Vindication of Ecclesiastical Volume 3

INNOCENTIUS, &c. Johanni Anglico, &c. Cum Venerabilibus fratribus nostris Cantuariensi & Eboracensi Archiepiscopis, & Suffraganeis eorundem, necnon dilectis filiis Abbatibus exemptis & quibusdam aliis Clericis in Cantuariae & Eboraci Provinciis constitutis, de fratrum nostrorum consilio nostris dedimus in mandatis, ut hiis quae tu ex parte nostra super subventione Apostolicae sedis propones eisdem, adhibeant plenam fidem, et liberaliter ac libenter ea studeant adimplere: Discretioni tuae praesentium authoritate mandamus, quod si qui forte ipsorum mandatum hujusmodi non adimpleverint per effectum, illos quos prudentia tua viderit esse cogendos, per te vel ordinis tui fratres quibus super haec commiseris vices tuas, ad id per Censuras Ecclesiasticas Appellatione recusata compellas, quocunque privilegio aut indulgentia qualibet non obstante, licet praesentes ex ipsis expressam non faciant mentionem. Datum Lugduni, quinto Idus Octobris, Pontificatus nostri anno quarto.

Here this Pope not only authorizeth these Freers, against their Orders, Vows, Profession, to be his Tax-masters, Collectors, Extortioners, but likewise enables them to suspend, Interdict, Excommunicate the Archbishops, Bishops, Clergy, Abbots of England, who should oppose his intolerable Papal Exactions, notwithstanding any Appeal, Privilege or Indulgence whatsoever formerly granted them.

INNOCENTIUS, &c. Fratri Iohanni Anglico, &c. Ecclesiae necessitatibus circumscripti, venerabilibus fratribus nostris Cantuariensi & Eboracensi Archiepiscopis ac Suffraganeis eorundem, necnon dilectis filiis Abbatibus exemptis, & quibusdam aliis Clericis in Cantuariensi & Eboracensi Provinciis constitutis, De fratrum nostrorum consilio nostris dedimus in mandatis, ut hiis quae tu ex parte nostra super subventione Apostolicae sedis propones, eisdem adhibeant plenam fidem, & liberaliter ac libenter ea studeant adimplere. Caeterum quia onus quod in plures dividitur facilius supportatur, de prudentia tua plenam in Domino fiduciam obtinentes, dandi per te vel alios ordinis tui fratres, quibus super haec commiseris vices suas, authoritatem Archiepiscopis Suffraganeis & Abbatibus mrmoratis, ut subditos per Censuras Apostolicas appellatione recusata compellere possint, ut eos etiam per teipsum, vel dictos fratres similiter compellendi ad contribuendum super subventione praemissa de bonis Ecclesiasticis, juxta proprias facultates authoritate praeconcedimus potcstatem. Datum Lugduni, sexto Idus Octobris, Pontificatus nostri anno quarto.

ARchiepiscopis, &c. Mandamus, quod I. pro quibusdam Ecclesiae Romanae negotiis destinamus, pro reverentia beati Petri & nostri, recipiatis benign, ac tractotis honest, in necessariis, & securo conductu eundo, meando, & redeundo, sibi pro se ac aliis quos secum duxerit, & in evectionibus corundem, si aliquando eos contigerit ipsas habere, necnon pro nunciis quos interdum duxerit destinandos liberaliter providentes, ita quoà vestrae dilectionis affectum possimus exinde commendare. Alioquin excommunicatos vos esse, &c.

This Papal privilege for this Harpyes protection and favorable reception by those he was sent to rob, spoil, plunder, was backed with this further Mandate, to inquire of all alienations and dispositions of Lands or Churches, and Simoniacal Contracts made by Ecclesiastical or Religious persons, or other Patrons, or his own real or pretended Nuncioes, to engross the sale and disposition of them by his Provisions into his own hands, whose Provisors agents unjust vexatious practices to gain Benefices or Pentions out of them, are here fully expressed to the life.

INNOCENTIUS Episcopus, Servus servorum, &c. Dilecto filio fratri Johanni Ordinis Minorum, Nuncio nostro in Anglia salutem, & Apostolicam Benedictionem. Nostris est nuper auribus intimatum, quod plerique Ecclesiarum Praelati regni Angliae, non attendants ad humanos usus non debere transferri, quae juribus sunt ascripta divinis, jure patronatus, & advocationis quae in aliquibus Ecclesiis obtinebant, in personas laicas concessionis vel alienationis titulo, seu alias, pro suae voluntatis arbitrio transtulerunt, Capitulorum suorum aliquando interveniente consensu, & Diocesanorum, quod vix credimus accedente favore. Nonnulli quoque Abbates & Priores diversorum ordinum tàm exempti quàm non exempti regni praefati propris Commodis per modos illicitos inhiantes (as this Pope and his agents really did) in Ecclesiis Parochialibus jus Patronatus exemptionis titulo, vel aliis perversis contractibus assequuntur. Et sic easdem Ecclesias quandoque de suorum Diocesanorum consensu, quandoque motu proprio non verentur suis, vel membrorum suorum contra Deum & Canonic as Sanctiones, usibus applicare. Quidam vero Executores super Clericorum Provisionibus dudum in eodem regno a seed Apostolica deputati, cum aliqua beneficia Ecclesiastica, de quibus eisdem Clericis provideri poterit, vacare contigerit, in alienis negotiis suae fidei confidenter commissis, privata commoda infideliter prosequuntur, dum Abbates et Priores aliosque Ecclesiarum Patronos, ad quorum praesentationem noscuntur eadem beneficia pertinere, excommunicant et suspendunt, ipsosque taliter impeditos, ad ordinationes Ecclesiarum suarum procedere non permittunt, donec sibi ipsis vel aliis suis consanguineis vel amicis, non autem illis quibus provideri mandavimus, a patronis eisdem, minis et dolis interdum inductis, eadem beneficia seu provisiones Annuae assignentur. Aliqui etiam executores hujusmodi, se nuncios nostros in Regno Angliae asserentes (quanquam alium praeter te in codem regno nos habere nuncium nesciamus) mandati nostri praetextu quo eis in aliquibus Clericis in eodem regno de beneficiis Ecclesiasticis, quae tanto tempore vacaverunt, quod ad nos est collatio secundum Lateranensis statutum Concilii devoluta, providere procurent, dicuntur injunxisse religiosos viros super Ecclesiis qua sibi concessas in usus proprios per longissima tempora pacifice possiderunt, infeffant, nec ab eorum super hiis infestatione desistunt, donec iidem religiosi aliqua summa pecuniae, vel assignatione annuae pensionis, vexationem suam redimere compellantur. Cum igitur haec non sint sub dissimulationis silentio trans • undae, discretioni tuae in virtute obedientiae district praecipiendo mandamus, quatenus per te ac alios seculares, vel cujuscunque religions vel professionis viros, quos ad hoc in diversis locis ejusdem regni vice nostra, quam tibi super hoc praesentium authoritate concedimus, duxeris deputandos, super praemissis diligentiùs veritate, hujusmodi alienationes, venditiones, seu emptiones, de patronatibus vel advocatiis Ecclesiarum, quae cum spiritualibus sint annexae, vendi vel emi taliter nequeunt, à quibuscunque praesumptas vel in posterum praesumendas, quas irritas esse decernimus; denuncians nullas esse ease, & quicquid ex ipsis vel ob ease circa Ecclesiarum Parochialium statum inveneris temere immutatum, in statum debitum de plano & absque judicii strepitu revocare procures. Executores vero praedictos, ad resignanda & restituenda quaecun{que} ips • s inveneris de praedictarum concussionum scelere percepisse, authoritate nostra per te ac alios quos ad hoc (ut praediximus) deputabis, qua convenit districtione compellas, redditurus nos nihilominus de illis quos de hiis deliquisse compereris, per tuas literas continentes meram & plenam rerum seriem, certiores, ut circa eos prout culpae qualitas exegerit procedamus. Contradictores per censuras Ecclesiae Apostolicae appellatione postposita compescendo, non obstante si aliquibus sit ab Apostolica seed concessum, quod excommunicari, suspendi, vel interdici non possint per literas Apostolicas, non facientes plenam et expressam ac de verbo ad verbum de indulto hujusmodi mentionem, seu quod ad susceptionem causarum vel executionum, quae sibi authoritate sedis ejusdem committi contingit, minime teneantur, vel constitutione de duabus dietis edita in Concilio generali. Datum Laterani quinto Idus Januarii, Pontificatus nostri Anno undecimo.

This pretended reformer of these Simoniacal practices, and former Nuncioes abuses, rapines, armed with so many Papal Bulls, proved as bad yea worse an exactor, and oppressor, then any of his predecessors. Whereupon

Per idem tempus, Dominus Rex comperiens Regnum suum enormiter periclitari, jussit omnem totius Regni Nobilitatem convocari, ut de statu ipsius, tam manifest periclitantis Oxonii die qua cantatur, Quasi modo geniti, diligenter contrectarent. Praelatos autem maxim ad hoc Parliamentum vocavit arctius, quia videbat eos Dominus Rex tam frequenter depauperari per Papales extorsiones, et thesaurus Angliae tam frequenter asportabatur, nullumque commodum inde provenit Ecclesiae, imo multimodum incommodum generavit. Vnde veraciter perpendebatur, quod talis extorsio summo quamplurimum displicuit Creatori. Sperebatur autem certissime, aliquid salubre Ecclesiae, et Regno ibidem statuendum, quod tamen omnes hoc sperantes fefellit: Nam cum antea aliqui Praelatorum praetactae contributioni praeposuissent contradicere, ibidem omnes in contributionem undecim Millium Marcarum consenserunt; exceptis Exemptis, et tribus Clericis. Ipsi igitur Clerici per hanc impetrationem toti regno se suspectos reddiderunt, ( and that deservedly, such was their sordid cowardice, treachery to the King, Kingdom, Nobles, Church of England, and their own interest. ) Pecunia autem memorata per manus Wintoniensis & Norwicensis Episcoporum armatorum authoritate Papali soluta est & recepta, & Clerus compulsus est ad plenariam solutionem ejusdem faciendam. Exponebantur autem exempti Papali arbitrio, qui eis minime pepercit; sed per fratrem saepedictum Iohannem tot jacturis et injuriis, ut praenotatur, fatigavit. Nee idcirco mitius cum Abbate Sancti Albani egit Dominus Papa, quo anno proximo praeterito ipsi Octoginta Marcas transmisit. Timebatur autem, ne Dominus Rex, ex permissione mutua & consensu relativo, inter ipsum et Papam Ecclesiam et etiam Regnum consimili exactione foret compulsurus. Sicut nuper pro Rege Dominus Papa scripserat Angliae Magnatibus, in pecunia colligenda promovendo.

Not long after, to promote the Popes Exactions, and drain the English Clergies purses, Applicuit in Anglia Episcopus Sabinensis, Romanae Ecclesiae Cardinalis, iturus in partes Boreales Legatus, Norwegiam, Dac • am, & Suetiam; & Regem Norwegiae Haconem in Regem inuncturus & coronaturu • . Qui tamen in Angliam zingressurus, primo difficultatem de licentia a Rege invenit, quia semper solent Legati quales quales, et omnes nuncii Papales, Regna quae ingrediuntur depauperare, vel aliquo modo perturbare, donec jurasset in anima sua, quod ob nullum Regis vel Regni, vel Ecclesiae detrimentum, in Angliam veniret: nisi tantummodo tranquillum transitum faceret per ipsam terram de Portu Doverae ad portum Lennae, ad Regna ulteriora statim tempore opportuno, et obtento vento prospero, migraturus. Sed postquàm licentiam benign dicto modo obtinuisset, intrepidus intravit, & Domino Rege salutato, & muneribus gratuit • s acceptis ab eodem, ad Lennam iter maturavit, et ibidem per tres fere menses commorans, non potuit Romanis innatam cupiditatem cohibere, quin ad Episcopos et Abbates, et Priores nuncios furtivos, ad uberes mitteret postulando procurationes, et munera preciosa, in domibus Manerii Episcopy Norwicensis, quod Geywudae dicitur, commorando, ita quod quaestus sui, ad quatuormillia Marcarum ascendere dicebatur: veruntamen ut sub specie sanctitatis omnia palliaret, crebro sermonem faciebat populo. Et cum navem ascensurus fuisset, quem opulentissime communiverat multo frumento & doliis quàmplurimis vino plenis praeelecto, & aliis victualibus, jussit cuidam fratri de ordine Praedicatorum in ipsa Missam celebrare, quod & factum est, non sine multorum, qui hoc non praeviderant, admiratione. Habebat namque in ipsa navi, ficut de Arca Noë legitur, ( such was his Pomp and Pride ) diverticula & tristegas, cameras & conclavia, quae specialiter propter ipsum artificialiter fuerunt composita. Et sic vento flante prospero, dataque Angliae, & suis Anglis prodigis benedictione, pelago septentrionali sese dives factus commisit. How he fleeced and preyed upon the Northern kingdoms for the Popes and his own advantage, as his Confederates had done the English and French, Matthew Paris informs us. Coronatus est Rex Hacon, & in Regem inunctus solenniter apud Bergas, ab Episcopo Sabinensi, Legato tunc in partibus illis existen • e. Pro cujus honoris et beneficii exhibitione, Papae Dominus Rex quindecim millia marcarum esterlingorum numeravit. Legatus vero acceptis donativis impreciabilibus quingentas extorsit marcas ab Ecclesiis Regni illius. Verunta. men idem Rex cruce signatus à Domino Papa impetravit recipere tertiam partem proventuum à viris Ecclesiasti • is Regni sui, ad suae viatica peregrinationis; The transactions and Letters passed between the King of France and Haco concerning this his pretended pilgrimage to Jerusalem ( worthy perusal) you may read more at large in this Historian.

The Pope not contented thus to extort money in all places by Croysadoes, Procurations, and such like Exactions, made a very gainful Trade of selling Archbishoprics, Bishoprics, and other Ecclesiastical Preferments to ambitious persons who would give most for them, as Matthew Paris thus insmuates in one memorable instance, of Odo Archbishop of Rhoan, of whom before.

Anno quoque sub eodem Odo Archiepiscopus Rothomagensis, quondam Abbas Sancti Dionys •• , divino, ut creditor, percussus judicio, subito obiit; cum jam vix per annum sophistice seed Archiepiscopali praesidens, nomen tantum et officium sibi temere usurpasset, & Petro suo antecessori fructus Archiepiscopatus distribuisset. Ipse enim Anglicus Natione, Abbas extiterat Sancti Dionysii, quem ambitio et superbia adeo ad Archiepiscopatus praedicti dignitatem infoeliciter attraxerant, ut domum suam irremediabiliter aere alieno obligatam dereliquerit, et dignitatem praetextatam, symoniace in sui perniciem consequebatur▪ as most other Archbishops, Bishops and Abbots did in that Simoniacal age.

Moreover this avaricious Simoniacal Pope made a gain of his very Bulls for canonizing and translating Popish Saints, as he did this year by his long deferred Canonization and translation of St. Edmund, Bishop of Canterbury, ( the Bull and History whereof, you may read at leisure in Matthew Paris, Matthew Westminster, Henry de Knyghton, Matthew Parker, and Godwin in his Life, (to omit all others) from whom this Popes predecessors had extorted vast sums of money, and so much vexed, discontented (notwithstanding his pretended Sanctity and miracles) that he left his Bishopric, and died for mere grief.

And to add oppression to oppression, this Egyptian Papal Taxmaster to gratify Richard Earl of Cornwall, William de Longa Spata, and other English Nobles, to abate or take off their oppositiō against his insufferable exactions, granted thē special Bulls (as he had done to the King of France, and Haco, who had taken up the Cross, under pretext of aiding them in their voyage to the Holy Land, for which they had crossed themselves) to exact monies from the English, to their great oppression.

Eodem quoque Anno Episcopus Wygorniae, & Wilhelmus Longa Spata, & Galfridus de Lucy, in Episcopatu Wigorniensi, & multi alii Nobiles de Regno Angliae, exemplo Regis Francorum, & Nobilium de Regno Francorum armati, cruce signabantur circa tempora Rogationum. Wilhelmus autem Longa Spata, ut de Crucesignatis emolumentum metens ubi non seminavit, prudenter ad instar Comitis Richardi, colligeret, Romanam Curiam adiit, & super negotio suo alloquens Dominum Papam, ait; Domine, videtis quod cruce signor, & in procinctu itineris paratus sum eum Domino Rege Francorum militare Deo peregrinando. Magnum nomen habeo et notum, Wilhelmus scilicet Longa Spata, sed subest res parva. Dominus enim Rex Angliae meus cognatus, & Dominus naturalis, nomen mihi Comitis cum substantia abstulit: hoc tamen judicialiter & non in ira sua fecit, vel impetu voluntatis, quapropter ipsum non criminor. Necesse habeo ad sinum misericordiae vestrae paternum refugere, auxilium à vobis in hac necessitate petiturus. Videmus namque nobilem virum Comitem Richardum, qui licet cruce non signetur, per obtentum gratiae vestrae in hac parte nimis fructiferae, à cruce signato populo non minimam pecuniam vindemiare in Regno Angliae, & ego ex eo spem consequenter accipiens, cruce signatus & indigens, eandem mihi postulo concedendam. Considerans igitur Dominus Papa loquentis facundiam, rationis efficaciam, corporis elegentiam, se ipsi favorabilem exhibuit, concedens ei in parte quae postulavit, latam videlicet ex aliena cute corrigiam.

Tunc etiam temporis Comes Richardus, authoritate Domini Papae, cujus indigentiae clàm & caute satisfecerat, a cruce signatis infinitam collegit pecuniam, ita quod ab uno Archidiaconatu dicitur sexcentas libras reportasse, harum literarum fretus authoritate. Consimilique cautela Willus Longa Spata mille marcas et amplius de cruce signatis, ut praescriptum est, reportavit; besides what Archbishop Boniface (qui in partibus transmarinis Domino Papae militabat) violently extorted by Excommunications from the Bishops and Clergy of his Province at the same time; of which before.

In regard of the manifold Extortions this year both at home and abroad by the Pope and his agents principally to raise and maintain Wars against the Emperor, Mat. Paris and Matthew Westminster render us this Epitome, and brief character thereof.

Transiit igitur annus ill uberrimus in frugibus, in fructibus autem sterilis, Angliae nocivus, Walliae dominator Tyrannicus, Terrae Sanctae inimicus, suspectus et formidabilis, Ecclesiae nocivus universali, et spoliator turbulentus, Italiae cruentus, Imperio et Curiae Romanae infamis et inimicus, et praecipue Regno Alemanniae martius et hostilis; Regnis Francorum et Anglorum exactor hostilis et praedator turbulentus; odium generans in cordibus Praelatorum, et aliorum plurium contra Papam, eo quod Patronis violenter spoliatis, suspendit a beneficiorum collatione, quod est hactenus inauditum, et contra Dominum Regem, eo quod talia toleravit.

As the Pope thus vexed, oppressed the Clergy and Religious persons on the one hand this year; so Bishop Grosthead and his Ecclesiastical Officers, vexed, oppressed the Nobility and Laity on the other hand, by Bulls & Privileges obtained at a dear rate from this Pope, as our Historians and Records inform us: For this Robert Grosthead Bishop of Lincoln after a long contest and suit at Rome, Anno Dom. 1245. purchasing from Pope Innocent the 4th. a Privilege forecited) to visit the Dean, Chapter, Canons, Clerks, Ministers of the Choir, and Cathedral Church of Lincoln, and all the Ministers, Chaplains, Churches and Parishioners belonginging to the Churches within his Diocese; et ad correctionem excessorum ac morum reformationem libere admittendum. And likewise, that the Canons of Lincoln should yield and render to him Canonical obedience and reverence; Obligare se tamen ad hoc Iuramento manuali praestatione, seu promissione minime tēneantur, cum ad hoc consuetudine non juveris. The next year (Anno. 1246.) he visited his Diocese in pursuance of this privilege, by his Archdeacons, Deans and Officials, and (at the suggestion of the Friers Minorites and Predicants) in his Visitations and Consistories made strict Inquisitions concerning the continency and manners as well of the Noble as ignoble, to the enormous defamation and scandal of many, compelling Laymen to present and give in testimony in these cases upon Oath; an Innovation never used in the Realms before: The King upon complaint thereof, issued forth Writs to the Sheriff of Lincoln, to inhibit any Lay persons within his County to appear before them to make any Inquisitions, or take any Oath at the will of the Bishop, except only in causes of Matrimony and Testament; which Matthew Paris thus records to posterity, living at that time, within this Diocese, and taking special Notice of these proceedings.

His quoque diebus cum Episcopus Lincolniensis, supra quàm deceret vel expediret in Subjectos suos, ad suggestionem, ut dicitur, Praedicatorum & Minorum, desaeviret, ita scilicet, ut faceret Inquisitiones districtas per Archidiaconos et Decanos suos in Episcopatu suo, de continentia et moribus tam Nobilium quam Ignobilium, in enormem laesionem famae multorum et scandalum, QUOD NUNQUAM FIERI CONSUEVERAT, Dominus Rer audiens super hoc populi graves quaerimonias, CONSILIO CURIAE SUAE, scripsit Vicecomiti Hertfordiae in haec verba,

Henricus Dei Gratia Rex Angliae, &c. Praecipimus tibi, quod sicut teipsum et omnia tua diligis, non permittas, quod aliqui Laici in Balliva tua ad voluntatem Episcopy Lincolniensis, Archidiaconorum, Officialium seu Decanorum ruralium in aliquo loco conveniant de caetero AD COGNITIONES PER SACRAMENTUM EORUM, VEL ATTESTATIONES ALIQUAS FACIENDAS, nisi in Causis Matrimonialibus vel Testamentartis. Quod cum audisset Episcopus, asserebat, Dominum Regem quorundam Conspiratorum qui jam in Francia in consimilem audaciam proruperunt, vestigia securum. An insolent undutiful answer of a furious turbulent willful Prelate.

