Vindication of Ecclesiastical Volume 3
REX, &c. Omnibus hominibus totius Kanciae, &c. Sciatis quod Magister Simon de Langeton, venit ad nos apud Wintoniam, die Mercurii proximo ante mediam quadragesimam, & coram Episcopis nostris rogavit nos, quod Magistrum S. de Langeton, Fratrem suum reciperemus in Archiepiscopum Cantuariensem: Et cum loqueremur eide salvanda nobis in hoc dignitate nostra, dixit nobis, quod nichil nobis inde faceret nisi ex toto poneremus nos in manum suam. Hoc autem vobis mandamus, ut sciatis malum et injuriam nobis in hac parte factam. Et mandamus vobis quod credatis hiis quae Regin. Cornehull, vobis dixerit ex parte nostra, de facto praefato ibidem inter nos et praedictos Episcopos et ipsum Simonem facto, et de facienda super hoc praeceptum nostrum. Teste meipso apud Winton. Decimo quarto die Marcii.
The King during this Treaty with the Bishops, to preserve the Rights of his Crown, committed the custody of the Temporalties of the Priory of Christ-Church, and Archbishopric of Canterbury, to certain Commissioners during his Royal pleasure, by these Patents.
REX, &c. Fulconi de Kantilupo, & Reginaldo de Cornubia, &c. Sciatis quod commissimus Magistro Radulpho de Sancto Martino, & Roberto de London. custodiam Ecclesiae Christi Cantuariensis, cum omnibus quae ad interiora ejusdem Ecclesiae spectant, & commissimus eidem Roberto, & Henrico de Sandwico, custodiam omnium Maneriorum Prioratus ejusdem Ecclesiae cum omnibus pertinentiis suis. Et commissimus praedictis Magistro Radulpho, & Roberto, & Radulpho de Arden. custodiam omnium Maneriorum Archiepiscopatus Cantuariensis, cum omnibus pertinentiis suis quamdiu nobis placuerit. Et ideo vobis mandamus quod ea illis tanquam custodibus nostris statim visis literis istis ita liberari faciatis, & been imbreviari omnia quae eis liberaveritis. Teste G. filio Petri, apud Westmonasterium, Vicesimo tertio die Januarii, Anno Regni nostri Nono.
REX, &c. Omnibus tenentibus de Archiepiscopatu Cantuariense, & Prioratus, &c. tam Militibus quam aliis, &c. Sciatis quod commissimus R. de Cornehull, custodiam praedicti Archiepiscopatus & praedicti Prioratus cum omnibus quae ad eosdem Archiepiscopatum & Prioratum pertinent, & vobis mandamus quod ei tanquam custodi nostro sitis in omnibus intendentes & respondentes quamdiu nobis placuerit. Teste meipso apud Winton. Decimo quarto die Marcii.
The Bishops after the Kings final peremptory Answer to them, formerly recited, resolved to enforce the King to quit his Royal right and dignity, by an Antichristian Interdict of his Kingdom, which they could not persuade him to part with by their Treaty; thus related by Matthew Paris.
REcedentes autem Episcopy memorati, cum fructum penitentiae in Rege non invenerunt, in Quadragesima sequenti, executionem sibi a summo Pontifice demandatam, exequi non verentes, prima die Lunae in passion Domini, quae tunc contigit decimo Kalendas Aprilis, sub generali Interdicto totam Angliam incluserunt: quod sicut in Autentico Domini Papae, expressum habetur, non obstantibus privilegiis, ab omnibus est inviolabiliter observatum. Cessaverunt itaque in Anglia omnia Ecclesiastica Sacramenta, praeter solummodo confessionem et viaticum in ultima necessitate, et Baptisma parvulorum; (Quod ex callida indulgentia Papae concessum est ut abalienatis a Rege sibique conciliatis Regni subditis tam Regnum quam Regem sibi subiiceret, adds Matthew Parker. ) corpora quoque defunctorum de Civitatibus et villis efferebantur, et more canum in biviis et fossatis sine orationibus et Sacerdotum ministerio sepeliebantur. Trevisa, Fabian, Caxton, Fox, Speed, with others add, That all the doors of Churches and other places where Divine Service before was used, first in London, and after in all places throughout the Land, were shut up with Keys, Walls, and other fastenings, no public Prayers, Masses, or Divine Service must be once celebrated within them for sundry years ensuing; by which unchristian Interdict this flourishing Church of England was publicly deprived for many years together of the very Face of Christianity, even by Pope Innocent, Christ's pretended Vicar, who acted here like Julian his professed Enemy, immuring up the doors of all Christian Temples, in despite of their God, and for the Kings bare crossing of his unjust Papal Usurpations, in defense of his Prerogative Royal, censured even God and Christ himself, to lose their public Worship, and all the People, Bishops, Clergy to hazard their souls, living like Infidels, without God's Service and blessed Sacraments, yea and dying, like Dogs to be tumbled into every ditch without Christian burial: So well did he pursue our Savior's trebled precept to Peter, whereon he founded his Papal Sovereignty, John 22. 16, 17. Feed my Sheep, Feed my Lambs. Matthew Paris subjoins, Quid plura? Recesserunt latenter ab Anglia, Wilhelmus Londinensis, Eustachius Elyensis, Malgerus Wygorniensis, Jozelinus Bathoniensis, & Eg idius Herefordensis Episcopy, (chief Actors in this unchristian Tragedy) satius Arbitrantes sevitiam commoti Regis ad tempus declinare, quam in terra Interdicta sine fructu residere. But before their departure they excommunicated all the Kings Officers, who seized their Temporalties and Goods for this their Treasonable and Antichristian proceedings, not only against himself, but his whole Realm, though not guilty of any contempt against the Pope.
The King hereupon out of just indignation and retaliation, thus rigorously proceeded against these Trayterous Prelates, and all the Clergy confederating with the Pope and them, against his Rights and Sovereignty, banishing the chief Actors, and seizing the Possessions and Goods of the rest. Thus registered by Matthew Paris.
REX igitur Anglorum ob causa Interdicti mente nimis confusus. misit Vicecomites suos & alios iniquitatis ministros in omnes • ines Angliae, praecipiens tam Praelatis singulis quam eorum subjectis cum comminatione terrifica, ut incontinenter a Regno exirent, et super hac injuria peterent sibi a Papa justitiam exhiberi. Episcopatus insuper, Abbatias, Prioratus, sub Laicorum custodia deputans, universos redditus Ecclesiasticos confiscari praecepit. Sed in hoc sibi caute prospiciebant Praelati generaliter omnes totius Regni, quod de monasteriis suis exire noluerunt, nisi per violentiam expellerentur, Quod cum a Regiis Ministris suisset compertum, Noluerunt alicui ingerere violentiam, sicut nec a Rege praeceptum habuerunt: sed bona eorum omnia in usus Regis convertentes, victum eis & vestitum parce ex rebus propriis ministrabant. Horrea Clericorum Rege jubente, obserata sunt ubi{que} & ad commodum fisci distracta, Presbyterorum & Clericorum focariae per totam Angliam a Ministris Regis captae sunt, & graviter ad se redimendum compulsae: viri religiosi sive quicun{que} ordinati qui itinerantes reperti sunt in via ab equis suis projiciebantur, spoliabantur, & a satellitibus Regis turpiter tractabantur, nec fuit qui eis iustitiam exhiberet. Venerunt ea tempestate in confinio Walliae ad regem, m • n •• r • cujusdam vicecomitis, ducentes praedonem unum, manibus a tergo vinctis qui sacerdotem quendam in via spoliaverat & interfecerat, quaerentes a Rege quid super tali eventu sibi fieri placeret. Quibus incontinenter respondit dicens,: Inimicum meum interemit, solvite illum & sinite abire, Parentes quo{que} Archeepiscopi & Episcoporum qui Angliam sub interdicto posuerunt, jubente Rege capiebantur, atque bonis omnibus spoliati in carcerem trudebantur. Inter hec omnia mala perendenabant Pontifices prefati in partibus Transmarinis, omnimodis viventes in delicius, & sese murum pro domo Domini non opponentes, secundum Redemptoris sententiam, cum Lupum viderunt venientem dimiserunt oves, & fagerunt. Such was the Piety and Sobriety, as well as Loyalty of these Ghostly Fathers, who made all to fast from God's public Worship.
After this general seisure of the Bishops and Clergies Temporalties and goods, such of them as submitted to the King, and refused to comply with the Interdict, celebrating Divine Service, and administering the Sacramentsto the people according to their duties both to God, the King and people, the King by special writs restored their Temporalties, chattles, goods to them, retaining in his hands the Lands and goods of all Abbots, Priors, Religious houses and Clerks, who submitted to the Interdict, as is evident by these two Patents for restoring the Possessions, lands and goods of the Bishops of Winchester, and Norwich, who complied with the King, as did Philip Bishop of Duresme, heartening him to contemn the Popes causeless curse, though at last, when the King surrendered his Crown, they were all enforced to cry peccavi for it, as Godwin observes,
REx, &c. Roberto Lupe, & G. de Serland, Sciatis quod reddidimus domino Wintoniensi Episcopo, Episcopatum Winton. & omnes terras, res, redditus & possessiones suas, & Wardas suas, & omnia sua capta in manum Domini Regis, occasion Interdicti, Custodienda per manum suam. Et ideo vobis mandamus, quod ei Episcopatum suum, & omnia sua in Balliva tua habere faciatis, & in pace terrae saciatis, Retentis in manu nostra, terris, redditibus & rebus omnium Abbatum, Priorum, & domorum Religiosorum, & etiam Clericorum de Episcopatu suo. Teste W. Briwer. apud Waverle, Quinto die Aprilis. Per eundem.
Sub eadem forma scribitur, aliis in quorum Ballivis habet terras, res vel tenementa.
MAndatum est Roberto de Burgata, quod faciat habere Episcopo Norwicensi, totum Regale, quod ad Episcopatum suum pertinet, & omnia Maneria sua, & omnes terras & Wardas suas, & omnia sua capta in manu Domini Regis occasion interdicti, retentis in manu Domini Regis omnibus terris, redditibus, & rebus omnium Abbatum, Prioram, & virorum Religiosorum, & etiam Clericorum de Episcopatu suo. Mandatum est etiam eidem quod faciat habere.—Rogero omnes redditus, & res Clericorum habentium redditus de feudo suo, & donatione sua, & omnes terras, redditus, & res Abbatum de feudo suo, si alicujus crociae habent de dono suo, & Priorum seu cujuscunque domus religiosae si sit de dono suo, quia ipse domino Regi inde respondebit.
The King was so just in these his proceedings, as not to seise the lands or goods of any Religious Persons or Clerks, but those who refused to celebrate Divine Service, from and after a certain day prefixed to them, as is evident by this Record, touching the Religious Persons and Clerks within the Bishoprics of Lincoln and Eli.
REx omnibus de Episcopatu Linc. Clericis & Laicis salutem. Sciatis quod a die Lunae proxima ante Florid Pasch. commissimus W. de Cornhull Archid. Huntingdon & Gerd. de Camvill, omnes terras & res Abbatum & Priorum, & omnium Religiosorum, & etiam Clericorum de Episcopatu Lincolniae, qui divina extunc celebrare noluerint, & mandamus vobis quod eis extunc sicut Ballivis nostris sitis intendentes. Sub eadem forma scribitur omnibus de Episcopatu Eliensi quod sint intendentes ab illa die come. Surr.
Yea, this King was so indulgent, as to permit all Archbishops, Bishops, Abbots, Priors, Religious persons and Clerks throughout England, to sell their corn by sums, till the feast of St. Katherine, after their barns were shut up, as appears by this Writ issued to all Sheriffs of England.
MAnsatum est omnibus Uicecomitibus Angliae, quod permittant Archiepiscopos, Episcopos, Abbates, Priores, & omnes viros religiosos, & omnes clerios Uendece blada sua per summas, usque ad festum Sanctae Katerinae.
Matthew Paris informs us, that John Abbot of St. Albons, being specially commanded by the King to celebrate divine service during the Interdict, called all his Moncks into the Chapter-house, persuading them to obey God (meaning the Pope) rather then man (the King) and patiently to endure the Kings anger, which God in due time would bring to an end. For which high contempt, the King seised all the Temporalties of the Abby, prosecuted this Abbot, put out the Officers of the Abby, and placed his own in their steads, till this Abbot at last complied, and paid six hundred marks to the King, to purchase his peace and take off the sequestration.
HIc in interdicto multas pressuras, & tribulationes perpessus est, quarum unam huic libello duximus inserendam; significavit ei Rex Johannes, ut spre to Papali mandato in Interdicto divina celebraret. Et super hoc, habito consilio in Capitulo, ait, Fratres oportet obedire magis Deo, (the celebrating of Divine Service as he commanded, had been to obey God, not to intermit it on the Popes Inhibition, when both God and the King commanded it) quam hominibus; sustineamus iram principis, dabit Deus his quo{que} finem. Et sic Domino Papae obediens, quamvis Magister Alexander filius Cementarii (tunc Minister Regis) consuluisset in contrarium, noluit Regi in hoc casu obedire, Iratus igitur Rex vehementer de contemptu sui mandati (accipiens sic sponte malignandi occasionem) occupavit in manu sua totam Abbatiam.
Et ejectis nostris suos per omnia apposuit custodes seculares videlicet, Magistrum Robertum Londoniensem, Clericum suum superiorem, virum versutum & per omnia Regi Johanni Domino suo conformem, qui etiam inter ipsum Regem & admirabilem Murmelinum, Crebra internuncia & secreta (de Apostasia ut dicitur) intermeans detulerat Ipse igitur Robertus, ejecto & deposito nostro Cellerario instituit suum, quendam scilicet secularem, virum versutum, & avarum nimis, suae quae dum potuit avaritiae consulentem. Similiter ignominiose nostro janitore ejecto, subrogavit alium, Robertum nomine, qui sustigatis ingredientibus & egredientibus, & perscrutatis, erat conventui quasi spina in oculo. Aegre igitur nimis haec ferens Abbas Johannes, ut videlicet tam libera, tam nobilis domus in suo tempore, tali Laicorum jugo praemeretur, Regem (imo Tyrannum ) justus injustum, agnus adiit Leopardnm (thus doth the venomous Monk • bespatter King John ) deditque sexcentas Marcas, ut Custodes nos opprimentes amoveret, & liberam in pace cum suis pertinentibus totam sineret Abbatiam.
The same year the white Monks complied with God and the King, in saying divine service, for which presumption this Antichristian Pope suspended them the second time. Albi Monachi in principio Interdicti cessantes, postea ad mandatum sui principalis Divina celebrare presumpserunt, sed haec praesumptio cum ad summi Pontificis noticiam pervenisset, ad sui maiorem confusionem denuo sunt suspensi. And when as the next year (1209.) procurante Stephano Cautuariensi Arciepiscopo, indultum est Ecclesiis conventualibus in Anglia (but not to parish Churches, on purpose to please the Monks, and engage them on the Popes and Archbishops side, against the King who sequestered their lands, for not celebrating Divine Service, according to the Charters of their foundation and rules of their respective orders) • emel in hebdomada celebrare Divina, Albi autem Monachi hoc privabantur indulgentia, eo quod in principio interdicti cessantes postea ad iussionem sui Abbatis principalis, Papa inconsulto, celebrare praesumpserint: Most partial Papal Justice.
The King perceiving that the Pope, and Bishops, intended not only to seduce but to absolve his Subjects from their allegiance to him, like a wise Prince, required pledges from all the great men he suspected, to be delivered to him for their future fidelity, which most of them submitted to, others refused, thus related and aggravated by our Moncks to render him odious.
INter haec & consimilia opera Impietatis, Rex Johannes in se reversus metuebat, ne Dominus Papa post Interdictum, manus in eum extenderet graviores, illum nominatim excommunicando, vel Magnates Angliae ab ejus fidelitate absolvendo. Vnde ne Regni iura amittere videretur, misit manum militarem ad omnes Regni potentes, & quos praecipue suspectos habebat, exigens obsides ab eis, quibus posset eos, si forte processu temporis ab ejus fidelitate absolverentur, ad debitum revocare obsequium; Adquieverunt multi Regis jussionibus, & alii filios, alii vero nepotes & carnaliter propinquos nunciis tradebant. Venientes tandem ad Willielmum de Brause virum nobilem, & obsides ab eo, sicut ab aliis fecerat exigentes, repagulum conditionis invenerunt. Matildis enim uxor ejusdem Willielmi procacitate muliebri verbum rapiens ex ore viri, nunciis respondit. Pueros meos Domino vestro Regi Johanni non tradam, quia Arthurum Nepotem suum quem honorifice custodisse debuerat, turpiter interfecit. Quod verbum, cum vir ejus audisset, increpavit eam & dixit: Quasi una ex stultis mulieribus contra Dominum nostrum Regem, locuta es. Nam si ipsum in aliquo offendi; paratus sum & ero Domino meo, & sine obsidibus satisfacere, secundum judicium Curiae suae & Baronum parium meorum, certo mihi assignato die & loco. Nuncii autem ad Regem reversi, cum ei quae audierant, retulissent, Rex graviter perturbatus, misit Milites suos & servientes latenter, qui ipsum Willielmum cum tota sua familia comprehenderent, & sibi sub omni festinatione praesentarent. Sed idem Wilhelmus ab amicis suis praemonitus, cum uxore sua, & filiis & propinquis ad Hyberniam aufugito. Matthew Westminster (exceeding all bounds of truth and modesty) superadds, Rex vero interim nunc hunc, nunc illum, de magnatibus Regni, vel pecunia unjust mulctavit, vel libertatibus, aut possessionibus spoliavit, nonnullos uxoribus suis Zelotipavit, filias defloravit, ita quod manifest tam Deo, quam hominibus exosus videretur & detestabilis. Insuper ut appareret ejus insatiabilis avaritia, gulae inextinguibilis sicut & corporis libido, capturam avium prohibuit, & nobilium arctavit venationes, unde non tantum amorem omnium amisit, imo odium incurrit inexorabile, etiam exosum eum habuit uxor propria, quam de adulterio adulter defamavit, & suspectos eidem familiares, ignominiose necavit, & in arcta custodia ipsam jussit custodiri: & inter caetera ipsius flagitia, apud Nottingham, quamplures obsides pueros innocents, alter Herodes patibulo fecit suspendi. Unde tam Anglici, quam alieni desubjugo intollerabili talis tyranni cupientes jam excurrere, caeperunt district cogitare ad cujus principis sinum aliquod refugium possent invenire. But this doubtless is a mere Monkish forgery, contrary to all rules of Policy, as well as Justice, and his Subjects adhering to him in such a time of danger.
