Vindication of Ecclesiastical Volume 3 2

Holy Land, under pain of Excommunication: This Bishop coming to Philip with the Popes Bull, the King mildly represented to him the greatness and state of his affairs at home, which disabled him to obey the Popes commands; whereupon the Bishop with a bold face, cum adhortando nihil efficeret, minas addidit, threatening, That if the King would not obey the Pope, he would deprive him of his Realm. The subject, the manner, and the person (thus advanced against his will) did so move and exasperate Philip (grieved and disturbed with his late loss and overthrow by the Flemings, as if the Pope would insult over him for this his unfortunate success) for this disloyal menace and affront, et quod ingenuae puellae per vim turpia intulerat Legatus (such was his vowed Episcopal chastity) hominem petulantem, ita uti dignus erat, in vincula conjecit. Boniface factus ea de re certior (thereupon transported with choler) protinus Petrum Narbonensem Archidiaconum eo mittit, qui publice omnibus audientibus mandaret, ut quamprimum ipsum dimitteret, interminata poena, nisi dicto obediret Franciae regnum ad Romanam sedem devolvendum: itemque ut subditos ipsius ab obedientia absolveret, et diris ipsum devoveret. The Chronicle of St. Denys written in that age, Laurentius Bochellus, and others superadd, Au mois de Fevrier l'an 1301. l' Archevesque de Narbonne, envoye par le Pape Bon • face, vint en France de par iceluy Pape, denunceant au Roy de France, qui et luy rendest l' Evesqe de Pamiers en sa gard detenue (for seditious practices, speeches and defamations uttered by him against the King in many places:) Et il luy monstre les Lettres esquelles le Pape mandoit au Roy de France, qu'il vouloit qu'il sceust luy taunt es temporelles chooses, come es spirituelles estre soubsmis en la dition du Pape de Rome, et ensement mandoit au Roy, si come esdites Lettres esioit contenu: que des Esglises desormais en avant, ne des prebendes vaquans en son Royaume (jacoit ce qu'il eust le garde d'eux) les fruicts, profits, ou le rentes a luy ne presensist, nene presumast detenir, et tout ce gardast au successor des morts. Et avec ce rappelo • t iceluy Pape de Rome toutes les faveurs, graces, indulgences lesquelles pour l'aid du Royaume de France ou au Roy avoit octroye pour la raison de la guerre. En devoyant le quel; aucune collation de prebendes ou de benefices, n'entreprist a luy usurper, pursuiver ne detenir; la quelle chose si desormais le faisoit, le Pape le tenoit pour vain, et pour faux, Et tenoit len et disoit, que tous ceux qui se consentans seroyent, il les reputoit pur heretics. Mira hominis impudentia fuit (dit Messire Jean du Tillet, Evesque de Meaux, en son abbrege bref del Cronique) qui Regnum Galliae Pontificiae Majestati beneficium asserere ausus est. Verum multo stolidieres esse puto qui disceptant, an tantum liceat Pontifici. La teneur de Lettres de sa Sainctite se trouue encores a present telle.

BONIFACIUS Episcopus, Servus servorum Dei, Philippo Francocum Regi. Deum time, et mandata ejus observa. Scire te volumus, quod in spiritualibus et temporalibus nobis subes, Beneficiorum et praebendarum ad te collatio nulla spectat: et si aliquorum vacantium custodiam habeas, fructus eorum successoribus reserves. Et si quae contulisti, collationes tales irritas decernimus, et quantum de facto processerunt revocamus. Aliud credentes haereticos reputamus.

King Philip was so highly displeased with these insolent Letters, that as Giovan Villani a Citizen of Florence then living, and sundry others story, per dispetto le gitto in sul fuoc • et arselle. Ou bien comme dit le Continuateur de L'archevesque de Cosenza, fuerunt in Regis palatio coram pluribus concrematae, et sine honor remissi nuncii, qui portarant ease; ausquells encore le Roy delivra response de ceste teneur.

PHILIPPUS Dei gratia Francorum Rex, Bonifacio se gerenti pro Summo Pontifice, salutem modicam, seu nullam. Sciat maxima tua fatuitas in temporalibus nos alicui non subesse. Ecclesiarum et Praebendarum collationem, ad nos jure Regio pertinere, et fructus earum vacatione durante nostros facere. Collationes a nobis hactenus factas, et in posterum faciendas, fore validas; et illarum vigore, possessores contra omnes viriliter nos tueri. Secus autem credentes, fatuos et dementes reputamus. Dat. &c.

Hereupon this insolent Antichristian Pope was so highly incensed against King Philip of France, in a season when he thought him to be drawn dry both of men and monies by his war with Flanders, (which had wasted about three hundred thousand Frenchmen and infinite Treasures in less then eleven years) solemnly excommunicated Philip in a General Council with Saints Relics and the Cross, & accursed him to the fourth generation, for prohibiting any monies to be carried to him out of France; and to deprive him of his Crown and kingdom by armed force, he confirmed Albert, elected and crowned K. of the Romans (whose election he had not long before oft rejected, because made without his privity) and proclaimed him Emperor, upon this condition, That he should seise upon the Realm of France, which he gave unto him (together with the Title and Arms thereof) by his Papal authority. Francorum regnum propter violatum jus gentium Alberto Imperatori subjecit, et titulum Imperii Romani prius multociens denegatum concessit, ut Rex quoque Francorum pateretur: Quod cum Albertus consensisset, Pontifex una eadem que celebritate, binc Philippum Franciae regno privatum, inde Albertum Romano et illo ornatum pronunciavit; as Hermannus Schedel, and others story: Yea Thomas Walsingham and H. Knyghton inform us, Eodem tempore Papa Boniface per literas suas Regem Anglorum interpellavit, ut Regi Francorum guerram commoveret, (against all his own former Letters, Treaties, Bulls, Legates, Awards, to settle a perpetual Peace between them, and contrary to the League, Peace they had newly made, and ratified by their respective Oaths) ad quod faciendum ingens subsidium pollicetur; Sed Rex Angliae cum alias Domini Papae erga se affectum expertum infidum, rem distulit, si possibile fuit recuperare per viam aliam sua, malens.

King Philip hereupon, to countermine the Plots of Pope Boniface who had thus insolently excommunicated, deposed, and given away his kingdom; (in imitation of King Edward the 1.) Franciae Archiepiscopos, Praelatos, Decretisias, Theologos et Magistros, et omnes Barones, Milites, et Magistri regni Franciae Parisiis coegit. Quibus consedentibus, Pontificem ipsum, schismaticum, haereticum et sedis invasorem nominans, et homicidam, ad futurum Concilium adversus illum appellavit, quandoquidem sedem illam tunc vacare diceret, quod fraud et dolis eam o • cupasset. Per Arelatensem quoque Archiepiscopum de his capitibus Romanum Pontificem incusat. 1. Quod sit Simoniacus. 2. Quod dicat se non posse committere Simoniam. 3. Quod homicida sit. 4. Quod usurarius, idque esse manifestissimum. 5. Quod non adhibeat fidem conficientibus Eucharistiam. 6. Quod anima sit mortalis, et quod aliud gaudium non sit, quam in hac vita. 7. Quod sit revelator confessionum. Nam coegit quendam Cardinalem ut Confessionem à quodam Hispan • ae Episcopo sibi factam revelaret: qua cognita, Episcopum loco movit; sed post pecunia placatus Papa, eundem restituit. 8. Quod habeat duas Neptas concubinas, et ex utraque filios progenuerit. O faecundum patrem • 9. Quod Regi Angliae concesserit omnes Decimas de Ecclesiasticis bonis, in subsidium belli contra Franciam. 10. Quod stipendio allexerit Saracenos ad invadendam Siciliam. After which he caused them all to renew their Oaths of Fealty to him; and to compile, send these 2. memorable Epistles, the one to Pope Boniface by the Prelates and Ecclesiastical persons; the other to the Cardinals by all the Nobles and Commonalty of the whole Realm of France, (in imitation of our English Barons Epistles to him in the Parliament of Lincoln) against this Innovation, and his Papal Provisions of Bishoprics and Benefices in France to aliens, with other grievances; which I shall here insert, as pertinent to my History.

Literae missae Papae Bonifacio ab Ecclesiasticis totius regni Franciae, super eo, quod ipse scripserat Regi, quod nedum in spiritualibus, sed etiam in temporalibus sibi suberat.

