Vindication of Ecclesiastical Volume 3 2

sicut per Literas Patentes praedicti Archiepiscopi acceptimus; Nos confirmationem illam acceptantes cepimus fidelitatem ipsius Electi, & Temporalia ejusdem Episcopatus restituimus eidem. Et ideo vobis mandamus, quod eidem Electo Temporalia ejusdem Episcopatus liberetis in forma praedicta. In cujus, &c. Teste Rege apud Rothelan. 8 die Januarii.

Et mandatum est Militibus, &c.

John Peckham Archbishop of Canterbury to fill his empty Purse, and extend his Archiepiscopal authority beyond his Predecessors, resolved thereupon to visit all his Province more accurately, and punish offenders more severely than in former times, to prevent all obstructions by Appeals to Rome, Visitationem hanc suscepturus, prospiciendum sibi maxim putavit, ut Papae ne ab eo turbaretur, in quibuscunque mandatis obsequeretur. Whereupon having obeyed his Commands to the King in admonishing him to restore the Dismes he had seised for relief of the Holy Land, he proceeded in his Visitation. In Visitation. In visitatione autem, quam peractis Papae mandatis, exorsus est, primum Judaeos in perpetnum exilium acturus scripsit Episcopo Londinensi, ut eorum omnes Synagogas eversas et demolitas solo adaequaret; (an high usurpation upon the Kings Prerogative.) Quod decretum paulo post, Rege procurante, mitigatum est, ac Judaeis permissum unum Templum in publico aliquo Civitatis l • co, in quo suos ritus, amputata tamen Ceremoniarum multitudine, celebrarent. In hac Visitatione Crimina et Excessus permultorum Clericorum atque Laicorum acriter castigavit. Primum, quia plura Beneficia retinendi licentia in Anglia impune contra jura permissa Clericis fuit, eam non ab infimis modo sed a summis sumpto supplicio eradicavit; (a very commendable Action worthy imitation.) Nam Richard. More sacrae Theology Professorem, Episcopum Winton. electum, necnon Johannem Kirkbey Capellanum Regis, ad Lichefeldensem Episcopatum etiam Electum, quia in Beneficiis plurales ante fuerant, confirmare noluit, sed rejecit. Quorum utrique, cum ad Papam appellassent, appellationes longo tempore prosecuti, ease tandem taedio deserere, et judicatae a Johanne contra se Sententiae stare inviti coacti sunt; (a memorable President, wherein the Pope only aimed at his own Grandeur and Ends, usurping a power to dispose of these Bishoprics upon this pretext, by his own Provision, to those who would give most for them.) In hujus autem locum Johan. Pontisarius ab ipso Papa Wintoniensis Episcopus creatus est, qui Wintonienses Monachos gravissime infestavit, et Episcopus jura atque praedia mirum in modum ex Monachorum spoliis auxit, ut ex illius Ecclesiae monumentis apparet. Cumque hos in jure vicisset, inferiores Clericos, qui plura Beneficia simul tenebant, aggressus est. Quos omnes, uno Beneficio contentos esse compulit, (according to his Constitutions made in the Council of Lambeth.) In quo proposito stetir durior, quod Romae Cardinales quidam (ut ex ejus literis intelligi possit) eum coram Papa accusassent, quod hunc Anglicani Cleri excessum mitius tolerasset. Quam iniquam Criminationem ut vitaret, plurales non modo Beneficiis amovit, sed hujusmodi maledictis, Filios Belial, Contemptores Canonum, Vsurpatores, et Beneficiorum Sacrilegos appellate. Nec minus in Prurales quam in absentes, et non residentes acris Iudex fuit, a primis et elatissimis exorsus; (a commendable Action, worthy his Successors imitation.) Episcopum Lichefeld. peregrinum et Anglicanae linguae ignarum, ideo{que} extra suam Diocaesim commorantem edicto publicaro monuit; ut sub amotionis paena ad Episcopatum rediret, ibique resideret. Cumque jam venisset, eum acerrime increpavit, quod etsi ideomatis inscius, pascere suae Diocaesis gregem verbi praedicatione nequisset, praesentia tamen sua Eleemosinis et liberalitate alere debuisset. Cumque Collegium Welverhampton in Lichefeldensi Diocaesi, cujus jus Patronatus ad Cantuar. Ecclesiam olim spectabat, visitare voluisset, jure & privilegio exemptionis, quam vendicabant, à Canonicis vetitus & exclusus est. Cujus rei controversia cum Romam delata penderet, Johan. Theodosium de Camilla litem hanc Romae prosequentem, duabus Rectoriis, in quibus non residebat spoliavit. Hoc tempore causa quaedam inter Archiepiscopum Eboracensem & Dunelmenses Monachos controversa ad Archiepiscopum Cantuariensem per tuitoriam appellationem deducta est. Archiepiscopus autem aliis impedita negotiis causam Priori de Southwerk, Decano de Archubus, & Canonico cuidam Ecclesiae Paulinae delegavit; quibus etiam mandavit, ut in tuitionis eventum de causa principali cognoscerent. Similisque inter Dunelmensem Episcopum & Eboracensem Archiepiscopum controversia, Archidiacono Cantuariensi appellationis tuitoriae jure commissa est, in qua Archidiac. Cantuar. de ea lite cognoscenti data est, Eboracensem Archiepiscopum suumque Officialem inhibendo à gerenda in Dunelmensis Episcopy praejudicium quacun •• e jurisdictione comprimendi potestas. Adulteria et stupra non minori severitare vindicavit, cum Cicestrensem Diocaesim visitaret Rogerum Ham Presbyterum fornicarium ad triennalem paenitentiam jurejurando adegit; quod temporis in jejuniis, orationibus, et longinquis ad Romam, Coloniam, et Compostellam peregrinationibus contereret, Benesiciorum suorum Redditibus sibi prohibitis, et in pauperum usus sequesiratis. In Sarisburiensis etiam Parochiae visitatione, compertum fnit Osbertum Giffard Militem, Moniales duas ex Wintoniensi Coenobio abduxisse; quem Cantuariensis Archiepiscopus Excommunicatione primo percussit; deinde sub his duris condicionibus relaxavit; Primo, ne in tota reliqua deinceps vita ullum Monialium Coenobium ingrederetur, aut Monialis cujusquam consortio uteretur. Deinde ut tribus diebus Dominicis in Ecclesia Parochiali Wilton exutus vestibus, virgis verberaretur. Eandemque postea paenam tam in foro quam in Ecclesia Parochiali de Shaftesbury publice subiret. Ad haec multorum mensium jejunium ei injunctum est. Praeterea omnibus militaribus instgnibus detractis privatus, nec calcearia deaurata, nec gladium, nec cellam militarem, aut deauratas Phaleras habiturus. Ad extremum ut nec vestes coloratas sed tantummodo de roseto, cum agninis pellibus vel ovinis, nec utatur Camisia postea quam fuerat castigatus per tres annos, ad ordinem suum militarem non rediret antequam tres continuos annos in Terra Sancta exegisset. Ante omnia, ut Moniales ad Coenobium simili • oena mulctandas restitui atque remitti curaret. Haec omnia se jurejurando facturum spospondit; jejuniorum nibilominus ab Episcopopo Saresbiriensi illi praescrivendo modo. (An high Usurpation on Knights and Lay-Subjects privileges.) Nec minorem in reprimendis jurisoictionem suam contemnentibus severitatem Petrus quidam de Sancto Marco Decanus de Arcubus exercuisse fertur, qui Herefordensis Episcopy Officialem suis monitis non parentem, primo 10, deinde aucta et perseverante Contumacia, 40 Marcis; (which he had no legal power to impose) tanquam Rebellem et potestatis suae contemptorem, mulctavit; necnon Episcopum ipsum Herefordensem, quod Officialis suae partes audacius tueretur, excommunicavit, ejus Capellam Interdicto Ecclesiastico supposuit; (a very high Papal Exorbitancy.) Hoc etiam tempore lis quaedam inter Lincolniensem Episcopum & Universitatem Oxford. aliquot annis de Iurisdictione Episcopy in Scholares Vniversitatis agitata est. De qua Johannes Cantuariensis cum Scholarium tum causam vacillare, nec jure stare posse intellexerat, Scholaribus rescripsit; Si in jure contenderent, vinci eos ac superari • ecesse esse, praesertim cum his quibus niterentur privilegiis à Jurisdictione Episcopali jure communi stabilita, eximi nequaquam potuissent. Ipseque perlustrata reliqua Provincia Oxoniensem Academiam jure Metropolitico visitaturus adiit. In qua Visitatione quasdam Philosophicas opiniones, quos errores & à Roberto Kilwarby ante reprehensos docuit, tanquam heresies et à fide Christiana abhorrentes e suggestu latin refellit. (What these opinions were you may read in Sir Henry Spelmans Councils, Tom. 2. p. 347, 348.) Inter has una erat, in homine esse tantummodo formam unam. Quam Frater Johannes non concoxit, ne colligeretur inde, corpus Christi non fuisse unum numero vivum & mortuum, nec sanctorum corpora eadem tota vel secundum partes in orbe existere vel in urbe; sed alia quaedam quae non pepererunt matres, sed de novo peperit phantasia; (the first President of this kind, to adjudge and declare new Heresies in a Visitation, without a Synod or Council.) Sed istae Heresies philosophicae ab Oxoniensium Scholis in Praedicatorum & fratrum turbas profecti & disseminati fuerunt. Inter quos Richardus Knapwell Doctor Ordinis Praedicatorum octo opiniones contra Johannes Peckham assertiones defendit. Hunc itaque Johannes Peckham ad suum tribunal vocavir, eoque non accedente, eum suasque opiniones cum suo Clero damnavit. Sed Hugo de Mancestria ejus Ordinis Provincialis intercessit, & Cant. restitit. Allegavitque, neminem in su • Ordinis fratres praeter solum Papam potestatem habere. Itaque appellatione interposita supersedit negotio Cantuariensis, atque conticuit. Nec quicquam dei • ceps in homunculum fratrem valuit ejus authoritas, qui in Regem et Episcopos omnia poterat. Idem acutus frater & Theologus, cum e sacris Scriptures probare vellet, non esse permissum Clericis duo Beneficia Ecclesiastica retinere, protulit hanc ex Evangelio sententiam; Qui habet duas tunicas, unam tribuat non habenti; & qui habet escas similit • r. Richardus ill frater inter alia quae de nugis Philosophicis scripsit, aedidit unum de formarum u •• tate libellum, ut omnibus liquido constare posset, eum nullis Cantuariensis minis deterritum in sententia sua perseverasse. His in Provincia visitanda gestis, scriptisad plerosque Suffraganeorum literis, ne se, suos Officiales et tribunalia muneribus, (quae cum insigni Praelatorum opprobrio diu nepharie percipi in visitatione intellexerat) deinceps inquinari permitterent, admonuit; quod si suae monitioni non parerent, se admissa deinceps in muneribus percipiendis scelera severius animadversurum. In literis etiam ad Ord • neum Cardinalem Tusculanum Episcopum scriptis, queritur de quodam, quem Remigem, suam navem atque Puppim subversurum, nominat, qui muneribus moveri, ac duas pelves aureas plenas florenis accepisse ait. Idem ad Romanae Curiae Vicecancellarium scribit, comperisse se fuisse in Anglia multa privilegia per falsarios fabricata. Sed commoti Suffraganei, quod non modo tam crebris visitationibus, sed etiam quotidiana jurisdictione partes suas in eorum Diocaesibus tam saepe interponeret, querelam 25. Articulis comprehensam in eum propon • bant. Cujus querelae vim et eventum, cum in seipsos recidisse intellexissent, (by reason of his extraordinary favor with the Pope, his creator) ea omissa luctari amplius cum Metropolitano noluerunt. Inter hos Suffraganeos Londinensis tum Episcopus gravate tulit quendam Henricum de Stookes suae London. Diocaesis Rectorem, de Bene • iciorum pluralitate coram Decano de Arcubus in jus vocatum fuisse. Qua de re scripsit Johanni Peckham se id non laturum, sed nist desistat tam in hac quam in aliis causis de suis Clericis subditisve cognoscere, se appellationis ad Curiam Romanam sacram Anchoram petiturum. Cui Johannes stupuisse se, scribit, de illa minaci & praejudiciali pagina. Sane, inquit, duo per nos vobis illata fuisse gravamina causamini: Primo, quod Henricum Stookes de pluralitate Beneficiorum ad nostrum evocavimus examen: Secundo, quod ipsum per Decanum de Arcubus citari fecimus; adjungentes, quod subditus Suffraganei Metropolitano non subest, quasi velitis jura Cantuar▪ Ecclesiae, quae tueri et defendere jurastis ad simplices Metropolitani limites coarctare. Decani autem de Arcubus processibus consuetis parare obicem nullatenus praesumatis: Pro certo scituri, quod jura Ecclesiae Cantuar. partim scripta, partim a doctoribus authenticis notata, partim pacifice obtenta longo provinciae usu intendimus contra omne hominum genus quantum poterimus constanti animo defensare. Thus did this Papal Arch-prelate, presuming on the Popes favor, domineer in this his Visitation over his whole Province, and subjugate it to his arbitrary power, which none of his predecessors attempted, much less effected till then. Having visited England, Archiepiscopus per Cestriam transiens Anno 1284. venit Walliam, ad reformandum statum Ecclesiae.

In this Visitation (as I conceive) he made and published a Decree, what Ornaments of Churches the Parishioners should provide and pay for, and what the Priests or Encumbents; wherein you may observe how many Popish unnecessary superfluities he imposed on the people, without and against the Law or their assents, to their great unnecessary expense. Statuta fratris Johannes Peckham Cantuariensis Archiepiscopi, ad doctrinum praesentium & memoriam futurorum. Cum plurimumque alte • catio inter Rectores Ecclesiarum in provincia Cantuariensi constitutos, eorumque Parochianos, sup • r variis ornamentis rebusque Ecclesiasticis, quae, & quanta, & quomodo ad Rectores pertineant infrascripta; quae autem ad eorum Par • chianos; & sic •• ercatum plerumque teneas pro doctrina quae sequitur, ut docti existant Parochiani in singulis subs • quentibus certiores; sciant, intelligant, & observent taliter universi, quod Calix, Missal, Vestimentum ipsius Ecclesiae principale, viz. Casula, Alba munda, Antictus, Manipulum, Zona, cum duabus Tuellis, Crux processionalis, a • ia Era mi • or pro mortuis, Feretrum, Thuribulum, Lucerne, cum Tintinnab • lo, Velum quadragesimale, Manuales, Vexilla, Campanae, Vas ad aquam benedictam, cum fall et pane, Osculatorium pacis, Cereum Pascale, cum Candelabro, Campanae in Campanili et cordae, Fontes cum seruris earundem, Reparatio navis Ecclesiae interius et exterius, tam in Altaribus quam in Ymaginibus; Fenestraeque vitr • ae, cum Clausuris Cimiteriorum, ad ipsos Parochianos pertinent omnia supradicta. Caetera autem omnia, tam in reparatione Cancelli, quam Ornamenta hujusmodi, interius et exterius, secundum diversas ordinationes & constitutiones approbatas, debent a locorum Rectoribus seu Vicariis reparari.

William Wickwane Archbishop of York, taking more care to provide for the stocking and improving of the Manors and Temporalties of the Archbishopric, for the benefit of his successors, then for feeding of the people's souls, having stocked his Demesns with Oxen, Horses, Sheep to manure and improve them, to perpetuate them to his successors, made this Ordinance by the Dean and Chapter of Yorks and the Kings consent, which the King confirmed at Acton Burnell, by his Royal Charter and Authority.

REX Archiepiscopis, &c. salutem. Inspeximus scriptum quod venerabilis pater Wilhelmus Eborum Archiepiscopus Angliae Primas, fecit in hac verba. Ad perpetuam memoriam subscriptorum in Dei nomine Amen. Dominus ac Redemp • or altissimus qui omnia rite composuit & recto ordine stabilivit suos nonnunquam temporaliter tangit, ut quos intrinseca meditatio ad pias occupations non allicit casus excitet exterior, qui contingit, quod penes eos qui ad successionem haereditatis Dominicae hiis diebus vocantur, praecipue est pensandum si statui viduatarum Ecclesiarum prospicere considerent, & perplexos superiorum Praelatorum ingressus examinent intimius ad easdem. En nunquid Praelati nostri temporis nudam successionem scilicet in Ecclesiarum temporalibus nudi post fuscum adeunt, & nonne dum sola gleba pro cultura necessariis destituta, relinquitur prolixioribus quasi mendicando temporibus curam gerunt. Hoc fiquidem innocentium oculi perhibent, & cotidiana revolutio in talibus evidencius manifestat, ex quibus plerumque accidit, quod spiritual meritum quod eminencius in Praelato requiritur, in temporale commercium laxius est conversum. Ea propter nos Wilhelmus permissione divina Eborum Archiepiscopus Angliae Primas, praefatis pie tacti oppressionibus & angustiis quas tam apud praedecessores nostros didicimus, quàm in nobismet ipsis re ipsa sensimus in ingressu, pro salute animae nostrae, et animarum Serenissimi Principis Domini Edwardi Dei gratia Regis Angliae illustris, & Dominae Alianorae consortis suae, necnon pro animabus bonae memory Domini Walteri de Grey praedecessoris nostri, & Domini Willielmi de Rotherfeld quondam Decani Ebor. ac ad successorum relevamen perpetuum, & Ebor. Ecclesiae, cui disponente Domino praefic • mur consolationem proficuam in futurum, intentis nisibus circa ista dies duximus occupati. Accedente igitur specially consensu et licentia Domini Edwardi Regis Angliae praedicti, ac Decani & Capituli nostri Ebor. voluntate unanimi occurrente, sic ordinando censuimus providendum; videlicet, quod quingenti & duo boves per majus centum, & quinquaginta quatuor equi ad agriculturam omnium Dominicarum terrarum ad Archiepiscopatum Ebor. necessarii, quos boves & equos una cum mille bidentibus, videlicet, quingentis multonibus & quingentis ovibus matricibus Archiepiscopis Ebor. nobis canonice successuris, & Ecclesiae nostrae Ebor. in hiis scriptis do •• mus, assignamus, de bonis nostris liberaliter conferimus & legamus, tam vacante seed Ebor. quam etiam ipsa plena in eodem numero integro quem superius expressimus, cum praedictis mille bidentibus in maneriis ad Archiepiscopatum Ebor. pertinentibus, ut inferius statim distinguitur, salvi ad usum & commodum maneriorum perpetuis temporibus conserventur. Remaneant scilicet in Balliva de Chirchedon apud Chichedon duo equ • carectarii cum car • cta, & triginta & sex boves, cum quatuor carrucis & atilliis. Item apud Norton octodecim boves, cum duabus carrucis & atilliis. Item apud Surdington novem boves, cum una carruca & atilliis. Item apud Cerney & Cumpton viginti & septem boves, cum tribus carrucis & atilliis, & duo equi carectarii cum carecta. Item apud Otingdon duo equi carectarii cum carecta, & viginti & septem boves, cum tribus carrucis & atilliis. Item remaneant in Balliva Suwell apud Suwell duo equi carectarii cum carecta, & triginta & sex boves, cum quatuor carrucis & atilliis. Item apud Ascham quatuor equi carectarii, cum carectis duabus, & triginta & sex boves, cum quatuor carrucis & atilliis. Item apud Scroby duo equi carectarii, cum una carecta, & octodecim boves, cum duabus carrucis & atilliis. Item remaneant in Balliva de Shireburn apud Shireburn quatuor equi carectarii, cum duabus carectis, & quadraginta & quinque boves, cum quinque carrucis & atilliis. Item apud Swychemund octodecim boves, cum duabus carrucis & atilliis. Item apud Cawode viginti & septem boves, cum tribus carrucis & atilliis, & octo boves, cum duobus plaustris. Item apud Grangiam Ebor. duo carectarii, cum una carecta, & viginti & septem boves, cum tribus carrucis & atilliis. Item remaneant in Balliva de Wilton apud Wilton viginti & septem boves, cum tribus carrucis & atilliis, & duo equi carectarii, cum una carecta. Item apud Wet • wang. octo equi, cum duabus carrucis & atilliis. Item remaneant in Balliva de Beverlaco apud Beverlacum quatuor equi carectarii, cum duabus carectis, & viginti & septem boves, cum tribus carrucis & atilliis. Item apud Burton quatuor equi carectarii, cum duabus carectis, & triginta & sex boves, cum quatuor carrucis & atilliis. Item apud Skyteby quatuor carectarii, cum duabus carectis, & viginti & septem boves, cum tribus carrucis & atilliis. Item apud Patingreton octodecim boves, cum duabus carrucis & atilliis. Item remaneant in Balliva Ripon apud Ripon decem equi carectarii, cum quinque carectis, & quaterviginti & novemdecim boves, cum undecim carrucis & atilliis. Item apud Otteley duo equi carectarii, cum una carecta, & oct • decim boves, cum duabus carrucis & atilliis. Item remaneant in Balliva de Hextildesham apud Hextildesham octodecim boves, cum duabus carrucis & atilliis. Item remaneant apud Patrington quingentae oves matrices, & apud Wilton quingenti multones de mille bidentibus antedictis. Qui quidem boves, equi & bidentes post decessum nostrum ad custodiam Domini Regis transeant, ipsisque utatur Dominus Rex in locis praedictis quamdiu Ebor. fuerit sedes vacans, et eos adeo bonos sicut eos recepit, et in eodem numero integre restituat nostro prorimo successori. Idem autem successor noster suis temporibus hiis utatur, & cum obierit vel cesserit illos in adeo bono statu quo eos recepit, Domino Regi dimittat in numero integro antedicto, et Rex fimiliter proximo successori, et sic deinceps. Ita quod nos, nec Dominus Rex, nec Custodes, per ipsum seu per haeredes suos deputandi seed vacante quandocumque, nec aliquis successor noster praedictos equos, boves, bidentes, vel aliquem singularem bovem, equum, vel bidentem possit vendere seu de hiis in testamento disponere, vel quovismodo alienare vel occidere, seu qualitercumque subtrahere quo minus praedictus numerus boum, equorum et bidentium, salvus semper et integer remaneat ut superius est expressum; set si capud aliquod subtractum fuerit aliquo modo praemissorum is sub quo subtractum fuerit, statim subroget aeq • e bonum. Cum vero aliqua capita vel capud aliquod praedictorum boum, equorum, vel bidentium casualiter vel alio modo interire contigerit, is sub cujus custodia casus seu dampnum evenerit, Dominus Rex scilicet si suo tempore, Archiepiscopus quidem quilibet si suo tempore, aliud adeo bonum et competens capud subroget loco sui. Ordinamus eciam de praedicti Domini Regis licentia et consensu, Capitulo nostro unanimiter annuente, quod Custodes quicumque fuerint Archiepiscopatus per Reges in vacacionibus Eborum Ecclesiae deputandi, per suum corporale juramentum coram Regibus ipsis singulis vicibus praestandum, ad praemissorum observacionem recitatis coram eis praedictis articulis specialiter obligentur. Et Archiepiscopi nobis successuri, tam in admissione temporalium a Regibus quam intronizatione sua Eborum, omnia superius ordinata servare solempniter et publice repromittant. Q • ae omnia praemissa per nos ordinata •• provisa utinam provide & distincta de Rege in Regem, & de Archiepiscopo in Archie •• s • opum sub obtestatione divinae vindictae in die districti Judicii, ubi sanctissimus ill Apostolorum Princeps *Petrus claviger aethereus patronus noster, de cujus honor agitur contravenientes in facie accusabit, imperpetuum fideliter observentur. In praemissorum vero fidem & testimonium sigillum nostrum apponi fecimus huic scripto. Dat. apud Novum locum in Scirewod. 9 Kal. Octobr. Anno gratiae M. CC. octogesimo tercio, & Pontificatus nostri anno quinto. Nos autem ordinationem praedictam ratam habentes et gratam, eam pro nobis et haered nostris quantum in nobis est concedimus et confirmamus, sicut scriptum praedictum rationabiliter testator. Hiis testibus venerabili patre R. Bathon. & Wellen. Episcopo Cancellario nostro, Edwardo fratre nostro, Gilberto de Clare Com. Glouc. & Heref. Henr. de Lacy Com. Linc. Rogero le Bigot Com. Norff. & Mareschallo Angliae, Johanne de Warren. Com. Surr. Johanne de Vescy, Ottone de Grandisono, Roberto fil. Johannes, Ricardo de Bosco, Eustach. de Hacche, & alios. Datum per manum nostram apud Acton Burnell sexto die Octobris.