In the midst of these contests and Interdicts, the Subprior and Monks of Monteacute acknowledged his Sovereign Jurisdiction over them, which he exercised at their request, in removing their Prior for his misgovernment and dilapidations, and commanding another to be placed in his room, by this memorable Record.
REX, &c. Omnibus, &c. Monstraverunt nobis Supprior & Monachi de Monte Acuto, quod Durand qui Prior fuit ejusdem loci, male & inutiliter gessit se in regimine Prioratus illius, & illum adeo intus & extra destruxit, quod inde meruit amoveri. Nos vero tam istas quam alias multas, & graves quaerelas audientes de eo, & injurias, cum domus illa de specially elemosina nostra sit et honori et dignitati nostrae congruat ut utiliter tractetur; Mandavimus venerabili Patri nostro J. Bathoniensi Episcopo, ut accitis secum quos viderit expedire diligentem, super hiis faciat inquisitionem: Volentes quod si idem Episcopus, ita esse invenerit & per literas suas patentes id testificatus fuerit, praedictus de Prioratu illo in nullo de caetero se intromittat, quia volumus quod domui illi de alia persona honesta, et utili provideat. Ita quod dignitas nostra quam in illo Prioratu, et aliis habemus in nulla minuatur. Teste meipso apud Odiham, Vicesimo primo die Decembris, Anno Regni nostri Nono.
Yea several Bishoprics and Abbeys becoming void during the Interdict, thereupon the King granted Licences to elect new Bishops, Abbots, Priors, such as he recommended and approved, who were accordingly admitted to them, and discharged their spiritual functions in them, notwithstanding the Popes Inhibition, when some of the Bishops, and others of the Rebellions Clergy who fled beyond Seas, died of several diseases, by the just Judgment of God, during the Interdict they pronounced.
The King being exasperated against the Rebellious Clergy, took all just and legal occasions to exercise his severity against some of them, to reduce others to obedience; which Matthew Paris thus relates, in odium Regis, (if we may credit him) in one signal example at Oxford.
PEr id tempus, Clericus quidam apud Oxoniam, liberalibus vacans disciplinis, mulierem quandam casu interfecit, quam cum mortuam deprehendisset; per fugam sibi consuluit. Praefectus autem urbis & multi alii accurrentes cum mulierem exanimem invenerunt, ceperunt quaerere homicidam illam in hospitio suo, quod cum tribus sociis suis Clericis locaverat, & facti reum non invenientes, ceperunt tres socios ejus Clericos memoratos, & de homicidio penitus nescios, & eos in carcerem retruserunt. Deinde post dies paucos, Rege Anglorum jubente, in contemptum Ecclesiasticae libertatis, extra villam educti suspendio perierunt. Quod cum factum fuisset, recesserunt ab Oxonia ad tria Millia Clericorum tam Magistri quam Discipuli, ita quod nec unus ex omni Universitate remansit; quorum quidam apud Cantebrigiam, quidam vero apud Radingum, liberalibus studiis vacantes, Villam Oxoniae vacuam reliquerunt. Yet, Eodem anno Hugo Archidiaconus Wellensis, & Regis Cancellarius, ad Episcopatum Lincolniensem, eodem Rege procurante, electus est, qui continuo post factam Electionem, totius Episcopatus a Rege liberam dispositionem accepit: And was consecrated by the Archbishop of Rohan, so as the King during the Interdict disposed of his Bishoprics as before, to such who were loyal and obedient to him.
Whereupon the Pope considering how much his Interdicts were generally slighted throughout England, proceeded one degree further, to excommunicate the King by name in all Conventual Churches, every Lord's day and Holy day, though no Divine Service must be used in Parish Churches; such was his daring Impiety, thus related by his Creatures.
SUb his denique diebus, cum Rex Anglorum Johannes, jam fere per biennium, ut dictum est, generaliter per totam Angliam persecutionem gravissimam ration. Interdictitam contra viros Ecclesiasticos, quam La • cos nonnullos infatigabiliter continuasset, & de correctione simul & satisfaction omnibus spem omnimodam ademisset: Papa Innocentius ipsius Rebellionem diutius inultam dissimulare non potuit: (though he could not only dispence with, but countenance his Bishops and Monks Rebellions against the King.) Vnde de consilio fratrum • uorum Cardinalium ad extirpandum radicitus Ecclesiae scandalum, Londoniensi, Helyensi, & Wygorniensi Episcopis, dedit in mandatis, Vt Regem memoratum nominatim excommunicatum pronunciarent, et sententiam singulis diebus dominicis et festivis in omnibus Ecclesiis Conventualibus per totam Angliam solemniter publicantes, ipsum facerent ab omnibus arctius evitari. Sed cum Episcopy jam dicti confratribus suis, qui in Anglia remanserant Episcopis, alii que Ecclesiarum Praelatis publicationem sententiae Authoritate Apostolica commisissent: (they being willing to sleep in a whole skin, and translate this dangerous business to others. But they like prudent and loyal subjects slighting the Popes commands:) effecti sunt universi metu Regio vel favore, canes muti; non audentes latrare. Vnde injunctum sibi officium exequi dissimulantes, in mandatis Apostolicis secundum juris ordinem minime processerunt. Veruntamen sententia in brevi facta omnibus notissima in viis, plateis, necnon in aliis hominum conventiculis, confabulatione licet secretissima, omnium ora replevit. Inter quos cum die quadam sederet apud Westmonasterium ad Scaccarium Gaufridus Archidiaconus Norwicensis, Regiis intendens negotiis, caepit secretius sermocinari cum sociis suis assidentibus de sententia in Regem lata, dicens, non esse tutum viris beneficiatis in obsequio Regis excommunicati ulterius immorari. Et his dictis, ad propria, non licentiatus recessit. Sed cum post paululum, ea quae facta fuerunt, ad Regis notitiam pervenissent, non mediocriter perturbatus, misit Willielmum Talbot Militem cum Armata manu, qui ipsum Archidiaconum comprehensum, et vinculis asperimis constrictum sub Carcerali Custodia recluserunt, ubi post dies paucos Rege praefato jubente, Capa indutus plumbea, tam victualium penuria, quam ipsius Capae ponderositate compressus, migravit ad Dominum. A just reward for such a signal and singular Traitor.
During this Interdict and Excommunication, Alexander Abbot of the Benedictines, vir corpore elegantissimus, facie venerabilis, literarum plenitudine imbutus, ita ut Parisiis celebris haberetur, Magister, et Rector, et Lector in Theologia, (as ( ) Matthew Westminster, ( ) Thomas Sprot, ( ) Baelaeus, and ( ) others inform us) openly pleaded and fomented the Kings cause against the Pope, out of Ambition, write the Monks, but in truth out of true grounds of Conscience and Religion, as Matthew Paris his relation (though partial) discovers.
( ) INgessit se lae Interdicti tempestate consiliis Regi • s Pseudotheologus, quidam Magister Alexander, dictus Cementarius, qui suis iniquis praedicationibus Regem non mediocriter ad crudelitatem commovit. Dixit enim illud generale flagellum Angliae, non ex culpa Regis, sed ex subditorum flagitiis pro venisse: Affirmavit etiam ipsum Regem virgam esse furoris Domini, et ad hoc principem constitutum, ut regat populos aliosque subditos in virga ferrea, & tanquam vas figuli confringat universos, ad alligandos potentes in compedibus, & nobiles suos manicis ferreis. Ad Papam quoque non pertinere de Regum, sive de quorumlibet potentum laica possessione, vel subditorum regimine, ( judicare) verisimilibus quibusdam probavit Argumentis: Cum praecipue principi Apostolorum Petro, nihil a Domino nisi Ecclesiae tantum, ac rerum Ecclesiasticarum sit collata potestas. His igitur & his similibus fallaciis, Regis adeo favorem promeruit, ut plurima a viris Religiosis Beneficia per Regis violentiam, obtineret. Sed cum tandem ipsius perversitas ad summi Pontificis aures pervolasset, ipso Papa procurante, bonis ac Beneficiis omnibus spoliatus, ad tantam demum miseriam per ductus est, ut in habitu pauperimo & cultu, necessitate compulsus sit panem suum cum dolore ostiatim mendicare. Quem videntes multi subsannando dixerunt; Ecce homo, qui non posuit Dominum adjutorem suum dum steravit in multitudine divitiarum suarum, & prevaluit in vanitate sua. Fiat ergo nunc contra Dominum semper, & dispereat de terra memoria ejus, proco quod non est recordatus ut faceret misericordiam. Propterea Deus destruet eum in finem, & oratio ejus erit in peccatum, ut eradatur habitatio ejus de terra viventium. Which might have been more properly applied to the exiled Trayterous Bishops and Monks, then to this ( ) Theology Doctor eximius tam Seculari quam Ecclesiastica sapientia imbutus & Regis connutritius, as Thomas Sprot describes him. ( ) Balaeus in his life informs us, that he was Abbot of the Benedictines in Canterbury, and for his eminent Learning sent by King John Anno 1206. with his solemn Messengers to Rome, Ut cum magnis illis proceribus, super sceptri sui jure & authoritate Regia in Anglorum Regno disceptaret: Quoniam Romani Pontifices, Tyrannide plus quam Pharaonica in Regnis Christianorum omnia confundebant, Regnum (ut facturum esse Antichristum Paulus admonuit) super omne quod dicitur Deus usurpantes, Probabat igitur rationibus & scriptures coram Rabbinis illis, Non esse in Regnis a Deo constitutis, potestate Regia Dominationem majorem: Episcoporum vero nullum esse temporale Regimen dicebat, cum Christi Regnum de hoc mundo non sit. Allega vitquae Gregorii magni dicta ad Augustinum monachum, de Anglorum Ecclesiae ab omni servitutis jugo immunitate, atque contra omnes in ea conflictatione praevalebat. He writ 3. Books against the Popes Usurpations and Power, viz. De Cessione Papali, De Ecclesiae Potestate, De Potestate Uicaria, in defense of his Sovereign King John; for which his Loyalty he was afterwards by the Popes power deprived of all his Benefices, by Pandulphus the Popes Legat, (after King Johns surrender of his Crown) and thus enforced to beg his bread, when the Arch-traitors to the King were restored to their Bishoprics, with all the profits of them and damages sustained, during their banishment for their Treasons. Thus
This severity of the Pope against the Kings loyal Clerks and Champions, might justly excuse his severity against his disloyal perjured Bishops, Monks, and Traitors, especially against Hugh Bishop of Lincoln, to which Bishopric he caused him to be elected, advanced, yet proved Treacherous to him.
EOdem tempore Hugo Lincolniensis electus, impetrata a Rege licentia ad partes transfretandi Gallicanas, ut ab Archiepiscopo Rothomagensi consecrationem acciperet, continuo ut Normanniam applicuit, contulit se ad Stephanum Archiepiscopum Cantuariensem, & facta ei Canonica obedientia, Decimo tertio Kalendas Januarii, munus ab eo consecrationis accepit. Sed cum id a Rege compertum fuisset, suscepit in manu sua Episcopatum iam dictum: Atque omnia illius emolumenta in usus suos converut. Waltero quoque de Gray sigillum suum tradens, Rex facit eum Cancellarium suum, qui in omnibus regni Agendis, Regis studuit facere voluntatem.
What little regard or dread the Nobility of England then had of the Popes Interdict, or personal excommunication of King John, though they had general notice thereof, will appear by all their attendance on and communication with him at Windsor, during Christ's Nativity: Of which Matthew Paris, and Matthew Westminster take special notice, and thus relate.
ANno Dominicae Nativitatis Millessimo ducentessimo Decimo, Rex Johannes fuit ad Natale apud Windleshores, presentibus omnibus Angliae Magnatibus, & communicantibus ei, non obstante sententia qua fuerat innodatus, quae licet non pu • licata, omnium tamen partium Angliae climata pervolavit, & aures subintravit. This they did for the most part out of loyalty, but others out of fear. Omnibus enim sese subtrahentibus Rex nocive insidebatur.
How injurious Pope Innocents Interdict and excommunications were against King John, may be evidenced by his excomunicating his Nephew Otho the Emperor, his confederate, just about the same time, with some others upon the like account, (Only for executing his coronation Oath, which this Pope himself had given him, in rescuing the Castles and Lands of the Empire out of his usurping Powers) thus impartially recorded by Mat: Paris, not impertinent to our English affairs.
Circa dies istos Otho Romanorum Imperator memor Sacramenti quod fecerat, cum à Papa ad Imperium fuerat sublimatus, quod videlicet dignitates Imperii conservaret, & jura dispersa pro possibilitate suarevocaret, fecit per Sacramentum legalium hominum imperii Dominica Castella sua, & alia jura ad dignitatem imperialem spectantia per quiri, & quaecun{que} per recognitionem ad jus imperii spectare didicerat, in usus suos convertere laborabat. Hac autem de causa Orta est dissensio gravissima inter dominum Papam & Imperatorem memoratum, eo quod tempore quo vacabat Imperium, Idem Papa Castella plurima cum rebus aliis occupaverat quae ad dignitatem imperii pertinebant. Vnde Imperator quia quod suum erat revocare studuit, ipsum Papam sine merito ad odium provocavit. Fredericum quo{que} Regem Siciliae, idem Imperator graviter persequutus est, qui similiter dum vacaret imperium quasdam munitiones occupatas detinuit. Unde Papa memoratus ipsum Imperatorem per Nuncios, & literas frequenter admonere studuit; ut eum a persequutione Romanae Ecclesiae, quam a Regis Siciliae ac tutelae commissae sedi Apostolicae exheredatione, cessaret. Imperator autem Nunciis domini Papae tale perhibetur dedisse responsum, Si, inquit summus Pontifex Imperii jura unjust possidere desiderat, a Sacramento quod tempore Consecrationis meae ad dignitatem Imperialemme jurare compulit, absolvat; quod videlicet dispersa Imperii jura revocarem. Denique cum Papa ipsum Imperatorem a prestito juramento, quod omnes Imperatores in sua consecratione, inspectis sacrosanctis Evangeliis jurare tenentur, absolvere noluit, & Imperatore contra Imperii Iura, quae jam parte maxima, in manu potenti revocaverat, reddere contempsit: idem Papa in ipsum Imperatorem, sententian excommunicatonis tulit, atque Vniversos, tam Alemanniae quam Imperii Romani Magnates, ab ejus fidelitate absolvit. Et hoc odium Regis Johannes, & iram essicaciter obduravit. This being just King Johns case, in relation to the Archbishopric of Canterbury. And was he here in either the Vicar of Christ or St. Peters successor? or could the Devil himself, had he sat in his chair, have given a more unjust diabolical sentence in such a case as this, pronounced by a misnamed Innocent?
It is very observable what Glorious Victories, and admirable successes, without effusion of blood, both in Ireland, Scotland, and Wales, God gave to King John whiles under the Popes Interdict, curse, and excommunication, (as not offended with him) which the Monks his greatest enemies thus relate.
EOdem Anno, Rex Anglorum Johannes, apud Pembroc. in Wallia copioso Exercitu congregato, profectus est in Hiberniam, & ibi applicuit Octavo Idus Junii. Cum{que} venisset ad Dublinensem Civitatem, occurrerunt ei ibidem plus quam viginti Reguli illius regionis, qui omnes timore maximo perterriti, homagium ei & fidelitatem fecerunt. Pauci tamen ex regulis supersederunt, qui ad Regem venire contempserunt, eo quod in locis inexpugnabilibus habitabant. Fecit quo{que} Rex ibidem construere leges & consuetudines Anglicanas, ponens Vicecomites alios{que} Ministros, qui populum regni illius juxta leges Anglicanas judicarent.
Hoc ita gestis Rex in manu forti progrediens, cepit plurimum hostium suorum munitiones, fugientibus a facie ejus Waltero de Lasci viro nobili, cum aliis multis, qui in manus ejus incidere metuebant. Tandem veniens in Provinciam Regionis illius, quae Mide nuncupatur, Matildam Uxorem Willielmi de Brause, & Willielmum filium ejus cum uxore sua, in quadam munitione obsedit & caepit, a quo clam evadentes, & postea rursus capti in Insula de Maij, Regi sunt presentati, vinculis constrictos asperrimis, misit in Angliam, & in Castello de Windleshores, sub arcta custodia deputavit: qui omnes Rege jubente fame perierunt. Rex deni{que} Johannes cum in parte maxima de tota Hybernia pro libitu suo disposuisset, Naves cum triumpho ingressus, in Angliam applicuit tertio Kalendas Septembris. Deinde Londonias cum festinatione properans, fecit omnes Angliae Prelatos in sua presentia conuenire. Venerunt autem ad hanc generalem vocationem Abbates, Priores, Abbatissae, Templarii, Hospitilarii, Custodes Villarum ordinis Cluniacensis, et aliarum Regionum Transmarinarum, cujuscunque dignitatis et ordinis, (notwithstanding the Popes Interdict, and his own personal Excommunication) qui omnes ad tam gravem compulsi sunt redemptionem, ac rerum Ecclesiasticarum dilapidationem, quod summa extortae pecuniae excrevisse fertur ad Centum Millia Librarum sterlingorum. Albi quoque Monachi de Regno Angliae aliis exceptis, Quadraginta Millia Argenti in hoc tallagio (vellent nollent) cassatis privilegiis, Regi persolverunt. Cujus rei seriem siquis plenius prosequeretur, lachrymas excuteret tyrannorum, & animos audientium perturbaret: Writes this disloyal partial Monk; when as the Popes Taxes and proceedings against the King should rather do it.
He likewise entered into a league with Otho the Emperor, and forced John King of Scots, who received his Fugitives and runaway Subjects, and harboured them in his Kingdom, out of mere fear of his Army, valor and successes, to intercede and send to him for peace, to pay him 11000. marks to purchase his peace with him, and to put in Hostages for his fidelity, without any fight between them; Yea the Welshmen themselves, formerly Rebellious, soon after his return from Scotland, voluntarily repaired to him at Woodstock, ( Quod temporibus anteactis fuerat inauditum, as our Monks affirm) and there did Homage to him. After which, Anno 1211. he entering into Wales with a puissant Army as far as Snowdune, Reges omnes et Nobiles sine contradictione subjugavit. De subjectione in posterum obsides viginti octo suscepit, et inde cum prosperitate ad Albuni Monasterium remeavit, Lewellin Prince of Northwales being enforced to render himself to his mercy, without any battle or fight at all.
