Vindication of Ecclesiastical Volume 3 2
6ly. Whether the Lands or Revenues given and dedicated to one religious Order of Monks or Nuns, upon their dissolution, can be justly challenged by any other religious Order to whom they were never granted nor designed; anymore then lands given or bequeathed to one person and his heirs, or to one City or Corporation and their successors, can be justly claimed by another person or Corporation upon the attainders or dissolutions of those to whom they were given, for any treason or felony? If not, as is most certain by all divine and human Laws: then how can any of our Evangelical Bishops, Presbyters, Priests or Deacons, who are of divine institution, by any Laws of God or man, challenge a lawful Title, right, interest in, or to all or any the Livings, Lands, Tenements, Rents, Revenues heretofore given, dedicated, appropriated to any Orders of Monks, Freers, Nuns, Monasteries, of mere Papal, not Divine institution, by any of our ancient Kings or others, either for the expiation of their horrid scandalous Sins, Murders, Rapines, Adulteries, Whoredoms, Perjuries, or other Crimes; or else for the salvation of their own and others souls, and ransoming them from Hell or Purgatory flames, by their merits, fastings, alms, or prayers for them to the Virgin Mary, and other Saints departed; in high derogation of the all-satisfactory merits, mediation of our Lord Jesus Christ, the sole Mediator between Gsd and man, the only Advocate and propitiation for the sins of men: and condemn it as most impious, inexpiable Sacrilege, not to restore them to their actual possession, to whom they were never given, dedicated, nor intended, and that for the performance of such superstitious Popish services, which themselves condemn, and neither can nor ought to perform? If then St. Paul's divinity be orthodox, and his assertion legal, We have an Altar whereof they have no right to eat, which serve the Tabernacle. And the Priesthood being changed, there is made also of necessity a change of the Law: so that the Cities, Glebes, Oblations anciently belonging to the Jewish High Priests, Priests and Levites abolished by Christ's priesthood, could not be thereby legally challenged or transmitted to the Apostles and Ministers of the Gospel. Our clamorous Doctor and his Confederates must henceforth give over their pretended divine and legal claims, titles, to all or any of our dissolved Abbyes and Monasteries, Lands, Revenues, with their Satyrical invectives against all who refuse to resign or restore them to those Churches, Church-men, to whom they were never given, and from whom they were not taken; for fear they incur the Prophet Isaiah his Censure of the covetous lazy Priests in his age; They are all dumb dogs, sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber: Yea, they are greedy dogs, who can never have enough: shepherds that cannot understand, they all look to their own way, everyone for his gain from his quarter. Come ye, say they, we will fetch wine, & we will fill ourselves with strong drink, and tomorrow shall be as this day, and much more abundant; as the fat lazy Monks and Abbots did; especially if they can once effect their long prosecuted design of gaining all ancient Abbey Lands and Revenues by their Satyrical invectives against Sacrilege.
Now whereas this Doctor argues; that admit the Clergymen were guilty of all the crimes laid to their charge, yet their personal delinquency cannot forfeit their Lands which they have in Iure Ecclesiae, & in Iure Dei, they being but usufructuaries of the profits of them during their lives; and in nature of Tenants for life, who cannot forfeit God's inheritance and fee.
I answer: 1. That all our Lawbooks resolve; that Bishops, Abbots, and other Clergymen are seized of their Lands in fee in Jure Ecclesiae; and not tenants for life. 2ly. That they may therefore forfeit the Lands they have in Jure Ecclesiae & Dei, either by alienations of them for life, or in fee to their bastards, whores, kindred, others, against the donors intentions, or by their neglecting and ceasing to perform the Divine services, and works of piety, charity, devotion for which they were specially given to them; and that by the express provision, words of the Statutes of 13 E. 1. c. 41. & 6 E. 1. cap. 4. which gives the Donors and their heirs Writs of Contra formam collationis, and of Cessavit, to recover the Lands so forfeited by their abuses, or non-performance of the divine services, or alms for which they were given. 3ly. This is evident by sundry memorable presidents, recorded in our Histories, Records and Law-books: The 1. is that of the Abbess and Nuns of Berkeley in Glocestershire, who being all bigg with child by Earl Godwins Nephew, and so found by inquisition, King Edward the Confessor thereupon dissolved the Monastery for their whoredoms, and gave the Lands to Earl Godwin, from whom the Barons of Berkeley have enjoyed it as the seat of their Barony for many hundred years. The 2. the Abbess of Ambresbury, who having three bastard children after her profession, and about 30. of her Nuns being likewise convicted of incontinency; thereupon their order was dissolved, and their lands given by King Henry the 2. to the Nuns of the Order of Font-Ebrard in Picardy by the advise of Pope Alexander, Richard Archbishop of Canterbury, and the rest of our Bishops, Earls, and Barons, as the Charters, Patents of Henry the 2. Richard the 1. King John, Henry 3. 4. & 6. assure us, and Roger Howden, Gervasius, Brompton, Henry de Knyghton, and others story. To which I might add the presidents of the Nuns of St. Eligius in Paris, Anno 1107. of Argentol, and of St. Johns of Laudnne, Anno 1129. who for their infamous, diabolical whoredoms, were deprived, ejected, suppressed, and their Lands, Monasteries, transferred to others. Nunneries (as Nicholaus de Clemangiis and others complain) degenerating frequently into Stews and Brothels, Non Dei sanctuaria, sed Veneris execranda prostibula. The 3. is the famous Order of the Knights of the Temple of Jerusalem, who being instituted about the year of Christ 1118. and endowed with most ample possessions, privileges both by Christian Emperors, our own and other Kings, Popes Bulls, and Decrees of Councils, for the defense of the Holy Land, Christianity and Christians against the Saracens and other Infidels, were yet for their intolerable pride, avarice, abuse of privileges, Apostasy, Sodomy, and other crimes, (whereof many of them were accused, and found guilty by their own confessions, if we believe Pope Clements Bull) upon the frequent complaints of the French King & others against them, after near 200 years continuance, notwithstanding their Bulls, Privileges, in the General Council of Vienna, totally and finally suppressed by that Council and Pope Clement the 5th. An. Dom. 1312. whereupon all their persons were imprisoned in one day throughout England, France and Christendom; their Manors (amounting to 9000. in all places,) with their Lands, goods in England, seised into the hands of K. Edw. the 2. as escheated to him & other Lord's by Law by their dissolution; though most of their lands afterwards by the Decree of this Council, and a special Act of Parliament, were translated to the Hospitallers, as our Records, Historians and the Bulls of this Pope to the Archbishops and Bishops of England, and Archbishop of York, at large relate. The 4. is the Case of Thomas Pype Abbot of Stonely, who had more Bastards then Monks, An. 38 E. 3. and of many Abbots, Monks of England, who being found guilty by several Inquisitions upon Oath of most detestable Sodomies, Adulteries, Whoredoms, and other Crimes in King Henry the 8. his reign, epitomized by John Bale, and Speed in his History of Great Britain, were thereupon totally suppressed, and their Lands by Act of Parliament confiscated, and transferred to this King, his heirs and successors; who sold and converted most of them to secular uses: Which alienations, together with his resumptions, alienations of several Manors from our Archbishops and Bishops, were ratified as legal, by the Popish Parliament, and all our Prelates, Clergy, the Statutes of 3. & 2 Phil. & Mary, chap. 8. and by the Bull of Pope Julius to Queen Mary; without the guilt of Sacrilege, wherewith this Doctor now asperseth them, as I have elsewhere evidenced at large; and therefore shall no further insist on.
I pretermit all other particular advantages, and encroachments of Jurisdiction of lesser moment, which Popes, Popish Archbishops, Bishops, Priests, Canonists, and Divines have usurped by, and deduced from the Coronation Oaths prescribed by them to Emperors and Kings. But these recited are of such public, grand concernment to their Prerogatives, Soveraignties, Crowns, their Kingdoms, Peoples Laws, Liberties, and so pertinent to my Subject-matter in this, the precedent, as well as subsequent Tomes, that I could not pretermit, but recommend them to your special observations.
I have only one thing more to inform you of; that since the finishing of this Tome, I have discovered two gross mistakes together, relating to King John, his successors and Realm, in a modern Great French Historian, Andre de Chesne his Histoire D'angleterre, Descosse, & D'irland, newly printed in two large folio Volumes at Paris: who relating the story of King Johns resignation of his Crown, and Realms of England and Ireland to Pope Innocent, and homage to him as his Vassal and Tributarie under the annual rent of 1000 marks; affirms, 1. Que de son temps mesme, et jusque a ce que le Roy Henry 8. renonca le Pape et Lesglise Romaine l'an MD. XXXIV. le cens et tribut annuel fut tous jours payen: when as the payment thereof was oft opposed, and constantly denied from the 17 year of Edward the 1. since which it was never paid, though demanded by Popes from him and his successors; yea it was unanimously and magnanimously resolved against both by the King, Prelates, Nobles and Commons in the Parliament of 40 E. 3. Rot. Parl. nu. 7, 8. in case the Pope should demand it. 2ly. Que Roys Inas par une humble piete, rendit son Royaume tributaire a l'Esglise Romaine, environ l'an 740. tellement que chacun maison devoit payer une piece de argent, & les appelloient vulguarrement, Les deniers de Saint Pierre: which he stiles and reputes le Tribut annuel; et destors l' Angleterre n'avoit jammes failly de fair la mailly bonne aux Papes jusque a ce que Henry viii. tout le premier fist defense de lever cet argent. When as Peter-pence was never granted nor paid as a Tribute to the Pope or Church of Rome, but as a mere voluntary Alms to the English School in Rome, and its payment frequently interrupted, denied, before our King Henry the 8. abolished it by Act of Parliament; as I have largely evidenced, against Baronius and other Pontifician Historians and Divines before this new Historians Books came forth in print: The very same I find likewise asserted in, Divers Traitez sur les Droicts & Prerogatives des Royes de France, printed A Paris, avec Privilege le Roy, Anno 1666. p. 79. who from thence argues, the Precedency of the Kings of France before the Kings of England, for that they held their Crowns immediately from God, when as the Kings o • England (as Offa, Inas, Ethelwolf • , and King John) rendered themselves Tributaries and Vassals to the Pope.
Since the completing of this Tome and the Epistles to it, one Mr. Cressy a Benedictine Monk (an Apostate from the Church of England, who writ two or three Pamphlets against our Church & Religion to ingratiate himself with the Roman party, and advance Oral Traditi •• • bove the Scriptures, as the only Rule of Faith) hath published a large folio Volume, of the Church History of Brittany, from the beginning of Christianity till the Norman Conquest, dedicated to the QUEEN: wherein though he impertinently mentions my Church-History in his Preface to the Reader, yet he neither refutes nor takes Notice of any passages in my former Tomes throughout his History, as I and others expected.
If upon perusal of this Tome, any Readers shall reap satisfaction, information, or profit by my Collections or Observations therein, let me enjoy the benefit of their prayers, at least a candid acceptation of these my Labors, and if they shall chance to discover any involuntary real mistakes therein, (besides the Errataes at the Press, which I have amended, and desire them to correct before they read this Volume) I shall humbly crave their friendly advertisement of them, that so I may rectify them if there be just cause upon second thoughts. Farewell.
From my Chamber in the Tower of London, August 18. 1668.
William Prynne.
A TABLE of the several Chapters and their Contents in this Third Tome; to which I have made some small Additions, where needful.
BOOK V. CHAP. I. Containing sundry Records, Popes Bulls, Writs, Prohibitions, Attachments for suits in Courts Christian, not formerly printed; and some Historical Passages, during the reigns of King JOHN, and HENRY the Third, relating to their Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction, the Church-affairs in England and Ireland: Their Transactions with Popes, Popes Legates, Nuncioes, Delegates, Popish Prelates: together with their several Usurpations on, Attempts against their Royal Rights, Prerogatives, Subjects Liberties, Properties; and these Kings, their Nobles, Parliaments, Councils, and Judges Oppositions against them: With the Elections, successions, Acts of Popes, of English and Irish Bishops, and what concerns them; as an Appendix to the Second Tome. Page 2. to Folio 133.
CHAP. II. Containing several Records, Prohibitions, and Historical passages, evidencing the Ecclesiastical Supremacy of our renowned King EDWARD the 1. in and over all Persons, Causes Spiritual, as well as Temporal, in England, Ireland, and other his Dominions. His Oppositions against Papal, Prelatical Usurpations, Incroachments upon the Rights of his Crown, Laws, Subjects Liberties. The Chief Transactions, Bulls, Letters between Him, and the Popes, Court of Rome: And the Elections, Confirmations, Successions, Acts of Popes, Archbishops, Bishops, Abbots, and other Clergy-men in England, Ireland, and his foreign Dominions, from the beginning of the First, to the end of the Tenth Year of his reign. With some other particulars of Note and public concernment, p. 117. (next after fol. 133.) to p. 298.
CHAP. III. Comprising several evidences out of Records and Histories of King Edward the 1. his Sovereign Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction over all Persons, Causes, and chief management of all Ecclesiastical affairs in England, Ireland, Scotland, and other his Dominions: With Popes, Bishops various Encroachments thereon: And His, his Parliaments, Councils, Judges Oppositions, Prohibitions against them: together with the most considerable Negotiations between Him, and the Popes, Cardinals, Court of Rome; the Elections, Confirmations, Successions of Bishops in England, Ireland, his Dominions in France, and of Popes in Rome; from the beginning of the 11. till the end of the 20. year of his Reign: As also the Transactions concerning his Superiority over the Realm of Scotland, as Sovereign Lord thereof; with the Pleadings of the Competitors to the Crown of Scotland before him as their Superior Lord; and his Judgment given therein for John Bailiol, p. 298. to 549.
CHAP. IV. Conteining King Edward the 1. his Claim, exercise of Sovereign Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction over all Persons, Causes within England, Ireland, Scotland, and his other Dominions. His Oppositions, Prohibitions, Edicts against Bishops and other Clergy-men's Encroachments thereon; especially Pope Boniface the 8. his Constitution, prohibiting all Clergy-men under pain of Excommunication to grant or pay auy Taxes, Subsidies to any King, or for Kings to demand or receive them, without the Popes precedent license: He puts his Bishops and Clergy out of his Protection for submitting to it, and denying him an Ayde demanded, till they were enforced to purchase general and particular Protections from him. A Catalogue of those Ecclesiastical and Religious persons who purchased such Protections for their safety. His Opposition against this Popes Bulls concerning his Sovereign Dominion, Title, to the Realm of Scotland and other Kingdoms. The negotiations between King Edward, the Popes, Court of Rome, the French, and Scots. The French King Philip's, and Pope Boniface the 8. their Contests, Proceedings, and Declarations against each other. The Elections, Successions, Acts of Popes, English, Irish Archbishops, Bishops, and other Church, State-affairs, (especially the Contests between the King and his Barons, concerning the Confirmation of the Great Charters, Deafforestations, and between the Scots and Him) faithfully collected out of Records and Historians from the beginning of the 21, to the end of the 30th year of his Reign; The Scots Kings, Prelates, Nobles, Commons solemn reiterated Oaths to him; with their Names, perfidious violations of them, and punishments for it. p. 549, to 980.
CHAP. V. Conteining the imprisonment, death of Pope Boniface the 8. The Letters, Bulls, Negotiations between King Edward the 1. and this Popes Successors, with their Successions in the See of Rome. This Kings Acts of Sovereign Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction over the Churches, Prelates, Clergy of England, Scotland, Ireland, and Sovereign Dominion over Scotland. His Prohibitions, Statutes, Edicts against Papal Provisions, Extortions, and Prelatical Usurpations upon the Rights of his Crown and Temporal Courts. The Elections, Acts, Sucoessions of Archbishops, Bishops, Abbots, and other Prelates, Priests, in the Churches of England, Ireland, Scotland, and Foreign Dominions; With other Particulars relating to our Public Church and State-Affairs, from the beginning of the 31. year of King Edward the 1. till his death, in the 35th year of his reign; Collected out of the Records of those years and Historians, p. 980, to 1204.
A Supplemental Appendix of Records, Bulls, Prohibitions, Epistles, Petitions, to the Raign of King Edward the 1. from the 2d. to the 25th. year of the said King, to the same effect as those in the 2, 3, and 4. premised Chapters, p. 1204. to 1308.
14 Several Tables Containing all the particular Matters in this Tome, printed at the end thereof.
THE THIRD TOME OF An exact Chronological Vindication, and Historical Demonstration of our British, Roman, Saxon, Danish, Norman, English KINGS Supreme Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction, in, and over all Religious or Ecclesiastical Matters, Causes, Persons, as well as Temporal, within their Realms and Dominions.
The PROLOGUE.
MY constant daily attendance in Parliament during its Sessions, besides other public Employments, and the extraordinary increase of the late raging Pestilence (Anno 1665.) in London and its Suburbs, interrupting me in my perusal of all the ancient Records in the White-Tower-Chapel, (there buried in dust and oblivion in one confused Chaos for many years past) necessitated me to omit in my second Tome and Appendix, sundry pertinent Records, Popes Bulls, Letters, Writs, Prohibitions, Attachments at the Kings and grieved parties prosecutions against the Usurpations, Citations, Provisions, Excommunications, Interdicts, Exactions, Innovations of Popes, Popes Legates, Delegates; and our Archbishops, Bishops, Ordinaries, Archdeacons, Deans, Officials, their Courts Christian and Officers upon the ancient Rights and Prerogatives of the Crown, the Liberties, Properties of the Subjects, the Temporal Courts, Laws of the Land during the Reigns of King John and Henry the 3. (with some material passages in our Historians) which I have sincc discovered, not unworthy public view; Which (according to my Chronological method) I shall here present to the Readers in a distinct Chapter, before I proceed to the Reign of King Edward the First; with some brief, useful (and I hope not unseasonable nor unacceptable) Observations on and from some of them, for the better information as well of the Professors as Students of the Common Law; and a clearer detection then hitherto hath be • made, of such usurped Jurisdictions in some Temporal causes, which the Popish Prelates, Councils, Clergy, Courts Christian in these Kings reigns endeavored to monopolize into their own hands and wrest out of these Kings and their Courts; and other Prelates, Canonists since, (yea in this very age) have overboldly claimed by confident false averrments in their Councils, Canons, Decretals, Glosses, Writings, Arguments, as the ancient sacred Rights, Liberties of Holy Church, peculiar to Courts Christian, upon apparent Mistakes and Forgeries of their own coining, which they would then and now obtrude upon the ignorant World as undoubted Truths; to enlarge their Phylacteries, advance their Papal Canon Laws above the Common, the Popes and Bishops Miters above the Imperial Crown. The discovery and countermining of which long-agitated Design in successive ages, is the principal scope, end of these my Chronological Collections, to which I shall now address myself without further Prologue, in the ensuing Chapter; augmented with new Additions (especially of Prohibitions, Suits and Attachments on them against Ecclesiastical Judges, Officers, persons) in this reimpression, the most part of the former printed Copies, and the preceding Tomes being burnt to ashes by the late consuming Fire in the Printers house, to my great loss, and retarding of this Volumes publication.