The Conspiracie of the Nobility and Commonalty of France which Grostheads words related to, is thus recorded by Mat. Paris; They being intollerably oppressed by the Insolencies, usurpations of the Pope, French Bishops, and Clergy upon their ancient Liberties, Rights, Privileges, by citing them into their Ecclesiastical Courts for Temporal Matters and causes belonging to the Civil Jurisdiction; judging them by new Canons and Constitutions made by themselves alone, without common consent in their Parliaments; when as they ought rather to be Judged by the Nobles and Laity, by whose Valour and Liberality they enjoyed all their Ecclesiastical Privileges and possessions; Excommunicating, interdicting, enforcing them to take new Oaths, and tyrannizing over them at their pleasures, as if they were slaves, and vassals, rather then Freemen, they thereupon after all other fruitless complaints entered into a Solemn League and Confederacy against them, to vindicate and regain their ancient Rights and Privileges.

Cum vero dierum istorum fluenta prolaberentur, tepuit devotio fidelium, et filialis affectus Charitatis, quem quilibet Christianus adversus Patrem nostrum spiritualem, videlicet Dominum Papam gerere teneretur, non sine animarum periculo, laesus deperiit, imo et in odium execrabile, et maledictiones occultas est conversus. Videbant enim omnes et singuli, et videntes sentiebant, ipsum Dominum Papam pecuniae et pecuniarum rapinis, in multorum damnum, et depauperationem insatiabiliter inhiare. Nec credebant jam multi ipsum potestatem beato Petro concessam coelitus, videlicet, ligandi et solvendi obtinere, qui penitus beato Petro dissimilis probabatur. Resolutum est igitur os magna loquentium et obloquentium ubique locorum, et praecipue in Francia. In qua quidem multi Nobiles in ipsum Papam et Ecclesiam, quod nunquam meminimus evenisse, conspirabant, sicut in hac Chartula quae Gallica lingua conscribitur, quia sic ad notitiam nostram pervenit, poterit considerari.

A tous ceux qui ces lettres verront, nous tous desquels les seaux pendent en cest present escript, faisons scavoir, que nous par la foy de nos corps avons fiance taunt nous comme nos eirs a tousiours, a aydder les uns aux autres, et a tous ceux de nos terres, et d'autres terres, qui vouldront estre de ceste compagnie, a pourchasser et a requirir et a defendre nos droitz et les leurs en bonne fay envers la Clergy. Et pour ce qe serroit grieve chose nous tous assembler pour ceste besoigne, nous avons eslu par le common assent et octory de nous tous, le Duc de Burgoine, le Conte Perrun de Bretagne, le Conte de Angulesme, et le Conte de S. Pol, a ce que si aucuns de ceste communite avoit a fair envers la Clergy, tell aid comme ces quatre devantdits esgarderoient que un homme luy deust fair, nous luy ferious. Et cest a scavoir, que a se defendre, pourchasser et requerir, chascun de ceste communite mettre la centiesme part par son serment de la vaillance de un an de la terre quil tiendra. Ct chascun riche homme de ceste compagnie fera lever ces deneers chascun an a son povoir a la Purifification nostre Dame, et les deliura ou il sera mestier pour ceste besoigne, par les letres pendantes de ces quatre avout nommez, ou des deux de eux. Et il aucun avoit tort, et il ne vouloit laisser par ces quatre avant nommez, il ne serroit pas aid de la Communite. Et si aucun de ceste compagnie estoit excommunie par tort, cognu par ces quatre, que la Clergy luy feist, il ne lasseroit aller son droit ne sa querele pour les Communiment, ne pour autre chose qu'on luy face, si ce n'est par l'accord de ces quatre, ou de deux de eux, ains poursuiveroit sa droiture. Et si les deux des quatre moureroient ou alloient hors de la terre, les autres deux qui demuroient, mettroient autres deux en lieu de ces deux, qui auroient tell pouoir que est a devant divise. Et sil advenoit que les trois, & les quatre allassent hors de la terre, ou mourissent, les douze ou les dix des riches de ceste communite esliront autres quatre, qui auront ce mesme pouvoir que les quatre devant ditz. Et si ces quatre, ou aucun de la Communite par le Commandment de ces quatre, faisent aucune besoigne, qui appertensist a ceste Communite, la Communite l'en delivreroit.

Quia Clericorum superstitio, non attendens quod bellis et quorundam sanguine sub Carolo Magno et aliis, Regnum Franclae de Errore gentilium ad fidem Catholicam sit conversum, primo quadam humilitate nos seduxit, quasi vulpes se nobis opponentes, ex ipsorum castrorum reliquiis, quae a nobis habuerunt fundamentum, jurisdictionem secularium Principum sic absorbent, ut filii servorum secundum suas leges judicent liberos et filios liberorum, quamvis secundum leges priorum Triumphatorum, deberent a nobis potius judicari, et per Novas Constitutiones non deberet Antecessorum nostrorum consuetudinibus derogari, cum nos deterioris conditionis faciant, quam Deus etiam voluit esse Sentiles, cum dixerit, Reddite quae sunt Caesaris Caesari, & quae sunt Dei Deo. Nos omnes Regni majores attento animo percipientes, quod regnum non per jus scriptum, nec per Clericorum arrogantiam, sed per sudores bellicos fuerit adquisitum, praesenti decreto omnium juramento statuimus et sancimus, ut nullus Clericus vel Laicus alium de caetero trahat in causam coram ordinario Judice, vel Delegato, nisi super Haeresi, matrimonio, vel usuris, amissione omnium bonorum, et unius membri multilatione transgressionibus imminente, certis a nobis super hoc Executoribus deputatis, ut sic Jurisdictio nostra resuscitata respiret, et ipsi hactenus ex nostra depauperatione ditati, quibus Dominus propter eorum superbiam prophanas voluit revelare contentiones, reducantur ad statum Ecclesiae primitivae, et in contemplatione viventes, nobis sicut decet activam vitam ducentibus, ostendant miracula, quae dudum a seculo recesserunt.

Haec cum audisset Papa, ingemuit spiritu perturbato, & cupiens eorum emollire corda, & constantiam enervare, admonitione praemissa eos minis perterruit, nec se sic sensit praevalere. Contulit igitur multis consanguineorum eorum multa beneficia Ecclesiastica, & licentiam plura obtinendi cum indulgentiis multis, necnon & plura ipsis Nobilibus contulit donativa, & sic multos eorum à praedicta praesumptione revocavit. Multos tamen perterruit hujusmodi tenor Epistolae, credebaturque haec a consensu Frederici emanasse, maxim cum hujusmodi clausula finalis concordet Epistolae Frederici quam multis misit Principibus. in cujus fine sic dicit, Semper fuit nostrae intentio voluntatis, Clericos cujuscunque ordinis ad • oc inducere, & maxim maximos, ut tales perseberarem in fine, quales fuerunt in Ecclesia primitiva Apostolicam vitam ducentes humilitatem Dominicam unitantes. Tales namque Clerici solebant Angelos intueri, miraculis coruscare, &c. Require in anno 1245 in Epistola Frederici ad Regem Angliae missa & singulis Principibus.

That the Kings, Nobles, and Parliaments of France and Normandy▪, somewhat before and after this, declared, protested in sundry notable Writings and Declarations, That neither the Pope nor his Legates had any right or power at all to Interdict, or Excommunicate the Realm or Kings of France; neither he, nor the Archbishops, Bishops, or Clergy of France, any Jurisdiction to Excommunicate or inflict any Ecclesiastical Censures upon the Kings Barons, Ministers, Officers, without the Kings Royal assent; that they commanded Bishops and Ecclesiastical Courts to absolve their Subjects when Excommunicated; allowed them power to hold Plea of Chattels only in three cases, you may read at large in Preuves des Libertez de Leglise Gallicane, cap. 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, &c. I shall recite but two instances, the first relating to Normandy whiles subject to the Kings of England.

Extraict d'un Acte des Barons de Normandy, qui declare les Droicts du Roy sur les Eglises & persons Ecclesiastiques de Normandy, An. D m. 1205.

Notum facimus universis, ad quos praesens scriptum pervenerit, quod nos juravimus super Sacrosancta Evangelia, quod jura quae Henricus & Richardus quondam Reges Angliae habuerunt in Normannia, adversus Clerum & apud Lexovaeum & alibi, & jura nostra diceremus.

Item diximus per Sacramentum nostrum, quod Archiepiscopus vel Episcopus, vel alia inferior Ecclesiastica persona, non debet ferre sententiam Excommunicationis in Barones, vel in Ballivos, aut in Servientes Domini Regis, aut in Clericos domus suae, Rege non requisito, vel suo Senescallo.

Item diximus per Sacrament um nostrum, quod nulla Ecclesiastica persona debet aliquem trahere in causam pro fide, vel pro Sacramento quod fiat de feodo Laico, vel Castello hominis Laici, sed si fides data fuerit de Catallo Maritagii, vel de Legato Mortui, vel Catallo Clerici, vel Crucesignati, de causa illa been possunt judicare.

Item diximus per Sacramentum nostrum, quod in feoda terrae Gornaii et feritatis, et Goellenfontis non debet Archiepiscopus tenere nisi tria tautum placita, scilicet de Maritagio, et Legato Martui, et de Catallo Clerici. Actum Rothomagi Anno gratiae 1205. mense Novembris, Dominica post Octavem Festi Omnium Sanctorum, cum viginti Sigillis.

This was the only Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction the Clergy of Normandy enjoyed▪ whiles under our English Kings.

The second is this memorable Declaration, Prohibition, Arrest of King Charles the 5th. of France, and his Parliament, declaring the ancient Privilege of the Kings of France enjoyed time out of mind, (agreeing with this in Matthew Paris) That the Kings Officers and Subjects ought not to be cited, vexed, excommunicated, interdicted by any Archbishops, Bishops, Archdeacons, or other Ecclesiastical persons for executing their Offices; commanding them to revoke their illegal Excommunications and Interdicts denounced against them, for not delivering Clerks imprisoned for Murder upon their Ordinaries demands, and seising their Temporalties, and summoning them to answer their contempts therein.

Quod Officiarii Regii non possunt Excommunicari. An. Dom. 1369.

CAROLUS Dei gratiâ Francorum Rex, Leodegario Waront Parliamenti nostri Hostiario, aut alteri primo dicti Parliamenti nostri Hostiario, & Servienti nostro, ad quem praesentes Literae nostrae pervenerint, salutem. Procurator noster generalis pro nobis, ac Petrus Garnerii Burgensis & Custos Justitiae nostrae in Villa de Medunta, Curiae nostrae exposuerunt, asserendo, quod licet per certa privilegia à seed Apostolica nobis & Praedecessoribus nostris Franciae Regibus concessa, quae adeo sunt notoria, quod nullus ea poterat sive potest ignorare; de hoc quod dicti Praedecessores nostri fuerunt & nos etiam fuimus & sumus in possessione & saisina pacifici, iidem quoque Praedecessores nostri dictas possessiones & saisinam continuarunt, & nos etiam continuavimus, à tanto tempore quod hominum memoria in contrarium non extabat, nullis Archiepiscopis, Episcopis, aut quibusvis aliis judicibus Ecclesiasticis, seu eorum Officialibus, apparatoribus, sive gentibus quibuscunque, authoritate sive virtute eorum Iurisdictionis Ecclesiasticae ordinariae, vel alia quacunque de causa in Villis et locis nostris in Regno nostro Franciae situatis, maxim de nostro proprio domanio existentibus, cessum seu Interdictum ponere, seu poni facere, aut sententias Excommunicationis, vel Interdicti proferre, aut proferri, seu promulgari facere liceat quoquomodo: & nihilominus cum Robertus Munerii dictus de Maule, voerius & receptor noster apud Meduntam, pro suspicione homicidii in personam defuncti Magistri Johannes dicti Bout du Monde in dicta Villa de Medunta perpetrati, nuper in Carceres nostros apud Meduntam, sponte sua prisonarium se reddidisset & posuisset, gentes dilecti & fidelis Consiliarii nostri Episcopy Carnotensis, videlicet Petrus Peregrini Presbyter, Magister Domus Sancti Lazari de Medunta, & nonnulli alii Clerici in Curia Ecclesiastica dicti Episcopy frequentantes, necnon P —de Sancto Sylvestro Officialem Archidiaconi de Pinsereio, ex parte nostra propter debatum Jurisdictionis, inter dictos Episcopum & Archidiaconum contentiose, & de super quo lis inter dictos partes in ipsa nostra Curia pendere dicitur, commissum & deputatum se dicens, ac nonnulli alii Clerici in Curia dicti Officialis frequentantes, ac Camer • rius de Columbis peries praedictum Petrum Garnerii in dicta Villa de Medunta, quae est in & de proprio domanio nostro, nuper accesserunt, et eundem sub poena Excommunicationis ac Centum Marcarum Argenti requisiverunt, ut praefatum Robertum, necnon Gulielmum de Commeny Lachomum, pro suspicione homicidii supradicti ibidem prisonarium detentum, quos Clericos fore, & in habitu & tonsura Clericali existere asserebant, una cum casibus pro quibus detinebantur eis traderet, & deliberaret instrumentum super hoc à Roberto Gomer Presbytero illic praesente, sibi fieri requirendo. Verum quanquam idem Petrus eisdem amicabiliter respondisset, quod ipse locum tenens Ballivi de Medunta non existebat, nec ab his commissus extiterat, vel erat, nisi in casibus civilibus duntaxat, & ob hoc de dictis prisonariis eis tradendis, & deliberandis potestatem non habuerat nec habebat, praenominati gentes & officiales praedictorum Episcopy & Archidiaceni responsione dicti Petri vera & licita non obstante, eundem Petrum excommunicaverunt, et excommunicatum denunciaverunt, et quod deterius fuit et est, cessum seu Interdictum in praedicta Villa nostra posuerunt, et positum tenuerunt, atque tenent taliter, quod divinum servitium et alia Ecclesiae Sacramenta in ipsa Villa celebrari non possunt: Quae facta sunt, et fuerunt in nostri et Jurisdictionis nostrae temporalis dictorumque privilegiorum nobis ut supradictum est, indultorum ac possessionis, et saisinae nostrarum praedictarum, necnon praedicti Petri praejudicium et contemptum, ut asserunt. Procurator noster & Petrus Garnerii antedicti supplicantes, sibi super hoc de remedio competenti provideri, attento quod dictus defunctus tempore quo vivebat & decessit, erat noster Advocatus in dicta Villa, ac in nostra salva & specially gardia notorie & competenter publicata, quanquam dicta nostra Curia ex certis justis causis ad hoc ipsum moventibus ordinavit, & mandavit dictum Robertum Prisonarium, ad eandem nostram Curiam adduci. Quocirca tibi tenore praesentiam committimus, & mandamus, quatenus si decessu seu Interdicto pradictis sibi summary constiterit praedictos Episcopum, Archidiaconum, & Camerarium, ac eorum Officiales, vicarios, promotores, & gentes de quibus pro parte dicti procuratoris nostri, & Petri super hoc fueris requisitus ex parte nostra requiras, & etiam praecipias eisdem si sit opus, ut hujusmodi cessum seu Interdictum in dicta Villa ut praemittitur, appositum revocent, et adnullent: quod si facere renuerint, aut plus debito distulerint, •• sos ad hoc per captionem et detentionem temporalitatis eorundem, absque aliqua recredentia de hoc facienda viriliter compellas indilate: et insuper dictos Episcopum, Archidiaconum, et Camerarium, ac eorum Officiales, vicarios, et gentes, ex parte nostra requiras, ut ipsi et eocum singuli prout ad eos spectabit, Citationes, Monitiones, Sententias, Excommunicationes, denunciationes et processus Ecclesiasticos quoscunque contra praedictum Petrum aut alios Officiarios, vel Servitores nostros in praedicta Villa, occasion praemissorum factos seu inchoatos, similiter revocent omnino et adnullent: et ipsum Petrum et alios Officiarios nostros, et gentes si qui sint a sententiis Excommunicationum eorundem Episcopy, Archidiaconi, Camerarii, Officialiumque promotorum et gentium suarum sumptibus et expensis absolvi, et ab omnibus Citationibus, Monitionibus, denunciationibus, et processibus Ecclesiasticis totaliter cessari faciant indilate, ipsos ad hoc per captionem, et detentionem eorum temporalitatis praedictae compellendo: et in casu quo dicti Episcopus, Archidiaconus, Camerarius, et eorum Officiales, et alii praedicti, sententias Excommunicationis, ac Monitiones et processus praedictos contra dictum Petrum et alios Officiarios nostros factos et inchoatos revocare noluerint, et ad hoc se opponere voluerint, praedictos, quoad hoc opponentes, et etiam praedictos Episcopum, Archidiaconum, Camerarium, et gentes, et Officiarios suos superius nominatos, qui expleta praedicta fecisse dicuntur, adjornes ad certam brevem et competentem diem in nostro praesenti Parliamento non obstante quod sedeat, et ex causa videlicet dictos opponentes supradicta oppositione processuros, et ipsos et alios superius nominatos praedictis. Procuratori nostro, et Petro Garnerii, si et prout experiti voluerint, super praemissis, et ea tangentibus, responsuros, et ulterius processu • os et facturos, prout fuerit rationis, eisdemque ex parte nostra sub cerris magnis poenis nobis applicandis injungas ne interim ad ulteriores sententias Monitiones, et processus, contra dictum Petrum et alios Officiarios nostros procedant occasion pr • missorum, sed e • onmia in •• atu in quo sunt teneant, quousque per dictam nostram Curiam partibus auditis aliud extiterit super hoc ordinat •• , eandem •••• ram Curiam ad diem super praedictis 〈◊〉 ; de requisitionibus, praeceptis, adjournamentis, nominibusque adjornator • m, & all •• s q •• 〈◊〉 in ••• parte certificando competenter; ab omnibus autem Justitiariis & subditis nostris tibi in praemissis, & ea tangentibus p • rere volumus efficaciter, & jubemus. Quod prafata nostra Curia sic fieri voluit, & Procuratorio nostro, & Petro Garnerii memoratis concessit, & ex causa. Datum Parisiis in Parliamento quinto die Januarii, Anno Domini 1369. & Regni nostri Sexto.

There are many like Arrests of the Kings and Parliaments of France, for seisures of the Temporalties of Archbishops, Bishops, Archdeacons, and Ecclesiastic Judges, for admonishing, excommunicating, interdicting the Kings Officers, and others, and refusing to absolve them when enjoined: and exceeding the legal bounds of their Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction: And some declaring the Monitions and Excommunications of Bishops against several persons, to be abusive, scandalous, vexatious, full of falsities, impostures, tending to sedition, rebellion, derogatory to the Kings Crown and dignity, and commanding them to be revoked, yea torn, and publicly burnt by the Executioner as such; which you may peruse at leisure in the 5, and 6. Chapters of Prenves des Libertez de L'eglise Gallicane.

The English Nobility and Laity in the Diocese of Lincoln, (as this innovating, turbulent Bishop conceived, encouraged by these Presidents of the French) unanimously opposed his Usurpations of like nature upon their Liberties, Reputations, Consciences, complaining to King Henry the 3d. and his Council against the Bishops, Archdeacons, Deans and Officials vexations, and illegal Oaths, proceedings; the King thereupon by special Writs prohibited them, as prejudicial, derogatory to his Crown and Dignity, repugnant to the ancient Customs of his Realm, his people's Liberties, and hurtful to their fames, souls: But this obstinate head-strong Bishop slighting the Kings Writs, and proceeding in these his illegal Vifitations and Inquisitions notwithstanding; the King and his Council upon new complaints the next year, (Anno 31 H. 3.) issued forth new Prohibitions to all Sheriffs within the Diocese of Lincoln, thus recorded in the Clause Rolls in the Tower.

MAndatum est Uicecomiti Lincolniae, quod non permittat quod aliqui Laici in Balliva sua, ad vocationem Lincoln. Episcopy, Archidiaconorum vel Officialium eorum, seu Decanorum ruralium in aliquo loco conveniant de caetero AD ALIQUAS RECOGNITIONES PER SACRAMENTUM EORUM, VEL ATTESTATIONES ALIQUAS FACIENDAS, nisi in causis Matrimonialibus vel Testamentariis tantum. Teste, &c.

Eodem modo scribitur omnibus Uicecomitibus Episcopatus Lincoln.

