Vindication of Ecclesiastical Volume 3 2
Hujus igitur authoritate Mandati discretum Magistrum Petrum de Burdella Clericum nostrum ad praefatum Monasterium de Cornebur. nuper duximus destinandum, qui voluntate Monialium ibidem degentium singulatim et diligentius inquisita, reperuit quod partes duas earund. volunt juxta mandatum Apostolicum beati Augustini Regulam profit. in ea grata obsequia Domino exhibere, prout tàm ex fideli relation • praefati Magistri, quàm ex literis inde confectis ipsius Monasterii & fratrum Nunciorum Hereforden. & Wigorn. sigillis munitis dediscimus evidenter. Nos igitur de prudentia vestra obtinentes fiduciam pleniorem, Paternitati vestrae authoritate qua fungimur mandamus, quatinus accedentes personaliter ad Monasterium supradictum, & praedictas Sorores quae volunt beati Augustini regulam profiteri, ab observantia Ordinis Hospital. Jerosolimitani penitus absolventes, post ipsarum habitum depositum, et professionem receptam, concedatis eisdem, ut juxta provisionem summi Pontificis, secundum ja • dictam regulam ibi vivere valeant, et dignum Domino reddere famulatum, praefati Hospitalis & cujuslibet alterius in omnibus aliis jure salvo. Contradictores per censuram Ecclesiasticam compescendo. Datum Certesiam. 7. Kal. Novembris, Pontificatus Domini Gregorii Papae 9. anno undecimo.
Hujus igitur authoritate mandati ad dictum locum de Cornebur. personaliter accedentes, ab omnibus ipsius loci Monialibus propter quam actibus quae post ipsarum voluntatem Magistro P. de Burdella tàm viva voice quàm literis declaratam, ipsas revocaverunt, exceptis etiam duabus quae nunquam consenserunt juxta formam mandati nobis directi, Hospitalariorum habitum deposuimus, & earundem Monialium ad observantiam regulae beati Augustini profession recepta, eis concessimus, ut ibi secundum eandem regulam viverent, et dignum Domino redderent famulatum. Et in testimonium hujus rei tàm nostrum quàm venerabilis fratris Domini Hereforden. Episcopy; & de Bora, & de Carlym. Abbatum; & de Wurmesleg, & de Rilpet, & de Ewyar Priorum, & Decan. & Praecentoris Hereford. qui personaliter negotio praedicto interfuerunt huic scripto apposita sunt sigilla. Actum anno gratiae 1237. pridie Non. Novembris.
Dictus etiam Procurator petiit, & respondit hoc modo; petit Procurator Priorissae & Conven. de Cornebur. quod Procurator Hospital. exprimat verum quod suum locum à Dom. Papa pro Sororibus, vel post sententiam & ejectionem à Domino Legat. Sorores de Cornebur. admiserunt quamplures alias Fratribus irrequisitis, nec consentientibus, contra obedientiam eis debitam & professionem eorum emissam, ut idem Procurator dicit; quod si—sententiam compet. una defensio si est, competit alia,—& ad hoc, quod Procurator Hospital. petit Sorores admissas à domo amoveri, et d • mum fratribus restitui. (Dicit) Procurator, Priorissae et Conventus, quod hoc fieri non potest propter authoritatem judicatae, qua continetur, quod dictae Sorores ibidem vivere debent, et dignum Deo reddere famulatum.
Die Lunae Kalend. Martii, Magister Petrus Procurator Hospital. Jerosolim. comparuit contra Dominum W. de Lacy; Prioriss. & Convent. de Cornebur. per Magistrum W. de Bacon Procuratorem sufficienter constitutum, comparentes, qui quidem Magister W.— cavit sub poena trium Marcarum sterling. pro Domina S. E. de Lacy, quod prox. die litis ratum habebit quod nomine suo faceret, & sufficienter comparebit in causa processura, prout dictaverit ordo juris: cui Procuratori & defensori libel. subscript. & traditi erant sub hac forma. Coram nobis, venerande Pater O. miseratione divina, &c. proponit Procurator Hospital. Jerosolimitan. contra dictum S. E. de Lacy, quod cum domus de Cornebur. cum omnibus ad eam pertinentibus, eis caritative collata fuisset, iidem Hospitalar. quasdam Sorores ordinem ipsorum professas illic admiserunt, & dictae Dominae S. E. de Lacy ad horum instanciam custodiam temporalium domus praedictae concesserint. Sed ipsa E. R. processu temporis ex fide non agendo, ingressum dictae domus eisdem, ut valuit & voluit penitus fecit denegari; ac quasdam ex Sororibus praedictis habitum ipsorum deponere induxit, & quinque ex ipsis habitum deponere nolentibuss simul cum fratre eorum Presbytero illic existente nomine eorum abinde recedere coactis, mulieres quamplures eis penitus irrequisitis, illic fecit admitti in eorum prejudicium & gravamen. Petunt igitur mulieres sic admissas abinde penitus amoveri, domumque praedictam cum suis pertinentiis sibi restitui, Custode praedicta taliter versata; adjecta petunt, etiam si placet Fratrem & Sorores praedictas ab nunc ad domum suam restitui, & expensas circa eis factas eis refundi, quas aestimant 10. libr. sterlingorum, haec divisim proponunt, ut quatinus probaverint incurrant proponunt, & praedict. contra Dominum W. de Lacy virum praedictae S. E. ut si sua credit interesse, projure suo proponat prout sibi v • derit expedire.
Proponit etiam, quod cum eadem Domus cum omnibus ad eam pertinentibus eis • aritative fu • sset collata, iidem quasdam Sorores ordinem ipsorum professas illic admiserint, & Dominae S. E. de Lacy ad suam instantiam custodiam temporalium domus praedictae concesserunt. Sed ipsa S. E. processu temporis ex fide non agendo, ingressum dictae domus eisdem, ut valuit & noluit, penitus fecit denegari, & quasdam ex Soror • bus praedictis habitum ipsorum deponere induxit, & quinque ex ipsis habitum deponere nolentibus simul cum fratre eorum praesentes illic existentes, nomine eorum abinde recedere, caeteras Sorores quae illic remanserunt mul • eres quamplures eis penitus irrequisitis nec consentientibus illic in Sorores admiserunt; contra obedientiam eis debitam, & earum professionem emissam, & in eorum praejudicium & gravamen. Petunt igitur mulieres sic admissas penitus inde amoveri, domumque praedictam cum suis pertinentiis sibi restitui. Petunt etiam Fratrem & Sorores praedictas ab Nuncio ad domum suam restitui. Haec autem proponunt contra praedictas mulieres alias admittentes, ut si sua credant interesse principaliter, sive secundario pro jure suo proponant & defendant, prout sibi viderint expedire, H. dicentes salvo sibi jure, &c.
Ad respondendum autem praedictis libellis praefixus est dies coram Domino Gualtero— dies Lunae prox. ante Annunciationem beatae Mariae proximo ven • entem.
Dies Veneris —Wilhelmus de Baconia Procurator Prioris • ae & Convent. Cornebur. Domini Gualteri delatis, & Domine Margar.— pro eis opposuit exceptionem rei judicatae dicens sicut his, &c.
Here, fol. 114. b. lin. 10. after secundo, this should have followed: The Bishop of Bethlehem the Popes Legate, with the Hospitalers and Templars in Syria sent this Letter to King Henry the 3 d . about the 32 d . year of h • s Reign, declaring their distressed condition and danger by reason of the power and successes of the Babylonians, their want of aid against them from other Christian Princes, after many Letters and Messengers, and imploring his assistance with all earnestness, on whom they principally depended for the relief of the Holy Land, and for victory over and confusion of these enemies of the Cross of Christ, not extant in our Historians; which I rescued out of the rubbish in the White Tower.
EXcellentissimo ac Christianissimo Principi, Domino Henrico illustri Regi Angliae; Frater Thomas de ordine Praedicatorum, miseratione divina Bethleemitan. E ••• copus, Apostolicae sedis Legatus, ejus ad Deum orator assiduus; Frater Hugo Revel humilis Magister domus Hospitalis Sancti Johannes Jerosolimitan. & pauperum Christi custos Frater Thomas Berardus humilis Magister domus Militiae Templi, Frater Mortymanus Praeceptor domus Hospitalis Sanctae Mariae Theotameor. & Magistri ejusdem Domus in regno Syriae vicem gerens, & Godefridus Sargm. Miles in regno Jerosolimitano, Baritus cum devota Terrae Sanctae recommendatione seipsos. Fervente dudum in Syria & invalescente persecutione—quae usque ad extrema Regionis nostrae occupans, totam terram Christianorum & populum Cismarinum pluries timoris concussit tonitruis, & comminationum fulguribus jaculavit usque ad extremum defectum cordium & resolutionem virium generalem. Verum potissime & all • orum Regum & Principum orbis terrae subsidium literis continuant—cismarina Christianitas imploravit, apud clementiam Regiam singultuosis insistens suspiriis, personans vocibus & conclamans, ut ejus clamor in aures Regias introiret, et clamoris sonus in fines orbis (aures) cunctorum fidelium penetrat, ut in ejus succ • rsum exurgerent, et ad Terrae Sanctae praesidium convolarent. Postmodum etiam Tartarorum ipsorum rabie quiescente, divina tamen grati • à persecutione respirans, cum totum respuet ab Halapia usque Jerosolim. Saracenico populo, quem Tartari consumpserat gladius, vacuat. & ex hoc acquirendi terram ipsam, & destructionem eorum qui supererant hostium in robur maximae fidei & Christianitatis augmentum, acceptabile tempus Christi fidelibus advenisse ad cap • endam terram ipsam facili, & restituendam cultui Christiano, vestram, dictorumque Regum et Principum durit potentiam attento sollicitudinis studio per plures literas et nuncios procurandam. Sed illa quam in utroque concepta usque huc fiducia defraudata, ad praesens omni destituta subsidio, & ex destructione praeterita magna oppressa Caristia, Babiloniorum est exposita faucibus, ut Soldan •• ipse cum (exercitu) copioso totam Provinciam usque ad portas Acon. hostili jam occuparunt insultu, & spiritu superbiae tumidus, vendicare sibi Civitates & Castra in suae fortitudinis impetu comminetur, treugarum fide quas hactenus cum Christianis inierat non servata. In quibus omnibus non est qui redimat, neque qui salvum faciat, nec qui ferat auxilium, nec qui terram miserabilem consoletur ex omnibus caris ejus, circumspicit undique quaerens in tribulatione subsidium, & non venit. Jacet obsessa canibus, nec invenit liberantem; Regionem nostram labor multiplici & gravibus expensis excultam, in temperamentum Caristiae alieni devorant & circumquaque devastant; nec solus sine resistentia exteriorem infidels absorbent propriam—dilato—quam desperato subsidio fiduciam habent, ut in—ipsorum castra influant, & marithimae civitates maximae quas cismarinae Christian • tatis parcitas minore non suffic • t, & contra hostilem frequentiam defensare, quin pocius quasi parvus grex in luporum medio constitutus, circumseptus undique ac direptus ubique suarum ovium depraedationem eo formidat, immensis quo frequentius praedictorum luporum molestat incursibus & discurrentibus exercitibus agitatur. Ut quis igitur, Rex inclite, Regia potentia non consurgit, & Regalis—brachium non insurgit? usquequo exaltabitur contra nos Christiani nominis inimicus? quamdiu terra Christi sanguine rubricata conculcari tam enormiter a bestiis permittetur, quae sic posset de facili l • bari & perpetua pace muniri, & in antiquum integritatis statum—de praedictis partibus resarciri? Cum enim aliorum hostium undique sublata formidine Babiloniorum timorem nocumenta supersint, & caeteris quodammodo spinarum aculeis ac fruc—hostilibus dissipatis, Babilonicae tamen radicis offendiculum habeat—cujus custodiae tribulationes multimodas & periculosas inquietudines experitur. Ad extirpationem ipsius quam praesentis potissime temporis opportunitas subministrat, adventus vester diutina oblation praemissus et anxie ab omnibus expectatus foret necessario festinandus, ut Babilonis nomen, et germen, et progenies, simul et reliquiae perderent. Ne qua de caetero radix hostilis amaritudinis sursum germinans superesset quae in eradicationem Christiani nominis efferatis animis consurrexit; & jam si radix illa nullis impedita, quod absit, obstaculis germinationem hostium fidei, & virium collectionem diutius permittatur excrescere, tunc pax subveniendi voluntas perficeret ubi foret congrui temporis possibilitas retardata. Meminisse debet magnificentia Regia damna gravia & injurias graviores quas gens Babilonica adversus Christicolarum exercitum pluries intemptavit; non quidem ex suo robore, set aut permissione divina juxta nostrorum & exigentiam praedictorum, aut ex multiplicatione roboris quae sibi contra Christianitatem ex regnis Saracen. adjacentibus influebat; mox enim dum contra Babiloniam Christicolae praevalerent, concurrebat undique infidelis populus infidelitatis suae undique afferens fulcimentum: sed ubi Baldaca, Mosa, Halapia, & Damascus, opulentissima revera regna—nocissimae civitates. Ex quibus utique si robur validum accedebat, si confortabantur brachia pessimorum nullus ambigit qui temporis illius supputat rationem, verum Radye H. pessima ramis hiis detruncatis quam de facili extirpationi pateat & eradicationi subjaceat leviorum, dictat non—comprobat manifestum. Proinde Celsitudinem Regiam flebilibus vocibus quantum possumus obsecramus in Domino Jesus Christo, quatinus felicem ac potentem vestrum adventum, vel saltem auxilium (quod in praedictae terrae—defensionem, et confusionem inimitorum crucis Christi suspirantes et anxii expectamus) dignemini, sicut imminens requiret negotium, Crucifixi (amore) maturare, ut novissimis Deo auctore temporibus in perhenne nominis vestrae praeconium, in Terrae sanctae liberationem et pacem ex Regiae strenuitatis potentia contra hosts residuos desiderata victoria subsequatur. Valeat Regalis magnificentia per tempora longiora. Dat. Acton. 4. die mensis Aprilis, sexto Indictionis.
The memorable Epistle of Robert Grosthead Bishop of Lincoln to Pope Innocent the 4 th . against his Processions, wherein he compares him to Lucifer and ANTICHRIST, is enrolled in perpetuam rei memoriam, in the Red Book in the Kings Exchequer at Westminster, fol. 16, & 179. to a transcript whereof I find this marginal Note, PAPA ANTICHRISTUS; no wonder then Pope Clement refused to Canonize him for a Saint, though earnestly requested by King Edward the First.
I shall close up this Chapter with the Constitution of Walter de Suthfeld Bishop of Norwich, De libera dispositione primorum sructnum per Curatos testantes; the violation whereof, and exaction of First-fruits of Benefices during their vacancies by our Bishops, was the original cause of Pope Clement 's and his Successors usurpations of First-fruits in England.
WAlterus Dei gratiâ Episcopus Norwicensis, dilectis in Christo filiis universis, Abbatibus, Prioribus, Archidiaconis, Officialibus, Decanis, Ecclesiarum Rectoribus, Vicariis, & omnibus Christi fidelibus per Diocesim nostram constitutis, salutem, gratiam & benedictionem. Ad officium Pastorale licet indign assumpti, & loco eminenti immerito constituti, summo & pio desiderio affectantes, nunc been operando, nunc mala extirpando dignos Domino fructus ex nostro impendere officio. Sane recolimus, dum adhuc in minori officio essemus constituti, vulgariter esse dictum & obtentum; quod quilibet Rector, sive Vicarius nostrae Diocesis, qui vivus diem Paschae expectaret, de omnibus fructibus, nomine Ecclesiae seu Vicariae suae, usque ad Synodum Sancti Michaelis proximo sequente percipiendis libere, ut vellet, suum conderet Testamentum: Sed contra hanc consuetudinem à fundatione Ecclesiae Norwicensis, prout novimus; & licet nobis constat obtentam, à quibusdam voluntary extitit introductam & servatam, quod fructus & bona Ecclesiarum vacantium à die Paschae, usque ad Synodum Paschae, non in usus Decedentium & Condentium legitime Testamenta cederent, ut praemissimus; sed voluntati et dispositioni loci Diocesani relinquerentur omnino: propter quod, Status decedentium graviter laedebatur, & testantium frequenter non processit voluntas. Ut igitur Status Ecclesiae & singulorum reparetur, & ad consuetudinem & libertatem debitam singula revocentur, Nos Walterus de Suthfeld Episcopus Norwicensis in Synodo sancti Michaelis Norwicensis praesidentes, de consensu Capituli, Diocesani, & praesentis Synodi autoritate, omnibus existentibus in sanctâ Synodo hoc confentientibus, Definimus, statuimus, praecipimus, & concedimus, ut, juxta antiquam consuetudinem, quam renovamus, redintegramus, approbamus, & confirmamus, omnes Rectores, & Vicarii viventes die Paschae, & ex tunc quicunque morientes usque ad Synodum sancti Michaelis, de fructibus & obventionibus beneficiorum suorum libere, secundùm Deum sua condant Testamenta. Salvis nobis et successoribus nostris fructibus Ecclesiarum ante diem Paschae vacantium, in quibus Rector die Paschae non reperitur institutus. Et caveat sibi Episcopus, qui praeest, & qui pro tempore fuerit, ne causa lucri inhonesti Canonice praesentatos, absque causa rationali, usque post diem Paschae, voluntary differat admittere: Omnes autem illos, qui hanc nostram Constitutionem, concessionem, & libertatem infringere, immutare vel perturbare praesumpserint, sententiam Excommunicationis nostram ex praesentis sacrosanctae Synodi authoritate incurrant. In cujus rei testimonium praesentibus Sigillum nostrum, & sigillum Capituli nostri sunt appensa. Acta die Synodi die Lunae proximo post festum sancti Michaelis, in Ecclesiâ sanctae Trinitatis Norwicensis Anno Domini Millesimo Ducentesimo quinquagesimo quinto, & Consecrationis nostrae undecimo.
Declaratio dictae Constitutionis per Dominum W. Bateman Episcopum Norwicensem super quadam Consultatione sibi factâ per Vicarium de Myldenhale.
TUA Devotio postulavit à nobis, an ad te qui in Vicariam de Myldenhale, per nos eras noviter institutus, an ad Executores praedecessoris tui, qui post Synodum Paschae proximam praeteritam diem suum clausit extremum, fructus & obventiones dictae Vicariae post inductionis tuae tempus provenientes debeant pertinere? Tibique taliter respondemus; quod Oblationes, Mortuaria, ac caetera omnia quae ad Altare perveniunt, de consuetudine, vel de jure, ad te qui ad faciendum continuam residentiam & serviendum Altari juramenti vinculo es astrictus, debent integraliter pertinere: Decimae vero garbarum, & talia extrinseca jura, quae expositione ad Vicariam pertinere noscuntur, ad defunctum & Executores ejusdem, si de praedictis Decimis, & juribus, seu obventionibus specifice in Testamento disposuerit, pertinebunt. Si autem Testamentum fecerit, & in Testamento suo nil à dictis Decimis seu obventionibus specifice vel express disposuerit; licet alia legata pecuniaria generalia vel specialia fecerit; tunc ad te, & non ad defunctum, vel ad suos Executores praedicta omnia & singula pertinebunt.
I pretermit the Constitutions of Walter de Kirkham Bishop of Durham, about the year 1255. and of Giles de Bridport Bishop of Sarum, which you may peruse at leisure in Sir Henry Spelman; having never any legal force to oblige the King or Subjects of England, on whose Crown and Liberties many of them encroached.
Having thus presented you with those Records, Bulls, Prohibitions, Epistles, and Historical passages relating to the Reigns of King John and Henry the 3 d . omitted in my Second Tome, I shall now proceed in my Chronological Method to the Reign of King Edward the First in the ensuing Chapter, without any Prologue thereunto.
BOOK V. CHAP. II. Conteining several Records and Historical Passages, evidencing the Ecclesiastical Supremacy of our renowned King Edward the I. 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 on the Rights of his Crown, Laws, Subjects Liberties. The Chief Transactions, Bulls, Letters between him and the Popes, Court of Rome, 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.
AFter the Death and Funeral of King Henry the 3 d , in the year of our Lord 1272. as some; or 1273. as others compute it; Prince Edward, his Son, Heir apparent to the Crown of England, being at that time in the Holy Land, toward which he began his Voyage Anno 1269. where he obtained many glorious Victories against the Saracens; who thereupon suborned an Assassinate to kill him, under pretext of delivering a Message to him from the Soldan of Babylon, who stabbed him into the body with a poisoned knife, to the hazard of his life: His Nobles notwithstanding his remote absence, wound, uncertainty of his life, and former Feuds between them, his Father and him, were so loyal, as to proclaim him King, and swear Fealty and Allegiance to him as their Sovereign Lord; thus related by Mat. Westminster, Walsingham, and others; Rege igitur sepulto, sicut mos est Regibus sepeliri, Gilbertus & Johannes, Comites Gloverniae & Warenniae, necnon Clerus & populus ad magnum Altare Ecclesiae Westmonaster. celeriter properarunt, Eadwardo primogento Regis fidelitatem jurantes, qui si viveret penitus ignorarunt. Agebat enim in remotis partibus transmarinis, contra Christi adversarios bellaturus. Postmodum frater Robertus Kilwardby, with the premised Earls, cum aliis Praelatis et regni Proceribus, ad Novum Templum Londini pariter convenerunt, qui Eadwardum absentem Dominum suum ligium recognoverunt, paternique successorem honoris: & facto Sigillo novo, de assensu Reginae matris statuerunt Custodes Regni; & constituerunt fideles ministros & custodes, qui Regio fisco praeessent, thesaurum regni ad opus Regis novi ex integro reservarent, & pacem regni fideliter custodirent. Sicque pax novi Regis Eadwardi in cunctis regni finibus proclamatur. The Writs whereby they proclaimed the Kings Peace being not recited in our Historians, I shall here present you without of the Records in the Tower of London. The first of them were directed to all the Sheriffs of England, to proclaim in their respective Counties; the other to the Kings Chief Justice of Ireland, to be there proclaimed, who with others was authorized likewise to receive the Fealty, as well of all the Archbishops, Bishops, Abbots, Clergy, as Nobles and other Lay-Subjects in Ireland, due unto him as their King and Sovereign Liege Lord.