BOOK V. CHAP. I. Containing sundry Records, Popes Bulls, Writs, Prohibitions, Attachments for suits in Courts Christian, not formerly printed; and some Historical passages during the Reigns of King John, and Henry the III. relating to their Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction, the Church-Affairs of England and Ireland, their transactions with Popes, Popes Legates, Nuncioes, Delegates, Popish Prelates: together with their several Usurpations on, attempts against their Regal Rights, Prerogatives, Subjects Liberties, Properties; and these Kings, their Nobles, Parliaments, Councils and Judges oppositions against them.
TOME 2. Page 227. Line 3. after Christians, insert; King JOHN was no sooner possessed of the Realm of England, but he immediately (in the very first year of his Reign) evidenced to all the World, not only his P • ety and Regal Duty, but Ecclesiastical Sovereignty, both by ratifying, protecting, enlarging the Ecclesiastical as well as Temporal Liberties, Privileges, Churches, Chapels, Tithes, Lands, Possessions granted by his Ancestors to several Archbishoprics, Bishoprics, Monasteries in England, Ireland and Normandy, by sundry Charters extant in his Charter-Rolls in the Tower: using this expression in the Prologue of confirmation to the Monastery of Cirencester.
JOhannes Dei gratia, &c. Quoniam honori nostro condecens, et saluti nostrae necessarium, loca sancta et religiosa quae ab avo patris nostri Rege H. primo, sunt fundata, et a Rege H. secundo patre nostro confirmata defendere, custodire, et amplificare. Inde est, quod Deo & Ecclesiae Sanctae Mariae de Cirecestr. & Canonicis Regularibus ibidem Deo servientibus, damus & concedimus, &c. (the Liberties and Lands therein mentioned at large) Dat. per manum H. Cantuar. Archiep. Cancellar. nostri apud Sag. 7. die Augusti, anno Regni nostri primo. Which Prologue he likewise used in other of his Charters.
Moreover, to manifest his superintendency over, and special care even of Hubert Archbishop of Canterbury his Chancellors soul, as well as of his person or estate; he inserted this expression into his Charter, whereby he authorized him to make a Will, and devise his goods; which he could not then legally do without his Royal license.
JOhannes Dei gratia, &c. Quanto venerabilem patrem nostrum in Christo H. Cant. Archiepiscopum artiori vinculo dilectionis amplectamur, tanto magis cupimus & frequencius optamus omnia quae personam suam tangunt, et ea maxim quae ad salutem animae pertinent, in summa firmitate et stabilitate permanere. Volumus igitur & firmiter praecipimus, quod testamentum quod idem Archiepiscopus tàm de bonis Archlepiscopatus Cant. quàm de aliis quibuscunque bonis suis, secundum Deum condiderit, firmum sit et stabile, nec alicujus voluntate immutetur in aliquo vel impediatur. His testibus S. Audr. Episcopo, &c. Dat. per manus S. Archid. Wellen. J. de Grei, &c.
Lo here this Archbishop, who used to prove and confirm other men Wills after their deaths, had his own Will ratified by this Kings Royal Charter for the good of his soul, as Supreme Ordinary, during his life, to make it valid, irrevocable after his decease.
About the same time the King confirmed to this Archbishop and his Successors all the donations of Lands, Liberties, Customs, Exemptions, and all other things granted to the Church of Canterbury by any of his predecessors, or any other Ecclesiastical or secular persons, by this short Charter.
JOhannes Dei gratia, &c. Noveritis nos pro salute animae nostrae, & animarum antecossorum & successorum nostrorum, et ob reverentiam beati Thomae Martyris, & omnium Sanctorum quorum in Cant. Ecclesia reliquiae requiescunt, concessisse, & praesenti Carta nostra confirmasse Deo & Ecclesiae Christi Cant. & venerabili patri nostro H. ejusdem loci Archiepiscopo & successoribus suis imperpetuum, omnes donationes terrarum, tenementorum, libertatum, & liberarum consuetudinum, quietanciarum, & omnium aliarum rerum & possessionum quae ex donatione nostra, vel antecessorum nostrorum, vel ex donatione quarumlibet aliarum personarum Ecclesiasticarum vel Secularium adepti sunt: Statuentes & firmiter praecipientes, ne quis eis contra praedictas donationes aliquam injuriam vel molestiam inferat, aut in aliquo contra libertatem praedictarum donationum venire praesumat. Volumus eciam & firmiter praecipimus, quod praedictus Archiepiscopus & Successores imperpetuum omnia praedicta adeo been & quiet, libere & integre habeant in omnibus, & possideant sicut debent & solent, & sicut hucusque habuisse & possedisse dinoscuntur, & sicut Chartae quas inde habent rationabiliter testantur. Teste R. Episcopo Sancti Andreae, Roberto Com. Leircestriae, &c. Dat. per manum J. Wellen. Archid. & Johannes de Grei apud Chinonem, 26. die Sept. anno regni nostri primo.
He likewise ratified by his Sovereign Ecclesiastical Authority and Charter the premised Charter of King Richard, touching the exchange between Archbishop Hubert and the Bishop and Monks of Rochester, of the Manor of Lambeth for other lands, and the Clause therein, authorizing the Pope, Archbishop of Canterbury, Bishops and Clergy of England, to excommunicate the infringers thereof. Besides, he appropriated several parochial Churches in perpetuity to the Bishopric of Coventry and Litchfield; converted other parochial Churches into praebendaries; and ratified the Orders made by Bishop Hugh for the better Regulation of that Church, by these two Charters.
JOhannes Dei gratia, &c. Sciatis nos pro salute animae nostrae, & antecessorum & successorum nostrorum animabus, dedisse & concessisse, & praesenti Charta nostra confirmasse G. Coventr. Episcopo, omnibusque successoribus suis Ecclesiam de Wellehale, & Ecclesiam de Forton, cum omnibus ad ease pertinentibus, in puram & perpecuam Eleemosynam, habendas et tenendas in propriis usibus suis, libere et quiet, et sine omni exactione in perpetuum. Praeterea confirmamus Deo & Ecclesiae Sanctae Mariae & Sanct. Cedde de Lichfeld, & praedicto Episcopo & successoribus suis Ecclesias de Ruggeleg & de Canoch, quae exdono Regis H. patris nostri in praedicta Ecclesia de Lichfeld sunt praebendatae. Quare volumus & firmiter praecipimus, quod praedictus Episcopus & successores su • praefatas Ecclesias cum earum pertinentiis (sicut praedictum est) habeànt & teneant libere & quiet, honorifice & pacifice in perpetuum. Teste G. filio Pet. Com. Essex, W. Marescal. Com. de Pembroc. Rob. fil. Rob. &c. Dat. per manus S. Wellen. Archid. & J. de Gray Archid. Glouc. apud Porcestr. die 25. die April. Anno Regni nostri primo.
JOhannes Dei gratia, &c. Sciatis nos pro amore Dei, & pro salute animae nostrae, et animarum antecessorum et successorum nostrorum, dedisse et concessssie, et praesenti Carta nostra confirmasse Deo et Ecclesiae Sancti Mariae et Sancti Cedde de Lichfeld, et venerabili patri nostro G. Coventren. Episcopo, et successoribus suis Ecclesiam de Bathekewell, cum praebendis et omnibus aliis ad Ecclesiam pertinentibus, ut secundum ordinem et dispositionem quem Hugo bonae memory Coventr. Episcopus super eadem Ecclesia de Bathekewell fecit, ea cum omnibus pertinentiis suis in proprietatem de Lichfeld Ecclesiae convertatur; Salvo tamen servitio tum Presbyterorum qui in eadem Ecclesia de Bathekewell deserviant, et juxta arbitrium Episcopy Diocesani rationabilem sustentationem habebunt. Ordinationem namque H. praedicti Episcopy, quam super hoc fecit, ratam habemus, et futuris temporibus semper habebimus. Ecclesia autem de Lichefeld concessit nobis unum Presbyterum praebendarium in Ecclesia de Lichfeld, qui singulis diebus vitae nostrae Missam cantabit pro sanitate et iucolumitate nostra, et post mortem nostram omnibus diebus Missam pro salute animae nostrae cantabit imperpetuum. Quare volumus, et firmiter praecipimus, quod praedictus G. Episcopus, et successores su • post eum habeant et teneant praedictam Ecclesiam de Bathekewell, cum Praebendis, et omnibus aliis ad eam pertinentibus been et in pace, libere et quiet, integre, plenary et honorifice, cum omnibus libertatibus et liberis consuetudinibus suis, sicut praedictum est. Teste Willielmo Marescall. Com. de Pembroc. Willielmo Com. Sarum, Johanne de Pratell, Rob. de Turnham, Tho. Basset, &c. Dat. per manum S. Wellen. Archid. apud Valen. 3. Feb. Anno Regni nostri primo.
The like Charter of confirmation of Churches, Tithes, and Liberties he made to the Bishop of Exeter and his successors the same year; which those who please may peruse in the Charter Roll.
A great difference arising between this King, and the Bishop, Sheriff of Lexovie concerning his and the Sheriffs rights within that City, he referred it to a legal trial in his Court; and then ratified the Bishops rights by this ensuing memorable Charter, reciting the proceedings therein; and his care to protect the Churches dignities, Johannes Dei gratia, &c. Inter ea quae ad conservationem justiciae pertinere noscuntur, nihil specialius Kegibus et Principibus Christianis incumbit, quam dignitates Ecclesiasticas in sua stabilitate tueri. Et ne forte per obliviones hominum, rerumque ac temporum mutabilitates, ea quae pia consideratione gesta sunt, praecipue per judicium diffinita, novis in posterum possint implicari calumpniis, auctenticorum scriptorum patrocinio communire. Cum autem inter nos et dilectum nostrum in Christo Willielmum de Rupetra Lexoviensem Episcopum, super jure et potestate ab antiquis temporibus antecessorum nostrorum in Civitate et Banlenca Lexovien. ad nos pertinente contentio verterctur, tandem ne quid de jure Episcopy et Ecclesiae Lexovien. videretur nobis aliquatenus usurpasse, fecimus per multitudinem legitimorum et antiquorum Militum de vicinia illa juramentis interpositis recognosci, quantum juris ad nos in Civitate et in Banlenca praed • cta, quantum ad ipsum Episcopum Lexoviensem, et quantum ad Militem quendam Robertum scilicet cognominatum Vicecomitem pertinebat, qui videlicet Miles Vicecomitatum sibi apud Lexovium hereditario jure competere asserebat. Recognitum est autem in Curia nostra coram nobis et Baronibus nostris per testimonia Decem et octo Militum juratorum, nos tantummodo tria placita quae de Spata vocantur, in illa Civitate et Banlenca habere, videlicet de summonicione exercitus, De via Curiae nostrae, et de moneta. Quae etiam tria placita per manum dicti Episcopy vel Ballivorum suorum ante nos rel Senescallum nostrum ibidem inter assisas nostras debent adduci. Ita tamen, quod nihil de emendis alicujus istorum trium placitorum sibi posset Episcopus vendicare; Sed ease per manum ipsius vel Ballivorum suorum debemus habere. Et praeter haec tria placita nichil nobis juris in praedicta Civitate remanet aut Banlenca. Caetera autem omnia jura et placita, tam de Spata quam alia quibuscunque modis vei causis eveniant, cum corum emendis ad Episcopum sine omni contradictione pertinent et querela. Recognitum fuit eciam per eosdem Milites, quod praedictus Robertus nichil juris vel baereditatis habuit in praedicto Vicecomitatu. Ipsequ • Robertus postmodum in Curia nostra coram nobis et Baronibus nostris remist ipli Episcopo et successoribus suis imperpetuum totum jus quod sibi vendicaverat et clamaverat in Vicecom. illo. Quare volumus et firmiter praecipimus, quod idem Episcopus et omnes successores sui libere habeant, teneant et possideant Civitatem et Banlencam suam cum omnibus immunitatibus supradictis, absque omni molestia, gravamine ec exactione per nos seu per ministros nostros ibi deinceps sacienda, ficut superius in hat pagina praenotatum est.
King John having occasion to constitute a Proctor in the Court of Rome, as well to promote the affairs of the Emperor Otho his Nephew, as to prevent the malicious designs of the Bishop of Senns against him and his Realm, with whom he had a controversy, constituted Peter Barell his Proctor by this Charter.
SAnctissimo Patri et Domino Innocentio, Dei gratia sanctissimo Summo Pontifici, et Dominis in Christo venerabilibus Episcopis, Presbyteris et Diaconis sanctissimae Sedis Apostolicae Cardinalibus, universisque has litteras inspecturis. Johannes ejusdem gratiae dono Rex Angliae, Dominus Hyberniae, Dux Normanniae, Aquitaniae, Com. Andegaviae salutem. Super controversia quam Hamelinus Senon. Episcopus personaenostrae et Regni persecutor publicus nititur intentare, dilectum et familiarem Clericum nostrum Magist. P. Barell loco nostro Procuratorem constituimus, et ejus objectionibus responsalem. Ratum habituri quicquid per G. ration prima statuetur, Teste meipso apud Rupem Aurinal. 14 die Januarii.
What monies the King borrowed of others for this Proctors accommodation at Rome, the Charter-Rolls of that year record.
Tome 2. p. 234. after Marcii, insert; King John in the third year of his Reign by his Ecclesiastical Sovereignty licensed Peter Builler to enter into what Religion he pleased, by this memorable Charter.
REX, &c. Omnibus, &c. Sciatis nos dedisse licentiam Petro Builler transferendi se ad quam voluerit Religionem. Et inde has literas nostras patentes ei relinquimus in testimonium. Teste meipso apud Barnevill, 29 die Octobris.
The same year King John sending two special messengers to Rome, to promote his Affairs there (where nothing could be procured without money) authorised them to take up 500 marks in Silver from any Merchants, which he obliged himself by this Patent to satisfy them.
J. Dei gratia, &c. Universis mercatoribus has literas inspecturis, salutem. Noverit universitas vestra quod nos latores praesentium, Hugonem de Feritate & Rob. de Sablenc. pro negociis nostris promovendis ad Romanam Curiam destinamus, et mercatoribus a quibus pecuniam usque ad D. marcas argenti pro ipsis negociis promovendis mutuo acceperint, ipsam pecuniam persolvere tenebimur; & nos per praesentes literas principales super hoc constituimus debitores, et terminum statutum secundum conventionem inter praedictos Clericos nostros et mercatores factam, illis qui praesentes litteras nobis vel mandato nostro reddent, una cum litteris praedictorum Clericorum patentibus, summam pecuniae mutuo acceptae, protestantibus praetaxatam pecuniam ex integro faciemus persolvi. Teste meipso apud Silham, 6. die Januarii.
After which follow three Obligations more, with two Sureties for borrowing and repaying this D. marks and M. marks more; for what end, unless to oppose the Popes provision to the Bishopric of Saint David's, or the Irish Bishops usurpations in electing an Archbishop of A • mach without his license, against whom he appealed, I cannot conjecture.
The same year the King issued this Writ to the Barons of Britain to maintain the Countess of Britain's Will, lest the Pope by his usurped authority, or some other should seise upon her goods, belonging to him.
JOhannes Dei gratia, &c. Bar. Brit. Mandamus vobis rogantes quod Testamentum C. quondam Comitissae Brit. sicutipsa illud rationabiliter condidit, & secundum Deum teneri faciatis in hiis quae ad nos pertinent, ne Dominus Papa vel alius ad hoc valeat manus apponere. Teste meipso apud Hich. 30 die Jan.
The King the same year to secure himself against his enemies and the Popes usurpations, entered into this offensive and defensive League with Sancius King of Navarre, against all persons whatsoever (not excepting the Pope) save only the King of Marooco, not mentioned by any of our Historians.
SAncius Dei gratia Rex Navar. Omnibus Christi fidelibus ad quos litterae istae pervenerint, salutem & sincerae vinculum caritatis. Vobis omnibus praesensencium signification facimus manifestari, quod nos facimus & firmamus pacem & veram amiciciam cum Domino Johanne illustri Rege Angliae & successoribus ejus, & super Crucem & Evangelia sancta Juramus, nos illam toto tempore vitae nostrae firmiter et fideliter servaturos. Iurantus et firmamus, quod bona fide et sine omni fraud dabimus eidem Regi consilium et auxilium modis omnibus pro posse nostro, tam per nos ipsos quam per homines et fideles nostros, et cum pecunia nostra contra omnes homines, solo Rege Maroccorum excepto; nec cum aliquo inimicorum praedicti Regis sine consensu et voluntate ipsius pacem vel concordiam, aut Treugam aliquam faciemus. Ad majorem autem hujus rei memoriam & certitudinem, praesensinde scriptum fieri praecepimus, & sigillo nostro muniri. Et notandum, quod haec Carta facta fuit apud Chin. 14. die Octobris, anno regni Domini Regis tercio, & liberata fuit in Camera B. Clerico, eodem die.
The French King perfidiously breaking his Truce with King John, made in the first year of his reign, (endorsed on the Charter Roll) to carry on that War, he not only demanded a Supply of monies from his Nobility and Clergy, but likewise from the Cistercian Abbots; by this memorable Letter enrolled in his Patent Rolls.