These admirable successes, with his Lord's, Nobles, Subjects constant attendance on, and adherence to him, notwithstanding the Popes Interdict, Curse, Thunderbolts; thereupon the Pope attempts to decoy him out of his Royalties and Resolutions by a Treaty, to which end he dispatched two Nuncioes to the King, who in his victorious return from Wales, veniens apud Northamptonam, Nuncios Domini Papae ibidem cum mandatis Apostolicis obvios habuit. Pandulphum videlicet Subdiaconum & Domini Papae familiar ssimum, ac de militia Templi fratrem Durandum: Qui ad hoc venerunt, ut pacem inter Regnum, & Sacerdotium reformarent. Rex autem ad exhortationem Nunciorum gratanter concessit, ut Archiepiscopus Cantuariensis, & Monachi atque omnes Episcopy ab Anglia proscripti, cum pace sua redirent ad propria. Sed quia de damnis datis, & de bonis eorum confiscatis, Rex, Archiepiscopo & Episcopis satisfacere noluit, (having no reason to do it, these Bishops putting him to so vast expenses both at Rome, and in his Wars against those they stirred up against him) Nuncii infecto negotio ad Gallias remearunt.
The Chronicle compiled by the School-master of St. Albans, in the last year of K. Henry the 4th. and then printed by him, reprinted by Winkynde Word 1502. by William Caxtons appointment, whose Title it bears, adds much to this relation, of a conferrence first between the King and exiled Bishops, and soon after between these Nuncioes and the King, relating their insolent speeches and behavior towards him, omitted by other Historians, (transcribed in part by Mr. Fox ) which I shall here insert.
These four Bishops ( who Interdicted the Kingdom, and cursed all them that put or should meddle with holy Chirche goods, against the will of them that ought them ) went over the Sea, and came to the Bishop of Canterbury, and told him all the thing. And the Archbyshop to them said, that they should go again to Canterbury, and he should come thither to them, or else he would send unto them certain persons in his stead that should do as much as if he himself were there. And when the Bishops heard this, they turned again into England, and came unto Canterbury: The tidings came to the King that the Bishops were come again to Canterbury, and himself might not come thither that time, he sent thither Bishops, Earls, and Abbots, for to treat with them, that the King should receive the Archbyshop Stephen, and the Prior, and all the Monks of Canterbury, that he should never after that time nothing take of holy Chirche against the will of them that oweth the goods. And that the King should make full amends to them of whom he had any goods taken. And the holy Chirche should have all Fraunchise as far forth as they had in Saint Edwards time the holy Confessor.
So when the form of accordment thus was ordained; it was in a pair of Indentures, and they put their Seals to that one part, and they that came in the Kings name put their Seals to that other part of the Indentures. And four Bishops aboyesaid took the one part of the Indentures to them, and that other part of the Indentures they bare with them to show to the King. When the King saw the form and understood, he held him full well appaid of all manner of things as they had ordained, saving as touching restitution of the goods for to make agen. To that thing he would not accord, and so he sent word agen to the four Bishops, that they should do out and put away that one point of restitution. But they answered, That they would not do one word out. Tho sent the King to the Archbyshop by the four Bishops, that he should come to Canterbury for to speak with him there, and sent unto him safe conduct under Pledges. That is to say, his Justices, Gilbert Peyteum, William de la Brener, and John Fitz Hugh, that in their conduct safely he should come and go agen at his own will: And thus in this manner the Archbyshop Stephen came to Canterbury. When the Archbyshop was come, the King came to Chilhaz, for he would no nigh Canterbury at that time. But he sent by his Tresorer Bishop of Winchester, that he should do out of the Indentures the clause of restitution for to make of the goods. And the Archbyshop made his Dathe, that he would not never do out oo word thereof, ne yet it change, of that the Bishops had spoken and ordained. And though the Archbyshop yede agen to Rome, without anymore doing. King John was then wrother then ever he was before, and let make a common cry throughout all England, that all those that had holy Chirche Rents, and went over the Sea, that they should come again into England at a certain day, or else they should loose their Rents for evermore. And that he commanded to every Sheriff throughout all England, that they should inquire if any Bishop, Abbot or Prior, or any other Prelate of holy Chirche, fro that day afterward receive any Commandment that cometh fro the Pope, that they should take the body and bring it before him, and that they should take into the Kings hands all their Lands of holy Chirche, that were gave to any man by the Archbyshop or by the Prior of Canterbury, from the time of the Election of the Archbyshop. And commanded that all the Woodes that were the Archbishops should be cast down unto the ground, and all sold. Andin the same year the Irishmen began to War upon King John, and the King ordained him for to go into Ireland, and lete arear an huge Tax throughout all England, that is for to say, Thirty Thousand Marks; And thus he sent throughout all England unto the Monks of the Order of C steaux, that they should help him of Six Thousand Mark of Silver. And they answered and said, That they durst nothing do without their chief Abbot of Cisteaux. Wherefore King John when he came agen from Ireland, did them soe much sorrow and care, that they wist not whyder to abide, for he took soe much ransom of every house, and the sumine amounted to Nine Thousand and Three Hundred Mark, soe that they were clean lost and destroyed, and voided their houses and their londs throughout all England. And the Abbot of Waversay drade soe much his menace, that he forsook all the Abby and went thence, and privily ordained him over the See to the house of Cisteaux. When the tidings came to the Pope, that the King had done soe much malice, then he was towards the King full wroth, and sent two Legates unto the King, that one was called Pandulfe, and that other Dur • unt, that they should warn the King in the Popes name, that he should cease of his Persecution that he did unto holy Chirche, and amend the wrong and the trespass that he had done to the Archbyshop of Canterbury, and to the Prior, and to the Monks of Canterbury, and to all the Clergy of England. And that he should restore all the goods agen that he had taken of them against their will, and else they should curse him by name. And to do this thing and to confirm the Pope toke them his Letters in Bulls Patents. These two Legates came into England, and came to the King to Northampton, there that he held his Parliament, and full courteously they him salewed, and said, Syr we come from the Pope of Rome, the peace of the holy Chirche, and the Lond to amend. And we admonish you first in the Popes half, that ye make full restitution of the goods that ye have ravished and taken of holy Chirche, and of the Lond, and that ye receive Stephen Archbyshop of Canterbury into his Dignitee, and the Prior of Canterbury and his Monks, and that ye yield agen unto the Archbyshop all his Londs and Rents without any withhoulding. And Syr yet moreover, That ye shall make restitution unto all holy Chirche, whereof they shall hold them well apaid. Tho answered the King, as touching the Prior and his Monks of Canterbury, all that ye have said I will do gladly, and all things that ye will ordain; But as touching the Archbyshop, I shall tell you in my hert as it lies, That the Archbyshop leave his Archbyshoprick, and that the Pope then for him would pray, and then upon a venture me should like some other Byshoprick to give him in England: And upon this condition I will him accept and receive And nevertheless, as Archbyshop in England if he abide, he shall never have soe good safe conduyte, but that he shall be take. Tho said Pandulph unto the King, Sir, holy Chirche was wont never to discharge an Archbyshop without cause reasonable: But it ever hath heene wont to chastise Princes, that to God and holy Chirche were disobedyent. What how now said the King, menace ye me? Nay said Pandulph, But ye now have openly told, as it standeth in your heart. And to you we will tell what is the Popes will; And thus it standeth, that he hath you hooly enterdyted and accursed for the wrongs that ye have done to holy Chirche, and to the Clergy. And forasmuch as ye dwell, and heth in will to abide in malice and in wretchedness, and will not come out thereof ne to amend, ye shall understond, that this time afterward the sentence is upon you geven, and holdeth stead and strength, and upon all though that with you hath communed before this time, whether they been Earls, Barons or Knights, or any other whatsoever that they be, we them assoylle safely unto this day. And from this time afterward, of what condition soever they been, we them accurse, that with you comyne ony word, and do we sentence upon them openly and specially. And we assoylle clean Earls, Barons, Knights, and all other men of their homages, services and feautees, that they should unto you do. And this tydynge to conferme, we geve plain power to the Bishop of Winchester, and to the Bishop of Norwich; And the same power we geve into Scotland, to the Bishops of Rochester and of Salisbury: And in Wales we geve the same power to the Bishop of Saint David's, and of Landaff, and of Saint Ass; And moreover we sent thrughout all Chrystendome, that all the Bishops beyond the Sea, that they do accurse all those that help you, or any Counsel giveth you in any manner need that ye have to do in any part of the World. And we assoylle them also all by authority of the Pope, and command them also with you for to fight, as with him that is Enemy to all holy Chirche. Tho answered the King, What may ye do more to me? Tho answered Pandulph, We say to you in the word of God, that ye, ne no Heyre that ye have never after this day may be Crowned. Tho said the King, By him that is Almighty God, and I had wift this ere that ye came into my Londe, that ye had brought me such tidings, I should have made you ride all one year. Tho answered Pandulph, Full well wende we at our first cominge, that ye would have been obedyent to God, and holy Chirche, and have fulfilled the Popes Commandment; And now we have shown unto you, and pronounced the Popes will, as we were charged therewith. And as now ye have said, that if ye had wist the cause of our coming, that ye would have do us to ride all au hoole year. And as well ye might have said, that ye would have taken an hoole year of respyte by the Popes leave. But for to suffer what dethe ye could ordain, we shall not spare for to tell you hooly all the Popes Message, and his will that we were charged with.
And anon though commanded the King, the Shyriffs, and Baylyffs of Northampton, that were in the Kings presence, that they should bring forth all the Prysoners, that they might be done to death before Pandulph, for because the King wened that they would have gaynsaid their deeds for cause of the Dethe, all thing that they had spoken afore. When the Prysoners were come before the King, the King commanded some to be hanged, and some to be drawn, and some to draw out their Eyne out of their head. And among all other there was a Clerke that had falsyde the Kings money, and the King commanded that he should be hanged and drawed. And when Pandulph heard this Commandment of the King, he sterte him upright quickly, and anon axed a Book and a Candle, and would have cursyd the King, and all them that would set upon the Clerke any hand; And Pandulph himself went for to seek a Cross. And the King followed him and delivered him the Clerke by the hond, that he should do with him what he would; and thus was the Clerke delivered, and went thens. And Pandulph and Duraunt his fellow, went from the King, and came agen to the Pope of Rome, and told him, that King Johan would not amended be, but ever abode soe accursyd. And nevertheless the Pope granted that year throughout all England, that Priests might sing Mass in covenable Churches, and consecrate our Lord's body, and give it to syck men which were likely to pass out of this World; and also that men might Chrysten Children over all the Londe. And when the Pope wift and saw that the King would not be under the rule of holy Chirche for no manner thing, the Pope then sent to the King of France in remission of his sins, that he should take with him all the power that he might, and go into England for to destroy the King John. Thus far this Chronicle.
Can any Christian or Loyal Subject, though the most passionate Votary to the Church of Rome, read these proceedings without the highest detestation and abomination of them, as diametrically repugnant to the practice and precepts of Christ, of St. Peter, all the Apostles, and to the principles of Christian Religion? or at least not acknowledge with Parsons the Jesuit, (no friend to our Kings or Monarchy) That many godly wise men at that time did wish, that Pope Innocent had not stood so hard with King John in such a point as this was, for contenting him with a person grateful to him in that See: The dismal effects whereof both to the King and Kingdom, Lord's and Commons, Bishops and Clergy themselves, being most gastly, rueful, execrable to all godly sober minded Christians, and moral Heathens.
But to return to Matthew Paris his relation of some of these proceedings.
EOdem Anno (1211.) Innocentius Papa cum Rex Anglorum Johannes, Nunciis ejus sibi monita praedicantibus salubria, acquiescere contempsisset, multimodam ipsius contumaciam supra modum admirans, (instead of ordering and reforming his own) Reges et alios omnes tam paupers, quam potentes ad Coronam Angliae spectantes, a Regis fidelitate et subjectione absolvit, district et sub poena excommunicationis prohibens universis et singulis quatinus ipsum, in mensa, consilio, et colloquio arctius evitarent, (which few or none submitted to.) Habuit autem Rex hac Interdicti tempestate consiliarios iniquissimos, (or fautores & consiliarios praecipuos in hoc error & pertinatia, so Matthew Westminster ) quorum nomina pro parte hic ponere non omittam. Wilhelmus quoque frater Regis, & Comes Sarisburiensis, Albericus de Veer, Comes Oxoniensis, Gaufridus filius Petri, Angliae Justitiarius; Tres Episcopy Curiales, Philippus Dunelmensis, Petrus Wintoniensis, et Johannes Norwicensis, Richardus de Marisco, Regis Cancellarius, Hugo de Nevilla, Proto-forrestarius, Wilhelmus de Wortham, Custos Portuum Maris, Robertus de Veteri Ponte, & Yvo Frater ejus, Brienus de Insula, & Gaufridus de Luci, Hugo de Bailul, & Bernardus Frater ejus, Wilhelmus de Cantelu, & Wilhelmus Filius ejus, Fulco de Cantelu, & Riginaldus de Cornhelle, Vicecomes Kanciae, Robertus de Braibroc, & Henricus Filius ejus, Philippus de Uletotes, & Johannes de Bassingburne, Philippus Marci, Castellanus de Nottingham, Petrus de Maulei, & Robertus de Gaugi, Gerardus de Ati • , & Ingelardus Nepos ejus, Falco & Wilhelmus Brivere, Petrus Filius Hereberti, & Thomas Basset, & alii multi quos longum esset enumerare, qui Regi in omnibus placere cupientes, consilium non pro ration, sed pro voluntate (or impetu voluntatis perniciosum, as Matthew Westminster ) dederunt. Thus the defaming pencils of every Monk did brand those faithful Counselors and Subjects then adhering to the King, against the Usurping Pope, Trayterous Bishops, and their Brother Monks of Canterbury.
When this Antichristian absolution of the Nobles and all other Subjects from the Kings allegiance would not shake his most magnanimous resolution, nor his people's Loyalty, the Popes Legates, and Popish Prelates forged new devises to effect their designs by fraud and terror; to which purpose they procured sundry Letters from several quarters to be brought to him, whiles he sat at dinner at Nottingham, intending to invade and extirpate the Welshmen with a formidable Army, (whom they had stirred up to Rebell against him, and invade England ) to divert him from his design, all to this effect, That there was a secret Plot laid to betray and destroy him: which he causing to be read to him after dinner, he adhuc spretis hiis comminationibus, marched to Chester, where he met with new Letters to the like effect, which caused him to dismiss his Army and design against the Welshmen.
ITerum venerunt ad eum nuncii & literae, quod videlicet Rex, si bellum aggrederetur incaeptum, aut a suis magnatibus perimeretur, aut hostibus ad perdendum traderetur. Rex autem cum talia audisset, perturbatus est valde, & animo consternatus, atque cum intellexisset Magnates Angliae, a suo esse fidelitate absolutos, majorem literis sibi destinatis fidem adhibuit. Unde propositum utiliter commutans, jussit omnem exercitum ad propria remeare, veniensque ad Urbem Londoniarum, misit nuncios ad magnates universos, sibi de fidelitate suspectos, exigens obsides ab eis, ut probaret qui vellent & qui nollent, ejus obtemperare praeceptis. Illi vero Regiis Jussoribus resistor non audentes, remiserunt Filios, Nepotes, & Cognatos suos, ad libitum Regis Et sic indignatio ejus aliquantulum conquievit. Veruntamen Eustachius de Vesci, & Robertus filius Walteri, de proditione memorata accusati & Regi nimis suspecti, recesserunt ab Anglia, Eustachius videlicet in Scotiam, & Robertus ad Gallias divertentes.
Besides, the Prelates and Priests suborned and set up one Peter an Hermit, a counterfeit Prophet, to terrify the King, and alienate the people's hearts from him by his false Prophecies, thus reported by Matthew Paris and others.
SUB hiis quoque diebus, erat in provincia Eboracensi, Heremita quidam Petrus nomine, qui eo quod multis futura multa praedixerat, sapiens dicebatur. Hic inter alia quae spiritu cunctis astantibus, & audire volentibus, illud praedicando publice asserebat, quod non foret Rex in die Dominicae Ascensionis proximo sequentis nec deinceps, sed die illa coronam Angliae, ad altum transferri praedixit. Cujus assertio cum ad Regis notitiam devenissit, & ipso jubente, ad ejus praesentiam adductus fuisset: Quaesivit ab eo Rex, si die illo esset moriturus, vel quo ordine a regni solio privaretur? Qui respondit: Noveritis certissime, quod die predicta Rex non eris. Et si de mendacio convictus fuero, de me quod placuerit faciatis. Cui Rex, fiat, inquit, secundum verbum tuum. Tunc Rex tradidit illum Willielmo de Harecurt custodiendum, quem idem Wilhelmus, Custodibus & Arctioribus vinculis constrictum, apud Corruum incarcaverit, donec probaret quem exitum res haberet. Quod verbum in brevi per remotas provincia; ita disseminatum est, quod fere omnes, qui hoc audi • runt, dictis ejus adeo fidemadhibuerunt, ac si assertio illius de Coelo sonuisset.
Mr. Fox, and some other Historians observe, that this false counterfeit Prophet, set up by the Prelates and Priests, called Peter Wakefield of Poiz, was an idle gadder about, and a prattling Merchant: This Peter they made to Prophecy lies, rumouring his Prophecyes abroad, to bring the King out of all credit with his people. They noised it daily amongst the Commons of the Realm, that Christ had twice appeared to this Prophet of theirs in shape of a Child between the Priests hands, once at York, another time at Pomfret, and that he had breathed on him thrice, saying, Peace, Peace, Peace, and teaching many things which he anon after declared to the Bishops, and bid the people amend their naughty living. Being wrapped also in spirit, they said, he beheld the Joyes of Heaven, and sorrows of Hell. For scant were there three (saith the Chronicle) among a thousand that lived Christianly. This counterfeit soothsayer prophesied of King John, that he should reign no longer then the Ascension day, within the year of our Lord 1213. which was the 14 th . from his Coronation, and this (he said) he had by Revelation. Then was it of him demanded, whether he should, be slain or expelled, or should of himself give over the Crown? He answered, he could not tell, but of this he was sure (he said) that neither he, nor any of his Stock or Linage should reign, that day once finished. The King hearing of this laughed much at it, and made but a scoff thereof: Tush (saith he) it it is but an Ideot Knave, and such a one as lacketh his right wits;
When these false Prophecies would not work the King to comply with their ends, the Pope, at the Bishops petition, having proceeded to the utmost extremity, judically to depose him, and to give his Crown to his enemy the King of France, commanded him with force of arms to seise upon his Kingdom, exciting all Soldiers and Warriers in divers Nations to take up arms against him, under the self same Indulgences as those that visited the Holy land, and fought against the Saracens in which Treasonable proceedings his English Bishops were employed as principal actors, thus related by Matthew Paris.
