi: Veruntamen discreti & plus ration is habentes, haec ad judicium & probationem actnum subsequentium reservabant. Hujus autem dnbitationis seminarium, praestitit Regis Frarcorum exemplum pernitiosum, qui infinitam (pecuniam) minimè tamen Deo vindice profecturam à Regno suo maximè abraserat, ut suam promoveret peregrinationem. Sed quales inde fructus collegerit, sequens sermo declarabit. In the mean time the English Nobility (who had most of them taken up the cross before King Henry) meeting at London, determined to begin their voyage before the King; * Mat. Paris, p. 749. De unanimi consilio crucesignatorum. Dominus autem Rex, qui sedulus explorator haec praecognoverat, a Romana Curia Literas ad votum, data et plus promissa pecunia, festinanter impetravit, quarum autoritate iter eorum suspenderet, donec ipse tanquam Dux capitalis, in propria persona terram potenter adiret ultramarinam, ut sic decentius & securius progrederetur; & sic hic & inde crucis languit negotium infoeliciter, heu, heu, mutilatum. Mat. Paris, Edit. Londini, p. 785, 787. Magnatum Angliae iter Hierosolymit. Soon after, Celebri luce beati Augustini, cum omnes Angliae Magnates cruce signati, fixum habentes propusitum ad festum Sancti Johannis, iter arripere Hierosolymitanum, & terras suas vendiderant, vel impignoraverant, vel in laqueis Judaeorum vel Caursinorum se involverant, vale dicto amic is prompti fuerant & parati. Et ecce Dominus Rex, qui sicut p●er●lus laesus vel offensus ad matrem querulus solet recurrere, ad Papam miserat festinanter supplicans, ut hoc iter impediret, significans ei, quod quidam Regni sui praeclari Magnates crucesignati, ipso invito et prohibente iter arripere Hierosolymitanum firmiter proposuerant, nec ipsum Regem Dominum suum crucesignatum, et idem iter arripere proponentem, expectare dignabantur. Qui etiam Regem Francorum capitalem inimicum suum qui eis, ut dicebant, praevius iter & introitum praparaverat in terram Orientalem, potius quam eum sequi maluerunt. Unde Papa per Literas suas, sicut et ipse Rex per verba imperiosa, districte sub poena Excommunicationis inhibuit, ne quis eorum contra Regis voluntatem, qualecunque periculum Rex Francorum subiret aut discrimen, transfretaret. Insuper Dominus Rex in continenti, misit ad Castellanos Doverae, & ad aliorum portuum custodes, ne aliquem Magnatem cruce signatum, permitterent transfretare. Allegatum tamen fuit contra hoc, quod scilicet Rex indiscretè fecerat, quia si tot & tales faciem suam praeirent (fuerant pugnatores equites circiter quingenti, excepta eorum sequela innumerabili) diceret totius Christianitatis universitas obstupescens: O quantus Rex est, & quam formidabilis, qui tales praemittit? O quot credendi sunt ipsum concomitari? & sic totus contremiscet Paganismus. Sed ut quid talis deceptatio? Hoc enim peregrinationis benè contigit, licet praeter prohibentium impedimentum: by reason of the French Kings overthrow. Interim tamen non cessavit Dominus Rex, undecunque petuniam abradere, (by pretext of this Croysado) principaliter à Judaeis, (he extorting from Aaron alone, a Jew born at York, no less than Thirty Thousand Marks of Silver, and Two Hundred Marks of Gold, besides what he wrested from other Jews upon sundry pretexts) secundario autem à suis hominibus Christianis & naturalibus, amounting to vast sums of money. Temporibus quoque sub eisdem, Bernardus de Nympha Clericus, Papalibus armatus Bernardus de Nympha pecuhiam collegit à cruce signatis. munimentis, a cruse signatis ad opus Comitis Richardi, sub inhonesta nimis forma magnam pecuniam collegit, ut potius rapina, quam justitia videretur. Forma autem hujus rapinae informis, ne multorum aures cum cordibus offendat, in Libro Additamentorum plenius exaratur. Literae generales directae per singulos Episcopatus, super collectione Decimarum, & Auctuarium Additamentorum Matthaei Paris, p. 225, 226. Forma Rapinae Bernardi de Nympha. redemptione votorum, & crucesignatorum, & aliorum, Comiti Richardo concessorum. R. Divina gratia Lincoln. Episcopus, dilectis in Christo filiis omnibus Archidiaconis per Lincolniensem Diocaesin constitutis, salutem, gratiam & benedictionem. Literas Domini J. Sarraceni Subdiaconi & Capellani Domini Papae, Decani Wellensis, & Bernardi de Nympha, scriptoris ejusdem Domini, recepimus in haec verba. REverendo in Christò Patri ac Domino R. Dei gratia Lincoln. Episcopo, & discreto viro Officiali suo J. Sarracenus, Subdiaconus & Capellanus Domino Papae, Decano Wellensi, & Bernardus de Nympha scriptor ejusdem Domini, cum sincera dilectione salutem. Noveritis nos post diversa mandata sedis Apostolicae quae ad nos & alios Praelatos Regni Angliae hactenus emanarunt, super redemptione dotorum, & aliis in eodem Regno; Nobili viro Domino R. Comiti Cornubiae à praefata sede concessis, quorum copiam & tenorem sub sigillis nostris, nobis jam ab olim transmissum, penes vos esse novimus: suscepisse nuper mandatum Apostolicum, sub hac forma. Innocentius Episcopus servus servorum Dei, dilectis filiis J. Sarraceno Subdiacono & Capellano, Decano Wellensi, & Magistro Bernardo de Nympha scriptori, nostris in Anglia commorantibus, salutem & Apostolicam Benedictionem. Ex parte dilecti filii nobilis viri R. Comitis Cornubiae, fuit propositum coram nobis, quod cum post diversa mandata, quae tàm à nobis quam à felicis recordationis G. Papa praedecessore nostro, super redemptione votorum, in Regno Angliae Comiti praefato ab Apostolica sede concessa, ad ejusdem Regni Praelatos emanasse dicuntur. Tibi fili Decane, ministro ordinis Sanctae Trinitatis, & captivorum in Regno praedicto, & Archidiacono Berksire, duxerimus per Literas nostras injungendum: ut juxta Priorum Literarum formam in negotio ipso procedere curaretis, agente tandem eodem Archidiacono extra Regnum, & se in totum ab hujusmodi negotio excusante, ac ministro tibi fili B. committente super hoc totaliter vices suas, illud remandamus; quatenus sine morae dispendio in eodem negotio procedatis, super Priorum continentiam Literarum. Dat. Lugduni tertio Idus Octobris, Pontificatus nostri anno quarto. Cum igitur si filii obedientiae, prout debemus, inveniri volumus; parendi nobis incumbat necessitas, & refragandi audacia prohibeatur; maximè cum praeter id quod praefatae sedi tenemur ad obedientiam specialem, tàm mandatum Regium, quam assidua postulatio praedicti Domini Comitis, ad consummationem & accelerationem praedicti negotii nos coarctent. Attendentes insuper, quod per Ordinarios locorum potest consultiùs & salubriùs, absque scandalo & strepitu circa praemissa cum optata celeritate procedi; eos nos providimus de prudentum consilio, & juxta ejusdem Comitis affectum, in partem hujusmodi oneris & solicitudinis evocare: ut per opem & adjectionem consilii plurium, quae super praemissis agenda sunt, sic ritè ac prudenter Deo auctore procedant, quod apud Summum Pontificem inobedientia nobis non noceat, nec apud praefatum Dominum Comitem, neglectus accusetur. Quare discretioni vestrae cum reverentia vestra in virtute obedientiae, qua injungitur nobis, injungimus, & sub poena interdicti qua fungimur in hac parte, auctoritate districtè praecipimus; quatenus citetis peremptoriè omnes Archidiaconos & Officiales eorum, Civitatis & Diocaeseos Linc. necnon Archidiaconos Monasteriorum exemptorum & non exemptorum ejusdem Civitatis & Diocaeseos, quod personaliter compareant coram nobis in Ecclesia Sancti Martini magni Lond. die Lunae, proxima post assumptionem beatae Mariae nuper venturam: facturi circa praemissorum executionem, quod per ejusdem Regni Praelatos ordinatum est & provisum. Pro certo scientes, quod quantumcunque vobis & vestris deferre velimus, contra rebelles tamen & resistentes, quantum de jure licuerit & poterimus, procedemus; vos autem tàm de citatione facta, quam de nominibus Citatorum, nos per latorem praesentium Literis vestris patentibus certificare curetis: provisuri, ut alter vestrum cui fuerit hoc primò mandatum oblatum, illud, non expectato reliquo, sine dilatione qualibet exequatur. Dat. anno gratiae 1247. 11 nonas Junii. Quapropter vobis mandamus in virtute obedientiae, & sub poena praedicta, vobis injuncta firmiter injungentes; quatenus omnes & singuli una cum Officialibus vestris dictis, die & loco compareatis juxta praedictum mandatum; quod jus dictaverit, facturi: sicut poenam praedictam volueritis evitare. Quibus autem die & loco has Literas receperitis, nobis per Literas vestras patentes significetis. Item, deputentur per vos in singulis parochiis Archidiaconatuum vestrorum, aliqui fide Nota. digni cruce signati, una cum Sacerdote, qui conscribant nomina cruce signatorum decedentium; qui jam decesserunt, vel qui in futurum decedent: & quantum promisering vel legaverint in subsidium Terrae Sanctae, & qui fuerint executores. Et denuncietur executoribus, quod habeant praemissas pecunias paratas cum fuerint requisiti: & scripturae singularum parochiarum deferantur in Capitulis Decanorum per Rectores vel Sacerdotes, cum testimonio aliquorum vel alicujus cruce signati; & Decanus cum testimonio aliquorum ad hoc deputandorum, redigat omnes scripturas in unam scripturam: & apponat sigillum suum, cum sigillis sociorum suorum: & dictam scripturam deferat ad domum fratrum Pradicatorum vel Minorum, qui ibidem praedicaverint. Et statim fiat Collecta hujusmodi pecuniae, per visum illius qui praedicaverit, vel ejus quem praedicator ipse ad hoc vocare poterit in locis singulis: & deponatur in aede sacra sub sigillo illius qui praedicaverit, & Collectorum: restituenda nobis & Domino Wigorniensi Episcopo, vel nostris assignatis, cum eam duxerimus exigendam. De bonis vero cruce signatorum qui decedunt sine testamento, quantum ad portionem eos contingentem, ordinetur per amicos defunctorum & fratres deputatos ibidem ad praedicandum; ut deputetur in subsidium Terrae Sanctae, quantum poterit sine scandalo; ut plenam habeant indulgentiam. Item, omnes infirmi & decedentes moneantur per Capellanos & alios qui confectioni testamenti eorum interfuerint, ut crucem assumant si nondum assumpserint; & tàm isti quam illi qui crucem ante assumpserunt, nominent quantum velint dare ad subsidium Terrae Sanctae; & dicatur eis expressè, quod si omnino dederint secundum facultates, plenam habebunt indulgentiam; si minus, erunt participes tantum, scilicet secundum quantitatem subsidii & devotionis affectum: nullus tamen compellatur facere ultra voluntatem suam. Et haec omnia scribantur & referantur, ut supra. Haec autem nos & Dominus Wigorniensis, auctoritate Apostolica injungimus Sacerdotibus, qui intererunt testamentis, in virtute obedientiae; ut tàm ipsis, quam aliis in remissionem peccatorum. Quid autem super hiis feceritis, nobis citra festum Assumptionis beatae Mariae, per Literas vestras Patentes constare faciatis. Dat. apud Edevetunam, in Diocaesi Sarum, Calendas Augusti, Pontificatus nostri anno duodecimo. Sciendum est, quod eodem anno etiam antequam inciperetur haec excogitata Collecta sic fieri, recepit Comes Richardus de Terra Sancti Albani, 25. libras, per manum Archidiaconi ejusdem loci. * Hist. Angliae Edit. Londini, P. 777, 779. Variae opiniones Colloquii Papae cum Comite R. Matthew Paris records, That the Pope this year gave a Noble entertainment to this Earl Richard, whom he secretly called to his Court, and with whom he had much private conference; De causa autem itineris Comitis Richardi, aliquorum fuit opinio, nec fine causa, quod vocaverat eum Dominus Papa, ut eum in Imperium Romaniae, quem scivit nummis & multis the sauris abundare, promoveret, sciens illum avidum & ambitiosum, quos vellet Dominus Papa ad hoc exponere. Alii autem indubitanter asseverabant, quod Dominus Papa studiosè ad hoc desudabat, ut gratiam ipsius Comitis adquireret, quatenus ipsum venire, in Angliam, cupientem, benignè & reverenter susciperet, & ad hoc Dominum Regem fratrem suum & Magnates terrae (praecipuè eos quide consilio Domini Regis sunt) ut in Regnum Angliae vocaretur, inclinaret. However the Earl made use of the Pope's favour to procure his forecited Bulls, under colour of aiding the Holy Land, to exact vast sums of money by this pious cheat from the people, whereof himself for the most part had the greatest share. The King having gained Letters from the Pope to raise moneys for this his pretended expedition, sent them to the three Archbishops in Ireland, to publish them in all places, as this ensuing Record assures us. REX Dublin. Archiepiscopo, salutem. Summus Pontifex Innocentius Christi Claus. 34H. 3. m. 11. dorso. Vicarius, & beatorum Petri & Pauli successor. non solum quod expedit sed quod decet, in negotio Sanctae Crucis, cujus signaculum portamus in humero, ponderans in statera diseretionis praecipuè, fecit nobis gratiam specialem promotoribus ipsius negotii plura praetextu nostrae cruce-signationis indulgens, juxta quod in Literis suis quas vobis & quibusdam fratribus vestris transmittimus, continetur. Cum igitur proponamus pro nostris viribus vendicare injuriam crucifixi ad exaltationem fidei Christianae, nostrumque honorem, tàm potenter quam magnificè in propria persona nostra exequi votum nostrum, pateruitatem vestram rogamus, quatenus per Civitates & Diocaeses ac Provincias totamque Hyberniam, proponatis & proponi per aliquos quos ad hoc idoneos noveris verbum Crucis, ac earundem Literarum tenorem publicari, aliisque copiam habere faciatis, secundum quod videritis expedire, cum diligentia debita exequentes quaecunque in eisdem Literis videritis contineri, it a quod tàm vos, quam illi quibus hujusmodi officium commiseritis, fitis universi & singuli in praemissis exequendis solliciti per quod fidelitas & prudentia vestra debeat commendari, dictas autem Literas quas Prior Sanctae Trinitatis Dublin. vobis deferet in eodem Prioratu cum publicatae fuerint, salvo reponi & custodiri faciatis. It a quod ad eas cum necesse fuerit possit haberi recursus. Teste Rege apud Woodst. 16. die Junii. Consimiles Literae scribuntur Cassal, Archiepiscopo, excepto quod Literas Domini Papae quas Walterus Mansell ei defert post ipsarum publicationem deponi fac. penes Praedicatores Cassal. Item consimiliter scribitur Ardmachan. Archiepiscopo, & Priori fratrum Praedicatorum, & Ministro fratrum Minorum, Provincialibus Hyberniae, excepto quod de depositione Literae Papalis eis transmissae non fit mentio. What great extortions, oppressions the Laity and Clergy underwent not only in England, but also in France, by virtue of the Pope's Bulls to raise moneys to carry on Wars against the Saracens, and Emperor too, though a Christian, Matthew Paris thus relates. Et si aliae pecuniarum extorsiones per Regnum Francorum factae, irrecitabiles dignae Mat. Paris, p. 758, 771, 772. & Mat. Westm. Exemplum memorabile turpissimae extorsionis in Gallia factae. aeterno sint silentio, unum tamen exemplum huic paginae duximus inserendum Notum est, quod Dominus Francorum Rex, ex permissione Romanae Ecclesiae, per triennium decimam ab Ecclesia Regni Francorum emunxit, tali conditione ut Papa tantundem in posterum ab eadem extorqueret, ut Fredericum potentius expugnaret. Cui tamen post primam triennii collectam, scilicet suam, Rex Francorum praemonitus, volenti suam vindemiare, multiformis emunctoris ars ut artem falleret, in faciem contradixit, hanc pretendens rationem, quod nullo modo toleraret Ecclesiam sui Regni depauperare, ad etpugnandum Christianos: ad expugnandum vero incredulos, aequanimius tolerari potuit, et potius a laico quam sacerdote. Preterea, si alio proximo triennio depraedaretur, irrestaurabili praedae, quod tamen non curaret, pateret. Extorsit igitur, pecuniam memoratam per quosdam Papae Ministrales, ut efficacius ipsam exigeret, et ut certius sciretur ad quantum pars Papalis ascenderet colligenda. Vnde multorum corda dolore praecordiali cruentabantur, maledicentium, et imprecantium, ut Prophetae Isaiae, imo Dei vereficaretur sententia, qui odio semper hactenus habuit rapinam in holocausto. utinam haec rationis libra perpenderent Dominus Anglorum Rex, & frater ejus Comes Richardus, & alii Principes crucesignati, turpibus emolumentis incumbentes. Quamvis enim pium constat esse actum sanctae peregrinationis, viatica tamen turpiter adquisita, piae actionis coinquinat executionem. Haec enim causa licet aliae forte non desint, creditur fuisse jam descriptae confusionis. Harum quoque in Franciae factarum extorsionum, unam quia turpissimum, duximus memorandum. Contigit, ut memoratus Papalis exactor obvium haberet unum Clericulum de Villa venientem, aquam in vasculo cum aspersorio, & frustra panis, data sibi pro aspersione ●quae benedictae bajulantem. Cui Romanus insidiator ait, ad quantum precium ascendit beneficium hoc tibi ab Ecclesia concessum per annum? Cui clericus loquearum ignarus Romanorum, respondit. Ad viginti ut aestimo solidorum. Cui Romanus jam se manifestans ait, Hic ergo assurgunt ad fisci commodum per annum Viginti & quatuor denarii, scilicet duo solidi. Et suffocavit ipsum pauperem ostiatim mendicantem, dieens: Redde Domino Regi quod debes. Unde pro illa substantiola persolvenda cogebatur ille pauperculus, multis diebus scholas exercens, venditis in parvisio libellis vitam famelicam & Codrinam protelare. The sad effects of these impious rapines, and Croysadoes, ending in the total overthrow and destruction of the French army, the Captivity of their King, the mischief and confusion of the whole Kingdom, yea in blasphemies against God and Christ himself; Apostasy from the Christian Religion, and detestation of these Papal Extortions, Cheats, are at large recorded by the same historian, & thus Epitomised by him. Haec igitur lugubria postquam per aliquos ob Orientialibus partibus redeuntes, ad Mat. Paris Hist. Ang. p. 771, 772. Indignatio Francorum audita clade suorum. audientiam Dominae Blanchiae, & Magnatum Franciae pervenissent, etc. tota Franciae dolorem induit & confusionem, & tam Ecclesiastici viri quam militares maerore querulo contabuerunt, nolentes recipere consolationem. Ubique enim patres, & matres suos filios, pupilli & orphani genitores, consanguinei consanguineos, amici amicos cecidisse conqueruntur: Immutata est mulierum speciositas, serta de floribus projecta sunt. Cantilenae suspenduntur. Instrumenta musica prohibentur. Omne quoque genus laetitiae in luctum, & lamenta commutatur. Et quod pejus est, Dominum de injustitia redarguentes, in verba Blasphemiae quae Apostasiam vel haeresim sapere videbantur, prae mentis amaritudine et doloris immanitate sapientes prorumpunt. Et multorum caepit fides vacillare. Venetia quoque Civitas Nobilissima, et multae Civitates Italiae quas inhabitant semi-Christiani, in Apostasiam prolapsi essent, nisi Episroporum et Sanctorum virorum religio sorum consolatione roborarentur. Qui veraciter affirmabant, ipsos occ●sos jam regnare Martyres in Caelestibus, nec modo velle, pro totius mundi auro in hujus mundi valle tenebrosa degere. Et sic vir quievit aliquorum, non tamen omnium indign atio. He addes, Coeperunt igitur multi, quos firma fides non roboraverat, tàm desperatione & Historiae, p. 751 Fides multorum vacillat. blasphemiis, quam fame contabescere. Et fides, heu, heu, multorum coepit vacillare, dicentium ad invicem: Vt quid dereliquit nos Christus, pro quo & cui hactenus militavimus? I am multoties nostris diebus victi confundimur, & hostes nostri, imò Christi, de nostro sanguine & spoliis gloriantur triumphantes. Primò apud Damiatam Civitatem istam, quando Nili fluentis circundati, compulsi fuimus Damiatam tanto sanguine adquisitam, resignare. Iterum, non procul ab Antiochia, Templi inclyta militia, signifero detruncato, victa confundebatur. Iterum, à Saracenis paucis annis avolutis apud Gazaram occubuimus, à Comite Richardo quodam Anglico post redempti. Posteà verò à Chorosminis ferè tota Christianorum universitas in Terra Sancta trucidabatur, qui loca omnia, quae dicuntur sancta, polluentes destruxerunt. Modo verò, quod omnibus gravius est, Rex noster Christianissimus miraculose suscitatus à mortuis, cum tota Franciae Nobilitate ignominioso patet discrimini, factus est nobis Dominus velut inimicus. Et qui solet Dominus dici exercituum, nunc, proh dolor, à suis hostibus tanquam multoties superatus aspernatur. Quid nobis nostra devotio, religiosorum orationes, amicorum nostrorum prosunt cle●mosynae? Nunquid melior est lex Machometi lege Christi? Et sic deliramenta verborum ex fide titubante resonabant, & dies Quadragesimales, plus poenales quam poenitentiales deducebant. Tales igitur fructus parturiunt rapinae & depraedationes quas faciunt Magnates, Mat. Paris, p. 771. Querimonia super extorsionibus pecuniarum. pauperibus multimodas injurias patientibus, ut eorum marsupia repleantur permittente, imo docente Ecclesia Romana, quoties peregrinaturi ut Deo militent, proficiscuntur. Patet ergo luce clarius ex praemissis quantum Deo displicet quaestus talis, qui de pauperum surgit oppressionibus et depauperatione. To pass from these Croysadoes; this year the Prelates and their Officials being summoned to Oxford, about the grace and indulgence * Here p. 683, 684, 685. forementioned, granted to Archbishop Boniface, the King to preserve the Rights and exemptions of his free Chapples from this Papal imposition, issued this memorable prohibition to them. REX Universis Praelatis & eorum Procuratoribus vocatis et venturis apud Pat. 34 H. 3. Memb. 6. Dorso. Oxoniam pro gratia Cantuariensi Archiepiscopo à Domino Papa concessa salutem. Cum Capellae nostrae in Episcopatibus Cestriae, Sarum, London. & alibi in Regno temporibus nostris ac progenitorum nostrorum, adeo liberae extiterint & immunes, quod nec Dominus Papa, nec aliquis Archiepiscopus, Episcopus, sell Praelatus Jurisdictionem vel potestatem suam extenderit ad easdem, statuendo aliquid in eisdem vel exigendo subsidium, vel aliquid aliud quocunque nomine ab eisdem. Vobis districte inhibemus, quatenus metis vestris hactenus usitatis contenti, nichil exigatis nomine gratiae praedictae Cantuariensi Archiepiscopo concessae, vel quacunque alia occasione a Capellis memoratis, vobis praecaventes ne sitis delatores vel accusatores apud sedem Apostolicam vel alibi super juribus et libertatibus nostris, sicut indignationem nostram velitis evitare et fidelitatem nobis vinculo juramenti praestitam observare. In cujus, etc. Teste Rege apud Westmonasterium 20. die Aprilis The Archbishopric of Tuam in Ireland becoming void by death, the King upon the humble Petition of the Dean and Chapter, issued this signification of his licence to Elect another to the chief Justice of Ireland, provided they made choice of a fit person, profitable to his Realm of Ireland, and faithful unto his Majesty. REX Dilecto & fideli suo I. filio Galfr. Justic. Hiberniae, salutem. Veniens Pat. 34 H. 3. Memb. 8. Dorso De licentia eligendi. ad nos Cristinus Canonicus Ecclesiae Tuamensis, intimavit nobis Ecclesiam suam per mortem Martini quondam Archiepiscopi ejusdem Ecclesiae esse pastoris solatio destitutam, humilter postulans ex parte Decani & Capituli loci memorati, quod eis concederemus licentiam eligendi alium in Patrem et Pastorem. Nos autem precibus eorum condescendere volentes, Vobis mandamus, quod si post mortem praedicti Archiepiscopi, si Archiepiscopatus ille in manu nostra extterit. tunc eis ex parte nostra licentiam eligendi concedatis liberaliter & benignè. Eosdem rogantes attente, ut talem eligant qui Ecclesiae suae idoneus, regno nostro Hiberniae utilis, et nobis existat fidelis. In cujus, etc. Teste Rege spud Westmonasterium 16. die Januarii. The Pope upon the King's complaint, ordering the Bishop of Worcester to repeal a sentence given against William de Beuchamp and others, in a cause belonging to his temporal Court, and not to the Ecclesiastical, and in his default to the Archbishop of Canterbury to effect it, the King thereupon constituted Proctors by his Letters Patents to prosecute and accomplish it accordingly. OMnibus Christi fidelibus praesentes Literas visuris vel audituris H. Dei gratiâ Rex Pat. 34 H. 3. memb. 5. intus, Literae de procuratione. Angliae, etc. salutem. Noverit Universitas vestra, quod cum Dominus Papa ad instantiam nostram Domino Wigorniensi Episcopo suis dederit Literis in mandatis, ut sententiam quam ipse in Willielmum de Bello Campo Vic. nostrum & alios pro hiis quae non ad Ecclesiasticum, sed ad nostrum Regium forum spectant, in nostri praejudicium proponitur promulgasse, si ita sit infra certum tempus sine difficultate relaxaxet. Ac insuper venerabili patri Domino Catuar. Archiepiscopo extunc juxta formam Ecclesiae sententiam relaxet eandem, prout in praedictis literis Apostolicis plenius continetur. Nos dilectos nostros Magistros Nicholaum de Plumpton, & Johannem Clarell constituimus & ordinamus, procuratores nostros subalternatione, unumquemque eorum in solidum ad praedictam causam & ad omnia facienda in praedicto negotio quae verus & legitimus procurator facere potest. Promittentes nos ratum habituros & firmum quicquid per ipsos vel eorum alterum quibuscunque diebus & locis coram quibuscunque Judicibus ordinariis vel delegatis super praemisso negotio nomine nostro factum fuerit justitia mediante. In cujus, etc. Sigillum nostrum fecimus apponi. Teste Rege apud Westmonasterium 7. die Maii. The King this year by his Ecclesiastical supremacy, granted his Licence to the Jews of London, that the Master of their Law should publish a sentence of excommunication against all such Jews who had promised any aid towards the reparation of their Churchyard in London, and had not paid it, provided that all Jews thus excommunicated, should make amends only to himself, not to any other. REX Justiciariis suis ad custodiam Judaeorum assignatis, salutem. Sciatis, Pat. 34 H. 3. m. 5. Intus. De Excommunicatione promulganda in Judaeos Angliae. quod concessimus Judaeis nostris London. quod Magistri Legis eorundem Judaeorum, in Civitate London. promulgare possint sententiam excommunicationis, in omnes illos Judaeos qui subsidium aliquod promiserint ad Coemiterium suum London. sustinendum et illud non solverint. Ita quod nos et non alius de Judaeis excommunicatis emendas recipiamus. In cujus, etc. Teste Rege apud Clarendon 28. die Julii. The Pope by his Provisions intending to dispose of a Deanery belonging to the King's presentation, by the vacancy of the Bishopric of Exeter, in derogation of the King's Crown and Dignity: the King thereupon issued this Writ to the Sheriff of Cornwall, and Dean of Wells, to prevent it. REX Vic. Cornubiae salutem. Audivimus quod J. Saracenus Decanus Claus. 34 H. 3. Memb. 15. Wellen. occasione provisionis ei a sede Apostolica demandata, proponit ordinare, et instituere Decanum in Ecclesia sancti Carantoci. Et quia ordinatio et institutio praedictae manifeste esset contra pacem Coronam et dignitatem nostram, praesertim cum vacante sede Episcopatus Exon, collatio Praebendarum praefatae Ecclesiae sancti Carantoci, ad nos pleno jure pertinere dignoscitur, mandamus eidem Decano, et ejus vices gerenti firmiter inhibendo, ne in praefata Ecclesia vel alibi contra libertatem nostram ordinando vel instituendo aliquid attemptare praesumat. Et ideo praecipimus quod si contingat ipsos ad praefatam Ecclesiam accedere vel destinare, ad ordinationem seu institutionem in eadem fac. tu quantum in te fuerit hoc nullatenus fieri permittas, sed ab eadem omnem vim Laicam penitus amoveas. Et ita te habeas in hac parte, quod diligentiam tuam merito debeamus commendare. Teste Rege apud Westmonasterium 12. die Martii. Et Mandatum est praedicto Decano ut supra. The like Writ in substance he issued to the Sheriffs of Lincoln, to preserve the Patronage of the Abbot and Covent of Thorny, against all provisors intrusions to a Church to which they had presented his Brother Adomar; and to the Sheriffs of Worcester and Hereford, to defend the Church of Oak belonging to Philip Luvell, against Papal provisors, thus entered on Record. MAndatum est Vicecomiti Linc. quod si Abbas & Conventus de Thorneia praesentaverint Claus. 34 H. 3. Memb. 18. Dorso. Pro Adomaro de Lezignan. Adomarum de Lezignan. fratrem Regis, ad aliquam Ecclesiam quae sit in Balliva sua, non permittat aliquos provisores ingredi illam Ecclesiam. Et si sit in ea vis Laica eam amoveat. Teste Rege apud Westmonasterium 15. die Januarii. Consimiles Literas habet Philippus Luvell, ad tuitionem Ecclesiae suae de Oke, directas Vic. Wygorn. et Hereford. Teste ut supra. The King to gratify Cardinal Albo for some courtesies done him in the Court of Rome, sent him the ornaments of his Chapel and a rich Mitre by his Servant, which was reputed no Sacrilege for a Cardinal to receive, or the King to dispose of. MAndatum est Edwardo de Westmonasterio, quod ornamenta Capellae, cum Claus. 34 H. 3. Memb. 10. Intus De ornamento Capellae liberando Albo Cardinali. Mitra, unde Rex ei dixit liberet Willielmo de Lucy, latori praesentium, deferenda▪ ex parte Regis Albo Cardinali Domino suo. Teste Rege, apud Woodst. 8. die Junii. The same year, Anno 1250. (34. H. 3.) there fell out a great difference between Grosthead, Bishop of Lincoln, and the Religious persons of his Diocese, thus recorded by Matthew Paris. Tempore quoque sub eodem, Religiosorum fatigator indefessus Episcopus Matt. Paris Hist. Angl. p. 747. Lincoln. Epis. citat suos Religioso Lincolniensis, Robertus, omnes suae diocesis Religiosos fecit citari ut in festo sancti Hilarii apud Legecestriam convenirent, mandatum domini Papae ibidem audituri. Ad haec enim idem Episcopus summo conamine anhelavit, ut Religiosorum per suam Diocesim constitutorum Ecclesias & redditus, de quibus idem Religiosi assensum Capitul. & super hoc instrumenta Testimonium evidens perhibentia non haberent, in suam, quod multis nimis damnosum foret, revocaret potestatem. Et ad impetrandum Magistrum Leonardum Clericum suum frequentem Romipedam, non sine maxima pecuniae effusione ad Romanam Curiam destinaverat. Quae inquam Curia, instar barathri potestatem habet, et consuetudinem omnium redditus absorbendi, imo Nota. fere omnia quaecunque Episcopi possident et Abbates. Hujus autem impetrationis literae potuerunt reperiri, in libro Additamentorum. Wherein they are thus Registered. INNOCENTIUS Episcopus, etc. Venerabili fratri Episcopo Lincolniensi, salutem Additamenta Matt. Paris p. 179. & Apostolicam benedictionem. Tua nobis fraternitas intimavit, quod nonnulli Religiosi quampluret Ecclesiarum p●ssessiones ac Decimas, in proprios usus praesumunt convertere, licet ad id non accesserit Capituli tui consensus. Quocirca fraternitati tva praesentium authoritate concedimus, ut praedicta valeas legitimè revocare; contradicentes per Censuram Ecclesiasticam, appellatione postposita compescendo. Datum Lugduni, decimo sexto Kalendas Julii; Pontificatus nostri, anno. sexto. The Religious persons hereupon appealling from the Bishop to the Pope notwithstanding this Bull, the Bishop soon after crossed the Seas to the Pope's Court upon this occasion, to dismiss their Appeals and complaints against him. Causa autem solius Episcopi Lincolniensis, quare transfretaret patuit; vigilanter Matt. Paris. Hist. Angl. p. 747. Epis. Linc. curiam Romanam accedit. laboravit, ut eos quos vocaverat ad Papale mandatum, ut praetactum est, & contra inaudita gravamina sua ad sedem Apostolicam appellaverant, strictius suae flecteret voluntati. Appellaverant enim exempti, Templarii, Hospitalarii, et multi alii, qui postea a Domino Papa pecunia interveniente, caute sibi pacem redimerunt, secundum illud Ethici, Judicis auxilium sub iniqua lege rogato▪ Quod cum Episcopo post multas expensarum effusiones, & labores inutiles innotuisset; confusus & tristis venit ad Dominum Papam, dicens: Domine sancte Pater, erubesco confusus in proposito meo, quod in literis et pollicitis vestris confidenter solidadi; spe frustror praeconcepta, quia quos credideram edomuisse, liberi in meam recedunt confusionem. Cui Papa torvo vultu dicitur respondisse. Frater quid ad te? liberasti animam tuam, fecimus eis gratiam. Nunquid oculus (tuus) nequam est, quia bonus sum? & cum Episcopus suspirans in seipso diceret, tamen auditus a Papa: O pecunia, pecunia quam potens praecipue in Curia Romana: exasperatus Dominus Papa respondit. O Anglici, hominum estis miserrimi. Quilibet vestrum alium corrodit ac studet depauperare. Quam multos elaborasti reliogiosos tibi subjectos, tuasque oves & indigenas ac domesticos, orationibus & hospitalitati intendentes, deprimere, ut de bonis eorum tyrannidituae ac cupiditati satisfaciens, alios et forte alienos reddas locupletes! Et sic confusus, & ab omnibus protervius acclamatus, recessit Episcopus, & ne nihil fecisse videretur aliis negociis intendebat. * Mat. Paris p. 754. Remansit autem in Curia Romana Lincolniensis, utversus Papam propositum perficeret praeconceptum. Which he was utterly unable to effect, the Religious and exempt persons out bribing him there. The Bishop having incurred the Pope's displeasure by his forecited reprehension; and the King complaining against him to the Pope by special Messengers, that he had, against the Right of his Crown, excommunicated the Sheriff of Rutland, for not taking and imprisoning one Ranulph a Clerk, whom the Bishop had deprived and excommunicated for incontinency; upon his significavit directed to the Sheriff, the Pope thereupon issued a memorable inhibition to him, and all other Bishops and Officials, thus Recorded by Mat. Paris. Eodem quoque anno, contigit, quod Episcopus Lincolniensis privavit quendam Matt. Paris. Hist. Angl. p. 751. Deterioratur Ecclesiasticae libettatis conditio Clericum beneficiatum, in Episcopatu suo, accusatum de incontinentia, nomine Ranulphum, & privatum excommunicavit, quia condemnatus, cedere recusavit. Nunc cum in sententia excommunicationis ultra quadraginta dies perseverasset, significavit Episcopus Vicecomiti Rotholandiae, in cujus Vicecomitatu idem clercus manebat, ut ipsum captum teneret tanquam contumacem. Vicecomes autem eo quod fortè amicusd●cti Ranulphi fuerat, hoc facere distulit vel recusavit, nuncemm erat Episcopo favorabilis. Quia enim, ut a●t Seneca, qui diu distulit, diu noluit. Episcopus igitur Vicecomitis comperiens simultatem, ipsum excommunicavit solenniter. Vicecomes igitur ira us & verecundatus, Regem illico adiit, gravem super h●c reponens querimoniam. Quod cum audisset, & sui omnes aulici, commoti sunt univern, Rex autem iratus nimis, respondit addito maximo juramento: siquis meorum versus Episcopum illum vel quempiam foris fecisset, coram nobis querimoniam deberet reposuisse. Sed ut videtur, me habuit contemptui. Missus igitur ad Romanam curiam Legatis solennibus, hanc meruit literam in Ecclesiasticae libertatis praejudicium, interveniente pecunia, celeriter impetrare. INNOCENTIUS quartus Episcopus, etc. Dilectis filiis Abbati Westmonasteriensi Literae Papales. Londini, salutem. Celsitudinis charissimi in Christo filii Regis Angliae illustris votis liberaliter annuimus, ut ei in his quae dignè deposcit nos favorabiles exhibeamus. Cum igitur sicut ex parte sua fuit propositum coram nobis, nonnulli Pontifices et alii Praelati Regni sui Ballivos suos, super his quae ad jurisoictionem Regiam pertinent, coram se pro suo compellant libito litigare, ac in eos nisi coram ipsis litigent excommunicationis ferant sententias, in ipsius Regis praejudicium et gravamen, Nos ejus supplicationibus inclinati, ut nullus ipsius Regni Archiepiscopus, Episcopus, vel alius Praelatus, Ballivos ipsos coram se super his, quae ad Regiam jurisdictionem pertinent litigare compellat, vel hac de causa in eos hujusmodi ferant sententias, auctoritate literarum districte durimus inhibendum. Quocirca discretioni vestrae per Apostolica scripta mandamus, quatenus praedictum super his, contra inhibitionis nostrae tenorem, non permittatis ab aliquibus indebite molestare Malefactores, etc. Datum Lugdini, 7 Idus Martii, Pontificatus nostri Anno 7. Hoc tamen non sine redarguatione peritorum, haec fecit Dominus Rex, Quod scilicet conquestus est super hoc Dominus Papae. Having royal power to redress it himself by his own Writs of Prohibition, asis evident by this remarkable Writ of K. Henry the 3d. in the 20th. year of his Reign, (casually omitted in its due place) directed to the Official of the Bishop of Winchester, enjoining him to absolve the King's Bailiffs, whom he had unjustly Excommunicated at the suit of the Prior of St. Swithin in Winchester, for seizing upon a Royal Fish, (belonging to the King by his Prerogative) which the Prior claimed, because drawn on shore upon his Land. REX Magistro W. Officiali P. Winton. Episcopi, salutem. Ad nostram pervenit Claus. 20 H. 3. m. 3. dorso. noticiam, quod cum quidam Piscis Regius nuper applicaret in terra Prioris Sancti Swithinis Winton. & constantibus illuc tàm Ballivis nostris, quam Ballivis ipsius Prioris, manu communi esset ad terram tractus, & unanimi assensu Ballivorum nostrorum, & ipsius Prioris esset in quadam domo depositus & sale conditus, quia Ballivi nostri tandem non permiserunt dictum Priorem pro voluntate sua de dicto Pisce disponere, resumentes eum ad opus Regium; delata inde vobis querela per praefatum Priorem, sententiam Excommunicationis in Ballivos nostros praecipitatis, unde si miremur et movemur minime mirari debetis, cum nullus in Regno nostro jus habeat hujusmodi Regium Piscem vendicandi ubicunque applicuerit, nisi de jure speciali a nobis vel Praedecessoribus nostris 〈◊〉 fuerat indultum: Et licet Ballivi nostri graves exstitissent ipso Priori vel 〈◊〉 super concessa ei à Regia potesrate libertate, ob Regiam tamen reverentiam requirendi essemus, ut id emendari faceremus, et tunc demum si negligentes essemus in hac parte, posset in Ballivos nostros honestius animadverti. Et ideo vobis mandamus rogantes, quatenus praefatos Ballivos nostros a dicta sententia Excommunicationis faciatis absolvi: Et si memoratus Prior ostendere velit, quod jus habeat in hujusmodi Regio Pisce, paerati sumus ipsum audire, & ei per considerationem Curiae nostrae Justitiam exhibere. Teste Rege apud Doncastr. 27 die Septembris. By which Writ, and the King's forecited complaint and Pope's Letters in pursuance thereof, it is apparent: First, That no Bishop, nor Ecclesiastical person or Court, aught to draw any of the King's Officers or Bailiffs into their Ecclesiastical Courts, for any matter belonging to the King's proper Jurisdiction or Temporal Courts, nor for the execution or neglect of their Offices. 2ly. That they ought not to Excommunicate them in their Courts for any Temporal cause, or executing their Offices; and that the King by his special Writs may command them to absolve them if Excommunicated. 3ly. That * Bracton l. 2. c. 5. sect. 7 f. 14. a. etc. 14. sect. 1. f. 55. b. Britton l. 1. c. 17. 17 E. 2. c. 11. 39 E. 3. f. 35. b. Cooks 7 Report 16. a. Brook Prerogative 35. Stamford Prerogative c. 11. Royal Fishes (as Whales and Sturgeon) belong only to the Kings of England, wherever cast on shore, by virtue of their Prerogative; and that none can claim them but by special grant from the Crown; and that they ought to sue for them only in the Kings own Courts. 4ly. That in that age Abbots, Prelates, and Ecclesiastical Courts were very insolent, ingrateful, severe, and uncivil in vexing, Excommunicating the King's Bailiffs, Sheriffs, Officers, upon every trifling occasion, without complaining first to the King, notwithstanding they claimed all their Privileges, Royalties, Lands from the Crown. 5ly. That the King was very sensible of these affronts to him and his Officers, and industrious to redress them by Writs out of his Temporal Courts, for the maintenance of the Rights, Prerogatives of his Crown, and encouragement of his Officers to discharge their duties. The forementioned high-spirited Bishop Grosthead in the second year of his Consecration, offered an high affront to the King, his Crown and Dignity, by prohibiting Clerks attached for holding Plea in the Spiritual Court of a Temporal matter, contrary to the King's Prohibition, to appear or answer their contempts in the King's Courts, whereupon he issued this notable Writ to him and his Justices of the Bench to maintain the Rights of his Crown against this Innovation and enchroachment. REX Venerabili Patri R. eadem gratia Lincoln. Episcopo, salutem. Ad aures Claus. 20 H. 3. m. 10, 11. dors. nostras nuper pervenit, quod cum temporibus Praedecessorum nostrorum Regum Angliae, et tempore nostro, Clerici, qui contra Prohibitionem Regiam in placitis ad Regiam dignitatem pertinentibus processerint in foro Ecclesiastico ea occasione attachiati secundum leges et consuetudines Regni, in Curia Regia inde respondere consueverint. Nosque ea semper gavisi sumus libertate et adhuc in ejusdem possessione. Vos in grave praejudicium dignitatis Regiae libertatem praedictam nobis intenditis auferre; non permittentes Clericos vestros de Diocaesi vestra post contemptum Prohibitionis nostrae inde in Curia nostra respondere, de quo cogimur (mirari) vehementer et moveri. Cum igitur tantam et tam enormem injuriam non possumus, sicut nec debemus aequanimiter toletare: Vobis mandamus rogantes, et bena fide consulentes, quatenus possessionem libertatis memoratae nobis relinquentes illaesam, nihil contra Coronam et Dignitatem attemptetis in hac parte, propter quod asperius erga vos moveri debeamus. Scituri indubitanter, quod nullo modo permittemus pro defectu defensionis sufficientis juri nostro aliquid deperire. Teste Rege apud Clarenden, 17 die Junii. Et mandatum est Justiciariis de Banco, quod quatenus in eis Dominum Regem in seisina libertatis praedictae, sicut ea usus est hucusque, manuteneant, Nota. non permittentes quod pro defectu sui aliquid jure Regio depereat. Teste ut supra. As this turbulent innovating Bishop had very ill success in these his Usurpations upon the Crown and Subjects Liberties, and in his forementioned Visitation Oaths and Inquisitions, so he had as bad success in the Appeals and complaints made against him to the Pope; whereupon after many month's attendance and great expense of moneys, despairing of success, he returned much damnified and discontented to his Bishopric, resolving to retire himself from the world, and desert his Bishopric; which resolution he suspended, fearing lest the King seizing upon the Temporalties, should impoverish the Bishopric, and recommend an unworthy person to it, as Matthew Paris thus records. Et circa idem sestum sancti Michaelis, Episcopus Lincolniensis Robertus, cum Mat. Paris p. 776. Mat. Westm▪ Annis 1249, 1250. Redit Episcopus Lincolniensis a Curia Romana. in Curia Romana pluribus diebus cum multarum expensarum inutili profusione stetisset, et conceptum propositum ad votum perficere non valeret, tristis et vacuus in Angliam remeavit. Multos tamen religiosos ut se ab ejus impetu defenderent fatigaret, et non mediocriter damnificaret. Et cum in Episcopatum suum pervenisset, videns materiam confusionis Ecclesiae universali cominus imminere, ut sibi contemplanti, oranti, & studenti liberius vacaret, exemplo instructus Episcopi Dunelmensis Nicholai, se exuens à mundanis, quibus se saepè inutiliter illaqueaverat, Magistro Roberto de Marisco, officiali suo, curam administrationis officii sui commisit sibi competentis, proponens mundo perituro valedicere, accedere Episcopatu: sed timens Regias rapinas, quae vacantes cousuevit depauperare, & demum indignas personas intrudere in eisdem, sub dissimulatione, suspenso adhuc tam arcano consilio, nescius quid in tanto mundi turbine ageret, anxius expectavit. The same year Boniface Archbishop of Canterbury being enthroned in his See (from which he had been long absent) with great pomp and state, the Bishops of his Province Mat. Patis, p. 740, 748, 754, 755, etc. Mat. Westm. Anno 1250. Mat. Parker & God. win, in vita Bonifacii. met together at Oxford, to compute whether he had levied the sum of money out of the First-fruits of Benefices formerly granted him by the Pope, where although they found by the Collectors of each Bishopric, that he had received far more than the sum assigned, yet he demanded a great deal more upon pretext of his expenses, which he converted to his own profit; Episcopi igitur inviti quod exegit concesserunt, sentientes Dominum Papam sibi favorabilem. After which the Archbishop purposed to visit his Province, the better to fill his purse; which being the first Metropolitical Visitation I find extant in our Histories, wherein he met with much opposition, I shall relate the passages thereof at large, as Matthew Paris and others report them. Diebus itaque sub eisdem, Archiepiscopus Cantuariensis Bonifacius, exemplo Archiepiscopus Bonifacius proponit Visitationem facere. Lincolniensis Episcopi provocatus, qui ut Canonicos suos visitaret, impetraverat potestatem, in sua Provincia Visitationem facere attemptavit, scilicet super Episcopos, Abbates, Clerum, & populum. Fecit igitur Visitationem primò in Capitulo suorum Monachorum Cantuariensium rigidè nimis, & immisericorditer, ut ad invicem dicerent: De eodem merito hoc patimur, quia peccavimus in praedecessorem ejus beatum Aedmundum quem austerum reputavimus, & protervum: verè quae promeruimus, toleramus, eligentes alienigenam, illiteratum, ignotum & inexpertum, bellicis plusquam spiritualibus negotiis idoneum et exercitatum. O quales habuit praedecessores, Martyres, Doctores, Autenticos, & Sanctos Dei Confessores? Heu quare in hac enormi electione, plus Regi rerreno, quam coelesti obedivimus? Venit igitur illinc ad Abbatiam de Reversham, cujus visitationi propter tyrannidem suam non ausi sunt ipsi pusillanimes Monachi contradicere. Ind autem venit cum magno impetu, ad Roffensem Prioratum, ubi extorsit ab illa exili domo plus quam xxx Marcas: unde constat ipsum visitationis officium plus exercere cupiditate pecuniae, quam pro ordinis vel morum reformatione, cum sit ordinis et morum ignarus, ac literaturae. Quarto veroidus Maii, videlicet die sanctorum Paneratii sociorumqué ejus, venit Mat. Paris p. 754. 755. Mat. West. p. 242. Mat. Park. and Godwins. Archiepis B. tyrannis in clerum Lond. idem Archiepis. Londinum, visitaturus Episcopum & ejus capitulum., & Religiosos ipsius civitatis, & hospitium suum cepit sine alicujus licentia, in domo nobilistima Episcopi Cicestrensis, non procul à domibus Conversorum, nec descendit apud domum suàm propriam apud Lamhith, & fecit marescallos suos violenter comparare cibaria su● ad formam Regis, cum minis & convitiis, & injuriis mercatoribus illatis: paucos tamen vel nullos convivas invitavit. In crastino autem visitavit Episcop. Fulconem, apud quem inverecundiam ab eodem Archiepiscopo factam, si quis enarraret tum in poculentis,, tum in ferratura, scilicet equorum deferratorum, aures & animos offenderet audientium, imo & corda cruentaret. Visitaturo autem Capitulum Sancti Pauli London restiterunt Canonici, appellantes ad Pontificem, quamobrem Decanum et alios excommunicavit. Et in crastino, ira adhuc ●umidus, & lorica, ut perhibent, qui viderunt, sub vestibus Resistit Ecclesia S. Barth. visitationi Archi, indutus, venit ad Prioratum Sanct. Bartholomaei, ut ibi Canonicos visitaret. Cui adventanti, & Ecclesiam intranti, occurrit Subprior, quia Prior tunc domi non fuerat, comitante Conventu processionaliter cum solemnitate in multorum accessione Cereorum, & sonitu Campanorum: erant autem in capis chorealibus & preciosis valdè, quarum preciosissimam habuit Subprior memoratus. De quo sibi exhibito honore non multum curavit Archiepiscopus, dixit se illuc venisse, ut ipsos Canonicos visitaret. Erant autem jam omnes Canonici in medio Ecclesiae, scilicet in choro, ipseque Archepisc. cum majori parte familiae suae, inordinate sese comprimentis. Cui respondit unus Canonicorum pro omnibus dicens, quod Epis. haberent peritum & diligentem, qui eos habuit, cum necesse fuerat, visitare, nec voluerunt, nec debuerunt ab alio, ne contemptus videretur visitari. Quod audiens Archiepiscopus, in iram secus quam deceret conversus, irruit in Subpriorem, suaeque conditionis, et suorum antecessorum sanctitatis immemor, ipsum sanctum virum sacerdotem et religiosum in medio Ecclesiae existentem, pugno impie tum percussit, tum in pectus senile, tum in faciem venerabilem, tum in canum caput impulit trueulenter multoties, clamosa voce dicens: Siccine, siccine decet Anglicos proditores impetere; & horribilius cum juramentis irrecitabilibus delirans, gladium suum expostulavit festinanter afferri.▪ Et Nota. cum multiplicarentur tumultus, & niterentur Canonici suum Subpriorem de manibus tam violenter opprimentis liberare; ipse Archiepis. capam illam preciosam qua Subprior indutus erat, dilaceravit, & firmaculum, quod vulgariter morsus dicitur, avulsit, & inter pedes catervatim irruentium conculcatum est, & amissum, quod auro & argento & gemmis fuerat preciosum. Sed & ipsa capa Nobilissima concultata & disttacta irrestaurabiliter, violabatur, nec adhuc aversus est furor Archiepisc. Ipsum namque virum sanctum impetu violento repellens, & retroire cogens ad unam spondam, quae duos de stallis dividebat, & pro podio facta fuit, adeo senile corpus pressit, ut ossa cum medullis conquassaret & praecordia collideret furibundus. Caetiri autem cum tantam in Archiepis. viderent immoderantiam, virum seminecem de mortis confinio vix eripuerunt, oppressorem repellentes. Qui cum cecidisset retorsum, & aversa fuerunt ejus vestimenta, visa est lorica ipsius a multis manifeste, qui abhorruerunt videntes Archiepis. loricatum, unde praenosticabant multi, quod non ad visitandum, vel errores corrigendum illuc venerat, sed potius ad praelium excitandum. Interim sui ministrales quos habuit impetuosos sibi comprovinciales in reliquos Canonicos imbelles, inermes, & improvisos, truculenter irruerunt, & tam ipse Archiepiscopus quam sui, jussu ejus exemplo, quamplures ex eis malè tractaverunt, percutiendo, dilacerando, prosternendo & conculcando. Venerunt igitur Canonici pedes livore et cruore deturpati, et male laesi, hirsuti, et lacerati, ad Episcopum civitatis, super tam detestabili facto gravem querimoniam cum lachrymis reponentes. Quibus ille Episcopus: Dominus Rer est apud Westmonast. adite eum hoc monstraturi, ut saltem moveat eum suae pacis in sua principali civitate laesio tam violenta et manifesta. Quatuor igitur ex ipsis Canonicis, quia caeteri non poterant prae dolore ictuum, Rex Angl. audire noluit conquerentes de tyranni de Arch. B. Regis praesentiam ut adirent Westmonaster. in conspectu populi multum compatientes usque pervenerunt, monstrantes omnibus ictuum vestigia, cruorem scilicet, livorem, et tumorem, et vestes laceratas, qui tam enorme factum compatientes detestabantur. Quintus autem, videlicet Subprior memoratus, nullo modo eques vel pedes ad curiam venire valebat, sed gemibundus in infirmariam portatus, sese in lectum recipiens, reliquum aetatis protraxit in languore. Rex autem, licet ad ostium camerae suae diu expectassent, memoratos Canonicos querulos, nec audire voluit, nec videre. Unde cum majori confusione ad Ecclesiam, quam dictus Archiepiscopus sanguine sacerdotum et religiosorum pollutam prophanaverat, redierunt. Interim perturbata est tota civitas vehementer, et quasi seditione mota, proposuerunt cives communem campanam pulsare, et ipsum Archiepiscopum quicquid postea contingeret, in frusta detruncare. Resonabant interim cum probris convitia, & dicebant ei ad Lamhith domum suam properanti dum ipsum quaererent catervatim ruentes: Ubi est ille ruptarius, percussor impius & cruentus, non animarum lucrator, sed pecumarum exactor, quem non Deus, vel legitima vel libera promovit electio, sed Rex illicite potius intrusit, illiteratum et uxoratum, et teterrima de ipso infamia mota infecit totam jamjam civitatem? Et cito post transvectus clanculo per Tamesim, gravem super his coram Domino Rege reposuit querimoniam, justificans se, licet reum, & alios graviter accusando, & currens ad Reginam, coram ipsa reposuit graviorem. Rex igitur seditionem formidans vehementer, fecit voce praeconia in civitate proclamari, ne aliquis super vitam & membra se de hac controversia intromitteret. Et sic spretus tam apud Canonicos S. Bartholomaei quam apud S Trinitatem, constanter appellantes, perrexit Archiep. et sumens ex Regis favore cornua, apud Lamhith in capella dictam sententiam in Canonicos S. Pauli latam solenmter innovavit, involvens Episcopum Londinensem tanquam fautorem cum Canonicis memoratis. Ipsi igitur Canonici undique laesionem et injuriam passi, sancto suo Bartholomeo cui jugiter nocte dieque servire dignoscuntur, causam hanc conquesti sachrymabiliter commiserunt, deprecantes, ut Deus ultionum Dominus, quod homo nequit, vel dissimulat, tantas dignaretur ulcisci transgressiones. Archiepiscopus autem felle adhuc repletus iracundiae, in crastino ad manerium Arch. B. parat abitum versus curiam Romanam. suum, quod Harewes dicitur, properavit, distans ab coenobio S. Albani 7. Milliaribus, ut ibi visitationis officium exerceret, ibique sententiam memoratam innovavit. Et cum ab amicis suis & clericis, viris disertis & literatis dictum fuisset ei de See Mat. West. An. 1250. p. 242. & Mat. Parker in Bonifacio.▪ nobilibus privilegiis illi Ecclesiae à sede Apostolica concessis, supersedit dissimulans. Et reversus praeparavit se ad transfretandum, ut in curia Romana, ubi praepotens fuerat, & consuetus magis quam more boni Pastoris super gregem suam commorari, laqueos insontibus praepararet. Decanus autem S. Pauli Londinensis, vir quidem bonus & magni consilii & grandaevus, & magister Robertus de Barthona, & magister W. de Linchefelde. viri diserti & literati, ejusdem Ecclesiae Canonici, cum Procuratoribus sui Episcopi, & Canonicorum praedictorum, curiam Papalem adierunt, Litera Episcopi Londinensis ad Abbatem S. Albani. super his omnibus querelam coram summo Pontifice reposituri, instructique sufficienter, & multorum testimonio roborati, ad probandum praenotata. Episcopus autem Londinensis super his perturbationibus non mediocriter motus, hinc Regalem versus suos naturales umbratilem amicitiam, illinc autem Sabaudiensium, quos offendere non audebat, nobilitatem, vehementer, nec est mirandum, formidabat. Cupiens in harum angustiarum articulis habere Abbatis & Conventus S. Albani consilium & auxilium scripsit eidem in haec verba. Viris venerabilibus & amicis in Christo charissimis, I. Dei gratia Abbati S. Albani, & ejusdem loci Conventui, ac omnibus aliis eidem domui subjectis, Fulco divina permissione Londinensis Episcopus salutem, & sincerae dilectionis in Domino semper augmentum. Fama gradu multivago terram perlabitur, quae stateram minatur communis indicii, & edictum novelli discriminis in pluribus locis disseminat, pace quidem diutina nostra Diccesis, per patrem nostrum venerabilem Archipraesulem impugnata, via credemus juste defensionis arrepta, tanquam vestram bellatores pro jure omnium & singulorum provinciae in fortunae area praemissi, bellum nobis impositum; nisi omnipotentis, & vestri consilii solatio respiremus adjuti, vobis praedicimus aerius imponendum. Idem namque Dominus, quod forte vobis innotuit, visitationem totius Cleri & populi nostrae Diocesis, ac procurationem exigens ab eisdem à Capitulo nostro primitus, ac iterum à duobus Prioratibus civitatis, contradictionem passus pariter, & repulsam, licet cu●ialem, prius in ipsos ipsum ad praemissa non admittentes. Secundo pro eo quod aliquibus nostrae ditionis, ne ipsum in praejudicium Ecclesiae nostrae admitterent mandavimus, in personam nostram excommunicationis sententias fulminavit, legitimis tum appellationibus praeventus, causis justis, veris, & probabilibus expressis. Nec haec inquiete sola quietem nostram aggrediens, imo sententias sic derivatas in sua Diocesi, & ut fertur, alibifecit publicari. Missis igitur ad curiam jam procuratoribus, quosdam Coepiscopos nostros super praemissis sumus allocuti, qui jura sua & libertates magnanimitate assumpta praetendunt defendere. Quocirca dilectionem vestram duximus exorandam, quod causam hujus petitionis ac honorem vestrum & indemnitatem considerantes, nulla tepescat probitas, nulla frigescat virilitas, sed in ipso ponentes fiduciam, qui ab injustorum injuria tuetur oppressos, manum nobis velitis porrigere consilii salutaris. Valeat Vniversitas vestra semter in Domino. Decretales vero, ex quibus Archi▪ sumpsit hujus propositi occasionem, in libri Additamentorum plenius annotantur, cum disceptationibus partium ibidem conscribuntur. This Archbishop held this his Metropolitical Visitation (as * Here p. 629, 630, 698, 699, etc. Grosthead Bishop of Lincoln did his Episcopal before him) not by his own inherent Archiepiscopal Authority, but by the special Bulls and new Decretals of Pope Innocent the 4th▪ thus recorded to posterity by Matthew Paris in his Additamenta, to which his History refers us. Decretales novae Innocentii Quarti, quorum Auctoritate Archiepiscopus Additamenta Matthaei Paris. p. 179, 180. Cantuariensis Bonifacius, intendebat visitare in sua Provincia visitandos. ROMANA, etc. Statuimus, ut quilibet Archiepiscopus suam volens visitare Provinciam, prius Ecclesiae suae Capitulum ac Civitatem, ac Diocesin propriam, plenè visitare procuret. Nec sit solum erga majorum, sed etiam minorum Ecclesiarum; nec circa Clericorum tantum, sed etiam populorum visitationem intentus. Et si commodè, vel absque difficultate accedere ad unamquamque non poterit, (as he ought of right, Acts 15. 36.) de pluribus locis ad unam congregationem Clerieos & alios studeat evoeare: ne in illis visitatio postponatur. Deindè liceat ei per totam Provinciam vel ejus partem, visitationis officium exercere, Civitates, & Dioceses, Suffraganeos, & eorum subditos, Cathedralium & aliarum Ecclesiarum, Monasteria, & Ecclesias, & alia Religiosa, & pia loca, Cleros, & populos, liberè visitando, ac procurationes a locis tantum recipere visitatis. Ex quo tamen aliquam de ipsis Diocesibus visitare ceperit, nunquam postea (siuè totam siuè partem ejus visitaverit) revertatur causa visitationis ad illam; priusquam omnes reliquae ipsius Provinciae Dioceses, in toto vel in parte (quam scilicet secretò securè poterit) & suae denuò fuerint ab eo visitatae. Quod si fortè eadem Diocesis, vel aliqua ibi Ecclesia plùs aliis indigeat visitari, tunc aliarum visitatione intermissâ, redeat ad eandem, si à loci Diocesano requisitus extiterit; vel de omnium aut majoris partis Episcoporum ejusdem Provinciae, processerit consilio & assensu. Ad quod idem se pronos exhibeant, ne animarum profectus aliquatenus negligatur. Si verò maliciosè in hiis difficultatem quamlibet adhibuerint, Archiepiscopus super hoc licentiam postulet confidenter. Postquam autem semel omnes Provinciae suae Dioceses visitaverit, licitum sit ei postea (prius tamen Suffraganeorum suorum requisito consilio) ipsius definitione super hoc habi â coram eis quae in scriptis redigi volumus, ut possint esse aliis nota, visitationem per eandem Provinciam recitare, juxta modum superiùs annotatum. Et si non interveniat in hoc Suffraganeorum ipsorum assensus, illam semper providentiam adhibendo, ut in posterioribus visitationibus, illas Ecclesias, illosque Cleros, & populos, prius visitet qui non fuerant ab eo in prioribus visitati, nisi magis sit aliis visitationis officium oportunum. Sanè hujusmodi impensurus officium, proposito verbo Dei, quaerat de vita & conversatione ministrantium in Ecclesiis, & divino cultur deputatis: ac caeteris quae ad officium ipsum spectant, absque * coactione. Here p. 710. contradictione et exactione qualibet juramenti, ad ipsorum emendationem per salubr●● monita, nunc levia nunc aspera, juxta datam à Deo sibi prudentiam diligenter intendens. Quod si de aliquibus orta fuerit infamia contra eos, Ordinariis ipsarum, ut super hiis solenniter inquirant, denunciet, si viderit expedire. Notoria vero crimina, quae examinatione non egeant, cum super hiis merito notari possit Ordinariorum negl gentia, eorundem liberè corrigat; poenam de illis debitam infligendo. Procurationes autem recipiat, nullam autem pecuniam Nota. ipse vel aliquis de familia iva, occasione alicujus officii vel consuetudinis, seu quolibet alio modo, earum nomine, sed in victualibus tantum recipiat moderatas. Caveant insuper, ne ipse vel quisquam suorum, munus quod●unque sic vel qua●itercunque offeratur, praesumat recipere, ut non quae sua sunt videantur quaerere, sed quae jesu Christi. Quod si fuerit contra praesumptum, recipiens maledictionem inveniat: a qua nunquam, nisi duplum restituat, liberetur. Volumus enim in hiis fraudem quamlibet penitus evitari. Hanc autem visitandi formam, ab universis etiam Episcopis aliisque Praelatis, ordinario jure suos subditos visitantibus, plene observari praecipimus: salvis super hoc rationabilibus et approbatis Religiosorum consuetudinibus, et regularibus institutis. By which Decree of this Pope it is apparent: 1. That all Archbishops and Bishops were precisely enjoined to proceed in all their Visitations, * Here p. 710. absque exactione qualibet juramenti, without any exaction of an Oath; wherefore Bishop Grostheads exaction of an Oath, was directly contrary to this Decretal, and justly prohibited by the King, his Court and Council, by the premised * Here p. 699, 704, 705, 706. Writs of Prohibition, as an illegal Innovation; neither is there any mention, that Archbishop Boniface exacted any Oath in his Visitations. 2ly. That no Archbishop, Bishop, or their Officers, in such Visitations, aught to exact or receive any money, fee, or Procurations, but merely victuals, and that only from the Churches which they personally visited, under pain of Excommunication till they shall make double restitution; which how much Archbishop Boniface, other Bishops and their Officers violate, our Histories and Experience evidence. You have heard before of the Archbishop's sentence published against the Dean and Canons of St. Paul's in London, and their Appeal to Rome, upon hearing whereof the Pope issued a Bull, declaring the Archbishop's sentence of Excommunication to be utterly null and void. Diebus autem sub eisdem, videlicet in adventu Domini, significavit Dominus Papa, Mat. Paris Hist. Angliae Edit. Londini 1640. p. 804. Mat. Parker Antiqu. Eccles. Brit, in Bonifacio. Literae Papales ad Abbatem de Sancto Albano & quosdam alios. de Sancto Albano & de Wautham Abbatibus, & Archidiacono Sancti Albani, quatenus in Henricum Decanum Londinensem, Petrum Archidiaconum, Robertum Cantorem Londinensem, Magistrum Willielmum de Lichefeld, Willielmum Leafete, & alios Canonicos Londinenses, propter delictum Capituli, sententiam promulgatam ab Archiepiscopo Cantuariensi Bonifacio, penitus nullam fore. Instabat autem nihilominus idem Archiepiscopus in Curia Romana, exigens in visitandos cum procurationibus visitationes. Et eò instantiùs & confidentiùs, quia * Here p. 629, 630, 698, 699. Episcopus Lincolniensis, qui eo minor esse dignoscitur, à Domino Papa paucis antè elapsis annis impetraverat, ut Canonicos suos Lincolniensis Ecclesiae visitaret, multum reluctantes, et maximum the saurum in defension eorum inaniter effundentes. Hujus autem rei Literae, scilicet denuncia●ionis praecepti, in libro Additamentorum plenius annotantur; where they are thus registered at large. Litera Apostolica contra sententiam prolatam in Canonicos Sancti Pauli Additamenta Matthaei Paris. p. 180, 181. Londini, ab Archiepiscopo Cantuariensi, eos volente visitare. INNOCENTIUS Episcopus, Servus servorum Dei, Dilectis filiis de Sancto Albano, & de Wautham Abbatibus, & Archidiacono Sancti Albani, Lincolniensis & Londoniensis Dioceseos salutem, & Apostolicam Bénedictionem. Ex parte dilectorum filiorum, Henrici Decani, Petri Archidiaconi, Roberti Cantoris, Magistri Gulielmi de Litchfield, Gulielmi le Faite, & Roberti dicti Monachi Canonicorum Londoniae fuit proposicum coram nobis, quod cum venerabilis frater noster Cantuariensis Archiepiscopus ad Londoniensem Ecclesiam, impensurus in ea visitationis officium accessisset, Capitulo proponente ejusdem Ecclesiae, se ac Ecclesiam suam ab ipsius jurisdictione liberos & immunes, ac ideo eundem Archiepiscopum ad visitandum admittere, sibique procurationis praestare obsequium recusante, idem Archiepiscopus in personas eorum ob hujusmodi ejusdem Capituli delictum excommunicationis sententiam, authoritate propria promulgavit, quam ipsi nunciari Missam humiliter petierunt. Ad quod memoratus Archiepiscopus ex adverso respondit, quod non ob Capituli, sed praedictorum Decani & aliorum delictum, eandem in eos sententiam protulisset. Ipsius autem sententiae forma, in nostra & fratrum nostrorum audientia lecta fuit, cujus tenorem praesentium inseri fecimus, ad cautelam, Noverint universi, quod cum nos B. Dei gratia Cantuariensis Archiepiscopus, totius Angliae Primas, Cantuariensi & Roffensi Civitatibus & Diocesibus visitatis, ut venerabilem fratrem nostrum Londoniae Episcopum visitassemus, descendimus ad visitandum Capitulum Cathedralis Ecclesiae Sancti Pauli Londoniae. Et monuimus viuâ voce, ac per alios fecimus saepius admoneri Decanum & Capitulum praedictae Cathedralis Ecclesiae Sancti Pauli; ut nos tanquam Metropolitanum suum, secundum formam à jure traditam, ad exercendum visitationis officium in sua Ecclesia admitterent reverenter. Quod ipse Decanus & Capitulum facere in humanitate denegarunt; affirmantes viuâ voce coram nobis, quod nullatenus nos reciperent ad praedictum visitationis officium exercendum: & tenentes clausa ostia chori atque Capituli, ubi volebamus proponere Verbum Dei, manifestè impediverunt nos verbo & facto, ne possemus ibidem officii nostri debitum exercere. Et quamdiu in corpore ipsius Ecclesiae Sancti Pauli fuimus praesentes, divinae laudis organa prosuae voluntatis libito suspenderunt; in manifestam injuriam, & grave praejudicium Cantuariensis Ecclesiae, ac animarum periculum & scandalum plurimorum. Nos igitur offensam hujusmodi manifestam, nolumus, sicut nec debemus relinquere impunitam, ne caeteri exemplo similem assumant audaciam resistendi: praemissa competenti monitione, quia nos ab exercendo visitationis officio tàm temerè & inhumaniter repulerunt, nec nobis super hoc parere & satisfacere curaverunt, Henricum Decanum, Petrum Archidiaconum, Robertum Cantorem Londoniae, Magistrum Gulielmum de Lichefeldia, Gulielmum la Feite, & Robertum dictum Monachum, Canonicos Londoniae, qui irreverenter se opponebant, & praesentes aderant, & quos in hujusmodi contumatiae rebellione & contradictione, evidenter nobis constabat esse culpabiles: auctoritate omnipotentis Dei, & beatorum Apostolorum Petri & Pauli, & beatissimi patroni nostri Sancti Thomae Martyris gloriosi, in scriptis Excommunicamus, et Excommunicatos fore publice nunciamus Actum. Londoniae in praedicta Ecclesia Sancti Pauli, die Martis post Ascentionem Domini, Anno ejusdem 1250. Auditis igitur & plenius intellectis, quae a partibus fuere proposita hinc inde, nos praemissae verba sententiae perspicaci discretionis examine ponderantes, ac volentes super hoc prolixae concertationis materiam quae in utriusque partis protelaretur dispendium, remedio salubris compendii removere: de praedictorum fratrum consilio pronunciando decrevimus, praedictam sententiam quatenus in praedictos Henricum Decanum, Petrum Archidiaconum, Robertum Cantorem, & alios Canonicos Londoniae, propter delictum memorati Capituli noscitur promulgata, nullam penitus extitisse, ipsosque per eam aliquo vinculo non teneri, nec per denunciationem ipsius notandos esse aliquatenus vel vitandos. Super eo verò, quod idem proponit Archiepiscopus, se in eos propter delictum ipsorum dictam sententiam protulisse, ipsum sicut de jure fuerit audiemus. Ideoque discretioni vestrae per Apostolica scripta mandamus, quatenus praedictae sententiae denunciationes, quas ut dicitur contra praefatos Decanum & alios fieri facit Archiepiscopus supradictus, quatenus in praedictos Canonicos Londoniae ob delictum Capituli est prolata, faciatis omnino cassare: Contradictores auctoritate nostro, appellatione postposita, compescendo. Quod si non omnes hiis exequendis poteritis interesse, duo vestrum nihilominus exequantur. Datum Lugduni, quinto Calendas Octobris, Pontificatus nostri anno octavo. This year there were extraordinary Tempests, storms and inundations of the Sea in England and sundry other places, which Matthew Paris relating at large, makes this inference from them, that they were signs of God's extraordinary indignation for the unspeakable enormities and injustice of the See of Rome. Mat. Paris Hist. Angl. p. 773. Insolita maris inflatio & commotio, etc. Ut manifestè ira Dei tàm in mari, quam in terra mortalibus appareret, secundum illud Abacuc vaticinium, vindicta videretur peccatorum imminere. Nunquid in fluminibus iratus es Domine, vel in mari indignatio tua? Et quid mirum? a Romana enim Curia, quae sons esse totius justitiae tenetur, enormitates irrecitabiles emanarunt. Quarum unam indignam scribi, huic parginae duximus inserendum. Licet Prior de Binham jus plenarium haberet in Ecclesia de Westle, in usus proprios Detestabilis exactio à Prioratu de Binham. habenda, utpote per collationem patroni, confirmationemque duorum Episcopo rum, & eorundem capituli, de tribus Romanae Ecclesiae Pontificibus, Lucio videlicet, Eugenio & Gregorio nono, quidam Januensis, spurius, et illiteratus, tales à Domino Papa literas, contra jus et pietatem impetravit. Innocentius Episcopus, etc. Dilecto filio magistro B. de Nympha, scriptori nostro in Anglia commoranti, salutem & Apostolicam benedictionem. Cum dilectus filius noster N. Camerarius noster, quondam Reinerio de Solerio Praeposito Yporiensis nuper viam universae carnis ingresso, Ecclesiam Westleiae Eliensis Diocesis, quam spectantem ad praesentationem dilectorum filiorum Prioris & Conventus de Binham, ordinis S. Benedicti, idem Praep●situs dum viveret obtinebat in partibus Anglicanis, dilecto filio Herrigetto clerico, nato nobilis viri Pertini de Malachana de Volta, civis januensis, auctoritate nostra duximus conferendam, decernens irritum et ●uane, quicquid de ipsa contra collationem suam contigerit attentari. Nos quod à dicto Camerario factum est in hac parte, ratum habentes, discretioni tuae per Apostolica scripta mandamus, quatenus procuratorem ipsius H. vel alium quem volueris, ejus nomine in possessionem Ecclesiae memoratae, amoto ab ea quolibet detentore, per te vel per alium procures inducere corporalem, et tuearis inductum, contradictores per censuram Ecclesiasticam, appellatione postposita, compescendo. Illa indulgentia non obstante, per quam Anglis est indultum, quòd Itali clerici decedentis beneficium, vel cedentis alius Italicus immediatè nequeat obtinere, seu aliqua alia, de quae oporteat in praesentibus fieri mentionem, aut per quam hec collatio sen assignatio valeat impediri, vel etiam retardari, seu constitutione de duabus dietis edita in consilio generali. Datum Lugd. 3 Cal. Maii. Pont. nostri anno 7. The same year, the Pope having a design to remove to Bordeaux, then under King Henry the third his Dominion, and from thence into England, and sending solemn Nuntioes to King Henry for this purpose, he was thereupon put to a great dilemma, to avoid the Pope's displeasure on the one hand, and manifold inconveniences of granting his request which would accrue to his Crown and Subjects, on the other hand; which he thought best to evade by delays. Tempore quoque sub eodem, missis solennibus nunciis, Dominus Papa postulavit Mat. Paris Hist. p. 777. Papa cupit apud Burdegalim commorari. Dominum Regem Angliae, ut liceret ei saltem apud Burdegalim civitatem suam in Gasconia commorari. Fratres enim Domini Regis Francorum eum districtè convenerant, rogantes ex parte dicti Regis & sua, ut pacem iniret cum Frederico humiliato, & satisfactionem Ecclesiae humiliter offerenti, sicut honorem universalis Ecclesiae diligebat. Imponebant etiam illi dicti Regis fatres, videlicet Pictaviae & Provinciae Comites, quod per Papae avaritiam totum evenit infortunium memoratum. Ipse enim Papa cruce signatos, ne in succursum Regis advenirent, pecunia corruptus impedivit, et absolvit a voto suae peregrinationis, quos paulò antè per suos mittit praedicatores & minores crucesignavit. Praeterea cruce signatos Comiti R. et aliis vendit Magnatibus, sicut olim Judaei consueverunt, oves et columbas in Templo vendere, quos Deum legimus in Evangelio ira punitos ejecisse. His autem persuasionibus, difficilem se Papa exhibuit & inexorabilem, unde durius verbis & litigiosis Dominus Papa & dicti Comites ab invicem recesserunt, & versus Angliam ire maturaverunt, ut Dominum Anglorum Regem persuaderent, quatenus ad succursum Francorum Regis praesentiam suam desiderantis & expectantis, secundum votum suum, sicut honorem Christi desideravit, properaret. Arctabatur igitur Rex Angliae vehementer, quod si paecluderet vias Papae, fratrem Regis Anglorum Angustia. suum Aethelmarum Papa offensus minimè promoveret: si sinum panderet e● refugii, Fredericum, per cujus terras necesse transire habet peregrinaturus, in iram provocaret. Francis quoque non placeret. Praeterea, quod multum prudentiores Angliae perterruit, si Papa in Burdegali commoraturus reciperetur, posset in brevi tempore per navigium in Angliam navigare, et illam praesentia sua deteriorare, et ut timetur, coinquinare. Qui enim senserant illam suis corrumpi Caursinis usurariis, magis formidabant ipsum sua Curia, si praesens esset, quod absit, maculari. (Such a dangerous, unclean, unwelcome guest was his Holiness then reputed, even in time of Popery to his Ghostly Sons, that they would rather have his room then company.) Ideo super hoc propensius consilium Regis protelabatur. The Bishops and Clergy of the Province of Canterbury, to avoid the turbulent Visitation and Exactions of Archbishop Boniface, made a Tax and Collection to defray the Expenses of their Appeals and oppositions against him in the Court of Rome, which our Historians thus relate. Episcopi Angliae interim cognoscentes ex dicti Episcopi (Lincolniensis) relationibus, Mat. Paris, p. 776, 777. Mat. Parker & Godwin in the life of Boniface. Episcopi Angliae se opponunt Archiepiscopo Cantuariensi. nuper a Curia Romana redeuntis, & aliorum, quos miserant, procuratorum & exploratorum suorum, quod Archiepiscopus Cantuariensis laqueos damnosos ipsis parare moliebatur, pecuniam, ad expensas in Curia Romana effundendas, collegerunt: quae, pecunia interveniente, more arundinis ventis agitatae, huc illucque flecti consuevit. Acceperunt igitur à beneficiatis, de qualibet Marca duos denarios. Grauè enim erat, quod postulavit exactor memoratus, videlicet visitationem et procurationem totius Cleri et populi in sua, quae ampla fuit, Provincia. Quae propter hoc magis angebat universos, quod constat ipsum Archiepiscopum morum & scientiae mendicum, ad ipsam visitationem, non propter religionis augmentum, vel morum reformationem, sed propter emolumenta turpia, et jam sibi consueta, certius inhiare; As most usually did in such Visitations. Mat. Paris, p. 773, 774, 777. Archiepiscopus Cantuariensis metu supprimit vocem querulorum. Diebus quoque sub eisdem, Cantuariensis Archiepiscopus cauteriatam suam sentiens conscientiam super enormi facto quod Londini perpetraverat, maximè in Ecclesia Sancti Bartholomaei, missis clanculo nunciis, tàm comminationibus quam blanditiis, & tàm ex parte Regis & Reginae, quam ipsius Archiepiscopus vocem querulam Canonicorum supprimere procuravit. Moreover, Cantuariensis Archiepiscopus perpendens, quod ex enormi facto, quod Londini in Archiepiscopi Cantuar. clamorem Canonicorum S. Bartholomaei compescuit. Ecclesiis Canonicorum Sancti Bartholomaei perpetraverat, infamiae & scandali foetor sulfureus totius Regionis infecerat latitudinem, missis cautè nunciis, clamorem eorum blanditiis & promissis, admixtis comminationibus, suppressit. Ipsi igitur tum quia pauperes, tum quia potens erat Archiepiscopus, seipsum etiam manifestè culpabilem justificare, in patientia sua animas suas possidentes, siluerunt, Deo & beato Bartholomaeo causam suam commendantes. Tempore quoque sub eodem, Archiepiscopus Cantuariensis Bonifacius comperiens Mat. Paris, p. 760. Mat. Parker in Bonifacio, p. 185, 186, 187. Cantuariensis Archiepiscopus Romanam Curiam adit. quod Decanus Sancti Pauli, concomitantibus quibusdam ejusdem Ecclesiae Canonicis, & eorum quos laeserat procuratoribus, consilio Legistarum animatus, & Regis Literis & protectione armatus, necnon & generis sui potentiae consisus, ut fortior fieret in tyrannide, per Papalem auctoritatem, Curiam Romanam aditurus, in magna pompa et apparatu transfretavit. Boniface being at Rome, verissimas contra se commotiones paratas intelligens, adversarios tâm Regis ac Reginae, quam suo nomine partim minis, partim blanditiis compescuit. Deinde ut Provinciam Cantuariensem ad nutum suum in perpetuum prostraret, egit cum Papa, de visitationis suae jure ejus authoritate firmando, quod cum intellexissent Suffraganei, pecuniam grandem ad suppeditandos in jure sumptus in Curia Romana (quae, pecunia interveniente, more arundinis ventis agitatae, huc illucque flecti consuevit) conflaflabant. What the issue of his Journey, and the contests between him and his Suffragans was before the Pope, * Mat. Westm. Anno 1250. p. 242. Matthew Westminster thus summarily relates. Tandem post multas hinc inde expensarum effusiones, & laborum diversas vexationes, determinatum est, ut suam Archiepiscopus (secundum jus commune) rationabilius & tolerabilius exerceret jurisdictionem, & sic visitationem prosequeretur, sub diffinita modificatione, & mota cessavit tempestas: of which more afterwards. What Jurisdiction and Interest King Henry the 3d. claimed and exercised this year Mat. Paris, p. 776, 788. Mat. Westm. Anno 1250. Godwins Catalogue of Bps. Mortuo Episc. Roffensi, eligitur Laurentius de S. Martino. in the election, confirmation of Bishops, and disposition of Bishoprics, these ensuing passages will inform us. Eodemque anni tempore, obiit Episcopus Roffensis. Cujus loco Monachi Roffenses elegerunt Magistrum Laurentium de Sancto Martino, Domini Regis Clericum & Consiliarium specialem, ne si forte alium elegissent, se Rex electioni opposuisset. He got a Dispensation from the Pope to hold all his former Livings in Commendam with his Bishopric, a practice newly invented. Eodemque anno, circa festum Sancti Matthaei, apud Turonim obiit Episcopus Wintoniensis Mat. Paris, p. 774, 775, etc. Mat. Westm. Anno 1250. Mors Willielmi Episcopi Wintoniensis. Willielmus; qui, ut sibi parceret in expensis, ibidem circiter undecim mensibus moram cum castigata familia continuaverat. Obligabatur enim Episcopatus ejus debitis inaestimabilibus contra Papam, ex illo tempore excrescentibus, quo Dominus Rex ipsum Episcopum persequendo ab Anglia exturbaverat. Cui sinum consolationis Dominus Papa opime remuneratus tunc pandebat, ut * Here p. 581, to 596. praescriptum est. Facta igitur pace cum Papa, & Rege incurvato, ut pecuniam pactam ci●iùs coacervaret, qua Ecclesiam suam liberaret, solitam rescidit mensae dapsilitatem & familiae numerositatem. Moriturus igitur, cum viaticum salutis videret afferri, cum in ostio intrans Sacerdos, Eucharistiam bajularet, ait, Expecta amice, Dignum est, ut Dei mei proditor obviam ei trahar, & meritò ut detractor: & sic manibus ministrorum, qui ei obtemperaverunt, obviam Corpori Christi tractus, cum lachrymis & contritione viaticum assumpsit salutare. Et sic in timore Dei spiritum contritum exhalavit. Quod cum Dominus Rex audisset, laetas querelas ac breves cum siccis lachrymis Rex omnem diligentiam adhibet ut frater ejus Aethelmarus in Episc. Wintoniensem postularetur. emittens, omni quo potuit statim nisu conabatur, ut in loco ipsius frater ejus Aethelmarus, licet ordine, aetate, et scientia insufficiens, substitueretur. Misit igitur illico duos de praecipuis Clericis suis quos noverat ad omnem suggestionem sagacissimos, Wintoniam cum Literis ejus, ut accumulantes blanditias minis & promissis, animos Monachorum Ecclesiae Cathedralis, ad quos pertinet electio, ad hoc inclinarent, ut ipsum Aethelmarum omnes in Episcopum postularent, & suarum Pastorem animarum. Et qui ad hoc mittebantur fuerant Johannes Mansell, & Petrus Chaceporc, Clerici, qui ut desiderium Regis effectui manciparent, summam diligentiam adhibuerunt, & quamplurium Monachorum corda enervarunt, ut eundem Aethelmarum postularent in Praesulem. Postularent, inquam, quia ad Praesulatus culmen omnino fuerat insufficiens et ineptus. Deinde elapsis circiter quindecim diebus, quibus quotidie dicti Clerici instantissimè elaboraverant, ut eorum qui in Conventu constantiores videbantur, ad Regis terreni, spreto Regis coelestis timore, voluntatem incurvarentur, venit ipse Rex Wintoniam, & illico ad Ecclesiam Sancti Swithini, videlicet Cathedralem accedens, quasi Episcopus vel Prior venit in Capitulum, et ascendens sedem Praesidentis, Sermonem sedens hunc inchoavit, sibi thema praefigendo. JVstitia & pax osculatae sunt invicem, etc. & continuans sermonem, addidit: Sermo Regis quasi praedicantis in Capitulo Wintoni●nsi. Ad me et Reges alios, necnon et Principes et justitiarios nostros, qui habent mediante justitia populos gubernare, pertinet rigor judicii et justitiae. Ad vos autem, qui estis pacis homines & religionis alumni, pertinet pax & tranquillitas. Hodie autem, quia ut audivi, petitioni meae, ut benè sit vobis, favorabiles vos foeliciter exhibuistis, Justitia & pax osculatae sunt. Quod est dictum: Aliquando vobis mihi rebellibus in postulatione Willielmi de Rale, Episcopi vestri jam defuncti, mihi non accepti, gravis extiteram: nunc autem vobis favorabilis factus sum amicissimus, & memor vestrae benignitatis, gratissimus impensor vicissitudinis. Praeterea, constans est per mulierem primò ruinam mundo evenisse, & per mulierem remedium. Similiter in casu praesenti, ut uxori meae, scilicet Reginae, avunculum suum Willielmum electum Valentinum promovere in hunc Episcopatum desideranti, satisfacerem, vos aliquando sollicitans inquietavi, & inquietando damnificavi: nunc autem ego, nimirum volens fratrem meum uterinum promovere, qui ratione mulieris, scilicet Reginae Isabellae matris nostrae, mihi indubitanter sanguine fraterno conjungitur, vobis reconciliabor, vosque & Ecclesiam vestram efficaciter promovebo, & praecordial is amicitiae brachiis amplexabor. Caeterum, libra rationis debetis non ultimò ponderare, quod in hac Civitate natus fui, & in hac Ecclesia baptizatus: unde majoris dilectionis mihi vinculis astringimini, nec debetis quomodolibet meae voluntati contraire, sed in omnibus prompta devotione obsecundare. Nec vacat à causa consensus gratissimi, quod idem frater meus Aethelmarus postulandus Ecclesiam istam, velut Sol, radiis suae Regalis generositatis, quae fulget ex parte genitricis, & praeclari sanguinis, quo pollet ex parte genitoris, & suae gratissimae benignitatis & juventutis, qua Deo complacet & hominibus, per longa tempora, ut speramus, illustrabit. Ite igitur in pace, et inito consilio cito revertentes, sine alicujus contradictionis scrupulo, pium propositum nostrum, de quo mihi spem dedistis, palam coram me & omnibus electum, vel postulatum vestrum communi assensu Aethelmarum fratrem meum foeliciter nominetis. Et in calce sermonis superaddidit, quod si ipsos Monachos persuasionibus suis rebelles inveniret, profecto confunderet universos: secundum illud Poëticum, — Stricto supplicat ense potens. Monachi igitur sedentes, in arcto positi, super his diligenter conferentes, pristinas Monachi Wintonienses coact●, postularunt Aethelmarum in Episcopum suum. tribulationes, quas pro Will. electo Val. graves, & graviores pro postulatione Will. Episcopi eorum jam defuncti, perpessi sunt, memoriter recitarunt, dicentes: Ecce preces Domini Regis armatae, quibus contradicere grave est ac nimis formid●b●le, ac Ecclesiae nostrae periculosum! Papa enim Regi in omnibus odtemperat, & quia in arcto positus, Principes offendere vitat & formidat. Unde si secundam idoneam personam aliam quam fratrem suum eligeremus vel postularemus, Rex in iram, imò furorem versus, factum nostrum, licet sanctum Petrum, si superstes esset, constitueremus, cassando, nos persequeretur, et si hinc Regem haberemus inimicum, et inde Papam qui corruptibilis est, potenter adversantem, quasi inter duas molas contritis, immineret confusio cum ruina inconsolabili. Praeterea, postquam Will. Episcopum Norwicensem in Episcopum nostrum promovendo postulavimus, & colla nostra ejus jugo, Rege invito & constanter contradicente, & nos oppriment, supposuimus, idem W. postquam plenam adeptus est potestatem, nos licet indigena & legum terrae peritus, & quae sperabimus per omnia Deo placitum, & nobis frugalem, immisericorditer persequebatur, & irrestaurabiliter damnificavit, acceptorum immemor beneficiorum, & innumerabilum quas pro eo toleravimus injuriarum. Unde incarcerabamur capti, tracti & fustigati, fame affecti, cruentati, & quasi fures compediti. In quem igitur de caetero poterimus confidere, in quem sperare? in quo salutem expectare? Hinc Scyllam, illinc Charybdem formidamus imminentem. Si autem hoc egerimus, mors nobis est: si autem non egerimus, manus Regias non effugiemus. Praeter haec etiam, quod nos debet meritò deterrere, si memoratum Aethelmarnm in Episcopatum promoveamus, semper erit electus, non Episcopus, quod nunquam contigit huic Ecclesiae, nec utinam contingat. Item forte impetrabit a Papa, ut remaneant sibi electo, quos jam obtinet, redditus infiniti. Quid enim his temporibus non obtinent et impetrant in curia Nota. Romana, munera effundentes? Quod si hoc, nulli in Anglia in divitiis & potestate praeterquàm vix Regi secundus existet, & tunc poterit, si placuerit, sed utinam non patrisset vel Pictaviset, totam Angliam in Pictaviam, vel Pictaviam tanquam Regni ostiarius potentissimus redigere in Angliam, & sic Anglorum de sub coelo delere memoriam. Tandem post multas, quibus involvebantur, angustias, videntes dies malos, nec ad sinum patris nostri Papae, qui solet ad eum confugientibus suffragari, patere refugium, voluntati Regiae coacti sunt in arcum pravum conversi incurvari. Postularunt igitur voce communi, sed non corde unanimi, in Episcopum & animarum suarum Pastorem spiritualem Aethelmarum, fratrem Regis uterinum, ex patre Hugone Bruno, Comite de Marchia & Isabel, quondam Angliae Regina, uxore sua, procreatum, natum in Pictavia, licet aetate, scientia, & ordine insufficientem, annuis redditibus innumerabilibus Archipraesulatui condignis abundantem, Monachi Wintoniensis Regis victi importunitate, & de Papae adjutorio desperantes. Sic igitur ipsum Aethelmarum tanquam electum suum vel postulatum, in praesentia Domini Regis solenniter in propatulo nominarunt, addita conditione tali, si videlicet possit talis ex dispensatione Domini Papaead dignitatem Pontificis promoveri. Rex Anglia destinat nuncios suas ad Papam. Rex igitur vultu, gestu & voce exaltata gaudium protestans, jussit Roberto de Sothindona cleri●o suo & electo Rhetori, ut elegantissimam & efficacissimam Epistolam super his componeret, Domino Papae trasmittendam, in qua precibus urgentibus, comminationes terribiles & aduberes intermisceret promissiones. Missit igitur Dominus Rex nuncios solennes & eloquentes qui bene norunt tam Papam quam Cardinales ad suum incurvare propositum, ad Romanam curiam, ut ipsam Papam super hoc arduo negotio, Domino Regi tam placido & praecordiali, convenirent, & ad assensum tam prece quam pretio vigilanter inclinarent. Literae Regis Angliae querulae ad Papam. Proh dolor, ut quid mundi languor amplius protelatur, quoniam exularunt pax & justitia, de quibus Rex sermonis ac praedicationis suae sumpsit exordium? Ubinam libera electio? Pax Ecclesiae quam inviolabiliter juravit Rex tenere in coronatione sua primitiva? Heu, heu, modo contemptis Regni naturalibus, viris sanctis, literatis & religiosis, intruduntur alieni, honore quolibet indigni, literarum & idiomatis Anglicani penitus ignari, confessionibus, praedicationibus omnino inutiles, nec compositi, nec moribus informati, pecuniae extortores, animarum contemptores. Quondam sancti viri, religiosi, et literati, spiritu sancto cooperante et revelante, ad Cathedras, licet renitentes, trahebantur, quas per fas aulici, tribunales, vel barbari occupant violenter. Omnes jam domus, ad quas electio pertinet Pontificalis quam Conventuales, cum vacantes ad manus Regis devolvantur, quae utique manus defensiva esse teneretur & protectiva praedae patent & rapinae. O Papa patrum pater, ut quid permittis Christianorum climata talibus inquinari? Merito igitur, merito ab urbe et sede pulsus propria, tanquam et profugus alter Cain cogeris exulare: prosperantur hostes tui Fredericales: fugis fugantes, et qui te persequuntur, sunt veloces et potentes. Ubique in tibi subjectos tua bulla fulgurat, sed vilescit apud rebelles. Ubique suspensis a beneficiorum collationibus Praelatis, jubentur fieri * Who preferred by Pope's provisions. Provisiones, sed indignis, barbaris, et ignotis qui ab ovibus ovilis dominici lac querentes, carnes, et vellera tondent, radunt, excoriant eas et eviscerant. Nec alicui a piis patribus indulata privilegia possunt suffragari. Inter caeteras quoque nationes et regiones, Anglia ubi, ut novit mundus, plus viget fides Christiana, vilius conculcatur, suisque bonis et laboribus oppriment Papa spoliatur. Nullus ei, si ipsa cuilibet fit praedoni. Ubinam scitur Anglicus aliquis redditum habere in patribus Romae, Italiae, Januae, vel regnorum aliorum, cum tales in Anglia rapiant universa. O Deus ultionum Domine, quando exacues ut fulgur gladium, ut cruore talium inebrietur: profecto peccata nostta nobis gravamina merito talia praepararunt. Aethelmar going to Rome with the King's Letters of recommendation by his great friends and money obtained from the Pope not only a confirmation of his election, but likewise a dispensation to hold all his former Rents and Benefices, notwithstanding his youth, want of learning, and insufficiency for so great a Cure of souls. Anno Dom. 1250. Circa idem tempus, (Calend. Martii) confirmatus est in Episcopatum Mat. Paris, p. 788, 789. Confirmatur Aethelmarus in Episcopatum Wintoniensem. Wintoniensem à Domino Papa Aethelmarus frater Domini Regis uterinus, Non obstantibus juventute et literarum ignorantia, et omnimoda ad tantam dignitatem, et tot animarum regimen insufficientia. Concessa est etiam eidem a Domino Papa tanta gratia, ut prius obtentos redditus retineret. Procuravit enim haec omnia urgenter, Domini Regis vigil diligentia. Sed ne videretur Dominus Papa in sterili littore, sine messis utilitate seminasse, illico exegit a Rege provideri filio Comitis Burgundiae puerulo, in redditu quingentarum marcarum. So as he gained on all hands by this bargain. Laurentius de S. Martino Bp. elect of Rochester, obtained the like confirmation and Confirmatur Episcopus Roffensis electus. dispensation with Aethelmar: Quibus concessum est, et per aliquot annos sequentes redditus prius obtentos retinere. Et sic jam in consuetudinem et usum haec abusio suscitatur, ut quis ad Episcopatum vocatus, non Episcopus permaneat, sed electus, ut scilicet pastor non pascat, sed pascatur. Et ut Episcopatus pristinos redditus retineat, ut multiforme monstrum habeatur. Et ut aliquis Episcopus ad alium Episcopatum ditiorem postulatus, transferatur, ut una Ecclesia, alterius pellex habeatur. An unsufferable abuse, continuing ever since without redress, to the great scandal of Religion, and prejudice of the people's souls. In the mean time, as Matthew Paris observes, * Mat. Paris, p. 780. Rex Angliae celebrat natalitia Wintoniae. Fuit autem Dominus Rex ad natale Domini apud Wintoniam. Et quia sedes Episcopalis vacabat▪ & ad eandem postulatus fuerat Aethelmarus frater ejus, ut praedictum est, cohibuit manus rapaces, ne bona distraheret Episcopatus, ut solebat. Veruntamen quia aegrè dediscitur usus, sylvas praecepit abscidi & vendi, & inde pecuniam aerario suo addi accumulandam, licet satis diceretur ei, quod peregrinaturis & Deo militaturis, talis rapina nullatenus fuerat profutura. The Bishop of London being involved in the Archbishop's * Here p. 741. premised excommunication, he thereupon Anno 1250. made these propositions to the Archbishop for an amicable accord between him and the rest of his Diocesans, who refused to embrace them. Ad hoc quod Dominus Archiepiscopus monet Dominum Londinensem, ut Mandatum Auctuarium Additamentorum Mathaei Paris. p. 231. suum directum Priori sanctae Trinitatis revocet, petit Dominus Londinensis, ut exhibeatur ei illud mandatum, in quo si fuerit aliquid corrigendum vel revocandum, paratus est illud facere quatenus fuerit de jure faciendum. Petit Dominus Londinensis, ut idem unà cum ipso eligant quatuor viros probos, fide dignos & Jurisperitos, & ipse unà cum quinto comuniter electo, audiant rationes Domini Episcopi, pro se & subditis suae Ecclesiae; & rationes Domini Cantuariensis, circa factum visitationis, & terminent negotium (si fieri possit) cum pace. Et si non conveniant in unam sententiam, consulant Dominum Papam, & expectetur ejus diffinitio. Aliter. Petit Dominus Episcopus, quod Dominus Archiepiscopus de facto revocet quod de facto fecit, circa Sententias suas, per legitimas appellationes praeventas; & medio tempore, quiescat ab executione visitationis insolitae; & faciat Convocationem de fratibus Coepiscopis, & habito consilio eorum & deliberatione cum ipsis, fiat provisio quid faciendum sit, cum justitia, pace & honesta ipsius Archiepiscopi & subditorum. Et ipse Episcopus cum subditis suis: Et si fuerit dissensio inter Episcopos, promittit pro se, quod majori & saniori parti adhaerebit. Aliter. Petit Dominus Londinensis, quod facta revocatione sententiarum suarum (sicut superius petitum est) Dominus▪ Archiepiscopus procedat ad visitationem reliquorum Episcoporum provinciae, sicut fecit in visitatione personae: & subditos suos dimittat in pace, donec Dominus Papa consultus, post audita & intellecta gravamina Ecclesiarum, ordinet expressè quid sit in talibus finaliter agendum. Notandum quoque, quod praecisè denegavit Archiepiscopus tam Episcopo quam Canonicis, copiam sui Autentici. What Arguments induced the Bishop of London to make these Propositions, is Anno 1251. thus related at large by Matthew Paris the year following. * Mat. Paris, p. 782, 783. Rex Angliae ditat fratres suos. Verum Rex in honores Ecclesiasticos, alienos indignos procuravit vigilancer sublimari, & sublimatos contra Anglos armare & animare, & in causis defendere ventilatis. Scripserat namque Rex Domino Papae devotissimè supplicans, ut favorabilis esset Archiepiscopo Cantuariensi Bonifacio, in causa quae inter ipsum & Praelatos Angliae vertebatur, & maximè inter ipsum Archiepiscopum, & Episcopum, & Canonicos Londinenses, ut nullo modo Archiepiscopus à suo frustraretur desiderio: (were it right or wrong, just or unjust.) Haec autem satis sagaci considerationis acie perpendens Episcopus Londinensis, Episcopus Londinensis. quem nuper enormiter injuriando Archiepiscopus Excommunicaverat, et Excommunicatum longe lateque fecit denunciari, ait infra se: Honor Angliae in praecipiti declinat; Archiepiscopus me, & omnes Anglos persequitur. Alienigena indigenam & sanguine Nobilium Anglorum insignitum. Si igitur Rex occasionem in me & genus meum saeviendi haberet, ad hoc insurgeret laetus & festinus, & meos consanguineos bonis suis quomodolibet spoliaret, & eisdem bonis alienos locupletaret. Et sic in Anglia mala malis possent accumulari. His igitur subtiliter pensatis incommodis, quasi inter duas molas contritus, angustiabatur, hinc honor & causa Ecclesiae suae, hinc impetus Regalis iracundiae, ipsum hinc inde distrahebant. Tandem verò, ut minus malum subiret, praeelegit, quamvis laesus & quamvis passus injuriam, ad tempus humiliari, & jurare stare provisioni Archiepiscopi licet adversantis, potius quam Regalis impetus diserimen experiri: & sic absolutus est à sententia qua innodabatur, admirantibus multis quod illius Prophetici comminatio non timebatur: Vae qui justificatis impium, etc. But what would not carnal fears, self ends, and worldly respects then induce our English Prelates to do, both against their Judgements, Consciences, and Churches Interests, in that age of wonders? For Matthew Paris and Matthew Westminster conclude this year 1250. with many strange remarkable observations, out of which I shall only abstract what is most pertinent to my subject matter, omitting the rest. Completo igitur hoc anno, jam fluxerunt de tempore gratiae viginti quinque quinquagenae Mat. Paris, p. 777, 778, etc. Mat. Westm. Anno 1250. p. 244, 245. 25. Quinquagenae consummatae à tempore gratiae. annorum, id est, mille, ducenti, & quinquaginta. Notandum autem est, & non leviter attendendum, quod in nulla illarum quinquagenarum, scilicet 24. sicut in ista ultima quinquagena, quae jam praeteriit, videlicet vigesima quinta, tot mirabilia, et insolitae novitates evenerunt, ut in ista ultima. Et sunt quidam & multi historiarum scriptores, & diligentes inspectores, qui dicunt, quod nec in omnibus aliis quinquagenis visa sunt tot prodigia et novitates admirandae, sicut in hac jam terminata. Et his tamen majora cum formidine expectantur. In hac enim, praedicante Magistro Olivero, in partibus Germaniae, apparuit omnibus Mirabilia ultimae Quinquagenae. manifestè Christus crucifixus in aëre: (by the Pope's persecuting, excommunicating, deposing the Emperor, and encouraging his Subjects with other Christians to take up the sign of the Cross to raise Soldiers, Armies, moneys to murder and destroy him, as worse than any Saracen.) Recessit Graeca Ecclesia a subjectione Romana Ecclesiae, propter ejusdem Romanae Ecclesiae varias enormitates, maxime in usuris, symoniis, justitiae venditionibus, et aliis injuriis intolerabilibus. Anglia Interdictum passa est per annos circiter septem: Regnum quoque Angliae per tantundem fere temporis, bellum toleravit intestinum. Tandemque per inertiam Regis Johannis, tunc regnantis, facta est Tributaria. Idem Rex Johannes Normanniam, & multas alias terras ultramarinas amisit: Angliam & Hiberniam, Innocentio 3. Papae jure Tributario subjugavit. Idem Rex Anglorum Johannes, juxta quorundam prophetias quando obiit, nihil terrae pacifice possedit, unde exterris dicebatur. Privilegia autem Sanctorum Patrum Romanorum suo robore privantur et authoritate, per hanc adjectionem (non obstante) non * Here p. 751. Pluralities & Commendaes. sine eorum injuria et contemptu. Permissum est uni personae fructus plurium Episcopatuum recipere, permissumque est alicui, in Episcopatum promoto, pristinos redditus prius obtentos retinere. Prohibentur, et postea pecunia interveniente, permittuntur aliqui plures Ecclesias habere, et legitimantur spurii. Prohibitum est ne quis Ecclesiae Patri immediate succedat, sine Papali dispensatione, vel illegitimus ad dignitatem promoveatur. Otto Imperator Romanorum, persequente Innocentio tertio Papa, miseram passus est ruinam in praelio, victus, excommunicatus, et cassatus. Otho et Fredericus, Papae rebelles Imperatores, confunduntur: quibus prostratis culmen emarcuit Imperiale. Papa duos in apicem Imperii promovere conabatur; Sed antequam elevarentur elisit eos Dominus, videlicet Henricum de Raspen, Landegravium de Hassiae & Thuringiae, & Comitem Sowartzemburgi, ac Gulielmum Comitem Hollandiae, etc. Gulielmus tamen coepit infra memoratam quinquagenam elevari, sed cito post periit interfectus. Captus est, et totus exercitus ejus dissipatus. Concilium generale bis celebratum, Romae scilicet, & Lugduni: In ultimo, cassatus est Imperator Romanorum Fredericus. In mari * See here p. 555, 556. non procul à Janua captus est Otto Cardinalis, quondam Legatus in Anglia, cum pluribus Archiepiscopis, Episcopis, Abbatibus, Praelatis, & Januensibus, è quibus multi sunt submersi. Papa velut exul et ab Vrbe expulsus aut fugitivus, aut latitans, moratur Agnaniae et Perusii, persequente Frederico Imperatore. Qui imposuit ei, quod cum Deo militaret in Terra Sancta, Imperium nitebatur occupare. Templarii quoque ex odio Papali sumentes occasionem, eum voluerunt Soldano tradere Babyloniae. Post obitum Gregorii Papae, vacavit sedes Papalis per annum & novem menses. Tres Apostolici viri sederunt infra duos annos. Unus quoque Cardinalis omnibus praestantior Cardinalibus, Anglicus natione, Magister scilicet Robertus de Sumercota, de quo timebant alii, ne in Papam eligeretur, in palatio, quod Regia solis dicitur, dum de electione tractaretur, obiit, invidia, ut dicitur, stimulante suffocatus. Tandem electus Sinebaldus Cardinalis, qui & dictus Innocentius quartus, sequens sui praedecessoris vestigia, ipsum Imperatorem Fredericum excommunicavit; fugiens igitur de loco ad locum ejus persecutionem, tandem venit Lugdunum, ibi tutius latitavit. Iste tamen nullatenus flagellum Domini castigantis recognoscens, Ecclesiam plus gravabat quam antecessores ejus universos (addes Matthew Westminster.) Lugduni Concilio generali celebrato, (Papa) ipsum Fredericum Imperatorem deposuit, et extorta ab Ecclesiae Praelatis impudenter infinita pecunia Landegravium de Duringa, et postea Willielmum Comitem Hollandiae, nitebatur promovere in Imperium. Sed uno mortuo alio victo, minime profecit in proposito. Vsurarii, qui nomine Christiano censebantur, dicti Caursini, Papa tolerante primo, et postea manifeste protegente, (cum sit usura in utroque testamento condemnata.) Permissi sunt in Anglia, ibique receptacula et pacem inveniunt, et jam quasi licite, ut habitent Christiani usurarii inter Christianos; Et se sine rubore, mercatores vel escambiatores nominant Papae. Suspenduntur Praelati a collationibus beneficiorum, donec satisfiat avaritiae Papali, de indignis barbaris suis, pro quibus scribit ut eis provideatur in quantum duxerint acceptandum; qui nunquam in Anglia apparuerunt, nec de animarum custodia quicquam curaverunt. Plurium ordinum fratres scatent, nunc Praedicatores, nunc Minores, nunc Cruciferi, nunc Carmelitanis. In Alemannia autem, mulierum continentium, quae se Beguinas volunt appellari, multitudo surrexit innumerabilis, adeò ut solam Coloniam mille vel plures inhabitarent. Praedicatores vero & Minores, primo vitam pauperem & sanctissimam deducentes, praedicationibus, confessionibus, divinis in Ecclesia obsequiis, lectionibus & studiis penitus intendebant, paupertatem voluntariam pro Deo, relictis multis redditibus, amplectentes, nihil in victualibus usque in crastinum sibi reservantes. Sed infra paucos annos sese sollicite instaurabant, aedificia sumptuosa nimis construentes. Papa insuper de ipsis licet invitis, suos fecit telonarios nuncios, et multiformes pecuniarum Papalium exactores, et sedulos collectores, praedicando, Nota. crucesignando, et iterum facto fine resumendo: infirmis morituris et testamenta condituris assistendo; Omnia ad commodum Domini Papae diligentes negotiatores, multimodis armati potestatibus, convertebant. Videbatur igitur tempus innovari, de quo plenus spiritu sanctorum ommum factus, in principio regulae suae commemorat Benedictus, ubi de generibus diversorum tractat Monachorum. Nec est ipsius Sancti Benedicti, vel beati Augustini, à suae principio constitutionis per tantum temporis ordo retrogressus, etc. Nobilis sedes & Ecclesia Cantuariae, tot sanctorum praedecessorum Archipraesulum illustrata sanctitate, à penitus insufficiente, Rege intrudente, occupatur, Ecclesiarum vacantium fructus primi anni, per totam ejus Provinciam per, spacium septem annorum emungente, eodem et multos oppriment, exemplo Lincolniensis Episcopi provocatus, qui super Canonicos suos renitentes potestatem visitandi impetravit. Saracenis hoc ultimo hujus quadrageno annorum ad votum triumphantibus, totus Christianorum exercitus (proh dolor) truc●datur in Aegypto, ex omni Franciae, Templi, Hospitalis, Sanctae Mariae Theutonicorum, & Sancti Lazari, constans nobilitate. Ubi etiam captus est cum duobus fratribus, Pictaviae & Provinciae Comitibus, pius Francorum Rex Lodovicus. Willielmus quoque Longa spata, cum multis Angliae Nobilibus, ibidem interiit interfectus. Roberto fratre dicti Regis, Comite scilicet Atrebatensi, fugiente de praelio & submerso. Papa et tota Curia Romana, eo quod crucesignati venduntur, et absoluti pro pecunia absolvuntur, et multiformiter retardantur, gratiam tam Cleri quam populi diatim amisit. Tota Christianita ex odio et discordia inter ipsum Papam et Fredericum exortis, bellis suscitatis perturbatur, et Ecclesia universalis periclitatur, etc. To omit the several prodigies and distempers of all the four Elements this year, which he there musters up as sad Omens of God's indignation for the Popes and Clergies unparallelled sins and corruptions; he subjoins, Obiit insuper stupor mundi Fredericus, die sancto Luciae, in Apulia: being there once poisoned by the Pope's instigation, & not dying presently thereof, he endeavoured to poison him the 2. time, by Peter de Vineis, his bosom friend, had it not been discovered. The manner whereof is thus recorded by Mat. Paris. Eodem Anno (1250.) Fredericus, ut Dominum Papam invaderet, rediit in Apuliam, Mat. Paris Hist p. 73●. Imperator F. lethise rum pot onem evadit. ut dicitur potionatus. Qui cum graviter infirmaretur, consilium habuit à suis Physicis ut purgationem medicinalem, & postea quoddam balneum ad hoc specialiter praeparatum, acciperet. Habuit autem magister Petrus de Vinea, qui ipsius Frederici familiarissimus consilarius & singulariis animae illius custos fuerat, quendam Physicum secum, qui ex praecepto Frederici quam ipsius Petri, ad purgationem dictam necessaria praeparaturus, subdolus accessit: de consilio enim ipsius Petri, venenum lethiferum & efficax valdè potioni immiscuit, & balneo, ut Dominum suum in ipsis perimerent confidentem. Ecclesiae autem inimici dixerunt, quod Dominus Papa ad hoc facinus cor Petri enervando muneribus et pollicitis maximis inclinarat. Fredericus verò super hoc scelere per aliquem amicorum suorum in ipsa hora qua sumendus fuit potus ille praetaxatus, secretiùs praemonitus & pleniùs edoctus, Physico potionem ostendenti & Petro, ait: Amici, confidit in vobis anima mea. Caveatis, supplico, ne mihi in vobis confidenti virus pro medicina porrigatis. Cui Petrus, O Domine mi, pluries dedit iste meus Physicus salutarem vobis potionem, quare modò formidatis? Fredericus autem ostendenti cyphum Physico dixit, torvo tamen aspectu, & posita à tergo custodia, ne evadere possent proditores: Propina mihi potum dimidicando. Physicus igitur obstupefactus, & sibi conscius de scelere, simulans offendiculum pedibus lapsum fecisse, corruit in faciem suam, & venenum effudit pro majori parte. Minimam autem, quae superaret partem, damnatis quibusdam jussit extractis de careere dare, & statim miseras animas exhalarunt. Certificatus igitur de proditione lethifera sibi praeparata, jussit Physicum suspendi, & meritò Petrum exoculatum per multas Itali● & Apuliae civitates fecit adduci, ut in propatulo coram omnibus conceptum facinus confiteretur. Tandem jussit idem F. ut Pisani, qui ipsum Petrum inexorabiliter oderant, praesentaretur perimendus. Quod cum audiret Petrus, ne arbitrio hostium moreretur, quia ut dicit Seneca: Arbitrio hostis mori, est his mori: ad columnam, ad quam alligatus fuerat, caput fortiter allidens, seipsum excerebravit. Fredericus igitur ad se reversus, coepit inconsolabiliter dolere & uberrimè atque Lamentati● Frederici▪ ●●aris●ime ●achrymari, & exitus aquarum deducebant oculi ejus. Quod erat miserabile videre in homine tantae authoritatis & aetatis, & lamentando contorquens digitos, ait: Vae mihi, contra quem ●opria pugnant viscera: Petrus quem petram credideram, & dimidium animae meae, mihi mortis insidias praeparavit. Ecce Dominus Papa, quem Imperium sub magnificis antecessoribus meis de nullo creavit et ditavit, illud molitur exterminare, et in me ipsius Imperiititubantis rectorem, interitum machinatur. In quem confidam? ubi tutus, ubi laetus esse possum de caetero? Et condoluerunt circumsedentes amici ejus, usque ad suspiria et lachrimarum effusionem. Et absorduit Domini Papae fama per hoc non mediocriter. Veritatem tamen novit Deus, secretorum perscrutator infallibilis. The Kings of England, France, and most other Princes frequently urged the Pope to a Reconciliation with the Emperor, who notwithstanding continued his implacable malice against him till his death, refusing all reconciliation even when he lay upon his deathbed. Hear this one testimony of his detestable implacableness, and pride. Eodemque tempore mortuus est quidam alius Frederici filius naturalis in Apulia. Mat. Paris, p. 742. Ipsemet & jam Fredericus percussus est morbo, qui dicitur Lupus, vel Sacer ignis, Mortuo alio filio Fredericus infirmatur. unde tot oppressus adversitatibus, inconsolabiliter doluit. Unde humiliatus, secundum illud Davidic●m, Imple facies eorum ignominia & querent nomentuum, Domine: obtulit honestam pacis formam Domino Papae. Sed Papa laetificatus de adversitatibus suis, noluit quae obtulit acceptare: unde multorum incurrit indignationem et Francorum Nobilium, qui coeperunt ipsum Fredericum consolari, et eidem adhaerere, et superbiam servi servourm Dei detestari. And not satisfied herewith. Sub eorum quoque dierum curriculo, Petrus Caboche Clericus Domini Papae, Petrus Caboche Legatus in Apuliam missus et amicus praepotens, missus est a Domino Papa in Apuliam Legatus, magna armatus potentia ad remittenda peccata, ut ipsum Fredericum contereret et Fredericales et multiplicatis viribus, quas undique data pecunia, et concessa plena peccatorum indulgentia collegerat, eundem Fredericum damnificavit, et multos Nobiles ab ejusdem Frederici imperio revocavit.; Such an Execrable Monster of inhumanity, Treachery, Impiety, Sedition, Malice, Rapine, Revenge was this most nocent Pope Innocent. Upon all which considerations, Matthew Paris thus concluded this Jubilee, year, and his own Chronicle ending with it. Haec autem mirabilia, et novitates, quae nec audita, neque scripta repe riuntur Mat. Paris, p. 78. 9 a cunctis patrum nostrorum retroactis temporibus, in hujus ultimae Mat. West. A●. 1250. annorum quinquagenae tempore contigerunt. Hic terminatur fratris, Mathaei Parisiensis, Monachi sancte Albani Chronica, quae pro utilitate posteritatis subsecuturae, Dei pro amore, & beati Albani Anglorum Protomartyris honore, ne memoriam eventuum modernorum vetustas aut oblivio deleat, literis commendavit. I now proceed to the year, 1251. the 35. of King Henry the 3d. his reign. An. 1251. This year the King as Supreme Governor of the Church of England, without any authority or Bull from the Pope, by these his Letters Patents enjoined the Archbishop of Rohan, and all Ministers, Bishops, Abbots, Priors, and other religious persons who had any Land or Rents in England, during his life to keep an anniversary day for his deceased Mother Queen Isabel, and to insert her name in their martyrology, with Masses and Prayers for her, himself, Queen Elinor, and their Children. REX Archiepiscopo Rotom, & Ministris, Episcopis, ac Abbatibus, Prioribus, Pat. 35 H. 3. m. 11. intus. De die anniversar. Isabellae Matris Regis. & caeteris viris Religiosis habentibus terras sive redditus in Regno nostro Angliae, salutem. Naturalis dilectio felicis memoriae Isabellae, Genitricis nostrae, nos esse non sinit immemores, sic sicut ipsa non sine gravitate corporalis angustiae nos, donec nasceremur gestavitin utero, sic ejus animae subvenire piis beneficiorum remediis volumus quàmdiu vixerimus in hoc mundo. Volentes igitur amicorum nostrorum mendicare suffragia, qui pro delictis nostris non sufficimus satisfactionem praestare condignam, universitatem vestram requirimus et rogamus, quatinus diem obitus ipsius matris nostrae Martilogio vestro scribi, et proejus Anima, praesertim anniversario die celebrari missas et orationes fieri faciatis, nostri et Alienorae Reginae nostrae, liberorumque nostrorum in orationibus atque beneficiis vestris, si placet, habentes memoriam specialem, per quam pie nostra valeat insufficientia relebari. Ad istud autem negotium plenius exequendum, dilectum nobis fratrem Th. de Ferun. latorem praesentium specialiter destinamus, rogando quatinus ipsum ad hoc favorabiliter admittas. In cujus, etc. Teste Rege apud Westm.— die Febr. The King having by a former Patent granted an Anuity of 30. l. to the Cardinal Deacon of St. Angelo, during his life, the better to solicit and promote his affairs in the Court of Rome, by this new Charter ordered it to be paid out of his Exchequer every Michaelmas, nothing being to be obtained in that age at Rome, but by Pensions and Bribes to Cardinals, as well as to the Pope, Who this year received his * Here p. 310. Tribute of a thousand Marks from the King, for to obtain his own ends. REX Omnibus etc. salutem. Scitatis quod cum venerabili Patri Richardo sancti Pat. 35 H. 3. m. 6. intus. Pro Richardo sancto Angeli Diacano Cardinali. Angeli Diacono Cardinali, xxx. Marcas annuas de Scaccario nostro percipiendas quamdiu vixerit per Chartam nostram dudum concesserimus Nos sibi gratiam facere volentes ampliorem, pro nobis & Haeredibus nostris concedimus & promittimus, quod quamdiu idem Cardinalis vixerit, dictas xxx. Marcas sibi vel certo Nuncio suo in festo Sancti Michaelis ad Scaccarium nostrum singulis Annis solvi faciemus. In cujus, etc. Teste Rege apud Woodstock, 10. die Julii. Per I. Mansell & P. Chaceporc. The King preferring Will. de Kilkenny to the Church of Dungervan in Ireland, commanded his chief Justice of Ireland in his right to present him thereunto only by his Proctor, and the Bishop of Lismore to admit him thereunto, though absent. REX I. filio Galfrido, Justiciario suo Hiberniae, salutem. Cum Ecclesia de ●●t. 35 H. 3. m. 3. Dungervan vacantem & ad nostram donationem spectantem, contulerimus dilecto ●●o presentati●●● ad Ecclesiam Clerico nostro Magistro Will. de Kilkenny, Archid. Coventr. Vobis mandamus, quod ipsum Magistrum W. per procuratorem suum quem ad hoc per literas suas patentes constituerit, illi ad quem pertinet institutio in eadem Ecclesia vice nostra praesentetis ad eandem nomine praefati Magistri instituendum. Damus enim vobis potestatem omnia exequendi quae ad praedictam praesentationem pertinent usque, ad completionem totius negotii memorati. In cujus, etc. Teste Rege apud Bocking, 10. die Septembris. Per ipsum Regem. Idem Magister W. de Kilkenny, habet literas Domini Regis de praesentatione ad Ecclesiam de Dungarvan vacantem, & ad Donationem Regis spectantem, & diriguntur Literae illae Lismorensi Episcopo. Teste ut supra. Per Regem. The Archbishop of cassal in Ireland, citing the Bishop elect of Limoric in Ireland to appear in his Court to confirm his election if Canonically made, notwithstanding the King's Prerogative, that his Royal licence and assent was not had thereto, as of right it ought; the King thereupon issued this Writ to command the Archbishop to revoke whatever he had done therein in prejudice of his Prerogative, or else Richard de Rupella was commanded to self his Temporalties into the King's hands, if he revoked it not, and to renew his Appeal therein. QUia Cassall. Archiepiscopus citavit electum Limoric Ecclesiae, quod compareret Claus. 35. H. 3. m. 15. dors. coram eo die Jovis proxima ante Passionem Domini proximo praeteritam in Ecclesia Limoric, in occursum suum: Ita quod si invenerit ipsam electionem Canonicam, eandem, non obstante dignitate Regis, de assensu requirendo, confirmaret: Rescriptum est ei, Quod quicquid in praejudicium Regis attemptaverit revocet sine mora. Et mandatum est Richardo de Rupella, quod Temporalia ipsius Archiepiscopi capiat in manum Regis, si errorem illum non revocet, et quod innovet Appellationem Regis. Teste Rege apud Windes. 29 die Aprilis. So apt were Archibshops and Bishops then both in Ireland and England to invade the Rights of the Crown, and obstinately to persist therein without revocation, till their Temporalties were seized for their contempts; which will further appear by this Prohibition to the Bishops of Lincoln and Chichester, and their Commissaries, for examining a Judgement given for the King for Goods, against an Executor, in his Exchequer, in their Spiritual Courts and other cases this year. REX Linc. & Cicestr. Episcopis, Magistro R. de Mar. & eorum Commissar. Claus. 35 H. 3. m. 35. dors. salutem. Prohibemus vobis ne teneatis placitum in Curia Christianitatis inter Exec. Agn. quondam Com. Dereb. et Will. de Ferr. Com. Dereb. de Catallis quae fuerunt ejusdem Comitissae, unius Haeredum Ran. Com. Cestr. super quibus pro debitis in quibus nobis tenebatur idem Com. Ran. coram Baronibus nostris de Scaccario, judicium est prolatum, donec a praedictis debitis per eosdem Exec. juxta judicium praefati Scaccarii nobis plenius fuerit satisfactum. Teste Rege apud Wistm. 8. die Maii, Per Johannem de Lexinton. Postea in eadem forma mandatum est Thesaurario Exon. That the Croysadoes granted to King Henry and others in Ireland and elsewhere with the redemptions thereof, by the Pope's Bulls, were only pious cheats to pick men's purses and raise moneys, or for other uses, is most apparent by these 3. Records. MAndatum est Innocontio Summo Pontifici, quod Decimas Proventuum Ecclesiasticorum Claus. 35 H. 3. m. 9 doiso, in Auxitan. & Burdegal. Provinciis, super cujus concessione ad opus Gaufridi de Leximaco fratris R. per Literas Papales fuit requisitus, assensum praebere non potest▪ cum Rex ex hoc decrementum incurreret et dampnum. Teste Rege apud Windes. 4 die Augusti, Anno, etc. Per Regem. REX L. Dublinens. Archiepiscopo salutem. Nolentes gratiam, dilecto Consanguineo Claus. 35 H. 3. m. 25. dors. nostro Stephano Lungespe à summo Pontifice concessam, de pecunia illa quae de redemptione votorum crucesignatorum colligi possit in terra quae Lagania dicitur in Hibernia subtrahere, sed potius ampliare, paternitatem vestram rogamus, quatinus non impediatis, vel impediri permittatis praefatum consanguineum nostrum Cruce signatum, proponentem transire magnificè in Terrae Sanctae subsidium, vel assignatos suos, quin, concessionem sibi a Domino Papa factam de redemptione, votorum cruce signatorum, in dicta terra Lagenia, sicut in Literis Papalibus plenius continetur, usque ad tempus illud quo nos fuimus crucis charactere insigniti, integrè colligere possint, restituentes eidem vel ejus procuratoribus si quid per vos vel per aliquem de terra praedicta collectum fuerit, vel in alios usus deputatum, usque ad tempus praedictum. Teste Rege apud Winton. 9 die Novembris. REX Papae salutem, Cum super pecunia de redemptionibus votorum Claus. 35 H. 3. m. 21. dors. cruce signatorum Legatis seu alio modo concessis succursui Terrae Sanctae nobis feceritis gratiam specialem, sancti tati vestrae supplicamus attente, quatinus venerabilibus Patribus Ciceslr. & Norwic. Episcopis ac Johannum Mansell, praeposito Beverlaci per literas vestras mandare velitis, ut ratiocinium seu compotum, W. Wygorn. Episcopi de hiis quae recepit & distribuit, de praedicta pecunia audiant, & si quid inde residuum fuerit, nobis integrè faciant assignari. Ita quod liberalitatem vestram sentiamus more folito fructuosam: (the King and Pope serving each others turns for their own advantages.) Teste Rege apud Wodstock 28. die Januarii. How apt the Bishops and Clergy in this age were, even against their Oath of Fealty to the King, to encroach upon his Royal Prerogative and Temporal Jurisdiction, in holding Plea in their Ecclesiastical Courts & at Rome, of Temporal causes, no way belonging to them; and Excommunicating his Sheriffs against his express Prohibitions; and how vigilant, zealous the King and his Nobles were to prevent such encroachments upon his Crown and Prerogative, by Prohibitions, and seizures of their Baronies, this memorable Record will inform us. REX Papae salutem. Ex hoc quod Venerabilis Pater W. Wigorn. Claus. 35 H. 3. m. 25. dors. Episcopus tanquam immemor fidelitatis nobis praestiti juramenti, placitum nam two vetiti inter ipsum et dilectum et fidelem nostrum * Here p. 735. Willielmum de Bello Campo, Vicecomitem nostrum Wigorn. exortum, contra prohibitionem nostram sibi factam expresse, tam viva voce quam literis prosequitur in Curia nostra, non sine laesione et nostrae praejudicio dignitatis, cum cordis turbatione admiratio nobis crescit, quamquam non de eodem placito, sed de sententia excommunicationis quam ipsius occasione in dictum Nobilem tulit, se asserat agere coram vobis; unde de Consilio Magnatum nostrorum, Baroniam quam idem Episcopus de nobis tenet in Capite, sicut est legis et consuetudinis Regni nostri, providimus capere in manum nostram, ipsam tamen captionem ad instantiam R. Com. Cornub. distulimus usque ad instans festum Purificationis beatae Mariae, si forte dictus Episcopus a prosecutione praefata penitus duxerit desistendum. Igitur ne Paternitatem vestram, quae omnia nostram Coronam et Dignitatem Regiam tangentia, semper voluit et vult illaesa servari, decretum nostrum lateat in hac parte, praesentes vobis literas destinamus, supplicantes attente, quatinus juxta quod vobis supplicavimus alias eidem Episcopo nullum praebere velitis audientiam in placito memorato, seu aliis quae nostrum forum, et dignitatis nostrae culmen tangere dinoscuntur. Teste Rege apud Winton. 21. die Decembris. The Mayor and Bailiffs of Bristol seizing some Stones, collected for repair of St. Thomas Church in Dublin by the King's licence, to repair the Castle of Bristol, the King thereupon issued this Writ to restore them. MAndatum est Majori & Ballivis Bristol, quatinus Petram quam Abbas & Conventus Claus. 35 H. 3. m. 21. S. Thoma Dublin colligi fecerunt apud Bristol ad construendum Ecclesiam Dublin, & quam arrestari fecerunt ad Castrum Regis Bristol reparandum, eisdem canoncis liberent, si quam in operatione Regis ibidem posuerint et restaurantes, & quocienscunque aliquam collectam Petrae illuc fecerint ad fabricam Ecclesiae suae, permittant ipsos eandem Petram cariare quo voluerint. Teste Rege apud Wind. 1●. die Jan. The inhabitants of Rochester, having intruded one Christian, condemned for the death of her Brother, into the Church of Rochester, as into a Sanctuary, to save her from Execution, and some of them taking Sanctuary in the same Church for this offence; the King to curb these offenders, and bring them to condign punishment, issued this Writ to the Sheriff of Kent, to seize the Liberties of the Town into his own hands, and to attach twelve of the discrectest men therein, and keep in safe custody all Clerks and Laymen who had taken Sanctuary in the Church upon this occasion. MAndatum est Vic. Kanciae, quod capiat in manum Regis libertatem Villae Roc. Fin. 35. H. 3. m. 20. Roffae, & attachiat Ballivos & xii. de probioribus & discretioribus ejusdem Villae, quod sint coram Rege in crastino Sancti Dionisii apud West monasterium, ad respondendum Regi de hiis quae eis dicentur ex parte Regis; & omnes illos qui sunt in prisona nostra Roffae, pro intrusione Christianae filiae Dunstani damnatae pro morte fratris sui venire faciat coram Rege, ad praedictum diem & locum, & omnes illos'tàm Laicos quam Clericos, qui se tenent in Ecclesia pro intrusione praedicta mulieris, salvo custodiat, ita quod non exeant ante quam faciant quod facere debuerint secundum consuetudinem terrae. The King having built a New Chapel at Windsor, issued this Mandate to provide a Mass-Book, breviary, with other Books, Vestments, Furniture and Ornaments, fit for performance of the devotions then used therein. MAndatum est Edwardo de Westmonast. quod Regi habere faciat in nova Capella Claus. 35 H. 3. m. 13. intus. De pluribus inveniendis in Capella de Windleshour. sua apud Windes. unum Missale, unum Breviar. Collectar. Capitular. & Impuar. duo Antiphonar. duo Salteria, duo Gradal. & Tropar unum Calicem, & quatuor Manutergia, & quatuor Tual. super altare, ad Ministrandum in Capella praedicta. Teste Rege apud Wind. 21. die Maii. The King before the * See Rastal Mortmain, 1, 2, & 8. Pat. 7 E. 1. m. 2. Claus. 7 E. 1. m. 5. dors. Cooks 2 Instit. De Prohibitione contra Barthol. de Creke. Statute of Mortmain, Anno. 7. E. 1. de Religiosis, issued this Writ of Prohibition, not to sell any Lands held in. Capite to Religious persons or others, to the impairing of the Revenues of the Crown. MAndatum est Bartholomaeo de Creke, in fide qua Regi tenetur firmiter inhibendo, ne terram, seu aliqua tenementa quae de Rege tenet in Capite, viris Religiosis vendat, nec de eisdem aliquam alienationem faciat per quam Regi aut Haeredibus Regis de hiis quae ad Regem pertinent aliquid subtrahatur. Teste Rege apud Wind. 16. die Junii. The Archbishop of Canterbury his Suffragans and Agents endeavouring to subject the King's Free-Chappels and Household Clerk's officiating in them, to the Tax granted by the Pope to Archbishop Boniface, against the * Here p. 720, 721. premised Bulls of the Pope, and Kings Prohibitions; the King thereupon procured this new Inhibition and Exemption of them from Pope Innocent, for preservation of his Prerogative. INNOCENTIUS Episcopus servus servorum Dei, Charissimo in Christo filio Claus. 35 H. 3. m. 9 dorso. illustri Regi Angliae, salutem & Apostolicam Benedictionem. Vt tuis insistentes obsequiis Praerogativa favoris gratiae prosequamur, tuae sinceritatis praecamina nos hortantur. Cum igitur Venerabili fratri nostro Archiepiscopo Cantuariensi, omnium * Here p 683, 684, 685. vacaturorum Beneficiorum suae Provinciae primi anni proventus, usque ad certi temporis spatium, pro exoneratione debitorum Cantuar. Ecclesiae duximus concedendos: Nos volentes tibi famulantibus tui consideratione specialem gratiam facere in hac parte, tuis precibus inclinati, Authoritate praesentium tibi indulgemus, ut familiares Clerici tui ad exhibitionem proventuum hujusmodi, nequeant coarctari, sed ab eorum praestatione sint liberi penitus et immunes. Nulli ergo hominum liceat hanc paginam nostrae concessionis infringere, vel ei ausu temerario contraire; si quis autem contra haec attemptare praesumpserit, indignationem omnipotentis Dei, & beatorum Petri & Pauli Apostolorum ejus se noverit incursurum. Dat. Lugduni, 3 Non. Marcii, Pontificatus nostri anno octavo. Et ad hoc privilegium Regis exequendum, constitutus est Magister Nicholaus de Plumpton, coram Abbate Westmonasterii conservatore Regii hujus privilegii: Et habet inde Literas Regis Patentes. The * Claus. 35 H. 3. m. 6. Here p. 705. King's Prohibition issued this year to the Sheriffs of Gloucester, Worcester, and Bishop of Worcester, against the Bishops citing Laymen to take an Oath before him, and making Inquiry upon Articles in their Visitations without the King's special Commission and Command, I have already cited, and shall refer you thereunto. How much this Pope Innocents' corruptions then infested not only the Church, Prelates, and Ecclesiastical, but Civil Courts and proceedings of Justice in England, Matthew Paris himself, and the continuer of his History, give us this special notice, as fit to be recorded to posterity. Ipsis quoque diebus, dum placitum moveretur inter Episcopum Karleolensem Sylvestrum Mat. Paris Hist. Angl. p. 784. Detestabiles adjectio no▪ obstante in Curias Laicorum derivatur. & quendam Baronem, super quodam Manerio, quod idem Baro praedecessori dicti Episcopi Waltero vendiderat, & iterum illud voluit revocare, ipse Episcopus Sylvester respondit per se prudenter, adversarius enim ejus, licet ejus praesentes essent procuratores, tunc in partibus agebat transmarinis. Impetravit igitur à Rege Literas protectionis Regiae, dum absens erat Baro memoratus, & sic laetus repatriavit. Pars autem adversa sub silentio commorans, cum elongaretur Episcopus, impetravit a Rege Literas, ut non obstante priore litera, negotium Baronis nullam caperet dilationem. Quod factum fuisse non creditur, sine muneris opitulatione: (the Pope's Non obstantes being so obtained.) Sparsimque jam tales Literae, in quibus inserta est haec detestabilis adjectio, Non obstante priore mandato; vel haec, Non obstante antiqua libertate, procedat negotium, suscitabantur. Praeterea, sinistra interpretatio jam in Chartis facta subrepit, ut scilicet si scribatur sic; Concedimus hanc libertatem domui tali, & domus illa districtè nominetur, & sequatur sic, & omnibus Maneriis ejus, si Maneria non expressè sigillatim nominentur, nullius est vigoris adjectio. Hoc autem rationi constat esse dissonum et omni justitiae, imo contra Logicae regulam, quae est investigatrix veritatis infallibilis. Quod cum comperisset, quidam vir discretus tunc Justitiarius, scilicet Rogerus de Thurkeby, ab alto ducens suspiria, de praedictae adjectionis appositione, dixit: Heu, heu, hos ut quid dies expectavimus? Ecce jam Civilis Curia exemplo Ecclesiasticae coinquinatur, et a sulphureo fonte rivulus intoxicatur. Which I could heartily wish all Judges, * See 2 R. 3. 12. 2 H. 7. 6. Brook Patents 109. Hobarts Reports, p. 146, 214, 230. Plowdens Comment. p. 502. who give too much countenance to such Non obstantes, would seriously consider, and all who grant them too. * Hist. Angl. p. 757. Matthew Paris informs us, that the year before, the King had granted a Charter to the Abbey of Westminster of certain Liberties, to the prejudice of former Charters granted to St. Alban; and another Charter for a liberty of a free Warren in the Land of St. Alban, near the Town, to one Galfridus Rufus, educated in St. Alban, and a tenant thereunto, contra antiquas Ecclesiae illius libertates, & Chartas obtentas à piis pristinis Regibus & continuè usitatas, necnon & contra Chartam Regis Henrici tunc praesentis. Nec erubuit dictus Galfridus Rufus contra Ecclesiam Dominam suam quae ipsum educatum exaltaverat, recalcitrare, ut nota macularetur paternae, sed non maternae proditionis: Et cum frater Matthaeus Parisiensis, Dominum Regem super his imperterritus redargueret, ait Rex: Nonne Papa facit similiter, subjungens in Literis suis manifeste, Non obstante aliquo privilegio vel indulgentia? Veruntamen modestius loquens, subjunxit: Nunc, nunc, nos inde cogitabimus. Sed dictorum ac promissorum memoria, cum sonitu pertransivit. In both which he was the Pope's real but unhappy Scholar, introducing Non obstantes to evade and null his own and Ancestors Charters, whereby Popes evaded their own and their Predecessors Bulls and Indulgences, which this King, the whole Kingdom and Clergy of England particularly * See here, p. 666, 667. complained of to this Pope but three years before, as a great grievance both to the Church and Realm of England, whereby infinite persons in the Realm were grievously oppressed and afflicted: Which induced Justice Thurkeby thus in open Court with great grief to cry out against both Papal and Regal Non obstantes, which subverted public Justice, and then defiled, intoxicated Civil, as they had done Ecclesiastical Courts, with their sulphureous source and filth; * Mat. Paris, p. 727. Parcite pa●corum diffundere crimen in omnes. This year the Bishop of Durham moving the Pope to resume the 3. Manors settled upon his Predecessor * Here p. 724. who resigned his Bishopric, for his better maintenance during his life, received a repulse and check from him, because it was done by the Bishops own, and his, and the King's consent. Tempore quoque sub eodem, quidam adulatores pessimi, cupientes placere Episcopo Mat. Paris Hist. p. 784, 785. Godwins Catalogue of Bps. p. 519, 520. Lis super portione Episcopi quondam Dunelmensem. Dunelmensi Waltero, Dominum Papam adierunt, dicentes, quod irrationabiliter facta fuit portio Episcopatus Dunelmensis Episcopo Nicholao cedenti, & quod ipse Nicholaus ferè tertiam partem Episcopatus habuerat, unde petierunt Episcopatum vel redintegrari, vel saltem minus damnificari. Quibus Papa: Miramur super his. Nonne facta fuit distributio illa & partitio per magnam deliberationem & considerationem virorum peritorum, & consensum partium? et res jam confirmata est per nos, et Regem Angliae, et per Provisores: & cum esset tunc temporis Episcopus Bathoniensis in Curia, qui erat unus Provisorum, advocabatur ut veritati testimonium perhiberet, qui cum omnia ritè facta fuisse testificaretur, repulsi sunt accusatores cum probris, & dum crederent partem dicti Episcopi Nicholai infirmasse, magis roborarunt. Et factum est, non sine dedecore Episcopi Dunelmensis Walteri, & Prioris & Conventus Dunelmersis, qui videbantur huic machinationi conniventibus oculis consensisse. Some Abbots and Covents perceiving that Bishop Grosthead and other Bishops intended to vex and oppress them, by their new powers to visit them derived from the Pope, combined together to make a common purse to oppose and withstand them by Appeals to the Pope, whom they hoped would back them for money, as the Bishops combined together to withstand the Archbishop's Visitation in his Province. Anno quoque sub eodem, quidam Praelati & Religiosi Ecclesiarum Conventualium Mat. Paris Hist. p. 783. Confoederatio▪ aliquorum Religiosorum. liquido comperientes, quod undique quos solebant habere defensores, senserunt jam manifestos persecutores Episcopos, et Laicis ac saecularibus nociviores, necnon Summum Pontificem, qui quanto potentior est, tanto gravior ad opprimendum, studuerunt confoederari, ut alterutrum onera portantes, minus gravarentur. Confoederati sunt igitur cum Abbate & Conventu de Waltham, Conventus Ecclesiae Episcopi Cantuariensis. Ipsum genus quoque subsidii & consolationis sibi impendi, tàm ipsi, quam alii, à Coenobio Sancti Albani, humilitet postularunt: of which more hereafter. Notwithstanding this combination, Grosthead Bishop of Lincoln proceeded to visit both the Monasteries and Nunneries in his Diocese, with great severity and tyranny, thus related by Matthew Paris in his History. Diebus quoque sub eisdem, Episcopus Lincolniensis Visitationem fecit in domibus Mat. Paris Hist. p. 789. Visitatio Episcopi Lincoln. Religiosorum in Diocesi sua constitutis. In qua, si quis omnes tyrannides quas exercuit, recitaret, non severus, sed potius austerus et inhumanus censeretur. Cum enim inter caetera ad Rameseiam pervenisset, stipatus saecularibus, in dormitorio lectos Monachorum in propria persona perscrutando, omnia circuit, universa revolvit, & si quid communitum inveniret, demoliebatur, & quasi effractarius scrinia dissipans, ciphos quos invenit circulis vel pedibus redimitos, comminuit conculcatos, quos, si circumspectius fecisset, posset pauperibus integros erogasse. Et quod indignum est scribi, ad domos Religiosarum veniens, fecit exprimi mamillas earundem, ut sic physice si esset inter eas corruptela, experiretur. Additque horribiles maledictiones, quas super capita transgredientium statuta sua congessit, quas Moyses scripsit, et benedictiones Mosaicas super eos qui eadem fuerant observaturi. In Quadragesima vero sequente, suspensus est ab officio Episcopali, pro eo quod noluit admittere quendam Italicum Anglicanae linguae ignarum, ad quoddam opimum beneficium in Episcopatu suo. Sed haec omnia fecisse creditur, ut subjectos de quorum animabus habet respondere à peccatis coerceret. Diebus etiam sub eisdem, Episcopus Linconiensis facto scrutinio et diligenti Mat. Paris Hist. p. 799. inquisitione et excussione per suam Diocesim, beneficiatos cogit Episcopus Lincolniensis punit incontinentes, & multos facit Presbyteros. esse continentes, et suspectas etiam mulierculas ab ipsis longius amoveri. Transgressores autem per beneficiorum suorum privationem puniens, Episcopatum suum à vitiis studuit emundare. Precibus quoque blandis & austeris persuasionibus multos trahens & impellens, ad ordinem & officium subvexit sacerdotale. Frequenter quoque sermonem fecit populo, quem circum degentes sub poenis taxatis Sacerdotes convocatos, coëgit audire. Improbos autem Romanos praeceptum habentes Papale, ut eis provideretur, quasi venenum odivit serpentinum. Dicebat enim, quod si animarum custodiam ipsis traderet, Nota. Sathanizaret. Unde saepe projects Literis Paplibus Bullatis, talibus mandatis praecise contradixit. These fierce illegal proceedings of his in Visitations, as well against Noblemen, Women, and other Laymen, as Monks and Religious persons, summoning them personally to make Inquisitions upon his Visitation Articles, and give in testimony against themselves and others upon Oath this year, notwithstanding former Prohibitions, occasioned the * See here p. 705, 706. sorecited complaints to, and Prohibitions, Attachments of the King against him, Claus. Anno 34 H. 3. m. 11. dorso, & Calus. 36 H. 3. m. 14. dorso, on which you may reflect, as his opposition against the Pope's Provisions to Benefices, exasperated the Pope to suspend him from his Bishopric. As the Bishop of Lincoln vexed the Monks, Nuns, Nobility, Gentry, and Commons of his Diocese with his Visitations, Appeals to Rome, and Excommunications on the one hand; so the Archbishop of Canterbury molested the Dean and Canons of Paul's, and other his Suffragans, with his Excommunications and Suits, by his power, friends, and money in the Court of Rome, on the other hand; Excommunicating them afresh for one cause, as soon as they were * See here p. 744, 745. absolved by the Pope's command for another, to the great scandal of the Court of Rome and English Clergy, worrying and vexing one another with perpetual contests, thus recorded. Eodem quoque tempore, Decanus Ecclesiae Sancti Pauli London. & Canonici, de Mat. Paris Hist. Angl. p. 784. Decanus & Canonici Lonninenses absolvuntur. quibus in antecedentibus facta est mentio, auctoritate Domini Papae, per Dominum Abbatem Sancti Albani, & per Dominum Abbatem de Waltham, & Archidiaconum Sancti Albani, sunt absoluti à sententia, qua Dominus Archiepiscopus Cantuariensis Bonifacius, ipsos innodaverat. Sed postea alia ratione sunt innodati; Thus related. Tunc verò temporis, procuravit Archiepiscopus Cantuariensis, mediante Magistro Mat. Paris, p. 786. Eustachio de Len, Officiali suo, (super quo mirabantur multi) ut Decanus, & memorati Decanus & Canonici Lonninenses Excommunicantur. Canonici Londinenses, ratione proprioum delictorum denunciarentur excommunicati. Insuper, ut coram Papa apparerent, sunt citati. Ortum est igitur turpe scandalum, dum nunc ab his denunciabantur excommunicati in his, nunc in aliis ab his partibus absoluti. Canonici vero non mediocriter perturbati, omnes Angliae Episcopos super hac oppressione in magna mentis amaritudine precabantur, ut tanto impetui resistentes imminenti, cum paries proximus arderet, subvenirent. Rex autem, quia ipsum Archiepiscopum creaverat, & Regina, quia ejus fuit avunculus, erubescentes, non poterant ipsum Archiepiscopum, licet causa ejus fuisset injusta, relinquere desolatum. Who to maintain his suits, and feed the Cormorants at Rome to obtain his will, made havoc of his Woods and Temporalties in England, residing at Rome, but exposing his flock to the rapine of Wolves, without taking the least care for their souls or bodies. Temporibus quoque sub eisdem, Archiepiscopatus nemora succiduntur, homines Mat. Paris, p. 787. depauperantur. Reditus vacantes ad arbitrium alienigenarum alienis distribuuntur, de quorum moribus vel scientia nihil constat distriburoribus, & sic absente Pastore, Succiduntur ne nora Archiepiscopatus Cantuariensis. oves lupis exponuntur. On the other hand the Dean of Paul's, though aged, is enforced to travel to Rome to defend the Rights and Liberties of his Church, and purchase a new absolution. Ipso quoque tempore, Decanus Londinensis aetate grandaevus, toties pro libertate Mat. Paris, p. 790. Ecclesiae suae vexatus, adhuc pro juribus Ecclesiae suae contuendis Romanam Curiam adiit, pro scandalo multiplici jam per Archiepiscopum exorto. Quos enim Dominus Decanus Londinensis Romanam Curiam adiit. Papa praecepit absolvi, adversarii eorum ex parte Domini Papae, praeceperunt alia ratione excommunicari. Ita quod Laicis esset eorum lis, nec mirum, ridiculosa. Archiepiscopus Cantuariensis Canonicos London. eo quod illos visitare vellet, cum maximo gravamine potenter conatur confundere, (addes * Flores Hist. pars 2. p. 249. Matthew Westminster) tandem visitavit sed cum moderamine. Neither were the Abbots and Covents less schismatical and litigious than the Bishops, Deans and Canons, persecuting, suing, yea murdering each other in sundry places, of which * Historiae Edit. Lond. p. 752. Matthew Paris renders some sad instances, to the great scandal of Religion. I shall only instance one contest between the Abbot and Covent of Westminster, wherein the King withstood the Pope's Bulls granted in the Abbot's favour, to the prejudice of his Prerogative, discovering the insatiable avarice, rapine of the Pope and Court of Rome. Diebus autem sub eisdem, ortum est scandalum in nobili Coenobio Westmonasteriensi, Mat. Paris Hist. Angl. p. 790. Discordia inter Abbatem & Conventum Westmonaster. eo quod discordia partibus nimis damnosa & indecens est exorta. Abbas enim, vir quidam literatus & prudens, conabatur factum antecessoris sui, Authoritate Apostolica irritate, qui bona Ecclesiae suae in usus suos, & usus Conventus, ut majori pace gauderent, separaverat. Et summo conamine nitebatur, divisa solidare, & omnia nutibus suis inclinare. Et idcirco Domino Papae adhaerens, ipsum pedetentim sequebatur, et moram non minimam in Curia, non sine multarum expensarum profusione, continuabat. Unde propter suam prudentiam, facundiam, & elegantiam, inter familiares Papae annumerabatur, & Capellanus Domini Papae meruit esse & appellari, & multa de suo proposito ad votum impetrare. Quod audiens Conventus, non mediocriter formidare, ne quod praedecessor istius Abbatis, scilicet Richardus Abbas, piè ordinaverat, infirmaretur, & eorum conditio deterioraretur. Missis igitur aliquibus de Conventu praestantioribus ad Regem facta lachrymabili querela dixerunt ei: O Domine, Abbas, quem nobis habere fecistis, domum nostram imo potius vestram specialem, nititur perturbare, & quod ad quietem nostram ordinatum piè extitit, infirmare: vestrum est, domum vestram Regaleque vestrum domicilium protegere, ne nullo adversantium impulsu labet vel labatur. Quibus Dominus Rex, addito magno Sacramento, ait: Nunquam certe praevalebit. Et concepta indignatione cum ira et odio palam protestatus est, dicens: Poenitet me fecisse hominem. Circa idem tempus Abbas Westmonasteriensis Domini Papae Capellanus à Curia Mat. Paris Hist. Angl. p. 793. Adventus Abbatis Westmonasterii à Curia Romana. Romana rediit, non minimis debitis involutus et obligationibus innodatus: (by bribes to the Pope and Cardinals.) Moram enim diutinam in Curia continuaverat, & multorum Curialium sibi corda conciliaverat, ita quod certè credebatur, quod cum Domino Papa penitus, quia vir fuit arduis idoneus satis consiliis, moraretur. Venit autem multiplici armatus potentia, ut Conventum suum suae incurvaret voluntati. Et illico accedens ad Regem apud Windeleshores, ipsi celebriter nimis & Pontificaliter, Missam cantavit. Erat utique tàm voce quam corporali elegantia, vir desideriorum. Confidenter igitur Regem aggressus est, multorum potentum illi Literas ostendens, ut liceret ei totaliter domum Westmonasterii, quam Dominus Rex illi regendam commiserat, sane administrando gubernare, et divisa solidando possessiones redintegrare. Dominus Rex cujus cor aversum fuit ab eo, ipsum Abbatem obliquato ac torvo intuitu respiciens, elevata voce, multis irrecitabilibus probris lacessivit. Inter caetera improperans, quod ipsum immerito exaltaverat, addens, quod ad consilium suum arcanum inconsultè advocaverat. Et quomodo de tua fidelitate confidere possem, qui fratres tuos socios ab antiquo & commensales, gravare niteris & molestare? Et licet multi amicorum suorum, videlicet Johannes Mansell, & multi alii, quos longum esset nominare, intercederent pro ipso Abbate, Rex iratus valdè, ipsum tàm à consilio suo quam dilectione, expulit elongatum. Tandem Abbas molestè ferens Regis indignationem, consensit in arbitros, ut quod ipsi disponerent, si Domino Regi complaceret, ipse ratum haberet & acceptum, videlicet Comitem Richardum & Johannem. Quod Conventus, licet ipsi duo Abbati fuissent amicissimi, benignè acceptavit, & Rex benè comprobavit. Ipsi igitur, post multas disceptationes, penitus Conventus desiderio & postulationi excluso Abbate, consenserunt: Quia sic Regi sciebant complacere. Sed haec controversia hoc anno non terminabatur. Rex igitur misertus Conventus Westmonasteriensis, qui tot gravamina & damna Mat. Paris, p. 814, 815. Privilegium Regis Conventui Westmonasteriensi concessum. jam per multos annos toleraverat, concessit benignè eidem, ut vacante Abbatia Westmonasteriensi, disponatur liberè de possessionibus ipsum Conventum contingentibus, quas consuevit Rex in manu sua retinere, in magnum damnum domus & gravamen, donec Abbas ibidem ordinaretur. Et super hoc, talem eisdem Monachis Chartam confecit. Which I find likewise entered in the * Pat. 36 H. 3. m. 3. intus. Clause Rolls. HENRICUS Dei gratia, etc. Omnibus ad quos praesentes Literae pervenerint, Charta Regis Angliae, pro Priore & Conventu Westm. salutem. Cum bona Abbatis Westmonasteriensis & ejusdem loci Prioris & Conventus discreta sunt ab invicem, & separata, volentes indemnitati & iranquillitati eorundem Prioris & Conventus providere, concedimus eis pro nobis & Haeredibus nostris, quod quotiescunque Abbatiam vaecare contigerit per cessionem vel decessum Abbatum suorum, habeant ipsi Prior & Conventus liberam administrationem de bonis suis separatis: salva nobis et Haeredibus nostris tempore vacationis praedictae domus custodia de bonis ad praedictos Abbates pertinentibus. In cujus rei testimonium, etc. Teste meipso apud Sanctum Edmundum, Anno Regni mei trigesimo sexto. Haec autem acta sunt apud Sanctum Edmundum, ubi Dominus Rex, ad magnum domus illius incommodum, ferè tribus septimanis morabatur infirmatus. After this, Dominus autem Rex, timens ne Abbas Westmonasteriensis Curiam Romanam, Mat. Paris Hist. p. 814, 815. Regis furor in Abbatem Westmonasteriensen. quam jam benè noverat, ut Domini Papae Capellanus, contra ipsum, maximè quia idem Abbas appellaverat, exasperaret, & domum Westmonasteriensem irremediabiliter debitis obligaret, congessit in ipsum probra iterum & maledicta in ira magna, quae constat fuisse nulla subnixa veritate, sed ipsa solummodò iracundia ebullire. Fecit insuper Dominus Rex per totam Londinensem Civitatem voce praeconia acclamari, ne quis Abbati Westmonasteriensi quomodolibet pecuniam accommodaret, nec scripto vel sigillo ejusdem fidem aliquatenus adhiberet. Quod in magnum opprobrium Abbatis videbatur redundare. Hujus autem rei auditores universi supra modum admirantur, quod de Regi amicissimo factus est Abbas reprobus & alienus. Prout Poëta introducit amicam de amico conquerente dicere: Alter in alterius jactantes lumina vultus, Quaerebant taciti, noster ubi esset amor. This Writ of the King I find extant on Record, running in these words. REX Omnibus & singulis Mercatoribus ultra-marinis London. commorantibus, Claus. 36H. 3. m. 14. dorso. De Monasterio Westmonaster. salutem. Quoniam Monasterium Westmonaster. quae nostra Capella est, & cujus sumus Patroni, specialiter reputamus nostrum, & speciali diligimus affectione; nolentes illud aere nimis obligari alieno, vobis pre cisè mandamus, quod Monachis ejusdem Monasterii super sigillum Capituli, sine nostro, & Abbatis consensu, nec etiam ipsi Abbati, nostro assensu irrequisito, pecuniam ullam mutuare praesumatis. Hoc idem sociis vestris in Curia Papali, seu alibi commorantibus intimantes. Teste Rege apud Rading, 17 die Junii. I pretermit the complaints to the King by the Nobility, Commonalty and others of the Diocese of Lincoln, against the Bishop, his Deans and Officials, for vexing them with Citations from place to place, and enforcing them to make Inquisitions and give testimony against their wills upon Oath, and the memorable forecited Prohibitions issued to him thereupon, which you may peruse p. 705, 706. What strange Dispensations for Pluralities and Commendaes' the Pope then granted to Foreigners and unworthy persons (and the King by his example) to the oppression of the English Clergy and Religious persons; and how one ill precedent, usurpation, Non obstante produced another, will appear by this relation. Eodemque tempore, electus Wintoniensis Aethelmarus, de partibus veniens transmarinis Mat. Paris, p. 794. Adventus electi Wintoniensis in Angliam à Curia Roman●. cum Comitatu copioso & pomposo, applicuit in Anglia. Cui adventanti Rex laetabundus cum nobilium, & praecipuè Pictavensium multitudine copiosa occurrit. In qua fuerunt fratres ejus Willielmus de Valentia, & Galfridus de Lizinnum, Rege tertio existente, mutuo applaudentes, & in crastino Sanctae Mariae Magdalenae, scilicet die Dominica, festo facto celeberrimo Wintoniae convivabantur, & sic devoluta est magna jam Angliae Nobilitas, exclusis indigenis, ad alienigenas. Auxit autem causas laetitiae gratia Papalis, quam sibi electus memoratus comparaverat cum gratia Regali, quam-sanguis fraternus excitaverat. Quibus cooperantibus, meruit obtinere redditus prius obtentos, quae ad plusquam mille marcarum summam ascenderunt, quas ipse egenus electus, dignoscitur ex fratris sui Domini Regis extorsione possedisse. Nulla enim creditur fuisse notabilis Ecclesia, de cujus uberibus in Anglia lac non creditur exuxisse. Unde huic libello quiddam, quod lachrymas excutere debeat ab oculis audientium, duximus inserendum. Abbas Ecclesiae Sancti Albani per extorsionem Domini Regis satis enormem & impudentem▪ ad opus Simonis de Norwico Clerici de Pincerna sua, solvit de Camera sua centum solidos. Ipso nempe Simone vicesimo anno sequente decedente, & vix sepulto, postulavit idem Dominus Rex precibus armatis, ut translatus redditus ille quendam alium & alienum saginaret. Quod & invito Abbate & ingemiscente factum est. Rogaverat insuper Dominus Rex, ut fratri suo Aimero jam Wintoniensi electo decem marcae annuae de Camera concederentur ac solverentur. Ipso igitur Aimero in Praesulatum Wintoniensem electo, illico postulavit, ut cuidam Clericulo Pictavensi, ipsae eaedem decem marcae, quas per aliquot annos receperat Aimerus memoratus, facta tali translatione, Dominus Rex non erubuit postulare. Quod in periculum Ecclesiae, praeter damnum, dignoscitur redundare. Sic enim servitus indelebilis & damnum irrestaurabile subrepere minabatur. Et praeter haec, alias quamplures & pluries multas & multiformes Ecclesiae beati Prothomartyris Anglorum Albani injurias & gravamina, Rex tyrannizans non est veritus irrogare. Quae scribenti, taediosum foret enumerando scribere, & auditoribus audire foret onerosum. To which * Anno 1251▪ P. 249. Matthew Westminister subjoins; Praelati et viri Religiosi, Papa jubente, et Rege spoliante, in ultimam servitutem detruduntur. Haec detestabilis adjectio (Non obstante) enervat Sanctorum scripta et facta. How strangely and unworthily this Pope, against his own former express Bulls and Grants, not to grant Provisions to Italians and other Foreigners in succession, presumed by his Non obstantes to grant Provisions to them of any Churches void or to be void, in the gift of Abbots and other Religious persons, against their Charters, Privileges; and what great scandal and schism they produced, inducing men to depart from the Pope and Church of Rome as Antichristian, this Bull of Pope Innocent, and subsequent relation will inform us. Tempore quoque sub eodem, transmisit Dominus Papa Abbati sancti Albani literas Mat. Paris Hist. p. 791. Indignae Literae Papales. sub hac forma. INNOCENTIUS Episcopus, etc. Dilectis filiis Abbati & Conventui S. Albani, Lincolniensis Diocesis, Salutem & Apostolicam benedictionem. Cum dilectus filius johanes de Camecana, nepos & Capellanus noster, Ecclesiam de Wengrave, in qua, sicut intellximus, ius patronatus ad vos dignoscatur pertinere, discretionem vestram affectione paterna rogamus, per Apostolica vobis scripta mandantes, quatenus eidem Capellano, dictam Ecclesiam cum alia Ecclesia primò vacaturae, quae ad praesentationem vestram spectare noscatur, quam etiam dictus Capellanus velejus procurator duxerit acceptandum, commuteris, illam donationi nostrae nihilominus reservando. Inhibitione seu reservatione qualibet non obstante, aut etiam indulgentia illa quae dicitur Anglicis esse concessa Ne beneficia Clericorum; Italicorum cedentium vel decedentium▪ immediate alicui Clerico Italiae conferantur. Datum Lugduni, secu●ndo Idus Decembris. Hoc verò huic libro duximus inserendum, ut legentibus innotescat, quot angariis et injuriis nos miseros Anglos exagitat curia Romana. Perpendens enim hujus literae tenorem, multiplicem potexit considerare contemptum, injuriam, et oppressionem. Sed ut Apostoli Nota. 2 Thes. 2. adimpleatur sententia comminatoria: Nisi prius venerit discessio, non revelabitur filius iniquitatis. Ecce causa, ecce materia quare recedunt corda, etsi non corpora, a patre nostro Papa, qui in vitricalem exasperatur austeritatem, et a matre nostra Ecclesia Romana, quae in novercalem desaevit persecutionem. Whereupon * Hist. p. 802▪ Matthew Paris gives us this Character and Epitome of this year 1251. in relation to the Pope, and Court of Rome. Transit igitur annus illae frugifer & fructifer usque ad sufficientiam, & potius abundantiam quamvis procellosus, turbidus, & fulgure formidabilis. Dommo vero Annalis Conclusio. Papae et curiae Romanae, laboriosus, sumptuosus, et propter transmigrationem periculosus. The Pope pilling and polling the Bishops, Archbishops, and extorting great sums of money from them, for their confirmation in their Sees, (no Simony or sin at all in his Holiness, but a Papal virtue) to make them some recompense to reimburse their moneys, granted them not only Licenses to hold all their former Livings and Revenues in Commenda with their Bishoprics, but likewise to extort annual pensions from their Clergy who had benefices, to their great oppression; as in the cases of Archbishop Boniface, Grosthead, Aethelmar, and others forecited, so of the New Bishop of Rochester Anno. 1252. Anno quoque sub eodem, scilicet primo quo creatus extitit, adquisivit sibi Episcopus Anno 1252. Mat. Paris p. 804. Episcopus Roffensis colligit quintam partem reddituum suorum subjectorum. Roffensis adhuc novellus à curia Romana, ubi notus fuerat, ob hoc quia Domini Regis ibi diu extiterat procurator, potestatem, non sine multorum admiratione, extorquendi a beneficiatis in suo Episcopatu quintam partem redituum suorum usque in quinquennium: licet idem Episcopus pristinos reditus suos, quos antequam ad Episcopatum promoveretur ex indulgentia Papali sibi retinuisset: necesse enim habuit, ut asserui, Episcopatum suum exilem a paupertate relevare. Opprobium enim ei videbatur, quod ille Episcopatus inter omnes Angliae Episcopatus pauperimus diceretur, et a Karleolensi jam superaretur. Exigebat igitur sibi summam memoratam exhiberi, non secundum aestimationem bonorum Ecclesiasticorum a subjectis, sed quocunque modo ex bonis Ecclesiasticis emergentium. The Pope under pretence of relieving the King of France, who was taken captive in the Holy Land, and the distressed Christians there, but in truth to promote his own designs, earnestly pressed the King of England, to expedite his voyage to the Holy Land which he had long delayed, retarding others who were ready to march to its assistance. Who joyful of his opportunity, made good use of it for his own advantage to pillage both the Jews and Christians. Thus related. Ipsius quoque diebus, missit dominus Papa Domino Regi Angliae persuasoriam & Mat. Paris Hist. p. 80●. Papa animat Regem Angliae ad Peregrinandum. efficacem valde Epistolam, ut idem Rex viriliter accingeret, & sine damnosa dilatione ad Terram sanctam adjuvandam, & ut Domino Regi Francorum auxilium praestolanti, oportunum ac festinum impenderet adminiculum. Quod si nollet, saltem alies transfretari & peregrinari paratos & desiderantes, non impediret. Haec autem clausula finalis adjecta fuit, quia quosdam Magnates Terram sanctam adire paratos, in magnum damnum & jacturam eorundem, retardavit. Dominus autem Rex, ut Papali desiderio & persuasioni obtemperaret, à Judaeis quicquid ipsi miseri habere videbantur, non tantum abradendo vel excoriando, sed eviscerando extorsit. Auri quoque sititor hydropicus, talenta, vel crusta, aut jocalia, adeo avide tam a Christianis quam Judaeis emunxit, ut videretur Crassus a mortuis novus resuscitatus. To colour this his rapine the better, to make all his subjects believe he really intended a speedy passage to the Holy Land, and induce them to take up the cross, to extort more money from them by dispensations with their vows. Anni quoque sub ejusdem circulo, die videlicet Lunae, quaeipsum diem praecedit Mat. Paris Hist p. 807. Rex Angliae jurat peregrinaturum in Terram Sanctam. proximò quem Hokedai vulgariter appellamus, fecit Dominus Rex omnes Londinenses à minimo usque ad maximum voce praeconia convocari, praecipiendo sub edicto Regio ut omnes ad Westmonasterium voluntatem suam audituri convenirent. Quibus congregatis, jussit Rex, ut Wigorniensis, & Cicestrensis Episcopi, & Abbas Westmonasteriensis, sermonem facerent populo solennem nimis & efficacem, de cruce suscipienda. Ad quorum praedicationem, propter Romanae curiae varias pecuniae extorsiones et illusiones, pauci de civibus vel compatriotis crucem susceperunt. Veruntamen de curialibus, Richardus de Grace, Johanes frater ejus, & I. de Plexeto, ad crucis susceptionem avolarunt. Quos illico Rex accurrens cum amplexibus, osculabatur, vocans eos fratres suos. Et objurgans vocavit Londinenses ignobiles mercenarios, eò quod eorum pauci crucem susceperunt. Audaciam autem hanc, imo pertinaciam Roma parturivit, eo quod a Papa jam impetraverat, ut per triennium decimam reciperet a Regni clero et populo, quae si colligeretur, ad plusquam sexcenta millia totalis ejus summa ascendere, in perpetuum Regni detrimentum, videretur. Vnde dictum est secretius, quod piis mentibus est incredibile, * As the event demonstrated. ipsum non ob aliud Regem crucem humeris suscepisse, nisi ut regnum tali argumento bonis spoliaret. Tamen passagium suum juravit a die sancti Johannis Baptistae in sequens triennium, nisi morte vel gravi infirmitate vel alia rationabili causa impediretur: (by which conditions inserted he easily evaded his Oath.) Et jurans hoc, apposuit manum suam dexteram ad pectus suum more sacerdotis, & postea supra Evangelia apposita, & osculatus est ea more laici. Nec tamen hoc circumstantes reddidit certiores. Praeteritarum enim transgressionum memoria, suspicionem in praesentibus suscitavit. The Pope to animate the King to undertake this voyage, (at least wise in pretext) had granted him a new Triennial Disme upon the Clergy of England and Ireland, towards this expedition, whereupon the King summoning the Bishops of the Province of Canterbury, to appear before him to collect and levy this Disme, they all made answer, that they could not do it without the Archbishop's assent who was their head (than absent at Rome,) wherefore the King sent this Writ unto him for his assent and assistance in promoting this affair. REX Archiepiscopo Cantuariensi salutem. Cum passagium nostrum juravimus Claus. 36 H. 3. m. 16. dors. Archiepiscopo Cantuar, pro. Rege. & statuerimus à festo nativitatis beati Johannis Baptistae proximo venturo, in quatuor annos, et Dominus Papa nobis concesserit per literas suas decimam Ecclesiasticorum proventuum trium annorum in Regno Angliae, & aliis terris nostrae ditioni subjectis, per Triennium ante idem passagium colligendam, suffraganeos vestros ad nostram nuper praesentiam convocatos rogavimus, ut mandato Apostolico, cujus transcriptum sub sigillo Abbatis Westmonasteriensis vobis mittimus, liberaliter assentirent. Qui direrunt, se super praedicta Mandato sine vobis, qui eorum estis honorabile caput, nobis ad plenum non posse respondere. Quocirca paternitatem vestram de qua specialiter confidimus affectuose rogamus, quatinus cum hujusmodi negotii exordium à vobis dependeat, dictae collectioni per Triennium ante dictum passagium annuerevelitis, literas vestras patentes assensum vestrum testificantes super dicta Collecta, juxta mandatum Apostolicum faciendum, tam nobis quam dictis suffraganeis vestris nobis transmittentes, rogantes eosdem ut vestra non expectata praesentia, dictum negotium, quod potissime desideratis expediri, optato curent effectui mancipare. Teste Rege apud Westm. 15. die Maii. Ten days after he issued this Writ to the Archbishop of York. REX Archiepiscopo Eborum, salutem. Paternitatem vestram rogamus quatinus per fratres praedicatores & minores, ac alios quos videritis idoneos, praedicatione Claus. 36 H. 3. m. 15. dors. De praedicatione Crucis. Crucis diligenter insistatis prout melius videritis expedire, juxta mandatum Apostolicum vobis inde directum, et redemptiones votorum crucesignatorum nec non legata relicta, obventiones, et caetera omnia ex quacunque causa subsidio terrae sanctae deputata concessa et concedenda, quae Dominus Papa tempore crucesignationis nostrae nobis concessit, per vos vel alios colligi, et in loco competenti et securo deponi faciatis, nobis assignanda, sicut plenius in literis Apostolicis vobis et quibusdam aliis Episcopis Regni nostri directis continetue. Teste Rege apud Merton 26. die Maii. Eodem modo scribitur Cantuariensi Archiepiscopo, Hereford. Elyensi, D●nelm. & Nor●ic. Episcopis, & Abbati Westm. The King soon after having taken a solemn Vow to pass to the Holy Land, by a prefixed day, (though not intended as the event discovered) issued this Writ to the Archbishops of Ireland to promote the Collection of those Dimes, the Pope had there granted him for that voyage. MAndatum est Cassalalensi Archiepiscopo, quod quia Rex firmavit passagium suum Claus. 36 H. 3. m. 17. dorso. Hibern. in terram Sanctam ab instanti festo nativitatis Sancti Johannis Baptistae, in quatuor annos, quod praedicationem de cruce assiduè, per fratres praedicatores & alios idoneos fieri faciat, & permittat Collectores Regis legata promissa, et redemptiones de Cruce, ac ea, quae de crucesignatis et aliis sunt concessa, colligere et unire. Eodem modo mandatum est Tuamensi Archipiscopo. Et mandatum est Archiepiscopo Dublin quod decimam de Clericis beneficatis per Consilium I. filii Galfridi Justic. Hiberniae uniri faciat. Et mandatum est Mauritio filio Geroldi quod magnates de terra Hibernia inducat, quod iter suum cum Rege aggrediantur. Eodem modo Mandatum est Justic. Hiberniae. Eodem modo Mandatum est I. de Frisney. He likewise sent this Writ to Boniface, Archbishop of Canterbury to promote this affair. REX Venerabili in Christo Patri B. eadem gratia Cantuariensi Archiepiscopo totius * Claus. 36 H. 3. m. 17. dors. De gratia Domino Regi concessa per Dominum Papam. Angliae primati, salutem. Cum in subbsidium sanctae terrae nobis sit ab Apostolica sede concessa decima proventuum Ecclesiasticorum Regni Angliae, ac aliarum terrarum quae sunt nostrae jurisdictioni subjectae, per triennium, et vos ac venerabiles patres W. Eborum Archiepiscopum, Hereford. Elyens. & Dunelm. Episcopos Dominus Papa dederit executores, ut postquam passagium nostrum fuerit statutum & juratum, per biennium ante idem passagium decimam ipsam cum redemptionibus votorum, legatis relictis, vel alio modo concessis subsidio praedictae sanctae terrae à tempore crucesignationis nostrae, si non aliis fuerint ipsa legata, concessa vel assignata, per vos ipsos Archiepiscopum & Episcopos, & alias idoneas personas colligantur, & locis tutis deponantur, et ea nobis integre cum iter arripuerimus transmarinum assignentur, sicut per transcriptum priorum literarum Domini Papae praedicta continentium, vobis & praedicto, Archiepiscopo directarum quod vobis transmittimus, plenius perpendere poteritis: Verum cum passagium nostrum jam statutum sit & juratum, & in posterioribus literis Domini Papae, quarum transcriptum vobis similiter mittimus, quae quidem literae Archiepiscopis & Episcopis per Regnum Angliae constitutis diriguntur, contentum sit; Quod collecta praedicta fieri possit per triennium ante passagium praedictum, & nobis expediat quod maturius fiat quam in Prioribus litteris continebatur, eo quod subveniendi Sanctae terrae ardens in nobis desiderium accenditur, Paternitatem vestram non minori quam possimus affectione, quatinus sicut de vobis habemus fiduciam indubitatam, voti nostri, nec non & iteneris tam salutiferi, velitis esse Coadjutores. Dantes in mandatis subditis vestris, quod instanti festo sancti Michaelis proximo venturo praedictam collectam incipiant usque ad consummationem praedicti termini proficiendam, scribentes suffraganeis Episcopis vestris & aliis vobis subditis, quod quantum in vobis est assentiatis collectioni dictae decimae faciendae in praedicto festo. Precantes eosdem, quod ipsi ad hoc consentiant, & subditos suos efficaciter inducant. (The Pope's grant without their consents being not binding to them) Teste, etc. Eodem modo scribitur Episcopo Hereford. To promote this collection the better, the King issued these two Mandates to the Priors of the Freers Minorites and Preachers, to senda sufficient number of Preaching Freers of their Order to him, who had skill to preach and promote this Croysado, (not Jesus Christ and him crucified) they being then the prime instruments to advance, collect the Popes and Kings Taxes, Exactions, under a pretext of Devotion, but in truth for their own gain and preferment. MAndatum est Ministro Fratrum Minorum in Anglia, quod in 15. Pasch. proximo Claus. 36 H. 3. m. 22. dorso. futuri venire faciat ad Regem usque London. sufficientem numerum prudentum Fratrum, qui habeant scientiam praedicandi de Cruce, pro negotio ejusdem Crucis. Teste Rege apud Maiden, 12 die Martii. Eodem modo mandatum est Priori ordinis Fratrum Praedicatorum. The King the better to promote his design, to induce his Subjects to take up the Cross, and pick their purses by this pious Papal pretext, indulged these Privileges to such as should cross themselves, commanding the Archbishops and Bishops to see them published in their respective Dioceses, by the Frees Minorites and others employed in that service. REX Archiepiscopo Eborum, salutem. Volentes Crucesignatis gratias facere Claus. 36 H. 3. m. 11. dorso. Pro crucesignatus. speciales, concedimus, & praesentibus Literis protestamur, quod omnes Crucesignati & Crucesignandi de Regno nostro, qui in propriis personis suis nobiscum in Terram Sanctam proficiscentur & potentes sint ad pugnandum, de caetero sint immunes à praestatione usurar. in Judaismo nostro. Et quod omnes Crucesignati & Crucesignandi de eodem Regno habeant in Curiis nostris celerem justitiam de omnibus querelis suis, quantum leges terrae nostrae permittunt. Et quod nullus Cruce-signatus vel Crucesignandus compelli possit ab aliquo ad plus praestandum in subsidium Terrae Sanctae, quam promiserit in sumptione Crucis, & modo quo promiserit: Rogandos igitur vos duximus quatenus ista Suffraganeis vestris communicetis, & per Fratres Praedicatores & Minores, & aliosad negotium Crucis deputatos ac deputandos, per Provinciam vestram publicari faciatis. Teste Rege apud Merleberg. 24. die Julii. Eodem modo mandatum est Cicestrensi Episcopo, nisi quod terminatio Literarum illarum quae diriguntur Episcopis est; Et volumus quod ista publicentur per Fratres Praedicatores & Minores, & alios ad negotium Crucis deputatos & deputandos. In cujus, etc. Teste ut supra, & debet ista clausula intrare ante illam clausulam, Rogandos igitur R. Exon. Episcopo, A. Winton. electo. The King soon after sent these ensuing Letters to the King and Queen of France, the Patriarch of Jerusalem, the Archbishop of Tyre, the King of Cyprus, with other Princes, and to the Master of the Templars and Hospitalers, concerning this his intended voyage to the Holy Land, thus recorded. EXcellentissimo Principi L. Dei gratia Regi Franciae, H. eadem gratia Rex Angliae, Pat. 36 H. 3. m. 7. dorso. De crucesignatione Regis. etc. salutem. Requisiti dudum per Literas vestras, quod adventum nostrum acceleraremus in succursum Terrae Sanctae, recolimus Serenitati vestrae rescripsisse, quod si terras nostras per vos & Progenitores vestros occupatas freti salubri consilio nobis redderetis, passagium nostrum acceleraremus, & personam & res nostras exponeremus in obsequium crucifixi, ad honoris vestri incrementum. Et licet jam passagium nostrum sit juratum, et certo tempore statutum, idem tamen passagium anticipabimus, potenter nos accingendo ad praedictae terrae succursum, dum tamen occupata praedicta nobis benigne restituatis. Quod vestrae Regiae dignitati ad salutem cedet perpetuam, & ad laudem famae temporalis. Teste Rege apud Westm. 8. die Junii. REX M. Reginae Franciae, salutem. Noverit dilectio vestra, quod passagium Pat. 36 H. 3. m. 7. dorso. nostrum in Terram Sanctam statuimus à Nativitate Sancti Johannis Baptistae, Anno gratiae 1252. in quatuor annos. Et si placeret Domino vestro Regi Franciae, quod terrae nostrae a praedecessoribus suis, et ab ipso occupatae nobis restituerentur, proculdubio maturius passagium nostrum pararemus, potenter nos accingendo ad honorem crucifixi, et Domini vestri, et totius Christianitatis commodum et honorem, quod quidem ei scire faciatis, ipsumque efficaciter inducatis ad praedictam restitutionem nobis faciendam. Nos enim ex tunc sine morae dispendio terminum passagii nostri anticipabimus, & manu valida ad perpetuum crucifixi & Domini vestri honoris incrementum. Teste ut supra. REX R. Dei gratia Patriarchae Hierosolym. salutem. Cum charactere Crucis Pat. 36 H. 3. m. 6. dorso. simus insigniti, & pungat nos negotium Terrae Sanctae stimulis interioribus, in 15. Paschaes, Anno gratiae 1252. praesentibus pluribus Magnatibus Regni nostri, firmavimus passagium nostrum certum terminum eidem assignando, videlicet, à Nativitate Sancti Johannis Baptistae, ejusdem anni in quatuor annos, ad quem terminum per auxilium Jesus Christi, nos ad ipsius Domini servitium accingemus, quod intimare poteritis Magnatibus Terrae Sanctae, prout vestra viderit discretio expedire. Scire etiam vos volumus quod si illustris Rex Fraxciae terras nostras a Progenitoribus suis, et ab ipso occupatas nobis restituerit, indubitanter passagium anticiparemus. Teste Rege apud Westm. 6. die Junii. EOdem modo mandatum est Archiepiscopo Tyrensi, Th. Regi Cypri, Boemund. Pat. 36 H. 3. m. 6. dorso. Item de negotio Crucis. Principi Antioch. & Com. Trepol. A. Etton, Regi Armen. Constanc. Bajulo Arm. Johanni de Ibellin. Com. Jopen. Johanni de Fogiis Constab. Acon. Philippo de Montforti, T. Domino Tarron. J. Caesar. Consuli & Communitati Januen. Consuli & Communitati Pisan. Consuli & Communitati Venetorum. EOdem modo scribitur Magistris Templar. Hospitalar. & domus Hospital. Teuton. Pat. 36 H. 3. m. 6. dorso. cum hac adjectione. Caeterum cum bonas ut audivimus habeatis in domo vestra naves, vos rogamus attentè, quatenus meliores naves & fortiores quas habetis praeparetis nobis commodandas. Ita quod praeparentur & munitae sint, nautis & armamentis convenienter per unum annum ante passagium nostrum, ut equi, arma & alia quae promittere volumus in Terram Sanctam saluè valeant in eis deferri; providentes, quod cum applicuerint servientes nostri cum praedictis praemissis salvas habeant domos, & receptacula secura quibus se cum rebus praedictis, usque ad adventum nostrum valeant receptari, & anno sequenti remittantur naves praedictae, quibus nos ipsi cum sequacibus nosti is valeamus securè transfretare: Tam sollicite vos habentes circa praedicta, quod per experientiam addiscamus quam ferventem habeatis ad succursum Terrae Sanctae devotionem, & versus personam nostram affectionem. Teste ut supra. The Archbishops, Bishops, and Clergy being very averse and backwards to assent to, or levy the Triennial Disme granted by the Pope to the King, towards his voyage to the Holy Land, he thereupon summoned all or most of them then in England to a Parliament at London, where he pressed them to give their assents to the Popes grant for his supply; the proceedings therein, and great oppositions made against it by the Bishops and Lords, is thus at large related by our Historians. Festo autem beati Edwardi imminente, (quod de consuetudine Dominus Rex Mat. Paris Hist. Angl. p. 821, 822, 823. Magnum Parliamentum Lond●ni habitum. See Matthew Parker, Holinshed, Grafton, Speed, Daniel. consuevit semper in magno Comitatu & apparatu splendido celebrare) convenerunt, veluti ex ●dicto Regio convocati, totius Angliae Praelati ferè universi. Omnes nempè Episcopi, praeter Cestrensem valetudinarium, & Archiepiscopum Cantuariensem, qui in partibus tum temporis agebat transmarinis, simul & Herefordensem, & praeter Archiepiscopum Eboracensem, qui ob incertam nobis causam, nisi fortè quia remotus abest, remansit, ibidem praesentes exstitere. Protulit igitur in medium Dominus Rex coram omnibus ibidem congregatis, Papale mandatum, omnibus Regni aemulatoribus exosum & detestabile. Quod videlicet contulerat Dominus Papa totam Regni decimam, videlicet proventuum totius Ecclesiae Anglicanae, de potestate sibi à Deo concessa, per triennium, ad Regia viatica peregrinationis, adjuncto magnae verbo offensionis, scilicet, non secundum aestimationem Ecclestarum pristinam, sed secundum aestimationem novam ad inquisitionem strictissimam, ad voluntatem et arbitrium Regiorum satellitum et extortorum faciendum, qui astute nimis et damnum Ecclesiae inaestimabile, et servitutem perpetuam procurantes, suis semper primum propriis, deinde vero etiam Regiis emolumentis inhiarent. Argumentosè igitur Regii Nuntii Episcopis congregatis supponentes, quod tali ac tantae contributioni consensissent, vulpina calliditate exigebant, quod soluta pecunia duorum annorum, secundum Papale mandatum, pecunia tertii anni ante peregrinationem, licet hoc in Papali mandato autentico non contineatur, pecunia totaliter, secundum formam praetaxatam collecta, solvatur peregrinaturo, vel saltem ejus pars dimidia, Regi benigna gratuitate ac benignitate gratuita concederetur. Tunc enim, ut dicebant, Dominus Rex versus Orientem iter dirigeret & vexilla. Quod cum inter alios Episcopus * Ubi Rex auxilium pecuniare postulat, Episcopus autem Lincolniae Ro▪ bertus primo contradixit, postea alii animati per eum restiterunt. Mat. Westm▪ p. 250. Lincolniensis, admirans verba tam venerata, & ad subversionem Ecclesiae intoxicata, audiret▪ in ira magna respondit: O quid est hoc pro nostra Domina? Vos ex inconcessis proceditis. Supponitisne vos, quod nos in hanc maledictam contributionem consenserimus? Absit haec à nobis ad Baal genuum incurvatio. Cui electus Wintoniensis ait: Pater, quomodo poterimus resistere voluntati Papali ac Regiae? Vnus impellit, alter attrahit. Consenserunt Franci in hoc casu contributioni consimili, ut videlicet Regi suo peregrinaturo subvenirent. Fortiores nobis sunt, & ad resistendum consueverunt esse proniores. Et nos qualiter valemus illis resistere? Ad haec respondit iterum Lincolniensis Epi copus: Eò ipso resistendum est, quod Franci contribuerunt. Binus enim actus inducit consuetudinem. Praeterea, luce clarius videmus, proh dolor! qualem finem sortita est tyrannica Regis Francorum extorsio pecunialis. Terreant nos exempla praeambula. Ne igitur et Rex et nos gravem Dei offensam incurramus, pro me dico voce libera, huic injuriosae contributioni contradico. Sententiae igitur huic consensum praebuerunt alacriter et incunctanter, Londinensis, Cicestrensis, Wigorniensis Episcopi, et electus Wintoniensis, et fere omnes alii. Sarisburiensis autem fluctuabat. Et addidit Lincolniensis Episcopus. Supplicemus omnes Domino nostro Regi, quatenus de salute animae suae sollicitetur, impetum tantae refraenans temeritatis. Haec autem omnia cum fida relatione nunciarentur Domino Regi, quasi furia invectus, Rex Angliae iratus, à suis aulicis mitigatur. nec se prae ira capiens, vocem cum clamore exaltavit, & omnes, qui in sua Camera fuerunt, velut furiosus aufugavit. Tandem suis familiaribus aulicis ipsum blandius mitigantibus, significavit Praelatis, quatenus non quasi Domino protervienti, et de praecepto Papali exigenti, sed tanquam supplicanti, et Jesus Christo in Terra Sancta militaturo, et in ipsam pro honore universalis Ecclesiae peregrinaturo, competens auxilium pecnniare liberaliter et benigniter largirentur. (A clear demonstration, that the Pope had then no legal Authority to impose any Disme or Tax upon the Clergy by his Bulls, for the King himself, without their common consent thereto.) Quod cum Praelatis renunciaretur, mitiùs se habentes, responderunt: Credimus Respondent Praelati bland● petitioni Regis indubitanter, quod si Dominus Papa veraciter intelligeret, quot angariis, quot exactionibus damnosis Anglicana gravatur et opprimitur Ecclesia, nunquam talia Dominus Rex in curia Romava impetrasset. Et si ipsum Dominum Papam super his plenius certificemus, haud dubito factum suum, nec est mirandum, tanquam ex suppressa veritate, et suggesta falsitate deceptus, illico revocaret. Nunc enim Dominus Rex per Forestarum suarum ampliationes, nunc per Justitiarios suos itinerantes, nunc novis placitis excogitatis, nunc modis aliis Regnum suum depauperat. Quo exinanito, necesse est consequenter Ecclesiam quoque depauperari & egere. Quid de Praelatis referemus, quos idem Dominus Rex in nobilibus intrudit Ecclesiis? Quam miserabiliter extorsit bona terrae, suis Cantuariensis Archiepiscopus Bonifacius, qui se propterea debitis tot finxit obligatum, ut sine totius Ecclesiae Anglicanae adjutorio non poterat ullo modo respirare? Nec adhuc cessat Dominus Rex, ipsi modo fas est talia recitare. Quotidiè aliis atque innumeris argumentis Regnum suum & Ecclesiam, contra sacramentum & juramentum suum primitivum, tàm pecunia quam libertate privare antiqua & consueta. Et praeterea jam ab omnibus creditur et dicitur, quod non ob aliud, ut videtur, se Cruce signavit, nisi ut hoc novo modo et praetextu omnem substantiolam in Anglia, quae remansit, valeat asportare; sicque redigat mellifluum, et abundantissimum Angliae Regnum, in desertum: vel saltem subrogatis et introductis alienigenis, suis incolis viduet in eo natis et educatis. Nonne dudum in pueritia sua, quando in Regem faeliciter creabatur Crucem utique patris sui Regis Johannis, tunc etiam Crucesignati humero suo pro ipso assumpsit, unde timendum, ne ipsam Crucem eodem modo, & ea intentione Dominusiste Rex, qua Pater ejus eam assumpserat, patrissans assumpserit. Ut & iste Rex videlicet, quod absit, suos supprimar, & conterat naturales & fideles subditos. Veruntamen quicquid hactenus egerit, quantumcunque Ecclesiam Anglicanam, & Regnum suum Angliae oppresserit & afflixerit, quod postulat a nobis adhuc impendemus & desiderio suo pro posse obsecundabimur, si quod multoties promisit, velit chartam toties pactam, totiesque debitam libertatum nobis juratarum inviolabiliter posthac observare. Necnon & aliam chartam conficere, ne alia vice sub praetextu hujus gratiae talia exigat, ut Ecclesia Anglicana tam execrabili tributo & exactioni supponatur. Ceterum requirimus, ut si concedatur pecunia, quam Dominus Rex in praesentiarum nunc à nobis petit, & exigit, colligatur diligenter ac fideliter ad opus Domini Regis utiliter distribuenda, in Terram Sanctam profecturo, prout fidelibus suis cautius solito videbitur expedire, et sic eadem pecunia Domino Regi liberetur. Haec autem propterea addebant, quia totum thesaurum suum quem ab Anglis Dominus Rex extorserat, in damnum Regni & suorum fidelium periculum, in usus hostium & inimicorum suorum tàm prodigialiter quam prodigaliter distribuerat; ac si arma sua quis hostibus suis in suum sponte distribuat detrimentum & exitium. Haec salubriter inter filios pacis Praelatos tractabantur, ut haec Regi ex parte eorum significarentur. Postquam Domino Regi talia ex parte Praelatorum nunciarentur, & plenius intermeante Rex proposito persister. Episcopo Sarisberiensi recitarentur, ira incandu●t vehementiori: corrugansque nares, juravit horribiliter, quod nunquam dum vitales aures carperet, in talem mergeretur servitutem. In hoc patris sequens vestigia pedetentim. Significavit autem eisdem iteratò, si aliter vellent respondere, quam sic tergiversando. Sed ne frontosè viderentur, cum praecisa negatione respondisse, Dominosuo Regi dixerunt, se non posse plenum aut perfectum consilium inire absque Domini Cantuariensis Archiepiscopi, qui totius Britanniae primas esse dignoscitur, & Praelatorum omnium Angliae excellentissimus, praesentia & assensu, & Domini Archiepiscopi Eboracensis, qui primus, vel de primis est totius Regni, consensu & Providentia, quorum unus in partibus agebat transmarinis, alter absens in partibus remotis commorans causis ignotis impeditus. Upon which Answer the King issued the * See here p. 767, 768. premised Writs to the Archbishops of Canterbury and York. Rex igitur pecuniae factus sititor avidissimus, ad solitas vulpinas fraudis versutias Mat. Paris Hist p. 823, 824. Rex digreditur ad materiam. conversus, quos non potuit in consilio communi frangere congregatos, cogitavit divisos frangere sigillatim. Vocavit igitur, antequam à Londino recessissent, soluto Concilio memorato, Elyensem Episcopum, ut cum ipso secretius loqueretur. Adventanti igitur Episcopo, Rex reverenter, & honorifice nimis assurgens advocavit eum, & cessit ei ut juxta ipsum eundem Episcopum familiariter collocaret. Et satis humili, & sereno vultu, ait ad eum, Domine Charissime Episcope, difficile mihi foret omnia beneficia, liberalitates, & obsequia mihi à vobis multoties impensa recitare. In Provinciam enim itinere laborioso ac periculoso, ut mihi uxorem meam adduceres, sumptibus propriis vestris animo libenti perrexisti. Mihi insuper in ultramarinas partes profecturo semel & iterum auxilium efficax infatigabiliter impendisti. Quid plura? Nunquam auxilio indigui, quin prompto favore meam praeveniretis, vel saltem prosequeremini indigentiam. Nunc autem plusquam unquam vestra indigeo munificentia & solita benignitate. Assumpsi enim, ut vestra novit paternitas, Crucem Domini humeris meis, pro honore universalis Ecclesiae, et Regni prosperitate in Terram Sanctam magnifice bajulandam. Cujus peregrinationis vos meos fideles, & benefactores desidero & oro specialiter fore participes. Supplico igitur modis omnibus quibus possum, quatenus in bonum caeteris exemplum me in instanti necessitate quae multas postulat expensas juvare non omittatis, aliorum teporem non respicientes. Ego verò nacta temporis opportunitate, vobis in uberiobus beneficiis condignam rependam vicissitudinem. Episcopus autem in hac stabilis existens temptatione, istis nugatoriis sermocinationibus, respondit dicens (subticent moderatè damnum sibi illatum de nundinis S. Aetheldredi pro nundinis S. Edwardi, apud Westmonasterium innovatis) Domine, si aliquando vobis servivi, multum mihi complacet, sed noverit serenitas vestra, quod à forma quam universitas compromisit, & in fide propositum roboravit, nullatenus volo nec valeo, quia inhonestum mihi foret, recedere vel sequestari. Si autem nos Praelati, vestro voluntario impetui flecteremur, Ecclesia depauperaretur, & in laesionem fidei ac Sacramenti vestri perpetuae servituti subjaceret ac tributo. Ad memoriam si placet revocandum est, qualiter Sancti multi pro Sanctae Ecclesae libertate feliciter exularunt & gloriosè occubuerunt interempti. Quid beatum Thomam commemorem Martyrem gloriosum? quid successorem suum beatum Edmundum nobis contemporaneum? Coruscat copia exemplorum, quae omnia in vestrum opprobrium redundare comprobantur. Terrere vos deceret Regis Francorum, vobis pro speculo à Deo demonstratum, qui extortam à Regno suo pecuniam in suam hostibus distribuit redemptionem, & inde nostros inimicos, scilicet Saracenos, amplius saginavit. Unde qui prosequenture nos veloces erant, & qui odernnt nos victores gloriantur. Imo armis & pecunia nostra d●iati gratulantur. Et quicquid de Rege deinceps contingat memorato, opprobrium indelebile contraxit ex praeteritis, scilicer, quod Christianorum Nobilissimus praeda factus est Saracenis, propter quod nonnulli à fide recedentes (pro dolor!) apostatarunt. Et haec omnia rapinae imputamus praetaxatae. Cum autem haec audisset Rex, quasi alto vulnere saucius, nec adhuc rationi adquiescens, Rex no●●● rationi acquiescere. exclamavit inordinatè nimis, dicens Ministris, Ejicite rusticum hunc, ejicite, & ejectum excludite ut amplius coram me non compareat, qui et solamen mihi denegat, et juvamen. Et sic qui ingrediens satis curialiter fuerat advocatus, probis exiit laces●itus. Simili quoque modo quorundum aliorum quos secretius ad se fecit accersiri, moliebatur constantiam enervare, quorum verba licet pondere non carentia, causa brevitatis praeterimus. Hac autem versutia summopere conabatur Praelatorum sibi mentes inclinare, ut sic consequenter Nobilium Corda ad consensum suum incurvaret contributionis, sed ipsorum Consilium a Praelatorum sententia dependebat. Eodemque die venit Electus Wint. ad Dominum Regem fratrem suum ut valedicto Mat. Paris Hist▪ p. 824. 825. Constantia Wint Clericorum. licentiatus repatriare●. Rex autem non prout decuit ipsum facie serena appellavit, nec assurrexit sicut consuevit venienti. Cui ait Electus, Domine, mihi videtur, solvitur Concilium, patefactum est vobis prout ut mihi videtur Praelatorum incommutab●le propositum. In procinctu sum, ut de vestra licentia redeam praematurus. Non enim placida mihi est in hac urbe mora diuturnior: Domino Deo vos commendo. At Rex. Et ego te Diabolo vivo. Deberes mecum stare, etsi totus mundus mihi adversaretur, qui frater meus es uterinus. Et ego te malo grato Dei & ejus Sanctorum, & eorum ad quos spectat de jure electio promoveri, & ad tantam provexi dignitatem, ut nulli de Clerico in divitiis secundus in Anglia videaris. Cui electus de illepido verbo commotus, respondit. Domine, annis sum juvenis, placere vobis quia me creasti, ut & ego factus sim puerilis, absit ut ab universitatis quae Dominum & vestrum honorem diligit sententia recedam. Et sic recessit adiracundiam provocatus. Rex autem eodem tempore a Civibus Londinensibus, qui secundum Chartarum suarum Lond. solvunt viginti Marcas Regi. tenorem, & antiquam consuetudinem fore deberent liberrimi, viginti Marcas auri precibus extorsit imperiosis, velut a servis ultimae conditionis, ut jamjam viderentur servilibus Judaeis paulò minus aequiparari; besides other oppressions there at large related. Interim igitur tam Papae quam Regi in sua tyrannide mutua favorem Mat. Paris Hist. p. 804. et fomentum praebenti, ira suscitatur, et odium internum accumulatur, quos omnes molesti hominum vocabunt perturbatores, ut quasi completum videretur illud Apostolicum, Nisi discessio venerit, 2 Thes. ●. non revelabitur filius iniquitatis. jam utique imminet discessio manifesta, etsi non corporum, cordium tamen (quod gravius est) exasperatio fere Generalis contra Romanam Ecclesiam suscitatur, et igniculus extinguitur devotionis. The King receiving a peremptory denial of this Triennial Disme from the Bishops, as aforesaid: * Tractatio de rebus Gasconiae. Rex igitur ne viderentur quidam Magnates qui jam illuc advenerant inaniter fuisse convocati, districtè tractatum suscitavit, quid agendum de terra sua Gasconlae, etc. Et dum super his inter omnes anceps penderet sententia, Rex in calce sermonis, auxilium pecuniare ac militare redivivo spiritu instantissime flagitavit sibi peregrinaturo impendi, ac Christo pro salute communi militaturo. Ad quod communiter responderunt quod eorum responsio à Praelatorum responsione dependebat, nec voluerunt ab eorum asertione discrepantes sequestrari. Et sese mutuo intuentes, secreto auribus instillarunt dicentes: Quae spes rationabilis istum erigit Regulum, qui nunquam militari edoctus disciplina in Martio certamine, equum admisit, gladium eduxit, hastam vibravit, aut Clypeum ventilavit, ut triumphet, ubi capto Francorum Rege occubuit militia Gallicana, aut inqua confidit temeritate terras transmarinas potenter adquirere quas possessas nequivit retinere! Et sic cum magna indignatione objurgantes, et asserentes ipsum natum tantum ad pecuniam emungendam crumenis evacuatis, et debitis multiplicatis, ad propria remearunt. Mat. Paris Hist. p. 825, 826. Solvitur Concilium cum Regis indignatione. Soluto igitur cum Regis, Cleri, & Magnatum indignatione Concilio, Rex iram & odium praecordiale thesaurizavit; credens haec omnia sibi facta & dicta in spiritu maligno & exoso, mal gnandi materiam parturire. Unde incorrigibilis, adhuc quae conceperat tempore nacto oportuno, circinando proposuit consummare. Solutum est igitur Concilium; Rex hinc inde, tam contra Magnates, quam Exitus Concilii. contra Praelatos, ira succensus vehementi; cogitavitque Legatum vocare, qui Clerum compelleret ad praedictae postulationis contributionem auctoritate Apostolica; licet grave foret tributum, et Ecclesiae servitus nova et intolerabilis. Et sic mala malis immineban● cumulanda. Taliter igitur Caursinis & Judaeis, & aliis creditoribus impinguatis; Praelati cum Magnatibus clitellis evacuatis, dolentes et egentes, recesserunt. This year the Bishop of Lincoln out of a pious zeal endeavouring to enforce many who had Benefices in his Diocese, to take upon them the Order of Priesthood against their wills, they thereupon collecting a great sum of money, sent it to the Court of Rome, and therewith procured a licence to teach School for some years, without taking Orders, money being there more prevalent than piety, or the people's souls. Diebus quoque sub eisdem, cum multi Beneficiati in Diocesi Lincolniensi, persuadente Mat. Paris Hist. Angl. p. 806. Beneficiati renuunt ad Sacerdotium promoveri. efficaci admonitione Episcopi Lincolniensis, ut ad gradum Sacerdotii volentes aut nolentes promoverentur, fuerunt multi colla jugo Domini supponere super hac forma renuentes, qui contributionem communi assensu inter se colligerent, thesaurumque non minimum coadunantes, ad Romanam Curiam miserunt, et Papali auctoritate, effusa pecunia quae multum in ipsa Curia potest, huic Episcopali decreto restiterunt; et licentiam impetrarunt, per aliquot annos sine Sacerdotio Scholas exercere. Et sic specie honestatis, de sub jugo Domini colla vulpinis calliditatibus excusserunt. He likewise out of his hatred to Religious persons, (write the Monks) after long expectation obtained a Bull from this Pope, to augment the small scandalous endowments of Vicaridges in Churches, appropriated to Religious Houses throughout his Diocese, which procured their hatred against him, rather than pure real love. Sub ejusdem autem anni circulo, Episcopus Lincolniensis Robertus, ut Religiosorum Mat. Paris Hist. Angl. p. 813. Episcopus Lincolniensis potestatem impetrat à Papa vicarios ordinandi. proventus mutilaret, & partes vicariorum adaugeret, hujusmodi mandatum à sede Apostolica ante expectatum est adeptus. INNOCENTIUS Episcopus, etc. Venerabili fratri Lincolniensi Episcopo, etc. Cum, sicut accepimus, in tua Civitate & Diocesi nonnulli Religiosi & alii collegiati Ecclesias Parochiales in proprios usus obtineant, in quibus nimis exiles, aut nullae taxatae sunt vicariae, fraternitati tuae per Apostolica scripta mandamus, quatenus in eisdem Ecclesiis de ipsarum proventibus vicarias institutas, et institutas exiles adaugeas vice nostra: prout juxta consuetudinem patriae secundum Deum videris expedire. Non obstantibus si praedicti exempti sint, aut alias muniti Apostolicis privilegiis, sive indulgentiis, per quae id impediri vel differri possit: et de quibus specialem oporteat in praesentibus fieri mentionem: contradictores per censuram Ecclesiasticam, appellatione postposita, compescendo. Datum Lugduni, 7 Calend. Octobr. Pontificatus nostri anno octavo. Episcopus igitur memoratus (plus, ut dicitur & videtur, in odium Religiosorum, quam vicariorum dilectionem et promotionem) multis hujus auctoritate mandati Religiosis damna intulit & gravamina. Simili quoque modo, imminebat jactura magna nobili Ecclesiae Sancti Aedmundi Mat. Paris Hist. Angl. p. 812. Periculum imminens Ecclesiae Sancti Aedmundi. Regis & Martyris, cum ventilata fuisset causa de Manerio de Mildenhale. Et ut brevibus concludamus, sic jam vergit mundus ad praedas et rapinas, ut quiconque Religiosis aliquid extorqueat, non demereri, sed mereri potius videretur. Tempore quoque sub eodem, subiit Abbas & Conventus Ecclesiae Sancti Mariae Mat. Paris Hist. Angl. p. 834. Jactura & infamia Ecclesiae Sancti Mariae Eboraci. Eboraci, maximam cum infamia jacturam, propter quandam Chartam quam adversarii eorundem (quorum maximus fuit Johannes Franciscus Clericus Regis de Scaccario) judicarunt forè reproliandam. Creditur autem indubitanter eundem Johannem, qui natione Borealis, reditus suos de bonis Ecclesiae memoratae in partibus illis siuenter desideravit ampliare, illud secus quam animae suae expediret procurasse, cum scribatur, Vae homini, per quem aliquod scandalum generatur. Coacti sunt igitur, maximam pecuniae summam Regi numerare. Insuper terras & reditus opimos, perpetuò amittere, & infamia indelebili deturpari. Dispersi sunt igitur Monachi & illa nobilis Ecclesia omnimodam induens confusionem, discrimini patuit & ruinae. Simili quoque modo, Abbatiam de Selebi, ob causam consimilem memoratus persecutor Johannes (quem ult or Dominus monoculaverat propter praecedentia merita) irrestaurabilibus damnis lacessivit. How the Pope's example in conferring Ecclesiastical Benefices on Italians and other illiterate persons, unfit for the Ministry, and no ways minding the cure of souls, by his Provisions, induced the King to do the like, this Narrative will inform us. Rex autem solitis insistens deliramentis, eschaetas & reditus vacantes quasi in hujusmodi Mat. Paris Hist. p. 823, 824. Rex reditus vacantes distribuit indignis. contradictionis ultionem, alienigenis ignotis, illiteratis, scurrilibus, & penitus indignis non destitit distribuere, ut sic suorum naturalium corda insanabilius sauciaret. Et si de aliis sileamus, unum huic volumini duximus annotandum. Capellano siquidem fratris sui Galfridi de Lizinnum, quo utebantur Dominus Rex, & Dominus ejusdem Capellani Galfridus memoratus, & tota eorundem Curia tanquam stulto & nebulone infatuato, ut ejus nugis veluti jocalatoris desipientis, & clavigeri omnes cachinnarent, contulit Dominus Rex bonam Ecclesiam de Prestona, quae fuerat Willielmi de Haverhulle Regii Thesaurarii nuper defuncti, cujus fructus annui ad pretium plusquam Centum Librarum ascendere dignoscuntur. Istum nempè Capellanum natione Pictavensem, mores ac Literas penitus ignorantem, vidimus lapidantem Dominum Regem & Galfridem fratrem ejus, & alios Magnates, dum in Pomaerio Sancti Albani spatiarentur, cespitibus, lapidibus, & pomis viridibus, & acerbas uvas in oculos eorundem exprimentem, tanquam expertem rationis. Gestu quoque, verbis & habitu, necnon corporis qualitate & quantitate despicabilis, histrio potius quam Sacerdos in dedecus ordinis Sacerdotalis poterat judicari. Ecce quibus Dominus Rex multa animarum millia committit et committi procurat custodienda, spernens tot literatorum, tot discretorum, tot idoneorum, quam Anglia genuit, numerositatem. Quae et linguam novit indigenarum, et ruditatem informare. Similiter & alia Ecclesiarum beneficia, quae ejusdem Willielmi memorati extiterant, contulit Rex inconsulte, velut ad provocandum sponte iram et odium dignorum, indignis et ultramarinis, quorum insufficientiani et inutilitatem gestus inordinati, et verba non tantum scurrilia, seddelira et obscoena reprobos indicabant. Hanc autem materiae digressionem, genialia suspiria elicuerunt. How proud, insolent and refractory to our Kings, the great possessions, Liberties, Franchises granted by Kings to Prelates and Religious persons, made them, will appear by this answer of King Henry the 3d. to the Master of the Hospital of St. John's of Jerusalem; the true cause why he began to check and control them by Non obstantes, by the Pope's example. Tempore quoque sub eodem, Magister Hospitalis Hierosolymitani in domo de Mat. Paris Hist. p. 826, 827. Verba Magistri Hospitalis cum Rege habita. Clerkenwelle, in pace expectans donec tempus quietis idoneae inveniret confabulandi cum Rege, de quadam manifesta injuria ipsi illata querulus patefecit: Chartas quoque Regum & suam de protectione ostendit. Cui Rex voce elevata, iratus respondit, praevio magno Juramento: Uos Praelati et Religiosi, maxime tamen Templarii et Hospitalarii, tot habetis Libertates et Chartas, quod super fluae possessiones vos faciunt superbire, et superbientes insanire. Revocanda sunt igitur prudenter quae imprudenter sunt concessa; et revocanda consulte, quae inconsuite sunt dispersa. Et addidit; Nonne Dominus Papa quandoque, imo multoties factum suum revocat? Nonne apposito hoc repagulo, Non obstante, Chartas cassat praeconcessas? Sic et ego infringam hanc et alias Chartas, quas praedecessores mei, et ego temere concessimus. Cui Magister Hossitalis, quem Priorem appellant, respondit alacriter vultu elevato: Quid est quod dicis, Domine Rex? Absit, ut in ore tuo recitetur hoc verbum illepidum & absurdum. Quamdiu iustitiam observas, Rex esse poteris; & quam 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 hanc infregeris, Rex esse desines. Ad quod Rex nimis incircumspectè respondit; O quid sibi vult istud, vos Anglici! vultis ne me, sicut quondam patrem meum, à Regno praecipitare, atque necare praecipitatum? The same year the Pope to promote his own designs to the prejudice of the King, in vindicating his Rights in France, and to empty Earl Richard's coffers, and employ him in his Wars, by proffering him a Crown, which he had no lawful title to dispose of, like the Devil when he tempted our Saviour to fall down and worship him, sent his Notary into England to effect these designs. Circa festum quoque Sancti Martini, venit Magister Albertus Domini Papae Notarius Mat. Paris Hist. Angl. p. 829. Albertus Papae Notarius venit in Angliam. in Angliam, qui jam biennio elapso venerat, quando scilicet parabatur Rex Erancorum transfretare, ex parte Domini Papae prohibiturus, ne Rex Anglorum terras Regis Francorum Deo militaturi quomodolibet infestaret. Causa autem adventus sui, multos latuit in principio; sed effectus per opera causam posteà patefecit. Dominus autem Papa, sciens Comitem Richardum fratrem Domini Regis prae omnibus optimatibus Occidentis pecunia abundare (non curans qualiter adquisita) satis astutè providit, ut ipsum ad Regnum Apuliae, Sieiliae, & Calabriae eligeret et vocaret, ut ipse Comes Papae militans, exposita sua pecunia dubiis Martis ca●bus, et corpore suo periculis praesentato, haec omnia adquireret ad Romanae Curiae emolumentum, et Thesauros in sui damnum maximum accumulandos. Hujus fretus sophistica deceptione, qui dixit, Haec omnia tibi dabo, si cadens adoraveris me. Noverat enim Papa, quod Comes Hydropisi pecuniali insatiabiliter laborabat, et dignitate temporali. Tali igitur edulio hamum recurvum fecit concupiscibilem, quo credidit eum citius inescare. Et tunc mysterium manifestatum est, quare Dominus quondam apud Lugdunum tantum honorem fecerit Comiti Richardo; ut cum ipso prudenter collateraliter, & tantum applausum ei fecerit, ut omnes mirarentur; sed non credebatur aliquatenus à quampluribus, ut consentiret aliquatenus Comes Papalibus promissionibus; tum quia corpore sanus & integer nullatenus extitit, tum quia in armis strenuus nec exercitatus extitit, tum quia inhonestum videretur nepotem suum Henricum supplantare, tum quia certa pro incertis non est sapientis commutare. Sed haec omnia Dominus Papa tolerabilia, sed nec inconvenientia fuisse judicavit. Sciendumque, quod ea die qua Comes Richardus epulabatur cum Papa, captus est infoelici sidere Rex Francorum. Hoc mihi haec scribenti, idem Comes assertiuè narravit. * Anno 1252. p. 150, 151. Matthew Westminster addes, Sed cum Comes exigisset securitatem, videlicet quaedam castra Domini Papae & obsides ut esset in possessione, & aliqua saltem securitate de Papali promisso: Respondit Albertus se Papam super haec convenire. Albertus interim multa sibi beneficia acquisivit, quibus acquisitis, transalpinavit: Et audita (Dominus Papa) Comitis responsione, noluit aliquod propositum continuare de praemissis. I find that the King upon this Pope's proffer of the Kingdom of Sicily to Earl Richard his Brother, returned him special thanks; assenting that he should grant to his Brother, or his Heir, a competent Aid from the Clergy of his Realm to gain this Kingdom, always saving the Aid formerly granted to himself for his voyage to the Holy Land, thus entered in the Clause Rolls. SAnctissimo in Christo Patri I Summo Pontifici, H. Rex Angliae, salutem. Ecclesiae Claus. 37 H. 3. m. 18. dorso. De Literis directis Domino Papae. Romanae matri nostrae & praecipuè piae Paternitati vestrae quantas potest humana devotio referimus gratiarum actiones, de eo quod Richardum Comitem Cornub. prae caeteris mundi Magnatibus elegistis ad culmen Regni Siciliae, quod inter caetera Regna magnum esse cognovimus, cencenties nos in ipsius exaltatione non mediocriter honoratos. Verum cum venerabilis vir Magister albertus Notarius vester nos, ex parte vestra curiosè sollicitaret, quod ipsius fratris nostri negotio, circa praedictum Regnum adquirendum consilium & auxilium impenderemus, non immemores omnium bonorum & gratiarum specialium, quae multociens ab Ecclesia Romana suscepimus, ut filii grati & devoti acceptamus, quod a Clero Regni nostri praefato Com. vel Haeredi suo negotium adquisitionis ejusdem Regni prosequenti competens auxilium impertiatur. Salva nobis per omnia gratia vestra concessa, et si placet concedenda ad negotium crucis, quod assumpsimus exequend. Teste Rege apud Westm. 23. die Januarii. Bishop Grosthead being suspended his Bishopric this year by the Pope. for opposing his provisions, and trampling them under his feet, as you heard * Here p. 761, 762. before, caused his Clerks to make a diligent inquiry to what an annual sum they amounted to, who found them to exceed about 70. thousand Marks, and triple the sums of the King ordinary revenues, wherewith he enriched his kindred and attendants three times more than any his predecessors had done. Ipso quoque Anno in tantum permissa est Romanorum avaritia, et Mat. Paris Hist. p. 832. Mat Westm. p. 251. Episcopus Lincolniensis facit computare redditus alienorum in Anglia. in tantum adeo ascendisse, quod Episcopus Rob. Lincolniensis super hoc stupefactus, fecit a suis Clericis diligenter computari et considerari alienorum proventus in Anglia, per istum Papam, scilicet Innocentium promotorum, et inventum est et veraciter compertum, quod nunquam aliquis praedecessorum suorum in triplo aliquos sui generis vel patriae tot ditaverit: et quod iste Papa praesens videlicet Innocentius quartus, plus Ecclesiam Universalem depauperaverat * Here p. 753. quam * omnes praedecessores a tempore Papatus primitivi (prout manifeste patet in lugubri querimonia quam posuerunt Franci, coram * See Sir Roger Twysdens historical vindication p. 59 60. Papa pro suis intolerabilibus oppressionibus▪ quae reducta est in scriptum Epistolae admodum prolixae, As Matthew Paris addes in his Historia minori.) Redditusque Clericorum per ipsum in Anglia alienorum, quos Ecclesia Romana ditaverat ad plusquam ●0. Millia Marcarum ascendit. Bedditus Regis merus, non ad ejus partem tertiam computatur. As this Pope multiplied his Provisions in England, more than all his predecessors, so did he likewise in France, as the French agent told him to his face this year, in the name of the whole Realm, who by a pubilck letter and remonstrance, thus protested against his intolerable innovations, oppressions, which they neither would nor could tolerate any longer. * Additamentorum Mat. Paris f. 135. Hist. An. 1252. p. 287. Sir Roger Twisden his historical vindication p. 59 60. Dicturus quod injunctum est mihi, certè non multum temporis elapsum est, ex quo Dominus Papa Alexander, persecutionis cogente incommodo, venit in Franciam, confugiens ad subsidium inclytae recordationis Regis Ludovici patris Regis Philippi; à quo benignè susceptus est, & stetit ibi diu; & fortè vivunt aliqui qui viderunt ●um: ipse tamen in nullo gravavit Ecclesiam Gallicanam, ut nec unam solam praebendam aut aliud beneficium ipse Papa dederit ibi, sed nec aliquis praedecessor suus, nec multi etiam de successoribus dederunt in sua Auctoritate beneficium aliquod, usque ad tempora Domini Innocentii 3. qui primus a●sumpsit sibi jus istud: in tempore suo, Revera dedit multas praebendas, et similiter post ipsum Dominus Honorius, et Dominus Gregorius simili modo fecerunt, sed omnes praedecessores vestri, ut publice dicitur, non dederunt tot beneficia ut vos solus dedistis. etc. as well in England as in France. W●●● therefore might Matthew Paris thus conclude this year in relation to England. * Anglia vero ab alienigenis conculcata, et multis Dominis inclinata, Annalis Conclusio. su●que Regis sincera dilectione viduata, extremis quoque subjacens conditionibus, inconsolabiliter contabuit desperata. Et quod gravissimum est, diatim inter Ecclesiam et populum odium venenosum suscipit incrementum. And here before I proceed further, ● shall present you with the opinion o● our learned judicious Antiquary a An historical vindication of the Church of England, c. 3. sect 65. 66. 67. 68 69. 70. Sr. Roger Twysd●n of the Original, & progress of Papal provisions in England; After his Relation of the deprivations of Anselm, and William, elected Archbishops of Canterbury and York, by the Pope upon appeals An. 1136. and between 1142. and 1152. (the two first Elections nulled by Papal authority in England.) he subjoins, b ●oh. Hagulst co●. 276. 8. Here I may observe, that at first when even the Pope made void an Election, he did not take upon him to appoint another in the place vacant, but either sent to the Clergy of the same Church to choose another, as those to whom it appertained; so did c Mat. Pa●●s An. 1207. p. 222. 40. Euge●us, to York, when d Diceto col. 507 53. & 508. 20. Henry Murdac was chosen, Innocentius 3d. when Stephen Langton, or else the Bishopric lay vacant, as London after Anseline, from 1139. to 1141. But Elections being with much struggling settled wholly in the Clergy, and e Mat. Paris An. 1206. ●. 214. 44 Innocentius 3. having by definitive sentence excluded the English Bishops from having any part in that of the Archbishop of Canterbury, they becoming wholly appropriated to the Chapters, and Cathedrals, the Pope began to creep in, f Bulla Gregorii 9 apud Mat. Paris A●. 1229 p. 355, 46. & ex concessa plenitudine Ecclesiasticae potestatis, as h●spea●●, without aeny formality of choice, to confer not only Bishoprics, but other Ecclesiastical promotions, within the precincts of Dioceses, by that means to fill the fat benefices of the Nation. The first Archbishop of Canterbury promoted by this absolute power of the Church of Rome, seems to have been Richard Anno 1229. g Mat. Paris, p. 335, 44. non electo sed dato ad Archiepiscopatum. The French h Additamenta Mat Paris MS. in Bibliotheca Cotton. f. 133. cui initium; Dicturus quod injunctum est mihi. Agent in his Remonstrance to Innocent 4. attributes the beginning of these Collations to Innocent the 3. (whose words i Here p. 777. forecited he recites at large, with those of Matthew Paris.) By which it appears, that great liberty the Pope took in conferring Ecclesiastical preferments within the Dioceses of others, took its rise from Pope Innocent 3. and as it seems to me, not at the beginning of his time; for Anno 1199. k Roger Hoveden ●. 453. b. 30. 454. b. 2. Ge●val. Do●obern. col 1682. 27. in Vita Huberti. Gelardus Archbishop of St. David's coming from Rome, quia idem G. Menevensis Ecclesiae in Curia Romana se dicebat electum, hoc ipsum cassavit Archiepiscopus, & alium sacravit Canonice electum: though he afterwards bestowed on him a Church of 25. marks; and this in a case the Pope had so earnestly estoused, as he writes to the Bishops of Durham, Lincoln, and Ely, si Archiepiscopus saepè dictum Gelardum consecrare differret, ipsi Apostolica authoritate freti, illum consecrare non differrent; l S●● here Book 3. ch. 2. p 234, to 238. which yet the Archbishop as against the English Liberty, did not doubt to oppose and disannul. But this it continued not long, for m In antiquo MS Bullarum Romanorum Pontificum Archiepise. Cant. Bulla 6 Honor. 3. Honorius the immediate successor to Innocentius, showing such as served the Apostolic See, and resided with it were worthy, congruis beneficiis honorari, and were therefore possessed of divers both in England and other parts, which they did administer with so great care, quod non minus beneficiantibus quam beneficiatis utiliter est provisum, unde, quia nonnunquam beneficiatis hujusmodi decedentibus beneficia quae obtinuerunt, inconsultis hiis ad quos eorum donatio pertinebat aliis successiuè collatis, perpetu● illis ad quos pertinent videbantur amitti, propter quod etiam murmurabant plurimi, et alii se difficiliores ad conferendum talibus beneficia exhibebant: Nos volentes, super hoc congruum remedium adhibere, ne cuiquam sua liberalitas sit dampnosa, per quam potius meruit gratiam & favorem, statuimus, ut Clericis Ecclesiae Romanae, vel aliis Italicis, qui Praebendas vel Ecclesias, seu alia Ecclesiastica beneficia in Anglia obtinent vel obtinuerint, à modo decedentibus, Praebendae vel Ecclesiae, seu alia beneficia nequaquam à nobis vel alio illa vice alicui conferantur, sed ad illos liberè redeant ad quos illorum donatio dignoscitur pertinere. Datum Laterani, quarto Calendas 26 Febr. 1221: Marcii, Pontificatus nostri anno quinto. Yet neither this, nor the renewing of it by n In eodem MS. Greg. 9 Bulla 3. Gregory the 9th. with a special Indulgence, directed, Venerabilibus fratribus universis Archiepiscopis & Episcopis, ac dilectis filiis Abbatibus, & aliis Ecclesiarum Praelatis per Angliam constitutis, etc. ut si quando ad vos Literae Apostolicae pro beneficiandis hujusmodi de caetero emanarunt, ad provisionem ipsorum inviti non teneamur, nisi de hac indulgentia plenam fecerint mentionem. Datum Laterani, 15 Calendas Maii, Pontificatus nostri anno quarto, etc. o April 17. An. 1230. could quiet the English, or keep them from that Confederation in p Mat. Paris, 1371. Matthew Paris Anno 1231. beginning, Tali Episcopo & tali Capitulo, universitas eorum qui magis volunt mori quam à Romanis confundi, etc. Which th● Popes by wisdom, and joining the Regal authority with their Spiritual, found means to bring to nought, and pursuing the Papal Interest without regarding what had passed from them, gave the q Mat. Paris An. 1241. p 549. 18. 22. Kingdom occasion Anno 1241. to observe, that in only three years Otho had remained Legate here, he bestowed more than 300. Spiritual promotions, ad suam vel Papae voluntatem, the Pope having r Idem, Anno 1240. p. 532. 43. contracted (as the report went) with the Romans to confer to none but their Children and Allies the Rich Benefices here, especially of Religious Houses, (as those perhaps he had most power over) and to that effect had written to the Bishops of Canterbury and Salisbury, ut trecentis Romanis in primis beneficiis vacantibus providerent. So that in the s Mat. Paris p. 666. Council at Lions An. 1242. they complained of these Exorbitances, and show the Revenues the Italians received in England, not to be less than 60 or 70 thousand Marks. And in the year following An. 1246. reiterated their griefs to Innocent 4. t Mat. Paris, Anno 1246. p. 699. 9 Quod Italicus Italico succedit; which yet was with little success, for the Pope's having (as we have heard) first settled all Elections in the ecclesiastics, and after upon several occasions, on the submitting of the English to his desires, bestowed the Benefices in this and other Kingdoms on his Dependants, John the 22. (or as u Cardinal Ossat. Epist. 296. Dat. Rom. 1601. Decem●. 22. some think Clement 5. his immediate predecessor) endeavoured the breaking of Elections by Cathedrals and Convents, reserving the free Donation of all preferments to himself alone. From whence proceeded the reiterated complaints against Papal Provisions, in the Parliaments of Edward the 3. and x Rot. Par l. ● R. 2. n. 37. Richard the 2. for this Kingdom never received his attempts in that kind. Of which (God willing) I shall render you a full account in due place and time, out of our Parliament Rolls and other Records. Upon the great complaints and opposition then made against the multitudes of Pope's Provisions to foreigners both in France, and England, the Pope was enforced to grant some seeming mitigation and relaxation of them this year, thus related by Matthew Paris. Tempore quoque sub eodem, concessit Dominus Papa his qui dignitatibus gaudebant, Mat. Paris Hist▪ Edit Londini p. 846. Literae Papales aliquantulum mit●gatoriae seu relaxativae. & supra modum, in partibus maximè Transalpinis opprimebantur, ut ritè de ipsis dignitatibus, ipsi, ad quos pertinebat electio, Deum habentes prae oculis, ordinarent. Literae autem super hoc in libro * Mat Pariensi● Additamenta. p. 184, 185. Additam ntorum annotantur; where they are thus entered. INNOCENTIUS Episcopus servus servorum Dei, dilectis filiis Abbati & Conventui monasterii Sancti Albani ordinis sancti Benedicti, ad Romanorum Ecclesiam nullo medio pertinentis, Lincolniensis Dioecesis, salutem & Appostolicam benedictionem. Editum a nobis de novo statutum, de verbo ad verbum praesentibus fecimus annotari. Cujus tenor talis est. Innocentius Episcopus servus servorum Dei, venerabilibus fratribus Archiepiscopis & Episcopis, ac dilectis filiis Abbatibus, Prioribus Praepositis, Decanis, Archidiaconis, Archiepresbyteris, aliis Ecclesiarum Praelatis, earumque Capitulis, & Conventibus, seu Collegiis tam exemptis quam non emp●●s, ac patronis, clericis, ac laicis praesentes literas inspecturis, salutem & Apostolicam benedictionem. Postquam regimini generali Ecclesiae, nos (licet immeritos) divina pietas voluit praesidere, cordi semper habuimus, quod honestatem & ordinem in omnibus servaremus, ac in provisionibus faciendis haberemus illius providentiae modum, per quem Ecclesiis & monasteris, sive aliis piis locis, honor & commodum perveniret. Quod autem quandoque contrarium accidisse dignoscitur, tum propter improbitatem nimiam * Pontificum had been truer. petitorum, saepe nobis dolorem intulit, & cordi nostro suspiria cumulavit. Maxime cum post multa diffugia et excogitatae resistentiae studium, provisiones quasdam prorsus inviti fecimus, quas potuisse vitare pro magno et solenni gaudio duceremus. Cum itaque dudum fuerimus ment vigiles, ut super hiis adhibere remedium possemus opportunum; nos pro quiete mentis nostrae, ac pro Ecclesiarum, monasteriorum, & locorum praedictorum salute duximus statuendum, quod singuli vestrum canonias & praebendas, ac beneficia, seu personatus, & dignitates, cum cura vel sine cura, redditus & etiam pensiones, ad collationem, aut electionem, seu praesentationem vestram spectantia, quae obtinentur à quibuscunque oriundis extra regna, in quibus Canonicatus & praebendae, ac alia supradicta, seu apud sedem Apostolicam maneant, seu alibi commorentur; extunc personis idoneis, Deum habendo prae oculis, conferre, vel eas ad illa eligere, ac electas confirmare, praesentatas admittere, sublato cujustibet contradictionis et appellationis obstaculo, valeatis, & extunc personae ipsae in eisdem Canon●●s, & Praebendis, ac beneficiis, seu dignitatibus, & personatibus, redditibus, & pensionibus, plenum jus & inconcussum obtineant. Nec tamen de iis priusquam vacent se aliquatenus intromittant, sed ipso jure quam citiùs vacaverint, assequantur, & ipsi intrandi ac retinendi, nullius requisito consensu, liberam habeant facultatem. Ita tamen, quod illi qui nunc ipsa obtinent, ea quousque cessarint, vel decesserint, pleno jure pacifice habeant et quiete, ac nullum omnino super hiis praetextu statuti ejusdem, praejudicium patiantur. Volumus tamen, quod si sub expectatione praebendarum, in Ecclesiis in quibus provisum fuerit dictis personis, prius aliqui sint recepti, vel si super provisione sua in eis literas Apostolicas impetrarunt, sicut in receptione vel impetratione, sic in Praebendarum assecutione, personis praeferantur eisdem. Si vero aliqua personarum ipsarum, cui obtentu ejusdem statuti provisum suerit, vel ei juxta modum inferius annotatum contigerit, de vestra liberali gratia provideri, cedat interim vel decedat, licitum sit vobis, tam cito loco sui aliam idoneam subrogare ac successive hoc facere, in cujusvis earundem cessione vel obitu personarum, sub divini tamen judicii obtestatione praecipimus, quod personae ipsae contra possessores dictorum Canonicatuum & beneficiorum, ac praebendarum, seu personatuum, & dignitatum, reddituum, seu pensionum, nullasinsidias, aut fraudem, vel molestias, sive quod●umque aliud inconveniens machinentur. Alias autem ipso facto cadant ab omni jure, eye super provisione hujusmodi adquisito cum dignum sit quod sicut gratia pro virtute tribuitur, ita paena pro vitio compensetur. Pro malitiis autem cohibendis, quae hujusmodi forsan occasione statuti oriri possent in mentibus perversorum, volumus, quod si aliquem cui subrogatio ejusdem statuti facta fuerit (quod absit) perimi contigerit, quoquo modo, taliter subrogatus possessionem suae provisionis non habeat, nec aliquod apprehendat, nisi prius Apostolicas vel Ordinarii & aliquorum religiosorum virorum Deum timentium, patentes litteras obtinuerit, quod de morte sic occisi suspectus nullatenus habeatur. Caeterum quia personis eisdem in grave nosset redundare taedium, quod vacationem Canonicatuum, & praebendarum, ac aliorum praedictorum, perlonga tempora expectarent, ad hoc nostra desudet intentio, ut de Canoniis & praebendis, ac beneficiis, seu personatibus, & dignitatibus, redditibus, & pensionibus, ad vestram collationem aut electionem vel praesentationem spectantibus, quae praeter hujufmodi provisionem vestram vacant ad praesens, seu vacare contigerit, dummodo nulli alii de jure competant, liberaliter ac sine mora provideatis eisdem, & postquam ipsarum loco alias personasidoneas quam citiùs subrogetis. Ad haec statutum praedictum quamvis juri oppositum, quod pro causa legitima & salubri ad nullius requisitionem vel instantiam, proprio motu fecimus, plenam & inviolabilem firmitatem volumus obtinere. Sed tamen ad alias collationes, & electiones, seu praesentationes, quas à quocunque de caetero fieri contigetit, idem statutum nullatenus extendatur, nec sanctionibus Canonicis propter ipsum, imposterum aliquod praejudicium generetur. Praeterea, null● privilegia vel indulgentiae, seu literae Apostolicae Sedis, vel Legatorum ejus, sub quacunque forma verborum de caetero intrandae, obsistant praefato statuto, cum jam plenum jus per hujusmodi collationem, aut electionem, seu praesentationem, adquiratur personis eisdem, & illud eis tolli non possit absque divini offensa nominis, & Sedis Apostolicae injuria manifesta, Nos enim nihilominus si aliquid super iis contra praefatum statutum contigerit attemptari, non solum irritum ac inane decernimus, sed omnes qui contra venire praesumpserint, divinae maledictioni ac nostrae volumus subjacere. Licitumque sit vobis universis & singulis tanquam nostris in hac parte ministris, nostras seu legatorum nostrorum lacerare literas, si quae statuto ipsi contrariae, vobis aut alicui vestrum fuerint praesentatae. Canonicatuum insuper & praebendarum, ac beneficiorum, & aliorum praedictorum, possessio (sicut praedictum est) nihilominus intretur, ac retineatur liberè: non obstantibus literis memoratis. Saepe dictum verò statutum, ad Pontificatus & Abbatias, ac alias regulares, extendi volumus dignitates. Vos itaque filii Abbas & Conventus, statutum ipsum prout expedire videritis, authoritate nostra diligenter & fideliter exequi studeatis. Datum Laterani, tertio nonarum Novembris, Pontficatus nostri Anno undecimo. Thus much for the Papal provisions to rob Patrons; I proceed to Bishop's devices to deprive the King of his right of presentation to Churches in that age. The Bishop of Lincoln, and Vicar-general of the Bishop of Hereford, by new tricks and devices endeavouring to deprive the King of his Right of presentations, and to vex his Clerks presented to them in their Courts, in derogation of his Crown and its Rights; the King thereupon issued these two Writs against them, to answer their contempts and redress these abuses, under pain of seizing their Baronies. REX Vicecomiti Buck. salutem. Praecipe Roberto Lincolniensi Episcopo, quod Claus. 36 H. 3. m. 20. dorso admittat Artaldum de Sancto Romano ad Ecclesiam de Flamstede; Et nisi fecerit, pone per Vadium & salvos Plegios praedictum Episcopum, quod sit coram nobis à die Pasche in 15. dies, ubicunque, etc. ostensurus, quare non fecerit. Teste Rege apud Dovor, 5. die Marcii. REX Priori Campan. gerenti vices P. Hereford. Episcopi, salutem. Frequenti Claus. 36 H. 3. m. 21. dorso. Pro Johanne Capellano de Coventria. quorundam relatione jam pervenit ad aures nostras, quod vos praesentationem nostram factam de Johanne Capellano ad Ecclesiam de Manselowe, quadam perpetua calliditate nitimini pro viribus vestris adnullare, denegando praefato Capellano nostro Inquisitionem, quae nulli de populo deberet unquam in Regno nostro denegari, sicque delusoriè mandata nostra, pluries vobis inde directa parvipendendo, set potius spernendo, praefatum Johannem non mediocriter infecto negotio fatigatum, ad nostram praesentiam fecistis esse reversum, quod quidem molestè ferimus, & indignum, veruntamen hoc diutius aequo animo ferre non valemus: Vobis mandamus firmiter injungentes, quatenus cum in vacationibus Ecclesiarum quarum ad nos pertinet praesentatio, nullum tempus contra nos currat, in Inquisitione facienda, & ulterius ad institutionem ipsius Johannis secundum ritum Ecclesiasticum procedatis, ne super hoc oporteat nos de caetero sollicitari: Scituri pro certò, quod nisi praecedentes machinationes ad nostram exhaeredationem excogitatas, per subsequentia purgaveritis, dissimulare non poterimus, quin ad Baroniam ipsius Episcopi manus Regias apponamus, quia nolumus hujusmodi frivolis machinationibus exhaeredari. Teste Rege apud Westm. 20. die Marcii. He likewise issued this Writ to the Sheriff of Hertford, to remove the Queen's Chaplain out of the Church and Rectory of Flamstede, belonging to him by his Prerogative, by reason of a Wardship, and to put his Clerk in possession thereof. MAndatum est Vicecomiti Hertford. quod sine dilatione amoveri faciat Willielmum Claus. 36 H. 3. m. 22. dorso. de London quondam Capellanum Reginae, & omnes suos existentes in Ecclesia de Flamstede▪ non permittens ipsum vel suos aliquam habere administrationem de domibus vel bonis ejusdem Ecclesiae, quam Rex contulit Artaldo de Sancto Romano, quia nullus praeter ipsum Artaldum possession● ejusdem Ecclesiae posset incumbere▪ sine praejudicio juris patronatus ad Regem specta●●is r●●●one custodiae terrae, & Haeredis Radulfi de Tony. Teste Rege apud Wistm. ●5. die Martii. The Archbishop's Official holding Plea concerning the right of an Advowson and presentation, appertaining to the King by his Prerogative, by reason of a vacancy, to the prejudice of his Crown and Dignity, the King thereupon sent this memorable Prohibition to him. REX Magistro A. de Len. Offic. Cantuar. & Commissionar. suis, salutem. Claus. 36 H. 3. m. 8. dorso. Cum tempore Progenitorum nostrorum Regum Angliae, et nostro hactenus sit obtentum, quod vacantibus Abbatiis, Prioratibus, et aliis quibuscunque domibus Religiosis Regni nostri et in manu nostra existentibus, conferre possimus Ecclesiastica Beneficia ad hujusmodi domos pertinentia; et nos ratione vacationis domus Sancti Thomae de Acon in London. dilectum Clericum nostrum Rogerum de Messenden ad Ecclesiam de Colchirch in London. durerimus praesentandum; fratres ejusdem domus, et Hugo Capellanus eorum ab eisdem fratribus indebite praesentatus ad eandem, dictum Clericum nostrum inde trahit in placitum coram vobis in Curia Christianitatis. Et quia hoc est contra Coronam et Dignitatem nostram, et manifeste cederet in nostram et Haeredum nostrorum exhaeredationem, vobis prohibemus ne placitum illud de caetero teneatis. Teste Rege apud Woodstock, 18. die Augusti. Though Bishops might usually grant administration of the Goods of Clerks deceased, yet the King by his Royal Prerogative issued these Writs to the Bishops of Norwich, Coventry and Lichfield, not to make any disposition, or grant any Administration of the Goods of a Clerk deceased, indebted to him, till his debt was satisfied, and his further order. QUia Simon. de Norwic. in pluribus debitis Regi tenebatur: Mandatum est Norwic. Claus. 36 H. 3. m 23. dorso. W. Norwicen. Episcopo pro Rege. Episcopo, quod de bonis quae fuerunt ipsius Simonis nullam alienationem seu etiam dilapidationem de caetero fieri sustineat, vel aliquem aliquam habere Administrationem, donec praedicta debita de bonis praedictis Regi solvantur, & aliud à Rege habuerit in mandatis. Teste Rege apud Westm. 23. die Februarii. Eodem modo mandatum est R. Coventr. & Lichfield. Episcopo. The Archbishop's Official proceeding in a cause of Bastardy upon an Appeal, according to the Canon Law, against the * See here p. 471, to 474. Law of the Land, and Statute of 20 H. 3. c. 9 against a former Certificate of the Bishop of the Diocese, the King thereupon issued this Prohibition to him. MAndatum est Magistro E. de Len. Offic. Cautuar. quod quia R. Landavensis Claus. 36 H. 3. m. 23. dors. De Bastard. Episcopus significavit Regi, quod Mereduc filius Griffini de legitimo Matrimonio coepit originem, in causa quae vertitur coram ipso super Bastardia ipsius Mereduc, non procedat, quia si ulterius procederet, hoc esset contra legem terrae, et ad exhaeredationem ipsius Mereduc. Teste, etc. And whereas the King's Justices without his privity issued a Writ to the Bishop of Landaffe, to make a new Inquisition and Certificate in this case of Bastardy, the King thereupon sent this Supersedeas to the Bishop, not to proceed therein. REX W. Landavensi Episcopo, salutem. Quod Justiciarii nostri de Banco nomine Claus. 36 H. 3. m. 32. dors. Pro Mereduc filio Griffini. nostro Paternitati vestrae demandaverunt, Inquisitionem facere de legitimatione Mereduc filii Griffini, ex nostra conscientia non emanavit, cum alias nobis ad mandatum nostrum significastis, ipsum legitimum esse, et de legitimo matrimonio natum, unde non est necesse, quod super hoc iteratam facias Inquisitionem. Teste Rege apud Eveshaw▪ 14. die Novembris. The Archbishop of York suing and vexing the Barons of Heth both in the Spiritual and Temporal Courts, in a case of Wreck, against their Privileges, the King thereupon issued these Writs of Prohibition to relieve them from these unjust vexations. REX benè recolit, quod querela quae nuper erat inter Archiepiscopum Eborum, Claus. 36 H. 3. m. 24 dorso. Pro hominibus de Heth. & Barones Regis de Heth, de wrecco maris, posita fuit in respectum usque ad adventum ejusdem Archiepiscopi in Angliam. Et quia contentio illa jam resuscitatur, sicut ex querela praedictorum Baronum Rex intellexit. Et mandatum est E. de Lenne Offic. praedicti Archiepiscopi, ne super hoc ipsos molestet, aut in aliquo vexet ante adventum praefati Archiepiscopi. Teste Rege apud Dover. 5. die Marcii. Monstraverunt etiam iidem Barones Regi, quod Ballivi Archiepiscopi in Com. Kanciae eos injustè molestant, trahendo eos in placitum pro transgr. & aliis ad forinsecas Curias, quae in Villa Regis de Heth placitari & terminari debuerunt & consueverunt. Et mandatum est praedictis Ballivis, quod ab hujusmodi vexatione & molestia penitus desistant, ne pro defectu, etc. Teste ut supra. Et mandatum est Vic. Kanciae, quod si praedicti Ballivi contra mandatum Regis venerint, nullatenus permittat praefatos Barones ad forinsecas Curias à Ballivis suis super praemissis trahi, aut ab eye in aliquo injustè molestari. Teste, etc. Per ipsum Regem. The Dean and Canons of Arfarden in Ireland, petitioning the King in an illegal form for a Licence to Elect a new Bishop, the King out of his mere grace, gave power to his chief Justice in Ireland, in his stead, to give them a Licence to elect, so as they duly presented the person elected to him for his confirmation when elected. LIcet Decanus & Canonici Arfardens. Ecclesiae vacantis, per cessionem Brendani Claus. 26. H. 3 m. 18. intus. quondam loci ejusdem Episcopi, licentiam eligendi sibi alium in patrem & pastorem per literas suas clausas, et aliter quam deceret a nobis, per simplicitatem forte petierunt, ob quod petitioni suae acquiescere non debuimus, volentes tamen eye in hac parte gratiam facere specialem; Mandavimus Justic. Hiberniae, quod licentiam eligendi eis ad praesens vice nostra concedat, ut electione facta electum suum nobis per literas & personas quas decet praesentent. Teste Rege apud Westm. 20. die Aprilis. Per Regem. The Bakers of Essex, Hertford, and other Counties presuming this year to make the sing or print of the Cross, Agnus Dei, or the name of Jesus, upon the Bread they sold, to their great abuse and profanation, the King thereupon by his supreme Ecclesiastical Authority, issued Writs to the Sheriffs to prohibit this profanation for the future, by public Proclamation. MAndatum est Vicomiti Essex. & Hertford. quod clamari faciat per totam ballivam Claus. 36. H. 3. m. ●6. do●s. De prohibitione facta Pistoribus. suam, et firmiter ex parte Regis prohiberi, ne quis Pistor panem faciens venalem, signum Crucis, vel Agni Dei, vel etiam nomen jesu Christi, imprimi faciat in pane suo, ne per culpam Pistoris, vel alio casu inopinato, signa praedicta, vel nomen Domini, quod absit, deturpetur. Teste meipso apud Sanctum Edmundum 1 die Septembris. Eodem modo mandatum est aliis Vic▪ The Church of Henechdun in Ireland, being but a Parish Church within the Archbishopric of Tuam, belonging to the Archbishopric, was made a Bishopric by the King, by presenting two Bishops to it; whereupon the Archbishop procuring a Bull from the Pope, to reduce it to a Parish Church as before, humbly petitioned the King, for his confirmation thereof; which he did upon condition that the King should enjoy a parcel of Lands within the Town, by way of exchange for other Lands to be settled in lieu thereof, to build and fortify a Castle, as this Writ more at large relates. REX Justiciario Hiberniae, salutem. Accedens nuper ad nos venerabilis Pater Tuamensis Archiepiscopus cum quibusdam privilegiis & scriptis continentibus, Claus. 36 H. 3. m. 7. dorso. quod Henechdun Ecclesia ab antiquo, non Cathedralis, set Parochialis extitit, licet duo Episcopi successive de facto ibidem sedem obtinuerunt Cathedralem, nobis devote supplicavit, ut hiis quae Authoritate sedis Apostolicae de reducendo eandem Ecclesiam ad statum antiquum, fuerant ordinata, regium favorem et assensum impendere dignaremur: (the Pope's Bull being null without it,) Nos igitur prudentiae vestrae committimus, ut retenta nobis & Haeredibus nostris quadam placia in Villa de Henechdun. idonea, ad Castrum firmandum, de ejusdem Archiepiscopi & Capituli assensu, ac exceptis quibusdam Aedificiis Archiepiscopi & Clericorum Ecclesiae circumjacentibus extendi faciat Villam, antedictam quantum valeat in terris, redditibus & omnibus aliis exitibus; ut habito valore praedicto, possimus eidem Archiepiscopo & successoribus suis providere in terra, in loco competenti sibi proficuo & nobis minus damnoso, ad valorem Villae memoratae, & vos praevideatis & extendatis terram dicto Archiepisco in excambium assignandam, nobis plenè rescribentes extentam tam Villae praedictae, quam terrae praefato Archiepiscopo & suis successoribus in Escambium assignandae. Et quia sumus possessione, vel quasi juris patronatus praedictae Ecclesiae, ex hoc quod licentia eligendi a nobis petita fuerit, et facta Electione assensus noster requisitus, nolumus quod perdonatio jus Patronatus in manibus nostris remaneat, donec de hoc plenius fuerit discussum. Et nobis scire faciatis de cujus patronatu praefata Ecclesia fuerit antequam Episcopus ibidem praeficeretur, & inquiratis diligenter in quarum terrarum possessione fuerit Ecclesia Henechduamensis antequam Episcopus crearetur in Ecclesia antedicta. Et salva tenura tenentium, terras illas & redditus quos percepit Episcopus Henechduamensis de eisdem, faciatis Archiepiscopo saepè fato assignari, & idem Archiepiscopo contra tenentes supradictos in prosequendo jus suum Justitiam exhibeatis & favorem, eisdem in Curia nostra de mense in mensem diem assignantes. Teste Rege apud Woodstock. 18. die Augusti. The Archbishop of Dublin having excommunicated Stephen Lungespe and his servants, against law, the King issued this Mandamus to him to absolve them. MAndatum est Archiepiscopo Dublin. quod sententiam excommunicationis Stephani Claus. 36 H. 3. m. 16. dors. Lungespe illatam penitus relaxet, quam in homines ipsius Stephani promulgavit. Et mandatum est Justic. Hiberniae quod ipsum ad hoc inducat. The King this year out of his mere grace, gave his royal assent to the Election of an Abbot, and of a Bishop of Ireland, approved by the Pope, which he would not have drawn into precedent for the future, they first swearing Fealty to him. REX Volens Willo. Electo in Abbatem Sancti Thomae Dublin. gratiam facere Claus. 36 H. 3. m. 15. intus. Hibern. specialem, quam trahi Rex non vult in consequentiam, mandavit I. filio G. justic. Hiberniae, quod confirmat a Electione sua et ipsius accepta fidelitate, de omnibus terris & possessionibus ad Abbatiam suam spectantibus, plenam eidem Electo seisinam habere faciat. Teste Rege apud Merton. 21. die Maii. REX postulationi factae de Philippo quondam Decano de Waterford, quam Claus. 36 H. 3. m. 15. dorso. De assensu electionis Hibern. Dominus Papa approbavit in Episcopum Waterford, assensum Regium adhibuit, et favorem. Et quia idem Phillippus fecit Regi fidelitatem quae ad Regem pertinet. Mandatum est I. filio Galfridi, Justic, Hiberniae, quod de praedicto Episcopatu & de temporalibus ad illum spectantibus eidem Philippo plenam seisinam habere faciat, prout moris est. Teste Rege apud Win●s. 15. die Junii. Et Mandatum est omnibus de Episcopatu illo tenentibus, quod ei intendentes sint & respondentes. Per Regem. The King to ingratiate himself with the Pope, as he issued a special Writ to pay the thousand Marks Annual Tribute for England and Ireland, granted by King John to the Pope himself, and another pension to a Cardinal the year * Here p. 756. before, so he this year gave order for present payment of an annual pension, to the Pope's Chamberlain, to facilitate his affairs at Rome. REX Thesaurariis & Camerariis suis, salutem. Liberate de Thesauro nostro sine Liberat. 36 H. 3. m. 12. intus. Lib pro magistro Bocc. Camerario Domini Papae. dilatione Bernardo Prosper Mercatori Senen. 30. Marcas ad opus Magistri Boccii, Camerarii Domini Papae, de termino Sanct. Michaelis, Anno etc. 29. deannuo feodo suo, 30. Marcarum quas ei concessimus singulis annis percipiendas ad Scaccarium nostrum. Teste Rege apud Westmonast. 19 die Marcii. Per Regem. This year the King by these Letters Patents constituted a Proctor for 3. years, to prosecute and defend his Suits and affairs in the Pope's Court. REX Omnibus etc. salutem. Noverit universitas vestra quod nos dilectum Clericum Idem intus. m. 16. De procuratore constituto in Curia Romana. nostrum Rogerum Luvell, in Curia Domini Papae procuratorem constituimus adimpetrand. contradicend. et judices eligend. In cujus, etc. duraturus a Natali Domini Anno, etc. 36. usque ad finem trium annorum proximè sequentium. Teste Rege apud Glouc. 10. die Novembris. Per ipsum Regem. You heard * Here p. 740, to 746. before what tumults Archbishop Boniface had raised in his Visitation, about which he went to Rome; upon his return into England, Anno 1252. there fell out a very high contest and fray between him and the Bishop elect of Winchester, and their parties, Excommunicating, Imprisoning, and assaulting each other, to the high violation of the public peace, the scandal of the Church, Government, and derision of all sober persons, thus recorded to posterity. Anno quoque sub eodem, infra Octavis Sancti Martini, quidam Sacerdos authoritate Mat. Paris Hist. p. 830, 831. Discordia inter Archiepiscopum & Winton. electum. electi Wintoniensis, se ingessit in custodiam cujusdam Hospitalis in Suwerc, quod in Episcopatu Wintoniensi esse dignoscitur. Vocatur autem Prior qui custos est ipsius Xenodochii, de consuetudine cohabitantium, quod beatus Thomas Martyr fundasse perhibetur. Magister autem Eustachius de Len Archiepiscopi Cantuariensis Officialis, videns sibi in hoc facto derogari, eo quod ratione patronatus debuit ejus assensus intervenisse, quod per contemptum omissum est, admonuit dictum cedere Sacerdotem, iterum & tertio; eo quod introitus ejus extitit injuriosus & praesumptuosus. Sacerdos autem, qui & Prior dicitur, hoc facere renuit, suae incumbens possessioni. Officialis autem ratione contumaciae, ipsum fecit excommunicari. In qua excommunicatione, dictus Prior stetit diebus quadraginta, multiplicans minas et convitia. Officialis igitur talem non ferens superbiam, jussit ipsum tanquam contumacem capi. Quod audiens Prior, se vestimentis Sacerdotalibus intrans Ecclesiam communivit. Ministri autem ad hoc missi ut ipsum caperent, ipsi minimè pepercerunt, quia claves Ecclesiae excommunicatus contempserat. Jussit igitur Officialis ipsum duci apud Maidenestone Manerium Archiepiscopi donec deliberaretur quid super hoc faciendum, quia dicebatur, quod Archiepiscopus prope jam erat, reservaturum. Hoc autem audiens electus Wintoniensis, secus quam decuit ira excanduit. Et quasi Factum praesumptuosum electi Winton. magnam cum dedecore passus injuriam, fratribus suis gravem praesentavit querimoniam. Quorum elatus auxilio et consilio, convocata manu militari armata, cum Comitatu non minimo consequente, misit eos ut quaererent et caperent hujus auctores violentiae. Ipsi igitur cum magno impetu et tumultu quasi in hostili bello, venerunt apud Suwerc, credentes ipsos illic invenisse. Omnia igitur perlustrantes, cum nullum invenissent, festinanter ad Maidenestonenses, ut Priorem captum & retentum potenter liberarent, rapido cursu pervenerunt. Et obstantia violenter confringentes, & abdita rimantes, cum quem quaerebant non invenissent, quia absconditus extitit, ignem postularunt, ut omnia redigerent in favillam. Et post multas injurias ibi perpetratas, postquam quod quaesierunt non invenerunt, certificati per aliquem susurronem ubi tunc extitit quaesitus Officialis, scilicet apud Lamhet, juxta London. illuc glomeratim avolarunt. Ubi subvectis à vectibus ostiis vel confractis, intrantes catervatim, subitò ante horam prandii, ipsum Officialem, nil tale praemeditatum, hostiliter ceperunt & indecenter. Et captum trahentes, imposuerunt eum quasi vilissimum mancipium furto deprehensum, quo volebant abducendum. Nec permissum est ad ipsum equiferum dirigendum lora retinere. O temeraria praesumptio! O inexcusabilis irreverentia! quae tam autenticum virum, tam excellenter literatum, tam perspicue famosum, personamque Archiepiscopi representantem, tam ignominiose tractavit et fatigavit. Capellanum insuper qui Capellae deserviebat, ad cornu altaris confugientem, convitiis affectum inhumanè tractaverunt: Manibus sacrilegis res Ecclesiasticas invadentes. Magister autem Henricus de Gaunt hunc audiens tumultum, pavore qui poterat in constantem cadere perterritus, cautè effugiens, elapsus est; ne in manus caderet animam ejus requirentium. Officialem igitur, postquam omnia quae ira, imò furor persuaserat, perpetraverant, usque Fernham traxerunt per habenas; donec de restitutione capti Prioris certificarentur, violenter invitum retinentes. Tandem permissus abire, abjectè & viliter est expulsus. Qui pro tempore gaudens, quod manus aduncas & hamatas evasisset, pedes, nec ausus retrospicere ne in statuam verteretur, usque Walerle, domum Cisterciensium, licet senex, avolavit. Quem cum viderent Monachi, admirabantur, quisnam casus ipsum solum & fugitivum ad ipsos sic fugarat. Ibi igitur consolatione suscepta, respiravit. Passi igitur tantam injuriam Archiepiscopales, coram ipso Archiepiscopo super Querimonia fact● Archiep●copo. tanta praesumptione, de magnis majora, & de gravibus graviora derivantes, cum fletibus & suspir●is gravissimam reponunt querimoniam. Archiepiscopus igitur plusquam dici potest ira motus, ait: Hi sunt dur▪ rumores, in primo adventu nostro. Assumptis igitur secum Cicestrensi & Herefordensi Episcopis, Londinum profectus est. Et ipse et duo Episcopi memorati, Pontificalibus redimiti, coram innumerabilibus, quos ad hoc fecerant voce praeconia convocari, concessa advenientibus venia triginta dierum, apud Sanctam Mariam de Arcubus, horribiliter nimis ac solenniter omnes hujus temeritatis auctores et fautores (exceptis duntaxat Domino Rege et Regina cum liberis eorum, et Comite Richardo et Comitissa uxore ejus, et liberis eorundem) excommunicavit. Scripsit insuper omnibus Episcopis Suffraganeis suis, quatenus in virtute obedientiae, qua tenerentur Ecclesiae Cantuariensis obligati, similia facerent in Ecclesiis suis singulis diebus dominicis et festivis, districte praecipiendo. E contra electus Wintoniensis confestim demandavit Decano de S●we●c, & quibusdam sibi subjectis aliis, ut ipsi Archiepiscopo contradicentes, in faciem denunciarent palam, ipsam sententiam penitus nullam esse: Imo inanem et frivolam, in peccatis esse vulpinam excusationem. Sed Archiepiscopales de hac injuria et scandalo jam inde orto, ad summum Pontificem appellarunt. Fuerunt equidem nonnulli neutri partium faventes, qui dicerent Archiepiscopum manifestè injuriatum fuisse electo. Quia ut cessarent tales controversiae, procuratum fuerat, ut fieret compositio quaedam, quod tota domus memorata non obstante titulo patronatus, dispositioni Episcopi Wintoniensis solvendo inde tres solidos annuos pro recognitione, subjaceret. Et ita uterque diffamatus notam incurrit injuriosae violentiae, dum Cives memores procacitatis, quam Archiepiscopus in primo suo impetu Londini fecerat, et extorsiones pecuniae infinitas, quas idem procuraverat, necnon violentiam Regis in sui creatione, et suorum beneficiorum enormem collationem, recitarent. Et ex alia parte Regales, scilicet Pictavenses notam proditionis sibi innatae, cum aliis convitiis, sicut moris est objurgantium, sortiuntur. Fueruntque de Civibus haec audientibus non pauci qui optarent, ut hii illos excerebrassent, alii reliquos eviscerantes. Et cum scribatur, Vae illi, vel illis, per quos scandalum v●nit: utraeque partes ortis opprobriis et scandalis non minimis periclitabantur. Sic igitur Regales contra Reginales, Pictavenses contra Provinciales, quos multae faciunt possessiones insanire, miseris Anglis dormientibus debacchantur, ac si certarent qui eorum eliminatis indigenis, Regno praefore excellentius mererentur. Veruntamen famae ventilatio Pictavenses plus condemnavit, quia Electus contra superiorem suum, tam superbe excedendo modum, confisus de fratre suo Rege, qui ipsum ut Deus novit, creaverat. Et sic maxime, quia per proditionem patris dicimur Pictaviam amisisse. Archiepiscopus autem Bonifacius ignem irae conceptae sub cinere thesaurizans, & Archiepiscopus venit ad Oxon. condignè insistens; prout Magister Eustachius qui magis laedabatur, & magis doluit, instigavit ultioni de tam enormi transgressione, versus Oxoniam gressus maturavit, ut ibidem convocata Scholarium universitate, quae de diversis mundi partibus illic studuit congregata, factum tam nefarium seriatim in publico propalaret▪ Ut sic non lateret per relationes eorum tanta culpa remotas etiam nationes. Qui cum illuc veniens, Civitati appropinquaret, perrexit ei obviam in equis faleratis & praeelectis indumentis, innumerabilis Cleri multitudo; & ei, ut decuit, tanquam Archiepiscopo & totius Angliae primati, ac genere praeclarissimo reverenter occurrendo, applausum fecit & honorem, & pransurum in esculentis & poculentis abundanter respexerunt. Quorum facetiam, gestus maturitatem, vestium compositionem, morum severitatem cum Archiepiscopus & ejus umbratiles Clerici Provinciales considerassent, confiteri cogebantur, quod Oxoniensis universitas aemula Parisiensis censeri promeretur. In crastino igitur beati Nicholai, coram universis Clericis, quos pulsato signo Sententia promulgatur Oxonii. communi fecerat ad hoc congregari, praesumptuosam temeritatem, ac temerariam praesumptionem electi Wintoniensis, sumens ex Rege confidentiae audaciam, fratrumque suorum & complicum, in propatulo fecit recitari, & nomina transgressorum expressè publicari, & sententiam saepedictam innovavit, quae in Literis plenius conscribuntur, quas idem Archiepiscopus constituit Episcopis suis Suffraganeis transmitti universis. In quibus plenius nomina transgressorum exprimuntur. Quas qui intueri desiderat, librum requirat Additamentorum, qui apud Sanctum Albanum repositus, omnem hujus negotii summam plenius declarabit. Constat autem universis & singulis, electum & fratres ejus, hujus factionis auctores extitisse. The Archbishop's Narrative in his Additamenta to which he refers, followeth in these words. Humani generis inimicus modernis non cessat temporibus subtiliter indagare modos, Matthaei Paris. Additamenta, p. 187, 188. quibus in Dei Ecclesiam seminet zizaniam, ut ea pullulante▪ in ipsius densitate pacis tranquillitas & virtutum suavitas, in agro Domini suffocentur. Cujus tortuosae calliditati est remedio celeri obviandum: ut sic principiis occurratur morbo, ne in immensum augmentato, serò medicina paretur. Ut igitur per nostram prudentiam error corrigatur, & excessus emendetur, fraternitati vestrae dolentes referimus, quae in ignominiam Jesus Christi, in vituperium Ecclesiae Dei, in scandalum Cleri, necnon & pacis Regni fracturam, temera crudelitate sunt atrocius perpetrata. Quidam filii Belial suae salutis immemores, famae prodigi, malignitatis cupidi, videlicet, Philippus de Foresta Senescallus domus electi Wintoniensis, Guido Peverel, Walterus de Rale, Gulielmus de S'Earmund, Oliverus de familia Domini Galfridi de Lizinum, Gulielmus de Sancto Leodegario, Robertus Agoillun Milites. Prior de Lizinni, cum Monacho suo, Martinus balistarius, & frater ejus Johannes Picard, Gulielmus Gaucer, Stephanus de Croinden, praefati electi Clerici, Gulielmus Clericus, Ballivus ipsius electi, & alii quamplures quorum nomina ignoramus, die Dominica post Festum Omnium Sanctorum proximè praeteritum, de die ante horam prandii ad Manerium nostrum de Lamheth, juxta Londoniam, cum equis & armis in furoris spiritu accesserunt, nobis agentibus in partibus transmarinis, & ostia domorum & Capellae frangentes, ibidem in Magistrum Eustachium de Len Officialem nostrum, qui nostram personam repraesentat, ac in Presbyterum nostrum qui in Capella beatorum Stephani & Thomae Martyrum deserviebat: Insuper in quosdam homines nostros, qui in dicti loci Ecclesia Parochiali, se receperant; Atque in res sacras & alias quae in praedicta Ecclesia & dicti Manerii Cameris existebant, manus sacrilegas extenderunt, & dictum Officialem ceperunt, & alios qui erant in Ecclesia, à cornu Altaris ad quod confugerant, violenter extrahentes, ipsum Officialem in Dei contumeliam, Clericalis ordinis ignominiam, & nostri ac Ecclesiae nostrae, & in totius Angliae dedecus & contemptum, sine capa in equo demissis de collo habenis, & insidenti non permissis, Presbyterum verò peditem per lutum, & alios captos pulsando, & verberando, ad domum Wintoniensis electi in Suwerc, in conspectu populi turpiter abduxerunt, captos detinentes ibidem. Postmodum verò ipsum Officialem & Laicos captos in Ecclesia, die & nocte ad loca remota prope Fernham, ad unum miliare in districtu dicti Electi, inde viliter & violenter captivatos transtulere: quoad sibi placuit detinentes eosdem, & res ipsorum & nostras, apud Lamheth raptas, exinde asportantes. Cum igitur tot & tanta enormia, necnon & plura alia non solum contra nos, & Ecclesiam Cantuariensem, verum etiam contra universalem Ecclesiam, & Clerum Cantuariensis Provinciae, evidenter appareant perpetrata: Nos attendentes dictos malefactores, propter injectionem manuum in Clericos violentam, in Canonem latae sententiae incidisse: Et quia libertates & immunitates Ecclesiae violarunt, incurrisse Excommunicationis sententiam, in Concilio Oxoniae contra malefactores hujusmodi promulgatam. Insuper quia sacrilegia in hiis multipliciter commiserunt, ac pacem Domini Regis ac Regni vi & armis timore Dei postposito, & abjectâ principis reverentiâ, ausu temerario infregerunt: ipsos & omnes illos qui eye in dicto maleficio asteterunt, necnon & qui opem, authoritatem, & consilium, & assensum praebuerunt, authoritate Dei Omnipotentis, Patris, & Filii, & Spiritus Sancti, & Beatae Dei genetricis Mariae, Beati Thomae Martyris, Sancti Edmundi Confessoris, & omnium Sanctorum, Excommunicatos denunciamus: Vobis mandantes in virtute obedientiae qua tenemini Ecclesiae Cantuariensi, firmiter injungentes, quatenus praefatos malefactores in vestra Cathedrali Ecclesia solemniter ac publicè Excommunicatos denuncietis, ac per vestram Diocaesim Excommunicatos denunciari publicè faciatis: pulsatis campanis, candelis accensis, singulis diebus Dominicis & festivis, & tanquam Excommunicatos ab omnibus arctius evitari. Caeterum, quia vicini res agitur, paries cum proximus inflammatur, & meritò timeatur, quod si haec impunè fiant in viridi, hiis deteriora perpetrentur in arido, cum impunitas delicti incentivum pariat delinquendi, fraternitatem vestram de qua plenam in Domino gerimus fiduciam, rogamus, quatenus adversus malignantes pro domo Domini, nobiscum viriliter assurgentes, nobis consulatis, & per Literas vestras certificetis, qualiter in hoc negotio ulterius fuerit procedendum. Datum apud Croindenam in crastino Sanctae Catharinae, Anno Domini 1252. Ab hac denuntiatione tamen excipimus Dominum Regem, Dominam Reginam, et liberos eorundem, Dominum Richardum Comitem Cornubiae, et Dominam Comitissam uxorem ejus. Has quidem Literas missas ab Archiepiscopo, transmittit Episcopus Eliensis suo Archidiacono. During this contest between the Archbishop of Canterbury and Bishop of Winchester, the King fearing it might draw the Nobles into parties, and raise a War between them, for preserving the Kingdom's peace, by his supreme power issued these Writs to several Nobles to take part with neither side, and to raise no arms nor tumults by reason of this quarrel, being merely Ecclesiastical. REX Com. Glouc. salutem. Quia contentio inter Venerabiles Patres B. Cantuar. Claus. 37 H. 3. m. 25. dorso. De prohibitione facta pro Archiepiscopo Cantuar. & Winton. electo. Archiepiscopum & A. Winton. electum nuper orta, ex causa spirituali sumpsit exordium, ad nos vel ad vos, vel ad alias personas Laicales non pertinet, alteram partem juvare, seu fovere, per quod hujusmodi contentio inter eos acrius convalescat, & Regni nostri tranquillitas perturbetur. Et ideo vobis mandamus, in fide qua nobis tenemini firmiter injungentes, quod super praemissis in nullo vos intromittatis, firmiter inhibentes omnibus vestris ex parte nostra, sub amissione terrarum & tenementorum suorum, ne propter hoc arma portent vel tumultum faciant, ad perturbationem pacis nostrae, neutri partium vel eorum fautoribus auxilium impendendo. Teste Rege apud Brommere, 3. die Decembris. Idem mandatum est Com. Hereford. Com. Maresc. Com. Albemarl. Johanni de Waren. Edmundo de Lacy. What high * See here p. 6●9, 704, 705, 706, etc. 737, 740, to 744. to 761, 762. contests then likewise grew, between the Archbishop of Canterbury his suffragans, and religious houses of his Province, the Bishop of Lincoln, the Canons, Priests, Monks, Nuns, of his Diocese and others, and what confederacies, expensive Appeals, Journeys to, and bribing in the Court of Rome, concerning Visitations, procurtaions, purchasing moderations of, or exemptions from them, to the great disturbance of the Church and State, through their covetousness, pride, oppression, ambition, you have heard already in part, of which our Histories tender us this further account. I shall begin with those relating to religious persons or orders first, in all which we find no inquisitions upon oath, being expressly prohibited by the * See p. 744. Pope's Decretals prescribing the manner and form of visitations. Diebus quoque sub eisdem, Abbas Cluniac. venit Angliam, Monachorum suorum Mat. Paris Hist. p. 794 Advenit Abbas Cluniacensis in Angliam. visitator, ordinis resartor, et pecuniae sedulus investigator. Et dum in Anglicanis partibus emolumentis intentus, moraretur, quidam confines sui in ultramarinis partibus quaedam sua castra cum pertinentiis violenter occuparunt. Unde oportuit ipsum, festinanter remeare. Anno quoque sub eodem circa festum sancti Michaelis significabant literatoriè Mat. Paris Hist. Angl. p. 799. Visitatio apud sanctam Albanum facta. Monachis sancti Albani, Dominus Theobaldus Prior de Hurleia, & Dominus Jacobus Supprior Ecclesiae sancti Augustini Cantuariensis, Domini Papae Capellanus, quod venturi erant ad sanctum Albanum ad visitationem ibidem faciendam, sicut provisum fuit apud sanctum Salvatorem Londini. Et postulatae sunt induciae apud Suwerc in Ecclesia sanctae Mariae ex parte Conventus, usque in diem Dominicam proximam ante diem omnium Sanctorum, quod concessum est ab eisdem, qui proposuerant & mandaverant, quòd in die sancti Dionysii advenirent. Interim promisit Dominus Abbas sancti Albani, ut quicquid emendabile foret, laudabiliter ante adventum eorum declararetur, & ipse procul dub●ò processu temporis, omnia emendanda emendaret. Quod & compromissum est, ne aliquid scrupulosam querelam suscitaret tumultuosam. Cùmque dicto die ambo venirent, in crastino fecit Supprior sermonem in Capitulo. Deinde fecit legi suum autenticum. Posteà statuta quae in Provinciali capitulo, celebrato Londini, salubria fuerant, & ordine Monastico valde necessaria, prout patet in libro * p. 169. to 179. where you may peruse them. Additamentorum, ubi plenè scribuntur. Et cum nullum offendiculum invenissent, licet per singulos requisitos diligens fecissent scrutinium Monachos, per moram quatuor dierum, in pace recesserunt. Aliqui autem de Monachis Ecclesiae sancti Albani, ad visitationem apud sanctum Aedmundum & alibi faciendam sunt directi. Abbas autem sancti Albani Johannes secundus, eodem modo satisfecit Conventui in omnibus quae se promiserat ante visitationem emendaturum posteà, sicut satisfecerat suus praedecessor Abbas Willielmus, quando fuerat ab Abbate de Boxle & Abbate de Begcham auctoritate Papali visitandus. Scilicet neuter bene: promisit enim Conventui inter alia, quod generale suum & pitantias, quas primus omnium ad cameram suam attraxerat, omnino remitteret, nisi in refectorio vel oriolo cum sociis suis pranderet: & quod pitantias, quas Willielmus Abbas praedecessor suus à fratibus infirmis abstulerat, & pretium earum in vinum suum convertebat, integraliter restitueret: sed completa visitatione, cum nihil de praemissis sibi objectum fuerat, promissa sua ad effectum minime perducebat. Such was the faith, integrity, honesty, of those religious Persons promises to each other in that age. Concerning the Archbishop of Canterbury and his suffragans, contests, appeals, about their visitations, the Pope's moderating of them, and procurators with the bribes and proceedings therein this year, our Historians render us this account. Tempore quoque sub eodem fuit quidam procurator Generalis Magister Mat. Paris Hist. p. 829. Mat. Parker Antiq. Eccles. Brit. and Godwin in Bonifacio. Sollicitudo procuratoris Episcoporum Angliae. 1. ex parte Episcoporum Angliae, contra Archiepiscopum Cantuariensem exigentem totalem Angliae visitationem, in gravamen Ecclesiae Anglicanae intolerabile, in curia Romana. Qui ut gravamini tanto resisteret, contulit Domino Papae sex millia marcarum (No mean bribe in that age) Et sic moderata est visitatio Archiepiscopi, exigentis visitationem plenariam: ita scilicet, quod nullam Ecclesiam visitabit parochialem, nisi vocatus per loci rectorem, sed tantummodo Ecclesias Conventuales, non exemptas: & tunc non debet recipere pro procuratione sua, nisi quatuor tantum marcas. Hujus negotii tenor propensius intelligi potest per literas Domini Papae, quae in libro scribuntur Additamentorum. Diligens autem intentionum in ipsis perscrutator bene poterit intelligere, qualiter Episcopi religiosos Regni, sed & maxime exemptos diligant, sed ut Deo irato generalis sit haec pestis tam in Praelatis quam Laicis, quod divisio desolationem generabit. In Octavis autem beati Martini, applicuit in Arglia Archiepiscopus Cantuariensis Mat. Paris Hist. J●●d. p 820. 830 Archiepiscopi adventus in Angliam. Bonifacius: cujus adventus nullum penitus laetificavit, imo, quod inviti dicimus, potius perturbavit. Reducebant enim omnes et singuli ad memoriam, quam inordinate, quam crudeliter se gerebat Londini, cum visitationem a viris religiosis ibidem exigisset. Imo et qualiter Regnum multipliciter depauperaret, et Ecclesiam nunc undecim millia marcarum, et nuper sex millibus marcarum, quae occasione suae visitationis tyrannice extorquebantur. Necnon et qualiter nobilem Ecclesiam Cantuariensem, cui tot sancti praefuerunt, enormiter succisis sylvis, et conculcato Conventu, depauperavit. Qualiter quoque opimos reditus alien genis penitus, in suo tempore vacantes contulerit. Unde credebatur quod super Palustre fundamentum debile surgeret aedificium. Sed hoc Altissimi dispositiom est relinquendum. Diebus sub eisdem, Dominus Papa ut ambabus partibus satisfaceret, & tolerabiliter Mat. Paris Hist. p. 835, 836. Moderatio de visitationibus. providit & decrevit, ut Archiepisc. & alii Praelati ad quod spectat visitatio, visitationem facerent debitam & consuetam. Ita tamen, ut visitati non gravarentur in procurationibus visitantium, limitando taxavit precium cujuslibet visitationis, prout literae Additamentorum libri declarent, where they are thus recorded. Decretalis Papae Innocentii, de privilegi● exemptionis. VOlentes libertatem quam nonnullis Apostolica sedes privilegium exemptionis Mathaei Paris. Additamenta p. 182. 183. indulsit, sic integrum conservari, ut & illam alii non infringant, & ipsi ejus limites non excedant, declaratione irrefragabili diffinimus, quod quantacunque sic exempti gaudeant libertate, nihilominus tamen ratione delicti sive contractus aut rei de qua contra ipsos agitur, ri●è possunt eorum Ordinario conveniri: Et illi quoad hoc in suam ipsos * Jurisdictionem. jurationem, prout jus exigit, exercere. Nunquid ergo carent omnino in iis commodo libertatis? Non utique: quia nec coram Ordinariis ipsis, dum sit in loco exempto commissum delictum, vel contractus initus, aut res litigiosa, nec ubi domicilium habent si alibi delinquant vel contrahant, aut res ipsa consistat, conveniri possunt aliquatenus super istis domiciliorum praetextu locorum Diocoesanorum. Si ubi delinquerunt vel contraxerint, aut res ipsa consistit, illi conveniantur remittendi, eos illuc vel ipsis, ut illuc respondeant, injungendi aliquam habent potestatem. Salvis nihilominus casibus aliis, in quibus eos Episcoporum jurisdictioni subesse Canonica praecipiunt instituta. Et id ipsum decrevimus circa illos, quibus ut non nisi sub uno judice teneantur de se conquerentibus respondere, Apostolico privilegio est commissum in eos, quibus ne interdici, suspendi vel excommunicari, à quoquam valeant, à sede Apostolica est indultum. Sicut sunt religiosi quamplures, in quorum privilegiis continetur, ne quisquam Episcopus vel Archiepiscopus, monasteriorum suorum monachos, pro ulla causa quantum ad ista, ubicunque illi fuerint, penitus exercere non possunt; nisi forsan ipsi monachi ad monasteriorum suorum Prioratus eisdem Ordinariis subjectos, ut vel gerant ipsorum regimen, vel in eis tanquam locorum ipsorum proprii monachi resideant, fuerint destinati. Tunc enim, etsi liberè possint ad eadem monasteria revocari, ac tam illorum quam ipsorum Prioratuum monachi recipi, cum non sit inconveniens aliquem utrobique locum habere monachi, cum unum alteri subesse monasterio vel ab alio noscitur dependere. Ratione tamen eorundem Prioratuum, dicti Ordinarii sui jurisdictionem in ipsis, quoad praemissa quamdiu morantur in illis, licite uti possunt. INNOCENTIUS quartus, etc. Ad memoriam & observantiam perpetuam, Mathaei Paris. Additamenta p. 186. contra gravamina quae in procurationibus ratione visitationis debitis inferuntur sudditis a Praelatis, providerunt salubriter canonica instituta circa evectionum & personarum multitudinem, epularum immoderantiam, aliasque superfluitates: statuendo modestiam debitam observari, ut nec in exigendo numerum excederent Praelati, nec in exhibendo superfluè subditi gravarentur. Verùm quia nonnullae adhuc de hujusmodi procurationibus querimoniae audiantur, Nos volentes Pastorali sollicitudine providere taliter in hac parte, quòd tollatur omnis occasio gravandi, & cesset prorsus materia injuriandi, Apostolica authorite statuimus, ut Archiepiscopis, Episcopis, Archidiaconis, aliisque Praelatis personater visitantibus, ab Ecclesiis & locis visitatis exhibeantur procurationes in victualibus, & aliis necessariis moderatè. Ita quod haec secundum communem vestram aestimationem, singulorum locorum vel sumptuum qui super iis fient, summam vel valentiam quatuor marcarum argenti, in nulla procuratione transcendant. Proviso tamen, quod secundum majorem vel minorem evectionem, vel personarum numerum pro majoritate vel minoritate Praelatorum in Lateranensi Consilio taxatorum, fiant usque ad summam ipsam, vel infra hujusmodi procurationum expensae. Sed in locis in quibus major fertilitas vel copia rerum haberetur, & ubi minores sunt redditus, & Ecclesiasticae facultates, minus secundum ampliorem necessariorum ubertatem, & parvitatem proventuum, in ipsis procurationibus expendatur. Si autem in hujusmodi procurationibus amplius fuerit expensum, Praelati eas recipientes restituere in utilitatem Ecclesiarum à quibus ipsi receperint, & illi qui eas exhibuerint, & erogare de suo proprio pauperibus in duplum eis quod taliter ultra expensum extiterit compellantur. Et aliâ poenâ nihilominus quae pro talibus visitationibus, seu exactionibus, generaliter statuta esse noscuntur, manentibus semper salvis. Nulli ergo omnino hominum, etc. In pursuance of this Papal decree the Bishop of Norwich issued this instrument, concerning the rates of Procurations in visitations. W. Dei gratia Norwicensis Episcopus, dilecto filio Decano de Hengam, salutem, Matthaei Paris Additamenta p. 188. De procurationibus Ecclesiarum Parochialium. gratiam, & benedictionem. Mandatum venerabilium Patrum R. Lincolniensis, F. Londinensis. & W. Wellensis & Bathonensis Episcoporum recepimus, quod vobis transmittimus inspiciendum, & transcribendum. Eadem authoritate vobis & omnibus subditis vestris, in virtute obedientiae & sub poena Canonicae districtionis mandantes & praecipientes, quod cum Archidiaconi vel alii ad quos officium visitationis pertinere dignoscitur, personaliter ad vos causa visitandi accesserint, ipsos cum numero equitaturarum in Constitutione Lateranensi proviso, honestè recipiatis, & victualia usque ad summam septem solidorum & sex denariorum, secundum communem aestimationem, vel ipsam numeratam pecuniam, prout maluerint ministretis eisdem, pro certo scituri, quod si plus in pecunià vel victualibus persolveritis, sive ipsi plus receperint, seu ipsis non visitantibus quid nomine visitationis praestiteritis, nostam solventes quam recipientes, per nos vel ipsos Conservatores antedictos, secundum formam Constitutionis antedictae, puniemus. In Ecclesiis autem minoribus, ubi propter bonorum insufficientiam, minorem quantitatem percipere consuerunt, percipiant ut solebant: donec cum ipsis communiter aliter ordinaverimus. Nos autem cum in locis quae favente Domino in posterum visitabimus, in victualibus usque ad summam triginta & unius solidorum & decem denariorem, secundum communem aestimationem, vel ipsa pecunia & minori secundum loci facultates, volumus esse contenti. Datum Londoniae quarto nonarum Februarii, Pontificatus nostri anno octavo. The Abbot and Monks of Canterbury to make sure work, not willing to fall under the Archbishop's lash, by great sums of money procured several Bulls of Exemption and Privilege from Pope Innocent 4. relating to Procurations, and likewise Exemptions from Pope's Provisions to their Benefices, at which the Archbishop grew so angry, that he burned them at St. Alban before he had scarce read them over, as we are thus informed. In recessu autem à Sancto Albano recepit idem Archiepiscopus Literas Papales à Mat. Paris Hist. Angl. p. 851. Privilegium domus Sancti Augustini Cantuar. quodam Monacho S. Augustini Cantuariensis, Ne scilicet Abbatem illius domus, vel Conventum, visitando, suspendendo, excommunicandove perturbaret. Quod tamen proposuerat, & praetemptaverat. Quas Literas vix perlectas, jussit ignibus praesentari: (so little did he value the Pope's Letters, that he burned them as Heretical.) Ipsas quoque poteris in libro reperire Additamentorum. Et tunc complacuit ipsi Archiepiscopo & illis qui consilium ei dederunt, quod pacificè & modestè se habuit apud Sanctum Albanum. Two of these Bulls are registered in Matthew Paris his Additamenta, p. 188, 189. but all of them more largely in * Historiae Anglicanae Scriptores Antiquae, col. 1899, to 1904. Chronica Willielmi Thorn, c. 23. out of whom I have transcribed them. Benedictio Abbatis Rogeri de Cicestria. ANno Domini 1252. die Sancti Laurentii Archiepiscopi, electus est in Abbatem Rogerus de Cicestria Camerarius per viam compromissi; pro cujus benedictione Innocentius Papa 4. scripsit Bonifacio Archiepiscopo Cantuariensi inter caetera sic. Quocirca fraternitatem tuam rogamus & monemus altentè, per Apostolica scripta tibi mandantes, quatenus eidem Rogero in Monasterio supradicto juxta tenorem compositionis inter Sanctae memoriae beatum Edmundum Cantuariensem Archiepiscopum & Monasterium ipsum initae, ac per sedem Apostolicam, ut dicitur, confirmatae, munus benedictionis impendas, recepturus ab ipso postmodum pro nobis & Romana Ecclesia fidelitatis debitae juramentum, secundum formam quam tibi sub Bulla nostra mittimus interclusam. Formam autem juramenti quod ipse praestabit de verbo ad verbum per ejusdem Patentes Literas suo sigillo signatas per proprium nuncium nobis quantocius studeas destinare. Alioquin liceat ei quemcunque maluerit Ca●holicum adire antistitem gratiam & communionem ejusdem sedis habentem, qui nostra fretus auctoritate sibi quod postulatur impendat. Archiepiscopo vero eidem electo in suo Monasterio sine professionis praestatione benedicere penitus recusante, die decollationis Sancti Johannis Baptistae in Ecclesia sua ab Episcopo Lincolniensi benedictus, praelationis accepit dignitatem. Item, Innocentius 4. indulsit etiam huic Ecclesiae quod non tenemur ad provisiones nec provisores admittere nisi sub certa forma. Tenor hujus talis. INNOCENTIUS. Dilectorum filiorum precibus inclinati, eye per nostras Literas duximus indulgendum, ut per reservationes & inhibitiones quas sibi praetextu Literarum super quorumcumque provisionibus à sede Apostolica obtentarum per quas non sit plenum jus alteri adquisitum, seu impetrandarum, in posterum fieri contigerit, nullum possit eisdem Abbati & Conventus fieri obstaculum interponi, quo minus Ecclesias & alia beneficia Ecclesiastica ad ipsorum collationem spectantia cum vacaverint conferre, ac ad Ecclesias quae ad praesentationem ipsorum pertinent, personas idoneas praesentare liberè valeant, nisi ea●em Literae impetrandae plenam & expressam ac de verbo ad verbum de indulto hujusmodi & toto tenore ipsius fecerint mentionem. Hujus privilegii Abbas & Prior Sancti Edmundi existunt conservatores. Idem indulsit huic Monasterio autenticum privilegium, quod cum pensionarii nostri eliguntur in Episcopos, cessabit pensio eorundem, unde sic. INNOCENTIUS Episcopus: & infra, Nos vestris supplicationibus annucutes, pensionem aliquam praetextu prioris concessionis cuiquam electo in Pontificem de caetero solvere minime ●eneamini. Item privilegium. INNOCENTIUS Episcopus: & infra, Hinc est quod nos vestris supplicationibus inclinati, auctoritate praesentium indulgemus, ut ad receptionem vel provisionem alicujus in pensionibus seu Ecclesiasticis beneficiis cogi de caetero per nostras Literas non possint, nisi de hac indulgentia plenam fecerit mentionem. (A pretty Postern to evade this Bull.) Item ne aliquis delegatus vel subdelegatus, executor vel conservator possit nos excommunicare. INNOCENTIUS Episcopus: & infra, Vt igitur ex speciali devotione qu madnos & Romanam Ecclesiam ad quam Monasterium tuum, sicut dicitur, nullo medio pertinet, habere dignosceris, sentias tibi favorem Apostolicum accrevisse, ut nullus delegatus vel subdelegatus, executor aut etiam conservator auctoritate sedis Apostolicae vel del●gatorum ipsius, in te vel Ecclesiam tuam excommunicationis, suspersionis, aut interdicti sententias valeat promulgare absque mandato sedis Apostolicae speciali, faciente plenam de hac indulgentia mentionem, auctoritate tibi praesentium indulgemus. Item, aliud de procurationibus non dandis de Ecclesiis quas habemus in proprios usus, isto tenore. INNOCENTIUS. Principalem causam: & infra, Ecclesiae igitur vestrae sedi Apostolica immediatè subjectae, à futuris gravaminibus quibus tales, impellente plerosque ad haec zelo invidiae, interdum solent affici, providere volentes, auctoritate praesentium districtius inhibemus, ne quis praetextu Ecclesiarum quae sunt vobis in usus proprios per sedem Apostolicam deputate, procurationes ratione visitationis à vobis exigere vel extorquere, seu alia vobis aut Ecclesiis ipsis imponere o●●ra contra justitiam quoque modo praesumat, de quarum proventibus est congrua portio pro consuetis oneribus sustinendis earundem Ecclesiarum vicariis assignata. Anno Domini 1253. transmissa fuerunt statuta Gregorii Papae 9 una cum Litera Papali super hiis executoria Bonifacio Archiepiscopo Cantuariensi; qua quid●● Litera mediante, cum idem Archiepiscopus Monasterium Sancti Augustini ut de dictis statutis inquireret ingredi voluisset, nec à Conventu istius loci admissus fuisset, idem Archiepiscopus quasdam sententias in istud Monasterium & in quasdam certas personas ipsius proferebat. Quas quidem sententias & jurisdictionem eidem Archiepiscopo in hac parte attributam, revocari procurarunt sub hac forma quae inferius annotatur. Litera directa Archiepiscopo super revocatione processus. INNOCENTIUS Episcopus servus servorum Dei, venerabili fratri Bonifacio Tho▪ Addit Matt● p. 18● Archiepiscopo, etc. Licet Monasterium Sancti Augustini Cantuar. ordinis Sancti Benedicti eo favorabiliter prosequi debeamus quod ad Romanam Ecclesiam nullo pertinet mediante, inde tamen illud specialiori amplectamur in Domino charitate, quod inter alia ejusdem ordinis Monasteria & regularis observantia, & hospitalitatis bonum, prout accepimus, praecipuè locum obtinet in eodem. Sanè olim sub certa forma per nostras tibi Literas dedimus in praeceptis, ut statuta pro reformatione dicti ordinis à felicis recordationis Gregorio Papa praedecessore nostro edita, faceres ab universis personis ejusdem ordinis tuae Civitatis & Diocesis exacta diligentia observari. Quarum Lit rarum auctoritate super hoc praeceptum Apostolicum exequens, diligenter in praefato Monasterio, ut dicitur, processisti: cum igitur de ipsius Monasterii personarum religione ac vita bonam habentes opinionem fide dignorum testimoniis informatam, sententias si quas ob hoc in personas saepedicti Monasterii promulgasti, relaxari mandamus, fraternitatem tuam rogandam duximus & ortandam per Apostolica scripta mandantes, quatenus praedictarum Literarum occasione ipsius personas Monasterii ulterius non molestes, sed hab●as ipsas cum eodem Monasterio pro nostra & Apostolicae sedis reverentia, in suis juribus propensius commendatas, adversus aliorum molestias eisdem, quantum in te est, favorabilem & benivolum te inpendens. Sed idem Archiepiscopus mandatis Apostolicis non parens, praedictas sententias in Monasterium & diversas personas ejusdem latas non revocavit, sed easdem ratas & firmas esse promulgavit; unde Abbas Rogerus pro remedio salubriori Dominum Papam iterum consulere coactus est. Anno igitur Domini 1253. ab Abbate de Waltham in hujusmodi negotio per Dominum Thorn. col. 1901. Additamenta Matthaei Paris. p. 188, 189. Innocentium Papam 4. delegato, emanavit eidem Archiepiscopo mandatum sub hac forma. Venerabili in Christo Patri Bonifacio, etc. E. eadem gratia Abbas de Waltham, etc. Mandatum Domini Papae suscepimus in hac verba. Innocentius Episcopus: & infra, Olim ad nostram perlato audientiam, quod Abbates, Priores, & Monachi ordinis Sancti Benedicti Cantuariensis Provinciae statuta pro reformatione ipsius ordinis à felicis recordationis Gregorio Papa praedecessore nostro edita non servabant, venerabili fratri nostro Cantuariensi Archiepiscopo ejusque Suffraganeis per nostras sub certa forma Literas dedimus in praeceptis, ut inquisita super hoc diligenter veritate, statuta ipsa facerent ab universis personis ejusdem ordinis suarum Civitatum & Diocaesum, tàm exemptis quam non exemptis, exacta diligentia observari. Nos igitur dilectorum filiorum Abbatis & Conventus Monasterii Sancti Augustini Cantuariae dicti ordinis precibus inclinati, praesentium vobis auctoritate mandamus, quatenus si quas excommunicationis, suspensionis vel interdicti sententias idem Archiepiscopus in eundem Abbatem vel personas alias ejusdem Monasterii, ipsumque Monasterium, Literarum auctoritate hujusmodi, per se vel per alium promulgavit, vos ipsas vice nostra sine difficultate aliqua relaxantes, non permittatis eosdem Literarum vel sententiarum ipsarum praetextu ab aliquibus molestari, molestatores hujusmodi per censuram Ecclesiasticam appellatione postposita compescendo, Non obstante, etc. Hujus igitur auctoritate mandati si quas suspensionis, excommunicationis, vel interdicti sententias, in eundem Abbatem vel personas alias ejusdem Monasterii, ipsumque Monasterium protulistis, ipsas secundum formam praescripti mandati relaxamus, paternitatem vestram rogantes, vobisque firmiter injungentes, quatenus ipsos occasione dictarum sententiarum nullatenus molestetis, praedictam relaxationem in singulis Ecclesiis vestrae Civitatis & Diocasis publicè denun●iari facientes. Privilegium dispensandi super statutis Gregorii 9 ANno supradicto idem Papa Innocentius quartus ob singularem affectionem quam habuit erga istud Monasterium, concessit Abbati & Priori hujus loci super statuta Gregorii noni gratiam dispensandi, sub isto tenore. INNOCENTIUS, etc. Ex parte tua fuit nobis humiliter supplicatum, ut cum observantia tui ordinis, ab ipsa sui institutione multum sit rigida & difficilis ad ferendum, fuerintque postmodum per felicis recordationis Gregorium Papam praedecessorem nostrum super addita gravia statuta, diversarum poenarum adjectione vallata, ne contingat sub tantis oneribus deficere ●neratos, providere super hoc paterna sollicitudine curaremus. Attendens ig itur quod expedit calamum quassatum non conteri, & in erasione aeruginis vas non frangi, devotionis tuae precibus inclinati, praesentium tibi auctoritate concedimus, ut super observatione statutorum quae de substantia regulae non existant, tu & successores tui cum Monasterii tui Monachis praesentibus & futuris, liberè dispensare possitis, hiis casibus duntaxat exceptis super quibus in eadem regula est dispensatio interdicta, in quibus casibus dispensandi super poenis adjectis & irregularitatibus quas tui subditi hactenus incurrerunt vel incurrent de caetero, eosque absolvendi ab excommunicationis vinculo quo ipsos ob transgressionem praedictorum statutorum involvi contigit vel contigerit, injuncta sic absolutis poenitentia salutari, libera sit tibi & eisdem successoribus de nostra permissione facultas. Priori nihilominus Monasterii tui ac ipsius successoribus, concedendi tibi tuisque successoribus hujusmodi dispensationis & absolutionis beneficium, si fuerit oportunum, indulgentes auctoritate praesentium facultatem, non obstantibus aliquibus Literis venerabili fratri nostro Archiepiscopo Cantuariensi vel cuicunque alii ab Apostolica sede sub quocunque tenore directis, & processibus habitis per easdem, de quibus for sitan oporteat fi●ri mentionem, & etiam obtinendis, licet contineatur in eisdem Literis Apostolicis non obstante, si aliquibus Abbatibus, Prioribus, aut Monachis, & eorum collegiis quod excommunicari, suspendi, vel interdici non valeant à sede Apostolica sit indultum, sive quibuscunque indulgentiis, privilegiis, immunitatibus seu Literis Apostolicis obtentis vel etiam obtinendis, & aliis etiam per quae hoc impediri vel deferri valeat, & de quibus vel de quorumlibet ordinibus vel locis, aut eorum nominibus in nostris Literis specialem & expressam oporteat fieri mentionem. Hujus privilegii sunt conservatores Abbas de Waltham & de Bello. Indulsit etiam huic Monasterio idem Papa, quod per Literas Apostolicas vel Legatorias de Ecclesiis nostris vel pensionibus non tenemur providere. Istam sequens formam. Privilegium contra Provisores. INNOCENTIUS Episcopus, etc. Devotionis vestrae merita: & infra. Hinc est quod nos vestris supplicationibus inclinati, devotioni vestrae auctoritate praesentium indulgemus, ut nulli de caetero per Literas Apostolicas vel Legatorias Apostolicae sedis impetratas, nisi jam sit earum auctoritate processum, vel etiam impetrandas, de beneficiis Ecclesiasticis in quibus jus patronatus habetis, aut pensionibus in Monasterio vestro vel Ecclesiis vestris provideri valeat, nec vos vel rectores Ecclesiarum ipsarum per hujusmodi Literas ad cujuscunque provisionem in praedictis beneficiis vel pensionibus compelli possitis, nisi plena & expressa in eisdem Literis Apostolicis de Monasterio Sancti Augustini Cantuariae, & hujusmodi toto tenore indulgenti● mentio habeatur, etiamsi in eisdem Literis contineatur expressè, quod ipsis aliqua sedis Apostolicae indulgentia non obsist at sub quacunque forma vel expressione verborum aliquibus concessa, per quam facta eis gratia impediri valeat vel differri, aut de qua vel de cujus tenore specialem vel expressam, seu de verbo ad verbum fieri oporteat in nostris Literis mentionem. Conservatores hujus privilegii Abbas Sancti Edmundi cum suo Priore. Idem concessit huic Monasterio suum autenticum privilegium, scilicet quod possumus semper providere de Ecclesiis vacantibus, quamvis Papa suspendit et reservat sibi collationem, sub isto tenore. INNOCENTIUS Episcopus. Devotionis vestrae: & infra. Vestris itaque precibus inclinati, auctoritate vobis praesentium indulgemus, ut ad Ecclesias vel non habentes curam animarum annexam, nunc vacantes vel inposterum vacaturas, in quibus jus patronatus habetis, personas idoneas pr●sentare Canonice valeatis, non obstantibus aliquibus suspensionibus à beneficiorum collatione, sen illarum reservationibus per Literas Apostolicas generales vel speciales factis aut in post●rum faciendis; etiamsi in eisdem Literis contineatur expressè, quod aliqua ipsis Apostolicae sedis indulgentia non obsistat, de qua oporteat etiam de verbo ad verbum fieri mentionem. Conservatores hujus illi qui supra. Idem etiam, quod nec per generales nec per speciales Literas Papae vel Legati de Ecclesiis nostris providere non debemus. INNOCENTIUS, & infra, Vestris itaque precibus inclinati, auctoritate vobis praesentium indulgemus, ut per Apostolicae sedis vel legatorum ipsius literas generales vel etiam speciales cujuscunque tenoris existant, nulli vobis invi●is de Ecclesiis in quibus jus patronatus habeatis valeat provideri, nec vos ad providendum de illis cogi aliquatenus valeatis, nisi eaedem literae Apostolicae plenam & expressam de vestro monasterio & hac indulgenis ●ejusque toto tenore fecerint mentionem, etiam ●icatur in illis quod eis aliqua indulgentia sedis Apostolicae non obsistat, de qua oporteat etiam de verbo ad verbum fieri mentionem. Defensores hujus privilegii, conservatores suprascripti. Idem etiam concessit Abbati & hujus loci Monachis, & indulsit ne ultra duas diaetas à nostro Monasterio super hiis quae idem obtinet negotii trahi in causas vel ad judicium per Apostolicas literas, nisi eaedem literae plenam & expressam fecerint de indulgentia mentionem. Conservatores hujus Abbas & Prior praenominati. Item de confirmatione libertatum hujus monasterii sic. INNOCENTIUS Episcopus: & infra. Propterea dilecti in Domino filii, vestris justis postulationibus grato concurrentes assensu, libertates & immunitates ac jura à praedecessoribus nostris Monasterio vestro concessa, necnon exemptiones secularium exactionum a regibus, pri●cipibus, & aliis Christi fidelibus rationabiliter vobis indultas; terras quoque, possessiones & alia bona vestra, sicut ea omnia juste ac pacifice optinetis, vobis & per vos eidem Monasterio auctoritate Apostolica confirmamus. The procuring of these exemptions, involved the Abbot & Convent of Canterbury in debts amounting to above 4000▪ Marks; for discharge whereof they were enforced to mortgage six of their best manors to * Mat. Paris p. 879. John de Gatesden Knight upon very hard prejudicial termes, ne penitus in abyssum confusionis demergerentur. The Prelates and Nobles refusing to grant the King any aid toward his voyage to the Holy Land, upon the forementioned Bulls to the King, he was enforced to summon them to a new Parliament, and there to crave an aid of them in a legal Parliamentary way; which they after many debates condescended to grant, upon the King's promise to ratify the Great Charter of Liberties and the Forest, and the freedom of Elections ( * Here p. 336. 337. forecited) which he condescended to, and therefore ratified them a fresh, with a solemn excommunication denounced against all infringers of them, thus recorded. In quindena verò Paschae mense Aprili, tota edicto Regio convocata Angliae Mat. Paris His●▪ p. 838. 839. Magnum Parliamentum in quindena Paschae habitum. Nobilitas convenit Lond. de arduis Regni negotiis simul cum Rege tractare. Extiterunt igitur ibidem cum Comitibus & Baronibus quamplurimis, Archiepiscopus Cantuariensis Bonif. Episcopi Angliae ferè omnes. Archiepiscop. vero Eboracensis (qui in quantum potest Regis consilia vitare consuevit, qui expertus ea frequenter esse vana) excusavit se▪ asserens se esseremotum & senem. Pro Cestrensi autem absente, valetudo manifesta allegavit: Episcopatus Cistrensis tunc vacavit, Et cum de magna Regis exigentia qui postulavit sibi peregrinaturo infinitam exhiberi pecuniam, diu et inaniter contractassent, et hinc inde nuntios utrobique consensus haberetur, contigit ut ex parte Episcoporum et omnium Praelatorum, destinarentur ad Regem Archiepiscopus Cantuariensis, et Carleolensis et Sarisburiensis Episcopi, et electus Wintoniensis, ad persuadendum et inducendum Regem ut permitteret, prout saepius solenniter jurando promisit, sanctam Ecclesiam suis gaudere libertatibus, maxime de electionibus, in quibus praecipue Ecclesiastica consistit libertas. Nullibi enim jam in Ecclesiis Cathedralibus vel Conventualibus potest aliquis promoveri, nisi per Regem intrusus. Unde Praelati et subditi ruunt in perditionem, et Ecclesiae enormiter damnificantur. Quod si hunc et alios errores, secundum Magnae Chartae de libertatibus confectae tenorem, emendaret, ipsi usque ad gravamen magnum petitionibus suis inclinarent▪ Quibus Rex: Verum est, inde doleo, & paenitet me graviter hoc fecisse, Instanter igitur procurandum ut & talia peracta corrigantur, & amplius similia non perpetrentur. Et vos in hoc mihi sitis coadjutores, ne sic promoti cum subditis condemnentur. Recolitis enim memoriter, quòd hunc Archiepiscopum Cantuariensem Bonifacium, ad tantam dignitatem promoverim, & te Willielme Sarisburiensi. ex imo exaltaverim, qui meorum brevium scriptitor extitisti, & multis judiciis periculosis tanquam Justitiarius & conductitius interfuisti. Et te Silvester Karleolensis, qui diu lambens cancellariam, clericorum meorum clericulus extitisti, qualiter postpositis multis Theologis & personis reverendis, te in Episcopatum sublimavi. De te similiter frater Aethelmare liquet, qualiter, invitis Monachis, vel prece, vel timore corruptis, te ad nobilem Wintoniensem Ecclesiae apicem evexi, aetate & scientia & paedagogo adhuc indigentem. Expedit primo et principaliter mihi et vobis, ut vos quae injuste adepti estis, poenitentia deducti resignetis, ne aeternaliter condemnemini. Ego vero tali exemplo justificatus et castigatus, de caetero nullum nisi dignum curabo promovere. Ipsi vero satis civiliter et cynice reprehensi, responderunt: Domine Rex, non facimus de praeteritis mentionem, sed sermonem extendimus ad futura. Omissis igitur talibus frivolis, quae jurgia poterant suscitare, se ad ardua serio contulerunt. Tandem protracto tempore diuturno & multis revolutis discepationibus, post quindecim & amplius dierum continuationem, in hoc resedit omnium unanimis consensus, ut voluntas Regis peregrinaturi, & ideo pia, non pen●tus suo desiderio fraudaretur, nec Ecclesiae vel Regni status enorme pateretur detrimentum. Concessa est igitur Regi decima pars proventuum ab Ecclesia recipienda, cum iter Hierosol per visum Magnatum arriperat, in viaticum distribuenda, per triennium, in succursum Terrae sanctae contra Dei inimicos: et a militibus scutagium illo anno, scilicet ad scutum tres marcae: et Rex bona fide et sine aliqua cavillatione, promisit se * And King John's Charter concerning E- 〈◊〉 there 〈◊〉ed, forecited here p. 358, 359. Chartam magnam et omnes ejus articulos fideliter observaturum. Quam tamen a multis retroactis annis, pater ejus Rex Johannes tenere juravit, et similiter qui praesens est in succeptione coronae, et postea multoties, unde infinitam emunxit pecuniam. Fuerunt autem tunc ibidem praesentes Praelati, Archiepiscopus Cantuariensis B. Londinensis; Roffensis, Lincolniensis, Wygorniensis, Norwycensis, Herefordensis, Sarisburiensis, Bathoniensis, Exoniensis, Carleolensis, Dunelmensis, Menevensis, electus Wintoniensis, Cicestriensis nuper obierat. Cestrensem verò excusavit valetudo, Eboracensem verò senium & remotio. Tertio igitur die Maii, in majori aula Regia Westmonasterii, sub praesentia & assensu Domini Henrici Dei gratia Regis Angliae illustris, & dominorum Richardi Comitis Cornubiae fratris sui, & R. Comitis Northfolkiae & Suffolkiae Marescalli Angliae, H. Comitis Herefordiae, H. Comitis Oxonii, I. Comitis Warewickiae, & aliorum optimatum Regni Angliae, nos B. divina miseratione Cant. Archiepiscopus, totius Angliae primas, F. Londinensis, H. Eliensis, R. Lincolniensis, W. Wygorniensis, W. Norwycensis, P. Herefordiensis, W. Sarisburiensis W. Dunelmensis, R. Exoniensis, S. Carleolensis, W. Bathoniensis, L. Roffensis, T. Menevensis Ep. scopi, Pontificalibus induti, candelis accensis, in transgressores libertatum & Ecclesiasticorum & libertatum, seu liberarum consuetudinum Regni Angliae, & praecipuè earum quae continentur in Charta libertatum Regni Angliae, & Charta de foresta, excommunicationis sententiam solenniter tulimus sub hac forma. Authoritate Dei omnipotentis, & filii, & spiritus sancti, & glorios● Dei genetricis semperque Virginis Mariae, & beatorum Apostolorum Petri & Pauli, omniumque Apostolorum, & beati Thomae Archiepiscopi & Martyris, omniumque Martyrum, B. Edwardi Regis Angliae, omniumque Confessorum atque Virginum, omniumque Sanctorum Dei, excommunicamus, anathematizamus, & à limine sanctae matris Ecclesiae sequestramus, omnes illos quiamodo scienter & malitiose Ecclesias privaverint vel spoliaverint suo jure. Item, omnes illos qui Ecclesiasticas libertates & liberas consuetudines probates, & praecipue libertates & liberas consuetudines, quae in chartis communium libertatum Angliae, & de foresta continentur, concessis a Domino Rege Angliae, Archiepiscopis, Episcopis, & caeteris Angliae Praelatis, Comitibus, Baronibus, Militibus, & libere tenentibus, qualicanque arte vel ingenio temere violaverint, diminuerint, seu immutaverint clam vel palam, facto, verbo, vel consilio, contra illas vel earum aliquam, in quocunque articulo temere veniendo. Item, in illos qui contra illas vel earum statuta, aliqua edideriat vel edita servaverint, consuetudines introduxerint, vel servaverint introductas, scriptores statutorum, necnon consiliarios & executores, & qui secundum ea praesumpserint judicare. Qui omnes & singuli superius memorati, hanc sententiam incursuros se noverint ipso facto, qui scienter aliqui● commiserint de praedictis▪ qui vero ignoranter, nisi commoniti, infra quindenam a tempore commonitionis se correxerint, ex tunc sint hac sententia involuti. Eadem etiam sententia innodamus omnes illos, qui pacem Regis & Regni praesumpserint pertubare. In cujus memoriam sempiternam nos sigilla nostra praesentibus duximus apponenda. ▪ Prolataque fuit in medium Charta patris sui I. in qua iterum concessit idem Rex I mera voluntate, & recitari fecit libertates supradictas. Dum autem Rex memoratam sententiam audisset, tenuit manum suam ad pectus suum sereno vultu, voluntario, & alacri. Et cum in fine projecissent candelas extinctas & fumigantes, & diceretur, & foeteant hujus sententiae incursores in inferno, & campanae pulsarentur, dixit ipse Rex: Sic me Deus adiuvet, haec omnia illibata servabo fideliter, sicut sum homo, sicut sum Christianus, sicut sum miles, & sicut sum Rex coronatus, & inunctus. Et sc endum quòd in principio sententiae ferendae, cum traderentur omnibus candelae accensae, tradita fuit Regi una, & cum accepisset eam, noluit eam tenere, sed tradidit cuidam Praelatorum, dicens: Non decet me candelam talem tenere, non enim sum Sacerdos; Cor autem majus perhibet testimonium. Et ex tunc tenuit manum expansam ad pectus, donec tota sententia finiretur Episcopus autem Lincolniensis Robertus praeconizans in corde suo, & timens ne Rex à pactis resiliret, fecit illico cum rediret in Episcopatum suum excommunicari solenniter, in qualibet Ecclesia Parochiali per Diocesim suam, quae prae numerositate sua vix possunt aestimari, & praecipuè Sacerdotes omnes supradictarum Chartarum infractores, quae sententia potuit aures audientium tinnire, & corda non mediocriter formidare. Yet none violated these Charters more than the Pope and his instruments, and the King by the Pope's own instigations. The King having employed the Bishop of Chichester, as his prime agent to preach up and collect the moneys granted him by the Prelates and Pope's Croysado towards the relief of the Holy Land, sent this Letter to the Pope in his favour, to bestow Provisions of Beneficies and livings on some of his Chaplains, for their encouragement and recompense of this service, within the Diocese of Canterbury not Chichester. REX Domino Papae salutem. Sanctae Paternitati vestrae tantò confidentius pro Claus. 37 H. 3. m. 16. Deliteris di●ectis Domino Papae. nobis & devotis nostris preces nostras frequenter porrigimus, quantò nos inter aliis vobis & Ecclesiae Romanae devotis promptiores ad debitam devotionis obsequia & honoris constantius per Dei gratiam reperire poteritis, semper paratos, ad ea quae ad honorem Dei & exaltationem Ecclesiae, & ad defensionem fidei Christianae poterunt pertinere. Hinc est, quod pro venerabili patre Episcopo Cycestr. qui ad mandatum vestrum & instantiam nostram prae aliis terrae nostrae Praelatis quibus idem mandastis officium praedicationis Crucis Christi, devotius assumpsit & laboriose exequitur diligentius, Sanctitati vestrae cum ea qua possumus affectione supplicamus, quatinus devotionem ipsius, tenuiatem ac raritatem beneficiorum Episcopatus sui, onus quod gratis subiit & exequitur, in negotio Crucis attendentes, ac eidem precum nostrarum interventu compatiente, per literas vestras sibi concedere dignemini, ut ad exonerationem sui et Ecclesiae sibi commissae Theodos. de Lavan. Capellano vestro in provincia Cantuar. secundum directarum ad ipsum prius super ejusdem Capellani provisione, in Civitate vel Diocesi Cicest. continentiam literarum, authoritate vestra valeat providere. Concedentes insuper si placet eidem Episcopo, ut duobus Clericis sibi in negotio Crucis per nos ei familiariter assistentibus, valeat in Regno Angliae in competentibus Ecclesiasticis beneficiis providere. Taliter si placet preces nostras exaudientes quod tam nos quam ipsum Episcopum vobis proinde reddatis obnoxios ad grates speciales, & ad peragenda libentius vestrae sanctitatis beneplacita. Teste Rege apud Westm. 11. die Martii. Per I. Mansell. The King likwise sent this Letter to the Pope to excite all other Christian Kings and Princes to join which him in assisting the Holy Land, being too great an undertaking for him and his subjects alone. I. Dei gratiâ summo Pontifici, H. Dei gratia Rex Angliae, etc. salutem. Non Claus. 37 H. 3. m. 19 dorso. De literis directis Domino Papae. ignorat sanctitas vestra quod cum Dominus I. Rex pater noster vitam excessit, praesentem nobis adhuc infra adultam aetatem existentibus, sub alis sedis Apostolicae defensi fuimus contra multorum inimicorum incursus, & tunc charactere Crucis insigniti, quem postea consilio quorundam ab humeris nostris deponentes, meruimus à vobis Crucis ad tempus absolvi. Sed jam non immemores horum quae tunc nobis acciderunt, Crucem de novo saluberrimo voto, sicut sanctitati vestrae non est incognitum, humeris nostris assumpsimus. Verum cum non sit tantum unius Principis opus negotium Crucis ut tanta res expostulat adimplere, sanctitatem vestram cum mentis affectu devotissimè rogamus, quatinus generaliter per caetera Regna Christicolarum, Crucis negotium solempniter praedicari simul, & passagium nostrum quod statutum est à festo Nativitatis sancti Johannis Baptistae proximo futuro in tres annos, per praedicatores publicari fac. Principes etiam & alios Christianos Crucesignatos modis quibus expedire videritis moveri jubeatis & induci, quod ad terminum praedictum secundum votorum suorum exigentiam, proficiscantur ad impendendum una nobiscum negotio Crucis subsidium desideratum. Nos etiam per Crucifixi misericordiam totis viribus mentis & Corporis, caeterisque adminiculis secularibus iter nostrum praeparabimus exequendum, praedictum negotium Crucis ad excellentiam honoris ipsius, cujus amore Crucem bajulamus. Caeterum cum soli non valeamus sine caeterorum fidelium auxilio, votum Crucis ut deceret expedire, perquam durum nobis esset quod gens nostra propria crucesignata se diverteret alias quam nobiscum in Terram sanctam, cum praecipuè de gente propria majorem geramus fiduciam quam aliena; super praedictis igitur tam sanctae Terrae quam nobis solita clementiae vestrae providentia salubriter prospicere non omittat. Teste Rege apud Westm. 28. die Januarii. The King to ingratiate himself with the Clergy of Ireland, the better to promote the levying of his disme there towards his voyage to the Holy Land, commanded his Justice in Ireland to provide cups for the Eucharist for all Cathedrals there, and to bestow alms on the Freers Minorites and Preachers, who were principally employed to preach up that Croyssado. MAndatum est Justic Hiberniae quod in singulis Ecclesiis Cathedralibus Hiberniae Claus. 37 H. 3. m. 4. intus. inveniat unam cuppam ad Eucharistiam, in ea reponendam, videlicet in Ecclesiis ubi sedes est Archipraesul. Cuppas precii quatuor Marc. & in caeteris Ecclesiis Cathedralibus Cuppas precii trium Marc. distribuis etiam faciat, charitatiuè usque ad summam Centum Marcarum Hosp. Sancti Johannis Dublin. & fratribus praedicatoribus & Minoribus, & alibi in terra nostra Hiberniae ubi viderint expedire. Teste Rege apud Portesm. primo die Augusti. What occurrences and bribes to the Pope happened this year concerning visitations and exemptions from them, is thus related. Tunc quoque temporis, Papa argumentose nimis intendens, injunxit. Mat. Paris Hist. 840. Episcopis, ut quilibet Abbates et Conventus in sua Diocesi constitutos visitaret. Injungens eisdem, ut cogerent eos sub poena excommunicationis observare quosdam articulos regulae sancti Benedicti impertinentes, nec sunt de regulae substantia, quos iidem Monachi nunquam tenere consueverunt, nec voverunt. Franciae vero Monachi Nigri ordinis, videntes se Regali munimine penitus destitutos, ne arbitrio Episcoporum, quibus exosi sunt marime privilegiati, exponerentur, cogitaverunt sibi pacem redimere. Datis igitus quatuor millibus librarum Turonensium Papae, sic hujusmodi tyrannidis impetum compescuerunt. Cujus rei series & articuli, in libro Additamentorum plenius describuntur. (where you may peruse them at your leisure, p. 173. to 179.) Abbas autem & Conventus sancti Albani, appellaverunt ad praesentiam Domini Papae, ne ab Episcopo Lincolniensi visitarentur, quia sic eorum privilegia cassarentur. The form of their procuration you may find in his Additamenta, p. 184. Per idem tempus, Archiepiscopus B. facta visitatione apud Feversham & Roffam, Mat. Paris Hist. p. 841. Archiepiscopus Cantuarensis visitationem facit. visitavit Canonicos sancti Pauli & alios in urbe. Et propter moderationem admissus est benigne. Et haec caute fecit, ut scilicet sic visitandi haberet ingressum et possessionem. You heard before, * Here p. 761. 762. how much Grost head Bishop of Lincoln opposed the Pope's Provisions, directed to him, for which the Pope suspended him from his Bishopric; whereupon he Writ, and sent this notable Epistle to Pope Innocent, rendering him the reasons why he was bound in conscience to disobey his unjust Letters and provisions, as most contrary to the Doctrine and practice of Christ and his Apostles; and most great and heinous offences, tending to the destruction of people's souls; and that no Bishop or other person, was bound to obey any of the Pope's Mandates as Apostolical, but what were warranted by the Doctrine and Practice of Christ and his Apostles, thus recorded by Matthew Paris. Diebus sub eisdem, cum Dominus Papa Innocentius 4. significasset per Apostolica Mat. Paris Hist. p. 843. Epistola missa Papae ab Episcopo Lincol. scripta, praecipiendo Episc. Lincoln. R. quatenus quiddam faceret, quod ei videbatur injustum et rationi dissonum, prout frequenter fecerat illi et aliis Angliae Praelatis, rescripsit ei in haec verba, Salutem. Noverit discretio vestra, quod Mandatis Apostolicis affectione filiali devotè & reverenter obedio. His quoque quae Mandatis Apostolicis adversantur paternum zelans honorem, adversor & obsto. Ad utrumque enim teneor ex divino Mandato. Apostolica enim Mandata, non sunt, nec esse possunt alia, quam Apostolorum doctrinae, et ipsius Domini nostri Jesus Christi Apost. magistri et Domini, cujus typum et personam maxime gerit in Hierarchia Ecclesiae Dominus Papa consona et conformi. Ait enim Dominus ipse noster Jesus Christus Mat. 12. 30. Qui non est mecum, contra me est. Contra ipsum autem nec est, nec esse potest Apostolicae sedis sanctitas divinissima. Non est igitur praedictae literae tenor, Apostolicae sanctitati consonus, sed absonus plurimùm & discors. Primo quia de illius literae & ei consimilium longè lateque dispersarum superaccumulato * Non obstante. Non obstante, nec ex legis naturalis observanda necessitate inducta, scatet cataclysmus inconstantiae, audaciae, et procacitatis, inverecundiae, mentiendi, fallendi, diffidenter alicui credendi, vel fidem adhibendi: et ex his consequentium vitiorum, quorum non est numerus, Christianae religionis puritatem, et soclalis conversationis hominum tranquillitatem commovens et perturbans. Praeterea, post peccatum Luciferi, quod idem erit in fine temporum ipsius filii perditions Antichristi, quem 2 Thes. 2. interficiet Dominus spiritu oris sui, non est, nec esse potest alterum genus peccati, tam adversum et contrarium Apostolorum doctrinae et Evangelicae, et ipsi Domino Jesus Christo tam odibile, detestabile, et tam abominabile, quam animas curae Pastoralis officii et Ministerii defraudatione mortificare et perdere. Quod peccatum evidentissimis scripturae sacrae testimoniis committere dignoscuntur, qui in patestate curae pastoralis constituti, de lacte et lana ovium Christi vivificandarum et salvandarum pastoralis officii et Ministerii salarium comparant, debita non administrant. Ipsa enim ministeriorum pastoralium non administratio, est scripturae testimonio, ovium occisio & perditio. Quod autem haec duo genera peccatorum, licet disparirer sint pessima, & omne alterum genus peccati inaestimabiliter superexcedentia, manifestum ex hoc, quod ipsa sunt duobus existentibus & dictis, licet dispariter & dissimiliter, optimis directè contraria: pessimum enim est, quod optimo contraerium. Quantum autem est indictis peccantibus, unum peccaminum est ipsius Deitatis superssentialiter & supernaraliter optimae. Alterum verò deformitatis & deificationis, ex divini radii gratifica participatione essentialiter & naturaliter optimae interemptio; & quia sicut in bonis, causa boni melior est suo causato, sic & in malis, causa mali pejor est suo causato. Manifestum, quoniam talium pessimorum interemptorum deformitatis & deificationis in ovibus Christi in Ecclesia Dei introductores, ipsis pessimis interemptoribus sunt pejores, Lucifero et Antichristo proximiores, et in hac pejoritate gradatim, quanto magis superexcellentes, quia ex majore et diviniore potestate sibi divinitus in aedificationem, non in destructionem, tradita, magis tenerentur ab Ecclesia Dei tales interemptores pessimos excludere et extirpare. Non potest igitur sanctissima sedes Apostolica, cui à sancto sanctorum Domino Jesus Christo tradita est potestas omnimoda, testante Apostolo 2 Cor. 10. 8. in aedificationem, non in destructionem, aliquid urgens in hujusmodi peccatum, Domino Jesus Christo tam odibile, detestabile, & abominabile, & humano generi summè perniciabile, vel mandare, vel praecipere, vel quoque modo ad aliquid tale conari. Hoc enim esset suae potestatis evidenter sanctissimae et plenissimae, vel defectio, vel corruptio, vel abusio, vel a throno gloriae Domini nostri Jesus Christi omnimodo elongatio, et in Cathedra pestilentiae, poenarum gehennalium duobus praedictis tenebrarum principibus proximo coassessio. Nec potest quis immaculata et sincera obedientia eidem sedi subditus et fidelis, et a corpore Christi, et eadem sancta sediper schisma non abscissus, mandatis vel praeceptis, vel quibuscunque conaminibus, undecunque emanantibus, etsi a supremo Angelorum ordine, obtemperare, sed necesse habet totis viribus contradicere et rebellare. Propter hoc, reverendi Domini, ego ex debito obedientiae & fidelitatis qua teneor verique paren●i Apostolicae sedis sanctissimae, & ex amore unionis in corpore Christi cum ea, his quae in praedicta litera-continentur, & maximè, quia, ut praetactum, ad peccatum Domino Jesus Christo abominabilissimum, et humano generi perniciosissimum evidentissime vergunt, et Apostolitae sedis sanctitati omnino adversantur, et contrariantur Catholicae fidei, unice, filialiter, et obedienter non obedio, contradico et rebello. Nec ob hoc potest inde vestra discretio quicquam durum contra me ●tatuere, quia omnis mea in hac parte & contradictio & actio, nec contradictio est nec rebellio, sed filialis divino mandato debita patri & vestri honoratio. Breviter autem recolligens dico; Apostolicae sedis sanctitas non potest visi quae in aedificationem sunt, et non destructionem: haec enim est potestatis plenitudo, omnia posse in aedificationem. Haec autem quas vocant provisiones, non sunt in aedificationem, sed in manifestissimam destructionem. Non igitur eas potest beata sedes Apostolica acceptare, quia caro et sanguis, quae Regnum Dei non possidebunt, eas revelavit, et non Pater Mat. 16. 17. Domini nostri Jesus Christi, qui est in caelis. How strangely passionate Pope Innocent grew upon the reading of these Letters, what Oaths, yea most proud insolent speeches he used both of the King of England, styling him not only his vassal, but slave, and of this Learned conscientious Bishop for reprehending, disobeying his impious, unapostolical mandates; and how unlike he was to our Saviour Jesus Christ, or St. Peter, whose Vicar and Successor he pretended himself, this ensuing narrative will discover. Haec cum ad Domini Papae audientiam pervenissent, non se capiens prae ira et Mat. Paris Hist. Angl. p. 844. Papa indignatu● valdè lectis Literis Episcopi Lincoln. indignatione, torvoaspectu et superbo animo ait Quis est iste senex delirus, surdus & absurdus, qui facta audax, imò temerarius, judicat? Per Petrum et Paulum, nisi moveret nos innata ingenuitas, ipsum in tantam confusionem praecipitarem, ut toti mundo fabula foret, stupor, exemplum, et prodigium. Nonne Rex Anglorum noster est Vassallus, et ut plus dicam, mancipium, qui potest eum nutu nostro incarcerare, et ignominiae mancipare? Et cum haec inter fratres Cardinales recitarentur, vix compescentes impetum Papae, dixerunt ei, Non expediret, Domine, ut aliquid durum contra ipsum Episcopum statueremus: ut enim vera fateamur, vera sunt quae dicit. Non possumus eum condemnare. Catholicus est, imo et sanctissimus, nobis religiosior, nobis et sanctior, excellentior, et excellentious vitae, ita ut non credatur inter omnes Praelatos majorem, imo nec parem habere. Novit hoc Gallicana & Anglicana Cler● universitas, nostra non praevaleret-contradictio. Hujusmodi Epistolae veritas, quae jam fortè multis innotuit, multos contra nos poterit commovere. Magnus enim habetur Philosophus, Latinis & Graecis Literis ad plenum eruditus, zelator justitiae, lector in Theologiae Scholis, praedicator in populo, castitatis amater, persecutor simonialium. Haec dixerunt Dominus Aegidius Hispanus Cardinalis, & alii, quos propria tangebat conscientia. Consilium dederunt Domino Papae, ut omnia haec conniventibus oculis sub dissimulatione transire permitteret, ne super hoc tumultus excitaretur. Maxime propter hoc, quia scitur, quod quandoque discessio est ventura. Diebus sub eisdem, cum dies caniculares suàm exercuissent malitiam, Episcopus Mat. Paris Hist. p. 846, 847. Mat. Westm. Anno 1253. p. 256, 257, etc. 260, 261. Episcopus Lincolniensis infirmatur ad mortem. Lincolniensis Robertus apud Bukedonam Manerium suum, decubuit graviter infirmatus. Vocavit igitur ad se quendam fratrem de ordine Praedicatorum, Magistrum Johannem de Sancto Aegidio, in arte peritum Medicinali, & in Theologia lectorem, eleganter eruditum & erudientem, ut ab eo corporis & animae reciperet consolationem. Noverat enim in spiritu, tribulationem in proximo Ecclesiae ingruere, quam non providimus. Unde praecepit Sacerdotibus per suam Diocesim constitutis, ut solenniter in omnes Chartarum Magnarum de Regni libertatibus violatores, ubicunque cognoscerent homines conventuros, sententiam Excommunicationis indefessè innovarent. Cui praecepto quidam aulici tàm Clerici quam Laici, procaciter resistentes, Presbyteris contumelias inferebant. Unde ex ipso facto, ipsos novimus vinculo anathematis irretitos. Et cum una dierum confabularetur Episcopus cum memorato fratre Johanne physico, recitando facta Papae, redarguit graviter confratres suos Praedicatores, & alios, similiter Minoribus non pepercit, eo quod ordo eorum idcirco in paupertate voluntaria, quae est paupertas spiritus, salubriter constituitur, ut liberius vitia potentum non palpent, sed censoria austeritate acriter reprehendant. Quia Cantabit vacuus coram latrone viator. In hoc autem▪ quod tu frater Johannes, & alii Praedicatores peccata magnatum audacter non redarguitis, & facinora non detunicatis, haereticos censeo manifestos. Et addidit Episcopus, Quid est haeresis? Da definitionem. Et cum haesitasset frater J. non recolens authenticam ipsius rei rationem ac definitionem, subjunxit Episcopus fideli interpretatione Graeci Idiomatis in Latinum: Haeresis est sententia humano sensu electa, scripturae sacrae contraria, palam edocta, pertinaciter defensa. Haeresis Graecè, electio Latinè. Et consequenter subjunxit, reprehendens Praelatos maxime Romanos, qui consanguineis suis indignis, aetate et scientia insufficientibus, curam committunt animarum. Dare curam animarum parvulo, sententia est alicujus Praelati, humano sensu electa propter carnem vel terrenitatem. Et est contraria scripturae sanctae, quae prohibet fieri Pastores, qui non sunt idonei ad arcendum lupos: & est palam edocta, quia manife●●e portatur Charta sigillata vel Bullata, et est pertinaciter defensa, quia siquis voluerit contradicere, suspenditur, excommunicatur, et super eum praelium sanctificatur. Cui tota definitio haeretici convenit, haereticus est. Sed quisque fidelis tenetur opponere se haeretico quantum potest▪ qui ergo potest contradicere, & non contradicit, peccat, & videtur fautor esse, secundum illud Gregorii: Non caret scrupulo societatis occultae, qui manifesto facinori desinit obviare. Sed fratres tàm Minores quam Praedicatores maximè obligantur ad oppositionem contra talem, cum utrique habeant ex officio gratiam praedicandi, sunt ad illud officium per paupertatem liberiores: non solum peccant▪ si ei non contradicunt, imo fautores ipsius existunt, sicut & Apostolus ad Romanos, id est, non solumqui talia agunt, sed qui consentiunt, digni sunt morte. Potest ergo concludi, quod tam Papa, nisi ab hoc vitio cesset, quam dicti fratres, nisi curiosos se exhibeant ad arcendum talem, digni sunt morte, scilicet perpetua. Item dicit Decretalis, quod super tali vitio, videlicet haeresi, potest et debet Papa accusari. Et quia noctes tunc temporis in longum protrahebantur, erat autem tertia nox ante festum Sancti Dionysii, Episcopus lethali taedio & infirmitate praegravatus, accersiri praecepit aliquos de Clericis suis, ut saltem mutuis collocutionibus recrearentur, quibus Episcopus dolens de jactura animarum per Papalis Curiae avaritiam, suspirans ait, Christus venit in mundum ut animas lucraretur: Ergo si quis animas perdere non formidat, nonne Antichristus merito est dicendus? Dominus sex diebus mundum condidit universum, sed ut hominem repararet plùs quam triginta annis laboravit; nonne ergo animarum destructor inimicus Dei et Antichristus censetur? Privilegia Sanctorum Pontificum Romanorum praedecessorum suorum, Papa impudenter annullare per hoc repagulum, Non obstante, non erubescit, quod non fit sine eorum praejudicio et injuria manifesta: sic enim reprobat et diruit, quod tanti et tot Sancti aedificarunt; ecce Sanctorum contemptus! Merito igitur contemptor contemnetur, secundum illud Isaiae, Vae qui s●ernis, nonne contemneris? Quis ejus privilegia conservabit? Errorem suum ad hoc respondens Papa sic tuetur, Par in parem non habet imperium: Ergo Papa me Papam minime praevalet obligare. Ad hoc respondeo, ait Episcopus; Mihi videtur, non sunt pares navigans in mundi periculo, & gratulans in portus securitate. Da, ut aliquis Papa salvetur. Absit dicere contrarium; dicit Salvator, Qui minor est in Regno coelorum, major est Johanne Baptista, quo major inter natos mulierum nemo surrexit. Nonne major est ergo aliquis Papa dator privilegiorum vel confirmator, isto vivente? Profectò, major mihi videtur, ergo in minorem habet imperium, non igitur debet praeteritorum. Nonne dicit Papa de suis plerisque praedecessoribus, ille vel ille piae recordationis praedecessor noster, etc. & saepè, adhaerentes Sancti praedec ssoris nostri vestigi●s, etc. Quare ergo quae jecerunt, diruunt fundamenta qui sequuntur? Plures Apostolici viri ●●um al●●●uod privilegium prius piè concessum con●●marunt. Nonne plures divina gratia salvati, majores sunt uno solo adhuc periclitante? Item, antiqui Patres nostri v●●● Apostolici tempore sunt priores▪ et quos antiqui temporis attollit reverentia, venerabiles habere tenemur. Hoc benè attend●bat Sanctus virtute venerabilis Benedictus, omnium spiritu sanctorum repletus in regula sua; qui prius venientes qualescunque authenticis viris tardius ad ordinem accedentibus p●aeponit, & esse praecipit venerabiles & priores. Vnde ergo haec injuriosa temeritas, privilegia antiquorum sanctorum multorum in irritum revocare? Praeterea, etsi multi alii viri Apostolici Ecclesiam afflixerint, ille gray us aliis coegit Mat. Paris Hist. p 847, 848. Lugubris querimonia de oppreffionibus Ecclesiae. ancillari, et inconvenientia multiplicavit. Caursini enim manifesti usurarii, quos Sancti Patres & Doctores nostris, quos vidimus & audivimus, videlicet Magister eximius in Francia Praedicator, Abbas quoque de Flay Cisterciensis ordinis, Magister Jacobus de Viteri, Cantuariensis Archiepiscopus Stephanus exulans, Magister Robertus de Curcun, praedicando à partibus Franciae ejecerunt, quia anteà hac pe●●e Anglia non laborabat, iste Papa suscitavit et protegit suscitatos; et si quis obloquatur, damnis et laboribus, teste Episcopo Londinensi Rogero, fatigatur. Novit mundus, quod usura detestabilis habetur in utroque Testamento et a Deo prohibetur, nunc Domini Papae Mercatores vel Scambiatores, obmurmurantibus Judaeis, palam Londini foenerantur, viris Ecclesiasticis et maxime religiosis diversa machinantur gravamina, cogentes quos gravat egestas mentiri, et signa sua scriptis mendac●●us appendere: quod est idololatrare, et veritati, quae Deus est abrenunciare. Verbi gratia, mutuo accipio marcas per annum pro centum libris: cogor conficere scriptum & signare, in quo confiteor me centum libras mutuo in fine anni solvendas recepisse. Et si fortè sortem pecuniae tibi infra mensem vel dies pauciores adqui● tam usurario Papali solvere volueris, non recipiet, nisi integraliter centum libras: Quae conditio gravior est quam Judaeorum, quia quandocunque sortem Judaeo attuleris, recipiet benignè, cum tanto lucro quod tempori tanto se commensurat. Praetereà, novimus Papam fratribus Praedicatorum & Minoribus praecepisse, ut morituris assistentes, quos inquirant diligenter, persuadeant urgenter, ut condant testamenta sua ad commodum & subsidium Terrae Sanctae, & crucem assumant, ut cum convaluerint substantiolas eorum emungant, vel si moriantur ab executoribus tantum recipiatur vel extorqueatur. Cruce quoque signatos personis Laicis, sicut quondam in templo oves et boves venundari consueveruut, vendit apporiando. Inspeximusque Literam Papalem, in qua insertum reperimus, quod testamenta condentes, vel crucem suscipientes, et subsidium Terrae Sanctae impendentes, tantundem recipient indulgentiae, quantum pecuniae largientur. Praecepit insuper Papa ●●t multis suis scriptis, Praelatis, ut tali vel tali alieno et absenti et penitus indigno, qui nec Literas vel linguam novit indigenarum, ut praedicare posset vel confessiones recipere, vel saltem propter pauperes reficiendos et transeuntes suscipiendos, residentiam facere, providerent in Ecclesiastico beneficio, quantum vel quale duceret acceptandum. Item scimus Dominum Papam scripsisse Abbati de Sancto Albano, ut provideret cuidam Johanni de Camezana, quem nunquam viderat, in beneficio compecenti: et infra breve tempus provisum est ei in Ecclesia, quae annuatim 40. marcas et amplius valebat: sed ipse ea non contentus, conquestus est Papae. Scripsit igitur Papa Abbati memorato, ut dicto Clerico uberius provideretur: nihilominus tamen reservata eidem Domino Papae prioris Ecclesiae donatione. Et non post haec dies multos venerunt ad praedicti Abbatis coenobium, duae satis despicabiles personae Literas Papales deferentes; in quarum tenore insertum fuit, ut illico ipsis viris nobilibus ad sua negotia expedienda sine difficultate ad manum decem marcas Abbas conferret, quibus ampullosa et minantia verba proferentibus, Abbas finem fecit. De viris quoque sanctis et literatis, qui saeculum ordine irregressibili pro Deo imitando reliquerunt, suos facit Papa telonarios, ad pecuniam argumentose extorquendam., Quod & ipsi onus inviti suscipiunt, ne inobedientes esse videantur. Et sic de saecularibus fiunt saeculariores, & mentitur in eis tragulorum vilitas, dum sub habitu paupertatis spiritus habitat elationis; et quia non debet mitti in Angliam Legatus, nisi a Rege postulatus, mittit Papa Legatos sophisticos et transformatos, sed non rubeis vestibus redimitos, magnis armatos potestatibus, nec est difficile exemplum invenire. Tot enim frequenter adveniunt hujusmodi, ut eorum nomina audientibus taedium generaret. Caeterum, quod videre non consuevi, concedit Papa ob favorem saecularem, ut aliquis Episcopatum obtineat▪ nec tamen Episcopus existat▪ sed electus sempiternus: quod tantundem significat, ut lac et lanam habeat ovium, lupos tamen non abigendo, pristinos etiam reditus retinendo. Et cum haec et alia enormia, videlicet omne genus avaritiae, usuram, symoniam et rapinam, omne genus luxuriae, libidinem, gulam, et ornatum, quae in Curia illa regnant, detestaretur▪ ut vere de ipsa judicatur, Ejus avaritiae totus non sufficit orbis, Ejus luxuriae meretrix non sufficit omnis. Nitebatur prosequi, quomodo confisa Curia illa, ut Jordanus influat in os ejus, patulo hiatu aspirabat, ut etiam bona intestatorum et distincte legatorum sibi usurparent; et ut licentius hoc facerent, Regem in rapinis suis consortem facerent et participem. Nec liberabitur Ecclesia ab Aegyptia servitute, nisi in ore gladii cruentandi. Sed haec profectò levia, sed in brevi, scilicet hoc triennio▪ ventura sunt graviora. In calce vero hujusmodi propheticae locutionis, quem praerumpentibus singultibus, lachrymis, & suspiriis vix pronunciasset, abbreviata est lingua ejus, & deficiente halitu, organum vocis siluit mutilatum. Migravit igitur ab hujusmodi mundi, quem nunquam dilexit, exilio, Sanctus Lincolniensis Mat Paris Hist. p. 848, 849. Mors Episcopi Lincolniensis Roberti. Episcopus Robertus secundus, apud Bugedonam Manerium suum in nocte Sancti Dionysii. Domini Papae et Regis redargutor manifestus, Praelatorum correptor, Monachorum corrector, Presbyterorum director, Ciericorum instructor, Scholarium sustentator, Populi praedicator, Incontinentium persecutor, Scripturarum sedulus perscrutator diversarum, Romanorum malleus et contemptor. In mensa refectionis corporalis, dapsilis, copiosus, & civilis, hilaris & affabilis. In mensa vero spirituali devotus, lachrymosus, & contritus. In officio Pontificali sedulus, venerabilis, & infatigabilis. What melody was beard in the air near Bugden, ravishing the ears and hearts of the hearers, what ringing of Bells to the astonishment of the Auditors, that night this Bishop died and passed from Earth to Heaven, what miracles upon miracles were wrought at his Tomb after his decease, you may read at large in Matthew Paris, he being generally reputed a Saint worthy Canonization; therefore his declamations against the Pope and his premised exorbitances, whiles ready to give up the ghost, must needs be real, weighty, and worthy consideration. These his oppositions and declamations against the Pope, induced Mat. Paris to give this character of the year 1253. (wherein he died) at the close whereof, * Transiit igitur annus ille Papae et Papalibus, arctus et augurialis. The Mat. Paris Hist. p. 852. Annalis conclusio. Pope being extremely angry with Grosthead, writ a Letter to the King of England, to dig up his bones and cast them out of the Church, as if he were a Heathen; whereupon this Bishop's ghost appeared to him that night, expostulated with him, pricked him in the side, and haunted him till his death, thus related by Matthew Paris and others. Hoc etiam anno, Dominus Papa dum una dierum iratus supra modum, vellet Mat. Paris Hist. p. 855, 856, 868, 875, 877. Dirum somnium Innocentii quarti Papae. cum mala gratia omnium fratrum Cardinalium ossa Episcopi Lincolniensis corporis extra Ecclesiam projicere, et ipsum in tantam infamiam praecipitare, ut Ethnicus, rebellis, et inobediens per totum mundum acclamaretur: jussit talem Literam scribi Domino Regi Anglia transmittendam, sciens quod ipse Rex libenter desaeviret in ipsum, & in Ecclesiam depraedandam. Sed nocte sequenti apparuit ei idem Episcopus Lincolniensis Pontificalibus redimitus, vultuque severo, intuituque austero, ac voce terribili, ipsum Papam in lecto sine quiete quiescentem aggreditur & affatur, pungens ipsum in latere ictu impetuoso suo cuspide baculi, quem bajulabat, pastorali. Et dixit ei: Senebalde Papa miserrime, proposuistine ossa mea in mei & Ecclesiae Lincolniensis opprobrium extra Ecclesiam projicere? unde haec tibi temeritas? Dignius foret, ut tu, à Deo sublimatus & honoratus, Dei zelatores, licet defunctos, coleres. Nullam potestatem in me haberae, te Dominus amodò patietur. Scripsi tibi in spiritu humilitatis & dilectionis, ut errores tuos crebros corrigeres. Sed tu monita salubria superbo oculo, & fascinanti corde contempsisti. Vae qui spernis, nonne & tu contemneris? Et sic recedens Pontifex Robertus, ipsum Papam, qui quando, ut dictum est, pungebatur, ab alto ingemuit, quasi lancea transverberatus, dereliquit seminecem, & voce flebili cum suspiriis ingemiscentem. Unde Camerarii ejus haec audientes, attoniti interrogaverunt, quidnam hoc sibi vellet? Papa verò cum gemitibus & suspiriis respondit, dicens: Terrores nocturni conturbaverunt me vehementer. Nec mihi penitus ut prius restaurabor restitutus, heu, heu, quantum latus dol●o, sum lancea genii lanc●atus. Nec comedit nec ●ibit illa die, fingens se anhelis febribus inflammatum. Nec adhuc quievit Domini super eum ultio, cum indignatione. Nec multo post, Papa non sentiens divinas per servum suum admonitiones, sed Papalis exercitus victus. bellicis nimis & saecularibus negotus intendens, minus in eis prosperatur, licet curam, laborem, & sumptus non paucos expendendo. Sed Marte ci, imo Domino exercituum adversante, exercitus ejus, quem contra Apulos maximis sumptibus direxerat, sub ducatu consanguinei nepotis sui Willielmi, dissipatu●, victus & confusus, cum ejus Duce lethaliter vulnerato occubuit. Referuntur ibidem interfecti Christiani milites & servientes praevalidi stipendiarii Papae militantes, ad quatuor mille virorum. Et luxit tantum sanguinem Christianum effusum tota patria Romanorum. Direxerat autem Papa iter illis diebus versus Neapolim: licet in latere quasi pleuresi infirmatus, vel lancea sauciatus. Nec potuit ei Cardinalis Albi physica suffragari. Non enim pepercit Robertus Lincolniensis Senebaldo Januens. Et qui vivum noluerat audire corripientem, senserat mortuum impingentem. Nec unquam postea, ipse Papa unum bonum diem vel prosperum continuavit usque ad noctem, vel noctem usque ad diem, sed insomnem & molestam. This History is thus related by ᵃ Ranulphus Cestrensis, and ᵇ Henry de Knighton. Hoc a Polychron. ●. 