SAnctissimo Patri ac Domino suo charissimo, Domino Bonifacio divina Providentia Sacrosanctae Romanae ac universalis Ecclesiae Summo Pontifici, sui humiles & devoti, Archiepiscopi, Episcopy, Abbates, Priores Conventuales, Decani, Praepositi, Capitula, Conventus atque Collegia Ecclesiarum Cathedralium, Collegiatarum, Regularium et Secularium totius Regni Franciae Parisius congregati, Devota pedum oscula beatorum. Non absque cordium dolore, & amaritudine lachrymarum, Beatitudini vestrae significare compellimur, quia Serenissimus Princeps Dominus noster Christianissimus Philippus Dei gratia Francorum Rex illustris, auditis quae per venerabilem virum Archidiaconum Narbonensem, Notarium et Nuncium vestrum, nuper sibi ex parte vestra relata fuerunt, ac inspectis Apostolicis literis clausis, ei per eundem Archidiaconum praesentatis, & quibusdam licet paucis, Baronibus suis, tunc sibi assistentibus, eorum communicato tenore; ex his, tam Dominus Rex, quam Barones ipsi, ingenti admiratione, et vehementi turbatione commoti, statim idem Dominus Rex de Baronum ipsorum consilio, Barones caeteros tunc absentes, ac nos, videlicet Archiepiepiscopos et Episcopos, Abbates, Priores Conventuales, Decanos, Praepositos, Capitula, Conventus, atque Collegia Ecclesiarum, tam Cathedralium, quam Collegiatarum, Regularium, ac Secularium, necnon Vniversitates et Communitates villarum regni, ad suam mandavit praesentiam evocari, ut Praelati, Barones, Decani, Praepositi, ac duo de peritioribus uniuscujusque Cathedralis vel Collegiatae Ecclesiae, personaliter, caeteri vero, per Oeconomos, Syndicos, et Procuratores idoneos, cum plenis et sufficientibus mandatis comparere statuto loco et termino curaremus. Porro nobis caeterisque personis Ecclesiasticis supradictis, necnon et Baronibus, Oeconomis, Syndicis, et Procuratoribus Communitatum, et villarum, et aliis, sic vocatis, ex praemissae vocationis forma, ad mandatum Regium hac die Martis 10. praesentis Mensis Aprilis, in Ecclesiae beatae Mariae Parisius in praefati Regis praesentia constitutis, idem Dominus proponi fecit, cunctis audientibus palàm & publice, sibi ex parte vestra fuisse inter alia per praedictum Archidiaconum & literas intimatum, quod de Regno suo, quod a Deo solo, ipse et praedecessores sui tenere hactenus recognoscunt, temporaliter vobis subesse, illudque a vobis tenere deberet; nec contenti verbis hujusmodi, sic mirabilibus, sicque novis et inauditis a saeculo, apud incolas dicti Regni, sed ea tradere satagentes executionis in actum, Praelatos omnes sui Regni ac Magistros in Theologia et professores utriusque juris oriundo de Regno praedicto, pro corrigendis excessibus, necnon et pro culpis, insolentiis, injuriis, atque damnis, quae Praelatis, Ecclesiis, et personis Ecclesiasticis, Regularibus, et Saecularibus in regno constitutis eodem, et alibi, per ipsum Dominum Regem et Officiarios, seu Ballivos suos, ac etiam a Paribus, Comitibus, Baronibus, aliisque Nobilibus, Vniversitatibus, et populo sui regni, inferri praetenditis, emendandum, ad vestram praesentiam evocastis, ut sic regnum praefatum preciosis jocalibus, incomparabilibusque Thesauris, clypeis fortium praeferendis, sapientia videlicet Praelatorum, et sapientium etiam aliorum, quorum fidelis maturitate consilii, et providentia circumspecta, regi habet et dirigi regnum ipsum, firmari fides, Sacramenta Ecclesiastica exhiberi, et ministrari justitia, et per eos facultatibus et divitiis vacuatum penitus et exhausium, dubii casus eventus, miserabilis Ruinae periculis, et desolationis extremae dispendiis exponatur; in quibus, et aliis diversis gravaminibus, quae per vas, et Romanam Ecclesiam, sibi, regno, et Ecclesiae Gallicanae, tam in reservationibus, quam ordinationibus voluntariis Archiepiscopatuum, Episcopatuum, et collationibus beneficiorum insignium dicti Regni personis extraneis, et ignotis, et nonnunquam suspectis, nullo tempore residenti • us in Ecclesiis vel Beneficiis supradictis, ex quibus divini cultus diminutio sequitur, piae fundantium seu donantium voluntates propulso pietatis officio defraudantur, pauperibus dicti Regni elemosinarum largitio consueta subtrahitur Regni depauperatio provenit, et Ecclesiae jacturam deformationis incurrunt, dum stipendiorum perceptione subtracta, obsequiis destitutae remanent servitorum, earum proventibus extraneorum commoditatibus deputatis: et Praelati, dum non habent quod pro meritis tribuant, immo retribuant, Nobilibus, quorum Progenitores Ecclesias fundaverunt, et aliis literatis personis, non inveniunt Servitores, ac hujusmodi ex causis devotione tepescente fidelium, non est hodie qui ad Ecclesias manum liberalitatis extendat, ut alias ex praemissis edictis praebetur exemplum, necnon pensionibus novis et censibus Ecclesiis de novo impositis, immoderatis servitiis, aliisque exactionibus et extorsionibus variis, praejudicialibus signis, et damnosis novitatibus, ex quibus generalis status Ecclesiae immutatur, Praelatis superioribus dandi coadjutores suffraganeis Episcopis, et alias tam ipsis quam Suffraganeis, ea quae ad suum spectat officium, exequendi facultas adimitur, ut pro his ad Apostolicam Sedem cum nummis recurratur, aliisque diversis casibus, et nonnullis articulis, a longe retro lapsis, et vestris praesertim temporibus, illatae fuisse, et continue inferri conqueritur, suam et successorum suorum, et Regni exhaeredationem tam enormem et gravem, tamque manifestum sui et Regni honoris dispendium, et evidens detrimentum non intendens, sicut non poterat, diutius tolerare: et se certum asserens, quod superiorem in temporalibus, sicut nec sui Progenitores habuerunt, prout est toti mundo notorium, non habebat; ac saniore in praesente negotio, sicut Doctorum in Theologia et Magigistrorum in utroque Iure, de regno suo oriundorum, et aliorum, qui inter Doctors alias et peritos orbis peritiores et famosiores habentur, relatione concordi, habuerat justam causam. Nos universos et singulos, tam Praelatos, quam Barones et alios requisivit instantius, praecepit ut Dominus, et rogavit ac precibus institit ut amicus, ut cum ad conservationem libertatis antiquae, honorum, et status Regni praedicti, ac incolarum ipsius, et relevationem gravaminum praedictorum, reformationem Regni, et Ecclesiae Gallicanae, de nostro et Baronum ipsorum consilio, ad laudem Divini nominis, exaltationem Catholicae fidei, honorem universalis Ecclesiae, et divini Cultus augmentum salutaria disponat inire consilia, et efficacem operam adhibere, praesertim circa gravamina per Officiales suos, et alios de Regno praedicto, si qua sunt Ecclesiis et Ecclesiasticis personis illata, super quibus debitae corectionis remedium, ante adventum praefati Archidiaconi, ordinaverat adhibere, quod jam duxisset in executionis effectum, nisi quod id ex metu, vel ad mandatum vestrum fecisse forsan aliquibus videretur, id quod vobis ascribere non p • sseti • : ad haec non solum omnia, quae in bonis forent ipsius, sed et etiam personam et liberos, si casus exigeret, exponendo sibi in his, in quibus singulariter omnium, et generaliter singulorum res agi dignoscitur, causa provehitur, et proprium uniuscujusque tangitur interesse, prout ex debito fidelitatis astringimur, curaremus adesse consiliis et auxiliis opportunis, petens sibi statim super his ab universis et singulis praecise et finaliter responderi. Barones simul cum Syndicis, & Procuratoribus supradictis, secedentes in partem, et demum deliberato consilio redeuntes, praefato Domino Regi, de hujusmodi suo laudabili proposito et beneplacita voluntate, ad multa laudum praeconia, et gratiarum actiones exuberes assurgentes, unanimiter responderunt. se ad ea paratos, nedum exponere res et bona quae extant, sed ad haec totaliter offerebant se et suas personas, usque ad mortis supplicium, tormentorum quorumlibet gravamina non vitando; adjicientes expressius biva voice; Quod si praefatus Dominus Rex praemissa, quod absit, eligeret tolerare, vel sub dissimulatione transire, ea ipsi nullatenus sustinerent. Itaque à nobis subsequenter responsione petita, licet longioris deliberationis inducias postulantes, ipsum Dominum Regem et majores ex Baronibus memoratis, quod non ea intention ad eundem Dominum Regem Apostolicae literae processissent, ut vestrae voluntatis existeret in Regni praedicti libertatem impingere, vel quicquam honori Regio contrarium in hac parte quomodolibet innovare, (multa lenitate verborum, persuasionibus studiosis, et multiplicatis excusationum praes • diis) nisi fuimus informare, ac ipsum ad servandum vinculum unionis, quod inter sanctam Romanam Ecclesiam et praedecessores suos, et ipsum, usque ad haec tempora vignisse dinoscitur, multiplici inductione: ulteriori tamen dilatione negata, ac praedicto patenter et publice universis, quod si quis voluntatis contrariae appareret, extunc pro inimico Regis et Regni notorie habebatur, consultius attendants, et conspicientes apertius, quod nisi Dominus Rex et Barones praedicti ex nostra forent responsione contenti, praeter alia pericula et gravia scandala, quorum non esset numerum, neque finis tam Romanae quam Gallicanae Ecclesiae devotio, et obedientia omnimoda laicorum, et totius populi, quae extunc irrecuperabiliter tollebatur, non nisi multae perplexitatis angustia, sic duximus respondendum; Quod ipsi Domino nostro Regi in conservatione personae suae, suorumque, et honorum, ac libertatis et Iurium dicti Regni, prout quidam nostrum, qui Ducatus, Comitatus, Baronias, Feoda, et alia membra Nobilia dicti Regni tenemus, ex forma Iurament • , et caeteri, qui omnes debito sibi sumus fidelitatis as • ricti, adessemus eidem debitis consiliis, et auxiliis opportunis; Eidem Domino nostro Regi humiliter supplicantes, ut cum Apostolicae Sanctitati ad obedientiam teneamur, ad beatitudinis vestrae pedes, juxta praemissae vocationis vestrae tenorem, permitteret nos perferre. Ex parte cujus, & Baronum est secuta r • sponsio: Quod nos nullo modo abire permitterent: Regnum sic periculose, sic desormiter, sic irrecuperabiliter vacuari, quin potius exhauriri totaliter nullatenus sustinerent. Considerantes igitur tam vehementem commotionem, et turbationem tam periculosam et gravem, immo gravissimam, Regis, Baronum, et aliorum Laicorum Regni praedicti, et jam cognoscentes apertius, quod antiqui hostis, pacis ae • uli, zizaniaeoue satoris, quia suae Ruinae principio conatur, ut Ecclesiae unitatem pacis turbatione rescindat, charitatem vulneret, Sanctorum dulce • inem operum invidiae veneno fellis inficiat, humanumque genus evertat modis omnibus et perturbet, faciente nequitia, amabilis foederis unitatis, et amicitiae singularis, quae inter saepedictam Romanam Ecclesiam, ac praefatum Dominum nostrum Regem, ac praedecessores ejus, et Regnum, ad laudem Altissimi in • idei Christianae profectum, et tam Ecclesiae, quam Regis et Regni exaltationis monimenta foelicia, hactenus viguerunt, dissolutioni et separationi lugubri et flebili, (proh dolor!) porta patet, et insurgunt undique frementia scandala, excrescunt angustiae, Ecclesiis Ecclesiasticisque personis expositionis, ac rerum et bonorum direptionis pericula intentantur, cum jam abhorreant laici, et prorsus effugiant consortia Clericorum, eos a suis omnino consiliis et allocutionibus abdicando, ac si contra eos proditoriae factionis conscii, vel participes extitissent, et ad contemnendam Ecclesiasiicam censuram, et processus si quavis authoritate forsan fierent contra eos, jam se parant et muniunt, in grave periculum animarum, et alia varia et diversa pericula, quae nec lingua refer sufficeret, nec posset scriptura disserere. Hinc in promptu ad Sanctitatis vestrae providentiam circumspectam in hoc summae necessitatis articulo durimus recurrendum, flebilibus vocibus, et lachrimosis singultibus, paternam clementiam implorantes, ac supplicantes humiliter, quod salubre remedium in praemissis, per quod forma tam longi decursu temporis inter Ecclesiam, Regem, et Regnum fructuosae unionis, et mutuae dilectionis integritas▪ in ant • qua caritatis dulcedine conservetur, status Ecclesiae Gallicanae in pulchritudine pacis et quietis optatae remaneat; prospiciatur nobis, nostrisque statibus, revocando vestrae vocationis Edictum, ac praedictis periculis et scandalis obvietur, Apostolicae providentiae studio, ac paternae officio pietatis, dignemini providere. Conservet Altissimus B. V. Ecclesiae suae sanctae per tempora longiora. Datum Parisiis die Martis praedicta.