EDWARDUS Dei gratia Rex Angliae, Dominus Hyberniae, & Dux Aquitania; Vic. Eborum, salutem. Quia defuncto jam celebris memory Domino H. Rege patre nostro, ad Nos regni gubernaculum succession haereditaria, ac Procerum regni voluntate et fidelitate nobis praestita, sit devolutum, per quod nomine nostro, (qui in exhibicione Iusticiae et Pacis conservacione omnibus et singulis de ipso regno sumus exnunc debitores,) pacem nostram dicti Magnates & fideles nostri jam fecerunt proclamari; Tibi praecipimus, quod per totam Ballivam tuam in singulis Civitatibus & Burgis, Feriis, Mercatis, & locis aliis, pacem nostram publice clamari, & firmiter teneri facias; Inhibendo omnibus et singulis sub periculo exhaeredacionis, vitae et membrorum, ne quis pacem nostram infringere praesumat: Nos enim omnibus et singulis in omnibus juribus et rebus ipsos contingentibus, contra quascunque tam majores quam minores, parati sumus et erimus plenam, auctore Domino, justiciam exhibere. Testibus W. Eborum Archiepiscopo, E. Cornub. & G. Gloncestr. Comitibus apud Westm. 23. die Nov. anno regni nostri primo.
Consimiles literae diriguntur singulis Vicecomitibus per Angliam.
The Writs and Patent sent to the Chief Justice of Ireland are thus recorded.
REX dilecto & fideli suo Mauricio filio Mauricii Justic. suo Hiberniae, salutem. Cum defuncto jam celebris memory Domino H. Rege patre nostro, ad Nos regni Angliae gubernaculum, et terrae Hiberniae dominium succession haereditaria pertineant, per quod nos qui in exhibicione et pacis conservacione omnibus et singulis de praedictis regno et terra sumus exnunc debitores, jam pacem nostram in eodem regno nomine Regio fecimus proclamari; Vobis mandamus firmiter injungentes, quod per totam terram nostram Hiberniae pacem nostram publice clamari et firmiter teneri faciatis; Inhibendo omnibus et singulis de eadem terra sub periculo exhaeredacionis, vitae et membrorum, ne quis pacem nostram infringere praesumat; Nos enim omnibus et singulis de praedicta terra nostra Hiberniae in omnibus Iuribus et rebus ipsos contingentibus, contra quoscunque tam majores quam minores parati sumus et erimus plenam, auctore Domino, Iusticiam exhibere. Dat. per manum W. de Merton. Cancellarii nostri apud Westm. 7. die Decembris.
REX Archiepiscopis, Episcopis, Abbatibus, Prioribus, Comitibus, Baronibus, Militibus, Liberis hominibus, & omnibus aliis de terra Hiberniae ad quos, &c. salutem. Cum defuncto jam celebris memory Domino H. patre nostro, cujus animae propicietur Altissimus, ad Nos regni Angliae gubernaculum, et terrae Hiberniae dominium pertineant, ob quod Praelati, Comites et Proceres, ac communitas regni Nobis tanquam Domino suo ligio et Regi, fidelitatis furamenta, et omnia alia quae Nobis ration Coronae et dignitatis Regiae ab ipsis fieri aut praestari nobis, in absencia nostra, potuerunt, plenary et sine omissione aliqua prompto et libenti animo praestiterint, ac vos tanquam Regi et Domino vestro ligio consimile sacramentum fidelitatis praestare teneamini; Dedimus potestatem venerabili patri Middensi Episcopo, & dilectis & fidelibus nostris Mauricio filio Mauricii Justic. nostro Hiberniae, & Magistro Johanni de Stamford Escaetori nostro Hibern. potestatem recipiendi nostro nomine fidelitatem vestram; Ita tamen quod si ipsi omnes non potuerint interesse, duo vel unus eorum qui praesens fuerit nichilominus plenam habeat potestatem recipiendi nomine nostro fidelitatem vestram supradictam. Et ideo vobis mandamus, quod sacramentum fidelitatis nobis praestetis coram praedictis Episcopo, Iustic. et Escaetori, duobus vel uno ipsorum qui praesens fuerit, sicut ipsi vobis plenius scire facient ex parte nostra: Et hoc sicut hanorem nostrum et vestrum diligitis nullatenus omittatis. In cujus, &c. Dat. per manum W. de Merton. Canc. nostri apud Westm. 7. die Decemb.
In a Miscellany Bundle of Writs, Letters, Patents, and Privy Seals (in the White Tower Chapel, which Bundle, among others, I rescued from rubbish and oblivion) sent in the first year of King Edward the 1. to Walter Merton, then Lord Chancellor, one of the Guardians of the Realm of England in the Kings absence, I found a like Writ issued to Leuelyn Prince of Wales, requiring an Oath of Fealty from him to King Edward, as his Sovereign Lord, and two Abbots thereby made Commissioners to receive his Oath, who refused to appear, or give any answer to them; as this Original Writ, with the Abbots and Constables of Montgomeries returns thereon to the Chancellor evidence.
EDWARDUS Dei gratia Rex Angliae, Dominus Hyberniae, & Dux Aquitaniae, omnibus ad quos praesentes literae pervenerint, salutem. Cum defuncto jam celebris memory Domini H. Rege patre nostro, (cujus animae propitetur Altissimus) ad Nos regni gubernaculum succession haereditaria pervenit; ob quod pacem nostram nomine Regio firmiter observandam, solempniter & publice fecimus proclamari: ac Praelati, Comites, Barones, et caeteri Proceres regni, sacramentum fidelitatis, et alia, quae ration Coronae et dignitatis Regiae ab ipsis fieri seu praestari nobis in absentia nostra potuerunt, plenary et sine omissione aliqua, prompte et libenti animo nobis praestiterint; Ac dilectus & fidelis noster L. filius Griffini, Principis Walliae, nobis consimile sacramentum fidelitatis praestare teneatur, dedimus dilectis nobis in Christo, Abbatibus de Dore, & de Hagheman potestatem, recipiendi nomine nostro fidelitatem ipsius Leulini. Ita tamen, quod si non ambo ipsorum Abbatum potuerint interesse, alter eorum, qui praesens fuerit, nichilominus plenam habeat potestatem recipiendi nomine nostro fidelitatem Leulini praedict. In cujus rei testimonium has literas nostras fieri fecimus patentes. Datas per manum Walteri Merton. Cancellarii nostri apud Novum Templum London. 29. di • Novembris, anno regni nostri primo.
Unto which the Abbots made this special return of their proceedings therein to the Lord Chancellor, annexed to the Writ itself.
VEnerando viro, & omni honor dignissimo, W. de Merton. Domini Regis Cancellario; sui devoti de Dora & de Haghem. Abbates, salutem, & quicquid possunt honoris & reverentiae. Reverendae Dominationi vestrae duximus significandum, quod juxta mandatum Domini nostri Regis (quem conservet Altissimus) utrique nostrum literatorie per vos directum, in Octabis Sancti Hilarii, associatis nobis quibusdam hominibus de Montgomer. personaliter accessimus ad vadum ultra dictum Castrum, obviam Domino L. Principi Walliae, ad recipiendum sacramentum fidelitatis suo dicto Domino nostro Regi; & apud dictum vadum satis tempestive ven • entes, & multum ultra horam nonae ibidem ipsius Principis adventum expectavimus; sed nec ipse venit, nec aliquod mandatum nobis direxit. Literas vero patentes dicti Domini nostri Regis, de potestate nobis tradita super praefato negotio, vobis remittimus. Valeat in Christo, &c.
EXcellenti viro & omni veneratione dignissimo, Domino W. de Merton. Domini Regis Cancellario; suus semper R. Sperughose Constabularius de Montgomeri, salutem & devotam cum omni honor reverentiam. Venerandae Dominationi vestrae duxi significandum, quod viri religiosi, de Dore & de Hagenham Abbates, juxta mandatum Domini Regis per vos eis directum, in Octabis Sancti Hilarii personaliter accesserunt ad vadum ultra Montgomeri, obviam Domino L. filio Griffini Principis Walliae, ad accipiendum ab eo, nomine dicti Domini nostri Regis, sacramentum fidelitatis. Quibus associavi quosdam de hominibus Ballivae meae: qui apud dictum vadum multum ultra horam nonae adventum dicti Domini L. expectantes; nec ipse venit, nec aliquod mandatum eis direxit. Valeat veneranda Dominatio vestra semper in Domino.
I find also by the same Bundle, that the Sheriff of Cumberland informed the Chancellor, that Ralph Bishop of Carlisle did then hinder his men and tenants within his liberty to take the Oath of Fealty to the King, whereupon he distrained them to come and take it before the Chancellor himself by a certain day, to their great vexation: the Bishop hereupon sent this Letter to the Chancellor, denying the information against him as false and scandalous; desiring that he and his Tenants might take the Oath before the Sheriff, or any others he should appoint to receive it, as they formerly proffered to do.
VIro venerabili, & amico suo specially Domino Walter • de Merton. illustris Regis Angliae Cancellario; R. permissione divina Karleolensis Ecclesiae Minister humilis, salutem, & sincerae dilectionis semper affectum. Super eo quod negotia nostra, nostrum commodum & honorem contingentia, ex vesta specially gratia frequenter expedivistis in Curia vestra, Specialitati vestrae ad quantascunque possumus assurgimus gratiarum actiones. Verum etiam cum per Dominum Richardum de Crepping, Vicecomitem Cumberlandiae vobis ac sociis vestris locum Dom. nostri Regis in Anglia tenentibus, jam de novo (sicut intelleximus) sit suggestum, quod nos homines libertatis nostrae fidelitatem dicto Domino no •• r • Regi debitam eidem Vicecomiti facere non permittimus: Cujus rei occasion Vicecomes ipse nos et homines nostros distringit enormiter, ad ventendum coram vobis et dictis sociis vestris, a die Sancti Johannes Baptistae nunc praeterito in unum mensem, pro eadem fidelitate ibidem facienda; ut sic nos et nostros gravari faciat, sicut cupit. Vestrae dilectioni significandum duximus in hac parte, quod nos praesentia virorum fide dignorum rogari fecimus Sub-vicecomitem suum, ut ipse dictam fidelitatem reciperet ab hominibus nostris: et insuper literatorie rogavimus Dominum Richardum praedictum, et etiam per Milites et alios amicos nostros apud Appelby in Comitatu Westmerlandiae, ubi extitit; ut ipse eandem fidelitatem ab hominibus libertatis nostrae reciperet, vel a suis recipi praeciperet. Unde nobis (si placet) imputari non debeat, quo minus fidelitas ipsa eidem Vicecomiti nondum facta sit; petimus diligenter & rogamus, ut suggestionibus ejusdem Domini Richardi, quas in odium et gravamen personae nostrae vobis faciet in adventu suo, non credatis: set ei (placet) praecipiatis, ut eandem fidelitatem recipiat; vel alio fideli dicti Domini nostri Regis eam recipi faciatis. Parati enim sumus, et semper erimus (quicquid dicatur ab aliquo) securitati et honori dicti Domini nostri cum omni diligentia et sollicitudine providere; et suis mandatis in omnibus, et per omnia, gratanter et humiliter obtemperare. Valete; si quid autem penes nos vobis placuerit, nobis, si placeat, significare velitis confidenter.
This Bishop (as it seems by way of revenge) excommunicated the Sheriff in his Ecclesiastical Court without Citation or Articles, upon complaint of the Abbot of Hulmo, for distraining him for Debts due to the King, and executing his Office. Whereupon I find (in the same Bundle of Writs) this memorable Prohibition issued to the Bishop, informing him, that he had no power to question or excommunicate any of the Kings Sheriffs or Officers for doing their Duties, or executing his Commands; in which, if they offended, they were only responsible to the King, upon complaint; that these Proceedings of his were against the Kings Crown and Dignity, and his Oath of Fealty to the King; commanding him forthwith to absolve him from his Excommunication.
EDWARDUS Dei gratia Rex Angliae, Dominus Hiberniae, & Dux Aquitataniae, venerabili in Christo patri R. eandem gratia Karl • olensi Episcopo, salutem. Monstravit nobis dilectus & fidelis noster, Richardus de Crepping Vicecomes noster Karleolensis, graviter conquerendo; Quod, cum nuper distrinxisset Abbatem de Hulmo pro debitis, in quibus nobis tenetur, ac etiam pro aliis quae ad officium Vicecomitis secundum regni nostri consuetudinem pertinent, Vos in ipsum Richardum, ea occasion, ad querimoniam ipsius Abbatis, non citatum nec coram vobis implacitatum, Excommunicationis Sententiam fulminastis. Et quia nobis (si ita est) in facto praedicto multipliciter existat derogatum, praesertim cum (in Culpa vestra) per hoc viam nostrae Prohibitioni praecluseritis, quae in hujusmodi casibus locum habere debet et solet: Nec Vicecomes aut alii Ballivi nostri, pro hiis exequendis, (quo ad debita nostra per praeceptum nostrum levanda, aut alia quae ad officium suum per praeceptum nostrum pertinent) in placitum trahi non debeant, aut consueverint in Curia Christianitatis; Vobis district prohibemus, ne praedictum Vicecomitem per hujusmodi Sententias, aut aliter super hujusmodi executionibus Mandatorum nostrorum, aut aliis quae ad Officium praedicti Vicecomitis lege et consuetudine regni nostri pertinent, placitum teneatis in Curia Christianitatis. Sententiam Excommunicationis, si quam in ipsum ea occasion tuleritis, revocantes; ne (quod abfit) vobis impingi possit vel debeat, quod jura Coronae et Dignitatis nostrae impugnare, contra fidelitatem nobis debitam, intendatis; cum corectio et placita de excessibus Ballivorum nostrorum ad nos et dignitatem nostram debeant et consueverint, secundum regni nostri consuetudinem, pertinere.
The King being acquainted with his Chancellors proceedings, and his impartial Justice in righting his oppressed Subjects in his absence, against the Bishops Usurpations, and others vexations; returned him this Letter of Thanks, commanding and encouraging him to proceed as he had begun, promising to ratify whatever he had done in ways of Justice; and commanding him not to spare any of what state or condition soever, but to proceed against them by rigor of Justice, if he could not otherwise restrain their injuries.
EDWARDUS Dei gratia Rex Angliae, Dominus Hiberniae, & Dux Aquitaniae, dilecto Clerico & Cancellario suo Waltero de Merton, salutem. Super diligentia, quam circa nostra et Regni nostri negotia apposuistis, grates vobis referimus speciales; rogantes, quatenus id quod laudabiliter inchoastis, foeliciter continuare curetis, in hiis quae ad officium vestrum pertinent, cuicunque facientes Iustitiam exhiberi; alios autem ad id pariter inducentes; Non parcentes conditioni aut statui cujuscunque, quin rigor Iuris ipsos coherceat, quos Aequitatis suavitas nequit ab injuriis cohibere. Ea namque quae rite feceritis circa isra, faciemus (disponente Altissimo) robur firmitatis constantissime optinere. Dat. apud Mellune super S. kene 9. die Augusti, anno regni nostri primo.
Hereupon the Chancellor issued forth this Writ in the Kings name to prohibit the injuries and oppressions of Reginald de Gray Justice of Chester, and his Officers, against the Liberties and Customs of the Country, of which the gnerality of the County had often complained; which yet they increased, instead of reforming, notwithstanding former Inhibitions to restrain them.
EDWARDUS Dei gratia Rex Angliae, Dominus Hiberni • , Dux Aquitaniae; dilecto & fideli suo Reginald • de Gray Justiciario suo Cestriae, vel ejus locum tenenti, salutem. Cum fideles nostri locum nostrum in Anglia tenentes ad gravem querimoniam totius Communitatis Cestriae, vobis nuper mandassent, quod a diversis gravaminibus et molestiis sibi et suis contra libertates et liberas consuetudines suas per vos et vestros illatis desisteretis, et ipsos in pace dimitteretis; dict • Communitas jam nuncios suos ad ipsos iterato miserit, qui eis retulerunt, quod vos et vesiri dampna graviora sibi postmodum intulistis, et de die in diem per vestros inferri permittitis, contra libertates et consuetudines suos praedictos, in ipsorum dispendium manifestum, de quo quamplurimum admiramur. Nos attendants, quod ex hiis, si taliter fuerint attemptata, possent de facili dampna graviora in partibus illis suboriri; et volentes super hiis remedium adhiberi, Vobis mandamus firmiter injungentes, quod ab hujusmodi dampnis, contentionibus indebitis, et gravaminibus penitus desistatis; et ipsos, saltem usque adventum nostrum in Anglia, in pace dimittatis; ne animus noster, ea occasion, in di •• o adventu nostro ex hujusmodi solicitudine et reclamatione possit vel debeat in aliquo perturbari. Datum per manum W. de Merton Cancellari • nostri apud Redings, 27. die D • cembris, anno regni nostri primo.
The Kings Peace being thus proclaimed, and justice executed in England and Ireland, all Archbishops, Bishops, and Clergy-men swearing Fealty to the King, as well as the Nobility and Laity; the first thing he and his Council did, was to make a public Declaration and Protestation against Pope Clement the 4 th . his late usurpation; who a little before his Father King Henry 's death had by his absolute Papal Provisions conferred the B • shoprick of Winton on John de Pontissera, and the Archbishopric of Canterbury upon Robert Kilwardby, without the Kings precedent license, approbation, or Monks election, contrary to the Kings Prerogative, the ancient Rights of his Crown, the Laws of the Realm, and Liberties of the Church; rejecting William de Chilenden (duly elected by the Monks of Canterbury by King Henry 's license; whom he approved after their election) when presented to him, without any legal reason by his absolute Papal power, that so he might usurp the disposal of all other Bishoprics in England by these & other former like presidents. These Bishops being thus intruded by the Popes Provisions into these Bishoprics in King Henry 's reign, King Edward the 1. and his Council, to prevent the like usurpations for the future, refused to restore the Temporalties to them, before they had made this public protestation by their Proctors in the Kings name, for the vindication of the Prerogative and rights of his Crown against these Provisions, in the Bishops, Chancellors and sundry others presence, called together for that purpose, in S t . Stephen 's Chapel in Westminster, (wherein the Commons House of Parliament now sits) declaring the Restitution of the Archbishops Temporalties to be of the Kings mere grace and favor, not of right, as this memorable Record (not printed nor remembered by any to my knowledge) atttests beyond contradiction.
CVm Ecclesiis Cathredralibus in regno Angliae viduatis, et de jure debeat et solet de consuetudine provideri per electionem Canonicam ab hiis potissime celebrandam Collegiis, Capitulis, et personis ad quas jus pertinet eligendi, petita tamen prius ab illustri Rege Angliae super hoc licentia et optenta; et demum celebrata electione, persona Electi e • dem Regi debeat praesentari, ut idem Rex contra personam ipsam possit proponere si quid rationabile habeat contra eam: Videtur eidem Domino Regi, et suo Consilio; quod sibi et Ecclesiae Cantuariae, cujus ipse patronus est pariter et defensor, fiat praejudicium in hac parte, praecipue si res trahitur in aliis Ecclesiis Angliae in exemplum, quod summus Pontifex hiis omissis in hoc casu, ubi nec in materia, nec in forma electionis inventum est fuisse peccatum, nec in ipsius literis expressum, potestatem sibi assumpserit ipsi Ecclesiae providendi. Vnde ne de caetero ad consimiles provisiones procedat Romana Ecclesia: Et si ad ease processerit, nec dicto Domino Regi per ease Praejudicium generetur, ut Temporalia alicujus Ecclesiae Cathedralis sic proviso reddere teneatur, Domine Electe Cantuariensi Temporalia Cantuariensis Ecclesiae idem Dominus Rex vobis concedit ad praesens, de gratia sua specially. Et ego Iterus Bernard ejusdem Domini Regis Clericus, vice et nomine ipsius protestor, quod concessio Temporalium in casu consimili facta Domino Nicholao Winton. Episcopo, cum protestatione tamen, et nunc in persona vestra denuo iterata cum protestatione consimili, ad consuetudinent vel exemplum futuris temporibus minime pertrahatur. Facta autem et lecta fuit ista protestacia apud Westm. in Capella Sancti Stephani die Lunae in vigilia Sanctae Luciae virginis in praesencia fratris Roberti de Kilwardeby Cantuar. Electi, praesentibus et ad hoc specialiter vocatis venerabili patre W. Dei gracia Exon. Episcopo; et discretis viris Dominis W. de Merton Canc. Angliae, Magistro Johanne de Chistall Decano sancti Pauli London. R. Burnell Eborum Archidiacono, Herveo de Borham, fratre Johanne de Derlington, Magistro Willielmo de Cornera, Johanne de Kirkeby, Willielmo de Saham, et Johanne de Shalemesford Monacho Cantuar. et multis aliis. Anno Domini 1272.