Eodem quoque anno (as Matthew Paris relates) Dominus Rex Anglorum, exemplum accipiens ab illis Baronibus, qui sua statuta sanxerunt in Francia, quibus et Dominus Francorum favorem jam praebuit, et sigillum apposuit; ad insatiabilem Romanae Curiae in parte ad praesens cupiditatem refraenandam, constituit in Anglia inviolabiliter observanda haec. Lites de fidei laesione et perjurio prohibentur a Rege, quando super his conveniuntur Laici coram Iudice Ecclesiastico. Prohibetur Ecclesiasticus Iudex tractare omnes causas contra Laicos, nisi sint de Matrimonio vel Testamento. Item, de novo praescribit Rex, certam formam Episcopis de Bastardia; utrum scilicet ante Matrimonium contractum, vel post nati sint? Prohibentur Clerici per Breve Regis, instituere actiones suas coram Iudice Ecclesiastico super decimis; et appellatur illud Breve, Indicavit. De Sacramentis quae exiguntur a Clericis coram Iustitiariis Regis praestandis, quia dicuntur processisse in causis contra Prohibitionem Regiam; cum jurare non teneantur Clerici, nisi coram Iudice Ecclesiastico, maxim in causis spiritualibus. Item, de Clericis quos ministri Regis capiunt, propter famam quae a Laicis eis imponitur.

The Bishop of Lincoln, notwithstanding the former Prohibitions, and these new Statutes, proceeding in these his illegal Inquisitions and Oaths, in high contempt of the Kings Crown and Dignity, and compelling men and women by Ecclesiastical Censures to appear and take his new devised Oaths against their wills; the King thereupon issued out new Writs to the Sheriff of Lincoln to attach the Bishop, and enforce him to put in good bail and sureties to appear before the King to answer this contempt, as these Records attest.

REX Vicecomiti Lincolniae, salutem. Pone per Uadium et salvos Plegios R. Lincoln. Episcopum, quod sit coram Nobis in Octab. Sanctae Trinitatis, ubicunque tunc fuerimus in Anglia, ostensurus, quare fecit summoneri, et per Censuram Ecclesiasticam distringi Laicos homines et Laicas foeminas ad comparendum coram eo, et ad praestandum jucamentum pro voluntate sua, ipsis invitis, et in grave praejudicium Coronae nostrae et Regiae Dignitatis, necnon et magnam laesionem Regni nostri. Et habeas ibi nomina Plegiorum, et hoc Breve. Teste Rege apud Wistm. secundo die Maii.

REX Vicecomiti Lincolniae, salutem. Pone per Uadium et salvos Plegios R. Lincoln. Episcopum, quod sit coram Nobis in Octab. Sanctae Trinitatis, ubicunque, &c. ostensurus, quare pro voluntate sua distringit Laicas personas suae Dioc. ad jurandum, eis invitis, in grave praejudicium Coronae et Dignitatis nostrae, et contra Consuetudinem Regni nostri. Et habeas, &c. Teste, &c.

( Anno 35 Henr. 3.) The Bishop of Worcester, by the Bishop of Lincolns encouragement, in his Visitations and Consistories by himself and his Officers, summoned Lay persons, as well Villains as Freemen, to take an Oath of Inquiry upon Articles at his own pleasure, without the Kings special command, against the Custom of the Realm, and his Royal Dignity, which Innovation caused great scandal and raised a schism among the people; whereupon the King issued the like Writs to the Sheriffs of Gloucester and Worcester, (as he formerly did to the Sheriff of Lincoln and others, An. 30 & 31 H. 3.)

REX Vic. Glouc. salutem. Audivimus, quod W. W • gorniensis Episcopus transeundo per suam Dioc. vel Clericos suos specialiter destinando, compellit tam Liberos quam Uillanos, ad praestandum Sacramentum sine mandato nostro specially, super Inquisitione pro voluntate sua fac. contra Consuetudinem et Regiae Dignitatis excellentiam: Et quia ex hoc scandalum magnum et schisma in plebe generatur; Tibi praecipimus, quod nullum Laicum de caetero coram eodem Episcopo vel Clericis suis comparere permittas ob causam memoratam, ita quod inde diligentia tua merito valeat commendari.

The Bp. of Lincoln and his Officers, notwithstanding the former Writs, still vexing those of his Diocese, as well Noble as Ignoble, citing many poor Husbandmen from place to place, and Excommunicating them for not appearing, so as they could not attend their Husbandry and Temporal affairs, to their great impoverishing & vexation; and likewise compelling them to inquire & give testimony upon Oath of the private sins of others, whereby many were defamed, and might easily incur the danger of perjury; The King upon the general complaint of his Subjects against these grievances and Innovations, An. 36 H. 3. sent this memorable Prohibition to the Bishop himself, commanding him from thenceforth to desist from these Citations and Vexations newly invented, against the long Custom of the Realm, bringing a double damage to his Subjects, which he neither would nor could any longer endure, without putting his Royal hands to redress them, and punish him for his contumacy.

REX Episcopo Lincoln. salutem. Ex querela multorum accepimus tam Magnatum de Diocaesi vestra quam aliorum, per quosdam Clericos vestros et Decanos quosdam citari facitis passim, et indifferenter paupers homines de Diocaesi vestra, et quosdam liberos homines cujuscunque sint homines, et trahitis eos de locis variis ad loca varia, et eos artari faciatis, per poenam Excommunicationis, ad comparendum coram praedictis Clericis et subditis vestris ad loca varia, et eis honerosa, dum vacare deberent agrorum cultur • et aliis Temporalibus agendis suis necessariis, per quod depauperantur indebite, et enormiter vexantur. Et insuper quod inauditum est, eos jurare compellunt praedicti scrutatores vestri de privatis peccatis aliorum, quae non sunt, ut dicitur, publica cohercione purganda; pro quo multi Christiani, forte praeter merita turpiter diffamantur. Et quia hujusmodi vexationes contra longam Consuetudinem Regni nostri sunt excogitatae, et duplex populo per ease imminet periculum, tum propter laborum necessariorum amissionem, tum propter Sacramentum praestitum super privatis factis aliorum, in quibus homines decipiuntur, per quod reatum perjurii de facili possunt incurrere; Vobis prohibemus, ne de caetero hujusmodi convocationes populi fieri faciatis in Diocaesi vestra, contra Regni nostri Consuetudinem et usum longaevum. Nec etiam audivimus, quod Ecclesia consueverit aliquem ad testimonium perhibendum compellere, nisi in certis causis, et nisi quis se gratia, odio vel timore subtraxerit a testimonio perhibendo. Et sciatis, quod nisi a praedictis inusitatis populi ac indebitis vexationibus desistatis, nos sustinere non poterimus ulterius, quin ad hoc manus Regias apponemus. Teste Rege apud Winds. 14. die Junii.

By these premised passages and Regal Writs of Prohibition, it is most evident:

1. That Grosthead Bishop of Lincoln, by color of a pretended Privilege and Grant from the Pope, (not King) was the first Introducer of Inquisitions upon Oath, and Oaths in private causes, into the Church, Realm of England, in the 30. year of King Henry the 3d. there being no warrant nor president (for ought I can find upon my strictest search) in Histories or Records, of any such Inquisitions or Oaths used in England or elsewhere, by Bishops or Ecclesiastical persons in their Visitations or Consistories. And no wonder, since Origen, Athanasius, Ambrose, Jerome, Chrysostom, Hilary, Epiphanius, Cromatius Aquili • Episcopus, Euthymi • s, Oecumenius, Theophylactus, and other Ancients collected by Sixtus Senensis, from Mat. 5. 34, to 38. But I say unto you, swear not at all, &c. but let your communication be Yea, Yea, and Nay, Nay, for whatsoever is more then these cometh of evil: and Jam. 5. 12. But above all things my Brethren swear not, &c. but let your Yea be Yea, and your Nay, Nay, le • t you fall into condemnation: and the Waldenses, with sundry modern Commentators, condemned the usual imposing of Oaths (interdicted to Christians under the Gospel) as dangerous, and not to be enforced upon any, (unless in extraordinary cases of necessity, for ending controversies) especially by, or on Clergymen: Whence the Author of the imperfect Work on Matthew (attributed to St. Chrysostom ) thus admonished Clerks who tendered Oaths to others: Audit Clerici, qui exigentibus▪ Evangelia Sancta porrigatis; quomodo potestis ab illo Juramento esse securi, qui occasionem perjurii datis? Si erat been jurare justum, juste dicebatis; Quia de dimus illis Evangelium, ut jurent, non ut perjurent: nunc autem, cum sciatis, quia & been jurare peccatum est: quomodo potestis esse liberi, qui occasionem datis peccandi in Deum? Haec de illis dicta sunt, qui jurant per Deum; eorum autem, qui jurant per elementa, execrabilior iniquitas est. Those Fathers and Godly Bishops then, who writ thus against the ordinary imposing of Oaths under the Gospel, did never doubtless prescribe or enforce them on any in their Consistories or Visitations. Besides, it is most apparent, that ancient Councils and Popes were very careful to inhibit the imposing of Oaths upon Clergymen or Laymen, to prevent Perjury: Hence the Council of Cavailon under the Emperor Charles the Great, about the year 813. prohibited Bishops from exacting an Oath of Canonical obedience from Clergymen; or any Oath from Laymen in cases of Tythes, by these express Canons. Can. 13. Dictū est de quibusdam Fratribus, quod eos quos ordinaturi sunt, jurare cogunt, quod digni sint, et contra Canones non sint facturi, et obedientes sint Episcopo, qui eos ordinat, et Ecclesiae, in qua ordinantur: Quod juramentum, quia periculosum est, omnes una inhibendum statuimus. And Can. 18. Qui vero Decimas post crebras admonitiones & praedicationes Sacerdotum dare neglexerint, Excommunicentur, Iuramento vero eos constringi nolumus propter periculum perjurii. And our Statutes of Magna Charta, c. 28. of Marlbridge, 51 H. 3. c. 22. 3 E. 1. c. 30. & 2 E. 6. c. 13. prohibit Oaths of Parties and Champions upon the like account, to prevent Perjury. Pope Cornelius (as Gratian attests) affirmed in one of his Decrees, Nos ab Episcopis Sacramentum nescimus oblatum, (therefore not then used in their Courts or Visitations) nec unquam fieri debet nisi pro recta fide. Yea, Pope Honorius the 2. Pope Eugenius the 2. and the Council of Lateran under Pope Alexander the 3d. Anno 1180. expressly decreed and resolved according to former Canons, and Justinians Laws, Ut jurare Clerici omnino non audeant; Dignum est ut totus Clericalis ordo à praestando juramento immunis esse proculdubio censeatur. Nos itaque utriusque legis divinae & humanae intention servata, decrevimus, ut non Episcopus, non Presbyter, non cujuslibet Ordinis Clericus, non Abbas, non Monachus, non Sanctimonialis, in quacunque causa vel controversia, sive criminali sive civili, jusjurandum compellatur qualibet ration subire. Verum cum hac moderation, ut Episcopus inconsulto Romano Pontifice, vel quilibet Praelatus inconsulto Praelato suo, minime jurare audeat: Et si quis in hanc constitutionem commiserit, veniam sibi deinceps noverit denegari. If then no Bishop, Monk, Clergyman, may be compelled by Judges or Laymen to swear, much less then should they compel Laymen or Clergymen to swear before themselves. Moreover▪ Pope Eugenius resolves, Canones Juramentum calumniae nulli prorsus indicunt. Sane Romana Ecclesia in quibus causis de Decimis Ecclesiarum & rebus spiritualibus tantum agitur, Iuramentum calumniae nec dare, nec recipere consuevit: nor yet the Church of England, till Otto the Popes Legate introduced it in a Council at London An. 1237. forecited p. 439. much less then did the Church of Rome or England use or enjoin any such Visitation, Inquisition, or Ex Officio Oaths as these Writs prohibited. Finally, Pope Paschal the 2. and the whole Council of Rome An. 1112. with other Councils, Popes since, resolve, That Oaths imposed by force, and taken by constraint against men's wills, are not only unlawful, but also void and unobliging: Therefore the enforced Visitation & other Oaths of Bishop Grosthead, his Archdeacons, Deans, Officials were such, and justly prohibited, suppressed by the King and his Courts at their first introduction. The Council of Friburge under Arnulphus the Emperor A • ▪ 893. c. 11. De querimonia inter Presbyterum & Laicum, resolves, Laicus praejuramento, si necesse sit, constringatur; Presbyter vero vice praejuramenti per sanctam consecrationem interrogetur, quia Sacerdotes ex levi causa jurare non debent. Manus enim per quam corpus & sanguis Christi conficitur (& will not the self-same reason hold in a Laymans hand, per quam corpus & sanguis Christi recipitur ) juramento polluetur? Absit, cum Dominus in Evangelio Discipulus suis (quorum vicem nos gerimus in Ecclesia) dicat, Nolite omnino jurare, sit autem sermo vester, Est, Est, & Non, Non; quod autem his abundantius est, à malo est: Non dixit, quod amplius est, malum est, sed à malo; id est, a mals homine de cujus incredulitate cogimur jurare. And if those who press others to swear be evil uncredulous men, by this Councils and our Venerable Beda his Exposition on this Text, then Bishop Grosthead, his and all other Ecclesiastical Officers, compelling Laymen to swear as aforesaid, were evil uncredulous men, and their Inquisitions, Oaths most justly inhibited by the King, his Courts, Council, and opposed by the Nobility, Laity of his Diocese, and the whole Realm, as a dangerous Innovation, not formerly practiced in our Church or Realm.

2ly. It is evident by the premises, that both the Kings, Nobles, and Commonalty of England and France in that age, magnanimously, unanimously and strenuously oppugned the Usurpations, Encroachments, Innovations of the Pope, Prelates, Clergy, upon the Rights, Privileges of the Crown, and Liberties, Consciences of the Subject, against their extravagant Visitations, Inquisitions, Oaths, Excommunications, Canons, and new Ecclesiastical Jurisdictions, to preserve themselves from perjury, slavery, and unjust vexations.

3ly. That these Inquisitions, Oaths, and the enforcing of them by Ecclesiastical Censures on the Subjects, by these Bishops and their Officers, were generally, frequently opposed, and publicly complained against to the King, as well by the Nobility as Commonalty, and most strictly prohibited by special Writs of Prohibition, successively issued by the King, his Council, Courts, Judges, who all resolved these Oaths and Inquisitions to be, 1. New illegal grievances, then first introduced, contrary to the Custom and long-continued usage of this Realm. 2ly. Very prejudicial to the Kings Crown and Royal Dignity. 3ly. New devised intolerable vexations, grievances, oppressions to his Subjects, and that in four respects: 1. Because they tended to the enormous defamation, and intolerable scandal of many of his Subjects of all ranks, and of both sexes. 2ly. Because they occasioned great schisms and divisions amongst his people. 3ly. Because they withdrew them from their Husbandry, and other necessary temporal occasions, to dance attendance from time to time, and place to place on them and their Officers, to their grand vexation and impoverishing. 4ly. Because they involved them in the danger or guilt of perjury, by enforcing them to swear concerning the secret, private actions of others, wherein they might easily be mistaken. All which reasons remain still in full force, against all such like Oaths, Inquisitions, Innovations, Vexations of Bishops, Archdeacons, Rural Deans, Officials, and other Ecclesiastical Officers: which the King, his Courts, Judges, Council, may and ought by Law to prohibit, redress from time to time by like Writs of Prohibition for the Subjects relief upon all occasions; as is evident by these six ancient successive Writs, the Register of Writs, part 2. f. 36. Fitzherbert Natura Brevium, f. 41. a. Rastals Abridgement of Statutes, Tit. Prohibition, sect. 5. and other Law-books concurring with these Writs.

4ly. That Bishops, Archdeacons, Officials, and other Ecclesiastical Officers and Courts, had then no legal authority by the ancient Laws, usage, Custom of this Realm, to administer any Oath to Laymen, except only in causes of Matrimony and Testament, as these Prohibitions, with sundry others hereafter cited in their due Chronological order, the Statutes of 2 H. 5 c. 3. 2 E. 6. c. 13. and the last recited Lawbooks, resolve.

5ly. That Bishops have been and may be legally attached, and their Temporalties seized into the Kings hands, if they prejudice the Kings Crown, Dignity, or vex his Subjects by administering, enforcing illegal Oaths and Articles of Inquiry upon them by Excommunications and other Ecclesiastical Censures, contrary to the Laws and ancient Custom of the Realm.