Circa hos denique dies, Maugerus Bishop of Worcester one of the Rebellious Bishops dying in exile at Pontiniac (ob libertatem Ecclesiae Anglicanae, & executionem Justitiae write our malicious partial Monks,) Stephanus Archiepiscopus Cantuariensis, Wilhelmus Londinensis, & Elias Eliensis Episcopy Romam profecti, innuerunt Domino Papae multimodas rebelliones, & enormitates quas fecerat▪ Rex Anglorum Johannes (they should rather have remembered and repented of their own manifold Treasons, and Rebellions against their King) a tempore interdicti usque in presentem diem manus s • vitiae et crudelitatis contra Dominum sanctum{que} Ecclesiam infatigabiliter aggravando. Unde humiliter Domino Papae supplicabant ut Anglicanae Ecclesiae • am quasi in extremis laboranti dignareturi pie miserationis intuitu subvenire. Tunc Papa gravi maerore propter desolationem regni Angliae confectus, de consilio Cardinalium, Episcoporum, et aliorum virorum prudentium, sententialiter definivit, ut Rex Anglorum Johannes a solio regni deponeretur, et alius Papa procurante, succederet, qui dignior haberetur. Ad hujus quo{que} sententiae executionem scripsit Dominus Papa potentissimo Regi Francorum Phelippo, quatenus in remissionem omnium suorum peccaminum, hunc laborem assumeret, ut Rege Anglorum a solio Regni expulso, ipse et successores sui regnum Angliae jure perpetuo possiderent. Scripsit insuper omnibus Magnatibus, militibus, aliisque bellatoribus per diversas nations constitutis, ut ad Regis Anglorum dejectionem sese cruce signarent, Regemque Francorum in hac expeditione ducem sequentes, vindicare injuriam Universalis Ecclesiae laborarent. Statuit preterea ut quicunque ad expugnandum Regem illum contumacem opus impenderint vel auxilium, sicut illi qui sepulchrum Domini visitant, tam in rebus, quam in personis, et animarum suffragiis in pace Ecclesiae securi permaneant. His ita gestis, misit Dominus Papa a latere suo Pandulphum subdiaconum ad partes Gallicanas, cum Archiepiscopo & Episcopis supradictis, ut in ipsius presentia, ea quae superius digesta sunt, exequatur. Sed Pandulphus a Papa recedens, remotis omnibus secretissima allocutione sciscitatus est, (of purpose to overreach and trepan both the Kings of England and France, and work his own designs on both) si forte in Rege Anglorum Fructum poenitentiae inveniret it a quod vellet satisfacere Domino, & Ecclesiae Romanae, at{que} aliis omnibus illud negotium spectantibus, quid sibi inde fieri placeret? Tunc Papa Pandulpho quandam pacis formam evidenter expressit, cui si Rex assentire decreverit, apud sedem Apostolicam poterit gratiam invenire. Haec autem pacis forma inferius descripta continetur. Per idem tempus Rex capi fecit Galfridum de Norwic. clericum suum fidelem, prudentem, & elegantem, & in Castro de Nottingham paena excogitata usque mortem torqueri. Quod videns Magister Williemus de Neccoto socius dicti Galfridi, vir non minoris valoris, fugit in Franciam, & apud Curbolium diu latitavit, ne sicut Galfridus immerito necaretur.
These Clerks then secretly confederated with the Bishops to depose the King; who to secure himself against their confederates by special Writs (issued to all the Sheriffs of England, remaining on Record though not printed in our Historians) banished all those out of the Realm, who had received any Churches, or Rents from the Archbishops or Bishops of England, or Prior of Canterbury then beyond the Seas, who deprived of him his Crown, and to seise their Churches and rents to his use, and return them into his Exchequer.
REX Vicecomiti Middlesex, &c. Praecipimus tibi, quod capias in manum nostram omnes Ecclesias & redditus quos Archiepiscopi vel Episcopy Angliae, vel prior Cantuariae, qui ultra mare sunt, dederunt in Balliva tua in absentia sua, & praecipias omnibus illis qui ea de dono eorum receperunt, quod sine dilatione exeant de terra nostra. Et scire facias distinct in crastino sancti Johannes Baptistae, Anno Regni nostri Decimo Quarto, Baronibus nostris de scaccario ubi fuerint redditus illi & qui illi sint qui eos receperunt. Teste W. Brigwer apud Westmonasterium Quinto die Junii, per breve de privato sigillo. Eodem modo scribitur omnibus Vicecomitibus Angliae.
The next year, Anno Domini Millesimo Ducentisimo Decimo tertio Mense Januario, redierunt a Curia Romana Stephanus Cantuariensis Archiepiscopus, Wilhelmus Londonensis, & Elyensis Episcopy, & habito in partibus transmarinis Concilio., Regi. Francorum, & Episcopis Gallicanis cum Clero pariter & populo, sententiam, quae in Regem Anglorum Romae pro Contumacia lata fuerat, solenniter promulgarunt. Deinde exparte Domini Papae, tam Regi Francorum, quam caeteris universis in remissionem suorum peccaminum injunxerunt, ut omnes pariter ad Angliam hostiliter accedentes, Iohannem Regem a Regni solio deponerent, et alium qui dignus efset authoritate Apostolica subrogarent. Tunc Rex Francorum rem diu desideratam intelligens, accinxit se ad pugnam, at{que} omnes suae ditionis homines, Duces videlicet, Comites et Barones, Milites et servientes, cum equis et Armis jussit in Octavis Paschae, sub nomine Culvertagii apud Rothomagum, ita potenter convenire, ne crimine laesae Majestatis damnum exheredationis incurrere viderentur, vulgariter sub nomine Felonis. Fecit praeterea omnes naves suae potestatis, & alias multas quas colligere poterat frumento, vino, carne & diversis armamentis optime munire, ut in omnium copiam rerum tam numerosus excercitus abundaret. Tunc temporis quo{que} Rex vulpina calliditate ab omnibus Religiosorum domibus ad excusandum excusationes in peccatis, chartas exegit, quibus testarentur se gratis contulisse, quaecun{que} ab eis violenter extorsit. Upon those great Preparations of the French against England.
REX Anglorum Johannes, de omnibus quae in transmarinis partibus agebantur, per exploratores edoctus, cogitavit qualiter callide insidiis sibi paratis resistor potuisset. Fecit itaque mense Martio idem Rex inbreviare omnes Naves de universis portubus totius Angliae per hoc Breve, quod singulis portuum Ballivis in haec verba direxit.
JOhannes Rex Angliae, &c. Precipimus tibi quatenus statim visis literis ist is, ease in propria persona, una cum Ballivis portuum ad singulos Portus de Balliva tua, & facias diligenter inbreviare omnes naves ibi inventas, quae possunt ferre sex equos, vel plures, & praecipias exparte nostra magistris omnium navium illarum, & illis quorum naves sunt; quod sicut se, & Naves suas, & omnia sua diligunt habeant illas apud Portesm: in media Quadr agessima, been adornatas bonis & probis Marinellis & been armatis, qui ituri sunt in servitium nostrum ad liberationes nostras; & tunc habeas ibi memoriter & distinct inbreviatum quot naves in singulis portubus inveneris, & quorum ipsae sint, & quot equos quaelibet ferre possit. Et tunc facias nobis scire quot & quae naves non fuerint in portubus suis die dominica proxima post cineres sicut preceperamus, & habeas hoc breve. Teste meipso apud Novum Templum, tertia die Martii.
His ita gestis de Navibus, misit Rex alias Literas ad omnes Vicecomites Regni sui sub hac forma.
JOhannes Rex Angliae, &c. Summone per bonos summonitores Comites, Barones, Milites, & omnes liberos homines & servientes vel quicunque sint, & de quocunque teneant, qui arma habere debeant, vel arma habere possint; & qui homagium nobis vel ligantiam fecerunt, quod sicut nos, & seipsos & omnia sua diligunt, sint apud Doveram ad instans clausum Pascha, been parati cum equis & armis, & cum toto posse suo, ad defendendum caput nostrum, et capita sua, et terram Angliae, et quod nullus remaneat, qui arma portare possit, sub nomine Culvertagii et perpetuae servitutis. Et unusquisque sequaetur Dominum suum, & qui terram non habent, & armahabere possint, illunc veniant ad capiendum soliditas nostras: Et tu omnem attractum victualium, & omnia mercata Ballivarum tuarum venire facias, ut sequantur excercitum nostrum, ita quod nullum mercatum de Ballivis tuis alibi teneatur, & tu ipse tunc sis ibi cum praedictis summonitionibus. Et scias quod scire volumus quomodo venerint de Ballivis tuis, & qui venerint & qui non. Et videas quod tu ita effortiate venias cum equis & armis, & haec ita exequaris ne inde ad corpus tuum nos capere debeamus. Et tu inde habeas rotulum tuum ad nos certificandum qui remanserint.
His ergo literis per Angliam divulgatis convenerunt ad maritima in locis diversis & Regi magis suspectis, videlicet apud Doveram, Ferversham, & Gipeswicum, homines diversae conditionis & aetatis, nihil magis quam opprobrium Culvertagii metuentes. Sed cum post dies paucos tantae multitudini victus defuisset, remiserunt ad propria Principes Militiae ex inermi vulgo multitudinem copiosam, milites solummodo, servientes & liberos homines cum Balistariis & sagitariis juxta maritima retinentes. Venit praeterea de Hibornia Johannes Episcopus Norwicensis, cum militibus quingentis & equitibus multis ad Regem, & ab ipso gratanter susceptus est. Omnibus igitur congregatis ad pugnam, aestimati sunt in exercitu apud Barham donam inter milites electos, & servientes strenuos & been armatos, sexaginta millia virorum fortium, quibus si erga Regem Angliae et defensionem Patriae cor fuisset et anima una, non fuisset Princeps sub Coelo, contra quem regnum Angliae se non defenderet. Constituit preterea Rex cum adversariis, navale praelium confer, ut eos pelago submergeret antequam terram occuparent. Habebat nam{que} classem uberiorem quam Rex Francorum, unde maximam securitatem concepit hostibus resistendi.
What, King John in point of prudence, Policy, Valour, War, Justice, Conscience, could have done more then he did to protect and defend the invaded Rights of his Crown, Kingdom, people, Church of England against the manifold unparalleled Treasons, Policies, Stratagems, Usurpations, affronts, unjust demands, Interdict, excomunication, dijudication from his Crown and Kingdoms, and intended invasions of this insolent Pope and his Agents, his own perjured Trayterous Bishops, Monks, Clergy, and their domestic confederates; his French and other foreign enemies, with admirable courage, gallantry, prudence, success, for 8. years space together, transcends my understanding to define; the times and circumstances duly considered, for which he really deserved more honor, thanks from the Crown, Church, Realm and people of England, then all of his predecessors, had he still persevered in his former unshaken magnanimous Resolutions, and not been decoyed by Pandulphus; must strangely to fail in his last actings, his Army and Navy then raised, through God's assistance being able to have encountered all the forces raised against him, and dissipated them like a mist before the Sun.
BOOK III. CHAP. II.
Of King Johns most unworthy prostitution not only of the undoubted Rights and Privileges of his Crown, but of Himself, his Diadem, Kingdoms of England and Ireland, after so many years glorious Contests, to the Tyrannical Usurpations of Pope Innocent, and his own Trayterous Bishops and Clergy: Of his resignation of his Crown and Kingdoms by two several Charters, to the Pope and his Successors, and resuming of them as their Feudatory under an Annual Rent: His Oath of Homage and Fealty to the Pope: The Validity of these Charters, Rents, and their payment debated; The present, subsequent Oppositions against them: His Oppositions to the Encroachments of his Treacherous, Rebellious Bishops and Clergy, who dealt most Treacherously with, and stirred up the Barons Wars, Rebellions against him, when they had enforced him to resign his Crown, and protested against his Vnkingly actions, when accomplished by their own procurement and designs: With other memorable particulars and Records relating to these Transactions; and this Kings Charters, proceedings in Ecclesiastical Elections, Affairs, as Supreme Patron therein, within his own Dominions.
HAving presented you with King Johns most heroic, vigilant, strenuous defense of his supreme Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction over all persons, causes, within his Realms and Dominions, for 14. years space; I shall in the next place inform you, by what arts, menaces, fears, terrors he was at last (by the intoxications of the Pope, and his Legate Pandulphus, when he had raised such a puissant Army as might have secured him against all Foreign Invaders, ( ) a small part of his Navy burning and sinking all the French Kings Fleet in Flanders, soon after the surrender of his Crown) suddenly emasculated, and totally metamorphosed into a quite contrary person, resolution, and induced not only to part with most of the ancient Ecclesiastical Prerogatives united to his Crown, but with his very Crown, Kingdoms themselves, which he resigned to the Pope, becoming his sworn Vassal, Tenant for his own Kingdoms, under an annual rent, which rendered him a scorn, derision to his Bishops, Barons, Subjects, and all other Christian Kings; with the Arguments and Policies by which the Pope and his Legates effected these their unjust designs.
You heard in the precedent Chapter what a puissant Army and Navy King John had provided to resist the Invasions of the French King and all his Confederates, who conspired to deprive him of his Crown, Kingdoms; and what secret Agreements, Articles, Instructions the Pope had given to Pandulphus to communicate to K. John, whereby he might purchase his peace at Rome, if condescended to by him, without any hesitation. I shall now proceed to inform you out of Matthew Paris, how Pandulphus proceeded to accomplish the Popes designs, and decoy King John to submit to his most unworthy Proposals.
DUm autem Rex Anglorum cum innumera Armatorum copia circa maritima, Regis Francorum prestolaretur adventum, applicuerunt duo fratres de Militia templi apud Doveram, & venientes amicabiliter ad Regem dixerunt ei, Missi sumus ad te, O Rex potentissime, ex parte Pandulphi subdiaconi ac Domini Papae familiaris, qui pro utilitate vestra, & Regni vestri, vobiscum petit habere colloquium: proponet enim quandam tibi pacis formam, qua poteris Deo & Ecclesiae reconciliari: licet in Curia Romana • jure Regni Angliae abjudicatus fueris, & sententialiter condemnatus. Rex vero cum Templariorum verba intellexisset, misit Templarios memoratos propter Pandulphum quantocius transfretare. Venit ergo Pandulphus, (ut dictum est) invitatus ad Regem, & apud Doveram, cum ipso loquutus est, dicens: Ecce Rex Francorum potentissimus in Ostio Sequanae fluminis cum innumera navium multitudine & maximo, militum, equitum, peditumque stipatus agmine ad hoc expectat, ut majoribus adhuc vallatus catervis, super vos & Regnum vestrum hostiliter veniat, & quasi Domino & summo Pontifici rebellem, a Regno te violenter depellat, atque authoritate sedis Apostolicae Regnum Angliae perpetuo jure possideat. Veniunt & cum illo omnes Episcopy dudum ab Anglia proscripti, cum Clericis & Laicis exultantibus: ut ipso duce sedes Episcopales, cum rebus aliis, te invito recipiant, & obsequium vobis olim & antecessoribus vestris exhibitum, ipsi de caetero reverenter impendant. Jactat se praeterea idem Rex Chartas habere omnium fere Angliae Magnatum de fidelitate & subjectione, unde plenam concepit securitatem ad finem optimum rem perducere inchoatam. Consule ergo saltem nunc quasi in extremis agenti, utilitati tuae, ut ad poenitentiam redeas, & Dominum quem contra te ad vindictam provocasti gravissimam, placere ne differas, si enim sufficientem volueris praestare cautionem, judicio Ecclesiae parendi, & humiliari pro ipso, qui se pro te humiliavit, poteris ex Clementia sedis Apostolicae Regnum recuperare, a quo pro contumacia Romae abjudicatus fuisti. Nunc autem ne supergaud • ant de • e inimici tui, revertere ad cor tuum, cavens ne te in talem difficultatem inducas, de qua te volens expedire non valeas.
Rex denique Johannes his auditis ac medullitus intellectis, confusus est valde, & mente nimis perturbatus, videns undique sibi periculum imminere. Erant enim quatuor causae principales quae ipsum ad poenitentiam simul ad satisfactionem compulerunt. Prima▪ Quod jam per quinquenium excommunicatus permanserat. Deumque & Sanctam Ecclesiam in tantum offenderat, quod de salute animae penitus desperabat. Secunda, Quod Regis Francorum adventum metuebat, qui circa maris littora cum innumera Armatorum copia expectans, insidias suae dejectionis parabat. Tertia, Quod si forte cum hostibus supervenientibus belli certamen iniret, Verebatur ne a Magnatibus Angliae, & propria gente, solus in Campis relinqueretur, aut inimicis ad perdendum traderetur. Quartam, Vero causam aliis plus omnibus timebat: Instabat enim dies Dominicae Ascentionis, in qua juxta Prophetiam, P. Heremitae, de quo superius relatum est, cum ipsa vita Regnum, tam temporale quam aeternum amittere verebatur. His autem & consimilibus causis in desserationem dilapsus, persuasionibus Pandulphi & quievit, & subscriptam pacis formam non sine dolore concessit. Iuravit ergo Rex, tactis Sacrosanctis Evangeliis in praesentia Pandulphi, se judicio Ecclesiae pariturum, & sexdecim cum eo Comites & Barones ex potentioribus Regni in animam ipsius Regis, Quod si forte facti poeniteret eum pro possibilitate ad satisfactionem compellerent.
Hereupon this perplexed King, intoxicated by Pandulphus, entertained the most dishonorable terms of Peace that ever were formerly proposed to him.
COnvenerunt apud Doveram, decima tertia die Maii, videlicet die Lunae proxima ante Ascensionem Domini, Rex & Pandulphus, cum Comitibus, Baronibus, & turba multa nimis, ubi in subscriptam pacis formam unanimiter consenserunt.
JOHANNES Dei gratia Rex Angliae, Omnibus praesentes Literas suspecturis, salutem. Per has Patentes Literas, sigillo nostro munitas, volumus esse notum, quod nobis praesentibus, hi quatuor Barones nostri, Wilhelmus scilicet Comes Sarisberiae, frater noster, & Reginaldus Comes Bononiae, Wilhelmus Comes Warennae, & Wilhelmus Comes de Ferrariis, juraverunt in animam nostram, quod nos subscriptam pacis formam, bona fide per omnia curabimus observare. In primis itaqu • solenniter absolute juravimus stare mandatis Domini Papae, coram ejus Legato & Nuncio, super omnibus pro quibus excommunicati sumus, ab ipso & veram pacem, & plenam securitatem praestabimus venerabilibus viris Stephano Cantuariensi Archiepiscopo, W. Londinensi▪ E. Elyensi, G. Herefordensi, J. Bathoniensi, & Huberto Lincolniensi Episcopis.