After this Protestation so solemnly made and entered, the King assenting to the Archbishops Provision out of his special grace, issued Writs for the Restitution of his Temporalties in an extraordinary form; and likewise to restore him the Ploughs, Oxen, Heriots, Cattle belonging to the Archbishoprics, delivered to the Guardian of the Temporalties by his Predecessors Executors, which the King employed: with other Writs for delivering Does due unto him out of the Earl of Arundel 's Forest, according to a Composition made with Archbishop Boniface his Predecessor.
REX Magistro Richardo de Clifford Custodi Archiepiscopatus Cantuar. salutem. Cum summus Pontifex carissimum nobis in Christo fratrem Robertum de Kilwardeby ordinis Fratrum praedicatorum professorem, Ecclesiae Cantuar. in Archiepiscopum, Patrem et Pastorem praefecerit, sicut fidelibus nostris locum nostrum in Anglia tenentibus per patentes ejusdem summi Pontificis literas innotuit; Ac ipsi affectum in ipso dudum in nos et a nobis in ipsum conceptum agnoscentes, temporalia dicti Archiepiscopatus ob id, ac Sedis Apostolicae reverentiam vice et nomine nostro de specially gratia nostra hac vice, recepto ab eo fidelitatis sacramento ut moris est, duxerint concedenda; vobis mandamus, quod eidem temporalia, praedicti Archiepiscopatus restituatis. In cujus, &c. Dat. per manum W. de Merton, 12. die Decembris.
Et mandatum est Militibus, liberis hominibus, &c. Dat. ut supra.
MAndatum est Magistro Richardo de Clifford, nuper Custodi Archiepiscopatus Cantuariae, quod carucas, boves carucarum, et herciatores quos tanquam pertinentes ad praedictum Archiepiscopatum ad terras ejusdem Archiepiscopatus excolendas ab Executoribus Testamenti bonae memory B. quondam Cantuar. Archiepiscopi recepit, venerabili patri R. Cantuar. Electo liberet: Caeterum, quia boves carucarum praedictarum & herciatores praedicti sustentationem habuerunt de foragio praedicti Bonifacii, tempore praedicto quo scilicet boves & herciatores illi fuerunt in servicio Regis, mandatum est eidem Richardo, quod id quod ad Regem pertinet de foragio bladi praedicti Archiepiscopatus in orreis existentes, praefato Electo habere faciat in recompensationem foragii supradicti. Dat. per manum W. de Merton Cancellar. Regis apud Westm. 18. die Januarii.
REX Roberto Agnullum Custodi Terrarum quae fuerint Johannes filii Alani in Com. Sussex. salutem. Mandamus vobis, quod juxta Compositionem factam inter bonae memory B. quondam Cantuar. Archiepiscopum & Johannem filium Alani defunctum qui de nobis tenuit in Capite, de viginta sex Damis in foresta ipsius Johannes de Arundel per praefatum Johannem et haeredes suos capieudis, et prae • ato Archiepiscopo, et successoribus suis singulis annis liberandis, apud manerium ipsius Archiepiscopi de Slindon, habere faciat venerabili patri R. Cantuar. Archiepiscopo, tresdecim Damas secundum conditions temporis, et prout praefatus Boniface huiusmodi Damas in vita sua habere consuevit. Dat. &c. apud Westmonast. 24. die Julii.
In the premised Bundle of Writs and Letters to Walter de Merton the Kings Chancellor, An. 1 Edw. 1. (which I found in the White Tower Chapel) there is this Letter of Pope Clement written to him on behalf of the Archbishop of Canterbury, advanced by his mere provision to that See, which I conceive was only to procure the restitution of his Temporalties.
SUo praecordiali Domino W. de Merton, Domino Regis Cancellario, salutem & sincerae charitatis affectum. In negotiis venerabilis patris R. Dei gratia Cantuar. Archiepiscopi, quae habet expedienda coram vobis, volumus et rogamus, quod savor et gratia uberrime sibi fiat; et quicquid in eisdem favoris feceritis intuitu nostri, gratum habebimus proculdubio et acceptum. Valete. Datum apud Thexdener, 8. Kal. Augusti, Pontificatus nostri anno septimo. Which restitution could not be obtained by the Popes Letter, without the precedent Protestation.
How careful the King was to preserve the ancient Liberties of the Archbishopric of York, this Writ discovers.
REX dilecto & fideli suo Johanni de Oketon, salutem. Cum nuper assignaverimus vos Justic. nostrum ad quasdam Assisas in Com. Eborum capiendas, quarum aliquae tenementa infra libertatem venerabilis patris W. Eborum Ecclesiae suae de Beverle existencia contingunt, vobis mandamus, ne occasion illarum Assisarum aliquid in praejudicium libertatis Archiepiscopi praedicti ullatenus attemptetis. Nolumus enim quod sibi contra libertatem suam hactenus rationabiliter usitatam, per vos vel alios Ministros nostros in aliquo derogetur. Dat. &c. apud Westm. 17. die Junii.
The Abbot of Saint Augustine's in Canterbury being duly elected by the Monks, by the precedent License and assent of the Kings Lieutenants in England, repairing to the Popes Court for his confirmation, where he was put to vast expenses, (nothing being there obtained without great Bribes and Gifts;) he meeting with King Edward there in his return from the Holy Land, and informing him of his grand expenses for his confirmation, the King thereupon sent this Letter from thence to his V • cegerents in England, to grant him Writs to levy such an Ayd from his Tenants towards his Expences as had been formerly used in such Cases, (as he there informed him) and for the Restitution of his Temporalties; as these two Original Writs I found in the Tower, assure us.
EDWARDUS Dei gratia Rex Angliae, Dominus Hibernia, & Dux Aquitaniae, dilectis & fidelibus suis W. eadem gratia Eboracensi Archiepiscopo, Angliae Primati, Rogero de Mortuo mari, & Roberto Burnell, salutem. Accedens ad Romanam Curiam, Frater Nicholaus Abbas Sancti Augustini Cantuariensis nobis exposuit, quod secundum morem et consuetudinem Angliae, (requisita prius et habita voluntate Regia) tenentes Abbatis alicujus de novo creati solebant impendere et facere praesidium pecuniare. Sane quia perpendimus, quod idem Abbas, prosequens in praefata Curia suae confirmationem Electionis, missiones onerosas supportavit; Vobi • mandamus, quatenus, si tempore clarae memory genitoris nostri hujusmodi exactio, in casu consimili solebat sortiri effectum, secundum quod iis fieri videritis ad relevationem expensarum suarum, Abbati praefati sub sigillo nostro, nunc infra regnum nostrum Angliae usitato, hoc idem concedatis. Teste meipso apud Urbem veterem, 35. die Aprilis, Anno regni nostri primo.
W. Permissione divina Ebor • censis Archiepiscopus, Angliae Primas, & R. B • rnell Archidiaconus Eborum, dilecto & praecordiali sibi in Christo Domino W. de Merton Domini Regis Cancellario, salutem, & sinceram semper in Domino cum omni prosperi • ate dilectionem. Quia Electus Monachorum Sancti Augustini Ca • tuariensis, jam Abbas, rediit de Curia complete & favorabiliter expeditus (prout li • era Papalis hoc plenius protestatur,) idemque Abbas Domino nostro Regi Angliae fidelitatem praestitit et homagium, prout consuetudinis est sui regni; Uobis ex parte Domini Regis et nostra per praesentes literas, si placet nunciamus, quatenus Temporalia, et omnia quae in manibus Domini Regis existant, dictum Monasterium qualitercunque contingentia sibi (sicut moris est) plene remittatis; Mandantes etiam tenentibus dicti Monasterii, quod ad relevationem ipsius, secundum quod hactenus fieri consuevit et debet, eidem Abbati in tallagiis et aliis grata et debita promptitudine respondeant et intendant. Mittimus vobis Literam Domini Regis, quam inter caeteras recepimus; secundum quam poteritis (si placet) securius operari. Bene valeas. Dat. apud T— 8. Kal. Junii, anno Gratiae 1273.
The Monks and Prior of S t . Augustine's of Canterbury having obtained the custody of the Temporalties thereof during the vacancy, for which they had paid a Fine to the King; and afterwards by the Kings License electing this Abbot, whom the Kings Vicegerents approved in his name and right, upon their Certificate thereof to the Pope, who confirmed the Abbot, the King issued this Writ to the Prior, Covent and others for the restitution of the Temporalties, as these three Records inform us.
REX omnibus, &c. salutem. Sciatis, quod commisimus et concessimus dilectis nobis in Christo Priori et Conventui Sancti Augustini Cantuar. custodiam Abbatiae suae ejusdem loci jam vacantis, et in manu nostra existentis cum omnibus ad custodiam illam pertinentibus; videlicet, à festo Natalis Domini anno regni nostri primo usque in unum annum sequentem completum, juxta formam inter fideles nostros locum nostrum in Anglia tenentes, & praedictos Priorem & Conventum inde provisam; Salvis nobis feodis mil. advocationibus Ecclesiarum, wardis, releviis et escaetis ad nos ration vacationis ejusdem Abbatiae spectantibus. In cujus, &c. Dat. per manum W. de Merton Cancellar. nostri apud Wallyngford 27. die Decembris.
Et mandatum est Magistro Richardo de Clifford Esch. citra Trentam, quod custodiam ejusdem Abbatiae eisdem Priori & Conventui liberet, in forma praedicta, una cum tallagiis & auxiliis si quae per ipsum Eschaetorem asscssa fuerint, & omnibus à tempore captionis ejusdem Abbatiae in manum Regis, perceptis. Teste ut supra.
SVmmo Pontifici Rex Angliae, salutem cum reverenciae et honor. Sciatis, quod fideles nostri locum nostrum in Anglia tenentes, electioni nuper factae in Ecclesia Conventuali Sancti Augustini Cantuar. de fratre Nicholao de Spina Monacho dictae domus, in Abbatem ejusdem loci, vice et authoritate nostra adhibuerunt assensum Regium et favorem. Et hoc sanctitati vestrae tenore praesencium intimamus, ut quod vestrum est exequamini in hac parte. In cujus, &c. Dat. per manum W. de Merton Cancellar. Regis apud Westm. 17. die Januarii.
REX Priori & Conventui Sancti Augustini Cantuar. salutem. Cum summus Pontifex electionem nuper factam in Ecclesia vestra praedicta sancti Augustini de fratre Nicholao Priore ejusdem domus in Abbatem ejusdem loci, cui Regium assensum prius adhibuimus, et favorem, sicut per literas patentes ejusdem summi Pontificis accepimus. Nos eidem Abbati Abbaciam illam cum omnibus ad eundem Abbaciam spectantibus reddidimus. Et ideo vobis mandamus, quod eidem Abbati Temporalia ejusdem Abbaciae quae sunt in manu vestra ration finis quem nobiscum inde fecistis, sine dilatione restituatis. In cujus, &c. Dat. per manum W. de Merton Cancellar. nostri apud Westm. 15. die Junii.
Et mandatum est Militibus, &c.
The Citizens of Canterbury being grievously amerced by the Justices Itinerant for Escape of Felons out of the Churches in Canterbury during the vacancy of the Archbishopric, contrary to former custom; the King upon their Petition issued this Writ, to inquire and certify who ought to answer, and be amerced for such Escapes.
R. Fulconi Peyforer & Simony de Craye, salutem. Ex parte Civium nostrorum Cantuar. nobis est ostensum, quod cum nec ipsi, nec antecessores sui tempore vacacionis Archiepiscopatus Cantuar. vel aliis temporibus amerciari consueverint coram Iusticiariis nostris Itinerantibus in partibus illis pro evasione latronum evadencium ab Ecclesiis Civitatis praedictae; Magister Rogerus de Seyton, & socii sui Justiciarii nostri ultimo Itinerantes in Comitatu Kanciae, praedictos Cives pro evasionibus hujusmodi graviter amerciarunt, in ipsorum praejudicium et non modicum gravamen. Et quia super hoc plenius volumus cerciorari, assignavimus vos ad inquirendum per sacramentum proborum & legalium hominum de Comitatu Kanciae, per quos rei veritas melius sciri poterit, ad quem vel ad quos pertineat custodi • Felonum nostrorum fugientium ad Ecclesias supradictas, & utrum ipsi Cives, vel eorum antecessores aut alii occasion praedicta amerciari consueverint, necne? & si alii, qui, & qualiter, & quo modo. Et ideo vobis mandamus, quod ad certos diem & locum quos ad hoc provideritis inquisitionem illam faciatis, & eam distinct & aperte factam nobis sub sigillis vestris & sigillis eorum per quos facta fuerit, sine dilatione mittatis, & hoc Breve. Mandavimus enim Vicecomiti nostro Kanciae, quod ad certos, &c. venire faciat, &c. per quos rei veritas in praemissis melius sciri poterit & inquiri. In cujus, &c. Dat. &c.
The Prior and Covent of Middleton purchasing the custody of the Temporalties of their Abby from the King for a fine paid to him before hand, whenever it should next become void by their Abbots cession or death, obtained this Patent for that purpose.
REX omnibus, &c. salutem. Sciatis, quod pro fine quinquaginta Marcarum, quem dilect • nobis in Christo Prior & Conventus de Middleton nobiscum fecerint, concessimus eis, quod quamprimum Abbaciam suam per cessionem vel decessum Willielmi Abbatis sui vacare contigerit, ipsi Prior & Conventus habeant ipsa vice de gracia nostra specially custodiam Abbaciae suae toto tempore vacacionis ejusdem, et quod percipiant et habeant omnes exitus et proventus praedictae Abbaciae ad opus suum, tam in tallagiis hominum suorum, quam in terris et rebus aliis ad dictam Abbaciam suam spectantibus quae ad nos pertinere possent, si custodiam illam in manu nostra teneremus. Ita quod nullus Ballivus noster, vel alius ex parte nostra ipsos Priorem & Conventum impediat, vel se intromittat de custodia illa, quo minus ipsi habeant hac vice liberam administrationem omnium bonorum & catallorum ad Abbaciam suam praedictam spectancium toto tempore vacationis praedictae. Salvis tamen nobis feodis Militum, advacationibus Ecclesiarum ad Abbaciam illam spectantibus, et wardis et escaetis de feodis Militaribus si quas accidere contigerit tempore vacacionis supradictae, et salva nobis et haeredibus nostris custodia praedictae Abbaciae in aliis vacacionibus ejusdem Abbaciae. In cujus, &c. Dat. per manum W. de Merton Cancellar. &c. apud Sanctum Panlum London. 12. die Aprilis.
The Abby of Saint Peters in Gloucester of the Kings foundation, being by a contingency greatly dilapidated and in debt, and the Alms thereof substracted; the King took it, with all belonging to it into his custody and protection, committing it to the custody of a Guardian till his return from the Holy Land into England by this Patent, the Abbot and Covent being unable to govern or protect it.
REX omnibus, &c. salutem. Cum ex relatu quorundam jam intellexerimus, quod Abbacia Sancti Petri Glouc. quae de bonis elemosinis progenitorum nostrorum Regum Angliae fundata est, casu contingente taliter submittitur in praesenti, quod Abbas et Conventus domus ejusdem ad suum regimen et suorum non sufficiunt, et eleemosinae progenitorum nostrorum fundatorum ejusdem subtrahuntur in domo ipsa. Nos amissionibus et dampuis eorundem Abbatis et Conventus intime compacientes, eandem domum, homines, terras, res, redditus & omnes possessiones ejusdem in nostra custodia et protectione specialiter exis • ere volentes, commisimus dilecto & fideli nostro Reginaldo de Akele eandem Abbaciam, cum omnibus terris, & omnibus aliis ad ipsam spectantibus custodiendam, protegendam et nomine nostro defendendam usque adventum nostrum in Angliam: firmiter inhibentes ne quis praedictis Abbati et Conventui, aut hominibus, terris, vel bonis suis quibuscunque sub custodia et protectione nostra dampnum inferat aut gravamen. In cujus, &c. usque adventum nostrum in Angliam duratur. Dat. per manum W. de Merton apud Westm. 24. die Januarii.
King Henry the 3 d . giving his Royal assent to the election of a new Abbess at Wilton Nunnery, and dying before restitution of the Temporalties, King Edward the First, upon the Bishop of Sarum 's Certificate of her confirmation, granted the restitution of all the Temporalties, by this Patent.
EDWARDUS Dei gratia Rex Angliae, Dominus Hiberniae, & Dux Aquitaniae; Militibus, liberis hominibus, & omnibus aliis tenentibus de Abbacia de Wylton. salutem. Cum venerabilis pater R. Sarr. Clectus, electionem factam in Ecclesia Conventuali de Wylton. de Juli • na Giffard Moniali domus praedictae in Abbatissam loci illius, cui celebris memory Dominus H. Rex pater noster jam defunctus (cujus animae propicietur Deus) assensum Regium dum vixerit adhibuit et favorem, confirmaverit, sicut idem Electus nobis per literas suas patentes significavit; vobis mandamus, quod eidem Julianae tanqum Abbatissae & Dominae vestrae in omnibus quae ad Abbaciam illam pertinent intendentes sitis & respondentes sicut praedictum est. In cujus, &c. Dat. per manum Walteri de Merton Canc. Regis, apud Novum Templum London. 29. die Novembris.
Et mandatum est Priorissae & Conventui de Wylton. quod eidem Julianae tanquam Abbatissae suae Abbaciam suam praedictam & Temporalia, ac alia ad ipsam Abbaciam spectancia quae occasion praesentis vacacionis ejusdem sunt in custodia sua ex commissione praedicti Patris nostri, sine dilacione liberent.
The Barony of the Bishop of Chichester being seised into the Kings hands for some offense or contempt, upon satisfaction given to the King, he ordered his Temporalties to be restored by this Writ.
REX Roberto de Purlet, salutem. Mandamus vobis, quod Baroniam Episcopatus Cicestriae, quam nuper certis de causis coepimus in manum nostram, et vobis commisimus custodiendam, venerabili Patri R. Cicestrnnsi Episcopo vel certo ejus attornato sine dilacione restituatis, permittentes ipsum de caetero absque impedimento Temporalium ad Baroniam illam spectancium habere administrationem. In cujus rei, &c. Dat. &c. apud Sanctum Martinum magnum London. 27. die Augusti, anno regni nostri primo.
The Freers Minors of London having bought and felled Trees growing upon the Temporalties of the Bishop of London, and paid him for them during his life; the Temporalties coming into the Kings hands by his death, before the Trees removed, and the Kings Officers seising them, the King was pleased to give them leave to remove the Timber without impediment.
MAndatum est Radulpho de Sandwico custodi Episcopatus London. quod maremium, quod Fratres Praedicatores & Minores London. in Parco de Heringeye, a bonae memory, H. London. Episcopo nuper defuncto emerunt, & quod superstite ipso Episcopo prosterni fecerunt ibidem, & cujus empcionis solucio dicto Episcopo facta fuit, eisdem liberet, et ipsos inde absque impedimento abducere permittat. Dat. apud Westm. 3. die Octobris, per R. Burnell.
The Barons and Bailiff of the Port of Winchelsey seising, and shutting up the Houses and Goods of their Vicar, for harbouring a Clerk of his who had stolen his Goods, after his imprisonment for it, and delivery to the Ordinary, before his conviction; to enforce the Vicar to prosecute his Clerk for this Felony against his will; the King thereupon commanded them to restore the House and Goods thus seised to the Vicar, without any Suit, by this Writ.
REX Baronibus & Ballivis Portus sui de Wincheles, salutem. Monstravit nobis Warnerus Vicarius Ecclesiae beati Thomae de Wincheles, quod cum Andraeas de Fincheam Clericus, qui eidem Warnero nuper deservivit, & rerum suarum administrationem habuit, de quibusdam rebus, quas eidem Warnero subtraxisse dicebatur, rectatus, et propter hoc captus, et in prisona nostra ibidem detentus, ac postmodum per loci Diocesanum coram nobis tanquam Clericus petitus, et eidem liberatus extitisset; vos imponentes eidem Warnero, quod ipse praedictum Andraeam post factum praedictum, de quo idem Andraeas adhuc convictus non existit, nec publicus latro esse dicitur, cum rebus praedictis hospicio recepit, praedictum Warnerium & homines suos in domibus in Villa praedicta existentes, ab eisdem ejecistis, et hostia domorum praedictarum claudi, et bona sua et Ecclesiae praedictae in eisdem propter hoc includi fecistis, & ea adhuc sic inclusa detinetis, minus juste. Et quia praedictus Warnerus, vel alius ad prosecutionem rerum suarum sibi substractarum invitus compelli non debet, nec sibi super praemissis volumus injuriari, vobis mandamus, quod accepta sufficient securitate a praefato Warnero, de stando recto in Curia nostra secundum Consuetudinem et Libertatem praedictae Villae, & prout secundum status sui exigentiam debuerit, si quis versus eum inde loqui voluerit, eidem Warnero domos suas praedictas una cum bonis suis & Ecclesiae in eisdem sic inclusis & detentis deliberari faciatis, & ipsum interim inde per securitatem praedictam pacem habere permittatis. Datum per manum W. de Merton Canc. nostri apud Westm. 24. die Junii.