The Nobles of France likewise sent this following Epistle to all the College of Cardinals.

Lettre envoyie par tous les Barons de Royaume de France au College des Cardinaux, quant le Roy appella contre Boniface Pape.

AHonorables peres lors chiers & anciens amis, tout le Colliege, & a chacun des Cardinaux de la Saint Eglise de Rome, li Duc, li Comte, li Baron, & li Noble, tuit du Roialme de France, salut, & continuel encreissement de charity, d'amour, & de toutes bonnes adventures a leur desir. Seignours, vous especiaulement scavez & chacun qui a sain entendement, comment l'Eglise de Rome, & li Royaume de France, li Rois, li Baron, li Clergy, & li peuples d'iceluy Royaume, ont d'anciennete & continuellement de constume este conioints ensemble par ferme & uraye amour, & charity, & les grans miseres, les peins, & les travaux que nos antecessours, & li pluseours de nous & des nostres, ont souffert, souffrent & souffreront tous jours en l'honneur de celuy qui pour nous souffrit passion & mort, pour soustenir & essaucier la loy, & la foy Chrestienne, & Sainte Eglise, pour laquelle plusieurs d'eux ont maintes fois souffert moult de griefues peines & travaux, & estes pris & naures a mort, & les grans cures que la divine Eglise a mises pour le bon estate du Royaume. Et pour ce que trop griefue chose seroit a nous, se celle uraye unite qui si longuement a dure entre nous, se demenuisoit & defailloit maintenant par la male voulente & par lennemitie longuement nourrie soubs l'ombre de amity, & par les torcionnieres & desrenables entreprises de celuy, qui en present est ou siege du gouvernement de l'Eglise, nous vous certifions par la tenor de ces lettres aucunes mauvaises & outrageuses nouvelletez, que il a de nouvel entreprises a fair a nostre treschier & redoute Seignour Phelippe par la grace de Dieu Roy de France, & a tout le Royaume; les quelles nostre Sire li Roy fit exposer entendiblement par devant nous, & tous les Prelates, les Abbez, & les Priours, les Doyens, les Provosts, les Procureurs des Chapitres, & des Convents, des Colleges, des Universitez, & des Comunautes des Villes de son Royaume, presens devant luy, pur les quiells se ils par sa desordence volente estoient poursuivies, l'unitez & l'amity devant dites, se deferoient & desioinderoient entre la dite Eglise, & le Roy, & le Royaume, & nous; car nous, ne le purrions, nene vourrions souffrir en nulle maniere, pour peine, perte, ne meschief que souffrir en deussiens, en persons, en enfans, en heritages, ne en autres biens. Premiers entre les autres chooses que au dit Roy nostre Sire furent envoyees par messages, & p • r lettres, il est contenu, que du Royaume de France, que nostre Sire li Roy, et li habitans du Royaume, out tousiours dit estre soubget en temporalite de Dieu taunt seulement, si comme c'est chose notoire a tout le monde, il en duroit estre subiet a luy temporellement, et n • luy le devoit et doit tenir; et plus que il encores avec ce a fuit appeller les Prelates, les Docteurs en Divinite, les Maistres en Canon et en Loys du dit Royaume de France, pur amander et cor • iger les exces, les griefs, les oppressions, et les damages, que il dit par sa volente, estre faits par nostre Sire li Roy, par ses Ministres, et par ses Bailliffs, as Prelates, as Eglises, as persons des Eglises, a nous, aux Vniversitez, et au peuple du dit Royaume, jacoit ce que nous ne les Vniversitez, ne li pe •• les du dit Royaume, ne requirons, nene voulions avoir, ne correction, ne amende sur les chooses devantoites par luy ne par s • authority, ne par son po • vo • r, ne par autre, fors que par le dit nostre Sire le Roy; et ja avoit pouruen li Roy nostre Sire, a mettre remede a griefs, l'aucun en y eust, mais pour ce a retarde, puis que ces nouvelles sont venues a luy; que il ne veult mye que il appear, que il la face p • r cremeur, ou par commandment, ou par correction de luy, ou d'autruy. Par la quelle convocation ainsi faite, li Royaumes temourroit en grand geril et en grand deconfort, se il se vuidoit de si precieux joyaux et thresors, ausquels nuls se comperent, et que lendoit mettre avant toutes forces, et avant toutes arms, c'est a scavoir, le sense des Prelates et des autres saiges, par qui conseil, par qui sense, et par qui pourveance le gouvernement du Royaume est adreciez et maintenus, la foy est tenue et essaucice en fermete, li Sacremens de Saint Eglise sont amenistrez, et tenus, et justice faite et gardee en celuy Royaume, pour lesqui • ux chooses, et pour autres, les quellas trop longs chose seroit a e • cri • e. Et pour ce especiaulment, que cil qui a present siet ou siege du gouvernement de l'Eglise, a fait et fait encores chacun jour par ces ordenances de volentr, les confirmations, et les collations des collations des Archevesques, et des Evesques, et des autres nobles Benefices du Royanme devantdit, et y a mises par grandes quanti •• z et sommes d'argent, par quoy il les a grevees et chargees, si que il convient, que li menus peuples, qui leur est soubgez, soient grevez et ranconnez; car autroment ne purroient payer les exactions, qui leur a faites per persons mec • gne • es, et aucunes souspeconneuses, et tells, et plusieurs, si comme • nfens et plusicurs autres, qui de nu • Benefice d'Eglise tenir ne sont dignes, et qui nulle residence ne font es Eglises o • ils ont Benesices, ne ja n'y entrerent; et ainsiles Eglises sont defraudees de leur services, et les volentez de ceur qui les Eglises fonderent, sont anienties, par quoy les aumosnes sont laisiees, pity arriere mise, et les bien faits substraits qui aux Eglises souloient estre faits, et les Eglises en sont si a • aissiees et decheues, que a peine y a nuls qui les deser • e • t, ne l • Prelates ne poent donner leurs Benefices aux nobles Cler • s, et a • tres bien nez et bien nettrez de leurs Dioceses, de qui antecessours les Eglises sont fondees; par quoy mal • o • s example est donnez communement a tout le p • u • le, et pour les pensions nouvelles et les services o • tragious et desacoutumes, et les exactions et extortions diverses, et les dommageuses nouvelletez, li generanx estats de l'Eglise du tout muez et os • ez a souverains Prelates, li po • ires de fair ce qui a eux de leur office appertient, et est accoustumez de fair, et encore ne • uy souffist ce mie, mais les collations des Benefices, que nostre Sire li Roys et nos antecesso • rs ont fondez, et a li et a nous appartiennent, et ont de tout temps appertenu a li et a nous devanciers, et est accustume a appertenir, il nous empesche et l • s veut adjeuster et traire devers li par grand convoi • ise, pour p • us grans exactions et plus grans services atraire a luy; et les quelles chooses nous ne pou • rions ne vour • ions souffrir des ores en avant en nulle maniere pour meschief nul qui nous pu • sse avenir, ei se ainsi estoit que nous, ou aucuns de nous le vousissent souff • ic; ne les soufferoit mie li dits nostre Sire li Roys, ne li commun peuples du dit Royaume, et a grand doulour et grand meschief, nous vous faisoms a scavour par la teneur de ceslettres, que ce ne sont chooses qui plaisient a Dieu, ne ne doivent plaire a nul homme di bone volente, ne on • ques mes tells • hoses ne descendirent en cuer d'homme, ne ores, ne furent, ne entendues advenir fors avecques Antichrist; et jacoit ce que il die en ses lettres, que ce a il fait du conseil de ses freres, si scauons nous certainement, ne autre chose ne voulons, ne ne pourrions croire, que ce ne vous desplaise, et que a tells nouvellettez si grans errors, et si folles entreprises vous donuissiez vostre assentement, ne vos consens, ne ne voulsissiez que cette unitez, que si longuement et si fermement a dure, a le honneur de Dieu, et a l'essaucement de la foy Christienne, au grand bien, et au profit, et au profit, et au bon estate de l'Eglise et du Royaume, par la perverse volente, ou par la folle envehie d'un tell homme, se deffist et destoinsis • . Pur quoy nous vous prions & requerons taunt affectueusement, comme nous pouvons; que comme vous soyez establis & appellez en party ou gouvernement de l'Eglise, & chacun de vous en cette besoigne veilliez tell conseil mettre, & tell remede, que ce qui est par si legier & par si desordenne mouvement commancie, soit mis a bon point, & a bon estate, si que l'amour, et li unitez qui a tousious dure entre l'Eglise et le Royaume, puisse demourer et accroistre, et que li griefs esclandres, qui pour ce est meus et est appareillez d'estre si grans et si cruels, que le generalle Eglise et toute la Christiente, s'en purroit do • loir a tous jours, puissent par vostre vertu, bon conseil, et par vostre amendment cessier; et que l'en puissent entendre profitablement au saint voyage de oultre mer et as autres bonnes aeuures, que li bons Christiens du Royaume ont accustume a fair, il soit chastiez en telle maniere, que li estas de la Chrestiente soit et demeure en son bon point, et en son bon estate; et de ces chooses nous faites a scavoir par le porteur de ses lettres vostre volente et vostre entention: car pour ce nous l'envoyons especiaument a vous, et bien voulons que vous soiez certain que ne pour vie ne pour mort, nous ne depart • rons, ne ne veons a departir de ce process, et feust ores, ainsi que li Rois nostre Si • e le voulsist bien. Et pour ce que trop long chose et chargeans seroit, se chacun de nous mettroit seel en ces presents lettres faites de nostre commun assentement, nos Loys fills le Roy de France, Cuens de Eureux, Robert Cuens d' Arto • s, Robert Dux de Bourgoinaut, Jean Dux de Bretaine, Ferry Dux de Lorraine, Jean Dux de Hainaut & de Hollande, Henry Cuens de Luxembourg, Guis Cuens de S. Pol, Jean Cuens de Dreux, Hugues Cuens de la Marche, Robert Cuens de Bouloigne, Loys Cuens de Nivers & de Retel, Jean Cuens d' Eu, Bernard Cuens de Comminges, Jean Cuens d' Aubmarle, Jean Cuens de Fores, Valeran Cuens de Perigors, Jean Cuens de Joigny, J. Cuens d' Auxerre, Aymars de Poitiers Cuens de Valentin • is, Estenes Cuens de Sancerre, Renault Cuens de Montbeliart, Enjorrant Sire de Coucy, Godefroy de Breban, Raou de Clermont Conestable de France, Jean Sire de Chastiau-vilain, Jordain Sire de Lisle, Jean de Chaylon Sire de Darley, Guillaume de Chauvigny Sire de Chastian-Raoul, Richars Sire de Beauien, & Amaurry Vicuens de Narbonne, auons mis a la request & en nom de nous, et pur tous les autres, nos seas en ces presents lettres; (as one hundred of the English Earls and Nobles did to their Epistle to this Pope not long before.) Donne a Paris le 10 jour d' Avril, l'an de grace miltrois cens & deux. Du Thresor des Chartres Registre, B. 28. fol. 246.