REX, &c. Universis Abbatibus Cisterciensis Ordinis per Angl. constitutis, salutem. Discretionem vestram nequaquam credimus ignorare, qualiter Rex Franciae rupta fide foederis & pacis inter nos initae, contra multimoda Iuramenta sua et Cartas, nos nititu • infestare, & terras nostras ad destructionem & direptionem secus quam deberet exponere. Vnde quia ad defensionem capitis, aequum est universalem membrorum subventionem accurrere; Vniversitatem vestram rogandam duximus, quatinus vos qui de bonis et largitionibus praedecessorum nostrorum fundati estis et ditati, ad tanti hostis propulsandam violenciam, gratuitum nobis et efficax conferatis auxitium. Ita quod vobis inde debeamus grates condignas impendere, & in hiis quae à nobis duxeritis expetenda devotionem vestram benignius expedire; Scituri pro certo, quod nos hujusmodi subventionem a vobis imposterum faciendam in consequentiam non trahemus, immo ex vestra favorabiliori tuicionis praesidio manutenere curabimus et sovere. Et quid in hac parte duxeritis efficere, id nobis per dilectum & fidelem Clericum nostrum S. Praepositum Beverlaci, quem ob hoc ad vos specialiter duximus destinandum, quam citius scire faciatis: Cui etiam in hiis quae vobis ex parte nostra▪ proponet fidem plenam adhibeatis. Teste meipso apud Ar. 11 die Decembris.
He also writ Letters in this form to the Abbots of the Cistercian Order throughout the Province of York, to lend him monies upon this occasion, which he promised to repay them.
REX, &c. Universis Abbatibus de Ordine Cisterciensi per Provinciam Eborum constitutis, &c. Satis nostis sicut norunt universi, qualiter Rex Franciae contra pacem inter nos factam, & Juramento & Cartis confirmatam, nos aliter quam deceretimpugnat, & qualiter ad exhaeredationem nostram omnibus modis aspirat. In hac autem necessitate tam vestram quam aliorum fidelium nostrorum nullatenus debet vel potest deesse subsidium. Rogamus igitur vos quatinus sicut nos & honorem nostrum diligitis, de pecunia ad opus nostrum mutuo querenda, sic, & cum tanta diligentia vos intromittatis, ut vestram diligentiam nobis sentiamus fructuosam. Et vobis in agendis vestris cum opus habueritis benign & efficaciter subvenire debeamus; et nos dictam pecuniam in terminos quos statueritis integre persolvi fa • iemus, et in hujus rei testimonium has literas nostras patentes secimus. Teste meipso apud Bonum Portum, 6 die Julii.
Sub eadem forma scribitur Abbatibus ejusdem Ordinis per Provinciam Cant. exceptâ hac clausulâ post, faciemus: Et inde Dominum Cant. & G. fil. Petri Justic. nostrum fide jussores constituimus; & in hujus rei, &c.
What success these Letters had with these exempt covetous Abbots, I cannot resolve; only I read, that this year, Innocentius Papa, cum ab Ordine Cisterciensium infinitam pecuniam ad iter Crucesignatorum, ut dixit, ad occultandam suam avaritiam violenter exigeret, a beata Maria, ejusdem Ordinis advocata, nimis acriter correptus, ab hac quievit exactione, timore percussus. To which intended voyage all others contributed the 40 eth part of the Rents of all their Churches, ad instantiam Innocentii Papae, when these Cistercians went scot-free.
The same year the Church and City of Rhoan being consumed with fire, King John granted them his Letters Patents for a liberal contribution throughout England towards the repair of that Church, principally for the Virgin Mary's sake, to whom it was dedicated, then adored more than God himself: Of whose Image at Sardenay, and the oil dropping out of it curing most diseases, yea turning into flesh and blood, and of fleshy Paps growing out of this her idolized Image; you may read at large in Matthew Paris, if you dare credit the Miracle.
REX, &c. Omnibus, &c. Ad vestram credimus noticiam pervenisse, qualiter Ecclesia Rothomagensis, Mater Ecclesiarum Normanniae & Magistra, cum tota Civitate flammis irruentibus sit eversa. Nos autem tenere diligimus & sincere, tum quia fratrum & amicorum nostrorum sepultura nobis eam venerabilem imperpetuum commendat, tum quia floret in ea beneficium Sanctorum, quorum meritis Regni nostri & honoris prosperitas augeatur. Ea propter vos rogamus & exhortamur in Domino, quatinus nuncios ejus cum ad vos venerint benign recipere, & efficaciter audire velitis, & eleemosinas vestras ad reparationem ejus intuitu Dei et beatae Virginis, in cujus honor dedicata est, transmittere velitis formam & exemplum nostris subditis nobiscum pariter tribuentes, qui ei juxta Regiae dignitatis munificentiam subvenimus. Talem igitur ad preces nostras eisdem Nuntiis liberalitatem impendatis, ut de impensa vestra merito nostras preces sibi gaudeant affuisse, & nos debeamus vestram devotionem in Domino commendare. Prohibemus autem ne quis praedictis Nunciis injuriam inferat vel gravamen, & si quis eis in aliquo forisfecerit, id eis sine dilatione faciatis emendari. Et duret 〈◊〉 praedicatio à die Purificationis beatae Mariae Regni nostri anno quarto, in duos Annos. Teste meipso apud Rothomagum, 16 die Octobr. The first Patent of such a Collection I have yet met with.
Page 243. l. 11. King John having by his special Charter granted to William Bishop of London (though he had Parks of his own) the Tithe of all his Venison taken in Essex for his own use; issued this Patent to his Foresters to see it duly executed.
REX, &c. Omnibus Forestariis Essex, salutem. Praecipimus vobis, quod sine impedimento faciatis habere venerabili Patri nostro in Christo Domino W. London Episcopo, decimam venationis quae capietur ad opus nostrum in Essex, secundum tenorem Cartae nostrae quam inde habet, et prohibemus ne super hoc vexationem aut molestiam faciatis aliquam, aut fieri permittatis.
How ill this Beaf: of the Forest and fleshly undutiful Prelate requited him for this special favor, in interdicting his whole Realm, and inciting the Pope to excommunicate and deprive him of his Crown, I have at large related in my Second Tome. On whose behalf King John this year, as supreme Protector of the Church and Churches possessions, issued this Writ to several Sheriffs, to prohibit any person to intrude himself into any the Lands of this Bishop of London or his Church without his license or assent, and to remove all such who had so intruded, out of possession.
REX, &c. Justic. Vicecom. &c. Sciatis quod nos prohibuimus ne aliquis mitteret se in feodum venerabilis patris nostri in Christo W. London. Episcopy, vel in feodum Ecclesiae suae absque assensu & voluntate ipsius Episcopy, vel exempto vel vadio; Et adhuc prohibemus, ne aliquis de caetero in feodum ipsius Episcopy se sic mittat; unde vobis mandamus & firmiter praecipimus, quod si aliquis inveneritis qui se absque assensu & voluntate praefati Episcopy in feodum suum vel Ecclesiae suae ità miserit, et contra prohibitionem nostram venerit, ipsum à feodo illo sine dilatione expellatis, & omnem vim amov • atis, ita quod justitia nostra in hac parte firmiter observetur, et praedicto Episcopo feodum illud in bona pace habere faciatis, ut inde facere possit quod facere debebit. Teste G. filio Petri, apud Turrim London. tertio die Novembris, Anno, &c. sexto.
What favor and justice he likewise expressed to the Bishop of Chichester, in assisting him to recover all things alienated from his Church, in his own or the Kings Courts by the assistance of his Justices, this Patent will demonstrate.
REX, &c. Omnibus, &c. Sciatis nos concessisse venerabili patri nostro in Christo Simony Cicestrienc. Episcopo liberam & plenam potestatem per has literas nostras patentes, revocandi in Curiam suam per judicium Curiae suae, omnia alienata ab Episcopatu suo; Et si quae loquelae in Curia ipsius Episcopy motae authoritate literarum istarum, tales fuerint, quod Curiam suam inde nolueruit ponere in Curia nostra ad habend. assensum Iustic. nostrorum de judicio inde faciendo; concedimus quod eis in Curia nostra ponat; praecipientes quod cum Justic. nostri super hoc requisiti fuerint, non expectato alio mandato, ad audiendas loquelas illas & terminand. diligenter intendant, salvis in omnibus praedicto Episcopo misericordiis & aliis inde provenientibus. Testibus Domino H. Cantuar. Archiepiscopo, G. fil. Petri Com. Essex. Comite W. Marescallo apud Oxoniam, tertio die Augusti, anno regni nostri sexto.
How ungratefully this undutiful treacherous Bishop likewise recompensed him for this favor, in interdicting his Realm, and instigating the Pope to excommunicate and deprive him, enforcing him to resign his Crown, I have elsewhere related.
The King having granted the Patronage of the Chapel of Boseham within the Diocese of Chichester, to the Bishop of Exon and his Successors, he thereupon claimed it to be exempt from the Bishop of Chichester 's former Jurisdiction: whereupon the King declared the contrary by this Patent, though he might have specially exempted it from his Diocoesan Jurisdiction and Visitation, had he pleased, as afterwards it was exempted.
REX, &c. Omnibus, &c. salutem. Licet Domino Exon. Episcopo quantum ad patronum pertinet dederimus Capellariam nost • am de Boseham, nunquam tamen praetencionis aut propositi fuit dictam donacionem facere eo intuitu ut Iuri Diocesani Episcopy et Ecclesiae Cicestrie • sis in Ecclesia de Boscham & ejus pertinenciis in aliquo praejudicaret, sed ut salvum sit eis jus suum in omnibus, id per praesentes literas nostras patentes duximus protestandum. Testibus W. Comite Sarum, Warino fil. G • roldi, H • gone de Nevill apud Neweton 27 die Jan. anno regni nostri sexto.
How pious this King was, in offering one Ounce of Gold to GOD every Lordsday and Holiday, which the Archbishop of Canterbury then offered and disbursed for him, or claimed as his fee, being allowed it in the Exchequer upon his account, these Records besides others will instruct us.
REX, &c. Baronibus de Scaccario, &c. Computate Domino Cantuar. Archiepiscopo in debito quod nobis debet, debita subscripta quae ei debemus de oblationibus nostris quae aretro sunt; scilicet de die Sancti Johannes Baptistae, anno regni nostri sexti 1 uncium Auri, de die Apostolorum Petri & Pauli proximo sequenti 1 uncium Auri, de die Sancti Petri ad vincula proximo sequenti 1 uncium Auri, de die Assumptionis beatae Mariae proximo sequenti 1 uncium Auri, de die Nativitatis proximo sequenti 1 uncium Auri, de die Sancti Michaelis proximo sequenti 1 uncium Auri, de die Omnium Sanctorum sequenti 1 uncium Auri. Teste meipso apud Westmonasterium, primo die Novembris. And, Ibid. m. 22. nu. 228. Faciatis etiam ei computari in debito quod nobis debet debita subscripta, quae eis debemus de oblationibus nostris quae aretro sunt; scilicet de die Dominica in ramis Palmarum anno regni nostri quinto 1 uncium Auri, de die Paschae prox. sequenti 1 marc. Auri, de die Ascensionis Domini prox. sequenti 1 unc. Auri. Teste meipso apud Mereton, 14 die Junii.
Tom. 2. p 241. l. 8. after Constitutis, subjoin; This year the men of Holderness refusing to pay their Traves due to S t . John of Beverly out of their ploughed lands to the Farmer of them, as they did to the Provost and Chapter before, the King by his Prerogative issued this Writ to the Sheriffs of York to seise the persons and goods of those the Provost and Chapter should excommunicate, and detain them till payment, since he and his Tenants duly paid them out of his and their demesnes.
REX, &c. Justic. Angl. & Vicecomitibus Ebor. salutem. Mandavimus omnibus hominibus de Holderness, firmiter praecipientes, quod sine contradictione & difficultate reddant de Carrucis suis ad hostia Grangiarum suarum travas Sancti Johannes Beverlac. per manum propriam, vel servientium suorum, sicut facere solebant antequam travae illae datae essent ad firmam, cum & sic nos faciamus de Dominicis nostris in Waldo, & homines de Waldo similiter tam in Dominicis nostris quàm alibi; quod si non fecerint; mandamus vobis & praecipimus, quatinus vos vel alter vestrum qui prius inde requisitus fuerit, eorum corpora et catalla capi faciatis, quos Praepositus & Capitulum Beverlac. vobis propter hoc denunciarunt excommunicatos, et tamdiu incarceratos, secundum consuetudinem Angliae et libertatem Beverlac. Ecclesiae teneri faciatis, donec praedictis Praeposito et Capitulo inde suerit plene fatisfactum. Teste Domino W. Arch. Roth. W. Com. Arundel, W. de Pruaos apud Roth. 9 die Novembr. Anno regni nostri quinto.
Geofry Fitz-Peter the Kings Chief Justice and Counselor having formerly taken the Cross upon him for the Holy land, being summoned by the Pope to go in that service, King John because he could by no means spare him in regard of the present state of his affairs and Realm, by reason of wars and insurrections, sent this Letter to the Pope to respite his voyage thither for 4 or 5 years.
REverendissimo patri in Christo, &c. J. Dei gratia summo Pontifici, &c. J. Dei gratia Rex Angl. &c. & debitam ac devotam in omnibus reverentiam. Quoniam in tali sumus statu, quod grave esset nobis fideles nostros qui nobis familiarius adhaerent, et de quorum fidelitate non dubitamus, et per quorum consilium terra nostra regi debet et defendi, maxim quia dies mali sunt, et de die is • diem visum fuit transfugis fraudulenter et dolose a fidelitate et servicio nostro recedere, et in nos insurgere, per quod status terrae nostrae, sicut novit Sanctitas vestra, turbatur. Excellentiae vestrae, ea qua possumus devotione supplicamus, quatinus habita consideratione ad statum nostrum, differ velitis usque ad quatuor vel quinque aunos peregrinationem dilecti et fidelis nostri G. fil. Petri Iustic. nostri Crucesignati, cujus praesentia nobis et terrae nostrae ita est necessaria quod eo nullatenus carere possumus, et nos, Domino dante, tam ipsum quam alios Crucesignatos in terr. Jerusal. mittemus sicut terrae redierint; moveat igitur et ad hoc inducat paternitatem vestram status nostri conditio, ita quod vobis proinde merito grates scire debeamus. Teste meipso apud Winton. 14 die Novembris.
Tom. 2. pag. 243. lin. 11. after age, subjoin; I find by these three Writs in the Claus-Roll of Anno 6 of King John, that as the King seised the Bishop of Yorks Temporalties, and imprisoned two of his servants for denying and opposing the Sheriff of York in levying in his Escuage; so upon his subsequent security to pay it, he ordered his Temporalties to be restored, and that he might levy Escuage from his Tenants by Knights service, and enlarged his servants upon bayl to appear and render themselves to Justice before him when he should come into those parts.
PRaeceptum est Vicecomiti Glouc. quod faciat habere Domino Eborac. Archiepiscopo plenariam seisinam de omnibus terris suis in Balliva sua cum pertin. quae seisitae fuerunt in manum Domini Regis, occasion scutag. quod ipse debet Domino Regi. P • r Justic.
REX, &c. Vicecomiti Leycestr. &c. Praecipimus tibi, quod si Archiepiscopus Eborac. te securum fecerit reddendi scutagium quod ipse nobis debet, tunc distringas omnes Milites & libere tenentes in Balliva tua, quod sine dilatione ei reddat scutagium quod ei facere debent, & facere consueverunt de tenementis quod ipsi deeo tenent. Teste G. filio P. apud Waltham 13 die Octobris.
REX, &c. Vicecomiti Eborac. &c. Praecipimus tibi, quod replegiari facias per bonos et securos pleg. Domino Archiepiscopo Eborac. Warinum et Mall. homines suos qui sunt in prisona nostra, ita quod eos habeat coram nobis cum venerimus in partes illas ad stand. recto in eo statu quo modo sunt. Per G. fil. Petri.
Moreover King John out of his piety, to prevent profaneness of the Lord's-day, the same year removed the Market of Launceston from the Lord's-day, whereon it was formerly kept, to the Thursday, as this Record attests.
HOmines de Lanstaveton dant 5 marc. per sic, quod Mercatum de Lanstaveton quod esse solet per diem Dominicum, fiet per diem Iovis. Ita tamen quod non sit ad nocumentum vicinorum Mercatorum. Et mandatum est Vicecomiti, quod sic ita faciat.
King John sending for the Prior of Bath and Canons of Wells, who d • ffered about the election of their Bishop, in the seventh year of his Reign, to the Court at Nottingham, and after that to Windsor, to make an election of a new Bishop, where they attended the Kings leisure, and at last elected Joceline, whom he recommended; (who yet afterwards proved a Traitor to him, interdicting the Realm and flying out of it to Rome with other Bishops who joined with him in that Interdict) he allowed them twenty Marks out of the Temporalties of the Bishopric for their expenses, as this Writ testifies; and for their Committees entertainment of him one night at Glaston and another night at Pilton.
REX, &c. Baronibus, &c. Computate H. Archid. Wellen. & W. de Wrotham Archid. Tanton. Custodibus Episcopatus Bathon. de exitibus Episcopatus Bathon. xx. marcas, quas liberaverunt Priori Bathon. et Canonicis Wellensis Ecclesiae, ad expensas suas veniendo ad nos apud Notingh. et apud Windlesore, et in mora eorum in Curia nostra ad electionem Episcopy faciendam; & xxv. sol. liberatos Magistro Rogero nepoti Decani Well. de termino Sancti Mich. & xxv. sol. liberatos Thomae Turnay de eodem Termino, & xii. s. vi. d. liberatos Herveo de Trascy de eodem termino de praebendis suis, quas habuerunt ante tempora S. quondam Bathon. Episcopy, & xiii. l. & xviij. s. iii. d. & ob. in expensa nostra apud Glaston per unam noctem, & apud Pilton per aliam noctem, & xl. d. liberatos H. Archid. Wellensi de redditu suo antiquo de Glaston. Teste meipso apud Windlesore 4 die Novembris.
King John being informed that his Archbishops, Bishops and Clergy intended to hold a Council at Saint Albans by the authority and command of Pope Innocent the third, about the payment of Romescot against custom, and sundry other unusual exactions, to the great destruction not only of the Lai • y, but of the whole Realm, and derogation of his prerogative Royal, in summoning Councils within his Realm, notwithstanding the reverence he bare to his faith and the Pope, upon complaint thereof by his Nobles and people, issued this memorable Prohibition to them, expressly forbidding them upon their Allegiance, not to hold any Council there by the Popes or any other authority, nor to consult or treat of those things, nor to act or ordain anything against the custom of the Realm, as they endred him or this honor, or tranquility of the Kingdom, until he conferred with the general Council of his Realms about it.