How the King exercised his Sovereign Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction in Ireland in the first year of his Reign, these Records demonstrate. The Archbishopric of Dublin being void, the King committing the Temporalties of it to Thomas Cheddeworth, authorized him to farm the Temporalties thereof, or otherwise to improve them to his best advantage; and commanded his Chief Justice to dispose of the Wards, Profits, Revenues thereof, and of other Archbishoprics and Bishoprics that should there become void, and Present to vacant Churches in his name and right, as these Patents evidence.
REX omnibus, &c. salutem. Sciatis, quod tenore praesentium damus dilecto Clerico nostro Thomae de Cheddeworth, cui commisimus Archiepiscopatum Dubliniae vacantem custodiendum, potestatem dimittendi ad firmam terras et tenementa ejusdem Archiepiscopatus, vel ad campi partem prout magis ad opus nostrum viderit expedire. Nos autem quicquid praefatus Thomas fecerit in hac parte ratum habebimus & acceptum. In cujus, &c. Dat. per manum W. de Merton Canc. &c. apud Westm. 20. die Januarii.
REX Magistro Thomae de Cheddeworth Custodi suo Archiepiscopatus Dublinen. salutem. Cum constituerimus dilectum & fidelem nostrum Galfridum de Genvill Justic▪ nostram terrae nostrae Hiberniae quamdiu nobis placuerit, prout in literis nostris patentibus eidem Justic. confectis plenius continetur, Vobis mandamus, quod tam de Wardis quam de Castris Wardarum quae sunt in custodia vestra, & eciam de hiis quae deinceps acciderint intendentes sitis & respondentes, & Castra earundem cum opus fuerit, & idem Justiciarius hoc vobis injunxerit, ex parte nostra, eidem liberetis. Omnes eciam exitus Ballivae vestrae tam Wardarum quae sunt in manu vestra, & aliarum cum acciderint, quam Archiepiscopatuum, Episcopatuum, et Abbatiarum cum vacaverint dicto Iusticiario per Cirographum inter vos et ipsum exinde conficiendum, habere faciatis, ad negocia nostra in partibus Hiberniae inde expedienda, donec aliter inde duxerimus ordinandum. Et cum sciverimus quantum ei liberaveritis, Breve nostrum de quietancia seu allocacione vobis inde habere faciemus. Dat. apud Sanctum Martinum magnum London. 2. die Septembris.
REX G. de Genvill Justic. suo Hiberniae, salutem. Sciatis, quod dedimus vobis potestatem praesentandi vice et authoritate nostra personas idoneas ad Ecclesias de Kilbondam, Senekill, et De la Hull jam vacantes, et ad nostram donacionem spectantes: Nos enim praesentaciones per vos modo praedicto factas ad Ecclesias praedictas ratas ab hac vice habebimus et acceptas. In cujus, &c. Datum ut supra.
The Archbishop of Cassal seising the money of an Usurer in Ireland, as belonging to him, thereupon the King commanded the Bishop of Midden. and his Treasurer of Ireland to demand it of him, as belonging to him by his Prerogative, and to respite the demand of the Usurers Debts till further Order, by this Writ; by which it appears that all Usurers Monies and Debts in that Age, were forfeited to the King for their Usury, upon their deaths, in Ireland as well as England.
MAndatum est Midd. Episcopo, & Thes. Regis Hiberniae, quod demandam quadriugentarum librarum quam faciunt David. Archiepiscopo Cassalen. ration quorundam bonorum et catall. Reginaldi de Macoters Vsurarii, et quae ad manum ejusdem Archiepiscopi devenerunt, et quae ad Regem pertinent, ut dicitur, et eciam demandam Vsurarium debitorum ejusdem Reginaldi, ponant in re • pectum, usque ad festum Sancti Hilar. prox. futur. nisi Rex aliud de consilio suo duxerit ordinand.
How the King committed, disposed of the Custody of the Temporalties of the Bishopric of Limrick, and afterwards gave his assent to the election of a New Bishop, who had the custody thereof, these Records declare.
REX Magistro Johanni de Stamford Eschaet. suo Hibern. salutem; Sciatis, quod de gratia nostra specially, concessimus dilecto Clerico nostro Gerardo le Marescal Archid. Lymiricen. custodiam Episcopatus Lymiricensis vacantis, & in manu nostra existentis, tenend. à die Mercurii proxima post festum Sancti Hilarii. Anno, &c. primo usque in unum annum sequentem completum, per formam inter fideles nostros locum nostrum in Anglia tenentes et praedictum Gerardum inde provisam, de qua idem Gerardus nobis praemanibus satisfecit; salvis tamen nobis feodis Militum, advocationibus Ecclesiarum, wardis, releviis et escaetis quae interim acciderint ibidem, et salvis eciam nobis omnibus exitibus praedicti Episcopatus a tempore mortis Episcopy ejusdem loci usque ad diem Mercurii supradictum. Et ideo vobis mandamus, quod eidem Gerardo Custodiam praedicti Episcopatus et Temporalia ejusdem liberetis tenend. in forma praedicta. Dat. ut supra.
REX electioni factae in Ecclesia Cathedrali Lymericensi de discreto viro Magistro Gerardo Archidiacono ejusdem Ecclesiae, in Episcopum ejusdem loci, Regium assensum adhibuit et favorem. Et mandatum est Archiepiscopo Cassalen. ut id quod suum est in hac parte exequatur. Dat. per manum W. de Merton Canc. Regis apud Novum Templum London. 11. die Januarii.
The Bishopric of Finnabern being void by the Bishops death, the King upon the Deans and Chapters Petition granted them this License to elect a new Bishop, provided he was so qualified as his License directed.
REX Decano & Capitulo Fynnabren. salutem. Accedens ad nos David Clericus vester cum literis Capituli vestri patentibus, nobis humiliter ex parte vestra supplicavit, ut cum Ecclesia vestra per mortem Mauric. Episcopy vestri de Fyunabr. Pastoris solacio sit destituta, alium vobis eligendi in Episcopum et Pastotem licenciam concedere dignaremur; Nos igitur vestris supplicacionibus inclinati, sicenciam illam vobis duximus concedendam. Mandantes quatinus talem vobis assumatis in Episcopum qui Deo devotus, regimini Ecclesiae vestrae necessarius, nobisque et regno nostro utilis et fidelis existat. Dat. apud Westm. 14. die Julii.
The Dean and Chapter hereupon electing a Bishop according to the Kings license, the King giving his Royal assent thereto by his Vicegerents, issued this Writ for his confirmation and consecration to the Archbishop of Cassall.
REX Electioni nuper factae in Ecclesia Cathedrali Fynnabrensi de fratre Florencio Abbate de Kelsany in Episcopum Fynnabrensem Regium assensum adhibuit et favorem. Et mandatum est Archiepiscopo Cassalensi, ut quod suum est in hac parte exequatur. Dat. per manum W. de Merton Canc. nostri apud Sanctum Martinum magnum London. 8. die Octobris.
The King likewise granted him restitution of the Temporalties by this Writ, if his election were confirmed, so as he sent his Proctor into England, with power to swear Fealty to the King upon his Soul, though he did not come to swear it in person, and so to receive his Temporalties.
MEmorandum, quod Rex concessit Electo Fynaberen. quod Temporalia Episcopatus ejusdem restituantur eidem, si contingat ipsum confirmari; Ita quod Nuncius suus quem propter hoc transmittet in Angliam, cui idem Electus dabit potestatem jurandi in animam suam de fidelitate, &c. recipiat literas ipsius Electi de restitutione Temporalium praedictorum, et ease sibi deferat.
Sir Mat. Hastings Knight, Governor of Wynchelse, demanding and exacting Toll from the Tenants of the Archbishop of Canterbury, who were exempted from Toll, and detaining their pledges for it, after several admonitions by his Officials; the Archbishop thereupon immediately after the restitution of his Temporalties, sent this peremptory Letter to him, to restore all their pledges he detained for Toll within eight days; and likewise to give competent satisfaction for this high offense to God and the Church, under pain of Excommunication; or else he would execute his Pontificial office upon them.
R. Miseratione divina Cantuariensis Archiepiscopus, totius Angliae Primas, Domino Matthaeo de Hastinges Militi, salutem, & spiritum consilii sanioris. Quampluries per nostras literas & Officiales nostros vos moneri fecimus, ut per vos et vestros non vexaretis Tenentes nostros super exactione Theolonii in Villa de Wynchelse, a cujus praestatione liberi sunt et immunes. Et quia monitis hujusmodi parere hactenus non curastis, adhuc vos monemus, et vobis sub Excommunicationis poena injungimus, quatinus homines nostros super talibus exactionibus in pace dimittatis, et hominibus de Essywendene, ac aliis nostris tenentibus, quorum vadia pro Theolonio praedicto capta detinetis, vadia restituatis; et super offensa quam propter hoc incurristis, Deo et Ecclesiae satisfaciatis competenter, infra octo dies post praesentium receptionem. Alioquin extunc contra vos et vestros ministros officii nostri debitum prout justum fueric exequemur. Datum apud Sutham. die Jovis in festo Asoensionis Domini; Consecrationis nostrae anno primo.
The Cistercian and other Monks totally exempted by several Popes Bulls from payment of Tithes of the lands manured by them with their own hands, or at their costs, fraudulently enlarging their privileges by tilling, renting, manuring other men's Lands, to the great prejudice of Rectors of Parish Churches, whose Rights and Tithes they invaded. Thereupon Richard Gravesend Bishop of Lincoln writ this Letter to the Chancellor for his advice and assistance to reform this Grievance in the Kings Temporal Courts, in his friends and Clerks case.
VEnerandae discretionis viro, & amico & filio semper in Christo diligendo, Domino W. de Merton Domini Regis Cancellario, R. miseratione divina Lincolniensis Episcopus, salutem, gratiam, & benedictionem, cum dilection sincera. Nostis (ut credimus) & familiari forsitan experientia probastis molestias, quas Religiosi privilegiati ingerunt Rectoribus Ecclesiarum vicinarum, et quibus machinationibus frequenter moliuntur ipsorum Ius subvertere, et sibi usurpare, quod alienum existit. Cum igitur dilectus Clericus noster Magister R. de Saxyngehurst, Praebendarius Ecclesiae de Langeford, injurias multiplices sustinuerit a quibusdam Cisterciensibus, possessionum suarum terminos in Parochia sua dilatantibus, et in vicina; Dilectionem vestram affectione qua possumus requirimus & rogamus, quatinus ad impetrandum remedium a Curia Domini Regis, (quatenus ad eum pertinet) super injuriis eidem irrogatis, velitis benevolentiae vestrae consilium et auxilium impende • e, quale rei qualitas requisierit opportunum. Bene semper in Domino valeatis.
The Dean and Chapter of Rhoan detaining from Mr. Garland (one of the four Canons which King Henry the 3 d . had added to their Church) that annual pension the King had allotted him out of the Chapelry of. Blye, K. Edward the 1. upon two Petitions of his (extant in the Bundle of Writs and Petitions, Anno 1 E. 1.) by his Sovereign Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction issued this Writ to the Archbishop of Khoan to induce or compel them to pay him his Stipend, and the arrears thereof, according to his fathers pious intention and order, and to give him an account thereof; or else he would levy his portion out of the Rents they had in England.
EDWARDUS Dei gratia Rex Angliae, Dominus Hyberniae, & Dux Aquitaniae, venerabili in Christo patri—eadem gratia Rothomagen. Archiepiscopo, salutem. Cum progenitores nostri Reges Angliae, quatuor portiones Praebendales constituerint in Ecclesia vestra Rothomagensi de proventibus Capellanae de Blye, quatuor ejusdem Ecclesiae Canonicis assignandas: Et Decanus et Capitulum dictae Ecclesiae Magistro de Garland uni de quatuor Canonicis praedictis portionem suam jam per biennium & ampl • us substraxerint, et eam adhuc sibi reddere contradicunt, in gravamen ips • us non modicum, et praejudicium Regium mannifestum, ac contra ordinationem authoritate celebris memory Domini H. Regis patris nostri inde factam in Curiasua. Nolentes hujusmodi dona et concessiones Regias pro intuitu, et pro animarum remedio constitutas, taliter subtrahi, aut effectu suo frustrari; Paternitatem vestram duximus cum instantia requirendam, quatenus dictos Decanum et Capitulum ad reddendum praefato Canonico portionem suam cum arreragiis inde debitis efficaciter ducatis, et artius (si opus fuerit) compellatis. Sciant enim pro certo, quod nisi fecerint, nos portionem ipsam de reddit • bus et bonis quae habent in regno Angliae levari faciemus, et praedicto Canonico assignari. Quid autem super hoc duxeritis fac • endum nobis cum certitudine rescribatis. Datum per manum W. de Merton Cancellarii nostri apud Westm. 15. die Decembr. Anno Regni nostri primo.
The Covent of S t . Patrick 's Abby of Saballo in Ireland electing an Abbot without the Kings precedent license, against his Prerogative, the election was thereupon nulled, and a new Abbot appointed without election by the Bishop of Dune, with the license and consent of the Kings Lieutenants in Ireland; whereupon the King issued this Writ for restitution of the Temporalties to him, and all profits received from the time of his provision to the said Abby, for which he was to answer the King at his pleasure, as this Record informs us.
REX Magistro Johanni de Saunford Escaetori suo Hiberniae, salutem. Cum celebrata nuper (nostra licentia eligendi irrequisita) electione in Ecclesia Sancti Patricii de Saballo, de fratre Molys Priore de Bangor. in Abbatem ejusdem loci, ac ipsa electione ob hoc et alia merito cassata, venerabilis pater Episcopus Dunensis loci Diocesanus, fratrem Galfridum de Stoks Canonicum Carleol. de consilio et consensu fidelium nostrorum locum nostrum in Hibern. tenentium praefecerit in Abbatem domus praedictae: Nos de gratia nostra specially Temporalia Abbatiae praedictae praefato fratri Galfrido de Stok duximus teddenda. Et ideo vobis mandamus, quod eidem fratri Galfrido Temporalia Abbaciae praedictae sine dilatione liberetis, una cum omnibus inde perceptis a tempore quo dictus Episcopus dictae Ecclesiae providit de praefato Galfrido, juxta veram aestimationem eorundem perceptorum per vos fideliter faciendam; de quibus idem Abbas nobis ad voluntatem nostram tenetur respondere. In cujus, &c. Dat. &c. apud Cantuar. 18. die Septembris. Anno regni nostri primo.
Et mandatum est omnibus tenentibus de Abbacia praedicta, quod eidem Galfrido tanquam Abbati suo, in omnibus quae ad Abbaciam illam pertinent intendentes sint & respondentes. Dat. ut supra.
After the death of Pope Clement the 4 th . the See of Rome continuing void for two years and ten months, by reason of the Cardinals discord about the election of a Successor, at last An. 1272. (after King Henry the 3 d . his decease) they elected one Theobald Pope, who was with King Edward the First in the Holy Land; as Mat. Westminster thus stories.
Post mortem Papae Clementis, per duos annos, & decem menses, sedes Apostolica vacans fuit. Igitur Cardinales convienientes in unum, Dominum Theobaldum Archidiaconum Leodicensem, qui commorabatur in transmarinis partibus cum Eadwardo communiter elegerunt. Qui, de sua electione anditis rumoribus, ad Curiam properavit, & summum Sacerdotium est adeptus. De isto dicti fuerant isti versus.
Prince Edward hearing tidings of his Fathers death, and his being proclaimed King in England, in his return from the Holy Land, repaired to this new Popes Court, his late Chaplain, familiar friend and fellow Soldier; who at his request, (by his mere Papal authority) excommunicated the murderers of his kinsman Henry, son and heir to the King of Germany at Viterbium, and disofficed, disinherited some of them by his Imp • rions Decree, till they should come personally to Rome to purge, or submit themselves to his absolute Order in all things, as Mat. Westminster, and Walsingham thus relate.
His diebus, cum Eadwardus in Civitate Acon. diutius expectasset Christianorum & Tartarorum auxilium, • o quod proposuisset per manum validam Saracenos delere, videns se ab utrisque delusum, quia Christiani ad propria recesserunt, & Tartari, qui & Moalli, intestina tyrannide perierunt, dimissis in Acon. stipendariis, mare transiit, applicans in regno Siciliae. Cui cum honor Rex Carolus obviavit, ipsum deducens usque ad Urbem veterem, in qua Romana Curia residebat. Papae Gregorio, modo Domino, nuper familari suo, exposuit Eadwardus pericula Terrae sanctae. Petiit postea quod sententialiter condemnaret Aldebrandinum, Comitem dictum le Rus, et Guidonem de Monteforti, qui Henricum primogenitum Regis Alemanniae cognatum suum in Viterbio funestis gladiis peremerunt, dum Missarum solemniis assisteret, in contemptum Ecclesiae et scandalum nominis Christiani. Papa igitur his commotus protinus propter hos mandavit. Comes Rubeus se purgavit. Dominus Papa Guidonem de Monteforti, tam pro contumacia, quam offensa, anathemate perpetuo condemnavit, et sacrilegii, homicidii, sicarii, et laesae Majestatis reum pronuntiavit sententialiter, et infamem, ita ut neque condere Testamentum, neque testimonium ferre, neque Praeses, Consul vel Potestas esse poterit Civitatis. Hunc etiam ad omnibus officiis, dignitatibus seu etiam administrationibus civilibus aut publicis, sequestratum et exhaeredatum usque in quartam generationem decrevit. Quod decretum jussit ab omnibus inviolabiliter observari, quousque idem Guido ad Curiam Romanam advenisset, et se voluntati Papae in omnibus submisisset. Praeterea omnes illos, qui eum receptaverunt scienter, excommunicationis vinculo innodavit, et terris eorum supposuit interdicto (mulieribus duntaxat excentis, poenitentiis decedentium, et baptismata parvulorum.) His rite peractis, Eadwardus secessit à Curia, cui communitates civitatum Tusciae & Italiae cum magno tripudio tubis ductilibus obviarunt, communiter proclamantes, vivat Imperator Eadwardus. Mediolanenses ei munera obtulerunt, equos electos, coopertos slavoniis de Scarleto, quos, illis cogentibus, invitus recepit; Recedens ab Italia, venit in Burgundiam, ubi quendam nobilem, qui rapinis & spoliis intendebat, cum fortissim • castro su • , Comiti Sabaudiae reddidit, vel invitum. Prius namque terrenum Dominum non habebat, ideo transeuntes liberius spoliabat, quia non erat qui excessus corrigeret delinquentium. Episcopy et Abbates, Comites et Barones de Anglia venientes, (sent to meet and conduct him into England by his Vicegerents order) Domino Eadwardo in descensu montium Burgundiae occurrerunt, benedicentes Dominum, qui fecit prosperum iter suum.
Whiles the King in his return was entertained in the Popes Court at Viterbium, Othobon the Popes late Legate procured this Writ from him, to settle and protect his Nephew in the possession of a Prebendary in the Church of Chichester, by his Regal authority, formerly conferred on him by the Popes provision, which it seems he could not obtain by the Popes mandate which he prosecuted.
EDWARDUS Dei gratia Rex Angli • , Dominus Hiberniae, & Dux Aquitaniae, dilecto & fideli suo Robert • Burnell, salutem. Praetextu venerabilis patris Domini Ottoboni sancti Adria • i Diaconi Cardinalis, Jacobo nepoti suo summus Pontifex quandum Praebendam in Ecclesia Cicestrensi vacantem contulit (ut accepimus:) Cujus possessionem prosequitur secundum mandatum Papale, sibi super hoc concessum; Volentes etiam ad instantiam dicti Domini Ottoboni praefatum Jacobum prosequi favore gratioso; Vobis mandamus quatinus ipsum nec suum procuratorem super profession memoratae Praebendae, contra Iuris observantiam, molestari vel inquietari minime permittatis. Teste meipso apud Urbem veterem, 19. die Martii, anno regni nostri primo.
Moreover, one M r . Angelo a Canon of Cameron, formerly employed by King Henry the III. as his Proctor in the Court of Rome in several businesses, for which he granted him an annuity of 40. Marks each year, till he should be provided for by the said King of Benefices in England to the value of 400. Marks by the year, procured King Edward to employ him as his Proctor in the Court of Rome, to confirm his Fathers grant, and order payment of all his arrears by this Writ, dated from thence.
W. Permissione divina Eborum Archiepiscopus, Angliae Primas, & R. de Mortuo mari, dilecto amico suo Domino W. de Merton Domini Regis Cancellario, salutem cum dilection sincera. Mandatum Domini Regis recepimus, in haec verba.
EDWARDUS Dei gratia Rex Angliae, Dominus Hiberniae, & Dux Aquitan. dilectis & fidelibus suis, W. eadem gratiâ Eboracensi Archiepiscopo Angliae Primati, Rogero de Mortuo mari, & Roberto de Burnell, salutem. Dum bonae memory Dominus H. quondam Rex Angliae, Genitor noster charissimus, vitae praesentis gaudebat induciis, ex certis causis et negotiis sibi quondam incumbentibus, quae in Romana Curia proponebat expedire, discretum virum Magistrum Angelum Canonicum Cameracen. in ipsius retinuit obsequio, cui quadraginta marcas fecit assignari, de Scaccario suo recipiendas annuatim, quousque sibi per dictum Dominum Regem (si vixisset) in beneficio seu beneficiis ad valorem quadringintarum marc. provideretur. Sane quia praedictum Magistrum Angelum ex negotiis nostris quibusdam promovendis in praefata Curia, sub forma dictae conventionis seu promissionis in nostro retinuimus obsequio; Vobis mandamus, quatinus eidem Magistro Angelo, vel ejus procuratori suo nomine, quam cito vice nostra vobis facultas affuerit, de quantitate Redditus praetaxati competenter provideatis. Teste meipso apud Urbem veterem, 24. die Februarii, anno Regni nostri primo. Quia vero contemplatione dicti Magistri, & obsequii sui, quod impendit Domino Regi, vellemus suum negotium expediri; prout Dominus R. Burnell vobis plenius super hoc exponet, cum quo inde habuimus tractatum, expediri faciatis, sicut providimus, & simul videritis expedire. Vale.