7. c. 36. b De Eventibus Angliae, l. 2. c. 16. col. 2436. See Godwin in his Life; Balaeus in Innocentio 4. anno obiit sanctus Robertus dictus Grosteteste Episcopus Lincolniensis 7. Idus Octobris, qui in cunctis liberalibus artibus excellenter eruditus, praecipuè in Logica, & Astrologia plurima commentatus est, ad Innocentium Papam misit Epistolam satis tonantem, quae sic incipit. Dominus noster Jesus Christus pro eo quod Ecclesias Anglicanas indebitis, & insolitis exactionibus gravare videretur, & quia nepotulo suo Puero Papa contulisset Canonicatum cum proxima praebenda vacatura in Ecclesia Lincolniensi, quem tamen Robertus admittere noluit, rescribens Papae, nec velle debere tales ad curas animarum admittere, qui se nescirent nec possent regere, Qua de causa ad Curiam vocatus et excommunicatus, appellavit a Curia Innocentii, ad tribunal Christi, unde contigit ut post biennium mortis Roberti, apparuit Papae de Nocte quiescenti quidam Episcopus Pontificalibus indutus sic inquiens, Surge miser veni ad judicium. Et statim cum baculo pastorali pupugit Papam in latere sinistro usque ad cor, unde & lectisternium Papae inventum est mane sanguinolentum, & ipse defunctus hac de causa, quamvis Robertus perspicuis effulgeret miraculis, non est permissus a Curia Canonizari. What passages fell out between the King, Archbishop and Canons of Lincoln about electing a new Bishop and Archdeacon after Grostheads death, I find thus related. In crastino verò beati Thomae Martyris, Canonici Lincolnienses elegerunt sibi in Mat. Paris Histo p. 853, 859. See Godwin in his life. H. de Lexintona eligitur Episcopus. Episcopum Magistrum Henricum de Lexintona, ejusdem Ecclesiae Decanum, & transfretavit electus ut Regem videret, & ut à Rege videretur & acceptaretur, tàm electo quam electione approbata vel reprobata. Formidabat a●tem apparere coram Rege, qui secundum consuetudinem suam, ipsum Decanum, et totum precibus sollicitaverat urgentissimis Capitulum, ut Episcopum Herefordensem (qui manifestè reprobandus fuerat, tum quia alienigena Anglioum idioma ignoravit, tum quod fama, vel potius infamia ejus extitit, quod Regno fuerat inimicissimus & infidelissimus) eligerent in Episcopum & suarum pastorem animarum. Cui licet Regiae petitioni instantissimae, nullatenus voluerunt Canonici electores favorem exhibere. Ipse enim per manum saecularem, in ipsum Episcopatum violenter intrusus Herefordensem, tam religiosos quam saeculares in partibus ultramarinis (utinam honeste commorans) gregem sibi commissum, lacte, lana, et aruina saginatus, lupinis dentibus dereliquit. Veruntamen Rex non inveniens in dicto electo, causam reprobationis, ipsum, licet non sereno corde, admisit: being consecrated soon after by Archbishop Boniface beyond the Seas. Ipsisque diebus, revertente Archiepiscopo Cantuariensi Bonifacio, à sepultura Episcopi Mat. Paris Hist p. 850, 877. Discordia inter Archiepiscopum Bonifacium & Capitulum Lincoln. Lincolniensis Roberti, orta est discordia inter ipsum & Capitulum Lincolniensem. Vendicabat enim sibi Archiepiscopus de jure communi, potestatem conferendi praebendas & redditus in Episcopatu Lincolniensi, pastore suo viduato. Decanus verò & Capitulum speciali beneficio innitentes, & consuetudini approbatae & antiquae, è contra dicebant. Quibus testimonium perhibebat Magister Walterus de Billesdona, vir Jurisperitus & fidedignus, qui enumeravit tres Ecclesias à Decano sede vacante collatas. Et multi alii, qui hoc noverant, & viderant. Archiepiscopus de multiplici confisus potestate, contradictores omnes excommunicavit. Solus autem Lincolniensis Archidiaconus, Magister videlicet Willielmus Lupus, vir quidem Jurisperitus, eleganter literatus, & magnae auctoritatis, contradicens Archiepiscopo in faciem, pro jure et libertate Ecclesiae constanter appellavit ad Summi Pontificis praesentiam: Unde quoniam solus se murum opposuit pro suae possessione & libertate Ecclesiae, usque ad mortem miserabiles, sicut sequens sermo declarabit, tribulationes toleravit. Canonici vero ex antiquis causis inutiliter ventilatis fatigati, nec valentes nec volentes contra tantum adversarium dubia causarum fata contendentes experiri, succubuerunt, et succumbentes, absolutionis beneficium promeruerunt. Archidiaconus vero consistens stabilis in proposito, quaesivit interim diverticula. Tandem tutum credens habere refugium apud Sanctum Edmundum, quia illic & in terra Sancti Albani consueverant esse afflictorum refugia & protectiones, postquam stetisset quadraginta diebus in sententia juste vel injuste, se ad protectionem dicti Sancti Edmundi contulit & Civitatem. Ubi persequente Archiepiscopo, cum ibi non asylum refugii, sed carceris invenisset duritiem: nec eum poterat Abbas Sancti Edmundi protegere vel receptare: Archidiaconus pauper, profugus, et exul, Romam adiit, a Domino Papa aliquam saltem consolationem adepturus. Papa autem misertus ac miseratus, cognita veritate, pusillanimitatem Canonicorum, & Archipraesulis redarguens austeritatem, & Archidiaconi constantiam commendans, paternum sibi providit remedium. Archidiaconus verò nacta spe meliori, cum rediens à Curia in partes cisalpinas pervenisset, post tot labores & dolores, quos pro suae libertate Ecclesiae sustinuisset, viam universae carnis est ingressus, merito beato Thomae Martyri, qui ob similem causam occubuit, associandus. Sed ante mortem, fere triennalem sustinuit in hac causa tribulationem. Such was the Archbishop's Tyranny. The King (in imitation of the Pope) issued these Letters Patents in nature of Provisions, to provide Benefices for 12. Clerks, amounting to several Annual values, out of Livings belonging to his Donation, directed to Richard Earl of Cornwall, Guardian of the Realm in his absence, dated at Portesmuth, being there taking Ship for Gascoign. REX R. Comiti Cornubiae, & Magistro Willielmo de Killkenni Archidiac. Coventr. Pat. 37 H. 3. m. 8. dorso. De provisionibus faciendis. salutem. Sciatis, quod concessimus dilecto nobis Thomae de Rusillum Clerico, quod in Beneficio Ecclesiastico, quod ad nostram Donationem pertineat, de 30. vel 40. Marcarum eidem provideatur: Et ideo vobis mandamus, quod in hujusmodi Beneficio eidem Thomae provideatis vice nostra. In cujus, etc. Teste Rege apud Portesm. 7. die Julii. Eodem modo mandatum est eisdem pro Simone de Vertiers Clerico, de provisione ei facienda in 50. Marc. redditus. Teste ut supra. Eodem modo mandatum est eisdem pro Hugone de Salinis, de provisione ei facienda in 40. vel 50. Marc. redditus. Teste ut supra. Eodem modo mandatum est eisdem pro Radulpho de Dungun. de provisione ei facienda in Beneficio Ecclesiastico competenti. Petrus Chaceport habet consimiles Literas eisdem de provisione ei facienda in 200. Libr. redditus, in Ecclesiastico Beneficio immediatè post provisionem Henrici de Wengham. Consimiles Literas habet Radulphus de Montibus eisdem de provisione ei facienda in Beneficio Ecclesiastico 60. Marc. Consimiles Literas habet Magister Nicholaus de Plumpton de provisione ei facienda in Beneficio Ecclesiastico 24. Marc. Consimiles Literas habet Magister Johannes de Lith, Clericus A. Winton. elect. de provisione ei facienda in Beneficio Ecclesiastico 60. Marc. Consimiles Literas habet Robertus de Shottindon, de provisione ei facienda in Beneficio Ecclesiastico sibi convenienti. Et Willus de Rupella in Beneficio Ecclesiastico 40. Marc. Et Roberto de Cantuar. in Beneficio Ecclesiastico 50. Marc. Et Bric. filio Willielmi Beaufiz Clerico, in Beneficio Ecclesiastico 15. vel 20. Marc. The same year the King issued this Writ to the Bishop of Chichester, to publish throughout his Diocese the Privileges he had granted to all such who should cross themselves for the Holy Land, being the same in * Here p. 769. terms with those the year before, sent to the Archbishop of York to publish, the Writs running in the same form. REX R. Cicestriae Episcopo, & Magistro Hugoni de Sancto Edmundo, salutem. Pat. 37 H. 3. m. 23. intus. De crucesignatis. Volentes Crucesignatis gratias facere speciales, etc. as in the forecited Writ. In the margin there is this Annotation. Postea substituti fuerant de novo Episcopo Norwic. & Cicestr. & Abbas Westm. & innovatae fuerunt Literae singulis illorum directae in festo Ascensionis Domini. Anno, etc. 38. Et similiter Literae interius notatae de negotio Crucis. The King to promote the levying of the Dimes granted him for his voyage towards the relief of the Holy Land, wherein the Bishop of Chichester was principally employed, sent this Patent to the Archbishops and Bishops to desire and require their favourable assistance of him and his Agents in this affair. REX Archiepiscopis, etc. salutem. Cum venerabilis Pater Episcopus Cicestrensis Pat. 37 H. 3. m. 22. intus. De negotio Crucis. ad instantiam nostram, & de Consilio nostro, authoritate Apostolica benignè propter Deum, salutem animarum, Terrae Sanctae subsidium, & honorem nostrum assumpserit onus & officium praedicationis Crucis Christi exequendum, collectionem Decimae beneficiorum Ecclesiasticorum in subsidium praedictae Terrae Sanctae, authoritate praemissa nobis concessae & alia faciend. quae pertinent ad dictum negotium per Regnum nostrum, per se & per alios idoneos, quibus vices suas super hoc duxerit committendas, vobis supplicamus attentius, rogantes & exorantes in Domino in fide qua Deo & nobis tenemini mandantes, quatenus ob amorem Crucifixi, cujus negotium geritur in hac parte, & ob reverentiam nostram, sibi & aliis quos pro praedicto negotio per Literas suas ad vos contigerit destinari favorabiliter assistentes in omnibus hiis quae contingunt officium supradictum ad promotionem dicti negotii consilium, auxilium, & favorem benevolum praebere studeatis. Tantum facientes ut praeter merita quae vobis inde accrescend. à Domino vobis universis & singulis teneri debeamus, in vestris negotiis penes nos expediendis grata vicissitudine, ad gratias speciales. In cujus, etc. Teste ut supra. Per Regem. The Bishops of the Province of Canterbury being to meet in a Convocation at London, the King lest they should attempt any thing therein against the Rights of his Crown, or Liberty of his people, appointed two Proctors by this Patent to sit and act therein in his behalf. REX universis, etc. salutem. Quia intelleximus quod Venerabiles Patres Pat. 37 H. 3. m. 19 vel 20. De procuratori. bus constitutis. Episcopi Provinciae Cantuar. London. convenerunt, ad tractandum super aliquibus articulis qui statum nostrum et Regni nostri contingere possint, ne jus nostrum et subditorum negligere videamur, Magistrum Nicholaum de Plimpton Clericum, et Rogerum de Lockinton nostros constituimus procuratores, ad proponendum de jure nostro qttae ipsis videbitur expedire: Et ad alia faciend. nomine ●●Spand●●ro quae hujusmodi negotium requiret; Et ad appellandum si opus fuerit prout ordo juris dictabit. In cujus, etc. Teste Rege apud Windles. 12. die Januarii. Per Regem. The King having contracted with those of Marcelles for Ships to transport him, his forces and Subjects to the Holy Land, issued this Writ to all persons of all ranks who had taken the Cross upon them in Ireland, to certify him what number they amounted to, that so he might provide Ships accordingly. REX Archiepiscopis, Episcopis, Comitibus, Baronibus, Militibus, & omnibus Pat. 37 H. 3. m. 11. intus. De passagio Regis. aliis Crucesignatis Hiberniae, salutem. Sciatis, quod juravimus & statuimus passagium nostrum in Terram Sanctam à festo Sancti Johannis Baptistae Anno Domini 1253. in tres annos, quod etiam Dominus Papa confirmavit, ac apud Marsill. mare ingredi proponentes, tractatum nuper habuimus ob nostrum & vestrum commodum super passagio cum probis hominibus Marsill. quos ad nos in Angliam venire propter hoc fecimus: Et ideo vobis mandamus rogantes, quod ad certo●diem & locum conveniatis ad sciendum quot, & qui vestrum nobiscum in Terram Sanctam personaliter profisciscentur, & de numero omnium illorum nos sine dilatione distinctè & apertè certificetis, ut de securis naves contra praedictum passagium ad opus vestrum & nostrum provideri faciamus. In cujus, etc. Teste Rege apud Westm. 9 die Maii. Idem mandatum Archiepiscopis, Episcopis, etc. Scoc. In cujus, etc. Teste ut supra. The Archbishop of Ardmach in Ireland having occasion to repair to Rome concerning the affairs of his Church, durst not do it without the King's licence, which he upon his Petition obtained, together with a suspension of Suits against him during his absence, as this Patent manifests. REX omnibus, etc. salutem. Cum Venerabilis Pater R. Archiepiscopus Armachan. Pat. 37 H. 3. m. 9 intus. Pro Archiepiscopo Armach. profectus sit de licentia nostra ad Curiam Romanam pro negotiis Ecclesiae suae: Volumus, quod quietus sit de omnibus placitis & querelis usque ad festum Sancti Martini proximum futurum. Et ideo vobis mandamus, quod de omnibus placitis & querelis ipsum Archiepiscopum, usque ad eundem Terminum quietum esse faciatis. In cujus, etc. Teste Rege apud Windles. 11. die Junii. The King by this Patent constituted two Proctors to promote the business of the Cross in the Court of Rome, promising to ratify what they should do therein. REX I. Summo Pontifici, salutem. Noverat vestra Sancta Paternitas, quod Pat. 37 H. 3. m. 9 dorso. De procuratoribus constitutis in Curia Romana. nos constituimus & ordinavimus dilectos nobis in Christo Johannem de Amblion, Decanum Montis Sancti Andraee in Sabandia Capellanum vestrum, & Magistrum Nicholaum de Plimpton procuratores nostros ad impetrandum & contradicendum in Curia ve●●ra, ad petendum etiam gratias & indulgentias pro subsidio Terra Sanctae & alias, prout eis injunximus viva voce. Ratum habituri & firmum quicquid per ipsos in Curia vestra super praemissis factum fuerit & procuratum. In cujus, etc. Teste Rege apud Windles. 12. die Junii. The King this year passing over into Gascoigne, and committing the custody of the Realm to the Queen and Earl Richard, when he was taking Ship at Portesmuth sent this Mandate to the Queen, (a badge of his Ecclesiastical power in divine Offices and Masses to be said for him) thus entered in the Clause Rolls. MAndatum est Reginae Angliae, quod in Capella Regis apud Westmonaster. singulis Claus. 37 H. 3. m. 8. dorso. De missa beati Edwardi celebrandae. diebus celebrari faciat Missam beati Edwardi, quamdiu Rex fuerit in partibus praedictis. Teste Rege apud Portesm. 5. die Julii. Richard Earl of Cornwall (as you heard before) having refused the Pope's proffer of the Kingdom of Sicily to him, only to pick his purse, and engage him in his quarrel against Conrade the rightful King, he thereupon tendered it to our K. Henry for the selfsame ends, being less circumspect, and easier to be circumvented then his Brother, thus related. Diebus sub eisdem, cum Magister Albertus ad Curiam Romanam perveniens, nunciasset Mat. Paris Hist. p. 864, 865. Papa obtulit Regnum Siciliae Regi Anglorum. Papae, quod nullo modo poterat Comitem Richardum flectere ad consensum, ut Regnum Siciliae & Apuliae sibi oblatum vellet recipere, & seipsum & omnia sua ambiguis casibus exponere, nisi primò Papa sibi de suo genere optimos praestaret obsides de securitate fidelitatis. Et praeterea, juvaret eum de aliqua quantitate pecuniae, in negotio Martio illo exponendae. Et insuper traderet ei quaedam Castra, quae Papa in confiniis habebat, ut secura sibi inveniret receptacula. Papa autem hoc videns sibi esse difficile, respondit: Nolumus tot subjacere conditionibus. Cui Magister Albertus: Comes mihi dixit, si sic non feceris, ut praelibatum est, idem est, ac si quis diceret, Vendo vel do tibi Lunam, asc●nde, & apprehende eam. At Papa considerans suam in dicto Comite admonitionem non valere, subjunxit: Non curamus cum ipso confoederari, vel aliquid commune habere. Cum igitur certificaretur Papa, quod frustra jecisset rete ante oculos pennatorum, missis secretis nuntiis ad Dominum Regem Angliae, ut simplicitatem ejus circumveniret (quoniam sciebat semper ad damna propria pronum & credulum) obtulit et concessit ei Regnum Siciliae et Apuliae: & ad hoc adquirendum, juvamen praestaret tale, quale poterat sine aliquo gravamine. Retorqueret enim omnes Crucesignatos à principali eorum proposito, videlicet ne transfretarent in Terram Sanctam, sed omnes communiter Regem Angliae sequerentur, & juvarent Siciliam & Apuliam adepturum. Unde hoc audientes Templarii & Hospitalarii, Patriarcha Hierosolymitanus, & omnes Sanctae Terrae Praelati & incolae, qui hostibus Christi opponuntur, & jam pejora formidabant, usque ad mortem doluerunt, Romanas fallacias detestantes. Rex autem de promisso Papali umbratili adeo exhilaratus est, & adeo dilatatum est cor suum inani gaudio, quod voce, gestu, & r●su exultationem protestans, filium suum Edmundum Regem Siciliae palam vocaret, credens pro facto se jam de ipso Regno subarratum. Nuntius vero Papalis instillavit auribus ejus, ne hoc arcanum divulgaret, ne videlicet ad notitiam amicorum suorum, qui pedicas Romanas cognoverant, perveniret, et sic praemuniretur. Rex igitur quicquid de Thesauro suo, quicquid de Scaccario, quicquid mutuo potuit à fratre suo Comite Richardo recipere, quidque poterat à Judaeis abradere, quicquidque de rapinis Justitiariorum itnerantium valuit extorquere, misit Papae, ut Conradum impugnaret, et omnes suos Siculos et Apulos expugnaret. Conradus autem doluit, quod Rex Angliae in retiacula Romanae Curiae cecidisset: & grates retulit Comiti Richardo, quod se non permiserit irretiri. Signi●●cans e●, quod sap●enter secisset, quod non confisus in verbis Papalibus, et pecuniae thesauris se à temerar●a praesumptione retraxisset prudenter, quia ubi Comes habu●● unum argenteum, Rex Conradus unum aureum poterat invenire exponendum. Papa autem pecuniarum multitudine saginatus, erectus est in confidentiam. Et infinitum, quem congregavit exercitum de conductitiis stipendiarus, ducatui & regimini Octaviani Cardina●is commisit, & copiosè sterlingos distribut, & cum defecissent, significavit Regi, quòd defuit illi pecunia. Rex autem, instinctu Diaboli et avaritiae rescribens Papae, mittebat ei literas patentes obligatorias, Regio figillo consignatas, ut sufficienter, imo abundanter, mutuo caperet a mercatorib●s Italicis. Nec timeret thesauri quantitatem, vel usurarum multitudinem, ipse enim omnia plene adquietarat, et se ad hoc obligavit sub poena exhaeredationis. Papa autem his omnibus consentiens, hoc mandatum acceptavit: si bene fece●it, judicet Judex omnium judiciorum Dominus, cui cura est de omnibus; non autem meum est facta Papalia judicare. Fecit igitur quasi edicto Imperiali vel Regali publicè acciamar●, ut omnes qui desiderabant opima stipendia recipere, venirent ad Papalem exercitum. Habebat enim jam quoniam mutuo receperat ab usuariis Italicis thesaurum inaestimabilem. Confluebat igitur ad stipendia Papalia, Italicorum ignobilium multitudo copiosa. Qui desides & imbelles, necnon & infideles, nulli Domini Regis Angliae, vel etiam Papali commodo, sed tantum denariis deglutiendis intendebant, prout rei exitus comprobavit. Rex igitur Conradus, potenter se opponens, exhorta●us est suos naturales commilitones Mat. Paris Hist. p. 865. Mar. West. An. 1254. p. 254. 255. Conradus Re● siciliae mo●itur▪ & indigenas regionum illarum, ut stent viriliter & pugnent pro patria sua, nec colla subdant Dominis alienis: & exerc tum Papalem diatim diminuit & enervavit. Sed amor denariorum Anglicorum hostium multitudinem gravavit. Papa enim bursae Regis minime pepercit, ec infinitam pecuniam consumpsit, cupiens Regem Siculorum expugnare, et Regem Angliae in praedictum Dominum subrogare. Omnes tamen voluit à Corona commovere, & solum Edmundum Creare, ut de ipso & his quae ipsius forent, tanquam de creatura sua, secundum sui arbitrii faceret voluntatem. Interim Papa, (qui●e contrary to St. P●ters Doctrine, 2 Pet. 2. 10. to 20. and St. Paul's too, Tit. 3. 1, 2, 3. whose successor he pretended himself) non mediocriter diffamavit Regem Conradum, imponens ei enormia crimina, scilicet caedem fratris▪ sui Henrici, ut sic provocaret Regem Anglorum & omnes Anglos contra eum, & quod contemptor extitit clavium Ecclesiae, & multa alia, quae non oportet recitare, scripta autem sunt in libro Additamentorum, & in hoc praetacta. Rex igitur Conradus, irruptiones hostiles, comminationem, opprobia Papae sustinens, & di●●amatines, coepit supra modum contristari, et gravi dolore contabes●e●e. Et, ut dicitur, veneno propinato impellente, gravi dolore coepit contabescere, & lethali lecto decumbere, dicebatque, Vae mihi misero, vae vae mihi misero! ut quid me fudit Mater mea à gremio? ut quid Pater me●● me genuit, totaerumnis exponendum? Ecclesia, quae Mater Patri meo et mihi esse debuit, potius novercatur. Imperium, quod ante Christi nativitatem, usque nunc floruit, modo marcescit, e● datur letheae oblivioni. Maledicens ergo diei nativitatis suae, miseram & afflictam animam exhalavit. Quod audito, Papa de morte ejus certificatus, cum magno▪ cordis jubilo, oris Exultat Papa de ●orte Con●adi Regis. risu, & vocis exultatione, ait: Gaudeo planè, & gaudeamus Universi Ecclesiae Romanae alumni, quia jam sublati sunt de medio duo maximi inimici nostri, u●us Ecclesiasticus, alter saecularis: Episcopus Lincolniensis Robertus▪ & Rex Siculorum Conradus. Obiit autem memoratus Rex Conradus mense Junii. Et illico Papa ad ulteriores partes Apuliae se transferens, totum ferè Regnum illud sibi subdidit in brevi, & usurpavit. Quod videntes optimates illius Regionis, quae quondam Ducatus extitit, indignati sunt vehementer. Et suscitantes quendam filium Frederici naturalem, nomine Manfredum, adhaeserunt ei, facientes ei homagium tanquam Domino & ligantiam. Et factus est error novissimus pejor priore. Et insurrexerunt Papae hostes redivivi. The calumnies raised against Conrade by this implacable malicious Pope Innocent, were thus publicly answered and refuted by him before his death, wherein the Pope's unchristian slanders, impiety, tyranny, injustice, and Conrades innocency will most evidently appear. SIC Respondit procurator Domini Conradi, in praesentia Domini Papae & fratrum Matthaei Paris. Additamenta p. 192, 193, 194. suorum, Senatoris & Concilii, ad Articulos datos contra ipsum, cum esset ad hoc specialiter vocatus. Haec omnia proponunt citra formam judicii, cum nunquam fuerit Dominus Rex citatus: sed tanquam zelator famae suae, ad solum rumorem miserit pro sua innocentia ostendenda. Primùm. Quod Regno * The Pope's Will must be preferred before God's public worship. Siciliae interdicto supposito, & Rege, Anathematis vinculo innodato, facit sibi celebrari divina, & Regni ipsius Clericos ad celebrandum coercet, claves Ecclesiae contemnendo. Quod cum non careat scrupulo haereticae pravitatis, de haeresi & haeresis suspitione, intendit inquirere contra ipsum. Responsio ad hoc, quod Dominus Rex in contemptu clavium, nunquam sibi vel aliis celebrari divina mandavit, vel immiscuit se divinis: sed cum ipsum in nullo conscientia remorderet nec remordeat, quod contra Sanctam Catholicam & Apostolicam Romanam Ecclesiam Matrem suam, cogitasset aliquid vel egisset: posito quòd aliquando divinis interfuit (quod non fatetur in contemptu clavium suae fidei ut falso sibi impingitur, sed ob fervorem amoris fidei Christianae) omni devotione, reverentia, & honore, ut verus Christianus & princeps Catholicus poterat interesse. Pro cujus fidei orthodoxae irrefragabili veritate & charitate, cum necesse fuerit, paratus est exponere se & sua. Addit etiam, quod eo in Germania existente, & postquam venit in regnum, per Nuncios aut per litteras de excommunicatione quae lata proponitur contra eum, monitio, denuntiatio, aut citatio non pervenit ad eum. Nec obstat ei, quod dicitur fuisse Anathematis vinculo innodatus, cum ante excommunicationem aliquam (si qua contra processit, quam ignorat) idem Dominus Rex Dei timore accensus, dubitans ne ad instantiam & falsam suggestionem proditorum & aemulorum suorum, & etiam patris sui, qui ad summum Pontificem se contulerat post detectam proditionem & conjurationem, quam in necem contrectaverant patris sui, & falsa contra ipsum Dominum Regem quotid●è confingere, non cessabant, coram suis proceribus tam in Germania quam in regno, à quocunque gravamine legitimè appellaverit, & appellatione ipsa per suos solemnes nuncios fecit solemniter publicari: sicut opportuno tempore probare poterit per legitima documenta. Unde post appellationem suam legitimam si processum fuit, processum fuit indebitè contra ipsum: nec credit se in aliquo ligari. Ad id autem quod sibi impingitur, videlicet, quod Regno interdicto (quod Dominus non fatetur) compulerit Clericos celebrare divina, taliter respondetur, quod eo veniente in Regnum invenit Clericos celebrantes, & prout ipsos invenit, sic eos celebrare permisit: nullam alicui, propter hoc, correptionem vel violentiam inferendo. Posito tamen, quod super hoc aliquae literae contrariae apparerent, dicit eas de sua conscientia minimè emanasse: sicut apparet evidenter per literas missas Justiciariis & Officialibus Regni omnibus quam cito id ex fabuloso colloquio ad ejus pervenit notitiam. Quod idem probare vult tam per ipsas literas, quam per legitima documenta: ut nullus eorum aliquem Clericum compelleret celebrare divina, contra voluntatem suam. Ad aliud Capitulum quod opponitur subsequenter, quod in terris Lombardiae adhaerentibus & faventibus sibi, publicè haeresis praedicatur: Respondetur sic, Quòd semper persecutus est Dominus Rex haereticos quarumlibet Sectarum in Alemannia, quamdiu moratus est ibi, & postquam venit in regnum: & paratus eos persequi tam in Lombardia quam alibi, tanquam princeps Catholicus & Christianissimus: Dolens quamplurimùm, quòd non potest eos persequi cum effectu in partibus Lombardiae: sed ut constat publicè toti mundo, Mediolani, Brissae & Mantuae, praedicatur publicè haeresis, quia salua reverentia Praesidentis, dicuntur Ecclesiae filii speciales. Ad aliud capitulum, quod dicunt quia favet Eost. de Roman. quem Dominus Papa pro haeretico reputat sicut ponit, Respondetur sic. Quod semper Dominus haereticos odit, nec unquam novit eum haereticum esse, nec fuit, nec favet ei tanquam haereticus. Ad aliud vero, quod nequissimè & falsissimè ponitur, quod sanguinis foedere violato toxicari fecit Fredericum nepotem suum, licèt non videretur necessarium respondere ad tam manifestissimam & apertissimam falsitatem: tamen ne simplices & vulgus, quod de facili credere consuevit, aliud crederet quam deberet: Dicit Dominus Rex, quicquid super hoc per quemcunque sibi opponitur, penitus esse falsum, ritè probabit. Ad aliud Capitulum consimilis falsitatis, quod contra naturale amoris vinculum Henricum fratrem suum detinet captivatum, Dominus Rex respondet: quod nunquam dictum fratrem suum tenuit captivatum, imò tractavit eum honorificè, & dilexit ut fratrem, & si hodiè viveret, faceret illud idem. Sed Dominus, in cujus manu sunt omnium potestates & omnium corda regum, prout sibi placuit, de hujus mundi ergastulo ipsum ad aeternam patriam revocavit. In cujus obitu, partem sui corporis reputat diminutam. Super eo vero, quod in ipsorum capitulorum serie subsequenter ad jungitur, quod bona Ecclesiarum vacantium & non vacantium, ac doniús Templi, Hospitalis, & aliorum religiosorum in regno occupavit, & detinet occupata: Praelatos & rectores in Ecclesiis canonicè institutos non permittens in ipsis Ecclesiis residere, alios praeficiens in eisdem: Respondetur, Quod bona Ecclesiarum Cathedralium vacantium & non vacantium, in regno suo nec occupavit, nec detinet occupata, sed in Ecclesiis ipsis vacantibus ipsius Regni, ratione antiquae dignitatis competentis sibi & praedecessoribus suis tantum utitur jure suo, faciens bona eadem per procuratores suos idoneos commodè procurari. Quod si videtut absonum Apostolicae Sedi, contentus est Dominus Rex illo jure in praedictis Ecclesiis vacantibus, quo nititur Rex Franciae & Angliae in Ecclesiis vacantibus regni sui. Ad hoc autem quod dicitur, quod de bonis Hospitalis & Templi facit dissipationes * Thus only of the Pope not him. taliter respondetur, videlicet, quod bona praedictarum domuum nec occupavit nec detinet occupata: sed si aliquis de dictis domibus velit conqueri de Domino Rege, paratus est ei facere omne justitiae complementum. Idem respondet, de bonis aliorum Religiosorum locorum. Ad id verò quod subdit, quod Praelatos & rectores institutos Canonicè, in Ecclesiis Regni non permittit residere in Ecclesiis ipsis, sed alios praeficit in eisdem, taliter respondetur, quod nullum in Ecclesiis ipsis institutum Canonicè abjecit, non prohibuit in ipsis Ecclesiis residere: Dicit quod in Ecclesiis ipsis nullum praefecit; sed in Ecclesiis vacantibus (sicut dictum est) bona ipsarum facit per procuratores idoneos commodè procurari, prout competit ex antiqua consuetudine dignitatis, quam habet in Ecclesis vacantibus Regni sui. Ad aliud autem quod dicit, quod cum Regnum ipsum sit Sedis Apostolicae, Dominus Rex plura gravia praesumpsit contra Romanam Ecclesiam, & praesum●t, duras & abominabiles exercens ibi saevitias, & alia pessima & enormia: propter quae (si etiam dictum Regnum pertineret ad eum) deberet inde illo privari. Respondet Dominus Rex, Quod in Regno Siciliae tanquam haereditario Regno suo, quod a praedecessoribus suis a tempore quo non extat memoria, ad eum * Therefore the Popes grant to the King of England was merely void. legitima successione pervenit, nulla gravia praesumit, nec saevitias aliquas exercuit vel exercet, sed cum Regnum ipsum in bono et pacifico statu gubernans, omnibus indifferenter monstrat justitiae complementum. Ad hoc autem quod dicit, * Was not this Pope the grand delinquent, guilty of this charge? quod attemptat multa contra Romani Imperii dignitatem, Respondet Dominus Rex, quod contra Romani Imperii dignitatem non attemptavit aliquid nec attemptat, sed cum sit in Romanum Regem electus legitimè (prout plenè constat per legitima documenta) in eodem Imperio utitur jure suo. Ad aliud quod vult & petit Dominus Papa, ut omnibus volentibus ire ad deponendum contra Dominum Regem, inquisitionem quam intendit facere contra ipsum super capitulis supradictis, Dominus Rex respondet. Quod cum nullo modo Inquisitio super praemissis debeat de jure procedere contra ipsum, eo quod causa propter quam in talibus Inquisitio debeat fieri, non praecessit, videlicet fama publica quae à bonis & gravibus ortum habuerit, & non semel, sed saepius, nec ab aemulis & inimicis, (prout jura Canonica & Civillia insinuant manifestè) non tenetur Dominus Rex securitatem praestare petitam, quia sic videretur annuere, & consentire inquisitioni, quae de jure non debet fieri contra ipsum. Subest etiam alia causa, quae juste movet et movere debet Dominum Regem, quod petitam securitatem praestare non debeat: quod cum Angeli tenebrarum frequenter in lucis Angelos se transforment, et sub praetextu liciti, illicita committere non verentur, occasione hujusmodi possent alia tractare latenter, quae Domino Regi essent onerosa plurimum et damnosa. The death of this most nocent, malicious, King-traducing, King-deposing, turbulent Pope, and his condition after it, is thus related. Tempore quoque sub eodem, in crastino videlicet beati Nicolai, obiit Papa Innocentius Mat. Paris Hist. p. 868. 869. Innocentius quartus moritur. quartus, apud Neapolim, duplici incommodo sauciatus. Postquam enim Escopus Lincolniensis Robertus in visione nocturna cuspide baculi sui pastoralis ipsum in latere iratus pupugit, & impetuosè, ut praedictum est, impegit, pleuresi laboraverat irremediabiliter. Et postquam exercitus suus à Conrado adversario suo victus est & dissipatus, nunquam posteà ment vel corpore prosperè egit, sed ad mortem sensim declinault. Iste semivivus, jam moriturus, cum videret consanguineos suos circumstantes lugere, plangere, & ut moris est ibi, ululare, & vestes & capillos decerpere: ille sublevans oculos in morte natantes, ait, Quid plangitis miseri? Nonne vos omnes divites relinquo? Quid amplius exigitis? Et haec dicens districtum Dei judicium subituram animam exhalavit. Cecidit autem eadem septimana, qua Papa Innocentius quartus migravit ab hoc saeculo, Visio terribilis de eodem Papa. visio quaedam nocturna mirabilis cuidam Cardinali, cujus nomen supprimitur ad cautelam. Videbatur enim sibi, quòd fuerat in coelo coram majestate Domini sedentis pro tribunali, à cujus dextris stabat beata Virgo Mater ejus, à sinistris verò quaedam Matrona nobilissima corpore, & habitu venerabilis. Quae extento brachio supra manum sinistram deferebat quasi Templum, & scribebatur in fronte Templi illius literis aureis, Ecclesia. Coram verò Majestate divina, incurvatus Innocentius 4. junctis manibus & erectis, flexisque genibus petens veniam, & non juditium; Nobilissima autem mulier ait ex adverso: Juste Judex, rectè redde judicium, Accuso enim eum super tribus. Primò, cum in terris Ecclesiam fundasses, libertatibus eam donasti, quae à teipso processerunt: hic vero eam reddidit ancillam vilissimam. Secundò, fundata est Ecclesia salus peccatorum, ut scilicet lucrifaceret * animas. animos miserorum: hic vero fecit eam mensam nummulariorum. Tertiò, fundata est Ecclesia in fidei firmitate, justitia, & veritate: hic vero fidem et mores fecit vacillare, justitiam sustulit, veritatem obumbravit: justum ergo judicium redde mihi. Ait autem Dominus: Vade et pro meritis tuis mercedem apprehende. Et sic ablatus est. cum vero ex terrore sententiae evigilasset Cardinalis, clamans, effectus est quasi extra se, ut omnes sui dicerent, ipsum furere. Tandem mitiga●o dolore, visionem suam pleniùs coepit enarrare, & publica facta est in partibus illis. Ista visio (nescitur si fantastica) multos perterruit; & utinam cum effectu, castigans emendavit. Sublato igitur de medio Innocentio 4. Papa, subrogatus est alius vir, ut aiunt, satis Creatur Alexander quartus Papa. Mat. West. p. 268. See Platina, Onuphrius, Stella, Balaeus, and others in Alexandro 4. benignus, & bene religiosus, assiduus in orationibus, in abstinentia strenuus: sed sibilis adulantium seducibilis, & pravis avarorum suggestionibus inclinativus. Episcopus videlicit Ostiensis, nepos Gregorii Papae pridem defuncti, qui ipsum in Episcopatum promoverat: & vocatus est Alexander, videlicet quartus. Scripsit autem in principio creationis suae, cunctis Ecclesiarum Praelatis; postulans humiliter, ut orarent pro ipso, ut Dominus daret ei potestatem, gratiam, & voluntatem, Ecclesiam Dei congruè gubernare: & vicarius Dei, & Petri successor competenter appellari. In quo facto novo (alii enim ejus successores nil tale fecerunt) multorum corda in spem erexit meliorem. Veruntamen à collateralibus fratribus suis, decipi citò se permisit ejus simplicitas. Et de bulla sua, quae est pignus fidei Papalis, & testimonium, facta est, ut dicitur, fraus inopinata, non tamen in his ipsum excuso. Papa enim talis esse debet, ut non decipiat, vel decipiatur: utrumque enim in tanto viro reprehensibile est. Consilio nempè aliquorum, in quos confisa anima ejus requievit confidenter, & persuasu praedecessoris sui Papae Innocentii 4. qui fratres Cardinales ad hoc moriturus animaverat, bellum inchoatum contra Frede●icales, & praecipuè Manfredum, filium Frederici naturalem, sed legitimatum, potencer continuare praesumpsit. Quibus cum videretur Domino Papae durum in primitiis suis contradicere, ratum & gratum habuit, quod viri saecularibus pompis dedi●i consuluerunt: maximè cum dixissent, quod absurdum esset, et manifeste Ecclesiasticae Religioni contrarium, unam Civitatem Saracenis inhabitatam et refertam, quam revera Fredericus fundaverat, in finibus Christianorum tolerare. Quo colore inductus Papa, simul cum quodam alio, videlicet quod inhumanum esset Dominum Regem Angliae de sua spe fraudari concepta, ex promissione Ecclesiae, de Regno Siciliae obtinendo, propter quod jam thesaurum exposuit infinitum. The Pope having given this Realm to King Henry, and he to his Son, Post festum vero S. Lucae, edicto Regio convocata convenit Magnatum numerosa Mat Paris Hist. p 883. Edmundus filius Regis Angliae inv●sti●u● Regno Siciliae. multitudo. Venerat autem illuc ad Regem Ep scopus Romaniae, ex parte Papae: qui apportans secum annulum, vice ejusdem Papae, contulit ipsum annulum Aedmundo filio Regis, investiens eum sic solenniter de Regno Sicilit & Apuliae. Unde elevatum est cor Regis in sublime, & exultavit, tanquam jam receptis Siculorum & Apulorum omnium homagiis, civitatibus, & castris, in Regem coronaretur. Et in propatulo Rex pater vocavit filium suum Ae●n u●●um Regem Siciliae. Nesciebat autem, ut creditur, memoratus Episcopus quod contrita fuit Papalis expeditio, & effusus totaliter thesaurus Regis Anglorum, insuper alieno aere terribiliter obligabatur: & si fortè sciret, scire hoc cautè dissimulavit, ne munera perderet sibi praeparata. Hoc autem nimis profectò Regem latuit, & Magnates; Episcopus autem antequam rei veritas in Anglia sciretur, pretiosis ornatus muneribus, illico repatriavit. Rex autem nimis properè coram optimatibus, ad altare prosiliens, confisus nimis de Papali adjutorio, juravit transitum in Apuliam per S. Edwardum, de uno tantum habens solicitudinem, scilicet, qualiter transiret in pace cum exercitu suo & thesauro Regnum Francorum. Unde statim cogitavit, quem ad hoc impetrandum ad Regem Francorum destinaret. Cogitavit insuper consequenter jura sua ultramarina imperiosè reposcere ab eodem, & potenter readquirere. Quia inter Apuliam & Angliam, foret quasi inter duas molas Francia conterenda. Misitque illuc Dominum Johannem Mansell. What power the King then exercised over the elections and vacations of Bishoprics, is thus related. Tempore quoque sub eodem, Rex in quantum potuit, electionem Eboracensis Mat. Paris Hist, p. 883, 900. Rex impedit electionem Archiepiscopi Eboracensis, See Godwin i● his life. Archiepiscopi fecit differri & impediri, ut diutiùs & liberiùs bona diriperet Archiepiscopatus. Ait enim: Nunquam illum Archiepiscopatum anteà in manu tenui; ideo cavendum est, ne nimis cito elabatur. Elegerunt autem tandem, sive postularunt Canonici unanimiter, magistrum Sewalum ejusdem Ecclesiae Decanum, virum modestum, sanctum, & in jure & aliis scientiis eleganter eruditum. Et misso magistro Rogero de Holdernessae, viro perito & gratioso, res foeliciter perducitur ad effectum, prout dicetur in sequentibus; he being consecrated not long after. The Archbishops and Bishops having agreed to grant the King a Disme towards the relief of the Holy Land, by advice of the King's Council in Parliament, appointed it to be collected by the Bishops of Norwich, Chichester, and Abbot of Westminster, in manner following, for which they assigned them an annual stipend, thus entered in the Patent Rolls. MEmorandum, quod in Parliamento à die Paschae in tres Septiman. Anno Regni Pat. 38 H. 3. m. 3. De quibusdam assignatis ad negotium Crucis exequendū. Regis Henrici, etc. 38. London. celebrato, praesentibus Domina Regina, R. Com. Cornub. & aliis Domini Regis fidelibus, W. & J. Norwic. & Cicestr. Episcopi, ac Abbas Westmonasterii, quibus negotium Crucis in Anglia, una cum collectione Decimae Beneficiorum Ecclesiasticorum Domino Regi in subsidium Terrae Sanctae, à sede Apostolica deputatae, est ejusdem sedis authoritate commissum Cantuar. & Ebor. Provincias, inter se taliter deviserunt; videlicet, quod Episcopus Norwicensis Vice sua & Collegarum suarum per Dioceses infra scriptas expediet negotia Crucis, tàm in dictae Decimae collectione quam in omnibus aliis Crucis negotium contingentibus, scilicet, per Dioc. London. excepto Archidiaconatu Midd. & per Eliensem, Norwicensem, Lincolniensem, Coventr. & Litchfield. Civitates & Dioc. Item, per totam Provinciam Ebor. in Anglia, Episcopus vero Cicestr. per Cantuar. Roffen. Cicestr. & Winton. Civitates & Diocaeses; Abbas autem Westm. per Sarr. Bathon. & Wellens. Wygorn. Exon. Hereford. Menevens. Landavens. Bangor. & Sancti Asaph Civitates & Diocaeses; & per Archidiaconatum Midd. Dicti siquidem Regina & Com. & alii de Consilio Domini Regis tunc in Parliamento praesentes, praedictis Episcopis & Abbati pro se & Ministris suis in negotio Crucis laborantibus expensas assignaverunt in hac forma; videlicet, Episcopo Norwicen. D. Marc. Episcopo Cicestr. CC. Marc. & Abbati Westm. CCC. Marc. de pecunia Crucis per ipsos colligenda, annuatim percipiend. per illud triennium, quo fiet collecta dicto Domino Regi concessa de Decima proventuum Ecclesiasticorum Regni Angliae, & aliarum terrarum suarum. In cujus, etc. Teste ut supra apud Windes. 17 die Maii. Per Reginam & Com. Richardo rd. & de consensu Episcoporum & Abbatis Westm. ad negotium Crucis assignatorum. They likewise issued this Patent to the Freers Minorites and Predicants to assist them therein. REX dilectis sibi in Christo Ministris & Fratribus Minoribus universis per Angliam Pat. 38 H. 3. m. 3. dorso. De negotio Crucis. constitutis, salutem. Cum praedicatio Crucis Christi & caetera negotium Crucis contingentia, Venerabilibus in Christo Patribus W. & J. Norwicen. & Cicestr. Episcopis▪ & Abbati Westm. ad instantiam nostram, authoritate sedis Apostolicae sint commissa, vos affectuosè rogamus, quatenus cum ab ipsis vel eorum aliquo fueritis requisiti, consilii & auxilii beneficium super hiis quae praedictum negotium contingunt, & praecipuè super praedicatione verbi Jesu Christi eis, vel al is quibus vices suas commiserint in hac parte favorabiliter impendatis▪ ita quod apud homines vos accrescat dignae laudis praeconium, et apud Deum cujus negotium agitur (as was pretended) cumulus praecon●orum. Teste A. Regina & R. Comite Cornub. apud Wintoniam, 23. die Maii. Eodem modo (scribitur) Priori Provinciali & Fratribus Praedicatoribus universis per Angliam constitutis. Teste ut supra, & Priori Provinciali Fratrum Praedicatorum in Anglia, & Ministro Fratrum Minorum in Anglia. How and by what process they were to proceed herein, is thus recorded. REX Venerabilibus Patribus W. & J. Norwicen. & Cicestr. Episcopis, & dilecto Claus. 38 H. 3. m. 8. dorso. De Decimis Ecclesiarum ad negotium Crucis. sibi in Christo R. Abbati Westm. salutem. Cum nuper consilio nostro commoranti in Anglia per Literas significaveritis, quod in ponenda Decima proventuum beneficiorum Ecclesiasticorum Regni nostri nobis à sede Apostolica in subsidium Terra Sanctae concessa, formam subscriptam provideritis, per quam creditis & firmiter tenetis vos posse procedere, videlicet, per sententiam Excommunicationis promulgandae in omnes personas Ecclesiasticas, qui justam proventuum suorum aestimationem, expensis tantum necessariis deductis, fraudulenter occultabant, & si aliquos suspectos meritò habueritis, quod sua beneficia minus plenè aestimaverint, per Sacramentum ipsornm vel vicinorum suorum rei veritatem plenius eruendo: Vobis significandum duximus, quod ex quo vobis videtur, quod forma illa est idonea, eam approbamus, consulentes, quod collectis fructibus primum terminum ad pecuniam solvendam circa festum Sancti Michaelis proximo futur. praefigatis, & si ad unum terminum haberi non poterit, praefigatis alios terminos solutionis ejusdem pecuniae prout nobis magis videritis expedire. Praetereà placet consilio nostro, quod aliquem Clericum de quo confideritis, & qui melius noverit Clericos Hiberniae quam nos noverimus, mittatis in Hiberniam ad dictam Decimam, una cum Venerabili Patri L. Dublinensi Archiepiscopo, & Magistro Johanne de Frissinton qui prius de negotio illo se intromiserunt colligendam, & ad negotium crucis cum ipsis exequendum. Constituentes ei quem ad hoc ad partes illas mittendum duxeritis necessarias expensas de Decima praedicta. Mittimus etiam vobis Literas nostras idem negotium contingentes de quibus praefato consilio nostro significastis. Vosque attentè rogamus quatenus in dicto negotio procedatis, prout commodo nostro magis videritis expedire. Teste A. Regina nostra, & R. Com. Cornub. fratre nostro apud Winton. 28. die Maii, Anno Regni nostri 38. In August following the King issued these Patents to the Archbishops, Bishops, Abbots, Priors, Archdeacon's, Officials, Deans, and other Prelates in Ireland, specially to promote this Croysado and Disme in Ireland, and to assist those sent thither to collect it, whereof one was the Pope's Subdeacon, (who shared with the King in this booty.) REX Archiepiscopis, Episcopis, & dilectis sibi in Christo Abbatibus, Prioribus, Pat. 38 H. 3▪ m. 2. intus. De quodam admittendo in Hibernia ad Decimas Ecclesiarum colligendas. Archidiaconis, Officialibus, Decanis, & omnibus aliis Ecclesiarum Praelatis in Hibernia constitutis, salutem. Cum venerabilem in Christo R. Dublin. Archiepiscopum, & dilectos Clericos nostros Magistrum Laurentium de Summercote Domini Papae Subdiaconum, & Canonicum Cicestr. & Magistrum Johannem de Frisin▪ assignaverimus ad negotium Crucis in Hibernia exequendum, & ad decimam proventuum beneficiorum Ecclesiasticorum ejusdem Terrae nobis in subsidium Terrae Sanctae à sede Apostolica concessam colligendam, universitatem vestram affectuosè requirimus, quatenus eisdem Archiepiscopo Laurentio & Johanni & hiis quos ipsi ad vos ex parte sua destinaverint ad praedicta negotia foeliciter expedienda, consilium vestrum & auxilium efficaciter impendatis: Ita vos in hac parte habentes, quod diligentiam vestram ad hoc appositam meritò debeamus Literae commendatam. In cujus, &c.▪ Teste R. Com. Cornub. apud Westm. 4. die Augusti. The Bishops of Norwich, Chichester, and Abbot of Westminster being appointed chief Collectors of this Disme, sent this Commission to the Archbishop of Dublin and others to collect and lay up this Disme in Ireland, thus recorded. OMnibus Christi fidelibus praesentes Literas inspecturis vel audituris, W. & J. Claus. 38 H. 3. m. 5. De quodam misso in Hibernia ad Decimas Ecclesiarum colligendas. Norwicen. & Cicestr. Episcopi, & R. Abbas Westmonasterii, salutem. Cum nobis specialiter per Summum Pontificem sit injunctum, quod per nos & alios quos ad hoc idoneos viderimus, negotium Crucis & collectionem Decimarum proventuum Ecclesiasticorum per Regnum Angliae & alias terras Regi Anglia subjectas exaequamur, prout in Literis Domini Papae nobis super hoc directis plenius continetur: Nos L. Archiepiscopo Dublin. Magistro Laurentio de Sumercote, & Johanni de Frissinon in executione dicti negotii Crucis, crucesignatorum tuitione, Justitiae exhibitione, & collectione Decimarum proventuum Ecclesiasticorum tàm minorum quam majorum, & omnibus articulis dicta negotia contingentibus, & sine quibus expediri non possunt, per totum Regnum Hiberniae committimus vices nostras, ut ●psi tàm per se quam per alios quos ad hoc idoneos elegerunt, quibus omnibus & singulis vices nostras committimus, omnia & singula dicta negotia contingentia exequantur. Sententias verò quas tulerint in rebelles ratas habebimus, & eas faciemus Deo auctore inviolabiliter observari. Volumus autem, quod pecuniam quam receperint in locis tutis deponant, quousque à Domino Rege vel à nobis aliud receperint in mandatis. Quod si non omnes hiis exequendis potuerint interesse, duo vel unus ea nihilominus exequantur, provisione quod in receptione pecuniae & ipsius depositione absque praesentia dicti Magistri Laurentii, vel alterius ab eo specialiter deputati, quem de consilio Domini Regis hiis negotiis praeficimus, nihil penitus attemptetur. Si autem circa dictorum negotiorum executionem dubitatio oriatur, damus specialem potestatem dicto Magistro eam interpretandi nomine nostro, qui in hiis omnibus nostras voluntates novit plenius & processus: Transcripta vero Literarum Papalium eidem Magistro tradidimus, quorum quaedam sigillo Domini Regis & nostris, quaedam nostris tantum, quaedam Cicestrensis Episcopi solummodo fecimus sigillari. In cujus, etc. praesentibus sigillum Domini Regis una cum nostris apponi procuravimus. Dat. etc. These Commissioners granted this Annual Salary by another Writ, by advice of the King's Council, to Laurence Sumercote, sent into Ireland to collect this Disine. OMnibus, etc. ut supra, salutem. Noveritis nos Anno Domini 1254. in festo Claus. 38 H. 3. m. 5. dors. Sanctae Mariae Magdalenae convenisse cum Magistro Laurentio de Sumercote quem in Hiberniam mittimus pro negotio Crucis, & Decima Ecclesiasticorum proventuum ibidem colligenda de Consilio R. Com. Cornubiae, & aliorum Consiliariorum Domini Regis, quod idem Magister recipiet annuatim anno & termino praedicto currere incipiente, Centum Libras sterlingorum pro expensis suis & Clericorum suorum, ac familiae universae de pecunia Crucis in Hibernia per manus Collegarum suorum, quibus eadem negotia sunt commissa. Et si humanitus contingeret de altero Collegarum, alter qui superstes fuerit eidem Magistro eandem pecuniam numerabit. Hanc vero pecuniam recipiet idem Magister quamdiu se de praedictis negotiis intromittet, vel donec commissionem eidem factam duxerimus revocandam. Si autem medio tempore humanitus contigerit de eodem Magistro, tunc pro rata temporis solvetur eidem vel Executor. suis portio pecuniae supradictae. Praedictus vero Magister Juramento corporaliter praestito nobis promisit, quod fideliter & diligenter in praemissis laborabit, & de Administratione sua reddet nobis fideliter rationem. In cujus, etc. ut supra. These Patents and Grants of theirs were backed with this other in the King's name, signed by the Earl of Cornwall, than keeper of the Realm in the King's absence. REX L. Dublin. Archiepiscopo, & Magistro Johanni de Frissinon, salutem. Claus. 38 H. 3. m. 3. intus. Hibern. Sciatis quod associavimus vobis Magistrum Laurentium de Sumercote, Domini Papae Subdiaconum, & Canonicum Cicestrensem, ad negotium Crucis exequendum in Hibernia, & ad Decimam proventuum beneficiorum Ecclesiasticorum ejusdem terrae nobis concessam unà vobiscum colligendam. Ipsumque ad vos ad hoc mittimus, mandantes, quatenus ipsum Magistrum Laurentium commendatum habentes, ipsum ad praedicta negotia vobiscum expedienda admittatis, & eidem de pecunia Crucis singulis annis habere faciatis Centum Libras sterlingorum pro expensis suis & Clericowm suorum, & familiae suae quamdiu de praedictis negotiis se intromiserit, & donec W. & J. Norwic. & Cicestr. Episcopi, & Abbas Westm. commissionem eidem Magistro factam duxerint revocandam, prout in Literis Patentibus eorundem Episcoporum & Abbatis vobis inde directis, quibus sigillum nostrum est appensum, continetur, quia de eadem pecunia nihil recepit in Anglia. Teste R. Com. Cornub. apud Westm. 5. die Augusti. The Archbishop of Ardmach in Ireland consecrating one Geoffry de Cusak Bishop of Meden in Ireland, elected without the King's commandment, licence, or subsequent confirmation, who thereupon took upon him to confer Benefices belonging to the Bishopric; the King upon complaint of another elected and confirmed Bishop thereof by the King's consent, though not consecrated, issued this memorable Writ to the chief Justice of Ireland, to preserve the Rights of his Crown against these conspirators, to make void and null all presentations of the intruder, and to punish all resisters in such manner as the Writ prescribes. REX Justic. Hiberniae, salutem. Monstravit H. Medensis Episcopus, quod postquam Claus. 38 H. 3. m. 10. dorso. Hibern. recuperaverat spiritualia Episcopatus sui ab illis ad quos confirmatio sua pertinebat, & à nobis Temporalia, frater Galfr. de Cusak, gerens se pro Episcopo Medersi, qui consecratus fuerat per Archiepiscopum Armacanum, in Regiae dignitatis praejudicium, cum id a nobis nullum habuisset assensum, nec ante confirmationem suam petivisset, contulit quasdam Ecclesias in praejudicium nostri, necnon et ipsius H. quarum unam recepit R. de Norwic. Cancellar. noster Hibern. Et ideo vobis mandamus, quod eidem Radulpho ex parte nostra firmiter injungatis, quod Ecclesiam illam in praejudicium nostri non praesumat retinere, et de caetero similia facere non praesumat; excommunicatos etiam ab eodem H. vel Officialibus suis cum vobis fuerint denunciati, secundum consuetudinem Hiberniae capi faciatis, ac resistentiam Laicalem quam in Ecclesiis contra ipsum vel suos inveneritis amoveri faciatis. Et si aliqui sibi vel suis de rebus vel corporibus suis fuerint minati, ab ipsis bonam securitatem per sufficientes plegios cap. quod nihil mali eidem electo vel suis per ipsos eveniet. E●praemissa eo diligentius exequamini, quod praedicti Archiepiscopus et frater G. nituntur excludere nos et haeredes nostros, ne licentia a nobis requiratur eligendi Episcopum in Ecclesia Medensi, quod in gravem laesionem juris nostri redundaret. Teste A. Reginam, & R. Comitem, apud Westm. 8. die Maii. Per Reginam. After which the intruded Bishop procuring a Letter from the Pope to some Bishops and other persons in Ireland, to examine this difference between the Bishop elected, approved by the King's licence, and this intruder, (by the Pope's authority) in prejudice of the King's ancient Right and Regal authority, the King thereupon issued this memorable Writ and Prohibition to them, not to do any thing therein to his or the Bishop elects prejudice, under pain of seizing their Temporalties; declaring his own and his Progenitors right, that no Bishops ought to be elected in Ireland, but by his precedent licence, and subsequent ratification of them. REX Laon. Episcopo, Archid. Waterford, & Ministro ordinis fratrum Minorum Claus. 38 H. 3▪ m. 13. in Hibernia, salutem. Cum temporibus Progenitorum nostrorum & nostra consuetudo hactenus sit obtenta, Quod vacantibus Archiepiscopatibus, Episcopatibus terrae nostrae Hiberniae, a nobis petita fuerit licentia eligendi, et factis electionibus noster assensus requiri consueverit: Et etiam in ultima vacatione Episcopatus Med●●si, videlicet antequam R●chardus quondam Medensis Episcopus, in ejusdem loci Episcopum eligeretur, a nobis fuerit licentia eligendi petita, et electione de ipso facta, noster super hoc requisitus fuerit assensus; miramur quamplurimum, quod B. Armachanus Archiepiscopus, et Fr. Galfr. de Cusac, juri et possessioni nostrae in hac parte se opponunt. Et ideo vobis mandamus, in fide qua nobis tenemini firmiter injungentes, quatenus in cognitione causae quae vertitur coram vobis authoritate Literarum Domini Papae, inter Hugonem Medens●m electum ex una parte, & praedictos Archiepiscopum & fratrem G. ex altera, super praedicta licentia eligendi taliter vos geratis, quod dignitas Regia nullam in hac parte jurium suorum, vel possessionis suae sustineat laesionem. Scituri, quod si secus egeritis, dissimulare non poterimus quin contra vos, et praedictos Archiepiscopum et fratrem Galfr. manum prout expedire viderimus extendamus. Teste A. Regina nostra, & R. Comite Cornubiae fratre nostro, apud Windes. 16 die Februarii. Per Consilium. This right of the Kings in Ireland, is thus ratified by the Kings own licence granted to the Dean and Chapter of Waterford, whiles in Gascoigne. REX concessa Decano & Capitulo Waterford. Ecclesiae licentia eligendi, volens Rot. Vascon. 38 H. 3. m. 3. intus. Pro Decano & Capitulo Waterford. eorum parcere laboribus & expensis mandat J. filio Galfr. Justic. suo Hiberniae, quod cum eorum electus vel postulatus ei fuerit praesentatus, Regium ei assensum adhibeat et favorem, dum tamen nulla sit Regi ratione suspectus: et cum assensum suum loco Regis obtinuerit, et postea beneficium confirmationis obtinuerit, & hoc eidem Justic. constiterit de praedicto Episcopatu & omnibus ad eundem Episcopatum pertinentibus quae fuerunt in manu Regis, eidem electo vel postulato plenam seisinam habere fac. accepto prius, ab eodem electo vel postulato fidelitate Regidebita et consueta. Et quod provideat, quod ab eodem Decano & Capitulo Literas habeat Patentes & continentes, quod istam gratiam R. temporibus futuris non trahat in consequentiam. In cujus, etc. Dat. per manum nostram apud Milan. 28 die Marcii, Anno Regni nostri 38. The King being in Gascoigne and wanting aid, sent this Writ to the Chief Justice of Ireland, to come thither in person with a good Train of men to aid him, if there were no danger of an insurrection from the Irish, else to send Maurice fitz Gerald to him with a competent Train, and to borrow money from the Pope's Collector in Ireland with his consent for that affair, to be repaid him at a certain day. REX J. filio Galfridi Justic. suo Hyberniae, salutem. Quia audivimus, quod Claus. 38 H. 3. m. 9 dorso. Hybern. Hybernienses nimis superbiunt propter adventum vestrum, & dilecti & fidelis nostri Mauritii filii Ger. & aliorum Magnatum nostrorum Hyberniae ad nos in Wascon. comminantes paci & tranquillitati Terrae nostrae Hyberniae: Vobis mandamus, quod si salvo statu praedictae Terrae, & sine periculo ejusdem ad nos venire possitis in Wasconiam, ad nos illuc cum honesta Comitiva armatorum, tàm ad denarios nostros si opus fuerit, quam aliunde, cum omni festinatione veniatis; dimissis in praefata terra Hyberniae, ad defensionem ejusdem Terrae praefato Mauritio, & aliis probis hon inibus praedictae Terrae, quos ad defensionem ejusdem Terrae sufficientes & idoneos reputatis. Ita quod securi sitis, quod propter recessum vestrum nullum nobis aut dilecto filio nostro Edwardo immineat periculum in hac parte. Et si fortè tantus sit timor, vel tantum periculum Terrae Hyberniae memoratae, quod vos personaliter ad nos venire non possitis, tunc cum omni celeritate m●ttatis ad nos in Wascon. honorabilem Comitivam Militum & servientum quantum poteritis cum dicto Mauritio, vel aliquo alio probo Capitaneo quem ad hoc eligatis, salva securitate praedictae Terrae. Et si a Magistro Johanne de Frissinon, de pecunia quam Dominus Papa habet in Hybernia, mutuum ad opus nostrum habere possitis, mutuum illud per bonam voluntatem ejusdem Johannis contrahatis certis die et loco reddendam, deferentes vobiscum vel mittentes pecuniam quam ab eo mutuo receperitis, & de Thesauro nostro Hyberniae quantum fieri poterit tàm de Termino Pasch. proximo praeterito quam aliunde. In cujus, etc. Per Reginam & Com. The King issued this Prohibition to stay a Suit concerning Common of Pasture in the Spiritual Court, belonging to the Temporalties of the Bishopric of Lincoln, then in his hands. MAndatum est Magistro Willielmo de Haya, ne teneat placitum in Curia Christianitatis Claus. 38 H. 3. m. 11. dorso De non tenendo placitum in Curia Christianitatis. de Communa Pasturae in Newenton, pertinente ad Episcopatum Lincoln. qui vacans est & in manu Regis. Unde Galfr. de Parco queritur quod Robertus Vicarius de Newton trahit, etc. quia Rex vult & tenetur servare Temporalia praedicti Episcopatus in eodem statu in quo ea recepit, & hujusm odi placita spectant, etc. Teste, etc. apud Merleberg. 28 die Marcii. Per H. de Bath. The 12. day of October 38 H. 3. the King issued this Writ under the Teste of the Earl of Cornwall, declaring the Archbishop's right of Patronage to the Temporalties of the Bishopric of Rochester, and to have the aid due from him to make the King's son a Knight. CUM Archiepiscopus Cantuar. totius Angliae Primas patronatum habeat omnium Claus. 38 H. 3. m. 2. intus. Pro Archiepiscopo Cantuar. * Here p. 339. Temporalium Episcopatus Roffensis, per * Chartam Domini J. Regis, quam Regi ostendit, & Episcopus Roffensis servitia inde Regi debita facere debeat tanquam Domino & Patrono: Mandatum est Baronibus de Scaccario, quod auxilium quod levatur in feodis Episcopatus Roffensis, ad primogenitum filium Regis Militem faciendum, à dicto Episcopo Roffensi habere faciant Archiepiscopo praedicto, non obstante si aliquis Episcoporum Roffensium, illud aliquando solverit ad Scaccarium Regis, Cantuariensi Archiepiscopo ignorante. Teste R. Comite Cornubiae apud Westmonasterium, 12 die Octobris. Cum Archiepiscopus Cantuar. returnum brevium Regis habeat in feodis Cantuar. Ecclesiae, & patronatum omnium Temporalium Episcopatus Roffensis, sicut de feodis Cantuar. Ecclesiae, per Chartam J. Regis, quam idem Archiepiscopus Regi ostendit: Mandatum est Vic. Norff. quod returnum brevium Regis in feodis praedicti Episcopatus Roffen. in Balliva sua sicut in caeteris feodis Cantuar. Ecclesiae, eidem Archiepiscopo habere faciat. Teste ut supra. But upon better advice October 30. there issued this memorable Prohibition to the Archbishop of Canterbury, not to demand any Escuage from the Bishop of Rochester, and to him not to pay it, without consideration of his Council, and judgement first had to which of them it belonged. REX Archiepiscopo Cantuariensi, salutem. Datum est intelligi Consilio nostro Claus. 38 H. 3. m. 15. intus. De prohibitione facta Archiepiscopo Cant. pro Rege. in Anglia commoranti, quod vos exigitis à à L. Roffensi Episcopo Scutag. de feodis Militum quae tenet, unde nos sumus inseisina. Et cum nobis agentibus extra Regnum deputati sitis unus ejusdem gubernator, tolerare non debetis nos privari possessione nostra in hac parte. Quapropter paternitatem vestra● rogamus attentè, quatenus à praedicta exactione de●istere velitis, do nec discutiat●r ad quem nostrum pertineant praedictorum feodorum servitia. Teste A. Regina, & R. Com. Cornub▪ fratre, apud Westm. 30 die Octobris. Per R. Com. Cornub. & Consilium. Et mandatum est Roffensi Episcopo, ne de hiis de quibus Rex possessionem habet, eidem Archiepiscopo vel alii aliquid faciat stne consideratione Curiae Regis. Teste ut supra. The Archbishop's Official having given sentence in a case of Matrimony for Henry de Sobburr, that Hawis was his lawful wife, the King issued this Writ to the Sheriff of Gloucester to put him in full possession of her lands and goods. QUia B. Cantuar. Archiepiscopus Regi per Literas suas Patentes signisicavit, quod Claus. 38 H. 3. m. 2. intus. Pro Henrico de Sobburr. Hawis de Longo Campo adjudicata est Henr. de Sobburr in uxorem legitimam, per sententiam diffinitivam latam in causa Matrimoniali quae vertebatur coram Magistro Eustach. de Lenn Offic. ipsius Archiepiscopi, inter ipsum Henricum ex una parte, & dictam Hawis ex altera: Mandatum est V●c. Glouc. quod eidem Henr. de terris, possessionibus & catallis ipsius Hawis plenam seisinam sine dilatione habere fac. Teste R. Com. Cornub. apud Westm. 12 die Octobris. He likewise by his Ecclesiastical Prerogative, issued this Writ to the Sheriff of Lincoln, to deliver some persons taken upon a Writ of Excommunicato capiendo, to the Archbishop's Official, during the vacancy of the Bishopric of Lincoln. MAndatum est Vic. Linc. quod Willielmum de Trikingham, & Robertum de Howton Claus. 38 H. 3. m. 14. De quibusdam liberandis Offic. Cantuariensis Archiepiscopi. quos ob contumaciam Excommunicatos ad suggestionem R. Linc. Episcopi nuper defuncti Rex capi & in prisona detrudi praecepit, liberet Magistro Eustachio de Lenn, Offic. B. Cantuar. Archiepiscopi, qui Jurisdictionem Episcopalem obtinet in praesenti. Teste A. Regina, & R. Com. Cornub. apud Westm. 27 die Novembris. Per mandatum Archiepisc. Cantuar. & Consil. The King having seized into his hands the Lands and Tenements of the Dean and Chapter of York, upon a complaint for encroaching upon the Rights of his Crown, and Citizens Liberties, in their Ecclesiastical Court, commanded the Sheriff to restore them, provided that they should answer their offence in the King's Court, whenever they should be summoned. MAndatum est Vic. Eborum, quod terras & tenementa Decani & Canonicorum Claus. 38 H. 3. m. 8. intus. Pro Capitulo S. Petri Ebor. Ecclesiae Sancti Petri Eborum, quae in manum Regis occasione contentionum inter ipsos & Cives Regis Eborum ortarum capi praecepit, eisdem Decano & Canonicis per plevinam rehabere faciat. Ita quod in Curia Regis coram Rege vel consilio suo respondeant praefatis Civibus de hiis quae erga eos proponere voluerint, cum iidem Decanus & Canonici ad hoc summoniti vel attachiati fuerint. Teste A. Regina, & R. Com. Cornub. primo die Maii. Per Com. Richard. The complaints follow in Claus. 39 H. 3. of which in due place. The King from beyond Seas issued this precept to the Barons of the Exchequer to issue moneys for the repair of the Church of Westminster, which he intended to have consecrated before his voyage to the Holy Land. QUia Rex proponit per auxilium divinum, quod Ecclesia Westm. dedicetur, antequam Rot. Vascon. 38 H. 3. m. 4. intus. De dedicatione Ecclesiae Westm. iter arripiat in Terram Sanctam, videlicet à die Sancti Edwardi, Anno Regni, etc. Tricesimo octavo, in unum annum, quo die per Dei gratiam Regia Corona decorabitur. Mandatum est Phil. Luvel Thesaurario, & omnibus Baronibus suis de Scaccario, quod tria millia Marc. per annum assignari fac. ad opus Ecclesiae praedictae promovendum & expediendum. In cujus, etc. Et mandatum est Reginae & Com. quod hoc fieri fac. Dat. per manum nostram apud Milan. 20 die Marcii, Anno Regni nostri 38. The King by virtue of his Prerogative Royal, issued Writs to inquire of the real values of the Manors, Lands, Rents, and Revenues of Religious persons, (in nature of Doomsday Book) that he might the better improve them when they fell into his hands by vacancies, or deaths of Abbots and Priors, towards the debts he contracted by his foreign Wars, which the Monkish Historians thus relate. Circa idem tempus, scilicet in festo Sancti Edwardi, egressum est breve inauditum Mat. Paris Hist. Angl. p. 866. Inauditum mandatum Regis Angliae. à Cancellaria Domini Regis, in quo nil boni poterat sperari vel autumari. Henricus Dei gratia, etc. Inquiratur in Maneriis Religiosorum, quot sint carucae propriae ad colendum Dominicum, & quot sint consuetudinariae, & utrum illae ex sui diminutione possint constituere unam carucam per annum, vel majus vel minus? Similiter inquiratur de carucis precariis. It erum inquiratur cujus aestimationis sit, quilibet per se communibus annis singillatim, deductis expensis necessariè impensis. Item inquiratur cujus aestimationis sint opera & servitia rusticorum per annum quae praestantur Dominis pro terris suis. Item, qui, & quanti & quales sint redditus eorum in singulis Maneriis per annum. Ista inquisitio fiat per quatuor viros fideles & praepositos loci ex singulis Maneriis Religiosorum. Rex interea moram in Gasconia protrahens infructuosam, Thesauri sui non tantum Mat. Paris Hist. Angl. p. 867. Rex ex bonis Abbatium vacantium solvit suis debitoribus habiti, sed habendi inaestimabilem summam consumpsit. Et se suumque Regnum & Ecclesiam Anglicanam gravibus debitis irretivit: & si esset venalis Gasconia, non tanti esset, ut arbitramur. Et cum de morte Abbatum memoratorum certificaretur, & quorundam aliorum Praelatorum defunctorum, utpote Episcopi Eliensis, & Abbatis Seleby, & multorum aliorum, quorum memores non sumus in praesentiarum, bona Ecclesiarum eorum jussit in fiscum redigi, et usurariis, quibus tenebatur debitis obligatus, non veritus horribilem sententiam Londini latam, persolvi. Nec tamen aliquatenus Chartas pactas observavir. What new unheard of forgeries, and unjust devices were set on foot by the Pope and his Agents to oppress the Clergy of England, and involve them in bonds and debts to the Pope and King, (who served each others turns) and that by the treachery of the Bishop of Hereford and other Prelates, to ingratiate themselves with both, these passages fully relate. Diebus autem sub eisdem, Episcopus Herefordensis Petrus de Eg●●l●●ke (cujus Mat. Paris Hist. p. 881, 882. Mat. Westm. Anno 1255. p. 274. Episcopi Herefordensis consilium pr●●●m. memoria sulphureum foetorem exhalat ac deterrimum) ad Regem vo●●t, quem noverat totis nisibus Thesauros desiderare, & eye indigere: illiusque auribus instillavit hoc virosum consilium, dicens: Consenti Domine mi proposito meo, & inopiam tuam non tantum relevabo, sed te faciam usque ad summam abundantiam Thesauris abundare. Si enim quasi ad aliquod leve negotium mihi feceris tria vel quatuor sigilla de aliquibus authenticis Angliae Praelatis haebere: ego nova interpretatione inducam Dominum Papam (ut firmiter spero) ad hoc, ut obligent se singuli Angliae Praelati, quasi coacti nolentes, ad maximam pecuniae solutionem, ut indigentiae tuae ad plenum satisfiat. Et cum inclinasset cor Regis ad consensum, gavisi sunt quamplurimum. Et confestim transalpinavit Episcopus, ut promissa effectui manciparet, adjuncto sibi quodam socio Roberto videlicet Walerano, ut efficacius Dominum Papam fascinaret. Et cum Romam pervenisset, invenit Papam moestum & confusum, pro adversis quae Ecclesiae nuper contigerunt. Erat insuper tot debitis innodatus, quod audientium mentibus merito stupoporem poterant generare. Quae omnia, Rex Angliae sub poena exhaeredationis solvere tenebatur. Instabant insuper Mercatores transalpini usurarii, exigentes urgentissimè & assiduè, ut persolvantur eis debita sua: quae quotidiè propter usuras, poenas, & interesse, non minima suscipiebant incrementa. Et cum sic angeretur Papa, respondit Episcopus: Sancte Pater, ne sollicitetur paternitas tua de quantitate & numero debitorum, licet inaestimàbili, quia ante recessum nostrum ab Anglia, Dominus Rex, ego & hic miles peritissimus, providimus tutam viam & certam formam, qualiter omnia sine difficultate solventur: dummodò de favore & licentia tua, liceat mihi, quae cor meum parturiunt, prosequicum effectu. Dominus enim Rex tibi & Ecclesiae Romanae devotissimus, adeò Ecclesiae & viris Ecclesiasticis pronus est & munificus, tot exhibens officia, tot conferens beneficia, in holosericis, aedificiis, cereis, donativis, pretiosis & variis, quod Dei & omnium hominum sibi gratiam comparavit. Similiter & Nobilibus suis tot confert munera, interris, gardis, & redditibus, ut meritò debeat charissimus omnibus reputari. Nuper per Franciam transiens, tot Ecclesiis cyphos argenteos, pallas, monilia, & Magnatibus Francorum & Praelatis tot contulit donativa in vasis, annulis, zonis, & firmaculis, tàm opere quam materia pretiosis; ut Francis suscitaret laudem & admirationem, per quod nomen Anglorum famosum sydera penetravit. Hinc est quod desiderant Angli sitienter, & multum complaceret eis, ex praecepto tuo seipsos exinanire & gravare, & ad hoc obligare, ut cogerentur pia voluntate ipsum jam dilectum Regem à debitis omnibus liberare. Et ostendens Literas, quas vulpina calliditate de quibusdam Praelatis extorserat, & sigillis eorum consignaverat, se reddidit de praedictis commentis credibilem, & Papam fallaciis proniorem. Cui Papa: Frater & amice charissime, fac super hoc quod industria vestra quamplurimum commendamus, viderit expedire. Episcopus igitur Herefordensis adjunctis sibi quibusdam Cardinalibus, quorum arbitrio Proditio inaudita. bulla exponebatur, quorumque consilio Papa praedecessoris sui praesumptuosum factum exequebatur, Praelatos Angliae hujus fraudis penitus ignaros ad libitum obligavit, ita graviter, ut si omnia retroacta gravamina recenserentur, hujus exactionis respectu levia possent reputari, annectens in Literis quaedam mendacia manifesta. Quod scilicet tenebantur Praelati singuli, ad solvendum tali & tali Mercatori Senensi, aut Florentino, tantam pecuniam; quam mutuò, ad expedienda quaedam utiliter negotia Ecclesiarum suarum, receperunt; cum tamen nullum eorum unquam vidisset, vel cognovisset, vel de aliqua mentio pecunia facta fuisset. Sin autem infra brevissimum terminum injuncta non persolverent, plenam habebant potestatem ipsi usurarii, (quos Franci Bugeros vulgariter appellant) insontes Dei famulos, Ecclesiae Praelatos, ommmodis punire sententiis, jacturis gravibus condemnare, & angariis fatigare, sicut sequens sermo loco suo & tempore declarabit. To promote these Papal frauds and other Exactions. Circa dies eosdem, Dominus Papa Alexander destinavit ad partes Anglicanas, Magistrum Mat. Paris Hist. p. 884, 885. M. Rustandus à Papa destinatus, venit in Angliam. Rustandum Legistam, natione Gasconiensem, Subdiaconum suum, dans Domino Archiepiscopo Cantuariersi, & Ep scopo Herefordensi, & eidem Rustando potestatem colligend decimam de Anglia, de Scotia, & de Hibernia, ad opus Domini Papae vel Regis indifferenter, non obstantibus aliquibus Literis indulgentiis prius directis, sub quacunque forma verborum, vel etiam causa, pro qua concessa ●uit, vel omni quod intelligi possit obstaculo. Dedit etiam eisdem Dominus Papa potestatem absolvendi Dominum Regem crucesignatum a voto suo, * Notwithstanding all his former Writs, Oaths, Engagements, Declarations to foreign Princes, to perform this voyage. ne iret in terram Hierosolymitanam, ita tamen ut iret in Apuliam hostiliter, ad debellandum Manfredum filium Frederici quondam Imperatoris validum Ecclesiae Romanae inimicum. Accepto à Domino Rege Sacramento per Episcopum Bononiensem, specialiter ad hoc à Domino Papa destinatum, & ad investiendum Aedmundum de Regno Siciliae, ut praedictum est. The Pope having conferred Sicily and Apulia upon the King, to engage him against Conrade and Manfred, writ Letters to Richard Earl of Cornwall to lend him moneys and promote an aid to carry on that War, which the Earl, Nobles and Prelates assembled in Parliament utterly refused to lend or grant upon the Pope's account. Anno verò sub eodem, ad festum Sancti Edwardi, fuerunt apud Westmonasterium Mat. Paris Hist. p. 884, 885. Mat. Westm. Anno 1254. p. 261. Parliamentum celebratum, propter commissionem M. Rustandis omnes ferè Angliae Magnates. Inter quos prius Rex alloquebatur fratrem suum Comitem Cornubiae Richardum, petens ab eo instantissimè auxilium pecuniare. Cui Comiti Dominus Papa similiter Literas deprecatorias direxerat, supplicans in quadraginta millibus, salvo fratri suo, mutuò subveniret, ut quasi dans ea eidem, pium daret aliis exemplum subveniendi. Comes autem nec preces Regis, nec Papae voluit exaudire, & eo maximè, quod negotium eundi in Apuliam assumpsit sine consilio suo & assensu Baronagii su●, sibilis Transalpinantium fascinatus. Ab aliis autem interpellatum fuit, de subventione facienda. Et responsum fuit, quod omnes tunc temporis non fuerunt juxta ●enorem Magnae Chartae suae vocati, & ideo sine paribus suis tunc absentibus, nullum voluerunt tunc responsum dare, vel auxilium concedere, vel praestare. Rex itaque ad consuetas conversus cavillationes, ut Magnates flecteret ad consensum, per multos dies negotium Parliam●nt● distulit inchoati, ita ut usque in mensem, fictis occasionibus negotium protelaret. Et tunc ad alium locum conciliaturos, evacuatis in Civitate Londinensi crumenis, potius provocavit, quam convocavit. Comes verò Richardus, vir cautus & circum spectus, Episcopum Herefordensem, & Robertum Walerannum socium suum, acriter & merito redarguit, eo quod tam enormiter in Regni subversionem, Regem infatuarent. Et sic infecto negotio singuli provocati, ad propria remearunt. Sciendumque quod quando Dominus Rex rediit de Gasconia, tenebatur debito trecentarum millium Marcarum & quinquaginta. Nec tamen idcirco desiit inconsultè, tàm prodigialiter, quam prodigaliter quotidiè Thesaurum suum habitum & habendum alienigenis distribuere, quem Anglia, quam puteum reputavit inexhaustum, fuerat ejectura. Electo etenim Tholet●no, redditum & Thesaurum contulit non modicum. Similiter & Episcopo Bononiensi, Rustando quoque cum donativis charissimis, contulit unam opimam Praebendam in Ecclesia Eboracensi. How much the Bishop of Hereford, and Rustand the Pope's Legate, abused, oppressed the Religious persons and Clergy of England this year, and what complaints they made against them, these passages discover. Episcopus Herefordensis cum suo Rustando in Praelatos Angliae, maximè Religiosos, Mat. Paris Hist. p. 885, 886. Literae Papales impetratae pe● Episcopum Herefordensem. authoritate Apostolica roboratus, desaevire coepit his Literis. ALEXANDER Episcopus servus servorum Dei, Episcopo Herefordensi, etc. Cum te sciamus pro utilitatibus & Conventus Sancti— ac Monasterii Sancti— pro quibus ad sedem Apostolicam accessisti, magna oportere subire gravamina expensarum, nepro defectu ipsarum eadem inexpedita remanere contingat, fraternitati tuae contrahendi mutuum propter hoc usque ad summam quingentarum, vel sexcentarum, vel septingentarum, vel amplius Marcarum sterlingorum, nomine dictorum Abbatis et Conventus, et Monasterii, et ipsos Abbatem et Conventum, ac successores eorundem, et ejusdem Monasterii bona creditoribus obligandi, ac renunciandi constitutioni de duabus diaetis editae in Concilio generali, & beneficio restitutionis in integrum & omnibus Literis indulgentiis Apostolicis impetratis, & impetrandis, necnon & conventioni judicum, si ipsorum creditorum nomine Apostolicas Literas super hoc cujuscunque tenoris in posterum impetrari contigerit, plenam auctoritate praesentium concedimus facultatem. Ita tamen, quod ipsi & successores eorum creditoribus hujusmodi pecuniam solvere, necnon ad damna & expensas ac interesse, si à termino à te statuendo, pecuniam eandem non solverunt, super quibus juramento ipsorum vel eorum alicujus, sine aliqua probatione, qui dictam pecuniam mutuaverint, credi volumus, teneantur. Et dictis creditoribus praetextu alicujus constitutionis Canonicae vel civilis, aut cujuscunque privilegii vel indulgentiae, de quibus in nostris literis plenam & expressam oportet fierimeutionem. Et ne ipsi successores eorum, amplius in aliquo valeant se tueri, dictam pecuniam in utilitatem ipsorum Abbatiis & Conventus, & Monasterii versam esse, probandi necessitas non incumbat. Data, etc. Eodem tempore, petiit Papa pecuniam sibi commodari à Comite Richardo, scilicet quinque millia Marcarum, ad promotionem nepotis sui Aedmundi. Cui Comes: Nolo thesaurum superiori commodare, quem non possum distringere. Haec et alia detestabilia, a sulphureo fonte Romanae Ecclesiae, proh pudor, imo et proh dolor, tunc temporis emanarunt. Hereupon, Rustandus tunc temporis universos Aagliae Praelatos convocavit auctoritate Mat. Paris Hist. p. 886, 887. Consilium Londini habitum à Praelatis Angliae. Papali Londinum conveniendos; ut ibi Domini Papae praeceptum obedienter audirent, in quindena sancti Michaelis. Et de arduis tam Domini Regis quam Papae negotiis contrectantes, tanquam filii obedientiae, discretè ac favorabiliter de rebus postulatis & postulandis responderent: Ubi cum dictis loco & tempore convenissent, lectis & intellectis Rustandi potestatibus, fecit idem sermonem fieri ab Vniversis, exigendo infinitam pecuniam per scripta plena injuriis et iniquitate, quae possent patientissimi cor virulenter sauciare. Quae pecunia, si consideretur et colligeretur, Ecclesia Anglicana, imo totum Regnum vilissimae subjaceret servituti, et irrestaurabili laederetur paupertate. Erat autem onus importabile, quod aliis imposuit bajulandum, nolens illud digito movere. Vt enim de aliis sileam, soli domui Sancti Albani injunxit sexcentas Marcas Domino Papae numerare; exceptis usuris et gravibus conditionibus, quibus ipsam domum arctarent Mercatores usurarii, quibus concessa potestas ad suae voluntatis fuerit arbitrium Ecclesias opprimendi. Praeterea conabantur Rustandus & Episcopus Herefordiensis, & eorum complices, terminum solutionis festinando abbreviare, sub poena suspentionis et excommunicationis. Quem terminum, nullo modo tenere possent Obligati. Sed hoc factum est, ut cogerentur Praelati mutuo accipere ipsam pecuniam a Mercatoribus, et eorum usuris illico intricati subjacere. Quod omnibus & singulis non tam difficile, sed impossibile videbatur. Et cum strictissimum consilium super his per plures dies haberetur, longa trahens, praecordialiter suspitia Episcopus Londinersis Fulco, ait. Antequam tantae Ecclesiae consentiam servituti et injuriae, ab intolerabili oppressione profecto decapitabor. Cujus constantiam cum audisset Episcopus Wygorniensis Walterus, ait in propatulo: Et ego priusquam tali subjaceat Ecclesia sancta subversioni, suspendio condemnabor. Quorum salubribus assertionibus omnes alii firmiter animati, constanter promiserunt se vestigia beati Thomae Martyris, qui pro libertate Ecclesiae se permisit excerebrari, pedetentim secuturos. Attamen arctabantur undique, Rex adversabatur, Papa pecuniae inhians inimicabatur, Magnates matri suae Ecclesiae non compatiebantur. Rustandus homo literatus & efficax ad nocendum stimulabat. Archiepiscopus Cantuariensis, qui vacillantis Ecclesiae Petri ac naviculae fluctuantis nauclerus esse teneretur; in partibus transmarinis ac remotis, terrenis negotiis implicatus, gregem suum minus quam expediebat gubernavit. Eboracensis Archiepiscopus, vir magni consilii & profundi pectoris, in fata concessit. Electus Wintoniensis, tum quia Pictaviensi●, tum quia frater Regis persequentis, tum quia nou Episcopus, suspectus habebatur, atque idcirco vitabatur. Herefordensis verò Episcopus non suspectus, sed manifestus adversarius habebatur. Invocata igitur Sancti Spiritus consolatione, appellantes ad praesentiam Papae, qui sinum refugii pandere habet omni oppresso, super tam intolerabili et inaudita exactione, contradixerunt voluntariis et impetuosis magistri Rustandi oppressionibus et comminationibus. Et illico acclamatum est Londini voce praeconia, auctoritate Episcopi Londinensis, ne aliquis auctoritate literarum magistri Rustandi placita moveret, vel exqueretur diebus pluribus. Quod cum eidem Rustando intimaretur, conquestus est Regi gravissimè, asserens quod Episcopus Londinensis omnes alios Praelatos animavit, ad contradicendum voluntati Regiae ac Papali. Rex autem iratus valdè conviciabatur Episcopo, asserens, quod nec ille Episcopus, ne aliquis de genere ejus ipsum Regem dilexisset. Et quod efficaciter pro urar●t, ut Papa animadverteret in ipsum et puniret. Ad quod Episcopus; Auferant Episcopatum, quem tamen, non possunt de jure auferre, Papa et Rex qui me fortiores sunt. Tollant mitram, galea remanebit. Ipso etiam tempore instillatum est multorum auribus quoddam incredibile, quod quidem absurdum est & nefas credere, quod scilicet quidam falsarii Bulla nequiter abutebantur. Et scedulis vacuis, Bullam appendebant; ut quid placeret, postea inscriberetur. Dicebant enim ad invicem: Non placeat Christo, ut Dominus Papa, qui proculdubio vir sanctissimus est, talibus consentiret enormitatibus, quem constat esse ad tantum apicem divinitus sublimatum; Qui fecit, quod nunquam aliquem Papam fecisse meminimus, postulavit enim ab Ecclesia precum devotionem sibi impendi. Et quomodo credi potest, quod hic faciat pejora prioribus? absit. Et ita querentes solatium suae imperitiae et angustiae, falsariistalia deliramenta sub involucro imputabant. Episcopus Herefordensis & sui nituntur schisma inter Praelatos suscitare. Procurare interim summoperè nitebantur Episcopus Herefordensis & Rustandus, & alii Transalpini, suscitare schisma & divisionem inter Praelatos Angliae, ne concorditer cohaerentes, Dominum Papam in viam dirigerent veritatis; Et sic à proposito frustarentur, pecuniis inhiantes, secundum illud Evangelicum: Omne Regnum in se divisum desolabitur. Mat. Paris Hist. p. 888, 889. Secunda congressio Praelatorum coram Rustando. Per idem tempus, dum omnium Angliae Praelatorum universitas iterum coram magistro Rustando Londini congregarentur, & nimis quotidianis deceptationibus vexarentur: Tandem propter absentiam Archiepiscopi Cantuariensis, qui in ultramarinis partibus morabatur, & propter Ecclesiam Eboracensem, quae secunda est in R●gno, vacantem, & propter aliquorum Episcoporum absentiam; cepit certa responsio super postulatis à Domino Papa per magistrum Rustandum, dilationem usque ad festum Sancti Hilarii, ut tunc omnes ibidem congregati, efficaciter & precisè responderent. Et sic divisi, singuli post multa damna, expensas, & taedia, nescientes quid acturi forent, ad propria remearunt. Sic enim sive juste, sive injuste, per dictum magistrum Rustandum suspenderetur quis, vel excommunicaretur, Rex quasi leo in abscondito, quaerens quem devoraret, post quadraginta dies omnia diriperet infiscata. Papa et Rex, velut Pastor et Lupus, in ovium exterminium confoederati, omnibns ruinam minabantur. Ex tunc igitur quasi caeci palpantes ad parietem, divisi sunt; & quilibet sibi consulere more Anglicorum satagebat. Qui si de communi assensu communem syndicum & prolocutorem ad Romanum Curiam destinassent, foelici pace congauderent communiter. Transit igitur annus ille Romanae Ecclesiae, et Papali Curiae, si devotionem Anni Conclusio. Populi reputet, virulentissimus. Expiravit enim, quae consuevit haberi devotio habita a Praelatis et populo penes matrem nostram Romanam Ecclesiam, et patrem et pastorem nostrum, Dominum videlicet Papam. Et si illa Curia fideles Christi multoties usque ad amaritudinem spiritus cruentaverit, nunquam tamen, sicut hoc, et sequenti anno, tam lethaliter Vniversos Christi servos et singulos sauciavit. Coguntur enim insontes idololatrare, et quasi Apostatae, veritati, quae Deus, abrenunciare. Et praeter hoc, quod etsi intolerabile sit, tamen tolerabilius reputatur, bonis temporalibus violenter depraedantur. Quae autem inconvenientia Annus iste Angliae praesentavit, praesenti pagina duximus inserenda. Cassantur Sanctorum privilegia indulgentiae, nec reputantur, et hoc non sine injuria eorundem; Potestatem habet * Papa in his quae operantur in aedificationem, Mat. Paris Hist. p. 889, 890. non in his quae ad ruinam, secundum Episcopum Lincolniensem Robertum. Pro triennio commutatur quinquennium, in promissione decimae, subito, et tacite quia promissa sit per triennium. Novum super terram, consueverunt semper laici Praelatis decimare tantum, nunc Praelati laicis decimare coguntur. Concessa fuit decima in subsidium Terrae Sanctae, cogimur transferre eam in subsidium Apuliae contra Christianos. Concessa fuit decima pro observatione Chartae, quam tenere predictus Rex Henericus tenebatur, quae tamen non observatur. Concessa fuit decima ut Regi in Terram Sanctam peregrinanti, particulatim secundum provisionem distribueretur, non uti nunc; de Obligatione injustissime graviora subire cogimur, multipliciter mentiri, falso profecto juramento, quod caelitus prohibetur in utroque testamento. Concedere cogimur terminos solutionis, quos nullo modo tenere possumus, ut incidamus in laqueos usurariorum suorum, quos socios eorum novimus, & participes. Datur potestas personis prorsus indignis super Nobiles Ecclesias, & eorum Praelatos excellentes▪ Venduntur Praelati ut Boves et Asim, Ecce ultimae conditio servitutis. Ecce venditores ejiciendi a Templo, flagellandi. Sed quia ignobilius est facere injuriam violenter, quam pati cum innocentia, credendum est, quod super hoc Clamor ascendat quaerulus ad Deum Dominum ultionum. There being many suits and controversies between the Archbishop of Canterbury, and Bishop of Rochester, (much vexed, oppressed by his power) the King upon the Bishop's complaint, as Supreme Patron and Ordinary, to preserve public peace, issued this Writ to the Justice's Itinerant, to stay all suits between them; to summon the Archbishop's Bailiffs, and the Bishop and their witnesses before him, his Nobles and Council the next Parliament, where he would hear and decide all differences between them by their and the Justice's advice. REX Gilberto de Preston, & sociis suis Justic. proximo itineraturis in Com. Kanc. Claus. 39 H. 3. m. 6. dorso. Pro Episcopui Roff. salutem. Quia ex gravi quaerela venerabilis Patris L Roffensis Episcopi apertius intelleximus, quod districtiones & exactiones quas Ballivi Venerabilis Patris B. Cantuariensis Archiepiscopi faciunt in Episcopatu Roffensi, & pro juribus temporalibus quae idem Archiepiscopus exigit, & idem Episcopus debere fieri contradicit in Episcopatu praedicto, immensa damna, homicidia et aliae transgressiones, quae sunt contra pacem nostram, accidere possunt in terra nostra, in magnum praejudicium & turbationem pacis nostrae, et grave scandalum universalis Ecclesiae, maxime, si inter tales Ecclesias quales sunt▪ Ecclesia Cantuar. & Ecclesia Roffensis, quae tam ardua praeminent dignitate & authoritate talia debeant suboriri, Nos volentes hujusmodi infortunatis casibus obviare nisu quo possumus ampliori, Vobis Mandamus firmiter injungentes, quod omnes districtiones, exactiones & contentiones ortas & existentes inter praedictos Archiepiscopum & Episcopum, poni faciatis in respectum usque ad festum beati Edwardi proxim. futur. praefigentes tam magistro Hugoni de Mortuo Mari, & magistro Henrico de Gaunt Ballivis dicti Archiepiscopi, quam praedicto Episcopo diem illum, quod sint coram nobis apud Westm. sicut eis per literas nostras mandavimus. Et nos tunc per Consilium dilecti fratris nostri R. Com. Cornub. et aliorum Magnatum nostrorum qui ibidem intererint, vires et diligentiam apponemus in praemissis, ad praedicta inconvenientia praecavenda, prout utriusque Pontificis commodo et honori viderimus melius convenire; Et scire faciatis dicto Episcopo Roffensi, quod prisones pro quibus orta est principaliter contentio praedicta, dictis die & loco coram nobis venire faciatis, & vos ipsi sitis ibidem coram nobis, ad testificandum quantum ad vos pertinet quid actum, et ad consulendum quid faciendum fuerit in praemissis. Teste Rege apud Alnewick. 23. die Septembris. The King by reason of his absence and business in the parts of Scotland, being unable to be personally present at the feast of St. Edward at Westminster, which he annually celebrated, by virtue of his Ecclesiastical authority, constituted several persons to solemnize this feast, and make offerings, processions, and give alms in his stead; and commanded the Parishioners of St. Margaret, and the Londoners to go to Westminster in procession with wax Tapers, and other formalities for the honour of this Saint and Holy day, by this Writ. QUia Rex non est certus quod interesse possit solemnitati instantis festi beati Claus. 39 H. 3. m. 6. dorso. De Festo Sancti Edwardi celebrando. Edwardi apud Westm. pro variis & urgentibus negotiis quibus intendit in partibus Scotiae, Mandatum est Philippo Luvel, Thesaurario Regis & Edwardo de Westm. in fide & dilectione quibus Regi tenentur, quod praedictum festum, una cum venerabilibus patribus Sar. Norwic. Bathon. & Cicestr. Episcopis, Abbatibus & Prioribus vicinis, quos ad festum illud Rex per literas suas invitavit, vice Regis reneant, & solemniter celebrent ad custum Regis, & Capitagium Regis & Reginae & liberorum suorum, scilicet de 36 ob. muciae nomine eorum offerri, & Cruci argenteae supra magnum Altare Westmonast. attachiari faciant, & unam platam auri ponderis unius unciae nomine Regis offerant, prout moris est in solemnitate missae praedicti Edwardi, acsi Rex praesens esset ibidem, & duas aulas Regis Westm. impleri pauperibus in dicto festo, & eos pasci faciant, sicut fieri consuevit, & processionem Ecclesiae beati Margar. & omnes processiones Civitatis Lond. cum cereis & aliis processionibus suis solemniter venire faciant usque Westm. in die Sancti Edwardi, prout Rex similiter mandavit Majori et probis hominibus London. Et haec & omnia alia quae viderint fore facienda ad honorem praedicti Sancti, & solemnitatem festivitatis ipsius honorificè fieri faciant, prout melius & decentius nomine Regis fuerit faciendum; Ita quod prudentiam suam Rex merito possit commendare. Teste Rege apud Werk. 13. die Septemb. He likewise enjoined all Sheriffs to proclaim in Cities, Burroughs and Market Towns, that all who had crossed themselves for the Holy Land should meet on Holidays and other convenient times, and learn how to use slings and March in order, and to put them under Captains, for which end the King had procured the Pope to grant them 40. day's pardon who should obey this Mandate. MAndatum est singulis Vicecomitibus A●gliae, quod in singulis Civitatibus, Burgis Claus. 39 H. 3. m. 7. dors. Pro Crucesignatis, de trahendo cum Balistis. & aliis Villis Mercatori●s de Balliva sua publice clamari faciant, quod omnes Crucesignati diligenter addiscant trahere cum Balistis, & hoc non omittant, quia Dominus Papa ad instantiam Regis, singulis Crucesignatis modum trahendi cum Balistis addiscentibus xl. dies indulgentiae concessit. Et omnes Crucesignati Civitatum, Burgorum & Villarum praedictarum poni faciant in constabulariis per Decenas sub aliquibus Capitaneis, qui eos ad trahendum modo praedicto diebus festivis & aliis diebus quibus ad hoc vacare poterunt, intendere faciant. Teste etc. Some servants of John Baylol being excommunicated and imprisoned upon a Capias Excommunicatum by the Bishop of Durham, for entering forcibly into the Church of Long- Neuton, other of them by way of revenge assaulted the Bishop & his men with horse & arms, as they traveled by a wood, irreverently abused the Bishop, & carried four of his men prisoners to the Castle of Bernard, and there detained them, till the Bishop should release the persons excommunicated: upon the Bishop's complaint of this riot and injury, the King issued this Writ to john Baylol, to release the Bishop's men, who was ready to absolve and deliver his; threatening severely to punish this offence, if he did not enlarge them, and give the Bishop & his servants, competent satisfaction for the injury which he neither would, nor aught to pass by without due punishment. REX dilecto & fideli suo Johanni de Baylol salutem. Ex parte venerabilis Claus. 39 H. 3. m. 7. dors. Pro Episcopo Dunelm. patris W. Dunolm. Episcopi nobis est ostensum, quod cum homines vestri intrusissent se in Ecclesiam de Longe-Neutun, Dunelm. D●oc. & ipsam manu armata contra justitiam occupassent; Et idem Episcopus homines illos ob eorum manifestam offensam et contumaciam excommunicationis sententia innodasset. Et postea eos sicut moris est in Regno nostro postquam in eadem sententia per xl. dies & amplius perduraverant, capi fecisset, Eustachius de Baylol, Gocellinus frater ejus, Henricus filius Ranulfi & alii plures cum equis & armis, latitantes in quodam bosco in transitu praedicti Episcopi & familiae suae per boscum illum emiserunt quosdam ex militibus & scutar●is suis, qui in praefatum Episcopum & Clericos & alios familiares suos insultum cum gladiis & aliis armis, turpiter & irreverenter fecerunt, & eos enormiter tractaverunt, & quatuor ex familiaribus suis ceperunt, & ad Castrum Bernardi duxerunt, & ibidem imprisonaverunt, & eos adhuc in prisona detinent, in libertatis Ecclesiasticae praejudicium manifestum, et perturbationem pacis nostrae, quam praefatus Episcopus habet in libertate sua regali inter Tynam et Teysam, eos quod praefatus Episcopus dictos Excommunicatos noluit ex forma Ecclesiae absolute deliberare. Quia vero dicta transgressio in pacis nostrae laesionem enormem redundat quam incorrectam relinquere nolumus, sicut nec debemus; vobis Mandamus firmiter injungentes, quod praedictos imprisonatos à prisona qua detinentur sine dilatione deliberari, & praefato Episcopo & suis de tam enormibus excessibus & injuriis, eye per vos et vestros illatis, competentes emendas sine dilatione exhiberi faciatis, quod pro defectu vestri iterata ad nos inde querela non perveniat, per quod manum ad hoc aliter apponere debeamus. Teste Rege apud Eborum, 13. die Augusti. Idem Mandatum est Eustach. de Baylol: Et mandatum est Constabulario Castri Bernardi quod praedictos imprisonatos à carcere quo detinentur deliberet. Teste ut supra. It seems the Bishop refused to release those excommunicated persons, though they tendered good caution according to Law; whereupon the King issued this Writ de cautione admittenda, commanding him to deliver them out of prison, and to receive their caution. REX tali Episcopo salutem. Ostensum est nobis ex parte Petri le Orfeure, Claus. 39 H. 3. m. 7. De excommunicato à prisona deliberando percautionem. quem ad instantiam vestram per corpus suum tanquam claves Ecclesiae contemnentem praecipimus Justiciari, quod licet vobis frequenter obtulerit stare mandatis Ecclesiae, ut tenetur, vos tamen cautionem legitimam ab eo admittere recus●tis, quod miramur. Et ideo vobis mandamus, quod hujusmodi cautione recepta, praefatum Petrum à prisona liberari mandatis; scituri quod si secus egeritis, nos quod nostrum est in hac parte exequemur. Teste Rege apud Not. 24 die Julii. Upon the complaint of the Archbishop of Tuam, and his suffragans, and likewise of all the other Bishops and Clergy of Ireland, of several grievances, oppressions suffered by them and their Courts against Law, and the liberties of the Church of Ireland, particularly related, the King issued this Writ to Prince Edward his Son then in Ireland, to hear and redress the same by advice of the Judges, Barons, Nobles, and his Council in Ireland. REX Edwardo filio suo primogenito & Haeredi salutem, & paternam benedictionem. Claus. 39 H. 3. m. 8. dors. Hiberniae. Accedens nuper ad praesentiam nostram Venerabilis Pater F. Tuamensis Archiepiscopus pro se & suffraganeis suis, nec non & ex parte totius Cleri Hibern. una cum Episcopo Aland. coram nobis exposuit quaedam gravamina quibus Hibernicana Ecclesia graviter opprimitur, & enormiter praegravatur. Adjiciens etiam, quod nisi maturis hiis apponere remedium curaremus, praedicta Ecclesia suis juribus & libertatibus defraudata opprob●ose corrueret & viliter tenderet in occasum. Primo quidem queritur, quod ipsi & tenentes eorum contra antiquas libertates Ecclesiarum suarum trahuntur in placitum coram Justic. extra suos Comitatus ad alias provincias, ità per laborem nimium & expensarum defectum, litibus cedere, vel damnosas Compositiones inire coguntur. Secundo, quod quidem Justic. Vicecomites & alii ballivi nostri in loquelis coram eis motis, paciscuntur cum una parte de lucro participando, per quod altera pars citò labitur in jacturam, & jure suo legitimo defraudatur, quod quam graviter ferimus & molestè, cum non solum Clericos verum etiam Universalem plebem Hybern. anxius angit hoc gravamen. Tertio, quod fiunt frequentius Attachiamenta & summonitiones in terris ipsorum sine Waranto, quae pecunialiter coguntur redimere, vel laborem & taedium de Com. in Comitatum discurrendo subire. Quarto, Quod quidem Barones. Hybern. impediunt quo minus fideles Hybernienses de bonis suis testari valeant, & quominus Crucesignati votum complere valeant, vel illud redimere cum voluerint. Quinto, Quod Burgenses & alii tenentes eorum distringuntur ad sequelas faciendas in causis non tangentibus dictos Episcopos vel seipsos. Et quod haec gravamina Ecclesiae Hybernicanae inferuntur contra jura & libertates suas quibus eadem antiquitus est gavisa. Unde cum nostram deceat Regiam Majestatem, vestraeque conveniat, utilitati congruat & honori, jura & libertates Ecclesiae defendere, & potenti patrocinio confovere, afflictisque compati, & refroenare rebelles. Vobis mandamus firmiter injungentes, quod convocatis coram vobis Archiepiscopis, Episcopis, Abbatibus, Baronibus, Justic. & omnibus Magnatibus terrae Hiberniae per Consilium dilecti & fidelis nostri Johannis filli Galfridi Justic Hyberniae & aliorum discretorum de Consilio vestro, necnon & de Consiliò Magnatum praedictorum, in praemissis apponi faciatis celeriter remedium oportunum, prout Ecclesiae indemnitati, & vestrae & terrae Hyberniae utilitati, & tranquillitati videritis convenire. Quo decus Ecclesiae crescat per vos, & vestrae novitatis principium laudis suscipiat incrementum. Apposuissemus autem praemissis remedium nisi vester in Hiberniam praesens fuisset accessus; propter quod vobis & consilio vestro hoc negotium duximus totaliter committendum. Teste Rege apud Not. tingham. 30. die Julii. He likewise issued this further Mandate to the chief Justice of Ireland. MAndatum est Johanni filio Galfridi Justic. Hiberniae, Quod aut faciat Archiepiscopo Claus. 39 H. 3. m. 8. dors. Tuamensi rationabile Escambium de terra in Com. pro Villa de Eandon, & ibidem firmet quoddam Castrum, si sit ad profectum Edwardi filii Regis, prout * Here p. 784. pridem inter ipsum Johannem, & dictum Archiepiscopum fuit prolocutum, vel reddat dicto Archiepisco Villam suam antedictam solutam & quietam. Teste ut supra. He likewise issued this Writ for the Dean and Canons of St. Martyns London to respite the amerciament of all their Tenants in Essex, before the Justices in Eyre, according to their Claims. QUia Decanus & Canonici Ecclesiae Sancti Martini London, vendicant sibi amerciamenta Claus. 39 H. 3. m. 8. dors. Pro Archidacono de Leges. hominum suorum ubicunque amerciati extiterint; Mandatum est Vic. Essex, Quod demandam quam facit hominibus Theobaldi Archidiacono de Leges praedictae Ecclesiae de Christishale de una Marca, ad quam amerciati fuerunt coram Justic. ultimò itinerantibus apud Chelmerford. ponat in respectum usque ad festum Sancti Edwardi quod erit in quindena Sancti Michaelis proximo futuro, ut tunc super hoc Rex quod justum fuerit fieri faciat. Teste Rege apud Not. primo die Augusti. He likewise sent this precept to the Sheriff of Nottingham and Derby, to pay his Chaplains officiating in Derby Castle their wages, MAndatum est Rogero de Lovetot. Vic. Com. Not. & Derb. quod quamdiu fuerit Vic. eorundem Com. singulis Annis faciat habere Capellanis Regis Claus. 39 H. 3. m. 8. dors. Pro Capellanis ministrantibus in Castro Not. Ministrantibus in Castro Regis Not. stipendia sua ad duos terminos, videlicet unam medietatem ad festum Sancti Michaelis, & aliam Med. ad Pascha. Teste ut supra. The King by his Ecclesiastical prerogative sent this pious Writ to the Cistercians, and other Abbots in their general assembly, to make this special devout prayer unto God for him, his Queen and Children. REX Abbatti Cicester. & caeteris Abbatibus in generali Capitulo Cistercien▪ Claus. 30 H. 3. m. 8. dors. Pro Rege de Orationibus▪ convenientibus salutem. Cum Regnorum gubernacula benè prosperari nequeant, nec administrari feliciter sine eo in cujus dispositione cuncta sunt Regna; per quem etiam omnia gubernantur, Universitatem vestram attentius exoramus, quatenus pro statu nostro & Reginae liberorumque nostrorum, devota precum suffragia suppliciter offeratis altissimo, ut Actus nostros ita misericorditer ad laudem sui nominis & fidei Catholicae exaltationem dirigere dignetur, quod consummatis praesentis vitae curriculis, aeternae felicitatis praemia consequamur, & vos proinde debeamus arctiori dilectionis vinculo amplexari. Teste Rege apud Warsop. 4. die Augusti. One Ralph de Ribeford a Clerk accused of Robery, and delivered to his Ordinary, suing Michael Thoni late Mayor of London, in the spiritual Court before the Dean of the Arches, (for a defamation,) for what he did in Execution of his office as the King's officer, who ought not to be questioned in such Courts for a any thing done in the execution of his Office, it being to the prejudice of the King's Crown and dignity, the King thereupon issued this memorable prohibition to the Dean, and another to this Prosecutor, not to proceed therein REX Decano Sanctae Mariae de Arcubus London. salutem. Monstravit nobis Claus. 39 H. 3. m. 11. dorso. De prohibitione. Michael Thoni, quondam Maior Civitatis nostrae London. quod cum ipse Radulphum de Ribeford tanquam malefactorem rectatum de Roberia & Societate latronum, in eadem Civitate secundum legem & Consuetudinem Regni nostri arrestari fecisset, quem etiam postmodum Venerabili Patri W. Wygorn. Episcopo, qui ipsum tanquam Clericum & foro Ecclesiastico liberandum petiit, secundum Consuetudinem ejusdem Regni à Carcere & Custodia nostra liberasset, idem Radulphus praefatum Michaelem occasione praedicta, trahit in placitum coram te in Curia Christianitatis. Quia vero in manifestum praejudicium Regni nostri, et Coronae nostrae est, quod aliquis Ballivus noster occasione Nota. Ministerii sui, et eorum quae pro conservatione pacis nostrae et Regni nostri in hujusmodi casibus secundum consuetudinem et legem praefati Regni nostri fiunt, trahatur in placitum in Curia Christianitatis; tibi prohibemus, ne placitum illud ulterius tenere praesumas. Teste Rege apud Woodst. 5. die Junii. Sub eadem forma mandatum est Radulpho de Ribeford, ne prosequatur idem placitum in Curia Christianitatis. Teste ut supra. Per Hen. de Bretton. The like Prohibition issued to the Bishop of Worcester, who sued the Sheriff of Worcester and his Bailiffs in his Court Christian, for levying the debts due to the King and himself upon some of the Bishop's Tenants. REX W. Wygorn. Episcopo, salutem. Monstravit nobis dilectus & fidelis noster Claus. 39 H. 3▪ m. 4. dorso. De Inhibitione Willielmus de Bello Campo, Vic. noster Wygorn. quod cum Robertus de Wikeman Clericus suus, & quidam alii Ballivi & Ministri nostri ex officio suo, secundum consuetudinem Regni nostri, facerent districtionem quibusdam hominibus Ecclesiae vestrae pro debitis nostris, & debitis ad ipsum Vic. ratione Ballivae suae spectantibus, & alia exequerentur quae ad officium ejusdem Vic. pertinent, vos ea occasione, et etiam eo quod extractae Rotulorum et Brevium vobis non liberantur modo quo petitis, Clericum et Ballivos praedictos trahitis inde in placitum in Curia Christianitatis. Quia vero manifeste est contra Coronam et dignitatem nostram, quod hujusmodi occasione trahatur Nota▪ aliquis Ballivus noster in placitum in Curia Christianitatis, cum ad nos pertineat correctiones transgressionum, et delictorum suorum, et prompti simus et parati vobis in Curia nostra justitiae complementum exhibere de praedictis Ballivis, si qua contra libertatem Ecclesiae vestrae attemptaverint: Vobis firmiter inhibemus in Curia Christianitatis super praemissis ulterius procedatis, ab injusta vexatione et molestatione praedicti Vic. Clericorum, Ballivorum suorum a modo desistentes. Teste Rege apud Westm. 24▪ die Octobris. Per Henr. de Bathon. & Henr. de Mare. Such were the bold encroachments of the Bishops, Deans, Chapters, and their Officers then, as to draw most temporal Officers into their Courts, and there vex and excommunicate them, for executing their Offices upon any Clerk, Prelate, or their Tenants, Tenements; and to hold Plea of Lands and Goods, not belonging to their Jurisdiction, but the King's Courts; and invade the Rights of the King's Crown, the Kingdoms and Subjects Liberties in sundry particulars, in a very high degree; which intolerable grievances, in high affront to the King's Crown and dignity, obstructing the execution of public Justice, tending to make Prelates, Clergymen lawless, and all Laymen mere slaves to their Lordly wills, and exorbitant Courts, these Prohibitions timely prevented, and checked in some measure; witness this memorable complaint of the Mayor and Citizens of York, against the Dean and Chapter of St. Peter's of York, and this memorable Prohibition issued thereupon, wherein their intolerable Usurpations in sundry kinds upon the King's Rights, Royal Authority, Officers, Courts, and proud presumption in Excommunicating the Mayor and Citizens, tendering an illegal Oath unto them de parendo jure Ecclesiastico, are particularly recited, severely prohibited; and their obstinate contemptuous persisting in these their Usurpations and Extravagancies, notwithstanding the King's Prohibitions, fully displayed. REX Decano & Capitulo Sancti Petri Eborum, salutem. Ex querelis Majoris & Claus. 39 H. 3. m. 17. dorso. De querela Civium Eborum versus Archiepisc. Eborum. Civium nostrorum Eborum frequenter intelleximus, quod usurpastis vobis placita de Laicis feodis, et de catallis et debitis quae non sunt de Testamento vel Matrimonio, et alia jura et libertates in praedicta Civitate ad Majorem et Ballivos nostros ejusdem Civitatis spectantes: Nec permittitis custodes mensurarum nostrarum in eadem Civitate probare mensuras in terris quas dicitis esse vestras, nec eas signo nostro signare, sed signo adulterino eas facitis signari. Item non permittitis eosdem Cives capere nomina hominum vestrorum pro debitis suis, secundum tenorem Chartae nostrae quam inde habent, in qua nec homines vestri, nec alii excipiuntur. Item appropriastis vobis homines nostros, et omnia placita eorum tenetis Nota. in Curia vestra, vi excommunicationis, ratione terrarum in quibus manent; nec permittitis Ballivos nostros praedictae Civitatis ingredi terras quas dicitis esse vestras, licet non sint, ad debita nostra levanda, nec ad latrones seu malefactores capiendos vel arrestandos, sed si terras vestras ad hoc sine licentia vestra ingrediantur, vel gravaminibus praedictis, pro jure nostro salvando se opposuerint, statim in eos assensu nostro irrequisito, de emendis faciendis sententiam Excommunicationis promulgari facitis, (the Popes, Prelates, clergymen's grand, intolerably prophaned, abused engine, to oppress, vex, suppresse, enslave both Emperors, Kings, Kingdoms, Subjects of all sorts, and wreck their malice or revenge upon them:) nec eam pro aliquo mandato nostro relaxare curatis, nisi praestito Sacramento de parendo jure Ecclesiastico, Nota. (an abuse, usurpation since practised by such Courts, persons, to the Subjects grand oppression) Cum igitur praemissa in jurium nostrorum praejudicium non modicum, et dignitatis Regiae maximam cedant laesionem, (let all Prelates, persons guilty of such exorbitances well observe it) et per Literas nostras frequenter requisiti fueritis, quod ab hujusmodi exactionibus et usurpationibus desisteritis; Vos iterato monendos duximus, et exortandos mandantes, quatenus Majorem et Ballivos et Cives praedictos, imo nos juribus et libertatibus prius usitatis in Civitate praedicta gaudere pacifice permittentes, de caetero nihil attemptetis, quod in jurium nostrorum cedat praejudicium, sententiam Excommunicationis si quam in Ballivos vel Cives praedictos occasione praedicta promulgari feceritis, sine dilatione revocantes: Scituri indubitanter, quod nisi feceritis, diutius sustinere non poterimus, sicut nec debemus; quin de tantis excessibus et injuriis nobis illatis, quae non solum in exhaeredationem nostram, sed etiam in dedecus nostrum et opprobrium redundant, (mark it well) gravissimam vindictam qualem debebimus capiemus: (a just, royal, heroick, necessary resolution.) Injunximus etiam Majori et Ballivis praedictis, quod jura et libertates nostras illaesas pro posse suo conservent, et firmiter ex parte nostra * Here p. 699, 704, 705▪ inhiberi faciant, ne aliqui de Civitate praedicta coram vobis compareant in Curia vestra, ad respondendum de aliquibus pertinentibus ad Coronam et dignitatem nostram. Teste Rege apud Westm. 19 die Februarii. Eodem modo mandatum est Abbati Sanctae Mariae Eborum, & Priori Sanctae Trinitatis, & Magistro Hospitalis Sancti Leonardi Eborum, eo excepto, quod in Literis istis nulla fit mentio de sententia Excommunicationis lata in Majorem, Cives & Ballivos ejusdem Civitatis. Nec quod praedicti Abbas, Prior & Magister alias requisiti fuerint per Literas Regis, quod ab hujusmodi exactionibus desisterent. Teste ut supra. Those Prohibitions were seconded with these ensuing of like nature, upon the complaints of particular persons unjustly prosecuted in the Courts Christian at York, for Chattels and Debts, not in cases of Matrimony or Testament, to the prejudice of the King's Crown and Dignity. REX Decano & * Praecentori Praeceptori S. Petri Eborum, & eorum Commissariis, salutem. Claus. 39 H. 3, m. 17. dorso. De Prohibitione. Prohibemus vobis ne teneatis placitum in Curia Christianitatis de Catallis vel Debitis unde Walterus de Rudham Clericus, sicut ex relatu quorundam fidelium nostrorum intelleximus, trahitur in placitum coram vobis in Curia Christianitatis authoritate Literarum Domini Papae, per Abbatem et Conventum de Fontibus, nisi Catalla illa vel Debita sint de Testamento vel Matrimonio, quia placita de Catallis et Debitis quae non sunt de Testamento vel Matrimonio, spectant ad Coronam et dignitatem nostram: inhibuimus etiam praedicto Waltero ne in Curia Christianitatis super hujusmodi Catallis vel Debitis examen Ecclesiasticum in juris et dignitatis Regiae praejudicium aliquatenus subire praesumat. Eodem modo scribitur Abbati & Conventui de Fontibus. By which several Writs it is most apparent, that there was a strong combination and endeavour at this time between the Bishops, Abbots, Deans, Chapters, and others who had Ecclesiastical Courts and Jurisdiction, and the Court of Rome, to usurp and engross the cognisance of most Temporal causes concerning Lands or Goods (especially of Clergymen and Religious persons) into their own hands, and to trample the King's Temporal Courts, Officers, Crown, Dignity, and Lay-Subjects under their feet; which they unanimously and strenuously opposed, and endeavoured to prevent by the precedent, and these subsequent Prohibitions to them, in the case of the Monks of Winton, who suing the Bishop elect of Winton in the Court of Rome, and before the Pope's Delegates, touching the propriety of the Manor of Taunton, and other Lands held immediately of the King, moving from him, and part of the Barony of the Bishop, to the prejudice of the King's Crown and dignity, whereof neither the Pope nor any Court Christian had or aught to have any cognisance or jurisdiction, but only himself and his own Courts, the King thereupon issued this memorable Prohibition to the Bishop, not to appear or answer to any such Suit before the Pope, or in any Court Christian, under pain of seizing his Temporalties, being contrary to his Oath of Fealty to the King, and to the prejudice both of his Crown and Realm. REX A. Winton. electo, salutem. Intelleximus ex relatu quorundam fidelium Pat. 39 H. 3. m. 4. dorso. De Prohibitione. nostrorum, quod Monachi Winton. vos super Manerio de Taunton, & quibusdam aliis quae de nobis immediatè tenetis, & quae à nobis indubitanter movere noscuntur, coram Domino Papa vel auditoribus suis in Curia Romana trahunt in causam, et super proprietate Maneriorum ipsorum sibi cum instantia a vobis postulant responderi. Quia vero ad nos tanquam ad Dominum principalem cognitio praedictorum, sicut et aliorum feodalium Regni nostri, indubitanter noscitur pertinere, vobis sub debito fidelitatis in qua nobis tenemini, et sub poena animadversionis debitae et condignae, in temporalia et feodalia quae de nobis tenetis, districtius inhibemus, ne de praedictis in foro Ecclesiastico, seu coram alio quam coram nobis, in nostrum et Regni nostri praejudicium et gravamen, aliquatenus respondere praesumatis, praesertim cum hoc sine transgressione juramenti quo nobis tenemini facere non possitis, sicut nec debetis: Pro certo tenentes, quod si secus egeritis, omittere nec volumus nec valemus, quin nos ad temporalia et feodalia vestra secundum legem et consuetudinem Regni nostri capiemus. In cujus, etc. Teste Rege apud Novum Castrum super Tynam, 29 die Augusti. The King being further informed, that the Monks of Winton in this Suit between the Bishop and them, had procured a sequestration of the Temporal goods belonging to the Priory, to the Abbots of Stafford and Boxley, towards the satisfaction of the debts of the Priory, and expenses of the Monks in this Suit, which they intended to execute in derogation of the Rights of his Crown, and contrary to the Law and Custom of the Realm, issued this Prohibition to them, not to proceed therein under pain of seizing their Temporalties. REX Abbatibus de Stafford & de Boxlegh Cisterciensis ordinis, salutem. Intelleximus Pat. 39 H. 3. m. 9 dorso. De Prioratu Winton. & miramur plurimum et movemur, quod in causa quae vertitur inter venerabilem Patrem electum Winton. ex una parte, & Monachos loci ejusdem ex altera, Dominus Papa, non intelligens nec advertens qualiter et quantum negotium hujusmodi nos tangebat, in nostrum praejudicium et gravamen ordinat vel ordinare proponit, Quod facta sequestratione bonorum Temporalium ad Prioratum Ecclesiae Winton. spectantium, vobis eorundem bonorum custodia assignetur, de quibus secundum quod fieri poterit, fiat solutio debitorum, et provideatur Monachis hinc inde sibi adversantibus in expensis, sicque durante sequestratione hujusmodi, Prior ibi non existeret qui possessionem Temporalium obtineret. Cum autem Prior Winton. in Curia nostra certis temporibus satisfacere, et multa nobis alia consueta servitia exhibere, et coram nobis et justitiariis nostris respondere omnibus de se conquerentibus teneatur, nec ad haec de consuetudine Regni nostri inviolabiliter hactenus observata, procuratorem vel atoruatum possit constituere loco suo, nisi praesens in Curia ipsum constitueret viva voce, et quociens in aliquo praedictorum defecerit in amerciamentum nostrum incidat, et nobis debeat propter hoc certam pecuniae quantitatem, per ordinationem et sequestrationem hujusmodi, cum non esset qui praedicta faceret, nos debitis consuetudinibus et servitiis contingeret defraudari. Praeterea cum bona temporalia Prioratus praedicti, de Baronia nostra esse et a nobis teneri noscantur, et non existente ibi Priore ad Episcopum Winton. vel si Episcopus ibi non existeret, ad nos bonorum custodia pertineat eorundem, Dominus Papa de bonis ipsis quae de Baronia nostra existunt, nobis Nota. irrequisitis in nostrum praejudicium nihil potuit aut debuit ordinare. Nec aliquid sine dubio, ut credimus, ordinasset si veritatem super hoc cognovisset, cum nullus alius, ubi nos maxime in justitiam non desicimus, judicare vel ordinare habeat de eisdem. Vnde vobis mandamus prout districtius possumus inhibendo, quatenus si Literas forte super hoc receperitis, vos de bonis praedictis donec saltem Dominum Papam super hoc consulueritis, nullatenus intromittere praesumatis: pro certo tenentes, quod si secus egeritis, in omnibus et singulis consuetudinibus, juribus et servitiis a Priore Winton. nobis debitis quibus propter hoc nos defraudari continget, habebimus quantum districte poterimus, ad vos et bona vestra recursum, et vobis super hiis in aliquo non parcemus. Teste Rege apud Woodst. 18 die Junii. He likewise as supreme Ordinary and Patron of the Monastery, to preserve it from ruin, issued this Writ to all Merchants, Citizens and others, not to lend the Monks any money upon their Common Seal, in defence of the Prior justly removed, or on any other occasion. REX Universis Mercatoribus, Civibus, & aliis Christi fidelibus, salutem. Ad universitatem Pat. 39 H. 3. m. 14. intus. De Monachis Cathedralis Ecclesiae Winton. vestram volumus pervenire, & omnibus fieri manifestum, quod Monachi Cathedralis Ecclesiae Winton. modum expensis superfluis non ponentes, & fines largitatis excedentes, terminos prodigalitatis appetentes tantis Ecclesiam suam debitis obligaverunt diversis creditoribus, quod vix speratur, istis temporibus posse ab hujusmodi debitorum onere sublevari. Nos igitur, licet obstandum fuisset principiis ne scintilla tenuis in flammam prosiliret, destructivam tamen dum scimus rei seriem, et possumus, quamvis tarde, eidem Ecclesiae compatientes, et merito cum nostra intersit, cum ejus patroni simus, et nostri antecessores fundatores, ne nostris temporibus gravem sui jacturam patiatur, et ipsis mobilia et immobilia ad pios usus a diversis concessa fidelibus ob culpam eorundem Monachorum propter aes alienum necessario distrahantur, vobis omnibus praedicta publice nunciamus. Contradicentes et inhibentes, ne Monachis ejusdem Ecclesiae, vel Willielmo de Taunton, qui juste ab administratione Prioratus ejusdem Ecclesiae est amotus, si pro Priore se gerit, aliquid mutuo sub sigillo ejusdem Capituli, vel alio modo concedatis. Si vero contra hanc inhibitionem nostram feceritis, hoc ipso nostram Regiam Majestatem offenderitis, et vobis in repetitione pecuniae eisdem creditae quibuscunque modis poterimus opponemus, et etiam in aliis si locus affuerit, vobis utpote nostro Edicto et voluntati contrariis, curabimus ut decebit, pro meritis respondere. Teste Rege apud Westm. 5 die Februarii. The King as founder of the new Priory of Ravenstone presented thereunto, and constituted a Proctor to see it effected, by this Patent. REX H. Lincolniensi Episcopo, salutem. Cum ad Prioratum quem nuper incepimus Pat. 39 H. 3. m. 4. dorso. De Procuratore substiruto. fundare apud Ravenstone, fratrem Willielmum de Divisis, virum vita & moribus commendabilem, Vobis praesentaverimus, nos Magistrum Johannem de Chisehull ad praesens negotium procurandum & prosequendum Procuratorem nostrum constituimus. Dantes eidem potestatem appellandi & prosequendi nomine nostro si opus fuerit, & omnia alia facienda quae in praesentis negotii prosecutione sibi visum fuerit expedire. Teste Rege apud Werk, 9 die Septembris. The King as supreme Patron, Ordinary, and by custom of the Realm, claimed the Palfrye and Cup of every Bishop or Abbot that was translated or deceased, as is evident by this memorable Writ issued to the Abbot of Oseney, demanding the Palfrye and Cup of his predecessor to be presently delivered to the King, or to show cause to the contrary. REX Abbati de Oseneye, salutem. Cum ex consuetudine approbata & obtenta Claus. 39 H. 3. m. 11. dorso De Palfr. & Cuppa Abbatis Oseney. habere consueverimus Palefridos & Cuppa● Episcoporum & Abbatum Regni cedentium & decedentium: Vobis mandamus sicut alias mandavimus, quod Palefridum & Cuppam Adae Abbatis praedecessoris vestri, nobis sine dilatione mittatis. Alioquin sitis coram nobis in instanti media quadragesima, ubicunque fuerimus in Anglia, ostensuri, si quod Warrantum habeatis, quare Palefridum illum & Cuppam habere non debeamus. Quia consuetudinem nostram in hac parte obtentam nullo modo sine ratione demittemus. Teste Rege apud Westm. 22. die Febr. You heard before (p. 808, 809.) of the Pope's proffer of the Kingdom of Apulia to our King Henry and his son Edward, which he commanded the Bishop of Hereford and other Clergymen to accept of under their Seals, (thereby to engage them to supply him with moneys to gain it, and carry on the Wars against Conrade and Manfred) as appears by this Patent. REX Johanni Mansell Praeposito Beverl. salutem. Cum Dominus Papa Regnum Pat. 39 H. 3. m. 1. dorso. De facto Apuliae. Apuliae nobis & dilecto filio nostro Edmundo duxerit concedendum, & conferendum, quod per Venerabilem Patrem Herefordensem Episcopum, duximus admittendum: Vobis mandamus in fide & dilectione quibus nobis tenemini, & sicut commodum & honorem nostrum & nostrorum affectatis, & sicut indignationem nostram & nostrorum in perpetuum vitare volueritis, illud una cum aliis fidelibus nostris acceptetis, & rescripto super ipsa acceptatione confecto sigillum vestrum, una cum sigillis quorundam aliorum fidelium nostrorum, qui dictam admissionem similiter acceptarunt, apponatis. In cujus, etc. Teste Rege apud Westmonasterium, 18 die Octobris. The King to promote the business of the Croysado, under pretext to raise moneys to relieve the Holy Land, but in truth to fill the Pope's coffers, and gain the Realm of Apulia and Sicily, which he had (without right or title) conferred on him and his Son, issued this Patent to the Provincials of the Freers Preachers and Minors, entreating them to further this affair. REX rogat per Literas suas Priorem Provincialem fratrum Praedicatorum, quod Pat. 39 H. 3. m. 4. dorso. De negotio Crucis. in instanti Capitulo suo Provinciali disponat de fratribus, ad praedicandum verbum Crucis (instead of the Gospel of Christ) in singulis Diocaesibus, cum per Venerabilem Patrem Norwicen. Episcopum negotii Crucis executorem, super hoc fuerit requisitus. Teste Rege apud Novum Castrum super Tynam, 28. die Augusti. Et eodem modo rogat Ministrum generalem ordinis fratrum Minorum. Teste ut supra. Yet notwithstanding he respited the levying of this Disme upon the Priors and Rectors of the Hospitals of the poor people and religious persons within the Diocese of Winton, till the next Parliament, by this Patent. REX Norwicen. & Cicesteren. Episcopis, & Abbati Westm. executoribus negotii Pat. 39 H. 3. m. 13. intus. Pro pauperibus Hospit. & viris religiosis in Winton. Dioc. Crucis in subsidium sibi à sede Apostolica concessum, & eorum Commissariis, salutem. Mandamus vobis, quod Priores & Rectores pauperum Hospitalium, aliosque pauperes viros religiosos Winton. Dioc. pacem habere permittatis de omnibus demandis quas eis facitis occasione praefatae gratiae nobis concessae usque ad Parliamentum nostrum quod erit apud Westmonasterium à die Pasch prox. futur. in tres Septiman. In cujus etc. Teste Rege apud Westm. 19 die Febr. He likewise respited the levying of this Disme, upon a Clerk then Treasurer to the Queen, by this Mandate. MAndatum est W. Norwic. Episcopo collectori gratiae Regi in subsidium Terrae Claus. 39 H. 3. m. 8. dors. Pro Herefordensi Episcopo. Sanctae à sede Apostolica concessae, quod exactionem praedictae gratiae quam facit Magistro Jacobo d● Egga alba Thes. Reginae de proventibus Ecclesiae Sancti Michaelis super Wyram. quae est in Custodia P. Hereford. Episcopi, qui est in servitio Regis, & in partibus transmarims, ponat in respectum quousque Rex cum praedict. Norwic. Episcopo super hoc,— vel aliud à Rege receperit mandatum. Teste ut supra. The King by his Royal Prerogative granted this protection to the Church of St. martin's the Grand in London, being his free Chapple. REX Omnibus etc. Quia Ecclesia Sancti Martini Magni London. quae a praedecessoribus Patent: 39 H. 3. m. 13. intus. Pro Ecclesia & Capitulo Sancti Martini Lond, nostris Regibus Angliae fundata est, libera Cappella nostra est, et liberior caeteris Capellis nostris Angliae, suscepimus in protectionem et defensionem nostram homines, terras, redditus et omnes possessiones Decani Capituli ec Canonicorum Ecclesiae praedictae. Et ideo Vobis Mandamus, quod manuteneatis, protegatis, & defendatis homines, terras res, redditus & omnes possessiones praedictorum Decani & Capituli & Canonicorum, non inferentes eis aut inferri permittentes injuriam, molestiam, damnum aut gravamen. Et liquid eis forisfactum fuerit, id eis sine dilatione faciatis emendari. In cujus etc. Teste Rege apud Westm. 28. die Februarii. There being many Jewish Converts in England, for whom the King by reason of his Wars had not provided sufficient maintenance, he thereupon out of his Christian care to support them, issued these ensuing Writs to the Abbots, Priors and Covents of most religious Houses through England, to entertain and receive one or more of them for two years, and to allow them a daily pension or Conrody not exceeding such a sum; wherein the names of each male and female Jewish convert sent to every house are thus recorded in the fine Rolls of this year. REX Priori & Conventui Sanctae Mariae de Walsingham salutem. Cum per Fines 39 H. 3. m. 13. dors. Guerra nostra quam nuper sustinuimus, in Wascon. & aliis arduis negotiis, statum nostrum & Regni nostri tangentibus, de statu Conversorum adhuc plene ordinare non possumus, devotionem vestram rogamus attente, quatinus latorem praesentium adhuc per biennium, in victualibus et aliis necessariis exhibere velitis. Ita tamen, quod si liberatione sua diurna noluerit esse contentus, tunc in optione vestra sit conferendi ei tres obolos per diem tantum ad sustentationem suam. Nullam super hac petitione nostra praetendentes excusationem pro qua vos debeamus alias inde solicitare. Quia volumus modis omnibus preces nostras in hac parte a vobis eraudiri. Quibus exauditis, in negotiis vestris gratiam & favorem a nobis obtinebitis cum speciali gratiarum actione; rescribentes nobis per unum de vestris qualiter has preces nostras duxeritis exaudire. Teste apud Merton 20. die Janwar. Consimiles literas habet Willielmus de Kanc. Abbati & Conventui de Bello. Marger. Conversa, Abbati & Conventui de Waltham. Joeca de Hingeshay, Abbatissae & Conventui de Godestow. Elena Conversa, Abbati & Convetui de Bruera. Robertus Grosteste, Conversus Priori Sancti Swithini Winton. Hen. Clericus, Conversus Magistro & fratribus Hospital Oxon. Mabilla Conversa, Priori & Conventui Sancti Gregorii Cantuar. Otto Conversus, Priori & Conventui de Bernwell. Johannes Conversus, Priori & Conventui Roff. Willielmus de Wygorn. Conversus Priori & Conventui Wygorn. Richus Conversus, Priori & Conventui Sanctae Frecheswith. Johannes Conversus, Abbati & Conventui de Fontibus. Robertus Conversus, Abbati & Conventui de Bellaland. Memoratum quod Rex concessit Abbati & Conventui de Certeseye, ne aliquis conversus vel conversi admittatur in domo sua. Willielmus de Cantuar. & Johanni fil. ejus Abbati & Conventui de Stanley in Wilts. Robertus Windour. & Jsabell uxor ejus, Abbati & Conventui de Dore. Dionysia uxor Otton. & fil. ejus Priori & Conventui Huntendon. Rich. de Dunton, & Riohold. uxor ejus Abbati & Conventui de Buldewas. Augustinus de London, Conversus Abbati & Conventui de Boxele. Robertus & Hugo filii Rithardi Conversi Abbati & Conventui de Boxcle. Johannes de Plessetis Abbati & Conventui de Roches. Galfridus Conversus Priori & Conventui Ley. Rich. fil. Galfrid. Conversi Abbati & Conventui de Rival. Hodierna filia Willielmi Conversi Priori & Conventui de Farnley. Priori & Conventui de Horton pro Matilda uxore Roberti Grosseteste Conversi & Johanne filio ejus. Priori & Conventui de Wenlock pro Johan. de Hereford. & Matt. uxor ejus, conversis Abbati & Conventui de Paro Lude pro Rogero de Linc. Conversi. Maria de Linc. Conversa & fil ejus, Abbati & Conventui de Kirk stead. Christiana de Glouc. Conversa Priori & Conventui Sancti Oswaldi. Hugo fil. Philippi Conversus, Priori & Conventui Sanctae Fidis. Constantia. Conversa, Abbati & Conventui de Rading. Johannes de Lamburne Conversus Abbati & Conventui de Waleden. Richus Conversus & Martha uxori ejus Abbati & Conventui de Abbandon. Johannes Mansel Conversus Priori & Conventui de Lewes. Richus de Sancta Swithin & Matild. uxor ejus Abbati & Conventui Colecestr. Thomas de Exon Conversus Abbati & Conventui Sancti Edmundi. Mattheus Conversus & Tecla uxor ejus Priori & Conventui Norwic. Richus de Wygorn. Conversus Abbati & Conventui Glaston. Johanna fil. Richardi Conversi Priorissae & Conventui de Stratford. Muriel Conversa, Abbati & Conventui de Pipewel. Richus Conversus Abbati & Conventui Osolveston. Johannes & Odierna filii Will. Conversi Priori & Conventui de Thorinton. Henr. & Hawis. fil. Rich. Conversi Abbati & Conventui Sancti Aug. Bristol. Helewis fil. Muriel, Conversus Abbati & Conventui de Begeham. Dionysia fil. Johan. Mansel. Conversi Priori & Conventui de Michelham. Richus fil Galfridi, Conversi Abbati & Conventui de La Dale. Gilbertus le Deboner. Conversus Priori & Conventui de Bathon. Philippus Conversus Priori & Conventui de Monteacuto. Thomas Conversus, Abbati & Conventui de Beland. Richus de Stamford. Priori & Conventui de Selford. Stephanus & Galf. Sancti Thomae Conversi Abbati & Conventui de Coggeshal. Dyonis. & Julian fil. ejus Priori & Conventui de Bosegrave. Thom. Conversus & Juliana uxor ejus Abbati & Conventui de Dunkwel. Stephanus fil. Thom. Conversi Abbati & Conventui de Tiletey. Christiana uxor ejus Conversa Abbati & Conventui de Malmbur. Susanna quae fuit uxor, Johannis de Lincoln. Abbati & Conventui Ramm●s. Sibylla Conversa Priori & Conventui de Wyrksop. Juliana de Nottingh. Conversa Abbati & Conventui de Neusom. Petrus fil. Will. Conversi Abbati & Conventui de Welebeek. Priori & Conventui Sanctae Trinitatis Eborum pro Matil de Linc. Conversa. Galfr. de Hereford. & Alic. uxor ejus apud Sunieshevet. These Religious Houses had generally so little charity and dovotion towards these converted Jews as not to entertain them upon the King's former Writs and entreaties; who much wondering at it, issued these second Letters to them on their behalves, thus registered in the fine Rolls. REX Abbati & Conventui de Abendon salutem. Cum preces nostras nuper vobis Fines 39 H. 3. m. 12. dors. directas pro Richardo converso & Martia uxore ejus per biennium in necessariis exhibend. nobis existentibus in Anglia, minime curavistis exaudire, unde plurimum miramur et movemur, praesumentes ex hoc indubitanter, quod si absentes essemus et in partibus transmarinis eaedem preces nostrae parum vel nullum penes vos obtinerent effectum, maxime cum in praesentia nostra illas admittere recusaveritis; volentes autem adhuc experiri si erga devotionem vestram in hac parte exaudiri vel repulsam pati debeamus pro eisdem Conversis, iterato vos durimus solicitandos, rogantes quatinus juxta tenorem priorum liberarum nostrarum vobis inde directarum in necessariis exhibere velitis, taliter in hac parte preces nostras effectui mancipantes, quod dilatio praecedens per effectum subsequentem penitus expietur, et quod a Summo Remuneratore dignam inde remunerationem et a nobis grates reportare mereamini. Teste Rege apud Westm. 6. die F. bruarii▪ Consimiles Literas habet Matill▪ de Oxonia, Abbati & Conventui de Oseni▪ Willus Conversus Abbati & Conventui de Bello. M●bell Conversa Priori & Conventui Sancti Grigor. Cantuar. Henricus le Clerk, Conversus Magistro Hospital. Sancti Johannis Oxon. Robertus Grosetest Conversus Priori Sancti Swithini Winton. Philippus Conversus Priori Sanctae Mar. de Walsingham. Ochi● Conversus Priori & Conventui de Bernewel. Juliana uxor Rogeri Conversi & duae filiae suae Abbatissae & Conventui de Ann●st●w. Philippus Conversus Priori & Conventui de Monte●cuto. Jsalell Conversa Abbati & Conventui de Dore. Richolda Conversa Abbati & Conventui de Beldewas. Thomas de Sancto Laur. Conversus Abbati & Conventui de Cumba. Christiana de Winton. Conversa Priori & Conventui Sancti Bartholomai. London. Willus de Cantuar. & Johannes fil. ejus Abbati & Conventui de Stanleg. in Wiltes. Abbati & Conventui de Rupe pro Johannes de Plessetis Converso. Abbati & Conventui de Kirk●st. pro Mar. de Linc. & fil. ejus. Richus fil. Galf. Conversus apud Tukebir. Willus de Cantuar. Conversus apud L●nynton, Robertus Grosseteste, Priori Sancti Swithini Winton. Galf. Conversus Priori & Conventui Leycestr. Richus de Wygorn. Conversus Abbati & Conventui de Glaston. Johannes Mansel, Priori & Conventui de Lewis. Muriel Conversa Abbati & Conventui de Pipewell. Helewisa fil. Muriel, Conversa Abbati & Conventui de Bogeham. Windour. & Isabel. uxor ejus Abbati & Conventui de Dore, Dyonisia uxor Otton. & fil. ejus Priori & Conventui Huntend. Richus de Punton. & Richalda uxor ejus Abbati & Conventui de Buledewas. Simon. fil. Isabel. & Sibil. soror ejus Abbati & Conventui de Flaxele. Joh. de Hodiern. Pueri Will. Conversi Priori & Conventui de Thornton. Henricus & Hawis Conversi Abbati & Conventui Sancti Aug. Bristol. Willus Conversus Priori & Conventui de Wygorn. Dionis. & fil. ejus Conversa Priori & Conventui de Bosgrave. Dionysia fil. Johannes Conversi Priori & Conventui de Michelham. Richus Conversus Priori & Conventui de Selford. Christiana de Glou●. Priori Sancti Oswaldi. De Conversis iterato missis Abbatiis, & Prioratibus in quibus prius morati Fines 39 H. 3. m. 12. dors. snnt ad instantiam Regis. Alicia Conversa Priori & Conventui de Surgeston. Willus Conversus fr. Galfr. Conversi Priori & Conventui Dunolm. Willus de North. Conversus Priori & Conventui de Benner. Robertus fil. Galfr. Conversus Abbati & Conventui de Gerewedon. Richus de London. Conversus Abbati & Conventui de Mirevall. Drogo Conversus Abbati & Conventui de Stanlegh in Arden. Laur. Conversus uxor ejus & fil. ejus Hosp. Sancti Leon. Ebor. Alic. de Linc. Conversa apud Dunestaple. Susanna apud Rammes. ad vitam suam. Johan. de Cantuar. Conversus apud Roffam. Walterus fil. Muriel & Helewisa, soror ejus Abbati & Conventui de Topham. Muriel & Johunnes fil. ejus Priori & Conventui de Kynes. Cecilia uxor Will. Conversi Abbati & Conventui de Flexl. Johannes & Odierna, Conversi Priori & Conventui de Trenth. Willus de Cantuar. Conversus Abbati & Conventui de Crokesden. posteà habuit secundum breve. Aug. fil. Will. de North. Conversus Priori & Conventui Sancti Barth. Linc. Willus de North. Abbati & Conventui de Valle Dei. Johannes Clericus Conversus Abbati & Conventui de Bello Capite. Agnes Conversa Abbati & Conventui de Sautre. Heur. de Ebor. Conversus Priori de Tinemuth. Sibilla. de Cestene sham, & Agu. fil. ejus apud Messenden: Johan. de Oxon. Conversa Abbati & Conventui de Middleton. postea habuit secundum breve. Jsabella de London, Conversa Abbati & Conventui de Abbodesbr. Edith de Glouc. Conversa apud parvam Mauverne. Johannis de Derlinton. Conversus Abbati de Derleg. Matil. uxor Roberti Crosscoate Conversa & Johanni fil. ejus Abbati de Hyda. De Conversis missis per Abbatias. Fines. 39 H. 3. m. 11. dors. Thom. de North. Conversus Abbati & Conventui de Holcoliram. Petronilla de Eborum Priori & Conventui de Hex styled sham. Rhicus de Kanc. Conversus Priori & Conventui Bathon. Johan. fil. Walteri Conversus Priori & Conventui de Encresay. Johan. de Sancto Albano Conversus Abbati & Conventui de Ouburn. Sabina Conversa uxor Johannis de Sancto Albano Abbati & Conventui de Kings-Wood. Johan. de London. Conversa Abbati & Conventui de Eynsham. Claramunda Conversa Abbati & Conventui de Alnestow. Johan. de Sutton. Conversus Priori & Conventui de Daventr. Johan. de North. Conversus & Mabel uxor ejus Abbati de Sancta Agatha. Will. Conversus & Jul. soror ejus Priori de Kirkhaem. Petronilla de Eborum Priori de Bolinton. De Conversis missis ad domos Religiosorum per primum Breve, & qui habent Fines 39 H. 3. m. 1. dorso. talem Cyphram O, in Capite habent utrumque breve, & forma Brevium poterit inveniri in principio hujus Rotuli finium 39 Hen. 3. Willus de Kanc. Conversus Abbati de Bello. Margeria Conversa Abbati de Waltham. Joeta de Hyngesby Conversi Abbatissae de Godestow. Elena. Conversa Abbati de Bruer. Robertus Grosseteste Conversus Priori Sancti Swithin Wint. Hen. Cloricus Conversa Hosp. Sancti Johannes Oxon. Mabil. Conversa Priori Sancti Gregor. Cantuar. Otto Conversus Priori de Bernwell. Johannes de Cant. Conversus Priori Roffen. Willus de Wygorn. Conversus Priori Wygorn. Richardus Conversus Priori Sanctae Frecheswyd. Johannes Conversus Abbati de Fontibus. Robertus Conversus Abbati de Bella Landa. Willus de Cantuar. & Johannes filius ejus Conversus Abbati de Stanleg. in Witesyr. Robertus de Wyndevur & Isabel uxor ejus Priori & Conventui de Bridlington. Dionys. uxor Othonis & fil. ejus Conversus Priori de Huntedon. Richardus de Dunton & Richold. uxor ejus Conversus Abbatide Buldewas. Augustinus de London Conversus Abbati de Boxlegg: Johannes de Cantuar. Conversus. Johannes de Plessetis Conversus Abbati de Roches. Galfridus Conversus Priori de Leyc. Richus fil. Galfridi Conversus Abbati de Ryvaus. Hodiern. fil. Willielmi Con. Priori de Pharlegg. Johannes de Hereford & Matild. uxor ejus Conversus Priori de Wenlock. Rogerus de Linc. Conversus Abbati de Parcolud. Mariae de Linc. & fil. ejus Conversa Abbati de Kirkstead. Christina de Glovernia Conversa Priori Sancti Oswaldi. Hug. fil. Philippi Conversus Priori Sanctae Fidis. Constanc. Converi. Abbati de Redigg. Johannes de Lamburne Conversus Abbati de Waleden. Richardus & Martha uxor Conversi Abbati de Abbaden. Johannes Mansell Conversus Priori de Lewes. Richardus de Sancto Swithino Conversus, & Matild. uxor ejus Conversa Abbati de Colecestr. Thomas de Oxon. Conversus Abbati Sancti Edmundi. Matthaeus & Tecla uxor ejus Conversi Priori de Norwic. Richardus de Wygorn. Conversus Abbati de Glassingbyr. Johanna fil. Richardi Conversa Priorissae de Sacford. Muriell Conversa Abbati de Pypewell. Richardus Conversus Abbati de Oson feston. Johannes & Hodiern. fill. Willielmi Conversi Priori de Thornthou. Henr. de Hawys fil. Richardi Conversus Abbati Sancti Augustini Bryston. Helewys fil. Muriell Conversus Abbati de Begeh. Dionys. fil. Johannis Mansell Conversus Priori de Mychbelh. Richardus fil. Galfridi Conversus Abbati de la Dale. Gilbertus de la Boneyr Conversus Priori de Bathon. Philippus Conversus Priori de Monte Acuto. Thomas Conversus Abbati de Beland. Richardus de Stau●ford Conversus Priori de Selford. Stephanus & Galfridus fil. Thom. Conversi Abbati de Coggesh. Dionys. & Julian fil. ejus Conversi Priori de Bosegrave. Thom. & Julian uxor ejus Conversi Abbati de Dunkwell. Stephanus fil. Thom. Conversus Abbati de Tyletteyl. Christiana Conversa uxor Willielmi le Serjeant Abbati de Malmsbyr. Susanna quae fuit uxor Johannis de Linc. Conversa Abbati de Rames. Sibilla Conversa Priori de Wyrcsop. Juliana de Notingh. Conversa Abbati de Newson. Petrus fil. Willielmi Conversus Abbati de Wellebeck. Matilda de Linc. Conversa Priori Sanctae Trinitatis Eborac. Galfridus de Hereford & Alic. uxor ejus Conversi Priori de Swynesheved. Alic. Conversa Priori de Surgurston. Willus Conversus fratr. Galfridi Conversi Priori Dunolm. Willus de Northampton Priori de Benver. Robertus fil. Galfridi Conversus Abbati de Gerwedon. Richardus de London Conversus Abbati de Muryvall. Drogo Conversus Abbati de Stanlegg in Ardern. Laurentius Conversus, uxor & filius ejus Conversi Hospital. Sancti Leonard. Ebora●. Alic. de Linc. Conversa Priori de Dunstaple. Walterus fil. Muriell & Helewys soror ejus Conversi Abbati de Thoph. Muriell & Johannes filius ejus Conversi Priori de Kines. Cecilia uxor Willielmi Conversa Abbati de Flexleg. Johannes & Hodiern. Conversi Priori de French. Willus de Cantuar. Conversus Abbati de Crokesden. Agnes fil. Willielmi de Northant Conversa Priori Sancti Bartholomaei Linc. Willus de Northant Conversus Abbati de Valle Dei. Johannes Clericus Conversus Abbati de Bello Capite. Agnes Conversa Abbati de Sautre. Henr. de Ebor. Conversus Priori de Tymenue. Sibill. de Chestnesh & Aug. fil. ejus Conversi Abbati de Messenden. Johanna de Oxon. Conversa Abbati de Middleton. Isabel de Lond. Conversa Abbati de Abbodesbyr. Edyth. de Gloucestr. Conversa Priori de Parva Malvern. Johannes de Derlington Conversus Abbati de Derl●g. Matild. uxor Roberti Grosseteste, & Johan. fil. ejus Conversi Abbati de Hyde. Thomas de Northampton Conversus Abbati de Holcoltr. Petronill de Eborac. Conversa Priori de Hexstrildesh. * The names o●● torn and illegible in the Roll. — de Cantuar. Conversus Priori Bath●n. — fil. Walteri Conversus Priori Eucreasy. — de Sancto Albano Conversus Abbati de Woburne. — com. uxor praedicti Johannis Abbati de Kingswode. — de London Conversus Abbati Eynsh. Claramunda Conversa Abbati de Johan. de Su●thon, Conversus Priori de Daventr. — & Mabill. uxor ejus Conversa Abbati de Sancta Agatha. — uxor ejus Conversi Priori de Kyrkham. — Priori de Boiling. — Abbati de Ose. Galfrid. fil. Thom. Conversus Priori de Bukenham. Johan. fil. Thom. Conversus Priori de Liwehull. Johanna Conversa Abbati & Conventui de Notle. Edith. de Glouc. Conversa Abbati de Tynterne. Christiana de Glouc. Conversa Priori & Conventui Sancti Gutlac. Hereford. Emma quae fuit uxor Richardi Conversi Hawis & Hodiern. fil. ejus Priori de Brethenhah. Willus de Cantuar. Conversus Abbati de Hale. Ph. de Winton. Conversus apud Wimundale. Willus de Nottingh. apud Merkeb. Petrus fil. Willielmi Conversus apud Novum locum super Acolne. Emma quae fuit uxor Richardi Conversi apud Langedon. Hugo fil. Phi. Conversus apud Boleg. Priori de Lanc. Ingramus & Thom. Conversi. Thom. & Jul. soror ejus Conversi apud Kokersand. Nich. Conversus apud Bradenest. Hear. fil. Christianae Conversus apud Sanctum Jacobum North. Juliana de Derb. Conversa apud Haverholm. Christiana de Winton. Conversa apud Rufford. Johanna uxor Richardi de Stamford Conversa apud Totebyr. Willus de Lond. & Jul. soror ejus apud Merlus. Ran. Conversus & Elizabeth uxor ejus apud Whiteby. Thom. de Nor. Conversus apud Sanctum Nicholaum Exon. Steph. de London. Conversus apud Brumor. Johan. de Sancto Albano & Sabina uxor ejus apud Clyve. Rob. de Lond. Conversus. Priori Sanctae Elenae de With. Willus de Cantuar. Conversus Priori Sancti Jacobi Bristol. The Bishops having unanimously and resolutely withstood the Popes and Rustands demanded Exactions the year before, as you have heard, being adjourned to a further day, were so terrified and divided in the interim by Rustands policy, power, and the Kings, who joined with him for his own advantage, that they durst scarce open their mouths or mutter against him, but only appeal. In festo autem Sancti Hilarii, congregati sunt Londini Episcopi Angliae & Archidiaconi, Anno 1256. Mat. Paris Hist▪ Angl. p. 891. Praelati Angliae mutire non audent contra Rustand●m. undique vehementer angustati, ut darent responsum Magistro Rustando, Papae et Regis Clerico, Papae Nuntio, Regis Procuratori. Coram quo, cum Magister Leonardus, de quo prius fit mentio, quasi Cleri advocatus, & Prolocutor universitatis, verba faceret pro Episcopis; & inter caetera responderet Rustando, qui se erigebat contra Magistrum Leonardum; dicens, quod omnes Ecciesiae sint Domini Papae; & diceret satis modestè; verum est, ad tuitionem, non fruitionem, vel appropriationem: secundum quod dicimus, omnia esse Principis; ac si diceretur, defensione, non dispersione. Et haec intentio fundatorum. Ad haec iratus Magister Rustandus, ait: Loquatur de caetero quisque pro se, ut sciat tam Papa, quam Rex, quid quis in eorum dicat negotio. In quo verbo omnes ita fuerunt attoniti, quod mutire vel non audebant, vel ignorabant. Patuit enim ●●m luce clarius, quod Papa et Rex in gravamen Ecclesiae et Cleri confoederabantur. Contra igitur postulata appellatum est. Noluit enim Magister Rustandus mutare unum iota unius scripti quod scripserat: in quo insertum fuit, ut affirmarent Praelati, se recepisse mutuo a Mercatoribus Transalpinis pecuniae memoratae quantitatem non minimam, et ipsam fuisse conversam in suarum commodum Ecclesiarum, quod profecto manifeste falsum esse constitit universis. Unde affirmabant, nec ●ine ratione, quod mori in hac causa, via fuisset martyrii manifestior, quam fuerat in causa beati Thomae Martyris. Cum autem Magister Rustandus videret omnes usque ad amaritudinem spiritus contristari, mansuetior effectus, dissimul●vit, dicens, se velle cum Domino Papa super hoc habere colloquium. Veruntamen missus est Romam Decanus Londinensis, scilicet Sancti Pauli, & quidam alii, pro universitate Ecclesiae Anglicanae. Timebatur autem super omnia, ne in hac causa occumberent Praelati prae duplici impetu tam validorum adversariorum, videlicet Papae et Regis, et ne haec servitus detestanda, et oppressio Ecclesiae et Cleri, traheretur in consequentia; quod esset per saecula deplorandum. At last, Episcopi Angliae, variis exagitati angariis, in quindena Paschae convenerunt Mat Paris Hist. Angl. p. 895. Conventus Episcoporum Angliae Londini. Londini, Rustando praecisè super exactione postulata responsuri. Qui primo fracti et discordes, fuerant recessuri. Postea vero, animati per Barones, contradixerunt; ne Domino Regi de Baroniis suis aliquid contribuerent. The Nobles and Prelates to preserve their Liberties against all Papal and Regal encroachments, procured the Great Charter of Liberties, and another for free Elections, to be again ratified, and a * Mat. Westm▪ Anno 1256. p. 275. solemn Excommunication denounced again in Westminster-Hall against all infringers of them, agreeing verbatim with the last * Here p. 796▪ 797. forecited; which Charters being sent to Pope Alexander to ratify, (as heretofore they were confirmed by Pope Innocent) what cold entertainment and answer they there found and received, is thus related. Provisumque est salubriter, ut Magnae Chartae Regis Johannis, quas sponte promisit Mat. Paris Hist. Angl. p. 891. Provisio de observandis Chartis libertatum concessarū, &c▪ Baronagio Angliae, & iste Rex praesens iterum, & nunc iterum de novo in magna aula Westmonasteriensi sponte & liberaliter concessit, sub poena horribilis Anathematis conserventur. Et propter Regis tyrannidem, quam non desinit exercere in Ecclesiis vacantibus; alia Charta, quam memoratus Rex Johannes concessit Regno, conspect bus Papae praesentaretur: concerning the freedom of Elections, which I have already cited, p. 336, 337, 338. Haec & alia Romam deferenda, salubriter à Summo Pontifice discutienda, providebantur. Multorum pia provisio ene●vatur. Sed quid juvat? Haec adjectio detestabilis (Non obstante) omnia infirmat. Praevaricatores, susurrones, & Magnatum adulatores, pervertentes omnia, sinistrè interpretantur universa. Reportantgue frequenter queruli a Romana Curia tale responsum, videlicet a Dominio Papa et fratribus: Nolumus his diebus principes offendere: & addunt, Oportet multa dissimulare, & conniventibus oculis (licet laedant) pertransire. Et sic, proh dolor, per meticulosos rigor justitiae, maxime in illa Curia, cernitur vacillare. Eisdemque diebus, obiit Johannes Romanus Archidiaconus Richemundiae, quamplurimis Mat. Paris Hist. Angl. p. 892. Johannes Romanus Archidiaconus Richemundiae moritur. saginatus redditibus & thesauris, hominum avarissimus. Hic fermè quinquaginta annis thesauris incumbens acervandis, unus de nobilioribus Canonicis Eboracensis Ecclesiae, primus, vel de primis fuit, qui quasi explorator impiissimus arcana Angliae reseravit, et provocavit Romanos, ut redditibus Angliae solito avidius et thesauris per fas et nefas inhiarent. Quo defuncto, Rex illico ejus praebendam & alia bona, quae poterat occupare, ad suum contulit, ratione vacationis Archiepiscopatus, beneplacitum. The Archbishop of Canterbury oppressing the Bishop of Rochester, notwithstanding the King's premised Writs, by reason of the Queen's power and favour, reiterated his complaint to the King against him, thus related. Diebus sub eisdem, Archiepiscopus Cantuariensis Bonifacius, Ecclesiam Roffensem Mat. Paris Hist. p. 893, 894. Archiepiscopus Cantuariensis vexat Ecclesiam Roffen. praegravans, ejusque invadens possessiones; tantam de facto suo notam incurrit vituperii, ut Ecclesia, cujus esse debet defensor, per eum dicatur vexari. Episcopus autem Roffensis, cum Domino Regi hujus ultori, lachrymabiliter super tanta injuria conquereretur, Rex demisso vultu respondit: Non possum eum flectere ad justitiam vel humilitatem, ne ipsum tam generosum, & genus suum tam magnificum, praecipuè Reginam, offendam velcontristem. Anno 1256. John de Camezane an Italian, by pretext of Pope Innocents' Bull of Provision, prosecuting the Abbot and Covent of St. Alban in the Court of Rome, to hold the Church of Herteburne by Provision, though impropriated, to the great prejudice of the Abbey and right of the King's Crown; they thereupon sent their Proctors to Rome, together with the King's Letters to the Pope and Cardinals, in their behalf, thus related. Et circa idem tempus, cum quidam Clericus Transalpinus, Ecclesiae beati Albani Mat. Paris Hist. p. 894. W. de Hort. & W. de S. Edwardo Monachi Sancti Albani Romam missi. nocumenta & damna●machinaretur, missus est unus fratrum ejusdem Ecclesiae ad Romanam Curiam, ut contra dictum Clericum, qui Johannes de Camezana dicebatur, quod justum erat, impetraret. Dictus igitur frater, videlicet Dominus Willielmus de Hortuna, memoratae Ecclesiae Cellerarius, assumpto secum Magistro Willielmo de Sancto Edwardo, Dominica Palmarum iter arripuit Transalpinum. Habuit etiam secum Literas Domini Regis elegantissimas, pro ipso deprecatorias, tàm Domino Papae, quam Cardinalibus. Quas quia Rhetoricè & optimè conceptae & compositae fuerunt, redarguit ille Johannes cavillator, falsitatis: asserens quod tam magnus intercessor, tam specialiter, tam familiariter, nunquam pro quodam simplici Monacho literatoriè Domino Papae & aliis gravibus & autenticis personis intercessit. Sed ipsius versuta redargutio, Regis posteà testimonio patuit denudata. Si quis illas Literas videre desiderat, in libris Additamentorum poterit reperire; thus registered therein. DOmino Papae Rex Angliae salutem, cum reverentia & honore. Dilectionis Additamenta Matthaei Paris. p. 195, 196. praerogativa specialis, qua inter caetera nostrae ditionis Collegia Abbatem & Monachos Sancti Albani Lincolniensis Diocaeseos, charius amplexamur, ad providendum utilitati & tranquillitati ipsorum cum opus est, multipliciter nos inducit. Cum igitur venerabilis pater Dunelmensis Episcopus, non absque consensu & consilio Capituli sui, ad sustentationem hospitalitatis quae apud dictos Abbatem & Monachos specialiter vigere dignoscitur, & ad quam suarum possessionum facultas sufficere nequiverat, duas partes Ecclesiae de Herteburne, Dunelmensis Diocaeseos, ipsorum usibus, interveniente consensu Prioris & Conventus de Thinemua (qui unâ cum Abbate praedicto jus patronatus obtinuerant in eadem) & residuum, usibus vicarii in ea ministrantis, dudum charitatiuè, necnon et precum nostrarum instantia, duxerit ordinandum: Magister Johannes de Camezane, cui in Ecclesia de Wengrave extat provisum, praetextu cujusdam Literae Papalis, quâ foelicis recordationis Innocentius quartus praedecessor vester, ultimus, sibi à dictis Abbate & suo Conventu, Ecclesiam suam praedictam in beneficium uberius mandaverat commutari, ipsos super dicta Ecclesia de Herteburne, in ipsorum grave dispendium, et nostrae mentis turbationem non modicam, aggravat et molestat. Sed et causam ipsam, in laesionem juxis nostri et privilegiorum nostrorum, extra Regnum nostrum trahi procurans; suppressa Litera contra ipsos impetrata, per quam in Anglia iidem Abbas & Conventus, infra certum tempus in eadem Litera comprehensum, poterant conveniri, & causa ipsa similiter ibidem terminari, nullo sibi die infra dictum tempus praefixo, causam eandem a suo judice, nullis rationibus vel causis legitimis admissis, ab eodem ad Curiam Romanam nequiter obtinuit remitti: Sanctitati igitur vestrae, quae nobis & nostris toties extitit gratiosa, cum quanta possumus affectione supplicamus, quatenus Monasterium supradictum, quod & de nostro extat patronatu, & vobis est immediatè subjectum, suo jure destitui non permittatis, sed potius ordinationem praedictam, de consueta benignitate sedis Apostolicae confirmare, & in aliis ejusdem Monasterii negotiis coram Sancta paternitate vestra expediendis, sibi favorem & gratiam impertiri velitis. Super quo, vestris beneplacitis cum gratiarum actione multiplici, uberius reddamur astricti. Teste meipso apud Leystonam, primo die Aprilis. Literae Regis ad Cardinalem J. HENRICUS Dei gratia Rex Angliae, etc. Venerabili Patri J. eadem gratia titulo Sancti Laurentii in Lucina, Presbytero Cardinali, salutem, & sincerae dilectionis affectum. Dilectionis Praerogativa specialis, qua inter caetera nostrae ditionis Collegia, Abbatem & Monachos Sancti Albani Lincolniensis Diocaeseos, charius amplexamur, ad eorum indemnitati (cum opus fuerit) providendum multipliciter nos inducit. Cum igitur Magister Johannes de Camezane, Domini Papae Capellanus, Abbatem & Conventum Sancti Albani super commutatione Ecclesiae de Wengrave sibi facienda, de Ecclesia de Herteburne, quam Episcopus Dunelmensis ad exhibitionem hospitum, eye ad precum nostrarum instantiam charitatis intuitu concessit, nos, Abbatem & Conventum intolerabiliter aggravet & molestet, trahendo ipsos in causam extra Regnum nostrum, contra indulgentiam nobis a sede Apostolica concessam, quod grave ferimus et molestum, ac idem Abbas dilectum nostrum fratrem Willielmum de Horton commonachum suum, ad praesentiam Domini Papae transmittat, tàm pro praedicto negotio, quam aliis utilitatem Ecclesiae suae contingentibus (pro ut idem Willielmus vobis viva voce intimabit) dilectionem vestram, de qua plenam gerimus fiduciam, affectuosè rogamus, quatenus eundem Willielmum habere velitis in praemissis specialiter recommendatum, consilium & juvamen vestrum ei pro amore nostro taliter impensuri, quod vobis propter hoc ad retributionem condignam, & ad gratiarum merita oportunis temporibus teneamur. Teste meipso apud Framlingham, 11. die Aprilis, Anno Regni nostri 40. To these precedent vexations of the Abbot by Suits at Rome, they superadded the payment of a great sum of money to the Pope's Merchants within one month, by a forged Obligation, under pain of suspension, notwithstanding all their former Privileges and Bulls. Eodemque die missae fuerunt Literae à Domino Papa, Abbati & Conventui memoratae Mat. Paris Hist. Angl. p. 895. Literae Papales ad Abbatem S. Albani▪ Ecclesiae Sancti scilicet Albani; ut infra mensem solverent quibusdam Mercatoribus quingentas Marcas, in quibus tenebantur eisdem Mercatoribus. Quem terminum si transgrederentur, scirent se ex tunc suspensos. Hocinsertum fuit in tenore Literarum, cum tamen nunquam scirent se alicui obligari. Et simili modo multis aliis Coenobiis factum est, ut videlicet sic cogerentur jugum subire Mercatorum foeneratorum. Et ut efficacius pecuniam extorquerent exactores, dicebant omnia exigi ad opus Domini Regis, praeparati ad iter peregrinationis arripiendum. That Pope Alexander himself was the original fountain of these forged Obligations, made and sealed in the names of Abbots and others, for great sums of money supposed to be borrowed by them from the Pope's Merchants, was thus evidenced. Ut autem manifestè pateat cuilibet Lectori, quod haec virulenia obligatio, Mat. Paris Hist. p. 904. Origo detestanda obligationis. quae ab Episcopo Herefordensi emanat, fontem habet initialem ab ipso Papa, nisi Bulla adulteretur; has literas duximus huic libello, ut perpetuetur memoria, inseri; Praelatorum modernorum et servitutis Ecclesiasticae commendandas. ALEXANDER, etc. Dilecto filio Magistro Rustando, etc. cum olim Bertolde, Literae Papales nofariae. Marchioni de Cambrigia, pro negotii Regni Siciliae procuratione, duo Millia unciarum auri per dilectos filios, Reinaldum, Remerum, Pervium, Scottum, & Christopherum Colum, eorumque socios, Cives & Mercatores Senenses, persolvi mandaverimus, & propter hoc quaedam Monasteria Ecclesiae Regni Angliae fuerunt in duobus Millibus Marcarum sterlingorum novorum, de mandato nostri eisdem Mercatoribus obligata. Quia praedictus Marchio & fratres sui multorum & beneficiorum quae a nobis & Ecclesia Romana receperant, immemores existentes, manifestam proditionem adversus nos & eandem Ecclesiam, & Charissimum in Christo filium nostrum Regem Angliae illustrem commiserunt in Regno praedicto Siciliae, propter quod omnibus beneficiis & gratiis à nobis impensis eisdem, meritò sunt privandi. Et de hujusmodi pecunia non nisi tantum trecentae unciae fuerunt per dictos Mercatores eisdem Marchioni & fratribus persolutae; discretioni tuae in virtute obedientiae per Apostolica scripta firmiter praecipimus, quatenus pradicta duo Millia Marcarum, ab hujusmodi Monasteriis et Ecclesiis colligas, vel per alium colligi facias, et hoc per dilectum filium Magistrum Bernardum de Sen. Capellanum et nuncium nostrum, vel per quemcunque alium Collegam suum, et eisdem Mercatoribus antedictis assignata, valore praedictarum trecentarum Marcarum auri demisso Mercatoribus saepedictis, residuum tibi facias a detentoribus exhiberi, contradictores et detentores hujusmodi per censuram Ecclesiasticam appellatione postposita compescendo, non dbstantibus aliquibus literis Apostolicis vel indulgentus cujuscunque tenoris existant impetratis, vel in posterum impetrandis, per quas hujusmodi solutio impediri valeat vel differri, seu si aliquibus literis Apostolicis a s●de Apostolica sit indultum, quod excommunicari, interdici nequeant vel suspendi. Postquam vero praedictam pecuniam collegeris vel receperis 〈◊〉 dem detentoribus quibuscunque, tu Monasteria ipsa, & Ecclesias supradictas ab obligatione qua super solutione facienda Mercatoribus ipsis de supradicta summa pecuniae tenebantur, Apostolica authoritate absolvens, instrumenta publica, et lireras super hujusmodi obligatione confecta, viribus in posterum carere decernas. Quid autem & quantum ab hujusmodi Monasteriis & Ecclesiis, vel Magistro Bernardo, & Mercatoribus supradictis, & aliis detentoribus quibuscunque receperis, dilectis filiis Carbuco, & Jacobo de Last. vel eorum alteri, I. Remero, Gilberto Cremonensi, & Mercatoribus Florentinis, qui pro mumtionibus civitatum & castrorum aliorum & locorum ejusdem Regni Siciliae, duo Millia Marcarum sterlingorum nobis liberaliter mutuarunt, ad quorum solutionem nos & Ecclesiam Romanam eis certo termino faciendam obligati sumus eisdem, sicut caram gratiam nostram habes, assignare procures. Non obstante quòd tibi super solutionibus quibusdam pecuniarum summis eis & quibus aliis communiter faciendis, aliàs direximus scripta nostra, quantitatem pecuniae, quam eis duxeris assignandam, tuis nobis patentibus literis intimando. Nos igitur de hujusmodi summa pecuniae in praedictis Carb & Jacobo, vel eorum alteri, fuerit nostro & Ecclesiae Romanae nomine persoluta, reputabimus nobis et Ecclesiae praedictae fore plenarie satisfactum. Mandatum autem nostrum taliter studeas adimplere, quod ipsos Carb. & Jacobum, propter hoc non oporteat ulterius ad nos habere rerursum. Quod autem haec omnia de voluntate nostra procedant eidem Regi intimare procures. Abbates vero & Priores, & Conventus Monastenorum & Ecclesiarum, quae propter hoc obligata fuerunt, nec non et quantitatem pecuniae in qua quodlibet eorum Monasteriorum, in quibus Ecclesiarum ipsarum tenetur ex obligatione hujusmodi, praesentibus fecimus annotari. Prior et Conventus de Dunelm. in quingentis marcis. Bathon. in quadringentis marcis. Abbas et Conventus de Thornela, in quadringentis marcis. Abbas et Conventus de Croilandia, in quadringentis marcis. Prior et Conventus de Giseburnia ordinis S. Augustini, in trecentis Marcis fuerunt Authoritate sedis Apostolicae obligati. Datum Anagniae decimo cal. Julii, Pontificatus nostri Anno secundo. Cum autem audissent Praelati Angliae, ut praedictum est, quod Papa & Rex confoederarentur Prior & Conventus Dunelmensis & Giseburniae nolunt consentire obligationi praedictae. in subversionem Anglicanae Ecclesiae, quod intelligi potest per praedicta, adeo in ambiguum rotabantur, et quasi inter duas molas conterebantur, ut caeci nescirent penitus quid agendum. Veruntamen Prior et Conventus Dunelmensis, neque Prior vel Conventus de Giseburnia, aliquo modo voluerunt flecti, ut consentirent illi virulentae obligationi, ut ipsi suas Ecclesias tam enormi servituti inclinarent, licet omnes fere alii genua Baal incurvarunt. Sed steterunt, et suspensionem diutinam, et Romanae Curiae persecutionem, et Mercatorum id est, usurariorum Convitia, jurgia, et comminationes alacriter et viriliter, pro libertate suae Ecclesiae dimicantes suffinuerunt. Er sicut ipsi doluerunt non habere in tali certamine consortes, ita timuerunt super omnia Papales, ne alii praestarent illis in tribulatione subsidium compatiendo, et similia cum suis fratribus aggrediendo. Sed pusillanimes et meticulosi incurvati sunt, ut ab hostibus calcarentur. Et sic non erat qui solatium impenderet, vel subsidium erhiberet, sed divisi, quasi vento agitati, quilibet quae sua fuerunt, Charitatis expertes, defendebant, et defendendo succumbebant. Et haec cornua praestabant inimicis. In what strange forms of obligations those Papal usurpers and Merchants involved the King, his Proctors and others, this precedent of the King's Proctors obligation to them under Pope Innocent the 4th. An. 1254. will evidence, the Original whereof I found in the White Tower Chappel. IN Nomine Domini Jesu Christi Amen. Anno Nativitatis ejusdem Millessimo Ducentessimo Quinquagessimo quarto. Indictione duodecima, mensis Maii die Sextadecima, Pontificatus Domini Innocentii Papae quarti, Anno undecimo, in praesentia mei Morborii Scovarii & Testium subscriptorum, ad hoc specialiter vocatorum & rogatorum▪ Dominus Guido de Positione Archidiaconus Lugduni, Nuncius & procurator Illustris viri Domini H. Dei gratiâ Regis Angliae, Domini Hybernia, Ducis Normaniae & Aquitaniae. & Comitis Andegaviae, apud sedem Apostolicam constitutus, habens à dicto Domino Rege Mandatum de mutuo contrahendo usque ad summam Trecentarum Marcarum Sterlingorum novorum, prout in Literis Domini Regis exinde confectis plenius continetur; Confessus est & recognovit se pro negotiis dicti Domini Regis ac necessariis utilitatibus apud eandem sedem Apostolicam promovendis & expediendis, mutuo recipisse & habuisse à Bonifacio Bonsignoris, & Bonaventura Bernardini, mutuantibus & solventibus, tàm pro se, quam pro Bernardino Prosperi●i Aldebrando, Hildebrandi, Civibus & Mercatoribus Senen. trecentas Marcas bonorum novorū legalium sterlingorum, tredecim solidis & quatuor sterlingis pro Marca qualibet computatis, de quibus dictus procurator procuratorum nomine se bene quietum & pacatum vocavit, exceptioni non numeratae & non solutae sibi pecuniae omnino renunciando. Quas praetaxatas Trecentas Marcas sterlingorum ipsis vel uni eorum, aut ipsorum Nuncio praesens publicum instrumentum deferenti & restituenti, in festo beati Michaelis proximo futuro London. apud scaccarium Regis per legitimam stipulationem, promisit dictus procurator procuratorio nomine, jam dictum Dominum Regem plenè soluturum & integrè redditurum. Quod si in dictis loco & termino praedicta pecunia ipsis, ut dictum non fuerit integrè persoluta, extunc in antea stipulatione praedicta promisit eis dictus procurator procuratorio nomine, pro damnorum & interesse recompensatione, persolvere per singulos duos menses pro singulis decem Marcis praedictis, unam Marcam ipsorum sterlingorum, & expensas unius Mercatoris, cum uno equo & uno servienter ubicunque fuerit usque ad plenam totius dictae pecuniae solutionem▪ quam praedictam recompensationem dampnorum, expensarum & interesse antedictis Mercatoribus promisit in sortē dicti debiti nominatus procurator procuratorio nomine nullatenus computare, ac non detinere memoratum debitum contra ipsorum Mercatorum voluntatem, sub praeceptore compensationis praedictae ultra terminum praelibatum. Pro quibus omnibus & singulis supradictis firmiter observandis & plenarie adimplendis, memoratus procurator procuratorio nomine jam dictum dominum Regem & successores suos praedictis Mercatoribus principales constituit debitores & pacatores; ipsum Dominū Regem cum omnibus bonis suis mobilibus & immobilibus praesentibus & futuris, eisdem Mercatoribus propter hoc specialiter obligando. Renunciavit in praescriptis omnibus dictus procurator procuratorio nomine dicti Domini Regis & successorum suorum, omni juris & legum auxilio Canonici & Civilis, consuetudini & statuto, privilegio fori, beneficio restitutionis in integrum, & exceptioni etiam quod praedicta pecunia non sit conversa in utilitatem dicti Domini Regis & terrae suae, constitutioni de duabus dietis Concilii generalis, omnibus Apostolicis Literis, indulgentiis & aliis quibuscunque à sede Apostolica impetratis ac etiam impetrandis, & omni exceptioni, actioni, defensioni, & rei quae objici posset contra hoc instrumentum vel factum. Ad majorem autem dictorum Mercatorum cautelam praefatus procurator bona fide promisit apud dictum Dominum Regem studiosè & fideliter laborare, ut ●uncta omnia & singula supra dicta, antedictis Mercatoribus observentur; In hujus itaque rei testimonium & evidentiam pleniorem, praesens instrumentum dictus Dominus Archidiaconus suo sigillo roboravit. Actum Assisi coram hiis testibus, scilicet Magistro Hugone Cumonjaco test. Pontio de Sal●sto Clerico Test. Willielmo de Resilione Test. Thomasio de Venant famul. dict. Arch. Authoritate Imperiali Setimanus praedictis omnibus interfui, & hoc instrumentum scripsi & complevi rogatus. Eodem anno, protervientibus Papalibus exactoribus, Ecclesia Beati Mat. Paris Hist. p. 907. Ecclesia S. Albani supponitur interdicto. Albani, circa festum Simonis & Judae, per quindecim dies supposita est interdicto, non quia magnificis destituta sit privilegis, sed quia haec adjectio detestabilis, Non obstante, omnium sanctorum Patrum pias enervat concessiones, et annullat auctoritatem. Maluit igitur Conventus injustam ac violentam sententiam, ne contemptus tribulationem suscitaret, observare reverenter, quam temerè non tenere. Cessavit igitur à campanarum pulsatione, divinorumque celebratione: & interim in Capitulo horas Canonicas cum Matutinis, complevit voce demissa. Animante igitur fratre Johanne de Dia, qui quasi vices egit Legati tunc in Anglia, Conventus divina modo consueto celebravit. The like opposition was made by the Cestorian Abbats, thus related. Diebus sub eisdem, Magister Rustandus vocavit omnes Abbates Cisterciensis ordinis Mat. Paris Hist. p. 895. Abbas de Wared. misericordiam postulat a Rege. in Anglia auctoritate Apostolica: ut coram eo quarta Dominica post Pascha apparerent, mandatum Domini Papae ibidem audituros. Qui cum convenissen● loco et die quo eos vocaverat, Rustandus facto prologo satis prolixo, postulat ab eis ad opus Papae et ad opus Regis juvamen pecuniare non modicum, quantum ascendit pretium lanarum suarum, vel amplius. Et novit mundus, quod in lanis eorum omnis eorum subsistit commoditas et sustentatio. Quod cum audissent Abbates, communicato consilio, omnes constanter responderunt unanimiter, quod non licuit tali ac tantae exactioni praecise respondere, irrequisito assensu et consilio Abbatis et Capituli Cisterciensis, cujus membra erant et filii. Et sic irato valde magistro Rustando, ad sua coenobia remearunt. Magister igitur Rustandus sicut solet infans laesus et querulus ad sinum matris, ad Regem festinavit quantocyus pervenire, asserendo enarrans et conquestus, quod Abbates Cisterciensis ordinis uno spiritu procaci et superbo responderunt, se nullo modo ipsum in hac sua necessitate adjuturos. Rex igitur iratus juravit, quod singulos damnificaret, quos omnes nequiverat flectere ad consensum. Et quia dixerant, quod Regem plus decuit orationes ab iisdem exigere, quam pecuniam: juravit, quod voluit et orationes habere ab eis, et pecunia non destitui. Erat autem tunc fortè in Curia Abbas de Bildewas ordinis Cisterciensis, quem Rex objurgans jussit sibi accersiri, & ait: Quid est Abbas, quod mihi indigenti & humiliter postulanti, auxilium pecuniare denegasti? Nonne sum patronus vester? Cui Abbas: utinam patronus, pater, & defensor. Veruntamen non expedit vobis nos in extorsione pecuniae damnificare, sed potius cum devotione orationum suffragia postulare, exemplo pii Regis Francorum salubriter informatus. Cui Rex: Vtrumque exigo, pecuniam videlicet cum orationibus. Cui Abbas: Non credo hoc posse contingere. Alterutro oportet te carere. Si enim substantiolas nostras a nobis violenter extorqueas, quomodo devotè & sinceris cordibus pro te orabimus? Oratio nempè sine devotione parum vel nihil prodesse praevalebit. Rex autem, licèt satis eleganter respondisset Abbas, tamen Abbatibus Cisterciensibus tacitus insidiabatur universis. Erat autem tunc temporis quidam Miles dives, Willielmus de Bello Campo dictus, Abbas de Wa●ed, misericordiam postulat ● Rege. uxorem habens nomine Ydam, genere nobilem, sed moribus degenerem nimis, & religiosorum & religiosarum, persecutrix fuerat indefessa. Haec igitur nacta jam nocendi Abbati de Wared de Regis ira oportunitate, more foemineo nocere machinans, gravem movit contra dictum Abbatem in Regis Curia quaestionem; sciens quòd Rex ipsum justè vel injustè, quia iratus, damnificarent. Et cum ex causa pusilla, vel nulla, in misericordiam Regis cecidisset, & necesse haberet Abbas à Rege ipso, quia alias Rex vias praecluserat, misericordiam humiliter postulare, Rex torvo vultu jurando horribiliter respondit; Qua fronte, Abbas, misericordiam postulas? Qui nuper mihi indigenti misericordiam cum tuis Coabbatibus denegasti. Et damnificavit eum Rex in multae pecuniae, ad arbitrium & persequentem voluntatem, effusione. Similiter autem & Abbas de Rufore Cisterciensis ordinis, pro quadum non causa, ut causa, quam provocarunt & excitarunt duae viles personae, quas garciones vocant, ad solutionem non minimae pecuniae, licet injustè, cogebatur. Similiter & alii Cisterciensis ordinis Abbates, damna & injurias & subire multipliciter compellebantur. Missi sunt igitur viri discreti de ordine Cisterciensi ad curiam Romanam, ut super Mat. Paris Hist. p. 896. 897. Literae Papales pro ordine Cister. hoc gravamine remedium impetrarent. Contra quos & Rex pro eo Dominum Willielmum Boncoque, Militem & Jurisperitum, ad eandem curiam, & ob alia negotia destinavit. Impetratio autem Cisterciensium talis erat. Alexander Episcopus, servus servorum Dei, dilectis filiis Abbatibus & Conventibus Cisterciensis ordinis in Regno Angliae, ac locis qui sub eisdem Regni Dominio subsistunt constituti, salutem & Apostolicam benedictionem. Quanto excelsiorem eximiae religionis gradum ordo vester gratia divina conscendit, & sublimius suae conversationis stationem ac sanctimoniae collocavit: tanto eum amplius sedes Apostolica, pia mater, continuis semper promovit augmentis & spiritualibus favoribus communivit. Nos igitur, qui eundem ordinem affectu prosequimur intimae charitatis, attendentes ejusdem ordinis Monasteria Regni Franciae, à praestatione decimae Ecclesiasticorum proventuum, à foelicis recordationis Innocentio Papa praedecessore nostro, charissimo in Christo filio nostro Regi Francorum illustri concessae in Terrae sanctae subsidium, excepta fuisse, eodem Rege devotarum orationum ejusdem ordinis suffragia pluris quam temporalia subsidia aestimante. Ac volentes quieti vestrae, quantum cum Deo possumus, providere, specialem gratiam vobis faciendo, ne praetextu concessionis charissimo in Christo filio nostro Regi Angliae illustri à praedicta sede factae, de decimis Ecclesiasticorum proventuum Regni sui & locorum suo Domino subjectorum certò percipiendis ab eo tempore, in subsidium Terrae sanctae, decimam reddituum & proventuum vestrorum ipsi Regi seu alii solvere teneamini, nec ad ipsarum solutionem compelli possitis, auctoritate praesentium vobis indulgemus. Decernentes vos nihilominus à praestatione harum decimarum, & quarumlibet exactionum genere, seu obligatione bonorum vestrorum occasione hujusmodi, penitus liberos & immunes, omnes indulgentias & li●eras super hoc ab eadem sede concessas, & processus, si qui contra vos & Monasteria vestra, penitus revocamus. Ac statuimus insuper, concedendas, cujuscunque tenoris indulgentias & literas super hoc ab eadem sede concessas, & processus, si qui contra vos & Monasteria vestra, penitus revocamus. Ac statuimus insuper concedendas, cujuscunque tenoris indulgentias & Literas, nisi de hac specialem & plenam de verbo ad verbum fecerint mentionem; vires aliquas adversus vos & Monasteria vestra non habere. Nulli ergo omnino hominum liceat, hanc paginam nostrae constitutionis & revocationis infringere, vel ausu temerario contraire. Si quis autem hoc attemptare praesumpserit, indignationem omnipotentis Dei & beatorum Petri & Pauli Apostolorum, se noverit incursurum. Data Neapoli, octavo Calend. Junii, Pontificatus nostri anno primo. Misit insuper eodem tempore Papa Literas Regi deprecatorias (praedictas) pro Mat. Paris Hist. Angl. p. 896. Literae deprecatoriae pro ordine Cisterc. ordine Cisterciensi. Scripsit insuper Albus Cardinalis Regi devotissimè pro ordine Cisterciensi; ne pro Deo ipsum sacrum ordinem talibus vexaret exactionibus, & sic ad horam Cistercienses respirarunt, qualiquali pace gaudentes. But soon after, Rex praecepit, ne aliqua gratia exhiberetur Cisterciensibus, sed Mat. Paris Hist. Angl. p 906. Monachi Cistercienses vectigal solvere coguntur. ut vexarent eos Vicecomites & alii Regii satellites, nec fieret eye jus, nisi commune. Et iratus quia intercessores procurabant pro eis, permisit, ut exigeretur & extorqueretur ab illis, cum redirent de generali eorum Capitulo, Telonium, quod vulgariter dicitur Paagium, contra libertatem & antiquam, & approbatam eorum consuetudinem. Unde multi super hoc non praemuniti, cucullas & tunicas vendere cogebantur. Qui verò ex parte universitatis Praelatorum ad Romanam Ecclesiam destinabantur, Mat. Paris Hist. Angl. p. 896. Modificatio Papalis. talem adepti sunt modificationem, & de intolerabili rigore remedium. Alexander, etc. Praelatis, etc. Provisionis nostrae provenire debet auxilio, ut unde nullum est is commodum assecuti, detrimentum minimè sentiatis. Cum igitur venerabilis frater noster Herefordensis Episcopus, de nostra licentia sibi per Literas nostras concessa, à dilectis filiis specialibus, Olivero Rosa, ac eorum sociis, Civibus ac Mercatoribus Florentinis, quingentas Marcas sterlingorum mutuò receperit, pro negotiis charissimi in Christo filii nostri Anglorum Regis illustris: quanquam in Literis ipsis & instrumento publico confecto super hujusmodi mutuo contineatur expressè, quod non pro vestris & Monasterii vestri negotiis fuit hujusmodi pecunia mutuata, pro qua etiam idem Episcopus vos ac dictum Monasterium & ejus bona, praefatis Mercatoribus obligavit. Nos volentes super hoc taliter providere, quod vos vel dictum Monasterium ex hoc non incurratis aliquam laesionem, actoritate praesentium vobis indulgemus, ut si eundem Regem in praedictae pecuniae solutione cessare contigerit, & vos de ipsa Mercatoribus satisfacere memoratis, liceat vobis decimam vestrorum proventuum Ecclesiasticorum, dicto Regi ab Apostolica sede pro Terrae Sanctae subsidio deputatam, usque ad quantitatem praedictae pecuniae, quam Mercatoribus solvetis eisdem, ac damnorum & expensarum, quae fortè propter hoc incurretis, liberè retinere: non obstantibus aliquibus Literis super executione praedictae decimae, sub quacunque forma verborum, ad quoscunque Judices seu executores, à sede impetratis, vel etiam impetrandis. Caeterum, si occasione hujus retractionis praedictae decimae, fuerint in vos vel aliquem vestrum per quoscunque suspensionis, excommunicationis, vel interdicti sententiae promulgatae, decernimus eas auctoritate praesentium nullas esse, et vos ad ipsorum conservationem non teneri. What an opinion many had of this Pope hypocrisy, occasioned by his rapines, this passage clearly discovers. Diebus sub eisdem, tepuit devotio multorum, quem de Papa Mat. Paris Hist. Angl. p. 897. Tepuit multorum devotio erga Papam. nostro patre, et Ecclesia Romana matre nostra habere consueverant. Ex quo enim in principio creationis suae precum suffragia exigebat à fidelibus; hypocrisim reputant et saecularitatis palliationem quamplurimi, sed de sua suspicione decepti: cum sanctus nos admoneat, dicens: Cum quid inceperis bonum, instanter Deum posce, ut ipse perficiat, etc. Sed quia hujusmodi devotionem opera subsequuntur contraria, verba de eo percurrunt incongrua. Spes igitur praeconcepta de sanctitate Papae, prorsus evanuit exsuffiata. Veruntamen multorum auribus veraciter instillatum est, quod de Bulla decepto Papa fraus committitur multiformis. Sed haec ratio, si-tamen ratio est, Papam non excusat. What ill success Boniface Archbishop of Canterbury and his Brother had in their Wars, supported with the Archbishop's rapines in England, and what a flattering consolatory Letter Pope Alexander writ to the King and Queen of England, to allay their grief for this loss, to seize the goods of these Delinquents, and promote his rapines by their favour, is thus related by Matthew Paris. Petrus autem de Subaudia constantissimè cum Magnatibus generis sui, videlicet Mat. Paris Hist. p. 899, 900. Papa scribit Regi ac Reginae Angliae. Archiepiscopo Cantuariensi, & electo Lugdunensi, & aliis Subaudiensibus, Urbem Taurinam infestat, ita ut deficientibus victualibus, nec poterat eis pondus proficere, Urbem suam imbelli populo vacuarent. Cives igitur quantò plus arctabantur, tantò firmius Comitem Thomam tenuerunt vinculatum: ut si Cives puniendi fortè caperentur, ipse Comes, qui primus & ultimus causam perturbationis suscitaverat, primitus puniretur. Dominus autem Papa, ut videretur Domino Regi Anglorum & Reginae in hoc casu profuisse, ipsos blandis consolationibus demulcendo, scripsit eisdem sic. ALEXANDER Episcopus, etc. Charissimae in Christo filiae illustri Reginae Anglorum, salutem & Apostolicam benedictionem. Nimis amarae nimiumque molestae sunt nobis injuriae, quae devotis Ecclesiae filiis irrogantur: valdè cor nostrum offensae fidelibus Apostolicae sedis illatae conturbant. Sed de illorum molestiis plus dolemus, quorum circa sedem Apostolicam semper devotio ferbuit, claruitque sinceritas, quod inter alios puritatis titulo praesigniri meruerunt, & uberiori ab eadem sede fulciri favore, & attolli honorificentia potiori. Horum namque gravamina illicò sentimus in nobis, qui mox cum laeduntur, degustamus suarum amaritudinem laesionum. Sanè ad audientiam nostram, non sine cordis amaritudine, & mentis tribulatione pervenit, quod nuper Astensibus Civibus ad depopulationem Castri Montis Calerit hostiliter procedentibus, dilectus filius nobilis vir Thomas de Subaudia Comes, avunculus tuus, qui in eodem Castro tunc temporis morabatur, recedens exinde, ad Civitatem se transtulit Taurinensem, sperans cum auxilio Civium Civitatis ejusdem, suorum utique Vassallorum, in successu praedicti Castri, quod ad eum spectare dignoscitur, recuperare. Sed dicti Cives, tanquam contemptores divini timoris, & famae propriae neglectores, * Yet Pope's ea● dispense with them to infringe such Oaths, without sin or scruple. fidelitatis juramento, quo praedicto Comiti tenebantur astricti, temerè violato, eisdem Astensibus procurantibus, & ad id auxilium impendentibus, ipsum capere & detinere, non sine proditionis nota, nequiter praesumpserunt. Et quidam rumor jam sinister, interiora nostra dolore immani acriter vulneravit: quia tantò venit auribus nostris acerbior, quantò detenti nobis charior est persona. Tristamur itaque, nec indignè, quod filius, quem inter alios praecipuè complectimur, taliter detinetur. Dolemus, nec mirum, quod tanti persona Magnatis, de cujus sincero confidebamus obsequio, in manus suorum incidit proditorum: arctiusque tenetur, quia devotione assidua invalescens, ad praedictae sedis exaltationem indefessa sollicitudine laborabat. Cum enim praedictum Comitem suumque genus singulari benevolentia prosequimur, cum ejusdem domum propter suae devotionis merita quodam semper affectu praetulerimus speciali, magis ex hoc suarum sentimus aculeos passionum, amplius ob id adversitatum ipsius amaritudinem delibamus. Quin imò sic proximo nos ejus detrimenta contingunt, quod ea patienti compatimur statim: similiter non potest unquam adversitatis flagello feriri, quin percutiamur protinus cum eodem. Similes quippe nobis affectus commisit, propriosque dolores amara nobis transfusione partitur. Ideo serenitatem tuam rogandam intentius duximus, & hortandam, quatenus personas & bona Civium Taurinensium & Astensium, in terris tuae ditioni subjectis existentium, capi facias, & tam diu detineri, donec praedictus Comes restituatur pristinae libertati. Regi quoque consimilis Epistola est transmissa. Circa festum beatae Catharinae applicuit Cantuariensis Archiepiscopus de partibus Mat. Paris Hist. Angl. p. 907. Redit Archiepiscopus Cantuariensis ex▪ Italia in Angliam. Italiae, post multas inutiles Anglicanae pecuniae effusiones, et labores infructuosos, qui parum profecit in bellicis negotiis apud Taurinam Civitatem. Nec est liberatus frater ejus Thomas, quandoque Comes, à carcere Civium, licet Subaudienses omnes vires effuderint ad ipsius liberationem, & quamvis Papa ipsum liberare conaretur, scribens Reginae Anglorum contra Cives, ad eorum impedimentum: as aforesaid. What Authority the Pope exercised this year in disposing Archbishoprics in Ireland, is thus storied in one particular. Magister insuper Radulphus de Norwico, Cancellarius Hiberniae, vir dapsilis & facetus, Mat. Paris Hist. Angl. p. 892. Mat. Westm. Anno 1257. p. 276. R. de Norwico electus in Archiepisc. Dubls. sed à primis annis plus in Regis Curia, quam liberalium artium schola Canonice eruditus, electus est à Canonicis Dublin. in Archiepiscopum Dublinensem. Sed propter aliquorum contradictionem, dilata est ejusdem confirmatio. Reprehendebantur nempe electores, eo quod hominem elegissent penitus saecularem, et adhuc in Regis clientela ac custodia, Hiberniae telonio assidentem. Et sic cassabatur. Matthew Westminster relates, A suis procuratoribus in Curia Romana nequiter proditus est et cassatus, et Fulconi de Sandford, qui a causa aderat, idem Archiepiscopatus confertur: who it seems was put by, and Fulco Basset preferred by the King. Circa diem vero Sancti Dunstani, prohibuit Rex, nescitur qua ratione, Mat. Paris Hist. p. 896, 897. Portus prohibetur. (though it appears it was principally to prevent Letters and Bulls from Rome) portus, ne quis Praelatus, Miles, vel Clericus, transfretaret: cum tamen transfretaverant Episcopus Bathoniensis, et Episcopus Roffensis▪ (with the King's licence.) Soon after, Dominus Abbas Westmonasteriensis, & Magister Rustandus, electusque Mat. Paris Hist. Angl. p. 892. Abbas Westm. & Rustandus transfretant. Sarum pro Domini Regis negotio, eodem Rege sic volente; nesciebatur ad quid, sed ob arcanas causas, utinam bonas, transfretarunt. Et pro multiplicatis saecularium discordiarum redivivis seminibus extirpandis, Bathoniensis & Roffensis Episcopi latenter et festinanter transalpinaverunt. The Bishop elect of Winton having forcibly and unjustly by his power deprived the Prior of Winton, and thrust another into his place without due election, the deprived Prior thereupon appealed to the Pope and Court of Rome, where he expected to be restored with great confidence; but to show how much more prevalent money than was in that corrupt Court, than justice, this intruder was confirmed, and he returned after great expense frustrate of his expectation, having some Manors assigned him for his support during life, out of which the Pope had an annual pension of 365. Marks to support his Table. Prior autem Wintoniensis per electum intrusus, Andraeas nomine, adminiculo ipsius Mat. Paris Hist. Angl. p. 900. Prior Winton. intiusus stabilitur. electi, in loco suo, quem occupaverat, contra omnium opinionem (ut sciatur quantum possunt munera Romae) stabilitur. Et qui tot expensas pro jure suo obtinendo effuderat, rediit in Angliam, suo defraudatus proposito, quamvis de promissione certissima, non sine opima retributione, spem praeconceperat, ut Prior in domo sua, prout jus exegerat, restitueretur. Assignata igitur sunt ei quaedam Maneria, ut inde vitam confusionis quoad viveret, continuaret, de domo Wintoniensi, ut sciant omnes quantum valent munera in Curia Romana. Dispersi igitur Monachi non sine rubore revocantur. Anno sub eodem, ex prodigalitate Prioris Wintoniensis expulsi, recepit mensa Papalis Mat. Paris Hist. Angl. p. 902. Prior Winton. expulsi munus ad mensam Papalem. incrementum qualibet die per annum, unius marcae argenti in reditu perpetuo. Quem Dominus Papa patentibus rictibus deglutivit. Sunt autem dies in anno 365. Reditus igitur extortus ad tot marcas ascendit. Et cachinnantibus Romanis, recessit idem Prior infecto negotio a Curia, omni fraudatus proposito desiderato: Nam munera sui adversarii, videlicet electi Wintoniensis, ad plus ascendisse perhibentur. How fraudulently and forcibly Pope Alexander and his Instruments by a Provision from Rome, intruded and installed one Jordan an alien, Dean in the Church of York, and how much he vexed the Archbishop, Sewal, for opposing it in the Court of Rome, this History informs us. Per idem tempus, venerunt quidam ignoti in Ecclesiam Eboracensem, in hora dum Mat. Paris Hist. p. 905, 906, 926. discumberent homines soli mensae intendentes, clanculo intrantes: inquisiverunt à quodam ibidem orante, quodnam esset stallum Decani? Et responsum est, hoc, demonstrato Decanatus Eboracensis per fraudem occupatur. stallo Decanali. Duo igitur tertio, quem installarunt, dixerunt: Frater, nos te authoritate Papali installamus. Quod cum cognovisset Archiepiscopus Sewalui, noviter creatus, & quandoque illius Ecclesiae Decanus, Godwins Catalogue of Bps. p. 465, 466. doluit inconsolabiliter de tali fraude perpetrata, et factum illud subdolum, quantum in se potuit, irritavit. Fraudulenti tandem Romanam Curiam, de qua venerant, adeuntes, illum bonum virum et modestum Archiepiscopum, interdici fecerunt, et damnis et laboribus immensis fatigarunt. Quae omnia Sanctus Praesul sustinuit in patientia, ut immineret ei evidenter tribulatio, quam Magister, ejus amicus quondam & socius, Sanctus Edmundus, praedixerat profuturam. Haec autem fraudulenta praesumptio, omnes Canonicos ita reddidit attonitos, quod quid agendum penitus ignorarunt. Absurdum namque et omni rationi dissonum, imo detestabile eis merito videbatur, tam nobilem Praebendam, tam arduum officium, despicabili et ignoto, sic intruso, conferri permittere, ut in tam nobili Ecclesia fieret talis et taliter suo Archiepiscopo secundarius. Authoritatem tamen tyrannicam Domini Papae, cui se Rex totum inclinavit, et ut aptius dicam, incurvavit, vehementer formidabant. What Bishops and other Ecclesiastical persons died this year, how the King and Pope disposed of their Temporalties, Goods, Elections of their Successors, and Suits against each other, the continuer of Matthew Paris thus relates. Eodemque anno coepit aegrotare lethaliter Archiepiscopus Burdegalensis, jam senex Mat. Paris Hist. Angl. p. 906. Obitus quorundam Episcoporum. & decrepitus. Et cum penitus crederetur, qui semivivus extitit, mortuus Episcopus Herefordensis (qui summo desiderio ad illum Archiepiscopatum ambiens an●elabat) impetratis Literis Domini Regis, quem habuit favorabilem, utpote Telonearius ejus, cum veritas pateret quod viveret, iter, laborem, operam perdidit, & expensas, multis sannis appetitus, sicut de quodam Magistro Lambino dicitur contigisse, de quo licet tantillum à materia digrediar, duo versiculi componebantur: Aere dato multo, nondum Pastore sepulto, Lambit ad optatum Lambinus Pontificatum. Eodemque tempore obiit Landanus, & alius est substitutus. Eodem quoque anno Episcopus Karleolensis Magister Thomas in principio Octobris, qui sicut Episcopus Eliensis, vix uno anno suum rexerat Praesulatum, de medio sublatus est. In quibus pendula gloria dignitatis saecularis, quam sit transitoria, luce clarius declaratur. Episcopus autem Elyensis Willielmus, in itinere Hispaniensi, dum Regi terreno ministraret obsecundans; ad tribunal summi tractus Imperatoris, in fata concessit peregrinus. Cor autem ipsius ad suam Ecclesiam Elyensem defertur tumulandum solenniter in eadem. Episcopus quoque Cestrensis, Magister videlicet Rogerus de Westham, die Omnium Sanctorum, ultro suo concessit Episcopatui. Obiit quoque eodem tempore Prior de Newburgo Johannes Canonicus, qui sicut Episcopus Elyensis Willielmus de quo praedictum est, Domino Regi familiaris, & consiliarius extitit specialis. Eodem anno, quibusdam controversiis inter Episcopum Bathoniensem & Conventum Mat. Paris Hist. Angl. p. 907. Scandalum ortum in Coenobio Glaston. Glastonensem exortis, intrusus quidam in illud Coenobium violenter, & invito Episcopo, authoritate Regia, coepit omnia ausu temerario ordinare, sigillum sibi adulterinum fabricare. Interim dum Episcopus, pro jure suo prosequendo, Romam peteret, rerum fiebat utrobique distractio. Intrusus autem quoscunque poterat convocat nebulones & gyrivagos, & convocatos indignos, in laesionem honoris Monastici, (ut suam partem contra Episcopum roboraret) Monachavit decem & octo, & tertia die fecit professos, non veritus istam Dominicam comminationem, imo potius maledictionem, Vae homini per quem scandalum suscitatur. Similique modo nobilis Ecclesia Wintoniensis schismate turpabatur. Et sicut illi histriones, quos electus Wintoniensis in contumeliam Prioris convocatos Monachaverat, apostatantes recesserunt, sic non aliud ab istis sperabatur. It seems there was a Suit pending in the Archbishop's Court, prosecuted by the Bishop of Bath and Wells against this Abbot, * See Bracton l. 5. De exceptionibus, c. 25. sect. 2. to deprive and excommunicate him, and another Suit at the same time in the King's Court, for the Temporalties of the Abbey, whereupon the King issued this Prohibition to stay the proceedings touching the Deprivation and Excommunication. REX Magistro Hugoni de Mortuo Mari Offic. Cantuar. salutem. Intelleximus Claus. 40 H. 3. m. 14. dorso. Pro Rogero Abbate de Glaston. quod Episcopus London. & alii vicini Episcopi ad preces Episcopi Bathon▪ & Wellen. circumventi, per errorem facti quia fortè ipsos latebat, quod causa pendet in Curia Cantuar. coram vobis inter praedictum Episcopum, & Rogerum Abbatem Glaston. super depositionis et excommunicationis sententiis, et quibusdam aliis Articulis, et in Curia nostra de temporalibus certis diebus in utraque Curia assignatis, intendunt praedictum Rogerum, depositum et excommunicatum publice denunciare: Vos rogamus attente, quatenus sicut honorem Coronae nostrae diligitis, suffraganeis Ecclesiae Cantuar. et praecipue Episcopo London. mandare velitis, quod pendente lite praedicta ab hujusmodi denunciationibus et diffamationibus omnino supersedeant. Quod si forte facere neglexerint, eas publice denunciari mandetis irritas et inanes, quia causa quae inter eos vertitur manifeste tangit honorem et dignitatem Coronae nostrae. Eo libentius et favorabilius si placet statum ipsius Rogeri qui dudum ante ad vos appellaverat, et pro jure nostro contendit, sicut ad vos pertinet, defendere velitis. Et hoc statim mandetis praefato Episcopo London. & Archid. London. & ejus Offic. Teste Rege apud Norwicum 27. die Martii. Eodem modo & per eandem narrationem scribitur Episcopo London. adjecto quod supersedeat etc. quousque cum Rege habuerit colloquium, & Rex super facto illo quatenus eum contingit plenius instruat, et quod rescribat, etc. Teste. * See p. 350. Mat. Paris Hist. p. 907. Dublinensis & Eboracensis stabiliuntur in Archiepisc. suis. Temporibus quoque sub eisdem, stabiliuntur prosperè in Archipraesulatibus suis Dublinensis, scilicet Magister Falco Basset, & Eboracensis, Magister Sewallo, Domino Papa manum apponente, post multas ipsorum Episcopatuum vastationes irrestaurabiles. Et sic Regis auctoritas, eo ipso procurante, cum Regni dignitate diatim declinavit. * Acta Pontif. Ebor. col. 1725. Godwins Catalogue of Bps. p. 465. Thomas Stubs informs us concerning Sewal; Eo quod defectum patiebatur in natalibus, & ideò non fuit secum dispensatum quoad talem dignitatem; ejus electioni cum Rex Henricus 3. negaret assensum, idem electus misit ad Curiam Romanam, & Dominus Papa Alexander 4. confirmavit ejus electionem, & ut in Ecclesia Eboracensi consecraretur cum eo gratiosè (but not gratis) dispensavit. Consecratus est autem Sewallus in Ecclesia Sancti Petri Eboraci, à Suffraganeis quos advocaverat die Dominica 2. Kal. Augusti, Anno Domini 1256. et sic nolente volente Rege obtinuit et Pontificatum et Pallium. Ipso quoque anno muneribus Electi Wintoniensis in Curia Romana discurrentibus, Mat. Paris Hist. p. 907. Andreas intrusus P●io. Wintoniensis stabilitur. et Simonialibus praemiis et precibus Prioris intrusi Wintoniensis, quem idem Electus creaverat, intermeantibus, stabilitur intrusus, scilicet Andreas. Alteri autem post labores transalpinos, & pecuniae infinitam effusionem, & enormem sui Prioratus laesionem, quoddam manerium ad sui sustentationem providetur. Conventus autem dispersus, imperiosè sub poena anathematis convocatur ab Electo: & sic diatim in Nobilibus Ecclesiis Conventuabilibus, opprobria per schismata suscitantur. Quae propter discordias et ambitiones, Curiae Romanae pabula ministrantur: ita videlicet ut per hanc solam discordiam, additus est annuus redditus mensae Papali qualibet die una marca argenti. After long expensive suits between the Bishop Elect of Winton, and the Monks of St. Swithin about deposing▪ of the old, and enforcing of a new Prior on them by the Bishop in the Court of Rome, upon a Reference from Pope Alexander, they came to this final accord, which the King himself thus recited and ratified under his great Seal. H. Dei gratia Rex Angliae, etc. Universis ad quos, etc. Salutem in Domino Pat. 40 H. 3. m. 7. dorso. sempiternam. Noverit Universitas vestra quod nobis personaliter existentibus in Capitulo Sancti Swithini Winton. praesentibus A. Dei gratia Electo Winton. & A. Prior & Conventu ejusdem Ecclesiae, pax & concordia inter dictum Electum ex una parte, & Priorem & Conventum & procuratorem Willide Taunton ex altera, fuit de consensu partium recitata sub hac forma. Universis Praesentes Literas inspecturis vel audituris Fr. Adam. de Marisco de ordine fratrum minorum, Judex à Domino Papa delegatus in causis motis inter Venerabilem Patrem A. Dei gratia Winton. Electum ex una parte, ad dictum Will. de Taunton, pro se & Convent. Winton. ex altera, & deputatus & tractandum de pace & faciendum inter eosdem, salutem in Domino. Mandatum Domini Papae suscepimus in haec verba▪ ALEXANDER Episcopus, servus servorum Dei, Dilecto filio fratri Adae de Marisco ordinis minorum, salutem & Apostolicam benedictionem. Dudum inter dilectum filium A. Electum Winton. ex una parte, & Dominum Willielmum de Taunton Capellanum nostrum Priorem ac Conventum Winton ex altera, super diversis Articulis questione suborta & praesatis Electo & Conventui per procuratores, ipso verò Willielmo personaliter comparentibus coram nobis tàm ex ipsius, W. quam ex praedicti Conventus parte plures & varii libelli contra procuratorem praefati Electi ejus nomine oblati fuerunt, super quorum aliquibus litis contestatio per eundem ipsius Electi pr●curatorem facta extitit, & super eisdem hinc inde de veritate dicenda juratum; & tandem factis hinc inde rationibus, ad ipsarum aliquas fuit ex utraque parte responsum, prout haec omnia in Actis super hiis confectis, quae venerabilis frater Praenestinus Episcopus & dilectus filius noster F. Sancti Nicholai in carcere Tulliano Diaconus Cardinalis quos eisdem partibus audituros concessimus, tibi sub signis transmittunt inclusa plenius perspicies contineri. Verum quia de assertionibus partium apud Apostolicam sedem facere liquere non poterat, nos nolentes causas hujusmodi per Commissiones & remissiones varias in grave Winton. Ecclesiae dispendium prorogari, discretioni tuae per Apostolica scripta in virtute obedientiae districtè praecipiendo Mandamus, quatenus dictis libellis & Actis diligenter inspectis, hujusmodi negotia pace vel concordia, si de partium voluntate processerit, terminare procures, Alioquin per Judicii tramitem seu aliàs per provisionem prout secundum Deum expedire videris, usque ad sententiam in negotiis ipsis procedas processum postmodum tuum sive causas sufficienter instructus remittens ad praedictae sedis examen, praefigendo partibus terminum peremptorium competentem, quo se Apostolico Conspectui representent, justam dante Domino sententiam recepturae. Proviso, quod praefato Priori & Monachis hujusmodi negotia prosequentibus, expensas ad prosecutionem ipsarum necessarias de bonis ejusdem Ecclesiae fac exhiberi, & super aliis sumptibus, qui in negotiis ipsis opportuni suerint, quod de praedictis bonis fiant; nihilominus providendo concedimus quoque tibi, ut omnia bona dictae Ecclesiae ad ipsum Conventum spectantia, sive antequam incipias in negotiis ipsis procedere, sive post, si volueris, vel tibi videbitur expedire, valeas sequestrare. Contradictores per Censuram Ecclesiasticam appellatione postposita compescendo, non obstante si personis aliquibus a praedicta sede sit indultum, quod interdici, suspendi vel excommunicari, quodque extra suam Diocesim in Com. trahi, vel ad judicium evocari non possint per literas Apostolicas, plenam et expressam non facientes de indulto hujusmodi mentionem, et constitutione de duabus dietis edita in Concilio generali, nec non indulgentia quae fratribus tui ordinis a praefata sede dicitur esse concessum, quod de causis quae ipsis a sede committantur eadem se nullatenus intromittere teneantur. Data Anagni● 10. Calend▪ Octobris Pontificatus nostri Anno primo. Vestrae Universitati notum facimus, quod dicto Domino Electo & Conventui Winton & procuratoribus ejusdem, nec non procuratore Domini W. de Taunton▪ in nostra praesentia legitimè constitutis, apud Winton in Capitulo Sancti Swithini dictus Conventus & dicti procuratores destiterunt ab omnibus litibus & questionibus propositis ex parte eorundem in Curia Romana contra eundem Electum, et renunciaverunt eisdem quamdiu dictus Electus Episcopatum Wintoniae tenuerit. Quam desistentiam & renunciationem ipse Electus in Capitulo acceptavit. Dictus verò Conventus & procuratores memorati protestati fuerunt, quod ipso Electo cedentè vel decedente salvae sint ei omnes quaestiones quas se dicunt habere contra eundem. Promiserunt etiam & concesserunt quod Prior & Obedientiarii rationem summariam sive compotum reddent de administrationibus suis dicto Domino Electo suo perpetuo, vel duobus vel tribus viris honestis quos ad hoc deputaverit infra septa Monasterii Sancti Swithini praesentibus senioribus Conventus ejusdem. Insuper supplicaverunt dicto Domino Electo; quod si penes eum aliqua residua de bonis Prioratus remanserint, faciat eis exinde subventionem ad debita Monasterii relevanda, & de gratia sua provideat dicto Domino Willielmo de Taunton in competenti sustentatione de bonis ipsius Prioratus, & quod circa reformationem Monasterii curam adhibeat diligentem tàm in spiritualibus quam temporalibus▪ in Priore & in Monachis, ad honorem Dei & salutem animarum, cum ea qua fieri potest Celeritate, & quod de Coquinar. Celeri serviente, infirmariae fiat inquisitio per viros discretos neutri parti suspectos, qualiter praecedentibus temporibus fuit observatum, & prout per inquisitionem invenerit futuris temporibus observetur, & literas suas patentes concedat eisdem pro se & suis, nec ipse nec auditores computi aliquid ad opus suum recipiant. Et si quod residuum suerit in usus Monasterii convertatur per manus officialium ejusdem Monasterii, de Consilio & consensu Prioris & Conventus. Et pace inter eos taliter reformata, & omni materia discordiae totaliter sopita, dicto Conventui & singulis de Conventu rancorem, si quem habebat contra eos, ad oscula pacis benigniter recepit. Haec omnia acta sunt coram nobis ultimo die Maii, Anno Domini 1256. In quorum omnium fidem & testimonium praesentibus sigillum nostrum apposuimus. Nos vero utilitatem Ecclesiae attendentes & tranquillitatem ejusdem pro viribus amplectentes, dictam pacem Approbavimus, & ad instantiam dicti fratris Adae, & petionem partium sigilium nostrum praesenti scripturae apponi fecimus in testimonium veritatis una eum sigillo dicti Conventus. Teste Rege apud Winton. 26. die Junii. The King by reason of the vacancy of the Archbishopric of York, presented John Maunsel to the Treasureship of that Church, the Dean and Chapter refused to install him therein by his Proctor, unless he were personally present, though then employed in the King's service, pretending it to be contrary to the Custom of that Church, and an Oath thy had taken. Whereupon the King issued this Writ, commanding them to install him by his Proctor, notwithstanding this pretended Custom and Oath, being so employed in his and his Kingdom's service that he could not personally resort thither, and that within three day's space; or else in their default, the Guardian of the Archbishopric should install him. REX Decano & Capitulo Eborum salutem. Cum nuper vacantem Thesaurariam Claus. 40 H. 3. m. 17. dorso. Ecclesiae Eborum dilecto & fideli nostro Johanni Maunsel Praeposito Beverla. prout ad nos pertinet ratione Custodiae Archiepiscopatus Eborum in manu nostra existentis, contulerimus; ac Mandaverimus ipsum procuratorem suum ipsius nomine per vos, prout moris est, in ipsius possessionem induci: intelleximus, quod vos praetextu consuetudinis Ecclesiae vestrae, ut dicitur, juramento firmatae; per quam observatum est, quod absens per procuratorem super hoc non admittatur in ipsa ad aliquam dignitatem, ipsius procuratorem super hoc admittere, & stallum & locum sibi debitum pro vestra voluntate, non sine nostri juris injuria distulistis assignare. Verum cum idem praepositus in nostris & nostrorum desudando incunctanter obsequiis dudum fuerit Canonicus vester, non videtur nobis, quod pro permutatione hujusmodi debeatis vos sibi sicut in receptione extranei, difficiles exhibere, vel ei necessitatem imponere occasione hujusmodi illuc personaliter veniendi. Quia insuper pro arduis negotiis nostris quae alii ad praesens credere non possumus nec committere, necesse habuimus ipsum sine dilatione ad partes Gallicanas destinare, universitatis vestrae sinceritatem affectuosè rogamus, quatenus attendentes providè quod, Clericus absens de beneficio Ecclesiastico ritè poterit per alium investiri, nec ullo unquam tempore reperimus aliquos in regno nostro contrarios vel rebelles in exquutione hujusmodi mandati nostri cujuscunque consuetudinis occasione vel statuti in aliquibus Ecclesiis quantum cunque privilegiatis, quodque ipsius circumspectio & industria, & nobis & Regno nostro perutiles & necessariae, & poterit vobis & Ecclesiae vestrae esse valde fructuosa, possessionem praedictae Thesaurariae procuratori suo ipsius nomine assignatis sibi stallo in Choro & loco in Capitulo tam favorabiliter quam benignè, absque dispendio morae interim ad eandem Thesaurariam pertinentibus integrè assignare curetis, praecipuè, cum ipse paratus sit quam citò poterit ad partes illas commodè declinare, quicquid de Jure vel consuetidine fieri debeat in hujusmodi negotio libenti animo facere personaliter & adimplere: Taliter has preces nostras exaudientes, quod in agendis vestris & Ecclesiae vestrae grata vobis debeamus vicissitudine respondere. Caeterum quia frustroria esset nostra collatio, quod absit, nisi iis cui eam duxerimus faciendam rei collatae plena ac corporali possessione laetetur, dilecto & fideli nostro Magistro Joh. Clarel, Custodi nostro Archiepiscopatus memorati, nostris literis damus in mandatis ut si vos post receptionem praesentium infra trium dierum spatium praedictum mandatum nostrum exequi neglexeritis, ipse extunc illud amoto cujuslibet difficultatis obstaculo exequatur. Teste Rege apud Windes 20. die Jan. Per ipsum Regem, Johannem filium Galfridi, & Robertum Walter. The Dean & Canons of the Cathedral Church of Lincoln. petitioning the King, that they might enlarge and remove their Church toward the East part thereof, the King thereupon issued this memorable Writ of Quod damnum, concerning it▪ before he granted any such hcence to them. REX Henrico de Bathonia salutem. Cum dilecti nobis in Christo Decanus & Canonici Pat. 40 H. 3▪ m. 22. dors. De Ecclesia Linc. Elongan. da. Linc. Ecclesiae nobis supplicaverint, quod licentiam eis concederemus elongandi Ecclesiam suam versus orientem, per remotionem muri orientalis civitatis nostrae Linc. qui est ex opposito ejusdem Ecclesiae. Ignorantes utrum hoc fieri posset sine dampno nostro, & detrimento aut nocumento ejusdem Civitatis, Constituimus vos ad inquirendum per Sacramentum proborum, utrum esset ad dampnum nostrum, aut detrimentum vel nocumentum Civitatis praedictae si concederemus praedictis Decano & Canonicis quod elongare possint praedictam Ecclesiam suam, & removere praedictum murum versus orientem necne; Et si esset ad dampnum nostrum vel detrimentum seu nocumentum praedictae Civitatis, ad quod dampnum, quod detrimentum & quod nocumentum. Et si non esset ad dampnum etc. per quae loca & per quas divisas posset praedicta Ecclesia elongari & praedictus murus removeri sine dampno nostro, & detrimento ac Nocumento ejusdem Civitatis. Etideo vobis mandamus quod in propria persona vestra accedatis ad praedictam Civitatem, in praesentia Majoris & Ballivorum & aliorum Civium ejusdem Civitatis dictam Inquisitionem & sicut praedictùm est, faciàtis. Et quod inde inveneritis nobis in reversione vestra ad nos distinctè & apertè scire faciatis. Mandavimus enim Vic. nostro Linc. quod ad diem etc. venice fac. coram vobis tot & tales, etc. de Balliva sua per quos etc. In cujus, etc. Teste Rege apud Westm. 5. die Nou. King Henry to ingratiate himself with Rustand the Pope's Legate besides the livings he obtained by the Pope's provisions, granted him provisions out of the Ecclesiastical benefices, dignities and prebendaries which should first happen in his own gift, amounting to 300. Marks a year, to be preferred before all others formerly granted by him, one only excepted. REX Omnibus etc. salutem. Sciatis quod nos damus & concedimus venerabili Patri Pat. 40 H. 3. m. 12. intus. Pro Magistro Rustando. P. Hereford. Episcopo & dilecto Clerico nostro H. de Wengham plenam & l●beram potestatem providendi dilecto nobis in Christo Magistro Rustando Domini Papae S●bdiacono & Capellano, vice nostra in primis beneficiis, Ecclesiasticis dignitatibus vel praebendis nobis vacaturis in Regno nostro, ad Collationem nostram suspectantibus usque ad summam CCC. Marcarum per Annum. Quam quidem provisionem omnibus aliis provisionibus a nobis concessis praeferri volumus, excepto provisione quam prius concesseramus praefato Henrico fac. in dignitate vel praebenda ad collationem nostram spectante in Ecclesia Sarr. vel alibi in Regno nostro, si eidem Henrico in praedicta Ecclesia Sarr. per nos non fuerit provisum. In cujus etc. Teste Rege apud Windes. 12. die Maii. The Jews of Lincoln having crucified a Christian Child to the great dishonour and disgrace of Jesus Christ, the King out of his Ecclesiastical supremacy and zeal to vindicate the honour of the name of Jesus Christ, and for the Exaltation of the Christian faith, appointed special Justices, diligently to inquire of, and severely to punish this grand offence, by this Patent and Commission. REX etc. Rogero de Turkleby & Nicholas de Turri. salutem. Quia horrible Pat. 40 H. 3. m. 17. dors. De inquisitione quadam capienda. (de puero per Judaeum Crucifixo.) factum nuper perpetratum in Civitate nostra Linc. de Puero Christiano ibidem Crucifixo in dedecus et vituperium jesu Christi, toto Cordis desiderio vindicari peroptamus, ad ipsius jesu Christi nominis honorem, fidei Christianae exaltionem, nec non et pacis nostrae conservationem, constituimus vos Justic. nostros ad faciendam pleniorem inquisitionem quia fuerunt de Schola Peytevini Magni, qui fugit pro morte dicti pueri, & de quibusdam articulis dictum factum contingentibus. Et ideo vobis mandamus, quod die Martis prox. ante instantem Dominicam Palmarum, conveniatis apud Linc. ad dictam inquisitionem faciendam prout vobis nuper viva voce injunximus. Mandavimus enim Vic. nostro Linc. quod 12. tam milites quam alios liberos & legales homines de propinquioribus Visnet. Civitati Linc. & 12. Legales & discretos Cives ejusdem Civitatis, una cum majore Ballivis & Coronatoribus dictae Civitatis, per quos rei veritas in praemissis melius & plenius investigari valeat & inquiri. Et omnes Judaeos et Judaeis qui aliquibus Judaeis in eadem Civitate infra biennium proximo praeteritum sunt obsecuti, dictis die et loco coram vobis venire faciatis ad dictam Inquisitionem plenius faciendum. Et quod ipse Vic. assumptis secum Coronatoribus nostris Com. sui vobis ad praemissa facienda dictis die & loco assistat diligenter, ex parte nostra injunxeritis. In cujus, etc. Teste Rege apud Norwicum 27. die Marcii. The History of this Child's crucifixon, and proceedings against the Jews upon this inquisition, is thus recorded by the continuer of Mat. Paris. Anno quoque sub eodem, circa festum Apostolorum Petri & Pauli, Judaei Lincolniae Mat. Paris Hist: p. 883, 488. Judaei duriter tractantur, ob puerum ab eis crucifixum. See Holinshed, Grafton, and others An. 40. H. 3. furati sunt unum puerum, Hugonem nomine, habentem aetate octo annos. Et cum ipsum in quodam conclavi secretissimo, lacte & aliis puerilibus alimentis nutrirent, miserunt ad omnes ferè Angliae Civitates, in quibus Judaei degebant, & convocarunt de unaquaque Civitate aliquos Judaeorum, ut in contumeliam, et opprobrium jesu Christi interessent sacrificio suo Lincolniae Habebant enim, dicebant, quendam puerum absconditum ad crucifigendum.. Et convenerunt multi Linc. Et convenientes, constituerunt unum Judaeum Lincolniensem pro Judice, tanquam pro Pilato. Cujus judicio & omnium favore, affectus est puer diversis tormentis. Verberatus est usque ad cruorem & livorem, spinis coronatus, sputis ac cachinnis lacessitus. Et insuper à singulis punctus cultellis, qui dicuntur Anelatii, potatus felle, derisus probris & blasphemiis, & crebrò ab eisdem, frendentibus dentibus, Jesus Pseudo-propheta vocatus. Et postquam diversimodè illuserant ei, crucifixerunt. Et Lancea ad cor pupugerunt. Et cum expirasset puer, deposuerunt corpus de Cruce, & nescitur qua ratione eviscerarunt corpusculum: dicitur autem, quod ad Magicas artes exercendas. Mater autem pueri filium suum absentem per aliquot dies diligenter quaesivit, dictumque ei à vicinis, quod ultimo viderunt puerum, quem quaesivit, ludentem cum pueris Judaeorum sibi coaetaneis, & domum Judaei cujusdam intrantem. Intravit igitur mulier subito domum illam, & vidit corpus pueri in quendam puteum praecipitutum. Et cautè convocatis Civitatis Ballivis, inventum est corpus & extractum. Et factum est mirabile spectaculum in populo. Mulier autem mater pueri, querula, & clamosa omnes Cives in uno convenientes, ad lacrymas & suspiria provocavir. Erat autem ibidem Dominus Johannes de Lexintona, vir quidem circumspect us & discretus, insuper eleganter literatus. Quia ait: Audivimus quandoque quod talia Judaei in opprobrium Jesus Christi domini Crucifixi, non sunt veriti attemptare. Et capto uno Judaeo, in cujus domum scilicet intravit puer ludens, & ideo aliis snspectior, air illi: Miser, nescis quod te festinus manet interitus? Totum aurum A ngliae non sussiceret ●d ereptionem tuam aut redemptionem. Veruntamen dicam tibi, jicet indigno, qualiter poteris vitam tuam reservare, & membra ne mutileris. Utrumque tibi salvabo, si quacunque in hoc casn aguntur, sine fal si stamine mibi pandere non formides. Judaeus igitur ille, cui nomen Copinus, sic credens viam invenisse evasionis, respondit, dicens: Domine Johannes, si dictis fact a compens as, pandam tibi mirabilia. Et animavit eum & stimulavit ad hoc Domini Johannis industria. Et ait Judaeus: Vera sunt quae dicunt Christiani. Judaei ferè quolibet anno, unum puerum in injuriam & contumeliam Jesus crucifigunt. Sed non quolibet anno comperitur. Occultè enim hoc faciunt, & loc is absconditis & secretissimis. Hunc autem puerum, quem Hugonem vocant, immisericorditer nostri Judaei crucifixerunt, & cum objisset, & mortuum vellent abscondere, non potuit obrui in terra, nec abscondi. Inutile enim reputabatur corpus insontis angurio, ad hoc enim eviscerabatur. Et cum manè putatur absconditum, edidit illud terra & evomuit, & apparuit corpus aliquoties inhumatum supra terram, unde abhorruerunt Judaei. Tandem in puteum praecipitatum est, nec adhuc tamen poterat occultari. Mater enim improba omnia perscrutando, tandem corpus inventum Ballivis intimavit. Dominus autem Johannes tenuit Judaeum vinculis mancipatum. Et cum haec Canonicis Ecclesiae Lincolniensis Cathedralis innotuissent, petierunt corpusculum sibi dari, & concessum est illi. Et cum ab infinitis satis consideraretur, honorificè in Ecclesia Lincolniensi; tanquam pretiosi martyris, humabatur. Sciendum, quod Judaei tenuerant puerum vivum per decem dies, ut tot diebus pastus lacte, tormenta vivus multiformia toleraret. Cum Rex redisset de partibus Borealibus Angliae, & certificaretur de praemissis, increpavit Dominum Johan nem, quod tam flagitioso vitam & membra polliceretur, quod dare nequiverat. Dignus enim erat blasphemus ille & homicida, mortis poena multiformi. Et cum judicium reo immineret irremediabile, ait: Imminet mihi mors mea, nec potest mihi Dominus Johannes perituro suffragari. Nunc dico vobis omnibus veritatem: Hujus pueri, de quo calumniantur Judaei, morti consentiebant omnes ferè Judaei Angliae. Et cujuslibet ferè Civitatis Angliae, in qua Judaei habitant, quidam electi convocabantur ad illius pueri immolationem, quasi ad Paschale sacrificium. Et cum haec dixisset simul cum aliis deliramentis, ligatus ad caudam equinam, & tractus ad patibulum, aëreis cacodaemonibus in corpore & anima praesentatur. Et alii Judaei, hujus facinoris participes, quaterviginti & undecim, in bigis Londinum ducti, carcerali custodiae mancipantur. Qui si fortè ab aliquibus Christianis plangerentur, ab aemulis eorum Caursinis siccis lachrymis deplorabantur. Posteà verò, per inquisitionem Justitiariorum Domini Regis praeceptum fuit & Octodecim Judaei tracti ad patibulum &c suspensi. inventum, quod Judaei Angliae communi consilio puerum innocentem, pluribus diebus flagellatum, interemerunt crucifixum. Sed posteà pro iniquitate illa, matre dicti pueri contra ipsos de tali morte appellationem suam coram Rege constanter prosequente, Deus ultionum Dominus dignam pro meritis reddidit retributionem. Nam in die Suncti Clementis, octodecim de d tioribus & Majoribus Civitatis Lincolniensis inerunt tracti, & ad furcas novas, ad hoc specialiter praeparatas vento praesentati. Et in Turri Londinensi, plusquam viginti tres ad simile judicium in carcere sunt reservati. I find a * Par. 40 H. 3. m. 18. Pardon granted by the King to one John a Convert Jew, pro morte pueri nuper Crucifixi apud Lincoln. ad instantiam dilecti nobis in Christo fratris Johannis de Darbuton: Ita tamen quod stet rectus in Curia nostra, si quis versus cum inde loqui voluerit. The Archbishop of Tuam and his Suffragans in Ireland, complaining to the Pope this year (as they did to the * Here p. 827. 828. King the year before) of divers abuses done to them and their Tenants by the King's Justices and Bailiffs in Ireland, procured a Bull from the Pope to Excommunicate the Justices and Bailiffs, as well as others, notwithstanding the King's Prohibition or other Constitutions, thus entered in the Patent Rolls. OMnibus praesentes Literas inspecturis, Johannes de Camezan Domini Papae Capellanus, Pat. 40 H. 3. m. 13. Hybern. & ejusdem Contradictorum Auditor. salutem in Domino. Noveritis quod cum Magister Michael Clericus Procur. Venerabilium Patrum Archiepiscopi Tuamen. & Cluenferten. Elsinen. Cluacen. Attoden. & Alleden. Episeoporum, Suffraganeorum ejus pro ipsis impetrasset Literas Apostolicas sub hac forma. ALEXANDER Episcopus, etc. Venerabili fratri Episcopo, & dilectis filiis Decano & Archidiacono Finabarun. salutem, etc. Ex Venerabilium fratrum nostrorum Archiepiscopi Tuamen. & Cluenferten. & Elfinen. Cluacen. Attoden. & Aladen. Episcoporum, Suffraganeorum ejus conquestione didicimus, quod Johannes filius Grottefridi nunc Hyberniae Justitiarius, Richardus de Rochella, Johannes dictus Cumyn. Milites, & quidam alii Ballivi charissimi in Christo filii nostri Regis Anglorum illustris, contra personas Ecclesiasticas eisdem Archiepiscopo & Episcopis subditis ob crimen vel suspicionem criminis, & interdum ad suggestionem malevolam aliquorum privatas Inquisitiones faciunt, ipsos non convictos nec confessos, nequiter capiunt, tradunt in vincula, & sub detentione sacrilega carceralibus tormentis affligunt. Cumque illos repetit Ecclesiasticus judex suus, ut ejus subjiciantur judicio cui cadunt, tunc demum eos obtinet sibi reddi cum eorum detentoribus sacrilegis, certam exhibuerunt cautionem vel Literas Patentes ipsius quod in certo termino eaedem personae coram Judice compareant saeculari, ut ibi defendant in forensi strepitu causas suas. Quia igitur in hiis plurimum libertas Ecclesiastica conculcatur, ac ideo non decet nos ea conniventibus oculis pertransire, discretioni vestrae per Apostolica scripta mandamus, quatenus cognita super hiis diligenter veritate, Ballivos ipsos quod ab hujusmodi praesumptionibus conquiescant monitione praemissa, per censuram Ecclesiasticam appellatione postposita compescatis, non obstante Prohibitione Regia, vel Constitutione de duabus dietis edita in Concilio generali, dummodo ultra tertiam vel quartam aliqui extra suam diocaesim authoritate praesentium ad judicium non trahantur. Quod si non omnes, etc. tu frater Episcope, etc. Dat. Anagniae in Non. Decembris, Pontificatus nostri anno primo. The King's Proctor at Rome being informed of this Bull, protested against the clauses in it relating to the King's * See here p. 829, 830. Justices and Bailiffs, as contrary to the King's Prerogative; whereupon the adverse party were contented to waive that clause, and that it should not be extended to them to their prejudice, as this entry under it in the Patent Roll demonstrates. EIsdem Literis Finatus Domini Papae Subd. & Robertus de Baro, Procur. illustris Pat. 40 H. 3. m. 15. Regis Angl. pro Justic. Ballivis, Praepositis, & Offic. ipsius, in audientia publica contradixerunt: Timentes dictum Johannem Justic. Richardum de Rochella, & alios in Litera ipsa contentos per hujusmodi Literas, & non contentos in ea per illam generalem clausulam quidam alii conveniri. Quas tandem ea conditione absolverunt, quod dicti Johannes filius Gottefridi nunc Hyberniae Justic. Richardus de Rochella, Johannes Dominus Cumyn. Milites, & alii Justiciarii, Ballivi, Praepositi, & Officiales Regis, ejusdem ratione offcii non conveniantur, nec eis per praedictas Literas praejudicium aliquod generetur, nec ad ipsos eaedem Literae ratione praedicta aliquatenus extendantur. Quod pars altera promisit sponte, et acceptavit solenniter coram nobis. In cujus rei testimonium praesentes Literas fieri fecimus & nostro sigillo muniri. Dat. Lateran. Non. Decembris, Pontificatus Domini Alexandri Papae quarti, anno primo. At the same time the Archbishop's Proctor procuring a Bull from the Pope, for the Bishops in Ireland to hold Plea of all Advousons' and Rights of Patronage, as belonging properly to Ecclesiastical Courts, and to Excommunicate the King's Justices and Bailiffs who should hold any Plea of them in the King's Temporal Courts, notwithstanding the King's Prohibitions; the King's Proctors at Rome opposed those clauses, as prejudicial to the King's Crown, Courts, Justices, Officers: whereupon it was then agreed by the adverse party, that they should not be extended to them, thus entered in the Patent Rolls. OMnibus praesentes Literas inspecturis, Johannes de Camezan Domini Papae Capellanus, Pat. 40 H. 3. m 15. dorso. Hibern. & ejusdem Contradictorum Auditor. salutem in Domino. Noveritis quod cum Magister Michael Clericus Procur. Venerabilium Patrum Archiepiscopi, & Suffraganeorum Ecclesiae Tuamensis pro ipsis impetrasset Literas Apostolicas sub hac forma. ALEXANDER Episcopus, etc. Venerabili fratri Episcopo, & dilectis filiis Officiali & Archidiac. Finabarun. salutem, etc. Molesta nostris auribus Venerabilium fratrum nostrorum Archiepiscopi & Suffraganeorum Ecclesiae Tuamensis venit assertio, videlicet, quod Mauritius filius Giraldi, Walterus de Burgo, Richardus de Rochella, Mylerus de Bremingth. Johannes de Cotton, Milites, & quidam alii Ballivi Reg●● in Hibernia non attendentes, quod jus Patronatus adeo est▪ Spiritualibus causis annexum ut ad Ecclesiasticum debeat judicium pertinere, ipso emergente, super hoc et aliis etiam ad eorundem Archiepiscopi et Suffraganeorum forum spectantibus quaestiones coram se in forensi faciunt strepitu ventilari, et Matrimonialibus ac Testamentariis duntaxat quaestionibus eorundem Archiepiscopi et Suffraganeorum judicio reservatis, eye cognitionem aliorum omnium interdicant, in salutis propriae detrimentum, subversionem justitiae ac derogationem * Ecclesiasticae: Ecclesiae libertatis. Quia igitur in hiis periclitatur evidentius animae suae salus, discretioni vestrae per Apostolica scripta mandamus, q●arenus si est ita, eosdem Ballivos, quod ab eorundem Archiepiscopi et Suffraganeorum injuriis conquiescant, monitione praemissa per censuram Ecclesiasticam appellatione remota, veritate cognita, compescatis, non obstante Prohibitione Regia, vel Constitutione de duabus dietis edita in Concilio generali, dummodo ultra tertiam vel quart●m aliqui extra suam diocaesim authoritate praesentium ad judicium non trahantur. Quod si non omnes, etc. Tu frater Episcope cum eorum altero, etc. Dat. Lateran. Non. Decembr. Pontificatus nostri anno primo. E●sdem Literis Finatus Domini Papa Subd. & Robertus de Baro, Procur. illustris Regis Angliae pro Justiciariis, Ballivis▪ Praepositis, & Officialibus dicti Regis, in audientia publica contradixerunt: Timentes dictum Mauritium, Walterum de Burgo, & alios in Liter● ipsa contentos per hujusmodi Literas, & non contentos in ea per illam generalem clausulam, quidam alii conveniri. Quas tandem ea conditione absolverunt, quod dicti. Mauritius filius Giraldi, Walterus de Burgo, Richardus de Rochella, Mylerus de Bremingth. Johannes de Cotton, Milites, & alii Justitiarii, Ballivi, Praepositi, & Officiales ejusdem Regis in Hibernia, ratione officii non conveniantur, nec eis per praedictas Literas praejudicium aliquod generetur, nec ad ipsos eaedem Literae ratione dicti officii aliquatenus extendantur. Quod pars altera promisit sponte et acceptavit solenniter coram nobis. In cujus rei testimonium praesentes Literas fieri fecimus & no●ro sigillo muniri. Dat. Lateraen. pridie Idus Decembris, Pontificatus Domini Alexander Papae quarti anno primo. The Bishop of Ely being content to go Ambassador into Spain about the King's important affairs, was sued before the Pope's Delegate by some of the Pope's Merchants for 300. marks principal, and 100 marks interest, and threatened to be tried and excommunicated by others of them for the like sum in Court Christian, for which debts he and others were obliged to the said Merchants by the Pope and his Agents, without their privity, for the King's use. The Bishop thereupon resused to go Ambassador, unless the King would first free him from these debts and suits; whereupon he issued these Letters Patents to his Treasurer, to satisfy these Merchants out of the first moneys received in the Exchequer at Michaelmas following. REX Philippo Luvell, & Edwardo de Westm. salutem. Cum Venerabilis Pater Claus. 40 H. 3. m. 8. dors. Pro Elyensi Episcop●. W. Elyensis Episcopus, ad magnam instantiam nostram nobis concesserit, se iturum in Nuncium nostrum in Hispaniam, pro urgentibus negotiis nostris, injunximus. Et Gentilis Gentil▪ Fredericus, Orlandi, & eorum socii Mercatores Senen. ipsum Episcopum trahant in causam coram Magistro Alex. de Ferentin. judice a Domino Papa Delegato, super Trecentis Marcis de sorte, et Centum Marcis de interesse: Et Matthaeus Reynerii, Jacobus Thesy, & socii sui Mercatores Senen. eundem Episcopum proponant in Curia Christianitatis, super consimili pecuniae quantitate: In quibus quidem debitis dictis Mercatoribus tenemur, et pro quibus idem Episcopus, vos et quidam alii Clerici nostri familiares dictis Mercatoribus pro nobis estis obligati. Ac idem Episcopus assumptum iter versus Hispaniam nolit arripere nisi indemnitati suae in hac parte ante iter arreptum fuerit prospectum. Vobis mandamus, quod sicut nos & honorem nostrum diligitis, erga ipsos Mercatores taliter sine dilatione laboretis, quod idem Episcopus ab exactione totius debiti penitus liberetur. Volumus enim & vobis mandamus, quod eisdem Mercatoribus de primis denariis receptis ad Scaccarium Sancti Michaelis instantis de praedicto debito ad liberationem nostram & vestram satisfiat. Et hoc pro nullo mandato nostro vobis directo vel dirigendo omittatis. Ita vos habentes in hac parte ne per defectum iter dicti Episcopi retardetur ulterius, per quod dictus Episcopus ad nos vacuus revertatur, & exinde irreparabile dispendium incurramus. Et ut securius & celerius istud negotium faciatis, mittimus vobis super hoc Literas nostras Patentes. Teste Rege apud Clarendon, 8. die Julii. It seems there issued an Attachment against the Bishop of Worcester, for not absolving the Sheriff of Worcester and his Bailiffs upon the premised * See here p. 829, 830. Prohibition; whereupon the Bishop condescending to absolve them for a time, the King superseded the Attachment by this Writ. QUia W Wygorn. concessit relaxare usque in quindenam Paschae proximo futuram, Claus. 40 H. 3 m. 14. dorso. De Priore de Thurgarton. sententias excommunicationis latas in quosdam Ballivos Vic. Wygorn. occasione quarundam districtionum quas fecerunt in terris praedicti Episcopi, ut dicitur, Rex etiam concessit quod districtiones quae fiunt pro ipso Episcopo attachiando occasione praedicta relaxentur. Et mandatum est Vic. praedicto, quod districtiones quae fiunt pro Attachiamento praedicto interim faciat relaxari in forma praedicta. Teste Rege apud Sanctum Albanum 25. die Februarii. The Bishop of Hereford having been the original contriver of all the * Here p. 821. forged Obligations to the Pope for great sums of money, wherein other Bishops, Abbots, Priors and Covents were obliged to the Pope's Usurers in what vast sums he pleased, without their privity; and the Popes and Kings prime Instrument to levy the Dimes and other Exactions pretended to relieve the Holy Land, like a cunning decoy, caused himself and his Church to be obliged in the sum of 4000 Marks to the Pope's Usurers, to palliate his fraud, but yet procured this special Writ from the King, and Bull from Pope Alexander, to reimburse these moneys out of the Dimes he should collect in England and Ireland, and to levy them with severity, when as all other Bishops, Abbots, were enforced to pay their forged Obligations as just debts, without any relief at all. REX Magistro Laurentio de Somercote, salutem. Cum Venerabilis Pater P. Claus. 40 H. 3. m. 16. dorso. Pro Hereford. Episcopo. Hereford. Episcopus, à Domino Papa existat ad colligendam pecuniam decimae nobis concessae, & etiam obventiones redemptionum votorum crucesignatorum in Hibernia; Ac idem Episcopus in Curia Romana, nuper de mandato Domini Papae et Cardinalium, obligaverit se et Ecclesiam suam Heref. pro quatuor millibus Marc. quas mutuo recepit a Spilleto et Eymero Combii eorumque sociis Florent. Civibus et Mercatoribus, pro expeditione negotii Regni Siciliae Edm. nato nostro concessi. Ac idem Dominus Papa indempnitati ipsius Episcopi et Ecclesiae suae Heref. prospicere volens in hac parte, mandaverit eidem Episcopo, quod decimas et obventiones redemptionum votorum in Hibernia, et in Episcopatibus Wygorn, Hereford et Coventr. Civitat. et Dioc. recipiat et retineat donec sibi et Ecclesiae suae praedictae usque ad summam praedictorum quatuor millium Marcarum plene fuerit satisfactum:.,., Nos mandatum Domini Papae pro exoneratione dicti Episcopi & Ecclesiae suae in hac parte gratum habentes, Vobis duximus significandum, quod placet nobis, quod eidem Episcopo de praedictis decima & obventionibus usque ad summam praedictam juxta mandatum Apostolicum plenariè satisfiat. In cujus, etc. Teste Rege apud Wodestock 13 die Februarii. The Pope's Bull for this purpose was hereunto subjoined. ALEXANDER Episcopus servus servorum Dei, Venerabili fratri Episcopo Claus. 40 H. 3. m. 1●. dorso. Hereford. salutem & Apostolicam benedictionem. Lic●● nos tibi per ahas nostras sub certa forma demus Literas in mandatis, ut decimam omnium Ecclesiasticorum proventuum tàm Archiepiscopalium & Episcopalium, quam etiam Cathedralium & aliarum Ecclesiarum, ac Monasteriorum exemptorum & non exemptorum, charissimo in Christo filio nostro illustri Regi Angliae, usque ad certum tempus ab Apostolica sede possessam pro subsidio Terrae Sanctae, necnon redemptiones votorum crucesignatorum, postquam per deputatos ad hoc à sede Apostolica à vobis hujusmodi fuerint absoluti, & legata indistinctè, ac obventiones ex quacunque causa hujusmodi provenientes subsidio in Hibernia & Wigernia, Hereford. & Coventr. Civitatibus & Dioc. per te vel per alium seu alios integrè colligere, ac in aliquibus tutis locis deponere, atque ad opus ipsius Regis conservare procures. Quia tamen te et Ecclesiam tuam indempnes conservare volumus, super summa quatuor millium Marcarum sterlingorum quam de nostro et fratrum nostrorum mandato, pro expediendis quibusdam negotiis praedicti Regis, a Spilleto et Eymero Combii eorumque sociis Florent. Civibus et Mercatoribus mutuo recepisti, te ipsis propter hoc & praedictam Ecclesiam obligando, prout in instrumento publico super hoc confecto plenius dicitur contineri; fraternitati tuae retinendi tamdiu ea omnia quae de praedictis decima, redemptionibus, legatis & obventionibus earundem Hibern. Civitatum & Dioc. percipere te continget, donec tibi ac praefatae Ecclesiae de praedicta quatuor millia Marcarum summa, damnis, expensis, quae propter hoc incurres, ac etiam interesse pro parte Regis praedicti fueriy plenariè satisfactum. Necnon & contradictores super hoc per censuram Ecclesiasticam, appellatione postposita, compescendi plenam & liberam concedimus authoritate praesentium potestatem, Non obstante si personis aliquibus a sede Apostolica sit indultum, quod interdici, suspendi, vel ercommunicari non possint per Literas Apostolicas, plenam et expressam aut de verbo ad verbum non facientes de indulto hujusmodi mentionem. Dat. Neapoli 7 Kal. Mai●, Pontificatus nostri anno primo. No wonder then if the continuer of Matthew Paris renders us this account of this Bishop's employment this year, instead of preaching God's word, and discharging his Episcopal duty, which he neither minded nor prosecuted. Episcopus Herefordensis, non considerans Reipublicae utilitatem, sed quae sua esse Mat. Paris Hist. Angl. p. 907. Episcopus Herefordensis sibi colligit decimam. possent, investigans, de licentia Papae & Regis, decimam sibi collegit in finibus Hiberniae & partium conterminarum: Videlicet non minimam pecuniae quantitatem, quam pretium sui laboris reputavit, et suae praemium proditionis, fecitque ipsam sibi tam districte colligi, ut pudor prohibuerat modum extorquendi recitare. Et quia fraus metu carere non consuevit, meticulosus armatis, & armatus vallatus incessit. How diligently the Dimes, profits of Benefices, dispensations of Vows, pretended to be granted for relief of the Holy Land, were collected, though diverted to other ends by the Popes and Kings commands, for obtaining the Kingdom of Sicily for Edmund the King's son, and satisfying the Pope's Usurers and Agents such sums as the Pope prescribed, with some other matters and proceedings concerning it, will appear by these ensuing Records. REX Omnibus, etc. salutem. Cum negotium gratiae Crucis, & etiam decimae Pat. 40 H. 3. m. 7. intus. De negotio Crucis. proventuum Ecclesiasticorum beneficiorum nobis à Domino Papa concessae, de consilio nostro dilecto nobis in Christo Abbati de Flexle sit specialiter commissum: Vobis mandamus, quatenus cum ex parte ipsius Abbatis super expeditione negotii memorati fueritis requisiti, consilium & juvamen vestrum adeo efficaciter praebeatis eidem, quod diligentiam vestram nobis sentiamus fructuosam, & quod eam merito debeamus commendare. In cujus, etc. Teste Rege apud Winton. 30 die Junii. REX Dilectis sibi Magistris Barn. de Sen. Domini Papae Subd. & Capellano & Pat. 40 H. 3. m. intus. Quia reddita fuerunt brevia. W. de Litchsield, Canonico Sancti Pauli London. & W. de Plumpton, ejusdem Domini Subd. & Capellano Clerico suo salutem. Mandavimus vobis quaten●s omni occasione remota tradatis dilecto nobis Phil. Lovel, Thesaurario nostro 13●●. Marcas de pecunia Crucis & de decima quae est in vestra custodia per visum fratris I de Kanc. de ordine Minorum. Volumus enim & Mandamus, quod idem Thesaurarius noster praefaram pecuniam vobis postpositis omnibus aliis negotiis sine dilatione restituat de primis denar. quos recipiat. ad Scaccarium nostrum de instanti termino Sancti Mich. futuro. Et promittimus vobis super hoc penitus indempnes conservare. Teste Rege apud Westm. 8. die Septembris. In praesentia Regis. Per Richardum Com. Glouc. & Hertf. & Johem. Mansell, Henr. de Bathon. & Magistrum Johan. Mansell. REX Eisdem salutem. Cum Dominus Papa nobis mandaverit, quod faciamus Ibidem. solvi Mayneto Spinae, Petro Bonentcaso, & Rusticello Cambii, vel eorum alicni sociis Spillati duo millia marcarum sterlingorum, Carlino vero Gilberto, & Jacobo Devanzati, vel eorum alteri sociis ejusdem Reynerii, totidem, ac Aldebrando Aldebrandini, & Raynerio Bonacursi, aut alteri eorum Soc. Rollandi praedicti tantundem, suo nomine de pecunia sive de Decima proventiium Ecclesiasticorum nobis ab Apostolica sede concessa, vel redemptionibus votorum Crucesignatorum, seu ex alia quacunque causa. Et Raynerus Barboti, & Henricus Hermini, Cives & Mercatores nostri Sen. pro se & Sociis suis quibus cadem Decima, & nos pro facto Regni Sicil. sumus in quibusdam aliis summis obligati se opponant, vobis de voluntate praedictarum societatum mandamus, quatenus praefatis Societatibus, pro evitandis eorum clamoribus, aequales solutiones faciatis de praedicta pecunia, donec praedicta sex Millia de quibus mandavit nobis Dominus Papa fuerint persoluta, et aliis Mercatoribus nostris alia sex Millia de pecunia memorata. Teste ut supra. In praesentia Regis emanarunt ista duo paria Literarum▪ & per R. Com. Glouc. Johannem Mansell, Henr. de Bathon. & Magistrum Johannem Mansell, & ista duo paria Literarum tradita fuerunt Philippo Lovel. These Papal Exactors, levying this Disme upon Poor Hospitals, the King upon complaint, respited the collecting of it from them, till further advice therein, by this Writ. QUia Rex exactionem decimae Regi à sede Apostolica concessae, de bonis pauperum Claus. 40 H. 3. m. 5. dors. Pro Hospit. de Saundon. Hospitalium Regni Angliae posuit in respectum donec aliter inde providerit; Mandatum est Priori Sancti Andreae North. Commissar. Magistri Rostandi Negotii Crucis Executoris, quod Exactionem quam facit Magistro & fratribus Hospitalis Sanctae Mariae Magdalanae de Saundon, de Decima praedicta, praedictum Hospitale contingente, ponant in respectum usque ad quindenam Sancti Michaelis instantem, ut Rex tunc super hoc consilium habeat. Teste Rege apud Woodst. 20. die August. The King and Rustand being jealous that Robert de Winton, one of Rustands deputies, would cheat them of the Disme collected, superseded his Commission by this Writ. REX Episcopo Cicestren salutem. Licet Magister Robertus de Winton. qui se gerit Claus. 40 H. 3. m. 7. dors. De Decima. pro Commissar. Magistri Rustandi negotii Crucis executoris, ex parte nostra & per dilectos nobis in Christo Magistrum Willielmum de Litchf. & Magistrum Nicholaum de Plumpton, Comissar. praedicti Magistri Rostandi in negotio praedicto sufficienter esset monitus, ut nisi de pecunia Crucis quam idem Robertus tempore suae Commissionis collegerat, & de actis & aliis hujusmodi negotium tangentibus primo poneret rationem, cum praefatis Magistris Willielmo & Nicholas, Commissioni quam ab eodem Magistro Rostando, super praedicto Negotio Crucis se habere praetendit, penitus supersederet, Idem tamen Robertus spretis monitionibus praedictis se transtulit ad Episcopatum vestrum, & ibidem magnam pecuniam Terrae sanctae subsidio deputatam, dicitur collegisse. Quia vero pecunia per eum collecta & penes ipsum deposita videtur fortunae & periculo subjacere; Vobis mandamus, quod nullatenus sustineatis quod praefatus Magister Robertus de caetero in Episcopatu vestro se intromittat de negotio praedicto, & pecuniam per ipsum in Diocesi vestra collectam ubicunque in eodem Diocesi reposita fuerit salvo custodiri procuretis, Ita quod praedictus Robertus de caetero ad eam manus non apponat, & quod nobis seu Collectoribus Decimae supradictae inde possit integrè & sub securitate responderi. Teste Rege apud Glouc. 20. die Julii. Et mandatum est Vic. Su●ht. quod domos & omnes possessiones quas praedictus Robertus habet apud Wintoniam, & alibi in Balliva sua capiat in manum Regis, & eas salvo custodiat donec Rex aliud inde praeceperit. Teste Rege apud Glouc. 21. die Julii. Et mandatum est Vic. Sussex. quod si ipsum Robertum in Balliva sua contigeret inveniri, eum arrestari faciat donec a Rege aliud super hoc habuerit mandatum. Teste ut supra. The King issued these Letters to promote this Disme in Gascoign, Gernsey, Jersy, Oleron and Wales. REX Archiepiscopis, Abbatibus & Prioribus, & Omnibus aliis Ecclesiarum Pat. 40 H. 3. m. 12. dors. De negotio Crucis. Praelatis, Comitibus, Baronibus, Militibus, & omnibus aliis Ballivis & fidelibus suis Wascon. & Insularum de Geres▪ Gerner, & Oleron, salutem. Mittimus ad partes vestras dilectum Clericum nostrum Magistrum Gilbertum Millers, executorem negotii Crucis, super collectione Decimae nobis a Domino Papae concessae in subsidium Terrae sanctae. Universitatem vestram rogantes et exorantes in fide et dilectione quibus nobis tenemini, quatenus ob amorem Crucifixi, cujus negotium principaliter attenditur in hac parte, et nostrae prosecutionis instantia, praefato Magistro et Collegis suis expeditionem et promotionem, istius negotii efficaciter assistatis Consilium et juvamen vestrum, ita curialiter & diligenter impendentes eidem, quod exinde mereatur vestrae promptitudinis devotio commendari. In cujus etc. Teste Rege apud Westm. 6. die Novembris. REX Episcopis, Abbatibus, Prioribus, Comitibus, Baronibus, Vicecomitibus Ballivis, Pat. 40 H. 3. m. 2. dors. De Decima. & aliis fidelibus suis per Walliam constitutis salutem. Cum negotium nostrum tam de Collectae Decimae proventuum Ecclesiasticorum totius Walliae, quam de omni alia pecunia Terrae sanctae debita, & nobis pro executione voti nostri ab Apostolica sede concessa, commissum sit de Concilio nostro Religioso viro Abbati de Flexley, vos attentè rogamus & affectuosè requirimus & mandamus, quatenus sitis ei in auxilium ad colligendum & levandum hujusmodi pecunias in Wallia, ad opus nostrum, maxime contra illos qui non permittunt se per Censuram Ecclesiasticam justiciari, praestantes eidem consilium, auxilium et securum conductum per terras et Ballivas vestras cum ab eo fueritis requisiti. Tantum super hoc facientes, quod fidem & devotionem vestram debeamus proinde meritò commendare. Teste meipso apud Westmonasterium 21. die Octobris, Anno Regni nostri 40. REX Dilectis sibi in Christo Magistris Bernardo de Sen. Domini Papae subdiacono Pat. 40 H. 3▪ m. 5. dors. & Capellano, W. de Litchfield, Canonico Sancti Pauli London. & N. de Plumpton ejusdem Domini Papae Subdiacono & Capellano Clerico suo salutem. Mandamus vobis attentè rogando quatenus secundum formam Commissionis vobis factae à discreto viro Magistro Rustando, Domini Papae Subdiacono et Capellano, negotii Crucis executore, exactissimam recipientes rationem a Collectoribus Decimae et pecuniae Crucis singularum Diocesium nobis a sede Apostolica concessae▪ detis nobis distincte et aperte scire proximo festo beati Edwardi, quantum ascendit hujusmodi pecunia et decima in quolibet Episcopatu, et qualiter inde responderunt, et quomodo super hoc se habuerint praedicti Collectores., Teste Rege apud Westm. 29. die Augusti. Anno Regni 40. REX Magistris Willo. de Res, & Alexo de Sabaud. Commiss. Venerabilis patris Pat. 40 H. 3. m. 6. dors. De negotio Crucis▪ P. Heresord. Episcopi in Wygorn. Convent. & Hereford. Civitatibus & Diocesibus super negotio Crucis, salutem. Mandamus vobis in fide et dilectione quibus nobis tenemini firmiter injungentes quod ad mandatum praefati Episcopi nulli parcendo compellatis. Templar. Hospit. et Cistercien. praedictarum Civitatum et Diocesium ad solutionem decimae parochialium Ecclesiarum, quas in proprios usus tenent tanquam privatae personae et exactioni decimae caeterorum bonorum eorundem Religiosorum supersedeatis omnino, donec inde a praedicto Episcopo receperitis aliud in manvatis. In cujus, etc. Teste Rege apud L●debir. 4. die Augusti. Sub eadem forma Mandatum est Magistro Laur. de Samkac. Commissar. praedicti Episcopi in Hibernia super negotio Crucis. Teste ut supra. REX Omnibus etc. Sciatis nos mutuo recepisse à Mayneto Spyne, Hugotio Pat. 40 H. 3. m. 10. dorso. De duobus Millibus Marcarum ad expensas Abbatis Westm. & alias Nunciorum Regis. Marcii, Carlino Gumberti, & sociis suis Civibus & Mercatoribus Florenc. 2000 Marcas sterlingorum ad expensas Abbatis Westm. & quorundam aliorum Nunciorum nostrorum quos nuper ad Curiam, Romanam misimus, et ad quaedam debita in eadem Curia nomine nostro solvenda. Quae quidem duo Millia Marcarum, eisdem Mercatoribus solvi mandavimus per Abbatem de Fontibus & Collegam suum Collectores decimae nobis concessae in provincia Eborum, de eadem decima. Ita quod facta eisdem Mercatoribus solutione eorundem duorum Millium Marcarum per Abbatem praedictum & Collegam suum, praesentes literae nobis sine dilatione restituantur ab eo tempore in nullo postmodum valiturae. Quod si praedictus Abbas & Collega suus praedicta duo Millia Marcarum praedictis Mercatoribus infra octab●s Sancti Johannis Baptist. Anno etc. 40. non reddiderint, volumus quod iidem Mercatores praedicta duo Millia Marcarum recipiant de exitibus Archiepiscopatuum, Episcopatuum, Abbatiarum, & Prioratuum primo vacaturorum in Regno nostro & ad manus nostras devenientium, & exitus praedictos eisdem Mercatoribus obligamus. Ita quod nihil inde in usus alios convertamus, nec inde aliter ordinare vel eos aliis obligare valeamus, donec eisdem Mercatoribus de dilectis MM. Marcarum inde plenius fuerit satisfactum. In cujus etc. Per Regem & Consilium suum. REX Archiepiscopis, Episcopis, Abbatibus, Prioribus, Vicecomitibus, & omnibus Pat. 40 H. 3. m. 10. dors. De negotio Crucis. Ballivis, etc. Cum dilectus nobis Magister Rostaldus, Domini Papae Subdiaconus & Capellanus negotii Crucis Executor, à sede Apostolica deputatus, de consensu & voluntate nostra commiserit dilectis nobis Magistro Berardo de Sesse, Magistro Willilielmo Leychesfind, & Magistro Nicholas de Plumpton, vices suas tam super decima nobis concessa, quam super negotio Crucis. Vobis mandamus rogantes quatenus eisdem Magistro Berardo, Magistro Willielmo, & Magistro Nicholas, in hiis quae decimam praedictam & negotium Crucis contingunt amore nostri auxiliantes sitis & consulentes quoties ab eis fueritis requisiti, pro quo vobis grates scire debeamus speciales. Teste meipso apud Westmonasterium 12. die Junii. REX Omnibus etc. Sciatis quod compositionem Matild. quae fuit Uxor Hervici Pat. 40 H. 3. m. 13. dors. De negotio Crucis. Bode, & Henricus, & Johannes filii ipsius Hervici, Executores Testamenti ipsius Hervici, fecerunt cum dilecto nobis Magistro Rostando, Subdiacono & Capellano Domino Papae negotio Crucis Executore, super indistincte Legat, nobis à Domino Papa concessis per xl. Marcas ad opus negotii quod Assumpsimus, ratum habemus & acceptum. In cujus etc. REX Militibus & liberis hominibus & omnibus aliis tenent. de Domo Militiae Pat. 40 H. 3. m. 40. Pro Domo Militiae Templi. Templi in Anglia, salutem. Qui flebili eventui Christianitatis Terrae sanctae quam Christus suo sanguine consecravit, pie non compateretur, merito non esset cenendus Christianus. Cum igitur inter universas et singulas domos Religiosas totius Orbis, praedicta domus Templi fortius gravetur et gravius damnificetur propter defensionem Terrae sanctae, et dolenti capiti singula membra compati teneantur; universos et singulos vos duximus exorandos, quatenus de necessitate virtutem faciens, ad id gratis concedentes, ad quod si necesse foret compelli deberetis, ita efficax auxilium praefatae Domui facere concedatis, quod tam apud Deum quam homines possitis inde merito commendari, (although those who thus grossly cheated them of their money designed only for the business of Sicily, and the Popes and Kings coffers, deserved no commedation from God or men) et a nobis favorem et gratiam promereri debeatis. Ad quod eo fortius tenemini quo per libertates domus praedictae, potius defensi estis et specialiter muniti. Teste Rege apud Sanctum Albanum, 25. die Februarii. Sub hac forma processerunt 22. paria Literarum. The King fearing least Rustand and the Pope's agents, employed in collecting the Disms and moneys granted him for relief of the Holy Land, should dispose thereof to the Pope's Merchants at their pleasure▪ without his privity, issued this prohibition and Mandate to them. REX Magistro Rustando Subdiacono & Capellano Domini Papae, & fratri Johanni Pat. 40 H. 3. m. 13. intus. De negotio Crucis. de Kanc. ordinis fratris Minorum, executoribus negotii Crucis à Domino Papa deputatis, salutem. Quia de intentione et voluntate Domini Papae, super pecunia negotii Crucis nondum nobis plenius constat, et per Nuncios nostros quos ad Curiam Romanam pridem misimus inde in brevi credemus certiorari, vobis mandamus firmiter injungentes, ac districtius prohibentes, ne de pecunia Crucis undecunque proveniente collecta vel colligenda, seu etiam de Decima beneficiorum Ecclesiasticorum alicui Mercatorio vel alii aliquo modo aliquid liberetis, set totam illam pecuniam undecunque provenientem, in aliquo tuto loco reponi fac. per visum dilectorum et fidelium nostrorum Philippi Luvel. Thesaurarii nostri, et Edmundi de Westmonasterio, donec de intentione et voluntate dicti Domini Papae super eadem pecunia nobis plenius innotescat. Et hoc sicut protectione et defensione nostra gaudere velitis nullatenus omittatis. In cujus, etc. Teste Rege apud Merton. 25. die Aprilis. Per Johannem Priorem de Novo Burgo. REX Omnibus etc. salutem. Cum dilectus nobis Magister Robertus de Totten, Ibidem. m. 13. intus. deputatis sit, à Magistro Rustando, Subdiacono Domini Papae & Capellano, negotio Crucis erecutore ad colligendum legata et obventiones nobis in Subsidio Terrae sanctae concessas in Diocesibus, Sarr. Bathon. & Wellen. & Exon. Vobis mandamus quod eidem Magistro ad hoc auxiliantes sitis & consulentes cum ab eo fueritis requisiti, non inferentes ei, vel inferri permittentes injuriam, molestiam, dampnum aut gravamen. In cujus, etc. Teste ut supra. The King this year fearing some designs against him from Rome, issued this memorable Writ to the Barons and Bailiffs of Dover, and to the Wardens of the Cinque-ports, not to permit any Clerk to pass out of their respective Ports beyond the Seas, unless he would first take an Oath, that if he went to the Court of Rome, he should demand nor require nothing against the King's Crown and Dignity, nor the Pope's grant or ordinance concerning the Realm of Sicily. MAndatum est Baronibus & Ballivis Regis Dovor. Quod non permittant aliquem Claus. 40 H. 3. m. 15. dorso. Ne Clerici exeant Regnum. Clericum per Portum Dovor. transfret. nisi prius juret, quod si Curiam Romanam adierit, nihil impetrabit contra Regem super facto Regni Sicilii nec super ordinatione inde facta per Dominum Papam, nec etiam super aliis contra Coronam vel dignitatem Regis Angliae. Teste Rege apud Woodestock. 15. die Februarii, Eodem modo mandatum est, Rogero de Cobham, Custodi quinque Portuum, ne permittat aliquem Clericum trasfr. per aliquem praedictorum quinque Portuum nisi, etc. Teste ut supr●. Upon what Obligations and Conditions the Pope granted the Kingdom of Sicily to Edmund the King's son, and what Oath he exacted from him, appears by this Patent, authorising Edmund to make such Obligations and Oath to the Bishop of Bononia, the Pope's Legate, on the Pope's behalf, in the Kings and Edmund's name, as were required. REX Universis praesentes Literas inspecturis, salutem. Cum Sanctissimus Pat. 40 H. 3. m. 20. dorso. Pater & Dominus Alexander Papa quartus Edmundo nato nostro Regi Sicil. Regnum Sicil. & totam terram quae est citra Farum usque ad confinia terrarum Ecclesiae Romanae, cum omnibus juribus, honoribus, districtibus, & pertinentiis suis, excepta Civitate Ben●vent. cum ipsius juribus & pertinentiis universis de fratrum suorum consilio & assensu in Feod. duxerit concedend. sub quibusdam conditionibus, quae in Apostolico privilegio confecto, super concessione hujusmodi continentur. Inter quas duae conditiones habentur, ad quarum alteram implendam juramento, ad reliqua vero promissione interposita Edmundum Primogenitum nostrum, memoratus Dominus obligari nos dicto Edmundo promittendi Uenerabili Patri fratri Jacobo Bonon. Episcopo, ipsius Domini Papae Nuncio, et obligandi se ipsi Domino Papae et Romanae Ecclesiae et juramentum praestandi pro praedictis conditionibus adimplendis per has Patentes Literas plenam authoritatem concedimus et liberam potestatem. In cujus rei testimonium praesentem paginam fecimus nostri sigilli munimine roborari. Dat. apud Windes. Anno Domini 1255. Indictione 13. pridie Calend. Decembris, Regni autem nostri Anno 40. Per ipsum Regem, Episcopum Heref. Com. Glouc. fratres Domini Regis, Johannem Mansell, & alios de Consilio Domini Regis. Edmund to ingratiate himself with the Cardinals at Rome to promote his affairs in Sicily, granted one of them power to give an annual pension out of the Escheats thereof, amounting to one hundred ounces of Gold, to a Florentine Knight, before he had possession thereof, being cheated by these Roman Harpies on all hands, to his grand dishonor. EDMUNDUS Dei gratiâ Rex Siciliae, universis praesentes Literas inspecturis, Pat. 40 H. 3. m. 2●. dorso. salutem. Noveritis quod nos de assensu & voluntate Domini H. Regis Angliae illustris Patris nostri, dedimus & damus venerabili Patri Domino J. titulo Sancti Laurentii in Lucina Presbytero Cardinali, potestatem & speciale mandatum providendi vice nostra dilecto Militi nostro Bartholomaeo de Florentino de excaetis in Regno Siciliae usque ad centum uncias auri annui redditas, tenendas & habend●s eidem Barthol quoad vixerit, Dominicis ejusdem Regni duntaxat exceptis. In cujus rei testimonium, quia sigillum nostrum ad manus non habuimus, sigillo praedicti Domini Regis Patris nostri has Literas fecimus communiri. Dat. London. in Octab. Epiphaniae 1255. The King by his Letters Patents this year constituted two distinct Proctors in the Court of Rome, concerning the affairs of the Kingdom of Sicily, and other occasions there to be transacted. SAnctissimo in Christo Patri Domino Alex. Dei gratia Summo Pontifici, Henr. Pat. 40 H. 3. m. 20. intus. eadem gratia Rex Angliae, etc. salutem, cum omni reverentia & honore. Noverit Sancta Paternitas vestra, quod nos constituimus, facimus & ordinamus Robertum de Baro Vassallum nostrum, Procuratorem nostrum in Curia Romana, ad impetrandum & contradicendum, gratias & indulgentias petendum, tàm pro nobis quam pro Edmundo inclyto Rege Siciliae nato nostro in nostra potestate existente, ratum habituri, & firmum quicquid per ipsum nostro & praedicti Regis nomine in Curia vestra, super praemissis factum fuerit vel etiam procuratum. Nolumus tamen, quod per praesens mandatum intelligatur, mandatum factum Magistro Finato aliquatenus revocatum. In cujus, etc. Teste Rege apud Windes. 18 die Novembris, Anno, etc. 40. & Anno Domini 1255. Per. P. Hereford. Episcopum. SAnctissimo, etc. ut supra. Noverit Sancta Paternitas vestra▪ quod nos constituimus, Pat. 40 H. ●. m. 20. intus. facimus & ordinamus Magistrum Finatum Procuratorem nostrum in Curia Romana, ad impetrandum & contradicendum, gratias etiam & indulgentias petendum; ratum habituri, & firmum quicquid per ipsum nomine nostro in Curia vestra▪ super praemissis factum fuerit vel etiam procuratum. Nolumus tamen per praesens mandatum intelligi, mandatum factum Roberto de Baro aliquatenus revocatum. In cujus, etc. Teste Rege apud Windes. Anno Regni nostri 40. Per P. Hereford. Episcopum. The King having borrowed 4000 pounds Turon▪ of the Bishop of Bononia, expended in obtaining the Kingdom of Sicily for his Son Edmund, sent this Writ to the Abbot, Prior and Covent of Westminster to pay it out of the Croysado moneys, according to the Pope's command, or to give bond to secure Rustand the Pope's Agent, if he paid it▪ which he promised duly to satisfy, and likewise writ to the Pope to allow the payment thereof. REX Priori & Conventui Westm. salutem. Cum de pecunia Crucis nobis à sede Claus. 40 H. 3. m. 19 dorso. Apostolica concessa teneamur Episcopo Bonon. in 4000 libris Turonens. quas idem Episcopus posuit pro facto Regni Siciliae concessi Edmundo filio nostro, & de quibus eidem Episcopo solvendis de praedicta pecunia Crucis speciale Mandatum Domini Papae recepimus, et nos praetextu ejusdem mandati mandaverimus Magistro R. executori negotii Crucis, quod eidem Episcopo de pecunia Crucis habere faceret usque ad praedicta quatuor millia librarum Turonens. Idemque Magister R. pecuniam illam eidem Episcopo solvere haesitavit, et quod mandatum Apostolicum super hoc non receperat, & nos rogaverit, quod per aliquos viros religiosos Regni nostri securitatem de indempnitate sua in hac parte conservanda sibi faceremus exhiberi, nosque dispendium non modicum incurrere poterimus, nisi eidem Episcopo celerius satisfiat de praedictis quatuor mill. libr. Turon. praesertim cum dictus Episcopus jam sit in procinctu itineris proficiscendi ad Curiam Romanam, pro arduis negotiis nostris: de devotione vestra prae caeteris viris religiosis Regni nostri pleniorem fidutiam reportantes, vobis in fide & dilectione quibus nobis tenemini▪ & sicut nos & honorem nostrum diligitis, mandamus rogantes, quatenus dictam cautionem una cum Abbate vestro cui id mandavimus, per obligationem quam idem Magister R. a vobis requisierit, sine ulla dilatione praestetis, & nos per Literas Patentes vel alio modo prout providendum duxeritis, indempnitati vestrae super praemissis providebimus. Teste Rege apud Clarendon, vicesimo nono die Decembris. Eodem modo mandatum est Abbati Westm. Et mandatum est Magistro Rustando, quod facta solutione praedicto Episcopo de praedictis quatuor mill. libr. Turon. Literam Papalem de solutione illa Regi directam quam idem Episcopus penes se habet cap. ab eodem Episcopo, ut R. inde possit respondere. Et hoc non omittat. Teste ut supra▪ SAnctissimo, etc. Summo Pontifici, H. eadem gratia Rex Angliae, salutem, & Pat. 40 H. 3. ●. 20. dorso. devota pedum oscula beatorum. Cum vir laudandae prudentiae Magister Rustandus Capellanus vester, ad mandatum nostrum Venerabili Patri Bonon. Episcopo, de quatuor millibus librarum Turonens. satisfecerit pro quibus dicto Episcopo solvendis vestras nobis speciales locas miseratis. Sanctitatem vestram devota affectione rogamus, quatenus solutionem praedictam gratam & ratam habentes ejusdem Magistri Rustandi petitionem super hoc beatitudini vestrae directam secundum tenorem petitionis ipsius exauditionis gratiam admittatis. Teste, etc. By which it is evident, that the Pope had a greater interest and share in this Disme then the King, who could dispose of none of it but by his and Rustands consents. He likewise issued this Mandate to the Sheriff of Kent, to provide a speedy passage at Dover for Rustand the Pope's Agent, and to defray the charges of it, which should be allowed him. MAndatum est Vic. Kanc. quod Magistro Rustando Domini Papae Subdiacono & Claus. 40 H. 3. m. 9 intus. De passagio Magistri Rustandi. Capellano, revertenti ad Curiam Romanam faciat habere festinum passagium suum in Portu Dovor. Et cum Rex sciverit custum quod ad passagium illud posuerit, faciet e● allocari. Teste Rege apud Westm. 8 die Junii. How egregiously Pope Alexander and his Cardinals exacted upon, abused and cheated King Henry in the business of Sicily, which he pretended freely to bestow on him and his son, putting hard and impossible conditions on them, and that after sundry great sums of money received from him, demanding no less than 135 thousand 500 and 40 marks to be fully satisfied him, after the Pope's forces routed, before he should send any more forces to gain it; and how the King notwithstanding all these abuses and discouragements, was resolved to prosecute this unfortunate affair, against the advice of his Council and Nobles, these Letters of his to the Pope and some of his Cardinals, registered in the Clause Rolls, will evidence to the world. SAnctissimo in Christo Patri, etc. Nuper per religiosum virum fratrem Johannem Claus. 40 H. 3. m. 13. dorso. de Dya, Poenitentiarium & Capellanum vestrum, Sanctitati vestrae scripsimus, nos tractare super Capitaneo transmittendo, cum pecunia & militiae competenti. Caeterum clementiae vestrae adhuc significare studemus, quod super praemissis vigilantiam & solicitudinem adhibemus. Caeterum Proceres & Majores Consilii nostri, super casu qui post gratiam nobis factam de Regno Siciliae contigit per prodititionem Marchionis de Herebroke, mirabiliter stupefacti, vix negotium audent assumere in hoc statu, praesertim cum inter caeteras Conditiones in privilegio vestro contentas illa contineatur expresse: Quod non eamus vel mittamus donec vobis et Ecclesiae Romanae de 135 millibus 500 et 40 Marcarum plene suerit satisfactum. Unde cum occasione negotii supradicti Mercatribus Senen. & Florentin. in nonnullis pecuniarum summis quas Venerabile Pater Sanctae Mariae in vialata Diac. Card. Apostolicae sedis Legatus, de manu Hereford. Episcopi, Procur. & Nuncii nostri recepit, simus sub poenis gravissimis obligati, quas incessanter solvi facimus juxta vestri tenorem mandati, super ordinatione Capitanei destinandi nondum potuimus complere tractatum, cujus consummatio non modicum desiderat pecuniae interventum. Non enim credimus, quod hodie Princeps aliquis regnat in terris qui ita subito tantam pecuniam possit habere ad manum: Dicunt ergo illi apud quos laboramus ut vadent, frustra illuc ibimus, in vanum istud negotium assumemus quousque praenominata summa plene fuerit perfoluta. Ecce quod huic negotio celeriter succurrere cupientes juxta verum beneplacitum et mandatum, huic vero praetactum periculum formidantes, cujusoam perplexitatis laqueis intricamur, inter grandes et graves angustias constituti. Veruntamen ad Apostolicae clementiae benevolentiam considerationis oculum retorquentes, magis elegimus vestrae pietatis providentiae nos et nostra exponere liberaliter et libenter, quam in tanto periculo negotium deserere indefensum: Sperantes vos nolle beneficiis vestris nos decipi, sed juvari. Hinc est clementissime Pater, quod licet inspecto statu negotii per aliquorum injuriam et ne quitiam, sine culpa nostra non modicum deformatae conditiones sub quibus Regnum Siciliae, et nato nostro concessum, non solum difficiles sed fere impossibiles ab aliquibus censeantur, volentes tamen in sinceritate cordis, et favoris promptitudine accingi ad obsequium Jesus Christi, de sedis Apostolicae benignitate confisi, quae non consuevit irritum facere quod semel ratum esse decreverit, juxta formam ordinationis vestrae negotium et omnia quae ipsum contingunt, complevimus, per Venerabilem Patrem Bonon. Episcopum, quem ad hoc specialiter destinastis, privilegia nostra et filiorum nostrorum sub sigillo nostro et Bulla aurea transmittentes, circa Capitaneum destinandum, cum militia competenti jugiter insistendo: Vnde Sanctitati vestrae humiliter supplicamus, quatenus attendatis quam multipliciter sumus gravati nisi pietatis vestrae dextra nos sublevare dignetur. Nam sicut scitis, occasione istius negotii Mercatoribus Senen. et Florentin. infra Kalend. Junii tenemur persolvere 60. millia Marcarum ab 10. millibus quas nunc vobis et fratribus vestris solvere nos oprtet: item in apparatu Capitanei transmittendi opus est magna pecunia; unde si placet vosipsi videre potest. s, quam difficile infra festum Sancti Michaelis proximo venturum mittere prout decet, & summam solvere quae in vestro privilegio continetur. Hoc autem totum statum nostrum vestrae Beatitudini duximus committendum, ut sicut placet prout vestra possibilitas potest pati, ordinare curetis; nam omnes vires nostras prompti sumus congerere, et etiam experiri circa prosecutionem negotii memorati, vestris beneplacitis semel humiles et devoti, & jam Nuncios solempnes vidissetis, nisi captio charissimi nostri Com. Sabald. nos impedivisset cum unum de fratribus suis ad Sanctitatis vestrae praesentiam mittere vellemus: quando hoc impedimentum occurrit, petitiones verò quasdam quae praefatum tangunt negotium vestrae beatitudini recommendamus, supplicantes, utillas ad exauditionis gratiam admittatis. Teste Rege apud Norwic. 27 die Martii. The continuer of Matthew Paris renders us this account of the King's Letters to the Pope, containing some clauses not extant in the precedent. Diebus sub eisdem, Dominus Rex pessimo fretus consilio, tantam pecuniam Mat. Paris Hist. Angl. p. 908. Multiplicantur in dies oppressiones Ecclesiarum. a Papalibus negotiatoribus mutuo accepit, ut filium suum Edmundum in Regnum Siciliae promoveret, ut seipsum in summae paupertatis vinculo irretiret. Papa autem, qui nec falli debuit, nec fallere, Regis fidem adhibuit assertionibus, quas liquido scire potuit, si vellet, fuisse penitus umbratiles et fallaces. Dedit enim intelligi in mandatis ipsi Papae Dominus Rex, quod Anglia pecuniae puteus extitit inexhaustus, quem nullus poterat exsiccare. Item, quod nunquam in Anglia Rex tam dilectus, tam pecuniosus, sicut ipse, praevixisset: cum tamen Papa per multos sibi familiares, qui tunc Romae fuerant, contrarium poterat didicisse: (Therefore Popes no doubt may err and be deceived, as well as deceive others.) Vsurae igitur pecuniae Regem obligantes cum poenis, ad plusquam centum quotidie libras ascenderunt; ita ut immineret tam Clero quam populo Anglico desolatio cum ruina. His Letters to the Cardinals are thus recorded in the Clause Rolls. VEnerabili Patri R. Sancti Angeli Diacono Cardinali, etc. Sinceritatis vestrae Claus. 40 H. 3. m. 13. dorso. promptitudo quam clara probant operum testimonia in nostris negotiis promovendis, nos sollicitant & invitant, ut in agendis nostris ad vestrae discretionis prudentiam recurramus, per quam in hiis quae nobis incumbunt, consilium & auxilium confidenter habere speramus. Eapropter Paternitati vestrae tenore praesentium volumus fieri manifestum, Quod super negotio Regni Siciliae nuper in adventu Venerabilis Patris Bonon. Episcopi, ad nos propter hoc destinati, cum Proceribus & Majoribus totius Regni nostri tractatum habuimus diligentem. Qui conditiones sub quibus ipsum Regnum Edmund. filio nostro et suis Haeredibus est concessum, gravissimas reputabant, illas potissime per quas infra festum Sancti Michaelis prorimo venturum ire teneremur, vel mittere Capitaneum cum militia competenti, et 135. millia Marcarum 540. et unam, propter damna et interesse nihilominus solvere infra eundem terminum, sub poena anullationis totius negotii, nobis insuper remanentibus excommunicatis, et toto Regno nostro supposito Ecclesiastico interdicto. Has utique conditiones et poenam durissimas judicabant, cum praeter dictam summam, sicut Nuncii nostri referent, ad aliam summam non modicam teneamur. Quis enim Princeps infra t●m breve temporis spacium cum pecuma, quam eundo vel mittendo noster desiderat apparatus, posset ita repentè habere ad manum tam immensas pecuniae quantitates? Formidantes igitur pericula quae incumbunt, nobis dissuadebant omnino, ut nequaquam subjiceremus tanto discrimini statum nosirum. Nos vero sperantes in illo qui est in se sperantium fortitudo, dictum negotium per Procuratores & Nuncios inceptum, & quantum in se fuerat consummatum, confisi quod sedes Apostolica nullum opprimit, sed potius oppressos relevare intendit, ad plenum complevimus, sicut per privilegia nostra & filiorum nostrorum quae per dictum Bonon. Episcopum, Domino Papae & fratribus destinamus vobis, fiet plenissima certitudo. Caeterum dicto tractatu pendente, supervenit rumor terribilis de jactura et damnis Ecclesiae Romanae et nobis illatis, per proditionem Marchionum de Herebroke, qui se mentiebantur fideles Ecclesiae et devotos: super quo Dominus Papa nobis mandavit, ut dicto negotio tam dampnabiliter deformato festino subsidio succurrentes, statim competentem militiam mitteremus. Quo tristi et fune●to rumore ad nos perlato, qui prius propter difficultatem conditionum de negotio diffidebant, modo desperarunt in tantum, quod vix aliqui in solliditate constantiae et voluntate prosequendi nobiscum illud negotium remanserunt. Nos autem in Regem Coeli & Ducem Syderum considerationis oculos dirigentes, qui cum possit imperare mari & ventis, tempestates istas sedare poterit; & quod turbatum est in tranquillum, quod nubilosum convertere in serenum; Nolumus desistere ab inceptis, fortiorem sumentes animum in adversis, confestim super Capitaneo mittendo cum decenti militia conferentes, cui tractatui adhuc incessanter insistimus, sicut dilecti Nuncii nostri latores praesentium plenius vobis dicent. Sanè, quod sine turbatione animi recensere non possumus nec debemus; Nonuulli Episcopi Regni nostri per quos nos et Ecclesiam in tantae necessitatis articulo constitutam sperabamus juvari, afflictionem superaddentes afflictioni, retardationem subsidii ad prosecutionem hujus negotii deputati, temere molientes quasi ad subversionem intentionis nostrae et vestrae totaliter aspirarent, per discretum virum Magistrum Rustandum diligentem et fidelem executorem officii sibi injuncti Canonice moniti, decimam proventuum suorum, sine qua quod intendimus perficere non valemus, hactenus reddere recusarunt; sed nunc speramus, quod obedient vestris in hac parte mandatis, sicut eidem Magistro Rustando firmiter promiserunt: Hinc est igitur, quod inter hujusmodi angustias constituti, ad vestrae circumspectionis prudentiam recurrimus confidenter, rogantes vestram mansuetudinem ut si tacito Capitaneum non mittimus sicut necessitas exposcit negotii, nos excusatos habentes, apud Dominum Papam et fratres super hoc excusare velitis. Scientes quod quilibet in hoc statu hoc negotium assumere, illa potissima ratione quia inter caeteras Conditiones illa habetur expressè, quod non eamus, nec mittamus aliquem donec de totali summa praedicta Domino Papae et Ecclesiae plene fuerit satisfactum, nec de isto impedimento Dominus Papa cum nobis nuper mandavit, ut statim deberemus mittere, fecit aliquam mentionem, nec tamen propter hoc omittimus quin super mittendo sollicite laboremus, & vos de quo plenè confidimus dignemini laborare, ut illa conditio quae quasi inclinationem negotii continere videtur in melius reformetur. Ad hoc igitur laborantes fideliter nobis per latorem praesentium, quem super hoc & quibusdam aliis ad vos specialiter duximus destinandum, celeriter rescribatis vestrae beneplacitum voluntatis. Scituri quod pro●●otio filiorum nostrorum est vestrorum exaltatio amicorum. Teste, etc. Eodem modo scribitur Venerabili Patri J. Dei gratia Titulo Sancti Laurentii in Lucina Presbytero Cardinali. Eodem modo Venerabili Patri Domino Hugoni Titulo Sanctae Sabinae Presbytero Catdinali. Eodem modo Domino Willielmo Sancti Eustach. Diac. Card. Eodem modo Magistro Jordano Domino Papae Notar. Eodem modo scribitur Venerabili Patri Ottobon. Sancti Andr●ae Diac. Cardinali. Hoc adjecto: Cum Nepotes vestri filiis nostris linea consanguinitatis sint conjuncti, confirmationem vere donationis foelicis recordationis Innocentii Papae, super bonis quae fuerunt quondam Petri de Vinea, in forma quam delectus vester & noster Rustandus nobis exposuit vobis per latorem praesentium destinamus. Teste ut supra. REX Willielmo Bonquer, salutem. De circumspectionis vestrae prudentia confidentes Claus. 40 H. 3. m. 13. do●●●. magna & ardua negotia vobis duximus committenda, sperantes ut per vestrae discretionis industriam nostra intentio foelicem sortiatur eventum. Ea propter fidelitati vestrae significamus, quod nostrae intentionis existit & voti, ut talis in Regem Aleman. eligatur qui Ecclesiae Romanae devotus & nobis dilectus existat, & maximè cum Gallici, sicut nostis, in praejud cium nostri aspirent, qui si quod absit assequantur quod optant, negotium Regni Siciliae, quod ex corde prosequimur, ut tenemur, gravem possit incurrere laesionem, unde huic periculo obviare volentes, Domino Papae duximus supplicandum, quod unum de tribus Cardinalibus, scilicet Dominum J. Titulo Sancti Laurentii in Lucina Presbyterum Cardinal. vel Dominum Hugonem Titulo Sanctae Sabinae Presbyterum Cardinal. aut Dominum Ottobonum Sancti Andr. Diacon. Cardinal. in Aleman. destinare dignetur, ut per illius providentiam quem m●ttet, istud negotium foeliciter ordinetur. Ad haec vestra sciat discretio, quod cum teneamur Ecclesiae Romanae infrafestum Sancti Michaelis proximo venturum solvere 135. millia Marc. quingentas et unam, et nihilominus illuc ire infra eundem terminum, vel mittere Capitaneum cum militia competenti juxta tanti negotii qualitatem. Et propter casum qui de novo accidit legato in Regno Apul. & propter etiam captionem Com. Sabaub. infra tam brevem terminum neutrum complere possimus, Domino Papae supplicamus humiliter & devotè quatenus dilectum nostrum Magistrum Jordanum Notarium suum, super prorogandis hujusmodi terminis ad nos mittat, & super hoc cum summa solicitudine laboretis, exponentes Domino Papae & fratribus qualiter infra festum beati Johannis Baptistae proximo venturum, occasione istius negotii 24. millia Marcarum fere solventur, scilicet 40. millia Marcarum et unam Mercatoribus Senen. J. M. C. C. sociis Spiliati, pro quibus omnibus est Decim● obligata. Item fere 30. millia Mercatoribus qui habent Monasteria obligata, praeter damna et expensas quae biennium ascendunt ad quinque millia Marcarumet ultra. Propter quod eis probabiliter suadere potestis, ut pro residuo satis possunt & debent terminos prorogare, maxime cum interim nihilominus totis viribus studemus, ut dicto negotio tam in pecunia quam militia celeriter succurramus, vel tractetis cum Domino Papa ut super decima nobis concessa Mercatores mutuent pecuniam, cum qua possit memoratum negotium sustentari; nam isto anno per Dei gratiam et industriam Magistri Rustandi erit ab obligationibus Mercatorum Senen. penitus liberata. Scribitur etiam Domino Papae super dicto negotio. Scribitur etiam Magistro Jordano Domini Papae Notar. super eodem. Et transcripta brevium poterunt inveniri in bursa rubea. By these Writs and Letters it is most apparent, what vast sums of money the Pope and Court of Rome drained from the King, Kingdom, Clergy, and Religious persons of England this year, by intolerable forgeries, extortions, and impious srauds, only to wrest the Kingdom of Sicily out of Manfreds' hands, in which des gn God blasted both the Pope's forces, and Kings rapines, to their perpetual infamy. I shall close up this year, and Chapter too, with the words of * Hist. Angl. p. 910. Anni conclusio. Mat. Paris: Transiit igitur annus ille Ecclesiae et Praelatis ultimae servitutis genitivus, Regni Angliae praedativus, Terrae Sanctae sterilis, et potius nocivus. BOOK IU. CHAP. III. Comprising sundry Evidences out of Law-books, Histories, and Records, manifesting our King's Sovereign Ecclesiastical as well as Temporal Authority, over all Ecclesiastical Persons, Courts, Causes in England and Ireland; The Popes and his Instruments intolerable Extortions, Oppressions, Innovations, Enchroachments both upon the King's Prerogative, and Subjects Liberties, Properties, and their respective Oppositions, Complaints against them. Together with our Popish Prelates, and Ecclesiastical Synods, Courts, illegal Usurpations upon the King's Temporal Rights, Courts, Crown, Dignity, and People's Privileges, with the several Prohibitions, Mandates issued to restrain them; And some other Ecclesiastical affairs, transactions between the King, Pope, and Court of Rome, of most concernment, from the end of the 40th year of King Henry the 3d, till the expiration of his Reign, Anno Domini 1272. I Have presented you in the precedent Chapters with many memorable Records, Writs, Prohibitions, restraining the Popes and Prelates Usurpations upon the Rights, Crown, Courts of King Henry the 3d. and his Subjects Liberties, till the 40. year of his Reign; about which time, or soon after, Henry de Bracton, a famous Judge under him, learned both in the Civil, Canon, and Common Laws of the Realm, published five most excellent Books, De Legibus & Consuetudinibus Angliae, wherein he asserts the King's Supremacy over all persons whatsoever, as having no Peer at all, much less any Superior, within his Realm, styling him Dei Vicarius several times in sundry places, already transcribed in my Second Book, chap. 2. p. 30, 31, 32. concerning King Lucius, which I shall not here repeat. Which passages of his will well explain those clauses in him, which seem to patronise the Pope's Supremacy, viz. * Bracton l. 1. de Rerum Divisicne, cap. 8. sect. 2. f. 5. b. Apud homines verò est differentia personarum, quia hominum quidem sunt praecellentes & Praelati, & aliis principantur. Dominus Papa videlicet, in rebus spiritualibus quae pertinent ad Sacerdotium & sub eo Archiepiscopi, Episcopi, & alii Praelati inseriores. Item in temporalibus sunt Imperatores, Reges et Principes, in hiis quae pertinent ad Regnum: & sub eye Duces, Comites, Barones, Magnates, sive Vavasores & Milites: & etiam liberi & villani & diversae potestates sub Rege constitutae.; * Lib. 5. de Exceptionibus, cap. 19 sect. 2. f. 417. b. Ad Papam et ad Sacerdotium quidem pertinent, ea quae spiritualia sunt; ad Regem vero et ad Regnum, ea quae sunt temporalia, juxta illud, Coelum coeli Domino, terram autem dedit filiis hominum. Et unde ad Papam nihil pettinet, ut de temporalibus disponat vel ordinet, non magis quam Reges vel Principes de spiritualibus, ne quis eorum falcem immittat in messem alienam. Et sicut Papa potest ordinare in spiritualibus, quoad ordines et dignitates, ita potest Rex in temporalibus in haereditatibus dandis vel haeredibus constituendis secundum consuetudinem Regni sui. Which passages as they absolutely refute the Pope's Temporal Supremacy and Jurisdiction in England, upon pretext of K. John's Charter, or the grant of Peter-pences, so they admit the Pope's Supremacy only in Spiritual things, to wit, in consecrating, depriving Bishops, Priests, administring Sacraments, inflicting Ecclesiastical censures, & exercising their Ministerial function, but not in the sapream Ecclesiastical Government of the Church or Clergy of England, vested only in the King, not Pope, as * See here p. 30, 31, 32. & Book 1. c. 5. p. 100 Gods Vicar, to whom all the Archbishops, Bishops and Prelates of the Realm were then immediately subject, as to their Sovereign Lord and Patron, not so unto the Pope, who (notwithstanding his encroachments on the Crown in King John's Reign, which were regained only by degrees in those bad times by his successors) could make no Archbishop, Bishop in England or Ireland, nor call Synods, nor enact Laws or Canons to bind the Church or Clergy of England or Ireland, without the King's Royal assent, who by his Writs of Prohibition controlled both the Popes, his Legates, Delegates, and Archbishops, Bishops, yea Synods Jurisdictions and extravagant proceedings beyond their legal bounds, as Bracton himself informs us in his Treatise of Jurisdictions and Prohibitions, pertinent to my Theme; wherein you may most clearly discern a combination between the Pope, Bishops, and Ecclesiastical Courts, especially by Bulls and Delegations from the Pope, totally to subvert the Jurisdiction of the King's Temporal Courts in that age, and to engross them into their own hands, to the prejudice of the King, his Crown and Dignity, and subversion of the ancient Laws, Customs, Rights, Privileges of the Kingdom, and Kings Officers, Subjects, and their diligence, vigilancy, courage to prevent it, by several Writs and forms of Prohibitions, thus digested into a perspicuous method and recorded to posterity by Judge Bracton. 1. Est etiam jurisdictio quaedam ordinaria, quaedam delegata quae pertinet ad sacertium Bracton l. 5. cap. 2. f. 401, 402, 403. & forum Ecclesiasticum, sicut in causis spiritualibus & spiritualitati annexis. Est etiam alia jurisdictio ordinaria vel delegata quae pertinet ad Coronam & dignitatem Regis ad Regnum, in causis & placitis rerum & temporalium in foro seculari, & unde videndum cujus judicium & forum actor adire debeat. Et verum est quod sive Laicum sive Clericum velit quis convenire, debet adire judicem & sequi forum rei, & judicium habebit illum apud quem reushabet domicilium, sive domicilium habuerit sub jurisdictione unius vel duorum. 2. Et licet generaliter verum sit quod actor forum rei sequi debeat, fallit tamen in casibus propter diversitatem jurisdictionum & causarum de rebus spiritualibus & temporalibus, & earum sequela, sicut in causa matrimoniali, & rebus permissis ob causam matrimonii, quae in foro Ecclesiastico terminari debent, quia cujus juris, i. jurisdictionis est principale, ejusdem juris erit accessorium. Et eodem modo sicut in foro seculari agatur de aliquo placito quod pertinet ad Coronam & dignitatem Regis, & fides fuerit opposita in contractu, non propter hoc pertinebit cognitio super principali ad judicem Ecclesiasticum. 3. Item fallit in causa testamentaria & aliis pluribus causis Ecclesiasticis. Item ratione criminis convenitur quis ubi deliquit, ut si quis crimen commiserit in terra aliena, quia ubi deliquit ibi subjceat juri, sicut videri poterit de Vtfangthef, per exemplum. Item ratione contractus quia conveniendus ubi contraxit. Item ratione rei petitae, ut si Clericus petat versus Clericum & Laicum debitum quod non sit de Testamento vel de Matrimonio, sequi debet forum laiciale, & eodem modo si petat Laicum foedum, sub Domino feodi erit actio, sicut petitio haereditatis per breve de recto exit tractanda coram Domino feodi, vel coram Vicecomite si Dominus negligens fuerit, quia ratione neligentiae proprii judicis videlicet Domini, transfertur loquela ad Comitatum, & sic coram Rege & suis Justiciariis, multis & variis de causis. 4. Item si quis unum judicem de voluntate sua elegerit, ad alterius audientiam recurrere non debet voluntate propria, cum talis per consensum effectus sit suus judex, quamvis generaliter verum sit, quod sententia non à suo judice lata non teneat. Et hoc verum est nisi hoc faciat Regia prohibitio, quia jurisdictionem Regis non poterit quis mutare per renunciationem in praejudicium Regiae dignitatis, secundum quod inferius dicetur: quamvis expediat aliquando actori convenire reum sub judice de cujus factus est jurisdictione per consensum, magis quam sub eo cui subest domicilii ratione, quia si proprius judex fuerit negligens, alius judex (licet non suus) poterit esse diligentior, dum tamen coertionem habeat quod possit judicium suum demandare executioni. Et unde cum diversae sint hinc inde jurisdictiones, & diversi judices, & diversae causae, debet quilibet ipsorum inprimis aestimare an sua sit jurisdictio, ne falcem videatur ponere in messem alienam. 5. Quia Clericus in nullo conveniendus est coram judice seculari quod pertineat ad forum Ecclesiasticum, sicut in causis spiritualibus vel spiritualitati annexis, ut si pro peccatis vel transgressione fuerit paenitentia iniungenda, & quo casu judex Ecclesiasticus habet cognitionem, quia non pertinet ad Regem injungere paenitentias, nec ad judicem secularem, nec etiam ad eos pertinet cognoscere de iis quae sunt spiritualibus annexa, sicut de decimis & aliis Ecclesiae proventionibus. Item nec de Catallis quae sunt de Testamento vel Matrimonio. Item nec de pecunia, promissa ob causam Matrimonii, quae est quasi sequela Matrimonii, ut superius dictum est, & hujusmodi, quia judex Ecclesiasticus in iis omnibus habet jus revocandi donum, & quamvis in omnibus aliis actionibus sive placitis ad forum seculare pertinentibus videatur quod Clericus sequi debeat forum seculare, & iis agere & respondere ratione rei vel contractus, ubi agitur realiter vel personaliter, sicut in actione injuriarum vel criminis dum tamen civiliter agatur, secundum quod videre poterit tota die; quod si Clericus conveniendus, quia Laicum foedum non habet, summonitionem suscipere noluerit, nec plegios invenire, mandabitur. Episcopo vel ordinario loci, quod faciat talem venire coram Rege vel justiciariis suis ad respondendum et satisfaciendum de quocunque placito ad intentionem petentis vel querentis; quamvis sunt, qui dicunt, quod de nullo placito ●enentur respondere, nec ratione rei, contractus, vel delicti coram judice seculari; et salva pace Nota. eorum, videtur, quod sit in omnibus actionibus et placitis Civilibus, et Criminalibus, praeterquam in executione judicii in causa Criminali ubi Laicus condemnandus esset, ad amissionem vitae vel membrorum; & quo casu, quamvis judex secularis habet cognitionem & cognoscat de crimine, tamen non habet potestatem exequendi judicium, sicut in causis Civilibus; non enim possit degradare Clericum, magis quam ad ordines promovere. Et ideo propter ejus defectum habet ordinarius executionem judicii, licet aliter observetur quod in causa criminali, ubi poena Capitalis infligenda est, habet ordinarius utramque, videlicet cognitionem, & * To wit, as to degradation, not execution; for the Ordinary in cases of Heresy cannot burn an Heretic but only condemn him to be burnt by the Sheriffs or civil Magistrate, by the King's Writ de Haeretico comburendo, which he may deny to grant, and th●n the Bishop or Ordinary cannot burn him, much less hang or behead a Priest for felony or Treason. judicii executionem. 6. Vice versa, non est Laicus conveniendus coram judice Ecclesiastico de aliquo quod pertineat ad Coronam et Regiam dignitatem, et ad Regnum, quod in foro seculari terminari potest et debeat, sicut nec de Laico feodo vel eis pertinentiis, ratione supradicta, ut si jura pertineant sicut advocatio, jus pascendi, eundi, agendi, et hujusmodi. Item nec de debitis, nec catallis nisi sunt de Testamento, vel matrimonii hujusmodi, quia Rex jus habet revocandi donum propter suum privilegium, quamvis ipse qui convenitur coram judice Ecclesiastico de placitis quae pertinent ad Coronam et dignitatem Regiam, per se effectus sit per consensum de alterius foro et jurisdictione. 7. Poterit enim quis renunciare iis quae pro se introducta sunt, sed tamen non in praejudicium alienum, sicut in praejudicium Regiae dignitatis, quia injuste non trahitur ad alienum forum ex quo renunciando privilegio suo hoc voluit, injuste tamen propter privilegium ipsius Regis. Et unde siquis se obligaverit per scripturam ad respondendum in foro vetito, non obstante privilegio (i) Regia prohibitione seipsum obligat et non Regem. Et unde si ille idem postmodum prohibitionem impetraverit quod judices non procedant, et contra factum suum multipliciter delinquit; delinquit enim per hoc quod placita quae pertinent ad Coronam et dignitatem Regis trahit ad alienum forum: Delinquit * etiam. enim ex hoc quod venit contra factum suum proprium, et unde cum judices et partes comparuerint, judices puniuntur, eo quod post prohibitionem processerunt, et si convincantur, Gaolae committantur, poena pecuniaria graviter puniantur, et ille eodem modo de quo queritur qui hoc procuravit, sed non propter querelam querentis et injuriam ei factam, sed propter injuriam factam ipsi Regi; non est enim ei aliqua injuria facta propter consensum, quia trahi voluit ad alienum forum, & quia sic voluit, puniatur ut primi, & quia venit contra factum suum, & per impetrationem suam jam rediit ad forum debitum, ut ibi respondeat de placito principali, etiam sine alio brevi, & judices, & ille de quo queritur quantum ad placitum prohibitionis recedant versus eum sine die, & ipse in misericordia versus eos pro falso clameo. Dictum est qualiter per consensum sit de alterius jurisdictione. Nunc enim dicendum Bracton de legibus & Consuetudinibus Angliae, l. 5. c. 3. & 4. f. 402, 403. si contra voluntatem trahatur in placitum coram judice Ecclesiastico de placitis quae pertinent ad Coronam et dignitatem Regis, unde cum quis ita tractus fuerit coram judice Ecclesiastico contra voluntatem suam qui aestimare noluerit, an sua sit jurisoictio, sed jurisdictionem Regis sibi usurpaverit, et delinquunt tam judices qui placitum tenent, quam ille qui sequitur, ad querelam illius qui sic ad non suum judicem trahitur, fiat breve Domini Regis judicibus ne procedant, et ei qui sequitur ne sequatur, in hac forma. Et si judicassent, judicium erequi non possent, quia Vicecomes nihil faceret ad mandatum ipsorum. 2. Rex talibus Judicibus salutem, Prohibemus vobis ne placitum teneatis in Curia Christianitatis inter A. petentem, & B. tenentem de tanta terra cum pertinentiis, vel de Laico feodo ipsius B. in tali Villa, vel aliter, de Catallis vel debitis quae non sunt ex Testamento vel Matrimonio, & unde praedictus B. queritur, quod praedictus A. eum injustè trahit in placitum coram vobis, quia placita de Laico feodo & de debitis & Catallis quae non sunt de Testamento & Matrimonio, spectant ad Coronam et dignitatem nostram. Et hujusmodi prohibitio locum habet cum scribitur judicibus qui ordinariam habent jurisdictionem, si autem delegatam, ut si delegati fuerunt a Domino Papa, vel alio ordinario, tunc sic. 3. Rex talibus Judicibus salutem. Prohibemus vobis ne teneatis placitum in Curia Christianitatis de Laico feodo, A. in tali Villa, & unde idem A. queritur quod B. de N. trahit eum in placitum coram vobis in Curia Christianitatis Authoritate Literarum Domini Papae, de Laico feodo suo vel debitis et Catallis, etc. ut supra. Et idem dici poterit de advocatioribus Ecclesiarum vel de aliis placitis, quae pertinent ad Coronam et dignitatem Domini Regis; et tunc sic, ne teneatis placitum in Curia Christianitatis de advocatione Ecclesiae, de tali loco, unde talis queritur etc. ut supra, quia placita de advocationibus Ecclesiarum spectant ad Coronam et dignitatem nostram. T. etc. Et sic fiet de omni jure quod pertinere potest ad Laicum feodum, de quo Rer habere debet cognitionem. Et eodem modo scribatur parti adversae ne sequatur, in hac forma. 4. Rex tali salutem; Prohibemus tibi ne sequaris placitum in Curia Christianitatis, de Laico feodo tali in Villa, vel de debitis, Catallis vel advocatione Ecclesiae, & hujusmodi, & unde praedictus talis queritur, quod tu trahis eum in placitum talibus Judicibus, videlicet delegatis, authoritate literarum Domini Papae, vel authoritate literarum alicujus alterius Ordinarii, vel authoritate literarum alterius subdelegati a judicibus, a Domino Papa delegatis, quia hujusinodi placita, ut supra, & ita quod hujusmodi brevia semper conveniant brevibus ad judices transmissis. Sunt etiam alia genera prohibitionum quam plura & diversa, quarum quaedam sunt Bracton l. 5. c. 4. f. 404, etc. de advocationibus Ecclesiarum, ubi non agitur directè inter patronos, ut hic, sed indirectè; ut si inter Rectores qui tenent Ecclesias de advocatione & donatione diversorum Patronorum, inter se contendant de decimis, oblationibus, & obventionibus Ecclesiarum. Et ita quod si petens obtineret, posset patronus jacturam suae advocationis incurrere, fit judicibus ne procedat prohibitio in hac forma, si de tota advocatione fiat contentio. 2. Rex talibus salutem. Indicavit nobis A. quod cum B. talis Clericus, viz. tenet Ecclesiam de tali loco de advocatione sua C. talis Clericus, viz. Clamans eam de advocatione D. trahi eum in placitum coram vobis in Curia Christianitatis authoritate literarum Domini Papae. Quia vero manifestum est, quod praefatus A. jacturam advocationis suae incurreret si praedictus C. in causa ista obtineret, vobis prohibemus ne in causa illaprocedatis, donec discussum fuerit in Curia nostra, ad quem illorum, scilicet A. vel B. pertineat ejusde in Ecclesiae advocatio, quia placitum de advocatione, etc. ut supra. Teste etc. Est & alia prohibitio de eodem ubi agitur indirectè de parte sicut de toto, ut si agant rectores de medietate alicujus Ecclesiae, vel de tertia parte inter se de Ecclesia quae divisa fuit ab antiquo inter patronos, & de advocatione ratione diversorum feodorum, & tunc fiat prohibitio in forma supradicta. Si autem contentio fuerit inter rectores de aliquibus decimis quae aestimari possunt usque ad quartam, quintam, vel sextam partem advocationis, & ultra quam partem non extenditur prohibitio ut videtur, tune fiat judicibus prohibitio in hac forma. 3. Rex talibus judicibus salutem. Jndicavit nobis A. quod cum B. teneat de advocatione sua sextam partem Ecclesiae de M. talis Abbas clamans praedictam sextam partem de advocatione B. trahit eum in placitum coram vobis in Curia Christianitatis; quia verò manifestum est quod praedictus A. jacturam advocationis praedictae sextae partis illius Ecclesiae incurreret si praedictus Abbas in causa illa obtineret, vobis prohibemus, ne in causa ilia procedatis donec discussum fuerit ad quem illorum pertineat praedictae partis advocatio; quia placitum, etc. ut supra. Et fiat Clerico prohibitio qui sequitur in forma quae consona sit prohibitioni factae Judicibus. Poterit aliquando sine prae juditio alicu jus de consensu patronorum ad breve quod dicitur indicavit, si contingat quod decimae petantur in foro Ecclesiastico, quae sunt de alterius advocatione sive in toto, sive pro parte majore fieri, inquisitio in Curia Domini Regis, tanquam de advocatione propter aestimationem decimatum, ubi Ecclesia enormiter laesa est, ut si Ecclesia recenter spoliata fuerit, in hac forma, utrum viz. talis praesentarus à tali patrono, recentèr fuerit in seysina de talibus dec▪ mis tanquam spectantibus ad Ecclesiam suam, quam tenet de praesentatione talis patroni sui, vel, si talis alia persona inde fuit in seysina tali tempore, ut de decimis spectantibus ad Ecclesiam suam talem quam tenet, de advocatione talis patroni sui. 4. Est & aliud genus prohibitionis, ut cum inter patronos contentio fuerit aliquando de jure praesentationis, & quilibet eorum Clericum suum praesentaverit, & pendente praesentatione unus obtinuerit ad cu jus praesentationem Clericus admissus fuerit, si Clericus qui ab aliquo alio patrono praesentatus fuerit Clericum ita admissum coram judicibus Ecclesiasticis implacitaverit ratione praesentationis ejus qui amisit, fiat eis prohibitio talis in hac forma. 5. Rex tali Priori & judicibus suis salutem. Ostendit nobis A. quod cum ipse ad Ecclesiam talem vacantem aliquando praesentasset, B. C. gerens se patronum illius Ecclesiae ad eandem Ecclesiam praesentavit Clericum suum, scilicet D. & cum idem A. seysinam praesentandi, in Curia nostra, etc. recuperasset versus ipsum C. & B. Clericus ad praesentationem suam ad mandatum nostrum sic admissus, idem D. trahit eum in placitum in Curia Christianitatis coram vobis, ratione praesentationis de se factae authoritate Literarum Domini Papae, et quia ea quae in Curia nostra rite acta sunt irritari non debent; Uobis prohibemus ne in causa illa procedatis ad irritanda ea qua in▪ Curia nostrae rite acta sunt. Teste, etc. Item alia forma de eodem & quasi per breve de Indicavit. 6. Rex tali Priori & conjudicibus suis salutem. Ostendit nobis A. Prior, de N. quod cum nuper in Curia nostra coram Justic. nostris, etc. recuperasset versus B. Priorem de tali loco Advocationem Capellae de M. ut pertinentem ad matricem Ecclesiam ipsius A. Prioris per recognitionem magnae A ssissae inde ibi inter eosdem in proprios usus per ordinarium loci, cui per considerationem Curiae nostrae Mandavimus processum illius sequelae, ut quod suum esset inde exquereretur, C. Clericus de N. trahit ipsum A. priorem de tali loco in placitum coram vobis, petens Capellam illam ut persona ejusdem, ex advocatione & donatione praedicti B. prioris de tali loco, qui advocationem illam in Curia nostra amisit, per recognitionem magnae assisae, & tanquam inde spoliatus de sicut nunquam fuit in eadem institutus, ut praedictus A Prior de tali loco dicir. Et quia praedictus B. Prior de tali loco (de cujus advocatione dictus C. pe●it Capellam illam) nihil juris habet in illa, sicut recognitum est per assisam, et ea quae in Curia nostra rite acta sunt non debe. ant in foro Ecclesiastico ab aliquo infirmari: Vobis mandamus, quod si ad mandatum dicti Ordinarii vobis constiterit, quod praedictus C. Clericus nunquam fuit in eadem Capella institutus tempore quo praedictus A. Prior de tali loco, nec ante recuperavit in Curia nostra praedictam advocationem, Uobis Prohi●em s quod in causa illa quae est coram vobis (ut dicitur) non procedatis, quia hoc esset manifeste contra Coronam et dignitatem nostram. Teste, etc. Item, quod ea quae in Curia Domini Regis ritè acta sunt irritari non debent, & ubi consensum est in aliquem Clericum eo quod haeres alicujus fuerit infra aetatem, si Clerici primo praesentati velint institutum implacitare, tunc fiat prohibitio in hac forma. 7. Rex talibus judicibus salutem. Prohibemus vobis ne teneatis placitum in Curia Christianitatis Ecclesiae de N. de cujus advocatione nuper placitum fuit in Curia nostra coram Justic. etc. inter A. querentem, & B. Custodem C. filii & haeredis A. impedientem, ratione juris quod idem B. dicebat eundem C. habere in praedicta advocatione, & unde inter eosdem A. & B. convenit in Curia nostra coram Justic. nostris, quod uterque illorum consensit in E. cancellarium talem, eo quod judicium procedere non potuit, quia praedictus C. (de quo dicitur quod jus habet in praedicta advocatione) ad Chartas antecessoris sui vel hujusmodi respondere non potest, cum sit infra aetatem. Et quia si placitum quod est coram vobis in Curia Christianitis procederet, idem C. dum infra aetatem fuerit jacturam advocationis suae posset incurrere, et placita de advocationibus Ecclesiarum pertinent ad Coronam et dignitatem nostram. Teste, etc. Est & aliud genus prohibitionis ratione rerum temporalium, quae ad ipsim Regem pertinere possunt ratione custodiae Atchiepiscopatuum, et Episcopatuum vacantium, et quae occasionem inducunt prohibendi, sicut pro Sancto Edmund● Archiepiscopo Cantuar. & fit prohibitio in hac forma. 8. Rex Priori & Conventui Roffen. salutem. Ex relatione quorundem nuper didicimus quod cum Venerabilis Pater * See here p. 829. E. Cantuar. Archiepiscopus habeat Custodiam Episcopatus Roffen. nunc vacantis cum omnibus existibus & proficuis ad dictum Episcopatum spectantibus, vos trahitis in placitum in Curia Christianitatis eundem Archiepiscopum, authoritate literarum Domini Papae, super qulbusdam exenniis quae praestanda sunt de Maneriis nostris, et eodem modo consuetudo quo alii annui redditus reddi solent Episcopo si viveret, ea quod idem Archiepiscopus ea sibi reddi postulat ratione Custodiae e●usdem Episcopatus tempore vacationis. Et quoniam si vos in causa illa obtineretis▪ manifestum esset nobis inde damnum incurreret si contingeret aliquando Archiepiscopum Cantuar. simul cum Episcopatu Roffen. vacare, & utrumque in m●nu nostra existere, vobis prohibemus ne placitum illud sequamini in Curia Christianitatis quia hoc esset contra Coronam et dignitatem nostram, er ad damnum nostrum et praejudicium libertatis nostrae quam habemus de Episcopatibus vacantlbus in Regno nostro. Teste etc. Et fiat aliud breve in eadem forma Judicibus ne procedant. Est & aliud genus prohibitionis ubi quis Clericus praesentatus ad Ecclesiam per Dominum Regem propter insufficientiam recusatus fuerit, & alius idoneus institutus, fi velit inquietare institutum, & tunc fiat prohibitio in hac forma. 9 Rex talibus Judicibus salutem. Satis meminimus nos jam pridem praesentasse Venerabili Pacri, E. Cantuar. Archiepiscopo A. de N. ad Ecclesiam talem tunc vacantem, quem quidem cum idem Archiepiscopus minus idoneum invenisset, ipsum ad eandem admittere recusavit; & cum idem Archiepiscopus à nobis licentiam obtineret de idonea persona eidem Ecclesiae providenda, illam B. de N. viro provido, & honesto & laudabilis conversationis contulit, cujus collationi & ordinationi de eadem factae Regium adhibuimus assensum & favorem. Et cum idem A. jam pristinae praesentationi ad di ctam Ecclesiam de persona sua per nos factae adhaereat, & de qua nihil consequi potuit propter suam insufficientiam, trahit ipsum, B. in placitum de eadem Ecclesia coram vobis, Authoritate literarum Domini Papae, et quoniam injustum est et contra diguitatem nostram quod idem A. cui fuit propter insufficientiam institutio denegata, ipsum B. implacitet & inquietet qui per ipsum Archiepiscopum sicut persona idonea ad eandem admissus, & Canonicè institutus nostro interveniente assensu & favore, Uobis prohibemus, quod de caeterò placitum illud non teneatis. Teste etc. Et fiat breve in consimili forma Clerico ne procedat. Est & aliud genus prohibitionis, cum ipse Rex vel aliquis antecessor suus ratione alicujus vacationis alicujus Episcopatus, Aubatiae vel Prioratus, et in manu sua existentis praesentaverit Clericum, & qui ad praesentationem suam fuerit institutus, & Episcopus vel Abbas, vel Prior substitutus veniat contra praesentationem Regis vel patris sui, tunc fiat Prohibitio in hac forma. 10. Rex talibus Judicibus salutem. Monstravit nobis A. de N. quod cum teneat advocationem talis Ecclesiae de donatione 1. Regis Patris nostri, quam ei contulit ratione talis Prioratus vacantis & in manu sua existentis, Prior illius loci jam infirmare nititur institutionem illius A. de praedicta Ecclesia, quam sic ad praesentationem dicti Patris nostri Canonicè est adeptus, & gravans & inquietans eum multipliciter, trahit eum coram vobis in Curiam Christianitatis Authoritate literarum Domini Papae, de eadem Ecclesia. Et quoniam hoc esi manifeste in opprobrium et praejudicium Regiae dignitaris si praedictus Prior in causa illa obtineat; Uobis prohibemus, ne in causa illa procedatis, cum vobis et universis de Regno nonro notorium sit et esse debet, quod Ecclesiae vacantes et pertinentes ad Collationem Episcoporum, Abbatum et Priorum sede non vacante dum viverent, pertinere debent ad nos ratione custodiae, tempore vacationis. Teste etc. Et quod dictum est de Episcopatibus, Abbatibus, Prioratibus, dici poterit de Baroniis, & aliis dum fuerint in Custodia Domini Regis. Est etiam inter alias prohibitiones quaedam prohibitio, ubi videlicet Clericus implacitaverit Ballivum Domini Regis in Curia Christianitatis, aliqua de causa, Bracton l. 5. c. 5 eo forte quod idem Ballivus eum arrestavit pro aliqua transgressione, et pro pace Regis, et de quo petita fuit Curia Christianitatis per Episcopum; et forma prohibitionis talis est. 2. Rex talibus Judicibus salutem. Monstravit nobis talis Vic. Major, praeposirus talis Villae vel Ballivus quilibet, quod cum A. Clericum tanquàm Malefactorem & rettatum, de Roberia, & societate latronum, vel inventum tali loco in Conventu & societate latronum, & certa suspitione rotatum, pro officii debito, & pro pace nostra per legem terrae secundum Regni nostri consuetudinem nuper arrestari fecisset, quoniam etiam postmodum tali Episcopo qui ipsum petiit sibi liberari, tanquam Clericum a Carcere & Custodia nostra fecimus liberari. Idem A. Clericus praesatum Ballivum nostrum, occasione praedicta trahit in placitum, coram vobis authoritate literarum Domini Papae; et quoniam hoc est manifeste co ntra Coronem et dignitatem nostram, et etiam contra pacem nostram quod aliquis Ballivus noster occasione Ministerii sui, vel pro aliquo quod ad conservationem pacis nostrae pertineat, vel pro justitia facienda, trahatur in placitum in Curia Christianitatis, cum eorum facta nostra reputemus in hac parte, vobis prohibemus etc. ut supra. Teste etc. Et consimile breve fiat Clerico qui sequitur, & qui potius capi debeat & in prisonam mitti. Est etiam breve prohibitionis in casu ubi quis tenere se dicebat, per legem Angliae, Bracton de legibus Angliae. l. 5. c. 6. p. 406. & cum disseysitus esset & tulisset breve de nova disseysina ad seysinam recuperandam, objectum esset ei quod recuperare non potuit, eo quod pueri ratione quorum ad vitam suam tenere debeat, cum Curia Christianitatis illos probare velit ad legitimos, quod facere non debuit, secuta fuit prohibitio in hac forma. Rex tali Episcopo salutem. Ostensum est nobis ex parte A. quod cum B. nuper in Curia nostra etc. nuper arramaverit Assi. No. dissi. versus eundem A de tenemento in tali Villa, quod idem B. dicebat se tenuisse per Legem Angliae, & idem A. per considerationem ejusdem Curiae nostrae idem recessisset sine die versus eundem B. eo quod pueri quos habuerat de Uxore sua tali, cujus haereditas tenementum illud fuerat, & ratione quorum puerorum idem B. clamavit tenere illud tenementum ad vitam suam per Legem Angliae, secundum regni nostri consuetudinem, * See here p. 819, 821. nati fuerint ante matrimonium contractum inter ipsum B. & talem uxorem suam, sicut in eadem Curia nostra recognitum fuit per confessionem ipsius B. & etiam contra eum praesumptum, eo quod idem B. prius fuit in Curia nostra cum praefata tali quam nunc dicit uxorem & cum in probatione esset in Curia nostra idem B. venit cum ea sicut serviens, & non ut maritus, nec aliqua facta fuit mentio in brevi per quod ipsa placitaret quod virum haberet: praedictus B. postea ad deceptionem Curiae nostrae, et ad infirmandum judicium in Curia nostra factum, trahit ipsum A. in placitum coram vobis in Curia Christianitatis, Authoritate Literarum Domini Papae, ad praedictos pueros legitimandos, ut sic per aliam viam rehabere posset tenementum quod amisit, et quod pueri sui sic succedere valeant in bonis paternis et maternis. Et cum non possunt judices aliqui de legitimitate cognoscere quoad haereditaem et successionem habendam, nisi fuerit loquela prius in Curia nostra incepta per breve, et ibi bastardia objecta, et postea ad Curiam Christianitatis transmissa; vobis prohibemus quod in placito illo ulterius non procedatis, nos enim cum praedicti pueri ad nos venerint in praedicta Curia nostra de praedicto tenemento, eye justiciam exhibeamus, secundum consuetudinem regni nostri, ubi si eis bastardia objecta fuerit, mandabimus ordinario loci ut de ipsorum legitimatione cognoscat, si ad ipsum su●●it in l ac parte cognitio demandanda. Est enim Prohibitio hinc consimilis & magis aperta de quodam Waltero Muschet, quod non valet cognitio de legitimitate quoad successionem, nisi sic fuerit à Curia Regis demandata, & est prohibitio talis. 2. Rex talibus Judicibus salutem. Ostensum est nobis ex parte A. quod cum Curia nostra coram justiciariis nostris proximo itinerantibus in tali Com●arramavit quandam Assisam mortis antecessoris versus B. de quadam terra in N. idem B. timens sibi posse opponi notam Bastardiae in eadem assisa, & ante praedictum adventum justiciariorum, & antequam ei Bastardia opponatur in Curia nostra in eadem Assia, & antequam fuerit per nos ordinario loci inquisitio de legitimitate probanda secundum Regni nostri consuetudinem demandata, literas Domini Papae ad vos directas impetravit ut de legitimitate sua cognoscatis, et ad probationem illius testes admittatis, ut per hoc remaneat haereditas ec successio * See here p. 471, 472, 473: contra consuetudinem Regni nostri quae huc usque obtinuit, ut approbata, et a sede Apostolica confirmata, quod in causa successionis & haereditatis petitione debet prius placitum moveri in Curia nostra. Et cum ibi objecta fuerit Bastardia, tunc deinde trasmitti debet Recordum loquelae & cognitio Bastardiae ad Curiam Christianitatis, ut ibi ad mandatum nostrum de legitimitateinquiratur, quod quidem non est in hac parte observatum. Et cum hoc sit manifeste contra consuetudinem Regni nostri, quod habita vel habenda inter alios contentione de jure successionis debeatis ad inquisitionem de legitimatione procedere antequam a nobis hoc fuerit vobis demandatum, vobis prohibemus, etc. ut supra. 