Priori quoque & Monachis Cantuarjensibus, & Roberto filio Walteri, & Eustachi • de Vesci, necnon & caeteris Clericis & Laicis ad hoc negotium contingentibus, prastando simul coram eodem Legato vel Delegato publice juramentum, quod ipses cum suis nec laedemus, nec laedi faciemus, vel permittemus in personis vel rebus; illisque dimittimus omnem indignationem, & in gratiam nostram eosdem recipiemus, ac tenebimus bona fide; quodque praefatos Archiepiscopum et Episcopos non impediemus, nec saciemus nec permittemus aliquatenus impediri, quo minus ipsi libere suum exequantur officium et plena Jurisdictionis suae authoritate, prout debent utantur. Et super his tam Domino Papae, quam ipsi Archiepiscopo, & singulis Episcop s nostras Patentes Literas exhibebimus, facientes ab Ep scopis, & Comitibus, & Baronibus nostris, quot & quos praefati Archiepiscopus & Episcopy postulant juramenta, & eorum Patentes Literas exhiberi, quod ipsi bona fide studebunt, ut haec pax & securitas firmiter observetur. Et si forte, quod Deus avertat, per nos ipsos, vel alios contra venerimus, ipsi pro Ecclesia contra violatores securitatis & pacis, mandatis Apostolicis inhaerebunt, nosque perpetuo vacantium Ecclesiarum custodias amittamus. Quod si forte nequiverimus ad hanc ultimam partem juramenti eos inducere, videlicer, quod si per nosmetipsos, vel alios contra venerimus, ipsi pro Ecclesia contra violatores pacis & securitatis, mandatis Apostolicis inhaerebunt. Nos propter hoc Domino Papae ac Ecclesiae Romanae per nostras Patentes Literas, obligavimus omne jus Patronatus, quod habemus in Ecclesiis Anglicanis. Et sic omnes Literas quae pro securitate praedictorum sunt exhibendae, praefatis Archiepiscopo & Episcopis ante suum ingressum in Angliam transmittemus. Si vero nobis placuerit, saepe fatus Archiepiscopus & Episcopy praestabunt, salvo honor Dei & Ecclesiae, juratoriam cautionem, & literatoriam, quod ipsi nec per se, nec per alium contra personam nostram vel Coronam nostram aliquid attentabunt, nobis praedictam eis pacem & securitatem servantibus illibatam. De Ablatis autem plenam restitutionem, & de damnis recompensationem sufficientem omnibus impendemus, tam Clericis quam Laicis ad hoc negotium pertingentibus, non solum rerum, sed omnium libertatum & restitutas conservabimus libertates. Archiepiscopo quidem, & Episcopo Lincolniensi a tempore suae consecrationis, aliis autem a tempore discordiae inchoatae. Nec obstabit aliqua pactio, vel promissio, seu concessio quo minus & damna recompensentur & restituantur ablatatam vivorum, quam & defunctorum. Nec aliquid retinebimus pretextu servitii, quod nobis debuerat impendi, sed postea nobis debita pro servitio recompensatio tribuetur. Statimque omnes quos detinemus Clericos, faciemus absolutos dimitti, ac restitui propriae libertati, cum Laicis qui hujus occasion negotii detinentur. Incontinenti quoque post adventum illius qui nos debet absolvere, faciemus de parte restitutionis ablatorum octo Millia librarum legalium Esterlingorum pro solvendis debitis, & faciendis expensis Nunciis praedictorum Archiepiscoporum, & Episcoporum, & Monachorum Cantuariensium assignari, sine impedimento quolibet per potestatem nostram, ad eos libere deferendorum ut expediti veniant in Angliam honorifice revocati, videlicet Stephano Cantuariensi Archiepiscopo, duo Millia & Quingentas Libras. W. Londinensi septingentas & quinquaginta Libras. J. Bathoniensi septingentas & quinquaginta Libras. H. Lincolniensi septingentas & quinquaginta Libras. Priori & Monachis Cantuariensibus Mille Libras, & protinus postquam pacem illam duxerimus acceptandam, assignari faciemus absque mora Archiepiscopo & Episcopis Clericis ac Ecclesiis universis, in manibus nunciorum, vel procuratorum ipsorum, mobilia omnia cum administratione libera eorundem, & in pace dimitti. Interdictum vero utlagatio vulgariter nuncupatum, quod proponi fecimus contra Ecclesiasticas personas, publice revocabimus, protestando per nostras Patentes Literas Archiepiscopo tribuendas, id ad nos nullatenus pertinere, quod illud de caetero contra Ecclesiasticas personas nullatenus faciemus proponi: revocantes praeterea utlagationem Laicorum ad hoc negotium pertinentium, & remittentes omnia quae post Interdictum recepimus ab hominibus Ecclesiasticis praeter Regni consuetudinem & Ecclesiae libertatem. Sivero super damnis vel ablatis aut eorum quantitate vel aestimatione, quaestio fuerit de facto suborta, per Legatum vel delegatum, Domini Papae, receptis probationibus terminetur. Et his omnibus rite peractis, relaxabitur sententia Interdicti, (not before.) Super caeteris autem capitulis, si quae fuerint dubitationes subortae, de quibus merito debeat dubitari, nisi per Legatum vel delegatum Domini Papae, de partium fuerint voluntate sopitae, ad ipsius referantur arbitrium, ut super his quae ipse decreverit observentur. Teste meipso apud Dover. Decima tertia die Maii. Anno Regni nostri Decimo quarto.
Rebus ut jam dictum est, expeditis, convenerunt iterum Rex Anglorum, & Pandulphus, cum Proceribus Regni, apud domum Militum Templi, juxta Doveram, decimo quinto die Maii, in vigilia scilicet Dominicae Ascensionis, ubi idem Rex, iuxta quod Romae fuerat sententiatum resignavit Coronam suam, cum Regnis Angliae et Hiberniae, in manus Domini Papae, cuius tunc vices gerebat Pandulphus memoratus.
The School-master of ( ) St. Albans, William Caxton, ( ) Speed, and other of our Chronologers, relate the form and manner of the resignation of his Crown to be thus.
Thenne put the King him to the Court of Rome, and thenne gaat he up the Reame of England and of Irelond for him and for his Heyres for evermore that should come after him, so that King John and his Heyres should take the two Reames of the Popes hands, and should every year pay ferme unto the Court of Rome a Thousand Mark of Silver. And though took the King the Crown off his head, and set it upon Pandulphus his knees, (at whose feet he also laid his Scepter, Robe, Sword, and Ring, his Royal ensigns, as ( ) John de Serres relates) and these words said he in hearing of all the great Lord's of England.
Here I resign up the Crown and the Realm of England, into the Pope Innocentius his honds the third, and put me hooly in his Mercy, and in his Ordinance.
Tho received Pandulph the Crown of King John, and kept it five days as fore seasing, taking off two Reames of England, and of Irelond; And confermed all manner of thing by his Chartre that followeth after., There recited in English, in Mr. Fox his Acts and Monuments; but I shall present you with it as recorded by Matthew Paris, (if there were two successive Charters made, as he and others relate.)
Facta autem resignatione dedit Papae & ejus successoribus Regna praedicta, quae & Charta subscripta confirmavit.
JOHANNES Dei gratia Rex Angliae, &c. Omnibus Christi fidelibus hanc Chartam inspecturis, salutem in Domino. Universitati vestrae per hanc Chartam sigillo nostro munitam, volumus esse notum, quob cum Deum et Matrem nostram, Sanctam Ecclesiam offenderimus in multis, et proinde divina misericordia plurimum indigeamus, nec quid digne offerre possimus pro satisfaction Deo et Ecclesiae debita facienda, nisi nosmetipsos humiliemus et Regna nostra, volentes nosipsos humiliare pro illo qui se pro nobis humiliavit usque ad mortem, gratia Sancti Spiritus inspirante, non vi Interdicti, nec timore coacti, sed uostra bona spontaneaque voluntate, ac communi consilio Baronum nostrorum conferimus, er libere concedimus Deo et Sanctis Apostolicis ejus Petro et Paulo, et Sancto Romanae Ecclesiae matri nostrae, ac Domino Papae Innocentio ejusque Catholicis successoribus, totum Regnum Angliae, et totum Regnum Hiberniae, cum omni jure et pertinentiis suis, pro remission omnium peccatorum nostrorum, et totius generis nostri, tam pro vivis quam pro defunctis, et a modo illa ab ea et Ecclesia Romana tanquam secundarius recipientes et tenentes in praesentia prudentis viri Pandulphi, Domini Papae Subdiaconi et familiaris: Erinde praedicto Domino Papae Innocentio ejusque Catholicis successoribus, et Ecclesiae secundum subscriptam formam fecimus et inravimus, et homagium legium in praesentia Pandulphi, si coram Domino Papa esse poterimus eidem faciemus; Successores nostros et haeredes, de uxore nostra, in perpetuum obligantes, ut simili modo, summo Pontifici qui pro tempore fuerit, et Ecclesiae Romanae sine contradictione debeant fidelitatem praestare, et homagium recognoscere. Ad judicium autem hujus nostrae perpetuae petuae obligationis et concessionis, volumus et stabilimus, ut de propriis et specialibus redditibus nostris praedictorum Regnorum pro omni ser vitio et consuetudine quae pro ipsis facere debemus, (salvis per omnia denariis Beati Petri) Ecclesia Romana Mille Marcas Esterlingorum percipiat annuatim, in festo scilicet Sancti Michaelis quingentas Marcas, et in Pascha quingentas, septingentas scilicet pro Regno Angliae, et trecentas pro Regno Hyberniae, salvis nobis et haeredibus nostris justitiis, Libertatibus et Regalibus nostris. Quae omnia sicut supra scripta sunt rata esse volentes atque firma obligamus nos et successores nostros contra non venire, et si nos vel aliquis successorum nostrorum contra haec attentare praesumpserit, quicunque ill fuerit, nisi rite Commonitus resipuerit, cadat a jure Regni: Et haec Charta obligationis et concessionis nostrae, semper firma permaneat. Teste meipso apud Domum Militum Templi jurta Doveram, coram H. Dublinensi Archiepiscopo, Iohanni Nor wicensi Episcopo, Galfrido filio Petri, W. Comite Saresberiae, W. Comite Pembroc, R. Comite Bononiae, W. Comite Warrennae, S. Comite Wintou, W. Comite Arundel, W. Comite de Ferrariis, W. Briwere, Petro filio Hereberti, Warino filio Geroldi, Decimo quinto die Maii, Anno Regni nostri Decimo quarto.
This Charter would not suffice the Usurping Pope and his Legate, but King John must likewise swear Homage to the Pope and his Successors, and become their most absolute Vassal in this new form.
CArta itaque Regis in scriptum, ut dictum est redacta, tradidit eam Rex Pandulpho Romam Papae Innocentio deferendam, & continuo cunctis videntibus homagium fecit subscriptum. Ego Johannes Dei gratia Rex Angliae, et Dominus Hyberniae, ab hac hora et in antea fidelis ero Deo et Beato Petro, et Ecclesiae Romanae, et Domino meo Papae Domino Innocentio ejusque successoribus Catholice intrantibus. Non ero in facto, in dicto, consensu vel consilio ut vitam perdant vel membra, vel mala captione capiantux. Eorum damnum si scivero impediam, et remanere faciam si potero, alioquin eis quam citius potero intimabo, vel tali personae dicam, quam eis credam pro certo dicturam. Consilium quod mihi crediderint, per se vel per nuncios suos, seu Literas suas secretum tenebo, et ad eorum damnum nulli pandam me sciente. Patrimonium Beati Petri et specialiter Regnum Angliae, et Regnum Hyberniae, adjutor ero ad tenendum et defendendum contra omnes homines pro posse meo. Sic me adjuvet Deus, et haec Sancta Evangelia, Amen.
Acta autem sunt haec, ut praedictum est, in vigilia Dominicae Ascensionis praesentibus Episcopis, Comitibus, & Magratibus supradictis. Pandulphus autem (with most Antichristian pride, and intolerable insolency) pecuniam, quam in arram subjectionis Rex contulerat, sub pede suo conculcavit, Archiepiscopo dolente et reclamante.
Having thus presented you with a full and faithful History of King Johns resignation of his Crown and Kingdoms of England and Ireland, to Pope Innocent and his Successors, the successive Interdicts, Excommunications, Abjudications from the Crown, Treasons of his Prelates, Subjects, Forces of his invading foreign Enemies, unchristian Frauds, unrighteous Policies by which it was effected, and this gallant Kings enforcements to it, against all his former Heroic Oppositions, Resolutions: I shall desire the greatest Votaries to the See of Rome, to resolve these Quaeres.
1. Whether Pope Innocent (who in all his former Epistles, proceedings against King John, pretended that he sought nothing else or more but King Johns repentance, and reception of Stephen Langhton Archbishop of Canterbury, and grieved at nothing so much as England's desolation ) did yet by all the premised circumventions, frauds, practices, display to all the world, that the principal thing he sought after, was the very Crown, Kingdoms of England and Ireland, to united them to the See of Rome, as St. Peters pretended Patrimony, though with the Kings and Kingdoms great grief and desolation?
2. Whether this Resignation gained, extorted from King John by so many years successive unchristian detestable Perjuries, Treasons, Interdicts, Excommunications, Abjudication from the Crown, Hypocrisies, Frauds, Menaces, Lyes, false suggestions by Pope Innocent himself, (who was sole Judge of King John in his own case) and his confederates, and such unjust invasions of the Rights of his Crown, can in point of Justice, Law, Reason, Conscience be reputed a Good, Valid, Legalor equitable Title for him and his successors to claim the Realms of England and Ireland, as part of St. Peters Patrimony, or the rents reserved annually out of them, as a just Papal revenue, admitting King John had a legal power to resign his Kingdoms without the joint consent of all his Nobility, subjects, Kingdoms, which he had not, as they oft protested both in and out of Parliament?
3. Whether all or many of these abominable, insolent, injurious, Machivilian if not Atheistical practices, proceedings against King John, diametrically repugnant to all rules of Christianity, Piety, Justice, moral honesty, and express precepts of Christ himself, St. Peter and Paul forecited, proclaim not this Pope Innocent one of the grandest Nocents, Hypocrites, Antimonarchs, Impostors, Usurpers, Atheists, Monster of Impiety, Arrogancy, Covetousness, Ambition, that ever sat in St. Peters pretended chair; and King John the only Innocent and pattern of patience, justice, clemency, and unparalleled humility, far below his Royal dignity, and the place, person, and public trust he then sustained, notwithstanding our Monkish Historians defamations of him?
4. Whether the serious consideration of these proceedings of Innocent, seconded with those succeeding them, were not of themselves a sufficient ground for the King and Kingdoms of England and Ireland, without any guilt of Schism or Injustice, forever to exterminate the Usurped Antimonarchical Usurpations, and foreign jurisdiction of the Bishops and See of Rome, and to hold no future communion with them, to prevent the like attempts? especially when so magnified, justified by our Monkish Historians in that age, by late Popish Parasites of all sorts, and most succeeding Popes, who still make fresh successive claims to the Crown, Kingdoms of England and Ireland, and the annual rent then reserved out of them as St. Peters undoubted Patrimony. But more of this in due place.
Pope Innocent and Pandulphus having thus cheated, decoyed King John of his Crown, Kingdoms, yea all his Regal Honor, Glory, Wisdom, Magnanimity and Renown acquired by his former oppositions against them; and the King of France (their mear stalking horse to gain this rich booty, to his vast and frutlesse expense) of his elevated hopes to possess and enjoy it by the Popes donation, his next design was, how to take off and pacify the French King from his intended invasions; and so sent the Archbishop and his confederates into England, there to insult over and trample upon King John, as they had done abroad; wherein he thus proceeded.
HIS ita gestis, Pandulphus cum Cartis memoratis transfretravit ad Gallias, Octo millia Librarum Esterlingorum secum gerens ut Archiepiscopo & Episcopis, Monachisque Cantuariensibus, ac caeteris causa interdicti exulantibus in parte restitutionis faceret ablatorum. Cum autem tenor Cartarum, & prefatae pacis forma, illis omnibus placuisset, persuasit diligenter Pandulfus, ut pacifice redirent in Angliam Episcopy supradicti, residuum restitutionis illico percepturi: Deinde Regem Francorum diligenter admonere caepit, qui jam paratus fuerat in manu violenta ad Angliam hostiliter transfretare, ut desisteret a proposito, & ad propria pacifice remearet, non enim potuit sine offensione summi Pontificis terram Angliae, vel ipsum Regem infestare, cum ill paratus sit Deo, & sanctae Ecclesiae ejus{que} ordinatis satisface re, atque Domini Papae Catholicis jussionibus obedire. Haec audiens Rex Francorum, iratus valde dixit, se jam in apparatu Navium, Victualium & Armorum plusquam seraginta Millia librarum expendisse & ex praecepto Domini Papae Laborem pretatum & in peccatorum remissionem suscepisse. Et ut verum fateamur, idem Rex suggestionibus Pandulphi ascensum nullatenus praebuisset, nisi solus Comes Flandrensis Philippus ipsum sequi contradixisset. Fuerat enim Regi Anglorum confaederatus, & ideo contra pactum suum venire noluit. Dixit praeterea idem Comes injustum fuisse idem bellum, quod ad debellandum Regem Anglorum susceperat, cum nullus Antecessorum suorum jus aliquod sibi hactenus in Regno Angliae vendicasset. Adjunxit insuper quod Rex Francorum terras suas & castella unjust occupaverat & occuputam hereditatem suam contra justitiam detinebat, quare cum ipso ad Angliam venire nolebat.
Lo here a clear confession of the Earl of Flanders, of the Injustice of King Johns deprivation, and King of France his intended War to deprive him of his Kingdom by the Popes command: who being diverted by Pandulph from invading England, turned all his forces and Fleet upon Flanders; and by a divine retaliation had all his Navy burnt and taken by a small party of King John's ships, summoned to resist King Philip's landing in England, to his great grief, vexation, and damage, the English burning above a 100. of his ships on shore, and taking above 300. more, laden with Wine, Victuals, Arms, and other things.