Moreover the People and Commons of France in that Parliament, made this following Supplication to King Philip against Pope Boniface the 8. for the defense of his Sovereignty in the Realm and Churches of France, against his Papal claims and Usurpations thereon in his precedent Bull and Letter, and to declare and pronounce him an Heretic for his assertions therein.

Le Supplication de Pueuble de France au Roy, contre le Pape Boniface le 8.

AVous tresnoble Prince nostre Sire par la grace de Dieu Roy de France, supply & requiert le pueuble de vostre Royaume, pour ce que il li appartient que ce soit faut, que vous gardiez la Souveraine franchise de vostre Royaume, qui est telle, que vous ne recognissiez de vostre temporell Souverain en terre, fors que Dieu, et que vous faciez declairer, si que tout le monde la scache, que le Pape Boniface erra manifestement, et fist pechie mortel notoirement, en vous mandant par lettres bullees, que il estoit vostre Souverain de vostre temporell, et que vous ne pouvez preuendes donner, ne les fruits des Eglises Cathedrales vacans retenir, et que tonz ce • x qui croient le contra • re, il tenoit pour hereges.

Item, que vous faciez declarier que l'en doit t • nir le dit Pape pour herege, non pas vous, et toute la gent de vostre Ro • aume, qui tousditz o • t creu et croient le contraire: Et pour ce que il ne veult cette erreur rappeller, ayant dit mont de fois que en cette creance viuroit et mourroit, et que ja pour nul homme ce ne rappelleroit: les quelles chooses il pouvoit fair, ne dire, ne croire, sans pecher mortellement contro vous, contra vos hoirs, et contre vos antecessours, et contre tous vos suiets, et contre tout le pueuble Latin, qui croit la Decretale, qui dit, que vous ne recognoissiez nul Souverain en terre, et que le Pape qui la fist, ne vouloit pas, ne ne devoit surrection demander sur vostre temporel; si que le dit Pape vous vouloit tollir a tort la graigneur nobleness, et le plus haut point de vostre Seigneurie, en faisant contre le commandment de la Loy nostre Sire, tout sarchamutement, en disant que il li lisoit fere encontre, et que soit voir, il pert; pour ce que li, qui disoit que il estoit sers Dieu, ne pouvoit la Loy de son Se igneur oster, ne refuser a la garder, mesmement, quant as commandments de la Loy ^• , que il ne fust, et deust estre tenu pour bongre, len puet prouver par vive force, sans que nul y puisse par raison respondre, que le Pape n'eut onques Seigneurie de vostre temporel, ne en autre, ne avoir, ne chalengier, ne doit, fors taunt comme ceux qui la Seigneurie avoient ou temps Saint Sylvestre, et puis l'en ont donne, et se il paroist plus chalement, et demandeurs convoitise, et rapine feroit par les raisons qui ensuivent. Quand Dieu le pere apres le Ciel, & les quatre Elements ont form Adam & Eve, il dit a eux & a leur succession, Quod calcaverit pes tuus, tuum erit, si comme se dit le commencement de la Bible; cest a dire, que il vouloit, que chacun homme fust le Seigneur de ce qu • l occuperoit de terre. Ainsi departirent les fills d' Adam la terre, & en furent Seigneurs, trois mil ans & plus, avant le temps Melchizedek, qui fust le primier Prestre, & fust Roy, si comme dit l'histoire; ma • s il ne fust pas Roy de toutle monde, & obeissoient la gent a li comme a Roy du temporel, non pas comme a Prestre, & fust avant Roy que Prestre. Apres sa mort fust grand temps, 600 ans ou plus, autant qe nul autre fust Prestre. Et Dieu le pere que donne la Loy de Moise, le stablie Prince de son pueuble Israel, & li commanda, que il fist Aaron son frere Souverain Prestre, & son fills apres li. Et Moise baille & commist, quand u deust mourir, du mandement de Dieu, la Seigneurie du temporel, non pas au Souverain Prestre son frere, ains a Josue sans debat, que Aaron & son fills apres y meissent; ains gardoient le Tabernacle, & entendoient illec au service de Dieu, & se aidoient au temporel defendre, & conquerir par arms, & autrement. Et tous les autres Prestres & Diacre le firent apres eux, aussi comme les autres gens. Et puis quand il vint a partir la Terre Saint entre les douze lignies, qui conquise l'avoient, celuy Dieu, qui toutes les chooses & avenir scavoit, commanda a Josue leur Prince, que il partist la terre entre les ouze lignies; & que le lignie des Prestres & des Diacres eussent en lieu de leur party, les disiesmes & les premisses de tout, & en vesquissent sans terres avoir, si que ils peussent plus profitablement Dieu servir, & prier pur le pueuble. Et puis quand il vint grand piece apres, que le pueuble d' Israel demand Roy a nostre Seigneur, ou fist demander par le Prophet Samuel, il ne leur e lit pas le Souverain Prestre, mais Saul, qui surmontoit le graudeur tout le pueuble, de tout le col, & de la teste. Apres nostre Seigneur eleut David en Roy, non pas le Souverain Prestre, si que il not nul Roy en Jerusalem sus le pueuble de Dieu, qui fust Prestre, mais avoient Roy & Souverain Prestre en diverses persons & avoit lan assez a fair de gouverner le Temporel, & le autre le Spirituel du petit pueuble; & si obeissoient tous les Prestres du Temporel aux Roys. Apres nostre Seigneur Jesus Christ fust Souverain Prestre, & ne trouve len point escrit, quil eust onques nulle possession du Temporel, neque il voulsist que Herodes, qui Roy estoit, ne Pilate, qui estoit garde de ce que li Emperor de Rome avoit en pais, li en obeissent de riens ains dit, que l'en rendist a Caesar ce que l'en luy devoit, & a Dieu aussi; & fist paier pur li, & pur Saint Pere son Vicaire d'un deniere d'or, quil fist prenre en le guelle d'un poisson, & le fist a fin quil ne feist esclandre en luy, par le quel ils paient, non pas pour ce que il ne deussent riens. Apres ce Saint Pere, & Saint Pol, Saint Clement, & les autres Saints Apostles, ne les autres jusques au temps du dit Boniface, ne demanderent oncques Seigneurie, fors en ce que Constantine donno a l'Eglise. Ce fut grand abomination a ouir que cest Boniface, pour ce que Dieu dit a Saint Pere, ce que tu lieras en terre, sera lie au Ciel; cette parolle, d'espiritualement, entendi malement, comme bougre quant au Temporel; se il meist un homme en prison temporelle, le meist pour ce Dieu en prison en Ciel. Et si dist S. Augustine contra Vincentium Donatistam, len puet en prescher user de la Saint Escriture, en sense de mystere, si comme le prescheur voit que bien est; mais len doit user in disputoison, en sense de la letter, non mie par mystere. Et si dient les Docteurs que les faits de nostre Seigneur, escrits au vicil Testament, sont figure & example du nouvel Testament. Et l'Apostre dit, que nous deuons prenre example au fills Jesus Christ. Doncques quand Dieu le pere bailla a deux persons le gouvernement de son petit pueuble d' Israel, a un le Temporel, a l'autre l'Espirituel, comment osa dire le dit Boniface, & mander, qe la volunte de Dieu, il devoit l'avoir la pouvoir et la charge de governer l'Espirituel et le Temporel de tout le monde; quar se il eust le pouvoir du Temporel survous & sur vostre Royaume; par plus forte raison il eust ce pouvoir sur tous les Princes Chrestiens: pour ce que il n'en y a nul, qui par dr • it escrit peut monstrer sa franchise, fors que vous: pour quoy vous li poues dire que a tort, par tresgrande convoitise, vo • loit se sousprendre de nouvel par dessus vous, et par le greignour orgueil que len peust trouver, qu • homme eust oncques demand poeste en monde. Comment pourroit homme dire parole plus enflee d'orgueil, que cette, Dieu m'a commis en terre son pouvair en temporalite, et en spiritualite, si que sus toutes gents en toutes manieres s'essent mon pouvair et ma poeste. Len puet bien voir se l'entente de si sage seculier, comme il estoit, fust de bien gouverner tout le Temporel et l'Espirituel. Il n'emprist pas si grand fais; quas nul plus plus sage et plus forsn'i soffissient pas. Li meismes ne souffisoit pas a l'Espiritualte gouverner, ne son devoir ne faisoit; car il estoit tenu de garder les commandments de la Loy, du vieil Testament, et du nouvel, qui dient, que il devoit amer et enseigner chacun homme du monde, comme soy mesme, et que qui ne sera baptize, et ne croire en Jesus Christ, sera condampne; et que si, comme il qui est Pape, ao, pot Dieu, il estoit tenu sauver et • ui render to • tes arms, et les enseigner par faites et par paroles. Orne les enseignoit il pas bien en fait de tell orgueil, et de telle convoitise; quar il queroit so • profit et sa volente, non pas de tout le pueuble, et si n'enseignoit par paroles, ne mes en pais ou il fust nez, de moult la mendre party de la gent. Et