3. Est etiam alterius modi prohibitio, cum petens tenenti Bastardiam objecerit, & ordinario loci fuerit inquisitio demandata in persona haeredis adinquisitionem procedere. Rex tali Ordinario salutem. Ostendit nobis A. filius & haeres B. quod cum C. in Curia nostra coram Justic. B. tantum terrae, etc. per Assisam mortis antecessoris inde ibi inter eos summonitam; & idem B. objecerit eidem C. Bastardiam in eadem Curia, & cognitio vobis esset demandata & pendente inquisitione illa idem B. diem clausit extren●um, vos praesatum A. silium & haeredem praedicti B. vocari fecistis in judicium praedicta occasione, ut in persona haeredis defunct. procedat inquisitio sine alio mandato; Et quiasi contingat quod altera partium inter quas agitur in Curia nostra decedat, tota loquela illa cadit & remanet, nec super eodem procedere poterit contra haeredem desuncti, nisi per breve nostrum de novo contra ipsum perpetratum, vobis mandamus quod in cognitione praedictae causae contra praefatum A. de caetero non procedatis, donec à nobis aliud indè habueritis mandatum. Teste. Quibus fieri debet Prohibitio videndum; & sciendum quod tàm ei qui tenet placitum, Bracton 1. 5. c. ● 7. f. 405. quam ei qui sequitur, sive plures, sicut judices delegati sive subdelegati, sive unus, sicut ordinarius quicunque, si unus quisequitur sive plures, licet prima facie videatur quod sufficere debeat si tantum judici fiat prohibitio, quia si Judex procedere noluerit, non valebit, quamvis, querens sequi velit, quia nòn ibi erit judicium quasi desiciente judice; si autem pati tantum & ipse sequi voluerit, nullum erit judicium ratione supradicta, quia non velit si judex tenere vale, si non erit judicium, Melius tamen erit quod omnibus fiat generaliter ne Judices vel querens impunè posset procedere. Sed quid si Judices delegati alios sibi subdelegaverint, & qui cognoverunt de causa, videndum quibus fieri debeat prohibitio, utrum viz. principalibus vel subdelegatis, & tunc refert utrum ita subdelegaverint, viz. ad certum diem, vel sic quod sibi reservaverint principalia judiciorum, videlicet principium, medium & finem, scilicet contestationem & dispensationem super contestationibus, & diffinitivam sententiam, & quo casu videtur quod locum habere debet prohibitio cum sic sibi aliquid reservaverint, & ipsi authoritatem subdelegatis praestiterint, cum ipse facere videtur cujus Authoritate fit; si autem se ad totam causam excusaverint & nihil sibi reservaverint, tunc refert utrum hoc fecerint ante prohibitionem vel post. Si autem ante prohibitionem, non credentes aliquam intervenire posse prohibitionem, tunc sufficit si prohibitio fiat subdelegatis. Si vero post prohibitionem, tunc praesumi possit, quod hoc fecerit per fraudem. Et ideo tenebit prohibitio facta in personis eorum, quasi nulla facta subdelegatione. Proposita exceptione contra jurisdictionem (ut praedictum est) & cum illam admittere Bracton de legibus & consuetudinibus Anliae. 1. 5. c. 8, 9 recusaverint, superveniat prohibitio, & facta examinatione an eorum sit jurisdictio vel non, decreverit supersdendum, tunc remancat querentis prosecutio: Si autem dubitaverint utrum supersedendum sit vel non, solent judices aliquando justiciarios consulere, utrum procedere possent, vel necesse haberent supersedere, & utrum ad eos pertinet cognitio, vel non pertinet, & quo casu fuit eorum consultationibus per judices multis modis responsum, secundum quod prohibitio locum habere debet vel non habere, & fit breve hujusmodi de responsione facienda sub nomine Justiciariorum. 2. Viris Venerabilibus, vel dilectis sibi in Christo tali & conjudicibus suis salutem. Literas vestras suscepi continentes, quod cum quaedam causa quae vertitur coram vobis inter A. Priorem & Conventum talem, & B. talem Clericum, vel Laicum, facta vobis editione (ut dicitis) super nova Garba terrae ipsius B. praedictis A. Priori & Conventui quondam in perpetuam Eleemoysynam collata, Authoritate literarum Domini Papae exanimi vestro sit commissa, et cum ex earundem Authoritate Literarum in eadem causa jam inceperitis procedere: Idem B. de Laico feodo suo in Curia Christianitatis procedere, vobis Literas Domini Regis prohibitorias porrexerat, un●è à nobis Consilium requiritis vel petitis▪ utrum in causa illa procedendum sit vel supersedendum? ad quod vobis vel constitutioni vestrae duximus respondendum, vel aliter sic. Desiderio igitur vestro in hac parte stisfacere cupientes, vel volentes Consultationi vestrae in hac parte sic duximus respondendum, quod si praedictus A. Prior Conventus novam garbam illam, aliquo tempore perceperunt, & inde in possesione pacifica fuerint per aliquod tempus & indè spoliati injustè, super restitutione illius novae Garbae si vobis hoc constiterit in veritate, in foro Ecclesiastico securè potestis procedere non obstante Regia prohibitione. Si autem in possessione in●è non fuerint, nec inde recenter spoliati injustè, tunc magis expedit vobis supersedere quam procedere, quia si procederitis, hoc esset in praejudicium Regiae dignitatis. Fiat quandoque responsio consultationibus sub nomine Regis, quandoque sub nomine Justicar. brevius tamen & rectius poterit Consultationibus responderi examinata judicum consultatione hoc modo. Talibus Judicibus salutem. Inspectis Literis vestris quas nobis transmisistis, & plenius intellectis (sine praejudicio melioris sententiae) consultationi vestrae duximus respondendum, quod si res itase habet sicut in consultatione vestra nobis exposuistis, videtur nobis, quod in causa ista benè potestis procedere non obstante Regia prohibitione. Est etiam alius modus Consultationis & responsionis per M. de B. quod prohibitio locum non habet inter Ecclesiasticas personas, ut si viri Religiosi teneantur alicui Clerico in annuo redditu per Chartam & sub protestatione Sacramenti, si Clericus velit agere in foro Ecclesiastico. 3. Tali N. & Conjudicibus suis talibus salutem. Literas consultationis vestras benignè suscepi, & qua decuit diligentia inspexi, & quibus inspectis & intellectis, vobis & consultationi vestrae sic duximus respondendum; quod cum juri Canonico sit contrarium quod si Clericus Clericum & maximè viros Religiosos convenerit coram judice Ecclesiastico, quod iidem Religiosi quasi religionis suae immemores, & de Ecclesia (salva pace eorum) malè scientes ut negotii processum impediant, & judicium Ecclesiasticum subterfugiant, & maximè super annuo redditu per eorum Chartam, & juramento obligati, ad prohibitionem Regiam maliciose recurrant, advertat discretio vestra quod in casu proposito non obitat Regia prohibitio, & procedatis securè, ne subterfugiendi detur perniciosa occasio: quia si ipsi conveniantur in seculari judicio, se ibi tuerentur fori privilegio, quia fortè dicerent quod Clerici essent, & ideò quod non tenerentur respondere in foro seculari ratione ordinis Clericalis & personae suae; & sic videtur quod causa secularis & res trahitur ad forum Ecclesiasticum propter privilegium personae Ecclesiasticae quod esse non deberet (ut videtur) quia si illud privilegium haberet pro se ne responderet in foro seculari, meritò illud contrà se haberet, ne ei in eodem foro respondetur. Nec etiam valere deberet (ut videtur) illud quod superius dictum est quod propter recentem spoliationem mutari debet jurisdictio de re temporali non magis de reddito quam de Laico Feodo ubi remedium habere posset in foro seculari per Assissum novae disseysinae, vel hujusmodi secundum quod redditus fuerit talis vel talis. Ut autem Consultationibus Judicum melius possit responderi, videre non est inutile, Bracton l. 5. c. 9 f. 406. ubi & quando locum habere debeat Prohibitio, & de quibus rebus, & quando non: Et si non in toto, in parte tamen per exceptionem. Et sciendum, quod locum habet Prohibitio ne judicium procedat in foro Ecclesiastico quandoque ratione personarum & rei de qua agitur, ut ubi cognitio mere pertinet ad Coronam et dignitatem Regiam, ut si Laicus Laicum implacitaverit coram Judice Ecclesiastico de aliquo Laico feodo, vel de aliquo quod ad Laicum feodum pertineat, quia Jurisdictionem Regiam in hac parte mutare non poterit aliquod privilegium sicut privilegium crucesignatorum, vel alicujus alterius, etiam etsi Rex hoc vellet, dissimulat tamen hoc quandoque, quamvis hoc sit contra privilegium Coronae et dignitatis suae. Item, Jurisdictionem suam non mutat fidei interpositio, Sacramentum praestitum, nec spontanea renunciatio partium quamvis sibi ipsis in hac parte praejudicent per consensum. Et illud idem dicendum erit de debitis & catallis quae non sunt de Testamento vel Matrimonio, vel eorum sequela. Item locum habet Prohibitio ratione personarum vel rei, ut si Clericus Laicum vel Laicus Clericum in foro Ecclesiastico traxerit de aliquo praedictorum. Item ratione rei tantum, ut si de aliquo praedictorum Clericus in foro Ecclesiastico Clericum traxerit in placitum, quia si Judex Ecclesiasticus inter tales judicaverit, judicium suum executioni mandare non poterit quia non est Vicecom. nec alius Minister qui in executione facienda ei obtemperet. Et si ipse exequi voluerit, locum habebit contra ipsum Assisa novae disseisinae, & contra eum qui sequitur de Laico feodo, dico ad differentiam liberae eleemosynae quae magis propriè dicitur libera cum sit quasi Deo dedicata, sicut terra data Ecclesiae nomine dotis tempore dedicationis, quae magis privilegiata est, & cujus cognitio ad forum spectat Ecclesiasticum, quam sit pura & libera eleemosyna data Ecclesiis & viris religiosis, & de qua jurisdictio & cognitio pertinet ad forum seculare. Item locum habet Prohibitio ratione rei, sicut de Laico feodo, quod alicui descendit ex causa successionis. Ut si Judex Ecclesiasticus cognoscere vellet de successione ad querel●m Clerici vel Laici, locum habet Prohibitio ratione rei. 2. Item, & eodem modo ratione contractus, ut si Clericus contrahat cum Laico in causa alicujus emptionis & venditionis de aliqua re seculari, de qua cognitio pertinent ad forum seculare. 3. Item, & eodem modo locum habet Prohibitio ratione delicti, ut si Clericus delinquat contra Clericum vel Laicum, vel Laicus contra Laicum in re temporali; ratione delicti vel facti, pertinet cognitio ad forum seculare, tàm in actione injuriarum quam criminis, dum tamen civiliter agatur, & in quibus casibus omnibus Judex secularis habet cognitionem & coertionem, & Judex Ecclesiasticus non nisi per dissimulationem. Si autem criminaliter agatur & super crimine Judex Ecclesiasticus non habebit Jurisdictionem, licet habere debeat judicii executionem. In causa enim sanguinis judicare non potest nec debet, ne committat irregularitatem; pertinet igitur (ut videtur) ad Judicem secularem cognitio, & ad Judicem Ecclesiasticum judicii executio, quia Judex secularis degradare non potest, non magis quam ad ordines promovere, sicut superius dictum est in parte. Quando & in quibus locum non habeat Prohibitio dicendum. Et sciendum, quod Bracton l. 5. c. 10, & 11. fol. 407, 408, 409. locum non habebit Prohibitio in Curia Christianitatis de aliquo spirituali, vel spiritualitati annexo, sive agatur inter Clericos, sive inter Clericum & Laicum, vel ubi agatur ex causa Testamentaria vel Matrimoniali, vel de aliquo de quo sit poenitentia injungenda pro peccato. Item locum non habebit Prohibitio si in Curia Christianitatis agatur de aliquo tenemento, quod si sacrum, et pex Pontifices Deo dedicatum, sicut sunt Abbatiae, Prioratus, & Monasteria & horum Coemiteria. Item quasi sacra, quia spiritualitati annexa, sicut sunt terrae datae Ecclesiis tempore dedicationis, cum aedificiis in eadem contentis & in pertinentiis eorum: Unde si Ecclesia vel Monasterium de hujusmodi terra in dotem data, vel de ejus pertinentiis sicut de communi● pasturae, & hujusmodi fuerit spoliata, si in foro Ecclesiastico de restitutione agatur, locum non habebit Prohibitio, quod quidem non est intelligendum de libera eleemosyna quamvis sit pura. Nota quod non jacet Prohibitio in dote Ecclesiae, jacet tamen in libera & pura eleemosyna. Et de hac materia habetis de term. Pasch. Anno. Regis H. 15. in Com. Somers. de Richardo persona de Hideford. Et ad hoc facit expressè, quod habetis de term. S. Hilar. Anno Regis H. 8. in Com. Bedf. de Gylberto persona de Denham. Item nec locum habebit Prohibitio si in foro Ecclesiastico agatur & hoe ratione personarum, sicut de catallis Clericorum else violenter ablatis, ut de term. S. Hilar. Anno Regis H. 8. in Com. Cornub de Ewerino de le Lind. Item locum non habebit Prohibitio fi de decimis agatur, vel si erratum fuerit in forma Prohibitionis, ut si fiat Prohibitio de debitis, ubi fieri debet de catallis, vel è contrario, ut de term. S. Hilar. Anno Regis H. 6. in Com. Warr. de quodam praecentore Lyncoln. sed contra de decimis, quod locum habet Prohibitio si decimae patantur, vel earum partium si vendantur ex venditione, ut de term. S. Mich. Anno Regis H. 9 incipiente 10. in Com. Ebor. de Richardo persona de Mapeldon. Sed hoc solvitur sic, quod in primo casu conventus fuit primus & principalis debitor, ubi locum non tenuit Prohibitio, & in secundo casu conventi fuerint fidejussores & implacitati cum ipse principalis debitor solvendo esset, & ubi post Prohibitionem judicatum fuit in foro seculari, quod persona se caperet ad principalem debitorem, qui solvendo fuit, & fide jussores inde quieti. Et unde videtur, quod si principalis debitor solvendo non esset, quod persona agere posset in foro Ecclesiastico contra fidejussores non obstante Prohibitione. Item locum non habebit Prohibitio in causa Testamentaria vel Matirmoniali, quia hujusmodi genera placitorum specialiter excipiuntur, cum sint spiritualia vel spiritualibus annexa. Item, nec de aliquibus quae sunt eis accessoria, vel annexa; accessaria dico, sicut est obligatio fide jussionis ut in venditione decimarum, de qua superius dictum. Item de promissionibus factis de pecunia danda ob causam Matrimonii in initio contractus nomine maritagii. Secus autem si tenementum promittatur. Et quod hujusmodi pecunia peti possit non obstante Prohibitione, inveniri poterit determino S. Mich. Anno Regis H. 14. incipiente 15. in Com. Suff. de Hugone de Monte Causa. Ad idem facit, quod habetis de termino S. Trinitatis Anno Regis H. 15. in Com. Oxon. & unde Prior de Berncestre fuit Judex. Et semper vivendum erit propter quid aliquid factum sit vel permittatur. 2. Item ratione accessionis in causa Testamentaria non habet locum Prohibitio, si pecunia legetur & petatur, ut debitum in foro Ecclesiastico ex causa Testamentaria. Item nec locum habebit Prohibitio, si testator pecuniam sibi debitam legaverit, dum tamen debitum in vita testatoris recognitum sit & probatum, quia hujusmodi pecunia inter bona testatoris connumeratur, & pertinet ad executores. Si autem petatur debitum per executores, de quo debitores in vita testatoris confessi non fuerint nec convicti, vel nec post mortem gratis recognoverint, hujusmodi debitum inter bona testatoris non connumeratur, etsi ab executoribus vel ab haerede in foro Ecclesiastico petantur, locum habebit Prohibitio, & in foro seculari oportebit agere; hujusmodi enim actiones haereditariae sunt & pertinent ad haeredes, & ideo legari non possunt, & sicut dantur haeredibus contra debitores non executoribus, ita dantur actiones creditoribus contra haeredes & non contra executores. 3. Et quod actiones legari non possunt nec Judices Ecclesiastici inde recognoscere, nec executores petere debitum quod in vita testatoris non est recognitum, probatur de termino S. Hilar. Anno Regis H. 6. in Com. North. de Radulpho persona de Irclinbourghe, & quod actiones legari non possunt necinter bona testatoris connumerantur, maximè de antiquo debito, probatur de termino Paschae Anno Regis H. 15. in Com. Essex de Gervasio de Aldermanburic. Ad idem facit, quod habetis de termino Paschae Anno Regis H. 16. in Com. South. de Eugelardo de Cygoiny. 4. Item nec locum habet Prohibitio in causa Testamentaria, si catalla legentur & inde agatur in foro Ecclesiastico. Item nec si in Civitatibus & Burgis legentur domus vel aedificia quae habuit testator de perquisito, cum sint quasi caralla testatoris. Secus tamen est in quibusdam locis si proveniant ex descensu antecessoris, in quibusdam locis sicut in Civitate London. ubi locum habet Prohibitio si inde agatur. Item locum non habet Prohibitio, si legetur usus fructus alicujus terrae, ut si testator aliquam terram tenuerit ad terminum annorum & usum fructum legaverit, quia usus fructus inter catalla connumeratur, tenemento in suo statu duraturo sicut Laicum feodum. Sed cum terra ad terminum ita alicui data fuerit, refert utrum testatori tantum, vel testatori & haeredibus suis. Si autem testatori tantum, tunc poterit testator in vita dare & in morte legare sine praejudicio haeredum. Si autem sibi & haeredibus suis non sic nisi in vita dederit, ubi haeredes tenentur ad Warrantiam, & eodem modo si legaverit expressè, si autem nullam mentionem inde fecerit, tunc transit usus fructus ad haeredes. 5. Item locum non habet Prohibitio ubi quis de facto & consensu suo proprio effectus est alterius Jurisdictionis, scilicet quantum ad seipsum, sed non quantum ad Regem ad quem pertinet jurisdictio secundum quod superius dictum est, & ibi judicium de renunciatione, quod non potest quis in praejudicium alterius renunciare, factum tamen fuit contrarium, ut in Rotulo de term. Pasch. Anno Regis H. 16. in Com. Devon. de Thoma de Bntryler, Alfrido in Cottone, quod renunciatio aliis praejudicat quam renuncianti. Item & eodem modo non habebit locum Prohibitio, si quis effectus fuerit de alterius jurisdictione de facto suo proprio per Appellationem, ut si implacitatus fueri coram Judice Ecclesiastico, & non suo, appellaverit ad alium Judicem non suum, si ad Prohibitionem Regiam convolaverit ratione rei secularis qua petitur, quantum ad personam suam audiri non debet, licet non quantum ad personam Regis, ut supradictum est, quia quos semel approbavit eos post reprobare non potest. 6. Item locum non habebit Prohibitio de recenti spoliatione, ut si Clericus Clericum spoliaverit de decimis vel aliis de quibus cognitio pertinet ad forum Ecclesiasticum, quia de hujusmodi restitutione non generatur praejudicium patronis, quantum ad jus advocationis. 7. Item nec locum habet Prohibitio in causa restitutionis cum Ecclesia recenter spoliata fuerit de aliqua libertate quae ei concessa fuerit tempore dedicationis, sicut habendi rationabile Estoverium in bosco patroni, sicut ad housbote & heybote, & ad ardendum & hujusmodi. Item habendi communia Pasturae ratione terrae datae Ecclesiae in dotem: recenter dicitur, quia si non est recenter, aliter erit. Item nec locum habebit Prohibitio, ubi quis negligens & juris sui contemptor tardius sibi prospexerit quam deberet, quia tunc primo tulit Prohibitionem cum proventum esset ad sententiam diffinitivam ferendam, vel fortè cum lata esset sententia, quia ex tunc non esset qui sequeretur placitum, quia prius fuit placitum, vel Judex qui placitum teneret, quod post Prohibitionem non fuit secutum, quod quidem querens propriae poterit imputare negligentiae, quod si tempestiuè fecisset non esset ei implacitandum, & quod judicibus non sit negligentia querentis imputanda, habetis de termino Sancti Hilar. Anno Regis H. 10. in Com. North: de Richardo Olive. Sunt revera Judices qui cum citatus comparuerit de re ad cognitionem suam non Bracton 1. 5. 6. 11. f. 408. pertinente, ut Prohibitionem evadere possint, facta editione sine scriptis et denegato ei beneficio deliberationis, faciunt ei tres commonitiones quamlibet post aliam, primo die litis, & ubi satisfecerit eorum voluntari innodant eum vinculo excommunicationis, & pendente prohibitione, cum talis in hujusmodi excommunicatione perstiterit per 40. dies, ut prohibitionibus prosecutionem evadant, ad impetrationem eorundem judicum significavit ordinarius Regi, quod talis in excommunicatione extitit per tantum tempus, & procurat captionem per hoc breve. 2. Excellentissims Domino suo H. Dei Gratia, etc. talis N. permissione divina Exon. Episcopus salutem in co qui dat salutem Regibus. Serenitati R giae praesentibus intimamus, quod A. de N. propter ipsues contumaciam manifestam excommunicationis vinculo innodatus per 40. dies & amplius in excommunicatione perseverans, Ecclesiasticae negligit parere Censurae, Claves Ecclesiae contemnendo. Quia vero Regia Majestas eorum solertiam reprimere consuevit qui Ecclesiasticis praeceptis obedire negligunt, & mandatis Celsitudinis vestrae, brachium invocamus, rogantes attentius quatenus Dei & honoris Ecclesiae intuitu, quod minus valet Ecclesia in hac parte dignetur Regia supplere majestas. Conservet vos altissimus. Si autem sit qui conqueratur Domino Regi quod ordinarius judex, vel delegatus maliciose procuraverit captionem, quo minus sequi possic suam prohibitionem, statim fiat breve Vicecom. de non capiendo talem in hac forma. 3. Rex Vic salutem. Ostendit nobis, A. quod cum B. persona de tali loco implacitasset eum Curia Christianltatis, coram Archdiacono tuli & officiali tali, de quodamprato vel aliquod tale quod est Laicum feodum ipsius A. & idem A. tulisset eidem Archdiacono & Officiali suo breve nostrum de prohibitione ne placitum illud tenm et, & eidem B. personae aliud breve nostrum ne illud sequeretur, & postmodum resistere voluerit, tulisset breve nostrum de attachiando eos, ipse Archdiaconus & Officialis & personae ut procellum prohibitionis nostrae quam idem A. secutus est fraudulenter impedireut suggesserunt tali Episcopo, quod idem A. excommunicatus fuit, & per 40. dies & amplius in excommunicatione illa contumaciter perseveravit, ad quorum fraudulentam suggestionem idem Episcopus impetravit à nobis Breve nostrum de capiendo ipsum A. praedicta occasione. Et quia non debet fraus sua alicui patrociniari nec valere, tibi praeci imus, quod ipsum A. occasione Brevis nostri, quod tibi venit de capiendo eum non capias, quo magis impediatur in causae su● prosecutione, & sioccasione Praedicta captus fuerit ipsum sine dilatione facias deliberari. Et si praedictus Archidiaconus, Officialis, & persona Laicum feodum habuerint in Balliva tua, & idem A. fecerit te securum ●● clamore s●● prosequendo, tunc illos ponas por Vadium & salvos Plegios, quod sint coram nobis tali loco tali die, inde responsuri, & habe as ibi, etc. Teste, etc. 4. Cum autem quis meritis suis ex gentibus juste excommunicatus fuerit, & ad mandatum Ordinarii captus & imprisonatus, non erit per Dominum Regem, nec per alium deliberandus antequam Deo & Ecclesiae satisfecerit competenter. Sed si cum hoc fecerit vel cautionem praestiterit de parendo juri & * Without any Oath to that purpose, since exacted against ●aw. satisfaciendo competenter, & Ordinarius ulterius ipsum malitiosè in prisona detineri fecerit, ex tunc pertinebit ad Regem deliberatio proper malitiam dum tamen procedat satisfactio, vel sufficiens † See Register, pars 2. ●. 65, 66. Fitz. Nat. Brev. ●. 63, 64. cautio de satisfaciendo (ut praedictum est) quod prius fieri non deberet, nisi tunc demum cum ipse Rex Literas Ordinario de satisfactione reciperet, & in hoc casu fiat Breve Vic. in hac forma. 5. Rex Vic. salutem. Ostensum est nobis ex parte A. de N. qui meritis suis exigentibus, vel propter manifestam contumaciam suam excommunicatu● fuerit, & ad praeceptum nostrum captus & in prisona nostra detentus, eo quod per 40. dies & amplius in excommunicatione illa contumaciter perseveravit; Donec Deo & Ecclesiae satisfecerit competenter, paratus sit Deo & Ecclesiae satisfacere; talis Ordinarius facit eum malitios● in prisona detineri ad gravamen & dampnum ipsius A. non modicum. Et quoniam in hac parte * Nota. propter malitiam ipsius Ordinarii ad nos pertinet deliberatio; Tibi praecipimus, quod si idem A. eidem Ordinarii tali sufficientem fecerit securitatem de parendo juri & satisfaciendo competenter Deo & Eccle●iae, tunc illum A. si●e dilatione facias deliberari. Et si Ordinarius hoc r●cusaverit, tunc tu ipse vice nostra capta securitate (ut praedictum est) illum sine dilatione deliberari facias. Cum autem ad Prohibitionem Judices supersedere noluerint, nec ille qui prosequitur à prosecutione desistere, attachientur omnes, quod sint coram Rege, vel Justic. suis de Banco, vel Itinerantibus, per tale Breve ad respondendum, quare, etc. Rex Vic. salutem. Si A. fecerit te securum de clamore suo prosequendo, tunc pone per Bracton l. 5. c. 12. fol. 409. Vadium & salvos Plegios B. talem Ordinarium, quod ●it coram nobis vel Justic. nostris apud Westm. vel coram Justic. nostris ad primam A●●isam, etc. ostensurus, quare tenuerit placitum in Curia Christianitatis de Laico feodo ipsius A. in tali Villa contra Prohibitionem nostram, vel de advocatione talis Ecclesiae, vel de debitis & catallis, quae non sunt de Testamento vel Matrimonio, & hujusmodi pone per Vadium & salvos Plegios. Et quod tunc sit ibi ●stensurus quare secutus est idem placitum in eadem Curia Christianitatis, contra prohibitionem nostram, & habeas ibi nomina Plegiorum, & hoc Breve. Teste, etc. Et ita fiunt Brevia de Attachiamento quae conveniant cum Brevibus de Prohibitione. Si autem fieri debeat Attachiamentum de Judicibus Delegatis, vel Subdelegatis, tunc fiat breve in hac forma. 2. Rex Vic. salutem. Si A. fecerit te securum de clamore suo prosequendo, tunc pone per Vadium & salvos Plegios B. C. D. (nominibus propriis expressè, videlicet B. Episcopum, vel Abbatem, vel Priorem talem, Archidia●onum talem, & D. Officialem talem) quod sint coram nobis, vel Justic. nostris, etc. ut supra, ostensuri, quare tenuerunt placitum in Curia Christianitatis de Laico feodo & hujusmodi, etc. ut supra, Authoritate Literarum Domini Papae, et hujusmodi contra Prohibitionem nostram. Pone etiam per Vadium & salvos Plegios, quod tunc sit ibi ostensurus, quare secutus est idem placitum in Curia Christianitatis, contra Prohibitionem nostram. Et habeas ibi, etc. ut supra. Et ita fiat Attachiamentum si Judices & ille qui sequitur manentes fuerint in eodem Com. si autem in diversis, tunc fiant Brevia diversa singulis Vic. per se. 3. Si autem ad diem non venerint, tunc aut Vicecomes mandat, quod attachiati sunt, in quo casu attachientur per meliores Plegios, & quod distringantur per omnes terras, etc. quod sint ad alium diem, & observetur ordo attachiamentorum sicut observatur in aliis actionibus personalibus. Si autem mandaverit Vicecomes, quod Clerici sint, & Plegios invenire noluerint, nec Laicum feodum habuerint per quod possint distringi, tunc mandetur Ordinariis & Episcopo, quod faciant eos venire sicut alibi in actionibus personalibus observatur regulariter. Verum est, quod Judex Clericus cognitionem non habet de Laico feodo alicujus. Sed quid dicitur de tenementis quae sunt in Civitatibus & Villis, quae legari possint sicut Catalla sive Tenementa sicut de perquisito, vel haereditas descendens, an locum habeat Prohibitio? Videtur quod non, quia de voluntate testatoris qui legare potest hujusmodi, de jure communi effecta sunt hujusmodi tenementa quasi catalla testatoris, & ideo non habet locum Prohibitio. Item de hoc, quod dicitur de Laico feodo talis oportet, quod ille qui queritur doceat Laicum tenementum illud esse suum. Et unde si quis teneatur alicui Domino suo ad redditum aliquem, tenens prohibitionem non habebit, quia redditus erit ipsius Domini non tenentis. Si autem de hujusmodi▪ non fiat prohibitio, cum sint quasi catalla vel pecunia promissa ob causam matrimonii, non habet locum prohibitio, cum illud quod principale est trahat ad se debitum, & catalla quasi accessoria testamento vel matrimonio. Item, si fiat prohibitio ut de laico feodo, non valet de jure, nec quantum ad petentem redditum, nec quantum ad tenentem tenementum de quo provenit, quia laicum & feodum versum est in Catallam & causa testatoris, ut cum legaretur ex tali causa obtinuerit. Item, incipit tale tenementum esse Laicum feodum & non ante, quod non erit de decimis, cum semel efficiantur Laicum feodum, nunquam reincipient esse decimae, & haec vera sunt secundum Biastos, sed contra de termino S. Mich. Anno Regis H. filii Regis I. secund. incipiente tertio in Com. Kanc de Matilda filia Simonis, quae atta chiata fuit, quia secuta fuit placitum, & Abbas Sancti Augustini, & Prior Sanctae Trinitatis Cantuariensis, & Prior Sancti Gregorii Judices, qui tenuerint placita de quadam domo quam Matilda petiit, ex causa testamentaria London. Et unde Simon filius Simonis questus fuit, quod laico feodo suo ibi defenderunt omnes, & ad judicatae fuerunt leges sed remissae, cum ad petitionem legati, & Judices securitatem praestiterunt quod ulterius non procedant, sed quale remedium habebit legatarius in foro laicali. Et sciendum quod semper locum habet prohibitio quousque discussum fuerit, in Curia Regis utrum Legata fuerit vel non? Et tunc primò procedant Judices de licentia, quia ipsi non possunt aestimare ab initio. Cum autem partes comparuerint in judicio, tam querens, quam ille de quo queritur, Bracton de legibus & Consuetudinibus Angl. l. 5. c. 13. p. 409. 410▪ & Judices, vel quidam illorum, proponat querens intentionem suam in hunc modum. Ego A. conqueror de B. quod me injuste vexavit & gravavit trahendo me in placitum in Curia Christianitatis de laico feodo meo, scilicet tali, & exprimat qualitatem terrae, vel hujusmodi, vel alterius tenementi, vel si de debitis & Catallis, quae non sunt, etc. tunc exprimat cujusmodi debita, & cujusmodi catalla, de quibus implacitatus fuerit, & quod hoc fecerit, contra prohibitionem, & unde damnum ad valentiam, etc. 2. Item, ad intentionem suam confirmandam & juvandam proferat aeditionem e● factam in judicio & in scriptis redactam, si possit quod porrexit ei prohibitionem Domini Regis tali loco, tali die in pleno Consistorio tali, & ipsi nihilominus processerunt ad prosecutionem ipsius de quo queritur, ita quod admiserunt probationes testium & hujusmodi, vel quia ipse querens noluit obtemperare judicatis, excommunicaverit eum non obstante prohibitione sua, & inde statim producat sectam sufficientem, d●os ad minus, vel tres, vel plures, si possit. Et si de veritate dubitetur, examinentur diligenter, de die, & loco, & aliis Circumstantiis secundum quod observatur de testibus porducendis, qui si in examinatione facienda inventi fuerint discordes, perinde erit ac si nullam sectam produxerit, & undè ad simplicem vocem querentis non habent Judices necesse, nec pars de qua queritur, defendere se per legem. Sed quoniam deficere possit probatio licet jus non deficiat, cum tales fuerint absoluti fortè pro defectu probationis, dicatur eye; quod quicquid actum fuerit, non procedant de aliquo placito quod pertinet ad Coronam & dignitatem Regiam. Si autem in omnibus inveniantur concordes, audire debent Justic responsiones Judicum & partes. Respondere itaque poterunt multis modis, vel quod locum habere non potuit prohibitio, quia res quae acta est, merè spiritualis est, vel spiritualitati annexa, & hoc docere possunt per aeditionem factam, ut causa fuerit, testamentaria vel matrimonialis, in quo casu in nullo praesumptum est contra Regiam dignitatem, & sic absolvi poterunt ab observatione judicii. Si vero per aeditionem vel confessionem constiterit, quod res de qua actum fuerit▪ merè fuit temporalis, ita quod cognitio pertinet ad Regem, benè poterunt defendere contra quer●ntem & sectam suam, quod nunquam prosecuti fuerint post prohibitinem, si quam inde habuerint, vel quod nullam habuerint omnino prohibitionem. 3. Et quo casu vadiet legem quilibet se ●2 manu, qua vadiata & plegiis inventis de lege facienda, dabitur eis dies ad legem faciendam, ad quam si voluerint, possunt se essoniare, & habebunt àlium diem per Essoniatores suos. Et si ad diem sibi datum non venerint, nec se assoniaverint, pro convictis habebuntur, judicium habebunt, & damna querenti restituent. Cum autem comparuerint & producant compurgatores suos, quamvis familiares & amicos, secundum quod secta producta fuerit de familiaribus & amicis, facilius enim admittuntur purgatores alicujus ad legem & defensionem propriam quam recognitores ad recognitionem, & non est necesse quod omnes sint ejusdem ordinis, conditionis, vel dignitatis cujus est ille qui legem vadiat; sufficit enim si fideles sint & bonae opinionis, ut si Episcopus, Abbas vel Prior ad legem teneatur, non oportebit, quod omnes compurgatores sint Episcopi, Abbates, vel Priores, nec si Clerici sint ordinati, Milites, vel conjungati dum tamen alio modo sint idone●, ut praedictum est 4. Formantur autem verba legis secundam formam Recordi sicut in omnibus aliis legibus faciendis observatur, in qua si quis eorum defecerit, si laicus fuerit, pro convicto habeatur de eo quod imponitur, et Gaulae committatur, sicut praesumptor contra Regiam dignitatem, ac si crimen lesae Majestatis commisisset. Si autem Clericus aliquando, cum eo mitiùs agitur de gratia, ob reverentiam ordinis Clericalis. Si autem convicti, damna restituent querenit, adhibita tamen taxatione aliquando debita secundum quod Justic. viderint jusium. 5. Refert (secundum quosdam) quis prius se purgaverit, Index, vel ille de quo queritur. Dicunt, quidam quod si Index se purgaverit prius unus vel plures, quod ille qui secutus est non propter hoc liberabitur, & quod quilibet in hoc casu defendat causam propriam, licet videatur prima facie, quod non est qui sequatur, cum non sit qui teneat placitum (quod non est verum secundum quosdam) sed vice versa, si ille qui sequi debeat se purgaverit, Judices pro hoc liberantur, cum non sit qui teneat placitum, cum non sit qui sequatur, quod non est ipso casu, ubi quis sequi poterit de facto suo & voluntate, licet Index in probatione defecerit, ille qui sequitur non est propter hoc condemnatus, nec eodem modo si unus ex pluribus Judicibus quia quilibet in hoc casu desendat causam suam propriam secundum quod legitur F. ad legem Julianam de adulterinis lege ult. Denunciasse C. Quare ubi dicitur quod expectabit mulier sententiam de adulterio prolatam, qui si absolutus fuerit, mulier per eum vincet, nec ultra accusari possit. Si autem condemnatus fuerit, mulier non est condemnanda, sed aget causam suam, & fortassis obtinere vel gratia, vel justitia poterit vel legis auxilio. Quid enim si adulter ab inimicis oppressus sit, aut similibus argumentis testibusque subornatis, apud praesidem gravatis, quia aut voluit, aut non potuit mulier provocare judicem religiosum. Mulier verò sertitata, quod quidem (ut videtur) melius esset observare in omnibus casibus supradictis, ut si unus judex se purgaverit, quod hoc prodesse debet conjudicibus suis & parti. Si autem in purgatione defecerit, quod hoc aliis non noceat, quin se defendere possint, & causam suam. 6. Item, respondere possunt Judices secundum quod superius in parte dictum est, quod quamvis res de qua agitur temporalis sit & cognitio pertineat ad forum seculare, ipse querens expressè renunciavit privilegio fori in scriptura & Regiae prohibitioni, & quod conveniri possit ubicunque Creditor vellet, & in quocunque foro. Et ideo quod ipse querens audiri non debet propter renunciationem ex quo gratis trahi voluit, ad forum vetitum & Judicem non suum. Et cum Judices super hoc & creditor, instrumentum protulerunt de renunciatione quod querens dedicere non possit, statim & ante omnia in judicio seculari compellatur ipse querens, quod reddat illud, quod debet, vel faciat quod convenit, & sic in misericordia pro injusta retentione versus suum creditorem etiam fine alio brevi sicut supradictum est, propter dolum & malitiam suam, quia per se reversus est ad judicium regium cui prius renunciavit in ipsius Regis praejudicium. Et iis ità peractis tunc demum procedatur in causa prohibitionis, & si convictum sit, quod aliquando gratis processit in foro Ecclesiastico, tunc prosecutione & renunciatione concurrentibus aggravetur paena propter multiplicem injuriam, & debitor in causa prohibitionis puniatur propter renunciationem, cum poena praecedenti propter injustam detentionem, & propter fraudem inveniendo contra factum suum proprium. Judices vero puniantur, quia tenuerunt placitum in praejudicium Domini Regis, et similiter Creditor quia debitorem traxit ad forum vetitum. Et secundum quod dicitur, quod laicus non poterit renunciare foro seculari in praejudicium Regiae dignitatis, eodem modo videtur quod nec Clericus si vellet in causa criminali vel alia cujus cognitio pertineat ad Ecclesiasticam dignitatem & ordinem Clericalem; & est eadem ferè ratio habita inde: Index vero Ecclesiasticus si judicaverit de laico feodo non poterit sententiam demandare executioni, quia si illam demandaverit Vicecomiti exequendam, non erit ei parendus. Si autem illam legem per ipsum vel suos exequatur, locus erit novae desseysinae. Eodem modo videtur quod si laicus cognoverit in causa criminali de Clerico uti sequatur degradatio, si judicium faciat contra Clericum, sive se gratis posuerit in inquisitionem sive non, quod non valebit quod actum est; quia Episcopus nunquam ad mandatum judicis secularis fine se procedet ad degradationem. Igitur alia convictione opus erit in foro Ecclesiastico ut ipse cognoscat et Judicet, qui poterit judicium demandare executioni. Igitur quandocunque petatur Clericus in tali actione ab Episcopo, erit illi deliberandus quia non habebit Rex prisonam de eo quem judicare non poterit. In causis vero civilibus ubi non agitur ad degradationem, videtur quod Clerici se tueri non possunt, quin respondeant in foro seculari, in placitis quae pertinent ad Coronam et dignitatem Regis, quia Rex poterit Judicium demandare executioni sine praejudicio Ecclesiasticae dignitatis, maxime si voluerit quod Clericis in hujusmodi actionibus Civilibus in foro seculari respondeatur, quod hujusmodi placita pertinent ad dignitatem et Coronam regiam ratione reiet ratione dilecti. Superius dictum est qualiter revocatur jurisdictio, cum quis tractus fuerit in placitum Bracton l. 5. c. 14. f. 417. ad judicium vetitum & ad judicem non suum, scilicet ad forum Ecclesiasticum in placitis & actionibus quarum cognitio pertinet ad Coronam & regiam dignitatem, per exceptionem oppositam contra Jurisdictionem. Nunc autem dicendum est qualiter excipiendum est contra jurisdictionem alicujus Judicis, qui se facit Judicem de placitis & actionibus quae pertinent ad Coronam & regiam dignitatem, cum quis tractus fuerit in placitum coram eo. Et sciendum quod imprimis ad hoc quod rata sint judicia, * And doth not the same Law and reason hold in all Ecclesiastieal Courts, Consistories, Visitations, Synods, which ought to be derived only from the King, as Supreme head and Governor of the Church as well as Realm of England. See, 1 E. 2. c. 2. 1 Eliz. c. 1. videre oportet, an Justicjarius Warrantam habeat a Rege, quod judicare posset, quia si Warrantum non habuerit, non valebit quod coram eo actum fuit, quasi coram non suo Judice, quia primo legi debet breve originale, et postmodum breve per quod Justic. constitutus est. Et si nullum omnino habuerit, vel si habuerit, non tamen ad manum, non erit ei parendum, nisi forte ita sit quod breve Originale de Justiciaria sua faciat mentionem. Item, nec est ei parendum si contra Jurisdictionem suam excipiatur, quod fuit ab eo subdelegatus qui Judicem dare non posset, * If one Justice cannot substitute another, nor one Proctor another, how can one Ecclesiastical Judge delegate and subdelegate another? ut si Justiciarius sub se Justiciarium fecerit ad totam causam, non magis quam si procurator faceret procuratorem. Item, nec erit ei obtemperandum cum contra eum excipiatur licet Warrantum ostendat, non per ipsum qui se delegavit translata fuerit jurisdictio & cognitio ad alium, quia siquis diversis temporibus duos dederit Judices, posteriorem dando videtur prohibuisse Priori. Item. nec est ei parendum si excipiatur licet legatus fuerit, & Warrantum habuerit, si sub praetextu unius placiti velit cognoscere de aliis ad quae non extenditur sua jurisdictio, vel si cum habeat jurisdictionem ad unum placitum, fides mandati excedat & jurisdictionem extendat, ad alia quae sequuntur Assisam post captionem Assisae, cum sit functus officio suo sicut ad certificationem, cum generalem non habeat jurisdictionem sibi delegatam, sicut habent Justic. Itinerantes in Comitatu ad omnia placita, vel sicut Justic. Capitales. Item, excipitur contra jurisdictionem inferioris Justiciarii ubi praefertur jurisdictio jurisdictioni, ut si quis implacitatus fuerit de una & eadem re ab una vel diversis Curiis, sicut in Curia Domini Regis, Curia Baronis, vel alterius alicujus inferioris, quo casu majus auditorium praeferri debet minori. Et si in majori Curia ostenderit tenens, quod de eadem re in minori Curia implacitatus fuerit, prohibebitur ex parte Regis quod de placito illo in inferiori Curia non procedatur, & quamvis processum fuerit, quandoque sive prohibitio intervenerit, sive non, omnia quae acta sunt in minori Curia revocabuntur. Item, datur exceptio contra Jurisdictionem propter privilegium implacitati, ut si quis respondere non debeat de aliquo placito nisi coram ipso Rege vel Capitali Justic. suo, quale habent Hospitalarii Templarii & plures alii. Item, datur exceptio contra jurisdictionem propter privilegium proveniens ex concessa libertate, ut si universitas vel communitas Civitatis alicujus, sicut London. respondere non teneatur de aliquo placito extra Civitatem, quale habent Barones Civitatis London. qui de nullo respondebunt extra Civitatem, nisi tantum de tenuris & contractibus forinsecis. Item, exceptio datur contra jurisdictionem propter libertatem alicujus universitatis, quae de nullo placito respondebit, nisi certo loco, qualem habet Barones de Quinque portubus qui non respondebunt de aliquo nisi apud Shypwey. Item, datur exceptio contra jurisdictionem propter utilitatem alicujus universitatis, scilicet ne trahantur extra Com. ad faciendam Assisamsam novae disseysinae, & mortis antecessoris. Item datur exceptio contra jurisdictionem sicut in Curia Baron. qui placitum de recto tenere nolunt vel non possunt, vel si jurisdictionem remiserint in Curia sua, & eam velint postmodum repetere. 2 In fine Notandum de jurisdictione Majorum & minorum, et imprimis, sicut Bracton l. 5. c. 15. fol. 412. Dominus Papa in spiritualibus super omnibus habeat ordinariam jurisdictionem, ita habet Rex in Regno suo ordinariam in temporalibus, et pares non habet neque superiores, et sunt qui sub eis ordinariam habent in multis, sed non ita meram sicut Papa vel Rex. Et pares esse poterunt illi qui inferiores sunt in jurisdictione sua multis rationibus, sed par in parem non habebit jurisdictionem non magis quam Imperium, & multò fortius nec in superiorem. 3. Item sicut a Papa poterit quis habere jurisdictionem delegatam in spirituabus, ita poterit quis à Rege in temporalibus, sicut Justic. Majores vel minores, vel alii qui sunt quasi Justic. viz. quibus Rex concessit libertates aliquas quae pertinent ad coronam & libertatem suam; & ideo quamvis in temporalibus sicut in spiritualibus ita poterit quis a Rege in temporalibus sicut Justic. Majores vel Minores vel alii qui sunt quasi Justic. viz. quibus Rex concessit libertates aliquas quae pertinent ad Coronam & libertatem suam, & ideo quamvis in temporalibus sicut in spiritualibus debet Rex aestimare vel Justic. sui, an sua sit jurisdictio an non, ut sciri possit utrum summonitus venire debeat an non; Tamen si judex Ecclesiasticus falcem ponens in messem alienam aliquid praesumpserit contra Coronam et dignitatem Regiam, sicut de Laico feodo vel de Catallis cum prohibitionem a Rege susceperit, supersedere debet in omni casu, saltem donec constiterit in Curia Regia, ad quem pertineat jurisdictio; quia si juder Ecclesiasticus aestimare posset an sua esset jurisdictio, in omni casu indifferenter procederet non obstante Regia prohibitione. Debet igitur vel omnino supersedere, vel cum attachiatus fuerit, venire vel mittere quod examinato placito in Curia Regia de Consilio Curiae supersedeat, vel procedat, quod si non fuerit, poena debita puniatur, ut supra. Therefore the King's temporal Courts, and jurisdiction within his Realm, were paramount the Popes and Prelates Ecclesiastical, since they could thus prohibit, control, stay their Judgements, Process, Suits, limit, judge, determine their jurisdictions, and attach their Persons if they exceeded them, whereas they could neither stay, censure, nor control the Kings or his Temporal Courts proceedings or Judgements in such cases. Mutatur quandoque jurisdictio de jurisdictione in jurisdictionem mutatis rerum Bracton de legibus Angliae. l. 5. c. 16. nominibus, ut si de Laico Catallo fiat spirituale, ut cum res fuerint decimatae, fiunt de Laico Catallo res spirituales, & sic mutatur jurisdictio secularis in spiritualem. Item è converso cum decimae venditae fuerint, & ad alium traslatae, reincipiunt iterum esse Laicum Catallum. Eodem modo dici poterit de Laico feodo quod mutato nomine in causa testamentaria fit Laicum feodum executo Testamento. Eodem modo fieri deberet (ut videtur) de rebus datis vel promissis ob causam Matrimonii principaliter, & illud idem de rebus que accidunt de Matrimonio, ut si pecunia promisa fuerit ob causam Matrimonii. Et quia ejusdem juris, id est jurisdictionis esse deberet accessorium, cujus juris fuerit principale, & quamvis praedictorum pertineat cognitio ad judicem & forum Ecclesiasticum, tamen ad prohibitionem Regiam erit supersedendum, sed revera locum habet prohibitio, quia si in Burgo domus vel praedium legatum fuerit, in foro seculari terminabitur negotium, sicut de assignatione fieri oportet. Et si Legatarius fuerit in seysina, habebit exceptionem contra haeredem & Assisam novae disseysinae si fuerit ejectus, si autem extra seysinam, tunc habebit Actionem in foro seculari per modum donationis versus omnes. Item videndum est, an privatorum consensus commutare possit Regiam jurisdictionem in contractibus privatis; ut siquis sic consentiat ad alterius jurisdictionem ad vetitum examen convolando non obstante prohibitione, & verum est quod non, quia imponi non potest necessitas Regi quod suam jurisdictionem amittet, secundum quod superius dictum est in parte. Item nec mutari poterit per modum donationis sive per Conventionem privatorum licet ipse qui modum imposuerit sibi & suis praejudicet: ut si privata persona Bastardo dederit & suis haeredibus, vel cui dare vel assignare voluerit, & si haeredes non habuerit reversura esset terra ad donatorem, sed quia donator modum adjecit, quia dare possit & assignare, valebit donatio & assignatio, quae alias non valerent. Eodem modo videtur quod adjicere possit quod, Bastardus legare possit, sed per hujusmodi modum adjectum non mutatur Jurisdictio Regis, sed in Curia Regis terminabitur negotium si legatarius fuerit extra ●eysinam, & per tale breve. Praecipe etc. Et quae ad talem reverti debent per modum donationis quem talis ei fecit, quod illam dare potuit, legare & assignare; quia eadem ratione qua bastardus per modum donationis dare potest & assignare licet haeredes non habuerit, eadem ratione poterit legare, & ita quod res data nec ad se nec ad haeredes suos reverti possit, quia nulla ex hoc fit eis injuria, quia donator hoc voluit, & nihilominus tenentur haeredes factum illud Warrantizare legatario licet haeredes Bastardi defecerint. Et quod dicitur de Bastardo, idem observari poterit de legitimo, quia poterit in persona omnium lex imponi & modus sive donatorius liber sit vel servus, legitimus vel bastardus, quia oportet utrumque, tam donatorem quam donatorium facere quod convenit, ex quo uterque ab initio voluit. 3. Item mutat aliquando jurisdictionem contractus & aliquando delictum. Ut si Clericus contraxerit aliquo modo cum Laico, conveniendus est ubi contraxerit, & aliquando ubi deliquit, dum tamen civiliter agatur, non ad poenam corporalem infligendam, nisi degradatio vel alia capitis diminutio imponatur. Item mutat aliquando Jurisdictionem privilegium ordinis Clericalis, ut si Clericus Clericum convenerit in actione injuriae, vel de rebus spiritualibus, sicut decimis, vel rebus mobilibus, vel hujusmodi Clericorum, sicut de catallis & debitis ubi ad vetitum examen convolare non debent. Si autem de Laico feodo agatur, aliud erit nisi fuerit dedicatum & Deo sacratum, & efficiatur res sacra; quod quidem dici non poterit de re in liberam & perpetuam Eleemosynam datam. The Bishops being much troubled at the King's prohibitions issued to their Courts against their manifold encroachments on his Crown, Courts, Officers, Subjects, and with this Treatise of Bracton, then compiled in justification of them; the King then extremely wanting monies, earnestly pressed the Cistercian Abbots and Bishops to supply his necessities, to satisfy the Pope's unreasonable forecited demands and his Merchant's obligations: And although the Cistercians resolutely refused to grant him any aid, yet the Bishops to avoid the King's further displeasure, who would multiply his Prohibitions if they denied him a supply, and being likewise more fearful of displeasing the Pope, they endeavoured to make use of his necessities, to advance their Pontifical Mitres above his Crown, their Canon's paramount the Laws, customs of the Realm, and all temporal Courts Jurisdictions whatsoever, granting him an aid, in hope to obtain his Royal assent to no les●e then 50. Articles▪ which they prepared and put in writing not only as grievances, but high encroachments on the Church's liberties, thus related by Matthew Paris. In Epiphania autem Domini, Dominus Rex minimè considerans pluviarum inundationes, Mat. Paris Hist. p. 913. Abbates Ordinis Cisterciensis convocantur Regio Edicto. ventorum vehementiam, fluminum impetus, laborum inquietudinem, fecit convocari Abbates Cisterciensis ordinis, ut Londinum convenirent, praeceptum Regium audituri▪ Venerunt igitur vexati mirabiliter: quia sic oportuit, omni spe misericordiae destituti. Qui cum venissent coram Rege, rogante instanter & urgenter auxilium pecuniare non modicum, responderunt omnes, quasi uno ore & spiritu, quòd nec voluerunt, nec potuerunt, sine sui capituli generali provisione & consensu, vel saltem communi assensu omnium Abbatum Angliae ordinis Cisterciensis, qui tunc temporis praesentes non fuerant. Et cum sine die qua convenire omnes possent, recessissent, praecepit Rex cum magno rancore, ut nullam Abbatibus Cisterciensibus gratiam faceret. Et sic tacitè permisit Vicecomitibus, Forrestariis, & aliis Regiis satellitibus & exactoribus, (qui tamen sine Regio favore & praecepto ad hoc poni fuerant) omnes Abbates ordinis Cisterciensis, vicinos damnificare, & causis excogitatis irretire. Circa idem tempus Praelati Angliae miserabiliter enervati & meticulosi, constantiam Mat. Paris Hist. p 921. Praelati Angliae promittunt Regi conditionaliter magnam pecuniae summam▪ Cisterciensium minimè consequentes (qui Regi pecuniam in estimabilem exigenti in faciem restiterunt) concesserunt Regi quadraginta duo millia Marcarum, in enormem Ecclesiae et Regni laesionem et jacturam irrestaurabilem, & concessa fuit haec pecunia vel Domino Regi, vel ipsi, ad mancipandum Regnum Apuliae, Edmundo filio Regis. Sed illius Regni adquisitio diatim caepit incrementum desperationis. Rex autem qui parum hoc munus acceptavit promisit se citissimè Ecclesiae oppressione temperando ad statum debitae libertatis revocare. Undè formati sunt Articuli circiter quinquaginta, quos Praelati in scripta redegerunt, ut apto tempore coram Rege & magnatibus & Praelatis lecti, effectum debitum sortirentur. Qui Articuli, vel Capitula, similia fuerunt illis, pro quibus beatus Thomas Archiepiscopus Cantuariensis Martyr dimicavit victor gloriosus. Articuli autem tantum continent literae, quantum duo nocturna vel tria. Quaere in libro Additamentorum. These Articles it seems were drawn up in a Convocation summoned this year by Archbishop Boniface, as Matthew Paris thus stories. Diebus sub eisdem, Archiepiscopus Cantuariensis Bonifacius convocavit Episcopos Mat Paris Hist. Angl p 920. Archiepiscopus Cant. convocat Praelatos suae Provinciae. & Archidiaconos provinciae suae, ut invocata devotè spiritus sancti gratia, Ecclesiae jam vacillantis Anglicanae, quae novis oppressionibus modernis annis solito gravioribus et intolerabilioribus opprimitur, statui subvenirent, communiter contractantes. Rex enim consiliis imo sibilis adulatorum, et Regni inimicorum incurvatus, permisit quasdam enormes consuetudines, tanquam spinosos frutices in horto voluptatis fructifero succrescere, et fructiferas arbores suffocare. Sperabatur igitur certissime, ut in hac Convocatione eidem Archiepiscopo daretur desuper opponere se murum pro domo Domini, ut certamen iniret contra rebelles Ecclesiae, beati Thomae Martyris vestigia sequendo pedetentim. The King (it seems) understanding the Archbishops and Bishops designs intended to be prosecuted in this Council against his Crown, Dignity, Courts, Judges, Prohibitions, Laws and Customs of the Realm, prohibited him and them to meet therein under pain of forfeiting their temporalties, by these ensuing Prohibitions issued to him and them. REX H. Linc. Episcopo salutem. Cum pro Exercitu nostro cum quo tendimus ad Claus. 4: H. 3. m. 6. dorso. ● De convocatione revocanda. partes Cestriae, contra Wallenses inimicos nostros, vos & omnes alios Praelatos & Magnates Regni nostri fecerimus summoneri, ad eundem nobiscum cum toto servitio suo, nobis debito, pro defensione terrae nost ae contrae praedictos Wallenses. Et Archiepiscopus Cantuar. quandam Convocationem Episcoporum fiexi fecerit London. in Octabis Assumptionis beatae Mariae, ut audivimus. Quae quidem Convocatio aur alii tractatus, vel Concilia, nobis existentibus et agentibus in exercitu nostro fieri non debent, eo quod singuli tam Praelati, quam alii in propriis personis venire debeant ad defensionem Coronae et Regni nostri, et per absentiam eorundē grave nobis et terrae nostrae periculum posset imminere; inhibuimus districte praefato Archiepiscopo, ne dictam Convocationem faciat, sed Convocationem illam dum fuerimus in exercitu nostro penitus revocet, et suspendat, unde sub debito fidelitatis qua nobis tenemini et forisfactura omnium terrarum et tenementorum quae in Regno nostro tenetis, vobis districte prohibemus, ne ad Convocationem hujusmodi dum fuerimus in exercitu nostro, accedere praesumatis, sed ad nos versus Walliam pro defensione nostra et terrae nostrae contra praedictos Wallenses, sine morae dispendio veniatis, servitium vestrum nobis debitum personaliter impensuri, ne pro defectu vestri exhaeredationem perpetuam patiamur. Teste meipso apud Wodest. 19 die Julii. Eodem modo mandatum est aliis Episcopis Cantuar. provinciae in Anglia existentibus. Et mandatum est Officialibus Episcoporum ejusdem provinciae agentium in partibus transmarinis, quod ad Convocationem praedictam non accedant, sed sub amissione omnium terrarum dominorum suorum mittant Regi servitia quae domini sui Regi debent. The Archbishop and Bishops notwithstanding these Writs, met and proceeded in then Convocation in a very contemptuous and presumptuous manner, as these 50. Articles then drawn up and tendered to the King, and their Treasonable Papal Decrees in pursuit of them, will most evidently demonstrate, thus registered by Matthew Paris in his Additamenta, for their eternal honour. Articuli pro quibus Episcopi Angliae fuerant pugnaturi▪ IMprimis, quod vacantibus Ecclesiis Cathedralibus seu Conventualibus, Conventus Additamenta Matthaei Paris. p. 199, 200, 201, etc. talhantur, terrae relinquuntur incultae: vastantur nemora, parci & vivaria, corruunt aedificia, diripiuntur bona, depauperantur villani & maletractantur: ita quod mendicare coguntur Praelati succedentes, per tempora diuturna: quod est contra Domini Regis Chartam, & etiam Ecclesiasticam libertatem. Et in tantum jam crevit malitia, quod Escaetores non ad bona Abbatum & Priorum usui decedentium deputata, manus extendunt, verumetiam ad blada instaurata, & alia quibus Conventus sustentari debet: ita quod occasione talis Custodiae, quandoque religiosi debitis gravibus onerati, & alias multipliciter depauperati, resurgere non possunt, nec ad statum debitum pervenire temporibus diuturnis. 2. Item, cum Ecclesiae Cathedrali seu Monasterio Ecclesiasticum beneficium sit annexum, si curam habeant animarum, illud occupant Custodes gardarum, decimas & obventiones, & alios proventus inde percipientes, contra Deum & omnia jura: cum talia beneficia non pertineant, ad baroniam, et ratione Laicalium bonorum tantum ad Dominum Regem custodem devolvuntur. 3. Item, Cum electiones in Ecclesiis Cathedralibus seu Conventualibus debeant esse liberae, tot et tales preces Regales interveniunt, quibus electores perterriti, saepius divinae humanam praeferunt voluntatem. Eodem modo fit de Ecclesiis vel Praebendis, ad opus Regalium Clericorum, cum eas vacare contingit. 4. Item, Celebratis electionibus, & praesentatis Domino Regi electis, interdum differunt adhibere consensum electo, vel electioni, absque causa rationabili se opponentes, ut sic electi per timorem cedere, vel electores precibus Regis et voluntati acquiescere compellantur, ex quibus multa pericula, tam spiritualia quam temporalia, contingunt Ecclesiis. 5. Item, cum aliquando in casu à jure non concesso, ad Praelatum superiorem devolvitur potestas ordinandi de Ecclesia Cathedrali vel Collegiata vacante, Dominus Rex privilegium Christi concessum de licentia eligendi, ab electoribus ante electionem celebrandam, ab eo petenda, ad hujusmodi ordinationem nititur extendere, in suae salutis dispendium, et scandalum plurimorum, et etiam contra * See here p. 336, 337. Patris sui Chartam super electionibus concessam. 6. Item, in Ecclesiis Parochialibus & Praebendalibus curam animarum habentibus, intrudit Clericos per Laicam potestatem; Ordinariis penitus irrequisitis: & saepius institutos, ab Ordinariis destituit & ejicit. Destitutos etiam ab eisdem, licet degradatos, restituit, tàm in Monasteriis, quam Parochialibus Ecclesiis, & sic restitutos armatâ manu defendit. 7. Item, Praelatos trahit ad forum suum ut ibi respondeant, quare subditos suos excommunicaverint vel denunciaverint excommunicatos: sicut quare non admiserit Clericum idoneum praesentatum, ad aliquam Ecclesiam etiam Parochialem. 8. Item, si quis Laicus vel etiam Clericus, sibi vel suis Justiciariis de Clerico conqueratur super aliqua violentia vel alia injuria, de debitis etiam vel aliis personalibus actionibus, si Clericus Laicum feodum habeat, pet illud distringitur ad comparandum in foro suo super talibus responsurus. Quod si tale feodum non habeat, distringitur Episcopus per Baroniam suam, quod Clericum ipsum ad hoc faciendum illuc venire faciat. Idem etiam facit de religiosis interdum. 9 Item, Cum Praelati Ecclesiastici inquirere volunt de peccatis subditorum, * Here p. 699, 704, 705, 706. prohibentur Laici, ne de veritate dicenda, aut de credulitate, aliquod juramentum exponant, aut Praelatis super hujusmodi obediant: propter quod multorum excessus et peccata mortalia incorrecta et impunita relinquuntur, et sic praestatur audacia delinquendi, et peccati facultas. 10. Item, cum quis excommunicatus pro offensa vel contumacia, post 40. dies ad mandatum Ecclesiae secundum consuetudinem, per breve Domini Regis capitur, & postea sine assensu sui Praelati, ad cujus instantiam capitur, & absque aliqua satisfactione, contra jus et consuetudinrm Regni ac Ecclesiae libertatem, per breve Domini Regis liberatur. 11. Item, Vicecomites tales excommunicatos ad mandatum Domini Regis non capiunt, et si capiant, liberant sine mandato Regio et satisfactione. 12. Item, * Their Excommunications were so unjust, illegal, execrable, frequent, that all these abhorred and slighted them. Dominus Rex, justiciarii et Ballivi sui passim et indifferenter excommunicatis communicant, tam in divinis quam in judiciis. Et etiam Dominus Rex excommunicatos et claves Ecclesiae contemnentes, ad mandatum suum captos, facit liberari, ad causam si quam habent in Curia Laicali personaliter persequendam: Nec admittitur exceptio excommunicationis contra eos etiam probata, per Literas Ordinariorum. 13. Item, Dominus Rex mandat Literis suis, quod non vitentur excommunicati, licet per Ordinarios publice denuncientur excommunicati. 14. Item, cum Clericus super aliquo crimine, furto, vel homicidio, vel aliqua alia felonia, per Laicorum diffamationem aut latronum Appellationem irretitus existat, pro quo detentus sit in carcere Laicali, cum ab Ecclesia & suo Praelato requiritur, ipsum liberum habere non potest. Nec reddunt captos Clericos libere judicandos, sed ut eos habeant coram justiciariis Domini Regis proximo in Comitatu itinerantibus, per intervallum aliquando sex vel quinque annorum, licet ab eis judicari non possit. 15. Item, Clerici sic capti plerumque in habitu clericali inventi, antequam ab Ordinariis Ecclesiasticis repetantur seu repeti possint, suspenduntur, & quandoque capita eorum raduntur ut Clerici non appareant, & sicut Laici judicentur. Quandoque cum rep●tuntur, differtur eorum liberatio ad tempus, & interim suspenduntur de nocte vel hora prandii, ne ad notitiam Ordinariorum valeant pervenire. 16. Item, Justiciarii & Vicecomites per Patriam itinerantes, & inquirentes de criminosis Patriae, si Laici Clericos de crimine homicidii, rapinae, vel latrocinii, vel aliquo alio defamant (licet non fugitivum, non crimine repertum) statim Clericos incarcerant & detinent. Et si non inveniantur in Comitatu, & per quatuor Comitatus vocati non veniant, forbaniant eosdem sicut Laicos, nec prodest eis ordo clericalis. 17. Item, quod si idem Clericus irretitus, super objectis sibi criminibus coram Judice suo Ecclesiastico Canonicè se purgaverit, nihilominus Laica potestas ad bona sua mobilia et immobilia manum extendit. 18. Item, si Clericus criminosus pro objecto & probato contra ipsum facinore degradatus existat, Laica potestas bona sua mobilia et immobilia occupat et invadit, & sic contingit Clericum pro eodem delicto, bis in id ipsum puniri. 19 Item, cum contingit Clericum pro delicto Forestae defamari, per inquisitionem viridariorum & Forestariorum super captione venationis, vocatur coram Justiciariis: et licet ab Ordinariis repetatur, nisi prius carceri Laicali mancipetur, suo Ordinario non liberatur, & post liberationem factam Episcopo, per Inquisitionem factam per Laicos, poena pecuniaria condemnatur. 20. Item, similiter condemnantur absentes & ignorantes, ad simplicem vocem viridariorum & Forestariorum, cum ad inquisitionem per Laicos factam non debeant condemnari Clerici, vel aliqualiter judicari: & tàm isti quam illi compelluntur solvere merciamenta, per possessiones Laicales si quas habent. Sin autem (non) distringuntur Episcopi per Baronias suas, ut dictos Clericos compellant de suis beneficiis solvere condemnationem. 21. Item, per eandem districtionem, attachiantur & coguntur Clerici in actionibus personalibus, & in hiis quae ex contractibus oriuntur in foro seculari: & etiam delictis respondere querelantibus. 22. Item, cum aliquis ad immunitatem Ecclesiae fugitivus existat, per Laicos custodes Coemiterium vel Scalarium Ecclesiae circumdatur & vallatur, quod vix potest fugitivus in alimentis ab Ecclesia sustentari. Aliquando fugitivus eripitur violenter, aliquando postquam secundum Regni consuetudinem terram abjuraverit, ut infra 40. dies exulet se, à publica strata positis insidiis extrahitur, suspenditur, & damnabiliter quandoque interficitur. 23. Item, cum a Regia dignitate et libera voluntate concessa sit Episcopis, libera Testamenti factio, licet hoc a jure habeant et consuetudine, et * Not●. sacrilegium sit quod semel est Ecclesiae concessum, illud infringere vel turbare, ultimaque voluntate nihil debeat esse liberius: Dominus tamen Rex non permittit executores Testamentorum eorundem Episcoporum, de bonis ipsorum administrare, quousque causa cognita ipsius facinoris, gratiam mereantur super hiis obtinere. 24. Item, cum quis tenens Laicum feodum de Domino Rege, decedat, Ballivi Regis omnia bona defuncti saisiunt, nec permittunt ejus executores de eis disponere, donec inquisitum fuerit a Scaccario, utrum aliquid debeat Regi. Et hoc juri dissonum est, & Chartae contrarium, quâ cave●ur, quod licet Ballivis sic facere, cum Literas Domini Regis de summonitione talis debiti patentes ostendunt, & sic possunt attachiare catalla aliqua ad honorem ipsius debiti, per visum legalium hominum, donec illud debitum persolvatur in aliis catallis: libera administratione, executoribus omnino dimissa. 25. Item, mortuo Laico intestato, Dominus Rex & caeteri Domini feodorum, bona defuncti sibi applicantes, non permittunt de ipsis debita folvi: nec residuum in usum liberorum et proximorum suorum, et alios pios usus, per loci Ordinarium quorum interest, aliqua converti. 26. Item, Ecclesiastico Judici cognoscenti super decimis vel capellis, porrigitur Regia Prohibitio: judici videlicet, ne procedat: actori similiter, ne prosequatur. Ea tamen ratione, quod si eviscerentur decimae vel capella, diminueretur jus patronatus illius qui est patronus Ecclesiae, qui est in possessione capellae petitae, vel decimarum, et fieret Regi praejudicium ad quem spectat juris patronatus cognitio, & sic impedit ne cognoscat Judex Ecclesiasticus de decimis, licet Rex & Justiciarii sui de hiis cognoscere non possint, per quod justitia perit. 27. Similiter fit idem, si cognoscat judex Ecclesiasticus de aliis ad forum Ecclesiasticum spectantibus. Verbi gratia, si inter Laicos in contractibus interveniat fidei datio, vel infringat jusjurandum quis, juramentum vel fidem, et judex velit cognoscere de tali peccato mortali (saltem ad poenitentiam injungendam) porrigitur Regia Prohibitio, et * It was only their filthy lucre and usurpation under this pretext. salus animarum impeditur, in damnationem plurimorum, ea occasione, quod ratione catallorum praestitum fuerat jusjurandum. 28. Item, si Ecclesia petat ceragium vel herietum, vel alia quae ad Ecclesiam vel ad usus Ecclesiarum deputata, ut petatur pecunia ad Ecclesiam cooperiendam, vel Coemiterium claudendum, & Parochiani ad hujusmodi praestanda extiterint rebelles, si conveniantur coram loci Ordinariis, statim porrigitur Regia Prohibitio, et sic impeditur cultus Ecclesiae, et honor eidem diutius impensus. Idem fit, si convicti de adulterio vel alio crimine puniantur * Nota. pecunialiter, vel aliis in causis merè spiritualibus fuerint in expensis condemnati: et sic vilipenditur Ecclesiastica censura damnabiliter, et quasi a * Their injustice, illegality and frequency made them contemptible. nemine timetur. 29. Item, si quis commiserit sacrilegium res Ecclesiasticas invadendo, vel Ecclesias libertatibus suis spoliando, vel perturbando, vel etiam violaverit libertates in Chartis libertatum contentas, & propter hoc inciderit in sententiam excommunicationis, vel sit excommunicandus, & Judex Ecclesiasticus secundum formam juris velit contra tales transgressores procedere, impeditur propter Prohibitionem Regiam ne procedat: ●â assignatâ ratione, * See here p. 829, 830. quod delicta Laicorum, et specialiter Ballivorum Regis, ad ipsum pertinent corrigenda. Idem fit in omnibus casibus, in quibus ratione ejusdem delicti, diversae debentur emendae: quarum una in foro Ecclesiae, et alia in foro Regio debet injungi. 30. Item, in quibus omnibus casibus & similibus, si Judex Ecclesiasticus contra Prohibitionem Regiam procedat, attachiatur: comparens coram Justiciariis, compellitur Judex exhibere acta sua, ut per ea decernant utrum negotium pertineat ad forum Ecclesiasticum vel seculare. Et si videatur eis quod pertineat ad forum Regium, querelatur Judex, qui si confiteatur se post Prohibitionem processisse, amerciatur: si neget, indicitur ei purgatio per Judicem secularem, ad testimonium duorum vilissimorum ribaldorum. Et si purgare se noluerit, incarceratur donec Justiciariis Sacramentum praestiterit corporale, quod non processit contra Prohibitionem: et si facere noluerit, in carcere retinetur. Similiter actor, si sequatur. 31. Item, si contingat Praelatos vel Clericos attachiari, quia dicuntur in causis etiam spiritualibus contra Regiam Prohibitionem processisse, licet Judicio Laicorum conquerens de mandato convincatur, in nullo tamen providetur judicibus vel partibus attachiatis, pro laboribus & expensis, nec in aliquo punitur protervitas, vel malitia conquerentis: sed vice versa, si Judices vel Clerici ibidem fuerint convicti, secundum eorum opinionem sine aliquo remedio carceri mancipantur, et ad beneplacitum Regis et Justiciariorum quoadusque amerciati fuerint detinentur. Unde fit, quod tàm Ordinarii quam Delegati, ut vitent tales vexationes & expensas hujusmodi, deferunt Prohibitionem, & sic perit justitia & sic remanent peccata impunita, cum Praelati Ecclesiastici jurisdictionem suam exercere non audeant, nec Rex velit contra Ballivos suos in talibus casibus procedere. Nec de jure possit, tum ratione rerum nostrarum spiritualium, ut sunt decimae & capellae, tum ratione personarum, ut sunt Clerici & religiosi, tum ratione delictorum, ut sunt sacrilegia, & excommunicationes, & interdicta. 32. Item, cum Judsus in Ecclesiasticam personam delinquat, vel super rebus Ecclesiasticis, aut super sacrilegio, aut etiam violenta manuum injectione in Clericum, vel super adulterio cum Christiana, conveniatur coram Judice Ecclesiastico, per Regiam Prohibitionem causae cognitio impeditur, quia allegavit quod Judicem habent proprium, Vicecomitem locorum, & Justiciarios proprios deputatos: qui super talibus cognoscere non possunt nec debent. Et tamen si à Clerico & Laico super hujusmodi rebus conveniantur coram eis, per solam negationem & alterius Judaei, & unius Christiani simplicem assertionem, absque omnis Juramenti praestito se purgant, probatione Actoris penitus recusata. 33. Item, si per Ecclesiam denegetur eis Communio, pro eo quod tabulam seu signum non deferunt, vel quia nutrices Christianas contra praecepta Ecclesiae retinent, vel propter aliquos alios excessus extiterint excommunicati: Ballivi Regis communicantes cum eis, ex parte ipsius Domini Regis praecipiunt, ne aliquibus evitentur, et faciunt eos ad Communionem admitti et recipi. 34. Item, licet aliqua possessio vel libertas data sit à Regibus & Principibus, vel aliis fidelibus, qui eas libortates poterant donare Ecclesiis in liberam & puram & perpetuam eleemosynam, nullo retento servitio vel onere imposito, tantum si super eis quaestio moveatur inter Ecclesiasticas personas, vel Laicas & Ecclesiasticas, compelluntur possessores earumin foro litigare seculari. Idem fit, si libertas Ecclesiae data per Laicos, revocetur in dubium, cum secundum jura, hujusmodi cognitio ad forum Ecclesiasticum pertineat. 35. Item, ratione hujusmodi possessionum, Rex et alii Magnates nituntur compellere Episcopos, Praelatos, et Religiosos, et Rectores Ecclesiarum, facere sectam ad Curiam Laicalem. 36. Item, eisdem possessionibus vel earum possessoribus ratione earum, telonium et alia onera graviora imponunt Laici, contra Ecclesiasticam libertatem. 37. Item, ad sectam & alia onera facienda, & ad comparendum in foro vetito, compelluntur per captionem animalium suorum, & rerum aliarum Deo dedicatarum, quae Sancta Sanctorum dicuntur, contra Deum et Ecclesiae libertatem. 38. Item, si aliquis Laicus consueverit facere sectam in Curia Domini sui, ratione possessionis quam tenet ab eo, & partem possessionis dederit Ecclesiae vel religiosis in liberam & puram & perpetuam eleemosynam, & partem sibi retinuerit in Dominico, vel servitio eam alii dando, Capitales Domini faciunt districtiones suas in possessionibus datis in eleemosynam, pro secta Curiae vel aliis servitiis sibi debitis, omissâ possessione quam dator retinuerit, vel alii dederit in feudum sibi servitium debitum faciendo, vel Domino Capitali. Et haec videntur in fraudem fieri, et contra Ecclesiae libertatem. 39 Item, si Episcopi & alii Praelati ad forum extraordinarium evocantur, non possunt attornatos per Literas seu Procuratores in causis Civilibus constituere, sed necesse habent, licet cum gravi dispendio, personaliter comparere. 40. Item, si de possessionibus datis Ecclesiis vel Monasterus in puram & liberam eleemosunam, vel etiam in feudum, Monasterium vel Ecclesia spolietur, committitur sacrilegium, & si super hoc spoliatus Judici Ecclesiastico conqueratur, vel Judex officio suo contra spoliatores & sacrilegos velit procedere, vel super aliis injuriis proximè annotatis, per Prohibitionem Regiam impeditur, spoliatis vel oppressis justitiam exhibere. 41. Item, si Rex concesserit alicui Civitati vel Burgo, quod possit accipere muragium vel aliquibus novum concedat telonium, non solum à Laicis, sed etiam a * They & their Tenants only must be exempt, and all others burdened with Taxes. viris Ecclesiasticis et eorum hominibus, talia extorquent et exigunt contra jura. 42. Item, Domicilia & hospitia Clericorum per Dominum Regem & Laicam potestatem capiuntur, & licet in Sanctuario existant, coguntur Clerici inhabitantes, vel ipsis absentibus sui servientes, Laicos recipere: & frequenter expulsis Clericis de propriis domibus, eas occupant: Res suas ibidem inventas, dissipant & consumunt nequiter, contradicentes verberando. 43. Item, capiuntur charectae Clericorum & Religiosorum, & capiuntur in foro publico: & aliquando in Sanctuario nequiter, aliquando in mercatis, & violenter abducuntur ad transvehendum victualia & caeteras res & commercia Domini Regis, Justiciariorum, & Ballivorum suorum: similiter res quas Clerici habent venales, compelluntur sibi vendere, & ad pretium Domini Regis inviti tradere, pretio aut rarò aut nunquam soluto. 44. Item, In Cancellaria Domini Regis nova brevia juri Ecclesiastico, legi terrae, et consuetudini contraria, passim fiunt: sine Concilio Regni, Principum et Praelatorum assensu, quod fieri non debet. 45. Item, cum Dominus Rex pro aliqua expeditione, vel ex quacunque causa Regnum exierit vel intraverit, vel ad diversas partes in ipso Regno se transtulerit, compellit Religiosos per Vicecomites suos, & per captionem averiorum suorum, ut obviam sibi veniant, et munera ei deferant. Idem in singulis Comitatibus faciens. 46. Item, amerciamenta quae Episcopi & Religiosi terrae per Chartas Regias debent habere, Justiciarii & Ballivi Regii convertunt in finem, ut sic eos suis defraudent amerciamentis. 47. Item, cum non consueverint Praelati vel viri Ecclesiastici amerciari, pro communibus summonitionibus in adventu Justiciariorum, modernis temporibus amerciantur passim indifferenter & graviter, si non compareant prima die, tàm coram Justiciariis Itinerantibu●, quam coram Justiciariis de Foresta. 48. Item, accidit interdum quod Ecclesia gavisa est aliquarum rerum possessione, seu libertatum ab antiquis temporibus, & licet Rex Ecclesiis & viris Ecclesiasticis in principio Magnae Chartae suae de libertatibus datis Anglicis, dederit & confirmaverit Ecclesiis & Ecclesiasticis personis, omnes libertates quibus antea usi fuerant, passim tamen compellit Praelatos respondere, quare vel quo warranto talibus utantur libertatibus. Et si Praelatus compulsus comparens Chartam donatoris exhibeat, licet contineatur in ea, quod donator tales ac tales dederit libertates, & omnes alias quas in rebus datis habuerat, vel habere potuerat, vel aliis in Instrumento donationis, quantumcunque generali clausula contineatur, & dicat quod in illa generali clausula, Libertas de qua agitur includitur, nil proderit ei nisi in Charta de eadem libertate expressa fiat mentio. Et sic secundum opinionem Regalium, verbum illud omnino pro nihilo supponit, quod secundum jura & omnem rationem nihil exceptum reliquit, praesertim in donationibus piis locis factis. 49. Item, licet in Charta de libertate de qua agitur expressa fiat mentio, dicunt Regales, quod Charta sine possessione vel usu non valet, & quod Ecclesia non sit usa tali libertate, paratus est Rex se opponere in recognitione patriae, licet certum sit Ecclesiam ea libertate usam fuisse. Et sic quod certum est, revocant in dubium, & jus & possessionem Ecclesiae, ponere * nituntur. nititur in ore seu judicio Laicorum & Ecclesiae persecutorum. Si verò non fiat expressa mentio in Charta de qua contenditur libertate, sed nota sit possessio vel usus, & dicat Praelatus, quod licet non nominatim sed per generalia verba data sit libertas illa Ecclesiae, vel quod aliquando habuit Ecclesia Chartam expressam facientem de hujusmodi libertate mentionem, quod perditum est, vel vetustate consumptum, vel alleget donationem sine scriptis factam * morè. morte Regum antiquorum, & per hoc habuerit Ecclesia justum titulum, bonam fidem, & possessionem longissimam, & sic firmo jure tueatur: dicunt Regales, quod non sufficit, quia talis possessio est usurpatio vel occupatio illicita; cum sit Regi contraria. Et quidem mirabile est dictu, quod longissima possessio talis, non possit prodesse Ecclesiis contra Regem: Cum è contrario in hiis quae à Rege nullatenus possideri possunt, ratione consuetudinis sive usus, jus sibi vendicet contra Ecclesias: sicut in omnibus oppressionibus supradictis, & aliis consimilibus, in quibus loco tituli succedit Sacrilegium vel injuria manifesta; loco bonae fidei, oppressio; loco consuetudinis, actus unus vel diutina corruptela, si saepius fuerit attemptatum. 50. Item, Cum Dominus Rex juraverit in Coronatione sua, conservare jura et libertates Ecclesiis datas, et eas confirmaverit in principio Magnae Chartae: incessanter tamen à Ministris suis impugnantur, turbantur, & mutilantur; non solum generales, sed etiam speciales: datas scilicet à praedecessoribus suis, & ab ipso confirmatas; et etiam de novo datas, & donationes quas ipse dedit, & alias quas ipse defendere & warrantizare deberet, impugnat & sustinet impugnari, & impugnatores defendit; sicut patet in facto Bothon, & aliis casibus, quos ad praesens tacemus, sperantes, quod ad singulorum querelas, singulares injurias faciet emendari. These were the 50. Articles tendered to the King by the Archbishops and Bishops, for which (like that Archtraitor Becket) they resolved to contend even to death, if they could not purchase them with this gift of money: Indeed some of them were real grievances, and matter of just complaint, fit to be reform, but the major part most injurious Prelatical, or rather Papal Encroachments upon the Rights and Prerogative of the King's Crown, Dignity, Temporal Courts of Justice, the Laws, Statutes, Customs of the Realm, and his Writs of Prohibition in defence of the Rights of his Crown, and his Judges, Officers, Lay-Subjects Rights and Liberties, which they then endeavoured to trample under feet, or subject to their new exorbitant Jurisdictions, Canons, Courts, Excommunications, Interdicts, Censures, Oaths, Inquisitions; whereupon the King justly refusing to give or sell them these Articles for the great sum of money they then granted him, they resolved to right themselves by their own usurped Papal Authority, without the Kings, Nobles, and Commons consents in Parliament, and meeting in their prohibited Council at Westminister this year or Lambethe (not Anno Dom. 1270. vel 1272. as * Constitutiones legitimae Ecclesiae totiusque Regionis Angl. printed Parisiis 1504 f. 138. Johannes de Aton mistakes) Enacted by their own power the ensuing Provisions, like so many domineering Popes, Contra praedicta gravamina Laicorum, Printed in Matthew Paris his * Pag. 204. 205, 206, 207, 208, 209. Additamenta after the premised Articles; in Johannis de Aton, (a Canon of Lincoln, Doctor of both Laws) in his Constitutiones Legitime Ecclesiae Anglicanae; and in▪ Lindewode, wherein they presume to interdict and excommunicate, not only the King's Judges, Officers, Persons and Lands, but to interdict the King himself, his Castles, Cities, Manors, Lands, as well as his Subjects, yea to deprive all Priests and make them uncapable of any Ecclesiastical preferments, in case they neglected or refused, after admonition, to submit to their Papal Usurpations, Octobon the Pope's Legate, and Boniface Archbishop of Canterbury, under whom this Council was held, being (as Johannes de Aton informs us, in his Prologue to his Institutions,) like another Jeremiah, Constitutus super Gentes et regnum istud, ut evellat, dissipet, aedificet atque plantet; sarculis, imo novaculis acutis, id est, traditionibus paenarum asperrimus, in orto Dominico Anglicano jugiter laborare, felici mucroue piacula resecans. The Constitutions in Matthew Paris his Additamenta, are not so large and full as those collected and published all together by Johannes de Aton, and scatteringly in William Lindewode his Provincial Constitutions, (who peradventure made some Additions to them, for advancement of the Prelates Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction, being both Canonists) and they differ somewhat in their prologues and expressions, I shall therefore present you with the prologue and first Constitution in Matthew Paris; then with the prologue, the first and residue of the Constitutions as they are in Aton and Lindewode, adding only one in Matthew Paris concerning Oaths, which they omit. * Matthaei Parisiensis Additamenta. p. 204. 205. etc. Articuli observandi per provisionem Episcoporum Angliae. TRia sunt genera Articulorum, quibus agitur in praesenti. Sunt enim quidam Articuli, in quibus Praelati nullo modo dissimulare possunt. Sunt alii, in quibus possunt judicio charitatis, non perturbatione infirmitatis dissimulare. Sunt & alii, in quibus dissimulare possunt, sine discrimine salutis aeternae & periculo animarum. Articuli qui dissimulari non possunt, absque interitu salutis aeternae Animarumque periculo, et subversione Ecclesiasticae libertatis, ac Ecclesiasticarum personarum praejudicio manifecto, proximo sunt subscripti. Cum Ecclesia Anglicana, non solum contra jura divina & statuta Canonica, sed etiam contra libertates à Regibus, Principibus, & aliis regni magnatibus sibi concessas, ausibus sacrilegis, novis usurpationibus, diris concussionibus, & oppressionibus nefariis multipliciter sit attrita, & hoc absque perpetuo Animarum periculo, Praelatorum, Domini Regis, & aliorum Regni Magnatum, sub dissimulationis silentio nequàquam valeat ulterius pertransiri; De unanimi assensu Religiosorum, et totius Cleri Ecclesiae memoratae salubriter est provisum: ut machinis secularium potestatum salutis, maenia laborantis Ecclesiae dilapsa, inflexibili reparentur instantia, per statutorum remedia quae sequuntur. Quia igitur saepe contingit Archiepiscopos, Episcopos & alios Praelatos inferiores, per Literas Domini Regis ad seculare Judicium evocari, ut ibi respondeant super hiis quae merè ad ipsorum officia, & forum Ecclesiasticum pertinere noscuntur; Ut si fortè Clericos, ad Ecclesias & Capellas vacantes seu non vacantes admiserint, Rectores instituerint in eisdem, suos subditos excommunicaverint, excommunicatos denuncivaverint, interdixerint, Ecclesias dedicaverint, ordines celebraverint, de causis merè spiritualibus cognoverint, ut puta de decimis, oblationibus, Limitibus parochiarum & similibus, quae non possunt ad seculare forum aliquatenus pertinere: sive etiam cognoverint de peccatis & excessibus subditorum, sicut de perjurio, fidei transgressione, sacrilegio, violatione ac perturbatione Ecclesiasticae L●bertatis, praesertim cum ipsius violatores, necnon & Libertatum per Chartas Domini Regis Ecclesiae concessarum, in sententiam Excommunicationis incidant ipso facto. Et si inter Clericos suos cognoscant, vel inter Laicos conquerentes, & Clericos defendentes, in personalibus actionibus, super contractibus vel delictis, si personas Ecclesiasticas ad mandatum Dom●●i Regis, in foro seculari non exh●buerint, Clericos in foro seculari amerciatos non compulerint, ad Amerciamenta hujusmodi exsolvenda, seu ipsa non solverint, pro eisdem si Jurisdictionem suam in Ecclesiis & Capellis, Episcopatibus seu Monasteri●s annexis per mortem Praelatorum aut cessionem vacantibus, exercuerint Canonicam & Consuetam; & si qua alia hiis similia fecerint pertinentia ad officia ordinariorum: Providemus, quod dicti Archiepiscopi et caeteri Praelati non veniant, taliter evocati, ut cum honore deferatur. Majores Praelati Domino Regi scribant, quod hujusmodi mandatis Regiis parere non possunt absque subversione Ecclesiasticae libertatis, et ad haec ideo non tenentur, eidem nihilominus Literas Exhortatorias dirigendo, ut animae suae saluti consulendo ab hujusmodi mandatis ulterius desistat. Et si Dominus Rex hujusmodi exhortationibus spretis, ad attachiationes vel districtiones processerit eorundem, tunc Vicecomites et alii quicunque Ballivi ipsos attachiantes et distringentes, per eosdem attachiatos et districtos in forma juris excommunicentur, et loca in quibus commorantur, et terrae eorum quas habent in Regno Angliae per locorum diocesanos, ad denunciationem attachiati, et districti, interdicto Ecclesiastico supponantur. Et si Clerici fuerint beneficiati, suis beneficiis priventur, non beneficiati, per quinquennium ad beneficium Ecclesiasticum in Regno Angliae (si forte praesentati fuerint) minime admittantur; Cleriei autem qui hujusmodi brevia attachionum seu districtionum dictaverint, scripserint, signaverint, consilium aut auxilium adhibuerint, solemniter excommunicentur, et excommunicati denuncientur, nec aliqui de praemissis certa ratione suspecti, ad aliquod beneficium Ecclesiasticum donec se super hiis Canonice purgaverint, admittantur. Et si Dominus Rex monitus, hujusmodi districtiones non revocaverit, Episcopus qui districtus fuerit, terras, villas dominicas, et Castra quae Rex habet in suo Episcopatu Ecclesiastico, supponat interdicto. Et si * A fine Episcopal combination▪ one and all against the King. Rex in sua duritia perseveret, caeteri Coepiscopi, districtionem unius quasi Communem omnium, et etiam communem Injuriam Ecclesiae reputantes, Civitates, terras Dominicas, Burgos, Castra et Villas ipsius Regis in suis Episcopatibus consistentes, simili supponant interdicto. Et si nec sic infra viginti dies postmodum attachiationes et districtiones hujusmodi revocaverit, aut ob hoc manum contra Ecclesiam aggraverit: singuli Archiepiscopi et Episcopi suas Dioceses Ecclesiastico supponant interdicto. Et si Aliquis Episcoporum in hac parte inventus fuerit negligens et remissus, per suum Metropolitanum gravitur arguatur. Et si perseveraverit in negligentia, Canonice puniater per eundem. Et nihilominus, Diocesis omnis Praelatorum et sua Authoritate et consensu in praesenti ordinatione adhibitis Ecclesiastico subjaceat interdicto. A right Prelatical, not Apostolical Constitution. I shall now present you with the entire body of the Prelatical * Constitutiones legitimae Ecclesiae totiusque Regionis Anglicanae, Parisiis 1504 f. 138, 139, 140. Constitutions, as they are Collected and Printed in Johannes de Aton, quoting Lindewode, who citys and glosseth upon most of them, under several Titles, in the Margin of every of them, where you may peruse them, with his Canonical Gloss. Constitutiones Domini Bonifacii Archiepiscopi Cantuariensis in Concilio Westmon. vel Lambethe, Anno Domino * It was in neither, but An. 1257. 1270. vel 1272. UNiversis Sanctae matris Ecclesiae filiis per Cantuarien. Provinciam Constitutis, Bonifacius, Provincialis Guillermi Lindewode, l. 5. de poenis Bonifacius, f. 226. 227. etc. miseratione divina Cantuariensis Archiepiscopus, totius Angliae Primas, ejusque Suffraganei, ad certitudines praesentium & memoriam futurorum. Aeternae Sanctio voluntatis quae rerum ordinem omnium, cunctarumque semina naturarum in pondere, numero & mensura decrevit, ad exemplar coelestium procedere censuit reg●men terrae, nostrum humanum genus quod caeteris praestare voluit, dignitatis excellentia creaturis constringens à sensualitatis prurigine naturalibus regulis, & ab arbitrii lubricitate (alias praecipitio) legalibus cohibens institutis, ut potentiores laxatam sibi passim non crederent in humiles imperandi licentiam, et humiliores quos etsi natura pares, causarum faciat series indeflexa praelatis dissimiles, majorum non contemnerent disciplinam. Et sicut terrenae domicilium mansionis pro coelestium luminum qualitate lucis vices ac noctis (alias votis) continuis successibus mutuatur (alias imitatur) & coelestium subigitur moderamini potestatum; Sic ordo rectorum ipsius; Ecclesiasticus alius spiritualis, terrenus, sacerdotalis et regius videlicet, et mundanus, concessae sibi dominationis habenas dirigeret, quod unius impetus processum alterius non turbaret, nec impediret, sed accederet unius alter suffragator in mutuae Charitatis subsidium, quo simul invicem ad humanae noctis caliginem expellendam, suscepti participent luminis ornamentum. Sanè olim attendentes patres & praedecessores nostri Cantuariae Archiepiscopi totius Angliae Primatis, & suffraganei eorundem, & potissimum temporibus Patrum retrò decursis, amicus Dei Edmundus praedecessor noster, cujus memoria in benedictionem, & inter Electos sors illius est computata, nosque sibi licet immeriti in locum regiminis sibi immediatè successimus, cum fratribus & Coepiscopis nostris suffraganeis Cantuariae Ecclesiae, nostris temporibus ponderantes sollicitè, quod gravamina et oppressiones quibus Anglicana libertas Ecclesiastica deprimitur et calcatur, illustri Domino Regi nostro nequaquam accedant ad commodum, sed potius ad non modicum salutis suae et nostrarum simul periculum animarum, et honoris tam personae suae, quam totius Regni detrimentum, ipsum frequenter monuimus, et supplicavimus ei, ac supplicari fecimus cum instantia saepius reverenter, nec non apud Principes et Magnates Regni et consiliarios, quorum moderamine disponuntur negotia regni, precibus et exhortationibus pulsavimus importuna oportunitate, et frequenter quatenus intra memoriam recolentes, quot plagis Egyptii fuere percussi, pro eo quod populum Dei filios videlicet Israel * Why not rather of God's people under the Popes and their Prelatical Tyranny, oppressions, usurpations, excommunications, Interdicts▪ typum gerentes Ministrorum altaris) in luto cogebant servire et latere; subjicientes eos indebitae servituti, contra praeceptum Domini et juris privilegium naturalis: quo quis tenetur, alteri non facere, quod nollet ab alio sustinere; pensantesque prudenter, quod Christus tantùm dilexit Ecclesiam, cujus bodiè peccatis exigentibus patres angariantur, à filiis, & oves desaeviunt in Pastores, quod vetuste chirographum servitutis in prothoplasti privatione conscriptum proprio cruore delevit; et sanguinem Martyrum in armis fidei expugnantium mundi Principes et seculi potestates rubricavit: privilegium libertatis e coelo prius concessum Ecclesiae, et in terris postmodum a principibus hujus mundi fidelibus innovatum. Huic inquam privilegio, tam pio tamque nobili precio comparato deferrent, humiliter, ob reverentiam redemptoris, permittendo Clerum Anglicanum in solicitudine libertatis laudis sacrificium Domino immolare, ne persecutores submergi contingat in fluctibus irae coelestis, si contemptis impiis ipsum cogant ad paleas servitutis. Licet autem in precibus inculcandis diu laboraverimus, sustinendo, et sustinuerimus laborando: adhuc tum instantia nostra saepius iterata, ad exauditionis gratiam ingressum mereri non potuit; nec effectum sortiri diutius expectatum. Quia vero periculose negligitur quod contra coeli principem usurpatur, contra gravamina praelibata, quae absque Dei offensa ulterius continere non possumus, nec debemus, ad arma justiciae, (quod est verbuus Dei) cum fiducia recurrentes, penetrabilius omni gladio ancipiti, infra scripta remedia sacro approbaute Concilio providimus adversus conatus perversorum siatuendo provide sub hac forma. In nominae Sanctae Trinitatis & individuae Patris, & Filii, & Spiritus Sancti, Amen. * A right Antichristian Canon, directly contrary to Christ's and his Apostles examples, predictions, precepts, Mat. 10. 18, 19 c. 27. throughout, John c, 18. and 19 Mar. 7, 9, 11. c. 12. 11. Rom. 13. 1. to 8. Titus 3. 3, 2. 1 Pet. 2. 12, to 24. Acts 4. 1, to 24. c. 5. 17. to 42. c. 12. 2. to 7. c. 22 to ch. 28. Clerici non veniant ad Summonitionem Laicorum. CUm Ecclesia Angliana, portiuncula divinae messis, non solum contra divina jura & canonica statuta, sed etiam contra libertates à regibus & principibus, & aliis regni Magnatibus concessas, eisdem ausibus sacrilegis, novis usurpationibus, diris concussionibus, et oppressionibus nefariis multipliciter sit attrita, et haec nec absque superni Regis offensa, et perpetuo Regis nostri temporalis animarum et aliorum regni Magnatum et nostrorum subditorum periculo, sub dissimulationis conniventia pertransire ulterius non possumus, authoritate praesentis Concilii inhibendo statuimus, ut si contingat ab hac die in aliam, (quod Deus avertat à sensibus fidelium Sanctae matris Ecclesiae filiorum) quempiam Archiepiscopum, Episcopum, vel alium praelatum inferiorem per literas Domini Regis, vel alicujus alterius potestatis, ad seculare judicium evocari, ut ibi respondeant, super his quae merè ad officium ipsius, & forum Ecclesiastium pertinere noscuntur, prout temporibus retroactis usurpatione quadam contra Deum & Justitiam, ac libertatem Ecclesiasticam pluries est praesumptum. Statuimus, inquam, et statueudo inhibemus, quod Archiepiscopus, Episcopus, et caeteri Praelati, majores et minores, ad seculare judicium non veniant, sicut nec venire tenentur, pro hujusmodi spiritualibus evocati; ut si fortè Praelati vocentur responsuri in seculari judicio, pro eo quod Clericos ad Ecclesias vacantes admiserint, vel non admiserint, rectores instituerunt in eisdem, suos subditos excommunicaverint, excommuicantes suspenderint, vel interdixerint, vel denunciaverint interdictos, vel suspensos, sive pro eo quod dedicaverint Ecclesias, vel ordines celebraverint, aut tantum de causis merè spiritualibus cognoverint, ut puta de decimis, oblationibus, limitibus parochiarum, & similibus, quae non possunt ad secularem forum aliquatenus pertinere; siuè etiam cognoverint, de peccatis & excessibus subditorum, sicut de perjurio, fidei laesione, sacrilegio, violatione ac perturbatione Ecclesiasticae libertatis, praesertim cum ipsius violatores, nec non et libertatum perturbatores per Chartas Domini Regis Ecclesiae concessarum in sententia excommunicationis incidant ipso sacto. Et si vocetur Praelatus ad judicium secularem, pro eo quod cognovit, vel cognoscit, inter Clericos suos, vel inter laicos conquerentes & Clericos defendentes, in personalibus actionibus super contractibus, vel delictis, vel quasi, aut pro eo quod personas Ecclesiasticas, aut mandatum Domini Regis in foro seculari non exhibuerint se Clericos in foro seculari, pro negotiis ad forum Ecclesiasticum pertinentibus; amerciatos nec compulerint ad amercimenta hujusmodi persolvenda, aut ipsa non solverint pro eodem in ejusdem si jurisdictionem suam in Ecclesia, vel Capellis Episcopalibus, vel monasteriis annexis per mortem Praelatorum, vel cessionem vacantibus canonicam & consuetam, & siqua hiis similia fecerint pertinentia ad officia eorundem & ad forum seu jurisdictionem Ecclesiasticam evidenter: Pro talibus inquam, & hiis similibus; Praelati ad judicium seculare vocati, ut ibidem pro hiis judicium subeant nullatenus venire praesumant; cum judicandi Christos Domini * Nota. nulla sit laicis attributa potestas, apud quos manet necessitas obsequendi. Ad tantas abusiones to lendas & libertates Ecclesiae conservendas statuimus authoritate praesentis Concilii, ac etiam ordinamus quod paedicti Archiepiscopi, & caeteri Praelati non veniant praedicto modo evocati, Vt tum honori regio deferatur, Majores Praelati Dominum Regem adeant, vel sibi scribant, quod hujusmodi mandatis Regiis parere non possunt, absque periculo sui ordinis, et subversione Ecclesiasticae Libertatis. Et fi forte Dominus Rex in suis inhibitionibus, seu summationibus non de decimis, sed de jure Patronatus; non de fide mentita, vel perjurio, sed de Catallis: non de sacrilegio vel perturbatione Ecclesiasticae libertatis, sed de transgressione subditorum, vel Ballivorum suorum, quorum correctiones tantum ad se asserit pertinere, fecerit mentionem, tunc intiment ei Praelati praedicti, quod non de jure Patronatus cujus cognitionem Rex de facto exercet, neque de Catallis, vel aliis ad forum ipsius pertinentibus cognoscunt, vel cognoscere intendunt; sed de decimis praedicts & aliis merae spiritualibus ad officium, vel jurisdictionem ipsorum pertinentibus, & animarum salutem: admonendo vel rogando eundem, quod ipsos non impediant in praemissis. Et nichibominus Episcopus cujus res agitur Dominum Regem moneat iterato, quod animae suae saiuti consulat, et ab hujusmodi mandatis omnino desistat. Et si non destiterit, tunc ad denunciationem Episcopi, Archiepiscopus convocatis duobus Episcopis, vel tribus, vel pluribus quos duxerit evocandos, si in provincia extiterit; Alioquin London. Episcopus, tanquam Decanus Episcoporum duobus Episcopis, vel tribus sibi adjunctis, Dominum Regem adeant, et ipsum moneant, diligentius requirendo, * Nota. quod mandatis supersedeat ejus. Et si Dominus Rex expressis exhortationibus hujusmodi et monitionibus ad Attachiones, vel districtiones per se, vel per alios processerit, tunc Vicecomites et alii quicunque Ballivi, (quod non procedant contra ipsos attachiatos per locorum Diocesanos in forma juris per excommunicationis et interdicti sententias arceantur. Idem fiat si Vicecomites, vel Ballivi ad Attachiationes, vel districtiones processerint pendentibus supradictis monitionibus Domino Regi (ut supradictum est) faciendis. Et si Vicecomites, vel Ballivi in sua duritia perseveraverint; loca in quibus commorantur in terra eorum quas habent in Provincia Cantuariensi per locorum Diocesanos ad denunciationem Diocesani, in cujus Episcopatu tales fuerint districtiones, * Nota. interdicto authoritate praesentis Concilii supponantur. Et si taliter attachiantes Clerici beneficiati fuerint, ab officio suspendantur. Et si in eorum malicia perseveraverint, ad desistendum, et ad satisfaciendum per substractionem proventuum beneficiorum suorum, quae obtinent arceantur. Non beneficiati per quinquennium, si ad beneficium Ecclesiasticum in provincia Cantuariensi extiterint praesentati non admittantur. Clerici vero qui hujusmodi brevia attachiationum, vel districtionum dictaverint, scripserint, signaverint, consilium vel auxilium adhibuerint, canonice puniantur, nec aliqui praemissorum de hiis ratione suspecta, ad aliquod beneficium Ecclesiasticum obtinendum donec super his canonice se purgaverint, admittantur. Et si Dominus Rex competenter super hoc monitus, vel alia secularis potestas hujusmodi districtiones seu attachiationes non revocaverint, Episcopus qui districtus fuerit, terras, Villas Vicos, et Castra quae * Nota. Dominus Rex, vel alia secularis persona taliter distringens in suo Episcopatu obtinet, Ecclesiastico supponat interdicto. Et si Dominus * Nota. Rex vel alia secularis potestas contemptis poenis hujusmodi in sua duritia persevaraverint, tunc Archiepiscopus ad denunciationem Episcopi conquerentis, convocatis duobus Episcopis, vel pluribus quos duxerit evocandos, si sit in Provincia; alioquin Episcopus London. tanquam Decanus Episcoporum, duobus Episcopis, vel tribus, vel pluribus sibi adjunctis, Dominum Regem adeant, et ipsum moneant diligenter requirentes, quod a mandatis supersedeat supradictis. Et si Dominus Rex hujusmodi exhortationibus et monitionibus obauditis ad attachiationes vel districtones per se, vel alios processerit; tunc caeteri coepiscopi districtionem hujusmodi quasi communem injuriam Ecclesiae reputantes, cunctas terras dominicas, burgos, castra et Villas ipsius Regis alteriusve potestatis in suis Episcopatibus existentes authoritate praesentis Concilii Ecclesiastico supponant interdicto. Et si non infra 20. dies postmodum attachiationes seu districtiones hujusmodi Rex, vel potestas attachians, vel distringens revocaverit; effectus cum Pharaone durior inter flagelia paenarum; ex tunc Archiepiscopus suas dioceses Ecclesiastico * supponat. supponant interdicto. Idem fiat de castris, terris et burgis Magnatum regalia habentium in Provincia memorata. Et si aliquis Episcoporum contra executionem praemissarum paenarum in suis casibus inventus fuerit negligens vel remissus, per suum metropolitanum graviter arguatur. Et si perseveraverit in sua negligentia canonice puniatur per eundem, et nichilominus sua Dioc. omnium Praelatorum, et sua Authoritate, voluntate et consensu in praesenti Concilio interpositis et expressis, Ecclesiastico subjaceat interdicto. Item statuimus, vel si forte ab hac die in antea ab aliquo Episcopo, vel judice, vel Ecclesiastico, vel inferiori praelato compulso per districtiones, vel spontanee comparente coram Domino Rege, vel justiciariis suis, vel aleget privilegium suum et forum nisi in casu a jure praemisso, vel ut eos moneant, ut a praedictis desistant injuriis, acta processus sui exigi contingat, ut per ea appareant, utrum contra prohibitionem regiam in aliquo praedictorum casuum et similium processerit, vel petatur super hiis ab eo juramentum excusationis vel purgationis, nullo modo exhibeat acta vel juret, cum instrumenta sive acta possint a partibus, vel aliqua partium si necesse fuerit exhiberi. Et si clericus super hoc arrestetur, Dioce sanus taliter arrestati, vel impediti Clerici, vel Archiepiscopus, vel Episcopus London. tanquam Decanus Episcoporum, cum aliquibus sibi associatis Episcopis Si Episcopus fuerit iste qui arrestatus extitit, requirant eum ut puniant detentores. Et si necesse fuerit ad paenas alias procedant superius annotatas. * Provincialis Guillernd Lindewode l. 3. Tit. de J●re Pationatus, f. 15. Item, si in aliquo evincente placito ita jus patronatus contra aliquem in foro Regio scribat Rex Episcopo, vel alteri ad quem institutio pertinet: quod praesentatum ab illo qui evi●it admittat si vacaverit beneficium, ne Patrono fiat injuria (si alias nil Canonicum aliud obsistat) admittat libere praesentatum. Si vero non vacat beneficium illud, hoc Domino Regi, vel justiciario, studeat intimare praelatus, excusando se, quod quia beneficium tale non vacat, et quod non potest mandatum regium adimplere, liceat autem patronis si velint possidentem iterum praesentare, vel illius evincentis▪ jus patronatus in posterum declarare. De iis qui Ecclesias per Laicalem potestatem accipiunt. ITem, quia frequenter accidit, quod nonnulli Clerici per Laicalem potestatem Ecclesias Provincialis Guilford Lindewode l. 5. de paenes f. 229. occupant Parochiales, & Praebendales, etiam curam animarum habentes, & in eisdē absque authoritate Ecclesiastica intruduntur. Statuimus, quod Clericus per se vel per Laicalem potestatem intrusus in Ecclesia vel praebenda, servata juris forme excommunicetur, et excommunicatus per loci Diocesinum publice denuncietur et illo beneficio imperpetuum careat ipso facto. Ac post latam sententiam si in intrusione hujusmodi pertinaci animo per duos menses steterit, per locorum Diocesanos ubi habet Ecclesiastica beneficia, ad denunciationem illius Episcopi in cujus Diocesi se intrusit, cujus monitionem & Ex●ō nunicationem ad praedictum tempus contemserit proventus illorum beneficiorum quousque congruè satisfecerit, subtrahantur. Et si per idem tempus, scilicet annum, intrusus in excommunicationis sententia perseveraverit, extunc ad aliud beneficium vel Ecclesiam in * In Regno●ngliae Mat. Paris Addit. Provinciae Cantuarien. minime admittatur;. si vero per Clericum procuratorem Clericus fuerit intrusus, contra eundem procuratorem Clericum simili modo procedatur, ut poenis subjaceat supradictis. Si vero procurator Laicus talis fuerit; in forma juris excommunicetur, et excommunicatus publice denuncietur, Dominus autem absens citetur, qui si comparens ratificaverit factum procuratoris sui in hac parte, poenis subjaceat supradictis; si vero per contumaciam se absentaverit, post spacium trium mensium expectatus si sit in Regno, majoris excommunicationis sententia innodetur, paenas nihilominus praetaxatas incurrat, maxime cum Sacrilegio inobedientiam adjecerit et contemptum. Si vero fuerit extra Regnum, contra ipsum vocatum post dilationes transmarinas, modo praedicto procedatur, et Praebenda vel Ecclesia in qua fuerit talis intrusio facta Ecclesiastico supponatur interdicto. Fautores vero et cooperatores hujus intrusionis, si Clerici fuerint, praefatas paenas contra Clericos editas perferant. Et si Laici fuerint, plectantur paenis contra Laicos superius annotatis. Loca vero et terrae hujusmodi intrudentium, et intrusorum si intra unum mensem non satisfecerint, supponantur Ecclesiastico interdicto. Si vero hujusmodi intrusiones factae fuerint ex Regia potestate, per loci Diocesanum moneatur Dominus Rex quod ea faciat intra tempus competens revocari. Alioquin terrae, et loca quae Dominus Rex habet in illa Diocesi in qua facta fuerit intrusio, supponantur Ecclesiastico interdicto secundam formam superius annotatam. Si vero per alium magnatem vel potestatem fiat talis intrusio, per interdicta et excommunicationis sententias ut superius arceantur. Et si per duos menses hujusmodi sententias sustinuerit propter hoc in se latas, extunc terrae et loca quae obtinet in illa Diocesi per loci Diocesanum supponantur Ecclesiastico interdicto, nec relaxentur praefatae sententiae donec de injuria, inobedientia et contemptu satisfecerit competenter. De Excommunicatis Liberatis à Carcere sine Consensu Episcopi. PRaetereà contingit interdictum quod excommunicati de mandato Praelatorum Provincialis ● Guil. Lindewode l. 5. de praesenti excommunicatione f. 252. secundum Regni consuetudinem capti, et carceri mancipati aliquando per Regem, vel Vicecomitem aliosque Ballivos sine consensu Praelatorum qui eos capiendos praesentaverunt, ad quorum mandatum sic captorum debet liberatio fieri, sine satisfactione congrua liberantur; plerique etiam excommunicati non capiuntur, neque de ipsis capiendis literae Regiae conceduntur. Nonnunquam dicti etiam * Their excommunications were so unjust, v●xatious, illegal, that the King and his Officers could not execute them, without peril ●o their souls, and great injustice. Rex et Ballivi cum hujusmodt et excommunicatis et denunciatis publice communicant, Claves Ecclesiae contemnendo, in subversionem Ecclesiasticae Libertatis, et suarum periculum animarum. Huic ergo morbo congruam volentes adhibere medicinam; statuimus, quod excommunicati sic capti et taliter exeuntes a Carcere ad majorem confusionem liberatorum et liberantium publice et solenniter pulsatis campanis, accensis candelis excommunicentur et denuncientur excommunicati, in locis in quibus ordinariis eorum videbitur expedire. Vicomites autem et alii Ballivi qui eos liberaverint, non praestita satisfactione Ecclesiae vel emenda, excommunicentur; servato juris ordine et excommunicati solenniter nuncientur. Si tamen de mandato Regio ad hoc processerint, mitius cum eis arbitrio ordinariorum agatur. Si autem contingat quod litera consueta de excommunicato capiendo denegetur cum ipsam requiri contingat, in casu quo dari debet secundum Regni consuetudinem approbatam: moneatur idem Rex per praelatum praesentantem capiendum, qui super hoc scribit ad eam concedere faciant pertransire. Quod si non fecerint * Excellent Justice to in●c●d●ct who●e innocent 〈◊〉 C●st●●●, 〈◊〉▪ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ct, 〈◊〉 ●●●●● g●ant a 〈◊〉 as 〈◊〉 at 〈◊〉 ●a●●● 〈◊〉 e. P●●v●ncialis G●●l. Lindewod●, ●ol. 67. Civitates, et Castra, et Burgi, et Villae quos habet in Diocesi ejus qui sic scribit, per Episcopum ipsum scribentem supponantur Ecclesiastico interdicto donec a denegante literae tales concedantur, et executionem legitimam sortiantur. Contra, communicantes vero et participantes cum excommunicatis procedatur, secundum Censuram Ecclesiasticae disciplinae. 4. De Cl●ricis Captis a Laicis propter crimina. COntingit aliquando, quod Clerici sine licentia Praelatorum quamquam in facto non fuerint * ●eprehensi ●●t Paris Addit. reprehensi nec convicti tanquam facinorosi, vel suspecti de crimine, seu delicto, vel injuria personali capiuntur per potentiam Laicalem, et in Carcere detruduntur, ordinariis suis eos requirentibus secundum Canones libere judicandi. Et si Clerici quibus etiam crimina imponuntur coram judicibus secularibus evocati non comparuerint * Fornaburtur, Forbanniuntur. Mat. Paris. foris banniuntur a Regno. Quia vero in hoc libertas Ecclesiastica confunditur cum Clericus a Laico judicatur; statuimus, quod Clerici Capti si noti fuerint & honesti, capientes ipsos & etiam detinentes, & contra requisitionem ordinariorum eos reddere recusantes, per locorum ordinarios publice excommunicati denuncientur: loca etiam in quibus detenti fuerint, et terrae capientium eos et detinentium supponantur Ecclesiastico interdicto, donec ordinariis eorundem reddantur; et super hujusmodo excessu satisfecerit competenter. Illi autem qui taliter falsa crimina eis imposuerunt, seu maliciosè confixerunt, (alias composuerunt) commenta vel fraudes propter quae capti fuerunt & injustè detenti, excommunicati similiter denuncientur; (unde excommunicati sunt authoritate * This in the Parenthesis is not in Mat. Paris, and relates to a Council at O●on, as if this Council of Boniface was there ●●●ld, not at Westminster. praesentis Concilii Oxon. ipso facto.) Clerici vero vagi vel ignoti capti & ex causis aliquibus detenti, si in possessione Clericatus inventi fuerint, per locorum ordinarios requirantur á Domino Rege, vel alio qui potestatem habet reddendi eosdem, vel eos restituat liberè per Ecclesiam judicandos. Et si denegetur, puniantur ut detentatores superius annotati, & si reddantur, liberè indicentur non expectatis judiciariis quibuscunque. Et si Justiciarii Clericis eisdem coram eis non exhibitis Episcopum condemneut in pensione pecuniaria, paenae superioris, sive Clerici fuerint, sive Laici proferantur. Clerici autem Domini Regis, vel quicunque alii qui excusationem hujusmodi poene prosequntur dictando, scribendo, sigillando Vicecomitibus vel aliis Ballivis hujusmodi mandata dirigendo paenis subjaceant in Clericos promulgatis superius annotatis. Quod si iidem Clerici Ecclesiae redditi propter transgressionem aliquando personalem vel forestae enunciati fuerint, a judice seculari non compellant, cum non a suis judicibus fuerint condemnati. Et si propter hoc eos praelatos distringi aut attachiari contigerit, se defenderit contra hujusmodi attachiationes vel districtiones per remedia antedicta. Idem fiat quotiescunque annunciati fuerint viri Ecclesiastici pro hiis quae ad forum Ecclesiasticum pertinent per Judicem secularem, si * Guil. Linde. wode l. 5. Tit. de Privilegiis f. 235. verò Clerici Canonice se purgaverint super sibi impositis & objectis, & nihilominus bona Laica potestate detineantur, eorundem occupantes, & detinentes bona hujusmodi Laicorum per saepedictam Ecclesiasticam censuram compescantur. * Guilford Linde. wode l. 5. Tit. de Poenis. f. 231. Quod si sic capti Clerici tonsuram & Clericatum habentes maliciosè tempore intermedio abrasi fuerint, vel suspensi, abradentes vel suspendentes, consilium, vel favorem, seu auxilium impendentes paenis subjaceant supradictis, forisbannientes quoque hujusmodi Clericos paenis similibus percellantur. * Guilford Linde. wode l. 5. Tit. de Furtis. Item statuimus, quod si aliquis Clericus pro transgressione forestae seu partis alicujus diffamatus fuerit; vel convictus fuerit legitime coram suo ordinario, vel confessus; idem per suum ordinarium si bona habeat, illi cui noxa aut injuria illata est hujusmodi redemptio assignetur; si autem bona non habeat, suus Episcopus ipsum prout culpa poposcerit graviter puniat in persona, ne propter impunitatis fiduciam pateat praesumptoribus licentia delinquendi. 5. De * Nota. Impetrantibus Prohibitiones Domini Regis. ITaque, cum nonnulli Laici ad invicem plerunque cum Clericis contrahentes ipsos contractus fidei datione vallantes, aut corporali praestito juramento firmantes, qui super fidei aut Sacramenti praestiti religione contempta coram judice Ecclesiastico conventi, Regiam prohibitionem impetrant; ut super perjurio et fidei laesione examen Ecclesiastici judicis sic declinent. Providemus, quod si Laicus fuerit Impetrator, per excommunicationis sententiam (prout superius dicitur) arceatur. Si vero non destiterint et possessores immobilium existant, terra eorum supponatur Ecclesiastico interdicto. Si autem immobilia non habeant, mercenarii sui non vacatae personae moneatur, quod intra octo dies ab eo recedant. Alioquin consimilis poena sententiae excommunicationis majoris feratur in eosdem. Si autem Clericus reus fuerit vel religiosus, exerceantur poenae Canonicae contra ipsos: si vero Clericus in sua pertinacia perseveraverit, procedatur contra eum secundum poenas superius contra pertinaces Clericos annotatas. Si autem actor Laicus sit & non habeat Laicum feodum, Episcopus non exhibeat eum, et si distringitur Episcopus; procedatur contra * The King must be admonished, his Castles, Cities, Towns, Villages interdicted, and his Subjects, Officers Excommunicated with a Major Excommunication, for issuing, or bringing Prohibitions to relieve their Subjects against Bishops and their Courts Encroachments Dominum Regem et distringentem ut superius est expressum. Et hoc idem in prohibitionibus consimilibus observetur. Idem fiat et si tertius veniens ex transverso porrigat vel porrigi faciat prohibitionem talem, dum tamen ille eam verbo vel facto ratificaverit pro quo apparuit impetrata. 6. Quod Judaei compellantur respondere coram Ecclesiastico jure. ET quia modo consimili Ecclesiastica Censura confunditur & Praelatorum officium impeditur cum Judaeus delinquens in rebus Ecclesiasticis & personis super hiis coram ipsis convictus fuerit, vel super aliis quae ad forum Ecclesiasticum mero jure coram Ecclesiastico judice convenitur, per Dominum Regem seu Vicecomites aut Ballivos super praedictis non permittitur coram Ecclesiastico judice stare juri, sed declinare compellitur forum ejus, statuimus quod hujusmodi judae per * interdictum introductum commercii contractum et communionis fidelium ad respondendum in hiis casibus coram judice Ecclesiastico compellantur. Et quod inhibentes et impedientes eosdem et hac de causa, judices et alios distringentes per excommunicationis et interdicti sententias arceantur. 7. De fugientibus ad immunitatem Ecclesiasticam. POrrò, cum ad immunitatem Ecclesiarum fugientibus aliquando vix in alimentis Provincial. Guil. Lindewode, l. 3. de immunitate Ecclesiam. f. 184. valeat subvenire propter arctam custodiam quae frequenter apponitur contra ipsos, ut aliquando confugientes hujusmodi ab Ecclesiis & Cimiteriis, viis publicis post terrae abjurationem violenter saepius abstrahantur, ac sic abstracti sceleratè in praejudicium immunitatis Ecclesiae occidantur. Statuimus, quod qui talibus alimenta impedierint ministrari, secundum arbitrium ordinariorum per Censuram Ecclesiasticam arceantur. Si quidem confugas ab Ecclesia vel Cimiterio vel post abjurationem terrae a via publica extrahentes, vel taliter extractos occidentes (cum sub Ecclesiastica protectione constant) poenis Sacrilegii percellentur, alia aliam minime consument. In Ecclesia autem vel Cimiterio non ●ia● custodia confugientium ad Ecclesiam per Laicam potestatem. Et si fiant custodiae, tam custodientes quam qui eam custodiam opposuerunt in forma juris, per excommunicationis sententiam districtius compescantur. Illos autem tantummodo tueatur Ecclesia quos Canones praecipiunt esse tuendos. 8. De infringentibus Ecclesiae libertates. UT invadentibus bona Ecclesistica & libertates Ecclesiae infringentibus & perturbantibus obvietur, providè duximus statuendum, quod hujusmodi Malefactores, Provincialis Guil. Lindewode. l. 3. de immunitate Ecclesiae. f. 186. invasores videlicet & perturbatores Ecclesiasticorum bonorum & libertatum violatores sacrilegi, excommunicati per locorum ordinarios denuncientur. Et si in sua pertinacia per unum mensem perseverent, tunc et loca in quibus commorantur supponantur Ecclesiastico interdicto, et neutra relaxetur sententia donec de damnis et injuria satisfecerint competenter. Et si aliquis Ecclesiam possessionibus & libertatibus suis spoliaverit▪ poenis subjaceat supradictis, & in ipsum usque ad plenam satisfactionem & restitutionem condignam, in forma juris excommunicationis sententia solenniter proferatur. Et si iidem sacrilegi faciant judices aut Praelatos propter hoc attachiari vel destringi, tam ipsi quam distringentes poenis in attachiatores et districtores editis condigne percellantur. 9 De Laicis Clericos aggravantibus. AD hoc etiam cum contingit quod domicilia, & hospitia Clericorum per Magnates terrae quamquàm in Sanctuario existant, invitis ipsis Clericis & nonnunquam expulsis suis servientibus bona ipsorum ibidem inventa occupantur, & per sacrilegos hujusmodi consumantur, reclamantes & renitentes convitiis affliguntur, verberibus afficiuntur, & multipliciter pertractantur, quamquam etiam cautè, & equitatus Dominicae Praelatorum, Religiosorum quam Clericorum in itinere publico ac veritatis & aliunde in sanctuariis & consimilibus capiuntur & abducuntur violenter, ad dictorum Magnatum res, commercia & victualiatransferenda. Providemus, quod omnes hujusmodi sacrilegi in forma juris excommunicentur, et solenniter excommunicati nuncientur, donec Ablata et abducta restituerint, et de illatis injuriis satisfecerint competenter. Compelluntur etiam Clerici & Religiosi suas res quas habent venales licitè vel illicitè ad precium Domini Regis sibi & suis ministris vendere, & nonnunquam tradere precio non soluto, undè providemus, quod taliter compellentes cogantur per sententiam excommunicationis justum precium supplere vel destituere sic exorta, nihilominus de * Goods taken from Clergymen ●y the King's P●●v●yors must be sacrilege. sacrilegio commisso prout decet satisfacere competenter. I find this Constitution omitted in Aton and Lindewode, extant in Matthew Paris his Additamenta, against the King and his Judges granting Prohibitions to hinder them to give Oaths to Laymen against their wills in their visitations and courts, and to inflict pecuniary penalties upon Jews or others, which I shall here insert. CUm insuper Praelati Ecclesiastici, ex officii sui debito inquirant de morum Additamenta. p. 207 ● Here p. 609, 704, 705, 706, 707. disciplina, peccatis et excessibus subditorum, quia R●x, Magnates, et aliae potestates seculares, ipsorum officia impediunt in praemissis; Laicis sibi subditis inhibendo ne ad mandatum ipsorum Praelatorum, de veritate dicenda subeant juramentum. Et quia iidem non permittunt dictos Praelatos, subditos suos in causis seu negotiis Ecclesiasticis corporaliter seu pecunialiter, seu alias Canonice punire; secundum personarum et delictorum qualitatem: Providemus, quod Laici ad praestandum hujusmodi juramenta, et ad solvendum quaslibet poenas per Praelatos suos Canonice inflictas, nihilominus praecise per excommunicationis sententiam compellantur. Impedientes vero ne hujusmodi juramenta praestentur, aut poenae exsolvantur, per interdicti et excommunicationis sententias praedictas arctius compescantur. Et si per hoc ad districtionem processum fuerit Praelatorum, contra distringentes, sicut dictum est superius, procedatur. Et quia modo co● simili Praelatorum officium impeditur, cum contingat quòd Judaeus delinquens in rebus Ecclesiasticis & personis, super hiis conventus fuerit coram ipsis; & super ali●s quae ad forum Ecclesiasticum pertinent mero jure: Providemus, quòd Judaeus per interdictum commercii, contractuum & communionis fidelium, ad respondendum in hiis casibus nihilominus compellarur: inhibentes quoque impeditores, & distringentes, poenas interdicti & excommunicationis incurrant. Perchance the King & his Councils, Judges forementioned Prohibitions against such Oaths, caused Lindewode and Aton, to omit this Constitution, and most likely this Archbishop and Council to waive it, though in their Original draught. 10. De Rege Ecclesiam aggravante Vacantem. COntingit insuper aliquando, quod Domino Rege Ecclesiarum Cathedralium vel Provincialis G●●. Lindewode l. 3. De immunitate Ecclesiae ●. 187. Conventualium custodiam obtinente, cum secundum Chartarum libertatem ab eodem Domino Rege & suis praedecessoribus Ecclesiae concessarum, tantundem rationibiles consuetudines, nec non & rationabilia servitia, & hoc ●ine districtione hominum & visitatione rerum, Ballivi tum ejus per tallias immoderatas bona tenentium vacantis Ecclesiae auferunt; nemora & vivaria destruunt, domos consumere festinant & dissipant bona, pauperes malo tractant, & destruunt, jam non solum ad ea quae ratione Custodiae obtinere convenerant manus extendunt, sed etiam ad bona superstitum ut blada & instaura & alia, quae ratione Baroniae ad ipsum specture non possunt, videlicet decimas, Ecclesias & oblationes Episcopatibus seu Monasteriis appropriatas & similia occupare praesumant. Ut huic igitur morbo facilius occurratur, ordinamus, quod statim postquam Escaetores & Ballivi Regis hujusmodi custodias ingressi fuerint, Praelati qui jurisdictionem praesumant, publicè & solenniter interdicant sub poena excommunicationis dictis Ballivis Domini Regis & aliis omnibus in genere, ne talia attentare praesumant. Quod si contra fecerint, denuncient eos in dictam sententiam incidisse, & in sententiam talem quae contra illos qui libertates in Magna Charta concessas nec non libertates Ecclesiasticas confringunt, et tales usque ad satisfactionem congruam excommunicati publice nuncientur quam sententiam si contempserint, contra eos procedatur per interdicta et alias poenas superius annotatas. Et si * Nota. Dominus Rex super hiis competenter monitus sic ablata non restituat, vel damna resarciat, procedatur contra eum sicut in aliis casibus Regem tangentibus superius est ordinatum. 11. De libertate & longa possessione. ARchiepiscopus itaque & ipsi ratione patrimonii Ecclesiastici commune monitione coram Justiciariis itinerantibus evocati, per Atturnatos seu Procuratores literatoriè constitutos, per libertatem Ecclesiae & consuetudinem admittantur: Supplicatum est Domino Regi, ut sustineat, quod per Literas Procuratores admittantur, sive Atturnati eorundem; & Justiciarii moneantur, quod per tales competentibus admittant Atturnatos. Si verò sic non admittant, sed quod personaliter non venit Praelatus, condemnetur, postmodum & distringatur: Providemus, quod procedatur contra attachiatores, distringentes, ut superius est expressum. Quia in super Praelati & Clerici venire coram Magistratibus secularibus distringuntur, ossensuri de jure aut quo warranto (seu Guaranto) utuntur libertatibus quibus a longis retro temporibus, ipsi ●ive praedecessores sui usi sunt pacificè, nomine Ecclesiarum suarum: alioquin impediuntur uti libertatibus praedictis. Ordinamus, quod sic vocati non respondeant, nisi quod nec allegent longam possessionem Ecclesiae suae, ac revocent eas in dubium, non ponant se ad inquisitionem Laicorum. Et si propterea spolientur, attachientur, distringantur, vel alias condemnentur; procedatur contra spoliantes, attachiantes, et * Nota. Dominum Regem, ut superius annotatur. Et si retineatur Praelatus, Archiepiscopus cum Episcopis requirat eum, & puniat detentores: et si libere non dimittatur, ad interdicta ut superius procedatur. 12. De malitia Judicis secularis contra libertatem Ecclesiae. ALiquando quidem Ecclesiis vel Praelatis Principes, & alii Christi fideles, possessiones & libertates dant per suas Chartas; in quibus hujusmodi clausula vel similis continetur. Omnia quae ad me vel ad haredes meos de tali feudo, ●ive feodo vel possessione pertinent, vel poterunt pertinere, tali Ecclesiae vel Monasterio, ac earum Praelatis vel Ministris, ●ine aliquo retinement●, do, & concedo, & hac praesenti Charta mea confirmo. Et si postmodum super aliquo articulo de pertinentiis, quae in Charta ipsa non fuerint specialiter expressa, & in dicto seculari contentio moveatur; dicunt Judices seculares, Chartam ipsam esse vacuam et inanem, eo quod nominatim articulus ille non exprimitur in eadem. Et sic verbum (Omnia) secundum eos nihil contineat, nisi fuerit specialiter expressum. Et si articulus libertatis contentus in Charta specialiter exprimatur, dicunt iidem Judices Chartam ipsam esse vacuam & invalidam, si Ecclesia vel Monasterium usa non fuerit hujusmodi libertate. Providemus, quod Justiciarii & alii Judices seculares, Ecclesias vel loca religiosa perversa interpretatione hujusmodi, possessionibus vel libertatibus defraudantes, moneantur per locorum Ordinarios in quibus talia judicia exercentur, quod sub talis interpretationis velamento, possessiones, libertates et jura Ecclesiastica perturbare et invertere non praesumant. Quod si monitionibus non acquieverint eorundem, per * The Judges must be Excommunicated and Interdicted if they reverse not their Temporal Judgements according to Law in the King's Courts, & conform them to the Bishop's interpretation and humours. excommunicationis et interdicti sententias dictorum Iusticiariorum et judicum, sive Clerici sive Laici fuerint, iniquitas secundum formam annotatam superius, comprimatur. 13. Quod Ecclesiastici viri non teneantur facere sectam ad Curiam secularem propter Ecclesiae libertatem. LIcet autem Dominus Rex, & Magnates aliique Christi fideles, terras & possessiones in liberam, & puram, & perpetuam eleemosynam Ecclesiis & viris Ecclesiasticis produxerint conferendas, nihilominus ipsi & Ballivi sui compellunt hujusmodi personas Ecclesiasticas, pro praedictis terris & possessionibus sectam facere ad Curiam suam Laicalem, contra donationis formam, & officium pietatis, & jura Ecclesiarum, & possessionibus quibus usae sunt à longis temporibus & antiquis, ac retroactis perturbantes eos, nisi de concessionibus Originalibus Chartis suis, fortè vetustate vel alio modo deperditis vel consumptis, fidem fecerint coram eis. Ordinamus, quod si districtio fuerit pro hujusmodi sectis, à donatoribus, fundatoribus, vel eorum haeredibus, seu aliis suis qualitercunque succedentibus, per praemissas censuras Ecclesiasticas penitus reprimantur. Si vero à Capitalibus Dominis districtio fiat pro hujusmodi sectis faciendis, compellentes & distringentes, modo simili arceantur. justiciarii autem et alii judices forenses qui per fraudem convertunt amerciamenta libertatum Episcoporum et Praelatorum inferiorum, contra Chartam Domini Regis omnium libertatum, tanquam transgressores dictae Chartae arctius puniantur. 14. De Sacramento confessionis & ne incarceratis denegetur. PRaetereà cum Sacramentum confessionis & poenitentiae, secunda sit post nausragium Provincialis Guil. Lindewode, l. 5. De Poenitentiis & Remissionibus, f. 236. tabula, & ultimus humanae navigationis portus, id est finale refugium, sit unicuique peccatori pernecessarium ad salutem, sub poena excommunicationis districtius praecipimus, ne aliquis impedire praesumat, quin hujusmodi Sacramentum poenitentiae unicuique petenti libere impendatur, & spacium liberum confitendi, quod potissimè propter carceratos suadetur, quibus hujusmodi Sacramentum saepius inhumaniter (ne dicamus infideliter) denegatur. Et si interdum confitendi spacium eis datur, hoc ita breve & importunè conceditur, quod potius cedit miseris in desolationem gaudii spiritualis. 15. De Laicis Dominis testamenti factionem impedientibus, & de bonis intestatorum. QUoniam Laicis ab intestato decedentibus, Domini feudorum non permittunt Provincialis Guil. Lindewode, l. 3. De Testamentis, f. 125. ipsorum debita solvi de bonis mobilibus eorundem, nec in usus liberorum suorum vel parentum, vel aliàs secundum dispositionem Ordinariorum, piè distribui pro defunctis. Providemus, quod dicti Domini et eorum Ballivi moneantur diligenter, ut a talibus impedimentis desistant: quod si moniti non paruerint, saltem pro ea portione quae defunctum contingit, ut in pios usus per locorum ordinarios distribui libere possit, per Excommunicationis sententiam compescantur. Eodem modo procedatur contra eos, qui ascriptitiorum & aliorum servilis conditionis testamenta, & ultimas voluntates impediunt, contra consuetudinem Anglicánae Ecclesiae hactenus approbatam. Praedictas autem provisiones extendi volumus ad omnes personas, tàm Ecclesiasticas quam seculares jura Regalia habentes, quibus hactenus consueverunt uti statuimus & praecipimus ne cuique executori permittatur administrare de bonis testatoris, nisi prius de omnibus bonis ipsius defuncti fidele fiat inventarium, & loci ordinario ostendatur. Item probato testamento coram Ordinariis, non committatur alicui vel aliquibus executio seu administratio in bonis defunctorum nisi talibus qui competentem administrationis suae rationem (cum super hoc per locorum Ordinarios fuerint requisiti) reddere possint. Item statuimus praesentis authoritate Concilii ne aliqui religiosi cujuscunque professionis existant sint executores testamentorum, nisi de licentia Ordinarii & voluntate procedatur. Item testamentis coram Ordinariis probatis eorundem testamentorum probatio a Laicis nullatews exigatur. Nemo impediat nec impedire procuret quo minus ultimae voluntates defunctorum procedant in hiis quae de jure vel consuetudine testari possunt. Si vero contra hoc * They make Statutes as well as Canons, as if they were a Parliament. statutum venire praesumpserint, sciant se authoritate praesentis Concilii esse Excommunicationis sententia involutos, et tanquam contra earundem libertatum violatores, contra eos per censuram Ecclesiasticam procedatur. Item statuimus ne quis alicujus solutae vel conjugatae propriae, vel alterius impediat vel perturbet, seu faciat impediri justa, seu consuetam testamenti liberam factionem, quod si fecerit sciat se Excommunicationis sententiam incurrisse. Item statuimus, quod de protione mortui habeat Ecclesia jus suum deductis tum prius de communi hiis quae Domino & quod dono debetur, & sumptibus funeris. Item statuimus, quod nullus executor retineat aliquid de bonis defuncti cujus testamentum exequitur, emptionis titulo vel alio modo, nisi fuerit à testatore sibi inter vivos donatum, vel ex testamento legatum. 16. De Bedellis & Apparitoribus Archidiaconorum & aliorum Praelatorum. ITem contra gravamina & excessus quae per bedellos & apparitores Archidiaconorum Provincialis Guil. Lindewode, l. 3. De Procurationibus & Consiliis, f. 160. & Decanorum subditis inferri dicimus, remedium adhibere volentes, statuimus, ut cum pro faciendis executionibus aut aliis necessitatibus ad hospitium rectorum, vicariorum, seu Capellanorum, vel aliorum Sacerdotum, seu Clericorum, seu Religiosorum eos declinare contigerit, nihil omnino ratione procurationis vel alterius servitutis, seu servitii exigant ab eisdem, sed cum gratiarum actione recipientes ea quae eis ab hospitibus apponuntur, illis contenti existant, neque per Nuncios & subbedellos sed per seipsos executiones faciant praeceptorum: Sententias autem Excommunicationis et Interdicti vel Suspensionis per se non ferant, neque per alios latas denuncient, sine specialibus Literis Dominorum suorum. Et si secus praesumptum fuerit, sententiae sic late ipso jure non teneant, neque serventur cum in veritate non ligent. Et bedelli qui contra hoc statutum fecerint & onerosi seu injuriosi subditis Dominorum suorum inventi fuerint, graviter puniantur & gravatis duplum restituere teneantur. 17. Quod Clerici moneri debeant ut deferant tonsuram, vestes & Coronam. ITem statuimus, quod Episcopi in suis Synodis & aliis Convocationibus, & singuli Provincialis Guil. Lindewode, f. 253. Archidiaconi & Decani in suis Capitulis, & rectores Capellani sive vicarii Ecclesiarum Parochialium in suis Ecclesiis, semel in anno publice denuncient omnibus qui gaudere voluerint privilegio Clericali, quod decenter tonsuram & Coronam rasi capitis deferant competentem, maximè coram suis Ordinariis, & in Ecclesiis ac Congregationibus Clericorum, nec erubescant ipsius portare * Christ had no shaved Crown, how then can it be his stigma? stigmata qui pro eis spineam non dedignatus est portare Coronam, factus patri obediens usque ad mortem, ut eos suae resurrectionis tribueret esse participes, & haereditatis precio sui sanguinis acquisitè consortes, comminaturi eis qui contra denunciationem istam secus praesumpserint attemptare. Quod si signum salvationis erubuerint frontibus suis imprimere, frustra salvatoris debebunt auxilium implorare, cum privilegium dignitatis mereatur amittere qui concessa sibi abuti detegitur dignitate. No penalty is inflicted on Clerks for not obeying this Constitution. 18. De carcere Episcoporum habendo, & qui Clerici perpetuo carceri sunt committendi. ITem, speciali praecepto statuimus, quod quilibet Episcopus in Provincialis Guil. Lindewode, f. 231. Episcopatu suo prout competentius et securius provideri viderit, * Christ and his Apostles had no such prisons, imprisoned none, but were imprisoned themselves by Temporal Magistrates & Kings, unum vel duos carceres habeat pro Clericis flagitiosis in crimine, vel convictis juxta censuram Canonicam detinendis. Statuimus etiam, quod Clericus aliquis qui adeo malitiae suae incorrigibilis fuerit & consuetus ad flagitia committenda, quod si Laicus esset secundum leges seculi ultimum deberet pati supplicium, talis Clericus perpetuo carceri adjiciatur. In illis autem qui non ex voluntate & proposito, sed casu fortuito, autiracundia, aut fortè insania committerent, antiqua jura servari volumus; praedicta denique remedia, tàm ad praesentia quam ad futura gravamina se extendunt: praesertim † cum sententiae Excommunicationis de Mat. 11. 3. c. 14. 9, 10. c. 25. 35. Luke 3. 12. c. 21. 12. Acts 5. 18. c. 8. 3. c. 12. 4, 5. c. 16. 23, 24. c. 23. 18. c. 28. 17. John 3. 1. c. 4. 1. Phil. 1. 9 1 Cor. 11. 23. Rev. 2. 10. How then can Bishops claim them? † A tempore Excommunicationis, Mat. Paris Addit. consensu Regis & Magnatum Regni Londoniis, per Praelatos solenniter sint promulgatae in transgressores Chartae omnium libertatum. Archiepiscopi & Episcopi, de consensu & approbatione inferiorum Praelatorum, Capitulorum Cathedralium, & Conventualium: necnon universitas totius Cleri Angliae, pro reformatione status Ecclesiae Anglicanae, et reparationis libertatis, h●c praedicta concorditer et communiter * providerunt; Mat. Par. Addit ordinaderunt, retenta sibi potestate addendi, mutandi, et corrigendi, prout viderint expedire. Datum apud Westmonasterium in solenni Convocatione Cleri Ecclesiae Anglicanae, 6. Idus Junii, Anno Domini 1261. * Mistaken for 1257. & Anno Pontificatus Alexandri Papae 4. septimo, & Anno Regni illustris Regis Henrici quarto. * Mistaken for 41. Per Bonifacium Cantuariensem Archiepiscopum. In most of these Constitutions of Archbishop Boniface, and all our English Bishops and Clergy in this Convocation, (specially contrived, as I apprehend, against Judge Bractons' forecited Treatise of Prohibitions, written about that time, & other Prohibitions forecited) I cannot but take notice of these particulars, worthy special observation. 1. Their high contempt and daring presumption, in holding this Convocation upon Archbishop Boniface his own summons, not only without the King's special Writ, against Law and former precedents, but also against his express * Here p. 890. forementioned Prohibitions issued to him and them, not to hold or resort thereto, under pain of seizing or forfeiting their Temporalties. 2ly. In presuming to make such Constitutions as these, not only without the privity or consent of the King, Lords and Commons of the Realm, very highly concerned in them, in their Liberties, Properties, Consciences, but in direct avowed opposition against them, having refused from time to time upon their Petitions, to grant what they here decreed, as themselves attest in their prologue, and that upon just grounds of law, prudence, policy, right, conscience. 3ly. In exempting their persons, lands, goods from all secular persons and Courts Jurisdictions by these Constitutions, whereto they prohibited any Clergyman to submit, under severest Ecclesiastical censures. 4ly. In subjecting not only the persons of all the Nobility, Commonalty to their Ecclesiastical Excommunications with bell, book and candle, and their Manors, Lands, Goods to their Interdicts, but even the King himself to their admonitions, and his Lands, Castles, Cities, Manors, Subjects to their arbitrary Interdicts in several cases, for opposing their transcendent, if not treasonable encroachments upon the Ecclesiastical & Civil Rights, Prerogatives of the Crown, the Laws and ancient Customs of the Realm, his Temporal Judges, Justices, Sheriffs, Bayliffs, Lay-Subjects Liberties, all prostituted to their exorbitant censures & arbitrary pleasures. 5ly. In inflicting severe penalties on all inferior Clergymen, who should not pursue, or violate these their Constitutions, by sequestrations, deprivations, disabilities to receive or enjoy any Ecclesiastical Benefices or Dignities whatsoever; & inflicting penalties on all such Bishops as should neglect or refuse to put them in execution. 6ly. In their most execrable abuse of Excommunications, Interdicts of whole Cities, Parishes, Villages from all sacred Ordinaries upon every trivial occasion, and conceived neglect or disobedience of some particular persons only, in not executing or opposing these their Constitutions; yea for the Kings, his Courts, Judges granting, and not recalling their legal Writs of Prohibition, Judgements, for defence of the Rights of the Crown, Laws, or Subject's Liberties, against their Papal Encroachments on them; and the Jurisdiction of all his Temporal Courts, in cases of Advousons' of Churches, Lay-fees, Chattels, Contracts, not properly belonging to Ecclesiastical cognisance, all which they endeavoured to engross into their own hands, Courts. 7ly. That though all the Bishops, Clergy, Prelates, Priors formerly * See here, p. 740, to 748, 751, 752, 762, 788, 789, 790, 793, 842. opposed Archbishop Boniface his Visitations and Encroachments on themselves, and publicly declaimed against him for his rapines, covetousness, violence, nonresidence, neglect of his Pastoral duty, oppression, and other vices, yet here they cried him up for another St. Thomas of Becket, and canonised him as a kind of Saint before his death, for these his Antimonarchical Constitutions in defence and advancement of the Prelates, Churches, Clergies pretended Liberties, and Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction, for which they would contest even to death under this their Martial General. 8ly. That though these Constitutions were kept secret, and not publicly divulged at first, (as Mat. Paris intimates) with a clause of adding to or substracting from them, to avoid the just censure of the King and Kingdom upon the makers of them, for their high contempts and treasonable designs against the King's Crown, Dignity, the ancient Laws, Customs Government of the Kingdom, which they would totally subvert; upon which account Joha Peckham Archbishop of Canterbury was complained against in Parliament, and enforced by the King and Lords to revoke sundry of his Constitutions made in the Council at ᵃ Rading under him, Anno 7 E. 1. with a deleatur, et pro non pronunciata a Claus. 7 E. 1 m. 1. dorso. See Ryleys Appendix, p. 442. Revocationes Provisionum Concilii Rading. habeatur, illa clausula in prima sententia Excommunicationis, quae facit mentionem impetrantibus Literas Regias ad impediendum processus, in causis quae per sacros Canones ad forum Ecclesiasticum pertinent, etc. (relating to these Constitutions of Boniface, than first divulged as I conceive) whose Canons were not altogether so high as these of Boniface; yet their ambitious successors, and some bold Doctors of the Canon and Civil Law, (as ᵇ Johannes de Aton, and ᶜ William Lindewode) presumed to publish them with their b Johannes de Aton Constit. f. 131. c Provincialis Guil. Lindewode, l. 5. De sententia Excommunicationis, f. 254. expunged, revoked Clauses, and Glosses on them, some ages after, endeavouring to make them obligatory both to the English Clergy, Church, Kings, Subjects, to create every Archbishop, Bishop, Archdeacon of England a Pope, and make the Kings, Nobles, Judges, Civil Officers, Courts of Justice, and Commonalty of England, little less than their slaves and vassals: Which Constitutions, though never submitted to, nor approved, but revoked, nulled by them, yet some aspiring Prelates, and bold ignorant Canonists of late times, have cried them up to be, and executed them as the Ecclesiastical Laws of England, though never received nor ratified as such, but always opposed in such manner as I have related; yea totally neglected, or seldom put in use in times of Popery by their makers, as Lindewode himself acknowledgeth in his Epistle to Henry Archbishop of Canterbury before his Provinciale. You may judge of these trees by their fruits, Ex cauda draconem. Praemoniti praemuniti. I now proceed to Records of this year. The Bishop of Durham having sequestered all Benefices of the Bishop of Karleol, within the Diocese of Durham, and the Guardian of the Bishopric of Karleol intending to sue out an Inhibition to take off the sequestration; the King issued this Writ to the Guardian to let all things continue at present in the state they then were, till the day he had appointed to hear and determine the business. REX Waltero de Rudham Custodi Episcopatus Karl. salutem. Quia diem pr●fiximus Claus. 41 H. 3. ●. 6. dors. Pro Episcopo Dunelm. Venerabili Patri Dunelm. Episcopo, usque ad Crastinum animarum prox▪ futur. super sequestris Ecclesiarum ad Episcopum Karl. spectantium quae sunt infra Dioc. dicti Dunolm. Episcopi, Ita quod sequestra illa interim in eodem statu in omnibus in quo nunc sunt remaneat, sine aliqua immutatione facienda, vel sine aliquo de praedictis sequestris hinc inde recipiendo. Vobis mandamus, quod sequestrum dictarum Ecclesiarum in statu in quo prius extitit esse permittatis in omnibus, absque aliqua injunctione inde facienda usque ad praefatum terminum, sicut praedictum est. Teste meipso apud Wodestock, 16 die Julii Anno regni nostri 41. Eodem modo mandatum est Vic. Northumbriae. He likewise made this Letter of procuration concerning his right to this Church of Karliol during the vacancy. REX Omnibus, etc. Noverit universitas vestra quod nos dilectum Clericum nostrum Ibidem. Pro Rege. Walterum de Rudham, & Johannem de Beleshall, nostros constituimus Procuratores, ad assidendum, petendum & recipiendum nomine nostro decimas, redditus seu pensiones nobis debitas ratione Episcopatus Karl. vacantis, & in manu nostra existentis, sive sint in Archiepiscopatu Eborum, sive Cicestrensi, sive Dunelm. Episcopatibus. Dantes eisdem vel eorum alteri potestatem & speciale mandatum pro statu nostro & suo Appellandi, & appellationem prosequendi coram quibuscunque Judicibus ordinariis seu Delegatis in cujus, etc. Teste ut supra. The Church of Colen wherein the three Kings were buried being burnt, the King issued this Writ to the Archbiship and Bishops to give way and furtherance for a Collection toward the repair thereof, and not to hinder it. Cum Ecclesia Coloniensis, in qua Corpora trium Regum beatorum requiescunt, per Pat. 41 H. 3. m. 11. dors. incendium inopinabili ac miserabili casu sit consumpta; Rex ad petitionem Conradi Archiepiscopi Colon. scribit Archiepiscopo Cantuar. et aliis Praelatis ac fide libus totius Angliae quod nuncios ipsius Fabricae, cum pro peteno● Subsidio ad ipsos venerint, benigne recipiant, et quod nullum eis inferant molestiam, etc. Pope Alexander being very prodigal of what he had no right to grant, and to grant the same thing to several persons, after he had granted King Henry the fruits of vacant Benefices and Ecclesiastical dignities in England and Ireland for five years, towards the Holy Wars, granted the Archbishop of Tuam in Ireland, formerly Dean of London, the profits of all Benefices before he was Archbishop for two years, not excepting his former grant to the King, whereupon the King issued this Writ to the Archbishop's Proctors, not to gather the said profits for the Archbp. threatening to call them to an account, and make them return what they had or should receive thereof. Pat. 41 H. 3. m. 13. intus, in Cedula. De negotio Crucis & Decimae. REX Procuratoribus Archiepiscopi Tuam. quondam Decani London. salutem. Cum Dominus Papa de fructibus dignitatum et aliorum Beneficiorum vacantium per annum habendis, ad prosecutionem voti nostri, usque ad quinquennium nobis gratiam fecerit specialem, ac sicut intellexinius, idem Dominus Papa praefato Archiepiscopo fructus Beneficiorum suorum per biennium sibi concesserat, nulla de privilegio super dictis fructibus nobis concessis facta pevitus mentione: vobis districtius inhibemus, ne ad fructus Decanatus et Praebendi London. aliorumque Beneficiorum, quae in Regno nostro ante suam promotionem in Archiepiscopum obtinebat praesumatis extendere manus vestras. Scituri, quod si secus praesumpseritis, nobis respondebitis de eisdem. Teste Rege apud Windes. 23. die Junii. The King this year commanded all the moneys raised or to be raised out of the vacancies of Bishoprics in his hands, to be paid to his Treasurer at the New Temple, towards the satisfaction of his debts, by these Letters Patents. REX Thesaurario Novi Templi London. salutem. Quia omnes exitus de Episcopatibus Pat. 41 H. 3. m. 5. intus. De Thesauro custodiendo apud Novum Templum London. & aliis custodiis in manu nostra existentibus provenientes, in certo loco volumus reservari, in solutionem quarundam debitorum nostrorum convertendos, nos de fidelitate & promptitudine vestra specialiter confidentes: Vobis mandamus rogantes, quod totam pecuniam quam Willielmus le Bretun, & Johannes blundel, custodes Episcopatus Norwicen. vacantis in manu nostra existentis, vel alii custodes vel Ballivi nostri vobis sub sigillis & clavibus suis liberaverint ad opus nostrum reservandam, salvo custodiatis in praedicta domo vestra sub sigillis & clavibus eorundem, donec aliud à nobis super hoc habueritis in mandatis. In cujus, etc. Teste Rege apud Wodest. 6. die Julii. Et mandatum est Willielmo le Bretun, & Johanni blundel, custodibus Episcopatus Norwicen. quod totam pecuniam per eos receptam & recipiendam de exitibus ejusdem Episcopatus, dum Episcopatus ille vacans fuerit, & in custodia sua liberent praefato Thesaurario, cui Rex mandavit, quod pecuniam illam recipiat & salvo custodiat donec Rex aliud eis super hoc dederit in mandatis. Teste ut supra; & sunt clausae. What wastes and spoils were then committed in vacant Bishoprics to raise moneys, you may conjecture by this relation. Eodem tempore, cum Monachi Elyenses suum Subpriorem, virum idoneum & irreprehensibilem Mat. Paris Hist. Angl. p. 913. Rex non accep. tavit electum Elyensem. ritè in suarum pastorem animarum ad officium Praesulatus Elyensis elegissent, Domini Regis, qui pro alio Literis suis & Nunciis solemnibus instanter postulaverat, voluntati non obsecundantes; Rex iratus valde, custodiam commisit, quasi lupo agnum esurienti, Johanni Valerano, qui lucos explanavit, homines depauperavit, Monachos damnificavit; ita ut viderentur omnia, contempto Dei timore et sanctorum reverentia, patere discrimini; et Ecclesiam ultimae subjacere servituti, et patere praedis violenter occupantibus. You had an account the year before, how expensive, troublesome the Pope's grant of the Kingdom of Sicily to King Henry's son Edmund proved to him, upon what cheating, hard, if not impossible terms it was granted, and what Letters passed between the King, Pope, Cardinals and his Legates concerning it: I shall now pesent you with further Transactions touching that affair, this year out of our Records, to the same effect. MEmorandum, quod privilegium Domini Innocentii Papae quarti, de dono quod fecit Pat. 41 H. 3. m. 6. Cedula dors. ejusdem. Domino Edmundo filio Regis Angliae, de Regno Siciliae, transmissum fuit per Alexandrum de Valeynes Cleric. Cancellar. Magistro Rustando, & Artaldo de Sancto Romano deferendum, Simoni de Monteforti, Comiti Lecestr. & Petro de Sabaudia, prout praedicti Petrus & Rustandus, consuluerunt. Ita quod si praedictus Comes Leycestriae & Petrus de Sabaudia, adeant personaliter Curiam Romanam profacto Siciliae, sicut Rex injunxit, tunc praedictum privilegium secum deferant. Et si non ●ant personaliter, tunc privilegium illud remittatur▪ Regi. Per Artaldum de Sancto Romano. REX Magistro Rustando & Artaldo de Sancto Romano, salutem. Mittimus vobis Ibidem. per Alexandrum de Valeynes Clericum Cancellariae nostrae, privilegium Domini Innocentii Papae quarti, de dono quod fecit nobis & Edmundo filio nostro de Regno Siciliae, sicut Petrus de Sabaud. & vos Magister Rostand. consuluistis deferendum Simoni de Monteforti Com. Leycestr. & praedicto Petro. Ita quod si iidem Comes Leyc. & Petrus de Sabaudia, personaliter adeant Curiam Romanam pro facto Siciliae, sicut nuper eis injunximus, tunc praedictum privilegium praedictis Com. & Petro liberetis secum ad Curiam deferendum. Si v●ro personaliter non ●ant ad Curiam, tunc vos Artoldo privilegium illud nobis salvo reportetis. Teste Rege apud Wodestock. 5. die Julii Anno Regni nostri 40. EOdem modo hoc idem mandatum est praedicto Artaldo perse, ut praedictum privilegium Ibidem. recipiat à praedicto Rostando, & illud tradat praedictis, Com. & Petro si procedant ad Curiam, alioquin illud privilegium Regi reportet sicut praedictum est. Teste ut supra. Surely this empty Privilege, and illegal, ridiculous grant, was not worth so much care and seriousness as this, being a mere cheat to drain the Kings and his subjects purses to fill the Pope's coffers. It seems that Rostand received it according to the King's directions, by this next Record. EXcellentissimo Domino suo H. Dei gratiâ Regi Angliae, etc. Magister Rostandus, Pat. 41 H 3. Dors. Cedulae 16. etc. salutem. Vestra noverit Celsitudo quod cum Dominus Artaldus de Sancto Romano transfretasset die Sabbati post Octobas Apostolorum Petri & Pauli, Alexandri de Valen. ad nos propter hoc accedente privilegium super concessione Regni Siciliae, Recepimus ab eodem & de ea faciemus prout vestra Celsitudo mandavit. Valeat excellentia vestra per tempora longiora. Dat. apud Roff. dicta die Sabbati. Ista litera tradita fuit, Petro de Winton. Clerico Garder. Regis custodienda. The King directed this gratulatory and supplicatory Letter, with sundry Letters of Procuration in his own and Sons name, to the Pope, touching his grant of Sicily to his Son, and a power to renounce his right thereto, if it should be expedient for the good of the Church of Rome. DOmino Papae Rex salutem, Cum omni reverentia & honore. Sanctitati vestrae Pat. 49 H. 3. m. 9 dors. Litera directa Papae de negotio Apull. gratiarum assurgimus uberimas actiones, quod talem & tantum virum, utique circumspectum Summae Religionis & prudentiae venerabilem patrem J. Archiepiscopum Messanen. vestri ac nostri honoris fervidum Zelatorem, pro negotio regni Siciliae, ad nos destinare curavit, qu●m ad benignitatis vestrae praesentiam de concilio Procerum & aliorum Nobilium Regni nostri remittimus, prout melius ad Ecclesiae Romanae, ac nostrum commodum & honorem potuimus feliciter expeditum. In praesentia quidem ipsius tractavimus & efficaciter ordinavimus, & de Capitaneo Nobili probo & aliis solempnibus nunciis, cum magna Summa pecuniae ad vestram Clementiam, destinandis habentibus plenariam potestatem faciendi omnia, quae nos ipsi faceremus fi praesentes essemus prout idem Archiepiscopus beatitudini vestrae plenius referre poterit viuâ voce; vestr● igitur Sanctitati, cum affectu quo possumus supplicamus quatenus memoratum negotium, pro quo tot sustinuistis labores, sumptus innumerabiles, faciendo manutenere velitis, et vestrae munificentiae gratiam affluentem, quam de praedicto regno in Edmundo Karissimo nato nostro vestra liberalitas nobis fecit, benevolo continuare curetis nullum negotii praedicti mutationem vel innovationem citra dictorum nunciorum adventum aliquatenus fieri patientes. Teste Rege apud Merton. 10. die May. Sub eadem forma mutatis mutands scribitur venerabili Cetui Cardinalium per Literas Clausas. SUmmo Pontifici ac Venerabili Cetui Cardinalium, H. Rex Angliae, etc. salutem. Ibidem. Cum reverentia & honore. Quia negotium Regni Siciliae plurimum residet cordi nostro, volentes ut foelicem sortiretur eventum, ecce quod juxta vestrum & Ecclesiae Romanae consilium, parati sumus cum Illustri Rege Francorum inire pacem & concordiam, ut per hoc vestro etiam mediante consilio, auxilio & favore praefatum negotium, negotium ad honorem Dei et Ecclesiae Romanae ac nostrum prosperis successibus convalescat. In cujus, etc. Teste ut supra. SUmmo Pontifici Rex, salutem. Noverit vestra paternitas quod nos venerabilem Ibidem. Patrem R. Taratasien. Archiepiscopum, Simonem de Monteforti Com. Leycestr. Petnum de Sabaudia, Joh. Mansill Thesaur. Ebor. quemlibet eorum insolidum nostro ac dilecti filii nostri Edmundi nomine Procuratores nostros & constituimus nuncios Speciales, dantes eis plenam ac liberam potestatem ac speciale mandatum componendi cum Ecclesia Romana super negorio Regni Siciliae, praefato filio nostro ab Apostolica sede concessi, prout ipsi melius viderint expedire: Ratum habituri quincquid per ipsos, & cum ipsis, vel per duos ipsorum factum fuerit in hac parte. In cujus etc. Teste ut supra. SUmmo Pontifici & Venerabili Cetui Cardinalium, H. Rex Angliae, etc. salutem. Ibidem. Noverit vestra paternitas reverenda quod nos venerabilem Patrem Taratasien. Archiepiscopum Simonem de Monteforti. Com. Leyc. Petrum de Sabaudia, & Joh. Mansell Thesaur. Ebor. nostro ac dilecti filii nostri Edmundi nomine procuratores nostros constituimus & Nuncios speciales, dantes eis plenam & liberam potestatem ac speciale mandatum renunciandi regno Siciliae nobis & dicto Edmundo ab Apostolico sede concesso si viderint expedire: Ratum habituri & firmum quicquid ipsi vel duo ipsorum nomine nostro & dicti Edmund. filii nostri super hoc duxerint faciendum. In cujus rei testimonium, tam pro nobis quam praedicto Edmundo praesentibus literis sigillum nostrum duximus apponendum. Teste Rege apud Windes. 28. die Junii. SUmmo Pontifici R. salutem. Cum reverentia quod nos Venerabilem Patrem R. Ibidem. Taratasien. Archiepiscopum, ac dilectos & fideles nostros Simonem de Monteforti Com. Leyc. Petrum de Sabaudia, & Johannem Mansell Thesaur. Eborum, procuratores nostros, quemlibet eorum in solidum constituimus & Nuncios speciales, videlicet ad petendum à vestrae Clementia Sanctitatis meliorationem & reformationem Conditionum in privilegio Apostolico contentarum super concessione Regni Siciliae dilecto filio nostro Edmundo facta, & ad tractandum de novis conditionibus apponendis obligandique nos & eundem filium nostrum ad observandas easdem subquibuscunque modis pactis, aut etiam Juramentis prout ipsi vel alter eorum viderint expedire. In cujus, etc. Teste Rege apud Windes. 28. die Junii. REX Universis Christi fidelibus praesentes Literas inspecturis vel audituris, salutem. Ibidem. Noverit universitas vestra quod nos Venerabilem Patrem● R. Taratasien. Archiepiscopum, Simonem de Monteforti Com. Leyc. Petrum de Sabaud. & Johannam Mansell Thesaur. Eborum nostro ac dilecti filii nostri Edmundi nomine procuratores nostros constituimus & Nuncios speciales; Dantes eye plenam & liberam potestatem ac speciale mandatum tractandi, componendi, cum Ecclesia Romana super negotia Regni Siciliae & ad mutuum recipiend. & ad omnia alia facienda nomine nostro & dicti Edmundi filii nostri, pro praedicto negotio & aliis quae sibi injunximus expediend. in Curia Romana, quae nos ambo facere possemus, si praesentes essemus & ad praestandum in animas nostras cujuslibet generis Sacramentum. Ratum & firmum habituri quicquid ipsi omnes vel duo ipsorum nomine nostro & dicti Edmundi, super praemissis duxerint faciendum. In cujus rei testimonium, tam pro nobis quam praedicto Edmundo filio nostro, praesentibus literis sigillum nostrum duximus apponendum. Teste ut supra. SAnctissimo in Christo Patri ac Domino Alexandro Dei gratia sacrosanctae Romanae Ibidem. Ecclesiae Summo Pontifici, * He reckoned therein before his Host. Edmundus eadem gratia Rex Siciliae, devota Pedum Oscula beatorum. Noverit vestra paternitas reverenda, quod nos dilectos nostros venerabilem Patrem Taratas. Archiepiscopum ac nobiles viros Simonem Com. Leic. Petrum de Sabaud. & Johannem Mansell, quemlibet in solidum de mandato & Authoritate Domini Patris nostri H. Dei gratia Regis Angliae Illustris procuratores nostros constituimus & nuncios speciales, videlicet ad petendum à vestra clementia Sanctitatis meliorationem & reformationem conditionum in privilegio Apostolico contentarum, super concessione praefati Regni Siciliae nobis facta, & ad tractandum de novis conditionibus apponendis; obligandumque nos ad observandas easdem sub quibuscunque modis, pactis, aut etiam juramentis prout ipsi vel alter eorum viderint expedire. Ratum promittentes nos habituros et flrmum quicquid per ipsos et cum ipsis vel quolibet eorum in solidum factum fuerit in praemissis. In cujus rei testimonium Bullam nostram auream praesentibus duximus apponendum. Dat. Windes. 26. die Junii, Anno gratiae 1257. & Anno Regni nostri secundo. REX Simoni de Monte forti Com. Leic. & Petro de Sabaud. salutem. Licet diligenter Pat. 41 H. 3. in Cedula. Litera directa Com. Leic. & P. de Sabaud. institerimus pro Magistro N. de Plimpton, & Johanne Clarell, vobiscum mittend. ad Curiam Romanam, neutrum tamen ipsorum, seu alium Clericum idoncum potuimus obtinere; Unde per dilectum Clericum nostrum Artaldum de Sancto Romano, diversa paria Literarum Patentium ex ordinatione Magistri Rostandi confecta Domino Papae & Cardinalibus, ac similiter universis directarum, tam super melioratione conditionum facti Siciliae, quam super renunciatione ejusdem Regni ex parte nostra et Edmundi filii nostri facienda, vobis mittimus, una cum quadam provisione, sigillo nostro signata, quam idem Magister super diversis Articulis ordinavit: quibus omnibus inspectis & diligenter intellectis c●mmunicato etiam consilio Episcopi Wygorn. praedicti Magistri & aliorum de Consilio nostro apud vos existentium faciatis, super hiis prout honori et utilitati nostrae et hujusmodi negotii expeditioni videritis melius expedire, quia haec omnia vestrae discretioni totaliter committimus. Ad haec mittimus vobis viginti Cedulas Albas & vacuas sigillo nostro signatas, & octo paria Cedularum Albarum sigillo Edmundi filii nostri signatarum, una cum decem Albis Chartis vacuis auro Bullatis, sub nomine Edmundi filii nostri, sicut nuper vobis praesentibus fuit provisum, quas omnes Cedulas praedictas si personaliter ad Curiam iveritis, quod petimus modis omnibus, pro munere speciali vobiscum deferatis, alioquin quod absit, praedictas Cedulas damnatas nobis remittatis, nisi fortè aliquas pro novis Procuratoriis faciendis retinueritis, quas in praesentia vestra statim conscribi faciatis, prout videritis melius expedire. Caeterum jam obtinuimus licet cum magna difficultate, quod Episcopus Bathon. concessit ire ad Curiam Romanam pro negotio praedicto, quem ad vos in Franc. destinamus, super praemissis omnibus & aliis nobis voluntatem vestram significetis. Teste meipso apud Rading, 28. die Junii, Anno Regni nostri 41. He likewise issued this Patent for provision of moneys for these his Proctors and Commissioners sent to Rome, to treat with the Pope about the Kingdom of Sicily, out of their Collections of the Dimes granted him for relief of the Holy Land. REX Collectoribus pecuniae Crucis & Decimae in Provincia Eboram, salutem. Pat. 41 H. 3. m▪ 6. intus. Cum de Consilio nostro jam sit provisum, quod tota pecunia Crucis & Decimae praedictae, & ex quacunque alia causa tàm ex beneficiis vacaturis, quam ex aliis gratiis, nobis â sede Apostolica concessis proveniens, usque ad summam viginti millium Marcarum assignetur Magnetto Spinae & sociis suis, Dentegto Guilli & sociis suis, & Hugoni Maze & sociis suis, Civibus & Mercatoribus Florent. ad liberand. in Curia Romana dilectis & fidelibus nostris Simoni de Monte forti, Petro de Sabaudia, & Johanni Mansell Thesaur. Eborum, quos in Nuncium nostrum pro negotio Regni Siciliae ad praedictam Curiam, in brevi missuri sumus, vel illis quos ad Curiam Romanam pro eodem negotio venire contigerit: Vobis mandamus, quod totam pecuniam praedictam quam penes vos habetis, & quam inde recepturi estis, habere faciatis praedictis Mercatoribus ad liberandum praefatis Nunciis nostris, vel illis quos ad praedictam Curiam venire contigerit, pro expeditione negotii memorati, donec à nobis aliud inde receperitis in mandatis, nos enim solutionem quam praedictis Mercatoribus feceritis de pecunia praedicta ratam habebimus & acceptam. In cujus rei testimonium, etc. Teste Rege apud Windes. 24. die Junii. Per Regem & Consilium suum. Consimiles Literae diriguntur Collectoribus in Dioc▪ Winton. Collectoribus in Dioc. Lincoln. Collectoribus in Dioc. Landaven. Collectoribus in Dioc. Bathon. Collectoribus in Dioc. de Sancto Asaph. Collectoribus in Dioc. Lincoln. Collectoribus in Dioc. Ebor. Collectoribus in Dioc. Meneven. Collectoribus in Dioc. Coventr. & Litchf. Collectoribus in Dioc. Karleol. Collectoribus in Dioc. Bangor. Collectoribus in Dioc. Roffen. Collectoribus in Dioc. Cicestren. Collectoribus in Dioc. Cantuar. Collectoribus in Dioc. Wygorn, Collectoribus in Dioc. Norwicen. Collectoribus in Dioc. Hereford. Memorandum, quod omnes istae Literae processerunt de consilio Petri de Sabaud. S. de Monte forti Com. Leic. Episcopi Wygorn. Magistri Rostandi, & aliorum de Consilio Regis. As the last Writs assure us of the collecting of this Disme, so these ensuing, and some of the preceding will inform us, how the moneys collected for the pretended supply of the Holy Land, were disposed of to other ends by the Kings, Popes, and Rustands will, whose account of part of these moneys is thus recorded. IN Dei Nomine Amen, Anno ejusdem 1256. 12. Kalend. Martii, 14. Indict. in Pat. 41 H. 3▪ m. 13. dors. praesentia Venerabilis viri Magistri Rostandi Domini Papae Capellani, negotii Crucis executoris in Regno, & in terris illustris Regis Angliae, à sede Apostolica de ipsius Regis consilio, deputati Magistri Sincii Clerici Camerae ipsius Domini Papae, Hugoictonis Mattae, Civis & Mercator. Florent. mei Johannis Notarii, & aliorum testium subscriptorum ad hoc specialiter vocatorum & rogatorum, facto compoto per Magistros Bernardum Senen. Nicholaum de Plumpton, Domini Papae Capellanos, & Wiliielmum de Lichfend, Canonicum Sancti Pauli London. super eo quod receperant de mandato ac vice praedicti Magistri Rostandi, ab octavo die Junii tempore quo ipse super hoc commiserat eye vices suas, usque ad diem expressum superius quo iste compotus fuit factus, recognoverunt & ostenderunt praedicti Commissarii, se recepisse & habuisse à diversis Collectoribus Decimae proventuum Ecclesiast corum, & pecuniae Crucis illustri Regi Angliae, à sede Apostolica concessa, tria millianongentas & quinquaginta duas marcas sterlingorum, quatuor solid. ob. & ferlingum, de qua summa solverunt apud Novum Templum London. Magistro Rostando praedicto, per manus praedictorum Symcii & Hugoictonis, de mandato ejusdem Regis, Ecclesiae Romanae, & ipsius Regis, duo millia sexcentas & octo marcas, tresdecim solidos, unum denar. & ob. Et ostenderunt & probarunt per compotum se solvisse, mille trescentas quadraginta tres marcas; quatuor solid. quatuor denar. & ob. diversis cum Hermin● Hermini Raynerio Barbotti, & sociis suis Civibus & Mercatoribus Senator pro expensis eis à Domino Rege & Magistro Rostando concessis & quibusdam Commissar. praedicti Magistri R. exequentibus negotium Crucis cum quibusdam monetae in supplimentum & recompensationem debiti in quo fuerint eadem Monasteria, per Venerabilem Patrem Episcopum Herefordens. ultra valorem decimarum suarum per quinquenium in Romana Curia obligata de summa Trium Millium nongentarum quinquaginta duarum Marcarum quatuor solid. ob. & ferling. unde praedictus Magister Rostand. Authoritate & Vice Domini Papae de praedict. Dom. Reg. praedictos Magistros P. N. & W. absolvit, liberavit & quietos vocavit & per praesens Instrumentum plenam fecit refutationem exceptioni non numeratae non solutae & non traditae sibi pecuniae penitus renunciando. Acta fuerit omnia supradicta in Camera praedicti Magistri Rostandi in domo Episcopi Hereford. London. coram hiis. Testibus scilicet Johanne de Stella Presbytero Magistro Fide Notar. Sen. Karlino & Hugetto Civibus & Mercatoribus Florent. & pluribus aliis. In cujus rei testimonium sigilla Domini Regis, & Magistri Rostandi praesentibus sunt appensa. Et ego Johannes de Sancto Rinuerio Imperiali Authoritate Notarius hiis omnibus interfui, & de mandat. praedict. Magistri Rostandi, & ad preces praedict. in publicam formam redegi. REX Universis, etc. cum discretus vir Magister Rostandus Domini Papae, etc. negotii Pat. 41 H. 3. m. 6. Cedula. De Magistro Rustando. Crucis executor de manibus domini Papae per manus dilecti nostri Magistri Sinicii Clerici camerae, Domini Papae ac familiaris nostri & Hug. Mere. Cives & Mercatores Florent. aliorumque receperit nonnullas pecuniarum summas, tam de decima quam de pecunia Crucis nobis ad prosecutionem voti nostri ab Apostolica sede concessi à diversis Collectoribus pecuniarum ipsarum, de qua omni pecunia satisfec. diversis Mercatoribus quibus tenebamur, & alias expendit ad exonerationem nostram pro negotio Rgni Siciliae, sicut in Compoto quem idem reddidit de mandato nostro Philippo Luvell. Thesaur. nostro plenius continetur, & de quibus idem Thesaur. poenes se rotulos retinuit, noshujusmodi compotum ratum & gratum habentes praefatum Magistrum Rostandum, quantum ad eundem compotum & ad ea quae in ipso compoto continentur ne idem ad hoc imposterum teneatur absolvimus & imperpetuum liberamus. In cujus, etc. Teste Rege apud Windesore 28. die Junii. Anno 41. REX Hug. Mace, Maineto Spine, & Denteito Mercatoribus Florentin. salutem. Pat. 41 H. 3. m. 6. Cedula. De negotio Crucis. Mandamus vobis quatenus de pecunia Decimae Collectae seu etiam colligendae quam vobis per Collectoresipsius decimae mandavimus assignari, pro expensis illorum qui de mandato nostro pro negotio Regni Sicil. ad Curiam Romanam accederent libertatis 40. Marcas discreto viro Magistro Rostando, Domini Papae Subdiacono, et Cap. de mandato nostro ad Curiam pro dicto negotio Regni Sicil. accedenti, Nos enim quantum ad hujusmodi pecuniae summam vos absolvimus & etiam liberamus. Teste ut supra. The King drew up these further Letters, Procurations and instructions, to his Procurators and Commissioners, setting forth the great exigencies wherein he and his Kingdom were involved, and his great obligations to the Pope heretofore, as inducements for to moderate the harsh conditions required from him and his Son, touching the vast sums of moneys, a Captain and forces, then demanded for the business of Sicily and Apulia. SAnctissimo Patri ac Domino Alexandr. Dei gratiâ, Sacro Sanctae Romanae Ecclesiae, Pat. 41 H 3. m. 6. in Cedula. summo Pontifici Henr. eadem gratia Rex Angliae, etc. devota pedum oscula beatorum. Non sine gratiarum actione quas sanctitati vestrae referimus frequenter, inter nos cogitamus qualiter nobis in Karissimo filio nostro. Edmudo gratiam facientes, Regnum Ecclesiae sibi & haeredibus suis liberaliter contulistis, sub certis conditionibus per nos, et per ipsum inviolabiliter observandis, propter quod saepe et sepius tractavimus, ut sicut tenebamur dicto negotio succuramus et debita Ecclesiae solveremus et Capitaneum cum Militia competenti mitteremus ibidem; et licet in solutione debitorum aliquatenus sit processum, non tamen ad plenum juxta desiderium cordis nostri, cum super Decima et aliis gratiis nobis ab Apostolica sede concessis, multas contradictiones per Praelatos et Clericos Regni nostri habuerimus et adhuc incessanter habemus, sed nec circa Capitaneum destinandum intentionis nostrae desiderium hactenus potuimus adimplere, tum quia secundum tenorem conditionum in vestro privilegio contentarum, prius ad solvenda universa debita Ecclesiae arctabamur. Et cum etiam hoc non obstante de vestra misericordia confidentes nuper sicut per venerabilem patrem Archiepiscopum Messan. vobis scripsimus, ordinavissemus nobilem virum Dominum H. de Castilia fratrem illustris Regis Castellae ad partes illas transmittere cum magna pecuniae quantitate, supervenit in Regno nostro quaedam repentè turbatio, videlicet quod Wallenses qui nobis & progenitoribus nostris olim subjecti ac devoci fuere, maligno ducti spiritu contra nos rebellare damnabiliter praesumentes, hominibus nostris & terris damna plurima intulerunt. Cui morbo tam pestilenti obviare volentes contra dictos rebelles in manu forti accingimur pestem tàm damnosam tamque detestabilem extra terminos Regni nostri eliminare volentes, propter quod hac aestate sicut firmiter credebamus, Capitaneum in Regnum Apuliae mittere non valemus. Caeterum quia ex parte Ecclesiae prosecutio memorati negotii omnimodam celeritatem, desiderat quae propter moram nostram, licet sine culpâ, in grave Ecclesiae Romanae & nostrum praejudicium existit protelata, nolentes ulte●●us quod occasione nostri gratia quam sedes Apostolica ex sincera affectione fil o nostro fecistas, et nos ex pura devotione suscepimus, in damnum Ecclesiae et nostrum posset ulterius retorqueri, dilectos et fideles Nuncios nostros. (there is a blank left for the names) ad vestram praesentiam destinamus, qui super statu nostro voluntate ac potestate nostra vestrae Clementiae plenius veritatem exponent, quâ si placet intellecta ad plenam ad honorem sacrosancta Ecclesiae Romanae considerationis oculum dirigentes de praefato negotio taliter ordinare velitis, quod nos, haeredesque nostri, ac totum Regnum Angliae devotione solita Ecclesiae Romanae semper obediamus nec occasione istius negotii ex quo nobis nullus fructus advenit deinceps jacturam aliquam incurramus; peusantes▪ quod si ad prosecutionem istius negotii sub diversis poenis nos astrinximus Affectionis et devotionis sinceritatis, quam ad Ecclesiam Romanam matrem nostram semper habuimus, non emolumenti temporalis cupiditas fuit in causa, et quid ultra cum de sede Apostolica singularem confidentiam habemus, quae semper nobis astitit in adversis, et per quam tam a nostris quam ab extraneis infestati, Alterius auxilio non suffulti hostium versutias evasimus, de ipsis laudabiliter triumphantes, statum nostrum siliorumque nostrorum, ac ipsius negotii quantum ad jus nobis dictoque Edmundo nato nostro in ipso Regno quaesitum, ac omnia alia ipsum negotium contingentia vestrae supponimus misericordiae; supplicantes affectione promptissima, quatenus non ad necessitates vestras, sed potius ad devotionem nostram respectum habentes, memoratum negotium fine laudabili consumeretis. Nos enim gratum et ratum habebimus quicquid vestra Clementia de Consilio Cardinalium vestrorum super hoc duxerit ordinandum. Teste ut supra. Si Domini Com. Leic. & P. de Suband. vadant ad Curiam, ipsi plenam secum deferent potestatem ordinandi de toto negotio. Si ipsi non vadant & alii transmittantur, Dominus Rex, filii sui, ac totum ipsius Consilium in has vias consentiunt, ut si possibile fuerit procuretur. Quod illa poena in privilegio magno contenta, scilicet Quod si Rex non solverit vel non miserit, aut non venerit, in potestate solius Domini Papae sit cassare, et iritare et irritum Nunciare quod per ipsum et fratres suos factum est de negotio memorato. Nota. ● Et quod nihilominus Rer sit excommunicatus, Regnumque Angliae interdictum, tollatur omnino. Et si poenis ipsis sublatis vult Dominus Papa Donationem factam Domino Edmundo per Dominum Innocentium, & per seipsum servare, vel de novo sub aliis tolerabilibus concedere, vel salem quod tollatur poena annullationis, et remane at poena interdicti, benè quidem; si verò Papa nec antiquam donationem vult servare, nec novam facere nisi sub eisdem poenis, proroget terminos ne negotium rumpatur, ut interim cum voluntate Ecclesiae tractetur de pace inter Regem & Manfredum; videlicet, ut principatus & aliae terrae quas idem Manfredus habebat ante privationem suam sibi remaneant, & restituat Domino Edmundo; pro quo faciendo, Dominus Edmundus accipiat Manfredi filiam in uxorem, vel fiat Matrimonium, et Manfredus teneat Regnum quousque de proventibus ipsius Regni, soluta fuerint debita Ecclesiae in quibus Rex Angliae tenetur. Quibus solutis praeteritas quas ante privationem suam habebat Domino Edmundo totum restituat statim, caveat per obsides & per traditionem forteliciarum suarum de tunc restituendo Regnum, ut dictum est. Si verò cum Manfredo nulla compositio potest fieri, nec Papa vult facere quod superius est praemissum, componat cum Ecclesia altero trium modorum. Quod si Ecclesia alii conferat Regnum a quo habeat debita sua, restituat Regi Angliae quod per ipsum solutum est, et Rex renunciet omni juri quod ipse et filius suus habuit in Regno; vel si non detur Regnum alicui, aut tali qui non solvat debita, habeat Ecclesia terram laboris, et Rex residuum; Ita quod Ecclesia liberet Regem a debitis non usurariis quae debentur. Camerae debita vero quae debentur Mercatoribus Rex solvat, sed ad hoc inducias habeat donec adeptus fuerit possessionem Regni Siciliae, ut de pecunia interim in Angliae colligenda Guerram faciat contra Manfredum, nec tamen teneatur ad debita illa solvenda sub poenis illis quibus nunc est astrictus; vel si Ecclesia non vult hoc facere, fiat compositio ut deinceps occasione istius negotii dominus Rex haeredesque sui in nullo teneantur sed penitus ab obligationibus et poenis sint liberi immunes et gratiae domino regi concessae ad prosecutionem voti sui ultra mare in sua remaneant firmitate: sive si proficiscatur ultra mare, sive non, sed melius videtur antequam ista ultima via fiat, quod Dominus Rex scribat Domino Papae, & fratribus significando eis qualiter istud negotium ex devotione suscepit, & quomodo semper fervens fuit ad negotium prosequendum, sed multa impedimenta habuit ex parte illa, & ex parte ista. Nam quia ista gratia sibi facta fuit, totum Regnum fere ab Ecclesia tenebatur, & postea sine culpa ipsius est amissum. Ex parte ista quia habuit guerram in Wasconiae, & nunc de novo Wallenses contra ipsum rebellare ceperunt. Exponatque eis qualiter de novo ordinavit ut de bonis suis ad istius negotii— pecunia habeatur & commodum, gravat se pro isto negotio componendo, cum Rege Franciae, & intellecta veritate super potestate ipsius Regis, supponat totum negotium Principale ordinationi et voluntati Domini Papae, et Cardinalium, ut ipsi de negotio ordinent et disponant sicut ad honorem Dei, Ecclesiae Romanae, ipsius Regis, et Domini Edmund. quem in plerisque Literis Regem Siciliae vocaverunt, viderint expedire. Ex hoc enim forte Ecclesia honori suo & ipsius Regis volens consulere, tractabit cum Domino Rege Aleman. de aliquo subsidio sibi & Domino Edmund. praestando; vel datur potestas illis qui ibuut ad Curiam componendi cum Ecclesia de Consilio venerabilium Patrum Dominorum Hugonis Petri Capucii, & Ottoboni Cardinalium. Istam Chartam petunt Nuncii sigillari sigillis Dominorum Regis, Edwardi & Edmundi. Memorandum, quod haec omnia scripta superius irrotulata de facto Siciliae, & ordinata per Magistrum Rustandum cum vigintis Cedulis albis & vacuis sigillo Regis sigillatis, & octo Cedulis vacuis sigillo Domini Edwardi sigillatis, & decem Cedulis vacuis Bulla aurea Bullatis, sub nomine Domini Edmundi filii Regis tradita fuerunt Artaldo de Sancto Romano ad portandum Parisiis Domino Comiti Leyc. & Domino P. de Sabaud. quos Rex deposuit mittere ad Curiam Romanam, pro facto Regni Siciliae. Ita scilicet, quod praedicti Com & Petrus de scriptis aliis, & Cedulis vacuis praedictis si ad Curiam Romanam accedant, ordinent & disponant prout honori Regis & utilitati negotii Sicil. viderint expedire; si autem praedicti Comes, & P. Curiam Romanam ire noluerint, omnes praedictae Cedulae vacuae dampnentur, & Regi in Angliam transmittantur, prout in literis inferius irrotulatis quas Rex per praedictum Artalduu● misit praedictis Comiti & Petro plenius continetur. What the Parliament of England; thought of these conditions imposed on the King and Realm, and the great sums wherein the King was engaged by the Pope for the gaining of the Kingdom of Sicila for his Son Edmund, Matthew Paris thus relates. Eodem anno, in medio Quadragesimae, factum est magnum Parliamentum. In Mat. Paris Hist. p. 917. Parliamento autem supradicto nondum finito, Rex in audientia totius populi▪ Magnum Parliamentum. adducto monstratoque omnibus Edmundo, quem protulerat in medium vestitum indumento Apulensi, ait; Videte fideles mei filium meum Edmundum, quem Dominus ad Regalis excellentiae dignitatem gratuita gratia vocavit, quam manifestus est, quam dignus favore universorum; & quam inhumanus, quam Tyrannicus foret, qui eidem consilium & auxilium in hoc articulo denegaret efficax & opportunum. Et addidit, asserens, quod de consilio et benigno favore Papae et Ecclesiae Anglicanae, ad Regnum Siciliae acquirendum se obligavit, sub poena Regni sui amittendi, ad solutionem Centum Millium Marcarum, et Quadraginta Millia Marcarum, exceptis usuris, quae quotidie non minimum suscipiunt, licet tacitum, incrementum. Item decimas totius Cleri impetravit generales, per quinquennium continuandas; omnium videlicet beneficiorum suorum, secundum novas taxationes aestimandas, nullis deductis expensis, nisi necessario faciendis. Item fructus omnium Ecclesiasticorum beneficiorum vacatorum primi anni, usque ad quinquennium. His auditis, omnium aures tinniebant, et corda vehementer obstupuerunt, maxime cum scirent hanc Tyrannidem a Papa exordium praesumpsisse. Tandem licet cum lachrymis excusationes praetenderent, & inducias postulassent remissionis, nec poterant quomodolibet obtinere, promiserunt Regi ad suas instantes necessitates. Et tamen conditione addita, ut Magnain Chartam toties promissam, emptam, et redemptam, ex tunc inviolabiliter observaret, et parceret ipsos tam argumentose praedando laedere et depauperare, quinquaginta duo Millia Marcarum, in irrestaurabile dampnum Ecclesiae Anglicanae. Nec tamen adhuc donum tam opimum Rex dicitur acceptasse. His expenses and debts at that time being excessively great. Expensae tunc temporis Mat. Paris Hist. p. 918. (sicut à fide dignis Clericis conclavis, qui super hoc rotulos revolverant, & summas diligenter computaverint) Domini Regis, postquam coeperat esse Regni dilapidator, Summa inutilium expensarum Regis. probatae sunt ascendere ad octies Centum Millia Marcarum, & Centum & Quinquaginta Millia Marcarum, quod est horribile cogitatu. Quia Regnum Angliae nunquam de tanto thesauro aliquod sumpsit incrementum, imo potius decrementum. Melius enim tibi foret amisisse gladium vel sagittam, in profundo maris cadentem, quam inimicus tuus ipsa à te éxtorsisset. How Rustands Commissioners seized the goods of persons pretended to die intestate, and how the King upon cautions given, commanded such sequestrations in some cases to be suspended, this Record will evidence. REX dilectis Clericis suis Willielmo de Lichesfield, & Nicholas de Plymton, gerentibus Claus. 40 H. 3. m. 12. dorso. Vices Magistri Rostandi, etc. salutem. Ostensum est nobis ex parte A. Wynton▪ Electi, quod cum Magister Emericus Curtin, clericus suus, nuper in fata concessisset, vos occasione gratiae nobis à sede Apostolica de inistincte Legatis concessae, bona ejusdem defuncti tàm in pecunia, quam aliis rebus sequestrari fecistis. Et ideo vobis mandamus, quod accepta sufficienti Cautione à Magistro Petro Lamberto Clerico praefati Electi, quod idem Electus in reversione sua in Angliam de partibus transmarinis, vel executores Testamenti praedicti Magistri Emerici sufficienter ostendent, ipsum defunctum condidisse Testamentum de bonis & Catallis praedictis, vel quod satifaciant vobis de indistinctè Legatis in Anglia, de quibus ratione officii vobis injuncti sequestrationem fecistis; si forte idem Magister Emericus intestatus decesserit, dicto Magistro Petro bona & Catalla praedicti defuncti quae sequestrari fecistis sine dilatione restituatis nomine dicti Electi, cujus Literas Patentes idem Magister Petrus habet poenes se de restitutione bonorum dicti defuncti sibi facienda. Teste Rege apud Windes. 27. die Jan. Anno 41. What contest there happened this year about the Election of Bishops, and what a Power the King claimed, executed therein, these Records and historical passages will certify us. The Monks of Ely having Elected Hugh Balsham their Subprior for their Bishop, with more haste, and less respect to the King then was usual and requisite, and the King deeming him an unfit person, resused to give his royal assent to his Election appealing against it, and commanded the Archbishop by this Writ, not to consecrate or admit of his Election, wherein if the Monks should prevail, they would deprive him of that Prerogative in all Elections of this kind, which himself and his ancestors had enjoyed. REX B. Archiepiscopo Cantuar. salutem. Cum progenitores nostri Claus. 40 H. 3. m. 14. dors. Reges Angliae, Episcopatus Regni Angliae libere consuevissent conferre, ac posteagratis * See here p. 336. 337, 338. concessissent, quod Cathedrales et Conventuales Ecclesiae liberas haberent Electiones, salvis tamen eisdem progenitoribus nostris et eorum Haeredibus precibus suis justis et honestis, de viris prudentibus et idoneis ibidem praeficiendis, Prior & Monachi Elienses nuper Episcopo destituti alium sibi eligere volentes ante adventum Nunciorum nostrorum, quorum praesentia tàm ibi quam alibi ubi electiones fiunt, expectari consuevit, ad videndum et procurandum quod talis eligeretur, qui nobis et Regno nostro fidelis et utilis, et regimini Ecclesiae idoneus existeret, perperam, et inproviso, nullo ad eligendum termino assignato, & corde Episcopi sui jam defuncti nondum sepulturae tradito, nulloque ad nos respectu habito, fratrem Hugonem de Balsham superiorem suum, virum insufficientem & penitus inutilem, necnon & servilis conditionis ut dicitur, sibi in Episcopum elegerunt, propter quod ex parte nostra fuit in scriptis appellatum, prout habito super hoc tractatu cum consilio nostro vobis in proximo plenius constare faciemus. Et quia si praesens negotium, quod ita nobis cordi, est ad vota Monachorum procederet, tanta nobis et haeredibus nostris immineret exhaeredatio, et Regiae dignitatis offenla, quod omnes Ecclesiae Cathedrales in quibus Religiosi potestatem Nota. obtinent eligendi, nobis invitis et precibus nostris et haeredum nostrorum penitus exclusis, objectis etiam et recusatis nobilioribus et peritioribus Elericis qui ad Pontificalem dignitatem provehi solent, et quorum consilio et industria ardua Regni et Ecclesiae negotia tractari saluberius consueverunt, exse ipsis exemplo consimili sibi Episcopum assumerent, in nostri grave dispendium et contemptum ac ad retardationem promotionis hujusmodi nobilium et prudentum manifestam, quod nos pro nullo vivente temporibus nostris fieri permittemus; Nec vos ratione haeredum nostrorum qui vos idemptitate sanguinis contingunt debetis diebus vestris aliquatenus sustincre. Ad haec quia Daci & saxons Regibus Angliae Guerras olim inferentes in partibus Elienfibus Regnum nostrum invadere & ingredi consueverunt, per quod idem Regnum multotiens extitit gravissimis periculis expositum, & ad quod vitandum summè nobis foret necessarium, quod talis et nobis tam fidelis, et de quo ut de nobis confidere possemus Ecclesiae Elyensi praeficeretur in Pastorem, Paternitatem vestram, de qua in Conservatione juris nostri et Haeredum nostrorum plenam prae aliis gerimus confidentiam, rogamus et requirimus attente, in fide et dilectione quibus nobis tenemini, quatenus praemissa omnia plenius attendentes et pensatis periculis et damnis quae ex praedicto facto Elyensi si effectum quod absit, sortiretur, nobis et Haeredibus nostris processu temporis possent imminere, illud negotium nobis admodum praejudiciale, quantum in vobis est faciatis et procuretis penitus adnullari. Teste etc. 22. die Novemb. apud Wintoniam. Sub eadem forma scribitur Willielmo Bonquer. mandando ei, quod Domino Papae et Cardinalibus factum istud totaliter exponat, diligenter et caute procurans erga ipsos et alios quos noverit expedire, quod factum istud Regi et Regno tam dampnosum et praejudiciale funditus adnulletur. Teste ut supra. REX Archiepiscopo Cantuar. salutem. Quia assensum Regium Electioni Claus. 40 H. 3. m. 14. dorso. quae dicitur facta in Ecclesia Elyensi vacante ex certis causis non duximus adhibendum. Magistrum Stephanum de Frenese, & Johannem de Liac. Clericum procuratores nostros constituimus, utrumque eorum in solidum ad ponendum coram vobis nostro nomine contra Electum & Electionem praedictam, prout sibi nomine nostro viderint expedire, promittentes nos ratum & firmum habituros quicquid peripsum vel ipsos nomine nostro super praemissis factum fuerit seu procuratum. In cujus, etc. Teste Rege apud Merton. 3. die Januarii. Et sub hac forma scribitur Archiepiscopo per literas Clausas. Quare Paternitatem vestram rogamus, quatenus eidem Electo & parti suae praefigatis certum terminum pro vestra voluntate & prout ad vos pertinet, ad examinandum negotium Electionis praedictae ut ibi faciamus per nostros proponi quod juri et dignitati nostrae videbitur convenire. Est quid super hoc vestra Paternitas duxerit faciendum, nobis sine morae dispendio significare velitis. Telie ut supra. The issue of this Election was this; upon the Bishop elect his appeal to Rome, he was confirmed there by the Pope, as Matthew Paris relates. Dominus Rex qui Dominum Henricum de Wengham, sigilli sui bajulum promovere Mat. Paris Hist. p. 907, 906. Subprior Elyensis eligatur in Episc. See Godwins Catalogue of Bishops, p. 209, 210. eupiebat, speciales literas supplicatorias & solemnes Nuncios Conventui Elyensi direxit; petens urgenter et instanter, ut dictum Dominum Henricum in Episcopum et suarum eligerent Pastorem animarum. Conventus autem considerans notitiam sui Superioris, secundum illud Ethnicum, Ignotum tibi tu noli praeponere noti●. Ipsum memoratum suum Priorem, Hugonem videlicet de Belesale, in suum Episcopum elegerunt. Rex autem iratus forte pro repulsa, Electum non acceptavit, et quibusdam Cavillatoriis exceptionibus ipsum refutavit. Praecepitque, vel conniventibus oculis permisit, ut Johannes Wallerannus, cui custodiam Episcopatus illius commiserat, sylvas explanans, omnia devastaret, & Episcopatum suis bonis graviter viduaret. Quod plenius quam permissum fuerat aut concessum, factum est, ita ut inimici Episcopatus lachrymari possent, & beatam Etheldredam ad vindictam provocari. Die verò Sanctorum Gordianis & Epimachi, Rege & Archiepiscopo Cantuariensi Mat. Paris Hist. p. 921. Cassatio electi Elyensis. vigilanter procurantibus, cassatus est electus Elyensis. Cujus loco subrogare laborarunt fratrem Adamum de Marisco, de ordine Minorum. Super quo facto mirati sunt cuncti audientes, quia electus nec electis reprobari de jure poterat, nec in eisdem vitium reperiri. Sed praevaricatores, quaerentes nodum in scirpo, & angulum in circulo, imposuerunt ei, quod simplex claustralis fuit, nec de negotiis saecularibus exercitatus, vel expertus, et penitus insufficiens ad custodiendum et tuendum nobilem Episcopatum Elyens. et insulam, quae ab antiquo asylum extitit refugii omnibus oppressis tempore tribulationis. Sed ut certius credebant quamplures, hanc gratiam Regiam praecluserunt Monachorum constantia et fidelitas, qui noluerunt petitioni Regis adquiescere, postulantis urgenter et instanter, ut sibi Henricum de Wingam ejus Cancellarium in eorum Episcopum eligerent universi. Et cum talis petitio ignaro ipso Henrico facto fuisset, idem Henricus sciens quod idoneum sibi Conventus elegerat in pastorem, ait Domino Regi: Domine, sinite istum pium Conventum circumvenire, & cum vestris imperiosis & armatis precibus amplius sollicitare. Monachi enim invocata spiritus Sancti gratia, ritè elegerunt idoneum & me meliorem. Absit ut sic occupem tam nobilem Episcopatum, ut usurpem tantum cauteriata conscientia ministerium. In quo meruit grates ab hominibus, & gratiam à Deo Cancellarius reportare. Nec adhuc Regis indignatio est aversa, quin electum et Episcopatum miserabiliter impugnaret. Electus vero confisus de jure suo, Romam aditurus, illico transalpinavit, a Domino Papa consolationem de tanta tribulatione recepturus. Which he thus further relates. Electus autem post multa damna, ut jus suum persequeretur, Papalem Mat. Paris Hist. p. 916. Electus Elyensis transalpinat. Curiam repentinus petiit et festinus. Archiepiscopus tamen adhuc in persecutione ejus obstinatus perseverans, ut Regi complaceret, qui in examinatione ipsius electi prius ab eo facta, nihil invenit scrupulosum, scripsit amicis suis in Curia Romana contra Episcopum electum: ut ibidem eo reprobato, in eundem Episcopatum frater Adam de Marisco subrogaretur. Cui subrogationi idem frater Adam, licet omnem mundanam excellentiam, & multos redditus, frater de ordine Minorum, senex & literatus, habitum religionis assumpturus, reliquisset, dicitur benevolo animo consensisse, juxta illud Ovidiacum: Vix ergo Saturno quenquam regnante videbam, Cujus non animo dulcia lucr● forent. Dominus autem Henricus de Wengham, Cancellarius, pro quo Rex Monachos Elyenses postulaverat, patienter sustinuit, ut aliquis alius in dictum Episcopatum promoveretur, humiliter protestans, quod uterque ipso dignior extitisset. Upon this Bishop elects appeal to Rome, (where money preponderated more than merit or friendship) the Bishop at last returned thence confirmed, to the King's great dishonour. Diebus quoque sub eisdem, applicuerunt a Romana Curia redeuntes Mat. Paris Hist. p. 929. Elyensis Episcopus, & Abbas S. Aedmundi adplicant. Episcopus Elyensis, et Abbas Sancti Aedmundi, qui invitis et recalcitrantibus Rege et Archiepiscopo Cantuariensi, a Domino Papa redierunt in statu prospero confirmati. Et sic diatim Rex, pessimo fretus consilio, suam Regiam perdens dignitatem, Ecclesiam studuit multipliciter damnificare. Yet the King had better success in the case of the Prior of Norwich, who died Mat. Paris Hist. p. 923. this year; Hunc quoque electum ritè in Episcopum Norwicensem, Rex consiliis iniquorum fascinatus, circiter decennio transacto, quibusdam frivolis exceptionibus cassari procuravit. Eodem tempore obiit Magister Nicholaus de Fernham, quondam Episcopus Dunelmenfis, Mat. Paris Hist. p. 925. Obitus Nicholai de Fe●●ham Episcopi quondam Dunelm. qui cesserat Episcopatui, ut quietius et liberius fructus carperet contemplationis. Quod cum ad notitiam Regis pervenisset, extorsit ab Episcopatu Dunolmensi, eo quod non habuerat integrè custodiam Episcopatus, (this Nicholas holding three Manors during his life for his support) cum vacaverat trecentas marcas, medio videlicet tempore quod erat inter dictum Nicholaum & creationem sive institutionem successoris sui Walteri. Conservatores verò partem dicti Nicholai tuebantur, videlicet Archiepiscopus Eboracensis Walterus, & Episcopus Londinensis Fulco. Nec erubuerunt Regales tam enorme consilium suo Domino praestitisse. Eodemque anno, Monachi Coventrenses, cum cessisset Episcopus Rogerus de Westham, Mat. Paris Hist. p 914. Rogerus de Molend. eligitur in Episcopum Cestrensem. propter suum senium & infirmitatem, elegerunt sibi in suum Episcopum, & suarum Pastorem animarum magistrum Rogerum de Molend. Domini Regis nepotem, quem Rex accepit, et ut decuit, acceptavit. Nec eum honeste potuit, ut consuevit de aliis, reprobare. Porro supplicaverat Conventui, ut Thesaurarium suum, Philippum scilicet Luvel, sibi eligeret in Pastorem. Ideircò dictum magistrum Rogerum, Domino Regi acceptabilem, imò & nepotem, procurante insuper Comite Richardo, ipsius Rogeri avunculo, Conventus elegit memoratus. How the Bishops in those days for money, procurred dispensations from Rome, to Mat. Paris Hist. p 914. 916. Impetrat Electus Sarisb. licentiam pristinos redditus reti●endi. hold their former Ecclesiastical rents, dignities and livings, in Commenda with their Bishoprics, will appear by these 2. precedents this year, thus Recorded by Mat. Paris. Cum autem rediisset à Curia Romana electus Sarisburiensis, magister videlicet Aegidius de Bridelesforde, manifestavit palàm, quòd Roma strenuè impetraverat; ut scilicet liceret ei pristinos redditus retinere, et etiam Decanatum, quorum flagrantiam olfecerat: quod nuper novum habebatur, sed jam toties, non sine retributione permissum, nulli stuporem generavit. And repeating it two pages after he adds, quod est unum de novitatibus Romae monstruosis, quos Roma pariendo abortivit. Et circa festum beati Petri, qui dicitur ad vincula, confirmatus est in Episcopum Mat. Paris Hist. p. 925. S. de Wanton. confirmatur in Episc. Norwic. Norwicensem, magister Simon de Wanton, qui illico cum Monachi Norwicenses ipsum elegissent, misit nuntios expeditissimos ad Curiam (Romanam) ubi profufis non paucis muneribus, impetravit dispensationem pristinos redditus suos per quatuor annos retinendi, licet Episcopatus suus sufficienter omnibus bonis instauraretur. Et hoc genus beneficii in Curia Romana jam jam consuetudinem est sortita. Yea ever since that in England and Ireland, not only among Popish but some avaricious Protestant Bishops, who mind more their private filthy lucre, than their own or people's souls. Eodem tempore quidam novus ordo fratrum Londini apparuit, & incognitus, Mat. Paris, p. 914. 916. Nonus ordo Monachorum. Papale tamen autenticum palam ostendens, ità ut tot ordinum confusio videretur, qui, quia saccisincedebant induti, Fratces saccati vocabantur. Most likely this Avaricious, Symoniacal Pope Alexander, (who was rather Judas his successor, who carried the Bagg●, than Peter) instituted this new order, to help fill his Bag and Sachel by these Fratres saccati, employed to promote his rapines, and revenues as the Freers, Minorites and Predicants were. Pope Alexander and his Cardinals at Rome, minding nothing but the advancement of their own power and filthy lucre, though with the intolerable vexation and undoing of all others, by their absolute usurped Tyrannical Authority, published this new statute at Rome instead of preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and feeding his sheep. Eodemque anno statutum esse Romae a Domino Papa et fratribus Cardinalibus, Mat. Paris Hist, p. 922. Novum statutum Romae factum de Electis ad Abbates exemptos. qui vigilanter sua temporalia procurant commoda et Emolumenta, aliena non curantes, ut quilibet, qui in Abbatem exemptum ex tunc eligeretur, Romanam curiam adiret confirmandus et benedicendus. Per quod enorme statutum religio patuit discrimini, et Ecclesia prosperitate temporali constat destituta. Non enim religiosis necesse est, maturam et religiosam personam eligere, sed aliquem semisaecularem virum, cui plus equus quam aequitas, plus lex Justiniani, quam lex Domini, convertens animas, placuerit, in animarum suarum Pastorem. Praeterea esto quod talis eligatur, alius enim reprobabitur per Regem et suos satellites, mora protracta in ejusdem transalpinatione diuturna, forte cassabitur Electus, vel electio reprobabitur, vel forte Electus obiter morietur. Conventus languebit, et Rex, in cujus manu omnia confiscabuntur, pro voluntate diripiet et absorbebit. What imperious and frequent Provisions this Pope then granted to St. Alban●s, and other monasteries to strip them of their rights of Patronage, notwithstanding all their privileges ratified by Royal Charters and former Pope's Bulls, will appear, as by the premises, so by this new precedent this year. In fine vero Martii misit Papa Abbati S. Albani mandatum imperiosum, Mat. Paris Hist. p. 918. Mandat Papa Abbati S. Albaniut provideat cuidam Italico primum beneficium. ut cuidam Romano provideret competens beneficium, cum tamen cuidam alii Romano non fecisset satis, qui tam urgentes, imo instantiores literas provisorias paucis ante diebus bajulasset. Et sic jam conglobatim miseriae in Anglia miseriis cumulantur, adeo ut desiderarent Praelati ab hujus incolatu saeculi liberari. jam enim non Sarae liberae, sed Agar ancillae filii spurii reputati, libertate, qua nos Christus liberavit spoliantur. How injuriously and tyrannically the Pope proceeded this year against the Archbishop of York, for opposing the fraudulent intrusion of a Porrayner into the Deanary by the Pope's provision, is thus recorded. Romanus ille qui se in Decanatum Eboracen. vulpino more ingessit, Mat. Paris Hist. p. 927. Intrusus in Decanatum Eboracensem redditus inde recepit annuos. et in hora prandii stallum in choro Decani furtim occupavit, armatus favore et protectione Papali, Archiepiscopum variis injuriis et damnis fatigatum, fecit suspendi, licet insontem, et virum omni praeditum sanctitate. Tandem post multas disceptationes, probono pacis recepit dictus Romanus centum marcas annuas ab Ecclesia Eboracensi, donec eidem uberius provideatur. Tempore sub eodem, aggravavit manum suam Dominus Papa in Mat. Paris Hist. p. 927. See, Godwins Catalogue of Bishops p. 465. 466, 467. Archiepiscop. Eboracensis excommunicatus. Archiepiscopum Eboracensem, jussitque eum ignominiose nimis in tota Anglia excommunicari, accensis candelis, et pulsatis campanis, ut tali terrore ac tanto suam constantiam enervaret. Ipse tamen Archiepiscopus exemplo B. Thomae Martyris, & exemplo ac Doctrina B. Aedmundi, quondam Magistri sui, informatus, necnon & B. Roberti Episcopi Lincolniensis, fidelicate eruditus, de solatio coelitus mittendo minimè desperavit, omnem Papalem tyrannidem patienter sustinendo. Nec opimos Ecclesiae suae redditus transalpinis indignis et incognitis conferre volebat, nec curavit voluntati Papali, relicto juris rigore, muliehriter obedire vel inclinari. Quapropter quanto magis praecipiente Papa maledicebatur, tanto plus a populo benedicebatur, tacite tamen, propter metum Romanorum. Yet these unjust vexations so grieved the Archbishop, that he died the next year, out of grief and vexation, inveighing much against the Pope's oppressions at his death, and appealing him to the tribunal of Jesus Christ, in an Epistle sent unto him, which this Atheistical Pope derided, proceeding still in his augmented rage against this conscientious Prelate, as his predecessor did against Grosthead; as these passages inform us. Et circa ascensionem, Archiepiscopus Eboracensis, ut cum Domino ascenderet, An Dom, 1258. Mat. Paris Hist. p. 938. 939. Sewalus Archiepiscopus Ebor. moritur. et de carcere mundi ad coelum ascendens, avolaret; dum constanter contra Romanae curiae tyranidem, quoad poterat, pro Ecclesia sua viriliter dimicavit, multis tribulationibus lacessitus, pro ista vita mundana, regnum coelorum, ut veraciter creditur, suis laureatus meritis commutavit. Iste verò Archiepiscopus Sewallus, beati Edmundi sequens vestigia pedetentim (utpote ipsius in scholis auditor, discipulus, & conscholaris) ipsi nitebatur prorsus foeliciter assimulari, & in moribus conformari. Nec censeo praetereundum, quòd huic suo charissimo beatus Edmundus Lector, in Theologia Oxoniali, dicere consuevit diseipulo speciali, O Sewale, Sewale, Martyr ab hoc seculo transmigrabis, ferro vel saltem gravibus & insuperabilibus in mundo tribulationibus impetitus & trucidatus. Veruntamen sit tibi consolator, qui suo Psal mographo inspiravit, dicens; Multae tribulationes justorum, de quibus quandoque omnibus liberabit eos Dominus. Constat autem profectò, multos à seculo Martyrer, sine sanguinis effusione, ut beatum Johannem Evangelistam, & multos alios transmigrasse. Hic quoque Sanctus Archiepiscopus, cum mortem suam indubitanter, ut transiret Quid fecerit dixeritque imminente morte praedictus Archiepiscopus. ab hoc mundo praesensisset, erigens se junctis manibus, & in coelum vultum intendens lachrymantem, ait Domine Jesus Christ, judicum justissime, novit infas●●●ile examen tuum quam Papa, quem supra Ecclesiam tuam constitui permisisti gubernandum, meam multipliciter fatigavit innocentiam, pro eo, ut Deus scit, et mundus non ignorat, quod indignos prorsus et ignotos no●ui admittere ad regimen Ecclesiarum, mihi, licet indigno, a te commissarum. Veruntamen, ne ex contempta Papali sententia, quamvis injusta, fiat justa, humiliter postulo absolvi talibus vinculis irretitus. Sed ante summum et incorruptibilem judicem ipsum Papam appello, et erunt mihi testes eoelum et terra, quam injuste impetivit me, et lacessitum multipliciter scandalizavit. In amaritudine igitur animae scripsit Papae; exemplo Roberti Lincolniensis Episcopi provocatus, dolens inconsolabiliter, quod tam multiformiter ipsum fatigarat; eo quod inexpertos, et linguae Anglicanae ignaros renuit, ut jam dictum, est acceptare, nunc suspendendo, nunc ab Ecclesia eliminando, nunc crucem auferendo, nunc palam per Regnum horribiliter, invitis excommunicatoribus excommunicando, diversimode famam suam, non sine magnis damnis temporalibus, denigrando. Conquestus est insuper graviter, quod impetus quorundam clericorum, authoritate Papali protervientium, praecipue magistri Jordani, ad Decanatum hiantis, aegre sustinuerat sed patienter, ut probra patris, non ut Cham, revelando derideret, sed ut Sem absconderet et velaret, hoc breviloquium, ad memoriam saepius revocando: Es Cham pandendo patris, es Sem probra tegendo. Humiliter igitur in scripto suo & instanter, sicut memoratus Episcopus Lincolniensis Robertus fecerat, petiit, ut consuetas tyrannides temperaret, humilitatem sanctorum praedecessorum suorum sequendo. Dirit enim Dominus Petro: Pasce oves meas, non tonde, non excoria, non eviscera, vel devorando consume. Sed Dominus Papa subsannans, et contemnens, indignationem concepit non minimam, eo quod in tantam temeritatem et praesumptionem proruperunt, ut Dominum Papam auderent quomodolibet sollicitare, et tam Archiepiscopi Sewalli, quam dicti Roberti Lincolniensis salubribus monitis renuit inclinare. These 2. learned conscientious Bishops Sewald and Grosthead, reputed it no sin, but their bounden duty to oppose Pope's unjust commands and Provisions, even to death, to admonish them of their duties, reprehend their injustice, sins, corruptions, and appeal from their unjust sentences to, and summon them before Christ's tribunal in heaven, when they could obtain no justice from, or against their unjust excommunications and other sentences upon earth. This year, Diebus sub eisdem Magister Rustandus Domini Papae Clericus specialis, Mat. Paris, Hist, p. 924, 925, 930. accusatus graviter coram Domino Papa est, eo quod propriae utilitati intendens plus aequo, possessiones, redditus, et pecuniam sibi vigilanter in Anglia coacervavit, et Regem sibi inclinando et Episcopos, factus esset jam non ultimus inter omnes regni Optimatum, locuples et abundans. Yet notwithstanding soon after, Anno. 1258. Venit in Angliam Magister Rustandus, Domini Papae clericus, nesciebatur ad quid, nisi forte ut redditus suos visitaret et colligeret: abundavit enim multis divitiis in Anglia, sibi brevi tempore collatis et conquisitis., Vnde cum Romam ultimo denerat, multorum indignationem incurrit vehementem, et etiam ipsius Domini Papae. (Who purposed ro share with him in his gains and rapines.) Sed solito medicamine tali infirmitati suffragando, jacturum evasit eminentem. The Pope and his Agents making a common prey and booty then of England. What procurations the Archbishop of Messana arrived in England this year, as the Pope's legate, exacted, extorted from Bishops and Abbots, with great violence, impudence, pride, and what injuries the Archbishop of Canterbury did to the Bishop of Rochester, still continued notwithstanding all former complaints and Writs, you may understand by this relation of them. Anno quoque sub eodem imminente quadragesima, missus est a Domino Papa, nesciebatur Mat. Paris, Hist. p. 914. 915. Adventus est potestatus Archiepiscopi Messanensis. ad quod, Archiepiscopus Messanensis, in magno apparatu familiae & equorum, videlicet Fratrum de ordine Praedicatorum. Et cum habuisset literas Papales de procuratione exigenda et recipienda, cum magna poena contradictores puniendi, misit literas imperiosas ad quemblibet Praelatum, ut ei secundum quod eisdem significavit in procuraciis, providerent, ita quod ex domo Sancti Albani et ejus cella viginti et unam marcam extorsit. Et cum venissent Monachi Sancti Albani, ut ipsum in hospitio suo civiliter visitarent, non permissit eos exire, imo ipsos quasi incarceratos retinuit, donec suae avaritiae satisfecissent. Et cum modestè respondissent Monachi, se nullum ibi habere denarium, iratus Archiepiscopus respondit procaciter: Vt quid tam mendici estis? Mittite igitur pro aliquo Mercatore, qui vobis commodare velit: et factum est ita, quia sic oportuit. Non enim permittebantur exire Monachi, quamvis essent de Conventu praeelecti, videlicet Archidiaconus Sancti Alboni, & Dominus Johannes, Abbatis bajulus & procurator. Iste fuit Archiepiscopus Messanensis, Frater de ordine Praedicatorum, in quo humilitatem sperebamus uberiorem, quia a Domino Papa de procurationibus extorquendis talem literam meruit obtinere. Frater Johannes, miseratione divina Archiepiscopus Messanensis, dilectis in Christo sibi Abbati & Conventui Monasterii Sancti Albani, Lincolniensis Dioecesis, salutem in Domino. Noveritis vos, etc. Require in Libro Additamentorum. Missa est Domino Regi eodem tempore elegans Epistola, ex parte Domini Papae, ut videlicet errores corrigeret consuetos. Et hoc procuravit Episcopus Roffensis Laurentius, multas passus injurias ab Archiepiscopo Cantuariensi Bonifacio, qui manu saeculari armata Roffensis Ecclesiae violenter invasit possessiones, quas potius defendere & tueri tenebatur. Cui Archiepiscopo, quia extitit avunculus Reginae, Rex &▪ Regina, & Regales universi cornua praestiterunt. Movebat insuper dictum Episcopum Roffensem, Archiepiscopatus Eboracensis exterminium irrestaurabile, & Elyensis Episcopatus, & aliarum Ecclesiarum vacantium per Regem facta inaudita gravamina, Christi postpositi reverentia, et contemptis clavibus Ecclesiasticis. Et videbat idem Episcopus Episcopatui suo, ipso cedente, vel decedente simile discrimen imminere. Tenor autem dictae literae, ab Episcopo memorato impetratae, cujus responsionem Episcopus Romae commorans expectabat, talis est. Alexander Episcopus, etc. Charissimo in Christo filio illuscri Regi Angliae, salutem & Apostolicam benedictionem. Cum de tuis charissime actibus digna & honori congrua referuntur, rumor hic clarus accedit nobis admodum placidus, auditum demulcens aurium & cordis interiora delectans, quod si qua forte prava et modestiae Regali contraria, sinistra de te relatio vel fama turbulenta portaret, obstupescerent utique sensus nostri, et anima intra gravius sauciaretur amaritudine, ob sincerae vinculum charitaris. Sanè intellecto quod Venerabilis frater noster Roffensis Episcopus, ex parte universitatis Praelatorum & Cleri Anglicani Regni, qui per potentiam Regiam se suasque Ecclesias in suis juribus et libertatibus deprimi asserunt, ad Apostolicam Sedem accedens, super reformatione status dictarum Ecclesiarum, & Ecclesiasticae libertatis, pro quibus alias tam felicis recordationis Innocentius Papa praedecessor noster, quam nos etiam per nonnullos praefatae universitatis Nuncios fuimus saepe & saepius requisiti, habebat aliquid coram nobis & fratribus nostris proponere, juxta quod sibi fuerit à praedicta universitate commissum, per quae forsitan fuisset famae tuae maximè apud Regni Siciliae incolas, qui sperant per te ad antiquas libertates eorum reduci, & sub tuo vigere in bono statu, & conservari Dominio plurimum derogatum. Nos capientes quod honor & fama tua in omni integritate serventur, quodque omnia penitus removerentur quae possent animae tuae periculum generare, ad instantiam venerabilis fratris nostri Archiepiscopi Tharensis & dilectorum filiorum Electi Sarisberiensis, ac Abbatis Westmonasterii Londoniarum nunciorum tuorum, nec non magistri Rustandi Capellani nostri honoris tui fervidi zelatoris, ordinavimus quod prosecutio hujusmodi negotiorum Ecclesiae Anglicanae, pro quibus praefatus Episcopus venerat, differetur ad tempus: insinuando eidem Episcopo, quod te ad omnia quae liberum pacificum & tranquillum statum praedictarum Ecclesiarum respiciunt authore Domino sic efficaciter inducemus, quod non oportebit eum, vel Coepiscopos suos, & alios praelatos tam seculares quam regulares Regni tui propter hoc amplius laborare. Ideoque Serenitatem Regiam de fratrum nostrorum consilio rogamus, monemus et hortamur attente; et sincera qua te in Domino charitate complectimur suadentes, in remissionem peccaminum nihilominus injungendo, quatenus praemissa omnia infra tui claustra pectoris sollicita meditatione revolvens, considerans etiam, quod nunquam remittantur peccata, nisi oblata restituantur▪ quodque nil cuiquam deperit si restituat aliena, quorum misera detentio vergit in salutis propriae detrimentum. Considerans quod tuo specialiter ad hoc accedenti consensu ab universis Archiepiscopis et Episcopis dicti Regni excommunicationis sententia in omnes illos prolata; et per sedem Apostolicam confirmata esse dicitur, qui Ecclesias et Ecclesiasticas libertates ac jura et consuetudines liberas earundem, et maxime illas quae in Chartis tuis libertatum communium continentur, quacunque arte praesumpserint infringere, violare, diminuere, seu mutare. Pensans etiam insuper, quod Coronationis tuae tempore ad conservandum et confodendum jura et libertates hujusmodi, te juramento praestito diceris astri●xisse, omnesque libertates, immunitates, ac liberas consuetudines, cunctaque jura ac privilegia quae praedicti Episcopi, aliique Praelati, caeteraeque personae Ecclesiasticae; necnon & Ecclesiae dicti REgni habuisse noscuntur, eye infra festum Resurrectionis Dominicae primò ventum, ob reverentiam Jesu Christi qui te fecit oleo sacri Chrismatis Christum suum, ac crucis honorem cujus es charactere insignitus, pro animae quoque tuae salute, regia liberalitate restituas, Ita quod praedictis Archiepiscopis & Episcopis, Praelatis religiosis, & personis, materia nulla remaneat conquerendi. Veruntamen quia praedictus Episcopus prosecutionem dictorum negotiorum, pro quibus ad praesentiam nostram venerit supersedere curavit, juxta vestrum beneplacitum & mandatum Apostolicum, praedictam sedem tuam responsionem super praedictis omnibus expectando, magnitudinem tuam requirimus, ut tuam in hac parte intentionem, & quid super iis proponas facere, per tuas literas nobis non differas intimare. Et quia nostra interest, Ecclesias & personas Ecclesiasticas, & earum juribus & libertatibus secundùm Deum & justitiam defensare, scire te volumus, quod nisi infra hujusmodi terminum praedictum, Archiepiscopi, Episcopi, & Praelati, ac personae Ecclesiasticae, ad omnia eorum jura fuerint plenariè restituti, ex tunc nequaquam dissimulare poterimus (quantumque personam tuam sincero diligamus affectu) quin praedicto Episcopo Audientiam prae●eamus▪ Data A●agna●i●, sexto idus Novembris. Pontificatus nostri Anno secundo. This Letter was procured from the Pope at the suit of the Bishop of Rochester, of Hist. Angl. p. 917. Archiepis. Cant▪ citatur Romana responsurus de injuriis ablati● Episc. Roff. whom Matthew Paris renders us this account. Interim Episcopus Roffensis, qui intolerabiles ab Archiepiscopo Oantuariensi injurias sustinuerat, querimonias lachrymabiles coram tota curia Romana reposuit, e● reposit as continuavit. Cumque causa sua condignam expostulasset condemnationem, culpa enim gravis extitit, post multas admonitiones tamen ad Regem factas, qui dicto Archiepiscopo cornua praestitit, & audaciam delinquendi, meruit idem Archiepiscopus citari, ut persovaliter compareret coram Papa, de sibi objiciendis responsurus, et de illatis injuriis et damnis satisfacturus, qui res & pacificas possessiones suas Ecclesia●●c●s inju●●è invaserat. Matthew Paris gives us this Character and conclusion of this year, 1257▪ Transit Hist. Angl. p. 928. Anni conclusio. igitur annus ille sterilis & macilentus, etc. Carenti a insuper numismatis quo Regnum Angliae per Papam et Regem spoliat paupertatem suscitavit inauditam. jacuerunt terrae incultae, et mortua est prae inedia populi multitudo numerosa. Anno Gratiae, Mcclviij. quidam, Magister Arlotus vocabulo, à Papa Alexandro An. Dom. 1258 Mat. Westm. p. 277. missus, post Pascha venit in Angliam, ad eam excoriandam, a Rege (ut putabatur) invitatus. Magnates igitur terrae videntes tegnum undique desolatum, tnm ex exactionibus et tallagiis, tam Curiae Romanae quam Regis, quam etiam alienigenarum, & praecipuè Pictaviensium elatione praesumptuosa, favore Regio in Regno nimium in sublimi provecta, tantas in Anglia Dominationes sibi usurpantium & magisteria, post Pentecosten apud Oxon. colloquium celebraverunt super hiis, necnon & status Regni melioratione efficaciter & exquisitè tractaturi. Quò non sine armis & equis electissimis muniti venerunt, ut si Rex & alienigenae suis provisionibus & statutis spontè contemnerent assentire, rigore opposito cogerentur, aut ipsi alienigenae universaliter sine mora Regnum Angliae penitus evacuarent. Quas quidem provisiones Oxon. & statuta, necnon & magnam Chartam de libertatibus & de Foresta tandem Domino Rege ad suorum procerum observantiam statutorum inclinato, per quendam de suis militibus tactis sacrosanctes juramentum praestante, 24. prudentium virorum nationis Anglicanae, quos ad Regni gubernationem sub eodem duxerint inter se eligendos, consilio se commendavit & considerationi. His igitur peractis fideliratem Reg & Regno, & ad considerationem suorum Parium stare omnes, quotquot in Regno commorari vellent, fecerunt jurare. Fuerunt ergo nonnulli, qui ad id tempus pro fraterna cognitione Regis confluxerant. Quos ocultabat Anglia, adeò ut pro multitudine sua & elatione onerosi Anglis videntur. Aeth●lmarus videlicet electus Winton. Gulih. de Valencia, Galfridus, & Guido de L●zen. fratres Regis ex parte matris, cum quibusdam aliis, renitentes condescendere juratorum provisionibus, aut jurare. Unde ab Oxonia discedentes indignanter secesserunt in partes Winton. Quos autem proceres Regni, in iram vehementer conpulsi, cum equis & armis viriliter sunt insecuti. Venientes demum Dominus Rex & magnates unanimiter Winton. ●illic a●ud tenuerunt Parliamentum, quod timentes praefati Pictavienses, judicium expectare nolentes, per clandestinae fugae praesidium, una cum quibusdam eorum compatriotis, confestim à regno recedentes, Provinciam expetierunt. Matthew Paris renders us this larger account of the Popes and Kings exactions and the Barons proceeding against them and the Poictovines. Et circa medium Quadragesimae, rediit magister Rustandus à Curia Romana pristina Mat. Paris. p. 932. 933. Redit Rustand. à Curia Romana. privatus potestate. Accusatus enim graviter coram Papa ab aemulis suis exstiterat, quod avidius quam deceret, Dei postposito timore, pecuniam sitiens, quam plures redditus opimos amplexando se super se extulerat. Et ue in his obtinendis Regis gratiam majorem obtineret, asseruit senatum fuisse Burdegali, unde promisit se, tanquam Regis fidelem & naturalem, efficaciter de acquirendo Regni Apuliae dominatu, & aliis negotiis Domini sui Regis expediendis, tam in Curia Romana, quam alibi, adjutorem fore vigilem et efficacem. Talibus igitur promissionibus et blandis sermocinationibus Regis simplicitatem circumveniens, multis redditibus scilicet ditatus, procurantibus aliquibus adversariis, vocatus est ut Romam rediret: ubi graviter a Papa redargutus, vix est in pristivam gratiam Papalem restitutus. Veruntamen a dignitate, et potestate Priori privatus, et cum dedecore mutilatus. Et cito post videlicet septimana proxima antè Pascha venit in Angliam Magister Advenit Herlotus Papae nuncius in Anglian. Herlotus Domini Papae Notar. & Clericus specialis, qui quamvis Legatus non diceretur, non tamen Legaticaruit nobilitate. Venit enim Londinum cum viginti equitaturis, cujus familia collateralis octo capis, videlicet quinque clausis, & quinque manicatis de optimo moreto superbivit redimita. Rex igitur secundum suam consuetudinem, applaudeba alacriter venient, maximam enim roboratus habuit potestatem. Et post diem Martis, quae vulgariter Hockedaie appellatur, sactum est Parliamentum Parliamentum London. habitum. Londini. Rex ramque, multis & ordinis negotus sollicitabatur, scilicet de negotio Regni Apuliae: pro quo specialiter fuit, tanquam solennis nuncius, magister Herlotus, exigens responsum certum super pecuniam infinitam, de qua persolvenda se obligavit Papa mercatoribus pro ipso Rege, ad instantem ipsius Regis, sub magnis p●●nis, quas recitare reor inhanestum, irretiti, petitionem. Quantitas autem pecuniae ad tantam ascendit summam, ut stuporem simul et horrorem in auribus generaret audientium. Doluit igitur Nobilitas Regni. se unius hominis ita confundi supina simplicitate, etc. Unde Episcopus Willielmus graviter Reg● est conquestus. Cui Rex: Expone, expone igitur, frater charissime, Thesaurum, quo abundas, ad nosirarum ultionem injuriarum. Sed Willielmus, minas minis accumulans, & probra contumeliis adjungens, asseruit haec omnia à consensu & favore proditorum Anglorum subdolè processisse. Et post paululum, quod in genere confusè dixerat, in multorum Nobilium dedecus, specificavit. Unde Comes Gloverniae, & Comes Legrecestriae, non mediocriter verecundati, erubuerunt. Et adhuc convitia in Comitem Legrecestriae magis multiplicans, ipsum fuisse veterem proditorem, & mentitum fuisse, ausus est palam coram Rege & multis Magnatibus contumeliosè protestari. At Comes ira accensus, ac stomachatus, respondit: Non, non, Willielme, non sum filius proditoris, sive proditor: dissimiles fuere nostri genitores. Et volens tantam injuriam illicò vendicare, & in ipsum Willielmum ultor manifestus irruere vix est per ipsum Regem, qui se interposuit, impeditus: & sic ad tempus quievit Comitis indignatio. Tempore sub codem, venit in Angliam quidam srater de ordine Minorum, nomine Mat. Paris Hist. p. 935. Advenit frater Mansuetus Minorita missus à Papa. Mansuetus, a Papa, Rege procurante, missus, sequens Magistri Herloti vestigia, maxima roboratus potestate: in tantum ut votis mutatis absolveret, ut dicebant, Regales quoscunque pro libitu, vel excommunicatos, et falsidicos, et perjuros justificaret; unde multi rei audaciam sumpserunt delinquendi. Nam facilitas veniae peccandi parit occasionem, sed prudentibus sibilum et derisum, sicut sequens sermo plenius declarabit. Eodemque tempore, cum instanter & constanter respondissent Magnates Regni Quid Regi responsum sit in Parliamento. communiter Regi, qui cum magna instantia in memorato Parliamento urgenter pecuniam infinitam sibi dari postulasset, pro negatio Apuliae expediendo, et aliis arduis promovendis: quod nullo modo potuerunt fine eorum irrestaurabili subversione toties ivaniter substantiolas suas usque ad exinanitionem effundere. Et si inconsulto et indecenter Regnum Ap●liae ad opus Edmundi filii sui a Papa comparasset, suae imputet simplicitati, et quod incircumspecte et absque suorum consilio Nobilium praesumpsit, tanquam spretor deliberationis et prudentiae, quae solet rerum exitus praemetiri, pront potest; ducat ad effectum qualem qualem. Debuitque profecte, ex sapientia fratris sui Regis Alemanniae Richardi exemplariter eruditi, qui ex dono Papae oblatum Regnum Apuliae, nunciante hoc Magistro Alberto, respuit memoratum: maxime cum tot incognita Regna, cum linguis variis, tot Principatus, tot Civitates, Bellatoribus et armis communitae, mare et montes, et lab●riosa locorum distantia, Angliam dividunt ab Apulia. Et quod plus formidat, et merito, Romanae Curiae cavillationes, et Apulorum proditiones multiformes, qui et affines et cognatos venenata suffocant potione. Veruntamen ne Domino Papae, qui ratione officii sui supereminet Principibus et Praelatis universis, et ipsum Comitem ad tantam eminentiam praeelegit amicabiliter, protervire videretur, rescripsit significans, quod consilio suo libens inclinaret, si crucesignatos omnes sibi concederet in adjutorium, quod honestè fieri posset propter Civitatem Nucherae, quae Apuliae infidelibus inhabitatur, & dimidium expensarum in illo bello exponendarum, & quasdam Civitates & Castra, quae Dominus Papa tunc temporis habuit, cum bonis obsidibus: ut ibidem tutum, cum illuc veniret, habere valeret receptaculum, & praemunitum contra rebelles, si qui insurgerent, tutamen & refugium; praeterea scriptorum bonorum patrocinia, Bulla Papali consignata. Cum autem haec omnia Dominus Papa intellexisset, his postulationibus nullatenus Mat. Paris Hist. Angl. p. 935, 936, 937. Papa circumvenit Regem Angliae. voluit assentire. Missis igitur nunciis tacitis et arcanis, qui vulpinis sermocinationibus benevolos animos audientium alienare possent, circumvenit supinam et credulam Regis simplicitatem; offerendo ei ad opus filii sui junioris, scilicet Edmundi, Regnum Apuliae, ad hoc effect. mancipandum, consilium et auxilium efficacissimum impendendo. Vnde cor Regis pro ista umbratili promissione adeo est elevatum et infatuatum, ut quicquid habuit vel habere potuit, Papae et suis nunciis prodigaliter dispersit, confidenter promittens ampliora. Vnde certatim advenerunt in Angliam nuntii Papales ultramontani, sterlingorum speciem olfacientes, ad Regem, ut opima munera reportarent. Vtpote Episcopus Bononiensis, qui ex parte Papae annulo quodam dictum Edmundum de Regno Apuliae investivit. Messanensis quoque Archiepiscopus, qui non vacuus recedebat, nunc frater Johannes de Diva, nunc Magister Bernardus, nunc Magister Senisius, nunc Rustandus, nunc Herlotus, et multi alii, quos longum esset enumerare, quosque omnes et singulos, Dominus Rex cum summa reverentia suscepit et honore, in damnum tamen totius Regni sui, et subversionem. Magnates igitur Angliae, quia Praelati meticulosi siluerunt, merito provocati, Regis, si quomolibet possent, vias dirigere conabantur. Diebus quoque sub eisdem, cum constanter et praecise respondissent Regi auxilium pecuniare negatur. quasi uno ore Magnates Regni in Parliamento Regi, cum urgenter auxilium ab eis postulasset pecuniare, quod nec voluerunt, nec potuerunt amplius sustinere tales extorsiones. Rex iratus, ad alia se convertit astutiae argumenta, ut ab Ecclesia pecuniam abraderet infinitam. Allocutus est igitur primo Abbatem Westmonasteriensem, et ab ipso infatuato pollicitis fallacibus, ut sigillum suum et sui Conventus apponeret tali Chartae: ut videlicet fide juberet pro ipso Rege in tanta pecunia, quae ad duo millia marcarum, et quingentas marcas ascenderet, ut sic daretur perniciosum exemplum ab aliis Coenobiis tantundem extorquendi. Festinavit igitur Dominus Rex, cum talibus Literis ad alia Coenobia Mittitur Simon Passeleve ad varios Abbates pecuniae emungendae causa. dictum Simonem transmittere, ut idem onus subirent eorum Abbates. In quo facto Rex suam non mediocriter famam denigravit. Patuit enim in ipso facto, quam sitienter desideravit Ecclesiam irrestaurabiliter praegravare. Ipse igitur Simon Passeleve, Domini Regis Clericus, Consiliarius, subdolus et mendax, cupiens Regalia praecepta, licet indecentia explere, sed non expedire, venit Waltham festinanter. Et ostendens Regis Literas deprecatorias, ut simile onus sibi susciperent Abbas et Conventus de Waltham, quod Abbas Westmonasteriensis sibi susceperat benigne bajulandum, videlicet ut fidejuberet per Literas suas et Conventus, ducentis et quingentis marcis, pro Rege. persolvendis. Ostenditque Abbatis Westmonasteriensis literas super hoc et Conventus patentes et consignatas. Quod cum intuitus esset Abbas de Waltham, expavit vehementer, sciscitabaturque ab eo, si tales literas haberet ad alia coenobia dirigendas? Cui Simon: Habeo utique ad Sanctum Albanum & Radingum et alibi. Inito igitur consilio cum suo Conventu in Capitulo, respondit Simoni, quod nullo modo (quicquid super hoc fecissent Abbas et Conventus Westmonasteriensis, qui de necessitate Domino Regi favebant, et quos oportuit ipsi, utpote Ecclesiae restauratori suae, etiam in difficilibus obedire) vellet pro Rege de tantae pecuniae quantitate fide jubere vel se quomodolibet obligare. Nec licet, sicut scriptum est in decretalibus, videlicet tractatu de obligationibus, alicui Praelato suam Ecclesiam tanto supponere discrimini et periculo.,, Cui Simon: Dominus Rex vobis faciet securitatem, qualem vultis literatorie de vestra vobis solvendi indubitanter pecunia. Cui Abbas, Nolumus cum Domino Rege habere occasionem placitandi vel decertandi: non valemus a pari contendere, nec ipsum, si malorum consilio enervaretur, distringere vel justificare. Cui Simon: Miseremini, miseremini pro Deo, Domino vestro et patrono speciali. Interdicetur enim in proximo, scilicet infra triduum vel quatriduum Capella ejus, et postea sequentur duriora, nisi precibus ejus obsecundetis, et ut bene nostis, ipse Regum Christianissimus et piissimus, non sustineret abesse solemniis, pro infinita auri obrizi quantitate. Cum autem nec sic, nec aliis ambagibus et mendaciis, minis Simon Passeleve Abbatem & Conventum Sancti Albani adit. minas accumulans profecisset, iratus recessit versus S. Albanum, unà cum socio suo Regis Clerico quodam; ut & Abbatem & Conventum suis fraudulentis commentis voluntati Regis, per fas nefas quomodolibet inclinaret. Abbas autem de Waltham, clam & festinanter significavit Abbati de S. Albano, qualiter per omnia actum est, de subdolis et perversis persuasionibus Simonis Pesseleve: qualiter voluit, ut ad Regis urgentem petitionem; Ecclesiam de Waltham ad solutionem ducentarum et quingentarum Marcarum pro Rege obligaret, et pro ipso per scriptum Abbatis et Conventus fidejuberet.: Et ecce dictus Simon (imò veriùs Simon) ante horam Capituli venit ad sanctum Albanum. Qui finxit se venisse ea die de Londino, & ferè tota nocte equitasse. Unde inclinans caput suum sedili, quo sedit, dormitavit: cum tamen de Waltham venisset immediatè. Et festinanter accedens ad Abbatem, ingemiscens ait: Domine, maxima necessitas coegit in hac nocte dietam, quae est inter Londinum me sociumque peragrare. Et ostendens literas Regias, quae aliam summam, quam ipse ore expressit, continebant, & similiter literas Abbatis & Conventus Westmonasteriensis; quòd videlicet petitioni Regis prompto favore consenserant in propatulo monstravit; ut sic & Abbatem & Conventum sancti Albani, Regiae flecteret voluntati exemplariter. Promisit etiam ex parte Regis, quòd Chartam qualem vellemus, in promptu haberent de solutione pecuniae, quam petiit ad horam sub obligatione literatoria praestari, quae ad ducentas & quingentas Marcas ascendit. Et si contradiceret Abbas, Regiam in perpetuum incurreret indignationem; Quia imminebat suspensio Capellae, quod nullo modo sustineret. Obstupuit igitur Abbas et Conventus, imo quilibet auditor de tanta Regis tyrannide et astutia: maxime cum scriptum super hoc Abbatis et Conventus instantissime simile scripto ab Abbate et Conventu Westmonasteriensi Rex obtinuerat. Inito igitur in Capitulo Cónsilio, responsum est praecise, quod nullo modo Regis petitionem poterat adimplere: Quia contra prohibitionem Papae. et jus et honestatem hoc fieret manifeste. Ostensa sunt ei instrumenta, et quoddam speciale Abbati G●rin●, quoddam Abbati de sancto Albano, et successoribus ejus, directa; in quo continetur, quod nullo modo Ecclesiam suam sub poena suspensionis et interdicti ac excommunicationis obligarent. Maluerunt igitur Abbas et Conventus S. Albani indignationem Regis terreni injusta postulantis incurrere; quam Regis Coelestis offensam transgrediendo Papalem prohibitionem subire, et vinculis anathematis innodari. Quod cum audisset Simon, alacriter respondit, favorabilem & serenum vultum omnibus ostendendo; Amici Charissimi, ne super hoc aliquatenus, sollicitemini. Habet enim Dominus Rex noster quendem fratrem sanctis simum, hominem mansuetum, de ordine Minorum a Papa ad cautelam destinatum, qui * The Pope can readily dispense withal Oaths for Lucre. omnes juramentorum trangressores in hac Regis urgentissima necessitate, qui eidem suffragabuntur plenam habet potestatem et promptissimam voluntatem, absolvendi. Si autem in hoc casu Domino Regi non obsecundaveritis, illico Londinum ad Episcopum revertens eidem Nunciabo, quod et ipsius Regis reverentiam et Patrocinium, et dicti fratris beneficium contemnitis et potestatem. Responsumque est Simoni: Non sanum videtur, velle excommunicari, & absolvi. Sicut non deberemus consentire alicui incantatori dicenti, frange crus vel aliud membrum tuum increpidus, inveniam tibi optimum Chirurgum, qui confractum solidabit. Praeterea si hoc faceremus, multipliciter peccaremus. Primò, scienter mentiremur. Item signa nostra, quae sunt pignora testimonialia fidei nostrae si apponerentur, clamarent contra nos, quod iniquè egimus: hoc nullo modo faciemus. Ad hoc Simon: Quid sibi vult istud? Recedamne vacuus? Credet Dominus meus quod aliqua convitia suscitaverim inter ipsum & vos, & sic in meum caput cum infons fuerim, omnis culpa redundabit; ut quid patitur Dominus Rex talem repulsam? Nihil habetis nisi quod Dominus Rex vel ejus progenitores Reges vobis contulerunt, unde tenemini in jure ipsi in tam districto casu; cum omnia sint principis, suffragari. Ad haec responderunt Abbas & Conventus, Omnia vere sunt Principis tuitione, non destructione. Hoc est quod juravit Rex in sua Coronatione, et postea multoties, et ideo his tuis Cavillatoriis suggestionibus nullatenus consentimus. Haec cum audisset Simon, ad aliud genus deceptionis se convertens, ait: Si non aliud pro Rege facere volueritis, saltem hoc faciatis▪ Conficite literas super postulatione Regia favorabiles, secundùm postulationem suam & desiderium, & confectas consignetis, & sigillitas in Thesaurario vestro poenes vos reservetis, ut si emollitis quandoque cordibus vestris & humiliatis, cum se tempus offeret oportunum, illas promptas Rex vel ejus Nuntius valeat invenire & habere. Et hoc faciatis, ne penitus contemptus & protervitas vestra videatur. Sed & ad hoc Abbas & Conventus responderunt: Non Simon, non, quia sic diceres, & dicere posses, quód consensimus, & literas de consensu confecimus, sicut est modò de literis Abbatis, quas ostendis, Westmonasteriensis. Et sic fieremus aliis, quos aggredi & flectere cupis, in exemplum perniciosum, quod nullatenus faciemus. Et sic confusus recessit tentator suo infecto desiderio. Haec idcirco plenè scripserim, ut sciat hujus lector paginae quam graves sunt hostes domestici, et quantum Regno et Ecclesiae iste Simon degener Anglicus cupiebat novercari. Abbas igitur & Conventus memoratus Domino Regi moderatè & amicabiliter scribentes, & sese justè excusantes, imminentia pericula evaserunt. Simon autem, qui se cum juramento affirmavit Regem Londini illicò aditurum, non erubescens mendacii iterum redargui, versis loris Radingum raptim adiit, ut Abbatem & Conventum de Radingo consuetis fallaciis muscipularet. Sed ipsi edocti et praemuniti, viriliter ei in faciem restiterunt. Et sic iniquitas, quae mentita est sibi, effectu carvit praeoptato. Summam autem totius pecuniae ideo praescribens perstinxi totaliter, quia hoc continebatur in Regis petitione scripta, ut quaelibet istarum quatuor domorum, scilicet Westmonasterium, Sancti Albani, Radingum, & Waltham. fidejuberet pro altera, in solidum. Ita quod quaelibet domus, ut pro se & qualibet trium responderet in quingentis Marcis, id est, duabus Millibus, & quingentis pro usuris: voluitque Dominus Rex habere hanc pecuniam sub omni festinatione▪ ita scilicet ut oporteret ipsam mutuare a Mercatoribus Caursinis. During this Parliament the Friar's Minorites, the chief promoters of the Popes & King's Croysado & exactions, encouraged by their favou▪ Sub eorundem temporum voluminibus, fratres Minores auctoritate Papali sese Fratres Minores sese ingerunt in Civitatem Sancti Edmundi. ingesserunt, & intruserunt in Civitatem sancti Edmundi Regis & Martyris; invitis & contradicentibus ejusdem loci Abbate & Conventu. Et introducti sunt, & instituti violenter per Laicorum manum, videlicet Comitis Gloverniae, quem constat esse dictorum Abbatis & Conventus adversarium, & Gil●berti de Praestona. Paucis autem praecedentibus diebus, venerat Abbas à Curia, qui sibi praecavens in futurum contra impetum dictorum fratrum, scripto Papali praemunierat, sed illicò postea impetrarunt fratres in contrarium, per harc adjectionem, Non obstante. Unde hoc audientes universi, non poterant satis admirari, quòd tam sancti viri, qui spontaneam paupertatem elegerunt, contempta Dei oblocutione, et privilegiorum ac conservatorum tuitione, violenter illius nobilis Ecclesiae statum perturbarunt; quam certum est esse magnae dignitatis et antiquitatis. Nec sic angebat Abbatem totus labor transalpinus, vel debita quibus involvebatur inaestimabilia: et ad cumulum angustiarum suarum arctatus, placito Comitis Gloverniae, sanguoris elegit dilationes. Duravit adhuc praelibati Parliamenti altercatio, videlicet inter Regem & Regni Continuatio incaep●r Parliamenti. Magnates usque diem Dominicam proximam post ascensionem, & multiplicantur contra Regem, variae diatim querimoniae, eo quod promissa sua non observabat, contemnens claves Ecclesiae, et Chartae suae magnae toties redemptae tenorem. Fratres quoque suos uterinos, intolerabiliter contra jus Regni & legem, ut naturales terrae erexit, nec sinebat aliquod breve exire de Cancellaria contra eos. Et si omnium eorundem Regis fratrum & aliorum Pictavensium protervia fuisset intolerabilis: Willielmus tamen de Valentia omnium & universorum protervitatem superaba●. Unde Comes ptaecipuè Legrecestriae, non tamen Regi, sed universitati praecordialiter est conquestus, exigens instanter sibi justitiam exhiberi. Redargutus est insuper Rex, quod omnes alienos promovet, & locupletar, & suos, in subversionem totius Regni, despicit, & depraedatur. Et ipse tam egenus est cum alii abundent, quod Thesauri expers jura Regni nequit revocare: imo nec Wallensium, qui sunt hominum quisquiliae, injurias propuisare. Et ut brevibus concludatur, excessus Regis tractatus exigit speciales. Rex autem ad se reversus, cum veritatem redargutionis intellexisset, licèt serò, humiliavit se; asserens in quo consilio saepiùs fuisse fascinatum, promisitque sub magni juramenti obtestatione super altare & feretum S. Edwardi, quòd pristinos errores plenè & planè corrigens suis naturalibus benignè obsecundaret. Sed crebrae trasgressiones praecedentes se penitus incredibilem reddiderunt. E● quia nesciebant adhuc Magnates, quomodo suum Protea tenere voluissent, quia arduum fuerat negotium, & difficile, dilatum est Parliamentum usque ad festum Sancti Barnabae apud Oxoniam diligenter celebrandum. Interim optimates Angliae, utpote Gloverniae, Legrecestriae, & Herefordiae, Comes Marescallus, & alii praeclari viri, sibi praecaventes & providentes, confoederati sunt; quia pedicas & laqueos alienorum vehementer formidabant, & Regis retiacula suspecta nimis habuerant, veniebant cum equitibus & armatis, & comitatu copioso communiti. Instante vero festo S. Barnabae Apostoli, Magnates & Nobiles terrae ad Parliamenta, Mat. Paris Hist. p. 940, 941. Parliamentum Oxoniae habitum. quod Oxoniae tenendum fuit, properabant, praeceperuntque omnibus, qui eisdem servitium militare debuerant, quatenus cum ipsis venirent parati, veluti ad corpora sua contra hostiles insultus defensuri. Quod & fecerunt, palliantes talem adventum, eò quòd in Walliam contra hostes Regis viderentur collatis viribus profecturi. Non mediocriter enim timebant, ne discordantibus partibus ab invicem bellum generetur intestinum, & ne Rex & ejus fratres Pictavenses, alienos convocarent in auxilium contra suos naturales. Magnates igitur praemuniti, cautè fecerunt portus maris communiri. Parliamento autem incipiente, solidabatur Magnatum propositum, & consilium immutabile, exigendo constantissimè, ut Dominus Rex chartam libertatum Angliae, quam Johannes Rex paten suis Anglis confecit, & confectam concessit, quamque idem Johannes tenere juravit, fideliter teneat & conservet: quamque idem Rex Henricus multoties concesserat, & tenere juraverat, ejusque infractores ab omnibus Angliae Episcopis in praesentia sua & totius Baronagii, horribiliter fecit excommunicari, & ipse unus fuerat excommunicantium. Exigebant insuper sibi fieri Justitiarium, qui justitiam faceret injuriam patientibus, aequanimiter divitibus & pauperibus. Quaedam etiam alia Regnum contingentia petebant, ad communem Regis & Regni utilitatem, pacem & honestatem. Quorum consiliis & provisionibus necessariis, Dominum Regem frequenter & constantissimè consulendo rogitabant obtemperare; jurantes fide mediante, & mutuò dextras exhibentes, quod non omitterent propositum persequi, pro pecuniae vel terrarum amissione, vel etiam pro vita & morte sua vel suorum. Quod Rex recognoscens, graviter juravit consiliis eorum obsecundare, & Edwardus filius ejus eodem est juramento astrictus. Recalcitrabant autem Johannes Comes Warenniae, & fratres Regis uterini, scilicet Dominus Willielmus de Valentia, cum aliis. Jubentur insuper portus Angliae districtius custodiri, & portae Londinenses de noctibus, melioratis repagulis, diligenter obserari. Unde quidam ait: Per noctem portae clauduntur Londoniarum, Moenia ne fortè fraus frangat Francigenarum. Et cum per aliquot dies moram ibidem protelassent, quid in tam arduo negotio agerent deliberantes, ut videlicet dissipati Regni statum resarcirent, in domo fratrum Praedieatorum convenerunt. Vbi iterum renovato redivivo foedere et juramento, conceptum propositum suum firmaverunt, ut nec promorte, vita, vel tenementis, odio, vel amore, quomodolibet flecterentur, aut enervarentur, quin Regnum, in quo sunt nati homines geniales et eorum progenitores, ab ingenerosis et alienigenis emundarent, et leges laudabiles reportarent. Et si quis hominum, quicunque sit, recalcitraret, etiam invitus eis cogeretur adjungi. Licet autem Dominus Rex et Edwardus filius ejus primogenitus juraverint, veruntamen prout potuit coepit Edwardus renuere, simul et Johannes Comes Warenniae. Henricus vero filius Richardi Regis Alemanniae fluctuando dicebat, se nullatenus juramentum sine licentia et consilio patris sui praestare. Cui responsum est in propatulo, quod etiam si pater suus adquiescere Baronagio nollet, nec unum sulcum terrae in Anglia obtineret. Iuraverant insuper praedicti fratres nimis assertive, sub obtestatione mortis et vulnerum Christi, nunquam se castra, vel redditus, vel gardas, quae frater eorum Rex gratanter dederat, dum vitales carperent auras, resignaturos, quamvis Comes Legriae Simon sua castra, videlicet Kenelwrthe et Odiham, Regi gratis concessisset, quae etiam paucis antè diebus emendaverat. Sed haec ills asserentibus, & ●juramenta irrecitabilia multiplicantibus, respondit Comes Legriae, dicens Willielmo de Valentia plus aliis intumanti: Certè & idubitanter scias vel castra, quae de Rege habes, reddes, vel caput amittes. Similiter & alii Comites & Barones dicebant, itidem constantissima assertione contestantes. Formidabant igitur non mediocriter Pictavienses quid illis agendum sit ignorantes, quia si sese aliquo castro latitantes recipissent, omni munimine destituti, obsidione vallati, fame deficerent. Universitas enim Regni popularis, et si non Nobiles, ipsos obsiderent, & castra eorum funditus dissiparent. Unde subito & clàm, cum prandium pararetur, fugiunt, & ne putarentur velle fugere, simulabant se ad prandium velle residere. Qui fugientes, ac saepe respicientes, fecerunt aliquos de sua familia turres altissimas ascendere, ut specularentur si fortè Barones eos à tergo insequerentur, nec equinis parcebant lateribus donec Wintoniam, quasi ad alas Electi Wintoniensis, in cujus sinu tota eorum spes reponebatur, trepidi pervenissent. Sperabant insuper in castris ejusdem Electi, tutissimum hahere refugium. Interim Nobiles firmiùs confoedera●●, constituerunt sibi Justitiarium, Hugonem Bigod, fratrem Comitis Mareschalli, qui officium Justitiariae strenuè peragens, nullatenus permittat jus Regni vacillare. Cumque ad notitiam Magnatum praedicta fuga Pictaviensium certius pervenisset, timebant ne alienigenas sic mari appropinquantes, ad eorum subsidium advocassent, Pictavienses scilicet, ad alios transmarinos. Videntes igitur Magnates moram trahere periculum, jusserunt districtè toti familiae suae, & omnibus suis imprisiis, ad arma & equos celeriter avolare. Et ita terminatur Parlamentum apud Oxoniam, fine terminato & certo non apposito. In octavis verò translationis S. Benedicti, scilicet decimo quinto Calendas Augusti, Mat. Paris Hist. p. 943. Recedunt Fratres Regis uterini ab Anglia. valedicturi Anglis praedicti fratres Regis recesserunt, & quidam alii Pictavenses cum eis, videlicet, Wil de sancto Hermete, qui consuevit astare Regi prandenti cum manutergio, & ejus escam scindere, & multi alii, qui totum Regnum oppresserant, & suis bonis, praecipuè in numismate, spoliaverant. Quibus primo Wintoniae, & postea in domo Electi Wintoniensis Londini, scilicet Sewere, reficientibus, multi, ut dicitur, Angli Nobiles, ibi & alibi dolosè potionabantur, ut posteà verius probaverat exitus. Qui cum ad mare pervenissent, Nobiles, qui eos conduxerant, Neptuno eos commendabant. Cum verò Boloniam pervenissent, scripserunt Regi Francorum, ut pacificum haberent transitum, vel moram facerent in terra sua, secundum antiquam Franciae libertatem & consuetudinem, liceretque Electo Winton. Parisiis morari, ac ut scholari, ad tempus ibidem moram continuare. Sed Rex Franciae exasperatus, noluit, quia Regina Franciae gravem de Pictavensibus illis reposuerat querimoniam, quod enormiter scandalaverant & diffamaverant sororem suam Reginam Angliae: addens, quod propter facinora sua ejecti essent turpiter ab Anglia. Eodem tempore Castellanus de Dovera, Richardus de Grace vir fidelis & strenuus, Castellanus Dove●ae magnum Thesaurum intercepit, qui ex parte Baronum ibidem constituebatur, omnes transeuntes, & transituros diligenter considerabat, cuncta prudenter perscrutando, & invenit non modicum Thesaurum paratum, dictis Pictavensibus clanculo deferendum, qui totus captus est, in castro reservandus. Similiter Londini apud novum Templum Thesaurus maximus, de cujus quantitate audientes mirabantur, quem reposuerant Pictavenses memorati (licèt contradicentes reniterentur Hospitalarii) captus est, ad arbitrium Regis & Baronum, in utiles Regni usus utiliter exponendus. There being many complaints in the premised Parliament against the Bishop of Winchester, and William de Valence, the King at their petition granted them this safe conduct against himself and his Barons in going to, staying at and returning from Parliament, there to hear and receive Justice, summoning both of them to appear by a day, after which he issued two more Writs concerning them and the Archdeacon of Winton extant in our Records, not mentioned by our Historians, which I shall here insert. REX A. Winton. Electo, fratri suo salutem. Cum ex parte vestra nuper fuerimus Pat 4. H. 23. m. 6. dors. requisiti ut conductum nostrum vobis daremus, quod salvo & securè venire possitis ad Curiam nostram, ad respondendum omnibus de vobis conqueri volentibus, Nos pro nobis et Baronibus nostris salvum et securum conductum vobis damus et concedimus in veniendo ad Curiam nostram, ibidem morando, et inde recedendo, ad justitiam omnibus et singulis faciendam et recipiendam Et ad hoc faciendum diem vobis praefigimus, scilicet hanc instantem diem Mercurii prox post festum Apostolorum Petri & Pauli apud Wintoniam, sine esson. & ulteriori dilatione. In cujus, etc. Teste Rege apud Oxoniam 28. die Junni. Consimiles Literas habet Willielmus de Valenc. Et ista duo paria literarum missa fuerunt die Jovis proxima ante festum Apostolorum Petri & Pauli, per Willielm▪ de Hastencoat, & Willm. de Trobevill praedictis Electo & Willo. Item consimiles Literas habet Galfrus de Lezig. Et eodem die missae fuerunt eisdem Galfr. & Guidoni ista duo paria Literarum per Imbertum de M●nt-ferrant, & Rad. de Bakep. Consimiles Literas habet Guido Lezig. Et eodem die missae fuerunt eisdem Galfr. & Guidoni ista duo paria Literarum per Imbertum de M●nt-ferrant, & Rad. de Bakep. Item sciendum quod praescripta quatuor paria Literarum duplicata fuerunt. The King likewise issued these Writs to the Abbot and Covent of Wautham, St. Alban and Merton, upon their allegiance to him, and under the pain of his displeasure, and seizure of their Lands Tenements, Persons, not to suffer any monies in their custody belonging to the Bishop of Winchester Elect, or William de Valencia his brothers, to be carried thence, or transported out of the Realm to his prejudice. REX Abbati & Conventui de Wautham, salutem. Quia Nolumus quod Claus. 42 H. 3. m. 6. dors. De denariis arestandis. denarii Venerabilis Paris A. Winton. Electi, et w●●lelmi de Valencia fratrum nostrorum deferantur extra Regnum nostrum, ad nostrum vel ejusdem Regni dispendium vel gravamen, vobis sub debito fidelitatis et amicitiarum quibus nobis tenemini, Mandamus districte inhibentes, ne sicut vos ipsos, et terras, et tenementa quae tenetis in Regno nostro diligitis, permittatis aliquam pecuntam praedictorum fratrum nostrorum quae est in deposito in domo vestra extrahi, vel a loco illo per praedictos fratres nostros vel alios sine Mandato nostro speciali. Scituri quod in proximo missuri sumus aliquem ad vos ex parte nostra pro negotio praedicto. Et ita vos in hac parte habeatis, quod pro defectu vestri ad vos terras et tenementa vestra graviter capere non cogamur. Teste Rege apud Wintoniam. 8. die Julii. Eodem modo mandatum est Abbati & Conventui Sancti Albani & Priori & Conventui de Merton. After which the King & his Council resolving to banish the Poictovin Clergymen out of the Nation, and not to imprison them in England, issued this Writ to the Constables of the Castles of Winton and Dover, of the banishment and transportation of the Archdeacon of Winton out of the Realm, and to see he carried away no monies with him. QUià non est voluntas Regis aut Consilii sui arrestare, aut carcere detinere aliquem Claus. 42 H▪ 3. m. 9 dors. Clericum, Mandatum est Constabulario Castri Regis Winton. quod sine dilatione accedat ad Archidiaconum Winton. & dicat ei ex parte Regis & Consilii sui, quod sine mora exeat Regnum Angliae per Portum Dovor▪ cum competenti fomilia, et cum rationabilibus expensis s●is, et hoc nullatenus omittat, quia Rex et Consilium suum Nolunt quod ipse ad praesens in Anglia moretur aliquomodo, nec quod redeat sine licentia Regis speciali. Et has literas continentes voluntatem Regis et Consilii sui praedictus Constabularius eidem Archid. ostendat. Teste Rege apud Westm. 24. die Octobris. Per Consilium Regis. Et Mandatum est Constabulario Castri Dovor. quod cum idem Archid ad Portum Dovor. venerit, ipsum cum convenienti familia, et rationabilibus expensis suis transfretare permittat et curialiter et caute explorari faciat, quod magnam pecuniam secum non abducat.. Teste ut supra. Per Consilium Regis. Imminente quoque festo Assumptionis gloriosae Virginis, Herlotu● Domini Papae Mat. Paris Hist. p. 946. Recessit Herlous Papae nuncius ab Anglia. Clericus, specialis Consiliarius & Notarius. quem advenientem in Angliam ipse Papa maxima potestate armaverat, cum vidisset Regni perturbationem, tacite et prudenter recessit ab Anglia, donec pacis aura et unitatis foelicior aspiraret. Interim oppidanus D●v●rrae custos littoris diligentissimus, & transeuntium indagator Denarii intercepti electi Wintoniensis. infallibilis, multos onustos invenit numismate, qui alienigenis desideraros deculerunt, quos ut liberius transirent, ille quam citius exoneravit. Et tunc temporis indentae sunt mille marcae, de denariis electi Wintoniensis, quas ibidem deposuerat, et datae sunt quatuor Militibus ad stipendia et viatica, ut Romam adeuntes, Papae causam Barnagii Angliae, ex parte Regis et Magnatum, sine morae dispendio et ambagibus disputationis, breviter et compendiose n●●tiarent, monstrarentque per cedulas vacuas et Bullatas, quas post mortem Magistri Berardi de Nimpha, in ejus cista invenerant, quam multis et multiformibus Romani student terram inquinare machinationibus. Quas vero cedulas, sicut inventae sunt secum portaverunt Bullatas. The King on the Archbishop of Tuams' Petition in Ireland, (preferred thereunto by the Pope's Provision) whereupon the King refused to grant him his Temporalties, at last by the Pope's mediation, granted his Bailiffs and Officers licence to till and manure the Temporalties of the Archbishopric, but to lay up and sequester all the profits thereof, till he should personally come to the King and make his Oath of Fealty to him; which he having done, the King issued this Writ to his Chief Justice and Escheator in Ireland, to restore him his Temporalties, with the profits thereof. REX Alano la Zouche Justic. Hiberniae, & Willi●lm● de Bak●puz Escaetori suo Pat. 42 H. 3▪ m. 17. dors. Hibern. Hiberniae, salutem. Cum alias vobis nostris Literis dederimus in mandatis, quod permitteretis Ballivos Magistri Walteri quondam Deca● Sancti Pauli London. de quo Dominus Papa providit Ecclesiae Tuamensi, inhabitare domos et ercolere terras ad Archiepiscopatum praedictum pertinentes, et in excolendo eas profectum ipsius Archiepiscopi facere prout melius viderent expedire; Ita quod exitus eorundem, et redditus dicti Archiepiscopatus, tam per vos et vestros, quam per dictos Ballivos colligerentur, et in certis locis infra eundem Archiepiscopatum deponerentur, et salvo custodirentur sine diminutione aliqua donec idem Archiepiscopus ad nos venisset, et fidelitatem nobis fecisset. Et dictus Archiepiscopus jam ad nostram praesentiam personaliter accesserit, et fidelitatem nobis feceret quam facete tenebatur; Nos ipsum in favorem et gratiam nostram recipientes, reddidimus ei Archiepiscopatum praedictum cum praedictis exitibus, a tempore praedictarum Literarum nostrarum vobis transmissarum, et omnibus possessionibus et temporalibus ad eundem Archiepiscopatum pertinentibus., Et ideò vobis mandamus, quod eidem Archiepiscopo de praedicto Archiepisco patu, & domibus, redditibus, & exitibus praedictis, & omnibus aliis possessionibus & temporalibus ad eundem Archiepiscopatum plenam se●sinam sine dilatione habere faciatis. Teste Rege apud Westm. 6. die Novembris. The King having granted the Archbishop of Ardmach in Ireland, licence to go to Rome about his affairs, where he was confirmed in his Archbishopric, did at the Pope's special request, grant him this extraordinary unaccustomed favour, as to order his Chief Justice and Escheator in Ireland to restore his Temporalties to him, before he came to him in person and had made his Fealty, provided that they should sequester the profits thereof in some safe place, till he came in person to the King, and did his Fealty to him for his Archbishopric. REX dilecto & fideli suo Alano la Zouche Justic. Hiberniae, & Magistro Willielmo Pat. 42 H. 3: m. 13. intus. Pro Archiepiscopo Armachanensi. de Bakepuz Escaetori suo in Hibernia, salutem. Cum Magister Abraham quondam Archipresbyter in Ecclesia Armachana, nunc praefectus in Archiepiscopum ejusdem Ecclesiae, pro diversis Ecclesiae suae negotiis moram trahat in Curia Romana: Ac Dominus Papa nobis scripserit deprecando, quod temporalia ejusdem Archiepiscopatus in manu nostra existentia, eidem velut Archiepiscopo Armachano restitui faciamus, cum ab eodem Domino Papa beneficium confirmationis adeptus sit; votentes in hac parte eidem gratiam facete specialem, quta in negottis no●ris mustum nobis prodesse poterit, et valere, quainquam consuetum non fuerit testituere alicui Praelato terrae iostrae temporalia sua donec ad nos venerit personaliter, et nobis fidelitatem fecerit debitam et consuetam. Uobis mandamus, quod permittatis Ballivos ejusdem Archiepiscopi inhabitare domes et excolere terras ad ipsum Archiepiscopatum pertinentes, et in excolendo eas profectum ipsius facere prout melius viderint expedire. Ita quod exitus eorundem terrarum et redditus ipsius Archiepiscopatus, tam per vos et vestros, quam per praedictus Ballivos colligantur, et in certis locis infra eundem Archiepiscopatum deponantur, et salvo custodiantur, sine dilatione aliqua donec idem Archiepiscopus ad nos venerit personaliter et fidelitatem nobis fecerit quam facere tenetur, ut tunc de restituendis sibi exitibus supradictis ei faciamus gratiam si nobis placuerit, vel eos ad opus nostrum retineamus. In cujus, etc. Te●ie meipso apud Westm. 6. die Febrruaii, Anno Regni nostri 42. Per Regem & Consilium suum. The King by his Counsils advice, as supreme Patron and Governor of the Church of England, made this Declaration of the Law of England, concerning the Right of Patronage and Advousons', belonging to Archbishops, Bishops, Barons, and other Patrons. REX Omnibus ad quos, etc. salutem. Super jure patronatus et praesentationibus Pat. 42 H. 3. m I●. intus. Quaedam Litera provisa de jure Patronatus. ad beneficia Ecclesiastica faciendis in Regno nostro Angliae, et in Ecclesia Anglicana, quaedam speciales consuetudines observantur, inter quas et illa sibi vendicat locum, si videlicet Manerium aliquod cum pertinentiis & libertatibus suis, cuiquam Laico vel Clerico, seu mulieribus aut personis quibuslibet Ecclesiasticis vel secularibus, quocunque modo sive scilicet ad tempus, vel ad firmam, vel ad sustentationem, vel pro dotaliciis, seu quibuscunque modis aliis assignetur, jus praesentandi ad Ecclesiam in hujusmodi Manerio sitam per assignationem hujusmodi, cum Manerio semper transit, nisi specialiter fuerit in assignatione illa jus praesentandi reservatum vel exceptum. In Maneriis vero Episcoporum, ubi jus patronatus, et jus instituendi habent, jus patronatus cum Maneriis ipsis secundum consuetudinem supradictam, semper transit, unde vacantibus Episcopatibus et Abbatiis, tam nos quam Magnates nostri, ad quos custodia Maneriorum tempore vacationis pertinet, jus praesentandi ad Ecclesias in ipsis Maneriis sitas obtinemus, instituendi jure apud Metropolitanum, vel alios ad quos devolvitur jus spirituale remanente: licet enim Episcopi in suis Diocesibus, aut etiam Abbates Pontificale jus habentes Ecclesias Maneriorum suortum conferant eo, quod in ipsis jus patronatus, & jus instituendi convenient, jus tamen patronatus habent ratione Maneriorum suorum, vel Baroniarum suarum, quae si ab ipsis evincantur, aut si aliis cum suis pertinentiis, ut praedictum est, assigentur, jus praesentandi cum ipsis Maneriis transit, jure instituendi apud ipsos ratione officii Pastoralis extunc tantummodo remanente. In cujus, etc. Teste Rege apud Westm. 13. die Marcii. Per Consilium Regis pro negotio Walteri de Merton. The King sending John Clarell to Rome this year, about his own and the Kingdoms affairs, engaged to defray his expenses there, by this Patent. REX Omnibus, etc. Cum dilectus Clericus noster Magister Johannes Clarell, ad Pat. 42 H. 3. m. 3. intus. Pro Magistro Johan. Clarell. instantiam nostram proficiscatur in Nuncium nostrum ad Curiam Romanam pro negotiis nostris & Communitatis Regni nostri, & ●ihil ad praesens de nobis percipiat; Ipsumque eundo ad Curiam illam, ibidem morando & redeundo, magnas & sumptuosas oporteat facere expensas pro negotiis praedictis, nos de consilio Proceru, de consilio nostro, concedimus ei & bona fide promittimus, quod de expensis quas fecerit in Curia praedicta per assertionem Magistri Rostandi Capellani Domini Papae, vel alio rum Nunciorum nostrorum cum praefato Magistro Johanne proficiscentium, satisfaciemus eidem, et ipsum in hac parte conservabimus indempnem. In cujus, etc. Teste Rege apud Westm. 4. die Augusti. The King having approved of the election of the Bishop of Down in Ireland, and received an Oath of Fealty from him, commanded the Archbishop of Ardmach to consecrate him, and the Chief Justice of Ireland or his Lieutenant to restore his Temporalties to him immediately, out of his special grace. CUm A. Archiepiscopus Ardmachamu, Magistrum Thomam Lidel, electum in Pat. 42 H. 3. m. 2. intus. Pro electo Dumens. Hibern. Episcopum Dumens. justitia exigente cassaverit, & jam paratus sit Authoritate Metropolitana dictae Ecclesiae providere de discreto viro Magistro Reginaldo Archid. Dumensi, si Regius interveniat assensus, sicut per Literas suas Patentes Regi significavit, Rex ipsum Archidiaconum regimini dictae Ecclesiae utilem et idoneum attendens, eidem ad instantiam praefati Archiepiscopi, accepto ab eo Sacramento fidelitatis, assensum Regium adhibuit et favorem, Rex volens igitur gratiam sibi facere specialem, mandat Stephano Lungespeye Justic. Hibernioe, vel ejus locum tenenti, quod si praedictus Archiepiscopus ipsum Archidiaconum duxerit confirmandum, eidem post confirmationem illam Temporalia dicti Episcopatus, sine dilatione restituat. In cujus, etc. Teste Rege apud Westm. 21. die Octobris. Et mandatum est eidem Archiepiscopo, ut quod suum est in hac parte exequatur. Teste, etc. ut supra. The Bishop of Rochester being at Rome to complain against Archbishop Boniface, and there impleading and drawing some persons out of the Realm, against the Privilege of the King and Kingdom, his Beasts were thereupon distrained, and his Bailiffs enforced, and had day given them to answer this his contempt in the King's Court, as this Record attests. CUm Vic. Kanc. nuper mandatum Regis recepit ad distringendum L. Roffensem Claus. 42 H. 3● m. 10. dorso. Pro Episcope Roffensi. Episcopum per terras & Catalla sua, quod sit coram Rege à die Paschae in tres septimanas, ad respondendum Regi, quare contra privilegium Regi et Regno suo indultum, ne aliqui de Regno ipso extra illud trahantur in placitum, trahit Rogeram de Northwode, Thomam Sorang, et alios plures in brevi Regis originali contentos in placitum extra Regnum praedictum, et Ballivi dicti Episcopi Regi in Curia sua, super hoc securitatem invenerunt. Mandatum est Vic. praedicto, quod averia dicti Episcopi ea occasione capta deliberari faciat, usque ad diem praedictum. Teste Rege apud Merton, 3. die Aprilis. Et praedicti Ballivi invenerunt securitatem per Johannem de Estwode, Willielmum le Junene, Willielmum Anghemund, qui omnes sunt de Com. Kanc. The Bishop putting in security soon after, not to prosecute those persons in the Court of Rome, the King thereupon issued this Writ to supersede the Sheriffs proceedings against him for this offence, till the Bishop's return from Rome. QUia L. R ffensis Episcopus fecit Regem securum per Abil de Sancto Martino, Claus. 42 H. 3. m. 9 dorso. Richardum de Wepsted, Johaunem de Estewode, & Henr. de Bradeford, de Com. Essex. quod non trahet amplius in placitum extra Regnum Regis contra privilegium Regi & Regno suo, à sede Apostolica indultum Rogerum de Northwood, Willielmum de D●dling, Henr. Lovel, Simonem fil. Simonis, Thomam Soreng, Wa●terum Steperant, & quosdam alios Laicos de Regno Regis. Mandatum est Vic. Kanc. quod dis●rictionem si quam fecit per praeceptum Regis et judicium Curiae Regis, super praedictum Episcopum vel homines su●s occasione praedicta, penitus relaxet, usque ad reditum praedicti Episcopi in Angliam. Et si qua Catalla ceperit occasione praedicta, ipsa sine dilatione Ballivis dicti Episcopi restituat. Teste Rege apud Westm. 8. die Maii. Per C●●silium Johannis Mansell, Hugoris le Bigod, & Rogeri de Thorke. The Bishop of Durham had likewise day given him in the King's Court, to show before the King and his Council, what right he had or pretended to the sequestration of the Benefices belonging to the Bishopric of Ka●lisle, during the vacancy in the King's hands. QUia Venerabili Patri Waltero Dunelmensi Episcopo Rex praefixit diem in Oct●b. Claus. 42 H. 3. m. 7. dors. Pro Episcopo Dunelm. Sancti Michaelis prox. futur. ut personaliter vel per sufficientem Atturnatum suum, veniat coram Rege et Consilio suo ubicunque tunc fuerit Rex in Anglia, ad ostendendum plenius jus, quod ratione Ecclesiae suae Dunelm. vendicat in sequestris Ecclesiarum suae Diocesis ad Episcopatum Karliol. spectantium in vacationibus ejusdem Episcopatus. Mandatum est Vic. Northumbriae, quod dicta sequestra in eodem statu in quo sunt sine aliqua immutatione inde faciend. usque ad praedictum diem in pace esse permittat. Et si quam debitoribus proventuum dictorum sequestrorum fecerit districtionem, illam interim relaxet. Teste Rege apad Oxon. 23. die Junii. The Pope having upon the King's former Letters and request, prorogued the overharsh Conditions tendered to him and his son touching the Kingdom of Sicila, only till September, which he signified to him by Arlot his Notary, yet the King craved a longer time of prorogation from him and his Cardinals by these Letters, till his Commissioners should arrive at the Pope's Court. DOmino Papae Rex salutem, cum reverentia & honore. Cum nuper discretum Claus. 42 H. 3. m. 5. dorso. De facto Sicil. & prudentem virum Magistrum Arlotum Notarium vestrum ad nos duxeritis pro facto Siciliae dirigendum, idem Magister negotium sibi in hac parte à vobis commissum, nobis Curialiter exposuit, ut decebat, & tempus suspensionis poenarum in privilegio concessionis vestrae, nobis & Edmundo filio nostro factae de Regno Siciliae contentarum, & tempus reservationis juris praefato filio nostro super dicto Regno, per idem privilegium adquisiti authoritate vestra, pro reformatione negotii Regni praedicti, usque ad Kalendas Septembris proximas prorogavit, asserens se potestatem non habere prorogandi ulterius terminum supradictum. Et quia propter hoc & alia agenda nostra Nuncios nostros ad vestram praesentiam, ex parte nostra et Magnatum nostrorum in proximo transmittemus; Sanctitati vestrae duximus supplicandum, quatenus terminum illum usque adventum Nunciorum nostrorum praedictorum favorabiliter dignemini prorogare, ut nobis munificentiae vestrae gratiam sentiamus more solito fructuosam. Teste Rege apud Westm. 27. die Julii. In eadem forma scribitur Venerabili Cetui Cardinalium, rogando, quod favorabiliter annuere et erga Dominum Papam diligenter procurare dignentur, ut prorogatio termini quam praefatus Magister Arlotus fecit in hac parte, usque adventum Nunciorum Regis praedictorum ad Curiam prorogetur. Ita quod Rex inde eis fortius astringatur ad merita gratiarum. Teste ut supra. The King having employed the Bishop of Hereford to Rome in his business concerning the Realm of Sicily, and authorised him to take up moneys from Merchants in those parts, and engage the King for it, to prosecute that affair, and he expending more moneys, and binding the King in more Obligations than he expected to foreign Merchants, who daily demanded moneys from him, he thereupon by advice of his Council, sent this Writ to give him a speedy account of all moneys and Obligations concerning that affair. REX P. Herefordensi Episcopo, salutem. Cum dudum nobis agentibus in Wasconia Claus. 42 H. 3. m. 5. dorso. Litera directa Herefordensi Episcopo. mitteremus vos ad Curiam Romanam pro negotio Regni Siciliae, et naremus vobis potestatem per Literas nostras, ad pecuniam a Mercatoribus mutuo recipiendam pro expeditione negotii praedicti, et pro expensis vestris, multas vobis perdonationes debitorum quae nobis debuistis fecerimus. Ac insuper quandam summam pecu●iae vobis commiserimus in jocalibus in Barderoba nostra pro expensis vestris, vos nihilominus, ut intelleximus, obligaftis nos diversis Mercatoribus in magna pecuniae quantitate pro expensis praedictis. Et cum in adventu vestro in Angliam a Curia praedicta per multum tempus receperitis omnes exitus provenientes de pecunia Crucis et Decimae, tam in Hiberniae, quam in Diocesibus Hereford, Wigorn. Coventr. et Litchf. pro expensis vestris factis in Curia praedicta, per quod credebamus a praedictis Mercatoribus liberari, et multi Mercatores ad nos venientes cum Literis nostris et vestris institerint penes nos pro pecunia habenda, quam vobis mutuo tradiderunt, de quo non modicum admiramur; volentes super receptis et obligationibus vestris in hac parte plenius certioriari;.., Vobis mandamus ex parte nostra, & mandatum de Consilio nostro firmiter injungentes, in fide qua nobis tenemini, & sicut honorem vestrum, & omnia quae in Regno nostro habetis diligitis, sitis in propria persona vestra ad nos London. in quindena Sancti Michaelis instantis, compotum vestrum reddituri de obligationibus et receptis vestris praedictis, vel talem et tam sufficientem loco vestri mittatis qui vices vestras supplere et pro vobis sufficienter respondere valeat in hac parte, ut audita computatione praedicta, sciamus utrum per nos au● per vos satisfieri debeat Mercatoribus praedictis. Scituri pro certo, quod nisi hoc feceritis, nos de bonis et catallis vestris in Anglia satisfactionem illam fieri faciemus. Teste Rege apud Westmonasterium 28. die Julii. The Pope for his own advantage, to engage the King of England in his business and Wars for wresting the Kingdom of Sicily and Apulia from Manfred and the rightful owners, which his differences and Wars with the King of France obstructed, pressed the King to, and mediated a Peace between France and England, of which the King gave him this account, desiring his assistance for the completing and ratification of the Treaty and League began between them, by sending a special Legate into France for that purpose, such as his Agents should nominate. MEmorandum, quod omnes istae Literae subscriptae tàm Clausae quam Patentes Claus. 42 ●. ●. m. 4. dorso. de negotiis Romanae Curiae confectae fuerunt per Magistrum Rostandum, qui illas secum portavit ad Curiam, & hoc totum factum ést de Consilio M. Comitis Leycestria, R. Comitis Marescalli, P. de Subaudia, J. Comitis Warr. Johannis Mansell Thesaurarii Eborum, Johannis filii Galfridi, Petri de Monte forti, & aliorum de Consilio Regis. REX P. Sancti Georgii ad Velum Aureum Diacono Cardinali, salutem. Cum pro Claus. 42 H. 3. m. 4. dorso. De negotiis missis ad Curiam Romanam. arduis negotiis quae Regnum nostrum & nos respiciunt venerabiles Patres Ebredun. & Taretas. Archiepiscopos, & discretum virum Magistrum Rostandum, Domini Papae Capellanum, ad Romanam Curiam destinemus, dilectionem vestram rogamus affectu quo possumus ampliori, quatenus dictis Nunciis super hiis quae ex parte nostra, vobis exponent fidem indubitatam adhibere velitis, ipsos solita benevolentia in promovendis nostris negotiis adjuvantes. Teste Rege apud Westm. primo die Augusti. Consimiles Literae diriguntur unicuique Cardinali, per se, & singulis procuratoribus & caeteris amicis Regis in Curia Romana. Et istae Literae sunt Clausae. VEnerabilibus Patribus sacrosanctae Romanae Ecclesiae Cardinalibus, Henricus Rex Ibidem. Angliae salutem cum omni reverentia & honore. Scimus multis & infallibilibus documentis, quod sacrosancta Romanae Ecclesia piissima mater nostra vigilanti studio & propensiore cura considerat ea quae incolumitatem respiciunt Regni nostri, quod ostendit evidentissime hiis diebus; nam nuper per Religiosum virum fratrem Mansuetum Domini Papae Poenitentiarium & Capellanum, sedes Apostolica de quiete nostra sollicita, nos multipliciter monuit & induxit, ut cum illustri Rege Franc. pacis foedera iniremus. Nos igitur attendentes, quod ex parte ista toti Christianitati nonnulla commoda per Dei gratiam poterunt provenire, una cum dicto fratre Nuncios nostros sollempnes in Franc. curavimus destinare, qui post tractatus varios certam formam pacis cum saepedicto Rege Franc. ordinarunt. In qua licet in quibusdam nostra conditio aggravetur, tamen ratum habemus et gratum, quod est super hoc ordinatum. Cum igitur toto mentis desiderio affectemus, ut per providentiam sedis Apostolicae tractatus hujusmodi compleatur; Sinceritati vestrae omni affectu quo possumus supplicamus, quatenus quod circa tractatum pacis, tam pie, tam laudabiliter inchoastis, feliciter consummare velitis, nobis concedentes Cardinalem, quem Nuncii nostri nominaverint in Legatum, ut per ipsius industriam dicta pax ad honorem Deiet Ecclesiae Romanae firmetur; ex hoc enim honori Sacrosanctae Romanae Ecclesiae accrescet plurimum, si per ipsum pax ista a cunctis devotis Ecclesiae affectata proveniat, ut per istius pacis exitum auctor pacis nos pacem tribuat quae exsuperat omnem sensum. Teste ut supra. DOmino Papae Rex Angliae salutem, cum reverentia & honore. Regi gloriae & Ibidem. gratiae largitori, ac vestrae Sanctitatis Clementiae gratiarum refundimus actiones, qui pacem faciens in sublimibus suis, animum vestrum erga nos excitare dignatus est, divinitus vobis inspirans, ut illa antiqua et vetus controversia inter nos et illustrem Regem Franciae, longis temporibus agitata, quae innumerabilium provinciarum populos traxit in exterminum et ruinam, per mansuetudinis vestrae gratiam dissolvatur, unde cum jucunditate animi ac cordis jubilo dicere possumus; vos qui locum Dei tenetis in terris, portare pacem, & illuminare patriam populis vobis subditis procurare quietem, ut per vos altissimus glorificetur in coelis, pax ministretur in terris hominibus benevolae voluntatis. Ecce enim Pater Clementissimè, quod nuper per Religiosum virum fratrem Mansuetum Poenitentiarium & Capellanum vestrum, cujus mansuetudo & providentia apud nos & Regni nostri majores grata est plurimum et accepta, qui sibi commisso negotio diligenter, fideliter institit et prudenter, quasi per cingulum pacis nos multipliciter monuistis, ut cum serenissimo Rege Franciae pacis federa iniremus. Cujus exhortationibus salutiferis & honestis acquiescentes omnino cum praedicto fratre in Franciam sollemnes Nuncios curavimus destinare, qui post tractatus varios certam formam pacis cum saepedicto Rege Franciae ordinarunt. In qua licet nonnullis Articulis conditio nostre gravari quoddammodo videatur, tamen nobis acceptabile, et gratum existit quicquid coelestis dispensatio super hoc duxerit providendum. Sperantes exinde, ut per ipsius pacis proventum Ecclesia Dei de variis labor bus respirabit ad pacem, & annunciabit Dominus Annum placabilem ut mirabiles elationes maris quibus Petri navicula fluctuare videtur, mirabilis in altis Dominus cessare faciet statuens procellam in auram. Cum igitur totis medullis animo affectemus, ut per sedis Apostolicae providentiam quaestionis praefatae scrupulus complanetur. Sanctitati vestrae cum affectione quam possumus supplicamus, quatenus quod circa tractatum pacis, tam pie, tam laudabiliter inchoastis foeliciter consummare curetis, nobis concedentes Legatum quem Nuncii nostri duxerint nominandum, ut per ipsius industriam dicta pax ad honorem Dei et Ecclesiae Romanae firmetur; ex hoc enim honori Sacrosanctae Romanae Ecclesiae accrescet plurimum si per ipsum pax ista a cunctis devotis Ecclesiae affectata proveniat, ut per istius pacis exitum auctor pacis nobis pacem tribuat quae exsuperat omnem sensum. Teste ut supra. After which he gives this account to the Pope of Arlots his Notaries demands tohim, and his answer and proceedings thereupon, and his Parliaments promise to aid him in this affair, upon his reforming their grievances at home, which he assented to; and the Pope's mitigation of his overharsh conditions, upon such terms as his Commissioners should propound and agree, which he earnestly entreats him to yield to, by this high complimental Letter, and his Letters of Procuration to his Commissioners. DOmino Papae Rex Angliae, salutem. Quociens recolimus immensas & infinitas Claus. 42 H. 3. m. 4. dorso. gratias quas non nostris exigentibus meritis, sed suae liberalitatis instinctu sedes Apostolica, nobis fecit & indefessa vicissitudine jugiter faciens gratias gratiis superaddit, nos pro tantis beneficiis recognoscimus debitores. Ecce enim quod nuper venerabilem virum Magistrum Arlotum Subdiaconum & Notarium vestrum ad nos misistis pro negotio Regni Apuliae, qui sub certa forma reformationem secum sttulit conditionum quarundam in privilegio Apostolico confecto super hoc contentarum, petens in primis, quod cum illustri Rege Franciae reformaremus omnino, ita quod ex illa pace mille Milites per annum, vel quingenti per biennium nobis in subsidium dicti negotii provenirent. Super quo per Dei gratiam taliter est processum, quod non restat nisi ut per favorem sedis Apostolicae iste Articulus debitum sortiatur effectum, sicut Religiosus vir frater Mansuetus, qui istis interfuit vestrae Clementiae plenius explicabit. Secundo petiit ut liberaremus Ecclesiam in quadam pecuniae quantitate, quod aliter nequivimus facere nisi sicut Nuncii nostri vobis exponent, scilicet Decimam quam Praelati Regni Angliae, Templarii et Hospitalarii pro triennio praeterito nobis debent, dando Ecclesiae insolutum, daturi opem et operam efficacem ut dicta quantitas exigatur. Tertio quoque dictus Magister Arlotus petiit. quod usque ad certam summam de Regno nostro commune subsidium haberemus. Super quo Magnates & Proceres nostros, instanter & diligenter requisivimus, qui post multos tractatus nobis unanimiter responderunt, quod si de ipsorum Consilio Regnum nostrum vellemus in melius reformare, et vos conditiones in privilegio vestro contentas quas nimis difficiles reputant mitigare velletis, ipsi nos ad prosecutionem dicti negotii adjuvarent. Super quo, nos & filius noster primogenitus ipsorum ordinationi statum Regni nostri & nostrum submisimus, volentes, ut circa Regnum nostrum ordinent quicquid viderint expedire; & jam in multis procedere laudabiliter inceperunt, propter quod firmiter credimus & tenemus, quod dummodo mansuetudo vestra conditiones istas temperet sicut Nuncii nostri vobis exponent, dictum negotium per Magnatum nostrorum et totius Communitatis aurilium ad finem perveniet exoptatum; unde Sanctitati vestrae, cum devotione qua possumus supplicamus, quatenus attendentes, quod ex sincera affectione istud negotium assumpsimus conditiones praedictas, sicut Nuncii nostri petent, dignemini mitigare. Teste ut supra. DOmino Papae Rex Angliae salutem, cum reverentia & honore. Cum ad prosecutionem Claus. 42 H. 3. m. 4. dorso. negotii Regni Siciliae, modis omnibus intendamus, parati circa hoc congerere vires nostras. Sanctitati vestrae supplicamus, quatenus pensantes quae Nuncii nostri vobis exponent, ex parte nostra conditiones in privilegio vestro contentas mitigare velitis. Et si, quod absit, quae per dictos Nuncios offerimus ad prosecutionem dicti negotii sufficere non credatis, Venerabilibus Patribus H. & R. Ebredunen. & Tarentas. Archiepiscopis, & viro Religioso fratri J. Militiae Templi in Anglia, Magistro Johanni Clarell, ac Nobilibus viris Petro Braunche, & Willielmo de Hotentost, Militibus nostris, plenam & liberam concedimus potestatem, ac speciale mandatum nomine nostro & Edmundi nati nostri illustris Regis Siciliae, tractandi vobiscum de componendo super negotio memorato, occasione cujuscunque juris nobis & dicto filio nostro competentis in Regno praedicto, secundum quod eis videbitur expedire. Ratum habituri et firmum quicquid ipsi vel major pars eorum super hoc duxerint faciendum. In cujus rei testimonium, nos & dictus Edmundus filius noster sigilla nostra praesentibus duximus apponenda. Teste meipso apud Westm. primo die Augusti. DOmino Papae Rex Angliae, pedum oscula beatorum. Sanctitati vestrae notum Ibidem. facimus, quod nos constituimus Venerabiles Patres Ebredunen. & Tarentas. Archiepiscopos, & discretum virum Magistrum Rostandum, Domini Papae Subdiaconum & Capellanum, Procuratores nostros et Nuncios speciales, (all Foreigners, and the Popes own Creatures, so inconsiderate and over-earnest was the King to gain Sicily upon any terms for his Son, after so many costly engagements in that affair) dantes eis potestatem & speciale mandatum, tractandi vobiscum nomine nostri & Edmundi nati nostri Regis Siciliae, de conditionibus meliorandis et mitigandis contentis in privilegio Apostolico confecto super concessione Regni Slciliae, ac obligandi nos et dictum Edmundum, Regnumque nostrum sub quibuscunque pactis et poenis, ac jurandi in animas nostras de ipsis servandis. Ratum habituri et firmum quicquid per ipsos actum fuerit seu etiam procuratum. (A strange unlimited Authority given to these Foreigners.) In cujus, etc. ut supra. Consimilis Litera emanavit sub nominibus Religiosi viri fratris J. Militiae Templi in Anglia, & discretorum virorum Magistri Johannis Clarell Clerici, Petri Braunche, & Willielmi de Hotentost Militum. In cujus, etc. Teste ut supra. DOmino Papae Rex Angliae, pedum oscula beatorum. Sanctitati vestrae notum Ibidem. fecimus, quod Venerabiles Patres H. Dei gratiâ Ebredunen. Archiepiscopum, & G. electum Eborum, & dilectum Clericum nostrum Magistrum Johannem Clarell, nostros conslituimus Procuratores & Nuncios, ad petendum prorogationem terminorum in privilegio confecto, super concessione Regni Siciliae contentorum, et ad petendum reformationem et meliorationem conditionum in dicto privilegio contentarum; dantes eisdem plenam potestatem et speciale mandatum, obligandi nos et Regnum nostrum sub quibuscunque pactis et poenis, ac jurandi in animam nostram de ipsis servandis. (strange unusual clauses and powers.) Ratum habituri et gratum quicquid per ipsos tres vel duos ex ipsis super hoc actum fuerit vel etiam procuratum. In cujus rei testimonium sigillum nostrum duximus apponendum. Teste ut supra. DOmino Papae Rex Angliae, salutem. Cum de fidelitate & industria nobilis viri Ibidem. Rogeri de Lintyn Militis nostri plenius confidamus, ipsum associamus Nunciis & Procuratoribus nostris quos pro negotio Regni Apuliae ad Sanctitatis vestrae praesentiam destinamus, volentes ut super omnibus dictum negotium contingentibus parem & plenam cum aliis Procuratoribus habeat potestatem. Teste meipso apud Westm. primo die Augusti. DOmino Papae Rex Angliae, salutem. Cum pro bono statu Regni nostri, & pro Claus 42 H. 3. m. 4. dorso. pace inter nos & illustrem Regem Franciae firmanda Legato Cardinali plurimum egeamus. Sanctitati vestrae cum affectu quo possumus supplicamus, quatenus aliquem de fratribus vestris Cardinalibus nobis in Legatum concedatis. Nos enim ad hoc speciales. Procuratores & Nuncios constituimus Venerabiles Patres Ebredunen. & Tarentas. Archiepiscopos, & discretum virum Magistrum Rustandum Capellanum vestrum. Ratum habituri et firmum quicquid per ipsos tres vel duos ex ipsis actum fuerit seu etiam procuratum. In cujus, etc. Teste ut supra. Consimilis Litera emanavit sub nominibus Religiosi viri fratris J. Militiae Templi in Anglia, Magistri Johannis Clares, & Nobilium virorum Petri Braunche, & Willielmi de Histentot, Militum Regis, nulla tamen facta distinctione in hac clausula. R●tum, etc. sic hoc modo, Ratum habituri et firmum quicquid per ipsos super hoc actumfuerit seu etiam procuratum. In cujus, etc. Teite ut supra. DOmino Papae Rex A gliae, salutem. Cum pro bono statu Regni nostri, ac pro Ibidem. pace firmanda inter nos & illustrem Regem Franciae, Legato Cardinali plurimum egeamus, Venerabiles Patres H. Ebredunen. & G. electum Eborum, & discretum virum Magistrum Johannem Clarell, nostros constituimus Procuratores ad petendum Legatum. Ratum habituri quicquid per ipsos tres vel duos ex ipsis super hoc actum fucrit seu etiam procuratum. In cujus, etc. Teste ut supra. The King to satisfy the Pope's demands, and the easier to get in the Dimes the Pope had granted him to gain Sicily, which the Archbishops, Bishops, and Religious persons in England refused to pay, assigned thirty thousand Marks thereof to the Pope, by this Instrument. DOmino Papae Rex Angliae, salutem. Cum Venerabiles Patres Archiepiscopi & Claus 42 H. 3. m. 4. dorso. Episcopi, ac Religiosi viri Templarii & Hospitalarii Regni nostri, Decimam triennii praeteriti nobis ab Apostolica sede concessam, non solverint et nos Ecclesiae Romanae occasione Regni Siciliae in nonnullis pecuniarum summis tenemur astricti, praedictam Decimam nobis debitam usque ad summam triginta millium Marcarum vobis et Ecclesiae Romanae concedimus in solutem, promittentes, quod in exactione ipsius vos j●vabimus bona fide. In cujus, etc. Teste ut supra. The King to gain an Aid from his Nobles in Parliament, and engage them in the affairs of Sicily, was not only content to ratify their Ordinance made at Oxford for the good Government of the Realm, but to crave the Pope's confirmation thereof; as very beneficial to him and his Heirs, (though he afterwards revoked, and was absolved from it by the Pope, as most prejudicial and dishonourable to him and them, when his hopes of Sicily were frustrated) as this Writ attests. DOmino Papae Rex Anglae, salutem. Scriptum esse audivimus, quod illa Civitas Claus. 42 H 3. m. 4. do●so. ordinarissima dicitur, in qua quisque proprios nescit affectus. Hoc hodie in reformatione & ordinatione Regni nostri apertissimè comprobatur. Nam nostri Proceres et Magnates sua postponentes negotia propter nostra, suis spretis negotiis nostris et Regni invigilant toto posse, unde cum ordinationem ipsorum nobis et haeredibus nostris plurimum fructuosam, habeamus gratam non immexito et acceptam; Sanctitati vestrae cum omni affectione qua possumus supplicamus, quatenus favorem sedis Apostolicae hujusmodi ordinationi dignemini impartiri; fulcientes eandem vestrae authoritatis robore et consensu. In cujus, etc. Teste ut supra. Soon after there arising a difference between the King and his Barons about the Provisions made at Oxford, which he and the Prince had taken an Oath to observe, * Mar. Paris Hist p. 958. Rex Angliae absolvitur à juramento per Papam. Rex autem quia juraverat cum Edwardo primogenito suo et Barnagio Provisiones Oxonienses, se inviolabiliter servaturum, et poenituerat eum jam jurasse taliter, metuens quodammodo notam perjurii, misit ad Papam secreto, rogans, ut ab hoc se juramento absolveret, quod facillime impet ravit. Which easy dispensation with Oaths, and their violations though never so solemnly made, (if they concerned not the Popes own honour or interest, in which cases no dispensations would be granted) was a great occasion to advance their usurped power, as well as filthy lucre. How grossly this Pope cheated King Henry of all his moneys and expectations in this affair of Sicily, after all his negotiations, and how much the Sicilian and Apulian Bishops and Nobles slighted his Papal Authority, Matthew Paris thus relates. Eodem insuper tempore, cepit Curia Romana non mediocriter vilescere, Mat. Paris Hist. Angl. p. 949. Coronatio Manftedi in Regem Apuliae. eo quod Apulia Praelati & Magnates contra voluntatem Papae, elegerunt sibi in Regem, & coronari fecerunt Manfredum, filium Impetatoris Frederici; quia non solum ipsum Manfredum, sed et totum genus suum Papa cum tota Curia Romana contemptibilem habuit et exosum. Insuper creavit Rex Apuliae Archiepiscopos et Episcopos sine assensu ipsius Papae,, Nota. imo potius eo invito, qui omnes communiter plus ipsi Regi quam Papae obediebant, et contempta Papali prohibitione, Regi honorem et reverentiam exhibebant. Magnates etiam nulla facta de Edmundo filio Regis Angliae mentione, (cui Papa Regnum Apuliae contulerat, et per Episcopum Bononiensem annulo quodam investierat) ligantiam fecerat, et homagium, eidem Manfredo et Civitatum et Castrorum saisinam fecerunt plenariam. Vnde Rex Angliae non immerito graviter conquestus est, quod Papa tam argumentose multum Regni sui thesaurum ob illud Regnum Apuliae obtinendum in vanum habuerat, et secus quam decuit cum suis multipliciter Cardinalibus attraxerat. Attamen Nuncios suos in Angliam destinatos, utpote fratrem Johannem de Diva, & Magistrum de Seine, Episcopum Bononiensem, Archiepiscopum Messaniensem, & alios complures, qui advenerant quasi procuratores negotii Edmundi filii Regis expediendi super Regno Apuliae, Rex commemoratus honorifice suscepit, et procurationes a religiosis opimas extorqueri permisit. The very next year Pope Alexander dying, and Vrban the 4th. succeeding him, * Mat. Paris p. 958, 959. post coronationem suam, auxilio Crucesignatorum, fugavit exercitum Romanorum, quem Manfredus intruserat in patrimonium Sancti Petri. Hic usque ad quartum haeredem contulit Carolo fratri Regis Francorum Regnum Siciliae, & ex tunc Reges Siculorum gestare coeperunt arma Regis Franciae, eo pacto, ut Manfredum inde expelleret, quod & factum est. And so King Henry and his Son were both cheated of their moneys and the Realm of Sicily. An. 1258. all the Nobility of England sent Messengers to the Pope with a notable Letter concerning the business of Apulia and Sicily, undertaken by the King without their advice; and their proceedings against the Bishop elect of Winchester, and his flight out of the Realm, refusing to stand to his trial, and their resolutions not to readmit him into it again, to prevent future troubles and mischiefs; wherein they mind the Pope of the King's Oath to observe the Provisions at Oxford, which he secretly dispensed with upon the King's motion. Destinantur Nuncii solennes ad Dominum Papam ex parte Regni Mat. Paris Hist. Angliae, Edit. Londini p. 978. Nuncii destinati ad Papam per Angliae unive●sitatem. et totius Angliae universitate, qui nuncia suo Domino Papae plenarie intimarent, et quam citius possent, non expectantes aliquam disputationem vel disceptationem, remearent. Unus autem eorum obiit Parisiis, videlicet, vir. facundissimus & piissimus Petrus Branche, unde alii, quasi attoniti obstupuerunt, dolentes & desolati, arreptum tamen iter continuaverunt, injuncta sibi constanter peracturi. Causam autem itineris eorum et scriptum a Barnagio transcriptum audire qui cupit, in Libro Additamentorum invenire praevalebit. Where it is thus recorded. SAnctissimo patri in Christo Alexandro, divina providentia Sanctae universalis Ecclesiae Additamenta Matthaei Paris. p. 215, 216. Litterae missae à Communitate Angliae Domino Papae. summo Pontifici, communitas Comitum, Procerum, Magnatum, aliorumque Regni Angliae, cum subjectione debita, pedum oscula beatorum. Nuper vestra sanctitas, tam per literas quam per venerabilem virum Magistrum Arlotum Subdiaconum & Notarium, nos multipliciter monuit & induxit: ut Dominum nostrum illustrem Regem Angliae, in prosecutione Regni Siciliae juvaremus; sibi commune subsidium super hoc faciendum. Licet ante idem Dominus noster Rex, absque nostro consilio et assensu, immo nobis reclamantibus et invitis, hoc negotium assumpsisset, quod sibi impossibile propter difficultatem conditionum, et alia quae Statum nostrum respiciebant, penitus credebamus. Ob reverentiam tamen Apostolicae Sedis & vestrae, Domino Regi duximus respondendum, quod si procerum et magnatum suorum consilio, Regnum suum in multis multipliciter deformatum, vellet in melius reformare; et vos conditiones in privilegio vestro contentas, vires ipsius Regis excedentes, quodammodo mitigare velletis, quod juxta mitigationem et reformationem hujusmodi, optatus eventus negotio speratus, ipsi praeberemus et operam et effectem: ut Rex negotium quod sine nobis assumserat, per vestrum auxilium possit perducere ad effectum. Caeterum praefatus Dominus Rex attendens impossibile pondus negotii memorati, & Statum Regni sui imbecillem, voluit & expressè concessit, ut de procerum et magnatum consilio (sine quibus Regnum suum gubernare non poterat, nec negotium prosequi memoratum) dicta reformatio proveniret. Hoc videlicet modo, ut duodecim ex parte ipsius electi, & alii totidem ex parte Communitatis nominati, disponerent, statuerent, ac etiam ordinarent super melioratione & reformatione Regni Angliae; & ipsum Regnum contingentibus, prout eis melius (expediens) videretur. Promittentes tàm ipse quam Dominus Edwardus primogenitus suus, affirmantes propriis juramentis, quod per praedictos viginti quatuor vel majorem partem eorum ordinatum existeret, inviolabiliter observaret. Facturi & procuraturi securitatem omnimodam, quam ipsi viginti quatuor vel major pars eorum, super hoc fieri providerent. Verum cum inter duodecim ex parte Domini Regis electos, electus Wintonienfis & fratres sui nominati fuissent, idem electus quasi salutis suae immemor, & invigilans perturbationi Regni & dispendiis, potius quam reformationi; Regem ipsum sollicitavit, & toto posse induxit; eidem immensam promittens pecuniam (etiam usque ad ex●anitionem substantiae & facultatum Wintoniensis Ecclesiae) ut spreto juramento proprio, a promissionibus hujusmodi resiliret; in Regni sui grauè dispendium, & irreparabile detrimentum. Cumque per hanc viam desiderium intentionis suae explere non posset, ad alia se convertens, Dominum Edwardum & quo●dam alios de Nobilioribus totius Regni animavit, & quantum in se fuit stimulavit, ad subversionem totius Regni; quasi in necem ejusdem & lapsum irreparabilem conjurasset. Ut de illo posset verè dici, Est vir qui turbavit terram, & concussit Regnum. Nam cum ad reformationem qui nunc nominati fuerant, studio vigilanti intenderent, praedictus electus & fratres sui, nunc per subterfugia, nunc per alias cavillationes varias, eventum reformationis hujusmodi retardabant: Sed mentita est sibi iniquitas; Quia quanto plus conabantur, negotium impedire, tanto ferventius & constantius alii zelo reipublicae inflammati, instanti vigilia & propensiori cautela, illud promovere studebant. Attendentes, quod firma cohaerentia fidelis esse non potuit, ubi non est tenax unio voluntatum; & ipsorum conglutinatio animorum. Sed quid ultra? Praedictorum electi & fratrum suorum, tam graves erant excessus & grandes, quod clamor pauperum ad coelum ascenderet contra ipsos. Ipsorum enim Ministri et Officiales, qui potius praedones et satellites dicebantur, undique depraedabantur pauperes: insidiabantur simplicibus, movebant impios, opprimebant innocentes, exultabant in rebus pessimis; laetabantur cum male fecissent, peccata populi comedentes luxuriabantur in lachrymis viduarum; in nuditate pupillorum, in oppressionibus subditorum gaudentes. Et in tantum ipsorum effroenata tables invaluerat, quod nec sub ipsis minores vivere poterant, nec cum ipsis conversari pares, nec super ipsos impares majores. Nos igitur attendentes, quod respublica corpus quoddam est, quod divini muneris beneficio vegetatur, & summae aequitatis nutu agitur, & regitur quodam moderamine rationis; nec expedit quod in uno corpore dissonantia sit membrorum: dictos electum & fratres, tanquam turbatores quietis & tranquillitatis Regni totius, post multas instantias & frequentes monitiones vocavimus, & vocari per Regem fecimus, ut judicio sisterent, suis querelantibus responsuri, juxta consuetudinem Regni et leges. Ita quod duo ex ipsis quos mallent exirent, reliquis duobus remanentibus: qui pro se et aliis responderent, ac si sibi magis expedienscrederent, Regnum omnes exirent. Qui suis culpis exigentibus subire judicium formidantes, maluerunt exire quam judicii rigorem expectare Sed nec adhuc nobis & Regno nostro, super hoc plenè non tantum existeret si Electus, (cui totius turbationis materiam merito imputamus) rediret in Angliam: cujus praesentia subita posset evertere, quicquid nostra sollicitudo multis vigiliis & infinitis laboribus studuit ordinare. Vnde fixum est propositum omnium, et accensum desiderium singulorum; quod illo acto schismatis homo dissensionis et scandali, inter nos deinceps nullatenus conversetur. Quia igitur praefatus Electus & fratres, Regem & Dominum Edwardum infatuerunt, adeo quod non solum insolentiae remanebant penitus impunitae, sed quod pejus est, & verecundum dicere terribileque audire, si quis contra ipsos vel eorum alterum differet in judicio quaestionem, Rex qui delinquentem punire & delictum corrigere tenebatur, ipsos in suis facinoribus nutriens contra conquerentem mirabiliter turbabatur: & cui Judex debebat esse propitius, ad eorum suggestionem fiebat adversarius, & nonnunquam terribilis inimicus; ita quod fulciti Regis potentia & favore, quos volebant opprimebant: Communitates & libertates Ecclesiarum damnabiliter violando, homines incarcerando, Clericos vulnerando, in praejudicium coronae (cui soli competit hujusmodi incarceratio.) Laxatis habenis nequitiae debacchando per Regnum, pro suae libito voluntatis. Unde si (quod absit) electus rediret in Angliam, pejora prioribus probabiliter formidamus. Sanctitati vestrae igitur omni affectione qua possumus, supplicamus, quatenus sicut unitatem & pacem Regni Angliae (quod semper vobis extitit devotum & existit) diligitis, saepe dictum electum ab Administratione Wintoniensis Ecclesiae, quae ex munificentia Sedis Apostolicae sibi concessafuerat, amoveatis omnino. Et magis expedit, quod istud fiat sine scandalo, de vestrae plentitudine potestatis; quam (quod Deus avertat) occasione ipsius pejora contingant; et nos vestri devotissimi, aliud facere compellamur. Scituri pro certo, quod etiamsi Dominus Rex et Regni majores hoc vellent, Communitas tamen ipsius ingressum in Angliam jam nullatenus sustineret. potius enim saevirent in ipsum, quam quod ipsius intolerabilem saevitiam expectarent. Quin immò, omnibus regnicolis onerosum, & toti Regno dispendiosum existeret; si proventus de quo Regnum infestare disposuit, perciperet. Quod et omnes qui qualitatem negotii noverant asseverant. Et certe (Clementissime Pater et Domine) hoc satis credimus sine scandalo faciendum: cum non sit in Episcopum consecratus: sed tantum sibi Administratio est concessa. Super iis autem et aliis, quae nuncii nostri latores praesentium, Sanctitati vestrae exponent, fidem indubitatam adhibere velitis: petitiones nostras quas per ipsos vobis offerimus (si placet) ad exaudititionis gratiam admittentes. Et nos. R. de Clare Gloverniae & Her●fordi●. S. de Monteforti, Legriae, E. Bigod Marescallus Angliae. H. de Bohun, Hertfordiae & Essexiae, W. Albemarle. I. de Placeto, Warevici Comites. H. Bigod, Justiciarius. Angliae, P. de Sabaudia, I. Filius Galfridi, Jacobus de Andel. & Petrus de Monteforti. Vice totius Communitatis, praesentibus literis sigilla nostra apposuimus, in testimonium praedictorum. Conservet incolumitatem vestram altissimus, per tempora longiora. Magnates igitur formidantes ne Electus Wintoniensis Romam properaret, et infinita See Mat. Paris p. 959. promissa Papae et▪ Cardinalibus pecunia, suam procuraret consecrationem: ut sic efficacior esset ad nocendum: elegerunt sibi quatuor milites peritos, et facundos, et fide dignos: qui hanc praenotatam Epistolam Romam deferrent: et Papae et toti Curiae praesentarent Romanae. In cujus tenore continetur, ut eisdem fides adhibeatur indubitata. Habebant autem de denariis electi memorati, Mille Marcas absconditis pro eorum nunciorum labore, ad sua viatica, et alia sibi necessaria exhibenda. Transalpinaturi cum venissent Parisios, infirmatus unus eorum videlicet, (Petrus Brancho) obiit. Unde non mediocriter doluerunt: nihilominus alii tres tantum iter incoeptum continuaverint. Et cum Romam pervenissent, causam sui itineris Domino Papae plenius monstraverunt: addentes quaedam alia enormia, & maxima facinora, quae perpetraverant praedicti Electus & fratres ejus; videlicet de homicidiis, rapinis, & variis injuriis, & oppressionibus, nec voluit Rex impetus eorum refraenare. Nec praetermiserunt * See here p. 765. to 789. injuriam magnam quam fecerant magistro Eustachio de Len, Officiali Domini Cantuariensis Episcopi; ubi vel omnes dicti fratres vel major pars dicitur interfuisse: Pro qua offensa maxima, excommunicati fuerunt omnes qui tanto facinori interfuerunt per totam provinciam Cantuariensem, & Oxoniis coram universitate. Recitatumque est, quòd unus fratrum (scilicet Galfridus) Coquum Regis assavit: & excogitatis tormentis, usque ad mortem cruciavit. Ad quorum auditum, omnes audientes aures continentes obstupuerunt. Moreover the Barons certified this barbarous detestable fact of his to the Pope: Mat. Paris Hist. p. 944, 945. Saevitia electi Winton. in quendam Clericum. * Contigit retroactis paucis temporibus, quod Johannes filius Galfridi Justitiarii Hiberniae, vir quidem praeclarus genere, divitiis, & potentia, contulerat unam Ecclesiam cuidam Clerico suo. Electus autem Wintoniensis hoc audiens, vend●cans in eadem patronatum, vehementer iratus, jussit ejici eundem Clericum, & si contradiceret, turpiter & violenter abstraheretur, viliterque in vilem locum praecipitaretur. Cum vero Ministri ejusdem Electi, dictum Clericum ejicerent de Ecclesia truculenter, eo quod ipse appellasset, occidere ipsum praesumpserunt, & quosdam de Ministris ejusdem Clerici baculando, vulneraverunt, convitiis & injuriis affecerunt, & à domibus excludentes, Ecclesiamque spoliantes, aliquos eorum ita inhumanè tractaverunt, quod contabescentes infra paucos dies interierunt. Istud detestabile factum, Romano erat Pontifici per Barones significatum. Haecautem cum audisset Dominus Johannes, iratus, nec mirum, conquestus est Regi. Sed Rex, sicut consueverat, ipsius Electi reatum pallians excusavit, supplicans attentius, ne ipsum Electum in tam gravi delicto accusaret aut scandalizaret, vel aliquam moveret quaestionem. Supersedit igitur dictus Dominus Johannes, expectans tempora ultioni commodiora. Cernens igitur in praesentiarum, quod superbia Pictavensium declinaret, dictam querimoniam innovavit, appellans quosdam Pictavenses, Ministros scilicet Electi Wintoniensis de tam enormi facto, et Electum ipsum de praecepto. I shall next present you with two Bulls of Pope Alexander the 4th. the Originals whereof I found in the White Tower Chappel, the latter of them with his Leaden Seal yet thereto annexed. The Dean and Chapter of Sarum to gratify this Pope, bestowed a Prebendary in their Church upon Blasius his Nephew and Chaplain; whereupon the Pope by this Bull commanded them to exchange for any other Prebend he should make choice of, and induct him into possession thereof, by himself or his Proctor, and for a reward of their kindness, reserved the gift of this Prebend by Provision to himself, and conferred it on Blasius by this his Bull of Provision, nulling all other grants thereof to him or any else by what Authority soever. ALEXANDER Episcopus servus servorum Dei. Venerabili fratri Episcopo, & dilectis filiis Decano & Capitulo Sarisburiensis, salutem & Apostolicam benedictionem. Ad gaudium plurimum votis nostris accedit, quod spes quam de sinceritate vestrae devotionis concepimus nos non fallit, dum illos quos nobis affinitate conjunctos in charitatis visceribus continemus, benevolentia comprobamini prosequi gratiosa. Prout ex eo manifeste colligitur, quod velut obedientiae filii nostrae contemplationis obtentu dilectum filium Blasium, Nepotem et Capellanum nostrum, in Ecclesia vestra in fratrem et Canonicum admisistis, quandam Praebendam in eadem Ecclesia liberaliter conferendo. Volentes igitur nos in eodem Capellano, qui secundum opinionem communem laudabiliter tendit ad futurae merita probitatis vobis & Ecclesiae praedictae amplius obligare, Universitatem vestram rogamus, monemus & hortamur attentè, per Apostolica vobis scripta praecipiendo mandantes, quatenus affectum vestrum nostro in hac parte cooptantes affectui & hujusmodi vestrae devotionis puritatem per laudabilium actionum studia de bono in melius ductu continuò dirigentes, dictam Praebendam praefato Capellano in illam quam ipse in Ecclesia praedicta duxerat acceptandam, pro nostra et Apostolicae sedis reverentia liberati munificentia commutetis. Ipsumque vel Procuratorem suum, vel alium ejus nomine in ipsius possessionem inducatis, vel faciatis induci. Ita quod operis efficacia patenter ostendat nos nostros uberiori ac pleniori benevolentia confovere, & nos qui super hoc exaudiri toto cordis affectu cupimus, vobis exinde speciales gratias referamus. Nos enim ex nunc Praebendam hujusmodi donationi sedis Apostolicae servamus, praefato Blasio conferendam, decernentes, irritum et inane si secus de dicta Praebenda vestra vel quavis authoritate a quoquam contigerit attemptari. (A high daring Pontifical Usurpation on the Deans and Chapters Right.) Dat. Viter bii 2. Idus Junii, Pontificatus nostri anno tertio. He likewise sent this second Bull to the King, on the behalf of, Arlot his Notary's Nephew, on whom the King had bestowed an annual pension, expressing therein Arlots' affection and devotion to serve the King, and promote his affairs in the Court of Rome, to engage the King to a more bountiful reward of his services, on whom he had * Here p. 855. formerly bestowed many great and rich preferments, even to envy in the Court of Rome, as well as at home. ALEXANDER Episcopus servus servorum Dei. Charissimo in Christo filio nostro H. Regi Anglorum illustri, salutem & Apostolicam benedictionem. Recolit Regiae mansuetudinis bonitas quam fideliter & quam purè, * A false suggestion. sine improbitatis et cupiditatis nota, dilectus filius Magister Arlotus Subdiaconus & Notarius noster, quando ipsum olim in Angliam pro Ecclesiae ac tuis negotiis destinavimus, se erga te habuit, materiam justae offensionis cui non relinquens. Et ideö nè idem relinqueretur prorsus Regiae liberalitatis immunis, praeter munificentiae tuae morem dignum duxisti, postquam ad sedem est reversus Apostolicam, eum in suis prosequi aliquo munere gratiae specialis. Nam sicut idem Notarius nobis exposuit, dilecto filio Arlotucio Nepoti ejus, feudum certae quantitatis prout in tuis Patentibus Literis contineri dicitur, obtulisti. Rogans pluries & per iterata scripta requirens, ut idem Notarius eundem Nepotem s●um ad tuam praesentiam destinaret, merito quidem hoc tua ben●g●●as cogitavit, quia sic plenius scires quibus laudibus apud nos, idem Notarius pietatem tuam in Deum, & devotionem quam habes ad Ecclesiam commendavit. Et quibus persuasionibus ad diligendum te amplius nos & fratres nostros accendit. Nosces perfectius ipsius erga te ac filios tuos sinceritatis affectum, & te sibi reputares non modicum ad benevolentiae vicissitudinem obligatum. Cum igitur idem Notarius non solum instantiae tuae, sed & quorundam collateralium tuorum exhortationibus acquiescens, praefatum Nepotem suum ad magnitudinem tuam mittat, Serenitatem tuam rogamus attentè, quatenus eum ob reverentiam Apostolicae sedis & vestram, benignè suscipias, et ipsum qui non se ingerit, sed a te vocatus accedit, habeas prout tuam decet honorificentiam, et sicut praefati Notarii probata erga te sinceritas meruit commendatum. Ita quod idem Notarius fiat tibi ex devoto devotior, et nos exinde reddamur tibi ad beneplacita promptiores. Dat. Anagniae 6. Idus Septembris, Pontificatus nostri * Anno Dom. 1259. 43 H. 3. anno quinto. Sigillum Plumbeum Alexander Papa Quartus. Matthew Paris renders us this account of Abbot's withstanding the King's obligations to satisfy the Pope's demands, and of the great exactions, expenses of Abbots and Bishops in going to Rome to be confirmed, according to Pope Alexander's new Decree. Eodem anno, videlicet decimoquinto Calendas Augusti, non procul à Wintonia, Mat. Paris Hist. Angl. p. 942. Obitus Abbatis R. Westm obiit Richardus Abbas Westmonasteriensis, vir quidem elegans, facundus, juris utriusque peritus, Cinonici scilicet & Civilis, Regis specialissimus, in cujus etiam obsequio magnos & multos, tàm in transmarinis, quam in cismarinis partibus, labores libenter consumpserat sumptuosos, etc. Sed quia virtutibus se solent vitia quaedam adjungere, iste Richardus sigillum suum, & Conventus sui, scripto cuidam Regis apposuit, ut videlicet alii Abbates in eodem nominati, audacius sigilla sua apponerent, & liberius. Quod quidem scriptum tunc temporis confectum fuit, ut quidam Abbates superiores in Anglia sese obligarent pro Rege Mercatoribus transmarinis in pecunia non minima, promissa tamen eisdem Abbatibus & successoribus suis, securitate ejusdem pecuniae à Rege persolvendae, Ecclesiarumque suarum servanda indemnitate. Sed quia hujusmodi promissioni fides, non videbatur adhiberi indubitata, ipso solo in vanum consentiente, caeteri omnes viriliter restiterunt, et unanimiter contradixerunt, hoc divino superaddentes consilio, quia si per eos fieret hujus obligationis introitus, aliorum etiam supponebatur per eorum exempla contractus. Hujus autem Richardi defuncti corpus, delatum est Westmonasterium, & in Ecclesia sua Conventuali honorifice sepultum. Eligitur autem Dominus Philippus ejusdem Monasterii Prior, in ejusdem domus Abbatem. Philippus electus Abbas Westmon. moritur ante confirmationem. Quod cum audisset, vix consensum attribuit, illam Domini Papae gravissimam vehementer formidans constitutionem, scilicet, quod oportuit Romam personaliter adire, cum corporis et carnis oneraretur ipse magnitudine. Maluit enim, & melius fuit domi residere morè pristino vivendo, quam pro dignitate temporali, tanto se exponere periculo. Attamen fratrum exhortatione, & legitima omnium convictus electione, eisdem gratanter adquievit. Ita tamen, quod pro confirmatione sua alios ad Curiam destinarent. Profecti autem quidam de eminentioribus, propositis coram Domino Papa causis et excusationibus absentiae electi sibi urgentioribus, contradicentibus Cardinalibus vix tandem potuerunt gratiam adquirere, data non modica pecuniae quantitate. Quibus post negotia difficilius expedita, redeuntibus, nunciatum est, eorum electum jam defunctum, aliumque in locum ejus quam citius subrogatum. Qui vehementer dolentes, versus Curiam iterum laborem festinanter resumunt praehabitum. The same year Godfrey de Kimeton Dean of York, was elected Archbishop of that See, and forced to travel to Rome for his confirmation: * Mat. Paris Hist. Angl. p. 942, 948, 950. Godfr. de Kimeton electus in Archiepis. Ebor. & consecratus. See Tho. Stubs Acta Pontiff. Ebor. col. 1726 Godwins Catalogue of Bishops p. 468. qui Romam corporaliter adiens, quamplurimis sumptibus, & gravaminibus consumptis, peractóque laudabiliter negotio, quam citius remeavit incolumis. Consecratus est Romae Archiepiscopus Eboracensis, qui à Domino Papa & universis examinatoribus condignus repertus & commendabilis, expletis laudabiliter negotiis Ecclesiae Sanctae, gubernator remeavit opertunus. Tunc venit in Angliam à partibus transmontanis, Eboracensis Archiepiscopus, à Domino Papa consecratus. Et cum Londinum pervenisset, per medium urbis portari fecit crucem suam ante ipsum in propatulo elevatam, accedensque ad Regem, honorificè susceptus est, & inde ad partes tendens Angliae Boreales, in suo gaudenter Archiepiscopatu pastor & pater suscipitur sublimatus. He Interdicted the whole City of York not long after, from the beginning of Lent till the invention of the Holy Cross, I know not upon what quarrel. Circa idem tempus, convocati fuerunt Praelati Angliae universaliter, ut Oxoniae Mat. Paris Hist. Angl. p. 944. Convocantur Praelati Angliae Oxoniae. convenientes, Anglicanae Ecclesiae vacillantis, et multipliciter impulsae, ne penitus cadat, statum reformarent. Convenerant autem ibi quatuor Episcopi ad hoc specialiter deputati, scilicet Norwicensis & Cicestrensis, aliique duo, quorum nomina non recolo. Qui convocaverunt exemptos omnes Abbates, & alios alterius ordinis, vel eorum idoneos Procuratores, scire volentes, si eorum statutis vellent adquiescere, & eorum defensioni & sustentationi uniformiter adhaerere. Sed quia quidam excusatione absentes, quidam in assensu dubitantes, nullum tunc potuerunt dare responsum, recesserunt omnes, imperfectum relinquentes negotium. The same year, Anno 1259. the Monks of Winchester, comperientes quod Mat. Paris Hist. Angl. p. 952. H. de Wengham eligitur in Episc. Winton. See Godwin in the life of Wengham. Rex nullum quem eligerent in Episcopum acceptasset, nisi sibi charissimum, maximè post fratris sui Athelmari exilium, elegerunt sibi in Episcopum & suerum pastorem animarum, Dominum Henricum de Wengham, Domini Regis Cancellarium. Ipse autem considerans rem fuisse litigiosam, & incertam, noluit adhuc elect. oni de se factae plenè consentire, licet Regem sibi invenire favorabilem non dubitaret. Asseruit enim se tantae dignitati, et custodiae animarum insufficientem, nec Theologia aliisque divinis Scripturis edoctum, aut ut decet, renitentem. Tandem tamen aliquantulum consentiens, libenter a Domino Rege, sed conditionaliter, suscipitur, videlicet, si frater suus uterinus Athelmarus praeelectus, posset a Domino Papa gratiam impetrare consecrationis, ipsemet prae omnibus aliis fieret in eadem Ecclesia Wintoniensi institutus. Si vero non-salvo jure fratris sui sustentationis, loco ipsius, sit ille subrogatus. But the Bishopric of London becoming void, (Fulco Bishop of London dying of the Plague) Wengham made no bones to accept thereof, notwithstanding his insufficiency, and want of learning and knowledge in Divinity, and withal procured these Letters Patents from King Henry, by advice of his Council, (in imitation of the Popes Commendaes', then grown very common) to hold and retain all his former Ecclesiastical dignities and Benefices, whereof the King was Patron, together with his Bishopric, for so long time as the Pope should please to grant him a dispensation, whose dispensation alone would not bar the King to present to those dignities and Benefices, being all void in Law by making him a Bishop. REX Venerabilibus patribus Archiepiscopis, Episcopis ad quos praesentes literae Pat. 43 H 3. m. 6. intus. Pro H. Electo London. pervenerint, in quorum diocesibus Venerabilis Pater H. London. Electus Ecclesiastica beneficia tempore suae promotionis ad eundem Episcopatum obtinuit, salutem. Fructuosa & diuturna obsequia quae praefatus Electus diu nobis impendit, & ipsius fidelitatem, & industriam, nec non & affectionem quam erga nos gerit diligentius attendentes; Nos de Consilio Magnatum de Consilio nostro concedimus eidem Electo; Quod decanatus, dignitates et omnia alia beneficia Ecclesiastica subscripta, quae tempore dictae promotionis suae de patronatu nostro obtinuit, retinere possit libere, plene et pacifice, quamdiu ipsa per indulgentiam Domini Papae valeat retinere; videlicet, Decanatum Sancti Martini London. cum collationibus Ecclesiarum & Praebendarum ad eundem Decanatum pertinentium; Decanatum de Tottenhal. Coventr. & Lichf. Dioc. cum collationibus Praebendarum ad eundem Decanatum spectautium, Ecclesiam de Auvilliers ejusdem Dioc. quae est Praebenda de Bruges, Ecclesiam de Worefeld. ejusdem Dioc. Ecclesias de Kirkeym. & de Preston. in Augmodernesse Eborum Dioc. quae sunt in Archidiaconatu Richmondiae, Ecclesiam de Grymmesby Lincoln. Dioc. Promittimus etiam eidem bona fide et coneedimus, quod dictos Decanatus Sancti Martini London. de Tottenhal. seu etiam praedicta Beneficia Ecclesiastica, quae ex patronatu nostro ante su am promotionem optinuit nulli conferri faciemus, nec ad dicta beneficia aliquem praesentabimus, quamdiu ipsaper indulgentiam Domini Papae valeat retinere. In cujus, etc. Teste Rege apud Westm. 18. die Julis. Per H. le Bigod. Justiciarium Angl. He had the like Patent to retain his Benefices and Ecclesiastical preferments in Ireland. This is the very sirst Patent of a Commenda retinere, granted by the King to any Bishop elect I have yet met with, being made by advice of the Lords of his Council and Judges, which makes it more considerable: This * See Godwins Catalogue of Bishops, p. 147. & Spelmanni Glossarium Cancellariorum Catalogo. Wengham was then Chancellor of England, and retained all these preferments and Benefices, though unlearned, unworthy, together with his Bishopric, to maintain his Worldly Pomp, Grandeur, with the total neglect of his people's souls, and his Pastoral duty, the least of his care, thoughts, and of most Commendatories in that age and succeeding times. Adomar Bishop elect of Winton being forced to fly the Realm by the Barons as you have heard, and the See continuing void; the King seizing the Temporalties and stock thereof, granted 5000. Sheep, 200. Cows and 10 Bulls to this Bishop of London elect, (first chosen Bishop thereof) to stock the Bishopric of London, warranting them against the Bishops of Winchester, provided always, that if Adomar should recover possession of his Bishopric they should be restored to him. REX Nicholas de Handlo, Custodi Episcopatus Winton. salutem. Sciatis quod Par. 43 H. 3. m. 4. intus. Pro H. London. Electo. pro laudabili Servitio, quod dilectus Clericus noster Henricus de Wengham, London. Electus diu nobis impendit, concessimus ei de instauro Episcopatus Winton. quinque Millia Ovium, ducentas Vaccas, & decem Tauros, de dono nostro ad instaurandum inde Episcopatum suum London. Quod quidem instaurum eidem London. Electo versus quemcunque Episcopum vel Electum Winton. seu alium Warrantizabimus, & ipsum inde indempnem conservabimus. Hoc tamen excepto, quod si contingat Adomarum fratrem nostrum possessionem Episcopatus Winton. recuperare & optinere, Nos necessario eidem fratri nostro instaurum praedictum restituere tunc volumus, quod idem Electus London. de tanto instauro, vel de rationabili praecio ejusdem nobis respondeat. Et ideò vobis mandamus, quod eidem London. Electo, vel ejus certo Atturnato praedict. quinque Millia Ovium, CC. Vaccas, & decem Tauros liberari faciatis. Et nos liberationem illam vobis in compoto vestro allocari faciemus. In cujus, etc. Teste Rege apud Westm. 