REX Archiepiscopis, Episcopis, Abbatibus, Archid. et omni Clero apud S. Albanum ad Concilium convocato, salutem. Conquerente universitate Comitum, Baronum, Militum et aliorum fidelium nostrorum audivimus, quod non solum in laicorum gravem perniciem, set eciam in tocius regni nostri intollerabile dispendium super Romscote praeter consuetudinem solvendo, et aliis pluribus inconsuetis exactionibus, authoritate summi Pontificis consilium inire; et Concilium celebrare decrevistis; Nos vero licet ob honorem fidei nostrae, et debitum reverenciae quam Sanctae Romanae Ecclesiae impendere tenemur, voluntati ejusdem patris nostvi Domini Papae Innocencii optemperare cupiamus, tamen omittere non possumus quin qu • relis fidelium et subdiforum nostrorum clamaucium, et de jactura sua sibi timencium, prout necesse est, subveniamus, et emergentibus causis quae indempnitati pacis et unitatis regni nostri obviare possunt, qua decet celeritate et diligencia occurramus. Vobis igitur praecise mandamus, et express prohibemus, ne superpraedictie, vel aliquibus aliis Concilium aliquod authoritate aliqua, in fide qua nobis tenemini, teneatis, vel contra regni nostri consuetudinem aliquid novum statuatis, set sicut nos et honorem nostrum, et communem regni tranquillitatem diligitis, a celebracione hujusmodi Concilii, et a praedictis tractatibus ad praesens supersedeatis, quousque cum universitate nostra super hoc colloquium habuerimus: Seientes pro certo, quod expediet honori Sanctae Romanae Ecclesiae, et Domino Papae, et nobis et vobis, quod istud ad praesens negotium differatur, donec generalem habuimus conferenciam quomodo possit commodius et honestius explicari: et quod vobis haec mandamus, pro honor et commodo sacrosanctae Ecclesiae, et nostro, et regni nostri id facimus: Quia talia audivimus, quod haecita fieri necessario expedit, sicut vobis dicemus cum vobiscum locuti fuerimus. Teste meipso apud Ebor. 26 die Maii.
The Archbishops, Bishops, Abbots, Priors and Great men of England having granted King John an Ayd for defense of the Realm against his enemies, and recovery of his Rights in France, sent this Writ to the Archdeacons, Official, and all the Clergy of the Province of Canterbury to do the like, and each of them to set down the particular sum he would give.
REX Archid. et Officiali, et toto Clero Archiepiscopatus Cantuar. salutem. Nostis satis quod Archiepiscopi, Episcopy, Abbates, Priores, & Magnates regni nostri auxilium nobis secerint ad defensionem regni nostri, et recuperationem terrarum nostrarum; verum quia de vobis confidimus, quod nos et honorem nostrum diligitis, et defensionem regni nostri, et recuperacionem terrarum nostrarum affectatis, vos rogamus attencius, quatinus tale auxilium nobis exemplo vestro ex parte nostra faciatis, ut inde grates vobis scire debeamus; et quod alii rectores Ecclesiarum vicini vestri ad auxilium nobis faciendum exemplo vestro sacilius invitentur. Et quantitatem auxilii quod nobis quilibet vestrum facere voluerit, quilibet vestrum separatim inbreviari faciatis; Ita quod per ipsos infra Octabas sanctae Trinitatis inde possimus certificari. Teste meipso apud Ebor. 26 die Maii.
King John having seised and detained in his hands the Temporalties of the Archbishopric of Armach in Ireland, for that the Archbishop was elected without his license, against his will, and Appeal; two Monks coming to him, proffering him 300 Marks a year in Silver, and 3 Marks a year in Gold for to have the lands, liberties and rights thereof; he returned them to his Chief Justice there, to do what was fitting in it, by this Writ.
REX Justic. Hibern. &c. Sciatis quod Benedictus Monachus, & Frater Giraldus de Mellifonte venerunt ad nos, et optulerunt nobis pro Archiepiscopo Armach. ex parte sua CCC. marc. argenti, et tres marc. auri, pro habendis terris et libertatibus quae recognitae fuerunt esse jus Ecclesiae Armach. coram Hamone de Valoniis, quondam Justic. Hiberniae; unde vobis mandamus, quod faciatis inde secundum statum terrae nostrae, & secundum quod tempus se habet, sicut nobis videritis expedire. Et sciatis, quod mandavimus Hugoni de Lascy, quod faciat de terris praedictis id quod ei ex parte nostra dicetis. Teste Domino P. Wint. Episcopo apud Cliton. 30 die Augusti, anno regni nostri 8.
John Reumond coming from Rome to lay claim to a Prebendary in Hastings, sued to the King for his license and safe conduct to come into and return from England; which he granted upon this condition, that upon his arrival he should give security, that he came hither for no ill to the King, nor for any other business but that Prebendary.
REX omnibus, &c. Sciatis quod dedimus Johanni Reumond licenciam & salvum conductum veniendi in Angliam propter Praebendam de Hasting, quam dicit esse suam, & revertendi, data securitate ubi applicuerit, quod propter malum nostrum non veniet in Angliam, necpropter aliud quam propter Praebendam illam. Et duret conductus iste a die Sancti Johannes Baptistae in 15 dies. Anno regni nostri 8. Et in hujus rei testimonium, &c. Teste Comite G. filio Petri apud Winton. 14 die Maii.
The like license he granted to the Archbishops brother Simon Langton, upon the same and stricter conditions.
REX Magistro Simony de Langeton, salutem. Sciatis quod concessimus, quod vos et vestri qui vobiscum venient, Salvo veniatis in Angl. ad loquendum nobiscum, sicut continetur in literis nostris patentibus de Conductu quas vobis mittimus; Ita tamen, quod coram Abbate de Binedon securitatem faciatis, quod nec vos, nec vestri qui vobiscum venient, aliquid facietis in hocitincre in terra nostra, per quod aut nobis, aut regno nostro malum aut dampnum possit evenire, et quod tantum de loquela quae est inter nos et fratrem vestrum tractabitis, et de nulla alia. (So suspicious was the King of all Nuncioes and others coming from Rome, that they had some ill designs to the hurt and damage of him and his Kingdom, which he had then found by woeful experience.)
What allowances the King made this year to his Chancellor for Gold for his Oblations, this Record will inform us.
REX W. Thesaurario, & G. & R. Camer. &c. Liberate de Thesaur. nostro dilecto & fideli nostro W. de Gray Cancellar. nostro pro Oblationibus nostris quae ei aretro sunt; scilicet de die Omnium Sanctorum, anno regni nostri nono, 15. sol. pro una uncia Auri; de die Natal. Domini proximo sequenti, 18. marc. pro duabus marc. Auri; de die Circumcisionis Domini, 15. sol. pro una uncia Auri; de die Epiphan. Domini, 15. solid. pro una uncta Auri. Teste meipso apud Lambh. 22 die Jan. anno regni nostri nono. Per Rich. de Marisco.
Tom. 2. p. 246. l. 28. after assent, add; This appears to be the business, by this memorable Letter sent by King John to the Pope by special messengers, to claim and justify this ancient undoubted right which he and his Royal ancestors enjoyed, to provide and prefer Archbishops and Bishops to the See of Canterbury and all other Cathedrals, attested by the Letters of the Bishops of England and other credible persons, desiring him to preserve the rights of the Church and Realm of England entire and inviolable by his fatherly provision.
SAnctissimo patri & Domino J. Dei gratia summo Pontifici, J. eadem gratia Rex Angl. &c. Destinamus ad pedes Sanctitatis vestrae latores praesencium nuncios nostros, attencius rogantes, quatinus dignitates nostras quas nos et antecessores nostri habuimus super provisionibus tam Ecclesiae Cant. quam aliarum cathedralium sedum, quod vobis per litteras Episcoporum Angliae et aliorum fide-dignorum constare poterit, integras et illaesas conservare velitis, et Ecclesiae Anglicanae et regno in arto constitutis paterna provisione providere. Teste G. fil • o Petri Comite Essex. apud Porec. 26 die Maii.
Who the Nuncioes were the King then sent, what sums of money he allowed them to take up from Merchants, and how to secure their payment, these following Records will fully inform us; by the latter whereof it will appear what their expenses, bribes, pensions paid to the Popes and Cardinals Nephews and Officers at Rome, were, in that and their former journey thither.
REX omnibus Mercatoribus, &c. Sciatis quod quicumque accommodaverit dilecto & fideli nostro H. Abbati de Bello loco, quem pro negociis nostris ad Curiam Romanam mittimus, pecuniam usque ad summam xl. marcarum, nos ei vel certo nuncio suo litteras istas ad nos deferenti cum litteris ipsius Abbatis praestitum id testificantibus, pecuniam illam persolvemus, & ad hoc per has litteras nostras patentes nos obligamus. Teste P. Winton. Episcopo apud Niorc. 25 die Augusti, anno, &c. 8.
REX omnibus Mercatoribus ad quos, &c. Sciatis quod quicumque mutuo tradiderit H. Abbati Belli loci, & Thomae de Ardinton, & Amfredo de Dene, nunciis nostris, quos misimus ad Curiam Romanam pro negoc is nostris, quingentas marcas; nos ei vel nuncio suo has litteras nostras referenti una cum litteris praedictorum nunciorum testificantibus summam illius mutui, ease plene persolvemus; & ad hoc no • oblig • mus per has litteras nostras patentes. Teste Domino P. Winton. Episcopo apud Rokingham 20 die Febr. anno regni nostri 8. Et injunctum est Thomae de Ardinton & Anfredo de Dene, qui habent in hac forma quatuor paria Cartarum, singulas de D. marcis; ita quod per totum sunt M. M. marcae: quod nichil inde expendant sicut diligunt corpora sua, aute consummacionem negocii pro quo remittuntur ad Curiam: Et debent reddere Iustic. Cartam de M. marcis de priore Itinere suo, in quo tulerunt Cartas de M. M. M. marcis, et non expenderunt per totum nisi M. M. marcas, et 25. marc. vacatis inde 30. marc. de uno anno de feodo P. fil. Ric. fratri Domini Papae, et O. Hannibal 60. marc. et ad dict. termin. cassand. de 50. marc. et nepoti Domini Port. de 20. marc. Et praeceptum est Justic. quod Cartam illam afferat Regi; & praeceptum est Thomae de Hardinton quod Cartam nepotis Domini Port. quae liberetur antequam, nomen inserebatur, (afferat) quoniam nomen nesciebatur cum Carta scripta fuit.
The King granted this license to the Executors of the Bishop of Chichester to administer his moveables according to his Testament under seal, except the stock, chattels and goods on his Temporalties, and one Legacy.
REX Magistro Roberto de Glouc. &c. Custodibus Episcopatus Cicestr. &c. Mandamus vobis quod permittatis, quod executores Testamenti Domini H. Episcopy Cicestr. exequant Testamentum ipsius juxta tenorem autentici scripti sui à quo sigillum suum dependet, de rebus suis mobilibus; salvis instauris, et aliis catallis et rebus quas invenit in eadem Episcopatu, et salvis centum marcis quas legavit pro anima Domini H. quondam Archiep. Cant. Teste meipso apud Herpet, 16 die September.
Tom. 2. p. 254. l. 22. after Worship, addc; Amongst others, I find these Writs of the King for seising, sequestering and committing all the Manors, Lands, Chattels and goods of the Bishop of Coventry, Abbots, Priors, Religious persons and Monks within the County of Derby, and all the lands of the Templars, for submitting to the Popes and Bishops Interdict of the Realm, and not celebrating Divine service, as the King enjoined them.
REX Vicecomiti Derby, salutem. Praecipimus tibi quod liberes Thomae de Ardinton omnia maneria Episcopy Coventr. quaesunt in Balliva tua, cum omnibus in eis inventis, et omnes terras et res Abbatum, Priorum, Religiosorum et Clericorum de Balliva tua, ad faciend. inde praeceptum nostrum; ita camen quod nobis scire facias quae ei liberaveris, & quae receperit. Teste meipso apud Cler, 21 die Marcii.
REX, &c. G. de Atyes, &c. Sciatis quod comisimus G. fil. Petri Justic. nostro, omnes terras, redditus et res fratrum Miliciae Templi in Angl. quae seisiti fuerunt in manum nostram, occasion interdicti; Quia ipse nobis inde respondebit: & ideo tibi praecipimus quod omnia praedicta in Balliva tua ei habere facias. Teste meipso apud Sutton 9 die Aprilis.
Moreover, he commanded all the Prebendaries of the Romans, Lombards and Cardinals to be seised; and ordered the Farmers to pay their Rents to him, or where he should appoint, at the terms reserved in their Leases, as these Writs assure us.
REX Roberto de Veteri Ponte, &c. Sciatis quod concessimus quod Praebendae Romanorum et Lombardorum in Ecclesia Eborum, liberentur Firmariis qui ease tenuerunt, ad respondendum nobis, vel ubi illos attornabimus de firmis quas inde reddere consueverunt, et ad eosdem terminos ad quos illas reddere solebant. Et ideo vobis mandamus, quod accepta securitate à praedictis Firmariis de firmis illis reddendis, nobis vel ubi illas attornabimus ad terminos ad quos illas reddere solebant, praedictas praebendas illis liberari faciatis, et illos ease been et in pace per praedictas firmas tenere permittatis. Teste meipso apud Notingh. 15 die Augusti. Per ipsum Regem.
REX Briano de Insul. Mandamus vobis quod permittatis Priorem de Novo loco tenere Praebendam de Exston ad firmam, sicut eam tenuit de Gregorio Cardinali Romano; ita tamen quod nobis de firma illa respondeat. Teste meipso apud Ludeham, 14 die Augusti.
Tom. 2. p. 254. l. 52. after respondebat, add; On the contrary the King likewise issued this Writ for the restitution of the Lands, rents; and protection of the persons and goods of the Bishop of Bath, his Canons, Monks and Clerks, who conformed to his Royal Writs and commands, and said Divine Service notwithstanding the Popes Interdict.
REX G. de Aties, &c. Scias quod reddidimus Venerabili patri nostro J. Bath. Episcopo omnes terras & tenementa, redditus & prisons quae ad ipsum & Cathedrales Ecclesias suas pertinent. tam Canonicorum quam Monachorum, & omnes terras & tenementa, redditus & prisons eorundem Canonicorum & Monachorum, & etiam Clericorum qui de advocatione ipsius Episcopy, vel praedictorum Canonicorum, Monachorum & de feudis suis tenentur, adeo integre cum omnibus pertineutiis suis, sicut ea habuerunt ante Interdictum. Et ideo tibi praecipimus, quod omnia praedicta quae sunt in Balliva tua ei sine dilatione haberi facias, et si quid inde amotum fuerit postquam occasion interdicti in manum nostram capta fuerunt, id eis sine dilatione reddi facias. Et praeterea reddi facias eidom Episcopo omnes oblationes integre quae provenerunt, et receptae vel arrestatae sunt a tuis in Balliva tua post interdictum. Et prohibeas omnibus in Balliva tua, quod sicut corpora sua diligunt, malum non faciant nec dicant viris religiosis vel Clericis de Episcopatu Bathon. set eis firmam pacem nostram portent. Teste meipso apud Merleb. 10 die Aprilis.
Yea he was so zealous to protect all such dutiful, loyal, religious persons, Clerks, from violence by any of the Popes Instruments or others, that he commanded the Sheriffs to make this public proclamation throughout their Counties by way of tertor; that he would hang up any on the next Oak that should be attainted of doing or speaking any evil against them contrary to his protection.
PRaecipimus tibi, quod clamari facias sine dilatione per Com. tuum, quod nulli sicut diligunt corpora et catalla sua, malum faciant vel dicant viris religiosts, vel Clericis, contra pacem nostram. Et si quem inde attingere possumus, ad proximunt quercum suspendi faciemus. Teste meipso apud Merleberg; 11 die Aprilis.
The like restitution and protection he granted by several Patents, to William Priest of Bradewater, William de Wrotham Archdeacon of Taunton, the Abbot of Saint Edmund, the Canons of Exeter, and sundry others.
The Church of Exeter wanting a Bishop during the Interdict, the King out of his piety and Ecclesiastical sovereignty, sent the Archbishop of Armach Primate of Ireland, thither, to execute his Episcopal Office in that Bishopric, giving order to defray his expenses out of the Manors of the Bishopric, as this Writ records.
REX Custod. Episcopatus Exon. &c. Sciatis quod misimus venerabilem patrem E. Armachan. Archiepiscopum et Hiberniae Primatem, ad exequendum Episcopale officium in Episcopatu Exon. Et ideo vobis mandamus, quod cum contingerit ipsum facere transitum per dominica maneria Episcopatus, inveniatis ei rationabile estuverium suum cum sex equis: et computabitur vobis ad Scaccarium nostrum. Teste meipso apud Divis. 19 die Julii.
Thus did the King provide for his people's souls, which the Pope and Bishops who interdicted the Realm endeavored to starve and destroy, by interdicting all Divine public worship, Service and Sacraments.
Moreover, the King the same year soon after the Interdict, by his Ecclesiastical prerogative, nominated and sent a Bishop into Ireland to the Bishopric of Limerick then void, commanding his Justice of Ireland first to invest him therein, and then to induce the Clergy thereof to elect and receive him for their Bishop; as this Record assures us.
REX M. Justic. Hybern. &c. Sciatis, quod concessimus Magistro Gaufrido Personae Ecclesiae de Dungarvan Episcopatum Lymeric. qui vacat: Et volumus et assentimus, ut praeficiatur Episcopus Ecclesiae Limericensi: Et ideo vobis mandamus, quod Episcopatum illum ei habere faciatis, et moneatis et inducatis Clerum illius Episcopatus, quod ipsum eligant et recipiant in Episcopum. Teste meipso apud Frigidum Mantellum, 5. die Decemb.
The loss of all Charter, Clause, Patent and Fine-Rolls of King John, from Anno 9. till 14. of his Reign, have deprived us of sundry occurrences during those years.
Tom. 2. p. 268. l. 55. after Anglia, add. The Archdeaconry of Stafford becoming void by the Election and confirmation of Henry London Archdeacon thereof to the Archbishopric of Dublin by the Kings nomination and consent during the Interdict, the King granted it by this Patent to Robert de Gloucester.
REX omnibus Decanis, Personis, Vicariis & Clericis in Archidiaconatu Stafford. constitutis, salutem. Sciatis quod concessimus intuitu Dei, & quantum ad nos pertinet dedimus dilecto Clerico nostro Magistro Roberto de Gloucestr. Archidiaconatum Stafford. cum omnibus pertinentiis suis, qui fuit dilecti nostri H. Dublin. electi, qui in Archiepiscopum est confirmatus, & qui ad nostram spectat donationem, ration Episcopatus Cestrensis vacantis et in manu nostra existentis: Et ideo vobis mandamus, quatenus ei tanquam Archidiacono vestro sitis in omnibus quae ad officium suum pertinent intendentes & obedientes. Et in hujus rei testimonium has literas nostras Patentes vobis mittimus. Teste meipso apud Windlesor, 5. die Marcii. Per Dom. Winton. Episcopum, & per Consilium.