n'ensuivoit pas nostre Seigneur Jesus Christ, qui envoya precher la foy Christienne par soixante et donz Deciples, ausqueulz il donna le sense et les langages de toutes gents; mais le dit Boniface fu en ce negligent: quar onques par foy ne par autre ne regard • e n'enseigna la centiesme party de la gent du monde. Il estoit greigneur besoing que il sceut Arabic, Caldec, Grieux, Ebrieux, & tous autres languages, desquelx il est moult de Christiens, qui ne croient pas comme l'Eglise de Rome, pour ce que ils n'out este de ce enseigniez, si comme les Pantacors devers Orient, n • uf cens Evesques quique il y a sons li pres de tous les Grieux, & plusieurs autres desquielx enscigner il laissa la cure, pour les plus obeissans suppediter, grever, & molester, que il est dessusdit. Se celuy qui par miracles ne pouvoit donner les languages, eust fait apprendre en tous les la • guages des lettres, taunt descoliers, bien desposez pour apprendre, que ils souffisissent pour • nvoier a toutes les pueubles precher la foy Christienne; & sils n'eussent asses sceu pour ce fere a sa vie, ses successors les eussent envoyez, en par faisant ce que il cust commencie: aussi comme Moise commenca la conqueste de la Terre Saint, & ce ne la vit onques, mes establist par foy, quand il deust morir, en son lieu Josue, & commanda au pueuble qui luy obeist. Pour ce appert, puis que dire le convient; quar qui folie di, folie doit oyr, pour quoy en respondre sense et verite no p • et per • l avenir. Quar si Boniface pour soy et pour tout son Clergy eus a Dieu renda tout le pueuble Latin, qui morut, taunt comme il eust en cure, que il en laissa quatre cens peril pac sa negligence, et pour ce que il ne garda les commandments de la Loy, en ce que nostre Seigneur Jesus Christ dit a Saint Pere, Pasce oves • ease, & entendi de toutes de quelconque lieu, & de quelconques lignages que ils fussent, & il laissa ce a fair, pour entendre a pourvoir et a noblir son lignage, et pour vous tollir vostre greigneur Franchise, il ne puet nier, que par se faict, plus encores que ce il deist, pour ce que len croit plus example de faict, que de paroles, que il ne donnast occasion a tous Princes mescreans, et a tous les Chrestiens Princes desobeisants, de refuser le Baptesme, et l'obeisance del Eglise de Rome: pour ce que ils peussent perdre le plus haut point de leurs Seigneuries, c'est ascaboir, de non reconnoistre Souverain de lour fins. Se les Apostres, et les autres Disciples eussent fait, ou dit ainsi, nul ne cui deroit qe ils peussent avoir un tout seul Prince converti. Et si droit en qe il commenca, a vous, bon Roy, pour ce, que vous, et vos Antecesseurs, et tout le peuble sousmissa, vous avez tout temps este les plus obeissants, et les plus devot's a l'Eglile de Rome, et a toutes les autres; si comme il pert bien, regarda la Jurisdiction & l'authority des Esglises de vostre Royaume, et des autres. Et pour cen il pert, que Boniface, l'example de Zacharias, sofferca de fair contre le greigneur bien, le greigneur mal, que il pouet, quand il oyt qe vous & vostre Conseil' et tout vostre pueuble, qui taunt est grand, vous teniez pour si mal p • yez de son mandement. Et que si grand esclandre en estoit par tont le monde, comme le fait greigneur, que len ne pourroit dire ne escrire, & si eust este trop greigneur, se leu eust use de semblable sur tout le pueple Latin: quar null homme n'y eust obey, taunt comme ils' en peust defendre, le cuer & la volente du mandement, qui cuidoit fair tout le monde trembler, s'endurcirent sansrepentir, & sans retraire a l'example de Pharaon. Ne onques homme ne s'appercent, que il ne morut en si grand iniquity, en faisant le contraire de nostre Seigneur Jesus Christ, & de Saint Pol, qui dit ainsi, Se mon frere estoit esclander, pour len estre, je me garderoye de mengier char a tousioursmais: & pource qu'il ne parlast sans fair, et sans que il ne fust greveur au pueble, & que esclandre ne issist, ice celuy sage Apostre, quand il alloit prechant, par son art; & par ses mains queroit, en faisant panniers, ce qe necessaire y estoit pour luy, et pour ceux qui avec li estoient: et l'Apostre en son Canon mesme dit, que pour esclandre escheuer, l'en doit fair & laisera afaire tout ce que l'en peut sans pechie mortel. Et si fut, et est, esclandre greigneur du dit mandement, de lorgueil, et de la convoitise; pour ce qe les sages regardoient, que les Apostres & les Empereurs, en firent leur droet, qui pour eux establirent le plus qeils peurent. La quelle chose pert bien, a ce que l'Emperor dit, que il estoit Seigneur du monde, sans rien excepter, qui ne avint onques a Alexandre, ne a autre. Et se n'oserent il dire que l'en ne se peut defendre contre l'Eglise de Rome, et contre li Empire, par prescription de Cent ans. Autrement il convenist revenir a fair comme les poissons, qui ont toute la mer comune, si que le plus fort boute hors le plus foible, et occupe le lieu, taunt comme il luy plaist a demourer. Ainsi fervent la gent, se long teneure ne diffendoit les tenens. Dont semble il bien qe le dit Papa vouloit tou le monde destruire, et mettre en guerre, qui de nouvel vouloit occuper cette Seigneurie, qui tenue et porsise avoit este plus de mille ans en bonne foy des Roys des France. Par autele raison puet len demander tout l'heritage qe Dieu le Pere partit entre Adam et ses enfans, quand il dit, Ce que ton pied marchera, & que tu occuperas, sera tien. Par quoy il pert, quil alloit droitement contre la loy de Dieu, et contre le commandment. Onques quand le dit Boniface sceut si grand esclandre esmeue par le dit mandement, ne sen suffrist pour se appaisier. Il appert bien, qe il ne doubt esclandre de ricns, & qe cette entente de li fu perverse, E que len apercent onques sur se amendment. Et quand len ne puet nier quil ne sceust tell esclandre, et il ne luy en chaln, mais poursui comme melencholieux sa folle entente, plus fort que devant, par pluseurs fois, perfez perners, par les queulx il renua Dieu, et en ce se rendurci, sans resortir de riens en sa vic. Et fit ces chooses notoirement, en disant▪ qui lui lisoit a fair. Et si appert clerement, que il ne le pouet fair sans pluseurs pechiez mortels, qui ne puent estre escusez, qe ce ne fust verite notoire. Pour quoy, par les dits de Saint Pol, & de Saint Augustine, il renoia Dieu notoirement, et en cest Estat fu mort, sans que len onques apperceust sa repentance, si comme ceux qui furent presens, & la renomme de Rome le tesmoigne; & in Epistola ad Titum 1. c. 9. q. 3. c. existimant. Et se maintint tousiours, comme Pharaon, que il luy lisoit a fair; pour quoy il par raisonablement quil fu herege, & in cette erreur mourat. E saucuns voulon le dit Boniface escuser de tout cest esclandre, en disant qe le dit Pape ne pouvoit laissier, que il ne fist son pouoir des chooses dessusdites, que il ne cheist enpechie mortel, et que sentence fu telle: Contre ce puet l'en dire, que il appert, que ce fust faux; car il s'ensuiuroit quil creust, qe tous les Apostoilles eussent rescu tous dix en pechie mortel, pour ce quils ne firent ainsi. Par quoy que aucun autre ne praigne example a fair aussi; et pour ce qe la peine de luy face poeur aux outres: et mesmement pour ce qe ils que fust Pape, et devant mesmes, ou li vit notoirement fere moult de chooses, qui ne pouvoient estre faites en bonne maniere, desquelles ou nappercent onques sign d'amenment; Vous, noble Roy, sur tous Princes, heritage defenseur de la Foy, destruiseur de Bougres, pouez et duez, et estes tenus requerre et procurer, qe le dit Boniface soit tenus et jugiez pour herege, en la maniere qe len le pourra et deura, et doit fair apres ce mort; si qua vostre Souveraine Franchise soit gardee et declaree, et qu'elle ne perisss, ne ne soit avilee en nostre temps, et si que vous gardiez le serment, lequel vous faites en vostre Couronnement: l'honneur et le profit de vous, et de vos antececesseurs, et de vos heirs, et de tout vostre grand pueuble, la greigneur franchise de vostre Royaume ne soit perdue, ne en doubt remedee, et que celle injure fait a vous, et a vostre pueuble, soit vien et suffisament esmendee. Du Thresor des Chartes Registre 129. fol. 114.

What further proceedings and disputes there were in this Parliament, against and about the Popes pretended Supreme Authority, you may read in Mr. Fox his Acts and Monuments, whereunto I refer the Readers.

The College of Cardinals upon receipt of the Peers and Nobles of France premised Letter, returned this following Letter in Answer thereunto, in defense and excuse of Pope Boniface and his Provisions made in France.