William Thorn (a Monk of Canterbury) informs us, that Anno 1283. Nicholas Abbot of St. Augustine's Canterbury, ut confratres sui commodius possent vacare orationi & contemplationi, & ut in diversis libris quandoque studendi operam darent, ordinavit & statuit de consensu (Conventus) unanimi ad supradicta melius & uberius custodienda, ut de divinis Officiis, quae scilicet de regulae nostrae substantia non existant aliqualiter moderantur; abbreviating their long Divine Service in sundry particulars formerly used, upon this account, quod divinum officiū morosius & devotius ab omnibus sustentetur, & etiam in reliquo tempore in studiis & bonis occupationibus diligentius quisque se occuparet: For which he was so far from blame, that this Historian gives this Encomium of him; De praecedentibus non recolo me per eorum actus in regimine vidisse illum excellentem, nec vero in subsequentibus, surrexisse sibi coaequales. After which he being troubled in conscience about the unusual way of his election and confirmation at Rome, (as elected Abbot in forma compromissi by th • Treasurer and 5. Monks more, per speciale mandatum Prioris & Conventus, qui h • ic electioni secundum formam compromissi suum praebuêre consensum; not by the whole Covent assembled together, as in the usual form.) Istis sic actis, volens idem N. suam electionem celeriter expedire, habito processu electionis, literisque Regiis ac Magnatum simul optentis, apostolico conspectui se praesentavit: Processu in Curia diligenter examinata die S. Ambrosii confirmatus, Sancto die Paschae ab Episcopo Portuensi Cardinali de mandato Papae Nicholai Romae benedictus est, (no doubt for a great reward then given, which troubled his conscience.) Upon this account above 10. years after, he procured the Kings license to repair to Pope Martyn, where, without the Kings privity, and against his Prerogative, he resigned his Abby to the Pope, who by his Bulls (without the Kings royal assent, or Monks election) constituted Thomas de Fyndone Abbot; for which high usurpation on the Kings praerogative, the Temporalties of the Abbey were seised and detained in the Kings hands, till he paid a Fine of 400 Marks for this contempt, besides the mean profits amounting to 300 l. thus related by the same Monkish Historian. Nicholaus de Spina pastor hujus Ecclesiae per decem annos, & de sequenti per quatuor vel quinque septimanas gregem sibi commissam strenuissime rexisset, et ea quae prius in Romana Curia, ob zelum tamen Domus suae ibidem fecerat, mente revolvens, quia vir erat strictae conscientiae, videns seipsum pro hujusmodi causa in conscientia fore laesum, nec ulterius Pastoral officium posse sibi de caetero justo titulo competere; ipse petita licentia a Rege et obtenta, (eodem autem Rege causam sui transitus minime cognoscente) transfretavit; ipsoque coram Summo Pontifice conscientiam suam demonstrante, et eodem Pontifice super hujusmodi offensa cum eodem Nicholao libenter voluisse dispensasse; tamen ipse omnibus sepositis continue cessionem suam cum maxima instantia procuravit. Tandem die Pancrasii Martyris Dominus Apostolicus Martinus Papa 4. suam cessionem admisit. Qua admissa, idem Papa fratrem Thomam de Fyndone tunc tertium Priorem Sancti Augustini Cant. in Anglia existentem praefecit in Abbatem apud Urbem veterem, Anno Pontificatus sui tertio. Injunxit v • ro idem Papa eidem N. in sua cessione, ut nominaret sibi personam magis habilem Monasterii cui praesidebat. Ille vero praedictum Thomam denominavit esse virum prud • n •• m, moribus, scientia, & aetate multipliciter decoratum, in temporalibus & spiritualibus circumspectum. Et quia idem Papa notitiam illius personae temporibus retroactis memorialiter habebat, eidem denominationi libenter annuit & consensit: Egressae sunt ergo Bullae Papales, et in Octabis Apostolorum Petri et Pauli, eidem Thomae extiterant praesentatae, quae fuerunt lectae statim eodem die, praesentibus Comite Cornubiae, Stephano de Penecester, tunc Constabulario Dovoriae, Magistro Johanne de Lacy, & multis aliis; & statim idem Dominus Thomas, sic creatus in Abbatem, (of which he made no conscience, though against the Kings prerogative, and privilege of the Abbey) arripuit iter versus Regem, ad ostendendum illi Bullam Apostolicam; quem invenit apud Snouden apud Karnarvan 29 die Junii, qui Bullam cum dicto Abbate benign admisit. Et praedictus Dominus Thomas Abbas • idem Regi totum processum cessionis praedicti N. & etiam suaecreationis ore tenus expressit. Istis sic habitis benedictus est Londoniae die Sancti Ambrosii de mandato Domini Papae ab Archiepiscopo Dublinensi. Notwithstanding, upon better consideration, Cum vero fama laborasset sic de supradicta cessione, venit Escaetor Regis die Nativitatis Sancti Johannes Baptistae, et Abbatiam in manus Domini Regis seisivit, et eam tenuit tanquam Excaetam usque diem Mercurii proxime sequentem: quo die venit P. Huntingfeld Vicecomes Cantiae, & praedictam Abbatiam custodiendam recepit per tale Breve.

Edwardus, &c. Cum Abbas Sancti Augustini Cant. Abbatiam ejusdem loci in manum Domini Papae resignaverit, ut accepimus, tibi praecipimus, quod Abbatiam praedictam cum pertinentiis in manum nostram capias, & salvo custodiri facias, donec aliud inde tibi praeceperimus, ità quod de Exitibus ejusdem nobis respondere possis a tempore resignationis praedictae; Inquirens diligenter de tempore quo vacare incepit.

Et idem P. istam Abbatiam sic habuit custodiendam usque xx. diem Julii, quo die Dominus Rex per Breve suum tradidit Dominis Johanni de Bourne, & N. de Ryngelton dictam Abbatiam ad custodiendam. Qui eam custodiebant usque ad diem Sanctae Fidis Virginis, qua die Thomas de Fynden Abbas, fecit finem cum Domino Rege apud Acton Bournel. in Parliamento, pro eo quod sic fuerat creatus in Abbatem, licentia Domini Regis minime petita, pro 400 marcis; de quibus Rex remisit 100 ad instantiam Domini Episcopy Bitoniae nunc Cancellarii Regis. Et sic liberata fuit eidem Thomae Abbathia sua per literam Domini Regis patentem; Cujus tenor talis est.

Edwardus, &c. Militibus, liberis hominibus, & omnibus aliis Tenentibus de Abbatia Sancti Angustini Cant. salutem. Sciatis, quod cum Summus Pontifex per cessionem Nichola • nuper Abbatis dictae Abbatiae qui eam in manum suam resignavit, de persona Thomae de Fyndene, Monachi dicti Monaster • i tunc in Anglia existentis eidem Monasterio providerit, et ipsum praefecit in Abbatem, sicut per literas suas patentes nobis significavit: Nos eidem Thomae Abbati Temporalia ejusdem Abbatiae, cum Iuribus, Libertatibus, et omnibus aliis ad eandem pertinentibus, sicut praedecessores ejus tenuerunt, reddidimus. Et ideo vobis mandamus, quod eidem Thomae Abbati tanquam Domino vestro in omnibus, quae ad Abbathiam illam pertinent, intendentes sitis & respondentes.

Et sciendum est, quod Dominus Rex liberavit Abbathiam praedicto Domino Thomae Abbati, salvis sibi Exitibus Temporalium, a die Sancti Pancratii, quo die Abbatia capit vacare, usque diem Sanctae Fidis Virginis, quo die liberata fuerit Abbathia praedicto Abbati apud Acton Burnell, ut supra notatur, expensis Abbatis & Conventus & eorum familiae necessariis per idem tempus deductis; de quo tempore praedicti Abbas & Custodes, una cum Petro de Huntingfeld Vicecomiti Kantiae responderunt, videlicet de Tallagio assesso per idem tempus per diversa maneria xli l. xvi s. viii d. de Placitis & perquisitis omnium Curiarum xxx l. vi s. vi d. ob. Et de redditu assiso & forinseco lxxx l. x s. viii d. Et de venditione Bladi & Redditu in quibusdam Maneriis, praeter sustentationem Monachorum & eorum familiae liiii l. xiii s. ob. Et de omnibus aliis Exitibus & Consuetudinibus per idem tempus de diversis parcellis lxxxx l. xii s. iv d. Et est totalis Summa CCC l.

How ill the King resented this Innovation and usurpation of the Pope, and what care he took to prevent it for the future, by advice of his Council, before he would restore this Abbot (made by the Popes provision, without his royal assent, or due election) to the Temporalties, after his Fire for th • s contempt, this Record more fully informs us then this partial Monk • sh Historian.

REX omnibus, &c salut • m. Cum Nicholaus nuper Abbas S. Augustini Cantuariensis, cui licentiam dedimus peregre proficiscendi ad Sanctum Benedictum in Monte Cassino, ad Curtam Romanam accedendo, Abbatiae suae dictae in praesentia Summi Pontisicis, nobis inconsultis, cesserit; per quod idem Summus Pontifex de persona dilecti nobis in Christo Thomae de Fyndon Monachi dicti Monasterii, tunc in Anglia existentis, eidem Abbatiae providit, vacatione dictae Abbatiae nobis minime nunciara, nec petita vel optenta per Priorem et Conventum ejusdem Monasterii a nobis, prout moris est, licentia eligendi sibi alium in Abbatem, nec etiam assensu Regio, prout ad Coronam et Dignitatem nostram pertinet, requisito; quod in exhaeredationis nostrae periculum (quod absit) de facili redundaret. Nos audito rumore de Uacatione praedicta, ne ex facto hujusmodi periculum Exhaeredationis posset in posterum in casu consimili nobis et haeredibus nostris imminere, Abbatiam illam in manum nostram cepimus, et Custodes nostros deputavimus ad ipsam Abbatiam custodiendam. Ita quod de Exitibus inde provenientibus nobis responderent ad Scaccarium nostrum, et per finem Quadringenta Marcarum, quem idem Thomas Abbas dicti Monasterii nobiscum fecit; de quibus Centum Marcas eidem pardonavimus ad instantiam venerabilis Patris R. Bathon. et Wellen. Episcopy Cancellarii nostri; et remisimus et pardonavimus praedictis Thomae Abbati & Conventui transgressionem nobis factam in hac parte; salva nobis et haeredibus nostris in omnibus Regia dignitate, ut Prior et Conventus Abbatiae praedictae, qui pro tempore erunt, in singulis vacationibus futuris ejusdem Abbatiae, vacationes illas nobis nuncient, et eligendi licentiam petant, necnon et Regium assensum requirant: Et salva nobis et haeredibus nostris custodia dictae Abbatiae, et perceptionem Exituum temporalium ejusdem in vacationibus praedictis, prout fieri debet et consuevit tempori • us retroactis. In cujus, &c. Teste Rege apud Acton Burnel 7. die Octobris.

After which, the King issued this special Writ to restore the Temporalties of the Abby to this intruded Abbot, reserving the mean profits thereof to himself.

REX dilectis & fidelibus suis Johanni de Bourne, & Nicholao de Ryngelton, Custodibus Abbatiae Sancti Augustini Cantuariensis, salutem. Cum Summus Pontifex per cessionem Nicholai nuper Abbatis dictae Abbatiae, eam in manum suam resignantis, de persona Thomae de Fyndone Monachi dicti Monasterii, tunc in Anglia existentis, eidem Monasterio providerit, et ipsum praefecerit in Abbatem, sicut per literas suas patentes nobis significaverit; Nos eidem Thomae Abbati Abbatiam illam cum pertinentiis, in forma per nos et Consilium nostrum provisa, reddidimus. Et ideo vobis mandamus, quod eidem Thomae Abbati Temporalia ejusdem Abbatiae, cum Juribus, Libertatibus & omnibus ad eam pertinentibus, sicut praedecessores ejus tenuerunt, restituatis; Salvis novis Exitibus Temporalium dictae Abbatiae, a die Sancti Pancratii Martyris in Maio, (quo die caepit vacare) usque ad diem Sanctae Fidis Virginis. Expensis Abbatis et Conventus, et eorum necessariae familiae per idem tempus duntaxat deductis, sicut vobis per literas nostras demandavimus. In cujus, &c. Teste Rege apud Acton Burnell. 8. die Octobris.

Et mandatum est Militibus, Liberis hominibus, & omnibus aliis Tenentibus de Abbatia Sancti Augustini Cantuar. quod eidem Thomae Abbati tanquam Domino suo in omnibus quae ad Abbatiam pertinent intendentes sint, &c. In cujus, &c. Teste ut supra.

This Abbey of St. Augustine's becoming greatly impoverished and indebted by this Abbots voyage to, and great bribes, gifts in the Court of Rome; the King issued this Writ to the Tenants thereof for an aid, to relieve and defray the debts thereof.

REX Militibus, Liberis hominibus, & omnibus aliis Tenentibus de Abbacia S • ncti Augustini Cantuariae salutem. Cum Abbacia praedicta per adversitates quamplurimas in tantum sit oppressa & aere alieno onerata, quod nisi Domui illi vestro suffragio mediante subveniatur, Monachos Deo famulantes ibidem aut mendicare, vel in dispersionem mitti ex necessitate oportebit in brevi, ut accepimus. Nos statum Domus supradictae pie compatientes, et pro relevatione ejusdem Domus sollicitudinem gerentes, affectuose requirimus & rogamus quatinus Abbati & Conventui loci supradicti competens Subsidium ad Domus suae relevationem et suorum acquietacionem debitorum liberaliter impendere velitis et benign, ut inde vobis teneamur ad grates, ac in agendis vestris merito gratiam a nobis reportare debeatis et favorem. In cujus, &c. Teste Rege apud Acton Burnell. xxii. die Octobris.

What transactions passed between the King and his French Bishops this year in Gascoigne, concerning the settling of differences between them, these Records will inform us.

REX omnibus, &c. salutem. Sciatis quod nos dilectis & fidelibus nostris Johanni de Greilliaco Militi Senescallo nostro Vasconiae, & Magistris Bonetto de Sancto Quintino, & Reymundo de Ferrariis, vel duobus ipsorum quos praesentes esse contigerit, damus & concedimus plenam & liberam potestatem & speciale mandatum componendi, concordandi, pacificandi, ordinandi, & eciam compromittendi alte & basse, cum poena vel sine poena, sub forma de qua sibi videbitur expedire, pro nobis & haeredibus nostris cum venerabili patre Amaneno Dei gratia Archiepiscopo Auxitan. super advocatione temporalitatis suae et Archiepiscopatus sui. Promittentes nos ratum habituros & gratum quicquid per dictos procuratores & attornatos nostros, vel duos ipsorum quos praesentes esse contigerit, super praemissis & singulis praemissorum simul vel divisim concedendo, remittendo, declarando, permutando, vel alias fuerit compositum, ordinatum, concordatum, seu ab assumendis & eligendis, arbitris vel arbitratoribus dictum, pronunciatum, vel eciam arbitratum. In cujus, &c. Dat. apud Aberconwey in Snaudon. xxv. die Aprilis.

REX omnibus, &c. salutem. Sciatis quod nos dilectis & fidelibus nostris Johanni de Greillaco, &c. (Verbatim as before.) Damus & concedimus plenam & liberam potestatem & speciale mandatum componendi, &c. pro nobis & haeredibus nostris cum venerabili patre Episcopo, & discretis viris Capitulo Vasaten. super omnibus & singulis controversies & quaestionibus haereditariis, & aliis quibuscunque quae sunt, & esse possunt inter nos & gentes Vasconiae ex parte una, & praefatos Episcopum et Capitulum Vasaten. ex altera. Promittentes, &c. In cujus, &c. Dat. ut supra.

What Jurisdiction over Ecclesiastical Persons, affairs and Elections the King this year exercised in Ireland, these Records will inform us.

J. Archiepiscopus Armachanus, qui de licentia Regis prosecturus est ad partes transmarinas, habet literas Regis de protectione, cum clausula, Volumus, &c. praesentibus, &c. per unum annum duraturis. Teste Rege apud Alberfron. secundo die Augusti.

REX omnibus, &c. salutem. Sciatis quod concessionem quam venerabilis pater N. Archiepiscopus Armachanus de consensu Capituli sui fecit, ad fabricam Ecclesiae Armachanae, de quodam annuo redditu viginti marcarum usque ad terminum viginti annorum percipiendarum de Villa sua de Termenfetlym, & tenemento suo in eadem Villa, ratam habemus et acceptam, salvo jure quod ad nos inde pertinet tempore vacationis Archiepiscopatus praedicti. In cujus, &c. Teste Rege apud Alberfron. 3 die Augusti.

REX electioni nuper sactae in Ecclesia Conventuali de Dymelek, de fratre Nicholao Celerario ejusdem Domus in Abbatem ejusdem loci, Regium assensum adhibuit et favorem. Et hoc significatum est Domino N. Archiepiscopo Armachano Hiberniae Primati, ut quod suum est in hac parte exequatur. In cujus, &c. Teste Rege apud Bangor. 11 die Julii.