In which Patent there are 4. points observable; 1. That by an English Archdeacons taking an Archbishopric in Ireland, his Archdeaconry in England became void in Law even in K. John 's reign, upon his confirmation before his consecration. 2ly. That the King claimed the right of granting this Archdeaconry upon his translation to the Archbishopric, only by reason of the Bishopric of Chester 's vacancy, to whom the patronage belonged; not by reason of his Translation: Of which there are many like presidents in ancient Records. 3ly. That he granted it by way of collation, not presentation. 4ly. That during King John's Excommunication, and his Kingdoms Interdict by the Pope, the • e are above one hundred presidents of his presenting Clerks to Benefices, Archdeaconries, Praebendaries belonging to vacant Bishoprics, Abbeys, and others, which he seised into his hands for the Treasons or Contempts of the Archbishop, Bishops, Abbots and Clergymen, who interdicted and fled out of the Realm, or submitted to the Interdict, as likewise sundry Licenses granted by him for Elections, and his Royal assent to elections of Bishops, Abbots and Priors, extant in the Patent-Rolls of 9, 14, and 15. years of his reign. So little did he regard his Excommunication or Interdict by the Pope.
Tom. 2. p. 274. l. 44. after clamante, add. Mat. Westminster passeth this censure of King John 's Resignation, Charter of his Kingdom, and Homage to Pope Innocent: Res • gnavit igitur (Rex Johannes) Coronam Angliae Inn • centio Papae, et ei fecit homagium, et fecit de libera regione ancillam, ut princeps provinciarum fieret sub tributo, chartam inde conficiens, omnibus eam audientibus lugubrem et detestabilem. The Charter which he registers differs from that in Mat. Paris in these words clauses; gratia ipsa sancta inspirante, ad optimum consilium Baronum m • orum • fferimus: which Mat. Paris thus amplifies; gratia Sancti Spiritus inspirante, non vi Interdicti, nec timore coacti, sed nostra bona spontaneaque voluntate, ac communi consilio Baronum nostrorum conferimus. Mat. Westm. adds after successoribus ejus, omne ju • patronatus, quod habemus in Ecclestis Anglicanis, (not in the Charter Roll, nor printed Copies of Matthew Paris, nor of Henry de Knyghton) totumque reg • um Angliae, &c. & amodo illa a Deo & Ecclesia Romana tanquam seudatarius recipientes. Mat. Paris renders it, Ejusque Cat • olicis successoribus, totum Regnum Angliae, &c. & amodo illa ab eo & Ecclesia Romana tanquam secundarius recipientes. Mat. Westm. adds, Fidelitatem exinde Domino Papae, &c. Mat. Paris omits Fidelitatem. Matth. Westm. is, Ad indicium autem huj • s pe • p • tuae oblationis; agreeing with the Record in the Tower. Mat. Paris and Hen. de Knyghton render it, Hujus obligationis. Mat. Westm. pro omni consuetudine. Mat. Par. pro omni servitio et consuetudine. Henry de Knyghton, relating the manner how King John was decoyed to make this Charter whiles under the Popes Excommunication and Interdict, adds; Antequam beneficium absolutionis possit promereri, de libero fecit se servum, et de Dominante servientem, terramque Anglicanam quae esse solebat libera, et ab omni servitute quieta, fecit tributariam et ancillam pedissequam, subjectionemque suam confirmavit per scriptum suum in haec verba conceptum. Johannes Dei gratia Rex Angliae, &c. Universitati vestrae per hanc Chartam aurea Bulla munitam, volumus esse notum, &c. nec quid quod dig • e offerre possumus pro satisfaction Deo & Ecclesiae facienda ni • t nos ipsos habemus et regna nostra: volentesque (which words in the Record, and him, were omitted by the Printers negligence in my second Tome, p. 289. l. 17.) nos ipsos humiliare, &c. Henry de Knyghton his Copy agreeth verbatim with the Charter Roll, except in 5. words, whereof obligationis, for oblationis, is most material: After which Charter he immediately subjoins of King John, Sicque de libero servus effectus est, & beneficium absolutionis apud Winton. consecutus, & Interdicti relaxatio facta est statim, in eodem anno 1214. sexto Non. Julii feria sexta, facta prius restitutione cuilibet petenti. All by his Popish Prelates Treachery.
Tom. 2. p. 278. l. 33. after delay, add; He was enforced to restore to these Trayterous Bishops Proxies, before their arrival, in the presence of Pandulfus the Popes Legate, their respective Bishoprics, to remit his indignation against them; and receive them with their adherents persons, lands, goods into his Royal protection before the Interdict realeased; as these ensuing Records most fully evidence.
REX Omnibus tenentibus de Episcopatu Herefordensi, &c. Sciatis quod reddidimus Domino E. Herefordensi Episcopo per manum Magistri Pandulphi Domini Papae nuncii Episcopatum Herefordensem, cum pertinent • s suis; Et idem Episcopus constituit coram eodem Magistro Pandulpho Decanum & Thesaurarium Herefordenses, &c. generales Procuratores suos ad praedictum Episcopatum nomine suo suscipiendum & custodiendum. Et ideo vobis mandamus, quod eisdem Decano & Thesaurario tanquam generalibus procuratoribus suis sitis intendentes quamdiu eidem Episcopo placuerit. Teste Domino P. Wint • niensi Episcopo apud Winds. primo die Junii, anno 15. Per eundem, & G. filium Petri Marescallum.
Eodem modo scribitur tenentibus de Archiepiscopatu Cantuariensi committendo Magistro Roberto de Penn; & tenentibus de Episcopatu Londoniensi de Richardo Capellano & Willielmo Clerico; & tenentibus de Episcopatu Eli • nsi de Simone de Insula; & tenentibus de Episcopatu Bathoniensi de Petro de Cicestria; & tenentibus de Episcopatu Lincolniensi, de Decano Lincolniensi, & tenentibus de Prioratu Cantuariensi de fratre Ricardo Monacho. Teste eodem.
REX Justiciariis, Vicecomitibus, Praepositis, & omnibus Ballivis & fidelibus suis, &c. Sciatis quod venerabilis pater noster Dominus W. Londoniensis Episcopus plenam gratiam nostram habet, & ipsum & omnes homines, terras, res, & omnes possessiones suas in protectionem & defensionem nostram suscepimus: Et ideo vobis mandamus, quod ipsum et omnia sua protegatis et defendatis tanquam nostra dominica. Et prohibemus, ne ponatur in placitum de aliquo tenemento quod in pace tenuit die quo ultimo ab Anglia recessimus in Pictaviam ad t • an • fretandum, donec inde reversi fuerimus in Angliam. Et in hujus rei testimonium, &c. vobis mandamus. Teste ut supra.
REX omnibus Vicecomitibus, & Forestariis, & Ballivis in quorum Ballivis Dominus H. Sarisberiensis Episcopus & Canonici sui terras habent & tenementa, salutem. Praecipimus vobis, quod sine dilatione & occasion faciatis habere venerabili patri nostro Domino H. Sarum Episcopo & Canonicis suis plenariam saisinam de omnibus terris & tenementis Episcopatus & Ecclesiae Sarum in B • llivis vestris, et dominicis, et feodis et gardis, et omnibus libertatibus ita integre sicut melius et liberius tempore inchoatae discordiae ea habuerunt, et cum omnibus excaetis quae provenerunt de terris suis a tempore inchoatae discordiae inter nos et ipsos. Teste meipso apud Porcestriam, 18 die Julii. Anno regni nostri 15.
REX omnibus Vicecomitibus, & Forestariis, & Ballivis suis, salutem. Praecipimus vobis, quod Priorem & Monachos Cantuarienses pacifice habere permittatis omnes libertates & liberas consuetudines suas in ballivis vestris, sicut habuerunt a tempore discordiae inter nos et ipsos motae. Teste Rege apud Wintoniam, 21 die Julii. Anno regni nostri 15.
Eodem modo scribitur Archidiacono Dunelmensi, & Philippo de Uletot. Teste eodem.
REX omnibus Ballivis & fidelibus suis, &c. Sciatis quod recepimus in gratiam nostram Willielmum filium Walteri Archidiaconum Herefordensem, et ei indignationem nostram dimisimus quam erga ipsum habuimus occasion recessus sui ab Anglia. Et ideo vobis mandamus, quod ipsum tanquam dilectum et fidelem Clericum nostrum, et omnes homines, redditus et res suas in Ballivis vestris manuteneatis et defendatis, nec ei, vel suis faciatis, vel fieri permittatis injuriam, molestiam vel gravamen: Et si quid eis forisfactum fuerit, id ei sine dilatione saciatis emendari. Et in hujus rei testimonium has literas patentes vobis inde mittimus. Teste meipso apud Wintoniam, 21 die Julii. Anno regni nostri 15.
REX Gilberto filio Reinfredi, &c. Mandamus vobis, quod sicut nos et absolutionem nostram diligitis, statim visis literis istis sine dilatione plena fiat restitutio de omnibus terris, feodis, & tenementis Eustac. de Vescy, sicut melius & liberius tempore inchoatae discordiae ea habuit, quae propter hoc ad nos venerint, scientes, quod in eandem sentenciam in qua prius fuimus incidemus nisi citius hoc feceritis. Scire autem faciatis venerabili patri nostro S. Cantuariensi Archiepiscopo, et G. filio Petri Iusticiario nostro quando hoc feceritis. Et in hujus rei testimoniam has literas nostras patentes vobis inde mittimus. Teste meipso apud Wintoniam, 21 die Julii. Anno regni nostri 15.
REX omnibus fidelibus suis, salutem. Sciatis quod praecepimus ut Roberto filio Walteri, & Eustachio de Vescy, & suis sine dilatione plena fiat restitutio omnium immobilium suorum & libertatum sine difficultate, statim postquam nos vel illi quibus curam regni nostri committemus super hoc infra Natale Domini fuerimus requisiti. Et si forte (quod Deus avertat) ita non fieret, concessimus, et concedimus bona fide, quod liceat venerabili patri nostro S. Cantuariensi Archiepiscopo nos, appellatione remota, in eundem statum reducere in quo fuerimus ante formam pacis a nobis acceptatam. (To which unworthy condescensions he was enforced to submit, by his Trayterous Bishops, before he could be absolved from his former Excommunication.) Et in hujus rei testimoniam has literas nostras patentes vobis inde fieri fecimus. Teste meipso apud Wintoniam, 19 die Julii. Anno regni nostri 15.
Tom. 2. p. 282. l. 45. after supradictis, add; King John to give some present satisfaction to these Trayterous Prelates for their damages during their flight and exile, (only to effect his Excommunication and dethroning) was enforced to pay them 15000 Marks forthwith, for which he issued this Writ.
REX Hugoni de Nevill, &c. Mandamus vobis, quod sine dilatione visis Literis istis liberari faciatis certis nunciis Domini Cantuariensis Archiepiscopi, et Episcoporum Londoniensis, Elyensis, Herefordensis, Bathoniensis, et Lincolniensis, literas nostras patentes deferentibus 15 millia marcarum de denariiis nostris qui sunt in custodia vestra apud Merlebergiam. Et in hujus, &c. apud Rading, 12 die Decembr.
Tom. 2. p. 282. l. 13. after remeavit, add; The King being at Portesmuth with his Forces to pass over into Poitiers, made Peter Bishop of Winton Custos of the Realm; and committed it likewise to the custody, protection of God, the Church and Pope of Rome, and of his Legate, during his absence, as these Patents inform us.
REX Archiepiscopis, Episcopis, Abbatibus, Comitibus, Baronibus, Justiciariis, V • cecomitibus, Praepositis, & omnibus Ballivis & fidelibus suis, &c. Sciatis quod constituimus Justiciarium nostrum Angliae venerabilem patrem nostrum P. Wintoniensem Episcopum quamdiu nobis placuerit, ad custodiendam loco nostro terram nastram Angliae, et pacem regni nostri. Et ideo vobis mandamus, quod ei tanquam Justiciario nostro Angliae intendentes sitis & respondentes. Et in hujus rei testimonium, &c. vobis mittimus. Teste meipso apud Portesmuth. 1 die Februarii. Anno regni nostri 15.
REX Archiepiscopis, Episcopis, Abbatibus, Comitibus, Baronibus, & omnibus fidelibus suis has literas inspecturis, &c. Sciatis, quod pro magnis negotiis nostris transfretamus ad praesens in Pictaviam, et regnum nostrum Angliae ad custodiam • t protectionem DEI, et Sanctae Romanae Ecclesiae, et Domini Papae, et Domini N. Tusculanensis Episcopy, Apostolicae s • dis Legati commisimus, et loco nostro ad pacem regni nostri tuendam venerabilem patrem nostrum Dominum P. Wintoniensem Episcopum constituimus. Et ideo vobis mandamus, quod ei ad defensionem regni, & pacis conservationem, auxiliantes sitis & intendentes. Et in hujus rei testimonium, &c. vobis mittimus. Teste ut supra.
He likewise granted the Bishop power, to give restitution of the Temporalties of all Churches, to whom he or his Commissioners should give his Royal assent, and to all elections to them upon voydances, during his absence.
REX Domino P. Wi • toniensi Episcopo, &c. Mandamus vobis, quod cum electi Ecclesiarum vacantium qui electi fuerint de assensu nostro, vel assensu dilectorum • t fidelium nostrorum Abbatum de Eboraco, et de Bello loco, et de Seleby, et Willielmi Briwerr, et Willielmi de Cantilupo, quos ad hoc loco nostro assignavimus, ad vos venerint, eis liberam assignationem terrarum suarum, & omnium possessionum ad Ecclesias suas spectantium habere faciatis. Et in hujus rei testimonium, &c. vobis mittimus. Teste meipso apud Portesmuth. 1 die Febr. anno regni nostri 15.
The King amongst other constitutions to be observed by his Army then raised, made these ensuing for the preservation of the Churches Privileges, to please his Clergy.
DOminus Rex habeat in qualibet terra sua duos Marescallos; scil. de Anglia Radulphum de Bray, & Radulphum de Mandevill; de Normannnia, Philippum de Albiniaco, & Engmerguey de Boun, de aliis terris, illos quos Dominus Rex elegerit.
Isti jurabunt, quod been et fideliter pacem Ecclesiae observari facient. Ita quod si necesse fuerit aliquid de Ecclesiis vel Cimiteriis, pro defectu exercitus capere, illi qui praeerunt Ecclesiis commoneantur, ut venditioni exponant ea quae necessaria fuerint exercitui, et antequam aliquid inde amotum fuerit eis satisfaciant de praecio. Quod si forte custodes Ecclesiarum absentes fuerint, vel id facere neglexerint, precium rerum venalium in Ecclesia reponetur ad opus illorum quorum venalia illa fuerint, &c.
Hoc idem quilibet Baro, et quilibet Miles, et quilibet Capitalis serviens familiae suae se firmiter observaturum jurabit. Ita quod si aliquis transgressor hujus institutionis inventus fuerit, Marescallis inde tradatur ad faciendum inde quod justum fuerit.
Moreover K. John out of his piety, to prevent profanations of the Lord's-day, the same year removed the Market of the City of Exon from the Lord's-day, whereon it was formerly kept, to the Monday, as this Record attests.
REX Vic. Devon. &c. Sciatis quod Civibus nostris Exon. concessimus, quod habeant Mercatum suum in Civirate nostra Exon. per diem Lunae, quod habere solebant per diem Dominicam. Et ideo vobis mandamus, quod hoc ita fieri faciatis. Teste meipso apud Dorec. 29 die Julii. Before which, in the seventh year of his reign, he made the like alteration of the Market of Lanceston, from the Lord's-day.
Tom. 2. pag. 283. l. 41. after eundem, add; The King likewise to gratify the Pope, granted a license and safe conduct to the Freers of the Hospital of St. Mary's in Rome, to preach and make collections throughout England, for the maintenance of their Hospital, (built by the Pope) by these Letters Patents.
REX omnibus fidelibus suis in Anglia, tàm Clericis quàm Laicis, ad quos praesentes literae pervenerint, salutem. Sciatis, quod concessimus sratribus Hospitalis Sanctae Mariae in Saxia quod apud Roman a Domino Papa de novo est constructum, licentiam fide • iter praedicandi in regno nostro Angliae, et fidelium eleemos • nas • aritative petendi et accipiendi ad sustentationem pauperum praedicti Hospitalis, secundum formam privilegii Apostolici quod inde habent. Et ideo vobis mandamus, rogantes qua • inus praed • ctos fracr • s & nunc • os & homines eorum quocunque venerint in Angliam benigre & honorifice suscipiatis, & eis de bonis vestris intu •• u Dei benefaciatis, n • c perm • ttatis eis molestiam fieri vel impedimentum, quia eos et omnia sua in protectionem nostram suscepimus. Concessimus • tiam e • sdem fracribus, ut ipsi & res suae per omnem terram nostram et aquam l • berum habeant transitum et securum. Et in hujus rei testimonium, literas, &c. eis ficri fecimus, per totum hunc annum duraturas. Teste meipso apud Rading. 10 die Decemb. Anno regni nostri 15.
REX omnibus B • llivis et fidelibus, &c. Sciatis nos suscip • sse in protectionem nostram fratr • s Hospitalis S • nctae Mariae de Kertevall, praesencium latores, in eundo per totam potestatem nostram ad pradicandum et petendum eleemosynas domini sui karitative conferri. Et ideo vob • s mandamus, quod nullum eis super hoc faciatis vel fieri permittatis impedimentum. Et in hujus, &c. Teste meipso apud Grantam, 1 die Aprilis.
Tom. 2. pag. 287. lin. 29. after Septembris, insert; This Epistle to the Popes approaching Legate he seconded with another of the same date.