MIseratione divina Episcopy, Presbyteri, & Diaconi, S. Romanae Ecclesiae Cardinales, Nobilibus viris, Ducibus, Comitibus, Baronibus, & Nobilibus Regni Franciae, in vero salutari salutem. Recepimus literas vestrae Nobilitatis & nuncios, quas quidem per eosdem Nuntios latores praesentium destinastis, quarum intellectus tenor nostros amaricavit animos, & turbavit auditus. Vobis igitur praesentibus respondemus, quod sanctissimus Pater & Dominus noster, Dominus Boniface, divina providentia Sacrosanctae Romanae ac universalis Ecclesiae Summus Pontifex, & nos ipsi vinculum charitatis & sinceritatis affectus, quae inter ipsum Dominum nostrum Summum Pontificem, Praedecessores ipsius Romani Pontifices, & nos, & Praedecessores nostros S. R. Ecclesiae Cardinales, ac Magnificum Principem Dominum Philippum Franciae Regem illustrem, ac Praedecessores suos fuerunt & viguerunt ab olim, manutenemus libenter; &, ut firma & stabilia maneant, promptis studiis laboramus; ad hoc etiam invenimus ipsum Dominum nostrum paratum & promptum. Inimicus tamen homo seminavit zizania, quae Deo author in fasciculos colligata erunt in combustionem & cibum ignis; & volumus vos pro certo tenere, quod praedictus Dominus noster Summus Pontifex nunquam scripsit Regi praedicto, quod de Regno suo sibi subesse temporaliter, illudque ab eo tenere deberet, & providus vir Magister Jacobus Archidiaconus Narbonensis, Notarius & Nuncius Domini nostri praedicti, sicut constanter affirmat, ipsi Domino Regi hoc ipsum vel simile nunquam verbaliter nunciavit aut scripto. Unde propositio quam fecit Petrus Flot in praesentia dicti Domini Regis, Praelatorum et vestra, et aliorum multorum, arenosum & falsum habuit fundamentum, & ideo necesse est, quod cadat aedificium, quod aedificabitur super illud: Praelati vero, Doctors in Theologia, & utriusque Juris Magistri vocati fuerunt ad ipsius Domini nostri praesentiam, certo eis peremptorio termino assignato, ut cum eis super agendis posset deliberare consultius, sicut personis ipso Domino Regi non suspectis, immo acceptis & gratis, et diligentibus nomen ejus, & affectantibus statum prosperum & tranquillum ipsorum Domini Regis & regni. Nec est novum per sedem Apostolicam pro qualitate temporum et necessitate causarum, Concilia non solum particularia, sed etiam generalia convocari, quorum aliqua plurium ex nobis temporibus congregata noscuntur. Detulit tamen dictus Dominus noster ipsi Domino Regi & regno, generale Concilium non vocando, in quo forsitan convenissent nonnulli nationum & regnorum illorum, qui minus dilectionis ad dictum noscuntur habere. Et si ad eorundem Praelatorum & vestram pervenisset notitiam literarum tenor, quas idem Archiepiscopus dicto Domino Regi, ex parte ipsius Domini nostri Summi Pontificis praesentavit, et fuissent expositus diligenter, reddendae fuissent Deo & Domino vestro gratiae copiosae super paterna cura & materna dulcedine, quam ipse Dominus noster gessit & gerit, ut ipsi Rex et regnum habeant statum prosperum et quietum, et ut tollantur gravamina, quae Praelatis, Ecclesiis ac Monasteriis, et nonnullis ex vobis, et Clero et populo suntillata. Cum utique dictus Dominus noster Summus Pontifex, si Ecclesiam Gallicanam gravavit, hoc fecit concedendo ipsi Domino Regi decimam plurium Annorum Ecclesiasticorum proventuum regni sui. Et quod ad dictum e jus in qualibet Ecclesia Cathedrali & Collegiata regni praedicti, una persona idonea poneretur: nonnullis etiam dignitates et beneficia contulit consideratione Regis ejusdem, Praelatorum et aliquorum ex vobis. Dispensationes quoque multas concessit et magnas, quae non latent Regem ipsum et multos ex vobis; ex quibus per ingratitudinem non dilectionis & reverentiae, recipit idem Dominus noster debitam responsivam. Ad haec non venit in dubium homini sanae mentis, Romanum Pontificem obtinere Primatum, et esse summum Hierarcham in Ecclesiastica Hierarchia, et posse omnem hominem arguere de peccato. Nostrae quoque memory non occurrit, quod Cathedralibus Ecclesiis dicti Regni providerit de personis Italicis, nisi Bituricen. et Attrebaten. Ecclesiis, quibus de personis providit ipsis Regi non suspectis et regno, quorum eminens scientia late patet, nec sint conditions eorum incognitae. Multis vero aliis Ecclesiis Cathedralibus providit de personis oriundis de regno praedicto, nec Regi, nec regno praedictis probabili ration suspectis. Quis unquam praedecessorum suorum formas providendi pauperibus Clericis plus extendit, quibus per nonnullos ex Praelatis non siebat Provisio, et mendicare quedammodo cogebantur in opprobrium Clericale: Exsurgant cum ipso Domino Magistri in Theolgiâ, quibus ipse in Parisien. Ecclesia Canonicatus contulit & Praebendas. Exsurgant Magistri et alii literati, et in acie stent cum ipso, qui paupertate gravati multis sudoribus, multis vigiliis, multis laboribus adepti sunt scientiae Margaritam, et dicam quomodo illorum pietas, ad quos beneficiorum collatio pertinebat, respexit eosdem. Invenietis pro uno extraneo, cui est per ipsum Dominum in dicto regno provisum, fere centum qui de praedicto regno traxerunt originem, ab eo provisionis gratiam recopisse. E • si de vacantibus beneficiis regni praedicti, aut vacaturis providit, n • nne providit de personis oriundis de regno eodem, et familiaribus, et Clericis Regis, Praelatorum regni et vestris. Adhaec ut non taceamus vobis solidam veritatem, non decuit, immo licuit, nec etiam expedivit sanctissimum Patrem et Dominum nostrum, Dominum Bonifacium, divina providentia Sacrosanctae Romanae ac universalis Ecclesiae Summum Pontificem in literis vestris, quas nobis misistis, non nominare Summum Pontificem; sed, quod dolenter referimus, missis filialis et solitae reverentiae more ac stylo, ipsum nominastis per quendam circumlocutionem indevotorum verborum et noviter inventorum. Hujusmodi autem literarum nostrarum placeat vobis habere bonum interpretem & fidelem. Datum Anagniae 6. Kal. Julii, Pontificatus vero praefati Domini nostri Dom. Bonifacii Papae 8. Anno octavo. Sigill. 17 sigillis cerae rubrae. Du Thresor des Chartres cofre Boniface, num. 4.

Soon after, King Philip out of his Sovereign Authority issued these ensuing Letters for the constant, inviolable Protection and defense of all his Nobles, Prelates and Subjects adhering to him against Pope Boniface in this quarrel, against all his Citations, Excommunications, Interdicts, Censures, and proceedings whatsoever, ratified by Oath, from which he would not recede for any dispensation or cause whatsoever; thus registered for his honor to posterity.

PHilippus Dei gratia Francorum Rex, universis praesentes literas inspecturis, salutem. Cum Praelatos, Barones, & alios fideles & subditos nostros defendere teneamur, nos dilecto nostro P. Monasterii S. Cornelii Compendiae Abbati promisimus, quod personam suam, statum, honorem, libertates, et jura ipsius, Monasterii sui, Consanguineorum, parentum, affinum, amicorum et subditorum suorum, qui de adhaerentibus fuerint, et aliorum adhaerentium, et adhaerere volentium, efficaciter defendimus, sibique assistemus in eorum defensione contra omnem hominem, qui vellet statum, honorem, libertates, et jura praedicta infringere, vel etiam adnullare: et specialiter contra B. tunc Ecclesiae Romanae Regimini praesidentem, qui multis contra nos, ipsum, et alios Praelatos, et regnum dicitur comminatus fuisse; nec nos ab eo, et suis, ut praemissum est, nec ipsos a nobis in defensione praedicta seperabimus, nec etiam excludemus; facieniusque de convocatione Concilii generalis, quod alias promisimus, sicut in Iustrumentis publicis inde confectis plenius centinetur. Cum tam nos, quam Praelati, et Barones regni nostri sub certis formis provocaverimus et appellaverimus, et in scriptis, ne dictus Boniface, commotus occasion praemissorum vel aliquorum ex eis, procederet contra nos, Praelatos. Barones, subditos nostros, prout in Instrumentis publicis inde confectis plenius continetur; Promittimus, quod si dictus B. jam forte processerit, occasion praemissorum, vel quia Praelati per nos retenti pro defensione necesseria regni n • siri, post ejus vocationem, ex inopinato emergente, ad vocationem • ujusmodi non iverint, sed ad requisitionem nostram se ex causis legitimis excusarunt, vel procedat pendente negotio dicti Concilii, vel etiam terminato, praemissorum occasion, quecunque quaesito color, excommunicando, interdicendo, suspendendo, deponendo, absolvendo a juramento fidelitatis, vel homagii, aut alterius cujuslibet obligationis vinculo, seu alias quoquo modo contra Nos, Praelatos, Barones, Consanguineos, parents, affines, amicos, vel subditos eorundem, aut alios adhaerentes, vel adhaerere volentes; Nos dictis Praelatis, Baronibus, et aliis adhaerentibus, vel adhaerere volentibus assistemus, et defendemus eosdem, nec nos separabimus de eis, nec absoluti • nibus a juramentis quibus • ibet in praesenti negotio in animam nostram factis vel praestitis per quoscunque, vel aliis quibuscunque relaxationibus indultis vel indulgendis, impetratis vel impetrandis, ultro oblatis vel concessis, offerendis vel etiam concedendis, utemur: im mo, semper eisdem Praelatis, Baronibus, et aliis adhaerentibus, et adhaerere volentibus, adhaerebimus: nos, haeredesque nostros▪ ad o •• nia praemissa et singula praemissorum inviolabiliter observanda, specialiter obligamus; et ea propositis sacrosanctis Evangeliis tenere et inviolabiliter observare, ac etiam adimplere, jurari fecimus, in praesentia nostra, et in animam nostram, per dilectum et fidelem nostrum Comitem S. Pauli, Caeterum charissimae Consorti nostrae Johannae Reginae Franciae, ac charissimo Ludovico primogenito, & Philippo secundogenito natis nostris, & Baronibus supradictis, damus praesentibus in mandatis, ut eidem Abbati P. omnia et singula praemissa promittant, seque express et specialiter obligent ad observationem eorundem, et similibus juramentis astringant. Nos vero per promissiones & juramenta, quae dictus Abbas super praemissis & praemissa tangentibus, nobis fecit & praestitit, non intendimus, nec volumus novum homagium, juramentum, seu aliam novum servitutem, in ipso, & in monasterio • uo, et ipsius successoribus, in aliis acquirere in futurum. Nos autem Joanna, Franciae & Navarrae Regina, Campaniae, Briae{que} Comitissa Palatina, nosque Ludovicus & Philippus praefati, praemissa omnia et singula tenere firmiter, & fideliter observare, quantum ad nos pertinet, vel in futurum poterit pertinere, promisimus et per praefatum Comitem S. Pauli in animas nostras jurari fecimus nos, haeredes et successores nostros ad haec express, et specialiter obligantes. Nos vero praenominatus Rex praemissa omnia & singula, per praefatos Consortem & liberos nostros, de mandato nostro, promissa, jurata, & praedictas obligationes, modo praedicto factas fuisse testamur. Et ad majorem cautelam, sigillum nostrum, nos Regina praedicta literis his appendi fecimus, una cum sigillo praefati Domini nostri Regis. Datum Parisius die 15 Junii, Anno Dom. 1303.