4. die August. Duplicata est ista litera. Per ipsum Regem & Consilium suum. The King by reason of the vacancy of the Bishopric of Winchester, presenting one to a parcel of Tithes which the Bishops held and disposed of, and the Archbishop's Official refusing to admit him, the King issued this Writ to the Guardian of the Bishopric to admit him thereunto, and put him into possession thereof, and maintain him therein, if the Official persisted in his refusal. REX Nicholas de Handlo Custodi Episcopatus Winton. salutem. Cum ad seperatas Pat. 43 H. 3. m. 12. dorso. decimas de Etheneswell, nuper praesentaverimus dilectum Clericum Richardum de Wintonia, & Magister Constantinus de Mildhall Offic. Venerabilis Patris B. Cantuariens. Archiepiscopi, in Episcopatu praedicto ipsum Clericum nostrum ad dictas decimas admittere, & in Corporalem possessionem eorundem inducere distulerit, in nostri contemptum, et dicti praesentati nostri praejudicium et gravamen. Licet eidem Offic. per inquisitionem, quam inde fecit constiterit, qnod dictae decimae vacant per mortem Andreae de Brainford. quondam possessoris earundem & ad nostram spectant donationem ratione dicti Episcopatus vacantis, & in manu nostra existentis, eo quod Episcopi Wintoniae qui pro tempore fuerint dictas decimas cum vacassent cuicumque voluerint sine reclamatione alicujus contulerunt, Et jam mandaverimus iterato eidem Officiali, quod Clericum nostrum memoratum ad dictas decimas admittat & in corporalem possessionem earundem sine dilatione & difficultate qualibet inducat. Uobis mandamus firmiter praecipientes, quod nisi dictus Officialis id sine dilatione fecerit, ad mandatum nostrum, vos eundem Clericum nostrum in plenam possessionem Decimarum supradictarum cum festinatione inducatis, et ipsum in possessione earundem manuteneatis et defendatis, ne nobis aut Episcopis dicti loci futuris, vel etiam dicto praesentato nostro praejudicetur in hac parte, cum Episcopi ejusdem loci qui pro tempore extiterunt dictas decimas in singulis vacationibus earundem cuicunque voluerunt, sine inquisitione vel institutione inde facienda conferre consueverint, sicut per inquisitionem quam dictus Offic. inde fieri fecit est compertum, & nos eundem Episcopatum in suis juribus & libertatibus dum fuerit in manu nostra conservare teneamur. In cujus, etc. Teste Rege apud West. 4. die Aprilis. The King having approved, and the Pope afterwards confirmed the election of the Archbishop of Tuam in Ireland, and certifying the King thereof, he thereupon issued these Patents for the restitution of his Temporalties. REX Stephano Lungespee Justic. Hiberniae & Magistro Willielmo de Bakepuz, Eschaetori Pat. 43 H. 3 m. 6. intus. Pro Archiepiscopo Tuamensi de restitutione temporalium Hibernia. Hiberniae, vel alteri eorum salutem. Cum Venerabilis Parer Thomas quondam Elfin. Episcopus, postulatus in Archiepiscopum Tuamensem confirmatus sit à Domino Papa, sicut per Literas ejusdem Domini Papae nobis inde directas accepimus, nos postulationem illam et confirmationem ratum habentes et acceptam, reddidimus eidem Archiepiscopo praedictum Archiepiscopatum, cum omnibus pertinentiis suis. Et ideo vobis mandamus▪ quod eidem Archiepiscopo de Archiepiscopatu praedicto, cum omnibus temporalibus & possessionibus ad eundem Archiepiscopatum pertinentibus plenam seisinam sine dilatione fac. In cujus, etc. REX omnibus tenentibus de Archiepiscopatu Tuamensi in Hibernia, salutem. Ibidem. Cum Venerabilis Pater Thomas, quondam Elfinens. Episcopus postulatus in Archiepiscopum Tuamensem confirmatus sit à Domino Papa, sicut per Literas ejusdem Domini Papae nobis inde directas accepimus; nos postulationem illam & confirmationem ratam habentes & acceptam, reddidimus eidem Archiepiscopo praedictum Archiepiscopatum, cum omnibus pertinentiis suis. Et ideo vobis mandamus, quod eidem Archiepiscopo tanquam Domino vestro in omnibus quae ad praedictum Archiepiscopatum pertinent intendentes sitis & respond. In cujus, etc. Teste Rege apud Westm. 20. die Julii. Et mandatum est Stephano Lungespee Justic. Hiberniae, & Magistro Will. Bakepuz Eschaetori Hiberniae, vel alteri eorum, quod eidem Archiepiscopo de Archiepiscopatu praedicto, cum omnibus temporalibus & possessionibus ad eundem Archiepiscopatum pertinentibus, plenam seisinam sine dilatione habere faciant. Teste ut supra. What transactions, Letters passed between the King, Pope, and others concerning the Dimes, etc. granted him by the Pope, and affairs of France and the Kingdom of Sicily, and what accounts were given by the Bishop of Hereford and Rustand, of the moneys received and disbursed by them out of these Dimes to foreign Merchants and others, these ensuing Records inform us. QUia Rex collectionem decimae & pecuniae provenientis de bonis ab intestato Claus. 43 H. 3. m. 8. dorso. De respectu pro Richardo de Grey. morientium in Regno Regis, & de bonis indistinctè legatis, & etiam pecuniae in Terram Sanctam Legatae, quas Dominus Papa Regi concessit in subsidium Terrae Sanctae, de Consilio Magnatum qui sunt de Consilio suo prorogavit, donec per nuncios suos quos nuper misit ad Curiam Romanam plenius certioratus fuerit, qualiter in negotio praedicto fuerit procedendum: Mandatum est W. Bathon. & Wellensi Episcopo, quod demandam quam facit, Richo de Grey, de C. lib. quas Reginald. de Mohun. in Testamento suo legavit in subsidium Terrae sanctae, & quas idem Richus ei debuit, ponat in respectum, donéc aliud à Rege habuerit in mandatis. Teste Rege apud Westm. 8. die Septembris. DOmino Papae Rex Angliae, salutem. Cum reverentia & honore. Quia de quibusdam Ibidem. negotiis inter Regem & illustrem Regem Francia praelocutis plenius certiorari Rex oportebat, priusquam super aliis, quae per Magistrum Petram Lemovicens. & Anselmum de Bellencer. Clericos & Nuncios Venerabilium Patrum Ebredunen & Tarentas. Archiepiscoporum, & Magistri Rostandi Capellani Domini Papae Regi super facto Siciliae, & aliis tam literis quam viuâ voce, Sanctitas Papae significare Regi plenum daret responsum; propter quod etiam quosdem de Majoribus Regni & consilii Regis in Franciam Rex transmisit festinanter; praedictos Clericos Rex retinuit usque ad reditum nunciorum Regis praedictorum. In quorum reversione absque mora ulteriori peripsos Clericos, vel per alios sollempnes Nuncios Regis certum super praemissis Papae beatitudini significavit responsum, maximè autem super facto regni Siciliae efficaciter prosequendo, vel penitus dimittendo. Quapropter Clementiae Papae Rex supplicat attente, quatenus hanc modicam moram, si placet, excusatam habens, circa praemissa nihil interim immutet. Teste Rege apud Windes. 16. die Marcii. REX Ebredun. Archiepiscopo, salutem. Super laboribus & variis anxietatibus Pat. 43 H. 3. m. 8. dorso. quibus estis pro negotiis nostris in Curia Romana procurandis multipliciter lacessiti, sicut per operis efficaciam manifestè perpendimus, grates vobis referimus quas valemus. Et quia tractatus pacis inter nos & Regem Franciae praelocutae, à qua negotium Siciliae multum dependet, ulteriorem quam credebamus cepit dilationem, Clericos vestros, qui nuper ad nos ex parte Domini Papae & vestra venerunt, ad vos remittere distulimus, quousque plenius certiorati essemus de pace praedicta, sicut ipsi vobis poterunt plenius intimare, quibus super hiis & aliis negotiis nostris quae vobis exposuerint fidem adhibere velitis, statum & beneplacitum vestrum nobis saepius demandantes. Teste Rege apud Windes. 24. die Maii. Consimiles Literae diriguntur Archiepiscopo Tarat. Magistro Rostando, & Magistro J. Clarell, & ista quatuor paria Literarum tradita fuerunt duobus Clericis dictorum Archiepiscopi Tarat. & Magistri Rostandi deportanda. REX Venerabilibus patribus H. Ebredun. R. Tarat. Archiepiscopis, Magistro Rustando, Ibidem▪ & Magistro I Clarell vel eorum aliquibus qui praesentes fuerint in Curia salutem. Super laboriosa & sollicita diligentia quam apposuistis & apponitis circa negotia nostra in Curia Romana expedienda grates vobis referimus copiosas. Et quia tractatus pacis inter nos & Regem Franciae praelocutae, à qua negotium Siciliae multum dependet, ulteriorem quam credebamus coepit dilationem, Clericos vestros, qui nuper ad nos ex parte Domini Papae & vestra venerunt, ad vos mittere distulimus quousque plenius certiorati essemus de pace praedicta, sicut vobis per alias literas nostras quas vobis per eosdem Clericos direximus significavimus; unde dilectum & fidelem nostrum Willielmum Bonquer ad praedictam Curiam mittimus, pro praedicto negotio & aliis secretis negotiis ibidem expediendis, quae idem Willielmus vobis exponet, cui super hiis fidem adhibeatis, & ea ad optatam produci procuretis effectum, prout praefatus Willielmus vobis ex parte nostra plenius intimabit; tantum super hoc facientes, quod vobis exinde ad gratiarum merita fortius astringamur; statum autem vestrum & negotiorum nostrorum in Curia nobis crebro significetis. Teste Rege apud Windes. ●●. die Maii. Ista Litera tradita fuit Willielmo Bonquer deportanda, & est Litera duplicata. DOmino Papae, salutem cum reverentia & honore. Super gratiis multimodis Ibidem. nobis & Edmundo nato nostro, maximè de Regno Siciliae & aliis nos & honorem nostrum contingentibus, à vestrae Sanctitatis Clementia favorabiliter impensis vobis ad gratiarum actiones assurgimus, cum devotione speciali; vestrae Paternitati significantes, quod pax inter Regem Franciae illustrem & nos aliquantulum cepit dilationem à qua magna pars subsidii praedicti Regni Siciliae dependebat. Super quo Sanctitati vestrae attentius supplicamus, quatenus ob causam praedictam, & alias quas dilectus & fidelis noster W. Bonquer Miles & Marescallus noster, vobis ore tenus ex parte nostra plenius exponat, memoratam gratiam vestram apud nos & praedictum natum nostrum, tam egregiè & liberaliter inchoatam, necnon & benignè continuatam, fine piissimo consummare dignemini, & eidem super negotio Siciliae & facto Winton. & ad ea pertinentibus, necnon & aliis negotiis nostris & Regni nostri plenam fidem adhibere velitis. Teste meipso apud Westm. 20. die Maii, Anno Regni nostri 43. REX Venerabili Patri P. Sancti Georgii ad Volum Aurcum Diacono Cardinali● Pat. 43 H. 3. m. 8. dorso. salutem, & sincerae dilectionis affectum. Ex veridica tàm dilecti Militis nostri Willielmi Bonquer, quam aliorum Nunciorum nostrorum relatione didicimus▪ quod vos negotia nostra & Regni nostri sincero animo amplectantes, ipsa non minus quam vestra totis studuistis viribus promovere; unde Paternitati vestrae, quas possumus etsi non quas debemus gratiarum referimus actiones; rogantes, quatenus quid voluntati vestrae placuerit, quod per nos valeat expediri nobis significari velitis. Scituri, quod si in aliquibus vobis responderemus ad votum nobis gratum esset plurimum & acceptum. Negotia verò nostra tàm Regni Argliae, quam Regni Siciliae, & alia pro quibus ad Curiam Romanam praefatum Willielmum destinavimus, vobis recommendamus; supplicantes attentè, quatenus negotia illa solita benignitate promovere dignemini. Et hiis quae vobis ex parte nostra dicet fidem adhibere velitis. Teste ut supra. Eodem modo scribitur Cardinalibus, videlicet Albo Cardinali, Johanni Geyton, Ottobono, Octomano, H. de Senithier, R. Hannibal. SAnctissimo in Christo Patri Domino Alexandro Dei gratia Summo Pontifici, Henricus Ibidem. eadem gratia Rex Angliae, etc. salutem, cum reverentia & honore. Noverit Paternitas vestra, quod Venerabiles Patres Ebredunen. & Tarentas. Archiepiscopos, Magistrum Rustandum Subdiaconum & Capellanum vestrum, Willielmum Bonquer Militem nostrum, & Magistrum Johannem Clarell, nostros constituimus Procuratores ad petendum Legatum in Angliam destinandum pro negotiis Regni Siciliae, & aliis negotiis in Anglia expediendis, prout eis injunximus & nobis viderint expedire. Ratum habituri & gratum quicquid ipsi vel aliqui ex ipsis qui praesentes fuerint super praemissis duxerint faciendum. In cujus, etc. Teste Rege a pud Westm. 20. die Maii. Eodem modo scribitur Cetui Cardinalium, & per eadem verba sine ratihabitione. Teste, etc. Item duo paria Literarum tradita fuerunt Willielmo Bonquer. VEnerabili Cetui Sanctae Romanae Ecclesiae Cardinalium, Rex Angliae salutem, & Claus. 43 H. 3. m. 13. dorso. sincerae dilectionis affectum. Quia de quibusdam negotiis inter Regem & illustrem Regem Franciae, praelocutus Rex plenius certiorari volebat priusquam Domino Papae super hiis quae per Magistrum Petrum Lemovicen. & Anselmum de Belencr. Clericos & Nuncios Venerabilium Patrum Ebredunen. & Tarentas. Archiepiscoporum, & dilecti Clerici Regis Magistri Rustandi, ejusdem Domini Papae Capellani, super facto Siciliae, & aliis tàm Literis quam viuâ voce Regis significat, certum Rex daret responsum, propter quod etiam quosdam de majoribus Regni & consilii Regis in Franciam Rex transmisit, Rex praedictos Clericos retinuit, usque ad redditum dictorum Nunciorum Regis. In quorum reversione absque mora ulteriori per eosdem Clericos, vel per alios Nuncios Regis solemnes, Domino Papae & eye super praemissis certum responsum suum Rex significavit, & maximè de negotio Siciliae, cum effectu prosequendo vel penitus dimittendo. Unde eos attentius Rex rogat, quatenus apud Summum Pontificem diligenter instare velint ne hanc moram, modici temporis gravem habeat vel molestam. Et quod super facto Siciliae, vel aliis Regem seu Regnum Regis tangentibus nihil interim immutetur. Teste Rege apud Windes. 16 die Martii. The King having demanded an account of the Bishop of Hereford the year before, of the moneys received by him in England and Ireland for the Disme granted him by the Pope, and of the several Obligations and Debts he had obliged him and several Abbeys to foreign Merchants, in great sums of money, and how they were expended, and receiving an imperfect account thereof from his Procurator, enjoined him to make an exact account thereof, and to come in person into England for that end, by a certain day, under pain of seizing all his Temporalties and Goods in England. REX P. Herefordensi Episcopo, salutem. Cum nuper vobis mandaverimus, Claus. 43 H. 3. m. 15. dors. quod personaliter vel per certum Procuratorem in Angliam veniretis, ad certificandum nos super variis et immensis obligationibus quibus nos et Regnum nostrum, necnon et quamplures domos Religiosos Regni diversis Mercatoribus in Curia Romana pro facto Siciliae multipliciter astrinxistis, et ad quorum manus pecunia de praedictis obligationibus devenit, et ad cujusmodi negotia expedienda fuerit apposita, et ad reddendum compotum de tota pecunia quam recepistis in partibus transmarinis et cismarinis, et etiam de tota pecunia per vos collecta et recepta de Decima et negotio Crucis, tam in Hibernia, quam in Dioc. Coventr. Wigorn. et Hereford. vos per infirmitatem & impotentiam corporis vestri super adventu vestro in Angliam excusastis, promittentes vos tales Procuratores loco vestro missuros, qui nobis in praemissis sufficienter respondeant. Et cum Decanus vester Hereford. nuper venisset coram nobis & Consilio nostro apud London. offerens se pro vobis de praedicta pecunia Crucis & Decimae compotum redditurum, ipse tantum reddidit compotum de pecunia Crucis & Decimae ad opus vestrum recepta in Hibernia, & in Dioc. praedictis, asserens se de obligationibus per vos factis in Curia Romana non posse ita distincte sicut petivimus respondere, unde nobis supplicavit, quod aliquem diem diffusum, vobis super hoc praengere dignaremur, quo personaliter venire possetis in Angliam nobis de praedictis obligationibus responsuri. Quapropter habita super hoc deliberatione, cum Magnatibus de Consilio nostro, transcriptum compoti quem praedictus Decanus reddidit vobis mittimus praesentibus interclusum, quo viso & plenius intellecto, utrum praedictum compotum acceptandum, vel aliquid eidem addendum, seu inde minuendum duxeritis nobis per Literas vestras Patentes, & per latorem praesentium significetis, quia a diversis Mercatoribus ad pecuniam sibi reddendam de obligationibus praedictis per vos factis sumus cotidie graviter anriati, de quibus oportet nos et Regnum nostrum, sub celeritate qua fieri poterit liberari. Nos de Consilio praedictorum Magnatum nostrorum, Vobis mandamus firmiter injungentes, super omnia quae in Regno nostro tenetis, quod omni dilatione & excusatione postpositis infra Quindenam Paschae prox. venturam in Angliam veniatis. Ita quod in Quindena illa sitis in propria persona coram nobis & Consilio nostro, ubicunque tunc fuerimus in Anglia ad respondendum nobis, & ad plenius certificandum nos & Consilium nostrum de omnibus receptis & expensis per vos factis in Curia praedicta, & de omnibus obligationibus supradictis, de quibus praefatus Decanus respondere non potuit, ut praedictum est. Et praedictum diem ita diffusum de consilio nostro vobis assignamus ne ulteriorem dilationem quaerere possitis in hac parte. Scituri, quod per consilium praedictorum Magnatum nostrorum provisum est, quod nisi ad praedictum diem veneritis in Angliam, Episcopatus vester cum omnibus bonis et catallis vestris in Anglia in manum nostram capietur ad satisfaciendum inde Mercatoribus supradictis: Quid autem super praemissis facere volueritis nobis sine dilatione remandetis. Teste Rege apud Wymu●dell, 26 die Novembris. A just retribution for this Bishop, who invented, promoted these fraudulent Obligations, to the oppression of his fellow Bishops and Abbots, and it seems converted much of it to his own private use, for which he was now called to a strict account. MEmorandum, quod Commissarii Episcopi Hereford. & Magistri Rostandi in negotio Claus. 43 H. 3. m. 15. dors. Compotus Decani Hereford. quem reddidit pro Episcopo Hereford. Crucis & Decimae in Wigorn. Coventr. Hereford. Civitatibus & Dioc. receperunt in universis per duos annos de pecunia Crucis & Decimae 3155. Marc. 12. d. Expensis inde liberaverunt Mayneto Spinae & sociis suis, Civibus & Mercatoribus Florent. 2247. Marc. 10. s. 10. d. de debito quatuor Marcarum. In quibus Episcopus Hereford. eisdem fuerat obligatus in Curia Romana pro Domino Rege. Item liberaverunt eisdem 100 Marc. de mandato Magistri Rostandi, pro damnis expensis & interesse. Item liberaverunt Dentay● & Baldes, Civibus & Mercatoribus Florent. de mandato Magistri Rostandi, 450. Marc. Item in expensis dictorum Collectorum per duos annos 300. Marc. quas assignavit eis Magister Rostandus per Literas suas. Item in aliis expensis factis praedicta pecunia carianda & securè conducenda usque London. per plures vices & Nunciis missis in Hiberniam & Walliam, & expensis dictorum Collectorum versus London. per plures vices 51. Marc. 8. s. 2. d. Summ. Total. Lib. & Expens. 2148. Marc. 19 s. Et sic debentur 5. Marc. 9 s. quos debet Magister Alex. Canonicus Hereford. qui fuit receptor totius pecuniae praedictae. Et sciendum est, quod omnia ista plenius patent in compoto facto coram Domino Archidiac. Essex. & Dominis Philippo Luvel, & Willielmo Bonquer, sigillis eorum signato quem quidem compotum parati sumus ostendere incontinenti. Memorandum, quod Walterus Marsill Civis & Mercator Florentin. missus in Hiberniam per Dominum Regem, & Dominum Episcopum Hereford. recepit à Magistro Laur. de Summercote, Commissario dicti Episcopi, & Magistri Rostandi, & Collectore pecuniae Crucis & Decimae in Hiberniae 1000 Marc. Item recepit ab eodem 619. Marc. 2. s. 6. d. ob. qu. de bona moneta. Item recepit ab eodem 36. Marc. 2. s. 11. d. ob. de alia moneta ad pondus. Item recepit idem Walterus à Magistro Thoma Nywetesden substituto dicto Magistro Laur. in Hibernia 400. Marc. ut idem Walterus confitetur. Et sciendum, quod dictus Magister Laurentius missus fuit in Hiberniam per Dominum Regem, & plenam reddidit rationem de omnibus receptis suis coram praedictis Domino Archidiacono, & Dominis Philippo Luvell, & Willielmo Bonquer. Summ. Total. recept. dicti Walteri in Hibernia 3055. Marc. 5. s. 6. d. qu. De hac autem summa lib. dictus Walterus Mayneto Spinae, & sociis suis Civibus & Mercatoribus 1752. Marc. 2. s. 6. d. de debito quatuor millium Marcarum, in quo Dominus Hereford. erat eis obligatus pro Domino Rege. Et sic habuit dictus Maynetus de pecunia Crucis & Decimae, tàm de tribus Episcopatibus praedictis, quam de Hibernia, quatuor millia Marc. & centum Marc. pro damnis expensis & interesse de mandato Magistri Rostandi. Et sciendum, quod Dominus Papa assignavit pecuniam Crucis et Decimae in Hibernia, et tribus Episcopatibus, ad solvendum dictam pecuniam, sicut patet per Literas Apostolicas quas paratas habemus incontinenti. Dictus vero Walterus Marsill debet de pecunia recepta in Hibernia 1300. Marc. 43. s. qu. & alii socii sui debent 450. Marc. de pecunia trium Episcopatuum. Et sic debet in universo illa societas 1753. Marc. 3. s. qu. unde computaverant, & plenam rationem reddiderunt ut dicunt coram Consilio Domini Regis, Magistro Rostando, & Domino Philippo Luvell; & si non computaverint repetatur ab eis. Nos vero Decanus & Offic. Hereford. Procuratores Domini Hereford. Episcopi, nihil scimus de obligationibus factis in Curia Romana, nec inde computare aliquo modo possemus: Unde supplicamus, quod assignetur dies & competens dilatio dicto Domino Episcopo, saltem usque in Quindenam Paschae, ut personaliter de dictis obligationibus possit computare, quia ad istam diem sibi assignatam venire non potuit, sine magno periculo corporis sui, propter * See Mat. Paris Hist. p. 917. Episc. Heref. multiplicibus meritis exigentibus, turpiter infirmatus, morphea polypo, vel quadam specio leprae percussus, sauciatur. longam & gravem infirmitatem, quam habuit & nondum fuit ita for●is quod venire potuit. Et ad diem quae sibi assignabitur personaliter veniat omnibus negotiis & occasionibus praetermissis, & plenam rationem reddet de omnibus, & voluntati Domini Regis & Consilii sui pro posse suo libenter satisfacie●. What Proctors the King employed to the Pope, and what moneys they borrowed to promote the King's affairs in the Court of Rome, concerning the peace with France and other affairs in the 44. year of his Reign, these Records will in part discover. REX Archidiacono Leodiens. salutem. Mittimus vobis Literas Hugoni Simonetti Claus. 44 H. 3. pars 2. m. 3. dorso. Pro Rege & Archidiacono Leodiens. & Wil Bonquer, de mutuo contrahendo in Curia Romana dicti Mace Civis & Mercatoris Florent. de Centum Libris à sociis suis in Curia Romana percipiend. ad expensas vestras. Quapropter vobis mandamus, quod una cum dilecto & fideli nostro Willielmo Bonquer, cui hoc idem mandamus ad praedictam Curiam festinanter accedatis, ad negotia nostra quae vobis & ei injunximus diligenter expedienda. Literas autem Domini Papae quas vobis mitti petivistis, per quas Dominus Papa promisit se missurum nobis Legatum si peteretur, & quod nihil immutaret de negotiis nostris, usque adventum solempnium Nunciorum nostrorum ad Curiam, vobis ad praesens mittere nequivimus, eò quod Literae illae fuerunt in Anglia, & nos in recessu latoris praesentium apud Sanctum Andom. Caeterum ad expensas Archiepiscopi Ebredun. de tempore praeterito & futuro, & de servitio faciendo in Curia, ac de * Many of the Cardinals and Pope: Officers had pensions from the King to expedite his affairs. feodis solvendis illis quibus tenemur in Curia praedicta, ad praesens providere nequivimus, sed cum in Angliam revertimus ordinabimus, de aliquibus ad praedictam Curiam mittendis qui potestatem habebunt ad praemissa facienda. Item sub eadem forma scribitur Willielmo Bonquer. Item Literae Patentes praedicti Hugonis Simonetti Mace de Centum Libris liberandis in Curia Romana praedicto Archidiacono, & etiam Literae clausae ejusdem Hugonis una cum Literis Regis praefatis Archidiacono & Willielmo Bonquer directis, traditae fuerunt Johanni de Braban Nuncio Reginae, eisdem Archidiacono & Willielmo liberand. MEmorandum, quod die Sanctae Margaretae Virginis, Anno etc. 44. Magister Claus. 44 H. 3. m. 12. dorso. De quadam Litera restituta Regi. Johannes de Frussinone restituit Regi quandam Literam Patentem, per quam Rex dederat ei potestatem, Anno etc. 39 ad contrahendum nomine Regis mutuum 40. Marc. de quibuscunque Mercatoribus ad quaedam negotia Regis expedienda in Curia Romana, de quo quidem mutuo nihil recepit. SAnctissimo in Christo Patri & Domino A. Dei gratia Summo Pontifici, H. eadem Claus. 44 H. 3. m. 5. dorso. Pro Rege. gratia Rex Angliae, Dominus Hiberniae, etc. Super gratiis multimodis & beneficiis immensis nobis & nostris, necnon Willielmo Bonquer Militi nostro, & aliis Nunciis nostris à vestra liberalitate & munificentia favorabiliter impensis, Sanctitati vestrae, ad quas valemus assurgimus gratiarum actiones, vobis significantes, quod quanquam pax inter illustrem Regem Franciae & nos jamdudum praelocuta aliquamdiu cepit dilationem, sicut alias vobis significasse meminimus, ipsam tamen pacem cum ipso Rege effectualiter inivimus, & nuper ante festum Nativitatis Dominicae Paris. firmavimus, ad laudem Dei et Ecclesiae Romanae commodum et honorem, prout Venerabilis Pater H. Ebredun. Archiepiscopus, Th. Arch. Leodien. & dictus W. Bonquer, quos pro negotiis arduis nos & Regnum nostrum tangentibus ad vestrae Sanctitatis praesentiam transmittimus, vobis poterunt apertius intimare, quibus si placet super hiis fidem adhibere ac favoris gratiam benignitate solita impertiri velitis eisdem. Teste meipso apud Paris. 28 die Decembris, Anno etc. 44. REX R. Sancti Angeli, etc. salutem. Super gratiis multimodis, etc. eodem Ibidem. modo quo Papae scribitur omnibus Cardinalibus, verbis tamen competenter mutatis. Item eodem modo scribitur Venerabili Cetui Cardinalium, verbis tamen competenter mutatis. REX Papae salutem, cum reverentia & honore. Cum Nuncios nostros ad sedem Ibidem. Pro Rege. Apostolicam dudum misisse proposuissemus, & hoc hucusque distulerimus occasione tractatus pacis inter nos & illustrem Regem Franciae, jamdiu praelocutae quae nuper Paris. circa festum beati Nicholai completa fuit penitus & firmata, à cujus consummatione pacis expeditio Nunciorum nostrorum versus Curiam vestram plurimum dependebat: Sanctitatem vestram affectuosè duximus exorandam, quatenus moram dictorum Nunciorum occasione praedicta habere dignemini excusatam. Nos autem praedictos Nuncios nostros ad vestrae Sanctitatis praesentiam cum celeritate qua possumus destinabimus, qui negotia nostra Paternitati vestrae plenius explicabunt, quos si placet in praemissis recommendatos habeatis. Teste Rege apud Paris. 19 die Decembris, Anno 44. Eodem modo verbis tamen competenter mutatis scribitur Cardinalibus, & Magistris Jordano, & Arloto, traditae fuerunt Literae Nicholas Vaketi Januensi eunti ad Curiam, videlicet Albo Cardinali, fratri H. de Sancto Caro, Domino J. Gaitan. Dominis & Hobon. Octomano, & Richardo Hannibal. The King issued this Prohibition to the Collectors of the Dimes granted him by the Pope, not to collect it from his Clerks therein named till further order. REX Magistro Waltero de Sudbyr & sociis suis Collectoribus Decimae in Dioc. Claus. 44 H. 3. m. 14. dorso. Inhibitio de Decima. Norwic. salutem. Cum nuper de consilio Procerum qui sunt de Consilio nostro inhibuerimus Collectoribus Decimae praedictae per Angliam, ne fiat aliqua collecta de Decima illa sine mandato nostro speciali, donec de hoc et aliis negotiis nostris, pro quibus ad Curiam Romanam Nuncios speciales destinavimus certiorati fuerimus. Vobis firmiter inhibemus, ne à Magistro H. de Wengham, vel Ad de Cestreton Clericis nostris, seu quibuscunque aliis Clericis beneficiatis in Dioc. praedicta, aliquid ratione Decimae praedictae exigatis, donec aliud a nobis super hoc receperitis in mandatis. Teste Rege apud Westm. 4. die Junii. The King by his ancient Prerogative having the custody of the Archbishopric of York and presenting John Mansell to a Prebendary in that Church, which it seems an Italian laid claim to, by pretext of a Provision from the Pope, and complained that Mansell had beaten him at York, for which the Pope intended to deprive him of his Prebendary; thereupon the King writ this Letter to the Pope in defence of the Rights of his Crown, and on Mansells' behalf, assuring him that the suggestion against him was false upon his own knowledge. SAnctissimo, etc. H. etc. Cum ad nos et Progenitores nostros temporibus Claus. 44 H. 3. pars 2. m. 5. dorso. Peo Rege & Magistro Johanne Mansell. retroactis, dum Cathedrales Ecclesias Regni nostri vacare contigerit collatio Praebendarum ac beneficiorum Ecclesiarum ipsarum de plano pertinuerit, maxime a tempore quo Cathedrales Ecclesiae supradictae vacare ceperint, usque ad tempora quibus succedentes Episcopi aut electi temporalia quibus sunt hujusmodi Praebendarum et beneficiorum advocationes annexae de nostra manu reciperent, prout moris est in Regno nostro. Ac nos vacante nuper Ecclesia Eborum, per mortem bonae memoriae Sewalli ejusdem loci Archiepiscopi, Praebendam de Fenton, quae tempore vacationis illius vacavit per resignationem Magistri J. Cancellar. Ebor. cui praefatus Sewallus receptis à nobis temporalibus ipsam statim contulerat dilecto Clerico nostro Magistro J. Mansell contuleramus, injungentes sibi de consilio & voluntate Procerum nostrorum, ne in elusionem juris nostri, juri quod sibi ex nostra collatione fuerat adquisitum cederet, seu aliquatenus renunciaret, per quod res ipsa ad manus cujusquam deveniret, ubi nostri juris derogatio ex alterius collatione sequi vel subesse videretur: Sanctitatem vestram rogamus, et requirimus attente, ut cum nostri honoris et juris defensorem Vos prae caeteris mortalibus praecipuum reputemus, et primum nostram in hac parte justitiam fovere velitis, non sustinentes ejus subversionem seu laefionem procurari, vel a quoquam subministrari, aut etiam Clerico nostro memorato gravamen aliquod super eadem, aut occasione ejusdem inferri. Nec si placet, credatis illis qui vobis falso suggesserunt, nos velle praefatum Clericum nostrum Praebendam illam dimittere, & quod Literae nostrae vobis inde porrectae à nostra non emanarunt conscientia, quia negotium istud quod ad Coronam et dignitatem nostram pleno jure et consuetudinario pertinet, non possemus etiam si vellemus, absque exhaeredatione nostra, et gravi praejudicio nostro et haeredum nostrorum relinquere indefensum. Caeterum cum Sanctitatem vestram, nuper per Literas vestras intellexerimus motam esse erga praefatum Clericum, pro eo quod verberationem cujusdam Procuratoris Nepotis Domini Pelestrini quae apud Eborum dicebatur facta fuisse, debuerat procurasse, Paternitati vestrae praesentibus denotamus, quod si dictus Procurator verberatus aut malè tractatus fuerit, dicto loco: Eo tempore quo hoc fieri dicebatur, fuit dictus Clericus nobiscum London. personaliter nostris inter caeteros negotiis occupatus. Placeat igitur Sanctitati vestrae ipsum in parte ipsa excusatum habere quem penitus super hoc innocentem novimus & immunem. Paternitatem vestram pro certò scire volentes, quod si aliquis inventus fuerit in Regno nostro, vel invenire possit hujusmodi verberationis ope vel consensu culpabilis, ipsum tanquam personae, et honoris nostri praecipuum offensorem puniri acriter faciemus. Teste, etc. apud Sanctum Dionis. 17 die Januarii, Anno etc. 44. Eodem modo & sub eadem forma scribitur Cetui Cardinalium, & R. Sancti Angeli Diacono Cardinali, usque illam clausulam, Caeterum cum, etc. The Pope and Cardinals proceeding in the case of Mansell, notwithstanding the King's Letters on his behalf, and affirming the Cardinal's Nephew to be lawful Prebend by the Pope's provision, the King thereupon issued this memorable Writ to the Lords of his Council, to engage them and the Prince in defence of the ancient Rights of his Crown against the Pope's usurpations thereon, and to write a Letter to the Pope to revoke all proceedings at Rome, tending to disinherit him and his heirs of their ancient right, therein set forth. REX Dilectis & fidelibus suis, magnatibus de Consilio suo in Anglia salutem. Claus. 44 H. 3. pars 2. m. 2. dorso. Pro Magistro Johanne Mansell. Cum vacantibus Cathedralibus et Conventualibus Ecclesiis Regni nostri in manu vel Custodia nostra existentibus, collatio Praebendarum, et beneficiorum Ecclesiarum ipsarum dum vacaverint secundum morem Regni nostri hactenus approbatum ad Coronam et dignitatem nostram pleno jure pertineat, in cujus etiam possessione continua hactenus extitimus, nosque vacante dudum Eborum Ecclesia per mortem bonae memoriae Sewal. ejusdem loci Archiepiscopi Praebendam de Fenton. tunc vacantem Clerico nostro dilecto, Magistro J. Mansel contulerimus; quidam nepos Domini Prenestrini Cardinalis asserens, Praebendam illam sibi authoritate Apostolica collatam praefatum Clericum nostrum super eadem multipliciter impetit, et molestat, et eo ferventius quod Archid. Richmund. Magister Johannes de Exon. Cancellar. Eborum, et Magister Willielmus Lovel Canonicus de R●ppon, tam nobis quam praedicto Clerico nostro inter se opponunt, ad subversionem juris nostri et exhaeredationem nostram manifestam, asserentes eundem Clericum intrusorem esse, et nepotem dicti Cardinalis verum ipsius Praebendae possessorem. Et quia in hujusmodi vacationibus antiquum Regni nostri statum immutari aut Iura nostra subverti vos etiamsi vellemus minime sustinere deberetis, ac nos nuper Domino Papae et Cardinalibus Literas nostras speciales direxerimus pro conservatione juris nostri in hac parte, qui nec precibus nostris annuere, nec deferre voluerunt ut audivimus, dicentes, Literas ipsas praeter nostram et vestram voluntatem et scientiam emanasse. Nos perpendentes ex hujusmodi causae processu in Curia Romana nobis exhaeredationis periculum futuris temporibus imminere, Vobis mandamus, quatenus secundum tenorem Cedulae praesentibus interclusae verbis competenter mutatis, Domino Papae et Cardinalibus scribatis; et ad hoc similiter faciendum dilectum nostrum primogenitum Edwardum, cujus interest, una vobiscum Iura Regni nostri tueri diligenter inducatis. Mandates nihilominus praedictis Archid. Cancellar. et Magistro W. Lovel, quod ab inquietatione praedicti Clerici nostri et juris nostri impugnatione penitus desistant, quodque in parte ista per ipsos temere actum aut attemptatum fuerit confestim studeant revocare, sicut nostram et haeredum nostrorum iudignationem voluerint evitare. Teste apud Sanctum Audom. decimo octavo die Maii. Anno 44. SAnctissimo, etc. H. eadem gratiâ Rex Angliae, etc. Cum sicut alias Sanctitati Claus. 44 H. 3. pars 2. m. 3. dorso. Pro Rege. vestrae seripsimus, ad nos et progenitores nostros temporibus retroactis, dum Cathedrales aut Conventuales Ecclesias Regni nostri vacare contigerit collatio Praebendarum, et beneficiorum Ecclesiaarum ipsarum plene pertinuerit a tempore videlicet quo Ecclesiae hujusmodi vacare coeperint, usque ad tempora quibus succedentes Episcopi seu alii Praelati temporalia quibus erant hujusmodi collationes annexae, de manu nostra receperunt prout moris est in Regno nostro. Nos vacante dudum Eborum Ecclesia per mortem bonae memoriae Sewall. ejusdem loci Archiepiscopi, Praebendam de Fenton. quae praedictae vacationis tempore vacavit Clerico nostro dilecto Magistro ●. Mansell contulimus, quae tamen nihilominus ut intellximus, authoritate Apostolica collata est cuidam Nepoti Domini Penestrini, in gravem laesionem juris Regii, et nostram ac nostrorum exhaeredationem manifestam. Cum igitur in hujusmodi vacationibus, antiquum Regni nostri statum immutari, aut Iura nostra subverti sustinere non possumus, sicuti nec debemus, praesertim cum magnates et Vniversitas Regni nostri etiamsi nos contemplatione praefati Domini Cardinalis dissimulare vellemus, hoc nulla ratione sustinerent: Sanctitatem vestram iterato requirimus et rogamus, quatenus, cum vos juris et honoris nostri praecipuum defensorem agnoscamus, ea specialiter in parte ista favere et servare velitis illaesa, * A Cardinal's Nephew was then able to contest with the King, and deprive him of the ancient Rights of his Crown in the Court of Rome. non sustinentes ulterius hujusmodi Collationem nostram per dictum Nepotem, aut alium seu alios quoscunque aliquatenus impediri, sed dictum Clericum nostram ipsius praebendae pacifica juxta Regni nostri consuetudinem permittatis possessione gaudere; scituri si placet, quod ex eo quod hactenus per Nepotem dicti Cardinalis factum est in hac parte, non modica in Regno nostro murmurationes et scandala sunt suborta, prout Magister Galfridus de Everl. Clericus noster vestiae paternitatis auribus poterit explicare; quem in hac parte nostri contemplatione si placet habere dignemini propensius commendatum. Teste ut supra 25. die Februarii. Sub eadem forma scribitur Cetui Cardinalium, verbis tamen compenter mutatis. Item Domino I. sancti Nicholai in Carcere Tulliano, O. sanctae Mar. in via lata Diac. Domino O. sancti Adriani, Diac. Card. Domino H. titulo sanctae Sabinae Presbytero Cardinal. Item I. sancti Laurenc. in Lucina Presbytero Cardinal. Item Magistro Jordano Vicecanc. W. Bonqueor. & Magistro Richardo de sancto Gorono. The King likewise sent this Mandate to his chief Justice, not to permit any Clerks presented to benefices or dignities belonging to him, during the vacancies of Bishoprics, to be ejected out of them, or molested by any, which was principally intended against such who pretended title to them by Provisions from the Pope, in opposition to the King's Title. MAndatum est Hugonile Bigod Justic. Angliae, quod Richard. de Sarr. Clericum Claus. 44 H. 3. pars 2. m. 2. dors. Capellae Regis in possessione Ecclesiae suae de Eston. manuteneat et defendat; non permittens eum a dicta possessione violenter ejici, nec ipsum nec alios Clericos suos in eodem Episcopatu de collatione Regis tempore vacationis ejusdem beneficia habentes ab aliquibus indebite molestari. Et quod districte ex parte Regis mandet Galfr. de Ferring. quod de inquietatione praedictorum Clericorum penitus desistat, sicut indignationem Regis vitare voluerit in hac parte. Teste, etc. apud S. Audom. 27. die Marcii. Anno etc. 44. Per ipsum Regem & Johannem Mansell. There being a contest between the King and the Bishop of Ely, concerning two contradictory Bulls of the Pope, granting those indistinct Legacies to the Bishop which he had formerly granted to the King towards the recovery of Apulia, the Bishop deceasing, the King sequestered his goods by virtue of the Pope's Bull▪ till he & the Lords of his Council should hear and determine the cause arising upon the construction of those Bulls, and the Bishops will which they interpreted. REX Hugoni le Bygod, Justic. Angliae salutem. Cum redemptiones votorum Claus. 44 H. 3. pars 2. m. 4. dorso▪ Crucesignatorum, & indistinctè Legata nobis à sede Apostolica in subsidium Regni Apuliae, dudum fuerunt concessa, & venerabilis Pater H. Elyensis Episcopus consimilem gratiam de indistinctè Legatis ab eadem sede ad exhonerationem debitorum Ecclesiae suae sibi postmodum asserat esse concessam, ac Magistri H. de Kilkenny, & Guydo Rector Ecclesiae de Byrmyngham, qui se gerunt pro executoribus bonae memoriae W. Elyensis Episcopi, quamplura bona quae fuerunt ipsius Episcopi indistinctè Legata distraxerint, & ea adhuc distrahere seu diripere non desistant, ut audivimus, in praejudicium indulgentiae nostrae praedictae. Volentes tàm juri nostro quam juri praefati Episcopi si quod habeat in praemissis, cum indempnitate nostra & sua secundum quod tenemur prospicere; Vobismandamus, quod per visum & testim: offic. praedicti Episcopi & Magistri Roberti de Melkele, executoris memoratae gratiae nobis factae, omnia bona quae fuerunt praedicti Episcopi defuncti de indistinctè Legatis ubicunque fuerint & ad quorumcunque manus devenerint, in aliquo salvo & tuto loco custodiri faciatis, asque ad instans festum Pentecostes, ut tunc de consilio Magnatum nostrorum qui sunt de consilio nostro, sciatur utrum bona praedicta ad nos, vel ad praedictum Episcopum, seu ad ordinationem praedictorum Executorum debeant pertinere. Teste etc. apud Noyun. The further proceedings and resolution in this case of the Bishop of Ely's sequestrations, are thus recorded. PRovisum fuit die Sabbati prox. post festum sancti Edmundi Martyris apud Westm. Claus. 44 H. 3. pars 1. m. 19 dorso. Coram Justiciario Capitali, Episcopo Wygorn. Philippo Basset, I. de Crekhale, Thesaurario Regis, & aliis de Consilio Regis, quod quia executores Testamenti W. quondam Elyensis Episcopi, protulerunt testamentum ejusdem Episcopi, signatum sigillo suo & sigillis Episcoporum Wygorn. & London. & aliorum Executorum ejusdem Episcopi Eliensis, in quo testamento continebatur, quod plenam potestatem dederat praedictis Wygorn. & London. Episcopis, Magistro Henr. de Kilkenny, & Guidoni de Castro Barnardi, & coexecutoribus suis de bonis suis omnibus, & de Testamento suo disponendi, mutandi, augendi, & minuendi prout saluti animae suae expedire viderint. Et quia etiam in dicto Testamento plura sunt certis personis & locis assignata, quae nondum sunt soluta, & etiam quia dicti executores securitatem fecerunt Regi, per Henricum de Bathonia, Magistrum Henricum de Kilkenni, & Magistrum Guidonem de Castro Bernardi, qui manceperunt coram praedicto Justic. & aliis de consilio Regis, quod si quid ad Regem pertinere debeat de bonis dicti defuncti, inde ei plene respondebunt, inhibeatur per Literas Regis Episcopo Elyensi, qui Literas Apostolicas impetravit de habendis indistincte Legatis in Testamento praedicto, ne illam prosequatur impetrationem, maxime cum indistincte Legata si haberi debeant, prius fuerint Regi a Papa concessa in Regno Angliae, & similiter fient Literae inhibitoriae Decano Willensi, & Collegae suo, ne aliquid occasione impetrationis Episcopi praedicti de bonis praefati defuncti attemptare praesumant, sed sequestrum quod fecerunt, de dictis bonis penitus relaxent. Ita scilicet quod in apertione Archarum quae signatae sunt authoritate praedicti Decani & Collegae sui, sint aliqui vel aliquis ex parte Regis, per quos constare possit quid in eisdem fuerit contentum, ut visis illis, per haec & alia melius sciri possit si quid inde ad Regem debeat pertinere. Et si praedicti Decanus & Collega suus mandatis Regis in hac parte non obtemperaverint, aut dictam liberationem faciendam dictis depositariis non denunciaverint, depositarii bonorum praedictorum liberationem bonorum eotundem faciant modo subscripto, videlicet Prior Sanctae Trinitatis London. per visum & testimonium Vicecomitum London. Prior die Bernwell, per visum & testimonium Vicecomitis Cantebr. Prior de Ely. per visum & testimonium Roberti de Insula, Magister Hospit. de Kipier juxta Dunolm. per visum & testimonium Prioris de Finkhale. Et mandatum est dictis depositariis & visoribus, quod fideliter constare faciant Regi vel H. Bigod, Justic. Angliae, quid & quantum, vel quanti valoris de bonis dicti defuncti sequestratis inventum fuerit, apud ipsos depositarios, & praedictis Magistris Henrico & Guidoni liberatum. REX Magistro Henrico de Kilkenny, & Guydoni de Castro Bernardi, & aliis Executoribus Pat. 44 H. 3 m. 13. dors. Pro Magistro Henrico Kilkenny, & sociis suis executoribus Testamenti▪ W. quondam Eliensis Episcopi. testamenti W. quondam Elyensis Episcopi salutem. Cum omnia indistinctè Legata in Regno nostro & etiam alia in subsidium Terrae Sanctae Legata, ad nos ex indulgentia sedis Apostolicae dudum nobis inde concessa totaliter pertineant, & venerabilis Pater H. Elyensis Episcopus & ejus offic. a vobis ut accepimus exigunt utraque hujusmodi Legata de bonis dicti defuncti in praejudicium dicti concessionis nobis factae, Vobis Mandamus super omnia quae habetis in Regno nostro districte inhibentes, ne praefato Episcopo vel ejus Offic. aut aliis quibuscunque aliqua hujusmodi Legata de bonis ipsius defuncti solvatis, nec super hiis quae ad nos in hac parte pertinent alicujus examen, in praejudicium dictae concessionis nobis factae absque nostro mandato speciali subire praesumatis. Taliter vos in hac parte habentes quod pro defectu vestri ad vos graviter capere non debemus. Teste H. le Bygod Justiciario nostro Angliae apud Westm. 22. die Novembris. The Nobles being highly incensed against Adomar Bishop Elect of Winchester, who voluntarily fled out of the Realm to avoid their Justice and fury, the King thereupon writ this Epistle to the Pope, to provide for him elsewhere, and not to confirm him in his Bishopric of Winchester, to prevent disturbances, scandals, discontents, and preserve the peace of the Realm, which ought to be preferred before all private respects and obligations to him. SAnctissimo, etc. H. eadem, etc. Ea praecipuè pia Mater Ecclesia providere solet Claus. 44 H. 3 pars 2. m. 4. dorso. Pro Rege. quae & saluti conveniunt subditorum, & scandali materiam tollunt, et dissidii fomitem ac plebis furorem in commune periculum non accendunt. Cum igitur Adomarus frater noster uterinus qui se gerit pro Episcopo Winton. Regnum nostrum voluntariè sit egressus, cujus praesentiam, etsi jure propinquitatis qua nobis attinet nisi demeruisset deberemus specialiter affectare, commune Regni et plebis commodum utilitati praefati A. praeponere cupientes, sanctitatem vestram affectione qua possumus requirimus & rogamus, quatenus ad nostram & Regni nostri tranquillitatem, & ad vitandum enorme periculum, quod nobis & Regno nostro occasione ipsius posset imminere, praedictum fratrem nostrum ad aliquem alium locum, ubi sine nostra & Regni nostri turbatione valeat immorari, ex solita sedis Apostolicae Clementia velitis, ut ex vestra circumspectione felici Regni gubernacula, quae sub tranquillitate ab annis teneris ad tempora moderna consilio & favore Ecclesiae Romanae deduximus, non contentionis incommodum et dissidii periculum hiis diebus vergere non cogatur. Nec si placet adulantium suggestionibus credatis, qui Priores Literas nostras vobis inde directas praeter voluntatem Regiam emanasse dixerunt, quia nunquam vobis adeò acerbè scripsimus quin cordis nostri visceribus acrius inhaereret. Propter quod non solum affectione carnali nos agente, verum etiam imminente gravi discrimine, & aliis incommoditatibus praedictis quae cor nostrum non mediocriter exuberant, & conturbant diligenter attentis, malumus & spontanea voluntate praeelegimus fraterna carere praesentia, quam ea frui solito more, per quod nobis & Regno nostro & consorti nostrae liberisque nostris, à quibus nostrae dependet solatium recreationis, intestinae turbationis angustia relinquatur. Aliud etiam nos angit intrinsecus, quod praefatus A. nos contra praefatam consortem nostram multipliciter provocavit, & primogenitum à filiali devotione subtrahendo nostrae voluntati contrarium reddidit & rebellem, in continuam nostrae & Regni nostri tranquillitatis turbationem, prout venerabilis Pater H. Ebredun. Archiepiscopus, Th. Leodiens. & Willus Bonqueor. Miles noster, quos ad vestram praesentiam dirigimus vobis poterunt intimare, propterque non absque gravissimo scandalo et periculo evidenti, nec non et propter publicam priorem Regni nostri et aliorum tam majorum quam minorum indignationem exigentibus culpis suis, non potest nec debet restitui ad regimen Ecclesiae supradictae. Teste, etc. Per ipsum Regem. The King likewise constituted special Proctors in the Court of Rome, to appeal against his Brother Adamars' Proctors there, endeavouring his restitution by the Pope's power or mediation. REX Omnibus etc. Sciatis, quod dilectum Clericum nostrum Magistrum Richardum Pat. 44 H. 3. pars. 2. m. 4. intus. Pro Rege. de Sancto Gerono, Procuratorem nostrum constituimus ad appellandum à fratre Valesco, de ordine fratrum Minorum, Executore super restitutione Adamari, qui se gerit pro Winton. Electo ad Ecclesiam seu Episcopatum Winton. à sede Apostolica, ut dicitur, deputato, ratione nostri juris et interesse, et Regni nostri propter quaedam gravamina nobis et Regno ab eodem fratre de facto, cum de jure non posset illata, et ad appellandum ne dictus frater de caetero, contra nos ad Regnum nostrum seu nostros subditos, aut aliquem seu aliquos eorundem occasione praemissa in nostrum praejudicium et gravamen procedat, salvis aliis appellationibus pro nobis et Regno nostro a dicto fratre ad sedem Apostolicam interjectis. Ratum habentes, & gratum quicquid dictus Richardus in praemissis nomine nostro duxerit faciendum. In cujus, etc. Teste meipso apud Sanctum Dionysium in Franc. 16. die Januarii, Anno Regni nostri 44. P. R. Com. Glouc. W. Com. Albemarl. & I. Mansell. SAnctissimo etc. H. eadem etc. Noverit vestra providentia sanctitatis quod nos Pat. 44 H. 3. pars 2. m. 4. intus. Pro rege deprocurationibus. dilectum Clericum nostrum Magistrum Richardum de Sancto Gerono, nostrum constituimus & ordinamus Procuratorem, ad impetrand. contradicend. & Judices eligend. in Curia vestra, & specialiter ad impetrand. super appellationibus à fratre Valesco. de ordine Minorum executore super facto Winton. à vestra Clementia ut dicitur, deputato nomine nostro ad sedem Apostolicam interjectis & qualibet earundem, Ratum & gratum habentes quicquid praefatus Richardus in praemissis nomine nostro duxerit faciendum. Ratis nihilominus manentibus aliis procuratoriis aliis à nobis factis praedicta Curia vestra commorantibus. In cujus, etc. Teste ut supra. Consimiles Literas & sub eadem forma habet Magister Finacus de Procuratorio suo videlicet ad impetrand. ut supra. SAnctissimo etc. H. etc. Noverit vestra providentia sanctitatis quod vos dilectum Ibidem. Clericum nostrum Magistrum Richardum de Sancto Gerono, nostrum constituimus & ordinamus Procuratorem ad prosequend. appellationem, & appellationes à fratre Valesco de ordine Minorum, Executore super facto Winton. à vestra Clementia, ut dicitur, deputato nostro nomine ad sedem Apostolicam interjectam, & interjectas contra Ademarum qui se gerit pro Winton Electo, & ad opponend. se pro nobis & Regno nostro baronibus & hominibus nostris contra praedictum Ademar. ne restituatur ad Ecclesiam seu Episcopatum Winton. & ne proficiatur eidem. Ratum etc. In cujus etc. Teste ut supra. Item Magister Robertus de Baro, habet divisum tales Literas & in eadem forma quales supradicti Magister Richardus de sancto Gernono & Magister Finatus habent divisim ad impetrand. contradicend. & judices eligend. SAnctissimo, etc. Rex, etc. Noverit vestrae prudentia sanctitatis quod nos dilectos Ibidem. & fideles nostros Magistrum Angelum Canonicum Camerarium, & Magistrum Robertum de Baro, nostros constituimus & ordinamus procuratores, utrumque ipsorum in solidum, ita quod non sit potior conditio occupantis ad prosequendum Apellationem, & Appellationes à fratre Valesco de ordine Minorum, Executore super facto Winton. à vestra Clementia, ut dicitur, & interjectas, contra Ademarum qui se gerit pro Winton. Electo, & ad opponendum se pro nobis & Regno nostro Baronibus & hominibus nostris contra praedictum Ademarum, nerestituatur ad Ecclesiam seu Episcopatum Winton. & ne praeficiatur eidem. Ratum etc. In cujus etc. Teste ut supra. Consimiles Literas & per eadem verba habent Magister Roberuts de Baro, & Magister Richardus de Sancto Gerono conjunctim. The King issued this Prohibition to the Dean of St. Pauls London, not to hold Plea of any Chattels which concerned not Matrimony or Testament, to the prejudice of his Crown and Temporal Courts. REX Decano Sancti Pauli London. salutem. Prohibemus tibi ne teneas placitum Claus. 44 H. 3. pars 1. m. 12. dorso. in Curia Christianitatis de Catallis, quae Gregorius de London. Laicus, sicut per quosdam fideles nostros accepimus, exigit coram te in Curia Christianitatis Authoritate Literarum Domini Papae a Prioratu de Bermundes qui à praedecessoribus nostris Regibus Angliae fundatus exis●it, nisi Catalla illa sint de Testamento vel Matrimonio, quia placita de Catallis quae non sunt de Testamento vel Matrimonio spectant ad Coronam et dignitatem nostram. Inhibuimus enim Priori & Conventui dicti Prioratus, ne super hujusmodi Catallis Ecclesiasticum examen coram vobis vel alio judice Ecclesiastico in praejudicium jurisdictionis ad Coronam et dignitatem nostram spectantis subire praesumant. Teste Rege, etc. de ordinatione Walteri de Merton. The King issued this Writ to the Barons of Dovor, and other Ports, to search for and apprehend all Italian Clerks and Laymen, and all others that should bring any Bulls from Rome prejudicial to him and his Realm, and not to permit any to arrive with Horses and Arms in the Realm, without his special licence, and to arrest all such as should there land, till they received further order from him. REX Baronibus & Ballivis suis Dovor. salutem. Mandamus vobis in fide qua Claus. 44 H. 3. m. 12. De scrutatione facienda per omnes Portus. nobis tenemini firmiter injungentes, quod caute explorari et scrutari faciatis si qui Clerici vel Laici Italici, vel alii cujuscunque ordinis cum Bullis Papalibus nobis aut Regno nostro praejudicialibus applicuerint in Portu vestro, et si quos cum hujusmodi Literis ibidem applicare contigerit, ipsos cum Literis illis ibi arrestari faciatis donec aliud inde praeceperimus. Nullatenus etiam permittatis aliquos cum equis & armis ingredi Regnum nostrum per Portum vestrum sine Licentia nostra speciali. Et si quos cum equis, & armis applicare contigerit in Portu vestro, ipsos cum equis & armis illis arrestari faciatis donec aliud inde a nobis habueritus in mandatis. Taliter vos in hac parte habentes, quod pro defectu vestri dampnum in hac parte non incurramus quod vobis possit ant debeat imputari. Teste Rege apud Westmonasterium 6. die Julii. Eodem modo Mandatum est Baronibus per omnes Portus. The Bishop of London having made a sequestration of the fruits of a Benefice in Essex, and certain persons by force and arms violating the sequestration, and selling, dissipating and wasting the goods sequestered, the King thereupon by his Ecclesiastical prerogative issued this Writ to the Sheriff of Essex to remove and inquire of the force, and imprison such as were found guilty of it, and to permit the sequestration to be further disturbed. REX Vic. Essex. salutem. Monstravit nobis H. London. Episcopus, quod cum fructus Ecclesiae de Finchingfend suae Diocesis nuper ob certas causas sequestrasset, Claus. 44 H. 3. pars 1. m 12. do●so. Pro Episcopo London. quidam maligno spiritu ducti vi & armis dictum sequestrum temerè violarunt, fructus sequestratos ibidem vendendo, dissiipando & consumendo in Dei & Ecclesiae contemptum & scandalum manifestum. Et quia Sacrosanctae Ecclesiae in querelis suis deesse non possumus, sed potius jura et libertates ejusdem manu tenere et defendere, volumus ut debemus: Tibi praecipimus, quod in propria persona tua visis literis accedas ad Ecclesiam praedictam, & vim omnem contra dictum sequestrum suum ibidem existentem sine dilatione amoveri facias, non permittens sequestrum illud ab aliquibus ulterius violari, & facta diligenti inquisitione, qui dictum sequestrum ut praedictum est violaverunt, omnes illos quos inde culpabiles inveneris sine dilatione attachies, ita quod habeas corpora eorum coram nobis in crastino Sancti Jacobi ubicunque tunc fuerimus in Angliae, ad respondendum nobis de transgressione praedicta, & habes ibi hoc breve. Teste Rege apud Westm. 11. die Julii. The Official of the Bishop of Durham, and Archdeacon of Northumberland, citing 40. Burgesses of Newcastle upon Tyne out of the Town, contrary to ancient custom, to remote places, to appear before them at their Courts and Visitations from day to day, to their great expense, impoverishing, undoing, and enforcing them by Ecclesiastical process and censures to take Oaths at their pleasure to answer to, and inquire upon Articles against their wills, otherwise than they were accustomed, to their great detriment, and against his royal Crown and dignity, the King upon complaint thereof made, issued this memorable severe Prohibition to them to forbear such proceedings and Oaths for the future. REX Offic. Episcopi Dunolm. salutem. Monstraverunt nobis Burgenses nostr Claus. 44 H. 3▪ pars 1. m. 12. dors. Prohibitio pro Burgensibus Novi Castri super Tinam. novi Castri super Tynam graviter conquerendo; Quod cum ipsi nunquam extra Burgum suum ad loca remota coram suis Ordinariis comparere consueverint, ad respondendum super quibuscunque Articulis, vos ut eos sumptibus et laboribus fatigetis, ipsos vocari faciatis ad loca remota ad respondendum coram vobis super diversis Articulis. Et jam Quadraginta de Burgensibus illis citari fecistis quod compareant coram vobis apud Derington in crastino sancti Jacobi super incertis responsuri. Ipsos etiam per districtionem Ecclesiasticam compellatis de die in diem ad praestand. Sacramenta pro voluntate vestra ipsis invitis, aliter quam facere consueverunt, in grave damnum ipsorum, detrimentum et depauperationem Burgi nostri praedicti, ac in praejudicium Coronae nostrae et Regiae dignitatis. Ita quod per hujusmodi Compulsiones et injustas Citationes, praedicti Burgenses nostri tantis fatigantur laboribus et expensis, quod quidem ex ipsis miserabiliter coguntur mendicare. Quia igitur tantas injurias tam nobis quam eis illacas diutius sustinere non possumus, sicut nec debemus, vobis sicut indempnitatem diligitis, et ne ad vos graviter capere debeamus, firmiter inhibemus, ne praefatos Burgenses nostros per citationes aliquas ad loca trahatis remota, vel eos ipsis invitis compellatis ad aliquas recognitiones seu attestationes per eorum Sacramenta faciendas, nisi * To wit of Matrimony and Testament only. in causis in quibus debent et hucusque praestare consueverunt; scituri pro certo, quod si secus egeritis, dissimulare non possumus quin de consilio Magnatum nostrorum festinum remedium ad hoc apponi faciamus. Teste Rege apud 17. die Julii. Eodem modo inhibitum est Archid. Northumbriae, ne Burgenses praedictos per coercionem Ecclesiasticam compellat ad praestand. Sacramenta coram eo super incertis et indistinctis, aliter quam facere debent, et facere consueverunt, temporibus retroactis. Teste ut supra. He likewise issued this memorable Writ to the Bishop of Durham himself, to command his Officials and Ministers to cease from such oppressions, Visitations, Articles, Oaths and proceedings against these Burgesses, contrary to their ancient custom, and against his Crown and dignity, as such Ecclesiastical usurpations were then reputed. REX Episcopo Dunolm. salutem. Monstraverunt nobis Burgenses nostri de Novo Claus. 44 H. 3. par. 1. m. 12. Castro super Tynam; Quod cum ipsi nunquam extra Burgum suum ad loca remota coram suis ordinariis seu eorum Offic. comparere consueverunt, ad respondendum super aliquibus Articulis ipsos non contingentibus, quidam Offic. et Ministri vestri Authoritate vestra, Burgenses illos, ut eos sumptibus et laboribus graviter fatigent, vocari faciunt ad loca remota ad respondendum super diversis Articulis incognitis et ipsos non contingentibus. Et quod Magister Rogerus de Siton. Offic. vester xl. de Burgensibus illis jam.. citari fecit, quod compareant coram eo apud Derington in crastino Sancti Jacobi, super incertis et indistinctis responsuri. Ipsos Nota. etiam per cohercionem Ecclesiasticam compellit de die in diem pro voluntate sua ad praestandum Sacramentum, aliter quam facere consueverunt, in grave dampnum ipsorum, detrimentum et depauperationem praedicti Burgi nostri, et in praejudicium Coronae nostrae et Regiae dignitatis. Ita quod per hujusmodi compulsiones et injustas citationes praedicti Burgenses tantis fatigantur laboribus et expensis, quod quidam eorum miserabiliter coguntur mendicare. Quia igitur tantas injurias tam nobis quam ipsis illatas ditutius sustinere nolumus, sicut nec debemus, vos rogamus, et sub debito fidelitatis et dilectionis quibus nobis tenemini, vobis firmiter injungimus, quatenus praefatos Offic. et Ministros vestros ab oppressionibus praedictorum Burgensium nostrorum de cetero penitus desinere faciatis. Ita quod per eosdem Offic. & Ministros ad loca non trahantur remota, nec ad recognitiones seu attestationes per eorum Sacramenta faciendas compellantur. Nos enim aliter omittere non possumus quin de consilio Magnatum nostrorum festinum remedium ad hoc apponamus. (It being the Kings and Nobles duties to relieve the subjects against such vexations, oppressions, illegal Oaths and proceedings of Bishops and their Officials.) Teste, etc. There being a difference between the King and Bishop of Durham, concerning the sequestered profits of benefices belonging to the Bishopric of Karliol, the King by this Writ commanded them to be delivered to the Bishop. REX Abbati de novo Monasterio, salutem. Quia de consilio magnatum qui sunt de consilio nostro, recognovimus, & reddidimus pro nobis & Haeredibus Pat. 44 H. 3. pars 1. m. 5. Pro Episcopo Dunolm. nostris Deo & beato Cuthberto & venerabili Patri Waltero Dunolm. Episcopo & successoribus suis, & Ecclesiae suae Dunolm. ut jus dictorum Episcopi, & Ecclesiae suae sequestrum Ecclesiarum quas Episcopus Karleolen. & Ecclesia sua habent usibus suis propriis in Episcopatu Dunolm. asignatas. De quo quidem sequestro totam pecuniam provenientem de duabus vacationibus Episcopatus Karleolen. prox. praeteritis de consilio praedictorum Magnatum per manus Vic. nostri Northumbriae & Johannis de Estlington ex parte nostri, et per alias duas ex parte praedicti Episcopi colligi praecipimus, et in Abbatia vestra sub sigillis praedictorum quatuor reservari, donec inter nos et ipsum discuteretur ad quem vestrum pertinere deberet sequestrum praedictum. Vobis mandamus quatenus totam praedictam pecuniam de sequestro praedicto provenientem, & in Abbatia vestra depositam praedicto Episcopo vel ejus certo Nuncio sine dilatione deliberari faciatis. In cujus etc. Teste Rege apud Westm. 3. die Augusti. A controversy happening between Boniface Archbishop of Canterbury and Peter de Brus, concerning the return of the King's Writs in the Wapentage of Langeberb, the King issued this Writ of Supersedeas to the Sheriff, to suspend all proceedings till the cause should be heard before him and his Council. REX Vic. Eborum, salutem. Monstravit nobis Petrus de Brus, quod cum ipse Claus. 44 H. 3. pars 1. m. 13. dorso. & praedecessores à multis retroactis temporibus habuerint returnum brevium nostrorum in Wepentag. suo de Langeberb. de omnibus infra dictum Wepentag▪ existentibus, Idem Petrus occasione cujusdam Mandati nostri tibi directi de returno brevium nostrorum habere faciendo B. Cantuar. Archiepiscopo in terris & feodis suis in Balliva tua, impeditus est, quo minus habere possit returnum brevium nostrorum in hiis qua dictum Wepentag: contingunt, sicut habere debet & temporibus retroactis habere consuevit. Quia vero intentionis nostrae non fuit praedictum Petrum vel alium jure aut libertate sua injustè & sine judicio disseisire, tibi praecipimus, quod executioni dicti Mandati nostri de praedicto returno faciendo quoad quae sunt in Wepentag. praedicto supersedeas usque a die Sancti Johannis Baptistae in unum mensem, ut tunc de Consilio nostro utrique parti exhibeatur justitiae complementum. Teste Rege apud Westm. 20. die Junii. Per Com. Glouc. Justic. & I. Mansell, & alios de Consilio Regis. The King having presented a Chaplain to the Chapel of Havering, caused him to give security and pledges for the Ornaments of the Chapel, and faithful discharge of his duty therein. HENRICUS de Sancto Albano Capellanus praesentatus ad serviendum in▪ Claus. 44 H. 3. pars 1. m. 13. dorso. De Capellano praesentato ad serviendum in Capella beatae Mariae de Havering. Capella Regis beatae Mariae de Havering, invenit plegios ad servand. Ornamenta praedictae Capellae sibi Commissa, et ibidem fideliter divina celebrare: videlicet, Willus de Hurst, Adam le Parker, Willus Savare, Johannes Wiger de Stapilford, Richus le Feure de Stapilford, Willus la Persone de Stapilford. The Bishop of Hereford appearing before the King, upon a suggestion that he had proceeded to admit a Clerk pending a Jure Patronatus, against the King's Prohibition and Right, and none appearing against him, was dismissed, and his dismission thus recorded. PETRUS Hereford. Episcopus comparuit coram Rege apud Merton. in Octab. Claus. 44 H. 3. pars 1. m. 14. dorso. Pro Hereford. Episcopo. Sanctae Trinitatis, ostensurus quare cum Rex nuper vacante Ecclesia de Chetinton eidem Episcopo inhibuisset, ne ad praesentationem alicujus personam aliquam ad praedictam Ecclesiam admitteret, vel sustineret aliquem Clericum possessionem dictae Ecclesiae ingredi quousque discussum esset de jure Patronatus inter Regem, et quosdam alios qui jus Regis in advocatione dictae Ecclesiae vendicabant, nullus comparuit contra ipsum, & ideo recessit sine die. Teste Rege apud Westm. 5. die Junii. Per Consilium. The King's promise to prefer one of his Queen's Chaplains to the next Benefice or Prebend in his gift, that should fall void within the Bishopric of Ossory in Ireland, is thus registered. REX promisit Willielmo Capellano Reginae, quod si in praesenti vacatione Episcopatus Claus. 44 H. 3. pars 1. m. 14. dorso. Pro Willielmo Capellano Reginae. Ossory in Hiberniae, contingat aliquod beneficium Ecclesiasticum Praebendale vel aliud, spectans ad Patronatum dicti Episcopatus vacare, Rex illud conferet Willo praedicto. Teste Rege apud Westm. 4. die Junii. The King writ this Letter to the Pope on behalf of the Bishop of Bordeaux duly elected and approved by him, desiring his confirmation of him for the peace and safety of those parts, he having confidence of his fidelity towards him. SAnctissimo in Christo Patri Domino A. Dei gratiâ summo Pontifici, H. eadem Claus. 44 H. 3. pars 1. m. 14▪ dorso. gratia, etc. salutem, cum reverentia & honore. Cum nuper vacante Ecclesia de Burdegal. in Vasconia, convenientibus ejusdem Ecclesiae Canonicis ad tractandum de futuri Pontificis Electione, major & sanior pars ejusdem Capituli Magistrum Fortone Archidiac. Xancton Clericum nostrum, de terra nostra Vasconiae oriundum, sibi duxerit in Pastorem eligendum, Nos ejusdem Magistri promotionem eo affectuosius amplexantes, quod sub alis nostris educatus, nostris diutius intendebat obsequiis, & quod tranquillitatem terrae nostrae Vasconiae, & relevationem Ecclesiae supradictae, variis turbationibus & augustiis retroactis temporibus per insolentiam non mediocriter oppressae, ex ipsius Creatione credimus provenire: Sanctitatem vestram affectuosè rogamus, quatenus causis supradictis ac personae meritis quam moribus, scientia, circumspectione provida & conversatione laudabili novimus insignitum, ponderatis ac favorabiliter intellectis, ipsum ad sedem Apostolicam accedentem specialiter habere velitis recommendatum, gratiam quam circa Electionem de eo factam secundum Deum et justitiam poteritis nostrae petitionis obtentu, favore benevolo eidem impendentes, ut pro eo quem meritis suis exigentibus apud vos favore benevolo prosequimur, vobis assurgere debeamus ad uberrimas gratiarum actiones. Teste Rege apud Westm. 30 die Maii. Per H. le Bigod. Justic▪ The Bishop of Durham had further day given him concerning his sequestration of the Benefices of the Bishopric of Carlisle within his Diocese, of which before, p. 942. MEmorandum quod dies datus est Episcopo Dunolm. à die S. Johannis Baptistae in Claus. 44 H. 3. pars 1. m. 14. De sequestro Ecclesiarum Episc. Karleol. unum mensem super sequestro Ecclesiarum Episcopi Karleolen. in Episcopatu Dunolm. I a quod illud negotium interim remaneat in eodem statu, in quo nunc est. Teste Rege apud Westm. 22. die Maii. Walterus de Merton. praecepit istam irrotulationem. The Bishop of Lincoln's Official in his absence committing the profits of a benefice, belonging to the King by the vacancy of the Bishopric of Winchester, to which the King had presented his Clerk, to the King's prejudice and disinheritance, thereupon the King issued this Writ to the Bishop, to right him against this prejudice. REX Episcopo Linc. salutem. Cum nuper audita morte Petri Russinol, dilectum Claus. 44 H 3. pars 2. ●●. 2. dorso. Pro Wyberto de Kanc. Clericum nostrum Wybertum de Kanc. vobis praesentaverimus ad Ecclesiam de Adberbur. vacantem per mortem ipsius Petri, quondam ejusdem Ecclesiae Rectoris, & ad nostram donationem spectantem ratione Episcopatus Winton. in manu nostra existentis, & vos tunc in partibus Franc. nobiscum agentes ad nostram praesentationem Literas vestras de inquisitione Archidiacono Oxon. directas praefato. Clerico nostro dederitis, ut inquisitionem inde factam Magistro Roberto de Marisc. Decano Linc. cui vices vestras in admissionibus & institutionibus praesentatorum commisistis, ut dicitur reserret praefatus Archidiaconus Oxon. ad praesentationem Magistri Galfridi de Feringes, qui se gerit pro Offic. Adomari, quondam Winton. Electi, Waltero de Briche Clerico, in Coronae et dignitatis nostrae laesionem, et juris nostri praejudicium manifestum, custodiam ejusdem Ecclestae usque ad Pascha commisit. Quapropter vobis mandamus rogantes, quatenus cum ad vos pertineat subditorum vestrorum excessus corrigere, id quod praefatum Archidiaconum, contra nos & praedictum Clericum nostrum, taliter attemptatum est in hac parte sine dilatione revocare curetis, juri nostro, & praefati Clerici nostri super praemissis, tam prudenter & celeriter provisuri, quod per omissionem seu dissimulationem vestram, nobis aut haeredibus nostris dampnum vel exhaeredationis periculum futuris temporibus nequeat imminere. Teste, etc. apud S. Audom. 20 die Martii, Anno etc. 44. MAndatum est Hugoni le Bigod Justic. Angliae, quod cum Rex nuper ratione Claus. 4● H. 3. par. 2. m. 4. corso. Pro Wyberto de Kanc. & Willielmo de S. Gorono. Episcopatus Winton. vacantis, & in manu Regis existentis contulerit, prout moris est in Regno Argliae, dilectis Clericis suis Wyberto de Kanc. Ecclesiam de Alberbur. & Willielmo de Sancto Gorono Ecclesiam de Stok, vacantes per mortem quondam Petri Ruffiaol. Ac quidam sicut Rex intellexit, in elusionem et praejudicium juris sui, praefatos Clericos suos impediunt quo minus assequi possint possessiones Ecclesiarum praedictarum. Mandatum est praefato Justic. quod si quam resistentiam aut impedimentum aliquod contra eosdem Clericos super possessione Ecclesiarum praedictarum, invenerit, idem justic. juris Regis conservationi taliter in hac parte celeriter prospiciat, quod Regiaut praefatis Clericis nullum praejudicium seu dispendium inferatur, maxime cum ex hujusmodi impedimento et resistentia Regi et Haeredibus suis, processu temporis gravis posset exhaeredatio provenire. Teste, etc. apud Lusarch. 16. die Januarii, Anno etc. 44. The Pope having vacated the election of the Bishop elect of Glasgo in Scotland, and thereupon by his Papal Provision and power consecrated another to be Bishop, against the King of Scotland's will, he and his Cardinals writ to the King of England, to write to the King of Scotland to restore the Temporalties to him without opposition; whereupon the King writ thus to the King and Queen to persuade them to comply with the Pope without resistance, unless he could show him some good right and reason to the contrary, and then he would acquiesce. The Pope then alleging a Right to present by Provision to all Bishoprics whose Elections he was pleased to null by right or wrong. Claus. 44 H. 3. pars 2. m. 2. Pro Episcopo Glasg. Sco●. REX Regi Scociae, salutem. Dum dudum postulatione de Magistro Nicholas Archid. de Tyndal in Ecclesia Glasg. facta, et postmodum per se●em Astolicam cassata, Dominus Papa ad quem occasione dictae postulationis cassatae spectabat dictae Ecclesiae providere, Magistrum Johannem de Cheyham in Episcopum loci consecravit, ac idem Dominus Papa per literas suas, quarum transcriptum vobis mittimus, nec non et omnes Cardinales nos specialiter rogaverunt, quod erga vas partes nostras interponere curaremus, ut praefato Episcopo qui plenam habet administrationem spiritualium, ut audivimus, Temporalia sua restitui faceretis. Nos quamquam honori & indempnitati vestrae tanquam propriae desideramus ut convenit providere, videntes tamen, quod id quod per Dominum Papam super praemissis actum est non poterit infirmari, dilectioni vestrae bona fide duximus consulendum, quatinus eidem Episcopo liberaliter in hac parte faciatis quod ei secundum Deum et justitiam fuerit faciendum. Et si videremus quod huic negotio de jure possetis resistere, aut aliquod commodum ex ipsa resistentia reportare, nos pro eodem Episcopo, licet de Regno nostro oriundus existat nihil vobis super hoc scripsissemus. Teste Rege apud sanctum Audom. 6. die Martii. Anno etc. 44. Eodem modo scribitur Reginae Scoc. Roberto de Bruys, & toti Consilio Scotiae, tamen competenter mutatis. The Bishop of Saint Andrews in Scotland, having procured some Bulls from Rome prejudicial to the King of Scotland, and dishonourable to the King of England, he thereupon issued these mandates to the Barons of Dovor and other Cinque-Ports, not to permit him to land in England, nor any other of his enemies coming from beyond the Seas or parts of Scotland, and to arrest▪ them till further order. BAronibus & Ballivis suis Dovor. & aliorum quinque Portuum salutem. Quia Cart. Pat. Claus. ab A●●●● 42 H. 3. usque 50. Ibidem. ●●. intus. Magistri G. Episcopus Sancti Andr. de Scot quaedam impetravit in Curia Romana in exhaeredationem dilecti et fidelis nostri A. Regis Scoc. illustris, qui filiam nostram duxit in u●orem, non sine nostro et ipsius Regis scandalo et dedecore manifesto▪ propter quod sustinere nolumus quod Regnum nostrum ingrediatur, ad explorandum adventum ipsius Episcopi et suorum et aliorum aemulorum nostrorum venientium de partibus transmarinis, aut de partibus Scotiae mittimus ad vos W. de N. varlettum nostrum, vobis in fide qua nobis tenemini mandantes, quod eos omnes arrestare faciatis prout idem W. vobis injunxerit ex parte nostra donec aliud inde à nobis habueritis in mandatis. Teste, etc. A Priory whereof the King was founder being much indebted, the King by this Writ enabled the Prior to improve a great wood and wast held in feefarme, and turn it into arable, alloting the Commoners a sufficient proportion of common, for the benefit of the Priory. EGidio de Edrington, & aliis salutem. Cum Prioratus de N. à Progenitoribus Ibidem▪ nostris Regibus Angliae fundatus variis debitorum nexiis & oppressionibus involvatur, propter quod utilitati Prioratus ejusdem piae Compassionis affectu salubriter prospicere praeoptamus, & de boseo vasto extra Villam de N. quod Prior & Com. de N. tenent ad feodi firmam de Rogero de Monte Alto grande possit commodum, si redigeretur in culturam dicto Prioratui pervenire; Vobis mandamus, quod vos ambo vel alter vestrum qui ad hoc citius vacare potuerit, ad boscum Vastum illud personaliter accedatis, & viso bosco Vasto illo convocatisque propter hoc coram vobis omnibus compatriotis vicinis, jus aut proprietatem ratione communi vel aliter sibi vendicantibus, ibidem diligenter provideatis, quod assignata praedictis vicinis & compatriotis rationabil. commun. secundum quantitatem terrarum & tenementorum suorum adjacentium, dicti Prior & Conventus totum residuum bosci & Vastae praedicti in usus praedictorum Prioris & Conventus converti possit, ad exhibendum & alias faciendum quod suo commodo magis viderint expedire; taliter vos habentes in hac parte (quod) merito commendare possimus. Mandavimus enim Vic. nostro de N. quod ad certos diem & locum quos ei scire feceritis praedictos vicinos & compatriotas propter hoc venire faciat coram vobis. In cujus, etc. Teste, etc. The Bishop of Norwich refusing to take caution of one taken and imprisoned by the Sheriff upon a Capias Excommunicatum, the King thereupon issued these Writs to the Bishop and Sheriff, to receive his caution and release him. REX Norwic. Episcopo salutem. Ostensum est nobis ex parte Eustachii de Claus. 44 H. 3. pars 1. m. 6. dorso. De excommunicato a prisona deliberando. Kyneburl. quem per literas vestras patentes secundum consuetudinem Angliae per Corpus suum tanquam Claves Ecclesiae contemnentem praecepimus Justiciari, quod licet vobis frequenter se obtulerit stare mandatis Ecclesiae ut tenetur, vos tamen cautionem legitimam ab eo admittere recusastis, de quo miramur quamplurimum et movemur. Et ideo vobis mandamus, quod recepta ab eo hujusmodi cautione, ipsum Eustachium à dicta prisona liberari mandetis. Quod nisi feceritis, Mandavimus Vic. nostro Norff. quod vos ex parte nostra moneat & inducat, quod dictum Eustachium in dicta forma deliberari faciatis, alioquin cautionem illam ab eodem Eustachio extunc recipiat, & ipsum à prisona praedicta faciat deliberari. Teste Rege apud Merleburb. 15. die Septembris. REX Vic. Norff. salutem. Ostensum est nobis ex parte Eustachii de Kyneburl quem per Literas Norwic. Episcopi patentes secundum consuetudinem Angliae, per corpus suum, tanquam Claves Ecclesiae contempnentem praecepimus Justiciar. quod licet eidem Episcopo frequenter se obtulerit stare mandatis Ecclesiae, ut tenetur, dictus tamen Episcopus cautionem legitimam ab eo admittere recusavit, de quo miramur quamplurimum, et movemur; propter quod Mandavimus Episcopo praedicto, quod recepta ab eodem Eustachio hujusmodi cautione, ipsum à prisona praedicta, mandet deliberari. Quod nisi fecerit, tu ipsum ex parte nostra moneas et inducas, quod dictum Eustachium in forma praedicta deliberari faciat, alioquin cautionem illam ab eodem Eustachio extunc recipias, et ipsum a prisona praedicta facias deliberari. Teste ut supra. The King being supreme Ordinary and Judge in such cases. The Proctors of Griffolino, the Nephew of Arlot an Italian, being disturbed in their possession of the Church of Ouston, the King issued this Writ to the chief Justice of England, to secure him, and his Proctors in the quiet possession thereof, without harm or injury. REX Hugoni le Bygod, Justic. suo Angliae salutem. Cum vacante nuper Ecclesia Claus. 44 H. 3. m. 7. dorso. Pro Griffolino Nepote Magistri Arloti. de Ouston in Insula de Haxiholme, per mortem Magistri Johannis de Essingwold quondam Rectoris ejusdem, qui decessit London. Johannes Mansell Thes. Eborum contulerit Ecclesiam illam Griffolino Nepoti Magistri Arloti, Notarii Domini Papae, & quendam hominem nomine ipsius Griffolini in eadem Ecclesia infra quartum diem post decessum praedicti Magistri Johannis posuerit, & postmodum quendam procuratorem ejusdem Griffolini in Corporalem possessionem dictae Ecclesiae fecerit induci, ac Rogerus de Munbray secundum quod coram nobis & vobis & praefato Johanne Mansell nuper promisit London. quosdam qui in praejudicium dicti Griffolini, & perturbationem possessionis suae praedictae in dictam Ecclesiam se intruserunt, amoverit ab eadem, & eidem jam mandaverimus quod ipsos seu alios qui jam de novo ingressi sunt Ecclesiam illam & domos ad eam spectantes, & se teneant in eisdem non permittentes dictum procuratorem aut alium nomine dicti Griffolini possessionem dictae Ecclesiae aut ad ipsam pertinentium obtinere, sine dilatione aliqua amoveat ab cisdem, & procuratores ipsius Griffolini una cum illis qui eis ex parte dicti Johannis assistent in possessione dictae Ecclesiae & pertinentium ad eandem, manuteneat & defendat, Vobis mandamus firmiter injungentes, quod nisi praefatus vel Ballivus summus Insulae praedictae id fecerit, vos id fieri faciatis. Ita quod Procuratores praefati Griffolini, una cum illis qui ex parte praedicti Johannis assistant, manuteneantur & defendantur in possessione praedictae Ecclesiae & pertinentium ad eandem. Et quod nulla eis injuria aut molestia inferatur in hac parte. Teste Rege apud Winton. 25. die Augusti. The King also issued the like Writ to the Sheriff, to put his Proctor into possession of the Church, and to attach and imprison all those that should resist him. CUm dilectus & fidelis noster Johannes Mansell, Thes. Eborum authoritate Apostolica Claus. 44 H. 3▪ pars 1. m. 12. dorso. Pro Griffolino Nepote Magistri Arloti. contulerit Griffolino Nepoti Magistri Arloti Domini Papae Notarii Ecclesiam de Ouston, quae est de Patronatu Prioris & Conventus de novo Burgo, & quendam hominem suum in eadem Ecclesia nomine ipsius Griffolini infra quartum diem post mortem Magistri Johannis de Esingwand quondam Rectoris ejusdem, qui nuper decessit London. posuerit, & postmodum Procuratorem ejusdem Griffolini in Corporalem possessionem ejusdem Ecclesiae fecerit induci. Ac quidam manu armata jam ingressi sint Ecclesiam illam & in ea se teneant, non permittentes dictum Procuratorem, vel alium possessionem dictae Ecclesiae nomine praefati Griffolini obtinere. Tibi praecipimus, quod in propria personatua sine dilatione accedas ad Ecclesiam supradictam, & Procuratorem praedicti Griffolini manuteneas & defendas; & omnes illos quos resistentes inveneris attachies, ita quod corpora eorum habeas coram nobis in crastino Sancti Jacobi Apostoli ubicunque tunc fuerimus in Angliae, ad respondendum de transgressione praedicta, & habeas ibi hoc breve. Teste Rege apud Westm. 5. die Julii. Per Justic. Johannem Mansell, in eadem forma fieri praecepit. Eodem modo mandatum est Rogero de Munbray. By this we may discern what Power Arlot and his Nephew had with the King and his Officers. The Monks of St. Swithins at Winchester by reason of the afflictions and troubles of their house being disabled to abide there in quiet, or to addict themselves to contemplation and devotion, the King thereupon issued these Writs to several Abbots to entertain some of them in their houses, till their afflictions and troubles were ended. REX Abbati & Conventui Rammesey salutem. Cum Prioratus Sancti Swithini Claus. 44 H. 3. pars 1. m. 8. dorso. Pro Monachis Winton. missis per diversas Abbatias. Winton. à praedecessoribus nostris Regibus Angliae fundatus, diversis litigiis & aliis afflictionibus & adversantibus, jamdiu extiterit adeo perturbatus & praegravatus, quod Monachi ejusdem domus contemplationi debitae juxta ordinis fui exigentiam nequeunt ibidem quietè intendere ut tenentur, sicut satis nostis, cupientes ad ipsorum tranquillitatem laborare, dilectionem vestram affectuosè rogamus, quatenus Robertum de Vrnilla Monachum dictae domus admittere velitis commorandum vobiscum, ut divino Cultui quietius & devotius vacare possit, quousque de statu dicti Monasterii sui salubrius provideatur. Tantum facientes in hac parte quod vobis exinde ad speciales teneamur gratiarum actiones. Teste Rege apud Windes. 11. die Augusti. Eodem modo scribitur Abbati & Conventui Petri Glouc. pro Johanne de V●i●ill●, Monacho Winton. Eodem modo scribitur Abbati & Conventui de Malmysb●. pro Willo de S●nite, Monacho Winton.. lewelyn Prince of Wales, having against his * Here p. 621, 622. Truce and Oath entered into England, and wasted Churches, Monasteries with fire and sword, taken, detained divers Lands and Castles of the Kings and Earl of Glocesters, the Archbishop of Canterbury thereupon issued this Mandate to the Bishop of Wales to excommunicate him and his complices, and interdict their Lands, till restitution and competent satisfaction given for those injuries. B. Permissione divina Cautuar. Archiepiscopus, totius Angliae primas, Venerabili Pat. 44 H. 3. pars 1. m. 6▪ dorso. in Christo patri I. Dei gratia Landavensi Episcopo, salutem, & sincerae fraternitatis in Domino semper augmentum. Ad nostram noveritis audientiam pervenisse, quod cum inter serenissimum Dominum H. Dei gratia Regem Angliae illustrem, & suos ex una parte, & Lewellinum filium Griffini & complices suos ex altera, usque ad certum tempus treugae initae & juramento ab utraque parte interposito firmatae fuissent, nuper quidam complices & fautores Lewellini praedicti nondum finitis treugis memoratis maligno spiritu concitati, terram praedicti Regis Angliae, & suorum hostiliter invadentes, Ecclesias & Monasteria crudeli incendio destruxerunt, & homicidiis atque rapinis ausu sacrilego in eis violata immunitate Ecclesiastica nequiter perpetratis pacem Regni Angliae, & praedictarum Conventionem Treugarum perturbare, & frangere praesumpsêre, contra ea quae pro observatione pacis Regni Angliae in Oxon. Consilio provide sunt statuta temerè veniendo. Quia vero tantorum facinorum Patratores, ac illi quorum mandato, ope vel Concilio praedicta maleficia sunt commissa, ipso facto sunt excommunicationis vinculo innodati, fraternitati vestrae in virtute obedientiae firmiter praecipiendo Mandamus, quatenus in Civitate vestra et Diocesi praedictos sacrilegos, et illos qui eye in praedictis sceleribus perpetrandis opem vel consilium impenderunt, publice vel occulte singulis Dominicis et festivis pulsatis Campanis, accensis candelis tam diu excommunicatos nuncietis, et nunciari sollemniter facietis, donec de praemissis satisfactionem impenderint et absolutionem meruerint obtinere. Ad haec cum praefatus Lewellinus et Complices sui terras, Villas et loca nobilis viri R. de Clar. Com. Glouc. in Diocesi vestra durantibus Treugis memoratis juramento firmatis occupaverint violenter; et adhuc detineant occupata, Et postmodum cum Venerabilis frater Dei gratia Bangorensis Episcopus pro pace inter Dominum Regem & dictum Lewellinum tractanda apud London. venisset personaliter, quidam Wallenses non sine conniventia dicti Lewellini vel mandato ut creditur, Castrum dicti Domini Regis de Bu●lt. ceperunt proditionaliter, & homines ejusdem Castri quod adhuc sic detinent occupatum, furore diabolico contra continentiam occiderunt Treugarum. Quia igitur verisimile manifestè videtur, occupationem dicti Castri & aliarum terrarum ac praedictorum perpetr●tionem facinorum de mandato vel voluntate ejusdem Lewellini processerunt, personaliter accedentes ipsum moneatis sub testimonio competenti & efficaciter inducere studeatis, vel infra octa● as instantis assumptionis beatae Mariae post monitionem vestram, quam si sui copiam denegaverit in Ecclesia Landavensi publicè proponatis, Domino Regi & suis dictum Castrum, terras, villas et loca contra Treugas per ipsum & suos taliter occupata sine difficultate restituat & restitui faciat, & de dampnis & de injuriis illatis eis satisfaciat competenter. Quod si monitis vestris parere contempserit, cum malum cui non resistitur approbetur, nec careat scrupulo societatis occultae qui manifesto facinori desinit obviare, vos extunc in poenam ipsius qui culpa se ostenderet non carere, omnes terras, villas et loca ditioni et potestati suae supposita, nec non omnes terras, villas et loca quas vel quae per se vel complices suos durantibus Treugis supradictis occupavit in Diocesi vestra interdicto Ecclesiastico supponentes, faciatis illud usque ad condignam praemissorum satisfactionem excessuum inviolabiliter observari. Inhibentes districtius, ne in eisdem terris, Villis et locis ditioni et potestati suae suppositis, seu per ipsum et complices suos durantibus Treugis praedictis contra formam eorundem occupatis, sacramenta Ecclesiastica praeterquam neceffaria ministrentur. Quid autem super hiis feceritis nobis per vestras patentes Literas rescribatis. Dat. apud Lambit● in festo beati Petri ad vincula, Anno Dom. 1260. Literae Archiepiscopi Cantuar. directae Landavensi & Menevensi Episcopis traditae fuerunt Com. Glouc. transmittendae eisdem Episcopis, & Literae ejusdem Archiepiscopi directae Bangoren. & de Sancto Asapho Episcopis, liberatae fuerunt Nicho. Wallen. & Guidoni, Nunciis Regis deferend. R. de Mortuo Mari, ut eis mitti faciat eisdem Episcopis. The Church of York being involved in very great Debts, like to ruin it, the King at the Archbishop's request, as Patron thereof, issued this Patent to the Archbishop's Tenants of Rippon and Octely, exhorting them to a liberal contribution towards the discharge of these Debts. REX Probis hominibus Venerabilis Patris G. Eborum Archiepiscopi de Rippon. Pat. 44 H. 3. m. 11. dorso. & de Octely, salutem. Cum Ecclesia Eborum, a nostris fundata progenitoribus, importabili debitorum sarcina per diversas adversitates & causas adeo sit depressa quod nisi maturiori providentia prospiciatur eidem, poterit sibi irreparabile dispendium imminere. Nos ejus afflictioni pio compatientes affectu, fidelitatem vestram, de qua plenam in hac parte reportamus fiduciam, requirimus & hortamur, propensius rogantes quatenus ad relevationem ejusdem Ecclesiae quae tantis dinoscitur subjacere periculis animos inclinantes, talem succursum & tam competens auxilium quod etiam vos deceat, & tantae necessitati conveniat, praefato Archiepiscopo Domino vestro semotâ difficulte qualibet conferatis, pro quo tàm à nobis quam ab ipso in agendis vestris pro loco & tempore specialem gratiam reportare debeatis & favorem. Teste Rege apud Westm. 16. die Maii. What authority Rostand and the Pope's Agents, by the King's permission, took upon them to grant pensions to the Pope's Chaplains and Creatures at Rome, out of the King's Exchequer, till promoted to Benefices in England, and to make them the King's Chaplains, and how the King by his Letters Patents confirmed and augmented their stipends, will evidently appear by this Patent. REX Omnibus, etc. Noveritis quod cum Venerabilis Pater Tarent. Archiepiscopus, Pat. 44 H. 3. pars 2. m. 4. intus. De Umberto de Coquinato. & Magister Rostandus, quondam Domini Papae Capellanus, Nuncii nostri nuper in Curia Romana pro quibusdam negotiis nostris procurandis, ibidem de mandato nostro, discretum virum Magistrum Umber●um de Coquinato▪ Domini Papae Capellanum receperint in Clericum nostrum, assignantes ei annuum feodum Viginti Marcarum annuatim percipiendum ad Scaccarium nostrum, in Quindena annunciationis Dominicae, donec ei providerimus in beneficio Ecclesiastico competenti: Nos assignationem feodi praedicti ratam habemus & acceptam. In cujus, etc. Teste etc. Paris 28. die Decemb. Anno, etc. Ista Litera facta fuit in Anglia & sigillata de decem Marcis & Paris. scripta & sigillata novo sigillo & augmenta de aliis decem Marcis. Per Archipiscopum Tarent. R. Com. Glouc. P. de Sabaud. & I. Mansell, & tradita fuit praedicto W. Bonquer. deferenda praedicto Umberto ad Curiam Romanam. John Walerand Clerk, being an accountant to the King as his Escheator and Custos of the vacancies of the Bishopric of Ely, the Abbey of St. Edmund's, and other Bailiwicks, and refusing to account; the King thereupon issued Writs to several Bishops, to sequester all his Ecclesiastical benefices and promotions within their Dioceses till he accounted, under pain of seizing their Temporalities in case of neglect, for he would not be cheated. REX Venerabili Patri H. Elyensi Episcopo vel ejus Offic. salutem. Cum Johannes Claus. 44 H. 3. pars 1. m. 3. dorso. De Johanne Walerand de Debitis. Walerand, frater Roberti Walerand, teneatur nobis in pluribus computis raciociniis & debitis non modicis de tempore qua fuit Escheat▪ noster citra Trentam, & de Custodiis Episcopatus Elyen. Abbatiae sancti Edmundi & de aliis pluribus Ballivis quas de nobis habuit, dum fuit in servitio nostro. Et idem Johannes à nobis super hoc pluries requisitus compotos & debita praedicta nobis reddere recusaverat. Vobis mandamus in fide qua nobis tenemini firmiter injungentes, quod beneficia Ecclesiastica quae praefatus Johannes in Diocesi vestra obtinet sine morae dispendio sequestrari faciatis, quousque compotos et raciocinia de Ballivis praedictis nobis secundum consuetudinem Regni nostri reddiderit, et satisfecerit nobis de debitis quae nobis debuerit. Tantum facientes in hac parte quod ad temporalia vestra pro defectu vestri manum apponere non cogamur, cum nullatenus defraudari velimus hiis quae ad nos pertinent in hac parte. Teste Rege apud Winds. 3. die Octobris. Per ipsum Regem & Justic. & Robertum Walerand. Eodem modo mandatum est Episcopis Wygorn. Linc. Coventr. & Litchfeld. Bathoniens. & Wellens. The King having assigned a Debt to be paid out of the Bishopric of Ely to a foreign Merchant, by John Walerand, and he assigning and obliging the profits of his Church of Middleton within the Diocese of York for three years, to satisfy the same, and yet forceably ●●ting the Assignees within the term, whereby they could not levy this Debt, the King thereupon issued this Writ to the Archbishop of York, to put the Assignees in possession of the profits till the debt was satisfied. REx Archiepiscopo Eborum Angliae primati salutem. Cum dudum commiserimus Claus. 44 H. 3 pars 1. m. 3. dors. Roberto Walerand. & Johanni Walerand. fratri ejus Episcopatum Elien. custodiendum in vacatione sua, & de exitibus ejusdem assignaverimus Reymundo Baykeyn, Civi & Mercatori Burdeg. Quadringentas Mar. percipiendas per manum ipsius Johannis, in solutionem debitorum quae ei debuimus: & idem Johannes, pro eo quod non acquietavit nos de praedictis quadringentis Marcis versus praedictum Reymundum, obligaverat Ecclesiam suam de Middleton vestrae Dioc. ad solutionem dictae pecuniae, & eam commiserit & concesserit Willielmo de Ha●se Capellano, & Henr. Purcell, Clerico tenendum per triennium; ita quod fructus ejusdem Ecclesiae per tempus illud colligerent & venderent, & inde levarent praedictam pecuniam ad acquietandum inde nos & praedictum Robertum versus ipsum R●ymundum; ac praefatus Johannes infra terminum praedictum expulerit praefatos Capellanum & Clericum ab Ecclesia praedicta contra obligationem suam, non permittendo ipsos administrationem de fructibus & proventibus ejusdem Ecclesiae habere ad dictam pecuniam inde levandam: Vobis mandamus quod dictam Ecclesiam sine morae dispendio sequestari faciatis; Ita quod praedicti Capellanus & Clericus administrationem habeant de fructibus & proventibus ejusdem Ecclesiae ad praedictam pecuniam inde levandam & solvendam praedicto Edmundo in acquietationem debitorum praedictorum secundum formam obligationis praedictae. Tantum facientes in hac parte quod ad Temporalia vestra pro defectu vestri manum apponere non cogamur, nullatenus (enim) defraudari velimus hiis quae ad nos pertinent in hac parte. Teste ut supra. The King's former Chaplain having deserted his service in the Chapel of Merewell, the King thereupon granted the Cure and stipend thereto belonging to another of his Chaplains, who would detain the Cure, by this Writ. QUia sicut Rex intellexit, Thomas de Guldeford, Capellanus qui in Capella de Pro Thoma de Guldeford Capellario Ibid. dorso. 4. Merewell, divina celebrare consuevit alibi commoratur, ad serviendum ibidem ulterius non proponens, mandatum est Nicholas de Handlo, Custodi Episcopatus Winton. quod Willielmum de Guldeford, Capellanum Regis quem Rex propter servitia sua diutina Regi impensa recommendatum habet loco praedicti Thomae, admittat divina celebraturum in Capella praedicta, faciens sibi assignari eadem stipendia quae praefatus Thomas ibidem deserviendo percipere consuevit. Teste Rege apud Windes. 18. die Octobris. The King to reward some services done him by an Escheater in Ireland, granted him one or more Ecclesiastical benefices which should there next fall void within his gift to the value of 50. Marks by the year. REX Omnibus, etc. Sciatis quod pro laudabili servitio quod Willus de Bakepuz. Pat. 44 H. 3. m. 5. intus. Pro Magistro Willielmo de Bakepuz. Hibernia. Escaetor noster in Hibernia nobis impendit, concessimus ei, quod in uno vel in pluribus Beneficiis Ecclesiasticis quae ratione Episcopatuum, Abbaciarum vel Prioratuum nunc in Hibernia vacantium vel vacaturorum conferre poterimus, usque ad summam Quinquaginta Marcarum quam citius se facultas obtulerit, providebimus eidem. In cujus, etc. Teste Rege apud Westm. 29. die Ju●●●. Per ipsum Regem, & Episcop. London. praec. The King receiving contrary Certificates from Ireland, concerning the Election of the Bishop of Elfin, and giving his royal assent to the Archdeacon of Clon elected before his Congedes●ier▪ which election was nulled before he heard any contradiction against it, upon the second certificate, he ordered the second person elected by his licence to be consecrated, by this Patent to the Archbishop of Tuam, to whom he referred the examination of this matter, and to certify him, which of them he ought to admit as Bishop. REX Tuamensi Archiepiscopo salutem. Cum nuper vacante Ecclesia Elfinensi Pat. 44 H. 3. pars 2. m. 2. intus. Pro Electo Elfinens. Hibern. Capitulum ejusdem Ecclesiae petita & obtenta licentia nostra Milonem Archid. Clonens. suum sibi in Episcopum elegisset, sicut per Literas Patentes ejusdem Capituli nobis directas innotuit. Et nos postmodum nemine reclamante seu contradicente ipsius Electioni, prout moris est Regium praebui●●●mus assensum, demandantes, vobis ut quod vestrum esset in hac parte faceretis, ita quod si per vos praedicta confirmaretur Electio Justic. Hiberniae sibi Temporalia sua, salvo jure nostro restitueret Decanus, Archid. Thes. & praepositus ejusdem Ecclesiae Thomam Abbatem de Bu●lico ordinis Cisterc. Electum suum per literas Patentes sigillis eorum & communi sigillo Ecclesiae suae signatas nobis postmodum praesentarunt, asserentes, Electionem quae de praedicto Archid. non expectata Licentia Regia prius inordinate facta fuerat, prout per Literas vestras Pat. plenius intelleximus, Authoritate vestra, et ob causas rationabiles fuisse cassatam; et licet propter contrarietatem Electionum hujusmodi, et literarum repugnantiam merito haesitare possimus, quis eorum praeferri debeat, tanquam verus Electus, nos tamen literis vestris adhibentes in hac parte Electioni de praedicto Abbate factae Regium fidem adhibuimus assensum, ita videlicet quod de meritis praedictarum Electionum plenius cognoscentes, quod vestrum fuerit in hac parte exequamini significantes nobis quem Electorum illorum sine juris injuria admittere debeamus. Teste, etc. 10. die Aprilis. Annno, & cs The Official of the Archbishop of Dublin Elect having in the absence of the Archbishop at Rome, by his authority confirmed the election of the Bishop of Ossery, & the King receiving two certificates thereof, he thereupon issued this Patent for restoring the Temporalities of the Bishopric to him, having received his fealty. REX Justic. Hiberniae vel ejus locum tenenti & Magistro Willo de Bakepuz. vel Pat. 44 H. 3. pars 1. m. 3. intus. Pro Episcopo Ossor. Hibern. ejus locum tenenti salutem. Cum Magister Willus de Hattingell, Officialis Dublinensis Archiepiscopi Electionem de Magistro de Galfrido de Sancto Leodegario in Episcopum Ossor. per Decanum & Capitulum Sancti Ka●iti Kilkenn. celebratum, Authoritate praedicti Archiepiscopi Domini sui in Curia Romana agentis confirmaverit, sicut per Literas Patentes praedicti Offic. et Literas Episcoporum Middens. et Darens. nobis exhibitas plenius intelleximus; nos accepta a praedicto Electo fidelitate nobis debita in hac parte, praedictum Episcopatum cum pertinent. ei Reddidimus. Et ideo vobis mandamus quod eidem Electo de Episcopatu praedicto cum maneriis & omnibus aliis possessionibus & temporalibus ad ipsum pertinentibus & in manu nostra existentibus plenam seisinam sine dilatione habere faciatis. In cujus, etc. Teste Rege apud Merewell, 30. die Augusta. How grievously the English Clergy, Nobility, and Commons were insulted over and oppressed by the Poictovins and Romans, and what opposition the Nobles at last made against them Anno 44 H. 3. Matthew Paris thus relates. Eodem tempore, Regis fatuitate et desidia in multis opprimebatur Mat. Paris Hist. p. 958, 959. Gravis dominatio alienigenarum in Anglia. Anglia dominatione Pictavensium et Romanorum. Et praecipuè Eimeri Wintoniensis Electi, Willielmi de Valentia fratris Regis uterini, & Petride Sabaudia avunculi Reginae, qui inciviliter tàm religiosos Regni tractabant, quam alios saeculares. Si quis autem injuriam passus, ad ipsius Willielmi Senescallum accessisset, justitiam petiturus, hujusmodi responsa reportabat: Si ego tibi injuriam facio, quis tibi rectum faciet? Dominus Rex vult quicquid Dominus meus vult, sed non è diverso. Sicque nec Regi, nec Magnatum alicui reverentiam deferebant. Dominabantur etiam his diebus et Romani, et eorum Legati in Anglia, tam Laicis, quam Ecclesiasticis, super advocationibus Ecclesiarum multa gravamina inferentes, providentes suis beneficia ampla vacantia, pro suae arbitrio voluntatis: Episcopos, vel Abbates, aliosque Religiosos contradicentes, excommunicationis sententia innodantes. Vnde contigit ut Magnates de tanto supercilio indignati, licet sero, ad remedium apponendum surrexerunt, et alienigenas de Regno fugere compuleruut: Non tamen omnes, sed praecipuè Pictavenses. Mandaverunt insuper dicti Magnates viris Religiosis, qui tenebant ad firmam Anglia liberatur ad tempus ab exactoribus Romanis. Ecclesias Romanorum, ne de firmis eorum eis responderent, sed dictas firmas et redditus darent suis procuratoribus, die et loco per Barones assignatis. Quod si aliter facerent, sua incendio subjacerent, et nihilominus periculum, quod Romanis parabatur, ipsi in personis suis sentirent. Idem mandatum dederunt Episcopis, ne quisquam de Romanis et eorum redditibus interponeret, sub poena primitus intentata. Hac provisione Baronum, quievit Anglia ab exactoribus fere per triennium, donec idem Simon de Monte forti morte succubuit, martyrio, prout creditur, coronatus. King Henry in the 45. year of his Reign, issued this Writ and form of Prohibition to the Archbishop of Canterbury and his Official, and to the Bishops of London, Worcester, Lincoln, and their Officials, and the Official and Archdeacon of Winton, upon no pretext whatsoever to draw any Clerk of his presentation within the Diocese of Winton, to be impleaded out of England, in violation of his Privilege and Rights, under pain of being proceeded against as violators and impugners thereof. Claus. 45 H. 3. m. 14. dorso. Prohibitio ne Clerici trahantur in causam extra Angliam. REX Magistro Constantino Offic. Venerabilis Patris B. Cantuar. Archiepiscopi in Dioc. Winton. salutem. Cum nobis a sede Apostolica specialiter sit indultum, ne illi de Regno nostro authoritate Apostolica extra illud trahantur in causam, vobis districte prohibemus ne praetextu alicujus mandati vobis directi Clericos nostros beneficia Ecclesiastica in Diocesi Winton. ex praesentatione nostra obtinentes, citetis ad comparendum coram quocunque judice extra Regnum praedictum, nec aliquod mandatum contra ipsos exequi praesumatis, in derogationem seu elusionem indulgentiae memoratae. Maxime cum ipsi parati sint infra Regnum nostrum in omnibus stare juri, sed taliter vos habeatis in hac parte, ne ad vos tanquam ad violatorem privilegiorum nostrorum, et impugnatorem dignitatis Regis aliter procedere compellamur. Teste meipso apud Turrim London, 26. die Martii. Eodem modo mandatum est Episcopo London. & suo Offic. Episcopo Wigorn. & suo Offic. Eodem modo scribitur Archiepiscopo Cantuar. Episcopo Lincoln. & suo Offic. Archidiacono Winton. & suo Offic. & Offic. Episcopatus Winton. What Usurers the Pope's beneficed Chaplains in England were in this age, and what Recognizances, Oaths, and strange Obligations, with various Conditions, to be prosecuted in all or any Courts, Civil or Ecclesiastical, in case of Nonpayment, and renounce all benefit of Pleas, Privileges whatsoever, in bar against their Suits, after the mode of the Roman Court, will appear by this ensuing Record and Recognisance of Sir Robert Walerand to the Archdeacon of Ely. UNiversis Christi fidelibus praesentes Literas visuris vel audituris, Robertus Walerand Claus. 45 H. 3. m. 15. dorso. Pro Magistro Nicholas Archid. Eliensi. Miles, salutem in Domino. Noverit universitas vestra, me teneri ex causa mutui Magistro Nicholas Archidiacono Elyensi, Domini Papae Capellano, & Domini Regis Cancellario, in Centum Marcis bonorum novorum & legalium sterlingorum, tresdecim solid. & quatuor sterling. pro qualibet Marca computatis, de qua pecunia benè me voco quietum & integrè protestor pacatum, exceptioni non numeratae, non solutae, & non traditae mihi pecuniae penitus renunciando. Quas praetaxatas Centum Marcas sterlingorum, praedicto modo & numero computandas promitto & teneor bona fide & per legitimam stipulationem interpositam reddere & solvere dicto Archidiacono, vel certo Nuncio suo, seu assignato has Literas deferenti in Octabis Sancti Michaelis, Anno gratiae 1261. apud Novum Templum London. Quod si non fecero, promitto & teneor per antedictam stipulationem dare & solvere dicto Archidiacono Viginti Marcas sterlingorum▪ nomine poenae; & nihilominus refundere & restaurare eidem omnes expensas & damna quae fecerit vel incurrerit pro defectu solutionis praedictae, super quibus credetur eidem Archiepiscopo, vel certo Nuncio suo, seu assignato per simplex verbum suum tantum sine aliqua probatione: & dicta pecunia & poenae persoluta omnia praescripta & subscripta firma & illibata consistant. Volo etiam & concedo, quod si medio tempore, quod absit, in fata decessero, quod nulla penitus fiat testamenti mei executio, vel rerum m●arum distractio vel distributio, quousque dicto Magistro N. Archidiacono de praemissis omnibus plenariè fuerit satisfactum. Pro quibus omnibus & singulis antedictis firmiter & fideliter observandis & adimplendis, obligo me & Haeredes meos, & omnia bona mea & Haererum meorum, mobilia & immobilia, praesentia & futura, habita & habenda, ubicunque fuerint inventa, & specialiter Maneria mea de Langeford. & Wadden. quae habeo in Com. Wiltes. ad disponendum & ordinandum de fructibus & redditibus ad eadem Maneria spectantibus & pertinentibus, si quod absit, in solutione dictae pecuniae cessavero, usque ad plenariam & integram solutionem omnium praedictorum. Ad haec autem omnia fideliter observanda corporali praestito juramento tactis Sacrosanctis me obligavi, subjiciendo me et mea jurisdictioni et coertioni Episcoporum Angliae, quos praefatus Archidiaconus eligere voluerit, ut ipsi me et Haeredes et Executores meos ad observationem omnium praedictorum modis quibus viderint magis expedire compellant. Renunclando in praemissis omnibus et singulis pro me et Haeredibus meis, omni juris auxilio Canonici et Civilis, privilegio fori, et maxime cruce signatorum et cruce signandorum, omni consuetudini et statuto, omnibus Literis impetratis et impetrandis, constitutioni de duabus dietis editae in Concilio generali, prohibitioni Regiae, et omni exceptioni et defensioni personali et reali, quae posset objici contra praemissa. Licet etiam dicto Archidiacono, vel certo Nuncio suo, seu assignato super praemissis me et Haeredes meos ubique locorum, et in omni foro coram quocunque judice, tam Ecclesiastico quam seculari voluerint libere convenire et ad judicium trahere. Et ad majorem hujus rei securitatem ista in Cancellaria Domini Regis recognovi, & tenorem praedictae Chartae meae in Rotulis ejusdem Cancellariae feci irrotulari. In cujus rei testimonium praesentibus Literis sigillum meum apposui. Dat. London. die Mercurii prox. ante festum Annunciationis beatae Mariae Virginis, Anno Domini 1260. mense Martii. Robertus Walerand recognovit in Cancellaria Regis se debere Magistro Nicholas Archidiacono Elyens. Cancellario Regis C. Marc. 13. s. 4. d. solvend. ei in festo Sancti Michaelis prox. futur. Et nisi fecerit, concessit, quod dicta pecunia levetur de terris & catallis suis in Com. Wiltes. A Whale arriving upon the Lands of the Bishopric of Durham, within the County of Lincoln, whiles the Temporalties were in the King's hands, which Whale was taken away by several parcels, the King issued this Writ of Inquiry to the Sheriff of Lincoln touching this affair. REX Vic. Linc. salutem. Datum est nobis intelligi, quod cum tota Ballena Claus. 45 H. 3. m. 18. dors. Dc Ballena de Lindesey. quae nuper applicuit apud Sumercote in Lindesey, in terra Episcopatus Dunelm. ad nos ratione ejusdem Episcopatus tunc vacantis, & in manu nostra existentis pertineret, quidam de Balliva tua eandem Ballenam ibidem pro voluntate sua distraxerunt, et asportaverunt, in juxis et dignitatis Regiae praejudicium et contemptum. Et ideò tibi praecipimus, quod una cum dilecto Clerico nostro Elia de Hertford, quem ad te propter hoc mittimus, per Sacramentum tam Militum quam aliorum liberorum et legalium hominum de Comitatu tuo, per quos rei veritas melius sciri poterit, diligenter inquiras, utrum praedicta Ballena applicuit in terra praedicti Episcopatus necne? Et si ibi applicuit, qui eam distraxerunt & asportaverunt. Et si ipsa alibi applicuit in Balliva tua, qui portionem ad nos inde pertinentem distraxerunt & asportaverunt, sicut praedictum est: & omnes illos quos per inquisitionem illam culpabiles inde inveneris attachies; ita quod habeas corpora eorum coram nobis à die Pascha in 15. dies, ubicunque tunc fuerimus in Anglia, ad respondendum nobis de transgressione praedicta. Et habeas ibi hoc Breve. Teste Rege apud Turrim London. 25. die Februarii, Anno Regni nostri 45. The King issued this Prohibition concerning his Free-Chappel of Wolverhampton, reciting Pope Innocents' Bull of Privileges granted to all his Free-Chappels. REX Omnibus, etc. Cum plures in Anglia Capellas habeamus exemptas, Pat. 45 H. 3. pars 1. m. 23. intus. De libertatibus & privilegiis Capellarum Regis. quarum libertates locorum Ordinarii infestant plerumque, et in dilatione privilegiorum nostrorum ad loca diversa transmissa nobis posset de facili periculum imminere. Nos dilecto Clerico nostro Egidio de Erdington, Decano de Wolverhampton, transcriptum cujusdam privilegii nostri de libertatibus Capellarum nostrarum faciens mentionem, & sigillo nostro signatum duximus committendum, ut illius transcripti inspectionem habentes fidem adhibeant concessioni libertatum factae Capellis praedictis, rescriptum igitur Apostolicum de verbo ad verbum sic duximus subscribendum. INNOCENTIUS Episcopus servus servoruus Dei, Charissimo in Christo filio See here p. 358. Regi Anglorum illustri, salutem & Apostolicam benedictionem. Tanto libentius Celsitudinis tuae precibus benignum impertim●r assensum quanto inter Reges & Principes Christianos, te specialius reputamus dilectum filium & devotum. Tuis itaque supplicationibus inclinati districtius inhibemus, ne ullus Ordinarius, aut etiam Delegatus, vel Subdelegatus in Capellas Regias et Oratoria earundem, Ecclesiae Romanae immediate subjecta, seu Canonicos, vel Servitores ipsorum, contra tenorem privilegiorum aut indulgentiarum Apostolicae sedis Excommunicationis vel Interdicti sententiam audeat promulgare, seu aliquod ipsis onus imponere, quod aliis exemptis Ecclesiis non consuevit imponi absque mandato sedis Apostolicae speciali, quod expressam faciat de inhibitione hujusmodi mentionem. Nulli ergo omnino hominum liceat hanc paginam nostrae concessionis infringere, vel ei ausu temerario contraire. Si quis autem hoc attemptare praesumpserit, indignationem omnipotentis Dei et beatorum Petri et Pauli Apostolorum ejus se novecit incursurum. Dat. Lugduni 12. Kalend. Augusti, Pontificatus nostri Anno tertio. Nos itaque universos tàm Clericos quam Laicos Regni nostri monemus, rogamus modis omnibus quibus possumus, et eis sub poena forisfacturae nostrae firmiter prohibemus, ut nullus eorum in praejudicium praefati Clerici nostri, seu Capellae nostrae de Wolverhampton, aut etiam Canonicorum sive Servitorum ipsorum aliquid attemptet, contra privilegii supradicti tenorem, et consuetudines Capellarum nostrarum exemptarum antiquas, usitatas et etiam approbatas. Teste Rege apud Westm. 8. die Nevembris. The King for dispatch of his own and his Kingdoms affairs in the Court of Rome this year, issued these Letters of Procuration to his Proctors there, and others to the Pope, especially to prosecute his Appeal there against the Archbishop and his Suffragans, to null the Ordinances, Constitutions and Statutes made by them in the * See here p. 898, to 912. forecited Council at London, to the prejudice of his Royal Right, Dignity, the Liberties, Laws and Customs of his Realm. REX Omnibus, etc. salutem. In omnibus causis & negotiis nos & Regnum Pat. 45 H. 3. pars 1. m. 8. intus. Pro Rege de Procuratoribus constitutis in Curia Romana. nostrum tangentibus, quae in Curia Romana habere intendimus, dilectum Clericum nostrum Magistrum Johannem de Hemingford, latorem praesentium nostrum constituimus Procuratorem. Dantes eidem potestatem substituendi alium seu alios quociens sibi videbitur expedire. Ratum etiam habituri quicquid dictus Johannes vel ab eo substitutus vel substituti in praemissis duxerit vel duxerint, faciendum praesentibus, post annum minimè valituris. Dat. London. 6. Kalend. Junii, Anno Domini 1261. Ista Litera duplicata fuit propter adjectionem istius nominis H. Ebredunen. Archiepiscopum, una cum Magistro Johanne. SAnctissimo in Christo Patri Domino A. Dei gratiâ Summo Pontifici, Rex Ibidem. Angliae, etc. salutem, cum reverentia & honore. In causa appellationis quae movetur seu moveri speratur in Curia Romana inter nos ex una parte, et Archiepiscopum Cantuariensem et suos Suffraganeos ex altera, super Ordinationibus, Constitutionibus et Statutis nuper in Concilio provinciali London. per eosdem editis in praejudicium juris, dignitatis Regiae, libertatis, legis et consuetudinis Regni nostri, dilectum Clericum nostrum Magistrum Johannem de Hemingford, latorem praesentium Procuratorem nostrum constituimus. Dantes ei potestatem agendi, defendendi, & etiam jurandi in animam nostram de calumnia & veritate dicenda, & ad expensum, & ad ponendum, & ad positionibus respondendum, & ad alia facienda, quae dictam causam contingunt. Damus etiam eidem potestatem constituendi seu substituendi Procuratorem ad omnia praedicta facienda. Ratum habituri quicquid praedictus Magister vel Procurator ab eo constitutus seu substitutus, super praemissis duxerit faciendum praesentibus, post annum minimè valituris. Dat. ut supra. EIdem Rex Angliae, salutem cum reverentia & honore. Noverit vestra Sanctitas Pat. 45 H. 3. m. 11. intus. —— Nos ordinasse & constituisse dilectum Clericum nostrum Magistrum Johannem de Hemingford, latorem praesentium Procuratorem nostrum in Curia Romana, ad agendum, defendendum, impetrandum, contradicendum, & ad Procuratorem substituendum cum viderit expedire. Ratum habituri quicquid idem Magister vel Procurator substitutus ab ipso super praemissis in praedicta Curia duxerit faciendum. Priorum Procuratorum nostrorum ad impetrandum & contradicendum in Curia praedicta mandato minimè revocato, praesentibus ultra annum minimè valituris, sigillum nostrum fecimus apponi. Dat. ut supra. Ista Litera duplicata propter adjectionem nominis Magistri Rogeri Lovel, qui datus est Procur. una cum Magistro Johanne, & una cum Episcopo Roffen. & Archidiacono Roffen. fratre ejus. Ita quod isti quatuor constituti sunt Procur. in simul in hoc Procur. & in primo Procur. adempta potestate substituendi. Et de intermedio Procur. scilicet, in causa Appellationis dati sunt praedicti Magistri Johannes & Rogerus, tantum exceptis praedictis Episcopo & Archidiacono, quia causa illa tangit ipsos cum potestate substituendi. The King having formerly granted the Bishop of London a Patent to retain by Commenda all his Deaneries, Dignities, Benefices in England, together with his Bishopric, for so long time as the Pope would dispense therewith, granted him the like Patent for his Dignities and Benefices in Ireland, together with this Protection for his Tenants there. CUm Rex concesserit H. London. Episcopo, quod dignitates et omnia Pat. 45 H. 3. m. 8. intus. Hiberniae. alia beneficia Ecclesiastica quae tempore promotionis suae ad eundem Episcopatum de patronatu Regis obtinuit retinere possit, libere, plene et pacifice quamdiu ipsa per indulgentiam Domini Papae valeat retinere, et Rex homines, terras, res, redditus, et omnes possessiones suas Ecclesiasticas et mundanas susceperit in protectionem et defensionem suam: Mandatum est omnibus Ballivis & fidelibus Regis Hiberniae, ad quos, &c, quod homines, terras, res, redditus, & omnes possessiones dicti Episcopi in Hibernia, tàm Ecclesiasticas quam mundanas manuteneant, protegant & defendant, non inferentes, etc. Et si quid, etc. In cujus, etc. durat. quamdiu praefatus Episcopus beneficia sua in Hibernia retinuerit. Teste Rege apud Turrim London. 17. die Julii. What a large seared Conscience this avaricious Bishop had, to hold so many Deaneries, Dignities and Benefices with Cure, both in England and Ireland, together with his Bishopric and Chancellorship of England, let all who have any Conscience determine. The Abbot of Bordell usurping upon the King's Rights, Manors, Tenants, Anno 1262. Courts, Bailiffs, and drawing them into his Courts to the prejudice of the Rights of his Crown, thereup on the King issued this Writ to prohibit him, and to give an account of the profits of Courts received by him. REX Abbati de Bordell, salutem. Ex parte Ballivorum nostrorum de Bremesgrave & Norton, Claus. 46 H. 3. m. 12. dorso. nobis est ostensum, quod cum de placito de tenuris tenentium vestrorum in Maneriis praedictis per Brevia nostra directo, & de clamore levato, & transgressionibus Assisarum, & sanguinis effusione teneri & deduci debeant, & hactenus consueverint in Curiis nostris Maneriorum praedictorum, & secundum consuetudinem Maneriorum illorum in eisdem terminari, vos & Ballivi vestri de Norton, eosdem tenentes vestros compellitis ad placitandum in Curia vestra de placitis praedictis, exitus & amerciamenta eorundem placitorum quae ad nos pertinent ab eisdem capiendo, & terras & tenuras tenentium nostrorum ibidem vobis appropriando & attrahendo, sine licentia & voluntate nostra, & in nostri & Haeredum nostrorum praejudicium, dispendium non modicum & gravamen. Super quo vobis mandamus firmiter inhibentes, ne praefatos tenentes vestros contra consuetudinem in praefatis Maneriis nostris hactenus obtentam, ad placitandum in praedicta Curia vestra de placitis praedictis aut aliis ad nos pertinentibus compellatis, aut de eis placitetis vel ballivos vestros. De caetero placitare permittatis, seu de tenuris praedictis aliquid sinè licentia & voluntate nostra vobis attrahere, usurpare vel appropriare praesumatis, cum hoc in praejudicium juris nostri fieri sentiamus. Et si quid de exitibus placitorum praedictorum contra justitiam ceperitis aut de tenuris praedictis sine assensu & voluntate nostra vobis usurpaveritis, id Ballivis nostris maneriorum praedictorum sine morae dispendio ad opus nostrum restitui faciatis; scituri pro certo, quod si secus egeritis, nos de consilio nostro tale & tam festinum remedium ad hoc adhiberi faciemus, quod vos ex hoc non mediocriter gravatos sentiatis. Teste Rege apud Westm. 20. die Aprilis. I find that Edmund King Henry his Son, notwithstanding the Sicilians slighting and rejecting of him, and Electing Manfred for their King, and the Pope's Legerdemain in the business of the Realm of Sicily, was yet so infatuated as to direct this flattering Letter to all the Prelates, Nobles, Knights, Citizens and others of that Realm by the stile of King of Sicily, by virtue of the Pope's void, cheating grant, thus recorded in the Clause Rolls, nor extant in our Histories. EDmundus Dei gratiâ Siciliae Rex, universis & sigulis Praelatis, Proceribus, Militibus, Claus. 46 H. 3. m. 13. dorso. Civibus & aliis per Regnum nostrum constitutis salutem, gratiam & omne bonum. Cum foelicis recordationis Dominus Innocentius Papa quartus de fratrum suorum consilio & Apostolicae sedis gratia speciali Regnum nobis contulerit supradictum; Nos ad tranquillitatem & commodum dicti Regni, & omnium incolarum ejusdem zelum praecipuum & affectum habentes sincerum, Universitatem vestram requirimus & rogamus attentè, quatenus assensu grato nos in Regnum admittere, & nostris profectibus & honoribus velitis insistere cum favore. Nos antem ad dicti prosecutionem negotii pro viribus nostris & nostrorum accincti, vobis universis & singulis in omnibus quae ad vestri juris conservationem cesserint, & honoris augmentum cum omni desiderio & promptitudine annuere intendimus, & pronis volumus affectibus complacere. In cujus rei testimonium praesentem literam aurea bulla nostra fecimus consignari. Dat. apud Windes. 13. Kalend. Aprilis, Anno Domini 1261. Claus. 46. H. 3: memb. 14. There is more concerning the same business, and memb. 11. dorso, which I pretermit. The King this year sent these two complemental Epistles to Pope Urban the 4th. the latter of them to absolve him from his Oath taken to observe the Provisions of his Barons made at Oxford, as prejudicial to the Rights and Prerogatives of his Crown, from which Pope Alexander his predecessor had absolved him, but died before it was completed; and not to confirm the Baron's statutes if pressed to it, revoking his former Proctors sent to Rome, whiles his Seal was out of his power. The first Epistle runs thus, SAnctissimo in Christo patri, V. Dei gratiâ, sacrosanctae Romanae Ecclesiae summo Claus. 46 H. 3. m. 18. dorso. Pontifici, H. eadem gratiâ Rex Angliae, etc. salutem cum reverentia & honore. Exultamus & speciali jocunditate laetamur in Domino qui plebis suae desolationem piè respiciens, & insperatè salutis jam portum parans fluctuantis Ecclesiae naufragium propitius avertit, & Thamar diu viduam connubio salubri copulandam sua providentia reservavit. Ipsius igitur disponente clementia prosperum fiat in manu sui Pontificis opus sanctum, ut grex ejus imitatione sacra proficiens suo conditori placida persistat, & ad superna felicitatis praemium devota pertingat. Nos autem honori vestro filiali congaudentes jubilo beneplaeida vestra sinceris affectibus adimplere cupimus, ut Regni nostri negocia vestrae sanctitati maneant commendata, precibus quantis decet et expedit supplicamus, vestrae be atudini grates referentes pro vestris apicibus, quibus paterna dulcedine nostrum animum vestri gratia latificare ac relevare curastis. Teste Rege apud Westm. 11. die Decembris. The Second Epistle is thus recorded. DOmino Papae Rex Angliae, salutem, cum reverentia & honore. Cum Ecclesia Claus. 46 H. 3. m. 17. dorso. Romana veluti pia mater devotis filiis, et nobis prae caeteris sui gratia in nostris et Regni nostri negotiis maternae pietatis viscera clementer aperiens, multa beneficia ad nostri conservationem honoris jugiter exhibuerit, et jam pro quibusdam urgentibus negotiis nos et statum nostrum contingentibus opus habemus Apostolicae sedis gratiam implorare, nos de consueta dictae sedis benignitate confisi, ad ejus suffragia recurrimus confidenter, rogantes, et precibus postulantes intentis, quatinus cum tempore foelicis recurdationis Domini A. praedecessoris vestri, Apostolicae sedis literas obtinuerimus super reformatione status nostri, et absolutione juramenti pro observandis quibusdam ordinationibus, colligationibus et statutis praestiti, quae in diminutionem et depressionem potestatis Regiae cedunt manifestè. Cumque impetrationes praedictae ante obitum praedecessoris vestri memorati, ad ipsum minimè pervenire potuissent, eisdem tàm in hiis quae personam nostram specialiter contingunt, quam in illis quae dissolutionem colligationum praedictarum et juramenti praedicti in aliis respiciunt, jube atis de vestrae benignitatis gratia innovari. Petitiones in vestro conspectu pro obtinenda confirmatione statutorum hujusmodi ac aliorum jàm ut dicitur exhibitas, quae in depressionem libertatis Regiae seu etiam juris nostri cedunt laefionem, ad exauditionem si placet ne quaquam admittentes. Rogamus insuper ut dilectos Magistrum Johannem de Hemingford, & Magistrum Rogerum Luvell Clericos ac procuratores nostros, una cum negotiis nostris habere velit vestra Sanctitas propensius commendatos. Et cum nuper dum nostrum sigillum in potestate foret aliena, quamplures alii constituti fuerint procuratores nomine nostro, quod non approbamus, ipsorum potestatem omnino revocamus, praesertini cum ipsi ea magis quae nobis obesse possent quam prodesse agere moliantur. Teste Rege apud Westm. 1. die Jan. He likewise sent this complimental Epistle to Cardinal Octobon, and all the rest of the Cardinals to promote this, and other affairs at Rome. REX Venerabili in Christo patri Octobono, sancti Adriani Diac. Card. salutem, Claus. 46 H. 3. m. 17. dorso. & sincerae dilectionis affectum. Cum Ecclesia Romana veluti pia mater devotis filiis & nobis prae caeteris sui gratia in nostris & Regni nostri negotiis maternae pietatis viscera clementer aperiens, multa beneficia ad nostri conservationem honoris jugiter exhibuerit, et jam pro quibusdam urgentibus negotiis nos et statum nostrum contingentibus opus habeamus Apostolicae sedis gratiam implorare, nos de vestra dilectionis praerogativa confisi ad vos recurrimus confidenter, rogantes & precibus postulantes intentis, quatenus cum tempore foelicis recordationis Domini A. quondam summi Pontificis Apostolicae sedis literas obtinuerimus, Super reformatione status nostri, et absolutione juramenti pro observationibus et statutis praestiti, quae in diminutionem et depressionem potestatis Regiae cedunt manifeste, cumque impetrationes praedictae ante obitum praedicti Domini A. ad usum minime pervenire potuissent, easdem tam in hiis quae personam nostram specialiter contingunt, quam in illis quae dissolutionem colligationum praedictarum et juramenti praedicti in aliis respiciunt, procuretis efficaciter a summo Pontifici solitae vestrae benignitatis gratiae, innovari; Procurantes etiam, si placet, ne petitiones in conspectu ejusdem summi Pontificis pro obtinenda confirmatione statutorum hujusmodi ac aliorum jam, ut dicitur, exhibitas quae in depresionem libertatis Regiae, seu etiam juris nostri cedunt laesionem, ad exauditionem admittatur; rogamus insuper ut dilectos nobis Magistrum Johannem de Hemingford, & Rogerum Luvell, Clericos ac procuratores nostros, una cum nostris negotiis habere velitis specialiter commendatos. Teste ut supra. Eodem modo scribitur singulis Cardinalibus per se. He likewise constituted two Proctors in the Court of Rome, to prosecute and effect his businesses in general, for the honour, good, safety of him, his Crown & Kingdom. DOmino Papae Rex Angliae, salutem. Cum reverentia & honore, Noverit Pat. 46 H. 3. m. 17. intus. De Procuratoribus constitutis in Curia Romana. vestra Sancta Paternitas nos facere, ordinare & constituere, dilectos nobis & fideles Magistros Johannem de Heminford, & Rogerum Luvell, Clericos, procuratores nostros, utrumque eorum in solidum, ita quod non sit melior conditio occupantis, ad promovendum, procurandum et prosequendum negotia nostra in Curia Romana, et ad proponendum, petendum, recipiendum et impetrandum specialia et generalia pro nobis, jure nostro, libertatibus, consuetudinibus regni nostri, utilitati et honori nostrae dignitatis et Coronae, et ad contradicendum, judices eligendum et recusandum. Damus etiam eisdem potestatem substituendi procuratorem, ad omnia & singula praedicta facienda, & substitutionem revocandum pro sua voluntate. Revocantes expressè omnia procuratoria quibuscunque prius facta in eadem Curia. Ratum habituri quicquid ambo praedictorum procuratorum, vel eorum alter, aut substitutus ab eis vel eorum altero super praedictis duxerint vel duxerit faciendum. Praesentibus, per biennium in suo robore duraturis. Dat. apud Westm. 3. die Januarii. Anno Domini 1261. He further directed this special Letter to the Cardinal of Saint Sabina, to assist his Proctors and promote his affares with the Pope. REX H. Titulo Sanctae Sabinae, Presbytero Cardinali, salutem, & sincerae Claus. 46 H. 3. m. 17. dorso. dilectionis affectum, super immensis beneficiis et gratiarum largitionibus quibus Apostolicae sedis, et vestro mediante favore meminimus nos multipliciter honoratos, vobis et Ecclesiae Romana matti nostrae ad quas valemus gratiarum assurgimus actiones. Et cum dilectus Clericus noster & procurator Magister Johannes de Hemingford, moram trahat in Curia Romana pro quibusdam negotiis nostris expediendis ibidem, quae ipse & alii procuratores nostri commorantes ibidem vobis apertius explicabunt, dilectioni vestrae duximus supplicandum, quatenus praedictum Magistrum Johannem specialiter, aliosque Nuncios & procuratores nostros recommendatos, si placet, habentes, negotia praedicta dignemini apud summum Pontificem benignitate solita promovere. Nos autem parati sumus et erimus ea facere pro viribus, quae vestris noverimus beneplacitis et honoribus convenire. Teste, etc. 1 die Januarii. The King at the same time writ this Letter to the whole assembly of Cardinals, to vindicate the Loyalty and reputation of his Clerk John Mansell, from the slanderous imputations cast upon him by the Baron's party before the Pope in the Court of Rome, only for his Loyalty and adherence to the King and his cause. REX Ven. Cetui Card. sacrosanctae Romanae Ecclesiae H. Dei gratiâ Rex Angliae, Pat. 46 H. 3. m. 18. dorso. etc. salutem, & sincerae dilectionis affectum. Ex relatu quorundam nobis innotuit, quod quidam propriae honestatis obliti in praesentia summi Pontificis sinistra suggestione confingunt, quod dilectus & fidelis noster, J. Mansell Thes. Ebor. inter nos & proceres nostros schismatum & discordiarum materiam suscitaverit, in nostrae gentis excidium, & turbationem publicam Regni nostri, de quo commoti sumus plurimum & turbati, praesertim cum ipse nullo prorsus tempore aliquem de Regno nostro notabilem nobis reddiderit, nec dissensionem seu discordiae scrupulun cum aliquo ex aliis alio praetextu habuerit, nisi quod nobis in reservatione et conservatione juris et honoris nostri juxta fidelitatis suae debitum efficaciter astitit et constanter, Nota. et hiis quae in contrarium agi seu attempari videbantur obstaculum se praebuit, et ea pro viribus impedivit. Cum itaque dictus Johannes sub alis nostris educatus, cujus inquam mores & merita ab adolescencia sua probavimus & novimus ab experto, in nostris & Regni nostri negotiis utilitis semper & fidelis extiterit, ob quam causam favore Regio prosequi tenemur, eundem etiam vobis specialiter commendamus, sinceritati vestrae veraciter intimantes, eundem à praemissis perperam sibi impositis innoxium esse penitus & immunem. Quocirca dilectionem vestram duximus requirendam quatenus nullam detractoribus aut suggestoribus hujusmodi fidem adhibere velitis, sed tanto ipsum prosequi velitis, si placet, affectione & gratia ampliori, quanto alii ipsum & famam suam injustè & malitiosè deprimere moliuntur. Dat. apud Westm. 1 die Januarii. & duplicatur. After which some Agents of the Barons presuming to suggest and impetrate some things in the Court of Rome, prejudicial to the King's Royalties and honour, he sent this Patent to his Proctors there to inhibit them to proceed therein. REX Magistris Johannis de Hemingford, & Rogero Luvell, Procuratoribus suis Pat. 46 H. 3. m. 10. intus. Pro Rege de inhibitione in Curia Romana facienda. in Curia Romana agentibus salutem. Cum vobis tanquam fidelibus nostris et devotis defensio nostri juris et honoris incumbat, et sicut accepimus, quidam de Regno nostro agentes in Curia Romana, in nostri juris et honoris praejudicium diversa suggerere et contra nos impetrare praesumant, sed ab hiis potius sicut nostram indignationem et suam ac suorum periculum vitare voluerint ex toto desistant. Hanc autem inhibitionem per vos omnes & singulos vestrum quociens opus esse videritis fieri volumus, ac super eadem & contemptoribus ipsius, per vos aut aliquem ex vobis effici certiores. Teste Rege apud Westm. 26. die Maii. The Pope absolving the King from his Oath to observe the Baron's Statutes, as he desired, thereupon, * Mat. Paris. p. 960, 961, 962. Rex concepta securitate decrevit palam à juramento resilire, tanquam absolutus a Papa ab eo, quod fecerat juramento. Whereupon the Barons taking up Arms, the King at last, mediantibus viris timoratis, paci Baronum acquievit ad tempus; & Provisiones Oxoniae inviolabiliter servare promisit, etc. His ita peractis, paulo post, non obstantibus pactis, promissionibus, sacramentis, he receded from this agreement, and sent this memorable Writ to all the Sheriffs of England, wherein he relates his submission of himself, and the affairs of his Realm to the Provisions at Oxford under certain conditions, which the Barons had infringed: The injusticie of their Ordinances, tending to the depressing of the Rights of his Crown; and damage of his people, his absolution from his Oath to observe them, both by Pope Alexander, and Urban his successor: His readiness to do justice to all men great and small in his Courts, to which they might all freely resort with security, and to observe the Articles in the great Charter, and Charter of the Forests, which they were commanded to Proclaim in all places, and to apprehend and secure all such as adhered to the former Ordinances, or presumed to speak or act any thing prejudicial to the Rights of his Crown, honour or dignity, or to the execution of the Sheriffs Office. REX Vic. Ebor. salutem. Cum nuper apud Oxon. per voluntatem Claus. 46 H: 3. m. 11. dorso. Baronum nostrorum ordinationibus et consiliis eorum supposuerimus nos, et statum negotiorum nostrorum et Regni nostri, ●●● quibusdam conditionibus et promissionibus nobis factis, quas minime nobis observarunt. Ac ipsi postmodum plura in praejudicium nostrum et depressionem potestatis Regiae, necnon in dampnum subditorum nostrorum et suorum attemptare praesumpserint, et colligationes inter se fecerint quae in praejudicium et derogationem juris Regii, et turbationem pacis nostrae cedere perpendimus manifeste, propter quod ex forma nostrae concessionis, eye ulterius ad observationem Nota. praemissorum non tenemur. Et cum bonae memoriae A leander Papa quartus, nos ab observatione dictae concessionis nostrae postmodum absolverit, et Dominus Papa Vrbanus qui nunc est dicti praedecessoris sui adhaerens vestigiis, nos a juramentis et alias dictas ordinationes seu statuta contingentibus absolutos denunciari, et dictas colligationes, ordinationes, seu statuta dissolvi mandaverit, quod per Venerabilem Patrem Norwicensem Episcopum, et discretum virum Johannem Mansell, Thesaur. Eborum, dicti mandati executores, interveniente insimul authoritate Venerabilis Patris B. Archiepisc. ipsorum collegae plenius est denunciatum. Nos potestate nostra Regia libere uti, et singulis tam majoribus quam minoribus prout ad nos pertinet justitiae plenitudinem exhibere volentes; Tibi praecipimus, quod haec in pleno Comitatu tuo, et per totam Ballivam tuam publice facias denunciari, et scire facias universitati Comitatus praedicti, quod cum omni securitate et confidentia justitiam obtinendi, jus suum tam contra majores quam contra minores, coram nobis et alibi, authoritate nostra prosequantur, quia nulli eorum deesse volumus in sua justitia, quin tam contra majores quam minores plenam justitiam valeant obtinere; Libertates insuper tam in Magna Charta nostra, quam in Charta nostra de Foresta contentas in omnibus plene volumus observari. Et si forte contingat, quod aliqui in Balliva tua dictis colligationibus adhaereant, aut contra jus regalitatis nostrae, aut etiam contra executionem tui Officii aliquid attemptare, aut contra nos et honorem nostrum praedicare, aut populo suadere praesumpserint, eos arrestari facias et custodiri, donec aliud a nobis super hoc habueris in mandatis. Teste Rege apud Westm. 2. die Maii. Eodem modo scribitur singulis Vic. per Angliam. EOdem modo scribitur Reginae Franciae, cum tota narratione (of the business Claus. 46 H. 3. m. 11. dorso. of Sicily) & cum ista adjectione. Quocirca Serenitatem vestram, quae se nobis vestri gratia in omnibus negotiis favorabilem exhibet & benignam, quanta possumus affectione rogamus, quatenus praefatum Dominum vestrum ad hoc faciendum efficaciter inducatis. Et simili modo, si placet, pro dicto negotio Domino Papae & Cardinalibus Literas vestras deprecatorias destinare velitis. Ad haec cum idem Dominus Papa in terra Regis Navar. illustris generi vestri duxerit originem, propter quod precamina sua & dilectae filiae vestrae Reginae Navar. neptis vestrae, in dicto negotio plurimum juvativa censemus, placeat ipsos Regem & Reginam Navar. literatoriè deprecari, ut ipsi praefatis Domino Papae et Cardinalibus, juxta formam precum nostrarum quas ei inde mittimus, pro negotio dicti filii nostri suas dirigant Literas speciales. The King this year (as he had done the year before) constituted special Proctors in the Court of Rome, on the be half of himself and his▪ Realm, to appeal and complain against Boniface Archbishop of Canterbury, and his Suffragans, for sundry Statutes and Constitutions made and published by them, to the great grievance of himself and his Realm, and prejudice of him and his Crown; and to pray, that they might be revoked by his grace and Authority, (for the greater shame of the Bishops that made them) and that a fit remedy might be therein provided for him and his Realm, if need required, (he having Regal power enough to null and vacate them without the Pope's assistance, if denied.) SAnctissimo in Christo Patri U. Dei gratiâ Sacrosanctae Romanae Ecclesiae Summo Pontifici, H. eadem gratiâ Rex Angliae, Dominus Hiberniae, Dux Aquitaniae, salutem, Pat. 46 H. 3. m. 19 intus. De Procuratoribus constitutis in Curia Romana. cum reverentia & honore. Sanctitati vestrae notum facimus, quod nos constituimus & ordinamus in vestrae Curia Sanctitatis, dilectos Clericos nostros Magistros Johannem de Hemingford, & Rogerum Luvell, & quemlibet eorum in solidum, ita quod non sit melior conditio occupantis, nostros et Regni nostri Procuratores et Nuncios speciales, ad exponendum, et intimandum, et referendum gravamina nobis et Regno nostro illata, a Uenerabilibus Patribus B. Archiepiscopo Cantuar. et Suffraganeis ejus, et ad exponendum et intimandum vobis * See here p. 897, to 913. quaedam statuta ab eis edita in nostrum et Coronae nostrae praejudicium er gravamen, necnon ad supplicandum Sanctitati vestrae, ut praedicta gravamina tollere, ac statuta dignetur vestra Sanctitas revocare; et ad supplicandum etiam, ut super hiis vestrae Sanctitatis circumspectio nobis et Regno nostro gratiam adhibeat, si necesse fuerit et remedium oportunum. Item et ad impetrandum, et contradicendum, et narrandum, ac in judices conveniendum. Ratum habituri quicquid ipsi Procuratores, vel eorum alter duxerint vel duxerit faciendum, praesentibus post annum minime valituris. Dat. apud London. 7. Kalend. Novembris, Anno 1261. Et duplicata fuit ista Litera propter istam adjectionem. Universis, etc. sicut patet inferius. The King and Kingdom were so zealous against these constitutions of the Bishops * See here p. 897, to 913. Pat. 46 H. 3. m. 19 intus. since cried up and Printed as our Canon Law, which is worthy special notice) that they made these further Procurations therein. REX Universis praesentes Literas inspecturis, salutem, & omne bonum. Moverit universitas vestra, quod nos constituimus & ordinamus in Romana Curia, dilectos Clericos nostros Magistros Johannem de Hemingford, & Rogerum Luvell, & quemlibet eorum in solidum, ita quod non sit melior conditio occupantis, nostros et Regni nostri Procuratores et Nuncios speciales, ad exponendum, intimandum, et referendum gravamina nobis et Regno nostro illata, a Uenerabilibus Patribus B. Archiepiscopo Contuariensi, et Suffraganeis ejus, et ad exponendum et intimandum Summo Pontifici et Apostolicae sedi, quaedam statuta ab eis edita, in nostrum et Coronae nostrae praejudicium et gravamen necnon ad supplicandum eidem Summo Pontifici et Apostolicae sedi, ut praedicta gravamina tollere, et statuta dignetur Apostolica Sanctitas revocare; et ad supplicandum etiam, ut Apostolicae Sanctitatis circumspectio super hiis nobis et Regno nostro gratiam adhibeat, si necesse fuerit, et remedium oportunum. Item et ad impetrandum, et contradicendum, et narrandum, ac in judices conveniendum. Ratum habituri et firmum quicquid ipsi Procuratores vel eorum alter in praemissis duxerint vel duxerit faciendum, praesentibus post annum minime valituris. Dat. ut supra. DOmino Papae Rex Anglia, salutem, cum reverentia & honore. Sanctitati vestrae Pat. 46 H. 3. m. 17. intus. notum facimus, quod nos constituimus & ordinamus in Curia vestrae Sanctitatis, Magistros Johannem de Hemingford, & Rogerum Luvell, quemlibet eorum in solidum, ita quod non sit melior conditio occupantis, nostros et Regni nostri Procuratores et Nuncios speciales, ad exponendum, intimandum, et referendum gravamina nobis et Regno nostro illata, a Uenerabilibus Patribus B. Archiepiscopo Cantuariensi, et Suffraganeis ejus, et ad exponendum et intimandum vohis quaedam statuta ab eis edita in nostrum et Coronae nostrae praejudicium et gravamen; et ad supplicandum Sanctitati vestrae, ut praedicta gravamina et statuta dignetur vestra Sanctitas revocare; et ad supplicandum, ut vestra Sanctitas faciat nobis et Regno nostro gratiam, si necesse fuerit, et remedium oportunum. Item et ad impetrandum, et contradicendum, narrandum, ac ad judices eligendum et recusandum, Ratum habituri quicquid dicti Procuratores, vel alter eorum super praemissis duxerint vel duxerit faciendum, praesentibus per biennium in suo robore duratur. Dat. apud Westm. 3. die Januarii, Anno 1261. Yet notwithstanding these disloyal, Prelatical Constitutions and Statutes were long after published by Lindewode and Aton, and cried up by some bold ignorant Canonists and domineering Prelates, as the ancient approved Ecclesiastical Laws and Constitutions of our Church, though thus frequently, earnestly compiained, appealed against by the King and Kingdom, as prejudicial to the Rights and Prerogative of the King's Crown, the Laws, Liberties, Customs of the Realm, which they subverted; and no doubt they were reversed, or utterly exploded upon that account. Which gross abuse is worthy our special observation, and those who cry up Lindewode and Atons Constitutions for our approved, received Canon Law. The King to endear himself more in the favour of the Pope and Arlot his Notary, granted the marriage and custody of two Wards bodies and their Lands, to Arlots' Nephew an Alien born, till the Heirs should come to full age. REX Omnibus, etc. salutem. Sciatis, quod concessimus dilecto nostro Arlotino Pat. 46 H. 3. m. 16. intus▪ Pro Arlotino Nepote quondam Magistri Arloti Domini Papae Notarii. Nepoti quondam Magistri Arloti Domini Papae Notarii, custodiam omnium terrarum & tenementorum quae fuerunt Thomae Pikot, qui de nobis tenuit in Capite, quorum custodia ad nos pertinet, & custodiam omnium terrarum & tenementorum quae fuerunt Roberti de Chamleng, qui de nobis tenuit in Capite, quorum custodia similiter ad nos pertinet; Habendum sibi & assignatis una cum maritagio eorundem Haeredum, advocationibus Ecclesiarum, & etiam cum dotibus si acciderit, & omnibus aliis quae ad nos pertinent vel pertinere poterunt, ratione custodiae terrarum & Haeredum praedictorum, usque ad legitimam aetatem eorundem Haeredum. In cujus, etc. Teste Rege apud Windes. 12. die Februarii. There being two Bishops elected for the Church of Elphin in Ireland, upon the avoidance, and one of them being confirmed and consecrated Bishop thereof by the Archbishop of Ardmagh, who got a Writ of restitution of the Temporalties, and the other by the Archbishop of Tuam; thereupon they appealing to the King, and to Rome, and the Pope giving a definitive sentence for Thomas, confirmed and consecrated by the Archbishop of Tuam, the King upon the Pope's certificate of this his definitive sentence, issued this Writ to his Escheator in Ireland, to restore the Temporalties of the Bishopric to him (formerly suspended during their contests) having first received in the King's name and stead the Oath of Fealty, which he and other Bishops ought by Law to make unto him. REX Dilecto Clerico suo Magistro Willielmo de Bakepuz, Escheatori suo in Pat. 46 H. 3. m. 11. intus. Pro Episcopo Elphinen. Hibern. Hibern. salutem. Cum vacante diu sede Elphinen. Ecclesiae Capitulum ejusdem loci Ven. patrem in Christo Thomam. tunc Abbatem de Buellio Cisterc. ordinis sibi in Patrem & Pastorem elegisset, ac Venerabilis pater Tuamensis Archiepiscopus loci Metropolitanus ipsam confirmaverit Electionem munusque consecrationis impenderit eidem, prout ex literis accepimus Metropolitani praedicti, nobis supplicantis ut eidem Elphinen. Episcopo temporalia sui Episcopi restitui faceremus. Cumque pars quaedam Capituli supradicti Milonem, Archdiaconum Clom. tempore vacationis praedictae in loci illius Episcopum elegisset, qui postmodum per Archiepiscopum Ardmacan. Hiberniae Primatem confirmatus, & munus consecrationis adeptus à nobis temporalia obtinuerat; Episcopi memorati se coram nobis praefato Thomae Episcopo personaliter opposuissent, propter quod eidem Thomae Episcopo Temporalia Episcopi praedicti non restituimus. Ac demum idem Thomas Episcopus Episcopatum praedictum apud sedem Apostolicam per definitionem summi Pontificis obtinuerit, sicut ex testimonio literarum Domini Papae constat evidenter. Vobis mandamus quod eidem Thomae Episcopo de Temporalibus Eplscopatus praedicti plenam seisinam sine dilatione habere fac. recepto prius ab eo nomine nostro hac vice, de gratia nostra speciali, juramento fidelitatis, quod ipse nobis veluti caeteri Episcopi et Praelati terrae nostrae praestare tenetur. Teste Rege apud Westm. 10 die Maii. REX Dilecto Clerico suo Magistro Willo de Bakepuz, Escaetori suo in Hibernia, Pat. 46 H. 3. m. 12. intus. Pro Archiepiscopo Tuam. Hibern. salutem. Cum vacante dudum sede Elphini Ecclesiae Capitulum ejusdem loci Ven. patrem Thomam tunc Abbatem de Buellio Cistercien. ordinis sibi in patrem & pastorem eligissent. Ac Venerabilis Pater Tuamensis loci Metropolitanus ipsam confirmaverit electionem munusque consecrationis impenderit eidem, prout ex literis accepimus Metropolitani praedicti, nobis supplicantis, ut eidem Elfin. Episcopo temporalia sui Episcopi restitui faceremus. Cumque pars quaedam Capituli supradicti Milonem Archid. Clo. tempore vacationis praedictae in loci illius Episcopum elegissent, qui postmodum per Archiepiscopum Ardmacan. Hiberniae primatem confirmatus & munus consecrationis adeptus à nobis temporalia obtinuerat. Episcopi memorati se coram nobis praefato Thom. Episcopo personaliter opposuisset, propter quod ipso superstite absque discussione juris utriusque coram suo Judice facienda, Temporalia praedicta ipsi Thomae Episcopo restitui non poterant nec debebant; Ac jam, ut dicitur, et sicut ex testimonio Literarum praefatis Tuamensis Archiepiscopi patentium accepimus, dictus Milo Episcopus diem clauserit extremum. Vobis mandamus, quod cum occasione hujusmodi electionis, confirmationis, et consecrationis de dicto Milone, dudum factarum per primatem praedictum, et similiter pro restitutione temporalium quam sibi fecimus hactenus distulerimus, eidem Thomae Episcopo temporalia assignare praedicta, nec aliud obstaculum intellexerimus propter quod ei non debeant restitui; vos si praefatus Milo naturae debitum exsolverit, et de hoc vobis constiterit, praefato Thomae Episcopo temporalia praedicta sine dilatione plena restituatis. Recepto prius ab ipso nomine nostro hac vice, de gratia nostra speciali, juramento fidelitatis, quod ipse nobis, veluti caeteri Episcopi et Praelati terrae nostrae, praestare tenetur. In cujus, etc. Teste Rege apud Westm. 10. die Aprilis. Boniface Archbishop of Canterbury having incurred great debts, and much impoverished his See in defence of the Rights and Privileges of the Church of Canterbury, as was pretended, (but in truth in the Popes and his Brother's Wars and quarrels) as he procured an Aid of First-Fruits from all the Clergy of his Diocese by the Pope's grant, so he obtained this Patent and Letter of recommendations from the King, to the Tenants of the Archbishopric, to grant him an Aid to discharge these debts, which he ill deserved from them, being seldom resident in his Archbishopric, and taking no care at all for his people's souls or b●dies, minding only his own filthy lucre. REX Tenentibus de Archiepiscopatu Cantuar. salutem. Cum Venerabilis Pater Pat. 46 H. 3. m. 9 intus. Pro Archiepiscopo Cantuar. B. Cantuariensis Archiepiscopus, diversis sumptibus & expensis, tam in Curia Romana, quam alias pro libertatibus Ecclesiae suae tuendis praegravatus existat. Et idem Archiepiscopus pro relevatione Ecclesiae suae vestra subventione, ut asserit, plurimum indigeat. Nos honorem & commodum praefati Archiepiscopi & Ecclesiae suae praedictae specialiter affectantes, dilectionem vestram rogamus attentè. quatenus ei taliter subvenire velitis in hac parte, quod idem Archiepiscopus votis vesiris alias favorabilius condescendere teneatur, et nos inde vobis astringamur ad grates. Teste Rege apud Westm. 22. die Junii. The Monks of the Cistercian Order, turning common buyers, and Merchants of Wools and selling and transporting them together with their own Wools, to the prejudice and impoverishing of the Merchants and City of Lincoln and other Towns, the abating and defrauding of the King's Customs, * Sec Othoboni Constitut. quod Religiosi non emant vel vendant Johannis Aton, f. 118. and the scandal of their profession, the King upon complaint of the Citizens of Lincoln, issued this memorable Writ to the Abbots and Monks of this Order, prohibiting this their practice and abuse for the future, assuring them that if they persisted therein, he would severely punish them, so as to please God thereby, offended with this their scandalous practice. REX Universis & singulis Abbatibus Cisterciensis ordinis, & aliis viris Religiosis Pat. 46 H. 3. m. 15. intus. Pro Rege & Civibus Linc. in Com. Lincoln. salutem. Ex relatu quorundam fide dignorum intelleximus, quod vos lanam aliaque venalia, per fratres vestros conversos in locis diversis praedicti Com. particulatim emi, & ea postmodum Mercatoribus transmarinis & aliis una cum lana vestra propria vendi faciatis, hujusmodi negotiationem exercentes contra vestri ordinis debitum honestatis, et ad depauperationem Civitatis nostrae Lincolniae, aliarumque Villarum nostrarum Mercatorium in Com. supradicto, per quod firmae nostrae et consuetudines nobis debitae ad nostri dampnum et jacturam manifestam nobis fraudulenter et subtrahuntur, quod sustinere nolumus, sicut nec debemus. Cum igitur hujusmodi exercitia in ordinis vestri scandalum, et propriae laesionem honestatis, necnon et praejudicium nostrum et dampnum dictarum Civitatis et Villarum cedant manifeste, Vobis mandamus firmiter injungentes, quod ab hujusmodi negotiationibus de caetero penitus desistatis. Scituri pro certo, quod si secusegeritis, nos manum correctionis ad hoc apponemus, prout Deo complacere crediderimus (as supreme Ordinary and Visitor) per quod etiam non mediocriter vos sentietis gravatos. Teste meipso apud Windes. 28. die Februaaii, Anno Regni nostri 46. There being a controversy about the Right of presentation to the Church of Cestreton, between the King, the Prior and Covent of Kenwilworth, and the Pope's Provisors Proctor, the King at the Clerk's request, for that time only, referred the ending of the controversy to the Bishop of the Diocese. REX Episcopo Coventr. & Litchf. salutem. Cum nuper praesentaverimus vobis Pat. 46 H 3. m. 14. intus. De submissione cujusdam praesentationis. dilectum nobis Nicholaum de Villa ad Ecclesiam de Cestreton vestrae Dioc. vacantem, in qua Prior & Conventus de Kenwilwroth jus vendicant patronatus, et Magister Thomasius Procurator Magistri Petri de Collumpna, cui in eadem Ecclesia dicebatur authoritate Apostolica provideri, occasione clamii praedictorum Religiosorum opposuerit se praesentationi nostrae praedictae. Ac praedicti Clerici postmodum se supposuerint ordinationi vestrae super jure suo in hac parte; Nos submissionem hujusmodi gratam habentes, ordinationem quam inter eos inde feceritis hac vice volumus esse ratam. Salvo tamen jure cujuslibet post cessionem seu decessum Clericorum praedictorum. In cujus, etc. Teste Rege apud Windes. 6. die Martii. The King granted this Patent to John le Bell, to apprise & sell the Fruits and Corn Anno 1263. of the Temporalties of the Bishopric of Sarum, then in his hands and manured by him, by the Oaths of honest men, and to pay the moneys into the Exchequer, commanding all Bailiffs and others to assist him therein. REX Omnibus Ballivis & aliis Tenentibus de Episcopatu Sarr. salutem. Sciatis, Pat. 47 H. 3. m. 5. intus. De bladis Episcopatus Sarr, appreciand. quod de Consilio Procerum nostrorum, assignavimus dilectum Clericum nostrum Johannem le Bell, ad appreciandum per Sacramentum proborum & legalium hominum modis quibus melius & fidelius fieri poterit, omnes fructus et blada terrarum Episcopatus Sarr. nuper vacantis et in manu nostra existentis, quas sumptibus nostris excoli fecimus, et ad fructus et blada ipsa cum illa appreciaverit vendenda; ita quod de denariis inde provenientibus nobis respondeat ad Scaccarium nostrum. Et ideo vobis mandamus, quod eidem Johanni super hoc consulentes sitis intendentes & auxiliantes. Et singuli vestrum qui Ballivas tenetis venire faciatis coram eo in Ballivis vestris ad mandatum ipsius, tot & tales per quos negotium praedictum melius & celetius valeat expediri. In cujus, etc. Teste Rege apud Westm. 8. die Augusti. The Bishop of Winchester having compounded with the King for 2229 l. 13 s. 1 d. for Corn and stock of the Temporalties, and having paid part thereof into the Exchequer, the King gave him further day for payment of the residue, by this Patent. REX Omnibus, etc. salutem. Sciatis, quod de duobus millibus ducentis viginti Pat. 47 H. 3. m. 18. intus. De fine Episcopi Winton. de emptione bladi sui Episcopi. & novem libris, tresdecim solid. & uno denar. in quibus Venerabilis Pater J. Winton. Episcopus nobis tenebatur pro exemptione bladi dicti Episcopatus, & instauri ejusdem, quod à nobis recepit postquam temporalia praedicti Episcopatus ei reddidimus, solvit idem Episcopus mille libr. in Scaccario nostro die Jovis proxima post festum Sancti Hilarii, Anno Regni nostri Quadragesimo septimo, per●talliam quam ibi inde recepit. Et de aliis mille libris ad idem Scaccarium solvendis dedimus ei terminos subscriptos, videlicet, quod solvat in Scaccario praedicto ad festum Sancti Michaelis Anno Regni nostri praedicto, CC. & L. Marc. & ad festum Paschae proximo sequent. CC. & L. Marc. & sic de anno in annum Quingentas Marc. ad eosdem terminos, donec praedictae mille librae nobis persolvantur. Residuas verò ducentas viginti & novem libr. tresdecim solid. & unum denar. perdonavimus Episcopo supradicto, de gratia nostra speciali. In cujus, etc. Teste Rege apud Westm. 18. die Januarii. The Archbishops, Bishops and Clergy, by reason of the Wars between the King and his Barons, being summoned to assist the King with Horses and Arms manfully and powerfully, according to the quantity of their Estates, and the King and Lords of his Council ordering that all Religious and Beneficed persons should be rated to find armed men, or pay a competent Subsidy according to the common rate of their Benefices, according as their Bishops should ordain, the King thereupon issued these Writs to Sheriffs, not to destrein them upon this occasion, nor intermeddle therein. VIc. Cantebrigiae & Huntingdon, salutem. Cum nuper per Literas nostras Patentes Extract. Donationum Annis 45, 46, 47 H. 3. praeceperimus, quod Archiepiscopi, Episcopi, etc. qui ad hoc sufficerent, viriliter et potenter se praeparent cum equis et armis, ita quod essent ad nos London. dominica proxima post festum beati Petri, ad vincula prox. praeteritum, ad communem Regni nostri defensionem, contra hostilem adventum alienigenarum, nobiscum versus mare profecturi; & quod assumpto tecum custode pacis venire faceres de qualibet villata ad eundem diem octo, sex, vel quatuor ad minus secundum magnitudinem Villae, de melioribus & probioribus peditibus cum armis competentibus, & similiter de Civitatibus, Castris & Burgis, tàm equites quam pedites, secundum magnitudinem & facultates eorundem, & praedicti homines nondum adeo sufficienter & plenariè venerint, sicut nuper mandaverimus. Nos communi periculo & indempnitati terrae nostrae providere volentes, etc. Et quia per Praelatos et Barones de Consilio nostro provisum est, quod viri Religiosi de Ecclesiis suis quas tenent in proprios usus et Rectores Ecclesiarum ac omnes alii beneficiati de Ecclesiis seu beneficiis suis Ecclesiasticis secundum communem aestimationem eorundem armatos inveniant, vel subsidium competens praestabunt juxta ordinationem Episcoporum suorum. Tibi praecipimus, quod ipsos occasione praedicta non distringas, nec te inde intromittas. Teste, etc. Vrban the 4th. being elected Pope, and King Henry interrupted by his Wars with the Barons to send to congratulate his Election, ●e having made an agreement with his Barons, sent this complimental Epistle to him, together with a special Messenger, to treat concerning the business of the Croysado, and other affairs of his Realm. SAnctissimo in Christo Patri Domino ●. Dei gratia Sacrosanctae Romanae Ecclesiae Cart. Pat. & Claus. infimul ab An. 47 H. 3. ad 50. summo Pontifici Rex Angliae salutem, cum reverentia & honore. Mundana Fabricae Rector providus & opitex sublimis qui rete sui piscaminis per Petri Ministerium laxavit in capturam, Ecclesiae laboranti benignè subvenit, ipsamque mundi fluctictibus diu agitatam sua disponente gratia submergi non permisit. Hujus namque operis successorem providum, post expectationem diutinam & lacrhymosa plebis desolatae suspiria, ex insperato providit, & columpnam suae domus in aedificium completum provide substituit, quatenus in ipsa donorum dispensator fiat magnificus, & teneat prae ceteris culmen sublimitatis, qui de creditis sibi talentis rationem abundantem etiam in minoribus reddidit cum usura. Congruum namquè & magnificum Dei beneficium censetur cunctis, ut hunc quem tot virtutum insigniis, & gratiarum plenitudine Dominus decoravit, ad sui gregis profectum constituat super multa, fiatque per ipsum Caelo grex ipse vicinior, & salus mundo per ejus ministerium paxque Christicolis feliciter augeatur. Hujus igitur exultationis pater sancte participes ad pedes vestrae sanctitatis, dilectos nobis Willielmum de Chaunent Clericum, & Willielmum de Atte militem, nostros fideles transmittimus, qui nostrae mentis jubilum vobis insinuent, nosque et nostros et quae nostra sunt vestrae beatudini cum omni devotione recommendent. Quod autem id hactenus juxtà nostrae mentis desiderium efficere nequivimus, ne grave gerat vestra Sanctitas vel indignum. Praesertim, cum varia nobis impedimenta paraverint Regni nostri turbatio dudum suborta, & nostrorum rebellio subditorum, quos nobis, ut speramus, jam virtus divina reddidit humiliatos. Paternitati etiam vestrae precum instantia qua decet & expedit supplicamus attentè in hiis quae nostri Nuncii supradicti, tam pro negotio Crucis, quam aliis nos seu regnum contingentibus vobis exponent, fidem & favorem benevolum vestra dignetur sanctitas adhibere. Teste Rege, etc. The * See Godwins Catalogue of Bishops, p. 297, 298. Bishop of Bath and Wells, against the King's former Prohibition, and his own personal promise to the King, not to draw the Abbot of Glastonbury into the Court of Rome against the Rights of his Crown, and Privilege of the Realm, for matters belonging to his Temporal Courts, Advousons' and Lay fees, which were not of Ecclesiastical Conusans, issued this Writ to the Sheriff of Somorset, to summon the Bishop to appear personally before him▪ to answer this his presumption and high contempt. REX Vic. Somerset. salutem. Monstravit nobis Rogerus. Abbas Glaston. cum Cart. Pat. & Claus. An. 47 H. 3. ad 50. nuper coram nobis & Consilio nostro querelam nobis deposuisset, de W. Bathon. & Wellen. Episcopo, de eo quod idem Episcopus, contra Prohibitionem nostram, et contra antiquam consuetudinem Regni nostri, et indulgentiam nobis a sede Apostolica concessam, ne Anglici trahantur in causa extra Regnum nostrum, ipsum Abbatem traxit in placitum in Curia Romae de maneriis, advocationibus Ecclesiarum, et aliis fe●dalibus et transgressionibus, de quibus placita ad Coronam et dignitatem nostram pertinent, in Curia nostra deduci et terminari debent et solent. Et praedictus Episcopus coram nobis & Consilio nostro constitutus praecise negasset, ipsum Abbatem ad Curiam Romae per eum fuisse citatum. Ac nos eidem Episcopo sub debito fidelitatis in qua nobis tenetur, et super Baroniam quam de nobis tenet, postmodum inhibuerimus, ne praedicto Abbati super praemissis contra praedictam consuetudinem et indulgentiam molestiam aut gravamen inferret aut procuraret inferri. Idem Episcopus, in nostri contemptum et Regiae dignitatis praejudicium, nec non contra praedictas consuetudinem, inhibitionem et indulgentiam, praedictum Abbatem ad Curiam Romanam jam de novo super praemissis citari procuravit, ad magnum dampnum ipsius Abbatis et indulgentiae praedictae non modicam laesionem. Et quia praesumptionem hujusmodi taliter sustinere nolumus nec debemus, tibi praecipimus, quod praedictum Episcopum venire facias coram nobis in octabis Sancti Michaelis ubicunque tunc fuerimus in Anglia, nobis de praedicto contemptu ac dicto Abbati de transgressione praedicta responsurus. Et habeas ibi hoc breve, etc. Teste Rege, etc. The King recommended an Abbot Elect whose Election he had approved, to the Pope for his favour, by these his Letters. DOmino Papae salutem, cum reverentia & honore. Cum P. de L. quondam Cart. Pat. Claus. ab An. 42 H. 3. ad An. 50. Prior de W. quem Prior & Conventus ejusdem loci nuper sibi elegerant in Abbatem, viam universae Carnis sit ingressus, ac iidem Monachi petita postmodum & obtenta licentia nostra, prout moris est, dilectum nobis in Christo fratrem R. de W. Commonachium suum virum utique providum & discretum sibi unanimiter elegerint in Abbatem, nos Electioni de ipso celebratae assensum adhibuimus et favorem. Et hoc tenore praesentium Sanctitati vestrae intimamus, rogantes attentius, quatenus ipsum Electum & negotia sua habere dignemini recommendata, & quod vestrum est in hac parte exequi cum favore. In cujus, etc. The King prohibited the Archbishop of Canterbury not to destrain nor molest two of his Chaplains for the Dimes granted him by the Pope, for which they had given the King full satisfaction. B. Cantuar. Archiepiscopo totius Angliae Primati salutem. Cum Dominus Papa Ibid. m. 11. intus. dudum nobis concesserit decimam proventuum beneficiorum Ecclesiasticorum in Regno nostro subsidium peregrinationis nostrae in terram sanctam, & postmodum decimam illam converterit in auxilium Regni Sicil. ac dilecti & speciales Clerici nostri Johannes le Mansell, & Henricus de Wengham, satisfecerint nobis de decima ipsos contingente, indè contenti sumus ad plenum; miramur quamplurimum & movemur, quod vos authoritate quacunque cohercionem eis faciatis pro decima praedicta. Quocirca vobis de Consilio procerum qui sunt de consilio nostro, mandamus districtè inhibentes, nè praefatis Clericis nostris super praestatione dictae decimae aliquam cohercionem faciatis, aut ipsos in hac parte aliquatenus vexetis aut gravetis, sed si cohercionem aliquam eis per suspensionem vel sequestrationem beneficiorum suorum feceritis, vel aliquid aliud contra ipsos in hac parte attemptaveritis, ea penitus relaxetis & revocetis. Teste etc. The King sent this Mandate to the Parishioners of Pencriz by no means to permit the Bishop, his Official or Archdeacon to enter into their Parish, or act any thing to the prejudice of his Free-Chappel there. OMnibus Parochianis de Pencriz. salutem. Praecipimus vobis quod sicut vos & Cart. Pat. Claus. ab. An. 42. ad 50 H. 3. vestra diligitis, nullo modo permittatis Episcopum de O. vel ejus Offic. five Archid. ingredi Villam de Pencriz. ad aliqua spiritualia ibidem exercenda, quae cedant in praejudicium libertatis Capellae nostrae de Pencriz. nec eis sitis in aliquibus spiritualibus obedientes. In cujus, etc. The Bishop of Saint david's and his Clerks complaining to the King as supreme Governor and Protector of the Church, Clergy, and their liberties, how extraordinarily the Privileges of their Churches, Monasteries, houses, goods and persons were violated in Wales, in an hostile manner throughout his Diocese, issued this memorable Writ and Prohibition to his Officers for their future protection and indemnity against such injuries and oppressions. UNiversis Ballivis & fidelibus suis, per Walliam constitutis salutem. Ex relatu Cart. Pat. Claus. ab An. 42. ad An. 50 H. 3. Venerabilis Patris R. Men. Episcopi & insinuatione Cleri suae Dioc. accepimus, quod tanta est hostilitas hiis diebus in Dioc. Men. quod immunitates Ecclesiae violantur, manus violentae injiciuntur ac quidam interficiuntur, domus Religiosorum distruuntur, domus Clericorum in Coemiteriis constructae, & etiam ipsae Ecclesiae incenduntur, Episcopo, Archidiaconis, & caeteris viris Ecclesiasticis transeundi per praedictam Dioc. securitatis via praecluditur, Ecclesiasticae libertatis titulus penitus conculcatur, viri etiam Ecclesiastici dicti Dioc. tot dampnis & in juriis modo ab Anglicis, modo à Wallensibus affliguntur, quod nisi praedictis remedium apponatur, necesse habent Ecclesiis suis relictis exulare. Nolentes igitur quod Sacrosancta Ecclesia sub nostra protectione constituta, tot adversitatibus opprimatur; Mandamus vobis firmiter injungentes, quod in singulis locis in praedicta Dioc. per quae transitum feceritis, publice voce praeconia prohiberi faciatis, ne aliquis de pace nostra immunitates Ecclesiasticas violare, seu etiam viris Ecclesiasticis dampnum vel injuriam inferre, aut contra libertates Ecclesiae in aliquo de praemissis venire praesumat. Scituri, quod dissimulare non poterimus quin adversus violatores immunitatis Ecclesiae, ad cujus tuitionem tenemur, manus ultionis extendamus. In cujus, etc. The King of Romans having occasion to travel to Rome about his own, the Kings and Kingdoms urgent affairs, which journey would prove very expensive, the King issued these Writs for him to tax all his Tenants, and to them, to grant a liberal Aid and Contribution towards his expenses in this expedition. OMnibus, etc. salutem. Quia charissimus fidelis noster Rex Romanorum illustris, Chart. Pat. Claus. ab An. 42 ad 50▪ H. 3. m. 9 intus. proximò profecturus est ad Curiam Romanam, pro arduis et urgentissimis negotiis, quae ad nostrum, et suum, et Regni nostri honnorem et profectum assumpsit, et quae sine maximis sumptibus nequeunt expediri, concessimus ei, quod Burgos et Maneria sua quae fuerunt dominica nostra rationabiliter talliare possit hac vice, licet dominica nostra per Angliam ad praesens non fecerimus talliari. In cujus, etc. OMnibus liberè Tenentibus de illustri Rege Romanorum in Anglia, salutem. Ibidem. Quia praedictus Dominus Rex frater noster charissimus in proximò profecturus est ad Curiam Romanam, pro arduis et urgentissimis negotiis, quae ad nostrum et suum, et Regni nostri honorem et profectum assumpsit, circa quorum expeditionem oporter ipsum non modicos sumptus apponere, universitatem vestram rogamus attentè, quatenus cum praefatus Dominus vester vestra ad praesens indigeat subventione, eidem in hac necessitate sua jam competens subsidium impendere studeatis, quod tàm à nobis quam ab ipso in agendis vestris favorem & gratiam futuris temporibus merito promereri debeatis, cum speciali gratiarum actione. Teste, etc. Boniface Archbishop of Canterbury being an Alien, and banished or forced to fly out of the Kingdom by the Barons, was upon a Treaty and agreement between the King and his Barons, permitted to return into England upon these Conditions, extant only in this Record. ANno Domini 1264. mense Martii, in praesentia illustris Regis Angliae, de Consilio Extract. Donationum etc. An. 45, 46, 47, 48 H. 3. m. 19 intus. Procerum & Magnatum ejusdem Regni, actum est, quod Venerabilis Pater B. Dei gratiâ Cantuariensis Archiepiscopus, totius Angliae Primas, in Angliam revertatur sub conditionibus infrascriptis in Regno pacificè moraturus. In primis igitur actum est, quod Archiepiscopus in reversione sua Excommunicationis sententias in quascunque personas occasione turbationis in Regno Anglia habitae promulgatas, sine difficultate qualibet related in forma juris, dum tamen illi qui excommunicati fuerint inventi, de excessibus satisfacere sint pacati, et pro eisdem Canonica mandata Archiepiscopi recipere tenentur in forma inferius in proximo articulo contenta. Secundo actum est, quod de emendis faciendis nomine excessuum Ecclesiis et Ecclesiasticis personis infra loca jurisdictionis suae immediate subjecta, arbitretur Archiepisc. de consilio omnium Suffraganeorum suorum, aut majoris et sanioris partis, et de arduis negotiis Ecclesiam Anglicanam et Regnum contingentibus futuris temporibus post reversionem suam, similiter de consilio eorundem et aliorum discretorum de Regno, ordinet et disponat. Tertio actum est, quod Magistros tales familiares Clericos suos secum adducat, et hos tantum Clericos alienigenas de consilio suo et familia retineat. Quarto actum est, quod alii Clerici quicunque beneficiati in Regno Angliae cum Archiepiscopo redire volentes, in beneficiis suis salvo et secure redeant et morentur, et bona Ecclesiastica infra Regnum expendant, ut tenentur, nihil extra Regnum deferentes vel mittentes, nisi casus necessarius et a Consilio Regis approbatus hoc requirat. Quinto actum est, quod Archiepiscopus seu Clerici cum ipso venientes nihil in Literis, Nunciis seu mandatis secum deferant, vel quicquam aliud in ipso Regno commorantes, per se vel per alios procurent, de quo Regi aut aliquibus de Regno dampnum possit vel periculum seu praejudicium provenire. Ad memoriam autem praemissorum praesentibus sigillum illustris Regis Angliae est appensum. Per totum Consilium. The Prior and Covent of Bath, and Dean and Chapter of Wells, having unanimously elected Walter Giffard for their Bishop, who by reason of the Wars and danger in travelling as well on this side as beyond the Seas, could not personally resort to him to be examined, confirmed and consecrated; the King thereupon issued this Writ, with the Certificate of his Election, to the Archbishop, desiring his examination and confirmation thereof by himself, or else to appoint some of his Suffragans to examine, confirm and consecrate him here in his stead. CAntuariae Archiepiscopo, totius Angliae Primati, salutem. Cum dilectus nobis Extract. Donationum in Anno 48 H. 3. m. 21. intus. in Christo Prior & Conventus Bathon. & Decanus & Capitulum Ecclesiae Wellen. dilectum nobis in Christo Magistrum Walterum Giffard Canonicum Wellensem, quem specialiter recommendatum habemus, sibi in Patrem & Pastorem Ecclesiarum praedictarum concorditer assumpserint; Ac idem Clericus propter discrimina quae ratione turbationis jamdiu habitae in Regno viantibus imminent, tàm in partibus transmarinis quam cismarinis, prout vobis satis liquet, ut credimus, ad praesentiam vestram personaliter accedere securè non possit, devotionem vestram affectuosè rogamus, quatenus Nuncios & Procuratores Ecclesiarum praedictarum, pro negotio electionis illius ad vos accedentes intuitu Dei, recommendatos habentes electionem ipsam, prout ad officium vestrum pertinet, examinare velitis & confirmare, vel eam saltem obtentu precum nostrarum, aliquibus de subditis vestris in Anglia commorantibus examinandam committatis, simul & confirmandam, aliquibus de Suffraganeisvestris plenam dando potestatem electum praedictum vice vestra consecrandi, si ipsum confirmari contingat. Teste, etc. The Archbishop notwithstanding neglecting or refusing to do it upon this request and mandate of the King, he thereupon issued this sharp Writ to him, taxing him of ingratitude and abuse of his patience, and commanding him to come into England forthwith in person, & confirm and consecrate him, or else to appoint others to do it. CAntuariae Archiepiscopo totius Angliae Primati salutem. Licet hactenus per Extract. 48 H. 3. m. 21. intus. patientiam pluries sustinuerimus Electos in Episcopos, Abbates ac Praelatos alios in Regno nostro pro beneficio confirmationis obtinendo, ad vos in partes proficisi transmarinas, tale a vobis praemium non reddidimus reportarent contra jus et Regni nostri consuetudinem, quibus per patientiam hujusmodi non intendimus quoquomodo praejudicium generari, hoc ad consequentiam trahere attemptaretis. Miramur igitur simul et movemur, vos ad petitionem nostram, examinationem electionis dilecti nobis in Christo Magistri Walteri Giffard, nuper in Bathon. et Wellen. Episcopum Electi et ejusdem Electionis confirmationem, quem ne personaliter ad vos accederet detinuimus, et adhuc detinemus invitum, aliquibus discretis de Regno nostro committere recusasse, ad quod jus commune, et ipsius Regni consuetudo vos, dum extra Regnum agitis, inducere deberent etiam non rogatos. Ne igitur nimia patientia nostra in vobis contemptum pariat, scire vos volumus, nos de caetero talia parcius permissuros, hiis praesertim temporibus quibus Anglicis tutus ad vos per partes Franciae, prout dicitur, non patet accessus, propter quod Paternitatem vestram rogandam duximus attentius et monendam: Rogantes insuper, et in fide qua nobis tenemini firmiter injungentes, quatenus in praemissa electione et aliis Officii vestri debitum executuri, ad partes Angliae personaliter accedere, vel saltem aliquibus discretis de Regno nostro, quos ad hoc magis idoneos reputaveritis, vices vestras in hac parte committere curetis; ne si iteratas preces nostras, et mandata ad quae de jure tenemini contumaciter exaudire recusaveritis, contra vos tanquam jurium et libertatum ac consuetudinum Regni nostri contemptorem nostrae indignationis aculeos erigere, et acrius procedere debeamus ad vindictam: nec enim si secus egeritis proventus Archiepiscopatus ad vos extra Regnum de caetero deferri sustinebimus, sed sicut curam recusatis, ita et emolumenta vobis extra Regnum agentibus, subtrahere curabimus in futurum: Nos vero si opus fuerit salvum et securum sumus vobis conductum praebere parati. In cujus, etc. The continuer of Matthew Paris relates, that Anno 48 H. 3. during the Baron's Wars, * Mat. Paris, p. 964, 965. Licet Comes Leycestriae praecepta dedisset sub poena decapitationis, ne quis in Sanctam Ecclesiam, vel Coemiterium depraedaturus intrare praesumeret, nec religiosis viris, vel eorum famulis, manus violentas inferret; nihil hac industria f●rè profecit, nempe nec Episcopi, nec Abbates, nec viri religiosi de villa in villam progredi potuerunt, quin à vespilionibus praedarentur. Hereupon I conceive the King issued this Writ and Proclamation to the Keeper of the Peace in the County of York, to protect Ecclesiastical and Religious men's persons, their tenants and goods, from violence and injury, and to declare injurious and undue presentations by usurpation on rightful Patrons, or by them, to be void. JOhanni de Eyvil, Custodi pacis in Com. Ebor. salutem. Cum libertatem et Extract. Donationum Anno 48 H. 3. m. 24. intns. securitatem Ecclesiarum speciali affectione diligere teneamur, ac personas Ecclesiasticas & earum bona teneri animo benevolo exoptemus, vobis de communi consilio Procerum nostrorum, mandamus districtè praecipientes, quatenus sicut corpus vestrum & omnia bona vestra diligitis, jura Ecclesiastica, Praelatos, et personas Ecclesiasticas, tam religiosas quam seculares, homines suos et eorum bona in Com. praedicto manuteneatis et defendatis; non permittentes eye in personis aut rebus suis, per aliquos Clericos vel Laicos quorumcunque mandato, contra libertatem Ecclesiasticam aut immunitatem inferri molestiam, injuriam seu gravamen. Scituri, quod si qua eis fuerint pro defectu vesiti ablata violenter, vos inde oportebit respondere. Collationes etiam Ecclesiarum a non suis patronis factas in Com. praedicto, aut etiam a suis patronis, contra consuetudinem hactenus obtentam in Regno nostro attemptatas, volumus non valere. Quae omnia praedicta per totum Com, praedictum publicè clamari facias. In cujus, etc. * Anno 1264. (48 H. 3.) Quidam de parte Baronum coperunt Episcopum Mat. Pa ris Hist. p. 961. Herefordensem in Ecclesia sua Cathedrali, vocatum Petrum, natione Burgundum, (the contriver of the premised forged Obligations of Abbots and Bishops moneys to the Pope, without their privity) & duxerunt ad Castellum d● Ordeleya, Thesaurum suum inter se pariliter dividentes. Others seized upon the tithes, fruits, profits, goods of the Archbishop, and of all other Alien Clerks, non-resident, and others that were against the King and Kingdom, and sold, wasted them at their pleasures; whereupon the King by his Royal Prerogative commanded them to be sequestered, prized and sold by Inquisitions taken upon Oath, by special Commissioners appointed by him for that purpose, in the view of their Proctors, if they would be present, by these his Letters Patents. REX Omnibus, etc. salutem. Cum nonnulli occasione turbationis Pat. 48 H. 3. m. 4. dorso. in Regno nostro nuper habitae, fructus et proventus Ecclesiarum, et etiam alia bona Ecclesiastica Clericorum alienigenarum non residentium, et aliorum Clericorum nobis et Regno nostro adversantium, et extra Regnum nostrum agentium distrahant, devastent, et consumant; Ac nos Ecclesiasticae libertati in hoc parte prospicere volentes, de consilio Praelatorum & Baronum nostrorum de Consilio nostro existentium, assignaverimus H. London. Episcopum, Archidiaconum Oxon. & Rogerum de Norwood, ad fructus & proventus, & bona Ecclesiastica Clericorum praedictorum, tàm in Dioc. Cantuar. quam in aliis beneficiis suis extra eandem Dioc. ad collationem praedicti Archiepiscopi spectantibus, colligenda & custodienda. Ita quod fructus, & proventus, & bona praedicta reponi facerent in Ecclesia Christi Cantuar. in forma per Praelatos & Barones praedictos provisa. Ac iidem Episcopus & Archidiac. ad praemissa exequenda deputati, ad praesens non sint in Regno, & etiam Procuratores eorum ad hoc negligentes inveniantur, per quod magna distractio seu dilapidatio de bonis Ecclesiasticorum praedictorum, propter praesentem Regni turbationem fieri posset, nisi de conservatione eorundem cum celeritate provideatur, assignavimus dilectum Clericum nostrum Henricum de Otinton, ad blada dictorum beneficiorum in quibusdam locis sibi assignatis per Sacramentum proborum & legalium hominum aestimata & appreciata, vendenda, per visum & consilium Procuratorum praedictorum si interesse voluerint, quibus hoc idem denunciari praecipimus. Ita quod de exitibus inde provenientibus, prout justum fuerit, satisfieri faciamus. Et ideo vobis mandamus, quod praefato Henrico tàm circa aestimationem quam venditionem eorundem cum ab eo requisiti fueritis, assistatis, & intendatis, & consilium & auxilium vestrum efficaciter impendatis. Teste Rege apud Cantuar. 16. die Septembris. Johannes de Middleton, Clericus Capellae assignat. etc. Pakeham Praebend. J. Mansell, Ap. Sutmalling. Henricus de Otinton, Clericus Garder. Otford, cum Capella Sevenhang, Chidingston, Wrotham. Consimiles Literas habet Johannes de Middleton, Clericus Capellae, etc. Consimiles Literas habet Willielmus de Crioll, Miles. Consimiles Literas habet Willielmus le Avenir, etc. Consimiles Literas habet Jocens. de Lond. etc. Consimiles Literas habet Henricus de Bourne, Miles, etc. I find this Commission of the same kind in the Extract Roll. OMnibus, etc. salutem. Cum nonnulli occasione turbationis in Regno Extract. Donationum Annis 45, 46, 47 H. 3. m. 17. dorso, nostro nuper habitae, fructus et proventus Ecclesiarum, et etiam alia bona Ecclesiastica Clericorum alienigenarum non residentium, et aliorum Clericorum nobis et Regno nostro adversantium, et extra Regnum nostrum agentium distrahant, debastent, et consumant. Ac nos Ecclesiasticae libertati in hac parte prospicere volentes, de consilio Praelatorum et Baronum nostrorum de Consilio nostro existentium, assignaverimus tales ad fructus et proventus, et bona Ecclesiastica praedictorum Clericorum, tam in Diocesi Cantuar. quam in aliis beneficiis suis extra eandem Diocesim, ad collationem praedicti Archiepiscopi spectantibus colligenda. Ita quod fructus, & proventus, & bona praedicta reponi facerent in Ecclesia Christi Cantuariensi, in forma per Praelatos & Barones praedictos provisa. Ac iidem tales ad praemissa exequenda deputati ad praesens non sint in Regno, & etiam Procuratores eorum ad hoc negligentes inveniantur, per quod magna distractio seu dilapidatio de bonis Ecclesiarum praedictarum, propter praesentem Regni turbationem fieri posset, nisi de conservatione eorundem cum celeritate provideatur: assignavimus dilectum Clericum nostrum Henricum de Otinton, ad blada dictorum beneficiorum in qusbusdam locis sibi assignatis per Sacramentum proborum et legalium hominum aestimata et appreciata, vendenda per visum et consilium Procuratorum praedictorum nisi interesse voluerint, quibus hoc idem denunciari praecipimus. Ita quod de exitibus inde provenientibus prout justum fuerit satisfieri faciamus. Et ideo vobis mandamus, quod praefato Henrico tàm circa aestimationem quam venditionem eorundem cum ab eo requisiti fueritis, assistatis, & intendatis, & consilium & auxilium vestrum efficaciter impendatis. Teste, etc. The differences between the King and his Barons concerning the Ordinances made at Oxford being referred to the King of France, who made an award therein which was not full and satisfactory to all parties, thereupon the King and his Barons by mutual consent, by these Letters Patents submitted that award to other Arbitrators herein named, to amend or correct, by way of addition or detraction, whatever they should judge meet for the settling and preserving of peace between them, submiting themselves to the excommunication and Ecclesiastical Censures of the Pope's Legate if they should infringe their accord herein. REX Angliae, S. de Monte forti Comes Leycestr. Gilbertus de Clare Comes Pat. 48 H. 3. m. 4. dorso. Gloucestr. & Hereford. Johannes filius Johannis, Johannes de Burgo senior, Willielmus de Monte Canisio, Henricus de Hastings, Gilbertus de Gaunt, & caeteri Barones & Magnates Angliae, universis Christi fidelibus ad quos praesentes Literae pervenerint, salutem in Domino. Cum super praeteritis guerrarum discriminibus in Regno Angliae subortis, quaedam ordinatio seu forma pacis de nostro Praelatorum, & totius Communitatis Regni praedicti, unanimi voluntate & assensu provida deliberatione inita fuerit, quam nuper Domino Regi Franciae fecimus praesentati, & quam Deo gratam, nobis & Regno nostro credimus oportunam. Ac quidam ut intelleximus facti veritatem minus plenè intelligentes, ordinationem ipsam seu pacis formam minus sufficientem, asserentes de quibusdam articulis in eadem insertis non fuerint contenti. Nos ad pacem & tranquillitatem Regni praedicti totis viribus, sicut tenemur, laborare volentes ut Justitia nostra & facti veritas patefiat, & singulis plenius innotescat, plenam damus potestatem Venerabili patri H. London▪ Episcopo & nobili viro Hugoni le Despenser, Justic. Anglia, & Nobilibus viris Bartho. Com. Audeg. praedicti Regis Franc. Germano & Abbati de Boccon inspiciendi & examinandi formam ordinationis seu pacis praedictae, addendi & detrahendi eidem, & emend 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 di, si quid addendum, detrahendum seu corrigendum viderint, & providendi omnem securitatem quam viderint oportunam, & ea omnia, quae ordinanda seu statuenda duxerint firmiter observandi. Nos autem omnia & singula quae ipsi ad emendationem & observationem pacis ejusdem ordinaverint; Rata habebimus et accepta subjiciendo nos Jurisdictioni et coertioni Uenerabitis Patris ●. Sabin. Episcopi Apostolicae sedis Legati, ut ipse per sententiam excommunicationis, et omne genus Censurae Ecclesiasticae, nos et omnes et singulos compellere possit, si forte ordinationem praedictorum in aliquo praesumpserimus contrahere. Et si praedictus Com. Andeg. praesens non fuerit, vel negotium istud in se assumere noluerit, volumus quod Dominus de Neel, vel Dominus Petrus de Camberleng. loco ejusdem Com. subrogetur. Quod si praedicti quatuor in aliquo Articulo pacis praedictae discordes fuerint, Judicio majoris partis eorundem stetur. Et si pares in discordia fuerint, volumus ut Venerabilis pater Archiepiscopus Rothomag. eis associetur, & quod à majori parte eorundem quinque concorditer fuerit ordinatum; firmiter observetur. Nolumus autem quod aliquid liceat eis dicere, ordinare, seu statuere circa emendationem ordinationes sen pacis praedictae, per quod Regnum Angliae, per alios quam per indegenas gubernetur, nec castrorum custodia seu alia Balliva in▪ Regno praedicto aliis quam indigenis fidelibus non suspectis committatur, Volumus etiam modis omnibus quod pax inter nos Regem Angliae, & praefatum Com. Leyc. super personalibus & specialibus querelis, questionibus & contentionibus quas contra eundem Comitem habemus & ipse adversus nos, & de quibus posuimus nos in praedictum Regem Franc. fiat & assecuretur antequam pax seu ordinatio praedicta finaliter compleatur. In cujus rei testimonium huic scripto nos Rex Angliae, Com. Leyc. & Glouc. Jo. Johes, Willielmus, Henr. & Eg●dius, pro nobis & caeteris Baronibus, & Communicate Regni Angliae sigilla nostra apposuimus. Dat. apud Cantuar. die Jovis prox. post festum Nativ. beati Virginis. Anno Domini, 1263. The King and the Barons having by common consent entered into Articles of agreement under their hands concerning the reformation of the Realm of England, and referred themselves therein to the determination of the French King or the Pope's Legate, the King thereupon constituted these three Proctors to conclude and consent on his behalf to what ever should be therein agreed, submitting himself to the Legates Ecclesiastical censures and excommunication to compel him to the performance thereof, by this Patent. REX Angliae, Omnibus ad quos etc. salutem. Noverit universas vestra, quod Pat. 48 H. 3. m. 13. intus. nos ordinamus & constituimus venerabiles patres W. Wygorn. & I. Winton. Episcopos, & Nobilem virum Petrum de Monteforti Procuratores & Nuncios nostros sollempnes, dantes eis potestatem tractandi in praesentia magnifici Principis Domini L. Dei gratia Regis Franc. illustris, & Venerabilis patris G. Sabin. Episcopi Apostolicae sedis Legati, vel alterius eorum, super reformatione status Regni Angliae. Et quod in hac parte provisum fuerit acceptandi & firmandi, seu etiam compromittendi super hoc in certas personas si viderint expedire, ac omnem securitatem faciendi quam negotii qualitas requirit, & quam nobis seu Regno praedicto viderint optimum dantes insuper praefato, Petro potestatem jurandi in animam nostram, quod nos▪ quicquid ipsi tres in praemissis nomine nostro duxerint faciendum, Ratum habebimus et acceptum, subjiciendo nos Jurisdictioni et cohercioni praedicti Legati, ut ipse per sententiam excommunicationis et omne genus Censurae Ecclesiasticae nos compellere possit, ad observationem praemissorum. In cujus, etc. Dat apud Cantuar. die Jovis praedicta Anno praedicto. There being many great damages and spoils done to the Church and Churchmen during the civil Wars between the King and Barons Anno. 47, and 48. H. 3. the King and they coming to a Treaty, agreed on these Articles subscribed with both their hands concerning reparation for those damages sustained by them. PUrveu est par Commun assentment du Roi & des Prelaz, des Contes & de Pat. 48 H. 3. m. 2. dorso. Barons de la tere, ke les trespas ke fait sont contre seinte Eglise en Engleterre par acheson de Trublement & de la guere ke ad este en Reaume de Engleterre, soient amendez en cest forme. Soient Eiluz d●s Contes & des grannz gentz de la terre par la volente è lassetment des Prelaz, trois Evesques, ki des amendas reasonables ke sont a foir pur les avandiiz forfez ke ont este fait contre seinte Eglise aient plein poeer de le stablir & de purver kanque bone s●ra & renable Chose. Ceus que escomenge seront trovez, soient assous en forme de droit par ceus qi poeer averout. Le Poer des Prelaz soit affirmee en ceste manere: premis soit en bone fei des Contes, è de la Justice, & des autres lais qui sont du conseil le Roy, è autres granz Barons de Reaume, ke totes les Choses ke les Prelaz ke eleus seront; purverunt renablement en nom de amendes garderont pur soi, è metteront peine è bone fei de fere garder des autres, è de ceo eudognent lor lettres overtes. Derechef as Prelaz puis kilserout esluz, soit done plein poeer du Roi è de la communaute. des Contes & des Barons & de grannz homes de la terre a purver les choses ke b●soignables del estat de Seint Eglise, al honeur deu, a la foi nostre s●inur le Rei, & au proffit du Reaume. E. ceo soit proms en bone foi par le Roi, par les Contes & les avanditz Barones, è par les autres grannz homes de la terre si en facent lor lettres overtes. Cest a saver des choses ke unt este faitz puis le Pasch. derine eut un an, ce est a saver le an nostre Seignor le Roi. Si nul soit trove ke ne voile ester al ordenement è le purveaunce des avauntditz Prelaz en les choses avant dites & solonc les formes avant dites, soit distreint par sentence de Seint Eglise. Esi mester est, soient distreint par la lai force. E. qe ceste chose se puisse meuz faire, eit la Justic Cent i plus chevelers ou Serjaunz soudeers eluz a distreindre les Mesfesours quant il sera requis par les avantdiz Praelaz ei ceu● soudeers de biens commuus de Seint Eglise soient sustenuz taunt come il sont en cele bosoin E cest ordenement durge sovans a un an ou a deus, deikes les choses soient bene en pes è les purveances des Prelaz è la pes de la tere bien meintenue. Purveu est ke les biens des benefices de Seinte Eglise des aliens è des autres ke out est outre la tere soient coilli, è sauvement garde par les mains des Prelaz desques a tant ke soit purveu par comune conseil ke len devera faire, E afermete en tesmoinance de ceo le Rois et les hauz homes de la terre out mis lur seus a cest escrit. In pursuance of these Articles of agreement, the King issued these Commissions and Writs to several Bishops and others to sequester and secure the goods and profits of such Bishops, aliens, Nonresident Clerks who absented themselves, which were spoiled, sold, and wasted during the Wars. REX Venerabilibus G. Ebor. Archiepisco. H London. & R. Linc Episcopis Pat. 49 H. 3. m. 17. intus. salutem. Quia nonnulli qui Deum & Ecclesiam irreverenter & enormiter offenderunt, Ecclesiis & Ecclesiasticis personis Regni nostri praeteritis turbationum temporibus injurias varias, & dampna gravia intulerunt, nos Deo & Ecclesiae, ac laesis personis de dampnis & injuriis hujusmodi debitam ac plenam satisfactionem fieri cupientes, prout nuper London. de nostrorum Praelatorum ac procerum Regni nostri consilio & assensu ordinatum extitit & provisum. Vobis mandamus firmiter injungentes quatenus vocatis qui fuerint evocandi, et auditis querelis super injuriis et damnis praedictis, ad laudem Dei et honorem Ecclesiae quod vobis justum videbitur decernatis, congruam ac debitam dictis laesis satisfactionem fieri facientes. Nos enim quod per vos in praemissis ordinatum fuerit seu statutum annuente domino faciemus firmiter observari. Quod si non omnes hiis exequendis potueritis interesse duo vestrum ea nihilominus exequantur. In cujus etc. Teste Rege apud Woodstock 8. die Decembris. VEnerabilibus Patribus G. Ebor. Archiepiscopo, H. London. & R Lincoln. Extract. Donationum in An. 49 H. 3. m. 20. intus. Episcopis salutem. Quia nonnulli qui Deum et Ecclesiam irreverenter et enormiter offenderunt, Ecclesiis et Ecclesiasticis personis Regni nostri praeteritis turbationum temporibus injurias varias et dampna gravia intulerunt, nos Deo et Ecclesiae ac laesis personis de damnis et injuriis hujusmodi debitam ac plenam satisfactionem fieri cupientes, prout nuper London. de nostrum Praelatorum ac procerum Regni nostri consilio et assensu ordinatum existit, et provisum, vobis mandamus firmiter injungentes, quatenus vocatis qui fuerunt vocandi, & auditis querelis super injuriis & dampns praedictis, ad laudem Dei et honorem Ecclesiae quod vobis justum videbitur decernatis, congruam ac debitam dictis laesis satisfactionem fieri facientes, nos enim quod per vos in praemissis ordinatum fuerit seu slatutum annuente Domino faciemus firmiter observari. Quod si non omnes hiis exequendis potueritis interesse, duo vestrum ea nihilominus exequantur. In cujus, etc. OMnibus etc. salutem. Cum terrae, tenementa, possessiones & bona venerabilis Extract. Donationum Anno 45 to ●50 H 3. 20. intns. Patris B. Cantuar. Archiepiscopi occasione turbationis in Regno nostro nuper habitae à quibusdam illicitè occupata, consumpta fuerint & distracta, ad grave dampnum ipsius Archiepisc. & Ecclesiae suae Cantuar. ut dicitur, Nos indempnitati ejusdem Archiepiscopi & Ecclesiae suae praedictae providere volentes, sicut & tenemur, de Consilio Magnatum nostrorum qui sunt de Consilio nostro, commisimus venerabili Patri H. London. Episcopo & aliis, omnes terras, tenementa, possessiones & bona ad praedictum Archiepiscopatum spectantia, custodienda, quamdiu nobis placuerit. Ita quod omnes exitus & proventus eorundem colligi & salvo reponi faciant in Ecclesia praedicta Cantuar. convertendos in usus & utilitatem Ecclesiae praedictae. In cujus, etc. OMnibus etc. salutem. Cum nonnulli occasione turbationis in Regno nostro Ibidem. nuper habitae fructus & proventus Ecclesiarum, et etiam alia bona Ecclesiastica Clericorum alienigenarum et aliorum Clericorum, nobis et Regno nostro adversantium, et extra Regnum nostrum agentium distrahant, et devastent et consumant, nos Ecclesiasticae libertati in hac parte prospicere volentes, de Consilio Praelatorum et Baronum nostrorum qui sunt de Consilio nostro, assignavimus venerabilem patrem H. London. Episcopum, & dilectos nobis tales ad fructus, proventus & bona Ecclesiastica praedictorum Clericorum tam in Diocesi Cantuar. quam in aliis beneficiis suis suis extra eundem Dioc. ad collationem praedicti Archiepiscopi spectantibus, colligenda & custodienda, ita quod fructus & proventus & bona praedicta repom faciant in Ecclesia Christi Cantuar. in forma per Praelatos & Barones praedictos provisa. In cujus, etc. REX Vic. Kanc. salutem. Cum de consilio Praelatorum & Baronum nostrorum Claus. 48 H. 3. m. 3. dors. qui sunt de consilio nostro, terras, tenementa, possessiones & bona B. Cantuar. Archiepiscopi ad Archiepiscopatum Cant. spectantia, & etiam fructus & proventus Ecclesiarum, & alia bona Ecclesiastica Clericorum alienigenarum & aliorum Clericorum nobis & Regno nostro advesantium, & extra Regnum nostrum agentium quae sunt in Dioc. Cantuar. H. London. Episcopo, & Magistro Richardo de Mepham Archid. Oxon. & Rogero de Norwod. pro eo quod nonnulli occasione turbationis in Regno nostro nuper habitae quasdam terras & tenementa praedicta occuparunt, & fructus & proventus Ecclesiarum praedictarum distraxerunt & consumpserunt, comiserimus custodienda. Ita quod omnes exitus terrarum & tenementorum praedictorum & fructus & proventus Ecclesiarum praedictarum reponi faciant in Ecclesia Christi Cantuar. in forma per Praelatos & Barones praedictos provisa; ac praedicti Custodes ad conservationem bonorum praedictorum, & ad bona Ecclesiastica modo praedicto distracta recuperanda consilio & auxilio tuo plurimum indigeant; tibi praecimus, quod quociens ab eisdem fueris requisitus, eye ad hoc assistas, & Consilium & auxilium tuum tam diligenter impendas quod diligentiam tuam commendare merito debeamus. Teste Rege 2. die Septembris. The King likewise issued this Writ to prohibit all Lay-force, waist and plunder in the Prebendary of William de Merton, or the lands, goods and possessions belonging to him; at the Petition of the Bishop of London, signed in the presence of many Bishops and some Lords. REX Majori & Vicecomitibus London. salutem. Cum nonnulli occasione turbationis Claus. 48 H. 3. m. 4. dorso. nuper habitae in Regno nostro, decimas, fructus, & alia bona Ecclesiastica devastent, et quo minus Praelati eorundem ea quae ad officium suum pertinent exercere valeant in Ecclesiis antecedictis; Nos honori et indempnitati Ecclesiasticae libertatis providere volentes, ut tenemur, ad requisitionem Venerabilis Patris H. London. Episcopi, vobis de Consilio Baronum nostrorum praecipimus firmiter injungentes, quod omnem vim Laicam, et etiam armatam quae se tenent in Praebenda dilecti Clerici nostri Walteri de Merton de Fynisbyr. seu in possessionibus ejusdem ad devastand. distrahend. consumend. seu occupand. bona & possessiones ejusdem, sine dilatione faciatis amoveri, non permittentes praefatum Episcopum ab aliquibus impediri, quo minus ea quae ad officium suum spirituale pertinent, exercere valeat in eadem. Teste Rege apud Sanctum Paulum London. 9 die Augusti. Per ipsum Regem, London. Wygorn. Sarr. Wynton. Exon. Cicesterc. & aliis Episcopis praesentibus, & hoc postulantibus. Item praesentibus H. le Dispenser Justic. Radulpho de Cameys, Ad, de novo Mercato, Egid. de Argentein. REX Episcopo Norwyc. salutem. Cum nonnulli occasione turbationis in Regno Claus. 49 H. 3. m. 9 dorso. nostro nuper habitae, fructus & proventus Ecclesiarum, et etiam alia bona Ecclesiastica Clericorum alienigenarum no-nresidentium, et aliorum Clericorum, nobis et Regno nostro adversantium et extra Regnum agentium distraxerint, et devastaverint, et nos Ecclesiasticae libertati in hac parte prospicere volentes, nuper de Consilio Praelatorum et Magnatum nostrorum assignaverimus vos ad fructus et proventus, et alia bona Ecclesiastica praedictorum Cleriricorum in vestra Dic. colligenda et custodienda; Ita quod exitus inde provenientes reponi faceretis in Ecclesia Cathedrali Norwic. in forma per nos et Praelatos et Magnates praedictos provisa. Ac cum domus Ecclesiae Magistri P. de Camberlaco, apud Fakeham decidant, & bona sua ibidem sint destracta ut accepimus, & W. de W●thm. terras, possessiones & beneficia ibidem habeat vicina, per quod utilitati dictae Ecclesiae commodius poterit providere. Nos de fidelitate & industria praedicti Willielmi plenam gerentes fiduciam, vos rogamus, quatenus praedictam Ecclesiam cum Capellis ad jacientibus praedicto Willielmo committatis custodiendam, ita quod de fructibus inde provenientibus respondeat, prout de jure faciendum, & nos in hac parte conservet indempnes. Teste Rege apud Westm. 23. die Febr. REX Omnibus etc. Cum nonnulli occasione turbationis in Regno nuper habitae Pat. 49 H. 3. m. 29. intus. De estimatione fructuum beneficiorum facienda. fructus & proventus Ecclesiarum & etiam alia bona Ecclesiastica Clericorum alienigenarum non-residentium, & aliorum Clericorum, nobis & Regno nostro adversantium, & extra Regnum nostrum agentium devastaverint & destraxerint, propter quod nos Ecclesiasticae Libertati in hac parte prospicere volentes, & Consilio Praelatorum, & Baronum nostrorum assignavimus dilectum & fidelem nostrum Stephanum Soudan, ad vendendum quandem partem bladorum Ecclesiae de Racolur. & capellarum suarum de Hirn. & Beruer. Manketon. & Bertelton, quae remansit post devastationem & destructionem bladorū praedictorum, & quae per Sacramentum proborum & legalium hominum aestimata fuit & appreciata ad Quinquaginta Libr. & duodecim denar. Ac idem Stephanus praedictam partem pro pecunia supradicta vendiderit & pecuniam illam in gard. nostram solverit, de qua illis quibus de Jure fuit respondendum satisfieri faciemus, nos venditionem praedictam acceptantes praefatum Stephanum de venditionem praedicta conservabimus indemnem. In cujus, etc. Teste Rege apud Westm. 29. die Octobris. REX Omnibus etc. Cum nonnulli occasione turbationis nuper habitae in Regno Ibidem. nostro fructus & proventus Ecclesiarum, & etiam alia bona Ecclesiastica Clericorum alienigenarum non residentium, & aliorum Clericorum nobis & Regno nostro adversantium & extra Regnum nostrum agentium distrahant, devastent & consumant. Nos Ecclesiasticae Libertati in hac parte prospicere cupientes, de Consilio Praelatorum & Magnatum nostrorum assignavimus Venerabilem Patrem R. Carl. Episcopum ad fructus, proventus & alia bona Ecclesiastica praedictorum Clericorum in Diocesi sua colligenda & custodienda. Ita quod exitus inde provenientes reponi fac. in Cathedrali Ecclesia Ka●l. in forma per praedictos Praelatos & magnates nostros provisa. In cujus, etc. Teste Rege apud Westm. 10. die Febr. During the Wars between the King and his Barons, divers Vicars and persons desirous to reside upon their Cures so as they might be secured and protected from violence therein, the King thereupon granted Protections to those who desired them, particularly this to Walter de Merton. OMnibus etc. sasutem. Cum de Consilio Baronum nostrorum providerimus, Extract. 48 H. 3 m. 12. quod Clerici Ecclesiarum Rectores, Vicarii etc. personae Ecclesiasticae apud Beneficia sua Ecclesiastica Personalem facere volentes residentiam, salvo et secure et absque impedimento nostri vel nostrorum in beneficiis suis valeant commorari, ac dilectus Clericus noster Walterus de Merton. sicut intelleximus, residentiam hujusmodi apud beneficia sua quae obtinet in Regno nostro facere proponet. Vobis mandamus quod eidem Waltero in eundo vel redeundo seu moram faciendo apud beneficia sua praedicta nullum inferatis, vel quantum in vobis est inferri permittatis dampnum, impedimentum, injuriam seu gravamen. Incujus, etc. Pope Vrban sending a Legate towards England, at his request, the King dispatched this Letter, desiring him to send Peter Montefort a safe conduct to Dover, in going, staying and returning. REX G. Sabiensi Episcopo, Apostolicae sedis Legato, salutem. Quia dilectum Claus. 48 H. 3. m. 2. dorso. & fidelem nostrum Petrum de Monteforti, unum de Consiliariis nostris, veritatis pacis & tranquillitatis zelatorem, ad vestram praesentiam destinamus, pro quibusdam negotiis nostris reformationem pacis et tranquillitatis Regni nostri contingentibus, vobis viva voce plenius exponendis. Cui super hiis cum ad vos venerit fidem adhibeatis indubitatam, Paternitatem vestram rogamus & requirimus attentè, quatenus Literas vestras de salvo et securo conductu inveniendo ad vos, vobiscum morando, et aliunde recedendo, sub omni festinatione sibi obviam usque Dovor. transmittere velitis. Teste Rege apud Cantuar. 24. die Septembris. This Legate not daring to arrive in England for fear of those of the Cinqueports and the Barons, you shall receive an account of his proceedings in the next year. The Clergy having granted a Disme to the King for the defence of the Realm and Church, by unanimous consent, and that it should be collected by the Bishops, and employed by the King for the common benefit of the Realm and Church, he thereupon issued this Writ to the Bishop of Norwich, and another to the Archbishop of York, speedily to collect and pay in the same, else in their default the Sheriffs of the County should levy it, his necessities and the public safety being to be preferred before the Church's Liberties in this case, though he had an extraordinary care to preserve them. REX S. Episcopo Norwic. salutem. Cum per Praelatos et Magnates Claus. 48 H 3. m. 3. dorso. Regni nostri provisum sit et unanimiter concessum, quod Decimae proventuum omnium beneficiorum Ecclesiasticorum in Regno nostro conferantur ad communem utilitatem ejusdem Regni et Ecclesiae Anglicanae, et quod hujusmodi Decimae per locorum Episcopos leventur, et ad nos mittantur: Vobis mandamus, quod hujusmodi Decimas quas juxta provisionem praedictam in vestra Dioc▪ de beneficiis Ecclesiasticis levari fecistis ad nos sine dilatione mittatis, convertendas in communem utilitatem Regni nostri et Ecclesiae praedictae, & hoc nullatenus omittatis. Scituri quod nisi hoc mandatum nostrum facere volueritis, de consilio Magnatum, qui sunt de Consilio nostro, Mandavimus Vic. nostro Norff. & Suff. quod dictam Decimam ob defectum vestri, (quod nollemus) levari, & ad nos mitti faciat indilatè. Teste Rege apud Cantuar. primo die Septembris. REX G. Eborum Archiepiscopo, Angliae Primati, salutem. Licet nos una Claus. 48 H. 3. m. 3. dorso. cum Regni nostri Praelatis et Proceribus super alienigenarum inimicorum nostrorum adventu nuper praemuniti, de consilio eorundem Praelatorum et Procerum provida deliberatione duxerimus statuendum, ut a communis defensionis auxilio nullus excludatur Nota. sexus aut ordo, nullius personae laboribus, nullis rerum parcatur impendiis; Illa tamen devotio debita quam ad Sanctam Ecclesiam Catholicam gerimus nos induxit, ut virorum Ecclesiasticorum in hac parte subsidium de Praelatorum ordinaretur assensu, qui ut suae et Clericorum suorum tranquillitati prospicerent, et bellorum clades personaliter evitarent, Decimam omnium Ecclesiasticorum proventuum in suis Diocesibus, non solum nobis, sed ad utilitatem rei publicae, Regni et Ecclesiae Anglicanae concesserunt. Quia vero non tantum Ecclesiis Eboracensis Ecclesiae Suffraganeis, & earum Clericis, sed etiam ipsi Eborum Ecclesiae vestrae ejusque Clericis, & toti Clero Regni nostri prospicitur in hac parte. Vobis mandamus firmiter injungendo, quod Decimam omnium Ecclesiasticorum proventuum in Dioc. Eborum existentium, nullo ab hac praestatione exempto, per vos vel ministros vestros, citra festum Sancti Mich. levari, et ad nos mitti faciatis. In hoc enim non modicum Ecclesiasticae libertati deferrimus, cum non per Ballivos nostros in tam ardua necessitate, sed per viros Ecclesiasticos hujusmodi subsidia ad opus rei publicae Regni et Ecclesia Anglicanae colligi demandemus. Et sciatis, quod nisi hoc mandatum nostrum cum summa celeritate fueritis executi, quantumcunque libertates Ecclesiae tueri totis viribus nostris intendamus, omittere non possumus nec debemus, quin pro securitate Regni nostri ejusque defensione, et communi utilitate dictam Decimam per Ballivos nostros levari faciamus. Teste Rege apud Cantuar. 3. die Septembris. Yet notwithstanding this excuse of no Clerks to contribute in this common danger, the King by these Writs, by advice of the Bishops and Lords of his Council, caused his Chaplains who personally attended him towards the Sea coast, in this expedition against foreign enemies, to be exempted from paying any Dimes, as this Writ attests. REX Archiepiscopo Eborum, Angliae Primati, salutem. Cum per Praelatos Claus. 48 H. 3. m. 4. dorso. et Magnates qui sunt de consilio nostro nobiscum existentes, provisum sit et unanimiter concessum, quod Clerici nostri nobiscum personaliter proficiscentes versus mare contra hostilem adventum alienigenarum in Regnum nostrum quieti sint a praestatione Decimae beneficiorum Ecclesiasticorum in Regno nostro per Nos et Praelatos, necnon et Magnates ejusdem Regni nuper provisae; vobis de consilio dictorum Praelatorum & Magnatum mandamus, quatenus dilectum & fidelem Clericum nostrum Johannem de Kirkby, qui non sine magnis laboribus & expensis nobiscum versus mare profectus est, à praestatione Decimae praedictae in Dioc. vestra quietum esse permittatis. Et si quid ea de causa ab ipso capi feceritis id sine dilatione restitui faciatis eidem. Teste Rege apud Cantuar. 30. die Augusti. Per Consilium. Consimiles Literas habent Adam de Cestreton, & Robertus Fulton, directas Episcopo Norwicen. The King issued this Writ to the Official of the Bishop of Rochester, Collector of his Dimes, to pay 20 l. out of it for a special occasion, and hasten the Collection of the residue thereof, else he would levy it by the Sheriff. REX Magistro Nicholas Offic. L. Roffen. Episcopi, salutem. Cum nuper vobis Claus. 48 H. 3 m. 2. intus. De decima beneficiorum Ecclesiasticorum mittenda ad Regem. per Literas nostras mandaverimus, quod Decimam omnium fructuum & proventuum Ecclesiasticorum in Episcopatu Roffen. existentium colligi, & ad nos mitti faceretis, liberandam Hugoni le Despeus●r, Justic. nostro Angliae, prout inter nos & Praelatos & Barones nostros est provisum. Ac vos id hactenus facere non curaveritis, de quo miramur plurimum & movemur. Vobis mandamus, quatenus de dicta Decima sine dilatione habere faciatis Johanni de Weston, & Willi●lm● de Yating, vel eorum alteri has Literas deferenti 20 l. ad quaedam negotia nostra quae eis injunximus inde expedienda, & residuum totius Decimae praedictae, ad nos habeatis apud Cantuar. hac instanti die Sabbati vel Dominica sequenti tempestiuè. Et hoc sicut praefatum Dominum vestrum & vos indempnes conservare volueritis nullatenus omittatis. Scituri, quod si id facere distuleritis nos praedictam Decimam per Vic. nostrum Kanc. levari faciemus. Teste Rege apud Cantuar. 4. die Septembris. Per A. de Novo Mercato, Egidium de Ergentem, R. de Com. The Bishop of Winchester, Abbots of Abbendon, Ramsey, and others, refusing to appear with the Horses, Arms, and Knight's Service which they ought to perform to the King upon his Summons, the King thereupon by advice of his Barons and Great men, issued these Writs to seize and detain their Baronies, Temporalties and goods for this their contempt, without committing waist or dilapidation therein, till further order. Claus. 48 H. 3. m. 4. dorso. REX Reginald. filio Petri Vic. Sutht. salutem. Cum nuper propter turbationem Regni nostri, & etiam propter guerram in eodem Regno jam subortam, summoneri fecissemus Archiepiscopos, Episcopos, Abbates, Priores, Comites, Barones, Milites, & alios qui servitium nobis debent, ut essent ad nos apud Oxon. ad mediam Quadrages. prox. praeteritam, cum equis et armis, et toto servitio suo nobis debito, in hujusmodi necessitatis articulo consilium et auxilium efficax super praemissis impensuri. Ac quidam ex eis servitium suum nobis debitum facere noluerint, propter quod de Baronum consilio et Magnatum nobiscum existentium, provisum est, quod Baroniae, terrae et tenementa eorum, qui de nobis tenent in Capite, et qui nobis ser●itium suum nobis debitum juxta mandatum nostrum facere noluerunt, capiantur in manum nostram, donec tam de dicto servitio, quam de hujusmodi transgressione nobis satisfecerint. Vobis mandamus firmiter injungentes, quod Baronjas Venerabilis Patris J. Win●●. Episcopi, & Abbatis de Abbindon, qui servitium suum nobis dabitum ad mandatum nostrum facere noluerunt, capias in manum nostram, et eas una cum honis et catallis in ipsis inventis, sine distractione seu dilapidatione aliqua inde facienda salvo custodiri. facia●. Ita quod de bonis et catallis ipsis vel de pre●io eorundem, et de exitibus Baroniarum praedictarum nobis sufficienter res●ondeas, done● aliud inde praeceperimus. Teste Rege apud Oxon. ●. die Aprilis. Eodem modo mandatum est Adae de Grenvill Vic. North●. quod capiat in manum Regis Baronias Episcopi Eliens. & Abbatis de Ramesey. Eodem modo mandatum est Vic. Nottingh, & D●r●. quod capiat in manum Regis Baronias Archiepiscopi Ebor. & Episcopi Lincoln. The King commanding the Sheriff of Yorkshire by a like Writ to seize and detain in his hand the Temporalties of the Archbishop and other Prelates, without waist or spoil of the goods therein, for not rendering their service due to him in his Wars, whereupon he seized and much wasted the goods against the King's precept and intent, detaining some of the Bishop's tenants in prison, the King thereupon commanded him by this Writ to make full restitution of the Temporalties, goods and profits he took from him and his tenants, to release the prisoners, and restore their ransoms under pain of imprisonment, and his heavy displeasure. REX Roberto de Nevil Vic. Ebor. salutem. Cum Baronias quorundam Praelatorum Claus. 48 H. 3. m. 4. dorso. Regni nostri nuper ceperimus in manum nostram, eo quod servitia sua nobis debita nobis minimè fecerunt ad mandatum nostrum, ac vobis mandaverimus quod Baroniam Venerabilis Patris G. Ebor. Archiepiscopi caperetis in manum nostram, pro eo quod servitium suum nobis tempore competenti non exhibuit, ita quod eam salvo & absque distractione aliqua bonorum ejusdem Baroniae custodiri faceretis, vos ut accepimus, bonorum illorum dissipationem non modicam fieri permittitis ad gravissimum dampnum Archiepiscopi supradicti, super quo nec immeritò movemur. Verum quia demandam nostram servitii dicti Archiepiscopi jam in suspenso posuimus ad tempus, Vobis mandamus quatenas Baronium suam cum omnibus inde perceptis à tempore captionis ejusdem in manum nostram, sine dilatione restituatis eidem. Quia etiam datum est nobis intelligi, quod milites & servientes supradicti versus nos nuper venientes cum equis & armaturis ad faciend. nobis servitium praedictum per viam arr●stavistis, & quosdam ex eis adhuc in Carcere detinetis, & à quibusdam eorum graves redemptiones coepistis, quod grave gerimus & indignè. Vobis firmiter injungimus quatenus dictos incarceratos sine mora deliberetis, & tam eis quam aliis a quibus redemptiones coepistis, omnia per vos aut vestros sibi ablata plenariè restitui faciatis. Ne super hoc oporteat nos gravius sollicitari, propter quod ad vos graviter capere debeamus. Teste Rege apud Sutton. 26. die Maii. The Bishop of Bangor, having interdicted the Chapel of the Son of Griffin in a suit concerning his Layfee, which belonged not to Ecclesiastical but to the Lay-Court, and refusing to take off the interdict upon caution tendered, the King thereupon issued this Writ to him to take off the Interdict, or else to suspend it till the Parliament approaching, where both parties might be heard and the matter decided. REX Bangorensi Episcopo salutem. Ex parte L. filii Griffini, nobis est ostensum, Claus. 49 H. 3. m. 6. dorso. quod cum ipse pro se & hominibus suis vobis cautionem sufficientem frequenter obtulerit, de parendo mandatis Ecclesiae in forma Juris, si in aliquo contra vos in praejudicium Ecclesiasticae libertatis deliquerint, vos cautionem hujusmodi hactenus admittere recusastis, nihilominus pro causis non ad forum Ecclesiasticum, immo ad Curiam Laicalem mere pertinentibus, ut de Laicalibus feodis, capellam suam interdicto supposuistis. Et quia hoc sustinere nolumus sicut nec debemus, maxime cum placita de Laicis feodis in Regno nostro ad Coronam et dignitatem nostram pertinent. Vobis mandamus rogantes, quod praefatum interdictum sine morae dispendio revocetis, vel saltem ponatis in respectum usque ad instans Parliamentum nostrum quod habituti sumus apud Westm. ubi vos una cum caeteris Praelatis Regni nostri jurta mandatum nostrum intereritis, ut tunc habito tractatu super praemissis, inde fiat utrique parti quod de jure fuerit faciendum. Teste Rege apud Gloue. 15. die Maii. An. 12. 49 H. 3▪ (a) Actus Pontificum Eborac. Col. 1726. (b) Catalogue of Bishops, p. 468. (a) Thomas Stubs and (b) Go●win, inform us, that William de Langton Dean of York, being elected Archbishop thereof after the death of Godfrey de Kynton, the Pope having a mind to prefer another thereto by his Provisions who would give more money for it; ejus electio ratione pluralitatis beneficiorum Ecclesiasticorum cassata fuit in Curia Romana, cum tamen non haberet nisi unam Ecclesiam cum Decanatu Eboracensi: (if all Pluralists had been rejected upon this account, there had scarce been one Bishop consecrated in that age;) although the King confirmed his election. Upon his rejection, the Pope by Provision translated Walter Giffard (being his Chaplain) from the Bishopric of Bath and Wells to York: Being consecrated Archbishop by the Pope himself, returning from beyond the Seas; * Mat. Paris Hist. p. 950. Come Londinum pervenisset, per medium urbis portari fecit crucem suam ante ipsum in propatulo elevatam, accedensque ad Regem, honorificè susceptus est, & inde ad partes tendens Angliae Boreales, in suo gaudenter Archiepiscopatu pastor & pater suscipitur sublimatus. * See Mat Paris p. 965, 966. Simon Montefort Earl of Leycester, during the King's imprisonment under him, making use of the King's Great Seal at his pleasure, presented Almaricus de Montefort to the Treasurership of York Church, in the King's gift, against his will, who was installed therein: Not long after the King gaining the liberty of his person and Seal, by his victory over the Barons at Evesham, revoked that presentation as void, and presented Edmund Mortimer to this Treasurership; Commanding the Canons to install him, who refusing to do it, the King thereupon issued another Commission to some others to install him, upon their delay or neglect to do it. HEnricus Dei gratia, Rex Angliae, Dominus Hiberniae, & Dux Aquitaniae: Pat. 49 H. 3. In Cedula consuta m. 11. intus. Dilectis sibi in Christo Capitulo Ebor. salutem. Cum dudum nobis in plena & Regia potestate nostra existentibus, concesserimus providere dilecto nobis Edmundo de Mortuo mari in Ecclesiastico beneficio competenti quam cito facultas se offeret, & post bellum habitum inter nos & quosdam fideles nostros ex parte una, & Simonem de Monteforti quondam Comitem Leyc. & fautores suos ex altera apud Lewes, extiterimus in Custodia praefati Simonis & aliorum fautorum suorum, per quod tempore ipsius Custodiae, contra voluntatem nostram, praefatus Comes Literas sigillo nostro (quonon nos sed Comes ipse pro suo utebatur arbitrio) formari fecit, continentes quod nos Thesaurariam Eboracensem tunc vacantem Almarico de Monteforti concessimus, & Vobis mandavimus quod eidem Almarico stallum in Choro & locum in Capitulo assignaretis. Ac nos per Dei adjutorium vires nostras resumpserimus, per quod concessionem illam & alias quae per literas nostras nobis invitis factae fuerant dum in Custodia praedicta eramus, volumus revocari & annullari, immo nullas haberi, & Thesaurariam ipsam jam spontè praefato Edmundo concessimus. Et ideo vobis mandamus, quod amoto quolibet detentore eidem Edmundo stallum in Choro & locum in Capitulo, prout moris est, assignetis. In cujus rei testimonium has literas nostras fieri fecimus patentes. Teste meipso apud Wygorn. 7. die Angusti. Anno Regni nostri 49. Upon their refusal, the King issued this further Commission. REX Dilectis & fidelibus suis Willielmo de Clyfford, & Magistro Willo de Wygorn. Pat. 49 H. 3. m. 7. Pro Radulpho de mortuo Mari. salutem. Cum post conflictum habitum inter nos, & quosdam fideles nostros ex parte una, & Simonem de Monteforti, quondam Com. Leyc. & fautorum suorum ex altera apud Lewes, extiterimus in Custodia praefati Simonis & fautorum suorum, per quod tempore ipsius Custodiae contra voluntatem nostram literas sigillo nostro, quo pro suae libertate voluntatis utebatur, signari fecit, continentes quod nos Thesaurariam Eboc. vacantem Almerico de Monteforti concessimus, & Capitulo Ebor. mandavimus quod eidem Almarico, stallum in Choro & locum in Capitulo assignarent. Et nos per Dei adjutorium vires nostras resumpserimus, per quod concessionem illam & alias concessiones, quae per literas nostras nobis invitis factae fuerunt, dum in Custodia praedicta eramus, volumus annullari, immo potius nullas haberi, per quod Thesaurariam ipsam sponte Edmundo de Mortuo Mari, Clerico concessimus, & praedicto Capitulo Mandavimus, quod amoto quolibet detentore eidem Edmundo stallum in Choro, & locum in Capitulo assignarent. Ac ipsi mandatum nostrum eis pro eodem Edmundo directum facere distulerint, de quo miramur et quamplurimum movemur. Nos de vestrae fidelitatis constantia plenam gerentes fiduciam, Vobis mandamus firmiter injungentes, quod vos duo vel unus vestrum eidem Edmundo stallum in Choro & locum in Capitulo assignetis, & Thesaurariae praedictae plenam seisinam ei habere faciatis, & hoc sicut honorem nostrum & vestrum, diligitis nullo modo omittatis. Teste etc. Item mandatum est Magistro Simoni de Evesham Archid. Richmundiae, quod quia Rex de fidelitatis suae constantia, circumspectione & industria plenam gerit fiduciam, quod eidem Edwardo stallum in Choro & locum in Capitulo assignet. Et hoc sicut Regem & honorem suum diligit, & gratiam in conspectu Regis habere voluerit, nullo modo omttat. Item Mandatum est Vic. Eborum quod assumpto secum Magistro Willielmo de Wygorn. eidem Edmundo de Thesauraria praedicta plenam seisinam habere faciat. Teste Rege apud Winton. 17. die Septembris. The King giving his assent to the Election of the Archbishop of York, sent this certificate thereof to the Pope, that he might be consecrated thereunto. SAnctissimo in Christo Patri Domino Dei gratia sacrosanctae Romanae Ecclesiae summo Ibidem. Pontifici H. eadem gratia Rex Angliae, Dominus Hiberniae, & Dux Aquitaniae salutem, cum reverentia & honore. Sciatis quod Electioni nuper celebratae, in Ecclesia Cathedrali Sancti Petri Ebor. de discreto viro Willielmo de Rotherfield, Decano dictae Ecclesiae in Archiepiscopum ejusdem loci, Regium assensum adhibuimus, & favorem. Et hoc vestrae Sanctitati tenore praesentium significamus, ut quod vestrum est in hac parte exequamini. In cujus, etc. Teste Rege apud Westm. 1. die Aprilis. Peter Bishop of * Mat. Paris. 881, to 888. 986. 987. 917, 924, 934. See Godwins Catalogue of Bishops p. 375. Hereford, being a Nonresident from his Bishopric, demeaning himself like an hireling, not as a real shepherd, devouring the Milk, Wool, but not knowing nor feeding his flock, nor discharging his spiritual Office for which he received the Temporalties, the King coming to Hereford, finding him absent, the service of God both in his City and Diocese generally neglected, he being highly offended and grieved therewith, out of his Ecclesiastical supremacy and care of his people's souls, sent him this memorable Writ, worthy to be ingraved in indelible Characters in the Hearts, Memories, Palaces of all Christian Kings, and unpreaching, rarepreaching, Nonresident Prelates, Canons, Pastors; commanding him immediately to repair to his Bishopric, and discharge his Pastoral Office with care and diligence, under pain of seizing all his Temporalities, goods, enjoining the Archbishop of Canterbury, and his Official by their Ecclesiastical Constitutions and Censures, to enforce him to discharge his duty, as they would avoid his royal displeasure, proceedings against them by his secular power, and thescandall which would else inevitably fall upon them both. REX Episcopo Hereford salutem. Pastores gregibus praeponuntur ut diei Pat. 49 H 3. m. 14. intus. numero. 57 See Crooks 2. Instit. p. 625, 626. mistaken in the year. noctisque vigilias exercendo super eos qui pecoris vultum agnoscant, et oves famelicas in fertilitatis pascua introducant, errantes vero per verbum salutis et virgam correctionis in unius ovilis conservatione studeant indissolubilem unitatem. Sed sunt nonnulli qui hanc doctrinam damnabiliter contempnentes, ac sua ab aliis pecora distinguere nescientes, lac et lanam tollunt, qualiter Dominicus grex alatur non curantes; Temporalia rapiunt, et quis in Parochia fame pereat, aut periclitetur in moribus non attendunt, qui non Pastores sed Mercenarii potius dici promerentur. Hoc siquidem dum hiis diebus ad disponendum de Regni nostri praesidiis in partes Marchiae nos transferremus in Ecclesia vestra Hereford. dolenter referimus, nos invenisse, quam adeo invenimus Pastoris solatio destitutam, ut nedum Episcopum, sed nec Officialem haberet, Vicarium, aut Decanum, qui quicquam spritualitatis exercere posset in eadem, sed Ecclesia ipsa quae olim deliciis affluere consuevit, etiam Canonicis qui ibidem nocturnis et diurnis Officiis vacare, et opera caritatis exercere deberent, eam deserentihus, et longe degentibus in remotis, stola jocunditatis exuta, cecidit in terram, viduitatis suae detrimenta deplorans, nec est qui consoletur eam ex omnibus charis ejus. Sane dum haec vidimus et consideravimus diligenter, pietatis aculeus viscera nostra commovit, et compassionis gladius intima cordis nostri acrius vulneravit, ut tantam Ecclesiae matris nostrae injuriam ulterius dissimulare non possimus, nec pertransire incorrectam. Quapropter vobis mandamus firmiter injungentes, quatenus ad Ecclesiam vestram praedictam occasionibus quibuscunque postpositis, cum ea qua poteritis celeritate vos transferre curetis, commissum vobis in eadem curae pastoralis officium personaliter executuri; nos enim de salvo et securo conductu tam inveniendo quam morando, si opus fuerit vobis, dum tamen super hiis quae contra vos rationabiliter objici poterunt, juri parere volueritis, provideri faciemus. Quod si aliqua justa causa quam ignoramus subfuerit, quo minus hoc personaliter facere possitis, ipsam nobis rescribentes, alicui discreto de regno nostro vices vestras in omnibus quae ad jurisdictionem Episcopalem pertinent committatis, ut vestra saltem ad tempus absentia tolerabilior habeatur. Alioquin scire vos volumus pro constanti, quod si neutrum istorum facere curaveritis, bona temporalia et omnia quae ad Baroniam ipsius Ecclesiae pertinent, quae pro spiritualibus in eadem exercendis pia Progenitorum nostrorum devotione constat eidem fuisse collata, et quae hactenus colligi, et salvo custodiri praecipimus, in commodum et utilitatem ipsius Ecclesiae convertenda, cessante jam causa in manu nostra totaliter capiemus; Nota. nec ulterius sustinebimus quod temporalia metat, qui spiritualia, ad quae ex officii sui debito tenetur, irreverenter subtrahere non formidat, aut quod emolumenta percipiat, qui incumbentia eisdem onera subire recusat. Teste Regi apud Hereford, primo die Junii. REX Archiepiscopo Cantuar. salutem. Pastores, etc. Vt in alia usque ibi dissimulare Ibidem. non possimus nec pertransire incorrectam. Quia igitur ad vos suffrageneorum et aliorum subditorum vestrorum negligentias corrigere spectat, et excessus, paternitatem vestram rogamus et requirimus, ne in defectum opprobriumque rigoris Ecclesiastici manum Laicam, quod inviti faceremus, apponere nos oporteat, praefatum Herefordensem Episcopum suffraganeum vestrum, monere et efficaciter inducere, et si opus fuerit ea qua convenit censura compellere velletis, ad Ecclesiam suam praedictam, usque ibi provideri faciemus. Quod si aliqua justa causa, quam ignoramus, subfuerit quo minus hoc personaliter facere possit, ipsum, si de ea vobis constet rescribentes, ipsum ut alicui discreto de Regno nostro vices suas in omnibus quae ad jurisdictionem Episcopalem spectant committat, simili censura compellere non omittatis. Alioquin, etc. REX Magistro Hugoni de Mortuomari Offic. Archiepiscopi Cantuar. sub eadem forma. Quia igitur ad vos ratione officii vobis commissi suffraganeorum Ecclesiae Cantuariensis negligentias corrigere, etc. ut infra, ubi dicitur praefatum Episcopum Herefordensem Ecclesiae Cantuariensis suffraganeum Monere et efficaciter inducere, et si opus fuerit ea qua convenit, etc. usque in finem. Teste ut supra. The Jews in Lincoln and other places, having been plundered and spoiled of their goods during the Baron's Wars, and since threatened to be spoiled again, the King upon their Petition, issued this Patent to certain personsin Lincoln, not to offer any violence, and to protect them and their goods from all violence, plunder, having taken them into his Royal Protection, as they would answer the contrary at their peril. REx dilectis sibi, Thomae de Fou. Waltero de Braund. Willielmo Braund. Gilberto Pat. 49. H. 3. m. 17. Pro Judaeis Lincoln. del Punt. Rogero filio Benedicti, Johanni de Luda. Osberto filio Egidii, Johanni de Paris, Jacobo del Punt. Jordano filio Egidii, Henrico filio Egidii, Thomae filio Roberti, Petro fratri Henrici Gupil, Waltero de Croyland, Nicholas Mundae, Nicholas Stoyle, Willielmo de Holgate, Willielmo de Hepham, Johanni Coiti, Thomae le Parmniter, Johanni de Lanc. Johanni del Soler. Martino le Corwunder civibus suis▪ Lincoln salutem. Cum post turbationem nuper habitam in regno nostro de consilio Baronum nostrorum Judeos nostros Lincoln. sicut & caeteros Judeos nostros Angliae ad eorum corporum & rerum suarum tuitionem & conservationem in nostram protectionem specialem susceperimus, ac quidam de civitate praedicta, sicut ex eorum querimonia didicimus, sibi de corporibus & rebus suis minas inferunt manifestas, per quod nimium sibi dampnum & grave periculum evenire formidant. Nos indempnitati eorum prospicere volentes, Vobis mandamus firmiter injungentes, quatenus praefatos Judeos Lincoln. viriliter protegentes, & contra quoscunque manutenentes, eye in personis vel bonis suis non inferatis vel ab aliquibus inferri permittatis injuriam, etc. Et si quid, etc. Et hoc sicut vos & vestra diligitis, nullatenus omittatis. In cujus, etc. Duraturam per annum Teste Rege apud Glouc. 6. die May. Some Marchers of Wales, having entered into a Solemn agreement, with Simon de See Matt. West. An. 1265. Holinshed, Speed, and Daniel. Monteford, Earl of Leicester, Gilbert de Clare, Earl of Gloucester, and other Nobles, to go over into Ireland for some time, for the Peace of the Realm, and ra●ified it with their Oaths, which they perfidiously violated, by staying in England, raising new Forces, Wars, drawing the Earl of Gloucester, and he the Prince, into the Confederacy and Rebellion against the King, openly slandering and defaming him; the King thereupon, by the Earl of Leicester's persuasion, as the Subscription and other circumstances evidence, commanded the Bishops of the Province of Canterbury, jointly in their several Dioceses to excommunicate all of them, small and great, without sparing any, and all their adherents in general▪ and to vindicate the King from their slanders, by publishing the truth of things, to unblind the people whom they seduced. REx Venerabilibus in Christo patribus de London Episcopo, & caeteris Episcopis Pat. 49. H. 3. m. 13. intus num. 54. Provinciae Cantuar. salutem. Cum inter delectum & fidelem nostrum Simonem de Monteforti, Comitem Leicester & Senescallum Angliae; ac Gilbertum de Clare, Comitem Gloucester & Hertford, materia cujusdam dissentionis nuper exortae quam per compromissum quoddam inter eosdem in certas personas factum & hinc inde juramento Vallatum; credebamus, sicut & meritò si in hominibus al qua esset fidei certitudo credere poteramus, pacificatum penitus & sedatum, ad pacanda corda subditorum nostrorum ex dissentionibus hujusmodi commota forsitan & turbata, qui ex hoc novas in regno nostro verisimiliter praesumebant posse guerras provenire per singulos Com. Regni nostri decepti; literas nostras transmisimus inter caetera continentes, quod dicti Comites amici fuerant & concordes; & ecce, quod dolenter referrimus, idem Com. Glouc. quem ratione homagii, eodem tempore nobis facti, in fide ac devotione nostra ferventius solito perseveraturum credebamus, Marchionibus, & aliis Rebellibus nostris, qui ex pacto suo hoc anno cum apud Wigorn. essemus, de ipsius Comitis & aliorum Magnatum Regni nostri assensu habito, pro Regni ipsius pace quam iidem temerè violarunt, in Hiberniam termino dudum transacto se transferre debuissent, infra certum tempus minimè reversuri, & contra pactum ipsum & proprium Sacramentum, super hoc praestitum hoc hactenus facere distulerunt. Nec non Willielmus de Valentia, & Comes Warren, ac complicibus suis qui nuper in Regno nostro applicuerunt contra pacem nostram, sibi associatis, terram nostram in partibus Marchiae hostiliter circumeundo discurrit, castra & villas occupando, & guerras ibidem commovendo contra pacem nostram, sicque praefatos rebelles nostros in familiaritatem admittere & defendere, ac ad pejora committenda inducere non formidat, quibus nisi propriae salutis immemor & Sacramenti ab ipso praestiti praevaricator existeret, cum aliis fidelibus nostris hostem & adversarium exhibere se deberet manifestum. Praeter hoc vero quod cor nostrum acuto dolore descindit, idem Comes & alii Rebelles nostri praedicti dolosis eorundem persuasionibus, Edwardum filium nostrum quem (proh dolor!) ad credendum levem, & ad circumveniendum facilem invenerunt, ad partem suam proditorie attraxerunt, et ut proprio contempto sacramento, contra formam de vestro et ejusdem filii nostri Prelatorum, Magnatum et Communitatis Regni nostri unanimi assensu & voluntate nuper London provisam, & poenarum multimodarum adject●one vallatam, a nobis & fidelibus nostris inconsultè recederet fraudulenter induxerunt, qui cum eisdem se nobis contumacem & rebellionis filium exhibet in praesenti. Tot siquidem probris & opprobriis & variis dispendiis nos irreverenter afficientes, & ipso facto hostes & adversarios se nobis exhibentes, se ad commodum et honorem nostrum haec omnia facere publice praedicant, ad excaecanda corda populorum; Quae omnia nos & fideles nostri nobis adhaerentes hactenus patienter sustinuerimus; Volentes ut eorum transgressiones & excessus manifestè pateant universis, & causae justitia pro nobis, eorum injuria contra ipsos patenter allegent in facie singulorum antequàm manum opponere vellemus ad rigorem. Cum igitur vos reverendi Patres in omnes illos qui nostram et regni nostri pacem et tranquillitatem violare seu turbare praesumpserint sententia excommunicationis dudum lata fuerit, et per vos nuper London, publice et solempniter innovata, licet pex Dei adjutorium ad praedictorum Rebellium nostrorum insolentiam reprimendam vires nostrae sufficiant, ut aliena non sit necesse fuffragia mendicare, tamen quia in scandalum divini nominis redundaret manifeste si claves Ecclesiae contemnerentur impune; Vos rogamus et requirimus, quatenus contra eosdem Rebelles nostros, quorum adeo sunt notorii excessus et publice divulgati, quod nulla possit tergiversatione celari, nulli omnino majori vel minori parcentes, sed aeque magnum judicantes ut parvum, dictam Excommunicationis sententiam, in quam ipsos palam incidisse manifestum est, prout ad officium vestrum pertinet, contra singulos nominatim, omnes in communi, et nichilominus singuli persuas Dioceses prout convenit solempniter publicari. Et ne veritas mendacio subjaceat, vos qui filii lucis & Zelatores veritatis esse debetis, processus nostri praedicti veritatem ubi expedire videritis, manifestari faciatis. Teste Rege apud Hereford, 8. die Junii. Et est litera duplicata per Comitem Leicest. Justic. P. de Monteforti E. de Argent, & R. de Sancto Johanne. The King having sent to Pope Urban for a Legate to come into England, to promote his Affairs, and assist him against the Bishops and Barons who opposed him, issued forth this Patent of Protection and safe conduct, both for him, his Family and Goods by Sea and Land, and to exempt them from Customs. REX omnibus Ballivis etc. salutem. Cum E. Sancti Adriani Cardinalis Apostolicae Pat. 49. H. 3. m. 4. intus. sedis Legatus, ad nostram instantiam pro utilitate nostra et Regni nostri in Angliam sit venturus: Nos eundem Legatum, familiam, hernes, et omnes res suas in salvum et securum conductum nostrum suscipimus, inveniendo in Angliam et inde recedendo; incujus, etc. Duratur. usque ad natale domini prox. futur. Et mandatum est Baronibus & Ballivis quinque Portuum quod eidem Legato, familiae, hernes. aut rebus suis quibuscunque inveniendo in Anglia, & apud Dovorr. vel alibi ubicunque in Regno nostro applicando, seu per partes illas transeundo non inferant, etc. impedimentum, etc. Sed ipsi tam per mare quam per terram salvum & securum conductum praebeant eis. Insuper firmiter injungens, quod praefatum Legatum, & familiam suam praedictam de consuetudinibus aut aliis exactionibus quibuscunque quietos esse permittant. Teste Rege apud Westm. Decimo sexto die Octobris. In November following he sent him this further Letter. REX Legato salutem. Cum discretum virum Magistrum Edwardum de la Cuoll Pat. 49. H. 3. m. 28. dors. Decanum Wellen latorem praesentium ad Dominum Regem & Reginam Franc. Vos, & alios amicos nostros in partibus illis pro nostris & Regni nostri negotiis sibi & vobis plenius exponendis, mittamus, certisque discimus experimentis; quod negotia pro quibus ad partes Angliae missi estis, per viam lenitatis et mansuetudinis incedendo, facilius et melius procurare poteritis et explere, quam nimis graves coherciones Ecclaesiasticas his diebus, ut creditur, exercendo; Paternitatem vestram, de qua plenam in domino gerimus fiduciam, affectuosè rogamus, quatenus in praemissis tam favorabiliter & benignè vos habere velitis, ut ad honorem Dei, & nostri, paci & tranquillitati Regni nostri per vestrae sollicitudinis industriam salubriter consulatur. Super hiis autem & aliis quae praedictus Decanus ex parte nostra vobis exponet fidem adhibentes eidem, nobis per eundem significetis vestrae beneplacitum voluntatis. Teste Reges apud Windles. 18. die Novembris. Mat. Westmin. relates of Pope Urban, Instinctu stimulatus adverso, in partem alteram Anno 1264. p. 326, 327. declinando favorem & animum convertit adversum Barones, irae & indignationes immensae, occasione spoliationum personis Ecclesiasticis illatarum, trahens incentivum: fertur autem dixisse, eum non plus velle vivere quam quod Anglos subjugasset, unde et Legatum direxit versus Angliam, virum summum, Dominum Sabin. Episcopum Cardinalem ad interdicendum terram, et excommunicandum Barones provisionum inpresos. Sed cum terram ingredi, resistentia eorum, pro libitu non posse persensisset, citatis primo Ambiani, et postmodum Bononiae quibusdam Episcopis Regni, et aliis quibusdam, sententiam excommunicationis et interdictionis super civitatem London. et 5. Portus, necnon et quasdam personas illustres et nobiles Regni fulminatam, commisit exequendam. At illi sententiam ipsam contra justiciam illatam attendentes, apellarunt ad Papam, ad meliora tempora, vel ad generale Concilium, necnon et supremum judicem certis de causis et rationibus commendabilibus. Quae postea appellatio, in Anglia, congregato apud Radingum Concilio recitata est, et ab Episcopis et clero approbata et executa. So little did they value, so much did they then oppose the Popes and his Legates authority and fulminations. Interdictum autem licet inviti suscipientes a Legato praedicti Episcopi, secum detulerunt. Sed cum applicuissent Dovoriae, scrutinio ex more in portu facto, interceptum est a civibus, et in minutias dilaniatum, jactatur in mari. So much did they contemn, affront both it, the Pope and Legate. At vir Apostolicas Urbanus, antequam votum complevisset, quod Anglicis dudum promiserat, diem clausit extremum, tempore eis valdè oportuno. This Pope Urban had formerly absolved the King and all others from their Oaths, to observe the Ordinances and Confederacies made at Oxford, which he commanded to be publicly revoked, denouncing a public sentence of Excommunication against all such who should observe them, which he sent to the Bishop of Norwich, and all others to publish in their Churches, as William Thorn thus relates. Anno eodem Abbas Rogerus recepit ab Episcopo Nordwycensi potestatem revocandi An. Dom 1263 Chronica W. Thor. col. 1912 1913. confederationes et colligationes, quae fuerunt editae a Baronibus in derogationem regiae Majestatis, & per ipsum Regem, quamquam invitum praedictis statutis consentientem, sub hac forma quae sequitur. S. permissione divina Nordwicensis Episcopus, etc. Venerabili in Christo Patri Domino Rogero Abbati, etc. Mandatum Domini Papae recipimus in haec derba: URBANUS Episcopus servus servorum Dei, Venerabili, etc. & infra. Cum igitur honestati congruat, utilitati conveniat, et subjectorum saluti expediat, summi Pontificis obedire mandatis, praesertim in hiis per quae revocari possint errantes a deviis, et Domini Regis paci et tranquillitati salubriter provideri, ac status Regni reformari in melius, discretionem vestram monemus et exhortamur in Domino, authoritate Domini Papae qua fungimur, et in virtute obedientiae quasedi Apostolicae tenemini, districtius injungentes, quatinus statuta, ordinationes et colligationes quae Barones Angliae inachinati sunt, et in derogationem Regiae potestatis ipso licet consentiente, et ad hujusmodi observationem juramento se astringente, in Ecclesia vestra Conventuali, et in singulis Ecclesiis vobis subjectis publice et solemniter denuucietis esse revocata, & tam Dominum Henricum Regem Angliae, quam Dominam Elianaram Reginam, uxorem ejus, Nobilesque viros Dominos Edwardum & Edmundum natos eorundem, ac omnes magnates Angliae, ab omni vinculo juramenti supradicti denuncietis absolutos. Quam sententiam excommunicationis (against the oppugners of this absolution) injungimus vobis publicandam, per vos in Conventuali Ecclesia vestra, et in singulis Ecclesiis vobis subjectis singulis diebus Dominicis et festivis, pulsatis Campanis et Candelis accensis. The ococcasion of which absolution Mat. Westminster thus relates. Et licet, nihil sit adeò naturale quam unumquodque dissolvi eo genere quo ligatur, Mat. West. An. 1265. p. 331. 332. ideo statuta communi consensu quantumcunque licita & utilia, hominum succrescente malicia, tendentia jam ad noxam, possent omnium statuentium, vel majoris partis eorum, contraria voluntate mutari, vel penitus aboleri (quemadmodum serpentem aeneum in deserto, ad salutem populi, Domino jubente, levatum, Ezechias, errante populo, ritè legitur destruxis●e:) placuit tamen praedictis Regi & proceribus, timentibus culpam, ubi culpa minimè reperitur, remissionem interpositi juramenti ex certa scientia summi Pontificis impetrare. Sed Episcopus W●gornienses (with 4. Earls and Barons by his persuasion) in protervitate concepta, (quod scripsimus, scripsimus conclamando) jugiter persistentes, conabantur astruere hujusmodi pragmaticas sanctiones, communi consensu et juramento confirmatas, nullo posse consensu contrario dissolvi, ad relaxationem hujusmodi juramenti * potestatem Apostolicam nullam esse Nota. putantes, juramentumque vinculum iniquitatis existere, cum Herode, facientes sibi de propria prudentia contra leges et Canones, conscientias schismatis et erroris, trahentes secum ad sui erroris fomentum multos Pseudoprophetas, lupos rapaces in ovium vestimentis, contra Christi Vicarios, et Christum Domini, Regem proprium, murmurantes, non ut spiritus sanctus eloqui, sed ut superioris potestatis objectus obloqui dabat illis. What this Legate did against the English Bishops and Barons who opposed and took arms against the King, the Continuer of Matthew Paris thus relates; Eo tempore Vrbanus Papa turbationi Regni Angliae compatiens, Legatum misit Dominum Sabinensem Episcopum, Cardinalem; qui Angliam intrare Mat. Paris Hist. p. 965. Mis●us Legatus a Papa ex communicat. Barones. non valens, navigio quinque portuum mare occupante, quosdam Episcopos ex Anglia ad se primo Ambianos, deinde Boloniam evocavit. Quibus sententiam excommunicationis, et interdicti, auctoritate Papali in civitatem Londinensem, et Quinque portus, omnesque pacem regis Angliae turbantes fulminatam, publicandam, exequendamque commisit. Dissimulaverunt nihilominus Episcopi negotium, de cujus causa non satis certa, diversi varie opinantur. The King in the 50th year of his ra●gn, out of his Royal care to preserve the Church's Liberties, whereof he was Supreme Patron, issued this Commission of Inquiry to preserve the Rights of the Church of Norwich against the Invaders thereof, upon the complaint of the Bishop, of Contempts and Trespasses done to him and it. REX dilectis & fidelibus suis Roberto Fulcon, & Henrico de Stanleo salutem. Cum Pat. 50 H. 3. m. 9 dorso. Ecclesiam et Ecclesiasticas Libertates manutenere et defendere tenemur et velimus, & maxime Ecclesiam Sancti Trinitatis Norwici, cum omnibus suis libertatibus, ut eam quae de bonis Antecessorum nostrorum Regum Angliae sundata est, ac Allex. Kellock. Burg. de Lenn, & quidam sui fautores, nuper in contemptum venerabilis Patris Rogeri Episcopi loci praedicti & elusionem libertatis ejusdem Ecclesiae à tempore cujus non extat memoria obtentae & hactenus visitatae, nec non & laesionem manifestam nostrae dignitatis & pacis, quamplures injurias, & transgressiones enormes eidem Episcopo intulerunt, ut intelleximus, propter quod nos libertates à progenitoribus nostris Ecclesiae praedictae concessas & hactenus usitatas tanquam Patroni ejusdem, illibatas conferre volentes, ad instantiam Episcopi supradicti, assiguavimus vos ad inquirendum per Sacramentum proborum & legalium hominum plenius veritatem de praedictis injuriis & transgressionibus, & ad plenam & celerem inde Justitiam exhibendam eidem, vobis Mandamus, quod ad diem quem ad hoc provideritis usque Lenne accedatis, & de praedictis injuriis & transgressionibus diligenter inquiratis, & praefato Episcopo celerem inde justitiam exhibeatis ut praedictum est, salvis nobis amerciamentis inde provenientibus. Mandavimus etiam Vic. nostro Norff. quod ad certum diem quem ei scire facietis coram vobis ibidem venire faciat, tot & tales probos & legales homines per quos rei veritas in praemissis melius sciri poterit, & inquiri. Nolumus autem quod hac de causa aliquid ipsi Episcopo vel suis successoribus temporibus futuris cedat in praejudicium vel laesionem libertatum Ecclesiae suae praedictae. In cujus, etc. Teste Rege apud Kenn. 16. die Augusti. Pat. 51. H. 3. m. 8. dorso. I find the like Commission issued Johanni de Recton, agreeing almost verbatim with this; except in this recital. Acquidem malefactores de Lenne & Gyppewiz, nuper in contemptum, etc. & celerem inde Justitiam exhibeatis, etc. Teste Rege apud Salop, 18. die Septembris. The King out of his especial Grace granted this Privilege to the Archbishop of Dublin and his Tenants. REX Omnibus salutem. Volentes nobis Venerabili Patri Magistro Roberto de Pat. 50. H. 3. intus. Pro Episcopo Dub. Hibernia. la Provend. Dublen. Episcopo gratiam fecere specialem, concessimus eidem, quod ipse & Haeredes sui, ac homines eorum impartuum talem habeant libertatem, videlicet, quod ipsi vel eorum bona alicubi locorum per terram & potestatem nostram inventa, non distringantur pro aliquibus debitis de quibus principales debitores vel plegii non extiterunt, nisi forte debitores illi sint de potestate praedicti Rober●i vel Haeredum suorum habentes undè de debitis illis in toto vel in parte satisfacere possint; & eidem Robertus vel Haeredes sui Creditoribus eorundem debitorum in Justitia defuerint, & de hoc rationabiliter constare possit. Et prohibemus super forisfacturam nostram ne quis praedictum Robertum vel Haeredes suos seu eorum homines vexet contra libertatem praedictam. In cujus, etc. Teste Rege apud West. 25 die Febr. A Bishopric in Ireland falling void the Canons obtained the King's licence to Elect a new Bishop, and after his Election through negligence, presented him to the Archbishop to be confirmed and consecrated before they certified their Election to the King, and had his approbation and Warrant for his consecration; whereupon the Archbishop consecrating him, the King out of his grace issued this Writ for the restitution of the Temporalties upon taking his Oath of Fealty, and the Letters Patents of the Canons acknowledging this their neglect first made, to prevent the like precedent for the future, with a command to punish the Archbishop for consecrating him without the King's approbation and order. REX Willielmo de Bakepuz, Escaetori Hiberniae salutem. Cum nuper vacante Ecclesia Pat. 50 H. 3. m. 29. intus. Finabern, in Hibernia, petita per Nuncios ejusdem Capituli ad nos destinatos, à nobis eligendi licentiâ & nobis obtenta, Canonici ejusdem Ecclesiae fratrem Mauritium nunc Episcopum ejusdem loci sibi in pastorem elegissent, & ad metropolitam partium illarum pro confirmationis beneficio super Electione illa obtinendo sine assensu nostro eidem Electioni de memorato Episcopo adhibito nuper per incuriam vel negligentiam transmisissent, qui quidem Archiepiscopus incautum ipsum Episcopum tunc Electum praeter assensum nostrum confirmavit & consecravit. Nos negligentiam praedictam seu transgressionem nobis factam pro eo quod idem Episcopus post Electionem suam pro assensu nostro super eadem requirendo ad nos non venit, nec destinavit, hac vice remisimus eidem. Et ideo vobis mandamus, quod recepta nomine nostro fidelitate, prout moris est, a praefato Episcopo, receptis etiam Literis Patentibus Capituli praedicti, quod praedictam negligentiam vel omissionem non trahent in consequentiam, omnia Temporalia ad praedictum Episcopatum spectantia occasione vacationis Ecclesiae praedictae in manum nostram capta sine dilatione eidem Episcopo restitui faciatis, transgressionem memorati Metropolitani nobis factam admittendo ipsum Electum sine assensu nostro, secundum qualitatem ejusdem puniendo. Teste meipso apud Westm. 12. die Febr. The Pope at the King's request sending two Legates one after another into England, to reform and settle Peace in the Realm between him and his Barons, I shall relate their proceedings pertinent to my History, out of our Historians and Records. GUido Cardinalis Sabinensis vocatus, à Papa Vrbano in Angliam destinatus, ut An. Dom. 1265. Mat. Westm. p. 342, 343. ibidem Legationis Officio fungeretur, juxta mare in villa, quae nuncupatur Bononia, traxit moram, eo quod terram ingredi non poterat Anglicanam propter manifestam contradictionem Baronum, et Episcoporum responsionem sophisticam: sententiamque excommunicationis protulit in rebelles, et ad Curiam Romanam, unde venerat, est reversus. Factus est pater patrum, petente Rege Henrico, & destinavit in Angliam, per Consilium Cardinalium Ottobonum, sancti Adriani Diaconum Cardinalem, qui cum rubeis in Angliam veniens indumentis, in Ecclesia W●stmonasteriensi, congregato Concilio, fecit mandata Apostolica publicari, qui suae legationis fungens Officio, sententiam in Regis adversarios fulminavit. * Page 970. Excommunicantur Episcopi & ubii qui Simoni faverant Rishanger the Continuer of Matthew Paris writes, Ottobonus Legatus vocato Concilio apud Northamtonam, sententiam excommunicationis tulit in omnes Episcopos et Clericos qui Comiti Simoni contra Regem praestiterant auxilium, vel favorem. Et nominatim, Johannem Wintoniensem, Walteram Wygorniensem, Henricum Londinensem, Stephanum Cisterciensem Episcopos: Wigorn. citò post obiit viliter. Reliqui vero tres praefato Episcopi Romam profecti Domini Papae gratiam expectabant. Eadē igitur sententia, caeteros quosque Regi adversantes publicè innodavit. Ibi etiam concessionem de decima Ecclesiae Anglicanae, solvenda Regi per septem annos proxime sequentes, publicavit. Processu vero temporis, Henr. Londinemsem, Johannem Wintoniensem. & Stephanum Cicestrensem, qui partem adversariorum Regis fovebant, ab Officio et beneficio suspendebat, et quia apellationis fungebantur remedio, jussit quod infra trimestre tempus se Papae conspectui praesentarent, qui ad Curiam venientes, fortunae casus volubiles expectabant. Dominus Lincolniensis Episcopus, fortè sibi pacem redimens propter tempus, misericordiam non judicium impetravit. Dominus Walterus Wygorniae antistes, in Articulo mortis positus, se dicebat errasse fovendo partem Simonis de Monteforti, et super hoc literas ad legatum direxit, petens beneficium absolutionis, quod obtinuit, An. 1265. p. 339, 340. et decessit. * Matthew Westminster, writing, De Provisionibus, imo de proditionibus, Oxon. Lewens. & Londinen. quae variis aequitatis & justiciae fictionibus dealbatae, intus autem plenae versutiae provisores suos pessime praediderunt. Subjoins this passage relating to some Monks, Bishops, who were the principle contrivers of these Provisions, and encouragers of the Barons in their Wars against the King, whereof he would have the King take special notice, as worthy his admiration. * Mat. Westm. An. 1265. p. 339. Sed illud praecaeteris oportet inserere super quo regia celsitudo mitatur, quod quidam, quorum conversatio in caelis esse describitur, omnia relinquentes pro Christo, cum Petro Christum, in Christi vicario Petrum, in Petri successore Clement, Christum Deum suum Principem sunt hactenus persecuti, aedificatum a dicti Regis rebellibus parietem, quem Apostolica praecepit authoritas in sui novi operis initio demoliri, suis praedicationum et approbationum blanditiis linientes, non attendentes, ut decet, quantis privilegiis et honoribus ipsos Romana decoravit Ecclesia, quam parvulam sui ordinis plantulam de valle Spoletana translatam, idem Rex ad perfectam et spatiosam vineam in tot Castris et urbibus dilatatam fovit, coluit, et rigavit; utinam praecisis vitulaminibus spuriis recipiant palmites incrementum, et cultori suo reddant uvas de caetero, non labruscas. The King after the battle of Evesham, and dissipation of all the Baron's forces, was pleased by this * See Mat. West. 1266. p. 344. accord made in the Parliament held at Kenillworth to refer the cases and compositions between him and the Barons, Bishops, others who were and had been, against him, to certain Commissioners, whereof the Pope's Legate was chief. COme nostre Seignor Hen. par la grace Deu Rois de Engleterre, lan de son coronement Pat. 50 H. 3. m. 9 dorso. cinquantissime, as octaves de lassumpton nostre dame, â la request, le honorable pere sire Ottobon Legat. de Engleterre, son Parlement eust semens a Kenelleworth, accorde & graunt fit per cōmun assent, & par commun conseil des Evesques, Abbes, Priors, Contes, Barons, & tuz autres ke sis persones suz escites, ceoest à savoir, le Evesque de Excestre, levesque de B. le Eslit de Wirecestr. sires Alyne la Zusche, sire Rog. de Summery, & sire Robert Walerand, par lur serement qe illokes firent, eslisent autres sis qui meeins seient en sospescon, & meuz sachent & voillent solonc lor entendement, des queus li seven sera Prelaz. & les cync seront Chevalers, & ices doze jurront for seinz Ewangilles, ke dreiturelment leaument & entertinement, purveront ceo qe il entenderont qe mesters està la pes de la terre reformer, & affermer, nomeement de ceo kapent alfet & al estatdes desheritez pur acheson de la gwerre qe à este nagaires en Engleterre Sauve lestat le Roy & sa dignite. Et si par aventure les dosze ne se puissent accorder en aukune chose, ka ceste bosoigne appende & li avauntdit Legat & sire Henr. Dalimaigne seient apelez as avant diz doze. Et ceo qe la partie aura porveu a ki le avauntdit Legat & sire Henr. Dalemaigne ensemblement assentiront seit ferm & estable. Et si par aventure avenist ke tuz les dosze sejent en accord rien tiendirot, ne rien ne●eront ejnz ceo kil ejent mostre al Roy & al Legat, & mesire Henr. Dalemaigne, a la quel chose le Reis appelera ceaus quil voudra, & ceo à quei li Reis, & li Legat, & li Legat & sire Henr. sacorderont ou adresceront seit ferm & estable. Et si les sis sont en descorde des●ire les autres sis, cele partie teigne a ki le Legat & sire Henr. se tendront. Et si par aventure nul des dosze morust avaunt ke ceste chose feut terminee, ceaus qui demmorront en vie eient poeir des●ire autres en lieu des morz; issi ne porquant kil i eit quatre Praelaz & oyt Chevelars, Efet a saveir ke ices dosze unt poeir de porveer & dorden jesqua la feste de tuz seinz prochein avenir. Et si ceaus qui serrount appellez a la pes le Roy per cest ordeinment ne viegnent a les pes dedenz quaraunte jors puis kil sera poplee, partuz les contez per le Roy ou per le Legat, de cele hore en avanut ne soit receu a le pes per cest ordeinment. En testmoignage & en establete de ceste chose les avauntdiz, seignors li Reis & le Legat & sire Edward fiz le Rey, & le Conte de Gloucestr. à ceste Lettr. unt mis ler seaues Donee a Kenilleworth, le 31. Jor. de Aust. Lau del Incarnation nostre Seignour Mil deus Cenz & seissaunte sisme. To this award * Mat. West. p. 344. Rex primo, postmodum Clerus & populus juraverunt, quod dictum ipsorum inviolabiliter observarent, Dictum Kenelworthe. The King likewise appointed special Proctors in the Court of Rome concerning this affair; giving Protections and safe conduct to all Bishops, Clerks, and others who should repair to the Legate to make their peace or submit to his Justice and determination; thus recorded in the Patent Rolls. SAnctissimo in Christo Patri ac Domino Clementi divina providentia summo Pontifici. Pat. 50 H. 3. m. 24. intus. De procuratorio in Curia Romana. H. eadem gratia Rex Angliae, Dominus Hyberniae, & Dux Aquitaniae, pedum Oscula beatorum. Paternitatis vestrae dominationi, tenore praesentium notum fiat, quod nobis facimus, ordinamus & constituimus dilectos familiares nostros Willum de Chanent Decanum Ecclesiae beati Martini London. & Willum Bonquer Procuratores nostros & nuncios nostros speciales, utrumque eorum in solidum, ita quod non sit melior conditio occupantis, ad exponendum & referendum sanctitati ve●trae, dampna, injurias oppressiones & gravamina occasione turbationis in Regno nostro nuper habitae, nobis illata, ad petendum, impetrandum & recipiendum generalia & specialia pro nobis & jure nostro, ac utilitate et honore nostrae Regiae dignitatis; et ad postulandum, & impetrandum specialiter gratias & indulgentias, & subsidium oportunum ad relevationem & meliorationem status nostri & Regni nostri praedicti, à vestrae Clementia sanctitatis. Ratum habituri & firmum quicquid ipsi ambo, vel eorum alter qui praesens fuerit, nomine nostro fecerint vel fecerit in praemissis, vel aliquo praemissorum. In cujus, etc. REX Omnibus Ballivis, etc. salutem. Intelleximus quod Venerabiles Patres Pat. 50 H. 3. m. 22. intus. Pro Episcopis London. & Cicestr. de conducta suo. Episcopi London. & Cicestr. coram Venerabili O. Sancti Adriani Diacono Card. Apostolicae sedis Legato, Volente procedere super quibusdam Articulis contra eos, publicè protestati fuerunt, quod ea quae erant ad sui defensionem & excusationem, timore nostro & nostrorum proponere non audebant. Et licet potuissent ipsi prius & quilibet alius coram praefato Legato suam prosequi justitiam, & ut liber suis defensionibus & excusationibus, absque nostra & nostrorum indignatione vel offensa, ex abundanti tamen praedictos Episcopos & alios quoscunque etiam Clericos & Ecclesiasticas personas, tam religiosas quam alias suscepimus & suscipimus in salvum & securum conductum nostrum, in veniendo ad praedictum Legatum in Anglia pro sua justiria prosequendo, & aliis suis negotiis expediendis morando, & ad partes suas redeundo. Et ideo vobis mandamus quod praedictis Episcopis, advocationibus eorum, Procutatoribus & Clericis, nec non & aliis Ecclesiasticis personis inveniendo ad praedictum Legatum, morando & redeundo, sicut predictum est non inferatis dampnum, etc. In cujus, etc. dur. sine termino. REX Omnibus Ballivis &c, salutem. Sciatis quod suscepimus in salvum & Pat. 50 H 3. m. 12. dorso. securum conductum nostrum exhaeredatos de partibus borealibus, vel Nuncios eorundem, quos Venerabilis Pater O. sancti Adriani Diaconus Card. Apostolicae sedis Legatus in Literis patentibus duxerit associandos, inveniendo ad ipsum Legatum ad tractandum de pace & reconciliatione sua, morando, & redeundo. Et ideo vobis mandamus quod eisdem exhaeredatis vel eorum Nunciis, quos praedictus Legatus in Literis suis patentibus duxerit nominandos, in veniendo, morando & redeundo sicut praedictum est nullum inferatis vel inferri permittatis injuriam, molestiam, dampnum, aut gravamen; Dum tamen nobis aut aliquibus de fidelibus nostris interim dampnum non inferant, nec inferri procurent. In cujus rei testimonium has Literas nostras fieri fecimus patentes, duraturas usque ad diem Mercurii in crastino beatae Margaretae Virginis prox. futur. & per totam eandem diem. Teste Rege apud Kenillworth 5. die Julii. * An. 1295. p. 330, 331. 333, 334. 336, 337. 342. Matthew Westminster relating the chief Causes of the Civil wars between King Henry and his Barons, that the Bishops were the principal Advisers, Fomentors thereof, and of the Ordinance of Oxford, gives us a more particular account of this Cardinal's proceedings in the close thereof. In diebus illis provisionum Apostolicarum in Ecclesiasticis Beneficiis Angliae multitudo succrevit, & pro commercio regni Apuliae, exactionis debiti, tam mercatorum quam Romanae Ecclesiae jugum grave. Haec sunt illa discordiae incentiva inter alienigenas et indigenas, tam nobiles quam praelatos, quorum pauci reipublicae, plures invidiae, plures ambitionis movebantur affectu. Colligerunt etiam pontifices, ne dicam Pharisaei, consilium adversus Christum Domini, regem suum, dicentes. Videtis quia nihil proficimus, si sic regem dimittimus, Uenient Romani, et tollent nostros loculos cum argento. Constituamus ergò 24. seniores in circuitu chroni ejus, qui exclusis Parthis, Medis & Elamitis, adven●sque Romanis, liberantes Jerusalem ab Aegyptiaca servitute, negotia regni singula & universa disponanc, primos in coenis accubitus & salutationes in foro tamen regiae magnificentiae reservantes. Whereupon they made their Ordinances of Oxford, to which they compelled the King, Prince Edward, and all others to swear under pain of perpetual imprisonment. Aethelmaro Winton. electo, & Gulielmo de Valentia, dicti regis fratribus uterinis, & pluribus aliis, inchoa●ae factionis exordio resistentibus, expulsis de regno pariter & bannitis. Vniversi et singuli alii Praelati, Comites et Barones, de infidelitate hujusmodi fideliter observanda, corporale praestiterunt juramentum, et lata est ab omnibus Archiepiscopis et Episcopis regni, excommunicationis sententia in rebelles. Porro qua fronte patres conscripti, senex ille Wigorn. antistes, et quidam alii praelati, conscientiarum patres et judices, subversioni Nota. regiae potestatis gratis praestitere consensum, admiratione non caret, cum de terreno honore, dicto regi et haeredibus ejus servando, corporale praestiterint juramentum: quod ordinando ne unquam regerent, sed semper ab aliis regerentur, pessime servaverunt. Si enim prodigalitas intolerabilis, vel defectus regis ipsius, evidenter exigeret operam cura●oris: nusquam cavetur divinis legibus aut huma●●s, ut ●itio vel defectu cessante, poenatranseat in haeredes, etc. Et cum inter regem Angliae & adhaerentes ei ex parte una, & Comitem Le●ce●●r●ae, & complices suos ex altera, per quosdam mediatores solennes, de pace diutius tractaretur, tandem super omnibus controversiis ortis, occasione provisionum Oxon. fuit à partibus in illustrem Regem Francorum compromissum ●e dicto ejus, ad altum & bassum firmando, corporali praestito juramento, prout in instrumento super hoc confecto, omnium praedictorum sigillis signato, plenius continetur. Cumque Dominus Rex Francorum, summi pontificis inhaerens vestigiis, provisiones et ordinationes hujusmodi, & quicquid statutum fuit ex eis, arbit●ia potestate ●assasset: Comes Leicestrae & ejus complices & fautores, praesumpserunt eas, nihilominus sustinere, dicto Regi Franciae & praeceptis ejus in omnibus & per omnia resistentes; demolientesque cum Wallensibus Castra domini Regis fidelium, associatisque sibi Lond nensibus, violationes Ecclesiarum & depredationes, & macerationes personarum Ecclesiasticarum, Christianorum & Judaeorum caedes & incendia, sine delectu conditionis aut sexus, aetatis aut ordinis, perpetrantes. Et cum abominationis hujus clamor, quotidianis afflictorum gemitibus et querelis, ascenderet ad praedictos principes sacerdotum, omnes quaerentes quae sua sunt, non quae Christi, inventi sunt proculdubio canes muti, valentes sed nolentes latrare. Yea he adds; Episcopus Cicestrensis, die praecedente praelium Lewense, Comites Leicestriae & Gloverniae contra Dominum Regem suum praeliaturos, ab omnibus peccat is dicitur absoluisse. Cumque per Londin. Winton. & Wigorn. & quosdam alios Epipiscopos Cantuariae Provinciae Episcopo Sabinensi Cardinali tunc Apostolicae sedis Legato fuisset instantius supplicatum, quod pacem novam ●●●cabili consensu partinm ordinatam promovere curaret, omnibus Episcopis, Comitibus & Baronibus consentientibus, & instrumento super hoc confecto apponentibus ●igna sua, ipse dictos Episcopos, pro eo quod tantae d●pressioni regiae potestatis consentire praesumpserant, graviter reprehendens. Et quia ei non patebat ingressus in regnum, publicis edictis Bononiae propositis, eos citare curavit, ut super regni negotiis tractaturi cum eo, tertio die Bononiae comparerent. Quibus dictis die & loco, & ultra diem, diutius expectatis, nec per se, nec perprocuratorem curantibus comparere, Legatus eos à divinorum celebratione suspendit: In praedictos vero Leicestriae & Gloverniae Comites, & eorum complices, Civitatem Londini, ●t quinque pontus, qui transitum ejus in Angliam manifestè praesumpserant impedire, excommunicationis et interdicti sententias promulgavit. Sed dicti Episcopi, Comites & Barones & cae●eri, gravaminibus quibusdam * Confictis. confectis ad sedem Apostolicam, & si necesse fuerit, ad Consilium generale, et ad Ecclesiam, tam triumphantem, quam militantem, per Wigorn Cicestren. & Elien. officiales, legis peritos, & scibas ultra l●gale● et canomcas observantias appellantes, excommunicationes hujusmodi non curarunt, sed de gladii Martialis tuitione confisi, spirituali gladio par vipenso, usque ad adventum Domini * Othobonis. Othonis Cardinalis in Angliam, immiscere se divinis obsequiis praesumpserunt. So little did they esteem the Popes or his Legates Excommunications or Interdicts. * Mat. Paris Edit. Londini. p. 995, 1001. Godwins Catalogue of Bishops p. 363, 364. Walterus Cantilupo Bishop of Worcester, the night before the Battle of Leweys, (Anno 1264.) Comiti Simoni, et omnibus suis peccatorum absolutionem impendens, jussit ut in remissionem peccatorum pro justitia illa die viriliter decertarent, promittens omnibus taliter morientibus, ingressum Regni coelestis. Notable Episcopal Divinity, to encourage Rebels to fight manfully against their King; neither was he singular therein, for * Mat. Paris. p. 966▪ 967. Robert Grosthead Bishop of Lincoln did the same before him, of whom Matthew Paris his Continuer renders us this account, that Comes Simon (the Baron's General and chief Champion against the King) Lincolniensi Episcopo adhaerere satagebat, eique suos parvulos tradidit nutriendos. Ipsius consilio tractabat ardua, tentabat dubia, finivit inchoata, ea maxime, per quae meritum sibi succrescere aestimabat. Qui quidem Episcopus dicitur injunxisse sibi in remissionem peccatorum, ut hanc causam, pro qua certavit usque ad mortem, sumeret; asserens pacem Ecclesiae Anglicanae, (sine) gladio materiali non posse firmari, et constanter affirmans, omnes pro ea morientes martyrio coronari. Dicunt quidam, quod Episcopus aliquando manum ponens super caput primogeniti dicti Comitis, dixit ei, O fili charissime, tu & pater tuus ambo moriemini uno die, unoque mortis genere, pro justitia tamen & veritate, being both slain in the Battle of Evesham, in rebellion against King Henry, to which these ghostly Fathers thus animated them. In hora mortis ejus fiebant tonitrua & fulgura, & tanta obscuritas, ut plurimos ducerent in stuporem; an ill presage of his passage to heaven, though maximè fidus in orationibus Religiosorum, Ecclesiasticis magnam semper impendens reverentiam, who animated him in his rebellions, and brought him to a tragical death in conclusion. Othobon the Pope's Legate having made an accord between the King and his Commons in the Parliament at * See Mat. West. An. 1266. p. 344. Contin▪ Mat. Paris p. 973. Walsingham, Ypodigmu Neastr. An. 1266. See Holinshed▪ Grafton, Speed, Daniel. Mat. Paris Hist. p. 971, 972. Legatus mittit ad exhaeredatos in insula Elyensi congregatos. Kenillworth, An. 1266. the 51. of his Reign, printed in the Statutes at large, to which I refer you, and Pat. 50. H. 3. dorso 9 The Legate thereupon, as Rishanger in his continuation of Matthew Paris his history, and others relate sent a peremptory message to the disinherited Barons and others, to submit thereto; who rejecting this ordinance and award, returned this answer, showing how much they slighted him and the Pope's authority, and their proceedings against them. Eo tempore exhaeredati latitantes in insula Elyensi, per Nuncios Legati admoniti sunt, ut reverterentur ad fidem et unitatem sanctae matris Ecclesiae, et obedientiam Romanae Curiae, et pacem Regis, secundum formam provisam, et susciperent absolutionem de sententia in eos lata, juxta formam Ecclesiae, et ne ampliores roberias et damnationes facerent, sed et de ipsis restitutionem facerent clero et Ecclesiae. Responsio. Ad primum respondent exhaeredati, quod firmiter tenent eandem fidem, quam didicerunt à Sanctis Episcopis; Sancto Roberto, & Sancto Edmundo, Sanctoque Richardo, alii que viris Catholicis, & quod credunt & tenent articulos fidei, qui in symbolo continentur. Evangelio quoque, & Ecclesiae Sacramentis sicut universalis Ecclesia tenet & credit, & ipsi credunt, & propter hanc fidem mori, & vivere sunt parati. Responsio. Ad secundum dicunt, quod obedientiam habent Ecclesiae Romanae sicut capiti totius Christianitatis, sed non cupiditatibus & exigentiis voluntariis eorundem qui gubernare debent ne eandem. Et addunt, quod praedecessores sui, quorum ipsi sunt haeredes terram istam * See here p. 700. conquesierunt per gladium, et ideo visum est eis, quod injuste exhaeredati sunt, et hoc fit per Legatum. Vnde hortantur eundem, ut istud faciat emendari. Responsio. Ad tertium dicunt, quod Legatus missus est in Angliam, ut pacem faceret, sed magis bellum manu tenet, quia manifeste parti Regis adhaeret, et eam fovet. Et in quantum sic facit, bellum sustinet. Item dicunt, quod forma praevisa nulla est, praecipue quoniam Papa dederit in mandatis Regi et Legato, ut nullus exhaeredaretur: unde hortantur Legatum, ut hoc faciat emendari. Responsio. Ad quartum dicunt, quod primum juramentum fuit ad utilitatem Regni et totius Ecclesiae, et omnes Praelati Regni excommunicationis sententiam fulminaverunt in omnes contravenientes: unde adhuc stant in eadem voluntate, et parati sunt mori juramento eodem. Vnde hortantur Legatum, ut revocet sententiam, quam ipse tulit, alioquin appellant ad sedem Apostolicam, et etiam ad generale concilium, vel, si necesse foret ad summum judicem. Responsio. Ad quintum dicunt, quod cum militant pro utilitate Regni & Ecclesiae, oportet eos vivere de bonis inimicorum suorum, qui detinent terras eorum. Ideo hortantur Legatum, ut illis faciat restituti terras suas, ut necesse non habeant depraedari. Responsio. Ad sextum dicunt, quod multi discurrentes circumquaque faciant roberias multimodas ex parte Regis & Edwardi, & dicunt, se esse ex parte exhaeredatorum ut ipsos diffament, & se ipsos excusarent; & ideo monent Legatum, ne talia referentibus fidem tribuat, quia si quenquam in hoc scelere inter seipsos inveniret facerent de tali judicium sina mora. Interim exhaeredati significant Domino Legato, quod irreverenter ejecit à Regno Exp●stulationis Exhae●edato●um. quasi totius Regni consilium, Episcopum Wintoniensen, Episcopum Londinensem, Episcopum Cicestrensem, viros utique consilio & prudentia circumspectos. Quamobrem Regni Consilium in maxima parte debilitatur, & Regnum dilabitur, quia Legatus bona Episcopatuum sibi usurpat, et per absentiam consilii exitium induxit status terrae, et ideo monent Legatum, ut haec faciat emendari. Item significant Legato, ut moneat Regem, quòd alienigenas de consilio suo amoveat, per quos terra captivatur. Monent etiam Legatum, ut terrae suae restituantur eisdem sine redemptione, & ut Provisiones Oxonienses teneantur, & ut obsides eis liberentur in Insulam, ut possint eam pacificè tenere per quinquennium, donec viderint qualiter Rex omnia promissa fecerit observari. Item significant Legato, quòd Abbatiae & aliae domus Religiosorum aedificatae sunt de bonis praedecessorum suorum, quae nunc per extorsiones & tallagia Regis & Legati destruuntur, & ideo nequeunt fieri eleemosynae & hospitalitates, sicut solebat. Ideò monent Legatum, ut hoc emendetur. Item significant Domino Legato, quod Ecclesiae Regni Angliae collatae sunt alienigenis qui sunt inimici terrae, et bona Ecclesiastica quibus naturales terrae vivere deberent et suffentari, in partes transmarinas asportarunt. Et ideo indigne periclitantur, non tantum in corpore sed in anima. Nam pastores non habent, nisi sacerdotes conductitios, qui pro minori pretio possunt conduci: Ideo monent Legatum, ut hoc faciat emendari. Item significant Legato, quod decimae, quae exigentur a clero, non debent dari, eo quod terra destructa est per regales, et per commune bellum, et terra jacet inculta, et fructus nulli proveniunt, unde populus fame moritur. Rex et Legatus exasperati his responsis anno sequenti Insulam obsiderunt. The Barons and disinherited persons returning this answer to the Legate who was much incensed with it; The King thereupon feasting the Cardinal, and placing him in his Royal Throne, to the great offence of his subjects, by his advice summoned a Parliament to subdue them by force; wherein he demanding an aid and assistance both of men, monies, and a Disme from the Bishops, Abbots and other Prelates, who held of him Lands and Baronies, they likewise returned him a very peremptory answer, thus related. Rex venit Londinum, ad celebrandum festum Sancti Edwardi Regis, prout moris ejus fuerat cunctis annis. Igitur multis convocatis Ecclesiarum Praelatis, simul Mat▪ Paris. Hist. p. 969, 970, 971. cum Baronibus, festum illud cum grandi gaudio solemnizavit. In prandio vero Legatum in sedili Regio collocavit, singulis ferculis prius appositis coram eo. An unkingly condescension and flattery in the King, but a greater insolency in this proud and Royal Legate to accept of; who to requi●e this transcendent honour, presently excommunicated all that were in arms against the King. Soon after, Rex citari fecit Comites & Barones Archiepiscopos, Episcopos, & Abbates, omnesque communiter militare servitium sibi debentes, ut apud Sanctum Edwardum, equis & armis sufficienter instructi, convenirent, ad impetendum eos, qui contra pacem Regiam occupaverant insulam Elyensem. Comes autem Gloverniae, caeteris mandato parentibus, in confinio Walliae congregans exercitum copiosum ad inimicos suos persequendum, venire supersedit. Mittuntur ergo Legati, Johannes de Warenna, & Gulielmus de Valentia, qui illum ad Parliamentum venire monerent: sed nihil quidem profecerunt, propter id quod ejus acceperunt patentes literas sigillo suo signatas, quod nunquam arma portaret contra Dominum suum Regem nec contra filium ejus Edwardum, nisi defendendo. Inimicos vero suos Rogerum de Mortuo mari, & caeteros pro posse suo suppeditaret. Hoc, ut dicebatur, callide confingebat, quia notam proditionis sibi imponi timebat. Abadunatis, qui ad Parliamentum citati fuerant, praeter rebelles, primo principalirer Rex & Legatus subscriptos articulos exigebant. (By the answers of the Bishops and Clergy whereunto, you may judge of their Loyalty and good affection to the King and respect to the Pope's Legate, the principal continuer of these Proposals.) Ut omnes Praelati & rectores Ecclesiarum decimas sibi concederent, de tribus sequentibus, & de anno proximo praeterito, quantum dabant Baronibus ad custodiendum mare contra alienigenas. Responsio. Ad hoc responderunt, quod bellum incoeptum fuerat iniquam cup iditatem, & durat in praesens, & necessarium esset, hujusmodi petitiones pessimas praeterire, & de pace Regni tractare, & Parliamentum suum ad utilitatem Ecclesiae & Regni convertere, non ad denariorum extorsionem, praecipuè quum terra in tantum destructa sit per bellum, quod nunquam vel saltem serò, poterit respirare. Secundus. Item petitum est, ut Ecclesiae taxarentur per manus Laicorum justa & alta taxatione● ad valorem omnium bonorum spectantium ad easdem. Responsio. Ad hoc respondebatur, quod non est ratio, sed omnino contra justitiam, ut Laici de decimis colligendis se intromittant, nec in hoc unquam consentirent communiter, sed tantum ut taxatio antiqua staret. Tertius. Item ut Episcopi & Abbates, etc. decimam suam darent de Baroniis suis plenariè, & de Laico feudo recta & alta taxatione. Responsio. Ad hoc respondebatur, quod depraedationibus sunt depauperati, & secuti sunt Regem in expeditione, & tanta pecuniarum effusione, quod omnino pauperes sunt effecti & etiam terrae eorum incultae jacebant propter bellum. Quartus. Item petitum est; ut Clerus communiter daret Domino Regi ad relevandum statum suum triginta Millia Marcarum propter▪ antedictas decimas, quas quidem Legatus vendicabat ad opus Romanae Curiae, propter debita Siciliae, Apuliae, & Calabriae contracta in nomine▪ Domini Edmundi filii Regis, modo praesentis. Responsio. Ad hoc respondebatur, quod nihil darent, quia omnes hujusmodi taxationes & extorsiones per Regem factae prius, nunquam in Regis utilitatem vel Regni sunt conversae. Quintus▪ Item petitum est, ut omnes Clerici tenentes Baronias, vel Laicum feudam, personaliter armati procederent contra Regios adversarios, vel tantum servitium in expeditione Regis invenirent, quantum pertineret ad tantam terram, vel tenementum. Responsio. Ad hoc respondebatur, quod non debent pugnare cum gladio materiali, sed sp●●ituali, scilicet cum lachrymis et orationibus humilibus et devotis. (Yet they were the prime authors, fomenters of the Wars in the former Wars between the King and his Nobles.) Et quod propter beneficia sua, tenentur pacem manu-tenere, non bellum. Et quod Baroniae eorum ab eleemosynis puris stabiliuntur, unde servitium militare non debent nisi certum, nec novum incipient. Sextus. Item petitum est, ut Clerus communiter adquietaret novem Mille Marcarum, quas Episcopus Roffensis Laurentius, Episcopus Bathoniensis Willielmus, & Abbas Westmonasterii Richardus, mutuo receperunt à Mercatoribus Papae in Curia Romana, quando fuerunt ibidem▪ pro Regis negotiis expediendis. Responsio. Ad hoc respondebatur, quod nunquam consentiebant mutuationi tanti debiti, nec unquam inde sciebant, unde in nullo tenentur illud adquietare. Septimus. Item petitum est ex parte Papae, ut fieret praedicatio in omni festinatione de Cruce per totum Regnum, ad expugnandum populum, quem Curia provideret, vel ad Crucem perpetuam redimendam. Responsio. Ad hoc respondebatur, quod populus terrae per bellum in magna parte perimitur, & si modo Cruce signarentur, pauci, vel nulli ad defensionem patriae remanerent. Unde manifestum est, quod Legatus vellet naturalem terrae progeniem exulare, ut alienigenae liberius conquirere possint terram. Octavus. Item dicebatur, quod Praelati tenebantur ad omnes petitiones, vellent▪ nollent, propter juramentum de Conventre, ubi juraverant, quod Domino Regni auxiliarentur modis omnibus, quibus possent. Responsio. Ad hoc responderunt. quod quando juramentum fecerunt, non intelligebant de alio auxilio quam spirituali, consilioque salubri. A fine prelatical and Clerical equivocation. How little Gilbert de Clare Earl of Gloucester, esteemed the Pope's Legates Authority, who took more power upon him then the King, possessed himself of his regal Palace and Fort of the Tower of London, promoted, preached this Croysado, excommunicated all the disturbers of the Kingdom's peace and enemies of the King, and interdicted all the Churches in and near London, is thus related by Matthew Westminster, together with the Kings pawning his Jewels to him and giving him power to pawn them, to supply his necessities. Gilbertus de Clare Comes Gloverniae, cum magno exercitu venit Londinum quasi Mat. Westm. Anno. 1267. p. 345, 346▪ Polichronicon▪ l. 7. c. 37. Domino suo Regi auxilium praestiturus, verba pacifica loquebatur in dolo, sicque Civitatem ingressus, ipsam protinus tanquam Dominus occupavit, mandans Nuncias ad Legatum, quod sibi Turrim Londinensem, in qua habitabat, redderet sine mora, et ut posset assequi citius suum velle, prohibuit ne Legato victualia venderentur. Legatus siquidem, tanquam bonus Pastor à bono Pastore directus, veniens ad Ecclesiam Sancti Pauli, Londini, Crucis negotium exposuit coram multis. Quidam ergo corde compuncti, Crucem protinus receperunt, inter quos fuerant Thealdus Archdiaconus Leodicensis, Papa futurus, qu●●n Angliam venerat cum Legato, cui valedicens, iter versus Terram Sanctam arripuit, & Nobilis vir, Thomas de Cla●e, qui spreto consilio fratris sui, Comitis Gloverniae, Regem adiit, & ei fideliter obedivit. Igitur de negogotio Crucis sermone completo, Legatus imperterritus sermonem suum in Comitem Gloverniae convertit, monens ut fidelitatem; quam Regi debuit et sposponderat, observaret, addens, quod sibi reformatori libertas egrediendi Turrim et Civitatem Londini nec etiam victualia debuerant denegari. Salubria Patris monita, indu●ati cordis filius non audivit. Legatus, cum quibusdam nobilibus, Regis fidelibus, clam Turrim Londini est ingressus. judaei non pauci, cum uxoribus et parvulis, post Legatum. In the mean time those who where disinherited, marching out of the Isle of Ely; Monasteria invadentes in eisdem deposita rapuerunt; deposita in Ecclesia Westmonast. abstulerunt. Legatus postmodum in perturbatores pacis Regis et Regni, sententiam excommunicationis generaliter promulgavit, et Ecclesias Civitatis Londinensis, et Civitati continguas supposuit interdicto. In domibus tamen Religiosis, sine strepitu Campanarum et vocis, exclusis pacis perturbatoribus, missas celebrari praecepit. * Polichron. l. 7. c. 37. The Londoners upon the Legates cursing of them and forbidding them the Company of Christian men besieged him in the Tower of London, till many Bishop's armed had him away. Undique vallabant Regem angustiae, adversariorum saevicia, & defectus pecuniae. Initoque consilio, jocalia Ecclesiae Westmonast. imagines f●retri aureas, & lapides praeciosos, in manibus tradidit mercatorum, modicam pecuniam mutuo recipiens pro eisdem, quae tamen tranquillitatis tempore restituit Ecclesiae supradictae. Our Records inform us, that the King being in great want of moneys commanded all his Jewels in the Tower and elsewhere to be delivered to the Pope's Legate, to pawn for what money he could raise upon them, to be reserved in the Tower of London under his custody, and desired his favour for levying the Disme granted him by the Pope, not in such manner and form as the Pope expressed in his Bull, and the Legate in his Commissions, but after the old rate in some Diocese for expedition. REX Legato salutem. Auditis & intellectis hiis quae Magister Willielmus de Clifford Pat. 51 H. 3. m. 24. dors. Clericus noster ex parte vestra nobis exposuit, paternitatem vestram scire volumus, quod quia pro urgentissimis negotiis nostris expediendis pecunia ad praesens, prout nostis non mediocriter indigemus, placet nobis, quod omnia jocalia et alia preciosa nostra, tam in Turri London. quam in Abbatia Westm. existentia, ●obis per Custodes eorundem quibus super hoc scribimus, liberentur ad impignorand. prout expedire videritis pro quanta pecucunia poteritis, ad opus nostrum. Ita quod jocalia & preciosa praedicta sub custodia vestra in ●urri resideant supradicta. Mandavimus enim Custodibus eorundem quod ipsa vobis liberent sine mora. De decima quoque nobis concessa volumus, si vobis videatur expediens: Quod decima illa in Dioc. Wigorn. & Hertf. secundum antiquam aestimationem, per Collectores ejusdem, non obstante aliquo termino prolixiori à vobis super hoc assignato, sine morae dispendio colligatur, salvo nobis pro loco & tempore quod ad nos pertinet ratione concessionis nobis factae de decima memorata. De decima etiam in aliis Dioc. similiter colligenda scripsimus Edw. primogenito nostro, ut de ipsius consilio & assensu & aliorum Magnatum & fidelium nostrorum qui sunt de Consilio nostro facere possumus, quod honori & utilitati nostro in hac parte secundum ordinationem vestram magis Noverimus connire. Ceterum de statu & Libertatibus de London in instanti Parliamento Nostro apud Sanctum Edmundum ordinare curabimus, quod nobis & Civitati praedictae convenientius fuerit faciendum. In hiis autem & aliis quae dilectus Clericus noster Robertas Fulc. lator praesentium vobis dicet ex parte nostra, si placet fidem adhibeatis indubitatam. Teste Rege apud Cantebrigiam octavo die Marcii. REX omnibus, etc. Sciatis quod dedimus potestatem Venerabili Patri O Sancti Ibidem. Adr. Diac. Card. Apostolicae sedis Legato in Angliae, recipiendi omnia jocalia et pretiosa nostra tam in Turri nostra London. quam in Abbatia Westm. existentia, à Custodibus eorundem, ea impignoranda, pro quanta pecunia poterit ad opus nostrum, ad quaedam urgentia negotia nostra inde expedienda, prout nobis magis viderit expedire.,.. Ita quod jocalia & preciosa illa sub ipsius Custodia in Turri resideant supradicta. Ratum habituri & gratum quod ipse super praemissis in forma praedicta duxerit faciendum. In cujus, etc. Teste ut supra. I Read in a Antiquitates Brit. p. 189 190. Matthew Parker, and b Catalogue of Bishops p. 177. Godwin, that John Gernsey, or de Exoniae, made Bishop of Winchester, c Mat. West. Anno. 1262. Ex collatione Domini Papae, was consecrated at Rome, Anno 1262. Where he paid to the Pope 6000. Marks for his confirmation, and so much to Jordan the Pope's Chancellor, (no Simony nor sin at Rome) yet upon his return home this year he was suspended from his Bishopric by Ottobon the Pope's Legate, for taking part against the King in the Baron's Wars, he enjoying his honour so dearly bought but a small time, dying the next year in Italy for grief. Pope Clement the 4th. at the solicitation of King Henry the 3d. by this Bull, wherein he recites all the affronts and injuries done to the King, Queen, Prince, by the Barons, and the several miseries which befell them and the whole Kingdom and Church by those Wars, with the King's extreme want of moneys, and debts by reason thereof, the necessity of supplying him for the better support and defence of his Kingdom, the Churches and people's liberties; especially by the Clergy who had received such bountiful gifts and endowments from him and his Ancestors, granted the Tenth part of the profits and rents of all Archbishoprics, Bishoprics, Monasteries, and all Ecclesiastical persons and orders whatsoever as well exempt as not exempt, within the Realm of England, Wales and Ireland, according to the true improved values, notwithstanding all former Bulls and exemptions to the contrary; authorising Othobon his Legate to Collect it by all manner of Ecclesiastical Censures notwithstanding any Appeals, and by assistance of the Secular arm where need required. Whereupon this Legate having no leisure to Collect it himself; issued Commissions to several other persons to collect this Disme according to the Pope's Bull therein recited, which being very memorable, extant in no printed History, I shall present you with a true Transcript thereof out of one Original Commission of Othobon, which I found in the White Tower Chapel, Magistro Waltero Scamell, Archdiac. Berks, & Magistro Radulpho de Higham, Canonico Sarisburiens. dated 18. Kal. Febr. agreeing verbatim with this recorded in a Cedule of the Charter Roll, Anno 51 H. 3. but only in the Commissioners names, and day of the date, which recites the Pope's Bull verbatim, and worthy publication. OTTO BONUS Miseratione divina sanctî Adriani Diaconus Cardinalis Apostolicae Cart. 51. H. 3. m. 10. in Cedula. sedis Legatus. Discretis viris, Abbatis de Tynterne, & Archdiacono Hereford. Haerefordens. & Laudavens. Dioc. salutem, in salutis Authore. Amaro nimis recolens animo sanctissimus Pater Dominus Clemens Papa quartus Quantâ Regnum Angliae inclytum modernis fuerat temporibus turbatione concussum, quantaque quassatum concussione guerrarum, et eidem Regno tanquam sibi et Ecclesiae Romanae Charissimo piae compassionis affectu compatiens, ac pressuras innumeras quas serenissimus Princeps Dominus H. Rex Angliae illustris, ac Nobilis vir E. ejus primogenitus, et Ecclesiae ac personae Ecclesiasticae et seculares Regni ejusdem iisdem pertulere temporibus, lugubri ment considerans, sollicitudine opportuna ut decet, et prompta opportuniate ut expedit, deliberavit statui Regno depresso, graviter et inique gravato, accommodis remediis providere. Ac pro subventione Regi facienda praedicta decimam partem omnium Ecclesiasticorum reddituum Archiepiscoporum, Episcoporum aliorumque Praelatorum, nec non Ecclesiarum Cathedralium et aliarum Monasteriorum, Domorum, Prioratuum, caeterorumque locorum Ecclesiasticorum, Regularium ac secularium, exemptorum & non exemptorum Regni Angliae, Hiberniae & Walliae. cujuscunque sint Religionis vel ordinis, (Militiae Templi, Hospitalis Sancti Johannis Jerusolomitan. Sanctae Mariae Theotonicorum, Cistercien. Kartusien. ordinis Sanctae Clarae domibus duntaxat exceptis) per triennium de fratrum suorum consilio deputavit. Dans nobis per suas literas in mandatis, ut per nos vel alium, aut alios viros providos et fideles quos ad hoc reputaremus idoneos, dictam decimam quam secundum veram, non secundum antiquam extimationem reddituum et proventuum praedictorum per quod hujusmodi extimatio frequenter pro varietate temporum variatur, idem Dominus exigi vult et mandat, in supradictis Regno et locis diligenter colligi faceremus, ejusdem Regis et Regni utilitatibus profuturam, prout in ejusdem Domini Papae Literis ad nos directis plenius continetur, quarum tenor talis est. Clemens Episcopus servus servorum Dei, dilecto filio O. sancti Adriani, Diac. Card. Apostolicae sedis Legato, salutem, & Apostolicam Benedictionem. Quantâ Regnum Angliae inclytum fuerit hiis temporibus turbatione concussum, quantaque sit guerrarum concussione quassatum, amaro animo recolentes, eidem tanquam nobis & Ecclesiae Romanae Charissimo, pio compatientes affectu compatimur & ex intimis condolemus: nec minus amaritudine multa percellimur dum pressuras innumeras quam Charissimus in Christo filius noster Rex, & Charissima in Christo filia nostra Regina Angliae illustres, ac nobilis vir Edwardus ipsorum primogenitus, & Ecclesiae & Ecclesiasticae personae Regni ejusdem iisdem pertulere temporibus recensemus. Cujus enim pectus saxeum non anxio repeteret spiritu, non lugubri ment recoleret, qualiter memorati Rex & primogenitus discriminibus bellorum expositi, experti Carceres, mortis frequenter patuêre periculis, ab hiis hucusque solo Dei digito praeservati. Qualiter eadem Regina praefatis Rege viro & primogenito suis quasi orb●ta viventibus, coacta est extra Regnum, paupertatis nihilominus non levi pressa onere, diutius exulare. Qualiter easdem Ecclesias & personas pro libito manus raptoris invasit, ipsarum bona pro velle dirupuit & consumpsit. Ad hujus autem amaritudinis vehementis ardorem, cujusdam etiam nostrae frequentis considerationis inspectio timoris verisimilis adjicit incentivum; dum enim conspicimus attentè meditationis aspectu, tàm grandis turbationis r●liquias non omnino consumptas, sed adhuc graviores quam vellemus & praedictis Regno, Regi, ac suis expediat superesse, tantò amplius tranquillitatem ipsius, prout desideramus nondum plenè firmatam, in antiquae tempestatis angustias recidivare timemus, quanto id eisdem Regno, Regi ac aliis discriminibus guerrarum attritis, bellorum vastitate confectis, laborum diuturnitate lassatis, exinanitis opibus, & oneroso debitorum onere praegravatis, majori posset esse discrimini & efficacioris ingerere pericula nocumenti, cum esse proculdubio soleat recidenti deterius quam cadenti, propter quod sollicitudine opportuna, ut decet, & prompta oportunitate ut expedit, deliberavimus statui Regio depresso, graviter & iniquè gravato accommodis remediis providere, ut plene sui judicii solio restituto, ipse quo fortior sedebit in illo, eo liberius suo intuitu dissipet omne malum, eoque utilius regimini ejusdem Regni et Ecclesiarum ipsius possit defensioni vacare, quo ipse ac sui relevato et gravibus quibus tenentur debitorum oneribus, se suosque subditos, et specialiter sibi asistentes in regimine ac defensione hujusmodi, efficacius poterit in suis juribus confovere. Attendentes itaque quanto idem Rex semper ad * A Character of our late wars & confusions. Ecclesias devotionis Zelo fervet, quantoque studio ipsarum statum prosperum multo fervore zelatus, ac divini cultus intendit augmentum, quam largifluis munificentiis et munificis liberalitabibus ipse ac clarae memoriae sui progenitores inclyti earundem Ecclesiarum statum et substantias augmentarunt; * The principal part of his regal office & care. decens arbitramur et congruum, Nota. eidem Regi de ipsarum Ecclesiarum bonis necessariae subventionis porrigere dexteram, et decenter ac congrue in tantae necessitatis articulo subvenite. Ad subventionem igitur Regis ipsius decimam partem omnium Ecclesiasticorum reddituum & proventuum Archiepiscoporum, Episcoporum, aliorumque Praelatorum, nec non Ecclesiarum Cathedralium & aliorum Monasteriorum, domorum, Prioratuum, caeterorumque Ecclesiasticorum regularium ac secularium exemptorum & non exemptorum Angliae, Walliae & Hiberniae, cujus● cunque sunt religionis vel ordinis, Militiae, Templi, Hospitalis S. Johannis Jerusolimitan, S. Mariae Theotonicorum, Cisterc. Cartufien. S. Clarae Dominibus duntaxat exceptis, usque ad Triennium de fratrum nostrorum Consilio duximus deputandum. Quocirca discretioni tuae per Apostolica scripta mandamus quatenus decimam praedictam, quam secundum veram non secundum antiquam extimationem reddituum et proventuum praedictorum pro eo quod hujusmodi extimatio frequenter pro varietate temporum variatur, exigi Volumus et mandamus, per te vel per alium aut alios viros providos et fideles, quos ad hoc putaveris deputandos, per totum praedictum tempus in supradictis Regno et partibus colligi facias diligenter, in utilitates Regis ejusdem, prout tibi per * Concealed from publick view. alias nostras literas exprimimus dispensandum. Non obstante sialiquibus sub quacunque forma verborum a sede Apostolica sit indultum, quod excommunicari vel interdici non possint, vel quod ad praestationem subventionis vel subsidii alicujus minime teneantur per literas sedis ejusdem, quae plenam et expressam de indulto hujusmodi et toto tenore ipsius de verbo ad verbum non fecerint mentionem, seu quibuslibet privilegiis vel indulgentiis dictae sedis cujuscunque tenoris existant quibus a praestatione decimae proventuum eorundem valeant quomodolibet se tueri, et constitutone de duabus dietis, edita in Concilio generali: contradictores authoritate nostra appellatione postposita compescendo. (All former Pope's Bulls, Privileges whatsoever are here nulled by this Non Obstante) Dat. Viterbii, Quinto Idus Junii. Pontificatus nostri Anno secundo. Quia verò executioni praedicti negotii per nos ipsos intendere, variis & arduis occupati negotiis non valemus, de vestra circumspectione plenam in Domino fiduciam obtinentes, vobis in virtute obedientiae firmiter praecipiendo mandamus, quatenus de universis redditibus & proventibus Episcopatus & omnium Ecclesiarum Landavens. Civitatis & Diocesiis, tam Cathedral. quam aliarum, nec non Monasteriorum etiam exemptorum aliorumque locorum Ecclesiasticorum Regularium & secularium quarumlibet personarum cujuscunque ordinis vel dignitatis existant, (hiis qui expressè à talibus in eisdem literis eximuntur, & Venerabilibus Patribus sacrosanctae Romanae Ecclesiae Cardinalibus duntaxat exceptis) decimam secundum veram extimationem reddituum, et proventuum eorundem, quod intelligimus secundum verum valorem eorum etiam si verus valor ipsorum proventuum ultra taxationem quam fieri mandavimus se extendat, in tribus terminis; tertiam scilicet partem in proximo festo resurrectionis Dominicae, & aliam tertiam in festo beati Johanni Baptistae, & reliquam tertiam partem in festo beati Michaelis proximo subsequentibus ex intregro colligentes, Venerabili in Christo Patri Waltero Eboracen. Electo, quondam Bathon. & Wellen. & discretis viris Magistro Stephano Cantuariens. & Ruffunio Clivell, in Eboracensi Ecclesia Archdiaconis, quos ad eam recipiendam & expendendam, de nostro consilio et assensu pro ipsius Regis et Regni utilitatibus durimus deputandos, fideliter assignatis, contradictores et rebelles per Censuram Ecclesiasticam appellatione postposita compescendo; Invocato ad hoc, si necesse fuerit, auxilio brachii secularis. Et ut praefatum mandatum plenam sortiatur effectum in non solventes, aut fraudulenter vel minus solventes de suis redditibus seu proventibus decimam hujusmodi secundum extimationem praedictam, excommunicationis sententiam ex nunc in scriptis proferimus, eamque mandavimus per vos in omnibus Ecclesiis earundem Civitatis et Diocesis sollempniter publicari singulis diebus Dominicis et festivis. Ad alias graviores paenas spirituales et temporales contra tales nihilominus processuri postquam ipsorum fraus vel contumacia undecunque patuerit in praemissis. Ab illo autem tempore deberi praedictam decimam declaramus & eam pro eodem tempore solvi praecipimus, quo Dominus Papa praefato Regi decimam ipsam provida deliberatione concessit. Dat. Lond. 17. Kal. Febr. Pont. Domini Clementir Papae quarti, Anno secundo. In this Commission and Bull, it is observable. 1. That this Pope and his Legate express an extraordinary compassion, and affection to the King, Crown and Kingdom of England; but it was solely for the extraordinary gains and advantages they received by and from; not out of any cordial affection towards them, as the premises evidence. 2ly. That the Pope takes upon him by his Papal authoty at the King's request, for his and his Kingdom's benefit, as was pretended, to grant the King a three years tenth of the Revenues and Profits of all Archbishops, Bishops, Ecclesiastical or Religious persons and orders whatsoever, as well exempt as not exempt; notwithstanding all former Bulls and Privileges of Exemption by his predecessors, which must be mere Ciphers and Nullities when he pleaseth, so little did Pope's value the power or Bull of their predecessors. 3ly. That his Legate and his Commissioners must have the sole power of Levying, collecting and ordering this Disme, not the King and his Ministers within his own Realm, who must be subordinate to them, and supplicate his favour upon all occasions. 4thly. That it must be taxed not according to the usual but improved values, and levied with greatest severity by all sorts of Censures upon such who refused or neglected to pay it, * Mat. Parker. Antiqu. Eccles. Brit. p. 194. the Pope and his Agents being to share with the King (who had the smallest part) in this as well as in former Dimes of this nature, what ever was pretended to the contrary; The * Here p. 310, 311. arrears of his annual Rent reserved out of England and Ireland, being to be paid out of it in the first place. 5ly. That the Ecclesiastical livings and preferments of the Pope's Cardinals, and creatures within the King's Dominions must be wholly exempt from this Disme, but no other persons whatsoever, though privileged by sundry Bulls of his Predecessors, and all benefit of Appeals from his Legates Censures in it, taxing, collecting, taken away; yea the refusers excommunicated before hand, and their excommunications publicly denounced in all Churches every Lord's day, and Holy day, such than was the Antichristian Tyranny and abuse of Ecclesiastical Censures for secular ends. The King having received this great Boon and Favor from the Pope, writ these complimental Letters of thanks to him and his Cardinals, expressing his extraordinary Obligations to them, his readiness to serve them upon all occasions, his flying to them as his refuge, and depending on their sage advice in all his affairs, ubi domesticae consilia non sufficiunt, desiring themto promote some special extraordinary business concerning him and his Realm, which Sir William Bonquer his Messenger was to communicate to them. DOmino Papae Rex salutem. Multiplex et recensita beneficiorum et Claus. 51 H. 3. l m. 9 dors. gratiarum sedis Apostolicae largitio nobis exhibita, nec non honores et commoda quae a vestrae munificientiae dextera suscepimus et sentimus, animum nostrum crebro saetificant, et jugiter nos excitant et invitant ad laudum praeconia tanto patri praemissorum intuitu exsolvenda, ad quae digne referenda licet nos minus sufficientes reputemus, ad ea tamen quae scimus et possumus plena mentis affectione et totius bene volentiae plentitudine sanctitati vestrae gratiarum referimus actiones; votum nostrum in hac parte, per effectum operis cum Ecclesiae Romanae placuerit, plenius exprimere peroptantes. Caeterum cum pro negotiis arduis & secretis nos & Regnum nostrum tangentibus, vestrae sanctitatis gratiam nobis specialiter requirere sit necesse, dilectum Militem nostrum Will. Banquer, de quo plenè confidimus, & cui intentionem nostram ad plenum revelavimus, ad vestram praesentiam destinamus, piae Paternitati vestrae (de qua post Deum Anchoram fiximus spei nostrae) supplicantes humiliter & devotè, quatenus eundem militem praemissis clementer exaudire, & fidem sibi plenariam adhibere, & ea quae vobis ex parte nostra proponet, ad exauditionis gratiam solita benignitate admittere dignemini. Teste Rege apud Westm. 26. die Januarii. VEnerabili Cetui Cardinalium, Rex Angliae salutem. Inter honores & caetera desiderabilia Ibidem. hujus mundi quae nos & progenitores nostri de manu Domini dignoscimur suscepisse, multimoda beneficia & remedia nobis in variis necessitatis articulis opportuna, quae Sacro sancta Rrmana Ecclesia Mater nostra, auxilio gratiae vestrae, & praecipuè istis temporibus impendere non desistit, frequenter ante mentis oculos reducentes, ad tanta promptae devotionis obsequia nos cernimus. et volumus obligari quod vestris beneplacitis quae fecisse pro maximo gaudio duceremus, et adhuc pro viribus totis desideriis facere cupimus, nos et nostra liberaliter exponamus. Cum igitur ad superexcellentem vestrae paternitatis prudentiam veritatis radiis jugiter illustratam per quam veluti diuturnitate experientiae infallibilis approbatam, universalis Ecclesiae feliciter gubernatur, Reges et Principes per viam rectitudinis et salutis incedunt, Regnorumque negotia pro sui et temporum qualitate, ubi domestica consilia non sufficiunt, salubriter disponuntur; Pro quibusdam nostris et Regni nostri negotiis arduis recurrere nos oporteat, sicut ad tutifsimum spei nostrae refugium, de quo potissime confidentes, vos quanta possumus affectione requirimus et rogamus, quatenus dicta negotia quae per dilectum et fidelem nostrum Willielmum Bonquer, latorem praesentium, tantorum patrum reverentiae reliquimus exponenda, solita benignitate, si placet, habeatis propensius commendata, & ipsa ad praesens favore benevolo efficaciter dignemini promovere. Ita quod vestris beneplacitis, & vestrorum honoribus & commodis in hiis quae Regiae potestatis existunt, gratanti animo futuris temporibus fortius astringamur. Teste Rege ut supra. REX Albo Cardinali salutem. Super gratia & favore quos ex innata vobis benivolentia Clans. 51 H. 3. m. 9 dors. quae erga nos & nostros per operis exhibitionem multipliciter se ostendere non desistit, circa negotia nostra in curia Romana expedienda huc usque multipliciter impendistis, vobis ad quantas possumus gratiarum assurgimus actiones. Regratiamur vobis insuper ex affectu super Curialitatibus & honoribus multimodis quos dilecto & familiari militi nostro W. Bonquer, dum pro negotiis nostris in Curia extitit antedicta liberaliter fecistis, sicut idem W. nobis gratanter retulit viva voce, reverendam paternitatem vestram quam dominus per suam gratiam continere & feliciter prosperari faciat et conservet, rogantes affectu quo possumus ampliori, quatinus praefato Militi nostro ibidem, si placet, benignitate solita, in negotiis nostris quae vobis ex parte nostra duxerit intimanda consilium impendere dignemini pariter & juvamen. Ita quod vestris beneplacitis quae fecisse pro spirituali gaudio duceremus, & adhuc facere peroptamus, futuris temporibus arcius teneamur. Teste ut supra. REX Cardinali salutem. Dum beneficia multimoda et consueta quibus Sacro-Sancta Claus. 51 H. 3. m. 9 Romana Ecclesia mater nostra, inter caeteras sollicitudines suas circa status nostri reformationem remediis invigilans oportunis, & maximè hiis temporibus dignata est sui gratiâ nos respicere liberaliter & juvare, indeficientis potentiae suae, viribus et auxiliis gratiosis Regni nostri solium juxta mentis nostrae desiderium continue laborando, diligenter recolimus et studiosius intuemur, eidem Ecclesiae ad summae gratitudinis et devotionis obsequia, ut tenemur, volumus obligari. Reverendae quoque Paternitati vestrae, cujus favorem & gratiam in praemissis adjutorium nostrum praecipuum nos sensisse recognoscimus, ad quantas possumus gratiarum assurgimus actiones. Cum igitur ad sedem Apostolicam pro quibusdam nostris & Regni nostri Negotiis arduis et secretis, ad quae ibidem procuranda dilectum & familiarem Militem nostrum talem exhibitorem presentium, destinavimus, ad praesens oporteat nos habere recursum, paternitatis vestrae Clementiam, in qua spem & fiduciam ponimus specialem, rogamus affectu quo possumus ampliori, quatinus ad dicta negotia promovenda benignitate solita, erga summum Pontificem velitis efficaciter interponere partes vestras, ita quod nos exindè vestris beneplacitis fortius astricti perpetuis temporibus, ea quae honori vestro, et vestrorum utilitatibus convenerint, prout in votis gerimus, merito facere debeamus. Praedicto etiam Militi nostro de quo plenè confidimus, et cui nostrae intentionis plenitudinem revelavimus, in iis quae super praemissis ex parte nostra sinceritati vestrae reliquimus exponenda, si placet exhibeatis tanquam nostri cordis Nuncio plenam fidem. Teste ut supra. The King having made use of the Pope's Advocate in prosecuting his Suits there in his Court, and not sufficiently rewarded him, sent him this Letter of thanks for his Favour, desiring his future care and diligence in expediting his Affairs, promising him an ample reward with usury for the former delay thereof. REX Sacrosanctae Curiae Romanae Advocato salutem. Prudentiam▪ vestram Claus, 51. H. 3. m. 9 quam circa negotia nostra in praedicta Curia expedienda laudabiliter & strenuè sicut pro certo didicimus, laborasse, & quam propter hoc specialiter commendantes vobis quantas possumus gratiarum referimus actiones, vos rogantes affectu quo possumus ampliori, quatinus circa negotia quae nos tangunt in Curia antedicta juxtà vestrae probitatis industriam, de qua fiduciam gerimus specialem, more solito adeo viriliter laborare velitis, quod vobis ad majorem retributionem, prout in votis gerimus, & Regiae manificientiae convenit fortius astringamur; nec videatur vobis remunerationis nostrae dilatio taediosa; praemia namque vestra quae varia impedimenta contra voluntatem nostram hactenus distulerunt, vobis quam citius poterimus cum usuris reddi copiosius faciemus. Ita quod liberalitatem nostram in hac parte, debebitis merito commendare. Teste ut supra. The King having voluntarily, not of right submitted the Security to be given to him by Gilbert de Clare, to the determination of the Pope (as an Umpire only, not Sovereign Judge) and to appear in his presence by their Proctors at a certain day, constituted Proctors for that end and cause by these Letters Patents. REX omnibus etc. salutem. Cum super quadam securitate nobis à Gilberto de Pat. 51. H. 3. m. 6. intus. De Procuratoribus constitutis Curia Romana. Clare Comite Glouc. & Hertf. praestanda, hinc inde Nos supposuerimus ordinationi et voluntati Sanctissimi Patris in Christo C. Dei gratia, Sacrosanctae Romanae Ecclesiae summi Pontificis certo termino comparendi in sua presentia per procuratores idoneos assignatos, ad audiendum, & acceptandum quicquid super praedicta securitate nobis à praedicto Comite facienda idem sanctissimus pater duxerit ordinandum, discretos viros Magistros Rollan▪ de Lanam▪ & Bonetum de Sancto quintino Clericum nostrum, utrunque eorum scilicet in solidum; ita quod non sit potior conditio occupantis, procuratores nostros constituimus ad praedictam securitatem prosequendam & ordinationem praedicti Sanctissimi Patris super hoc audiendam, & acceptandam, & etiam ad faciendum super praemissis quod eisdem vel alteri eorum expedire videbitur in hac parte, Dantes eisdem & eorum alteri potestatem alium vel alios procuratores substituendi & revocandi eosdem; Ratum habituri quicquid per eosdem procuratores vel eorum alterum, altero absente seu per substitutos factum fuerit in praemissis: Et hoc omnibus quorum interest significamus per has patentes literas sigillo nostro signatas. Teste Rege apud Salop. 26. die Septembris. REX omnibus, etc. salutem. Noveritis quod nos dilectos nostros Magistros Rolland▪ Ibidem. de Lavann▪ & Bonetu●mm de Sancto quintino Clericum nostrimi constituimus & ordinamus procuratores nostros in Romana Curia ad impetrandum & contradicend▪ literas simplices, & legendas, sive jus, sive quantamque gratiam continentes. Ratum habitura quicquid iidem procuratores, seu alter eorum faciend▪ duxerint super praemissis, & in quoscunque judices duxerint consentire. Et hoc omnibus quorum interest (significamus) per has patentes literas sigillo nostro signatas. Teste Rege apud Salop. DOmino Papae Rex salutem & obedientiam filialem. In causis seu negotiis quas Ibidem. vel quae contra G. de Clare Comitem Glouc. & Hertf. habeamus, vel habere intendim us in vestrae Curia Sanctitatis, dilectos nostros Magistros Rolland. de Lavann. & Bonetum de Sancto quintino Clericum nostrum vel alterum eorum Procuratores nostros constituimus ad procedend. ●n praemissis causis seu negotiis prout eisdem vel alteri eorum expedire videbitur justitia mediante. Ratum habituri quicquid per eosdem vel eorum alterum factum fuerit, ut superius est expressum. Et hoc omnibus quorum interest significamus per has patentes Literas Sigillo nostro signatas. Teste Rege apud Salop. 26. die Septembris. The King to defend his Rights in the French Kings Courts, as well against Ecclesiastical as Temporal persons, constituted Proctors for that end by this Patent. REX omnibus, etc. salutem. Sciatis quod nos facimus, & ordinamus, & constituimus procuratores nostros, dilectos & fideles nostros Imbertum Guidonis Pat. 51 H. 3. m 19 De Procuratoribus constitutis in Curia Regis Franciae. & Iterum de Penriis, & quemlibet eorum in solidum, ita quod non sit potior conditio occupantis, in omnibus causis motis & movendis contra nos in Curia Sereniss●mi Principis & Consanguimei nostri Charissimi Regis Francia Illustris à Vencrabili Patre Episcopo & Capitulis Amciens. Ecclesiae, & à Vice-Comitissa Lem. & quibuscunque aliis personis Ecclesiasticis, & secularibus Petragonicem. Lemovic. & Canturcens. Civitar. & Dioc. et in omnibus causis motis & movendis à nobis vel nostris procuratoribus nomine nostro in praedicta Curia, contra praenominatas & quascunque alias personas Ecclesiasticas & seculares, & in omnibus negotiis quae habemus & habituri sumus in praedicta Curia expedire, Dantes eisdem procuratoribus nostris & cuilibet eorum insolidum speciale mandatum & liberam potestatem agendi, proponendi, defendendi excipiendi & requirendi Curiam nostram de personis & rebus nobis subjectis, & de illis quarum cognitio ad nos spectat, jurandi de calumpnia, vel de veritate dicenda, & praestandi in animam nostram cujuslibet alterius generis juramentum compromittendi, et componendi procuratorem, seu procuratores alium seu alios in causis & negotiis supradictis, loco cui substituendi quotiens sibi vel cuilibet eorum placuerit & videbitur expedire. Damus etiam & concedimus eisdem procuratoribus & eorum cuilibet speciale mandatum & liberam potestatem requirendi & recipiendi nomine nostro à Domino Rege Franc. supradicto Cambium competens de personis, terris & rebus aliis quas idem Rex habet in Lemovic. Petragoric. & Cantur. Civit. & Dioc. quas per literas suas vel praedecessorum suorum non potest extra manum suam ponere, & omnia alia faciend. quae faceremus nos vel facere possemus, si praesentes essemus, & quae facere possunt veri & legitimi procuratores. Ratum & gratum habituri quicquid cum dictis procuratoribus vel eorum quolibet, & quicquid cum procuratore vel à procuratore substituto vel substitutis ab ipsis, vel eorum altero in omnibus & singulis causis & negotiis supradictis in instanti Parlimento Pentecostes & omnibus aliis diebus assignatis & assignandis in praedictis, circa vel coram Domino Rege praedicto, pro causis vel negotiis hujusmodi procuratum fuerit sive actum, & volentes relevare dictos procuratores & eorum quemlibet & procuratorem seu procuratores substitutum vel substitutos ab ipsis ab onere satisdandi promittimus sub ypotia rerum nostrarum si opus fuerit, quod absit, judicatum solvi. In cujus, etc. Teste Rege apud Stratford. 16 die Maii. The King having approved the confirmation of a Bishop in Ireland, whereof he had received a Certificate, issued this Writ for the restitution of his temporalties. REX Militibus, liberis hominibus & omnibus aliis tenentibus de Episcopatu Corliagens. salutem. Cum Venerabilis Pater, J. Portunes. & Sanctae Ruffine Episcopus Pat. 51 H. 3. m. 34. intus. De temporalibus restituendis. Electionem nuper factam in Ecclesia Cathedrali Corliagens. de fratre Willo. Monacho de Joriponte in Episcopum ejusdem loci confirmaverit, sicut per literas Patentes ejusdem Episcopi Portunens. plenius accepimus, Nos confirmationem illam acceptantes, temporalia Episcopatus sui cum omnibus pertinentiis suis eidem Episcopo reddidimus. Et ideò vobis mandamus, quod eidem Episcopo in omnibus quae ad praedictum Episcopatum pertinent intendentes sitis & respondentes. In cujus rei Testimonium, etc. Teste Rege apud Kennill, 28 die Novembris. King Henry upon the Complaint of the Archbishop of Canterbury, of lands escheated belonging to the Archbishop, granted by the King and Prince to the Constable of Dover and others, during the Troubles and Wars, against the ancient Rights and Privileges of that Church; issued this Commission of inquiry to right the Church, if found injured therein, upon the Inquisition returned. REX dilectis & fidelibus suis G. de Preston. & Fulconi Payforer, salutem. Monstravit Pat. 51 H. 3. m. 37. dors. nobis Venerabilis Pater B. Cant. Archiepiscopus, quod cum ipse & praedecessores sui Archiepiscopi ejusdem Ecclesiae hujusmodi libertatibus, videlicet quod nullus sine ipsorum licentia & voluntate feoda sua ingredi, aut de eis intromittere posset hactenus sint gavisi, & ipsi annum, diem & vastum, & escaet. de terris forisfactis quae sunt de feodo suo retroactis temporibus habere & inde disponere consueverint, pro suae libito voluntatis Matth, de Bezill. Const. Castri Dovor. quasdam terras & Ten. in Relin. Johannes de Rokely, quasdam terras & Ten. in Tilemanston, & plures alii quasdam alias terras & tenementa alibi quae sunt de feodo praedicti Archiepiscopi, & quae ex donatione nostra habere clamant, de mandato nostro & Edwardi primogeniti nostri, ut asserunt, sine licentia & voluntate ipsius Archiepiscopi tempore turbationis habitae in Regno nostro, sunt ingressi, & ea detinent ad ipsius Archepiscopi non modicum dispendium & gravamen, & libertatis praedictae Ecclesiae praejudicium manifestum. Nos igitur inter caeteras Ecclesias Regni nostri praedictam Ecclesiam in suis juribus et libertatibns confovere volentes, & ei si in aliquo occasione praedicta laesa fuerit specialiter fubvenire; Assignamus Vos ad inquirend. etc. in praemissis diligentius veritatem. Et ideo vobis mandamus, etc. Mandavimus enim Vic. nostro Kanc. etc. Teste Rege apud Kenill. 8. die Novemb The King issued these Commissions for Collecting the Dimes granted him by the Pope. REX Magistro Constantino de Mildhal. Archidiacono Sutbir. salutem. Cum Pat. 52 H. 3. m. 32. intus. D▪ Collectoribus Decimae assignatis. in diversis Diocesibus. Venerabilis Pater O. Sancti Adriani Diaconus Cardinalis Apostolicae sedis Legatus de Assensu nostro Vos assignaverit ad decimam nobis a sede Apostolica concessam in Diocesibus Linc. London. Norwic, Elyen. & Coventr. & Lichfield. colligendam, prout in Literis suis Patentibus quas vobis transmittimus plenius continetur. Vobis rogamus quatinus praedictae Collectioni faciendae diligenter intendatis juxta traditam vobis formam, & prout nobis magis videritis expedire. In cujus, etc. Teste Rege apud Clarendon. 