VEnerabili Patri in Christo N. Dei gratia Tusculane • si Episcopo Apostolicae Sedis Legato, J. eadem gratia Rex Angliae, &c. & debitam Patri cum devotione reverentiam. Audito adventu vestro versus partes nostras, nos cum toto Regno nostro gavis • sumus in Domino, de Religion et honestate vestra fiduciam gerentes pleniorem. Misissemus autem ad vos (sicut decens et dignum esset) Nuncios nostros, nisi communis relatio nos decepisset, quae vos in festo exaltationis Sanctae Crucis Capitulo Cistertiensi debere interesse asserebat. Cum vero certos de appropinquatione vestra audissemus, fuimus in remotis Regni nostri partibus ultra Eboracum; et statim latores praes • ntium prudentes viros et samiliares nostros Eborac. et Seleby Abbates in occursum vestrum misimus; mandantes quod been veneritis, et plures et solempniores nuncios misissemus, si viae fidelibus nostris tutae essent. Nos vero in occ • rsum vestcum versus mare venire f • stinamus: Vestram rogantes Sanctitatem, quatinus quam citius poteritis in Angliam venire festinetis, et voluntatem vestram nobis, si placet, significetis. Teste meipso apud Thikehill, 19 die Septembru. So highly did he court this Legate, on whom he conferred the custody of St. Edmond 's rich Abby, after his arrival.
Tom. 2. p. 297. l. 23. after dying day, add; Yea Mat. Westminster (though a Monk) observes, that the very same year King John resigned his Crown, Realms to the Pope, became his Tributary, and put himself under his protection, though he confederated with the Earl of Flanders and other foreign Nobles, qui magnumexercitum, de conductitiis stipendariis, distribuentes Regium the saurum prodigaliter, conflaverunt; propositum habentes, ut Regem Francorum Philippum, die Dominica, non consuetum tali die arma portare, subito invaderent et confunderent. Yet, Rex Franciae (though he had three horses slain under him) triumphum inopinabilem, Deo propician • e, reportavit, apu • Boumes in Flandria. Capti sunt multi magnates tàm de Imperio quàm de regno Angliae. Imperator autem Otho cum suis qui aderant paucis, elapsus est, & nunquam posteà est fama sua redintegrata. Ad majorem confusionem Regis Johannes Anglorum, amotus est idem Rex à castro quod Rupes Monachorum dicitur; quod obsiderat cum magno exercitu, per adventum Ludovici filii Regis Francorum; it à quod audito rumore de captione n • agnatum suorum apud Boives, & impotentia resistendi ex alia parte, comperiit Deum et homines, sibi esse undique offensos et exosos. Fugitigitur turpiter ec ignominiose a praedicta obsidione, et nisi dans XI. millia marcarum argenti pro treugis triennalibus citius in Angliam, procurante Roberto de Curci, tunc in Francia Legato, recessisset, profecto probrose captus exstitisset. Rex igitur in Angliam confusus et inglorius 14 kal. Novembris venit. Where he was soon after abandoned, renounced by most of his Prelates, Nobles, people; and Louis of France called in and crowned King in his stead: Whereupon Pope Innocent the III. in a general Council at Rome, anno gratiae 1215. Ludovicum Regis Francorum primogenitum, et omnes Comites et Barones Angliae, cum complicibus suis conspirantes, et insurgentes in Regem Angliae, Romanae Ecclesiae vassallum, die Sancti Andreae Apostoli excommunicavit: who slighted, derided this his Papal thunderbolt with greatest contempt. Creseebat jam guerra in Anglia de die in diem, Baronibus totam patriam Northampton, cum ipsa villa occupantibus. Barones vero inde venerunt London, & 15 kalendas Junii civitatem ingredientes, nullo contradicente, occuparunt.
Tom. 2. p. 333. l. 22. after Patents, insert.
REX dilectis sibi in Christo Priori & Conventui S. Edmundi, salutem. Sciatis, quod commisimus venerabili Patri nostro Domino Tu culanensi Episcopo Apostolicae Sedis Legato custodiam Abbac • ae vestrae cum omnibus pertinent. suis quamdiu nob • s placuerit, salvo nobis Rega • nostro, scilicet in electione Abbatis, et in redditibus Ecclesiasticis vacantibus et excaetis con • erendis. Et ideo vobis mandamus quod ei tanquam Custodi vestro sitis intendentes. Et in hujus rei testimonium has literas nostras patentes vobis inde mit • mus. Teste meipso apud Turrim London. 3 die Jan. Anno regni nostri 15.
Tom. 2. p. 336. l. 51. after dilecti, add; Besides, the Archbishop and Bishops covertly to gain into their hands and power the administration and disposal of the Chattels and Personal estates of all Lay-persons and Free-men of England dying intestate, inserted this new Clause into K. John 's Charter; Si aliquis liberhomo intestatus decesserit, catalla suaper manumpropinquorum, parentum et amicorum suorum per visum Ecclesiae distribuantur, salvis unicuique debitis quae desunctus ei debebat: not extant in King Henry the 1. his Charter, anno 1100. whose confirmation they pretended only to contest for, and to have ratified, running only in these words; Si quis Baronum vel hominum meorum infirmabitur, sicut ipse dabit vel dare disposuerit pecuniam suam, it a datam esse concedo. Quod st ipse praeventus armis, vel infirmitate, pecuniam suam nec dederit, nec dare disposuerit (by his last Will and Testament) uxorsua, sive liberi, aut parents, aut legitimi homines ejus (not the Church, Bishop, or Ordinary not mentioned in this Clause, or Law) eam pro anima ejus dividant SICUT EIS MELIUS VISUM FUERIT; without the Churches, Ordinaries view or disposition; according to the precedent Laws both of King Knute and Edward the Confessor ( elsewhere cited:) Notwithstanding which, the King and all Lord's of Manors before this his Charter made, especially during the reigns of King William the Conqueror and William Rufus, usually claiming, seising, disposing of the Goods, Chattels, Moneys, Personal estate of all their Barons and Tenants dying intestate, to the great prejudice of their Wives, Children, Parents, Kinred; which grievance among others, King Henry the 1. (to induce the Bishops and Nobles to crown him King) at their request promised by his Oath to • eform, and redressed by this Clause in his Charter. After this King Stephen, (at the Bishops request, who most treacherously, against their Oaths, Loyalty to King Henry the 1. and his Daughter and heir Queen Maude, elected and crowned him King) inserted this farther Clause into his Charter of Liberties granted to the Bishops and Clergy, Anno 1156. at his Coronation. h Ecclesiasticarum personarum et omnium Clericorum et rerum eorum justitiam et potestatem, et distributionem bonorum Ecclesiasticorum in manu Episcoporum esse perhibeo et confirmo. Si quis autem Episcopus vel Abbas, vel alia Ecclesiastica persona ante mortem suam rationabiliter sua distribuerit, vel distribuenda statuerit (by his Will) firmum manere concedo. Si vero morte praeoccupatus fuerit, pro salute animae ejus Ecclesiae consilio eadem fiat distributio. This is the first Charter, for ought I can find, that gave Clergy-men power to dispose of their Church-goods by Will, and Bishops or Ordinaries Jurisdiction to distribute their Clerks Goods dying intestate, for the good of their Souls, they then having no Wives nor Children, as Lay-men had, to whose goods therefore this Charter never extended; but only to Church-men's goods belonging to their Churches.
Before this Charter of King Stephen, the ancient Law, custom of England was, that if any Bishop, Abbot, or other Ecclesiastical person who held of the King, and received his Temporalties from him deceased, all his goods and chattels (except the ornaments of his Church, Chapel dedicated to God's Service, or the stock annexed to his Bishopr • ck by the Kings special Charters) belonged of right to the King, especially if he died intestate; neither could any of them by Law make a Will, or devise his goods or chattels, unless the King out of his special grace, by special Patents authorized them to devise them by their Testaments; neither did the Laws of King Cnut, the Confessor, and Conqu • rour, or Charter of K. Henry the 1. extend to Bishops, Abbots or Clergy-men, who had neither Wives nor Children, being then prohibited by sundry Canons to marry, but only to the temporal Barons and Laysubjects who had Wives and Children, as the words of their Laws, Charters, the old Writs De rationabili parte bonorum grounded on them, and the words thereof, ( Cum secundum consuetudinem regni nostri hactenus obtentam, pueri post mortem patrum suorum habere debent rationabiles partes suas quae fuerunt patrum suorum, &c.) demonstrate, and King Stephen 's Charter intimates; which had been needless, useless, had the Law or custom of England been then concurrent with it. Neither was this the Prerogative only of the Kings of England in that age, but also of France; as is evident by this memorable acknowledgement of the Bishop elect, Dean and Chapter of Mascon in France to King Philip Augustus, Anno Domini 1201.
Notum quod ego P. electus Matisconensis veniens ad Dominum nostrum Philippum, illustrem Regem Franciae, potestatem habens à Decano & universo Capitulo Matisconensi, per literas ejusdem Decani & Capituli patentes, Cognovi Ius Dom. Regis Franciae quod habet in Regalibus Matisconen. scillc • t, quod mortuo Episcopo Matisconensi, vel quotiescunque Sedes Matisconensis vacaverit, omnia Regalia et omnes proventus Regalium existentes in regno Franciae libere sunt Dom. Regis Franciae, sicut & ea Episcopus possidebat. Et si Episcopus Matisconen. decesserit intestatus, tam omnia mobilia quam proventus omnes sunt Domini Regis Franciae integre et absolute. Quod ut ratum et firmum pronunciavit, &c. Actum Parisiis, An. Dom. 1201. mense Martio. Yea Johannes Andraeas, and Pierre de Pithou assert, Que les Royes de France et d'Angleterre in hocsunt antiquo jure defendendi. And that this was the ancient Law, right, prerogative of the Kings of Scotland then, and in the reign of our King Edward the 1. I shall elsewhere evidence by our own Records. If then the Bishops and Clergy of England and Scotland could not dispose of their own goods and chattels by Will, but by the Kings special license, and absolutely and wholly belonged to the Kings of England, France and Scotland if they died intestate, by their Prerogatives; not to the Archbishops, Bishops or Church to dispose, or distribute to their Kinred, Churches, or any pious uses for their Souls pretended benefit: then doubtless they had no legal Jurisdiction or authority at all to distribute or dispose of any Lay-men's goods or chattels in those times, to any pious or other uses.
Whereupon the Bishops not long after to revive, confirm and enlarge this their new-acquired Jurisdiction granted them by this Usurper 's Charter (which expired with King Stephen, and never bound his Successors and extended only to the Goods of Clergy-men) endeavored to extend it to the Goods, Chattels of all English Free-men of the Laity; for which end they cunningly inserted the premised Clause, amongst others, into King John 's Great Charter: Which, although in the Kings and Nobles intentions, it gave them no Jurisdiction at all either to grant Administrations of, or distribute any Intestate’s Goods for the benefit of their Souls, which they wholly left by express words to the administration and distribution of their nearest Kinred, Parents, Friends, yet by color of these three words, per visum Ecclesiae, by the view of the Church; (which if a personal Trust reposed in the Bishop himself by this Grand Charter, as our Bishops and Canonists thence argue, was certainly to be executed personally by the Bishop alone, not by his Vicar General, Commissary, Official, or Judge of the Arches, who now grant all Administrations, and make the distributions of Intestate’s personal estates, against the express words and intention of this Law, which might be more properly interpreted of the Parson, Church-wardens, and Parishioners of the Parish where the deceased person lived, than of the Bishop, his Chancellor and Underofficer, being single Persons, and no Church:) the Bishops and their Officers by pretext of these words, (which at most gives them only the oversight, not power of or in the distribution, and no more authority to dispose of the Goods, than Overseers usually named in Wills have, wherein there are likewise Executors appointed, to whom the right, power and disposition of the Testators Goods alone belong by Law) usurped a Jurisdiction soon after by degrees, not only over all deceased Lay-men's Wills, Chattels; but over the Goods and Chattels of all Lay-men dying intestate, committing their administration and distributing them by their Vicars, Commissaries, Chancellors and other Officers at their pleasures to such persons and p • ous uses as themselves, or their Officials thought meet; yea many times appropriated them to themselves and their Churches, against the true intent of King John and his Barons. Whereupon at the renewing of this Great Charter by K. Henry the 3 d . in the 9 th year of his Reign, in a grand Parliamentary Council, this premised Clause concerning Intestate’s Goods, inserted by the Bishops fraud, craft covertly to usurp a Jurisdiction over the Laity, and all Intestate’s estates, was wholly expunged, as prejudicial to the Kings Prerogative and the Nobles, Free-men's franchises, liberties, properties; and that Charter was then and hath been since successively ratified by above 40. Parliaments, without this Clause; Yea the King and Lord's then and immediately after would by no means permit the Bishops or Ordinaries to intermeddle with the Goods and Chattels of any Free-men dying intestate, or to distribute them for their Souls good at their pleasures; although Saint Edmund Archbishop of Cant • rbury, and Boniface his next Successor (Uncle to King Henry the 3 d . h • s Queen) with the rest of the Bishops, frequently importuned King Henry the 3 d . his Nobles and Council, not to hinder their Tenants or Villains to make Wills, or prove them before their Ordinaries, nor to disturb or prohibit B • shops to distribu • e the Goods of Persons dying intestate for their Souls health; nor would they grant them this power upon any terms, but prohibited them to do it, as is evident by this passionate Complaint thereof by Archbishop Boniface, his Suffragans and Clergy, in the Prologue to their Constitutions in the Council of Lamb • th, Anno 1251. Regem ipsum frequenter monuimus ac supplicavimus ei, et supplicari fecimus cum instantia saepius reverenter, necnon apud Principes et Magnates regni, et Consil • arios quorum moderamine disponuntur negotia regni, precibus et exhortationibus pulsavimus importuna opportunitate et frequenter, quatinus intra memoriam recolentes quot plagis Aegyptii fuere percussi, &c. Huic privilegio tam pio, tamque nobili praecio comparatae deferrent humiliter, ob reverentiam Redemptoris; permittendo Clerum Anglicanum in sollicitudine libertatis sacrificium laudis Domino immolari, &c. Licet autem in precibus inculcandis diu laboraverimus sustinendo, et sustinuerimus laborando; adhuc cum instantia nostra saepius iterata, ad exauditionis gratiam ingressum mereri nen potuit, nec effectum potiri diutius expectatum. Compared with their Articles of Complaint, Art. 25. Item, mortuo laico intestato, Dominus Rex, et caeteri Domini feodorum, bona defuncti sibi applicantes, non permittunt de ipsis debita solvi; nec residuum in usum liberorum et proximorum suorum, et alios pios usus per loci Ordinarium quorum interest, aliqua converti; and their Constitution made against it in this Provincial Council summoned at London by this Archbishop 's usurped authority (against the King 's express Writ of Prohibition directed to him, printed in my 2 d Tome) attests.
Indeed I find in the Constitutions of Othobon the Popes Legate, made in a Council held at London but 11. years after, (Anno 52. H. 3.) De Bonis Intestatorum, mention of a Provision anciently made by the English Prelates with the assent of the King and Nobles concerning Intestate’s Goods, which he thus confirms and orders to be strictly observed: Provide super bonis decedentium ab intestato, provisionem quae olim a Praelatis Regni Angliae cum approbatione Regis et Baronum dicitur emanasse, firmiter approbantes, district inhibemus, ne Praelati vel alii quicunque bona intestatorum hujusmodi quocunque modo recipiant vel occupent contra Provisionem praedictam. Which Provision I find likewise mentioned in Archbishop Stratford 's Constitutions made Anno Dom. 1342. What this Provision should be, or when or where made, our learnedst Canonists cannot resolve: Will. Lindewode the chiefest of them, in his Gloss on Archbishop Stratford 's Constitution, on the words ab olim, writes ingenuously, Cujus Regis temporibus hoc ordinatum sit, non reperio: But John de Aton in his Gloss on Ottobon 's Constitutions, refers it to the Statute of Westm. 2. Anno 13 E. 1. ch. 19. But this being made at least 18. years after Othobon 's Constitutions, and not ab olim, long before them, must needs be a gross mistake; therefore (if real, not forged by the Bishops, or a mere dubious report then raised by them, without ground or truth, as Ottobon 's, dicitur, implies) we may well conclude, since Archbishop Boniface, his Prelates, Clergy in the Council and Articles of Lambeth but 11. years before, made no mention at all thereof, (as questionless they would have done, had there been any such Provision) it can be no other, but either the premised Clause and Provision inserted by the Prelates into King John 's Charter, expunged out of K. Henry the Thirds, and Edward the Firsts Great Charters, in all our manuscript Statutes, in the Statute-Roll in the Tower of London, and all our printed Statutes of Magna Charta 9 H. 3. ch. 19. wherein that Clause of Intestate’s Goods is omitted: Or else it must be the Provision in the Laws of King C • ute confirmed by the Confessor, Conqueror, or Charter of K. Henry the 1. to which Ottobon 's Constitution seems most probably to relate, being the most ancient Provision, prohibiting Bishops, as well as the King and Lord's, to dispose of Intestate’s Goods, as his Constitution likewise doth in my opinion, since made soon after K. Henry the 3. and the Kingdoms complaint and appeal to the Pope against the Constitutions of Archbishop Boniface and his Suffragans, promulgated by them in praejudicium juria et dignitatis Regiae, contra libertates, et consuetudines Regni nostri Angliae. et in nostri et Coronae nostrae praejudicium et gravamen, as the King declared in 〈◊〉 Patents of Procuration and Appeals against them to the Pope, Pat. 45 H. 3. pars 1. m 8. and Pat. 46 H. 3. m 17, 19. Which Constitutions of Boniface, though thus solemnly condemned, appealed, protested against by the King and Kingdom; who would by no means assent to them or their Articles, after so many reiterated prayers, monitions and importunities, are yet since printed, Glossed on by Lindewode and Aton, yea now cried up by ignorant Canon • sts for the Canon-Law of England, and that of Intestate’s Goods revived, enlarged without any legal authority, by Archbishop Stratford, in his Provincial Constitutions, though not put in practice before; & etiam à multis in dubium revocatum. Which void illegal Constitutions of Boniface and Stratford are in truth the sole foundations I can yet discover, of our Ordinaries usurped Power to compel Administrators by bonds and censures to distribute the surplusage of Intestate’s Goods, to such pious uses as they shall appoint, against the express Provision of the Royal Charters of Henry 1. and Hen. 3 d . Whereupon our Judges of late times upon Complaints of Administrators, after grand deliberation and debates, have granted Prohibitions out of the Kings Bench and Common Pleas, to restrain such cocrcive dividents of Intestate’s Goods by Ordinaries, as mischievous, grounded only on these illegal Constitutions, mis-interpreted Charters, and this old Popish error, That the distribution of Intestate’s Goods after their decease, (though without their order, knowledge) by the Bishop, or their Administrators, would expiate and procure pardon of their Sins, redeem their Souls from purgatory, or abate the pains thereof, or of Hell; which being exploded by the authorized Doctrine of our Church, the Ordinaries pretended Jurisdiction of distributing Intestate’s Goods to pious uses, in remedium peccatorum et pro salute animae, must be exploded with it. Which power of disposing Intestate’s Goods and Estates, being reputed by our Bishops and Nobles, unsafe to be vested in the King himself, as the premised Charters of Henry the 1. imply; was, and is much more unfit for every inferior indigent Ordinary, Archdeacon, Chancellor, or Commissary then or now to be invested with, usurp or exercise upon such false and sandy foundations.