6ly. That by the ancient Laws and Custom of this Realm, no new Oaths whatsoever may or ought to be framed, imposed on any of the Kings Subjects, by any Bishops, Ecclesiastical, or other persons whatsoever▪ nor any old legal Oaths altered, but by special Acts of Parliament, prescribing both the form, words of the Oaths themselves, and the persons who shall take and administer them, who must be specially authorized either by express words in the Acts themselves, or by special Commissions from the King under the Great Seal of England, to administer them when made, and not otherwise. This is most apparent by all the Oaths heretofore prescribed to Justices of the Kings Courts, Justices of Oyer and Terminer, and of the Peace, Barons and Officers of the Exchequer, Sheriffs, Under-Sheriffs, the Officers of the Court of Wards and Liveries, the Court of Augmentations, Customers, Searchers, Commissioners of Sewers, of Castles and Holds, Conservators of the Truce, Bailiffs of Franchises, Coroners, Sheriffs Clerks, Attorneys, the Kings Privy Council, Knights of Shires, Burgesses of Parliament, Champions, Clerks of the Council, Mayors, and other Officers; by the several Oaths of Fealty, Allegiance and Supremacy, made from time to time for the necessary preservation of the Sacred Persons of our Kings, the safety of the Kingdom, and defense of the Rights, Privileges, Jurisdiction of the Crown against all Papal Usurpations, and Treasonable practices whatsoever, all made, prescribed by special Acts of Parliament, as these ensuing resolve us: 9 H. 3. c. 28. 51 H. 3. c. 14. 3 E. 1. c. 40. 6 E. 1. c. 8. 13 E. 1. c. 43. 13 E. 1. Stat. of Winchester c. 6. 13 E. 1. Stat. Merchant, and Articles of Inquisition upon the Statute of Winchester, 34 E. 1. Statute of Liberties, c. 6. Totles Magna Charta, 1556. f. 164, to 168. Rastals Abridgement of Statutes, Coroners sect. 3. 9. E. 2. Statute of Sheriffs, 17 E. 2. c. 4. 1 E. 3. Parl. 1. c. 8. Parl. 2. c. 4. 5 E. 3. c. 2. 9 E. 3. of Money, c. 9. 15 E. 3. c. 3, 4. 15 E. 3. Rot. Parl. num. 10, 20, 28, 37, 41, 42, 17 E. 3. Rot. Parl. n. 11. 18 E. 3. Star. 3. 20 E. 3. c. 1, 2, 3. & Rot. Parl. num. 25. Rastal Justice and Justices, sect. 2, 3, 4. and Clerks of the Chancery, sect. 1. 21 E. 3. Rot. Parl. num. 7. 25 E. 3. Rot. Parl. num. 10. 25 E. 3. Stat. 1. c. 5. Stat. 4. c. 1. Stat. 7. of levying the Quindisme, 27 E. 3. Stat. 2. c. 1, 15, 16, 23, 24, 26. 31 E. 3. Stat. 2. 5 R. 2. Stat. 1. c. 11, 13, 14. 5 R. 2. Rot. Parl. num. 74. 6 R. 2. c. 12. 7 R. 2. Rot. Parl. num. 27. 9 R. 2. c. 3. 11 R. 2. Rot. Parl. num. 23. 12 R. 2. c. 8. 13 R. 2. c. 7. 14 R. 2. c. 3. 17 R. 2. c. 9. 17 R. 2. Rot. Parl. num. 18. 21 R. 2. c. 5. 21 R. • . Rot. Parl. num. 21, 37, to 44, 51, 52, 53, 89. 1 H. 4. Rot. Parl. num. 38. 4 H. 4. c. 10, 18, 20, 21. 8 H. 4. Rot. Parl. num. 66. 11 H. 4. Rot. Parl. num. 14, 39, 63. 1 H. 5. c. 6. 2 H. 5. c. 4, 6, 7. 4 H. 5. c. 2, 4. 1 H. 6. Rot. Parl. num. 62. 2 H. 6. Rot. Parl. num. 17. 2 H. 6. c. 10. 11 H. 6. c. 8. 11 H. 6. Rot. Parl. num. 14, 15, 16. 18 H. 6. c. 4, 10. 20 H. 6. c. 10. 23 H. 6. c. 2. 33 H. 6. c. 3, 5. 39 H. 6. Rot. Parl. num. 25, 26, 29. 3 E. 4. c. 3. 7 E. 4. c. 1. 8 E. 4. c. 2. 12 E. 4. c. 2, 3. 17 E. 4. c. 2. 1 R. 3. c. 6. 19 H. 7. c. 7. 22 H. 8. c. 8, 14. 23 H. 8. c. 5. 25 H. 8. c. 22. 26 H. 8. c. 2. 28 H. 8. c. 7. 10, 16. 31 H. 8. c. 14. 32 H. 8. c. 46. 33 H. 8. c. 22. 2 & 3 Phil. & Mar. c. 1. 1 Eliz. c. 11. 5 Eliz. c. 1. 8 Eliz. c. 1. 13 Eliz. c. 7. 18 Eliz. c. 6. 27 Eliz. c. 12. 29 Eliz. c. 4. 43 Eliz. c. 1, 2. 1 Jac. c. 9. 3 Jac. c. 4. 7 Jac. c. 2, 6, 8. • 1 Jac. c. 7. 20, 33. 1 Car. 1. c. 1. 2 Car. 1. c. 1. The Petition of Right 3 Car. 1. 17 Car. 1. An Act for repeal of the Branch of the Statute of 1 Eliz. c. 1. (a mere Declaration of the ancient Common Law of England in point of administering Oaths by Ecclesiastical Courts and Persons) and the Act for Explanation of a Clause therein 13 Car. 2. p. 66, 67. The Acts for well Governing and Regulating of Corporations, An. 13 Car. 2. p. 11. 12, 13, 14, 15. The Act against Quakers and others refusing to take lawful Oaths, p. 3, 4, 5, 7. The Act for Ordering the forces in the several Counties of this Kingdom, p. 53, 54. An Act for the Uniformity of public Prayers, &c. p 73, 77, 80. An Act for Regulating the making of Stuffs in Norfolk and Norwich, p. 49, 108, 110. An Act for Distribution and supply of Threescore thousand pounds, &c. for relief of Poor and maimed Officers and Soldiers, p. 178, 188. An Act for preventing Frauds, and regulating Abuses in his Majesty's Customs, p. 210, 219, 238, 239. An Act for regulating the Trade of Silkthrowing, p. 290. An Additional Act concerning matters of Assurances used among Merchants, p. 352, 353, 354, 355, 356, An Act for repairing of Dover Harbor, p. 389, 392. An Act for the better Regulating of the Manufacture of Broad Wollen Cloth within the West riding of the County of York, p. 411, 413, Anno 13 Caroli 2. with sundry other Acts made since, resolve. As all these Acts in general, so more particularly, The late Act for Safety and Preservation of his Majesty's Person and Government, against Treasonable and Seditious Practices and Attempts, Anno 13 Caroli 2. p. 6. resolves and declares, That the Oath usually called. The Solemn League and Covenant, (being not made by Act of Parliament, and without the Kings Royal Assent) was in it self an unlawful Oath, and imposed upon the Subjects of this Realm against the Fundamental Laws and Liberties of this Kingdom; and that all Orders and Ordinances of both or either Houses of Parliament. (though all the Bishops as well as Temporal Lord's be Members of, and present in them: much more then of any Council, Synod, Archbishop, Bishop, Archdeacon, Co • missary, or other Ecclesiastical person or officer out of Parliament) FOR IMPOSING OF OATHES, to which the Kings Royal assent either in person or by Commission was not expressly had or given (and by consequence all other Oaths hereafter so made or imposed in or out of Parl.) were in their first creation and making, and still are, & so shall be taken to BE NULL AND VOID TO ALL INTENTS AND PURPOSES WHATSOEVER. And Sir Edward Cook in his 4. Institutes, from the consideration of some of these Acts, asserts, That an Oath is so sacred, and so deeply concerneth the consciences of Christian men, as the same cannot be ministered to any, unless the same be allowed by the Common Law, or by some Act of Parliament: That no old Oath allowed by the Common Law, or an Act of Parliament, can be altered, nor any New Oath raised without an Act of Parliament, nor any Oath administered by any that have not allowance by the Common Law, or by an Act of Parliament. And so was it resolved in Parliament, Anno 26 Elizabeth. in the case of the Undersheriff, and in the case of Commissioners for Policies of Assurance; in which Parliament I attended (writes he) as Attorney General. Whereunto he subjoins, That Oaths which have no warrant by Law, are rather Nova Tormenta, quàm Sacramenta: and that it is an high contempt to administer any (old, much more then to make or impose a New) Oath, without warrant of Law, to be punished by Fine and Imprisonment: And therefore Commissioners that sit by force of any Commission that is not allowed by the Common Law, nor warranted by Authority of Parliament, (much less then such who have no Commission at all from the King under the Great Seal, but only from a Bishop, Archdeacon, or other Subject) that ministereth any Oath whatsoever, are guilty of an high contempt, and for the same are to be fyned and imprisoned: And no Commissions are legal but such as are allowed by the Common Law, or warranted by some Act of Parliament: And therefore Commissions (much more Articles) of new Inquiries, or of Novel Inventions are against Law, and ought not to be put in Execution. Dors. Claus. An. 19 R. 2. n. 17. Certain poor Christians that had spoken against the worshipping of Images, were by the Bishops inquired of, and sworn to worship Images, which Oath was against the express Law of God, and against the Laws of the Land, for that they had no warrant to minister the same. And in his 12. Report, f. 26, 27. Pasch. 4 Jacobi, He reports, That upon a motion made by the Commons in Parliament, in what cases the Ordinary may examine any person upon Oath? Chief Justice Popham and himself upon a reference and demand from the Lord's of the Council, touching this question, upon good consideration and view of the Books resolved, That the Ordinary cannot constrain any Ecclesiastical or temporal person upon their Oaths to answer in cases of Infamy, Adultery, Incontinency, Felony, Simony, hearing of Mass, Heresy, &c. but only of Matrimony, and Testaments, it being not only against the ancient Laws of the Realm, but also in prejudice of the Kings Crown and Diginty, as they proved by the forecited Books and Prohibitions. After these Prohibitions, I do not find by our Histories or Records, that any Bishops made Inquisitions upon Oath in their Visitations or Consistories from 36 H. 3. till Queen Mary's days, when Bishop Boner introduced them: Yea William Lindewood our greatest Canonist and Advocate for Episcopal Jurisdiction, and the Canon Law, flourishing and made Bishop in King Henry the 6. his reign, writing of Episcopal Inquisitions, asserts, That solemn preparatory Inquisitions are regularly made, sine exactione Iuramenti, without exaction of an Oath; That from the beginning, when a general Inquisition is to be made (by Archbishops, Bishops, or Archdeacons in their Visitations,) non debet exigi Iuramentum, an Oath ought not to be exacted, especially by which any one shall be constrained to detect another man's secret sin or offense. And Angelus de Elavasio a famous Canonist, writing about the year of our Lord, 1480. in his Summa Angelica, resolves, That Bishops and other Visitors in their Visitations, ought first to preach the word of God, and afterwards Inquirat et sine Iuramento et coactione, they are to inquire of those things which belong to their office to correct, without an Oath and coaction, inducing the people to reform those things that are amiss, by wholesome connsels and gentle persuasions, or or by reprehentions, as they shall deem meet. This course was observed in all the Visitations of our Archbishops of Canterbury recorded by Matthew Parker, or Godwin in their Lives, out of our Historians, and their own Registers, wherein I find no mention of any Inquiry or presentations upon Oath; witness the Visitations of Boniface Archbishop of Canterbury, Robert Kylwarby, John Peckham, Walter Reynolds, John Stratford, Simon Islippe, William Courtney, Thomas Arundell, Thomas Bourgchier, John Morton, and others. All which I thought fit from these presidents to demonstrate, for vindication of the Kings Prerogative, the ancient Laws, Customs of the Realm, the Subjects Liberties, and others information. I now return to my former Chronological method and theam.

K. Henry the 3. not only to evidence his Devotion, (though Superstitious) but Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction in Spiritual and Religious things, Feasts, and Relics, as they were then reputed: Circa idem tempus, scripsit Dominus Rex omnibus Regni sui Magnatibus, ut in festo Sancti Aedvardi, videlicet translatione, quae celebratur in Quindena Sancti Michaelis, jubens ut omnes ibidem convenirent, ut joeundissimos cujusdam Sancti beneficii coelitus Anglis nuper collati, rumores exaudirent: Et praetereà, ut tam gloriosi Regis & Martyris translationem venerarentur: tertio, ut Willielmi de Valentia fratris sui uterini, quem ipse Rex ea die baltheo cincturus erat militari, cum quibusdam Nobilibus juvenibus, interessent tyroeinio: ut sie festum multiplex praesentia ipsorum Magnatum, tàm Praelatorum, quàm aliorum, jocundior, ad Regis & Regni honorem, serenaretur. Die igitur praefixo convenientes apud Westmonasterium, certificati de die Sancti Aedvardi, & dicti Willielmi tyrocinio, sciscitabantur, quinam essent illi jocundi rumores, quos ibidem forent audituri? Qui relati fuerunt fideles, & omni acceptione digni. Magister enim Templi & Hospitalis, cum testimonio quamplurimorum sigillorum, videlicet Patriarchy Hierosolymitani, Archiepiscoporum quoque & Episcoporum, Abbatum & aliorum Praelatorum & Magnatum de Terra Sancta, miserant quandam portionem sanguinis Dominici, quem pro salute mundi fudit in cruce, in quodam vase crystallino venustissimo, per quendam fratrem Templarium been notum. Dominus autem Rex, utpote Princeps Christianissimus, ab Augusto Heraclio victoriosissimo ac piissimo Imperatore, crucem Sanctam exaltante, & à Rege Francorum, tune superstite, crucem eandem, ut praescribitur, Parisiis honorante, sumens exemplum; devoto spiritu ac contrito in vigilia Sancti Aedmundi, in pane & aqua jejunans, & nocte vigilans, cum ingenti lumine, & devotis orationibus, se ad crastinam solennitatem prudenter praeparavit.

Praecepit igitur Dominus Rex, ut omnes Presbyteri Londinenses festive vestiti superpelliciis & capis, cum suis Clericis decenter vestitis, cum vexillis, crucibus, & cereis accensis, die crastina, videlicet Sancti Aedvardi, summo mane ordinate & reverenter convenirent apud Sanctum Paulum. Quo & ipse Rex venit, & cum summo honor & reverentia ac timore accipiens illud vasculum cum Thesauro memorato, tulit illud ferens in propatulo supra faciem suam iens pedes, habens humilem habitum: scilicet pauperem capam sine caputio, praecedentibus vestitis praedictis, sine pausatione, usque ad Ecclesiam Westmonasteriensem, quae distat ab Ecclesia Sancti Pauli circiter uno milliari. Nec praetermittendum, quod ambabus manibus illud deferens, cum per stratam salebrosam & inaequalem pergeret, semper vel in coelum vel in ipsum vas lumina tenebat defixa. Supportatur autem palla per 4. hastas. Supportabantque duo coadjutores brachia sua, ne in tanto forte labor deficeret. Conventus autem Westmonasteriensis, cum omnibus qui convenerant, Episcopis, Abbatibus, & Monachis, qui plùs quàm centum aestimabantur, canentes & exultantes in Spiritu Sancto & lachrymis, occurrebant eidem Domino Regi sic adventanti, usque ad portam Curiae Episcopy Dunelmensis. Tunc autem reversi sicut ierant, videlicet processionaliter, ad Ecclesiam Westmonasteriensem, vix in ea prae copiosa turbae multitudine continebantur. Nec adhuc cessabat Dominus Rex, quin indefessus ferens illud vas, ut prius, circuiret Ecclesiam, Regiam, & thalamos suos. Demùm illud quasi donum impreciabile, & quod Angliam illustraverat, donavit & obtulit Deo & Ecclesiae Sancti Petri Westmonasterii: & charo suo Aedvardo, & sacro Conventui, qui ibidem Deo & Sanctis suis ministrant.

Dominus Episcopus Norwicensis, qui & Missam eadem die solenniter celebravit, populo praedicando asseruit, quod inter sacra quae inter mortals habentur, sacratissmum est sanguis Christi. Est enim pretium mundi, & ejus effusio, salus generis humani; & ut condign illud magnificaret amplius, addidit illud Philosophi; Omne propter quod, dignius quàm illud quod. Revera crux Sancta, sanctissimam quid est. Sed ipsa sacra fuit, propter sacratioris sanguinis aspersionem; non sanguis sacer, propter crucem. Et haec eum dixisse credimus, ut in possessione tanti Thesauri non minus gaudeat & glorietur Anglia, quam Francia in adeptione sanctae crucis; quam Dominus Rex Francorum non immerito diligit, & super aurum & topazion amplectitur & veneratur. Et addidit, quod pro maxima Domini Regis Angliae, qui dignoscitur esse inter omnes Christianitatis Principes Christianissimus, missus fuit ill Thesaurus impreciabilis ex parte Domini Patriarchy Hierosolymitani; cujus rei certitudo sufficienter examinatur, reverentia & sanctitate, ut plus in Anglia veneraretur, quàm Syria, quae jam paene derelinquitur desolata; viget enim ibi plus fides et sanctitas, ut novit mundus, quam in aliqua alia regione per totius mundi latitudinem. Cum autem examinaretur, & alii tardi cordis ad credendum adhuc haesitarent, ait Dominus Theodoricus, Prior Hospitalis Hierosolymitani, Episcopis & aliis circumsedentibus: Domini charissimi, quid adhuc fluctuatis? Exigit ne ob hoc beneficium aliquis nostrum, vel Templarius, vel Hospitalarius, vel etiam frater qui portavit, vel de Domino Rege, vel alio, vel aliquo, aliquam in auro vel argento retributionem, vel quantulumcunque premium? Et Rex: Nequaquam. Et Frater: Quare ergo in damnationem animae suae tot & tanti viri, tali assertioni perhiberent testimonium, apponentes signa sua, quae sunt fidei pignora manifesta? Et approbata fuerunt verba, licet Laici, ab universis, tàm Episcopis quàm auditoribus. Sed nunc ad propositum redeamus. Cum satis autem eleganter dictus Episcopus in sermon perorasset, annunciavit populo exultanti, quod quicunque ad sacratissimum sanguinem illic habitum, venerandum convenirent, gratuita ex concessione omnium, qui illuc venerant Praelatorum, sex annorum, & 140. dierum veniam de injuncta sibi poenitentia libere consequerentur. Et cum inter loquendum, aliqui de assidentibus obgrunuirent haesitantes, quaestionem hanc moverent: Quomodo cum plene & integraliter tertia die post passionem resurrexerit Dominus, sanguinem in terra reliquerit? Quae quaestio ab Episcopo Lincolniensi ad unguem tunc determinabatur, prout habetur scriptum in libro Additamentorum; prout hujus paginae scriptor audivit, & de verbo ad verbum satis dilucide scripsit. Such was the strange superstition, delusion, credulity of that age, as to believe this Relique to be the very blood of Christ, upon the Testimony of those Impostors, who under their hands and seals thus confidently attested it, though not present at Christ's passion, and living 1200. years after it. But let us hear Bishop Grostheads Legend, Argument evincing it to be Christ's blood, in answer to the premised Objections.

Cum autem quod sacratissimus foret Domini nostri Jesu Christi sanguis, quem Rex Henricus tertius die Sancti Edwardi, videlicet die Translationis ejus, Anno Gratiae 1247. indiciis, probationibus & examinationibus constaret evidentissimis, & omni acceptione dignissimis; tamen ab aliquibus qui tardicordes erant ad credendum, adhuc dubitabatur utrum verus sanguis Christi fuisset? Quibus haec relatio satisfecit inventa in Apocryphis, quibus non dissidet, imo concordat textus Evangelicae veritatis. Quod videlicet cum Joseph ab Arimathia nobilis decurio, qui sic dicebatur quia decem militibus praefuit, vel decurio, id est, de Curia & de numero Curialium, fuisset unus de auditoribus Jesu, & potius de discipulis, & amator specialis; compatiebatur ei, & sollicitabatur qualiter corpus conservari posset tam venerabile à furore Judaeorum. Erat enim amicissimus Jesu, sicut & Nicodaemus. Sed hii & alii divites occulti, propter metum Judaeorum; ne accusati, jacturam incurrerent & odium amicorum. Magnum enim vinculum servitutis in se habent divitiae. Crucifixo igitur Jesu & mortuo, postulavit Joseph corpus Jesu, ingrediens ad eum audacter (per quod creditor fuisse potens) & concessum est ei. Ipse igitur (licet obmurmurassent Judaei ) cum omni honor & reverentia, ipsum corpus sanctissimum deposuit de cruce saucium & multiformiter cruentatum, habensque linteamen subtle dependens à collo & humeris (ne indign tam dignum corpus nudis manibus contrectaret) ipsa sacra vulnera adhuc madida ac distillantia, sedulo ac devoto detersit officio. Imo etiam loca clavorum extractorum tincta cruore in ipso crucis patibulo, exhausit abstergendo; utens vice spongiae ipso linteamine. Cum autem jam non procul à Golgotha, id est loco Calvariae (loco videlicet crucifixionis) corpus Christi detulisset dictus Joseph tumulandum, in loco ubi nunc sepulchrum adoratur, in sepulchro novo in quo nullum adhuc corpus positum erat, non ignobiliter inciso, quod & ipse comparaverat, lavit corpus illud, quia multipliciter ut jam dictum dignoscebatur, saucium & cruentatum, tum propter sudorem ipsius, de quo scribitur, Factus est sudor ejus quasi guttae sanguinis decurrentis in terra▪ tum propter flagella quibus caesus fuit asperrime usque ad livorem & cruorem, tum propter coronam spineam quam Judaei plectentes violenter capiti ejus impresserunt▪ (cujus multi aculei caput & frontem non tantum pungerent & laederent, imo potius vulnerarent & cruentarent) tum propter clavorum per mediam manuum & pedum perforationem▪ tum propter militis lanceam qua ipse latus Jesu non tantum vulneravit sed aperuit; amplum enim fecit & hiatum patulum forte saepius, vel saltem semel fecit impingendo▪ Memoratus igitur venerabilis decurio Joseph corpus ipsum lavit; hic enim erat Judaeorum consuetudo, & adhuc est aliquorum honestorum Christianorum, maxim religiosorum. Lavit, inquam, quia condiendum. Lavit, quia sane arbitrabatur & religiose dignum censuit sanguinem ipsum sibi prorsus vendicandum, & ut Thesaurum vel medicamen preciosissimum reservandum. Ipsamque aquam loturae rubicundam, & sanguine mixtam & tinctam, non projiciendam excepit in vase mundissimo. Reverentius tamen, ipsum purum sanguinem à vulneribus manuum & pedum distillatum; maximo autem timore & honor ipsum sanguinem cum aqua quem censuit praecordialem, à latere dextro foeliciter eliquatum & expressum, in vase recepit nobilissimo tanquam Thesaurum impreciabilem, sibi & successoribus suis specialiter reservandum. Manifestum est igitur, quadruplicem ibidem fuisse liquorem.

Primo, Aquam rubicundam, scilicet loturam; quam ipse amicis infirmantibus distribuit efficaciter medicinalem.

Secundo, Sanguinem puncturarum in capite & front, & scissurarum per flagella inflictarum cum sudore. Isti duo liquores, ex pluribus mixti dignoscuntur.

Tertio, Sanguis ex vulneribus manuum & pedum, qui purus fuit & impermixtus emanavit.

Quarto, Ille formidabilis tremendae & reverendissimae recordationis cruor praecordialis, qui ex ipso cord Christi, vel saltem latere constat effluxisse.