18. die Decembris. Consimiles Literae diriguntur Episcopo Lincolmensi in sua Dioc. Consimiles Literae diriguntur Custodi Episcopatus London. in Dioc. London. Consimiles Literae diriguntur Episcopo Norwic. in sua Dioc. Consimiles Literae diriguntur Episcopo Elyensi in sua Dioc. Consimiles Literae diriguntur Episcopo Coventr. & Lich. in sua Dioc. Consimiles Literae diriguntur Archiepiscopo Cantuariensi in sua Dioc. Consimiles Literae diriguntur Episcopo Roff. in sua Dioc. Consimiles Literae diriguntur Custodibus Episcopatus Cycestr. in sua Dioc. Consimiles Literae diriguntur Custodi Episcopatus Winton. in sua Dioc. Consimiles Literae diriguntur Episcopo Exon. in sua Dioc. Consimiles Literae diriguntur Episcopo Bathon. & Wellensi. in sua Dioc. Consimiles Literae diriguntur Episcopo Wigorn. in sua Dioc. Consimiles Literae diriguntur Offic. Episcopi Hereford. in Dioc. Heref. REX dilecto Clerico suo Magistro Waltero Scamel Arch. Berk. salutem. Cum Pat. 52 H. 3. m. 33. De Collectoribus Detimae incertis Diocesibus Assignatis. Venerabilis Pater O. Sancti Adriani Diaconus Card. Apostolicae sedis Legatus, de assensu nostro Vos assignaverit, ad Decimam nobis a sede Apostolica concessam in Cant. Roff. Cycestr. Wynton. Sar. Exon. Bathon. & Wellen. Wygorn. & Hereford. Civitatibus & Diocesibus Colligendam, prout in Literis suis Patentibus quas vobis transmittimus plenius continetur, Vobis Mandamus rogantes quatinus collectioni praedictae faciend. diligenter intendatis juxta traditam vobis formam, & prout nobis (or ad opus nostrum as some Patents) magis videritis expedire. In cujus, etc. Teste Rege apud Clarendon. 13. die Decembris. Consimiles Literae diriguntur Episcopo Sar. de dicta Decima colligenda in Dioc. Sar. Teste ut supra. The like Letters issued Episcopo Menevensi, Pat. 52 H. 3. m. 25. intus, with this addition at the close, Ita quod diligentiam vestram merito debeamus commendare. Teste Rege apud Westm. 10. die Maii. The King's Proctors in the Court of Rome, borrowing 540. marks sterling money, of foreign Merchants, to expedite the King's affairs there, by his Commission and the Pope's authority, obliged the King and his Successors, and the King's Dimes, obventions, granted him by the Pope out of his Lands and Kingdoms, to pay the same by a certain day, with interest and damages, by this form of Obligation usually made in those days to the Pope's Merchants, (for monies taken up by and for the Pope) who were ready to advance monies upon such gainful terms and grand penalties, upon good security. IN nomine Domini nostri Jesu Christi Amen. Anno Nativitat is ejusdem 1257. Indictione Pat. 52 H. 3. m. 28. dors. prima, Mense Novembr. die quinto, Pontificatus Domini Alex. Papa quarti. Anno tertio, in praesentia mei Noclerii scrunagii ac testium subscriptorum ad haec specialiter vocatorum & rogatorum, Venerabiles in Christo patres Domini Randulfus Archiepiscopus Tarantas & Wellen. Bath. & Laur. Roff. Epis. & Magister Nicholaus de Plumpton. Domini Papae Capellanus, Archidiac. Norff. Nuncii & Procuratores Domini Dei gratia Regis Angliae Illustris, apud sedem Apostolicā constitati, habentes a Domino Papa Alex. 4. potestatem et mandatum mutuum contrahendi pro expediendis, negotiis dicti Domini Regis apud eandem sedem Apostolicam promovendis et expediendis, usque ad summam quingentarum et Quadraginta Marcarum sterlingorum novorum, et obligandi Decimam Ecclesiasticorum proventuum Regni Angliae et aliarum terrarum suarum, ac quascunque alias obventiones eiusdem Regi et Regno et terris eisdem, pro sui voti prosecutione ab Apostolica sede concessas, sicut in ipsius Domini Papae literis inde confectis plenius continetur. Authoritate ipsarum Literarum de consilio Magistri Rustandi ipsius Domini Regis consiliarii Domini Papae Capellani, pro ipsius Domini Regis & Regni Siciliae, & defensionis Civitatis Aquiliae, negotiis confessi sunt & recognoverunt, se mutuo recepisse & habuisse à Canaliante de Lastala, Jacobo Tiberti, & Bartho Gindi, Civibus & Mercatoribus Florent. & Senens. mutuantibus & solventibus, tamprose quam pro Mamecto Spina, Rusichello Cambii, Carlino Tiberti, Jacobo Dernazati, Ildebrando Aldebrandi, Reinerii Bonaccursii, aliisque eorum sociis & concivibus suis quingentas quadraginta marcas bonorum novorum & legalium sterlingorum, tresdecim solid. & quatuor sterlingis pro marca qualibet computatis. De quibus dicti procuratoris se benè quietos & pacatosvocant exceptioni non numeratae, non solutae sibi pecuniae omnino renunciando. Quus praetaxatas quingentas & quadraginta marcas sterlingoram, ipsis vel uni eorum aut ipsorum nuncio, vel socio praesens publicum instrumentum deferenti & restituenti, cum Literis Domini Papae de mutuo contrahendo summam praedictam continentibus, in festo Pentecostes proximo futuro London. apud Novum Templum, per legitimam stipulationem, dicti procuratores dictum Regem praedict pecuniam plene soluturum & redditur. Quod si in dictis loco & termino praedicta pecunia ipsis Mercatoribas, ut dictum est, non fuerit integrè persoluta, extunc in antea stipulatione praedicta promiserunt eis pro dampnorum expensarum & interesse recompensatione persolvere, per singulos duos menses, pro singulis decem marcis praedictis, * Grand Extortion. unam marcam ipsorum sterlingorum etexpensas unius mercatoris, cum uno equo, et uno serviente ubicunque fuerit, usque ad plenam totius dictae pecuniae solutionem, quam praedictam recompensationem damnorum et expens. et interesse antedictis mercatoribus promiserunt, in sortem dicti debiti nullatenus computare, ac non detinere memoratum debitum contra ipsorum mercatorum voluntatem sub praetextu recompensationis praedictae ultra terminum praelibatum. Pro quibus omnibus et singulis supradictis firmiter observandis et plenarie adimplendis, dicti procur. praefatum Dominum Regem et successores suos, eisdem Mercatoribus principales constituerunt debitores, et paratores, et * Nota. decimam Ecclesiasticorum proventuum Regni Angliae et aliarum terrarum suarum, ac quascunque alias obventiones eisdem Regiet Regno, et terris eisdem ab Apostolica sede concessas, specialiter obligando. Renunciaverunt in praescriptis omnibus dicti procuratores ipsius Domini Regis nomine, omni juris et legum auxilio Canonici et Civilis, consuetudini, et statuto privilegio fori, et beneficio restitutionis in integrum, constitutioni de duobus dietis Concilii generalis, omnibus Apostolicis literis, indulgentiis, et aliis quibuscunque a sede Apostolica impetratis, et etiam impetrand. et omni exceptioni, actioni, defensioni, ac rei quae objici posset contra hoc instrumentum vel factum. In hujus itaque rei testimonium, & evidentiam pleniorem praesens instrumentum dicti procuratores suis sigillis roborarunt. Actum Viterbii, coram hiis testibus, scilicet Magistro Anglis dicto Priore, Domini Papae Capellano. Teste Magistro Rustando Domini Papae Capellano. Teste Petro Lamot. Clerico, & Micho Nepote dicti Domini Prioris. Signum; Ego Nocclerus Authoritate Imperiali scruniarii praedictis omnibus interfui, & hoc instrumentum scripsi & complevi rogatus. The King granted this acquittance to the Collector of the Dimes for what he had paid into his Wardrobe. REX omnibus, etc. salutem. Sciatis quod dilectus nobis in Christo Prior Sanctae Pat. 52 H. 3. m. 12. intus. De Priora Sanctae Fretheswid. Oxon. de Decima. Frecheswid. Oxon. nuper Collector decimae nobis à sede Apostolica concessae per praeceptum nostrum liberaverit in Garderoba nostra Petro de Winton. Custodi ejusdem Garderobae apud Wyndes per manum Radulphi le Botiler, Clerici nostri die Martis proxima post festum Sanctae Trinitatis, Anno Regni nostri quinquagesimo secundo, Viginti & unam Libr. arrearag. decimae in Episcopatu praedicto collectae, de primo anno de illis tribus annis quibus Dominus Papa, de eadem decima gratiam nobis fecit, de qua quidem pecunia praedictum Priorem penitus quietamus. In cujus rei, etc. Teste Rege apud Westm. primo die Junii. The King assigned some monies borrowed by his Son Edmund, of the Archbishop to fortify the Castle of Dover, to be satisfied out of the Dimes of the Archbishopric of Canterburry, by this Patent. REX Venerabili in Christo Patri B. eadem gratiâ Cantuar. Archiepisco totius Pat. 52 H. 3. m. 13. Pro Archiepis. Cantuar. totius Angl. Primate. Angliae primati, salutem. Cum dilectus nobis in Christo Prior de Rocestr. n 〈◊〉 r penes vos manuceperit pro triginta & duabus libris duobus solidis, & novem denariis, quos Edmundus filius noster Charissimus à vobis mutuo cepit ad Castrum nostrum Dovor. inde muniend. vobis ad certum terminum reddendis. Nos indempnitati vestrae & ipsius Prioris in hac parte prospicere volentes, volumus & concedimus, quod praedictam pecuniam de decima temporalium Archiepiscopatus vestri recipiatis, praedictum Priorem occasione obligationis praedict. nullatenus molestantes. Et ideo vobis mandamus quod praedictas triginta & duas Libras duos solidos, & novem denarios, de dicta decima recipiatis in forma praedicta. Et nos eandem pecuniam in decima temporalium praedictorum, vobis volumus & faciemus allocari. Teste meipso apud Westm. 30. die Maii anno regni nostri 52. Per R. de Leyburne. The Dean and Chapter of Sarum having compounded with the King, for all the Dimes arising within the Diocese of Sarum, for a 1000 l. a year fine, the King thereupon issued this Patent wherein the agreement is expressed, and granted all the Dimes levied and to be levied to be paid to them, with allowances in some cases, for such sums they would not levy. REX omnibus, etc. salutem. Cum Dominus Radulphus Cancellar. Sar. & Pat. 52 H. 3. m. 9 intus. De Fine pro Decima Episcopatus Sarum. Johannes Rector Ecclesiae de Chalk▪ procuratores Decani & Capituli Sar pro decima reddituum beneficiorum Maneriorum, pensionum & quorumcunque aliorum proventuum Ecclesiasticorum secundum veram estimationem reddituum, benesiciorum Maneriorum & Pensionum eorundem à Domino Papa per Regnum Angliae nobis concessa convenerint, ac promiserint dare & solvere nobis pro tempore gratiae hujusmodi tàm praeterito quam futuro, mille Libras per annum pro Dioc. Sar. Ita tamen quod id quod hactenus de decima ipsa solutum existit, vel aliter allocandum in quantitate praedicta eis allocetur. Ac iidem procuratores pro dictis Decano & Capitulo & Clero Sar Dioc. de dicta quantitate nobis, prout conventum est, cum integritate solvenda Dominos Decanum & Capitulum principales erga nos constituerint debitores. Nos ut indemnitati eorundem Decani & Capituli plenè prospiciatur in hac parte, Volumus & concedimus, quod executores ad decimam hujusmodi colligendam per Dominum Papam, Dominum Legatum, & nos deputati, per se, vel per alios decimam ipsam ab hiis à quibus solvenda fuerit, cum arreragiis praeteriti temporis secundum formam gratiae nobis exinde concessae levari & eisdem Decano & Capitulo, cum integritate persolvi faciant. Ab hiis vero qui certam pecuniae summam nomine decimae hujusmodi dare jam convenerunt, pecuniam sic conventam eisdem Decano & Capitulo, tam pro tempore praeterito, ubi adhuc aretro est, quam futuro solvi faciemus, & quod jam solutum est allocari. Et si aliquis vel aliqui Italici Curiales, vel alii quicunque in solutione decimae hujusmodi Contradictores extiterint et rebelles, qui per ipsos Executores compesci nequeant; Nos per Vicecomites et Ballivos nostros ad requisitionem seu denunciationem Decani et Capituli praedictorum ipsos ad hoc distringi faciemus et compelli. Et si nec fortè eo modo pecunia levari poterit, aut fortè nos aliquibus personis qui ad dictam decimam teneantur remittendo seu componendo gratiam fecerimus, de eadem hoc pro rata personas hujusmodi contingente dictis Decano & Capitulo allocabimus in solutione sua supradicta. Ita quod tantundem subtrahatur de quantitate supradicta. Done a Woodstock le sezime jur de July le Ann. etc. The King made almost the like composition with the Dean and Chapter, Abbots and others of the Diocese of Bath and Wells, for 500 marks fine and 350 l. 4 s. ob. each year for their own entire Dimes, except two Bishops, as this Patent informs us. REX omnibus, etc. salutem. Sciatis nos concessisse Decano & Capitulo Wellen. Pat. 52 H. 3. m. 2. intus. Pro Decano & Capitulo Ecclesiae Welle de fine pro Decima. Abbatibus, Prioribus & toti caetero Clero Episcopatus Bathon. & Wellen. pro quingentis marcis semel solvendis, quas nobiscum componendo, ob hoc se dare promiserunt, quod ipsi pro gratia Decimae reddituum Maneriorum, beneficiorum, pensionum eorundem nobis per Dominum Papam Clementem quartum, omnium secundum veram aestimationem concessae▪ quieti sunt, pro trecentis quinquaginta libris quatuor solidis, & ob▪ per annum durante gratiâ praedictâ, nec quicquam amplius ab ipsis exigemus occasione dictae decimae in toto Episcopatu praedicto, praeterquam duntaxat de maneriis & proventibus, quae habent Venerabiles Patres Winton. Eathon. & Wellen. Episcopi in Episcopatu memorato. Allocabimus etiam illud quod jam solutum est seu alias allocandum in praedicta quantitate decimae. Ad haec volumus & concedimus, quod executores ad decimam colligendam per Dominum Papam, Dominum Legatum & nos deputati, per se, vel per alios decimam ipsorum â quibus solvendum fuerit, cum arreragiis praeteriti temporis, cum integritate levari faciant, usque ad praedictam summam annuam trecentarum quinquaginta librarum quatuor solidorum & oboli & non ultra, nisi sortè aliqui fuerint ita rebelles, quod dictae Compositioni quingentarum marcarum contribuere noluerint, tunc eos volumus ad decimam secundum veram estimationem omnino compelli, & quod superest in auxilium dictae compositionis dictis decano Capitulo & Clero assignari. Et si aliqui curiales, vel Ytalici, vel alii quicunque in solutione decimae hujusmodi contradictores extiterint & rebelles, qui per ipsos executores ad solutionem compesci nequeant, nos per Vic. & Ballivos nostros ad requisitionem dictorum executorum, ipsos ad hoc distringi faciemus & compelli. Et si nec fortè eo modo pecunia ipsa levari poterit, aut dictus Dominus Legatus nuper in Anglia aut nos eis, qui ad dictam decimam tenentur remittendo seu componendo, aut aliis gratiam fecerimus; de eadem hoc pro rata personas hujusmodi contingente in dicta annua quantitate allocabimus; Ita quod tantundem subtrahatur de praedicta quantitate. Nos etiam eisdem Decano & Capitulo omnem compulsionem & commissionem, quam à nobis vel ab executoribus nobis super hoc datis habere voluerint, contra nolentes contribuere ad dictam compositionem quingentarum Marcarum fieri faciemus. In cujus rei Testimonium has Literas nostras fieri fecimus patentes. Teste meipso apud West monasterium 23. die Octobris anno Regni nostri 52. The King not contented to procure an Aid for himself from the Pope, endeavoured to obtain another for his Brother King of Almain, toward the satisfying of his Debts, as this Record amongst other things attests. REX Regi Aleman. salutem. Benè recolimus qualiter vobis dudum concessimus Claus. 52 H. 3. m. 13. intus. Pro Rege & Rege Aleman. providere in Mille Marc. terrae de Wardis nostris, cum eas in Regno nostro accidere contigerit, & in partem satisfactionis concessionis praedictae, vobis dedimus custodiam terrarum & Haeredum Rogeri de Mubray. Etiam quod vobis promisimus assignare duo Millia Marcarum terrae de terris exhaeredatorum, per quod vobis tradidimus terras & tenementa Adae de Novo Mercato, & quorundam aliorum in partem assignationis ejusdem. Et insuper, quod Londonienses ad pacem nostram recepimus sine Vobis & consilio vestro contra promissionem nostram vobis inde plenius factam, super quo fatemur nos minus benè feciss, et quod erga summum Pontificem super auxilio vobis praestando prout inter nos et vos secretius erat prolocutum, salvis sententia et interdicto viriliter interponemus partes nostras. Et quia super hiis & aliis quae commodum & honorem vestrum contingunt acquiescere volumus, ut tenemur, vobis Mandamus in fide & dilectione quibus nobis tenemini firmiter injungentes, quod in instanti festo Nat. dominicae sitis ad nos apud Winton. nobiscum super praemissis locutur. & idem festum nobiscum celebratur. Nos enim vobis tunc omnia praemissa compleri faciemus pro vestrae libito voluntatis, & rotulos nostros in quibus concessiones nostrae praedictae continentur, & qui sunt apud Novum Templum London. inquiri & ad nos veniri faciemus, prout negotium requirit antedictum, & commodo vestro citius & melius noverimus convenire. Et hoc sicut nos & honorem nostrum & vestrum diligitis, & sicut de vobis prae caeteris viventibus confidimus nullo modo omittatis. Teste Rege apud Merleberg. 20. die Novembris. The King having erected a Chauntery in his Hospital of Basingstok for decayed Priests, within his own Demesne, and commanded Mass to be sung there by virtue of his Royal Prerogative, belonging to his Predecessors Kings of England, ever since the first planting of Christian religion, and Cardinal Ottobons' authority too; issued this Prohibition to the Official of the Bishop of Winchester and others, not to disturb, question or hinder the Guardians or brethren of the Hospital concerning this Chantry, against his said antien Royal Priviledge. REX Magistro N. de Rotland Offic. Winton. salutem▪ Cum ex privilegio Elaus. 52 H. 3. m. 5. dors. Regibus Angliae praedecessoribus nostris et nobis in ipsis * a Nota. prima institutione Christianae Religionis concesso, liberae semper Cantariae in singulis domibus nostris et nostrae fundationis, et maxime in propriis dominicis nostris hactenus habitae sint et obtentae; Ac nos in Hospitali nostro de Basingstok, quod in proprio dominico nostro ad sustentationem ministrorum altaris Christi ad imbecilitatem vergentium fundavimus, authoritate nichilominus Venerabilis Patris O. Sancti Adriani Diaconi Cardinalis interveniente, divina prout convenit, fecerimus et mandaverimus celebrari; dilectionem vestram rogamus, ne Custodibus vel fratribus Hospitalis praedicti super eorum Cantaria praedicta molestiam aut impedimentum inferatis vel procuretis inferri. Vobis insuper prohibemus, ne sicut honorem nostrum et Coronae nostrae conservare tenemini, ipsos contra privilegium nostrum praedictum in placitum inde trahere praesumatis. Teste Rege apud Wodestok 8. die Julii. Consimilis Litera dirigitur Priori de Seleburne hoc adjecto, et ne insuper hiis, quae ex gratia nostra tenetis et habetis, vos ingratos reputare debeamus. Consimilis Litera dirigitur Vicario de Basingestocke. The King out of his extraordinary grace, granted the profits of the Temporalties of the Bishopric of Worcester, of ancient right belonging to him during the vacancy, to Godfrey Gifford his Chancellor Bishop elect thereof, towards the repair of the Houses and Edifices of the Bishopric fallen to decay. REX omnibus, etc. salutem. Licet ad nos de antiqua et approbata Pat. 52 H. 3. m. 12. intus. Pro Electo Wygorn. consuetudine Regni nostri custodia Episcopatuum vacantium et fructus de eisdem vacationis tempore provenientes pertinere noscantur, Pensantes tamen merita probitatis discreti viri Magistri Godefridi Giffardo, Cancellarii nostri ad Wygorn. Ecclesiam Electi, qui per continuum suae familiaritatis obsequium quasi à pueritia, gratum se nobis semper exhibere studuit & devotum; Attendentes insuper quod Domus & Aedificia dicti Episcopatus per negligentem praelatorum praeteriti temporis custodiam dirutae sunt non mediocriter & consumptae, ita quod magna reparatione & sumptuosa refectione indigent in praesenti, ad quae idem Electus, qui nostris insistendo obsequiis, gravibus se ipsum sumptibus & expensis propter maliciam temporis exinanivit hiis diebus, non sufficeret fructus praedicti Episcopatus quos in proprios usus convertere, aut aliter sicut placeret disponere potuimus de eisdem, eidem Electo donamus & concedimus, de gratia nostra speciali. In cujus, etc. Teste Rege apud Wyndes. 30. die Junii Anno Regni nostri 52. The Archbishop of * See here▪ p. 1017. 1018. Cassal in Ireland, having through ignorance, not fraud, malice or contempt of the King, confirmed some elections of Bishops made in his province, before the election presented to and confirmed by the King, did by his special Patent under his Seal, acknowledge this his Error (to avoid a heavy fine and censure) and oblige both himself and his Successors for all time to come, to confirm no Bishop's election, till first certified to and confirmed by the King, and promised to do his endeavour that his Chapter should make the like acknowledgement, thus entered on Record for preservation of the Kings Right and Prerogative. An excellent precedent for all Bishop's guilty of the like or greater encroachments upon the King's Crown, Dignity and Prerogative, to make the like submissions and acknowledgements upon Record, for the King's honour and prevention of future encroachments, upon his Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction and Regal authority. UNiversis praesentes Literas visuris vel audituris David permissione divina Archiepiscopus Pat. 52 H. 3. m. 36. Hibernia. Cassalen. salutem in Domino. Cum nos Electiones de quibusdam in nostra Provincia Cassalen. factas, non in contemptum Regiae dignitatis sed sine fraude et malitia confirmaremus, ignorantes ipsas Electiones prius esse Domino nostro H. Illustri Angliae praesentandas, quam ipsis Electis munus confirmationis impenderemus; idcirco nos propter ignorantiam juris Regii, gratiam ipsius Regis in hac parte assecuti, tenore praesentium, pro nobis et successoribus nostris obligamus et bona fide promittimus, quod nullum de caetero de nostra Provincia Electum authoritate nostra confirmabimus, antequam licentia eligendi a Domino Rege, prout moris est, fuerit petita, ac etiam ipsa Electio eidem Domino Regi fuerit praesentata. Ad hoc etiam apponemus diligentiam quam cito post reditum nostrum commode intendere poterimus, quod litera Capituli nostri super eodem conficiatur, et cui Rex placuerit tribuatur. In cujus rei testimonium sigillum nostrum praesentibus duximus apponendum. Dat. apud Winton. 4 die Novembris. Anno Regni Regis nostri Henrici tertii 52. The Cardinal of Praxedis in Rome, having obtained by colour of a Provision an annuity of 80. Marks by the year from the Archbishop of York, till he should be promoted to a Prebendary of 100l. a year in that Church, and a controversy arising thereupon▪ Othobon the Pope's Legate making an award, that the Cardinal during his life should receive an Annuity of 40. Mark each year out of the Prebendary of Newband, and 60. Marks out of the Prebendary of Wetewang, and that these Prebendaries should be therewith charged into whose hands soever they came; the King by his Patent confirmed this award, so that if the Prebendaries by any avoidance should be in his or his heirs disposal, they should yet be charged with these Annuities. REX Venerabili Patri Archiepiscopo Eboracensi & Capitulo salutem. Cum Dominus Pat. 52 H. 3. m. 5. intus. Pro Decano & Capitulo Ebor. & quibusdam Card. Ancherus titulo Sanctae Praxedis Sanctae Romanae Ecclesiae Presbyter Cardinalis, peteret à Domino Archiepiscopo Ebor. Octoginta Marc. annuas donec esset ei provisum in Ecclesia Ebor. de Prebend. Centum Libr. ratione Prebend▪ de Wetewade eidem Cardinali per summum Pontificem assignatae & per bonae memoriae Godefridum, quondam Eborac. Arch. Th. de Ludeham fratri suo collocatae, & nihilominus Praebenda quae consistat in Ecclesia de ●●eband. à Domino Cancellar. Eborac. vendicaret. Tandem de consilio venerabilis Patris Domini O. Sancti Adriani, Diaconi Cardinalis Apostolicae sedis in Angliae tunc Legati, de voluntate & consensu dicti Domini Cardinalis, pro bono pacis inter ipsum Dominum Archiepiscopum & Cancellarium, memorat alis mota perpetuò concorditer conquievit. Ita quod Praebenda de Newband. ad cujuscunque manus pervenerit, in praestatione annua quadraginta Marcarum maneat onerata; et Praebenda de Wetewang, in praestatione sexaginta Marcarum ad quemcunque pervenerit, oneratu● praefato Domino Cardinali quamdiu virerit solvend. et omni dicti▪ Card. petitione et vendicatione et per hoc omnis litis materia perpetuo sopiatur. Nos igitur pro nobis et haeredibus nostris concedimus, quosi supradictarum Praebendarum vel alterius earum collatio ad nos vel haeredes nostros, per vacationem sedis vel alio modo aliquo tempore devolvatur, in nullum nisi cum praedicto onere transferantur vel transferatur, sed liceat praedicto Capitulo Praebendas vel Praebendam in suis manibus re tinere donec a substituendis Canonicis vel substituendo Canonico de dictis praestationibus statutis terminis solvendis eidem Capitulo idoneo caveatur. Pro quibus praestationibus praedictum Capitulum se praedicto Cardinali ad instantiam Domini Arch. obligavit. In quorum omnium robur & Testimonium has literas fieri fecimus Patentes. Teste meipso apud Eboracum 15. die Septembris. Anno Regni nostri, quinquagesimo secundo. Anno 1268. 9 Kal. Maii. Othobonus Legatus, with the King's consent, apud Sanctum Mat. Westm. p. 348 Contin. Mat. Paris p. 1004. & Holinshed An. 1268. Antiqu. Eccles. Brit. p. 190. Paulum Londini, magnum Concilium celebravit, praesentibus Vniversis Praeiatis Angliae, Scotiae & Hiberniae, in eadem, as Matthew Westminster and others relate. In which Council he thus complains of the general corruption of our Church and Realm in that age, there held by his Legatine authority, making and publishing sundry Constitutions therein for the Regulation of the Clergy and Churches of England, Scotland and Ireland, quae inter jura hujus Regni Ecclesiastica etiamnum observantur, writes Matthew Parker, which I find published at large by * Constitutiones Legitimae Ecclesiae totiusque regionis Angllcanae ab Legatis à latere summorum Pontificum collectae, & a Dom. Johanni de Aton diligenter explanatae Divinurth o pus omnibus iis qui sacris initiati sunt utile ac necessarium Parrisiis. 1504 f. 59, 60. Johannis de Aton, with his Glosses on them. They are prefaced with an Elegant Prologue, wherein the Legate complains, Sanè si antiqua, & remota pestis hujusmodi exterminia dolenda suscepimus amarius flendo modernum vulnus incumbens, quod non modo auribus, sed etiam oculis & manibus se palam exhibet estimamus, eo quod temporibus hujusmodi diei mali, quantum à primis longanimitate discedant, tanto duriori cervice in profundiora malorum contemptu damnabiliori descendunt, dum juris semita directa divertitur in obliquum: cedit potentiae veritas, justitiam favor expellit, et dum omnes quae sua sibi videntur exposcunt, quae Christi sunt, quae animarum profectibus consulunt, quae Ecclesiarum decus erigunt, non solum in negligentiae nebulis, sed etiam in dispectus et ignorantiae latebris tenebrosis abscondunt. And then subjoynes Nos igitur ad Regnum inclitum, quod diebus prorimis, a gloriae suae culmine in ohtensionem utriusque potestatis exciderat; necnon ad Scotiae, Hiberniae et Walliae partes, de gremio sanctae matris Ecclesiae commisso nobis in ipsos plenae legationis officio destinati, plantandi et evellendi, atque edificandi sollicitudinem de manu sanctissimi patris Domini Clementis in ipsius Vniversalis Ecclesiae summi. Pontisicis; non ex affectu propriae voluntatis, sed pro debitae obedientiae bono suscepto, ut nostrum (juxta doctrinam Apostoli) Ministerium impleamus; cum sacrorum Canonum instituta, quorum imitationem Principum quoque secularium leges assumunt; Constitutiones quoque bonae memoriae Otobonis Portuensis Episcopi, tune Sancti Nichei in carcere Tulliano Diaconi Cardinalis, in Regnis Angliae & Scotiae, Apostolicae sedis Legati; necnon Provincialium Conciliorum Provisiones, mores & actus fidelium subditorum salubriter informantes, quod harum aliqua ● nonnullis invenimus observari, dignum duximus praesenti sacro approbante Concilio ad omnem sanctam et Dei placitam observationem certas Constitutiones facere; atque jam promulgatis, certa quaedam capitula, necnon poenas adjicere, quae auctore Deo profectum valeant inducere salutarem. I shall recite only the Prologues and contents of some few of these Constitutions, discovering the gross Simony, Covetousenesse, Pride, Pluralities, Commendaes', Nonresidence and other abuses of the Clergy in that age, principally occasioned by the Simony, Covetousenesse, Provisions dispensations of Popes themselves and their instruments against all Laws and Canons, and worthy our consideration, to reform the like abuses. Ne pro Sacramentis Ecclesiasticis aliquid exigatur. Quoniam caeca Johannis Athonis Constit. Dom. Othoboboni. f. 63 cupiditas ita ruit in praeceps, ut operum terrenorum quaestu minimè contenta, pro sacramentis etiam Divinis, quae aestimationem non capiunt, precium profana venalitate suscipiat, Praefatus Legatus contra hoc statuit & praecepit, oleum sanctificatum & chrisma à ministris Ecclesiae purè atque devotè (qualibet exclusa cupiditatis lab●) conferri, nulla difficultate in eis exhibendis adhibita praetextu alicujus consuetudinis quae dicatur ab eis qui ea recipiunt aliqua quibuslibet persolvenda, etc. De Cleric is arma portantibus, and De habitu Clericorum; he relates their abuses in both these at large. * De residentia Archiepiscoporum et Episcoporum, re● Ibid f. 66.67, 92. citys and defines, Pastor bonus cognoseens gregem suum, debet ipsum et mentis et corporis oculis jugiter intueri, ne ipsum insidiosus lupus invadat, sicut hostis persequendo invigilat: sic Prelatus resistat continue defendendo. Oportet igitur ut corporali presentia ipsum tueatur sollicite; quia vadens pastor et veniens saepe non invenit quod reliquit, eo quod illue adversarius non residens nec recedens, neque dormiens asportavit. Sane licet Episcopi ad personalem residentiam cur● gregis Domini sibi commissi tam divinis quam Ecclesiasticis praeceptis noscantur astricti, quia tamen in partibus nostrae Legationis nonulli sunt qui hoc attendere non videntur, no● igitur praedicti Legati monitionem & exhortationem super hoc ad Archiepiscopos & Episcopos providenter emissam, aemulationis condignae studio subsequentes ipsos hortamur in Domino, & in virtute sanctae obedientiae, atque sub divini attestatione judicii monemus, ut ad commissi gregis curam, et ad dispensatarum sibi Ecclesiarum solatium, praecipue diebus solemnibus quadragessimalibus et advehtus, pr●sentiam suam debitam exhibeant, etc. * De appropriationibus Ecclesiarum, discovers their mischiefs and inconveniences. De Ibid. f. 93, etc. Delegationibus causarum, intimates that a judicial power entrusted in and appropriated to a particular person by divine or humane Laws, cannot be delegated by him to another person of inferior quality. De Juramento Advocatorum, shows their corruption in that age. The Constitution, N● Clerici Jurisdictionem secularem exerceant (which they and this Legate himself then did, and others since) is worthy our present consideration. Cum honestatis, & Ecclesiasticae speciale decus existat à Carnalibus longè fieri Ibid f. 69. 70. actibus, nec secularibus negotiis ministrare manus deputatas caelestibus ministeriis, grave ac sordidum reputamus, quod Clerici quidam terrena lucra et Temporales Jurisdictiones faeda petulantia et avida voracitate sectantes, jurisdictionem recipiunt a laicis secularem, ut * Nota. Justiciarii nuncupentur, et Ministri fiant justiciae, quam non possunt sine Canonicae dispositionis et Cleriealis ordinis injuria Ministrare. Nos igitur horrendum hoe vitium extirpare volentes, universis Ecclesiarum Rectoribus et perpetuis vicariis; imo quibuscunque in sacerdotio constitutis districtius inhibemus, ne. jurisdictionem secularem a persona seculari suscipiant, vel ipsam exercere praesumant; qui autem eam susceperint ipsam etiam infra duos menses omnino dimittant, eam de caetero nullatenus resumpturi. Quia verò apud malevolas animas inhibitio nou valeret, msi contra hu jusmodi delinquentes paenalis ultio subsequatur; decrevimus, ut quisquis contra praedicta venire tentaverit, ipso facto ab officio & beneficio sit suspensus; ad quae si temere sic suspensus se ingesserit, ultionem Canonicam non evadet. Hu jusmodi verò ultio per Diocesanum ejus qui contra ista fecerit donec emendaverit, ipsius Diocesan● arbitrio, et juramentum praestiterit, quod de caetero similia non committet, nullatenus relaxetur, salvis Domini Regis privilegiis in hac parte, whose Clerks were then most guilty in this kind. After which follows another Constitution of the same Nature, * Iibid. f. 71. Ne Clerici Advocati sint in causis secularibus, nec Judices, nec Assessors, under pain of suspension, ipso facto till Reformation. Tit. de Concubinarns informs us, that Cler●c●●n sacris ordinibus constituti, in Domibus suis vel alienis detinent publicè concubinas, such was the fruit of their vowed Virgirit● and restraint from Marriage. De residen●a Vic●riorum relates and provides against the general Nonresidence of Parsons, and Vicars, resolving that he Qui curam obtinet animarum●●t qui clavem ges●at extra mansione●● vagari non debet, & paratus sit in statione continua vocantibus▪ & non vocantes suis exhortationibus quasi pastor sollicitus ad se trahat, (Which I wish might be well considered by all who have care of souls.) * Ibid f. 85. Ne Praelati fructus Ecclesiarum vacantium percipiant follows, whereby Bishops robbed and spoiled the Churches they were obliged paterno consolari affectu, viduatis rectoribus propriis, duplici desolatione confectae. De procuratoribus quaeratione visitationis debentur non accipiendis, etc. (is worthy perusal, to reform the extorsions of this kind in that and succeeding ages.) And ne pecunia recipiatur à subditis pro crimine vel delicto notario. The Decretal * Ibid. f. 9, 96. De forma citationis rec●tes, Ita mortalium saeva cupiditas suum in seipsos reflectit ardorem, ut quicquid sibi possit attrahere non desistat, non timens divinam offensam vel proximi laesionem. Quod litigiorum anfractus & procellae causarum manifestè declarant, in quibus seipsum solum respiciens litigator sic errat in via Justitiae, ut aequum & justum aestimet quicquid adversario noceat, & jure vel injuria sibi prosit Sanè quum in citationis articulo fraudem praecipuè fieri est compertum, praedictus Legatus Otho statuit, ut per impetrantes vel eorum Nuncios in causis Regni Angliae, contatoriae literae non mittantur, sed judex moderatis sumptibus impetratis per suam fidelem manum eas mitta●, qui vocandum diligenter perquirat, quem si invenire non poterit, die Dominico vel alio sollemni, apud Ecclesiam loci istius in quo degere consuevit, dum missa càntatur, literas legi faciat & exponi; vel saltem ad Decanum in cujus Decanatu moratur, qui vocandus existit, citatio dirigatur, qui à judice jussus finaliter exequatur, per se vel per certos Nuncios & fideles, quodque inde fecerit eidem scribere non omittat. Nos autem ut circa citationis articulum cautius procedatur, & totius discriminis materia (quantum in nobis est) penitus auferatur; constitutioni dicti Legati adjiciendo statuimus, ut quum Judex contra quemlibet absentem emittit citationis edictum, citationem faciendam decano loci vel alicui certae personae demandet. Is vero cui demandata fuerit cum eam fideliter fuerit executus secundum statuti formam, se citasse rescribat, alioquin citationi quaealiter facta appareat fides nulla adhibeatur, cum nec secundum eam contra eum qui citatus dicitur, ad paenam aliquam procedatur. Which if duly observed, would rectify many grievances by Apparitors undue citations since revived. The Decretal De institutionibus seu collationibus, thus notably discovers the illegality, mischief of Pluralities, and avarice of Clergymen, which I wish all pluralists would seriously consider. Christianae Religionis veritas ita plerosque in suorum Cordium elatione reliquit, Ibid. p. 98, 99 ut cum animae suae curae vix unusquisque sufficiat, ipsi se mendaci statera pensantes non solum unius beneficii, sed multorum intrepidè curam suscipiunt, in quo quum non resident, nec ad sacros ordines se faciunt promoveri, quos ipsius cura beneficii, requirit, sedetiam multas & innumeras curas sibi congregant impudenter, & per vanitates & falsas insanias ambulantes, miseras animas quas curandas acceperunt necessariò negligunt, nec onus tale implere ipsi facti impossibilitati possunt. Sanè hos Carni contra Nota. spiritum & adversus Deum & proximum assistentes, & quasi de industria recedentes adeo dum seipsos in manus Diaboli manlfestè praecipitant, animas Christo auferunt, & pauperum Eleemosynas in usus superfluos (ne dicamus in malos) nephanda perversitate convertunt, è tantis erutae periculis sanctorum Patrum Romanorum Pontificum, & caeterorū super his authoritatem gerentium Constitutiones tàm ab antiquis retrò temporibus quam modernis multiplici sollicitudine laboraverunt. Quorum labor & si meritorius fuerit his qui vineam Domini fideli exercito coluerunt, quibus virtus fuit etiam malè viventibus materiam ministrare virtutis, multis tamen in hos prophanae cupiditatis ardore crescentibus, hujus laboris profectum invenimus defuisse, quipraeter clavē dispensationis Apostolicae sedis pluralitatem Ecclesiasticorū beneficiorum animarum curam habentium, non solum de manu Praelatorum malè suscipere, verum etiam propria authoritate violentaque manu damnabiliter occupare praesumunt, & temere per excogitatas malicias & subterfugia detinere. Ex his autem dicere non sufficimus * The more shame and blame for Popes or others to dispease with or tolerate such mischiefs. quanta mala proveniunt Ecclesiae; namque maculatur honestas, adnullatur authoritas, five Christi prosternitur, Charitas exulat, spes pauperum deperit; quod intrat omne beneficium vacaturum, quod suum non est miser peccator et caecus, Rectorem se jactans, non tam recipit quam futatur. Inter ipsos quoque divites contentiones, et scandala oriuntur, lites et odia confoventur, digne etiam super hujusmodi regnorum homines divinae indignationisexarsisse ignem, et propter aliquorum delicta in omnes misisse formidinem sive vindictam ex hoc praecipue formidamus, et dum nihil aliud ita periculis plenum conspicimus, talia vel graviora etiam pertimescimus in futurum, nisi Dei misericordia nos respiciens correctionis remedium apponat salutare. Volentes igitur & contra hunc morbum pestiferum & vix curabilem quam possumus officii nostri diligentiam adhibere, & totum quantum in nobis est virtute curare; praedicti quoque Legati Constitutionem super his editam ipsius inhaerendo vestigiis, adjuvantes adjiciendo praecipimus, ut de praeteritis ante hanc nostram constitutionem beneficiorum cum cura pluralitatem, nec non contra illos qui prout debent in beneficiis suis nec resident, nec ordinem sacrum suscipiunt quem beneficii ipsius cura requirit, de commissis Praelati sine ulla dissimulatione diligenter inquirant, & in illis faciant statutum generalis Concilii fideliter observari. Archiepiscopi etiam diligenter & efficaciter super praemissis inquirant in provincialibus conciliis suis, & negligentes corrigant ut tenentur. In posterum autem cum ad beficium curam habens animarum quemque praesentari aut ipsius collationem aliàs fieri contigerit, statuimus, ut Praelatus qui circa id suum gerit officium, prius de vita & conversatione praesentati vel instituendi, ac de aliis quae jura praecipiunt inquisitione praemissa, hoc quoque diligenter discutiat & inquirat, utrum habeat praesentatus vel instituendus hujusmodi, personatus vel beneficia alia curam animarum habentia, & si quidem habeat, an illa cum dispensatione an sine illa tenuerit? quam si se habere asserit illam intra terminum â Praelato statuendum post as●ertionem hujusmodi ipsi Praelato exhibere proeuret, alioquin ex tunc nullatenus admittatur. Quod si institutus fuerit; nulla institutio sit ipso jure; dispensatione vero exhibita ipse Praelatus providè consideret, an ex dispensationis ipsius aliud vel alia cum jam habitis valeat obtinere? Quod si eum plura beneficia curata sine dispensatione habere vel habuisse compererit, ipsum ad idem conservans si exhibita dispensatio non ad futura sed tantum ad praeterita se extendit, nisi prius in hoc casu instituendus ipse praestet corporaliter juramentum, quod habita possessione in beneficio in quo instituitur, statim alia beneficia quae prius habuit sine difficultate dimittens, de illis per se vel per alium extunc nullatenus se intromittat; quod si facere praesumpserit, praeter notam perjurii quam incurrit, habitis et habendis ipso jure noverit se privatum. Postquàm autem secundum ea quae diximus, quisquam fuerit institutus, illico praelatis in Regno eodem constitutis in quorum diocesi consistunt, priora beneficia quae habebat, necnon patronis ipsorum quod gestum est (si commode poterit) denunciet institutorum, ut de beneficiis ipsis quae ad ipsos spectare videntur disponant, & nihilominus nomina beneficiorum ipsorum conscribens, tunc in proximo provinciali concilio ea denunciet, in quo videatur qualiter sit de ipsis beneficiis ordinatum, & ut appareat utrum sic institutus verum dixerit qui prius dixit se alia beneficia non habere. Quod si Praelatus instituens secus egerit, institutionem factam revocet infra mensem, alioquin à Collatione & institutione ad ipsum in quibusunque beneficiis spectantibus quousque revocaverit sit suspensus, jus conferendi ad proximum superiorem devolvendo. Quod si de hiis nihilominus intromiserit, etiam ab ingressu Ecclesiarum sit suspensus. Cum eum qui a se reprobatum crimen incurrit meritò culpa redarguit, & in quo alium indicat se ipsum condemnat, dum in * Is not this the case of Popes & other Prelate's dispensing with Pluralities which they thus condemn. eodem ipse reprobus invenitur, hanc fugiendam, Apostolo dicente, labem in praelatis Ecclesiae detestantes, firmiter inhibemus, ne Praelatus qui praesentatum sibi ad vacantem Ecclesiam ob defectum sacrorum ordinum recusat admittere, alii eandem Ecclefiam conferre qui defectum hujusmodi patiatur, ne sic potius videatur acceptasse personam quam justitiam dilexisse; quod si fecerit, ejus collatio vel institutio ipso facto sit invalida, & nullius momenti penitus censeatur. The Decretal De Commendis Ecclesiarum, a great grievance, innovation then newly introduced by Popes and practised afterwards, notwithstanding this Decree, is worthy special observation. Miserabilis humanae dignicatis cas●● ita c●●●●pisentiae ●r●n● laxavit, ut recuss● acumine Ibid. f. 101, 102. De Commendis Ecclesiarum. rationis & contra mala stat●ia irrationabilitatis jurgia commin●t●; n●eh●● putetur iniquum quod in inexplebilia va●a cupiditatis videatu● in●●u●●●, nichil inhonestum quo avaritiae non paretur cibus, esuriem non imminuens sed augmentans haec si animos simplicium obsident, dolendum est in uno genere hominum qui Laici idcirco dicuntur, cum popularibus sunt; * Ministeriis. Ministris derelicti, sed in illis in quibus Dominus pars est eorundem haereditatis, qui haereditatis suae restitutionem sibi debent a Domino praestolari, qui * Let Popes and Prelates consider this. ducatu suo regere alios et gubernare tenentur, haec tanto amarius et acerbius flendo conspicimus, quanto iniquius committuntur in illis et periculosius tolerantur. Sanè inter adinventiones eorum qui fraudes contra suas animas moliuntur, hanc maxime comperimus divini et humani Juris praesidia confundentes, quod cum una Ecclesia Nota. unius debet esse rectoris, sicut et ratio dictat, et multiplicis juris statuta declarant, quidam tamen rationis expertes vel juris regulas contemnentes, dum ad plurium Ecclesiarum occupationem velamen aliud non habentes, quoquo modo ditari festinent, vacantes Ecclesias sibi commendari procurant, amplectentes juris verba non sensum, quod aliquando permittit unam habere Ecclesiam intitulatam et aliam commendatam. Et cum juxta sanum intellectum propter necessitatem, vel utilitatem vacantis Ecclesiae jus commendationis, non tam praeceptoriè quam permissiuè fuerit introductum, * The Pope's crime, practice and evasion. ipsi ad cupiditatis suae lucrum omnia convertentes, in ipsarum Ecclesiarum dissipationem, non solum unam, sed plures recipiunt commendatas. Inter multa vero pericula quae ex hac pestifera sactione proveniunt, advertimus Ecclesiasticarum rerum dispendia, spiritualium negligentiam et contempttum certum inseri, dum miseri cupientes casu in malum suum quae aliena esse debuerant congregantes, aut in proprios luxus et pompas superbiae profundeutes, quae sunt ad pauperum Eleemosynam constituta. Haec autem pro mole peccati furta, rapinas & filii in conspectu patris victimationem excedere, divini juris testimonio comprobantur. Nec praeterit Nota. divinum intuitum caecitas concedentis, qui cum Ecclesiae prospicere debet personam hominis accipit; cui non tam curandam ovem committit, quam miserabiliter devorandam. Quia igitur nec timorem divini judicii, nec sacrorum Canonum intentionem ad coertionem talium sufficere vel proficere nunc usque videntur; Nos & animarum saluti & Ecclesiarum statui ut indemnitati, Cura qua possumus, ex officii nostri debito proficere capientes, universas Ecclesiarum Commendationes hactenus quibuscunque factas (nisi ex evidenti utilitate unius tantum Ecclesiae commendatio facta sit) penitus revocamus, et ipsas ex nunc vacare decernimus; eye ad quos ipsorum collatio, vel ad eas praesentatio spectat districte mandantes, ut infra duos menses post praesentis constitutionis nostrae publicationem conferant seu praesentent, alioquin ipsarum collatio ad * The original chief Author, fomenter, protector of these abusive Commendates for filthy luchre, into whose hands they must fall again by this Provision, to sell or dispense with them de ●ovo. sedem Apostolicam devolvatur. In posterum autem prohibemus Ecclesiam quamlibet commendari, nisi justa causa vel legitima id exposcat. Et ut omnibus versutiis, adinventionibus & fallaciis occurr●mus, statuimus ne cuique ultra unum cum cura animorum beneficium obtinenti Ecclesia commendatur, neque plures Ecclesi● alicui personae va●eant commendari. Quod si contra ea quae salubriter hac nostra provisione statuta sunt, Ecclesiae commendationem ● quoquam & cuiquam in locis nostrae legationis fieri contigerit, ipsa, et quicquid ex ea secutum fuerit ipso jure decernimus non valere. Episcopus vero qui commendationem contra praemissa fecerit, donec ipsam revocaverit, ipso facto a collatione seu praesentatione beneficiorum quorumlibet sit suspensus. De his qui tempore electionis dimittunt Beneficia, & postea reassumunt eadem. si Ibid. f. 104● se eligi non contingat; thus discovers the ambition, avarice, fraud of Clergy men in that age. Ambitionis vitium in ardore sitis exaestuans, dum nec Mariae optimam partem amplectitur, nec ad Marthae ministerium in frequentia profectus aspirat, sed per dominandi libidinem ad omnem cum ducentem tramitem detorquetur, abjecto rationis intuitu, fas & nefas improba temeritate permiscet. Sanè illud evenire interdum didicimus, ut quum vacante sede quam quis ascendere concupiscit, ipse metuens▪ se obtentorum beneficiorum pluralitate in suo desiderio posse deficere, ipsa beneficia resignat, immo penes cum ad cujus collationem spectant, detestabili quadam pactione deponi●, ut si eligi eum non contingat, eadem beneficia quasi deposita postmodum reassumat. Contra hoc igitur tam abominabile colludium, & sanctum & Deo placens obstaculum opponentes districtius, inhibemus, ne cuiquam de caetero sua beneficia taliter resignanti eadem restituantur, nec quasi de novo aliquatenus concedantur; sed tanquam vacantia de perfonis aliis canonicè ordinentur. Quod si hujusmodi resignanti beneficia; ipsa vel aliqua ex eis fuerint reddita vel concessa, redditionem vel concessionem in eum factam invalidam decernimus & inanem. Qui verò taliter in suis manibus resignata postmodum scienter contra sic praemissa contulerint, aut ipsum resignantem instituerint in eisdem, si quidem Episcopus fuerit, à dalmaticae & pontificalium indumentorum usu, alius verò Praelatus inferior ab officio sit suspensus, donecillud duxerint revocandum. His Constitution, De Confirmatione Episcoporum, is observable. Pastoralis sedis eminentia multis indigens gratiae divinae muneribus, ut Pastor in se mundus ambulet cor● Deo in meritum, & in conspectum populi ad doctrinam, inter alia quae de Pontificum electione, sancri Canones providerunt, idem praecipuum sibi vendicat locum; ut talis ad eam persona conscendat, quae nullis (quantum humanitus possibile est) sit maculis denigrata. Quorundum igitur ignorantiam, vel negligentiam, aut dissimulationem, qua contra Electorum confirmationes frequenter habetur, vel etiam procuratur, ex offici● nostri debito diligentia qua possumus corrigentes; Statuimus, & in virtute sanctae obedientiae praecipimus districtè, ut cum electionis Episcopalis confirmatio postulatur, inter caetera super quibus inquisitio & examinatio procedere debet secundum Canonum instituta, illud exactissime inquiratur, utrum plura beneficia cum animarum cura qui electus est, antequam eligeretur habuerit? Et si haubisse inveniatur, an cum eo super hoc fuerit dispensatum? Et an dispensatio si quam exhibuerit vera sit, & ad omnia beneficia quae obtinuit extendatur? Quod si in aliquo praemissorum, is ad quae confirmatio spectat, electum deficere sua discussione compererit, eidem nullatenus munus confirmationis impendat. These wholesome Constitutions by reason of the Popes and his Legates dispensations against them, were only pious frauds to p●cke others, and fill their own purses; not effectual Medicines to cure these grievous Maladies, so pernicious to religion and the people's souls. An Oxford Jew having in contempt of Christ, and Christian Religion, in a solemn Procession there held by the University, cast down and broken the Crucifix carried before them; and escaping, and the Jew's not producing his body as the King ordered them, the King thereupon out of his piety and Sovereign Ecclesiastical Authority, commanded the Sheriff of Oxford, by several Writs to seize the bodies and goods of all the Jews in Oxford, till they gave sufficient security at their proper costs, to erect a beautiful high Marble Cross, with the Images of Christ on the one side, and the Virgin Mary with Christ in her arms, on the other side, curiously and decently guilt, and the cause thereof engraven on it, in the place where the Offence was committed, calling the Major of the Town and Cofferers of the Jews to his assistance; and till they made and delivered to the Proctors of the University another portable Cross of Silver handsomely guilded, with a spear as large as that carried before the Archbishop, to be carried before the Masters and Scholars of the University in their future Processions. And because divers Jew's to prevent it, had secretly conveyed away their goods to others, to inquire diligently after such goods and sell them, that the work might be speedily effected before the Feast of St. Edward. REX Vicecomiti Oxoviae, salutem. Cum Judaei nostri Oxon. nobis adhuc non Claus. 53 H. 3. m. 12. De duabus crucibus & bonis & Catallis Judaeorum Oxon. faciendis. responderint de Corpore illius Judaei, qui in vituperium Crucifixi Crucem in solemni Processione die Ascensionis Domini prostravit et fregit, per quod tibi pluries praecipimus, quod omnes Judaeos praedictos sine dilatione caperes, & salvo custodires; Et quod non permitteres eos aliquam administrationem habere de bonis et Catallis eorum donec sufficientem tibi praestarent securitatem, quod sumptibus suis quandam Crucem marmoream pulchram et altam, bene et decenter incisam et politam, cum imagine Crucifixi in capite, ex parte una, et cum Imagine beatae Virginis cum filio suo, ex parte altera, convenienter sitis et auro depictis, una cum causa praedicta manifeste superscripta, in loco ubi scelus praedictum extitit perpetratum; Et quandam aliam Crucem portatilem argenteam, bene et subtiliter et decenter fabricatam, et deauratam, cum hasta sive baculo, ejusdem magnitudinis cum Crucibus honorificis quas Archiepiscopi coram se facient deportari; deferendam ante Vniversitatem Magistrorum et Scolarium Oxon. in processionibus suis, faceres. Et quod provideres, quod pecunia ad praemissa facienda citò levaretur, & quod omnia praemissa cum omni festinatione qua fieri posset expleres; et praedict. Crucem portatilem Procuratoribus Vniversitatis praedictae custodiendam liberes, ita quod fierent citra festum Sancti Edwardi, quod erit in Vigilia Epiphani Domini proxim. futur. Ac tu quosdam de Judaeis praedictis juxta mandatum nostrum praedictum ceperis, qui ante captionem suam bona & Catalla sua diversis hominibus Civitatis praedictae liberaverunt, per quod tu mandatum nostrum praedict. minus plenè exequi potes. Nos volentes quod praemissa modis omnibus fiant in forma praedicta, tibi praecipimus, quod assumptis tecum Majore Villae praedictae & Coffrariis Judaeorum nostrorum ejusdem Villae, in praesentia proborum & legalium hominum de Villa praedicta, per quos rei veritas melius sciri poterit, diligenter inquiras ad quorum manus bona & Catalla praedictorum Judaeorum devenerunt, & qui ea tenent, & de bonis & Catallis praedictis, in quorumcunque manibus existant, omnia praemissa fieri facias per visum & testimonium hominum praedictorum, prout melius & citius videris expedire, & si necessa fuerit bona & Catalla praedict. ad hoc vendas, & taliter te habeas in hoc mandato nostro exequendo, quod id quod ad honorem Dei intendimus in hac parte, manifestetur publice per effectum, et quod praemissa fiant sine mora. Teste Rege apud Winton. 27. die Decembris. The Money hereupon being levied of the Jews to make these Crosses, and the King being informed, that the Marble Crosse could not be erected in the place prescribed without damage and prejudice to some Burgesses of Oxford, whereupon they purposed to erect it just over against the Jews Synagogue there; The King and his Counsel conceiving that place inconvenient, ordered it to be set up within the place of Merton Colledge near the Church, and the other portable Cross to be delivered to the Scholars thereof, to be kept in their House, and carried in Processions of the University as aforesaid, by this Writ to the Sheriff, Major and Cofferers of Oxford. REX Vicecomiti, Majori, Ballivis & Coffrariis suis Oxon. salutem. Cum judaei Claus. 53 H. 3. m. 80. De Cruce marmorea erigend. in placia Scholar de Merton. Oxon. de quadam Cruce portatili eisdem liberand. in Domo sua. nostri Oxon. quandam Crucem quae in solemni processione die Ascensionis Domini per Villam nostram Oxon. deferebatur in vituperium Crucifixi prostraverint et fregerint, per quod vobis alias praecipimus quod sumptibus judaeorum praedict. fac. quandam Crucem Marmoream pulchram et altam bene incisam et politam, cum imagine Crucifixi in capite ex parte una, et cum imagine beatae Virginis cum filio suo ex parte altera convenienter sitis, et auro depictis una cum causa praedicta manifeste superscripta, in loco ubi scelus praedictum extitir perpetratum, et quandam aliam Crucem portatilem argenteam bene, subtiliter et decenter fabricatam et deauratam cum hasta sive baculo, ejusdem magnitudinis quam habent Cruces quas Archiepiscopi faciunt coram se deportari, ante Vniversitatem Magistrorum et Scolarium Oxon. deferendam in processionibus suis. Et postmodum intelleximus, quod Crux praedicta marmorea in placea ubi scelus praedictam extitit perpetratum, sine damno & nocumento quorundum Burgensium ejusdem Villae erigi non posset, per quod vobis aliàs praecepimus, quod Crucem praedictam in alia placea, ubi sine damno & nocumento ejusdem Villae fieri possit, erigi faceretis, quod ex opposito Synagogae inde ejusdem Villae facere provid. ut accepimus: Nos per pendentes, quod hoc indecens & inhonestum esset, de consilio Edwardi primogeniti nostri, & aliorum fidelium nostrorum qui sunt de Consilo nostro, volumus, quod praedicta Crux marmorea erigatur in placea Scholarium de Merton, juxta Ecclesiam suam Sancti Johannis Baptista in Villa praedicta▪ Et ideo vobis mandamus firmiter injungentes, quod Crucem praedictam marmoream modo praedicto factam, in placea praedictorum Scholarium erigi & praedictam Crucem portatilem praedictis Scholaribus liberari faciatis, custodiend. in domo sua ibidem. Ita quod eum deferri faciant in solempni processione coram Magistris & Scholaribus praedictis sicut praedictum est. Et hoc nullatenus omittatis. Teste Rege apud Westm. 3. die Februarii. The King for maintenance of his Sovereign Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction in his own free Chapels, issued this Writ to the Bishop of Coventry and Litchfield, not to exercise any Ecclesiastical censure or Jurisdiction within the Church of Al-Saints, in Derby, which was his free Chapel, nor any other his Chapels, not yet to Tax them towards the Disme granted him by the Pope, for which they had compounded and paid six marks into his Wardrobe, notwithstanding their fine and composition made with the King for all the Dimes within his Diocese, for which he should have an allowance by way of defalcation. REX Venerabili in Christo Patri Coventr. & Litch. Episcopo salutem. Cum Claus. 53 H. 3. m. 9 dorso. nuper inter alia beneficia Ecclesiastica vestrae Dioc. taxari fecerimus Ecclesiam Omnium Sanctorum, de Derb. quae est libera Capella nostra, per dilectos & fideles nostros Robertum de Bakepuse, & Johannem de Sutton, & hujusmodi taxationem faciendam per nos & Venerabilem Patrem O. Sancti Adriuni Diaconum Cardinalem tunc Apostolicae sedis Legatum in Anglia, specialiter deputatos, ac dilectus nobis in Christo Decanus Linc. persona Ecclesiae praedictae, pro se & Canonicis ejusdem liberae Capellae nostrae, ratione decimae proventuum ipsius Capellae secundum taxationem praedictam sex Marc. per manum suam solverit in Garderoba nostra. Vobis mandamus, quod occasione finis quem nobiscum fecistis pro decima beneficiorum et proventuum vestrae Dioc. in praefatos Dioc. et Canonicos, seu etiam liberam Capellam nostram praedictam ratione praedicta vel alia quacunque occasione nullam cohercionem exercere praesumatis; eo quod sustinere nolumus sicut nec debemus, quod vos seu Ministri vestri de praedicta Capella seu aliis liberis Capellis nostris in vestra Dioc. quae a vestra Iurisdictione totaliter eximuntur, aliquatenus intromittatis. Nos tamen praedictas sex Marcas, & siquid ulterius ad nos pertivere debeat, secundum aliam taxationem, si necesse fuerit, ulterius faciendam prout justum fuerit, in fine praedicto vobis allocari faciemus. Teste Rege apud Westm. 8 die Aprilis. The King to effect his designs in the Court of Rome against the Barons and others, was forced to grant some Cardinal's annual Pensions during their lives, and to augment them upon all new occasions, as is evident by this Record, for paying the arrears and augmentation of one of their Annuities out of the Dimes granted him by the Pope, whereof the King had usually the least share, the Pope the Cardinals and Legates swallowing up the greatest part of them, as * Antiqu. Eccles. Brit. p. 194. Matthew Parker observes. REX Omnibus, etc. salutem. Sciatis quod Fulco Lovet, Archid. Colecestr. & Pat. 53 H. 3▪ m. 3. intus. Pro Episcopo Ostiensi. Magister Godefridus de Sancto Dunstano Collectores in Episcopatu London. liberaverunt per praeceptum nostrum Venerabili Patri H. Ostensi. & Welle●r●nsi Episcopo sacrosanctae Romanae Ecclesiae Cardinali quinquaginta libras de terminis Pasch. & Sancti Michaelis Anno Regni nostri quinquagesimo secundo, & de termino Pasch. Anno Regni nostri Qinquagesimo tertio de arreragiis quinquaginta Marcarum annuarum sibi per nos concessarum, in augmentationem annui feodi sui Centum Marcarum, & viginti & quinque Marcas de termino Sancti Michaelis proximo praeterito de feodo supradicto, de fine quem praedicti Archid. & Godefridus nobiscum fecerunt pro Decima Episcopatus praedicti, de qua quidem pecunia praefatos Archdiaconum & Godefridum tenore praesentium quietamus, & eandem pecuniam in fine decimae praedictae allocamus. In cujus etc. Teste Rege apud Westm. 7. die Octobris. How the Pope and King by his command, exempted his own Italian Agents, who had benefices or prebend's in England, from the payment of Dimes, and all Ecclesiastical Censures which he with utmost rigour imposed upon all others, making the English the only Isachars to undergo his unsupportable burdens imposed on them without the least exemption or moderation, this Record will clearly evidence. REX Omnibus, etc. salutem. Inspeximus literas Venerabilis Patris W. Ebor. Archiepisc. Angliae Primatis, dispensatoris decimae proventuum Ecclesiasticorum Pat. 53 H. 3. m. 28. intus. Pro Domino Papa & Episcopo Capitulo Sar. nobis in Regno nostro à sede Apostolica concessae, collectoribus ejusdem decimae in Episcopatibus Sarum. & Cicestr. directas in haec verba, W. permissione divina Eborum Archiepiscopus Angliae Primas dispensaror decimae proventuum Ecclesiasticorum Domino H. Illustri Regi Angliae in eodem Regno sibi à sede Apostolica deputatae, ac Reverendi Patris O. Sancti Adriani Diaconi Cardinalis olim Legati in Anglia vicem gereus, Venerabili Patri in Christo Domino Episcopo Sarum, & aliis Collectoribus ipsius decimae in Sarisbir. & Cicestren. Episcopatibus deputatis & imposterum deputandis, salutem in Domino. Cum discretus vir Magister Sinicius Domini Papae Camerae Clericus Canonicus Cicestrensis, persona Ecclesiae de Doniug●on, Sarum Dioc. obsequiis Domini Papae et Romanae Ecclesiae, ac Domini Regis praedicti in partibus Angliae fideliter nunc er alias institerit et insistat, et propter hoc sit ei ab * Nota. Apostolica sede indultum, ut excommunicari vel interdici nequeat, vel suspendi, et pro reverentia praedictae sedis ab exactione decimae praedictarum Ecclesiae et Praebendae, et pro honore ipsius Domini Regis cujus est specialis; Idem Dominus Rex et nos velimus eum esse immunem et penitus liberari; Paternitati et discretioni vestrae qua fungimur authoritate mandamus, quatenus decimam praedictam ratione primi, vel secundi aut tertii Anni a praefato Magistro Sinicio, vel ejus procuratoribus seu firmariis, vel aliis quibuscunque pro praedictis Ecclesia et Praebenda nullatenus per vos aut alios exigatur vel recipiatur, vel exigi aut recipi permittatur. Dat. apud Westm. J. Kal. Novembris Anno Gratiae, 1268. Nos autem quietantiam & liberationem praedictas ratas habentes & gratas, volumus & concedimus, quod praefatus Magister Sinicius immunis & quietus existat ab exactione & praestatione decimae praedictarum Ecclesiae & Praebendae de tribus annis praedictis, juxta tenorem literarum Archiepiscopi supradicti. In cujus rei testimonium. Teste Rege apud Westm. 8. die Novembris. King Henry in the 54. year of his Reign was very active and intentive in collecting and disposing the Dimes granted him for 3. years' space by the Pope, towards the relief of his necessities and satisfying of his Debts by reason of the late Wars and troubles, and levying the Dimes granted him for the relief of the Holy Land, and calling the Collectors thereof both in England and Ireland to an account, for which many Bishops and Dioceses compounded for a certain sum in gross, or annual payment, which some Bishops advanced beforehand, as these ensuing Records attest, wherein our Histories are silent. REX Archiepiscopis, Episcopis, Abbatibus, Prioribus & aliis viris Religiosis, Archid. Pat. 54. H. 3 m. 3. intus. Pro Regina Dicima Hibernia. Officialibus, Decanis, Rectoribus, Vicariis, ac Universis & singulis benefiatis in Hibernia Constitutis, ad quos, etc. salutem. Cum Dominus Papa propter adversitates et angustias quae nos in turbatione in Regno nostro nuper habita multipliciter imprimebant, decimam omnium beneficiorum Ecclesiasticorum totius Hiberniae per triennium nobis concesserit ad relevationem status nostri, et nos dictam decimam Karissimae Consorti nostrae Alyanore Reginae Angliae assignaverimus, quae circa collectionem supradictae decimae non modicè extiterit praegravata sumptibus & expensis, licet modicum assecuta fuerit hactenus exindè subsidium & juvamen; & praedicta Consors nostra fratrem Stephanum de Ful●burn. Hospitilarium▪ & Magistrum Johannem de Bosco conjunctim & divisim suos ordinaverit procuratores & Nuncios ad Colligendam & recipiendam decimam supradictam, & ad audiendum ratiocinia de praeceptis a quibuscunque Collectoribus decimae supradictae. Nos tenore praesentium ratum habentes & firmum quicquid procuratores & Nuncii praedicti, vel eorum alter nostro & praedictae Consortis nostrae nomine duxerint vel duxerit faciendum; Vobis mandamus firmiter injungentes, quod eisdem Procuratoribus & nunciis in omnibus quae ad id pertinent intendentes sitis & respondentes, consulentes & auxiliantes, prout ipsi vobis scire facient ex parte nostra. In cujus, etc. Teste Rege apud Bampton, 5 die Septembris. MAndatum est omnibus Ballivis & fidelibus Regis Hiberniae, quod eosdem Procuratores Ibidem. & Nuncios & eorum homines ac bona manuteneant protegant & defendant, non inferentes eis vel inferri permittentes injuriam, molestiam, dampnum seu gravamen. Et si quid eis, etc. id eis, etc. Ipsis etiam cum per eos seu potestatem suam transitum fecerint salvum & securum conductum habere faciant, prout ab eis super hoc fuerint requisiti▪ In cujus, etc. Teste ut supra per unum Annum duraturum. Et Mandatum est Jacobo de Alditheleye, & omnibus fidelibus Regis per totam Hyberniam constitutis, quod eisdem Stephano & Johanni, & eorum substitutis ad decimam praedictam levandam & ad opus Reginae colligendam intendentes, & respondentes, consulentes & auxiliantes prout ab ipsis, ex parte Regis & praedictae Reginae plenius fuerint requisiti. In cujus, etc. Teste ut supra. King Henry having many years before taken up the Cross, and vowed to go in person to the Holy Land to relieve it, and Collected much money upon that pretext, perverted to other uses, all swallowed up by the Pope under pretext of gaining Apulia and Sicily for his Son Edmund, did now by his regal authority and advice of his Prelates, Barons and Commons, dispense with this his Croysado vow, and transfer it to his Son Prince Edward, to execute, and assigning the aid granted to him for that end, by this Charter to the Prince. REX Omnibus, etc. salutem. Licet nos, sicut Edwardus primogenitus Pat. 54 H. 3. m. 7. intus. De signo Crucis tradito E. primogenito Regis & vicesina sibi concessa. noster, totis desideriis affectemus transfretare in subsidium Terrae Sanctae, quia tamen Praelatis, Magnatibus et Communitati Regni nostri non videtur expediens, neque ratum, quod nos ambo extra Regnum istis temporibus ageremus, nos votum nostrum quatenus possumus perfici, et Regni nostri Regimini, de Consilio dictorum Praelatorum et magnatum salubriter prospicere cupientes, negotium Crucis una cum signo Crucis nostrae praefato primogenito nostro ex plena et summa confidentia commissimus vicem nostram. Et idem negotium quoad votum peregrinationis nostrae, et suae, prout decet et expedit ad Christiani nominis exaltationem efficacius peragendum, totam vicesimam nobis in subsidium Terrae Sanctae, per totum Regnum nostrum concessam tam collectam quam colligendam, eidem primogenito nostro duximus plenarie conferendam. In cujus, etc. Teste Rege apud Wynton. 4 die Augusti. REX Dilectis sibi in Christo Abbati & Conventui Sancti Augustini Cantuar. salutem. Pat. 54 H▪ 3. m. 14. intus. Cum concessimus universis et singulis Episcopis Regni nostri, quod vicesimam ipsos et Ballivos suos contingentem, quam nobis in subsidium Terrae Sanctae nuper Curialiter concesserunt, per fideles Ministros suos taxari et colligi faciant, ita quod pecuniam de vicesima ipsorum Episcoporum nobis habere faciant in die insiantis festi Sancti Johannis Baptistae, nobis deferendam in Terram Sanctam, et totam pecuniam de bonis villanorum suorum provenitem habeant London in festo Sancti Michailis proximo futuro, Nunciis nostris quos ad hoc deputabimus integraliter exhibendam; Nos de fidelitate et promptitudine vestra plenius confidentes, et gratiam quam ipsis Episcopis in hac parte fecimus vobis facere volentes, vobis concedimus, ut vicesimam bonorum vestrorum et etiam villanorum vestrorum taxari et pecuniam inde provenientem levari et colligi faciatis. Ita quod pecuniam illam habeamus terminis praedictis in forma supradicta. In cujus, etc. Teste Rege apud Westm. 26. die Ma●i. REX Omnibus, etc. salutem. Inspeximus Literas Patentes sigillis Magistri Pat. 54 H. 3. m. 11. intus. Walteri Scamel. Thesaurarii Sarr. & Petri de Winton. ad audiendum compotum decimae nobis à sede Apostolica concessae in quibusdam Cantuariensis Provinciae Diocesibus deputatorum, signatas in haec verba. Omnibus ad quos praesentes literae pervenerint Walterus Thesaurarius Sar. & Petrus de Winton. ad compotum decimae Domino Regi per Dominum Papam concessa per praedictum dominum Regem & venerabilem Patrem Dominum Octobonum Sancti Adriani Diaconum Cardinalem nuper Apostolicae sedis Legatum in quibusdam Cantuar. Provinciae Diocesibus audiendum deputatis salutem in Domino. Sciatis quod Venerabilis Pater Dominus Nicholaus Winton. Episcopus qui finem fecit cum Domino Rege pro tota decima praedicta, ipsum Dominum Regem de tribus annis de quibus ipsa Decima Domino Regi fuerit concessa de Winton. Dioc. contingente, & Gilbertus Prior de Merton. & Walterus de Briche, dictus de la Croce, dictae decimae Collectores, reddiderunt coram nobis compotum de tribus millibus libris secundum finem praedictum cum Domino Rege factum, de totali decima trium annorum. Quo quidem compoto audito allocatis, Venerabili Patri Priori & Waltero praedictis, liberatis factis expensis & aliis rationabilibus de voluntati Domini Regis & consilii sui allocandis, Venerabilem Patrem Priorem & Walterum praedictos tàm pro se quam pro toto Clero Wintoniensis Diocesis eidem Domino Regis de tribus Millibus invenimus satisfecisse & praefatum Dominum Regem totaliter esse pacatum. Et ideo praedictum Patrem Priorem, & Walterum, & totum Clerum Wintoniensis Diocesis de praefatis tribus Millibus libris pro fine praedicto quantum in nobis est quietos clamamus in perpetuum. In cujus rei testimonium praesentibus literis sigilla nostra apposuimus. Dat. apud Westm. 17. die Julii, Anno Regni Regis Henrici filii Regis Johannis 53. Nos igitur redditionem compoti praedicti acceptantes, praedictos Patrem Priorem & Walterum de eodem compoto, quantum in nobis est, tenore praesentium quietamus. In cujus, etc. Teste Rege apud Westm. 11. die Julii. REX Universis & singulis de Episcopatu Cicestrensi salutem. Sciatis quod deputavimus Pat. 54 H. 3▪ m. 13. intus. dilectum Clericum nostrum Radulphum le Botiller ad arrearagia decimae nobis à sede Apostolica concessae in Episcopatu praedicto, de primo anno de illis tribus annis quibus Dominus Papa nobis gratiam fecit de decima beneficiorum Ecclesiasticorum Regni nostri levanda, & ad opus nostrum colligenda prout ei injunximus & melius viderit expedire. Et ideo vobis mandamus, quod eidem Radulpho in praemissis intendentes sitis & respondentes, consulentes & auxiliantes prout vobis scire facit ex parte nostra. In cujus rei testimonium etc. Teste Rege apud Westm. 26. die Maii. REX Omnibus etc. salutem. Inspeximus Literas Patentes sigillis Magistri Constantini Pat. 54▪ H. 3. m. 15. intus. De Decima Elyen. Archid. Subbyr. & P. de Wynton. ad audiendum compotum decimae nobis à sede Apostolica concessae in quibusdam Cant. Provinciae Dioc. deputatorum, signatas in haec verba. Omnibus Christi fidelibus praesentes literas inspecturis Constant. Archid. Subbyr. & P. de Winton. ad compotum Decimae domini Regis per dominum Papam concessae à praedicto Domino Rege & à venerabili Patre Domino O. Sancti Adriani Diac. Cardinali nuper Apostolicae sedos Legato audiendum deputati, salutem in Domino. Sciatis quod Venerabilis Pater H. Episcopus Elyensis, qui finem fecit cum Domino Regio pro tota decima ad Dominum Regem ratione praedictae concessionis Domini Papae pertinente, de omnibus bonis spiritualibus & temporalibus Ecclesiasticarum personarum in Civitate & Dioc. Elyen. de illis tribus annis quibus dicta decima fuerat praefato Domino Regi secundum verum valorem concessa reddidit compotum coram nobis per Magistrum Alanum de Rokeland, officialem, Elyensem & Nicholaum de Mare, Clericum ipsius Episcopi coram nobis, de Mille & Ducentis Libris sterlingorum, per quas finem fecit cum praedicto Domino Rege pro tota decima praenominata de tribus annis praedictis pro compoto audito, allocatis praedicto Episcopo solutionibus factis, expensis & omnibus aliis idem negotium contingentibus rationabiliter allocandis; de voluntate Domini Regis & consilii sui praedictum Episcopum tam pro se quam pro toto Clero Ciultatis & Dioc. Elyen. invenimus de supradictis mille & ducentis libris praefato Domino Regi plenè satisfecisse, secundum finem praedictum quem cum Domino Rege fecit. Et ideo praefatos Episcopum & Clerum de tota praedicta pecuniae quantitate quantum in nobis est plenè acquietamus. In quorum testimonium praesentibus sigilla nostra duximus apponenda. Dat. apud Westm. 1 die Jdus Maii. Anno Regni Domini Regis praedicti 54. Nos igitur redditionem compoti praedicti acceptantes, praefatos Episcopum & Clerum de eodem compoto, quantum in nobis est tenore praesentium quietamus. In cujus etc. Teste Rege apud Westm. 5 die Maii. REX Vic. Cantabr. salutem. Quia dilectos Clericos nostros Magistrum Adam Ibidem. de Rokeland, Officialem Elyensem, & Nicholaum de Ware, assignavimus ad colligendum arreragia Decimae in Episcopatu Elyen. nobis à sede Apostolica concessae. Tibi praecipimus sicut pluries praecepimus sub fidelitate qua nobis teneris firmiter injungentes, quatenus eadem arreragia tam temporalium quam spiritualium quociens ab eis vel uno eorum fueris requisitus, de bonis eorum qui dictam decimam nobis nondum solverunt, de quorum nominibus dicti Clerici tibi constare faciant, sive fuerint infra libertates sive extra, cum omni festinatione levari & elsdem vel alteri eorum integrè solvi facias. Ita quod ipsa omni modo habeamus ad urgentissima negotia nostra expedienda ad diem quem dicti Clerici nostri tibi praefigent. Et hoc nullatenus omittas sicut indignationem nostram perpetuam & dampnum in rebus propriis volueris evitare. Sciturus quod nisi hoc feceris nos de terris & Catallis tantam Summam faciemus ad opus nostrum levari, nihilominus propter mandati nostri contemptum gravius puniendo▪ Teste ut supra. REX Omnibus, etc. salutem. Inspeximus literas Patentes sigill. Magistri Pat. 54 H. 3. m. 15. intus. Pro De ima Linc. Constantini Archid. Subbor. & P. de Winton. ad audiendum compotum decimae nobis à sede Apostolicae concessae in quibusdam Cant. Provinciae Dioc. Dedeputatorum, signatas in haec verba. Omnibus Christi fidelibus praesentes literas visuris vel audituris, Constantinus Archid. Subbir. & Petrus de Winton. ad Compotum Decimae Domino Regi per Dominum Papam concessae à praedicto Domino Rege & à Venerabile Patre Otobono, Sancti Adriani Diacono Cardinali Apostolicae sedis nuper in Anglia Legato audiendum deputati salutem in Domino Sciatis quod Dominus Willus Decanus Linc. Ecclesiae & Magister Rogerus de Ranekyngham Archid. Huntingdon. qui composuerunt cum Domino Rege pro tota decima spiritualium & temporalium ac quorumcunque aliorum proventuum Ecclesiasticorum Ecclesiae Linc. & Dioc. ad Dominum Regem ratione praedictae concessionis Domini Papae pertinente, de illis tribus annis quibus dicta decima fuerat praedicto Domino Regi concessa, reddiderunt compotum coram nobis de novem millibus ducentis sexaginta sex libris tresdecim solidis & quatuor denariis, per quas composuerunt cum praedicto Domino Rege pro tota decima praenominata de tribus annis supradictis. Quo compoto audito allocatis praedictis Willielmo & Rogero solutionibus factis, expensis primi anni, & omnibus aliis idem nogotium contingentibus rationabiliter allocandis, dictos Willum & Rogerum tam pro Ecclesia quam pro Dioc. memoratis invenimus de supradictis novem millibus Ducentis sexaginta sex libris tresdecim solidis & quatuor denariis praefato Domino Regi plenè satisfecisse, secundum Compositionem quam cum Domino Rege fecerunt cum ducentis quinquaginta sex libris tresdecim solidis & quatuor denariis adhuc debitis diversis mercatoribus certis die & loco solvendis, secundum formam litterae obligatoriae ejusdem Decani in Garderoba Domini Regis depositae, donecidem Decanus vel Archid. praedictus de dictis ducentis quinquaginta sex libris tresdecim solidis & quatuor denariis plenè satisfecerint. Quae quidem litera obligatoria debet dicto Decano vel dicto Archid. restitui, facta solutione Mercatoribus antedictis. Et sic praefatos Willielmum & Rogerum de praedictis novem millibus Ducentis sexaginta sex libris tresdicem solidis & quatuor denariis de voluntate Domini Regis & Consilii sui quantum in nobis est plenè acquietamus. In quorum testimonium praesenti scripto sigilla nostra sunt appensa, Dat. apud Westm. in Garderoba praefati Dominni Regis. Anno Regi ejusdem 54. Nos igitur redditionem compoti praedicti acceptantes praefatos Willielmum & Rogerum, de eodem compoto quantum in nobis est tenore praesentium quietamus. In cujus, etc. Teste ut supra. REX Vic. & Ballivis suis Dioc. Linc. constitutis salutem. Quia dilectum Clericum Ibidem. nostrum Magistrum Johannem le Flemeng. una cum Decano Linc. Ecclesiae assignavimus ad colligendum arreragia decimae in Episcopatu Linc. nobis à sede Apostolica concessae. Vobis praecipimus sicut alias praecepimus sub fidelitate qua nobis tenemini firmiter injungentes, quatenus eadem arreragia tam temporalium quam spiritualium quociens ab eis vel uno eorum fueritis requisiti, de bonis eorum qui dictam Decimam nobis nondum solverunt, de quorum nominibus dictus Decanus vel dictus Clericus noster vobis constare fac. sive fuerit infra libertatem sive extra, cum omni festinatione levari eisdem vel alteri eorum integre solvi faciatis. Ita quod ipsa omni modo habeamus ad urgentissima negotia nostra expedienda ad diem quem dictis Decano et Clerico nostro praefiximus. Et hoc nullatenus omittatis sicut indignationem nostram perpetuam & dampnum in rebus propriis volueritis evitare; scituri quod nisi hoc feceritis, nos de terris & Catallis vestris tantam summam faciemus ad opus nostrum levari. Vos nihilominus propter mandati nostri contemptum gravius puniendo. Teste ut supra. REX Omnibus Christi fidelibus ad quos, etc. Inspeximus Literas Patentes sigillis Pat. 54 H. 3. m. 22. intus. De Decima Atchiepiscopatus Cantuar. Magistri Walteri Scamel Thesar. Sarr. Petri de Winton ad audiendum compotum decimae nobis à sede Apostolica concessae in quibusdam Cantuariensis Provinciae Diocensibus deputatorum, signatas in haec verba. Omnibus Christi fidelibus praesentes literas inspecturis, Magister W. Scamell Thesaur. Sarr. & Petre de Winton. ad compotum Domino Regi concessae audiendum deputati salutem in Domino. Noverit Universitatis vestra quod Magister Stephanus Archid. Cantuar. coram nobis per Clericos suos reddidit compotum & respondit de mille ducentis Mart. octo solid. & decem denar. de decima primi anni Domino Regi concessa & contributione in Civitate & Diocesi Cantuaria, & de Contributione Decanatus de Shorham, & de bonis temporalibus & spiritualibus Domini Archiepiscopi Cantuar. ubicunque existentibus receptis, & de viginti duabus Marc. quatuor solid. & duobus denar. receptis de decima Episcopatus Roff. Et de tribus Marc. receptis de decima Ecclesiae de Newenton, Linc. Dioc. & de tribus Marcis sex solidis & octo denar. receptis de decima praebendae Magistri Pontii in Ecclesia Smulling Cicestr. Dioc. & de Centum quinquaginta Marc. de Cancellar. Cicestr. recept de decima per ipsum collecta in Cicestr. Dioc. de quibus omnibus supradictis est summa mille trecent. sexaginta decem & novem Marc. sex solid. & quatuor denar. de quibus compoto diligenter audito & alloc. dicto Archido & Clericis suis solutionibus & liberationibus dictum negotium tangentibus rationabiliter allocandis, nos dictum Archid. & Clericos suos de praedictis mille trecentis sexeginta decem & novem Marc. sex solid▪ & quatuor denar. Domino Regi plenarie satisfecisse, propter quod ipsos per praedictum compotum quantum in nobis est de tota praedicta pecunia totaliter adquietamus. In cus rei testimonium sigilla nostra praesentibus duximus apponenda. Dat. apud Westm. 12. die Febr. Anno Regni Domini Regis praedicti. 54. Nos autem redditionem compoti suppradicti acceptantes, praefatum Archdiaconum & Clericos suos de eodem compoto quantum in nobis est tenore praesentium quietamus. In cujus etc. Teste Rege apud Westm. 12. die Febr. REX Omnibus, etc. salutem. Inspeximus Literas Patentes sigillis Magistri Pat. 54 H. 3. m. 23. intus. De Decima Episcopatus Roffon. Walteri Scamel, Thesaur. Sarr. & Petri de Winton▪ ad audiendum Compotum decimae nobis à sede Apostolica concessae in quibusdam Cantuariensis Provinciae Diocesibus deputatorum, signatas in haec verba. Omnibus Christifidelibus praesentes literas inspecturis, Magister Walterus Scamell, Thesaur. Sarr. & Petrus de Winton. ad compotum decimae Domino Regi ab Apostolica sede concessae à praedicto Domino Rege & venerabili Patre Domino O. Sancti Adriani Diacono Cardinali audiendum deputati, salutem in Domino. Sciatis quod Venerabilis Pater Laurentius Episcopus Roff. reddidit compotum coram nobis de Centum sexaginta duodecim libr. & decem solid▪ de decima omnium bonorum & proventuum Ecclesiasticorum Temporalium & spiritualium tam dicti Episcopi quam virorum Religiosorum & aliorum Ecclesiasticorum personarum Roff. Dioc. de secundo Anno illorum trium annorum quibus Dominus Papa decimam hujusmodi proventuum Domino Regi concessit, secundum taxationem factam per Magistrum Bonetton. de sancto Quintino ad hoc specialiter deputatum. Et de tresdecim libris quindecim solidis, & duobus denariis arrearagiis decimae bonorum spiritulium de primo anno. Quo compoto audito, & allocatis dictis Episcopo & Clero solutionibus, liberationibus ac aliis dictum negotium tangentibus rationabiliter allocandis, de voluntate Domini Regis. Nos dictos Episcopum & Clerum de praedictis Centum sexaginta & duodecim Libris & decem solidid ex una parte, & de tresdecim Libris quindecim solidis & duobus denariis de arrearagiis ex altera parte invenimus praedicto Domino Regi plenarie satisfecisse; propter quod ipsos per praedictum compotum quantum in nobis est & de tota praedicta pecunia totaliter acquietamus. In cujus rei testimonium sigilla nostra praesentibus duximus apponenda. Datum apud Westm. 27. die Januarii. An. Regni Domini Regis supradicti. 54. Rex autem redditionem Compoti supradicti acceptans praefatum Episcopum de eodem Compoto quantum in ipso est tenore praesentium quietar. In cujus, etc. Teste Rege apud Westm. 30. die Januarii. REX Omnibus, etc. salutem. Inspeximus Literas Patentes sigillis Magistri Pat. 54 H. 3▪ m. 23. intus. De Decima Episcopatus Hereford. Walleri Scamel Thesaur. Sar. & Petri de Winton. ad audiendum compotum decimae nobis à sede Apostolica concessae in quibusdam Cantuar. Provinciae Diocesibus deputatorum, signatas in haec verba, Universis praesentes Literas visuris vel audituris Walterus Thesaur. Sar. & Petrus de Winton. Custos Garderobe Domini Regis auditores rationum decimae Domino Regi à sede Apostolica concessae, salutem in Domino. Noverit universitas vestra quod Willielm●s Archidiaconus Hereford. Collector. decimae supradictae in Episcopatu Hereford. duobus primis annis coram nobis compotum reddidit de quingentis quadraginta tribus tresdecim solidis & octo denariis per ipsum & Nunclos suos receptis in dicta Dioc. de decima supradicta, videlicet de quingentis triginta & octo libris tresdecim solidis & octo denariis receptis in Episcopatu Hereford. Et de Centum solidis receptis in Episcopatu Wygorn. de quibus liberavit in Garderoba Domini Regis apud Westm. Nicholas de Leukenor, Custodi ejusdem Garderoba ibidem viginti & duas Libras tresdecim solidos & quatuor denarios. Idem W. Archdiaconus liberavit diversis personis quadringentas Triginta & unam libras, & quatuor denarios de mandato Dominorum Regis & Legati & per literas eorundem, quas literas nobis in Compoto suo restituit. Item allocantur eidem W. Archidiacono pro expensis suis factis circa taxationes bonorum Ecclesiasticorum in Wygorn. & Hereferdens. Episcopatibus, & pro dicta pecunia colligenda & pro parte London. deferenda triginta Libr. Et ideo dictis liberatis solutionibus & allocationibus factis nos dictum Willielmum Archidiaconum vice & nomine dicti Domini Regis de dictis quingentis & quadraginta tribus libris tresdecim solidis & quatuor denariis finaliter quietum clamamus. In cujus rei testimonium praesentibus sigilla nostra apposuimus. Dat apud Westem. 28. die Januarii. Anno Regni Regis Henrici tertii. 54. Nos autem redditionem Compoti praedicti acceptantes praefatum Archidiaconum de eodem Compoto quantum in nobis est tenore praesentium quietamus. In cujus etc. Teste Rege apud Westm. 28. die Januarii. What arrearages the King ordered to be paid this year out of this Disme to the Pope for his annual rent for England and Ireland, granted him by King John, I have already printed page 311. whereon you may reflect. REX Vic. Ebor. & omnibus Ballivis, etc. salutem. Cum mittamus dilectos Pat. 53 H. 3. m 27 De Decima. Clericos nostros Magistrum Henricum de Brandeston, & Henricum Sampsons, ad decimam nobis à sede Apostolica in Com. praedicto concessam ad opus nostrum sine dilatione colligendam prout melius & citius viderint expedire. Vobis mandamus firmiter injungentes quod eisdem Henr. & Henrico ad praemissa facienda intendentessitis consulentes ad auxiliantes prout vobis scire facient ex parte nostra, & de omnibus bonis & Catalis illorum de Balliva vestra qui dictam decimam solvere contradicunt, eandem decimam tam infra Libertates quorumcunque quam extra levari faciatis sine mora, sicut ab eisdem Henrico, & Henrico fueritis requisiti. Et ita viriliter & diligenter vos habeatis in hac parte quod diligentiam vestram exinde merito debeamus commendare, & quod pro defectu vestri in praemissis dampnum non incurramus. Teste ut supra. Consimiles Literae diriguntur Vic. Not. Northumbri●, Cumberl. Westml. & Lancastr. King Henry to gratify the Pope for the Dimes granted him, which his Legate and his Assignees only must collect, assigned the Dimes of Ireland, and of some Bishoprics in England, to the Pope's Agents towards the speedy satisfaction of the Arrears due to him for the annual rent granted him by King John, and payment of annuities granted by the King to some of his Cardials in the first place, as appears by Pat. 54 H. 3. m. 27. intus, already Printed page 311. and by these two Records. REX Universis, etc. salutem. Noverit universitas vestra quod cum decimam Pat. 54 H. 3. m. 23. intus. De Domino Papa & Ecclesia Romana. proventuum Ecclesiasticorum Hiberniae nobis à sede Apostolica concessam deputaverimus assignandam Magistro Sinicio, Apostolicae sedis Camerae Clerico nomine Romanae Ecclesiae pro Arrearagiis annui Census in quibus eidem Ecclesiae tenebamur usque ad certam summam, et de eadem decima prout volebamus non posset eidem Ecclesiae festina et debita satisfactio provenire, ac postmodum decimam Linc. Episcopatus simili modo nobis ab Apostolica sede concessam pro arrearagiis ejusdem Census usque ad quantitatem quae de dicto consensu aretro est eidem Magistro Sinicio, nomine ipsius Ecclesiae duxerimus deputand. dictusque magister mille et Centum marcas tantum et nihil amplius receperit nomine ipsius Ecclesiae de decima Hiberniae supradicta, pro eo quod dilectae consorti nostrae Alienore Reginae Angliae, dicta decima Hiberniae, pro quibusdam suis debitis a praedicta sede Apostolica, et a nobis postmodum extitit concessa et deputata, licet appareat per quasdem patentes literas Ruk. Salveterrae, et Bartholemaei Jacob. mercatorum Florentinorum sociorum Reinerii de Fur. et Thaddei, Orlandi, ipsos mercatores ad mandatum praefatae Consortis nostrae et praefati magistri Sinicii, ducentas et quinquaginta marcas recepisse nomine prdictae Ecclesiae de summa,,,,,, quadringentarum Marc. quas idem Magister eis persolvi mandaverat per Venerabilem patrem Midd. Episcopum et Decanum Ossarteno, Executores negotii dictae decimae in Hibernia. Quia tamen in veritate dictus Magister Sinicius non recepit praedictas ducentas & quinquaginta Marc. sed eas volumus & mandamus praedictae Consorti nostrae assignari, pro eo quod de praedicta decima Linc. Episcopatus sicut mandavimus praefato Magistro nomine praefatae Eccleliae poterit plenariè satisfieri de Censu praedicto, confitemur & recognoscimus ipsum Magistrum Mille & Centum Marc. praedictas & nihil amplius ut praedictum est recepisse de decima Hib●rniae supradicta. Et Ecclesiam Romanam praedictam & Magistrum ipsum erga omnes plenurie acquietabimus & reddemus indempnes de ducentis & quinquaginta Marc. supradictis. In cujus, etc. Teste Rege apud Westm. 16. die Febr. REX Decano Linc. & socio suo Collectoribus Decimae in Episcopatu Lincoln. Pat. 54 H. 3. m. 27. intus. P. 1. Sanctorum Cosme & Damiani Diac. Card. Decima. salutem. Cum teneamur Ven. Patri Sanctorum Cosinae & Damiani Decano Card. in quadraginta & quinque Marc. de termino sancti Michaelis Anno Regni nostri 52. & de terminis Paschae & Sancti Michaelis, Anno Regni nostri 53. de annuo feodo suo triginta Marcarum quod percipit ad Scaccarium nostrum. Vobis mandamus, quod de arrearagiis finis quem nobiscum fecistis pro decima Episcopatus praedicti, habere faciatis eidem Cardinali triginta Marc. de duobus primis terminis praedictis. Proviso, quod primo satisfiat Domino Pap●e de arrearagiis suis annui Census quem percipit ad scaccarium praedictum juxta tenorem aliorum mandatorum nostrorum quae inde recepistis. Et nos praedictas triginta Marcas vobis in arrearagiis finis praedicti faciemus allocari. In cujus, etc. Teste Rege apud Westm. 5 die Aprliis. So as you see the King must have only the glean of the Dimes after the Pope and his Creatures harvest. REX Universis & singulis Collectoribus decimae per Regnum Angliae constitutis Pat. 54 H. ●. m. 23. intus De Decimae Abbaciae de sancto Altano. salutem. Cum dilecti nobis in Christo Abbas & Conventus de Sancto Albano pro necessariis utilitatibus nostris Centum Marcas sterlingorum de mandato nostro Magistro Gefredo Cameraio Veneraullis Patris O. Sancti Adriani Diaconi Cardinalis nuper Apostolicae sedis Legari in Anglia persolverint, per quod per nostras Patentes Literas vobis mandaverimus quod dictas Centum Marcas e●sdem Abbati & Conventui in solutionem decimae quam nobis solvere tenebantur de primo Anno de illis tribus annis quibus eadem decima pro nobis colligebatur computaretis, & de solutione residui si quod esset secundum formam qua idem Legatus decimam illam authoritate Apostolica solvi mandavit, staretur conscientiae eorundem. Vobis mandamus, quod à praefatis Abbate & Conventu de Decima primi anni praedicti ratione dicti residui ultra id quod juxta Conscientiam suam solverint de eodem residuo si quod fuerit nihil penitus exigatis contra tenorem literarum nostrarum praedictarum. In cujus, etc. Teste Rege apud Westm. 4. die Febr. The King granted this Patent to John Waler and his Clerk, that he should detain his own Dimes towards satisfaction of a Debt the King owed him, whiles he had the Custody of the Tower, and some others had the like for their debts to be allowed the Collectors upon that account. REX Collectoribus Decimae in Episcopatu Norwicen. salutem. Cum concesserimus Pat. 54 H. 3. m. 18. dors. dilecto Clerico nostro Johanni Walerand, quod decima ipsum contingens ratione beneficiorum suorum in Regno nostro sibi allocetur in debitis quibus ei tenemur, de tempore quo habuit custodiam Turris nostrae London. ex comcessione nostra. Vobis mandamus, quod ab exactione quam eidem Johanni de decima beneficiorum suorum praedict. Dioc. vobis solvenda de illis tribus annis de quibus Dominus Papa nobis gratiam fecit de decima beneficiorum Ecclesiasticorum Regninostri desistentes, si quid ab ipso ea occasione ceperitis, sine dilatione restituatis eidem. Et nos de decima ipsum contingente certioretis, ut vobisinde in compoto vestro debitam allocationem habere faciemus. In cujus, etc. Teste Rege apud Westm. 28. die Aprilis. Consimiles Literas habet idem Johannes insingulis Dioc. in quibus beneficia sua existant. Teste ut supra. The King granted this Licence to Herbert Boyvil his Tenant in Capite, in the manner of Ferlirg, to sell it to the Bishop of Norwich and his successors, to furnish himself with moneys to accompany Prince Eward to the holy Land, for which he had crossed himself. REX Omnibus, etc. salutem. Cum dilectus & fidelis noster Herbertus de Boyvill, Pat. 54 H. 3. m. 14. intus. Crucesignatus, profecturus sit ad partes transmarinas in subsidium Terrae Sanctae, & oporteat ipsum in peregrinatione illa multas impensas facere, nos eidem Herberto in hac parte gratiam facere volentes specialem, concedimus ei, quod ipse manerium suum de Ferling, quod de nobis tenet in Capite, vendere possit Venerabili Patri R. Norwicen. Episcopo & successoribus suis imperpetuum, faciendo nobis & haeredibus nostris servitia indè debita & consueta. In cujus, etc. Teste Rege apud Westm. 10. die Maii. The King having granted the profits of the Archbishopric of Dublin to Prince Edward, towards the expenses of his voyage to the Holy Land, except Knights fees, wards, releases, advousons, etc. issued this Patent to his Escheator of Ireland. concerning it. REX Dilecto Clerico suo Willielmo de Bakepuz, Escaetori suo Hiberniae, salutem. Pat. 55 H. 3. m. 13. intus. Cum in praesenti vacatione Archiepiscopatus Dublin. per mortem Fulconis de Saunford. nuper Archiepiscopi Dublin. concesserimus Charissimo filio Edwardo Primogenito nostro omnes exitus & Proventus ejusdem Archiepiscopatus, ad expensas ejusdem filii nostri in subsidium Terrae Sancta, salvis nobis feodis Militum, Wardis, releviis, & escaetis quibuscunque, & etiam advocationibus Abbatiarum, Prioratuum, dignitatum, Praebendarum, & Ecclesiarum quarumcunque quamdiu vacans fuerit, ut praedictum est. Vobis mandamus quod de Custodia ejusdem Archiepiscopatus in nullo vos intromittatis, sed Atturnatos ipsius Edwardi exitus & proventus praedict. percipete & habere permittatis in forma concessionis nostrae praedictae. Et si quid per vos vel vestros de exitibus seu proventibus ejusdem perceptum fuerit, id sine dilatione eidem Edwardo vel Atturnatis suis praedictis restituatis. Provisa quod omnia feoda, Wardae, relaevia, Escaetae, advocationes Abbatiarum, Prioratuum, dignitatum & Praebendarum quarumcunque per vos vel vestros ad opus nostrum salvo custodiantur prout ad opus nostrum magis videritis expedire. In cujus, etc. Teste Rege apud Westm. 13. die Junii. Et Mandatum est Militibus liberis hominibus & omnibus aliis tenentibus de Archiepiscopatu Dublin. quod Atturnitatis ipsius Edwardi quos per ipsum ad Custodiam ejusdem Archiepiscopatus deputari contigerit in omnibus quae ad Custodiam illam pertinent intendentes sint, & respondentes sicut praedictum est, & Atturnatos filii nostri praedicti exitus & proventus illos recipere, & habere permittatis, prout commodo Domini sui praedicti magis viderint expedire. In cujus, etc. Teste ut supra. King Henry being desperately sick past all hopes of recovery, made a vow that if he recovered he would go in person to the holy Land, according to his former vow which he had assigned over to his Son Prince Edward, to perform for him, after which vow made he recovering his health, and resolving to proceed in his voyage, to take up monyes from his Brother Richard for that use, made this assurance to him of all the revenues of the Realm except Wardships and other casual revenues, and for the regulation of his household and the affairs of the Kingdom. HENRI Par la Grace Dieu, Rex Dangleterre, seignur de Irlaund, è Duc Pat. 55 H. 3. m. 16. intus. Aquitine, à Erceveskes, Eveskes, Priurs, Cuntees, Baruns, Chevelers, fraun es houmes, è tuzses autres feals à ki cestes lettres vendrunt saluz. Nus voluns ke vus touz le sachez, ke cum nus nadgeres de * See Mat ●● est. An. 1270. si greve malady esteiouns suspris ke de nostre garesun ne feu nul espeyr, nous ky gardionus ke eyde de houme, ne nulle terriene choose for sul Deu nus pout mester aver, meismes nostre espeir tote nostre fiaunce en le Merci en la meneye nostre creature, a le signe de la seynt croiz ke nous nadgeres à nostre Cher fuiz Edward, nostre esnez aviouns baille, à parfere por nous le veage en la terre seynte par nostre propre volente, è en pure devotiun avouns fermement voue, è meintenaunt apres nostre vou fet de jour enjourse amenda nostre estate, issi ke la merci nostre seignour outre tote humeyne quidannce par marveillus miracle à recoveraunce, à saunte nus ad restore. Et purceo ke nous nostre vou avaundit si tost come nus pouns nostre passage arraer è ordener veouns acumpler par la grace deu, effurnir è veonus ben ke nostre pelrinage ne peausse en bone manere, ne à nostre saunete enprendre, si nous devaunt nostre passage a nos creaunceurs à ki nous devouns fessuns lur assez, è ensement ke nous eussouns graunt sum de aveir en tresor encuntre nostre passage solemnement e honurement a fere, nous par nostre propre esmovement, e de nostre fraunce volente, avouns grante a nostre cher frere le Noble Rey de Almaigne, nostre honurable pere Wauter, Arceveske de Everwyke, Primate Dangleterre, e as autres de nostre conseyl jurez e en bone fey promettuns, ke tuttes les issues de nostre terre, e de nos Cnutez, e de eires de Justices, e de nostre Juerie, e nos eschaetes, e Wardes, e Mariages, e releus, e tuttes autres issues ke par nule veie nus purrunt eschair, retendrouns eu nos meins, a nostre oes propre a nostre sustenaunce, è de nostre Reyne; e de nos Mesnees, e a nus de nos dettes aleger. Issi fet a saver ke les avauntdites issues, eschaetes, e Wardes, e Mariages, e releus, a nul autre ne durrouns graunteruns oulerrouns, for sulitaunt ke si Wardes, ou Marriages deivent estre vendu, si seient vendu a lur plenere value, e ceo par nostre conseil, e le aveir de ceo surdaunt a nos propres usages, ou a nos dettes aquiter, solunc le purveaunce de meimes le conseil aseit a turne solunc kil verrunt ke seit a fere, E, par ensoun si voluns e ottreouns ke nostre conseil avantdit eit poer de ordeiner e adrescer le stat de nostre hostel solunc ceo kil verrunt ke meuz seit a fere a nostre prou & a nostre honour. E si par aventure nul eyed nus seit graunte de nos feals a nostre passage avaundit, ou de la Clergy par lour curtiseye demeine, ou par le grant le Apostoyle, ou de Blaunk moynes ou de gent de autre Religion, voluns ke tot seit a nostre oes garde en meymes la furme ke de sus est dite, e meismes la chose grauntouns en dreit de la dette ke lewelyn Prince de Wales nus deite, tuz ceus choses avonus grante issi ne pur, quaunt ke a nos chevalers, seriaunz, vallez, e garcouns ki nous unt servi, ke ren ou poy ount eu de nus por lur travail, par mesmes nostre conseil seit purveu, ke lur assez lur seit fet si tost com le verra lius, & teus solunc lur desertes, e solunc le ten e le manere de lour servise, a saufa nus sis vintzes livers endevers a donor dedenz le ten anavaunt nome per parceles a nostre volente. Estre ceo nus voluns & ottreouns, ke si nule lettre de nostre Courtesan seit purchace en cuntre iceo nostre grante e nostre ottrey, coment kele seit purchacee ou par procurement envers nous ou en nule autre manere, icele lettre de nulle force ne seit ne de nulle value, ne nuls de nos feals ne seit tenuz abbeir al execution fere de cele lettre. En tesmoyne de tuttes ces choses i cestes Lettres avouns fet fere overtes a durer par un an enter, issi ke en le fin del an en nostre pleisir, e en nostre volente seit a renoveler un autel escrit si nus veonus ke ceo nus seit bon, ou ke de ceu ten en avaunt iceo nostre graunt e ottrey cesse du tot si nus voluns, issi ke utre ceu terme ne seionus tenuz a ren ke contenu est en cest escrit. Done per nostre maine à Westm. le seiszine jour de Averil, Lan de nostre Regne Cinquaunte quint. King Henry being doubtful of his recovery from that sickness, whiles Prince Edward his Son and heir to the Crown, was engaged in the Holy Wars, writ this Letter of advice to him speedily to return into England, upon his Fatherly blessing for the reasons therein expressed, notwithstanding his vow, and engagement, in that affair, in such manner as might be most for his honour. REX Edwardo primogenito suo Karissimo salutem, & paternam benedictionem, Claus. 55 H. 3 m. 8. intus. Tenore literarum vestrarum nobis super vestro Comitivae vestrae statu prospero & jocundo benedictus Deus transmissarum audito plenius & intellecto, laeti efficiebamur & hilares in immensum. Et etiam ante receptionem ipsarum literarum, * See Mat West. Anno 1270. tanta & tam gravi infirmitate detinebamur, quod omnes & singuli existentes physici & alii de vita nostra communiter desperabant, nec tempore quo lator praesentium à nobis recessit de nostra convalescentia spes aliqua habebatur, verumtamen prout Altissimo super statu nostro placuerit ordinare, vos inde per nostros nuncios reddemus frequentius certiores; unde cum vos in haereditatem Regni nostri tanquam primogenitus & haeres noster post nos succedere debeatis, vos post receptionem praesentium ad partes remotiores nullatenus transferatis, antequàm de statu nostro certitudinem habueritis pleniorem, tum quià si Papa crearetur & mandaret Charissimo fratri nostro R. Regi Alem. illustri a vinculo vestro, cui Custodia Regni praedicti de consilio vestro commissa fuit, oporteat ipsum pro statu Regni sui Alem. ad Curiam Romanam modis omnibus personaliter accedere. Ita quod ad depressionem quorundam mauleolorum infra Regnum nostrum existentium sicut nostis, intendere non posset ut expediret, tàm quia si occasione mortis nostrae, quod absit, vos oporteat ad propria remeare causa regiminis Regni praedicti recipiendi, cum Rege Franciae qui ad partes Franciae in brevi reversurus est, ut dicitur, honestè redire poteritis & decenter; super quibus omnibus tale consilium habeatis quale vobis, & honori vestro, ac ipsi Regno, & paci & tranquillitati ejusdem magis videritis expedire. Et hoc sub obtentu paternae benedictionis nullatenus omittatis. Et ut vobis de voluntate nostra constet in praemissis, consulimus bona fide, quod ad propria redeatis sine mora, quia vestris & Regni praedicti negotiis ad votum ordinatis & dispositis, poteritis, cum praefato Rege Franc. redire versus Terram Sanctam in subsidium ejusdem, prout magis noveritis convenire. Teste Rege apud Westm. 6. die Febr. The King during these Wars, to show his disaffection to the Jews and Judaisme, and ingratiate himself with the Citizens of London, and other his Christian Subjects, published these Statutes and Proclamations against any Jews purchasing or acquiring any kind of Freeholds in England by any Charter, gift or conveyance whatsoever, and concerning their houses in Cities wherein they inhabited, their Suits at Law, and other particulars therein expressed. REX Dilectis & fidelibus suis Majori & Vicecomitibus suis London, & Omnibus Pat. 55 H. 3. m. 10. dorso. Ballivis & fidelibus suis ad quos etc. salutem. Sciatis, quod ad honorem Dei & Universalis Ecclesiae, ac emendationem & utilitatem terrae nostrae & relevationem Christianorum de dampnis & gravaminibus, quae sustinuerunt occasione liberorum tenementorum quae Judaei Regni nostri clamabant habere in terris, tenementis, feodis, redditibus & aliis tenuris, & ne vobis seu Communitati Regni nostri, vel ipsi Regno possit de caetero praejudicium generari; providimus de consilio Praelatorum, Magnatum & Procerum qui sunt de Consilio nostro, ac etiam ordinavimus & statuimus pro nobis & haeredibus nostris. Quod nullus Iudeus liberum tenementum habeat in maneriis, terris, tenementis, feodis, redditibus, vel tenuris quibuscunque per Chartam, donum, Feofamentum, confirmationem, seu quamcunque aliam obligationem, seu quocunque alio modo. Ita tamen quod domos suas quas ipsimet inhabitant in Civitatibus, Burgis, seu aliis Villis, inhabitent de caetero et eas habeant sicut habere consueverunt temporibus retroactis, et etiam alias domos suas quas Iocandas habent, licite locare possint Iudaeis tantum et non Christianis. Ita tamen quod non liceat judeos nostros London. plures domos quam nunc habent emere, sive quocunque alio modo perquirere in Civitate nostra London. per quod Ecclesiae perochiales ejusdem Civitatis vel Rectores earundem jacturam incurrant. Poterunt tamen iidem Judaei London. domos & aedificia sua antiqua prius diruta & destructa reparare, & in statum Pristinum redigere ad voluntatem suam. Providimus etiam & statuimus de eodem consilio nostro quod de domibus suis praedictis inhabitandis vel locandis, ut praedictum est, nullus Iudeus placitet vel placitare possit per brevia nostra Originalia de Cancellaria, sed tantummodo coram justiciariis nostris ad Custodiam judeorum assignatis, per brevia Judaismi consueta et hactenus usitata; de terris autem et tenuris de quibus judei ante praesens statutum Feofati fuerunt, & quas nunc tenent, volumus, quod hujusmodi infeodationes & dona penitus adnullentur, & terrae & tenementa illa Christianis qui sibi ea dimiserunt remaneant. Ita tamen, quod Christiani satisfaciant ipsis Judaeis de pecunia seu Catallo contento in Chartis & Cyrograffis suis, sine usura, quod Judaei pro hujusmodi dono vel infeodatione dederint Christianis. Hac autem adjecta conditione, ut si Christiani illi incontinenti inde satisfacere non possint, liceat Judaeis praedictis tenementa illa aliis Christianis dimittere, donec inde per rationabilem extentam secundum verum valorem eorundem Catalla sua sine usura levari possint. Salvo tamen Christianis illis herbergagio suo, Ita quod Judaeus pecuniam seu Catallum suum per manus Christianorum & non Judaeorum inde recipiat sicut praedictum est. Et si contingat Judaeum aliquem Feoffamentum amodo recipere à quovis Christiano de aliquo feodo seu tenemento contra praesens statutum, Judaeus ipse dictum tenementum seu feodum penitus amittat, & in manum nostram capiatur, & salvo custodiatur. Et Christiani illi vel eorum haeredes terram vel tenementum illud de manu nostra rehabeant. Ita tamen quod totam pecuniam quam ab ipsis Judaeis pro hujusmodi Feoffamento receperint nobis tunc solvant, vel si eorum facultates ad hoc non sufficiant, tunc verum valorem tenementorum vel feodorum nobis & haeredibus nostris annuatim reddant ad scaccarium nostrum per veram & rationabilem extentam eorundem, donec de hujusmodi pecunia seu Catallo nobis plenè fuerit satisfactum. De nutric bus autem parvulorum, pistoribus, Braceatoribus & Cocis Judeorum, Quia judaei et Christiani in cultu fidei dispares sunt, providimus et statuimus, quod nullus Christianus vel Christiana eye ministrare praesumant in Ministeriis praedictis. Et quia Iudaei quosdam redditus, de terris et tenementis Christianorum tanquam perpetuos dudum recipere solent per manus Christianorum, qui etiam feoda dicebantur, volumus, et statuimus, quod statutum tunc inde per nos factum firmitatis robur obtineat, nec ei per praesens statutum in aliquo derogetur. Et ideo vobis praecipimus firmiter injungentes, quod provisionem, ordinationem & statutum praedictum publicè per totam Ballivam vestram proclamari & firmiter teneri & observari faciatis. In cujus, etc. Teste Rege apud Westm. 25. die Julii. Eodem modo mandatum est singulis Vicecomitibus per Angliam. Teste ut supra. The Suprior & Covent of Canterbury oppressing and annoying the Prior & Covent of Saint Martines Dovor, belonging to the Archbishop of Canterbury, against their Privileges, during the vacancy of the Arbishoprick then in the King's hands, the King thereupon by his Sovereign Ecclesiastical Authority, issued this Writ to the Constable of Dovor to maintain their privileges, and not suffer them to be injuried or molested in any kind. REX Constabulario Castri sui Dovor. salutem. Cum Prior & Conventus Sancti Claus. 55 H3: m. 10. dorso. Martini Dovor. immediate sint subjecti Archiepiscopo Cant. qui pro tempore fuerit, & de temporalibus & aliis ad domum suam spectantibus eidem * See Monasticon Anglicanum. vol. 2. p. 1 2, 3, 4 Brevia Regis Anno 14. E. 2. Archiepiscopo & non aliis respondere debeant, prout eye a sede Apostolica est indultum, sicut pro certo intelleximus, ac subprior et Conventus Cant. praefatis Prioris et Conventui occasione Archiepiscopatus praedicti vacantis, et in manu nostra existentis, injurias et gravamina multipliciter in●erant contra indulgentiam praedictam, sicut ex relatu eorundem Prioris et Conventus didicimus evidenter. Nos libertates tam Archiepiscopatus praedicti, quam dicti Prioratus Dovor. quamdiu idem Archiepiscopatus in manu nostra extiterit illesas in omnibus observare volentes, mandavimus praefatis Subpriori et Conventui in personis aut rebus suis, in instanti vacatione Archiepiscopatus praedicti contra indulgentiam praedictam qua iidem prior et Conventus in hujusmodi vacationibus hactenus rationabiliter usi fuerint, injurias, gravamina seu molestias aliquas nullatenus inferre praesumant. Et ideo vobis mandamus, quod ipsos Priorem & Conventum & bona Prioratus sui in hac parte protegatis & defendatis, non permittentes ipsos per praefatos Subpriorem & Conventum in praemissis, quantum in vobis est indebitè praegravari. Teste Rege apud Westm. 8. die Januarii. The Official, Subprior and Covent of Trinity in Canterbury, notwithstanding invading * See Monasticon Angl. vol. 2. p. 1. 2, 3. the Rights and Privileges of the Prior and Covent of Saint martin's in Dovor, immediately subject to the Archbishopric of Canterbury, during the vacancy of that See, whiles the Temporalties were in the King's hands, against the Privileges granted them by the Pope, the King as supreme Ordinary and preserver of the Rights of the Archbishopric, and this Priory, issued this further Writ to the Constable of Dovor Castle, to protect them in their Privileges and Rights, against those of Trinity. REX Dilecto & fideli suo Stephano de Penecestre Constabulario Castri sui Dovor, Pat. 56 H. 3. m. 14. salutem. Cum Monachi Priorarus Sancti Martini Dovor. immediatè sint subjecti Archiepiscopo Cantuar. qui pro tempore fuerit, & de Temporalibus & aliis ad Prioratum illum spectantibus eidem Archiepiscopo & non aliis respondere debeant, prout eis à sede Apostolica est indultum, sicut pro certò intelleximus. Ac Offic. Sub-prior & Conventus Sanctae Trinitatis Cant. praefatis Monachis Dovor ratione Archiepiscopatus praedicti vacantis, & in manu nostra existentis, molestias, injurias & gravamina multipliciter inferant, contra indulgentiam supradictam. Per quod nos libertates tam Archiepiscopatus praedicti quam dicti Prioratus Dovor. quamdiu idem Archiepiscopatus in manu nostra exstiterit, illaesas, ut tenemur, in omnibus observare volentes; mandavimus praefatis Offic. Subpriori et Conventui Cant. quod praefatis Monachis in personis aut rebus suis instanti vacatione Archiepiscopatus praedicti, contra indulgentiam praedictam quam praedictis Monachis Dovor. in hujusmodi vacationibus hactenus rationabiliter usi sunt, injurias, molestias seu gravamina aliqua nullatenus inferant; Ac ipsi quasi mandata nostra in praemissis contempnentes, nihil inde facere curaverint, sed praefatis Monachis graviora dampna quam prius de die in diem inferant de quo miramur non modicum et movemur.. Vobis mandamus sicut alias mandavimus firmiter injungentes, quod praedictos Monachos Dovor. homines, terras, res, redditus & omnes possessiones suas in Balliva vestra manuteneatis, protegatis & defendatis, non permittentes ipsos per praefatos Offic. Subpriorem & Conventum quantum in vobis est, durante vacatione praedicta super aliquibus molestari indibitè seu gravari, sed ipsos Offic. Subpriorem & Conventum ex parte nostra moneatis & efficaciter inducatis, quod ab hujusmodi gravaminibus & molelestiis praefatis Monachis de caetero inferendis penitus desistant. Ita quod diligentiam vestram exinde meritò commendare debeamus, & quod non oporteat nos amplius super hoc sollicitari, per quod manum ad hoc aliter apponere debeamus. Teste meipso ipso apud Westm 3 die Maii. Anno Regni nostro 56. The Official of the Prior of Christ Church in Canterbury, notwithstanding the former Writs, claming a Jurisdiction over the Prior and Covent of Saint Martins Dovor during the vacancy of the Archbishopric, excommunicated them for not submitting to his Jurisdiction, whereupon they appealed against his excommunication and undue proceedings to the Court of Rome; yet afterwards the Prior of Saint Martin's released the Appeal, and wasted the Corn and other goods of the house, by means whereof the Covent were likely to beg and be dispersed; the King upon the subpriors and Covents complaint thereof, as supreme Patron & founder, empowered the Constable of Dovor Castle, and two Monks of St. Martin's, by this commission to preserve the goods of the house, and apply them to the benefit thereof, till the King and his Council took further order therein. REX Stephano de Penecestre Constabulario Castri sui Dovor▪ & fratri Roberto de Pat. 56 H. 3. m. 27. Cantuar. salutem. Ex parte Subprioris Prioratus Sancti Martini Dovor. nobis est ostensum; quod cum Offic. Prioratus Ecclesiae Christi Cautuar. clamantes habere Jurisdictionem super Priorem & Conventum praedicti Prioratus Sancti Martini vacante sede Cantuar. in ipsos Priorem & Conventum S. Martini, pro eo quod ipsi praedictos Offic. & Conventum Ecclesiae Christi Jurisdictionem illam exercerè non permiserunt, excommunicationis sententiam fulminaverint. Et ●idem Prior & Conventus Sancti Martini sentientes se ob haec & alia gravamina eisdem Priori & Conventui Sanct▪ Martini per praedictos Offic. & Conventum Ecclesiae Christi multipliciter illata indebite praegravari, ab eisdem Offic. & Conventu Ecclesiae Christi ad Curiam Romanum appellaverint & certos procuratores ad appellationem illam prosequendā ibidem transmiserint. Ac praedictus Prior S. Martini appellatione praedictae quantum in ipso fuit, sponte et sine assensu et voluntate Conventus suipradicti postmodum renunciaverit, et blada et alia bona ad prioratum suum spectantia, pro voluntate sua incessanter devastet et consumat, per quod praedictum Conventum suum mendicare et in dispersionem mitti oportebit, nisi remedium ad hoc celerius apponatur. Nosquia idem Prioratus Sancti Martini de nostra et progenitorum nostrorum Regum Angliae fundatione existit, sustinere nolentes, quod bona ejusdem quae ad sustentationem Conventus illius et pauperum Christi ad locum illum confluentium deputantur, per praesumptionem alicujus dilapidentur seu distrahantur, sed potius quod salvo custodiantur et in utilitatem Prioratus illius prout opus suerit convertantur: Assignavimus vos, una cum duobus de discretioribus et probioribus Monacbis Prioratus illius, ad bona ad Prioratum illum pertinentia conservanda et in utilitatem domus ejusdem ut praedictum est, convertenda. Et ideo vobis mandamus, quod una cum praedictis duobus monachis diligenter et fideliter praemissis intendatis, donec de consilio nostro aliud super hoc fuerit ordinatum. In cujus, etc. Teste Rege apud Winton. 28 die Decembris. Boniface the Military Archbishop of Canterbury, deceasing beyond the Seas, Anno Contin. Mat. Paris p. 925. Mat. Parker Antiqu. Eccles. Brit. p. 1912. 192. Godwin in his life, and the life of Rob. Kilwarby Henry de Knigton, de Eventibus Anglia. l. 2. c. 2460 Dom. 1271. when he had reaped the profits of that See, and pillaged that Province no fewer than 26. years 6. month and 16. days, most of which he spent in Wars and negotiations beyond the Seas, and never preached one Sermon all that time for aught I find: His Calamitatibus & Cruentis Papae rapinis, Bonifacii Archiepiscopatus ignominiose & infoeliciter gestus ac transactus est; cujus authoritas jam tandem exosa Regibus & populo vacillare, & ad ruinam paulatim vergere cepit: as his successor Matthew Parker observes. He adds out of Petrus de Ickeham, and Walterus Gi●bernensis; (to which I shall annex Henr. de Knyghton) that in the year he died; Tanta fuit apud Cantuariam inundatio pluviae, fulguris & tempestatis quanta à diebus antiquis nunquam audita vel visa fuerit, durante tonitruo & horribiliter quasi ex uno ictu tonante tota die & nocte, & tanta inundatio aquae secuta est, quod saxa vineas, & arbores subvertit, & saepe radicitus emulsit greges & armente ex agris abduxit, ipsam pene Civitatem inundavit, ita quod incedere non possent homines nec equi. Et per clitabantur multi impetu aquae decurrentis per placeas. Hoc diluvium in domibus Civitatis & tota regione secuta est fames maxima, famemque contagio & pestis occupavit. Ut vulgus dicere & aestimare solebat, hanc divinam cladem, et ultionem ob Bonefacii permissa et perpetrata scelera Cantuvariae contigisse. * Mat. Parker p. 192. Interea Henricus Rex, Clement Papa mortuo, Romanaque sede triennio pene vacante, aliquam alleviationem intollerabilis illius jugi Papalis sensit, ab exactione intercapedine concessa, tanquam respiratione et paucorum dierum ab hostili direptione induciis datis. Anno 1172. Rex licentiam monachis Cantuariensibus Eligendi dedit. Conventus Willielmum de Chillinden. sui Subpriorem in Archiepiscopum Cantudriensem elegit. Is Electus, Romam ad Gregorium 10. qui Urbano successit, ut electio firmaretur profectus est; sed Gregorius, ut majorum suorum exemplo specimen aliquod in Papatus sui primordio illius (ut nuncupant) plenariae potestatis ostenderet, Hominem apertum atque simplicem ut Electioni facillima non suasione sed oratione coegit. I find by these Records, that the King himself did not ratify, but except against his person, and form of his Election by the Monks, and sent special Proctors to Rome to oppose it, wherein our Histories are silent, and that made him more willing to resign it. SAnctissimo in Christo Patri & Domino Reverendo G. Dei gratiâ sacrosanctae Romanae Pat. 56 H. 3. m. 15 intus. Ecclesiae summo Pontifici H. eadem gratia Rex Angliae, Dominus Hiberniae, & Dux Aquitaniae, salutem, cum omni reverentia & honore. Ad impetrandum & contradicendum in Curia vestrae sanctitatis literas tàm simplices quam generales gratiam seu gratias continentes, dilectum Clericum nostrum Petrum de Montilio, Canonicum de Castro Tiburicen. Dioc. procuratorem nostrum facimus, constituimus & ordinamus. Ratum & gratum habituri quicquid idem Petrus nomime nostro in praemissis vel in aliquo praemissorum duxerit faciend. In cujus, etc. Teste Rege apud Westm. 12. die Aprilis. SAnctissimo in Christo Patri & Domino reverendo G. Dei gratia sacrosanctae Romanae Pat. 56 H. 3. m. 17. intus. Ecclesiae summo Pontifici H. eadem gratia Rex Angliae, Dominus Hyberniae & Dux Aquitaniae, salutem, cum omni reverentia & honore. Ad impetrandum & contradicendum in Curia vestrae sanctitatis literas tam simplices quam generales gratiam seu gratias continentes, dilectum & familiarem Clericum nostrum, Iterum Buchard. procuratorem nostrum facimus, constituimus & ordinamus. Ratum & gratum habituri quicquid idem Iterus nomine nostro in praemissis vel in aliquo praemissorum duxerit faciend. In cujus, etc. Teste Rege apud Westm. 27. die Marcii. That his particular employment there was to oppose this Archbishop's person and election, this Letter of Procuration directed to the Pope, relates. SAnctissimo in Christo Patri & Domino divina providentia sacrosanctae Romanae & Pat. 56 H. 3. m. 33. universalis Ecclesiae summo Pontifici, suus humilis & devotus H. eadem gratia, Rex Angliae, Dominus Hyberniae, & Dux Aquitaniae recommendationem, & seipsum ad pedum sanctissima oscula beatorum. Noverit reverenda paternitas, nos fecisse, ordinasse et constituisse praesentium per tenorem dilectum Clericum nostrum I. Beuchard. Rectorem Ecclesiae de Overton Winton. Dioc. latorem praesentium, procuratorem nostrum, ad proponendum impedimenta et crimina tam contra Electionem Monachorum Sanctae Trinitatis Cantuar. et ejus formam de futuro Archipraesule praeficiendo, quam contra personam Electi, coram vobis in Curia vestra, vel vices vestras gerentibus quibuscunque. Dantes eidem potestatem nomine nostro in praemissis agendi, defendendi, excipiendi, replicandi, impetrandi, contradicendi, et in judices consentiendi, petendi beneficium restitutionis in integrum, praestandi in animam nostram cujuslibet generis sacramentum, ponendi, respondendi et substituendi unum vel plures ad praemissa omnia et singula quociens viderit expedire; Procuratores nostros in eadem Curia per nos, vel alios nomine nostro constitutos vel substitutos totaliter revocandi, et omnia alia et singula faciendi quae verus procurator potest facere, etiamsi mandatum exigant speciale. Ratum et gratum habituri quicquid idem Iterus, constitutus vel substitutus ab ipso nomine nostro fecerint in praemissis, pro eisdem judicatum solvi promittentes. Hoc etiam quibuscunque adversis partibus intimamus. In cujus, etc. Teste Rege apud Westm. 28. die Marcii. Hereupon. the Pope, * Antiq. Eccles. Brit. p. 192. 193 Hujus loco sine Monachorum Electione vel consensu, simulans in Subprioris illius Electione vitium manifestum, quod in suam potestatem jus conferendi transtulit intervenisse; Robertum de Kylwarby, ex plenitudien potestatis Archiepiscopum pronunciavit, being then Provincial of the Freers Minorites in England, chief promoter of the Pope's Dimes, Croysadoes, and other exactions in the Realm, for a. 11 years' space: The Monks, quorum insolentia Regibus saepe molesta (oft opposing themselves against their Kings and lawful Prince's recommendations of an Archbishop to them,) jam tandem ab ipso Papa, quem contra Reges implorare consueverunt, fracta est, so as they durst not oppose this intruder of the Pope's sending by way of Provision. But yet to preserve their right of Election in some measure, they were content forsooth, to choose him whom the Pope had before designed without and against their wills; then sent their subprior (who had formerly renounced his Election at Rome before the Pope) together with the Prior of Dovor, and Official of Canterbury to him to London, qui eum Conventus nomine Electum salutarent. Ac Robertus, etsi Archiepiscopatum hunc Papae acceptum tulit, ut Monachorum gratiam & benevolentiam colligeret, perhumaniter eos accepit & petractavit; secumque de Ecclesiae Cantuariensis negotiis consilium daturos, octo diebus retinuit. Concessit autem ei Dominus Papa, ut munus consecrationis eligere possit à quocunque Episcopo Catholico quem ad hoc duxerit eligendum. Elegit autem Willielmum Bathoniensem, quem fama sanctitatis inter caeteros multum efferebat. On the day of his consecration March 4. 1272. the Prior of Canterbury demanded of him the sum of 3000. Marks which the Covent had spent in the Election of their subprior Chillindon, which the Pope had promised him upon his renunciation, the next Archbishop should satisfy: but he loath to disburse this money, began to pick holes in the Prior's coat, threatening to deprive him for his misdemeanours, whereupon the Prior persuaded this Covent to abate 1300. pounds of the 3000 Marks. The King was so much engaged to the Pope for supporting him against his Barons, and granting him three years' Dimes and Croysadoes towards the holy War, which Kilwarby and his Freers promoted, that he made no opposition against this promotion by the Pope. Soon after his consecration, * Godwins Catalogue of Bishops. p. 178. Richard More, Doctor of Divinity being elected Bishop of Winchester, he made exceptions against and refused to confirm him, for holding many benefices, according to the * Here p. 1042 to 1046. Constitution of the Council of London under Othobon, And said, that a man of such conscience as was fit for that place, would rather content himself with less living, than load himself with the care of so many souls. Yet notwithstanding though Pluralities were thus condemned by this Archbishop, the Council of London, and several Councils decrees before that, as very mischievous and scandalous to the Church, contrary to the Apostles Doctrine and practice, * 1 Pet. 5. 1, 2, 3. 2 Tim. 4. 1, 2 Tit. 1. 3. 5, 6, 7 Acts 14. 23 & 20, 27, 28. Phil. 1, 1. See Gulielmus Peraldus destructorium vitiorum Tom. 2. de Avaritia. cap. 11. Quod non liceat habere plura Ecclesiastica beneficia. Pat. 56 H. 3. m. 2. intus. who ordained many Bishops and Presbyters in every Church, not one over many;) Popes had no conscience of at all to observe these Canons, but made great advantage of them, by granting dispensations to all (who had money enough to purchase & thereby to merit them) to hold as many benefices with cure as they would, witness this exemplification of Pope Innocents' dispensation granted to Theodore de Camel, to enable him to hold and purchase Pluralities with cure, notwithstanding any Canons to the contrary. REX Omnibus, etc. salutem. Inspeximus dispensationem dilecti & familiaris Clerici nostri Theodori de Camel, sibi super pluralitate beneficiorum a sede Apostolica concessam, integram non cancellatam, non abolitam, nec in aliqua sui parte viciatam aut corruptam, in haec verba. Innocentius Episcopus servus servorum Dei, Dilecto filio. Theodoro de Camilla Clerico, salutem & Apostolicam benedictonem. Etsi Ecclesiarum vel Ecclestasticarum dignitatum pluralitatem sacra Concilii constitutio interdicat, saepe tamen cum pluribus eorum exigentibus * Pecuniis. meritis, super hoc authoritate sedis Apostolicae dispensamus: hinc est, quod nos volentes tibi facere gratiam specialem, tecum quod * propter. praeter beneficia quae optines Curam animarum habencia alia etiam si similem curam habeant, libere possitis recipere, si tibi Canonice offerantur, et cum praedictis licite retinere, Constitutione non obstante praedicta, authoritate Apostolica dispensamus: Nulli ergo omnino hominum liceat hanc paginam nostrae dispensationis infringere, vel ei auso temerario contraire. Si quis autem hoc attemptare praesumpserit, * O blasphemy. indignationem omnipotentis Dei et beatorum Petri et Pauli Apostolorum, (as if they approved such Pluralities and ratified them in heaven, as the Popes did on earth) ejus se noverit incursurum. Dat. Lugdini quarto Non. Junii Pont. nostri Anno quinto. Ad cujus rei evidentiam has literas nostras patentes dicto Theodoro fieri fecimus sigillo nostro roboratas. In cujus, etc. Teste Rege apud Westm. 15. die Octobris. The King issued this Writ to all the Sheriffs and Justices itinerant to levy 400l. with all speed, out of the Extract Rolls and fines for Prince Edward's Chaplain, to be paid into the Exchequer, for the dispatch of his special affairs in the Court of Rome. REX Universis & singulis Vicecomitibus suis ad quos, etc. salutem. Cum Pat. 59 H. 3. m. 29. intus. mittamus dilectum nobis Willum de Beverlaco, Clericum Edwardi Primogeniti nostri, ad diversos Comitatus Regni nostri, pro quadringentis libris ad nostra specialia in Curia Romana expedienda, una vobiscum levandis, secundum extractas Scaccarii nostri de Anno etc. 55. quas praefato Willielmo fecimus liberari; vobis praecipimus, quod una cum eodem Willielmo, cum ipse ad vos venerit occasione praedicta, denarios praedictos secundum extractas praedictas quas idem Clericus inde vobis liberabit, levari & usque ad Scaccarium nostrum deferri faciatis, prout praefatus Willielmus vobis dicet ex parte nostra, ad negotia praedicta inde expedienda sicut praedictum est. Et ita vos habeatis in hoc mandato nostro exequendo quod diligentiam vestram exinde meritò commendare debeamus. In cujus, etc. Teste Rege apud Marleberg. 26. die Novemb. Et mandatum est Thesaur. & Baronibus Regis de Scaccario, quod praedictas quadringentas libras per Vicecomites Regis & praefatum Willielmum levari, & ad Scaccarium nostrum deferri faciant, reponendas ibidem in tuto loco ad negotia praedicta expedienda. Item mandatum est Justic. itinerantibus in Comitatibus Sur. & Sussex, quod extractas suas de tota pecunia proveniente de finibus, amerciamentis & aliis exitibus itineris Justic. Regis itinerantium in Comitatibus praedictis fieri, & Elye de Berkewey Clerico Edwardi filii Regis & Vicecomiti Sur. & Sussex. liberari faciant, u●pecuniam illam levari possint ad mandatum Regis. Teste Rege apud Merleberge 26. die Novembris. Although * See p. 1021. 1022. Walter de Cantilupo Bishop of Hereford, was a great Incendiary and supporter of the Baron's rebellions against the King, yet he licenced his successor Godfrey Giford, to immure and embattle his Episcopal houses like Castles, both within the Clause of Worcestor, and at Widdindon in Gloucestershire by this Patent, which neither he nor any other could then do without the King's special licence. REX Omnibus, &c, salutem. Sciatis, quod concessimus pro nobis & haeredibus Pat 56 H. 3. m. 14. nostris Venerabili Patri Godesrido, Wygorn. Episcopo, quod domos suas infra Clausum suum Wygorn. & quandam domum suam infra manerium suum de Widdindon, in Com, Glouc. muro de petra & calce firmare possit & * See Spelmani Glossarium. Tit. Kernnellare. Kernellare, ad modum Castri, & domos illas sic firmatas & Kernellatas, (fitter for soldiers than Prelates) tenere sibi & successoribus suis sine occasione vel impedimento nostri vel haeredum nostrorum imperpetnum. In cujus, etc. Teste Rege apud Westm. 20. die Octobris. The Jews having built a Church and a School contiguous to the Oratory of the Freers Paenitents of Jesus Christ in London, who were disturbed and interrupted in the exercise of their spiritual offices, especially about the hour wherein they made the body of Christ, by the continual howling and great noise the Jews usually made after their manner in their said Church and School; The King upon proof thereof, by his Sovereign Ecclesiastical Authority, and for salvation of his own and other souls, suppressed the said Jewish Synagogue, and gave it to the said Freers and their successors with the Lands belonging thereunto; licensing the Jews to erect another School if they thought meet, in some other place, so as it was not to the annoyance of the said Freers, and their Church, or any other Churches, as this Record attests. REX Majori & Vic. suis London. Quià dilecti nobis in Christo fratres de paenitentia Claus. 56 H. m. 3. dorso. Jesus Christi London. commorantes, per strepitum judeorum confluentium ad Ecclesiam suam quae contigua est Oratorio dictorum fratrum, et etiam per ipsorum judeorum continuam ululatum in eadem Schola, juxta ritum suum, impedientur quo minus ea quae ad officium spirituale pertinent exercere possint circa celebrationem divinorum, praecipue hora confectionis corporis jesu Christi, sicut per testimonium fidelium accepimus: Nos ad divina inibi quietius celebranda, volentes praedict. impedimentum modis omnibus amoveri, ob salutem animae nostrae et animarum praedecessorum, et haeredum nostrorum, de gratia nostra speciali dedimus et concessimus praedictis fratribus et successoribus suis, in augmentum mansi sui ibidem praedictam Scholam, una cum fundo ejusdem, habend. et tenend. eisdem fratribus et successoribus suis imperpetuum. Et ideo vobis mandamus, quod eisoem fratribus de Schola illa sicut praedictum est, plenam seisinam sine dilatione habere faciatis; sustinentes quod praedicti Iudaei sibi aliam Scholam alibi, ubi ad minus nocumentum dictorum fratrum et Ecclesiae suae et Ecclesiarum aliarum fieri poterit facere, vel construere possint si voluerint, et sibi viderint expedire. Teste Rege apud Sanctum Edmundum 6. die Septembris. Anno Dom. 1271. A little before King Henries death; Orta contentione inter Cives & Monachos Norwycenses, Cives Norwycenses totam illam celebrem Ecclesi● am suam Cathedralem cumedificiis i●odium Monachorum, instig●nte diabolico combusserunt. Hos confestim cum sapientibus Regni sui, adiit Rex Henricus, intendiarios trahens, pendens judicialiter & combrens jubens catalla fugientium fisco Regio mancipari, An. 1271. p. 351. Contin. Mat. Paris p. 97, 6977. Walsingham. Ypodigma Neustr. Anno. 1271. as * Matthew Westminster and others relate. Qui non contenti tanto facinore, vasa, libros, & jocalia, quae flamma non tetigerat, manibus sacrilegis asportarunt, cum cuppa aurea, quae pendebat ad majus altare, in quo corpus Dominicum ponebatur. Supra qua re indignatus admodum Rex Henricus, per pietatem, inquit. Domini, vadam & videbo personaliter scelus istud, & juxta sua demerit a reddam illis. Misit ergo illuc ante faciem suam Justitiarium, militem quendam dictum Tryvet, quem & Justitiarium fecerat de Corona. Urgente autem mandato Regio horroreque facinoris, magna multitudo convicta de scelere, ad caudas equorum tracta, suspendio judicata, so our Historians; to which our Records superadded these ensuing Writs and directions to Sheriffs and others for the apprehension and punishment of these malefactors, expressing the King's high indignation against them. REX Willielmo Giffard. Vic. Norff. & Suff. salutem. Cum quidam Blasphemiae Pat. 56 H. 3. m. 4. intus. Filii et propriae salutis immemores nuper vi et armis insultum fecerint in Monachos Prioratus Norwic. et in quosdam alios cum Monachis ipsis in eodem Prioratu existentes, et quamplures ipsorum interfecerint, Ecclesiam et res sacras, ac domus Prioratus illius combusserint, et alia sacrilegia ibidem animo irreverentiet infrunito multipliciter perpetraverint, in offensam divini nominis ac subversionem Ecclesiasticae libertatis, nec non et in nostri dedecus, et perturbationem pacis nostrae gravissimam; quae nobis angustiam et dolorem tanto vehementius intulerunt, quanto talia et tam detestabilia scelera nunquam hactenus est auditum per aliquos perpetrata fuisse. Ac Nos propter tantum et tam enorme facinus, prout exposcit rei qualitas puniendum, ad partes Norwic. accedere festinemus; Vobis mandamus in fide, homagio et sub debito praestiti juramenti quibus nobis estis astricti, firmiter injungentes, quatinus omnes Milites et libere tenentes, et habentes viginti libratas terrae vel ultra, venire faciatis coram nobis apud Norwicum. Ita quod sint ibi ad nos modis ommbus die jovis in octabis nativitatis beatae Mariae prox. ventur. ad faciend. super hiis quod de Confilio nostro praecise durerimus providendum. Et hoc sub paena exhaeredationis, et periculo vitae et membrorum, nec non amissionis omnium bonorum et Catallorum quae habent in Regno nostro nullatenus omittant. Et taliter, et tam efficaciter in executione praesentis Mandati nostri vos habeatis, ne propter negligentiam, omissionem vel defectum vestrum ultionem praedicti facinoris in personam vestram, quod absit, oporteat retorqueri; quod fieri faciemus si negotium istud per vos aliquatenus retardari contingat, et habeatis ibi hocbreve. In cujus, etc. Teste Rege apud Sanctum Edmundum 6. die Septembris. Item eodem modo mandatum est Vic. Cant. & Hunt. quod habeat ibi die praedicto de Comitatibus praedictis viginti & quatuor milites & liberè tenentes, habentes viginti libratas terrae & amplius. The King issued these Writes to seize all the Lands, goods and rents of the Citizens and secure them ●till their trial, that so the innocent might not suffer for the nocent. REX Dilectis, & fidelibus suis Hugoni Peche. & Galfrido de Percy, & Radulph● Pat. 56 H. 3. In Cedula. dor. so consuta m. 5. Norwic. de Bakepuz. salutem. Cum ex testimonio virorum dignorum intelleximus pro certò, quod occasione cujusdam contentionis seu discordiae subortae inter Priorem & Conventum Norwic. & suos ex parte una, & Burgenses & Communitatem Villae nostrae Norwic. ex altera, incendia, homicidia, & dampna plurima tàm in Prioratu illo quam in villa praedicta hinc indè jàm perpetrata sunt: Nos nolentes quod illi de Villa praedicta qui non sunt culpabiles de facto praedicto, seu quod innocentes pro nocentibus in hac parte dampnum, sustineant seu jacturam, mittimus vosad villam praedictam, ad eandem villam una cum omnibus bonis & Catallis, terris & tenementis, redditibus, & aliis ad eandem Villam spectantibus capiend. in manum nostram, & salvo custodiend. prout vestra discretio melius noverit expedire. Mandavimus enim vic. nostro Norff. & Suff. & Burgensibus nostris & toti Communitati villae praedictae, nec non & omnibus Ballivis & fidelibus nostris partium illarum, quod vobis in praemissis intendentes sint & respondentes, consulentes & auxiliantes, & quod vobis ad praemissa facienda & fideliter exequenda, diligenter assistant, prout eis scire facie●is ex parte nostra. In cujus, etc. Teste Rege apud Westm. 15. die Augusti. REX Burgensibus & toti Communitati villae suae Norwic. salutem. Cum ex Ibidem. testimonio virorum fide dignorum intelleximus pro certò, quod occafione cujusdam contentionis seu discordiae subortae inter vos ex parte una, & Priorem & Conventum Norwic. ex altera, dampna plurima tam in villa quam in Prioratu praedicto, hinc inde jam perpetrata sunt. Nos nolentes quod illi de villa praedicta qui non sunt culpabiles de facto praedicto, seu quod innocentes pro nocentibus in hac parte dampnum sustineant seu jacturam, mittimus dilectos & fideles nostros Hugonem Peche, Galfridum de Perce, & Radulphum de Bakepuz. ad villam praedictam, una cum omnibus bonis & Catallis, terris & tenementis, redditibus & aliis ad eandem villam spectantibus capiend. in manum nostram & salvo custodiend. prout sua discretio melius noverit expedire, & eye plenius injuximus viva voce. Et ideò vobis mandamus, quod eye Hugoni, Galfrido & Radulpho in praemissis intendentes sitis & respondentes, consulentes & auxiliantes, prout ipsi vobis scire facient ex parte nostra. Et hoc nullo modo omittatis. Teste ut supra. He likewise issued this Writ to the Bailiffs of Colechester, to apprehend all Citizens of Norwich, in, or passing by those parts, and to seize all their goods and Merchandise in whose hands soever; and detain them till further order. REX Ballivis suis de Colecestria, salutem. Cum occasione Contentionis & Ibidem. discordiae inter Priorem & Conventum de Norwico, & Burgenses nostros, ac Communitatem villae nostrae de Norwico subortae, capi fecerimus in manum nostram eandem Villam de Norwico donec aliud inde ordinaverimus. Vobis mandamus firmiter injungentes, quod si aliquos de Burgensibus ejusdem Villae de Norwico in partibus vestris inveniri contigerit, vel per partes vestras transitum faciant, ipsos arrestetis, & eorum bona, Catalla & mercimonia in quorumcunque manibus inventa fuerint, sine dilatione capiatis in manum nostram, & ea una cum corporibus ipsorum salvo custodiatis, donec aliud indè praeceperimus. Diligenter etiam inquiri & scrutari faciatis, si aliquis de Balliva vestra praedictos Burgenses, seu eorum mercimonia vel alia bona receptaverit, seu ea penes se detineat, & ea omnia quae in hac parte inveneritis & feceritis, distinctè & apertè conscribi faciatis. Ita quod nos certiorare, & nos inde respondere possitis ad mandatum nostrum; ita viriliter & diligenter vos habeatis in hac parte, quod fidelitatem & diligentiam vestram merito commendare debeamus. Et ne pro defectu vestri in hac parte dampnum incurramus, propter quod ad vos & omnia bona vestra graviter capere debeamus. Teste ut supra. Mr. John * Acts and Monuments. vol. 1. p. 442. Fox Relates, that this controversy between the Monks and Citizens of Norwich, fell out about certain Tallages and Liberties, that after much altercation and wrangling words, the furious rage of the Citizens so much increased and prevailed, that so little was the fear of God before their eyes, that altogether they set upon the Abbey and Priory, and burned both the Church and Bishop's palace. When this thing was heard abroad, the people were very sorry to hear of so bold and naughty an enterprise, and much discommended the same. At the last King Henry calling for certain of his Lords and Barons, sent them to the City of Norwich, that they might punish and see Execution done on the chiefest malefactors, insomuch as some of them were condemned and burnt, and some were drawn by the heèls with horses through the Streets of the City, and after in much misery ended their wretched lives. The * page 977. History of England's Monarch's book 9 ch. 9 sect. 105. p. 642 Continuer of Matthew Paris, and John Speed inform us, that King Henry as soon as he could, having in his Company the Bishop of Rochester, and the Earl of Gloucester, followed his Justice Thomas Trivet to Norwich, where beholding the deformed ruins of the burned Church totally consumed, he could hardly refrain from tears. The Bishop having therefore excommunicated all who consented to this wickedness, and the Judge executed the nocent, Next the King condemned the Town in three thousand Marks of silver, to be paid by a day, towards the reparation of the Church so burnt, and also to pay one hundred pound in silver towards the repair of a Cup arising to twenty pounds in Gold. Cum Rex Henricus condignam ultionem Norwicensibus dedisset sacrilegis, (this public Act of Zeal to Religion and Justice being the last act which he did as a King,) he returning thence towards London, fell grievously sick at the Abbey of St. Edmund's in Suffolk, where after he had in a religious manner prepared his soul, by acknowledging his fins, he rendered up the same to his Redeemer, when he had reigned almost an old man's age, and more years than ever any King of England reigned either before or since, to wit fifty si● years and twenty days. A Prince (writeth Speed) whose devotion was greater than his discretioni, as we see in permitting the depredation of himself and his whole Kingdom by Papal overswaying, the error of whose Government concurring with the tumultuous Treasons of his Nobles, did precipitate him into many mischiefs▪ out of which God Almighty did strangely deliver him; for if he had not been divinely protected, there is no cause for a reasonable man to doubt, but that his end had proved as headlong, as some of his own and his Baron's actions seemed to threaten. I must acknowledge, that this King Henry in the beginning and latter end of his reign, not out of any devotion to the Pope, but mere Policy and pure necessity, did more comply with and connive at the encroaching innovations, Usurpations, exactions of the Popes and Court of Rome, than all his progenitors or successots, upon these several accounts, 1. By reason of the deplorable and almost desperate condition wherein his Father King John, left him and the whole Realm at the time of his death; for the Roman Pontiffs having but 3 years before by Menaces, Wars, Censures, interdicts, rebellions of his Prelates and Nobles, enforced him to enthrall himself and his Realms to their vassalage, * See he●e p. 360. to 372▪ Mat. Paris Hist. p. 277. left him an infant but nine years of age under the general disgust, hatred, disaffection of most of the English Nobles and Clergy, the hostile Power of the French intruder Lewes, before called in with a potent Army, Crowned King of England by the Barons, John being but * Regis Imago, as his Epitaph styled him, & Papae Vassallus, for that little part of the Realm he had possession of, having no Treasure at all and scarce any revenue to support himself, to raise sources, or remunerate such persons as should engage their lives & fortunes in his quarrel. In respect of all which concurrent difficulties; he had no other probable means left to expel the French, reduce the revolted Bishops, Nobles to obedience, and recover the actual possession of the City of London, orother Garrisons of his Kingdom, but by the Pope's assistance; which he and his Legates readily afforded him, for preservation of his own usurped interest therein wrested from his Father by force, fraud, treachery, rather than out of any affection to this young King. 2. The frequent conspiracies, rebellions of his Bishops, Barons against him, & their obstinate refusals to grant him aids or subsidies in Paliaments in a legal way, when his and the Kingdoms necessities required them, or upon dishonourable terms; which several times enforced him, not only to overstrain his regal Prerogative, but likewise to make use of the Popes Usurped Authority, Legates, Agents, to excommunicate the Barons and other opposers, reduce the Prelates and Clergy (his grand Antagonists) to obedience, and supply his necessities by Croysadoes, Dimes, and other extravagant means, whereof the Pope and his Agents usually got the greatest share; who made use of his regal, as he did of their Papal power, to fleece and poll the Clergy, by sundry impositions and rapines. 3. The frequent use he had of the Pope's favour, mediation, power, Legates, to maintain his interest in France, to make Leagues, Truces with the French King, and other foreign Princes, States; to obtain the Kingdom of Sicily and Apulia for his youngest Son, (wherein he was grossly cheated by the Pope,) to gain the Germane Empire for his Brother Richard, and Bishoprics or other Ecclesiastical preferments for his Queen's foreign kindred, who were no ways qualified for them; else when he was free from such necessities and entanglements, he always joined with much gallantry and resolution with his Nobles and People in opposing all the Pope's Usurpations, encroachments, innovations, exactions, and his own Prelates invasions of his and his Subjects Prerogatives and rights, as much as any of his Predecessors, as his premised Letters, prohibitions, proceedings against them from time to time demonstrate; especially his embassy, and Letters to the Pope at the Council of Lions, and banishing * See here p. 619, 620, 664. Martin the Pope's oppressing Nuncio out of the Kingdom, thus briefly related by Walsingham a Ypodigma Neustriae. p. 60 See here p. 644 to 648. 674. Anno 1245. Innocentius Papa celebravit Concilium apud Lugdunum; Ad quod missi sunt per Regem Angliae de consilio Praelatorum, Comitum & Baronum viri Nobiles▪ 4. dato eis advocato Magistro Gulielmo de Powike, ut concessioni Regis Johannis de C●nsu annuo pro Anglia & Hybernia contradicerent, eo quod de Regni assensu non processerat; sed & per Cantuariensem Archiepiscopum fuerat reclamatum vice totius Regni: sed Papa hoc indigere morosa deliberatione respondens, negotium posuit in suspenso. Praelati Angliae hoc anno conquesti sunt Regi de oppressione Ecclesiae Anglicanae, cujus proventus omnes & redditus Italici occupabant, propter quod Magistro Martino Domini Papae consanguineo, qui Major inter caeteros, aliorumque tutor in hujusmodi negotiis videbatur & defensor, ut evacuet regnum indilate regio mandatur edicto. Yea had not the Bishops than most unworthily betrayed both the Kings & Emperors Rights, Crowns, in subscribing the * See here Book. 3. c. 2. p. 299. 300. & 674. 677, 678. 47● etc. Pope's new draught of King John's surrender of his Crown, when the old was burnt, and publishing his excommunication and deprivation of the Emperor, and yielded up their own Rights by their inexcusable cowardice, the Pope, had then lost all his former usurped interest and authority within our Realms. But what any Popes unjustly gained, extorted by these necessities, fears, weaknesses, excommunications, interdicts or intestine wars, either from this King Henry, or his Father King John, they soon after gradually lost by the courage, wisdom, resolution, vigilance of his Son, Grandson, and great Grandson King Edward the 1. 2, & 3d. as I shall (God assisting me) undenially evidence by irrefragable yet unpublished Records during their successive Reigns, in my next ensuing volume▪ In the mean time I shall close up his life with b Ypodigma An. 1272. p. 67 Wal●inghams, and c Contin.▪ Mat. Paris. p. 977. Rishangers Character of him (which will please our Pontificians) Iste Rex, quantum in actibus saeculi videbatur minus prudens▪ tanto apud Dominum majori devotione pollebat; singulis namque diebus tres missas, cum nota solebat audire, et privatim plures audire cupiens, assidue assistebat celebrantibus. Et cum sacerdos corpus Dominicum elevaret, manum sacerdotis tenere, & illam osculari solebat. Contig it autem aliquando S. Lodowicum, Francorum Regem, cum eo super hoc conferente, dicere, quod non semper missis, sed frequentius serrmonibus audiendis esset vacandum. Cui faceta urbanitate respondens, ait: Se malle amicum suum saepius videre, quam de eo loquentem, licet bona dicentem, audire. Now to recreate my tired Readers, of this Voluminous Tome, I shall conclude it with this lively Poetical Description of the City, Popes, and Court of Rome, written by * Balaeus Scrip-Brit. Centur. 3. c. 59 Appendix p. 251. 252. Gualther Mapes Archdeacon of Oxford, flourishing under King Henry the Second, Richard the First, and King John, an eye witness of them whiles he was in Rome, Anno Dom. 1201. ROMA Mundi caput est, sed nil capit mundum: Quod pendet a capite, totum est immundum. Trahit enim vitium primum et secundum; Et de fundo redolet, quod est juxta fundum. Roma capit singulos, et res singulorum, Romanorum Curia non est nisi forum. Ibi sunt venalia jura Senatorum, Et solvit contraria, copia nummorum. In hoc Consistorio si quis causam regat, Suam vel alterius, hic in primis Legat: Nisi det pecuniam, Roma totum negat; Qui plus dat Pecuniae, melius allegat. Romani capitulum habent in Decretis, Vt potentes audiant manibus repletis. Dabis aut non dabitur, petunt quando petis, Qua mensura seminas, eadem tu metis. Munus et petitio currunt passu part, Opereris munere, si vis operari. Tullium nec timeas, si velit causari; Munus Eloquentia gaudet singulari. Nummis in hac Curia non est qui non vacet. Crux placet, rotunditas placet, totum placet, Et cum ita placeat, et Romanis placet, Vbi munus loquitur, et lex omnis tacet. Cum ad Papam veneris, habe pro constanti: Non est bonus pauperi, soli favet danti. Et si munus praestitum non sit aliquanti, Respondet hic tibi sic, non est mihi tanti. Papa quaerit, Chartula quaerit, bulla quaerit, Porta quaerit, Cardinal quaerit, Cursor quaerit, Sed si dares omnibus, at uni deerit; Totum mare salsum est, tota causa perit. Laus Deo, Vivat Rex in Secula. FINIS. AN Additional Appendix. SOme Passages pertinent to my Chronological History, being casually omitted in their due series of time, I thought meeter to supply by this Appendix, then to insert them out of their proper places. Book 2. Chap. 7. p. 248. l. 5. This should have been inserted; Anno 908. Monasticon Anglicanum vol. 1. p. 36. 37. King Edward the elder Anno 908. After this division of the Bishopric of Winchester into two Bishoprics and Diocese, ratified all Lands and liberties granted them by his progenitors, and limited the bounds of the Bishop's Lands, by his Charter wherein he recites. Ego Eaduveardus, divina largiente clementia Angul-Saxonum Rex, tempore quo Diocaesim Wentanae Ecclesiae in duas divisi Parochias, obnixe rogatus fui à Hithelstano Episcopo, quem tunc Ecclesiae praedictae Episcopum statuorum, ut novarum astipulatione literarum, S. Ecclesiae testamenta, uti olim ab antecessoribus meis Cynegisto & Ernerewalho, multisque eorum successoribus devotè tradita, atque restaurata fuerant confirmans, renovarem. Which he did by a Charter, (printed at large in Monasticon Anglicanum, to which I refer you) subscribed by himself, Archbishop Plegimud, sundry Bishops, Dukes, Presbyters, & Officers. By this recital, the truth whereof they all attest, it clearly appears, that this King by his Regal authority (not the Pope or any other) did originally, authoritatively divide, constitute this Bishopric, new Diocese, Bishop, as King * Monasticon Angl. vol. 1. p. 137. Ethelred divided his Kingdom into several Bishoprics and Dioceses before him, and placed Bishops in them, endowing them both with Lands and goods Book 3. Chap. 1. p. 254. l. 9 These memorable Legal proceedings in the third year of King John's Reign, should have been inserted, vindicating his Ecclesiastical Sovereignty, and strenuous opposition against the Pope's Bulls and Delegates, which William Thorne in his Chronicle hath thus recorded to posterity. Anno Domini 1201. Rex Johannes quorundam aemulorum istius Monasterii consiliis Anno 1201 Chronicon. W. Thorn. c. 17. col. 1844. 1845 stimulatus, caepit gravitèr istud monasterium persequi, ratione Ecclesiae Parochialis de Feversham, cujus patronatum simul & donationem sibi vendicabat, licet minus justè: sicut enim Rogerus iste Abbas tempore quo Electus fuerat, ob ejus benedictionem promerendam multas angustias sustinuit, ab Archiepiscopo Richardo, & Capitulo Christi Cant. ejus benedictionem impedientibus, ut igitur sibi amicos, & precipuae in Curia Regis perquireret, ad preces Regis Henrici, Patris Regis Johannis, praedictus Rogerus tunc Electus, suo Conventu inconsulto ac reclamante, dedit Ecclesiam de Feversham, cuidem Clerico de Camera Regis privato, nomine Osberno de Camera, sub pensione sex Marcarum annuatim reddendarum Monachis Sancti Augustini tanquam rectoribus Ecclesiae antedictae. Hac igitur causa & ratione Rex Johannes jus sibi praesentandi in eadem Ecclesia vendicabat. Mortuo igitur Osberno qui se pro rectore Ecclesiae parochialis de Feversham gerebat, sub die Ascensionis Dominicae anno supradicto, missus est Brandanus Monachus & quidam Magister Stephanus ex parte Abbatis & Conventus Sancti Augustini, ut corporalem acciperent de Ecclesia praedicta de Fever sham possessionem. Qui venientes apud Fever sham die sabbati proximo sequente post mortem Osberni praedicti, invenerunt Magistrum Everardum tunc Officialem Archdiaconi Cantuariensis in proticu ipsius Ecclesiae. Protestati igitur praedictus Brandanus Monachus & Magister Stephanus coram Officiali antedicto, jus Abbatis & Monachorum Sancti Augustini Cant. quod se in Ecclesia de Faversham habere dicebant, exhibuerunt instrumenta autentica tàm Regum Willielmi, Herrici secundi, & Richardi, confirmationem quoque Caelestini Papae inhibentem expressè Abba●● & Conventui S. Augustini Cantuariae, ne Ecclesias de Faversham, & de Middleton alienent ab usu proprio, aut aliquo alienationis titulo praedictas Ecclesias personae conferant seculari. Quorum authoritate instrumentorum praedicti Brandanus & Stephanus statim ingressi sunt possessionem ipsius Ecclesiae de Faver sham nomine Abbatis & Conventus, & coram Parochianis pro se & pro suo Monasterio & Ecclesiis suis, & maximè pro Ecclesia de Faversham, ad dominum Papam solemniter appellaverunt. In eodem etiam porticu praedictus Brandanus Monachus presentavit Officiali antedicto quendam Capellanum Herebertam nomine, ex parte Abbatis & Conventus ministraturum in ipsa Ecclesia, quia Archiepiscopus tun● agebat in remotis. Quem Capellanum cum Officialis non admisisset, iterum eodem die in Capitulo Hosprenges praesente eodem Officiali ipsum Capellanum praesentavit, & praedicta instrumenta in audientia totius Capituli fecit recitari, & appellationes, ut supra, solempniter innovavit. Abbas vero ex quibusdam verisimilibus & probabilibus conjecturis, quantum ad jus & proprietatem Ecclesiae suae antedictae de Feversham periculum sibi & Monasterio suo imminere perpendens, die Jovis proximo ante festum Pentecostes ad Ecclefiam suam praedictam cum majoribus de suo consilio personaliter accessit, et primo in domibus personatus Ecclesiae supradictae, pro se et suo Monasterio ad Dominum Papam solempniter appellavit, ac etiam pro statu Clericorum Ecclesiarum et Parochianorum omnium ad Monasterium Sancti Augustini pertinentium, et maxime pro Ecclesia sua de Faversham, et pro Monachis suis in ipsa Ecclesia nomine ipsius et Monasterii Sancti Augustini tunc existentibus. Indeque profectus ad ipsam Ecclesiam, convocatis parochianis in praesentia Decani loci & aliorum quamplurimorum, eandem appellationem innovavit: Duplex enim imminebat conflictus, et duplex periculum, Rex advocationem Ecclesiae praedictae vendicabat, Archidiaconus custodiam ipsius Ecclesiae praedictae, tanquam vacantis, et fructus medii temporis, ac etiam caeterarum Ecclesiarum nostri patronatus quaesivit. Set de altercatione cum Domino Rege me expediam, ad Archdiaconum postea rediturus. Defuncto igitur Osberno de Camera qui Ecclesiam de Faversham ut supradictum est tenuerat, Rex Johannes ipsam Ecclesiam contulit cuidam Simoni Archdiacono Wellensi & Archiepiscopi Vicecancellario, & ipsum Simonem ad eandem Ecclesiam Archiepiscopo praesentavit; sed Monachis nostris per appellationes & alia juris remedia se opponentibus, & tàm in Ecclesia quam in domibus personatus praedicto Simoni & ejus institutioni viriliter resistentibus, institui nullatenus potuit. Quibus auditis, Rex scripsit Abbati & Conventui Sancti Augustini in haec verba. Johannes Dei gratia Rex Anglia, etc. Dilectis Abbati & Conventui Sancti Augustini Cant. salutem. Concessimus ut nostis, dilecto & fideli nostro Simoni Archidiacono Wellensi Ecclesiam de Faversham, quae est de donatione nostra, & eum Domino Cantuariensi Archiepiscopo ad eam praesentavimus. Verum quiâ sicut accepimus, vos jus vobis in ea vendicantes, jus nostrum & praesentationem nostram & ipsius Clerici nostri institutionem hactenus impedistis, unde miramur non modicum & movemur, mandamus vobis rogantes quatenus occasione & dilatione remotis, ipsum in hac parte de caetero non inpediatis, sed permittatis quod ipse in ea instituatur, sive ad nos pertineant donatio, sive non, sicut vultis ad nos in negotiis vestris recursum habere & a nobis exaudiri. Teste meipso, etc. Hiis itaque gestis, habita deliberatione quid consultius foret, missi duo Monachi nostri ex parte Abbatis & Conventus ad Regem, tunc in partibus Normanniae agentem, qui ingressi ad Regem, exhibuerunt ei Cartam Williemi Conquestoris super donatione Ecclesiarum de Middleton & Faversham, ac etiam Cartas Henrici primi, Stephani, Henrici secundi, & Richardi Regum Angliae, super confirmatione praedictarum Ecclesiarum; confirmationem quoque Theobaldi & Huberti Archiepiscoporum, ac etiam confirmationem Caelestini Papae simul & inhibitionem, ne Abbas vel Conventus praedictas Ecclesias de Middleton & de Faversham alienent ab usu proprio, aut aliquo alienationis titulo personae conferant seculari; Petierunt insuper Monachi nostri & obnixius precabantur, ut praedictas Ecclesias Ecclesias Dominus Rex sicut & proge ●●o●●s sui fecerant, ipse etiam confirmaret. Et ut petita facilius impetrarent, magnam pecunlae summam pro hu jus confirmatione se daturos Regi spondebant. Sed Rex nec prece nec pretio inclinatus, petitis nullatenus adquievit; unde & sub hac forma non multum post rescripsit. Johannes Dei gratia Rex Angliae, etc. Abbati & Monachis Sancti Augustini Cant. salutem. Volumus vos scire, quod nos jam dedimus dilecto & ●●deli nostro Simoni Archidiacono Wellensi Ecclesiam de Faversham, quae vacat & est de donatione nostra, & ipsum Domino Cantuariensi praesentavimus, & quoniam, sicut nobis & Consillo nostro videtur, ratione Cartarum quas nobis ostendistis nullum jus vobis competit, eam conferendi vel in proprios usus retinendi; Prohibemus vobis, ne vos aliquatenus apponatis quo minus donatio nostra rata consistat, moleste enim feremus siquid feceritis in hac parte contra jus nostrum et libertatem, nec illud fieri sustinebimus. Undè vobis consulimus, quod ità vos contra nos & eundem Simonem in hoc negotio habeatis, sicut vultis quod nos habeamus nos erga vos in negotiis vestris & domus vestrae. Teste meipso, etc. Sed & ipse Archiepiscopus pro eodem Simone, scripsit sub hac forma. Hubertus Dei gratia Cantuariensis Archiepiscopus, totius Augliae primas, dilectis in Christo Abbati & Conventui Sancti Augustini Cant. salutem, gratiam & benedictionem. Audivimus Dominum Regem vobis scripsisse pro dilecto filio nostro Simone Archdiaco Wellensi, super Ecclesiam de Feversham, & quoniam scimus certissimè Dominum Regem ipsius Simonis in hac parte velle promotionem, quem & nos similiter multum desideramus, dilectioni vestrae diligenter duximus scribendum, moventes, consulentes & affectuosè supplicantes, quatenus intuitu Dei & petitioni, Domini Regis, & nostri, salvo jure vestro memoratum Simonem in Ecclesia illa promovere velitis, ipsam ei quantum in vobis est benignè, si placet, concedentes; si verò per vos in hac promotus fuerit, credimus & certi sumus, quod per eum poterunt facilius Cartae vestrae tàm de Ecclesia illa quèm de aliis à Domino Rege vobis confirmari, & alia negotia domus vestrae promoveri, ad quae nos curam & sollicitudinem diligenter apponemus: scire autem volumus, quod non habemus aliquem tàm carum vel tàm specialem cujus promotionem magis desideramus qu●m ipsius Simonis in hac parte, Valete. Set Monachi Augustinenses nec Archiepiscopi addulationibus flexi, nec Regiis minis à proposito moti, licet multum consternati, se viriliter in ipsa Ecclesia de Feversham & in ipsis domibus personatus tenuerunt; & tàm Regiis ministris quam Archiepiscopi officialibus ingressum undique constanter prohibuerunt. Quibus audtis, Rex quasi in furiam versus, jussit tam ipsi Ecclesiae de Feversham quam domibus personatus ejusdem ignem apponi, et tam Monachos quam seculares qui in ipsis inventi essent, simul cu●● ipsis Domibus et Ecclesia conflagrari: set nemine tam saevam jussionem adimplere volente, sed cunctis dissuadentibus Regi ne tam horridum facinus perpetraret; Rex tandem animi furorem temperans, licet non de ponens, scripsit Vicecomiti Kanciae in haec verba. Johannes Dei gratia Rex Angliae etc. Vicecomiti Kanciae salutem; scias, quod dedimus dilecto nostro Simoni Archidiacono Wellensi Ecclesiam de Faversham, quae vacat & est de nostra donatione: & quoniam sicut audivimus, Abbas & Monachi Sancti Augustini jus sibi in Ecclesia illa vendicantes, donationem nostram nituntur impedire, tibi mandamus & firmiter praecipimus, quod si fortè praedicti Monachi se in Ecclesiam illam intruserint, & se in eadem Ecclesia tenuerint, ipsos Monachos et fortiam eorum inde sine dilatione facias amoveri, et curam diligentem apponas ad jus nostrum in Ecciesia illa conservandum, et ad hoc ut praedictus Archidiaconus illam habeat. Teste, etc. Vicecomes igitur hoc accepto Regis mandato, impiger ad explendum Regis jussionem, utpotè qui adversariorum nostrorum in hoc stimulabatur pecunià, ad Ecclesiam Chronicon ●ill. Tho●n. Col. 1847. 1848, 1849. Ejectio Monachorum de personatu. de Faversham accessic; & primò quendam nostrum Monachum Osb●rtum nomine qui ad custodiam domorum personatus per Abbatem deputabatur, complices ipsius v●cecomitis, Hemicus videlicet cognomine Doget, Radulphus Blundus, Osbertus filius Reimberti & Galfrid●s de Middl●tone jussu ipsius V●cecomitis & authoritate, tàm ipsum Osb●rtum, quam alios seculares qui cum eo erant, manu violenta extrarerunt a domibus praedictis, et tam ipsum Monachum quam ejus socios male tractaverunt, plagis impositis semivivos relinquentes. Inicia dolorum haec, set nondum statim finis. Nam ipse Vicecomes manum habens ad malum extentam, ad Ecclesiam de Feversham personaliter accessit, & inveniens ipsam intrinsecus munitam, non tam Monachis quam etiam secularibus validis, ab ingressu ipsius Ecclesiae non minus sapienter quam reverenter se temperavit, quomam fores erant clausae, & intus * Such was the insolency o● pretended mortified Monks as to keep possession of● Churches against the King and his Officers with armed Soldiers. milites custodientes Templum. Videns itaque Vicecomes quod ei liber non pateret introitus in Ecclesiam, ipsam ex omni parte artissima obsidione vallavit, ponens custodes in ipsis hostiis Ecclesiae per diem & noctem, ut sic Monachi fame & Augustia afflicti compellerentur Ecclesiam gratis deserere. Duravitque haec obsidio continuè a pridie Kal. Augusti, * The people had no Masle nor divine service d●ring this space. usque in crastinam assumptionis Sanctae Mariae; quae qualiter tunc solveabatur postea dicemus cum de persecutione Archidiaconi Cantuariensis, Magistri Henrici de Sanford, parumper pertractaver mus. De●uncto O. de Camera personam quondam de Faversham ut supradictum est, Monachisque Sancti Augustini ipsius Ecclesiae de Feversham possessionem pacificè ingressis, Capellano per eosdem Monachos Officiali Archidiaconi praesentato, set non admisso, ●icet nulla causa recu●ationis tunc objecta, evolutis aliquantis diebus post praesentationem & recusationem praedictas, Magister Everardus Officialis Domim Archidiaconi ad Ecclesiam de Faversham accedens, Ecclesiam ipsam suspendit, Monachos in ea residentes, et omnes eis communicantes de facto excommunicavit, cum de jure non posset, tam propter privilegia eorum, tam propter appellationes ab eisdem ad sedem Apostolicam interpositas, sepulturam etiam mortuorum interdixit; unde multa defunctorum corpora extra Cimiterium ipsius Ecclesiae tradita fuerunt sepulturae, & purificationes etiam quarundam mulierum extra Parochiam fuerunt celebratae, nam Parochianis de Fav●rsham mandavit Archiepiscopus per Officialem suum, ut alias Ecclesias licenter & liberè frequentarent, & in ipsis Ecclesiastica sacramenta perciperent, defunctorumque suorum corpora ad alia loca humanda prolibito deferrent: set ipsi Parochia●i, nec per tribulationem, nec per angustiam à devotione quam erga matricem suam habebant Ecclesiam, velut fidilissimi filii, nullatenus potuerunt amoveri, set super hiis omnibus ad Papam unanimiter appellaverunt. Unde efluxo aliquantuli temporis curriculo quosdam majores de Faversham qui Monachis Sancti Augustini communicaverant, fecit Archiepiscopus nominatim excommunicatos denunciari, et justiciario Domini Regis Literis suis mandavit, ut caperentur et in carcerem Regis puniendi detruderentur; set et ipsi timentes Archiepiscopi tyrannidem qui tunc custos erat Angliae, ipso Rege in partibus Normanniae agente, Ministrorum Regis manus qui ad eos capiendos mittebantur fugae praesidio evaserunt. Ipse etiam Archiepiscopus cum per Uillam de Faversham transtitum faceret, occurrenti ei populo Uillae et benedictionem ejus petenti, dixit,. se eos nec velle, nec debere benedicere eo quod habebat eos omnes excommunicatos. Super 〈◊〉 bus et singulis injuriis multis appellationibus interpositis universi tas Burgensium de Faversham Domino Papae satis lachrymo●●s Epistolis conquerebatur, in sine ejusdem Epistolae sic concludendo. Quod nisi divina miseratio et Romana pietas illis velit celerius subvenire, et tam circa ipsos quam circa Monachos Angustinenses errata ultrice manu efficaciter studuerit corrigere, omnes populi quocunque f●●nus rerum gestarum se diffuderit, in errorem corruent irremedialem, ut qu● hucusque legem et prophetas ac Evangelium fuerint secuti, de caetero pro Poetarum figmentis omnia reputabunt: vilescetque Ecclesiastica Doctrina, et a reverentia Romanae Ecclesiae quae apud Cantuarie●ses Archiepiscopum et Archidiaconum nulla est, (Note it) populus totaliter, nec immerito recedet. Set nunc ad Monachos obsessos in ipsa saepedicta Ecclesia revertamur. Instante festo assumptionis bea●ae Virginis Mariae, Rogerus Abbas ut erat vir magnanimus, condolens Monachorum suorum & servorum afflictioni & angustiae, eo quod acceperat per internuncios, quod nisi quantocius obsessis subveniret, ipsam Ecclesiam gratis desererent, ut qui jam quatuor diebus transactis nichil c●bi aut potus habuissent, omnibus victualibus eorum consumptis, praeter alia incommoda quae sustinebant. Unde deliberato cum fratribus & aliis amicis consilio, in Crastino Assumptionis ad Ecclesiam de Faversham Abbas iter suum direxit, magna * A Military ●▪ Abbat. stipatus familia & manu valida; Cujus adventum praesentientes Ministri Regis, immò Sathanae satellites, (O the modesty of these Monks thus to style the King's Officers!) qui ipsam Ecclesiam obsederant, fuga dilapsi sunt. Abbas vero ipsam Ecclesiam intrans, eam ferè per mensem pacificè tenuit, donec Vicomes Kanciae per ministros suos & complices ipsum Abbatem de praefatae Ecclesiae possessione violenter ejecit; nam octavo Kal. Octobris, Ministri Vicecomitis Kanciae cum quibusdam militibus, ac etiam populi multitudine non modica accesserunt in manu armata, quorum adventum Abbas Rogerus praesentiens, seipsum cum quinque Monachis & paucis quibusdam familiaribus in ipsa Ecclesia obseratis, ut qualitercunque januis interclusis ad cautelam continuit, malens injuriam sustinere, quam aliis inferre: sed Sathanae satellites nec honori Dei aut Ecclesiae differentes, in ipsam Ecclesiam sicut Leones in praedam irruerunt, hostia cum Machinis oppositis effregerunt, Abbatem violenter ejecerunt, Monachos vero alios per brachia, alios per pedes collisis in terra capitibus extraxerunt, pavimento Ecclesiae sanguine Monachorum undique rubricato. Abbas vero ejectus incontinenti ad audientiam summi Pontificis appellavit, ne Ecclesia illa reconciliaretur, nec * Such was his piety, God must not be there served till he was righted. divina in illa celebrarentur donec super hoc Dominus Papa consuleretur. Nihilominus tamen G. Decanus per laicam manum introductus est in ipsam Ecclesiam, quasi loco Archiepiscopi, & custodiam ipsius Ecclesiae per aliquantum temporis habuit. Dum haec itaque gererentur missi sunt ad Archiepiscopum ex parte Abbatis, Brandanus Monachus & Magister Stephanus Clericus. Qui invenientes eum apud Uffington juxta Stanford, exposuerunt ei qualiter Officialis Archdiaconi post appellationes Abbatis, tot & tociens interpositas non solum Monachos in Ecclesia de Faversham consistentes, set etiam omnes Rectores Ecclesiarum de Patronatu Sancti Augustini eorumque familiares & Parochianos omnes qui terras aliquas de Abbate tenuerunt, generaliter excommunicaverit, et per totam Diocesim excommunicatos denunciari mandavit; Ecclesias etiam ipsorum omnes suspendit, Sacramentalia in eis interdixit, praeter baptismum parvulorum et penitentias morientium. Praedicti siquidem nuncii Abbatis rogaverunt Archiepiscopum, ut praedictas sententias tam erroneas per Officialem Archdiaconi latas, ipse revocaret. Quibus respondit Archiepiscopus, se ratum et gratum habere quicquid Officialis Archdiaconi fecerit, et se manum aggravare, nisi citius custodiam Ecclesiae de Faversham gratis traderent, ignorans penitus adhuc de ejectione Abbaris. Et ecce ipsis adhuc loquentibus accesserunt duo Monachi Sancti Augustini eidem Archiepiscopo graviter conquerentes, quod Abbas Sancti Augustini & Monachi sui de Ecclesia de Faversham violenter per manum laicam fuissent ejecti, factum & injuriam ex ordine sibi exponentes. Quo audito, Archiepiscopus ultra quam credi potest animo consternatus, timens quod factum ejus nomine fuisset, licet ipso ignorante, nec ratum habente, quoquomodo per lapsum temporis in caput suum redundaret, statim tulit sententiam excommunicationis in genere, in omnes illos qui dictam violentiam Abbati & Monachis intulerant, dicens quod tam horribile factum, aut tàm enorme non fuit perpetratum in Anglia post interfectionem Sancti Thomae, Martyris. Quam sententiam excommunicationis tàm in generali Synodo, quam alibi Archiepiscopus multotiens innovavit, & per totam suam Provinciam literis suis demandari praecepit. Sententiam etiam suspensionis & interdicti quam Officialis Archdiaconi in Ecclesias & Parochianos de Patronatu Sancti Augustini tulerat, ipse revocavit; quae sententia per septem Ebdomodas duraverat. Acta fuerunt haec die Veneris proximo post festum Sancti Michaelis anno supradicto. Eodem anno in Crastino Apostolorum Simonis & Judae H. Archidiaconus E. Officialis ejusdem, & G. Decanus, cum aliis quibusdam Capellanis vicinarum Ecclesiarum venerunt ad Ecclesiam de Faversham, ut altaria in ipsa diruerent in detestationem & opprobrium Monachorum Sancti Augustini. Quod praesentiens Prior S. Augustini e●s occurit, & innovans appellationem ab initio factam, requisivit qua authoritate & qua de causa haec attemptarent? Cui E. Officialis pro Archidiacono respondit; quod perpraeceptum Archiepiscopi, eo quod Monachi excommunicati in ipsis celebraverant super quo praedictus Prior specialiter appellavit coram multitudine Parochianorum qui condolentes confluxerant; Archidiaconus tamen spreta appellatione altaria diruit, Ecclesiam reconciliavit, ipsas etiam pallas altarium & corporalia fecit comburi, & calices conflagrari. Abbas igitur Rogerus & Conventus Sancti Augustini talibus & tantis Nota. undique impetiti injuriis, & vexati opprobriis▪ in sola Dei misericordia et Curiae Romanae subsidio spem ponentes, mittunt Priorem suum Romae ad Papam Innocentium 3. qui ei injurias & gravamina monasterio Sancti Augustini illata deberet exponere, & super tantis excessibus remedium in forma juris expetere. Quibus tàm in privato quam in publico Consistorio expositis, Papa sic fertur respondisse. Nos qui providente Dei misericordia ad Universalis Ecclesiae regimen sumus vocati Ecclesiae beati Augastini, Romanae Ecclesiae propriae et specialis prae caeteris filiae, in juribus suis et privilegiis nulla ratione poterimus, nec volumus deesse, sed eam, Domino juvante, contra potentes potenter defendemus quatenus ordo juris exposcit, et suadet ratio aequitatis. Unde scripsit quibusdam conjudicibus delegatoriis, in haec verba. Innocentius Episcopus servus servorum Dei, venerabili fratri Eliensi Episcopo, & dilectis filiis Abbati & Priori Sancti Edmundi, Norwycensis Diocesis salutem, & Apostolicam benedictionem. Significarunt nobis dilecti filii Abbas & Conventus Sancti Augustini Cant. quod cum Ecclesia de Faversham cujus fuerant possessionem adepti, ad se pertinere contenderent pleno jure, licet & Charissimus in Christo filius noster Johannes Rex Angliae illustris & venerabilis frater noster Cant. Archiepiscopus, jus sibi in ea vellent vendicare, laici quidam propriis nominibus nobis designandi Cant. Diocesis, in Abbatem & Monachos infra ipsam Ecclesiam usque ad effusionem sanguinis manibus violentis injectis, ipsos de eadem Ecclesia per violentiam temerè ejecerunt. Volentes igitur eisdem Abbati & Monachis paterna sollicitudine providere, discretioni vestrae per Apostolica scripta mandamus atque praecipimus, quatenus si res ita se habet, laicos ipsos & eorum complices tamdiu appellatione remota excommunicatos publicè nuncietis, & mandetis ab omnibus acrius evitari, donec passis injuriam satisfaciant competenter, & cum vestrarum testimonio literarum nostro se conspectui repraesentent. Authoritate quoque nostra sub interminatione anathematis districtè prohibemus ne quis in Civitatibus, oppidis, villis aut aliis locis ad quae ipsos contigerit devenire, ipsis praesentibus praeter baptisma parvulorum & paenitentias morientium * All divine service must be publicly prohibited, people's souls starved, and Trading obstructed to satisfy the malice, pride, humours of Popes and Monks. divina celebrare praesumat, aut cum eis sub specie cujuscunque contractus aliquid permutare. Volumus etiam & mandamus, ut a moto quolibet illicito detentore, non obstante cujuscunque praecepto, sublato appellationis obstaculo, in eum statum reducatis & conservetis Abbatem & Monachos antedictos, in quo fuerant ante violentiam attemptatam. Testes autem qui nominati fuerint, etc. quod si non omnes, etc. tu frater Episcope, etc. Commisit etiam Dominus Papa eisdem judicibus causam spoliationis domorum personatus, et violentiae factae Osbèrto Monacha in ipsa spoliatione. Et quia istius Commissionis licet verba discrepent, vis tamen & effectus est idem cum priore, nisi quod in ista commissione nominantur Henricus Doget, & complices sui qui superius nominantur in ipsa ejectione ipsius Osberti, ideo causa brevitatis formam istius secundae commissionis non scribo. Set istae literae Domini Papae quae sperabantur esse consolationis et auxilii, nisi Deus prospexisset, fuissent causa majoris afflictionis et periculi. Nam cum istae literae fuissent judicibus oblatae, et ipsi in causa Monachorum secundum formam eye a Domino Papa traditam judicialiter incepissent procedere, milites et alii majores qui Abbatem de possessione ejecerant, ad Galfridum filium Petri Com. Essex. et tunc Capitalem justiciarium Angliae confluxerunt, consilium et auxilium ejus contra Abbatem Sancti Augustini postulantes. Qui Comes assumptis secum eorum majoribus, ad Regem tunc in Normannia existentem transfretavit, exponens Regi, quomodo Abbas Sancti Augustini literas Apostolicas impetrasset, ad Dominum Elyensem et socios super spoliatione ipsius Ecclesiae de Faversham, et quomodo judices in causa ipsa processerunt; Adjecit etiam praedictus Comes, quod nisi processus iste per judicium citius revocetur, erit in confusionem omnium, qui in ejectione ipsius Abbatis fuerant, et etiam in * opprobrium Regiae Dignitatis, Nota. cum haec de mandato ejus processissent. Quo audito, Rer iracundia fremens, literas comminatorias simul et prohibitorias Abbati et Conventui direxit, in haec verba. Johannes Dei Gratia, etc. Abbati & Conventui Sancti Augustini Cant. salutem, quam meruerunt. Scimus vos non ignorare, qualiter decedente Rectore alicujus Ecclesiae, si de ea inter aliquos de praesentado oriatur contentio, ea secundum Regni nostri consuetudinem in manu Diocesani loci salvo debet consistere, quousque in Curia nostra discussum fuerit, ad quem ejusdem praesentatio debeat pertinere, & si qua partium in eam sese interim duxerit intrudere, ea manu Regia si opus fuerit amovere debebit. Cum itaque decedente Rectore Ecclesiae de Faversham innotuisset nobis, eam ratione ultimae praesentationis, ad nos tanquam ad patronum pertinere, & nos ad eandem cuidam Clericorum nostrorum duximus conferre, vos authoritate propria, in nostri et juris nostri contemptum ●eam occupare, et contra nos et Regni nostri consuetudinem violenter detinere praesumpsistis, qua de causa vos ab ea de consilio magnatum et fidelium nostrorum secundum regni nostri consuitudinem fecimus amoveri. Nolentes in persona nostra praetermittere quod universis de jure et Regni nostri consuetudine tenemur inpendere. Veniente verò nuper in Normanniim dilecto & fideli nostro G. filio P. Com. Essexiae, & Justic. nostro, tam per fidelem ejusdē quam aliorum qui cum eo venerant● insinuationem accepimus, quod vos qui fideles nostri esse deberetis, literas Apostolicas, quod sine admiratione, et mentis turbatione non dicimus, contra nos et coronae regiae dignitatem, quam in diebus nostris pro posse deprimere contenditis, ad dilectos dominum scilicet Elyens. et conjudices suos impetrare curastis, in quibus inter caetera continetur, quod laicos quosdam qui ex praecepto nostro vos dictam Ecclesiam contra nos et dignitatem nostram violenter detinentes, ab ea secundum Regni nostri consuetudinem amoverunt, et eorum complices, (quod nos tangere liquido perpendistis) excommunicatos ubique denunciarunt, reducentes vos ad statum et in eo conservant quam antequam amoti essetis habuistis. Et quia in hujus impetratione contra nos et Coronam nostram (quod per Dei gratiam cum se locus optulerit nullatenus relinquemus inultum) manifeste venire praesumpsistis, nec credimus Dominum Papam si sibi de jure et inveterata Regni nostri consuetudine plenius innotuisset pro vobis scripsisse sub hac forma. Unde in fide quam nobis et Coronae nostrae servare tenemini, mandamus atque praecipimus, quatinus ab hujusmodi prosecutione mandati Apostolici quod contra nos et Regni nostri consuetudinem fraudulenter et infideliter elicere procurastis, sicuti ea quae de nobis tenetis diligitis. Ita vos in hoc et in aliis exhibentes, ne indevotionis vestrae excessus majoris quam deceret sit occasio tumultus, et Regiae indignationis severitatem ultra quam expediret in se mereatur provocare. Teste meipso apud Rothomagum 30. die Martii. The King likewise issued this Writ of Inhibition to the Pope's Judge's Delegates. Scripsit eteiam Rex Domino Eliensi & conjudicibus suis sub hac forma. IOhannes Dei gratiâ, Rex Angliae, etc. Venerabili in Christo Patri, E. eadem Inhibitio facta Judicibus per Regem. Gratia Elyensi Episcopo, & dilectis sibi Abbati & Priori de Sancto Edmundo salutem. Inter caeteras Regni nostri consuetudines (as before) & infra, ubi ennarrat de consuetudine quando est lis inter aliquos de advocatione alicujus Ecclesiae, ut in Priori rescripto. Narrat etiam qualiter Monachos per manum Laicam fecerat amoveri, & post veniente nuper ad nos in Normanniam dilecto & fideli nostro G. filio Petri Com. Essexiae, & Justiciario nostro, tam per ejusdem quam aliorum qui cum eo venerant fidelium nostrorum insinuationem accepimus, Monachos Sancti Augustini, quod sine admiratione non dicimus, literas Apostolicas vobis porrexisse, in quibus inter caetera continetur, quod laicos quosdam qui ex praecepto nostro sub forma praetaxata Abbatem et Monachos, suos, qui Ecclesiam de Faversham contra nos et Regni consuetudinem violenter detinentes authoritate nostra amoverant et eorum complices excommunicatos ubique denunciaretis, dictos Abbatem et Monachos ad eum statum reducentes et in eo conservantes, quo fuerunt antequam ab ipsa Ecclesia fuerant amoti. Et quia eos in hujusmodi impetratione contra nos et Coronae nostra dignitatem, (quod sub dissimulatione nullatenus poterimus praeterire) manisestius constat venisse, nec credimus Dominum Papam si sibi de jure et veterata Regni nostri consuetudine plenius innotesceret discretioni vestrae scripsisse sub hac forma, vobis qui Regni et Coronae nostrae jura et dignitates nobiscum manu tenere debetis et tueri, in fide qua nobis tenemini mandamus, quatenus in hujus mandati cognitione, sicuti ea quae de nobis tenetis diligitis, desistatis omnino. Dat. Ro●homagi 30. die Maii. Taliter igitur inhibitionibus Regiis Monachi Sancti Augustini terrebantur, nec mirum, set à proposito minime flectebantur. Confidentes enim de causae justicia, apud judices suos acrius instabant, ut ipsi in mandato Apostolico secundum formam eis traditam absque personarum acceptione procederent. judices igitur non volentes nec valentes Monachis in sua deesse justitia, ne forte inobedientes Apostolicis arguerentur mandatis, literas excusatorias Domino Regi scripserunt sub hac forma. Domino suo dilectissimo Johanni Dei gratia illustri Regi Angliae, etc. E. divina Excusationes judicium ad Regem. permissione Elyensis Ecclesiae Minister humilis, & S. eadem gratia Abbas, & H. Prior Sancti Edmundi salutem, & debitum ac fidele obsequium. Literas Serenitatis vestrae nuper recepimus, quarum serie inter caetera continebatur, à temporibus a nte cessorum vestrorum hanc invaluisse consuetudinem in Regno vestro, ut si pendente lite de praesentando ad Ecclesiam vacantem aliqui in eam sese intrudere praesumpserint, ipsi authoritate Regia debeant amoveri: super quo satis admirantes, cum hoc nec consuetudinis esse nec aliquando factum fuisse audierimus, haec Regiae mansuetudinis auribus suggesta sicut deberemus non possumus non dolere. Est autem moris in Regno vestro ut intrusi in Ecclesiis postquam solempniter ab Episcopo loci fuerint excommunicati & publice denunciati, si obstinati in contumacia exire noluerint, ad postulationem Episcopi loci, potestas secularis authoritate Ecclesiae debeat excludere taliter resistentes. Ad jectum est etiam in eisdem literis vestris, quod Abbatem & Monachos Sancti Augustini juxta praefatam consuetudinem de Ecclesia de Faversham, per Ballivos vestros feceritis amoveri. Quae confessio sicut nobis visum est circumspectius et Regiae honestati congruentius tacita fuisset, quam scripto vel verbo publicata, quia sicut dicitur non sine violenta manuum injectione et enormi factum illud perpetratum fuit. In fine vero literarum, in fide qua vobis tenemur districtius nobis inhibere curastis, ne eos qui praenominatos Abbatem et Monachos de Ecclesia praedicta de Faversham per violentiam ejicere praesumpserant, juxta tenorem mandati Apostolici (quod super hoc valide districtum accepimus) excommunicatos denunciaremus. Sane certissimum teneat dominatio vestra, nos prompta voluntate et firmo proposito jura et dignitates Regias paratos esse in omnibus conservare, et mandatis vestris tanquam Carissimi Domini obtemperare, * quatenus ordo noster et obedientia qua in omni Nota. plenitudine tenemur Domino Papae permiserit; scitum est autem et vestra discretio non ignorat, * quod nulli quicquam debere possumus Nota. The Pope must be obeyed before the King. nisi salva obedientia qua Ecclesiae Romanae tenemur astricti. Et ideo non indignanter ferat Regia celsitudo, si in tam districto mandato ejus cui nullo jure resistere possumus, procedamus; praesertim cum illud sicut nobis visum est Regiae dignitati non obviet, sed congruat honestati. Valete. Rex autem ut vidit, quod propter Inhibitiones suas nec Monachi a prosecutione suae causae, nec judices praedicti delegati ab Apostolici mandati executione cessarent, aemulorum beati Augustini instigatione totus in furiam versus, manum suam extendens ad malum, jussitut, omnes possessiones ipsius Abbathiae quae de ipso Rege tenentur in capite, confiscarentur. Ministri autem Regis quibus hoc opus demandatum fuerat, sicut Leones rugientes ut raperent, non solum possessiones temporales in manus Regis seisierunt, verum etiam omnia bona mobilia et immobilia tam in Ecclesiis quam extra, ubicunque essent inventa occuparunt, asportarunt et distraxerunt, et quod inauditum est, bona quorundam hominum confiscarunt, eo quod ipsi amici Sancti Augustini bona ipsius rapere noluerunt. Verè dolor iste Monachorum Sancti Augustini & angustia super omnem dolorem, & omne cor eorum maerens. Contigit autem ut in hac tempestate Dominus Johannes Legatus Scotiae Presbyter Cardinalis tituli Sancti Stephani in monte Caelio, cum à legatione sua rediret per Cantuariam transitum faciens, ad Ecclesiam beati Augustini orandi gratia divertit, & inveniens totam Curiam Sancti Augustini Ministris Regis occupatam, super afflictione Monachorum condoluit. Convocansque Conventum consolabatur eos, exhortans et contestans, ne in tanta tribulatione deficerent, sed de Dei adjuratorio propter suae causae justitiam firmiter sperarent. Cui Conventus respondit, se post Dei misericordiam, de sola Domini Papae paternitate, et Romanae Cutiae protectione consolationem et remedium expectare. Istis sic actis, praedictus Legatus ad tumbam Sancti Augustini, in honore ipsius Sancti Missam solempniter celebravit, tota Civitate in ipsa Missa turmatim concurrente. In qua Missa idem Legatus Ministros Regios qui ipsam Abbatiam sic occupaverant, * A bold act having no Legatine power in Enlgand. omni timore postposito, solempniter excommunicavit, et excommunicatos denunciavit. Interim scripsit idem Legatus pro Monachis S. Augustini Domino Papae, exponens ei per ordinem angustiam, et Archiepisc. Cant. et Achid. sui caeterorumque aemulorum callidam machinationem. Vnde in fine Literarum suarum sic scriptum est, attendat itaque sancta paternitas vestra, quod nisi maturius, et plenius eidem Ecclesiae provideritis, et tantae inpugnantium malignitati in manu potenti occurrere velitis, funditus evertetur, et jam ruit irrecuperabiliter si igitur hoc per manifestum ●efectum Romanae Ecclesiae in fundamento fidei et Religionis in Anglicana Ecclesia invaluerit, adnichilabitur authoritas Apostolica, non solum in Anglicano Regno set quocumque hujusmodi pestifer fumus se diffuderit. Abbas igitur et Conventus tam de Consilio ipsius Legati quam aliorum amicorum, iterato mittunt Priorem suum ad Curiam Romanam cum literis praedicti Legati, satis querulosis gemitibus Domini Papae implorantes auxilium, ut ipse suae Capellae et speciali filiae in tantis tribulationibus celerius succurrat, et ne irremediabiliter ruat, jamque ruenti manum suam extendat. Dominus verò Papa tam ex literis Legati quam ex relatione ipsius Prioris negotio plenius intellecto, Regis saevitiam cupiens delinire, literas deprecatorias pro domo Sancti Augustini scripsit Regiin haec verba. Innocentius Episcopus, etc. Non decet Regiae serenitatis benignitatem ad suggestionem cujusquam in laesionem alterius declinare, nec ob gratiam alicujus aliorum laedere rationem. Sane significarunt nobis dilecti filii Abbas & Conventus Sancti Augustini Ca●t. quod cum possessionem Ecclesiarum de Faversham, & de Middleton, quae ipsis suerant in usus proprios per sedem Apostolicam consirmatae, fuissent ingressi, quidam qui eos indebita insequuntur, usque adeo benevolentiam Regiam commoverunt contra eos, ut bona eorum mandaret, et facerer confiscari. Cum igitur Regiam serenitatem non deceat non solum in Monachos et Clericos etiam seu quoslibet regulares jurisdictionem indebitam exercere, cum servus Domino suo stet aut cadat, rogamus munificentiam tuam et exhortamur in Domino; quatenus ob reverentiam beati Augustini qui Monasterium suum sepulturae Regum Angliae dicitur deputasse, ablata eis restitui facias universa, nec impedias nec impediri permittas quo minus suam justitiam prosequantur, Laicis etiam si quibus bona sua forsan ablata sunt & confiscata fuerint quia in Abbatem & Monachos manus noluerunt mittere violentas, restitui faciat Regia celsitudo. Et ut praedictum mandatum Apostolicum melior●m sortiretur effectum, Dominus Papa scripsit, E. Elyensi & M. Wygorniensi Episcopis & Abbati Sancti Edwardi, ut ipsi Regem adirent et efficaciter inducerent ad omnia et singula prout dominus Papa ei scripserat exsequenda. Quod & ipsi tàm literis suis quam vivae vocis oraculo satis efficaciter expleverunt. Et quia suggestum fuerat Domino Papae per Abbatem & Conventum, quod Dominus Rex ad instigationem, et per procurationem Domini Cantuariensis Archiepiscopi et Simonis Wellensis Archidiaconi, et praedicti Domini Cantuariensis Vicecancellarii praecipue haec mala supradicta eis intulerat, Dominus Papa scripsit Dominis Elyensi et Wygorniensi Episcopis supradictis, ut ipsi super hoc tam per testes idoneos quam per famam viciniae diligentius inquirerent, sublato quolibet appellationis obstaculo, et quicquid invenirent Domino Papae sub sigillis suis referrent. Quod Mandatum tam Archiepiscopum quam praedictum S. Vicecancellarium valde terruit, unde ab illo die a persecutione Monasterii Sancti Augustini maturius se temperaverunt, et pacem inter Regem et Monasterium praedictum prout poterant reformari procurarunt, sicque Regis furore aliquantulum delinito, Regii ministri qui ipsam Abbatiam Sancti Augustini occupaverunt per ipsum Regem amoventur; set possessiones minime restituuntur; l●nde de consilio amicorum mittuntur duo Nuncii, scilicet Brandanus Monachus et Magister Gervasius Clericus ex parte Abbatis et Conventus ad Dominum Regem, ut si forte prece vel praecio possessiones Monasterii de manu Regis velut clavam de manu Herculis extorqueant. Accedunt igitur humiles ad indignantem, supplices ad furentem, et sermonibus Rethoricis, prout ambo erant eloquentissimi, Regiam depraecantur Majestatem, suppliciter exposcunt misericordiam, ut ablata restituat, et more antecessorum suorum libertates et jura Ecclesiastica, et maxime Ecclesias de Faversham de sua gratia eis confirmare dignaretur. Et ut facilius petita inpetrarent, Domino Regi ducentas marcas et unum palefridum Regiae sellae satis elegantem ex parte Abbatis et Conventus offerunt. Rex tamen licet more principum pecuniae satis avidus, neque pecuniam, neque palefridum pro tunc acceptare velle respondit, qu●usque super hiis Dominum Cantuariensem consuluerit, eo quod ad ejus instantiam bona Monasterii Sancti Augustini confiscari mandaverit. Dim●ssi igitur Nuncii nostri sub spe bona ad propria redeunt, tempore opportuno ad ipsum Regem reversuri; igitur super hiis Dominus Rex consuluit Archiepiscopum per literas suas, quarum tenoriste est. Johannes Dei gratia, etc. H. Archiepiscopo salutem. Accesserunt ad nos Nuncii Abbatis & Conventus S. Augustini instanter petentes & humiliter postulantes, quod Chartas antecessorum nostrorum confirmaremus. Et quia in multis nos offenderunt, propter gratiam nostram et possessionum suarum quae in manu nostra sunt restitutionem obtinendam, nobis ducentas marcas et unum palefridum obtulerunt. Nos vero licet super eorum petitionem & oblationem plurimum movebamur, noluimus tamen in hiis eos plenè exaudire quousque super hiis vestrum haberemus consilium, unde vobis mandamus quod super hiis nobis consilium vestrum significetis. Responsio Archiepiscopi in haec verba. Reverendo Domino suo I. Dei gratia, Illustri Regi Angliae, Hubertus eadem gratia Cantuariensis Archepiscopus salutem, & debitam in Domino Reverentiam. Placuit Excellentiae vestrae à nobis consilium petere super confirmandis Cartis antecessorum vestrorum quas Monachi Sancti Augustini Ca●t. habent super Ecclesia de Faversham, & super restituendis eis possessionibus suis quae sunt in manu vestra. Licet autem ipsi Monachi & vos & nos Domine multum offenderint, & ita tàm à vobis quam à nobis magis promeruerint malum quam bonum, nolumus tamen eis malum pro malo reddere, nec fidem, quam vobis debemus malè vobis consulendo pro eis laedere. Immo ita vobis volumus consulere sicut fidem nostram erga vos & conscientiam erga Deum cupimus salvare. De Car●is igitur antecessorum vestrorum confirmandis vobis respondemus; quod cum constet quod idem Monachi habeant cartam bonae memoriae Regis Willielmi, qui praedictam Ecclesiam de Faversham eye concedit quantum ad Patronum pertinet, nec non confirmationem Regis Henrici filii sui, & confirmationem Regis Henrici Patris vestri, confirmationem quoque Richardi Regis fratris vestri super eadem Ecclesia, videtur nobis, quod vos quoque justè possitis & debeatis hoc ipsum quod praedecessores vestri memoratis Monachis de eadem Ecclesia concesserunt & confirmaverunt, quantum ad Patronum pertinet eis confirmare. De restituendis vero eorum Maneriis quae sunt in manu vestra, vobis dicimus, quod cum nullo modo fuerit laudabilis vel laudanda talis eorum maneriorum destitutio, bona & laudabilis erit celeris eorum restitutio; Set de recipienda oblata vobis pro eorundem restitutione, et pro gratia vestra pecunia, nil vobis consulere, volumus cum potius absque pecunia sit facienda restitutio ut nobis videtur quam pro illa, quia taliter ablata potius cum satisfactione, quam pro precio restituenda. Vos autem inde faciatis quod vobis bonum videbitur; scimus quidem quod vos ex destitutione illa parum commodi habueritis tum praedicti Monachi habuerunt plurimum dampni, et aliqui fortasse Ministri vestri non modicnm lucri, de vobis enim in hac parte dici potest, quod vos dumos excusseritis, et alii aves collegerunt. Valete. Rexigitur hoc Archiepiscopi accepto consilio, nuncios Sancti Augustini praedictos revocat, pecuniam per eos sibi prius oblatam respuit, set palefridum victus nunciorum precibus acceptat, omnibus possessionibus suis Monasterio restitutis, & in recompensationem dampnorum qualemcumque quae huic Monasterio intnlerat, Cartas praedecessorum suorum super Ecclesiis de Faversham, & de Middleton, & super juribus & libertatibus Monasterii, ut paulisper poterit elucere, gratanter confirmat, sicque factus est istius Monasterii patronus & protector, qui prius fuerat immanissimus persecutonr, by the Archbishop's persuasion and Treachery, to gain the presentation thereunto. For, Anno Domini 1022. conflictu cum Johanne Rege super Ecclesia de Faversham ▪ Chronicon. W. Thorn. c 18 confflictus p●o Ecclesia de Faversham cum Archiepiscopo & Archidiacono. sic expedito, ad conflictum qui cum Archiepiscopo Cantuariensi & Archdiacono ejusdem habebatur super eadem Ecclesia revertamur. Igitur Monachis Sancti Augustini ut superius dictum est, à domibus personatus praedictae Ecclesiae post interpositam appellationem ejectis violenter, & à possessione sua pacifica spoliatis, Archidiaconus Cantuariensis ad cujus instantiam ejecti fuerant, possessionem praedictarum domorum ingressus violenter tenuit, unde Monachi Sancti Augustini appellationes suas coram Domino Papa Innocentio cum effectu sunt prosecuti. Partibus itaque Monachorum et Archidiaconi coram Domino Papa constitutis; Monachi proposuerunt se a possessione sua pacifica in Ecclesiae domibus de Faversham post appellationem legitime interpositam violenter et contra juris ordinem per Archidiaconum spoliatos, quare petebant se restitui. Procurator Archidiaconi ex adverso respondit, custodias Ecclesiarum vacantium in Archidiaconatu Cantuariensi tam de Consuetudine quam de jure Communi ad ipsum Archidiaconum pertinere. Hiis & multis aliis in praesentia Domini Papae judicialiter propositis, sicut ex illa decretali apparet, extra de appellationibus bonae memoriae O. de Camera quae super istum casum est fundata, Papa mandavit Londinensi & Roffensi Episcopis, & Priori Sancti Albani, ut ipsi Abbatem Sancti Augustixi Cant. & Monachos in eundem statum restituerent, in quo fuerunt tempore appellationis emissae. Cujus mandati authoritate, praedicti Executores vocatis ad praesentiam partibus; possessionem praedictae Ecclesiae de Faversham, Abbati Sancti Augustini adjudicaverunt cum omnibus fructibus medio tempore perceptis. Unde Archidiaconus Cantuariensis, Henricus nomine de Stanford coram praedictis executoribus cessit a possessione Ecclesiae antedictae, ratione sententiae contra ipsum prolatae. Remisit etiam Abbati Sancti Augustini omnes actiones quas habebat erga ipsum ratione custodiae Ecclesiae de Middleton, & resignavit, literis super hiis impetratis in manus executorum praedictorum. Et Abbas Sancti Augustini remisit praedicto Archidiacono Cantuariensi omnes fructus & obventiones quos medio tempore perceperat de Ecclesia de Faversham, exceptis fructibus tunc in grangiis existentibus, sicut quaedam litera tam executorum praedictorum quam Archidiaconi sigillis munita plenius testatur. Causam istam Ecclesiae de Faversham quantum ad violentiam per Archiepiscopum & Laicos Abbati & Monachis Sancti Augustini illatatam ab initio commiserat Londinensi & Elrensi Episcopis & Abbati & Priori Sancti Edmundi, set ipsis mandatum Apostolicum minus frigide exequentibus propter partis adversae frivolas exceptiones et dilationes frustrarias, unde Dominus Papa iterato mandat eisdem judicibus sub hiis verbis. Innocentiu▪ Episcopus, etc. Venerabilibus fratribus, etc. Grave gerimus & molestum, & de discretione vestra compellimur non mirari solummodo set moveri, quod cum jam sit annus elapsus ex quo super negotio Ecclesiae de Faversham mandatum recepistis Apostolicum exequendum, in tantum appellationibus frustrariis & frivolis exceptionibus detulistis, ut nondum sub examine vestro potuerit habere processum. Unde dilecti filii Abbas & fratres Sancti Augustini Cant. praeter grandes injurias & jacturas, graves nihilominus labores & sumptus sunt subire coacti. Volentes igitur eisdem fratribus, qui post Deum alium praeter nos defensorem non habent, in tantae necessitatis Articulo subvenire, devotioni vestrae per Apostolica scripta mandamus et districte praecipimus, quatinus omni gratia & timore postpositis, sublato cujuslibet contradictionis & appellationis obstaculo, cogatis partem adversam per districtionem Ecclesiasticam, litem protinus contestari, & testes quos utral●bet pars tam super principali quam quohbet incidenti duxerit producendos, infra duos menses post litis contestationem recipere ac examinare curetis, ita quod si nequiveritis personaliter interesse, per viros discretos id nihilominus exequamini, à quibus non liceat aliquatenus appellare, cum hoc mandatum celerem velimus sortiri effectum, ne praefatum Monasterium cogatur diutius laborare. Attestationibus vero receptis, praefigatis partibus terminum competentem, quo cum ipsis, recepturi sententiam nostro se conspectui repraesentent. Ad quem si qua partium venire noluerit, nos nihcilominus procedemus; si vero pars adversa litem noluerit infra triduum contestari, vos procuratorem Monasterii omni appellatione et contrarierate remota, in possessionem rei de qua agitur inducatis, et defendatis inductum. Insuper si voluerit infra annum non vobis set nobis legitimam offerat cautionem. Testes vero qui nominati fuerint, etc. Hujus igitur mandati novitate excitati suprascripti judices delegati, vocatis ad suam praesentiam partibus, in ipsa causa processerunt in forma qua sequitur. Quem quidem processum quia ipsum inter quaedam acta & attestationes praedictam causam contingentia scriptum reperi, annotare dignum duxi, nihil augendo, vel diminuendo in haec verba. Cum coram Dominis Londinensi & Eliensi, & Abbati Sancti Edmundi, judicibus à sede Apostolica delegatis, lis inter Archiepiscopum & Abbatem Sancti Augustini & Monachos initium capere debuisset, contigit Archiepiscopum & Dominos Elyensem & Londinensem ex causis necessariis transfretare, sicque propter eorum absentiam causa usque ad eorum reditum caepit dilationem. Quibus reversis, Archiepiscopus citatus edicto peremptorio statim se per procuratorem defendit, nec subter-fugium aliquod quaerens, nec etiam exceptionem aliquam proponens, dicebat se paratum litem contestari, & intentionibus Abbatis & Conventus respondere, si vicisisim Abbas & Conventus Archiepiscopo eos reconvenire volenti responderent. Cumque & Judicibus & partibus placeret reconventionem esse admittendam, procurator Abbatiae & Monachorum Sancti Augustini, intentionem suam proposuit in hunc modum. Archiepiscopus post appellationem Abbatis Sancti Augustini pro se & pro Monachis suis, pro Ecclesiis etiam Abbatiae suae cum Parochianis earum, & precipuè pro Ecclesia de Faversham cum Parochianis suis ad Dominum Papam legitimè interpositam, post eandem etiam appellationem sollempniter innovatam, & contra libertatem Monasterii Sancti Augustini, per Magistrum Everardum quondam Officialem Archidiaconi & per Decanos quosdam & Capellanos, quosdam Monachos Sancti Augustini excommunicavit. Item, Ecclesias quae pertinent ad donationem Abbatis Sancti Augustini, post eandem appellationem, et post appellationem Rectorum earum, et contra tenorem libertatis Monasterii Sancti Augustini, generali supposuit interdicto. Parochianos etiam earum a divini Officii et Sacramentorum perceptione suspendit, mortuorum etiam sepulturam interdixit. Item cum Archiepiscopus transitum faceret per Faversham Parochianis sibi occurrentibus, benedictionem suam denegavit, denuncians eos excommunicatos, eo quod Monachis Sancti Augustini communicaverant, hoc etiam post dictam appellationem Abbatis factum est., Item, quod Archiepiscopus impedit jus Abbatis & Conventus in Ecclesiis suiis vacantibus, differendo institutiones Clericorum, utpote Magistri I. qui praesentatus est ad Ecclesiam de Stone, & R. Clerici praesentati ad Ecclesiam de Langedon. Propositum est etiam à procuratoribus supradictis, quod cum ipse Archiepiscopus post appellationem ad Dominum Papam pro eis interpositam coram eodem super Ecclesia de Stone vacante, ne quid in praejudicium eorum fieret & I. Clerici quem ad eandem Ecclesiam praesentaverunt, post appellationem etiam procuratoris ipsius Clerici pro eo sic interpositam, eandem Ecclesiam supposuit interdicto, quod interdictum fere per annum duravit et dimidium. Procurator vero Archiepiscopi reconveniendo Abbatem & Conventum super pluribus Articulis & approbata reconventione, respondit hoc modo. Archiepiscopus nescit an Abbas appellaverit, si tamen appellaverit, ejus appellationi in eo casu non fuit differendum, quia manifesta fuit ejus intrusio in Ecclesiam de Faversham. Probet igitur Abbas se appellasse, et si forte hoc probaverit, nos probabimus illi appellationi non fuisse differendum. Item Procurator Archiepiscopi confessus est excommunicasse in genere omnes illos qui se intruserant in Ecclesiam de Faversham, et eum Ecclesiam de Faversham et Stone suspendisse, et quasdam alias Ecclesias Monasterii Sancti Augustini, set nescit quas, vel quot: et dixit has sententias excommunicationis et interdicti juste tulisse ob delictum manifestum, Monachorum scilicet intrusionem. Cum enim monuisset eos, ut asseruit, ut ab intrusione sua desisterent, et illi semper pertinaciter in ea perseverarent, credebat eos sic saltem a sua intrusione revocare. Adjecit etiam idem procurator, sententis illas latas fuisse non in praejudicium alicujus appellationis legitimè factae, nec contra libertatem aliquam Monasterii Sancti Augustini competentem. Adjecit etiam, quod Archiepiscopus ingrediens Faversham, una benedictione benedixit omnibus habitantibus in ea, set postea cum villa sit magna & populus multus, non potuit singulis sibi occurrentibus singillatim benedicere, nulli tamen benedictionem denegavit qui prius universitati benedixerat, nullum etiam sibi occurentium nominatim denunciavit excommunicatum. Adjecit etiam, Archiepiscopum justè differe institutiones duorum Clericorum sibi praesentatorum, jure enim suo utitur, & juris executio non habet injuriam; Monachi enim in illas duas Ecclesias se intruserunt, de Langdon scilicet & Stone, & adhuc eas detinent; undè ad praesentationem intrusorum nullum debuit Archiepiscopus admittere in illis, ipsis in intrusione perseverantibus. Recedant ergo Monachi ab intrusione, & Archiepiscopus libenter admitter Clericos ab eye praesentatos. Idem reconvenit Abbatem & Monachos Sancti Augustini dicens, quod ipsi mortuo Conslictus pro Ecclesia de Middleton per Archiepiscopum. Francone persona Ecclesiae de Middleton, in Ecclesiam de Middleton vacantem quadriennio transacto se intruserunt, & fructus & obventiones ejus ad valentiam 80. marcarum, minus rationabiliter in usus proprios converterunt, & quod saepius per Archiepiscopum moniti, tamen nequè ei Clericum idoneum ad ipsius regimen praesentarunt, neque ipsum vel ejus Officialem custodiam ipsius tanquam vacantis habere permiserunt. Petit ergo Archiepiscopus, ut authoritate Dominorum Judicum Monachis ab eadem Ecclesia amotis, ei Custodia dictae Ecclesiae tanquam vacantis tradatur. Secundo, ut Monachi solvant ei & Officialibus suis omnes fructus & obventiones quas perceperunt à tempore quo se intruserunt. Tertio, ut satisfaciant sibi super injuria ab eis sibi illata super dicta Ecclesia dicto modo. Quarto, ut ipse sinatur Clerico cui voluerit, dummodo idoneo, Ecclesiam illam authoritate Lateranensis Concilii dare, irrequisito Monachorum consensu, salvo eis postmodum jure patronatus si salvum esse debeat. Item mortuo O. de Camera persona Ecclesiae de Faversham, dicti Monachi se in illam Ecclesiam intruserunt▪ spreta authoritate Archdiaconi, omnes obventiones illius sibi indebitè appropriantes. Et licet saepius moniti, nondum tamen quenquam ad illius regimen Archiepiscopo praesentaverunt, & ibidem missas celebrare indebitè, & alia sacerdotalia ministrare praesumpserunt. Petit igitur Archiepiscopus sibi super hiis injuriis satisfieri, obventiones a tempore intrusionis praedictae perceptas sibi vel Officiali suo restitui, et ut liceat ei Ecclesiam illam Clerico idoneo authoritate Lateranensis Concilii dare. Adjecit etiam, quod Monachi Sancti Augustini in Ecclesiam de Stone elapso anno se intruserunt, & obventiones ad valentiam 20 marcarum indebitè usurparunt, jus Arciepiscop▪ & Archidiaconi sui in ea enervantes. Petit igitur, ut Monachis ab ea amotis sibi super hac injuria satisfiat, et obventiones a tempore vacationis perceptae ei etiam de hac Ecclesia authoritate Lateranensis Concilii disponere cum praescriptio sex mensium authoritate Lateranensis Concilii currens contra patronum omnino non praesentantem aeque curratur sicut contra patronum viciosum praesentantem. Adjecit etiam similem querimoniam super Ecclesia de Langedon, in qua Monachi similiter se nuper intruserunt, petens similiter illius custodiam sili cedi, & super injuria sibi satisfieri. Adjecit etiam Procurator Archiepiscopi, Archiepiscopum & Archidiaconum suum debere habere custodiam omnium Ecclesiarum vacantium, in quibus Monachi Sancti Augustini habet jus Pratronatus. Adjecit quoque Archiepiscopum & Archidiaconum suum esse in possessione hujus juris; unde petit ut hoc jure liberè & sine impedimento uti possit. Procurator Abbatis & Monachorum Sancti Augustini respondit, quod cum Archiepiscopus proponeret Abbatem & Monachos intrusos in Ecclesiam de Middleton, eo quod u● asserebat Ecclesia illa vacans erat & custodia ejusdum vacaret ad ipsum, vel Archid aconum suum pertineret, certificari voluerint Abbas & Monachi utrum Archiepiscopus contenderet se an Archidiaconum jus custodiae habere in Ecclesia praedicta. Et incontinenti responsum est â procuratore Archiepiscopi, Custodiam illius Ecclesiae principaliter ad Archiepiscopum; secundari● & authoritate Archiepiscopi ad Archidiaconum suum pertinere. Consequenter respondit procurator Abbatis. Quod etsi vacaret Ecclesia de Middleton, nihilominus Custodia illius & Claves & proventus non ad Archiepiscopum, immo ad Abbatem & Monachos tempore vacationis pertineret. Adiecit quoque, illam non esse vacantem, immo Abbatem & Monachos Sancti Augustini ejusdem personatum habere, seu Canonicum titulum percipiendi omnes proventus illius, & sic eos jure sine consilio fraudis seu intrusionis Ecclesiam sibi retinere. Et ideo Archiepiscopus frustra ad vacantem super proventibus & ipsius quasi vacantis frustra eos molestabat, frustra quasi injuria ei illata fuisset sibi petebat satisfieri, cum Abbas & Monachi jure suo usi fuerint, & juris executio non habet injuriam. Super Ecclesia de Faversham omnino idem, eam totam in usus suos sibi retinuerint, quandoque etiam Clericis secularibus nunc sub majori, nunc sub minori pensione, nunquam tamen ad firmam concesserunt. Tandem defuncto Osberno de Camera cui Ecclesiam illam ad instantiam Henrici Regis sub pensione sex marcarum concesserant jure suo & licitè & citra injuriam Archiepiscopi, & sic citra vitium intrusionis ingressi sunt possessionem illius Ecclesiae. Requisitus procurator Abbatis à procuratore Archiepiscopi, Qui instituente habuerunt Monachi jus patronatus in Ecclesiis de Faversham & de Middleton? habita deliberatione respondit in hunc modum. Abbas & Conventus credunt quod tempore concessionis & confirmationis Regis W. primi super Ecclesiis de Faversham & de Middleton eye factae Archiepiscopus Cantuaeriensis qui tunc fuit instituit Abbatem & Conventum & in easdem Ecclesias, set ad idem probandum nec testes habent nec instrumenta super hoc specialiter confecta. Verum pro certo sciunt quod Archiepiscopus Theobaldus concessit eis Ecclesias illas, & bonae memoriae Celestinus easdem eis confirmavit. Praeterea adjecit procurator Abbatis quod Archiepiscopus falso suggessit Domino Papae, Monachos manu armata detinuisse Ecclesiam de Faversham. Ad jecit etiam quod Nuncii Abbatis & Monachorum cum literis eorum accesserunt ad Archiepiscopum ad Slyndon, conquerentes, quod post eorum appellationem factam & solempniter innovatam Magister Everardus tunc Officialis Archidiaconi Cantuariensis in prae judicium & contra libertatem Monasterii Sancti Augustini Monachos, in Ecclesia de Faversham tunc existentes, authoritate Archiepiscopi Excommunicavit, & Ecclesias Abbatiae generali supposuit interdicto. Cumque instantius peterent, ut Archiepiscopus illas sententias irritaret, Archiepiscopus Warrantizare eas voluit, nec eas irritare, dicens dictis appellationibus non fuisse deferendum. Cum igitur appellatio Abbatis ad notitiam Archiepiscopi pervenit, & ipse nihilominus illas sententias post appellationem factas ratas habuit cum ratihabitio retro trahatur, excusationem ignorantiae si quam ab initio, ex post facto amisit, adjiciens haec omnia à Magistro Everardo & per eum & Authoritate ejus facta fuisse. Super Ecclesiis de Stone & Langedon respondit procurator Abbatis & Conventus; Quod cum custodia earum & aliarum sui patronatus ad Abbatem & Monachos pertinet, et cum & ipsi ad illarum Ecclesiarum regimen personas idoneos Archiepiscopo praesentassent, Archiepiscopus eos super custodia earum seu proventibus injustè molestabat. Item procurator Abbatis & Conventus confessus est in jure Monachos Sancti Augustini detinuisse Ecclesias de Stone & Langedon, ex quo vacaverunt, & adhuc detinere & nolle custodiam earum Archiepiscopo vel Archidiacono dimittere, nec debere cum ad eos spectaret custodia omnium Ecclesiarum vacantium sui patronatus, & non ad Archiepiscopum vel Archidiaconum, & eos in possessione hujus custodiae esse, & non Archiepiscopum vel Archidiaconum. Hiis itaque hinc inde propositis utriusque partis testes sunt admissi, multi quidem. Quorum multitudo à judicibus ad minorem numerum redacta fuisset nisi quia partes instabant, ut omnes admitterentur propter Articulorum probandorum multitudinem. Publicatis demum attestationibus, paratus fuit Archidiaconus a judicibus sententiam accipere, & hoc instanter petiit, ut scilicet ipsi inspectis attestationibus sententiarent. Sed pars adversa sententiam Domino Papae maluit reservare. Deinde cum renunciatum esset productioni super Testibus repellendis, die ad idem praefixo facta est instrumentorum Sancti Augustini exhibitio. Postmodum vero die scilicet Martis proxima post Caput jejunii, dicti judices partibus peremptorium praefixerunt diem scilicet diem Natalis beatae Mariae, quo coram Domino Papa compareant sententiam recepturi. Set amicis mediantibus, et de pace tractantibus, Rex ipse scripsit Archiepiscopo supplicando, ne ipse Abbatem super Ecclesiis de Faversham et de Middleton molestaret seu impeditet quo minus de praedictis Ecclesiis possit disponere et in usus proprios convertere. Igitur Archiepiscopus H. tandem volens ea quae pacis sunt et non belli, ob Regis reverentiam, praedictas Ecclesias praedecessoris sui Theobaldi vestigiis inhaerendo ratificavit, perpetuo possidendas. I pretermit many hot contests soon after Annis 1214. 1215. etc. between the Archbishop of Canterbury, Monks and Abbots of Saint Augustine's; about the Abbot's making his profession of subjection to the Archbishop upon his Consecration, for refusal whereof the Archbishop excommunicated the Abbot, and Monks, and interdicted all Churches belonging to the Monastery, so that neither God nor the people during their contests must have any divine service in them, such was their presumption and impiety. Whereupon the Abbot appealing to the Pope, pleaded exemptions from any such profession or subjection by several Pope's Bulls and Resolutions, In which Suits, the Archbishop alleging the sentence of Pope Alexander the third to the contrary; What great delays, bribes, and indirect practices were used in the Court of Rome in these Suits, you may read at large in the Chronicle of William Thorn, Cap. 14. 19, 20, 21, 23. I shall only observe, that in the contest it clearly appeared upon full examination, that both the Monks and ArchBishops of Canterbury, forged Popes Bulls & Charters, to maintain their Jurisdictions; The Archbishop Anno. 1215. produced before Pope Innocent the third, the Copies of two Decretal Epistles or Bulls of Pope Alexander the third, in a full Council, which were both proved to be forged; I shall only recite the latter of them, and detection, relation of their forgery. Alexander Episcopus servus servorum Dei, venerabili fratri Archiepiscopo Cantuariensi Chronicon Will. Thorn. Col. 1866. 1867. Apostolicae sedis Legato, etc. Ideo sumus in eminentia sedis Apostolicae constituti, ut aequa lance Justitiae singulis sua jura reddamus, & si quid minus aequaliter factum est, illud ad rectitudinis tramitem rovocemus. Licet itaque Monasterium Sancti Augustini Cant. tanquam specialiter nostrum paterno diligamus & foveamus affectu, ipsi tamen eam libertatem indulgere nolumus, per quam tuis & Ecclesiae tuae dignitatibus derogetur. Quoniam igitur quorundam suggestionibus, et quibusdam privilegiis falsis, sicut postea manifeste comperimus, ab Abbatis Sancti Augustini tibi debitam, tuis antecessoribus diu exhibitam, tibi abstulimus professionem, Nos intuitu aequitatis, et ob reverentiam beati Thomae Martyris tibi et successoribus tuis in perpetuum confirmamus. Dat. Laterani, etc. Sed quoniam Archiepiscopus non ostendebat originalia istarum Literarum, neque earum Copiam sub manu publica, cum hoc fuisset sibi tunc maximè necessarium, ipsae literae habitae sunt suspectae, unde quaesito Registro ipsius Alexandri Papae 3. et diligenter exquisito, nulla omnino mentio de ipsis literis est reperta; quare duo ipsa paria literarum sunt condemnata falsi et cancellata ab ipso Papa Innocentio 3 in ipso Concilio generali, non sine magna Archiepiscopi confusione et erubescentia. Ipsa vero sententia quam idem Papa Alexander tulerat pro Monasterio S. Augustini super professione non exhibenda Archiepiscopo, de verbo ad verbum inventa est registrata. Quibus ita ge●●●s turbatus Archiepiscopus & animo consternatus, ne nihil videatur egisse, proposuit in ipso Concilio, quod Abbas tenetur sibi de jure communi facere professionum, igitur sibi humiliter petebat exhiberi. Upon consideration of which Forgeries, we may justly suspect sundry Bulls, and some Charters advancing the Pope's supremacy and jurisdiction here in England, to be Forged as Sir. * Council. Tom. 1. p. 124, 145, 126. Henry Spelman observes. The rather because Gervasius Dorobernensis writing under King john, in his Chronicle, * Col. 1451. Anno 1081. renders us this account of these Monks two razed, forged Charters, Bulls then produced. Sexto Kal. Julii, convenerunt apud Londoniam, Richardus Cantuariensis Archiepiscopus, Episcopus Dunelmensis, Rogerius Abbas Sancti Augustini, a●sque non modicae auctoritatis viri. Dederat enim in mandatis Romanus Pontifex Alexander praefato Episcopo Dunelmensi & Abbati Sancti Albani, ut Abbatem Sancti Augustini cogerent Archiepiscopo Cantuariensi sua privilegia ostendere, daretque Copiam Legendi. Continebant enim quaedam capitula in contumeliam Cantuariensis Ecclesiae, quae magis falsa quam vera videbantur: hoc jam tertio a sede Apostolica emanaverat mandatum. (So little did they then regard the Pope's mandates who were most devoted to him) Sed invincibili tergiversatione Monachorum usque in praesens dilatum est. Lege Lector & intellige, quod veritas non quaere tangulos; & qui veritatem dicit non laborar. Protulerunt tandem aliquando Monachi Abbatis Schedulas duas, quas sua originalia constanter esse dicebant. Quarum prima vetustissima erat rasa, et subscripta acsi esset emendata, et absque sigillo. Hanc dicebant Regis Ethelberti esse privilegium. Alia vero scedula multo erat recentior, de qua Bulla plumbea, cum iconia Episcopi nova valde dependebat. Hanc Cartulam Sancti * See Spel●●in Council p. 121. 122. Augustini dicebant esse privilegium. In his autem privilegiis intuentium judicio haec maximè notanda fuerunt. In prima, laudabilis quidem fuit vetustas, sed rasa fuit, et inscripta, nec ullius sigilli munimine celebrata. In alia vero, reprehensione dignum fuit, quod nova extitit ejus Litera & Bulla, cum vetustatis esse deberet annorum quingentorum octoginta, id est, à tempore beati Augustini cujus esse dicebatur. Fuit etiam notatum▪ immo notorium et notabile, quod Bulla, ipsius plumbea fuit, cum non soleant cisalpini praesules vel primates, scriptis suis autenticis Bullas plumbeas apponere. Modus etiam Latini et forma loquendi, a Romano stilo dissona videbantur. Haec duo solummodo privilegia in medio prolata sunt, cum alia nonnulla se habuisse Monachi jactitarent. Besides * Chronicon▪ cap. 14. Col. 1831, 1833. Will. Thorn a Monk thereof confesseth, Archiepiscopus aggressus est ejusdē Monasterii privilegia arguere falsitatis, and that after much wrangling the Abbot & Monks, reverenter & devote judicibus obtemperantes, de privilegiis quae nominatim fuerunt exhibenda, & quae ipsi judices exhiberi praeceperant, duo privilegia judicibus exhibebant; videlicet privilegium beati Augustini ejusdem Ecclesiae patroni, & privilegium Ethelberti Regis ejusdem Monasterii fundatoris, whereon they made the premised observations of rasure interlining and forgery upon view. Whence Sir * Concil. Tom▪ 1 p. 126. Henry Spelman gives us this good caution; Cautius igitur intuendae sunt veterrimae Monasteriorum Chartae, fraudem enim saepè olent, & ab antiquis ipsis eo perstringuntur stigmate. Bonum est in eorum datis accuratè observare annorum concordantiam, scilicet Christi, Papae, indictionis atque Regis, in his enim saepius contigit hallucinatum iri. Book. 3. Chap. 1. p. 257. l. 37. After to him, insert Robertus dei Redings Abbot▪ Register of ramsey Abbey & Monst con. Ang●. Vol. 1. p. 241. of ramsey Anno. 1207. Resignavit baculum suum pastoralem in manus Willielmi Lincolniensis Episcopi, & mortuus est apud Redinges, & Rex Johannes tenuit Abbathiam in manu sua per septem annos, pro eo quod Monachi Ramesiae ad praeceptum suum noluerunt eligere in Abbatem Priorem de Frontona. Book 3. Chap. 1. p. 287. l. 38. After depraedavit, add. The Register of the Abbey of ramsey Records. * Monasticon. Angl. Vol. 1. p. 241. Item eodem Anno 1214, idem Nicholaus Legatus deposuit Abbates Westmonasterii, Eveshamiaes, & Barden●ae, et substituti sunt per eundem Prior Fronton apud Westm. Prior Wygorn. apud Evesham, Prior de Leuton, apud Bardeney; & anno sequenti fuit Ecclesia Ramensis spoliata multis divitiis, by this Roman Harpy and Plunderer. This should have been inserted Book. 3. Chap. 2. p. 363. before l. 45. In the mean time. William Thorne renders us this account of King Lewes his landing in England, and Chronicon. Will. Thorne Col. 1869. 1869, 1870. of his Letter written to Alexander then Abbot of Saint Augustines Canterbury, disproving King john's, and justifying his own Title to the Crown of England, as well by hereditary descent, as Election of the Barons, and dissuading him, to denounce any excommunication against him by the Pope's command by promises and menaces, both which the Abbot heroically contemned, proceeding in his excommunication. Anno Domini 1216. Lodowicus Philippi Regis Francorum primogenitus, veniens in Angliam cum magno exercitu ut eam suae subderet ditioni, applicuit apud Stonoram 12. Kal. Junii, animad vertens quod Alexander Abbas hujus loci haberet potestatem sententialiter contra eum procedendi, elegantem eidem Abbati & Conventui misit Epistolam, jus quod sibi in Anglicano Regno competere contendebat, declarando in haec verba. Lodowicus Domini Regis Francorum primogenitus Abbati & Conventui Sancti Augustini Cant. salutem, & syncerae dilectionis affectum. Ne quis in facto nostro de Regno nostro Angliae simplicitatem vestram per falsas circummveniat suggestiones, vel Conscientias vestras contra nos reddat scrupulosas, nudam & meram ipsius rei veritatem, ad universitatis vestrae notitiam volumus pervenire. Nostis itaque, quod propter proditionem notoriam quam Johannes quondam Rex Angliae commisit contra fratrem suum Regem Richardum, dum esset in partibus Jerosolimitanis, in reditu ejusdem fratris sui, legitimè fuit citatus, accusatus, & in judicio coram paribus suis, & per eos legitimè tanquàm proditor condempnatus, quae sententia condemnationis per os Hugonis de Pinsac. tunc Episcopi Dunelmensis fuit solempniter promulgata; undè mortuo Rege Richardo, devolutum est jus Regni Angliae ad Reginam Castellae, & haeredes suos, quae sola tunc de omnibus fratribus & sororibus suis superstes fuit praeter dictum Johannem. Ipsa autem Regina & haeredes sui jus quod habuerunt in Regno nobis & filiae suae quam habemus uxorem, liberaliter concesserunt: propter quod Hubertus quondam Cantuariensis Archiepiscopus in Coronatione ipsius Johannis publicè dixit, quod non ratione successionis, set per Electionem ipsum in Regem coronabat. Illa autem Electio vel Coronatio qualiscunque nobis non praejudicavit, tàm quià per violentiam facta fuit, tum quia jus quod habuimus nobis sine culpa aut consensu nostro auferre non potuit: praetereà satis notum est, quomodo de murdro Arthuri nepotis sui in Curia Charissimi Domini & genitoris nostri Regis Francorum, Cujus ambo erant homines legei, per pares suos citatus, & per eosdem pares tandem fuit legitimè condempnatus. Quod quidem murdrum eisdem partibus pluribus in Anglia & pluries praedictus Johannes est confessus: per quam condempnationem bona sua ubicunque erant aut undecumque ea haberet, per usitatas consuetudines forisfecit, & tunc iterato nobis tanquàm vero haeredi cessit jus Regni Angliae, maximè cum adhuc de carne sua haeredem non haberet. Nos vero pro jure nostro extunc eidem Johanni guerram movimus, quam contra ipsum continuavimus absque omni interruptione pacis vel treugae usque ad dies istos. De guerra enim quae postmodum inter Charistimum Dominum & genitorem nostrum & ipsum facta fuit, nec fuimus requisiti, nec alium requisivimus licet praesentes essemus, undè nec Crucis assumptio, nec aliqua Conditio postmodum lite pendente suscepta, potest ipsum tueri, quin contra ipsum jus nostrum prosequamur. Ad haec, cum praefatus Johannes in Coronatione sua sollempniter prout moris est jurasset, se jura et consuetudines Ecclesiae, et Regni Angliae conservaturum; contra juramentum suum, absque Consilio vel consensu Baronum suorum idem Regnum, quod semper fuit Nota. liberum, quantum in ipso fuit, Domino Papae subjecit, et fecit tributarium; bonas consuetudines subvertens, malas inducens tam Ecclesiam quam Regnum multis oppressionibus, multisque modis studens ancillare; quas oppressiones vos melius nosti quam nos, ut qui eas familiari sensistis experimento. Pro quibus cum post multas requisitiones guerra mota esset contra ipsum, à Baronibus suis, tandem, inter caetera de ejus expresso consensu ità convenit, ut si idem Johannes ad flagitia prima redierit, ipsi Baronesab ejus fidelitate recederent nunquam ad eam postmodum reversuri. Uerum ipse nichilominus paucis diebus evolutis, fecit novissima sua pejora prioribus, studens Barones suos non tantum opprimere, set potius penitus exterminare. Qui de communi Regni consilio et approbatione, ipsum Regno judicantes indignum, nos in Regem et Dominum elegerunt. Unde apparet; quod sive ad successionem, sive ad electionem habeatur respectus, nos potissime jus in Regno Angliae habemus. Nos autem cum istis et aliis rationibus ad Dominum Papam sollempnes nuncios nostros dudum destinavimus, et audientes interim, quod Cardinalis quidam Gualo nomine, veniret in Franciam, misimus ad eum rogantes, ne contra nos aliquid statueret, donec nuncii nostri a Curia Romana redirent, aut a Domino Papa novum reciperet mandatum postquam nuncios nostros audivisset. Et cum jam idem Cardinalis ad Dominum nostrum et genitorem Regem Franciae accessisset, idem in praesentia Praelatorum et Magnatum Franciae fecimus dici coram nobis expresse, jus et propositum nostrum potestantes. Ipse autem Cardinalis tunc contra nos in nullo processit, nec visus est velle procedere. At nunc in Angliam ingressus, suggestionibus et muneribus inimicorum nostrorum immutatus, nos et nostros, ut audivimus, per Praelatos et Officiales Ecclesiarum intendit gravare. Quapropter vestram attente rogamus discretionem, quatinus sicut ad libertatem Ecclesiae et Regni Angliae venimus, ut videlicet tam Regnum quam Ecclesiam antiquae et debitae per Dei gratiam restituamus libertati, propter nullius falsam suggestionem vel iniquam jussionem nos velitis turbare, vel nostrum bonum et pium propositum et commune bonum Angliae impedire, nec aliquid contra nos vel nostros nobis irrequisitis promulgare. Scituri quod qui bona fide in hac parte nobis assisterint, perpetuum nos amicum contra quemlibet habebunt & defensorem, nec pro lucro vel damno ei aliquo unquam tempore deerimus▪ illi vero qui secus egerint, nos perpetuum sententient inimicum. Valete. Set Abbas Alexander, ut alter Alexander Macedo magnanimus, nec Lodowici praecibus & blanditiis emollitus, nec comminatoriis perterritus, a favore Regis I. et auxilio nullatenus se elongavit, sed in ipsum Lodowicum et ejus Complices et eis adhaerentes, consilium, auxilium, vel favorem eis praebentes, sententias excommunicationis et interdicti incessanter promulgavit, et executioni demandavit secundum quod a Papa hoc negotium et fuerat delegatum, nam et ipsa Papa in Concilio Lateranensi eundem L. vivae vocis oraculo excommunicaverat. Complices vero et fautores ejus hac sententia irritati, primo in insula Thaneto, postea in singulis maneriis nostris blada, animalia, victualia, etc. quaecunque invenire potuerunt depraedaverunt, vix a Sanctuario nostri Monasterii manus suas continentes. Book 4. Chap. 1. p. 377. after l. 9 and before King Henry, this passage and Writ should have been placed: By several ancient * Chron. Joannis Bromton, col. 830, 844, 878, 890, 894, 942, 982. Spelmannni & ●o. Somneri Glossarium, Tit▪ Judicium Dei. Ordalium, Codex Legum Antiqu. p. 1302. Antiqu. Eccles. Brit. p. 77, to 86. Eadmerus An. 1076. p. Hist. l. 2. p. 28. Glanvil l. 14. c. 3. Bracton l. 3. De Corona, c. 16. sect. 3. Hoveden Annal. pars. 1. 547. 5●6. † See Joannis Seldeni ad Eadmerum & Notae & Spicilegium, p. 203. Saxon Lawes, persons accused of Robbery, Murder and other felonies, were to purge themselves and vindicate their innocency by fire, cold or scalding water, which trial was styled Judicium Dei, Ignis & Aquae, & Ordalium: Which being written against and condemned by many Divines, and at last prohibited by some Pope's Decrees, as a tempting of God, a trial full of superstition, incertainty, subject to many frauds and abuses, in a manner abolished by King William Rufus, as † Eadmerus relates, yet used now and then, as not totally abolished, King Henry the 3. by advice of his Counsel and Chief Justice, (at the Pope's Legates instigation) prohibited this kind of Trial by this memorable Writ to the Justice's itinerant, because inhibited by the Church of Rome. REX Dilectis & fidelibus suis Philippo de Vletot, & sociis suis itinerantibus in Pat. 3 H. 3. m. 5. Comitatibus Cumberland, Westmoreland, & Lancaster, salutem. Quia dubitatum fuit, & non determinatum ante inceptionem itineris vestri, quo judicio deducendi sint illi qui rectati su● de Latrocinio, murdro, incendio, & hiis similibus, cum prohibitum sit per * Prohibited long before by Pope Stephea, Gratian causa 2. qu. 5. sect. 7. Ivo Decretal. pars 10. c. 15. Extrav. Tit. de Purgatione Vulgari c. 3. & newly by Honor. the 4th then Pope, Antiqu. Eccles. Brit. p. 84. Ecclesiam Romanam judicium Ignis et Aquae. Provisum est à Consilio nostro, ad praesens, ut in hoc itinere vestro sic fiat de Rectatis de hujusmodi existentibus, videlicet, quod illi qui rectati sunt de Criminibus praedictis majoribus, & de his habeatur suspicio, quod culpabiles sint de eo undè rectati sunt (de quibus & licet Regnum nostrum abjurarent adhuc suspicio esset, quod posteà male facerent) teneantur in prisona nostra, & salvo custodiantur, ita quod non incurrant periculum vitae vel membrorum occasione prisonae nostrae. Illi vero qui mediis criminibus rectati fuerunt, et quibus competeret judicium Ignis vel Aquae si non esset prohibitum, et de quibus si Regnum nostrum abjurarent nulla fuerit postea malificiendi suspicio, Regnum nostrum abjurent. Illi vero qui minoribus rectati sunt criminibus nec de eis fuerit mali suspicio, salvos & securos plegios inveniant de fidelitate & pace nostra conservanda, & sic dimittentur in terra nostra. Cum igitur nihil certius in hac parte providerit Consilium nostrum ad praesens, relinquimas discretioni vestrae, ut qui personas hominum, formam delicti, & ipsarum rerum veritatem melius cognoscere poteritis, hoc ordine secundum discretiones & Conscientias vestras in hujusmodi procedatis. Et in hujus rei testimonium, etc. Teste Domino P. Wintoniensis Episcopo apud Westm. 26. die Januarii. Anno Regni nostri tertio. Per eundem & H. de Burgo Justiciarum. This (in my observation) is the first precedent, that Trials ratified by our Civil Laws, and ancient usage in the Realm, were altered and set a side upon consideration of the Decrees of Popes and the Church of Rome, by the King and his Counsils advice and Writ, without an Act of Parliament, but the Justice of the Decrees, the superstition, incertainty, and injustice of the former kinds of Trials, might be a suffient warrant for such an alteration as this for the better. Book 4. Chap. 3 p. 373. between l. 4 and 5. this should have been inserted, In the second year of King Henry the third, Pope Honorius the third, upon the earnest Petition of the Abbot and Monks of Saint Alban granted them this Bull, and confirmed all former Bulls of his predecessors and Charters of our Kings whereby any Privileges, Lands, Cells, Churches, or aught else were formerly granted, or which hereafter should be granted to them with exemptions from all Regal, Episcopal and other Taxes, services, jurisdictions whatsoever, but only of the Pope himself or his Legate being a Cardinal, reserving one ounce of Cold to be annually paid to him and his successors for the Liberties and Privileges ratified and granted in or by this Bull, to which his Cardinals subscribed, and for which (no doubt) he received a considerable sum in hand from the Monastery. HONORIUS Episcopus servus servorum Dei, Dilectis filiis Willielmo Abbati Monasticon Angl. Vol. ●. p. 179. 180, 181. Monasterii Sancti Albani ejusque fratribus tàm praesentibus quam futuris, regularem vitam professis in perpetuum. Religiosam vitam eligentibus Apostolicum convenit adesse praesidium, ne fortè cujuslibet temeritatis incursus, aut eos à proposito revocet, aut rob ir, quod absit, sacrae religionis infringatur. Ea propter dilecti in Domino filii, ob reverentiam beati Albani gloriosi * He was a Britain not Englishman, as this Pope mistakes. Anglorum protho. Martyris, cujus sacratissimum corpus in loco vestro requiescere dignoscitur, praedeces●orum nostrorum felicis memoriae, Calixti, Caelestini, Eug nii, Adriani, Alexandri, Lucii, Clementis, & Caelestini tertii Romanorum Pontificum vestigiis inhaerentes, vestris justis postulationibus clementer annuimus, & Monasterium ipsum; in quo divino vacatis obsequio, quod ad jus beati Petri specialiter spectare dignoscitur, cum adjacentibus Cellis et Ecclesiis, et omnibus eidem Monasterio pertinentibus, sub beati Petri et nostra protectione suscipimus, et praesentis scripti privilegio communimus, statuentes ut universa quae illustris memoriae Offa videlicet et filius ejus, Egfridus, Eir●dus, Willielmus, & Henric●s, Richardus, Johannes, Anglorum Reges, aut alii fideles de suo jure vestro Monasterio contulerunt, quaecunque etiam ipsum Monasterium in praesentiarum justè ac Canonicè possidet, aut in futurum, concessione Pontificum, largitione Regum, vel principum oblatione fidelium, aliis justis modis praestante Domino * They were insatiable and never had enough poterit adepisci, firma vobis vestrisque successoribus & illibata permaneant, in quibus haec propriis duximus exprimenda vocabulis; videlicet Monasterium ipsum beati Albani cum villa tota, Ecclesiam beati Petri, Ecclesiam quoque beati Stephani, & Ecclesias de Kyngesbyri, & de Wa●ford, etc. with sundry other particulars▪ Cellam de Hethfield, cum omnibus omnium rerum pertinentiis dignitatibus, ac liberis consuetudin bus, nec & non alias Ecclesias, decimas, Villas, terras, aquas, prata, pascua, silvas, redditus etiam & omnia eidem Monasterio vel Cellis ejus pertinentia, sicut in privilegiis Pontificum, Regum vel aliorum scriptis fidelium continetur. Quicquid praeterea dignitatis, libertatis et competentis Ecclesiae ac Monasterio consu tudinis per Regum vel aliorum fidelium scripta loco eidem et Cellis ejus collatum est, Nos quoque hujus scripti nostri robore confirmamus, ut videlicet Ecclesia Sancti Albani, et Cellae ejus et omnia ad eas pertinentia, libera sint ab omni tributo sive Regis, seu Episcopi, sive Comitis, Vicecomitis, Ducis, judicis et eractoris, et omnibus operibus quae indici (solent) vel emendatione Pontium, Castellorum, Parcorum. Dmnia etiam Pontificalia jura cellarum Sancti Albani, et Ecclesiarum ejus sub ejusdem Abbatis dispositione atque arbitrio permaneant, Crisma vero, oleum sanctum, consecrationes alturium seu basilicarum, benedictiones Abbatis, Monachorum seu Clericorum ordinationes, a quocunque malueritis Catholico suscipiatis Antistite, nimirum vestra fultus authoritate, quod postulatus fuerit indulgeat, nec quod petieritis audeat denegare. Obeun●e vero te nunc ejusdem loci Abbate vel tuorum quolibet successorum, nullus ibi qualibet subreptionis astutia, seu violentia praeponatur; sed liceat vobis communi consilio Conventus vel partis consilii sanioris, secundum Dei timorem & beati Benedicti regulam absque ullius contradictione Abbatem eligere, qui in susceptione benedictionis suae cunctis in posterum diebus, * This was King O●fa his Original privilege. See here book 2. c. 3. ● 222. soli Romanae Ecclesiae professionem obedientiae debet exhibere. Cui etiam Abbati licitum sit, sicut à praedecessoribus nostris vobis concessum, personam de suis fratribus quam maluerit honestam, idoneam & maturam constituere, quae curam animarum sub eo gerat, & Archidiaconi Officium in omnibus impleat. Verum ne per hujus dignitatis praerogativam Abbas praedicti Monasterii aliquo tempore faciliorem fortassis ad Episcopatum habeat accessum, Apostolica authoritate interdicimus, ne unquam in Monasterio beati Albani * As in Ely & other Monasteries, sedes Episcopalis constituatur, ne occasione ista quandoque Monachi dispositioni subjaceant Clericorum et Claustralis quies turbetur, nec non et regularis observantiae disciplina, simul cum substantia Monasterii minuatur; sed cunctis inpostetum diebus Ecclesiae Sancti Albani, non Episcopum sed Abbatem a quo Pontificalis dignitatis, in quantum * See here Book 2. c. 7. p. 222. Spelmani Glossarium Abbates mitrati. Abbati concedifas est, debeat obtinere; videlicet, ut sicut Pontificalia habet jura ita et Pontificalia habeat ornamenta, mitram scilicet, ciro●ecas et annulum, et sandalia, tunica quoque et Dalmatica in celebrationibus missarum utatur, quae liceat ei non tantum in propria Ecclesia et in Cellis vestris, sed et in omnibus Ecclesiis ad quas rogatus accesserit in festis diebus gestare, benedictionem dare, vestimenta sacerdotalia benedicere, Clericos suos tonsare, et in sortem dominicam assumere, sanctimoniales suas benedicere. Et sicut beatus Albanus Anglorum protomartyr esse dignoscitur, ita et * This contradicts Pope Agatho his Bull to the Abbot of Peterburg. here Book. 2. c. 7. p. 278. Abbas Monasterii ipsius inter Abbates Angliae primus omni tempore dignitatis ordine habeatur. Ità tamen, quod nunquam hac occasione infra Claustra Monasterii Abbas ipse praesumat uti Cappa Clericali, vel seculari aliquo indumento, sed Monastici habitus reverentiam in omnibus diligenter observet, & formam Religionis praetendere intuentium oculis comprobetur. In ponendis verò vel removendis Prioribus Cellarum vel Monachis, nullus omnino Clericus sive Laicus se objiciat, sed Abbas qui pro tempore fuerit absque alicujus contradictione liberam habeat facultatem, quatinus tàm Priores quam Monachi in Abbatum suorum semper potestate permaneant, & ita per omnia liberi sint ubilibet habitantes ab Episcoporum subjectione ac si in corpore Monasterii morarentur, in quos nulla omnino persona praeter Roman●m Pontificem vel Legatum Cardinalem a nostro latere destinatum, excommunicationis seu interdicti sententiam audeat promulgare. Quod si quispiam alius aliquo tempore attemptare praesumpserit, ejus in hac parte factum omnino viribus careat, et penitus irritum habeatur. Prohibemus quoque ut nullus Episcopus five Archiepiscopus in vestro Caenobio, vel adjacentibus Ecclesiis in quibus ejusdem Monasterii Abbas jus Pontificale habere dignoscitur, missas publicas vel Conventum sive Synodum celebrare, Cathedram collocare, processionem sollempnem facere aut exigere, Regem Coronare, seu aliquod Episcopale Officium in aliqua Cellarum suarum exercere vel hospitium exigere praesumat. Vniversaliter statuentes, ut quicunque Episcopi, Archiepiscopi vel eorum Clerici aut ministri super ipsum Monasterium, vel super Cellas et praedictas Parochiales Ecclesias nullam aliquatenus potestatem habeant, nec earum Praesbyteros, vel Clericos quoscunque sive Laicos, sed nec Abbatem, Priores vel Monachos ad Synodum suam vel Capitulum convocare, vel ab officio divino suspendere, seu aliquod in eos vel minimum jus exercere, aut Parochianos suos a communione illorum prohibere praesumant, sed omnia Pontificalia eorum jura et quaecunque Ecclesia Sancti Albani fuerint Abbatis, solummodo ejusdem Monasterii potestati licere tractanda subjaceant. Nolumus enim ut alicui nisi tantum Romano Pontifici debeant in aliquo respondere. Nec Monasterii vestri Abbas vel Monachi, seu Cellarum vestrarum ubilibet positarum fratres, pro qualibet interdictione vel excommunicatione, etiamsi * Why must not oaths do the like? commune interdictum terrae fuerit, divinorum Officiorum suspensionem patiantur; sed tam Abbas et Monachi ipsi quam et famuli eorum, et qui se Monasticae professioni devoverunt, Clausis Ecclesiarum januis, non admissis excommunicatis et interdictis, non pulsatis tintinabulis, humiliori voce divina celebrent, et sepulturae eis debita peragant. Liceat quoque vobis quandocunque vos manifeste gravari senseritis, ad remedium appellationis confugere, etiamsi in causa quae contra vos agitur appellatio sit remota: post factam vero appellationem nemini liceat in vos sententiam dare vel aliquid innovare, seu vos aut possessiones vestras ausu temerario perturbare. Ad haec sancimus, ne quis fratres vestros post factam in Monasterio vestri professionem absque Abbatis licentia suscipere audeat, vel retinere. Inhibemus insuper, ut nulli omnino hominum liceat in Cellis vestris absque assensu vestro Abbatem aliquando constituere. Ecclesia autem in quibus jura Pontificialia non habetis sive Capellae vestrae et Cimiteria libera sint, et ab omni exactione inmunia, praeter Episcopi consuetam potestatem et justitiam in Praesbyteros si adversus sui ordinis offenderint dignitatem. In quibus etiam Ecclesiis vel Capellis liceat vobis seu fratribus vestris Praesbyteros eligere, ita tamen quod ab Episcopis vel Episcoporum vicariis animarum curam absque venalitate suscipiant. Quibus nimirum Praesbyteris cum tantum assignaveritis unde victus et vestitus necessaria possint honeste percipere, quicquid residuum fuerit liceat vobis in usus proprios convertere. Si qui praeterea fidelium Monasterio vestro aut villis ad ipsum pertinentibus Ecclesiam aut possessionem aliquam seu beneficium pietatis intuitu conferre voluerit, nullus omnino audeat impedire. Adjicientes, etiam authoritate Apostolica prohibemus, ut nullus Minister decaetero, dapiter videlicet vel pincerna, Camerius, dispensator, ianitor, seu per manum Regis, vel alicujus Principis violentiam vobis invitis in vestro Monasterio vel in locis ad ipsum pertinentibus ordinetur; antiquas quoque consuetudines & redditus Monasterio vestro debitos, scilicet in sexta feria post ascentionem Dominicam de unaquaque Caruca Haerefordensis Comitatus obolum unum, & in eadem die sive Hebdomoda Pentecostes, extoto Comitatu processionem sollempnem. In secunda vero solempnitate beati Albani, de unaquaque Caruca * Peter-pences, grantedto them by the King which the Pope could not impose. nummum unum, itemque eodem die ●●●●naquaque domo totius terrae Sancti Albani nummum unum vobis authoritate Apostolica confirmamus, et perpetuis temporibus inviolabiliter praecipimus observari. Decernimus ergo ut nulli hominum liceat supradictum Monasterium temerè minuere, sive quibuslibet vexationibus fatigare, sed illibata omnia & integra observentur eorum pro quorum gubernatione & sustentatione concessa sunt usibus omnimodis profutura, salva in omnibus Apostolicae sedis Authoritate. Ad indicium autem hujus a sede Apostolica perceptae libertatis, * See Book 2. c. 7. p. 205, 206 Monasticon. Angl. Vol 1. p. 177. ● A high usurpation on the Crown, & Abbot's Temporalties. unam unciim auri nobis nostrisque successoribus annis singulis persolvetis. Si qua igitur in futurum Ecclesiastica secularisve persona hanc nostrae constitutionis paginam sciens contra eam temere venire temptaverit, secundo, tertiove commonita, nisi praesumptionem suam congrua satisfactione correxerit, potestatis honorisque sui dignitate careat, reumque se divino judicio existere de perpetrata iniquitate cognoscat, et a sacratissmo corpore ac * Therefore the Sacrament in that age was received by all persons in both kinds. sanguine Dei et Domini▪ Redemptoris nostri jesu Christi aliena fiat, atque in extremo examine districtae subjacent ultioni. Cunctis autem eidem loco sua jura servantibus, fiat pax Domini nostri Jesu Christi, quatenus & hîc fructum bonae actionis percipiant, & apud districtum judicem praemia aeternae pacis inveniant. Amen. Ego Leo titulo Sanctae Crucisin Jerusalem Presbyter Cardinalis. Ego Stephanus Basilicae Duodecim Apostolorum Presbyter Cardinalis. Ego Gregorius tituli Anastasiae Presbyter Cardinalis. Ego Thomas tituli Sancti Sabinae Presbyter Cardinalis. Ego Honorius Catholicae Ecclesiae Episcopus. Ego Guido Prenestinus Episcopus. Ego Conradus Portuensis & Sanctae Runffiae Episcopus. Ego frater Nicholaus Tusculanus Episcopus. Ego Guido Sancti Nicholai in Carcere Tulliano Diaconus Cardinalis. Ego Octo Sanctorum Sergii & Bachi Diaconus Cardinalis. Ego Gregorius Sancti Theod. Diaconus Cardinalis. Ego Stephanus Sancti Adriani Diaconus Cardinalis. Data Laterani per manum Ranerii Sanctae Romanae Ecclesiae Vicecamerarii 10. Kal. Martii, indictione 6. incarnationis Dominicae Anno 1218. Pontificatus verò Domini Honorii tertii, Anno Tertio. In this Bull it is observable. 1. That although most of the privileges, exemptions from Archiepiscopal and Episcopal Jurisdiction, and the Abbot's Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction and Pontificial habit, as well as the Lands, Cells, Churches, Chapels, etc. there mentioned, were originally granted by * See Book 2. c. 7. p. 222. 223. King Offa, and confirmed by other King's Charters mentioned in this Bull, and did not principally flow from Popes, who did but confirm the King's Charters; yet this Pope (as some of his Predecessors) took upon him, to be as it were the original granter of them; and of the Abbot's Pontifical Robes & Precedency before all other Abbots. 2. That he reserved an ounce of Gold to be paid annually to him and his successors for this Bull of liberties granted them, as Pope * Mat. Paris Vitae 23 Abbatium. p. 80. Celestine had formerly done, in high derogation of the King's regal Prerogative, as King Henry the 2d. declared to the Abbot upon sight of Pope Caelestines Bull. 3. That Abbots out of their Pride or ambition, were the principal advancers of the Pope's usurpations, by petitioning for, and purchasing such Bulls as these from Popes, to exempt themselves from all Secular, Archiepiscopal and Episcopal Jurisdiction (which raised many contests between our Archbishops, Bishops and Abbots) to be only under the Power of the Pope himself and his Legates; who inserted, à salvo in omnibus Apostolicae sedis authoritate. 4. That the Pope in this Bull gives Precedency to Popes and their Bulls before our Kings and their Charters, which was not usual in most preceding Bullsof confirmation. Matthew Paris in the life of John the next Abbot and others succeeding him 〈◊〉 See Book 4. c. 1. p. 462. to 467, 842. 843, 847, 848. complains, that notwithstanding all these privileges and Pope's Bulls very dearly purchased, they were presently and frequently violated by Popes and their Agents, or evaded by Non obstantes, as mere insignificant Ciphers, and pious Cheats to pick their purses. Book 4. Chap. 1. p. 443. l. 13. before (this year) this passage and Writ should have been placed. The Bishops in Ireland usurping upon the King's Crown and Courts, in presuming to hold Pleas of Advousons', of Churches, Chapples, Chattels, Layfee, and Goods which were not given in marriage or by will, against the Laws of England there established by him and his Father King John, issued this general Writ or Proclamation to inhibitthem to hold Plea thereof. REX Comitibus, Baronibus, Militibus, & liberis hominibus, & omnibus aliis de terra Pat. 18 H. 3. 〈◊〉 7. See 〈◊〉 s. 4. 〈◊〉 p. ●49. Hiberniae salutem. Quia manifeste esse dignoscitur contra Coronam et dignitatem nostram, et consuetudines, et leges Regni nostri Angliae quas bonae memoriae Dominus Johannes Rex, pater noster, de communi omnium de Hibernia consensu teneri statuit in terra illa, quod placita non teneantur in Curia Christianitatis de advocationibus Ecclesiarum et Capellarum, vel de Laico feodo, vel de Catallis, quae non sunt de teflamento vel matrimonio. Vobis mandamus prohibentes, quatinus hujusmodi placita in Curia Christianitatis nullatenus sequi praesumatis, in manifestum dignitatis et Coronae nostrae praejudicium. Scituri pro certo, quod si feceritis, dedimus in mandato justiciario nostro Hyberniae, ut juxta statuta Curiae nostrae in Anglia contra transgressiones hujus mandati nostri cum justitia procedat, et quod nostrum est exequatur. In cujus, etc. Teste Rege apud Winchcomb. 28. die Octobris Anno Regni nostri 18. Et mandatum est Justiciario Hyberniae per literas Clausas, quod praedictas literas patentes, publice legi, & teneri faciat. Book 3. Chap. 1. p. 436. l. 1. This should have been inserted. Matthew Paris in the life of William Abbot of Saint Alban relates this story of an Italian who had been violently intruded by the Pope's Provision against right into the Church of Herteburne for many years, being troubled in his conscience for it, resigned it up to the Abbot, the only precedent of this kind in our Histories, whereupon the Abbot reconferred it on him, as right Patron thereof. Ad titulos autem dignoscitur ipsius Abbatis Willielmi pertinere, quod cum Magister Mat. Paris Hist. vitae 23. Abbatum Sancti Albani p. 129. Hugo natione Italicus, Ecclesiam de Herteburna, per intrusionem Romanae Curiae violenter obtinuisset, cavens Conscientiae suae quam graviter ●aesam senserat, venit ad Abbatem Gulielmum, et dixit ei, cum lachrymis, Domine, illegitimum ingressum habui ad Ecclesiam vestram quae ad donationem vestram pertinet, unde fructus aegro animo plurimis annis (heu mihi) recepi temerarius. Ipsam igitur, Pater sancte in manibus vestris resigno. Cui Abbas miseratus et misertus respondit, non inveni tantam fidem in aliquo Transalpino, et ego ipsam recipio; Et post dimidium minus horae intervallum cum silentio ipse Abbas, (nullius praeterquam spiritus sancti fretus consilio) recolens, qualiter beatus Thomas Martyr Cantuariensem Archiepiscopatum in manus Papae (quia ingressum habuit imperiosis praecibus Regis Henrici) resignavit, et iterum Canonice institui promeruit, accito Hugone ait, et ego tibi eam Charitative confero, ut tua serenetur Conscientia. Quam recipiens cum gratiarum actionibus, multis annis vixit idem Hugo sanctissme. Ouod audiens Papa cum suis Cardinalibus, factum quamplurimum laud●vit, sed similia facere recusavit. Book 4. Chap. 2. p. 766. l. 1. This passage was omitted by the Printer; How numerous, rich, insolent the Pope's Italian usurers were, who returned his extorted moneys for him from England, and furnished the King, Prelates and others who wanted money, upon good security, at excessive rates both at Rome and in England, to pay what was extorted from, or given by them to purchase preferments, provisions, or bribe the Pope, Cardinals, officers of the Court of Rome, what stately Houses they purchased, and how they were questioned, imprisoned both as Heretics, Traitors by the King, till they purchased their peace with money, is thus registered by Matthew Paris. Temporibus sub eisdem, Usurarii Transa●pini, quos Caursinos appellamus adeò Mat. Paris Hist. p. 795. Caursini in jus Vocantur. multiplicati sunt, et ditati, quod nobilissima Palatia Londini sibi comparantes, stabilem sibi, more Civium indigenarum mansionem statuerunt. Nec sunt ausi Praelati obmutire, quia se Mercatores Domini Papae extitisse affirmarunt, nec audebant Cives obloqui quia Magnatum quorundam, quorum, ut dicebatur, pecuniam ad multiplicandam seminabant, exemplo Romanae Curiae, favore defendebantur. Veruntamen tunc temporis graviter in civili foro,▪ Domino Rege sic volente et caute procurante, sunt accusati, et in causam ante judicem tractati, et sedente Londini pro judice ex parte Regis accusantis, velut schismatici, vel haeretici, et Regiae laesae rei Majestatis, vocati tenebantur tanquam incarcerandi, et gravius puniendi, pro eo nimirum quod se Christianos profitentes totum Regnum Angliae turpissimo quaestu faenoris macularunt. Vnde Dominus Rex Christianissimus, qui juravit Sancta instituta Ecclesiae conservare illaesa, se conqueritur in Conscientia sua graviter sauciatum. Quod cum non posset inficiari, capti sunt eorum aliqui carcerali custodiae mancipandi, alii vero in locis abditis latuerunt. Quibus auditis, gavisi sunt Judaei, suae se habere jam participes servitutis. Tandem interveniente haud minimae pecuniae quantitate aemuli Judaeorum Caursini in pace ad tempus sunt demissi. Dixeratque unus eorum mihi haec de ipsis scripturo, sub attestatione magni sacramenti, quod nisi sibi mansiones sumptuosas comparassent Londini vix aliquis eorum in Anglia remansisset. Book 4. Chap. 2. p. 813. l. 30. Before, (what power) these passages should have been printed. In what vast Debts and sums of money the Pope involved the King to gain the Kiugdome of Sicily and Apulia for his Son; how unchristianly and violently he extorted monies from time to time from the poor Jews to satisfy the Pope; and how lamentably they complained of the King's rapines, and the Pope's usurers undoing them by taking away their trade of Usury; and how earnestly they petitioned for licence to desert the Kingdom; will appear by these two passages. Anno 1254. and 1255. Diebus quoque sub eisdem, post Pascha, citra dies tamen Rogantium, Rex ne quiesceret, Anno Dom. 1254. Mat. Paris. p. 859. adeo delaevit in Judaeorum popellum miserimum ut vivere fastidirent. Et cum convocarentur, exegit ab eis Comes Richardus ad opus Regis quamplurimum indigentis, pecuniam non minimam, sub paena Carceris teterrimi, & mortis ignominiosae. Elyas igitur de Londino, Judaeorum Pontifex, habito ●um sociis suis▪ consilio, respondit pro omnibus, qui maximam frequenter, nolens, volens solverat pecuniam. O Domini Proceres, videmus indubitanter, quod Dominus Rex nos delere proponit de sub caelo. Det nobis, petimus pro Deo, licentiam & conductum recedendi a Regni suo, ut alibi quaeramus & inveniamus mansionem sub aliquo principe, qui alicujus viscera gestat misericordiae, & veritatis ac fidelitatis stabilitatem. Et recedemus irredituri, relictis hic suppelectili, & domiciliis. Quomodo diligeret nos misellos Judaeos, vel nobis parceret, qui suos Anglicos destruit naturales? Habet Papales, imo suos Mercatores, non dico foeneratores, qui de praestationibus cumulos coacervant pecuniarum infinitos▪ Innitatur Rex eis, etsuis inhiet emolumentis. Nos profecto supplantarunt et depauperarunt. Quod utique scire Rex dissimular, exigens a nobis quae non possumus exhibere, etsi oculos erueret, vel excoriatos jugularet. Et hoc singultibus & lachrymis sermonem impedientibus dicens, siluit, ferè cadens in extasim moriturus. Quod cum ad notitiam Magistratuum pervenisset, non permiserunt eos a Regno recedere, dicentes. Quo fugeritis miseri? Ecce Rex Francorum vos odit, & prosequitur, & exilio perpetuo condemnavit, vitantes Charybdim in Scyllam mergi desideratis. Et sic parva substantiola quae eis ad eorum exilem sustentationem relinquebatur ab eisdem violenter est extorta. Et cum carnisprivii tempus advenissent, Rex à Judaeis, licet multoties depauperatis, Mat. Paris Hist. p. 874. Judaei pecuniis spoliantur. exegit cum magna instantia octo millia marcarum, sub poena suspendii tempestiuè sibi persolvenda. Ipsi vero videntes nil aliud sibi imminere nisi exterminium cum confusione, responderunt omnes unanimiter: Domine Rex videmus quod nec Christianis parcis nec Judaeis, quin omnes argumentosè studeas depauperare, nulla nobis spes est respirandi, usurarii Papae nos supplantaverunt; permitte nos exire de Regno tuo sub salvo conductu. Et nos nobis qualem qualem quaeremus mansionem. Quod cum Rex audisset, exclamavit querula voce dicens: Non est mirandum si aveo pecuniam, horrendum est imaginari debita quibus teneor obligatus. Per caput Dei, ascendit ad summam ducentorum millium marcarum, & si dicerem trium, metas non transgrederer veritatis. Seducor undique. Mutilatus Rex sum & abbreviatus, imo jam dividuatus. Facta enim reddituum certa expensionis aestimatione, ascendit summa annui redditus Edwardi filii mei ad plusquam 15. millia marcarum. Necesse igitur habeo vivere de pecunia undecunque, à quibuscunque qualitercunque adquisita. Factus igitur alter Titus vel Vespatianus, vendidit Judaeos per aliquot annos Comiti Richardo fratri suo, ut quos Rex excoriaverat, Comes evisceraret. Tamen Comes pepercit eis considerans eorum potestatem abbreviatam, & paupertatem ignominiosam, Book 4. Chap. 2. p. 851. l. 15. This passage was omitted. Eodem vero anno Abbas Abendoniae paralyticus, dum inutilis langueret morti subarratus, Mat. Paris Hist p. 899. Abbati Abendoniae languenti, Conventus alium●▪ eligendi licentiam à Rege impetrat. venerant Monachi ejusdem domus ad Regem, postulantes humiliter, ut cedente Abbate sibi et aliis inutili liceret, eye domum suam pacifice possidere, et eidem consulere utiliter disponendo. Propter quam gratiam, ex abundanti eidem Regi quingentas numerarunt marcas. Cum autem domum redirent, infra quindecim dies obiit Abbas paraliticus. Conventus autem sibi illico eligendo providit salubriter: quod enim sic eis liceret, insertum fuit Chartae, quam de Rege obtinuerant, Credebat enim Rex, quod diutius vitam continuaret. Consueverunt enim paralytici vitam protrahere diuturnam. Cum autem Rex de morte ejus certificaretur, obstupuit vehementer. Et dolens exclamavit, dicens: O pro capite Dei (ut verbis ejus utar consuetis) qualiter fallor, seductus et circumventus, qui non plus quam quingentas marcas ab illa opima domo recepi, tam cito in posterum vacatura, qui de sylvis ejusdem domus, si in manu mea paucis diebus teneretur, absque aliis emolumentis, tantundem fueram recepturus, ut mille marcas vel plus, ad aerarium meum revocarem. Patuit ergo luce clarius singulis & universis, quod de die in diem magis ac magis, postquam Rex juraverat se pacem & libertatem Ecclesiae sustinere & conservare, ejus avaritiam sitim & incrementum suscepisse; only to furnish the Pope with monies for to gain Apulia. Book 4. Chap. 3. p. 913. l. 5. Before Pope Alexander; this should have been inserted. This Archbishop of Colen with others, was sent into England from the Princes of Mat. Paris Hist. p. 910, 911. Richardus Comes Electus in Regem Alemanniae. Germany, to Richard Earl of Cornwall to recertifie him, that they had unanimously elected him for their Emperor; which he was loath to accept of, quia duo paucis elapsis annis in Regem Almanniae electi & promoti, sinistros & finales casus, quasi Deo irato, promeruerant. Whereupon fuerunt qui dicerent Comiti verba consolatoria. O Comes sapiens & circumspecte, quid haesitas, quasi te perterreat casus▪ Landegravii Henrici, & iterum casus sinister Comitis Williel. Hollandi? Non Papa te intrudit violenter (as he did them) qui de spoliis Ecclesiae et rapinis Crucesignatorum tibi spondet necessaria, quae nunquam tibi forent profutura. Ipsa nempe Papa turpiter adquisita, non ad misericordiam, scil. potius ad iram provocarunt. Thesauro tibi reservato, qui de Regno Alemanniae colligitur, et ad opus tuum fideliter reservatur; abundas Thesauro tuo proprio, velut alter Octavianus: instauraris amicis tam Alemannis, quam Anglis, etc. Whereupon he accepted it. Magnates Alemanniae, Nec Italicum vel Romanum, et praecipue Papalem aliquatenus eligere,, propter insatiabilem eorum avaritiam. Elegerunt igitur inito diligenti cum deliberatione consilio, Comitem Richardum, tum propter linguam Anglicanam, etc. tum propter ejus fidelitatem, constantiam, & sapientiam, tum propter sui Thesauri abundantiam. Unde quidam, scilicet Satyricus, satis inquit Satyricè Nummus, ait, pro me, nubit Cornubia Romae. Book 4. Chap. 3. p. 930. l. 38. Before (Mat. Paris) this should have been inserted * Mat. Paris Hist. p. 929. 930. Seditio Romae orta. Anno 1258. Gravis in urbe Romana sacta est seditio & civium maxima cum schismate perturbatio, etc. Confaederatis igitur popularibus, De consilio cujusdam Anglici, concivis eorum, magistri pistorum in urbe Matthaei dicti de Bealuere, facto impetu vehementi, catervatim ruentes & glomeratim, carcerem in quo Brancaleo pristinus Senator tenebatur in vinculis, confregerunt, & liberantes constituerunt eum Senatorem, facientes ei secundum pristinam urbis consuetudinem cum juramentis fidelitatem. Roboratus igitur Brancaleo, expulit ab urbe sibi adversantes, et Hannibalenses duos, scilicet consanguineos cujusdam Cardinalis, patibulis fecit praesentari, spernens Papalem reverentiam, nec Papalibus pepercit amicis aut consanguineis. Quos cum Papa excommunicaret, scilicet Brancaleonem Senatorem et suos fautores, ipsi cachinnantes omnes minas suas contempserunt, et potestatem in eos exercendam non tantum parvipendebant, sed etiam sannis vilipendebant. Ipsi se asserebant habere privilegium, quod nequit aliquis Papa eos excommunicare, et subsannantes comminabantur ipsum Papam cum suis Cardinalibus, usque ad internecionem persequi et damnificare. Quo cognito, Papa sibi timuit, et dixit fratribus. Dum furor in cursu est, currenti cede furori. Et ne malis pejora succederent, se subito contulit Viterbium, proponens se remotius, scilicet Assisium confer. But at l●st he was forced to humble himself to Brancaleo, and implore his favour. Whereupon Manfridus, quia Papam odio habuit, & Senatorem Brancaleonem praecordialiter dilexerat, gavisus vehementer est: quod qui paulo antè minas jaculabatur, et sententiam excommunicationis comminabatur fulgurare, sic humiliatus est, quod ea quae pacis sunt cogebatur postulare. Spospondit igitur Princeps Manfredus, eidem Senatori Brancaleoni se ad omnia necessaria subventurum. Et sic destitutus est undique amicus Regis Anglorum Henrici, cui consuevit potenter suffragari, totaque inaestimabilis pecunia, quam pro Regno Apuliae adquirendo effuderat, et illuc transmiserat, non sufficiebat ad adquietandum usuras, quae tacite subrepentes, ipsum Regem ignarum illaquearent, et incircumspectum. Imposuit insuper ei Papa, quod deceperat Ecclesiam et circummvenerat: unde fama ejus, inter omnes nationes obsorduit vehementer. When as the Pope himself was the grand and most infamous Cheater▪ Diebus sub eisdem, excanduit Papa in Regem Anglorum, eo quod promissa Excanduit Papa in Regem Angliae. toties iterata non observans, seipsum ultro obligaverat sub poena amissionis Regni, excessus corrigere consuetos. Instante igitur Episcopo Roffensi Laurentio (such was his Episcopal Loyalty) et aliis multis urgentissime, proposuit Papa, post admonitiones infructuosas in Regem fulgurare sententiam e●communicationis, et Regnum interdicere, (such was his Papal presumption) et graviora gravibus successive cumulare Rex igitur ment confusus, (who wanted the courage of Brancaleo, and the English Bakers valor at Rome) quinque millia Marcarum Domino Papae numeravit, ut iram temperans cordis sui hanc sententiam ad tempus prorogaret atque differret. Dominus autem Papa precio et precibus postulantis ilico adquievit. (Whereas the King should have derided, contemned it, as the Romans than did under his very Nose in Rome itself, and much more he a King, at a greater distance.) Et sic depauperato Regno Angliae, & undique bonis suis spoliato, omnis spes de obtinendo Regno Apuliae penè evanuit exsufflata, nisi quod in sinu novi Regis Alemanniae Richardi aliquantula, sed nimis exilis, est reposita, quia nondum culmen Imperii est adeptus. Such a gross holy cheat did those unholy Popes put upon this our deluded King Henry, his sonne Edmund, and our kingdoms. This Record should have been inserted. Book 3. Chap. 1. p. 476. l. 9 What an Ecclesiastical Sovereignty King Henry the 3d. exercised in the appropriating of Churches, and endowing of Vicaridges, this memorable Writ for that purpose issued to the Bishop of Worcester Anno 20 H. 3. will clearly evidence. Rex Domino Wigorn. Episcopo salutem. Ex quo minus honestum vobis videbatur * Claus. 20 H. 3. memb. 17. dorso. appropriare Monachis nostris Wigorn. Ecclesiam de Bremgrave in forma quam intendebamus, videlicet, ut augeretur numerus eorum, discretioni vestrae relinquerimus, ut secundum quod videritis honestius id fieri posse, & animae bonae memoriae Domini J. Regis Patris nostri, cui super hoc subveniri cupimus, magis expedire de appropriatione praedicta disponatis, secundum tenorem Cartae nostrae. Ita tamen, quod Vicaria mediocris sit, & modum non e●cedat, & quod provisionem vestram in hac parte per literas vestras Nobis plenius certificetis, antequam ipsam promulge●is vel statuetis. Teste Rege apud Wudstock 24 die Februarii. FINIS. Courteous Readers, FOr the readier finding of the principal persons, places, matters contained in this Volume, I have made several distinct Indices or Tables thereunto. The 1. of the Authors and Authorities of all sorts therein quoted and made use of. The 2. of the English and other Abbeys, Priories, Monasteries, Nunneries, Abbots, Priors, and all matters relating to them. The 3. of the English and Welsh Archbishoprics, Bishoprics, Archbishops, Biships, their Elections, Actions, Treasons, Extravagances, Contests, and all matters relating to them in this Tome. The 4. of the Irish. The 5. of Foreign Archbishoprics, Bishoprics, Archbishops, Biships, their elections, and actions herein mentioned. The 6. of the English, Irish, and other Archdeaconries, Deaneries, Archdeacon's, Deans. The 7. of the English and other Earls. The 8. of the chief Officers of State of England and Ireland. The 9 of Barons, Knights, and other principal persons Names of our English or other Nations. The 10. of the Popes of Rome. The 11. of the Romish Cardinals. The 12. of the Pope's Legates, Nuntioes, Agents in England, Ireland, or other foreign Dominions. The 13. of Cities, Castles, Churches, parishes, places, and passages relating to them; with the Pages wherein you may find them. The 14. of the Principal matters herein contained, wherein the Names, Actions of cur own and other Kings, Emperors, Princes, and chief Persons, are more particularly related. The 15. of sacred Texts occasionally abused by the Pontificians to maintain St. Peter and Pope's Supremacies, the adoration and Sovereign Exaltation of the Virgin Mary, Saints departed, Transubstantiation and other Popish errors; or made use of, to refute their mistakes, and corruptions. In the respective Indices of the Abbeys, Monasteries, Archbishoprics, Bishoprics, Priories, Archdeaconries, Deaneries, Earldoms, Offices, I have observed an Alphabetical method, in respect of the Places themselves; but pursued a Chronological method in relation to the Abbots. Priors, Archbishops, Bishops, Archdeacon's, Deans, Earls, Officers, beginning with the ancientest, and so descending, as most consonant to my Chronology. Only I have observed an Alphabetical method in the Popes. An Alphabetical Index of the Authors quoted in this TOME upon several Occasions. A. ACcursius, p. 317. Corn. Agrippa, p. 229. Aegidius de Roma, p. 15. Ailredus Abbas, p. 72, 73. Albertus, p. 18, 29, 30, 31. Alciatus, p. 7. Alexander Alensis, p. 15, 74, 303. Petrus de Alliaco, p. 15. Jacobus Almain, p. 8, 10. Theodoricus de Alpodis, p. 64. S. Ambrose, p. 706. Gul. Amesius, p. 6, 80. Antidotarium Animae, p. 33. Anton. Andraeas, p. 15. Anselmus Archiep. Cantuariae, p. 16, 20, 21, 23, 32, 46, 47, 48, 49, 53, 64. Antoninus Archiepisc. Florentinus, p. 10, 32, 49, 50, 64, 69, 70. Tho. Aquinas, p. 15, 51, 74, 76. Aretinus, p. 10, 23. Fr. Aretinus, p. 317. Johannes de Arnona, p. 7. St. Athanasius, p. 706. Jo. de Aton, p. 54▪ 233, 385, 489, 898, to 913. 1040▪ to 1045. Steph. Aufrerus, p. 7. St. Augustinus, p. 36, 79, 80. Petrus Aureolus, p. 76. B. JOhannes Bacon, p. 15. Sir Rich. Baker, p. 245, 258, 647, 1069. Johannes Balaeus, p. 10▪ 229, 1069. Baldus Perusianus, p. 316, 317. Dr. Rob. Barnes, p. 10▪ 648. Cardinal Baronius, p. 14, 17, 24, 29, 50, 53, 62, 68, 72, 291, 292▪ Sebast. Barradius, p. 20. Bartolus, p. 7. Pere Basil, p. 51. Thom. Beacon, p. 14, 104. Dr. Tho. Beard, p. 41, 50, 51, 52, 53, 293. Martinus Becanus, p. 57, 74, 292. Beda, p. 79, 707, 708. Cardinal Robert. Bellarminus, p. 6, 8, 51, 53, 57, 62, 72, 75, to 80, 292, 300. Petrus Belluga, p. 318. Petrus Bembus Cardinalis, p. 16. Gul. Benedictus, p. 317. Benno Cardinalis, p. 10. Beomond, p. 7. Berengarius, p. 72, 80. St. Bernardus, p. 7, 9, 16, 20, 30, 31, 34, 40, 44, 47, 48, 49, 69. Bernardinus de Busti, p. 16, to 56, 64, 68 Bernardinus de Seni●, p. 16, 19, 20, 27, 29, 3●, 34, 36, 45, 46, 55. Jacobus B●r●ochinus, p. 7. Bertramus, p. 80. Gabriel Biel, p. 15, 25, 74, 80. Tho. Bilson Bishop of Winton, p. 323. Laurentius Bochellus, p. 504. Epist. to the Readers. Johannis Bodinus, p. 320, 321, 322. Herman. Bodius, p. 80. S. Bonaventura, p. 22, 23, 29, 35, 39, 41, 50, 56▪ Bossius, p. 7. Dr. John Boys, p. 22▪ 52, 53. Tho. Bozius, p. 9 72, 73, 74. Franciscus Bozzius, p. 10. Henricus de Bracton, p. 385, 445, 471, 602, 707, 739, 872 to 890. Appendix p. 20. and elsewhere Mr. Brerely Priest, p. 72, 73, 74. Breviarium Romanum, p. 16, 22. St. Brigitta, p. 17, 20, 25, 41, 42, 50, 52. Hervaeus Brito, p. 15, 68 Britton, a Judge, p. 36●, 739. Barthol. Brixiensis, p. 78, 79, 303. Johannis Bromton Chronicon, p. 41, 69, 72, 73, 74, 324. Justice Brooke, p. 304, 326, 471, 739, 760. Appendix, p. 20. Steph▪ Brulifer, p. 15. Bucanon, p. 319. Buxtorsius, p. 77. C. CArdinal Cajetanus, p. 51, 57, 80. Archiep. Caesariensis, p. 76. Calderinus, p. 52. Mr. Calf hill, p. 504. Giraldus Cambrensis, p. 69, 234. Mr. will. Cambden, p. 69, 229. Edmond Campion, p. 292. Petrus Canisius, p. 51, 62, 65, 76. Julius Capitolinus, p. 57 Johan. Capreolus, p. 15. Ubertinus de Careggio, p. 7. Alexander Carerius, p. 8, 10, 292. Arnoldus Carnotensis, p. 10, 28, 38. Ivo Carnotensis, Appendix, p. 20. Dionysius Carthusianus, p. 15. Thomas Cartwright, p. 51, 58, 62. Georgius Cassander, p. 22, 49, 56. Joannes de Castro, p. 77. Catechismus Tridentinus, p. 62. Ambrose Catherinus, p. 16. will. Caxton, p. 243, 253, 261, to 265. 273, 366. Caeremoniale Romanum. p. 76. Ranulphus Cestrensis, p. 74. Episc. Chemnensis, p. 229. Mart. Chemnitius, p. 75. Laertius Cherubinus, p. 605. Stanislaus Christian, p. 292. Chronicon August. p. 22. St. Chrysostomus, p. 79, 706, 707. — Chrysostomus à Visitatione, p. 46. Cicero, p. 56. Angelus de Clavasio, or Summa Angelica, p. 33, 74, 76, 303, 473, 504, 710. Nicholaus de Clemangiis, p. 229. Jud Coccius, p 7●, 74. Fr Coll●us, p. ●●. Philippus Commaeus, p. 319. Concilium Lateranum sub Innocentio III. p. 15. 233. Concilium Oxoniense, p. 51, 54 385, 386. Concilium Tol t●num, p. 316. Concilium Tridentinum, p. 15, 66, 67. Sir Edward Cook, p 303, 304, 326, 328, 394, 442, 445, 472, 739, 759. And Epistle to the Reader. Antonius Co●s●tus, p. 219. Co●arruvias, p. 317. Archbishop Cranmer, p. 75. Albertus Crantzius, p: 72. Dr. Crakenthorp, p. 9 291, 292, 296, 302, 318. Cravetta, p. 319. Joan. Crispin, p. 50, 52. Cromatius, p 706. Cromerus, p. 319. Francis de Croy, p. 52. Radulphus Cupers, p. 8. Curopolites, p 41. Rich. de Custe, p. 8, 317. Fran. Curtius' junior, p 319. Cardinal Cusanus, p. 54. 80. D. JOannes Damascenus, p. 44. Petrus Dammianus, p. 22, 29. Samuel Daniel, p. 227, 243, 324. and elsewhere in the Margin. Sir John Davis, Epist the Reader. Carolus Degrassatus, p. 317. Joannes Diac●us, p. 72. Radulphus de Diceto, p. 14. 2●9, 327, 778. Diodorus Siculus, p. 56. Dionysius Halicarnasseus, p. 56. Diurnale Romanum, Parisiis 1583. p. 16. George Dowl●y Priest, p. 52. Durandus, p. 15. 57 E. EAdmerus, p: 327. Appendix, p. 20. Boetius E●o●, p. 317. Erford, p. 74. Epiphanius, p. 58, to 63. 72, 706. Claudius' Espen●aeus, p. 55, 56, 229, 471, 473, 706. Gul. Esti●●, p. 15. Eugenius Papa III. p 235. Eulogium, p. 296, 366. Euripiaes, p. 54. Enthymius, p. 706. F. FAbian, p 243. and elsewhere. Alexander Fabricius, p. 16. Claude Fauche●, Epistle to the Reader. Faber Faventinus, p. 15. Felyaus, p. 7. 317. Ferandus, p. 7. Ferarius, p. 7. Justice Fitzherbert, p. 304, 326, 471. Henr. Fitz-Simon, p. 46. Fleta, p. 385, 445. Follerus, p. 7. Mr. John Fox, p. 23, 35, 39, 50, 56, 73, 243, 248, 249, 269, 366, 369, 710, 1067. & elsewhere. Froissard, p. 319. Dr. Fulke, p. 58. 62. G. ANton. Gabrielius, p. 319. Mr. Tho. Gataker, p. 72. Gilb. Genebrardus, p. 41. Will. à Gent. p. 74. Gervasius Dor●born. p. 14, 69, 74, 294, 788. Justice Ranulph●s Glanvil, p. 445, 471. Bishop Godwin his Catalogue of Bishops, p. 230, 242, 243, 254, 294, 357, 379, 380, 404, 405, 406, 418, 419, 429, 484. and elsewhere sporsim in the margin to 1064. Melchior Goldastus Epistle to the Reader. Gorrichen, p. 15. Richard Graston, p. 423, 324, 326. and elsewhere. Gratianus, p. 15, 76, 78, 79, 303, 471, 473, 504, 710. Appendix, p. 20. Edward Grimston, p. 519. Hugo Grotius, p. 309, 310. Fr. Guicciardinus, p. 319. H JOhannis Prior Hagustaldensis, p. 778. Hall's Chronicle, p. 326. Joseph Hall Bishop of Exeter. p. 473. Sir John Heyward, p. 327. Higden, p. 327, 1024. St. Hieronimus, p. 21, 48, 706. St. Hilarius, p. 706. History of the Council of Trent, p. 16. Sir Henry Hobart, p. 760. Robertus Holkot, p. 40, 43. 77. Ralph Holinshed, p. 227, 243, and elsewhere in the margin. Homerus, p. 56. Horae beatae Mariae secundum usum Romanum, p. 34, 43, 52, 62. Horae B. Mariae secundum usum Sarum, Parisiis 1509. p. 15, to 18, 33, 37, 41, 43, 46, 52, 62. Hours of our Lady in English, printed at St. Omers p. 16, etc. Andrew Horn, p. 707. Rod. Hospinianus, p. 73, 74. Hostiensis, p. 10. 504. Roger Hoveden, p. 227, 230, to 236, 239, 240, 327, 429, 778. Appendix, p. 20. and elsewhere. Dr. Hoyle, p. 75. Henricus de Huntindon, p. 327. I COrn. Jansenius, p. 80. Jason, p. 7. John Jewel Bishop of Sarum, p. 12, 16, 22, 23, 32, 54 56, 75. Index Expurgatorius, p. 316. Abbot Ingulphus, p. 327. Innocentius Papa III. p. 9 See Innocentius III. in the Index of Popes. K. HEnry de Knyghton, p. 41, 58, 69, 72, 73, 74, 243, 292, 325, 698. and elsewhere. L. Mr. William Lambard, p. 323. ●lius Lampridius, p. 57 Ledesma, p. 62. Leo Papa X. p. 7. Augustinus Leonissa, p. 15. 36. Leo●ard●s Lessius, Jes. p. 77. Willielmus Lindanus, p. 15. Hercules Lipomanus, p. 32, 49. Justus Lipsius, p. 51. Litaniae Deip. Virgins Mariae, etc. Antwerpiae 1624. p. 37, 49. Judge Littleton, p. 303. Gaspar Loarte Jesuita, p. 68 Loazes, p. 319. Michael Lochmair, p. 16, 17, 21, 25, 36, 37, 40, 44, 46, 68 Petrus Lombard●s, p. 15, 75. Ludovicus Lucius, p. 47, 55. Martinus Lutherus, p. 55, 80. Sir Humsry Lind, p. 306. William Lyndewode, p. 385, 910, to 913, 919. and elsewhere. M. CEnturiae Magdeburgenses, p. 10, 58. Jo. Maldonet, p. 79, 80. malon a Jesuit, p. 72, 73, 74. A Manual of godly Prayers, St. Omers 1625. p. 15, 16. Willielmus Malmesburiensis, p. 72. Gualther Mapes, p. 229, 1063. Johannes Marian●, p. 319. Philippe de Marnix, p. 52. Johannes Marius, p. 10. Dr. Marta, p. 5. to 11. 291, 292. Martialis Poeta, p. 57 Franciscus de Mayro, p. 46. Richardus de Media Villa, p. 15, 74, 75. Medina, p. 79. Simeon Metaphrastes, p. 72. Menochius, p. 7. Minutius Felix, p. 72. Micrologus, p. 77. Missale Romanum, p. 13. 15. Missale Parvum pro Sacerdotibus in Anglia itiner antibus, p. 66. Missae votivae, p. 15. Car. Molinaeus, Epistle to the Reader. Monstrel, p. 318. Galfridus Monumetensis, p. 326. Sir Thomas Moor, p. 292. Philippus de Mornay, p. 64. Tho. Morton Bishop of Durham, p. 53, 55, 56, 72, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 80, 306. Peter dis Moulin, p. 75. N. NAuclerus, p. 328. Will, Neubrigensis, p. 227, 324. Nicetas, p. 41. Theodoricus à Niem, p. 10. Nicholas Cardinal of Arragon, p. 291. O. Gull. Ockam, p. 15, 75. Oecolampadius, p. 80. Oecumenius, p. 706. Officium B. Mariae, secundum usum Sarum: See Horae Officium ●. Mariae nuper reformatum: & Pii V. Pontificis jussu editum, etc. A Roven 1632. & in Diurnale Romanum, Parisiis 1558. p. 62. Officium Conceptionis Mariae, p. 23. Onuphrius, p. 605, 648. Onus Ecclesiae, p. 229. Petrus Opmerus, p. 49, 55, 605, 648. Origen, p. 70, 80, 706. Ormerod, p. 56. Osbernus, p. 73. Cardinal Ossat, p. 779. Osorius, p. 55. Ovid, p. 56. P. PEtru● de Pa●ude, p. 36. Abbas Panormitanus, p. 7. Johannes de Parisiis, p. 317. Mat. Paris, p. 227, 243, 242, and elsewhere sparsim almost throughout the whole Tome. Mat. Parker, Aneiqu. Eccles. ●●it. p. 227, 243, 293, 418, 504, etc. sparsim to p. 1062. Ro. Parsons, p. 264. Stephanus Patracensis Archiepiscopus, p. 8, 9 Pelargus, p. 52. Alvarus Pelagius, p. 5, 6, 9, 229, 290, 303, 306. Pelichdorfius, p. 706. Lucas de Penna, p. 216. Gul. Peraldus, p. 1063. Pererius, p. 79. Pindarus, p. 56. Barth. de Pisis, p. 64. Pierre de ●it●o●●, p. 699, 701, to 704. Bishop P●kington, p. 504. Platina, p. 10. 605. Plato, p. 56. C. Plinius secundus, p. 57 Plutarch, p. 56. Martinus Polonus, p. 10. Trebellius Pollio, p. 57 Georgius Bartholdus Pontanus, p. 62. Pontificale Romanum, p. 76, 504. Anton de Prato, p. 7. Primer of our Lady in Latin and English, secundum usum Sarum, Parisiis 1538. p. 13, 15, ●2, 33, 46, 62. Primer of our Lady in English, St. Omers 1631. p. 16. 62. R. JOhannis de Rada, p. 15. Justice Rastal, p. 708, 710, 759. Dr. John Rainolds, p. 25, 56. Paschatius Rathertus, p. 15, 71, 72, 76. Pet. Rebuffus, p. 7. Reinking●us, p. 319. Rhemish Testament, p. 67. Petrus Ribadeniera, p. 5, 17, 49, 52, 64, 68, 69, 70, 7●, 75. Ribera, p. 79. Riminaldus signior & junior, p. 7. Rosary of our Lady, p. 16, etc. The Fraternity of the Rosary, p. 50. Albericus de Rosate, p. 317, 318, 319. Anton. de Rosellis, p. 10. 318. Bon. Rugerius, p. 319. Alanus de Rupe, p. 47. S. ANt. Coc. Sabellicus, p. 10. Alph. Salmeron, p. 76. Sir Edwin Sandys, p. 15. 52. Sapia, p. 7. Ludolphus Saxo, p. 46. Johannis Scapula, p. 75. Johan. Schneidewin, p. 489. Gaspar Sciopius, p. ●92. Johan. Duns Scotus, p. 15, 57, 74, 75. Mr. John Selden, Appendix, p. 20. Sixtus Senensis, p. 80. 706. Seneca, p. 57 Sigebertus, p. 14. Andrea's Siculus, p. 7. Sir Thomas Smith, p. 319. Socinus signior & junior, p. 7. Appendix, p. 20. Somner his Glossary, p. 229. Sophocles, p. 56. John Speed, p. 243, n73, 286, 302, 324, 327, 366. 1067. and elsewhere. Speculum Exemplorum, p. 36. Speculum vitae Sancti Francisci, p. 36. Sir Henry Spelman, p. 266. 295. Appendix, p. 17. Henr. Spondanus, p. 14, 17, etc. See Baronius. Thomas Sprot, p. 258. Albertus Stadius, p. 328. Henry Stafford, p. 52. Justice Stamford, p. 739. Stella, p. 10. 648. Josephus Stephanus, p. 8. Augustinus Steuchus, p. 291. John Stow, p. 327. etc. Thomas Stubs, p. 242. Gulielmus Stuckius, p. 77. Suarez a Jesuit, p. 76, 80. Laurentius Surius, p. 8, 49, 51, 64, 66, 69, 70, 316, 471, 473, 707. Sir Christopher Sybthorp, Epist. to the Reader. T. COrn. Tacitus, p. 57 Henr. Tamaret, p. 15. Ri. Tapperus, p. 80. Terentius, p. 56. Theophilactus▪ p, 706. Johannes Thierry, p. 303. William Thorn, p. 793. Appendix, p. 1. to 20. Fr. Tolletus, p. 79. Franciscus Torrensis, p. 65. Trevisa, p. 253. Augustinus Triumphus, p. 8. Baptista Trovomala, Summa Rosella. p. 15, 76. 303, 473, 707. Hor. Turselinus, p. 38, 51. Sir Roger Twisden, Epist. to the Reader p. 2. 232, 237, 777, 778, 779. William Tyndall, p. 238. V. GRegor. de Valentia, p. 76. Francisc. Vargas, p. 317. Henr. de Varumaria, p. 15. Gabr. Vasquez, p. 32, 74, 318. Paulus Venetus, p. 45, 46. Blas. Viegas, p. 23, 28, 47. Vincentius Beluacensis, p. 49, 64, 74. Virgilius Poeta, p. 52, 293. Ludovicus Vives, p. 15. 55. Raphael Volateranus, p. 10. 292. Flavius Vopiscus, p 47. James Usher Archbishop of Ardmach, p. 1, 2, 16, 22, 23, 29, 39, 55. Abbas Uspergensis, p. 328. W. THo. Waldensis, p. 11. 67, 68 Baldwinus' Walae●s, p. 77. Tho. Walsingham, p. 78, 79, 291, 324, 325, 327▪ 1022, 1065, 1068. Dr. Wats, p. 229. Wendover, p. 292. Matt. Westminster, p. 227, 228, 442, and sparsim throughout the Tome. Wernerus Fascic. Temporum, p. 10. Dr. John White, p. 22, 23, 35, 70, 306. Y. YLdephonsus Arch. Toletanus, p. 21, 49. Z. LEl. Zecchus, p. 291. Zonara's, p. 319. INDEX 2. Of the several English, Welsh, and other Abbeys, Monasteries, Nunneries, Priories; their Abbots, Abbesses, Prior's Names, Actions, and all things relating to them either in general, or particularly to each of them mentioned in this Tome. POPE Gregory the 9 his Bull for Visiting all Religious Orders▪ and Houses, p. 440, 441, 442. Abbots summoned to the Council of Lions, p. 637. The Epistle of the Abbots, Priors, Covents of England to Pope Innocent the 4. against his Innovations and Oppressions, p. 667, 668, 669. King Henry the 3. his Inquisition of all their Manors, Lands, Re●●●, and their values, p. 810. A Catalogue of the Convert Jew's sent by him to each of them by several Writs, to be there relieved, p. 835, to 841. All of the Cistercian Order summoned by Rustand the Pope's Nuncio, p. 946, 947, 948. Pope Alexander the 4. and his Cardinals new Edict, that all exempt Alb●ts should repair to Rome after their elections, p. 925. A. ABbendune, Abendon, Abby and Abbots: The Abbot one of the Pope's Delegates to excommunicate the Barons and Citizens of London, p. 359, to 362. It's Church dedicated, p. 504. The Pope's provision to him for St. Helena Church to a Roman, disobeyed to please the King, his Citation to Rome, and vexation thereupon, p. 716, 717. Convert Jew's sent to it by Writ, p. 836. His Barony seized for not sending horse and Arms to the King upon summons, p. 1008. The Monks purchase a licence to choose a new Abbot for 500 Marks, after the death of their Paralytic Abbot, which the King reputes of, he dying soon after, Appendix, p. 27. Abbodesbiry Abb. Convert Jew's sent to it, p. 838, 839. Abercukuna Abbey in Wales sacked, burnt by the English, p. 622. St. Agatha Ab▪ Convert Jews scent thereto, p. 838, 840 St. Alban Ab: John Abbot, the temporaltles thereof seized for his contempt, in obeying the Pope's Intérdict before King John's Edict to celebrate divine service, till he paid 600 Marks; Its Officers removed, others placed there by the King, who extorted above 1000 Marks from it, p. 255, 285. William Abbot, what Pope Innocent the 3d. spoke to, extorted from him at the Council of Lateran ere dismissed, p. 350, 351. This Pope's suspension of the Archbishop there published and ratified by the King's command, p. 351 The Kings licence to elect an Abbot deferred till his coming into England, p. 352. The Bishop of Armenia there honourably entertained, p. 421. A great Consistory there held about the Countess of Essex her divorce, p. 435. Plead their privileges of Exemption from the General Visitors of Pope Gregory the 9 p. 442. Their manner of electing Abbots. Johan. de Hertford elected, the proceedings therein; a new Oath exacted of him by Pope Greg. the 9▪ the Kings Licence, Confirmation, the Procurations, Bulls and Pope's exactions concerning it, p. 458, to 467. A prohibition to him as Pope's Delegate not to hold Plea of Lay fee, &c p. 479. A Delegate to absolve the Monks of Canterbury, p. 579. It's Abbot, the first, chiefest of all English Abbots, p. 581. Appendix, p. 24. excuseth himself by Proxy by reason of his age for not appearing at the Council of Lions, p▪ 638. The King's prohibition to him to pay no Tax to the Pope's use, p. 672. The Pope's Freers exact moneys from him under great penalties, which he excuseth, appeals against, but is forced to pay 200. instead of 40. Marks, besides 80. more sent, p. 691, to 697. King H. ●. begs and extorts money from the Abbot, p. 723. The Bishop of Bangor sojourns there, his Bishopric being wasted by wars, p. 726. The Bishop of London and his Canons crave the Abbots, Covents advice assistance against the Archbishop's Excommunication, p. 742, 743. One of the Pope's delegates to examine this business, and absolve them, p. 745, 746. The Kings grant of a Warren with a Non obstante to his prejudice, p. 760. His Aid demanded by other Abbots against the Bps' encroachments on them, p. 761. It's Orchard, p. 775. Pope Innocent the 4. his Bull to them concerning the moderating of Provisions, p. 779, etc. It's Visitation, p. 789. John Abbot successor to William his reformation, Ibid. Archbishop Boniface peaceable towards it, p 792. The Pope's Bull for provisions to the Abbot for Italians, and their insolency, p. 803. A refuge to afflicted persons, p. 806. Rustand exacts 600 Marks of him for the Pope, besides use, etc. p. 823. An Appeal against the Pope's provision, the King's Letter on their behalf, p. 842, 843. The Pope's Injunction to pay 500 Marks to his Merchants, p. 843. Interdicted notwithstanding its Privileges for not paying it, p. 846. An imperious provision to it for a Roman, p. 926. The Archb. of Messana, a Monk, his imperiousness, exacts 21. marks for procurations, 928. Refuseth to aid the King, rather obeys the Pope's than King's commands, 833, 834. The King's prohibition not to suffer any moneys of the Bishop of Winchester, etc. to be carried thence, under pain of seizing their lands, p. 938. He lends the King 100 Marks, which is allowed in his Disms, 1055. One of the Pope's Commissaries to restore the Abbot of S. Augustins Append. p. 12. K. Offa its founder, ●b. p. 21. Pope Honorius the 3. his large Bull of all Privileges granted o● belonging to it, Appendix p. 23, etc. The Bulls, Charters recited in it, Ibid. 24. The Abbot's Pontifical Mitre, other Ornaments and Privileges, Ibid. The Abbey not to be suspended from divine Offices by any Common Interdict or Excommunication, Appendix, p. 25. Peter-pences granted to it. None but the Pope himself or a Cardinal Legat à Latere to Interdict or Excommunicate it, ib p. 24. Exempt from all Episcopal Jurisdiction, and immediately subject to the Pope alone, ibid. The Pope presumed to reserve an ounce of gold each year from it by his Bull of Privilege, against the King's prerogative, ibid. p. 25. Albanensis Abbas, Archbishop of Rhoan, the Pope's Legate to publish the Emperor's Excommunication, p. 655. Ambresbery Nuns removed for uncleanness, others placed in it, p. 228, 229. The Prioress by Writ to remove the Corpse of Alienora thither from St. James Bristol, according to her will, p. 575, 576. S. Andrew Northampt. Prior thereof Commissary to Rustand, p. 862. Annestow Abbess and Nuns; Convert Jew's sent to it, p. 837, 839, 840. St. Augustine's Bristol Ab. Convert Jews sent thither by Writs p. 836, 837. St. Augustine's Canterbury Abbey: Its Visitation (as exempted) by Pope Gregory 9 his Bull, an appeal for grievances therein, p. 441, 442. Archbishop Edmund's composition, instrument of their Privileges, p. 499, 500 Privileges granted them by Pope Innocent the 4. The Archbishop not to visit, suspend or excommunicate them, p. 79●▪ 792, 793, 794, 79●. Their Privilege against Provisions of the Pope, 794. A prohibition to the Abbot not to hold Plea of Lay fee, p. 885. A Writ to tax and collect their own Disms, p. 1050. Contests between Abbot Alexander, the Archbishop and Archdeacon's of Canterbury, concerning the Churches of Feversham, Middleton, etc. Writs, Excommunications, Appeals concerning them ● Appendix, p. 1, to 20. B. BArden●y: The Abbot and Monks excommunicated by the Archdeacon and Bishop of Lincoln after an Appeal for a Debt claimed from his predecessor, and not delivering a Pontifical, against Law; for which the Monks of Canterbury excommunicate the Bishop and his Officers; their contests, fights about it, p. 597, 598. A prohibition to the Sheriff not to attach any of the Monks excommunicated after their appeal, p. 599. To se●se their Ecclesiastical benefices as well as temporalties during the vacancy as belonging to the King, allowing the Monk's Estovers, ibid. 600. The Abbot deprived by Nicholas the Pope's Legate, who puts another in his place, Appendix, p. 18. Bartholomew Lincoln Priory: Convert Jews sent to it, p. 838. 840. Bartholomew London Priory: Resists the Archbishop's Visitation, the Fray, insurrection, contests about it, p. 741, 742. mediated, p 747. A Jewish Convert sent to it, p. 837. bath Priory, Converted Jews sent to it, p. 836, 838, 840. bound to the Pope in 400 Marks without their privity, p. 845. Elect the Bishop with the Dean and Chapter of Wells p. 498. Begeham, Bekeham, Praemonstratensis Ordinis Abbas: Greg: 9 his Bull to him and others as his Visitors of other Religious Houses, p. 441, 44●, 789. Convert Jews sent to it, 836, 839, 840. Beland, Convert Jews sent to it, p. 836, 839. Bellalanda Abbey: Convert Jews sent to it, p. 836, 839. De Bello: the Abbot opposeth the Pope's demands, Usurpations p. 567. Convert Jews sent thither, p. 837, 838. De Bello Capite Ab: Convert Jews sent to it, p. 838, 840. De Bello loco Abbot, the King's Proctor with others to the Pope and Cardinals against the Archbishop, p. 246, 247. A writ to be present at the Archbp of Yorks election by the Dean and Chapter, p. 348; and at the Bishop of winchester's, p. 354. Of the Cistercian Order, built by King John, 366. made Bishop of Karliol, the King's Letter in his behalf, p. 375. Benner, Benver Priory: Convert Jews sent to it, p. 838, 839. Beolton Prior professeth obedience to the Archbishop of York, saving his Liberties, etc. appeals to Rome, p. 242. Berking; a Writ to promote one to be Abbess there, p. 352. Bermundesey: Prior; Writs to seize all moneys of the Abbot of Clunie therein, p. 886, 887. Founded by the King's ancestors, p. 968. Berncestre Prior, a Judge in case of a marriage portion p. 882. Bernwell Priory: Convert Jews sent to it, p. 836, 837, 839. sequestered goods delivered by the Prior's view, 965. St. Bertins' Abbey in Flanders, the banished Monks of Canterbury resort to it, p. 248. Binham Priory, of St. benedict's Order, a detestable Provision on its Church of Westle, p. 746. Blithe Prior's appeal against the Archbishop of York his Excommunication, p. 242 Boccon Abbot, a Commissioner to make Peace betwixt England and France, p. 1001. Boleg, Converts sent to it, p. 240. Bolinton, Boiling Priories, Converts sent to them, p. 838, 840. Bordel Abbot, a Prohibition to him against his usurpations on the King's Tenants, p. 984, 985. Bordest Abbot, one of the Pope's Delegates, a Prohibition to him, p. 381. Bos●grave Priory, Converts sent to it, p. 836, 837, 839. Boxele, Boxlegg Abbot, one of Pope Greg. the 9 his Visitors of Religious Houses, 441, 442. His severity, Ib. 789. A Papal sequestration to him of the Priory of Winton, and King's Prohibition against it, p. 832, 833. Brethenhath Priory, Converts sent to it, p. 840. Bridlinton Prior: his appeal against the Archbishop of York p. 242. Converts sent thither, p. 839. Bruera Abbey: Converts sent to it, p. 835, 838. Brumer; Converts sent thither, p. 840. Buell Ab. Cic●strensis Ordinis, p. 991. Bukenham Priory, Converts sent to it, p. 840. Buldewas, Bulea●was, Bild●was, Converts sent thither, p. 836, 837, 839. Of the Cistercian Order; deny aid to the King, who expostulates with them, p. 846, 847. De Burgo: A Writ to the Prior and Covent for the King's Commissioners to be present at their Abbot's election, p. 348 Its Church dedicated, p 504. Nigri Ordinis; The Abbot's illegal proceedings between the Abbot of Bardeney and Bishop of Lincoln, 598. The Abbot summoned to the Council of Lions, there shamefully abused by the Pope, for opposing his Provision to a Benefice, p. 638. Accused for dilapidations, resigns his place; the Abbey sequestered by the King, p. 729. Burton Abbot's election approved by the King, p. 351, 352. C. CErtesey Abbey, Converts sent thither, p. 836. Clyve, the Abbot the King's Proctor at Rome concerning a Peace with France, p. 423. to oppose the Usurpations of the Bishops of Ireland on the Crown, p. 428. Converts sent to it, p. 840. Cog●shall Abbey; Converts sent thither, p. 836, 839. Coldingham Prior, recommended to be elected to Rammesey, p. 356. Colecester Abbey, Converts sent to it, p. 8●6, 839. Coventry Prior and Covent, the King's Commissioners to be at their Bishop's election, p. 348. recommended to be elected at Rames●y, p. 356. They and the Canons of Lichfield to elect the Bishop of Coventry and Lichfield by turns: the Prior to have the first voice, p. 418. Their Elections of several Bishops refused, nulled by the King, and Pope, p. 510, 511. 624, 625. A pension unduly granted to them out of St. Michael's Church nulled by the King, p. 687, 688, 689. Crokesden Abbey, Converts sent to it, p. 838, 840. Croxton Abbot, King John's bodily and ghostly Physician; p. 366. His Legacy to the Abbey, p. 367. Cumba Abbey, Converts sent thither, p. 837. D. DEla Dale Ab. Converts sent to it, p. 836, 839. Daventre Priory, Converts sent thither, p. 838, 840. Derbe Prior, one of the Pope's Delegates; a prohibition to him, p. 689. Derlege Abbey, Converts sent to it, p. 838, 840. St. Dionysius, Odo Abbot of it bestows rich gifts on the Pope, for which he made him Archbishop of ●●oan, p. 641, 642. died suddenly by divine justice for his ambition, p. 697. St. Dogmael Prior, elected Bishop of St. David's, Writs for him, p. 236, 237. Door Abbey, Converts sent to it; p. 836, 837. Dunestable: The Prior a Delegate to absolve the Monks of Canterbury, p. 579. Converts sent thither, p. 838, 840. Christ crucified seen there in the air, p. 699. Dunkwell Abbey, Converts sent to it, p. 836, 839. Dunolm, Durham Priory; A Writ to the Prior and Covent for the King's Delegates to be present at their election, p. 348. Their affronts to King John in electing a Bishop; his Writs, Appeals concerning it, p. 352, to 356. 382, 383. Contests between the Bishop and them, Ib. 388, 389. Between King H. 3. and them, about a Bishop's election, 405, 406. His Licence to elect a Bishop, 483. their election nulled; a new one made, 565, 566. Converts sent thither, p. 838, 839. Bound in 500 Marks to the Pope against their wills, p. 844, 845. E. ST. Edmund's Abbey: A protection for it; committed by the King to the Pope's Legate, p. 333. The Abbot a Commissioner to inquire of the goods formerly taken from the Romans, 436. Richard de Insula Abbot, his praise, death, 442. The Abbot complains to the King against the Pope's exactions, 567. The Pope's Delegate in the case between the Abbot of Glaston, and Bishop of Bath, p. 578, 634. King H. the 3. his extortions from it during the vacancy, the Abbot's election nulled; bound in 800 marks to the Pope, 717. It's visitation by the Pope's Delegates, 789. The Abbot Conservator of the Privilege granted to St. Augustin● C●nt. 794. A refuge to oppressed Clerks, 806. Converts ●ent to it, 836, 839. The Abbot confirmed at Rome against the Kings and Archbishops wills, 924. The Fre●●s M●●o●s intrude there, 935. It's Custos during the Vacancy called to account, 977. King H. 3. dyeth in it, 1067. The Abbot One of the Pope's Delegates in a case between the Archbishop of Canterbury and Abbot of S. Augustine's, proceeds therein against the King's prohibition, Appendix, p. 8. to 17. The King's Commissioners to be present at their election of an Abbot, p. 348. S. Edrul●us Abbot, recommended to be elected Bishop of Sagion, p. 234. St. Ellen de With, Converts sent to it, p. 840. Elleschirch Prioress, p. 352. Ely Prior and Covent, their Bishop's election against the Kings Writ vacated; oppressed by him, p. 913, 923, 924. A Writ concerning the goods distreined, p. 965. Euch●esay Priory, Converts sent to it, p. 838, 840. Evesham Abbey: dedicated, p. 504. an Heretic brought before Richard Abbot of it and others, p. 560. The King's Chancellor, p. 6●4. Converts sent thither, p. 838, 840. The Abbot deprived and a new substituted by the Pope's Legate, Appendix, p. 18. F. ST. Facundus Abbot, the Pope's Legate to publish the Emperor's Excommunication, p. 655. St. Faith, Fidis: Convert Jew's sent thither, p. 836, 839. Farnley Pharlegg Priory; Converts sent thither, p. 836, 839. Flay Abbot of the Cistercian Order preached against the Pope's Usurer's corruptions, p. 802. Flexle, Flaxele Abbey, Convert Jews sent to it, p. 836, to 841. the collecting the Croysado money specially committed to the Abbot, p. 861. Font-everoit Nuns placed in Ambresbiry, p. 228, 229. De Fontibus, Fountain, Funtan Abbot, his Appeal against the Archbishop of Yorks excommunication, p. 242. John the Abbot made Bishop of Ely, p. 379. A prohibition against the Abbot in a suit before the Pope's Delegates, 831. Converts sent thither, p. 836, 839. Collector of the Dimes in York Province, 863. Frecheswill, Fridswell Oxon Priory, Converts sent to it, p. 836, 839, 840. A Prohibition against it for the Church of Aclea to the Pope's Delegates, of which the Monks would disinherit the King, p. 381. Frenton Prior made Abbot of Westminster by the Pope's Legate p. 335. Appendix, p. 18. G. GEn●ue●e Abbot, a Prohibition against him to the Pope's Delegates, for ●●ing for Lands before them, p. 725, 726▪ Gerwedon Abbey, Convert Jews sent to it, p. 838, 839. G●●●bourne, Prior and Covent of St. Augustine's Order, bound in 300. Marks to the Pope against their will, p. 845. Glaston Abbey united to the Bishoprics of Bath and Wells, sundry Letters, Writs, suits between the Bishop of Bath and Abbot concerning it, p. 356, 357, 851, 852, 995, 996. Convert Jews sent to it, p. 836, 837, 839. Abbot Roger excommunicated, gets a prohibition, p. 851, 852. the Bishop summoned for proceeding against it, p. 995, 996. Godestow Abbess, Converts sent thither, p. 835, 838. Gregory Cantuar. A prohibition to the Prior than Dean of Canterbury, p. 496. Convert Jews sent to it, p. 835, 837, 839. A Delegate in an Ecclesiastical cause, p. 835. Gutlac● Hereford Priory, Converts sent to it, p. 840. H. HAle, Abby, Converts sent to it, p. 840. Harle, Hurl; Ralph Arundel Prior, elected Abbot of Westminster, p. 229. The Prior King's Proctor at Rome, 584. The Pope's Visitor, p. 789. Haverholm, Converts sent to it, p. 840. Hexsta●●●sh●m Priory, Converts sent thereto, p. 838, 840. Holcontram Abbey, Converts sent to it, 838, 840. Huntindon Priory, Converts sent thither, 836, 837, 839. Hyda, Hyde Abbot, sent by the King with an Appeal to the Bishop of Winton, p. 585, 586. Converts sent thither, p. 838, 840. I. JAmes Bristol Priory, Converts sent to it, p. 840. James No●thampton, Converts sent thereto, p. 840. St. john's Jerusalem, p. 864, 945, 947, 1027. See Templars and Hospitallers. K. KEmere Abbot, Cicestrensis Ordinis, one of the Pope's Commissioners to absolve David Prince of Wales from his Oath to K. H. 3. p. 622. Kenwilworth Prior, pretends right to Cesterton Church, p. 993. Kingswode Abbey, Converts sent to it, p. 838, 840. Kirkest. Abbey; Converts sent to it, p. 837. Kirkham Priory, Converts sent thereto, p. 838, 840. Kirkstead Abbey, Converts sent thither, p. 836, 837, 839. Kokersand, Converts sent thither, p. 840. Kynes Priory, Converts sent thither, p. 838, 843. L. LAncaster Priory, Converts sent to it, p. 840. Lang●don, Converts sent to it, p. 840. Lanton Prior, his suit and Appeal against the Archbishop of Ardmach, p. 628. Lanynton, Converts sent thither, p. 837. Loesses Abbot, summoned to answer a contempt for holding a Plea as Pope's Delegate, against the King's prohibition, p. 477, 478 Lewes' Priory, a Convert sent to it, p. 836, 837, 839. leicester Priory, Converts sent to it, p. 836, 837. Liw●hul Priory▪ a Convert sent thither. p. 840. M. MAlm●sbury, The Abbot suspended by Martin the Pope's Agent, for opposing his exactions, p. 606. Converts sent to it, p. 836, 839. A Writ to him to receive a Monk of Winchester, p. 976. St. mary's Ebor. The Abbot with others sent to meet and receive the Pope's Legate, p. 287. A Writ to him and others touching the Bishop of Winch●sters election, p. 354, 355. defamed and the Monks dispersed for a false deed, 775. A Prohibition to him concerning the Liberties of York, p. 831. St. Martin● Dovor; A Writ to the Constable of Dover to protect the Prior and Covent in their Liberties against the Subprior and Canons of Canterbury, p, 1059, 1060. Mauvern p●rva Priory, Converts sent to it, p. 838, 840. Merkeb: Converts sent to it, p. 840. Merlus: Converts sent thither, p. 840. Merton Prior, suspended for opposing the Pope's Nuntioes exactions, p. 606. A Writ to the Prior and Covent not to suffer any monies of the Bishop of Winchester or his brother to be thence removed, p. 938. Gilbert Prior of it Collector of the Dimes, his account, p. 1050. Michelham, Michalham Priory, Converts sent to it, p. 836, 837, 839. Middleton Abbey, Converts sent thither, p. 838, 840. Monteacute Prior, accused, and ordered to be deprived for dilapidations, if guilty, p. 256, 257. Converts sent to it 36, 837, 839. Monte Belli Abbot presents Articles of Reformation for Religious Houses to Pope Greg. 9 440, 441. N. ST. Neoth▪ the Priors Lands unjustly seized as an alien, restored on complaint, p. 631. Newson Abbey, a Jewish Convert sent to it, p. 839. Nicholas Exon, a Convert sent thither, p. 840. Notle Abbey, a Convert sent to it, p. 840. Norwich Prior and Covent: The King disallows, appeals against their Bishop's elections, p. 483, 497, 924. The Prior's diligence to excommunicate those who opposed the Pope's provisions, p. 651. Converts sent to it, p. 836, 839. Burnt, spoilt by the Citizens, who are severely punished for it, p. 1065, to 1068. Novo Burgo (Newburgh) Prior, his Appeal against the Archbishop of Yorks proceedings, p. 242. Novus locus super Acolne, Converts sent to it, p. 840. Novum Monasterium: The profits of the Benefices of the Bishopric of Karliol there sequestered, till the difference ended concerning them, p. 970. O. OSon●eston Abbey, Converts sent to it, p. 836, 839. Osencey, Ossen●y Abbey: A fray there between the Pope's▪ Legates servants, and Oxford Scholars, p. 493, 494, to 558. The Kings Writ to Abbot Adam's successor, for his Cup and Palfrey, due to him by Custom after each Abbot's death, p. 834. St. Oswald, its Prior's appeal against the Archbishop of Yorks proceedings, p. 242. A Convert sent to it, p. 836, 837, 839, 840. O●burne, Woburne Abby, Converts sent to it, p. 838. P. PArco Lude Abbey; Converts sent to it, p. 836, 839. Persore Abby, its Church dedicated, p. 504. Writs directed to the Abbor, as Popes delegate, p. 634. Peterburgh: The Bishop of Du●ham dies suddenly at it, p. 404▪ Peter's Gloucester consecrated, p. 504. A Writ to the Abbot and Covent to receive a Monk of Winchester, p. 976. Pipewell Abbey, Converts sent to it, 836, 837, 839. Pontiniac Abbot, the Pope's Legate, a prohibition to him, p. 628. R. RAdegund Abbot; an Attachment against him for proceeding as Pope's Delegate, against the King's prohibition, p. 477. Rading, Reding, The Abbot one of the Pope's Delegates to excommunicate the Barons and their adherents, p. 344, 359. Converts sent to it, 836, 839. He refuseth to give or lend monies to K. H. 3. p. 934. ramsey, Rammesey Abbey; a licence to elect an Abbot in the presence of others, p. 348. Three recommended to the Prior and Covent by the King, p. 356. the Church dedicated, p. 504. Nigri ordinis. His unjust sentence, p. 598. Barrows and lends money to the King in his distress, p. 723 734. Converts sent to it, p. 836, 838, 839. A Monk of Winton sent to it by Writ, p. 975. his Barony and Temporalties seized, for not sending horse and arms to the King, upon summons, p. 1008. The Abbot deprived, and a new substituted by the Pope's Legate, Append. p. 18. Ravinstone founded, and a Prior appointed by K. H. 3. p. 831 Reversham Abbey visited by Archbishop Boniface, p. 741. Riveal, Rivaus; Its Abbot's appeal against the Archbishop of Yorks proceedings, p 242. Converts sent to it, p. 8●6, 839. Roches, or de Rupe, its Abbot's appeal against the Archbishop of Yorks proceedings, p. 242. A Prohibition to the Abbot and Prior to levy a Disme of the Monks of Clunie, p. 562. Converts sent to it, p. 837, 838, 839. Rossen, Rochester Prior and Covent, the Pope's sentence for them against the Archbishop, touching their Bishop's election, p. 498, 499▪ Elect such a Bishop as would please the King, p. 748. Converts sent to it, p. 837, 838, 839. Ruchford, Rufford; A Writ to the Abbot not to prejudice the Archbishop of Yorks rights, p. 223. appeals against the Archbishops proceedings, 242. Converts sent to it, p. 840. De Rufore, of the Cisterc●●n Order, oppressed by H. 3. p. 847. S. SAcford Prioress, a Convert sent to it, p. 839. Abbot de Salvinaco licenced to send an Abbot or two Monks to visit the Cisterci●ns in England, p 601. Sautre Abbey, a Convert sent to it, p. 838, 840▪ Seleby Abbot appeals against the Archbishop of Yorks proceedings, p. 242. Sent by the Ring to entertain the Pope's Legate, 287. appointed to be present at the election of several Bishops, Abbots, and give the Royal assent to them, 348, 354. his goods seized for the King after his death, 820. Seleburne Prior, a prohibition to him not to hinder the King's Chantry at Basin, p. 1038. Seleford Priory, Converts sent to it, p. 836, 838, 839. Stafford: a Prohibition to the Abbot's sequestration of the profits of the Priory of winton by the Pope's order, p. 832. Stanlegg, Stanley in Wiltes: a prohibition to the Abbot as Pope's Legate, p. 381. Converts sent to it, p. 836, 837, and to Stanley in Arden, p. 838, 839. Surgeston Priory, Converts sent to it, p. 838, 839. Swinesheved, Swinstyed Abbey, King John poisoned by a Monk of it, p. 366. Converts sent to it, p. 836, 839. St. Swithins Winton; Oppose King H. 3. in the election of a Bishop; their election opposed, vacated; appeals, high contests about it, p. 501, 502, 583, to 597. 748, 749, 850. A royal Fish on its Lands seized by the King's Officers, who are excommunicated for it; a Writ to absolve them, p. 738, 739. The Prior, Monks oppressed, thrust out by the King, Bishop, New put in, p. 502, 831, 832, 833, 852, 853, 854. sent to other Monasteries, 975, 976. Converts sent to it, p. 835, 837, 838. T. THeukesbery, Tukebery, Totebyr, the Church dedicated, 504. a Convert sent to it, p. 837, 840. Thinemue, Tinmuth, a Writ for their Prior against the Bishop of durham's oppressions, p. 715, 716. Converts sent to it, 838, 840. A provision by the Pope to an appropriation belonging to it, prohibited, 842. St. Thomas de Acon, London: Colechurch presented to by the King, during the vacancy, p. 782. St. Thomas Dublins Abbey, stones for its repair in England seized, restored by Writ, 758. Abbot William his election confirmed, and temporalties restored, p. 784. Thornton Priory, Converts sent to it, p. 836, 837, 839. Thorney Abbey: a Writ to preserve their rights from Pope's provisions, p. 736. Thurgarton Prior, a prohibition to him, as a Delegate, p. 689. Tichfeld Abbot, an appeal in his presence, 587. Tiletey Abbey: Converts sent to it, p. 836, 839. Tinterne Abbey; an attachment for holding plea against them contrary to a prohibition, p. 720. Converts sent to it, p. 840. The Abbot the Pope's Commissioner to levy a Dism, 1027. Topham Abbey; Converts sent thither, p. 838, 840. T●ent Priory, Converts sent to it, p. 838. Trepa: the Abbot recommended to a Bishopric, p. 234. Trinity Prior and Covent of Canterbury. The Monks secret election of their Prior, without, King John's licence, his Oath opposed; contests about it, their election vacated; their 2d. election to please the King nulled, enforced to elect Stephen Langton by the Pope at Rome, for which they are banished by force as Traitors, p. 243, to 249. Their Temporalties seized, p. 252. The injured King at last enforced by the Pope to restore them, with damages, 261, to 284; Elect a Bishop by the King's licence, whom he rejects, joins the Suffragans with them in the election, which they oppose, p. 418, 419. Two of their elections nulled by the Pope, who obtrudes one without election, p. 434, to 443. A Prohibition to their Innovations, suit before the Pope's Delegates, p. 476, 478 Their old Charters, Privileges, suspicious, forged, p. 495. Appendix, 17, 18. New Contests, Appeals about elections, 499, 579, 580. molested by Archbishop Edmund, p. 509, 564, 579. Contests between them and the Bishop of Lincoln, excommunicating each other, 597, to 600. Oppress the Prior of St. Martin's Dovor, p. 1059. 1060. Trinity Ebor. Priory: Freers predicants, seize an Heretic, p. 475. a Prohibition to the Prior and Covent not to invade the City's Liberties, p. 831. Converts sent to it, p. 838, 839. V. VAlle Dei Abby, Converts sent to it, p. 838, 840. W. WAleden Abbey, Converts sent thither, p. 838, 839. Walsingham Priory St. Marry, Converts sent to it, p. 835, 837. Waltham, Wautham Abby St. Marry, Consecrated, p. 604. Abbot excused through age for not appearing at the Council of Lions, p. 638. A Delegate to reverse the Archbishop's sentence against the Canons of Paul's London, p. 745, 762. He and other Abbot's confederate against Archbishop Boniface his Visitation, p. 761. Pope Innocents' Bull to him to defend the Liberties of St. Augustine's Canterbury, against the Archbishop's encroachments, p. 793. Converts sent to it, p. 835, 838, 839. Waredune, of the Cistercian Order, Abbot Adam chosen Bishop of Coventry, p. 604. Falls into King Henry 3. his displeasure for denying him an Aid; his speech to, revenge on him, p. 846, 847. Wastham Abbot, the Legates deputy to depose the Abbot of Westminster, p. 335. Waverly Abbot, appeals against the Archbishop of Yorks sentence, p. 242. Wenlocke Priory, Converts sent to it, p. 836, 839. Westminster, St. Peter's Abbey, Ralph Arundle elected Abbot, p. 229. deposed by the Pope's Legate for dilapidations and incontinency, another substituted, p. 287, 335. Appendix p. 18. The Abbey exempt from the Visitation, Procu●ations of the Bishop of London, p 384 The Abbot an assistant in the Treaty for a Truce with France, p. 446 An Appeal to the Pope made in his presence, p. 587. a difference between him and the Bishop of Lincoln about Privileges, p. 595, 596. acquitted from Hydage and Leets, p. 632. appointed one of the Guardians of the Realm in the King's absence, p. 638. Richard de Crokesdale elected Abbot to please the King, p. 685. Privileges granted to it to the prejudice of St. Alban, p. 760. A difference between the Abbot and Covent, appeals to Rome about it, settled by the King, who was displeased with the Abbot, p. 763, 764. the Covent to have the custody of its Temporalties during the vacancy, Ibid. The King's Chapel, a Prohibition to lend money to the Abbot, p. 764. All the Londoners summoned to it to take up the Cross, p. 766. The Abbot appointed a Collector of the Croysado money, p. 814, 815, 834, 835. moneys assigned out of the King's Treasury for its reparation, p. 828. The Abbot complyes with the Pope's Legate, p. 850 for what ends, p. 929. sets his and his Covents seal to a band of 2500. Marks for the King's use, p. 932. a Surety for like sums with other Abbots, p. 934, 1024, 1025. A viol of Christ's blood carried thither in solemn procession, by K. H. 3. himself, there ado●ed, reserved; a Fair granted to it, to the prejudice of London and other places, p. 711, to 716. Whiteby, Converts sent to it, p. 840. Wygorn. (Worcester) Priory, Converts sent to it, p. 836▪ 837, 839. Wymundale, a Convert sent thither, p. 840. INDEX 3. Of all the Archbishoprics, Bishoprics, Archbishops, Bishops, of England and Wales, with their Names, Actions, Elections, Extravagances, Schisms, Usurpations, Treasons, and other matters relating to them in general, and to every of them in particular, mentioned in this Tome. MAtters concerning them and the Clergy in general. Commissioners for enquiry of damages for rapines of some of their goods, appointed by the King in most of their Dioceses, p. 279, 280, 281, 999, 1000, 1006. Their hands, seals unworthily set by the Pope's command to the transcript of King John's detestable Charter (casually burnt) 31. years after its making, p. 300, 301. They advise, answer the Kings question demanded of them in Parliament, concerning this Charter, by themselves, p. 301, 302. They consult together cancerning the Church's Liberties, invaded by the Pope and his Legates, p. 330. What clauses they inserted into King John's new Charter, not extant in that of King Henry 1. to the prejudice of the Crown, p. 335, 336, 340, 341, 344. The New Charter extorted from him concerning their freedom of Elections of Bishops, Abbots, and other Ecclesiastical Officers, p. 337, 338, 922, 923. Present at Beckets solemn Translation, p. 380. Pope Honorius the 3. his Epistle to them, to aid King Henry 3. with their purses, p. 396. Their Decrees concerning Priests Concubines, p. 397. Otto his unreasonable Propositions to them, with their answer, p. 398, 399, 400. Pope Gregory the 9 his Injunction to them to Excommunicate the Emperor Frederick, p. 409, 410, 413, 414. To demand an Aid and Dimes against him, p. 424, 425, 428, 447, to 450. 