Before King Edward 's arrival in England, this new Pope Gregory having gratifyed the King by his premised sentence, denounced against the murderers of his Cousin Henry, (imitating his Predecessors rapines) sent a special Nuncio into England, under pretext to compel all Ecclesiastical persons to pay two years Dismes of their Temporalties and Ecclesiastical Livings to the King and his Brother, but in truth to himself, who converted most of it to his own use, as Mat. Westminster thus relates; His diebus quidam Clericus, nomine Reimundus, Vasconus natione, a summo Pontifice in Angliam fuit missus; qui potestatem habuit compellendi Ecclesiasticas personas ad decimas, per duos annos, tam de Temporalibus quam Spiritualibus, Eadwardo et Edmundo filiis Regis Angliae persolvendis. Hic partem collatae pecuniae tribuit Nobilibus supradictis, pro expensis suis partem sibi non modicam retinuit, et ad dispositionem Papae partem maximam reservavit. Such was his Papal liberality and justice.
Whereupon sundry of the Clergy and Abbots of the Realm discerning the abuse, refused to pay the premised Disme, notwithstanding the Popes Nuncioes excommunications denounced against them, contemning his Ecclesiastical Censures: Upon which the Nuncio writ this Letter to the Chancellor to command the Sheriffs to assist the Collectors of it by their secular power, and levy it by force where there was need.
SUO special in Christo W. de Merton Domini Regis Cancellario, salutem. Cum per Collectores Decimae Domino Regi concessae in nostris partibus colligendae, intelleximus, quod in plerisque locis dicta Decima hucusque levari non potest absque auxilis seculari, expedit quod celeriter Eborum, Nottingham et Lancastriae Vicecemitibus detis per literas Regias in mandatum, ut dictis Collectoribus fint in auxilium ad ipsam Decimam levandam manu valida si necesse fuerit, cum per dictos Collectores ad hoc fuerint requisiti. Hoc acto nostro officio de ipso negotio nobis scribito. Valete.
Hereupon the Chancellor issued these ensuing Writs to all the Sheriffs of England and some others, to assist the Collectors accordingly.
REX Vicecomiti Wigorn. salutem. Cum nounulli Abbates, Priores, Reliligiosi et Clerici Decimam tam temporalium quam spiritualium nobis a seed Apostolica ad duos annos concessam, detineant, et arreragia ejus solvere contradicant, propter quod executores ad ipsam decimam colligendam per regnum nostrum in singulis Diocestis deputati, ipsos excommunicationis sententia authoritate Apostolica innodarunt. Nos eorum induratam maliciam reprimere volentes, tibi praecipimus firmiter injungentes, quod praedictam decimam et ejus arreragia a praedictis detentoribus seu contemptoribus, vel eorum beneficiis et bonis in Compraedictis celeriter levari facias, quandocunque a dilecto nobis Magistro Reymundo de Nogeriis Domini Papae Capellano, praedictae decimae Collectore generali, vel ejus substitutis fueris requisitus; eandem decimam et arreragia ejusdem decimae Collectoribus assignando. Mandatum nostrum in hac parte impleturus, ne pro defectu execucionis ipsius, nos ad te et bona tua recurrere pro decima et arreragiis hujusmodi non contingat. Teste Rege apud Wyndes. decimo die Septembris.
Consimiles litterae diriguntur singulis Vicecomitibus per Angl. et Custodibus Episcopatus Dunelm. et Iustic. Cestren. Such rigor and power of both swords must be used to enforce and extort these Dismes from the Abbots and Clergy.
It seems the Bishop of Winton compounded, and paid a Fine of 500. Marks for his two years Dismes to the Popes Collector, for which he received this Acqui • tance from the King, Anno 2 E. 1.
REX omnibus ad quos praesentes Literae pervenerint, salutem. Sciatis, quod venerabilis Pater N. Wynton. Episcopus satisfecit Magistro Reymundo de Nogeriis Domini Papae Nuncio, nomine nostro de quingentis Marcis, per quas idem Episcopus finem fecit nobiscum et cum eodem Reymundo pro decima temporalium suorum de duobus primis annis, de illis duobus annis de quibus Dominus Papa nobis gratiam fecit de decima bonorum Ecclesiasticorum regni nostri. De quibus quidem quingentis Marcis praefatum Episcopum tenore praesentium penitus quietamus. In cujus, &c. Dat. apud Westm. 24. die Novembris.
What part of the new Dismes granted to the King, he received from the Popes Collector, these Records will inform us.
REX omnibus, &c. salutem. Noveritis nos habuisse & recepisse à discreto viro Magistro Reymundo de Nogeriis Domini Papae Capellano & Nuncio, mille Marcas bonorum et leg. sterlingorum, de pecunia per Praelatos Angl. ad preces Domini Papae nobis concessa, et per dictum Magistrum Reymundum collecta, et Lucae de Luk Mercatori nostro ad mandatum nostrum liberata. De quibus quidem mille Marcis nos fatemur ac recognoscimus been esse pacatos & contentos. In cujus, &c. Teste Rege apud Turrim London. 10. die Octobris.
REX dilectis sibi in Christo Magistro Reymundo de Nogeriis Domini Papae Capellano & Nuncio, salutem. Mandamus vobis quod de denariis quos penes vo • habetis in custodia de Decima a seed Apostolica nobis concessa, habere faciatis dilecto nobis Willielmo de Rading Canonico Cestriae, & caeteris coexecutoribus Testamenti bonae memory quondam Cicestriae Episcopy, quinquaginta Marcas, in partem solutionis debitorum in quibus Dominus H. Rex pater noster eisdem die quo obiit tenebatur. Et nos dictas quinquaginta Marcas vobis in dicta Decima faciemus allocari. In cujus, &c. Teste Rege apud Luton. 2. die Novembris.
At the same time the King (wanting Monies) appointed special Collectors of the arrears due upon the Dismes granted to his Father by the Pope towards the relief of the Holy Land, by this Patent.
REX dilectis & fidelibus suis fratri Stephano de Foleburn. Electo de Waterford. & Willielmo de Middleton, salutem. Sciatis, quod assignavimus vos ad arreragia vicesimae Domino H. Regi patri nostro in subsidium Terrae sanctae in regno Angliae concessae, colligenda et adunanda, necnon ad fines a detentoribus ejusdem vicesimae vel arreragiorum ejusdem, inde nomine nostro recipiendos, prout ad opus nostrum magis videritis expedire. Et ideo vobis mandamus, quod praemissis intendatis in forma praedicta. In cujus, &c. Teste Rege apud Westm. 18. die Octobr.
How the King disposed of the Temporalties of Bishoprics then in his hands during their vacancies, for his best advantage, this Record will instruct us.
REX omnibus, &c. salutem. Sciatis, nos plenam dedisse potestatem dilectis & fidelibus nostris Johanni de Lovetot, & Galfrido de Neubald, Custodibus nostris Episcopatus Dunelm. tradendi, nomine nostro ad campi-partem tenentibus Episcopatus praedicti, omnes terras dominicas ejusdem Episcopatus quae sunt in manu nostra, durante vacatione Episcopatus ejusdem. Ita quod ipsos quibus praedicti Johannes & Galsridus dictas terras nostro nomine dimittent ut praedictum est, acceptabimus, & receptores terrarum earundem in forma praedicta super eadem receptione conservabimus indempnes. In cujus, &c. Teste Rege apud Wynd. 26. die September.
The Executors of the deceased Bishop of Durham, having put in pledges to satisfic all Debts owing to the King, he thereupon issued this Writ to the Guardians of of the Temporalties for their free administration of his goods, and reaping the Corn he had sowed on his Temporalties, to perform his Testament.
REX dilectis & fidelibus suis Johanni de Lovetot, & Galfrido de Neubald, Custodibus Episcopatus Dunholm. salutem. Quia frater Hugo quondam Prior Dunholm. & Magister Rogerus de Seyton, manuceperunt pro executoribus Testamenti bonae memory Roberti quondam Dunholm. Episcopy, de debitis, si quae idem Episcopus die quo obiit nobis debuit, reddend. Vobis mandamus, quod eisdem Executoribus plenam administrationem omnium bonorum quae fuerunt praedicti Episcopy habere permittatis, ad Testamentum ipsius Episcopy plenary perficiend. Permittatis etiam eosdem executores blada et alia bona quae fuerunt dicti Episcopy in Maneriis praedicti Episcopatus, pro voluntate sua reponere, prout sibi magis viderint expedire. Teste Rege apud Wyndes. 27. die Augusti.
Robert de Insula being soon after elected and confirmed B • shop of Durham by the Kings consent, he issued this Writ for the restitution of his Temporalties.
REX Militibus, liberis hominibus, & omnibus aliis tenentibus de Episcopatu Dunelm. salutem. Cum venerabilis pater W. Ebor. Archiepiscopus Angl. Primas, electionem nuper celebratam in Ecclesia Cathedrali Dunelm. de discreto viro fratre Rob • rto de Insula, Priore de Finkehall in Episcopum Dunelm. cui prius Regium assensum adhibuimus et favorem, confirmaverit, sicut per litteras dicti Archiepiscopi plenius intelleximus, cepimus fidelitatem ipsius Electi, & Temporalia dicti Episcopatus cum omnibus pertinentiis suis ei reddimus. Et ideo vobis mandamus quod eidem Electo tanquam Domino vestro, in omnibus quae ad Episcopatum illum pertinent, de caetero intendentes sitis & respondentes sicut praedictum est. In cujus, &c.
Et mandatum est Johanni de Lovetot, & Galfrido de Neuband, Custodibus praedicti Episcopatus, quod eidem Electo vel certo Attornato suo praedictum Episcopatum, cum Castris & omnibus aliis pertinentiis suis liberent sine mora. In cujus, &c. Teste Rege apud Norhampt. 11. die Novembris.
In a Bundle of Writs of King Edward the First in the White Tower, in the second year of his Reign, I met with the draught of this Prohibition concerning Tithes of Assarts within the bounds of Windeshore Forest, belonging to the King, prohibiting any Suits for them in the Ecclesiastical Court by the Dean an Chapter of Sarum.
CUm Decimae de Assartis factis infra Forestam seu bundas Forestae nostrae de Wyndelsore sunt de advocatione nostra, et ad nostram pertinere debent collationem, et super perceptione earundem sit querela sive placitum inter vos et Decacanum et Capitulum Sarum in Curia Christianitatis motum, cum hujusmodi placita ad Coronam et dignitatem Regiam pertinere noscuntur: Vobis mandamus, quatinus prosecutioni dictae querelae seu placiti in Curia Christianitatis supersedeatis omnino usque ad proximum Parliamentum nostrum, in quo Parliamento compareatis cum munimentis vestris ad faciendum et recipiendum coram Nobis quod juris fuerit et rationis. By which it appears, that all the Jurisdiction of Pleas for Tithes originally belonged to the Kings Crown, Dignity, Courts; not to Courts Christian; and even in that Age, the trials for the right of Tithes of Assarts within the Kings Forests, whereof the King had the advowson and collation, was to be tried and determined only before the King in his Parliament, or other Temporal Courts, not in Ecclesiastical. Whereupon the King afterwards issued a Writ to the Constable of Windesore Castle, to sequester these Tithes to his use.
The Bishop of Bath and Wells laying claim to the Patronage and Custody of the Temporalties of the Abby of Gl • stonbury during the vacancy, the King issued this Writ for sequestering the profits thereof till the right between them should be determined.
REX dilecto & fideli suo Galfrido Foliot Custodi Abbatiae Glaston. salutem. Cum commiserimus vobis Abbatiam praedictam cum pertin. vacantem, & in manu nostra existentem, custodiendam quamdiu nobis placuerit, & venerabilis pater W. Bathon. & Wellen. Episcopus, & ejus Ministri patronatum et custodiam ejusdem Abbatiae ad ipsum Episcopum asserant pertinere: Vobis mandamus, quod ad custodiam ejusdem Abbatiae unum ex parte praedicti Episcopy vobis assistere permittatis; Ita quod per visum vestrum et ipsius, omnes proventus Abbatiae praedictae, et alia ad eandem Abbatiam spectantia salvo et absque distractione, et deterioratione reserventur, quousque de jure nostro seu dicti Episcopy plenius liqueat, et aliud a nobis super hoc receperitis id mandatis. Dat. per manum W. de Merton Canc. apud Sanctum Martinum magnum London. 8. die April. & est litera patens.
What Bishops and Abbots were this year elected or restored to their Temporalties in Ireland by the Kings special Grace, and dispensed with in some particulars prejudicial to his Prerogative, with a Proviso that it should not turn to his future prejudice nor be drawn into example, these Records will inform us.
REX dilecto Clerico suo Johanni de Saunford Escaetori suo Hiberniae, salutem. Cum venerabilis pater R. Archiepiscopus Cassalen. electionem nuper factam in Ecclesia Cathedrali Wdtreford de fratre Stephano de Fulburn. in Episcopum ejusdem loci, cui Regium assensum prius adhibuimus et favorem, confirmaverit, sicut per literas patentes praefati Archiepiscopi plenius accepimus; Nos confirmationem illam acceptantes, Temporalia ejusdem Episcopatus, prout moris est, eidem restituimus. Et ideo vobis mandamus, quod eidem Electo Temporalia Episcopatus praedicti restituatis. In cujus, &c. Teste Rege apud Westm. 28. die Octobris.
Et mandatum est Militibus, liberis hominibus, & omnibus aliis Tenentibus de Episcopatu Watreford, quod eidem fratri Stephano tanquam Domino & Episcopo in omnibus quae ad Episcopatum illum pertinent intendentes sint & respondentes, sicut praedictum est.
REX dilecto & fideli suo Galfrido de Gyenvill Justic. Hibern. salutem. Cum venerabilis pater David Archiepiscopus Cassalen. electionem nuper factam in Ecclesia Cathedrali Finibrian. de dilecto nobis Florencio nuper Abbate de Kels • ing. in Episcopum Finibrian. cui Regium assensum prius adhibuimus et favorem, confirmaverit, sicut per literas patentes ipsius Archiepiscopi plenius accepimus. Nos laboribus et expensis praefati Electi parcere, et sibi gratiam facere volentes, Vobis mandamus, quod fidelitatem ipsius Electi nomine nostro recipiatis, et sibi temporalia Episcopatus praedicti restituatis de gratia nostra specially; Receptis tamen prius literis praefati Electi patentibus, quod gratia illa sibi hac vice facta, nobis aut haeredibus nostris non cedet in praejudicium temporibus futuris. In cujus, &c. Datum apud Westm. 30. die Novembris.
REX dilecto & fideli suo Galfrido de Gyenvill. Justic. suo Hiberniae, salutem. Accedens ad nos frater Christinus Canonicus Monasterii de Machill Dunen. Dioc. literas patentes Supprioris & Conventus vacante nuper Ecclesia sua praedicta per mortem Colmani nuper Abbatis ejusdem loci, ipsum Christinum sibi elegerunt in Abbatem, et nobis supplicarunt, ut electioni ipsorum Regium adhibere dignaremur assensum. Verum licet dicti Supprior et Conventus minus prudenter, non prius petita vel optenta a nobis licencia eligendi, ad electionem hujusmodi in nostri praejudicium processerunt, eis tamen ob eorum exilitatem misericorditer compatientes offensam praedictam eisdem remisimus ad praesens: et ut eorum parcatur laboribus et expensis, ipsos ad vos remittimus, licenciam a nobis hujusmodi petituros. Vobis mandantes, quod praedictis Suppriori et Conventui licenciam eligendi sibi Abbatem cum a vobis petita fuerit, Regio nomine concedatis, et Electo ipsorum si idoneus fuerit, assensum Regium praebentes, eidem Temporalia dictae Abbaciae prout moris est, et ad nos pertinet vice nostra restituatis. Nolumus autem quod gratia ista eis liberaliter facta trahatur in consuetudinem vel consequenciam temporibus futuris. Dat. per manum, &c. apud Sanctum Martinum magnum London. 17. die Maii.
What Prebendaries he conferred in Ireland this year by his Prerogative, belonging to vacant Bishoprics, these Records relate.
REX concessit Henr. de Wodestok Clerico suo Praebendam illam cum pertinent. quam Magister Rogerus le Dru nuper defunctus habuit in Ecclesia Dublinensi vacantem per mortem praedicti Rogeri, & ad donationem Regis spectantem, ration Archiepiscopatus Dubliniae vacantis, et in manu Regis existentis. Dat. per manum, &c. apud Westm. 7. die Julii. Per R. Burnell.
REX concessit Anton. Bek praebendam illam cum pertin. quam Michael de Roymull nuper defunctus habuit in Ecclesia Dubliniae, vacantem per mortem praedicti Michaelis, & ad donacionem Regis spectantem, ration Archiepiscopatus Dubliniae vacantis, &c. ut supra. Dat. &c. ut supra.
A new Archbishop of Dublin being elected this year, who resided with the Queen of Scots in Scotland, the King at her special request granted him this Privilege, to make Attorneys to appear for him in all his Courts, and to exempt him from all Amercements, for not appearing personally in them.
REX ad instantiam sororis suae Reginae Scotiae, concessit R. Dublin. Episcopo in Scotia commorantem, quod Magist. Robertus de Robery, quem idem Episcopus cocoram Rege loco suo constituit, nomine ipsius Episcopy, possit Attornatos facere ad lucrandum vel perdendum in Loquelis motis vel movendis in Curia R. coram quibuscunque Justic. & Baronibus de Scaccario; & in Comitatibus, Hundredis, & aliis Curiis Regis, pro ipso vel contra ipsum, usque ad finem septem annorum. Et quod idem Episcopus per tempus praedictum quietus sit de omnimodis communibus summonitionibus Iusticiariorum Regis Itinerantium, tam ad Placita Forestae, quam ad alia Placita, in quibuscunque Com. ipse Episcopus terras habuerit vel tenementa. Ita quod ipse occasion absentiae suae non amercietur, nec in aliquo sit perdens pro communibus summonitionibus praedictis. Teste Rege apud Wyndesore, 27. die Augusti.
The Archbishop of Cassal in Ireland being sued, prosecuted, and distrained by the Barons of the Kings Exchequer there, for Debts due by him to the King; He thereupon procured these two Writs to the Treasurer, Barons, and Chief Justice in Ireland, to suspend all further process and proceedings against him for a time, and till the King himself should return into England, where he would take further orders therein.
REX dilectis & fidelibus suis Thesaurario, vel ejus locum tenenti, & Baronibus suis de Dublin. salutem. Mandamus vobis, quod omnes Exactiones, Demandas, et Districtiones, quas facitis venerabili patri Cassalensi Archiepiscopo pro Debitis nostris, ponatis in respectum usque ad Quindenam Sancti Michaelis proximo venturam. Datum, &c. apud Westm. 9 die Julii.
REX dilecto & fideli suo Galfrido de Geymuil. Justiciario suo Hiberniae, salutem; Mandamus vobis, quod omnimodas Exactiones, Demandas et Districtiones, quas fieri facitis venerabili Cassalen. Archiepiscopo, ponatis in respectum usque adventum nostrum in Angl. ut tunc inde provideatur, quod rationabiliter fuerit inde faciendum; nullam molestiam sibi vel Ecclesiae suae interim inferendo. Dat. &c. 13 die Julii. Per D. Burnell.
I found in the White Tower this Original Bull of Pope Gregory 10. to K. Edw. 1. imploring his royal favor to, and protection of the Lands, goods and person of this Archbishop of Cassal, against suites and oppressions, who had taken up the Cross for the Holy Land (purposely to secure himself from his Debts and Creditors) whom this Pope had taken into his own and St. Peters protection upon that account.
GRegorius Episcopus, Servus servorum Dei; Charissimo in Christo filio E. Regi Angliae illustri, salutem, & Apostolicam benedictionem. Honori Regio satis addicitur, si ob reverentiam summi Regis ( qui solus habens in regnis hominum potestatem, solus Regibus dat salutem) Ecclesiae ac earum Ministri terrenorum Regum ac Principum potentiae oportunis protegantur auxiliis et congrui favoris praesidio foveantur. Sane venerabilis frater noster Cassalen. Archiepiscopus, zelo sidei ac devotionis accensus, miserabili siatui terrae Sanctae compatiens, signo vivificae Crucis assumpto, ad ipsius terrae subsidium se accingit; propter quod ipsum quàm et Ecclesiam Cassalen. cum omnibus bonis suis quae impraesentiarum obtinet, sub beati Petri et nostra protectione suscepimus, apud te credimus promoveri, ut tam ipse quam eadem Ecclesia favorabilibus adjuti subsidiis, et Regalis gratiae subnixi favoribus, abstrahantur ab oppressionibus malevolorum quorumlibet, et ad votiborum prosperitatem successuum dirigantur. Confidenter igitur Celsitud. tuam requirendam duximus & effectuose rogandam, quatinus eisdem Archiepiscopo & Ecclesiae pro divina nostra reverentia, sic te reddas affectu benevolum & opere gratiosum, ut idem Archiepiscopus tuo fretus auxilio, tuoque favore suffultus, libere possit perficere Votum suum, et ipsa Ecclesia nullam incurrat exinde in suis Iuribus lesionem, sed oblatis potius proficiat incrementis. Et tu per haec & alia quae in terris gesseris aeternae vitae gaudia merearis. Dat. Lugduni 4. Non. Octobris Pontificatus nostri anno tertio.