REX S. Waterfordensi Episcopo, Justiciario Hiberniae, salutem. Cum electioni nuper factae in Ecclesia Conventuali de Dymelek, de fratre Nicholao Celerario ejusdem Domus in Abbatem ejusdem loci, Regium assensum adhibuerimus et favorem: Nos considerantes quod idem Electus circa prosecutionem electionis praedictae multum laboraret, si ea occasion ad nostram praesentiam accederet, & volentes suis laboribus & expensis parcere in hac parte, vobis mandamus, quod si conti • gat Electum praedictum in Abbatem loci praedicti canonice confirmari; tunc recepta ab ipso Electo fidelitate in casu isto nobis debita, Temporalia Abbatiae praedictae eidem prout moris est liberetis. Receptis prius ab ipso Electo literis suis patentibus sigillo suo, et sigillo Capituli Ecclesiae praedictae consignatis, quod haec gratia nostra quam eidem Electo ad praesens ex mera liberalitate nostra fecimus, nobis vel haeredibus nostris non cedat in praejudicium vel exhaeredationem, seu trahatur in consuetudiuem vel consequentiam temporibus futuris. In cujus, &c. Teste ut supra.

REX Justiciario suo Hiberniae qui pro tempore fuerit, vel ejus locum tenenti, salutem. Cum dudum ad instantiam karissimae consortis nostrae Alianorae Reginae Angliae, promiserimus Ricardo de Geyton Clerico, quod eidem de Ecclesiastico beneficio curaremus in Hibernia providere, & Justiciariis nostris partium illarum qui pro tempore fuerint pluries mandaverimus, quod dicto Ricardo vice nostra de hujusmodi beneficio providerent, nec dum ipse ex promissione & mandatis nostris praedictis promotionem illam fuerit assecutus, volentes promissionem nostram praedictam quamcitius facultatem habuerimus effectui mancipari: Vobis mandamus, quod praefato Ricardo de aliquo Ecclesiastico beneficio Praebendali, vel alio usque ad valorem Seraginta Librarum, quod in partibus illis proximo vacare contigerit, et ad donationem nostram spectare faciatis nostro nomine provideri, et prae caeteris omnibus id conferri. In cujus, &c. Teste Rege apud Aberconwey in Snaudon. 15 die Junii.

REX electioni nuper celebratae in Ecclesia Enagdunensi in Hibernia de discreto viro Magistro Johanne de Ufford in Episcopum ejusdem loci, Regium assensum adhibuit et favorem. Et hoc omnibus quorum interest significatum est per praesentes. In cujus, &c. Teste Rege apud Aberconwey in Snaudon. 16 die Marcii.

Matthew Westminster stories, that this year in Alemannia apparuit Fredericus quondam Imperator Romanus, secundum opiniones diversas sophisticus, sive (ut alii sentiunt) verus: Antea namque secundum quosdam per 32. annos mortuus dicebatur. Secundum vero relationem ipsius, per tempus praedictum mundo incognitus latuit in habitu peregrino. Nunc se Imperatorem ostendit, argumento visibili & indiciis manifestis, Imperialem vendicans dignitatem. Fredericus itaque dum Imperio fungeretur, et Ecclesiae adversaretur Romanae, ^b per ipsam privabatur Imperiali nomine et honor, per universalem Ecclesiam Excommunicationis vinculo innodatus, per Papam Innocentium quartum, in Concilio Lugdunensi. Post cujus dejectionem, in regno Alemanniae per electionem regnabant tres Comites successive, scilicet, Gulielmus Holandiae, Richardus Cornubiae, & Rodulphus, qui in ista apparitione Frederici, possessioni regni Alemanniae incumbebat, vocationem suam ad Diadema Imperii expectando. Inopinatum illud phantasma apperiens in Alemannia Fredericus, igne combustus periit hoc anno. In imitation of the Emperor Fredericks double Excommunication and deprivation by Pope Gregory 9. & Innocent 4. this year, Petrus Aragonum per Papam (Martinum 4.) sententia majoris Excommunicationis ligabatur, praecipiebaturque sub poena praedicta, ne quis eum scienter et prudenter Regem audeat nominare; pro eo, quod inconsulta Romana Ecclesia, Regnum invasit Siciliae. But notwithstanding this Excommunication, recesso Carolo Rege in Apuliam, Siculi contra eum Neopolim cum viginti septem galeis venerunt armatis. Adversus quos Carolus filius Regis Caroli tunc Princeps Achaiae egressus est cum magna galearum multitudine ad pugnandum; obtinentibus victoriam hostibus, Carolus captus est cum multis aliis, & ad Civitatem Messanam d • ductus captivus. Soon after, out of grief for this defeat, mortuns est Carolus Rex Siciliae, cujus regni & filiorum tutela Papa Martinus Robertum Comitem Atrabatens • m constituit, largitus eidem pro hac re pecuniae magnam summam. The next year (Anno 1285.) at this Popes instigation, de terra Franciae egrediens Rex Philippus cum innumerabili exercitu bellatorum, Arragoniam properavit, illam proponens suo Imperio subjugare, juxta donationem Papae Martino filio suo Carolo. Ad quam veniens regionem, quaedam Castra & Villas, fretus auxilio Summi Pontificis obtinuit, qui contra Petrum, quondam Principem terrae illius nomine Regis privatum, Legatum transmisit ibidem. Hic dictus Petrus Tolet, occidi permisit tam Ecclesiasticas quam seculares personas quae sententiam Ecclesiasticam multoties repetitam nullatenus formidabant. King Edward the 1. at the request of the Abbot of St. 'Denys in France, endeavored all he could to compose these Wars and differences between these Kings and Peter, for the better relief of the Holy Land, and the common good and peace of the Christian Church and Christianity; but his Nuncioes sent for that end were rejected by the Popes Legate, as this Letter of his to the Abbot informs us.

REX Abbati Sancti Dionysii in Francia, salutem. Super dissensione inter Dominum vestrum Regem Franciae, & Dominum Regem Siciliae, ex una parte, & Petrum Draponensem & fautores suos ex altera exorta, ac Regni Siciliae per eundem P. occupatione facta, dolemus novit altissimus vehementer, & si ad causam dissensionum inter ipsos pacificandam & sedandam opem operam & consilium impendere possemus utique gauderemus. Et hoc ob amorem quem erga Reges gerimus et gerere debemus memoratos, et etiam pro statu Terrae Sanctae et Regum praedictorum, ac insuper Christianitatis commodo universae; Et super eo quod proprio motu vestro usque praeter dicti Domini vestri Regis conscientiam nos ad hoc excitare voluistis, vestrae benevolentiae quantum possumus gratiamur, discretionem vestram in hoc specialiter commendantes. Et quia nuncii nostri quos nuper in Vasconiam destinavimus, circa hoc de mandato nostro laborare volentes per Sacrosanctae Romanae Ecclesiae Legatum, ibidem in hac paciebantur repulsam, sicut vos credimus non latere, circumspectionem vestram affectuose requirimus & rogamus, quatinus vos qui Deum et pacem diligitis & cernitis, quanta bona ex hujusmodi pacis reformatione poterunt provenire, nobis consilium & avisamentum vestrum significare velitis, cujusmodi consilium & diligentiam apponere poterimus in praemissis. Nos enim ad honorem Dei, et Ecclesiae iuae Sanctae, et commodum et tranquillitatem partium praedictarum, ac etiam totius Christianitatis, cons • lium quantum poterimus libenti animo apponemus. Dat. apud Ebor. 12 die Januarii, anno regni nostri duodecimo.

These pious Christian endeavors of the King for peace, being insolently rejected by the Popes Legate, the issue of the War this year (which he fomented) was so tragical to all parties, that Peter of Aragon died of a wound received in battle with the French, King Philip and Pope Martin both died of sickness, about the same time the French were likewise expelled Portugal, and Alphonso (Peters son) succeeded his father, notwithstanding the Popes Excommunications and deprivation, which then were not formidable, but contemptible even in Sicily, Aragon, Italy, and Rome itself.

King Edward in the 12. year of his reign, to keep a good correspondence with the Pope, his Cardinals, Notaries, and other Officers in the Court of Rome, to promote his own affairs and designs, upon receipt of Pope Martins Bull and Acquittance, issued these ensuing Warrants for the payment of two years arrears of 1000 Marks for England and Ireland, granted by King John, then due and demanded by the Pope; as likewise for payment of several arrears of Pensions he had granted to Cardinals and others, as these Writs in the Liberate Roll of that year assure us.

REX Thes • urariis & Camerariis suis, salutem. Liberate de Thesauro nostro in termino Sancti Michaelis proximo futuro, Magistro Giffredo de Sancto Verano Clerico Domini Papae, duo millia Marcarum, quae a retro sunt eidem pro duobus annis transactis; videlicet, annis regni nostri decimo, et undecimo, de annuo censu mille Marcarum, quem eidem Domino Papae debemus; & recipiatis à praefato Mag • stro Giffredo literas suas patentes, solutionem dictae pecuniae testificantes, et Bullam Domini Papae, quam vobis super hoc exhibebit; et eandem Bullam una cum literis patentibus praedict • s, et etiam Bullam quam dictus Dominus Papa nobis pro pecunia praedicta transmisit, et quam vobis misimus, penes vos sub custodia reservetis. Teste Rege apud Carnarvan. 7 die Julii.

REX Thesaurar. & Camerar. suis, salutem. Liberate de Thesauro nostro Baruncino Gual • eri & sociis suis Mercatoribus nostris de Luk. sexaginta Marcas, per manus suas liberandas venerabili patri Domino Matthaeo Sanctae Mariae in Portieu Diacono Cardinali, de termino Natalis Domini anno regni nostri duodecimo, de annuo feodo suo seraginta Marcarum, quod ei concessimus percipiend. ad Scaccarium nostrum. Nisi pecunia illa sibi prius fuerit liberata per aliud breve nostrum. Et recipiatis a praefatis Mercatoribus literas suas patentes receptionem dictae pecuniae testificantes. Teste Rege apud Carnarvan. 22 die Octobris.

REX eisdem salutem. Liberate de Thesauro nostro eidem Baruncino & sociis praed • ctis Quinquaginta Marcas, per manus suas liberandas venerabili patri Domino Jacobo Sanctae Mariae in Cosmedyn. Diacono Cardinali, de terminis Paschae et Sancti Michaelis anni regni nostri duodecimi, de annuo feodo suo Quinquaginta Marcarum, quod ei concessimus percipiend. ad Scaccarium nostrum. Nisi, &c. Et recipiatis, &c. ut supra. Teste ut supra.

REX eisdem salutem. Liberate de Thesauro nostro eidem Baruncino & sociis suis praedictis Viginti Marcas, per manus suas liberandas dilecto Clerico nostro Magistro Angelo Domini Papae Notario, de terminis Paschae et Sancti Michaelis anni regni nostri duodecimi, de annuo feodo suo Viginti Marcarum, quod de nobis percipit ad Scaccarium nostrum. Nisi, &c. Et recipiatis, &c. Teste ut supra.

Moreover the King writ and sent these ensuing Letters to these and other Cardinals and Officers of the Roman Court, partly to excuse his not writing particularly to them by his Messengers, and his seising the Dismes collected for the Holy Land, and likewise to thank them for their former pains, care, and desiring their futured ligence in promoting his affairs, as these Writs assure us, which I rescued out of the Rubbish in the White Tower.

EDwardus Dei gratia Rex Angliae, Dominus Hiberniae, & Dux Aquitania, venerabili viro Clerico & amico suo dilecto B. de Neapoli Domini Papae Notario, salutem & dilectionem sinceram. Querelam licet occultam quam missae nobis per dilectum Clericum nostrum Magistrum Gresham de Sancto Georgio vestrae literae continebant, ex eo videlicet, quod novissime per nuncios nostros non fuit amicus antiquus nostris literis visitatus, intelleximus diligenter, illud in excusatioms nostrae subsidium rescribentes, quod • irmiter credebamus nos vobis scripsisse per nancios memoratos, licet per oblivionem fuerit praetermissum; unde oblivioni amicus imputet, quod literatorie non extitit visitatus, & firmiter • eneat, quod de saetero Regiis visitabitur literis sicut ill quem puro cord diligimus, et a quo g • ata servicia recepisse recolimus, et recipere in futurum speramus quociens nuncios ad Romanam Curiam mittere nos continget; super statu vero nostro praefatus Clericus noster vos certificare poterit viva voice. Valete. Dat. apud Montem altum in Wallia 5 die Octobris, anno regni nostri duodecimo.

EDwardus Dei gratia Rex Angliae, Dominus Hiberniae, & Dux Aquitaniae, venerandae discretionis viro amico suo dilecto Magistro Petro de Petrisgrossis Sanctae Romanae Ecclesiae Vicecancellario, salutem & sincerae dilectionis affectum. Cum sic • t ex insinuatione venerabilis patris Domini H. Tituli Laurentii in Lucina Presbyteri Cardinalis, & ex relacione dilecti Clerici nostri Stephani de Sancto Georgio nuper intelleximus super renovatione & registratione literarum Apostolicarum negetia nostra continentium, vos exhibueritis ad requisitionem ipsorum contemplatione nostri promptos, favorabiles et benignos; Nos id gratum habentes quamplurimum et acceptum, discretioni vestrae gratiarum referimus uber • imas a •• iones, rogantes attentius quatinus negotia nostra cum tractabuntur in Curia, habere velitis semper nostri amoris intuitu favorabiliter et utiliter common • ata. Et si quae per nos fieri poterunt, quae honorem vestrum respiciant, ea libenti animo faciemus cum a vobis fuerimus requisiti. Valete. Dat. apud Hopam in Wallia 4 die Octobris, anno regni nostri duodecimo.

VEnerabili in Christo Patri amico suo charissimo Domino M. Dei gratia Sanctae Mariae in Porticu Diacono Cardinali, Edwardus Dei gratia Rex Angliae, Dominus Hiberniae, & Dux Aquitaniae, salutem, cum sincerae dilectionis affectu. Literas vestras quas nobis per dilectum Clericum nostrum Magistrum de Sancto Georgio transmisistis gratanter nos noveritis recepisse, ac per ease intellexisse tenorem ipsarum, ac rumores Curiae quorum dictus Clericus nobis recolit viva voice. De mission vero amicabili literarum ipsarum, vobis gratiarum referimus uberrimas actiones, Paternitatem vestram affectuose rogantes, quod tam de vestro quam de prafatae Curiae statu, una cum rumoribus ipsarum partium nos velitis quociens vobis affuerit Nunciorum oportunitas reddere certiores. Licet autem ut scripsistis, petitions nostrae ad plenum non fuerint erauditae, id tamen aequanimiter sustinemus, sperantes, quod processu temporis plenius expedientur vestro consueto auxilio mediante, ob quod obtinendum cum requisiti fueritis, solicit si placet, et amicabiliter vigiletis. Placidus sane occurrit & gratus auditui nostre, articulus quem misistis, videlicet, quod credebatis quod Decima regni nostri et terrarnm nostrarum ne alienata fuerit, nec distracta, nec aliquibus obligata, licet de societate in societatem praedictae Decimae depositum commutetur, et nos vobiscum credimus illud idem, vobis attente regratiantes de favore quo alios nuncios nostros fuistis nostri gratia prosecuti, quamvis benevolentia vestra super hoc modicitatis possibilitatem allegetur. Caeterum super status nostri continentia praefatus Clericus vos certificare poterit viva voice. Valete. Dat. apud Montem altum 5 die Octobris, anno regni nostri duodecimo.

EDwar • us Dei gratia Rex Angliae, Dominus Hiberniae, & Dux Aquitaniae, venerabili viro amico & Clerico suo dilecto Domino Percivallo de Lovania Domini Papae Capellano, Canonico Eboracensi, salutem, et sincerae dilectionis affectum. Literas vestras gratanter recepimus, quae nobis per dilectum Clericum nostrum Magistrum Stephanum de Sancto Georgio transmisistis, quarum tenorem & rumores regionum ipsarum quos idem Clericus noster ex parte vestra nobis viva voice retulit intelleximus diligenter, de mission literarum ipsarum & certificatione praedictorum rumorum, gratiarum vobis referentes uberrimas actiones, et rogantes quatinus tam de statu vestro, quam de rumoribus ipsarum partium nos velitis cr • bris literarum missionibus reddere certiores. De eo vero quod nobis per eund • m Clericum intimastis, videlicet, quod vos in Clericum nostrum apud Assisium abolim recepimus, respondemus, quod receptionem illam ratificamus, et de novo vos in Clericum nostrum admittimus. Ita quod ubicumque fueritis, Clericus noster si • is, et de beneficio favoris nostri sicut noster Clericus gaudeatis. Causam tamen quam vobis super hoc literas nostras patentes non concessimus, & etiam continentiam status nostri, praefatus Clericus noster vobis exponere poterit oraculo vivae vocis. De falcone autem quem ad opus nostrum facitis custodire, vobis regraciamur ex cord, & affectaremus libenter quos vos essetis & nullus alius falconarius in portando, ut tam de ipso quam de vestris falconibus mutuis possemus solaciis recreari. Dat. apud Montem altum in Wallia 5 die Octobris, anno regni nostri duodecimo.

SUo W. de Hamelton, salutem. Faciatis fieri quandam literam supplicatoriam nomine Domini Regis Magistro Hugoni de Evesham Sedis Apostolicae Cardi • ali, pro Alano de Thorneton Domini Regis Clerico, pro negotiis ipsius Alani quae in Curia Rom • na habet expedienda, &c. Dat. apud Sanctum Asaphum septimo die Octobris.

The King out of his affection to the Abbey, Abbot, and Covent of Westminster, issued this Writ to the Treasurer and Barons of the Exchequer, to inquire of all their Liberties, and of all Liberties belonging to any exempt Abbot, and to certify him thereof in the next Parliament, that so he might therein grant them such further Liberties as he and h • s Council should deem convenient by his Sovereign Authority, which Abbey he honored, loved before other Abbeys.

EDwardus Dei gratia Rex Angliae, Dominus Hiberniae, & Dux Aquitaniae, Thesaurario & Baronibus suis de Scaccario salutem. Cum propter b • nivolentiam & affectionem specialem quam progenitores nostri Reges Angliae erga Abbatiam Sancti Petri Westmonasterii, & Abbates & Monachos Deo ibidem deservientes habuerunt, & quam nos erga eosdem habemus, ob multas causas quae nos ad hoc movere debent, velimus ut Abbatia illa, et maxim vacationum temporibus adeo libera sit sicut aliqua Abbacia regni nostri exempta sicut ipsa est; Vobis mandamus, quod tàm per scrutinium rotulorum Scaccarii nostri praedicti, quàm aliis modis quibus melius & evidencius scire poteritis, diligenter inquiratis cujusmodi & quibus libertatibus Abbatia illa exempta, aliis Abbaciis de regno nostro in libertatibus & libertatum juribus praeeminentiorem & magis liberam fore decreveritis, ac Abbates Abbaciae ejusdem quaecumque fuerint gaudeant & utantur; & nos super eo quod per hujusmodi rotulorum scrutinium, aut alio modo per vos inveniri contigerit, in proximo Parliamento nostro reddatis certiores, ut cum tunc super praemissis plenius certiorati fuerimus, praefatis Abbati & Conventui Westmonasterii, et Ecclesiae suae ibidem, libertates quas sibi expedire viderimus concedamus, et faciamus ratificari, prout id. . de Consilio nostro tunc duxerimus providendum, cum ipsam praecipue inter alias honorare et diligere teneamur rationibus supradictis.

He likewise ratified their election of a New Abbot approved by the Pope, and restored his Temporalties.

REX dilecto & fideli suo Malcolmo de Harleye Custodi Abbatiae Westmonasterii, salutem. Cum sanctissimus in Christo Pater Martinus Dei providentia sacrosanctae Romanae ac universalis Ecclesiae Summus Pontifex, Electionem nuper factam in Ecclesia Sancti Petri Westmonasterii de fratre Waltero de Wenlock Monacho Westmonasteriensi in Abbatem ejusdem loci, cui prius Regium adhibuimus assensum et favorem, confirmaverit; sicut per literas ipsius Domini Papae bullatas nobis constat; cepimus fidelitatem ipsius Abbatis, et ei Temporalia ejusdem Abbatiae restituimus. Et ideo vobis mandamus, quod eidem Abbati Temporalia hujusmodi sine dilatione restituatis. Teste Rege apud Baladonthlyn. 20 die Junii.

Two Executors being excommunicated this year by the Bishop of London, were taken upon a significavit, by a Writ of Capias Excommunicatum by the Sheriffs of London, and imprisoned in Newgate, yet released by them before satisfaction given to the Church, upon a false suggestion, and a Writ de Cautione admittenda; the King upon the Bishops complaint writ to the Bishop to certify him of the truth thereof.