The many insolences of the Popes Legat, and exiled Bishops Treasons, rebellions against King John, encouraged his Nobles in like manner to disobey, and capitulate with him, and that upon this occasion.
REX apud Portesmue exercitum congregavit immensum, ut ad Pictaviam transfretaret, disponens a parte Occidentali, sicut illi qui erant in Flandria a parte Orientali, Regem & Regnum Francorum inquietare, necnon cum omni nisu terras amissas, ad suum dominium revocare. Sed aliter accidit quam sperabat, Magnates enim Angliae ipsum sequi noluerunt nisi prius a sententia Excommunicationis absolveretur. Hac ergo districtione, Rex compulsus, misit Chartas viginti • quator Comitum & Baronum ad Archiepiscopum & Episcopos praescriptos, ad maiorem securitatem, ut omni metu deposito, venirent in Angliam, omnia sua et ablatorum damna, secundum praescriptae pacis formam, illico percepturi.
These Charters, and Patents of theirs and the King, being extant in no Historian, I shall present you with them out the Patent Roll in the Tower.
VEnerabili in Christo Patri S. Dei gratia Cantuariensi Archiepiscopo totius Angliae Primati, & sanctae Romanae Ecclesiae Cardinali, G • filius Petri Comes Essex, R. Comes Bolon. & Comes Cestriae W. Marescal Comes Penbroc. W. Comes Warren. W. Comes Arundel, W. Comes de Ferrari. Wilhelmus Briwer, Robertus de Ros, Gilbertus filius in Reinulf. Rogerus de Mortuo Mari, & Petrus filius Hereberti, salutem & debitam reverientiam. Sciatis quod bona fide studebimus, quod Dominus noster I. Rex Angliae pacem et securitatem vobis et aliis tam Clericis quam Laicis negotium quod inter Anglicanam Ecclesiam et ipsum Regem versatum est contingentibus, firmiteer observabit, secundum formam pacis a Domino Papa ei transmissam et ab eo acceptatam. Et si forte (quod Deus avertat) Rex ipse, vel aliquis alius ex parte sua contravenerit, nos pro Ecclesia contra violatores securitatis et pacis, mandatis Apostolicis inhaerebimus, et ipse perpetuo vacantium Ecclesiarum custodiam amittat. Preterea promitimus, quod si quid omissum est, vel minus plene factum, circa hoc negotium in hoc scripto propter accelerationem adventus vestri in Angliam, id post adventum vestrum secundum formam praedictam perficietur. Et in hujus rei Testimonium, &c. Salutem in Domino. Haec Autem omnia supra dicta nos firmiter observaturos, noveritis nos de mandatis Domini Regis, tactis sacro-sanctis spontanea voluntate corporali Sacramento firmasse.
Eodem modo scribitur singulis Episcopis cum Archiepiscopo existentibus, scilicet Londonensi, Herefordensi, Eliensi, Bathoniensi, & Lincolniensi, & Priori & Monachis Cantuariensibus.
The Kings own Patent reciting this of the Earls and Barons, follows in this form.
REX Dei gratia Cantuariensi Archiepiscopo totius Angliae Primati, & sanctae Romanae Ecclesiae Cardinali, salutem: Sciatis quod secundum formam mandati Domini et Uenerabilis patris nostri I. Dei gratia summi Pontificis, veram pacem ac plenam securitatem vobis praestamus, nec non caeteris tam Clericis quam Laicis hoc negotium quod inter nos et Ecclesiam Anglicanam versatum est contingentibus, nec vos nec vestros laedemus vel laedi faciemus, aut permittemus in personis vel rebus, vobisque remittimus omnem iudignationem, et in gratiam nostram vos recipimus, et tenebimus bona fide et quod vos non inpediemus, nec faciemus aut permittemus aliquatinus impediri quo minus vestrum libere exequamini officium, et plena jurisdictionis vestrae Authoritate prout debetis utamini, Et super hiis vobis juramenta & litteras Patentes fidelium nostrorum Venerabilium Patrum, Domini. H. Dublin. Archiepiscopi, P. Wint. J. Norwic. Episcoporum, & praeterea Duodecim Baronum nostrorum, scilicet, G. filii Petri Comitis Essex, Justiciarii Nostri, R. Comitis Bolon, R Comitis Cicest. W. Comitis Marescall, Comitis Pembroc. W. Comitis Waren. W. Comitis Arundell, W. Comitis de Ferrariis, Willielmi Briwer, Roberti de Ros, Gileberti filii Ranulf. Rogeri de Mortuo Mari, & Petri filii Hereberti▪ fecimus exhiberi, quod ipsi bona fide, studebunt ut haecpax et securitas firmiter observetur. Et si forte quod Deus avertat, per nos ipsos vel alios contra venirmus, ipsi pro Ecclesiae contra violatores securitatis et pacis mandatis Apostolicis inhaerebunt, Nosque, perpetuum Ecclesiarum vacantiam custodiam amittamus: (thrust in by the Pope and Pandulph, on purpose that the Pope by his Provisions might dispose of them, as he had done of the See of Canterbury, wrested out of the Kings hands) Et ideo vos rogamus, quod ad nos secure sine dilatione in Angliam venire festinetis; si quid vero in hoc scripto omissum fuerit vel mi • us plene factum, cum in Angliam veneritis, id secundum formam mandati Apostolici perficietu • : Et in hujus rei Testimonium, &c. Test. H. Dublinensi Archiepiscopo, P. Wintonensi Episcopo. G. filio Petri, W. Marascal, Comite Penbroc. apud Templum de Ewell XXIV. die Maii, Anno Regni n. xv.
EOdem modo scribitur singulis Episcopis ultra mare existentibus cum Archiepiscopo, scilicet Londonensi, Herefordensi, Eliensi, Bathoniensi, Lincolniensi, Episcopis, & Priori & Monachis Cantuariensibus, Teste eodem.
At the same time this King sent his Letters Pattens to Robert Fitzwater and other Lay-men to teturn into England, whence they fled upon the Bishops quarrel.
REX Roberto filio Walteri, Mandamus vobis quod secure veneatis in Angliam secundum formam mandati Apostolici, quia pacem & securitatem, secundum formam mandati Apostolici vobis praestamus. Et in hujus rei testimonium has literasnostras Patentes vobis mittimus Teste Domino, P. Wintoniensi Episcopo apud Wingham, Decimo Septimo die Maii Anno regni nostri Decimo Quinto.
Eodem modo scribitur Eustacio de Vescy.
They likewise in pursuit of the Popes agreement enforced him by letters patents to the Archbishop, publicly to disclaim his ancient undoubted Right to outlaw any Clergy men, though never so great Traitors Rebels, dated 11. days before the former Patents.
REX Venerabili Patri in Christo S. Dei gratia Cantuariensi Archiepiscopo, &c I. eadem gratia Rex Angliae, &c. Sciatis quod per has Literas nostras Patentes protestamur, quod ad nos nullatenus pertinet Clericos Utlagare. Teste meipso apud Templum de Ewell, xv. die Maii. Anno &c. Decimo quinto.
Never was any King of England before or since so fettered, and reduced to such extremities and Unkingly condiscentions, to Trayterous, Rebellious Prelates, and their Confederates, who had Interdicted his Kingdom for seven years space, excommunicated, deprived him of his Crown, engaged the French, all his foreign Enemies, and most Christian Nobles, Soldiers, in a public Crossodo against him, as if he had been a Saracen, thereby enforcing him to resign his Crown, Kingdoms to the Pope, to swear Homage to him as his Vassal, and to hold his Kingdoms from him under an annual Rent; and then by his Writs, Letters Patents, his Nobles Letters, Oaths, thus submissively to write unto, send for them again and again to hasten their return, engage to perform all agreements made on their behalf, to their full content, under such forfeitures as these, and to receive them with all honor, before their least submission, precedent humble addresses to him, or Interdict released; all which sufficiently discovers their pride, obstinacy, disloyalty, and his unparalleled humility. Upon receipt of these Letters, the Archbishop and Bishops not making such haste into England as the King expected, he thereupon sent this second Letter to them to hasten their return, and appointed Bishops, Earls, Barons, to receive them at their Landing, and to conduct them to him with all safety and honor, instead of guarding them to a deserved Execution.
VEnerabilibus in Christo Patribus S. Dei gratia Cantuariensi Archiepiscopo totius Angliae Primati, & Sanctae Ecclesiae Romanae Cardinali, & omnibus suffraganeis suis Episcopis cum eo existentibus. J. eadem gratia Rex Angliae, &c. Mandamus vobis quod been veneritis in Angliam, scientes quod jamdiu vos expectavimus, et adventum vestrum desideravimus, unde in occursum vestrum mittimus fideles nostros Dominum H. Dublinensem Archiepiscopum, J. Norwicensem Episcopum, W. Comitem Arundell, Matthaeum filium Herberti, W. Archidiaconum Huntingtoniae, rogantes quatenus ad nos venire festinetis, sicut praedicti fideles nostri vobis dicent. Teste meipso apud Stokes Episcopy, primo die Julii.
And to take away all pretexts for their delay, he sends them this second Patent, disclaiming his intended Utlacy of Treason against them and their Confederates, and undoubted Regal power to Out-law any Clerks for Treachery and Rebellion, when as neither they nor the Pope ever renounced their Usurped power to Interdict, Excommunicate, Dethrone, and give away his Realms to his mortal foreign Enemies.
REX Omnibus, &c. Sciatis quod Interdictum quod vulgariter Utlagatio nuncupatur, quod proponi fecimus contra personas Ecclesiasticas, publice revocavimus et revocamus, protestants per has Literas nostras Patentes, id ad nos de personis Ecclesiasticis minime pertinere, nec illud de cetero contra personas Ecclesiasticas, faciemus u •• a • enus promulgari. Teste meipso apud Bellum, Decimo tertio die Junii. Anno Decimo quinto.
The 17. of August following these Bishops Landed at Dover, and were conducted in state to the King at Winchester; the manner of the Kings extraordinary humiliation to, reception of, and begging pardon from them, prostrating himself to the ground at their seat, and their insolent proud carriage towards their offended Sovereign, though with some Crocadiles tears, is thus related by Matthew Paris.
PAndulp • o itaque mediante, necessariis omnibus ad repatriandum paratis▪ ascenderunt naves S. Cantuariensis Archiepiscopus, W. Londinensis, E. Eliensis, H. Lincolniensis, E. Herefordensis Episcopy, cum caeteris Clericis & Laicis, causa Interdicti exulantibus, & apud Doveram, Decimo septimo Calendas Augusti applicantes, in die Beatae Margaratae Virginis, Wintoniam ad Regem venerunt. Rex autem cum eorum adventum cognovisset, venit obviam illis, et viso Archiepiscopo et Episcopis, cecidit pronus in terram, ad pedes eorum lacrymis profusis, (they should rather have fallen down at the Kings feet, and craved pardon for their Treasons and practices against him with tears) Obsecrans ut de se ac Regno Angliae misericordiam haberent. Videntes ergo Archiepiscopus & Epsicop. tantam Regis humilitatem, cum lachymis illum de terra levaverunt, ducentes a dextris & a sinistris, ad ostium Ecclesiae Cathedralis, ubi cum Psalmo Qui quagesimo. videntibus magnatibus cunctis, & ubertim prae gaudio flentibus, sicut mos est Ecclesiae, illum absolverunt. Et haec absolutio facta fuit in Capitulo Wintoniensi. (But pray mark upon what reasonable and dutiful terms it was made for their own and the Popes advantage, and his dishonor and prejudice.) In hac autem absolutione juravit Rex, tactis Sacrosanctis Evangeliis, quod Sanctam Ecclesiam ejusque ordinatos diligeret, defenderet et manu-teneret, contra omnes adversarios suos pro posse suo, quodque bonas leges Antecessorum suorum, & praecipue leges Edwardi Regis revocaret, & iniquas destrueret, & omnes homines suos secundum justa Curiae suae judicia judicaret, quodque singulis redderet jura sua. Iuravit etiam quod omnibus ad Interdicti negotium pertingentibus infra proximum Pascha plenariam restitutionem faceret ablatorum, sin autem, in pristinam excommunicationis sententiam revocaretur. Iuravit praeterea Innocentio Papae ejusque Catholicis successoribus, fidelitatem et obedientiam, sicut superius in scripto redactum continetur. Deinde Archiepiscopus ducens illum in Ecclesiam, missam celebravit. Et missa peracta ad mensam, cum Rege residentes, Archiepiscopus cum Episcopis, & magnatibus universis, epulabantur in laetitia & jocunditate. (The very next day after their coming to Winchester the King issued out Writs to all Sheriffs of England, to inquire of their damages.) In crastino autem misit Rex Literas ad omnes Vicecomites Regni Angliae praecipiens ut de singulis Dominicorum suorum Villis quatuor Legales homines cum praeposito apud Sanctum Albanum, primo die nonas Augusti facerent convenire: ut per illos & alios ministros suos de damnis singulorum Episcoporum & ablatis certitudinem inquireret, & quid singulis deberetur.
The form of these Writs to Sheriffs being omitted by all our Historians, I shall here insert.
REX Vicecomiti Sumerset & Dorset, &c. Praecipimus tibi quod sine dilatione ex parte nostra praecipias Roberto de Berkhel, Rogero de Penton, & Osberto filio Willielmi, quod omni occasion postposita, veniant ad diem, & locum, quos Dominus Episcopus Bathoniensis tibi scire fecerit, ad audiendam inquisitionem de ablatis et dampnis Episcoporum et Clericorum, et omnium virorum Ecclesiasticorum et aliorum negociorum Ecclesiae contingentium faciendam coram Clericis Domini Cantuariensis Archiepiscopi quos ad hoc per Literas suas Patentes assignaverit. Et summone ex parte nostra omnes illos de Balliva tua, qui Custodiam vel aliquam Ballivam habuerunt de rebus Ecclesiasticis a tempore motae discordiae inter nos & Clerum Angliae; quod tunc coram praedictis Clericis Domini Archiepiscopi compareant ad praedictam inquisitionem audiendam. Teste meipso apud Northampton. xxxi. die Augusti.
-
in Archiepiscopatu Cantuar.
- Galfridus filius Petri,
- Comes Essex.
- Simon de Pateshull.
-
in Episcopatu Winton.
- Willus Briwer.
- Rogerus de Scures.
- Walterus de Aundely.
-
in Episcopatu Exon.
- Richardus Flandrensis.
- Eudo de Bello Campo.
- Robertus de Albamara.
-
in Episcopatu Eliens.
- Comes Roger le Bigod.
- Robertus Pikot.
- Robertus de Burnvil.
-
in Episcopatu Wygorn.
- Petrus filius Herberti.
- Willus de Arden.
-
in Episcopatu Bathon.
- Robertus de Berkelie.
- Osbertus filius Willi.
- Rogerus le Penton.
-
in Episcopatu Cestr.
- Thomas de Estlegg.
- Willus de Warr.
-
in Episcopatu Norwicen.
- Galfridus de Aumbly.
- Willus filius Rocellini.
- Philippus de Burnham.
-
in Episcopatu Landaff.
- Richardus Fladr. de
- Glamorgan.
- Walterus de Suly.
-
in Archiepiscopatu Eborac.
- Jordanus Foliot.
- Johannes de Birkin.
-
in Prioratu Cantuariens.
- Matheus filius Herberti.
- Willus de Cernton.
- Willus de Risseteford.
-
in Episcopatu Cicestriens.
- Simon de Rockingham.
- Robertus de Sauvag.
- Robertus de Pet. Pont.
-
in Episcopatu Londoniens.
- Comes W. Marescall.
- Jacobus de Poterna.
-
In Episcopatu Lincolniens.
- Radulphus de Normanvill.
- Thomas de Muleton.
- Alexand. de Pointon.
-
in Episcopatu Herefordens.
- Robertus de Mortuo
- Mari.
- Walterus de Clifford.
- Rogerus Huscarl.
-
in Episcopatu Sarr.
- Godefridus de Sancto
- Martino.
- Petrus de Scudamore.
- Henricus filius Ancheri.
-
in Episcopatu Menevens.
- Thomas de Lauda.
- Willus de Barry.
-
in Episcopatu Roffens.
- Galfridus de Sunderness.
- Richardus de Valle Bedonis.
-
in Episcopatu Dunholmens.
- Rogerus de Andree.
- Walterus de Monasteriis.
There were other Writs sent to the Kings Judges to proceed in the said Inquisition.
REX, G. filio Petri Com. Essex, & Simony de Pateshall, &c. Mandamus vobis quod procedatis in Inquisitione facienda de Ablatis et dampnis per Archiepiscopatum Cantuariensem, sicut provisum est ad terminum ad hoc constitutum, et distinct inbreviari faciatis ex parte nostra, et Archiepiscopus ex parte sua, quid singuli solverint Balivis nostris, et quid ab eis exigitur, et quantum et quare, quia quod Balivi nostri recognoverint se recepisse de hiis quae ad hoc negotium pertinent, id reddi faciemus. Et si de aliquo orta fuerit contentio unde fieri debeat probatio, probationem inde audire volumus coram nobis in praesentia Domini Archiepiscopi ad terminum quem nos et ipse providebimus, quia Contentionem illam coram nobis terminari volumus, qui solutionem facturi sumus: praeterea provideatis vobis de articulis exactionum et receptionum. Audivimus enim quod quaedam exactiones sicut de serviciis nobis factis in exercitibus Walliae et Hyberniae, et de quibusdam aliis quae ad hoc negotium nequaquam pertinent.
After which he issued out other Writs to all the Commissioners and Inquisitors of those damages in this form.
REX, Galfrido de Aumbly, Willielmo filio Roscelini, & Philippo de Burnham, &c. Mandamus vobis quod conveniatis ad diem et locum quos Offic. Domini Norwicensis Episcopy vobis scire faciet, coram Clericis Domini Cantuariensis Archiepiscopi quos per literas suas assignavit, ad Inquisitionem faciendam de omnibus ablatis et dampnis illatis Ecclesiae et Clero, et Laicis, hanc causam contingentibus de praedicto Episcopatu, et vos sitis cum illis ad Inquisitionem illam faciendam quia volumus quod plenary fiat, nec remaneat propter aliquas Literas quas inde super hoc miserimus. Et scire faciatis omnibus illis qui Ballivas habuerint in praedicto Episcopatu de rebus Ecclesiasticis vel aliis hanc causam contingentibus, quod veniant ad praedictos diem et locum Inquisitionem illam audituri. Et si non venerint, nihilominus inquisitio illa procedat. Et si quod dampnum evenerit per defectum ipsorum non nobis sed illis eveniet. Teste meipso apud Novum Templum London, sexto die Octobris. Eodem modo scribitur omnibus Inquisitoribus supradictis.