In a Fragment of Plea Rolls, or Placita de An. 2 E. 1. Rot. 19. (in the Tower of London) I find these Attachments for contempts on Prohibitions for suits in Court Christian for Goods and Debts that concerned not Testament or Marriage.
Ricardus Prior de Bismade attachiatus fuit ad respondend. Johanni de Gisors, &c. de placito, quare tenuit placitum in Curia Christianitatis de Catallis et Debitis quae non sunt de Testamento vel Matrimonio, contra prohibitionem, &c. Et unde praedictus Johannes Magister Hospitalis Sancti Johanis Jerusalem in Anglia traxit eos in placitum in Curia Christianitatis de Bismade in Ecclesia Conventuali de Bismade, &c. quae non sunt de Testamento vel Matrimonio. Et cum idem Johannes & Stephanus die Veneris in dicta Ecclesia Conventuali detulisset praedicto Priori de Bismade Prohibitionem, &c. praedictus Prior de Bismade spreta Regia prohibitione, fecit eum primo suspendi ab ingressu Ecclesiae, et postea excommunicari, ad dampnum ipsius ad valenciam quadraginta librarum. Et inde producunt sectam. Et Prior venit, & defendit vim & injuriam, &c. quod non tenuit placitum contra praedictam prohibitionem: & hoc paratus est verificare prout Curia consideraverit. Ideo consideratum est quod vadiet ei legem se 12. manu, &c.—a die Sancti Michaelis in 15. dies. Plegii de lege Johannes de Gros, &c. Postea ad diem illum praedicti Johannes de Gisors & Stephanus versus praedictum Priorem veniunt, & ipse non venit. Et ideo consideratum est, quod praedictus Johannes, &c. recuperent dampna sua quadraginta librarum, & Prior in misericordia. Postea venit praedictus Prior in propria persona sua. Inde nichil inde, &c. Et misericordia pardonatur ad inslanciam, &c.
Abbas de Bello loco per Attornatum suum optulit se, &c. quare secutus est placitum in Curia Christianitatis, de catallis et debitis quae non sunt de Testamento vel Matrimonio, &c. Etipse non venit, & praeceptum fuit Vicecomiti quod attachiaret, &c.
Johannes Pye, & Johannes de Brommesheye per Attornatum suum optulit se 4. die versus Magistrum R—. Magistrum Nicholaum de Sutton, & Rogerum Alard, de placito, quare praedicti Rogerus & Nicholaus tenuerunt placitum in Curia Christianitatis, de catailis et debitis quae non sunt de Testamento vel Matrimonio, contra prohibitionem, &c.
Nicholaus filius Simonis de Benington per, &c. optulit se, &c. versus—fil. Simonis de Benington, &c. de placito quare secuti sunt plac'. &c. de catallis et debitis quae non sunt de Testamento vel Matrimonio, contra prohibitionem, &c. Ideo sicut priùs praeceptum est Vicecomiti, quod attachiet eos quod • int, &c.
By these several Attachments and Suits upon Prohibitions we may discern; 1. The Prelates, Clergies, and Ecclesiastical Courts continual, restless Encroachments and Usurpations upon the Kings temporal Jurisdiction, Courts, Rights, Privileges, Crown, Dignity, and Subjects liberties in the beginning of the reign of King Edward the 1. as well as during the reign of King Henry 3. notwithstanding all former Prohibitions, Attachments, Suits, Complaints and Judgments against them in such cases. 2ly. This Kings and his Judges constant care to obviate, prohibit, suppress, punish these their bold usurpations and encroachments, by Prohibitions and Attachments against the Prosecutors of such Suits, and the Ecclesiastical Judges who held and encouraged them. 3ly. That their Courts and Jurisdiction Ecclesiastical, were then confined only to Chattels and Debts which concerned Matrimony and Testaments, (not to other Chattels, Debts, Advowsons or Freeholds;) which Jurisdiction they enjoyed, not by any Original Archiepiscopal, Episcopal, or Ecclesiastical right inherent in themselves, or derived to them from Christ or his Apostles, (as Popes, Popish Prelates, Canonists, and others most erroneously assert;) but by the mere grant, grace, favor, or connivance of our Kings, and other Christian Emperors, Princes in foreign parts, and that only in their Right, Steeds, Names, as their Deputies, Delegates, and Substitutes.
This is most perspicuously evident; First, by our Savior Christ's own resolution and answer in a case of the same nature, thus recorded to posterity by St. Luke the Evangelist, Lu. 12. 13, 14. Andone of the Company said unto him, Master, Speak to my Brother, that he divide the Inheritance with me: And he said unto him, Man, Who made me a Judge or divider over you? By the 12. Apostles and whole Churches determination, Acts 6. 2, 3, 4. Then the 12. (Apostles) called the multitude of the Disciples unto them and said, It is not reason that we should leave the Word of God and serve Tables; Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you 7. men of good report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, Whom we may appoint for this business; But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the Ministry of the word: And the saying pleased the whole multitude. By St. Paul's positive resolution, 2 Tim. 2. 4. No man that warreth (a spiritual warfare) entangleth himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier; compared with 2 Tim. 4. 1, 2, 4, 5. Acts 13. 2. Rom. 1. 1. Mat. 28. 19, 20. Acts 20. 28. to 36. 1 Pet. 5. 1. to 5. 1 Cor. 6. 4, 5. & most Expositors on these Texts.
2ly. By St. Bernard's Resolution from the precedent Texts, who wr • t thus to Pope Eugenius, his Scholar; Putàsne haec tempora sustinuerint, si hominibus litigantibus pro terrena hareditate & flagitantibus abs te judicium, voice Domini tui responderis; O homines, Quis me constituit Judicem super vos? In quale tu Judicium mox ven • ris? &c. Et tamen non monstrabunt puto, qui hoc dicent, ubi aliquando quisquam Apostolorum Iudex sederit hominum, aut divisor terminorum, aut distributor terrarum. Stetisse denique lego Apostolos judicandos, sedisse judicantes non lego. Erit illud, non fuit. Itane imminutor dignitatis servus, si non vult esse major Domino suo? aut discipulus, si non vult esse major eo, qui se misit? a • t filius, si non transgreditur terminos quos posuerunt patres sui? Quis me constituit Judicem? ita te Dominus & Magister: & erit injuria servo discipuloque, nisi judicet universos? Quidni contemnant judicare de terrenis possessiuncul • s hominum, qui in coelestibus et Angelos judicabunt? Ergo in criminibus, non in possessionibus potestas vestra: quoni • m p •• pter illa, et non propter has accepistis claves regni Coelorum, Praevaricatores 〈◊〉 exclusuri, non Possessores. Quaenam tibi major videtur & dignit as & potestas, dimittendi peccata, an praedia dividendi? Sed non est comparatio. Habent haec infima et terrena Iudices suos, Reges et Principes terrae. Quid fines alienos invaditis? Quid falcem vestram in alienam messem extenditis? Non quia indigni vos, sed quia indignum vobis talibus inststere, quippe potioribus occupatis. The very same is likewise asserted by most ancient and modern Commentators and Expositors on St. Luke, ch. 12. v. 13, 14. Yea by Johannes Ferus in his Commentary on St. Matthews Gospel, lib. 3. cap. 16. on these words of Christ to Peter, Tibi dabo claves regni coelorum; who from thence, and St. Bernard's premised passages concludes, That neither St. Peter, nor the Pope himself hath any Temporal Monarchy, Judicature, or Jurisdiction, in or over any Temporal possessions or affairs, to divide, distribute any Temporal estates, goods or chattels, by any Divine or Ecclesiastical right: Therefore no other Apostle, Bishop, or Ecclesiastical person whatsoever can pretend thereto.
3ly. It is undeniable; That the Jurisdiction, Probate, Conusance, Judicature of all Wills, Testaments concerning Lands or Goods, together with the disposition and administration of all Intestate’s Goods, Chattels, Debts, & all causes concerning them, or Matrimony, anciently belonged to Emperors, Kings, Princes Temporal Courts, Jurisdictions, & Judges alone, (not to Bishops) who made many Laws, Constitutions, Rescripts, Judgments and Resolutions concerning them, collected and recorded by the Emperor Justinian, Codicis lib. 1. Tit. 7. De Episcopali audientia, lib. 3. Tit. 28. De inofficioso Testamento, Tit. 29. De inofficiosis Donationibus, lib. 6. Tit. 21. De Testamento Militis. Tit. 22. Qui Testamenta facere possunt vel non possunt. Tit. 23. De Testamentis, & quemadmodum Testamenta ordinentur. Tit. 24. De haeredibus instituendis, Tit. 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33. & Tit. 34. Si quis aliquem testari prohibuerit vel coegerit. Ti • . 36. De Codicillis. Tit. 37. De Legatis. Tit. 39. Si omissae sit causa Testamenti. Tit. 41. De his quae poenae nomine in Testamentis vel Codicillis scribuntur: Tit. 42, 43. De fidei commissis, & Legatis. & Tit. 44. to 61. Lib. 5. Tit. 1. De Sponsalibus & Arris sponsaliciis. Tit. 3. De Donationibus ante Nuptias, vel propter Nuptias, & Sponsalitiis. Tit. 4. De Nuptiis. Tit. 5. De Incestis & inutilibus Nuptiis. Tit. 6. De Interdicto Matrimonio inter pupillam & turorem, seu curatorem, filiisque eorum, & Tit. 7. to 40. By several Imperial Laws, Edicts and Judgments to the same purpose in Codice Theodosii. In Legis Wisigothor. l. 3. Tit. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. lib. 4. Tit. 2. & 5. lib. 5. Tit. 2. lib. 7. Tit. 5. Lex 4, 5. Edictum Theodorici Regis, cap. 20. to 40. & 72. Leges Burgundiorum, Tit. 43. 60. Leges Longobardorum 1. Tit. 14. Lex 13. Lib. 2. Tit. 18. Leges Neapol. lib. 3. Tit. 40. Leges Anglorum, Tit. 13. Capitularia Caroli Magni & Lndovici, Lib. 7. Tit. 246, 247. registered in Frid. Lindebrogus his Codex Legum Antiquarum, where you may peruse them: And by Sir John Davis his Irish Reports, fol. 52. where it is resolved, That all Causes, as well of Matrimony as of Testament, were Civil Causes, and appertained to the Jurisdiction of the Civil Magistrate, as is well known to all Civilians, until Christian Emperors and Kings, to do honor to Prelates and Clergy-men, granted or allowed them cognizance or Jurisdiction of such causes, cum non fuit sic ab initio.
4ly. That Bishops, Ordinaries, Ecclesiastical persons, Courts, both in foreign parts and our own Realm, obtained the Conusance, Jurisdiction of all Testamentary Chattels, Debts, Cases, and Probates of Testaments, and also of Matrimony, by the grant of Princes, and consent of our Kings and Nobles in Parliament, or else by Custom, connivance, or gradual insensible usurpations on the rights and prerogatives of the Crown, is evident not only by the last recited Laws, Authorities, but confessed by Othobon the Popes Legate, by Boniface, and John Stratford Archbps of Canterbury in their Constitutions, and by Will. Lyndewode himself, our greatest Canonist, in his Gloss on Archbishop Stratford his Constitutions, De Testaments: where he propounds and resolves this question; Sed possit queri, unde provenit haec libertas (Ecclestae) quoad casum nostrum (de Testamentis?) Videtur namque quoad primùm, quod Ecclesia non haberet se intremittere de tali approbatione Testamentorum, sed potius pertineret ad Iudices Laicos, ut in L. consulta divalia, &c. Dic, quod haec libertas quoad approbationem hujusmodi (Testamentorum) fundatur super consensit Regio et suorum Procerum in talibus ab antiquo concesso. Item, super consuetudine in ea parte de scientia Regum Angliae diutius conservata.
5ly. Sir Edward Cook and our other Judges resolved in Hensloes Case Trin. 42 Eliz. and before that, in the Year-Books of 2 R. 2. Fitz. Testament 4. 11 H. 7. f. 12. b. Brooke Administrator 50. & Testament 27. That the Probate and Conusance of Wills and Testaments did not anciently, but of late times belong to the Spiritual Courts within this Realm, and that not by the Spiritual Law, but by the consent of the King and Nobles; the Temporal Lord's in all other Countries except England, and the Lord's of Manors in many places of England, having till this day the probate of Wills by Custom and Prescription. In what particular year, or by what Kings particular grant our English Bishops, Ordinaries, and Spiritual Courts first obtained this new Jurisdiction of proving, disapproving, and holding Plea of men's Wills, Testaments, and matters contained in or relating to them, I cannot positively determine, but I conjecture they began after the reign of King William the Conqueror, and his Sons, in the reign of King Henry the 2. That which induceth me hereunto, is this passage in Ranulphus de Glanvilla, Tractatus de Legibus & Consuetudinibus Regni Angliae, lib. 7. where after he had treated of the manner of making Testaments, c. 5. & 6. Debet autem Testamentum fieri coram duobus vel pluribus viris legitimis Clericis, vel Laicis; & talibus qui testes inde fieri possunt idonei, &c. (which this King H. 2. likewise settled for a Law in Ireland, in the Council of Cassal, An. 1172. c. 6.) He thus begins his 8. Chapter. Si quis autem authoritate hujus brevis conventus aliquid dixerit contra Testamentum, scilicet, quod non fuit rationabiliter factum, vel, quod res petita non fuerit ita ut dicitur legata, tunc quidem placitum illud in Curia Christianitatis audiri debet et terminari: Quia placita de Testamento coram Iudice Ecclestastico fieri debent, et per illorum qui Testamento interfuerunt testimonia, secundum juris ordinem terminari. Which being the first authority I meet with concerning the Jurisdiction of Ecclesiastical Courts in cases of Testaments, and questions arising on them; whereof I find no mention in any of our ancient Saxon, Danish, Norman Kings Laws or Constitutions, nor in the Laws or Charters of King Henry the 1. or King Stephen, I thereupon conjecture, that King Henry the 2. by some Charter or Condescention first granted them this Jurisdiction; And that upon this account, because most men's Wills and Testaments in that age were written and attested by Priests and Clergymen, when they came to visit them in their sick beds, (few others being then able to read or write) and all Clergymen being prohibited by the Canons and Constitutions of Pope Honorins, Engenins the 2. and Alexander the 3. in the Council of Lateran under him, Anno 1180, before Glanvil writ his Book, or was made chief Justice, (viz. Anno 1181, or 1194. as others compute) to take any Oath, or give Testimony upon Oath before any Secular Judges or Court in any Criminal or Civil Cause, without the Popes or their Bishops special license; thereupon they obtained this Jurisdiction of Probate of Wills, and all causes, goods concerning them, from King Henry 2. at or about the time he purged himself from the murder of Thomas Becket, and quitted much of his ancient Sovereign Regal Jurisdiction to the Pope and English Prelates, to purchase his peace from their vexations and Censures.
6ly. This point was likewise thus unanimously resolved by our Judges in Ireland, in Sir J. Davis his Irish Reports, The Case of Trial of Legitimacy and Bastardy, f. 51, 52. Our Kings of England though they (of later times) granted or permitted their Bishops & Ecclesiastical Courts to have Conusance & Jurisdiction of Causes of Matrimony and Testament; yet they always had and reserved a Superintendency and Jurisdiction to direct and regulate their proceedings therein by the rules of the Common Law, and to restrain and corrrect their proceedings if extravagant or illegal, by their Writs and Prohibitions directed to Bishops and Ordinaries, and by Attachments and Consultations, extant in all ages in our Records and Law-books.
In the Book styled Regia Majestas, or the Statues of Scotland, collected by John Skene, printed at Edingburgh. An. 1609. dedicated to King James, Book 1. ch. 2. Canses pertaining to the Kirk, Sect. 1. & 6. there is this clause, The Pley of Douries and Testaments pertains to the Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction. And l. 6. c. 36. Of Testaments; & ch. 37, 38, 39. Of the Division of any gudes on ane Testaments, of Witnesses and Executors, Payment of Debts approved by the Testator, I find sundry Laws concerning Testaments, which he in his Margin, and Sir Henry Spelman in his Councils, Tom 2. p. 37. attribute to Malcolme the 2. King of Scotland in the year of our Lord 1130. in the reign of our King Henry the 1. But these pretended Laws are transcribed verbatim out of Glanvil and Magna Charta, by Mr. Skene, who quotes Glanvil in his Margin; and so is his Law of Intestate’s goods, which he attributes to William King of Scots, Anno Dom. 1165. ch. 22. as his quotation of Glanvil to it clearly manifests; the Scots Kings deriving sundry of their Laws from our English Kings as their Supreme Lord's, to whom they did homage and swore fealty, not our English Kings from them. This Jurisdiction in the probates and cases of Testaments and last Wills derived from our Kings, our Ecclesiastical Courts, Judges, have for the most part enjoyed ever since King Henry the 2. his reign, but not before, for ought appears.
But though they then obtained this Jurisdiction in cases of Matrimony, Testaments, Wills, Legacies, Testators Debts and Chattels, yet neither before, then, nor for many years after, did they receive or enjoy any legal Jurisdiction over the Chattels, Goods, or Debts of persons dying intestate, especially Laymens.
The first Law extant which seems to ordain ought concerning Intestate’s Goods, is this, in the last Classis of our King Edmunds Laws, An. Dom. 944. De Sponsalibus contrahendis, c. 4. Si quis virginem vel viduam ducere velit, & hoc illi placeat & amicis suis, &c. Postea dicat Sponsus, quae bonorum parte uxorem donat, praeter hanc quam ex ejus beneplacito ipsa prius coaptaverat: Et quid ei destinet si supervixerit ipsum. Si sic quoque eveniat, tunc justum est, ut ipsa habeat dimidiam partem omnium bonorum, et si prolem inter se susceperint, integritatem ipsam donec transeat ad secundas nuptias; whether he made a Will or died intestate, as some expound it. But this Constitution seems to be only by virtue of the husbands praecontract at the espousals, to which this recited Law relates, and not by this or any precedent Law or Custom of the Realm touching Intestate’s goods, of which I can find no mention or footsteps in any of our old Saxon Kings Laws or Constitutions.
The first Express Law now extant made in this our Realm concerning Intestate’s Goods, is that of King Edward the Confessor, (which Sir a Henry Spelman conceives not to be first made and introduced by him, sed Antecessorum suorum legibus (praesertim Regis Canuti, ut animadvertit Malmesburius) ductae plerun{que} styled, Leges S. Edwardi Regis, quas in Anglia tenuit, idest, observavit, non quas tulit, hoc est, instituit) viz. cap. 5. De intestatorum bonis, (promulgated about the year of Christ 1056.) Siquis Intestatus obierit, liberi ejus Haereditatem (to wit, his Goods and Chattels) aequaliter dividant; yet with a salvo of the Wives portion, as some conjecture. This Law was afterwards inserted verbatim into the Laws of King William the Conqueror, Lex 36. published by Mr. Selden out of the Copy of Abbot Ingulphus, and into the Charter of King Henry the 1. Upon which Law (thus ratified both by the Confessor and Conqueror) the ancient Writs De rationabili parte bonorum, extan • in Glanvill, Bracton, Fleta, the Register of Writs, and other Lawbooks (in common use in the Reigns of King Henry the 2. and his successors) were originally grounded. From whence it is most irrefragably evident, that both before and during the Reigns of King Edward the Confessor, William the Conqueror, William Rufus, (and likewise of King Henry 1. and 2. Richard the 1. King John, and Henry the 3d. as I have elsewhere proved) the Bishops, Ordinaries, and Ecclesiastical Judges of this Realm had no legal power at all to distribute or dispose of the Goods, Chattels or Debts of those who died Intestate, but only their Children, and Kinred; or the King, or Lord's of whom they held their lands.
This Law of the Confessor and Conqueror was grounded on, and transcribed out of the Law of the twelve Tables, the Laws of the Roman Emperors Severus, Antoninus, Dioclesian, Maximinianus, Valentinianus, Theodosius, Justinianus, and others made and used among the Romans, recorded by Justinian, Codicis lib. 6. Tit. 54. De legitimis liberis, & ex filia nepotibus ab Intestato venientibus; Tit. 57. de legitimis Haredibus; Tit. 59. De bonis maternis & materni generis; which enacted, that the Goods and Estates of persons dying intestate should be equally shared, and divided between their Children, Nephews, and those of the same Stock. But if they died intestate without Children or lawful Heirs; that then they should usually accrue to the public Treasury; • unless in cases of Mariners, Soldiers, Military Officers, Courtiers, and some sort of Artificers; whose Goods and Estates by the Laws of the Emperors Constantine, Theodosius, and Valentinian, (made out of special favor to them) were to remain to, and be distributed if they died Intestate without Children or heirs, among their fellow Soldiers, Officers, Courtiers, Artificers, for their better encouragement.
The like Laws I meet with among the ancient Laws of the Wisigoths, made by King Euricus about the year 504. Si pater vel mater Intestatus discesserint, tunc sorores cum fratribus in omni parentum facultate absque alio abjectu, aequali division succedant.