EDwardus Dei gratia Rex Angliae, Dominus Hiberniae, & Dux Aquitaniae, venerabili in Christo patri R. eadem gratia Londoniensi Episcopo salutem. Sane nuper ad denunciationem vestram Vicecomitibus nostris London. mandaverimus, quod Ricardum de la Knolle, & Robertum de Montibus, tanquam excommunicate • s et claves Ecclesiae contempnentes, per corpora sua, secundum consuetudinem Angliae Iusticiares, donec Sanctae Ecclesiae tam de contemptu quam de injuria ei illata ab eis esset satisfactum, et iidem Excommunicati ea occasion aliquandiu in prisona nostra de Newegate ob hoc detenti; et postea, ut dicitur, inde deliberati fuerint: Nos super modo deliberacionis praedictae quibusdam de causis certiorari volentes, Vobis mandamus, sicut aliàs mandavimus, quod id quod per vos in hac parte actum fuerit distinct & aperte nobis significetis, remittentes nobis hoc Breve. Teste meipso apud Blidam 21 die Januarii, Anno Regni nostri undecimo.

Whereupon the Bishop made this Certificate to the King.

EXcellentissimo Domino suo Edwardo, Dei gratia Regi Angliae, Domino Hiberniae, & Duci Aquitania; R. eadem miseratione Londoniensis Ecclesiae Minister ster humilis, salutem in Domino, cum omni reverentia et honor. Noverit Dominatio vestra, quod post quam ad denunciationem nostram, Ricardum de la Knolle, & Robertum de Montibus, Executores Testamenti Magistri Ricardi de Stanes tanquam Excommunicatos et claves Ecclesiae contempnentes, per Vicecomites London. Justiciari per corpora sua praecepi •• is, donec Ecclesiae Sanctae tam de contemptu quam de injuria ei illata ab eis satisfactum fuis • et, ad suggestionem dictorum Ricardi & Roberti praefatis Vicecomitibus London. breve vestrum mandastis, ut ad nos in personis propriis accedentes, nos ex parte vestra monerent & inducerent efficaciter, quod accepta ab ipsis Ricardo & Roberto cautione idonea de parendo mandatis Eccl • siae in • orma Iuris, quam nos suggesserunt respuisse, l. cet frequenter oblatam, ips • s absolveremus et mandaremus a carcere liberari, & si hoc in praesen • ia dictorum Vicecomitum facere nollemus, tunc ipsi Vicecomites dictos Ricardum et Robertum a prisona liberarent, si ea occasion & non alia in ea fuissent detenti. Licet autem dict • Vicecomites non per se, set per manum cujusdam Clerici nobis breve pr • dictum ostendissent, nos Officiali nostri statim literas nostras direximus, continentes, quod recepta cautione idonea de parendo mandatis Ecclesiae super hiis pro quibus excommunicati fuerunt, ipsos absolveret, et a carcere faceret liberari, set has nostras literas praefatus Clericus Vic. recipiens, ipsos Officiali nostro nullatenus assignavit, sicut ab eodem Officiali est testatum, nichilominus tamen audivimus, quod praedicti Ricardus & Robertus sunt à carcere liberati nulla satisfaction Ecclesiae praescita, per quos tamen et qualiter haec liberatio processerit ignoramus. Bene semper valeat Excellencia vestra per tempora longiora. Dat. apud Blaketun. 15. Kal. Marcii, anno Domini 1283.

Dorso. Excellentissimo Principi Domino E. Dei gratia Regi Angliae illustri.

The King upon this Certificate, issued this new Writ to the said Sheriffs for their caption and reimprisonment, and likewise to bring them before him at a certain day, to answer this abuse.

EDwardus Dei gratia Rex Angliae, Dominus Hiberniae, & Dux Aquitaniae, Vicecomitibus London. salutem. Cum nuper ad denunciationem venerabilis patris R. London Episcopy vobis praeceperimus, quod Ricardum de la Knolle, & Robertum de Montibus Excommunicatos et claves Ecclesiae contempnentes per corpora sua justiciaretis, secundùm consuetudinem Angliae, donec Sanctae Ecclesiae tam de contemptu quam de injuria ei illata ab eis esset satisfactum, et iidem excommunicati aliquandiu in prisona nostra de Newegate ob hoc detenti fuissent, et postmodum nulla omnino inde facta satisfaction, aut praestita cautione, ut moris est, de parendo juri, per Walterum le Blunt, & Auketinum de Betevill tunc Vicecomites London. a prisona praedicta deliberati sunt, in laesionem libertatis Ecclesiasticae, et nostri contemptum manifestum; sicut ex ipsius Episcopy querela accepimus, super quo nec immerito miramur & movemur: Vobis praecipimus firmiter injungentes, quod praedictos excommunicatos, nisi modo legitimo a praedicta prisona deliberati fuerint qua detinebantur occasion praedicta, iterato capt, et per corpora sua justiciari faciatis, juxta formam prioris mandati nostri vobis inde directi. Et nichilominus venire faciatis coram nobis praefatos Walterum & Auketinum in Crastino Sancti Laurencii ubicumque tunc fuerimus in Regno nostro, ad faciendum & recipiendum quod justum fuerit in praemissis, & habeatis ibi hoc breve. Teste meipso apud Karnarvan. 6 die Julii. Anno regni nostri duodecimo.

The Archbishop of Canterbury having excommunicated and interdicted some of the Tenants belonging to the Abbey of Fiscan in England, over whom he had no ordinary or delegated Jurisdiction; the Abbot thereupon appealed to Rome against him, and likewise to the King against this oppression, desiring his favor that no process might issue out of his Court against them, and that he might constitute Attorneys in this case, since he could not come into England without great damage to his house.

EXcellentissimo Principi Domino Edwardo Dei miseratione Regi Anglorum illustri, Domino Yberniae, ac Duci Aquitaniae; Ricardus ejusdem permissione Abbas Monaster • i Fiscannensis suus humilis Monachus & devotus, pro ipsoque licet indignus apud Deum cum suis fratribus orator assiduus, salutem in eo qui regna dat coelestia, & regere fell • citer dat terrena. Ad haec Deus vestram Regalem celsitudinem praeesse voluit super terris, ut oppressorum unjust gravamina vestrae visceribus misericordiae per aequitatis semitam re • raenentur. Cum itaque Reverendus pater Dominus Cantuariensis Archiepiscopus in Ballivum nostrum Fiscannensem, & nostros homines in vestro regno Angliae commorantes, Suspensionis et Excommunicationis sentencias de facto protulerit, cum nullam in eos • em Iurisdictionem habeat ordinariam vel eciam delegatam, nosque in Romana Curia, ad quam ex praedictis gravaminibus duximus appellandum, appellacionem nostram modo debito prosequamur, parati in ipsa appellationis causa procedere ut ordo exigit rationis, vestrae Regali celsitudini supplicamus tota cordis et animi puritate, ut nullam captionem sive cohercionem quamcumque contra nestros praedictos Ballivum et homines a vestra Curia sustineat emanare; Vos attente & humiliter exorantes, quatinus Attornatos quos per nostras patentes litteras Attornatos nostros in Anglia constituimus generales, caritatis intuitu admittere dignemini ac velitis, cum simus tot diversis ad praesens nostri Monasterii negotiis impediti, quod ad partes vestras non possemus accedere absque dicti nostri Monasterii laesione multiplici & jactura. Valeat in perpetuum vestra Regalis excellencia in Domino feliciter per tempora longiora. Which the King assented to, as appears by the Patent Roll of this year.

The Abbess of Tarente having paid her Subsidy with the Cistercians, the King issued this Writ in her behalf, and • or allowing the Charters of Liberties granted to that Monastery in the Exchequer.

SUO, Hugoni de Kendal salutem. Mandetis Vicecomitibus & taxatoribus & Collectoribus Tricesimae in Comitatibus quos lator praesencium vobis dicet quatinus demandam quam faciunt Abbatissae de Tarente, quae cum Cisterciensibus Subsidium fecit Domino nostro Regi sicut dicit, ponant in respectum usque ad proximum Parliamentum; Scribatis eciam Thesaurario & Baronibus de Scaccario, quod allocari faciant eidem Abbatissae cartas libertatum quas vendicat, et Abbatissam ipsam libertatibus illis gaudere permittant, juxta tenorem priorum mandatorum quae super hoc receperunt. Dat. apud Baladenlyn 14 die Junii.

The King having made use of some of the Oxen, Lambs, and Sheep belonging to the Bishopric of Wynton, and some of them dying of the murrain during the vacancy; upon the restoring of the Temporalties and residue of the Stock to the succeeding Bishop, made this allowance to him in money of the stock thus wanting; as this Record informs us.

EDwardus Dei gratia Rex Angliae, Dominus Hyberniae, & Duci Aquitaniae, Thes. & Baronibus suis de Scaccario salutem. Mandamus vobis, quod dilectos & fideles nostros Willielmo de Hamelton, & Willielm. de Sancto Claro, nuper Custodes nostros Episcopatus Winton. tunc vacantis, & in manu nostra existentis, exoneretis in Compoto suo dicti Ep • scopatus de sexaginta et quatuor libris, novem solidis, et quatuer denariis, quos venerabili patri J. nunc Wynton. Episcopo liberaverunt pro defectu Centum et undecim boum, et octingenti et viginti et quatuor agnorum praefato Episcopo liberatorum, pro defectu tam bidentum quam agnorum de instauro ad praedictum Episcopatum pertinente, quod ipsi tempore vacationis praedictae nomine nostro receperunt, et quod praefato Episcopo tempore quo temporalia ejusdem Episcopatus eidem Episcopo restituimus reddidisse debuerant, et unde per morinam dicto tempore vacationis super hoc contingente, et alio modo coram vobis ostenso deficiebat, usque ad summam praedictarum sexaginta et quatuor librarum, novem solidorum, et quatuor denariorum, sicut in praedicto Compoto coram vobis reddito plenius continetur: De quibus quidem sexaginta & quatuor libris, novem solidis, & quatuor denariis praefato Episcopo sic solutis literas patentes praefati Episcopy penes se habent, & coram vobis ostendere sunt parati. Teste meipso apud Rochelan. 13 die Junii. Anno Regni nostri duodecimo.

Guido formerly Prior of Montacute was this year imprisoned in the Tower of London for certain offenses against the King, as this Writ to bail him assures us.

REX Ranulpho de Acre Custodi Turris nostrae London. salutem. Mandamus vobis, quod si Guido quondam Prior de Monte acuto, captus et detentus in prisona nostra Turris praedictae pro quibusdam Transgressionibus sibi impositis, invenerit vobis sufficientes Manucaptores, qui eum manucapiant breve coram nobis à die Sancti Michaelis in quindecim dies, ubicunque tunc fuerimus in Anglia ad standum recto de hiis quae nos, seu alii contra ipsum loqui • oluerimus; tunc ipsum Guidonem ab eadem prisonâ per manucaptionem praedictam interim replegiari faciatis. Teste Rege apud Cestriam 15 die Sept.

The Archbishop of York going to Rome by the Kings license, about the affairs of his Church, the King out of special grace by his Royal prerogative granted him, that Writs should issue out of his Chancery against those his Vicar General should excommunicate within his Diocese in his absence beyond the Seas, upon his Vicars certificate, by this Patent, whose cortificate else had not been good in Law.

REX omnibus, &c. salutem. Stiatis, quod de gratia nostra specially concessimus venerabili patri W. Eborum Archiepiscopo, Angliae Primati, pro negotiis Ecclesiae suae praedictae ad Curiam Romanam de licentia nostra proficiscenti, quod ad denunciationem illius, quem idem Archiepiscopus loco sui ad vices suas in spiritualibus gerendas constiterit, excommunicatos suae Diocesis per Brevia de Cancellaria nostra, secundum regni nostri consuetudinem, jusiiticiari faciemus, praefato Archiepiscopo existente in partibus supradictis. Teste Rege apud Aber. 24. die Augusti.

The King this year constituted a special Proctor for 3. years by this Patent to defend the Rights and Liberties of his Free Chapels and Crown, against all Papal and Episcopal invaders and opposers of them.

REX omnibus Ballivis suis ad quos, &c. salutem. In omnibus causis et negotiis liberas Capellas nostras in regno nostro Angliae constitutis, ubicunque et coram quibuscunque personis contingentibus, dilectum nostrum Magistrum Radulphum de Merlawe nostrum Procuratorem facimus, constituimus, ac etiam ordinamus. Dantes eidem potestatem specialem nomine nostro agendi, defendendi, ac etiam prosequendi Iura et Libertates nostras in Capellis praedictis et earum pertinentiis, tam in rebus quam in personis, prout juri et honestati Regiae videbitur convenire; appellandi etiam, appellationes prosequendi, et omnia alia et singula faciendi, quae ad conservationem et tuitionem nostram et libertatum hujusmodi pertinere noscuntur: Ratum & firmum habituri quicquid dictus Radulphus quibuscunque diebus & locis nomine nostro in praemissis omnibus & singulis duxerit faciendum; haec omnibus quorum interest, tenore praesentium intimamus. In cujus, &c. per triennium duratur. Teste Rege apud Overton, 28. die Septembris.

The Bishopric of Salisbury becoming void by the death of Robert de Wykehampton, (whose election was confirmed by the Prior and Covent of Canterbury during the vacancy of the Archbishopric) the Bishops of the Province reputing it an injury that the Prior and Covent should confirm him, which they were persuaded belonged to themselves, not only refused to consecrate him as Elect, but appealed against his confirmation (the Papacy being then likewise void) unto the College of Cardinals, where after 3. or 4. years costly contention, judgment was given for the Elect, and he thereupon consecrated; the King gave his Royal assent to Walter Stamel elected to succeed him; as the license to elect, and Writs for restitution of the Temporalties, Pat. 12 E. 1. m. 11. Teste Rege, &c. 24 die Maii, inform us.

The King seising the Advowsons of several Churches in Wales, as forfeited by their Patrons rebellions against him, by his Sovereign Ecclesiastical authority gave them to the Bishop of St. David's, with power to appropriate them to his Church of St. David's & Lekadeken, (Lancaden) and make, or annex them to Prebendaries there.

REX Archiepiscopis, &c. salutem. Sciatis nos concessisse & haec Carta nostra confirmasse, pro salute animae nostrae, & animarum antecessorum & haeredum nostrorum venerabili patri Th. Meneven. Episcopo Advocationes Ecclesiarum de Kairank, Lansanfred, Trefeglos, Hennenen, Killen, Tresilan, Landaranks, Landebyen, Sullen, Abereranneth, Gogof, Lanluch • ern, Kellan, Lanpeder, Lankethan, Karann, Medney, Rostyen, Ledrod, Lan Riscud, Lampadarn, Odyn, Lankeby, Bethus, Bledrus, Lanwenank, Lanveyr, Ollwyn, Glaenporch, Aberporch, Lantessilian, Lanyna, Lanarch, Lannerthaeron, Betus, Bydenith, Estrad, & Lan Eyoks in Goeria cum pertinenciis; quarum advocationes ad manum nostram per forisfacturam Patronorum Ecclesiarum praedictarum devenerunt. Habend. & tenend. praedicto Episcopo & successoribus suis imperpetuum. Ita videlicet quod idem Episcopus & successores sui Ecclesias illas appropriare possint Ecclesiis Meneven. & Lakadeken, et de eisdem Ecclesiis Praebendas facere, vel ease annectere Praebendis in eisdem Ecclesiis prius ordinatis, et ease confer prout sibi et successoribus suis magis viderint expedire; (who could not do it without the Kings royal license and authority.) Quare volumus, &c. quod praedictus Episcopus & successores sui habeant & teneant Advocationes Ecclesiarum praedictarum imperpetuum. Ita videlicet, &c. sicut praedictum est. Hiis testibus venerabili patre B. Bathon. & Wellen. Episcopo, Tho. de Clare, Johanne de Vescy, Roberto de Tybetot, Radulpho de Hengham, Waltero de Wymburne, Bogone de Knouill. Johanne de Monte alto, Galtero de Pycheford, & aliis. Dat. per manum nostram apud Baladenlyn. 10 die Junii.

The Bishop of St. David's hereupon by his Charter, with consent and approbation of the King, and his Dean and Chapter, made and erected a New Collegiate Church of Canons in Lan Caden in Wales, constituted several Canons and Praebendaries therein, annexing and appropriating the forecited Churches thereunto, the Patronages whereof were granted him by the King, who set his Seal to the Bishops Charter, and ratified it with his own Charter to make it valid in Law.