650, to 658. Their menaces to Interdict and Excommunicate King Henry 3. p. 443, 444. Their Canons concerning Bastardy, contrary to the Common Law, overruled, p. 472, 473, 474. A voluntary Aid granted by them, not to be drawn into consequence, p. 475. Desire a day's respite to consider of the Pope's Legates proposals, whether prejudicial to the Church of England, p. 487. Their complaint in 30. Articles, of King Henry 3. his oppressions, violations of the Liberties of the Church, against his Charters, Oath, by his ill Council, and Pope's Legate, p. 544. Deny the Pope's intolerable exactions to War against the Emperor, without long deliberation, p. 546. which at last they submit to, p. ●63. Their answers to Peter Rubeo the Pope's Nuncio's Exactions, p. 567, 568, 569. Pope Innocent the 4. high Letters to them for aiding the King and him, and their proceedings thereon, p. 609, 610, 612, 613, 614, 615. Their summons to the Council of Lions, and excuses, p. 637, 638. The King's Prohibition to them, not to act any thing to the prejudice of his Crown, p. 640. Canons for their Residence, and against their Commendaes', p. 1041, 1043, 1044. Most traitorously, effeminately set all their seals to the Pope's transcript of the detestable Charter of K. John, whereby he made his Kingdom's Tributary to the Pope, soon after its burning in the Pope's Closet at Lions, and the Kings, Kingdoms, English Ambassadors solemn protestations against it in the Council of Lions, as null, and never assented to by them, but protested against by Archbishop Langeton in all their names when signed, to the enormous prejudice of the King, Kingdom; they likewise seal his injurious Excommunication of the Emperor Frederick, p. 643, 644, 645, 647. Their consultation concerning the Church of England's desolation, p. 648▪ Their Epistle to Pope Innocent the 4. against his exactions and grievances, p 667, 668. An Aid exacted from them by the Pope, instead of reforming them, p. 672, 673. Their answer to his demands, p. 675, to 680. Oppose, slander the King, deny him Aids, excite the Nobility against him, p. 721, 722. They peremptorily deny to aid the King with moneys, p. 770, to 775. Their oppositions against the Archbishop's Visitations, p. 740, to 746, 785, 789, 790, 791. Press the King for the Church's Liberties, and freedom of Elections; Excommunicate the infringers of them, and the Great Charter, p. 796, 797. Their proceedings in the aid for the Holy Land, p. 807, 814. Summoned by Rustand the Pope's Nuncio to London; his demands, with their answers to them, p. 823, 824. Their cowardice in resisting him, p. 841. Bractons' Treatise of Prohibitions against their exorbitant Usurpations, proceedings, p. 873, to 890. Their Papal Antimonarchical Articles, Council, Canons, against the King's Prohibitions to them▪ his Ecclesiastical and Temporal Jurisdiction, Judges, Officers, the Subjects Liberties, Properties; for which they would contend like Becket even to death, p. 889, to 912. Complained against in Parliament, appealed against to the Pope, by the King, Nobles, Kingdom; revoked▪ Archbp. Bon. banished for them; yet printed, put in ure as the Canon Law of the Realm, by Lynd wooed, Aton, others, p. 912, 913 989, 990, 991, 997, 998. Laws concerning the King's right of Patronage to their Churches, during vacancies, p. 940. Their Baronies seized for not aiding the King in his Wars with Horse and Arms upon summons, according to their Tenors, p. 994, 1008, 1009. The King's mandate to them to reside on their Bishoprics, feed (not fleece) their flocks, discharge their duties, under pain of seizing their Temporalties, and Ecclesiastical censures by the Archbishop and his Officials, 1009, 1010. Some of them contemn the Pope's Authority, Excommunications, Interdicts, as mere nullities, 791, 1017, 1018. Their Ingratitude to the King, 1019. backwardness to aid him in his Wars; answers, that they owed no military services, aids for their Baronies, notwithstanding the Pope's Bulls on his behalf, 1024, 1025, to 1030. The chief fomentors of the Wars between the Barons, King John, and Henry the 3. 282, 283, 335, 336, 344, 345, 349, 1020, 1021, 1022. Collectors of their Dimes appointed in several Dioceses by the Pope's Legate, King's Writs; their proceedings, accounts thereof, 1033, to 1037. 1048, to 1054. The greatest opposers of, Traitors to the King▪ Kingdom, most honoured, advanced, canonised for Saints, Martyrs for the Church, 380. See A●●e●m, Becket, Edmond, Hugh of Lincoln Those who were faithful to him excommunicated, suspended, degraded, persecuted, undone, p. 257, 258, 259, 334, 335. A. St. Asaph Bishopric and Bishops. HOwel, his promise that David Prince of Wales should perform his Charter, Oath to K. H. 3. that he would execute the Interdict, Excommunication denounced against him by the Archbishop of Canterbury and two other English Bishops, to whose sentence he submitted himself if he violated them, p. 609, 972. The Pope absolves him from this Oath, sentence, p. 622. Forced to live upon others Alms, his Bishopric being wasted by K. H. 3. his Wars against the Rebellious Welshmen▪ p. 728. The Dean and Chapter of Asaph after his death desire a licence from King Henry to elect a new Bishop; they with Edward their Bishop elect, acknowledge by two several Charters under their hands and seals, that they ought of right to petition for the King's licence to elect, and after for a confirmation of their election, p. 726, 727. A Collector of the Dims of his City and Diocese appointed in Parliament, p. 814, 917. The Archbishop's Letter to the Bishop to execnte his Excommunication of Lewellin Prince of Wales, for invading England against his League, Oath, 976, 977. B. Bangor Bishopric and Bishops. RIchard, Excommunicated David Prince of Wales, for imprisoning his brother Griffin, who came to him under his safe conduct to treat a Peace; excites K. H. 3. to revenge the injury and invade Wales, p. 604. His Bishopric wasted by the Wars, he enforced to live at St. Alban on the Abbot's charity, p. 726. The Pope's Letter to the Abbots in his Diocese, to absolve Prince David from his Oath and Excommunication for breaking it, p. 622. His Charter to K. H. 3. to execute the Excommunication and Interdict denounced against him by the Archbishop of Canterbury and two other Bishops, if he violated his Oath and Allegiance, p. 609. A Collector of the Dimes of his City and Diocese appointed in Parliament, p. 814. The Archbishop's Precept to him to execute his sentence of Excommunication against Lewellin, for invading England against his Truce and Oath, p. 976, 977. The Kings Writ to him to take off his Interdict, receive caution from Lewellin, and appear in Parliament, p. 1009. Bath, Glaston, and Wells Bishopric, Bishops. Jozelinus, Jos●●●in, joins with other Bishops in Interdicting the Kingdom, Excommunicating King John's Officers; departs secretly with them out of England, for which his Temporalties are seized, goods confiscated, he and his banished the Realm by the King, p. 253, 254. The King enforced by the Pope to be reconciled with, restore him to his Bishopric, sequestered profits, damages, p. 271, 272. his Writs, Patents in pursuit thereof, p. 277, 279, 280, 333, 337, 339. his return into England, p. 279. Glastonbury Church united to Bath and Wells by King Richard 1. and ratified by the Pope; endeavours, petitions to disunite them; suits, Letters of the King about it; severed at last, the Abbot giving four Manors to Bishop Joselin, p. 356, 357. present at Henry 3. his Coronation, p. 370. of the King's Counsel, p. 381. his Name with other of the Counsel to the Teste of Writs, p. 389, 390, 392, 393, 395, 398. present in the Parliament at Merton concerning Bastardy, p. 472. an Inquisition between the King and this Bishop, p. 634. Robert, the King seizeth the goods of the Bishopric after his death, p. 721. William, his Mandate concerning Procurations, p. 791. In Parliament, joins in the Excommunication of the infringers of Magna Charta, p. 796. Collectors assigned in Parliament for the Dimes in his Diocese, p. 814, 917. invited to St. Edward's Feast at Westminster by the King's Letters, p. 826. goes to Rome with the King's licence, to prosecute his suit with the Monks of Glastonbury, whose Abbot he intended to excommunicate, deprive, p. 850, 851, 852. sent to Rome about the business of Sicily, p. 916. The King's Writs to him to respite a demand of a Legacy for the Holy Land, p. 956. To sequester an Ecclesiastical living of the King's accountant, p. 978. A Distringas against him for suing the Abbot of Glastonbury in the Court of Rome, against his Allegiance, and the King's Prohibition, p. 995, 996. Walter Giffard, elected, approved by the King, with his Writ to the Archbishop to appoint Bishops to consecrate him in England, p. 998, 999. chosen Archbishop of York, p. 1029. Collectors of Dimes and Compositions for them in this Diocese, p. 1034, 1036, 1037. C. Caerlegion Archbishopric in Wales, and Bishops. SAmpson Archbishop thereof, p. 234 St: David, who translated the See to St: david's, p. 234. Canterbury Archbishopric and Archbishops. Its See instituted by K. Ethelbert, at St. Augustine's request, p. 607. The most noble member of the See Apostolic; the Mother of Churches; excelling all other Churches in power, wealth; the paradise of pleasure, etc. planted by God himself: Popes grand affection to it, 420, 487. The Archbishop of Canterbury Primate of all England, aught to have precedency of York, 487, 570, 684, 772, 899. The Patronage, Custody, Royalties of the Bishopric of Rochester, custody and restitution of its temporalties granted to the Archbishops of Canterbury by King John's Charter 339, 479, 818, 819. 877. See Rochester. Augustin: first Bishop of it, 607. His Charter to the Monastery of St. Augustine's sorged, Appendix 17. Anselm, his extravagant blasphemous Passages of the Virgin Maries Sovereign power, Redemption, Mediation, Prayers to her, etc. His Oppositions, Treason against King Henry's prerogatives, 16, 20, 21, 23, 32, 46, to 50, 53. Canonised for them as a Roman Saint, p. 64, 226. Theobald, the Bishop of St. David's consecrated by, made his profession of subjection to him; Pope Eugenius his Letters, Decree concerning it, 235. Thomas Becket, magnified, canonised, translated as a Roman Saint, Martyr for the Church, for his oppositions, Treasons against K. H. Il. his royal Prerogatives and ancient Liberties, p. 226. 250. 380. 420. 431 563, 564. 591. 785, 787. 805, 807, 813, 841, 896. 926. Append. p. 9 The author, introducer of our Ladies 7. Joys, 46, 64. Christ's pretended apparition & speech to him, 69. His Miracles 420. Archb. Edmund commends himself and cause to him, 564: His name as a Saint, Martyr used in our public excommunications, 796. Founder of St Thomas Hospital, 785, 787. The Bps resolve to be martyred like him & S. Edmund, p 563, 564. 823, 824. 896, 926. yet flag therein, ibid. Hubert; Crowned King John, was Chancellor to him, p. 227, 229. His Charter to him concerning imprisoned Clerks and their purgation, 230. Holds a Council and makes Canons, against the King's prohibition, 232, 233. Writs to the Justices to assist him to recover the rights of his Church, 234. Disob●yes the Pope's Citation of him to Rome, opposed, nulled his provision to the Bishopric of S. David's, and revival as an Archbishopric, 235, 236, 237. See St. david's: A resignation of the Archdeaconry of Brecon to him; made the pretended Bishop of St. David's his Chaplain, 236, 237, 238. His contests with, excommunications of the Abbot, Monks of Augustine's Canterbury concerning the Church of Faversham & other Churches, the appeals and proceedings therein, Appendix, p. 3. to 18. Reginald Subprior of Canterbury, after his death, secretly elected at Midnight by the Monks to prevent the King's nomination; his Oath of Secrecy disclosed, election opposed, nulled by the Pope, p. 242, 243, 246, 244. John Grace Bishop of Norwich, elected by the King's licence, who approved thereof, Writ for him; yet rejected by the Pope, because chosen before the others election nulled, p. 243, 244, 245, 246, 247. Stephen Langeton an English Cardinal, upon nulling the 2. former elections, nominated to, elected by the Monks then at Rome by Pope Innocents' command, without their fellows or King's consent, consecrated Archbp by the Pope, p. 247, 248 421, 770 his education, learning, p. 247, 249, 250, 419, 420 Pope Innocents' Epistles, presents to King John to admit him Archbp; who refused it, menaced the Pope and his Creatures, seized the temporalties of the Archbp. banished him, his Parents, kindred, and Monks of Cant. as Traitors, p. 248 249, 250, 802. By his and his confederate Bishop's Treachery, the Kingdom was interdicted, King excommunicated, his subjects abso ved from their allegiance, he and his deprived of the Crown, given to the French King, enforced to resign his Kingdoms to the Pope, become his sworn Tributary, Vassal, Homager, renounce the ancient rights of his Crown, receive him and his Confederates to favour, restore them to their Bishoprics, with the profits, damages sustained by their exile, before he could be absolved, p. 251, to 291. 340, 341, 342, 343. The Kings, Nobles Letters, Charters to him, his arrival in England; with the King's humiliation, Oath to him, before he would absolve him, 276, 277, 278, 279. Instigates the Nobles against the King, threatens to excommunicate him, and revive the Interdict, if he proceeded by arms against them, 282, 283▪ 284, 335. A witness to the King's Charter of resignation of his Kingdoms, annual pension and homage to the Pope, 290. yet protested, appealed against it, though the occasion of it, to render the King more odious, p. 290, 294, 299, 300, 431, 638, 639. He opposed, appealed against the Pope's Legates Usurpations, Provisions, in derogation of his See, and Church of England's rights▪ for which he summoned a Synod of his Suffragans, p. 330. What damages from the King the Pope awarded him, 331. Seisin of the ports of Sandwich, Heth, Romney awarded to him, 334. His severity against the Clergymen who adhered faithfully to King John, 334, 335. Excites the Barons to take up arms against King John for their Liberties; Extorts the Great Charter from him, with new additional clauses, 283▪ 335, 336, 337, 340, 341. Wrists a new Charter for the freedom of elections of Bishops, Abbots from him, 336, 337, 338. and of the Patronage, Royalties of the Bishopric of Rochester, as absolutely as the King enjoyed them▪ p. 339, 344 To require which, he surrenders the Castle, ammunition of Rochester to the Barons, 344. refuseth to execute the Pope's excommunication, interdict against the Barons, though oft pressed by the Legate and others, p. 344, 345, 346, 347. Accused, suspended in the Council at Rome for confederating with the Barons against the King, a just retaliation, p. 347, 348, 351, 361. His suspension taken off, but he not to return into England, till peace made between the King and his Barons, 361. Crowned H. 3. at his second not first Coror●tion, 379. Causeth his Traitorous predecessor Becket to be translated with great magnificence, 380. The Popes delegate in the case of the Bishop of Lismor, 382. An arbitrator between the Bishop of London and Abbot of Westminster concerning his exemption from the Bishop's Jurisdiction▪ 384. A Council held under him at Oxford, wherein extorted Fees, Pluralities, and other abuses were condemned: The Excommunications denounced in it: the name of Christ and the Holy Ghost, after God the Father omitted, mary's, and Saints inserted in their stead, 385▪ 386, 54. Prohibited victuals to be sold to Jews, 386, 387. Demands a confirmation of the Great Charter from H. 3. p, 387. His Conference with Laws the French King, 387, 388. His Usurpations on the Archdeaconries of Coventry during the vacancy, prohibited, 388. King H. 3. in policy commends his fidelity to him in Letters to the Pope, Cardinals, to procure their Letters to him to continue faithful and assisting to him, 389, 390. He and his Suffragans denounce Excommunications against all invaders of the Church, church-good, disturbers of the King, kingdom, detainers of the King's Lands, Castles, unless they surrendered them by a day▪ p▪ 391, 392. He procures the King's Letter to the Pope for his brother's return into England, upon his engagement to do no prejudice to the King or kingdom, ●b. Grants a licence to the Judges itinerant to take Oaths, try some cases on times prohibited by the Canons, so it were not drawn into precedent, 394. Pope Honorius Bull to him and the Bishops to grant a Subsidy to the King, 396 His Decree against Priests Concubines, 397. Adviseth the King to assemble all the Clergy and Laity to hear the Pope's Legates Message, 398, to ●02. Caused the Pope to recall Otto, calls the King to a Synod at Westminster to answer the Pope's demands, 402. Pope Gregory the 9 his Epistles to him to denounce his Excommunication against the Emperor Frederick, 409, to 414. His death, 418. Pope Gregory the 9 his applauses of him, 419, 420. Walter de Hevesham, elected by the Monks by a Congee the eslier, refused by the King, Suffragans, for insufficiency, incontinency with a Nun, on whom he begot divers Children, and other causes; His election nulled by the Pope at last, upon promise to him of a Dism against the Emperor, p. 307, 418, 419. The Pope's sentence against him, Ibid. Richard, upon the nulling of Welter's election, at the Kings and Suffragan Bishops request, declared Archbishop by Pope Gregory's Bull without the Monk's election, by way of provision, p. 419, 420, 421, 430, 778. Consecrated by the Bishop of Rochester without a Pall, 421. Ungratefully denied an aid to the King in Parliament, when he readily granted aids to the Pope, 428, 429. He complains to the King against Hubert his Chief Justice, for denying him the Wardship, Custody of the heir of Gilbert de Clare, and Castle of Tunbridge, because he held of the King in Capite, 429, 430 Excommunicates Hubert and all else but the King, for not betraying the King's prerogative in Wards, as invaders of the Church's Liberties, Ibid. Makes a Traitorous Complaint against the King and Hubert to the Pope: from whom he obtained what ever he demanded, but died in his return from Rome, 430, 431. Ralph Nevil Bishop of Chichester the King's Chancellor, elected by the Monks, approved by the King, yet rejected by the Pope; only because Simon Langeton informed him he would cause the King and Nobles to oppose King John's Charter, Tribute, if confirmed Archbishop, 293, 294, 431. John their Subprior thereupon elected, approved at Rome by the Cardinals, but persuaded by the Pope to desist for his age, inability for so great a trust, 432, 433. Richard Blundus an Oxford Student, thereupon elected, but refused by the Pope, because he had 2. benefices, and borrowed great sums of money as was thought, not proved, to purchase the place by Simony, p. 433. Edmund Treasurer of Salisbury, thereupon nominated Archbishop by the Pope to the Monks at Rome, who durst not deny the Pope, nor do any thing therein without the King's consent: Yet the Pope sent him a Pall into England before any election; whereupon the King and Monks were content to accept of him without exception, 294, 433, 434. Consecrated by the Bishop of London, 434. Present at a Parliament as Bishop elect before his Consecration; He and his Suffragans admoneshed King H. 3. to remove the Bishop of Winchester and other ill Counsellors, 443, 444. After his Consecration he and they advise the like, threaten to excommunicate the King, unless he reform his error, and all hinderers of peace, concord with the Lords, whereto he answered he would obey them in all things, 443, 445. Sent by the K. into Wales with other Bishops to treat a peace between the King, Lewellin, & the Earl Martial, 445. An Act that no Assize of Dareign presentment should lie of a Prebennd, made by his and other Bishop's advice, ibid. Present in the Council of Merton, and debate concerning Bastardy, 472, 474. The custody of its temporalties and rochester's belong to the King during both their vacancies, 479. Its Services, New-year's gifts, not to be sued for in Ecclesiastical Courts, Ib. 476. A difference between a Bishop and Archbishop in Ireland referred by the King to this Archbishop and the Bishop of Cicester, 482. Reprehends the King for sending for a Legate into England, to the prejudice of his Dignity and the public, 485. The Archbishop of Yorks contest with him for precedency in the Council of London under the Pope's Legate; ruled for Canterbury, 487. Goes to Rome, though recalled by the Pope's Legate: A sentence there given against him for the Monks of Rochester touching their Bishop's election, and in the cause of the Earl of A●undel; condemned in about 1000 Marks costs, his sentence reversed, 498, 499. Otto and the King his enemies, Ib. Obtains a privilege to the prejudice of the Monks of Canterbury; deposeth the Prior, and enjoins penance to the Monks, for interlining, rasing, burning a Deed of Privilege; Interdicts the Chapter, nulls the Prior's election, as made in an undue place, and without his consent, 499, 500 His Charter, composition with the Monks and Monastery of St. Augustine's to secure their privileges, by his lodging in it, whiles the Legate lay in his Palace, 499, 500, 792. His and his Suffragans complaints of the injuries, oppressions done to the Church by the King's ill Counsel and Pope's Legate, against his Oath, Charter, frequent promises and excommunications, 544. Earl Richard bewails the desolation of the Kingdom to him, by the Pope's Legates ill council and exactions, 546. Yields to the Pope's intolerable exactions, which he at first opposed: Complained to the Pope by Messengers, Letters, of the Kings detaining Cathedral, Conventual Churches long in his hands, hindering their free elections. Procured a Bull for money, that the Archbp of the place should present to them after 6. months' voidance; which the King caused the Pope to revoke, as contrary to his prerogative, 563. whereupon being exceedingly grieved, he resolved to imitate Becket, reprehended the King, voluntarily banished himself into France, to the Abbey where Becket sojourned, weary of his life, addicting himself to fasting, prayers, tears: falls sick, dies, p. 563, 564. 698. The Legate absolved those he excommunicated, against the privilege of his See, 564. His Executors by the Kings Writ permitted to dispose of his goods according to his will, and to call all his▪ Bailiffs to account for the Rents, 576. The Corn, fruits, provisions of the Archbishopric during the vacancy after his death, sent into France to victual the King's forces, 579. The King blamed by the French as the banisher, persecuter of this holy Bishop, 591. The King dreaded not his Sentence of Excommunication, but violated his promise, Charter, notwithstanding it, 611. His Miracles attested by many Archbishops, his Canonization moved for in the Council of Lions, but deferred then by the Pope, 642, 644. Canonised by the Pope for a Saint, 685. A Chapel built at Westminster for his honour, 686, 697, 698. Reputed austere, furious by his Suffragans, 740. Applauded after his death, 773, 926. The disinherited Barons in the Isle of E●y pleaded, they firmly held the Articles of Faith they had learned from him, and other Bishops, 1022. Supposed by Boniface to have put his Church into great debts, p. 683, 684. Boniface: elected Archbishop by the Monks, though a foreigner, unknown, unfit for such a trust, to please the King and Pope, 579. 721. 724. 726. The King's Charter, Testimonial of his due election, sufficiency, under his Great Seal, sent to Bishops and Abbots to subscribe, which many refused; yet others subscribed under their hands, seals, to please men, rather than God, 579, 580. The King's Letters, Proctors to the Pope, Cardinals for his confirmation; whereupon he was confirmed, 580, 581, 582. Confirmed the Bishop elect of Norwich before his consecration, 583. The Bishop of Winton excommunicated during the vacancy, for intruding after Boniface his election, before his confirmation of him, appealed against to the Archbps Official to defend the rights of the Crown, 589, 590. His Letters to procure peace between the King and Bishop elect of Winton, ineffectual, 593. His Suffragans preserve the rights of his See against the Monks of Canterbury in his absence, 600. The Prince of North-wales excommunicated by Boniface, for breaking his Charter, Oath to King H. 3. notwithstanding the Pope's absolution; His Letters to the Welsh Bishops to execute his excommunication, 608, 600, 610. 976, 977. 1013, 1014. Sent Proctors to Parliament in his absence, 613. 632. Rejected the Bishop of Chester and Cicester duly elected and approved by the King, substituted another without the King's consent, who much incensed at it, charged him with ingratitude and violations of his prerogative, 623, 625, 626. Degenerates from his predecessors, oppressed, pillaged his Church, Suffragans by Taxes, brought it deeply in debt, to maintain his Brother's wars and bribe the Pope, 626, 634, 683, 684, 685, 741, 754, 773, 790 He is consecrated at Lions, to the great damage of the Realm, and Pope's advantage, 627, 721. The Pope grants him an aid, which the King prohibits Abbots and Priors to pay, being granted without his consent, 634. Neglects, absents himself from his Church, Cure, residing beyond Sea in the Pope's Wars, to the irreparable damage of the Church, 627, 642, 645, 721, 740, 770, 829, 849. Procured an unheardof grant of the first-fruits of all benefices within his province, to pay his Church's debts; which the King confirmed, Bishops oppose; for which he excommunicated the Bishops, who were forced to submit, ere absolved, 683, 684, 685, 718, 719. The King's mandate to his Official to allow of a Papal provision, though odious, 696. A Prohibition issued against the Pope's grant to him of the firstfruits of the benefices of Lay-patrons, 718, 719, 734, 735, 759. King Henry the 3. with several Nobles receive the Cross from his hands to aid the Holy Land, 730. Enthroned with great pomp in his See after long absence, 740. He intends to visit his province, beginning first with his Chapter of Monks at Canterbury, who durst not resist him: his severity toward them therein, 740. His extorsions in it to get money, not reform manners, 747. Intends to visit London, where his Marshal takes up purveyance like a King, Ibid. The Dean and Canons of Paul's resist his Visitation, for which he excommunicates them, Ibid. The Prior and Monks of S. Bartho●mew withstand his Visitation, as subject only to their Bishops: whereupon he furiously beat the Subprior, tore his Mitre, shed his blood in the Church, and almost crushed him to death; having a Buckler under his Robes, as if he came to fight, not to visit; His followers furiously assault the unarmed Canons, Monks, who ran to the Bishop and King to complain of the violence: The Londoners take up arms against him, whereupon he retreats to Lambeth, there revives his Excommunication, involving the Bishop of London in it as favouring the Canons and Monks; which he renews the next day at Harewes, 741, 742. The Dean, Chapter, Canons Monks complain and appeal to the Pope, the Bishop by Letter exhorts all his Diocesans to assist him against these his violent proceedings, 742, 743. Dissuaded from Visiting St. Alban, by reason of its privileges, 742. Held his Metropolitical Visitation by virtue of Pope Innocents' Decree, which limited proturations, prescribed preaching in it, prohibited coaction and exaction of any Oath, He used no Oath in his Visitations, p. 711, 743, 744. His Excommunication of the Dean and Chapter of Paul's reversed & declared null, 744, 745, 746, 762. The Bishops make a common purse, Proctor at Rome to oppose his Visitation of them, 747. He repairs to the Court of Rome with great Pomp to oppose them, the issue of it, p. 747, 748. The Bishop of London's proposals to, absolution by him, 751, 752. The Abbot's confederacy to oppose his and other Bishop's Visitations of them, 761, 762. His Visitation moderated, 762. The King's Letter to him to assent to an aid, which the Bishops and Clergy refused to grant during his absence, 767. Held his former promotions by Commenda, 766. The Kings Writ to him to promote the aid granted him by the Pope, 768, 769. The Bishops refuse to grant an aid in his absence being their Primate, the Bishops answer thereunto, 772, 773. The King's Prohibition to his Suffragans to hold pleas of Advowsons' of Churches during vacancies of Bishoprics, 782. His Official excommunicates, imprisons the intruding Prior of the Hospital of St. Thomas in Suthwark, for which the Bishop of Winchester's servants, forcibly abuse, imprison the Official; whereupon the Archbishop and his Suffragans by his command publicly excommunicated the Bishop and his Servants in the Arches at Oxford, and elsewhere, who contemn his censures, p. 785, to 789. His Suffragans appeal against, oppose his Visitation of them, the contests, bribes at Rome concerning it, 789, 790. He burned the Pope's Letters against his visitation of the Monks of Canterbury with indignation, before he had fierce read them, p. 791. Pope Innocents' Decrees concerning it, procurations, exemptions from it, p. 790, 791, 792, 793, 794. He sent to the King with other Bps by the Parl▪ to importune him, that the Church might enjoy her Liberties, especially her freedom of elections; with the King's sharp answer to them to resign their Bishoprics as unfit for, unworthy of them, and ungrateful to him their advancer, 795, 796. His and his Suffragans Excommunication against the infringers of the Great Charter and Churches Liberties, 796, 797. His moderate Visitation of Feve●sham, Rochester, London, to gain entrance into and possession of Visiting the rest of his Province, 799. A contest between him and the Chapter of Lincola, about conferring prebend's, and the rents of the Bishop of Lincoln during the vacancy, 805, 806. The King writ to him and others to promote the Dimes for the Holy Land, 807. A Writ for him to receive the Aids, Escuage due from the Bishopric of Rochester as Patron thereof, 818, 819. Claimed the Aids for making the King's son a Knight, marrying his daughter, and return of the King's Writs in all the Fees of the Bishop of Rochester, p. 819. Obliged his Church in above 15000. Marks to the Pope; commands his woods to be cut down, sold, to help defray it, p. 826. Oppresseth the Bishop of Rochester by power; Writs to stay suits between them till heard by the King and Nobles; a Bull and Legat sent about it, p. 825 843, 928, 929, 930, 941, 942. The Bps Answer to the Popes. Legates demands deferred, by reason of his absence beyond the Seas, 823, 824, 849. His brother's ill success in his Wars maintained by his rapine in England, 848, 849. Returns into England, summons a Council, that like the Martyr Thomas he might encounter the Enemies, Rebels of the Church, and be a wall of defence to it, 890. The King's prohibitions to him and the Bishops not to meet in this Council; which they contemn, 890, 891. Their Treasonable Articles, Canons made in that Council, against the King's Prerogative Ecclesiastical and Temporal, his Temporal Judges, Courts, Laws, Prohibitions, Writs, Judgements, exempting of themselves, Clerks, Officers, Lands, Goods from their secular Jurisdictions, Judicatures; decreeing Interdicts, Excommunications against the King, his Judge, Officers Lands, Castles, Lay-Subjects, for which Liberties they resolved to contend to death, 890, to 912. The Archbishop forced by the King, Barons to fly the kingdom for these Constitutions, against which they complained, appealed, sent, their Proctors to Rome: Which Constitutions are yet printed in Lyndewode, A●on, urged for the Canon Law of this Realm, though nulled, 911, 912, 983, 989, 990, 991. Not permitted to return into England unless he would reverse his illegal Excommunications, disturbing the kingdom's peace, act nothing concerning the weighty affairs of the Church or Realm, but by advice of the greater and sincerer part of his Suffragans, and other discreet persons of the Realm; engage that upon his return, or during his stay in England, neither he not any of his Clerks should bring any Messages, Letters, Mandates, or other thing, nor do or procure by themselves or others, ought to the prejudice of the King, kingdom, nor carry or send any thing out of it, but in cases of necessity, by approbation of the King's Council, 997, 998. A Writ to him for a Collection for the Church of Colen, wherein the three Kings were interred, 912, 913. The King's prohibition to him not to consecrate the Bishop elected by the Monks of Ely whom he disapproved, his appeal against, and Writ to examine it, 922, 923. nulled at Rome by the King, him, and a new Bishop elected Ibid. 924. His Official refuseth to admit the King's Clerk, whereupon another is commanded by Writ to do it in his default, 955, 956. A Writ to stay all proceedings at Law in his suit, for return of Writs, till heard by the King and Council, 970. A prohibition to him and his Official not to cite any Clerk presented by the King by the Pope's authority to appear out of the Realm, 980, 981. The Kings Writ to his Tenants to aid him to pay the debts pretended he had contracted for his Church's Liberties, 992 A Prohibition to him not to distrain the King's Chaplains for Dimes, 996. The Kings Writ to him to appoint some Bishop of England to consecrate the Bishop elect of Bath and Wells, who could not come to him to be consecrated beyond Sea; his refusal thereof, with the Kings second Writ and displeasure thereon, taxing him of ingratitude, commanding his present return under pain of severe proceedings against him, 998, 999. The profits, goods of his Archbishopric forcibly seized on during the Baron's Wars, Writs of enquiry issued thereupon to protect and secure them, 1000, 1001, 1004. Writs to him and his Official to constrain the Bishop of Hereford by Ecclesiastical censures to reside at his Church, discharge his Episcopal Office, to prevent seizure of his Temporalties, and King's proceedings, 1011, 1012. Canons for it, 1041. A Writ to inquire what Lands had been alienated, given by the King without the Archbishop's consent, or detained from his Church against the Privileges thereof, 1033. A Writ to the Collectors of the Dimes within his Diocese, to hasten their collection, 1034. To repay moneys out of the Disme, borrowed of him by Prince Edward to repair Dover Castle, 1036. A Writ concerning the account of the Dimes of his Diocese, 1052, 1053. Writs to preserve the Archbishop's right in the Priory of St. Martin's Dover, immediately subject to the Archbishop, against the Prior and Covent of Canterbury's encroachments thereon, 1060, 1061. His ignominious, wretched, scandalous, long Archiepiscopal life; his death beyond the Seas, the great inundations at Canterbury about that time, 1061. William de Chilenden, by the Kings licence elected by the Monks, not approved by the King, but appealed against; persuaded by Pope Urban to relinquish his election, 1061, 1062. whereupon the Pope conceiving the right of conferring the Archbishopric to be devolved to him, like his predecessors out of the plenitude of his power appointed Robert Kilwaraby (Provincial of the Freers Minorites in England) to be Archbishop; upon which the Monks to preserve their right of Elections, pro forma elected him Archbishop, 1062. The Prior on the day of his consecration demanded 3000. Marks, spent in the election of Chilenden, the Pope promised he should pay, who by threats made him abate 1300 l. Ibid. 1063. He refused to confirm, consecreate Dr. More Bishop of Winchester elect, because he had two Benefices, contrary to the Canons of the Council of London, 1063. Robert Kilwardby, and his Successors John Peckham, Walter Reynolds, John Stratford, Simon 〈◊〉 p, William Courtney, Thomas Arundel, Thomas Bourg●h●r, Joha Marton, and others, (like Boniface) exacted no Oath in their Visitations, and Inquiries in them, p. 711. according to Pope Innocent the 4. his Constitutions, p. 743, 744. Chester, Coventry and Litchfield Bishopric, Bishop's Commissioners for enquiry of damages suffered by the exiled Bishops within ●, p. 280. William de Cornhull, sent with King john's offers to the Barons, p 347. A recognition before him and other Bishops by the Bishop of Norwich, p. ●81. A Writ prohibiting the Archbishop's Officials Usurpations on the King's rights, rents during its vacancy after his death, p. 388 Alexander de Savenesby, consecrated at Rome, p. 392. sent by the King to Rome with others to appeal against the Monk's election of Walter to be Archbishop of Canterbury, which the King disallowed, and Pope vacated, p. 418, 419, 420. rebuked openly in Parliament by King Henry 3. for having too much familiarity with the Earl Marshal, and endeavouring to deprive him of his Crown; his indignation and Excommunication denounced thereupon, p. 443. joiner with Archbishop Edmund and others in reprehending, menacing to Excommunicate the King, p. 443, 444. sent by the King with others into Wales, to mediate Peace between the King, Earl Marshal, and Prince of Wales, p. 445. The Pope's message sent by him to the King, for recalling Peter Bishop of Winchester, his answer and Writ to him concerning it, p. 457. William de Raele, elected by the Monks and Canons of Litchfield too, refused it, being elected to Norwich about the same time, p. 510, 511. Nicholas Farnham thereupon elected by the Monks, but the Dean of Litchfield by the Canons, who at last consented to Farnhams election, who peremptorily refused the Bishopric, p. 510, 511, 565. Hugh de Pateshull, a Writ to him to inquire how many Benefices, Prebendaries were in his Diocese, how many of them were conferred on Aliens by Popes or Legates Provisions, with the persons names, values, p. 573. Pope Innocent absolveth the Prince of Northwoles from the Charter, Oath, Excommunication of the Bishop of Coventry and others, to whose censure he submitted himself in case he violated them to King Henry 3. p. 608, 609. A persecutor of the Monks his electors, till his death, p. 624. The Monks forcibly dispersed by the King, forced to fly to other Monasteries during the vacancy, p. 624. William de Monte Pessulano, after his death, elected by the Monks, his praise, p. 624, 625. resigns his election to the King, because he and some of the Canons opposed it, p. 624, 625, 627. Roger de Weseham, elected by the major part, by the Bishop of Lincoln's means, against the King's consent; allowed, consecrated by the Pope at Lions; Richard Keeper of the Great Seal, whom the King recommended (elected by some few) put by, at which the King was highly displeased, p. 625, 626, 627. The King detains his Temporalties a long time for this affront, but at last by the Pope's mediation restored them, p. 627, 687. The King presents to the Church of St. Michael Coventry, appropriated without his licence during the vacancy; The Vicar citys his Clerk before the Pope's Delegates, placed force in the Church to keep him out, which the Sheriff by the King's order removing, some were wounded; for which the Bishop Excommunicating the Sheriff and his Officers, the King issued Writs to the Bishop to absolve them, and to the Pope's Delegates, Vicar, others, not to prosecute the suit, p. 687, 688, 689. A Prohibition to him and his Proctors not to exact Subsidies from, or exercise any Jurisdiction in the King's Free Chapels within his Diocese, p. 724, 735. Not to grant Administration of the goods of Clerks intestate debtors to the King, till the debt satisfied, p. 782. joins with Archbishop Boniface in Excommunicating the Bishop of Winchester's servants for their force on his Official, p. 786. his absence from Parliament excused by sickness, p. 795. Writs to him for the business of the Cross, and collection of Dimes, p. 807, 814. voluntarily resigned his Bishopric, p. 851, 925. Roger de Molend the King's Nephew elected by the Monks, approved by the King, though he recommended his Treasurer to them, p. 925. A Writ to him to sequester the Ecclesiastical livings of John Waterand in his Diocese, who refused to account to the King, p. 978. A difference concerning a presentation to Cestreton Church, referred to him by Writ, p. 993. Writs for collecting the Dimes in this Diocese, p. 1033, 1034. A Prohibition to him not to exercise any Jurisdiction in the Church of All Saints Derby, being the King's Free Chapel, p. 1047. Cicester, Chichester Bishopric, Bishops. Commissioners to inquire damages done in it to the exiled Bishops, p 278. A licence to the Dean and Chapter to elect a Bishop in the presence of certain persons entrusted by the King, p. 348. Ralph de Nevil, Chancellor to King Henry 3. elected Archbishop of Canterbury, rejected by the Pope for his stoutness and opposition to King John's Charter of resignation, 293, 294, 431. The Pope's Delegate in the case between the Abbot of Glastonbury, and Bishop of Bath and Wells, 357. Present in the Parliament at Merton, and Lords vote concerning Bastardy, 472. The Monks of Winchester require, nominate him for their Bishop, in opposition to Ethelmar whom the King recommended, for which he incurred the King's displeasure, who put him from his Chancellorship, which he repented soon after, 501, 510. A Writ to him and other Bishops concerning the Privileges of Canterbury, 600. his death, 613. Robert Passeleve the King's Treasurer, elected by the Canons, approved by the King, rejected by the Bishop of Lincoln and Archbishop Boniface as insufficient, 625, 626, 627. Ralph de Withz presently substituted in his place by the Bishop of Lincoln's means, without the King's assent; who very angry at the affront, commanded him and his to be kept out of the City, detained the Temporalties a long time in his hands, restored them after much mediation and submission at last, 625, 626, 627. Consecrated at Lions by the Pope, 627. A Writ to him to unlock the barns of a Clerk sequestered, or else the Sheriff to break them open, 718, 719. Present in the Parliament at London, where he denies an Aid to the King, 721. A Prohibition to him not to hold plea of a Debt then pending in the Exchequer, 757. To take the account of the Bishop of Winchester concerning Compositions for absolutions from the Cross, 758. Appointed by the King with others to preach up a Croysado, 766, 797, 806, 807. Consents with the Bishop of Lincoln in opposing a Disme to the King, though granted by the Pope, 771, 772 join with Archbishop Boniface in excommunicating the Bishop of Winchester and his servants, 786. The King's Letter to the Pope in his behalf, for his good service in preaching the Cross, 797. Expenses allowed him for it, with Writs concerning this service, 815, 816. John Clipping, summoned by the King to St. Edward's Feast at Westminster, 826. Writs to the Collectors of Dimes in this Diocese, 917, 1050, 1051. Stephen, with three other Bishops▪ summons all exempt Abbots and other Religious persons to Oxford, to know whether they would stand to and defend the Baron's Ordinances, 954. Excommunicated by the Pope's Legate for adhering to the Barons against the King; goes to Rome to the Pope to purchase his absolution and peace, 1018, 1021. a Writ of safe conduct for his going and returning to answer Articles against him for it, before the Pope's Legate, 1020, 1021, 1023. Subscribes a Writ to remove a Lay force from a Prebendary, with the King's Council and other Bishops, 1005. D. St. david's, or Menevia Archbishopric, Bishopric, Archbishops, Bishops. ST. David translates the Archbishopric of Wales from Coerlegion to St. David's, 234, 235. what Bishops were Suffragans to it, K. H. 2. subduing Wales subjected it and all its Suffragans to Canterbury, Ibid. St. David, first Archbishop thereof after its translation by him to Menevia, 234. 2● Archbishops after him therein, using a Pall and plenaty Archiepiscopal Jurisdiction, Ibid▪ Samson, the last of the 24 Archbishops, carried his Pall ●● Dole in Brittany; 19 Archbishops succeeded him therein, using Archiepiscopal Jurisdiction, but without a Pall, 234, 235. Wilfrid Bishop thereof after Wales subduing by K. H. 2. p. 235. Bernard, made Bishop by K. H. 2. compelled by him to receive his consecration from, make his profession of subjection to the See of Canterbury, and to take an Oath not to raise any contention concerning the Archbishopric thereof against Canterbury, 235. which Oath he violates after K. H. 2 his death; appeals to Rome to revive the Archbishopric, but hath sentence given against him by Pope Eugenius, Ibid. Gilardus, or Geofry Archdeacon of Brechon, made Bishop thereof by the Pope's Provision, endeavours to revive the Archbishopric; opposed both in his design and provision by King John and Hubert Archbishop of Canterbury, put by his Bishopric, forced to quit his Archdeaconry, Writs prohibiting any to own or assist him as Bishop, declared a public enemy to the King, and the rights of his Crown, 234, to 238, 778. William Abbot of Dogmael, elected, approved, consecrated Bishop in his stead; the King's Writs issued to all in his Diocese to assist, receive him, and oppose Gilardus, 230, to 237, 778. Hugo Foliot, the King's Writs to the Bishop of Hereford, and Dean and Chapter of St. David's, to elect him Bishop, (yet not elected that I find) 355, 356. Alh●lmus, died of grief, his Bishopric being wasted by K. H. 3. his Wars on the Welsh, 726. Thomas Wallensis Archdeacon of Lincoln (a Welshman) elected, approved by the King, accepted of it when poor, wasted by the Wars, 726. Present in Parliament, joins with the other Bishops in denouncing the Excommunication against the infringers of the Church's Liberties, and Magna Charta, An. 1253. p. 796. Collectors of Dimes in that Diocese, 917. Archbishop Bonaface his Letters to the Bishop of St. David's, to execute his sentence of Excommunication against Lewellin Prince of Wales, for breaking his Truce with, Oath to K H. 3. by invading England, 976, 977. Richard Curren, his complaint to K. H. 3. of violence offered to the persons, possessions, goods of Clergymen in his Diocese, and Kings Writs prohibiting such violence for the future, 996, 997. A Writ to him diligently to collect the Dimes in his Diocese, 1034. Dunolm, Durham Bishopric, Bishops. Commissioners to inquire in it of the exiled Bishops damages, p. 281. Hugo Pinsac, four Churches in the Bishopric of Durham granted by K H. 1. and appropriated with his consent to Carlisle, 376. his royal house in London, the Pope's Legate lodged in it, 494. pronounced a sentence of condemnation against Earl John, exiled for Treason against K. Rich. 1. Appendix p. 18. Philip of Poicters, his appeal against the Archbishop of Yorks Excommunication, proceedings, the King's Patent attesting it, 242. Adhered to King John against the Pope and Archbishop Langeton, for which he suffered afterwards, 254, 265. The King recommended Richard de Marisco, or the Bishop of Norwich to the Monks of Durham, who though seconded by the Pope's Letters to them and his Legate, they notwithstanding in contempt of the King, elected the Dean of Sarum by unanimous consent, under all their hands, seals, and presented him to the Pope's Legate: The Pope to please the King deferred his confirmation, because elected without his licence or assent, 353, 354. his Legate at last intruded Richard de Marisco on them, though elected to Winton, 382. the contests between him and the Monks, their complaints against him, the Pope's Commission to examine and redress them, 382, 383, 388, 389. A Prohibition to his Officers not to hold Plea in his Courts, not used in the King's predecessors times, or belonging not to him in right of his Bishopric, nor use any Liberty therein contrary to the King's Crown and Dignity, which his predecessors used not; till discussed in the King's Courts, whether such Writs or Liberties belong to him, p. 388. His sudden death, Epitaph, torments in Hell, p. 404, 405. After his decease the Monks petitioning the King for a licence to elect, he recommended Luke his Chaplain to them with much earnestness; his answer they should have no Bishop for 7. years, unless they would elect Luke: yet they elected William Archdeacon of Winchester; whom the King refused, and appealed against: after two years spent at Rome, the Monk's election was canceled, Luke put by, and Richard Bishop of Sarum made Bishop by the Pope's favour, p. 405, 406, 418. A Commissioner in the North, to inquire who broke up the Romans barns, forcibly took their goods, and to send them to Rome to be punished besides, without any appeal, 436, 437. Present in the Parliament at Merton, when Bastardy by the Common Law was settled against the Canons, 472. His death; the King's licence to the Monks to choose a New Bishop, p. 483. Thomas Prior of Durham elected; the King appeals, constitutes Proctors against it, p. 497. The Monk's prosecuting his confirmation at Rome, are delayed, ●●● of grief, sickness, plague; and he despairing of success quits his Election; thereupon a New licence to elect is petitioned for, granted, p. 565. Nicholas Farnham, elected, refused it, till conjured by Bishop Grosthead to accept it; the King approved, confirmed him, 565, 566. A Writ to him to inquire and certify how many Benefices were in his Diocese, and how many provisions granted to Aliens by Popes, Legates, or others, p. 573. One of the Pope's delegates to absolve the Bishop of Lincoln and his Subjects from the Monks of Canterburyes sentences against them, 599. Consecrated at Gloucester where the King and Queen were present, his profession of subjection to the Archbishop of York, 623. Cured of his incurable disease by drinking some of St. Edmund's hair, Ibid. A Writ not to remove from Durham notwithstanding his summons to Parliament, or to attend on the Archbishop elect of Canterbury, or any other occasion whatsoever till further order, by reason of danger in those parts, 632. He oppresseth by his Episcopal power the Prior and Monks of Tynemuth by distresses, notwithstanding the King's trebled request on their behalf; Charged with high ingratitude by the King; a Prohibition issued to him; ordered to pay damages to the Prior, sharply reprehended by the King, p. 715, 716. Falling into an incurable disease resigned his Bishopric, reserving 3. Manors only during his life; the King seizeth the rest, 623, 624. A Writ declaring that after his resignation he was not obliged to pay his predecessors Debts, nor to be distrained for them, 728. His death, 924. Walter de Kirkham, his Successor, endeavours by the Pope's power to resume the 3. Manors reserved by Nicholas upon his resignation; the Pope's reprehension, and his infamy for it, p. 761, 924. The King's Writs to him to promote the preaching and business of the Cross, collect the monies raised by, and publish the Indulgences granted him by the Pope to such who took it up, 767, 768▪ present in the Parliament o● 37 H. ●. and Excommunication publicly denounced against the infringers of the Church's Liberties and Great Charter, 796, 797. Assaulted, abused, 4. of his servants forcibly imprisoned by John de Boylol his Brother and complices, for excommunicating, imprisoning some of his Servants by a Capias Excommunicatum: His Complaint thereof to the King, Writs issued thereupon to release the Bishop's servants, and punish this Ri●●, 826, 827. A Writ to him to show what right he had to the sequestration of Churches in his Diocese, belonging to the Bishop of Carlisle, p. 942, 972. A Writ to the Bishop of Durham for his ●fficials citing 40. Burgesses of Newcastle out of the Town, compelling them to appear on their Citations from day to day, and take Oaths at their pleasure against their wills by Ecclesiastical censures, to their improverishiment, vexation; such proceedings prohibited as insufferable; which the King would speedily redress by advice of his Nobles in his default, p. 969, 970. A Writ of Inquiry who took away a Whale cast on shore in the Lands of the Bishop of Durham during the Temporalties in the King's hands, 982. E. Ebor. York Archbishopric, Archbishops. COmmissioners in it for the damages of the exiled Bishops, p. 28. William his elec●ion nulled by the Pope, and Henry Murdac elected to it by his means, p. 778. Geoffry plantagenet: Opposeth a Tax to King John; Excommunicates the Sheriff of York, beats his servants for levying it, 230, 231. His goods, temporalties seized, he summoned for those contempts and others; whereupon he submits to a fine; absolves the Sheriff and his assistants, is reconciled to the King, Ibid. He excommunicates the Archdeacon of Richmond, interdicts some of his Churches, who complains thereof to the King, Pope, 231. The King's protection to the Archdeacon, and Pope's Epistle to Geoffry to absolve him, p. 231, 232. His Contempt of the Pope's authority, and appeals to him, 232. Confers the Church of Meleburn on the Archbishop of Messana, Bishop of Karliol, for his relief, at the Pope's request, 241. The King's protection to the Dean and Chapter of York whom he prosecuted, oppressed by force; Writs to remove his force, 241, 242. Appeals of the Bishop of Durham, sundry Abbots, Priors before the King, against his Excommunications, Suspentions, Interdicts, his Patent concerning them, 242. Contradicts a new aid granted to the King paid by all others: excommunicates all who should levy it in his Diccesse, with all invaders of the Church's Liberties, departs the Realm privately, without licence, 242, 243. His temporalties, goods seized, himself banished, for this contempt, He dies in exile 7. years after, Ibid. Simon Langeton Archdeacon of Canterbury, Archbishop Stephen's Brother, elected by his means against the King's licence and express prohibition; rejected by the King, Pope, as an enemy to the King and kingdom: p. 293, 348, 349, 350. Pope Innocents' Epistle to the Chapter against his Election, & to go to a new one, who justify Simons, Ib. See Index 6. Walter Grey Bishop of worcester, recommended by the King, rejected at first, after elected, approved, 349, 350. Receives his Pall, for which he was obliged in the Court of Rome in 10000 l. p. 350. A Prohibition to him not to admit a Clerk till the Title tried in the King's Court, 388, 389. Proctors appointed to prosecute the King's appeal before him against the Bishop of durham's election, 497, 565. His Licence demanded by the King for his Judges to take Oaths and try causes in prohibited times by the Canons, 407. A Writ to him concerning the Church of Newcastle, and Bishop of Carlisl●, 421. To inquire, excommunicate those who broke open the Romans barns, spoilt their goods, and send them to Rome for absolution, without any appeal, 436, 437. A Contest between him & the Archbp of Canterbury for precedency in the Council at Lnodon; pacified, ruled against him, 487. Sat on the Legates left hand placed in the King's Throne on St. Edward's feast, and the King on the right, 570. A Writ to certify how many Benefices were in his Diocese, with their values, and how many provisions granted to aliens by the Pope, his Legates or others, with their names, what monies were collected by the Pope's agents, what in arrear; and to collect, reserve it till further order, 573. A Patent to him constituting a Proctor for the King in a Synod of the Bishops and Clergy at Oxford, to appeal, prohibit that they should not presume to act or ordain any thing against the King's Crown and Dignity, 578. A Writ to him and others not to permit the Prior and Covent of Trinity Cant. to act any thing new or unusual, to disturbance of the Clergy or Realm, 578, 579, 600. One of the Guardians of the Realm in the King's absence, A Writ to him and the Bishop of Carlisle in that capacity, not to suffer any Monks of Bardeney excommunicated by the Bishop of Lincoln or his Officials after their appeal, to be taken; to seize all the benefices of the Abbey of Bardeny for the King's use during the vacancy thereof, 599, 600. To confer benefices of the King that fell in England on Clerks of the Chancery, and those in his service beyond the Seas, and on particular persons, 601, 602. To take security of Ma●gery Sister of the Earl of Warwick, who held of the King not to marry without his licence, 602. To prohibit an Archdeacon to exact an annual procurations not formerly paid, 602. To assemble all the Cistercian Abbots to give an aid to the King, who refuse it, p. 603. His Proctors in the Parliament at London, 613. Consecrates Nicholas de Fernham Bishop of Durham at Gloucester, who made a formal profession of Obedience and Canonical subjection to him and his successors of York by Charter, to be reserved in his Treasury, 623. The King's licence to him to dispose of his goods and corn sown on his Bishopric by will, without impediment of his Executors by the King or his heirs, 636. Consults with other Bishops about the desolation of the Church, the election of a Pope, who appoint special prayers and fasts throughout England, to supply the destitute Church of Rome with a fit Pastor, 648. Present at the General Parliament at London, complains of the King's violation of the Church's Liberties and free Elections, keeping bishoptics and Abbeys long vacant, 721. A provisor for the Bishop of Durham when he resigned his Bishopric, and reserved 3. Manors during li●e, 724. A Writ to him to preach the Cross, and collect all moneys arising thence for the King's voyage, and lay it up safely till further order from the Pope and others, 767. A Writ to him to preach the Cross and publish the privileges granted to those who took it up, who were to have speedy justice in all Courts as far forth as the Laws permitted, 769. Absent from the Parliament summoned to aid the King, 770, 806. The Bishops deny to give an aid during his and Canterbury's absence, who were their primates, 772. A Prohibition to stay proceedings in case of wreck, till his coming into England, 783. Avoided the King's Counsils as much as might be, came not to his Parliaments, as remote and old, 795. the election of a successor deferred long by the King after his death, 817, 962, 963, 964. who prefers John Mansell to the Treasurership of it during the vacancy, 804, 962. Sewall Dean of York elected, approved by the King, 813. Collectors of the Disme in the Province of York named in Parliament, 814. Writs to them 917. Sewal Interdicted, vexed in the Court of Rome, publicly excommunicated, for opposing Jordan his fraudulent intrusion into the Deanery of York by a provision from Pope Alexander, p. 850, 851. 926, 927. His election opposed by the King, confirmed by the Pope, consecrated by his dispensaon at York by his Suffragans, obtained his Pall against the Kings will, 852. Patiently endured the Pope's Tyranny, Excommunication; Opposed, declaimed against his provisions, inveighes against the Injustice of the Pope; Court of Rome; appeals the Pope before the Supreme Judge, writes to and against him, desires absolution; the Pope derides his Letters, monitions; his death, 926, 927. the King wastes the Bishopric during the vacancy after his death, 928. Godfrey de Kynton, One of the King's Nuntioes and Proctors to the Pope touching the Kingdom of Sicily, 946, 947. Travels to Rome and is there consecrated, carries his Cross openly through London; gratefully received by the King, 853, 854. Joyfully received at York; yet interdicted the whole City soon after, 954. The King's Letter to the Archbishop's tenants of Rippoa and Octeley, to contribute a competent aid to the Archbishop to defray the debts of his Church, which were great, and like to undo it, 977. A Writ to him to sequester the profits of the Church of Middleton to pay the Encumbents debts according to an agreement which he violated, 978. A Patent to him to inquire of such who spoilt the goods and benefices of Clerks during the Troubles, and give them competent satisfaction concerning their injuries and complaints, 1003, 1004. A Writ to him speedily to collect the Disme granted him in Parliament for defence of the Realm, in his Diocese, to prevent the levying it by his Sheriff and Bailiffs, which he must be necessitated to, though he tendered the Church's Liberties, 1006 1007. A Writ to him not to levy the Disms of the King Clerks who attended on him in his march towards the Sea against the enemy, according to agreement of the Prelates and Nobles of his Council then with him, 1007. His Barony seized for not sending horse and arms to the King upon summons, 1008. The Sheriff of York overacting therein, seizing the goods, ransoming, imprisoning some of his Tenants, contrary to the Kings Writ and intent, who issued a Writ to deliver the goods, ransoms taken, and enlarge the persons, 1009. His death, Ibid. William de Langton, elected after his death, the Pope nulled his election because he had a plurality of benefices, and by provision translated Walter Grace (his Chaplain) Bishop of Bath and Wells to i●; who carried his Cross magnificently before him through London, p 1009, 1110. 1029. One of the King's Council, a Mortgage of Crown Lands to him for the King's voyage to the Holy Land 1037. William Rotheram, the King's Patent of his Royal assent to his election signified to the Pope, 1011. Grants an annuity of 80 marks per annum to a Cardinal, till he should promote him to a benefice of 100 l. by the year, 2 Prebendaries awarded to secure it ratified by the King's patent p. 1039. Ely Bishopric, Bishops. Eustace, the Popes Delegatd in the contests between the King, Archbp. Abbot, Monks of St. Augustine's Canterbury about the Church of Feversham: his award made therein, a prohibition to him, Appendix 6. to 26. Pope Innocents' Epistle to him, 232. Sent into France, 303. The Kings Writ to him not to prejudice the Church of York by any thing acted during the discord between the King and Archbishop, 233. One of the Pope's Delegates to admonish King John to receive Archbishop Langeton, to interdict the Realm if he refused to do it; his proceedings and Kings answer therein, his flight after the Interdict into foreign parts, He and his kindred banished, his goods, temporalties seized for his Treasons, disloyalty, excommunicating, procuring, pronouncing the King's deprivation from his Crown by the Pope, 251, 252, 253, 254, 257, 258, 259, 262, 264, 265, 267, 268, 270. Pope's Legates mediation for his restitution to his Bishopric, profits, damages during his exile, the later refused by the King, 263, 264. The King enforced to yield, swear, covenant to do it, and resign his Crown at last, His and the Nobles Letters, Patents, Covenants to that purpose, 271, 272, 277, 278, 279, to 283. Pope's Commissioner to suspend the Bishops, Clerks adhering to K. John, 334, 335. Robert Bishop Elect only, A witness to King John's Charter of resignation, Homage to the Pope, 290. and to the grant of the Patronage of Rochester Bishopric to the Archbishop, 339. His Treason against King John, and King H. 3. in stirring up the French King against them; the King's Complaints, Letter against him to the Pope, not to admit him to the Bishopric being a Traitor, and the Isle of Ely of great strength, consequence to the kingdom: whereupon his election was nulled, 374, 375, 379. John Abbot of Fontain, p. 379. A Delegate of the Pope to examine and certify the abuses, excesses of the Bishop of Durham against the Monks, and proceedings therein, p. 383, 384 An Inquisition upon Oath of the several Liberties, Franchises within certain Hundreds, granted to him, 397, 398. Geoffry de Burgo; his death, 421. Hugh Abbot of Burgh, elected, approved by King H. 3. 421. The Pope's Commissioner to examine the canonicalnesse of the election of John Abbot of St Alban, and give him the new Oath of Fealty to the Church of Rome, 459, 460. His proceedings, Letters thereupon, 463, 464, 465. Present in the Parliament of Morton, and Vote concerning Bastardy, against the Canon Law, 472. A Writ to certify the King how many benefices, Provisions were in his Diocese, and by and to whom the provisions were granted, 573. A Writ to pro●ect him from the Priors and Monks of Canterbury's encroachments during that Sea's vacancy, 600. Excuseth his absence from the Council of Lions by age and sickness, 638. Pope Gregory's Bull to him, revoking the provision of the Church of Moduna, and the Cardinal's Bull against it, 650. Summoned to S. Edward's feast at ●●stminster, his fair suspended during it, 715. A Writ to the Sheriff of Cambridge, not to hold any Plea within this Bishop's Liberty otherwise then was wont, 720. Present in Parliament, complains with others against the Kings invading the Church's Liberties, 721. Bestows the Church of Debam on Rob. Pasleleve, for which he incurred the King's displeasure, 729. The Kings Writ to him to promote the preaching of the Cross, and raising moneys thereby, 767. To publish the Pope's indulgences to those who took up the Cross, 768. join in denouncing the Excommunication against the intruders on the Church's Liberties and Great Charter, 796, 797. His death, and Kings seizing his Temporalties, 820. The King's Licence petitioned for, granted to elect a New Bishop, 922, 923. Hugh Basham elected by the Monks, the King's refusal of him, his Prohibition to the Archbishop not to confirm or consecrate him, his appeals, Proctors against his election; which is vacated, 922, 923. The King order the woods to be cut down during the vacancy, 923, 928. Adam de Morisco, upon a new licence elected by the Monks, rejected, held because a mere Monk, insufficient by the King, who recommended Henry de wingham his Chancellor to them, 923, 924. He thereupon travels to Rome, is there confirmed notwithstanding the Kings and Archbishop's opposition, Ibid A difference between the King and him about goods generally devised, granted to the King by the Pope for the Holy Land, prohibitions and proceedings therein, 964, 963, 966. A writ to him to sequester the Benefices of John Walerond an accountant, indebted to the King for the fruits of the vacancy of Ely and other things, 977, 978. His Barony seized for not sending horse and arms to the King upon summons, 1008. His fine and composition with the King for the Dimes of his Diocese, 1051. Exon Bishopric, Bishops. Commissioners in it to inquire of the Exiled Bishops damages, p. 280. Bartholomew, present with other Bishops at the induction of the Nuns of Fonteveroit into Ambresbery Nunnery, 228. Simon, thought fit the Barons should be excommunicated according to the Pope's command, p. 346. A licence to the Chapter of Exon to elect a Bishop after his death, in presence of some of the King's Commissioners named in it, 348. William Brewer, A Commissioner to treat a peace with France, 446, 447. In the Parliament at Merton, at the settlement of Bastardy according to Common Law against the Canons, 472. A Writ to his Official to certify the Number, values of Benefices and provisions granted in his Diocese; by and to whom, 573 A Delegate to the Pope in the cause between the Bishop of Bath and Abbot of Glaston, 578. A Prohibition to secure him and his with other Suffragans, from the Innovations, Usurpations of the Prior and Monks of Canterbury, 600. The Donation of the Deaneryes, prebend's of it belong to the King during the Bishoprics vacancy: A Writ against the Pope's provision of a Deanery in the King's gift by vacancy, as derogatory to his prerogative,, 736. Richard Blondy; A Writ to him to publish the King's graces granted to them who took up the Cross, to be freed from Usemony to Jews, etc. to be published by Freers Preachers, Minors, and other in his Diocese, 769. present at the sentence of Excommunication on the infringers of the Church's Liberties and Great Charter, 796, 797. Collectors of the Disms in his Diocese appointed in Parliament, 814. Walter Bronescombe, A Writ with the Kings, this Bishops other Bishops and Barons Teste, prohibiting all Lay-force in a Prebendary to waste, subtract the goods of Walter de Merton, 1005. One of the 6. Commissioners chosen and sworn in the Parliament at Kenelleworth, to elect 6. more indifferent persons, to establish peace between the King and others who had been in arms against him, who drew up Dictum de Kenelworth, 1019. Writs to the Collectors diligently to collect the Dimes granted to the King by the Pope in that Bishopric, 1034. H. Hereford Bishopric, Bishops. EGidius, Giles de Breuse, join with the other Bishops in interdicting the Realm, excommunicating the King's Officers, then departs with them out of England; his temporalties, goods se●●ed, he and his banished for it, 253, 254. K. John at last forced to covenant, swear to be reconciled, restore him to his Bishopric and damages by agreement with the Pope's Legate, 271, 272. The Kings and Nobles Letters of safe Conduct to him, 276, 277. his arrival in England, and reception by the King, 278, Commissions and Commissioners to inquire of, and restore his damages, 279, 280, 281, 333. One of the Pope's Commissioners to suspend those Clergymen who adhered to King John during his excommunication, and said divine service, or received benefices during the interdict, till they went to the Pope in person, and made their peace, 334, 335. Satisfaction of damages given or promised him by the King, 337, 338. A witness to King John's Charter to Archbishop Langeton of the Patronage and Royalties of the Bishopric of Rochester, 339, The Kings Writ to him to procure Hugh F●liot to be elected Bishop of St. David's, 355. Ralph de Mendeveston, present in the Parliament of Merton and resolve concerning Bastardy, 472. he resigned, and turned Monk, 509. Peter de Egeblank, (recommended to Durham, but refused, as unknown, a foreigner, insufficient) chosen, p. 565. approved by the King, consecrated at Paul's, 565. A Writ to him to certify the number, value of all Benefices, Provisions within his Diocese, by and to whom granted, 573. Popes Delegate in the case between the Bishop of Bath and Abbot of Glastonbury, 578. the Archbishop's Vicegerent, 589. Reprehends the King, and threatens to Interdict his Chapel for prosecuting the Bishop of Winton, 590, 591. The Pope's Letter to him on the Bishop of▪ Wintons behalf, and to certify him the names of those who incensed the King against him, 593. K. H. 3. solicits to have him chosen Bishop of London, yet prevails not, 623. Authorized by the Pope to grant dispensations from time to time to such Clerks of the Kings as he should think fit, to hold Pluralities, the King's Writs to him for some Clerks, 632. Authorized by Pope Innocent for 7. years to receive the first years fruits of all Benefices which shall become void within the Province of Canterbury, to levy 10000 marks, and 2000 more yearly of the Manors of the Archbishopric of Canterbury, to defray the debts of that Church, 68●. The Kings Writ to him by Freers Predicants and others, to preach, promote the business of the Cross, and collect the moneys arising by it, 767. to publish the Pope's Indulgences granted to those who took the Cross, 768. sent beyond Seas, 770. The Kings Writ to his Vicar General to grant his Clerk an Inquisition, admit him to his Church, and not endeavour to defraud him of the rights of his Crown, under pain of seizing the Bishop's Barony if he neglected to do it, 781. joins with Archbishop Boniface in excommunicating all those who seized and imprisoned his Official, 786. joins in the Excommunication of all infringers of the Church's Liberties, and Great Charter, 796. The King recommended him earnestly to the Chapter of Lincoln, to be elected after Grostbeads death, who rejected him as a foreigner, ignorant of the English tongue, a perfidious enemy to the Kingdom, intruded by secular power into the Bishopric of Hereford, living infamously in foreign parts, fatted with the milk, wool, fat of his flock committed to him, exposing them as well religious as secular to the teeth of Wolves, 805. Collectors appointed in Parliament to collect the Dimes granted the King in his Diocese, 814. His infamous detestable advice to the King and Pope, how to raise moneys to supply their wants, by obliging all the Bishops, Abbots, Prelates of England in great bonds, against their wills, without their privity, to the Pope's Usurers; by what frauds he effected it, for which his memory was execrable, 821, 822, 823, 824, 825, 844, 845, 860, 918, 1000 The Pope's proffer of the Realm of Apulia to Edmund, King H. 3. his Son, brought by this Bishop to the King; his endeavour to have the acceptance of it ratified under all Religious and other persons seals, 834. Employed in the King's service beyond Sea; the collection of Dimes due for his Commenda, respited by Writ, 825. Desires the Archbishopric of Bordeaux, whose sick Bishop's recovery defeats his hopes, 851. The prime instrument to promote, levy the Kings, Pope's exactions, 860. Fraudulently obliged in 4000 marks to the Pope's Usurers, to draw on others; which by the Pope's Bull and King's Patents he was to reimburse, with the expenses, use, out of the Cross money of England and Ireland, which he rigorously collected, 860, 861. Impowered by the Pope to interdict, suspend, excommunicate all persons who opposed the Disme, notwithstanding any appeal or exemption from it by former Bulls, 861. A Writ to his Agents to spare no Templar, Hospitaler, or Cistercian from paying Dimes for their impropriations or parish Churches, 863, 864. One of the King's Council, subscribes his Patent by Oath and promise to perform the conditions required of the King and Edmund for the Popes grant of Sicily to him, 866. Writs to the Collectors of the Cross money, Dimes in Hereford Bishopric and elsewhere, to expedite the collection, payment of it to the Pope's Usurers; contrived, made at his house in London, by him, the Pope's Legate and others, 917, 918. Takes up more moneys, binds the King in more Obligations at Rome for Sicily, than he expected; called by Writ to give an account thereof, and of all his receipts of Dimes, Cross money, and expenses in the Court of Rome, 943, 956, 958, His account thereof by the Dean of Hereford imperfect; ordered by the Nobles to make a better, to come personally into England to do it by a day, else all his Temporalties, goods to be seized, 958, 959. Summoned so show cause why he admitted a Clerk to a Benefice before the title tried, against the King's Prohibition, 971. Taken by the Barons in his Cathedral, imprisoned in Ordeley Castle, plundered of his moneys, 1000 A Nonresident from, taking no care of his Church or people's souls; the miserable desolation the King found in it; his memorable Mandate to him to reside on his Bishopric, discharge his pastoral duty in person if able, or else by Deputy, under pain of seizing his Temporalties and Revenues given to support God's service; with Writs to the Archbishop and his Official to compel him by Ecclesiastical censures to residence and his duty; wherein the negligence of Bishops, their duty, end of instituting, endowing Bishoprics, the King's care of God's service, and his people's souls, are excellently expressed, 1011, 1012. a Canon for Archbishops and Bishop's residence made thereupon, 1041. Writs to his Official for collecting the Dimes in his Diocese, 1034. the account for the Dimes thereof, and allowance of it, 1053, 1054. K. Karliol, Carlisle Bishopric, Bishops. ERected by King H. 1. who to augment its maintenance impropriated, settled four Churches on it within the Bishopric of Durbam, by the Bishop's consent, their names, 232, 375, 376, 421, 942, 970, 972. Some Privileges granted to the Archdeacon of Richmond upon its erection, to its prejudice, 232. Richer than Rochester, 766. The Archbishop of Ragusa, (forced to fly thence to save his life) made Bishop of it by King John, at the Pope's request, for his relief, who held a living in Commenda with it, 241. Hugh Abbot of B●ll●iu, the Bishop of Waterford sent for out of Ireland by the Pope's Legate to his consecration, 373, 374. his learning, fidelity to the Pope, King; Kings Letter to the Pope on his behalf, 375, 376 The poverty, desolation of it, the Churches united to it by King H. 1. alienated; desired to be reunited, confirmed; King H. 3. his Letters to the Pope, Cardinals for that end, Ibid. 377. Walter Malclerke, intended to cross the Sea at Dover without the King's licence, cast out of the Ship with his Servants, Goods, by the King's Officers, ordered not to pass over without his licence; for which the Officers were Excommunicated by the Bishop of London, who with other Bishops complained thereof to K. H. 3. resolving in the King's presence to Excommunicate all the authors of it, at which the King much murmured, 439. Present in the Parliament at Merton, and Lords resolution not to alter the Law of Bastardy, 472. His lodging in London, from whence the Scholars of Oxford were to go barefoot to the Pope's Legates lodging at Durham house, and humbly crave his pardon to be absolved for their force at Oxford, 494. A Writ to him to inquire how many Benefices, of what value, and what Provisions to foreigners, by and to whom granted, were within his Diocese, 57●. A Writ to him and others, not to permit the Prior and Covent of Trinity Canterbury to attempt any novelty or new power to the disturbance of the Clergy or Realm, 579. One of the Guardians of the Realm in the King's absence, several Writs issued by him and them in that capacity, 599, to 60●. See Ebo●. The King's Patent for him and his Heirs, confirming his Will made or to be made, of his Corn in barns or on the ground, Wards, Farms, and all his moveables; that he, they, and their Officers should not interrupt him or his Executors therein, 636. meets with other Bishops and grave men to procure the long deferred election of a Pope, prevent the desolation of the Church, appoint fasting and prayers to be used through England, and send Agents to the Emperor for this end, 648. Summoned to St. Edward's Feast at Westminster, and adoration of Christ's blood there reserved, ●15. Present in Parliament, joins with other Bishops in reproving the King for invading the Church's Liberties, and keeping their Temporalties in his hands during vacancies, against his Oath, trust, 721 Sy●vester; A suit between him and a Baron for a Manor he had sold to his predecessor Walter; the King's protection to the Bishop against the Baron's suit, revoked in his absence with a Non obstante, debated in Court, 760. sent to the King with the Archbishop of Canterbury and other Bishops, to reprehend him for breaking his Oath, in not suffering the Church to enjoy her Liberties, especially in the freedom of Elections; and to beseech him to reform it for the future: The King's sharp answer to him, that he was an under-Clerk in Chancery, where he long hankered; that he had made him Bishop though unworthy, preferring him before many learned Divines; that he and the rest should give him and others good example, by repenting and resigning their Bishoprics, whereof they were unworthy, lest they should be eternally damned; that he would thereupon place and promote none but worthy persons for the future, 795, 796. Collectors of the Dimes in this Diocese appointed in Parliament, with York Provice, 814. Writs to hasten the collection, 917. Thomas Vipont, transleted to Ely, died within one year after, 851. The Kings lays claim to the profits of the impropriate Churches belonging to it, during the vacancy, which the Bishop of Durham claimed; Writs concerning them, 942, 970, 972. Sequestered and laid up in safe custody during the two last vacancies, in New Monastery; the money made of them ordered at last to be paid to the Bishop of Durham, 970. L. Landaff Bishopric, Bishops. COmmissioners to inquire of damages done to the exiled Bishops in it, 280. The Bishops anciently subject to the Archbishop of St. David's, 234. John de M●nmuth, made Bishop of it by the Pope's provision; consecrated by the Archbishop of Canterbury, after the King's assent, 558. The custody of the Bishopric and all its Demesne Lands granted by King H. 3. to the Duke of Gloucester and his Wife for their lives, reserving the fealty only of the Bishop when he should be made: The Demesnes, Temporalties after his fealty made, by Writ to the Earl ordered to be restored to him, notwithstanding this Patent to him, 559 William, struck with blindness, his Bishopric wasted by King H. 3. his Wars against the Rebellious Welsh, 726. his Certificate that Mereduc Son of G●ssi● was born in lawful Matrimony allowed; a Prohibition against proceedings by appeal against his Certificate before the Archbishop's Official, as illegal, 782. A new Writ to the Bishop for another Certificate superseded, Ibid. Collectors of the Dimes therein appointed in Parliament, 814. his death, 851. Writs to the Collectors to hasten the gathering of the Dimes there, 91●. John Paschal, Archbishop Boniface his Precept to him to excommunicate Lewellin Prince of Wales with his complices, and Interdict their Lands, for breaking the Truce, wasting the Kings and his Subjects Lands with fire and sword, against their Oaths; and their Treacheries therein mentioned, 976, 977. Lincoln Bishopric, Bishops. When and how removed from Dorchester to Lincoln, 596, 597. In Bishops deprived for Simony, Ibid. Hugh Archdeacon of Wells, the King's Chancellor, made Bishop by the King during the Interdict, 257. having licence to go to the Archbishop of Rhoan to be consecrated, he traitorously went to Stephen Langeton Archbishop of Canterbury, whom the King opposed, being unduly made Bishop by Pope Innocent, against his Regality, did canonical obedience to, received consecration from, confederated with him against the King; for which the King seized his Temporalties, which he restored to him before, 259. The Pope's Excommunications, Violence, and Legates persuasions, enforced King John to agree to receive him to favour, restore him to his Bishopric, profits, damages, during his exile with the other Bishops; his Patents, Writs, Letters, Commissions concerning him and it, 271, 272, 277, 278, 280, 287, 288, 333, 337, 338. His return into England, and reception by K. John, 278, 279. A witness to K. John's infamous Charter of Resignation, Homage and Fealty to the Pope, 290. and to the Archbishop of the Patronage of Rochester Bishopric, 339. A Writ to remove all those who had intruded into any of his Lands and possessions during the differences between the King and him, and put him into personal possession of them, 334. The Pope's Legates Mandate to him to suspend all Clergymen who adhered to the King, received any Benefices, celebrated Divine Service by his command, or openly communicated with him during the Excommunication and Interdict, till they personally went to Rome to be absolved; the rigour used therein, 334, 335. died, soon after canonised a Roman Saint by Pope Honorius, for his Ingratitude, Treasons, 379, 380. Prohibited any victuals to be sold to the Jews; the King commands the contrary by his Writs, under pain of imprisonment, 387. The Kings Teste to a Writ in his presence to admit a Clerk 389. Robert Grossetest, Grosthead; A mandatory Writ to him to command the Archdeacon of Oxon. without delay to revoke his presumption in removing the King's Administrator placed in the Hospital of St. John's Oxon. of his Ancestors foundation, and thrusting his Chaplain into it, to the great prejudice of his Royal dignity, 480. Churches dedicated by him according to the new Decrees of Otto the Pope's Legate, and Council of London, 504. A cruel persecutor of the Monks and his own Canons who made him their Bishop, 509. Resolved to visit the Dean and Canons of Lincoln, never formerly done in the memory of man, against which they appeal; they at last submit to an arbitrement, all Visitations in the mean time to cease, 509. Contests about the word cease, since he and his predecessors never visited nor began to visit before: They refuse his Visitation, repent of his Election, tell him so publicly to his face, openly declaim against him and his oppressions in their Sermons; saying, if they held their peace, the very stones would speak; at which words a great part of the Church fell down, 509. Their appeals, contests, expenses at Rome concerning his Visitation of them, Ibid. The Pope's agreement with the Romans to confer all Benefices in England (especially of Religious persons) on them when they fell void, his Letters to Grosthead and two Bishops more to provide 300▪ livings that next fell void in their Dioceses for Romans, admired at by all, 564, 572. The King Writs thereupon to Grosthead and other Bishops, to res turn him the number of all Benefices, Prebendaries, Ecclesiastical Dignities in his Diocese, their values, and how many were conferred on aliens, by the Pope, his Legates, or others by Provisions, 573. He conjures and persuades Nicholas de Fernham to accept the Bishopric of Durham to which he was elected, though he formerly refused it, 565, 566. A prohibition to the Pope's Delegates not to proceed in the cause between him, the Dean and Chapter of Lincoln by the Pope's authority concerning Visitations and Procurations, to the prejudice of the King's Crown, dignity, 577. He with two more Bishops sharply reprehended the King for his tyranny in persecuting the Bp of Winchester, adding prayers to prayers, yea menaces to menaces to interdict his Chapel, forcing him to respite his proceedings till he heard from Rome, 590, An high contest between the King and him concerning the Church of Thame: his high Message to the King by his Archdeacon's, and menaces to excommunicate all the in fringers of the privileges of his Church; his contempt of the Pope's provision and authority in this case, which caused the King's Clerk to desist, 595, 596. The Dean and Chapter forced by the Bishop to show their ancient Charters, which gave the King a claim against both, 596, 597. The Bishop ●ash, obstinate, wills all the Archdeacon's Bishops to join to oppress the Abbot and Monks of Canterbury; they excommunicate each other with Bell, Book and Candle; contemn each others excommunications, interdicts, celebrating notwithstanding them, 598. The Pope's Decree at Rome between him, the Dean and Chapter, concerning their Controversy, 599, 997. He excommunicates the Monks of Bardeney after their Appeal to the Pope, the King, Writ to the Guardians of England not to take them upon a Writ of Capias Excommunicatum, 599 Not yet to permit the Prior and Monks of Canterbury during the Sees vacancy, to attempt any Novelty, or exercise any new power against the Bishop of Lincoln or other Suffragans, to the disturbance of the Clergy, Realm, or prejudice of either Church, and to supersede all proceedings till his coming into England, to settle their differences by advice of his Bishops and Nobles, 600. A Prohibition to his Archdeacon of Oxon, exacting annual procurations against Law from the King's Church of St. Cross, 602. Causeth Weseham Dean of Lincoln to be elected Bishop of Coventre and Lichfi●ld, without the King's licence or consent, in opposition to the King, who was consecrated by the Pope at Lions against the Kings will, He injuriously seized upon his Church of Aillesberry, by whose opulency he thought the Dean took horns against him, to humble and subject him to his will, for which the King was highly offended, 625, 626, 627. A person of an unquiet, contentious spirit, his hand being against every one, and every ones almost against him, 629. After many Letters, and inestimable expense of monies, he purchased Pope Innocent the 4th. his Decree against the Canons of Lincoln to visit the Dean, Chapter, Canons Clerks of the Choir, Choristers, Priests and Parishioners of the Churches belonging to them, to correct their excesses, reform their manners; but freely without any procuration, 629, 630. He and other Bishops meet to consult about the desolation of the Church, the election of a new Pope long deferred, to send Messengers to the Emperor for that end, prescribing fasts and prayers through England, that God would provide for and relieve the Church of Rome being destitute of a Pastor, 648. Published Pope Innocents' Bull throughout England, whereby he granted Boniface Archbishop of Canterbury the first years profits of all Benefices and livings which should fall void for 7. years within his Bishopric, Province, till he should raise the sum of 10000 Marks, to defray the pretended Debts of his Church, at which the King at first was amazed, and exceediog angry, 683, 684. After his purchased Privilege at Rome, to visit the Dean, Chapter, Canons of Lincoln, and their Churches, he, his Deans, Archdeacon's, Officials exceedingly oppressed, vexed those of his Diocese, as well Noble as ignoble, especially religious persons, Monks, under pretext of correcting, reforming their manners; enforcing them to make inquiries, presentments, and give in testimonies upon Oath in their Visitations and Courts, against their wills, never practised before in England: Which the King hearing of by many grievous complaints, by advice of his Court and Council issued Writs of Prohibition to the Sheriffs of his Diocese, not to suffer that any Laymen in his Diocese at the will of the Bishop, or of his Archdeacon's, Officials, or Rural Deans, from thenceforth to assemble in any place to make any Recognitions, Presentment, or Attestation upon their Oaths, except only in causes of Matrimony or Testament; (not of incontinency, manners, scandal) which Grosthead hearing of, asserted; That the King followed the footsteps of those in France, who had then newly broken forth into the like audacity, to cast off the Popes and Prelates extravagant Oppressions, Oaths, Censures, and entered into a Confederacy to assist each other, 698, 699, 700, 701, 702, 704, 761, 762. This obstinate Bishop and his Officers proceeding notwithstanding, the King issued forth New Writs to the Sheriffs, to prohibit all such Recognitions, Inquiries and Attestations upon Oath, 704. which he and his Officers obstinately persisting in; the King issued several Writs to attach, summon the Bishop himself by good s●ireties and safe pledges, to appear before him wherever he should be in England, to answer his contempt in causing Laymen and women to be cited, and compelling them by Ecclesiastical censures to appear before him, to take an Oath at his pleasure against their wills, to the great prejudice of his Crown and Royal dignity, and likewise to his grand damage, dishonour, and against the Custom of this Realm. Upon which the King issued forth this memorable Prohibition to the Bishop of Lincoln himself, reciting, We are informed, by the complaints of many, as well Great men of your Diocese, as others, that you by your Clerks and Deans, do every where cause certain poor men of your Diocese, and other Freemen, whose men or tenants soever they were, to be promiscuously cited, and draw them from divers places to sundry other places, and compel them by the power of excommunication, to appear before your said Clerks & Officers at divers places to their great burden, when they ought to attend their ploughing, husbandry, and other necessary temporal affairs; by which they are unduly impoverished and enormously vexed: And moreover, which was never heard of before, the foresaid Inquisitors (or Visitors) compel them to swear concerning the private sins of others, which were not (as is reported) to be purged by public coercion, for which many Christians, perchance without merit, were shamefully defamed. And because these Vexations are devised against the long custom of the Realm, and a double danger hangs over the people by them, as well for the loss of their necessary labours, as by reason of the Oath taken upon the private facts of others, wherein men are deceived, by which they may easily incur the guilt of perjury; We therefore prohibit you, that from henceforth you do not cause such assemblies of the people to be made in your Diocese against the long-continued custom of our Realm: Neither also have we heard, That the Church hath used to compel any to give testimony but in certain causes, and unless any through favour, hatred, or force, shall withdraw himself from giving testimony. And know ye, that unless you shall desist from such unusual & undue vexations of our people, We cannot suffer them any longer, but shall put to our Royal hands to redress, punish you and them. Whereupon after 7. years contest between the King, his Court, Council, Bps. by these several prohibitions, this first introducer of Visitation Oaths, Inquisitions, Excommunications, & vexer of the Subjects by them was quelled, and his Innovations prevented, till Bonner's time, who revived them, p. 705, 706, to 711, 761, 762. His justification of the Forged Relic and Viol of Christ's blood reserved, showed, adored at Westminster Abbey, 711, 712, 713. Reprehends the King with other Prelates; in the Parliament at London, for violating the Liberties of the Church, he was bound by his office, Oath to protect, to its great impoverishing; and for his prodigal expenses: refuseth to grant the King an Aid, whereby the Parliament broke up in discontent, so as the King was enforced to go a begging for money to particular Prelates and Abbots, p. 721, 722, 723, 724. The Kings writ to him for endeavouring to remove his Clerk out of a living, to which he presented him by vacancy of the Archbishopric of Canterbury according to the ancient right of his Crown, to put in the Pope's Clerk by Provision, by the Pope's order, to the manifest prejudice and enormous disinherison of the rights of his Crown, prohibiting him upon his Oath of Fealty made to him, not to attempt aught therein against his Clerk, threatening to seize his Barony, as became his Majesty, if he desisted not, 725. Published the Pope's general Letters, and others granted by the Pope to the Earl of Cornwall, for the Collection of Dimes, and redemption of Vows of persons crossed, commanding them to be diligently, speedily, effectually executed, 731, 732. An indefatigable injurer of Religious persons: summons all of them to appear before him, purchaseth with a vast sum of money at Rome a privilege to reduce all their Lands for which they could produce no good evidences, under his own power: many of them appeal against him to the Pope, others compound with him, 737. Goes in person to Rome to dismiss the Appeals and complaints against him. Failing of his ends after many travels, and infinite expenses, he taxed the Pope with injustice and corruption; who recriminating, charged him with Tyranny, Rapine, Covetousness, suppressing, spoiling others, and many religious persons, to advance, every himself; whereupon he departed confounded from the Pope's presence, but continued still at his Court, hoping to effect his designs yet failed therein, 737. Excommunicates the Sheriff of Rutland for not taking and imprisoning a Clerk upon his Significavit, whom he deprived for incontinence, and excommunicated for contumacy in continuing in his benefice notwithstanding his deprival, contrary to the Rights of the Crown. The King's Writ, & Pope's Letter to him to absolve the Sheriff, not to molest the King's Officers, who ought by Law to be punished in his own Courts only, 738. His high contempt against the King, in holding plea of temporal causes in his Courts, against the Law, King's prohibitions, in prohibiting his Clerks to appear or answer their contempts in the King's Courts for disobeying his Prohibitions, and attachments on them, to the subversion of his royal authority and rights of his Crown; which he neither would nor ought to suffer, for which he was highly incensed, p. 739, 740. Crossed in his exorbitant proceedings by the King's Prohibitions, and in his appeals to the Pope, he resolved to retire from the world, and quit his Bishopric, yet retains it only in spite to the King, that he might not selfe the Temporalties by its vacancy, 740. Held his exorbitant Visitations by colour of Pope Innocents' Bull, which prohibited Oaths and coercion which he exercised, 743, 744. Archbishop Boniface oppressed Canons and others he visited, by his example, 754. A prohibition to him not to hold plea of Chattels in his Ecclesiastical Court, for which there was a suit pending before the Barons of the Exchequer, 757. His Visitation of Religious Houses within his Diocese with austerity, inhumanity, be violently searching their Chambers, breaking open their Chests, Cabinets, overturning their beds, trampling their Cups under feet, thundering out execrable horrid maledictions against all who transgressed his Edicts, but pronouncing Blessings on those who kept them taken out of Moses Laws, as if his were equal to them, 761. He enjoined all Priests to live continently, to remove all suspected women far from them; depriving transgressors of their benefices: alured many with flattering words to turn Priests, Ibid. frequently preached to the people; compelled Priests living near to hear his Sermons under penalties; hated dishonest Homans having Pope's provisions like the poison of Serpents; said, he should play the Devil if he committed the cure of souls to such; oft times throwing away such Bulls of the Pope, refusing to execute them, 762. Publicly opposeth the Disme granted by the Pope to the King for 3. years, with much scorn, great indignation, induced the other Bishops to withstand it, for which the King was highly incensed, 771. The Parliament thereupon dissolved with high indignation and discontent, 774, 795. Forced Priests, Schoolmasters to take orders, reside on their benefices; and procured a Bull for augmenting the Stipends of small Vicaredges out of Religious persons impropriations, out of hatred to them, 774, 775. Suspended his Bishopric for opposing the Pope's provisions, and trampling them under feet, 762, 777, 790. Computes the Revenues of the Romans provisions in England, which amounted to 700000 marks a year, being three times more than the King's Revenue, 777. A Mandate to him to admit the King's Clerk, or el●e to summon him to appear before the King for his contempt, 781. Joined with other Bishops in the public excommunication of the infringers of the Church's Libertyes and Great Charter, which he commanded to be published in every parish Church throughout his large Diocese, which made most men's ears to tingle, hearts to tremble, 796, 797, 802. He opposeth the Pope's Letters for an Aid to the King, exciting all the Bishops unanimously to withstand it, which they did, notwithstanding the Kings and Pope's petitions to them, 795, 796. His notable Epistle to Pope Innocent the 4th. against Provisions, Non-obstante's, with other corruptions, comparing him to Lucifer, Antichrist, the Murderers of Christ, etc. The Pope's Oaths, indignation, intentions against him for it, though persuaded to pass it by, 799, 800, 801, 926, 927. His great learning and skill in tongues, 801. His sickness at Bugden, actions; discourses against the Popes, Court of Rome's, Legates, Cardinals, Priests, and Monks corruptions, rapines, avarice, usury, indulgences during it, styles, proves them to be Heretics, Antichrists; few Popes to be saved: that they cannot reverse the Bulls, Constitutions of their predecessors, 801, 802, 803, 804. An open Reprever of the Pope, King, Prelates, Monks; Mall, contemner of the Romans, etc. His death, Music heard at it, ●b. The Pope intended to dig up, cast out his corpse, burn his bones, declare him an infamous Ethnic, Rebel, Disobedient person throughout the world; writ a Letter to K. H. 3. to that effect. His apparition, words to the Pope the next night, whom he smote with his pastoral staff, terrified, pricked him to the heart, killed, 804, 805, 812. 469, 802. Being excommunicated by the Pope he appealed him to appear before Christ's Tribunal, Ibid. His miracles famous, yet not canonised a Saint by the Court of Rome for opposing its corruptions, 805. The difference between the Archbishop of Canterbury and Canons of Lincoln after his death, 805. The Rebels in the Isle of E●y styled him a Saint, affirmed they followed his doctrine, 1082. He encouraged the Barons and Earl of Leicester (who committed his children to him) in their wars against King H. 3. affirmed the peace of the Church could not be settled without the material sword, p. 1022. Archbishop Sewal imitated his Example, 926 927. Henry de Lexinton elected, approved, consecrated Bishop, 805. The King presents the Prior of Ravenstone to him, constitutes Proctors before him, 833. A prohibition to him not to draw any into suit out of the Realm, 980, 981. Benedict, a Patent to him to inquire of those who injured or damnified Ecclesiastical persons during the troubles, and give the complainants' reparation upon hearing, 1003, 1004. His Barony seized for not sending horse and arms to the King upon summons, 1008. Collectors of Dimes assigned in that Diocese, Writs to them, An account thereof to the King, 1033, 1034. 1051, 1052. A Writ to the Sheriffs to assist the Collectors thereof in levying the arrears. Ibid. London Bishopric, Bishope. The Church, Bishopric instituted, endowed by King Ethelbert, to what end, 607. The Bishop Dean of the Bishops of Canterbury Province, to admonish, interdict the King during its vacancy, 901, 902. Gilbert Foliot, the Abbess, Nuns of Ambresbury thrust out for their Incontinency by his and others advice, 228. William de Marisco, one of Pope Innocents' Delegates to hear the difference and appeal between the Archbishop of Canterbury, and Abbot, Monks of St. Augustine's Cant. concerning Faversham, Appendix p. 13, 14, 15. One of his Delegates to admonish King John to receive Stephen Langeton as Archbishop, or else to Interdict the Realm; his conference with the King, the King's high answer, Writs to him concerning it, 250, 251, 252. Interdicts the Realm, Excommunicates the King's Officers, departs the Kingdom; for which his goods, temporalties are seized, he and his relations banished by the King, 253, 254. Caused the Pope to excommunicate the King, his Orders to publish the Excommunication every Lord's day in all Conventual Churches throughout England, disobeyed by the Bishops and Clergy therein, slighted by the Nobility, 257, 258, 259. King John's victories, successes notwithstanding it, 260, 261. The King upon the Pope's messages offers to restore him to his Bishopric, but not to the profits, which offer is rejected, 261, 262, 263. Caused the Pope to absolve all the King's Subjects from their Allegiance, who must not eat or drink with him; to deprive him and his Heirs of the Realm, and give it to the French King, which sentence he publisheth, endeavouring to execute in France; stirring up the French King to raise forces to dethrone him, and seize his Kingdom, 264, 265, 267, to 272. The King thereby, and the Pope's Legates persuasion, enforced to be reconciled to him, restore his Bishopric, with the profits, damages, to engage by Patents, Oaths of himself and Nobles to effect it; dishonovably to resign his Crown, Kingdoms, swear Homage to, become the Pope's Vassal, Tributary, 271, to 286, 288, 289, 290. what moneys he received of the King before his return, 272, 333. what after, 288, 331, 333. His return and reception by the King, 277, 278, 279. Commissioners to inquire of his damages, 279, 280. His commission to suspend all Clergymen who adherd to, communicated with, received Livings from the King, or officiated during the Interdict, till they went to Rome for absolution, 334, 335. A Witness to the King's infamous Charter, Homage, Fealty to the Pope, 290. To his Charter of the Patronage and Custody of Rochester Bishopric, to Archbp Langeton, 339. King John's Patent to him, that none should enter into or detain his Fees by gift, sale, mortgage or grant without his assent. 380. resigned his Bishopric, 384. Eustace de Fauconbridge succeeded him, 384. King H. 3. his Writ of Proclamation to the Sheriff of Middlesex, that none should enter into or detain any lands of his, by gift, sale, mortgage, grant, without his assent, to remove and fine all who should do contrary, 380, 381. One of the King's Council, 381. His contest with the Abbot of Westminster, (where he was consecrated) to visit, receive procurations, processions, exercise Episcopal Jurisdiction over the Abbey, referred to arbitrators, awarded against him, 384. A Writ concerning the Bishop of Elies' Liberties issued by the King in his presence, as one of his Council, 398. His death, 421. Roger Niger elected, approved by the King, consecrated; his praise, 421. Consecrated Archbishop Edmund at Canterbury, 434. Solemnly excommunicated all such who b●cke open the Romans barns, threshed out their coin; and those who laid violent hands on Cincius a Canon of Paul's, 436. Accused for assenting to those who thus spoilt the Romans, forced to Rome about it to his great ●●xation, expense: and to take up money of the Pope's Usurers, whom he endeavoured to expel the City; who laughing at him, by the Pope's favour after much pains put him to silence, 437, 469, 902. Reprehends King Henry for pulling Hubert de Burgo, accused of High Treason, out of a Chapel of his Diocese; threatened to excommunicate all who offered this violence, unless he were restored to it, which to prevent the King was enforced against his will to do, 438, 439. Excommunicates the King's officers at Dover for staying the Bishop of Carlis●e, taking him and his goods out of a ship by the Kings command endeavouring to go out of the Realm without his licence: Repairs to the King at Hereford with his army, complains of this violence to the Bishop, excommunicates all actors, authors of it in the King's presence (though out of his Diocese in both) with other Bishops; the King much murmuring at, and prohibiting it, 439. The Pope's Commissioner to examine the canonicalnesse of the Abbot of St. Al●●●s election, tender him his new prescribed Oath of homage, fealty to the Popes and See of Rome, his execution thereof, 459, 460, 463, 464, 465. Present in the Parliament at Melton, and settling of Bastardy according to common Law against the Canons, 472. Prohibits any to sell victuals to the Jews, under pain of Excommunication; the King's Mandate to the contrary, 475, 476. Helps consecrate the Bishop of Rochester, 499. Consecrates Paul's Church, 566. A writ to certify the number, value of all Benefices in his Diocese, all provisions to aliens, and by whom granted, 572, 573. The Prince of ●ales subjects himself to his and two other English Bishops Ecclesiastical censuys, if he violated his Charter and Oath to the King, 609. Fulco Basset: his praises, elected against the Kings will by the Canons, 623. Seals the Pope transcript of King Joh●s most detestable Charter of his Realms surrender, subjection to the Pope when burnt, contrary to the Kings, kingdoms protestations against it, last of all the Bishops against his conscience, p. 300. Constituted by the Pope to execute his exaction of the 3d. part of all residents, and half of nonresidents benefices through England, with severe penalties, 676. Present at St. Edward's Feast, Fair at Westminster, to adore the blood of Christ there resa●ved, 7●0. One of the Bishop of Du hams provisors of his three reserved manors upon his resignation, by the Pope's appointment, 724. The King's Prohibition to him not to remove his Clerk out of possession of Enesord Church, to which he presented him by his ancient prerogative to vacant benefices of the Archbishopric whiles in his hands; not to put the Pope's Clerk by provision, in derogation of his prerogative, by the Pope's Decree and Mandate, under pain of violating his Oath of Fealty to him, and seizure of his Barony if he proceeded therein, 725. A prohibition to the Inhabitants of Pencrich not to permit him to exercise any Jurisdiction within the King's free Chapel there, 728, 796. nor in any other Free Chapel within his Diocese, 734, 735. He resists the Archbishop's Visitation at Paul's, St. Bartholmews, and London, for which the Archbishop excommunicated him, 741, 742. He appeals, prays aid by Letters against it, 742, 743. Fearful to offend the Archbishop by reason of his power, agrees with him, 744, 751, 752. The Excommunication declared null by the Pope and his Delegates, 744, 745, 746, 751, 752. He agreed with Grosshead in opposing the Triennial Disme granted by the Pope to the King, 771. His Letter to the Bishop of Norwich to publish Pope Innocents' Decree concerning procurations, and against exactions in visitations, 7●1. join in the public excommunication of all infringers of the Church's Liberties and Great Charter, 796, 797. Opposed Rustands demands, exactions in the Council at London, professing, He would lose his head before he would submit to so great an injury and slavery of the Church; which encouraged the rest, 823. Complained on for it by Rustand to the King, Pope; who threatening punishment, he stoutly answered, they might take away bit Mitre, being stronger than be, but not his head-piece, 824. A Writ to the Archbishop's official to prohibit his intended excommunication of the Abbot of Glaston by the Bishop of Wells instigation, pending in his Temporal Court, after an Appeal, Writ, seeing it touched his Crown, Dignity, and was against his prerogative, 851, 852. Ordered by the Antimonarchical Council under Archb. Boniface, that he & his successors in the vacancy of the Archbishopric, as Dean of the Bishops, with two Bishops more, should admonish the King to recall his process against Clerks summoned to appear in his temporal Courts, or else to interdict his Castles, Towns, Lands, and excommunicate his Judges, Officers if they desisted not, 901, 902. Died of the Plague 954. The Bishop of Ely his will produced under his Seal, 965. Henry de Wengham, Chancellor of England, recommended by the King, elected, though unlearned, insufficient, 954. His Patent to hold all his former Promotions, benefices in commenda, before consecration, 954, 955, 984. A prohibition to him and his Officials not to draw any of the King's Subjects into plea without the Realm, 980, 981. A Commissioner to hear and determine the Complaints of such Clergymen whose goods were spoilt, substracted during the Troubles and give them recompense against the Trespassers, 1000, to 1007. A Writ to excommunicate the Earl of Gloucester and others for staying in England, and not going over into Ireland according to their Oaths, 1013, 1014. join with the Barons against King H. 3. for which he was by name excommunicated by the Pope's Legate, suspended from his office and benefice, and commanded within 3. months to appear before the Pope, where he appeared expecting his doom, 1018. The Rebels in the Isle of Ely commend him, blame the Pope's Legate for banishing him the Realm, and seizing the profits of his Bishopric, 1020, 1021, 1023. The City of London interdicted by the Legate, 1025. Collectors of the Disme appointed in his Diocese, and Writs to hasten the collection, 1033, 1034. Bonner; the first reviver of Visitation Oaths and Inquisitions introduced by Grosthead Bishop of Lincoln, after their suppression by King H. 3. his prohibitions, p. 710. N. Norwich Bishopric, Bishops. TRinity Church, the antiquity, and Kings care of it, 1016, 1017. John de Oxenford, present at the ejection of the Abbess, Nuns of Ambresbury for their whoredom, and introduction of others in their places, 228. A Writ of King John to him to revoke, and to the Justices to assist him in the revocation of all Lands, Tenements, possessions unjustly alienated from his Church in times of his predecessors, 230. John de Grace, recommended by King John to be Archbishop of Canterbury, unanimously elected by the Monks. approved by the King, yet unjustly rejected by the Pope, and Stephen Langeton obtruded, 244, 245, 246, 247. brought 500 Foot and many Horse out of Ireland to assist the King, against Lewis invasion to deprive him, 269. joins with others and the King in writing to the rebellious exiled Bishops to return and enjoy their Bishoprics, according to agreement with the Legate, and Oath of the Nobles; and for the restoring of their damages, 277, 331. recommended by the King and Pope to the Monks of Durham for their Bishop, but rejected by them, 353, 354. His Official during the vacancy one of the Pope's Delegates to excommunicate the Barons, 359. Pandulfus the Pope's Legate, Bishop elect thereof, 378, 381, 382. Excommunicated the Earl of Albemarl for withholding and seizing the King's Castles, 378, 379, 421. His recognition before the King's Council, that he never put the Prior and Covent of St. Fritswith Oxon. in possession of the Church of Acleya, 381. See Index 12. Thomas de Blundevil, A Writ to him to restore the Benefices in his Diocese to a Clerk sequestered, who had made his peace with the King, 446. his death, 483. Simon Prior of Norwich, elected by the Monks, disallowed by the King, who appointed a Proctor to appeal against him, 483. delayed, excepted against, his election nulled by the Pope, because it displeased the King, 484, 924. William de Raele, unanimously elected Bishop thereof; approved, consecrated, 484, 510, 511. elected Bishop of Winton by the Monks, approved by the Pope, refused by the King, 581, to 591. See Winton. Walter, consecrated the Church of Waltham, 604. joins with other Bishops in appointing public fasts, prayers, and a message to the Emperor for electing a new Pope after a long vacancy, 648. Appointed by the Pope's Bull an Executor of his Tax imposed on the English Clergy, his proceedings therein, notwithstanding the Kings, Nobles, Prelates provision in Parliament, and Kings special Writ of Prohibition against it, 672, 673. Spends above 4000 marks in gifts and entertainments on the Pope's Legate, 697. said Mass and preached at Westminster when the viol of Christ's blood brought from Jerusalem was carried thither by King Henry in solemn procession, and given to that Church for a sacred Relic; justified it to be Christ's real blood; granted 6. years and 140. days pardon to those who should come thither to adore it, by the consent of the other Prelates. 711, 712. A Prohibition to him not to collect the First-fruits of Benefices, granted by the Pope to Archbishop Boniface, which the Nobles in Parliament opposed, 718. Present at the Parliament at London, wherein the Bishops blamed the King for invading the Liberties of the Church, and denied him an aid, 721, 722. The King's Letter to the Pope to appoint him one of the auditors of the account concerning the moneys levied for redemption of the Cross, 758. A Writ to him to appoint Freers Predicants and others to preach the Cross, and collect the moneys raised by it, 767, 807, 917. A Writ to sequester the goods of a creditor to the King, 782. his publication of Pope Innocent the 4. his Decree concerning Visitations and Procurations, 791: Present in Parliament, and joins in the general Excommunication of all infringers of the Church's Liberties, and Great Charter, 796. A Collector appointed for the Dimes granted to the King by the Pope in England and Ireland, 814, 815, 816. A Writ to him to respite the collecting of it from Priors and Rectors of poor Hospitals, from those of Winton, and others in particular, 834, 835. Simon de Wanton; elected by the Monks, dispatched swift messengers presently to Rome, where with expense of vast sums of money he obtained confirmation, and a licence to hold all his former rents, livings for four years, though his Bishopric was sufficient, 925. meets at Oxford with three other Bishops, convenes all the exempt Abbots and other Religious persons, to know whether they would adhere to, and defend the Baron's Constitutions there made, 954. A Writ de cautione admittenda for an excommunicated person imprisoned, whose caution he refused, else the Sheriff to take it and enlarge him in his cefault, 974. published Pope Alexander's absolution of King Henry's Oath from the Ordinances of the Barons at Oxford, 989. A Writ to him to collect and secure the profits, goods of Aliens, Nonresident Clerks, and others beyond Sea who had been against him, and were taken away during the late Troubles, and particular Clerks goods, houses, & keep them safe till disposed of according to Law, 1005. A Writ to him speedily to collect the Dism granted the King by the Clergy in Parliament for defence of the Realm, and pay it by a day, to prevent the Sheriffs levying it in his default, 1006, 1007. Roger de Sherwin: the Pope's Bull to him to revoke, null all confederacies, Leagues made by the Barons in derogation of the King's royal Majesty, to excommunicate all who would maintain them, and Mandate to Roger Abbot of Canterbury to execute it, 1015, 1016. The King's Writ to maintain the rights and Liberties of his Church, a Commission at the Bishop's instance to inquire of those who had invaded them in a riotous manner at Lenn and Gyppewick, 1016, 1017. Writs to the Collectors of Disms in it diligently to attend and return the moneys with speed, 1033, 1034. To suspend the Collection of Tithes of some particular persons allowed to them for Debts due from the King, 1055, 1056. A licence to a tenant in Capite to sell the Manor of Ferling to the Bishop of Norwich and his successors, to procure monies for his voyage to the Holy Land with Prince Edward, 1056. The Priory, Cathedral, and Bishop's palace burnt, by reason of a fray between the Monks and Citizens about tallages and liberties; the proceedings against the Malefactors by the King's special writs and commissions, 1065, 1066, 1067, 1068. William Middleton, A witness to Pope Martin's Letter of receipt of moneys given from King Edward 1. for the annual rent granted by King John's Charter, p. 333. R. Rossen, Rochester Bishopric, Bishops. THe Bishopric, Church first erected by King Ethelbert upon his conversion by Augustine, 607. The perpetual Advowson, Royalties and Custody of the Temporalties during vacancy granted by King John to Archbishop Langeton and his successors; which ungrateful Traitor presently gratified him with the surrender of Rochester Castle to the Barons, and adhered to them against him, p. 339, 340, 341. Commissioners in it for the damages of the exiled Bishops, 281. Gilbert one of the Pope's Commissioners in the difference between the King and Monks of St. Augustins' Cant Append. 12. Benedict, the difference between the Bishops of Waterford and Limrick referred to him and others by the Pope, 380, 382. sent to Rome with others by the King and Bishops, to oppose the election of Hevesham to be Archbishop, who promised the Pope that the King should grant him a Disme against the Emperor, to vacat his election, which effected it, 418, 419. His Testimony to the Pope of Richard's learning, good life, made use of by the Pope to make him Archbishop, against the King's mind and his employment to Rome, 420. Consecrates Richard of Canterbury and two more Bishops, 421. Sent into Wales with Edmund Archbishop of Canterbury to make Peace between the King, Lewellin, and the Earl Marshal, 445. Present in the Parliament at Merton, which overruled the Bishop's motion against bastardy at the Common Law, 472. Richard de Wendover, elected by the Monks of Rochester, refused by Archbishop Edmund; upon an appeal to Rome, though the Archbishop went thither in person to oppose it, judgement was given for the Monks against him, and he consecrated Bishop, 498, 499. A Writ to him to return the number, values of all Benefices, and provisions to aliens in his Diocese, and who granted them, 573 A Writ to prohibit the Prior and Monks of Canterbury to exercise any power, thing to the disturbance of the Clergy or Realm during the vacancy of the Archbishopric, upon his and other Suff agans Complaints, 600 Present in Parliament with other Bishops who reprehended King H. 3. for violating the Liberties of the Church and Great Charter, and denied the aid he demanded, 721. His death, 748. Laurentius de Sancto Martino the King's Clerk, elected by the Monks to please the King, that he might not oppose the election; he got a dispensation to hold his former promotions, because his Bishopric was the poorest of all Bishoprics in England, 746, 751, 768. The Bishop, the King's Proctor at Rome, well known there, 766. Present in Parliament, joins in the general Excommunication of all infringers of the Church's Libetties and Great Charter, 796. Visited by Archbishop Boniface, 799. Collectors for the Dimes therein nominated in Parliament, 814 The aids levied in it, its fees for marrying the King's daughter, or making his son a Knight, challenged and awarded by Writ to the Archbishop, (though formerly paid to the King) who hath the custody of Rochester tempotalties during its vacancy, and return of all the King's Writs on the fees of the Bishopric: which was countermanded by an other Writ by the King's Council, and no fees ordered to be levied till descided whether they belonged to the King or Archbishop, 819. 877. Oppressed by Archbishop Boniface for temporal rights, whereupon many bloodsheds and Tumults arose: A Writ to the Judges itinerant to stay proceedings between them till the King and Council should determine them, 825. Complains of this Archbishop's oppression to the King, who could not move him to justice or humility, 842. Goes to Rome and complains to the Pope against him, 850, 928. procured the Archbishop of Messana to come into England to free him from his oppressions, who brings a Letter to the King from the Pope to right him against his oppressions. The Archbishop cited to answer his oppressions before the Pope in case he shall not redress them, 928, 929, 930 A Writ to the Sheriff of Kent to distrain him by his lands, goods for his contempt in suing the Archbishop and others out of the Realm, against the privilege of the King, kingdom, to which his Bailiffs put in sureties to appear, he being absent out of the Realm, 941, 942. A Prohibition to him for suing the Archbishop in the Ecclesiastical Court by the Pope's authority for gifts and rents belonging to the Temporalties of his Bishopric, 877. Writs to Collectors of the Dimes therein, 917. And to his Official to collect them with speed, 1008, 1034. An account of them, 1052, 1053. Constituted one of the King's Proctors at Rome, 984. S. Sarum, Salisbury, Bishopric, Bishops. JOselin; present at the ejection of the Abbess and Nuns of Ambresbery, for their whoredom, and induction of those of Fonteveroit in their stead, p. 228. Commissioners in that Diocese for the damages of the exiled Bishops, 280. Richard, one of the King's Council, his Teste to Writs, p. 38●, 390, 392, 398. One of the Pope's Delegates to inquire of the extravagances of the Bishop of Durham, upon the Monk's complaints of them, 383. Made Bishop of Durham by the Pope's favour, 406, 418. Robert Byngham elected, 418. Authorized by the Pope to grant dispensations for pluralities to the King's Clerks, 422 excommunicates all the King's soldiers who by the Kings command pulled Hubert de Burgo, accused of Treason, out of a Church, to which he fled for Sanctuary; the King enforced thereupon against his will to restore him to it, 4●9. The Pope's Bull to him and 2. Bishops more to provide 300 of the next Benefices that fell void for Romans, 564, 779. His Complaint with others against the Prior and Monks of Canterburyes new usurpation upon them during the Archbishoprics vacancy, and King's prohibition against it thereupon, 600. His death 685. William de Eboraco, a Courtier; the King's Clerk, skilful in the Laws of the Realm, provost of Beverly, elected to please the King: presently approved, confirmed by him, 685. A prohibittion to him and others not to invade the privileges of his free Chapels, or inform against them or his other privileges before the Pope, or elsewhere, 734, 735. Wavers, whether he should join with Grosthead and the other Bishops in opposing the Dimes granted him by the Pope, 771. Sent with two other Bishops by the rest to King H. 3. to persuade him to protect the Liberties of the Church and freedom of elections, according to his Oath which he had violated, to the destruction of his Prelates, subjects, and enormous damage of the Church: His answer to him, That he had exalted him from a low condition, being the writer of his writs, and present in many perilous judgements, as a Justice and hireling: That it was expedient for him and them principally in the first place▪ that he & they should penitently resign that they had unjustly obtained, lest they should be eternally condemned; That he being justified, reform by such an example, would from thenceforth take care to promote no man unless worthy, 395, 396. Collectors appointed in Parliament of the Dimes in that Bishopric▪ 814. Writs to them, 1034. Invited to St. Edward's Feast by the King's Letters, and to hold it solemnly in his absence, with other Bishops, Abbots, Nobles, 826. The first prebendary that fell void in Sarum granted by the King to H. de Wengham, 855. Giles de Bridlesford, went to Rome when elected, procured a grant to retain all his former benefices, 925. Sent to the Pope by the King to prosecute some business of the Church, which he respited, 929. A Writ to sell all the Corn sowed by the King in Lands of the Bishopric during the Temporalties in his hands, and answer the money in the Exchequer, 993. Writs granted at his and other Bishop's request by the Baron's advice, to remove all Lay force which seized or spoiled the Tithes of corn, other church-good of Priests and prebend's during the Troubles, and secure the profits of them, 1004, 1005. W. Winton, Winchester Bishopric, Bishops. DIvided into two Bishoprics by King Edward the elder: its Founders, Benefactors, Appendix, p. 1. Hithelstan: made Bishop by King Edward the elder; his Charter to him, Appendix 1. Godfrid: his death, 242. Peter de Rupibus, de la Roche; a Poytovin Knight, Soldier, elected by King Johas procurement; by great gifts consecrated at Rome, 242. His Letter to the traitorous exiled Bishops, and oath for their safe return, enjoyment of their Bishoprics, damages, his Teste to the King's Patent sent to them as one of his Council, 277, 283, 309. A Commissioner for restoring their damages in his Diocese, 280, 287. His name put as a witness to King Johas Charter, and Oath of Fealty to Pope Innocent, 290. The King's Chief Justice, 331, 338, 381, 332, 352. Writs to the Earl Moshall and others to do as he should direct them concerning the Pope's release of the interdict, 332, 333. A witness to King Johas Charter of the Advowson Royalties of Rochester Bishopric to Archbishop Langeton, 339. Moved him to publish the Pope's general Excommunication against the Barons, which he delayed, 345. Pronounced the Pope's sentence of suspension against this Archbishop, and that none should obey him till it were released, 347, 348. The King writ to him, to promote an Abbess to Be●kia, not permit another to be elected by any means: To promote one to the Archdeaconry of York; & respite the election of the Abbot of St. Alban, 352. King H. 3. sealed some Patents with his and the Legates seal before his New seal made, 372. King H. 3. ●under his Wardship, 379. Hubert removed by his power from all offices, 438. One of the Pope's delegates, who nominated what particular Barons should be excommunicated for taking arms against King John, 359. reputed a mere firebrand of sedition, instigating the King against the English Nobility, Prelates, whom he and his Poytovin complices hated, styling them Traitors. Archbishop Edmunds and his Suffragans complaints against them for it, persuasions to remove them, to follow his natural subjects advice, else they would excommunicate him, and all who opposed his accord with his Nobles; whereupon he and his confederate aliens were banished the Realm, 443, 444, 445. A Writ to assist him in the Treaty with the King of France, 446. Sent for by the Pope to supply him with monies: The King contented he should return again into England by the Pope's leave, motion, who departed out of England rather by his own will, motion, than his: Remits his indignation against him at the Pope's request, His Writ to him thereupon to that effect, 456, 457. Upon his return Otto the Legate endeavours to reconcile him and Hubert Earl of Kent, 485. the Legate & he than admonished the King at present to submit to the just request of his Nobles, Prelates who rose up against them, 498. His death after he had been Bishop 32 years; his good actions, praises, 500 Three Records attest Richard de Marisco (I know not upon what account) during Peter's Episcopacy was elected to Winton, (probably mistaken in them for Durham, See Durham) being specially recommended by the King's Patent to the Monk's election: the King's applauses of his fitness for it, & fidelity to him; Commissioners enjoined to give his royal assent to none but him, notwithstanding former orders: Elected: The King's Patent to the Pope's Legate to confirm him, because the Archbishop attempted maliciously to defer it, 354, 355. William de Valentia the Queen's Uncle especially recommended by the King to the Monk's election; rejected as a foreigner, unlearned, insufficient, scandalous: William de Raele, elected by them, for which he is removed from the King's Council; the King disallowing him, persecuted the Monks for his choice: They to avoid the King's fury go to a new election; elect his Chancellor Ralph Nevil, thinking thereby to please the King, who disallows it, removeth him from his Council, takes the Great Seal from him, gives it to others: appealed against his election which was nulled at Rome, 501, 502, 581. where the Monks procure an Order from the Pope, to choose no alien, for which the King was highly displeased, Ibid. William de Raele chosen anew; being then Bishop of Norwich: his election confirmed at Rome; the King appeals against, sends Proctors to oppose it, prevails not: 578, 581, 582. The King imprisons, beats, expels the Monks for their choice: commands the Mayor to keep the Bishop out of the City, because he would not resign the Bishopric; for which the Bishop excommunicated the Mayor, interdicted the City; The King upon this commands the Mayor & Sheriff of Southampton to permit none of the City or Country to receive, lodge the Bishop nor any of his Clerks, Officers, nor to make any contract or commerce with them under pain of imprisonment; That they should all depart out of the Bishopric within 4. days after proclamation; That neither the Bishop nor any other should exercise any Jurisdiction in the Diocese; he forced thereupon to fly into France▪ Sundry Writs, Letters, Appeals concerning it, p. 581, to 592. Excuseth the execution of the Pope's mandare to promote a Tax for him, being against the King's prohibition, and Nobles provisions in Parliament, 672, 673. Present at St. Edward's Feast at Westminster to adore the Viol of Christ's false blood, 715. A Writ to the Sheriff to enlarge a woman taken upon a Capias Excommunicatum issued by his Official for suing an Attachment against him, for holding plea of a Layfee, 718. Present in Parliament with other Bishops, who reprove the King for violating the Liberties of the Church, and freedom of Elections, against his Oath; denied him an Aid, 721. Obliged the Bishopric in vast debts to the Pope, whiles the King persecuted him; who comforted, assisted him against the King, 748. his death, Ibid. Ethelmar, the King's half brother, recommended to it by the King's Agents, and in proper person; His speech to the Monks, elected by them, though every way unfit; the King's special recommendation of him to the Pope, who by payment of the annual rent granted by King John, and gifts, procured not only his confirmation at Rome from the Pope, notwithstanding his youth, ignorance of Letters, insufficiency for such a charge, but likewise a dispensation for him to hold all his former benefices, preferments, amounting to above 2000 Marks, and equivalent in value to Canterbury, 310, 748, 749, 751, 764, 765. His Teste to a Writ, as Bishop elect, 769. His speech against resisting the Kings and Pope's demands, with Grostheads reply to it in Parliament, 771. The King's speech, valediction to him, recommending him to the living Devil, for his ingratitude to him after all his advancements, 773. The contests between him and Boniface Archbishop of Canterbury, who Excommunicated him and his Servants, for forcibly imprisoning, abusing his Official, 785, 786, 787, 788. Sent with two more Bishops by the Parliament, to induce the King to reform his invasions of the Church's Liberties, and freedom of Elections, with his Satirical reply to him and them, as persons unworthy of their Bishoprics, 795, 796. See Boniface, William de Raele. A Prohibition against the Monks of Winton, for suing him in the Court of Rome for the Temporalties of his Barony, and against a Sequestration there granted, 831, 832, 833. His contests with the Prior of Winton, whom he expelled, prevailed against by bribes at Rome; a great rent reserved out of his Bishopric for the Pope's kitchen, 850, 852, 853. An agreement between him and the Prior, ratified by the King's Patent, 852, 853, 854. Writs to the Collectors of the Dimes granted the King in that Diocese, speedily to collect and pay them, 917. His opposition against the Baron's provisions at Oxford, to which he refused to swear, 930. Menaced, questioned by the Barons, flies the Realm, 936, 937, 966, 1021. His domination and insolence, 980. A safe conduct for him to come to, and return from the Parliament at Oxon, 937. Writs to the Abbots of Wautham, St. Alban, Merton, not to suffer any of his moneys to be thence removed, 938. His moneys seized at Dover, 938, 939. The Nobles Letter in Parliament, and Messengers to the Pope against him, to remove him totally from his See, to which he was advanced by his favour, relating his insolences, 949, to 952. His temporalties, stock seized, granted by the King to others, 955. The King's Epistle to the Pope to provide for him elsewhere, seeing he fled the Realm, was the author of much contention in it; and not to confirm him in Winchester to prevent scandals, discontents, 966, 967. A Proctor constituted at Rome by the King to appeal against his restitution, Ibid. The King presents to a Benefice during the vacancy by his recess, 972. Commits the custody of the Bishopric, presents a Chaplain to a Chapel in it, 979. The Archbishop's Official acting in his Diocese during the vacancy, a Prohibition to him, 980, 981. Henry de Wengham, elected, received it conditionally, that if Ethelmar were consecrated by the Pope, he might then enjoy it before any other, 954. John Gernsey, made Bishop by the Pope's collation, consecrated at Rome, paid 6000. Marks to the Pope, and as much to his Chancellor for his confirmation, 1026. Compounds with the King for 2229 l. 13 s. 2 d. for the corn and stock on his Temporalties, 994. The King's Commissioner in the Treaty between him and his Barons concerning the reformation of the Realm, referred to the French King and Pope's Legate, 1002. Writs issued at his and other Bishop's requests, to remove, prevent Laymens' forcible seizing, spoiling the corn and Ecclesiastical goods of Priests and prebend's during the Troubles, and secure them, 1004, 1005. His Barony seized for not appearing with horse and arms to serve the King upon summons, according to his Tenure, 1008. Excommunicated by name by the Pope's Nuncio, for aiding the Barons against the King, he goes to Rome to make his peace, 1018. banished the Realm by the Pope's Legate, who usurped the profits of his Bishopric, which the Rebels in Ely Isle object against him, 102●. A Writ to the Collectors diligently to collect the Dimes in that Diocese, 1034. Wygorn. Worcester Bishopric, Bishops. Roger, present at the ejection of the Whorish Abbess and Nuns out of Ambresbery, and induction of others in their places, 228. Malgerus, Maugere; One of the Pope's Delegates who admonished King John; he interdicted the Realm, excommunicated the King's Officers, excited the Pope to excommunicate the King, absolve his Subjects from their Allegiance, depose him and his Heirs, give away his Crown; then stirred up the French King to invade him; for which Treasons his Temporalties, goods were seized, he (flying the Realm) banished, with all his relations, till he and his confederates enforced King John to receive them to his favour, restore their Bishoprics, profits, damages during their exile; to give them his Baron's Oaths, Letters, his own Patents, safe conducts, engagement to perform it; forced him to enthrall himself, Realms, surrender his Crown, Kingdoms to the Pope, under an annual pension, swear Homage, Fealty to him and his Successors as his Vassal, to his perpetual infamy, and intolerable damage, dishonour of the Realm, Nation, 251, to 292. Walter Grace; King John promised in his presence, to grant all the Baron's petitions which the Pope should deem just, which they refused, 347. recommended to York by the King, but rejected by the Canons, electing Simon Langeton, whose election was nulled, 349, 350. See Ebor. Walter de Cantelupo, elected, confirmed, consecrated by the Pope, without difficulty, 484. Opposed Otto the Pope's Legates Canon against Pluralities in the Council of London, as prejudicial to Nobleman's Sons, 488. chosen an arbitrator between the Bishop of Lincoln, his Dean and Chapter, in the difference about their Visitation, 509▪ Consecrated the Archbishop of Ardmach at Westminster, 566. A Prohibition to him as Pope's Delegate to proceed in the cause between the Bishop, Dean and Chapter of Lincoln, as prejudicial to the King's Crown, Dignity, 576, 577. join with Grosthead in threatening to Interdict the Kings Chapples, if he desisted not from persecuting the Bishop of Winton, 590. The Pope's Epistle to him to prosecute that business, and send the names of all whisperers to him, who incensed him against the Bishop, 593. His, other Bishops petition, that the Prior and Monks of Canterbury might use no new Jurisdiction over them, to disturb the peace of the Clergy or Realm; the King's Prohibition thereon to them, 600. Very dear to the Pope, as created by him; suspected to the English, as apt to do any thing to the Kingdom's prejudice, to please the Pope; he departs suddenly out of the Realm to him, 626. The chief of the Papal Bishops, who promoted the Pope's extortions, dissuaded Earl Richard and the King from opposing them, having a power from the Pope to Interdict the Land; by whose counsils the King being swayed, effeminately relinquished his manly resolutions to withstand the Pope's intolerable exactions, trembling for fear of the Pope's menaces, 675. This Bishop imitating Grosthead in passing through his Diocese by himself, or his Clerks specially designed, to visit it, compelled as will Freemen as Villains, without the King's special command, to take an Oath to make Inquisition according to his will, against custom and the excellency of the Royal Dignity, from whence great scandal and schism were engendered in the people: Whereupon the King issued a Writ to the Sheriffs of Gloucester and Worcester, commanding them, that they should from thenceforth permit no Lay-person to appear before the said Bishop or his Clerks, for the cause aforesaid, so as he might be able justly to commend their diligence therein, (which quelled this his usurping innovation) 705. Summoned to, present at St. Edward's Feast at Westminster, to honour and adore the false relic of Christ's blood, 715. Present with other Bishops in Parliament, who joined in a sharp reprehension of the King for violating the Church's Liberties, and freedom in Elections; denied him an aid, then departed in discontent, 721, 722. One of the Bishop of Durbams' provisors to retain 3 Manors of his Bishopric during life, upon his surrender thereof, 724. The Pope's principal Commissioner, Agent to publish his general Letters through all Bishoprics for a collection of Dimes, and redemption of Vows, for Richard Earl of Cornwall, 731, 732. The Pope's command to him to absolve William Beauchamp the King's Sheriff of Worcester, and others, from an Excommunication denounced by him against them, for things belonging to the King's Court, to his prejudice, or else the Archbishop to absolve them; a Parent of Procuration by the King thereupon, 735. The King's Letter to the Pope to call him to an account for the Crosse-money and redemption of Vows received or distributed, 758. Appointed one of the preachers of the Cross to all the Londoners summoned to Westminster by the King, 766. join with Bishop Grosthead in opposing a Tax and Disme granted by the Pope to the King, 771. Collectors assigned in his Bishopric for the Disme granted the King in Parliament, 814. Writs to them to hasten the Collection, 917, 1034. Protested, he would rather be hanged then yield to such an insupportable exaction as Rustand demanded for the Pope, from the English Prelates and Clergy, 823. Excommunicated some of the Sheriff of Worcester's Bailiffs, for distreining upon his Lands; after which an Attachment and Distringas issuing against him for this contempt, he released his Excommunication; whereupon the King suspended his Attachment and Distringas, 860. One of the King's Council; the Bishop of Ely his Will produced under his Seal, 965. A Writ to him to sequester the Benefices of John Walerand, an accountant and debtor to the King, 978. A Writ to his Official prohibiting the citing of any of the King's Clerks to answer for their Benefices out of the Realm, 981. One of the King's Proxies and solemn Nuntioes before the French King and Pope's Legate, Arbitrators of the differences between him and his Barons, 1002. Peremptorily adhered to the Baron's Constitutions at Oxford, against the King; asserted, that the King having sworn to them, the Pope had no power to absolve him from his Oath, nor reverse those Provisions made and sworn to by common consent; drawing with him many false Prophets into this his error, ravenous Wolves in Sheep's clothing, against the Vicar of Christ, and the Lords anointed their own King, muttering not what the Holy Ghost gave them to utter, but what the object of the supreme power (this Bishop) to gainsay, 1016. The night before the battle of Lewes he absolved Simon Earl of Leicester, and all his Soldiers, Complices, from all their sins, commanding them upon the remission of their sins to fight manfully for justice the next day, promising entrance into the Kingdom of Heaven to all who died in that cause, 1022. Publicly excommunicated by name in the Council of Northampton by the Pope's Legate, for siding with, and encouraging the Barons against the King; He soon after died basely, 1018. Godfrey Gifford, the King's Chancellor, elected Bishop; one of the 6. persons chosen in and by the Parliament at Kenelworth, to elect 6. more, who upon their Oath were to draw up Articles tending to peace and settlement between King H. 3. and those who had been and then were in arms again him; who thereupon drew up the Statute of Kenelworth, 1019. The King upon his election presently granted him the profits of the Bishopric during the vacancy, belonging to the Crown of ancient right, towards the repair of the houses and edifices then fallen to decay; gave him a special licence to fence his houses within the Close at Worcester, and at Widdington in Gloucester-shire, with a wall of stone, lime, and battlements in form of a Castle, by two special Patents; and so to hold them to him and his successors for ever, without question or impediment of him or his Heirs, 1038, 1064. His seal and testimony to Pope Martin the 4th. his acquittance for 4000 Marks received from King Edward the 1. by his Agents for his use, for some years' arrears of the annual rent granted by King John to the Pope and Church of Rome, 312, 313. This Index (with those in the other Tomes when finished) will add a considerable Supplement to the defects, and rectify some mistakes in Francis Godwin his Catalogue of the Bishops of England. INDEX 4. Of the Archbishoprics, Bishoprics, Archbishops, Bishops, Clergy of the Kingdom of Ireland in general and particular, and all matters concerning them, mentioned in this Tome; which will add some Supplement to James Beware his Book, De Praesulibus Hyberniae. MAtters in general. A Writ to the Chief Justice of Ireland, that no Benefice or Ecclesiastical living belonging to the King in Ireland, shall be conferred without his privity and assent, to the prejudice of his Crown, as was lately practised in his and his Father's days, to the derogation of his Prerogative, p. 378. A Writ to all the Archbishops and Bishops in Ireland, to attempt nothing to the prejudice of the Crown, in conferring Prebendaries belonging to the King during the vacancies of their Sees, 402. Writs to all the Archbishops, Bishops, Abbots, Priors, to levy the 15th. part of their goods, granted the King by the Pope for his relief, 406, 407. To the Archbishops of Ireland, to admit no Bishops or others to any Dignities belonging to Cathedrals within their Provinces, unless they first have the King's special Letters Patents to elect, and afterwards his assent to their elections, 407. The King to have the custody of all Bishoprics in Ireland during their vacancies, and that their Tenants ought to sue in his Courts for Justice, of which ancient Prerogatives the Irish Bishops endeavoured to deprive him; his Letters to the Pope, and his Proctors against this attempt, 428. See Limeric. Prohibitions that no election should be made in any void Cathedral in Ireland, without the King's special licence first had, since it tended to the disinheriting of him and his Heirs, 481. The Kings Writ to all Chapters of the Freers Minorites in Ireland, that no Freer of their Order should be elected an Archbishop or Bishop in Ireland, nor consecrated though elected, which the King assented to, 632, 633. To the Chief Justice not to suffer J. de Frussyn the Pope's Nuncio to exercise any other Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction in Ireland, but to collect the Dimes for relief of the Holy Land, and absolve those who laid violent hands on Clerks, although the Prelates would suffer it, 634. A Writ to the Archbishops and Bishops of Ireland summoned to the Council of Lions, not to assent to any thing to the Kings or Kingdoms prejudice, 640, 641. A Writ of King H. 3▪ for a Cup to be provided to keep the Eucharist in, for every Cathedral in Ireland, by his Chief Justice, 798. To the Archbishops and Bishops to certify who; and what number of persons had there taken up the Cross for the Holy Land, 807, 808. Writs to all Archbishops, Bishops, Abbots, Priors, Archdeacon's, Officials, Deans, and other Prelates in Ireland, to assist the Collectors of the Dimes there for relief of the Holy Land, 815. and satisfaction of the Queen and Pope, 1049, 1054. A Writ to Prince Edward to redress several grievances and oppressions complained of by the Bishops and Clergy of Ireland, to the prejudice of their Liberties, by advice of the Chief Justice and others of the King's Council, 827, 828. Pope Alexander's Bull for that purpose▪ upon complaint of the Archbishop of Tuam and his Suffragans, to excommunicate the King's Justices, Bailiffs, as well as others, for their proceedings at Law against their Clerks and Tenants, notwithstanding the King's Prohibitions; with the King's Proctor's protestations against it, and the Bishops holding Plea of Advousons' in Ireland, as derogatory to the King's Prerogative, which they endeavoured to procure from the Pope, 857, 858, 859. A Prohibition for Archbishops, Bishops, and Ecclesiastical Judges in Ireland, to hold Plea in their Ecclesiastical Courts of Advousons' of Churches, Chapples, Lay-see, or Goods not given in Marriage or Testament, Appendix p. 24, 25. A. Aladen, Alleden, Aland Bishopric, Bishops. THe Bishop's complaint to the King against his Justice's oppression of him and his Tenants, in citing them out of their Counties and Provinces, in hindering the Irish to make Wills, take up the Cross, and distraining them to make suit in causes which concerned them not, 827, 828. The Pope's Bull upon his and other Bishop's complaints, to redress their grievances, excommunicate the King's Justices, Bailiffs; and Kings Proctors appeal against their Excommunication of them, for executing their Offices, as against his Crown and Dignity, whereupon the Excommunication was agreed to be suspended as to the Justices, 857, 858, 859. Ardacen Bishopric, Bishops: An Appeal against this and other Bishops electing an Archbishop of Ardmach, without the King's licence, against his Right and Dignity, 240. Ardmach Archbishopric, Archbishops. It's Suffragans, their actings against the King's Right and Dignity, by electing Eugenius Archbishop without his privity orlicense; his appeal, Writs against it; A Prohibition issued to all Archbishops, Bishops, others of his Diocese, not to receive or own him as Archbishop, 240, 241. A Writ to the Archbishop to collect the 15th. part of all Ecclesiastical and Religious persons goods in his Province, granted by the Pope to the King for his aid, 406, 407. A second Writ to that purpose, to proceed therein with all diligence without delay, 422, 423. Cuneren Bishopric subject to it, 604. A Prohibition to the Archbishop, not to cite any out of the Realm, not proceed in his Ecclesiastical Court in a case of the Prior of Lanton for Advousons' or Lands, belonging to the King's Temporal Court, which he would by no means suffer, since thereby he might utterly cast down and enervate his Crown and Dignity, which he ought by no means to will, if there were loyalty in him, 628. Power granted by the King to the Chief Justice of Ireland, to grant a licence to the Dean and Chapter to choose an Archbishop, and consent to his election, so as it might not be drawn into example, because the Pope endeavoured to deprive him of this ancient right, 690. Letters to the Archbishop to publish a Croysado, and raise moneys for the King's voyage to the Holy Land, 735. St. Patrick Archbishop of Ardmach, Christ's apparition, gifts to him▪ and his Purgatory, p. 69. D. Archbishop of it: The Kings Writ to him to admit and consecrate a Bishop, to whose election he had given his Royal assent for that time, though elected only by his Chief Justice licence, without his own first craved and obtained, which ought to have been, 474. The Archbishop complained against by the Bishop of Clocor, for grievances, spoliations of Lands, Churches of him and his Tenants, imprisoning his men, as excommunicated by the King's Letters, since the Archbishop circumvented the King therein by his Proctors, he and his Tenants being then in truth excommunicated, as the King was certified by other Bishops, to whom the cause was referred to be examined: Writs to the Chief Justice to right him and them according to Law, 482. Audelmus of Colen, consecrated at Westminster Archbishop of Ardmach, (Primate of all Ireland) in King Henry's and the Pope's Legates presence, 566. R. Archbishop; licenced by the King to repair to the Court of Rome for his Church's affairs; a protection from suits granted him for a time, 808. Consecrates a Bishop elected without the King's licence, approbation, command to the prejudice of the Crown; a Writ to the Chief Justice to remove him, his Lay-force, and null his presentations, 816, 817. Abraham; a person profitable to promote the King's affairs, residing at Rome about his Church's affairs, at the Pope's request was restored to the Temporalties by the King's special grace, against custom, before he came personally to the King to do his Fealty; the profits thereof collected by his Bailiffs to be sequestered till he did his Fealty, and then delivered to him, 939, 940. He nulls the Bishop of Dunes' election, which the King approves, and at his request consented to the election and confirmation of a new Bishop recommended by him to the King, 941. Artferten (alias Ke●ry) Bishopric, Bishops. G. approved by the King, a Writ to the Archbishop of Dublin to consecrate him, according to the Pope's command, 393. He resigns his Bishopric, 480. The Dean and Chapter electing a new Bishop without the King's licence, the King refuseth to confirm the election, as null, apparently derogatory to his Crown, and contrary to custom used in all Cathedrals belonging to his Patronage, who upon every avoidance ought to petition for a licence to elect, ere they proceed to choose a Bishop; but because the Bishopric was poor, the King granted the Archbishop of Dublin and Chief Justice power to grant them a licence to elect and approve a new Bishop by his Royal favour and authority, so as the person be faithful to him, and necessary for his land of Ireland, 480, 481. Brendan; A Writ to the Chief Justice not to suffer the Archbishop of Casserens to disturb or implead this Bishop for any Lands or Temporal things belonging to the King's Crown or Dignity, without special command, 603. He relinquisheth it; the Dean and Chapter petition the King for a licence by sealed Letters, contrary to usage, to elect a new Bishop; which the King assented not to, but of his special grace gave power to his Chief Justice to grant them a licence in his stead, so as they present the person elected to him for his confirmation, 783. Attoden Bishopric, Bishops. His with other Bishop's complaints to Pope Alexander, against the King's Justices and Bailiffs grievances and proceedings in Ireland; A Bull procured to redress them, with the King's Proctor's exceptions against some clauses therein, 857, 858. See Tuam. C. Cassal, Cassel Archbishopric, Archbishops. HIs Suffragan Bishops, 603. A Writ to the Archbishop to put the Bishop of Waterford in possession of Lismore Bishopric, of which he was fraudulently dispossessed by a false suggestion to the King, 373, 374. Pope Honorius his command to him, upon the King's complaint, to release his unjust Interdict of the King's Tenants and Lands, after his appeal, within 15. days, else other Bishops are authorized to release it upon caution, 384. Mauritius O Brien Bishop of Cork, promoted by the King at the Pope's request to this Archbishopric; a Writ to restore his Temporalties, and another to him to consecrate the Bishop of Cleon, 393. A Writ to restore whatever the King's Bailiff, had received from his Archbishopric or Clerks Lands, after the King's first Writ of restitution, and his journey towards Rome, 397. A Writ to him to repair to Dublin, to receive and execute the Pope's Mandate for a competent Aid granted the King from the Clergy and Religious persons of Ireland, and those within his Province, 406, 407. The King's Proctor appointed to prosecute a cause before him, as Pope's Delegate, concerning the election of the Bishop of Imelin, which the King opposed, 422. The King's Prohibition to the Archbishop, not to take advantage of any laps of time to sequester the Bishopric of Artferten, (by reason of the Deans and Chapters electing a Bishop without his licence, which election he nulled, putting them to a new one with licence) to the prejudice of his Crown and Dignity, which he would no ways suffer, there being no neglect in him, 481. A Prohibition to the Chief Justice, not to suffer the Archbishop to sue his Suffragans or molest them for any Lands or Temporalties belonging to his Crown, but only for their Spiritualties, 602, 603. A Writ to him to promote the preaching and business of the Cross in Ireland, 733. A Writ to prohibit the Archbishop to confirm the Bishop of Limeric, chosen without the King's licence or confirmation, and to seize his Temporalties and appeal against him if he proceeded therein, 757. A Writ to him to preach the Cross daily by Freers Predicants, and permit the King's Collectors to collect all Legacies, redemptions of the Cross, and other gifts towards that expedition within his Province, 768. David Archbishop of Cassel, confessing his error in consecrating some Bishops in his Province before the King's confirmation, not out of fraud or malice, but ignorance, promised by his Letters Patents under hand and seal for him and his successors, never to offend in this kind, nor to consecrate any Bishop till first elected by the King's licence, and afterwards specially confirmed by the King according to custom, 1038, 1039. Cenanen Bishop. The King's appeal against him and other Bishops, conspiring to elect an Archbishop of Ardmach without his licence, contrary to his Right and Dignity, 240. Clocharen, Clocoren, Cloc●r Bishopric, Bishops. The like appeal against him as next before, 240. N. Bishop thereof, a Writ to the Chief Justice to hear his complaints against the Archbishop of Ardmach, for grievances, spoils of his Lands, Churches, and imprisoning his Tenants, by pretext of Excommunications and the King's Letters, wherein the Archbishop circumvented the King, and to do him full and speedy justice, 482. Cloanensis, Cleonensis, Clonen, Clon Bishopric, Bishops. The like appeal of the King against him as the two former Bishops, 240. A Patent to the Dean and Chapter to elect a Bishop, so as he be an English man, 402. Florentius, the King's Royal assent to his election, and Mandate to the Archbishop of Cassel to consecrate him, 393. Elyas, resigned his Bishopric, 473. Thomas Dean of Clon, elected by the Chief Justice his licence only, without the King's first petitioned for and obtained, which ought not to be, yet approved by reason of its poverty for this time, out of special grace; A Writ to the Archbishop of Dublin to consecrate, and Chief Justice to confirm him, 474, 475. Alanus; an Assize of Novel Disseisin was brought against him by the Bishop of Imelic, for a Tenement in K●lcomyr, of which he apparently disseised him; whereupon the Bishop of Clon threatened to excommunicate the Chief Justice if he proceeded, who desisted thereupon; the King admiting at it, by special Writ commanded the Chief Justice to proceed, notwithstanding his threats, to amerce the Defendant, and give damages and possession of the Tenement to the Plaintiff, according to the Law and Custom of Ireland; to take and imprison the Judges who held plea thereof in the Ecclesiastical Court, and the Bishop too, for prosecuting the cause there against his Prohibition, in contempt of his Crown and Dignity, till they made full satisfaction to the King for such an enormous and grand contempt; and to proceed in like manner in other like cases, that he might lose none of his right, 635. See Imelic. Daniel; the King at the earnest importunity of many great and Religious persons, gave order to his Chief Justice to restore his Temporalties, although the Dean and Chapter of Clon. refused to present him to the King after his election, for to approve or disallow him; and without his favour proceeded by the Pope's command to consecrate him, in prejudice of his Royal Dignity: Provided that the Bishop, Dean and Chapter should first give security by a Charter under their hands and seals, that they would not hereafter proceed to any election of a Bishop, without first petitioning for a licence, and that after the election they should present the person elected to him and his heirs before his consecration, p. 719. Clokor Bishops. Th. An Attachment against him for holding Plea in the Ecclesiastical Court of a Lay fee against the King's Prohibition, p. 372. Cluacensis, and Cluenfert Bishops, with others under the Archbishop of Tuam, procured a Bull from Pope Alexander to excommunicate the King's Justices and Bailiffs for inquisitions, imprisonments, and legal proceedings against them, their Tenants and Officers, notwithstanding the King's Prohibitions: The King's Proctors appeal and exteptions against these clauses, as contrary to the King's prerogative, p. 857, 858. Cork Bishops: Mauritius translated to the Archbishopric of Cassel by the King's licence and assent, p. 391. Corliagensis Episcopus: William a Monk of Jariponte, confirmed by the Pope's Legate; his confirmation approved by the King, a Writ to restore his temporalties, p. 1033. Cuntren Bishop: Adam, subject to Armach, 604. D. Dary Bishopric, Bishops. DArensis Episcopus; The Popes delegate to absolve the Archbishop of Cassels causeless interdict of the King's men and Lands after an Appeal at the King's complaint, in case he took it not off in 15. days, 384. His certificate of a Bishop's consecration by the Archbishop of Dublin at Rome, 980. Dublin Archbishopric, and Archbishops. Henricus Loundres; subscribes King Johas Chatter in Mat. Paris of his surrender of England and Ireland to the Pope, p. 274. His protestation against it, and grief at Pandulphus trampling the first money under his feet, 274, 293, 300. Joyns in a Letter with the Barons for recalling the exiled Bishops and Stephen Langeton, and their safe return into England, 277. Sent with others by the King to meet them, 278. A Writ with his Teste to deliver two imprisoned Clerks to the custody of the Pope's Legate, 283. An Attachment against him for holding plea of a Lay fee in his Court against the King's prohibition, 372. The Kings Writ to him to consecrate the Bishop elect of Artferten, according to the Pope's mandate, which he approved, 393. Justice of Ireland; a Writ commanding him to proceed in a certificate to the Justices in Assize of Mortdauncester where Bastardy was pleaded, to take the proofs of the plaintif. therein, notwithstanding any Appeal● according to the Law, and Custom of Ireland; and to give a definitive sentence therein, that Justice might not be obstructed, the King's Court declined, and his Jurisdiction transferred to another Judicature, 393, 394, Pope Honorius Bull to him to punish the detainers of the King's Castles with Ecclesiastical Censures, if they refused to surrender, them to him, 397. A Writ to him to collect the 5. part of all movable goods of Bishops, Abbots, Priors, and a 6. of all inferior Clergymen within his Province and Ireland, according to their annual values, granted to H. 3. by the Pope; and to dispose, reserve, pay and account to the King for them; that it should not be drawn into example for the future, 406. The other Archbishops summoned to meet him ac Dublin concerning it, 409. A mandate to him when any Cathedral within his Diocese fell void, not to admit any person to vacant dignities, until it shall appear they have petitioned for, and obtained licence from the King to elect, and obtained his royal assent to the election, 407. The profits of all Archbishoprics and Bishoprics which should fall void in Ireland, granted to him, till a debt owing him by the King was fully satisfied, p. 423. A Mandate to all Abbots, Priors, Earls, Barons, Knights, Citizens, Burgesses, and other persons within the Archbishopric to pay Tithes of their Fishponds to their parish Priests, without expecting the King's royal Mandate and assent, 424. A Writ to transmit to him the Constitution of Merton concerning Bastardy, that the issue born before marriage ought not to inherit Lands or Tenements, but the Brother born after marriage: That the Lord ought not to be vouched to warranty in such cases by the tenant, nor duel allowed, to proceed accordingly in Irel. 474. A special Writ to him and the chief Justice to grant a licence to the Dean and Chapter of Arefarten to elect a new Bishop for that time out of special grace, and to confirm, consecreate the person elected in his royal name and right; that his right might not be impeached; and to null their former election made without his licence, which he would by no means confirm, to preserve his prerogative; to confirm, consecreate no Bishop without his precedent licence to elect, & subsequent confirmation when elected, 480, 481. A Writ to him to preach the Cross, publish the Pope's Bull through all Ireland to aid the Holy Land, by such persons as he should think meet; to reserve the Bull safe when published, in the Priory of Trinity in Dublin, where all might resort to it, and use diligence therein, 732, 733. A Writ to him to permit Stephen Longespe and his agents according to the Pope's Bull to him, to collect all the monies in Lagenia, for the redemption of the Vows of such who had taken on them the Cross in that Province, and to assist them therein, 757. A writ to collect and unite the Disms of Beneficed persons in Ireland by the Chief Justices advise, 768, A mandate to him to release the Excommunication he h●d published against Stephen Longespe, and to the chief Justice to induce him to it, 784. Lucas; the King's Parent to him and others, with the Bishops of Notwich, Chichester, and Abbot of Westminster's Letters and instructions to them concerning the business of the Cross, and collecting the Dimes of all Ireland for relief of the Holy Land, p. 815, 816. Ranulphus de Norwico, Chancellor of Ireland, elected Archbishop by the Canons at Dublin, was excepted against, his election nulled in the Court of Rome, and the Electorblamed, because he was a secular person brought up in the King's Court, sitting at the receipt of Custom, and the Archbishop bestowed on Fulco Sandford, his Proctor at Rome, who betrayed him, 850, 852, 1056. Falco, established therein by the Pope's assistance, after many irreparable devastations of his Archbishopric, 852. His Official in his absence at Rome by his authority confirming the Bishop of Ossory, the King upon his and two other Bishop's certificates thereof, granted a Writ to restore his Temporalties, 979, 980. The King after the death of Fulco de Saunford Archbp. of Dublin granted the issues & profits thereof to Pr. Edward, towards the expenses of his voyage to the Holy Land, excepting all Knights fees, wards, reliefs, eschears, advowsons of all Abbeys, Priories, Dignities, prebend's, Churches, that fell void; Writs to the Escheator and Archbishops Tenants to this purpose, 1056. Robert de la Provend: The King of special grace granted this privilege to him, his heirs and their Tenants in perpetual, that their goods should not be distrained in any place for debts, wherein they were not principal or sureties, unless where the debtors were within their power, p. 1017. Dumensis, Dume Bishops. Thomas Lidel, his election justly nulled by the Archbishop of Ardmach, who was ready by his Metropolitical authority to confer it on Reginald Archdeacon of Dume, if the King thereto assented; the King thereupon at his request assented to him as a fit person, receives his fealty, and issued a Writ to the Chief Justice after the Archbishop's confirmation of him to restore his Temporalties, and to the Archbishop to do his duty in confirming and consecrating him, p. 941. E. Elfin, Elphin Bishopric, and Bishops. I. Archdeacon of Elfin, approved Bishop elect by the Pope's Ordinance in derogation of the King's prerogative, being chosen without the King's assent; the Archbishop of Tuam refused to consecrate him; yet because the Pope gave a laudable Testimony of him in his Letters to the King, he issued a Writ to his chief Justice to restore his Temporalties to him, p. 635. Thomas Dean of Archada, elected Bishop of Elfin by the Dean and Chapter before they obtained a licence from the King, yet the King assented to his election●, to prevent danger to the Church, so as by occasion of his grace at this time, no prejudice might accrue to him for the future, nor any prerogative conferred on them, but that the Chapter of Elfin when the See became void, should have a licence from the King before they went to an election, 687. He joins in a complaint to Pope Alexander with the Archbishop and Suffragans of Tuam against the King's Justices in Ireland, for interdicting, imprisoning, oppressing their Priests and Tenants for crimes and suspicions of crimes before confession or conviction; and binding them to appear before secular Judges▪ procuring a Bull to excommunicate them if they desisted not from it, notwithstanding any prohibition or constitution, p. 857, 858, 859. Thomas made Archbishop of Tuam, p. 955. See Tuam. Miso Archdeacon of Clon, elected by the King's Licence; and none excepting against it, the King gave his assent thereto, commanding the Archbishop of Tuam to do his duty therein, and the chief Justice to restore his Temporalties, if his election was confirmed by the Archbishop. After which the Dean, Archdeacon, Treasurer, and Provost of that Church, presented Thomas Abbot of Buelie of the Cistercian order. whom they elected Bishop, to the King, by Letters Patents under their Common Seal, certifying him that the Archdeacon's election was unduly made without expecting the King's licence, which the Archbishop also certified by his Letters Patents; and that by his Archiepiscopal authority he had nulled his election for certain causes: And although the King by reason of the contradiction of these their Certificates, might well doubt which of them was justly to be preferred, as duly elected, yet he assented to the Abbot's election upon the Archbishop's certificate, so as he more fully examined the merit of both elections, and certified the King which of them he ought to admit without violation of Law, p. 979. After this the Archbishop of Dublin confirming and consecrating Milo, and the Archbishop of Tuam, Thomas, as duly elected, Thomas appealed to the Pope, who gave a definitive sentence for Thomas, as appeared by the Pope's certificate to the King: and Milo being dead, as appeared by the Archbishop of Tuams' Letters: thereupon the King (who suspended the restitution of the Temporalties till the controversy descided between them) issued Writs to his Escheator to restore the Temporalties to Thomas without delay, out of special grace, he receiving first in his name, an Oath of fealty, which he and all other Bishops and Prelates of the Land were bound to make, p. 991, 992. F. Fern Bishopric, Bishops. ALbinus; a Writ to the Chief Justice to attach him by safe pledges and sureties to appear before him on a set day for his contempt in prosecuting a suit in the Ecclesiastical Court before the Archbishops of Dublin, Tuam, and Bishop of Clokor against William Earl Marshal for his Layfee, against the King's Prohibition to them, p. 372. A Patent to him and the Archbishop of Dublin, to promote and collect the Aid of all the Irish Clergy granted by the Pope to the King, and to repair to Dublin to confer with the other Archbishops and Bishops concerning it, 406, 407. A Delegate of the Pope with others in the case of the Bishop of Imelic, 422. John, a Patent for him and another to receive the profits of all Archbishoprics and Bishoprics which should fall void in Ireland, to satisfy a Debt the King owed the Archbishop of Dublin in the first place, and after that for the King's use during pleasure, to be answered to his Exchequer, 423. Finabarun, Finabern Bishop. Pope Alexander's Bull to him his Dean and Archdeacon to compel the King's Officers and Bailiffs in Ireland by Ecclesiastical censures, to give over their grievances of indicting, suing, and imprisoning the Archbishop of Tuams and his Suffragans Clerks and Tenants in Temporal Courts, notwithstanding the King's prohibition, or any constitution, p. 857, 858, 859. The King's Proctor's exceptions & protest at Rome against it, as against the King's prerogative. Ibid. Mauritius, elected Bishop thereof by licence from the King; was unwarily confirmed and consecrated Bishop by the Archbishop of the province, before and without the King's royal assent to his election: or receiving or sending to the King for his assent: which offence and neglect the King at this time remitting, issued a Writ to the Escheator of Ireland to restore the temporalties to him, receiving Fealty first from the Bishop in the King's name, according to usage, and Letters Patents from the Chapter, that they shall not draw the said negligence or omission into consequence; yet punishing the Metropolitans Trespass done to the King in admitting the Bishop elect without his assent, according to the quality of it, 1017, 1018. H. Henechdun Bishopric. IT being anciently a Parish Church, and no Cathedral, two Bishops were successively placed in it as a Cathedral. The Pope upon the Archbishop of Tuams' petition, to whom it belonged, gave way to reduce it to its pristine state; the Archbishop petitioned for the King's favour and assent thereto; whereupon a Writ of Inquiry issued to the Chief Justice concerning it, p. 783, 784. See Tuam. I. Imelic Bishopric and Bishops. A Suffragan to the Archbishop of Cassel, 623. John Ocolingba pretending himself Bishop elect of Imelic; the King appealing against his election, the Pope appointed the Archbishop of Cassel, Bishop of Fern, and Archdeacon of Dublin to hear and determine it, before whom the King constituted a special Proctor to defend his right p. 422. C. A Writ to the Chief Justice of Ireland not to intermeddle, if the Archbishop of Casel questioned him and other his Suffragans conterning their Spiritualties; but not to permit him to trouble or sue them for their Lands and Temporalties belonging to the King's Crown and Dignity, 602▪ 603. Christinus Bishop of Imelic, sued an Assize of Novel disseisin, against the Bp of Clon for a Tenement in K●lcomy● of which he injuriously disseised him: The Bishop of Clon threatening to excommunicate the Chief Justice, who for fear thereof delayed to give judgement against him, and damages or possession thereof to the Bishop of Imelic, according to the Laws and custom of Ireland; for which the King by special Writ checks, and commands him to proceed to judgement notwithstanding his threatened Excommunication or any other cause; and to imprison the Bishop of Clon, and those Judges who held plea of it in the Ecclesiastical Court against his Prohibition, Crown and Dignity, p. 635▪ See Clon. L. Lanensis, Laon Bishop: D. Bishop thereof, a Suffragan to the Archbishop of Cassel; prohibited to molest or sue him for his Lands and Temporalties held of the King, but only concerning Spirituties. p. 603. Laon: The Bishop one of the Pope's Delegates in a case of the Election of the Bishop of Meden. The King's prohibition and menace if he unduly proceeded therein, p 816, 817. Lethlin Bishops. R. his decease; p. 424. W. Archdeacon of Lethlin elected Bishop thereof after him, without the King's precedent licence required, his election declared null in Law; yet the King out of special grace, by reason of the honesty of the person, afforded him his favour & royal assent thereto, though his election were▪ deservedly void; Upon condition, that the Chapter and Clergy of Lethlin should first make Letters Patents to the Justice of Ireland, of a licence craved from him, lest it should prejudice him and his heirs in a like election in future time, p. 423, 424. Limeric, Limbrick Bishopric and Bishops. Suffragan to the Archbishop of Cassel, p. 629. The Bishops of Ireland contending to deprive the King of the Liberty he and his predecessors usually enjoyed, to have the Custody of their Bishoprics during the vacancies, and that their Tenants from thenceforth should not require Justice from the King's Court, and Pleas which were used to be brought in determined by his Writs to the prejudice and hurt of his Royal Dignity, specially sent or intended to send the Bishop of Limeric to the Pope's Court to obtain these designs; whereupon King Henry the 3. sent a special Letter to the Pope not to permit any thing to be obtained or granted, by any one's suggestion against him that might hurt his rights or deprive him of his accustomed power in this behalf: but remain safe under the wings of his protection against the machinations of his Enemies; Commanding 4. Proctors manfully to resist those who would obtain those things in the Court of Rome, so as thereby he might have cause to commend their discretion and fidelity, p. 428. H. A Prohibition that the Archbishop of Cassal should not molest nor implead him for his Lands and Temporalties held of the King, but only for Spiritualties. p. 602, 603. A Prohibition to the Archbishop of Cassel, not to confirm a Bishop if canonically elected, in the Church of Limerick, notwithstanding the King's royal assent was not required thereto, and to revoke whatever he had done to the King's prejudice without delay: 756, 757. See cassal. Lismore Bishopric and Bishops. Suffragans to the Archbishop of Cassal, p. 603. R. de Bedeford, by Letters patents from the Chapter of Lismore to 2. Canon's thereof, was elected Bishop of Lismor, to which election the King gave his royal assent, they affirming the Church to be then void, the King issued a Writ to put him in possession thereof; while R. Bishop of Waterford, to whose Bishopric it was annexed, was sent into England by the Pope's Legates command to help consecrate the Bishop of Carlisle, The Bishop upon his return compained of this surprise to the King and Council, producing before them the instrument of J. the Pope's Legate for the union of both Bishoprics▪ and alleged that he could not be justly put out of either of them without hearing, or summons whiles absent, and thus united, by a false and fraudulent suggestion: whereupon the King decreed, that the lying informer (who circumvented him) should not obtain his suit, that his fraud and guile should not patronise him; thereupon he by Writ commanded the Chief Justice of Ireland to put the Bishop of Waterford in full and speedy seisin of all possessions and goods belonging to the Bishopric of Lismor or Waterford: The like Writ ●●●●ed to the Archbishop of Cassel, 373, 374. After which the Pope referred the examination of this cause to his Legate then Bishop elect of Norwich, the Archbishop of Canterbury, and Bishop of Winchester, who by their definitive sentence adjudged R●de Bedeford his election and possession to be good, legal, and that he ought to enjoy the Bishopric; whereupon there issued a Writ to the Chief Justice of Ireland, by advice of the Council, to put the Bishop of Lismor into the possession thereof, and of all its profits without delay, p. 381▪ 382. Griffin, gaining possession of the Bishopric by pretending to the King, he was elected, and confirmed, so deceiving the King, being not confirmed; the King by Writ commanded his Chief Justice upon sight thereof, to seize into and keep safely in his hands, the Bishopric then in Griffins possession with all the appurtenances, lands, goods, rents, possessions belonging to it, till further order, p. 422. A Writ that the Archbishop of Cassel should not molest nor sue the Bishop for any Lands or Temporalties belonging to the Crown, but only for Spiritualties, 602, 603. The King's presentation of VV. de Kylkenny to the Church of Dungarvan directed to the Bishop of Lismor, by the King, 756. M. Meden, Midensis, Midden Bishopric, Bishops. THe Bishop one of the Pope's delegates to release the interdict of the Archbishop of Cassel against the King's lands and Tenants in Ireland, if he refused to do it in 15. days, p. 384. T. appointed one of the King's Collectors by the Pope to collect the Dimes granted him in Ireland for relief of the holy Land, 559, 560. Hugo Bishop thereof having obtained confirmation, and the spiritualties and temporalties of the Bishopric, Galsridus de Cusack pretending himself Bishop thereof, being consecrated by the Archbishop of Ardmach to the prejudice of the King's dignity, when he neither demanded nor had the King's consent to his election or confirmation, conferred certain Churches belonging to the Bishopric, to the Kings and Bishop's prejudice, one of them on the Chancellor of Ireland. Upon which the King issued a Writ to the Chief Justice, that he should not detain that Church, nor do such things for the future, that he should take those persons according to the Custom of Ireland, who were excommunicated by Hugo or his Officials, remove all Lay-force resisting him, out of Churches: and if any menaced him or his in their goods or bodies, to take good security and sufficient pledges from them to attempt no evil against the person elected: the Archbishop and Hugo endeavouring to seclude the King and his heir●, that no licence should be demanded from them to elect a Bishop in the Church of Meden, which would redound to their great prejudice, p. 816, 817. The Bishop of Midden certifies a confirmation of the Bishop of Ossory to the King, p. 980. Executor of the Dism granted to the King in Ireland, p. 1055. O. Ossory Bishopric, and Bishops. THe Kings grant to the Queen's Chaplain of the next Prebend or benefice belonging to the Patronage of that Bishopric which should fall void during the vacancy, p. 971. Galsridus de Sancto Leodegario his election to it confirmed by the Archbishop of Dublins official by his authority whiles absent at Rome, certified to the King by his Official and 2. Irish Bishops; whereupon seisin of all his Temporalties is awarded him by a Writ to the Chief Justice, p. 980. T. Tuam Archbishopric, and Archbishops. THomas, an attachment against him and others for holding Plea of a Layfee against W. Earl Marshal, at the suit of the Bishop of Fern against the King's prohibition, p. 372. Writs issued to him to levy an aid granted upon the Clergy of Ireland by the Pope, and to repair to Dublin to receive instructions concerning it, p. 405, 406. See Dublin. Martin Archbishop, refused to confirm or consecrate the Bishop of Elfin by the Pope's order, without the King's consent, p. 635. A Petition to the King for a licence to elect a new Bishop after his death, the Chief Justice commanded to grant one freely, yet to require them to elect such a one who might be fit for their Church, profitable to the kingdom of Ireland, and faithful to the King, 735. A mandate to the Archbishop to employ Freers Predicants daily to preach the Cross, and collect Legacies, redemptions of the Cross, and all moneys belonging to that affair, p. 768. The Archbishop requested the King that the Church of Hennechdun, alias Eanden, formerly belonging to his See, but having two Bishops successively placed in it as a Cathedral, might become parochial as at first, as the Pope had ordained; the examination thereof referred by Writ to the Chief Justice: the value of the Lands and Edifices belonging to the Church to be enquired after, to be exchanged for other Lands of like value, that the King might build a Castle there: The Patronage of the Church to remain at present in the King's hands, whose licence was required for election and confirmation of the Bishops there▪ till enquiry made who were the ancient patrons: To inquire what land belonged to the Church before it was made a Bishopric: that the Archbishop should have the lands belonging to him of right, and be assisted with favour to recover his right in the King's Courts against the Tenants, 783, 784, 828. Five Articles of Complaint & Grievance of Florentius Archbishop thereof, his Suffragans and Clergy, whereby the Church of Ireland was enormously oppressed, grieved, defrauded of its rights, Liberties by the King's Justices, Sheriffs, other Officers, and some Irish Barons, referred by the King to Prince Edward, to examine and redress, by the advice of his Chief Justice, other discreet men of his Council there, and of the Archbishops, Bishops, Abbots, Barons, Justices, and all the great men of Ireland, to be assembled for that purpose with all convenient expedition, in such sort as should be most expedient for the Church's indemnity, his and the Land of Ireland's profit, tranquillity: So as the glory of the Church might increase by him, and the beginning of his new government might receive more increase of praise, 827, 828. Wolter de Lundie Dean of Paul's being made Archbp; the Pope granted him the profits of all his former livings (by way of Commenda) for two years, not excepting his former grant to the King of all Dignities and livings falling void for 5. years, towards his expedition to the Holy Land; whereupon the King issued a Writ to his proxies not to collect the fruits of the Deanary and Prebendary of London, or other benefices before his promotion by this Commenda, which if they presumed, they should answer them to him, p. 913. He being made Archbp. by the Pope's provision without the King's licence, the King refused to restore his temporalties to him; at last he permitted his Bailiffs to dwell in the houses, and manure the Lands belonging to the Archbishopric; yet so, that all the profits and rents thereof should be sequestered, laid up, and safely kept in certain places within the Archbishopric without diminution, until the Archbishop should come to the King, and do his Fealty in person to him. Which he accordingly performing, the King restored him to his grace, favour, Archbishopric, with the Temporalties, and profits thereof from the time of the sequestration, by a Writ to the Chief Justice of Ireland, 939. Thomas (O Connor) Bishop of Elfin, being elected and confirmed Archbishop of Tuam by the Pope, as the Pope certified the King by his Letters, he approving and confirming his translation, sent Writs to his Chief Justice and Escheator of Ireland, to give him full seisin of all his Temporalties and possessions without delay; and to all the Tenants of the Archbishopric, to obey and answer him as their Lord, 956. The King receiving contrary Certificates concerning the elections of two persons to the Bishopric of Clon, commanded the Archbishop to confirm and consecrate him he had certified to be duly elected, yet to inquire further of the election, and give him a fuller account thereof, that the King might know which of the two to admit without injury of right, 979. See Clon. After which one of them being confirmed and consecrated by the Archbishop of Dublin, the other by the Archbishop of Tuam, who upon his appeal to the Pope had his definitive sentence to be duly elected and confirmed; the King upon the Pope's certificate, issued a Writ to his Escheator to give him s●ifin of the Temporalties without delay, P. 991, 992. See Elfin. W. Waterford, its Bishopric, Bishops, and matters concerning them. THe Bishopric of Lismor united to ●●t by J. Cardinal Presbyter of St. Stephen, the Pope's Legate in Ireland, though formerly divided, p. 373. R. Bishop of Waterford being in actual possession of the Bishopric of Lismor by this Union, during his absence in England by the Pope's Legates mandate to help consecrate the Bishop of Carli●le; the Chapter of Lismor informing the King the Church was void, elected and presented a new Bishop to him, whom he confirmed and restored the Temporakies to: but upon complaint of the Bishop of Waterford, and proof of the Union, restored him to the possession thereof. Upon an Appeal to the Pope, the Bishop of Norwich elect then his Legate, the Archbishop of Canterbury and Bishop of Rochester to whom he referred the examination of the cause, resolved the Union to be void▪ the election and confirmation of the other good; whereupon the King restored him to the possession of Lismor; and the other to all the possessions and Temporalties belonging only to Waterford, p. 373, 374, 381, 382. See Lismor. Philip Dean of Waterford being elected Bishop thereof, whom the Pope approved to be Bishop, the King thereupon granted him his Royal assent and favour: And because he had done fealty to the King, he issued Writs to his Chief Justice to give him full seisin of the Temporalties thereto belonging, according to usage, and to all Tenants of the Bishopric to be intendent and respondent to him, p▪ 784. King H. 3. being in Gascoigne, granted a licence to elect to the Dean and Chapter of Waterford, yet to spare their labour and expenses of sending thither for a confirmation after the election made, he commanded his Chief Justice of Ireland, when the person they required or elected should be presented to him, he should give the royal assent and favour to him; yet so, as the King might have no reason to suspect his loyalty; and to restore him full seisin of the Bishopric, and all Temporalties thereto belonging, when he was confirmed, having first received the due and accustomed Fealty to the King from him; and that he should take care he received Letters Patents from the Dean and Chapter, containing, that they should not draw this grace of the King into consequence in future times, p. 818. This Index (with those in my other Tomes when completed) will supply sundry defects in Sir James Beware his Book, De Praesulibus Lageniae, sive Provinciae Dublinensis, & Archiepiscoporum Cassaliensium & Tuamensium Vitae. INDEX 5. Of Foreign Archbishoprics, Bishoprics, Patriarches, Archbishops, Bishops; Matters, Acts relating to them; those only formerly under our King's Dominions in France and Normandy are particularly touched, the rest referred to the pages wherein mentioned. A. AMciensis Bishop, p. 1032. Sr. Andrews Archbishop; G. A Writ to the Barons, Bailiffs of the Cinque-ports, and others, to arrest him and all his, and other enemies coming from beyond the Seas, o● out of Scotland, who had procured certain things from the Court of Rome tending to the disinheriting of the King of Scotland, (who had married King H. 3. his daughter) not without the manifest scandal and disgrace of him and the said King; and not to suffer any of them to come into the Realm, 973. Antiocha Patriarch▪ claims primacy of the Bishop of Rome, p. 490, 491, 492, 521, 643. Anxianensis, Auxiensis Archbishop, p. 400. Aquensis Episcopus, ordered by Pope Honorius his Bull, at King H. 3. his instance, to excommunicate Geoffry de Lizimace, the Kings sworn Vassal, for breach of his Oath of Fealty to him, p. 402, 403. Summoned to appear before the King at Bordeaux on a certain day, upon the men of Aquis complaint, for invading them in an hostile manner, to the King's great disgrace and dishonour, taking three of them prisoners, and slaying one: I▪ Mansell sent thither to hear and end the differences between them; The Bishop prohibited not to molest them again, as he would avoid the King's revenge, p. 600, 601. Aquilegia Patriarch, p. 643. Arelaten●is Archbishop, prohibits Earl Richard by the Pope's authority not to pass to the Holy Land, when in his journey towards it, to all men's admiration, 514. Armenia Archbishop, arrives in England, p. 421. B. BElvacensis Bishop; Philip taken in his arms against King Rich. 1. by his forces, was kept in them long, detained prisoner, not released by him, no● by King John, notwithstanding all the Pope's Letters, menaces, till he paid a ransom of 6000 Marks, and 2000 Marks more for expenses in prison, p. 227. Beritensis Bishop, p. 643. Bithuricensis Archbishop, p. 400. Bononiensis Bishop James, p. 822, 866, 867, 870, 880. Brixiniensis Bishop G. p. 532, 550. Burdegalensis Archbishop, summoned to a Council to Biturica in France by the Pope's Legate, p. 400. The Bishop of Hereford aspiring to it, defeated by the Archbishop's unexpected recovery, p. 851. Fortone the King's Clerk elected by the major part; the King's Letters to the Pope on his behalf, 971. C. CAesariensis Archbishop, p. 529. Canturcensis Bishopric, p. 1032. Cathanensis Bishop, p. 516. Coloniensis Archbishop H. p. 453, 912. Appendix p. 27. Condonensis Bishopric, 516. Constantinopolitanus Patriarcha, contests with the Pope for primacy, p. 490, 491, 492, 643, 752. Corliagensis Bishop William, p. 1033. Cremonensis Bishop, p. 520. Cuma Bishop H. p. 532. Cunerensis Bishop A. p. 598. D. Dolensis Bishop; Sampson Archbishop of St. David's, carries his Pall from St. David's thither; whereupon the Bishop succeeding him refused subjection to the Archbishop of Turon, till Pope Innocent the 3d. descided the controversy for Dole, p. 234. E. EBredunensis Archbishop; King Henry's grand Proctor to the Pope in the business of Sicily, wherein he decoyed him, p. 944, to 948, 957, 958, 960, 966. F. FErraria Bishopric, p. 516. Florence Bishop, p. 530. G. GLasgo Bishop; Nicholas, his election vacated by the Pope, who conferred the Bishopric by Provision on John de Cheyham, whom he consecrated; King H. 3. his Letters at the Pope's request, to the King and Queen of Scots, and whole Council of Scotland, to restore his Temporalties without opposition, though they might justly withstand it, p. 972, 973. H. HE●bip●l●nsis Bishop, p. 520. L. LAudensis Bishop, p. 520. Lexovi Bishopric, Bishops; King John's memorable Writ to the Dean and Chapter, showing his and his ancestors ancient Prerogative, that no Bishop ought to be elected there, or in any other of his Cathedrals, but by his special licence to elect, and confirmation after the election; his admiring their presumption in electing a Bishop without it; appeals against it to preserve his right, p. 229, 230. Limovicensis Bishop, at the King's request, by the Pope's command, excommunicates Hugh de Lizimaco Earl of March and his Wife, interdicts his Lands, for seizing and besieging King H. 3. his Castles, and other things against his Oath, p. 377, 384. Proctors constituted concerning a difference between the King and him in the French Kings Court, 1032. Lingonensis Bishopric, p. 641. Lucanensis Bishopric, p 516. Lugdunensis Archbishop, p. 400, 401, 641, 642. M. MEssanensis Archbishop, the Pope's Agent, p. 520, 521, 522, 523, 530, 928. Mons Regalis Bishopric, p. 516, 520, 521. Mutinensis Bishop, p. 520, 655. N. NArbonensis Archbishop, p▪ 400▪ Navariensis Bishop, p. 520. Nico●ien●is Bishop, p. 531. P. PAnormitensis Archbishop, p. 520, 521, 522, 523, 536, 537. Parisiensis Bishop, p. 446. Parmensis Bishop, p. 520. Patracensis Archbishop; Stephen his oration to Pope Leo 10. in the Council of Lateran, concerning Constantine's Donation, and the Pope's superlative power above all Powers in Heaven and Earth, p. 8, 9 Petrinensis Archbishop, p. 530. Pictavensis▪ Bishop, 384. Pranestensis Bishop, p. 530, 536, 556, 557. Prumensis Bishop, p. 530. R. REginensis Bishop, p. 530. Rhemensis Archbishop, p 400, 651. Rothomagensis Archbishops; Summoned by the Pope's Legate to the Council of Biturica, p. 400. Petrus de Colle Medio, elected Archbishop by the Dean and Chapter of Rhoan; King H. 3. for his fidelity and special friendship to him, gave his Royal assent thereto; being confirmed by the Pope, he petitioned he might swear Fealty to the King by his Proctor on his soul in his behalf; which the King granting, ordered the restitution of his Temporalties in England to his Proctor, p. 482, 483. Bestows rich presents on Pope Innocent 4. whereby he brought his Church much in debt, 641, 642. The Pope makes him a Cardinal in the Council of Lions for his presents, Ibid. Odo Abbot of St. Denis, an English man, (who presented the Pope with many thousand pounds exacted out of England) ambitiously affecting to succeed him, was made Archbishop by the Pope's Provision, yet died soon after by divine retaliation for it, p. 641, 642, 697. One of the Pope's Agents to publish, execute his Excommunication against the Emperor Frederick; Ibid. The King seized his Temporalties for not coming into England to swear Fealty after his creation; upon which he constituted a Proctor to make it in his stead, desiring the King to accept thereof, p. 686. His Successor a Freer and French man, came personally into England, swore Fealty to the King, prayed and received restitution of his Temporalties, and returned, 729. The King's Patent, Command to him, and all Bishops, Ministers, Religious persons under him, to keep an Anniversary for the soul of his Mother Queen Isabel in their Martyrology, 755, 756. The Archbishop in case of difference, made, joined a Commissioner with others, to settle the differences between King H. 3. and his Barons, p. 1002. S. SAbinensis Bishop, p. 523. Sagiensis Bishop; The Canons present the Names of four persons to King John, petitioning him for one of them, who by advice of his Council elected Herbert Fitz Ralph as fittest, commanding him to be consecrated and obeyed as Bishop, p. 234. Sardis Bishop, p. 515. Senonensis Archbishop, p. 392, 400, 446. Silvanectenis Bishop, p. 392. Squilatensis Bishopric, p. 516. T. TAretacensis Archbishop; a principal Proctor, Agent for King H. 3. in the business of Apulia and Sicily, p. 944, to 948, 957, 958, 977, 1034. Thuronensis Archbishop, p. 234. Tyrus Archbishop, p. 770. V. VAcatensis Bishop, p. 403. Vercellensis Bishop, p. 520. W. Worm's Bishop, p. 520. X. Xancton Bishop; King H. 3. his Letter to the Pope, to command him to excommunicate H. de Leximaco son of the Earl of March, unless he restored his Sister and Castles upon the Pope's Mandate, p. 377. His Letter for that purpose to him, 384. INDEX 6. Of English, Irish, other Archdeaconries, Dianeries, Chapters, Canons, Archdeacon's, Deans, mentioned in general or particular in this To●e. Archdeacon's, Deans; their Officials and Apparators to exact no Fees, Tallages, Procurations from Priests, Clerks; nor money for Institutions, Inductions, Instalments into Prebendaries or Benefices, p. 233, 910. Present at St. Alban at a great Assembly about a divorce, 435. Under Bishops, know the values of Benefices better than they, 567. Day given them to appear with the Bishops to return answer to the Pope's Legate, concerning the Tax demanded by him, 567, 569. All Archdeacon's of Bishops, or Monasteries exempt, and their Officials throughout all Dioceses, summoned to appear before the Pope's Nuncio about the redemption of Vows for the Cross, 731, 732. Claimed the custody of Churches during their vacancy, Appendix p. 2, 12. used to collect Dimes, 310, 1048, 1051, 1052. A. Sr. Alban Archdeacon's, p. 579, 692, 693, 745, 762. B. BAion, Rich. de Clemangiis, p. 229. Bedeford, John, p. 399, 419. B●l●ghatensis in Ireland, Florentius, p. 393. Berks, Walterus Scamell, p. 1027, 1034. Br●cun in Wales, Gilardus, p. 234, to 238. C. Canterbury; Henry de Stanford, Everardus his Official Excommunicates the Monks of Canterbury for then ●o●ce in the Church of Faver shame; with the Abbot, all their Clerks of Churches, Tenants, Parishionere, Familiars, after their Appeal to the Pope; complaints, appeals concerning it, Appendix p. 2, to 14. breaks the Altars, burns the Palls in the Church of Faver shame, wherein the Monks had celebrated after their Excommunication, Appendix p. 6. Simon Langeton, Chancellor to King Lewes whiles in England, 362. made Archdeacon by his brother Archbishop Stephen; his sawey answer to King John touching his brother's restitution, 252. Acts against the King, Kingdom; joins with Lewes the French King, appeals against the Legates Excommunication of him; excepted out of the Pacification between King H. 3. and Lewes; banished, petitions the Pope for his return into England, upon his brother's engagement not to act any thing against the King or Kingdom's peace; a firebrand, mover of sedition in England and France; his election to the Archbishopric of York, nulled by the King, Pope; the King's licence to elect, prohibiting his election; causeth the Pope to null Ralph's election to Canterbury, for his fidelity to the King, Kingdom; opposed Boniface his Visitation, and Kings Letters; his death, p. 252, 293, 294, 299, 300, 310, 330, 348, 349, 362, 371, 372, 392, 431, 579, 728. E. a Writ of Prohibition against his building a Church of Canons at M●ydeneston, to the disinherison and prejudice of the Crown, 560, 560. A Writ to certify the number, value of all Benefices, Provisions to Aliens within the Diocese, and by whom granted, 573. To cause Prayers to be made for the King Queen, his prosperous success in his voyage, and safe return, throughout his Archdeaconry, 577. Stephen, his account of the Dimes of Canterbury Diocese, 1052 Cleveland, ●● to pay money to the Pope's Agent out of the Dimes collected by him, p. 310. Co●ecestre, Fulco Lovel, his account of Dimes, p. 1048. Coventre, p. 388. ●. a Prohibition to him, 689. ●illus de Ki●keny, one of the Custodes Regni, 806. D. DErby, his petition for Clerks imprisoned to be delivered to him, a Wr●t to the Sheriff thereupon, p. 577. Dublin Ireland, Guide Tur●evil, p. 422, 423. Dume Ireland, p. 941. E. EBor Th● Lud●am, p 1029, 1039. Ireland● p 635. E●y, Nicholas, A Commission to him to appeal for the King, p 726. The King's Chancellor, 981, 982. Essex, Theobald, his Tenants amerced, p. 820. F. FInabarun Ireland, p. 857, 858, 859. G. Gloucester, A Prohibition to him not to compel any by Ecclesiastical censures, or the Pope's Nuncio's precept, to contribute to the Pope, p. 574. H. HEr●ford, ●illiam, Excommunicated, Interdicted by the Pope, for o●, osing King John, p. 360 His account of the Dimes of the Diocese, p 105●, 1054 Huntingdon, W. d● C●ahull, the sequestration● of all Abbots, Clerks, etc. in Lincoln Dioces●●, who obeyed th● Popes Interdict, committed to him by King John, p. 255. sent to meet the exiled Bishops upon their return, 278. A Prohibition to exact a Disme from a Clerk 5●3 sent by Bishop Grosthead●n ●n o Walls to Admon●● King H. 3 to correct his excesses, 595. Roger de R●●cky●●●●, compounds with King H. 3. for all the Dimes of Lincoln Diocese, 1051, 1052. L. LEgr. Leycester, sent to reprove the King by Bishop Grosthead, p. 595. Lethlin Ireland, W. p. 424. Lincoln, his injurious proceedings and excommunication against the Abbot and Monks of St. August●●●s Canterbury; contests, suits, appeals thereon, 597, 598. William Lupus, an Attachment against him for proceeding contrary to a Prohibition, 720. Excommunicated by Archbishop Boniface, appeals against him to his ●ace, goes in person to Rome, oppressed by his power till his death, none daring to favour or protect him, 805, 806. Lions, Guido, p. 845. London Peter, Excommunicated by the Archbishop, his appeal against it, p. 745. M. MIddlesex, p. 814. N. NOrsolk, Nicholaus de Plumpton, p. 1034. Northampton, A Writ not to prejudice the Archbishopric of York, p. 233. Northumberland, R. de Marisco, recommended by King John to be elected Bishop of Winton, rejected by the Monks, 355, 356. Complaints and a Prohibition against him for vexing the Inhabitants of New Castle upon Tyne, and citing them to remote parts, to take Oaths, and answer Articles, 969, 970. Norwich, Ganfridus de Burgo, apprehended, imprisoned, put to death with a Cap of Lead by King John, for deserting his service, Court, upon his Excommunication by the Pope, and using words to others to desert him, 258, 267. Johannes Florentius, Pope's Agent, forced to fly to escape apprehension, 435. Simon Normannus, Keeper of the Great Seal, deprived of it, his Pluralities, and Archdeaconry by the Pope, 566. slanders the English as Traitors, Ibid. Nottingham, W. recommended to the Chapter of York by Writs for their Dean, p. 352. O. Oxon; A Writ to him to publish in places convenient, that the Scholars which fled thence for assaulting the Pope's Legate, might safely return, p. 496. A Prohibition to him against suits for Legacies and Goods belonging to the King's Chapel of Sti●●feld, 497. A Prohibition against his exacting Procurations from the Church of St. Cross, 602. A Prohibition to him against an Inquisition to the prejudice of the King's Crown and Prerogative, 972. Richard de Mepham, A Commission to him and others to sequester and secure the goods of Alien and Nonresident Clerks, and recover those distracted during the Troubles, by common consent of the King and Barons, 1004. Gualther Map●s, his Verses against the Popes and Court of Rome's bribery and corruptions, p. 1069, 1070. R. RIchmond, Honorius, the King's protection and Pope's Letter for him against the Archbishop of York's oppressions, p. 231, 232. A Delegate to the Romish Cardinals in case of a Provision, 650. Church's therein, 954. Opposed the King's right, to promote the Pope's Provision, to the prejudice of the Crown, 963. Roffen, Rochester, the King's Proctor, 984. S. SAlop, Petrus de Radenour, made an impropriation during the vacancy of the Bishopric by fraud, which the King nulled, p. 689. Stafford, A Prohibition to him not to proceed in a cause against the King's Clerk touching St. Michael's Church in Coventry, p. 689. Sud●u●y, Al●nus de Becles, more peremptorily denied the Pope's Legates exactions then any other, 569. Constantinus, an auditor for the account of the Dimes, 1051. Suffolk, Richard de Langedon, A Writ to him not to reveal the Kings▪ council to any person, touching a dispensation to marry, p. 454. Surrey, L. a Writ to exempt him from paying Dimes, p. 562. A Writ to him faithfully to preserve the rights of the Crown, 590. W. WAterford, Ireland, p. 817. Wells, Simon, a grand contest between him and the Abbot and Monks of St. Augustine's, touching the Church of Feversham, to which King John presented him, Appendix p. 1, to 14. Hugo the King's Chancellor, made Bishop of Lincoln, p. 257. Westminster, Richardus de Crokesd●le, skilful in the Law, elected Abbot of Westminster, p. 685. Winton, H. a Writ to exempt him from Dimes, p. 562. A Writ to him to maintain the rights of the Crown, against the Bishop's invasion of them, p. 590. A Writ to him presently to depart the Realm by the King and Counsils order, 938. A Prohibition to him not to implead any of the King's Clerks out of England, p. 981. Wygorniensis, William elected Bishop of Durham by the Monks, but refused by the King, p. 405. One of the arbitrators to end the controversy between the Bishop of Lincoln and his Dean and Chapter, p. 509. X. XA●cton, p. 971. Deans, Chapters, and Canons. A. ALtissiodorensis Dean; A Prohibition to him as Pope's Delegate, not to proceed in a cause between the Prior of ●anton and Archbishop of Ardmach, p. 628. Artferten, Ireland, p. 480, 481, 763. See Artferten Bishops. St. Asaph, Wales, Their Charter of acknowledgement under hands and seal, that upon every avoidance of the Bishopric, they ought humbly to petition the King and his Heirs for a licence to elect a new Bishop, and after the election made, to require their Royal assent thereto, p. 726, 727. B. BElvacensis, Excommunicated all who spoke against the Pope's grant of First▪ fruits to Boniface, p. 685. C. CArantoke, Cornwall; A Prohibition to the Sheriff of Cornwall to hinder a Provisor to be put into it by Provision from the Pope, belonging to the King's presentation in right of his Crown, by the vacancy of the Bishopric of Exon, p. 736. Clon in Ireland, p. 759. See Bishops of Clon. E. ELfin in Ireland, p. 687. See Elfin Bishops. E●or, William specially recommended, p. 352. Fulco elected Bishop of London, p. 623. The Dean a Cardinal's Delegate touching a Provision, p. 650. A Writ to the Sheriff to permit them to enjoy all their Liberties, granted, enjoyed by former Charters, without prejudice to the King's rights, 719, 720. Their Lands seized into the King's hands, by reason of a difference with the City of York, restored by Writ, 820. A Prohibition to them for usurping upon the Jurisdiction of the City in several particulars, 830, 831. Jordan, thrust into it by a Papal Provision, secretly installed, vexeth Archbishop Sewall, caused the Pope to excommunicate him for opposing him, 851. 926. A Writ to the Dean and Chapter to admit John Maunsell to the Treasurership of York, in the King's gift by vacancy, or upon their refusal, others authorised to admit him, 854, 855. Godfrey de Kym●ton Dean elected Archbishop, 953. William de Langeton elected Archbishop, his election nulled, 1009. William de Rothe●field Dean, 1011. F. F●●abarun, Ireland, p. 857, 858, 859. H. HE eford: His account of the Dimes thereof, p. 959. K▪ ST. Kaniti●, Kilkenny Ireland, p. 980. L. LIchefeld; their election of their Bishop with the Monks of Coventry jointly, or by turns, differences about elections, p. 418, 510, 511, 688, 689. Lincoln; Differences, suits, appeals between Grosshead the Bishop, the Dean and Canons, about his visitation of them▪ 509, 510, 576, 577, 596, 597, 598. Roger de W●s●ham Dean elected Bishop of Coventre; the Bshop seizeth on the Church of A●le●hury, endeavouring to s●ver it perpetually from the Deanery, p 625. The Pope's sentence against the Dean and Chapter that the Bishop should visit them without procurations, p. 629, 630, 698, 699 Henry de Lixinton Dean elected Bishop, p. 805. Their Petition to the King for enlarging the Cathedral to the walls of the City, a Quod damnum thereupon, 855. The Dean Assigned to collect the Dis●● of Lincoln Diocese, 1051, 1052, 1055. M. ST. Martin's London: L. Capell Dean, p. 422. The King's free Chapel exempt from Episcopal Visitation, Jurisdiction; a Prohibition for them, 496. and against the Pope's Provision to a Prebenda●● in it, p. 557. Claim the amercements of their Tenants in all places, p. 828▪ The Kings protection to them, 835. H. Wengham Dean thereof made Bishop of London, held it in Commenda, 954, 955. William de Chanent Dean, King's Proctor at Rome, 10●0. Mont. St. Andrew in Savoy, 808. O. OSsarten; Collector of the Dimes in Ireland, 1055▪ P. ST. Patric Dublin: F. de Chaddeworth Dean, deputed to collect the Disms in Ireland, 560. Paul's London: Hugo de Pateshull Chancellor of London elected Bishop of Coventree, p▪ 511. A prohibition to them to install a Prebend by the Pope's provision during the Sees vacancy, against the King's prerogative, to whom it belonged, 575. A Writ to the Sheriffs of London to seize all their beasts, chattels, p 720. Henry the Dean a 〈◊〉. Canons excommunicated by Archbp Boniface, appeal to Rome, 741, 742, 745. their excommunication nulled by the Pope's Bull, 745, 746, 747, 762. He visited the Canons at last with moderation, 799. The Dean sent to Rome by all the Clergy to oppose the Pope's Legates demands, 841. Walter made Archbishop of Tuam, 913, 939. A Prohibition to them to hold plea of goods and chattels not of Testament or marriage, 968. S. SArum; Pope Alexander's Bull of thanks for a Prebendary bestowed on his Nephew, and reservation of it by way of provision, 952. Compound for the Disms thereof, 1036. Suwer●, Suthwerk, Dean, pronounced an excommunication by the Archbishop null, p. 786. 787. T. TOttenhall Deanery in Coventry and Litchfield Diocese, 954, 955. Tuum; a Licence to elect a Bishop granted them upon petition, p. 735. W. WAterford Ireland▪ Philip made Bishop of it, p. 784. a licence to elect granted them upon petition, 817, 818. W●l●s, Johannes Saracenus: A prohibition to him as Pope's Delegate, not to draw a Clerk in suit out of the Realm, p. 718. The Pope's Chaplain, Delegate for the Collection of Dimes, and redemption of Vows, granted by the Pope to Richard Earl of Cornwall, 731. A Prohibition to him to grant a Pre●end by the Pope's provision belonging to the King, 736. An inhibition to him not to meddle with the goods of the Bishop of Ely deceased, 965. Their certificate of the Bishop's election to the Archbishop, 998. Edward de la Cu●ll▪ Dean sent to the King and Queen of France▪ 1014, 1015. The Dean and Chapter Compound for the Disms of the Bishopric granted to the King, for a fine, 1036, 10●7. W●lverhampton; the King's free Chapel exempt from Episcopal Jurisdiction, Giles de Erdington Dean p. 982. INDEX 7. English, and o her Earls, Dukes, Nobles; Matters done by, or relating to them: with a brief quotation sometimes only of the pages where to find them. A ALbemarle, Earl william besieged, fortified, detained the King's Castles against him excommunicated: all prohibiten to affist him, 324 378 379. joins in a Letter to the Pope & Card nals against their exactions, 669, 670, 671. Prohibited to assist the Bishop of 〈◊〉, or Archbishop of Cant, in their quarrel against each other, p 788. Subscribes the Letter to the Pope in the name of the Commonalty of England 950, 951. And gav●e, an Arbitrator between H. 3. and his Barons, p. 100L. Angul●●me, confederates with other French Earls, Nobles against the Popes, Prelates Usurpations on their Liberties; and exetavagant censures, 700, 701. Arundle ●illiam, subscribed King Johes' Charter, Writes to the exiled Bishops, is his surety to them, 229. 251, 274, 276, 277, 278, 331, 339, Faithful to the King 390 Hath a sentence at Rome, and damages against Archbishop Edmund, 499. Atribacensis Earl, 754. Atteranensis Earl; his Epistle to the Emperor of Pope Gregory the 9 his treacheries against him, 416. B. B●v●●ia (Duke:) a devoted friend to the Church of Rome, 658, Bononiae, Bullen, Reginaldus, a Witness to K. John's Charter of resignation, joins in a Letter for the exiled Bishops return, p. 272, 274, 276, 277. Britain, his injuries to King H. 3. p. 455, 456, Joined in confederacy against the Pope and Bishop's usurpations, with other Nobles of France, 700. Burgoine, Confederates with others against the Popes and French Bishops Usurpations, 700. C. CHester, Cestriae: Ranulphus, subscribes King John's Letters, and is his security for the ex●led Bishops sa●e return, subscribes his Charter to the Pope, and Archbishop Langeton, p. 251, 276, 277, 190, 331, 338, 339. The Archbishop threatens to excommunicate him if he surrendered not the King's Castles. Manors to him, which he doth thereupon, 314, 391. Stoutly opposeth the Pope's Usurpations, Texes, 427 Persuades the King to countermand his precept to the 〈◊〉 forcibly to take Hubert de Burgo out of sanctuary, 4. 8. Is present in the Parliament at Merton, and vote concerning Bastardy, 472. Clare R. Excommunicated by the Pope, p. 251, 359. G●●hert dies, his Casiles, Wardship, contests for it between the King and Archbishop Langeton, 429, 430. Cornwall and Po●ctou, P●ctaviae; Richard, A witness to the contract between the Emperor and Isabel his Niece, 453. 455. Present in the Par●▪ at Merton, and vote concerning Bastardy, 472. King Henry ruled much by his Council, 486. Sets his seal to a Letter to the Pope, that his Legates stay was for the profit of the King, kingdom and Church of England, 493 join with the Nobility against the Legate for his exactions, 497, 498. The Pope's answers to his and their Complaints, 507, 508. Swears a Voyage to the Holy Land at the high altar with many others, yet prohibited to proceed when on his voyage thither, 513, 514. The Emperor's Letters to him concerning his excommunication, p. 517, 518, 527. Takes his leave of England for the Holy Land; begins his journey towards it, 546. Vows dispensed with for money towards his Voyage as was pretended, 571, 572. join with the other Nobles in a Letter against the Pope's exactions, threatening to cast off their subjection to him if not redressed, 669, 670. Te●rifies King H. with his threats from persisting in his resolution manfully to oppose the Pope, 675, who grants him a Croysado and Dimes for his Voyage to the Holy Land, 698, 729, 730, 731, 732, 808. Present at St. Edward's feast in honour of Christ's blood, 715. Present in Parliament, joins with others in reprehending the King for his misgovernment, 721, 722. The King respites the seizing the Bishop of Worcester's temporalties for suing against his prohibitions at his request, 752. Extraordinary rich: The Pope offers him the Realm of Sicily, which he refuseth, being only to exhaust his Treasure, 776, 777. Excepted out of Archbishop Boniface his general Excommunication, 786, 788. Present in Parliament at the general excommunication of the infringers of the Church's Liberties and Great Charter, 796. Guardian of the Realm with Queen Elinor in King H. 3. his absence, 806, to 824 refuseth Sicily; or to lend the King or Edmund moneys to gain it the Pope's Letters for that purpose 808, 8●2. The Jews sold to him by King H. 3. Append. 27. Elected Emperor, and why, App. 27, 28. D. DErby, William de Fer●ariis, 757. E. ESsex, Galfridus, Geoffry Fitz-Peter, 231. Chief Justice. See more Index 8. Chief Justices of England G. de Mandevil, Earl of Gloucester and Essex, 338, 435. H. de Bohun Earl of Hereford and Essex, 669, 951. F. FLanders Philip, refused to invade England, p. 276. Ferrer, de Ferrariis ●illiam, 271. matters relating to him, 257, 271, 274, 276, 277, 290, 331, 338, 339, 472, 721. G. Gloucester, G. de Mandeville, p. 338. Gilbert de Clare his actions, 558, 559, 721, 788. Richard de Clare his actions for and against the King, 931, 935, 950, 967, 977, 1001, 1002, 1013, 1014, 1021, 1024, 1025, 1032. H. HAssia and Turing Landgrave, Henry elected Emperor by the Pope's means in opposition to Frederick 2. slain, 680, 753. Heresord, Humsry de Bohun Marshal excommunicated, p. 359, 390. His acts, and matters concerning him, 452, 472, 715, 721, 788, 796, 862, 951. Holland William, set up and chosen Emperor against the Emperor Frederick the 2. by the Pope, routed, slain, and his whole army defeated, Appendix 27. K. KAncia, Kent: Hubert de Burgo, his Negotiations, troubles, acts; p. 452, 453, 472, 485, 498. See Chief Justices. L. LEycester, R p. 229. Simon de Montefort, Monfort; 400, 472. Gave ill Counsel to King H. 3. against the public, 486. Guarded the Pope's Legate with his arms to the Council at Paul's, 488. Goes with a vast sum of money to Rome thereby to prevent a divorce from his unlawful marriage, against his wives vow of virginity made before the Archbishop, which the Pope confirmed, 498, 500 Yet being checked for it by the King he departs the Court with infamy, goes beyond Sea with his wife, Ibid. Solicits the Prelates, Abbots, Priors, Clergy to grant an aid to the King at his and the Pope's request by Letters to them, which they deny, 610. join with the other Nobles in a Letter against Pope's Extortions, Innovations, Oppressions of the Church of England, 669, 670. join with the Bishops and other Lords in a sharp reprehension of the King in a Parliament which dissolved in discontents and denial of an aid, 721, 721. Appointed an Ambassador to the Pope with others about the Privilege sent K. H. 3. for the kingdom of Sicily thereby given him, 914. Several Writs, Letters, Procurations concerning that his Employment, 915, to 920. Called by William de Valentia, an old Traitor in Parliament before the King and Nobles. His indignation, reply thereto, 931. He and other Nobles confederate together, come with horse and arms to the Parliament at Oxford, force the Poictovins to deliver up the Castles they had got possession of under pain of losing their heads, and to depart the Realm, 935, 936, 937, 938. Letters by his and other Nobles advice to the Pope concerning Sicily, 943, to 951 reputed to be crowned with Martyrdom, 980. His Precepts during the Wars net to pillage or rob Churches or Churchyards ineffectual, 991, 1000 He joins in the Instrument of submitting the Articles of Oxon, and other Differences between King Henry and his Barons to the King of France, Pope's Legate, and others, 1001, 1002. His presentation under the Great Seal to the Treasurership of York during the King's imprisonment under him revoked after his enlargement, 1010. A Writ to excommunicate the Welshmen, Earl of G●ocester, and other opposites to him, procured and signed by him in the King's name, 1013, 1014. Absolved from his sins, encouraged by some Bishops in all his Wars against the King; slain in Rebellion; the tempest at his death, 1021, 1022. Lincoln, John; matters concerning him, p. 472, 486, 487 488. M. MAndevill, 389, 390. See Essex. March; Henry de Lizimaco, matters concerning him, p. 377, 385, 384, Hugo de Brune, p. 750. Melun Viscont, his confession of Lewes his intention to banish the English Barons who elected and made him King, as Traitors, when he conquered King John, 366. N. Norfolk and Suffolk, Roger Be-god, and Hugh de Be-god, acts concerning them, p. 280, 299, 359, 390. 638, 639, 644, 669, 715, 721, 796, 843. O OXon: Albericus de Veer, p. 251, 261. R. de Veer, 472. 669, 721, 796. Matters concerning them, Ibid. P. ST. Paul, Pol: against the Pope, p. 700. Pembroc, William Marescallus, his Teste to K. H. 3. his write Charters; Letters, Oath to the exiled Bishops, p. 230, 274, 276, 277, 280, 290, 33●, 338, 339. The Kings Writ to him concerning the release of the interdict, 332, appeals by him against the disturbets of the kingdom's peace, 346. Sets up, crowns, assists H. 3. after K. John's death, 369, 370, 389, 390. Richard Earl Marshal, certain Bishops accused by the King in Parliament of overmuch familiarity with him, 443. Bishops sent to treat a peace between the King and him; 445. Gilbert, swears to maintain the contract of marriage between King H. 3. and the Emperor, 452. Present in the Parliament of Merton, and Lords resolution not to alter the Law of Bastardy, 472. Went armed to the Council at Paul's to guard Otto the Pope's Legate, 488. Takes up the Cross, and vows to go to the Holy Land with Earl Richard, 513. A Writ to him, not to intermeddle in the quarrel between Archbishop Boniface, and the Bishop of Winton, 788. Perron confederates against the Popes and Prelates usurpations, extravagances, 700. Poictou: taken prisoner by the Saracens, 755. Provence: King H. 3. maries his daughter, 455. Is taken prisoner by the Saracens, 755. P. RAinoldus, a Foreign Earl, 410. Richmond, Peter of Britain 457. of Savoy, p. 723. Rogerus, a Foreign Eatl, 410. S. SAbaudia, Savoy; 502. Thomas, imprisoned, 848, 849. Sarum, Salisbury; William, his actions, p. 251, 265, 271, 274, 290, 389. Swartzemburge, 753. T. THolose: Reymund, The Pope and his Legates interdict, excommunicate, and grant a Croysado against him, though an Orthodox Christian, for favouring the Albigenses, refusing to abjure the Earldom for him and his heirs, and become the Pope's vassals like King John. p. 400, 403, 404, 414. W. WArren: William, matters concerning him, p. 271, 274, 276, 277, 338, 339, 346, 389, 372, 494, 721. John 836, 943. Warwick: H. 390. F. 472. John de Placeto: 936, 951. Winton: S. acts, matters concerning him, p. 251, 274, 290, 331, 338, 339, 359. R. 669, 721. INDEX 8. Of the Names of the Chancellors, and other Great Officers of State of England and Ireland: With their particular Actions. CAstellan of Dover, Richard de Grace, p. 937. Chancellors and Keepers of the Great Seal of England; Hubert Archbishop of Canterbury, p. 229. See Archbishops. Hugh Archdeacon of Wells, 257. Walter de Grace, 259, 290. Richard de Marisco, 338, 339, 388, 389, 390. Simon Langeton Chancellor to King Lewes whiles in England, 362. Ralph de Nevil Bishop of Chichester, 294, 431, removed why, 472, 48●, 501. Geoffrya Templar, and John de Lexinton, 501. Hugh de Pateshull, 510. Simon Norman, 568. Henry de Wengham, 923, 924, 954, 955, 961. Nicholas Archdeacon of Ely, 981, 982. Godsry Gifford, 1038. Most of these were recommended to Bishoprics, or made Bishops by our Kings; (some of them with much opposition) after they were Chancellors, Ibid. Chancellors of Ireland, Rolph de Norwico, p. 850. Chancellor of the Exchequer in Ireland, p. 559. Constable of Chester, J. p. 359. Constable of Dover Castle, 1059, 1060. Escheator of Ireland, William de Bakepuz, p. 310, 939, 942 956, 979, 991, 992, 1017, 1056 Chief Justices of England, Prohibitions, Writs issued by, with their Testes; other acts by them. Galfridus, or Geoffry Fitz Peter, Earl of Essex, 230, 231, 232, 233, 239, 242, 251, 252, 265, 274, 276, 277, 279, 280, 282. Appendix, p. 7, 8, 9 Peter Bishop of Winton, 332, 354. Hubert de Burgo Earl of Kent, his actions as Chief Justice, Teste to Writs, flight, troubles, pulling out, restoring to sanctuary, reconciliation to the King, etc. 373, 388, 389, to 396. 429, 430, 437, 438, 439, 443. Hugo de Bigod, p. 937, 951, 964, 965, 969, 970, 971, 972. Hugo le Dispenser, 1001, 1005, 1008. Chief Justices in Ireland; Writs, Mandates directed to them concerning Ecclesiastical and Civil affairs of several kinds, the declaration, execution of Laws, Justice, Collection of Disies, &c: See Archbishops, Bishops, and Archdeacon's, Deans of Ireland. G. de Marisco, 372, 373, 378, 382. Archbishop of Dublin, p. 393, ●397. Richard de Burgh, 422, 423, 458. M. Fitzgerold, 474, 475, 480, 481, 482. 559, 603, 618, 632, 633, 634, 635. John Fitz-Geoffry, 690, 719, 735, 756, 768, 784, 768, 807, 808, 810, 827, 828, 857, 858, 859, 951. Alanus le Zouche, 939. Stephen Longespe, 941, 956, 990. The Bishops, Clergies complaints to the King, Pope, against the Oppressions, imprisonments, Proceedings, prohibitions of the Justices of Ireland; against them, their Clerks, Tenants, with Writs, Bulls concerning them, 827, 828, 857, 858, 859. Inferior Justices in England. John Fitz-hugh p. 262. Simon de Pateshull, 281. Philip de Uletot, Appendix 20. Henry de Braibroc, 265, 360, 392. Martin de Pateshull, 407, 473. Henry de Bathonia, 720, 818, 830, 853, 862, 965. Roger de Thurkeby, 760. Gilbertus' de Preston, 825. Henry de Bracton; with his Treatise of the King's Prerogative and Prohibitions, 872, to 890. See Index 1. Thomas Trivet, 1067. Guardians of the Realm in the King's absence beyond the Seas; Geoffry Fitz Peter Earl of Essex, Chief Justice, and Peter Bishop of Winton, p. 282. Appendix 7, 8, 9 Writs with their Teste, 1b. William Archbishop of York; The Bishop of Carlisle and W. de Cantilupo, 579, 599, to 603. The Queen, Richard Earl of Cornwall, 808, 814, to 819. writs with their Teste, Ibid. Marshals of England; William Earl of Pembroc Marescallus, p. 230, etc. See Earls of Pembroc. John Mareschallus, 399. Richard, 445. John 614. Roger Bigod, 705, 721, 788, 796, 937. William de Bonquer, 937. Protoforester of England, Hugo de Nevil, 265. seneschals, Stewards of England, William de Cantelupo, 348, 354. Aimericus de S. Amando, 456. Simon de Montefort, Earl of Leycestre, 1013. Seneschal of Gascoigne, Henry de Troublevill, p. 456. Treasurers of England. Hugo de Pateshull, p. 511. Robertus Passeleve, 625. William de Haverbulle, 735. Philip de Luvell, Vudel. 820, 826, 862, 865. 925. 960. Wardens of the Cinque Ports, Writs to, acts by them: William de Wortham, p. 265. Bertramus de Cryoyle, 617. Roger de Cobham, 867. INDEX 9 Of Names, Surnames of Barons, Privy Counsellors, Knights, Ambassadors, Proctors for the King at Rome, Officials, Lawyers, Clerks, Monks, other persons of our own or other Nations not comprised in the former Indices; with most of their qualities, actions. A. DE Abendune William, a learned Monk, censures the Pope's confirmation of a Marriage against vowed Chastity, for money, as illegal, p. 500 De St. Agatha, a Clerk, 495. Agoilun Robert, Miles; the Bishop of Winchester's servant, excommunicated, 787. De St. Albano, Albino, St. Albon, St. Albine Henry; a Chaplain, 971. Michael a Clerk of Oxford, 495. Nicholas a Monk, their Proctor at Rome, 458, 462. William Kings Proctor at Rome, 377, 378. De Albamara Robert, Commissioner for the exiled Bishops damages, 280. De Albaniaco Philip, a Baron, agent for King H. 3. 446, 453, 454, 472. Robert, Commissioner for the Bishop's damages, 280. Albertus, Pope's Notary, 777. De Albin Philip, a person of quality employed in Lady Isabella's contract of marriage with the Emperor, 453, 454, 455. De Albineto William, a Baron, he and his son excommunicated by the Pope for taking arms against King John, 359. De Aldermanburic Gervas' his case, 882. Aldebrandi, 845. Ildebrando, 1038. Aldethely James, 1049. Alexander William, a Lawyer, excommunicated for opposing King John, 455. Alienora, Queen to H. 3. One of the Guardians of the Realm in his absence, 808, 814. The Dimes of Ireland assigned to her for a debt, 1049, 1054. Alienora, King H. 3. his Sister, married to Simon Montefort against her vow, 498, 500, 575, 756. Mr. Although the Legates Register, p. 448. St. Amand Aimericus, a Baron, mentioned in the marriage agreement with the Emperor, 453, 456. Present in the Parliament of Merton, and vote for Bastardy against the Canons, 472. Amblion John; Kings Proctor at Rome, 808. De Amendalia Jacob, 531. St. Amur William, King's Proctor at Rome, 578. De Andre James, a Baron, subscribing a Letter to the Pope with others against his exactions, 951. Roger, a Commissioner for the Bishop's damages, 281. De St. Andrew William, brought Letters of the Pope's releasing the interdict to King John, 332. Angermund William, 941. Anselmus, a Romish agent, 957, 958. De Arches Peter, the Pope's provisor, 575. De Arden Ralph, Custos of the temporalties, Archishoprick of Cant. 25●. William Commissioner for the Bishop's damages, 280. De Argentine, De Argento his Teste to a Writ as a privy Counsellor, 1005, 1008, 1014. R. a Baron in the Parliament of Merton 472. Mr. Attee a Clerk, 562. De Aly, Attie Gerardus, one of King John's Counsellors, adherents against the Pope and Bishops, 265. Ingelardus his Nephew the like, Ib. William Miles, sent by King John to the Pope to congratulate his election, 995. De Avenir William, a plundered Clerk, 1009. Auketill, Anketill Robert, King's Proctor at Rome, 580, 583. Aumbly Geoffry, Commissioner for the Bishop's damages, 280. Aundely Walter, the like Commissioner, 280. Arthur, King John's Nephew; reported to be slain by him: he condemned for it, 256, 361, 362. B. DE Bacon Robert, a Oxford Monk, 495, 624. De Baillol, Bailul; Bernardus, Hugo, King John's Counsellors, adherents against the Pope, 265. Engerim, an Oxford Clerk, 495. Henry his manucaptor, ibid. Eustace, Jocelyn, John, abuse the Bishop of Duresme, imprison his servants, etc. 827, 828. Bakepuse, Bakepuz Ralph; Commissioner to secure the Citizens of Norwich goods, 1066. Robert Collector of Disms 1007. William, King's Escheator in Ireland. See Index 8. Ball Philip, employed in H. 3. his Marriage Treaty, 626. Balianno de Jocelino, 531. Bardolf William, a Baron in Parliament, 472. Barentin Drogo, King's Proctor at Rome, 561. De Baro Robert, King's Proctor at Rome, protests against clauses in the Pope's Bull to excommunicate the King's Justices, Officers in Ireland at the Bishop's suggestions against them, 858, 859, 866, 867, 967. Batatius, Botatio a Grecian, married the Emperor frederick's daughter, an enemy to the Church of Rome, 653, 658. De BarryWilliam, Commissioner for the Bishop's damages, 658. De Barthona, Barton Robert, a Clerk, 722. Basset Philip Miles, an Ambassador with others for the King, kingdom, to the Council of Lions against King John's Charter and Pope's grievances, 299, 638, 638. One of the King's Council, 965. Thomas, Counsellor, adherent to King John against the Pope, 165. De Bassingham Alexander: Kings Proctor at Rome, 428. John one of King John's Counsellors, adherents against the Pope, 265. His Sister, 352. Bealuere Matthew, an English Baker, raised a sedition in Rome and rescued their imprisoned Senator, Appendix 24. Beaufiz William, Clerk, 836. De Beleshall John, King's Proctor at Rome, 912. De Bell John, Guardian of the Temporalties of Sarum 993. De Bello Campo Beauchamp, Eudo, Commissioner for Bishop's damages, 283. William, a Baron, excommunicated by the Pope for opposing King John, 359. Pope's Letters prayed to him to assist the King, 390. Sheriff of Worcester, excommunicated by the Bishop for executing the King's Writ; Writs to absolve him and his officers, 735, 758, 829. Miles 847. De Berkele R. excommunicated for being against King John, 360. De Berkeny Ely, Prince Edward's Clerk, 1064. De Berne Adam, Proctor for St. Alban to the Pope, 693. De Berneval Henry, Clerk, exempted from Dims, 562. De Beverlaco William, Prince Edward's Clerk, 1063. De Bezill Matthew, 1032. De Bigod Hugh: Teste to a Writ as one of the Council, 942. De Billesdona Walter, a Lawyer, 805. De Blesciles Adam, an Arbitrator 509. Blunden John; Commissioner to treat a Peace with France, 446. Guardian of the Temporalties of Norwich, 913. Blundus Ralph, Appendix 4. Boccius Papae Camerarius, 785. De Bocking Reginald, a Physician; employed to Rome for Se. Alban, 458, 462. Bockingfield Adam, an imprisoned Clerk, 491. Bode, Henry, John, 864. Bonaventura 360. Boncoque William, Miles, a Lawyer, 847. Bonaccursius Reinerus the Pope's Merchant, 1035. Bonquer William Miles, an Agent, Proctor from the King to the Pope, 871, 923, 957, 958, 960, 1010, 1030 1031. Bonsignius Bonifacius the Pope's Merchant, 845. De Botteler, Butteler Ralph, a Clerk, 1035, 1051. Thomas his case 885. De Bourne Henry, Miles; Commissioner for spoiled Clerks 1000 Boyvil Herbert, Tenant in capite of Ferling Manor, sells it for for his voyage to the Holy Land, 1056. Bradesord Henry, a Manucaptor, p. 942. De Brainford Andrew, 955. Brancaleo elected Senator of Rome, imprisoned, rescued, expels the Pope, Cardinals, their adherents out of Rome, contemns their excommunications, humbles them so as to seek peace; joins with Manfred against them, Appendix p. 24. Brandanus a turbulent Monk, Append. 1, to 14. De Brandeston Henry, Collector of Dimes, 951. De Brantefeld Elias, a Monk sent to the Pope by the King, 245. De Branch Peter, a most eloquent and pious man, the King and kingdom's nuncio to Pope Urban 4. His death, p. 948. De Braund Walter, William, of Lincoln, 1013. De Brause William, a Peer, his and his Wives harsh answer to the soldiers of King John, demanding hostages for his fidelity, flight into Ireland, imprisonment, death, 256, 260. De B●emiagth Mylerus, Miles, the King's Officer in Ireland, 858, 859. De Brennes John, the Pope's General to seize the Empire by force, whiles absent in the Holy Wars, 416, 417, 418, 427, 428. defeated by the Emperor, Ibid. De Brent Falcatius, seized, close imprisoned Justice Braybroc by force in Bedford Castle; excommunicated, censured for it by the Nobles and Clergy in Parliament; the King refused to remit his sentence upon the Pope's solicitation, 392, 398. De Briche Walterus, a Clerk, Collector of Dimes, 972, 1050. B●●to Ranulph, a Clerk, 512. Briver, Bre●wer, Bruer, Brewer Fulco, King John's Counsellor, Adherent against the Pope, 265. Robert, employed in the Emperor's Marriage. Treaty, 463. William, a Baron, prime Counsellor to King John, his Teste to Writs; actions, matters concerning him, 230, 242, 251, 262, 265, 268, 274, 276, 277, 280, 335, 338, 339, 348, 354, 387, 395. De Bromich W. a Baron in Parliament, 472. Le Brun William, a Clerk, 562. De Brus Peter, a Nobleman, excommunicated for opposing King John, 359. claims retorns of Writs in his Wapentake, 970. Buchard John, a Clerk, 1062. B●l●ock Ralph, a Priest, 283. De Bulum John, the Abbot of St. Alban Proctor to the Council of Lions, 643. De Burdegal Peter, 560. De Burgata Robert, Custos of Temporalties, 254. De Burgo, Vurgh, Benedict a Monk, 582. Hubert Earl of Kent, Chief Justice, See Index 7, 8. John, a Baron, 1001. Richard, Chief Justice in Ireland, 458. Index 8. Walter, Miks, King's Officer in Ireland, 958, 959. Excommunicated by the Pope upon the Irish Bishops complaint, Ibid. De Burnham Philip, Commissioner for Bishop's damages, 280. De Burnvill Robert, the like Commissioner, 280. C. CAboth● Petrus, the Pope's Clerk and Legate, 755. De Cadamo John, elected Prior of Winton, 729. De ●●saria John, 531. C●mb● Rusechello, Pope's Merchant, 1035. De Camberle●g Peter, an arbitrator between King H. 3. and the Barons, in absence of others, 1002, 1005. De Camel Theodorus, the King's Clerk, licenced to have a Plurality, 1053, 1064. De C●me●a Osb●rae, Appendix 1, 2, 12. De Cameys Ralph, his Teste to a Writ, as of the King's Council, 1005. De Camezana John, the Pope's Provision to him, suits concerning it, 803, 842, 843. The Pope's Chaplain, his Letter, 857, 858, 859. De Camino Biackmus, 550. De Camino Gugsinus, 55●. De Convill Gerardus, sequestrator of the Clerks livings in Lincoln Diocese, who obeyed the Popes Interdict, 255. De Cantelu, Cantelupo Fulco, Custos of the Temporalties of Canterbury, 252. Roger, King's Proctor at Rome to oppose encroachments on his Royalties, 428, 430, 432, 634. William, 229. One of King Job●s chief Counsellors, adherents, 265. Sent Ambassador with others to the Council of Lions, against King John's Charter and Pope's oppressions, 299, 638, 639, 640. Subscribes the Letter, Patent of King John to the exiled Bishops, with other Nobles, as his Sureties to make good the agreement concerning them, 338, 339. The King's Steward, to be present and assent to elections of Bishops and Abbots, 348, 354, 355. He and his Son William junior, Barons in the Parliament of Merton, 472. A potent, eminent preson; his son elected, consecrated Bishop of Worcester, 484. A Writ to him and the Bishop of Carliste, to sequester the impropriations of the Monks of Bardenay, 599, 600. One of the Guardians of the Realm in the King's absence, Ibid. 601, 602. Sent by the King with others to the Prelates and Clergy, to induce them to assent to the Popes grant of an Aid for the King, 610. Miles, 638. De Cantuar. Robert, a Clerk, 806. De Capua Peter, 523. De Castro Bernardi Guido, an Executor to the Bishop of Ely, 966, 967. Cecily Wife of Elias Fisher, 718. Cementarius Alexander, Abbot of the Benedictines, defends King John against the Pope's proceedings, advanced to many Benefices by the King, deprived of all by the Pope for his loyalty, forced to beg his bread at last, 258, 259, 335. His Disputes, Books against the Pope, Ibid. De Cernton William, Commissioner for the exiled Bishops damages, 280. De Cestreton Adam, Clerk, 962. De Chaceport Peter, Clerk, exempted from the Disme, 562. enabled to hold a Plurality, 632. His Teste to a Patent, 756. A Provision for 200 l. in Benefices for him by the year, 806. De Chamleng Robert, Tenant in Capite, the Wardship of his Heir and Lands committed to Arlot the Pope's Nuncio's Nephew, 991. De Chaunent William, Clerk, Dean of St. Martin's, King's Agent to the Pope, 995, 1020. De Chisehull John, King's Proctor to the Pope, 833. De Clapam William, 229. Clarell John, the King's Proctor at Rome in several appeals, 735, 854. The King to defray his expenses, without which he would not go, 916, 940, 941, 946. Clerk, Clericus William, 787. De Clifford Roger, Walter, Letters to them from the Pope desired by the King to assist and continue loyal to him, 390. Walter, Commissioner for the Bishop's damages, 280. William, a Clerk, a Writ to him to install the Treasurer in York Cathedral, upon the Deans and prebend's refusal, 1011. sent to the Pope's Legate to pawn the King's Jewels, 1026. Clon Cornelius, a Knight, his Vision of the name Jesus in fleshy letters in the Eucharist, 73. Coit John, 1013. De Coleville William, and R. his Son, excommunicated for opposing King John, 360. De Commovill Gilbert, the Archbishop of Rhoans Proctor to swear his Fealty to the King, 482, 483. De Coquinato Umbertus, 977. De Corbolio D. King Lewes Proctor, 362. De Cornubia, Cornhelle Henry, expels the Monks of Canterbury by force, by King John's command, 248. William, an Archdeacon, 255. De Cotton Alfridus, his Case, 883. John, Miles, the King's Officer in Ireland, pressed to be excommunicated, 858, 859. De Crancumbe, Croucumbe Godefridus, Miles, the King's Proctor in Rome against an election, etc. 347, 389, 390, 395, 452, 453. De Creft Selmo, a Clerk exempt from Dimes, 562. De Creke Bartholomew, a precept to him not to alien any Lands to Religious persons, 759. De Crekhale I. Kings Treasurer, 965. De Crepping Robert, Guardian of the Temporalties of Rhoan, 686. Crespyn Theobald, held Castles of the King, 456. De Cressi R. and John his Son, excommunicate for opposing King John, 359. De Crioil, Crioll Bertram, sent with a Prohibition to the Pope's Delegates, 478 William, Miles, Commissioner for plundered Clerks, 1000 De Croinden Stephen, Clerk, 787. De Cr●k Henry, Clerk, a Prohibition to him, 689. De Croyland Walterus, of Lincoln, 1013. De Curcun Robert, preached against the Pope's Usurers, 802. curial ●. Baron in the Parliament of Merton, 472. De Curtenay Martil, a safe conduct to him, 333. Curtin Emericus, a Clerk, 921. De Cygainy Eugelardus, his Case, 882. D. DAlemaigne Henry, Miles, an arbitrator between the King and Barons in arms, 1019. Dandre Roger, a Prohibition to him, 388. De Darbuton John, 857. David Prince of Wales, Excommunicated, Warred on, 604. His Charter, Oath to the King; absolved from his Oath and Allegiance by the Pope, 608, 609, 610. Excommunicated for it, 621, 622. Warred on, his Country wasted for his Treachery, Ibid. his death, 623. De Dedling William, 942. De Dena Aufridus, the King's Proctor at Rome, 246. De Dereby Hugo, Clerk, 577. De Derham Elias, a Canon, his death, 616. Dernazati James, 1035. Dispensator Hugh, a Baron in the Parliament at Merton, 472, 1001. De Divisis William, a Freer, 833. Doget Henry, Appendix p. 4. Dosset Robert, a Clerk, 283. De Drouhedale William, an Advocate, 624. De Dungan Ralph, the King's Clerk, 806. De St. Dunstan Godefridus, Collector of Dimes, 1048. De Dya John, Walter, the King's Clerks, 562. E. DE St. Earmund Hermite, William, a Pictavin, Excommunicated by the Archbishop, 787. banished, 937. De St. Edmund Hugh, to publish the Groysado, 807. De Egga alba James, Queen's Treasurer, 835. De Erdington Thomas, 339. De Essingwold John, Clerk, 974, 975. De Estlegg Thomas, Commissioner for Bishop's damages, 280. De Estoyland, Clerk, 562. De Estwode John, the Bishop of Rochester's surety, 941. De Everdon Silvester, Clerk, 478 Eustace, a Monk, 371. De Ewla W. 229. De Exon. John, Chancellor of York, 963. De Eyvil John, Custos Pacis in Yorkshire, 999. F. DE Faite William, a Canon of Paul's, 745. De Farnham Nicholas, Clerk, 497. De Felda Nicholas, his suit in Ireland, 393. De la Felle Richard, 393. De Fereby J. Excommunicated for opposing King John, 360. De Fering Geoffry, Official to the Bishop of Winton, 590. A Prohibition to him not to disturb the King's Clerks, 964. De Ferrariis William, a Noble, 453. De Ferun Th. the Archbishop of Rhoans Proctor to swear his Fealty, 756. De Feigns M. had Lands in England and France, 631. Finatus, the Pope's Archdeacon, King's Proctor at Rome, 858, 859, 866, 869, 963. De Finham Nicholas, 56. Fitz Alan Osburn, Excommunicated for opposing King John, 360. Fitz Geoffry John, Miles, of the King's Council, 855 943, 951. sent with others Embassidor to the Council of Lions, against the Pope's grievances, and King John's Charter, 299. sent to the Bishops to prohibit them to act any thing against the King's Crown, 487 sent by the King to induce the Prelates to assent to the Popes grant of an Aid, 610, 638, 639, 640. Fitz Gerold Warin, a Baron, 274, 338 Maurice, Miles, employed in Ireland, 768. One of the Irish Nobles, 818. Bishop's complaint against him, 858, 859. Fitz Griffin L. 1009. Fitz Herebert Peter, a Baron, 274, 276, 277. King John's Counsellor against the Pope, 265. M a witness to King John's Homage to the Pope, 290. Fitz Hugh John, a Judge, 202. R. a Baron, in Parliament at Merton, 472. Fitz John Philip, Excommunicated for opposing King John, 360. John, a Baron, 1001. Fitz Machute H. in Parliament at Merton, 472. Fitz Michael R in Parliament at Merton, 472. Fitz Nicholas Ralph, Miles, sent to Admiralius, 284. to the Council of Lions, 299. his other employments, 452, 453, 610, 638, 639, 640. Fitz Ralph Henry, assaults the Bishop of Durham, 827. Fitz Ranulf Gilbert, a Baron, 276, 277. Fitz Reimbert Osburn, Appendix p. 4. Fitz Robert Ranulph, Excommunicated for opposing King John, 359. Fitz Roger R. a person of honour, 251. Fitz Roscelin William, Commissioner for the Bishop's damages, 281. Fitz Simons Simon, 942. Fitz Walter Robert, accused of Treason against King John, flies England, cleaves to the exiled Bishops, restored with them, safe conduct, damages to him, 265, 271, 272, 277, 286. Hated by the King, Ibid. a witness to the King's Charter to the Archbishop, 339. Excommunicated for opposing King John, 359. the Pope's Letters to him to promote the King's affairs, 390. Fitz Warin Ful●o, Excommunicated for opposing King John, 359. sent by the King to warn Martin to depart the Realm, 620. Flanders Richard, a Commissioner for the Bishop's damages, 280. Le Flemeng John, a Clerk, 1052. Foliot Jordan, a Commissioner for the Bishop's damages, 280. De Ford Robert, King's Proctor, 978. De Forest Philip, the Bishop of Wintons' Steward, Excommunicated, 787. Francis John, Clerk in the Exchequer, 775. De Frenese Stephen, King's Proctor, 923. De Frisney J. to promote the Croysado in Ireland, 768. De Frissinon John, a Collector of Dimes, 815, 816, 818, 961. Fulcon Robert, a Commissioner of Inquiry, 1016. De Fuleburn Stephen, a Templar, 1049. G. DE Gatesden John, a Monk 587. Gaucer William, a Clerk, 787. De Gaugi Robert, King John's Counsellor, adherent against the Pope, 265. detains the King's Castle of Newarke till forced to surrender it, 372, 373. De Gaunt Gilbert, a Baron, 1001. Henry, 786. Maurite, Excommunicated for opposing King John, 360. G●fred, a Romish Agent, 1055. De St. Geton Richard, King's Proctor at Rome, 967. William, a Clerk, 972. Gissard Osbert, Excommunicated for opposing King John, 360. Gradi Barthelm●w, 1035. De Gloucester Robert, a Clerk, 725. William, the King's Proctor, 454, 497. Goimer William, Mayor of London, imprisoned a Canon, for which the City was Interdicted, 512. De Grace John, Richard, take up the Cross, 766. Captain of Dover Castle, 937, 956. De Grenv●ll Adam, Sheriff of Northampton, 1008. De Gr●ssy R. Excommunicated for opposing King John, 360. Griffin, imprisoned by his Brother, 604. Griffolino, 974, 975. Grimbald Peter, King's Proctor at Rome, 432. Guido, King's Nuntio, 977. Guido Imbertus, the King's Proctor in France, 1032. De Guldeford Thomas, Custos of Winton Temporalties, 979. Gumberti Carlino, 864. De Gunneis Thomas, a Messenger, 313. H. HAles Judge, refused to disinherit Qu. Marry, 326. De Handlo Nicholas, Custos of the Bishopric of Winton, 955, 979. Hardel William, Clerk, 503. King's Proctor at Rome, 561, 562. Hardenton Thomas, Miles, sent Ambassador to Murmelius, 284. to Rome, 347. De Hastencoat William, 937. De Hastings Henry, a Baron, 1001. De Hattingell William, an Official, 980. De Hause William, a Chaplain, 978. De Haya William, a Prohibition to him, 818. Hayron Jordan, a Prohibition to him, 388. De Helegey Henry, 726. Helias, a famous preaching Freer against Pope Gregory 9 Excommunicated by him, 520, 521. De Hemingford John, King's Proctor at Rome, 983, 984, 986, to 991. De Hepham William, 1013. De la Hearse Joha, the King's Clerk, exempted from Dimes, 562. Herebert, a Canon of St martin's, 496. De St. Hermit William, 937. De Hertford Elias, 982. De Heuton Joh●, Agent at Rome, 419. De Highom Ralph, a Canon of Sarum, 1027. De Hindel Be●n●rd, an Oxford Clerk, 495. De Ho H● Pope's Delegate, 577. De Hobrugge Gervase, Preceptor of Paul's, appeals against Lewes his Excommunication, 362. excepted out of the Treaty of peace, spoiled of all his Benefices for obstinacy in adhering to Lewes, and celebrating during the Interdict, 371. De Holden Roger, sent to the Council of Lions to excuse the Abbot of St. Alban absence, 64●. De holderness Roger, Agent for Sewal, 813. De Holgate William, 1013. De Hortow William, St. Alban Proctor to Rome, 843. De Hotentost William, Miles, an Agent for Sictly to the Pope, 946. De Howton Robert, Excommunicated, 818. Hugh. a Child crucified by the Jews at Lincoln, 856, 857. Mr. Hugo, Appendix p. 25. De Sancto Victore, 74. De Huntinfield William, a person of worth, 338. Excommunicated for opposing King John, 360. De Hurst William, 971. Huscarl Roger, Commissioner for Bishop's damages, 280. I. DE jeland Adam, a Prohibition to him and others, 388. De Insula (Lisle) Brianus, of King John's Council, 265. A Writ to deliver Clerks imprisoned issued to him, 283. A witness to King John's Homage to the Pope, 290. Robert, 965. Joan, King H. 3. his eldest Sister, detained from him by H. the Lexim. Son of the Earl of March, against his Oath; the Pope, Cardinals desired by Letter to excommunicate him, if not restored upon admonition, 377, 378. Jordan, a Freer imprisoned, 522. Isabel, King H. 3. his Mother, her death, and Anniversary prescribed by the King, 755, 756. Isabel, King H. 3. his Sister, married to the Emperor, the Treaty concerning it, and security for her portion, 450, to 454, 614. Le J●nene William, 941. K. DE Karleol Peter, an Oxford Clerk, 495. Kellock Alexander, Burgess of Len, 1016, 1017. De Kilkenny Henry, Executor to the Bishop of Ely, 965 William, King's Proctor sent to Rome, 308, 483, 497, 756, 806. De Kime Simon, Excommunicated for opposing King John, 359. De Kinkenny Odo, Proctor for the Dean and Chapter of Lincoln, 509. De Kirk R. Popes Delegate, 577. De Kirkby John, the King's Clerk, exempted from Dimes, 1007. De Kirkham Walter, his Plurality, 422. De Kyneburl Eustace, his case of Excommunication, 974. L. DE Laffidel George, his Case, 474. Lambert Peter, a Clerk, 921, 922. Lambinus, made Bishop by Simony, 851. Lamot Peter, Clerk, 1035. De Langely Geoffry, King's Proctor at Rome, 458, 462. De Langeton John, 313. De Lanvaley William, Excommunicated for opposing King John, 360. De Lastala Canal, 1035. De Lavan Rolland, Pope's Merchant, 1032. De Lauda Thomas, Commissioner for Bishop's damages, 281. De Legro Simon, a Monk, 434. Lemovicen Peter, 957, 958. De Len Adam, Eustace, Archbishop Boniface his Officials, 762, 782, 783, 819, 951. Leodiensis Thomas, King's Agent at Rome, 966. Leolinus of Wales, his Rebellion, Treachery, etc. 445, 976, 977, 1009. Leonardus, the Clergies Advocate against the Pope's Exactions, 841. De Leukenor Nicholas, keeper of the Wardrobe, 1053. De Lewes Roger, a Freer Minor, preaching up the Cross, 467. De Lexinton John, his Teste to Writs, 757. Miles, his Prohibition to the Bishops in the King's name, 676. his proceedings against the Jews of Lincoln, 856, 857. De Leyburne R. his Teste to a Writ, 1036. De Leycester Ralph, the King's Clerk, his Case, 688, 689. Leychesfind William, a Collector, 864. De Lezen. Galfridus, Guid●, the Queen's Brothers, 930. De Lezig. Galfridus, Guido, 937. Limeth G. Lewes' Proctor against King John, 362. De Linchefelde W. a Canon of St. Paul's, 742. King's Proctor to Rome, 745. the Pope's grand promoter of the Croysado, 862, to 865, 917, 921. De Lincolana Adam, Excommunicated for opposing King John, 360. John, the King's Proctor, 923. De Lith John, a Clerk, 806. De Lizimaco Galfridus, the Pope's Bull to Excommunicate him, 402, 403. De Lockington Roger King's Proctor, 422. Robert Custos of Canterbury Temporalties, 252, 255. sent to Admirallius by King John, 284, 285: his acts at St. Alban, ibid. Simon a Priest, 595, 1005. William the Queen's Chaplain, 781. De Longchamp Henry, p. 819. De Longotham Paul; the Emperor's messenger, 521. Lovel Henry, 942. William Canon of Rippon, 693. De Lovetot Roger, Sheriff of Not. & Derby, 828. Lucius Tiberius, a Roman, 326. De Luci, Lucy Geoffry, King john's Counsellor and adherent, 265. Stephen King's Proctor, agent at Rome, 389, 390, 395, 405. William, 736. De Ludelow Robert, a Baron in Parliament, exceeds his Commission, 584, 585. Thomas, 1089. Lungespee Nicholas; a living to be provided for him, 601, Stephen, King Henry's kinsman, a Croysado granted him in Ireland, 757, 784. Lupus Robert, ●ustos of the Temporalties of Winton, 254. Luvel Philip, a Clerk, 736. Treasurer, 865. Roger King's Proctor, 785, 984, 986, 991. M. MAlet W. excommunicated for being against King John, 359. De Mandevilla Geoffry; a Nobleman, 339. Excommunicated for opposing King John, 359. Robert and William excommunicated for the same cause, 359, 360. De Mara Blasius, King's Proctor, 497. Marcii Hugotio, 864. De Mare Henry, his Teste to a Writ, 830. De Marescis Richard, 290. De Marisco Adam, a Monk, Popes delegate, 852. Richard one of King John's Counsellors against the Pope, 265. Robert Official to the Bishop of Durham, 740. De Mansell John, Provost of Beverly, Treasurer of York, King H. 3. great Counsellor, Writs subscribed by, for him, acts concerning, and complaints against him, 593, 597, 598, 599, 600, 601, 632, 748, 756, 758. 813, 834, 854. 862, 868, 915, 916, 917. 942, 943. 962, 963, 964, 967, 970, 974, 975, 977, 987, 988, 989. 990, 1000 Marescal John; a Baron in Parliament, 453, 472. Margaret Tenant in Capite, gives security not to marry, but by licence, 602. Wife to H. de Burgo, 443. De St. Martin Godfrey, a Commissioner for Bishop's damages, 280. Ralph 292. Matilda, wife of William de Brause, her harsh words to King John's Officers, flight, imprisonment, death, 256, 260. De Maula Peter, one of King John's Connsellors, assistants against the Pope, 265. De Mekillon John, 495. De Melkele Gervase, attachment against him, 458. Robert, 965. Mereduc fill. Griffin, 782. De Merton Waleran, King's Clerk and agent, 940, 972, 1004, 1005, 1006. De Messenden Roger, King's Clerk, 782. De Middleton John, Clerk of the Chapel, 1000 Geoffry, Append. 4 De Mildhall Constantine, an Official, 955. Miller's Gilbert, promoter of the Cross, 863. De Mohun Richard, 956. De Monasteriis Walter, Commissioner for Bishop's damages, 261. Monk Robert, a Canon, 745. De Monte Acuto W. a Baron, excommunicated for opposing K. John, 359. De Monte Begonis R. excommunicated, 359. De Monte Canisio William, a Baron, 1001. De Monte Causa Hugh, his case 882. De Montesort Almericus, Treasurer of York his case, 1010. Peter subscribes the Nobleman's Letter against the Pope's Innovations, as a Baron, 951. De Monte Pessulano William a Monk, voluntarily resigned his Bishopric to the Pope, 624, 625. De Monte Visito J. Lewes Proctor at Rome against King John, 362 De Montibus Ralph, Clerk, a provision for him; 806. De Monmouth John, a Clerk, his provision, 559. De Montilis Peter, a Canon, 1062. De Montimer Hugh, Archbishop Bonifaces Official, his acts, 626, 690, 825, 851, 1012. Robert Commissioner for Bishop's damages, 280. Roger a Baron, 276, 277. King's Proctor and Agent, 1002, 1006. Of his Cowsil, 1014. Robert Kings Messenger, 977. De Mounterant Imbertus a Messenger, 937. De Mounfichet, Munfichet Richard, a Baron, 339. excommunicated for opposing King John, 360. De Mucegros Robert, 453. De Muletona Lambertus Miles, his privilege not to be excommunicated, 682. Roger 974, 975, 1037. Thomas, Commissioner for Bishop's damages, 280. Excommunicated 360, 390. De Mumbray, Mowbray William, excommunicated for opposing King John, 359. De Mussengey R. a Baron in the Parliament of Merton, 472. N. DE Nassord, King's Proctor at Rome, 428. De Nevil Robert, Sheriff of York, 1009. De Newburgh (Novo Burgo) Roger, a Monk, 483. De New-market (Novo Mercato) Adam, his Teste to a Writ 1008. disinherited, 1037. De Niccoto William flies into France, 267. Norisco Robert, Martin's conductor, 619. De Normanvil Ralph, Commissioner for Bishop's damages, 280. Norman Simon, 501, 505. Slanders the English as Traitors, 545, 566. De Norwich Geoffry, imprisoned, tortured to death for treasonable words, acts, 258, 267. Simon sequestered for the King's debts, 782. De Norwod, Northwood Roger, 941, 942, 1004. O. DE Ocra Walter, the Emperor's Nuncio, 605. an eloquent Clerk, 644, 675. De Oleia John, 242. Olive Richard his case, 883. Oliverius the Bishop of Wintons' servant, 787. De Orture Peter, 827. De Otinton Henry, Clerk of the Wardrobe, 1000 P. DE Palude, Puddle Guido, Clerk, 690. Pamson Henry, 473. Parcel Henry Clerk, 978. De Parco Galfrid, 818. De Paris John, 1023. De Parker Adam, 971. De Parmniter Thomas, 1013. De Passeleve Robert, turns Clerk, 729. Simon, King's Clerk, his fraud, 932, 933. De Pateshull Simon, Commissioner for the Bishop's damages, 279, 281. an eminent man, 511. De Pausy, a Baron in the Parliament of Merton, 472. De Paxton Roger, 465. Payforer Fulk, a Commissioner of Inquiry, 1033. De Pecche Bartholomew, King's Proctor at Rome, 640. Hugh Commissioner to secure the goods of the Citizens of Norwich, 1066. De Penriis Iterus, King's Proctor, 1032. De Penton Roger, a Commissioner for Bishop's damages, 280. De Percy R. excommunicated as against King John, 359, Geoffry, a Commissioner for Norwich riot, 1066. De Perdriz, G. an Attachment against him. 458. De Pet-Pont Robert, Commissioner for Bishop's damages, 280. De Pevecestre Stephen, Constable of Dover Castle, 1060 1061. Peverel Guido, excommunicated, 787, 788. De Peyteum Gilbert, a Judge, 262. Picard John, excommunicated, 787, 788. Pikot Robert, Commissioner for Bishop's damages, 280. Thomas, 995. De Perecat William, to poll longhaired Clerks, 479. Plegele, Plegilis, a Priest, his prayer, Christ's personal presence in the Eucharist in the form of a Child; Berengarius his censure of him, 71, 72. De Plessetis John, sent with a Prohibition to the Pope's Delegates, 478 William, Kings Clerk, provision for him, 562. with a prohibition to him, 725. De Plexeto John, takes the Cross, 766. Le Pless. W. King's Clerk, exempt from Dimes, 562. De Plumton Nicholas, King's Clerk, provision for him, 806. collector of dimes, 862, 863, 864, 916, 917. De Plymton Nicholas King's Proctor, 807, 808. Rustands Vicegerent, 921, 1034. De Pointun Alexander, excommunicated as against K. John, 360. De Poterna James, Commissioner for Bishop's damages, 280. De Poppia William, King's Clerk, exempt from disms, 562. Porretanus Rogerus, an ambitious Monk, his discourse with the Abbot of St. Alban, 350, 351. De Powic, Powik● William, King's advocate to the Council of Lions against King John's Charter, and other grievances of the Pope, 299, 638, 639, 644, 645. De Preston Gllbert, a Judge 925. Pruz Walter, an ginger, 487. Q. DE Quency Sacru●, hated by King John, 286. De St. Quintino Bonetus, King's Proctor at Rome, 1032. R. DE Rad. Henry, a Clerk, 495. De Rale Walter, excommunicated for a riot, 787, 788. William Canon of Paul's, 487. Reimundus, a Monk much employed by Rich. 1. and King John to Rome, and elsewhere; King john's apparition to him, 404, 405. De Ribeford Ralph, a Clerk, 829. De Rissetesord William, Commissioner for Bishop's damages, 280. De Rivallis Peter, complained against, banished the Court, 443, 445. De Roches Emericus, King's Clerk, exempt from dimes, 562. De Rockingham Simon, Commissioner for Bishop's damages, 280. De Rokeland Adam, Clerk, collector of Dimes, 1056. De Rokely John, 1033. De Rogat John, 495. De Sancto Romano Artaldus, presented to a living by the King, 781. Pope's notary, agent, 914, 916. De Romandiola Albinus, 550. De Ropesse R. excommunicated as against King John, 360. De Ros Robert; subscribes King John's homage to the Pope, 290. excommunicated as against King John, 359. 390. & W. his son Ibid. William, Collector of Dimes, 863. De Roscelin William, Commissioner for Norwich Bishops damages, 281. De Rotland, Official of Winton 1038. Rudham Walter, Clerk, a Prohibition to him, 831. Custos of the Temporalties of Karliol Bishopric, 912. Rufus Geoffry his Charter of Non obstanee, 760. De Rupella, Rochel, Richard Miles, King's Escheator, 757. complained against with others to the Pope by the Irish Clergy, 854, to 868. De Rusillum Guido, the King's Clerk, exempt from Dimes 562. A Writ to have a plurality 632. Thomas King's Clerk, provision for him 836. De Russinal Peter, Clerke, 972. De Ramekinham Roger. S. DE Sabaudia, Savoy, Alexander Commissary to the Bishop of Hereford, 863. B. Custos of the Bishopric of Cicester, 606. Peter, King's favourite, one of his Ambassadors to Rome about the business of Sicily, 910, 914, to 920, 943, 977, his insolency, 980. De Salinus Hugo, a provision for him, 806. Salveterr● Ruk. 1054. De Samkar Laurence, 864. Sampsons' Henry, Collector of dimes, 1054. De Sancto Martino Laurentius a Lawyer, King's Proctor at Rome, 637. Sarracenus Peter, King's Proctor at Rome, 412, 455, 457. a Roman Citizen, Ib. Pope's agent taken prisoner and spoiled by the Emperor, 508, 509, 516, 522. De Savage Peter, Commissioner for Bishop's damages, 280. Robert the like, Ib. Savare William, 971. De Say Godfrey, a Baron, excommunicated, 390. William, a Baron in Parliament, 472 De Scudamore Peter, Commissioner for Bishop's damages, 280. De Scures Roger, a like Commissioner, 280. De Secus Henry, King's proctor at Rome, 578, 586. 590, 593, 594, 632. Segrave Stephen, the King's Counsellor, promotes the Pope's disme to the full value of livings, 426. De Sen. Berardus, Pope's Chaplain, agent, 863, 864. De Sin●to William, 976. De Serland G. Custos of Winton Bishopric, 254. St. John Richard, a Clerk 446. R. a Baron of the King's Council, 1014. Simonetti Hugh, 960, 961. Sinicius, 1048, 1054. De Siton Roger, the Bishop of durham's Vicegerent, 969: Siward a Monk, 575. De Sobbur Henry 819. De Soler john, 1013. De Spyne, Spina Manieto, 864, Mamecto 1035. Sorang Thomas, 942. De Sothindon Robert King's Clerk and Rhetorician, 750, 866. De Stagno William, 229. De Stanford Geoffry, a Clerk, 283. De Stanle Henry, a Commissioner to inquire, 1016. Streperant Walter, 9●2. De Stanevile Nicholas, excommunicated for opposing King John, 360. De Stiland John, Kings Clerk, 560. De Stutevil Nicholas, excommunicated for opposing King John, 359. William Sheriff of Yorkshire, 231. De Styland S. Pope's Chaplain, 497. De Sudbury Walter, Collector of Dimes, 961. De Suffeld Walter, a learned man of great birth, 583. De Suesse Thaddaeus, the Emperor's advocate, 644, 645, 647, 655, 659. De Sukelinghall Robert, Treasurer of the New Temple, 309. De Suly Walter Commissioner for Bishop's damages, 280. De Summercote Robert, King's Proctor, 308. Summery Roger Miles; a sworn arbitrator to draw articles between H. 3. and the disinherited Rebels in arms, at Kenelworth, 1019. De Sunderness Geofry, Commissioner for Bishop's damages, 284. De Susa H. 560. De Sutton Alexander, excommunicated as against King john, 360. john 1047. Sward Richard, takes up the Cross, 513. Syleard, R. a Baron in Parliament, 472. De Syngoy E. a Baron in Parliament, 472. T. LE Tanur Drogo, 718. De Taunton William, Prior of Winton, deprived, 852, 853, 1033. Theobaldus, a Westminster Monk, 584. De Thiwing John, 458. De Thorke Roger, his Teste to a Writ, 942: Tiberti Carlino, 1035. De Tocto William, 520. De Tony Ralph, a Baron in Parliament, 472. his heir in ward to the King, 781. De Totten Robert, Collector of Dimes, 865. Traversanus Paulus, 550. De Trickingham William excommunicated, 819. De Trubelvil, Tarbervill H. Seneschal of Gascoign, 456. a great Soldier, 503. takes up the Cross, 513. William, 937. De Trussell Roger, 577. Tuinge, Twing Robert, Miles; Captain of the plunderers of the Roman, and other foreign Priests, 436. his complaint, suit, journey to Rome about a Church, against the Pope's provisions, 506, 507, 510. De Turri Nicholas; a Commissioner to inquire of the Jews crucifying a child, 856. De Thurkleby Roger, a like Commissioner, Ibid. De Twintona William, excommunicated for being against K. John, 360. V. DE Valentia Bertardus, King Clerk, exempt from disms, 562. William, a foreigner, Queen's kinsman, his preferments, insolency against the English, banishment, complaint at Rome, 764, 930, to 939, 981, 1021. De Veleynes Alexander, Clerk of the Chancery, 914. De Valle Bedonis Richard, Commissioner for Bishop's damages, 281. De Ver R. excommunicated as against King John, 359. Henry King's Proctor in an appeal, 357. De Vescy E. excommunicated as against King John, 359. William, a writ to him, 575. De Vertiers, Clerk, a provision for him, 806. De Veteri-Ponte, Vipont, Old-bridge Robert, Yvo, King John's Counsellors against the Pope, 265. De Villa Nicholas, Clerk, 993. De Vinea Petrus, the Emperor frederick's Advocate, Agent, Ambassador, 452, 453, 644, 653, 654, 655. He traitorously poisoned him by the Pope's subornation, 754, 755. knocks out his own brains to avoid another death, Ibid. De Ulitotes Philip, King John's Counsellor, 265. A Judge Itinerant, Append. p. 20. De Vivon H. Letters desired to him to adhere to the King, 390. De Volta Malachias, the Pope's provision for him, 746. De Urnilla Robert, a Winton Monk, 975. W. WAkering Peter, exempt from dimes, 573. William King's Proctor at Rome, 496. Walter Robert, a Writ with his Teste added to the Kings, 855. Walerand Robert Miles, Commissioner by Parliament to draw up dictum de Kenelworth between King H. 3. and disinherited persons in arms, 1019. John, Robert, Escheators of the Bishopric of Ely committed to them, sequestered till they account, 978, 923, 977, 978. 981, 982, 222: 1055. Walteranus Teutonicus, 453. Wallen Nicholas, King's messenger, 977. De Wallibus Oliver, excommunicated for opposing King John 360. De War William Commissioner for Bishop's damages, 280. De Wanci Robert, a person of quality, 229. De Welmesford William, 283. De Wengham H. Kings Clerk, a provision from him, 855, 996. De Wepsted Richard, 942. De Were Robert, a Nobleman, 338. De Wescham Girardus, the Bishop's agent to the King, 605. De Westmonasterio Edmond, a Writ to him to provide furniture and Books for the King's Chapel at Windsor, 752. De Westham Roger, 851. De Weston John, 1008. Wiger William, 971. De Wigorn William, 1010, 1011. De Wikeman Robert, Clerk, 820. De Winton Peter, Clerk of the Wardrobe, 914. employed about the dimes, 1050, to 1056. Richard, a Clerk, 955. Witham William, Miles, 436. De Witwell Thomas, a Monk, 483. De Wulward G. Clerk, King's agent, 601. Wybertus de Kantia, 719. De Wymundeham Thomas, a prohibition to him, 728. Y. DE Yating William, King's Messenger, 1008. Z. LE Zouche Alanus, Miles; A Commissioner chosen, sworn in Parliament to draw Articles of Peace between H. 3. and the disinherited persons in arms, 1019. The Names of Convert Jews sent to sundry Monasteries, not here inserted, you may read at leisure, p. 835, to 841. INDEX 10. Alphabetical: Of the Popes of Rome, their actions, intolerable Antimonarchical Usurpations, Tyrannies, Treasons, Rebellions, atheistical, irreligious Bulls; Letters, Nuntioes, avaricious Practices, Frauds, Crimes, Corruptions, Extortions, transactions between them, our Kings, Prelates, Nobles, Kingdoms; with other particulars contained in this Tome: which will make some considerable Addition to Platina, Onuphrius, Balaeus, Dr. Barnes, others who have writ the Lives of Popes. A. ADrian 4, his privilege to St. Alban, Appendix 21. His Epistles, privileges waived in Papal obligations, 468. Alexander 3. The Lands of Ambresbiry transferred to the Nuns of Founteveroit upon his Mandate, for the whoredom of the former Ablesse and Nuns, by King H. 2. with advice of his Bishops and Nobles, p. 228. He decreed in the Council of La●era●, children born before matrimony to be hereditable to their parents, if they married afterwards, which the King, Nobles of England contradicted, refusing to alter the Law therein at the Bishop's importunity, 471, 472, 473, 474, 479. See Bastardy, Index 14. Encouraged Archbishop Becket in his Oppositions, Treasons against King H. 2. avenged his death, canonised him as a Saint, Martyr for the Church, 563. See Becket Index 3. He resigned his Archbishopric into his hands, as unlawfully received from the King by investiture; receiving it canonically from him again in opposition to the King, Append. 25. Fled from Rome into France, where the King received him. Grieved not the French Church, gave no Benesice nor Prebendary in it, 777, 778, 654. Exempted Clergymen from taking, or being enforced to take any Oath, 707. His Bulls, Decrees for the Monks of Canterbury against the Archbishop, proved to be forged, Appendix 16, 17. Alexander 4. His election; his humble Letters to all prelate's to pray for him, that God would give him power, grace, to rule the Church so, as to deserve to be called God's Vicar, and Peter's successor: His hypocrisy, speedy apostasy from it, 813, 818. Revived the wars raised by his predecessor against the Emperor frederick's party and Mansred; invests Edmund K. H. 3d. his son by a ring in the kingdom of Sicily, Apulia, cheats him of vast sums of money upon this account, 813, etc. 834. 868, 869, to 872. 917, to 924, 931, 9●8. He follows the Bishop of Heresords device, to oblige all the Bishops, Abbots, Priors of England to his Usurers in vast sums of money against their wills without their privities, pursued with fraud and violence, 820, 821, 822, 823, 824, 833, 844, 845, 846. Sends Rustand his Legate into England, Scotland, and Ireland, to collect a Disme to his and the Kings use to carry on his Wars against Manfred, 821, to 826. 841. See Rustand, Index 12. Writes Letters to Richard Earl of Cornwall to lend moneys toward it, who refused to do it, 8●2 The English Prelates durst not so much as mutter against him, 841, to 850. The Great Charter of King John, and for the freedom of elections sent to Rome to be confirmed by him, which he refused to do, lest he should displease the King, 841, 842. avoided all his own and his predecessors Bulls, privileges, by clauses of Nonobstante, Ibid. 846. His Bull to Rustand to pay monies to his Merchants upon forged, forced obligations of Bishops, Abbots, Priors, with their form, 844, 845, 846, etc. His Letters to the King on behalf of the Cistercians to exempt them from paying the sum required, 847, 848. The King oppresseth them notwithstanding, Ibid. His moderation of provisions upon the Prelates and Nobles complaints, 848, 849. His detestable hypocrisy discovered by his actions, which made the love of many towards him to wax cold, 848. His consolatory Letters to the King, Queen concerning the captivity of the Duke of Savoy by his subjects, 849. His bribery, injustice, corruption, 850. Intrudes a Dean into York by provision, fraud; and vexed, excommunicated Archbishop Sewall for opposing it, 850, 851. 926, 927. Confirms Sewald Archbishop of York whether the King would or not, 852, 853. His Bull to confirm the intruded Prior of Winton by Simony, against right, justice, 850, 852, 855. His Bull to excommunicate the King's Justices, Sheriffs, Bailiffs in Ireland, upon the Archbishop of Tuams and his Suffragans complaints against them and their proceedings, by imprisonments, indictment, prohibitions, to the oppression of the Clergy, and invasion of the Church's Liberties, the King's Proctors protestation at Rome against these clauses, as prejudicial to the King's prerogative, 857, 858, 859. Suits before his delegates in England superseded by the King's Writs, 859, 860. His Bull to reimburse the Bishop of Hereford the monies lent him upon his bon●● made to decoy the other Bishops and Abbots, 860, 861. His Agents, Clerks, Merchants employed in collecting, receiving the dimes granted. The King's Ambassadors, Proctors, Agents, Letters, Procurations to him concerning the dimes, the business of Sicily, Apulia, The intolerable, impossible exactions, conditions he imposed on him and his son, forcing them to take an Oath to perform them, of which he desired respite, mitigation, yet could hardly or not at all obtain, 862, to 872. 914, to 936. 942, to 949. 961. His grant of the first years fruits of vacant Benefices in Ireland for 2. years to the Archbp of Tuam granted before to the King; contests between him and the King concerning them, 913. The King proffers to quit Sicily, so as he would repay the moneys received for it, being unable to satisfy his vast sums demanded, 919, 920, 921, 941. His Letters, Proctors to him not to confirm the Bishop of Elyes and Abbot of St. Edmund's elections, whom he confirmed in despite of the King against his will, 922, 923, 924. His New Statute, that all exempt Abbots should repair immediately to Rome for confirmation and benediction after their elections; to fill his own purse, exhaust theirs, 925. 952. His imperious provision to the Abbot of St. Alban, 926. Archbishop Sewals' Letters, Speeches concerning his tyranny, vexations, corruption; his deriding his wholesome advice, 926, 927. Rustand recalled by, accused before him, 927, 930. The Archbishop of Messana sent as his Legate into England, 928. His Letter to King H. 3. concerning Archbishop Boniface his Oppressions of the Bishop of Rochester, which he summoned him to answer before him at Rome, 928, 929. He spoils England of all its money by his Taxes, exactions; sends Arlot to excoriate it, and Mansuetus soon after, 930, 931, 945. The Nobles opposition against them in Parliament, lb. He cheated, circumvented the King by successive Agents, 932. His blank Bulls to Berard de Nympha to raise moneys in England, 939. Mediates a Peace between France and England, to carry on his Wars in Sicily; Letters, Procurations concerning it, 943, 944, 961. The Parliament, Nobles resolutions concerning Sicily, and his unjust demands from the King, 931, 945, 946, 947, 948, 949. The King's Letters to him to ratify the Nobles Ordinances of Oxford, to gain moneys from them, 947. He secretly absolved the King from his Oath to observe them, 948, 988, 989. He is scorned, contemned by Manfred, who created Archbishops, Bishops in Sicily without him, was obeyed as King by all, against his Prohibition, for which he and his Court at Rome grew odious, despicable, 948. King H. 3. expostulates with him for cheating him in that affair, Ibid. A notable Epistle of the Parliament, Nobles of England to him, concerning the affairs of Apulia and Sicily; their proceedings against the Bishop of Winchester, (whose restitution they declared against) and the King's Oath to the Provisions of Oxford, 948, 949, 950, 951. His Bull, of thanks to the Dean and Chapter of Sarum, reserving the perpetual Provision of a Prebendary in that Church, which they bestowed on his Nephew, 951, 952. His Bull to King Henry for a pension for Arlots' Nephew, 952, 953. Some Abbots resist the fraudulent Obligations made in their names without their privity; Philip Abbot of Westminster refuseth to go to Rome for his confirmation according to his Decree, which would not be dispensed with but for vast sums of money, 953. He consecrates Godfrey Archbishop of York at Rome, to his vast expense, 953, 954. The King's Letters to him concerning John Mansell, and the Treasurership of York belonging to him, conferred by his Provision on a Cardinal's Nephew, which the King opposed as contrary to his ancient right and prerogative, 962, 963, 964. The King's Letters to the Barons of Dover and other Ports, to search for all Papal Bulls or Letters brought from him by Italians, Clerks, Laymen, or others, prejudicial to him and his Realm, to permit none to bring them into the Realm, 968. not to suffer any to pass out of the Realm to the Court of Rome, unless they first swore, not to request any thing there contrary to the Pope's Ordinance made for Sicily, or against the King's Crown and Dignity, 865. The strange form of the King's Obligations to his Merchants, Usurers for moneys borrowed of them, and strange penalties in them if infringed, 1034, 1035. The King's Letter to him to confirm the Bishop of Bordeaux, 971. The Romans rose up against him, contemn his Excommunication as exempted from it, forced him to fly from Rome, to humble himself to them and Brancaleo their Senator, Appendix p. 28. He cheats King H. 3. of infinite sums of money, yet expostulated with him for deceiving the Church, threatened to Interdict the Realm, and Excommunicate the King for it, who thereupon paid him 5000 Marks to pacify his anger, Appendix p. 28, 29. His death, successor, 948. Alexander 5. his approbation of the blasphemous Book of St: Francis his conformities, and Christ's wounds imprinted on him, p. 64. Alexander 6 approved, ratified Bernardinus de Busti his blasphemous Book, entitled Mariale, dedicated to him, p. 34. B. BEnedict 11. his confirmation of Boniface his Bull of fourscore and two thousand years' pardon, for saying one prayer only at our Saviour's sepulchre in Venice, p. 15. Benedict 12. his approbation of the Book of St. Francis conformities and wounds, p. 64. Boniface 8. his Bull of eighty two thousand years' pardon for every recital of a short prayer at Christ's sepulchre in Venice, p. 15. A passage in his Bull to King Edw. 1. concerning his right to the Crown of Scotland, 328. C. CAlixtus 2. his Bull of Privilege to St. Alban Appendix p. 21. Celestine 3. his Bull to St. Alban, and reservation therein of an annual rent of an ounce of gold from it, to the prejudice of the Crown and King's Prerogative, Appendix p. 21, 24. Celestine 4. dyes within 16. days after his election, great schisms after it, p. 605, 648. Clement 1. his Privilege granted to St. Denis to be Apostle over the Western Nations, by which the French pretended a right to elect a Pope, p. 650. Clement 5. endeavoured to break the elections of Bishops by Deans, Chapters and Covents, 779 his endeavour to suppress the Barons and Bishop's Rebellion against King H. 3. who slighted his Bulls, Excommunications, 1019. The King's Proctor, Procurations sent to him for his and his Kingdom's benefit, honour, 1020. Ottobon his Legate sent into England, his proceedings against the Bishops, Barons, others in Arms against the King; draws Articles of pacification between them, 1020, to 1030. His Legates Excommunications sl●ghed by them, 1024, 1025, 1026. His memorable Bull to Ottobon his Legate; reciting all the Rebellions against King H 3. his necessities by reason of them; exhorting the Prelates, Clergy to a liberal contribution to him, from whose person, ancestors they had received all their endowments, preferments; His grant of the tenth part of the improved yearly values of their Benefices to him, to be levied by Ecclesiastical censures from all, without any appeal or privilege, 1026, 1027, 1028, 1029, 1048, to 1056, For which the King paid him 7000 Marks arrears of the annual rent due for England and Ireland out of this Disme, 310. The King's gratulatory Epistles, Procurations to him and his Cardinals concerning it, and other affairs of the Realm, 1030, to 1036. His Legates Council and Constitutiens, 1040, 1041. See Ottobon, Index 12. He exempted his Clerks, Agents Benefices in England, from Dimes imposed on all others, 1048. His death; near three years' vacancy of the Roman See after it, 1061. Cornelius; his Decree, that Bishops never made Oath, not aught to give any, but in case of right faith, 707. E. EUgenius 2. his Decree, that Clergymen ought not to swear or take an Oath in any case, at least without the Popes or Bishops special licence, p. 707. Eugenius 3. his proceedings against Murdac Archbishop of York, 778. His Decree concerning the Bishop of St. David's subjection, profession to the See of Canterbury, and against its re-erection to an Archbishopric, 235. His Bull of Pilviledge to St. Alban, Appendix p. 21. G. GRegory 1. Ordered the Virgin Mories picture drawn by St Luke, to be carried in procession in Rome to stay the plague, which (as they fable) chased it thence, p. 41. Gregory 7. his Epistles, claim to several Kingdoms in them; p 9 Gregory 9 his election, 408 He vacated the election of Ralph Bishop of Chichester to the Archbishopric of Canterbury; upon Simon Langetons' information, he would oppose King John's Charter, Tribute, if confirmed Archbishop, 293, 294, 431. This Tribute paid, and a Disme promised him in England and Ireland by King H. 3. his Proctors, to null Heveshams' election, and promote Richard to the Archbishopric of Canterbury, which he did thereupon, 307, 308, 419, 420. The King's Letters to him and his Cardinals, to assist him in his extraordinary affairs; his payment of the arrears of the annual rent on that account, 308, 309. He nulls the election of the Bishop of Durham by the Monks, rejects the person recommended by the King, and promotes another, 406. Grants an Aid to the King from the Archbishops, Bishops, Abbots, Priors, Clergy in England and Ireland, 406, 407, 422. Pronounces a general Excommunication against all who hindered any to pass to, or repass from Rome; his Bull to that purpose to the French Bishops, King, not to hinder the King of England's Nuntioes or Subjects from going thither, or returning thence, 408. Presseth a Croysado by his Balls, privately intended against the Emperor Frederick, 408, 409. He injuriously Excommunicates the Emperor Frederick, Interdicts his Territories, without hearing or conviction; in all Countries, places, for not going personally to the Holy Land, when hindered by sicknesle, inevitable weighty affairs of the Empire, and the Civil Wars he raised against him; He most unchristianly hired, employed John de Brennes to seize on, and deprive him of his Empire, during his absence in the Holy Wars against the Saracens; for which treachery the Emperor stirred up a great sedition against him, seizing upon the Church's pretended Patrimony, Cities, Castles, anciently belonging to the Empire, caused the Romans to expel him out of Rome, pursue him to Viterbium, and from thence to Perusium, he having no other means to revenge himself, but to excommunicate his persecutors: His Bull of the Emperor's Excommunication, 409, 410, 411, 412, 414, 415, 416, 417. The Emperor's Letters of vindication against it to the King of England, and all other Christian Kings, showing how this Pope Gregory inflamed with apparent covetousness, lust, not satisfied with Ecclesiastical goods, revenues, attempted without fear to disinherit Emperors, Kings, Princes, and make them Tributaries, as his predecessor Innocent 3. did King John, and the Earl of Tholouse, keeping them so long under Excommunications and Interdicts, till he reduced them under his Vassalage; His and the Roman Courts, Churches execiable Simonies, various new Exactions, never formerly heard of; their manifest and secret Usuries towards the Clergy, hitherto unknown, wherewith they infected the whole world; their manifold snares to illaqueate all and every person, cheat them of their moneys, liberties, rights, disturb their peaceable lives, being mere ravenous Wolves in Sheep's clothing; with his serious exhortation to all Princes throughout the world, to provide against so great avarice, iniquity, Antimonarchical designs, 414, 415. He sent his Legates abroad into all places, only to excommunicate, suspend, punish those who were potent; extort moneys, pillage Churches, and rashly to invade others Empires, Kingdoms, though he and they were base, unworthy persons, whose learning and ambition made them mad, 414, 415. He against the Law of Christ decreed to conquer the Emperor with the Material, when as he could not cast him down by the Spiritual Sword; with what consideration or conscience the Emperor's Friends, Clergy admired, 416, 417. He daily proforma excommunicated robbers, incendiaries, tormentors of Christians; yet gave consent, yea authority to such to invade and War against the Emperor, 417. He caused the Prelates, Clergy in Jerusalem, not to say Mass in the City, nor to communicate with the Emperor whiles in it, when he recovered it from the Saracens, because he had injuriously Excommunicated him; yea suborned the Templars and Hospitalers to betray him to the Sultan, after his conquest of the Saracens; He dispersed scandalous Letters to defame him as an Apostate, etc. and most greedly raised moneys, forces in all places to dethrone him, 418, 419, 424, 425. He reputed all the Emperor did in the Holy Land as nothing, moved War against him, asserting, it was just, necessary for the Christian faith, that so strong a persecutor of the Roman Church, his Mother, should be deposed from the Imperial dignity, 425. He exacted a Disme from England, Ireland, Wales, and all other Sons of the Church, to carry on his begun War against the Emperor to depose him, because the wealth of the See Apostolic was not sufficient; lest if the Church of Rome miscarried in this design, her Members should seem to be vanquished with their head, 425, 426. King H. 3. his Letter to him concerning the Emperor's Excommunication, and reconciliation to him, 415, 416. He continues his Excommunication notwithstanding his actual voyage to the Holy Land, 416. Maligns the Emperor's victories over the Saracens in the Holy Land, stirs up the Templars and Hospitalers against him, 418. His Decree concerning the Monks of Coventry and Canons of Litchfields electing the Bishop by turns, 418. The Kings and Bishops Letters to him against Heveshams' election to the Archbishopric of Canterbury, 419. Prefers Richard to it at the Kings and Bishops requests, not by election, but provision and donation, 419. His Bull concerning it; his love to, praises of Canterbury Church, Becket, Langeton, 420. He introduced the first Papal Provisions in History or Record, 420, 778, 779. He sent the Archbishop of Armenia into England, with Letters of recommendation to the Prelates and Religious persons, 421. His dispensation with some of the King's Clerks to hold Pluralities, 422. Constitutes Delegates upon the King's appeal against the Bishop of Imelic his election, 422. Interposed in the Truce between France and England, which he was to confirm when they had agreed on the Articles, 423. Sends his Legate into England to collect a Disme for him against the Emperor Frederick, whom he defamed by his Letters in all places, 424, 425. His Bull for this Disme, wherein he styles Rome, the Mother of all Churches, who were bound to assist her; it is levied with greatest rigour by Ecclesiastical censures, according to the full value of Ecclesiastical livings, and money of full weight, 426, 427. Invades the Emperor's Dominions, Cities by John de Brennes the second time, whiles absent in the Holy Wars, whom he fed with money; the Emperor on his return defeating him, recovered his Territories, marched to Rome with his Army, forcing this Pope to absolve him, and restore the rights of the Empire he had invaded, 427, 428. He and the Emperor reconciled, he feasted the Emperor, Cardinals, Nobles three days together in his Palace at Rome, Ibid. King H. 3. appeals to him against the encroachments of the Irish Bishops on the rights of his Crown, 428. His Letter to King H. 3. to bestow a pension of 40 Marks a year on one of his Italian Brokers, 428, 429. Richard Archbishop of Canterbury, complains to him against the King and Hubert his Chief Justice, for maintaining the King's Prerogative in a case of Wardship, wherein he sided with the Archbishop against the King, granting whatever he desired, 430: He endeavoured to wrest the power of electing, confirming the Archbishop of Canterbury by the King's licence, out of his hands, to confer it on whom he pleased; nulls the election of Ralph the King's Chancellor by the Monks, approved by the King, without alleging any cause but his own Papal pleasure; commanding the Monks to make a new election by clauses prejudicial to his Prerogative, 431. The King's Inhibition thereupon to the Monks, to do nothing therein to the prejudice of his Crown, nor go to a new election without his special licence, 432. Nulls their Prior's new election by the King's licence, because old, too simple to govern that Church; nulled their third election of Blundus, approved by the King, because he held two Benefices without his licence, 433. Commanded the Monks at Rome to elect Edmund, to whom he sent a Pall; who refused to do it without the King's licence; they and the King at last enforced to accept of him for Archbishop without any election, 433, 434. The corn, goods of his foreign Clerks by provisions, publicly threshed out and sold by a general insurrection against them, 434, 435, 436. The Pope very angry at the tidings thereof, writes biting Letters to the King for not punishing the offenders, contrary to his Coronation Oath; threatens to Excommunicate him if he did not exemplarily punish them to deter others; commanding some Bishops and Abbots to Excommunicate all they found guilty thereof, till absolved by himself: Whereupon sundry found guilty by inquisition were imprisoned, others forced to fly, 436, 437, 438, etc. Hubert de Burgo his Manors sequestered to give them satisfaction, he removed from his Chief Justiceship for conniving at, confederating with these Rioters, and not punishing them, 438. His Bull for visiting all Religious Orders, Houses in all places, for their vices, corruptions, by his special visitors; their severe proceedings therein, appeals against them, 440, 441, 442. His Letters on behalf of Hugh de Burgo, 443. King Henry submits himself at his command to prolong the Truce with France for three years, to aid the Holy Land, 446, 447. His abusive Bulls to all Christians for the aid of the Holy Land, only to extort moneys upon that pretext; levied by, and paid to his own Agents, to be employed against the Emperor Frederick; promoted by Freers without the names of Nuntioes, yet having their power, and authority to absolve men from their Vows for money when crossed, and to compel them to pay their moneys by Excommunications, Interdicts; the Indulgences therein contained, 447, to 451, 466, 367 He propounds a marriage between Isabel King Henry's Sister and the Emperor, his Letters concerning it; the King's answer to him, and submitting himself to the Jurisdiction, censures of the Pope and Roman Church, in case he failed to pay the marriage portion promised, 450, to 455. King Henry 3. sends Proctors to him concerning his own Marriage-Treaty, to be ratified by his Papal authority, dispensation, which he prayed, 454. Humbly relorted to him for council, refuge upon all emergent occasions; his over-submissive Procurations, Letters to that purpose, 454, 455. His remonstrance to him of grievances by Philip Earl of Britain, in seizing his Castles, Lands, and revolting from his Allegiance, and prayer to compel him to give him satisfaction; who instead thereof employed him in his Wars, 455, 456. His Letter to the King for receiving the Bishop of Winton into England, who fled out of it, was sent for by him to Rome to supply him with moneys, and aid him in his Wars, being a better Soldier than Preacher, which he is content to do at the Pope's request, 456, 457. His Legate prohibited to enter into Ireland without the King's command, 458. His encroachments upon the elections and confirmations of Abbots; his new Oath of Fealty exacted from the Abbot of St. Alban, to the prejudice of the Crown, Churches, Abbot's Privileges; his Bulls, and his Delegates proceedings therein, 458, to 467. Published new compendious Decretals to get moneys, and usurp a legislative power over the world, 457. He set up, countenanced Usurers called Caursini, in all places, especially in England, to whom most Prelates, Abbots were bound in strange Obligatlons, to raise moneys for his use; protected by him against the Bishop of London, whose threats to excommunicate and banish them the City they derided, 467, to 470. The insolency, cruelty, secular employment of the Freers Minorites against their Orders, by his countenancing them, 469, 470. King H. 3. by his Bull endeavours to revoke sundry of his grants, as if unable to make them without his consent, 470, 486. His frequent abuse of Croysadoes, and new ways to raise money by dispencing with Vows, and perverting it to his own use, to the great scandal of many, discovered, declamed against, 470, 471. Confirmed the Archbishop of Rhoa●s election, which the King approved, 482. His licence to hold Pluralities to such of the King's Clerks as he should appoint, 483. I he miserable estate of England by his Agents, Bulls, Provisions to unlearned vicious Foreigners; extortions, simony, abuse of Ecclesiastical censures, being made a common prey by his Hypocrisy, Tyranny, 484. The Greek Church rejects his pretended authority over them; separated from the Church of Rome for his and her avarice, simony, corruptions, and claims superiority over it; against whom he grants a Croysado, and sends Soldiers to reduce them, 484, 489, to 494. He sends Otto at the King's request into England, under pretext to reform abuses, who proved a ravenous wolf, 485, etc. See Index 12. Opposed by Archbishop Edmund, as prejudicial to his Archiepiscopal authority, Ibid. The Nobles refuse to grant King H. 3. an Aid, publicly reprehend him in Parliament, for saying publicly and secretly, he could dispose, exchange or alien nothing in his Kingdom without the Popes or Legates consent, as if he were not King, but the Pope's Feudatory, Vassal, as many styled him, 470, 485, 486, 504, 5●5. He Decrees St. Edward's Feast to be publicly observed; His Canonization of Francis and D●m●ick for Saints published, and that his Legates Decrees in Councils should be valid after his Legateship ended, 488. Recalls his Legate Otto from England, by reason of the commotions against him for his rapines; the King's supplication for his stay notwithstanding them, 49●, 493, 505. Gives sentence for the Monks of Rochester and Earl of Arandel at Rome, against Archbishop Edmund, awarding them costs of suit; yet granted him a privilege to the prejudice of the Monks of Canterbury, whom he oppressed by it, 498, 499. His unjust sentence by bribery against the Canons in the cause of Alienor, married to the Earl of Leycester against her view of chastity; and in case of the Monks and Bishop elect of Winton, upon appeals to him, 498, 500, to 504. His Statutes concerning the reformation of the black Monks, and proceedings on them, 503, 504. His sharp Letter, Bull to King H. 3. for giving, alienating the Lands of the Crown to Bishops, Abbots, Nobles, others, to the prejudice of the See Apostolic, to whom the Realm of England belonged, and command to resume them notwithstanding his improvident Charters & Oath, 504, 505. His Legate not permitted to enter Scotland by the Scots King, 486, 506. Sir Robert Tw●ng his complaint to the King, Nobles in Parliament, of his oppression, fraud, in depriving him of his presentation to his only Church, by a Provision; their Letters to the Pope on his behalf, 437, 506, 507. His insatiable avarice, depriving ●f Laymen, Ecclesiastical and Religious persons of their presentations, by Provisions, conferring them on strangers; and other grievances complained against by all the Nobles in Parliament; their Letters to him to reform them, with his answer thereto, 506, 507, 508. His Letter to his Legate concerning moderation of Provisions, not to grant advowsons of Lay Patrons by the Pope's authority, without their assents, 508, 778, 779. Peter 8 aracen his Agent in England, taken, imprisoved by the Emperor till ransomed; He refused to pay his ransom, writ to, moved King H. 3. to pay it; his discontent thereat, 508, 509. The Dean and Chapter of Lincoln appeal to him against their Bishop's Visication of them, 509. The Monks of St. Alban offer a sum of money at his feet, which he gratefully received, to confirm their Prior's election; They bribe his Cardinals, Agents of all sorts, who would do nothing for the Kings or others Letters, without great gifts; for which they would not so much as invite them to a small dinner, 462; 463. He prohibited the ordination, preferment of Bastards, Pluralities, etc. only to gain moneys for dispensations in such cases by the See Apostolic, which alone must grant them, 467, 753. The Grecians set up Germanus Patriarch of Constantinople as an Antipope against him, who denied his Supremacy, renounced him and the Church of Rome, for their detestable simonies and corruptions, 490, 491, 512, 513, 643, 752. The Emperor opposed against him Helias, chief of the ●ree●s Minors, a most famous preacher, who absolved all this Pope had bound with an Anathema; who had rendered the Church of Rome infamous by simony, usury, various rapines, and became a stepfather to her sons; thirsting only after money, which he extorted by sundly devices, not caring at all for prayers, masses, exhortations, which used to free oppressed ones from persecutions; fradulently and privately disposing in his own Chamber, the money collected for relief of the Holy Land, without the Cardinal's consent, employing it and the forces raised against the Saracens, against the Emperor and Greek Church, better Christians then himself; prohibiting them to go to the Holy Land against their vows, when ready, yea marching towards it, to employ them against the Emperor, against whom he was raging mad, to destroy the rights of the Empire, and trample him under feet: He sealed many blank Bulls and sent them to his Legates, to write wh●● they pleased in them for his or their advantage, 408, 409, 512, 513, 514, 753. He excommunicated Helias for reprehending instead of reforming these his execrable crimes; His words, double dealing, breach of faith generally declamed against by the Crucesignatis, Ibid. He more desired the increase of gold and silver, then of the Christian faith, 517. He persuades, commands all who had taken up the Cross for the Holy Land, not to proceed but return home again, when they were in their journey towards it, by his Pulls, Nuntioes; who thereupon exclaimed against his double dealing, and were like to mutiny against his Nuncio, had not the Prelates pacified them, 512, 513, 514. Richard Earl of Cornwall proceeds in his voyage, notwithstanding this Prohibition, Ibid. The Emperor Frederick according to his Oath resuming the Isles, Territories belonging to the Empire, notwithstanding this Pope's Inhibition; he thereupon studying revenge, fomented the Rebellion of the Citizens of Mill●ia against him, excommunicated, deprived him of the Empire, without any hearing or conviction; excited all he could against him, under pretence he had raised sedition against him in Rome, intending to excel him and his Cardinals thence, against the privilege, dignity of the See Apostolic, and to tread the Liberties of the Church under feet, against his Oaths: His scandalous Excommunications, Letters successively published in England and elsewhere to defame him, with his memorable Letters, replies thereto, showing his Rebellion against the Emperor, slanders of, and unchristian deportment towards him, to his great infamy; his endeavours to depose him, 514, 515, to 550, 649, 752, 753. Verses found in his Chamber, that Rome should cease to be the Head of the World, which he and the Emperor applied to each other, 520. His extreme avarice, abuse of money collected for the Holy Land, exacting money by several other means, to War against the Emperor; His stirring up his Subjects of Mill●●in, other Cities to rebel against him: who were defeated, punished, destroyed for their Rebellions, notwithstanding his Panal assistance and benediction, 532, 539, 541, to 550, 604, 605, 649. His execrable, infamous contradictory slanders published against the Emperor in all places, as inclined to Mahumetism, Athtism, to exhort, exasperated all Christians unanimously to rise up against him, as an open enemy of Christ and his Church; against which the French, & people justified him, as more pious, religious, less oppressive than himself; his impiety, dishonesty being so notorious, execrable to all, that his authority was regarded by none, or very few; his Letters, actions so scandalous, that his fame and authority suffered great detriment, ruin in all places; so as wise and holy men feared greatly the total loss of the Roman Churches, Popes, Clergies honour, and that God in justice would smite them with an incurable wound, 539, 540, 544. He caused another Emperor to be elected, who peremptorily refused it; two others elected, blasted by God, 540, 753. The French Kings and Nobles notable answer to his Letters and Nuncio, 544, 555 The Emperors Letters, countenancing those who contemned his Excommunications, 656, 657. The English Bishops complaints against his oppressions, injuries, contrary to the King's Oath, Charters, Privileges; their Excommunication of their infringers; King H. 3. neither would nor durst contradict his exactions, though against his Privileges, and Subjects Liberties, 545, 546, 548. He exacts the fifth part of the Clergies goods, for which the Emperor expostulated with the King; Archbishop Edmund, others opposed, but yielded to it at last, 546, 547, 563. The Romans and Cardinals consult together to oppose his Papal violence, to the danger of Christianity, 548. Having gained money enough in France to wage War with the Emperor for a whole year, he perfidiously broke his▪ Truce, sends for the Cardinals who procured, made the Truce with him, from thenceforth to defy and denounce War boldly against him to his face; which John de Columpna one of them dissuading him from, and contradicting, as savouring of inconstancy, he told him, He would not from thenceforth account him for a Cardinal: To which he replied, Nor I thee for a Pope: Upon which the King of France detained all the money there collected for him till he saw the issue, 549. He summoned the Duke of Venice and other enemies of the Emperor to a Council; engaged the King and Prelates of England to exhaust the Kingdom's Treasure, to depose the Emperor by force, 550, 551. He endeavoured to subject the Emperor and all Christian Kings to his Papal Dominion, and make them his Vassals, taking example, boldness from his predecessors trampling the King and Kingdom of England under his feet: The Emperor's resistance of him, the only means to secure the Rights, Crowns of all other Christian Kings; though they deserted or engaged against him, and their own interest, by aiding this Pope with moneys extorted by his Nuntioes, 544, 552, 553, 554. The Emperor contradicts his summons of a General Council, designed to excommunicate and depose him; prohibited all Legates, Bishops summoned to it to repair thither, under pain of imprisonment; who presuming to repair to it upon this Pope's Letters, great naval forces to transport them by Sea; Gods owning of the Popes, Church's cause, and disowning of the Emperors as accursed, excommunicated by him; were all intercepted, spoilt, some of them slain, drowned by the Emperor's naval forces, the Pope's Fleet scattered, his Legates, Cardinals, Prelates long detained in prison; the Pope's designs, Council frustrated to his grief, infamy, 552, to 556, 655, 656, 657. A Car●busian Monk at Cambridge brought before his Legate and others, affirmed to their faces, That Gregory was not Pope, nor bead of the Church: That he was the Devil broke loose; an Heretic, who p●ll●●●d the Church, yea World; That he had not power to bi●●e o● lose souls, nor was St. Peter's Vicar, nor had his power on earth; being a Simoniack, Usurer, and perhaps involved in greater crimes; following not Christ's footsteps, virtues, as St. Peter did; At which the Legate blushed, and all were silenced, 560. He conferred the Bishopric of Landaff by his Papal provision, which the King assented to, 558, 559. Granted K. H. a Dism in Ireland for relief of the Holy land, 559▪ 560. He grants the Tenths of all profits of Benefices to the Abbot and Monks of Clunie, belonging to any houses of their Order in England, without the King's privity, against his prerogative, and custom of the Realm, for which the King issued Writs to prohibit the collecting of them, 562. Grants a privilege to Edmund Archbishop of Canterbury, that he and other Archbishops in their Provinces should present to all Bishoprics, Abbots, Priories continuing void in the King's hand after 6. month's space, which he afterwards nulled, as contrary to the King's prerogative at his instance, 563. He intends to bestow all the benefices in England upon the sons, kindred of Romans, to encourage them unanimously to rise up against the Emperor; writing for 300 of the next benefices that fell void only in 3. Bishoprics to be conferred on them by provision, 564. He sent Peter Rubeus to demand an intolerable Tax of the English Clergy, proposed privately to each of them under an Oath of secrecy not to discover it, which the Prelates and inferior Clergy generally, Cistercians manfully withstood, 566, to 570. Recalls Otto from Engl. to Rome, who burned his letters, to advise, assist him in a Council against the Emperor, 401, 402. 570. The insatiable shameless covetousness, corruption, Simony of him and the Court of Rome, exposing all things to sale, reputing Usury a small sin, but Simony none at all, 571. His two Agents intolerable exactions in England, by Procurations and new devised extortions, 572. Writs to all Bishops to inquire of the number, value of the Benefices granted by him and his Legates by provision to aliens, 572, 573. The King by writs exempts all his own Clerks and Freechappels from his Legates procurations, taxes, exactions, provisions, 573, 574. A Prohibition against his Legates compelling any person by Ecclesiastical censures to contribute any thing to him, and against his provision of a Prebendary in Paul's belonging to the King's presentation, 574, 575. The King's appeal, Proctors to him against the Bishop of Wintons' election. His Nuntioes and their Treasure seized by the Emperor, 605, 606. His death, Sees vacancy and schisms after it, 605, 647, 648, 650, 651. His Bull for relief of the Holy Land transcribed verbatim by Pope Innocent the 4th. 660. His Statutes, Letters whereby Archbishop Boniface would visit the Monks of Canteabury, resisted and revoked by his Successor, 793, 794. The King's Letters of Complaint against his Provisions. His death concealed by his agents, till they could collect, transport their rapines, 608. Gregory the 10. His Complimental Letter to King Edward the 1. for a safe Conduct to his Agent to collect Peter-pences; and desiring the payment of 7. years' arrearss of the annual rent then due for England and Ireland by King John's Charter, 311, 312. According to his predecessors practise he rejected the Monk's election of Chillenden to the Archbishopric of Canterbury, opposed by the King, made Robert Archbishop by his Papal provision; which the Monks not daring to oppose elected him proforma, to preserve their right of election, 1061, 1062, 1063. H. HOnorius 2. his Decree against Priests taking an Oath, or being compelled to swear in criminal or other causes, unless by their Bishop's special licence, 707. Honorius 3. Young King Henry 3. his Complimental Epistles to him and his Legates for their tender care of him and his Realm, during his minority, professing himself his creature, subject, desiring him not to confirm the election of the Bishop of Ely, a professed enemy to him and his father, adhering to the French King against them▪ the Isle being a place of strength, and to provide a fitter Bishop for it, 374, 375. His Epistle to him touching the Bishop, Bishopric of Karlisle, and resetling the impropriations thereon granted to it by H. ●. then alienated from it, 375, 376. touching the restoring of his Siste● Joan, detained from him by H. de Lizimaco, and his excommunication if he refused to do it, 377, 378. His canonising Hugh Bishop of Lincoln for a Saint, 379, 380. The King's appeal to him touching the Church of Aeley, 381. His Bull to two Bishops in England to examine the abuses, vices, excesses of the Bishop of D●●●●m, upon the Monk's complaints against him, and certify their proceedings to him, 382, 383. One of the first introducers of Papal provisions, 337, 778. His Letter to the Earl of March and his wife upon K. H. 3. his complaint, to restore his Castles unjustly seized by him by a day, with damages, under pain of excommunication and interdict of their lands formerly released by him, which he endeavoured to elude by craft and contempt, 384, 385. The King's Letters of thanks to him for former favours, requesting him to write to several Bishops and Nobles therein named, to assist and continue faithful to him; and restrain all who should rebel against him, or detain his Castles, Lands, by the spiritual sword and censures, 389, 390. Excommunications thereupon denounced against the detainers of them by the Archbishop and his Suffragans, 391. Commanded King Henry to prolong the Truce with France for 3. years 392. At his request the King give his royal assent to the election of the Archbishop of Cass●l The King prohibits an appeal to him from any of Ireland, in a case of Bastardy pending in his temporal Court, 393, 394 Constitutes a Proctor at Rome, 395. His Letter to the King to continue an annuity granted by King John to a Romesh Cardinal, afterwards revoked, 395. His Bull to the French King, to permit the King of England● Nuntioes freely to pass and repass through his territories to his presence: And to the Bishops, Abbots, Priors, and Clergy of England to grant a competent Aid to King H. 3. to be employed by common consent for the benefit of the Realm, and not drawn into consequence, 396 To the Archbishop of Dablin to excommunicate those who refused to surrender the King's Castles to him; without any appeal, 397. Sent Legates into all parts of the world to exact undue exactions in all places. Otto his Nuncio sent into England with Letters to the King, demanding two Prebendaries to be granted him in every Cathedral, and the allowance of 2. Monks in every Monastery where the Abbot & Covent had distinct interests, to prevent the old scandal of avarice, bribery, Simony, r●pine of the Church and Court of Rome, occasioned through her poverty, extortions, delays of Justice, which the King, Clergy opposed, as prejudicial to the Crown, Church, kingdom. 397, 398, 400, 4001. The like proposals by his Legate in France, with the French Bishops answer thereto, as destructive to the Church and Realm, 400 His Legates procurations, rapines, 398, 401, 402. His Letters to Geoffry de Lizimaco, reprehending him for the breach of his Oath of Fealty and Allegiance to K. H. 3. which ought not to be violated or discharged by any contrary Oath; commanding him inviolably to observe it under pain of excommunication without any appeal, 402, 403. Granted, published a Croysado against the Earl of Tholouse, and Albigenses, He prohibited the King of England and his Nobles to invade France during that King's wars against the Albigenses, 403, 404. Grants an aid to the King from the Clergy and Religious of England and Ireland▪ which they were compelled to pay by Ecclesiastical censures, without any appeal, on which this Pope refused to relieve them, 406, 407. His Bull against granting procurations to aliens and Italians in England, after the death of those aliens who then enjoyed them, leaving them to their Patrons free disposal, 778, 779. His large Bull of old privileges confirmed regranted to the Abbot and Monastery of St. Alban, an annual rent of one Ounce of gold reserved for it to him and his successors, in derogation of the King's prerogative, Appendix 20, to 25. The Emperor frederick's Oath to him to defend the rights and possessions of the Church of Rome to his power, 656. Honorius 4. demanded of Edward 1. the arrears of 3. years rend granted by King John for England and Ireland, who refused or neglected to pay it, 313. 1. INnocent 3. persecuted the Emperor Otho 5. excommunicated, deposed, vanquished him in barrel, & set up Fred. 2. 259, 260, 539, 753. displeased with King John in the beginning of his reign, for his divorce from his Wife by his Norman Prelates, against the Canon's obligation, and for detaining the Bishop of Belvoir in prison, notwithstanding his frequent Letters for his enlargement, still he paid a great ransom, and took an Oath of him never after to bear arms, 227. His Letter to King John to protect the Archdeacon of Richmond against the Archbishop of Yorks oppressions, 231. To Archbishop Geoffry to absolve the Archdeacon excommunicated by him after his appeal to Rome; else others to absolve him in his default. Taxed Geoffry with rebelling against the See of Rome, whose authority he still contemned, 232. He endeavours to make St. David's an Archbishopric, as formerly, grants it to Gilardus Archdeacon of Brechin by his provision; authorised the Bishops of Durham, Lincoln, Ely, to consecrate him, if Archbishop Hubert refused: which he refusing to do, the King by Writs prohibited all of his Diocese upon their allegiance not to own, receive Gilardus as Bishop, but oppose him to their power, declared him a public enemy to his prerogative, a disturber of the public peace; the Archbishop nulled his election, forced him to resign his Archdeaconry to him, to become his Chaplain; the King nominated, and Archbishop consecrated another Bishop in his stead, commanding all to aid, receive, assist him against Gilardus: and so quite nulled this Pope's first Provision, 334, to 338. The first introducer of Papal provisions, 377, 378, 777, 778. His decision of a Controversy between the Bishops of Dole and Turon, 334. Of a turbulent haughty spirit like Hildebrand. Grants a Croysado, Aid for relief of the Holy Land. His Bulls, Letters concerning its taxing, collecting in France and England, those Kings, Nobles consents to, proceedings therein, 238, to 241. King John's appeal to his Legate in Ireland, against the Suffragan Bishops of Ardmach, endeavouring to elect, consecreate an Archbishop without his precedent licence or confirmation, 240, 241. His Letter to King John to bestow the Bishopric of Carlisle on the Archbishop of Ragusa, who at his request conferred it on him, and a living granted him by the Archbp of York 241. He nulls the clandestine election of the Monks of Canterbury of their Subprior without the King's precedent licence, His exhortatory Epistle to them for unity; nulls their second election by the King's licence, though approved by him; enforced the Monks at Rome to elect Stephen Langton a Cardinal, without the King's licence, against his consent, or their fellow Monks in England, there presently consecrated him Archbishop, writ Letters, sent rings and precious stones to the King, to persuade him to receive and admit him Archbishop, 244, to 249. The King for this high affront, by armed force expelled the Prior, Monks of Canterbury, putting others in their places; sent a menacing Letter to this Pope for his unjust refusal of the Archbishop duly elected, approved, confirmed by him, and consecrating Langeton his enemy, publicly conversing with his enemies of France, without his royal assent, or the Monks due election; to the derogation of the rights of his Crown and dignity, which he admired at, he not considering how England had been, and was more beneficial to the See of Rome then all the kingdoms on this side the Alps: That he would stand for the rights of his Crown, and defend his Clerks due election to the Archbishopric, to death; threatening he would suffer none to pass out or through his Territories to Rome, nor any of his Bishops or Prelates to go thither for justice, unless he granted his requests. The Pope's insolent Letter in answer thereunto; his Letters to 3. English Bishops earnestly to persuade, admonish him to receive Langeton for Archbishop, else to interdict the whole Realm till his submission to it; their proceedings therein, and interdicting the whole Realm, 250, to 255. He deprives the white Monks of the Liberty granted to others for officiating during the interdict, at the King's command, 255, 256. He excommunicated King John, for contemning his Interdict, banishing the Bishops and their kindred who interdicted the Realm, with Langeton and his Parents, seizing their goods, temporalties, and of all who obeyed the Interdict, commanding it to be published in all Cathedral and Conventual Churches through England: the Clergy in England refuse to publish it; King John and his Nobles slight it, Alexander Cementarius disputes, writes against it and the Pope's power to inflict it, all his Nobles, others, publicly communicate with him, he hath admirable successes in his wars, affairs, notwithstanding it, 248, to 262. His Legates, Agents insolent words, messages, deportment towards the King, notwithstanding his promise to receive the exiled Bishops and Archbishop without restitution of the profits of their Bishoprics during their exile, 252, 261, to 265. He absolves King John's subjects from their Fealty, Oaths, obedience to him; prohibiting them under pain of excommunication strictly to avoid his company, both in Table, Council, Conference, 264, 265. After which at the Archbishops and Bishop's solicitation he deprived King John and his heirs of the Crown of England, gives it to King Philip of France and his heirs; writes to him, and all Nobles, Soldiers in sundry Countries to take arms, to deject him and conquer it for his contumacy, rebellion; to cross themselves for that purpose, granting them the same Indulgences as those who went to the Holy Land against the Saracens. Sends Pandulphus his Legate to see it executed, yet with secret instructions to him to agree with King John upon terms he was to propound to him, 267, 288. When the French King and John had both raised great forces by Land and Sea against each other, Pandulf by fraudulent persuasions, menaces, terrors induced King John and his Nobles to receive the exiled Bishops, give them damages, & swear to make good the terms the Pope propounded for himself and exiles, to resign his Crown, kingdoms of England and Ireland to this Pope by a special Charter, enjoying them under him and his successors, paying 1000 Marks annual rent, & swearing fealty to him as his vassal; The manner thereof: being effected, he prohibited the French King to invade him after vast expenses, to his great discontent, because under his Papal protection by this submission, 267, to 293. The Interdicts, Excommunications, Frauds, force by which this Charter was extorted, with the protests, Declarations against, and real Nullities of it, 271, 273, 274, 280, 281, 289, to 330. 