In haereditate illius qui moritur, si intestatus discesserit, filii primi sunt. Si filii desunt, nepotibus debetur haereditas. Si nec nepotes fuerint, pronepotes ad haereditatem vocentur. Si vero qui moritur, nec filios nec nepotes, seu patrem vel matrem relinquit, tunc avus aut avia haereditatem sibi vindicabit.
Quando supradictae personae desunt, quae aut de superiori aut inferiori genere discreto ordine veniunt, tunc illae personae quae sunt à latere constitutae requirantur, ut haereditatem accipiant defuncti, qui intestatus discesserit. Nam illae personae quae sunt à longioribus constitutae, nihil se existiment illis prioribus posse repetere.
De successoribus eorum qui sic moriuntur, ut nec donationem, nec ullum faciant testamentum, nec praesentibus testibus suam ordinant voluntatem, qui gradu illis proximi fuerint, eorum obtinebunt haereditatem.
Qui fratres tantummodo & Sorores relinquit, in ejus haereditate fratres & sorores aequaliter succedant; Si tamen unius patris & matris filii esse videantur. Nam si de alio patre vel de alia matre alii esse noscuntur, unusquisque fratris sui aut sororis, qui ex uno patre aut ex una matre sunt geniti, sequantur haereditatem. Filii tamen qui ex diversis patribus & una matre sunt geniti ad accipiendam maternam facultatem aequali succession deveniant. Similiter quoque hii, qui de diversis matribus sed uno patre oriuntur, divisionis ordinem teneant.
Agreeing with these Laws I find the Edict of Theodoricus King of Italy, cap. 22. 24. Si quis intestatus mortuus fuerit, is ad ejus successionem veniat qui inter agnatos atque cognatos gradu vel titulo proximus invenitur, Salvo jure liberorum ac nepotum. Fiscus tunc agat, quando nec parentum, nec filiorum, nec nepotum, nec agnatorum, nec cognatorum, nec uxoris & mariti, quae succedat extare comperitur persona, secundum veterum constituta.
Since then these ancient Laws not only of the Pagan, but Christian Roman Emperors & Kings of the Wisigoths and Italians, out of which the Confessors and our other Laws concerning Intestate’s Goods and Estates were derived or transcribed, did thus expressly distribute them to their Children and Kinred, or for want of such to the public Exchequer, or other persons, and not leave them to the arbitrary distributions or administrations of their Bishops, or other Ecclesiastical Persons or Courts; no doubt our ancient Kings and Laws, (from King Edward the Confessor, even to King Edward the 1. after the Conquest) did the like, especially in the cases of Laymen. And although the aforesaid Laws of the Wisigoths, lib. 4. tit. 2. Lex 12. enacted in the case of intestate Clergy-men, Monks and Nuns; Cleric • , vel Monachi, sive Sanctimoniales, qui usque ad septimum gradum non reliquerint haeredes, & sic moriuntur, ut nihil de facultatibus suis ordinent, Ecclesia sibi cui deservirent, (not the Bishop or Ordinary) eorum substantiam vindicabit; Wherewith this Edict of Theodoricus King of Italy accords; Clericos religiosas{que} personas intestatas deficientes, quotiens defuerit qui jure succedat, locum Ecclesiae suae secundum leges facere debere praecipimus; yet neither of them gives the least power to Bishops or Ordinaries to distribute any of them to pious, or retain them to their own uses. By what Law of our Realm, or lawful Jurisdiction, any of our Bishops, Ordinaries, or their Officers can then either claim or exercise authority to distribute any intestate Temporal or Ecclesiastical persons goods to pious or other uses in this age, I cannot discern.
Mat. Westminster and others story of Pope Gregory the 10. Hic in creationis suae principio (usurping the Emperors Sovereign authority of summoning General Councils, to advance his Papal authority) mandavit literas generales per singulas Nationes de Concilio congregando Ralendas Maii sub Anno gratiae 1272. Unde dictum fuit de illo, Gregorius denus, colligit. omne genus.
What Archbishops, Bishops, Abbots, with other Religious persons, and Clergymen, repaired to this Council, by the Kings special license, who constituted Attorneys and Proxies for them in the Kings Courts, to sue and be sued during their absence; these Records will in part inform us.
W. Eboracensis Archiepiscopus, qui de licentia Regis profecturus est ad partes transmarinas, debit potestatem Nicholao de Stapleton, & Johanni de Bennigwrth. faciendi Attornatos loco ipsius Archiepiscopi, in omnibus Placitis, & Querelis, pro ipso, vel contra ipsum, motis vel movendis, in quibuscunque Curiis: Et quod ipsi Nicholaus & Johannes vel alter ipsorum, qui praesens fuerit, hujusmodi Attornatos amovere, & alios vel alium Attornatos vel Attornatum loco ipsorum substituere possint, usque ad festum Sancti Michaelis proximo futurum: nisi interim, &c.
Gilbertus Prior de Merton, qui de licentia Regis profecturus est ad partes transmarinas, dedit potestatem fratribus Johanni de Eylesbur. & Henrico de Templo Con canonicis suis, faciendi Attornatos in omnibus Placitis & Querelis, pro ipso, vel contra ipsum, motis vel movendis, in quibuscunque Curiis; Et quod ipsi Attornatos illos amovere, & alios vel alium Attornatum vel Atornatos loco eorum substiruere possint in praemissis, quotiens viderint expedire, usque ad festum Sancti Johannes Baptistae prox. futur.
Robertus Abbas Colecestriae consimilem dedit potestatem Godefrido de Meulinges, & Ricardo de Baynguard.
Frater Guido Magister Milit. Templi in Anglia, consimilem dedit potestatem fratribus Tho. de Fenne, & Willo. de Medeburn.
Abbas de Hyda Winton. consimilem dedit potestatem Roberto de Laverkstok & Johanni de Wensyngton.
Abbas de Sancto Albano, consimilem dedit potestatem fratribus Martino de Sancto Edmundo, & Ad. Polay • Commonachis suis.
Abbas de Waltham consimilem dedit potestatem Fratri Johanni de Maidenheth, & Ad. le Grant, ipsos etiam in loco ponens suo.
Abbas de Bello loco Regis, qui de licentia fidelium Regis locum suum in Anglia tenentium profecturus est ad partes transmarinas, dedit potestatem Fratribus Willielmo de Corn • bia, & Willielmo de Evesham Monachis Domus suae, faciendi Attornatos loco ipsius Abbatis, in omnibus Placitis, & Querelis, pro ipso, vel contra ipsum, motis vel movendis, in quibuscunque Curiis; & Attornatos illos amovendi, & alios vel alium Attornatos vel Attornatum loco ipsorum constituendi in praemissis, quotiens opus fuerit & viderit expedire, usque ad festum Omnium Sanctorum proximo futurum. Dat. &c. 20 die Martii.
Consimilem potestatem dedit Abbas beatae Mariae Eborum Fratri Willielmo de Barton Monacho Domus suae, & Thomae de Langetoft.
Abbas Westm. consimilem dedit potentiam Fratri Henrico de London. Monacho & fratri Alex. de Westm.
Consimilem potestatem dedit Magister Walterus Scamell. Thess. Sarum, Simony Malesars.
Consimilem potestatem dedit Magister Thomas de Cantilopo Magistro Gilberto de Heywode, & Willielmo Faukeburn.
Consimilem potestatem tradidit Magister Ricardus de M • pham Decanus Linc. Roberto de Gravesende.
Frater Hugo Sancti B • r • holomaei London▪ consimilem dedit potestatem fratribus Alex. de Staundon, & Adae de Eyton.
Abbas de Oseneye, qui de licentia Regis profecturus est ad Concilium Lugdunense, dedit potestatem fratri Alexand. de Kanuto, & Roberto Sprete, faciendi Attornatos loco ipsius Abbatis in omnibus Placitis, & Querelis. motis vel movendis, pro ipso, vel contra ipsum, in quibuscunque Curiis; & Attornatos illos amovendi, & loco illorum alios substituendi, quociens opus fuerit. & ipsi ad opus praedicti Abbatis viderint expedire, usque ad festum Sancti Petri ad vincula; nisi idem Abbas interim redierit in Angliam.
Abbas de Seleby consimilem dedit potestatem Fratri Alexandro de Eborum Commonacho suo.
Consimilem potestatem dederunt, Abbas Salop, Abbas Sancti Petri G • ouc. Abbas de Croyland, Abbas de Evesham, Abbas de Malmesbur. Prior de Staynes, Abbas de Abindon, Episcopus Coventr. & Lich. Magister Ricardus de Mepham Decanus Linc. Magister Radulfus de Fremingham, Magister Petrus de Abendon, Magister Domus Scolarium, Prior de Spaldinsi, profecturi ex Anglia.
Besides these, King Edward the 1. himself sent 4. special Proctors to this General Council, to propound, assent or dissent unto in his name and behalf, what ever they or either of them should deem fit and expedient, (a clear Evidence, that he and his Proxies had an affirmative and negative voice in General Councils) as this Patent of Procuration assures us.
SAnctissimo in Christo Patri Domino Gregorio, divinâ providentiâ Sacrosanctae Romanae Ecclesiae Summo Pontifici, suus devotus in Christo filius Edwardus, Dei gratiâ Rex Angliae, Dominus Hiberniae, & Dux Aquitaniae, cum omni reberentia obedientia et honor pedum oscula beatorum. Vestra noverit Reverenda Paternitas, quod Nos in isio sacro Concilio Generali per vos convocato, nobiles viros et sideles nostros, Johannem filium Johannes, Johannem de Vallibus, Johannem Wyger, et Magistrum Radulphum de Merlawe, Prccuratores nostros conjunctim et divistm facimus, constituimus et ordinamus; Dantes eisdem, et unicuique insorum potestatem et speciale mandatum, proponendi in eodem Concilio nomine nostro, quae viderint vel viderit proponenda, et impetranda quae viderint vel viderit impetranda, necnon et contradicendi quae viderint vel viderit contradicenda. In quorum testimonium praesentibus literis Sigillum nostrum quo utimur in Anglia praesentibus est appensum. Dat. Lond. die Martis proxima post Dominicam in Ramis Palmarum, Anno Domini M. CC. septuagesimo quarto.
Matthew Westminster renders us this Account of the Proceedings in this Council, and of the Greek Emperors, Patriarchs, and Bishops acknowledgement of the Supremacy of the Pope and Church of Rome over all other Prelates and Churches, as an Article of their Faith, Creed, which they never before assented to.
Anno Gratiae 1274. Kalend. Maii, sub Papa Gregorio decimo, apud Lugdunum fuit Concilium maximum celebratum, quod à Kalend. praedictis, usque ad 16 Kalendas Augusti duravit. In hoc Concilio Dominus Papa Eadwardum commendavit omnibus, dicens, Terram Sanctam fuisse deperditam, nisi venisset citius ad eandem. In hoc Concilio Papa statuit, quod subsequentes septem annos de cunctis convenientibus Ecclesiasticis in subsidium Terrae Sanctae Decimae solverentur. In hoc etiam Concilio de conversione Graecorum, post schisma, laetitia magna fuit. Qui Graeci literas auro bullatas cum literis Praelatorum de Greece attulerunt ad Concilium, quarum tenor sequitur.
SAnctissimo & beatissimo Patri & Summo Pontifici Apostolicae sedis universali Papae, et communi Principi Christianorum omnium, Uenerabili Patri Imperii nostri Domino Gregorio, Michael à Christo Deo fideliter Rex & Impe • ator, & Moderator Graecorum, Ducas, Angelus, Comnenus, Palaeologus, & spiritualis filius magnae sanctitatis vestrae, decentem honorem & reverentiam, cum sincera & pura affectione, & omni postulatione. Quoniam missi sunt à magna Sanctitate vestra ad Imperium meum nuncii, Deo placentes, Ordinis fratrum Minorum, Frater Hier • nimus de Osculo, Frater Reimundus Berengarii, Frater Bonagratia de Sancto Johanne in Perseceto, & Frater Bonaventura de Magello; & detulerunt literas magnae Sanctitatis • mperio meo. In quibus inter alia de confession fidei, qua docet & praedicat, & confitetur Sacrosancta Romana Ecclesia, continebatur, & oportebat de his magnis responsionem facere decenter: Ecce haec facit Imperium meum, habeat autem Confessio Fidei in litera sic; Credimus Sanctam Trinitatem, Patrem, & Filium, & Spiritum Sanctum, unum Deum Omnipotentem, tot am{que} in Trinitate Deitatem, ejusdem naturae, &c. (at large related in Matthew Westminster.) To which this new Article was subjoined, concerning the Supremacy of the Pope and Church of Rome. Ipsa quoque Sancta Romana Ecclesia summum et plenum Primatum super universalem Ecclesiam Catholicam obtinet, quod se ab ipso Domino in beato Petro, Apostolorum Principe sive virtice, cujus Romanus Pontifex est successor, cum potestatis plenitudine recipisse, veraciter et humiliter recognoscit. Et sicut prae caeteris tenetur fidei veritatem defendere, sic, et si quae de fide subortae suerint quaestiones suo debent judicio desiniri. Ad hanc quilibet gravatus, super negotiis ad Ecclesiasticum forum pertinentibus, potest appellare, et in omnibus causis ad examen Ecclestasticum spectantibus, ad ipsius potest judicium recurri, et eidem omnes Ecclesiae sunt subjectae. Ipsarum Praelati obedientiam et reverentiam sibi dant. Ad hanc autem sic potestatis plenitudo consistit, quod alias Ecclesias, et Patriarchales praecipue, diversis privilegiis eadem Ecclesia Romana honoravit, sua tamen observata praerogativa. Haec quidem in Generalibus Conciliis, haec autem in aliquibus aliis, semper salva subscripta fidei veritate, prout plene lecta est, et fideliter exposita, veram, sanctam, catholicam, et orthodoxam fidem esse recognoscimus, et eam acceptamus, etiam cord et ore prositemur, quia hanc veraciter tenet, docet, et praedicat Sancta Romana Ecclesia, inviolabiliter observatura eandem confessionem, et in ea omni tempore perseveraturos, n • c abea unquam ullo tempore recessuros quoquomodo, aut deviaturos, vel, discrepaturos, promittimus. Quem quidem Primatum ipsius cacrosanctae Romanae Ecclesiae, prout in praemissa serie continetur, ad ipsius Ecclesiae obedientiam spontaniam venientes, fatemur et recognoscimus, acceptamus et sponte suscipimus: praedicta siquidem profitentes, et attendants, et acceptantes, et prom • ttentes nos servaturos, prout dictum est; Rogamus magnam Sanctitatem vestram, ut Ecclesia nostra Graecorum dicat sanctuia Symbolum, • icut dicebat hoc ante schisma usque in hodiernum diem, ut permaneamus in ritibus nostris, quibus utebamur ante schisma; qui scilicet ritus non sunt contra supradictam fidem, nec contra divina praecepta, nec contra doctrinam novi & veteris Testamenti, nec contra Concilium universalium illorum Patrum approbatorum, à sanctis spirituali dominatione Sanctae Romanae Ecclesiae celebratis. Hoc igitur non grave est vestrae magnae Sanctitati, necinassuetum, & nobis nunc difficile propter infinitam multitudinem populi. Commisimus autem & praesentibus Nuntiis Imperii nostri, ut praenotata per praesentes literas Imperii nostri confiteantur, et attendant vice Imperii nostri coram magna Sanctitate vestra, Praesentes literas de nostra recognitione, acceptatione, et confession, propria manu Dei gratia Imperiali subscriptione signavimus, et Sigillum nostri Imperii inferius fecimus appendi.
To which Letter and Creed of this Greek Emperor, this Letter of the Greek Prelates is subjoined; wherein they relate, 1. The Emperors Ecclesiastical Supremacy over them, in summoning them all together, and conferring with them to reconcile the ancient differences in matters of Faith, and Supremacy, between the Greek and Roman Church. 2ly. His extraordinary diligence used therein till he had effected it. 3ly. His over-ruling those with force and penakies who were at first obstinate and refractory against it.
SAnctissimo, Reverendissimo & Beatissimo Papae, antiquo Romanorum Domino, Gregorio Magno Pontifici Excellentissimae Apostolicae sedis, et venerabilissimo Domino & Patri nostrae humanitatis, Nos qui Ecclesiasticam complemus ordinationem, vestrae Romanae Sanctissimae Ecclesiae salutem, et spiritualis subjectionis affectionem ubique. Metropolita Ephesius, praehonoratus Exarchus totius Asiae, cum ea, quae circa me est sancta Synodo. Metropolita Calcedoniae superhonoratus cum ea, quae circa me est, sancta Synodo. Episcopus Metropolitanus Concenii, cum his, qui circa me sunt Episcopis. Metropolitanus Naupacti superhonoratus, cum ea quae circa me est, sancta Synodo. Metropolitanus Aracheae Ponto superhonoratus, cum his qui circa me sunt Episcopis. Metropolitanus Conconii, cum his qui circa me sunt Episcopis. Metropolitanus Karias, cum ea, quae circa me est sancta Synodo. Metropolitanus Betheritas, superhonoratus, cum ea quae circa me est sancta Synodo. Metropolitanus Athenarum & locum Philipapolitis supplens, cum his qui circa me sunt Episcopis. Metropolitanus superhonoratus & Exarchas Insularum Kididadan, cum his qui circa me sunt Episcopis. Metropolitanus Philippensium, cum his qui circa me sunt Episcopis. Metropolitanus Sinnicae, cum his qui circa me sunt Episcopis. Metropolitanus Serrorum, cum ea, &c. Metropolitanus Anastidas, Metropolitanus Alaniae, Metropolitanus Priscae, Metropolitanus Meditarum, Metropolitanus Anidi, Metropolitanus Christianapoleos, Metropolitanus Silibriae, Metropolitanus Mestbrios, Metropolitanus Aprometus, Akincii, Metropolitanus Parii, Metropolitanus Dedimatici, Metropolitanus Anastasipoleos. Archiepiscopus Bisias, Archiepiscopus Bipsellorum, Archiepiscopus Gatelleris, Archiepiscopus Derkis, Archiepiscopus Praeconis, Archiepiscopus Lopodii, Archiepiscopus Pergami, Archiepiscopus Melemterbi, Archiepiscopus Besias. Ad hac autem cum nobis Pontificibus, & magna Synodo, & Archidiaconus honoratissimus Seversibilis, cum totali venerabili Clero, cum his autem & qui Clerum complent sanctissimae Ecclesiae magnae Dei, videlicet magnus Conconomus, Prothedicus, Logotheta, Contricius, Referendarius, qui super judicia, qui super secreta, qui super sacrum & dona Apostolica, qui praemiserius Patriarchalium notariorum, qui Princeps Ecclesiarum, qui super petitions, rememoratorii, qui hostiarii, qui patriarchales notarii, qui prothopapae, cum toto Presbyterio Archidiaconatus Ecclesiastici, cum omnibus Psalmistis & Lectoribus. No • solum nunc, sed prius beatissimae & sanctissimae vestrae Ecclesiae magnam faciebamus divisionem integritatis & Ecclesiarum Christi totaliter unitatem dilacerabamus. Quomodo qui unius pastoris sumus, non in unum & inter unum aggregamur ovile, nec unum replemus mandatum Christi? sed ea quae sunt discordiae eligimus, & bono pacis amisso, invenire non qu • rimus illud quod ex bono zelo nobis declarabatur? Nullus autem ▪ era • qui conjungeret omnes in unum, & sufflaret quasi ad unum flamen singulorum concordiam: quàm autem secundum Christi desiderium a Deo coronandus sanctus noster Imperator totus ad seipsum, intellectum attendens (ut oportebat) nunc in hac parte Dei praehonorabilibus aliquibus deputavit. Prius ipse in seipso laborabat, quo utique modo non declinaret nec ad remissionem, donec scissuram Ecclesiae ad unam interim compaginaret unitatem: deinde non deficiebat communicando nobis, (quod in voluntate habebat semper) et ostendendo qualiter habet suum propositum animae. Ut autem ad ipsam venerabiles nuncii vestrae Sanctitatis apostolicas literas & porrexerunt & praesentarunt, quam vestra beatitudo desiderantium accelerat conjunctionem, totus exurgit promptus, & praetermittit, quod alienum esset, & quasi in secunda consideratione omnis negotia sua reputat, proponens ea quae mandatorum vestrorum sunt, & suarum sollicitudinum & dispositionum. Convocat igitur ad seipsum nostrum universum pontificale collegium, et postmodum alios, quotquot maxim spiritualitati adhaerent, et circa studium ecclesiasticum exercitium habent unum, et quantus eorum quidem nocturnus et diurnus ejus labor in medio est. Qui instar, quasi totaliter pervigil, qui etiam et studiose exercuit, et quasi semper in suscepto opere fuit, donec ad unam et eandem multorum attraheret sententiam, longiore quidem & indigno sermon agitatam, si totum processum vestrae magnitudini praesentaremus. Quidam tamen nostrum statim convenerunt, & quae pacis fuerant, amplexati sunt; quidam vero magis obstinatiores apparuerunt temporis antiquitatem revolventes in mentem, et opponentes alii quasi de necessitate hoc imponeretur eis. Sed a Deo coronati Imperatoris diligentia vicit in finem, et habet omnes jam concordes ad unicam hanc unionem, per quam Apostolicae Sedi antiquae Romae (ab antiquissimis attributos) Primatus attribuere assentimus. Hoc scilicet Dei gratia cooperata est, ut habeat er nobis apostolica magnitudo nostrae sanctitatis sententiam agnoscere, qualiterque magnifico Imperatori nostro simul communicaver imus in sententia: et quae quidem attenderit et vult libenter, et nos acceptamus: breviter praesentem Epistolam annotamus, & ad conspicuam excellentiam vestrae magnitudinis transmittimus. Scitote quod nos volumus, quod Pontificalis sedis tota plenitudo, cum toto venerabili Clero, et omnibus Officiariis, Sacerdotibus, Diaconis, et Lectoribus, sanctissimae Ecclesiae Dei convenit in unum, ut attribuat prompte vestrae Sanctitati et Apostolicae sedi, quod ad honorem pertinet, nec alium primum et summum Pontificem Ecclesiarum omnium, nominaturi. Sed antiquam internuntiorum confectionem agnovimus, quam & patres nostri semper attenderunt toto praeterito tempore usque ad tempus hoc. Unde nostrum Patriarcham & subsequenter omnes alios (quotquot convenerunt) ut in unum haereant & fedis ponerent concordiam, obsecravimus. Ipse vero cum magna instantia tenet, quod agnosci debet primus, & postea (ut indicat) non decidet ab ista voluntate, nec adhuc à prima sententia, cum aliqua intention mutatus est. Vnde et pluries nos praelati correximus ipsum, ipse nequicquam ad praesens acquievit. Nos autem et nobiscum potentissimus Imperator injunximus illi a Patriar • halt seed recedenti, omnia in una forma sollicitudinis manere, quae sunt Constantinopoli Monasteriorum, donec nuncii ad vestram Sanctitatem accedant, & audiant sermonem vestrum, & si magnitudo vestra ita recipiat, delegat certos delegatos cum nostris reversis Legatis. Et nos hunc finem obtinentes, communiter & interim convenientes, attrahemus Patriarcham nostrum, ut si recedere ipsum ab intention contingat, nobisque inclinaverit, et nos reddet benevolos esse, quod praeteritis temporibus throno Apostolicae sedis insuper excellens honor attributus est: sic habebimus ipsum Pontificem etiam spiritualiter, sicut prius praesidentem. Si vero immutabiliter se habeat in sententia, tunc dependebit omnis necessitas et ipsum dejicere, et Patriarchiali principatu privare. Nos autem constituemus et promovebimus alium; qui utique consentiat nobiscumque ejusdem voluntatis esse, et reddere convenientem primatum summitati Sanctitatis vestrae. Hoc igitur proponimus (à Deo honorate Domine) nos, quos Patriarchalis Constantinopolitanae sedis sublimos Pontifices cum omnibus (qui circa nos) venerabilibus Clericis per hoc scriptum nostrum vobis conjungi habes, qualiter si solum vestra magnitudo, ea quae legationis sunt admittat, non est quod tempus teratur, & nos inclinamus prompte, et magnae vestrae altitudini submittimus, et valde gratanter ea quae sunt spiritualia subjectionis totius asserimus, et nihil eorum denegamus, quae ante schisma praestabant, patres nestri, hiis qui apostolicam regebant sedem, sed et siatim nos attribuimus. Alia quidem significabunt nuncii, & gloriosae vestrae Sanctitati notificabunt. Finaliter, sicut in spiritualibus potentissimus noster Imp. et nos pontificum collegium Episcopis commifimus: sicut caeteri spiritualiter ab Imperiali magnificencia mandatum acceperunt, de quibus quicun{que} ad secularis principatus pertinent gubernationem vestrae sanctitati referabunt à Deo coronato nostro Imperatore. Confidimus autem quod pacis author Deus unitatem de paterna victus clementia adaperiet, nosque & Magistratus gratanter suscipiat inclinatos, & vestram familiaritatem invocantes & paternitatem. Sacramentum Graecorum ego nuncius habens ab eisdem sufficientem (ad infrascripta mandata) subscriptam fidei veritatem, prout plene lecta est & fideliter exposita à me Dei & Domini nostri nomine veram sanctam catholicam fidem esse cognosco, eam accepto, & cord & ore confiteor, ipsamque prout tenet fideliter, docet, & praedicat S. Eccles. Romana inviolabiliter servaturum, & in ea omni tempore perseveraturum, nec discrepaturum, promitto. Primatum quoque ipsius sacrosanctae Ecclesiae Romanae, prout in praemissa serie continetur (ad ipsius Ecclesiae obedientiam spontaneus veniens) fateor, recognosco, accepto, et sponte suscipio. Et ipse omnia praemissa, tam circa sidei veritatem, quam circa ejusdem Ecclesiae Romanae Primatum, et Episcoporum recognitionem, acceptationem, susceptationem, observantiam ac perseverantiam servaturum (praestito corporaliter juramento) promitto et confirmo: sic Deus ipsum adjuvet, & haec sancta Evangelia, Scrivarius, Sacrista, Carthaphilax, & magnus Skenephilax sanctissimae ejus, qui in Constantinopoli est Patriarchatus, Johannes Lector. Graci etiam alias literas, quas propter earum prolixitatem huic operi non inseruimus, ad Concilium detulerunt: Venerunt etiam post Graecos 16. Tartari (qui Moalli) cum literis Regis sui, in Concilio publicantes verbis pomposis poteniam Moallorum. Hi non pro fide, sed ut confederationem haberent cum Christianis venerunt. Hos Papa benign suscipiens; donis & honoribus ampliavit, & ad petitionem ipsorum, non baptizatos fecit honorifice baptizari.