REX omnibus, &c. salutem. Inspeximus literas Patentes venerabilis patris Th. Meneven. Episcopy in haec verba. In nomine Sanctae Trinitatis, & individuae Unitatis, Patris ingeniti, & Filii unigeniti, & Spiritus Paracliti, universis sanctae Matris Ecclesiae filiis pateat per praesentes, quod nos Th. permissione divina Meneven. Ecclesiae Minister humilis & indignus, ad aciem mentis & memory jugiter reducentes, & jugi revolutione, deliberatione provida ponderantes, quanta provenit salus & soliditas ex unanimi & unito consortio stabilitati Collegii, quod praetextu multiplicati fulciminis inexpugnabile & indeficiens remanebit. Cum inconvincibilitatis optentu merito habeatur venerantius & reverentius apud omnes, quod hiis diebus vix evenit in Ecclesiis singularum personarum; zelum considerationis nostrae ad animarum proficuum, & ad venustatem floridam, qua nostra Dioc. perpetuo sub memoria nostri vigeat & virescat, Redemptoris nostri confidentia roborati, pie duximus convertend. In hoc etiam avide acuimus cor nostrum & effundimus viscerabiliter vota nostra, ut loca de Estratelley, loca quidem hactenus lamentatus, (interitus & excidii) convertantur in loca laetitiae Spiritualis, & obsequii Redemptoris, Tuti etiam refugii & securitatis patriae undique adjacentis, ubi quamplures de Dei & Domini nostri Regis fidelibus vitam & victualia per insidiantium molimina, ignominiose ante haec tempora & misere perdiderunt. Noverint igitur omnes & singuli, quod nos ad honorem Dei et incrementum cultus Christi et fidei Christianae, de assensu devotissimi et illustr is Regis nostri Edwardi, de consensu et imanimi consilio Capituli nostri Meneven. ac etiam de Lancadane. nostrae Dioc. nostrique patronatus, & in situ soli nostri collocatam, absque cujusque hominis & Juris injuria, deinceps pro salute animae memorati Domini nostri Regis, Regum etiam Angliae praeteritorum pariter & succedentium, nostra insuper ac praedecessorum, & omnium fidelium defunctorum, Collegiatam facimus ed fore decernimus, in honor & patrocinio S. Mauricii sociorumque ejus, & beati Thomae Martyris Domini Christi, & quicquid solempnitas celebris Collegii appetit & deposcit, illud authoritate Dei ac D • minicae potestatis & Diocaesanae potentiae plene, perpetuo & pie transfundimus ab hac hora: Volentes, & decreto provido statuentes, quod Canonici, Seculares, & Vicarii eorundem sub certitudine & numero viginti unius Canonicorum; quem numerum certum & fixum facimus, ab hoc die in nocturnis & divinis officiis, ad usum & ad instar nostrae Meneven. Ecclesiae sub habitu Canonico—Deo digne deserviant & devote. Similes eisdem Canonicis Meneven. in omnibus aliis praeterquam in amuciis, quas in honor beati Mauritii sociorumque ejus, & ad memoriam fidelium defunctorum, qui letaliter vulnerati, & more bidentium jugulati, capitibus amputatis, vitam misere perdiderunt, quas purpureas ordinamus rubore nimio non notandas. Penulas autem hujusmodi amuciarum caprinas esse volumus vel agninas, ne prae tonsitate superba vel notabili, id quod in signum & suffragium humili proposito instituimus, mortuorum devotioni, spreta deformiter & neglecta decidat, quod absit, aliasve vilescat. Qui Canonici per nos & successores nostros creari disponimus, & in priorum decessibus vel cessionibus providos pariter recreandos. Volumus etiam, quod proventus Ecclesiae de Lan Cadane memoratae, inter Canonicos ibidem residentes & officiis divinis continue insistentes pro aequalibus portionibus dividantur; Praecentorum in eadem tertia parte reservata, quem continue in eadem volumus residere. Quod si pauciores Canonici, quam septem, in eadem fuerint residentes, duarum partium proventus ad fabricam Ecclesiae memoratae convertantur, vel cum Ecclesia perfecta, libris, palliis, indumentis, & aliis Ecclesiae necessariis fuerit decorata, dicti proventus in usus pauperum Vicariorum ibidem Deo servientium convertantur; prout nos & nostri successores melius duxerimus ordinandum. Et nos & nostri successores Stallum habentes in Choro, & locum in Capitulo Ecclesiae antedictae, corrections, visitationes, et ordinationes, prout in Ecclesia nostra Meneven. hactenus facere consuevimus, in eadem imposterum faciemus. Ecclesias autem Parochiales subscriptas eidem celebri Collegio, quod jam pro parte (benedictus Deus) in personis providis inchoavimus, ad perpetuum illius loci fulcimen in Praebendas conferimus, et caritative tanquam Patronus et Episcopus assignavimus. Volumus igitur & decernimus, quod septem Canonicis, quos in gradu sacerdotali per se vel Vicarios ibidem Deo disponimus deservire, ad instar & exemplum Ecclesiae nostrae Meneven. Ecclesiae de Lanteglen, de Langelan, de Lando & Lanoylan▪ de Lan Ewath, de la Sanfred, de Lan Ochull. & Lan Lannennaell, & Lan venit, exnunc de consensu earundem, sine tamen praejudicio ipsorum, in obventionibus & fructibus suis dum vivunt, & regunt, perpetuo remaneant praebendatae. Ita quod septem canonicis, quos in officio Diaconali per se vel vicarios suos modo praedicto ibidem esse pariter ordinamus, Ecclesiae de Sancto Germano, de Royl, de Lampeder, de Monchref, de Landegee, de Capug, & de Blainledrad, in Praebendas cedant singulis seperatim. Disponimus etiam, quod septem Canonicis, quos in Officio Subdiaconali per se vel Vicarios suos simili modo ibidem deservire praecipimus, Ecclesiae de Trallan, de Lan Canten, de Lan bister, de Lan Gammarch, de Lan Archenen, de Lan Tessylyan, & de Nant Ewenellen, in Praebendas seperatas perpetuo perseverent. Volumus etiam, & tenore praesentium ordinamus, quod nos & successores nostri ad Augmentum Cultus Divini sex marcas annuas ad sustentationem cujusdam Vicarii, qui in dicta Ecclesia locum teneat Subdiaconi, annis singulis conferamus, quousque per nos vel successores nostros eidem usque ad summam memoratam in terris & annuis redditibus provisum fuerit competenter. Ordinamus etiam decernentes, quod in eadem Ecclesia sint quinque Clerici inferioris gradus, quorum duo sint Cereferarii, duo Tribularii, & quintus in processione Crucem deferat ordinate; In minoribus Officiis ibidem nihilominus, cum opus fuerit, ministrantes. Quibus ad sui sustentationem quinquaginta Solidos annuos assignamus, inter eos pro aequalibus portionibus dividendos; quousque eidem major portio vel consimilis per nos vel successores nostros de dicta Ecclesia de Lan Cadano vel alibi fuerit assignata. Assignamus autem in instanti ad Canonicorum habitacula habitandi procinctum singulis competentem, donec hujusmodi habitacula & clausuram Collegii certius in singulos ordinemus. Decernimus insuper & ordinamus, quod quilibet Canonicus habeat post sui creationem suum ibidem Vicarium perpetuum honestae & approbatae vitae personaliter et continue residentem, & ad instar Ecclesiae nostrae Meneven. deservientem in singulis sub habitu ejusdem Collegii praenotato. Ita quod sine causa notabili & justa non amoveantur à Vicariis hujusmodi à quocunque. Numerum quoque Canonicorum praedictorum ad praesens (ut evidentior sit status eorundem Vicariorum quos habebunt) partimur & dividimus in tres partes; Quarum prima, septem Canonici deserviant ipsi Collegio per se vel Vicarios in ordine Sacerdotali, & quilibet Vicarius hujusmodi gradus Sacerdotalis quadraginta solidos in pecunia numerata percipiet pro stipendiis annuatim: Secunda pars, Canonicorum septem deserviet in ordine Diaconali per se vel Vicarios competentes; & quilibet Vicarius istius ordinis duas marcas in pecunia numerata recipiet pro stipendiis annuatim: Tertia pars, septem Canonicorum in ordine Subdiaconali per se vel Vicarios, sicut expedit, deservient competentes. Et quilibet Vicarius istius gradus viginti solidos in pecunia numerata à Domino suo habebit & percipiet annuatim. Ordinamus etiam & decernimus, quod talis sit statio servitorum, scilicet, quod in prima parte Occidentali ipsius Chori versus navem Ecclesiae à dextris & à sinistris stent in supremo gradu utrobique Canonici Presbyteralis ordinis, & non alii. Item in ultima parte Orientali ipsius Chori versus Altare, stent Canonici utrobique Diaconalis ordinis, & non alii. Item in medio ipsius Chori hinc inde stent Canonici Subdiaconalis ordinis, & etiam Vicarii Sacerdotes. In secundo vero gradu subtus stent Vicarii Diaconi & Subdiaconi, & custodes Altaris, & Allocentur gradatim quilibet juxta gradum suum. Item in tertia forma Pueros & Queristas praecipimus collocari. Super augmentatione vero & diminutione Praebendarum & Vicariorum hujusmodi, quatenus excreverint & corruerint facultates correptiones & interpretationes omnium praemissorum, secundum quod commodius viderimus expedire, nobis & successoribus nostris plene praesentibus reservamus. Nolumus autem set omnino prohibemus, quod isti sic instituti Canonici in Ecclesia nostra Meneven. quicquam ration Electionis, ingressus, tractatus, vel consilii, aut alterius juris vel usus habeant vel vendicent quoquo modo, set in praemissis omnibus jura Episcopalia & Archidiaconalia, ac nostrae Cathedralis Ecclesiae Meneven. manere volumus immutata. In praemissae autem Ordinationis testimonium et perpetuam firmitatem, sigillum illustris Regis et Domini nostri Edwardi, et Capituli nostri Meneven. una cum nostro, praesenti Decreto et Scripturae apponi procuravimus et appendi. Dar. &. act. apud Makesfeld in crastino Nativitatis beatae Virginis Anno Domini 1283. & anno regni Regis Edwardi undecimo. Hiis testibus, J. Dei gratia Winton. R. Bathon. & Wellen. A. Dunelm. W. Norwic. & O. Lincoln. Episcopis; H. Lancast. J. Surrey. W. Warwic. H. Heref. & Essex. Comitibus. Nos autem Ordinationem praefati Episcopy juxta tenorem praedictarum literarum suarum ratam habentes et gratam, eam pro nobis et haeredibus nostris, quantum in nobis est, concedimus et confirmamus, sicut literae praedictae rationabiliter testantur. In cujus, &c. Teste Rege apud Baladenlyn. 10 die Junii.

The Prior of Charity sending Robert a Prior to visit the Houses in England of his Order, the King granted this safe conduct and protection to him and his fellow Freers in their return thence.

REX omnibus Ballivis, &c. salutem. Sciatis quod cum dilectus nobis in Christo Prior de Caritate, fratrem Robertum Priorem de Colongiis ejusdem Ordinis, ad visitandas Domos Ordinis sui sibi subjectas infra Regnum nostrum, et ad corrigendam subditorum excessus per suas literas deputasset; & idem frater Robertus completo jam visitationis officio, cum aliquibus fratribus suis ad propria duxerit remeare: Nos ipsum in salvum & securum conductum nostrum suscepimus, & vobis omnibus & singulis firmiter injungendo mandamus, quod cum ipse cum fratribus suis praedictis per vos transitum fecerit redeundo, non inferatis ei vel sequacibus suis, in personis aut rebus, injuriam, molestiam, &c. set eisdem potius transeundo opem & consilium praebeatis, cum ab eis super hoc fueritis requisiti. In cujus, &c. duratur. usque ad festum Nativ. Domini prox. futur.

The Church of Tuam in Ireland during its vacancy, being oppressed for want of the Kings protection, the Dean and Chapter thereof made this petition to the Chancellor to promote their complaints to the King and Council, for their relief therein.

REverendo Patri in Christo ac Domino suo, Domino Roberto Burnel Dei gratia Episcopo Batoniensi, Cancellario Domini nostri Domini Edwardi Regis Angliae, Domini Hyberniae, Ducis Aquitaniae, sui devoti licet paupers Decanus & Capitulum Tuamen, salutem, reverentiam & honorem, cum orationibus, suffragiis devotarum. Quia vestram Paternitatem per Dei gratiam credimus videre & intelligere, querelas et supplicationes nostras versus Dominum Regem pro defectu tuitionis Ecclesiae nostrae Tuamensis tempore praesentis suae vacationis, propter quod casdem serie istarum literarum vobis ad praesens non significamus: veruntamen cum de praedictis videritis & intellexeritis, vestrae Pontificalis dignitatis piam misericordiam & solitam benignitatem in Deo requirimus & exoramus, quatinus caritatis intuitu Deum habentes prae oculis, sicut consuevistis auxilium, consilium vestrum pariter & favorem in negociis & agendis ejusdem Ecclesiae Tuamensis coram Domino suo, Consilio & vobis impetrandis, cum effectu praebere velitis. Tantum propter Deum inde facientes, quod eadem Ecclesia cum suis in orationibus assiduis vobis imperpetuum sit astricta. Valeat reverenda vestra Paternitas semper in Christo Jhesu.

What Ecclesiastical preferments the King by his Royal Prerogative conferred in Ireland, and gave his Royal assent to this year, these Records inform us.

REX dilectis sibi in Christo Priori & Conventui Ecclesiae Cathedralis Sanctae Trinitatis Dublin. salutem. Accedens ad nos frater Johannes de Saunford Concanonicus vester, cum literis patentibus Capituli vestri, nobis humiliter ex parte vestra supplicavit, ut cum Ecclesia vestra per mortem fratris Johannes de Derlington nuper Archiepiscopi Dublin. Pastoris solatio sit destituta, alium vobis eligendi in Patrem et Pastorem licentiam concedere dignaremur: Nos igitur precibus vestris in hac parte favorabiliter inclinati, licentiam illam vobis duximus conced •• dam; Mandantes, quod talem vobis assumatis in Patrem & Pastorem, qui 〈…〉 votus, regimini Ecclesiae vestrae necessarius, nobisque et regno nostro, 〈…〉 strae Hiberniae utilis et fidelis existat. In cujus, &c. Teste Rege apud 〈…〉 5 die Maii.

Consimiles literas habent Prior & Conventus de Albodesbiry de 〈…〉

The Prior and Covent electing John Saunford Archbishop of 〈…〉 assenting thereto, sent this Certificate to the Pope, for his confirmat ••• 〈…〉 cration, according to the use and Usurpation in that age.

REX electioni nuper celebratae in Conventuali Ecclesia Sanctae Trinita •• 〈…〉 de discreto viro Magistro Johanne de Saunford Decano Ecclesiae Sancti 〈…〉 ejusdem Civitatis in Archiepiscopum loci illius, Regium assensum adhibuit et favorem. Et hoc significatum est Domino Papae, ut quod suum est in hac parte exequi dignetur cum favore. In cujus, &c. Teste Rege apud Karnarvan. 20 die Julii.

The King also issued these two Congedesliers for the election of two other Bishops in Ireland, their Sees being then vacant by Bishops deaths.

REX Decano & Capitulo Ecclesiae Clonensis, salutem. Accedens ad nos Maurice filius Mauritii Clericus, cum literis patentibus Capituli vestri, nobis ex parte vestra humiliter supplicantes, quod cum Ecclesia vestra praedicta per mortem fratris Alani nuper Episcopy ejusdem loci, Pastoris solatio sit destituta, alium vobis eligendi in Episcopum et Pastorem licentiam concedere dignaremur. Nos, &c. Teste Rege apud Roch. 8 die Martii.

REX dilectis sibi in Christo Decano & Capitulo Duaren. Ecclesiae, salutem. Accedens ad nos Magister Nicholaus de Canagh Concanonicus vester, cum hterrs patentibus Capituli vestri, nobis ex parte vestra humiliter supplicavit, quod cum Ecclesia vestra praedicta per mortem (bonae memory) Mauritii nuper Episcopy ejusdem loci, Pastoris sit solatio destituta, alium vobis eligendi in Episcopum et Pastorem licentiam concedere dignaremur. Nos, &c. Teste Rege apud Sanctum Oswaldum 16 die Januarii.

Moreover he presented to these Benefices and Prebendaries in Ireland by his Prerogative, by reason of the vacancy of the Archbishopric of Dublin.

BArtholomus de S. N • oto habet literas Regis de Praesentatione ad Ecclesiam de Kilfernick, vacantem per mortem Eudonis nuper Praecentoris Ecclesiae Sancti Patricii Dublin. & Personae ejusdem Ecclesiae de Kilfernick, et ad donationem Regis spectantem, ration Archiepiscopatus Dublin. vacantis, et in manu Regis existentis. Et diriguntur literae custodi Spiritualitatis Archiepiscopatus praedicti. Teste Rege apud Baladenlyn. 22 die Junii.

REX dilectis sibi in Christo Decano & Capitulo Sancti Patricii Dublin. salutem. Sciatis quod dedimus & concessimus dilecto Clerico nostro Magistro Thomae de Sedington Thesaurariam quam Magister Wilhelmus de Monemuth nuper defunctus habuit in Ecclesia praedicta, vacantem per mortem ejusdem Willielmi, et ad donationem nostram spectantem, ration Archiepiscopatus Dublin. vacantis, et in manu nostra existentis. Et ideo vobis mandamus, quod eidem Thomae stallum in Choro & locum in Capitulo (prout moris est) assignetis. In cujus, &c. Teste Rege apud Karnarvan. 20 die Julii.

REX venerabili in Christo patri S. Waterforden. Episcopo, Justiciario Hiberniae, salutem. Cum dederimus et concesserimus dilecto Clerico nostro Waltero de Wimburn. Praecentoriam una cum Praebenda, & aliis appendiciis singulis habend. sicut Eudo de Sancto Edmundo jam defunctus, eam plenius tenuit in vita sua in Ecclesia Sancti Patricii Dublin. Cathedrali. Vobis mandamus, quod si quid de 〈◊〉 • entoria & Praebenda, seu appendiciis praedictis annexum, post mortem praefati 〈…〉 per breve aliquod de sigillo nostro Hiberniae, seu alio modo quocunque 〈…〉 , distractum, seu per quemcunque occupatum fuerit, praedictis Praecen •• 〈…〉 • raebendae reintegrari et restitui • ac. Teste Rege apud Cestr. 14 die 〈…〉

〈…〉 •• ilectis sibi in Christo Capitulo Sancti Patricii Dublin. salutem. Sciatis 〈…〉 dedimus & concessimus dilecto Clerico nostro Jacobo de Ispannia, 〈…〉 •• ssimae consortis nostrae Alianorae Reginae Angliae, Praebendam illam, 〈…〉 •• tinentiis in Ecclesia Sancti Patricii Dublin. quam venerabilis pater Electus 〈…〉 nuper habuit in Ecclesia praedicta, vacantem et ad donationem nostram •• ectantem, ration Archiepiscopatus Dublin. vacantis, et in manu nostra existentis. Et ideo vobis mandamus, quod eidem Jacobo stallum in Choro & locum in Capitulo (prout moris est) assignetis. In cujus, &c. Teste Rege apud Karnarvan. 22 die Octobris.

By which Record it is apparent, 1. That by the very election of a Prebend in Ireland to be a Bishop in England, the Prebendary in Law became void. 2ly. That the King then presented thereunto, not by reason of his promoting him to a Bishopric, but by reason of the vacancy of the Archbishopric of Dublin then in his hands, to which the Patronage of the Prebendary appertained.

King Edward the 1. having totally subdued the Welsh, in the 13. year of his reign, pridie Kalendas Maii post Walliam subjugatam ad Westmonasterium veniens, praecedentibus Archiepiscopo Cantuariensi, & Suffragancis suis Episcopis revestitis, cum turmis Nobilium & Religiosorum, & popularium comitivis, portionem Dominicae Crucis non modicam, ornatam auro & argento & lapidibus praetiosis, quam de Wallia secum tulit, ad Westmonasterium cum solenni processione & concentu advexit; where he summoned a Parliament after the Feast of Easter, wherein he made sundry excellent Laws for the redress of many oppressions of the people, and defaults and defects of the Laws; whereof Matthew Westminster renders us this brief account. His temporibus convocatis potentioribus terrae suae apud Westm. condidit Rex Statuta, 〈1 page duplicate〉 〈1 page duplicate〉 quae Westmonasterii secunda dicuntur, inter quae Iurisdictionem Ecclesiasticorum Iudicum defalcavir. Et quia prius s • atuerat, ne Religiosae personae in secularibus possessionibus crescerent, nunc statuit, ut prius habita non minorarent, vel decrescerent.

In this Parliament, to prevent all Suits in Ecclesiastical Courts for Advousons of Churches, and to give Patrons better and speedier remedies to recover their Advousons, against usurpers, in the Kings Temporal Courts, then formerly they had, the King, Lord's and Commons enacted this Law.

Cap. 5. Whereas for Advowsons of Churches there be but three original Writts; that is to say, one Writt of Right, and two of Possession, which be Darray •• Presentment, and Quare Impedit; and hitherto it hath been used in the Realm, that when any having no right to present, had presented to any Church, whose Clerk was admitted; he, that was very Patron, could not recover his Advowson, but only by a Writt of Right, which should be tried by Batayle, or by Great Assise; whereby Heirs within age, either by fraud, or else by negligence of their Guardians; and Heirs, both of right and mean Estate, either by negligence, or else by fraud of Tennants by the Courtesie, Tennants in Dower, or otherwise for term of Life, or for Years, or in Fee Taile, were many times disinherited of their Advowsons, or at the least (which was the better for them) were driven to their Writt of Right; in which case they were hitherto without remedy: It is provided, that such Presentments shall not be so prejudicial to the right Heirs, or to them unto whom such Advowsons ought to revert after the death of other persons. For as often as any having no right doth present, dureing the time that such Heirs are in Ward, or dureing the Estates of Tennants in Dower, by the Courtesie, or otherwise for term of Life, or of Years, or in Taile, at the next avoidance when the Heir is come to full age, or when after the death of the Tennants before named, the Advowson shall revert to the Heir being of full age, he shall have such Action and Receipt by Writt of Advowson possessorie, as his last Auncestor should have had at the last avoidance, happening in his time, being of full age before his death, or before the Demise was made for term of Life, or in Fee Taile, as before is said. The same shall be observed in Presentments made unto Churches, being of the Inheritance of Women, what time they shall be under the power of their Husbands, which must be aided by this Estatute, by the remedy aforesaid. Also Religious men, as Bishops, Archdeacons, Persons of Churches, and other spiritual men, shall be aided by this Estatute, in case any having no right do present unto Churches belonging to Prelacies, spiritual Dignities, Personages, or to Houses of Religion, what time such Houses, Prelacies, spiritual Dignities, or Personages be vacant. Neither shall this Act be so largely understanden, that such persons for whose remedy this Statute was ordained, shall have the recovery aforesaid, surmysing that Gardeynes of Heirs, Tennants in Taile, by the Courtesie, Tennants in Dower, for term of Life, or for Years, or Husbands which have faintly defe • ded Pleas moved by them or against them, because the Judgments given against them in the Kings Courts, should not be adnulled by this Statute, the Judgment shall stand in his force, until it be reversed in the Court of the King, as erroneous, if error be found, or by Assise of Darreine Presentment, or by enquest in Quare Impedit, if it be passed, by Attaint, or be adnulled by Certification, which shall be freely granted. And from henceforth one form of Pleading shall be observed amongst Justices in Writts of Darraine Presentment, and Quare Impedit; so that where the Defendaunt alleged plenarty in the Church of his own Presentation, the Plea shall not fall by reason of that plenarty, so that the Writ be purchased within six months, though he cannot recover his Presentation within the six months. And sometimes where a Fyne is levied between many claiming one Advowson, and enrolled before the Justices in the rolle or fine in this form, That one shall present the first time, and at the next Advowson another, and the third time another, and so of many in case there be many. And when one hath presented for his tourne according to the form of their agreement, and fine, and at the next avoidance, he to whom the second Presentation belongeth, is d • stourbed by any that was party to the said fine, or in his stead; It is provided, that from henceforth he that is so distourbed, shall have no need to sue a Quare Impedit, but shall resort to the Rolle or Fine. And if the said concord or agreement be found in the Rolle or Fine, then the Sheriff shall be commanded, that he g • ve knowledge unto the Distourber, that he be ready at some short day, containing the space of fifteen days, or three we • kes, (as the place happeneth to be near or far) for to show if he can allege anything, wherefore the party that is distourbed, ought not to present. And if he come not, or peradventure doth come, and can allege nothing to bar the party of his Presentation, by any deed made or written since the fine was made or enrolled, he shall recov • r his Presentation, with his damages. And where it chanceth, that after the death of the Auncestor of him that presented his Clerk to a Church, the same Advowson is assigned in Dower to any Woman, or to Tennant by the Courtesie, which do present, and after the death of such Tennants, the very Heir is distourbed to present, when the Church is void; It is provided, that from henceforth it shall be in the election of the party distourbed, whether he will sue a Writt of Quare Impedit, or of Darraine Presentment. The same shall be observed in Advowsons demised for term of Life, or Yeares, or in Fee Taile. And from henceforth in Writts of Quare Impedit, and Darraine Presentment, damages shall be awarded, that is to wit of the time of six months past, so that the Bishop do present, and the very Patron loseth his Presentation for that time, damages shall be awarded for two years value of the Church. And if the six months be not passed, and the presentment be deraigned within the said time, then damages shall be awarded to the half years val • e of the Church. And if the distourber have not whereof he may recompense damages, in case where the Bishop presenteth by lapse of time, he shall be punished by two years imprisonment. And if the Advowson be deraigned within the half year, yet the distourber shall be punished by the imprisonment of half a year. And from henceforth Writts shall be granted for Chapels, Prebends, Vicarages, Hospitals, Abbeys, Priories, and other Howses which be of the Advowsons of other men, that have not been used to be granted before. And when the Person of any Church is distourbed to demand Tythes in the next Parish by a Writt of Indicavit, that Patron of the Person soe distourbed, shall have a Writt to demand the Advowson of the Tythes, being in demand; and when it is deraigned, then shall the Plea pass in the Court Christian, as far forth as it is deraigned in the Kings Court. When an Advowson descendeth unto Parceners, though one present twice, and usurpeth upon his Coheire, yet he that was negligent shall not be clearly barred, but another time shall have his tourne to present, when it fall • th.