The like Protection he issued Decano & Capitulo Ecclesiae Parisiensis, Parisiis die Martis post festum Sancti Laurentii, Anno Domini 1303. with sundry others in like form and words.

He likewise published this Royal Mandate, to seise the good of those Ecclesiastical persons who should depart out of his Realm, without his special license, (upon this Popes summons or any other pretence) contrary to his Defen • es formerly published.

Commandment fait par le Roy de saiser les biens des Ecclesiastiques sortis hors son Royaume, sans son commandment.

PHilippus Dei gratia Francorum Rex, Ballivo Aurelianen. vel ejus locum tenenti, u tem. Cum nos regni nostri his diebus utilitate pensata, deliberationeque super hoc praestita, sub certis semel et iterum formis district duxerimus prohibendum, ne quis de Incolis regni nostri, certis rationibus et causis, in ipsa prohibitione contentis, ab eodem regno absque nostra specially licentia exire praesumeret quoquo modo: Nonnulli nohilominus Praelati, Abbates, Priores, Magistri in Theologia, Doctoresque Iuris Canonici et Civilis, et aliae quaedam Ecclesiasticae et seculares personae, prout ad nostrum nuper venit auditum, Inhibitione hujusmodi nostra spreta, ab eodem regno egredi (quod molestum gerimus) praesumpserunt. Nolentesigitur ob ipsarum absentiam personarum, bona earum temporalia dissipari, & potius ea cupientes provide conservari; mandamus tibi, quatinus bona omnia temporalia personarum quarumlibet Baillivae tuae, quae prohibitionem nostram praedictam transgresserunt, ad manum nostram causa custodiae ponere non omittas, eaque diligenter custodiri facias, donec de certis eorum Custodibus, duxerimus providendum, de nominibus vero ipsorum, & quantitate bonorum immobilium singulorum te diligenter informs, Informationem quam inde feceris, nobis quamcitius relaturus, vel sub sigillo tuo interclusam missurus. Actum Parisius Dominica post festum B. Lucae Evangelistae, Anno Domini, 1303.

Defensis fait par le Roy à tous Ecclesiastiques de sortir hors le Royaume, under pain of confiscation of all their lands, goods, and perpetual banishment as Traitors to the King and kingdom, and to intercept, seise all Letters to or from them.

PHilippus Dei gratia Francorum Rex dilecto & fideli nostro Archiepiscopo Remensi salutem & dilectionem. Olim pro defensione necessaria regni nostri, ad cujus impugnationem hostilis iniquitas conatus suae malignitatis exercet, aliisque caeteris & legitimis causis inducti, constitutiones et inhibitiones, ne quis de fidelibus, vel subditis nostris, vel incolis regni nostri, cujuscunque status et conditionis existant, exiret limites regni ejusdem, vel in via se poneret exeundi, et de auro, argento, pecunia, et aliis caeteris rebus non extrahendis de regno nostro, absque licentia nostra specially, sub diversarum poenarum adjectione, duximus promulgandas; certis ad conservationem Constitutionum & Inhibitionum ipsarum executionibus, & portuum & passagiorum finium dicti regni Custodibus deputatis. Verùm ex Constitutionibus & Inhibitionibus hujusmodi nullus vel modicus, quod non sine turbatione referimus, est hactenus secutus effectus, cum per dissidiam, negligentiam & defectum quorundam existis Custodibus, ac fraudem & malitiam aliquorum post editionem, & contra tenorem & formam Constitutionum ipsarum personae, nobis & regno suspectae, ingressae fuerint, ac de die in diem quaedā propriis & aliae mutatis habitibus passim, & indifferenter ingrediantur, & quaedam egrediantur terminos dicti regni, ac de regno ipso hujusmodi res prohibitae absque nostra licentia extrahantur. Cum igitur praesentis conditio temporis, regni status, & ingruentium exigat qualitas agendorum, ut Constitutiones et Inhibitiones praedictae solito strictius et firmius observentur, praesertim cum Flandrensium rebellium praedictorum abhorrenda rebellio, detestanda saevitia, ferinaque rabies magis ac magis de die in diem invalescat, & periculosa succrescat, adeoque ipsi mala malis, & excessibus excessus cumulantes, et ad subversionem, destructionem omnimodam, & finale excidium dicti regni, et Ecclesiarum totis conatibus satagentes, nuper ad Civitatem Morinensem, et ad alias diversas villas & loca Morinensis, Attrebatensis, & Tornacensis Diocaesium collecta satellitum hostiliter accedentes, beatae Mariae Morinensis, & aliorum praedictorum locorum Ecclesias, ipsius Virginis & aliorum Sanctorum Imagines existentes in eis, reverentia retrojecta, & divino amore postposito, nefandis ausibus & temeritate sacrilega, ignis incendio concremarunt, ac villas & loca praedicta per caedis, depopulationis, & devastationis voraginem, deposita omni humanitatis mansuetudine, horribili crudelitate totaliter destruxerunt, nec Deo, nec homini, nec personae, nec dignitati aliquatenus deferentes, nec sexui nec aetati parcentes, et alios diversos enormes et detestabiles comiserunt excessus, qui humanis sensibus horrorem & stuporem ingerunt, & audientium, dura quantumlibet, corda impunguntur. Nos ad necessariam ipsius regni, & Ecclesiarum, ac personarum Ecclesiasticarum defensionem totis, ut condecet, studiis intendentes, ac propter hoc exponentes quibuslibet personae laboribus & dispendiis non vitatis totaliter nos et nostra, et ad defensionem eandem nostram, et aliorum Praelatorum dicti regni, quorum in hac causa agitur, et proprium cujustibet prosequitur interesse, praesentium pro consilio impendendo, exhortatione, sollicitatione, & confortatione populi, animarum regimine, divinis mysteriis & officiis exequendis, aliisque diversis ex causis utilem & necessariam reputantes, cum ad defensionem natalis patriae, Ecclesiarum & fidei omnes & singuli teneantur: Vos attente requirimus, & sub naturalitatis officii debito, quo nobis & regno astricti tenemini, district praecipiendo mandamus, quatinus nobis in defensionis praedictae negotio consiliis & auxiliis opportunis & debitis assistatis, inhibentes vobis districtius sub capitali, et amissionis bonorum omnium poenis, et omnibus aliis quas jura et consuetudines statuunt, et nos infligere possumus, ne nos, Regnum, et Ecclesiam nostram in tantae necessitatis articulo, negligendo seu contemnendo defensionem primam deserentes, exeatis limites dicti Regni, vel vos in via exeundi ponatis. Nos enim, si secus praesumpseritis attemptare, vos et omnes tam Clericos quam Laicos vestros hac parte sequaces, et vobiscum, ut praemittitur, fugiendo defensionem primam deserentes, extra gardiam et protectionem nostram, et a Regno nostro extunc perpetuo relegamus et exponimus, tanquam nostros et Regni notorios proditores in personis et rebus impune per quosiibet offendendos. Datum apud Vicennas Dominica post festum Magdalenae, Anno Domini 1303.

PHilippus Dei gratia Francorum Rex, Senescallis, Ballivis, Praepositis, caeterisque nostris, ac Custodibus Portuum & Passagiorum finium regni nostri ubilibet deputatis, salutem. Turbamur non modicum, quod cum olim pro defensione, &c. usque ad haec, Corda impunguntur, (ut supra.) Vobis et vestrum singul • s sub capitali, et amissionis omnium honorum poenis firmiter injungimus, et district praecipiendo mandamus, quatinus ad conservationem constitutionum & inhibitionum ipsarum solito diligentius & efficacius intendentes, provideatis attentius, ne persona quaecunque Ecclesiastica, vel Secularis cujuscunque dignitatis, ordinis, status vel conditionis existat, etiamsi Archiepiscopus, Episcopus • e existat proprius, vel juramento, habitu (Mercatoribus & Nunciis Mercatorum duntaxat exceptis) exeat dictum regnum, neve literae apertae vel clausae quibuscunque personis transmissis, etiamsi ad aliquos de affinibus, consiliariis, vel familiariis nostris hujusmodi forsitan literae, vel ab ipsis ad alios dirigantur, afferantur in regnum, vel extrahantur de ipso hujusmodi literae, aut aliae res prohibitae in Constitutionibus et Inhibitionibus supradictis, nisi de egressu, emissione, vel extractione praedictis patentes literas nostras recipere vos contingat; omnes literas quas ad manus nostras devenire continget, quibuscunque absque personarum acceptione directas, nobis et non aliis clausas et integras, sine apertione vel inspectione mittentes, bona omnia illorum, si quos forsan exire contigerit absque nostra licentia specially, capientes ad manum nostram, & tanquam confiscata nostris commodis applicantes, ad praemissa omnia & singula diligenter & fideliter exequenda, sive indignationem nostram perpetuam, et corporum ac honorum nostrorum pericula capitis evitare, totis viribus, totisque conatibus intendentes; cum nos proculdubio gravius offender non possetis, quam si in negligentia vel defectu, dolo, fraud vel malitia vos, quod absit, contigerit inveniri. Nos enim non solum omnes illos, cujuscunque status, dignitatis, vel conditionis existerent, etiam si Archiepiscopali vel Episcopali fulgerent dignitate, qui nos in regno in praesentis necessitatis articulo deferendo, contra nostrae formam prohibitionis exirent, sed et vos exire in casu negligentiae, fraudis, malitiae, vel defectus, nostros et regni nostri reputaremus non immerito proditores. Datum ut supra.