414, 1058. King John's Oath to him, 274, 279, 290. The Emperor by his Ambassadors stirred up the English, others to contradict, withstand this Charter, Tribute, and other illegal oppressions, 414, 415. 613. His Bull to his Legate to confer all vacant dignities, benefices in England by postulation or Canonical election, to correct all rebellious persons opposing his proceedings therein by Ecclesiastical censures, without any appeal; his tyranny, inhumanity, proceedings therein, especially against those who had been loyal to the King during the Interdict, 258, 259, 329, 330, 334, 335. The Original of his provisions in England, 237, 329, 330, 778. His Bull to his Legate for releasing the long Antichristian Interdict of England after 7. years 3. months, & 14 days space, during which divine Offices, Sacraments, and Christian burials ceased, 331, 332, 33. His Bull for confirmation of the Great Charter of King John, to his Prelates, Barons, and Freedom of Elections to the Church, Clergy, upon the King's request, 337, 338 K. John's complaint to him against his Great Charter as extorted from him by armed force, fear, circumvention, rebellion; and of designs to expel him the Realms now under the Cross, and Pope's protection: his Oath by St. Peter to avenge this injury; His Bull perpetually nulling the great Charter notwithstanding its former confirmations, prohibiting any to observe it under pain of excommunication, reciting the Baron's rebellion, obstinacy, perjury against their Oaths, 341, 342, 343, 345, 346, 347. He first excited the English Barons by his Bulls to take arms against King John, as an obstinate enemy to the Church, to enforce him to surrender his Crown to him, and after his unworthy effeminate surrender of it to him as his Tributary, endeavoured without fear of God or shame of the world to trample them under feet, disinherit, put them to death, and swallow up their estates; He promoted none to livings, but unworthy outlandish Clerks, 414, 415. His Letter to the Barons, charging them with rebellion, disobedience to his commands and the King, threatening to excommunicate them if they persisted therein, 342. His Letters for the Baron's Excommunication sent to the Archbishop and his Suffragans, 344, 345, 348, 351. The Archbishop delays, denies to publish it, siding with them, for which he is cited to the Council at Rome, suspended his Archbishopric, and all prohibited to obey him as Archbishop, 343, to 348. His Bull reprehending the Chapter of York for electing Simon Langeton their Archbishop, against the Kings and his prohibition, and Simons promise: his menaces of him and them; His election nulled, he swears he would provide an Archbishop himself for them unless they presently proceeded to a new election: whereupon they elected Walter Grace, whom the King at first propounded, who paid ten thousand pound sterling for his Pall, for which he stood bound in the Court of Rome to this Simon Magus and his Usurers, 350, 351. The King's Letters to him not to null the union of the Abbey of Glaston to the Bishopric of Bath and Wells, formerly confirmed, being prejudicial to the Crown, He appoints delegates to hear and determine the cause, 356, 357. His Care to preserve King John and his heirs rights in Normaudy, 357, 535. His Bull exempting all his French appels from Episcopal Jurisdiction and excommunications, though a royal prerogative before, 358, 720, 721, 727, 728, 759. His Bull to the Abbot of Abbendon and others, to excommunicate certain Barons, Londoners, and others by name for opposing, rebelling against King John, with their high contempt thereof, and reviling speeches against him and his Papal power, as Constantine's, not Peter's successor, either in merits or works, making a prey of the Church and Kingdom he had invaded, 359, 360, 361, 362, 414. He absolves the Archbishop upon caution, but prohibits his return into England till the King and Barons were accorded, 361. He sends Wal● to the French King Philip, to prohibit him or his son to invade King John being his Vassal; or the Realm of England, the Church's patrimony, whereof he was supreme Lord, by the King's Charter, Homage to him: The French Kings reply thereto, declaring the Charter void, denying England to be St. Peter's Patrimony. Lewis his Proctor's opposition, objections before him against King john's, and plea for Lewes his Title to the Realm of England; This Pope's replies thereto on King John's behalf; his Dilemma in this controversy between them. The Barons reject King John, elect, receive, crown Lewis, notwithstanding his Legates prohibitions, excommunications of Lewis and them, which they contemn, 358, to 367. His Usurpations upon King John's Crown, kingdom, Church, Subjects of England and Ireland, 370. His unchristian Excommunication and Interdict of all the King's Officers and others who by his command offered violence to the Monks of Cant. and shed their blood in the Church of Faversham, to which the King and Monks laid Title, the King's Prohibitions, Writs, sent to his Delegates not to execute it, as being derogatory to his Crown; the Pope's contrary Letters to proceed therein, with the issue of it, Appendix 6, to 16. Sends Otto into England and other Nuntioes into all parts of the world to exact undue exactions from them, 398. Innocent the 4. His election after a long vacancy, 605, 651. Being confirmed, he ratified the Excommunication denounced against the Emp. Fredoric, stirred up the Citizens of Viterbium against him, caused sundry to revolt from him in Germany soon after his election, 651, 652. He refused all offers of peace, cautions tendered by the Emperor for performance thereof; raised new discords, wars against him to the great danger of Christendom and Christianity, then invaded by the Turks, Saracens, Tartars: whereupon the Emperor stopped all passages to Rome, 652, 755, 758. His unsatiable thirst after money, 652. He flies from Rome with his Cardinals to Lions secretly in a disguise. The King and Nobles consult whether they should receive him, as conceiving him prejudicial to the King and kingdom; they refuse to admit him into France, or Rheims, whose Archbishopric was then void, 653, 654. Their Letter to him denying his entrance into lower France, 654. He desires K Henry that he might come into England, wherein he had a special right, to honour it with his presence▪ but is denied: he spoiling, defiling it by his Extortions, Simony, Usurers, though nor personally present: the stink of his Papal Court and infamy ascended to the clouds, 654. He endeavoured to deprive the Emperor. 653. 753. The King's appeal to him against the Bishop of Winton, being neither duly elected, nor presented to him for his confirmation, to the prejudice of his Royal right and dignity. The Bishop gives the Pope 8000 Marks to procure his peace, and free him from a contempt against the King, 589, 590, 591, 592. His Decree between the Monks of Canterbury and Bishop of Lincoln, during the vacancy, 599. He desires the prayers of the Cistercians in their General Chapter, for the state of the wavering Church, 604. His Legates rapines, provisions, Extortions in England, 605. The King's Letters of Complaint against them, 606. Endeavours to subject Wales to himself under an annual Tribute; absolves the Prince of Wales from his subjection and allegiance to K. H. 3. against his Charter, Oath, encouraging him in his rebellion against him, 609. His Letters to all the Prelates of England in general, and each of them in particular purchased with the effusion of much money, to grant a competent aid to the King, highly applauded in them, 609, 610. The Prelates unanimously opposed them, being conjoined, and complain of the Pope's rapine, provisions, by his agents, 610, 611, 612. His Letters to the English Prelates for a supply of his own and the Church of Rome's necessities; which they and the Emperor's agents in England contradict, 612, 613, 614, 615. His Nuntioes rapines, extortions, Ibid. 619. His daily Bulls sent into England to extort moneys; prohibited to be imported, searched after in Dover and other Ports by public order, and their importers imprisoned, 617. A prohibition to tax, collect or pay any Tax to this Pope or his agents in England or Ireland, 618 His Nuncio chased out of England, at which this Pope extraordinarily raged, 619, 620: resolved to make peace with the Emperor, whom he styled the Dragon, that so he might trample the petty Kings and Serpents of England and other Countries under foot; which incensed the hearts of many against him, 620. The King of Scots Charter of League with K. H. 3. sent to him to confirm; he and his Nobles subjecting themselves and their heirs thereby to his Jurisdiction and Ecclesiastical censures in case they violated it, 620, 621. He absolved David Prince of Wales from his Oath, Homage, Charters made to King H 3. exciting him to rebel against him, by putting himself and all his Land under the Pope's protection, to be held of him under an annual rent of 500 marks. His Bull for that purpose: notwithstanding which K. H. 3. wasted Wales with fire and sword, reducing it to extreme misery, desolation, 621, 622, 623, 624. William the elect Bishop of Coventry voluntarily resigned his Bishopric into his hands, being opposed by the King, 624, 625. The Bishops of England made, advanced by him, more addicted to him, then to the kingdom or King, 626, 627. He granted Archbishop Boniface for money an unheard of privilege of the first years fruits of all vacant benefices in his Province for seven years, till he levied ten thousand Marks thereby, under pretext to defray the debts of his Church: Which his Suffragan Bishops opposed, but were enforced to submit to, by Excommunications and Ecclesiastical censures published in all Churches against those who should speak against, detract from it, or fraudulently subtract any of the firstfruits▪ 626, 683, 684, 689, 718, 719. He consecrated Boniface Archbishop, and Richard de Withz Bishop of Cicester, Roger de Wes●ham Bishop of Coventry, elected against the Kings will, and appealed against, at Lions, to his great affront, and the kingdom's prejudice, for which he confiscated their goods, seized, detained their temporalties, and kept them out of their Cities for a long time, 625, 626, 627. He granted Philip Ball, a Soldier employed as his General in the wars, for a great sum of money, to hold by Commenda all his ●ents in England, the profits of the Bishopric of Valentia, Archbishopric of Lions, and other Churches in Flanders, England, France, who took no care at all of the people's souls, nor to exercise his Episcopal office, 626, 627, 642. Summoned, celebrated a General Council at Lions, 623, etc. 753. He granted the Bishop of Lincoln, after an infinite expense of money and great gifts, a privilege against the Canons, to visit the Dean and Chapter of Lincoln to correct their manners, without taking an Oath of Canonical obedience, or manual subscription: His Bull and definitive sentence therein, 629, 630. A prohibition and appeal by the King against his drawing any of his Subjects in sui● before him out of the Realm, 628. What arrears of the annual Tribute were paid him by King H. 3. and upon what occasion, 311. His Dispensation for some of the King's Clerks to hold pluralities, 632. Freers Predicants and Minors the executors of his Papal extortions, advanced, enriched by his means, 633. The King prohibited the Abbots, Priors, and Ecclesiastical persons, to grant this Pope any aid, or to meet about it, without his royal assent, 634. His summons of a General Council at Lions by Bulls and Nuntioes sent into England and elsewhere, 636, 637. The King complains of his nulling Canonical elections to Bishoprics duly made and approved by him, out of malice, or upon feigned or frivolous pretences, for advancing Bishops without his royal assent, contrary to his ancient approved right in all former ages, praying redress thereof by a special Proctor, 637. His Epistle to the King, excusing the appearance of some Bishops and Abbots at the Council, by reason they were Guardians of the Realm in his absence, others undone by wars, others aged, or sick, 638, 643. He shamefully abused and cast out of his Palace the Abbot of Burgh for opposing his provision to a Church, which he gave to one of his kindred, so as he died of shame & grief, 638. The King sent sole●n Ambassadors to this Council in his own and the kingdoms name, to complain against his insatiable covetousness, execrable ●apines, extortions, provisions of Churches, and other corruptions of the Court of Rome, against King John's Charter, Tribute, the Letters, protestations of the whole kingdom against them, the proceedings therein, to which the Pope deferred his answer, 299, 300, 638, 636, 644, 645, 646, 647. The King's Patents commanding all his Bishops, Abbots in that Council upon their allegiance to use all diligence to acquire, conserve and defend all the rights of his Crown, kingdom, invaded by the Pope, and not to attempt, procure, or assent to any thing therein to his or the kingdom's prejudice, or of the rights his predecessors and he had used by ancient approved custom; that none of his Bishops should be translated by the Pope and Council, but by consent of his Ambassadors and Proctor St. Martin, for the benefit of the Realm, 640. He set his study on fire before the Council, wherein King John's detestable Charter was hurt, on purpose to extort moneys from the Bishops repairing to the Council, 300, 641. Sundry Abbots, Bishops present him with vast sums of money, and rich presents, to the prejudice of their Churches, whom he advanced to Archbishoprics by his Papal power, 641, 642. The Canons of Lions strenuously opposed his provisions, swearing they would drown his provisors in the Rhine if they durst appear there, whereupon they desisted, 642. The hand of his Porter cut off by a Citizen of Lions, of which he complained, desiring reparations, which was done superficially in some sort to save his Papal honour, 642. The Greek Church not only refuse to obey, but opposed him & the Church of Rome, for their Simony, claiming Primacy from St. Peter's first residence at Antioch; to which he could give no answer, 643, 352. He defers the Canonization of Edmund Archbishop of Canterbury, canonised at last by him, 643, 644, 685. He scornfully rejects the proffers of the Emperor by his Advocates, to satisfy the Church and Prelates injured, and defend the Christians against the Tarts, Turks, Saracens, incensed the whole Council against him, except the King of England's Ambassadors and Proctors, 644, 651, 652. His sentence of Excommunication and deposition denounced against the Emperor in the Council, sent into England and other places to be published to his infamy, wherein he challenged a Sovereign superintendency over all Christians, as Christ's Vicar, and Peter's successor, the Top of Apostolical dignity; power to advance, censure, punish, depress, anathematise whom he pleased; excommunicating him for breach of his Oaths, invading the rights and possessions of the Church, imprisoning sundry Cardinals, Bishops, (when summoned to a Council to depose him) imposing taxes upon the Clergy, conventing them before secular Judges for criminal and civil causes which did not touch their fees; imprisoning and executing some of them, to the confusion and disgrace of their Clerical Order; (though for treason and rebellion against him) contemning Pope Gregory's former sentence of Excommunication against him, marrying his daughter to Bottacius an enemy to the Roman Church; making a Peace with the Sultan of Babylon, invading the Realm of Sicily, the Special Patrimony of St. Peter, and absolving the Inhabitants thereof and other places from their allegiance to the Church of Rome; Chargeth him therein with heresy, apostasy, inclination to Mahometism, & other forged crimes; absolving all his subjects from their former Oaths of allegiance to him, and excommunicating all who should obey, favour, counsel, or converse with him from thenceforth as Emperor or King: which Excommunication was contrary to his own Canons made in that Council, 652. to 660, 757. Moved for a Croysado to raise moneys, forces against the Emperor, which was publicly opposed to his face by the English, because of his former manifold cheats, abufes therein, 660, 666, 753. The Emperor's Notable speech, Epistles against Pope's insolences, usurpations, and his abuse of his Papal power in deposing him; charging him and Prelates with pride, ingratitude, avarice, ambition, contempt to Emperors, Kings, their advancers, and the danger of such a precedent to all Christian Kings, kingdoms; sets his Crown on his head with his own hands, professeth himself absolved from all obligations to him, and free to oppose him for his tyranny, 660, 661, 662. 753. Pope's intolerable insolences, though of base birth, ignominiously to insult over, depose, trample under feet all Emperors, Kings, Princes, Prelates, though innocent, after frederick's final deprivation, as not so potent to resist them, 662. His Papal Mandate to the General Chapter of the Cistercians, justifying his excommunication and deposing of the Emperor, for and in which he was prepared to stand, fight unto death, exhorting all of them, and other his brethren, immutably to stand, sight for this cause of God and his Church together with him even to death, 662, 663. His privileges promised to the English in the Council of Lions; To grant provisions and dispensations for pluralities of Livings to well deserving Englishmen of Noble families; That the Clergy and Lay-patrons should freely present fit persons to their Ecclesiastical benefices as they fell void without contradiction; That one Italian should not succeed another; That all Crossed for the Holy Land, should not be exempt from the usual customs of the Realm, though from other things; That all English Prelates newly advanced should ●or some few years hold all their former promotions by commendaes▪ After which he & other Popes nulled, violated them all by Non▪ obstante's, oppressed the English more than ever, 666. He refusing to give competent satisfaction to the English Ambassadors demands in the Council, they departed thence in discontent; swearing they would never hereafter pay, or suffer to be paid the detestable Tribute granted by King John to the Roman avarice, which the King likewise swore: nor permit any rents of English Churches (especially such whereof Noblemen were Patrons) to be extorted from them, which he with patience and silence passed by, till a fitter time to revenge it, 663. The English Bishops at his command most cowardly set their hands, seals to the transcript of King John's Charter, then newly burnt, to make it valid; and subscribed, published his excommunication against the Emperor, 309, 663. Upon which he expressing his former concealed causeless rancour against the King, kingdom, Nobles, for daring to demand their rights and liberties; most insolently threatened, that if he could tame Frederick, he would then trample under feet the insolent pride of the petty King of England, his Vassal, and the disobedient English, whom he would not permit so much as to lament or mutter against the oppressions or Tribute they complained against in the Council; exciting, persuading the French King in a conference with him at Clunie, to revenge this great injury, by rising up and warring against the Petty King of England even to his disinheriting, or so as to enforce him nolens volens to submit himself to the will of the Court of Rome in all things, promising that the Church and he with all his Papal power would assist him therein; which the King of France refused to do, because of the consanguinity, truce then between them, and prevalency of the Pagans against the Christians in the Holy Land, who expected his aid, 309, 663, 664. He oppressed, pillaged the English more than ever before by sophistical Legates and Freers, having the power but not name of Legates, to evade the ancient Privilege of the King, that no Legate should come into his Realm, unless he first desired him; seized upon the goods of all dying intestate, against Law and former custom; injuriously usurped the Lands of David Prince of Wales, the King's Nephew, Vassal, who was to hold it under him for 500 marks a year Tribute; cited the King to satisfy David for certain pretended injuries done him, to the hissing and derision of many. To oppose, redress these insupportable grievances which the King, kingdom could no longer tolerate, without infamy and imminent ruin: the King summoned a Parliament, wherein he, the Nobles and Prelates drew up 7. several Articles against his exactions, grievances, oppressions, provisions, Non-obstantes, impleading the Subjects out of the Realm, Taxes without the King's assent, and against his appeals: & provisions to Italians, who neither preached nor resided on their benefices, succeeded each other by frauds, suffered their houses, Churches to fall to ruin; sent them by their Messengers to the Pope with 4. notable Epistles; the 1. from the Archbishop of Canterbury and his Suffragans; the 2. from all the Abbots, Priors, Covents of England; the 3. from all the Nobility and Commonalty; The 4. from the King, with another to the Cardinals, relating the Nobles, people's weeping clamours against them, urging him speedily to redress these grievances, which else the Nobles threatened to do themselves, with such peril, damage of the Church of Rome, as could not easily be repaired, 664, to 671. Who instead of redressing those grievances, in contempt of them and their Letters, sent several Letters to divers Prelates to send or find several men with horse and arms for half a year or more for his service, which they were to do secretly, and reveal to none under pain of excommunication: to the prejudice of the kingdom & King; Knights service being only due to the King▪ & Nobles, nor formerly exacted by Popes in any age▪ He exacted golden Jewels and other ornaments made in England, published an unheard of Statute, that all Clergymens' goods dying intestate should be converted to the Pope's use, which the Freers Minors were to execute; Exacted by a New Bull a Subsidy of 60000 Marks from the Bishops, Clergy of England, to be divided between them, and paid in with all speed, notwithstanding any appeal, privilege, constitution or Decree of a General Council: Against which Taxes the King by provision made in Parliament, issued several Prohibitions to Bishop, not to collect or pay it, because against his royal dignity, which he neither would nor could by any means suffer, 664, 671, 672, 673, 674, 681, 682. showed no moderation towards the King or his Ambassadors, neither in words nor gestures, concerning their grievances, complaints against him; but said, the King Frederized, he hath his Council and I have mine, which I will pursue; would scarce look on any English man, but repelled, reviled all of them as Schismatics, slighting all the Kings and Nobles Epistles sent to his Court, whereat they were very angry; The King prohibits by Writ, that no Prelate or Clerk in any County should consent to or send any money to aid him, or obey his commands therein; whereat he being much incensed, sent a second Letter to all English Prelates to pay the aid demanded under pain of Excommunication, threatening to interdict the Realm if refused; whereupon the King by persuasions of Earl Richard, some ambitious Clergymen, and Papal Bishops, whereof Worcester was chief, terrified with his Papal threats so that he trembled at them, desisted from his former manly resolutions, sent Messengers to pacify, and tell him, he would comply with his desires, whereof he was very joyful, 675, 676. He styled England, an unexhausted pit, where many things abounding, he might thence extort much, 671. The English like B●laams Ass beaten with his spurs and clubs, were necessitated lamentably to cry out, 670, 671, 672, 676. He observing the Cowardice, division of the English Clergy, oppressed them daily more and more, imperiously demanded the moiety of all non-resident, and 3d part of all Residents Livings under hard conditions, by detestable Non- obstantes, which the King specially prohibiting, the English Clergy denied to grant, as impossible, for sundry reasons they drew up against it, 676, 677, 678. England ground as by two Millstones between the King and this Pope. The Archdeacon's and other Clergy in a Parliament summoned, lamentably complain of their intolerable exactions, to the desolation of the Church, Realm; whereupon they resolved to present their Grievances in order by Messengers and Letters to this Pope and his Cardinals in the name of all the Clergy, people of the Realm; at which Letters the Pope and Court of Rome murmured, because their avarice was so reproved, restrained, and to prevent the danger of a revolt from them, reduced the 60000 to 11000 Marks, which the Bishops to avoid the Pope's displeasure assented to, against the Kings, Nobles Letters, and inferior Clergies wills, 678, 679, 680. His grants of Commendaes' for money, to engage the Bishops to whom they were granted to side with him, 680. His politic Innovation when Wars were between two Princes, to excommunicate at the request of one of them, who fled to him for assistance, the opposite party, to suppress him, and absolve, assist the other, to oblige him perpetually to him, 680. He employed the Freers Minors and Predicants to collect moneys to War against the Emperor, whiles the Tartars and Saracens overrun the Christians, to whom he would send no aid to resist them, 643, 649, 650, 652, 664, 680. He stirs up Wars in Germany against the Emperor Frederick, causing them to elect the Landegrave Emperor, who refused it, 651, 680, 681, 753. The Emperor lays wait to seize all moneys coming from England to the Pope or his corrivals, 680, 681. His hypocritical Statutes concerning the pretended relief of the Holy Land, and Letters to the Freers Minors to collect it; to inquire of the goods of all persons dying intestate; of all Usurers and others goods ill gotten, of goods left upon Testament undevised, or to be distributed to pious uses, according to the Executors discretion, and levy them by Ecclesiastical censures for his use; to compound for moneys with Excommunicated persons, and those who had taken up the Cross, 681, 682. He granted a privilege for a vast sum of money to Lambert de Muleton, not to be excommunicated for any offence by any person, but by the Pope's special command, 682. His sophistical delusory privilege to King Henry, that he would grant no provision of Ecclesiastical Benefices in England, to any Italian, Cardinal or Kinsman, unless he or his Cardinals should entreat the King with importunity to assent to the Provision, 682, 683. The King's Writs that all bringers of this Pope's Bulls of Provisions to Benefices, or for collections of moneys, to the impoverishing of the Realm, should be seized on, imprisoned, and the Ports kept that none should be brought in, 684. His privilege granted to the new Abbot of Westminster, at the King's request, to celebrate Mass Pontifically, and give the benediction solemnly to the people when Agnus Dei was sung, 686. His Bull to the Abbot of Clunie, who brought his house in debt by the great gifts bestowed on him, to collect one years' Disme from all of his Order on this side the Alps, notwithstanding the contradiction of any Ordinary, whereof he was to receive 3000 Marks to his own use, and the Abbot the residue; King Henry by Writ seized all the money thus collected in England, 686, 687. A Prohibition to his Delegates not to molest the King's Clerk, 688, 689. His Provisions odious in England, yet the King approved of one at the instance of two of his Clerks, 690. His intolerable depredations in France and England, Ibid. He sends Freers Minors into England, armed with terrible Bulls, to extort moneys from the English Prelates and Clergy under severe penalties, which they concealed from the King, who demanded no less than 6000 Marks out of the Bishopric of Lincoln, and 40 Marks from the Abbey of St. Alban, for the Pope's use; which the Abbot refusing, was enforced to pay and expend upon Appeals above 300 Marks, besides other daily extortions; which the King summoned a Parliament to prevent, from which the Bishops cowardly absented themselves, 690, 691, 693, 694. He sent likewise Freers Minors severally to all the Bishops of France, to beg and borrow moneys of them, which the King prohibited them to grant, under pain of forfeiting all their goods; whereupon his sophistical Legates departed thence with hissing and derision, 691. He dispersed several Legates into Scotland and Ireland to collect moneys, 692. His Cardinals compelled him to revoke his Decree of Intestates goods, by reason of its general scandal, and the damage it did to many against Law, 692. An unsatiable Carybdis, 694. He authorised his Freers by Bulls, and their Delegates to interdict, excommunicate Archbishops, Bishops without any appeal, notwithstanding any privilege, if they opposed their exactions, or refused to contribute to him according to their faculties, 694, 695. He attempted by all means to ordain the Archbishop of Ardmach, which the King endeavoured to prevent, by authorising his Chief Justice to give his Royal assent to the election for that time, 690. He sent Martin his Chaplain into England, with the power, not title, ensigns of a Legate, to elude the King's privilege, and fish for men's goods, possessions, not souls, 691, 692. He taught Princes, Laymen the way to mutilate and revoke the possessions they had given to the Church, by Non-obstantes, 693. Excommunicated those Prelates, Abbots and others, who refused to provide liberally for his Nuntioes, whom he empowered to inquire of vexations of Provisors, all alienations of Lands, Churches, and Symoniacal Contracts made by Prelates, Clergymen, or Religious persons; to revoke them without judgement or noise, and notify them to him, that he might proceed against them according to the quality of their offences to get money; and to excommunicate, suspend, interdict all opposers, notwithstanding any privilege or appeal, 695, 696. The King summons another Parliament to advise how to redress these manifold and frequent extortions, exhausting the Kingdom's Treasure, bringing no good, but much detriment to the Church, and very displeasing to God; summoning the Bishops specially to it, frequently impoverished by them, who all most basely condescended to a Contribution of 11000 Marks to the Pope, which some of them before resolved to oppose, being so frequently worried, tired with the Pope's Agents vexations when they opposed them, which act rendered all the Clergy suspected to the Kingdom, 696. He sent a Cardinal Legate to crown and anoint Haco King of Norway, Denmark and Sweden, in whose entertainment the Bishop of Norwich spent 4000 Marks, besides other presents: For this Coronation the Pope received 15000 Marks sterling, besides rich presents to the Legate, and 500 Marks extorted by him from the Churches of that Kingdom, 697. He sold Bishoprics, and Canonisations of Saints for money, 698. Granted Croysadoes, Dimes to Richard Earl of Cornwall, and William Longespee, whereby vast sums of money were collected by rapines, injustice, by his Nuntioes, wherein he shared; He suspended Patrons from presenting to their Benefices, never heard of before, to prefer Romans to them, or satisfy his avarice; filled Germany with Wars, preyed upon France and England, whereby he and the Court of Rome became infamous, 698, 716, 720, to 736, 753, 755. The French Peers, King conspire and enter into a confederacy against his and the Prelate's Exactions, Excommunications, Encroachments on their Rights and Liberties, 699, to 704. His Citation of the Abbot of Abbendon to Rome, for his contempt in denying to present a Roman his Provisor to a Benefice of the Abbey, and presenting another by the King's command; for which though old and infirm, he was forced to go to Rome, and after much vexation, expense, to give the Roman a pension of 50 Marks a year, to the great prejudice of his Church, 716, 717. He vacated the Monk's election of the Abbot of St. Edmund's, without just cause, to ensnare him in the net of his unmerciful mercy; and then to content the grieved Monks, out of his mere grace confirmed him their Abbot, so as he entered into bond to pay 800 Marks to his designed Merchant; which he forced to do, died of grief in his return thence; which oppressions made the Court of Rome infamous, and drew the Plague and God's wrath upon it, 717. He commanded the Bishop of Clon, elected without the King's licence, to be consecrated, without his assent, contrary to his Royal Prerogative, 719. His Bull to exempt the King's Free Chapels from Episcopal Jurisdiction and Excommunications, 720, 721, 727. Thrusts his Clerk by a Provision into the Church of Eneford, belonging to the King's presentation by vacancy of the Archbishopric of Canterbury, to which the King presenting his Clerk, he took the examination of the cause into his own hands, giving judgement against the King's Clerk, not considering the King's right, commanding his Delegates to eject him, and put in his Provisor; which tending to the hurt of the Crown, and the King's great enormous disinheriting, he sent his Proctor to him to plead his right, and prohibited his Delegates upon their allegiance, not to attempt any thing to his or his Clerk's prejudice, under pain of seizing their Baronies, 725, 726. His detestable infamous avarice, simony, usuries, abuse of Croysadoes, and promoting them by Freers, which scandals rendered him and his Papelins odious, and made the devotion of many to wax cold, 728, 729. His infamous Privilege to the Bishop of Norwich to extort moneys; and mousetraps to catch such who took up the Cross, 729. His grant of a Croysado to the French King, upon condition to give him power afterwards to extort as much thence against the Emperor Frederick; the horrid crying extortions used therein; Gods curse upon those rapines, by the total overthrow of the French Army, and taking their King Captive by the Saracens, which caused many Christians to apostatise, utter blasphemies, and almost ruined France, 733, 734. The King's Prohibition to put a Dean into St. Carantoc by his Provision, belonging to his presentation by the vacancy of the Bishopric of Exon, 736. The Templars and others appeals to him against Bishop Grosthead, who by money given to the Pope, purchased his favour and exemption from the Bishop to his shame; who cried out thereupon, O money, money, how potent art thou in the Court of Rome! the Pope's indignation thereupon, 737, 740. His Letters to Grosthead upon the King's complaint, to absolve the King's Sheriff and Officers from an Excommunication against them, for executing the King's Writs, 738. He favoured Archbishop Boniface in his rapines and oppressions, 740, 741. His new Decretal concerning Archbishops and Bishops Visitations, Procurations, against exactions, Visitation Oaths and coactions, by which Archbishop Boniface intended to visit his Province, 743, 744. His Letters for nulling and reversing the Archbishop's sentence of Excommunication against the Chapter of Paul's and Bishop of London, upon an appeal against it, 745, 746. His detestable Provision to a Bastard and illiterate Foreigner, against right and piety, to the Church of Westele, decreeing all acts attempted against it void, to put his Proctor into, and keep him in possession of it, removing all others, excommunicating all opposers without any appeal, 746. His request to King H. 3. to remove to Bordeaux, and from thence to pass into England, to fleece, corrupt it in person worse than his Usurers or Nuntioes: He for money hindered those who had taken the Cross to aid the French King, absolved them from their peregrination, sold them to Earl Richard and other Nobles, as the Jews used to sell Oxen and Doves in the Temple; whereat the English were highly offended with him, 746, 747. Archbishop Boniface goes to his Court in person, to fortify himself against his Suffragans and their Appeals by his Papal authority; he and the Court of Rome being shaken like a reed with winds hither and thither, by money intervening, 747, 748. His provision to, and vexation of the Abbot of St. Alban, 842, 843, 844, 846, 847. He courtenanced the Bishop of Winton against the King, for which he obliged his Bishopric to him in unestimable debts, 748. He confirms E●b●lmar though unfit in the Bishopric of Winton, for money, gifts; licensing him and other Bishops for money to retain all their former benefices, rents, promotions together with their Bishoprics, 749, 750, 751, 752. He preferred by Provisions any unfit, scandalous, illiterate persons, covetous Romans, and others contemners of souls to Bishoprics, benefices, for money, for which he was by God's justice deservedly expelled from Rome, forced like Cain to wander from place to place; he trampled England more vilely under his feet, where Religion most flourished, oppressed, spoiled it more than any other Nation, when no English men had any preferment in Italy or other Realms; whence they prayed the God of vengeance to whet his sword against him and his Nuntioes provisions, and make it drunk in their blood, 750. He oppressed the Church of God more than all his predecessors, not considering the scourge of God upon him, 753. His unchristian practices and Innovations, in setting up and openly protecting Usurers in England, against the Old and New Testament, condemning Usury, suffering them to dwell amongst Christians; in conferring Benefices by Provisions for money on barbarous Romans, who never came into England, nor took care of the people's souls; in erecting many Orders of Freers, and employing them to promote, collect his rapines, taxes, Croysadoes, armed with many Papal powers; and licensing them to purchase great possessions against their Vows, Orders; yea disturbing all Christendom with Wars, out of malice and hatred against the Emperor, to the danger of the Universal Church and Christianity, 753, 754. He induced Peter de Vinea by great bribes, promises, to poison, destroy the Emperor Frederick, who most confided in, and employed him; his exclamation against the Pope for his treachery and persecutions at his death, 754, 755. By Pope Innocent 3 Gregory 9 and his Excommunications, Wars, persecutions, depositions of the Emperors Otho, and Frederick, the Imperial Sovereignty withered away, 753. His implacable malice to the Emperor, 755. His exemption of the King's Household Clerks from payment of First-fruits, granted by him to Archbishop Boniface, 758. His Non-obstantes made precedents for King Henry to avoid his Charters, 760. The more potent he was, the more grievous to oppress, 761. His Papal Balls, Provisions frequently contradicted by Bishop Grosthead, who said he should Satanize if he obeyed them, 762. He summoned the Dean and Chapter of Paul's to appear before him, at Archbishop Boniface his suit, from whose sentence he had absolved them, 762. The Abbot of Westminster, his Chaplain, attends long in his Court, bound in great debts for him to quell the Monks, who were backed by the King, whose foundation it was, 763, 764. Prelates and Religious persons reduced to extreme servitude by him, all their former privileges subverted by his detestable Non-obstantes, 765. His strange Provision of Foreigners to St. Alban; he became a stepfather, and the Church of Rome a stepmother to England, alienating their hearts from them by intolerable contempts, injuries, oppressions, persecutions, 765. He granted King H. 3. a Disme for three years towards his voyage to the Holy Land, only to spoil well-affected Christians of their moneys by this pretext, which the Prelates oppose, 766, 767, 768, 770, 771, 772, 773, 774. His Indulgences granted to those who took up the Cross, 768. The Pope and King assist each other in their rapines, oppressions, tyranny, exactions, which exasperated most men's hearts, stirred them up generally against the Church of Rome, extinguished the fire of devotion towards, and caused a defection of their hearts from her, 772, 773. Many Schoolmasters for great sums of money got licenses from him not to reside upon their benefices, or take Orders, under pretext of teaching School, which Grosthead oppugned, 574. His Bull for augmentation of small Vicaredges out of Religious houses, impropriations, 774, 775. He sent Albert his Nuncio to prohibit King H. to invade France, and also to engage his Brother Richard to spend his Treasure to gain Sicily and Apulia for the benefit of the Church of Rome, who refused the Pope's proffer of it to him; whereupon he conferred it on King Henry and his son Edmund, who indiscrectly embraced it, investing him therein with a ring, cheats them of infinite sums of money, 776, 777, 808, 809, 820. Letters, procurations concerning it, 914, to 916, 948, 849, 985. The rents of Alien Clerks benefices, provisions in England under him, amounted to more than 700000 marks a year, the King's annual revenue not arising to the third part thereof, 777. His Letters giving some relaxation of Provisions in show, with power to tear his and his Agents Letters to the contrary, 779, 780, 781 He approved Bishop's elections in Ireland, 784. King Henry pays him the arrears of the annual tribute, and constitutes a Proctor in his Court, 783. The Archbishops Suffragans agent gave this Pope 6000 Marks to moderate his intolerable Visitation of them, 789. His decree concerning Visitations and procurations, 790, 791. His Letters to St. Augustine's Canterbury, that the Archbishop should not disturb the Abbot or Covent by visiting, suspending, or excommunicating them, which the Archbishop with indignation burned, before he had scarce read them over, 791. His several Bulls of Privilege granted to this Monastery, concerning Procurations, Prouisoes, the rules of their order, the consecration of their Abbot, purchased with great sums of money, 792, 793, 794. The King's Letters to him on the behalf of the Bishop of Cicester and his Chaplains employed in collecting the Difmes, to provide competent livings for them, 797. To excite all other Christian Kings to join with him in assisting the Holy Land, 798. His injunction to Bishops, to visit all Abbots and Covents in their Diocese, and to observe certain impertinent orders of St. Benedict: The Monks to redeem themselves from this Tyranny, gave the Pope 4000 l. of sterling money., others appealed to him, and so prevented the Visitation: His intolerable Rapines, Hypocrisy, Tyranny, Avarice, Provisions, Simony, Oppressions, Bulls, Non-obstantes, 798, 799. Bishop Grostheads notable Epistle to, invectives against him, and his Court of Rome's detestable corruptions; as being worthy of eternal death, Antichrists, Judasses', yea worse than the Murderers of Christ; for which he suspended him his Bishopric, resolved to excommunicate, dig up, burn his bones, and proclaim him an heretic, infidel, Rebel to all the world, 799, to 805. His dreadful dream; Grostheads Ghosts apparition, speech to him, summoning him before Christ's Tribunal, smiting him with his pastoral Staff on the side, and pricking him to the heart, whereof he died, 804, 805. (See Grosthead, Index 3.) His hatred, wars, interdict, excommunication, slanders against Conrade, as an heretic, infidel, persecuter of the Church: with his poisoning, lamentation, and speeches against this Stepfather of the Church at his death, 809, to 913. His great rejoicing at the death● of Conrade and Grosthead, 810. His own terrible Vision, death soon after, 804, 805, 812, 813. His Bull for dispensations with pluralities of Benefices, against Councils and Canons, made only for Popes to gain money by dispensing with them, 1063, 1064. I. IOhn 22. endeavoured to break the election of Bishops and Abbots by Covents, to reserve their donation to himself, 779. M. Lo 10. His Decree against Lay-Princes and Judges, punishment of Priests concubines, p. 7, 8. Archbishop Stephen's flattering oration to him and the Council of Lateran, concerning the sublimity of Pope's power above all Powers both in heaven and earth, p. 8, 9 Lucius: his Privilege to St. Athans, Appendix 21. N. MArtin 4. His Epistle to King Edward 1. demanding 4. years arrears of the 1000 Marks rend for England, and Ireland, granted by King John's Charter: his death, 312, 313. O. NIcholas 3. his approbation of St. Francis wounds, and blasphemous book of Conformities, p. 64. Nicholas 4. his Letters to King Edward 1. demanding 5. years arrears of the annual sum for England and Ireland, granted by King John, due in his own and his predecessors Papacy, which he paid, having extraordinary use of his favour; the last rent of this kind ever paid by him or his successors to the Pope, 713, 714. P. PAschal 2. His Confirmation of the Privilege of Investitures by a Pastoral Staff and Ring to the Emperor H. 5. by an irrepealable Statute, Oath, Anathema, Charter, and of his Clergy standing by; most perfidiously renounced, repealed by him the very next year, and nulled in a Council as a Praviledge, not Privilege, extorted from him by force and duresse, 328. Paul the 5. Dr. Marta his Dedicatory Epistle to him before his Treatise of Jurisdiction, styling him Christ's Vicar upon earth, out of whom all other Jurisdiction springs, the only Pope, Emperor, King of the world, and Supreme Lord of all Princes, persons, things, p. 8. S. SIxtus 4. authorized the blasphemous office of the Conception of the Virgin Mary without original sin, p. 33, 34. Silvester: Constantine's pretended Resignation and Donation of Rome, and the Empire of the World to him, and adoration of him as Christ's Vicar, a forgery, p. 8, 9 V. URban 2. his Decree; That Subjects who have sworn fealty to a Christian Prince, are bound by no authority to keep it, if he oppose God and his Saints, and trample their precepts under feet; whence Gregory 9 absolved all the Emperor frederick's Subjects from their Oath of allegiance to him, excommunicated, and deposed him, 410. Urban 4. absolved King Henry 3. from his Oath, inviolably to observe the Baron's Ordinances made at Oxford, which be most easily impetrated by his Letters and Proctors sent to him for that purpose, 316, 948, 985, 986. He grants the kingdom of Sicily to Charles the King of France his brother for 4. generations, upon condition to expel Manfred, cheating King H. 3 and Edmund his Son thereof, to whom his predecessor gave it, investing him thereof with a ring, 948. The King's Letters to him and his Cardinals against his and his predecessors Provision of the Prebendary of Fenton, given to the Cardinal of Praenesti his Nephew, to the prejudice of him and the rights of his Crown, against the State and ancient Custom of the Realm, which neither he nor his Nobles, kingdom, could or would suffer, it belonging to his presentation by his ancient prerogative by the vacancy of the Archbishopric of York, by which he had conferred it on John Mansell his Clerk, whose fidelity he justifies against false suggestions; he and his Cardinals endeavoured to deprive and dispossess him thereof; his Letter to his Nobles to engage with him in the defence of the rights of his Crown against this Papal usurpation, his Prohibition concerning it, 962, 963, 964, 986, 987. His Letters to him not to restore Adomar to the Bishopric of Winton, to prevent discontents and perils to the Realm; the Nobles being generally incensed against him, 966. A Prohibition against suing for a pension in the Ecclesiastical Court by his Papal authority, contrary to Law, and the King's Crown and Dignity, 968. The King's Writs to all Bailiffs of the Ports, diligently to search, inquire after all Italian Clerks, Laymen and others, who brought any of his Papal Bulls, Letters, prejudicial to the King, kingdom, and to arrest their persons, Letters, Bulls, 968. The King's congratulatory Letters to him for his advancement to the Papacy, and his complimental Letters received from him, 985, 980, 995, To absolve him from his Oath to observe the provisions of Oxford, prejudicial to his Crown, Kingdom: His Letters to his Cardinals to promote it with other affairs of his Realm, and to preserve the Rights of his Crown against the Barons and their Oxford provisions, for which he constituted, sent Proctors to Rome, 985, 986, 990. The Appeal, Complaint of the King, kingdom, Nobles, against the Antimonarchical Constitutions of Archbishop Boniface and his Suffragans, to the great prejudice and grievance of his Crown, kingdom; Proctors constituted to repeal them as grievances, and provide remedies against them, 983, 989, 990, 995. The King's prohibition to draw any of his subjects to the Court of Rome out of the Realm, 995, 996. His Letters to him in behalf of an Abbot elected, approved by him, to promote his affairs, 996. The King's suit to him to send a Legate into England to assist him against his Bishops, Barons then in arms against him: his safe conduct, and Letters to the Legate how to proceed against them: His Excommunications of, proceedings against the Barons, Bishops, and their adherents, 1014, 1015, 1016, 1018, to 1026. He said he desired to live no longer then to subdue the English Barons, against whom he was much incensed, 1015. His Bull for dissolving all their Statutes, Leagues, Confederacies against the King directed to the Bishop of Norwich, and Roger Abbot of St. Augustine's; his excommunications to be denounced against them with Bell, Book, Candle, in all Conventual and other Churches on all Lords days and Holidays, 1015, 1016, 1018. His death before their execution, successors pursuit of the premises, 1020, 1021. INDEX 11. Of the Pope's Cardinals, matters concerning them, Letters to, from, and Negotiations with them, by our Kings, Nobles, and Others. Cardinal's the nobler Members, Pillars of the Roman Church, 307. They claim the Papal power as devolved to, residing in them during the vacancy of the See of Rome: grant, recall provisions, p. 650, 651. See Mat. Westminster, An. 1243. p. 173. They elect the Pope, 605, 647, 648, 649, 650, 651, 759. Their delays, schisms, discords, supplanting, poisoning each other in electing Popes, 647, to 651. 759. They Present to vacant Churches against right, 516. 521, 522. Some of them disliked, opposed the proceedings of Popes, and corruptions of the Roman Church, 489, 490, 548, 549, 517, 592, 800, 801. Imprisoned, plundered by the Emperor Frederick, for their Treasons, Rebellions, Schisms, obstinacy, in resorting to a Council by Sea, to depose him, against his acvice and prohibition, 515, 519, 551, 648, 649, 650, 655, 656, 657, 753. Counsel, advise, order causes, sit in judgement, join in censures, Bulls, subscriptions with the Pope, who styles them his Brethren, 234, 340, 342, 419, 433, 452, 453, 515, 519, 526, 538, 548, 652, 653, 656, 677, 658, 919, 920, 925, 948, 953, Appendix 24. Enforced Pope Innocent 4. to reverse his Decree for intestates goods, as belonging to him, for its scandal, injustice, 692. Pensions granted, presents sent to several of them and their Nephews by our Kings to promote their affairs in the Court of Rome, 314, 315, 442, 5●9, 570, 736, 756, 866, 977, 1031, 1039, 1048. Letters of the Emperor, King Henry 3. our Nobles, others, to all the Cardinals in general, concerning public affairs, grievances, oppressions, or for particular persons, 307, 308, 491, 517, 519, 531, 581, 582, 670, 671, 679, 680, 689, 870, 915, 916, 241, 943, 944, 948, 961, 962, 963, 964, 986, 987, 988, 1018, 1030. Letters of King Henry 3. and the Nobles to some particular Cardinals, concerning public, or private affairs, 375, 423, 843, 871, 943, 944 958, 961, 962, 964, 986, 987, 1031. They ought to oppose, restrain Pope's excesses, 519. Their covetousness, corruptions, rapines, Bribery, Simony, Injustice, Pride, Tyranny, 925, 951, 953. See Index 13. Pope Gregory the 9 his Cardinals demand a share in the Annual rent for England and Ireland by King John's Charter. Letters concerning it, 307, 308. The names, actions of the particular Cardinals in several ages herein mentioned, 234, 287, 288, 314, 315, 375, 376, 390, 427, 432, 433, 489, 490. 525, 545, 549, 551, 552, 553, to 569, 581, 583, 605, 647, 648, 649, 651, 652, 655, 656, 657, 728, 738, 753, 871, 920, 961, 1026, 1027, 1033, 1039, 1040, 1048. Appendix 24. Pope Gregory disowneth John Columpna for a Cardinal, for opposing his breach of the Truce with the Emperor Frederick, who also disowned him for Pope, 549. His Epistle concerning the rapines, corruptions of the Pope, Church of Rome, revolt of the Greek Church, etc. 489, 490, 491. Taken, detained in prison, his Castles demolished by the Romans for seeming favourable to the Emperor, 647, 648. The richest, greatest of all the Cardinals; chief fomenter of the differences between the Pope, Emperor, his pride, death, 606. Robert Summercote, and English Cardinal, reprehends Simon a Norman, for telling the Pope, the King of England trusted Strangers, because no English man was faithful to him: the eminentest of all the Cardinals; like to be elected Pope, poisoned during the election, to prevent his choice, 647, 648, 753. INDEX 12. Of Pope's Legates, Nuntioes, real, sophistical, sent into England, Scotland, Ireland, France, other Kingdoms, Countries; their general and particular Names, rapines, avarice, pomp, pride, frauds, inventions to extort, gain monies, kingdoms, for Popes, wealth, promotions for themselves, their Clerks, Kindred by hook or crook, by infamous Bulls, provisions, Procurations, Croysadoes, Disms, Dispensations, Excommunications, Interdicts, Appeals, Citations to Rome, Absolutions, Exemptions, Non-obstantes, blank Bulls, and other devices, mentioned in this Tome. Pope's Legates, with the Titles, Ensigns of Legates, others with the power of Legates or more without the Title, badges, sent successively into England, Wales, Iceland, France elsewhere, to publish Pope's Excommunications, Interdicts, Bulls, Croysadoes, Disms, Suspentions, Citations, Mandates, etc. to and against Emperors, Kings, Princes, Bishops, Abbots, Priors, and all sorts of persons, to exact, collect moneys, pillage sacred Churches, Monasteries, Mansions founded by our devout simple Ancestors for relief of the poor, strangers, and sustentation of religious persons; invade Empires, Kingdoms, which Popes ambitiously aspire after, though base, ignoble; to enthrall them, Emperors, Kings, Nobles, all others to their Tyranny; raise up wars, seditions, schisms, in all places, to reap where they never sowed, casting the shame of the world and fear of God behind their backs, but not to sow the seed of God's word to gain souls to Christ, 414, 415, 416. 490. The English Nobilities, Commonalties, Clergies general insurrections and petitions against them for their unsufferable rapines, vexations, oppressions, disposing their Prebendaries, Benefices to alicus by Papal provisions, 436, 437, 438, 616, 619, 620, 663. Pope Gregory the 9 and Innocent 4. some of the first Popes who sent abroad Legates, Nuntioes, Letters, to summon General Councils, the ancient prerogative of Emperors; & that to excommunicate, deprive the Emperor, who prohibited their meeting, 652, 653, 753, 755. The King of France, and Richard Earl of Cornwall employed them to raise monies, and Dimes for the Holy Land; the extortions, exactions therein, and sad issue of them, to the irreparable damage of France, England, and scandal of Christianity, 733, 734. The ancient Privilege of the Kings of England and Scotland, that no Legate à latere should come into any of their Dominions by the Pope's mission, unless at the King's special instant request to the Pope: who eluded this Privilege, by sending Nuntioes, Chaplains, Clerks, Freers Minors or Predicants into their Realms, with the full power, not Titles or Ensigns of Legates, 485, 486, 469, 492, 493, 615, 671, 690, 692, 693, 960, 1014. Some Irish Bishops without the King's privity endeavouring to procure a Legate to be sent thither, the King upon notice there of by his Chief Justice and others, writes to the Pope to send no Legate thither against his will, 458. Pope Gregory the 9th his Legare imprisoned for stirring up sedition in Lombardy against the Emperor, 513, 516. Three Legates, with sundry Archbishops, Bishops, taken by the Emperor's Galleys going to a Council upon Pope Gregory the 9th his summons, Letters of encouragement, against the Emperor's advice and inhibition, to depose him, confiding in the strength of their conductors; the Pope's authority, and Emperor's disability to hurt them being excommunicated, 553, to 557. A▪ ALbertus: Innocent the 4 his Notary, prohibits King Henry to infest any of the French Kings lands however possessed, whiles crossed, employed in his Holy Wars, 723. 776. Proffers the kingdom of Apulia, Sicily, and Calabria, to Richard Earl of Cornwall, to drain his treasure; reports his answer, refusal of it to the Pope, 776, 777, 788. acquires many benefices in England, then returns, 777. P. Albinensis, sent to the Emperor Frederick by Pope Honorius to take his engagement to go to the Holy Land, and denounce him excommunicated if he went not, 412. Alexander, a Freer Minor, armed with many formidable Papal Bulls, covering his wolvish rapine with a sheep's skin, his and his Companions rapines, pride insolency, 690, 691. See John. Archbishop of Messana, a Freer Predicant, sent into England by Pope Alexander with great Pomp, and many attendants at the Bishop of Rochester's solicitation, to relieve him against Archbishop Boniface his oppressions; and about the business of Sicily: returned with rich rewards, 928, 932. Ardritius Primicerius, Pope Martin the 4th his Chaplain and Nuncio in England to receive his Arrears of the annual Tribute, 312, 313. Arlot, or Herlot; Pope Alexander 3. his Nuncio in England, sent for by King Henry 3. to excoriate it with new Papal Taxes; the Pope's Notary and special Clerk, wanting the name, not dignity, power of a Legate: his Pomp and attendants, 930, 931. Demands an infinite sum of money of the King for Apulia, for which the Pope was obliged to his Merchants, 931, 932, 942, 943. The Kings and Parliaments answer to the Pope concerning Arlots proposals, 942, 944, 945. The King bestows an annuity on his Nephew: which the Pope writes to him to continue for Arlots good affection to and service for him, 952, 953. His Nephew preferred to Ouston Church: The King's Writs to keep him in quiet possession of it, 974, 975. The Custody of sundry Wards and their Lands granted to another of his Nephews, 991. B. BEraldus Albanensis, a Cardinal, sends his Chaplain to collect Procurations in Ireland, (where he seems to have been Legate) the Kings Writ to his Justice, Officers to assist him therein, 559. Berardus de Nympha: comes armed into England with Pope Innocent the 4th his Bulls to collect money from the Cruse signati for Earl Richard, his rapines, injustice therein, 730, 731, 732, 932, 933. Pope's blank Bulls found in his Chest after his death, containing manifold machinations of the Romans, to debase and oppress England, 939. B. Presbyter Cardinal Tit. Sanct. Johannis & Pauli, Pope's Legate in France, King Henry the 3d. his complimental Letter to him to prohibit any injury to be done by the Crucesignatis against the Albigenses to any of his Subjects, 375. C. CIncius, a Roman Clerk, Canon of Paul, taken, imprisoned by the Barons and people making an insurrection against them and the Pope's agents, for their intolerable oppressions of the English, 434, 435, 436. D. DUrandus, a Templar, sent with Pandulphus by Innocent 3. to reconcile the exiled Bishops to King John, their insolent speeches, deportment toward King John, See Pandulph. 261, to 265. G. GOdefridus, Gifridus de Vezan●, a Clerk of Pope Martin the 4. his Chamber, his Nuntio to King Edward 1. to demand, receive the arrears of the annual Tribute granted by King John, 312, 313, 314. Sent Legate into Scotland by Innocent 4. only to attract money thence, 692. Gualo, or Walo, a Presbyter Cardinal of S. Martin's; His arrival in England; Joyfully received by King John, excommunicates Lewes and all his adherents with Bells and Candles at Gloucester, and Simon de Langeton, who appealed against it as null, 362. King John placed his chief hope of resisting his enemies in him, ibid. Is very active in setting up, crowning King H. 3. after his father's death, causing him to do homage to the Church of Rome and Pope Innocent, for England and Ireland, and to swear faithfully to pay the annual rent for them which his father had granted so long as he enjoyed those Realms, 306, 360, 369, 370. Caused Lewes to be solemnly excommunicated every holiday & Lords day with ringing Bells, and Candles, till he made Peace with King Henry, and departed the Realm, 362, 370, 371. Upon what conditions he absolved him, Ibid. He deprived Simon Langeton Archdeacon of Canterbury, and Gervase de Hobr●gge, (who obstinately adhered to Lewes and the Barons, and celebrated divine service, mysteries to them and the Londoners after their excommunication) of their benefices, for which they were compelled likewise to go to Rome, 362, 371. He sent Inquisitors through all provinces of England, suspending, depriving them of their benefices for the smallest faults, & adhering to the Barons, bestowing their Livings on his own Creatures, Clerks, enriched with others spoils. Received 1000 Marks from Hugh Bishop of Lincoln, and vast sums from other Bishops and religious persons, Canons, exhausting their purses, and reaping where he did not sow, to make one grand heap out of many portions: which the King than an Infant was forced to connive at, 371, 372. He bare sway in King H. 3. his Counsils, who sealed some Writs, Patents with his Seal before his own Seal maids and usurped on his Crown during his minority without opposition, 372. Sent for the Bishop of Waterford into England to help consecrate the Bishop of Carlisle, 373. His Ordinance concerning restoring the alienated Impropriations to the Bishopric of K●rliol at the King's request, 421. 376. Sent into France by Pope Innocent to prohibit the French Kings invasion of England after King John's surrender of his Crown to the Pope, as St. Peter's Patrimony; who denied it, and sent Lewes into England notwithstanding his menaces of excommunication, 257, 258. The King's Letters to him at Rome after his return, rendering him thanks for settling the peace of the Realm, and craving his assistance to the Pope to encourage those who were faithful to, and excommunicate such who rebelled against or detained his Castles, Lands; which was effected accordingly, 389, to 392. Guido Cardinal, Bishop of St. Sabien, sent by Pope ●rban the 4. to the Emperor to take his obligation for his voyage to the Holy Land; denounced an excommunication against him if he went not, 412. arrived in England at the King's request to excommunicate the Barons, and others, then in arms against him; the king▪ safe conduct to him and his, 1014. An Arbitrator with the King of France between the King and Barons concerning the reformation of the State of the Realm of England, 1002, 1006. The King sent Simon de Montsort to him concerning that affair, desiring his safe conduct in going to and returning from him, 1006. The King sends to him to proceed by way of Clemency, rather than rigour, 1014, 1015. He dares nor enter England for fear of the Barons: Cites some of the English Bishops to Ambian first, then to Bullen, he denounced a sentence of excommunication against the English Barons in arms, & the City of London, to be pronounced with sounding Bells, and Candles, which he committed to some Bishops and other Nobles present to execute: The Barons, Londoners appeal against it, as unjust, to the Pope, to better times, to a General Council, and to God the supreme Judge▪ which Appeal was afterward ratified, executed in England by the Bishops and Clergy in the Council of Reading, 1015. His interdict of them, intercepted at Dover by the Citizens, taken from the Bishops, torn in pieces, and cast into the Sea in contempt, ibid. He dissolved the Baron's Statutes, Leagues, Confederacies against the King, absolving all from the bond of the Oath taken to observe them, 1015, 1016. He returned to Rome after his excommunication and interdict denounced, 1018. Sent Pope's Leg●t to the Kings of Denmark, Sweden, and Norway, to crown and anoint him, received many gifts, procurations from Bishops, Abbots, Priors in passing through England thither, staying here 3. months, without resuming the covetousness of the Romans; cost the Bishop of Norwich alone 4000 marks in gifts and entertainments: received 15000 marks sterling for the Pope from the Kings of Denmark, Norway and Sweden, many rich gifts for himself, and extorted 500 Marks from the Churches of that Realm, 697. I. IAmes Bishop of Bononia specially sent into England by Pope Alexander the 4. to invest Edmund in the kingdom of Sicily with a ring, 822, 826, 870, 932. The King's oath and obligation taken before him to perform the hard conditions upon which the Pope granted Sicily to his Son Edmund, Ibid. His obligation to him in 4000 l. Turon, and Writ to pay it out of the Crosse-money, 867. James, the Pope's Chaplain and Penitentiary; the King's Patent to his Justice, Nobles and others in Ireland to receive him with the honour and reverence due to the Pope's Legate, to advise, assist him; require his Council and advise, if any new things happened there touching the King or State of the kingdom, 382. John de Diva, an English Freer, 932, an hypocritical, sophistical Legate, armed with many Papal Bulls to extort monies from the English for Pope Innocent the 4th. under dreadful penalties and fulminations: he exacts 6000 marks only out of Lincoln Diocese, Grostheads answer to him, 690, 691, 692. His exactions at St. Alban appealed against who demanded 300 marks notwithstanding the appeal, to be paid within 8▪ days, under pain of excommunication and interdict, which the Pope upon an appeal caused them to pay; His extraordinary extortions, violent proceedings, notwithstanding all privileges exemptions, eluded by Non obstantes, and new powers from the Pope, 692, 693, 694, 695. The Popes Pull to him to inquire of all Lands alienated from Churches, Monasteries vexations by Provisors, all Simoniacal contracts for livings, to seize them to the Pope's use; and excommunicate, interdict all opposers without appeal, 695, 696. his depredations, extortions, ibid. 698. John Ferentinus, Pope▪ Innocent 3. his Legate in England, holds a Council at Reding, exacts much money, and then returns to Rome, 245. John de Frussyn, Pope's Clerk, Nuncio into Ireland, to collect money for the Holy Land, and absolve such who laid violent hands on Clerks; the Kings Writ to the chief Justice to receive him; yet commanding to suffer him to exercise no other Legatine power till further Order, 634. John de Kancia, Pope Urban the 4. his Nuncio into England to receive the arrears of the 1000 Marks rend, 310. John Ruffin, or Rufus, sent by Martin, and Pope Innocent 4. into Ireland, to collect moneys there, without the title, ensign, but power of a Legate▪ he extorts 6000 Marks from the Clergy there, notwithstanding the King's prohibition, 618, 690. John Sarracenus, Dean of Wells, Pope's Collector of Disms, and dispenser of his provisions, 718, 731, 736. John, a Cardinal Priest of St. Stephens in Mount Caelius, Pope's Legate in Ireland, unites the Bishopric of Lismore to Watersord, p. 373. The King's appeal to him against the Suffragans of Ardmaches attempts to deprive him of his ancient prerogative of granting Licenses to elect their Archbishop, and confirm him when elected, 240. M. MAnsuetus: Pope Innocent 4. his Chaplain, and Penitentiary, sent to K. H. about the League with France, the King's applause of his meekness, diligence, 944. Marinus: Pope Innocent 4. his Chaplain, another Martin, sent into England to fish for men's goods, not souls, in the Sea of this world, having the power, not Title of a Legate, to deceive the King, 691. Martin; Pope Innocent the 4 his Sophistical Legate, without that Name, Ensign, but with an infinite large po●er, sent into England to extort monies, armed with Bulls to excommunicate, suspend, and by manifold ways to punish all, as well Bishops, Abbots, as others, who opposed his extortions, rapines, provisions of Benefices, rents to the use of the Pope's Clerks and kinsmen, 605, 615. He ravenously writ for, extorted gifts, garments, palfreys from them, suspending those who refused, though upon reasonable excuses, till satisfaction, 605, 606, 615. seized upon and bestowed the Treasurership, rends of Sarum on his little Nephew by the Pope's provision, in despite of the Bishop, Dean, Chapter, to the cordial grief of many, 606, 615. 616. His intolerable rapines, provisions, excited the King, Nobles against him, who write Letters to the Pope to redress them, 607, 608, 613. He twice summoned the English Bishops and Clergy for a contribution to the Pope, and their mother the Church of Rome against the Emperor; their answer to him, and King's prohibtion; to them not to grant him any aid, under pain of forfeiting their Baronies, 614, 615, 632. His intolerable extortions and suspending all to present to benefices of 30 marks value or upward, till his and the Pope's covetousness was satisfied; the English men bore heavier burdens under him, than the Israelites sustained in Egypt, 615. The King's memorable prohibitions to him against his intolerable provisions, rapines; who perseveres in them with a stony heart notwithstanding, 616. The Cinqueports guarded, to interrupt the Pope's Bulls, Provisions sent to him by many execrable means, his Messenger imprisoned in Dover Castle, but released upon his complaint by the King, 617. The King's prohibitions by advice of his Nobles to all the Bishops in England, and Chief▪ Justice in Ireland, not to suffer him or any other Nuncio to collect any moneys for the Pope, or confer any benefices without his privity and consent, 618, 619. The Nobles Message to him in behalf of the whole kingdom to depart the Realm within 3. days, else they would hew him and all his in pieces: The King's answer to him thereon, wishing the Devil to take him, demanding his protection against the Nobles fury: His speedy, timorous flight, and shameful retreat out of England, 619, 620. His complaint to the Pope against the English for casting his Nuncio so ignominiously out of England, whence he and the Romans extorted no less than 60000 Marks a year by provisions and other exactions, 620. He accuseth the Abbot of Burgh in the Council of Lions to Pope Innocent 4. for opposing a provision. for which he was disgracefully cast out of the Pope's palace, and died of grief, 638. The Complaint of the Nobles and Universality of England against him in their Letter sent to the Pope in that Council, as having, exercising greater power than ever any Legate had or used before, without the Name of a Legate, and of his new unreasonable suspentions of presentations, provisions, rapines, 646, 692. N. NIcholas Bishop of Tusculum, a Cardinal Legate à latere from Innocent 3. into England, at King John's request to reconcile the Crown and Mitre, curb the power, rebellion of Stephen Archbishop of Canterbury, and the Barons rising against him▪ King john's Writ, Messengers sent to meet and entertain him: his Pompous reception entertainment with Processions, Psalms, in all City's Churches, 287. The speedy increase of his horse from 7. to 50, besides his other family: His penance enjoined the Townsmen of Oxford for hanging 2. Clerks by the King's command, 287. He deprives the Abbot of Westminster, and two more for dilapidations and incontinency, placing others in their rooms, 287, Appendix 18. His Treaty with King John, and award of damages to the exiled Bishops, 287, 288. King John's infamous Charter of resignation of his Kingdoms, annual rent, homage, fealty to the Pope, extorted by, delivered to him before the release of the Interdict, 288, 289, 290. Pope Innocents' Letter to him concerning the filling of vacant Churches with worth persons canonically elected, faithful to the King, profitable to the kingdom, with the King's consent; his filling them and all vacant benefices, with unworthy persons, his own Clerks, without the Archbishops, Bishops, Patrons assents; suspending Clerks at his pleasure, summoning them to appear before the Pope to their intolerable grievance, expense; his tyranny therein, 329, 330. Holds a great Council at Paul's concerning the Bishop's damages, releaseth the interdict by the Pope's Letters for that purpose, 331, 333. The King grants him the Custody of the Abbey of St Edmunds, except escheats and vacancies of Churches: and a protection against disturbance therein, 333. Grants a safe conduct to an Italian at his request to come into England, upon security given that no hurt should accrue to the King or kingdom by him or any who came with him, 333. His answer to Abbots and others not mentioned in the Pope's Bull who required damages during the Interdict, 334. A Writ to him to deal mercifully with such Clergymen who less offended in communicating with, obeying, or receiving any benefice from the King during his excommunication, interdict; and not to enforce all of them being so great a multitude to go personally to the Pope for absolution, 334, 335 The King's Letter to him to confirm Si places, the Abbot of Bur●on duly elected, and approved by the King, 351, 352. He confirmed the election of the Dean of Sarum to the Bishopric of Durham, without and against the Kings or Pope's assent, out of zeal, without knowledge, 353, 354. The Kings Writ to him as Popes delegate, concerning the union of the Abbey of Glastonbury to the Bishopric of Bath and Wells, 357, 358. Mr. de Nogeriis, Pope Gregory the 10. his Chaplain, Nuncio to King Edw. 1. to collect Peter-pences, demand the annual Tribute, and for other affairs of the Church in the parts of England, Wales, Scotland, and Ireland, 311, 312. O. Mr. OTto, Pope Honorius 3. his Nuncio to King H. 3. his arrival, Letters, demands from the Pope; for which the King summoned a General Council of the Clergy and Laity, 398. He mediates a reconciliation between the King, Falcatius de Brent and his Wife, judicially banished for Treason; demands two Marks by way of Procuration from all Conventual Churches of England, 398, 402. His demands of two dignities, and two Monks portions in all Cathedrals, Monasteries, to free the Church, Popes of Rome from the old great infamy, usual scandal of Covetousness, great expense of money, delay of justice, bribery, occasioned by the poverty of the Church of Rome; with the Kings, Bishops, Nobles indignation at, and denial of it, 398, 399, 400, 401. Suddenly recalled by the Pope, through the Archbishop's means, whiles collecting Procurations; He with a dejected countenance burns the Pope's Letters to recall him, and departs England, 401, 402. Otto, Cardinal Deacon of St. Nicholus, in Carcere Tulliano, Pope Gregory the 9th, his Legate, sent for into England by the King, without the Nobles privity; Their great indignation against him for it, and Archbishops dislike thereof, as prejudicial to his Metropolitical authority, 485. His pompous reception, with processions, ringing of Bells; his great authority, receiving of gifts, disposing of vacant Benefices to all who came with him, whether worthy or unworthy, 485. His moderation, endeavours at first to reconcile differences, to appease the indignation conceived against him, 485, 486. The King wholly swayed by his and the Pope's Counsils; he almost did nothing without him, and adored his footsteps: The Nobles indignation, speeches against him for it, 485, 486. Present in the Parliament at York, to mediate a Peace between the Kings of England and Scotland; the Charter of Peace between them sworn to and ratified in his presence; He desires leave of the King of Scots, to enter as a Legate into Scotland, to regulate Ecclesiastical affairs there as in England, who answered; That neither in his Father's time, nor of any his ancestors, any Legate had entrance into Scotland, neither would he permit it, whiles he was in his right senses: But if he entered at his own peril, he must expect violence from his rude Subjects, from which he was unable to protect him; yet he Knighted, and bestowed some Lands on his Nephew, 486, 621. The Bishop of Winton presented him with 50 fat Oxen, 100 Quarters of the best Wheat, and 8 Tun of the strongest Wine for his Table: Others presented him with handsome Palfiyes, rich Vessels, Furs, Vestments, and sundry other provisions of meat and drink, 486. He kept close to the King's side to avoid danger; holds a Council at St. Paul's in great Pontifical state; reconciles the difference for precedency between the Archbishops; some Nobles and the King's Proctor sent thither to command and see they acted nothing to the prejudice of the King and Kingdom; the Canons against Pluralities therein propounded, opposed, respited; those for consecrating Churches, Oath of Calumny, (then introduced) etc. passed in it, 486, to 490. The rapines, frauds, corruptions of the Church, Court of Rome expressed in Cardinal John Columna his private Letter to him, which caused the Greek Church to depart from the Roman, 489, 490, 491, 492. Pope Gregory's Letter to recall him from England, because of the great tumults raised against him, and prevent England's revolt from Rome: The King importunes the Pope for his stay, as beneficial to him and his Kingdom; issued Writs for his sale conduct and honourable entertainment, to all his Officers, Subjects, 492, 493, 505, 506. The great fray at Oxford occasioned by his Porter's insolence, assaulted by the Scholars at O●ney Abby, styled a Usurer, Simoniack, ravisher of men's rents, thirster after money, a perverter of the King, and subverter of the Kingdom; forced to fly secretly from thence; his and the King's severe proceedings against the Scholars for it, by Ecclesiastical censures, Excommunications, penances, imprisonments, almost to the ruin of the University, 493, to 498, 558. The Scholars humble submission and penance ere they could obtain absolution, and liberty to return to Oxford, Ibid. lodged at Conterbury in the Archbishop's Palace, 499. The Pope's order to him to give sentence against the Canons, in the case of Simon Montefort his marriage contract, 500 He cited all the Abbots of the Black Order to appear before him, to hear the Pope's new Command for their regulation, 503. Churches consecrated according to his new Constitutions, 504. He summons the Bishops again to London, who refuse to pay his Procurations, Exactions, bidding him demand them of the King, who sent for him without their privity, 506. Refused entrance into Scotland by the King thereof the second time; His writing under his hand and seal to the Scots King, that his admission into Scotland should not be drawn into consequence, who took it away with him upon his private recess: He there collected the 13th. part of all Prelates beneficed Clerks goods, and sent it to the Pope, 506. The Nobles Letters of complaint to the Pope against his conferring Benefices by Provision upon Aliens, and other grievances, which were like to drown the Ship of the Church, 506, 507, 508. His answer to them, with some reformation of Provisions as to Lay Patrons, to prevent the English Nations total departure from Rome; His Letters to this Legate, restraining his Provisions to the Churches of Lay Patrons, not of Ecclesiastical and poor Religious persons, unable to resist his power, 507, 508. King H. 3. exceeding angry with him, swears he repent that ever he called him into England, for endangering his whole Realm, dissipating the wealth thereof, confounding right and wrong, and caring for nothing, but how to keep what he had unjustly gotten, refusing to part with any thing for Peter Saracen his own Messenger, taken prisoner by the Emperor, imploring the King to pay his demanded ransom, 509. Published Pope G●egories Excommunication of the Emperor Frederick, his Subject's absolution from their allegiance, and seandalous traducing Letters to defame him, at Paul's Church, St. Alban, and other places throughout England, declaring him an open enemy of, God and the Church, to his great defamation and grief; against which he vindicated his innocency, by several Letters, Answers, 524, to 552. He prohibited the Crucesignatis by the Pope's command, to repair to the Holy Land, when they had prepared for their journey, for which the vulgar sort of people mutinied and murmured much against him, 512, 513. The Emperor incensed against the King for this Legates collecting of moneys in England, employed in Wars against him, demands his present expulsion out of England, as the Emperors and Kingdoms enemy, 544. His impudent demand of Procurations for himself from the Clergy, not exceeding the sum of 4. Marks for any Procuration: His shameless exactions, and di●●gent scraping money together for the Pope's use, to the Kingdoms impoverishing, 544, 545. His publication of the Pope's Bull in all Dioceses, to compel those who had taken the Cross on them, and were unable or unwilling to go to the Holy Land, to redeem their Vows by access to him, without going to the Pope's presence, for so much money as they should have expended in the Voyage, which gave great scandal to Christian people, complaining of these Roman Mousetraps to ensnare the simple, and wrest gold and silver from them, 545, 546. His exacting the 5th. part of the goods of Aliens beneficed in England, and of the Prelates, Abbots, Clergies goods, to repulse the pretended injuries of the Emperor Frederick done to the Church; the Prelates refuse to pay it, as an unsupportable burden; the desolation of the Church, State of England, made a prey like a Vineyard without an Hedge by every Roman passenger, 546. The Emperor's Letter to the King of England against his rapines; who answered, he durst not contradict the Pope's will, 547, 548. He summons the Clergy to London by the Pope's authority, who deserted by the King, becoming like Sheep delivered up to the bloody jaws of Wolves, yielded to his intolerable exactions, though resolved to appeal against and withstand them, 549. He exhausted most of the Treasure of England, engaged the King and English Prelates against the Emperor, to conquer and depose him, 551, 553. His exempting the Benefices of the Pope's Clerks & Agents from Dimes paid by others, 1048. The King's Prohibition to him against holding Plea of a Pischary, belonging to his Temporal Court, Crown, Dignity, 558. Put to blush and silence by one convened before him, denying Gregory to be Pope, or Head of the Church, or to have the power of St. Peter, being a Simoniac, Usurer, Heretic, and involved in sundry other crimes, 560. The King's Prohibition to him to exact the 5th or any other part of the Benefices of his Clerks attending on his service, which he could by no means endure, 561, 562. The Monks of Canterbury claim their privilege before him at Paul's, in the presence of the Archbishop, Bishops, and many Nobles, 565 Simon a Norman, the chief cause of this Legates stay in England, deprived of his Archdeaconry by the Pope, 566. He is present at the consecration of Paul's Church, and confirms the Indulgence of 14. years granted by the Bishop of London to all devoutly resorting to it to pray, 566. join with Peter Rubeo in exacting a great Tax from the Prelates, Abbots, to shed Christian blood and conquer the Emperor: The Bishops and Canons answers to, and exceptions against his intolerable demands; He endeavours to raise a schism and division amongst the Clergy, to obtain his exactions, 567, 568, 569. He demands Procurations from the Cistercians, who manfully denied them, as contrary to their Privileges, which the Pope dispensed with by his Nonobstante, 569, 570. The King upon his departure out of England by the Pope's summon●, feasted, placed him in his own Royal Throne at dinner, to the admiration of many, Knighted his Nephew, and bestowed an annuity of 30 l. a year on him, which he presently sold; accompanied by the King and Nobles in great state to the Sea side; their solemn Valediction; how much the Kingdom rejoiced at his departure; he leaving not so much money in England when he left it, as he had drained out of it; he conferred above 300 rich Prebendaries and Benefices at his own and the Pope's pleasure, on their creatures; spoilt the Church of Sarum and many other Cathedrals, leaving them destitute of consolation; did nothing at all for the Church's benefit, demonstrated he was not sent to protect the sheep which famished, but to fleece, and gather up all the money he found amongst them, for which he was deservedly scourged by God, being taken prisoner and spoilt of all his pacy by the Emperor, 570, 571, 572, 779. He is sammoned by the Pope to the Council against the Emperor; animates the Prelates with Papal promises to resort to the Council, against the Emperor's Prohibitions and advice, whom they contemned, as unable to resist the Pope, being so often excommunicated and delivered to Satan by him: He and two other Legates, with above 100 Prelates, taken prisoners at Sea, imprisoned, spoilt by the Emperor, 553, 554, 555, 556, 557, 570, 571. Released out of prison to elect a Pope, he gives his Oath and Sureties to render himself to prison after the election, which he did accordingly to release his Sureties, 647, 648. Othobon, Octobon, Cardinal Deacon of St. Adrian, Pope Clement the 4th. and Urban the 4th. their Legate into England; 7000 Marks due for seven years for the rent of England and Ireland, ordered to be paid to him out of the Dimes of Ireland, for Pope Clement's use, 310, 311. Sent for and desired by the King to assist him against, and excommunicate the Prelates, Barons, for opposing and taking up Arms against him: The King's safe conduct granted to him and his for their persons, goods, and exemption from all Customs, Taxes, wherever they should arrive or pass throughout the Realm, 1104, 1015. He comes in red garments into England, summoned a Council at Westminster, then at Northampton, excommunicated, suspended all the Bishops, Clerks who had aided or favoured Earl Simon against the King, and the Bishops of Winton, Worcester, London, Chichester by name, citing them personally to appear before the Pope, and all others then in Rebellion against the King, 1018, 1019, 1021, 1022. The Articles of Peace and Statutes of Kenilworth between the King and Barons, made at his request, 1019, 1021, 1022. The King's protection and safe conduct to Bishops and others in Arms against him, to repair to the Legate to make their Compositions, and for other necessary affairs, 1020. The Bishops and Barons appeal against his Excommunications of them as unjust, to a General Council, Church Triumphant, and contemn them, 1021, 1022. The difinherited persons in Arms and others answers to his Propositions, as unjustly disinherited, excommunicated, exhorting him to revoke his unjust sentence, against which they appealed to the Pope, a General Council, and the Chief Judge; checking him for banishing the Bishop's faithful to the Kingdom, and usurping the profits of their Bishoprics for himself, which they advised him to reform, at which he was highly offended, 1022, 1023. The King feasted, placed him in his own Royal Throne at dinner; summons a Parliament, requires aid to subdue the Barons and others, persisting in arms by force; accused for banishing the King's natural born Subjects, that this Legate and aliens might more freely acquire their Lands, 1024, 1025. He possessed himself of the Tower of London, published a Croysado at Pau's Cross, admonished the Earl of Gloucester to return to his allegiance to the King, who refusing his advice, besieged him in the Tower to which he fled, prohibiting any to bring or sell victuals to him, 1025. He excommunicated all disturbers of the public peace, interdicted all Churches in and near London, permitting Religious Houses to say Masses privately with a low voice, without ringing Bells, 1025. The King's Writ to deliver his Jewels in the Tower to him, and pawn them for money, 1026. His publication of Pope Clement the 4th. his Bull for a Disme granted to the King to supply his necessities, to be levied with severe penalties, relating the injuries, rebellions of the Barons against him, and the necessity, conveniency of the Clergies supplying him, 1026, 1030. He assigned persons for collecting, and auditors for accounts of the Disme, ordered, disposed of by the King only as he directed, 1033, to 1036, 1047, 1050, 1051, 1053, 1055. He summons a Council at St. Paul's London, of the Bishops of England, Scotland, and Ireland, to reform and enlarge the former Canons of Otto: The Canons made therein against sale of Ecclesiastical Sacraments and Holy things; for Archbishops and Bishops personal residence on their Bishoprics, and discharging their Pastoral duties; against Clergymens' exercising secular Offices or Jurisdiction; against Pluralities, Commendaes', Clergymens' Covetousness, Nonresidence, and making any Pluralist a Bishop, 1040, to 1046. P. PAndulphus, Pope Innocent the 3d. his Subdeaton, Familiar, Legate to King John, persecuted Alexander Cementarius for pleading, writing for King John, against the Pope, 259. Sent into England to make peace between the King, Priesthood, and exiled Bishops; who Interdicted the Realm by command of Archbishop Langeton and the Pope: His high most insolent speeches, deportment towards▪ King John in the face of his Nobles and Parliament: He absolves all his Subjects from their allegiance, homages, tenors to him; enjoined particular Bishops in England, Wales, Scotland, and other parts beyond the Seas, to excommunicate him publicly, and all who communicated with him; excites all to fight against him, as an enemy to Holy Church; tells him, that neither he nor his Heirs should from that day be ever crowned; would not fear to tell the King all his message from the Pope to his face, though he should die for it; called for a Book and Candle to excommunicate the King, for commanding some prisoners and a Clerk to be executed before him; The King's indignation against him for his insolency, 262, to 265. Sent with the Bishops into France to publish King John's deposition from his Crown and Kingdoms, its donation to the French King, and excite him to seize it by force of arms; his private conference with, and instructions from the Pope, to make an accord with King John if he consented to certain Articles proposed by him, 267. He comes into England, decoyed King John, inducing him by threats and other indirect practices to restore the exiled Bishops and their adherents, with the profits of their Bishoprics, and damages sustained by their exile; to receive Langeton as Archbishop, to surrender his Crown, Kingdoms to the Pope, become his Vassal, Homager, Tributary for England and Ireland, 269, to 293. He kept the King's Crown in his hands five days after its resignation, which the King took from his own head and put on this Legates, 273. The King's detestable Charter of Resignation, Homage, Oath of Fealty to the Pope, made and delivered to him; he named therein, 273, 274, 289. He insolently tramples under his feet the money which the King gave him as a pledge of subjection to the Pope, 274. He departs with the King's Charter and 8000 l. sterling into France; prohibits the French King to invade England, being now St. Peter Patrimony, or King John, now his Vassal, Tributary; at which he was greatly incensed, yet then forbore to invade England, not upon Pandulph's prohibition, but because the Earl of Flanders refused to assist him in such an unjust invasion, 275, 276. The King by Writ at his request delivered imprisoned Clerks to him, 283. He carried King John's Charter to Rome, applauds his extraordinary humility to the Pope, having never seen so humble a King, accused Archbishop Langeton, and much disparaged him, notwithstanding his brother Simons opposition, 330. Pope Innocents' Letter to him and others, to publish his Excommunication every Lordsday and Holiday against the Barons in arms against King John, as worse than Saracens, 344, 345, 346. His execution thereof against the Barons, Ibid The examination of the union of the Abbey of Glaston to the Bishopric of Bath and Wells, and differences between the Bishop and Abbot, referred to him and others by the Pope, 357, 358. Enjoined with others as Pope Innocents' Delegates, to excommunicate several Barons, Citizens of London by name, and Interdict them; who derided, disobeyed, declamed against their Excommunications, Interdicts, and the Pope, for abusing and exceeding his authority,: 59, 360, 361. Bishop of Norwich elect, he excommunicates the Earl of Albemarle, for invading, detaining the King's Castles, 378, 379. His public acknowledgement before several Bishops of the King's Council, concerning the Church of Acleya, and Writ thereupon, 381. He confirmed the election of the Bishop of London, approved by the King, 384. His and Gual●'s Ordinance concerning the Church of New Castle upon Tyne, and Bishop of Carlisle's right to it, 421. Peter Rubeus, Rubey, Pope Gregory the 9th. his exactor of a new exaction of moneys formerly unheard of execrable in all ages; exacts an infinite sum of money from the miserable English, giving an Oath of secrecy to Bishops, Abbots, Clerks, not to discover his exactions to any other, treating with every of them in private, like Thiefs who export Oaths from those they rob, not to discover them, 560, 567. The Bishops generally complain of his extortions out of their Baronies held of the King, desiring his protection against them, from incessant Papal tortures, by new-minted extortions, 567, 572. Their and the Clergies exceptions against his unjust demands, which they unanimously opposed, 567, to 570. He diligently and greedily exacted Procurations and great sums of money, by Letters sent to particular Bishops, Abbots, Monasteries under the title of the Pope's Familiar and Kinsman, both in England, Ireland, and Scotland, having power to Interdict, Excommunicate all opposers; concealed the death of the Pope, lest the King should retain the great sums of money collected, 572. The King's Prohibitions to him to exact no Contributions for the Pope, from the Clerks employed in his service, 573, 574. The Emperor's Agent Walter de Ocra discovered, seized all the moneys he and his Companion had extorted out of England, Scotland, Ireland, in the Merchant's hands who were to return it, confiscating it to the Emperor's use, 572, 604, 605. Peter Saracenus, the Pope's Agent in England, taken, imprisoned, put to a great ●ansome by the Emperor, 508, 5●9. Peter de Supino, sent by Peter Rubeus into Ireland to extort moneys thence, with the King's permission and Writ of assistance, who extorted the 20th part of all the Clergies estates, bringing thence 1500 Marks, besides rich presents, which he speedily transported, but the Emperor's Agent met with it at last, 572, 604, 605. Philip, M●●tins Agent left behind him when he fled out of England, to extort moneys, leaving his filthy foot steps for him to follow, 619. Prenestensis, a Cardinal Bishop, Pope Gregory the 9th. his Nuncio sent against the Albigenses, hindered by the Emperor, 515, 516. Imprisoned for stirring up Lombardy to rebel against the Emperor, 523. R. R. Cardinal Deacon of St. Angelo, Legate in France, 423. Pope Honorius his Bull to him to induce the French King not to stay K. H. 3. his Nuneioes' passage to Rome, 396. Robert de Corcun, a Cardinal Legate in France under Pope Innocent 3. held a Council at Bordeaux, made sundry Canons, his care to preserve the Rights of King John and his Heirs therein, 357, 358. Mr. Romanus, Pope Honorius 3. his Legate into France, his Council; his demands of each Bishop and Prelate in particular under an Oath of secrecy; excommunicated all those who discovered the Pope's secrets; he exacted two Prebendaries from every Cathedral, and the allowance of one or two Monks from every Monastery, to prevent the infamy of the Church and Court of Rome for bribes, simony, and other extortions, occasioned by her poverty; the Bishops, Archdeacon's, Clergies answer and strenuous opposition against ●●, 399, 400, 401. His preaching a Croysado against the Earl of Tho●ouse and Albigenses in France, to get money, which many held unchristian, being to shed the blood of such Christians who offered to submit themselves to an inquiry of their Faith in every City, that he might reduce them by his exhortations, if erroneous; He refused all peace with the Earl of Tholouse, unless he would renounce his Earldom; The King of France crosseth himself against the Albigenses, and procures an Inhibition from the Pope to King H. 3. not to invade him whiles employed in this War, 403, 404. Rustand, a Gascoign Lawyer, Pope Alexander the 4th. his Nuncio to King H. 3. to collect a Disme in England, Ireland, and Scotland, to the Kings and Popes use indifferently, notwithstanding any ●ormer Privileges or Indulgences, 821, 822. Received with great honour by the King, to the prejudice of the Realm, 832. Had power to absolve all from their vows for money, who vowed to go to the Holy Land, 821, 822. He joins with the Bishop of Hereford in binding most English Bishops, Abbots to the Pope's Usurers, in b●nds of 5, 6, 700 Mar. or more, without their privity or consent, for the Pope's use, 820, 821. He enjoined the Monks of St. Alban to pay 600 Marks to him at an impossible day, to enforce them to borrow money of his Usurers, besides use, expenses, the chiefest part of them being absent, under pain of Interdict and Excommunication, 822, 823. The Bishops generally oppose, appeal against his Obligations, to the Pope but without r●d●esse; he being a learned man, potent to do harm, and promoting the Pope's oppressions, 823, 824 The Bishop of London's Proclamation, that none should be impleaded upon his Letters or Bon●s; his complaint thereof to the King and Pope; their menaces, and his resolute answer to them, Ibid. He puts the Pope's seal to blank schedules, writes in them what he pleased by the Pope's own consent, as the issue evidenced, though not credited at first, 824. He excommunicated, suspended all contradictors to pay the Obligations in their names, justly or unjustly; the King and Rustand, like the Sh●ph●rd and Woolf, confederating together to undo and destroy them, the Prelates and Clergy being divided, who if united might have appealed & preserved themselves, 824. Prelates and people's devotion to the Church and Pope of Rome expired, by his extortions, causing their hearts to bleed through bitterness of spirit; many innocent persons turning as it were Apostates, and renouncing the truth, through their loss of temporal goods, 824. The indulgences, privileges of Holy men nulled by the Pope and him, as of no value; three years Dimes suddenly changed into five, as if promised; Dimes for relief of the Holy Land, are turned to the aid of Apulia against the Christians; men were compelled to lie and forswear themselves many ways, prohibited from heaven in both Testaments; divers enforced to pay money at impossible days, to necessitate them to borrow it of the Pope's Usurers; Prelates were sold like Sheep and Asses, by such sellers as were to be cast out of the Temple, the cry of whose violence ascended to the ears of the God of Vengeance, 824, 825. He averred all Churches were the Popes, not only to protect, but appropriate and dispose of; required every Clerk particularly to give his own answer to his demands, not jointly with the rest, which made them all silent, or ignorant what to answer: He refused to alter one syllable he had written in their bonds, as borrowed of the Italian Merchants for the public benefit of their Churches, though apparently false, 841. Many affirmed that they should be Martyrs, like Thomas Becket, if they suffered in this cause; whereupon the Clergy appealed to the Pope, and sent a general Proctor to Rome against these forged Obligations, which the Barons animated the Prelates to resist, 841. Pope Alexander the 4. his Bull to Rustand concerning the payment of these forged Obligations, and sums in them, to his Merchants; which few had courage to resist, or to join with, or compassionate the suffering of those who withstood them, 844, 845. He summoned all Abbots of the C●st●rei●● Order to appear before him, demands a vast sum of money from them, to the annual value of their wool, or more, for the use of the King or Pope; which they refusing, he caused the King to oppress them, who would have aids and money as well as prayers from them, 846, 847. The King grants him 300 Marks a year in prebend's and Benefices in his gift which should first fall void, 855. The chief Collector of the Dimes and Crosse-money; Writs issued to him concerning it, 862, to 867, 921. His industry in collecting them, 871. The King's Writ to provide a speedy passage for him at Dover, upon his return to Rome, 868. The Pope's grant and Privilege of Sicily, with other Writs and Procurations, delivered to him, to be carried and delivered by him to the King's Ambassadors and Proctors to the Pope concerning that affair, and moderation of the hard conditions imposed by the Pope on the King, 914, 916, 920, 943. His account of the Dimes collected, and their disbursements, 917, 918, 958, 959, 960. Accused to the Pope for overmuch intending his own profit, and over-vigilantly heaping up possessions, rents, moneys in England, so that he was as wealthy as most Nobles, and swayed the King and Bishops▪ for which he incurred the indignation of the Pope and many others, upon his return to Rome: Pretended himself the King's natural born Subject, and principal promoter of hi● affairs in the Court of Rome; grievously reprehended by the Pope, and deprived of his former dignity, power with disgrace, 927, 928, 930. Employed, sent by King Henry to the Court of Rome about his affairs, as his Proctor, when he left England, 943, 944, 946, 947, 948, 957, 1035. S. THe Bishop of Sabine, a Cardinal of Rome, sent Legate by Pope Innocent 4. to Hac● King of Denmark, Norway and Sweden, King H. 3. refused to grant him a licence to enter England, till he had first sworn upon his Soul, that he came into England for no detriment of the King, Kingdom, or Church, but only that he would pass quietly through it from the port of Dover to the port of Lenn, presently upon the next opportunity and prosperous wind, to depart thence to those further Realms, because Pope's Legates of what sort soever, and all Papal Nuntioes are always accustomed to impoverish, or by some means to disturb the Realms into which they enter: After his licence obtained, visit of, and free gifts from the King, he stayed here near three months, could not refrain his innate Roman covetousness, but sent private Messengers to Bishops, Abbots and Priors, to send him large Procurations and precious gifts; preaching often to the people, that he might palliate all things under the show of Holiness; He furnished his Ship (built like Noah's A●k, with many rich Cabins for his entertainment) most plentifully, with much Corn, very many Tuns of choicest Wines, and other victuals, at the English Clergies prodigality, on whom he bestowed his benediction, being enriched by them; celebrates Mass in the Ship by a Freer Predicant, to the admiration of many, 697. See Guido before. S●nicius, Pope Urban 4. and Clement 4. their Nuncio, Proctor in England, to receive the arrears of the annual rent due from King H. 3. 310, 311. and concerning the business of Sicily, 932. Simon Prenest●nsis, a Cardinal Bishop, his Clerk collects Procurations in Ireland by the King's licence, as a Legate there, 559. Stephen, Pope Gregory the 9th. his Chaplain, Nuncio to King H. 3. to collect the Dimes promised him by the King's Nuntioes at Rome, to maintain his Wars against the Emperor Frederick; summons all the Archbishops, Bishops, Abbots, Priors to Westminster, read, the Pope's Bull to them exacting a Disme from England, Wales, and Ireland, who like natural Children ought to relieve their Mother the Church of Rome in her necessities; which the King condescended to as obliged by promise; but all the Lay-Barons peremptorily denied to grant out of their Lay▪ possessions, yet the Clergy submitted to it in a qualified manner, for fear of Excommunication, 424, 425, 426. He extorted the collection of Disms not according to the 20th. part formerly paid to the King, but at the improved value of all profits, possessions, without fraud or collusion, to be paid in a short time under pain of Excommunication, and sent to the Pope before autumn or harvest was over, for the corn then growing; to enforce them to borrow moneys from the Foreign Usurers he brought with him, on hard terms, to the undoing of many, 426, 427. T. THe Bishops of Tusculum and Sabine, the Abbot of St. Martin's, and Cardinal Deacon of St. Nicholas in Carcere Tulliano, with others, sent as Legates by Pope Honorius, and Gregory 9 his successor, to the Emperor Frederick, to admonish him to submit to their Papal mandates under pain of Excommunication, 409, 410. Thomas, a Temptar, Pope Gregory the 9th. his Nuncio into England to gather moneys by dispensations for Vows of those who were crossed for the Holy Land, as more useful than their personal service; which the Crucesignatis discovering, admired the covetousness of the Roman Court, conceiving grand indignation against it in their minds for draining the people's purses impudently by so many devices, and moving war against people, to show his power, or out of indignation, only to extort vast sums of money, collect Dimes to defend the Church; then making peace, and detaining the moneys without restitution, 470, 471. W. WIlliam; one of Pope Innocent the 3. his Chamberlains, sent to King John to hasten his journey to the Holy land, which the Baron's rebellion against him hindered, p. 346. These 2. last Indices of Popes and their Legates, evidenc', that Mammon was the principal Deity they adored; Gain the chiefest part of their godliness, and Covetousness which is Idolatry, their prime Cardinal Virtue, Theoretical and Practical worldly Divinity. INDEX Alphabetical 13. Of Castles, Cities, Counties, Parish-Churches, Chapels, Hospitals, and other particular places in this Tome; things done at, or concerning them. A. ABendune, 504. See Index 2. Abbevile, 591. Acl●y Church, 381. Acholt in Kent, 438. Achon City, 416, 425. Adberbury Church, 972. Agnania; Popes Bulls from thence, 242, 243. Aillesberry Church, 625. St. Alban, 282, 351, 435, 525. See Index. 2. Alen●estre Church, 504. All Saints Church Derby, the King's free Chapel, 1047. Ambrun 1016. Antiochia 734. Aquilegia, 525, 528. Aquis, 600, 601. Aunvilliers Church in Coventrey Diocese, 954. St. Audomars Castle, 361. Augmodernesse, 954. Auxitan Province, 757. Aymar Church, 719. B. BArham, 269. Basingstoke Hospital, 1038. Bedford Castle, 336, 392, 446, 614. Bend●nia, 516, 526. Beretha in Syria, 14. Berkely, 229. Bertelton Chapel 1005. Bernard's Castle, 826, 827, Berner Chapel, 1005, Beston Manor, Norf. 438. Buoys, 321. Blye, Com. Ebor. 497. Bodington, 379. Bohun Castle, 379. Bononia, 540. Bracley, 229. Brekewell, 632. Bremesgrave Manor, 984. The Church Appropriated: Appendix 29. Bretenham Church, 388. Brigia, 324. Bristol, 332, 575, 758. Brixia, 542. Brugenortb Castle, 324. Brug●s Prebendary, Ebor. 954. Brumford Manor, 726. Brundisium, 412. Bugedon, Bugden, 804. Burdegal, Bordeaux, 746, 747, 757, 678. C. CAldecot, 438. Calvisson, 320. Cambridge, 332, 360. Campniac Castle, 384. Canterbury 262, 332, 387, 499, 560, 561. Castelia, 522, 542, 332, 560. Castellana, 652. Celsus Castle, 456. Chalk Church, 1036. Ch●lmesford, 828. Chelneston, 438. Chidingston, 1000 Chichester, 625, 626. Christish●le Church, 8●8. Clare, 467. Clarendon 2, 3, 4. 358, 860. Colecester, 1064. Colechurch London, 782. Colen, 812, 813. Constantinople, the Metropolis of the Eastern Church, not subject to the Pope or Roman Church; its Patriarches, power, names: matters concerning it and its primacy, 41, 322, 490, 491, 492. 512, 513. 643, 752. See Index 5. Coussy, 321. Cremona, 524. St. Cross Church, 602. Cumberland resumed from the Scots King, 324. D. DAdington Church, 719. Damascus, 427. Damiata, 413, 524, 734. D●ham Church, 729. Dereham Church, 882. Deeping, 379. Dilhurst, 632. Donington Church Sarum Diocese, 1048. Drochera, 77. Dovor, Dover; Constables, Castelanes of it, Writs directed to them to search after, seize Pope's Bulls prejudicial to the King, kingdom, and those who bring them: to stay others from passing beyond the Seas; with other particulars concerning it and the Castle, 269, 271, to 275, 279, 344, 371, 439, 618, 730, 865, 937, 938, 939, 1014, 1015, 1016, 1033, 1036, 1059, 1060, 1061. Dungervan Church in Ireland, 756. Dunstaple, 69, 330, 619. Durham, 386, 389, 405, 406. See Index 3. Durham Bishops. E. EAnden, 828. Ebor. Torke, 230, 231, 265, 266, 331, 486. a Parliament held there. Deans and Chapters Lands seized for their excommunicating, invading the Mayor and Citizens, 820, 830, 831. See Index 3, 6. St. Edmunds, 337. Ely City, Isle, its consequence, strength, privileges, 351. E●cford Church, 725. Elsinden, 497. Eston, 964. Estkingam, 632, 724. Essington, 624. Etheneswell, 955. Ev●sh●m, 1022, 1019. St. Eufemia, 516, 520. Exon, A Writ to it touching the Interdict, 332. E●z●lmus, 425. F. FAk ham, 1005. Fenton Prebend, 963. Ferling Manor, 1056. Ferentia, 524. Fernham, 786. Ferrara, 516, 526, 527. Feversham, 260. the suits, force, riots, excommunications, interdicts, appeals, contests concerning the Church thereof between the Abbot and Monks of Canterbury, King John's Clerk, and Archbishop: Appendix, p. 1, to 16. Finchingfield Church, Essex, 968. Fineberg Manor, 438. Flamsted Church, Hertford, 781. Flesting, Sussex, 438. Fotheringai Castl, 379. G. GAmok in Wal●s, 622, 635. Gazara, 734. S. Gemma, 430. St. German, 412 Gerse, Gernes Isles, 282, 862, 863. Geywud Manor, 697, 332. Gippewic, 269, 1017. Gloucester, 332. Henry 3. crowned there, etc. 369, 370, other Acts there, 372, 394, 443, 446. Gry●●sby Church, Lincoln, 954, 955. H. HAdfeld Peverall Manor, 438. Harewes' Manor, 742. Havering St. Mary's Chapel there, 971. Haxiholm Isle, 974. Heath, Heth Port, 334, 618, 783. Helen's Church in Abendon, 716, 717. Henechdun Church, Ireland, 783. Henlaw Manor, 438. Hereford, 332, 439. Hereburn Church, 842, 843. Herthull, Gloc. ●38. Heswell Church, 595, 596. Hidesord person, 882. Hoveden Church, 388, 389, 596. Hoveden Manor, 624, 724. Huntingdon Town, 332. The Shire given to the King of Scots, 324. J. ST. James Castle, 456. J●●ua City, the Pope's flight to it, its Galleys taken with the Pope's Legates, Bishops in them, 553, to 557, 652, 653. Irelingburghe parson his case, 882. St. john's de Landis, 516, 520. St. john's the round, 516, 520. St. John's Hospital Dublin, 798. St. John's Hospital Oxon, 479, 480, 835, 837, 838. K. KElrederi, Ireland, 393. Kenelworth Castle, 936, 1019. Kenington, 388. Kirkel Church, 388. Kirkheim Church, 954. Kepier Hospital near Durham, 965. L. LAgenia, Ireland, 757. Lambheth, Lambeth, 741, 742, 786. Lathunum, Luthrunum Church, 507, 508. Lateran, Rome; 506. many Pope's Bulls dated thence; Councils there: See Councils. La●gedon Church, Appendix 14. Ledes, 314. Len, 697, 1016, 1017. St. leonard's Church Canterbury, 496. St. leonard's Hospital, Ebor. 831, 838, 840. Liminton Manor, 538. Lincoln City, Citizens, Church, matters concerning them; 370, 371, 855, 856, 857, 892, 1012, 1013.▪ Lions in France, 512, 653, 654. See Councils. Lucerne, 320. Lundon City, Citizens, etc. Councils, Parliaments, Treaties there held: See Councils, Parliaments, Index 14: No divine Service or Sacraments in it, during the 7. years interdict, 253. The Head of the kingdom, traitorously seized on against King John, by the Barons, who resided there, 340, 351. The City interdicted by the Pope and his Legates, sundry Citizens thereof by name excommunicated for siding with the Barons against King John; who contemn the interdict, excommunication, authority of the Pope, as null, usurped, celebrate divine offices, revile the Pope's proceedings, 359, 360, ●61. Their Interdict, excommunication, reviled, vilified, none daring to publish it in the City, 361, 362. The Citizens reject King John, receive Lewes for their King, swear homage, realty to him, celebrate divine service notwithstanding the Pope's censures, 362. The Inquisitions of the ancient Liberties of England by King John's order, to be returned to London, 387. Testes of Writs there, 390, 393, 394. Colechurch London, 782. A pretended Miracle of the name Jesus in fleshy Letters seen and published in London, 73. The Pope's agents flight to it, 435. The Pope's Usurers called Caursini settle, dwell in it, notwithstanding the Bishop's endeavours to expel them, 437. The Major, Citizens of London, commanded by H. 3. forcibly to take Hubert de ●urgo out of sanctuary, countermanded, 438, 439. A Writ to the Mayor and Sheriffs to protect the Jews therein, permit them to buy victuals and all other necessaries notwithstanding the Bishop's inhibitions to the contrary, 475, 476. The Pope's Legate winters and holds a Council in it, 485, 490. The Oxford Scholars who assaulted the Pope's Legate brought in chains to London, and at last put to hard penance, 494, 495. Join with Earl Richard and other Nobles in opposing the Pope's Legates, Romans, and other aliens extortions, rapines, 498. The Legate makes a farewell speech to them, 505. The Mayor at the King's command imprisons a Canon of Paul's in the Tower in chains accused of High-Treason, for which the Dean and Canons of Paul's excommunicated him and all his aiders, counsellors, parties thereunto, interdicted Paul's, and the Bishop threatened to interdict the whole City, if not released, 512. A prohibition against their proceedings therein, 829. An Heretic sent to and imprisoned in the Tower of London, for denying Gregory 9 to be Pope, head of the Church, and declaiming against his Simony, and other Vices, 560 Martin the Pope's exacting Legate sets up his exacting office there in the New Temple, whom the Nobles jointly oppose and write against, 606, 607, 615, 619. The Emperor's Ambassadors there entertained opposed the Legates exactions of monies against the Emperor, 613. The Nobles and Commonalty of England seal their Letters to the Pope and Cardinals with the Cities Common seal, 679, 680. Fairs and Markets prohibited in it during Westminster fair, and St. Edward's feast, 714, 715. The Londoners great wealth; buying the King's plate, 722. King Henry vexeth them, suspends their markets for 15. days, extorts 2000 l. from them, 723. The King remits his indignation against them, reconciled to and craves pardon of them, 729, 730. The Jews Church there repaired by them, 735, 736. The City in an uproar intent to ring their common Bell, threaten to cut Archbishop Boniface in pieces for excommunicating the Dean and Chapter of Paul's, and beating the Prior and Monks of St. Bartholomew who opposed his Visitation. The King's proclamation thereupon under forfeiture of life and member to prevent an insurrection, 741, 742. Its Jurisdictions, its Barons not to be sued out of the City, 887. The King extorts gold from the Citizens against their Charters by entreaties, as from servants of vilest condition, 773. Archbishop Boniface publicly excommunicates the Bishop of Winton and his followers for abusing and imprisoning his Official in St. mary's Arches London, 786. The Lords in Parl. emptying their pur●●s there depart in discontent, 822. The Mayor & Citizens commanded by Writ to come in solemn procession to Westminster, 826. Jew's imprisoned in the Tower of London for crucifying a child at Lincoln, 857. Devise of Lands in London by custom, 862. The Legate resides in the Tower of London, refused to surrender it to Gilbert declare Earl of Gloucester, who prohibited any victuals to be sold to him: The Legate preached a Croysado, excommunicates all the disturbers of the kingdoms peace in London, privily returns to the Tower for safety, whither the Jews and their wives retired after him for shelter: Interdicts all Churches in or near London, pawns the King's Jewels to raise moneys, 1025, 1026. The King's Writ and Proclamation to the Mayor and Sheriff's of London against the Jews purchasing Lands in fee, and concerning their houses in London and other Towns, 1058. Freers paenitents in London; the Jews School disturbing them with their noise, especially in Mass time, granted to the Freers by the King, 1064, 1065. The Pope's usurers stately Mansion houses, protection in it, Appendix 25, 26. The Archbishop of York carried his Cross before him through the mldst of the City, 854, 954. See Index 3. 6. Bishops of London, Dean add Canons of St. Paul's and St. Martin's London, New Temple, Tower of London, Paul's Church. Luton, 392, 619. M. MAidenestone, Maydenestan; the Archbishop's Manor, 785. It's Church, 596 A prohibition to meet there for the Archbishop's Tax, 634. A prohibition to build a Church of Canons and prebend's there, or carry stones, or assist towards it, to the King's disinherison, 560, 56●. Manketon Chappel, 1005. Manselow Church, 78●. Mantua, 542. Mapeldon parson, 882. Marchia Trevisiae, 542, 543. Mariot Castle, 456. St. Margar●ts Westminster, its procession, 826. St. martyn's London, the King's free Chapel, 361, 432, 496. Marry Magdalen of Saundon, 862. Marseilles, 513, 514. M●nstreworth Manor, 438. Merpisium Castle, 384, 385 Merewell Chappel, 978. Merton Church, Hubert takes sanctuary in it, 438. M●ssana, 526, 534, to 540. St. Michael's Church Coventre, 687, 688. St. michael's upon Wyra, 835. Midford Hundred, 397, 398. Middleton Church, 978, 979. Appendix 2, 12, 14. Middenbale Manor, 775. Milan, 527, 530, 533, to 540, 514, 952. Mirebel Castle, 364. Moguntia, M●n●z▪ 542. Mont Cassini surprised by the Emperor, 517. Mons Regalis, Mount-Royal, 516, 520, 521. Mordune Church, 650. N. NEwband Praebend, 1039. Newbourn Church, 376. Newcastle Burgesses vexed, impoverished with Citations; enforced to take unusual Oaths by the Bishop's Officers; Complaints and Prohibitions against them as illegal, 969, 970. It's Church, 421, 371. Newenton Church Linc. 1052, 8●8. Newerk Castle, 372, 375 Newton Manor, 438. New Temple London, The Kings and Pope's Treasure usually kept, and Pope's agents resided there, 281, 309, 937, 1035, 1037. Northley person, 497. Northampton, Parliaments and Councils there, etc. 256, 263, 264, 282, 332, 392, 401. Northumberland, resumed from the Scots, 324, 401. Norton Prebend, 496. Norton Bayly, 984. Norwich: Writs directed to the Mayor of it concerning the interdicts release, 332. To the Bailiffs thereof concerning selling victuals to the Jews against the Bishop's inhibition to do it, 387. Trinity Church Norwich, the King's Writs of Inquiry to defend its rights, 1017. the Kings proceedings against the Citizens for burning and spoiling the Priory, Cathedral, and great fine for it, 1065, to 1070. See Ind●x. 3. Norwich Bishops. No●●ingham Town, Castle, Chaplains, meetings there, etc. 256, 28, 3●0, 577, 823. Nuc●era in Ap●lia, 932. O. ODdy Manor Ebor. 977. Odiham Castle, 936. Oak Church, protection to it, 736. O●eron Isle, Writs to it concerning the Croysade, 863. St. Omer, 320, O●deliy Castle, 1000 O●ford, its Chapel, 1000 Ouston Church in Haxiholm Isle, 974. Oxon Town, University, Scholars: All the Scholars depart from thence to Cambridge and Reding, for King John's rigorous imprisoning, and executing two Scholars and Clerks as accessaries to a murder committed by a 3d, who fled, 257. The Legates severe penance enjoined to those Townsmen who had any hand in their execution by the King's command, ere they obtained absolution, 287. A writ to the Mayor of it concerning the Interdicts release, 392. To cause victuals & other necessaries to be sold to the Jews there, notwithstanding the Bishop's Inhibition, 387. A writ to the Mayor and Bailiff, to apprehend, imprison all Harlots and Priests Concubines remaining in the Town against the King's provision: To enlarge all imprisoned, so as they who had no possessions there gave security speedily to depart the Town, and the others who had houses and lands swore and gave security not to cohabit with any Clerks there as formerly, 445, 446. A writ concerning the Hospital of St. John's in it, 480. The Oxford Scholars assault, fray upon the Pope's Legate & his servants at Oseney by his Porter's rudeness; who presently fled from thence; their excommunication, imprisonment, flight, penance for it, ere absolved. Writs concerning it, and to apprehend all such as fled, whether English, Welsh, Irish, or Sco●s, 493, to 498, 558. A writ to the Archdeacon and Chancellor of the University to make proclamation in co●v̄enient places, that all Scholars fled from thence might safely return and continue there, after their penance and reconciliation to the Legate, 496. St. Thomas Church in it, 357 St. Cross near it, 602. A Council of Prelates there assembled, the King's inhibition to them, their Excommunications in it, and inserting the Names of the Virgin Mary and Saints, instead of Christ and the Holy Ghost, 54, 385, 38●, 577, 578. Scholars resorted to the University of Oxford from all parts of the world; aemulator of Paris: the Archbishop publicly excommunicated the Bishop of Winton and his servants, who abused, imprisoned his Official before all the Scholars there assembled, 787▪ 788. The Jews affront to the Chancellor, Proctors and Scholars in their solemn procession in breaking the Crucifix carried before them; their penance for it● a Cross erected at their Charges, a silver and guilt Cross bought by them to be carried before them in future Processions, 10●5, 1046, 1047. Parliaments & Councils at Oxon, See Parliaments, Councils: Abbots exempt and others assembled thither, to know whether they would adhere to the provisions there made, 954. St. John's Hospital Oxon, 479, 480. See J. P. PAdua, 74. P●k him Prebend, 1000 Paris 322, 392. It's University, 787. Paul's Church London, its Consecration. Councils and Assemblies in, and matters concerning it, 331, 332, 333, 361, 486, 487. 525, 526, 1040, 1041. Penred Church, 376. Pencrich Free-chappel, 728, 996. Perusium, 415. Pisa, 514. Pignagonia, 516, 526. Placentia, 510, 542. Pontefract 497. Portesmue, 276, 282. Preston, Prestuna, 775, 954. R. RAcoluer Church, 1005. Rading, 496, 912. Radulphus Castle, 14. Ravenna, 524. Reebrigg Church, 376. Rheims, 652. Richmund, 566. Ringsteed Manor, 438. Rippon Church, 977. Rochester, Roffen Castle, City, 339, 340, 344, 351, 454, 498, 469, 758, 759. See Index 3. Rockingham Castle, 379. Roke, 514. Rooberi Church, 376. Rome, 444. See Index 14. Roubarton Manor, 438. Rugham Manor, 438. Runningmead, 336. Rumenel, 334. Rupella, Rochel, 332, 444. Ruseland, 438. S. Salvata Castle, 379. Samori Castle, 379. Sandwich, 334. Sautrey Church, 504. Scardeburgh Castle, 324, 633. Sevengham, 1000 Shep●y, 887. Snowdune, 261. Soranza Church, 516, 520. Stamford, 335. Stanes Church, 384, Stanwick Manor, 438. Stapelford, 971: Steines Manor, 438. Stinefield Chappel, 496. Stock, 972, Stocton Manor, 724, 729. Stone Church, Appendix 14. Stowe Manor, 438. Summercote in Lindsey, 982. Sunneb. Manor, 384. T. TAunton Manor, 831, 832. Thame Church, 595. Thanet Isle, 362. Thikehull, 287. S. Thomas Hospital Southwerk, 785, 787, 788. St. Thomas Church near Osney, 357. Tilemanston, 1033. T●elig. Hundred, 398. Tower of London, 381, 532, 560, 686, 857, 512, 1025, 1026, 1055. Tunbridge Castle, 429, 430. Tunshall Manor, 438. V. VEnice, Christ's Sepulchre in it, 15. A most noble City ready to apostatise from the Pope, 735. Verona, 524, 525. Verula, 411, 412. Vesana, 528. Viterbium, 502, 528, 544, 545. W. WAketon Church, 388. Wallingford Castle, 494. Waltham 604. Waredune Abbey, 604. Warnegay Manor, 438. Westly Church, 241, 746. Welleton Church, 388. Wells, 504. See Index 3● Werkeworth Church, 376, 602. Westley Church, 242, 746. Westmoreland, resumed from the Scots King, 325. Westminster, things done, Parliaments, Councils held there, processions thither, to adore Christ's blood, its Fair, Writs there dated, 72, 73, 289, 311, 376, 388, 394, 397, 398, 402, 406, 407, 453, 455, 495, 496. See Councils, Parliament. Wetel Manor, 438. Wetewang Prebendary, 1039. Wickelaw Hundred, 398. Widdingdon Manor, Glouc. 1064. Wigorne, Worcester, 332, 366. Windesore, Windeles' Castle, Chapple, 259, 455, 495, 496, 759. Winestim Hundred, 398. Wintingham Church, 376. Winton City, 252, 279, 283, 446, 470, 481, to 597, 936, 938. See Index 3. Wodestoke, Woodstock, 393, 447. Welshmen repair thither to the King to do homage, 261. Wolverhampton, the King's Free Chapple, 982. Wulward, 438. INDEX 14. Part 1. Alphabetical, Of the several Countries, Empires, Kingdoms, Nations, Emperors, Kings, Queens, Princes, Republics; the Matters relating to, or Acts done by them, mentioned in this Tome. A. KIng Adelphus his payment of Peter-pences, 292. Admiralius Murmelius, King of Africa, Fez and Morocco, King John's embassy, proffer to resign the Kingdom of England to him, etc. a malicious forgery to defame him, 283, to 287. Egypt, the Christians Army defeated in it, 754. Aethiopians, subject to the Greek Church, 491. Alani, subject to the Greek Church, 491. Albania, wasted by the Saracens, 649, 650. Alexander King of Poland, his Law concerning the alienation of Crown Lands, 321. Alexander King of Scots, his Charter, League, Fealty to King H. 3. 620, 621. See Scotland. Apulia, the Popes, Emperors claims to, acts done in it, 513, 522, 524, 535. Offered by the Pope to Richard Earl of Cornwall, who refused it, 776, 777, 808. Given by Pope Innocent 4. to King H. 3. and Edmund his Son, upon hard conditions, to cheat them of vast sums of money, 808, 809, 810, 822, 869. King H. 3. vows a Voyage thither, 813. The Croysado against the Saracens, turned by the Pope against the Christians in Apulia, 808, 809, 825, 919, 931, 932, 933, 948, 1049. Arabia, the Collyridians' heresy hatched in it, 58. Arragon, Pope's claims to that Kingdom, 9, 291. resumption of Crown Lands alienated from it, 319. Arnulphus Emperor, a Council under him, 707 Arthur, our British King, his Parliamentary Council, and answer to the Romans demanding Tribute from him for our Isle, as conquered by Caesar, 326, 327. Ath●nians Law, against alienating the public La●●s, and their resumption of them, 320, 321. B. BAldwin King of Jerusalem, conquers the Saracens, 41. Baldwin Emperor of Constantinople, expelled; a Croysado granted him against the Grecians, routed, 491, 492. Bituria, 14. Blanch, 364. Bohemia, Pope's pretended Title to it, 291. Bulgarians, subject to the Greek Church, 491. conquest, 41. Burgundy Dukedom, unalienable by the King of France, 319, 320. C. CAlabria, offered by the Pope to Richard Earl of Cornwall, refused by him, 776. Casim●r King of Poland, his Will, 319. Castle, Pope's pretended Title to that Realm, 9 The King and Queen thereof, their Title to succeed Arthur, 364, 365. Charles the Great Emperor, his Charters of Donation to the Pope, 292. void in Law, 316. The Realm of France converted from Paganism to Christianity by the Wars, blood of the Nobles under him and other Kings, who endowed the Clergy with Lands, Privileges; they forgetting their Founders, treacherously endeavoured to swallow up the Government, Jurisdiction, Privileges, Liberties, Laws of secular Princes, by their new Constitutions, and judge them, when as they ought to be judged by them, 700, 701. Councils under him, 707. Charles the 5. Emperor, taketh King Francis 1. prisoner, who avoids his contract upon his release, 319, 320. Charles the 5. King of France, his memorable Arrest, Decree against excommunicating any of his Officers, or Interdicting any of his Cities, Towns, Lands, 702, 703. Charles the 8. King of France, his Donations of Crown Lands to the Church, resumed, 319. Charles the 9 his Edict concerning rents, 322. Charles, King of France his Brother, Pope Urbans conditional donation of Sicily to him for four generations, 948. Chazari, subject to the Greek Church, 491. Commadus the Roman Emperor, his sale of public Lands resumed, 319. Conrade, the Emperor frederick's Son, his Negociations in Italy, 529. Offered as a pledge to Pope Gregory, 534. his transactions with him, 335, 336. employed by his Father to stop all passages to Rome by Land or Sea, 652. King of Apulia and Sicily, Pope Innocent 4. offers his Realms to Richard Earl of Cornwall, to eject Conrade by War, who refused them; King H. 3. embraceth his offer, vows a journey thither; his Son Edmund invested King thereof by a ring, to disinherit Conrade, who manfully opposed him and the Pope's forces, whom he routed, 776, 777, 808, 809, 810. His Kingdom is Interdicted, he Excommunicated without any citation or hearing; commands his Clergymen to celebrate divine service notwithstanding these unlawful Papal censures: The Pope's slanderous reports spread of him to render him odious, excite the King of England and others against him; his answers to these slanders, 809, 810, 811, 812. His sickness, poisoning, speeches against the Pope, Church of Rome, for their slanders, injuries, oppressions; His death, Ibid. Constantine the Great, his resignation, donation of Rome, and the Empire of the World, to Pope Sylvester, in Christ's right, 8, 9, 13. a forgery, 9 void in Law by the greatest Lawyers judgements, 292, 316, 317, 318. removes to Constantinople, 9 Croatia, Pope's pretended Title thereto, 9, 291. Cyprus, subject to the Emperor Frederick; victuals prohibited to be carried out of it to the Holy Land, 513. The Connestable of it for money dispensed with to hold his Wife against a divorce, and other Rebels against the Emperor absolved from their Oaths to him by Pope Gregory 9 531. D. DA●ma●ia, Pope's pretended Title to it, 9, 291. Danes, seized the Isle of Ely, 922 David King of Scots, surrenders Cumberland, Nortbumberland, and Westmoreland to King H. 2. and receives the County of Huntingdon from him, 324. Denmark, Pope's pretended Title to that Realm, 9, 291. a Legate sent thither to Crown the King thereof; his gifts and exactions there, 697. E. PRince Edmund, King H. 3. his Son, invested in the Kingdom of Apulia and Sicily by the Pope, of which he never got possession, 808, 809, 822, 867, 918, 919, 920, 921, 931, 932, 933. His grant of a pension therein as King of Sicily, 866. presented to the Parliament by King H. 3. in an Apulian habit; commended and prayed an Aid for him, 921. styled King thereof, 809, 914, to 920. The Nobles, Parliaments indignation and opposition against that affair, 931, 932, 933. See Apulia, Sicily, K. Henry●. King Edred, his Charter to St. Alban confirmed, Appendix p. 21. King Edward the Confessor, Christ visibly appeared to him in the Hostia, in form of a Child, and crossed him; his concealment of it, how divulged, 72, 73. King John sworn to cause his good Laws to be observed and used, 279, 283. The description of the Office of a King in them, 323. His grant of the Realm of England to William the Conqueror, without his Nobles consent, void, 327. King Edward 1. Pope Gregory the 10. his Letter to him for the arrears of Peter-pences, and the annual rent for England and Ireland; which he refused to pay, 311, 312. Pope Martin his successor's Letter to him for it; his payment of part thereof acknowledged, 312, 313. Pope Honorius the 4. his Letter to him for it; his payment thereof, upon what occasion, his last payment thereof, 313, 314. He grants several annual pensions out of his Exchequer, to the Pope's Cardinals, Notaries, to promote his affairs at Rome, 314, 315. Pope Boniface the 8. his Letter to him, concerning his right to the Crown of Scotland, 328. King Edward 3. and his whole Parliaments Declaration against King John's Charter, Homage, Tribute to the Pope, as null, made without his Baron's assent, against his Oath at his Coronation; and that if the Pope would issue process for it, they would assist the King, and oppose it with all their might: His Law against Pope's Provisions, 301, 302, 779. The Title to the Crown of France devolved to him; His Act and Declaration concerning England's unsubjection to it; The Arms, Title thereof, 325. His Act resuming Queen Isabella's Dower, 325. King Egfrids' Charter to St. Alban, Appendix p. 21. Queen Elizabeth, her revenue, state, frugalicy, 323. her case of the Crowns descent, 326. England, Its Freedom, Nobleness, Kings anciently subject to none but God himself, 284, 325, 326. The King of England can neither surrender nor grant it, nor the Crown Lands to the Pope, nor any other, without his Nobles, Kingdoms concurrent assents, 292, to 330, 504, 505. The Pope's pretended Title to it, as sovereign Lord thereof, as an Island given by King Henry the 2. and King John's Charters, though void in Law, 9, 273, 274, 275, 289, 290, 291, 292, to 330, 340, to 345, 365, 370, 414, 415, 470, 486, 504, 505, 545, 546, 547, 548, 551, 644, 645, 663, 664, 671, 800. The Archbishops, Bishops, Barons, people's oppositions, exclamations against King John's unworthy subjecting and making it Tributary to the See of Rome; his own bitter bewailing thereof; after which his Nobles rose up against him, who assisted him against the Pope before, yea all things went cross and inauspicious with him till his death, 292, to 300, 301, 302, 340, to 348, 359, 360, 361, 362. It's intolerable oppressions, vexations, grievances, by avaricious, ambitious, insatiable, tyrannical Popes, Legates, Nuntioes, and Romish Agents, by Croysadoes, Dimes, Taxes, Procurations, Provisions, Rapines, Exactions of various kinds, with the Kings, Nobles, Prelates Letters, complaints, appeals, oppositions against them, 226, 227, 292, 293, 325, 326, 340, 414, 415, 421, 424, 436, 470, 476, 490, 492, 506, 507, 512, 513, 539, 540, 546, 611, to 621, 639, to 649, 664, 665, to 687, 690, to 699, 716, 717, 730, to 736, 746, 747, 752, 753, 754, 766, 768, 776, to 781, 799, 801, 802, 803, 822, 823, 824, 825, 841, 843, to 853, 861, to 872, 918, to 922, 925, to 935, 944, 945, 961, to 965, 968, 980, 1015, 1016, 1023, 1024, 1025, 1026, to 1027. Appendix 25, 26. See Index 10, 12. and King Henry 3. King John, Rome. Popes not peremptorily imposed, but only recommended, desired Aids from it at first, granted, imposed, assented to only by the King, Nobles, who proportioned, ordered the times, manner of levying them, 238, 239, 240 Pope Innocent 4. styled it an unexhausted pit, whence he might extort much, 671. Often hurt, provoked by the injuries of that Pope, who yet in a rage threatened to Interdict it, encouraged by the Kings and their effeminate fear; for which he was reprehended, admonished by John an Englishman, a Cistercian Monk and Cardinal, for beating it like Balaams' Ass with his spurs, rod, and yet not suffering them so much as to mutter against him, 676. English tho● miserablest of all men, by biting, devouring each other, 737. F. FErdinand 1. Emperor, Cassander his Consultation dedicated to, approved by him, 22. Flanders, invaded by the French King, when prohibited to invade England, 275. France, Pope's pretended Title to it, 9, 291. An Aid granted, collected therein by the King's assent, upon the Pope's Bull and Legate sent thither, for relief of the Holy Land, 238, 239, 240. Kings of France ought not to alien their Crown Lands or Territories to others, their alienation of them void, 319, to 324. The Realm of England never was in subjection to France; Its descent to King Edward 3. his Law concerning it, 325. No Pope presumed to confer any Prebendary, Benefice by Provision therein, till Pope Innocent 3. 330, 777, 778. The French invade England, excommunicated by the Pope's Legate, 361, 362. See Lewes. The French Peers, Courts proceedings and condemnation of King John to death, for murdering his Nephew Arthur; the Pope's exceptions against it as void, 363, 364. Pope Honorius and Pope Gregory's Bulls to the French King, for the English to pass and repass freely to Rome through France, without impediment, 396, 408. The Pope's Legate calls a Council therein against the Earl of Tholouse, exacts two Prebendaries, and two Monks portions in every Cathedral, Monastery there, to avoid the old infamy of avarice, simony, bribery, and delay of justice in the Court of Rome, with the French Bishops, Clergies answers, oppositions against it, 401, 402, 403. A Croysado published in it against the Earl of Tholouse and Albigenses; the French King crosseth himself against them; the Pope prohibits the King of England to invade France, during his employment in this War against these good Christians, 403, 404. Wars between England and France, 406, 408. A Truce propounded between them, 446. King H. 3. his invasion of it, the Earl of Britain's revolt from him to the King of France, against his Oath and Obligations, 455, 456. A Croysado published in it, to defraud the people and pick their purses, 470, 512. The Kings and Pope's Agents rigour in extorting it; his and his Armies great defeat, slaughter, the King taken prisoner by the Saracens soon after, to his Kingdoms great desolation, reputed a just judgement, 717, 733, 734, 753, 754, 776. The French Kings, Peers confederacy, and memorable protestation against the Popes, Bishops, Ecclesiastical Officers encroachments upon their Rights, Liberties, by new Constitutions, holding Pleas of Temporal causes, abuse of Excommunications, Oaths, etc. 699, to 760. France reduced to poverty by Pope Innocent 4. conspired against the Pope and Cardinals, 676, 698. Many Frenchmen slain in aiding Baldwin in his expedition against the Grecians, 492. The French crossed for the Holy Wars, prohibited to go by the Pope, when prepared; their speeches, mutiny thereupon, 512, 513. The French Kings, and his Nobles, Counsils detestation of, speeches against Pope Gregory's depriving the Emperor Frederick; Robert the King's brother's refusal of the Empire, tendered to him by the Pope; the dignity of its Kings by lineal descent, 540, 541. The French always envy the English, traduce the Kings of England for banishing Becket, and Edmund of Canterbury his leaving England in discontent, 591. The long feud, controversy between France and England, which destroyed innumerable people, prayed by King H. 3. to be composed by the Pope's mediation, 944, 945, 956, 957. a Peace at last concluded, 961. King Henry's advice to Prince Edward, by reason of his sickness, to hasten his return with the French King from the Holy Wars, 1058. King Francis 1. of France; declares his Articles under hand and seal, ratified by his Oath, to consign the Duchy of Burgundy to the Emperor for his ransom, to be void, because against his Coronation Oath, and Laws of France, not to alien the Crown Lands, 319, 320. King Francis 2. of France; his complaint of the alienation and mortgaging the Crown Lands thereof, 323. Frederick the 2. while King of Sicily persecuted by Otho the Emperor, for seizing some Castles of the Empire during the vacancy, 260. Made Emperor by Pope Innocent. 3. out of mere malice to Otho 5. (interdicted, excommunicated, deposed by him, only for seizing and restoring to the Empire, according to his Coronation Oath, the ancient Possessions thereof, which Popes had injuriously usurped) on purpose to persecute Otho to death by force of Arms, 539. He (by a just retaliation) is soon after excommunicated by Bulls published in all places, interdicted, defamed by Pope Gregory the 9th. for not going to Jerusalem against the Saracens according to his Oath, though hindered by sickness, necessary▪ emergent affairs of the Empire, and Civil Wars raised against him in Sicily, by this Pope's instigation; and for contemning the Popes and St. Peter's Keys: All prohibited to celebrate divine service to him, till he submitted himself to the Church; to be proceeded against as an Heretic, if he presumed to be present at divine service; all his Subjects absolved from their allegiance; deprived of his Empire, for endeavouring to recover the ancient rights, possessions of it from the Popes, Churches Usurpations, 409, to 414. His notable Letters to the King of England, and all Christian Princes, setting forth Pope's designs by Excommunications, Interdict, to wrest their Kingdoms, Lands out of their hands, make them their Vassals, Tributaries, trample them under feet like King John and the Earl of Tholouse; pick all their Subjects purses, swallow up their wealth by unsatiable bloodsuckers, Legates, Wolves in Sheep's clothing; their simonies, rapines, extortions, unheard of in former ages, 414, 415. King H. 3. his Letter to him, not to revolt from his obedience to the Church of Rome, but humbly to obey and submit to the Pope, 415, 416 He goes to the Holy Land, to avoid the scandals raised of him, and his Excommunication for not going, which the Pope continued; at his arrival at Acon none of the people or Clergy would kiss, cat with him, but advised him to satisfy the Pope, and be reconciled to the Church; his complaints to them against the Pope's unjust censures, 416. The Pope pronounced him contumacious for going to the Holy Land according to his vow, before his absolution; endeavours to dethrone him by the Material Sword, when unable to do it by the Spiritual, against the Laws of Christ and Christianity; hired, raised great forces under John de Bresnes, to invade his Territories with fire and sword; authorized thiefs, robbers; incendiaries to dethrone him, whiles engaged against Christ's enemies, to the admiration of all Christians, 416, 417. His Imperial Seal, Mottoes affixed to his Letters, 417. He recovers Jerusalem; yet▪ the Patriarch and his Suffragans would not say Mass there whiles he was in it, 417. His Victories against the Saracens envied by Pope Gregory, who suborned the Templars to betray him to the Sultan, who detests, reveals their Treachery; He dispersed scandalous Letters against him in England and elsewhere; caused men, moneys to be raised in all places more industriously than before to dethrone him; vacated the due election of the Archbishop elect of Canterbury, for money and a Disme promised him in England and Ireland to disinherit and depose the Emperor, which he desired above all things, 418, 419. The Pope and his enemies blast his fame in several Letters to England and elsewhere, as guilty of most execrable heresy, blasphemy, styling Moses and Christ Impostors, as well as Mahomet; and uttering most nefarious opinions▪ speeches of the Sacrament of the Eucharist, which no discreet Christian could believe he ever used, only to engage all against him; He stirred up the Millainois to rebel against him, 514, 515. He seized the Islands in the Mediterranean Sea, the City of Pisa, and greatest part of Sardinia, which Popes usurped, as part of St. Peter's Patrimony, anciently belonging to the Empire; whose dissipated possessions he (as bound by Oath) strenuously endeavoured to restore: For which the Pope growing very angry, in the presence of his Cardinals on Palm Sunday solemnly excommunicated, delivered him to Satan to be destroyed, and deposed him; in such a dreadful thundering fury, as made all auditors greatly to tremble: The form of his Excommunication, absolving his Subjects from their allegiance, and deposing, upon pretext of his raising sedition in Rome against the Church, to thrust him and his Cardinals from their seat, trample the privileges, dignities, honours, liberties of the Apostolic See, Church under feet; hindering presentations to vacant Churches; apprehending, imprisoning, banishing, slaying some rebellious Clergymen, (sent abroad to raise moneys, forces against him) spoiling some Templars, Hospitalers, Churches of their goods; laying Taxes upon Churches, Monasteries, compelling Bishops, Abbots, Cistercians to contribute towards the building of Castles; thinking ill of the Catholic Faith, and other particulars, 514, 515, 516 His high indignation against Pope Gregory for publishing these scandalous Excommunications, Letters against him by his Legates in all Kingdoms, Churches: He surpriseth Mount Cassini, where the Monks published his Excommunication; writes severe reprehensive Letters to the Romans, for suffering him the chief Prince of Princes, their Emperor, natural Lord to be excommunicated in his own chief City; and to the Cardinals, for suffering the Pope so rashly, unjustly to draw his Spiritual Sword against him the Roman Emperor, and advocate of the Church; for fomenting and not restraining his unbridled authority according to their duties, which necessitated him for his own defence against this persecutor, more grievously to offend those who resisted his just power, 517, 518, 519. Prophecies concerning his or the Pope's ceasing to be Head of the whole World, 519, 520. His answer to all the Pope's scandals comprised in his Bulls of Excommunication, 520, to 525. The Pope's Legate published his Excommunication at Paul's and St. Alban, commanded him to be excommunicated with Bells and Candles, in all Churches, every Lordsday and Holiday, 525, 526, 527. His Letters to Richard Earl of Cornwall, against his injurious Excommunication and Pope's slanders, to vindicate his innocency; wherein he largely describes the unparallelled injustice, malice, treachery, slanders, calumnies of Pope Gergory the 9th, against him, divulged by Letters, Nuntioes in all places; his raising rebellions, seditions in Italy, Germany, Lombardy, Milan, against him the supreme of Christian Princes: That he reputed him not to be a Judge competent to excommunicate or depose him; who declared himself his capital enemy both in words and deeds, by fostering his enemies, instigating his Subjects to rebel, yea causing heretics in Milan to rise up against him and the Empire: That he deemed him unworthy to be reputed Christ's Vicar, Peter's Successor, and Steward of Christian souls, for selling dispensations privately in his Chamber, like a Merchant, without advice of his Cardinals, (▪ with whom he was bound to deliberate) against Oaths so'emn'y made, diverces judicially pronounced, to marry within degrees prohibited, for dilapidating not only the moneys, but lands and possessions of the Church of Rome, whereof he was the supreme Pat●ran, to raise Soldiers to fight against him: Therefore the universal Church and people of God might not wonder, that he dreaded not the sentence of such a Judge; not in contempt of the Papal Office, or Apostolical Dignity, but in respect of the prevarication of the person, who demonstrated himself unworthy the chair of so great a dignity; that all Christian Princes might acknowledge his holy intention, purpose, zeal, that he the Roman Prince had for most just cause opposed the Roman Prelate, out of fear lest the Lords flock should be lead into by ways under such a Pasto●, 527, to 532. Pope Gregory's reply thereto, fraught with new defamations, for asserting, That he as Christ's Vicar had no authority to excommunicate him; That Christ had given to St. Peter and his Successors, no power in the Church of such binding and losing: concluding him from thence to be an heretic, having no good opinion of the Articles of Christian Faith, whiles he endeavoured to take away this privilege and power from the Church, on which the Catholic Faith is built; recharging him with the premised blasphemies against Moses, Christ, and the Eucharist, which he denied: By which Epistles the whole world had been unanimously exasperated, and risen up against him as an apparent Enemy of Christ and the Church, had not the Pope's detestable avarice, and execrable dishonesty of the Roman Church, rendered his Bulls so contemptible, that none or very few believed them: They being persuaded, that the Church of Rome was more obliged to the Emperor, who according to his Oath manfully intended to regain, restore the rights of the Empire, than he was to the Church, 532, to 540. The Pope's Nuntioes, Letters to the French King, published before all his Barons, declaring he had judicially deposed him from the Empire for his wickedness, elected the French Kings brother Earl Robert Emperor in his place, whom the Church of Rome and Universal Church would generously assist. Upon which the French King and his Council demanded; By what spirit or rash attempt the Pope had disinherited and precipitated from the Imperial dignity so great a Prince, than whom there was not a greater, yea not an equal, not being convicted of, nor confessing the crimes objected? That if he deserved to be deposed, he was not to be adjudged, cashiered but by a General Council; That no credit was to be given to the crimes objected against him by professed enemies, whereof the Pope was known to be the principal; That he was yet guiltless as to them, and a good neighbour, who never discerned any infidelity in him in secular matters, or in the Catholic Faith; That they knew be faithfully warred for our Lord Jesus Christ against the Saracens, jeoparding himself both by Land and Sea for his cause; That they found not so much Religion in the Pope, who instead of assisting, promoting, protecting him warring in God's cause, as he ought to do, wickedly endeavoured to confound and supplant him whiles absent; That they could not precipitate themselves into so great dangers to impugn Frederick himself, being so potent, whom so many Kingdoms would assist against them, and whose just cause would afford him assistance; That the Pope cared not for the prodigal effusion of their blood, so as they might satisfy his wrath; That if he should conquer him by them or others, he would tread down all other Princes of the world under his feet; assuming horns of boasting and pride, because he had broken in pieces the great Emperor Frederick himself; That they would send Messengers to him, to inquire diligently, and certify them of the Orthodoxy of his Faith; That if they found nothing in him but what was sound, why should they impugn him? If otherwise, they would persecute both him, yea and the Pope himself if he shall think evil of God, or any other mortal even unto death: whereupon the Nuntioes departed confounded. His satisfactory pious answer to the French Messengers, concerning the Orthodoxy of his Faith, the treacheries of the Pope, and prayer to God to avenge them, 540, 541. He maketh a Truce with the Sultan, recovers the Cities taken from him by the Pope's forces, marched towards Rome against the Pope, who endeavoured not only to depose, but murder him; writes Letters to the King of England, relating the Pope's impious proceedings, Rebellions, Wars raised against, and ingratitude towards him; exhorts him to adhere to, and assist him in this cause, which concerned the Jurisdiction, honour, security of all other Kings, Princes, whose rights he patronised; which Letters much discredited the Pope's authority, and prejudiced the Clergies honour, 541, to 545. His expostulatory Letters to King H. 3. for permitting the Pope's Agents continually to extort vast sums of money out of his Realm, to maintain Wars against him; and suffering his scandalous Bulls to be published in all places to his infamy, against the Law of Nature, Nations, bonds of affinity between them, being his Son-in-law, Brother, Friend, against whom he had declared no War; his cause concerning the Interest, Prerogative of other King's Crowns, and his own; the Pope to his infamy claiming a Lordly Dominion over him as his Vassal: To which he unworthily answered, That he durst not contradict the Pope's will, 546, 547, 548. The Pope to divert his march to Rome, stirs up the Earl of Flanders to invade his Territories, 548. He makes peace with Milan and Bononia, reduceth the Cities near Rome to obedience by his forces and Letters, causeth the Romans and most of the Cardinals to desert the Pope, who desired a General Council to settle a peace between them, which he assented to: The Pope despairing of his cause, consents to a Truce till the Council: His Legate in France persuades him to break it, and bid open defiance to the Emperor, having raised moneys enough to maintain one years' War against him; He summons all the Emperor's enemies to the Council, to depose him; who thereupon by his Letters to the King of England and others, prohibits the Bishops to repair to it, stops all their passages by Land; who upon the Pope's Letters repairing thither with a strong Convoy sent from Jenoa by Sea, three Pope's Nuntioes, above one hundred Archbishops, Bishops, Abbots, and Proxies of Prelates, besides Ambassadors from Cities in Rebellion against the Emperor, and above 4000 Mariners of Jenoa were taken prisoners by the Emperor's Galleys, and some Bishops slain, drowned in the fight, wherein God signally owned his cause against the Pope; his Letters concerning it, 549, to 558. He surpriseth the Pope's new Castle built with the Croysado money, whereupon he died of grief and discontent, 647. The Cardinals desire his release of the imprisoned Cardinals, and licence to elect a New Pope, to which he condescends: Their division, double election; he assents to one, but dislikes the other, being a Roman, and his professed enemy, 647, 648. Cardinal Columna taken prisoner, his Castles demolished for seeming favourable to him, 648. The English Bishops Embassy to him, to remit his indignation against the Church of Rome, though justly provoked; to permit, command the Cardinals to elect a New Pope, after Celestine the 4. his death, Ibid. His answer, That the pertinacious pride, and unsatiable covetousness of the Church of Rome, not he, hindered the proceedings to a New Pope's election; That if he hindered the successes of the Roman and English Church, none might admire, since the one endeavoured by all means to depose him from his Imperial dignity, and the other desisted not to excommunicate, not a little to defame him, and pour forth their money to his detriment, 648, 649. He commanded the disagreeing Cardinals to elect a Pope, to take off the infamy, that he hindered the election; releaseth all the imprisoned Cardinals and Prelates at their request, for the Church's peace; who thereupon became more obstinate, schismatical, and hating each other then before: He thus deluded, besieged Rome and the Romans, as the authors of this schism, to the detriment of the Church and Empire, from which suspicion the Roman Citizens freeing themselves by their Agents, and laying all the blame on the schismatical Cardinals, he by public Proclamation in his Camp commanded all the Cities and possessions of the Church and Cardinals to be depopulated by his Soldiers; which they vigorously pursuing, the Cardinals petitioned him to forbear his indignation and plunder of them, promising faithfully speedily to elect a Pope profitable both to the Church and Empire; they elect Innocent the 4: Pope, 649, 650, 651. This Pope being confirmed, traitorously ratified his former sentence of Excommunication, raised forces against him▪ routs his Army, publicly defamed him, That he never heard divine service nor prayers, (occasioned by his Excommunications, and Prelate's refusal to communicate with him) that he did not worthily reverence Ecclesiastical persons; that he did neither rightly speak nor think of the Catholic Faith; that he lay with Sa●●cen women; that he called Saracens and other Insidels into the Empire, wherein they built fortified Citus: Which calumnies caused many Noble, grave persons to depart from him, and his dejected enemies to life up their heads: After which he caused the Germans to elect another Emperor, the Landgrave, who upon conference sided with him against the Pope; who refused all terms of peace, unless he would sweat absolutely to stand to his-Ecclesiastical censure, which he refused to do, unless he knew before hand the causes and all conditions of it, without restoring the places he had gained, belonging to the Empire of ancient right, 651. The Pope refuseth all sorts of cautions he tendered to him to settle place, to the great rejoicing of Saracens, Turks, and other Pagans, who invaded, spoiled the Christians in all places during their dissensions: Upon which he stops all passages to Rome by Sea and Land, employing his Son Co●rade therein, forced the Pope and Cardinals to fly out of Rome and Italy disguised into France; his jeer against the Pope for this his dishonourable flight, 651, 652, 653. By assistance of the French King, the Pope summoned a General Council, excommunicated, deposed the Emperor afresh, absolves all his Subjects from their allegiance, prohibits any to own or converse with him under pain of Excommunication, in a most insolent manner, notwithstanding all his Ambassadors, Advocates allegations and proffers of satisfaction, 643, to 654, 664, 753. The Bulls, causes of his Excommunication and dethroning, 644, to 660. His notable stout speech after his dethroning by the Pope and Council; He sets his Crown on his head, bids defiance against the Pope; sends notable Letters to the King of England and other Princes, against the pride, insolency, ingratitude of the Pope and Prelates, occasioned by their great endowments, riches, by the bounty of Christian Emperors, Kings, to the impoverishing of their Realms; asseits, it would be an act of charity very acceptable to God, to resume their possessions, riches, which made them cast God behind their backs, choked their Religion, caused them ungratefully to conspire and set themselves against their advancers Heirs; exhorting them to reduce them to their primitive humility, condition, to subtract their great noxious revenues from them, which made them mad, riotous, rebellious, and unlike the Primitive Bishops in the Apostles times, who subdued Emperors, Kings by their piety, holineste, nor by Arms, 660, 661, 662. The great dangers many Princes, Prelates apprehended would ensue by this Emperors deposing, by encouraging Popes (though of mean birth) to trample all Emperors, Kings, Princes, Prelates under feet at their pleasures, and grow intolerably proud, insolent; to boast, we have trampled the very greatest Lord and Emperor Frederick under feet, and who art thou, who rashly believest thou art able to resist us? 662. The Pope exhorts the Cistercians to live and die in his and the Church's quarrel against him, who thereupon inclined to his party, 662, 663. All Christendom troubled with Wars by the hatred, discord between the Pope and him, and the Universal Church every where endangered, 753, 754. The French Nobles adhere to him, detest the pride of the Pope, the Servant of Servants, who rejected all the honest conditions of peace which he offered him, 755. He the greatest of all Christian Princes, who had not his equal; an enemy to Pope Innocent the 4. generally hated in most Kingdoms, 676. Two new Emperors successively set up against him, their forces defeated, one of them slain in battle, the other dies, 753. Appendix 27. He is poisoned by his most intimate Counsellor and Advocate Peter de Vinea, corrupted by Pope Innoccut the 4. his great gifts and promises; his memorable declamation against Pope's ingratitude, insolency, advanced from nothing by his predecessors to so great wealth, power, who thereby endeavoured to exterminate, destroy their advancers and the tottering Empire, 754, 756, 809, 810. The punishment of his poisoner, the Pope's great rejoicing at his misery, death, 754, 755. Frederick King of Naples, his great munificent gifts of Crown Lands, revoked, 319. G. GErmany, Almaign, Pope's pretended Title to it, 391. The Emperor's Oath, power, he cannot alien his Lands or Sovereign power, 316, 317, 318, 319. See Index 14. Emperor, Oath, Frederick, Otho. Seditions, Rebellions raised in it by Popes, against the Emperor, 411, 523, 5●8, 536, 753, 754, 810, 811. Shaken with intestine wars by the Pope, 676, 698, 717. Goths, obey the Greek Church, 491. Granado, Pope's pretended Title to it, 9, 291. Greek Church, subject to the Patriarch of Constantinople; its errors, opposition against, separation from the Church of Rome for its detestable simony, ambition, corruptions; the several Nations, Country's obedient to it, rejecting the Pope's authority; its claim of primacy above the Pope, by St. Peter's first preaching, fixing his See at Antioch, not Rome; G 〈◊〉 us its Patriarch, and Greek Churches opposition against Pope Gregory 9 who grants a Croysado against them, 484, 490, 491, 492, 512, 513, 676, 752. Greek Emperors, 319, 490, 491, 492, 512. Their donations of the Lands of the Empire revoked, 319. H. HAco King of Denmark, Norway and Sweden, his Coronation by the Pope's Legate, gifts to him and the Pope for it, 697. Henry 5. Emperor, Pope Paschal 2. and his Cardinals grant of the right of Investitures to him, by his Bull, Oath; perjuriously revoked soon after, 328. King Henry 1. of England, his Charter of Laws, Liberty's ●ead to the Barons by Archbishop Langeton, who swear to revive, maintain, and fight for it to death in convenient time, 283. Enlarged with divers new additions in King John's Great Charter, 338. He erected, endowed the Bishopric of Carlisle, 376, 377. King Henry 2. of England, his ancient Jurisdiction over Clergymen by prescription, declared void by the Pope, 6, 7. He ejects the Abbess and Nuns of Ambresbury for their Incontinency, and puts others in their places, 228. His contests with Becket, abjuration of the ancient privilege of Investitures, and right of conferring Bishoprics, before the Pope's Legate, 250. Revokes, resumes the Crown Lands, Manors, Castles, granted by King Stephen an Usurper to the Nobles, as void; and the Counties of Northumberland, Cumberland, Westmoreland from the King of Scots, 324. King Henry 3. of England, his Coronation at Gloucester at 9 years old, after his Father's death; his Oath; Homage to the Pope, 369, 370. The Bishops, Nobles, Castellans' Homage, Fealty, and Fidelity to him; he remains in the custody of William Earl of Pembrock, his chief advancer, Ibid. Many Barons revolt from Lewes to him, for breach of his Oath, and detaining their Lands, Casties, 370. He routs Lewes his forces; Articles of agreement between them ratified by Oath, out of which sundry Bishops, Abbots, Clerks were excepted, 371, 372. The Pope's Usurpations on him, by reason of his infancy, necessities, assistance of him against the French and revolted Barons, 369, 372, 1068. His memorable Prohibitions, Writs to restrain the Usurpations, Extortions, exorbitant Encroachments of Popes, Pope's Legates, Delegates, Archbishops, Bishops, and other Agents in England and Ireland, upon the rights of his Crown, the Liberties, Properties, Consciences of his Subjects, Courts, Officers, and redress their grievances: See Prohibitions, Elections, Excommunications, Oaths, Index 14. and Index 3, 4, 5, 6, 10, 12. His Letters to Popes to remove two Bishops of Ely and put another in their place, by reason of their manifold Treasons against his Father, himself, and consequence of the Isle of Ely to the Realm, 374, 922, 1022, to 1026. His gratulatory Letter to a Cardinal, for the Popes and Church of Rome's assistance in delivering him from, protecting, supporting him in his troubles; and craving his assistance to protect the English from the French who had crossed themselves against the Albigenses, 375. To Pope Honorius and his Cardinals, concerning the appropriations settled on the Bishopric of Carlisle, and the Bishop thereof promoted by the Pope's Legate, 375, 376. He constitutes a general Proctor in the Court of Rome for him and his, in all matters for or against them, 377, 378. He writes to the Pope and Cardinals, to order some French Bishops to compel the Earl of March his Son to marry his Sister, according to his Oath, or restore her to him, both which he had refused, 377. The detainers of his Castles upon his complaint excommunicated by the Pope's Legate, till restored, 378, 379, 384, 385. Crowned the second time at Westminster, by the Archbishop of Canterbury, 379. under the Guardianship of the Bishop of Winton, Ibid. Present at Beckets solemn Translation as a Martyr and Saint, 380. Prohibits any to detain the Bishop of London's Lands by gift, sale, mortgage or grant, without the Bishop's consent; and to put the Bishop in possession of them, 380, 381. His Writs, Patents, Procurations, Appeals, contests concerning the election and confirmation of Archbishops, Bishops, Deans, Chapters, Archdeacon's, Clergy, Dimes and Church-affairs of England, Wales, Ireland, Normandy: See Index 3, 4, 5, 6, 10, 12. His appeal to the Pope in case of the Church of Acley, before the Pope's Legate and others, 381. His Patent to the Chief Justice and others in Ireland, to receive and assist the Pope's Legate sent thither, 382. His Writ to sell Victuals and other necessaries to the Jews, notwithstanding the Archbishop's Inhibition, 387. His answer to the Archbishop and Nobles in a Parliament at London, requiring the confirmation of the Great Charter of Liberties and other Customs ratified by Oath, notwithstanding their extortion by violence, 387. His demand of Normandy from Lewes the French King according to his Oath, with his answer thereto, 387, 388. His Prohibition to the Archdeacon's Official to invade his rights and rents; and to the Bishop of durham's Officers, not to hold any Plea, use any Writ, Liberty in right of the Bishopric, not formerly used in time of his ancestors, 388. His Letters of thanks to the Pope and his Legate Gualo, for their former assistance, imploring their Letters to some Bishops, Nobles, whose activity or fidelity he suspected, to assist, adhere to him in his affairs; gain restitution of his Castles, Lands detained by the Spiritual Sword; to lay aside all prejudice against him and his Chief Justice, with his recommendation of some of their Loyalties, 389, 390. The Pope's Letters adjudging him of full age, able to govern the Realm by advice of his Council, requiring all Nobles, Soldiers, others to restore his Castles, Honours, Lands in their custodies in England and Ireland, and compel the refusers to it by Ecclesiastical censures; which most refusing to do, the Archbishop and his Suffragans excommunicated them; whereupon the Earl of Chester, and all others by his example, restored them to him, 391, 392, 397. His and his Parliaments, Bishops proceedings against Falcatius de Brent, for seizing and close imprisoning one of his Justice's Itinerant in Bedford Castle, and holding it by force against him, till taken by siege, 392. His Letter to the Pope for Simon Langetons' return into England, upon the Archbishop's security that his return should not be hurtful to him or his Realm, 392. The Pope's Letters to him concerning a Truce with France, 292, 442, 446. His royal assent to a Bishop's election; Writ concerning a certificate of Bastardy in Ireland, and against an Appeal to the Pope therein, 393, 394. His obtaining licence from the Pope and Archbishops to hold Pleas and Juries in Advent and other prohibited times in certain causes, 393, 407. His Patents constituting several general and special Proctors in the Courts of Rome, France, and elsewhere, for his affairs there with the Pope, Cardinals, French King, and others, 395, 432, 446, 452, 453, 454, 455, 483, 497, 558, 561, 578, 589, 590, 634, 637, 667, 672, 735, 785, 807, 808, 835, 857, 858, 859, 864, to 873, 913, to 922, 942, to 948, 957, to 962, 367, 968, 983, 984, 985, 986, to 990. 1002, 1006, 1011, 1020, 1030, to 1034, 1062. His Pensions, gifts to Cardinals, others, for expediting his affairs there: Popes Letters to him for their continuance, 395, 432, 496, 509, 756, 785, 855, 974, 975, 977, 991. Pope's Bulls for his Messengers free passage to him through the King of Franc●s tertitories, notwithstanding their differences, 396, 408. His Letters, to Popes, their Bulls for aids, Disms, Collections for him from the Prelate's Clergy of England and Ireland, for public defence; necessary supplies; voyages to the holy Land; with the Prelates, Churches, Nobles answers, oppositions against them, disposing the moneys only as the Pope and his Legates appointed, 396, 406, 422, 490, 500, 609, 610, 732, 733, 768, to 776, 814, to 817. 821, 822, 862, to 973, 922, 923, 9●4, 1006, 1007, 1008, 1033, 1034, to 1098, 1048. His Inquisition concerning the Liberties of the Bishop of Ely, 398. He refuseth to hear or answer the Pope's Letters, demands by Otto his Nuncio, but in a Parliament of the Clergy and Nobles, with his and their answer thereto, 398, to 403. He refuseth to restore Falcatius to his favour and lands at the Legates motion, being condemned by the Clergy and Nobles in Parliament, 398. His Writ to the Archbishops, Bishops of Ireland, to attempt nothing to the prejudice of his Crown, 402. Pope Honorius Letters to the Earl of March, Geoffry de Lizimaco, and others, to restore his Sister, Castles, and return to their allegiance to him according to their Oath, under pain of Excommunication, 384, 385. 402, 403. He refuseth to go into France by advice of his Nobles to recover his rights against the French King, while crossed, employed in the Pope's wars against the Earl of Tholouse and Albigenses, upon his inhibition to him, 404. His contest with the Monks of Durham about their Bishop's election, 405, 406. He extorts a fifteenth from the Prelates, Clergy of England and Ireland by the Pope's assistance and censures, without appeal or relief, 406, 407. The Emperor's notable Epistle to him for suffering the Pope's scandalous Excommunication of him, and absolution of his Subjects from their allegiance, to be published openly in England, to subject him and the Empire to the See of Rome, and make them his Vassals, Tributaries, as he did King John his father and England; and timely to look to the Pope's avarice, iniquity, ambition, since his dangerous precedent concerned him and all other Christian Kings, 414, 415. His particular Letter thereupon to the Pope; that the only peace of Kings and kingdoms consisted in his and the Church's safety; that he exhorted the Emperor by no man's rash advice to recede from the devotion due to him and the Church, but humbly to obey and submit to him; that he would and was obliged to him as to his Father and Lord, whom he would assist in the fullness of all fidelity and obsequiousness; advising him to a reconciliation with the Emperor upon due submission, for the relief of the holy Land, hindered by their quarrels, 415, 416 The contest between him and the Monks of Canterbury about the Archbishop's election, his disallowing their choice; and his Proctors promise of a Disme to the Pope in England and Ireland to subdue the Emperor, upon condition to null their election, and make Richard Archbishop, whom he recommended to him; which he did accordingly: Making an Archbishop hereupon by provision, without any election, (though at the Kings and Suffragans request) which introduced all subsequent provisions by Popes to other Bishoprics in England and Ireland, 418, 419, 420, 778, 779. His grant of the Custody of all Archbishoprics & Bishoprics in Ireland to satisfy debts. His Patent to all Abbots, Priors, Nobles and other Lay-Subjects in Ireland to pay Tithes of Ponds and Fishings to the parishes wherein they were, without expecting any Writ or Mandate, because he would not have those Tithes detained to the peril of his soul, 424. His Cowardice to oppose, and forwardness to promote a Disme for the Pope, through England, Wales, Ireland, (which most of the Nobles, Clergy denied) to wage war against the Emperor to depose him, according to his promise upon nulling the Archbishop's election: the Pope's agents insolency, Tyranny thereupon, 425, 426, 427. He exacts an aid from the Clergy to recover his rights beyond Sea, 428. Complains to the Pope against the endeavours of the Archbishops and Bishops of Ireland, to deprive him of his ancient Right of the Custody of Bishoprics there during their vacancy, and suits in his Courts by his Bulls, which he requests him not to grant to the hurt of his rights and authority, 428. He denied to grant a pension to one of the Pope's creatures at his request, by reason of his penury and want of money, 428, 429. The Archbishop and some other Prelates refuse to grant him an aid of escuage in Parliament, which all else assented to, 429. His offence against the Pope for nulling the due election of his Chancellor to Canterbury by all the Monks, after his restitution of the Temporalties, without any cause, and ordering a new election by his Bull; his prohibition and appeal against it, as contrary to his prerogative, 431, 432. The Monks refuse to elect any Archbishop without the King's special licence: whereupon the Pope sent a Pall to Edmund, & made him Archbishop without their previous consent, or the King's licence, vacating 3. elections one after another approved by the King, 433, 434. The insurrection against the Romans by Pope's provisions, and spoiling of their Barns, goods, throughout England; with the Kings and Prelates severe proceedings against them, and those who countenanced them, upon the Pope's Letters, 434, to 439. His severe proceedings against Hubert de Burgo Earl of Kent, his Chief Justice, and faithful Counsellor, for conniving at the plunderers of the Romans and other pretences, taking him per force out of Sanctuaries, to which he was constrained to restore him by the Bishop's excommunications, interdicts against the actors and assisters therein, 438, 439. He commanded the Bishop of Carlisle and his goods to be stayed by his Officers at Dover, departing the realm against his licence, for which they were excommunicated by his insolent Bishops in the midst of his Army at Hereford; though he murmured against and prohibited the excommunication, 439. He erects an house for the Convert Jews in London, and an Hospital, 442, 476. He resolves the wife of a Convert Jew, who refused to turn Christian with her Husband, should have no dower of his houses, 442. His prohibition to Bishops to act any thing in their Convocation contrary to his Crown, person, State, under pain of forfeiting their Baronies, 443. His contest with, reprehension by the Archbishop elect, and Bishops in Parliament, advising him to banish his Foreign ill Counsellors, reform his practices, whereby his Father lost Normandy, his Subjects hearts, almost all his Treasure, kingdom, and Crown of England; the Realm troubled, interdicted and the Prince of Provinces made Tributary to ignoble persons; threatening to excommunicate him and all other contradictors in a short time if he corrected not his errors; whereupon he humbly craved time to alter his council, and take account of his Treasure, till he could remove them: and sends to the Earl Marshal and Prince of Wales for a reconciliation with them, 443, 444, 445. His Writ for imprisoning and banishing all whores and Priests concubines out of Oxford, upon their Oath never to return again or keep company with them, 445, 446. Clerk's livings sequestered for his debt, 446. His contract of marriage between the Emperor Frederick and his Sister Isabel; and submission of himself and his Successors therein to the Jurisdiction & Censure of the Pope and Church of Rome, (who promoted the match) notwithstanding any exception of the Court, or Royal dignity, if he failed of paying her portion on the days prescribed. The instruments, Letters concerning it, 450, to 455. His proxy to the Pope to confirm his contract of marriage, 454, 455. His Remonstrance to the Pope of the Treachery of the Earl of Britain in revolting from him, and delivering up his Castles in G●scoigne to the French King, against his Homage, Fealty, and express Oath, desiring him by Ecclesiastical censures to compel him to reparations, 455, 456. His Letters signifying his consent to permit the Bishop of ●riaton to return into England at the Pope's request on his behalf, 457. His reprehensory Letter to the Chief Justice of Ireland for not executing his Letters sent to him, and to prohibit a Legates coming into Ireland from the Pope without his licence, 458. His Letters to the Pope on behalf of the Abbot Elect of St. Alban, the Pope thereby enforced on him a new Oath of Fealty; his Letters slighted at Rome without great gifts and bribes, 462, 463, 465. The Pope's Usurers harboured and maintained in London under him, their execrable bonds and penalties, 667, 668, 669. Append. 25, 26. He repeals his grant, made before his marriage, because not made with assent of the Pope or his Legates, without which he pretended he had no power to make any grant of his Lands, as if he were not King, but the Pope, subjecting himself to his sentence, and Excommunications, 470, 504, 505. Pope Gr●gory the 9 his Bull sharply reprehending him for alienating the Crown-lands, to the prejudice of the See Apostolic as Lord thereof, and ordering him to resume them, notwithstanding his grants, and Oath, 504, 505. His Parliament at Merton, Law, Nobles resolution in case of Bastardy contrary to the Pope's Canons, and Writs to the Chief Justice of Ireland concerning it, and other affairs, 471, to 476. His Patent not to draw an Escuage granted him by the Clergy into consequence, 475 His Writ for a resting and imprisoning all Heretics of what sort soever till his further order, 475. His Patent to poll all Clerks of his household who wore long hair, 479. His Writ prohibiting Monks to buy and sell wool, skins, or other Merchandise, under pain of forfeiting the goods and money, 480. His Writ to the Chief Justice of Ireland to do speedy Justice between two ●ishops, according to the Law and Custom of Ireland, notwithstanding any former Letters; To receive the Archbishop of Rhoans Oath of Fealty by his Proctor, and restore his temporalties, 482, 483. The deplorable sad slavish condition of the Church, Realm of England under him by the Simony, provisions, extortions, rapines, depredations, excommunications, usurpations of ambitious, avaricious Popes and their instruments, 484, 506, 507, 546, 566, 567, 570, 571, 572, 573, 574, 605, 606, 607, 608, 615, to 618, 663, to 684, 690, to 699, 717, 718, 750, 777, 824, 825, 841, to 850. 868, to 872. 918. to 935, 953, 959, 960, 963, 664, 1020, 1024, 1069, 1070. Appendix 26, to 29. He sends for Otto the Pope's Legate into England, to the Nobles, Prelates, Clergies great discontent: Concludes a Peace with the King of Scots in a Parliament at York, 485, 486. He sends his Proctors to the Councils held at Panls by the Pope's Legate, and at Oxford, not to act or attempt any thing against his Crown and Dignity, 487, 578, 807. His Writs, severe proceedings against the Oxford Scholars, for assaulting the Legate at Osney Abbey, 494, 496, 558. He disposed not of the Taxes granted, levied but by the Legates advice, 496. Opposed, deserted by most of the Nobles, because swayed by the Pope's Legate: who came with horse and arms to the Parliament; admonished him of his errors; whereupon he swears to submit to their provisions, by an instrument sealed with his and the Legates Seal, 497, 498. His Speeech against Simon Monteforts marriage, notwithstanding the Pope's confirmation thereof, 500 He oppresseth the Church, Monks, Prior of Winton about the Bishop's election, 502, 580, to 595. He so far displeased Pope Gregory the 9 for sending aid of men and money to the Emperor Frederick his brother-in-law, and desiring him to deal more mildly with him, that he suspended all Englishmen businesses for a time, 502, 503. He stays Otho in England, after the Pope's Letters to recall him, sends Messengers, Letters to the Pope for that end, skipped for joy that he obtained his request therein, 505. which he soon reputes of, by reason of his ●apines and impudent demands, 508, 509. He takes away his Seal from his faithful, discreet Chancellor, about an election, which he after reputes of, he refused to re-accept it, 510. The Bishop of London and Canons of Paul's by excommunicating the Mayor and interdicting the City, enforce him to release one of their Canons, imprisoned by his command in the Tower in chain●, 512. The Emperor Frederick his Letters to him and Earl Richard against Pope Gregory's unjust Excommunication and Defamations published by his Legare in England, against the Laws of God, and Justice, with his recriminations of him to the Archbishop of Conterbury to be every where published to his infamy; with the Emperor's reply: whose execrable Papal actions to the destruction of the world, trampling justice under feet, stirring up rebellions against him, and attempts to deprive him of his life, Empire, he sadly recommends to King Henry's consideration, as highly concerned in it, 527, to 545. His eyes are opened to see the Pope's extortions, he prohibits his Usurers to stay in England, who for money continued there notwithstanding, 546. The Emperor's sharp Letters to him for suffering the Pope's agents wittingly and willingly in his hearing to publish scandalous Letters, Excommunications, and extort moneys by Taxes, rapines against him throughout his Dominions, to his great infamy, injury, prejudice, for foolishly obeying his Capital enemy, thirsting after his honour, blood, against the Laws of consanguinity, God, Nature, in this business which concerned his own and all other King's persons, crowns, safety, as much as his: That it was all one to fight against him with monies, as with arms; That the Pope to his own infamy gloried in nothing so much, as that he had the power of a L●●ge Lord over him; That his insatiable ambition determined to subject all Christian kingdoms, and the Emperor most of all to his Dominion, taking an example from the Crown of England trodden under foot: He expected an answer therein, that he might certainly know whom to trust, or bewa●e of: who returned this unkingly answer; He neither would, nor durst contradict the Pope's will, & wondered his Sister was not yet solemnly Crowned Empress, 546, 547, 548, 555: His Letters to him concerning the taking of Faventia, and the Pope's Legates, Prelates, going by Sea to the Council against his advice, 555, 556. His prohibition against the Pope's Legates provision to a Praebendary in his Free Chapel, 557, 775. His Consent to a provision to the Bishopric of Landaffe, and revocation of his grant of the temporalties thereof, 558, 559. His Patents to the Chief Justice of Ireland to assist the Cardinal's agent to collect their Procurations and Dimes there, 559, 560. His Prohibition to build a Church and houses for Canons at Maydeston, 561. To the Legate not to exact the 5th part, or other Taxes from his Clerks, 561, 562. To the Prior of Rupe, not to collect a Disme from the Monks of Clunie in England, granted by the Pope without his assent, against the right of his Crown, nor any other Tax; till he advised with his Prelates and Nobles in Parliament, 562. His sharp answer to the Abbots who complained against Peter Rubeus the Pope's Agen● his intolerable Tax upon them for their Baronies held of him, instead of assisting them, to their great discouragement, 567, 573, 574. The Clergy of Perkshire oppose it, amongst other reasons, that they ought not to contribute against the Emperor as an heretic, being neither condemned nor convicted by the Judgement of the Church, though excommunicated, 568. He feasted, placed the Pope's Legate in his Royal Throne at dinner, Knighted and gave his Nephew a pension at his departure from England, after 3. years irreparable damage to the Church by his stay here, not leaving so much money in England as he extorted, 570. His Writs to inquire of the number, values of all Benefices and provisions to foreigners in England, by what Popes, Legates, and to whom granted; what moneys had been collected for the Pope, what was arrear in every Diocese, 572, 573. His Writs to apprehend Apostate Monks, and remove dead corpse from one Monastery to another, according to the parties will, 575. His Patents for Archbishops & Bishop's executors to execute their wills and administer their goods on the Temporalties, 576, 636. His Writs reciting that God had constituted him, by reason of his Government as King, Defender of the Church, which he by God's grace would and ought to defend; to remove all violences, injuries in Churches by whatsoever persons or occasion they were committed, and reasonably to punish them with Justice; That therefore it was fit his Bishops, who by reason of their Baronies are bound by Oath to conserve the King's temporal honours and dignities; should by a grateful requital preserve the rights and liberties of the Regal Dignity, 576, 671, 688, 689, 1016. His Writs for making public prayers for the prosperity of himself, his Queen, and Military expedition, 577. His prohibition of any Novelties, or new Ecclesiastical encroachments, to disturbance of the Clergy and Realm, 578, 579, 600. He employs the prosits and provisions of the Archbishopric of Canterbury during the vacancy, to supply his forces in France, 579. His endeavours to procure Boniface, his Queen's Uncle, a Foreigner and unfit person, Archbishop of Canterbury, which he effected, the Pope and he favouring, promoting one another designs: His Letters to the Pope and Cardinals on B●●i●ace his behalf, 579, 580, 581. His Writ to the Mayor of Winton not to permit the Bishop whose election he opposed, or any of his Officers to come within the City, to the Sheriff of the County and others not to receive, lodge, or give him or his Officers victuals within the County: the Bishop's Excommunication of them thereupon, he forced to quit the Realm; 584, 585, to 592. Pope Innocent 4. his sharp Letter reprehending him for writing to him; that no postulation of a Bishop from the Pope o● other aught to be admitted in the Realm of England against his will; That he had the same power in temporal as the Pope had in Spiritual things; That no Bishop ought to receive possrssion of his Temporalties without his assent; That he held the Pope's translation of the Bishop of Norwich to Winton invalid, as done by the vice of surreption; which sounded not to the honour of God, nor of the Church, not of his own sublimity; especially, since the pious credulity of all Christians held, That the Apostolical See by the providence of God had a free power in all Churches, neither was it bound to stand to the arbitrement of Princes that their assent should be required in the businesses of elections or postulations of Bishops; Admonishing him to restore the Temporalties to the Bishop he had confirmed against the Kings will; else, since he desired not the Liberties of the Church to be diminished in his days, but to be increased, through God's favour, he could by no means endure, that himself should suffer so prejudicial an injury in this Bishop; who gave this Pope 8000 Marks, without abating one penny for this Bishopric, 592, 593. The Bishop of Wintons' proposals to him for the preservation of his ancient prerogative concerning the election, postulation, and confirming of Bishops, to continue in full vigour, to release the interdict against the City of Winton, and absolve the Citizens of Winton, with all others he had excommunicated in the quarrel between them; their accord and reconciliation, 563, 594, 595. The Contest between him and Grosthead Bishop of Lincoln, about a provision and the Church of Thame, 595, 596. He claims an interest in the Church of Lincoln, and in the Controversy between the Bishop, Dean and Chapter, by their Charters produced, 597. His Writ not to permit the Monks of Bardeny to be tak●n and imprisoned upon an excommunication unduly awarded against them, and to take their impropriations as well as other Lay-fees into Custody during the vacancy, 599, 600. His summons to the Bishop of Aquis, to answer his imprisoning of 3. and killing one of the Citizens in a hostile manner, to his enormous disgrace as King, and prejudice of his dignity; his order therein, no more to infest them, 600, 601. His Licence to the Abbot of the Cistercians to send one or two Monks of his order to visit the Cistercians in England. His Writs to provide livings for his Clerks of the Chancery, 601. His Writs not to suffer female heirs in Capite, especially such as hold Castles, to marry without his royal assent, and to require pledges of them for that purpose: And against Archdeacon's demanding annual procurations, 612. He extorts Escuage: Demands the price of one years' wool from the Cistercians, who opposing it, are thereupon prohibited to meet at their Chapter, or to transport their wool that year, and abused by the King's Officers, especially on the Sea, 603, 604. The Nobles assemble and petition to him against Martin's the Pope's agents intolerable grievances and provisions of benefices to Italians, and other Foreigners, which they should rather die then any longer tolerate, 606, 607. His notable Letters to Pope Gregory 9 and Innocent 4. against their provisions to Churches, to the great grievance, oppression of him and his kingdom, and of the rights, Liberties of the Crown, and to redress this Innovation; which yet neither of them refrained, following their own unbrideled wills; whence men believed, that the ●o●d and his Apostle Peter (whose fo●steps they did not follow) were not unworthily provoked against the Church of Rome, who bent th● how, and prepared against it, 607, 608. The Pope exemots David Prince of No●thwales from his allegiance and Oath to him for 500 Marks a year out of it and its appurtenances; who fled to the Pope's wings for shelter, protection in his rebellion against the King of England, whose Vassal he was, 608, 609. His Nobles in Parliament refuse to grant him an Aid against the Scots: Pope Innocent 4. his Letter to the Prelates and Clergy to grant him an Aid; wherein he extols him for a Catholic Prince, and devout son of the Church of Rome, always so studying to reverence his mother with filial subsection and obsequiousness, that he would by no means decline from its good pleasures, but perform with all ready diligence what things he knew grateful and pleasing to her. Wherefore it was both condecent and condign for him and them if they more easily granted his requests, and gave him an aid for his present great arduous affairs; Which yet the Bishops, Abbots jointly and severally denied, postponing the Popes as well as King's petition, 609, 610. The Pope's New Bull and martin's Demand of an Aid for the Pope: which the Bishops, Nobles jointly opposed, and the Emperor's Ambassadors; who advised the King justly and potently to sree the Realm of England from the Tribute wherein Pope Innocent the 3. bade unjustly obliged it, and all other Papal grievances wherewith it was daily oppressed: which if he refused to do; the Emperor would grievously panish every of his he could fiade within his Dominions, 61●, 612, 613. His breach of the Great Char●r, notwithstanding his Oath to observe ●●, and public Excommunication by St. Edmond Archbishop of C●n●●●u●y against all infringers of it. The Nobles pio●osi●●ns to prevent it, by having the power to elect his Counsellors, Chancellor, Chief Justice, and o▪ their Officers, to publish a New excommunication against all infringers of it, and enter into a New Oath to observe it, upon concestion whereof they would grant him an Aid, 610, 611. He condescends that the Bishops in every Diocese should publish a sentence of excommunication against him, and all who went against the great Charter of Liberties in any Article. They grant him an Aid to marry his daughter, 20 s. out of every Knights fee held in Capite, and repeating what aids they had granted him, and how much monies he had extorted from them from time to time, 613, 614. His prohibition to all Bishops, Abbots, others who field Baronies of him in Capite, to oblige their Layfee to the Church of Rome, whereby he might be deprived of his due service, 614. His Prohibition to Martin the Pope's Legate, declaring, that no Pope's Legate ought to come into the Realm, unless specially requested by him from the See Apostolic; That the Legates so requested did never pervert the Pope's Mandate, nor endeavour to subvert the rights of the King and his Great Noble,▪ of which nature Bishops and Abbots were justly reputed, who held Baromes of him like other Nobles, whom he needed to protect as well as Laymen, if he would preserve his Realm; who were reacy to mutiny against him by reason of his provisions to their livings, which neither he nor they could or would any longer patiently endure, to the subversion of the Realm; threatening to put a bridle to this his insolence, injury, and to complain thereof to the Pope and Cardinals, if he carried not himself more modestly, without entrenching upon his or his Nobles rights, who proceeded notwithstanding, 615, 616. His Writs to inquire in all Counties the annual sum of the Romans, Italians rends, wherewith the Court of Rome had fraudulently, violently enriched them in England; found to amount to 60000 marks in rents, besides other profits; to the 3. part of which all the Kings standing revenue amounted not, 616, 617, 620. His Writs to all Ports to intercept all Pope's Letters, Bulls to levy monies, brought by Clergymen, Monks, or other of what degree soever, whethee aliens or denizens, and imprison the importers, 617. To prohibit all Taxes to the Pope in England or Ireland, 618. His Speech and malediction to Martin, desiring of his shelter against the Nobles fury, who threatened to hew him in pieces; and safe conduct to him in his timorous flight out of England, 619, 620. The Pope grinds his teeth at him, for that he would not accept of his coming into England, when the Kings of Arragon and France s●●bad him entrance into their Realms, and so reproachfully cast out his Nuncio and Clerk out of England with an execration, wishing the Devil to carry him to hell, saying in a great rage with a murmuring voice, rolling his eyes, and shriveling his nose; It is expedient for us to compound with the Emperor, that we may break in pieces these rebellious Petty Kings; for the Dragon being qualified or pacified, the Little Serpents will quickly ●● trodden under foot: which Speech divulged, engendered grand offence and indignation in the hearts of many, 620. Alexander King of Scots his Charter of Peace and Fealty to him, ratified by his and his Nobles Oaths and subjection of him and his heirs to the Pope's Jurisdiction, censures in case he violated it, to compel him to satisfaction, 620, 621. He commands the Bishop of Worcester to excommunicate David Prince of North-wales his Vassal, & interdict it, for breach of his Charter, Homage, Fealty, Oath by his rebellions, according to his submission by his Charter: who by bribes procured an absolution from them all of Pope janocent the 4. who injuriously usurped his Land, to hold it under the yearly Tribute of 500 marks. He is summoned to appear before the Pope concerning the Contents of Prince David's Charter, and answer certain injuries done by him, as he said, to David. His and his Nobles indignation, detestation of this avarice of the Pope: They persuade him not to regard these injurious Papal mandates, and invade Wales, to repress this new insolence of ingrateful David; He wastes Wales with fire and sword, which the Pope winks at, and passeth over in silence, 621, 622, 623, 624. His oppositions, contests against the elections of the Bishops of London, Durbam, Coventry, together with a Writ to the Mayor of Cicester, not to permit the Bishop elect or any of his- to enter the City gates: his seizing, detaining the temporalties of Bps. elected against his will, 623, to 628, 637. His Writs, care to preserve his royal Jurisdiction & rights of his Crown against the Usurpations of the Bishops in Ireland, 628. His Writs to inquire what lands, tenements, rents Archbishops, Bishops, Priors, aliens, or any Normans had in England, 630, 631. The Councils and Parliaments held under him: See Councils, Parliaments: He dispenseth with the Bishop of durham's attendance in Parliament by reason of danger from the Scots, 632. His Liberties granted to the Abbey of Westminster, 632. His Patent that no Freer Minor should be a Bishop in Ireland, 632, 633. His Writs prohibiting any aid to the Archbishop or Pope without his assent, 634. His Licence for a Pope's Legate to go into Ireland only to absolve such who laid violent hands on Clerks, and collect Dimes, without exercising any other Jurisdiction, till his further order, 634. His Writ to his Chief Justice in Ireland to proceed to give judgement in an Assize, notwithstanding any menaced excommunication, and attach, imprison Bishops and others for holding plea of Layfee in the Ecclesiastical Court, to the prejudice of his Crown and dignity, 635. His Licenses to Bishops to make wills, and their executors to execute them, without him or his heirs interruption, 636. He sends Proctors to the Pope to complain of, redresle the injuries done to him, for creating divers Bishops without his assent; for nulling due elections confirmed by him, upon false, forged, frivolous malicious pretences, against his ancient and approved right used in former ages; to the great detriment of the Church and Realm, 637. His Letters to the Pope to excuse some of his Bishops and Abbots summoned to the Council of Lions from appearing in it, by reason of age, sickness, poverty, their employments in the Custody of the Realm, and other public services; with his answer, assent thereto, except only to one of them, 638. He sends solemn Ambassadors to the Council of Lions to complain of the daily grievances done to the Realm of England by the Court of Rome, and against the Tribute, Charter extorted from K. John in time of War, to which the Nobles never assented, nor would assent, and which the Archbishop protested against; and to present the Nobles Letters against Papal grievances and extortions: their proceedings therein, 299, 638, 639, 644, 645, 646, 647, 663. His Writs to all his Bishops, Abbots of England and Ireland resorting to this Council, according to their Oaths to defend the rights and royal dignity of the King in all things, to use all fidelety and diligence therein to preserve, defend the rights of his Crown, kingdom; and not to act or assent to any thing contrary or prejudicial thereunto, 640, 641. He denies Pope Innocent the 4. his request to come into England, wherein he had a special right, by reason of the prejudice that would arise to it, and infamy of the Pope's Court, whose stink ascended to heaven, 654. The Emperor's notable Letter to him against the ingratitude, pride, insolency, treachery of Popes, Prelates, Clerks, against Emperors, Kings, others, from whom they received their endowments; oppressing the Sons of their Donors, by whose alms they were fatted, enriched; forgetting their native condition, being the Sons of their poor Subjects, yet neither reverencing, fearing Emperor or King, when made Popes or Prelates: The injustice, tyranny of Pope Innocent 4. in denouncing a sentence of Excommunication and deprivation against him, without any ciration, hearing, conviction of any fraud or pravity, to the enormous prejudice of all Kings, who might justly expect the like proceedings, if he a Christian Emperor, lawfully, unanimously elected, approved by the Church, whiles the Clergy flourished in Faith and Religion, owned Emperor by God, and magnificently governing other Kingdoms, was thus dethroned, who had nought to do with him in temporal matters, if peccant in them: That he was not the first, neither should he be the last who was thus infested by the abuse of Papal authority; since their ambition sought to swallow down Jordan and all earthly powers, though the turpitude of the Court of Rome was such, as all might execrate, and honesty, shame prohibited to recite: That their plentiful rents, revenues wherewith they were enriched, to the impoverishing of most Realms, made them mad: That the more they received, the more they coveted; ensnaring, dethroning their Pations, advancers: That he intended to reduce all Clerks, especially the greatest, to their primitive humility, state, condition in the Apostles age, when they were famous for piety, miracles, conquering Kings, Princes by their Apostolical lives, humility, sanctity, not a●mes: That those now being addicted to the world, drunken with delights, cast God behind their backs, all their Religion being suffocated by the affluence of riches and wealth: That it was a work of charity for him and all Christian Kings to subtract their hurtful riches, wherewith they were damnably burdened; and that they should serve God in doing it, exhorting him to join therein, 661, 662. His extraordinary anger against the English Bishops, for setting their hands and seals out of effeminate fear, to the transcript of King John's detestable Charter burnt at Lions, at the Pope's command, after his and the Nobles protestation against it therein, and resolution never to pay, or suffer the Tribute therein mentioned to be paid: His Oath after the Nobles protestation▪ Th●● although the Bishops were dishonestly incurvated, yet he would firm'y stand for the liberty of the Realm, neither would he whiles he lived pay the church of Rome the annual reat under the name of Tribute, 300, 663. The Pope's secret rancour, and great anger against him and the Realm, for daring to bewail or mutter against his manifold injuries; his vaunting speeches, That if he could tame Frederick, he would easily tread under feet the insolent pride of the English, who complained of the oppressions of the Roman Court, especially of the Tribute, in the Council: instigating the King of France in a secret conference at Glungy, to wage War upon the King of England for so great an injury, till he had disiaherited, or so enormously bu●t him, that he should wholly submit to the will of the Roman Court, volens ●olens; which he refused, because he was King Henry's Kinsman and their Queen's Sisters; because he had no manifest right to the Crown of England; because there was a Truce between him and the King of England, which he would rather Prolong, that so he might relieve the Holy Land; because much Christian blood would be shed, before the Realm of England would yield to France; because the Christians in the Holy Land were now oppressed, besieged by the Pagans, who expected his relief; and because he had a stronger and more hurtful enemy to the Church of Rome to be first conquered, to wit Frederick, 663, 664. His privilege, that no Legate should come into his Realm unless requested; fraudulently abused by the Pope's sending certain sophistical Legates, having greater power to excort rents, money, and were more insolent than Legates in all things, although they had not the ensigns of Legates, being Clerks, or Freers Minors, or Preachers, who made them his Beadles and Tax-masters, to the scandal and detriment of their Order, 664, 690, 691, 692. He summons a Parliament at London, by reason of the Pope's indignation against him and all his Nobles, oppressing them with many daily intolerable grievances, and divers new devices to extort moneys more than before; their complaints against his grievances, which they could no longer tolerate without the brand of sluggishness and imminent ruin, being done in contempt and spite; his Papal indignation so swelling against the miserable English, for that they durst complain against their daily injaries and oppressions in the Council; which he so multiplied without intermission, that the English were more vile in his eyes, Court then any other even of the remotest Nations: Insolently saying; It is expediens for us to compound with the Emperor Frederick, that we may trample the little King of England, our Vassal, under feet, who now kicks with the beel against us, 664, 665. The King, Archbishops, Bishops, Abbots, and Nobles, draw up 7. Articles in Parliament against the Pope's grievances and oppressions: 1. In extorting, collecting several sums of money by general Taxes and Assesses, without the King's assent or consent, against the ancient Customs, Liberties, and Rights of the Realm, and against the Appeal and contradiction of the Proctors of the King and Kingdom, made in a General Council. 2. In hindering Patrons to present their Clerks to vacant Livings, and bestowing them by Prouisoes on other Roman Clerks, utterly ignorant of the English tongue, to the peril of the people's souls, and impoverishing of the Realm beyond measure, by transporting money out of it. 3 In granting pensions out of Livings by Provision, and more Provisions of Benefices than he promised after his Bull against them. 4. That one Italian succeeded another. 5. That Subjects causes were drawn out of the Realm by the Pope's authority, against the Custom of the Realm, against the written Laws, that men ought not to be condemned amongst their enemies; and against Indulgences granted by his predecessors to the Kings and Realm of England. 6. The frequent mention of that infamous word Nonobstante in his Bulls, by which the Religion of an Oath, ancient customs, vigour of writings, the established authority of Charters Laws, Privileges were debilitated, vanished away and his not carrying himself courteously towards the Realm, in revoking the plenitude of his power as he promised. 7. That in the Benefices of Italians, neither their rights, nor sustentation of the poor, nor hospitality, nor preaching of God's word, nor the useful ornaments of the Churches, nor cure of souls, nor divine services in the Churches, were performed as they ought to be, and according to the custom: of the Country; That their houses, walls fell down together with their roofs, and were dilapidated. To which other complaints to the King and Parliament against the Court of Rome were superadded, which they sent to the Pope by their respective Messengers, with five several Letters; two from the King to the Pope and his Cardinals; a third from all the Archbishops, Bishops; a 4th. from all the Abbots, Prior●; the 5th. from all the Earls and Temporal Lords, speedily to reform all these their grievances, to prevent unavoidable mischiefs to the King, Pope and Church of Rome, and their revolt from subjection to them, 666, to 672. They complained, the Pope demanded Knight-service, due only to the King, Lords from their Tenants, from Prelates, Clergymen, to find him so many Horse or Foot for half a year, or pay a great ransom in lieu of it, under pain of Excommunication▪ which they must reveal to no man: That he granted one years' fruits of all Benefices that fell void within the Province of Canterbury to Archbishop Boniface: That he by sealed Bulls required the Abbots of the Cistercian Order in England, to send him golden Jewels to adorn his Planets and Copes, as if they might be got for nothing: That he published this new unheard of Statute in England, not without the brand of covetousness, That if any Clerk should from thenceforth die intestate, his goods should be converted to the use of the Pope; which he commanded the Freers Preachers and Minors diligently to execute, seizing on the money, plate, and goods of three rich Archdeacon's; which the King hearing of, prohibited, detesting the multiplied and manifold cunning avarice of the Court of Rome; and by the common advice of his Prelates and Nobles in Parliament, issued several successive Prohibitions to the Abbot of St. Alban and others, not to pay any Tallage to the Pope or his Agents, before the return of their Messengers sent to Rome against these grievances, under pain of seizing his Barony; and to the Bishops not to exact or levy any such Tax for any Clerk, Religious person, or Layman, to the prejudice of his Royal dignity, against his and his Nobles Provisions in Parliament, which he neither would nor could endure, 671, 672, 673, 674. The Pope placing his confidence in gold and silver, contemned the zealous Letters and memorable complaints of the King and whole Kingdom against his exactions, requiring the Bishop of Norwich and others to levy a subsidy for him, at which all were amazed, they receiving such a new grievance instead of the relief expected; the King's wrath and indignation thereat, and new memorable Prohibitions against it; the English Church thereby ground as it were between two Millstones, and placed between Sylla and Carybdis; the King by the general advice and assistance of his Nobles endeavouring the salvation and instauration of the Realm on the one side, and the Pope endeavouring its impoverishing on the other: Many Prelates fearing the instability and effeminacy of the King, and his Counsils resolutions, fomented the Papal part, though they never had seen that the Church received any happy increase, but rather incurred unhappy detriment by such effusions of their money, 673, 674. He summons a new Parliament at winton, concerning the manifold dissolutions of the whole Realm, and especially of the Church; wherein the Messengers sent to the Court of Rome reported, That they could discern no humility nor moderation in the Pope's gestures or words, concerning the oppressions wherein the Realm, Church of England were grieved and complained: That when they expected a pleasing answer, the Pope told them, The King of England who now kicks the heel and Frederizeth, hath his Council, and I have mine, which I will pursue: That from that time scarce any Englishman could dispatch any business in Court; yea they were all repelled, and reviled as Schismatics; so as so many and such Epistles of the King, and Universality both of the Nobles and Prelates of the Realm, had no efficiency at all. At which report the King and Nobles being much grieved, exasperated at the repulse of their just petitions by the Court of Rome, to which they had so often freely contributed, the King by their advice commanded proclamations to be made through all Counties, Cities, Boroughs, and Villages of the Realm, That no Prelate, C●●rk, o● other person throughout the Realm, should consent to any Contribution to the Pope, or transmit any money toward his aid, or in any wise obey his Papal command in contributing aids; which was accordingly done. The Pope hearing thereof, fell into a vehement anger, writ to the English Prelates more sharply than before, under pain of Excommunication and suspension, to pay in the aid he demanded to his Nuncio in the New Temple before the Feast of Assumption: which the King resolving manfully to resist as he had begun, for the freeing of the Realm and Church from Papal extortions, by the threats of Earl Richard his brother, (to whom the Pope granted a Croysado) and the whisper of certain ambitious Clergymen and Papal Bishops his Counsellors, (whereof the Bishop of Worcester was principal, to whom he granted a power of interdicting the Realm) was so inclined by their counsils more than was just, that his constancy was enervated with the same levity it was conceived, being so terrified with the Pope's menaces, that he trembled for fear where no fear was, yea womanishly relinquished what he had manfully undertaken, submitting to him as conquered, affrighted: whereupon the whole endeavour as well of the Nobles as Bishops, and the hope of freeing the English Church and Realm, miserably withered and came to nought, not without the bleeding grief of many hearts, all this resistance vanishing like a cloud before the shining Sun, the Clergy satisfying the gapings of the Roman avatice with this Contribution without resistance; the richest Prelates & Clergymen who had greatest revenues, which they over-heartily loved, fearing to lose them by the Pope's indignation, complying with his designs; and those who resolved to resist through the Nobleman's encouragement, (the King's eyes being averted, and his ears closed against them by the Court Prelates) being forced to comply and pay 6000 Marks to the Pope, to the great impoverishing of the Realm; which was transported by the Pope's Nuntioes and Merchants to aid the Landegrave against the Emperor Frederick; part whereof he intercepting, grievously reprehended the effeminacy of the English and Earl Richard, complaining much of it before his fellow Soldiers, who seemed to have consented to the Pope's party, to the destruction of the Realm of England, and detriment of the Empire; because he gathered much treasure together out of the assistance of the Crucesignatis, by the Pope's permission, whereby the audacious rapines of the Romans were infinitely increased, by how much they found no contradiction in them; flying from those who chased them, and pursuing such who fled from them; so as all the hope and consolation of relieving the English expired, whose enemies were their Judges, 674, 675, 676. Pope Innocent 4. informed by his Nuntioes of the Kings and English fear, intended to interdict the Realm had they not paid his 6000 Marks Tax, and the King by his Nuntioes signified his compliance to it, notwithstanding Cardinal John an Englishmans sharp reprehension of his indiscreet anger and violence, by which the Holy Land was endangered, the Greek Church departed from them, the Emperor the greatest, powerfullest of all Princes, an adversary to them, he and his Cardinals (the top of the Roman Church) expelled Italy, Hungary and its confines exterminated by the Tartars, Germany shaken with Civil Wars, Spain raging mad against them, to the cutting out of Bishop's tongues, France reduced to poverty, conspiring against them, and England so frequently hurt by their injuries, like Balaams' Ass, beaten with spurs and clubs, at last enforced to speak and revile them, complaining she was over-intollerably wearied and irreparably damnified; so that like Ishmael they were now odious to all, and provoked all to anger: Yet the Pope took so much boldness from what was past, more imperiously than before to trample upon the miserable English, most of them being trodden down, dissipated, effeminated; he demanding, that all resident beneficed persons in England should pay the third part, and all non-resident the moiety of their Benefices to him: The Prelates opposed this Tax as impossible, and the King's Proctors strictly prohibited all the Clergy of England, not to assent to so execrable a demand of the Pope, or consent to this Contribution to the Kingdom's desolation; which they obeyed, appealing against it as intolerable, impossible; which they had more effectually contradicted, if they had had any confidence in the King's wavering words and promises: The Clergies answer thereunto, and appeal to Jesus Christ and the next general Council against it: Their complaint against it to the King and Parliament, with their Nuntioes and Epistles to the Pope and his Cardinals, in behalf of the whole Clergy of England, against his unsupportable exaction, 676, 677, 678, 679, 680. The Court of Rome's indignation against their Letters, as well reprehending as restraining their avarice, who thereupon reduced their demands to 11000 Marks subsidy, excluding all the exempt Abbots of England cut of this sum, to be more perilously exposed to the Roman rapacity▪ 679, 680. The Pope's delusory grant to him, that whereas he before indifferently granted provisoes of Ecclesiastical Benefices in England to Italians, to its intolerable grievance, he would from thenceforth by God's grace, when he granted any such provisions to any of his or his Cardinal's Nephews, importunately entreat the King, that he would be pleased to condescend to such a provision, whereby they more strictly ensnared him; this being but a baited hook to enrich the Pope's Secretaries, by such rhetorical Epistles from the Pope to the King on their behalf, 682, 683. His indignation, exclamation, prohibition against the Pope's grant of the first years fruits of all vacant Benefices within the province of Canterbury for 7. years to Archbishop Boniface, till he should raise the sum of 10000 Marks, to be levied by this Apostolical authority without any appeal: His effeminacy in condescending to it afterwards, and not standing for the defence of the Realm, and honour of the Archbishops of Canterbury, against the debts of that Church as he ought, the Suffragan Bishops being compelled by the Pope's authority, excommunicating all who durst speak against it, to submit thereto, not daring nor being able to oppose or contradict it, 682, 683. He commanded the keepers of the Ports by his Writs to prohibit the importation of any Bulls, for provisions or exacting moneys from the Church of England by the Pope's authority, to impoverish the Realm, or suffer any to wander with them by land to the Prelates; and if any such were found, to apprehend and imprison the bearers of them, 684. He prescribes a special Mass to be said upon the Canonization of St. Edmund, 685. He augments the dignity of the Abbot of Westminster, that celebrating Mass in his Pontificalibus, he should give the benediction solemnly to the people when Agnus Dei was sung, 686. He seizeth the Temporalties of the Archbishop of Rhoan, for not coming personally into England to swear his Fealty for them, 686. He prohibits the collection of one years' Disme in England from the Monks of the Order of Clunie, granted to the Abbot by the Pope's authority, (who was to have part thereof) without his Royal assent, and seizeth all the moneys collected thereby, 686, 687. He restores the Temporalties of the Bisho▪ prick of Coventry, long detained in his hands, out of his mere grace, to Roger de W●seham made Bishop thereof by the Pope, to the prejudice of his Prerogative, 687. His high resentment of Bishops excommunicating his Officers for executing his Writs, in removing a force out of a Church to the prejudice of his Royal dignity and authority, and making a fraudulent appropriation to his and the Church's prejudice, 688, 689. His licence for the Pope to grant a provision, though odious, at two of his Clerks requests, so as this his licence were not drawn into consequence, 690. His care to prevent the Pope's provision to the Archbishopric of Ardmach, 690. He summoned a Parliament at London, to oppose an importable Contribution to the Pope, to which the Bishops had unhappily obliged the Clergy in a General Council, who thereupon absented themselves, lest they should seem to oppose their own facts far off, wherewith they knew the hearts of all men were not undeservedly wounded, even to the bitterness of soul, 690. Another Parliament of all the Nobles convened by him at Oxford, to which the Bishops were strictly summoned, to prevent the manifold exorbitant exactions of the Pope and his sophistical Legates, to the apparent danger of the Realm, impoverishing of the Prelates, by Papal extortions and frequent exportations of the Treasure of the Realm, without any benefit to the Church, yea to its great disadvantage, and God's displeasure; where all the Prelates consented to a grant of 11000 Marks to the Pope, which some of them before resolved to oppose; besides the exempted Abbots, exposed to the Pope's arbitrary demands, which rendered the Bishops and Clergy suspected to the whole Realm, 696. The Pope and King suspected to comply together to force exactions from the Church and State by turns; the Pope writing to the Nobles to grant the King an Aid, and the King conniving at, or assenting to his Papal exactions from the Clergy, ground between the Pope and King as between two Millstones, 696, 716, 717. He refused to licence the Bishop of Sabine a Cardinal Legate, to enter England in his passage to Haco King of Denmark, Norway and Sweden, till he had first taken an Oath upon his soul, That he came into England for no detriment of the King, or Kingdom, or Church, but only to pass peaceably through it from the Port of Dover to Lenn, and to pass from thence to those Northern Realms with the next opportunity and wind; because all sorts of Legates and Pope's Nuntioes, were accustomed to impoverish, or by some means to perturb the Realms into which they entered▪ his free gifts to this Legate coming to visit him, 697. His notable Prohibitions upon the complaint of Nobles and others, to the Bishop of Lincoln, his Officials, rural Deans, and others, against summoning and enforcing Lay-people by Ecclesiastical censures, to appear before them in their Courts and Visitations, to make Inquisitions and give in Informations or testimony upon Oath against their wills, in cases of Incontinency and other scandals, never formerly used, against his Crown, Dignity, the Laws, Customs of the Realm, to the scandal, vexation of his Subjects, and danger of their reputations, souls, 699, 704, 705, 706, 728. His carrying of the Viol of Christ's blood brought from Jerusalem, from St. Paul's to St. Peter's at Westminster with his own hands, in a solemn procession, bestowing it on that Church, to be there reserved, adored as a most precious (though forged) Relic, 711, 712. His new Fair granted to Westminster, and suppression of all other Fairs and sale of goods in London for several days, to draw company thither to adore this Relic, 715. His notable Letter to the Bishop of Durham, charging him with contempt against his Crown, Dignity, and ingratitude in distreining the Cattle of the Prior of Tinemuth, 716. His pusillanimity in not recalling the Pope's suspension of the Prelates to collate to Benefices, till the Romans covetousness was satisfied▪ and not protecting the Abbot of Abendune, against the Pope's citation to, and vexations at Rome, for conferring the Church of St. Helen on Aehelmar his half brother, at his request, who had given it to a Roman, to whom the Pope enforced the Abbot to pay an annuity out of his Chamber, to his Churches great detriment, 716, 717. His and his Officers spoils, rapines, during the vacancy, of the Abbey of St. Edmund. and Bishopric of Bath and Wills, 717, 721. His Prohibitions against citing his Clerks out of the Realm, and levying First fruits granted by the Pope to Archbishop Boniface, out of laymen's Benefices, 718, 719. His confirmation of the ancient liberties of the Dean and Chapter of York, saving the ancient Rights and Liberties of the Crown, of which he was in actual possession, 719, 720. He summons a general Parliament at London, wherein he demands an Aid, for which he was sharply reprehended, being contrary to his late Charter to the Nobles, and for his indiscreet prodigality to aliens, whom he called in, marrying his Nobles to ignoble aliens, against their wills, assents, and disrespecting his native Subjects; for keeping vacant Bishoprics, Abbeys long in his hands, whereof he was to be the guardian, defender, protector, who spoilt, impoverished them to their destruction, against the first and chief branch of his Coronation Oath, 721, 750. That he had no Chief Justice, Chancellor or Treasurer, made by the Common Council of the Realm, as was fit and expedient, he always making such as followed his own will for his gain, and promoted not the public, but their own singular profit, by scraping wealth, and gaining wards and rents for themselves: At which he blushing, as conscious, promised he would most freely, certainly and thankfully reform all these things, thinking by this feigned humility to win all their hearts to condescend to his demands; who often deceived by such promises, delayed to grant an Aid for a time, till they saw an actual reformation; whereupon the Parliament was adjourned, 721, 722. At the second meeting, he taxed the Nobles for dealing uncivilly with him their King, Lord, in denying him that liberty which every of them used, to choose what Council, Officers, Servants he pleased, and prefer, depress, remove them at his pleasure: Adding, That Servants ought not to judge or fetter their Lord with their own conditions, much less Vassals their Prince; that all inferiors ought rather to be directed, ordered by the will of their Lord, The Servant not being above his Lord, nor the Disciple above his Master: That he should not be reputed their King, but their Servant, if they might thus incline him at their pleasure; wherefore he would neither remove his Justice, Chancellor or Treasurer, as they propounded, nor substitute others; yet demanded an Aid of money from them to acquire his rights in foreign parts, which concerned them likewise: Upon which subtle answer by those who feared to be displaced had he followed the Barons general advice; they all unanimously answered, they would by no means unprofitably impoverish themselves, to make foreigners proud with their goods, and strengthen the enemies as well of the King as Kingdom, as of late happened in Po●ctou and Gascoign: The Parliament thus dissolving in discontent, he fell out with his Counsellors for losing the hearts of his Nobles; who to raise moneys, caused him to sell his plate, jewels; oppress and extort money from the Londoners; to take up provisions for his Household by force, without paying for them; to beg money from particular Nobles, Prelates, Abbots when severed, who denied him any aid whiles conjoined, by Letters, Messengers to them one after another, which took small effect with any, 722, to 725. His Messengers to the Pope, and prohibition to some Bishops his Delegates, charging them upon their Oaths of Fealty, not to prejudice the rights of his Crown, in putting the Pope's provisor into a Benefice, to which he presented a Clerk by his Royal Prerogative, under pain of seizing their Baronies, 725. The Dean, Chapters, Bishops of St. asaph's two Charters to him under hand and seal, That they ought not to elect a Bishop without humbly petitioning him and his Heirs for a licence to elect; and that he ought to confirm their election before any consecration, 726, 727. His Writs, and Pope Innocents' Bull concerning the Privileges and Exemptions of his Free-Chapples from Episcopal Jurisdiction or Taxes, 727, 728, 734, 735. See Free-Chapples. He sendeth for, and craves pardon from the Londoners for injuries done them; crosseth himself for the Holy Land, to extort moneys from his Nobles under that pretext, who formerly denied him an Aid, 729, 730. He for money procures a Bull from the Pope to his Nobles, when they had sold, mortgaged their Lands, and prepared all things for their journey to the Holy Land, not to repair thither under pain of Excommunication, till he might go with them as their Captain; commanding the Constables of 〈◊〉 and other Ports, to suffer no Nobleman who was crossed to pass beyond the Seas: He exacts vast sums of money from the Jews and Christians under that pretext, 730. His Letters to the Bishops of Ireland, to preach the Cross and raise moneys for his pretended voyage, 732, 733. His Patent to the Master of the Jews Law in London, to excommunicate all such Jews who promised any moneys towards their Churchyard in London, and paid them not, so as he might receive the amends for it, 736. His indignation against Grosthead Bishop of Lincoln, for excommunicating the Sheriff of Roteland for not apprehending a Clerk excommunicated by him, after 40. days; and Pope's Letter he procured concerning it, 738. His Prerogative to have all Royal Fishes wherever they arrive, and Writ concerning it, 738, 739. His notable Writ to Bishop Grosthead, to appear and answer his contempt before him, for endeavouring to deprive him of his ancient Prerogative to attach Clerks in his Diocese; for contempts, in proceeding against his Writs of Prohibition in the Ecclesiastical Court, which exorbitant injury and contempt he neither would nor ought patiently to endure; with his special Mandate to his Justices of the King's Bench, to keep him in possession of this liberty, not permitting any thing of this his right to be diminished, 739, 740. He refuseth to hear or redress the complaints of the Prior of St. Bartholmews, and Canons of Paul's, against Archbishop Boniface, for beating, wounding him and his Canons, and tearing his Mitre when he came to visit them; he excusing and justifying himself before him: His Proclamation throughout London, that none under pain of loss of life or member, should presume to intermeddle in that quarrel to prevent a sedition; the Londoners resolving to ring their common bell, and hew the Archbishop in pieces if they found him, for this fray and riot; who backed by the King and Queen, excommunicated the Canons afresh in his Chapel at Lambeth, 742. Pope Innocent 4. desires his licence to repair to Bordeaux in Gascoign; the King of France his brother's charging the Pope, that his covetousness in prohibiting the voyage of the Crucesignatis, and dispensing with their vows for money, was the cause of the French Kings overthrow; soliciting King Henry to join with the Emperor, and hasten his voyage to the Holy Land according to his vow, as he tendered the honour of Christ; which put the King to a great Dilemma, either to displease the Pope, or the Emperor and French King, 746, 747. He used all diligence to procure the Monks of Winton to elect his brother Aethelmar Bishop of Winton, though a foreigner, youth, unlearned: His Letters, speech to them, to induce them to choose him Bishop; and menace, to confound all the Monks if he found them rebellious to his persuasions; who despairing of any assistance from the Pope by appeal, where any thing might be obtained by gifts, they unanimously elected him out of fear, against their consciences: The King's Letters, Messengers to the Pope for his confirmation, which he obtained by great gifts, and by a provision of 500 Marks a year rend, which the Pope exacted for the Duke of Burgundy's young son, 748, 749. He commands the Woods of the Bishopric of Winton to be cut down, sold, and the money brought into his Treasury, but distracted not the goods thereof, because his brother Aethelmar was to enjoy them, 751. He enricheth his brethren and Queen's kindred with Ecclesiastical Livings; writes on their and Boniface his behalf to the Pope, against his Suffragans, 752. Prescribes an anniversary obsequy for his Mother Qu. Isabella, and prayers to be made for himself, his Queen and Children, 755, 756. He refused to assent to a Disme granted by the Pope's Letters to his brother Geoffry in the province of Bordeaux, because he should suffer damage thereby; yet consents to his grant of a Disme in the province of Dublin to Stephen Longespe, 757. His Letters to the Pope to appoint auditors named by him, to take the account of the Bishop of Worcester, of the Disme he granted him for the Holy Land, and not to hearken to his complaint for seizing his Barony for excommunicating the Sheriff of Roteland against his prohibition, to the prejudice of his royal dignity, 738. His licence to transport stones from Bristol Castle to Ireland, to build a Church in Dublin, 758. He seizeth the Liberties, and attacheth the Bayliff● and 12. Burgesses of Rochester, for thrusting a condemned person into the Church to prevent execution, 759. The Massing furniture he provided for his Chapel in Windsor Castle, 759. His Patents, Temporal Courts defiled with Non-obstantes like the Popes, by whose Non-obstantes he justified his, 760. He sides with the Covent of Westminster against the Abbot, grants them the Custody of the temporalties of the Abbey, and goods thereof, during the vacancies: His prohibition to foreign Merchants, Usurers to lend any moneys to the Abbot or Covent thereof, without his Royal and both their joint assents thereto, 763, 764. He Feasts with his brother the new Bishop of Winton upon his return from Rome, 764 His injuries, grievances to the Church of St. Alban, spoiling Prelates and religious persons by the Pope's command, reducing them to extreme servitude, 765. His hydropical thirst after gold, silver, jewels, which he extorted from Jew's and Christians, 766. The Pope animates him to go to the Holy Land to aid the King of Franc●, he takes on him the Cross, and summons all the Londoners to Westminster to cross themselves for the Holy Land, only to gain money, 766, 767, 771, 772. His Writs to the Archbishops, Bishops of England and Ireland, to promote the preaching of the Cross to raise moneys, by Freers Predicants and others, and to publish the Pope's indulgences to such who crossed themselves, 766, 767, 768. Several Writs concerning it, and his voyage to the Holy Land. His Letters to the Queen of France for restoring the lands taken from him in France, which would be a great encouragement for him and his Nobles to relieve the distressed Christians and King Lewis, 769, 770. He summons a Parliament, reads the Pope's Bull to the Prelates to grant him an aid, which the Bishops opposed, lest it should be drawn into custom by a double act; They promise him an aid, conditionally, to confirm the Great Charter of their Liberties so often agreed to, promised; to swear anew, inviolably to observe it for the future; and so as the money might be faithfully collected, reserved in safe hands for his use, till he actually went to the Holy Land, and not prodigally spent, to the prejudice of the Realm and his faithful subjects, and advantage of his enemies, like former aids; whereupon he swore horribly in a great rage, that he would never while he lived, enthral himself to such a servitude; Their further debates concerning it, his discourse with the Bishop of Ely, with his stout answer, refusal to aid him to the impoverishment and servitude of the Church▪ in imitation of Tho Becket, and Edmund of Canterbury, who were martyred. His indignation against his brother, Bishop of Winchester, for his ingratitude in opposing his aid, he committing him to the living Devil, at his departure: The Parliaments dissolution in great discontent without aiding him, they telling him he was born only to extort money and empty their purses, 770, to 775▪ He and the Pope favoured, furthered each other in their tyranny, exactions, which provoked the anger and internal hatred of all against them, yea a manifest departure (although not of bodies, yet of hearts) from the Church of Rome, and a general exasperation against her, extinguishing as it were the fire of men's devotion to her, 773. He resolved to send for a Legar, which should compel the Bishops by the Pope's authority to pay the contribution demanded, although an heavy Tribute, and new intolerable servitude to the Church, 774. He extorts gold from the Londoners against their Charters, as if slaves of the basest condition, 773. He oppressed, exacted great sums of moneys from several religious houses, the world being then so addicted to spoils and rapines, that whoever could extort any thing from religious houses, thought he rather merited then demerited, 775 He gave away his escheats, vacant rents, Churches to unworthy illiterate scurrilous Foreigners, in contempt and revenge to the English, committing and causing to be committed many thousands of souls to such aliens as were altogether unlearned, unworthy, obscene, and knew not the English tongue, to provoke the anger, hatred of those English who were worthy and learned against him, 775. His Speech, Oath against the pride, insolency of the Prelates, Religious persons, Templars, Hospitalers, occasioned by their Liberties, Charters, and great superfluous possessions, which made them mad, and aught to be prudently, advisedly resumed, as they were imprudently and unadvisedly dispersed by Kings: That as the Pope sometimes, yea very often revoked, nulled his former Bulls, Acts by Non-Obstantes, so he might likewise revoke all Charters he and his ancestors had unadvisedly granted them. Whereto the Master of the Hospital of Jerusalem answering; What is this you say, my Lord the King? God forbid such a displeasing and absurd word should fall from your mouth; So long as you observe Justice, you may be a King; and so soon as you shall infringe it, you cease to be a King: To which he replied too uncircumspectly; O you Englishmen, what means this? will you precipitate me from the kingdom as you did my father, and kill me being deposed? 776 The Pope by Albertus his Nuncio prohibits him to invade the King of France his Lands, whiles employed in the holy war, proffers the Realm of Sicily to his brother Richard, who refused it: The King's Letter of thanks to the Pope for this proffer of Sicily to his Brother, and all other favours received from the Church of Rome; requiring that a competent aid might be given his brother by the Clergy to gain it, yet with a saving the aid he had granted himself for the Holy Land, 776, 777. Pope Innocent by his connivance granted more provisions, and more oppressed the Church of England during his Papacy, than all his predecessors; the rents of the Romans, besides other revenues, amounting annually to above 70000 marks, his own regal rends not to the 3d. part thereof, 777. England trodden under foot by aliens, subject to many Lords, deprived of his sincere love, languished without consolation to despair, enthralled in extreme conditions, whereby (which was most grievous) the venomous hatred between the Church and people daily increased, 778 His Writs against Bishops for contempts to admit his Clerks upon presentations, 781. He prohibits Bakers by proclamation to imprint the sign of the cross, Agnus Dei, or name of Jesus on any bread put to sale, 783. His Writs to sundry Noble men, not to foment▪ the difference between Archbishop Boniface and the Bishop of Winton, nor take part with, or bear arms, or make tumults for either of them, 788. He summons a new Parliament at London▪ demands an aid of money: The Archbishop and two Bishops sent to him, to persuade him according to his Oath to permit the Church to enjoy her Liberties▪ especially in elections, not to intrude persons into them by regal power, to the destruction of the Prelates, Subjects, and great damage of the Church; to correct these and other his Errors, according to his Oath, and the Great Charter: which done they would yield to his request: His sharp, satirical reply to all 3. Bishops promoted by his mere grace, though unworthy, wishing them first to repent, resign their Bishoprics, as unfi● for them, to give him good example; who would thereupon elect fi●ter for the future: They grant him an aid upon condition to confirm the Great Charter, though frequently violated by him and his Father K. John against their Oaths, for which they got infinite sums of money. He confirms the Great Charter. A solemn excommunication denounced against all infringers of it and the Church's Liberties, by the Archbishop and Bishops in Westminster hall, in presence of the King and Nobles: His Promise, Oath to observe all Articles of the Charter as he was a man, a Christian, a Knight, a Crowned and anointed King, 795, 796, 797. When he had a lighted Taper put into his hand whiles the excommunication was read, he delivered it to a Bishop to hold, saying he was no Priest, holding his hand upon his breast, with a serene and cheerful countenance, ibid. His Letters to the Pope on behalf of the Bishop of Chichester and his Chaplains for provisions for them, 797. to excite all Christian Princes to join with him in aiding the Holy Land, 798. He gives one Cup to put the Eucharist in of 4. marks price to every Archbishops, and of 3. Marks to every Bishop's Cathedral in Ireland; the sum of 100 marks to be distributed to the Hospital of St. John's, Freers Minorites and others in Ireland as his Chief Justice should deem meet, 798. Pope Innocent 4. in a great passion against Bishop Grosthead, said of K. H. 3. with a proud mind; Is not the King of England our Vassal, and that▪ I may say more, our Bondslave? who can at our beck imprison and enthral him to ignominy? 800. His Writs to Earl Richard, & Guardians of the Realm in his absence, to bestow livings on particular Clerks which next fell void in his gift of such and such values by the year, 806. His Writs to promote the Croysado, and certify the number of those who crossed themselves in Ireland, 807, 808. His protection from suits to the Archbishop of Ardmach during his journey to Rome, 808. His Writ to celebrate the Mass of St. Edward every day in his Chapel during his absence in foreign parts, 808. The Pope offers him and his Son Edmund the kingdom of Sicily and Apulia, which his brother Earl Richard refused; he indiscreetly accepts thereof: binds himself by Oath and Covenant to perform the hard conditions comprised in the Pope's Privilege whereby he granted it; obligeth himself by Letters, Writs under his seal in vast sums of money, debts to the Pope and his Merchants under pain of interdict, disinheritance; spends a world of Treasure about it, yet never got possession thereof, being cheated of all his money and it at las●; The Writs, Procurations, transactions between him, the Pope, Cardinals and Parliament concerning it, 807, 821, 834, 859, 860, 865, 866, 87●, 914, 915, 916. See Apulia, Sicily, Index 13. His Nobles, Parliaments opposition against it, 930, 931, 932. His great joy and elevation for this shadow and vain grant of the Pope, and investing his Son in possession of Sicily by a ring: He styled him King of Sicily, recommends him by that Title to his Parliament, Ibid. 809. He opposeth Sewalds' election, confirmation to the Archbishopric of York, which the Pope notwithstanding confirms, 813. See Index 3. Sewald. Dimes granted him by the Pope for the Holy Land; Writs concerning the collecting, disposing compositions for, accounts concerning them, 814, to 817, 834, 835, 843, 846, 860, to 868, 870. See Aids. The Prelates much opposed them, 918, 919. He prohibits the Archbishop to exact aids for making the King's son a Knight, or marrying his daughter; from the Bishop of Rochester, and him to pay them, till determined by his Council whether he ought to have them by Law, 819. He seized the Lands of the Dean and Canons of York, for invading the Citizens temporal Liberties, 820, 825. He assigned 3000 l. a year out of his Exchequer for repair of Westminster Church, which was to be new consecrated, 820. His Inquisitions of all the particular Manors, Lands, ●ents, services of religious persons, and their values, 820. His vain expedition to, vast expenses in Gascoign, more than it was worth to be sold, 820. His vain liberality to the French and French Churches, in passing through France, 821. Pope Alexander absolved him from his Vow, Voyage to the Holy Land against the Saracens, so as he went with an Army into Apulia to conquer Manfred, the strong enemy of the Roman Church, 821, 822, 825. He reviled the Bishop of London for opposing Rustands demands on behalf of the Pope and him, saying, That neither be nor any of his loved him; with his bold reply, 824. See Index 3. The Pope and King, like the Shepherd and Wolf, confederated together to devour the flock, 826, 845. He seized on the persons, goods of all Clergymen, whether justly or unjustly suspended, excommunicated by Rustand after 40. days, seeking whom he might devour. The Pope, Church of Rome never so tyrannously, cruelly oppressed Christians, wounded the souls of all Christ's servants, as Anno 38 & 39 H. 3. by his connivance, so as almost all the devotion of the Prelates, Clergy, people towards their mother the Church of Rome, and their Father the Pope expired; who nulled all their former Privileges, used his Papal power for their edification to their destruction, converted 3. years' Dimes into 5. and the Croysado against the Saracens, against Apulia and Christians; forcing Christians falsely to break their Oaths, Vows, yea to turn Idolaters, Apostates, in renouncing the Truth: Selling Prelates, like Sheep or Asses, for money, 824, 825, 848. His Writs for solemnising St. Edward's Feast at Westminster, make oblations for him; to feast the Poor; for the Mayors, Londoners solemn processions thither, 826. For all the Crucesignatis to learn to draw their bows, and publish the indulgence granted them, Ibid. His Writ to punish the riot done to the Bishop of Durham and his servants, in abusing, beating, imprisoning them, 826, 827. To Prince Edward to reform the grievances of his Judges, Sheriffs, Bailiffs, temporal Officers in Ireland, done to the Bishop's Clergy, Tenants, upon their complaint, by advice of his Council, Nobles there, that he might have the honour thereof, 827, 828. To make an exchange for Bishop's Lands to build a Castle in Ireland, 823. For allowing the Dean and Chapter of St. Martin's their Tenant's amerciaments; To pay his Chaplains wages twice a year; and to the Cistercians to make prayers for his, his Queens, children's, and affairs prosperity, 828, 829. His Notable Prohibitions against prosecuting the Mayor of London, and Sheriff of Worcester in Spiritual Courts, and excommunicating them, with his Officers, Citizens of York and others, for executing his Writs, in contempt of his Crown, Dignity, Law, Custom of his Realm: Mandates to absolve them, 829, 830, 831, 860. He prohibits the sequestration of the Priory of Winton, and any to lend moneys to the Monks or Church thereof, who had brought their Church in debt by prodigal expenses, suits, 832, 833. He found'st the Priory of Ravenstone, and constitutes a Prior therein, 833. He claims the Cup, Palfry of every Bishop and Abbot of the Realm that dies, by his Prerogative, 834. He sends many Jewish Converts by his Writs to several Monasteries, Priories in England, to be maintained by Corodies in them, by several successive Writs; whom they generally refused to receive, 835, to 841. He reconfirms the Great Charter, renewing the solemn excommunication against the infringers thereof in another Parliament, with King John's Charter for Freedom of Elections, which were sent to the Pope to confirm, 841. His tyranny toward vacant Churches; The Pope and Roman Court durst not offend him therein for their own interest, but connived thereat, 841, 842. He seizeth on the Archdeaconry, goods of John Roman Archdeacon of Richmond, one of the richest and most covetous of the Clergy, who promoted the Romans most of any to pray upon the English Church, Clergy, 842. He could not move Archbishop Boniface to do Justice to the Bishop of Rochester, after manifold complaints, 842. His Letters to the Pope and a Cardinal, on behalf of the Church of St. Alban about a Provision, and against drawing suits out of the Realm, 842, 843. The strange form, conditions, penalties, usury reserved in his Proctor's Obligations made in his Name for moneys borrowed from the Pope's Usurers, 845, 846. The Pope's Letters to him on behalf of the Cistercians, whom he oppressed notwithstanding for denying him an aid, 844, 845, 846. The Pope's consolatory Letters to him and his Queen, touching the overthrow, taking, imprisonment of the Duke of Savoy by his Citizens, against whom he warred with the spoils of Canterbury, 849. He prohibits any Prelate, Soldier or Clerk to go beyond Seas, or Pope's Bulls to be imported: yet specially licenseth Rustand and the Bishop elect of Sarum to pass over privately about his own secret affairs, 850. His royal authority and the kingdoms dignity daily declined by the Pope's consecrating Bishops, whose elections he opposed, and obtaining Palls, consecrations at Rome from the Pope for money, whether he would or not. The English Bishops, Clergies discords increased the Popes and his Courts revenues, 822, 823, 824. His ratification of an accord between the Bishop and Prior of Winton, 852, 853, 854. His Writ commanding the Dean and Chapter of York to install John Mansell his Clerk in a Prebendary at York by Proctor in his necessary absence, notwithstanding any Oath or custom to the contrary, 854. His Writ of quod dampnum, concerning the enlarging of the Cathedral Church at Lincoln upon the Dean and Canon's petition, 855. His Writ for providing 300. marks a year for Rustand the Pope's Nuncio, out of Livings and Prebendaries in his gift, which should first fall void, 855. His proceedings against the Jews of Lincoln for crncifying a Christian child in contempt of Christ, 855, 856, 857. Sends the Bishop of ●●y Ambassador to Spain; and satisfied the Debts wherein he was engaged for him to the Pope's Merchants; and the Debts of the Bishop of Hereford, bound only to decoy the other Bishops, 859, 860, 861. His Writs to the Wardens of the Cinque-ports, to permit no Clerk to pass beyond Sea, unless he would first swear if he went to the Court of Rome, he would impetrate nothing against the King concerning Sicily, or the ordinance made thereon by the Pope, nor other things against the Crown and dignity of the King of England, 865. His Writ to Rustand to collect and deposit the money of the Disme in a safe place, and to dispose of none of it, until he knew the Pope's pleasure concerning it, 865. Obliged not to go in person, or send a Captain to Sicily, till he had first paid the Pope and his Merchants 133540 marks by a short day; which involving him in great difficulties, he craved longer time for payment by Letters to the Pope and Cardinals, 868, 869, 870, 871. How much he had then actually paid for it, 871, 872. Judge B●actons passages concerning his Royal Jurisdiction, Prohibitions to Ecclesiastical Courts and Pope's Delegates, 872, to 880. He summons the Abbots of the Cistercian Order by his Writs to London, demanded a great aid of money from them; which they unanimously denied to pay, for which he and his officers molested them: but the Bishops gave him an aid of 4000 marks, to the irrepelable loss and damage of the Church, to conquer Sicily and Apulia, 889, 890, 621. The chief end they gave it was, to induce him to grant 50. Articles they had drawn up, (much like those for which the glorious Martyr Becket contended to death) for which they resolved to fight if denied. Archbishop Boniface summoned a Council to confirm these Articles; the King by his Writs prohibited him and the Bishops to meet therein, which yet they did in contempt of his Royal authority. The Articles, Canons they drew up and confirmed in it, to the subversion of the Kings, Civil Officers, Judges Ecclesiastical and Civil Prerogatives, his Nobles, Commons Liberties, Properties, his Laws and Courts of Justice, subjecting them all to their Ecclesiastical Censures, Jurisdictions, Interdicts, Excommunications for acting aught against them, and wholly exempting the Clergy from the King's Temporal Jurisdiction, 890, to 913. The Kings and Nobles Appeals, Proctors sent to Rome to complain against, repeal these their Antimonarchical Constitutions, as grievances highly prejudicial to the Crown, Liberties, Laws, Customs of the Kingdom, 983, 986, 990, 991. The Archbishop forced to fly the Realm thereupon, not permitted by the King and Nobles to return, but upon condition to reverse all his Excommunications denounced against any man by these Constitutions, and by reason of the late troubles; to act nothing for the future in matters concerning the affairs of the Church or Realm, but by the major and discreeter part of his Suffragans, and other discreet men of the Realm; And that he or the Clerks coming with him, should bring with them nothing in Letters, Messages, Mandates, nor do or procure any thing else whiles they continued in the Realm, whereby any damage, peril or prejudice might come to the King or any of the Kingdom, 997, 998. See Index 3. Archbishop Boniface. His Writs concerning the sequestration of, and moneys raised by the profits of vacant Bishoprics, to be reserved under lock and key in his Treasury of the New Temple London, 912, 913. He refuseth the Bishop elect of Ely, made against his Letters for another, and in indignation fells the Woods, impoverished the Tenants, damnified the Monks by John Valeran, to whom he committed the custody of it, and exposed that Church to extreme servitude, depredations, contemning the fear of God, and reverence of Saints, 913. His prohibition to the Archbishop not to consecrate him, and Letters to the Pope, Cardinals not to confirm him, his election tending to disinherit him of his ancient Prerogative, in ordaining Bishops in Cathedrals; yet they at last confirmed him, to his great dishonour, 922, 923, 924. His Procurations granted to renounce his and his Son's interest in the Realm of Sicily, if expedient for the good of the Church of Rome, 914, 915, 916, 917, 918, 919, 920. His Letter to Pope Alexander concerning Sicily and Apulia, so to dispose of that affair, that he, his Heirs, and whole Realm of England might always obey the Church of Rome with accustomed devotion; and that by occasion of that affair, from whence he received no fruit, he might incur no further damage: That he would consider, if he had obliged himself to the prosecution of that affair under divers penalties; to wit, that if he did not pay the Pope the moneys promised, or not send or go in person to Sicily, it should be in the Pope's power alone to null and make void his grant thereof; yet notwithstanding he, as King, should be excommunicated, the Realm of England interdicted, forfeited: He desired these penalties might be remitted, other propositions he proposed therein accepted of; submitting the whole business to the mere mercy, will of the Pope and his Cardinals, to order and dispose thereof as they should think meet for the honour of God, of the Church of Rome, of himself and his Son Edmund, whom they called King of Sicily: protesting he undertook this affair not for any temporal respect, but out of that sincere affection and devotion he always had to the Church of Rome, and See Apostolic, in whom he had singular confidence, having always stood by him in his adversities, and by whom when infested as well by his own Subjects as Foreigners, not supported by the help of any other, he evaded the subtleties of his enemies, and triumphed laudably over them, 918, 919, 920. He seals 20 blank white papers and schedules with his own great seal, 8. with the seal of Prince Edward, and 10. blanks more with the golden seal of Edmund his Son, to be sent to Rome concerning Apulia and Sicily, 920. He brought his Son Edmund into the Parliament with an Apulian habit, commends him, prays their council, or an effectual aid for his assistance, affirming that by the council and loving favour of the Pope and Church of England, to acquire the Realm of Sicily, he had obliged himself under pain of losing his Realm, to pay one hundred and forty thousand Marks to the Pope, besides use money which daily increased: That he had obtained the Tenths of all the Clergy for 5. years, according to the new Taxations, without any expenses deducted; & the first years fruits of all vacant Benefices from the Pope, which made all men's ears to tingle and hearts to bleed: That his debts and expenses after he became a dilapidator of the Realm, amounted to nine hundred thousand and fifty thousand Marks, which was horrible to think of, 921. Pope Alexander's earnest Letter to him, to right the Bishop of Rochester against the oppressions of Archbishop Boniface, which he had neglected to do after frequent complaints, to his defamation and dishonour in foreign parts, being obliged by the Great Charter he had ratified, against the infringers whereof the Bishops had by his assent denounced a general Excommunication, and by his Coronation Oath, to defend the Liberties, Rights of the Church, and of this and all other Bishops; requiring him by a day to restore him and all other Archbishops, Bishops, Prelates, and Ecclesiastical persons to their rights, out of reverence to Jesus Christ, who had made him his anointed one with holy oil; for the honour of the Cross, whose badge he had taken upon him, and for the salvation of his own soul; considering that sins were never remitted, unless rapines were restored; else himself according to his duty would proceed to hear their complaints against the Archbishop: Yet the King after these and many other complaints, encouraged the Archbishop, who was thereupon cited to Rome to answer, satisfy the unrepaired injuries before the Pope, 928, 929, 930. The Pope and he so spoilt, impoverished England, that for want of moneys Lands lay untilled, and multitudes of people died through penury: Yet he then called in Arlot to flay off their skins; whereupon the Nobles seeing the Kingdom desolated on all hands, by the extortions, tallages as well of the King as Court of Rome, and by the presumption, advancements of Foreigners, who swayed all things, confederate and provide for their own security, raise forces under pretext of going against the Welsh, met together with Horse and Arms at a Parliament at Oxford; their proceedings, Provisions made therein to redress these grievances, expel all Foreigners by force, confirm, maintain the Great Charter and these Provisions, which all were sworn to observe, committed to 24. to execute: The King's half brothers refuse to swear to these new Provisions; swore by the death and wound● of Christ, they would never resign the Castles committed to their custody; the high contests, words between them and the Barons about it; they depart from Oxford to ●in●on, whither they are pursued with Horse and Arms by the Barons; who refusing to stand to the judgement of a Parliament there held, fled the Realm, 930, 931, 936, 937. Their moneys seized at Dover, London, elsewhere by the King's Writs, 937, 938, 939. The Parliaments and Nobles oppositions against, and reprehension of his folly in accepting Sicily, Apulia; refusal to aid him therein, being undertaken without their advice; complaints of the manifold frequent rapines of the Pope and his Legates, to the undoing of the Church, Realm, to promote that design, 931, 932. He employed Simon Passeleve to carry Letters to several Abbots to borrow moneys; his subtlety, falsehood in that affair discovered, defeated, 932, 933, 934. The Parliament adjourned; the altercations between him and the Nobles at their re-assembling, concerning his violations of the Great Charter so oft redeemed, purchased, against his Oath, Promises, Excommunications denounced; promoting, enriching aliens, impoverishing his natural Subjects and himself, so that he could not recover the rights of his Realm, nor repulse the injuries of the Welsh, the despicablest of men: His conviction, confession of these his crimes, that he had oft been bewitched with ill council; his Oath upon the high Altar, and St. Edward's Coffin, to reform his pristine errors, and be advised, ruled by his native Subjects; yet not believed, because so fréquently violated, 935. His and his father's frequent breach of Oaths, and the Great Charter; He and Prince Edward enforced to swear to the Provisions made at Oxford, 935, 936. Mansuetus, after Arlots' revocation, by his procurement sent by the Pope into England to fleece it; his prodigal expenses on this and other Pope's Nuncio●s, 931, 932. He had power to absolve the King and all others from their Oaths, to supply his present necessities, to furnish the Pope with moneys for Apulia and Sicily, 934. His safe conduct to William de Valencia to depart the Realm, 937. His Writs for the banishment and transportation of the Archdeacon of Winton, a Poictovin, 938. He induced the Abbot of Westminster by fallacious promises, to set his and his Covents seal as a surety for him to a bond of 2500 Marks, to give a pernicious example to other Abbots, to extort moneys from them who opposed it, 932, 933, 934, 953. The Abbots choose rather to incur his indignation, in not being bound for him in great sums of money, than the Popes; who had expressly prohibited them to enter into any bonds, under pain of Interdict and Excommunication, 933, 934. A Proteus, whom his Nobles knew not how to bind by his Oaths, Charters, promises, or otherwise, to observe the Great Charter and their Liberties, 935, 936. His Writs concerning the Archbishoprics, Archbishops of Tuam and Dublin; and Patent concerning his right of Patronage and Presentations to Churches as Patron, or in right of his Prerogative, in the Manors of Archbishops and Abbots, 939, 940, 941. His Patent to defray the expenses of his Nuncio to the Court of Rome, 940, 941. His Letters to the Pope and Cardinals, for prorogation of the business of Sicily till a further time then formerly appointed, 942, 943. Concerning a peace with France, to end the old and new controversies between the two Crowns, 944, 945. His Letters to the Pope, that he had earnestly demanded an Aid from his Nobles for Apulia, who promised to grant one, if he would reform the grievances of the Realm by their advice, and the Pope mitigate his conditions in his Instrument, which they deemed overhard, and prayed to have them moderated, 945, 946. His procurations to oblige him, his Realm, and Son Edmund in any conditions, and to swear on his soul to observe them, 946. His Patent to a Proctor to demand a Legate from the Pope, 947. He assigned the Disme the Pope granted him for 3. years, to satisfy 30000 Marks due by him to the Pope and Church of Rome, 947. His Letters to the Pope to ratify the Baron's Provisions made at Oxford, for the good of him and his Realm, 947. He reputes of his Oath to these Provisions, and to avoid the brand of perjury, sent secretly to the Pope to absolve him and his Son from their Oaths inviolably to observe them; which he easily obtained by his Letters and Nuntioes from Pope Alexander 4. and Urban 4 his successor; Pope Urbans Bull published for dissolving all those Confederacies, Statutes, Provisions, absolving all from their Oaths to observe them, and excommunicating all who should maintain them, 948, 986, 988, 989, 1015, 1016, 1018, 1021, 1022. Pope Alexander the 4. his Letter to him for continuing an annual pension to Arlots' Nephew, who came into England upon his own calling, 952, 953. He would permit none to be elected Bishop of Winchester by the Monks, but such as were most dear to him, 954. His licence by advice of his Council to the Bishop of London elect, (Wengham his Chancellor) to hold all his former Ecclesiastical dignities, benefices of his patronage in England and Ireland with it, so long as the Pope would indulge him; his protection peaceably to enjoy those livings; his grant to him of 5000 sheep▪ 200 cows, and 10. bulls of the stock of the Bishopric of Winchester, to stock his Bishopric of London, which he warranted to him against any Bishop elect of Winton, unless Adomar his brother were restored to it, 954, 955, 984. His Writ to the Guardian of the Temporalties of Winton, to put his Clerk into possession of a parcel of Tithes, in default of the Archbishop's Official, who delayed to do it, 955, 956. His Letters to the Roman Cardinals, 958. His Writ to the Bishop of Hereford, concerning the particulars of the vast sums wherein he obliged him, and the Bishops, Abbots of the Realm, to the Court of Rome, for the business of Sicily, 958, 659. His exemptions of some of his Clerks from the Dimes granted, 961, 962, 996, 1007. His Letters to the Pope and Cardinals, in defence of his ancient right in conferring Prebendaries and Benefices by his Prerogative, during the vacancies of Bishoprics; and his grant of the Prebend of Fenton to John Mansell his Clerk, against the Pope's provision thereof to a Cardinal's Nephew; and to the Nobles of his Council to assist him in defence of this his right, 962, 963, 964. His Writs to Sheriffs, not to permit any of his Clerks to be ejected out of their possessions of Benefices to which he presented them, by provisors or others, 964, 974, 975. His Letters to the Pope not to restore his brother Adomar to the Bishopric of Winton, to prevent sedition, discord, and danger in the Realm, the Nobles, people being extremely incensed against him; and his Queen with himself for withdrawing the Prince his Son from obedience to him, 966. His Proctors and appeal against his and others grievances to him and his Realm, 967. His Writ to the Barons and Bailiffs of Dover and other Ports, to apprehend all Italian or other Clerks, of what order soever, or Laymen arriving with Papal Bulls prejudicial to him or his Realm, and to arrest them with their Bulls, Letters, till further order, 968. His Writ to remove a Lay-force disturbing a sequestration of a Benefice, being both willing and obliged to defend the Rights and Liberties of the Church, to which he could not be wanting, 968. His notable Writs to the Bishop of Durham and his Officials, against vexing, impoverishing the Inhabitants of Newcastle by Citations, and compelling them by Ecclesiastical censures to take an Oath, and answer Articles in their Courts and Visitations, 969, 970. He intended not by his Writs to disseise any man of his rights, 970. His Writ to promote his Queen's Chaplain to a Benefice, when it should fall void, 971. His Letter to the Pope on behalf of the Bishop elect of Bordeaux, whom he had approved as fit and faithful to him, 971. His Writ to the Bishop of Lincoln, to correct the extravagant proceedings of his Archdeacon, to the manifest prejudice of the Rights of his Crown and Dignity, according to his duty, 972. His Writs to the Chief Justice of England, to preserve the rights of him and his Clerks against all new evasions and disturbances to obtain possession of the Churches to which he presented them, that no disinherison might come to him or his Heirs thereby in process of time, 972 His Letter to the King and Queen of Scots at the Pope's request, to restore the Temporalties of the Bishopric of Glasgo to him the Pope made Bishop by his provision, unless he could show good cause to the contrary, 973. His Writs to prohibit the Archbishop of St. Andrews or any of his followers, to land in England with Bulls tending to the infamy or disinherison of the King of Scots, or any other of his enemies, and to arrest them till further order, 973. His Writ for a Prior to improve a Wood and great waste, leaving the Commoners sufficient Common, 973, 974. His Writs to Abbots and Covents to receive the Monks he sent them from Winton▪ where they could not follow their contemplations as they ought, 975, 976. His Patent to the Archbishop of Yorks Tenants, to move them to a liberal Contribution towards the satisfaction of the Archbishoprics debts, 977. His Writs to sequester the Benefices of a Clerk accountant indebted to him, 977, 978. His Patent to provide 50 Marks a year for his Escheator in Ireland, out of the Benefices of Bishops, Abbots, Priors which should first fall void there, during their vacancies, 979. The Romans and their Legates domineered in England over the Laity and Clergy, disposing of their best Benefices at their pleasures, excommunicating the Bishops, Abbots, Priors who contradicted them, through his folly and sluggishness, 980. His Son Edmund's Letter to the Sicilians, styling Sicily his Kingdom, granted him by the Pope's special grace, desiring them to admit him for their King and promote his affairs, promising to prosecute that affair, to preserve the Charter of their Liberties, and readily to promote their honour, 985. His flattering Letters and Proxies to the Pope, Octobon, and other Cardinals, extolling the benefits, protection he received from his pious mother the Church of Rome and them continually upon all occasions, to procure an absolution from his Oath to observe the Provisions of Oxford, and not to ratify them at the Baron's request, or their Agents, being made to the depression of his Regal liberty, and prejudice of his right, 985, 986, 987, 988, 989. His memorable Writs to all the Sheriffs of England, reciting the Baron's breach of their promises and conditions made at Oxford, his absolution by Pope Alexander 4. and Urban 4. from his Oath to observe their Provisions and Confederacies there made, to the prejudice and derogation of his Royal right and dignity, and disturbance of the Kingdom's peace: His promise freely to use his royal power, and exhibit the fullness of Justice to all great and small; and to make public Proclamations throughout their Counties, that all should obtain justice from him with all security and confidence, and prosecute and obtain their right against great and small before him, and in all Courts by his Royal authority; that he would be wanting in his justice to none, whether great or small; that he would maintain the Great Charter and Charter of the Forest in all points: And that if any should adhere in their Counties to their former Confederacies, or attempt any thing against the right of his Regality, or the Sheriff's Office appointed by him, or preach any thing against him or his honour, or persuade the people to do aught against it, they should apprehend and detain them prisoners, till further order received from him, 989. H●s and the Nobles Procurations, Appeals against the Antimonarchical Ordinances, Constitutions, Statutes of the Archbishop and his Suffragans in the Council at London, to the prejudice and grievance of his Crown, and Liberties of the Realm and people; yet printed in Lindewode and Aton as the Canon Law of our Church and Realm, 983, 990, 991. He grants the Wardship of the Bodies and Lands of two Wards, to Arlots' Nephew, 991. His Writs concerning the case of the Bishop of Elphia in Ireland, 991, 992▪ See Index 4. Elphin. His Writs to the Archbishop of Canterbury's Tenants, to contribute towards the discharge of his debts, 992. He prohibits the Cistercians and other Monks to buy and sell Wools or other Merchandise, against their profession and order, to the impoverishing of the Merchants of Lincoln and other Towns, under pain of severe penalties if they transgressed therein for the future, 992, 993. He manures, sows the Temporalties of the Bishopric of Sarum in his hands, seals the corn and fruits thereof by Inquisition of honest men, the money to be answered for them in his Exchequer, 993. The Bishop of Winton compounds to give him 22 29 l. 13 s. 1 d. for the corn and stock upon his Temporalties, 994. His prohibition to Sheriffs to distrain Religious and Beneficed persons, to find Horse and Foot for the common defence of the Realm against enemies, being appointed by accord to find Horse or Foot, or pay such a sum of money in lieu thereof as the Bishops should appoint, 994. His Epistle to Pope Urban 4. to congratulate his election to the Papacy, from which he was for a time interrupted by the Baron's Rebellion, 994, 995. His Writ against the Bishop of Bath and Wells, for suing the Abbot of Glaston out of the Realm for a matter belonging to his Temporal Court, against the custom of the Realm, and in contempt, prejudice of his Royal dignity, 995. His Proclamations and Writs against offering violence to the persons, Churches, houses, lands, goods or liberties of any Ecclesiastical or Religious persons within the Diocese of St. David's, whose Liberties he was bound and specially desired to maintain, 996, 997. His Charter to Richard Earl of Cornwall, chosen King of Romans, to tax his Tenants in Boroughs and Manors which were the Kings Demesne, for this time, towards his journey to Rome, for most weighty affairs concerning his and the King's profit and honour, 997. His Treaty and Articles with the Nobles, concerning Archbishop Boniface and his Clerks return into England upon certain conditions, to absolve all excommunicated, to act nothing relating to the Church or State but by common consent of his Suffragans, and the Nobles; and bring with them no Letters, Mandates, or act aught to the prejudice of the King or Realm, or carry any money out of it, 997, 998. He permitted Archbishop Boniface to confirm and consecrate Bishops beyond Sea, against the Rights and Customs of the Realm; His Writ to him to appoint some of his Suffragans to confirm, consecreate the Bishop elect of Bath and Wells in England, who could not come to him to be confirmed; which he notwithstanding neglecting, he commanded him to come forthwith into England in person, or appoint others to do it, else he would seize the profits of his Archbishopric, and not suffer them to be carried to him out of the Realm, where he refused to execute his Episcopal Cure, 998, 999. His Writs, Commissions by advice of, and Articles of agreement with his Barons, to inquire diligently of all who by reason of the troubles, seized and spoilt the goods, tithes, fruits of Churches, Bishops, and Clerks who were Aliens, non-resident, or beyond the Seas, and of other Clerks; to remove all Lay-force, to secure their goods and rents from violence, and give complainants full satisfaction according to Justice, 999, to 1006. His and the Baron's submission of the differences between them, concerning the Ordinances of Oxford, to the French Kings and Pope's Legates arbitrement, 1001, 1002. His safe conduct, protection, and Letter of advice to the Pope's Legate sent for into England, 1006, 1014, 1015. A Disme granted him by the Clergy for the common defence of the Realm and Church; his Writs for the Bishops to levy and pay it by a certain day, to prevent its levying by his Bailiffs on their default, 1006, 1007, 1008. He seizeth the Baronies of Archbishops, Bishops, Abbots, who refused or neglected to send Horse and Arms to aid him according to their Tenors, upon summons, 1008, 1009. He commands the Bishop of Bangor by Writ to release an Interdict against Lewellin, in a Lay-cause not belonging to his Court, 1009 He revokes his presentation under his Great Seal to the Treasurership of York, whiles a prisoner under Simon Montefort, and confers it on another when free; and commands other Commissioners of his appointment to install him, upon the Canon's refusal, 1010, 1011. His memorable Writ to the Bishop of Hereford, expressing the reason of instituting Bishops, Pastors, and their duty, checking him for his neglect thereof and nonresidence, commanding him to return to, reside on his Bishopric, and discharge his duty; and the Archbishop and his Official to enforce him to it by Ecclesiastical censures, under pain of seizing his Temporalties, since he was unworthy to reap the Temporalties, who feared not irreverently to subtract and neglect the spiritual duties of his Office, taking the milk and wool of the flock, but neither knowing, feeding, nor caring for them; which neglect he could not permit to go unpunished, 1011, 1012. His Patent to some Citizens of Lincoln, to protect the Jews there from all violence to their persons or goods, 1013. His Writs to the Bishops of the Province of Canterbury, to excommunicate the Earl of Gloucester and others for not going over into Ireland, and seizing the King's Castles, Towns in an hostile manner, drawing the Prince to violate the late agreement made with the Barons, against former and late public Excommunications; without sparing any great or small, for this their contempt of God and the keys of the Church, 1013, 1014. His Inquisition to punish the violations of the rights of the Church of Norwich, which he was obliged to defend, by the Inhabitants of Len, 1016, 1017. His privilege granted to the Archbishop of Dublin and his Tenants, concerning distresses for debts, 1017. He sends for two Legates successively to excommunicate the Barons, and suspend the Bishops and Clergymen from their Office and Benefices, who fomented them in their Rebellions, 1018, 1019. He summons a Parliament at Kenilworth, Commissioners there elected and sworn to make an accord between him and those who had been and were in Arms against him, who drew up a Statute and Articles accordingly, 1019, 1022. His protection and safe conduct to Clerks and others who had been against him, to repair to the Legate to make their peace or demand Justice, 1019, 1020. The Pope's Provisions of Benefices; his intolerable exactions touching the business of Sicily; the heavy yoke of the Roman Church; Usurers, the principal causes of the differences, Wars between the King and his Barons; whereupon the Prelates, Barons assembling in Council, against the Lord and his anointed, said; You see how we profit nothing; if we thus let the King alone, the Romans will come and take away our purses and money: Let us therefore constitute 24. Elders round about his Throne, which excluding the Parthians, Medes and Elamites coming from Rome, may free Jerusalem from Egyptian servitude, may order all and singular affairs of the Realm, may receive the first seats in Feasts and salutations in the Marketplace, with reservation of the King's magnificence: Whereupon most of them mad with envy and ambition, forthwith made the Constitutions at Oxford, swore all men and the King himself to observe them, the Bishops excommunicating all infringers of them: The Bishop of Worcester and some other Prelates, the Fathers and Judges of men's consciences, gave their assent unto them, contrary to their corporal Oath to preserve the rights and terrene honour of the King and his Heirs, consenting to so great a depression of Royal power. For which the Pope's Legate suspended them from their Office, bishoptics, Benefices; interdicted, excommunicated them and the Barons by a public sentence, who appealed against them to the See Apostolic, and if need were to the next General Council, and the Church as well Triumphant as Militant; contemn the Spiritual relying on the Material Sword, 1020, 1021, 1022. The Bishops encouraged all to fight manfully, and promised heaven to those who died in this quarrel against him, who yet were routed, and their chief Captain slain at Evesham, 1022. The disinherited persons in the Isle of Ely, their high and sharp answers to the Legates propositions sent to them, wherewith the King and he were much incensed, 1022, 1023. His summons of all Earls, Barons, Archbishops, Bishops, Abbots, and others who held by Knight-service, to meet with Horse and Arms to besiege the Rebels in the Isle of Ely; the Earl of Gloucester refused to come, though he raised forces to prosecute his enemies, 1024. He summoned a Parliament, to which the Earl of Gloucester refused to repair, but sent a Charter, he would never bear Arms against him or his Son Prince Edmund; his and the Legates demand to the Prelates therein concerning three years Dimes, Horse and Arms against the King's rebels and enemies, with their high contemptuous answers, 1024, 1025. He places Octobon the Legate in his Royal Throne at St. Edward's solemn Feast, and commanded all dishes to be set first before him, 1023, 1024. He commits the Tower of London to him, and orders him to pawn his Jewels in it and at Westminster, to raise moneys, 1025, 1026. Pope Clement 4. by his Bull grants a Disme for three years towards his aid and supply, from all Archbishops, Bishops, Abbots, Priors, Clerks, and Religious persons in England, Wales, Ireland, to be levied by Ecclestastical censures without appeal, at the improved value, towards his losses, great expenses by the Baron's Wars and Rebellions against him; wherein the miseries, extremities he, his Queen, and Son Prince Edward were put to by these Wars, are largely related; his zeal, devotion, munificence to the Church, Churchmen, and promoting Gods worship, with his and his Ancestors large endowments of the Church, obliging them to assist him in his necessities, are amplified, 1026, to 1030. His Letters of gratitude to the Pope, Cardinals, Pope's Advocate, craving their further assistance, favour, advice in his great affairs, promising the Advocate a full reward, 1030, 1031, 1049. He submits the differences between him and Gilbert de Cla●e to the Pope, constituting Proctors in that affair; and for defence of his rights in the French Kings Court, against Ecclesiastical and Temporal persons, 1032, 1033. He recites the Rights, Privileges of the Archbishops of Canterbury, which he is willing to maintain; and grants an Inquisition for Lands alienated, seized, or detained injuriously from that See during the Wars, 1033. His Commissions for collecting the Dimes granted him by the Pope; several Patents, Writs concerning it, 1033, to 1039. The Form of his Obligations by his Proctors to the Pope's Merchants, renouncing all evasions of, and appeals against them, 1034, 1035. His Letter to his brother Richard King of Alma●n, concerning his promises to him, which he had violated, and to treat with concerning them, 1037. He erects a Chantry in his Hospital at Basingstoke; his Writ reciting the Prerogative of our Kings from the first institution of Christian Religion, freely to erect free Chauntries in all their Houses and Demesnes, without the Bishop's leave or disturbance; and to have the custody of all vacant Bishoprics, 1038. His confirmation of the Legates award of an annuity issuing out of two Prebendaries, to continue, notwithstanding they came to his or his Heirs presentation by his Prerogative, 1039, 1040. His punishment of the Jews in Oxford, ordering them to erect a Cross there, and provide a silver and gilt Cross to be carried in procession before the Chancellor and Scholars of the University, for throwing down and breaking their Cross in a solemn procession, in contempt of Christ crucified, 1045, 1046, 1047. He augments and pays the arrears of two Roman Cardinals annuities out of the Disme, to promote his affairs at Rome, 1048. He exempted the Pope's Agents and Chaplains employed in England, from paying the Disme out of their prebend's and Benefices, 1048. His Patent and Commissioners for levying the three years' Disme in Ireland, 1049. He by advice of his Prelates, Nobles, and Commons in Parliament, transfers his Vow, Voyage, Dimes to the Holy Land, to his Son Prince Edward by Patent, it being dangerous to the Realm for both of them to be absent from it at once, 1049, 1050. His Writs to levy the 20th. part of the Bishops and Abbot's Villains goods, which they granted him towards his Voyage, 1050. His Writs concerning the levying, disposing, and account of the Disme levied or compounded for in most Dioceses, 1050, to 1056. Part of them assigned to satisfy the arrears due to the Pope of the Annual Rent granted by King John's Charter, 1054, 1055. His licence to a Tenant in Cap●e to sell Lands in Mortmain to furnish moneys for his voyage to the Holy Land, 1056. He grants the profits of the Archbishopric of Dublin, except Knights fees, Wards, and Advousons', towards the expenses of his Son's voyage, 1056. His Charter of assignment of all the Revenues of England, except Wards and other casualties, to his brother Earl Richard, for moneys taken up from him towards his voyage to the Holy Land, 1056, 1057. His Letter on his sick bed to Prince Edward, speedily to return into England upon his blessing from the Holy Land, being Heir to the Crown, to prevent inconveniences therein expressed, 1057, 1058. His Statutes and Proclamations against Jews purchasing freehold Lands in England, and concerning their Houses in London and other Corporations, 1058, 1059. His Writ to the Constable of Dover, to maintain the Privileges of the Prior and Covent of St. Martin's Dover, during the vacancy of the Archbishopric then in his hands, against all encroachments of the Prior and Covent of Trinity Canterbury, 1060, 1061. His licence to the Monks of Canterbury to elect, and procurations against their election of a new▪ Archbishop whom he approved not; the Pope thereupon taking advantage to confer it against both their wills on Kilwarby, 1061, 1062, 1063. His Writs speedily to certify and levy fines estreated, 1064. His licence to the Bishop of worcester to build two houses with lime and stone, and embattle them like Castles, 1064. His grant of the Jews School in London to the Freers penitentiaries, whom they disturbed in their Mass with their howl; with a licence to the Jews to erect another School elsewhere, 1065. His zeal to punish and revenge the Citizens of Norwich tumult, in spoiling, burning the Priory and Cathedral there, upon a fray between the Monks and them about certain Taxes and Liberties: His Writs, proceedings therein, seizing the Citizen's liberties, goods, persons, hanging some, fining others, and going thither in person to see Justice executed, 1065, 1066, 1067. His prohibition of the ancient manner of trial of Felons, Thiefs by judgement of fire and water, and appointing other penalties by advice of his Council, Appendix 20. He convened the Pope's Usurers in Lond●n before him, accusing them as Schismatics, Heretics, and of High Treason, for that they professing themselves Christians, had defiled the whole Realm of England with the most filthy gain of Usury; for which he being a most Christian King, who had sworn inviolably to preserve the Holy Institutions of the Church, complained he felt himself much wounded in his conscience; which fact when they could not deny, some of them were taken and imprisoned, others hid themselves in corners: Yet at last purchasing their peace for a good sum of money, they were dismissed in peace, and would thereupon have left the Realm, but that they had purchased sumptuous houses in London, Appendix 26. His great oppression and exactions of moneys from the Jews at several times, who proffered to leave all their wealth behind them, so as he would grant them liberty to depart the Realm, to get a livelihood elsewhere; he being another Titus and V●spasian, selling them to his brother Richard to tear out their bowels, after he had pulled off their skins, Appendix 26, 27. His excuse of his oppression and rapines by the vastness of his Debts, and smallness of his Estate, which necessitated him to extort money by any means, Ibid. He reputes his receipt of 500 Marks from the Covent of Abendon, for a licence to elect a new Abbot without disturbance, upon the death of their Abbot then sick of the palsy, dying within 15. days after; because else he might have made 1000 Marks or more by sale of the Woods, besides other profits, Appendix 27. The Pope threatens to excommunicate and interdict the Realm, and proceed rigorously against him for not performing his covenants and promise with him touching Sicily and Apulia, to which he had willingly obliged himself under these pains and loss of his Realm: Whereupon being confounded in his mind, to delay publishing this sentence for a time, and allay his anger, he paid the Pope 5000 Marks; the Realm being impoverished and utterly spoilt of its treasure, all his hopes of obtaining that Realm vanished, Appendix 28, 29. His licence and direction to make an Impropriation, and endow a Vicarage, Appendix 29. His devotion in frequent hearing of Masses, but indiscretion in permitting himself, the Church, Realm to be preyed upon by Popes and their Instruments; which his Obligations to them for aiding him against Lewis at first, against the Barons, Rebellious Prelates at last, and cheating specious proffers, grants to Edmund of Apulia, Calabria, Sicily, were the greatest inducements, 1067, 1068, 1069. His sickness, and pious death, after 56 years and 20 day's reign, 1067. King Henry 8. of England, his clause in a Treaty with the Pope and Potentates of Italy, that they might not give away any part of the Crown of France for redeeming of King Francis, 321. King Henry 2. of France, his request to the States of Lucerne, denied as illegal, 320. Holy Land: See Jerusalem, Aids, Croysadoes. Hungary, Pope's pretended Title to it, 9, 291. The King's Oath not to alienate the Crown Lands, 320. No Bishops would or could come out of it to the General Council of Lions, being for the most part wasted by the Tartars, and by reason of the great distance from it, 643. Invaded by the Tartars; the King thereof forced to leave the Frontiers, retire to fenced Castles, Cities; craves aid from the Pope, who denied to send any, levying moneys, forces in the mean time against Frederick the Emperor to depose him, and hindering him to relieve them, 681. Hyberi, subject to the Greek Church, 491. I. QUeen Jane, King Edw. 6. his devise of the Crown to her void in Law, 326. Jerusalem and Holy Land, Pope's Titles to it, 9, 291. Pope's Bulls and Croysadoes to raise moneys, forces for its relief, defence against the Saracens, for the most part mere impious cheats of Popes to pick people's purses, abuse Christian Kings, Princes, invade their Rights, Prerogatives, Territories whiles absent in it; and maintain Pope's Wars against the Emperor, Greek Church, and all who opposed their Usurpations; the miserable defeats of the French Kings Forces and others at it, and sad effects thereof, with other particulars relating to Jerusalem and the Holy Land, p. 238, 340, 342, 343, 403, 404, 410, to 414, 423, 424, 425, 447, 448, 467, 469, 470, 471, 512, 513, 516, 523, to 550, 680, 681, 754, 767, 770, to 775, 821, to 826, 1025, 1049, 1050: Appendix 26, 27. See Aids, Croysadoes, Index 14 part 2. Frederick 2. King Henry 3. King John, Pope Gregory 9 Innocent 3, 4. Index 10, 1●. King I●● his grant of Peter-pences, 292. Indieses and New World, Pope's pretended Title thereto, 9 John Comnenus Emperor of Constantinople, attributes his Victories over the Bulgarians and others to the Virgin Mary, whose Image he carrieth in a triumphant Chariot into Constantinople, going before it in person, 41. John Zemisca Emperor of Constantinople, doth the like, Ibid. King John of England, accused, and condemned of Treason against his Brother King Richard, made King after his death, not by succession, but election, Appendix 18. and p. 297, 298. His Coronation, Oath, Homages to him, Appendix 18, 19 and p 227. Incurs Pope Innocent 3. his displeasure by his divorce against the Canons by his Norman Bishops; and not releasing the Bishop of Belvoire upon his Letters, till he paid a Ransom, and took an Oath never to bear Arms during his life, 227. His resolute opposition of the Popes, Bishop's Usurpations, and contempt of their displeasures, menaces during his 14 years' reign, 225, 226, 227. His Charter of Ambresbury to the Nuns of Founteveroit, the former Abbess and Nuns being ejected for their Whoredoms, 228, 229. To the Archbishop of Canterbury to deliver Criminal Clerks imprisoned to him, upon demand, to make their Purgations, 230. His Prerogative to grant Licenses to elect, and confirm when elected, all Abbots, Bishops of his Patronage in England, France, elsewhere; a prohibition to elect any without his Licence and Assent, 229, 230. His readiness to defend the Church's Rights, but with the preservation of his own, Ibid. His Writ for the Bishop of Norwich to make use of his Court and Judges to recover the Lands of his Church formerly alienated, 290. He seizeth the Temporalties, confiscates the Goods of Geoffry his base Brother, Archbishop of York, and imprisoned his Servants, for contempts in opposing a Tax, excommunicating the Sheriff of Yorkshire, and his Officers for levying it. His Fine, Submission, absolving the Sheriff thereupon, 230, 231. His Protection to defend the Archdeacon of Richmond, against all violence, injury of the Archbishop of York, 231. His Appeals to the Pope in defence of the Rights of his Crown, 230, 231. His vacating of the proceedings against the Archbishop of York, and the Rights of his Bishoprics, upon his submission and reconciliation to him, 233. His Patents for his Justices to assist Hubert Archbishop of Canterbury to recover the Lands and Rights of his Archbishopric in his Court, saving his Prerogative, 233, 234. He elects, ratifies one Person of three nominated to him to be a Bishop by the Chapter of Saga, 234. He opposeth the reception, and provision of Gilardus to be Bishop of St. David's in Wales, and its re-erection into an Archbishopric by Pope Innocents' Bull, prohibiting any to own, aid, or assist him as Bishop, being never approved by him; nulls his Provision; causeth another to be elected, consecrated Bishop, enjoins all to assist him against the Pope's Intruder, as an Enemy to his Crown, Dignity, and the Kingdom's peace, 234, to 238. Claims the Temporalties of all Bishops during their vacancies by ancient Right and Custom, of which Gilardus by the Pope's provision attempted to deprive him; which he would by no means endure; requiring all his Subjects as they loved his Honour and Dignity to maintain, defend this his Prerogative as Liege Subjects, and to attempt nothing against it under pain of being reputed, proceeded against as open Enemies to his Crown, 236, 237. The Pope's Legate sent to him to promote an Aid granted to the Holy Land, his, and his Barons proceedings therein, who grant of an Aid by their own Authority: their Order concerning its Collection, 238, 239, 240. His Patents to the Chief Justice of Ireland to prevent the Suffragans election of an Archbishop of Ardmach, without his Royal Licence, assent, not to receive him they elected without it upon any terms for Archbishop, against whom he appealed, 240, 241. He conferrs the Bishopric of Karliol upon the Archbishop of Ragusa, then in distress, upon the Pope's Letter and Petition; out of Royal munificence and freedom, 241. Grants a Protection to the Dean and Chapter of York; commanding the Sheriff to apprehend all armed Force which should invade their Goods, Rents by the Archbishop's command; and not to release them, without his, or his Chief Justice special Order, 242. He procures Petrus de Rupibus, a Knight. Soldier, to be elected and consecrated Bishop of Winton at Rome. 242. He receives, approves the Appeals of the Bishop of Durham, Dean and Chapter of York, and several Abbots, Priors of that Province, against the Archbishop's Excommunication and Interdicts, 242. He seized the Temporalties, and banished this Archbishop his natural Brother till his death, for opposing a Tax granted him, and excommunicating all who levied it in his Province, or invaded the Church's Rights or Goods, 242, 243. The Monks of Canterbury, after Hubert's death, elect their Subprior secretly at midnight without his Licence, lest he should hinder their Election, and concealed it under an Oath of secrecy, till the Pope should approve it; Which the Subprior revealing against his Oath, the Monks thereupon petitioned the King for a Licence to elect; which he granted without contradiction, recommending John Grey Bishop of Norwich, his chief intimate Counsellor, to their Election, as most profitable to him and his Kingdoms; whom they unanimously elected in the King's presence, placing him on the High Altar: the King presently restored him the Temporalties thereof in the presence of them all: sends some of the Monks at his own charge to Rome to Pope Innocent to confirm his Election, with Letters to the Pope's Notaries, Chaplains, to procure his confirmation, according to his Right, Prerogative, and known Custom of the Realm: At which time the Suffragan Bishops sending Proctors to Rome, complaining that the Monks elected him Bishop without them, who had their Voices in the election of three Archbishops; and the Monks pleading, that by ancient Bulls and Custom, time out of mind, the Election belonged to themselves alone; The Pope giving a definitive Sentence for the Monks right of Election, without the Bishop's concurrences; He thereupon attempting to deprive the King of his Prerogative, of recommending, approving, confirming and promoting Archbishops to this chief Metropolitan See of his Realm, vacated the Sub prior's Election as void, because clandestine in the Night, without the Licence, or consent of the major and discreeter part of the Covent; and Gray's Election too, though made in the day time by the Kings and Monks general assents, because the first Election was not judicially vacated, and because though the King had told two Monks that he would accept whomsoever they elected, yet there was a secret agreement ratified by O●th between the King and Monks, that they should by no means choose any other but John Bishop of Norwich, directing Letters to them to that effect. The Pope nulling both these Elections, pressed the Monks of Canterbury there present as Proctors for both their Elections, presently to elect Stephen Langeton a Cardinal, the Pope's great Favourite, being an Englishman, because he could not suffer that See to be any longer destitute of a Pastor: who answering, It was not lawful for them to make a Canonical Election, without the consent of the King and their Convent: He replied, They had the sole Power of Election, neither is the assent of the King used to be expected in Elections celebrated at the See Apostolic, commanding them upon their obedience, and under pain of Excommunication, presently to elect Langeton whom he recommended to them; Whereupon all the Monks but one out of fear, although against their wills, and with murmuring, assented to him, singing Te Deum, and leading him to the Altar: Upon which the Pope consecrated him Archbishop, and sent a complimental Epistle, with some Rings and Jewels to the King to receive him as Archbishop, 243, to 248. The King for this high affront of the Pope, and treachery of the Monks against the Rights and Prerogative of his Crown, in obtruding an Archbishop upon him without his privity, and he his professed Enemy: cashiering him who was duly elected, approved, confirmed by him, notwithstanding his fitness and all Letters on his behalf: charged the Monks of Canterbury with Treason for electing Langeton; commanding two Knights with armed force to expel them the Monastery, and banish them the Realm, or else execute them as Traitors: who entering the Monastery with their drawn Swords, commanded the Prior and Monks in the King's name to depa●● the Realm presently as Traitors, swearing they would fire the Monastery, and burn them in it if they refused to go: whereupon all the Monks but 13. who were sick, departed into Flanders, where they lived in exile. The King seized upon their Goods, Lands, and Temporalties of the Archbishopric. He likewise sent Messengers and Letters to the Pope, wherein he reprehended him for nulling Groyes' legal Election, approved by him, and presuming to confirm Langeton, a Person unknown to him, conversing very long amongst his public Enemies in the Realm of France, without either demanding or receiving his or the Monk's assent to his Election, to the prejudice and subversion of the Liberties and Rights belonging to his Crown: At which he could not sulficiently admire, for that as well the Pope as whole Court of Rome did not call to memory how much his love had hitherto been necessary to the See of Rome, and that they received plentifuller Fruits from his Realm of England, than from all other Countries on this side the Alps. Adding, that if need should be, he would stand for the Liberties of his Crown even unto death; immutably affirming, that he could not be removed from his Election, and promotion of the Bishop of Norwich, who was so beneficial unto him. Concluding, that if the Pope would not right him in the Pr●mises, he would stop all passages by Sea to those who would go to Rome, lest his Land being any longer enervated, should be less able to repulse Enemies from it. That since the Archbishops, Bishops, and other Prelates of Churches, as well in England as other his Territories, sufficiently abounded in the fullness of all Sciences, if necessity shall compel; he would not seek, beg for Justice or Judgement from Foreigners out of his own Lands, 248, 249. The Pope's insolent Letter in answer to him, that he needed not his assent to Langetons' Election, the See Apostolic not using to wait for Prince's consents to Bishop's Elections: That he had his employed assent thereto; that if he received not Langeton, he would involve himself in inextricable difficulties; Since he to whom the kne●s of all things in Heaven, Earth, and under the Earth did how, whose Vicar he was, though unworthy, would overcome. That he should not listen to their advice, who loved to fish in troubled waters, but submit himself to his Masters will and pleasure, for his praise and honour: Because it could not be safe for him to resist in this Cause of God and his Church, for which Becket had so lately shed his Blood; and his Father and Brother Richard had abjured, 249, 250. He peremptorily refusing to receive Langeton for the Pope's Flatteries, or Menaces; the Pope writ Letters to the Bishops of London, Ely, and Worcester, earnestly to solicit the King to accept of him; and if he persisted contumacious and rebellious therein, then to Interdict the whole Realm by his Apostolical Authority: Adding, if he still persisted in his obstinacy, he would then aggravate his hand upon him; since he must of necessity conquer, who for the safety of the holy Church had conquered the Devil and his Angels, and spoilt Hells Cloisters, 250, 251. Upon this intimation, admonition by the Bishops, he was so highly incensed, that he swore, if they or any other should rashly Interdict his Lands, he would forthwith banish all the Prelates, Clerks, and Persons in Orders out of England, send them to the Pope, and confiscate all their Goods: That wherever he found any Romans within any of his Dominions, he would send them to Rome with their Eyes pulled out, and their Noses cut off; that by these marks they might be distinguished from other Nations: Conmanding the Bishops to depart speedily out of his sight, if they would avoid the danger and scandal of their own Bodies. Having formerly told them, He was ready to do what should be reasonable by the advice of his Loyal Subjects, saving to himself and his Heirs in all things their Right, Dignities, and Liberties, 251. He gave the like Answer to Simon Langeton; who returned him this peremptory Reply, That he would do nothing therein, unless the King would wholly put himself into his hand, 250. The Bishops notwithstanding put all England under the Popes Interdict▪ whereupon all Church doors throughout England were shut up, no Divine Service, Masses, Prayers, Preaching, Sacraments celebrated in them for above six years' space, the Bodies of all Christian's deceasing were buried like Dogs in High ways and Corners without Christian burial; only Baptism of infant's, Confession, and Sacraments administration in private to Persons deceasing were permitted by the Pope's special Indulgence; that by alienating the Subject's hearts from the King by this antichristian Interdict, he might subject both the King, and Kingdom to himself; The Bishop's Temporalties, Goods are hereupon seized, who to save their Persons fled beyond Sea, excommunicating all the King's Officers who seized their Goods and Temporalties: Whereupon the King banished them, their Kinsfolk, with Archbishop Langetons' Parents and Kindred cut of the Realm, sequestered the Lands, Benefices, Goods of all Bishops, Abbots, Priests, and Religious Persons, who submitted to the Interdict, and refused to celebrate Divine Service, particularly the Abbot of St. Alban; restoring their Lands, Goods who celebrated and disobeyed the Interdict, 253, 354, 255. The w●ite Monks are punished by the Pope for celebrating by the King's command; Cem●ntarius Abbot of the Benedictins, deprived of all his Preferments, Goods, and forced to beg his Bread for pleading his Cause against the Pope by Disputations, Writing, and affirming the Pope had no Legal power to interdict Kings, Kingdoms, or meddle with their Temporal Government, 256, 258, ●59, 335. He disposeth of vacant Bishoprics, punisheth Priors for dilapidations▪ Executed a Clerk at Oxford for Murder, for which the Clerks and Scholars desert the University, 244, 245. The Contests between him and the Monks of Canterbury, about a Presentation to the Church of Faversham, Appendix p. 2, to 14. His Writs to the Monks concerning it; he refuseth their Money, Gifts, prohibits them to disturb his Presentation by Writs: Which they disobey, and put force in the Church: His Writ to the Sheriff to remove the force, threatening to burn the Church and the Monks in it. The violence or the Sheriff against the Monks, the Scusfles, Excommunications, Interdicts thereupon. Pope Innocent's Bulls to Delegates to examine the force, to the reproach, contempt of his Regal Dignity; his memorable Prohibitions thereupon in opposition, contempt of the Pope's Authority; He seizeth all the Monks Temporalties for their contempt against his Writs, Ibid. 7, 8, 9, 10, 11. He is pacified at last upon their Submission, 11, to 14. He requires Hostages of all the Nobles, whose fidelity he suspected, to revoke them to their obedience, if the Pope should absolve them from it. The Answer of William de Brause and his Wife thereupon, with their flight, apprehension in Ireland, imprisonment, sufferings for it, being starved to death in Windsor Castle, 256, 260. He kept the Abbey of Ramsey seven years in his hands, because the Monks refused to choose the Abbot he recommended to them by his Precept, Appendix 18. His Charter to St. Alban, Appendix 21. He loseth Normandy by his sluggishness, and many other Lands beyond the Seas, 752. After two years' general Interdict of England, the Pope, by advice of his Cardinals, commands the exiled Bishops to excommunicate him every Lord's day, and Holy day in all Conventual Churches throughout England, that all should strictly avoid his Company; which they signified to the Bishops of England, who through fear or favour became as dumb Dogs, not daring, but refusing to publish it; yet by secret Whisper it became common in all places, mouths, 257, 258, 259. He apprehended, imprisoned Geoffry Archdeacon of Norwich for deserting his Employment in the Exchequer, and saying to his Companions, It was not safe for beneficed Persons to continue longer in the service of an excommunicated King; and a few days after put him to death, by a heavy Cap of Lead set on his Head, and want of Food, 258, 267. He seizeth the Bishopric of Lincoln, converted the Profits thereof to his own use, and removed Hugh his Chancellor from his Chancellourship, whom he made Bishop thereof, for his Treachery and Ingratitude, in going to Archbishop Langeton, making Canonical obedience to him, and receiving his Consecration from him, instead of receiving it from the Archbishop of Rhoan; for which he obtained the King's special Licence to go beyond Sea, 259. Most of the Nobles communicate with him, notwithstanding his Excommunication secretly divulged to all; he punished those who did the contrary, 259. The Pope's excommunication of the Emperor Otho about the same time, for maintaining the Rights of the Empire according to his Oath, exasperated the wrath and hatred of King John against him, 260. His glorious Victories, Successes in Wales, Scotland, and Ireland, during his Interdict, Excommunication, opposition against the Pope: His Voyage into Ireland; above twenty petty Kings thereof out of fear submit, swear homage and fealty to him: He establisheth the Laws, Government of England in it by Sheriffs, and other Officers: He subdues his Enemies there, and returns thence with Triumph, 260. He summons all the Prelates, Clergy, Religious Persons, Orders, Templars, Hospitals, and Abbots of Clunie to London; Exacts, receives 100000 pounds sterling from them, and 40000 pound thereof from the White Monks, whether they would or not, nulling their Privileges, 260, 261, 262. He enters into League with the Emperor Otho; forceth the King of Scots to a Peace, to put in Hostages for his Loyalty▪ not to receive his fugitive Subjects, and pay him 10000 Marks: Forced all the Kings, Nobles in Wales to repair to him to Woodstock, never heard in former Ages, to submit, do him Homage, and put in Pledges for their Loyalty, 261. The Pope's two Nuntioes after his Victories sent to make Peace between him, Canterbury, and the exiled Bishops; His condescension, that they should return home in peace, and enjoy their Bishoprics; but not the mean Profits forfeited to him: Which they insisting on, returned unsatisfied: Their insolent demands, speeches to him before the Nobles, in the Parliament of Northampton; They excommunicate him publicly, with all his Nobles, Subjects, who from thenceforth communicated with him, absolving them from their Allegiance to him; appointing several Bishops in England, Scotland, Wales, and other parts of the World to publish his Excommunication in all places, prohibiting him and his Heirs from thenceforth to be Crowned; which the Pope seconded, ratified after their return: His indignation at this their Insolency, answer to them, commanding condemned Prisoners to be executed before them, and one Clerk; whom the King delivered to Pandulph to avoid his Excommunication with Bell, Book, and Candle, which he threatened presently to denounce if he executed him, 261, to ●66. His Chief Counselors and Adherents of the Clergy and Laity, against the Pope, 265. The Welshmen excited to rebel by the Pope and exiles; he marched against them to Chester with a potent Army, which he dismisseth being terrified by sundry Letters that his Nobles absolved from their Allegiance by the Pope, would either stay or betray him to his Enemies, 265. Eustace de Vesci, and Robert Fitz Walter accused to him of Treason, fly the Realm, 265. Peter the Hermit suborned by the Bishops to prophecy and preach publicly, that by Ascention day next, and from thenceforth he should not be King; that thereon the Crown should be transferred to another: The King's conference with him; his answer to him; he is close imprisoned till the time to see the event, which proves false: The King's mirth, triumph on that day: His evasion to make good the Prophecy, That the Pope reigned, not the King: His Execution for his treasonable false Prophecy, 265, 266, 267. The Pope de●oseth him at his exiled Bishop's instance, gives his Kingdom to Philip King of France, excites him, and all Nobles, Soldiers in France and other Nations, to cross themselves, follow the King of France to vanquish and depose him, granting them the same privileges, indulgencies, protection in this unchristian, unholy War, as those who warred against the Saracens in the Holy Land; which his Legate Pandulph, Archbishop, and English Bishops publish and promote in France, 267, 268. Pope Innocent's secret Instructions to Pandulph to agree with the King, if he would satisfy him, the Church of Rome, Bishops, others concerned in this Affair, and subscribe the Articles of Peace which he had drawn, 267. His Writs to Sheriffs to seize all the Benefices, Lands, Rents, the Archbishop, exiled Bishops or Prior of Canterbury had given in England during their exise, and banish those who had received them. His Writs to all Bailiffs of Ports, to list and furnish all Ships which could carry six Horses by a set day, to resist the French Kings invasion by Sea, and summons of all who were bound or able to bear Arms by Land to meet at certain places to oppose him by Land: The great Forces thereby raised able to resist any Prince under Heaven, if unanimous and faithful, 268, 269 Pandulfus his repair to him, terrifying him with inward and outward dangers, loss of Soul, Life, Kingdom by the potency of his Foes, and treachery, infidelity of his own Subjects, absolved, fallen from their Allegiance to the French, unless he assented to the Pope's Proposals, cast himself and his Realm into his Arms and Protection; his unworthy condescension thereupon to restore the exiled Bishops, Archbishop, and their Adherents with all their damages, notwithstanding their successive Rebellions, Treasons against him; to revoke, null all his Outlawries, remit all his indignation against them, to give them safe conduct to return; ratified with his Charters, Nobles Oath, Letters; to renounce his Jurisdiction over the Clergy, surrender his Crown, Kingdoms of England and Ireland to the Pope to hold them of him and his Successor, under▪ 1000 Marks Annual Rent, and swear Homage and Fealty to him, 226, 269, to 296. The manner of his unworthy resigning his Crown, Regal Ensigns to Pandulph, and his insolent reception of them, 273. His detestable, deplorable Charter of Resignation, Homage and Fealty to the Pope and his Successors; whereby he made his Kingdom tributary, and himself a Vassal to them: That in the Charter Rolls, differs in some memorable particulars from that in Matthew Paris, 273, 274, 289, 290, 300, 693, 752. That he never made but one Charter of Resignation, not two, 290, 291. The nullity of his Charter to the Pope largely proved by many Authorities, Reasons▪ 275, 291, to 330. His doleful lamentations, complaints, frenzy after he had made it, and public profession with grief; That after his reconciliation to the Pope, and subjection of himself and his Realms to the Church of Rome, he prospered in nothing, that all things went cross with him, and his Barons scorned, hated, rebelled against him, 296, 297. The Archbishop's Protestation against his detestable Charter; his Nobles, Peoples, French Kings revile, and reproachful speeches against him for it, 293, 294, to 303, 431, 638, 639. The Popes, Jesuits, foreign Historians mistakes of, inferences from it, 9, 291, 292, 293. The Rent reserved on it, how insolently trampled on at first by Pandulph, 274. When, and how oft paid, upon what account, 306, to 315 His Patents, Letters, Commissions for the exiled Bishops return, damages, 271, 272, 275, to 282. His disclaim of power to outlaw Clerks, 278. His submissive reception of the Archbishop and exiled Bishops, Oaths to them at his absolution from the Excommunication, 278, 279. He commits the custody of the Realm to the Archbishop; his hatching new Rebellions, and inciting the Barons secretly against him, under pretext to defend their Liberties granted by King Henry 1. his Charter; They refuse to follow him into France; he resolving to subdue them by force; the Archbishop threatened to Interdict all who should assist him, if he persisted, 2●2. He by Proclamation commanded the Laws of King H. 1. to be observed, the exactions of Sheriffs, Foresters, and all ill Laws to be redressed, 282, 283, 335 He enlargeth imprisoned Clerks, delivering them to the Legate, 283 He reputes of his Agreement with the Pope; His sending Ambassadors to Admira●ius King of Africa, to surrender his Kingdom to him, become his Tributary; and Mat. Paris his relation thereof, a mere malicious forgery to defame and render him odious, 283, 284, 285, 286. His little regard of the Popish Mass, 286. His sequestration of St. Alban, and removing their Officers, 283. His Messengers, Message, Gifts to Pope Innocent, the most ambitious, proud, insatiable desirer of Money of all men, and pronest to all wickednesses for Money; professing that he was and ever would be his Subject and Tributary (after his Embassy rejected by Ma●●●elius) upon condition, that he would confound and excommunicate upon the next occasion the Archbishops and Barons he had formerly cherished against him; who thereupon dispatched Nicholas his Legate into England; His safe conduct to, reception of him; His and his Bishop's conferences before the Legate concerning their Damages: and release of the Interdict; his Charter and Resignation of England and Ireland, and Homage for them sealed with a golden Seal, made to him, 287, to 291, 307. The Legates usurpations upon the King, Kingdom, Church, in conferring Benefices by Provisions, without the Kings or Patrons consents; suspending Bishops, Abbots, others from their Offices, Benefices, citing them to appear personally at Rome, and not allowing them one pe●y to defray their charges, 987, 329, 330, 334. The Archbishop's vain appeal against his Legatine Power, proceedings as derogatory to his Archiepiscopal authority: His commendation of King John to the Pope, That he never had seen so humble and modest a King, and the great honour he thereupon found in the Pope's ey●s, 330. His compensation to the Bishops, his Letters to his Nobles, Subjects, and chief Cities, Towns in England, concerning the release of the Interdict, after 6 years, 3 months, and 14 day's duration, 331, 332, 333. His grant of the Custody of Saint edmond's Abbey to the Legate, and Protection of it for his use, 333. His Writs to three of the Cinqueports, and Sheriff of Nottingham, for restoring the Rights of the Archbishop, and Lands of the Bishop of Lincoln to them, 334. The severe suspensions of such Clergymen who adhered to, or received Benefices from him during his Excommunication and Interdict by the exiled, rebellious Prelates, restored with their Damages, 334, 335. The Baron's demand, raise Forces against him for the confirmation of the Great Charter by the Archbishop's encouragement, the Chief Adviser and Instrument therein, 335, 336. His confirmation thereof, and of the Charter of the Forest, with new Clauses thrust into it by the Bishops for their advantage, by his own Oath, the Pope's Bull, and appointing 25 Conservators of it, all sworn to aid and assist them in the preservation thereof, and seize the King's Castles, if he receded from the same, 335, 336, 337, 338, 935, 936. His new Charter to the Bishops and Clergy touching the freedom of Elections, saving to himself, his Regal authority, the custody of the Temporalties of vacant Bishoprics and Monasteries during the vacancy; the power of granting Licenses for free Elections upon petition, and right of confirming them after Elections made, or disallowing them for just cause shown, 337, 338, 936. His Charter of the Patronage, Royalties and Custody of the Bishopric of Rochester to the Archbishops and his Successors; his ungrateful, treacherous requital of it, in surrendering the Castle of Rochester and Ammunition in it to the Barons against his trust, 339, 340, 344. His Complaints, Letters, Appeal to the Pope against the Barons, in extorting the Great Charter from him, by seizing the City of London, and armed force, whiles under the Pope's protection, and crossed for the Holy war; with the Popes. Oath thereupon by Saint Peter, not to suffer so great an injury to go unrevenged; his nulling the great Charter, and all Oaths, Obligations for its observation by his definitive Sentence, Bull, sent into England by advice with his Cardinals, reciting the grant of England, Ireland to St. Peter and his Successors, by K. John's Charter and golden Seal, under the annual rent of 1000 Marks, and Oath of Fealty, excommunicating all who should afterwards press or maintain this Charter: reprehending them for taking Arms against him, contrary to their Oath of Fealty, and advising them to honour, obey, please him by submission to him, 340, 341, 342, 343. The Barons rise up more fiercely against him, notwithstanding the Pope's monitory and minatory Letters to them, endeavouring to expel him the Realm; the Sentence of Excommunication denounced against them in general to be published every Lord's day and Holy day throughout all England with Bells, Book and Candles, enjoining all Laymen to assist him with their Counsel, aid, and suspending all Bishops from their Office and Subjects obedience, who neglected to execute it, 343, 344, 345. The Archbishop, delayed its publication, as gotten by misinformation, for which he is suspended from his Archbishopric; cited to Rome, upon New Letters of Complaint by the King against him, there again suspended, and his Suffragans absolved from their obedience to him, for refusing to obey his Superiors, 345, 346, 347, 348. The Barons appeal against the Excommunication as null, because not particularly named in the ●ull of it; whereupon they and some Londoners are particularly excommunicated, Interdicted by Name in two other Bulls; which many Ministers refused to publish in or near London; for which the whole City was Interdicted, 344, 345, 346, 348, to 36●. Their appeal against these Excommunications, Interdicts, as not warranted by any power from God and Saint Peter; to the next General Council and to Christ's Tribunal; celebrating Divine Offices notwithstanding, their revile against the Pope, 360, 361, 362. His Licenses to elect the Archbishop of York, other Bishops, Abbots, Priors, in the presence only of certain Commissioners nominated, who were to assent thereto, without whose concurrence he would not confirm them, 348. His Appeal, Patent, Prohibitions to the Chapter of York, not to elect their Dean, or any other Person whose Loyalty the King suspected, recommending to them his Chancellor Walter G●●y; whom they rejecting, elected Simon Langeton Archbishop, whose Election was nulled, because contrary to the Kings, Pope's inhibition; his own promise to the Pope, dangerous to the Realm▪ that the Power of it and of the Church should be in two Brother's hands, and G●●y thereupon made Archbishop, 349, 350. The King commands the Archbishop's suspension to be published at St. Alban, and throughout England, ●ais●th two Armies against the Barons and rebellious Clergy, whom they plundered, abused in all places, 351. His licenses for electing, approving Abbots, Abbesses, Deans, Bishop●, recommendations of persons to be elected, and prohibitions, delays to elect others; refuseth to confirm persons elected against his will, 351, 353, to 357. His Letters concerning the union, and against the severing of Glaston Abbey from the Bishopric of Bath and Wells, 356, 357. The Pope's Legates care to preserve his and his Heirs rights in France, from suffering prejudice by his new Canons there made in a Council, 357, ●58. His Bull exempting his Free-Chappels from Excommunications, and all Episcopal Jurisdiction, 358, 359. The Barons, Londoners slight the Pope's Excommunications, Interdicts, Bulls, Legares authority, reject King John, call in, elect, crown Lewes for their King, swear Homage, Fealty to him as their Sovereign, who swore to aid them, and restore their Lands, Liberties: The Pope's Legate ●alo assembling some Bishops▪ Abbots, Clerks to him, excommunicated him with all his aiders and assistants (especially Simon Langeton) with Bells and Candles, commanding all Bishops and others to publish it every Lordsday and Holiday throughout all England: Simon Langeton appeals against it as void, in the behalf of Lewes, 362. Lewes' his Advocate's Objections against King John's Title to the Crown; his condemnation to die by the Peers of France, for the murder of his Nephew Arthur: Pope Innocents' answer to all their Objections, on King Jobas behalf, and the lawfulness of his War against him; The Realm of England being his own, and he in actual possession of it, by reason of King John's Charter, Oath of Fealty, and annual rent paid for it; who was now his Vassal, and therefore might not be Warred upon without complaint first made to him his Superior Lord, to whom the King of England is Subject, as his Vassal: with their replies thereto, 362, to 367. King Lewes his notable Letter against his Title to the Crown, to the Abbot of St. Augustine's, to stay his Excommunication against him, who proceeds notwithstanding, Appendix 18, 19, 20. King Lewes his Oath with 16. more of his Barons, to banish all the English Barons who adhered to him against their native Sovereign King John, as Traitors, and extirpate all their kinted, if ever the Crown of England were peaceably settled on him, 366. His sickness, poisoning by a Monk, pious death at Swinestead Abbey, forgiving his enemies, causing his Son Henry to do the like, and swearing all present to do Fealty to him as next Heir to the Crown, 366. The Monk's scandals raised of his Adultery, Tyranny, Cruelty, etc. during his life, and damnation after his death, 256, 284, 285, 286, 366, 367. His piety and good deeds, 366, 367. He possessed no Land peaceably at his death, whence he was styled, John the exiled, 366, 752. styled the Image of a King, and Pope's Vassal, 1068. What encroachments Pope Innocent and his Legates made upon his Ecclesiastical and Temporal Prerogatives and Jurisdiction, 229, 230, 367, 368. Pope Innocent kept him so long excommunicated, interdicted, till he brought him and his Kingdoms under Tribute, encouraging his Barons by his Bulls, Letters, to rise up against him as an obstinate enemy of the Church, till he had enormously humbled and made him effeminately to enthral both himself and his Realms to the Roman Church; but after, the Pope postponing the shame of the world and fear of God, exposed the same Barons (after the manner of Rome) whom he at first supported, excited, to death and miserable disinherison, that he might swallow up the fattest of them; and by the unsatiable avarice of the Romans, this Prince of Provinces was brought under Tribute: King John's precedent made a pattern for Popes to disinherit other Emperors, Kings, Princes; and keep their Kingdoms, Territories, Persons so long under Interdicts and Excommunications, till they reduced them under the like Tribute and bondage, 414. His detestable Charter burnt in Pope Innocent●. his Study at Lions 31. years after; Its transcript subscribed, sealed out of fear by the English Bishops at the Pope's command, to the enormous prejudice of the King and Kingdom, 300, 663. The Pope, Pandulph and others, disdainfully styled him his Vassa●, in Letters, Discourses, 292, 295, 296, 297, 359, 362, 365. John King of Jerusalem, 411. John King of Scots, his League with King John, 261. Ireland, Pope's pretended Title to it, 9, 291, 292. Its Archbishops, Bishops, Deans, Chapters, Chief Justices acts, actions in it; See Index 4, 6, 8. Legates in it and their acts; See Index 13. Conquered, and the English Laws, Government settled in it by King John, 260, 261. Soldiers brought thence to assist King John against the French, 269. King John's surrender of, and granting an annual rent of 3000 Marks out of it to the Pope, besides Peter-pences; and Fealty to the Pope for it, 274, 275, 289, 290, 291, 292, 300. St. Patrick's Purgatory, and Christ's gifts to him in it, 69. The Pope's grant of an Aid to the King in it, 406, 407. King Henry sent for aid of men, the Chief Justice, and some Nobles out of it to Gascoign, whereat the disaffected Irish rejoicing, the King commanded the Chief Justice to stay there to prevent danger, and borrow moneys from the Pope's Collector if there were cause, 818. How Bastardy was there to be judged, proceeded in, 393, 394, 474. Grievances, complaints of the Archbishop of Tuam and his Suffragans to the King and Pope, against his Justice and Officers oppressions there, 827, 828, 857, 858, 859. Isabel, King John's Queen, divorced from, imprisoned by him for adultery, and some put to death as over-familiar with her, 227, 256, 285. An Anniversary for her, 755, 756. Queen Isabellaes' Dower, mother to King Edward 3. resumed, 325. Italy, Pope's pretended Title to it, 9, 291, 316, 321. The grant of it to the Pope may be resumed, 316. The Emperor's march, Armies sent into it, to suppress the Pope's seditions raised against him in, and force him out of Italy, 503, 513, 523, 524, 528, 530, to 550. Pope Innocent and his Cardinals driven, banished out of it by the Emperor Frederick, 676. Julian the Apostate, slain by the Virgin Maries appointment, upon St. Basils' appeal to her, 24. Juli●● Caesar, his conquest of Britain, and rend reserved by force; denied to be paid by King Arthur, 326, 327. L. LAzi, subject to the Greek Church, 461. Lewes, Son to King Philip of France, invades King John, 292. Confederates with the Barons against him; swears to assist them; his speech to the Pope's Legate commanding, and his Father dissuading him not to invade K. John, being the Pope's Vassal and crossed for the Holy War: He chose rather to be excommunicated then violate his Oath to the Barons, 297, 298. He and his Father deny that King John could give away his Crown, Kingdom, or make it Tributary to the Pope, without his Baron's consent, who opposed it: That by his resignation of it to the Pope, it presently became void; therefore being void, he could not dispose thereof without his Barons: That if he had any Title to it, he had forfeited it by his surrender, by his Treason against King Richard the 1. in his life time, and murder of his Nephew Arthur, for which he was condemned to die by the French Peers: That he had a better Title to it then King John by descent, and by the Barons electing him for their King, and rejecting John, 297, 298. Appendix 18, 19 His Advocate's allegation, amplification of these Objections before the Pope himself; with his answers, and their replies thereto, 298, 362, to 367. His Letter to Alexander Abbot of St. Augustine's of Canterbury, to the same effect, to incline him to his party, and hinder his publishing the Legates Excommunication against him, Appendix 18, 19, 20. His arrival in England with an Army, the Barons and Londoners reception, crowning him for their King; their Oath of Homage and Fealty to him, and his Oath to them to restore them their good Laws and lost inheritances, 362. Gualo the Pope. Legate follows him into England; he with some Bishops, Abbots and Clerks; publicly excommunicates him and all his adherents with Bells and Candles, commanding him to be excommunicated on all lords-days and Holidays throughout all England, 362. He is likewise boldly excommunicated by Alexander Abbot of St. Augustine's by the Legates command, notwithstanding all his threats and menaces, for which his followers plundered some of his goods, Tenants in the Isle of Thonet, where he landed, Appendix 19, 20. Simon Langeton his Chancellor, and Gervose de Hobrugge Preceptor of Paul's, appeal against his Excommunication in his behalf, as null and void in Law; efficiate to, and communicate with him notwithstanding: He, the Barons and Londoners, slight, control their Excommunications and Interdict, though reiterated with their particular names; exclaim against the Pope, as having no power from God or St. Peter to meddle with Kingdoms, or Temporal affairs, 359, 360, 361, 362. He took a secret Oath, with 16. more of his chief Earls and Barons, to extirpate all the English Barons adhering to him, and their posterity, as execrable Traitors to their Sovereign King John, whom he could not trust, if peaceably settled in the Throne; which being revealed to them by Viscount Melun, they sued to King John for reconciliation, 366. His total defeat at Lincoln by King Henry 3. his forces, after King John's death, 370, 371. His new supplies sent from France, and Eustace his Admiral, taken at Sea by King Henry's Navy; whereupon he is necessitated to sue for peace: The Articles of peace between him and King H. 3. out of which the English Clergy adhering to him were excepted, and left to the Popes and Legates ●apine: His departure from England never to return into it more, 371, 372. The Archbishop and three Bishops more, their Embassy to him in Normandy when King of France, demanding the restitution of Normandy and other Lands in France according to his Oath at his departure; who retorts only King Henry's breach of his Oath in violating the Great Charter swo●n to by all, without any other answer, 387, 388. King Lewes 8 of France, devised his Jewels and Goods to be sold to satisfy his Legacies, lest any thing belonging to the Crown, wherein he had no disposing Interest, should be sold, 321. King Lewes 12. the Father of his Country, would not meddle with the Crown Lands disposal; 321. Lombardy, the Pope by his Nuncio stirred them up to rebel against the Emperor Frederick, for which he is imprisoned; Lombardy invaded, wasted, put to a fine and ransom by him, and forced to obedience, 522, to 527, 529▪ 551, 611. Loraign Dukedom, Pope's pretences to it, 9 Lucerne State, cannot pawn nor sell their Lands, 320. Lion's imaginary Kingdom, Pope's Title thereto, 9 M. MAcedo Emperor of Constant nople, resumed what Michael the Emperor gave, 319. Majorca and Minorca, Pope's pretended. Title to them, 9 Manfred King of Sicily, King H. 3. his proposals to the Pope for a Marriage-Treaty or War with him, holding or quitting Sicily, 920. Contemned, hated by the Pope; crowned King of Apulia by the Nobles; who do him Homage, Fealty, deliver him possession of the Cities, Castles, without any mention of Edmund; he created Archbishops and Bishops without the Pope, against his assent, who more obeyed him then the Pope, 948. He assist▪ Brancaleo the Roman Senator against the Pope, Appendix 28. Marchia, 522. Morocco, Murmelius King thereof, 284. Qu. Marry of England, her Title to the Crown, 326. Maximilian 1. Emperor, George Cassander his Consultation written by his command, 22. N. NAples, Pope's pretended Title to it, 9, 291. Navarre, Pope's pretended Title thereto, 9, 291. Nigella, Pope's pretended Title to it, 9 Normandy, Bishops thereof divorce King John, 227. Dean and Canons ought not to elect Bishops there, without the King's special licence and assent, 229, 230. King John Fore judged thereof by the Barons of France for the murder of his Nephew Arthur, in the French Kings Court: The judgement held unjust by the English and Pope, 363, 364. Appendix 18. King H. 3. demands possession thereof from Lewes, according to his Oath; who denies to give it, 387, 388. King John lost it by ill Counsel, and losing his Subjects hearts, 444. Norway, Pope's pretended Title to it, 291. See Haco. O. KIng Ossa, Founder of, and Privilege to St. Alban Monastery, 716. Appendix 21. Grants and pays Peter-pences to the English School at Rome, 292. Otho 5. Emperor, excommunicated, interdicted, deposed by Pope Innocent 3 only for resuming the Lands of the Empire which he had usurped, according to his Oath, 259, 260. King John's League with him, 261. He held the Donation of the Lands of the Empire to the Pope void, 316. Frederick made Emperor by the Pope out of hatred to persecute and depose him, 539. Rebelled against the Pope, persecuted, hated, excommunicated, deprived, ruined by him, and the Empire's Sovereignty by his and frederick's deposing; reputed an admirable innovation and prodigy of that age, 752, 753. The miracle of the consecrated Hosts leaping out of the Priests hands through a hole opened in his side, into his body, he not daring to take it with his mouth by reason of vomiting, 74. Otho, Son of Arthur's Sister, 364, 365. P. PElagius King of Asturians, slain by the Virgin Maries aid, 41. Pertinax Roman Emperor, resumes the gifts of Commodus, 319. Philip King of France, King John's Crown, Realm of England given to him and his Heirs by Pope Bnnocent 3. enjoined by him upon remission of his sins, to invade, depose him; all Nobles, Warriors enjoined to assist him therein; the same Indulgences granted them for it, as to those who went to the Holy Land against the Saracens; his preparations by Sea and Land for that service, 267, 268. The Earl of Flanders refused to join with him in this unjust invasion, whose Lands he invaded, detained, 267. Countermanded by the Pope's Legate, after all his expense in raising forces to invade England, upon King John's surrender of his Crown, Charter and Fealty to the Pope; his indignation thereupon to be so cheated, 275, 276. The false prophecy of Peter the Hermit, much encouraged him to invade England, 266. His great preparations by Land and Sea for England; he boasted he had Charters of Fealty and Allegiance from most of the Nobles of England under hand and seal, who would assist him against King John, which much encouraged him: All the exiled Bishops, Archbishops, and other exiles joined with him, 271. His Navy defeated, taken by King john's, 276. He and his Nobles jointly assert; That England never was, is, nor shall be St. Peter's Patrimony: That King John was never true King thereof: That neither he, nor any other King, Prince, could give away his Realm without assent of his Barons, who were bound by Oath to defend it: That he could not make it Tributary, or his Nobles Servants, for which they would stand unto death: That King John was justly condemned for murder in his Court, and for Treason against his brother King Richard: That he was ever devout, faithful to the Pope and Church of Rome; would do nothing to their prejudice, yet would not hinder his Son from pursuing his right to the Crown of England upon the Pope's command, 297, 298. See Lewes. His supplies by Sea to Lewes, taken by King Henry's forces, with Eustachius his Admiral, whose head was cut off for his Piracies to the English, 371. Philip the Fair of France, his grant of a Seignory to a well-deserving person, resumed 260. years after, 320. Pictavia, the English Nobles refuse to follow King John thither, till absolved from his Excommunication and Interdict, 282. King Henry's Castles in it detained, 377, 384, 385. Poland, Pope's pretended Title to it, 9, 291. The King cannot give nor alien the Crown Lands, his grants resumed, 319, 320. Portugal, Pope's pretended Title to it, 9, 291. King Ptolemy, his great knowledge, learning exceeded by the Virgin Mary, 17. R. RAmirus King of Arragon, his donations rescinded; his fidelity, constancy, wisdom and treasure, 319. Appendix 27. Recesuinthus King of Spain, the Council of Toledo its Decree under him concerning Crown Lands, 316. Richard Earl of Cornwall, elected Emperor and King of Romans, Appendix 27, 28, 29. See Index 7. King Richard 1. detains the Bishop of Belvoire (taken in Arms against him) prisoner, notwithstanding the Pope's Letters to release him, 227. An excellent Soldier, 457. Earl John his brother condemned for Treason against him, in detaining his Castles, 297. Appendix 18. Abjured the right of Investitures, and assent to Bishop's elections, if we believe the Pope, 324. King Richard 2. his Acts of Parliament against Provisions, for the freedom of the Crown of England from any superior power but God alone, and concerning Crown Lands and goods, 326. Romania, the Nobles and Great men of it hired for money and the Church's Lands by Pope Gregory 9 to rebel against the Emperor Frederick, 531. Rome, Pope's pretended Title to the City and Empire, 9 The Head of the World, and the Emperor of Rome, 8, 9, 417. Constantine's resignation of it to Pope Sylvester in Christ's right, a fable, 8, 9, 13, 292, 316, 317. Besieged, the Pope forced to fly, and banished thence by the Emperor Frederick, by Brancaleo and the Romans, forced to reside elsewhere in Italy and France, 552, 553, 554, 776. Appendix 28. Roman See, Church, Court: The execrable insatiable Avarice, Pride, Insolency, Tyranny, Usurpations, Idolatry, Blasphemy, Bribery, Simony, Injustice, Hypocrisy, Sacrilege, Fraud, Treachery, Impiety, Provisions, Dispensations, Extortions, Exactions, Oppressions, Non-obstantes; Violations of all Privileges, Bulls, Oaths; Corruptions, abuse of Croysadoes, Excommunications, Interdicts, slanderous Bulls of the Popes, Court, Cardinals, Legates, Church, See of Rome, which rendered them infamous, odious, scandalous, and alienated most men's hearts and affections from them in England, France, elsewhere, and stirred up many public complaints, oppositions, disturbances against them, both in and out of our Parliaments, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, to 80, 249, 250, 253, 263, 264, 267, 273, 274, 275, 309, 340, 360, 361, 365, 398, to 404, 414, 415, 434, 435, 436, 484, 490, 491, 498, 499, 502, 506, to 519, 522, 523, 538, 539, 543, to 5●6, 644, to 647, 661, to 683, 692, to 702, 717, 746, 752, to 756, 773, 774, 798, to 805, 823, 824, 825, 850, 851, 868, to 872, 918, 919, 920, 921, 923, 924, 925, 926, 927, to 935, 953, 956, 957, 962, 963, 964, 980, 1020, 1021, 1022, 1023, 1069, 1070. Appendix 26, 27, 28, 29. See Index 10, & 12. throughout, & 14. King Henry 3. King John, Frederick; Exactions, Excommunications, Interdicts, Non-obstante●, Pope, Provisions. The Nobles in Parliament feared their manifold Cavil. Treasons in the business of Apulia, since they poisoned their kinsmen and nearest relations very frequently, 931. They fled from th●se who manfully opposed, chased, pursuèd them, but chased, oppressed those who feared and fled from them, being encouraged by their effeminacy, 619, 620, 675, to 680. See Innocent 3 and Gregory 9 Index 10. Roman Court the fountain o● all detestable enormities, instead of the fountain of Justice, 746. Hath a power and custom like Hell, to swallow up the rents of all men, and almost all things that either Bishops or Abbots possess; money is there most powerful above all other places, 737, 850. It's scandal in absolving the Dean and Chapter of Paul's from their Excommunication by the Pope's command, and yet commanding them to be excommunicated again upon another reason by the Pope's mandate, at their adversaries prosecuting, which made them ridiculous even to Laymen, 762. The English generally departed from the Church of Rome, (at least in their hearts, though not bodies) for their manifold vexations, injurious oppressions, contempts, injuries; that the Son of Iniquity might be revealed, their Father the Pope becoming an unkind stepfather, and their Mother the Church of Rome a raging, persecuting stepmother, trampling it under feet, subjecting it to extreme conditions, causing the venomous hatred between the Church and people to increase daily more and more, 763, 773, 778, 824. It's gross corruption in granting licenses for Nonresidency for money, upon any subtle pretence, and to shake off Christ's yoke, 774. The discords and contentions of the English concerning Elections and Jurisdiction, added fuel, food, and annual revenues to the Popes and Court of Rome, 852. Their exorbitant Tyranny over English Abbots, Prelates, notwithstanding their Privileges, 926, 927, 928. Their domineering over the Laity and Clergy of England, and bestowing their vacant Benefices by Provisions at their pleasures to Aliens, excommunicating all Bishops, Abbots, Priors who durst to contradict them, through the King's folly and slothfulness; the Nobles disdaining this their pride although late, rose up to provide a remedy, compelling most Aliens to fly the Realm, commanding all Religious persons who farmed the Romans Benefices, to pay their rents to the Baron's Proctors at a time and place they assigned, under pain of burning their Houses, and inflicting on their persons what they provided the Romans should suffer, if they did otherwise; commanding the Bishops, that no man should intermeddle with their rents under the foresaid penalty By which Provision England was free from the Roman exactions near three years, till Simon Montefort was slain in battle, 980. Their provisions of Benefices for Aliens, intolerable rapines, extortions, abuses for Apulia, the principal occasion of the Wars between the King and his Barons, begun, carried on, fomented by the Bishop's instigations, to secure their purses and money from the Roman Harpies, 1020, 1021, 1022. Gualther Mapes his memorable Verses of the gross bribery, injustice, corruption of the Pope, Court of Rome, and all sorts of Officers therein, whereof he was an eyewitness, 1069, 1070. Their Merchants, Usurers defiled all England with usur●, and were worse than the Jews, who were supplanted by them, Appendix 26. Falling away from the Pope and Roman Church long since predicted, for their corruption, 401, 799, 800, 801. The Greek Church deserted, separated from, excommunicated them upon this account: See Greek Church. Romans: Their Senator, Citizens insurrection against Popes, chase them from Rome, contemning their menaces, Excommunications, as exempted from them by privilege, 415. Appendix 28. See Index 10. Gregory 9 Innocent 4. and 14. frederick's 2. The Pope agrees to confer all vacant Benefices in England, especially of Religious persons, on Romans; writes for 300, Benefices to be provided for them in three Dioceses; the number, values of their Benefices, Provisions inquired after by Writ, amount to above 60000 Marks annual rent, besides other profits, being near three times more than the King's ordinary revenue, 564, 572, 573, 777. The Romans Corn threshed out, spoilt by the English, who are excommunicated, imprisoned, severely punished for it, 434, to 439, 1000, to 1006. Russia, Pope's pretended Title to it, 9 Russians subject to the Greek Church, 391. S. SAracens, Croysadoes, Wars against them; they rejoice at the Emperors and Pope's discords, Wars, 517, 521, 573, 643, 649, 650, 651, 652, 679, 739, 754. Sardinia, Pope's pretended Title to it, 9 The Emperor Frederick according to his Oath, seized on it as a part of the Empire, usurped by Popes, for which Pope Gregory 9 excommunicated him, 515, 516, 537, 538. Saxons, seized the Isle of Ely when they invaded England, 922. Scotland, Scots, their submission, Hostages to King John, and League with him, 260, 261. King H. 2. resumes Northumberland, Cumberland, and Westmoreland from the Scots King, formerly granted to David by the Empress in his name, he being not to be defrauded of so great a part of his Realm; upon restitution whereof he gave him the County of Huntingdon, belonging to him of ancient right, 324. The Pope's pretended Title to it, 9, 291. Eustace de Vesci, accused of Treason, flies into it, 265. King Edw. 1 his Sovereign Dominion over it, and Pope Boniface his Letter concerning it, 328. A peace between the King of Scots and King H. 3 to whom he did Homage and swore Fealty in the Legates presence: He refused to admit the Pope's Legate into Scotland, telling him, ●e needed him not: That no Legate ever entered it in his, or his Fathers, or any of his ancestors days; neither would he suffer any to enter whiles he was compass mentis: That if he entered, the Scots were rude persons, from whose violence he could not protect him; whereupon the Legate changed his covetous mind of entering Scotland, 486. Another Pope's Legate desiring to enter Scotland, is met and opposed by the King, who told him, never Legate entered it before him; that they had no need of him; that Christianity there flourished, and the Church was prosperous: After many discourses, by mediation of the Nobles of both Realms, when the King was about to deny his entrance, he procured a writing, lest he should return confounded into England, That his present coming thither should never be drawn into consequence in time to come: Whereupon he called the Bishops and others of Scotland unto good Cities beyond the Sea, collected the 13th part of their goods, and sent it to the Pope; departing secretly without the King's licence, and carrying the writing away with him, 506. The Scots Kings and Nobles Charter of Peace, League, Fealty, and submission to King H. 3. ratified by their Oaths, and submission to the Pope's Jurisdiction and Censures if infringed, 620, 621. Godefry sent thither as Pope's Legates to collect money, that Church having no need of a Legate, 692. Scythia, infected with the Collyridian heresy, 58. Sicilia, the Pope's pretended Title to it, claiming it as the Church's Patrimony, 9, 291. Frederick King of it, persecuted by Otho the Emperor for seizing some Castles of the Empire whiles vacant; for which he was excommunicated, deposed by Pope Innocent, 260. Pope Gregory stirs up the Sicilians to rebel against the Emperor Frederick, King thereof, when crossed for the Holy Land, 415, 417. Excommunicated by the Pope for oppressing some Churches in it, and keeping them vacant; with his refutation thereof, 516, 523, 524, 528, 529, 530. Pope Innocent 4. styled it St. Peter's Patrimony, 658. Proffered by the Pope to Richard▪ Earl of Cornwall, to drain his Treasure, and engage him in his Wars against the Emperor and Conrade; his refusal of it; bestowed upon King H. 3. for Edmund his Son, whom his Legate invested in poffession of it by a Ring, upon certain Articles and Covenants which he swore to, impossible to perform; by which he cheated the King, and obliged him in vast sums of money, without ever gaining possession: No Clerk to go to the Court of Rome, unless he first took an Oath, to procure nothing from thence to the prejudice of the King concerning Sicily; with the Procurations, transactions concerning it between King H. 3. Edmund, Pope Alexander, and his Successor, 865, to 872, 945, to 950, 956, to 962, 1049. Appendix 28, 29. Prince Edmund styles it his Realm, writes a Letter to all the Bishops, Abbots, Nobles, people of it, to receive him as their King, promising to maintain all and every their Liberties, advance their honour, and prosecute that affair with all his power, 985. King H. 3. his Letter to the Queen of France concerning this affair, to persuade her Husband the King, and write her Letters to the Pope, Cardinals, Queen of Navarre, and her Son, to promote this affair of his Sons, 989. Octobon the Pope's Legate demanded a gift of 30000 Marks from the Clergy to the King, which he claimed for the use of the Church of Rome, for debts contracted in the name of Edmund for the business of Sicily, Apulia, and Calabria; which they denied, would not grant, because all such taxations made were never bestowed for the Kings or Kingdoms profit, 1024. See more concerning it in Apulia, Conrade and Manfred. Spain, Pope's pretended Title to it, 9, 291. It's Crown Lands unalienable, 320. Murmelius King thereof, and of afric, 282. A Bishop's tongue cut out therein, in contempt of the Pope, 676. The Bishop of Ely sent Ambassador thither, 859. King Stephen, the Hostia suddenly vanished at his Coronation, between the Archbishop's hands and his mouth, 74. His Charters of Crown Lands disallowed, revoked by King H. 2. as void and illegal, against the right Heir, being an Usurper, 324. Sweden, Pope's pretended Title to it, 9, 291. Swissers, Switzerland, Pope's pretended Title to it, 9 Their Common Lands unalienable, 320. Syria, a miracle in it, 14. The Sultan's power in it, 528▪ T. THe Tartars invade Hungary without resistance, during the Emperors, Pope's Wars, quarrel, 553, 643, 681. Themistocles, against alienating public Lands, 320. Thracia, infected with the Collyridian heresy, 58. Transylvania, Pope's pretended Title to it, 9 Tunis, the King's Son pretended to be hindered from being baptised by the Emperor, 516, 522. Tuscia, the Pope stirs up a Rebellion in it against the Emperor, to invade his and the Empire's Rights, and dethrone him, for which he proceeds against them, 528, 529, 530. W. WAllachia, Pope's pretended Title to it, 9 Wasconia, King H. 3. his Voyage to it; Forces sent thither; the Steward of it; his aid received towards it, ill successes in, inglorious return from it, 415, 450, 604, 614, 682. His vast expenses in it more than it was worth, 820. Wales, the Archbishops and Bishops in it; when and by whom subjected to the See of Canterbury, 234, 235. See Index 3. Subdued by King H. 1. and subjected to England, 234. The King's right to elect and confirm Bishops in it, who ought not to choose any Bishop without his special licence, nor consecrate him till his special approbation after his election, 234, to 238, 726, 727. King's Writs issued thither to Bishops and others, 236, 237, 814, 1009▪ King john's successes in it; their Princes, Nobles do Homage, swear Fealty, and give Hostages to him, 260, 261. He marcheth against them with a great Army to chastise them, which he dismisseth for fear of his Nobles treachery, 265. David Prince of North-wales, excommunicated, interdicted for breach of his Oath; by bribes procures an absolution from it, his Oath, Homage, Fealty, Subjection, Charter to King H. 3. from Pope Innocent 4. receives it of him and the See of Rome under the annual rent of 500 Marks; Rebels against King H. 3. takes Sanctuary under the Pope's wing, who citys the King to Rome, to answer the contents of his Charter before the Pope: His and his Nobles indignation thereat, who thereupon wasted Wales with fire and sword, reduced it to extreme misery, so as the Bishops for poverty forsook their Bishoprics; some of them and their Rebellious Prince died of grief; the Welsh elect Griffin his brother Prince in his stead, hiding themselves in holes, mountains from the English Forces, 608, 609, 610, 621, 622, 623, 728. The King summons all the Archbishops, Bishops, Abbots, and others who held of him by Knight-service, against the Welsh to Chester, and prohibits them to hold a Convocation to which the Archbishop summoned them, 890. The Welshmen the despicablest of all Nations: King H. 3. unable to repulse their injuries for want of money, 935. Excommunicated by the Archbishop of Canterbury and other Bishops, for breaking their Oath, and invading England with fire and sword, 976, 977. See Index 3. Asaph, Bangor, St. david's. King Henry's Proclamation against offering violence to the persons, goods, or Ecclesiastical Liberties of any Religious persons or Clerks in the Diocese of St. David's in Wales, upon their complaint, 996, 997. stirred up by the Barons against the King, 1021. King William the Conqueror, Harold's Oath to him by duresse, and Edward the Confessors grant, bequest of the Realm of England to him without his Nobles, void in Law, 327. His conquest of England, 596. King William Rufus his Son, destroys Churches to enlarge his New Forest, built Lincoln Church, enlargeth and translates the Bishopric thither to expiate his sin: His Ordinance concerning it, and power thereby for the King to depose the Bishop, 597. INDEX 14. Part 2. Alphabetical, Of the Principal matters of Divinity, Civil Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction, Government, Law, Councils, Parliaments, Prerogative, and other particulars in this TOME, and some omissions in the Former Tables. A. Abbeys translated to Bishops Sees by our King's prerogative. p. 2. Abbot's elected by our King's special licence, and to be approved by them when elected. p. 2. See Elections, and Index 3, 4, 5. Their new Oath to defend the Pope's regalities, keep his secrets, visit his Palace once every 3. years, to receive, honour, assist his Legates; appear at his Synods upon summons, not to alien or mortgage any Lands without the Pope's special licence, etc. 465 Prohibited by the King's Writs to borrow moneys upon their Common Seal, to bring their houses in debt without the King's special licence, if of his patronage, and their Covents assent, 764, 833 And by Pope's Bulls to enter in bonds without his licence, under pain of interdict and excommunication; whereupon they refused to be bound for King H. 3. 