What benefit this Act gave to Patrons, and what additions it made to the Common Law, the words of the Act, together with Statham, Brooke, Fitzherbert, Hughs in their Abridgements of the Law, Natura Brevium, and Ash, Titles Assise de Darrein Presentment, Droit de Advouson, Indicavit, Quare Impedit, and Sir Edward Cook in his Commentary on it, Institutes 2. p. 353, to 366. will at large inform you: Only I shall observe three particulars from it.

First, That although Pope Alexander 3. the Council of Lateran under him, and our Bishops endeavored to deprive the King and his Temporal Courts of holding Plea of Advousons of Churches, and the right of Patrons to present to them, (as I have elsewhere observed) yet our Kings and Nobles would never assent thereto, but preserved their ancient Right and Jurisdiction vested in them by the Common Laws of England, which they further ratified by this Statute.

2ly. That although this Pope and Council of Lateran (not of Lions, as Briton mistakes) confined Patrons when Churches or Prebendaries became void, quod infra ser menses personis, quae digne administrare valeant, conferantur; whereas Bracton, Fleta, and our other Law Book inform us, ante Concilium Lateranense nullum currebat tempus contra praesentantes; the Bishop providing only a Clerk to serve the Cure till the Patron presented or collated to it, but having no power or right to present thereto himself by way of lapse; yet this Councils Canons did never oblige the Kings of England, who by their Prerogatives were obliged to no time, but might and did present or collate to Bishoprics, Churches, Abbeys, Prebendaries, and other Benefices presentative or donative, to which they had right, whenever they pleased; nor did this bind other Patrons & Subjects of this Realm, till established as a Law by consent of the King in Parliament; yea the six months, (as the Council) or half year (as this Act stiles it) shall be accounted six full Kalendar months, amounting to half one year, not six months consisting of 28. days, as was adjudged by all the Judges of England in Catesbyes case, and others therein recited.

3ly. That the right of Tithes, by the Common Law was originally and anciently triable only at the Common Law in the Kings Temporal Courts, not in the Ecclesiastical by the Canon Law, who had no Jurisdiction to hold plea of Tithes issuing out of Freeholds, no more then of rents, before the right of them was determined in the Kings Court by a Writ of Indicavit; which Writ (as Sir Edward Co • ke observes) is against the Canonical Sanction, and yet hath been ever obeyed; for all foreign Sanctions or Canons against the Law of the Realm are of no force, and bind not here.

Next, whereas King Cnut the Dane after his return from Rome into England in a Parliamentary Council at Wynton, in Sancto Natali Domini, (printed in the Chronicle of Brompton, Mr. William Lambard, and Mr. Abraham Whelock, cap. 96, 97. in the Latin, but 67, & 68. in the Saxon Edition) for the ease of his people enacted this Law, De intestato mortuis. Hac est allevatio quam omni populo meo praevidere volo, in quibus nimis omnino fuerant aggravati. Si quis ex hac vita decedat sine distributione rerum suarum, (or, as Lambard and Whelock better translate it, fuerit ab intestato mortuus) vel per incustodiam, vel per mortem improvisam, non usurpet sibi Dominus ejus de pecunia sua, (nisi quantum adjustam relevationem pertinet, quae Anglice vocatur Hereget) sed sit secundum dictionem ejus, (or, judicio • suo, not of the Bishop or Ordinary) ipsa pecunia recte divisa, uxori, pueris, et propinquis, unicuique secundum modum, qui ad eum pertinet, & sint relevaciones itae minutae sicut modus est: Which Law was afterwards ratified by Edward the Confessor, William the Conqueror, & Hen. 1. whereby it is apparent, 1. That before this Law, the Lord of every person dying intestate, usually claimed all his money and goods to himself. 2ly. That this Law confined every Lord to seise and retain no more of his Tenants money or goods, then would satisfy the relief, rent, or heriot due to him at his death. 3ly. That all the rest of his goods were to be rightly distributed between his wife, children, kindred, to each of them according to his proportion, as the Lord (not Bishop or Ordinary) should adjudge or direct. 4ly. That the Writ De Rationabili parte bonorum in case of Intestate’s, is not grounded upon the particular custom of some Counties, Boroughs or Cities, as is commonly mistaken, but on a general Law of the Land, namely on this Law of King Cnut, ratified both by the Confessor, Conqueror, Henry the 1. Magna Charta, c. 18. and on the Common Law of the Realm, as Bracton l. 2. c. 26. f. 60, 61. Horns Mirrour of Justices, c. 5. sect. 2. p. 213. Fleta l. 2. c. 57. Fitzherbert in his Natura Brevium, f. 122. b. assure us, and the ancient Writs in Glanvil, l. 12. c. 20. Secundum consuetudinem terrae nostrae, directly resolve, against the mistaken Clause in the Writs in the Register, f. 122. secundum consuetudinem in Comitatu praedicto (Berks) hactenus usitatum; and Sir Edward Cooks error grounded thereon, 2 Instit. p. 33. That this Writ doth not lie without a particular Custom. 5ly. That the Bishop or Ordinary before, or after this Law, had no legal authority by it, or any other Statute before this Parliament to make any distribution of the intestates goods, either to his wife, children or kindred, much less to any pious uses for the good of his Soul; not once mentioned, nor intimated in this or any other of his or his predecessors Laws. Yet they usurped by degrees to themselves, either by pretext of a Clause in King Richard the 1. his Charter, or King Johns Great Charter, (omitted in that of King Henry the 3. and Edward the 1.) or by a pretended Ordinance of the King and Lord's, suggested in Ottobons, and Archbishop Stratfords Constitutions; or by Archbishop Boniface his Constitutions in the Council of Lambeth, (though protested, appealed against by King Henry the 3. as grievances, against the rights of his Crown, the Laws, Customs of the Realm, as I have formerly evidenced) a power to seise, dispose, and distribute to pious uses the goods and chattels of intestate persons; or rather in imitation of Pope Innocent the 4. who by a new unheard-of Papal Statute and Constitution (Anno Dom. 1246.) claimed to himself and his successors the disposal of the goods and chattels of all persons dying intestate, especially Clergymens, seising upon them by his Emissaries; non sine Principum injuria et jactura, ut • omnia eorum bona Papalis Charybdis deglutiret, et in gremio suae a varitiae amplectaretur, non sine nota manifestae cupiditatis; as Mat. Westminster, Matth. Paris, and others story of him, Quod cum a • disset Dominus Rex (H. 3) detestans Romanae Curiae argumentosam, ac multiplicem et multiformem avaritiam, hoc fieri prohibuit, comperiens illud in damnum regni et suum redundare praejudicium; (claiming a Regal interest in, and Jurisdiction over them;) which Statute and Constitution the Cardinals not long after enforced this Pope to revoke, by reason of the general scandal it gave in divers Cl • mates; yet Pope Martyn the 4th. revived it by his practice near this time, in claiming the goods and chattels of Robert Kylwardby, Archbishop of Canterbury, dying intestate at Rome, under pretext of distributing them to the poor, and pious uses, which our Bishops did thereupon likewise imitate in England, to the prejudice of Intestate’s Wives, Children, Lord's, Creditors to whom they were obliged or indebted; Hereupon, to rectify this usurpation and abuse, the King, Lord's and Commons in this Parliament enacted this Law, ch. 19.

Cum post mortem alicujus decedentes intestati, & obligati aliquibus in debito, bona deveniant ad Ordinarium disponenda, obligetur de caetero Ordinarius ad respondendum de debitis quatenus bona defuncti sufficiunt; eodem modo quo executores respondere tenentur, si Testamentum fecissent.

Sir Edward Cook, in his Commentary on this Statute affirms; This Act was made in affirmance of the Common Law; That the Ordinary is the person whom the Law appointeth to take charge of the Administration of the goods and chattels of the party that dieth intestate, or quasi intestatus; and justly did the Law in this case appoint the Ordinary, for the Law presumed, that he that had the care of his soul in his life-time, would after his death have care of his temporal goods and chattels to see them well disposed and administered. But under his favor, I conceive it most evident, that the Common Law of England never entrusted the Bishop or Ordinary (much less their Vicars Generals, Chancellors, Commissaries, Officials, Surrogates) with the general disposition, administration, or Judicature of all intestates temporal goods, debts, chattels after their deaths, of which they had, yea ought to have no care, disposition, jurisdiction, administration during their lives, being inconsistent with, incongruous to their spiritual function, which is only the cure of souls, not of men's worldly estates, as I have elsewhere evidenced; and the forecited Laws of King Cnut, Edward the Confessor, the Charter of King Henry the 1. and Magna Charta, which divide the goods and chattels of Intestate’s between their wives, children, if they have any, or the next of kin, and leave them to their administration and distribution, or else to the Kings, Lord's of whom they held, not to the Bishop or Ordinaries; Which being the ancient Common & Statute Law of England, this his assertion must be a clear mistake, contrary to his own and our other Judges Resolutions in Hensloes case: So that the end of this Statute (as I apprehend) was only to subject Ordinaries who seised goods or Chattels of persons dying intestate by their usurped Jurisdiction, (under this forged, false Popish pretext, of distributing them to pious uses for the good of their souls, to lessen their torments, and rescue them out of purgatory) and make them as far forth liable to satisfy the Intestate’s Bonds and Debts, as his Executors then were, had he made any; but not to give them any new legal authority or Jurisdiction over Intestate’s goods and chattels, which they had not before by the Common, or any other precedent Statute Law.

Moreover, to prevent the frus • rating of the Statutes against Mortmain by religious and other Ecclesiastical persons, through defaults, collusions, or erecting Crosses on Lands, this new Law was then likewise enacted.

When religious men and other Ecclesiastical persons do implead any, and the person impleaded makes default, whereby he ought to lose the Land, forasmuch as the Justices have thought hitherto, that if the party impleaded make default by collusion, that where the Demaundant by occasion of the Statute could not obtain seisin of the Land by way of Gift or other alienation, he shall now by reason of default, and so the Statute is defrauded: It is ordained by our Sovereign Lord the King in this case, that after the default made, it shall be inquired by the Country, whether the Demandant had right in the thing demanded, or no? and if it be found that the Demandant had right, the Judgment shall pass with him, and he shall recover seisin; and if he hath no right, the Land shall accrue to the next Lord of the Fee, if he demand it within a year from the time of the Inquest taken. And if he do not demand it within a year, it shall accrue to the next Lord above, if he do demand it within half a year. And so every Lord after the ne • t Lord, immediately shall have the space of half a year for to demand it successively, until it come to the King, to whom at length, thorough defaute of other Lord's, the Land shall accrue: And to challenge the Jurors of the Inquest every of the Chief Lord's of the Fees shall be admitted; and likewise for the King they that will shall challenge. And after the Judgment given, the Land shall remain in the Kings hands, until it be dereyned by the Demaundant or some other Chief Lord; and the Sheriff shall be charged to answer therefore at the Exchequer.

Forasmuch as many Tenants set up, or cause to be set up Crosses in their Lands in prejudice of their Lord's, to the intent their Tenants should defend themselves against the Chief Lord's of the Fee, by the privilege of Templars and Hospitallers; It is ordained, that such Lands shall be forfeit to the Chief Lord's, or the King, in the same manner as is provided for Lands aliened in Mortmayne.

For the true meaning and scope of which two Statutes▪ I shall refer you to Statham, Brooke and Fitzherbert their Abridgements, Title Collusion; and Cooks 2 Institutes, p. 428, to 433.

To prevent the Whoredom & Ravishment of Nuns they enacted, c. 34. Qui Monialem à domo sua abduc • t, licet Monialis consentiat, puniatur per prisonam trium annorum, & satisfaciat domui à qua abducta fuerat competenter, et nihisominus redimatur ad voluntatem Regis; all temporal penalties for what the Clergy deemed an Ecclesiastical offense; whence the Writ upon this Statute by a Prioresse for taking away a Nun, recites, per quod divinum servitium in Ecclesia ipsius Priorissae multipliciter substractum fuit & diminutum.

Moreover to prevent the Alienation of Lands given to Monasteries by the King, his Ancestors, or others to religious uses, or services, by Abbots, Priors and Wardens for their own private luchre, or advancement, to purchase great preferments from the Pope, or to enrich their kindred, whores, or bastard children, against the Founders and Donors intent, to the discontinuing or ceasing the divine services or uses for which they were originally given, they provided new temporal remedies, no ways pleasing to the Abbots or Monks.

Our Sovereign Lord the King hath ordained, that if Abbots, Priours, Keepers of Hospitals, and other Religious Houses, founded by Him or by his Progenitors, do from henceforth aliene the Lands given to their houses by him, or by his Progenitors; the Land shall be taken into the Kings hands, and holden at his will; and the Purch • cer shall lose his recovery as well of the Lands, as of the Money that he paid. And if the House were founded by an Earl, Baron, or other persons, for the Lands so aliened, he, from whom, or from whose Auncestor the Land so alienated was given, shall have such a Writ to recover the Lands in Demean. Praecipe tali Abbati quod j • ste, &c. reddat G. F. tale tenementum, quod eidem domui collatum fuit in liberam Eleemosinam per praedictum G. vel antecessores suos, & quod ad praedictum G. reverti debet, per ali • nationem, quam praedictus Abbas fecit de praedicto Tenemento, contra formam Collationis praedictae, ut dicit. In like manner for Lands given for the maintenance of a Chauntery, or of a light in a Church or Chapel, or other Alms to be maintained, if the Land given be aliened. But if the Land so given for a Chauntery, Light, Sustenance of poor people, or other Alms to be maintained or done, be not aliened, but such Alms shall be withdrawn by the space of two years, an action shall lie for the Donor or his heir to demand the Land so given in Demean, as it is ordained in the Statute of Gloucester (c. 4.) for Lands leased, to do or to render the fourth part of the value of the Land, or more.

One chief design in making this Law, was to prevent Abbots and Priors giving, or leasing the Lands of their Churches to their Whores, Concubines and Bastard children; a common practice among these unchaste Votaries, as well as with Popes, Cardinals, and Popish Bishops.

By virtue of this Act, Hill. 38 E. 3. rot. 14. coram Rege, it was found by Inquisition, that Thomas de Pipe Abbot of Stonely in Warwickshire, (a lusty Stallion) of the foundation of Henry the 2. had alienated divers parts of the Manor of Stonely, and other Lands for life, Isabellae de Beneshare Concubinae dictae Abbatis, et Johanni filio eorundem Abbatis et Isabellae primogenito: habendum & tenendum adterminum vitae eorumdem Isabellae & Johannes; And other lands to other persons, absque aliquo reddendo inde annuatim, vel prae manibus inde ab eisdem percepto, sed tantummodo ad opus et proficuum ipsius Abbatis; et maxim pro sustentatione et inventione praedictorum Isabellae et puerorum eorundem Abbatis et Isabellae, qui excedunt numerum Monachorum suorum missas celebrantium, si forte deponeretur de statu suo. And this was held an alienation within the meaning of Act.

They likewise settled what fees Abbots, Priors, Archbishops and Bishops should pay to the Kings Marshal and Chamberlein when they made their homage and fealty to the King for their Baronies held of him by Barony, and not in Frankalmoigne.

Concerning the Kings Marshalls of Fee, the said Marshalls shall take of Abbots and Priours holding an whole Barony, when they make Homage or Fealty for their Baronies one Palfraie, or the price. And this shall also be observed amongst Archbishops and Bishops. Of such as hold but a part of a Barony, whether they be Religious or Secular, he shall take according to the Portion of the part of the Barony that they hold. Of Religious men that hold in free Alms, and not by a Barony or part of a Barony, the Marshal from henceforth shall demand nothing. And our Sovereign Lord the King hath granted, that by this Estatute a Marshall of Fee shall not be barred hereafter to demand more, if he can show that he hath right unto more. The Kings Chamberlains from henceforth shall have of Archbishops, Bishops, Abbots, Priours, and other persons Spiritual, of Earls and Barons holding an entire Barony, a reasonable fine, when they do their Homage.

By this it is apparent, that Archbishops, Bishops, Abbots, and Priors, then did, and ought to do both Homage and Fealty to the King as their Sovereign Lord, for their Baronies, as well as Temporal Lord's, at least wise after their election, and before their consecration, if not after it; as is evident by Glanvil, l. 9. c. 1, 2. Bracton, f. 78. E. Briton, c. 68. Fleta, l. 3. c. 16. Littleton, §. 86. and other evidences I have ¹ elsewhere cited at large, notwithstanding all Popish Canons and Decrees against it.

The Templars and Hospitallers, and Conservators of their Privileges by Bulls from Popes usurping upon the Kings Prerogative and Subjects Liberties, by illegal Citations into their Courts, for matters belonging to the Kings Courts; they then enacted this Law against such their Usurpations.

Be it prohibited from henceforth to Hospitallers and Templars, that hereafter they bring no man in Plea before the Keepers of their Privileges, for any matter, the knowledge whereof belongeth to the Kings Court; which if they do, first they shall yield Damages to the party grieved, and be grievously punished unto the King. The King also prohibitech to the Keepers of such Privileges, that from henceforth they grant no Citations at the instance of Hospitallers, Templars, or other persons privileged, before it be expressed upon what matter the Citation ought to be made. And if the Keepers do see that a Citation is required upon any matter, the knowledge whereof belongeth to the Kings Court, the Keepers shall neither make nor knowledge the Citation. And if the Keepers do otherwise, they shall yield Damages to the party grieved, and nevertheless shall be grievously punished by the King. And forasmuch as such persons privileged depute Keepers, Superiors, Chaunters, Sextons, which be Religious men, and which have nothing to satisfy the Parties grieved, nor the King, which be more bold to offend the Kings Dignity, then their Superiors, to whom punishment may be assigned by their Temporalries; Let the Prelates of such Obedients therefore beware from henceforth, that they do not suffer their Ordinaries to assume to themselves any Iuris • iction in prejudice of the King and his Crown; and if they do, their Superiors shall answer for their fact, as if they had been convict upon their proper Act. And by parity of Law and Equity, Archbishops, Bishops, and other Ordinaries ought to answer for the usurpations, extravagances, excommunications, oppressions of their Vicars, Archdeacons, Chanc • llors, Commissaries, Surrogates, and other inferior officers, who commonly are more bold to usurp upon the Kings Crown, Dignity, Courts, and more vex, oppress, grieve his Subjects, then their Superiors, as the experience of all ages evidence, to raise a fortune or family by unlawful gain, though they go to Hell in conclusion, and intail a curse upon their posterity.

This Year in this Parliament, as Sir Edward Co • ke, and some of our ordinary printed Statute Books report, Circumspecte agatis, was made and published, thus recorded in William Lindewode his Provinciale, l. 2. De F • ro Competenti f. 70. printed Antwerpiae, Anno 1525. 20 die Decembris: in Richard Tottles Magna Charta, Londini 1556. f. 89. and other Statute Books since.