Thus did our King Edward the 1. with his Nobles, Clergy, Commons, and Universities in England, and King Philip with his Nobles, Prelates, Clergy, University of Paris, and Commons in France, by their president, though formerly at mortal enmity and Wars against each other, when reconciled by this Popes award and Legates as a private person, who endeavored to usurp a Papal Jurisdiction and Sovereignty over themselves, their Realms, Crowns, Prerogatives, as well in Temporals as Ecclesiasticals, which he publicly claimed by his Bulls, most strenuously and heroically oppose him in their Parliaments and Councils, and soon after laid his Papal Honor, Miter, Person in the dust, with highest contumely and disgrace. In order whereunto the King, Prelates, Nobles, and People of France in the Parliament at Paris, drew up this memorable Appeal to the next General Council, against this Pope and his detestable errors, crimes, vices, contained in sundry Art • cles.

The particular Articles to make good this Charge, are thus Englished and recorded by Mr. Fox, worthy special observation.

FIrst, That he believeth not the Immortality of men, and Christian souls, but thinking much like as the Sadducees did believe, that there is no everlasting Life, and that men cannot get at the length Joy, but that all the lott and part of comfort and gladness is in this World, and by this means he affirmeth, that it is no sin for the Body to live daintily in all dainties: And out of the abundance of this leaven he was not ashamed to say and openly to confess, that he had rather be an Ass, or a Dogg, or any other brute beast then a Frenchman; which thing he would not have said if he believed a Frenchman had a soul that could enjoy everlasting life. This thing he taught many men, which acknowledged this at the point of death, and the common report goeth thus on him in these things.

2. And he believeth not faithfully that by the words ordained of Christ, and spoken over the Host after the fashion of the Church, by a faithful Priest, that is lawfully ordered, the body of Christ to be there; and therefore it cometh to pass, that he giveth no reverence to it (no not a little) when it is lifted up of the Priest; yea he riseth not to it, but • urneth his back to it, and makes himself and his seat to be honored where he sitteth, tather than the Altar where the Host is consecrate; and he is commonly reported to do this.

3. Also he is reported to say, that Whoredom is no sin, no more then rubbing of the hands together, and thus commonly runs the voice and brute.

4. Also he said often, that to thrust down the King and Frenchmen, (if it could not be otherwise done) he would overthrow himself, the whole World, and the whole Church. And when he had said so, some that stood by said, God forbid; he answered, God grant. And when good men that heard the words replied against him, that he should not say so, because the Church of God, and all Christian men should suffer great slander so; he answered, I care not what slanders soever come, so that the Frenchmen and their pride be destroyed; for it is necessary that slanders and offenses come.

5. Item, he called again and allowed a Book made by Mr. Arnold of Newton, containing and smelling of Heresy, condemned by the Bishop of Paris, and reproved by the Masters of Divinity, and burned openly by Boniface himself, and in the full Consistory of Cardinals being likewise reproved, condemned, and burned, yet he allowed it being written again, and containing the same fault.

6. Item, that he might make the most damnable remembrance of him perpetual, he caused his Images of silver to be set in the Church, by this means bringing men to Idolatry.

7. Item, he hath a private Devil whose counsel he useth in all things, and through all things.

8. Item, he said once, that if all men were of one side, and he on another, they could not deceive him neither in law nor in deed; which thing could not be done except he used a Devillish Art; and of this he is openly thus reported.

9. Item, he is a Witch, asking counsel: at Soothsayers both men and women, and thus he is commonly judged.

10. Item, he said openly, that the Romish Pope could not commit Simony. which is heretical to say: This is a sin reproved as well in the Old Testament as in the New, and generally in the Holy Councils. Also he is wont to make Merchandise of Prelates Livings, Dignities, Superiorities and Benefices, to which the Holy Orders be necessarily joined, and of Absolutions and Dispensations, like as Usurers and Merchants use to buy and sell common things in the Market; and of this the common brute reports him (guilty.)

11. Item, he letteth with all his might among Christian men the special embassage of Christ, made to his own sons, saying, Peace I leave to you, and soweth discord and wars; wherefore once it was said before him, that certain parties would friendly agree after a good sort, but he letted the peace: And when the other party did humbly beseech him that he would give license to agree, he said, he would not: Yea, if the Son of God, or Peter the Apostle would come down into the Earth and command him, he would say, I will not believe thee.

12. Item, because the French Nation (being manifestly a most Christian Nation) followeth not his errors in the Faith, he recko • eth and openly calleth all and every of them Paterniani.

13. Item, he is infect with Sodomitical sin, keeping with him Boys for Concubines, and of this fault he is most commonly and openly reported.

14. Item, he hath caused many murders of Clerks to be done in his presence, commending it, and rejoicing at their death: And if they were not deadly wounded at the first by his Servants, as oft as he saw them smiting he said, smite, smite, by which example many were slain.

15. Item, when he had condemned a certain Nobleman, he forbad the Sacrament to be g • v • n him at the poi • t of death, he desiring it, and being penitent; saying, that the Sacrament of penance was not necessary to salvation.

16. Item, he compelled certain Priests to show unto him the confessions of men, and he published them openly afterwards, contrary to the will of them that were conf • ssed, to their shame and co • fusion, and comp • ll • d th • m to redeem their sins: Insomuch that once he deposed a certain Bishop of Spain for the faults that he confessed to a certain Cardinal, confessing unto him a certain privy horrible fault under Benedicite, and compelled the Cardinal against his will to declare his confession, and yet afterwards restored the same Bishop again to his place for a little money: wherefore he is thought to play the Heretic in the Sacrament of penance.

17. Item, he fasteth not on the Fasting days, nor Lent, but eateth flesh indifferently, and without cause suffereth his Household and Friends to eat, saying it is no sin; doing in this thing against the general state of the Holy Church.

18. Item, he oppressed the Order of the Cardinals, and oppressed the Order of Black and White Monks, of Gray Friers and Preachers, and said oft, that the World was destroyed by them, and that they were false Hypocrites, and that never good could chance unto any that would be confessed to them, or would be familiar with them, or would keep them in their house; and he never said good word of any Prelate, Religious man, or Clerk, but ever rebuketh and slandereth them, taking away their good name, and to compel them to redeem their faults, he is glad of their accusa • ions; and this is the common voice and report of him.

19. Item, of old time, he going about to destroy the Faith, conceived a hate against the French King, even to the abhorring of the Faith, because of the light of Faith which is there, and because of the great witness and example of Christianity which is and hath been there: And before he had this Seat he is proved to have said, that if he were Pope, he would rather overthrow all Christendom, but he would overthrow and destroy the Nation, which he calleth the Pride of the French.

20. Also it is reported, that when the Embassador of the King of England in the name of the said King, did require and entreat for the Tenth of the Realm of England to be given him, he answered, that he would not give them the Tenths but on this condition, that he would make War with them against the French King. And besides this, he is reported to have given great sums of money to certain persons, to hinder that peace should not be between the said Kings. He himself also with all his might hath letted it, by Messengers, Letters, and other ways that he could, yea by giving bribes.

21. Item, he is reported also to have commanded Frederick which keepeth the Isle of Sicil, that if he would betray Charles the King and break the peace which he made, and swear that he would keep with him, and would stir against the King and kill the Frenchmen, that then he would give him aid, help, and counsel; and for so doing he would give and grant him the said Kingdoms.

22. He confirmed also the King of Almaine to be Emperor, and said openly, that he did it to destroy the Nation which he calleth the Pride of the Frenchmen, which say they are subject to none in Temporal things. Wherein saith he they lied on their heads; declaring moreover, that whosoever (yea if it were an Angel from Heaven) would say that all Kings of the World were not subject to the same King of Almaine, he were accursed.

23. Further, he brake the agreements of Peace between the King of Almaine and the French King, in which either of them should have their own saved; and what encroachings soever had been on either side, should be brought to a due state, and under an Oath orderly given and taken; he is reported to have commanded the same King of Almaine, that he should not keep those conditions of Peace, but be an Enemy, and go about to sow debate among Christian men.

24. Item, it is openly reported, that the Holy Land was betrayed through his fault, and came to the enemies of God and of Faith, and that he suffered this for the noncit, and denied to give aid to the Christians which desended it, spending the Treasures and money of the Church (which should have been bestowed on that use as the Patrimony of Christ) in persecuting of faithful Christians and friends of the Church, and therewith would enrich his friends.

25. Item, he is openly reported to use Simony, not only in bestowing of Benefices, but in giving of Orders, and making Dispensations; He hath set to sale all Benefices of the Church, and would bestow the Church commonly on him that would offer most; and he made his Servants Prelates of the Church, not for wealth of the Faith, nor to thrust down Infidels, but to oppress the faithful, and to enrich his Kinred by the Churches goods, and of the Patrimony of him that was Crucified; and presumed to make them Marquesses, Earls, and Barons, and was not afraid to build them strong holds, rooting out and oppressing many Noblemen and others.

26. Item, it is commonly reported, that he hath divorced many Marriages lawfully made, to the contempt, hurt, and slander of many; and he did promote his Nephew to a Cardinalship, being married, unlearned, and altogether unworthy to live; and openly married one that was divorced, and compelled him to make a vow of Chastity, and after that he is reported to have had two Bastards by her; and so goeth the common brute of him.

27. Item, it is commonly reported, that he handled ungently his predecessor Celestinus of holy memory, leading a holy life, (peradventure knowing in Conscience that he could not forsake his Popedom, and therefore Boniface himself had no lawful entrance to the See) and imprisoned him, and there quickly and privily caused him to die; And of this the common brute and report is through all the World, that he caused many great and learned men, living a regular life, (which disputed of this, whether he might renounce the Popedom or not) to be set in prison, and there to die.

28. Item, he is reported to have railed at Religious persons leading a regular life, without a reasonable cause to the World, to the slander of many.

29. Item, he is reported to have said, that within short time he would make all the Frenchmen either Martyrs, or forsakers of their Faith.

30. Item, it is commonly reported, that he seeketh not the health of the souls, but the destruction of them.

Thus did King Philip, with all the Peers, Earls, Barons, Archbishops, Bishops, Abbots, Priors, Cathedrals, Clergy, Universiy of Paris, the Cities, Villages, and Commonalty of France, unanimously oppose, Appeal and Article against Pope Boniface the 8. his person, crimes, Interdicts and Excommunications, to the next General Council, in the russe of his Papal Pride, Tyranny, as a most detestable Heretic, Atheist, Symoniack, Adulterer, Sorcerer, and monster of Impiety; and soon after seised, imprisoned and brought him to a shameful Tragical end, the History whereof, according to my Chronological method, I must refer to the beginning of the ensuing Year and Chapter.