After this general compliance with them, the King conceiving he had given them full content, and settled all things in peace, resolved to pass with an Army into Picardy▪ whither the Nobles refused to follow him, animated by the example and secret persuasions of the Bishops, to divert him from invading France, where they had been succoured; which Matthew Paris relates in these words.
INde vero apud Portesmue, Rex cum festinatione veniens ut transfretaret in Pictaviam, Galfrido filio Petri, & Episcopo Winton. Regnum Angliae commisit, praecipiens ut cum Consilio Cantuariensis Archiepiscopi (though his most implacable Enemy) omnia Regni negotia ordinarent. Quo facto venerunt ibidem, ad Regem numerosa militum multitudo (by the Archbishop and his Confederates instigation) conquerentes, quod in diutina, quam ibi fecerant expectatione, omnem pecuniam suam consumpserant, unde ipsum sequi nequiverant, nisi de fisco illis necessaria ministrarentur. Quod cum Rex facere recusasset, iratus cum privata Familia Naves ascendit & post triduum apud Gersea insulam applicuit, magnatibus suis domum reversis, ubi cum Rex sese derelictum cernebat, necessitate compulsus ad Angliam remeavit.
Whiles these things were acting, the Archbishop, Bishops, Nobles meeting at St. Albans, about the damages to be restored by the King to the Bishops during their exile, by the Archbishops and Bishops instigation, to depress the King all they could, fell to demand the confirmation of their Liberties, granted by his Grandfather King Henry the 1. which the King condescended to.
DUm haec agerentur, interfuerint Consilio apud Sanctum Albanum, Galfridus filius Petri, & Episcopus Wintoniae, cum Archiepiscopo, & Episcopis, & Magnatibus Regni: ubi cunctis pace Regis denunciata, ex ejusdem Regis parte firmiter praeceptum est, quatenus leges Henrici avi sui ab omnibus in Regno custodirentur, & omnes leges iniquae poenitus enervarentur. Denunciatum est praeterea, Vicecomitibus, forestariis, aliisque Ministris Regis sicut vitam & membra sua diligunt, ne a quoquam aliquid violenter extorqueant vel alicui injuriam irrogare praesumant, aut scotalla alicubi in Regno faciant, sicut facere consueverunt. Rex vero Johannes cum se a quibusdam Magnatibus quasi derelictum cognovisset, ( by reason of some new Treasons then hatching against him by the Archbishop ) magnum congregavit exercitum, ut rebels ad consuetum obsequium revocaret. Cumque arma movere incoepisset, venit ad eum Archiepiscopus apud Northamptonam dicens, plurimum in injuriam sui Sacramenti, quod in absolutione sua praestiterat, redundare, si absque judicio Curiae suae contra quempiam bellum mov • ret. Quod audiens Rex cum ingenti strepitu, dixit, se Regni negotia propter Archiepiscopum non differ, cum Laica • udicia ad ipsum non pertineant. In crastino autem summo diluculo iter furibundus arripiens, versus Nottingham properavit: Sequutus est quoque Regem Archiepiscopus memoratus constanter affirmans, (like another Pope Innocent, in a presumptuous daring manner ) quod nisi ab inceptis celerius desisteret, omnes qui versus quempiam ante relaxationem Interdicti hostiliter arma gestarent, praeter ipsum solum anathematis vinculo innodaret. Sicque ab incaeptis Regem revocans Archiepiscopus, non prius ab eo recessit, donec diem competentem ad Curiam Regis veniendi, & ibidem juri parendi Baronibus impetrasset.
This English Pope and Arch-traitor in pursuance of his implacable malice and revenge against the King, (notwithstanding his extraordinary favors and submissions to him) soon after caused all the Bishops, Abbots, Priors, Deans, and Nobles of the Realm to meet together at London upon pretext of satisfying his and the exiled Bishops damages, but in verity to engage them in a New Rebellion against the King to deprive him of his Crown, and confer it on Lewis the French Kings son, as they did in the conclusion, under pretext of demanding the confirmation of the Charter and Liberties granted by King Henry the first, there produced by the Archbishop, which the King had but newly ratified at St. Albans; thus storied by Matthew Paris.
EOdem Anno octavo Calendas Septembris, convenerunt in civitate Londoniarum apud Sanctum Paulum, Stephanus Cantuariensis Archiepiscopus, cum Episcopis, Abbatibus, Prioribus, Decanis et Baronibus regni, (to promote a New Rebellion under a pretext of Religion, even whiles the Interdict was contrived by him, as a curb upon the King) ubi Archiepiscopus indulsit tam Ecclesiis Conventualibus quam Presbyteris secularibus ut hor as canonicas in Ecclesiis suis audientibus Parochianis suppressa Voce cantar • nt (before the Interdict was released.)
IN hoc Colloquio (ut fama refert) Archiepiscopus memoratus convocatis seorsim quibusdam regni proceribus coepit affari eos secretius in hunc modum; Audistis, inquit, quomodo ipse apud Winton. Regem absolvi et ipsum jurare compulerim, quod Leges iniquas destrueret, et leges bonas, videlicet leges Edwardi revocaret, et in regnofaceret ab omnibus observari. Inventa est quoque nunc Carta quaedam Henrici primi Regis Angliae, per quam si volueritis, Libertates diu amissas, poteritis ad statum pristinum revocare, which charter he recites at large, then read unto them by the Archbishop.
CUm autem haec Charta perlecta, & Baronibus audientibus intellecta fuisset, gavisi sunt gaudio magno valde, & iuraverunt omnes in praesentia Archiepiscopi saepe dicti, quod viso tempore congruo, pro hiis libertatibus si necesse fuerit, decertabunt usque ad mortem. Archiepiscopus vero promisit eis fidelissimum aurilium suum pro posse suo, et sic confederatione facta inter eos, Colloquium solutum est. This being the real design of this Assembly.
As the King was thus ridden, trampled upon, and intollerably abused, betrayed by the Archbishop, Bishops and Barons inveagled by them on the one hand, so was he by the Popes Agents on the other. Pandulphus, besides his formentiond insolencies, endeavoring to wrest out of his hands the power of imprisoning Clerks for Felonyes, that so they might be at his own disposal, and act any villainies with impunity, as these two Patents evidence.
REX dilecto & fideli suo Brieno de Insula, &c. Sciatis quod ad petitionem Magistri Pandulphi Domini Papae Nuncii, concessimus quod Robertus Dosset, Ran Bullock, Galfridus de Stanford, & Wilhelmus de Welmsford, qui capti fuerunt propter rectum furti facti in vivario nostro de Cliva; & aliis vivariis; & quos habetis in custodia vestra Deliberentur. Et ideo vobis mandamus, quod eos sine delatione deliberari faciatis, & in hujus rei testimonium has literas nostras patentes vobis inde mittimus, Teste Domino P. Wintoniensi Episcopo apud Wingham, primo die Jun. Anno regni nostri Decimo quinto.
REX Reginaldo de Cornhill, &c. Mandamus vobis, statim visis Literis istis, liberetis Magistro Pandulfo Domini Papae Nuncio Johannem Clericum Domini Hereford Episcopy quam habetis in Custodia apud Roffam salvo Custodiendum donec certum fuerit, utrum fuerit Clericus vel Laicus: Et in hujus rei testimonium has literas nostras Patentes vobis mittimus. Teste Domino H. Dublinensi Archiepiscopo apud Chileham Duodecimo die Junnii, Anno regni nostri decimo quinto. Per eundem.
These most unchristian disloyal proceedings of the Pope, his legats, Archbishops, Bishops, and English Clergy against the King, so much alienated his affections from the very Christian Religion they professed with their Mouths, but denied in their hearts, practices, that (if we credit Matthew Paris, who willingly traduces him upon all occasions) after the death of Geoffery Fitz-Peter chief Justice of England (the chief pillar and support of the Realm of England ) King John conceiving himself absolved from, and that he had liberty to go against all the Oaths, agreements, & extricate himself from the unjust conditions of peace he had made dolenter, with much grief and reluctancy wherewith he was entangled: poenituit ipsum graviter et amarissime, quod ad praedictae pacis consensum inclinaretur. Whereupon thinking to find better usage from very Turks then from the Pope, his own Bishops and rebellious subjects, who were Christians, he resolved to put himself and his Realm into their hands, and to renounce the Christian Religion, which the premised proceedings of the Pope and Prelates against him made him repute as vain and ineffectual. Such was the fruit of these Antichristian proceedings against him, Misit ergo nuncios secretissimos cum festinatione summa, videlicet Thomam Hardentonum, & Radulphum filium Nicholai Milites, & Robertum de Londino clericum, ad Admiralium Murmelium Regem magnum Aphricae, Marocchiae, & Hispaniae: significans eidem, quod se et Regnum suum libenter redderet eidem et dederet et deditum teneret ab ipso, si placeret ei, sub tributo. Necnon et legem Christianam quam vanam censuit, relinquens, legi Mahometae fideliter adhaereret. To which message being delivered, Murmelius after a little deliberation returned this modest answer. Modo inspexi librum in Graeco scriptum, cujusdam Graeci sapientis & Christiani, nomine Pauli (the Apostle) cuju • actus & verba mihi maxim complacent, & accepto: Unum tamen de ipso mihi displicet, quod in lege sub qua natus est non stetit, sed ad alia tanquam transfuga & i • co • st • ns avolvit. Et iddico de domino vestro Anglorum Rege, qui relicta piissima et mundissima lege Christianorum sub qua nascebatur, cereus et instabilis gliscit transmeare. No • it qui nihil ignorat D • us omnipoteks, si exlex essem, illam prae omnibus eligerem, & acceptam amplexar m. Postea vero sciscitabatur, cujus conditionis esset Rex Angliae & regnum ejus. Of which T. Hardenton gave this account of the King, that he was Egregie & ingenue atavis Regibus magnis procreatus: & of the kingdom, terra ejus opulenta & suis contenta bonis, &c. Regnum etiam ab injuncto & coronato gubernatum, ab antiquo liberum esse dignoscitur, ad nullius pr • terquam Dei spectans Dominationem: (the more shame for the Pope to invade & make it Tributary) Ecclesia etiam & nostrae cultus religions plus quam in aliqua mundi parte ibidem prosperatur, ac Papalibus & Regiis legibus pacifice gubernatur. Hereupon, Tracto igitur abalto praecordiali suspirio, respondit▪ Rex, Nunquam legi vel audivi, quod aliquis Rex tam prosperum Regnum possidens subjectum et obediens, suum sic vellet sponte pessundaxe Principatum, ut de libero faceret tributarium, de suo alienum, de faelici, miserum; et se alterius sine vulnere victum, dedere voluntati. Quinimo de multis legi & audivi (qui) sibi libertatem (quod laudabile est ) compararent: Modo autem audio, quod Dominus vester miser, deses et imbellis, qui nullo nullior est, de libero servus fieri desiderat, qui omnium mortalium miserrimus est. Postea vero sed cum contemptu inquisivit cujus aetatis esset, staturae a • streunitatis: Cui Responsum est quod aetate fuit quinquagenarius, & omnino canus, corpore fortis, nec procerus, sed potius compactus, & formae ad robora convenient • s &c. Quod cum audisset Rex, respondit, Virtus ejus juvenilis ac virilis tepuit jam & refrigescit. Infradecennium, dato quod tamdiu victurus sit, virtus ejus deficiet antequam arduum quid consummaverit, si nunc inciperet in defectum declinaret, nec aliquid valeret. Quinquagenarius enim decidit occulte, sexagenarius manifest. Pacem de caetero sibi adquirat & quiescat. Colligens ergo omnia inquisita & responsa Nunciorum, post parvum silentium, facta subsannatione, in signum magnae indignationis, sprevit ill Admiralius Regem Johannem, dicens, nullius est Rex ill, sed Regulus jam desipiens & senescens; nec curo de eo: Indignus est mihi confederari; & conspiciens Thomam & Radulphum torvo vultu, Ait, Non redeatis iterum ad meam praesentiam, nec videant oculi vestri amplius faciam meam. I ama, sed potius infamia Domini vestri, jam Apostatae desipientis faetorem exhalat in conspectu meo teterrimum. Recedentibus igitur cum Rubore nunciis, intuebatur Rex ill Admiralius Robertum Clericum, qui tertius erat Nunciorum, qui p • rvus erat & niger, unum brachium longius habens reliquo, & digitos inordinatos, scilicet duos sibi Cohaerentes & faciem Judaicam. Perpendens igitur Rex, quod tam despicabilis persona, ad tam arduum negotium declarandum non destinaretur, nisi saperet ut callidus & intelligeret, videns ejus coronam & tonsuram, & inde discernens quod esset clericus, jussit eum ad se evocari, quia aliis loquentibus adhuc tacuerat, stance remotus. Ipso igiter retento & spretis aliis, Rex cum eo multa loquebatur secretius quae postea ipse Robertus amicis suis pateficit. Inquisivit autem dictus Rex ab eodem, si Rex Angliae Johannes * aliquibus polleret moribus, & si liberos strenuos procreasset; & si potens esset in vi generativa. Addiditque quod si Robertus super his interogatis m • nt • retur, nunquam praecipue clerico crederet Christiano. Tunc Robertus sub attestatione legis Christianae se promisit, ad omnia interrogata veraciter responsurum. Dixit igitur affirmative quod potius fuit Tyrannus, quam Rex; potius subversor quam gubernator, oppressor suorum, & fautor alienorum. Leo suis subditis, Agnus alienigenis & rebellibus, qui per desidiam suam Normaniae Ducatum, & alias mult as terras amiserat. Etinsuper Angliae Regnum, amittere vel destruere sitiebat. Pecuniae extortor insatiabilis, possessionum suorum naeturalium invasor & Destractor. Paucos vel potius nullos strenuos generavit sed patrizantes. Sponsam sibi habet exo • a • , & ipsum odientem, incestam, maleficam, & adulteram, & super haec saepius convictum: unde Rex sponsus ejus comprehensos laqueo jussit super stratum ejus suffocari. Ipse Rex nihilominus multos procerum suorum & etiam consanguineos Zelotipavit violenter, ac filias corrupit nubiles, & sorores, In cultu autem Christiano prout audistis fluctuans & deffusus. Haec cum audisset Rex Admiralius non tamen sicut prius ipsum sprevit, sed detestabatur & in sua lege maledixit & Ait; Quare permittunt miseri Anglici talem super ser • gnare & dominari? vere effeminati sunt & serviles. Respondit Robertus patientissimi hominum sunt Anglici donec supra modum offendantur & damnificentur. Nunc autem sicut Leo vel Elephas cum laesum se senserit v • l cruentum, irascuntur, & executere colla de sub jugo opprimentis, etsi sero proponunt & conantur. Et cum haec omnia ipse Rex Admiralius audierat, Anglorum nimiam redarguit patientiam▪ quam formidolositatem recta interpretation fuisse interpres asseruit qui ad omnia presens extiterat. Multosautem praeter hos tractatus, & confabulationes habuit Idem Rex cum eodem Roberto, quae postea Amicis plenius in Anglia declaravit. Collatis igitur ipsi Roberto, muneribus preciosis in auro & argento, gemmis variis & holosericis ipsum in pace dimisit. Recedentes autem nuncios alios, nec salutavit nec aliquibus muneribus honoravit; Cum{que} autem ad propria remeassent nuncii & quae viderant & audiverant domino suo renuciassent doluit, dominus eorum Rex Iohames vehementer us{que} ad Spiritus Amaritudinem, quod si • ab ipso Rege Admiralio contemnebatur, et quod in proposito suo impediebatur. Robertus autem de extranels donis sibi collatis Regem liberaliter respexit, ut saltem sic preciperet, quod favorabilius alliis audiretur, licet primo repulsus tacuisset. Unde ipse Rex ipsum plus aliis honoravit, & quasi pro praemio Custodiam Abbatiae potius sancti Albani, quamvis non vacaret, improbus exactor concessit, ut sic de alieno Clericum suum fidei transgressor remuneraret. Ipse igitur Robertus, inconsulto imo invito Abbate, qui protempore fuit, videlicet Johanne de Colla viro religiosissimo & literatissimo, omnia quae in Ecclesia, & Curia fuerunt, pro libitu diripuit, & sibi appropriavit. Et in qualibet Balliva quas obedientias appellamus, constituit (maxim in janua) janitorem omnium diligentem exploratorem & protervum unde plusquam Mille Marcas ab eadem domo asiute nimis emunxit Robertus Clericus memoratus. Hic tamen quosdam Abbatis Ministros praecipuos cum quodam S. Albani Monacho, videlicet Dominum Clericum Magistrum Walterum Monachum Pictorem dilexit, & habuit familiares, quibus gemmas suas & alia secreta revelavit, sibi a dicto Admiralio collata & dicta, audiente Matthaeo qui & haec scripsit & ennaravit.
If this Embassy to Admiralius were a real truth, it discovers the transcendent wickedness and impiety of the Popes, Archbishops, and Bishops Treasons to, cheats put upon King John, which should cast him upon such a temptation and necessity as this, to trust a Saracen rather then a Christian, and to renounce the Christian Religion as vain: But the whole contexture proves it a most scandalous malicious forgery of this Monk of St. Albars, for sequestering that Abby.