REX talibus Judicibus salutem. Circumspecte agatis de negotiis tangentibus Episcopum Norwicensem, & ejus Clerum; non puniendo eos si placitum tenuerint in Curia Christianitatis de his quae sunt mere spiritualia; videlicet, de correctionibus quae Praelati faciunt pro mortali peccato; viz. pro fornicatione, adulterio, et hujusmodi: pro quibus aliquando infligitur poena corporalis, aliquando pecuniaria, maxim si convictus fuerit de hujusmodi liber homo. Item, si Praelatus puniat pro Cimiterio non clauso, Ecclesia discooperta, vel non decenter ornata; inquibus casibus alia poena non possit infligi quam pecuniaria. Item, si Rector petat versus parochianos Oblationes vel Decimas debitas vel consuetas, vel si Rector agat contra Rectorem de decimis majoribus, vel minoribus, dummodo non petatur quarta pars valoris Ecclesiae. Item, si Rector petat Mortuarium in partibus ubi mortuarium dari consuevit. Item, si Praelatus alicujus Ecclesiae, vel advocatus petat a rectore Pensionem sibi debitam: omnes hujusmodi petitions sunt faciendae in foro Ecclesiastico. De violenta manuum injectione in Clericum, et in causa Diffamations concessum fuit alias, quod placitum inde teneatur in Curia Christianitatis, cum non petatur pecunia, sed agarur ad correctionem peccati, et similiter pro fidei laesione. In omnibus praedictis casibus habet Index Ecclesiasticus cognoscere Regia prohibitione non obstante.

Whether Articuli Cleri be a Statute or Act of Parliament or not, and when, where, or by whom made, there have been different, yea contrary opinions amongst Lawyers: Mich. 19 E. 3. Fitzh. Jurisdiction 28. Grene a Counselor pleaded it as a Statute, in a Writ of Annuity brought by the Bishop of Winchester against the Archbishop of Sarum, which Annuity he and his predecessors claimed by prescription against the Archdeacon and his predecessors; companing it, to the case of an Annuity between the Parson and Vicar, and between the Patron and Parson, which ought to be brought in Court Christien, qe per Prohibition la Court illonque ne surcess, et ceo voet le Statut de Circumspecte agatis. To which Hillary (then a Judge) replied; ceo nesi pas estatut neusable; and Willoughby (then Chief Justice of the Kings Bench) thus seconded, Non, les Prelates ceo fieront mesme: & in touts deux les cases que vous aves myse, cest Court sur Title de prescription voit le conustre: par que respondes, & ceo suit per agard. So as these two learned Judges then resolved it to be no Statute or Act of Parliament, but a Writ or Constitution made by the Prelates themselves. Yet notwithstanding afterwards in the Yearbooks of 10 H. 4. f. 1. b. Fitzherbert Praemunire 13. in a case concerning a Mortuary, Chyne a Pleader, after him Constable, Anno 12 H. 7. f. 23. a. and Plowden in Plots case, An. 4 E. 6. fol. 36. b. style it, Lestatute de Circumspecte agatis. Sir Edward Co • ke in his 4 Report, f. 20 b. in his 6 Report, f. 67 a. William Geoffries case. Mich. 31 & 32 Eliz. & 7 Report, f. 44. stiles it, Le Statute et Act de Circumspecte aga. An. 13 E. 1. Yea in his 2. Instit. p. 487, &c. he not only stiles, but prints, comments on it as a Statute made An. 13 E. 1. and positively avers, that this is an Act of Parliament, and a Writ devised in the Parliament of Westm. 2. Anno 13 E. 1. which is proved not only by our Books, (forecited, quoted in his Margin) but by an Act of Parliament, to wit, 2 & 3 E. 6. ch. 13. which calls Articuli Cleri, and Circumspecte agatis, Statutes, in the last proviso but one; whence he concludes in his Commentary thereon. This Act is (as here it appeareth) a Statute, and enacted An. 13 E. 1. though some have said, that this was no Statute, but made by the Prelates themselves. Besides the Statutes at large printed at London, An. 1564. most other Statutes at large since, with Rastalls and others Abridgements of Statutes, call it, The Statute of Circumspecte agatis, 13 E. 1. Only Richard Totle his Magna Charta, printed London 1556. f. 89. terms it Circumspecte agatis, Edit. An. 13 E. 1. without styling it, a Statute.

William Lindewode our greatest English Canonist, An. 1423. being the first year of King Henry the 6. inserted this Circumspecte agatis into his Provincial Constitutions of our Archbishops and Prelates, Provincialis lib. 2. Tit. De foro Competenti, f. 70. and made a large gloss thereon; where he writes; Istud c. Circumspecte; non est Constitutio provincialis, sed emanavit a Decreto Dom. Regis, (not Act of Parliament) quomodo viz. Justiciarii sui missi in Diocesi Norwyc. ad aliqua ibidem ex parte Regis facienda & inquirenda, se quo ad Clerum ejusdem Diocesis abstinerent ab infrae scriptis, dimittentes ea foro Ecclesiastico, et Ecclesiae judicio terminanda et decidenda. Et nota, quod in hoc c. recitantur in specie 13. casus, sive articuli, in quibus cognitio mere pertinet ad Iudicem Ecclesiasticum. And on the words Norwycensem Episcopum; he thus glosseth. Rex ei misit certos Justiciarios suos ad procedendum sub certa forma contra Episcopum Norwycensem, et alics de Clero sibi adhaerentes, quibus postea Rex scripsit, ut hic habetur. So as Lyndewode (who first glossed upon this Text and Writ) never styled nor esteemed it a Statute or Act of Parliament, but only a private Writ issued by the King to his Justices sent into the Diocese of Norwich, to inquire for the King of the abuses and encroachments of this Bishop and his Clergy upon his prerogative and the people's Liberties, procured by this Bishop and his Clergy after their mission thither. But what King it was who thus sent this Writ, or when, or where it was made or dated, he determines not, being not mentioned in the Writ itself, nor any Copies of it (all without date) the first whereof I find printed being that in Lyndewode his Provinciale, Antwerpiae impressum, Anno 1525. 25 die Decembris, summa cura atque diligentia Christophori Eudovien.

To satisfy myself and others, whether this was a real Statute or Act of Parliament, and when, where, or by whom first made, I have made the diligentest search and enquiry I could after it and its original, both in our Records and Histories, and am clear of opinion after all my inquiries, That it is no real Act of Parliament, nor made in the 13. year of King Edward 1. in the Parliament at Westminster, nor in any other Parliament or year of this King Edward his reign; that it was only a Writ grounded on Articuli Cleri Anno 9 E. 2. made by, or issued upon the Bishop of Norwich his request, after Articuli Cleri; as these following Reasons persuade me.

First, It is not once mentioned nor recorded in the Statute Roll of the Acts of Parliament made in the 13. and all other years of the reign of King Edward the 1. remaining in the Tower of London, nor in any Patent, Clause, Charter, Fine, or other Roll or Record of this Kings reign, (which I have twice diligently perused) nor in the Records of King Edward 1. in his Majesty's Exchequer; where doubtless it would have been enrolled, as well as all other Acts, Statutes, Ordinances, and Writs of importance made in his reign, being of so grand concernment to his Prerogative, Courts of Law, the Prelates Jurisdiction, and Subjects Liberties.

2ly. It is not so much as mentioned by, nor registered in the ancient parchment Manuscript of the Statutes of King Henry 3. Edward 1. and beginning of Edward 2. his reign, in Lincolns June Library, written (as the hand persuades me) in the reign of King Edward the 2.

3ly. The first time it was urged in any Court of Justice as a Statute, was Mich. 19 E. 3. and then the Judges (who best knew its original) affirmed and resolved it to be no Statute, but only a Writ formed in the Kings Name, by the Bishops themselves, to the prejudice of the Kings Crown and Courts, to enlarge their own Jurisdiction.

4ly. Thereupon about 6. years after, in the 3d. Parliament held in the 25. year of King Edward 3. at Westminster, Friday the Feast of St. Hilary, the Bishops and Clergy in their Petitions to the King, did neither style, nor press the observation thereof as a Charter, Statute, or Ordinance of Parliament, but under the Name of a bare Ordinance of Circumspecte agatis, as some then called it: Their Petition, and the Kings answer thereto, is thus recorded in the Parliament Roll. Item, qil vons plese granter qe L'ordinance qe lun appelle Circumspecte agatis, le quel est bien tenuz en plusurs pointz, qe touchont conisance de vostre place, et vostre profit, soit aussibien et entierment tenue en touz pointz touchent Seinte Esglise. To which the King gave this answer: Item quant ou quint point, soit veue L'ordinance qe home appelle Circumspecte agatis, et en quel point elle nest mie tenue, et qe sur ceo reason en soit faite. From which Petition and answer thereunto, I shall observe: 1. That in that Circumspecti agatis mentioned in this their Petition, there were many points which concerned the conusance of the Kings Court, and the Kings profit, which were well observed, as there are in Articuli Cleri; but in that now printed under this Title, there is nothing contained of this nature; wherefore it seems to be meant only of Articuli Cleri, not of this forecited Writ, grounded on the Ecclesiastical branches of it. 2ly. That if meant of it, yet the Bishops and Clergy themselves did not then call it a Statute or Ordinance of Parliament in their Petition, nor the Kings Judges, Officers esteem or observe it as such, in any points that concerned Holy Church. 3ly. That the Bishops and Clergy themselves did in their Petitions in this Parliament, distinguish, yea sever it from those Charters, Statutes, Ordinances granted and confirmed to them in Parliaments by the King and his Royal Predecessors, insisted on in their first Petition, in these words; nu. 58. Que le Roy de sa benignete, (would vouchsafe) a eux granter & confermer totes les liberies, privileges et droitz, grantez et donez per luy et ses noble progenitors avant ses heures a Seinte Esglise per lour Chartres, Estatuz, et a • tres Ordinances eut faitz; nuiment le Chartre nadgares a eu • grant, &c. (viz. 14 E. 3. Stat. 3. c. 2.) pur le Roy en son Parlement tenuz a Westm. le merchedy en un quaresme lan de son regne Dengleterre quatorzisme, et de France primer, et que vous Justices les allouent come reason est, et fills ne faont; commander a v • stre Chancellor, qe briefs soient grantez a chescun qe les demandra solonc la form, et tenor des dits grants, Ordinances et Estatuz. Which the King then absolutely granted and confirmed to them; giving likewise a particular answer, Quant au point touchant L'ordinance nadgares fait en Parlement; in the 14. year of his reign. Since then they mentioned not this Ordinence of Circumspecte agatis in their first petition, amongst the other Charters, Statutes and Ordinances made and granted to them in Parliament; nor allege in their second Petition, wherein they mention it, that it was made in Parliament, nor in what Parliament, as they did the Charter, Ordinance made by the King in the Parliament held at Westminster Anno 14 E. 3. (c. 2.) concerning his presentation to Advousions in others rights, (the place, day, year whereof they particularly expressed) yea prayed no Writs to be made upon it by the Chancellor to those who demanded them, as they did upon the Charter, Statutes and Ordinances made in Parliament, it seems clear to me they did not repute it an Act, or Parliament Ordinance. 4ly. The King in his answer thereto, not calling it an Ordinance made in Parliament, as he did that in their first Petition, but only L'ordinance qe home appelle, Circumspecte agatis; giving no present answer to it, as to the rest, but that it should be viewed and considered, in what point it was not observed; and that thereupon reason should be done: These are convincing Arguments to me, that it was no real Act nor Ordinance of Parliament, but a mere Writ made an • procured by the Bishop of Norwich out of Parliament, during the Judges absence in their Circuits, without advising with them, as the Judges resolved and declared in open Court Anno 19 E. 3. not above six years before this Petition for its future observation.

5ly. Neither Matthew Westmïnster, nor Thomas Walsingham, William Thorn, Ranulphus Cestrensis, Henry de Knyghton, nor any other of our Monkish or Prelatical Historians, living in or nearest the time when this supposed Statute was made, make any mention thereof in their Histories or Annals, as no doubt they would have done, were there any such then enacted, being so advantageous to the Clergy, and much enlarging their Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction.

6ly. The whole frame thereof, with its direction only to particular Judges, in this particular case of the Bishop and Clergy of Norwich, unanswerably demonstrates it to be only a private Writ framed in the Kings name, or issued by him to his Justices, as Lindewode acknowledgeth; not a Statute, or general Writ framed by the King. Lord's and Commons in Parliament, to be from thenceforth universally observed in all Dioceses, and in all Temporal Courts, Circuits by his Judges.

7ly. Had it been made and issued in the Parliament of Westminster 2. An. 13 E. 1. as Sir Edward Cook affirms, no doubt it would have been added to, or inserted amongst the other Acts, Statutes, and general Writs therein framed and provided, cap. 5, 10, 19, 23, 24, 25, 26, 31, 35, 45, 46, 48. or at least some intimation would therein been made thereof; but in neither of all these Acts, or other new Writs framed in that Parliament, is there any mention or in • imation of this, or other like Inhibition to the Kings Justices, in any one of, much less in all the 13. causes therein contained; therefore not probable to be made in that Parliament or year: The rather, because in the Patent Roll of 13 E. 1. nu. 9, 13. I find a special license of alienation in Mortmain, & also a pardon for an escape of a Clerk convict, granted to the Bishop of Norwich, but no other Writ or Patent besides concerning him, in that or any other Roll of that year; which no doubt would have recorded this Writ of Circumspecte agatis for him in perpetuam rei memoriam, had there then been any such issued, being of greater concernment to the King and Bishop, then his license of Mortmain, or pardon for an Escape.

8ly. All the particulars therein mentioned, are enumerated, contained in Articuli Cleri, presented by the Bishops and Clergy to King Edward 2. in his Parliaments of An. 5, 8, & 9 E. 2. Artic. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. wherein they make not the least mention of this Statute or Writ of Circumspecte agatis; which no doubt they would have particularly named upon that occasion, and desired its observation, confirmation and explanation, had it been formerly enacted, published as a Statute, or Ordinance made in Parliament; and not petitioned only for an Explanation of the Kings Answers to their own new Petitions in 9 E. 2. and his two preceding Parliaments, without once naming this Circumspecte agatis in the reign of his Father King Edward 1.

9ly. There are some observable clauses in this Writ, which evidence it rather to be made by the Bishops, then the King or his Council, and that not in 13 E. 1. but after Articuli Cleri Anno 9 E. 2.

As First, These general clauses; De his quae sunt mere spiritualia, viz. de correctionibus quae Praelati faciunt pro mortali peccato; viz. pro fornicatione, adulterio, et hujusmodi: Which affirm, That all mortal sins, especially fornication, adultery, and the like, are merely spiritual in their own nature, therefore properly punishable only in the Bishops Spiritual Courts, by their Spiritual Laws and penalties: When as God himself and St. Paul expressly resolve, they are merely fleshly, or carnal, directly contrary to spiritual things, Gal. 5. 16 to 25. Walk in the spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lusts of the flesh; for the flesh lus • eth against the spirit, and the spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary one to the other. Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; adultery, fornication, uncleanness, laciviousnesse, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like. How then adultery, fornication, uncleanness, laciviousnesse, or idolatry, heresy should be merely spiritual, anymore then witchcraft, sedition, murder, drunkenness, and other mortal sins, here and elsewhere conjoined by the Apostle as merely carnal, yea contrary to that which is spiritual, I cannot discern. The rather, because by the express Laws and Institutions of God himself, adultery, fornication, idolatry, blasphemy, heresy, as well as murder and sedition, were to be punished by the Civil Magistrates and People, with death and other temporal punishments, not by the High-Priests, or Bishops in their Consistories, as is evident by Gen. 34. 25, 26, 31. c. 38. 24, 25. Levite. 20 10, to 22. 13, to 30. c. 24. 11, to 17. Deut. 13. 1, to 17. 2 Kings 10. 18, to 29. Zech. 13. 2, 3. John 8. 4, 5. Yea the Gospel itself resolves, that Kings and Civil Magistrates (not Bishops or Priests) are God's Ministers, to whom he hath committed the Sword, to execute wrath and vengeance upon all them that do evil; Rom. 13. 1, to 7. 1 Pet. 2. 13, 14. Hence adultery, whore • om and fornication, by the Laws of King Alfred, Cnut, and other our ancient Kings, were punished by the Civil Judges, Magistrates, and in Court Leets with temporal punishments, and pecuniary fines, as they were anciently amongst the Germans, and other Heathen Nations, and only Excommunicated, not by the Bishop, but by the whole Church and Congregation for the scandal given to them, without imposing any corporal or pecuniary punishments. Hence our King Henry the 3. issued sundry Writs of Prohibition to Grosthead Bishop of Lincoln, the Bishop of Worcester, and their Officers, prohibiting them to make any Inquiries upon Oath of the incontinency or manners of Noblemen or others, in their Courts or Visitations, as an innovation not formerly used, against his Crown and Dignity, tending to the great scandal, defamation and vexation of his Subjects. Therefore it is improbable King Edward the 1. would make, issue out any such Law or Writ as this, to authorize their Jurisdiction and proceedings in such cases, against his Fathers Prohibitions. Besides, William Lindewode himself in his Gloss upon this Writ • acknowledgeth this clause to be too general and indefinite, and therefore thus limits it, Non intelligas de omni peccato mertali, sed de tali cujus punitio de sui natura spectat ad forum Ecclesiasticum: nam si ration cujuslibet peccati mortalis cognosceret Ecclesia, s • c periret temporalis gladii jurisoictio, cum vix esset dare causam quin ration peccati possit deferri ad Ecclesiam. Therefore it is improbable this wise King, his Council, Judges, Parliament should be so uncircumspect, as to insert this general ambiguous clause into this Writ, much less into an Act of Parliament, so destructive to the Kings Temporal Sword, Courts, and Jurisdiction. The only reasons why Bishops and Clergymen then reputed adultery, fornication, and such like carnal sins, to be mere spiritual things and offenses, were these two: First, Because spiritual persons in that age (by reason of prohibitions of Priests marriage) were more guilty of them then Laymen, as their own Canons, Writers attest: Wherefore they voted them by their Canons to be merely spiritual, thereby to engross the conusance and punishment of them to themselves, to exempt themselves from any punishments for them by Temporal Judges, concealing or conniving at these sins in those of their own order, which they seldom punished, the better to palliate and conceal their uncleanness from the Laity. 2ly. Because they were sins for the most part against their pretended new Sacrament of Marriage, and the conusance of all causes relating to this Sacrament must be spiritual, and belong to them, to whom alone this Sacrament was then unlawful, i • compatible by their own Canons, so far as to null their very Sacrament of Orders if they married, diametrically repugnant to Christ's and his Apostles Doctrine, Mat. 19. 3, to 15. 1 Cor. 7. 9, &c. 1 Tim. 3. 2, 4, 11. c. 4. 3. Tit. 1. 5, 6. Hebr. 13. 4.

Secondly, William Lindewode under this large word hujusmodi, in his Gloss thereon hooks in not only stuprum, incestus, & alia quae sub peccato luxuriae continentur; sed etiam alia crimina quae sunt tractanda & punienda in foro Ecclesiastico, viz. sacrilegium, crimen usurarum, haeresis, symonia, perijurium, inspectatores nugarum, consultores mathematicorum, phanatici augures, aruspices, & ebriosi. Therefore it is most probable the Bishops and their Canonists, not the King, his Council or Judges, inserted these general indefinite clauses into this Writ, to enlarge their own Jurisdiction to the utmost extent upon all occasions, to the prejudice of the Kings Prerogative, and his Temporal Courts.

Thirdly, This clause, Si Praelatus puniat pro Cimiterio non clauso, &c. was an Innovation not long before first introduced and inquired of by Grosthoad Bishop of Lincoln in his Visitation Articles, against which King Henry 3. issued Writs of Prohibition, Anno 1220. After which it was prescribed by Alexander Bishop of Coventry Anno 1237. by Walter de Cantilupo Anno 1240. by Walter Bishop of Durham Anno 1255. and more particularly by Peter Quivil Bishop of Exeter Anno 1287. the 15. of Edward 1. But the enforcing of it on the Parishioners against their wills, by pecuniary mulcts imposed in Ecclesiastical Courts, was a thing not heard of before this Circumspecte agatis; the Bishops, Deans and Chapters themselves being enforced to purchase special Licenses and Charters from the King, to enclose and immure their own Church-yards belonging to their Cathedrals at their proper costs, as the Patents purchased by them this year from the King for enclosing the Churchyards of the Cathedrals of Paul's, York, Lincoln, Exeter, Wells, and others, assure us: Therefore they could not then legally prescribe or enforce it on the Parishioners by their own Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction.

Fourthly, This clause, Si Rector petat Mortuarium in partibus ubi Mortuarium dari consuevit, Mortuaries being then but newly broached, encroached by their own Constitutions, against the ancient Law, Custom of the Realm, to the people's great oppression, and prejudice of Landlords in their Heriots; it is not probable the King or Parliament would prohibit his Justices from punishing or restraining this usurpation, oppression, Innovation by Mortuaries, not grown into a Custom till long after 13 E. 1. as is evident by Articuli Cleri An. 9 E. 2. cap. 1. till which Prohibitions were usually granted by the Kings Judges in cases of Mortuaries, as Lindewode Provinc. l. 1. De Consuetudine, f. 14, 15. acknowledgeth, & 10 H. 4. f. 1, 2. Fitzh. Praemunire 13. intimate.