Praeter quos quatuor liquores, aquam cum sanguine de ipso latere scimus emanasse. Haec ergo cum pie & prudenter perfecisset Joseph, & corpus jam esset conditurus, supervenit Nicodemus eodem tactus spiritu pietatis, multum commendavit diligentiam Joseph. Erat antem Nicodemus nobilis & potens sicut & Joseph, unde in Evangelio dicitur fuisse Princeps Judaeorum. Et factus est ipsi Joseph in adjutorium & solatium. Isti namque duo nobiles ac religiosi viri, erant de discipulis Jesu, audientes eum clam; de noctibus videlicet, ne commoverent seditionem in populo, & plenius ab ipso eruditi expectabant Regnum Dei. Iste igitur Nicodemus prout praelibatum est, ut exequiarum tantarum decus adaugeret, & sua praesentia fide & devotione plenius prosequeretur: attulit (ut testator Johannes in Evangelio suo) mixturam myrrae & aloes quasi libras centum, ad condiendum corpus tantae auctoritatis. Erant enim devoti ac stabiles in fide, quia viderant multa ejus in vita miracula, necnon & in morte: quia terraemotum & tenebras universals (quod erat supra naturam cum tunc fuisset luna panselenos) aquamque de latere ejus (quod erat insolitum & miraculosum) distillasse. Loquitur igitur Johannes Evangelista exin pluraliter, propter associationem supervenientis Nicodemi; dicens, Acceperunt ergo corpus Jesu. Porro, praeter illam myrram aloem quam attulerat Nicodemus; apposita sunt illi confectioni etiam aromata Joseph. Dicit enim Johannes, Ligaverunt linteis corpus ipsum cum aromatibus. Et sic conditum & involutum aptaverunt, & ordinate posuerunt in monumento novo: quod compositum fuit per modum clibani▪ Ita videlicet, ut ibi plura corpora reponi potuissent. In ipso quoque sepulchro, nondum quis, nec postea, ponebatur. Decuit enim quod sicut in uterum virginis descendit, & ex virgins natus fuit primogenitus (id est unigenitus) & per clausam portam exivit: sic & in novo sepulchro in quo nullus positus vel ponendus erat, Christus digne collocaretur. Et apposuerunt ostium ad os monumenti: lapidem quippe magnum. Unde Matthaeus Evangelista vocat illud Saxum magnum. Et mulieres quae licet tres fuissent (quae postea venerunt, ut ungerent Jesum ) nescientes quod jam unctus esset, sollicitarentur quomodo ab ostio monimenti revolveretur. Quo facto, recesserunt Joseph & Nicodemus, & qui eos sequentes, ipsis assistebant. Posteà vero accesserunt Judaei versuti & in odio obstinati: & ex permissione Pilati, lapidem memoratum signaverunt, apponentes militum custodiam. Et cum inde recessissent Joseph & Nicodemus, partiti sunt inter se (ration amicitiae & condiscipulatus) liquores memoratos: utpote pretiosam adquisitionem. Sic igitur devoluta fuit hujus charissimae rei possessio, de patribus in filios, & de amicis ad amicos. Videlicet inter nobilissimos, quod post multorum annorum curricula devenit ad possessionem Patriarchy Jerosolymitani, utpote Thesaurus Ecclesiae, cui praeesse Patriarcha dignoscitur, Anno Gratiae 1247. Qui tum propter discrimen Terrae Sanctae quam tunc timuerunt amittere Christiani, tum propter hoc, quod Regem Angliae Christianissimum cognoverunt, & ipsam terram Christianissimam: memoratus Patriarcha de Consilio suorum Suffraganeorum Magistrorumque militiae Templi & Hospitaliorum, & aliorum nobilium transmarinorum, qui in testimonium veritatis vel sigilla sua apposuerunt, vel assertionem mandati transmiserunt, saepedictum Thesaurum sanguinis memorati, piissimo Regi Angliae Henrico tertio, ut sub ejus tutela dignius veneraretur et tutius reservaretur, prudenter duxit transmittendum, & non pro alicujus commercii retributione, imo in merae charitatis liberalitate conferendum. Unde asserunt nonnulli, quod generosiori modo possidet illud munus Rex Angliae Henricus, tantaeque dignitatis reliquias quàm Rex Francorum suas, quas paucis antea annis evolutis, institorie adquisivit. Et si Sancta nimis sit crux vera, propter contactum Sancti corporis Christi; & corona, & lancea, & clavi; multo sanctior fuit sanguis ipse Christi, pretium videlicet humanae redemptionis, quia propter cruorem & in cruore sanctificata est crux & caetera, & non cruor propter crucem, vel propter alia passionis instrumenta. Sed quia tardi cords & oblocutores solent sic objicere & dicere, quod cum Christus tertio die resurrexisset cum corporis integritate, & non exanguis, qualiter esse posset quod sanguinem suum post se reliquerit in terra. Responsum fuit sufficienter. Duo sunt sanguines, vel genera sanguinum. Unus enim sanguis est, qui ex nutrimentis generatur, qui aliquando ita superfluit, ut à naribus sponte prorumpat, vel aliquem alium exitum, ut minutione indigeat sic repletus. Et de tali sanguine Christi, habemus in terra, licet sane non fuisset sanguinolentus; Deo sic volente, ut videlicet habeatur recentior memoria dominicae passionis. Est & alius sanguis, qui corpori animato substantialis. De quo dicitur, quod ptysis est consumptio substantialis humiditatis, id est sanguinis vitae necessarii. Qui secundum physicos dicitur amicus naturae, & de quo dicit Moses, quod in sanguine sedes est animae. Sed ill sanguis reponitur in triclinio cordis, sine quo non posset quis vivere. De illo Christi sanguine, non habemus forte in terris: Forte dico, quia omnia quaecumque voluit, Dominus fecit. Surrexit enim Deus, & quicquid fuit de substantia corporis sui & decoris plenitudine, cum ipso, & quod de veritate humanae fuit naturae cum ipso, id est sanguis eidem consubstantialis. Alius vero qui distillavit habetur hic. Et nos quidem sic resurgemus, videlicet sine aliqua corporis vel mutilatione vel deformitate. Qualiscumque enim extiterit homo in hoc mundo, contractus, gibbosus, vel leprosus, vel nanus, vel abortivus, in resurrection sibi plene restaurabitur. Revera in corporis Christi, suorum vulnerum stigmata, post resurrectionem suam, recentium, & adhue hiantium, quod apparuerunt, & quod se Christus post resurrectionem & glorificationem corporis palpabilem praebuit, & ad suum been placitum visibilem, vel vulneratum monstravit, miraculosum & obstupendum. Ut sic videlicet dubitantium fides roboraretur, quia tam duri & tardi fuerunt quidam discipulorum ad credendum resurrectionem, quod postquam viderant, non crediderunt, & ut benedictio non verius & tamen credituris, largius donaretur. Tertia causa fuit & potissima, ut scilicet sic sciretur quod omnipotence fuit, ut contra consuetum usum & naturalem foret corpus ejus, qui fuit Dominus naturae, ad suum nutum & beneplacitum monstrabile, & palpabile, & saucium cerneretur, qui tamen ad discipulos intravit foribus obseratis. Et sic omnium cessare debent morsus detractatorum.

How unsatisfactory this Legend, these Testimonies are to evidence this Relique to be Christ's very blood to any pious Christian, all men may judge; yet such was the Ignorance and Superstition of that age, that the King, Prelates, Clergy, and generality of the people received and really adored it as Christ's very blood wherewith they were redeemed, not only at first Anno 1247. but the next ensuing years, by the Kings special Summons, prohibiting all Fairs or sales of Wares in London and elsewhere, to draw multitudes of people to Westminster to adore this false Relique, and enrich the Abbot, Monks, and Inhabitants by the profits of this Faire, which undid many Merchants resorting to it with their Wares, as Matthew Paris there present thus relates.

Anno quoque sub eodem, Dominus Rex cum Londinum properaret ad festum Sancti Edwardi, quod est de translatione ejusdem Sancti, in Quindena scilicet Sancti Michaelis, tertio Idus Octobris, quamplurimis Praelatis, Magnatibusque sub obtentu amicitiae ec devotionis significavit, ut praesentialiter cum ipso apud Westmonasterium beati Edwardi festum solenniter ac devote concelebrarent. Venerunt igitur illuc vocati Comes Richardus, Comes Rogerus Bigod Marescallus, Comes Herefordiae, & Barones praeelecti cum Militibus nonnullis, Episcopy autem Wintoniensis, Londinensis, Elyensis, Wygorniensis, Karleolensis. Abbates autem & Priores quamplurimi. Jussit autem Dominus Rex denunciari, & voice praconia, fecit per totam Civitatem Londini, & alibi acclamari, quod constituit Nundinas novas exerceri plene apud Westmonasterium per quindenam duraturas; omnes quoque Nundinas quae solent per tantum tempus per Angliam exerceri, utpote Nundinas Elyenses, & alias, & omnem mercaturam, quae solet Londini haberi, & extra tectum vel sub recto exerceri, sub poena magnae forisfacturae & jacturae praecise interdixit, ut sic Nundinae Westmonasteriales populis & mercibus copiosius abundarent. Unde factum est ut illic innumerabilis populus undique velut ad celeberrimas Nundinas conflueret, ibidemque translatio beati Edwardi, et sanguis Christi a populo illuc tracto et ibi congregato, inopinabiliter veneraretur. Verum omnes illic mercimonia sua emptui exponentes, cum non haberent tecta, nisi de panniculis tentoria, magnis incommodis premebantur, quia variis procellis aereis, ut tunc temporis solet, ingruentibus, algebant, madebant, esuri • bant, sitiebant mercatores; Pedes luto sordebant, mercimonia eorum imbribus contabuerunt. Ubi n • mque ad mensam pransuri sedebant, qui ad caminos refici consueverunt prandentes in medio familiae suae, penitus sic egere nescierunt. Episcopus autem Elyensis, pro jactura nundinarum suarum Elyensium, edicto Regio suspensarum, graviter conquestus est Domino Regi super hoc, qui tales adinvenit in gravamen subditorum novitates; Sed nihil nisi inania verba mulcentis promissionis & futurae consolationis reportavit. After this Anno 1249. the King by his Letters summoned his Nobles and Prelates magnificently to lebrate the Feast of St. Edward in St. Peters at Westminster, Congregati sunt igitur ibi quamplurimi, tum pro devotione & amore Sancti, tum pro Domini Regis ipsos v • cantis reverentia, tum pro veneratione sancti sanguinis Christi nuper adepti, et venia concessa ibidem obtinenda: Such was their blind anniversary devotion • and superstition. For evincing whereof, I shall only subjoin, That Our learned Thomas Beacon in his Relics of Rome, and others relate; That in the Church of Lateran in Rome (amongst other relics) they have the water and blood which flowed out of Christ's side when he hanged on the Cross; And that part of his foreskin which was cut away when he was circumcised. That in the 7th principal Church they have Two Cups, of the which one is full of the blood of Christ; the other full of the milk of the blessed Virgin Mary, (the Relics of whose milk, and hair, are shown in above 20 other places) That S. Swoll the Daughter of Fulco King of Jerusalem, and Wife of King Theodoricus, by the Consent of her Husband, became a Nun, or Religious woman at Jerusalem, where she found (as they write) a good quantity of Christ's blood, which Nicodemus, and Joseph of Arimathea got out of the Wounds of Christ when they washed his body, and she sent it to her Husband; which blood (as they say) is at this day kept at Bruges, and is there shown to the people on the Third day of May: Besides this Viol of his Blood, sent into England; which he likewise mentions. If the Relics of the blood of Christ shed on the Cross, be extant in so many places; then it could be no such peculiar blessing to England, as was then pretended, yea being found out only by this Nun above a thousand years after Christ's death, it must doubtless be a Grosse Imposture, as it was afterwards resolved, declared; and those most audacious false Witnesses, who durst thus publicly attest the truth and reality of it under their Hands and seals upon her single evidence, yea this our devout King, his Nobles, Prelates, Clergy were strongly deluded to believe lies, who annually adored this blood with such solemn Devotions, Processions, and used such artifices to induce the people to adore it, as you have already heard.

In the year 1248. (32 H. 3.) the Bishop of Durham presuming upon the Privileges of his Bishopric (being a County Palatine) granted by our Kings favor, oppressing the Prior of Tynemouth against the Liberties granted to the Priory by the Kings royal predecessors, and the Laws of the Realm, and refusing upon two former Letters sent unto him by the King, entreating him in a fair and friendly manner to desist from oppressing the Prior, in respect he was under his special protection; the Bishop notwithstanding most contemptuously and ungratefully persevering in his illegal vexations, and slighting the Kings former Letters; he thereupon by his royal Prerogative sent this special Writ and Mandate to him, to do justice to the Prior, or else he would do him justice himself, notwithstanding his Liberties, and punish the injuries done unto him, which he could not, yea ought not any longer to endure.

HENRICUS Dei Gratiâ, &c. Dunelmensi Episcopo salutem. Non possumus non mirari super eo, quod cum semel & secundo vos affectione plena rogaverimus, ut à vexatione dilecti nobis in Christo Prioris Thinemua desistatis, qui, sicut nostis, sub protectione & defensione nostra militat specially, precibus nostris pro ipso porrectis, condescendere minime curavistis, nolentes ad animum revocare, quod pro honor vestro, vobis detulimus in hac parte; credentes firmiter & sperantes, quod vestrae discretionis benignitas vos ad hoc gratis faciendum induceret, quod per legem Regni nostri, et Regiam potestatem vos facere oportebit. Ut autem vobis liqueat manifest quod vobis hucusque in facto isto volumus defer; tertio Paternitatis vestrae dilectionem duximus attentius implorandam, quatenus intuitu precum nostrarum et ob reverentiam quam Principi vestro debetis impendere, averia sive bona dicti Prioris, quae contra legem terrae coepistis, & detinetis unjust, quod per Libertates suas, quas habet per Chartas Praedecessorum nostrorum Regum Angliae, & maxim per Chartam Richard • Regis avunculi nostri, aperte poterit comprobari, & quibus temporibus praedecessorum nostrorum libere usi fuerunt, deliberari, absque morae dispendio faciatis; Scituri pro certo quod nisi infra octavas Sancti Hilary proximo futuras, has preces nostras plen • effectui duxeritis mancipandas, quantumcunque vobis detulerimus, & de jure defer vellemus, Nos extunc, non obstante libertate vestra, cujus praetextu injurias vestras aliis illatas, sine correctione Regiae dignitatis, non debemus nec possumus sustinere, praedicta averia deliberari, et damna eidem Priori restitui, quae injuriae vestrae occasion sustinuit, et de vobis plenam faciamus justitiam exhiberi. Teste meipso, &c. Patet igitur per praedicta, quod injuriatum est enormiter dicto Priori & Conventui suo, qui gaudet eisdem privilegiis & liberatibus quibus & Ecclesia beati Albani, cui collatum est, quicquid fas est conferri alicui Abbati, in spiritualibus à Summo Pontifice, & à piissimis fundatore ejus Offa, & aliis Regibus Angliae, in temporalibus, quicquid Regia potestas potuit exhiberi, which Liberties he there recites at large.

You have formerly heard the Popes intolerable Extortions exercised by his counterfeit Nuncioes, Freers, Harpies, Bulls in England and elsewhere, with the Oppositions Complaints against them, An. 1247. which notwithstanding he vigorously and impudently prosecuted, Anno 1248. (32 H. 3.) as Matthew Paris and others thus relate.

Eodem Anno, multiplicata sunt cum augmento gravamina multipliciter excogitata, quae a Romana Curia in Regnum diatim Angliae miserae profluxerunt. Praeter angustiam & servitutem insolitam, eo quod suspendebantur Praelati a collatione beneficiorum, donec Romanae avaritiae satisfactum esset, nec contra hoc reclamavit Reguli pusillanimitas, pullularunt quotidie novarum oppressionum germina detestanda. Et si non omnia gravamina quia difficile esset, imo impossible, describere, aliqua tamen, ut doleant inspectores, et dolentes Deo conquerantur, et eo quandoque propitio liberentur, huic opusculo duximus inserenda, ut omnibus pateat Angliae miseranda miseria, quae bonis rectoribus, et tutoribus proh dolor, viduatur. Abbas Abenduniae a Domino Papa mandatum acceperat, de provisione cuidam Romano sine morae dispendio facienda. Romanus autem ill, non quamcunque volens Ecclesiam accipere, sed opimam, e • pectavit sub silentio dissimulans, donec quaedam vacabat Ecclesia nobilis & opulenta, scilicet Ecclesia beatae Helenae in Villa Abendunensi, quae ad Centum Marcas aestimatur, omni referta commodo, utpote in Burgo, qui Coenobio subjacet memorato. Confestim • gitur istam exegit ill Romanus, qui diu siluerat, & instanter postulavit sibi authoritate conferri Apostolica. Eadem autem die qua vacaverat Ecclesia, urgentissimum accepit Abbas a Domino Rege mandatum, minis, conjunctis precibus contextum, ut et ipsam Ecclesiam conferret fratri suo uterino Aethelmaro, licet idem Aethelmarus jam tot abundaret Ecclesiiis et redditibus, quod nec miramur, si numerum eorundem ignoret et valorem. Abbas igitur circumplexus, & quasi inter duas molas •• rcumvolventibus molaribus constitutus, quasi contritus, consuluit super hoc Conventum & amicos fideles & discretos, qui responderunt; Durum patet utrobique, veruntamen si Dominus Rex velit vos ab impetu Papali protegere, tolerabilius arbitramur, illum Ecclesiam confer ipsi fratri Regis Domini Principis ac Patroni vestri, quam illi Romano qui vobis semper vicinus fieret insidiator vigil ac persecutor indefessus, & quasi semper spina in oculo. Significatum est igitur istud Domino Regi tempestive, cui Dominus Rex indubitatam promisit cum omnimoda protectione, & indemnitate protectionem. Hisigitur dictis confidens fallacibus Abbas, dicto Aethelmaro ad Regis contulit supplicationem. Romanus igitur iratus valde, confestim Papam adiit, et eidem rei seriem cum augmento provocationis plenius enarravit, graviter conquerendo. Citavit igitur Dominus Papa ipsum Abba em, ut personaliter coram eo apareret, de inobedientiae offensa responsurus. Abbas igitur Domini Regis omni destitutus consolationis auxilio super hoc crebrius requisito, Romanam senex et valetudinarius Curiam adiit, in multa mentis tristitia, pavore, et amaritudine. Vbi tandem post multas angustias et expensas non modicas, dicto Romano ad arbitrium Papae satisfecit annuas quinquaginta Marcas de Camera sua, in magnum suae Ecclesiae laesionem conferendo.

Anno quoque sub eodem Abbate Sancti Aedmundi sublato de medio, Rex postposito Dei & S. Martyris timore & reverentia, quem specialiter teneretur causa multiplici venerari, a domo illla vacarite tantam recepit pecuniam, quod videretur viscera misericordiae penitus amisisse, nam absque Ballivorum Regiorum stipendio mille et ducentas Marcas inde extorsit truculenter. Cum igitur alium fratres in loco Abbatis substituendum eligissent jam defuncti, quosdam de fratribus propter confitmationem ejusdem, ad Curiam Roman • m destin • runt. Facta igitur super hoc examinatione cavillatoria, reprobata est electio et electus, ut in retiacula immisericordis misericordiae sic incideret reprobatus. Et cum Monachi tristes recessissent & verecundi, revocavit eos Dominus Papa, dicens, Cum miseri misericordia indigeant, ex mera gratia nostra, vobis ad praesens, ne confundamini, ipsum Electum concedimus, illi ipsum coenobium beati Aedmundi libere ac liberaliter conferendo. Veruntamen respiciat in Octingentis Marcis, et respondeat illi Mercatori quem illi assignabimus, cui in tantum obligamur. Et sic Monachi recesserunt illaqueati: Qui tot lacessiti injuriis & gravaminibus inconsolabiliter doluerunt, & unus eorum ante recessum à Curia apud Lugdunum mortuus est, alter apud Doveram rediens à Curia illa non curiali, viam universae carnis, non sine mentis amaritudine est ingressus. Whereupon he thus concludes this years affairs,

Transiit igitur annus ill aere temperatus & serenus, &c. Italiae inimicus, Alemanniae lethifer, Angliae adversdrius, Franciae exitialis. Et ut brevibus concludam, iu omni fere regione Christianorum, thesaurorum consumptivus, Mundi finis multiplicibus argumentis indicativus. Ut sunt, surget gens contra gentem, & terrae motus erant per loca, (there being two Earthquakes in England, and one in Savoy ) & consimilia. Praecipue autem Romanae Curiae infamis, pestifer, et perniciosus, iraeque divinae manifest comminatorius.

An. 32 H. 3. An Official held Plea of Layfee in Court Christian, and after the Kings Writ of Prohibition and an Attachment for disobeying it, excommunicated the party, who was thereupon imprisoned by a Capias Excommunicatum; the King upon information of this practice and contempt, for the defense of his own Prerogative and his Subjects Liberties, granted a Writ to enlarge the prisoner, till the cause should be heard and determined in his Temporal Court, as this Writ doth evidence.

OStensum est Regi ex parte Ceciliae quae fuit uxor Elyae Piscatoris, quod cum eadem Cecilia detulisset Official. Episcopy Winton▪ sicut Judici, & Drogoni le Tanur, & Haghenild uxori ejus, qui ipsam Ceciliam traxerant in causam in Curia Christianitatis, coram eodem Officiali, Literas de Prohibitone, ne implacitaretur de Laico feodo suo in Curia Christianitatis, & postea cum non ducerent deferendū prohibitioni Regis, detulisset Vic. Sutht. breve Regis de ipsis attachiandis, sicut Legis et consuetudinis est Regni, eandem Ceciliam ante diem sibi assignatum de prosequendo inde versus ipsos in Curia Regis, tanquam excommunicatam, de praecepto Regis capi procuraret, & in prisona Regis Winton. detineri; & Mandatum est Vic. Sutht. quod si ita est, ipsam Ceciliam à praedicta prisona statim deliberet, •• c eam eadem occasion capi iterato, donec pr • ictum placitum terminetur in Curia Regis. Teste Rege apud Westm. 20 die Jan.

If any person attempted to draw the Kings Subjects into Plea in any Court out of the Realm, against the Kings Privilege and Subjects Liberty, the King granted a Supersedeas and Prohibition thereupon, as this Record ensuing attests.

REX J. Sarac. Decano Wellen. salutem. Mandamus vobis rogantes, quatenus in cognition causae vobis commissae à Domino Papa super medietate Ecclesiae de Denecastr. supersedeatis ex toto usque in Quindenam Paschae▪ Ita quod nullo modo causam illam remittatis ad Curiam, veniendo sic contra privilegium a seed Apostolica nobis indultum, Ne quis de regno nostro trahatur in causam extra Regnum Angliae. Ita vos habentes in hoc facto, quod neque nos ejusdem privilegii nostri, neque dilectus Clericus noster Magister R. de Neketon Juris sui quod habet in medietate praedictae Ecclesiae in aliquo per vos sentiamus laesionem. Teste Rege apud Sanctum Edmundum 9. die Octobris.

The Pope at Archbishop Boniface his request. granted him in Ayde of his Church of Canterbury one years fruits of every Church belonging to the Donation of Lay-Patrons when it should fall void, which though the Bishops and Clergy were enforced by the Popes and Archbishops censure to submit to against their wills, yet the Nobles in Parliament would by no means assent thereto; whereupon the King issued this memorable Prohibition to hinder this illegal Ayde, and the Collection thereof, notwithstanding the Popes Bull.