The Pontificians then, and ever since have much triumphed in these public acknowledgements and submissions of this Greek Emperor, and the Patriarchs, Bishops, Clergy, Churches of Greece, to the Primacy of the Popes and Church of Rome, which they could never before enforce, or induce them to acknowledge or submit to: But if they will seriously consider, 1. The great probability that these Epistles were mere forgeries, as the barbarousnes of their style, the names of the Patriarch, Bishops Sees, and other Historians pretermission of them, import. 2ly. That the submission of the Emperor and Grecians therein made, was not voluntary; But 1. By urgent necessities extorted from the Emperor himself. 2ly. That he used great violence to enforce his Bishops and Clergy to submit unto it. 3ly. That the Patriarch of Constantinople, and other Greek Prelates, Clergymen, Nobles, Magistrates, and the People stoutly opposed it, and that it produced great Schisms in that Church and Empire. 4ly. That the Emperor was forced to make sundry Apologies to them thereupon, that it was done only out of necessity, and policy, to avoid present dangers threatening both that Church, Empire, and Constantinople itself, without any prejudice to the Greek Church for the future; not upon any real grounds of conscience, piety, or verity: upon all these considerations, this submission will be no advantage at all to the Pontifician Cause or Primacy; the verity whereof this passage of Nicephorus Gregoras, a famous Greek Historian flourishing in that age, most clearly discovers. Proinde tot difficultatibus circumventus Imperator Palaelogus, pene ad desperationem compulsus, Legatos ad Papam mittit, de ineunda veteris et novae Romae Ecclesiarum concordia, modo Caroli expeditionem averteret. Ea Legatio a Pontifice benign audita est: ea se facile, quae Imperator petivisset, consecturum esse pollicito. Statimque suos Legatos illis adjungit, qui concordiam conciliarent atque amplectarentur. Cujus haec tria capita fuerunt. Primum, ut in sacrorum velaminum hymnodiis, Papae cum quatuor Patriarchis mentio fieret. Alterum, ut liceret cuivis Romam veterem, quae Curia major & perfectior esset, appellare. Tertium, ut illi Principatus in omnibus deferetur. De appendiee vero sacri Symboli, quam illi novarunt, aut alio quovis argumento, tum nulla acrior contentio incidit: sed (quod ad ease quidem res attinebat) pacata & tranquilla fuerunt omnia. At Patriarcha Josephus, ea concordia repudiata, seed sua cessit: nec multo post, relicta urbe, se in Archistrategi Monasterium ad Bosphorum contulit, ubi reliquum atatis tranquillo & religioso otio exigeret. His rebus Sacerdotum. collegium concitarum, haud obscure ferebat, se non esse quieturu • : plebemque ab Imperatoria ilia concordia revocabat, Martyrii et Coronarum tempus esse clamitans; ita ut magnus inde tumultus excitaretur, atque in atrocem tempestatem erumperet: & Imperator externis negotiis relictis, omne suum studium ad res domesticas transfer cogeretur, urbana pericula externis graviora ratus. Erant enim non pauci e Magistratibus etiam, qui decretis illius acriter adversarentur. In ease igitur redactus angustias, duas sibi patere vias arbitratus, summa necessitate nihil tertium admittente in praesentia: ut aut omnes sibi assentirentur, aut hostium loco haberentur, Quamobrem adversariorum animos, principio verborum blanditiis, et comitate morum conciliare sibi, et obnoxios reddere siudebat: caeptam eam esse rem, nullo studio novitatis, sed propter difficultates temporum. Esse autem prudentiae, impendentes praecavere calamitates: et si quid ad graviora mala avertenda novandum sit, non esse eunctandum. Si enim hosts adventarent, urbe adhuc multis in partibus lacerata, modoque instaurdta, & velut à multiplici dudum morte reviviscente, praesentia mala graviora futura superioribus; ac dominos fore hosts, non tantum sacrorum, sed omnium simul, liberum, conjugum, & rerum: quorum domini vi abrepti, libertate cum servitute commutata, non corporibus tantum, sed animis etiam hostium sequi voluntates cogerentur. Id etiam reliquum fore, ne quis mores partrios ac vetera instituta tueretur; immo ut sacrae leges et sanctiones expeditissime et depraverentur et everterentur. Quae cum ipse praevideret, necessitati parere haud recusasset: exiguum{que} damnum, quod prudentiae munus sit, magno emolumento posihabuisset: minoraque adversariis, ut majorjbus potiretur, concessisset. Hac oratione alios commovit Imperator, alios non item. Unde suasione omissa, viam alteram ingressus, et vi gressatus est: cujus variae rations fuerunt, publicationes bonorum, relegationes, custodiae, excaecationes, flagra, mutilationes, omnia denique quibus virorum fortium et mollium animi explorantur. Ac quorum studium cognition regebatur, (qui pauci erant) i • magnis et fortibus animis omnia libenter tolerabant et perpetiebantur, quae potestas Imperatoris inferebat. Maxima vero pars veri judicii expers, saex plebis, et circumforanea turba, semper novis rebus gaudens, asperis velut in scena palliis induti, ubique terrarum sparsim et passim vagati sunt, ubi Christianos esse audiberunt: in Peloponeso (inquam) Achaia, et Thessalia, et Colchide, ubique denique gentium extra ditionem Imperatoris: neque universalem pacem confervare volentes; neque inter sese: sed alii aliis nominibus ascitis, partim Arsenii aut Josephi Patriarchy sectam profitendo, partim alia jactitando, tempus terebant; plerique et decipientes et decepti. Nec enim deerant, qui oracula in vicis & urbibus, quasi modo à Dei conspectu reversi, cantarent: nec post Ecclesiae instaurationem, vitae ration mutatae. This was the sad issue of this Emperors compliance with the Pope and Church of Rome, soon after generally disavowed by the Greek Church and Prelates.
Thomas of Walsingham, Ranulph • s Cestrensis, Henry de Knyghton, and others, give us this brief account how many Bishops, Abbots, Prelates, were present at, and what was decreed in this General Council. Hocanno Gregorius Papa decimus, Kalendas Maii, apud Lugdunum Generale Concilium celebravit, ad quod Graeci & Tartari, solennes nuncios transmiserunt; Graeci ad unitatem Ecclesiae se redire spondent, in cujus evidens signum cum cantaretur Symbolum, hortante Domino Papa, trina vice nuncii eorum, & in Spiritum Dominum vivificantem, qui ex Patre Filioque procedit, replicaverunt celebriter & devote; without making any mention at all of their premised Epistles and acknowledgement of, or submission to the Popes or Church of Rome's Supremacy. Nuncii vero Tartarorum baptizati, & infra tempus Concilii ad propria redierunt. Affuit ibi Praelatorum numerus, quingenti Episcopy, Abbates sexaginta, Praelati vero alii circa mille; unde dixit quidam,
Gregorius Denus congregat omne genus:
Ibi statutum est illud insigne, & a retroseculis insolitum; quod omnes Rectores Curati deinceps forent Sacerdotes: Prohibiti sunt et Bigami primam tonsuram defer; et quod nulli hominum deinceps liceat Decimas suas ad libitum, ut antea, ubi vellet assignare; sed matrici Ecclesiae omnes Decimas persolvent: Ipse quoque Gregorius Decimam sexennalem universali Ecclesiae imposuit; pluralitatem beneficiorum Curatorum damnavit. Aliquos status de ordinibus Mendicantium approbavit, utpote Praedicatores, et Minores, aliquos toleravit, utpote Carmelitas et Augustinenses, Aliquos reprobavit, ut Saccinos, qui intitulantur de Poenitentia, sive Valle viride, et consimiles. What else was there decreed, you may read at large in Binius his Councils, and Centur. Magdeburgenses, Tom. 13. c. 9.
William Thorn records of Nicholas Abbot of St. Augustine's Canterbury, Anno Dom. 1274. Adivit idem Abbas Generale Concilium L • gduni in expensis CC. librarum, and Henry de Knyghton stories: That in this Council, Papa petiit auxilium ab Ecclesiaire in terram sanctam, Archiepiscopus Cantuariensis Robertus de Kylwarbi non audebat neg • re petitionem Papae, eo quod ipsum promoverat. Inter alios, qui nolebant concedere, Magister Richardus de Peccham, Decanus Lincolniensis proposuit unam • illam excusatoriam, quod terra Angliae in tantum fuit depauperata per diversas Guerras, et Decimas, et Subsidia, per Papas concessa per sex annos, quod non possent le • are aliquod Subsidium, et vix vivere. Statimque Papa p • vavit eum ab omni beneficio, (such was his tyrannical Papal injustice) et • abuit Decimam de sex annis ab Ecclesia; et tertia die restituit eum ad beneficia sua. Papa fecit ibi multas Constitutiones, quae vocantur Graegorianae; & moriebatur eodem anno ultra montes.
Johannes Aventinus renders this account of this Council, and the Popes proceedings therein. Circa eundem temporis tractum Gregorius decimus sacricolarum Concilium Paschalibus Lugduni habet, undecunque Pontifices accessivit, ex Alemannia, Gaul, Angli • quaternos, Hispania duos, ex Sicilia regno Ecclesiae, Ungaria, Dacia, Boiemia, Polonia, Snionibus, Nordovicis, & Scotis singulos, vocatoque concione, • x libris sacrae historiae, quos Macchabaeorum nominant, praefatus, curam studium{que} bel • i, utriusque Reipublicae administrationem ad Episcop • s et Antistites attinere, multis verbis persuadet; collegis Palestinam expeditionem, et ad Graecos su • igendos Romano Sacerdoti arma induenda censet: Deinde leges, quibus vi • a S • cerdotum, Monachorum Antistitumque castigentur, corrigantur, rogat: Zopfreonnas genus foeminarum sacratarum abolet. Tum omnium rerum Ecclesiasticarum decimas in sex annos Monachis, mystis, majoribus, minoribus Pontificibus imponit, partem octavo Kalendas Julii, alteram portionem octava Kalendas Januarii numerare jubet. Postremo haec Decreta scissit, promulgat, piacularii, atque sacro aur • culario praefeci darent operam, orent, instent, suadere non desistant, ut rei sanctiss • mo proposito Pontificis maximi, ae • e, pecunia, opibus faveant: Quisque Christianus, pure, vir, infans, puella, foemina, Sacerdos, profanus capite censu • sit, quotannis nummum tribuat. Devotus est, quisquis iis pensionibus adversus iverit. Pleraque alia tum, ut alias, magis argutorum hominum more, quam ex aequo & bo • o commenta sunt. Romulei vultures, quibus def •• udari, atque compilari populus solet, et quae neutiquam Deo immortali cordi fuisse exitus probavit, • ventus docuit, plerique ad concilium coacti ire, eo luxu habitum est. Impendiis non suffecere Aurum, Argentum, Gemmae, Vestes p • e • iosae artis, opes Templorum venundatae, pauperibus, qui solvendo non erant, dirae dictae. Cistercienses Monachi, quibus Pontifex Romanus amicus erat, hasce suarum aedium decimationes redimere millibus unciarum argenti puri sexcentis atque quadragints. Furstenfeldenses duo pondo argenti Teutonica pensitarunt, sunt unciae duae & trigin • a. A caeteris omnibus Decimae superbe a • {que} avare eractae; et licet Decimas eodem anno animam efflasset, nihilo secius tamen Romani Flamines decimas per sex annos extorta per vim pecunia a Germanis emungerent: rumore dissipabant, se suo periculo, a • que stipendio Palestinam, Aegyptam, Asiam, Africam erept • ros Turcis, Saracenis, Tartaris; (but performed neither.) Quamobrem & Ruaolphus illa lege atque omine primario Sacerdoti Bononiam, Praefecturas, Ducatus, Urbes, Regiones Italiae hactenus Imperatoribus parents (Romaniolam Martinus vocat) quae quotannis millia drachmarum Auri septingenties pensitarent, concessit.
In this Council there was this Antimonarchical Decree, or Constitution made, to advance the Popes and Prelates illegal Sentences, Interdicts and Excommunications, denounced against Kings, Princes, Nobles, Judges, and Kings Officers, for executing their legal Writs against them, and the denouncers of them.
Praesenti generali declaramus Edicto, beneficium relaxati • nis ad cautelam, quo ad interdicti sententias, in Civitates, Castra, vel quaelibet alia loca sive terras aliquas generaliter promulgatas, locum aliquatenus non habere. Quicunque pro eo q • od in Reges, Principes, Barones, Nobiles, Ballivos, vel quos • ibet minis • ros eorum, aut quoscunque alios Excommunicationis, Suspensionis, seu Interdicti sententia fuerit promulgata, licentiam alicui dederint occidendi, capiendi, seu alias in personis aut bonis suis vel suorum gravandi, eos qui tales sententias protulerunt, sive quorum sint occasion perlatae, vel easdem sententias observantes, seu tali • er excommunicatis communicare volentes (nisi licentiam ipsam re integrâ revocaverint: vel si ad bonorum captionem occasion ipsius licentiae sit processum, nisi bona ipsa fuerint infra octo dierum spacium restituta, aut satisfactio pro ipsis impensa) eo ipso sententiam excommunicationis incurrant. Eadem quoque sententia sint innodati omnes, qui ausi fuerint praedicta licentia data uti, vel aliquid praemissorum, ad quae committenda dari licentiam prohibuimus, alias committere suo motu. Qui autem in eadem sententia permanserint duorum mensium spacio, extunc ab eo non possin • , nisi per sedem Apostolicam absolutionis beneficium obtinere. But this Constitution was never received, but protested against by our King Edward the 1. his Successors, Judges, and Courts of Justice, as succeeding Records attest.
In this Council of Lions under Pope Gregory the 10th, (not Boniface the 8. as Sir Edward Cock very grossly mistakes, being not Pope till 28 E. 1.) this resoluon of an ancient doubt concerning the allowance of Clergy to Bigamists, was declared by this Constitution. Altercationis antiquae dubium praesentis declarationis oraculo decidentes, Bigamos omni privilegio Clericali declaramus esse nudatos, et coer • ioni fori secularis addictos, consuetudine contraria non obstante. Ipsis quoque sub anathemate prohibemus defer tonsuram, vel habitum Clericalem. There arising a doubt between some Bishops and the Kings Judges concerning this Constitution, soon after its making & promulgation, An. 4 E. 1. Whether it extended to such as were Bigamists before, or only to such as were Bigamists after its promulgation? The King, not in a Great Parliamentary Council, wherein all the Bishops, Abbots, Nobles, and Commons of England were assembled, (as Sir Edward Cook • very gravely misinforms the World, in his Commentary upon the Statute of 4 E. 1. De Bigamis, cap. 5.) but, In praesentia venerabilium Patrum quorundam Episcoporum Angliae, (most likely those who were at this Council) & aliorum de Consilio Regis, tam Iusticiarii quam alii, propounded this doubt; who after debate thus expounded this Constitution, and decreed that it should be put in Writing for a perpetual memory, and firmly observed. De Bigamis quos D. Papa in Concilio Lugdunensi omni privilegio Clericali privavit, per Constitutionem inde editam, & unde quidam Praelati illos qui effecti fuerant Bigami ante praedictam Constitutionem, quando de felonia rectati fuerunt, tanquam Clericos exigerunt sibi liberandos: Concordatum est et declaratum coram Rege et Concilio suo, (against the Bishops exposition of it) quod Constitutio illa intelligenda sit, quod sive effecti fuerint Bigami ante praedictam Constitutionem, sive post, de caetero non liberentur Praelatis, immo fiat eis Iustitia sicut de Laicis.
By which it is apparent; First, that the Constitutions of Popes in this and other General Councils, did not oblige the King, Kingdom, Church or Subjects of England, unless they were publicly received, approved, and ordered to be observed by the King and his Council after their publication. 2ly. That the King, his Council, and Judges, not the Pope or Bishops alone, were the proper Expositors of the Decrees and Constitutions of General Councils, and in what sense they should be observed. 3ly. That the Constitutions of Popes in General Councils, to which the Kings Proctors disassented, though over-ruled therein, did not oblige the King or his Subjects within his own Dominions, though other Kingdoms or Churches embraced and submitted to them, as in this, and the promised Constitution in this Council, concerning Interdicts and Excommunications.
The Ex • cutors of John Maunsel,