Tom. 2. p. 338. l. 43. before this Charter, add: The King to maintain his Royal Prerogative, and prevent schisms in elections of Bishops and Abbots, appointed certain Commissioners to be present at, and give their and his Royal assent unto them; as these with other Charters evidence.
REX Priori & Conventui de Evesham, salutem in Domino. Quoniam Ecclesia vestra jam diu sine Pastore extitit desolata, vellemus et desideramus super hoc ei salubriter provideri. Vnde mittimus ad vos dilectos et fideles nostros H. Abbatem de Bello Loco, Willielmum Briwerr, & Willielmum de Cantilupo, quod invocata Spiritus sancti praesentia, Pastorem vobis et Abbatem sine dilatione eligatis, quia praedictis fidelibus nostris vices nostras commisimus ad praesens, ut electioni quam secundum Deum et Regni nostri consuetudinem et Regiam dignitatem feceritis, asse • sum praestent ex parte nostra, ut id quod illis praesentibus et assentientibus inde feceritis ratum habebimus et acceptum. Et si forte praedicti tres fideles nostri praesentes esse non possint, duobus eorum praesentibus id quod praedictum est fieri volumus. Et in hujus rei testimonium, &c. vobis mittimus. Teste meipso apud Waltham 2. die Januarii. Anno, &c. 15.
Eodem modo scribitur Priori & Conventui Wygorn. de Episcopo eligendo. Teste eodem, data eadem, & ibidem.
The Prior and Covent of Worcester having elected a Bishop according to the Kings license and Patent, in the presence of his Commissioners, the King thereupon thus certified his Royal assent thereto, to the Archbishop of Canterbury for his confirmation.
REX Domino S. Cantuariensi Archiepiscopo, totius Angliae Primati, & Sanctae Romanae Ecclesiae Cardinali, &c. Noverit paternitas vestra Priorem & Conventum Wigorn. canonice elegisse sibi in Episcopum Walterum de Gray Cancellarium nostrum, et nos eidem electioni assensum nostrum praebuimus, ipsumque Walterum ad vos transmittimus, a nexibus Curiae absolutum. Rogantes quatinus beneficium confirmationis ei impendere velitis. Et in hujus rei testimonium, &c. vobis mittimus. Teste meipso apud Porcestriam, 26 die Januarii. Anno regni nostri 15.
The like License in Terminis issued to the Prior and Covent of Evesham, Pat. 15. Johannes, nu. 15. And the like to the Prior and Covent of St. Swithune in Winchester, with this variation.
REX Priori & Conventui Sancti Swithune Wintoniae, salutem. Volentes Ecclesiae vestrae provideri in Pastore idoneo vobis praeficiendo, mittimus ad vos venerabiles viros P. Ebo • aci, H. Belli loci Regis, & R. de Seleby Abbates, & dilectos & fideles nostros Willielmum Briwer, & Willielmum de Cantilupo Senescallum nostrum. Mandantes quatinus secundum Regni nostri consuetudinent virum idoneum vobis eligatis in Pastorem; scituri quod quicquid inde actum fuerit cum uno vel duobus praedictorum Abbatum, salva libertate nostra et regni nostri indempnitate, Ratum habebimus et inconcussum. Et in hujus rei testimonium has literas patentes vobis mittimus. Teste meipso apud Engolismum, 6 die Aprilis, Anno regni nostri 15.
Tom. 2. p. 331. l. 48. after Valete, add: Earl Ferr • rs in pursuance of the Popes award, and King John 's Oath, entered into this ensuing Obligation, before Pandulphus the Popes Legate, as the King's Surety for satisfaction of the fugitive Bishops damages, which he ratified likewise with his Oath, as this Record demonstrates.
W. Comes de Ferrariis, Omnibus praesens scriptum visuris, salutem in Domino. Noveritis quod cum Dominus meus Johannes Rex Illustris Anglorum singulis annis post relaxationem Interdicti duodecim millia Marcarum in duobus terminis, Commemoratione videlicet Omnium Sanctorum sex millia Marcarum, et totidem in Ascensione Domini, in manus venerabilium patrum S. Cantuariensis Archiepiscopi, London. Elyensis, ac Lincoln. Episcoporum, vel eorum quos ipsi ad hoc duxerint deputandos, in Ecclesia Sancti Pauli London. tenetur solvere, donec tota Summa fuerit persoluta, quae taxante Summo Pontifice declarabitur per Inquisitionem de mandato ejus perinde faciendam: Ego una cum aliis quinque fidejussoribus, constitui me fidejussorem in solidum pro ipso Rege et haeeredibus suis, per solempnem stipulationem promittens, quod si ipse et haeres suus (quod absit) in solutione antedicta cessaverit, ego infra quatuor menses postquam fuero ammonitus vel requisitus, sine dilatione et difficultate qualibet inde satisfaciam eisdem. Pro quo observando obligavi me, et omnia bona mea. Renuncians in hoc privilegio fori, et novae Constitutionis beneficio, omnique alii exceptioni mihi competenti vel competiturae. Insuper tactis sacrosanctis Evangeliis juravi in praesentia Domini Pandulphi, Domini Papae Subdiaconi et ejus familiaris ad hoc destinati, et J. Norwicensis Episcopy, Thomae de Erdinton, & Magistri Alani & Walteri Clericorum Domini Cantuariensis Archiepiscopi, me bona fide et sine fraud observaturum haec omnia supradicta. Et in hujus rei testimonium huic scripto Sigillum meum apposui. Actum apud Rupem fortem, 16 die Junii. Anno regni Regis Johannes sextodecimo.
Thus must these Traitors have both the King and Nobles Obligations, Charters, Oaths, for restitution of their goods, profits, forfeited by, and seized on for their Treasons before the Interdict released, without any • ath made orsureties given by them to the King for their future loyalty and obedience to him.
Tom. 2. p. 333. l. 48. add: King John to ingratiate himself with the Romish Cardinals and Court, granted them annual pensions out of his Exchequer, the arrears whereof he ordered to be satisfied in the first place; and likewise gave Benefices or Prebends to their Nephews and Creatures, as these Records attest.
REX Domino P. Wintoniensi Episcopo, &c. Satis novit prudencia vestra qualiliter redditum concessimus dilecto Consanguineo nostro Domino Guidoni Petro Leoni Cardinali Sancti Nicholai in Carcere T. ad Scaccar. nostrum percipiendum; unde vobis mandamus, quod de Consilio Domini Norwicensis, Abbatis de Bello Loco Regis, & Thomae de Ardinton, per rotulos Scaccarii nostri diligenter inquiratis, quantum redditus ei concessimus, et quantum inde perceperit postquam primo ei redditum illum concessimus; et computatis annis, Residuum procuratori suo restitui faciatis in primis redditibus ad Scaccarium nostrum assignandis quicquid inde restat reddendum. Mandamus autem vobis, quod in fide qua nobis tenemini quicquid aliàs vobis mandaverimus de redditibus assignandis, assignetis Johanni Pet. Leonis nepoti praefati Guidonis in primo beneficio Ecclesiastico quod de donatione nostra vacare contigerit, tantam summam beneficii quanta est summa redditus quem praefato Guidoni concessimus ad Scaccarium nostrum. Et in hujus rei testimonium, &c. vobis inde mittimus. Teste meipso apud Rupellam, 9 die Julii. Anno regni nostri 16.
SImon Nepos Domini N. Tusculanensis Episcopy, & Apostolicae sedis Legati, habet literas Domini Regis patentes de Archidiaconatu Eborum qui vacat, & ad donanationem Regis spectat, ration Archiepiscopatus Eboracensis acantis & in manu Regis existentis, scilicet ad resignationem Sampsonis nepotis praedicti Legati. Et diriguntur literae Decano & Capitulo Eborum, rogantes, quod ipsum ad praedictum Archidiaconatum admittant, stallum in choro, & locum in Capitulo secundum consuetudinem Ecclesiae Eboracensis assignantes. Teste Rege apud Novum Templum London. 11 die Nov. Anno regni Regis Johannes 16.
REX Decano & Capitulo Eborum, salutem. Sciatis, quod ad resignationem venerabilis viri Magistri Stephani de Fossa nova Domini Papae Camerarii, concessimus, & quantum ad nos pertinet dedimus dilecto Clerico nostro Petro nepoti ejusdem Magistri Praebendam de Neuband, cum omnibus pertinentiis suis quae ad nostram spectat donationem ration Archiepiscopatus Eborum vacantis & in manu nostra existentis, Ipsum vobis per has literas nostras patentes ad dictam Praebendam praesentamus. Rogantes quatenus ipsum in corporalem possessionem illius Praebendae sine dilatione inducatis, stallum ei in choro, & locum secundum Ecclesiae vestrae consuetudinem assignantes. Teste meipso apud Windesores, 14 die Maii. Anno, &c.
Thus these Roman Locusts succeeding one another devoured the wealth, and possessed themselves of the Ecclesiastical promotions of our Church. He likewise granted protections to those Delegates the Pope employed in any business, as this Record attests.
VEnerabilibus in Christo patribus G. Dei gratia Bituricen. Archiepiscopo, & Aurelian. Episcopo; Johannes eadem gratia Rex Angliae, &c. Cum Causa habeatur inter Priorem Grandmontensem & quosdam malos & inobedientes Ordinis sui fratres conversos; et Dominus Papa vos super eadem Causa delegaverit Iudices, ut audivimus: Notum vobis facimus, quod vos et omnia ad vos pertinencia, et omnes qui vobiscum, vel sine vobis pro dicto Priore venerint, quociens hac de causa ad Grandimontem accesseritis, in salvo conductu in toto posse nostro et coadjutorum nostrorum recipimus, et omnibus ad nos et nostros pertinentibus Regia districtione praecipimus, ut vos ex parte nostra in eundo et redeundo, salvos custodiant et indempnes. Ut hoc autem notum sit omnibus, vobis patentes literas sigillatas sigillo nostro destinavimus. Teste meipso apud Rupem Monachi, 23 die Junii. Anno regni nostri 16.
REX omnibus Ballivis & fidelibus suis, &c. Sciatis quod suscepimus in salvum conductum nostrum venerabilem patrem nostrum Dominum Bituricensem Archiepiscopum in eundo ad Ecclesiam Grandimontis & redeundo, ad mandatum Apostolicum exequendum. Et ideo vobis mandamus, quod eum per partes vestras in eundo illuc & redeundo, libere & sine impedimento transire permittatis. Et in hujus rei testimonium, &c. Teste meipso apud Spinam, 11 die Junii. Anno regni nostri 16.
Eodem modo scribitur omnibus Ballivis & fidelibus Domini Regis pro Domino Aurelianensi Episcopo. Teste ut proximo supra.
How he courted all the Cardinals with his Letters to facilitate his affairs in the Court of Rome, as well as gratified them with gifts, pensions, and conferring benefices on their Nephews, this his Epistle will inform us.
REX universis Sanctae Romanae Ecclesiae Cardinalibus, salutem. Quoniam propter varium periculum devotioni singulorum vestrorum scribere non possumus, Universitatem vestram sollicitare, & ea quae praesenciam vestram ex parte nostra tangunt, sub modulo unici tenoris supplicare compellimur; hoc enim in multis universaliter et singulariter vobis gratiarum actionibus ex eo nos facitis fortius obligatos, quod indesinenter perseveratis in procurandis honoribus et utilitatibus nostris, sicut ex frequenti relacione Nunciorum nostrorum et experimentis probatissimis comperimus. Inde est quod paternitatem vestram negociis nostris honorare, et specially confidencia Nuncios nostros, et quocies emergerint negocia nostra imponere et commendare audacter volumus. Mittimus autem ad pedes Papae, dilectos & fideles nostros Abbatem Belli Loci, Fratrem Alanum Martell, Thomam de Erdinton, & Petrum Sarum, pro negoti • s nostris; supplicantes, quatinus consueta devotione ipsos et eadem negocia promovere velitis in omnibus sicut videritis melius expedire, amicab • liter procedentes. Teste meipso apud Novum Templum London. 18 die Novembris.
Tom. 2. 334. l. 8. after Quinto, add; He likewise issued these following Patents and Writs to his Officers on behalf of the Trayterous Bishop of Lincoln.
REX Vicecomitibus, Forestariis, & omnibus Ballivis & fidelibus suis, salutem. Sciatis nos recepisse in plenam gratiam, amorem et familiaritatem nostram venerabilem patrem nostrum H. Lincolniensem Episcopum, sicut unquam aliquo tempore melius fuit, & ipsi omnem indignacionem, si quam erga ipsum hactenus concepisse videbamur, omnino remisisse. Volentes & firmiter praecipientes, quod omnes fideles nostri ipsum tanquam fidelem et familiaxem nostrum habeant, &c. sicut nos diligunt arctius commendare. Vobis igitur universis & singulis district praecipimus, quatinus ipsum, & Ecclesiam suam, & omnia ipsos tangencia specialiter custod • atis, manuteneatis, & promoveatis, non inferentes vel inferri permittentes eis ve • hominibus suis, rebus, possessionibus, feodis, juribus, aut libertatibus eorum moles • iam, injur am vel gravamen, set ipsos et omnia sua sicut nostra propria defendatis, manuteneatis, promoveatis et protegatis, ut sollicitudinem vestram possint et debeant merito commendare.
Thus must this Traitor and all his be pardoned, protected by the King, against whom he notwithstanding continued traiterous and rebellious to his death.
What reparations he and his heirs were bound to make of the Trayterous Bishop of London 's Castle of Storteford, which he seised during the Interdict, this Record will inform us.
REX omnibus fidelibus ad quos praesens scriptum pervenerit, salutem. Sciatis quod ad rationabilem summonicionem venerabilis pat • is nostri W. Londoniensis Episcopy tenemur reparare Castrum de Storteford, adeo been et sort sicut fuerit in inicio discordiae inchoatae inter nos et Clerum Angliae. Et si forte de nobis humanitus contigerit priusquam praedictum Castrum reparavimus, haeres noster id facere tenebitur: si vero praedictus Episcopus in fata concesserit priusquam praedictum Castrum reparatum fuerit, ad rationabilem summonitionem successoris ipsius Episcopy, nos vel haeres noster illud reparabimus. Et in hujus rei testimonium has literas, &c. Teste Domino P. Wintoniensi Episcopo apud Novum Templum London. 22 die Novembris. Anno regni nostri 16.
Moreover to gratisie the Archtraytor Stephen Langeton, he granted the Patronage of the Bishopric of Rochester to him and his successors by his forecited Charter, and this Patent.
REX Priori & Monachis Roffensibus ac libere tenentibus de Episcopatu, salutem. Sciatis quod reddidimus venerabili patri nostro Domino S. Cantuariensi Archiepiscopo, patronatum Episcopatus Roffensis cum omnibus pertinenciis, tanquam jus suum. Et ideo vobis mandamus, quod ei tanquam Domino & patrono ejusdem Episcopatus sitis in omnibus intendentes. Et in hujus rei, &c. Teste ut proximo supra.
Besides to remunerate the Trayterous Bishop of Eli for his pardoned Treasons against him, he granted him by this Patent the patronage of the Abby of Torney.
REX Abbati & Conventui de Torneia, salutem. Sciatis quod intuitu Dei concessimus venerabili patri nostro R. Elyensi Episcopo & successoribus suis in perpetuum Patronatum Abbaciae praedictae, cum omnibus pertinentiis, dignitatibus, et liberis consuetudinibus suis, sicut plenius continetur in charta nostra, quam ei inde fieri fecimus. Et ideo vobis mandamus, quod ei inde & successoribus suis de caetero tanquam Dominis et patronis vestris in omnibus sitis intendentes et respondentes, secundum cartae nostrae tenorem. Teste ut proximo supra, anno eodem ut supra. The King thus parting with the rights of his Crown, to make these Traitors more then Lord's, and himself less then a King.
REX Domino P. Wintoniensi Episcopo, &c. Significavit nobis venerabilis pater Dominus N. Tusculanensis Episcopus Apostolicae sedis Legatus, quod Prior Coventrensis electus de Seleby, pastoralem ejusdem domus curam penitus recusavit, & quod expediens est tam honori nostro, quam animae nostrae saluti, ut de gremio Ecclesiae suae sibi pastorem eligi concedamus. Et ideo vobis mandamus, si ita est, electioni quam Monachi ejusdem domus fecerint dicto modo per consilium ejusdem Domini Legati de persona domui suae utili, et nobis fideli, favorem vice nostra praebeati • et assensum. Eodem modo scribitur Magistro R. de Mariscis & Domino W. Briwerr. Teste Rege apud Partiniacum, 30 die Aug.
Tom. 2. p. 335. l. 23. after adjecit, insert; How zealous King John was to extirpate Heretics out of his Dominions, appears by this Record; an excellent evidence of his piety and care of Religion in the midst of his troubles.
REX, &c. R. de Pontibus Senescallo Wascon. salutem. Audivimus quod de novo in terra nostra coepit in partibus Wascon. detestanda haereticorum quorundam pullulare perfidia, quae cum fidelibus sit omnibus odibilis et inimica, Nobis tamen ad praesens restat a finibus nostris et nostrorum prae eaeteris extirpanda, ne in terra nostra et dominio nostro maliciae recipiatur alicujus exordium, per quod in posterum possit universitati fidelium provenire dispendium; Vobis igitur in fide qua nobis ten • mini mandamus, sicut nos diligitis, et ne pro defectu ve • tri dampnum, quod abūt, aliquatenus incurramus, ne ipsorum eciam haereticorum nequiciae videamur sequaces et participes, quatinus cum omni posse vestro, quali • et occasion et dilatione postpositis, qui sint, vel per quos hujusmodi malicia fuerit de novo suborta, efficaciter et diligentissime inquiratis, eosque, cum ipsorum detestabili nequicia funditus confundendo, penitus extirpare curetis. Mandavimus eciam per literas nostras Magistro P. de Bevenent, praedictae Romanae Ecclesiae Cardinali et Apostolicae Sedis Legato attencius exorantes, quod nobis ob reverentiam Dei et dilectionis vestrae obtentu ad hujusmodi negocii consummationem efficaciter consulat, et sit in auxilium, et ad ipsorum nequicias viriliter eradicandas sollicitudinem adhibere studeat efficacem. Teste meipso apud Novum Templum London. 20 die Novembris.