REX W. Norwicensi Episcopo salutem. Quia Magnates terrae nostrae noluerunt in ultimo Parliamento nostro quod fuit London. ut de Ecclesiiis ad donationem Laicorum spectantibus darentur unius anni fructus cum ease vacare contingeret, in Ecclesiae Cantuariensis subsidium ab Apostolica seed concessum, aliquatenus consentire. Vobis mandamus prohibentes district, ne ab hujusmodi Ecclesiis cum vacaverint, vel quae post concessam praefatae Ecclesiae indulgentiam vacaverunt, occasion alicujus mandati fructus exigatis praedictos, vel earum Rectores ad conferendum dictum Subsidium compellatis, donec cum praedictis Magnatibus, sine quibus super hoc nichil volumus attemptare, colloquium habuerimus iteratum. Teste, &c.

The Bishop of Chichester having sequestered and locked up the barns of a Clerk, thereby to extort this Ayde of one years fruits to the Archbishops use, the King thereupon issued this Writ to him to take off his locks, that so he might freely dispose of his corn, and barns, else he would command the Sheriff of the County to unlock them, and to permit him the free disposition thereof.

REX rogavit R. Cycestrensem Episcopum, quod seras suas quas apponi fecit orreis Wyberti de Kanc. de Gynnington, pro eo quod sructus unjus Anni Ecclesiae suae ad opus Cantuariensis Archiepiscopi nititur extorquere, deponat, et eidem Wyberto de Bladis et Orreis suis liberam habere faciat administrationem: quod si forte, quod absit, facere noluerit, Vic. Sussex seras▪ illas deponat, et liberam administrationem iude ipsum Wybertum habere permittat. Teste ut supra.

The Dean and Chapter of Clon. in Ireland electing Frier Daniel for their Bishop▪ refused to present him to the King after his election, to approve, or disapprove of him, according to usual custom, and by the Popes concurrence proceeded to his consecration, without the Kings license, to the prejudice of his royal Dignity; the King hereupon refused to restore the Temporalties to him, till at last upon the mediation of some great and religious men, he restored them by this Writ, upon condition, that the Bishop, Dean and Chapter should put in security by their Letters Patents, from thenceforth not to make any election▪ without first obtaining the Kings license, and that after the election made, they should present the person elected to him and his heirs for their approbation; as this Writ attests.

REX Justi • . Hyberniae salutem. Licet Decanus & Capitulum Clonen. post electionem de fratre Daniele in suum Episcopum & Pastorem • a • tam, eundem Electum, prout moris est, nobis, ut ei nostrum assensum impertiri vel denegare possumus, praesentare renuerint, ad ejus consecrationem nostro non optento favore, ex mandato Apostolico, in Regiae dignitatis praejudicium procedentes; quia tamen magni & religiosi viri pro eodem Episcopo nobis instantissime supplicarunt; Vobis mandamus, quatinus accepta securitate per Literas Patentes signatas sigillis eorum Episcopy, Decani & Capituli, quod ad electionem hujusmodi faciendam fine nostra licentia petita de caetero non procedent, et quod personam Electi post electionem factam ante ipsius consecrationem nobis, vel nostris haeredibus praesentabunt, praedicto Episcopo de terris et tenementis et omnibus aliis ad praedictum Episcopatum spectantibus sine motae dispendio plenam seisinam habere fac. Teste apud R • senb • rgh▪ secundo die Julii.

The King being informed, that certain persons intended forcibly to spo • l the Church of Dadington of a Meadow belonging to it, issued this Writ to the Sheriff of Northt. to prohibit the force, and to maintain and hold the Clerk in possession thereof, so far as he could do it with justice.

DAtum est Regi intelligi, quod quidam intendunt spoliare Ecclesiam Aymari fratris R. de Dadinton, quodam Prato ad eandem Ecclesiam suam pertinente. Et Mandatum est Vicecomiti Northt. quod nullam vim fieri permittat quo mi • s eadem Ecclesia gaudeat possessione sua ejusdem Prati: Imo ipsum fratrem R. & suos in eadem possessione, quantum cum Iustitia poterit, manuteneat et defendat. Teste Rege apud Winton. 4. die Julii.

King Henry by his Ecclesiastical Prerogative sent this Mandate to the Sheriffs of York and Nottingham, to permit the Dean and Chapter of St. Peters in York to enjoy all their Liberties granted them by the Charters of his Predecessors Kings of England, used till that day; yet so, as by pretext thereof none of the Rights or Liberties of his Crown whereof he was seised, should be thereby impaired or meddled with.

MAndatum est Vicecomiti Eborum, quod permittat Decanum & Capitulum Sancti Petri Eborum, ut omnibus libertatibus suis concessis eis per Chartas praedecessorum nostrorum Regum Angliae, quibus libertatibus usque in hodiernum diem usi sunt; Ita tamen quod de Iure vel Libertatibus Regis quorum Rex extiterit in seisina usque in diem praesentem, occasion Eartarum praedictarum nichil eis dimittat. Teste Rege apud Westmonast. 16 die Februarii.

Eodem modo scribitur Vic. Notinghamiae, de Libertatibus praedictis. Teste ut supra.

The Kings Justices in Eyre proceeding against the Archdeacon of Lincoln for prosecuting a suit in the Court Christian, contrary to the Kings Prohibition, against the Abbot of Tinterne, procured this respite, till conference had with the King on a set day.

MAndatum est H. de Bathonia, & Sociis suis Justiciariis Itinerantibus in Comitatu Essex, quod demandam quam fieri faciunt Magistro Willielmo Lupo Archidiacono Linc. de processu Causae in Curia Christianitatis inter ipsum Archid. & Abbatem & Conventum de Tinterne, contra prohibitionem Regis, ponant in respectum; usque ad colloquium Regis, quod erit in Quindena Nativitatis Sancti Johannes Baptistae. Teste Rege apud Westmonasterium 19 die Februarii.

The Canons of Paul's having committed a contempt against the King, he thereupon issued this Writ to the Sheriffs of London, to seise all their Beasts and chattels, and not to deliver them without the Kings special precept.

MAndatum est Vicecomitibus London, quod omnia averia & catalla Canonicorum Sancti Pauli London, in Balliva sua inventa, capi faciant, et ea non deltherent sine specially praecepto Regis. Teste meipso apud Westmonasterium 4. die Januarii.

Some differences happening between the Sheriff of Cambridge and Bishop of Eli concerning the Conusance of Pleas and Liberties in the Isle of Eli, the King issued this Writ to the Sheriff, not to hold any Plea in his County Court, of things usually held within the Bishops Liberty, during his own and his Ancestors Reigns.

MAndatum est Vicecomiti Cantabrigiae, quod non teneat aliquod placitum in Comitatu suo, quod teneri debet & solet in Insula Elyensi infra Libertatem H. Elyensis Episcopy, aliter quam teneri consuevit tempore Regis & temporibus Praedecessorum suorum Regum Angliae. Teste ut supra.

Pope Innocent seemingly (but not really) to gratify King Henry in some trivial things, though he turned the deaf ear to other grievances, sent him this Bull, that no Ordinary, Delegate or Subdelegate, should denounce any sentence of Excommunication, or Interdict, or impose any Tax upon his Royal Chapels, Oratories, or the Canons or Servants belonging to them, against their Privileges formerly granted, without the special mandate of the See Apostolic.

INNOCENTIUS Episcopus, &c. Regi Angliae illustri, salutem & Apostolicam Benedictionem. Tanto libentius Celsitudinis tuae precibus benignum impartimur assensum, quanto inter Reges et Principes Christianos, te specialius reporta in Domino reputamus filium specialem et devotum, Tuis igitur supplicationibus inclinati, districtius inhibemus, ne ullus Ordinarius, aut etiam Delegatus, vel Subdelegatus in Capellas Regias et Oratoria eorundem, Ecclesiae Romanae immediate subjecta, seu Canonicos vel Servientes ipsorum contra tenorem Privilegiorum et Indulgentiarum Apostolicae sedis, Excommunicatiouis vel Interdicti sententiam audeat promulgare, seu aliquod ipsis onus imponere; quod aliis exemptis Ecclesiis non consuevit imponi, absque mandato sedis Apostolicae specially, quod expressam faciat de hujusmodi inhibitione mentionem. Nulli ergo hominum, &c. Teste Dat. Lugduni 12. die Augusti, Pontificatus nostri anno tertio.

A mere delusory Bull, this arbitrary fallacious clause, (absque mandato sedis Apostolicae specially, &c.) being totally frustrated by special Mandate or Non obstante at the Popes mere will and pleasure.

This year there fell out a great difference between the King, his Prelates and Nobles in Parliament, principally occasioned by the Bishops and Clergy, who more readily promoted all the Popes illegal Exactions, Impositions, notwithstanding the Kings Prohibitions; but opposed and slandered the King upon every occasion, invading the Rights of his Crown, denying him Subsidies when demanded, charging him with unjust detaining the Temporalties of Bishoprics in his hands, and other exercises of his Royal Prerogative to supply his necessities, when they would not aid him; recorded by Matthew Paris.

Circa festum Sancti Hilarii, Episcopo Bathoniensi Roberto viam universae carnis ingresso, Dominus Rex, secundum consuetudinem suam, ( as he might legally do by his prerogative ) avidas manus bonis Episcopatus injecit, ut quicquid abradere posset, festinanter asportaret. Sub illius anni initiali curriculo, in octavis videlicet Purificationis, edicto regio convocata totius regni Angliae nobilitas convenit Londini, ut de Regni negotiis nimis perturbati & depauperati, & temporibus nostris enormiter mutilati diligenter & efficaciter simul cum Domino Rege contrectaret. Advenerunt igitur illuc excepta Baronum, Militum, Nobilium, necnon & Abbatum, Priorum & Clericorum, multitudine copiosa, novem Episcopy, cum totidem Comitibus; Videlicet, Archiepiscopus Eboracensis, Wintoniensis, Lincolniensis, Norwicensis, Wigorniensis, Cicestrensis Elyensis, Roffensis, Carleolensis; Comes Richardus, Comes Gloverniae, Comes Legriae, Comes Wintoniae, Comes Hertfordiae, Comes Rogerus Bigod Marescallus, Gomes Oxoniae, & praeter hos, Comes Lincolniensis, Comes de Ferrariis, Comes de Warrenniae, Comes de Richmundiae, P. videlicet de Subaudia. Huic autem magnae congregationi non fuerunt praesentes Archiepiscopus Cantuariensis B. qui transmarinis partibus Domino Papae militabat, & Dunelmensis, qui remotus fuit & valetudinarius, Bathoniensis autem, paulo ante obierat. Et cum praeposuisset Dominus Rex (non enim propositum suum latuit universitatem) pecuniare auxilium postulare; redargutus est graviter super hoc, quod non erubescebat tunc tale juvamen exigere, praesertim quia quando in ultima tali exactione, cui nobiles Angliae vix consenserunt, confecit Chartam suam, quod amplius talem non faceret Magnatibus suis injuriam & gravamen. Reprehensus est insuper gravissime (nec nimirum) super indiscreta vocatione alienigenarum, quibus omnia bona Regni indiscrete, prodigialiter & prodigaliter distribuit & dispersit, & Nobiles Regni ignobilibus extraneis maritavit, indigenas & naturales homines suos spernendo & postponendo, irrequisito assensu mutuo qui est matrimonii completivus▪ Reprehensus est insuper Dominus Rex, ( and that principally by the Bishops and Clergies suggestions ) quod Episcopatus et Abbatias, sicut et gardas vacantes, a sanctis et magnificis Patribus nostris fundatos, quos in manu sua diu tenet, et teneretur tutor esse et defensor, et proinde dicuntur esse in manu ejus, hoc est, sub ejus protectione, contra Iuramentum, quod fecit in Coronatione sua primum et praecipuum, usque ad destructionem depauperat. Calumniatur itaque Dominus Rex graviter à singulis & universis non mediocriter conquerentibus, eo quod, sicut Magnifici Reges praedecessores sui habuerunt, Justitiarium nec Cancellarium habet, nec Thesaurarium, per Commune Consilium Regni, prout deceret & expediret, sed tales qui suam qualemcunque, dummodo sibi quaestuosam, sequuntur voluntatem, nec qui Reipublicae, sed singularem quaerunt promotionem, pecuniam colligendo, custodias & redditus sibi primitus procurando, &c.

Haec cum audisset Dominus Rex, confusus in semetipso erubuit, sciens haec omnia esse verissima. Promisit igitur verissime ac certissime se haec omnia gratanter emendaturum, sperans per talem humilitatem, licet fictam, omnium corda postulationi suae promptius incurvare. Cui inito consilio crebrius in • talibus promissis universitas irretita, respondit: Hoc videbitur, & infra breve tempus apparebit manifest. Expectabimus adhuc patienter & prout se geret Dominus Rex, & se habebit verse • s nos, & nos ei in omnibus obtemperabimus. Dilata sunt igitur omnia, & in respectum posita, usque ad Quindenam Nativitatis Sancti Johannes Baptistae. Sed Dominus Rex interim vel suo spiritu, vel amicerum suorum, qui nollent suam enervari potestatem, induratus, & contra suos homines magis exasperatus, minimum emendationis in praedictis excesstibus, fidelibus suis, secundum quod promisie, curavit impendere.

Hereupon, Adveniente autem Quindena Sancti Johannes Baptistae, mense Junii, convenit Londinum totius Angliae Nobilitas, credens firmiter ex certa Domini Regis promissione, ut mutatis erroribus se consiliis sanioribus, collata sibi gratia divinitus, inclinaret. Convenientibus igitur in unum omnibus Regni primatibus, talis à Domino Rege profluit responsio illepida: Voluistis vos omnes Angliae primates, ad arbitrium vestrum parum civile, Dominum vestrum Regem incurvare, eidemque servilem nimis imponere conditionem, dum quod libet unicuique vestrum, illi frontose denegaretur. Porro licet cuilibet cujus et quolibet uti consilio. Caeterum, licet cuilibet patrifamilias que mcunque de domo sua illi vel illi officio praeponere, vel postponere, vel etiam deponere, quod utique Domino vestro Regi temere praesumitis denegare: praesertim cum Dominum servi, Principem suum Vassalli minime debeant judicare, vel suis arctare conditionibus: quin imo Domini arbitrio potius habent dirigi et voluntate ordinari, quicunque censentur inferiores. Non enim est servus supra Dominum, sicut nec Discipulus supra Magistrum: non foret utique Rex vester, sed quasi servus, si ad voluntatem vestram, sic inclinaretur. Quapropter nec Cancellarium, nec Iustitiarium, nec Thesaurarium, prout disponere proposuistis, nec amovebit, nec alios substituet. Similiter ad alios articulos, Regi satis salubres, cavillatorie fuit responsum. Postulat autem a vobis auxilium pecuniare, ad jura sua, quae etiam vos contingunt, adquirenda in partibus transmarinis. Haec autem cum audissent Magnates, luce clarius perpenderunt, haec à consilio tunc suo emanasse, videlicet eorum quorum si universitatis barnagium exaudiretur, Dominium enervatum penitus exufflaretur, veruntamen videntes sibi versute responderi & opponi, responderunt omnes quasi uno spiritu praecise, nullo modo se amplius inutiliter velle depauperare, ut de bonis eorum alieni superbirent, & inimici tàm Regis quàm Regni roborarentur, sicut nuper evenit in Pictavia, similiter in Gasconia, quo ipse praecipitanter & indiscrete, & contra eorum consilium & voluntatem properavit, unde adversi casus sibi evenerunt. Et been credimus, quia hoc apparet ex Regis aviditate & egestate, quod clanculo captus fuit, & tacito facto fine, interpositis fide & juramentis & chartis caute dimissus, & sic honor, Thesauro & terris privatus, dimissus est, & inglorius cum omni opprobrio abire permissus. Soluto igitur cum omni indignatione Concilio, unusquisque spe fraudatus à Parliamento frustra diu expectata, nihil nisi sannas cum frivolis, amissis laboribus cum expensis, ut solent saepius, reportarunt.

Quod cùm vidisset dominus Rex, in iram conversus vehementem, consiliariis suis dixit: Ecce per vos aversa sunt corda Magnatum meorum à me. Ecce, amissurus sum Gasconiam, Pictavia spoliatus▪ & thesauro destitutus, quid faciam? Inito igitur consilio pusillanimi, sine providentia provisum est, ut vasa, & utensilia, & jocalia thesauri sui Regij pro ponder venderentur, non habito respectu ad aurum, quo fulgebant argentea, vel ad opus artificiosum & laboriosum, & licet materiam superaret opus, ut saltem sic denarij adquirerentur. Addentes insuper consiliarij Regij probrosam consolationem, Regem demulcendo, insibilabant eidem: Sicut omnia flumina in mare refluunt, sic omnia quae nunc venduntur, ad vos profecto donis relativis qandoque revertentur, idcirco non moveatur dominus noster Rex. Et post venditionem inquisivit Rex, ubinam venderentur, & quibus, utensilia memorata? Et responsum est: Londini. Et Rex: Scio, scio, quod si thesaurus Octaviani venalis esset, civitas Londinum illum totaliter absorberet emendo, abundant enim illi rustici Londinenses, qui se Barones appellant, usque ad nauseam: urbs illa puteus est inexhaustus. Et statim concepit in animo suo, nacta tam levi occasion, ipsos cives bonis suis spoliare, prout subsequens eventus expressus comprobavit, & sermo continuatus plenius declarabit.

Rex Sustinens enim, ut praedictum est, justam ab universitate Magnatum Angliae repulsum, ne amplius bona sua in Regni confusionem effunderent, studuit subtiliter per alia argumenta, avaritiae suae situlam inebritare. Statim igitur post memoratae gaudia solennitatis, inito studuit consilio cives Londinensis gravare, hoc modo. Suspendit exercitium mercaturae civitatis ut praetactum est, per quindenam, novis nundinis apud Westmonasterium in multorum damnum & praejudicium constitutis, & protinus post hoc petiit, missus per satellites suos literis suis, argumentosas & imperiosas prece continentibus, ut ipsum juvarent efficaciter auxiilo pecuniari. Quo audito, cives praecordialiter ingemuerunt, dicentes: Heu nobis heu, ubi est Londinensis toties empta, toties concessa, toties scripta, toties jurata libertas. Quolibet enim fere anno, quasi viles ultimae servi conditionis, per varias tallias depauperamur & causis vulpinis injuriose exagitamur. Nec sciri potest, in quam voraginem, bona, quibus spoliamur absorbentur submersa. Quid plura? licet inaestimabilia exigerentur, tandem cives, non sine cruenta cordium amaritudine, ad contributionem duorum millium librarum, in brevi termino domino Regi conferendorum, licet inviti, descenderunt. Gravamen insuper solitum adhuc sine aliquo moderamine saeviebat. Omnia enim venalia, si non, quasi furtiva, absconderentur, praecipue in esculentis & poculentis, ad opus Regis rapiebantur: nec tamen hospitium ejus dapsilitatis alicujus inde suscepit incrementum. Imo potius diatim, exulante verecundia, reprehensibili nimis arctabatur parcitate, & jam eliminata antiqua Domini Regis Angliae dapsilitate, jam Romanae mensae consuetudo subintrans, Regiae serenitatis famam & honorem non mediocriter denigravit.

Eodemque tempore, Dominus Rex ad jam solitas cavillationes Romanas recurrens, cum non posset omnes congregatos Regni Nobiles, ad consensum flectere, singulos ad se vocans, vel unicuique scribens▪ affatus est eos, impudenter supplicando, dicens▪ Pauper sum omni destitutus thesauro. Necesse habeo, ut quilibet vestrum juvet me efficaciter: obligor enim per chartam meam debito trigint a millium marcarum. Nec tamen aliquid exigo; nisi per gratiam. Qui mihi gratiam facturus est, reddam ei nacta temporis opportunitate talionem. Et qui mihi gratiam denegaverit, & ei gratiam denegabo. Et protendens causam fictam, quasi esset moturus bellum contra Regem Francorum, reposcendo in manu forti jura sua treugis jam expirantibus, nihil exinde à circumspectis nisi derisum & sibilum suscitavit. Nuper enim prohibitum fuit ei, ex parte Domini Papae, per Magistrum Albertum, ne aliquam terram a Domino Francorum Rege, quocunque titulo possessam, quomodolibet infestaret qui in Terra Sancta Deo et universali Ecclesiae cruce signatus militavit. (Which Papal prohibition being contrary to the Rights and Prerogatives of his Crown, the King held null and unobligatory, only the Nobles & Prelates averseness to aide him with monies, then enforced him to connive at.) Et si non prohibuisset been creditor, quod minime sufficeret ei militaris peritia, vel fortitudo, vel etiam undecunque extortus thesaurus, ad privandum Regem Francorum aliqua saltem possessiuncula. Non enim penitus vacuata creditor Francia thesauro vel militia. Sed ut dicti magistri nuntium omnes lateret, non permisit Rex illud aliquatenus publicari. Dictum est etiam, quod potestatem receperat idem Magister A. terram Angliae, si rebellis esset Re • , mandato Papali interdicendi: sed haec omnia, quasi magno mysterio celata, tegebantur, ut ignaros Rex caute circumveniret.