932, 933, 934. Abigail, a Type of the Virgin Mary by Papists, 44. Abjuration introduced, by King H. 3. and his Council, in crimes where trial by fire and water was allowed, after that kind of trial suppressed, Appendix 20. Abjured persons not to be seized on in the public way, 893, 908. Of Falcatius de Brent, 392. Of the right, custom of Investitures by King H. 2. 250. Of Whores and Priests Concubines in Oxford, upon Oath, 445, 446. Abraham, preserved from slaughter by God's love to the Virgin Mary, 31. Absolution from excommunication by the old Law, custom of England, without any Oath, de stando mandatis Ecclesiae, but only upon pignatory caution 3. 830, 831. This Oath exacted by Popes, Legates in foreign parts before absolution, 384, 411. Of King John from his Excommunication, who took 3. Oaths on the Evangelist when absolved; 271, 272, 279, 283. His Nobles refused to follow him into France till absolved, 276. Of King Lewes and his Complices from their excommunications upon accord with H. 3. 371, 372. Of the Emperor Frederick 2. upon an extorted Oath, De parendo super haec mandatis Ecclesiae, 411. which Oath he afterwards refused to take till he knew the particulars, and with saving the rights, lands of the Empire, 651, 652. Of the Bishop of Winton from his Excommunication by the Pope's Legate at the point of death, upon his professed repentance, for favouring Simon Monteforts party against the King, 1018. Absolution of England from the impious Interdict, after 6 years, 3 months, 14 day's continuance, 331, 332, 333, 340, 414. See Interdict. Of Abbots from visiting the Pope's palace every 3. years, for money, 465. Of Subjects from their Allegiance, Oaths of Fealty, Homage, obedience to their Kings, Emperors, by usurped Papal authority in the cases of Otho 5. Frederick 2. King John, and Henry 3. 260, 263, 264, 265, 410, 516, 524, 439, 540, 619, 621, 622, 664. contrary to the Law of God, Nature, Nations, and some Pope's Bulls and Bishops resolutions, 341, 343, 402, 403, 456, 849. Of Kings by Popes from Oaths inviolably to observe the Great Charter, and other Ordinances made by their Lords in Parliaments, 336, 337, 340, to 345, 934, 936, 946, 988, 989, 1015, 1016, 1021. Of the Cruce-signati from their Oaths, Vows to go to Jerusalem against the Saracens,▪ taken by Pope's Bulls, instigations, soon after, only to gain money for Popes, to the great scandal of Christians and Christianity, though they excommunicated the Emperor Frederick and others for not going at the time prefixed, when hindered by sickness and other grand affairs, 411, 412, 413, 449, 452, 470, 471, 512, 513, 514, 545, 547, 571, 728, 729, 746, 747, 754, 766, 767, 822, 814, 825, 1049, 1050, 1056. Of all sins by Bishops, to rebels before battles against their Kings to encourage them to fight manfully, 1021, 1022. To others by Popes, Legates, 370, 371, 448. Popish penances enjoined by Legates before absolutions from excommunications, 287, 494, 495. Adam, seduced by Eve and the Serpent, 61. He, Eve, their posterity, and mankind, saved by the Virgin Mary, as Papists assert, 26, 31, to 36. Administration of intestates goods indebted to the King prohibited Ordinaries, till the King's debt satisfied, 782, 89●. See Intestates. Admiral of Gen●● Fleet, 652. Of the French, taken, beheaded, 371. Admittendo Clerico; to Bishops to admit Clerks, or show cause why they do it not by a day, 781. Adoration, due only to God; of Angels, the Virgin Mary, Saints; Hostia, Idolatry, prohibited by God, 56, 57 60, 61, 62. Of Mary more than God, by the Church of Rome and Papists. See Mary; Prayer to Saints. Adultery of King John; his Queen imprisoned by him, and those suspected to defile her put to death for it, 256. Punishable by Kings, 2. Advocate; a good ones properties, 43, 44, 45. All of them found in the Virgin Mary, whom the Church of Rome and Romanists stile, make, invoke, magnify as their best, chiefest, compassionatest, eloquentest, most solicitous, prevailing Advocate, to Christ's dishonour, our only Advocate by God's appointment, relying on her Advocation more than on Christ's, 30, to 40. 43, to 50, 55, 56, 63. St. Dominick and St. Francis made Advocates in Heaven, equivalent to, or more prevalent than Christ, 64, 65. Advocates delaying marriage Contracts by frivolous exceptions, excommunicated, 386. The Emperor frederick's in the Council of Lions, 655. King Hen. 3. his Advocate therein, 299, 638, 639, 644. The Clergies Advocate against Pope's exactions, 841. Of the Court of Rome, King Henry the 3. his Letter to, ample reward promised him, 1031. Advowsons' of Churches, Patrons cheated of them by Papal provisions, complaints against it, 444, 506, 507. See Provisions. Prohibitions against suits concerning them in Ecclesiastical Courts or out of the Realm: See Prohibitions, Patrons, Presentations. Agnus Dei; a vain Charm against thunder tempests, 466. Sung in Churches, 686. Prohibited to be impressed by Bakers on sale-bread, 783. Christ's pretended appearing in Popish Hostiaes' under that form, 71, 72. Alienation of Capite Lands in mortmain or otherwise prohibited, 597. A Licence to alien such lands upon a Voyage to the Holy Land, 1056. Of Lands belonging to Archbishoprics, Bishoprics, Abbeys or Chauntries prohibited, recovered, resumed by the King's writs▪ 3, 4, 230, 233, 372, to 378. 380, 381, 1004, 1033. Prohibited Abbots Bishops, by new Oaths to the Pope without his licence, 465. who yet may alien all the Church's lands against his Oath, 5. Aliens, Poictovins, Italians, Romans, others, promoted to Bishopricles, Ecclesiastical preferments, benefices in England, by King Joha, Henry 3. and Pope's provisions, though illiterate, scandalous, ignorant of the English tongue, to the prejudice of the English Church, Scholars; Complaints by the Nobles against this abuse; still continued notwithstanding promises of reformation, 243, 310, 435, 442, 446, 456, 457, 501, 502, 550, 579, 580, 626, 627, 748, 749, 751, 764, 765, 777, 1020, 1323. Alienated the King's heart from, incensed him against the English, consumed his Treasure, domineered over the Natives, married the English Nobleses; oft complained against, the King sharply reprehended for it by the English Nobles in Parliament, 443, 444, 445, 721, 775, 949, to 952. The chief cause of the Baron's rebellion against King H. 3. 1020, 1023. Their Corn threshed out, goods, houses plundered by the English; who are excommunicated, imprisoned for it: Inquisitions after their Lands, plundered goods, 434, to 439, 630, 631, 1000, to 1006. The Nobles rise up in arms against, banish, force them several times out of the Realm, seize their monies, goods, oppose their return as firebrands of sedition, 443, 444, 445, 450, 930, to 938, 949, 950, 966, 967, 1020. Alien Priors and Normans Lands, rents in England enquired after, seized by the King, 630, 631. Alien Usurers introducei, protected by the Pope, excommunicated, imprisoned, till they made their peace, 437, 469, 651, 652, 754, 802. Append. 26. Altars of, and to the Virgin Mary, 51, 52. Christ's corporal apparition on them in Popish Hostiaes', 72, 73. Appeal made at the High Altar against King John's Charter by the Archbishop, 293, 294, 300, 431. Archbishops after their elections carried to the high Altar, 242, 243, 247. Priests flying to their ●horns for sanctuary pulled thence, 786, 787. Hubert pulled from before it with his Crucifix in his hand, to which he fled, 439. Broken in pieces because persons excommunicated celebrated Mass on them, Appendix 6. King H. 3. his Oath upon the Altar at Westminster to observe the great Charter, and reform all his former errors, 935. Christ's body offered on them, 504. Angels, their several Orders: all subject to the Virgin Mary their Queen, Empress, attending on her at her death, Assumption, 16, 20, to 25, 28, 34, 43, 48, 68 Show Christ on the Altar to Plegilis, 71, 72. Not to be adored, 60, 61. Americaments of Clergymen, 337. Of their Tenants, 828. Antichrist; The Pope, Court of Rome reputed so by Alexander Cementarius, Grosthead, the Greek Church, others, for their antichristian practices, corruptions, 259, 760, 765, 773, 778, 799, to 806, 824. See Index 10, 12, Apparitions of Christ in Popish Hostiaes', delusions 74. Apparators, Beadles, their exactions prohibited, 910. Apostasy of Convert Jew's, others, punished with death, 385, 634. Of Christians, by reason of the Saracens victories over them, and their ill successes in the Holy War, 734. Apostate Moaks, Writs to apprehend them, 575. Apostles of Christ, all equal to, had the selfsame Commission, mission, authority, as St. Peter, 9, 10, 11. instructed, governed after Christ's ascension by the Virgin Mary, appointed by Christ for their Mistress, Lady, Comforter, Instructor, in his stead, not St. Peter, by their Seraphic Doctor's resolutions, 16, to 21. Suddenly summoned to her at her death, her funeral speech to them, 68 Apostolical power derived to the Pope, Christ's & their Apostolical doctrine, only for the edification of the Church, 799, 800 Appeals anciently and of right from Bishops, Councils, Synods, Pope's sentences, grievances, to Christian Emperors, Kings, as supreme ultimate Judges, 3. To the Virgin Mary, from Devils, Lusts, Tyrants. Gods, Christ's Justice, as the Chancellor of Heaven, Fountain of God's Mercy all bequeathed to her; and that immediately without appeal to any mediate Saint or Angels, 16, 21, 22, 24, 25, 53. From Pope's unjust censures, oppressions, to the next General Council, Church militant and triumphant Supreme Judge, and Christ's Tribunal, 639, 644, 645, 666, 678, 805, 812, 1015, 1021. Of the Pope himself to Christ's Tribunal, 927. Prohibited by our Kings, Laws to Popes or the See of Rome, without their special licènse, as able to do all Subjects right without them, 4. 249, 473. None permitted to the Popes or out of the Realm in cases of Bastardy: certificates of it on the King's Writs to his Justices by Ordinaries, 393, 394, 472, 473, 782. Immediately to the Pope by the Canon Law, pretermitting all mediate Judges, 24. Popes, Canonists bold groundless claims of a right of appeals to them and the Court of Rome for all grieved persons, from all other Bishops, Councils, Synods, Churches in the world; and in case of injustice, from all Emperors, Kings, Parliaments, Kingdoms, in temporal as well as Ecclesiastical▪ matters, notwithstanding any custom, privilege, prescription, but not from Popes or the See Apostolic to any other, 6, 7, 8, 231, 232, 245, 928, 929. Appeals to Popes contemned, disallowed by our Archbps, Bishops, proceedings against appellants notwithstanding, 231, 232, 384, 741, to 744, 791. Appendix 4, 5, 6, 13, 14. By Pope's own Legates, 329, 330. Appeals by King John and H. 3. against Pope's usurpations on the ancient rights of the Crown, only to declare, justify their rights against misinformations, not to make Pope's Judges of them; with a saving of their rights to them and their heirs; In elections of Archbishops, Bishops, Abbots, without their special licence, or disallowance of them when elected, to prevent their consecrations, 229, 230, 240, 241, 246, to 252, 348, 349, 353, 354, 384, 405, 418, 419, 422. 431, 432, 433, 483, 484, 497, 498, 510, 578, 587, to 594, 922, 923, 924, 1062. See Index 3, 4, 10. Against dissolving a Union & Election, 357. Against exiled Bishop's restitution, 966, 967. Against Pope's provisions to Dignities, Prebendaries, Benefices belonging to them in right of the Crown, or by prerogative, 381, 477, 478, 557. Against their Bishops acting or enacting any thing in their Convocations, Councils, to the prejudice of the Crown or kingdom, 578, 837. Against their Bishops, Clergies Constitutions made in Councils, to the prejudice of the rights, Liberties of the Crown, Nobles, people, 899, 983, 990, 991, to 912. Against Usurpations on their Free-Chappels privileges, 557. See Free Chapels: Against Bishops or Pope's Delegates holding Plea of Layfee, or goods not given in marriage, or by Testament, 726, 735. See Prohibitions. Against the Great Charter, extorted by force of arms; or invading, detaining their Castles, and other temporal rights, not of Papal nor Ecclesiastical conusance, 340, to 348, 377, 384, 385, 390, 391, 402, 403, 430, 455, 456, 832. 833, 988, 999, 1015, 1016. Of the Archbishop of Canterbury against King John's surrender of his Crown and Charter to the Pope, 293, 299, 300, 431. Against Pope's Legates unjust proceedings, Suspensions, Excommunications, 329, 330, 360, 362, 692, 693, 1015, 1018. who assigned them a set time to appear in person before the Pope within 3. month's space, Ibid. Against Popes, their Legates, Nuntioes unjust Taxes, Exactions, Obligations, provisions by our Bishops and Clergy, 692. 693, 694, 823, 824, 841. Of the Archbishop against the King and his Chief Justice in case of a Wardship, 429, 430. By King Lewes, the Barons, Londoners, against the Popes and his Legates excommunications, interdicts, as null, 362. Of our Bishops, Deans and Chapters, Priors and Monks, in cases of Bishops and Abbot's elections, 245, 246, 405, 418, 419, 498, 499 In cases of Archbishops, Bishops, Visitors oppressions, excommunications, visitations, undue proceedings, 231, 232, 362, 382, 383, 384, 499, 509, 731, 742, to 748, 762, 766, 928, 929, 930. Appendix 2, 4, to 18. Appeals of our Kings attested, renewed by their Letters Patents and Proctors constituted to pursue, declare and defend their rights, 229, 230, 340, 349, 357, 405, 497, 498, 557, 558, 578, 590, 807, 966, 967. Of Suffragan Bishops, Abbots, Priors against the Archbishop of York, made to the Pope in the King's presence, and approved by his Letters Patents, 242, 245, 246. Of the King before the Pope's Legates, his Bishops, Council, ●81. Occasioned extraordinary expenses at Rome, and enriched Popes and the Court of Rome, 383, 737, 852. See Index 3, 10, 12. All benefit of Appeals renounced in Obligations to Pope's Usurers, 468. Pope's Tyrannical Bulls, Letters to their Nuntioes, Agents, Delegates to levy Dimes, and proceed notwithstanding any Appeals, or without taking notice of them, 232, 233, 329, 345, 353, 359, 389, 406, 442, 683, 693, 694, 696, 740, 780, 859, 1029. Appendix 5, 10. Costs and Damages awarded in them at Rome, 232, 499. Proceedings, sentences after Appeals reversed as void by Pope's Letters to the parties themselves, or by his Delegares in their default, 231, 232, 340, 345, 362, 384, 586. Appendix 13, 14. Appropriations by the King's licence, 4, 378. Appendix 29. their mischiefs, 1041. Archbishops of England, Wales, Ireland, and others: See Index 3, 4, 5. Of Ravenna, 529. Of Canterbury (as well as Popes) set over Nations, the Kingdom of England and Lords Garden therein, to root up and destroy, build, plant, etc. 897. His transcendent underived power by his Constitutions at Westminster, to interdict the King's Castles, Lands, the whole Province of Canterbury, inhibit his Judges, Justices proceedings, and excommunicate, interdict them for granting Prohibitions to relieve the oppressed subjects against his and Prelates encroachments, 899, to 912. See Index 3. Archdeacon's office, exactions, 233, 573, 674. See Index 6. The Pope seizeth the monies, goods of 3. of them dying rich and intestate, 671. Arches London, an excommunication there, 457. Arms: all persons as well Bishops, Abbots, Clergymen, as Barons and others to bear arms, or contribute towards them in times of danger against invading enemies, 268, 269, 890, 994, 1007, 1008, 1009, 1024, 1025. The Bishop of Belvoir taken and kept prisoner in his arms, sworn never to bear arms more ere released, 247. Armies summoned by our King's Writs against Enemies, Welshmen, Scots, 260, 261, 265, 268, 269, 281, 622, 994, 1007, 1008, 1009, 1024. Arrests, Attachments, Imprisonments of Noblemen and others whose loyalty is suspected in times of danger, for refusing to find pledges for their due obedience, 256, 260. Of Ladies and others for ill language, slanders against the King, ibid. 258. 267. Of false seditious prophets, 266. Of Bishops, Clerks, others, bringing Pope's Bulls, Provisions into the Realm, prejudicial to the King or kingdom, 4, 617, 618, 635, 973. Of persons going beyond Seas without the King's licence, or against his inhibition, 439. Of Monks, others keeping force in Churches, 242. Appendix, 3, 4, 5, 6. Of the Monks of Winton, for not complying with the King in electing a Bishop, 581, 582. 748. Of Bishops and others proceeding against the King's prohibitious issued to them, 560, 561, 637, 718, 860, 892, 893, 894, 901. Of Clerks and Clergymen for offences against the Forest, Trespasses, with force, murders, other Crimes, 230, 258, 272, 283, 351, 512, 577, 704, 857, 858, 874, 884, 892, 893, 903, 904, 905, 906, 908, 910. Of Scholars & others for riots, tumults, breach of the peace, 230, 242, 436, 437, 494, 495, 904, 905, 996, 997, 1067. Of Heretics, 385, 475, 560. Of Apostate Monks 575. Of such who refuse to sell victuals and necessaries to Jew's upon Bishops inhibitions, 387. Of Excommunicate persons, duty of excommunications 785, 829. Of assaulters, imprisoners of the King's Justices, Bishops servants, and others by tumults, 392, 785, 786, 787, 788, 826, 827. Of Pope's Legates, Cardinals, Bishops, Nuntioes stirring up sedition, and resorting to Councils against the Emperor's prohibitions, to depose him, 508, 509, 513, 516, 555, 556, 557, 639, SIXPENCES▪ 652, 653, 655. Of Jews, in the Tower of London for murder. 857. Articles and Confessions of Faith, published, authorized by Kings, 2. Assarts, acquittal from them, 228, ●29. Assize of Darreign Presentment, none of a Prebendary, 445. of Mortdauncester in Ireland, and proceedings in it, 393, 394. Held in times prohibited, 394, 407. Assumption of the Virgin Maries body in great state into heaven by Christ himself and all the host of heaven, placing her at his right hand in the very throne of the Trinity, asserted by the Roman Church, 20, to 24. See Mary. Atheism punished by Kings, 2. Attachments▪ See Arrests, Prohibitions. Ave Mary, changed from an Angelical Salutation to a Papal idolatrous invocation, and adoration of the Virgin Mary; its various kinds, frequent repetitions in Popish Primers, Rosaries, Litanies, 17, 34, 52, 53. Annexed to the Pater Noster as an inseparable Appendix, 52. No less than 63. Ave Maria's said to 12, and 150 Aves to 15. Pater Nosters in their Romish Devotions, p. 52. S. Margaret said 1000 Ave mary's every Vigil and Festival dedicated to Mary, 52. The absurdity of its repetition, use by Papists, Ibid. They begin their morning devotions therewith by ringing an Ave-Mary Bell, the Freers contests which order should first ring it, and Pope's decrees therein, 52. Ave-Mary Bell to ring notwithstanding any interdicts, Ib. A Parrot rescued from a Hawk by saying it, 41. Averpeni, exemption from it 229. St. Augustin his assertion; that Christians are Christ's very body, 79. That John 5● 53, to 57 is not meant of eating Christ's flesh in the Eucharist, p. 80. Aids for defence of the Realm, due from, granted by the Bishops, Clergy, by special obligations, 3, 4, 260, 261, 396, 406, 407, 438, 475, 496. Aid to make the King's Son a Knight, 819. To marry his daughter, granted 614 To marry his Sister, 614. Exemption of a Nunnery from them, 229. None to be granted or levied by the Pope or others without the King's special assent, 399, 425, 426, 562, 569, 574, 616, 615, 634, 672, 673, 674, 429, 686, 687. Extraordinary Aids granted not to be drawn into example, 396, 474. Aids granted, to the King in Parliaments, upon conditions to be counselled by his Natives, confirm the Great Charter, and reform grievances; 485, 486, 609, 610, 611, to 615, 795, 796, 797, 931, 932. Aids delayed, denied by the Nobles and Prelates when demanded, especially for Sicily and foreign Wars, undertaken without advice of Parliament, and before grievances really redressed, 428, 429, 434, 485, 609, 721, 722, 770, to 779, 822, 841, 842, 931, 932. Aids for the Holy Land, how imposed, abused, extorted, perverted by Popes and their agents to Popes, other uses: 238, 239, 240, 347, 408, 409, to 452, 456, 457, 470, 471, 545, 546, 681, 682, 698, 728, 729, 730, 735, 753, 754, 758, 766, to 775, 814, to 817, 1327, to 1040. Pope's Bulls to the Prelates, Clergy of England and Ireland to give aids, Dimes to the King, and the proceedings thereon, 396, 406, 407, 408, 559, 560, 1006, 1007, etc. 1018, 1027, 1028, to 1040, 1047, to 1058. Aids, Disms, rapines for Popes themselves and Mother Church of Rome, against the Emperor and other Enemies, the oppositions against, and proceedings therein, 398, to 402. 419, 425, 426, 427, 546, 566, to 570, 572, 573, 574, 611, 612, to 621, 671, 672, to 683, 686, to 696, 753, 754, 757, 775, 776, 822, 823, 824, 841, 846, 847, 862, to 871. What public Aids King Henry 3. received, besides moneys extorted, 614, 825. B. Baker's prohibited by proclamation to impress the sign of the Crucifix, Agnus Dei, or name of Jesus on saleable bread, 783. Banishment of Aliens; See Aliens: of Archbishops, Bishops, Clergymen, their kindred, relations for Treason in interdicting the Realm, excommunicating the King's officers for levying Aids, arms, and other misdemeanours against the King's Crown and Dignity, 3. 242, 243, 248, 253, 254, 267, 268, 392, 444, 445, 457, 510, 522, 936, 937, 938, 949, 990, 997, 998. Of Falcatius de Brent for seizing, imprisoning a Judge, and holding the King's Castle against him, by judgement in Parliament, 392, 398, Voluntary, of Archbishop Edmund, 563, 564, 591, 698. Revocation from banishment granted by the King to some, 392, 456, 457, 997, 998. Opposed, denied to others. 398, 950, 951, 952, 960, 967. Baptism of infants permitted during interdicts by the Pope's dispensation, 253, 489. See Interdicts. Baptism of an infidel hindered, objected as a crime by the Pope against the Emperor, 516, 522. Baronage of England, 364, 618, 822, 936, 948, 949. Baronies of Archbishops, Bishops, Abbots, Priors, held of the King, for which they swore Fealty, and were bound to maintain the rights of his Crown, seized for their Contempts in not finding Horse, Arms; Some held of the King in Frankalmoigne: Escuage, Fealty, due for them, with other matters concerning them, 231, 443, 567, 614, 615, 616, 627, 688, 725, 758, 781, 833, 837, 891, 893, 940 1008, 1009, 1024. Threatened to be seized for nonresidence, neglect of preaching and teaching their Subjects, if not reform, 999, 1011, 1012. Barons, Earls, Nobles of England. See Index 7, 9 Summoned to aid the King with horses, arms against the French, 269. Grant an aid to the Holy Land, 238, 239, 240. absolved by the Pope● Legate from their allegiance to King John, 263, 265. Which of them faithfully adhered to him against the Pope, 265. He is informed by Letters they would murder or betray him, if he proceeded in his wars against the W●l●h: whereupon the dismissed his army, and requires pledges for the loyalty of all those he suspected; which most give, some few deny, 256, 263, 271. The French King boasted he had most of their Charters of fealty and subjection to him, 271, 305. Sixteen of the potentest Earls and Barons swear to perform King John's agreement with Pandulf touching the Bishop's exile, 271, 273. The assent, consent of them all inserted into King John's detestable Charter of resignation of his Crown, Kingdoms of England and Ireland unto the Pope, and 11. of their Names subscribed to it, in whose presence he did his homage, and swore fealty, 273, ●74, 289, 290. when as the Nobles not only generally murmured at, but protested against the Kings grant thereof, as made without their assents, 294, 295, 296, 298, 299, 301, 302, 305, 327. Appendix 19 They refuse to follow King John into France, till absolved from his excommunication, 276. They pretend poverty and want of moneys to be the cause, 282. Twelve of their Letters to the exiled Bishops for their safe return, and King's performance of his agreement with the Legate, for their restitution and damages, 276, 277. Meet at St. Alban, force the King to observe the Laws of King Henry the 1. reform all ill Laws, extortions; He intends to raise an army to subdue those Barons who seemed to desert him, from which he desists through the Archbishop's menaces, and promise they should submit themselves to a legal trial in his Court, 282. They enter into a secret Oath and confederacy by the Archbishop's instigation, to revive and maintain the good Laws of King Edward, and Hen. 1. for which they would fight even to death in time convenient, 282, 283. He sends to the Pope to whom he had resigned his Crown, Realm, for a Legate to excommunicate the Archbishop and Barons, 287. They meet in 2. Parliaments at London and Reding about the Bishop's damages, to whom they adhered more than to the King, 287, 288. Some of them connived at King john's sealing his Charter, to render him more odious, and take occasion from thence to oppose, contest with, rebel against him, 294, 295, 296. Crown Lands, Charters, alienated to them, resumed, revoked by our Kings, 324, 325. King John's Letters to them concerning the Pope's release of the Interdict, craving their effectual aid, advice, for their and his honour, and reformation of the State of the Realm, 332. Their meeting in Parliament thereupon with the Legate, Bishops, agreeing the sum of the Bishop's damages, and for the release of the long continued Wars, Interdicts, 332, 333. Their demand of the confirmation of the Great Charter of Liberties and Laws from King John by the Archbishop's instigation; menaces to raise war against, and withdraw their allegiance from him if denied; providing of horse, arms to force him to it, they seize upon London, raise a great army, whereby through fear the King granted them the Great Charter of Liberties and of the Forest, with many new clauses inserted by the Bishops; consented to 25. conservators of them, whom all swore to obey, ratified them by his Great Seal, Oath; and more readily to incline the Prelate's hearts to him, granted a New Charter to them for the freedom of elections; and ratified them by the Pope's Bull, 335, to 341. His appeal, Letters to the Pope against these Charers, as extorted from him by the Barons by force, fear, without the Pope's privity, who had the Dominion of England, he and it being then under his protection, without whose knowledge he ought to do nothing; and he crossed for the Holy Land: The Pope's Bull nulling these Charters; admonitions, Letters to the Barons to honour, please, obey him as their King, and to him to treat them favourably, grant all their just petitions; and checking them for taking arms against him being his vassals, 327, 340, 341, 342. He prohibits them or their Complices to exact these Charters, and nulls all obligations, cautions to observe them. His Bulls to the Barons to that purpose, 342, 343. They more fiercely rebel against him thereupon; the Archbishop traitorously surrenders Rochester astle to them; the Barons excommunicated for their rebellion; all enjoined to assist the King against them, under pain of excommunication, 344, 345 The Archbishop suspended for refusing to publish their Excommunication, as gained by misinformation, and for favouring, siding with them, 345, 347, 348, 351. It is yet published every Lordsday against them by the Bishop of Winton, and Pandulphus the Popes Legate, 345. The Barons except against it as null, because general, and none of them named in it, 345, 346. They refuse, contemn King John's offer to grant all their petitions, which the Pope by the plenitude of his power should deem just to grant, hinder his voyage to the Holy Land by their insurrections, whereof he complained to the Pope, 346, 346. Upon which they and their complices are excommunicated, interdicted a fresh by name at the King's request, 359, 360. Their excommunication, interdict published through all England, except London, where the Barons, Citizens contemn them as Null, deny the Pope's authority in temporal matters, revile, scorn him, appeal against, and officiate notwithstanding, 360, 361, 364. They renounce King John, send for, receive Lewis of France, Crown him King, swear Homage, fealty to him, 361, 362. Appendix 18, 19 His Oath to them, to restore good Laws and their lost possessions; which he violated by detaining their Castles; whereupon many revolt from him to King John, and for Lewes and 16 of his Chief Barons taking a private Oath to exile all the English who adhered to them against King John as Traytoys not to be trusted, 362, 366. The Pope excited them by his Bulls to rise up against King John 〈◊〉 an obstinate Enemy to the Church at first, to enslave him and his Realm; yet after he had effeminately surrendered his kingdom to him, he excommunicated, disinherited them, and gave away their Estates according to the Roman mode, agreeing with the King to trample them under feet, 287, 367, 368, 414, 415. Many of them revolt from Lewes to King Henry 3. 269, 370. his Oath in the Agreement with Lewes to render to them, and all others of the Realm all their Rights, Inheritances, Liberties formerly demanded, forwhich the discord arose between King John and them; and to secure them from all harm and reproach for their former actings, 371. Requests the Pope's Letters to command those Barons whose fidelity he suspected, faithfully to assist and adhere to him, and to compel those who were rebellious by Ecclesiastical censures, without any appeal to surrender his Castles; which they at first resusing, were forced thereto by the Archbishops and Bishops Excommunications, 389, 390, 391, 392. They advise the King to obey the Pope's Inhibition, not to invade France, 404. The custody of their Heirs, Castles, Land, belong to the King, 430. They expostulate with him for impoverishing the Kingdom, and following the advice of the Pope's Legate, and Strangers when he demanded an aid in Parliament, 485. In the Parliament of Merton, will not change the Law of England concerning Bastardy which they settled, 471, 472, 473. Summoned to a Parliament at York to make a peace with the Scots, 486. They all oppose the King, except Earl Richard, come with Horse and Arms to the Parliament at London, force the King by a Writing under the Legates and their Seals to submit to their Ordinances for redress of the Pope's exactions, and other grievances, 498. They all join in a Letter to the Pope against his usurpations on the rights of Patronages, by provisions, in behalf of Sir Robert de Twinge, and the whole Realm; the Pope's mild Answer thereto to prevent their revolt from the See of Rome, 506, 507, 508. Many of them cross themselves for the Holy war, swearing to go notwithstanding the Pope's Inhibition to them, 513, 514. Feasted by the King at Westminster upon Olto the Pope's Legates departure, 570. They unanimously assemble, complain against and tell the King they would rather die than suffer the Pope's usurpations in suspending their Presentations to vacant Benefices, and his provisions of them to Aliens; theirs & the King's Consultations, Letters to the Pope to redress their Grievances, 607, 608. They command all the Bringers in of Pope's Bulls to cheat men of Moneys, to be arrested in all Ports, 617. They meet to prosecute their Appeals to a Council against the Pope's grievances and extortions; their Message to Martin to depart the Realm within 15 days, else they would hew him to pieces; his Complaint thereof to the King and timorous flight out of England thereupon, 618, 619, 620. Vehemently incensed against the Pope for his detestable avarice, treachery in exempting David Prince of Wales from the King's Allegiance, being his Vassal, against his Charter and Oath of Subjection to him, for the Annual rent of 500 Marks; ●ssist him with their Arms to avenge it, by invading Wales with fire and sword, 622, 623. Some of them sent as Ambassadors from the King to Kingdom to the General Council at Lions, to complain of King John's Charter, and unsupportable Tribute, as extorted against his Noble, Wills who never did, nor would ever consent thereto, 638, 639, 644, 645. Their memorable Epistle to the Pope against it, and Papal provisions of Benefices to Aliens who had no ca●e of the People's Souls, but were most ravening Wolves devouring their Flocks, who knew not their Sheep, nor their Sheep them, kept no Hospitality, gave no Alms as they ought, reaping only the fruits of their Livings, which they transported beyond Sea to the Realms impoverishing, dep●●ving the well-deserving English of their Benefices, which might and would discharge their Pastoral duties, receiving above 60000 Marks, annual Revenues out of England; complaining of Martins●apines ●apines and other oppressions, enjoying, exercising greater powers by his Authority than ever any former Legates: desking him like a tender Father to redress these intolerable oppressions of his Children; to preserve the Rights of the King's Crown, who was a Catholic and pious Prince; who though willing to obey, and increase the honour and profit of the Church of Rome like an obedient Son, yet they who did bear the burden, heat of the day in his Affairs, and who together with the King diligently intended the preservation of the Realm, could no longer patiently tolerate the said oppressions and intolerable grievances, detestable both to God and man, hoping and believing the Pope would out of his piety apply such speedy and timely remedy, that he might demerit to receive special thanks from all the Nobles, and whole Realm of England, as from his most dear Sons in Christ, 645, 646, 547. To which the Pope giving no satisfactory answer, the Ambassadors departed from the Council in disconsent, swearing terribly, they would never pay nor suffer to be paid that detestable Tribute to the Roman avarice, nor the Rents of Churches (especially such whereof the Nobles of the Realm were Patrons) to be extorted from them: which the Pope patiently connived at and dissembled till a fi●ter ●im of revenge● The Pope's rancour against the King, Nobles. Kingdom for this their Complaint. Letter, and opposition against his Rapines; his mena●●●● Speeches, futther aggravation of his hand and oppressions against them, 663, 664. They meet in a general Parliament at London to oppose, redress the incessant grievances of the Court of Rome, which ve●ed them to the Soul, against Promises and Privileges granted them, draw up their Grievances into several Articles, as against the ancient Custom, Liberty of the King, Kingdom, the appeal and contradiction of their Proctors in the General Council at Lions: send Messengers, with memorable Letters in their own names, and of all the Nobles and Commonalty of England against these Grievances to the Pope, speedily to redress them, which they 〈◊〉 could nor would and longer ●n●nre; threatening if they were not ●efo●med by their Messengers return they would rectify them themselves; and that he should know for certain, such perilt would befall the Church of Rome and the King, as could not easily be prevented, 665, to 661 The King by their advice and provision prohibits all Tall●ges and Contributions to the Pope by his Writs, impudently demanded, collected, notwithstanding their Letters and opposition against them, which the Barons manfully oppose, but the papal Prelates and King at last, by their adv●c●●nd menances to Interdict the Realm, cowardly submitted to, 672, 673, 674, 675, 676, 777, 778. Their new Le●te●s to the Pope, Cardinals, and oppositions in Parliament against the Pope's new Exactions; whereat the Court at Rome grinded their teeth for anger, yet boldly proceeded in their obstinate intolerable rapines, 766, to 781. Summoned to a Parliament at London to oppose the unsupportable Contribution the Prelates had imposed on the Clergy in a General Council, who thereupon absented themselves from the Parliament, 690 Summoned to a new Parliament at Oxford, to consult of the state of the Realm, and prevent the Pope's manifold extortions which impoverished and exhausted all the Treasure out of the Realm; to which the Bishops being specially called, m●st unworthily submitted to pay 11000 Marks to the Pope, besides the exempt Monasteries left to his rapine, to the Barons great disgust 696. Their complaint against the Bishop of Lincoln and his Officers excommunications, and vexatious citing people to take Oaths against their wills in their Visitations and Courts, in cases of defamations, and matters that concerned not Matrimony or Testament, against the Laws and Customs of the Realm, to the prejudice of the people's fames, sou's, 706. All summoned to St. Edmund's Feast at Westminster, and solemn procession, adoration of the pretended viol of Christ's blood, which the King then carried from St. Paul's Church to Westminster, to be there reserved, adored, 717, 718. Oppose in Parliament the Pope's grant of First-fruits of all vacant Benefices to Archbishop Boniface, out of Laymens' Benefices; upon which the King issued out a Prohibition against their Collection, 718, 719. They deny the King an aid in Parliament, sharply reprehended him for demanding it, for savouring Aliens, spending the wealth of the Realm profusely on them, for violating the Church's Liberties and Great Charter, against his Oath, for having neither a Chancellor, Treasurer, nor Chief Justice elected by the Common council of the whole Realm: who promised to reform all things with great, but feigned humility; they believe him not, because of his frequent breach of such promises, till they saw a real Reformation; thereupon the Parliament adjourns, and ●t last broke up in discontent by the King's sharp answer to, and denying of their Demands, 721, 722. The King displeased with his Counsellors for losing their hearts, who put him to hard un-kingly shifts to beg and extort Moneys, 722, 723, 724. prohibited by the Pope at the King's request to go to the Holy Land, when prepared, and by the King's Writs not permitted to go out of the Realm against his will, as they resolved, 731. They advise the King to seize the Barony of the Bishop of Worcester for excommunicating the Sheriff thereof against his prohibition, in contempt of his Crown and Dignity, 758. Summonned to a Parliament to grant the King an Aid of Money and Men for the Holy Land, which they refuse; whispering secretly, that the King was no Soldier, never versed in war; that they could not expect he could vanquish the Saracens, who took the Martial King of France Prisoner; that he rashly undertook to gain others Lands beyond Sea by power, who was unable to keep his own: reprehending him with great indignation, as born only to cheat his Subjects of money and empty their purses, and return home in discontent: The King conceiving these speeches and actions proceeded from a malignant spirit and hatred against him, resolved to send for a Legate to compel the Bishops to a Contribution, who then durst not say him nay, 770, 773, 774, 775, 776. In another Parliament after a sharp reproof of the King for violating the Great Charter, and liberties of the Church, they granted him an Aid, upon condition to ratify them in all the Articles thereof bona fide without any evasions, which he and his Father had frequently violated against their Oaths, and cause a general Excommunication to be denounced against all jufringers thereof in Westminster Hall, which he did, 795, 796, 910, 911, 797. They deny the King an Aid for Apulia and Sicily, because undertaken without their council and consent, by the whisper of the Pope and his Italiaus, and because not all summoned and present according to Magna Charta, 822. They compassionated neither the Church nor Prelatet, 821. Compelled Bishops, Clergymen, and Religious Persons to make suit at their Courts, 895, 900. They animated the cowardly divied Bishops in their Convocation at London, to give nothing out of their Baronies to the King o● Pope's Legate, 841. The King and Nobles often solicited in vain by the Bishops to redress Grievances against their pretended privileges, they thereupon resolved to redress them themselves; and by their own new exorbitant Constitutions, subjected the King, his Judges, Officers, Barons to new Excommunications, Interdicts, Censures for opposing their pretended Churches privileges, 897, to 912. Against which the King by their advice appealed in his own and Kingdom's behalf, 983, 990, 991. Their proceedings and Ordinances in the Parliaments at Oxford & London, against the intoerable rapines, insolences of the Pope's Agents, Poictovines, and other Foreigners whom they banished England, to preserve the Kingdom from utter desolation by the subtleties of the Church of Rome and King, 930. They animated the cowardly Prelates, reprehend the King for his folly, and uncircumspection in embracing the Pope's proffers of Apulia to him, without their council or advice, which involved him in infinite Debts, and not refusing it as his Brother Richard did: deny to grant him any Aid towards it, or Debts contracted for it, telling him they neither could nor would endure such Extortions; whose Precedent all the Abbots but one followed, 931, 932, 933. They sharply reprehend the King for breach of the Great Charter against his Oath, Excommunications denounced against the Infringers. promoting all manner of Alien, contemning, opposing his English Nobles, Subjects, exhausting the Kingdom's Treasure, reducing himself to extreme poverty, contempt, whereupon he did humbly acknowledge his errors, and frequent bewitching by ill counsel, promised by solelmn Oath on the High Altar and St. Edward's Coffin to amend all his former errors fully and plainly; which they not crediting, by reason of former violations of this kind, adjourned the Parliament to a further day to Oxford, provide Horse and Arms for their own defence against the Poictovins treacheries; exact the confirmation of the Great Charter, with other particulars for the Kingdom's peace, ease, wealth, swore solemnly to each other to prosecute, and not give over their resolution for the loss of Money or Lands, nor yet for the life of them and theirs, caused the King and Prince Edward to swear to obey, pursue their counsel in all things; swearing they would not leave one foot of Land in England to such Nobles who refused to take the like Oath, 935, 936. They pursue the Poictovines from Oxford to Winton, force them to fly, and hanish them out of England, seize their moneys in all places where found, and forced Herlot the Pope's Nuncio to fly secretly out of England for fear till quieter times, 937, 938 939. They forced the King to swear involably to observe their provisions made at Oxford, who privately procured an absolution from them, the Pope nulling his Oath and their provisions, 948. They send a notable Letter to the Pope concerning the business of Apulia, as undertaken without their advice, without whom the King ought not to undertake it, complaining against the Bishop of winchester's, his Brothers and Officers opposing of their Ordinances for the Kingdom's settlement, the intolerable rapines, oppressions of his Officials; his refusal to stand to a legal Trial, who was so detestable to the Commonalty of England, that they would by no means permit his return into England, though the King and Nobles desired it; and that it was the fixed resolution of all and every of them, that they would never suffer this Author of Schifm, discord and scandal to live among them: representing other his tyrannical and detestable facts to the Pope, together with their Letter by four eloquent Knights they sent with it, left he should corrupt the Pope and Cardinals with money to consecrate him Bishop; which Messengers were to return with all expedition without any disputation or discourse, 948, to 952. which the King seconded with his Letters and Proctor 966, 967. They compelled all Foreigners to fly the Realm, commanded all the Farmers of the Roman Churches not to pay their rents to them, but to those they appointed to receive them, under pain of firing their Houses, and such personal penalties as they intended to inflict on the Romans; commanding the Bishops under the like penalty, not to permit any Romans to meddle with their Rents, whereby England continued three years free from their Exactions, 980. They endeavoured to have their Constitutions at Oxford ratified at Rome, opposing the Kings nulling of them, who yet prevented them, 986, 987, 988. Their Articles of Agreement concerning the Archbishops return into England upon certain conditions, 997, 998. See Index 3. Boniface. Their Provisions touching the spoils and plunders of Ecclesiastical Persons, Goods, during the Troubles, Inquisitions after them, and for their safe custody, 999, to 1006. The King's Letters to the Bishop of London and other Bishops, to excommunicate some Barons for breaking their Oaths and Agreement with him, seizing his Castles, wasting his Lands in an hostile manner, and drawing Prince Edward to rebel against him, 1013, 1014. The King sends for a Legate into England to assist him and excommunicate the Bishops, Barons in arms against him; who not daring to enter into England, sends for some Bishops into France, and there Excommunicates and Interdicts them. They by advice of some Bishops and their Officials appeal against it to the Pope himself, to better times, and a General Council, also to the Supreme Judge for certain causes and convenient reasons; afterwards ratified by the Bishops and Clergy in a Council at Reding; the Inhabitants of Dovor tear the Interdict which they seized on, and cast it into the Sea, 1014, 1015, 1016, 1018. Roger Abbot of Canterbury published the Pope's Bull of Excommunication against them there, nulling their provisions and League at Oxford; absolving the King and all others from their Oath to observe them, from which the Bishop of Worcester and other Clerks adhering to the Barons asserted and preached publicly, the Pope had no power nor authority to absolve them, being made and sworn to by common consent, 1015, 1016. Ottobon the Pope's Legate soon after coming into England in his red Cardinal's Robes, excommunicates all the Bishops, Clergy adhering to Simon Monteford against the King, in a Council at Northampton, suspended them from their Office and Benefices; and then excommunicated all the Barons and others adhering to him; encouraged in their Rebellion by the Bishops and Clergy, 1018, 1019. Their overthrow at the battle of Evesham; the award and accord made between the King and them in the Parliament at Kenelworth, 1019. Matthew Westminster's recapitulation and censure of their provisions of Oxford, proceedings, war, arms aginnst the King and Bishop's encouragement of them, 1020, 1021, 1022. The disinherited Barons lurk in the Isle of Ely; their high and sharp answer to the Legates Proposals sent to them, which much incensed him and the King against them, 1022, 1023. He summoned all the Archbishops, Bishops, Barons and others that hold by Knight service, to assemble with Horse and Arms to subdue them; The Bishops and Abbots assembled in Parliament resuse to aid him with their Arms, protesting they held their Baronies only in Francalmoign, not by Knight-service; that they were obliged to assist him only with their Spiritual arms prayers, tears, not with the material Sword; and were bound by their Benefices to maintain peace, not war, etc. 1024, 1025. The Earl of Gloucester refuseth to send Arms to assist against them, yet sent Letters Patents under his hand, he would never bear Arms against the King or Prince Edward, to avoid the Note or Treason. He besieged the Legate in the Tower, prohibits any Victuals to be carried to him; Those in the Isle of Ely sallying out plundered all the King's Jewels at Westminster, so distressed him for want of Money, thath: pawned his Jewels, the precious Stones, & golden Images in Westminster Abbey to Merchants to raise a little Money for the present, which he afterwards redeemed, restored; The Legate excommunicated all the disturbers of the kingdoms peace, and Interdicted all the Churches in and near London, 1025, 1026. The Pope's Bull setting forth the King's sad oppressions, persecutions by his Baron's wars, the great loss he sustained, debts he incurred, and miseries he and the Realm sustained thereby exhorting the Archbishops and Bishops to a liberal supply and payment of 7. years' Disme which he granted to him, that he might the better defend the Church, Realm, maintain their Liberties, Rights, and promote God's service with greater zeal, 1027, 1088. They discharge King Henry from his Oath and Voyage to the Holy Land for the kingdoms safety, which might be endangered by his and Prince Edward's absence out of it at one time, 1049, 1050. See more in Hen. 3. & King John. Barons of the Cinqu ports, their privilege, 887. Barons of the Exchequer, the treasurers valediction to them being made a Bishop, 511. agreeing with the Collection St. Matthew, St. James, and St. Andrews holidays; A Writ to them for repairing Westminster Abbey. 820. Barons of France: Summoned by King Philip to invade England, and depose King John, 267, 268. They and their King affirm, that no King could give his kingdom without the general assent of his Barons, who were bound to defend it; for by his voluntary act make it Tributary, else his Nobles might be made Servants, 298, 319, 320. Their Baronies derived from, escheated to, and held of the Crown, 322, 323. Adjudge King John to death, and to forfeit his Dominions in France for the murder of his Nephew Arthur, 363, 364, 365. Appen 18, 19 Their notable confederacy against the Popes, Prelates usurpations on their Liberties, by their Canons, Excommunications, 699, to 705. Borens of Scotland, their Oaths and ratification of their King's League with Henry 3. 620. 621. Saint Basils' Appeal to the Virgin Mary against Julian, 24. Bastards, disabled to enjoy Benefices without the Pope's special Dispensation, to gain Money, 467. born before Matrimony made legitimate, hereditable by subsequent marriage by Canon, not Common-law; which the Lords would not alter at the Bishop's request, 445, 471, 472, 704, 878, 879. Bastardy, no Appeal to be mitted to Rome or elsewhere against a Certificate thereof by the Ordinary, when returned into the King's Court 393, 324, 472, 473, 782. In what form Certificates of it are to be made by the agreement of the Barons and Bishops in Parliament in England, certified to Ireland, 472, 473, 782, 878, 879. No second Certificate to be made to the Judges after the first returned in Court, 782. Bastardy no● tryable in the Ecclesiastical Court, prohibitions against such Trials there, 471, 472, 477, 782, 878, 879. Bail; Pledges, Manucaptors, given in cases of Misdemeanours, 372, 884. or danger from Persons suspected 256, 265, 392, 446, 495, 705, 941, 942. For Women who held in capite, not to marry without the King's Licence, 602. Bailiffs of the King summoned to account, their Exactions enquired after, redressed, 281, 282. Of Bishops, to give an account to their Executors of Rents received, 576. Complaints of, Canons against their proceedings by the Prelates, Clergy of England and Ireland, as contrary to the Church's Liberties, 827, 828, 857, 858, 891, 898, to 1010. See Sheriffs, Prohibitions. Those of Ireland complained of to the Pope for hindering their Servants to make Wills; or take up the Cross, Ibid. redeem their Vows when crossed, 828. Bed●ls exactions, 910. Benefices, appropriated, the mischiefs thereby, 1041. Licence to mortgage their Profits for three years for the Holy Land, 449. See Patrons. Berengarius his scoff at Plegiles his devouring Christ's body, 72. St. Bernard's, Bernardinus de Busti, & Bernardinus Senensis their blasphemous passages concerning the Virgin Mary, 16, to 56, 64, 68 607. See Index 1. Bishoprics erected, bounded, divided, united, translated from place to place by our Kings and their Ecclesiastical Prerogative, 2, 232, 234, 235, 236, 375, 376, 607, 700, 783, 784. See Index 3, 4, 5. The King's Prerogative over them, their Lands, Stocks, during Vacancies and Elections, confirmations of Bishops to them; See Elections, Prerogative, and Index 3, 4. The Emperor excommunicated for keeping many of them in his hand being vacant, and taking away their Ornaments. 516. 650. Bishops; all their Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction derived only from, bounded by Kings, and exercised under them as their Delegates by their Authority, Commissions, Process, 2, 3, 607, 661, 662, 700, 701, 702, 899. The end of their endowments was to discharge their Pastoral Duties, and feed their People's Souls, Bodies, not themselves, 607, 815, 1011, 1012, 1041. Their great neglect of their Duties therein, Ibid. 502, 642, 740, 798, 799, 999, 1042, to 1046. See Index 3, 4, 10. The grandeur, damnableness of this their sin, most repugnant to Christ's and his Apostles doctrine, practice, and most like to that of Judas, 799, 800, 1041, 1042, 1043, 1044. See Index 3, 4. Their insatiable Avarice, Pluralities, Commendaes', Extortions, Exactions, Worldliness, 262, 288, 330, 490, 502, 626, 645, 680, 751, 790, 802, 803, 925, 949, 950, 954, 1041, to 1046. See Index, 3, 10, 11, 12. throughout. Their Piety, Sanctity, Humility, Obedience to Emperors in the Primitive Church before endowed with Riches and Temporalties; their intol arable worldliness, pride, insolency, ingratitude, luxury, ambition, rebellions, treasons against Kings, Emperors, ever since their rich endowments of them, which choked all their piety, virtues, and aught in charity to be resumed to cure these their vices, 661, 662, 700, 701, 702, 795, 796. See Index 3, 10, 11, 12 at large. What unworthy Bishops were promoted by Pope's provisions, and Princes, 390, 501, 502, 575, 58●, 626, 627, 642, 645, 711, 724, 726, 740, 741, 749, 751, 796, 805, 949, 950, 951▪ See Index 3, 4, 10, 11, 12. throughout. Their Attempts, Canons, Constitutions, Usurpations, Encroachments, Oppositions, Interdicts, Excommunications, Treasons from time to time against the Rights, Prerogatives of the Crown, King, Kingdom, King's Officers, Nobles, Subjects, to oppress, trample them under feet, and enthrall them to their wills as their Slaves, or Vassals, 229. 230 231. 237 238. 240. 241. 243. 250, to 260. 272. 273. 274. 278. 279. 281, to 284. 289▪ 290. 300. 301. 302. 331, to 342. 360. 368. 372. 378. 380. 384 385. 386. 387. 388. 393. 394. 4●2 403. 404. 407. 414 415▪ 416. 418. 420. 422. 424. 426. 427. 428. 4●9. 430. 431. 438. 439. 443. 444. 458. 464. 465. 471, to 475. 479, to 483. 531. 532. 540. 541, to 546. 551. 552. 554. 555. 556. 561. 563. 576. 577. 578. 586, to 596. 600, 603. 613. 620. 624. 625. 628. 630. 635. 636. 640. 641. 649. 658. 659. 660. 561. 662. 663. 664. 665. 672. 673, to 677. 684. 685. 687, to 691. 696. 699, to 712. 718. 719. 724. 728. 734. 735. 738. 739. 740. 748. 752. 755. 757. 758. 762. 766. 771. 772. 773. 774 776. 782. 784. 790. 795. 796. 800. 810, to 813. 817. 818. 819. 820. 822. 823. 827. 829, to 832. 841. 844. 845. 851. 852. 855, to 861. 873, to 913. 966. 967. 969. 970. 972. 673. 980. 981. 982. 983. 989. 690. 991. 996. 699. 1007. 1008. 1015. 1016. 1018. 1019, 1026. 1039. Appendix 6, to 14▪ See Probibition, and Index 3. 4. 10. 12 14. King John, Henry 3. Ferdinand and Otho. Enumerated amongst the great Barons of the Realm, holding Baronies from the King, 616. Obliged by their Baronies, Oath of Fealty, Elections, Confirmations by Kings free grace to be more faithful, obedient, studious to defend his Rights, and assist him upon all occasions than others, 640. 688. 725. 758. 832. See Oath of Fealty. More addicted to the Pope and his usurpations, against their Oath, than to the King or kingdom's interest; which they oft betrayed to the Pope, 267. 273. 274. 279. 288. 289▪ 290. 300. 301. 551. 626. 627. 663 675. 690. 933. 934. See Index. 3. 4. 1012. Their Episcopal Office, Duty, 601. 602. 607. 1011. 1012. 1041. Peculiar Office by the Canon▪ law, 19 They and Popes have nought to do, intermeddle with, exercise any Jurisdiction in Temporal or Secular affairs, nor to give Judgement in Lay-cases, or bear any Secular Office, 248. 249. 282. 430. 498. 511. 607. 661. 662. 850. 1011. 1012. 1041. 1042. Their Prisons, 910. Do Homage, swear Fealty to the King, 227. See Homage, Oath of Fealty: Obliged to aid our Kings with Money, Horse, Arms for public defence: See Arms, Army, Aid. King's ought to compel them to residence, and discharge their Pastoral duties, or punish them if neglected, 2. 3. 662. 999. 1011. 1012. 1041. Their Persons, Temporaities, Goods are subject to imprisonment, death, banishment, seizure, forfeiture for Treason, Rebellion, Crimes, Contempts, Misdemeanours, by our Kings, Laws, as well as Secular persons, 2. 3. 227. 231. 232. 243. 244. 248. 251, to 256. 259. 262. 263. 267. 268. 445. 446. 457. 550. 936, to 940. 949. 950. 966. 967. 997. 998. 999. See Arrests, Banishment. Licenced by our Kings to make Wills, and bequeath their Goods. 576. 636. 893. See Wills. Sworn to act nothing against the King's Person, Crown, Kingdom, with a Salvo, 272. Bishop's foreign, casually omitted out of Index 5. P. Albanensis, Andegavensis, Augustensis, 412. Ambriensis, Atrebatensis, 408. Engolisme, Gerard, 328. Patr. of Jerusalem, Geraldus,▪ 424▪ 425. 534. 770. Leodiensis, 502. Nicholsiensis, 425. Ostensis, 529. 1048. Surianorum, 425. Thusculanensis, 409. 410. W●lletrensis, 1048. Blasphemy punished by Kings. 2. Blodewite; exemption from it, 228. Blood, issuing out of pierced Crucifixes, Images of Christ, adored by Papists as his real Blood, 14. Popish miracles of drops of Blood issuing out of the Hostia, of the Wine in the Chalices appearing in the form of Blood, to prove their Doctrine of Transubstantiation, 15. 71, to 74. No Blood of Christ or real Miracles, but forged Legends, Fantasies, or Diabolical delusions, 15. 74. A Viol of Christ's Blood brought from Jerusalem, carried by King Henry III. in procession from Paul's to Westminster, there preached, esteemed to be, reserved, adored as Christ's very Blood, though a gross Imposture, 711. to 716. Several false Relics of his Blood elsewhere reserved, 715. See Christ, Miracles, Transubstantiation: Blood of Becket, shed for the Universal Church as a Martyr, by Popes, Prelates assertions; when as it was really for High Treason, 64. 250. 380. 420. 563. 899. Bishops, Clergymen not to be Judges in cases of Blood, 430. Body of Christ; See Christ, Transubstantiation. Bonaventura, his Sacrilegious, Blasphemous Psalter of the Virgin Mary, and turning Lord into Lady throughout David's Psalms, for which he was made a Bishop, Cardinal, and canonised a Roman Saint, 22, 23, 29, 35, 39, 41, 50, 54. Bridge's repair, reserved by all Charters of endowments of Cathedrals and Monasteries, 607. St. Bridget, her Canonization, Revelations, 50. and passages of the Virgin Mary: See Index 7. St. Bridget. Bulls of Popes to the Kings or Kingdoms prejudice, their importers arrested, hanged, 605, 617. See Arrests. Contemned, burnt by some of our Archbishops, 232, 791. Contradict, Null, Repeal each other by detestable Non-obst●ntes in them: See Nonobstante. The Pope authorised the Abbot, Monks of St. Alban, or any of them, to tear his or his Legates Letters if they contained any thing contrary to his ●ull of Privileges granted to them, for moderating Provisions, 781. which yet he soon after violated, 803, 881. Burials Christian, prohibited during Interdicts, 253. Appendix 4. Interdicts. Priest's Whores and Concubines deprived of it, 397. C. CAno●s of Cathedral Churches: See Index 6. & 13. Paul's; and prebend's. Canon Law; Canons, Constitutions, Decretals made by Popes, Popish Prelates, Councils, the principal engines to batter down, undermine, subvert, trample under feet the Ecclesiastical and Civil Prerogatives, Rights, Crowns of Christian Kings, Emperors, Kingdoms, Prelates, Churches, by Excommunications, Interdicts, absolutions from Oaths, and other Canonical Innovations; null all Civil Laws, Regal, Magistratical authority; ascribe a transcendent power to Popes above all Powers in Heaven and Earth, divine, humane Law; exempt all Clergymen, and their very Harlots too as such, from their Jurisdiction, Censures, and make them mere cyphers at Popes and Prelates pleasures, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 232, 250, 251, 253, 255, 259, 261, 262, 263, 264, 265, 267, 273, 274, 278, 279, 289, 290, 329, 330, 331, 337, 338, 385, 386, 394, 398, 407, 409, to 416, 515, to 560, 553, 582, to 596, 643, to 647, 654, to 664, 699, to 712, 753, 754, 757, 758, 830, 831, 854, 880, 881, 899, to 913, 969, 970, 983, 990, 991, 1021, 1022, 1024, 1025, 1035. Appendix 6▪ to 18, 20, 22. The Canon Law prohibited, Books thereof torn, Canonists and Professors of it (the grand supporters, enlargers of Pope's Universal absolute Monarchy) silenced, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8 None binding, nor to be made but by common consent in Parliament, not by the Prelates, Clergy alone in Councils; and for what things, 2, 3, 471, 472, 473, 799, to 812, 899, to 913, 983, 990, 991, 998. Appendix 20, 22. All contrary to the Common Law, the King's Prerogative, Custom of the Realm, and Subjects Liberties, void, Ibid. 393, 394, 467, 757, 782. 983. 900. Constitutions printed in Anon, Lyndewode, cried up for the Canon Law of England, though revoked in Parliament, appealed against, made in a Convocation against the King's Prohibition, repugnant to his Rights, and unsufferable grievances to the King, Kingdom, 897, to 913, 983, 990, 991, 997, 998. The strange Antimonarchical Positions of Popish Canons and Canonists, 5, 6, 7, 8: Canons purposely made only for Popes and their Secretaries to get money by Dispensations, 5, 433. 467, 498, 500, 531, 925, 953 See Dispensations, Exemptions, Pluralities, Commendaes', Marriages. Concerning Excommunications, 385, 386. against Priests Concubines, 397. Canonical Elections: See Elections. Cap 487. Canonical Obedience, 235, 623. to be made by subscription only, without Oath. 259, 623, 629, 630, 707. See Oath. Of the Bishops of St. David's, and other Sees to Canterbury, 235. York. Of the Bishop of Durham to York, 623, See Index 3. Canonical Censures, 898, to 912. See Excommunications, Interdicts. Canonization of Romish Saints by Popes for blasphemy, in advancing the Pope's Sovereignty▪ adoration of Mary; oppositions, Treasons against our Kings, 49, 56, 64▪ 226, 379, 380, 420. of Ans●lm, Becket, Edmund, Archbishops of Canterbury, and Hugh of Lincoln: See Index 3. Of Bernard, Bernardinus Senensis, Bridget, Bonaventura, Catharine of Senis, Dominick, Francis, Yldephonsus, 49, 50, 64, 488. For moneys, 697, 698. Other Saints not canonised, because they opposed the Pope's Usurpations, 805. Canterbury See, its Jurisdiction over St. David's and Welsh Bishops, when, how introduced, 234, 235, 236, 237. See more of Canterbury Index 2, 3, 6, 13. Canton Swissers, 320. Cappa Choralis of the Pope's Legare, furred, 487, 741. Cardinals of Rome, Pope's Counsellors, 420, 647. Pomp, 287, 485, 487, 697. See Index 11. Carvage, denied by the Archbishop of York, 230. Cast●es, the Kings and his Ancestors interest in them, 962, 963 Of exiled Rebellious Bishops pulled down, 288. Resumed, detainers of them from, against our Kings in England, Ireland, forced to surrender them by Popes, Bishop's Excommunications; security from those who held them in Capite; repairing, guarding of, and other matters concerning them, 14, 324, 332, 343, 372, 373, 378, 379, 384, 385, 386, 389, 390, 391, 392, 397, 402, 403, 429, 430, 455, 456, 602, 607, 700, 75●, 8●8. Interdicted by Popes and our Prelates, for not obeying their admonitions, commands, 6, 898, 901, to 906. To be seized by the Barons if the King violated the Great Charter, 336. Prisoners murdered in them, 360, 364. Of the Pope reseised by the Emperor, 425, 515. To be built in Ireland, 783, 784, 828. Pope Gregorius new Castle built with the Croysado money, taken, demolished, and all therein hanged by the Emperor, which broke his heart, 647. Not to be built, nor houses embattled but by the King's special licence, 1064. particular Castles: See Index 13. Cathedral and Conventual Churches, by whom and why erected, endowed, 2, 607, 799. 1011. See Abbots, Bishoprics, Index 2, 3, 4, 5. & p. 911. The Emperor excommunicated for spoiling and keeping some of them void, 516. 5●1. 522. Consecrated, 489, 502. Their elections to be free, 336, 337. See Elections. Cato, seized all public▪ Revenues aliened, 320. Caursin●, Pope's Usurers: See Usuries. Cautione admittenda, a Writ; Its form, when Bishops deny it, 884, 974. Canons concerning Caution, 659. Caution only pign●●o●y, not by Oath, de stando, or parendo mandatis Ecclesiae, 3, 830, 831. yet such Oath extorted from Emperors, Kings, by Papal and Prelatical Tyranny, ere absolved, 272, 279, 283, 287, 384, 401, 651, 652, 655, 656, 752, 883, 884. See Absolution, Excommunication. Juratory or Literatory given by exiled Bishops ere restored, not to attempt any thing by themselves or others against the King's Crown, salvo ●o●●re Dei & Ecclesiae, 272. Cellera●ius of St. Alba●●, 255. Cephas, Pope's claim to his place in the Church, 409. Chalices for the King's Chapel, 759. to keep the Host in, 798. 1065. Chancellors of England: See Index 8. Thomas Becket when elected Archbishop, 431. Baron's complaint of their selfseeking, & not being chosen in Parliament, with the King's answer, 721, 722. Chancery, the Bishops and Clergies complaints of new Writs issuing out of it, against the Ecclesiastical Law, Law of the Land, and Custom of the Realm, without the Nobles and Prelates assent of the Realm, 895. Of the Barons, for the Kings staying Writs out of Chancery against his half Brothers, 635. Clerks thereof to be provided Benefices in the King's gift, 601. Chantries, the King's Prerogative to erect them in all his Demesne Lands, 1038 Chaplains of the King attending on him, See Index 9 exempted by him from Dimes paid by others, 562, 573, 574, 1007. Provisions of Benefices and prebend's for them before others, 601, 806, 836, 891. Licenses for Pluralities to such of them as the King should nominate, granted by the Pope, 632, 1063, 1064. See Pluralities. Find pledges to keep the Ornaments of the King's Chapel to which they were presented, 971. A Writ for one of them against frauds, to the King's disinherison, 781. Queen's Chaplain, a promise to him of the next Church or Prebend that falls void in an Irish Bishopric, 971. To remove him from a Living got by a Pope's Provision, 781. Chaplains of the Pope, employed to collect Dimes and other du●●es, 311, 312, 313, 382, 424, 425, 691, 855, 863, 864, 944, 981. An annuity and living granted to one of them appointed to be the King's Clerk, 855, 977. Employed as the King's Proctors in the Court o● Rome, 808. Chapples of the King, their Furniture, Priviledge●, Ornaments, 971. His order for the Chaplains wages, and assigning Masses to be said in them, 496, 734, 735, 736, 759, 808, 828, 971, 979, 982, 983, 996, 1000, 1005. See Free-Chapples. Consecrations of them left arbitrary to the Canons, 504. The Charter of King John's detestable resignation of his Crown, Realms of England and Ireland to the Pope, under an annual rent of 1000 Marks; and of his Homage, Fealty for them, 273, 274, 288, 289, 290, 341. The differences between that in Matthew Paris, and that in the Charter Roll, 289, 290, 305, 306. But one only, sealed with a golden seal, not two successive ones, 290, 291. Burnt in the Pope's Closet at ●yons 31. years after, 300, 310. The Transcript of it sent thereupon to all the English Bishops to ratify with their seals, which they most traitorously set to it, after the Kings, Nobles, Kingdoms protestation against it in the Council of Lions, 300, 301, 640, 641, 644, 645, 663. The menaces, force, fraud, antichristian practices by which it was procured, 253, to 306, 316, to 329, 414, 415, 1068. The false suggestions, recitals in it, 296, 297, 303, 304, 307. The many nullities of it in Law, Conscience, 274, 275, 300, 301, to ●06, 316, to 329, 41●, 415, 638, 639, 644, to 648 The Archbishops solemn appeal at the High Altar of Paul's against it, in behalf of the whole Realm, 274, 294, 299, 300, 431, 638, 639, 1068. The Lords, Barons, Justices, common people's general declamations, protestations against it and him, as most vile, detestable, 295, 296. His own detestation of, grief for, indignation against it, 294, 295, 296, 297. Four Parliaments unanimous protestations against it, ●● thursdays, void, because extorted by force, against his Oath, made without the Parons' consent, falsely thrust into it, 294, 296, 299, 300, 301, 302, 638, 639, 644, to 648, 1066. The French Kings, Peers, Nobles protestation against it as null, 297, 298, 299. Appendix●9 ●9. The Emperor Frederick his declamation against it, as null and of dangerous precedent to all Christian Emperors, Kings, whom Popes endeavoured to trample under feet, and make Tributaries by that ill precedent, 414, 415, 547, 5●1, 613. The Kings, Parliaments, Kingdoms appeal and protestation against it in the General Council at Lions, by their Ambassadors, Proctors▪ the Popes present silence, but subsequent rancour against them for it, 299, 300, 638, 639, 640, 641, 644, 646, 663, 664, 666, 1066. The judgement of our own Monkish Historians▪ Popish Writers, and resolutions of Foreign Historians, Statesmen, Lawyers asserting its nullity, 291, 292, 293, 299, 302, 303, 752, 1066. Void by Popes own principles and resolutions in like cases, 327, 328, 340, 341, 342, 343, 344, 345 Released by the Pope's own command, with the Homage and Fealty, the next Parliament after, 296. Some Foreign Historians mistakes concerning it, 292, 293. Popes, Papists vain boasts of the Pope's Sovereign Dominion, Right, Title to the Realms of England and Ireland by it, and insultations over our Kings as their Tributaries, Vassals, slaves, 9, 291, 292, 293, 301, 302, 325, 329, 340, to 346, 363, 365, 370, 414, 504, 505, 547, 800. When, how oft, ●ong this annual Rent granted by it, was paid by our Kings; upon what occasions, and when it ceased, 274, 292, 293, 307, to 315, 1054, 1055. King John though ever victorious, successful before it, professed he never prospered after it; and that his Barons rose up against, rejected him, and crowned L●wes King, principally for this his unworthy Charter, which rendered him not only despicable, but detestable to them, others, and himself, 295, 296, 297, 298, 340, to 368. Charter of Liberties and Laws by King Henry 1. 282, 283, 335. The Great Charter of Liberties and the Forest by King John, how procured from him by the Barons, sworn to, confirmed by his Seal, Oath, the Oaths of the Barons, the Pope's Bull, 25 Conservators thereof, to whom all others were sworn, 333, 334, 335, 340, 796. Appealed against by King John to the Pope, as extorted by force; who absolves him from it by his Bulls for ever, 327, 328, 340, to 346. What new clauses were inserted therein by the Bishops for their advantage, 336, 367, 368. The Barons take up Arms against him after its nulling, for which they were excommunicated, 345, to 348. Often sworn to, confirmed, redeemed, yet violated by K. Henry 3▪ for which he was taxed in Parliaments, and denied Aids, till he re-confirmed it with New Oaths, Provisions, Excommunications, for its better inviolable observation for the future; Writs, Proclamations for its observation to Sheriffs▪ 4, 371, 387, 388, 772, 775, 776, 796, 797, 822, 841, 895, 896, 897, 899, 900, 901, 909, 910, 911, 921, 928, 929, 930, 936, 989. See Barons. The Pope's Confirmation of it, of other Charters, and submission to his Jurisdiction, Censures if violated, 336, 337, 450, to 455, 620, 621. King John's Charter for the freedom of Elections of Archbishops, Bishops, Abbots, 336, 337, 338, 339, 848. See Elections. Of the grant of the Advowson, Patronage, Royalties of the Bishopric of Rochester, to the Archbishop and his Successors, 339. Christ, Head of the Church, not the Pope, 519. Our only Advocate, Mediator, Redeemer, Refuge, Saviour, way, light, life, help, 29, 30, 41, 42, 43. The Church and every true Christian more really the natural body, flesh, bones of Christ, and Christ himself by Scripture, Reason, Father's resolutions, than the consecrated Hostia, 79. The consecrated Elements in the Eucharist not Transubstantiated into his very natural body and blood, by For this is my body, etc. pronounced over them, 68, to 80. See Transubstantiation. All his power in Heaven and Earth not delegated to St. Peter or the Roman Popes at his ascension, as Papists assert, 10, 11, 12. Had no Vicar-general while corporally present on Earth but in one place at once; transferred not his Kingly or Priestly Office to St. Peter or his Successors at Rome, as his Successor or Viceroy when he ascended, 11, 12, 13. Gave all his Apostles the selfsame power, gifts, which were only Ministerial, nor Monarchical, Ibid. Pictured, prayed to by Romanists as yet a little Infant in his Mother's lap; or as still hanging crucified on his Cross; or not yet risen, ascended into Heaven, 13, 14. His Sepulchre at Venice, as now lying there interred, 15. In what strange ignominious unhuman manner they assert him yet corporally present on earth in every consecrate Host, Chalice, Pix, in millions of places at once, 15, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70. His three actual descensions from Heaven to Earth since his ascension, at the Death, Funeral; Assumption of the Virgin Mary, 20, to 27, 68 To other Popish Saints, and Catharine of Senis, with whom he daily conversed, imprinted his wounds on, and exchanged hearts with her; gave her the Hostia with his own hands, 69, 70. His frequent corporal apparitions in their Hostiaes'▪ in form of a little Infant, Lamb, raw fl●sh, blood, asserted in Popish Legends to evidence the truth of their Transubstantiation; though mere Fables, Diabolical delusions, or Priests impious frauds, 71, to 76. Of blood miraculously issuing out of his Images, Crucifixes broken, pierced, 14. Relics of his blood showed, adored in several places, 14, 711, to 780. All his Sovereignty, Kingly power, Offices of Advocate, Mediator, Intercessor, Redeemer, Saviour of Adam, Eve, mankind, with divine worship, attributed, transferred by Romanists to the Virgin Mary, 16, to 64. Made wholly subject, obedient, subservient to her motherly commands, will in all things in Heaven, 20, to 24, 27, 28, 39, 40, 46, 53, 55. Papists appeals from his Justice, anger, to her mercy, 16, 24, 25, 53. Papists easier ascend into Heaven by Mary's white, than his red Ladder, 31, 36, 37, 48, 49. See Mary. Christ, a counterfeit one put to death, 383. Church; Kings Oath, duty, care, right to protect the Churches in their Realms, their Rights, Liberties, reform all corruptions in them, their Prelates, Members; to make Laws, Canons concerning all Church-affairs, erect Churches for God's worship, and build, divide, unite Churches, etc. as supreme Patrons, Governors of them, 2, 3, 4, 5, 227, 228, 230, 231, 233, 304, 305, 516, 522, 575, 596, 607, 637, 688, 721, 748, 890, 896, 899, 968, 995, to 1007, 1011, 1012, 1016, 1017, 1027, 1028, 1033. See more Bishops, Great Charter, Emperor, Kings; and Index 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 10, 12. Church, who, what it is, not yet agreed on by Popes and Romanists, 305, 306, 307, 308. Church of Rome; its Popes, Papists detestable Blasphemies, Errors, Idolatry, in Adorations, Masses, matins, Crowns, Hours, Litanies, Magnificats, Rosaries, Mariales; Idolising, Deifying the Virgin Mary; advancing her above, entitling her to all the powers, attributes of God, Offices of Christ; adoring, invoking, relying on her more than God or Christ; corrupting, altering Scriptures for that end, 13, to 64. See Mary. More heretical, idolatrous therein, and other Saint's invocation, than the Collyridians', 56, to 63. Then Pagans, 56, 57 Then bruit beasts, 56. Their monstrous absurdities of hers and other Saints seeing Prayers in their newfound Looking-glass of the Trinity, 57, 58. Of their Doctrine of an invisible standing, universal, daily, contradictory Miracle of Transubstantiation, and pretended Miracles to confirm it, 15, 66, to 80. Of Crucifixes dropping blood, 14. Of their Images and Pourtra●ctures of Christ, as yet an Infant in her arms, or still hanging on his Cross; and the Virgin Mary as a crowned Queen, sitting on a Throne with a Sceptre, ruling and commanding him, 15, 16, 22, 23, 24. In saying not only Aves, Prayers, but Pater Nosters to her, her Images; and frequent repetitions of them, together with Salve Maria's, direct Prayers for her, as if not yet saved, 51, 52, 53. In blotting the Second Commandment out of all their Hours, Psalters, Primers, Missals, Rosaries, Breviaries, Litanies, of our Ladies late Catechisms, because incompatible with their Images, benedictions, adorations of her, 62, 63. Their Legends, blasphemies of St. Catharine of Senis, Dominick, Francis, 64, 65, 69, 70. Of Dominican Freers hid under her large Mantle and Robes in Heaven, 5●. Concerning Popes transcendent Sovereign Universal power, Monarchy, over all Churches, Kingdoms, Emperors▪ Kings, Prelates, Councils▪ 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 Their detestable avarice, rapines, oppressions, bribery; simony, injustice, corruptions, Rebellions, Treasons against Kings, and other impious, atheistical practices: See Index 10, 11, 12. throughout; and 14. Rome, Popes, Frederick, King Henry 3. King John. All just grounds for the Church of England's and others separation from, and never to apostatise to her, 62, 80. as the Greek Church did long since, who excommunicated her, 490, 491, 492. See Greek Church. The Church's accusation against Pope Innocent 4. before Christ's Tribunal, for making her a slave, a Table of Money changers, & destroying her faith, manners, justice, truth, 812. See Christ, Popes. Churches, not to be divided, 489. Their privilege, 881. See Sanctuary. Churchyards, their privilege, 881. See Sanctuary. Cinqueports, their Jurisdiction, 887. See Index 13. Cistercian Monks, their privileges, wool; prayers desired; deny Procurations to Pope's Legates, Aids to the King, who denied them licence to go to their general Chapter, oppressed them for it; Pope's Letters for, conferences with them; Visitations of them; Writs against their Merchandizing, and other matters concerning them, 261, 262, 297, 404, 405, 569, 570, 603, 604, 622, 626, 828, 829, 846, 847, 848, 889, 993. See Monks. Citations, by the Pope from all Realms, 5. Of Bishops, Officials, Officers, for oppressions, vexations; complaints, Writs against them, 489, 699, 700, 701, 704, 705, 706, 830, 831, 910, 949, 950, 969, 970. To Rome and out of the Realm prohibited: See Prohibitions. disobeyed, 235, 929, 930. obeyed, 717. City's Jurisdictions, not to answer or be sued out of them, 887. Clerks, Clergymen, Priests, all subject to King's coercion, correction, secular power, government, for Ecclesiastical, Temporal affairs, crimes, 2, 3, 4, 230, 253, to 259, 264, 267, 268, 272, 273, 351, 512, 577, 827, 828, 860, 878, 892, 893, 900, 904, 905, 1011, 1012 See Arrests. Popes, Popish Prelates, Canonists exemptions of their persons, estates from all Kings, Princes, Laymens' Jurisdictions, for all crimes, 5, 6, 7, 8, 515, 516, 536, 537, 538, 656, 657, 811, 812, 827, 828, 857, 858, 859, 878, 890, to 912 All secular Laws, Customs, Prescriptions, Aids, Taxes imposed on them, against their pretended Privileges, void by Pope's Canons, and Canon Law, Ib. Greater than Kings; subject only to God's Jurisdiction; exempted by taking Orders from Civil Jurisdictions, Courts, for all crimes formerly committed; cannot be accused, witnessed against, judged by Laymen, by Canonists assertions, Popes and their own Constitutions; nor yet their Whores, Concubines, 6, 7, 8, 272, 429, 512, 516, 521, 890, to 912. Appendix 4, to 16. See Canon Law, Prohibitions. Clerks imprisoned for crimes, to be delivered over to their Ordinaries upon demand, to make their Purgations, 230, 272, 283, 351, 577, 892, 893, 903, 904, 910. Not to bear or wear Arms, 227, 1024, 1041. To contribute to Ta●es, Arms for public defence, as Bishops should appoint, 994, 1006, 1007, 1008, 1024, 1025. See Arms, Aids. They all desert Oxford, because the King executed two Clerks imprisoned for murder; the Town interdicted, the Executioners put to penance for it by the Pope's Legate, 257, 287. Their goods seized, livings sequestered for obeying the Popes Interdict, and not officiating upon the King's Writs and Proclamations, 254, 255. Those who obeyed, communicated with, received livings from him, or defended his rights, suspended, deprived, forced to Rome by the Bishops and Pope's Legate, 258, 259, 334, 335. To be amerced according to their Benefices not Layfee, 336. Restrained by our old Laws to go forth of the Realm to Rome or elsewhere upon appeals, 336. The qualities of such as are to be ordained, 489. To hear Confessions, Ibid. Not to be compelled to swear, take an Oath, no not of Canonical obedience, 237, 623, 629, 630, 707. Not to intermeddle with secular affairs, or bear any secular Offices or Jurisdiction, 1041, 104●, 2, 3. 430, 480, 607. 833, 8●0, 933. 1011. Not to do suit at Courts in person, 894, 895, 908, 909. None to pass beyond Sea without taking an Oath, 865 Not to be outlawed, 272, 891. Their Carts, Corn, provisions, not to be taken by purveyors, 895, 896. Not to be intruded into Churches by Lay power, 903. Not to sell, or exact any thing for Sacraments or Sacramentals, 489, 1040. To reside on their livings, and diligently instruct their flocks, 2, 3 489, 607, 799, 1011, 1041, 1042, 1043, 1044. Their Popith Orders, Tousure, Office, Consecration, Vestments, 18, 19, 910. Writs to poll Clerks wearing long hair, or perwigs, 479, 910. Protections of their persons, goods, from unjust violence, plunder, in times of war, tumults, 2, 3. 996, 997, to 1007. Imprisonments, Excommunications for tumultuous plunders of their goods, though aliens, 436, 437, 438. Sequestrations of their benefices, goods, for deots to the King, and contempts. See Sequestrations. Their extreme covetousness, pride, pluralities, nonresidence, vicious lives, luxury, severely taxed, restrained by Canons, Writs, 351, 645, 662, 700, 701, 779, 803. 1021, 1012, 1040, to 1046. The Emperor Frederick excommunicated, for imprisoning, spoiling, murdering, imposing taxes on, and executing them for their Treasons, and drawing them before secular Judges, 516, 605, 657. Collyridians', their heresy, idolatry, described, refuted by Epiphanius; imitated, fair exceeded by the Papists and Romaa Church, 58, to 63. Commendaes', when and by what Popes introduced, licenced by our King's Patents; odious, execrable, infamous, scandalous, pernicious to the Church, people's souls; yet dispensed with by Popes for great sums of money to unworthy persons who held many Bishoprics, and all their former livings, promotions, with their Bishoprics by them, 3. 241, 402. 502 626, 627, 642, 666, 680. 748, 750, 751, 764, 765, 766, 799. 835. 913, 925, 954, 955, 984, 1043, 1044, 1045. A notable Constitution against them, setting forth their odiousness, scandal, mischiefs, 1043, 1044, 1045 The Pope's grants of them void as to livings, preferments belonging to the King's patronage, without his special licerse or confirmation, 913, 954, 955, 984. Commons: improved by the King's licence, 973, 974. Concubines of Clerks exempt from Kings and Temporal Judge's Jurisdiction, by, for their very whoredom, by Popes, Canonists: 7. 8 Canons against them, 397. denied Christian burial 44●. banished Oxford by proclamation 446. See Index 13. Oxon. Confessions of sin to Priests, 489, by prisoners to be permitted, 909. to M●ry 51. Confirmations of our King's Charters by Pope's Bulls, Appendix 21, 22, etc. 316, 3●7 450, to 455. 620, 621. Of the Great Charter. See Great Charter. Conquest, no good Title, without right: Rents extorted by it not to be paid, 326, 327. Consecrations of Cathedral and Conventual Churches neglected, enjoined to get moneys, 488, 489, 504, 510, 820. New repaired ones to be re consecrated to get moneys, 504 820. The ridiculous Popish Ceremonies used in it censured by our Protestant Bishops, 504. Of images of the Virgin May, and other, 62, 63. Of Priests, Virgins, and other things by Popes, Bishops, 19, 76. None ever alter, annihisat the nature, essence, substance of things consecrated, but preserves them, 76, 77. Consecrated places of Ecclesiastical conusance, 881, 882. Consent common, required to what concerns all, 298, 299, 318, 319, 320, 398, 399, 400, 401, 402. Consultations, their form, when, where to be awarded, 880, 881, 888. Contempts of Bishops and others to the King, punishable with fines, imprisonment, seizures of their lands, p. 3. 410. See Arrests, & Index 3, 4. Copes of Popes, adorned with Goldsmith's work, sent out of England, 673. Coronations of our Kings, Queens, when, where, and by whom they appointed, 4 Of King John, 227. O Lewes, 362. Of King H. 3. 369, 370. recrowned, 379. See Oaths. Costs; about 1000, marks awarded against Archbishop Edmund at Rome in case of an Appeal, ruled against his Sentence, 498, 499. Councils, Synods, General, National, summoned, prorogued, dissolved, prohibited by Christian Emperors, Kings. They presided in them in person, or by Deputies; prescribed them what Canons, Constitutions to make, corrected, rejected, or confirmed them when made; received appeals from them No Councils summoned by Popes, Bishops, but by their authority or licence, 3, 4. Pope's pretended authority to summon, ratify, alter, null their decrees, and receive appeals from, but none against them, to Councils, 5, 6. 548, 550, 551, 552. No English Bishops to resort to foreign Councils by the Pope's summons, but such as our Kings licenced, 3, 4, 638, 640, 641. Bishops employed in the Kings, kingdoms necessary affairs, aged, sick, or poor, excused from repairing to them in person, 637, 638. The Emperor Frederick desires a General Council to hear, settle, the differences between him and Gregory 9 the Cardinals petition him for a General Council to be summoned, who assented to it at first, but afterward countermanded it, because designed by the Pope to excommunicate and depose him by his professed enemies, 531, 532, 548, to 560. The Pope's 3 Legates, Cardinals, and above 100 Bishops repairing to it, against the Emperor's inhibitions, by the Pope's Letters, taken and imprisoned by him for their contempt, ibid. See Arrests, Frederic, Councils, Convocations, Synods summons, meetings, act, proceedings: at Biturica in France by the Pope's Legate, 400, 403. Bordeaux by the Pope's Legate, 357, 358. Cavailon, 707. Friburg, 707. Gloucester, 443, 578. Lateran under Pope Alexander 3. p. 471, 707. Under Pope Innocent 3. p. 231, 233. 450. The Pope's extortions from every Abbot, Bishop at it when dissolved, 350, 351. Under Paschal 2. about Investitures, 529. Under Innocent 4. 466. 695. Lions, under Pope Innocent 4. His Summons to the English and other Bishops, Abbots to it; the King's prohibition to them to act, consent to any thing contrary to the rights of the Crown, kingdom in it: his and the kingdoms Ambassadors, Proctors appeal, complaints, Letters against King John's Charter, Rent, and other payments, extortions sent to it; the Emperor frederick's excommunication, deposition by the Pope, and other proceedings ●n it, 297, 298, 299, 300, 309, 553, 627, 636, 638, to 670. London, under Archbishop Hubert, held against the King's prohibition; its Constitutions against Archdeacon's exactions, pluralities, extorted fees, etc. 332, 333. Under Otto the Pope's Legate at Paul's, its form, proceedings, Canons, 485, to 490, 494, 495, 707. Another under him, 405, 406. Under Rustand by the Pope's authority, 823, 824, 825. Under Ottobon at Paul's, 1040, to 1041. Northampton 391. Oxon, under Stephen Langeton: which omitted the names of God the Son and Holy Ghost in their Acts, inserting the Virgin Mary and Saints in lieu thereof; Their manifold Excommunications, and condemnation of an impostor counterfeiting Christ's wounds, 54, 385, 386. Another, 904, A petty Convocation there, 954. Paris, 392. Reding, under Ferentius the Pope's Legate, 245. Another, An. 1264, p. 1015. Under Archbishop Peckham, revoked by him in Parliament in some clauses of Excommunication, 912. Rome under Innocent 3. 347, 348. Under Nicholas 2. 707. Toledo 8. p. 316. Trent p. 16, 66, 67. Westminster under Otto, concerning his Message, requests from the Pope, 398, 399, 402. Under Archbp. Boniface, the Antimonarchical Constitutions, proceedings in it against suing Clergymen in Temporal Courts; it's Interdicts, excommunications against the King, his Judges, Officers, to exempt all Clergymen from secular Jurisdiction: held against the King's express prohibition, 890, to 912. Its Constitutions printed in Aton, Lyndewode, though appealed against as intolerable grievances by the King, Nobles, 983, 990, 991. & the Archbishop forced to fly for, retract them, 999, 998. Abbots, Bishops obliged by a new Oath imposed on them, to resort to Councils on the Pope's summons, 465. Councils, Convocations of Bishops prohibited to meet by King's Writs; and when met, not to debate, act any thing in them against his or the Kingdom's rights, 2, 3, 233, 443, 578, 890. A General Council desired by the Emperor and Cardinals, countermanded by the Emperor, to prevent the designs therein to depose him, 548, to 558. Appealed unto against the Pope's exactions. See Appeals, 1021, 1022, 1023. Pompous manner of celebrating a Council by the Pope's Legate, 486, 487. Courts of Bishop's Manors adjourned into the Kings to recover their, rights, 233, 234. Courts Christian, Consistories, secular Courts; their respective Jurisdictions, Judges, 872, to 889. Courtbaron, 887. Leet, exemption from it, 632. Crown, and public lands, not to be alienated by Kings, much less the kingdom, being against Kings and Emperors Oaths, resumed when alienated, 316, to 330. 504, 505. See Charter of King John Resumption. Crosses carried before Archbishops, 954, 1010, 1046, 1047. before the Chancellor or University of Oxford, a new silver and gilt Cross provided for them, and a standing Cross there erected at the Jews cost, 1045, 1046, 1047. Of Churches seized by the Emperor for a time; though after restored, 657. Used with, and instead of Seals, 354. Cross consecrated by Christ's blood, not his blood by it, 712. Croysadoes, for the Holy Lands relief, a Papal cheat for Popes, Kings to pick simple Christians puses for Pope's designs, to maintain waris against Christian Emperors, Princes, the Greek Church, and Albigenses, detesting, opposing Papal usurpations, corruptions, to depose, enthral, murder them, the intolerable rapines, abuses in, and sad consequences of them, 340. 342. 343. 403. to 420. 447. to 451. 466. 467. 469. 470. 471. 490. 529. 512 513. 516. 523. 548. 680. 681. 728. to 734. 754. 766. 767. 776. to 785. 821. to 827. 1025. Append. 26, 27. See Aids. and Index 10, 12, & H. 3. Those Kings and others who took it up, under the Pope's protection, 370, 371. 404. Ibid. Crucifixes, Popish Miracles of blood issuing out of them, 14. Christ most usually painted, invoked by Papists, as still hanging on them, 15. 16. Bakers prohibited to imprint them on their sale-bread; 783. Broken by the Jews in Oxford, enforced to make a new one, 1045. 1046 1047. Seen in the air 69. Carried about by Priests to protect them from Soldier's violence, but in vain, 351. A silver one on Westminster great Altar, 826. Culvertagium; a disgraceful punishment, 168. 269. Custom; introduced by a double act, in paying Popes, other exactions, if submitted to, and not opposed, 568. 569. 771. D. Damages, upon Appeals for unjust sentences, 234 499. demanded from King John by the Pope's agents for the Traitorous exiled Bishops, who interdicted the Realm, excommunicated, deposed him, for not submitting thereto, and at last enforced him by his own, his Nobles Oaths, Charters to restore them, Inquisitions, proceedings thereupon, 231, 232, 261. to 265. 272. to 285. 331. to 335. 341. Demanded from, but refused by the Emperor Frederick for church-good seized, 657. For injuries by the Archbishop to the Bishop of Rochester 930. Danegeld, exemption from it by Charter 228. King David's Psalms blasphemously altered by Bonaventure; See Bonaventure. Preserved from Goliath by God's love to the Virgin Mary, heir to his kingdom, 17. 31. Deacons, Subdeacons' office, in the V. Mary, 18. Degradation of Clerks not by Secular, but Ecclesiastical Judges, 881. Dilapidations, deprivations of Priors, Abbots for them, 256. 257. 258. 850. Appendix 18. Of the exiled Bishops temporalties by King John, 288. Deposition, Deprivation of Priors, Abbots, Nuns for incontinency and whoredom, 228. 229. 287. Of a Bishop for Simony, 597. Of a Prior by power and bribes at Rome, 852. 853. Popes not to be deposed for any Crime, though never so wicked, obstinate, 5. Of Emperors, Kings, by Popes; See Frederick, Otho, King John, Innocent 3. 4. and Greg. 9 Of Beneficed Clerks, for writing attachments, process, writs against Clergymen by the Kings, his Officers commands to the Church's prejudice, 898. Devil, seduced Eve, the inventor of Heresies; of the Virgin Maries worship by vain women 58. 59 63. Christ's apparitions in the Hostiaes' and Popish Miracles, his delusions. 74. Discords increased by the Pope and his Court, occasioned by the Bishop of Winton, whose restitution is thereupon opposed 966. See King John, and H. 3. Dimes, from the Clergy; granted, imposed, levied by the King, Pope. See Aid, Henry the 3. Index 10. 12. Bulls, Charters, Oaths. Dispensations of Popes against their own Canons for money; 467. 325. See Absolution, Canons, Commendaes', Pluralities, Oath: against the Law of God, the Apostles, all positive and humane Laws, 5. Distringas to attach Bishops for their contempts, 860. 884. 888. 941. 942. 995. 990. Division of the Clergy, practised by Pope's agents to obtain their exactions, ends, when opposed, 569. Of the Cardinals in electing a Pope, 647. 648. 650 Of the English censured by Popes, who gained by them, 737. Divorce of King John by Norman Bishops, 227. A Synod consisting of Abbots, Priors, Nobles assembled by the Pope's authority about the divorce of the Countess of Essex from her Husband. 435. By a Bishop, reversed by the Pope against the party's Oaths, for moneys, 531. Dominick, the Virgin Maries Chaplain, his Commission, Vision of Saints of his order in heaven under the Virgin Maries Mantle, 32. 56. Popish Legends, blasphemies, preferring him before Christ and St. Paul. 64. 65. Canonised a Roman Saint, 40. 50. 488. Duel, none between a bastard and mulier heir, 744. Duresse, Charters, Oaths by Daresse, fear, force of arms, reputed, repealed as void, 324. to 329. 340. to 345. 387, 622. 1010. 1015. 1016. See Absolution, Charter. Oath. E. ECclesiastical Jurisdiction of our, other Christian Kings, Emperors; 2. 3. 4 5. Of Popes, Prelates, Clergy, what claimed, p. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9 231. 291. See Jurisdiction, Kings, Popes, Prohibitions, Prerogative, Ecclesiastical Laws: See Canons, Councils. Elections: King John's extorted Charter for their freedom ratified by Pope Innocent 3. p 336. 337. 338. 339. 891. 922. reconfirmed by H. 3. 841. See 588. No Archbishop, Bishop, Abbot, Prior of our King's foundation to be elected in England, Ireland, Wales, Normandy, but by their special licence first petitioned for and obtained by their electors, 2. 3. 4. 229. 230. 234, 236, 237. 240 241. 244. 245. 218. 249. 250. 251. 257. 338. 348. 349. 351. 352. 353 354 355. 357. 384. 407. 418. to 423. 424 431. 432. 433. 460. 461. 462. 465. 466. 480. 481. 482. 483. 502. 504. 505. 569. 510. 511. 512. 579. 580. 581. 582. 588. 59●. 624. 635. 682. 687. 697. 690▪ 719. 724. 726. 727. 735. 748. 752. 757 783. 784 805. 816. 817. 818. 913. 922. 524. 525. 953 954 956 963. 964, 971. 973. 980. 996. 1017. 1061. 1062. Append. 18. 27. Index 2. 3. 4. Election without such a precedent licence nulled, unless specially dispensed with by the King's grace in some particular cases in Ireland, 243, 246. 447. 4●4. 480 481. 482. 635. 687 719. 783. 818. 1039. None to be confirmed, consecrated Abbots, Bishops after their elections by licence, unless first approved, confirmed by our King●, 244. 407. 431. 432. 433, 462. 460. 465. 579 580. 581 to 596. 637, 690. 724. 726. 727. 748. 752. 783. 784. 805. 817, 818. 9●3. 92●. 923. 924 925 941. 951. 953. 954. 955 956. 971. 973. 979 980. 991 992 964. 996. 998. 999. 1017. 1018. 1038. 1039. Appeals, contests by our Kings against elections of persons they approved not when elected, and not electing those whom they recommended to be elected, 234, 236, 237, 240, 241, 244, 245, 248, 249, 250, 258, 338, 348, 348, 349, 351, to 353, 354, 357, 405, 406, 418, to 421 483, 489, 510, 581, to 596. 624 625, 627. 913, 922, 923, 924, 1061, 1062. Appendix 18. Practices of Deans, Chapters, Bishops, Popes, to deprive the King of this prerogative of licensing and approving cl●c●ions, 229, 230, 234, 236, 242, to 250. 424, 480, 481, 482 635, 667, 719, 783, 828, 1038. Elections to be ratified, confirmed by Popes and their Legates before consecrations, by Papal institutions, 384. 458, to 466. 580, 581. 784, 522, to 526. 925, 956▪ 973. 990. Elections ratified by Popes against our King's appeals, for money or seldens, to their great affront; their resentments of, oppositions against them, 483, 484, 581, to 799. to 596. 922, to 925. Cressida, ●a●ified by Archbishops, 980, 998, 999. Due Elections n●●lled by Popes without cause, upon frivolous pretences, to please o●r Kings, by bribes, o● to prefer their own creatures to them by Provisions, to the prejudice of our King's prerogatives; with their oppositions, complaints against it, 246, to 252. 351, 352, 367, 416, 418, to 4●0, 431, 433, 434, 581, to 596. 1001, 1002. Voided because clandestinely made at midnight, or before the first election declared null by the Pope, 246, 247. Election nulled by an Archbp, who recommended another, 941. The right of electing the Archbishop of Canterbury adjudged to be in the M●●ks alone, not in the Suffragan Bishops, 245, 246. Of Rochester in the Monks thereof, 498, 499. 748. 500 marks given by the Covent of Ab●●●● to K. H. 3. to elect whom they pleased after their pa●al●tick Prior● death, Append. 27. Pope's disdainful answers to King J●●● and Henry 3. that they used and ought not to expect the pleasure or assent of Princes in matters of Bishop's elections, 250, 592. Emperors: General Council, summoned by them, precedents, director● in them, correctors, confirmers of their proceedings, Canons, etc. 2, 3. Chief Head, Patron of the Church, Bishopric of Rome, and all other Bishoprics; the right of Investitures of Popes and all other Archbishops, Bishops through the Empire, acknowledged by Pope's Bulls, Oath in a Council at Rome to be his preregative, 328, 417, 516. 517, to 521, 527, 532. 662. The Chiefest, greatest of all Christ an Princes, over whom he hath no commanding power, 517, to 552, 539, 544, 662. His care of Religion, 531, 661, 662. His Oath to resume the alienated lands of the Empire; excommunicated by Popes for executing it, 259, 260, 316, 317, 318, 515. See Oath. The Pope hath no power to excommunicate or depose him; 517, to 520. 540. to 545. 660, 661, 662. Popes, Prelate's ingratitude to, rebellions against, depositions of them, though endowed, enriched by them, endeavours to trample them and all other King's Crowns, kingdoms under feet, and make them their Vassals; in whose cause, excommunication, interdict, deposal they were all concerned, 416, 417, 517, 553, 661, 662. See Frederick. Cannot alien, give away the Sovereign Dominion nor Lands of the Empire, & may resume them from usurping Popes, 316, to 324 260. 515. His Oath to the Pope, invalids not his Coronation Oath, nor is he bound to take it, 316. Pope's usurpations over, implacable, successive malice, treacheries, slanders, wars against them, 5, 6. See Frederic 2. Otho 5. Alexander 3. Gregory 9 Innocent 3, 4. & Index 10. 12. Empress; the Virgin Mary, Augusta, Empress of Heaven, Earth, and the whole world. 22. 26. See Mary. Enemies, not to be Judges; 341, 342. 531, 550, 551. 676. nor witnesses, 8. not to come into or go out of the Realm in time of war, 336. To the King, not to be made Bishops, 248, 249, 349, 374, 922 Epipha●●s, his memorable passages against invocation, adoration of the Virgin Mary, or any other Saint, Angel, but God alone, 58, to 63. Escuoge granted beyond Sea opposed by the Archbishop, 429. See Aids by the Clergy: not to be drawn into precedent, 475. Escheator in Ireland: See Index 8. Writs to him to restore Bishops temporalties, Ibid. & Index 4. Escheats to the King taxed to an aid for the Holy Land, 239. Eve, seduced by the Devil, deceived Adam, destroyed mankind, she and her posterity saved by the Virgin Mary: compared with her, 31, 32, 33, 41, 42, 58, 60, 61, 62, Marry her advocate, 54. Exchequer; Barons of it, 248. ●11. Prohibitions' out of it against administration or disposal of the goods of the King's debtors by Ordinaries, 782, 893. Exactions, extortions of Popes, their Legates, agents complained against: See Frederic 2. Henry 3. England, Rome, and Index, 10, 11, 12. Of Sheriffs, Bailiffs prohibited, redressed, 281, 282. Of Archdeacon's, Bishops, Officials, Ecclesiastical Courts complained of, Canons against them, 232, 233, 910, 949, 950. Of Priests for Sacraments, and Sacramentals, 233, 1041. Excommunications, and Interdicts; Popes, Popish Legates, Prelates, and their Officers principal instruments to batter down, undermine, subvert the Sovereign power, rights, privileges of Christian Emperors, Kings, Nobles, people, to usurp their Crowns, kingdoms, trample them under feet, and tyrannize over them as their Vassals at their pleasures, 6, 7, 230, 231, 24●, 243, 259, 262, 263, 358, 359, 360, 367, 370, 385, 391, 392, 409, 410, to 416. 424, 425, 426, 449, 484, 512, 526, 540, 547, 553, 584, 585. 604, 651, to 664. 680, 681, 682, 810, 811, 812. 891, 892, 896, to 913. Popes and their Parasites assert it to be Heresy, to deny their usurped power of excommunicating, interdicting Emperors, Kings, kingdoms, 6. 410. 538 656, 657, 658. The manner of Popes, Popish Legates, Bishops fulminating, denouncing their solemn Excommunications with Bells ringing, Tapers, Candles burning and extinct, all Lords days, holy days, throughout the Realm, 240, 264. 344, 345, 362, 370. 386, 391, 526, 544, 598, 659, 786, 787, 788, 796, 797. 904, 926. 976. 1016, 1029. St. Bernard's complaint, censure of Popes, Bishop's frequent abuses, use of them, 386. Certificates of Excommunications, writs of prohibition and cautione admittenda on them, 883, 884. Papal unchristian Excommunications, Interdicts of the Emperor Otho 5. for resuming the Lands and rights of the Empire from Popes who usurped them according to his Imperial Coronation Oath, 5, 6. 259, 260. Against the Emperor Frederick the 2. for the same cause, and oother false surmises, frivolous causes, to colour it, 410, to 416. 424, to 448. 647, 648. 653, to 664. 681. 753. Of Frederick 2. For putting on his Crown in Jerusalem whiles excommunicated with his own hands, and declaring the injustice of his excommunication by the Pope, 424, 425. For going to Mass, and Divine Service whiles excommunicated unjustly, out of Conscience and duty to God, 657. 810. For imposing Taxes on Bishops, Clergymen for repair of Castles, without the Pope's consent, 516. 536, 537. For forged blasphemies against Christ, and heresy in denying his Papal authority to excommunicate him, 515, 525, 539. For pretended heresy, 656. For apprehending, imprisoning Popes Legates, Cardinals, Bishops, Clergymen, and executing some of them for stirring up Rebellion, levying Taxes to maintain War against him, and resorting to a Council upon the Pope's Letters to depose him, against his advice and prohibition, 515, 516. 536, 537, 5●8. 656, 657. For not fearing Pope's undue Excommunications, and keys of the Church, 658. Of Con●ade upon like pretences; his answer to them, 810, 811, 812. Of Emperors, Kings refusing to make peace upon the Pope's Command, Articles, Mediation; or invading other Kings, whiles crossed employed in his Wars, and under his protection, 6. 449, 450. Of King John for not receiving Stephen Langern Archbishop, elected Archbishop of Canterbury without▪ his licence, privity, obtruded into it by the Pope against the ancient prerogative of his Crown; not restoring the fruits of his Archbishopric and other Bishoprics to the Bishops; who interdicted his Realm, and excommunicated all his Officers, 259, 262, 263, 368 See King John, and Innocent 3. His Nobles would not follow him into France, till absolved, 276. Against all Kings or others who shall hinder or rob any going to or returning from the Pope and See of Rome, 408. Of King Lewes and his adherents for invading England, against the Pope's inhibitions by his Legate, 359, 360, 361, 362, 367, 368, 370, 371. Appendix 18, to 20. A Legit specially sent for by King John to excommunicate the Archbishop and Barons upon the next opportunity, 286, 287. Excommunications against the English Barons at King John's request, for taking up arms against him to extort the Great Charter from him, and persisting to maintain it, when he and his Cardinals had declared it void, because gained by fear, arms, duresse, 341, 342, 344, 345, 359, 360, 368, 370, 388, 390, 391, 392, 414. Appendix 19, 20. Of King H. 3. menaced, for not paying the sums for which he was obliged to the Pope for Apulia and Sicily at the days appointed, Appendix 28. 921. Frederick 2. his voluntary subjecting himself to the Pope's excommunication, if he went not to the Holy Land by a day designed, to force him to perform it, 422. King H. 3. his voluntary submitting himself & his successors to the Pope's censures and excommunication, notwithstanding their royal dignity, if he paid not his Sister's marriage portion at the days appointed, to force him thereunto, 452, 453, 454. If he performed not the Articles of agreement, or satisfied not the moneys in which he obliged himself to the Pope for the Realm of Apulia and Sicily, 919, 9TH, 1001, 1002. Of Alexander King of Scots, if he violated his League and Oath made to King Henry the 3▪ 620, 621. Against the Barons taking Arms against King H. 3. and extorting an Oath from him inviolably to observe their Provisions and Confederation made at Oxford, after the King's absolution from, and their nulling by the Pope, 1013, 1014, 1015, 1016▪ 1018, 1021, 1022. Against detainers, betrayers of the King's Castles or Lands refusing to restore them after admonition, 4, 378, 37●, 384, 385, 386, 389, 390, 392, 397, 444, 445, 4●6. By Popes and their Agents, For not going to the Holy land according to Vows, Oaths, or refusing to redeem their Vows for money at such rates a● Pope's agents exacted from them, to Christians grand offence, when prohibited to go by express Bulls: for violating the privileges granted by Popes to such who crossed themselves for that service, or taking use of them, 238, 240, 408, to 417. 448, 449, 516, 517, 545, 655, 681, 682. 698. 731, 732. For not coming to hear Freers preach the Cross, 466. For not appearing upon summons for that affair, 731, 732. For opposing, nonpayment, or substraction of Dimes and other Papal exactions, to his own, the Kings or other uses, and enforcing their speedy payment, notwithstanding any exemption, privilege, or appeal, 426, 427, 683, 684, 685, 671, 691, 694, 695, 696 731, 737. 814, 815, 846, 847. 10●6, 1028, 1029 For opposing Popes provisions to Ecclesiastical Dignities, Praebendaries, Benefices, 484, 694, 696, 746, 747, 850, 851. 926, 980. For opposing, speaking or murmuring against the Pope's grant of the First years fruits of Vacant Benefices to Archbishop Boniface, 684, 685, 698. Of the Monks of Canterbury if they ●efused to elect Stephen Lang ton Archbishop at Rome, without the King's precedent licence, 247. For lay Judges punishing Priests Concubines, in default of Bishops and their officials, 7, 8. For revealing the Popes, Councils or Legates secrets, 400, 671. To enforce Jew's to remit all usury to those who took up the Cross for the Holy Land, 448. For breach of Covenants, Contracts, Leagues ratified by Oaths, under pretext of perjury, 377, 378, 385, 412. 458, 608, 609, 611, 621. 655, 656, 657, 976, 977, 1013, 1014. For violating the Rights, Privileges of the Church by seizing their lands, goods, levying distresses, molesting Bishops, Priests, or their Tenants in their persons or estates, though for just duties, or treason▪ murders, rebellions, 264, 386, 425 515, 516, 536, 537, 538 656, 6●7, 796, 997. 811, 830, 831, 841. For not submitting to the Pope's awards, 6. 853. For carrying arms or victuals to Saracens, or aiding them in any kind, 449. For usury by Jews, to engross all usury to the Pope's Merchants, 448. For reprehending▪ opposing Pope's frauds, extortions, ●i●ony, injustice, 424, 425; 513, 514. For not paying procurations to Pope's Legates, 545. For Piracy, and intercepting provisions to the Holy Land, 449. For conversing with, aiding, counselling, buying, selling, and holding any communion with Emperors, Kings, others, whiles excommunicated▪ 263, 265, 334, 335, 369, 386, 449, 500 The Emperor's Society avoided in the holy land whiles excommunicated by Popish Prelates, Clergy, 413. 416, 417. Pope's excommunications usually renewed on Ascention day, 363. 410. No Appeals admitted against them, 6 240, 359, 406, 690, 696, 737. 10●9. Appeals against them to a General Council, the Church militant and triumphant, & Christ's tribunal. See Appeals, Councils. Archbishops, Bishops, Clergymen excommunicated suspended from their Offices, Bishopric, Benefices, for not publishing, or not submitting to them, or officiating to, conversing with, or receiving any promotion from Kings or others excommunicated, 334, 335, 345, 346, 347, 348, 359, 36●, 371, 372, 385, 410. Threatened by the Pope to King H▪ 3. if he did not strictly inquire after and exemplarily punish according to his Coronation Oath, those who threshed out and took away the Romans corn, yea send them personally to him to Rome, to be absolved for it, 536, 437. Absolutions from them denied by Popes, their Legates, instruments to Emperors, Kings, others, till they extorted an Oath from them to stand to, and obey the Popes or Churches Judgements, Commands; though an illegal Oath and Usurpation. See Absolution. Pope's Excommunications in temporal matters, and in their own causes, where Judges, parties, and professed Enemies, reputed null and void; by the Emperor Frederick, 424, 2●5, 513, to 533, 536▪ 543, 544, 548. 648, 657, 658, 660, 661, 662. By Conrade, 810, 811, 812. By Brancaleo, and the Romans, who pleaded Exemptions from it. Appendix 28. By our English Archbishops, Bishops, Clergym●n, 345, 346, 347, 348, 361, 362, 371, 598. 1020, to 1024. By our King John and his Nobles, against whom no Bishops in England durst publish the Pope's excommunication, but only whisper it privately, 257, 258, 259. By the English Barons and Citizens of London, Lewes and his adherents in King John's reign, 345, 360, 361, 362, 367. Appendix 18, 19, 20. By the Barons in King H. 3. his reign, 1015, 1020, 1021, 1022. King John's victorious glorious Successes in England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, during the Pope's excommunication and Interdict of him and his Realm, 260, 261. The Emperor frederick's victories, successes, whiles excommunicated by Pope Gregory and Innocent 4. whom he chased from Rome, and fled like Cain before him from place to place, 415, 427, 428, 548, 554, to 557. See Frederick, and Index 10. Gregory and Innocent 4. Pope's general excommunications of the Barons and others in arms, without reciting their particular names, held null, void: thereupon their particular names were inserted in renewed Excommunications, interdicts, 345, 359. 360. The King's Chapels not to be excommunicated but by Pope's special command, 358, 720, 721. See Free Chapels. The Pope's new policy, custom, when war arose between Kings, or King & Nobles, to assist that party which made addresses to him by excommunicating the other, and countenancing the weaker against the stronger party, that when they recovered their power, they might be perpetually obliged to him, and become his Vassals, 680. An exemption from excommunication for any crimes or offence, but by the Pope's special command, granted for money, 682 The Freach Nobles engagement against Popes, Prelates Papal Excommunications, and other encroachments on their Liberties, 699, 700, 701, 702. The Emperor frederick's Letters to the Romans, and Cardinals, for suffering him to be excommunicated by the Popes in Rome itself, against their duties, allegiance; and to K. H. 3. for suffering his excommunications to be published in England against the bonds of amity, affinity, & common interest of Kings, 515. to 533. 544, 546, 547, 548 648, 649. Helias a Monk by the Emperor's command absolves those the Pope excommunicated, 513, 514. The Emperor apprehended and long detained Otho the Pope's Legate in prison for publishing the Pope's Excommunication against him in England, 648 Pope's Canons concerning Excommunications abuses, and absolutions from them, not observed by them, 659, 660. Tenants of Lords continuing excommunicate 40 days absolved from their fealty to them, their Lands forfeited to the Supreme Lord, till submission to the Church by Pope's Legates Constitutions, 358. Excommunications nulled, revoked by Popes, revived against the same parties in the same cause for money upon other pretences, to the great scandal of the Clergy, 762. After Appeals to Popes, nulled by his Bulls, Legates, if not revoked by those who denounced them, 232, 242. Excommunications threatened, denounced by our Archbishops and Bishops, against our Kings, and those who adhered to them, 263, 268. 444. Against the King and all other infringers of the Church's Liberties, Great Charter of Liberties, and of the Forest, and good Laws of the Realm, 385, 391, 444, 499, 544, 611, 613. 796, 797. 910, 911, 919, 935. Of all the infringers of the Baron's Provisions made and sworn to at Oxford, 1021, 1023. Of all infringers of the public Peace of the Realm, 386, 391. Of all Traitors to the King and kingdom, 443, 444. Of-Sheriffs, Bailiffs, other the King's Officers and Judges, for executing the King's Writs, Mandates, discharging their Trusts; distraining Bishops and their Tenants for public Taxes, sesing their Temporalties for contempts; apprehending, imprisoning, executing Clergymen for Murder, Felony, Criminal affairs, in affront of the King's Sovereign authority, 326, 7, 230, 231, 238, 249, 253. 254, 387. 386, 787. 430, 438, 439. 512, 584, 586, 587, to 596. 655, 657, 688, 689. 701, 702, 703, 704, 735, 738, 739, 758, 784. 829, 830, 857, 858, 859, 860. 874, 878, 885, to 913. Appendix 5. 6. Archbishops, Bishops banished, their Temporalties seized, persons attached, proceedings prohibited, they forced to absolve the King's Officers, and cry peccavi for such excommunications of them, being against the Law, and destructive to the King's Sovereign power, Ibid. 983. 990. 991. 997, 998. See Arrests and Prohibitions. Of such who violate sequestrations of Church-living, 386. Of such who take malefactors goods, or distrain in Churches, Churchyards or Sanctuaries; or kept victuals from persons flying to them, 386, 387, 438, 439, 516, 892, 893, 906. Of malicious false accusers, witnesses, and their suborners, 386. Of Sheriffs, Officers refusing to apprehend excommunicate persons, or releasing them before satisfaction to the Church, or conversing with them, 386, 883, 884, 891, 892 903, 904, 906. Of Thiefs, Robbers, Pirates, their receivers, countenancers, 386, 449. Of such Virgins, Widows, who marry against their Vow of Chastity, though not professed, by the Canons, dispensed with by the Pope, 500 Of defrauders, detainers of any sort of Tithes to whom they are due, 386, 499, 500 Of intruders into Churches to defraud Patrons of their rights, 386. Of Advocates delaying the execution of marriage contracts through malice, or frivolous cavils, 386. Of persons serving or selling victuals to Jews against Bishops inhibitions, countermanded by the King's Writs, 386, 387. 475. 894. 905, 906. Of Priest's Concubines, 397. Of unjust takers, distrainers of the goods of Bishops, Priests, or their Tenants, or offerers of violence to their persons, 230. 242. 243. 384. 386. 425. 515. 516. 536. 537. 538. 656. 657. 796. 797. 811. 830. 831. 841. 898. 903. 904. 906. See Arrests. Of Lords and Bailiffs hindering Tenants to make, prove Wills before Ordinaries, 909, 910. Of persons refusing to take Oaths, not in cases of Matrimony and Testament; or to present, accuse, or give testimony upon Oath in Bishop's Visitations, Courts, against the King's prerogative, Laws, Custom of the Realm; prohibitions in such cases, 699. 704. to 711. 728. 764. 892, 907, 969, 970. See Prohibitions. Oath. Of Judges, others who infringe the Liberties of the Church by Quo warrantoes, or malicious interpretations of their Charters, 906, 907. For outlawing, banishing Clerks for crimes, 904. For calling a Bishop Traitor to the King, by the Bishop himself, 443. Of such who prosecuted Prohibitions, and attachments upon them against Ecclesiastical Judges for suing for temporal matters, 718. 846. 904. For breach of Contracts ratified by Oaths, 905. See Prohibitions. For abusing the Archbishop's official, against the Bishop of Winton and his servants, 785. to 789. 951. Of the Bishop of London, Dean and Chapter of Paul's, for opposing the Archbishop's Visitation of them, the Appeals thereupon to the Pope, his declaring it null, and excommunicating them again for money upon other pretexts, 741. 742. to 746. 762. Of the Dean and Chapter of Lincoln for opposing the Archbishop's presentation to a Prebendary, 805. 806. For not submitting to Bishops awards, according to the King and Baron's order in cases of Ministers goods plundered during the wars, 1003. Of the Bishop of Lincoln by the Prior and Monks of Canterbury during the vacancy of the See, for ingratitude and rebellion against his mother Church, who contemned it, and officiats notwithstanding, 598. The King, Queen, and King's brother Earl Richard, usually excepted in our Archbishops general Excommunications and Interdicts, 282. 430. 786. 788. None of the King's Chapels to be excommunicated by Archbishop's o● Bishops. See Free Chapels. No Baron, Tenant in Capite, Officers, Bailiffs or Tenants of the King, dwelling in his Castles, Cities, Demesnes, to be excommunicated, by the ancient Laws, Customs of the Realm, without the King's privity and consent, 3. 701. 702. 830. 831. Complaints of the Nobles, people to the King, against Excommunications and Vexations, and Writs of the King to prohibit them, 699. 700. 701. 702. 704. 705. 706. 830. 831. 969. 970. What Admonitions ought to precede Excommunications, 260. 391. 392. 883. Of David Prince of Wales, and his Brother by the Bishop of Bangor, for imprisoning his Brother against his safe conduct, and for breaking his Charter, Oath to King Henry by the Archbishop of Canterbury and two English Bishops, according to his own Charter and Submission, 609. 611. 621. 622. 976. 977. Writs De Excommunicato Capiendo, imprisonment on them after 40 days, 482. 785. 806. 819. 824 826. 827. 883. 884. 892. 906. King's denial, superleding of Writs of Excommunicato Capiendo, and Sheriff's refusal or neglect to execute them when issued; complained against by the Bishops as grievances to the Church, to be punished by Interdicts and Excommunications, 599 890. 903. 904 Writs De excommunicato deliberando, before satisfaction to the Ordinaries, enlarging excommunicated Persons, and conversing with them, by the King and his Officers, 819. 827. 974. 1009. Complained against by the Bishops as a grievance, punishable with the greater Excommunication, Interdict of the Officers and Kings Castles, Lands, by their New Constitutions, 890, 903, 904. The Council of Oxford's excommunication of several Offenders by authority of God the Father Almighty, of the Virgin Mary and Saints; omitting God the Son, and Holy Ghost, 54. 385. 386. Thomas Beckets name thrust into Ahchbishops' Excommunications, as Beatissimus Patronus noster, and as a Martyr, 745. 796. Anathemaes and Excommunications denounced by our Kings themselves in their Charters of Lands to Religious Houses and Bishoprics, 3. 4. 339. The King's Patent authorising the Master of the Jews Law to excommunicate such Jews who did not contribute the moneys promised to their new Church yard, 735. 736. Saint Peter, Paul's, and the Virgin mary's Names inserted into the general Excommunication of the Infringers of the Great Charter, 796. The Abbey of St. Alban exempt from all Excommunications, Interdicts by Archbishops, Bishops, Legates; but only by the Pope himself, or a Cardinal Legate à Latere, Appendix 24. King's Writs to recall and not publish Excommunications prejudicial to the Rights of his Crown, Clerks, 688. 689. Out of Ordinaries malice, fraud, redressed by Writs, 883, 884. See Interdicts, Absolutions, Prohibitions, and Index 3, 10, 12. Executors composition with the Pope's Legate for indistinct Legacies. 864. Exemptions from Archiepisoopal and Episcopal Jurisdictions, Censures by King's Charters to Monasteries, 2, 3. Appendix 23, 24. By Pope's Bulls, Ihidem. Of the King's Free-Chappels; See Free Chapels. Of the Clergy by Popes, Constitutions, Canons, and their own, from all Emperors, Kings, and Temporal Magistrates Jurisdions, Laws, Courts, Taxes whatsoever, 5. 6. 7. 8. 278. 368. 368. 873. 874. 880. 886. 887. 888. 890. 903. See Clerks. Of the King's Clerks and Chaplains attending on him, from Dimes, 1007. See Chaplains. F FAme; what kind of it ought to precede Inquisitions, 812. Fasts; ordinary and extraordinary prescribed by Kings, 2. Fealty sworn and done to Kings by Bishops, and by their Proctors, with the King's consent, 593.: See Oath; and Index 3, 4, 5. throughout. Made by all Bishops, Prelates, Barons present at our King's Coronations, 370. Feastivals; ordinary and extraordinary, prescribed by Kings, 2, 711, 712, 715, 826. Fees undue, extorted, prohibited: See Exactions. None for Orders, Licenses to teach School, Sacraments, or Sacramentals, 232, 233, 950, 1041. First fruits, due to the Kings, 3. Denied to, taken from Popes as a usurpation, 5. Of vacant Benefices granted by Pope Innocent 4. to Archbishop Boniface for seven years, to raise 10000 Marks to pay pretended Debts of the Bishopric; an unheard of Innovation in England; opposed by the Bishops, Nobles, King at first, yet enforced by Excommunications. The Benefices of Nobleman's, laymen's Patronage, and Kings Free Chapels exempted from them by Order of Parliament, and the King's Writs, 683, 684, 718, 719, 740, 759. The First-fruits of all vacant Benefices granted the King for five years by the Pope, 913, 921. The King by virtue of it challenged First fruits, against the Popes Commendaes' retinere, granted to the Archbishop of Tuam, 913. Flegwite, phlegm, 229. Exemption from them. Forests; Charter of them granted, 336. Foresters extortions prohibited under pain of loss of Life and Member, 282. Protosorester, 265. Forfeiture of the Patronage of all Churches by the King's express Charter, if he performed not the Agreement made with the Pope's Legate for the exiled Bishops safe return; Damages and exercise of their full Episcopal Jurisdiction, 272, 277. Of the Crown and Realm for not performing Conditions to the Pope, in King John's Charter to Pope Innocent. 274. 289. In King Henry III. his Charters, and Pope's Bull concerning Sicily if he failed in performing the Articles, 419. 931. 1001. 1002. A void Condition, 305. 306. Of Goods and Church-livings for Treason, Rebellion, Misdemeanours, 522. 1064. 1865. See Index 3. Förnagelds, 228. Forstall, Exemptions from them: 228. Francis, the Virgin Maries Chaplain, to reconcile the World to her order, service; he and his son under her special protection, 32. Cononized a Roman Saint, 49, 50, 488. Their Blasphemies of his Oath of Conformities, Miracles, Wounds, Advocateship, Merits, Mass derogatory to Christ's: His vision of a white and red Ladder, and sending his Freers, Scholars from Christ's red, to the Virgin Maries white Ladder, as the most easy, safe to ascend by into Heaven, 34. 35. 36. 64. 65. Franchises of Rochester and Norwich Cities, seized on by the King, as forfeited by the Citizen's misdemeanours, 779, 1066: 1067. Franchalmoign: Lands given to Monasteries and Bishops to hold by this Tenure, 228. Those who held by it, bound to pray, not to find Arms, or fight with the material, but spiritual sword, 1024. 1025. What Cases concerning it belong to the Civil, what to the Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction, 881, 882, 889. Fraud and Circumvention, null Grants of the King; none ought to take advantage of his own Fraud, 373. 374. Impious frauds, circumventions of Popes, Ibid. 809. 813. 824. 825. 844. 845. Appendix 28, 29. See Croysadoes, Aids, Gregory 9 Innocent 3. 4. Sicily, and Index 12. Of Irish Bishops and Archbishops, 482. 489. See Index 4. Free-Chappels of the King, exempt from all Archiepiscopal and Episcopal Jurisdiction, from Pope's Dimes, Procurations, Provisions, Taxes, several Writs of Prohibition, and Bulls concerning them to that effect, 2. 358. 557. 720. 721. 727. 729. 748. 759. 982. 983. 1047. Fremtha, exemption from it, 229. G GAlyes of Jenoa taken by the Emperor, 556. See Jenoa. Gelds: exemption from them, 248. God only to be adored, invocated, prayed to, 56. 57 58. 60. 61. 62. The propagation, defence, protection of his true Worship, Faith, Gospel, Church, Ministers, People, the principal duty, office, care of Christian Kings, his Vicars upon earth, 1. 2. 3. See Kings. Our only aid, hope, help, deliverer, Comforter, Redeemer, Saviour, 36. All these, other his Attributes, and divine worship attributed to the Virgin Mary by the Church of Rome, 16, to 60. sparsim. Papists Blaphemies, that the Virgin Mary hath done more for God, than God hath done for her or all Mankind, 54. 55. That God hath bequeathed all his Mercy unto her to dispense, reserving his Justice only to himself. 25, etc. That God his subject to her will, and commanded by her, 21. 22. 27. 28. 39 40. 49. 53. The Virgin Mary adored by Papists as, and more than God 12. 16, to 55. Made a Looking-glass for Saints to see Prayers in, though invisible: He doth not see but hears prayers, 57 58. Goddess; the Virgin Mary made, styled a Goddess, yea Goddess of Goddesses by Popish Cardinals, Writers, 16. 26. 56. See Mary. The Gospel usually read in Councils, 487. Grace; Marry the mother, fountain, sole dispenser of it, 25. 26. 37. 38. 48. She is most gracious to Sinners when Christ is most displeased with, and hides his face from them, 16. Great Charter. S●e Charter. Greek Church, Patriarch, excommunicated the Pope and Roman Church; separate from them, and absolve those the Pope excommunicated, 490. 491, 511. See Greek Church; Index 14. part. 1. H HAir, long of Priests, cut by King's Writs: 479. Harlot's: See Nuns, Oxford Whores. Hawking and Hunting restrained by King John: 256. Heresy punished, suppressed by Kings: 2. 3. 550. 551. 650. Not to believe the Pope's usurped Supremacy, nor submit to his K●ys, Excommunications, Heresit▪ 6. 410. 558. 656. 560. 657. 658. Of the Collyridians', exceeded by Papists: 58. to 62. All Heresies destroyed by the Virgin Mary: 19 The Emperor Frederick falsely slandered therewith by Popes; his vindication from it: 410. 514. 515. 540. 541. Popes, Bishops, to take an oath of Purgation only in case of Heresy: 707. Heretics arrested, imprisoned, proceeded against by King's Writs: 2. 3. 385. 403. 40●. 475. 560. Albigenses, how persecuted: 375. 403 404. Of Milan protected by the Pope against the Emperor. See Frederick: 2. H●rn●g●ld: 228. Hester; a Type of the Virgin Mary: 18. 20. 25. 45. Hidage; exemption from it: 228. Hypocrisy of Popes, desiring Prayers to be made for them in all places, the more boldly to prey upon, and pick Christians purses: 824. 848. Holy Ghosts inspiration, in●●rted into King John's Charter; a direct lie against the Holy Ghost: 273. 289. 304. 305. Homage of King John to the Pope and Church of Rome for England and Ireland: 273. 274. 279. 289. 299s See King John, and Innocent 3. Of King Hen●y 3▪ to the Pope; of his Nobles, Bishops to him at his Coronation: 370. Of the Emperor to the Pope: 400. Of the Irish and Welsh to King John: 260. 261. Hospitals that were poor, exempted from Dimes by the King's Writs, 862. See Poor, and Index 13. Hospitals, forced to pay Taxes to King John, 260. 261. Their Goods, Lands, seized by the Emperor for their T●●a●on against him, 418▪ 416. Their Lands given them by Usurpers, and bought without the Emperor's Licence in Sicily, resumed by him by the Custom of the Realm, 521. Their great pride, wealth, privileges made them mad, 776. See Templars. Hostages required from Nobles whose Loyalty was suspected when absolved by Popes from their Allegiance, 256. 265. Hanged at Nottingham, Ibid. Given by the Welsh King, Nobles to King John, 261. Hundred-Court, Hundredespeni, exemptions from them, 228. 229. I JAcoh and Isaac delivered by God's love to the Virgin Mary, 31. Idolatry, punishable, suppressed by Kings, 2. 3. Of the Church of Rome in adoring the Hostia, Virgin Mary, Saints, and praying unto them, worse than that of Heathens and the Collyridians', 56, to 68 and 16, to 56. See Mary. Jesus; his Name seen in fleshly Letters in a Popish Hostia, 73. Prohibited by H. 3. his Proclamation to be imprinted on Baker's sale bread, 783. Reputed one of the great Impostures by frederick's the 2d. a gross slander of Popes to engage all Christians to rise up against him as a public Enemy of Christ, 514. 539. See Frederick 2. Jesuits; assertions of the Pope's Universal Monarchy, 5. 8. Of the Virgin Mary's association into the power of the Deity, 38. 54. Censure of Christ's miraculous apparitions in the Hostia, 74. See Index 1. the Jesuits there quoted. Jews, converted by Crucifixes and Christ's Images pierced by them, dropping blood, 14. Delivered from the Babylonish Captivity by the Virgin Mary, 31. King's Writs to sell Victuals and other necessaries to them, notwithstanding Bishop's Constitutions to prohibit communion with them, and excommunications against them, under pain of Imprisonment, 387. 475. 476. 906. 907. A House erected by H. 3. for converted Jews, 442. The Names of several converted Jews, Males, Females; scent by King's Writs to several Abbeys, Priories, Monasteries to receive and allow them Corodies; who were unwilling to it, 835, to 841. Dower of a Jews wife denied, because she turned not Christian with her Husband, 44●▪ Forced by Pope's excommunications and Secular power to remit all Usury to such who crossed themselves for the Holy Land, to restore their Pledges, and to respite the payment of Debts by Christians unable to pay them, 448. 449. A Writ to apprehend and imprison an Apostate Jew, 634. See Apostates. King John's great extortions of money from them, which made them weary of their lives, willing to quit the Realm and leave all they had behind them to get a livelihood elsewhere; sold by him, like Titus and Vespasian, to his Brother Earl Richard, to tear out their bowels, when he had flayed off their skins, 730. 766. 809. Appendix 26. 27. Imprisoned, executed for crucifying a Christian Child at Lincoln, 855. 856. 857. A Writ to the Citizens of Lincoln to protect the Jews there from violence, 1002. 1003. A Licence to excommunicate such as paid not the Money promised towards their Churchyard in London, 735. 736. The Pope's Usurers more cruel than the Jews in taking advantages of forfeitures and use, 802. Supplanted and undermined them, Appendix 26. 27. Prohibited to answer before the Bishops by the King's Writs, 905, 906. The Jews at Oxford condemned to build a standing Cross there, and make a silver & guilt cross to be carried before the Chancellor and University in processions, for a contempt of a Jew in breaking the Cross of the Vicechancellor in a procession there in contempt of Christ crucified, 1045. 1046. 1047. Their special Justice, 442. Images of the Virgin Mary and Christ, how made, portrayed by Papists, 14. 15. 16. issuing Blood when pierced, Ibid. With what Prayers consecrated in the Roman Rituals 1, 62. The Second Commandment obliterated out▪ of Popish Hours, Psalters, Missals, Catechisms, because inconsistent with them, Ibid. Of the Virgin Mary not to be adored. Ave-maries', Paternosters said to and before them by Papists, 52, 58, 59, 62, 63. Imprisonment; See Arrests, Prisons. Impropriations made by the King's Licence, direction, Appendix 27. A S●persedias to tax those belonging to Hospitallers, Templars, and Cistertians to Dimes, 863, 864. Of Bardeny, seized into the King's hands during the vacancy, 599, 600. Poor Curates, Vicar's stipends augmented out of them, 774, 775. Inductions of Clerks, by King's Delegates, 4. 854. By a Proctor, Ibid. Belongs not to the Archbishop, but Dean and Chapter, 231. Indulgencies of Popes for many thousand years' sinne●, for saying Prayers before an Image, and saying the Virgin Maries Rosary, 15. For such as are present at the consecration of Churches, 566. Or at the Archbishop's Excommunication, 786. See Pardons. To such who go to the Holy war, or contributed towards it, 418. See Jerusalem, Croysadoes. To such who adored the viol of Christ's blood at Westminster, 722. The special privilege of the Pope to St. Alban Monastery in general Interdicts of the Land, to say their Offices and Mass privately with a low voice, and doors shut, without sounding any Bell, and secluding all persons excommunicate and interdicted from it, Appendix 25. Infallibility of Popes, annexed to St. Peter's wooden Chair at Rome, 5. Infancy of the King, gave advantage to the Pope's usurpations▪ 369, 370. 372, 374. 375, 1068 Under Protecto●s while an Infant, 379, 370. Declared of full age, and to govern his Estate by the Pope's Bull, 392. Infants, not to enter into Religion without Parent's consent, 4. See Wards. Infangethefe: 228. Innovations in Jurisdictions to disturbance of the Clergy and people, prohibited by Writs, 699, 704, 705, 706, 753, 754, 755, 830, 831, 909, 970. See Prohibitions. Inquisitions, for the damages of exiled Bishops, 279, to 284. Concerning the liberties of the Bishop of Ely, 397, 398. For Archbishop Edmund's goods, 576. After such who plundered the Romans Barns, and threshed out their Corn, 436, 437. After such who seized and took away the Corn, Goods of Bishops and Clergy men during the Baron's Wars, 998, to 1008. After the Lands of Archbishops, Bishops, Religious Persons, Normans and other Aliens, 630, 631. Of the number, value of Romans Benefices and Provisions, and by whom granted, 616, 617, 777. Of Bishops and their Officers in their Visitations ought to be made without Oath or Coercion, 699, 700, 704, 705, to 712, 728, 743, 744. See Oath. Ought not to issue by the Pope, but upon a precedent fame of good, grave men, and for a just cause, 812. Of the Popes for Intestate Goods, and Goods ill gotten by Usury, etc. 681, 682. Instalment of a Prebend, Dean, belong not to Archbishops, 231. By the King's Delegates, in default of the Dean or prebend's, 4, 8, 676, 850, 854, 855. By fraud and a Popesp oviso opposed, 850, 926. Institution by a Proctor, to a Benefice in Ireland, 756. Challenged by the Archbishop of York against the Archdeacon of Richmond, 231. By the Kings Delegate, 955, 956. Interdicts; Popes power to interdict all Lay-Princes, Persons for making Laws to Tax, bind Ecclesiastical Persons, though ●or public good or defence, till they expugn them ●ut of their Statute Books, 6. An Interdict suspends not the ringing of Ave-Mary Bell●, 52. threatened to King John by the Pope for not releasing the Bishop of Belvoire taken in arms in the field upon the Pope's Letters, 227. Of the whole Province of York by Archbishop Geoffry, for levying and paying an Aid to the King, for which his Temporal●tes were seized, and he put to a Fine, 230, 231. Of the Archdeacon of Richmond and his Clerks, by the Archbishop of York, after an Appeal, ordered to be revoked by the Pope, 232. Of the whole Realm of England by the Bishops of London, Ely, and Worcester by Pope Innocent 3. his Bull, for K. John's obstinacy in not receiv●ng Stephen Langhton Archbishop against the Right● of his Crown; its impiety to God, inhumanity to the Souls, Bodies of men; continued for six years, three months, fourteen days, to the irreparable damages of the Church, as well in Temporals as Spiritual, 255, 256, 333, 368. No Divine Service, Mass, Preaching, Sacraments, or Christian burial permitted in all this space; only private Baptism to Infants, and the Eucharist permitted by the Pope● Indulgence to such as lay dying, Ibid. All suspended from Office, Benefice, who durst officiate during its continuance by the King's Writs and Mandates, who sequestered the Temporalties and Benefices of such who refused, 231, 255, 256, 258, 334, 335. The exiled Bishops delayed the release of it till their auspice and damages were fully satisfied, 281. 282, 283. 287, to 291. 330, to 334. An Indulgence granted to some conventual Churches to officiate once a week according to their Rules, with a low voice, after two years, 255, 256. The Pope's Legate received with pr●cession, singing and festival Robes during the Interdict, 287. The Letters f●r, King's Writs, time, manner of its release by the Pope's Legate, with Te De●m loudam●●, 331, 332, 333. Non vi int●rdicti, inserted into the printed Copy of King John's Charter of Surrender, as no forcible coercion on him, 289. It's continuance for so many years the principal engine to ●rest the detestable Charter of Surrender from him, and make himself a Vassal, his Kingdom Tributary to the Pope, 340, 341, 368, 414, 415, 553. See Excommunications. Of the Church, Town of Faversh●m, and the Church-Mannors of the Abbot and Monks of S● Augustins Cant●rbury, by the Archdeacon of C●nterbury his Official, prohibiting all Divine Service, purification of Women, Christian burial, and Sacraments, Appendix 4, 5, 6. All Altars broken to pieces, Palls of Altars, Corporals burnt, and Chalices melted, that were made use of during his interdict, before the Churches reconciled, Appendix 6 It revival threatened to King John by Archbishop Langeton, if he raised for e●●gainst the Barons, 282. Of the Barons, and Churches of London by the Pope and his Legate, without any remedy by Appeal, for contemning his Excommunications of them, and taking up arms against King John to defend the Great Charter of Liberties, after his nulling it as extorted by force; and prohibition to maintain it, under pain of Excommunication, 359, ●●0, 361, 362. Their slighting, deriding, exclaiming against it as null, having no power, ●re●●dent from Saint Peter or Scripture; Appeal against it to the next General Council, and to Christ; officiate notwithstanding it, Ibid. King Henry 3. ●njoyned by the Pope under pain of Excommunication and Interdict, to inquire of and punish such who broke open the Romans barns, and took away their Corn, against the Liberties▪ of the Church and his Coronation Oath; whereupon he issued out Inquisitions against them, 436, 437. Against all Harbourers of Pirates, or such who send any Victuals, Arms, Ships, or hold Commerce with Saracens to the prejudice of the Holy Land, and against all Christian Kings, Princes who made not peace with each other, or invaded one another's Territories during four years' space, to the hindrance of the Holy War. This to be solemnly and publicly denounced in all Cities and Port-Towns on all lords-days and Holidays, 449. 450. A General one ordered by the Archbishop of Cassal in Ireland of the King's Tenants, by his Authority, against the Decree of Pope Honorius, to be reversed within 15 days, 384. Of the Cathedral and whole City of Winton by the Bishop elected, consecrated against the Kings will, for keeping him out of the City by the King's special Writ to the Mayor, 584. 586. Of such as having laid down the Cross, refused to take it up or redeem it for Monies, 681. Of those who opposed Pope Innocents' grant of the First-fruits of all Benefices for seven years, without any benefit of Appeal, 583. Of the Monastery of Saint Alban for 15 days by the Pope's Exactors of a Tax, notwithstanding all their privileges evaded by a Non obstante; during which their Bells, Masses ceased, only they said their Canonical Hours with a low voice, 846. Of Sewald Archbishop of York, for opposing the clandestine intrusion, enstallment of an Alien into the Deanery of York by the Pope's provision, 850. 851. 926. 927. Of the King's Castles, Cities, Towns, Lands, and also of the King's Officers, Judges, Sheriffs, Nobles, laymen's Castles, Lands, by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Bishop of London, or other Bishops, ●or summoning Bishops or Clergymen to appear in secular Courts for any Causes civil or criminal, or distraining or attaching them for their contempts in not appearing, 900. 901. 902. For refusing to take, imprison, excommunicate Persons, or releasing, conversing with them whiles excommunicated, by the King's Writs, or otherwise, before satisfaction given to the Church, 903, 904. For out-lawing Clerks in Criminal or Capital causes for not appearing to answer their Crimes in the King's Courts, 904. 905. For suing out Prohibitions or Attachments on them against Bishops and Ordinaries for suing men for breach of Faith and Oaths in Civil contracts, 905. Of Jews, by Interdict of all Commerce with them, 905. 906. For hindering Prelates by Prohibitions and Attachments to compel persons to take Oaths in Criminal causes, or testify the truth, or inquire of men's offences in their Courts and Visitations, 907. For Abbots not entering into Bonds to the Pope's Merchant for the King, in such sums as the Pope's Agents and the King demanded from them, 933, 934. Of the whole City of York by the Archbishop for a long time, 954. Of King Henry 3. subjecting himself to excommunication, and his Realm to the Popes Interdict by his Patent and Articles, if he paid not Moneys to him, etc. for Sicily at certain days, 919. Of the Bishop of Bangor of a Chapel in Wales for a lay Cause prohibited, and ordered to be released by the King's Writ, 1009. By the Pope's Legate of the City of London, the Cinqueports, and all the Barons in arms against King Henry the 3d. 1015. 1016. His Interdict brought by the Bishops out of France into England, taken by the Inhabitants of Dover, torn, thrown into the Sea in contempt, and not executed, Ibid. Appeals against it to a General Council, or to the Supreme Judge, 1025. See Excommunications. Intestates Goods, claimed, seized on by a Papal Statute in England and elsewhere for the Pope; forced at last by the Cardinals to null his constitution therein for its scandal and injustice, 664. 671. 672. 681. 682. 692. 921. 922. Investitures of Bishops, Abbots by a Pastoral Staff and Ring, the ancient approved right of our Kings, and Christian Emperors; wrested from them by the treachery, perjury, rebellion of Popes and popish Prelates after many years contests; yet still their undoubted right by their own Canons, Bulls, 2. 226. 250. 328. Invocation of Merry and Saints by Papists. See Mary, Prayers. Joseph of Aramathea his burial of Christ, reserving the Water and Blood wherein he washed his dead Body for a Relic; a Viol thereof sent into England, attested to be his very blood 1200 years after, there adored, 712. 713. The fable of his long life, 421. Is, in This Is my body, predicated only significatively, representatively, not identically; proved by sundry other Scriptures, daily common instances, 78. 79. Never signified, nor produced a transubstantiation made by it, when uttered in Scripture or Story, Ibid. Judges, Popes, others not to be Judges and Parties, or Judges in their own Cases, by Popes own Doctrine, 303. 343. Yet they were so in all cases between Kings, Emperors and themselves, 303. Enemies not to be Judges; yet Popes both Enemies and Judges. See Enemies. Judges bound to defend the King's Prerogative; yet complained of by Archbishops, Bishops, Popes; and ordered by their Constitutions to be excommunicated, Interdicted for maintaining it and the Subject's Liberties against their usurpations, and granting Prohibitions to that end, 429. 430. 499. 704. 705. 706. 710. 827. 828. 857. 858. 859. 872, to 913. 964. 965. 969. 970. 972. Chief Justices of England and Ireland. See Index 8. Judge's Delegates and Subdeligates, to which of them Prohibitions are to be directed, 879. 880. Jurisdiction of Kings in and over all Ecclesiastical religious affairs, Persons, Churches, 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. See Bishops, Election, Prerogative, Prohibitions, and Index 2. 3. 4. Opposed, denied by Popes, popish Prelates, Canons, Canonists, 5. 6. 7. 8. 89. 874, to 912. 983. 990. 991. None coercive in Popes, Bishops by Divine right, but only by grace, grants of Kings to be exercised in their names, stile, authority by their Commissions, as their Substitutes, 2. 3. 4. 5. What matters, causes of right belong to Ecclesiastical Persons, Courts, Jurisdiction by the Laws, Customs of the Realm of England and Ireland. What not; and what to the King's Temporal Courts: See Bishops, Canon, Prerogative, Prohibitions, Excommunications, Index 3. 4. 5. 6. p. 1, to 9 272. 872, to 913. Bractons' Discourse of Jurisdictions, his distinction of Civil and Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction in Kings and Popes, according to the papal Divinity, Law in that age, 872. 873, to 890. No particular person can wave, alter, decline the Jurisdictions of the King's Courts by his Contract, oath, nor give a Jurisdiction to Ecclesiastical Courts in Temporal matters, contracts; nor yet the Pope by his Bulls, 872, to 890. Popes and popish Usurers endeavoured to do it by clauses in their Instruments, privileges, contracts with our Kings, 452. 453. 454 767. 768. 846 919. 931. 1001. 1002. and the Bishops by their Constitutions. 998, to 913. See Prohibitions. Popes, Popish Canonists, Prelates by their Constitutions exempted themselves, Clerks Lands, Goods, Churches from all Emperors, Laymens' Jurisdiction, Judicature, Courts, Laws, Taxes for public defence (as subject only to God's judgement and their own) and their very Concubines, Harlots too: 5. 6 7. 8. 874. 878. 886 897. 898, to 9●2. Pope's have no Jurisdiction in Temporal things or affairs 258. 259. 260. 278. 279. 360. 361. 473. 478 872, 882. When, how Jurisdictions may be altered, transferred, and how to be excepted against, 887. 888. Encroachments of Jurisdiction by Popes, their Legates, Delegates, Archbishops, Bishops, Ecclesiastical persons, Courts, restrained by King's Prohibitions, 872, to 913. Appendix 8, 9 See Prohibitions. Jus Patronatus, 971. Justice's Itinerant, licenced by Archbishops to give Oaths and impanel Juries in times prohibited by Canons, at the Xings petition, 394, 407. K. KIngs, particularly Kings of England, God's Vicars upon Earth, chief Governors, Patrons, Protectors of the Church, Christian Religion, God's Worship, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 872, 873. Their Ecclesiastical Supremacy over all Prelates, Priests, persons, causes within their Dominions, in what particulars it principally consists, Ibid. Pope's claims and pretended Sovereign Monarchy, Jurisdiction over them and their Kingdoms, 5, 6, 7, 8. Popes, Popish Canonists exempt all Prelates, Clergymen, their Lands, Goods, yea Concubines from their Jurisdiction, Laws, Taxes, Judicatures, for civil, criminal matters, as well as Ecclesiastical, and make them mere cyphers, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 Excommunicate, Interdict, depose them, absolve their Subjects from their Allegiance, dispose of their Crowns, Kingdoms at their pleasure: See Frederick 2. Otho, King John, Henry 3. Index 10, 12, 14. Absolution, Excommunication, Interdicts, Oaths. Their Papal Titles to all their Kingdoms, Territories, 9, 291, 292. Our King's Sovereign Authority, Jurisdiction in Ecclesiastical as well as Civil things, derived only from God, not Popes, 1, 2, 3, 4, 229, 305, 323, 324, 325, 326, 571, 576, 582, 583, 592, 688, 720, 721. Their care, duty, zeal, Writs, endeavours to preserve, defend the ancient just Rights and Prerogatives of the Crown, Kingdom, against all Papal and Prelatical Usurpations in England, Ireland, France, 227, 228, 230, 232, 233, 236, 237, 239, 240, to 273, 300, 301, 302, 303, 323, 324, 326, 338, 356, 586, 592, 593, to 598, 640, 641, 644, 645, 663, 710, 727, 739, 740, 962, 963, 964. Appendix 7, to 12, 24, 25. See Prerogative, Prohibitions; and Index 3, 4, 5, 10, 12. Right in Bishop's elections, dispensed with it out of special grace in some cases of Elections in Ireland: See Index 4. and Elections. Excepted out of Archbishops general Excommunications: See Excommunications. His Grants, Acts by misinformation or circumvention, nulled, 304, 373, 374, 482. They cannot alien their Crowns, Kingdoms, Crown-Lands, without their Barons, Subjects consents; being against their Oaths, trusts, duty, and trusties of them only for the public safety, benefit of their Subjects, 273, 274, 275, 289. 290, 291▪ 316, to 329. Such alienations resumed, Ibid. See Alienation, Resumption. Their care, duty, Oath, Writs to preserve, defend, protect the just Rights, Liberties of the Church, Prelates, Clergy, in their persons, possessions, whereof God hath made them Defenders, without prejudice to their Crowns and Royal Prerogatives: See Index 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 10, 12. & p. 227, 229, 230, 2●3, 234, 242, 251, 252, 279, 323, 324, 334, 335, 336, 380, 381, 571, 57●, 575, 576, 58●, 592, 593, 6●6, 637, 666, 667, 668, 670, to 675, 678, 680, 688, 689, 716, 748, 749, 928, 929, 968, 995, to 1007, 1016, 1017, 1027, 1028, 1033. Obliged to protect, foster the Rights, Liberties of their Lay-Subjects, against Popes and Prelates Usurpations, 507, 666, 667, 670, 671, 672. King's desire, declaration to govern by Law, not power, ●88. to do Justice to all great and small according to Law in all his Courts, 989. King's remain such while just, cease to be Kings when they prove unjust, 776. The King declared of full age by the Pope, resumes the custody of his Castles, 391, 392. What virtues are requisite in Kings, and by what precious stones represented, 247, 248. The King of England, the most Christian of all Christia● Kings, where Faith, Holiness hath more flourished, then in any Kingdom throughout the World, 712. His Coronation Oath: See Oath. Adorned with Arms, Laws, 588. Appealed to for Justice by Foreign Princes, 588. The King's Council, Writs issued, subscribed by them, and their advice; Acts done in their presence, 265, 277, 278, 381, 389, 390, 394, 1007, 1008. See Index 8, 9 and Writs. His ill Counsellors (especially Aliens) complained against, removed, banished by the Barons, 300. See Aliens, Barons. Pope obeyed by Bishops, Abbot's more than the King, 300, 933, 934. Append. 9, 10. See more in Prerogative, Prohibitions. Knights, made at solemn Festivals; the Pope's Legates Nephew Knighted by King H. 3. with others, 570, 711. L. LApse, after 6. months, 389. None against the King by his Prerogative, 481, 482, 563. Laws, Pope's usurped power to limit, null, dispense, against the Law of God and the Apostles, to take away all positive Laws without a cause, and null all Princes, laymen's Laws, 5, 6. No Princes Laws can bind Bishops or Clergymen, though for their benefit, unless ratified by the Pope, 6. The making and interpreting of Laws in the Virgin Mary, who knew both the Civil, Canon Laws and Decretals, 19 Laws of England settled in Ireland: See Ireland. Of King Edward the Confessor, and King H. 1. sworn to be observed by our Kings; evil Laws to be abolished, 279, 282, 283, 336, 370. See Charter of Liberties. Students of the Canon Law in the Universities of Oxford and Paris, advised with in Appeals by the King 588. The Bishops learned in the Canon Laws, much insisted on them to advance their own Jurisdiction, exempt themselves and all the Clergy from Kings and secular Courts Jurisdiction, 249, 251, 253, 874, to 913. See Canons, Canon Law, & Index 3. Judge Bractons' learned Treatise of the Laws and Customs of England, in the reign of King Henry 3. 872, to 888. Laymen, though Emperors, Kings, Judges, uncapable by Popes, Popish Prelates Canons, of any Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction over Ecclesiastical persons, causes, things, or over Priests Concubines; not to be witnesses against Clergymen, 5, 6, 7, 8, 874, 890, to 913. Their ill esteem of them and their authority, though Emperors, Kings, Ibid. and Index 3, 10, 12. Lay-patrons Benefices exempted by order of Parliament and Pope's Bulls, from First-fruits and Pope's Provisions, by the Barons stout oppositions against them, 507, 508, 718. Excommunicated, Interdicted for arresting criminal Clerks, or their Concubines, suing Clergymen, in the King's secular Courts, 6, 7, 8, 874, 898, to 913. Append. 10. See Excommunication, Interdict. Legacies, where suit lies for them in Ecclesiastical Courts, 884. Indistinct in Wills to no particular use; enquired after, usurped, seized by the Pope and his Agents for him and the Holy-Land, 671, 68●, 682, 692, 9●1, 965, 966. Lestagiu●, exemption from it, 229. Litanies of the Virgin Mary used every Saturday, 54. Litany said at beginning of Councils, 487. Licenses of alienation of Lands in Capite, in Mortmain, 1056. See Alienation. For Commendaes', Pluralities: See those Titles. Life and Member, loss of them proclaimed against Sheriffs, Foresters, and other the King's Officers extortions, 282. against Tumults, 742. Light of the World, Christ alone, attributed to the Virgin Mary by Papists, 42, 43. St. Luke, the Virgin Maries Chaplain, who revealed much of his Gospel to her, 18. Her picture drawn by him, a charm against the Plague, 41. M. MAgna Charta: See Charter. Mahomet; King John's apostasy to Mahomet's Law, a ●orged slander, 284, 285, 286. The Emperor Frederick styled him a grand Impostor, 514, 539. Some Christians by reason of the Saracens routing them in the Holy-Land, questioned whether Christ or his Laws were the better, 734. Manors, with advowsons appendent, 940. Marriage, of the Emperor with Isabel by Proxy, the form thereof and portion, 450, 451, 452, 453. The mother married against Oath, instead of the daughter, 377, 378. A Canon made by the Pope's Legate in a Council, against Kings or Lords compelling Widows or others to marry against their wills, saving the right of King John and his Heirs, 358. King H. 3. his Letter, Proctor to the Pope concerning his marriage, and the Pope's confirmation thereof, 454. Advocates excommunicated who hinder the speedy execution of marriages, by undue exceptions, 386. Children born before marriage, illegitimate by the Common, contrary to the Canon Law; Certificates of being joined in lawful matrimony, no appeals admitted against them, 393, 394, 471, to 475, 780. One of the Papists seven Sacraments, yet prohibited Priests, as more inconsistent with their Orders then Whoredom; though prescribed to Adam and all his posterity, 473. Popes, Priests who must not marry, made sole Judges thereof; created a Sacrament, though common to all Pagans, some beasts, birds, as well as Christians, 473. The Bishops, Barons, Nobles resolution concerning it in the Parliament at Merton, certified to be observed in Ireland, 472, 474. A Virgin or Widow vowing chastity, though she enter not into Religion, ought not to marry by the Canon Law, yet the Pope confirmed the marriage for money, 500 The whorish lives, practices of Romish Nuns, Votaries who vow against it, 228, 229, 287, 428. Of English Wards to Aliens of small value or ill manners by the King, complained of as a grievance in Parliament, 721. Wards and their marriages granted to Italians and Pope's Agents Nephews, 991. No women who held Castles in Capite, to marry without the King's special licence, under pain of forfeiting their Lands, 602. A Writ to execute the Archbishop's Officials sentence in a case of Matrimony, 810. The Pope confirms unlawful marriages against Vows, Canons, and within degrees of consanguinity, out of hatred to the Emperor, for money, against Bishop's sentences of divorce, 498, 500, 531. See Divorce. The Emperor frederick's marriage of his daughter to Battacio, a friend to the Greek, and enemy to the Roman Church, made a cause of his excommunication and deposing by Pope Innocent 4. p. 492, 653, 658. Marry of Egypt, her appeal to the Virgin Mary, 25. Marry Magdalen, Christ's apparition with hers to St. Catharine of Seals, to whose custody he commits her, 69. a counterfeit one how punished, 385. Marry the Virgin, portrayed by the Church of Rome and Papists as the Empress, Queen, Lady of Heaven and Earth, sitting on a Royal Throne in Majesty with a Crown, and rays of glory on, about her head, and a Sceptre in her hand; but Christ her Son as a little babe yet lying in her bosom, arms, or at her feet, and so represented to them when they invocate her and him, 14, 15, 16. The Legend of her tearing her marble Image, for a contempt offered to her Sons, 14. Her Image drawn by St. Luke carried in procession, chased away the Plague, 41. Her several Images, Churches resorted to in several places, 51. Their assertions, Devotions, averring her Sovereign Universal Monarchy and fullness of power over the Church Militant and Triumphant, the whole world, Heaven, Earth, Hell, Purgatory, and all Angels, Saints, Creatures in them, as their Empress, Lady, Queen both by inheritance, emption, redemption, election, and as Spouse, Mother of the King eternal; totally subverting St. Peter's & Pope's pretended Monarchy, 16, to 29, 32, 33, 35, 37, to 40, 43, 44, 47, 49, etc. That the Crown of the Church Militant and Triumphant, plenitude of power, and power of the Keys, is in her by right of Empire, in the Pope, Bishops only by way of delegation, execution, 18, 19 Christ by his Testament neither did not could bequeath the Monarchy of the Universe from her; and had he done it to her prejudice, she might reverse his will, 29. Their authorised Prayers to her, to command, compel her Son, now in Heaven, by her Motherly right and power over him, 22, 23, 41. That Christ as her Son, yea God himself is subject to her, adore, rerence her, obey her will in all things; ever grant, never oppose, deny any thing that she requests for sinners, or her worshippers, servants, 20, to 30, 46, 47, 48. That Christ her Son descended thrice personally from Heaven after his ascension, with the whole Court of Heaven, to honour her at her Death, Funeral, Assumption into Heaven: That he hath advanced her soul and body to his own right hand, and placed her on the very Throne of the Trinity, where she sits, reigns over all Creatures, blessed for ever, in the very glory of Christ himself, not only as an Empress, Queen, Lady, but as God's companion, associate; a Goddess, clothed with the Deity in her Son; and as a Goddess of Goddesses, to whom all knees in heaven, earth, and under the earth do bow, 16, to 25, 28, 38, 39, 40, 42, 43, 56. The Church, Popes of Rome professedly adore, worship, honour her with divine adoration, by dedicating Altars, Aves, Ave Mary Bells, Breviaries, Candles, Cathedrals, Chapels, Parish Churches, Colleges, Creeds, Crowns, Festivals, Fraternities, Hours of Prayer, Hymns, Litanies, Mariales, Masses, Monasteries, Oblations, Offices, Pater Nosters, Pilgrimages, Postils, Primers, Processions, Psalters, Religious Orders of Monks, Nuns, Sermons, Temples, Te Deums to her, for her public, private adoration, invocation in all places; by swearing, vowing by her; holding Councils, Excommunicating, Interdicting, and passing all Ecclesiastical Censures, Acts in her name, and by her authority; adoring, invocating, honouring her more than God himself, or Christ her Son; and canonising those for Saints who most advance her adoration in their Church, 16, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, to 48, 50, to 64. They attribute, transfer all Christ's attributes, Offices, Titles to her, in their authorized public, private Books of Devotion, Postils, Sermons, Mariales; wherein they pray unto, and blasphemously style her, Our Advocate; Advocate of all Mankind, of Eve, of all in misery, of all penitent sinners; Our best, most faithful, eloquent, gracious, powerful, prevalent, solicitous Advocate, on whom we may most firmly rely; she always obtaining what she requests on our behalf, without suffering the least repulse; who is sooner heard than Christ himself; and by her most powerful rhetoric hath made the hand-writing of our damnation to fall out of God's hand, 26, 27, 30, to 40, 43, to 49, 54, 55, 56. Almoner of God's graces, riches; Aid, Aider of all in distress, misery, in every calamity, danger; of our justification, redemption, 26, 34, 36, 37, 54. Archangel among the Angels, 34. Ardour of divine love, 34 Ark of all Gods heavenly Treasures, 26, 32. Arrow against the old Serpent, 34. Beauty of all Heavens and just men, 33, 34. Beginning of our love, 34. Breaker of the Serpent's head, Gen. 3. 15. being applied to her, not Christ her seed, 18, 34. Bridge over the flood of this perilous world, 34. Buckler of those who fight, 33. 'Cause of the Salvation of Mankind, 54. Chamber of the King eternal, 32. Changer of the course of nature, 34. Charity of God, 32. most ready Comsorter, Consolation of the desolate, of the desperate, of quick and dead, disconsolate, and of sinners, 17, 33, 37, 48, 54. Conductor of Pilgrims, 32. Confusion of Devils and the proud, 32, 49. Crown of the just, 34. Defence of the oppressed, 49. Desire of Patriarches, 34. Dispenser of all Gods Heavenly graces, gifts, mercles, treasures to his Church or Mankind, 27, 31, 38, 48. Doctress, Teacher of the Apostles, 16, 17. Door, Gate of Heaven, Liberty, Life, Paradise, Salvation, 26, 27, 35. Empress of Heaven, Earth, Paradise, the whole World, and all Creatures in them, 16, to 33, 35, 37. Example of chastity, humility, all graces, 34. Excellentest of all Creatures, excelling the Angelical and humane nature united in glory, as much as the Circumference of the Firmament excels the Centre in Magnitude, 28, 48. Expectation of Prophets and all good men, 54. Extirper of the plague of Death planted by Father Adam, 33. Ferula of Devils, 16. Flower of Paradise, 32. Food and refection of men's minds, 34. Form of God, of just men, 33. Fountain of all consolation, divine grace, graces, mercy, pardon, salvation, 32, 33, 37, 48. Garden of delights, 34. Glory, Dignity of Mankind, of Heaven, 20, 21, 27, 32. Gods, Christ's most faithful associate, companion, fellow, assistant, 16, 36, 37, 43. Our Goddess, clothed in some sort with the Deity, 16, 28, 55, 56. Goddess of Goddesses, 16, 26, 56. Guide of sinners, and all erring Christians, 34. Hand of God, to bless, deliver, heal, help, and convey all graces, mercies to us from God and Christ, 37, 38, 48. Haven of the Shipwrackt, 32. Honour of all Christian people, 48. The only and most holy Hope of Christians, of the desperate, miserable, poor sinners, 25, 33, 34, 48, 54. Solid Hope of our reward, 34. Image of purity, 54. Our Inlightner, 43. Intercessor for the Clergy, and female sex, 26, 27, 33, 54. Joy of Angels, Saints, 20, 27, 54. Ladder of Heaven, Paradise, by which we ascend to them; the white Ladder, whereby we more easily, safely ascend to Heaven, then by Christ's red Ladder, 32, 36. Lady of Heaven, Earth, the World, all Creatures in them; of Angels, Saints, Devils; our desired Lady; Lady of Ladies; Lady of pity; Lord blotted out of their St. Bonaventure's Psalter throughout David's Psalms, and Lady put in its place, by Popes and the Roman Churches authority; and in Bernardinus de Busti his Mariale, and Office of her Conception, 16, 18, 20, 21, 22, 24, 27, 28, 29, 35, 38, 39, 40, 44, 53, 55. Life of the World, our life, water of life, fountain of living water, 34, 47, 49. Light of the whole World; of Cherubins, and Heaven itself, which shine more bright by her light, 25, 34, 42, 43, 49. Mediator of the World, of all Mankind, between God and men, to make peace and reconciliation between them. Mediatrix of our Salvation, Conjunction, Union, Justification, Reconciliation, Intercession, Communication; who temperates the heat of God's wrath, and by her intervention preserves, defends the World from burning and destruction, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 38, 45, 46, 53, 54. Mistress of the whole Church, of the Apostles, Evangelists, Preachers, 16, 17, 18, 33, 34. Of Chastity, Ibid. Mother of all Christians, Orphans, of all Mercy, Pity, to whom all aught to have recourse and fly as to their Mother, designed by God to that Office in all necessities; to whom God hath bequeathed all his Mercy, reserving only his Justice to himself; that all oppressed ones may, aught to appeal from Gods and Christ's Justice, for relief against them unto her, as to the Chancellor of Heaven; and from all oppressions of the Devil, Tyrants, and their own corruptions; The height, length, depth, breadth of her boundless mercy, filling not only Heaven, Earth, and the whole World, but Purgatory and Hell itself, 16, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 30, 33, 34, 35, 38, 39, 40, to 50, 53, 54, 55. Mother of Salvation, 53. Mountain, Scale of all Virtues, 32. Nobility of the World, 48. Nurse of Orphans, Pupils, 48. Ornament of the Universe, 48. Pacifier of God and man who are at variance, 48. Patron of Mankind, 48. Physician of the sick, 26, 27. P●llor of all power, 34. Portresse of Paradise, 26, 34. Greatest Prince among Principalities, 34. Promise of the Prophets, 37. Protection of all oppressed ones, 49. Queen of Angels, Apostles, Confessors, Patriarches, Prophets, all Saints, Virgins; of Heaven, Earth, the whole World, all things, Creatures in them, 16, 17, to 34, 41, 44, 47, 49. Papists Crown for, and Crowning her every day as their only Queen, Empress, Lady; their Oath, Vow of perpetual homage, fealty, service to her; resigning of their souls, bodies, all the faculties, members of them, and all they have or relate to, into her hands in the first place every morning; and imploring her to receive the Kingdom, rule over them as her devoted Servants, Subjects, 28, 29, 48, 49, 52, 53, 54. Reconciler, Recoverer, Redeemer, Repairer, Restorer, Reviver of lost Mankind, Humane Nature, the whole World, Universe, Adam, Eve, and their posterity, 2●, 34, 40, 41, 53, 54. Refreshment, Rest of the wearied, and all in tribulation, 33, 48. Refuge of Sinners, 32. Of Christians, 54. Reward of good men, 54. Rule of Justice, 34 Salvation of the World; our Salvation; of quick, dead, and all that hope in her, 33, 34, 37, 40. Saviour of Sinners, of Mankind, 33, 34, 35, 44, 54, 55. The Golden Sceptre which admits us into the Heavenly Paradise, 27. School of all Virtues, 34. Secretory of God's eternal Council, 34. Sea into which all the Rivers of divine grace flow, 34. Solace of the elect, of the World, 32, ●4. Spouse of the Holy Ghost, of the King eternal, 26, 34. Morning Star, to direct and bring all Christians sailing through this World's Sea, to the Port of Salvation, 40, 41, 42, 43. The Star which brings all dead things to life, 32. Strength of the weak, 33. Our Surety, 54. Our Sweetness, fountain of all Sweetness, of all who contemplate, of Angels, Men, 20, 33. The Holy Tabernacle, 34. Temple of God, of pity and mercy, 53. Terror of Devils, 32. Throne of God, of the King eternal, 26, 32. Treasurer of the most high, and all his graces, 25, 34. Tree of Life, 32. Triumph of the Imperial Heaven, 34. Vein of all Mercy, and of our Salvation, 34, 37. Supreme Virtue of all Virtues, 34. Voice of the Prophets, 37. Wall of the besieged, 32, 33. Way of the erring, 33, 37. Way by which sinners come to God, and pardon to sinners, 47. Window of Heaven, 26. Wine-cellar of God and the Holy Ghost, of whose fullness all participate, 27. The Church of Rome and her Proselyres in these particulars greater Heretics, more sottish, Idolatrous than the Heathens or Collyridians'; gave just cause to our Church, others to sever from them, and for all others now to do the like, 55, to 63, 80. They canonised those for Saints who were most blasphemous in this kind, 49, 50. They attribute all their victories, successes, deliverances principally to her, and give her the glory of them, 41. They aver, the Virgin Mary hath done more to and for God, than God hath done for her and all Mankind, in sundry respects, 54, 55. That none can be saved but by her, 32. That she was conceived, born without original, lived without any actual or venial sin, and needed no Saviour, 45, 46, 54, 55. That her Advocation is so prevalent, that although the whole Trinity had sworn by Christ's wounds to show no mercy to a sinner, yet she would obtain it for him: That the use of her Rosary will deliver souls out of Purgatory, and save Reprobates, 47. The World created out of God's love to her, 21. Her power over Devils, Hell, 19, 24, 32, 38. Over Purgatory, 19, 26. She hath all the properties of a good King and Queen, 29. Her New Bonaventures Creed; whosoever will be saved, before all things he must needs hold this firm faith of our Lady; which belief unless every one shall hold firm and inviolate, he cannot be saved: Bonaventures Ladies Psalter, and Fox Acts and Monuments, Vol. 3. p. 276. which should have come in p. 53. l. 44. Their new Te Deam & Mariam Laudamus, sung to her honour, instead of the old Te Deum, 53, 54. Their Religious Orders Vows in her name, 50. Their special blasphemous Litanies said to her every Saturday in the year, and on other solemn annual Festivals dedicated to her public worship, 51, 54. Their Whores refrain Whoredom on saturdays, out of reverence to her; many Romanists fear, reverence her more than Christ himself, 49, 51. She is preposed in many of their Prayers, Books, Dedications, Praises before Christ her Son, 53. They say Pater Nosters as well as Ave mary's to her, before her Altars, Images, 52. They pray to her to convert the Realm of England and all in it from the cruelty of Heretics, 54. They attribute Christ's Regal, Prophetical, Sacerdotal Offices to her, and quite undermine them, 13, etc. 29, etc. 55, 56, 62. She had the self same wounds imprinted on her soul, as Christ had on his body, to make her a Mediator for Mankind's redemption, and Christ's consort therein, 42. St. Francis, St. Dominick, and their Orders her special Chaplains, taken into her special protection to reconcile the World to her Son, 50. They assert, it is her Sons desire she should be reverenced, honoured more than himself, 28. That she being the Lady of all Creatures, all the Angels, Earth, and as many Creatures serve, worship her, as serve and worship the Trinity; and that all of them reverence, how the knee to her, as they do to Christ, 23, 24, 27, 53, 54. That she hath the chief care of all the Churches as their Mother; the plenitude of all Ecclesiastical power, Orders, of binding, losing, perpetually residing in her, by her ordinary inherent Imperial Regal authority, in greater perfection than any Pope, Bishops, Priests, who have but a delegated power and exercise of the Keys, and that confined, 18, 19 That she had most exquisite knowledge in all Arts, Sciences, Laws, Canons, the sacred Scriptures, Contemplative and School Divinity, as far as humane nature was capable, 17, 18, 19 The gift of Miracles, healing, discerning of Spirits, Ibid. That during Christ's three days lying in the grave, the Christian Faith, Church resided only in her, 16, 17. Not assumed into Heaven with Christ her Son, lest the Angels and Court of Heaven should doubt which to meet first, the Mother or the Son, 20. The title of Roman Catholics, more Marian's then Christians; and more her Subjects, Servants than Christ's, 33, 51, to 56, 64. Her first, greatest Champions in England, the greatest oppugners of our King's Prerogatives, 63. Freer Tecel his impious scurrilous vaunt of the Pope's pardons; If a man had lain with and gotten the Virgin Mary with Child, yet the Pope's pardon was able to absolve him from that offence, 51. Her sole merits, Intercession exceed all Angels. Saints conjoined, who are all silent, and prevail not if she hold her peace, 47, 48. Cassander, Ludovicus Vives, Espencaeus, their censures of the ill consequences of these Romish Doctrines, Practices: Their confessions, that Papists adore Mary and other Saints in the self same manner as they do God; and deem him less placable and exorable than they; relying more on their merits, intercession then on Christ's, 49, 5●, 54, 55. She rescued a Parrot out of an Hawks talons, for crying Ave Mary, 41. Above 30 times more Churches, Chapels, Monasteries dedicated to her, then to Christ, 29●. Monasteries, Hospitals dedicated to her in England and Wales, besides Parish Churches; Speeds Catalogue, p. 1059, to 1100. See St. Dominick, St. Francis, Eve, Images, Ave mary's, Collyridians', Prayer. Mass, God reconciled to the whole world by one Mass of St. Francis, 64 Undervalved by King John, 286. Suspended for sundry years by Popes Interdicts, 264. See Interdicts. Of St. Edward, prescribed every day in King H. 3. his Chapel, whiles absent in his Wars in France, 808. Said on Shipboard, by a Freer Predicant, an innovation, 697. Permitted to be said in religious Houses only with a low voice, without ringing Bells, during the Interdict of London by the Pope's Cardinal, 1025. Ap. 22. K. H. 3. his blind devotion in hearing 3. Masses every day, & desiring to hear more, but neglecting Sermons, 1069. Altars broken, Corporals burnt, used at Masses during Churches Interdicts, Appendix 6. Said with a Pall by Archbishop Edmund, 434. Pontificalia, Ornaments used by Popes, Bishops, Mitred Abbots at Masses, 487. Appendix 22. Said by a Cardinal, Appendix. 10. Refused to be said in Jerusalem whiles the Emperor Frederick 2 being excommunicate was in it, 427. This Emperor and Conrade after him deposed amongst their principal crimes for going to Mass whiles excommunicated and interdicted, out of conscience to serve God; Masses and Gods service must all be laid aside at Pope's pleasures 810: See Fred. 2. Manfred, Excommunication, Interdicts. Measures: Keeping of them in York belongs to the Mayor and Citizens, not Dean and Chapter in their Church-lands, 830, 830. Merchant's may freely go out of the Realm, except in time of war, 339. Pope's Merchants, Usurers: See usurers. Merits of Mary and other Saints, pretend to Advocate for us, by Pontificians, as well as Christ's, 44, 47, 48. Ministers of Christ, godly, painful, should be encouraged, maintained, protected; negligent, scandalous corrected, removed by Kings; Criminal imprisoned, banished, capitally punished, as well as others, 2, 3, 4, 5. See Banishment, Bishops, Clerks, Arrests, Prisons. Miracles Popish, of Images, Crucifixes shedding blood, to advance their adoration 14. Of Christ's apparitions in the Hostia in the shape of a little infant, flesh; blood, etc. to prove their Doctrine of Transubstantiation: Impostures or Diabolical delusions, 68, to 75. All true Miracles ever visible to all men's eyes, senses; unquestionable: wrought only by some extraordinary persons upon extraordinary occasions, not frequently by all Priests, in all places: Transubstantiation proved no Miracle, but a gross imposture, 75, 76. Wrought by drinking St. Edmund's hair, 623, 624. His Miracles attested ere Canonised, 643. Of Archbishop Beckets blood, 420. Of Bishop Grosthead, many yet not canonised, 804, 805. Of a Monk curing a Cripple at his preaching the Cross, 466, 467. Mischening, exemption from it, 229. Mitre of Otto the Pope's Cardinal, and his other Robes worn in the Council at Paul's, 487. Of the Abbot of St. Alban by special Privilege, with other Pontificals by the Pope's privilege. Append. 22. Monks, Freers Minors, Preachers, and other Orders, their insolency, treachery, obstinacy, pride against our Kings in point of electing Abbots, Bishops recommended to them by the King, 243, 247, 353, 354, 382, 383, 581, 589, 1063. See Index 2, 3, 4, 5 & Elections. Taxed by K. John to public aids, 260, 261, 262. App. 18. Expelled, banished the Realm for their treason in electing Stephen Langeton at Rome Archbishop without the King's licence, against their former election, 248, 249. The force of the Monks of Canterbury in the Church of Faversham, the Sheriff's removal thereof, with their wounding, bloodshed, and contests about it, Appendix 2. to 16. Their degeneracy, insolency, pride, avarice, worldliness, purchase of lands, and great revenues, employments by Popes, as their Taxmasters, Tribute-gatherers; Sophistical Legates, in preaching the Cross, collecting Dimes and other exactions, to the scandal of their professions, against their Orders, rules, Oaths; declamed against by our Monkish Historians, 50▪ 440, 441, 469, 470, 480, 541, 581, 582, 570, 571. 605, 633, 634, 680, 681, 690, to 696. 728, 929, 753, 754, 851, 925, 935. Appendix 21, 22, 23. See Croysadoes, and Index 10, 12. Their Visitations by the Pope's Visitors Archbishops, Bishops; and appeals, contests, exemptions, purchased against them from the Pope with vast sums of money, 440, 441, 442, 503, 504, 506. 833, 844. Appendix 24, 25. See Visitations. Their Merchandising prohibited by Writs, upon complaints against them, 480, 690, 691. Imprisoned and sound beaten, 581, 582. Their detestable murders of each other, and of a Bishop in Sicily, 522. Freers Minors and Predicants said Masses privately with a low voice on wooden Altars, with a little portable Altar of stone laid on them; heard Confessions, enjoined several penances against the rules of their Order, to the prejudice of others by the Pope's authority, 469. No Freers Minors to be elected Bishops in Ireland, or consecrated if elected, 632, 633. Fratres saccati instituted, 925. The intrusion of the Freers Minors into St. Edmund's, 935. Eustathius, a Monk, a great Pirate, Admiral to King Philip of France, taken by the English, and beheaded for his piracies, 371. Writs to send some Monks from Winton to other Houses, 975, 276. A Schism in the Abbey of Glaston, between the Abbot and Monks, 28 unworthy Monks there made together to make a party against the Bishop of Bath and Wells, 851. The like in St. Swi ●ins Winton Monastery, 502, 581, 582. 831, 832, 833, 852, 853, 854. See Cistertians, Clunie, Apostata capiendo. Deraigned by the King, and made capable to marry and purchase Lands; Kings power over them, their lands, possessions, 2, 3, 4. See Index 2. Our Monkish Historians malice against, and slanders of King John, for maintaining the rights of his Crown against Papal Usurpations, and seizing their Temporalties for disobeying his Writs, 256. 284, 225, 286. Brand those who adhered to, or pleaded for him against the Pope, 258, 259, 265. Some of their old Charters, Bulls razed, proved forgeries, Ap. 16, 17, 18. die of the plague, grief, 565. Mortmain, alienation of Capite Lands prohibited, 759. See Alienation. Mules, adoring the Hostia, a brutish argument for Papists to adore it, and Transubstantiation, 73, 74. Murage, excommunication for demanding it of Clerks, 386. Murder; King John slandered for murdering Hostages at Nottingham Castle, and some he suspected to defile his Queen, 256. And the Emperor Frederick for executing Traitorous Clergymen, 522▪ King John condemned by the French King, Peers, for murdering his Nephew Arthur without hearing; for which they alleged he forfeited his Lands in France, and right of the Crown of England, 363, 363, 364, 365. Appendix 18, 19 Clerks at Oxford executed for it, for which all deserted the University, 257. By Jews in crucifying a Child at Lincoln, 855, 856, ●57. By the Bishop of Aquen, 600. 601. By Monks of a Bishop and Monk, 522. N. NAmium Vetitum sued in the Sheriff● Court, 758. Navy summoned by King's Writs against foreign Invasions, 268, 269. Of the French, twice defeated by the English, and their Admiral taken, 276, 370. Of those of Genoa by the Emperor Frederick 2. 553, to 557, 652, 653. Of King John 284. See Ships. Nicodemus, his story 713. Noah, saved from the deluge by God's love to Mary, 31. Nobles. See Barons, Peers. Nonobstante, a detestable word, frequently inserted into Pope's Bulls, subverting all former Charters, Bulls, privileges against Justice, Law, conscience, complaints of our Historians, Kings, Prelates, Nobles, Parliaments, and oppositions against them, 466, 414, 505, 6●6, 647, 666, 667, 673, 676, 682, 683, 693, 694, 694, 696, 752, 753, 765, 776, 799, 821, 84●, 842, 844, 846, 859, 861▪ 935▪ 1028, 1029. When introduced into our King's Charters, and how censured, as a sulphureous detestable corruption springing from Rome, by some Judges▪ 412, 452, 454, 495, 569, 76●, 776, 853, 1063. Nonresidence in Archbishops, Bishops, Ministers, Provisors, mischievous, prohibited, punishable by our Kings: Notable Writs of the King, and Constitutions of Octobon against it, 2, 3, 4, 683, 805, 958, 999. 100LS, to 1007, 1011, 1012, 1041, 1042, 1043, 1044. See Index 3. Archbishop Boniface, & Pet. de Egeblanke. The Moiety of Nonresidents Livings demanded by the Pope, 676, 681. Novelties in Usurpation of Jurisdiction in Ecclesiastical persons prohibited by special Writs, 752, 753, 754, 755. Nuns, 30. and their Abbess deprived, ejected, imprisoned at once for their whoredom and uncleanness by King Henry 2. and their Lands at Ambresbery given to others by him and King John, 228, 229. their detestable whoredom, uncleanness in other parts, Ibid. Enabled to marry by our Kings 4. A Nun ravished by an Archbishop elect of Canterbury, who begat many children on her, 418. O. OAth: the sacred bond thereof, and infamy in violating it, among all Nations, 402, 403, 343, 849. Popes not bound by any Oaths, but may break all by the Canonists doctrine, 5. Broke the League with the Saracens▪ ratified by Oath, to the scandal, prejudice of Christians, 408. Absolve Subjects, Crucesignati from their Oaths for money, against the Law of God, Nature. See Absolution, Croysadoes; enforce the Jews by excommunications to remit to the Crucesignatis their use-money, which they had taken an Oath to pay, and to release their Oaths, 448. Pope's profane Oaths by St. Peter, 340, 800. Violate, null their own Charter of Investitu●es, ratified by Oath, and the Sacrament, as extorted by force, 328. Bishop's profane Oaths, 382, 383. Coronation Oath of the Emperors Otho, Frederick, others, to resume the dispersed, invaded rights of the Empire, for observing whereof, by resuming the Lands usurped by Popes, they were excommunicated, deposed: Popes cannot absolve them from it, nor their Oath to the Pope, to maintain the Church's Liberties, 259, 260. 316, 317▪ 318, 515, 516. Of King John, 227. Append. 19 Of King H. 3. 370. Of King John and his Barons on his Soul, to perform Articles for the Bishop's safe return, restitution to their Bishoprics, and damages, 271, 272, 276, 277, 279, 287, 288. His Oath of Fealty to the Pope and his successors upon passing his detestable Charter, 274, 279, 290, 341. King H. 3. his Oath of Fealty to the Pope, and to pay the annual rent granted by King john's Chatter, 370, 551. the Emperor Frederick his Oath of Fealty to the Pope, 655, 656, 65●. no discharge of his Coronation Oath to resume the rights of the Empire, 316, 318, 657. King John his Oath to observe the Laws of King Henry the 1. Edward Confessor, and Great Charter of Liberties, 279, 283, 333, 936. His violation of, and absolution from it soon after by the Pope, 340, 341, 342. Append. 19 King Henry the 3d his Oaths to maintain the Liberties of the Church and Great Charter, his frequent violations of them notwithstanding, complained, of, objected against him in Parliaments, his renewing thereof by new Charters, Oaths, Excommunications, 370, 371, ●87, 388, 444, 544, 611, 613, 614. 796, 797, 896, 928, 929, 935, 936, 939. The Oath of a●. Barons, and all others to them for the Great Charters, and the Common Laws inviolable observation, and to force the King to keep them if violated, 283▪ 335, 336, 371▪ 387, 444, 544. His Oath, and his Nobles upon his Soul, for his Sisters marrying the Emperor, to observe the Marriage contract with him for his Sister's portion, and the Emperors, to marry her, 451, 452, 453, 454. His and his Son Edmund's Oath to the Pope to perform their Articles, and payment of moneys to him for Sicily, 866. His, Prince Edward's and the Baron's Oaths for observing the Provisions of Oxford; two Popes absolution of them from it, as forced, and derogatory to the Crown, 934, 936, 948, 988, 989, 1015, 1016, 1021, 1022. Lewes of France his Oath to the Barons, and the Barons, Londoners to him upon his Coronation, 362. To King Henry 3. when he departed England, 371. Alexander King of Scots his League, Oath, and Fealty to King H. 3. and penalty if violated, 620, 621. David Prince of Wales his Charter, Oath of Homage, Fealty to H. 3. and excommunication for violating it, notwithstanding the Pope's absolving him from it, 609, 621, 622, 623, 976, 977. Of the Emperor Frederick to go to the Holy Land under pain of Excommunication; his Excommunication for violating it, 409, 410, 412, 4●3. See Frederick 2. The Earl of Britain his Oath on the Sacrament as Christ's very body, to K. H. 3. violated; and his Excommunication by the Pope desired for it, who yet entertained him for his General, 456. Upon the Altar and St. Edward's Cossia by K. H. 3. yet not credited, by reason of former violations, 935. Or Prince David up in the Bishop's Cross, 609. Resumption of Crown-lands by the Pope's Bull, notwithstanding an Oath to ratify them, 470, 504 505 The Barons Oaths of Homage and Fealty to King H. 3. at ●i● Coronation, 370. Archbishops, Bishop's Oaths of Fealty to our King's due of right in England, Ireland, France, before their Temporalties restored, and at their Coronations; their obligations to maintain the rights and prerogatives of the Crown thereby, which yet they often violated, charged upon them in several Writs, 3, 343, 370, 381, 559 482, 640, 641, 686, 688. 729, 784, 798. 808, 818, 832. 939, 940, 941, 991, 992. Infringed by suing or answering in Ecclesiastical Courts for Lay fee belonging to the King's Courts, 758, 832. Fealty sworn by a Proctor upon the Archbishop's Soul by the King's grace, in case of sickness or inability to attend him in person, 482, 483, 686. Oath of Fealty to Kings ought to be inviolably observed, 237, 341, 343, 364, 4●2, 403, 849 988. Arthur executed as a Traitor by King Joha for violating it, 364. Yet Subjects were absolved from it by Popes against their own Doctrine, to serve their own ends, 5●6, 260, 263, 264, 265▪ 516, 524, 539, 5●0 See Absolution, Pope's new Oath of Fealty, obedience, to visit his Palace, keep his secrets, come to his Synods, nor mortgage nor alien their Lands without his Licence, etc. imposed on the Abbot of St. Alban and other Abbots, in a forcible, fraudulent manner, his grief for taking it, 464, 465, 466. Oath by Proxy in a●mam Regis & Domini, 271, 337, 451, 452, 453, 482, 483, 650, 653, 686, 946. Oath, not to reveal an election violated, and thereupon a new election made, 243, 244, Not to reveal the Popes or Legates secrets, 400, 465, 566, 567. Of the Bishop of Belvoir taken in arms, never to beat arms more during his life, upon his enlargement, 227. Of Whores, and Priests Concubines in Oxford never to return thither, or cohabit with them, upon their release, 445, 446. Extorted by force, menaces, fear, reputed, declared void by Popes, others, prohibited by Canons, Writs, 235, 327, 328, 342, 343, 622. 705, 706, 707, 708, 9●4, 936, 946, 988, 989, 1015, 1016, 1021, 1022. Oath not to revive or prosecute the revival of the Archbishopric of St David●, prohibited by the Pope as against the Canons, 295▪ Oaths of Canonical Obedience, prohibited as dangerous, illegal, by Councils, Popes, such obedience to be only subscribed, not sworn unto, 235, 623. 629, 630, 699, 707. Of the Bishop of Durbam to the Archbishop of York by a writing signed with the Cross, without Oath 623. Prohibited in cases of Tithes, 727. Cautionary, De stando et parendo mandatis Papae, or Ecclesiae, against the ancient Law, Custom of the Realm, 3. 830, 831. yet extorted by force from Kings, Emperors, others interdicted, excommunicated by Popes, ere absolved, 271, 272, 279, 287, 288, 384, 311. Refused by the Emperor till he knew the particular conditions required, 651, 652. Of Calumny, not enjoined to any by ancient Canons, 707. First introduced by Otto the Pope's Legate, an. 1237. against the Law and Custom of the Realm, 489. 'Cause of much perjury, and of no esteem by those who take it, Ibid. No new Oath can or aught to be imposed on the Subjects, unless made, ratified by common consent in Parliament, and the King's royal assent to it; nor administered when made, but by Commission in the Act, or under the King's Great Seal. All Oaths to the contrary, null, void, punishable, 3. 708, 709, 710. The Fathers, ancient Bishops, Popes, Councils, our Laws, very tender in case of Oaths, to prevent perjury, 706, 707, 708, 489. Ecclesiastical persons, Courts prohibited by our Laws and Kings Writs to administer Oaths, in any cases, but only of Matrimony and Testament, 3, 699. 701, 704, 705, 706, 874, 907. Oaths of inquiry, to answer articles, & de Veritate dicenda in Visitations, Consistories by Bishops, Officials, Deans, other Officers, first introduced by Bishop Grosthead; complained against by the Nobles, people, memorable prohibitions against them by the King and his Council, as against his Crown, dignity, the Laws and Custom of the Realm, dangerous to men's souls, tending to perjury, the defamation of many, & causing discontent among the people, 699, 700, 704 to 711, 728. 760. 810, 818, 838. 892, 896, 9●7. Prohibited by Pope Innocent 4. his Bull for Bishop's Visitations, prescribed to be without Oath or Coaction, 743, 744. Not used by Boniface or any other Archbishop or Bishop from Grosthead, till Bonner introduced it under Queen Many, 704, to 712. 892. A custom confirmed by a private Oath, not to install a Prebend by Proctor, against Law and the King's prerogative, not binding, 854. Bishop's to take no Oath but in cases of right faith, to purge themselves from accusations of Heresy, 707. Of Parties, Champions prohibited by our Laws, to prevent perjury, Ibid. Canons against Clergymens' being compelled to swear in any Criminal, Civil, or other cause; much less in any slight cause, nor without the Popes or Bishops special licence, 707. Papists Oath of professed fealty and obedience to the Virgin Mary, as their only Sovereign Lady, 28, 29. Oath of purgation by Clerks and Ecclesiastical Officers for suing against Prohibitions, 385. 886. 894. Of persons divorced not to cohabit, dispensed with, for money by Popes, 531. Of Ecclesiastical Judges, Proctors, 489. Inquisitions upon Oath by King's Commissioners after Tithes, goods of Clerks violently taken away during insurrections, 1000 to 1007. Writs to the Archbp of Canterbury and others to excommunicate David Prince of Wales, the Barons, others for breach of Oaths, 976, 977, 1013, 1014. The Prelate's Oaths at Coventre to assist the King by all means they could, equivocally evaded, that they meant it only of Spiritual aid and Council, not of monies or arms, though principally intended, 10●5. The Po●ctovines Oaths by Christ's death, wounds, never to swear to the Provisions of Oxford, or deliver up the King's Castles; for which they were forced out of the Realm, 936. Prohibitions to Ecclesiastical Courts suing for breach of Oath for temporal Contracts that concern not Marriage or Testaments, which cannot give away the King's Jurisdiction, no● transfer it to them, 701. 704. 880. 884. See Prohibitions. Oath before hand to elect such a person Archbishop, held illegal by Popes. 246. No Clerks permitted to pass the Sea by the King's Writs, till they swore, to impetrate nothing from Rome prejudicial to the King, kingdom, or Sicily, 865. Of Pope's Legates ere admitted to enter England, to bring, act nothing to the prejudice of the King, kingdom, or Church of England, the reason of it, 697. Oaths in temporal Courts to be judged by the Canon Law by Canonists doctrine, 8. Oaths of purgation, 894, 902. Obedience to the Pope in suffering for his unjust commands against Kings, merits salvation, 517, 255. Popes obeyed by Bishops, Clergymen, more than our Kings, when their commands, interests came in competition, Ibid. & 247, 253, 300, 465, 627, 628, 663, 833, 834, 672, 673, 675. Append. 7. 8. 9 10. See Index 3. 10. 12. Oblations of Papists to the Virgin Mary, and her Images, far exceed the Collyridians', 50, 59 Obligations to Pope's Merchants, Usurers, their form, and strange conditions put into them, renouncing all benefit of Law, appeals, privileges against them, or exception to any Jurisdiction where ever they sued, seconded with Oaths to that effect, 46●, 468, 845, 846 981, 986, 1034, 1035. Of Abbots without their Convents or King's consent, as Patron, prohibited by King's Writs, 764. 833. By Pope's Bulls, without the Pope's consent, though for the King, 933, 934. Of any Abbots to the Pope for advancing moneys to the Pope, 932, 933, 953. Officials of Archbishops, Bishops, Archdeacon's: Their vexatious Citations, Exactions, Oaths to answer Article●, and make Inquiries against the Laws, Custom of the Realm, and Excommunications to enforce them to take them, complained of; Prohibitions, Writs of the King against them, 699, 702, 703, 704, 705, 706 880, to 888. 969, 970. Appendix 19 Thiefs and plunderers, every where preying upon the people, lying in wait for the simple, encouraging the impious, oppressing innocents', rejoicing in worst times, exceeding glad when people have done ill, eating up the sins of the people in the tears of widows, nakedness of Orphan's, and oppressions of their subjects, 949, 950. Prohibitions, other Writs directed to them; injuries, things done by, and matters concerning them; 359, 397, 573, 586, 587, 628, 674, 702, 703, 729, 730, 738, 739, 760, 785, 817, 874, 890, 819. 955, 956, 966. 978, 980, 981, 1012, 1021, 1034 See Prohibitions, and Index 9 Ordaltam; or Trial by fire and water, prohibited, Appendix 20. Orders Consecrations of Bishops, Clerks, commanded by our Kings and their Writs to Bishops, 2. See Index 3. 4, 5. How many degrees of them in the Church of Rome. The Virgin Mary had the plenitude of Power, dignity of every of them, and of the Pope himself in a far more eminent manner then any Pope, Prelates, Priests, by their own assertions, 18, 19 How conferred, Ibid. A Sacrament in the Church of Rome, yet inconsistent with, and nulling their Sacrament of Marriage; which yet is consistent with Harlots, whoredoms, 473. See Marriage. Ordinaries excommunicating out of malice, Writs to them, Probate of Wills before them, 88●, 884 909. Original Sin; Christ's prerogative to be exempted from it, attributed by Papists to the Virgin Mary, 45, 46. P. Palls: not essential to an Archbishop, 19 Archbishops of St. David's exercising Archiepiscopal authority without a Pall, after St. David's Pall was carried to Dole from thence by Samson; neglecting to fetch, or unable through poverty to purchase one from Rome, 234. Dole Bishops using St. david's Palls contemned the Jurisdiction of the Bishop of Turon, Ibid. Richard Archbishop of Canterbury consecrated without it, 421. Edmund had a Pall sent him by the Pope before his election, and said Mass in it the day he was consecrated, 433, 434. Walter Grace of York obliged in 10000 l. for his Pall in the Court of Rome, 350. Papists, absurd blasphemous passages, Errors, extravagances, perverting, changing Scripture Texts concerning the Virgin Mary, St. Dominic●, Francis, St. Catharin of Senis; Miraculous apparitions of Christ; Saints seeing Prayers in the Looking-glass of the Trinity, Pope's Supremacy, Transubstantiation: See all these Titles. More Marian's, than Christians, 33. 39 Their Declamations, Passages against the unparallelled exectable avarice, ●apines, ambition, usurpation, simony, apostasy, oppression, injustice of the Popes, Court, Cardinals, Legates, Popish Prelates, Clergy, Monks, and their detestable Apostasy from Christ and St. Peter's Doctrine, practice: See Index 10, 12. throughout: and Antichrist, Rome, Croysadoes, Monks, Popes, Frederick 2 Index 14. part 1. Paralitiques usually, not always, live long, Appendix, p. 27. Pardons: Popes pardons for Eighty two thousand years for saying a short Prayer at Christ's Sepulchre in Venice, tottes quoties, 15. For saying every Ave Mary in our Lady's Crown consisting of 63 Aves, 288 days pardon of all sins; and every holy Mary in it 40, days pardon; and for saying the whole Crown of 63 Aves, and 12. Pater-nosters, by several Pope's Indulgences, two hundred seventy three thousand seven hundred fifty eight days of pardon: And by Pope Sixtus 4. his ●ull 12000 years' pardon for every time any person in the state of Grace shall say this prayer; Hail most holy Mary, mother of God, Queen of heaven, Gate of Paradise, Lady of the world, singular and pure; thou art a Virgin, thou hast conceived Christ without sin: Thou hast brought forth the Creator and Saviour of the world in whom I doubt not. De●iver me from all evil, and pray for my sins, Amen: Bernardinus de Busti, Mariale, Pars 12. Sermo 1. pars 3. L. M. which should have come in p. 52. l. 12. after Holy Ghost; but was omitted by the Printer. For going or contributing to the Holy Land against the Saracens, 448. To such who crossed themselves against King John when deposed by the Pope, or contributed towards his conquest, 267. To such who fought against Lew●s at Lincoln, with a full assurance and reward of eternal life besides, 371. Freer Tekel his blasphemous passages concerning the power of Pope's pardons, 51. See Mary. Parliaments and Great Councils of State, summoned by our Kings John and Henry 3, on several occasions; the proceedings in them between the King, Barons, Prelates, Popes, Pope's Legates, foreign States, and concerning Aids, Oppressions, Grievances, Confirmation of the Great Charter, and other particulars fully expressed in the precedent Tables: At St. Alban, 282. Ebor. 486. St. Edmunds, 335. Ken●lworth, 1019, 1020. London, sundry times upon various occasions: 282. 283. 287. 288. 289. 294. 296. 332. 333. 334. 387. 485. 486. 498. 499. 500 544. 622 632. 663. 664. 665. to 670. 673. 674 678. 679 690. 721. to 725. 770. to 775. 795 796. 797. 814. 822 823. 814. 841. 842. 931. 933. 935 936. 1013. 1014. 1024. Merton 445 446. See Bastardy. Northampton, 262. 263. 264. 391. 392. Oxo●. 696. 935. 936. 947. 948. 949. 985 to 990 930. to 940. 1001, 1002. Reding, 288 546. Westmiaster several times, 398 399 402. 425. 426 4●4. 445: 485 486. 609 to 613. 721. 722 1006 1007 1009. Wnllingford, 288. Winton 674. 675. 930 See Barons. Quod omnis tangit ab omnibus debet approbari, 546. 549. The King refused to hear or answer the Legates Letters which concerned the public, but with his Prelates and Nobles in Parliament, 398, 399, 400, 402. Passage; Exemption from the duties for it, 229. Out of the Realm made free by new clauses in the Great Charter to all, when formerly prohibited, without the King's licence, specially to Rome, 336, 249. Of Clerks to Rome restrained, without taking a special Oath, 865. See Oath. Of Bishops, C●ucesignati, and others prohibited, 439, 850, 865. 603. See ●over and Cinquepo●ts, Index 13. Patrons of Churches: King John obliged all the right of Patronage he had to Churches in England, to make good his Articles to the Pope and exiled Bishops, 272. Patronage of the Bishopric of Rochester granted by Charter to the Archbishop of Canterbury and his Successors, 339. Prohibited to intrude Clerks into benefices without authority of the Diocesan, (not anciently required) 386. Persons excommunicated who maliciously procure a Jure patronatus to defraud true Patrons of their right, 386. Concerned in the Pope's demands of 2. prebend's in every Cathedral, and one or two Monks allowances in every Monastery, ●99. Deprived of their rights, suspended from presenting to their Benefices by Pope's provisions and Bulls; complaints, Letters against it to the Pope, and some redress therein as to Lay Patrons, 506, 507, 508, 509, 69●, 750. The King, Nobles, and others Patrons of the. Churches in England; No tax, charge may or aught to be imposed on Churches but by their assents and advise, 568, 569. A Constitution concerning the Right of Patronage, and presentations to particular Churches appendent to Manors, Baronies of Bishops and Abbots, 940. when an Indicavit and Prohibition lies for them, 874, 875, 876, 877, 878, 893. St. Paul; equal to, styled our beloved brother by St. Peter, 12. Disclaimed all Dominion, Lordship over others, 11, 12. V. Mary illuminated more than he, 17. Men go more easily to Christ by St. Dominick, then by him, 65 Joined with St. Peter as his equal in King John's Charter to Pope Innocent, but omitted in his Oath of Fealty, 273, 274, 289, 290, 305. The Bp of London commits himself to his Patronage, 469. Peter's fellow Apostle, suffered both together under Nero, 492. Conjoined in Excommunications, as equal in authority, (authoritate Petri & Pauli) by Popes and all our English Prelates: And in Pope's Bulls, 344, 515, 516, 745, 796. His and St. Peter's relics kept together at Rome, 544. Pope Innocent 4. profanely swears by S. Peter & S. Paul jointly 800. Placed on the right hand of the Cross in the Pope's own Bulls, and St. Peter on the lef●; in coequal power and glory with Peter by the Popes, Cardinal's resolution, 485. His direct Texts against St. Peter's, Popes pretended Sovereign Monarchical power, 11, 12, 13. See Peter. The Apostle of the Gentiles and of our Isle, Epist. Ded. Admiralius Murmelius his applause of his Epistles, 284. Peace, disturbers of it excommunicated, punished, 386, 1025. See Excommunication: banished, and not permitted to return, 392, 391, 728, 936, 937. 949, 9●0, 966, 967. Arrested, imprisoned, 436, 437, 438, 493, 494, 495, 558, 826, 823, 1065, 1067. See Arrests, Settled for 4. years between Christian Princes by the Pope, to relieve the holy Land against Saracens. His Excommunication of those who refused to submit to it, 6. 449, 450. See more Index 10. 14. Pope's agency in procuring peace between England and France, 392, 393. See H. 3. and Truce. Writs to the Keepers of the Peace to protect the persons, goods of Ecclesiastical persons from violence, 999. 1000 See Protections. Bishops and Clergymen have their Lands, Benefices to maintain Peace, not War, 1024. Popes the grand disturbers of the Peace of all Christian Empires, Kingdoms. See Index 10, 12. 14. King John, Frederick, Innocent 3. 4. and War. P●●●●: See Barons, Nobles, and Index 7, 8, 9 to be tried by their Peers in the King's Courts, 256, 282, 341, 343, 346. Penances Popish enjoined by Legates, Priests, 287. Pensions of our Kings to Roman Cardinals and Pope's Officers, for better dispatch of their affairs in the Court of Rome, 314, 315. 756, 785. 977. 1048. Perjury, oaths prohibited in sundry cases by Fathers, Councils, Canons, Statutes to prevent it, 706, 707. Breach of Oaths upon Civil Contracts, not punishable in Ecclesiastical Courts, though submitted to by the parties, 880, 881. Excommunications submitted to for it. See Excommunications. Persecution, oppression for Kings, Emperors to resume, demand their rights, Lands, Castles, usurped by Popes or Prelates, 255, 260, 262, 410, 516, to 528. St. Peter, his own professed disclaimer, texts against his own since pretended Sovereign Monarchical Ecclesiastical, Temporal power, which Pope, and their Parasites ascribe to, and derive from him to themselves, The Texts produced for, impertinent, subvert it 9, 10, 11, 12. Was equal to, and had not the least Monarchical or superintendent Jurisdiction over the other Apostles, Ibid. Not Christ's Sole Vicar, Successor in his Regal or Sacerdotal Offices, upon his ascension into heaven, 11, 12, 13. Inferior to the Virgin Mary, left Mistress, Chief Comforter, instructor, Governor of the Apostles, Church, yea Lady, Empres1e of the world by Christ, and successor in his Sovereign Kingly authority in his stead, by Popish Saints and Doctors resolutions authorized by Popes, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, etc. Sat first at Antioch, and gave that Church precedency if any, not Rome, 10, 490, 491, 492, 643. No certain proof that ever he sat Bishop at ●ome, the Scripture story contradicts it, 10. Placed on the left hand, and Paul on the right hand of the Cross in Pope's Bulls, 487. His forged Wooden Chair at Rome lately consecrated with an annual Festival, An. 1557. to which Pope's infallibility is affixed, 5. Neither Christ nor Peter ever made Popes their sole Vicars or Successors, 10. He neither had nor claimed any temporalties, or temporal Jurisdiction, much less over Kings or kingdoms, 10, 11, 12, 258, 259. 360, 538, 539. Christ persecuted in Peter his Vicar and Kings, 1019. Pope's succeed him not either in merit, or works, usurp his office, are most unlike him, & so have not his power, 10. 12. 264, 360, 639, 654. 531, 532, 560, 799, to 805. 654, 699. 700, 544. Most profanely swear by St. Peter, 350, 800. In King John's Charters, though the surrender was joint to God, St. Peter and Paul: yet the Fealty▪ for England and Ireland, is done only to God and St. Peter, without St. Paul, and Popes yet style them and other their Dominions St. Peter Patrimony, (not Gods, or St. Paul's) when as Peter had neither silver nor gold, nor any earthly patrimony, nor yet St. Paul, 74, 273, 274, 275, 289, 290, 297, 305. 360. Pope's temporalties are St. Peter's Spiritual patrimony, 658. The annual rent for England not granted to God, St. Peter, Paul, or Popes, but to the Roman Church, 306. England denied by the French ever to have been, be, or shall be St. Peter's Patrimony, 297. Pope's stile themselves Peter's Successors, Vicars, yea St. Peter, 78. 465. Sardinia styled St. Pope's Spiritual Patrimony by Popes, 9, 78. 515, 658. 710. Peter's palace S Petri limina, 78, 465. Abbots, Bishops take an Oath of fealty to St. Peter, to preserve St. Peter's Royalties, to wit Popes own, not Peter, 465. The foundations of St. Peter's and Pope's Universal Monarchy, Vicarship, overturned by Pope's principles, practices, authorized Devotions, and Articles of their Roman faith, 10, 11, 23, etc. 29, 63, 66, 67, 68, etc. 75, 80. His Sword, Keys, power to bind and lose claimed by Popes in their Excommunications of the Emperor, and his name Cephas, 409, 538. Prayers used only for his delivery out of prison, which Popes neglected, not Soldiers or Croysadoes, 513. The Care of the Church only belonged to him, not the Dominion or property, which Christ reserved to himself: Not what he or Pope's exact on earth, is bound in heaven, 568. Christ and he menaced, bend their Bow against the Pope and Church of Rome, 608. The Pope challengeth his power to bind, loose, depose Emperors, as delegated to him and his Successors of Rome, against Christ's and St. Peter's express Doctrine, 656, 658. St. Peter's net was to catch and bring souls to heaven, to promote the salvation, peace and happiness of the World, not to catch money, lands or Crowns by war, rapines, 360 994. Forsook all for Christ, 1019. The Pope must be presumed to do nothing (though never so bad) but what Christ and St. Peter would have done, whose Vicar, Successor he is, 303. See Paul. Peter-pences, granted by Ina and Offa to the English School at Rome, not St. Peter, called Peter-pences because payable on St. Peter's day, not to Peter or Popes; 3, 78. excepted in King John's Charter, demanded by Popes; 273, 289, 306. 311, 312. 649. 666 668. Granted to St. Alban Abbey by King Off, confirmed by Pope's Bulls since, 25. Abrogated, 5 Pictures of Christ and the Virgin Mary. See Christ, Mary, 14, 15, 16. Pilgrimages to the Virgin Maries Images in sundry places, to pray, offer to them, 51, 58. Pledges, 881, 882, 885. See Bail. Plague chased away at Rome by the Virgin Maries picture, carried in procession: She the Papists Chief protector from, and spell against it, 41. A great one in Wales, 231. The Bishop of London died thereof, 954. and Monks, 565. Pluralities; Canons, Councils, Oaths against them; their scandal, mischiefs, inconvenience to the Church and people's soul, proceeding from covetousness, quite opposite to the Apostles institution of many Bishops, Ministers in one Church, not one over many, 48●, 489, 492, 502, 1009, 1042, 1043, 1044, 1045, 1065, 1066. yet connived at, dispensed with for money by Popes against their own Constitutions, to gratify Nobleman's sons avarice, King's Chaplains, whose interest was preferred before the people's souls, 422. 467, 488, 489, 492, 493, 502, 506, 569, 632, 764, 765, 954, 955, 984, 1042, 1043, 1044, 1045, 1048. Bestowed on Alexander Cementarius by King John for defending his right against the Pope; who deprived him of all, and reduced him to beggary, 258, 259. The Archbp of Yorks election vacated by the Pope, because he had a plurality of benefices, 1009, 1010. The Bp of Winchester's nulled by the Archbishop of Canterbury, because a Pluralist, 1063, 1064. 'Cause of God's wrath, plagues upon the Realms, 1042. 1043 Pontagium, Exemption from it, 229. Poor; Hospitals exempted from Dimes to the Holy Land, 862, 834, 835. Poor Bishops in Wales relieved else. where, the Bishoprics being wasted with Wars, 728, 638. Excused from going to General Councils upon Pope's summons, 638. Poor people feasted by King Henry 3, at Westminster at St. Edward's feast, 876. Have no audience at Rome with the Pope or his Officers for want of money, 1069, 1070. Pope's: Their transcendent pretended, asserted Sovereign Jurisdiction and Universal Monarchy in Spirituals, Temporals, over all Councils, Patriarches. Emperors, Kings, kingdoms, Nations in the world, whether Christian or Pagan, 5, 6, 7, 8. Their pretended Titles to all Christian Empires, Kingdoms, Countries, and the Indies, 9 291, 292. Their Antichristian, Treasonable practices in excommunicating, interdicting, deposing King John, Otho 5. Frederick 2. Conrade, Manfred, and others, absolving all their Subjects from their Oaths, homage, obedience to them, stirring them up to rebel, take up arms, Croysadoes, against them, exciting all Christian Princes to invade, depose them, giving their kingdoms to others, to enslave them to the See of Rome as their Vassals▪ Tributaries, only for opposing their injurious usurpations upon the undoubted ancient rights of their Crowns, Kingdoms, against all Laws of God, Nature, Nations, the express precepts, practise of St. Peter, St. Paul, and Christ himself, whose Vicars, Successors they falsely style themselves, 250, to 272▪ 414, 415. 516, 518. 526. 540, 541, 547▪ 552, 553, 554. 656, 658, 659. 666. 753, 754, 755 See Index 3, 10, 12, 14. part 1. Their intolerable encroachments upon the King's Prerogatives, and Subjects Properties by depriving them of their rights of electing Archbishops, Bishops, Abbots, Priors, of presentation to Benefices, prebend's, by nulling Legal Elections, by Provisions, Commendaes', and other Papal Innovations; See Elections, Commendaes', Provisions, Non-obstantes, & Index 3, 4▪ Their intolerable detestable Ambition, Avarice, Bribery, Oppressions, Rapines, Injustice, Simony, Tyranny, Dispensations, Bulls, Non-obstantes, Hypocrisy, Fraud, malice, impiety, scandalous unchristian, antichristian practices, rendering them execrable to God▪ and all good men; 484. 490. 491▪ 500 509. 546. 560. 5●4. 608 611. 612. 6●6. 617. 622. 645. 646. 647. 654. 664. 66●. to 681. 684. 694. 696. 697. 698. 699. 700. 716. 728 730. 748. 750 751. 752. 753. 7●0. 771▪ 777 798. to 805. 815. 821. 823. to 826. 848 8●0 926. 927. 1069. 1070. See Index 10. 11. 12. thoughout▪ Croysadoes, Rome. Their execrable Idolatry, blasphemous assertions, practices, adorations, invocations of the Virgin Mary, other Saints, Hostiaes'. Their lying Legends, Miracles gross Errors, Corruptions in Religion: interdicting, suspending Gods public Worship for sundry years, at their Papal pleasures. Their purging the 2. Commandment out of the Decalogue, wilful corrupting, depraving of Scripture Texts in their authorised Psalters, Hours, Offices, Rosaries, Litanies, Mariales of the Virgin Mary▪ See Adoration, Advocate, Marry, Miracles, Prayer to Saints, Transubstantiation, Images, Idolatry, Rome, and Roman Church. They are neither Christ's, nor St. Peter's real Successors, Vicars, or sole Universal Vicars; they no ways imitate, but contradict their Doctrine, Precepts, Examples: See Christ, Peter, Paul, Rome. Their Supremacy, Monarchy, Vicarship, wrested Scriptures, foundations whereon it is built, clearly refuted, subverted by Scripture, their own Papal practices, positions, doctrines concerning the Virgin Mary, and Teansubstantiation, 9 to 80. See Mary, Peter, Transubstantiation. Their Protections of the persons, estates of all that are crossed, or do homage to them, 340. to 350. 383 402. 410. 448. 59●. 774. Their Canonising of Saints for Blasphemy, Treason, Rebellion against Emperors, Kings, and opposing their Sovereign Authority, 49, 50, 64. See Ca●●aization. Their pretended plenitude of Apostolical power, is only for the Church's edification, not oppression, or invasion of the rights, Crowns of the Emperor, Kings, or other Bishops, 799, 800. Appealed against, yea summoned before Christ's Tribunal for their Tyranny, injustice, corruption, by Grosthead, See vald, the Church of Christ: 805, 812, 927 See Grosthead, Sewald, Church, Appeals, Innocent 3, 4. Their absurd impious Pardons, Indulgences of sins for many thousand days, years. See Indulgences, Pardons. Their detestable practices in making Canons against several Corruptions, only to get money for Dispensations. See Commendaes', Exemptions, Dispensations, Marriage, Pluralities. In nulling, vacating all their own Grants, Bulls, Exemptions, Privileges purchased at dear ●ates, by New Bulls and Non-obstantes: See Nonobstante. In holding themselves bound by no Laws, Oaths, Bulls, Sentences whatsoever; and unaccountable to Emperors, Kings, Councils, or any mortals, for any Crimes or Offences whatsoever, though tending to the Churches, souls, and Religion's ruin, 5, 6. In dispensing with, nulling all others Oaths, Charters, Contracts for filthy luchre: See Absolution, Oaths. Their Papal authority neglected, Excommunications, Bulls contemned by their own Cardinals, the emin●ntest holiest Bishops, as well as by Kings, Emperors, Nobles, others, 549▪ See Excommunications, Barons, Antichristian, severed from as such: See Antichrist, Greek Church. Their power in Temporal things opposed, denied, 258, 259, 473, 498. 9, 10, 11. See Peter. Their detestable insolence, ingratitude towards Emperors, Kings, who endowed them with possessions, a Resolution to resume them, to reduce them to the piety, humility of Apostolical Bishops in the primitive Church, to cure their corruptions and rebellions against them, 661. to 66●. 700. 701. They no ways considered the hand of God upon them in being made Fugitives like cain: 750, 753. See more of them, Index 3. 10. 11. 12. Frederick, Henry 3. King John; Barons, Paul, Peter; Index 3. Grostbead, and Sewald; Absolutions, Excommunication, Interdicts, Rome, Sicily. Prayers, to be made to God only, not Saints or Angels, 56, to 63. Only heard, not seen in the Looking-glass of the Trinity, 57, 58. Public Prayers appointed by and for our Kings and Kingdoms, upon emergent occasions: 2. 3. 577. 828. 829. King's ought to have not only prayers from Monks, but money too; but if they exact any Money from them they lose their prayers: 847. Devout and humble prayers, the Sword wherewith Bishops and Clergymen ought to fight: 1004. Saint Peter's weapons to rescue him out of prison, but not Popes who little regard them: 541. Pope Alexander 4. his hypocrisy in desiring all to pray for him: 813. 848. See Index 10. Preaching, of Croysadoes by preaching Freers and Pope's agents to pick men's purses, destroy, undermine Christians; more used, practised by Popes, than preaching of Christ crucified to save men's souls; against Christ's command to Peter, Mat 26. 52. 541. 607. 728. See Croylad●●s, Monks. All summoned to hear the Cross preached under pain of Excommunication, but not other Sermons: 466. preaching Freers, how they begin, conclude their Sermons: 5●. Diligent preaching of God's word, the principal duty of Bishops, Ministers; Kings duty to encourage them in their faithful discharge, and punish them for their neglect thereof: 2. 1011. 1012. 1041. The principal means of converting men to God: 607. The first thing to be done in all Visitations: 744. Faith perished for want of preaching and Preachers by Pope's confession: 516. Who yet suppressed it for six whole years and more; and their Mass too throughout England during the Interdict, to the irre airable l●●●● of the Church and men's souls: 253. 333. Much neglectdd by Popes and most of our popish Archbishops, Bishops, who were greater Excommunicators and Soldiers than Preachers of God's word, 386. 457. 750. 799. 880. 803. 1011. 1012. 1041. 1044. 1061. The damnableness, greatness of their sin therein, set out by Bishop Grosthead, the only diligent, constant, frequent Preacher to the people then read of: 702 799. 801. 802. 804. 1242. 1043. Preaching Freers turning Courtiers, Prince's Counselors, cast off their Freers Weeds and preaching too: 541. clergymen's greediness of pluralities of Livings, but neglect of preaching, and people's souls, the grand cause of God's wrath and judgement upon this Kingdom: 1042. 1043. Cardinal S●bine, the Pope's Legate preached often to the people, to palliate all things under the show of Holiness: 607. prebend's, constituted by the Virgin Mary, but conferred by Bishops: 19 Our King's present to them during vacancies of Bishoprics; contests about them, and Pope's provisions to them: 845. 891 962 963. 964. 9●2. 402. 606. 629. No assize of Darraign presentment lies of them: 445. Pluralities, Commendaes' of them granted to Pope's Legates, Italians, others: 570 654. Belonging to Deaneries: 954. Claimed by the Archbishop during Bishop's vacancies: 805. Of St. Martin's and other Churches See Index 6. Provisions. Precedency of Bishops, Archbishops▪ ordered by our Kings 2. 422. 607. 570. Contests for i between our Arch bishops. 487. Of the Abbot of Saint Alban before all other Abbots: 582. Appendix 22. Praemunire incurred: 5. 326. Prerogative Ecclesiastical of the Kings of England, in what particulars it principally consists: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. His, and his Crowns unsubjection to the Pope, or any other person, power, but immediately to God, as his chief Vicar, Viceroy within the Realm, having the Supreme care of the Church, Ibid. & 284. 297. 302. 305. 325. 326. 575. 576. 586. 592. 748. 997. 1003. 1005. 1011. 1012. His Prerogative in the election, translation, union, division of Churches, Bishoprics; election, confirmation, refusal of Abbots and Bishops when elected; in punishing them, and all sorts of Clerks, and Religious persons for their offences: See Abbots, Bishoprics, Bishops, Clerks, Arrests, Elections, Prohibition, and Index 2. 3. 4. 5. His Prerogative over the Advowsons, Temporalties of Abbeys, Bishoprics during their vacancies, or when seized for contempts. See Advowsons', Presentations, Prohibitions, Free-chappels, Churches, Vacancies. Woods. In prohibiting Alienations in Mortmain of Bishop's Lands, Abbots, Covents Bonds, to bring their Houses in debt; in hindering Appeals, Citations to Popes, at Rome: Popes Bulls, Legates Agents sent from Rome, issuing Prohibitions to them, restraining their Extortions, Procurations, Provisions, Corruptions. See Alienations, Appeals, Citations, Popes, Prohibitions, and Index 3. 4. ●0. 11. 12. throughout. In restraining all encroachments on their Crowns, Jurisdictions, Laws, Subjects Liberties, Consciences, by Popes, their Legates, Nuntioes, Ecclesiastical Courts, Officers, Persons, and their extravagant Excommunications, Interdicts, Proceedings, Constitutions; in calling, prohibiting, proroging, dissolving Councils, Convocations, Parliaments, and making, confirming, nulling Ecclesiastical Laws and Canons. See Canons, Councils, Excommunications, Oaths, Parliaments, Prohibitions. In summoning Armies, Navies, granting Protections, Safe-conducts; demanding Pledges from Persons suspected, prohibiting Marriages of Tenants of Castles; in sei●ing, demolishing, licensing the building of Castles, in Wardships, Whales: See all these respective Titles. In commanding the Clergy to officiate during Interdicts, sesing their livings if they obey such Interdicts, 254. 255. Their great vigilance, care, zeal in defending the Rights, Prerogatives of their Crowns, against all Papal, Prelatical, and other encroachments on them, according to their Oath, which they neither would, could nor aught to suffer, expressed in several memorable Letters, Prohibitions, Writs, and other Records; the King's irrevocable resolution to defend them in all Courts, worthy observation: 229. 230. 236. 237. 240. 241. 248 249 251. 253. 254. 255. 257. 258. 262. 264. 268. 269. 299. 301. 302. 326. 402. 476. 477. 478 481. 582. 583. 584. 585. 586. 587. 590. 592. 593. 594. 601. 602. 603. 616. 617 628. 639. 640. 633. 666. 667. 670. 672. 673. 676 684. 688. 689. 725. 739. 740. 742. 817. 829. 830. 831. 853. 962, to 965. 1007. 989. 1009. 1011. 1012. Appendix 14. 15. Saved with a Salvo Jure, &c in Appeals, and other Writings. See Salvo. Praescription; none against the Popes or Clergies pretended privileges and exemptions: 6. What required in it by the Canon-law, 317. Praesentations to Churches: See Ad●owsons, Patrons, Provisions, Vacations, 520. 522. 526 606. Priests, Popish, their Office to make Christ's body: 19 707. Not to be forced to take an Oath: 707. Cannot be degraded by the Temporal Judge, but by the Bishop, 886. 887. See more Clerk, Concubines, Canons, Protections. Prisoners, of War released on both parts upon peace concluded: 371. Murdered in Castles, 256. 260. Not to go out of the Realm, or wander abroad: 336. Prisons, one or two for every Bishop by their Constitutions to keep criminal Clergy men in: 910 See 230. 383. 887. Clerks incorrigible deserving death, to be perpetually imprisoned in them: 910. The King hath no prison for th●se he cannot judge: 887. See Arrest, Clerks. Privileges granted by King's Charters, and Pope's Bulls, nulled by Popes Non obstantees: See Non obstante. Lost, forfeited by the ●bus●: 727. 546. Of London, other Cities, and the Cinqueports in respect of Suits: 887. Of the Cistertians, Hospitallers, Templars: See those Titles. Of Religious Persons, and St. Alban: 8●0. 881. Appendix 21, to 24. See Index 2. Procession, with the Virgin Maries Picture to drive away the Plague in Rome: 41. 59 Dating the Interdict to receive the Pope's Legate: 287 A● a Council held at Paul's by the Pope Legate, 487 O● King Henry 3. his Nobles, Prelates from Paul's to Vestminster with a Vi●l of Christ's pretended Blood brought from Jerusalem, in honour and adoration of that Relic: 711. 712. Procession of the Londoners, and the Parishioners of St. Margaret's to it, by Writs from the King: 826. Of the Papists consecrated Host: 66. 67. To Bovibiles' Ass to adore it: 74 Proctors sent by Abbots, Bishops to Councils with Procutations, to excuse their absence through age or sickness: 486. 487 63●. 64●. Of our Kings to Rome, Frince, Councils, elsewhere, upon sundry occasions, with their respective Patents or Procurations: 395. 423. 454. 455 458. 483. 497. 627 639. 640. 805. 807. 80● 833. 834 85●. 914. 915. 916. 944. 945. 946. 947 957. 958. 961 967. 983. 984, to 993. 1031. 1034. 1062. See Index 9 of the Clergy in general to Rome 841▪ O● Abbots and others to the Pope upon their occasions: 458. 462. 463. instalments by Proctor: 854. 846. Oath of Fealty by Proctor to the King for Archbishops: 482 48● 686. Marriage by a Proctor: 451, to 454. Procurations exacted by Pope's Legates, Agents: 368. 398. 402. 545. 559. 572. 615. 616. 697. Denied them: 506. 569. 570. None to Archdeacon's: 233. Of Bishops, demanded in Visitations opposed: Moderate only to be taken by Archbishops, Bishops in their Visitations: 231. 233. 742. 743. 791. 792. See Visitations. Prohibitions, sent by our Kings, their Council, Courts, Judges, to Archbishops, Bishops, Archdeacon's, Officials, and other Ecclefiastical Persons. Against Admitting Clerks to Benefices, Prebendaries till the Title tried in the King's Courts: 388. 386. 900. 901. 671. Against holding Plea of Advowsons' of Chapels, Churches, Prebendaries; or determining the Rights of Patronages to Churches, Prebendaries, Chapels in Ecclesiastical Courts, or before Pope's Delegates, 382 477. 478 718. 725. 726. 858. 859. 875. 876. 877. 883. 884. 893. Appendix 24 25. Against Alienations of Lands in Capite, in Mortmain or otherwise: 602. Against granting Administrations of In estates Goods, Debtors or Accomptants to the King, ti●l the King's Debts satisfied: 781. 853 Against Appeal● to Popes or any other in cases of Certificates of Bastardy to the King's Courts, or trying Bastaerily in Spiritual Courts▪ their Canons crossing the Common-law therein: 393. 394 878 879 882 888. 889. Against Abbot's o● Covents borrowing, or others lending them Moneys upon Bond without their joint consents and the Kings, where Patron 7.4▪ 83● 993. Against Archbishop's consecrating Bishops e●ect, not approved of by the King after their Elections: 3. 4. 236 237. 240. 241 719 922. Against their holding and meeting in Convocations, Councils or acting, doing any thing in them prejudicial to the King or King●o●: 3. 4. 292 293. 443. 487 640 641. 896. Against Baker's imprinting the sign of the Cross, Agnus Dei, or name of JESUS on Sal●-bread: 78●. Against Bishops and other their Officers citing Lay persons to make Inquisitions, Presentments, or give testimony upon oath, or excommunicating them for not taking Oaths in any case, except in matters of Matrimony and Testament, being against the King's Prerogative, Law, Custom of the Realm, hurtful to their people's fames, souls, occasion of perjury and discontent: 3. 4. 458. 699. 701. 704, to 711. 728. 760. 818. 830. 831. 892. 907. 969. 970. Against their holding Plea of any Chattels o● Goods which concerned not Marriage or Testament, Ibid. and 5. 830. 831. 873. 874. 875. 880 881. 889. 890. Or of Goods Testamentory, for which there is a Suit in the King's Exchequer, 757. 893. Against their citing, questioning, excommunicating or interdicting any of the King's Barons, Baylifts, Judges, Officers, Sheriffs, for executing the King's Writs, or Misdemeanours in the execution of t●e●r Offices; or any of his Tenants in Capite, or of his Demesne Land, Cities, Castles, without his special Licence, or his Lieutenants being against the King's Prerogative, Government, and Right of the Crown; with commands to absolve them from their Excommunications, 3. 230. 231. 242. 243. 700 701, to 705. 739. 758. 829 830. 831. 878. 891. 892. 893. 894. 901▪ 902. 903. 904. 983. 990. 991. Against holding Plea of a●y Lay f●● in Ecclesiastical Courts, or before Pope's Delegates, 372. 382. 476. 477. 478 479. 558. 603 718. 725. 726. 735. 739. 758. 830. 831. 832. 83●. 858. 859. 873. 874. 875. 877 880, to 885. 890 893. 894 895. Appendix 24. 25. Against Archbishops and Bishops Inhibitions for any to sell Victuals or other necessaries to Jew's, and their excommunications of, or Suits against them, 307. 475. 476. 894. 905. 906. See Jews. Against Archbishops, Bishops, Covents, others presenting to Livings, or prebend's belonging to the King during Vacancies, 378. 407. 836. Against erecting a New Church of Canons to the prejudice of the Crown, or carrying any Stones or Timber towards it, or working in it, 560. 561. Against entering into, or detaining Bishops Lands alienated or mortgaged against their wills, 380. 381. Against disturbing the possessions of the King's Clerks presented by him to Benefices or prebend's, or Judgements in his Courts by any process ou● of Ecclesiastical Courts, or from the Pope or his Delegates, 381. 718. 719. 877. 878. 972. 974. 975. Against Suits in Ecclesiastical Courts pro laesione fidei or breach of Oaths in Ciul Contracts, 874. 8●5. 880. 893. 905. See before Lay f●●. Against suing there for Lands devised by Custom, or Actions of Debt devised by the Testatcur, 882. 883. Against Ordinaries malicious Excommunications, or arresting, imprisoning Persons maliciously, or unjustly excommunicated by them, or for bringing Prohibitions, to prevent them, 3. 4. 599 758. 88●. 884. 892. 403. 404. See Excommunication. To Deans, Chapters, Canons, Convents not to elect Bishops, Abbots, Priors in England, Ireland, Normandy, without the King's precedent Licence to elect 3. 4. 236. 237. 240. 407. 480. 481. See Elections: and Index 3. 4. Not to elect particular persons Bishops because Enemies or unfit, or for the King's dishonour, 349. 350. 352. Appendix 18. See Elections, Enemies, and Index 3. 4. Against Archdeacon's, and others Extortions, Procurations, Fees in Visitations, or Courts, 5. 388. 602. 577. Against Archbishops, Bishops, or other Ecclesiastical Persons encroachments, usurpations of new Jurisdiction, to the prejudice of the King's Rights or Subjects Liberties, 3. 4. 5. 231. 232. 233. 338. 476 478 578. 579. 600. 669. 699, to 712. 715. 716. 739. 740. 831. 832. 873, to 884. 983. 990. 991. 998. Against Archbishops, Bishops, and others Excommunicating, Interdicting, exercising any Jurisdiction, levying Dimes, or visiting any of the King's Free-Chappels, Chauntries, Hospitals, 3. 4. 480. 496. 557. 558. 728. 734. 735. 982. 9●3. 996. 1038. 1047. See Free-Chappels. Against levying the rents of vacant Bishoprics by the Archbishop's Officers, belonging to the King by the Rolls of the Exchequer, 388. Against the Bishop of durham's issuing out new Writs, or exercising new Jurisdiction in his Temporal Courts, not used by his predecessors; and of Sheriffs in their County Courts, 388. 720. Against Appeals to Rome without the King's special licence, 4. 249. Against the bringing of any Bulls, Letters from, or sending any Letters to the Pope or Court of Rome prejudicial to the King or Realm, 4 605. 617. 618. 677. 684. 968. 973. 986. See Dover. Against citing or drawing the King's Subjects for any suits to Rome, or out of the Realm, by the Pope, his Delegates, or others, 4. 478 479. 561. 628. 718. 831. 832. 941. 942. 950. 980. 981. 995 996. Against collecting any Aid, Disme, or money for the Pope or others, by the Pope's authority, without the King's special licence and consent, by Pope's Nuntioes, Legates, Bishops, or any others, 4. 5. 561. 562. 574. 616. 618. 634. 672 673. 674. See Aids. To Pope's Delegates, not to hold plea before them by the Pope's authority in several cases, 4. 5. 381. 476. 477. 478 479. 558. 576. 577. 628. 684. 689. 718. 725. 726. 832. 873. to 885. 888. 980. 981. 995. 996. Against Pope's Provisions to Benefices, Prebendaries, etc. belonging to the King's presentation in right of his Crown, or by his Prerogative in vacant Bishoprics, Monasteries, Wardships; or to his Free-Chappels, or Churches impropriated, 5. 557. 575. 616. 617. 618. 725. 736. 842. 877. 878. 913. 962. 963. 964. Against Clerks and others going to Rome, without taking a special Oath to procure nothing to the Kings or Kingdoms damage, 865. Against Pope's Legates or Agents coming into the Realm unless sent for, and taking an Oath to do or bring nothing to the prejudice of the King, Kingdom, or Church, 4. 5. 458. 486. 506. 697. 973. See Index 12. Against receiving or assisting a Bishop or Archbishop made by the Pope's Provision, 236. 237. 240 241. Against permitting a Pope's Legate to exercise any Jurisdiction, but only to collect Dimes, and absolve persons for laying violent hands on Priests, 634. Against collecting the First-fruits of Laymens' Benefices, granted by the Pope to Archbishop Boniface, 718. Against Popes and their Delegates sequestration of the Temporalties, goods and profits of Monasteries, 832. 833. Against Sheriffs, Gaolers detaining Clerks in prison after demand by their Ordinaries, 230. 886. 887. 904. 905. Against women's marriages who h●ld Castles or Lands in Capite, without the King's licence, 602. Against the Crucesignatis, or others going over-Sea out of the Realm without the King's special licence, 3. 4. 603. 850. 865. Against offering violence to the goods or persons of Clerks, Churches or Churchyards, 996. 997. 999. Against aiding or assisting those who detain the King's Castles from him, 378. 379. Against Monks selling Leather, Wool, or using Merchandise, 480. 993. Not to distrain a Bishop for Debts after his resignation, 728. Not to disturb the Liberties of the City and Citizens of York by Ecclesiastical Suits or Censures, to the Dean and Chapter, 830. 831. Nor of Newcastle, 969. 970. Against removing moneys of Delinquents and Aliens out of Monasteries, 938. Against offering violence to Jews or their goods, 1012. 1013. Against Nobleman's siding with Bishops in their quarrels, 788. Against holding Markets or Fairs in times of War, or other special Fairs, 269. 715. Against suits between persons for Tithes, when the Patron may be prejudiced, 875. 876. See Indicavit. Or for the money of Tithes sold, 882. Until it be discussed by the King and Council, whether the right belongs to the King; or whether the cause belongs to the Kings, or the Ecclesiastical Court, 388. 389. 819 825. 876. 885. 886. 942. Against examining things in the Ecclesiastical Court, that have been judged in the King's Courts, in cases of presentations to Churches, and the like, 725. 874. 875. 876. 877. For the King, where the party is bound by admitting the Jurisdiction, 873. 874. 875. 882. 883. 886. 888. 889. To what Judges Delegates or Subdelegates they are to be directed, 879. 880. 881. Judge Bractons' learned Treatise of Prohibitions, 879, to 889. Relief by them against Pope's Usurers renounced, conditions in their bonds, 468. Complaints and Constitutions of the Clergy against granting Prohibitions, to curb their Usurpations on the Crown, and people's Liberties: their Excommunicating, Interdicting those who sued for, or granted them, 889, to 912. Attachments awarded against Bishops, Archdeacon's, Officials, Popes Delegates, others, for contempts in proceeding against them, 3. 4. 5. 372. 437. 458. 477. 561. 675. 717. 718. 720. 739. 740. 758. 860. 883. 884. 885. 886. 894. 897. 898. 901. 902. Appendix 8. 9 10. 11. Prohibitions of the Pope contemned by the Archbishops, Bishops and Clergy of Apulia, in crowning, obeying Manfred for their King, 948. Prophecies false, treasonable, suborned to affright King John, 266. 267. Protections, against violence, injustice, suits, granted by our Kings to some persons, their estates, Churches, 231. 242. 49●. 808. 835. 984. 1006. 1014. 1020. 1049. Of Popes to Kings, persons crossed for their Wars, 340. to 350. 374. 375. 383. 410. Of person's appealing, to the Pope, 231. 59●. Provisions, by Popes to Bishoprics, Ecclesiastical Benefices, Prebendaries, first introduced by Pope Innocent 3▪ and his Legate Nicholas, 247. 248. 329. 330. 367. 777. 778. His first Provisions to the Bishopric of St. David's, and Archbishopric of Ardmach, strenuously opposed, nulled by King John and Archbishop Hubert, 5. 227. 234. to 238. 240. 241. Complaints, Letters, maledictions, exclamations, execrations, oppositions of King Henry 3. the Nobles, Abbots, Bishops, and Commonalty of England against them and Provisors, (for the most part Romans, Italians) who neither knew nor ever saw their flocks, kept no hospitality, let their Houses, Churches fall, exhausted the Treasure of the Realm, and succeeded one after another; their gross injuries, abuses: Popes answers, Bulls, qualifications of them upon complaint, with a seeming, but no real redress of the grievance, 4. 5. 329. 330. 484. 504. 505. 506. 507. 508. 595. 596. 605. 606. 607. 608. 635. 637. 639. 642. 645. 646. 647. 665. 666. 667. to 671. 682. 716. 717. 736. 737. 750. 752. 753. 799. 800. to 806. 842. 843. 913. 952. 1023. Patrons suspended from presenting to their Livings by Pope's Bulls, till they had disposed of how many they pleased to Romans and Italians; 300 reserved by the Pope only out of three Dioceses; exclamations against them, 564. 565. 572. 573 605. 606. 607. 753. 952. Prohibited by the King's Writs to Churches, Prebendaries whereof he was patron, and aught to present by his Prerogative; and to Free-Chappels, 557 575. 725. 736. 781. 782. 842. 843. 993. See Prohibitions, Free-Chappels. The first direct Provision to the Archbishopric of Canterbury, without any election of the Monks, was by the Kings and Suffragans recommendation of Richard to the Pope, 419. 420. 778. Which made way for the Pope himself upon his death, to null 3. successive elections of the Monks approved by the King, and obtrude Edmund without election by his own Provision, 432. 433. 434. 778. The King's assent to some Provisions at the Pope's request, & of his own Chaplains, though odious, 558. 559. 784. 797. Inquisitions after the number, values, granters of them, by the King's Writs to Bishops and Sheriff●, 572. 573. A privilege to the Bishop of Lincoln, that he should be bound to provide for none, unless special mention was made of his privilege, and by his consent, 595. 596. 690. Opposed stoutly by the Canons of Lions in France, 642. and French King, Nobles, 653. 777. 778. Granted by the former Pope, controlled by the Cardinals during the vacancy of the Papacy, 650. 651. Granted by Popes in foreign parts, 626. 627. The Pope's delusory privilege granted to King H 3. not to grant any Provisions to Italians within his Realm, or to Cardinal's Nephews, unless he or his Cardinals earnestly desired the King to be pleased to assent thereto, 682. 683. Those Abbots, Bishops who opposed them, cited to Rome, excommunicated by the Pope, 716. 717. Bishop Grosthead hated the Pope's Provisions to dishonest Italians as poison, saying, He should play the Devil if he delivered the custody of souls to such; rejecting and often throwing away such Papal Bulls with contempt, 762. 799. 801. 803. Pope Innocent 4. his Bull for a Provision to an Italian, to the Abbot of St. Alban, 765. 842. 843. His Bull to the Abbot of St. Alban for moderating and taking them away, after many complaints; and impowering the Abbot to tear his Letters, Bulls without punishment which contradicted it; yet nulled by his Nonobstantes, 779. 780. 781. His Bull and privilege against Provisions to the Abbot of St. Augustine's of Canterbury, 794. 795. The Pope's Provisions to Aliens in England, amounted to above sixty thousand Marks a year, 646, 777. The multitude of Pope's Provisions●ne ●ne of the chief occasions of the difference, Wars between King H 3 and his Barons, 1020 Their complaint to the Legate against them, 1023 Robert Kylwarby, promoted by the Pope to Canterbury by way of Provision, though afterwards elected proforma by the Monks, 1062. 1063. A Provisor resigning his Provision out of conscience, is confirmed therein by the Patron, Appendix 25. Purgation, and Compu●gators, of Ecclesiastical Judges, upon Attachments on Prohibitions, 885. 886. Of Clerks; See Clerks, Oath. Purgatory, the Virgin Maries power over, mercy in it, and Hell too, 19 26. St. Patrick's in Ireland, 69. Purification of Priests Concubines, denied after Childbirth, 397. None of women in Churches interdicted, Appendix 4. Purveyance upon Bishops and Clergymen at the King's price, for carriages and victuals, complained of as against their Liberties, 895. Pirates beheaded, 371. Excommunicated, 449. Q. QUeen, imprisoned for Adultery, and the Adulterers put to death, 256. 285. Dower retrenched, resumed, 325. 326. Quo Warranto, against Clergymens' usurped Liberties; their Canons against it, 906. R. REligion▪ the chief care to defend, promote the true, suppress the false, and all errors, sins, corruptions contrary to it, belongs to Kings, 2. 3. 4. See Kings. The Christian commended by a Mahometan, 284. Scandalised, defamed by the scandalous practices, corruptions of Popes, the Court, Legates, Agents of Rome, Prelates and Clergymen: See Rome, Bishops, Croysadoes; and Index 3. 10. 12. Relics, bodies of Saints translated by our King's Writs from one place to another, 3, 575, 576. See Blood. Renuntiation of the King's Temporal Courts Jurisdiction by the party void against the King, punishable, 886. Residence of Bishops, Clergymen necessary, enjoined by our King's Writs, and Bishops own Canons, 4●9 998. 999. 1011. 1012. 1041. 1042. 1043. See Nonresidence. Resignation, of an Archdeaconry in Wales to the Archbishop of Canterbury, 236. Of Archbishoprics, Bishoprics by our Bishops to the Pope, 624. 625. 627. Appendix 25. To the King and Archbishop, 380. 851. 925. Of the Bishop of Durham, reserving three Manors during ●●te, 623. 624. 728. 761. 92. Of a Pope's provisor out of conscience, Appendix 25. The Abbot of St. Alban moved to resign his Abbey to the Pope, ●f●sed it, 350. Of K. John's Crown, Regalia, Kingdoms to the Pope's Legate; the manner of it, 273. 274 275. 288. 289. 290. Void in Law: See Charter of King John. Of an Abbot, of his pastoral staff to the Bishop, Appendix 18. Restitution of the Archbishops and exiled Bishops Temporalties, Damages: See Damages; & Index 3. O● Bishop's Temporalties by King's Writs, when confirmed, consecrated by his Royal assent; or seized for contempts, 482. 483. 686. 719. 755. 756. 956. 996. 991. See Index 3 4. 5 Of Wales by David Prince thereof to the Pope, 609 622 Of moneys collected by Popes from those who took up the Cross, though a peace were presently concluded, never made by Popes of their Agents, 470. 471. though Pope Alexander 4. declared, sins were never remitted unless rapines were restored, in his Letter to King H. 3. p 929. Of Lands and Goods to such Abbots and Clergymen, by the King's Writs, who officiated during the Interdict, upon his Writs to them, 254. 255. Of our King's Lands in France demanded, but denied by the French, 387. 388. 769 770 Resumptions of Crown and public Lands by our own and other Kings, Emperors, States, by virtue of their Coronation Oaths, notwithstanding any subsequent Oaths, lawful, necess●●y, put in practice, 259 26●. 3●1. to 326 395. 504. 505 515. 516. 521. 776. 874. From Popes, Prelates, Abbots, Clergymen abusing them, 662. 700 701. 776. 1011 1012. Of bishop's alienations and mortgates, 240. 355. 380. Resurrection, doubted by King John, as Morks relate, 286. Ring, Bishops invested by it, 2. 328. Used in espousals and marriages of Princes, 453. Used by Bishops and Abbots with their Pontificalia, Appendix 24. Robbers, Thiefs and their harbourers excommunicated, 386. 417. 449. Rome, and Roman Court, its corruptions, 1069. 1070. See Index 14. part 1. S. SAcha, Exemption from it, 228. Sacraments, ordered to be duly administered by Kings, though not by them, 1 2. 3. Not to be sold, nor ●ught belonging to them, 233. 1040. See Baptism, Marriage, Orders. Of Confession, 909 Sacrilege, all guilty of it publicly excommunicated four times a year, by our Bishop's Constitutions, 386. 894. 1067. To invade or disturb the rights of the Church or Clergy, or distrain their goods, 894 895. 900. 906. 907. To burn and spoil a Church, how civilly punished by the King, 2, 3, 1065, 1066, 1067. S●fe conduct, of our Kings to Pope's Legates, exiled Bishops, and others. 271. 276. 277. 298. 333. 446. 999. 1006. 1020. See Protections. Saint's Invocation, Adoration, Mediation in the Church of Rome, Idolatry, worse than that of the Colly●idians, Paga●●, 55. to 63. Their seeing, not hearing prayers in the looking glass of the Trinity, a most sottish paradox, 57, 58. Salve Reginae Mater, God save you, etc. and other Salves of Romanists to the Virgin Mary; direct prayers to God to save her, as if not already saved; as their salvum me sac, salva me, to her to save them, assure us, 34, 35, 52. Salva in omnibus Apostolicae sedis authoritate, in Pope's Bulls, Appendix 25. Salvis nobis & haeredibus nostris Justitiis, Libertatibus, & Regalibus nostris, in King John's Charter to the Pope, nulled the whole Charter, 274, 289, 303. Salvo honore Dei & Ecclesiae, in Bishop's Oath to our Kings, a subverting and clear evasion of their Oaths, 272. Salvo jure & dignitate nostra, & haeredum nostrorum, inserted in our King's Writs, Patents, Appeals to Rome, and transactions with Popes, 246, 251, 252, 338. Sanctuaries; every Church, Church-yard, Chappel made a Sanctuary for Malefactor's persons, goods, by Popes, Popish Prelates; the King's Officers excommunicated for taking Malefactors out of them, and King forced to restore them by Excommunications, Interdicts, 386, 438, 439, 759, 894, 895, 906. Satan, the Emperor Frederick 2. delivered to him by the Pope in his Anathema, who yet prevailed against him, his Legates, Prelates, 515▪ 554. Schism, between the Greek and Roman Church, 491, 492. Of Popes, examinable by Christian Emperors, Kings, 2, 4, 10. Of Cardinals, Popes; See Index 10, 11, 12. Between Archbishops, Bishops, Deans, Chapters, Abbots, Covent; See Index 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. between others, 633. Schoolmasters, to pay nothing for licenses, 233. Forced to residence on their livings by Grosthead, but dispensed with by the Pope for money, 774. Scot, Exemption from it, 229. Scotals of Sheriffs, 282▪ Scriptures; See Index 15. Seal of Gold, of King John to his detestable Charter, 288, 290, 300. See Charter. Of Edmund King of Sicily, 985. King H. 3▪ used the Popes, Legates, Bishop of winchester's, and Earl Marshals Seals at first, before his own Great Seal made, 372, 373. The Great Charter confirmed with the King's Great Seal: See Charter. Of the Master of the Temple and sundry Bishops, a●●esting the truth of the Viol of Christ's blood 1200 years after, 711, 712. Seal of the City of London set to the Barons and Commons Letter to the Pope, 679. Gold Seal of the Emperor Frederick, and its inscription, 417. Of King H. 3. Earl Richard, and all the Bishops to a writing, that Otto the Pope's Legates stay in England was necessary, 493. Of some Bishops, Abbots, in behalf of Archbishop Boniface elect to the Pope, though unworthy, 579, 580. Of the King of Scots and 48. of his Nobles, to his Charter of League with King H. 3. p. 621. Of all the Bishops of England to the Transcript of King John's Charter, sent to them by Pope Innocent 4. after its burning, to corroborate it, 300, 663. Of the Prior and Monks of Durham, to their election of the Dean of Sarum, 354. No Seals to ancient King's Charters, Appendix 17. A new forged Seal to St. Augustine's Charter, of lead, Ibid. Of lead to Pope's Bulls, 385, 504, 505. Chancellors and Keepers of the King's Great Seal, 510. See Index 8. Blanks Sealed with King H. 3. his Great Seal, Prince Edward's, and Edmunds, sent to the King's Agents at Rome to insert what they thought fit, 920. Blanks sealed by Popes to their Nuntioes, 514, 939. A grant under the Great Seal whiles the King and it was under the power of the Earl of Leycester, revoked, 1010. Of the Bishop, Dean and Chapter of St. Asaph, 726, 727. Of the Nobles to their Letter to the Pope, 951. Secular arm, 7▪ 1029. Sedition, stirred up by Pope Gregory 9 and Innocent 4. against Frederick 2. and by him and the Romans against them, 415, 525. See Index 10, 12. & Frederick 2. Index 14 Of Brancalco and the Romans against the Pope and Cardinals, Appendix 28. Of the Bishop of Winton and Poictovins against the English: See Aliens. In London, a Proclamation to prevent it, 742. Against the Roman Clerks, 436, 437. Against the Pope's Legate, 493, 494, 495. Of the Citizens of Norwich, against the Prior and Monks, 1065, 1066, 1067. Of the Barons: See Barons. Writs to prevent it, 788. Senators of Rome, 523. Appendix 28. Sequestrations and Suspensions of Bishops, Abbots and Clerks livings by the King, for obeying the Popes Interdict, 254, 255. Ab Officio & Beneficio, by the Pope's authority; for obeying and adhering to the King, receiving Benefices from him during the Interdict and his Excommunication, 334, 335. Of the Archbishop and others who refused to publish the Pope's Excommunication against the Barons, or officiated to them, 344, 345, 347, 348. By the Archbishop of York, against the Archdeacon of Richmond and some of his Clerks, 231, 232. An Excommunication denounced against such who violate a Bishop's Sequestration of vacant Churches, 386. Of Clerks livings indebted or accountant to the King, by his Writs, 446, 977, 978. For First-fruits to the Archbishop, a Prohibition against it, 718, 719. By Pope's Legates, 824. Of Temporal goods of a Priory by the Pope, prohibited by the King as against his Prerogative, 832, 833. Of the Impropriations of the Bishop of Carlisle, during the vacancy of the Bishopric of Durham, and Kings Writs concerning it, 912, 942. Of goods of intestate persons, or pretended to die intestate, by the Pope's Agents, 921, 922. Of intestates goods by Bishops, 782. Of Bishop's adhering to, and encouraging the Barons in their Wars, ab Officio & Beneficio, 1018, 1021, 1022. Appealed against, ibid. & 232. Sheriff's exactions enquired after, prohibited, punished, 28. Writs to them not to suffer any Layman or Woman to appear before Bishops or their Officials, to take any Oath, or make any Inquisitions, unless only in cases of Matrimony and Testament, 699, 704, 705, 728. Complaints, Constitutions, Interdicts, Excommunications of Bishops, Officials, Clergymen against them, for distraining their and their Tenants goods, arresting their persons in criminal and civil causes, executing the King's Writs, Mandates upon them, in high affront of his Royal Authority, Crown, Government; for not taking, but conniving at, conversing with, and releasing persons excommunicated by them; and Writs enjoining them to absolve them, 688, 689, 738, 739, 827, 828, 829, 830, 857, 858, 859, 860, 874, 875, 883, 884, 892, 893, 897, 898, to 912. See Bailiffs. Sheriffs settled in Ireland by King John, 260. Writs to all Sheriffs to proclaim the King's resolution to do equal justice to great and small, observe the Great Charter, and apprehend such as should oppose them in their Office, 988, 989. See Arrests, Inquisitions, Vi Laica removenda. Ships, summoned by Writ against Foreign Enemies, 278, 279. Of the French Navy taken, burnt by the English, 276, 371. Provided by the King for Voyages beyond Sea, 282, 807, 808. For the Holy Land, 449, 770, 807. Of Legates, how built, furnished, 485, 697. Shire-Court, Socha, Exemption from them, 228. Soldiers, employed to eject Monks, 248, 581, 582. To demand Hostages of Barons, 256. Their plunders of Clerks and others in time of War, 351, 996, 997, 999, to 1007. Stallagium, Exemption from it, 229. Suit of Court, Clergymens' complaints of, and Constitutions against being forced to it, 632, 828, 895, 900, 908, 909. Summagium, Exemption from it, 229. Supersedeas, 782. Superstition, to be suppressed by Kings, 1, 2. Surplice, 487. Simony, reputed no sin in Popes, or at Rome, 571. Their detestable Simonies of several kinds, 242, 350, 353, 414, 425, 426, 433, 484, 490, 491, 513, 560, 728, 1026. prohibited in any kind, 237. 1040, 1041. It infects most Nunneries, Monasteries, in taking ●ony for admitting 〈◊〉▪ the Archbishops provision against it, 503. A Bishop deprived for it, 597. T. TAllage, exemption from it to a Nunnery, 229 Imposed by Archbishop Boniface on the Clergy and people of his province, 626. Tapers, Candles effcted to the Virgin Mary on Candl●m●sse day, 52 59 Burning Tapers used in Popish processions, 487▪ In Excommunications. See Excommunications. Taxations of Churches ●t full improved Values in Disms for the Pope, King and Holy Land, 426, 814, 815, 921, 1027, 10●8, 1029. Ta●●s: Imposers of unusual ones on the Clergy excommunicated by them, and their Canon●, held null, though for necessary defence of the Realm and Church, unless confirmed by the Pope, 6. 8. 233, 386▪ 522, 526, 895 906. A Writ for 〈◊〉 Richard to Tax the King's Tenants towards his journey to Rome 997. See Ay-mees. T● D●um: the Papists new bls 〈◊〉ous one to the Virgin Mary, 53 Sung after ●●e election of Archbishops, 243, 245, 247. At the release of the Interdict, 3●3 Tempest●: deliverance from them by invocating the Virgin M●●y, 4●. Predicted▪ a terrible one during the Council at Paul's under Otto the Pope's Legates 487. Templars and Hospitallers, taxed by King John, Hen●y 3 and the Pope, notwithstanding their privileges, to public Taxes, and Dimes for the Holy Land, 260, 261, 864, 865, 45 Exampted from them, 1048. A● Templar employed by the Pope with others, to collect Dimes, 470. Sub●●●●d by the Pope to bet●ay the Emperor Frederick 2 to the Sultan, who detested, discovered their Treason, 418. The Emperor seizing their goods, land● for it, and Lands purchased without his licnse, contrary to the Laws of Sicily, is excommunicated, deposed for it by the Pope, amongst other causes, 516. 521. 811. Mr. of the Templars attests the truth of Christ's blo●d under their Common Seal, 711, 712. A Schism between them and the Hospitallers, 633. Appeal against Bishop Grostheads Visitation of them, 737. To answer only before the King or his Chief Justice, 887. Their great wealth, privileges made them insolent, mad, and were therefore fit to be resumed, 776. Theingpeny, exemption from it, 229▪ Tithes of what things to be paid; the substractors or non-payers of them to be excommunicated, 3●6. O● F●sh ●n Fishponds in Ireland, by the King's special Writ, out of conscience, 424. The Ecclesiastical Court hath conusance of them, 882, 885. The Pope's Bull to mortgage them for 3. years for the holy war, 449. Tithwite, exemption from it, 219. Toll, exemption from it, 229. exacted from Clerks, 896. Transubstantiation; subve●●● the foundation of St. Peter's and Pope's Universal Vicarship to Christ, and Monarchy, 10, 11, 15, 97, 98. proved by sundry Popish Miracles, apparitions of Christ as an infant, or blood in the consecrated Host; all impostures or diabolical delusions, 68, to 75. How stated, asserted by their Treat Councils, Doctors, Canonists, 15. 66 67 68 71. 79. See 456. 504▪ 707▪ 1065. Not wrought, nor proved by, This is my body, 77, 78. Nor intended, proved by Joh. 5 p. 79, 10. Against Scripture, Articles of our Faith, sense, reason, experience, 71, 72▪ No Miracle, 75, 76. Invented, asserted only to make their M 〈◊〉 a propitiatory sacrifice; which else would be of no value. See M●sse. Treasure trove, not incident to Bishop's Liberties, 398. Treason, for Bishops to resort, appeal to Rome, and own any for Pope without the King's licence, 4. To Interdict the Realm, excommunicate, or depose the King by the Pope's Bulls. See H n. 3. and King John, Index 3, 4▪ 10. They and all other Clergymen punisha le for it by Kings and Temporal Magistrates, as well as Laymen▪ 2. ●. See Bishop●, Clerks. Banishment for it, See ●●●●shment▪ Prophesying the King's deposal by a day, Tr●a●●●, 266, 267. 268. To desert his service because excommunicated by the Pope, 25●, 267. To betray the right● of 〈◊〉 Crown, 248. To detain the King's Castles against him. 3●2. See Castles; To imagine his death, of betray him to his Enemies, 265. Truce, continued between England and France Popes interposing therein, 4●6, 447, 448. 244▪ 945▪ With the Saracens broken by the Pope, though 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, to the great scandal, disgrace of Christians. 4 8 Made by the Emperor with the Sultan upon honourable terms, objected by the Pope as a crime, 427. See Frederick, and Gregory 9 V. VAcations of Bishoprics, Abbeys, the Custody of their Temporalties, presentation to their 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to our Kings by their ancient Prerogative, of which some Prelates in England and Ireland endeavoured to 〈◊〉 them▪ 2, 3 236, 237, 2●8, 272 37●, 428, 511, 522 81●, 627 687, 913 9●8 993▪ 96●, 963, 955. 96●▪ 994 10●4 6●9, A 1, 782, 9TH, 636. Appendix 18▪ See Index 3. 4. The Custody of the Temporalties of 〈◊〉 granted to the Archbishop and his Successors, 339. 819 877▪ O● Westminster Abbey, to the Monks by spicial Charters, 763, 7●4▪ The Archbishops Jurisdiction claimed over the Church of Lincola during the Vacancy▪ 805 And of the Prior, Monks of Canterbury over their Diocesans as Guardians of the Spiritualties of Canterbury during vacancies thereof, 597, to 6●0. Vexations by Ecclesiastical persons of the King's Subjects complained of▪ prohibited, ●, 4 699 704. 705. 706. 728. 830▪ 832. 8●3. 884. 969. 970. 992. Vicarages endowed by King's directions, 4●7. Append. 29. Vicar's, of God, and Christ on earth: Christian Kings are such in, over their own Realms, Churches, not Popes, 1. 3▪ 4. 872. 873. See King, Pope's pretences to be Christ's and God's Universal Vicar's upon earth● claiming all his regal, S●cerdoral Offices and Sovereign Universal authority by that pretex, yea a power to excommunicate, depose all Christian Kings, Emperors, nu●● all Laws etc. p. 6. 7. 8. This their 〈◊〉 disproved by Scripture, 9 10 11 D●●●ed by the G●●el Church. S 〈◊〉 Antioch, and Greek Church; by the Emperor Frederick and others. 360. 513 154▪ 533 538 539. 560. Pope Alexander the 4. desires prayers so to govern the Church, a● to deserve to be called Gods V●c●●, and 〈◊〉 successor, claimed, expressed in their own Bulls, as unworthy of it, 407▪ 449. 449. 81●. Vicats General of the King to take place of all Bishops, and visit the Ecclesiastical state▪ persons under him, 3▪ 4. Victuals to be sold to Jews, notwithstanding Bishop's inhibitions 387. 475▪ 476. not to Saracens, 449. Villain's soas, not to enter into Religion, without their Lords assent, 4. Vi Laica amovenda to Sheriffs, etc. 6●8. 689 867. 1004. 1005. Virgini y consecrated by Mary, 32 a great virtue, 350. Virgins consecrated by Mary, internally, externally only by ●ish●ps, 19 Visitations of the Ecclesiastical state, persons, a prerogative of the King, by such as he shall appoint by Letters Patents, 3, 4 Kings may exempt persons, places from Archiepiscopal or Episcopal Visitations, and Jurisdiction▪ their Free Chapels exempted from them▪ 3 4 720. 721 721. 727. 729. 748. 757. 559. 982▪ 923. 1047. Vexatious illegal proceedings and procurations in them, together with coercion and administing, enforcing Oaths prohibited in them by Pope's Bulls, Canonists, Kings Writs, 699, 704, to 713. 728, 743, 744, 760, 892, 907, 969, 970 What procurations, fees, are to be demanded, taken in them, 233, 743, 744. 79●, 791. Of Archbishop Boniface, with the oppositions, appeals against it, 740, 741, 746, 747, 748, 752, 76●, 789, 790, 791. Of the Bishop of Lincoln, and oppositions, appeals against it, 698, 699, 704, 705, 706, 709. 754. 761, 76●, 798▪ Of Monks by the Pope's Visitors, grievances and appeals against them, 440, 441, 442. 789. By the Abbot of the Cistertians, by the King's licence, 601, 789. By Bishops, for Popes to get money from Monks to exempt them from it, 798, 799. The principal end to get money, not reform abuses, 789, 790, 798. Exemptions of Abbots from Archiepiscopal and Episcopal Visitations for money by Pope's Bulls, 384, 791, 79●, 798. App. 22, 23. The Emperor excommunicated for not suffering an Archbishop to come to his See to visit, 410. Pope Innocent 4. his Decree concerning Visitations, procurations, and preaching at them, 743; 744, 790, 791. Usurpation of Jurisdiction, punished by our Kings, restrained by their Writs, 3. See Prohibitions. Usurpers Charters, neither do nor aught to prejudice the right heir to the Crown: resumed, 324. Usurers of Popes, Caursini, and other Italian Merchants countenanced by them, against the Laws of God, Man, Bishops Excommunications; their detestable Usury, bonds, undermining of Jew's: Popes remitting the Usury of Jews (not theirs) to such as crossed themselves for the Holy Land; with other matters concerning Pope's Usurers, Usury, 350. 371. 426. 427. 437. 448. 460. 462. 467. 4●8 469. 516. 522. 546. 560. 573. 654. 718. 753. 754. 802. 809. 845. 846. 848. 868. 869. 717. 821. 835. 859. 871. 877. 878. 1034▪ 1035. U●f●ngthees, 428 873. U lawry of King John against exiled Bishops and Clergymen, reversed by his Patent; his declaration he had no power to outlaw Clerks, 270, 272. W. Wapentake, 228. Wa●peni, exemption from it, 229. Wards of body and lands of Tenants in Capite belong to the King, 429, 430. The Archbishop opposed this prerogative, and complained to the Pope against it, Ib. Granted, married to Aliens of mean fortune, complained against as a grievance in Parliaments, 444, 721, 991. Contribution out of Wardships to relieve the Holy Land, 239. Warrants of Judges produced; else coram non Judice, 887. Warranty, not in a suit between a Bastard and Mulier, 474. War, what a just cause of it; not to be made on the Vassal without complaint first made to the Superior Lord, 363, 364. Prohibited by the Pope under pain of Excommunication, interdict, and deposition; Upon King John when his Vassal; and upon Princes under his protection crossed for his or the Holy War, 6. 363. to 366. 370. 371. 449. 450. 404. In joined by Popes under promises of remission of sins, not only against Saracens, but the E. of Tholouse, the Greek Church, the Emperors Otho, Frederick, Conrade, Manfred, K. John, when interdicted, excommunicated, deposed by him; for vindicating the rights of their Crowns, 363, etc. 414. 415. 419. 425. 426. 450. 470. 471. 490▪ 491. 492. 513 515. 517. 546. 547. 549. Popes prohibited the Crucesignatis to go against the Saracens according to their vow, to employ their arms and moneys raised by dispensing with their Vows, against these Christians, Ibidem. The Baron's Wars excited, fomented by the Bishops and Clergy, who ought to maintain peace, not war, 1021, to 1026. See Barons. The plunders and miseries of War, 351. 806, to 907. Whales, belong to the King, an Inquisition for taking one away, 739. 982. Wills of Bishops, licenced, authorized by the King to make them valid, 576. 636. A Writ for removing an interred Corpse from St. James Bristol to Ambresbery, according to the parties last Will, 575. 576. Woods of Archbishoprics, Bishoprics, Abbeys now and then felled, sold by the King during Vacancies, and when seized for contempts or high Misdemeanours, 262. 462. 913. Appendix 27. Of the Archbishopric felled and sold by Boniface, 626. Improved, 973, 974. Wool, of the Cistercians demanded of them by the King for one year, denied; Writs prohibiting them to be Merchants of Wool, 480. 893. 993. 603. 604. Women: authors of the worship of the V: Marry, as the Queen of Heaven, of the Collyridian, and other Heresies; 56, 57 to 63. Their visions and apparitions not to be credited, 74. The Virgin Mary their Advocate, Intercessor, by Popish devotions, 45. See Mary. Sainted by Popes, 56. Wreck, to be sued for in the Ecclesiastical Court, 783. Writs: no new aught to issue out of Chancery, without the consent of the Nobles and Prelates in Parliament, 895. Writs of several kinds, bearing Teste sometimes in the King's Name, sometimes in the Name of the Guardians of the Realms in his absence, sometimes in his Privy Counsellors; sometimes in the Chancellors or Chief Justices; which you may observe throughout all the Writs here recorded; as you read them. See Index 8. & Kings. INDEX 15. Of Scripture Texts abused, perverted, alleged, altered by Popes, Pontificians, and the Church of Rome, to justify their Errors, Corruptions, and St. Peter's, Pope's Universal Monarchy, Vicarship; and those which most evidently refute them. SCripture Texts professedly altered, corrupted for their Adoration, Exaltation, Invocation of the Virgin Mary, as breaker of the Serpent's head, their Advocate, Empress, Lady, Queen of Heaven, Mediator, Saviour; Gen. 3. 15. It, changed into She, p. 16, 18, 34. Psal. 3. 1. Ps. 4. 1. Ps. 5. 1. Ps. 6. 1. Ps. 7. 1. Ps. 9 1. Ps. 11. 1. Ps. 13. 1. Ps. 16. 1. Ps. 18. 1. Ps. 20. 1. Ps. 25. 1. Ps. 26. 1. Ps. 27. 1. Ps. 28. 1. Ps. 31. 1. Ps. 34. 1. Ps. 45. 1. Ps. 51. 1. Ps. 54. 1. Ps. 70. 1. Ps. 71. 1. Ps. 79. 1. Ps. 95. 1. Ps. 105. 1. Ps. 110. 1. Ps. 119. 33. Ps. 127. 1. Ps. 128. 1. Ps. 130. 1. Ps. 132. 1. Ps. 134. 1. Ps. 140. 1. Ps. 145. 21. Ps. 148. 1. Ps. 149. 1. Ps. 150. 6. in all these Lord is directly changed by them into Lady; and he into she; and these Texts appropriated to God, applied to her. Ps. 12. Ps. 36. Ps. 91. Ps. 125. 1. & Mat. 11. 28. God, Lord, are altered into the Mother of God; by Bonaventura, Bernardinus de Busti; and others, by Pope's approbation, p. 23, 29, 35, 39, 40, 50. Moreover the Second Commandment, Exod. 20. 4, 5, 6. Deut. 5. 8● 9, 10. is quite obliterated out of all their Breviaries, Missals, Hours, Offices, Psalters, Litanies, Rosaries, Primers of our Lady, and most of their late Catechisins, as inconsistent with their Images, and adorations of them: All which are against these direct Texts; Deut. 4. 2. c. 12. 32. Josh. 1. 7. Prov. 30. 6. Rom. 1. 25, 26. 2 Pet. 3. 16. Rev. 22. 18. p. 50, 56. They abuse, wrest these particular sacred Texts, applying them to the Virgin Mary, her Kingdom, Subjects; Gen. 2. 28. c. 16. 9, 13. c. 18. 3. c. 27. 29. c. 29. 20. p. 28, 29, 42, 45. Deut. 33. 3. Judg. 9 8, 10. 1 Chron. 29. 11. 2 Chron. 12. 8. Esth. 2. 17. c. 5. 2, 3. Job 12. 10. Psal. 36. 9 Ps. 45. 9 Ps. 48. 9 Ps. 74. 12. Ps. 89. 21. Ps. 95. 4. Ps. 103. 19 Ps. 116. 16. Ps. 145. 16. Prov. 8. 15, 17. c. 23. 13. Cant. 2. 4. c. 5. 1. Isa. 60. 7. c. 49. 6. Dan. 2. 44. Mat. 11. 28. Lu. 1. 33. c. 2. 32. John 1. 16. Ephes. 1. 21, 22. Phil. 2. 9, 10. Hebr. 4. 16. p. 16, ●0, 22, 23, 27, 28, 29, 31, 37, 38, 45, 47. Besides other Apocrypha Texts. They insist on the very words of the Idolatrous Jews, Jer. 4. 17, 18, 19 to justify their adoration of the Virgin Mary as the Queen of Heaven, as they did the Moon, p. 16. Texts they impertinently or blasphemously allege, wrest, misapply to prove St. Peter and Pope's Universal Monarchy, Supremacy over Kings, Kingdoms, etc. Gen. 1. 16. Psal. 2. 8. Ps. 45. 16. Ps. 72. 8. Ps. 89. 27, 37, 38. Isa. 9 6, 7. D●●. 2. 44 c. 4. 3, 34. c. 6. 26. c. 7. 14, 27. Mich 4. 7. Mat. 16. 14, 18, 19 c. 26. 18, 19, 20. Lu. 1. 2●. Joh● 21. 15, 16, 17. Acts 10. 12, 13. Phil. 2. 9, 10, 11. p. 9, 10, 11, 409, 538, 539, 568, 656, 658. Texts produced by them to prove the consecrated Bread and Wine Transubstantiated into the very Body and Blood of Christ, Mat. 26. 26, 27, 28. John 5. 53, 54, 55, 56. p. 15, 75, 77, 79, 80. Several Scripture Texts, (over-tedious to recapitulate) directly refuting Prayers to Angels, Saints, the Virgin Mary, or to any but God alone, p. 56, 57, 60. Saints seeing of Prayers in the New Popish Looking-glass of the Trinity, p. 57, 58. The pretended Sovereign Monarchy and Vicarship of St. Peter and Popes, p. 9, 10, 11, 12, 13. The Advocateship, Mediatorship, etc. of the Virgin Mary; proving Christ alone to be our only Advocate, Intercessor, Mediator, Redeemer, Reconciler, Aid, Hope, Help, Deliverer, Saviour, Light, Salvation, High Priest, p. 29, 36, 41, 42. Texts proving that Christ alone was born without original, and lived without actual sin, not the Virgin Mary, p. 46. That Vows are to be made to God alone, p. 51. That all Miracles are ever visible to all men's eyes, and seldom wrought, by some extraordinary persons, not every Priest; and that God hath made our senses judges of the truth of Christ's body, incarnation, resurrection, ascension, as well as Miracles, p. 75, 76. That the Verb Is, in This Is my body, is predicated only significatively, figuratively, sacramentally▪ not identically and transubstantiatively; p. 77, 78, 79. To the Reader. Kind Reader, THE Reasons why I have enlarged these Tables in sundry particulars, beyond the ordinary brevity of Tables, with very great pains, were three; 1. That those of our English Nation who understand not the Latin Tongue, may read the substance of this Tome in these English Tables, and so reap benefit by it. 2ly. That those Statesmen, Noblemen, Judges and others, who want either leisure, or patience to read over this whole Tome distinctly, may read the Epitome of it, or any part thereof they desire satisfaction in, in these Tables. 3ly. That Statesmen, Divines, Common, Civil Lawyers, Heralds, and others who delight in History▪ may read over what most concerns their several callings, studies, in each distinct Table, if they mind not to peruse the whole; which they could not so easily have done, had I digested all these Indices into one; not so well understood, had I contracted them into the shortest sort of Indices, forcing their Readers to turn to every page for every thing they look after, and peruse it ere they can discern the purport thereof; which now they may read in these Indices, without further trouble, and peruse what they please at large in the Text. LAUS DEO. FINIS. Erratas, and Transpositions of Words at the Press: IN some pages 132. read 232. 224, r. 242. 503, r. 308. 760, r. 758. 845, r. 854. 1052, 1053. In the Text: p. 4. l. 34. for electors, r. elections; p. 10. l. 37. r. from these, or any, &c▪ p. 16. l. 20. r. exer cituum; l. 24. ferula; p. 44. l. 21. r. advocata; p. 52. l. 7. Sevensis, r. de Busti; p. 53. l. 15. r. filio; p. 55. l. 26. reddendo; p. 75. l. 10. r. Trent Councils, Popes; p. 79. l. 33. of, r. or; p. 67. l. 42. for 4. r. Dist. 2. p. 233. l. 23. Schismatics, r. Schoolmasters; p. 237. l. 34. expugnare; p. 240. l. 30. Dublin, r. Armach; 255. l. 14. vendere. 267. l. 23. r. dignaretur piae; 268. l. 5. r. him of; 269. l. 49. must, most; 270 l. 19 deal therein; 271. l. 13. r. exulantibus; l. 27. ad, r. &. l. 46. r. inspecturis; l. 55. Huberto, Hugoni; 273. l. 29. r. quod; l. 37. r. Sanctae, l. 41. ea, r. ●o; l. 46. juravimus; l. 51. r. indicium▪ 275. l. 5. unite; 276. l. 21. exercitum; l. 27. quatuor; l. 31. deal in; l. 41. firmiter; 276. l. 27. venerimus; l. 29. vacantium; 285. l. 18. excutere; l. 51. Historian; 287. l. 27. quatenus; 289. l. 20. common; 291. l. 36. sent, r. let; 294. l. 2. suo; l. 3. Edward, r. Edmund; 298. l. 6. articulo; 303. l. 36. Brixiensis; 305. l. 5. tended; l. 47. Curiae; 310. l. 40. quarto, r. quinto; 324▪ l. 22. saucius; 338. l. 27. Roberti, r. Richardi; 375. l. 31. Hadrianus, r. Honorius; ●89. l. 42. plerumque; 392. l. 36. Sur. r. Sar. 412. l. 23. Robertus, Richardus; 454. l. 24. Matrimonialis; 510. l. 17. Radulphi r. Alexander; 647. l. 45. & frater; 750. l. 19 misit; l. 46. indulta; 758. l. 20. Nuncii; 771. l. 5. venenata; 782. l. 5. A. E. 815. l. 27. R. r. l. 838. l. 14. Boxele, Flaxele; l. 22: Parco; 919. l. 31. pensantes; 930. l. spoliatur; l. 12. tum; 950. l. 20. acturi; 1003. l. 31. R. r. P. 1004. l. 48. William, r. Walter; 1014 l. 35. E. r. O. 1053. l. 39 Walteri; 1064. l. 30. Hereford, r. Worcester; Appendix, p. 1. l. 13. statueram. In the Margin, 292. l. 3. Halls, r. Graf●ons; 243. l. to. 227, r. 228. p. 295: l. 275. p. 316. l. 37. Belluga; 549. l. 2●. add, Cart. Pat. & Claus. in simul, ab Ann. 42. to 50 H. 3. m. 14. intus; 783. l. 5. 26. r. 36. 825. l. 5. Episcopo; 1011. lin. 12. Cook. In the Index: K. 1. p. 1. col. 1. 22. Rich. Nich. M. p. 2. col. 1. 40. Helias: for 520, 521. r. 513. 514. R. p. 1. col. 2. l. 37. resuming, r. restraining; 35, 16. F. p. 1. col. 2. for 356. r. 256, 260. G. p. 1. col. 2. l. 11. for 768. r. 766. Other Literal faults are easily amended.