Fifthly, This last clause, De violenta manuum injectione in Clericum, & in caus • Diffamationis, concessum fuit alias, quod placitum inde teneatur in Curia Christiantratis, makes it clear to me, that this Writ de Circumspecte agatis was made after Articuli Cleri, when all the things therein contained, were specially complained of, and these two particulars of laying violent hands on Clerks, and Diffamations, expressly granted, as Artic. Cleri c. 1, 3, 4. resolve; being never granted for ought appears by Record or History, in any Parliament before: Therefore this concession must relate to it, and by necessary consequence Circumspecte agatis must be made after it, not in 13 E. 1. at least 30 years before Articuli Cleri.

10ly. The Statute of 2 & 3 E. 6. c. 13. of Tithes, mentions Circumspecte agatis as succeeding and puny to Westminster 2. and Articuli Cleri, both therein ranged before it: Therefore not made in the Parliament of 13 E. 1.

11ly. Prohibitio formata de Statuto Articuli Cleri, (printed in Totles Magna Charta, pars 2. f. 70.) thus directed, to the Prelates, Archdeacons, Officials, and other Ecclesiastical Officers within the Bishopric of Norwich, seems to me a pregnant Argument, that Circumspecte agatis (directed to the Justices on behalf of the self-same persons within the same Diocese) was made after it, by way of exposition and explanation of some general clauses therein, mentioned to be against the Kings Crown and Dignity.

EDwardus, &c. Praelatis, Archidiaconis, Officialibus, & aliis Ministris Ecclesiasticis per Diocesin Norwic. constitutis, salutem. Cum cognitio placi orum super feodalibus et libertatibus feodalium, districtionibus, officiis ministrorum, executionibus contra pacem nostram factis, felonum negationibus, consuetudinibus secularibus, attachiamentis, vi laica, malefactoribus rectatis, roberiis, arrestationibus, maneriis, advocationibus Ecclesiarum, conventionibus, sufficientibus Assists, juratis, recognitionibus Laicum feodum contingentibus, ac rebus all • is, de causis pecuniarum, et de aliis catallis et debitis, st non de Testamento vel Matrimonio, ad Toronam et dignitatem nostram pertineant eodem regno, de consuetudine ejusdem regni approbata et hactenus observata. Et Proceres seu Magnates, et alii de eodem regno, temporibus praedecessorum nostror • m Regum Angliae, seu nostro authoritate alicujus non consueverunt, contra consuetudinem illam super hujusmodi rebus, in causa trahi vel compelli ad comparendum coram quocunque Iudice Ecclesiastico. Nosque et progenitores nostri ex consuetudine praedicta pro nobis et aliis de ipso regno usi fuerimus, semper libertatibus hujusmodi tanquam perlinentibus ad Regiam dignitatem nostram. Ac vos et ministri restri de communitate Com. nostrorum Norff. & Suff. qui pro hujusmodi rebus per vices pro voluntatibus vestris trahitis in placitis coram vobis in Curia Christianitatis, sirut ex relatu fidedignorum pro certo accepimus. Uobis prohidemus, ne placitum illud teneatis in Curia Christianitatis, maxim cum hujusmodi placita ad Nos et non ad alium per • ineant in eodem regno. Ac nos super hiis et aliis, quorum cognitio ad. Nos pertinet, parati sumus quibuscunque per Nos et Ministris nostros in Curia nostra plenam et celerem justitiam exhibere. Mandamus autem dilecto & fideli nostr • R. & Vic. nostro Com. praedictorum, quod praemissa vobis et aliis in partibus illis, et talia constmilia in praejudicium dignitatis nostrae Regiae acceptantibus firmiter inhibeant ex parte nostra. Et quod si qui vestri hu • usmodi placita teneant, vel si quae ea sequantur coram vobis in Curia Christianitatis contra Prohibitionem nostram praedictam, dictus Vicecomes vos et alios hujusmodi placita tenentes, vel sequentes, ponant per vadios et salvos plegios quod sitis vel sint coram Ius •• t • ariis nostris apud Westm. ad certum diem, ad respondendum coram eis super praemissa, et ad faciendum ulterius, quod hactenus in hujusmodi casibus et con • imilibus fieri consuevit. Et quod non permittant, quod aliqui Laici in Balliva sua in aliquibus locis conveniant ad aliquas recognitiones, per sacramenta sua facere, nist in causis Matrimonialibus et Testamentariis. Et ne super hujusmodi feodis, debitis et catallis, et coram vobis et aliis Iudicibus Ecclesiasticis in praejudicium Iurisdictionis nostrae Regiae, ad Coronam et dignitatem nostram spectantibus subire praesumant. Et quod quid vos in hac parte de his feceritis, reddatis nos ad plenum certiores. In cujus rei testimonium, &c. Teste, &c.

Sir Edward Cook in his second Institutes on Articuli Cleri An. 9 E. 2. affirms, that this Prohibitio formata de Statuto Articuli Cleri, was made in the time of King Edward the 1. about the beginning of his reign, against the Canons of Archbishop Boniface. But I find no such Writ as this in any Records during his reign, and the Articles, Constitutions of Archbishop Boniface and his Clergy being presently rejected, opposed and appealed against by King Henry the 3. as prejudicial to his Crown, and grievances to him and his Realm, and so never put in execution till Archbishop Stratford revived them, Anno 1242. I clearly conceive this Prohibition was framed upon Articuli Cleri, to which the King gave answers in the Parliament of 9 E. 2. which Articles the Bishop of Norwich, his Archdeacons and Officials exceeding, the Judges thereupon by virtue of this clause, & aliis quorum cognitio ad Nos pertinet, restrained them to proceed in some things they conceived the King had granted them in his Answers to their Articles Anno 9 E. 2. whereupon they made or procured this Writ of Circumspecte aga • is, to restrain the Judges excesses therein.

Finally, The styling Circumspecte agatis a Statute, in our Statutes at large and Law-books, is no convincing evidence that it is a real Statute, there being very frequent mistakes in the publishers of our Statutes at large, and in Sir Edward Cook, in styling several Writs of the King alone to his Barons or Justices, Statutes, and printing them as such; witness Statutum novum de Scaccario, aliter dictum Statutum de Roteland. 24 die Maii, Anno 10 E. 1. there being no Parliament held in that place or year, nor such a Statute in the Statute Rolls, it being only a Writ of the Kings to his Barons, and so recorded in Claus. An. 12 E. 1. m. 7. dorso. Statutum de Militibus, Anno 1 E. 2. no Parliamentary Statute, but the Kings own Writ, as Sir Edward Cook acknowledgeth; with sundry others of this nature. Yea his and others mistakes in the true times of making sundry real Statutes, as of the Statute de Judaismo, made Anno 3 E. 1. as Claus. 4 E. 1. m. 8. 11. Pat. 5 E. 1. m. 13. Mat. Westm. Anno 1275. p. 62. Graftons Chronicle, p. 163, 164. Stows Chronicle, p. 200. Survey of London, p. 289. the First Part of my short Demurrer to the Jews long discontinued Remitter into England, p. 35, to 42. & Part 2. p. 60, to 70. 77. irrefragably evidence; which yet Sir Edward Cook confidently averrs to be made in the Parliament of 18 E. 1. the Statute De Tallagio non concedendo, made Anno 25 E. 1. as Thomas Walsingham Hist. Angl. p. 37, 38, 41. & Ypodigma Ne • striae p. 84, 85. truly informs us, not Anno 34 E. 1. as Sir Edward and most others mistake; may easily induce us to believe, that he and others who call Circumspecte agatis a Statute, made in Parliament Anno 13 E. 1. were mistaken in both, for the premised reasons: Wherefore the printed Edition of the Statutes at large, London 1577. placeth Circumspecte agatis under the Head of, Statutes unknown when or by whom they were made. All which I humbly submit to the serious consideration of the Sages and Students of the Common Law, to rectify those great encroachments on, and prejudices to the Kings prerogative, Courts, and Common Law, which the erroneous asserting of Circumspecte agatis to be a Statute and Act of Parliament made Anno 13 E. 1. have introduced, for want of Lawyers diligent circumspection in examining the truth thereof by our Records and Histories of those times.

This year generosa virago Alienora Regina Angliae, mater Regis, spreta pompa seculi, apud Ambresberiam, die Translationis Sancti Thomae Cantuariensis, habitum religions, diu desideratum suscepit, dote sua in regno Angliae sibi perpetuo possidenda, per summum Pontificem confirmata, notwithstanding her profession; against not only Popish Canons of the Church, but the Laws and Custom of the Realm, which Popes for money, and their own advantage, would easily dispense with upon any occasion, even against the very essential constitutions of their Religious Orders, Vows, Oaths of poverty, to renounce the world, with all things in it, when they entered into Religion. Cum semel quis se religioni contulerit, renunciat omnibus quae seculi sunt; being contradicted and dispensed with in this Queens case.

Pope Martin the 4. deceasing, and Honorius the 4. succeeding him, cui pedum de manuum fere officium abstulerat aretra aegritudo, unde sedendo in sella ad hoc artificiose facta, missarum solennia celebravit. This Pope in the first year of his Papacie, upon the Petition of John Gifford and Margaret Nevill, delegated authority to the Bishop of Hereford, to inquire, whether there were such consanguinity between them as might hinder their marriage, as some had maliciously suggested to their parents, who would not assent thereto till therein satisfied; And if he found upon inquiry they might lawfully marry, then to license them freely to do it by his Apostolical authority, or if there were any impediment, yet to authorise them to marry, if he deemed it convenien • ; which Bull I found in the White Tower Chapel.

HOnorius Episcopus, Servus servorum Dei, venerabili fratri Episcopo Heref. salutem, & Apostolicam benedictionem. Dilectus filius Nobilis vir Johannes Giffardi Dominus de Clifford, & dilecta in Christo filia nobilis mulier Margareta de Novavilla tuae Dioc. sua nobis petitione monstrarunt, quod cum inter eos de contrahendo invicem matrimonio ageretur, quidam eorum aemuli dictae mulieris parentibus minus veraciter suggesserunt, quod iidem nobiles quarto sunt consanguinitatis gradu conjuncti; & licet nullus appareat, qui gradus hujusmodi consanguinitatis distinguere noverit, aut de ipsa dicere sufficienti certitudine veritatem, ipsi tamen propter hoc hujusmodi matrimonium contrahere, contradicentibus praefatis parentibus, distulerunt. Quare nobis dicti Nobiles humiliter supplicarunt, ut cum ex hujusmodi matrimonio in partibus illis pacis & quietis commoda proventura sperentur, providere super hoc de benignitate apostolica dignaremur: Nos itaq • e de circumspectione tua plenam in Domino fiduciam obtinentes; & considerantes quod tibi potest promptius & plenius innotescere veritas super istis, Fraternitati tuae praesentium tenore committimus et mandamus, quatenus inquirens super consanguinitate praefata diligentius veritatem, si tibi de ipsa constare non possit, Nobilibus memoratis inter se matrimonium libere contrahendi licentiam authoritate nostra concedas. Si vero de ipsius impedimento constiterit, & rationabilem & sufficientem causam subesse compereris, propter quam hujusmodi matrimonium jure contrahend. secundum Deum extimes expedire, super quos tuam conscientiam oneramus cum Nobilibus saepefatis, ut inter se matrimonisi libere contrahere impedimento non obstante praedicto, et in sic contracto licite • emanere valeant, eadem authoritate dispenses. Dat. Romae apud Sanctam Sabinam 2 Idus Martii. Pontificatus nostri anno primo.

Almericus de Montefort citing the Kings brother Edmund Earl of Lancaster out of the Realm by a Citation from the Pope, against the ancient Rights and Liberties of the King and kingdom, to the prejudice and disinherison of the Crown, and people of England; the King thereupon sent this Letter to a Roman Cardinal to inform the Pope of this injury, to move him to dismiss the cause, and to remit it to his own examination and Judicature, being always ready to do right to Almericus and all other his subjects, who complained to him of any injuries.

REX, &c. venerabili in Christo Patri H. eadem gratia titulo Sancti Laurentii in Lucina Presbytero Cardinali salutem, & sincerae dilectionis semper augmentum. Cum cognitiones placitorum super feodalibus et libertatibus feodalium, dotibus, et causis pecuniariis ad nos et Coronam seu Dignitatem nostram pertineant in eodem regno de consuetudine ejusdem Regni hactenus observata, et Proceres seu Magnates, aut alii, de eodem Regno ullis temporibus praedecessorum nostrorum Regum Angliae, seu nostro authoritate alicujus non consueverunt contra consuetudinem illam super hujusmodi rebus in causam trahi vel compelli ad comparendum coram quocunque Iudice extra idem Regnum, Nosque et iidem progenitores nostri ex consuetudine praedicta a Summis Pontificibus semper hactenus approbata sine reclamatione vel impedimento alicujus pro nobis et aliis de ipso Regno semper usi sumus libertate hujusmodi, tanquam pertinente ad Regiam dignitatem; Ac Almericus de Montef • rti, sicut pro certo intelleximus, dilectum fratrem nostrum Edmundum Comitem Lancastriae authoritate Literarum Papalium super hujusmodi rebus trahere nitatur in Causam extra idem Regnum, in nostri juris et dignitatis Regiae, et totius Communitatis Regni nostri praejudicium manifestum; Nos de consueta benevolentia vestra specialiter confidentes, Paternitatem vestram attente requirimus & rogamus affectione qua possumus ampliori, quatinus erga Summum Pontificem instare velitis cum effectu, ut ipse id quod per dictum Almaricum contra dictum fratrem nostrum, seu alios de dicto Regno, in derogationem Regiae dignitatis, ab ipsa Curia sic impetratum est, velit favorabiliter revocare cognitionem, inde ad examen nostrum, si placet, benivole remittendo: maxim cum semper parati simus procuratori ejusdem Almerici, si de dicto fratre nostro, aut aliis de dicto regno nostro nomine ipsius Almarici conqueri voluerit infra idem Regnum, secundum Legem et Consuetudinem ejusdem, plenam et celerem justitiam exhibere. Dat. apud Bristol 28 die Decembris.

Gilbert Earl of Gloucester being divorced by sentence from his Contract of marriage with Alice his W • fe at her prosecution, or left to marry her if he pleased, he was notwithstanding content to grant her several Manors and Lands for her honorable maintenance, by this agreement made between them entered on record; to which sundry Bishops, Nobles and others subscribed as Witnesses.

HAEC est Conventio facta inter Nobilem virum Gilbertum de Clare Comitem Gloverniae & Hertf. ex parte una, & Dominam Aliciam de Marchia ex altera, videlicet, Quod cum in causa Divorcii dudum mota & agitata inter dictam Aliciam de Marchia Actricem, & Judicium procurantem, ac divortium fieri petentem, ex parte una, & dictum Dominum Gilbertum defendentem ex altera, sit pro dicta Alicia lata sententia diffinitiva, & praedictus Gilbertus per eandem sententiam a Vinculo contractus Matrimonialis inter ipsum Gilbertum, et dictam Aliciam de facto habiti sit absolutus penitus et liberatus, sive ei nubendi authoritate Ecclesiae sit libera concessa facultas. Ipsius tamen Dominae Nobilitatem generis, dictus Dominus Gilbertus considerans, ac nolens, quod occasion defectus sustentationis honestae sibi materia contristandi tribuatur: ex sua mera liberalitate, eidem Dominae Aliciae quoad vixerit Manerium de Taxstede eodem modo quo nunc tenet, una cum magno Parco, Maneria de Welles & Warham eodem modo quo nunc tenet, una cum octo libratis undecim solidatis, & octo denaratis in redditu, superplusag. operibus & perqu si • is de visu Franciplegii, excepto wreko maris, Manerium de Wyston sicut modo tenet, Bureford & Speinham Londe sicut modo tenet, Dummodo dicta Alicia dictam sententiam et ipsius effectum ratam habuerit, aut in honoris dicti Domini Gilberti, seu commodi dispendium vel gravamen, verbo aut facto, clam vel palam, per se aut alium quicquam perseveranter non attemptaverit. Ita eisdem Maneriis & terris utendo & fruendo dicta Alicia ad suam sustentationem ut praemissum est, quod ad aliquod alienationis, impignorationis, enormis devastationis aut destructionis genus non attingat vel referatur. Si vero dicta Alicia contra praemissa seu aliquod praemissorum vencrit, venire procuraverit, vel contravenire volentes non impedierit cum effectu, aut in fata decesserit, liceat dicto Domino Gilberto & haeredibus suis ipsius Dominae Aliciae aut cujusque reclamatione non obstante, dictam concessionem revocare, ac dictas terras, possessiones & Maneria libere ingredi & pacifice possidere. Praemissa vero Maneria, possessiones, terras & tenementa, & alia supranominata praedictus Gilbertus & haeredes sui praedictae Aliciae warrantizabunt, quoad vixerit sub modo, forma, & conditionibus supradictis. In cujus rei testimonium tam dictus Gilbertus quàm dicta Alicia huic praesenti scripto in modum Cirographi confecto alternatim diviso sigilla sua mutuo apposuerunt. Hiis testibus, Domino Roberto Burnell Bathon. & Wellen. Episcopo, tunc illustris Regis Angliae Cancellario, Domino Antonino Bek Dunolmensi Episcopo, Domino Johanne de Sancto Johanne, Domino Radulpho de Hengham, tunc Domino Justic. Robertus de Waleys Milite, Magistris Richardo & Willielmo de Clifford. Dat. Lond. 17 Kal. Junii, Anno Regni Regis Edwardi Tertiodecimo.

This year the King for the honor of God and of the Church, by his Letters Patents licensed the Dean and Chapters of Paul's, York, and Lincoln, to inclose the Churchyards of their Cathedral Churches with Walls and Gates, and to shut up their Gates every night, to prevent the incursions of Thieves, and other Malefactors, who committed sundry bloody murders and fornications too therein, and in the lanes, houses adjoining to them; provided always, that the Gates should stand open from morning to night, for all persons to pass through them without any impediment; the consecration and inclosing of these Churchyards then, proceeding from the Kings grace, not secluding free passage through them in the day time, as some have since pretended.

REX omnibus ad quos, &c. salutem. Sciatis, quod cum per nocturnos incursus latronum & aliorum Malefactorum per vicos & venellas in procinctu Cimiterii Cathedralis Ecclesiae Sancti Pauli London. et in Cimiterio illo multotiens de nocte vagantium, homicidia, fornicationes, et alia mala pluries hactenus fue •• nt perpetrata, et formidetur quod adhuc consimilia vel majora pericula per hujusmodi incursus in vicis et venellis, et Cimiterio ac procinctu praedictis poterunt evenire, nisi contra pericula illa remedium apponatur. Nos ad honorem Dei et dictae Ecclesiae, ac Sanctorum quorum corpora requiescunt in eadem; necnon ad securitatem et quietem Canonicorum et Ministrorum praedictae Ecclesiae et suorum ibidem residentium, concessimus pro nobis et haeredibus nostris, quantum in nobis est, Decano et Capitulo Ecclesiae praedictae, quod Cimiterium illud et procinctum muro lapideo circumquaque includere, et sic inclusa si • i et successoribus suis tenere possint, sine occasion et impedimento nostri et haeredum nostrorum in perpetuum. Ita tamen quod portas & posternas faciant in locis necessariis & competentibus ibidem; Et quod portae illae & posternae singulis diebus apertae sint ab aurora diei usque ad noctem; Ita quod omnes et singuli ibidem transite volentes pro voluntate sua et sine impedimento praedictorum Decani et Capituli et successorum suorum, seu ministorum ejusdem Ecclesiae quorumcunque, liberum ingressum habeant per portas et posternas supradictas, et ita quod portae illae et posternae de nocte claudantur, et in aurora diei aperiantur sicut praedictum est. In cujus, &c. Teste Rege apud Westm. 10 die Junii.

The like Patents verbatim, or with very little variation; were granted to the Dean and Chapter of York, Pat. 13 E. 1. m. 21. intus. Teste Rege apud Westm. 18. die Maii. And m. 22. intus, to the Dean and Chapter of Lincoln, ad instanciam venerabilis patris Oliveri Episcopy Lincoln. Teste Rege apud Westm. 8 die Maii.

What Pensions the King paid this year to the Popes Notaries, to promote his affairs in the Court of Rome, these Records inform us.

REX Thesaur. & Camerariis salutem. Liberate de Thesauro nostro dilecto Clerico nostro Magistro