Et dum sic patulo hiatu, Rex adquisitioni pecuniari avidius inhiaret, contigit, ut iter faciens versus Huntendonam, circa festum sancti Hilarii, misit pro Abbate Ramescie. Quem secretius alloquens, ait: Amice, obnoxius supplico, quatenus juves me, mihi centum libras conferendo, vel saltem commodando. Egeo enim, & necesse habeo ipsas habere sine morae dispendio. Et cum non posset Abbas honest aliter respondere, ait: Dator aliquando fui; unquam, tamen vobis accommodator fui, vel ero. Et statim tantam pecuniam cum gravibus usuris à Caursinis mutuo accepit, ut eidem Regulo mendicanti sic satisfaceret. Eodemque tempore consimilibus precibus dominus Rex Abbatem de Burgo pulsavit, juvamen pecuniare postulando, asserens, majorem eleemosynam fore sibi juvamen confer pecuniare, quam alicui ostiatim mendicanti. Abbas autem, cùm se excusando non se precibus suis inclinavit, convitiis lacessitus, â domo Regis clanculo exivit. Ab Abbate vero Sancti Albani, simili sermocinatione sexaginta marcas eodem tempore extorsit, licet eodem anno, & similiter proximo praeterito, non minimam sophistice emunxisset. Videns igitur Dominus Rex, nullum nec posse nec velle contradicere, spem certam concepit, quod nullus ei re fi steret Abbatum vel Priorem. Et cum ei repagula contradictionis opponerent Magnates Praelatis qui in arcum pravum conversi sunt, sed inviti, scripsit in hunc modum.

HENRICUS Dei gratia, &c. Universis Abbatibus & Prioribus constitutis in Comitatu Essexiae & Hertfordiae, salutem. Si Regiae Majestatis dignatio, pro juribus Regni tuendis devotorum ac fidelium suorum amicitiam experiri voluerit, vel si ipsi suum Principem, sub cujus alis protecti respirant, obsequio corporali, & munerum oblation frequenter honorent, temporibus congruis, non est mirum. Cum igitur jam deficientibus treugis inter Dominum Regem Francorum, & nos, pro recuperatione & defensine jurium nostrorum tam in cismarinis, quam transmarinis, partibus, ad quas nuper misimus comitivam, oporteat nos magnos sumptus, & ob causas diversas, liberalitatis manum pluribus aperire; dilectum & fidelem nostrum Simonem Passeleve, una cum singulis Viceco mitibus dictorum Comitatuum ad vos transmittimus, rogantes attente, quatenus ipsosin negotio nostro, quod vobis exponent, imo • nos in eis favorabiliter audientes, ad alleviationem sumptuum praedictorum nos depecunia vestra tum abundanter juvetis, quod id vobis debeamus retributione compensare.

The King upon these Letters, received very little pecuniary assistance from the Abbots, or Prelates, & that with great reluctancy; to avoid which the Bishop of Durham procured a license from the Pope to resign his Bishopric, yet to retain three Manors belonging to it during his life, and the rest to be held by provisors.

Purificatione beatae Mariae imminente, Episcopus Dunelmensis, Nicholaus, sentiens se annosum, valetudinarium, & infirmum, malens relinquere divitias, quam à divitiis derelinqui, Episcopatum suum Dunelmensem, obtenta tali a Domino Pa. pa licentia, resignavit, & datis ad hoc provisoribus Archiepiscopo Eboracenfi, & Londinensi, & Wigorniensi Episcopis, assignata sunt ei tria Maneria, videlicet de Hovedia cum pertinentiis, Stocton, & Essingtuna. Recedens igitur à Dunelmo, accepta ibidem à fratribus licentia, ad alterutrum dictorum maneriorum mansurus perrexit, ut in pace ibidem sine querelarum vel causarum strepitu, exutus à sollicitudinibus mundanis, sibi jam expectanti donec ejus veniret immutatio, liberius vacaret orationi, & contemplationi penitus intendendo. Super hoc Dominus Rex certificatus, omnia residua non segniter haud invitus in suam caepit custodiam & potestatem, ut ibidem uberrimos pecuniarum fruaus semper tamen jejunus & avidus deglutiret. Ad quae sibi amplexanda & congerenda illico misit uunm de Clericis suis, Thomam videlicet de Newerca. Hereupon the King was enforced to strain his Prerogative further then usual to raise monies.

Rex interea vigil, & indefessus lucri speculator & perscrutator timore Dei, secus quàm deceret, postposito, convenuti Dunelmensi, ad quem jus electionis pertinere dignoscitur, preces precibus transmittit accumulatas, per nuncios ad circumveniendum etiam prudentes & circumspectos satis eruditos, consulens, implorans et minis interpositis praecipiens; ut frater ejus uterinus Aethelmarus, ab ipso conventu unanimiter & favorabiliter in Episcopum Dunelmensem, & suarum Pastorem animarum eligatur, & ut hoc foeliciter fieret, secundùm illud Poëticum,

Cui Conventus humiliter respondit; Domine Rex, Regum Christianissime, memento si placet, juramenti quod jurasti coronandus, primi videlicet & praecipue, permit sanctam Ecclesiam sua saltem aliquando gaudere libertate ut secundum Dominum nobis Patrem & Pastorem animarum nostrarum idoneum eligamus. Nosti, & novit mundus, quod & scientia & aetate insufficiens est frater vester memoratus, ut tam arduo officio colla supponat spirituali. Cui Rex respondisse perhibetur, Et ego potens sum, et been mihi complacet, ut ipsum Episcopatum in manu mea teneam octo vel novem annis vel amplius, ut saltem tunc maturus aetate, vobis acceptetur. Which he might do by his Prerogative, to supply his pressing necessities. But he was not so good as his word; for the next year Walter de Kirkham, by his royal license and assent, was elected and consecrated Bishop of this See.

The King by reason of his Royal Prerogative during the vacancy of the See of Canterbury, presented William de Plessetis to the Church of Eneford then void, belonging to that See, who after his institution was opposed by Robert de Gloucester, claiming a right thereunto by the Popes Provision, and commenced a Suit thereupon; which the Pope willing to determine, brought the examination of the cause before himself, and after many altercations, gave a definitive sentence for his own Provisor, against the Kings Clerk, without considering the Kings right, commanding the Bishops of London and Lincoln to put him into corporal possession thereof, to the manifest prejudice of the Kings Crown, Right, and Dignity; whereupon the King issued this memorable Prohibition to the Bishops, setting forth the ancient Right, Prerogative of his Crown, the destructivenesse of this Provision and proceedings of the Pope thereunto, and his duty to obviate the same; commanding them according to their Oath of Allegiance to defend the Rights of his Crown, and not to proceed or attempt anything therein to its prejudice, under pain of seising their Baronies, as this memorable Record attests.

REX Episcopis London. & Lincoln. salutem. Olim Archiepisc. Cantuar. vacante & nobis custodiam ipsius habentibus, Willielmum de Plessetis dilectum Clericum ration vacationis ejusdem ad Ecclesiam de Eneford tunc vacantem, duximus praesentandum. Cui instituto ad nostram praesentationem in illa Magister Robertus de Glouc. se • ppenens, asseruit, sibi per Abbatem de Boxleya authoritate Literarum Domini Papae eodem tempore fuisse provisum in eadem Ecclesia: ( the Popes new Provision being preferred before the Kings old Royal Jurisdiction. ) Super quo inter ipsos postmodum lis est orta, quam Dominus Papa terminare volens, causam ipsam ad suum revocavit examen. In qua contra eandem Willielmum post multas altercationes habitas, quarum seriem praesentibus longum foret inserere, diffinitivam tulit sententiam, Iure nostro in judicium non deducto: Mandans vobis, ut amoto quolibet detentore, praefatum Magistrum in ipsius Ecclesiae possessionem corporalem mittatis, ut dicitur, non sine nostrae dignitatis praejudicio manifesto. Cum enim ex approbata consuetudine et antiqua, debeamus ad hujusmodi Ecclesias vacantibus sedibus praesentare, patenter advertitur, quod si praemissa sententia speratum sortiretur effectum, contingeret eundem Clericum nostrum Ecclesia memorata destitui, et Ius nostrum quod in ipsa praesentatione habuimus, et in consimilibus praesentationibus habere debemus, per consequence enervari, sic que proculdubio nostrae • aederetur Coronae dignitas, et nostra gravis ac enormis exhaeredatio sequeretur. Verum discriminis tanti periculo volentes occurrere, sollempnem Nuncium cum Literis nostris ad Apostolicam sedem transmisimus, quibus Domino Papae factum et Ius nostrum in praemisso negotio referamus. Quapropter vobis, quorum est Iura nostra tueri, prohibemus district in virtute Iuramenti fidelitatis, quo nobis estis astricti, firmiter injungentes, ne super Ecclesia praefata aliquid attemptetis vel exequamini contra nos, aut nostrum Clericum supradictum: Scituri quod si secus egeritis, contra vos super Baroniis vestris, juxta quod decet Majestatem Regiam, procedamus.

The Canons of York being by the Popes authority questioned in the Spiritual Court by the Abbot of St. Genovefe and his Covents, for the sale of the Manor of Brumford within the Realm, when as Spiritual Courts ought not to hold Plea of any Lands or Chattels, but only of Matrimony, Testament, and Tythes; the King thereupon issued this Prohibition and Supersedeas to them.

REX Abbati Sanctae Genovefae, & Conventibus suis, salutem. Cum cognitio omnium Causarum tangentium fundum aliquem, sive res aliquas in Regno nostro, exceptis causis Matrimonialibus, et Testamentariis, seu Decimarum, ad dignitatem et Coronam nostram spectant: Ita quod de eis alibi quam in foro nostro cognosci non debeat, nec consueverit temporibus praedecessorum nostrorum aut nostro; vos rogamus, quatenus causae motae coram vobis authoritate Apostolica inter quosdam Canonicos Eboracensis Ecclesiae super venditione Manerii de Brumford, siti in Regno praedicto, Supersedeatis omnino. Alioquin Magistro Nicholao Archidiacono Elyensi et Henrico de Helegeya, vel eorum alteri quem praesentem esse contigerit, damus potestatem appellandi Apostolicam sedem pro nobis in causa praefata. Teste Rege apud Geytinton sexto die Augusti.

King Henry the 3d. having conquered Wales, subdued the Welshmen, and brought them under the Laws of England, notwithstanding they had put themselves under the Popes protection rendering him an annual Tribute, to defend them against the English; the Welsh Bishops, siding with their Countrymen against the King, had their Bishoprics, Churches so spoiled and destroyed, that they were enforced to beg their bread, and live upon the Alms of others, the Archbishop of St. David's dying for grief: whereupon a new Bishop was elected by the Kings license, to whose election he gave his royal assent: Exercising the same regal Prerogative in the election and confirmation of all Bishops in Wales from thenceforth, as he did in England, thus registered to posterity.

Arctabatur Wallia eisdem diebus, cessante eorum cultura, commercio, & pecudum custodia Pastorali, & caeperunt consumi inedia, Anglorum & invitilegibus incurvati. Emarcuit antiqua eorum superba nobilitas, & etiam virorum Ecclesiasticorum cithara, conversa & in luctum & lamenta. Obiit ergo quasi prae dolore contabescens, Episcopus Menevensis, id est Sancti David. Episcopus vero de Landaff Wilhelmus, caecitate percutitur. Episcopus de Sancto Asaph, & Episcopus de Bangor; destructis Episcopatibus caede ac incendio, mendicare, ut de alieno viverent, cogebantur. Eodem tempore venit ad Sanctam Albanam Episcopus de Bangor Richardus, ut eidem depauperato sinus pateret misericordiae, & ibidem cum Domino Abbate, donec Episcopatus ejus, qui per bellum destructus erat, aliquantulum restauraretur, habitaret, & ipse cum Clericis suis à pressuris quae circumdederant eos, respiraret.

Vacante igitur seed Menevensi, post innumeras Walliae tribulationes per bellum & Principum eorum mortem, electus est in eundem Episcopatum Magister Thomas, cognomento Wallensis, eo quod in Wallia fuerat oriundus, Lincolniensis Ecclesiae Archidiaconus; Cui electioni, licet Episcopatus pauperrimus extitisset, consensit, tum propter Episcpum Lincolniensem, qui Canonicos suos superaverat, tum propter hoc, quod in natali patria ad curam vocabatur, & ad dulcedinem originis suae quilibet naturaliter attrabitur, tum ut miseros compatriotas suos; sua praesentia, consilio et auxilio consolaretur. Cui etiam electioni Dominus Rex gratanter consensit, et electum acceptavit, non multum constituens super hoc difficultatis, cum exilis fuerit Episcopatus.

King Henry the 3d. having thus presented to the Bishopric of St. David's, (as you heard before) the Dean and Chapter of St. Asaph having obtained a License from the King to elect a new Bishop, by their Letters Patents made this observable Protestation and acknowledgement of the Kings ancient right to grant a Conge deslier or License upon their request, to elect a Bishop for their See upon every avoidance, before any election could be made, and to assent to the person elected after his election.

UNiversis Christi fidelibus ad quos praesens Scriptum pervenerit; Decanus & Capitulum de Sancto Asaph, salutem in Domino. Consuetudini antiquae et dignitati quas Dominus Henricus illustris Rex Angliae, et progenitores sui habuerunt in Ecclesia Anglicana, de petenda licentia eligendi vacantibus Episcopatuum sedibus, et de requirendo assensu Regio post factam electionem, obviare nolentes, protestamur et recognoscimus nos quociens Ecclesia nostra Pastore vacaverit, ab illustri Domino Rege Angliae et Haeredibus suis debere reverenter petere licentiam eligendi, et post electionem factam assensum eorum requirere. Et ne super hoc futuris temporibus dubitetur, praesenti Scripto Sigilla nostra fecimus apponi. Act. apud Sanctum Asaph 1249. in crastino exaltationis Sanctae Crucis.

The Bishop elect of St. Asaph and his Chapter about the same time made the like Protestation and Recognition under their Seals, thus entered in the Claufe Rolls.

OMnibus Christi fidelibus ad quos, &c. E. Dei gratiâ electus de S. Asaph, & ejusdem loci Capitulum, salutem in Domino. Consuetudini antiquae et dignitati quas illustris Rex habet, et progenitores sui habuerunt in Ecclesia Anglicana, de petenda licentia eligendi vacantibus Episcopatuum sedibus, et de requirendo assensu Regio post factam electionem, obviare nolentes, protestamur et recognoscimus, quociens Ecclesia nostra Pastore vacaverit, ab illustri Domino Rege Angliae et Haeredibus suis debere reverenter petere licentiam eligendi, et post electionem factam assensum eorum requirere. Et ne super hoc futuris temporibus dubitetur, praesenti Scripto Sigilla nostra fecimus apponi. Act. &c.

The King having obtained the confirmation of an Immunity from Pope Innocent, which he formerly enjoyed by his own Royal Prerogative, exempting all his Free-Chapels, Oratories, and Canons in them from all Episcopal and Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction, Censures and Impositions, enjoined all Archbishops and Bishops through England perpetually to observe the same without violation, by this Writ.

REX Venerabilibus Patribus Archiepiscopis & Episcopis per Regnum Angliae constitutis, salutem. Sciatis nos habere Literas Apostolicas in haec verba. INNOCENTIUS Episcopus, &c. Charissimo in Christo filio Regi Angliae illustri, salutem & Apostolicam Benedictionem. Tanto libentius Celsitudinis tuae precibus benignum impartimur assensum, quanto inter Reges et Principes Christianos, te specialius in Domino reputamus dilectum filium et devotum. This itaque supplicationibus inclinati, districtius inhibemus, ne aliquis Ordinarius, aut etiam Delegatus, vel Subdelegatus in Capellas Regias et Oratoria eorundem, Ecclesiae Romanae immediate subjecta, seu Canonicos vel Servitores eorundem, contra tenorem Privilegiorum et Indulgentiarum Apostolicae sedis, Excommunicationis vel Interdicti sententiam audeat promulgare, seu aliquod ipsis onus imponere, quod aliis exemptis Ecclesiis consuevit imponi, absque mandato sedis Apostolicae specially, quod expressum faciat de inhibitione hujusmodi mentionem. Nulli ergo hominum liceat hanc paginam nostrae inhibitionis infringere, vel ei ausu temerario contraire; si quis autem hoc attemptare praesumpserit indignationem omnipotentis Dei, et Beatorum Apostolorum Petri et Pauli se noverit incursurum. Dat. Lugduni, 12. Calend. Augusti, Pontificatus nostri anno secundo. Volentes igitur Privilegium praedictum perpetuam firmitatem habere, vos rogamus et hortamur attente, quatenus illud inviolabiliter observetis, et faciatis vestris subditis observari. Et ne aliquis attemptet aliquid contra illud, sedem Apostolicam appellamus. Teste Rege apud Northt. 5. die Augusti, Anno Regni nostri 33.

The King in pursuance of this Privilege, issued this Writ of Prohibition, concerning his Free-Chapel of Pencrich.

REX Thomae de Wymundeham, salutem. Prohibemus tibi, ne de caetero intres infra limites liberae Capellae nostrae de Pencrich, exercendo ibidem aliquam Jurisdictionem, contra Libertates et consuetudines temporibus nostris, et Praedecessorum nostrorum usitatas super exemptione liberarum Capellarum nostrarum quas habemus in Anglia. Teste Rege apud Clarendon, nono die Junii.

The King as Patron of the Bishopric of Durham, and Supreme Governor of the Church of England, declared, That the Successor Bishop who resigned his Bishopric, ought not to pay the Debts of his Predecessors, and thereupon prohibited any distress to be made upon him by this Writ.

QUia Nicholaus quondam Dunelmensis Episcopus qui cessit Episcopatui suo non tenetur solvere debita Praedecessorum suorum quondam Dunelmensis Ecclesiae Episcoporum, Mandatum & Vicecom. Eborum, quod nullam districtionem super ipsum Episcopum faciat pro aliquibus debitis Praedecessorum suorum, sed districtionem si quam propter hoc fecerit penitus remittat, et averia sua ea occasion capta deliberari faciat. Teste, &c.

He likewise issued two forecited Writs to the Sheriff of Lincoln, to summon the Bishop of Lincoln to appear before him; Ubicunque tunc fuerimus in Anglia, ostensurus, quare fecit summoneri, et per Censuram Ecclesiasticam distringi Laicos homines et Laicas foeminas ad comparendum coram eo, et ad praestandum juramentum pro voluntate sua, ipsis invitis, in grave praejudicium Coronae, et Regiae Dignitatis nostrae, necnon et magnam laesionem, et contra consuetudinem Regni nostri, &c. Teste Rege apud Westm. secundo die Maii.

Sub eodem quoque annali curriculo, (1248.) obiit Magister Simon de Langetuna, frater Stephani Cantuariensis Archiepiscopi, ejusdim Ecclesiae Archidiaconus; qui fratrissare negligens, si Ecclesiae suae persecutor et perturbator extitisset non est mirandum: quinimo Regna Francorum et Anglorum, et eorundem Regnorum corda et status, ex multiplici bello non mediocriter movit, commovit et damnose perturbavit, sicut suo loco plenius enodatur: being the Popes great instrument.

It is the observation of Matthew Paris Anno 1249. that when Cardinal Remerius at the Popes instigation, had published an infamous Satyrical elegant Letter against the Emperor Frederick, whereby his fame was not a little blasted in divers parts of the world, ut jam pejor Herod, & Judah, vel Nerone censeretur: Talis enim Epistolae foetor exitialis ex factis suis exhalans, fidelium audientium aures & corda, non sine stupore & gemitu, quam plurimum exasperavit. Haec igitur pagina auditu horribilis, cum ad multos pervenisset, medullas auditorum penetrando centra Fredericum erexisset, nisi Papales ejusdem Frederici abversarios, avaritiae, symoniae, et usurae, aliorumque vitiorum maculae coinquinassent. Qui inter caetera deliramenta, cruce signatos impudenter exagitant, nunc sub poena Excommunicationis ad Terram Sanctam, nunc ad Imperium Romaniae, nunc innuendo ut super Fredericum insurgant et transmittantur, elaborant. Et quod detestabilius judicatur, Praedicatores et Minores facientes suos telonarios, viatica cruce signatorum quovis extorquent argumento. Unde etsi ignominiosa ipse tyrannus Fredericus operetur, adhuc tamen infinitos manifestos et quamplures occultos, in odium Romanorum, proh dolor, invenit fautores, et in facinoribus adjutores.

He subjoins soon after, Eisdem{que} temporibus, Fratres Praedicatores & Minores, de praecepto Domini Papae, cui obedienter obtemperavant, instanter nimis ac diligenter praedicationibus intendebant: & ad augendam fidelium devotionem, cum magna solennitate ad, loca, ubi praedicatio eorum priùs indicebatur, accedebant & advenientibus, multos dies indulgentiae concedebant. Occurrebant namque eis Sacerdotes & Clerici in vestibus albis, cum crucibus & vexillis, trahentes secum fidelis populi non minimam numerositatem, sicut solet diebus rogationum. Praedicantes igitur pro negocio crucis, homines cujuscunque aetatis, sexus, vel conditionis, vel valoris, imo etiam valetudinarios vel valetudinarias, et aegrotantes et senio deficientes cruce signaverunt: et in crastino et etiam incontinenti pro quantocunque precio crucem a cruce signatis deponentes et reaccipientes, quemlibet a voto suae peregrinationis absolvebant. Quod videbatur multis inconveniens et absurdum, quia non post multos dies consequentes, Magistro Berardo Clerico et Italico vindemiante, Comes Richardus in aerario suo omnia coacervavit. Unde non minimum scandalum in Ecclesia Dei et universo populo est exortum, et tepuit fidelium devotio manifest. Whence Matthew Westminster justly stiles this year, Aunus Romanae Curiae infamis.