Tom. 2. p. 343. l. 52. before Cumque, insert: Besides these two Epistles printed in Mat. Paris, I find two other Bulls and Epistles of Pope Innocent recorded in the Patent-Rolls in the Tower, and three original Bulls I lately discovered in the White Tower; the first to King John himself, to encourage him to proceed in his voyage for relief of the Holy Land, for which end he had made a Truce with the King of France; the next to Eustace de Vescy, (a principal stickler against him formerly banished, whom he had restored to his lands and favor, to continue with a sincere heart and mind in his sworn loyalty to the King; and not to attempt, hinder or suffer others to disturb the King's Officers in the execution of their offices) the other three to the Bishops, Barons and Commons of England, not mentioned by any of our Historians; wherein he sharply reprehends the Archbishop and Bishops for not end eavouring to compremise the differences between the King and Barons, but fomenting, and fiding with them all they could; and rebukes, censures the Nobles for seeking to wrest their Liberties by Rebellion and force of arms from their King, which they ought humbly to petition for, if there were cause; and exhorts the generality of the Barons and Commons to all dutiful obedience and humble submission to the King, thereby to appease and reconcile him to them; and with all humility and dutifulness, not with insolency or armed violence to request what they desired from him, preserving his honor and regality, whom he had entreated and conjured graciously to grant all their just requests; and not to hearken or adhere to those few factious Barons who would stir them up to Rebellion; that so the public peace of the Realm might be established, the relief of the Holy Land promoted, and he might more readily bestow on them his assistance and favor in all their necessities; with which I shall present you in order, as not unworthy public view.
INNOCENTIUS Episcopus, servus servorum Dei, charissimo in Christo filio JOHANNI Regi Anglorum Illustri, salutem & Apostolicam benedictionem. Literas quas nobis Regia sublimitas destinavit recepimus benignitate. Et quae de treugis initis cum charissimo in Christo filio nostro Ph. Rege Francorum Illustri significasti, per ease notavimus diligenter. Cum igitur treugas ipsas ut subveniri possit expeditius Terrae Sanctae asseras iniisse,—Serenitatem tuam rogamus attentius, monemus et exhortamur in Domino quatinus ad ejusdem Terrae succursum intendas solicit ac potenter. Dat. Lateran. 14 Kal. Novembriis, Pontificatus nostri anno septimodecimo.
INNOCENTIUS Episcopus, servus servorum Dei, dilecto filio nobili viro Eustachio de Vesci, salutem & Apostolicam benedictionem. Cum per illius gratiam qui fecit utraque unum, discordantes parietes copulans in se lapide angular, sit omnino sopita discordia quae olim inter Regnum et Sacerdotium in Anglia vertebatur, occasion cujus confoederationes et conju • ationes contractae fuisse dicuntur, quia pace reddita & concordia reformata, cum causa cessare debet effectus; Comitibus, Baronibus et aliis nobilibus per Angliam constitutis dedisse meminimus in mandatis, ut in fidelitate charissin • in Christo filii nostri Johannes Illustris Regis Anglorum • t haeredum ejus, sincero cord ac puro animo perseverare deberent, taies se circa devotionem ipsius per omnia exhibendo, quod tam a nobis quam ab ipso possent merito commendari. Ut igitur mandatum illud majoris roboris consequatur effectum, Nobilitati tuae per Apostolica scripta mandamus, quatinus praetextu confoederationum et conjurationum illarum in solicitudine Regia nullius difficultatis opponas obstaculum; Iusticiarios • t alios Officiales Regis ejusdem, nec per t • ipsunt impediens, nec patiens quantum in te fuerit per alios impediri, quominus commissa ipsis officia efficaciter exequantur. Dat. Lateran. Non. Novembris, Pontificatus nostri anno septimodecimo.
INNOCENTIUS Episcopus, servus servorum Dei, venerabilibus fratribus S. Cantuariensi Archiepiscopo, Sanctae Romanae Ecclesiae Cardinali, & Suffragane • s ejus salutem, & Apostolicam benedictionem. Mirari cogimur et moveri, grave gerentes plurimum et molesium, quod cum inter vos et karissimum in Christo filium nostrum J. Regem Angliae Illustrem, pax ad honorem Dei et Ecclesiae sit feliciter reformata, dissentiones inter ipsum et quosdam Magnat • s atque Barones, necnon complices eorundem, dissimulastis hactenus, et conniventibus oculis pertransitis, ad sopiendum illas non curantes interponere partes vestras, quamvis nullatenus ignoretis, quod nisi celeciter fuerint prudenti consilio ac studio diligenti sopitae, tantum et tale scandalum eorum occasion possit accidere toti Regno, quod scire nequiret absque multo dispendio ac magno labor sedari, nonnullis suspiscantibus et dicentibus, quod super quaestionibus contra ipsum Regem noviter suscitatis, vos illis praebetis auxilium et favorem, cum temporibus clarae memory patris et fratris sui, necnon ipsius usque post pacem inter nos et ipsum vestra sollicitudine reformatam, hujusmodi quaestiones non fuerint suscitatae. Illud autem reprobamus omnino, si quemadmodum a multis asseritur, conspirationes fecerint ausu temerario contra ipsum, quodque cum armis irreverenter et indevote repetere praesumpserunt, quae cum humilitate ac devotione, si opus esset, repetere debuissent. Ne igitur ipsius bonum propositum hujusmodi occasionibus volueritis impediri, fraternitatem vestram rogamus et exhortamur in Domino, per Apostolica vobis scripta praecipiendo mandantes, quatinus ad reformandam inter utrosque concordiam diligens studium impendeatis, et operam efficacem; omnes conjurationes et conspirationes praesumptas a tempore subortae discordiae inter Regnum et Sacerdotium Apostolica denunciantes authoritate cassatas, et per excommunicationis sententiam inhibentes, ne talia de caetero praesumantur: praefatos Nobiles monendo prudenter, et efficaciter inj • ngendo, per devotionis et humilitatis indicia ipsum Regem sibi placare ac reconciliare procurent, exhibentes eiservicia consueta quae ipsi et praedecessores sibi et sui • praedecessoribus impenderunt. Ac deinde si quid ab eo duxerint postulandum, non insolenter, set reverenter implorent, Regalem ei conservantes honorem, ut sic quod intenderint valeant facilius optinere. Nos enim eundem Regem rogamus, et obsecramus in Domino, in remissionem sibi peccaminum injungentes, quatinus praedictos Nobiles benign pertractet, et justas petitions eorum clementer admittat, ut et ipsi congaudientes conquiescant, eum divina gratia faciente in meliorem statum esse mutatum. Ac per hoc ipsi et heredes eorum sibi et successoribus suis promptius et devotius debeant famulari. Dat. Laterani, 14 Kal. Aprilis, Pontificatus nostri anno octodecimo.
INNOCENTIUS, &c. Dilectis filiis Magnatibus & Baronibus Angliae salutem, & Apostolicam benedictionem. Grave gerimus et molestum quod sicut accepimus, inter karissimum in Christo filium nostrum J. Regem Anglorum Illustrem, et quosdam vestrum propter quaestiones noviter suscitatas discordia est suborta, grave dispendium pariturae, nisi celeriter fuerint prudenti consilio ac studio diligenti sopitae. Istud autem reprobamus omnino, si quemadmodum a multis asseritur, conspirationes aut conjurationes feceritis ausu temerario contra ipsum, quodque cum armis irreverenter et indevote repetere praesumpsistis, quae cum humilitate ac devotione, si opus esset, vos repetere debebatis. Ne igitur ipsius bonum propositum hujusmodi occasionibus volueritis impedire, nos omnes conspirationes et conjurationes praesumptas a tempore subortae discordiae inter Regnum et Sacerdotium, Apostolica denunciamus authoritate cassatas, et per excommunicationis sententiam inhibemus, ne talia de caetero praesumantur; Vos monendo prudenter et efficaciter inducendo, ut per manifesta devotionis et humilitatis indieia, ipsum Regem vobis placare et reconciliare curetis, exhibentes ei servicia consueta, quae vos et praedecessores vestri sibi et suis praedecessoribus impendistis; ac deinde si quid ab eo duxeritis postulandum, non insolenter, set cum reverencia imploretis, Regalem ei conservantes honorem, ut sic quod intenderitis valeatis facilius optinere. Nos enim eundem Regem rogamus et o • secramus in Domino, in remissionem ei peccaminum injungentes, ut vos benign pertractet, et justas petitions vestras clementer admittat: sic et vos ipsi congaudiendo cognoscatis eum divina gratia auxiliante in meliorem statum esse mutatum, ac per hoc vos et haeredes vestri sibi et successoribus suis debeatis promptius et devocius famulari. Quocirca nobilitatem vestram rogandam duximus et monendam, per Apostolica vobis scripta mandantes, quatinus tales in hoc vos exhibere • uretis, quod Regnum Angliae optata pace laetetur, et nos in necessitatibus vestris cum opus fuerit, necessarium vobis impendere debeamus auxilium et favorem. Dat. Laterani, 14 Kal. Aprilis, Pontificatus nostri anno octodecimo.
If Pope Innocent himself, or his predecessors before, or successors after him, had observed these instructions he gave to the Archbishops, Bishops and Nobles of England, there had not been one quarter so many Rebellions and insurrections against King John and other Christian Kings, Emperors in England, Germany, Italy, France, and other Kingdoms, as there have been by Popes contrary Bulls and Epistles, exciting them to rebel and take up arms against their Sovereigns, to depose or expel them by force, for not submi • ting to their Papal usurpations over, or antichristian Edicts, Censures denounced against them.
The Barons notwithstanding this Papal Bull persisting in their armed violence and Rebellion against the King, the Pope thereupon in July following sent this ensuing Bull to the universality of the Barons and Commonalty of England.
INNOCENTIUS Episcopus, nobilibus viris universitati Baronum Angliae hanc paginam inspecturis, salutem & Apostolicam benedictionem. De partibus Angliae nuper auribus nostris rumor accessit—Regni Angliae sed etiam aliorum—quosdam inter eos & carissimum—esset cum humilitate ac devotione—super hoc iidem Barones suos ad nos nuncios destinassent; & nos (venerabilibus patribus Cantuariensi Archiepiscopo, et Episcopis, Archidiaconis) dedissemus literis in praeceptis, ut conspirationes et conjurationes praesumptas a tempore subortae discordiae inter Regnum et Sacerdotium Apostolica (denunciaret authoritate cassatas per excommunicationem inhibentes) ne talia de caetero temptarentur; injungerent Baronibus antedictis ut per devotionis et humilitatis indicia tam animum Regis placare quam reconciliare sibi studerent; et si quid ab eo ducerent postulandum, conservando sibi Regalem honorem, exhibendo servitia debita, quibus ipse Rex non debebat absque judicio spoliari; ac insuper moneri mandavimus Regi praefato in remission peccaminum sibi injungendo, quatinus benign pertractans nobiles antedictos, justas petitions eorum elementer admitteret, plena eis in veniendo, morando ac recedendo securitate concessa pariter atque data. Ita quod si forte non posset inter eos concordia provenire, in Curia sua per pares eorum secundum Regni consuetudines atque leges, mota deberet dissentio terminari, Barones ipsi, nostro non expectato responso, postquam idem Rex signum Crucis assumpsit in subsidium Terrae sanctae, contemptu justitiae, quum ipse Rex superhabundanter offerebat eisdem, contra dominum suum arma movere temeritate nefaria praesumpserunt, non timentes taliter Crucis negotium impedire, ac Regni periculum procurare, cum pecunia quam pro liberatione Terrae sanctae deberet expendere, in destructionem etiam terrae suae profundere compellatur: Quodque nefandum est et absurdum, cum ipse Rex quasi perversus Deum et Ecclesiam offendebat, illi assistebant eidem; cum autem conversus Ded et Ecclesiae satisfecit, ipsum impugnare praesumunt, sicque videtur quod conspirationem inhierint detestandam, ut eum taliter de Regno possint ejicere, hominio et fidelitate sibi praestitis penitus violatis; quod quam crudele sit actu, et horrendum auditu, cum peruiciosi exempli materia sit et causa nostris temporibus inaudita, manifest cognoscit quicumque judicio utitur rationis: Vnde valde dolendum existit cum hoc in injuriam summi Dei, Ecclesiae Romanae, ac nostrum contemptum, Regis et Regni obprobrium et periculum, et Terrae sanctae ad cujus subsidium se devoverat Rex praefatus, nimium detrimentum redundet. Cum igitur debeamus & libenter velimus pacem Regni Angliae procurare, ipsius turbationes propellere, ac dicti Regis QUI VASSALLUS NOSTER EXISTIT conservare justitias, et injurias propulsare; maxim cum idem propter carecterem Crucis assumptum sub nostra protectione specialiter consistat, praefatis Archiepiscopo et Suffraganeis ejus in obedientiae virtute district dedimus in praeceptis, quatinus, nisi praefati Barones infra octo dies post susceptionem literarum nostrarum ab eis vel aliquo ipsorum diligenter ammoniti, receperint et servaverint formam descriptam superius a nunciis eorum praesentibus cum multa deliberatione provisam, i • dem, omni cavillatione postposita, eos et fautores ipsorum sublato cujuslibet contradictionis et appellationis obstaculo, excommunicationis mucrone percellant, et terras illorum Ecclesiastico subjiciant Interdicto, facientes utramque sententiam per totam Angliam singulis diebus Dominicis et festivis sollempniter publicari. Ne igitur propter qu • sdam perversos universitatis sinceritas in Anglia corrumpatur, quae hactenus ab infidelitatis contagio fuit prorsus immunis, universitati vestrae per Apostolica scripta praecipiendo mandamus, et in remissionem injungimus peccatorum, quatinus praefato Regi adversus perversores hujusmodi opportunum impendatis auxilium et favorem, ita quod in consusionem ipsius et aliorum Regnorum non possit tanta nequitia praevalere, sed tempestate sedata, Regnum ipsum optata tranquillitate laetetur. Scientes pro • certo, quod si Rex ipse remissus esset aut tepidus in hac parte, nos Regnum Angliae non pateremur ad tantam ignominiam et vilitatem deduci, cum sciamus per Dei gratiam et possumus talium insolentiam castigare. Dat. Terentini, 14 Kal. Julii, Pontificatus nostri anno octodecimo.
From this memorable Bull not (extant in any of our Historians) we may observe, 1. This Popes zealous censures of and declamations against all undutiful, contemptuous proceedings, conspiracies, insurrections of the Barons against K. John, to extort their demanded liberties from him by force of arms, not by humble petitions, dutifulness and obedience to him as their Sovereign, after he became his sworn Vassal; diametrically contrary to his Bulls, Excommunications, Interdicts and Excitations of his own Subjects, Barons, Prelates and the French King against him, to depose & un-King him before he surrendered his Crown, Kingdoms to, and resumed them from him by his detestable Charter. 2 lie . That King John 's Charter and subjection of his Crown, Realm to the Pope and Church of Rome, as their Vassal, was the principal cause of his Barons and Nobles insurrections against him, and that in contempt of the Pope, Church of Rome and their anti-monarchical usurpations, who for the most part constantly adhered to him against the Pope during the Interdict and his Excommunication. Therefore doubtless they never assented to, but opposed his Charter of Resignation, and this clause inserted into it, De consensu omnium Baronum suorum, must needs be a forgery, as this his Bull demonstrates. 3 lie . That the ground of these his Bulls, was not any real piety or zeal to God, or King John; but because he was HIS VASSAL, and under his Papal protection, as Crossed to relieve the Holy Land. 4 lie . This Popes Antichristian spirit, pride, insolency, in denouncing Excommunications and Interdicts not only against the Barons, but menacing to chastise King John himself, in case he were remiss or cold in executing what he prescribed by this Bull for the Barons just satisfaction, and the Kingdoms tranquility.
I shall here present you with the greatest part of a memorable Letter (the residue being illegible) which I found in the White Tower Chapel, sent from Rome to King John by W. Mauclere his devoted Clerk and messenger by whom he sent Letters to the Pope, rendering this account of his negotiation, and of the Popes, Cardinals and Barons proceedings and complaints against him by the Barons Proctors in the Court of Rome, and the affairs of the Emperor his Nephew, worthy public view.
REverendo Domino suo J. Dei gratia Rex Angliae, Dominus Hyberniae, Ducl Norman. Aquit. & Com. Andegav. suus W. Mauclere semper valere, fidelis & devotus Clericus salutem & cum debita subjectione semper fidele servicium. Noverit excellentia vestra, Domine reverende, quod quamvis magna infirmitate in itinere essem detentus, tandem Dei gratia securus & incolumis die Martis prox. ante festum Beati Michaelis Apostoli Romam veni, & invem Dom. Papam apud Lateranum, & eodem die accessi ad eum, et eum ex parte vestra eum debita reverentia salutavi, et literas vestras porrexi; quas ipse benign suscipieus, et diligenter inquisivit de statu vestro, ac d • pace Regni vestri. Cum autem per responsionem meam intelligeret, quod omnia citra personam cestram been haberent, multum gavisus est, gratias inde reserens Altissimo. Set postea, scilicet die Sabbati prox. ante diem Cinerum, venerunt ad Curiam Johannes de Roreby Clericus, E • stachius de Vescy, & quidam Capellanus dictus de Paris, Johannes Sancti Osberti nomine, defferentes literas Magnatum Angliae, super literas illas in recessu latoris praesentium Dominus Papa nondum audivit, & quid in literis illis contine • tur nondum plene mihi constiterat: Set hoc scio pro vero, sicut didici ex relatione Dom. Johannes de Colump • s fidelissimi amici vestri, et relatione asiorum amicorum vestrorum, quod Magnates Angliae, scilicet Boreales, & ut praedicti Nuncii dicunt Papae, omnes Barones totius Angliae instanter Domino Papae supplicant, quod cum ipse sit Dominus Angliae, vos diligenter admoneret, et si necesse fuerit compellat, antiqitas Libertat • s suas per Cartas antecessorum vestrorum et proprio juramento vestro conformatas, eis illaesas conservare.