Tunc quoque temporis, rediit a Curia Romana Episcopus Norwicensis Walterus, qui, ut dicebatur, privilegium adquisierat infame, de pecunia ex Episcopatu suo extorquenda: to make up the monies he had spent in Bulls and Gifts at Rome.

Anno quoque sub eodem, circa Paschalem solennitatem, Archiepiscopus Rothomagensis, quidam videlicet frater de ordine Minorum, origin Francus, venit in Angliam, ut quosdam redditus adjus Ecclesiae suae pertinentes, impetrata Regis gratia, revocaret. Quod cum prudenter impetraverat, facto Regi homagio de ipsis redditibus ( as his Predecessor did ) erant enim in Anglia, remeavit.

The same year there happening a discord between the Abbot of Burg and his Covent, about Dilapidations, and for enriching his poor kindred with the Goods and Revenues of the Church, in enorme Ecclesiae suae damnum, and not reforming upon complaint, he was at last constrained, to prevent a deprivation, to resign his Abby into the Bishop of Lincolns hands, who assigned him one Manor for his more honorable maintenance, though he did not deserve it. Regales autem illuc statim à Domino Rege missi, emolumentis inhiantes, redditibus Abbatiae avide inhiantes, rapinis & exterminio domus illius intenderunt. Irascibatur quoque Rex vehementer, volens occasionem habere contra domum ipsam, quia dictum fuit ei, quod quia Domino Regi favorabilis et munificus fuerat, persequebantur ipsum Abbatem suum Monachi, et accusaverant. Conventus igitur, ut Domini Regis confiscantis omnia, declinarent indignationem, Johannem de Cadamo, Priorem Ecclesiae Sancti Swithini, Wintoniensem, ipso Rege sic volente et imperante, licet de domo alia, & natione alienum, videlicet Normannum, sibi in Abbatem vellent nollent, elegerunt.

This year Robertus Passeleve, Curiae volumina detestans, ad frugem melioris vitae convolavit, & ad gradum promotus est Sacerdotii. Propter quod Dominus Episcopus Eliensis, ipsi Roberto bonam Ecclesiam de Deham, quae fuerat Jeremiae Domini Regis Clerici nuper defuncti, contulit; sperans ipsum Sanctum fore post diutinam vitam sterilem, Sacerdotem. Sed Dominus Rex ipsum Episcopum conferentem, & ipsum Robertum recipientem, • dio maximo persequebatur, quia Episcopus memoratus illam Ecclesiam Ethelmaro fratri Domini Regis non contulerat.

Anno 1250. Many of the English Nobility, Bishops, Gentry and Commonalty crossed themselves for the relief of the Holy Land, some of them selling their Lands to defray their expenses in that expedition: Innumerabiles quoque nolentes in propatulo signum crucis vel accipere vel in humeris portare, secreto voverunt & proposuerunt firmiter Terram Sanctam devote ac potenter adire, muscipulas Romanae Curiae formidantes. The King himself soon after sending for all the Citizens of London, remitted all his anger and rancor towards them, and humbly craved pardon from them for all the injuries, oppressions, and unjust seisures of their goods formerly made. Eodemque die Dominus Rex crucem suscepit de manu Archiepiscopi Cantuariensis Bonifacii. Et p-steà ipse Archiepiscopus cruce signavit alios Nobiles, whose names you may read in Matthew Paris: who subjoins, Sinistri vero interpretatores asserere praesumpserunt, quod non propter aliud suscepit Dominus Rex crucem, nisi ut tali occasion violenter a suis Nobilibus, qui prius ei contradirerant id petenti, pecuniam extorqueret sub obtentu Terra Sancta conquirendae, (as Popes then usually did) et crucis negotii promovendi: Veruntamen discreti & plus ration is habentes, haec ad judicium & probationem actnum subsequentium reservabant. Hujus autem dnbitationis seminarium, praestitit Regis Frarcorum exemplum pernitiosum, qui infinitam (pecuniam) minime tamen Deo vindice profecturam à Regno suo maxim abraserat, ut suam promoveret peregrinationem. Sed quales inde fructus collegerit, sequens sermo declarabit.

In the mean time the English Nobility (who had most of them taken up the cross before King Henry) meeting at London, determined to begin their voyage before the King; Dominus autem Rex, qui sedulus explorator haec praecognoverat, a Romana Curia Literas ad votum, data et plus promissa pecunia, festinanter impetravit, quarum autoritate iter eorum suspenderet, donec ipse tanquam Dux capitalis, in propria persona terram potenter adiret ultramarinam, ut sic decentius & securius progrederetur; & sic hic & inde crucis languit negotium infoeliciter, heu, heu, mutilatum.

Soon after, Celebri luce beati Augustini, cum omnes Angliae Magnates cruce signati, fixum habentes propusitum ad festum Sancti Johannes, iter arripere Hierosolymitanum, & terras suas vendiderant, vel impignoraverant, vel in laqueis Judaeorum vel Caursinorum se involverant, vale dicto amic is prompti fuerant & parati. Et ecce Dominus Rex, qui sicut p • er • lus laesus vel offensus ad matrem querulus solet recurrere, ad Papam miserat festinanter supplicans, ut hoc iter impediret, significans ei, quod quidam Regni sui praeclari Magnates crucesignati, ipso invito et prohibente iter arripere Hierosolymitanum firmiter proposuerant, nec ipsum Regem Dominum suum crucesignatum, et idem iter arripere proponentem, expectare dignabantur. Qui etiam Regem Francorum capitalem inimicum suum qui eis, ut dicebant, praevius iter & introitum praparaverat in terram Orientalem, potius quàm eum sequi maluerunt. Unde Papa per Literas suas, sicut et ipse Rex per verba imperiosa, district sub poena Excommunicationis inhibuit, ne quis eorum contra Regis voluntatem, qualecunque periculum Rex Francorum subiret aut discrimen, transfretaret. Insuper Dominus Rex in continenti, misit ad Castellanos Doverae, & ad aliorum portuum custodes, ne aliquem Magnatem cruce signatum, permitterent transfretare. Allegatum tamen fuit contra hoc, quod scilicet Rex indiscrete fecerat, quia si tot & tales faciem suam praeirent (fuerant pugnatores equites circiter quingenti, excepta eorum sequela innumerabili) diceret totius Christianitatis universitas obstupescens: O quantus Rex est, & quàm formidabilis, qui tales praemittit? O quot credendi sunt ipsum concomitari? & sic totus contremiscet Paganismus. Sed ut quid talis deceptatio? Hoc enim peregrinationis been contigit, licet praeter prohibentium impedimentum: by reason of the French Kings overthrow. Interim tamen non cessavit Dominus Rex, undecunque petuniam abradere, ( by pretext of this Croysado ) principaliter à Judaeis, (he extorting from Aaron alone, a Jew born at York, no less then Thirty Thousand Marks of Silver, and Two Hundred Marks of Gold, besides what he wrested from other Jews upon sundry pretexts ) secundario autem à suis hominibus Christianis & naturalibus, amounting to vast sums of money.

Temporibus quoque sub eisdem, Bernardus de Nympha Clericus, Papalibus armatus munimentis, a cruce signatis ad opus Comitis Richardi, sub inhonesta nimis forma magnam pecuniam collegit, ut potius rapina, quam justitia videretur. Forma autem hujus rapinae informis, ne multorum aures cum cordibus offendat, in Libro Additamentorum plenius exaratur.

Literae generales directae per singulos Episcopatus, super collectione Decimarum, & redemptione votorum, & crucesignatorum, & aliorum, Comiti Richardo concessorum.

R. Divina gratia Lincoln. Episcopus, dilectis in Christo filiis omnibus Archidiaconis per Lincolniensem Diocaesin constitutis, salutem, gratiam & benedictionem. Literas Domini J. Sarraceni Subdiaconi & Capellani Domini Papae, Decani Wellensis, & Bernardi de Nympha, scriptoris ejusdem Domini, recepimus in haec verba.

REverendo in Christo Patri ac Domino R. Dei gratia Lincoln. Episcopo, & discreto viro Officiali suo J. Sarracenus, Subdiaconus & Capellanus Domino Papae, Decano Wellensi, & Bernardus de Nympha scriptor ejusdem Domini, cum sincera dilection salutem. Noveritis nos post diversa mandata sedis Apostolicae quae ad nos & alios Praelatos Regni Angliae hactenus emanarunt, super redemptione dotorum, & aliis in eodem Regno; Nobili viro Domino R. Comiti Cornubiae à praefata seed concessis, quorum copiam & tenorem sub sigillis nostris, nobis jam ab olim transmissum, penes vos esse novimus: suscepisse nuper mandatum Apostolicum, sub hac forma. Innocentius Episcopus servus servorum Dei, dilectis filiis J. Sarraceno Subdiacono & Capellano, Decano Wellensi, & Magistro Bernardo de Nympha scriptori, nostris in Anglia commorantibus, salutem & Apostolicam Benedictionem. Ex parte dilecti filii nobilis viri R. Comitis Cornubiae, fuit propositum coram nobis, quod cum post diversa mandata, quae tàm à nobis quàm à felicis recordationis G. Papa praedecessore nostro, super redemptione votorum, in Regno Angliae Comiti praefato ab Apostolica seed concessa, ad ejusdem Regni Praelatos emanasse dicuntur. Tibi fili Decane, ministro ordinis Sanctae Trinitatis, & captivorum in Regno praedicto, & Archidiacono Berksire, duxerimus per Literas nostras injungendum: ut juxta Priorum Literarum formam in negotio ipso procedere curaretis, agent tandem eodem Archidiacono extra Regnum, & se in totum ab hujusmodi negotio excusante, ac ministro tibi fili B. committente super hoc totaliter vices suas, illud remandamus; quatenus sine morae dispendio in eodem negotio procedatis, super Priorum continentiam Literarum. Dat. Lugduni tertio Idus Octobris, Pontificatus nostri anno quarto. Cum igitur si filii obedientiae, prout debemus, inveniri volumus; parendi nobis incumbat necessitas, & refragandi audacia prohibeatur; maxim cum praeter id quod praefatae sedi tenemur ad obedientiam specialem, tàm mandatum Regium, quàm assidua postulatio praedicti Domini Comitis, ad consummationem & accelerationem praedicti negotii nos coarctent. Attendentes insuper, quod per Ordinarios locorum potest consultiùs & salubriùs, absque scandalo & strepitu circa praemissa cum optata celeritate procedi; eos nos providimus de prudentum consilio, & juxta ejusdem Comitis affectum, in partem hujusmodi oneris & solicitudinis evocare: ut per opem & adjectionem consilii plurium, quae super praemissis agenda sunt, sic rite ac prudenter Deo auctore procedant, quod apud Summum Pontificem inobedientia nobis non noceat, nec apud praefatum Dominum Comitem, neglectus accusetur. Quare discretioni vestrae cum reverentia vestra in virtute obedientiae, qua injungitur nobis, injungimus, & sub poena interdicti qua fungimur in hac parte, authoritate district praecipimus; quatenus citetis peremptory omnes Archidiaconos & Officiales eorum, Civitatis & Diocaeseos Linc. necnon Archidiaconos Monasteriorum exemptorum & non exemptorum ejusdem Civitatis & Diocaeseos, quod personaliter compareant coram nobis in Ecclesia Sancti Martini magni Lond. die Lunae, proxima post assumptionem beatae Mariae nuper venturam: facturi circa praemissorum executionem, quod per ejusdem Regni Praelatos ordinatum est & provisum. Pro certo scientes, quod quantumcunque vobis & vestris defer velimus, contra rebels tamen & resistentes, quantum de jure licuerit & poterimus, procedemus; vos autem tàm de citatione facta, quàm de nominibus Citatorum, nos per latorem praesentium Literis vestris patentibus certificare curetis: provisuri, ut alter vestrum cui fuerit hoc primo mandatum oblatum, illud, non expectato reliquo, sine dilatione qualibet exequatur. Dat. anno gratiae 1247. 11 nonas Junii. Quapropter vobis mandamus in virtute obedientiae, & sub poena praedicta, vobis injuncta firmiter injungentes; quatenus omnes & singuli una cum Officialibus vestris dictis, die & loco compareatis juxta praedictum mandatum; quod jus dictaverit, facturi: sicut poenam praedictam volueritis evitare. Quibus autem die & loco has Literas receperitis, nobis per Literas vestras patentes significetis. Item, deputentur per vos in singulis parochiis Archidiaconatuum vestrorum, aliqui fide digni cruce signati, una cum Sacerdote, qui conscribant nomina cruce signatorum decedentium; qui jam decesserunt, vel qui in futurum decedent: & quantum promisering vel legaverint in subsidium Terrae Sanctae, & qui fuerint executores. Et denuncietur executoribus, quod habeant praemissas pecunias paratas cum fuerint requisiti: & scripturae singularum parochiarum deferantur in Capitulis Decanorum per Rectores vel Sacerdotes, cum testimonio aliquorum vel alicujus cruce signati; & Decanus cum testimonio aliquorum ad hoc deputandorum, redigat omnes scripturas in unam scripturam: & apponat sigillum suum, cum sigillis sociorum suorum: & dictam scripturam deferat ad domum fratrum Pradicatorum vel Minorum, qui ibidem praedicaverint. Et statim fiat Collecta hujusmodi pecuniae, per visum illius qui praedicaverit, vel ejus quem praedicator ipse ad hoc vocare poterit in locis singulis: & deponatur in aede sacra sub sigillo illius qui praedicaverit, & Collectorum: restituenda nobis & Domino Wigorniensi Episcopo, vel nostris assignatis, cum eam duxerimus exigendam. De bonis vero cruce signatorum qui decedunt sine testamento, quantum ad portionem eos contingentem, ordinetur per amicos defunctorum & fratres deputatos ibidem ad praedicandum; ut deputetur in subsidium Terrae Sanctae, quantum poterit sine scandalo; ut plenam habeant indulgentiam. Item, omnes infirmi & decedentes moneantur per Capellanos & alios qui confectioni testamenti eorum interfuerint, ut crucem assumant si nondum assumpserint; & tàm isti quàm illi qui crucem ante assumpserunt, nominent quantum velint dare ad subsidium Terrae Sanctae; & dicatur eis express, quod si omnino dederint secundum facultates, plenam habebunt indulgentiam; si minus, erunt participes tantum, scilicet secundum quantitatem subsidii & devotionis affectum: nullus tamen compellatur facere ultra voluntatem suam. Et haec omnia scribantur & referantur, ut supra.

Haec autem nos & Dominus Wigorniensis, authoritate Apostolica injungimus Sacerdotibus, qui intererunt testamentis, in virtute obedientiae; ut tàm ipsis, quàm aliis in remissionem peccatorum. Quid autem super hiis feceritis, nobis citra festum Assumptionis beatae Mariae, per Literas vestras Patentes constare faciatis. Dat. apud Edevetunam, in Diocaesi Sarum, Calendas Augusti, Pontificatus nostri anno duodecimo.

Sciendum est, quod eodem anno etiam antequam inciperetur haec excogitata Collecta sic fieri, recepit Comes Richardus de Terra Sancti Albani, 25. libras, per manum Archidiaconi ejusdem loci.

Matthew Paris records, That the Pope this year gave a Noble entertainment to this Earl Richard, whom he secretly called to his Court, and with whom he had much private conference; De causa autem itineris Comitis Richardi, aliquorum fuit opinio, nec fine causa, quod vocaverat eum Dominus Papa, ut eum in Imperium Romaniae, quem scivit nummis & multis the sauris abundare, promoveret, sciens illum avidum & ambitiosum, quos vellet Dominus Papa ad hoc exponere. Alii autem indubitanter asseverabant, quod Dominus Papa studiose ad hoc desudabat, ut gratiam ipsius Comitis adquireret, quatenus ipsum venire, in Angliam, cupientem, benign & reverenter susciperet, & ad hoc Dominum Regem fratrem suum & Magnates terrae (praecipue cos quide consilio Domini Regis sunt) ut in Regnum Angliae vocaretur, inclinaret. However the Earl made use of the Popes favor to procure his forecited Bulls, under color of aiding the Holy Land, to exact vast sums of money by this pious cheat from the people, whereof himself for the most part had the greatest share.

The King having gained Letters from the Pope to raise monies for this his pretended expedition, sent them to the three Archbishops in Ireland, to publish them in all places, as this ensuing Record assures us.

REX Dublin. Archiepiscopo, salutem. Summus Pontifex Innocentius Christi Vicarius, & beatorum Petri & Pauli successor. non solum quod expedit sed quod decet, in negotio Sanctae Crucis, cujus signaculum portamus in humero, ponderans in statera diseretionis praecipue, fecit nobis gratiam specialem promotoribus ipsius negotii plura praetextu nostrae cruce-signationis indulgens, juxta quod in Literis suis quas vobis & quibusdam fratribus vestris transmittimus, continetur. Cum igitur proponamus pro nostris viribus vendicare injuriam crucifixi ad exaltationem fidei Christianae, nostrumque honorem, tàm potenter quàm magnifice in propria persona nostra exequi votum nostrum, pateruitatem vestram rogamus, quatenus per Civitates & Diocaeses ac Provincias totamque Hyberniam, proponatis & proponi per aliquos quos ad hoc idoneos noveris verbum Crucis, ac earundem Literarum tenorem publicari, aliisque copiam habere faciatis, secundum quod videritis expedire, cum diligentia debita exequentes quaecunque in eisdem Literis videritis contineri, it a quod tàm vos, quàm illi quibus hujusmodi officium commiseritis, fitis universi & singuli in praemissis exequendis solliciti per quod fidelitas & prudentia vestra debeat commendari, dictas autem Literas quas Prior Sanctae Trinitatis Dublin. vobis deferet in eodem Prioratu cum publicatae fuerint, salvo reponi & custodiri faciatis. It a quod ad ease cum necesse fuerit possit haberi recursus. Teste Rege apud Woodst. 16. die Junii.

Consimiles Literae scribuntur Cassal, Archiepiscopo, excepto quod Literas Domini Papae quas Walterus Mansell ei defert post ipsarum publicationem deponi fac. penes Praedicatores Cassal.

Item consimiliter scribitur Ardmachan. Archiepiscopo, & Priori fratrum Praedicatorum, & Ministro fratrum Minorum, Provincialibus Hyberniae, excepto quod de depositione Literae Papalis eis transmissae non fit mentio.

What great extortions, oppressions the Laity and Clergy underwent not only in England, but also in France, by virtue of the Popes Bulls to raise monies to carry on Wars against the Saracens, and Emperor too, though a Christian, Matthew Paris thus relates.

Et si aliae pecuniarum extorsiones per Regnum Francorum factae, irrecitabiles dignae aeterno sint silentio, unum tamen exemplum huic paginae duximus inserendum Notum est, quod Dominus Francorum Rex, ex permissione Romanae Ecclesiae, per triennium decimam ab Ecclesia Regni Francorum emunxit, tali conditione ut Papa tantundem in posterum ab eadem extorqueret, ut Fredericum potentius expugnaret. Cui tamen post primam triennii collectam, scilicet suam, Rex Francorum praemonitus, volenti suam vindemiare, multiformis emunctoris ars ut artem falleret, in faciem contradixit, hanc pretendens rationem, quod nullo modo toleraret Ecclesiam sui Regni depauperare, ad etpugnandum Christianos: ad expugnandum vero incredulos, aequanimius tolerari potuit, et potius a laico quam sacerdote. Preterea, si alio proximo triennio depraedaretur, irrestaurabili praedae, quod tamen non curaret, pateret. Extorsit igitur, pecuniam memoratam per quosdam Papae Ministrales, ut efficacius ipsam exigeret, et ut certius sciretur ad quantum pars Papalis ascenderet colligenda. Vnde multorum corda dolore praecordiali cruentabantur, maledicentium, et imprecantium, ut Prophetae Isaiae, imo Dei vereficaretur sententia, qui odio semper hactenus habuit rapinam in holocausto. Utinam haec rationis libra perpenderent Dominus Anglorum Rex, & frater ejus Comes Richardus, & alii Principes crucesignati, turpibus emolumentis incumbentes. Quamvis enim pium constat esse actum sanctae peregrinationis, viatica tamen turpiter adquisita, piae actionis coinquinat executionem. Haec enim causa licet aliae forte non desint, creditor fuisse jam descriptae confusionis. Harum quoque in Franciae factarum extorsionum, unam quia turpissimum, duximus memorandum. Contigit, ut memoratus Papalis exactor obvium haberet unum Clericulum de Villa venientem, aquam in vasculo cum aspersorio, & frustra panis, data sibi pro aspersione • quae benedictae bajulantem. Cui Romanus insidiator ait, ad quantum precium ascendit beneficium hoc tibi ab Ecclesia concessum per annum? Cui clericus loquearum ignarus Romanorum, respondit. Ad viginti ut aestimo solidorum. Cui Romanus jam se manifestans ait, Hic ergo assurgunt ad fisci commodum per annum Viginti & quatuor denarii, scilicet duo solidi. Et suffocavit ipsum pauperem ostiatim mendicantem, dieens: Redde Domino Regi quod debes. Unde pro illa substantiola persolvenda cogebatur ill pauperculus, multis diebus scholas exercens, venditis in parvisio libellis vitam famelicam & Codrinam protelare.

The sad effects of these impious Rapins, and Croysadoes,