1. It is recorded by no other Historian but himself. 2. All the parts thereof appear to be a malicious Satyr, Libel, invective against King John, invented by the Historians under the Person of Murmelius and Robert one of the Ambassadors, to render him odious to his subjects, excite them to rebel against him and deprive him of his Crown, as a person unfit and unworthy to reign over them, and to justify their election of Lewis of France for their King. 4. All the premised passages Glorious Victories, successes of King John, prove him to be a quite contrary person to what was here represented to Admiralius. 5. Had he formerly resigned up his Crown and Kingdom or under an Annual Tribute Rent to the Pope, as this Monk relates, King John had then no power to surrender or subject them to Murme lius a Sarazen without the Popes consent. 6. This Kingdom being subject to none but God, it was a very great impiety in the Pope to unite and enthrall it to the See of Rome. 7ly. That King John would renounce the Christian Religion as vain, and embrace the Mohammedan as true, is most improbable; it had been truer of Pope Innocent. For 1. King John commanded all Bishops, Abbots, Monks, Priests, to celebrate Divine Service and Sacraments, during the above 6. years Interdict, in all their Churches, when the impious Pope and Prelates prohibited them, and suspended those who obeyed his pious precept. 2ly. He seized all the Temporalties, Benefices, Goods, of those who disobeyed him. 3ly. He encouraged all who celebrated Divine Service and Sacraments. 4ly. He with most passionate importunity pressed the Pope and Bishops to release the Interdict, and that Divine Service and Sacraments might be everywhere administered, which they both delayed and refused, till their own covetous and ambitious ends were satisfied, showing himself a far more religious, devout, zealous Christian, then the Pope, Bishops, and his Clergy, who for above 6. years space together suspended all Divine Service and Sacraments throughout his Realm, against his will and Writs, to wreck their own malice upon this King, and deprive him at last of his Crown and Kingdoms. 5ly. His constant profession and maintenance of the Christian Religion during his life, the 5. Religious houses he built, and his piety at his death, prove this to be a malicious forgery, that he would embrace Mahumetanism, and abjure the Christian Religion. 6ly. It is very improbable, as this forged Narrative relates, that King John would make himself and his opulent Kingdom a Tributary and Vassal to another Prince so remote, of his own voluntary motion, without War or Conquest. 7ly. That King John should send such mean and despicable Ambassadors as these here mentioned, to so great a Prince as Murmelius, about so weighty an affair as this. 8ly. That he should do it with such privacy, that none of his Nobles should know or consent unto it. 9ly. That these Messengers should find this Saracen King reading St. Paul's Epistles, when they were presented to him, and that he should profess the Christian Religion to be the best and purest of any, yet blame St. Paul for electing it before that wherein he was educated. 10ly. That Robert should make such a relation to him and them concerning Admirallus his description of his own deformity, of King John his Masters Tyranny, Vices, and unworthiness to reign, and King John continue him in his favor notwithstanding. 11ly. That Robert only of the three should be rewarded by Murmelius, and that with so many and rich presents, being so despicable a person, and the first (who was the most honorable, eloquent, properest person) go unrewarded. 12ly. The ground of this Historians malice, and frequent Invectives against King John, and this forged Legend of his against him and this Robert, was because the King seized the Lands and Monastery of St. Albans into his hands, (whereof he was a Monk) for their Abbots and Monks refusal to celebrate Divine Service during the Interdict, upon the Kings command, and committing the custody thereof to this Robert, at least three or four years before this pretended Embassy, discovers Roberts Embassy thither, and claiming the custody of this Abby, by giving him a great share of the gifts bestowed on him by Murmelius, to be a mere forged Fable. 13ly. He subjoins this further forgery of King Johns mis-belief, and denying the Resurrection of the dead, (grounded only upon his speech or jest of a fat Stag) Diebus quoque sub eisdem adeo insipiebat Rex Johannes ut de mortuorum Resurrectione futura, & aliis fidem Christianam contingentibus male sentiret, & quaedam inenerabilia diceret deliramenta, quorum unum duximus recitandum, (as the worst of all the rest, and that but a truth, discovering his little esteem of the merits of Popish Masses, by which the Monks got and held their livings) Contigit ut venatu capto cervo quodam pinguissimo, in praesentia Regis cum excoriaretur, & aeridens diceret, O quam prosper vixit iste, nunquam tamen missam audivit!
To make King John some amends for these malicious slanders, (who to over-top his new English Pope and Barons, by that Papal hand by which himself was subjected to them) this Historian gives Pope Innocent the 3d. this true Character, evidencing him to be little better then a Devil incarnate.
EX tunc igitur Rex Johannes, praeconceptum propositum suum a quo credidit resilire, & suam coepit conditionem deteriorare & deterioratam in perniciem Regni solidare. Oderat quippe quasi virus viperium omnes Regni generosos, praecipue tamen Sacrum de Q • ency, Robertum filium Walteri, & Cantuariensem Archiepiscopum Stephanum, Noverat autem, et multiplici didicerat experientia quod Papa super omnes mortals ambitiosus erat, et superbus, paecuniaeque sititor insatiabilis, et ad omnia scelera pro praemiis datis vel promissis Cereum et Proclibum. Missis igitur sub omni festinatione Nunciis, magnam The sauri summam ipsi transmisit & promisit ampliorem, spoponditque suum se esse et semper fore subiectum tributarium (which intimates his first mentioned Charter and Homage to the Pope to be a forgery) ea conditione, ut nacta subtiliter occasion, Cantuariensem Archiepis. confundere niteretur, & Barones Angliae quos prius foverat, excommunicaret. Et hoc sitienter desiderabat, ut in excommunicatos exhaeredando, & incarcerando, & necando posset malignari. Quae igitur nequiter subarraverat, nequius, ut in sequentibus dicetur, solidavit.
The Pope greedy of this new booty, forthwith dispatched his Legate into England, a person every way as covetous, ambitious, wicked, tyrannical as himself; of whose coming near England the King no sooner heard, but he dispatched this Letter to him, by Messengers to attend and hasten his arrival.
VEnerabili Patri in Christo, N. Dei gratia Tusculan. Episcopo Apostolicae sedis Legato. J eadem gratia Rex Angliae, &c. & debi tam Patri cum devotione reverentiam. Audito adventu vestro versus partes nostras, nos cum toto Regno nostro gavisi sumus in Domino, de Religion, & honestate vestra fiduciam gerentes pleniorem. Mississemus autem ad vos, sicut dicens & dignum esset, nuncios nostros, nisi communis relatio nos decepiss • t, quae vos in festo exaltationis Sanctae Crucis Capitulo Cisterciensi debere interesse asserebat. Cum vero certos de Appropinquatione vestra rumores audissemus, fuimus in remotis Regni nostri partibus ultra Eboracum, & statim latores praesentium prudentes viros & familiares nostros Eborac. & Seleby Abbates, in occursum vestrum misimus: Mandantes quod been veneritis, & plures & sollemniores nuncios misissemus si viae fidelibus nostris tutae essent. Nos vero in occursum vestrum versus mare venire f • stinamus, vestram Rogantes sanctitatem, quaetnus quam citius poteritis in Angliam venire f • stinctis, & voluntatem vestram nobis si placet significetis. Teste meipso apud Thikehull, Decimo nono die Septembris.
The time of his arrival, manner of his reception, Pomp, Covetousness, new Usurpatious as well on the Bishops and Clergy, as the King, Kingdom, Subjects, are thus recorded by Matthew Paris.
EOdem Anno, circa Festum Sancti Michaelis, venit in Angliam Nicholaus Thusculanensis Episcopus, & Apostolicae sedis Legatus, ut dissensiones inter Regnum et Sacerdotium authoritate Apostolica reformaret? Et licet terra Interdicta fuisset, ubique tamen cum processione sollemni & cantuum modulatione & indumentis festivis, honorifice receptus est. Cumque ad Westmonasterium pervenisset, Willielmum Abbatem dilapidationis & incontinentiae a Monachis suis accusatum illico degradavit. Venerunt autem ad eum Oxoniae Burgenses quorum instinctu & praesumptione duo Clerici (de quibus superius fecimus mentionem ) suspensi fuerant absolutionem postulantes. Quibus indicta poenitentia inter caetera praecepit, ut ad singulas Civitatis Ecclesias, depositis indumentis, pedibusque nudis flagella portantes in manibus euntes, a Presbyteris Parochianis absolutionis beneficium cum Psalmo Quinquagesimo impetrarent. Nec licuit eis nisi diebus singulis, singulas petere Ecclesias, ut tam ipsi quam aliitalia praesumere formidarent. Legatus itaque cum septem tantum equitaturis in Angliam veniens, quinquaginta in brevi & familia multa stipatus incessit. Conveniente tandem Archiepiscopo Cantuariensi, cum Episcopis, & Magnatibus Regni Londonii, in praesentia Regis & Cardinalium, tractatum est ibidem, pec triduum inter Regnum et Sacerdotium de damnis Episcoporum et Ablatis, facta ex parte Regis oblation Episcopis praefatis ad plenariam restitutionem? Centum Mille Marcarum argenti continno numerandarum? (A vast sum, besides what they formerly received.) Etsi vero post inquisitionem investigari possit, Custodes Ecclesiarum, aliosve Regis Ministros amplius abstulisse, Iuratoriam obtulit Rex et fide jussoriam cautionem, quod pro Episcoporum, et ipsius Legati arbitrio, infra sequens Pascha satisfactionem plenam omnibus faceret ablatorum. Ad hoc autem Legatus consensit, (being most just and satisfactory) volens instanter hoc fieri, indign ferens quod non statim suscepta fuit oblatio. Vnde protinus suspicatum est, Legatum plus aequo parti Regis consentire. Episcopy quoque negotium protrahentes, ablatis conditionibus obviabant. Habito consilio, ut prius inquirerent de ablatis & damnis, & summam diligentius Regi inquisitam ostenderent, & sic simul acciperent quod quaerebant. (Such was their insatiable avarice and perverseness, thus to continue the Interdict on the whole Realm on this account.) Audiens itaque Rex dilationem sibi dilectam, praebuit illico consensum. Et sic eo die, infecto negotio recesserunt.
The next days proceedings clearly demonstrate that the true design of this meeting by secret compact between the Legate, Archbishop, and Bishops, under pretext of satisfying their damages, and releasing the Interdict, was only to decoy and enforce the King to a new resignation of his Crown, in the presence of the Archbishop, Bishops and Clergy, (not present at the first resignation, if really made) and procure a second Charter of surrender of his Kingdoms of England and Ireland, to the Pope and his Successors, and resumtion of them from him under an annual rent, and new Oath of Homage to him, the first Charter being either forged, or not really sealed or delivered, and a mere nullity. Which last Charter though the Archbishop, Bishops and Barons totally disliked, disclaimed, and never assented to, after it was sealed and delivered, yet they covertly promoted, and never dissuaded him from it, to render him odious and despicable to all his Subjects, and foreign Princes, to effect their own designs upon him.
VEniente vero die crastina, convenerunt omnes iterum ad Sanctum Paulum in Ecclesia Cathedrali: ubi post multos, et varios de Interdicti relaxatione tractatus, ante majus altare coram Clero et populo exacta est a Rege et innovata, illa non formosa sed famosa subjectio; qua in manum Domini Papae Diademate cum Regno resignato, tam Dominium Nyberniae quum Regnum subdidit Anglicanum. Charta quoque Regis, de qua superius diximus, quae prius cera signata fuerat, et Pandulpho tradita; nunc auro Bullata est, et Legato ad opus Domini Papae et Romanae Ecclesiae resignata. Super ablatorum vero restitutione, tertio nonas Novembris apud Radingum diem statuerunt. Cumque die jam praelibato, omnes ut superius, convenissent, Rex die illa non comparuit, sed die tertia apud Wallingford, iterum pariter convenerunt. Vbi Rex ut supra de omnibus ablatis, Episcopis et aliis universis se satisfacturum gratanter spopondit. (Yet lo the insatiable covecousness and perverseness of the Bishops.) Sed hoc illis quorum Castella diruta, domus subversae, pomeria cum nemoribus succisa fuerant, parum videbatur. Vnde Rex et Episcopy in hoc pariter consenserunt, ut in arbitrio quatuor Baronum se ponerent; et sic ipsorum judicio satisfaceret universis. After this, Convenerunt iterum Rex cum Legato, Archiepiscopo, cum Episcopis, Magnatibus, ac omnibus viris Religiosis, ad Interdicti negotium contingentibus, apud Radingum, octavo Idus Decembris: Ubi singuli Chartam porrexerunt in publicum, omnium ablatornm pariter & damnorum summam continentem. Sed Legato Regifavorem praebente, solutio omnium dilationem accepit, excepto quod Archiepiscopus & Episcopy, dudum ab Anglia proscripti, ibidem quindecim Millia Marcarum Argenti perceperunt.
By which relation we may discover, 1. The insatiable avarice, obstinacy, perverseness of the Bishops, to any cordial, dutiful agreement with the King; and the great trouble, vexation, delays, and frequent meetings they put the King and Nobles to, about their pretended damages. 2ly. Their transcendent impiety, in robbing God and the whole Kingdom of his Divine public service, by deferring the release of the Interdict from time to time, till all their unreasonable demands were satisfied. 3ly. Their execrable Treason and disloyalty, in enforcing the King once or twice actually to resign his Crown to the Pope, and swear Homage to him, to procure a future discharge of the Interdict, and yet maliciously keeping it on foot till, or after full satisfaction made by the King of all their excessive damages, and unreasonable demands.
Before I proceed further in this Chronological History, I shall present you with a true Transcript of the second Charter of Resignation, made by King John at Paul's, out of the Charter Roll in the Tower of London; and of the Homage he then swore to the Pope, being almost the same in syllables with the first, (if any such) but different in some material words, clauses, here noted in the Margin, which second Charter is not printed in any of our Historians.
JOHANNES Dei gratia &c. Omnibus Christi fidelibus praesentem Chartam inspecturis, salutem. Vniversitati vestrae per hanc Chartam Aurea Bulla nostra munitam volumus esse notum, quia cum Deum et Matrem nostram, Sanctam Ecclesiam offenderimus in multis, et proinde divina misericordia plurimum indigere noscamur, nec quidem quod digne offerre possimus pro satisfaction Deo et Ecclesiae debita facienda, nisi nosipsos humiliare pro eo qui se pro nobis humiliavit usque ad mortem, gratia Spiritus Sancti inspirante, non vi inducti, nec timore coacti, set nostra bona spontaneaque voluntate, ac commnni consilio Baronum nostrorum offerimus, et libere concedimus Deo et Sanctis Apostolis ejus, Petro et Paulo, et Sanctae Romanae Ecclesiae matri nostrae, ac Domino nostro Papae Innocentio tertio, ejusque Catholicis successoribus, totum Regnum Angliae, et totum Regnum Hiberniae, cum omni jure et pertinentiis suis, pro remission peccatorum nostrorum, et totius generis nostri, tam pro vivis quam pro defunctis, et a modo illa a Deo, et ab Ecclesia Romana tanquam Feodum recipientes et tenentes, in praesentia Venerabilis Patris nostri Domini Nicholai Tusculanensis Episcopy Apostolicae sedis Legati, & Pandulphi Domini Papae Subdiaconi, et Familiaris; Fidelitatem, Exinde praedicto Domino nostro Papae Innocentio ejusque Catholicis successoribus, et Ecclesiae Romanae secundum subscriptam formam fecimus et juravimus, et homagium ei ligeum pro praedictis regnis Deo, & Sanctis Apostolis Petro & Paulo, & Ecclesiae Romanae & eidem Domino nostro Papae Innocentio tertio, per manum praedicti Legati loco & vice ipsius Domini Papae recipientis, publice fecimus. Successores & Haeredes nostros de Uxore nostra, in perpetuum obligantes, ut simili modo, Summo Pontifici qui pro tempore fuerit, et Ecclesiae Romanae sine contradictione debeant fidelitatem praestare, et homagium recognoscere. Ad indicium autem hujus nostrae perpetuae oblationis et concessionis, volumus et stabilimus, ut de propriis et specialibus Redditibus nostris praedictorum Regnorum pro omni servitio et consuetudine quod pro ipsis facere debemus, (salvo per omnia denario Beati Petri) Ecclesia Romana Mille Marcas Sterlingorum percipiat annuatim, scilicet in festo Sancti Michaelis, Quingentas Marcas, et Pasch. Quingentas Marcas, septingentas scilicet pro Regno Angliae, et trecentas pro Regno Hyberniae, Salvis Nobis et Haeredibus nostris Justitiis, Libertatibus et Regalibus nostris. Quae omnia sicut supradicta sunt, rata volentes esse perpetua ac firma: Obligamus nos et successores nostros contra non venire; et si nos vel aliquis successorum nostrorum hoc attentare praesumpserit, quicunque fuerit ill, nisi rite Commonitus resipuerit, cadat a jure Regni: Et haec Charta oblationis et concessionis nostrae, semper permaneat.
EGo Johannes Dei gratia Rex Angliae, et Dominus Hyberniae, ab hac hora inantea fidelis ero Deo et Deo et Beato Petro, et Ecclesiae Romanae, ac Domino nostro Papae Innocentio tertio ejusque successoribus Catholice intrantibus. Non ero in facto, dicto, consensu, vel consilio ut vitam perdant vel membra, vel mala captione capiantux. Eorundem damnum si sciero, impediam, et removere faciam si potero, alioquin eis quam citius potero intimabo, vel tali personae dicam, quam eis credam pro certo dicturam. Consilium quod mihi crediderint, per se vel per nuncios, seu per Literas suas secretum tenebo, et ad eorum damnum nulli pandam me sciente. Patrimonium Beati Petri et specialiter Regnum Angliae, et Regnum Hyberniae adjutor ero, ad defendendum et tenendum, contra omnes homines pro posse meo. Sic me Deus adjuvet, et haec Sancta Evangelia. De quibus ne possit in posterum dubitari, ad majorem securitatem praedictae oblationis, et concessionis nostrae, praesentem Chartam nostram fecimus Sigillari, et pro concessu hujus praesentis et primi Anni Mille Marcas Sterlingorum per manum praedicti Legati Ecclesiae Romanae persolvimus. Testibus Domino S. Cantu • ricnsi Archiepiscopo. W. London, P. Winton, R. Elyensi, H: Lincolniensi Episcopis, Waltero de Gray Cancellario nostro, W. Com: Sarum Fratre nostro, R: Comite Caestriae, W: Mar: Comite Pembroc: W: Comite de Ferrariis, S: Comite Wintoniae, Roberto de Ros, Petro filio H. Briwer. M: filio Hereberti, Briano de Insula, Dapifero nostro. Dat: per manum Magistri Richardi de Marescis apud Sanctum Paulum London, tertio die Octobris, Anno ab incarnatione Domini MCCXIII. Regni vero nostri Decimo Quinto.
Before I present you at large with the Judgments, Resolutions of others concerning the Nullity of King Joh • s Charters, and the Rent reserved on them, in the age wherein they were made, and since: I shall crave leave to acquaint you with my own thoughts concerning this doubt, whether he made & sealed two Charters, or only one?
I am clear of opinion that King John never made and sealed but one Charter, and took but one Oath of Homage and Fealty to the Pope, to wit the last, sealed with a Golden Seal, not two, as Matthew Paris, and others misguided by him, conceive; for which I have these strong inducements.
1. This only is extant on Record in the Charter Rolls of King John, the other not, nor any mention or memorial concerning it; and had the first (of so great moment to the King, Kingdom, Pope) been real, it would have been carefully recorded in the Charter Rolls as well as the latter. 2ly. There is no mention made in any of Pope Innocents Letters, Messages to the Barons and Bishops of England, King John himself, the French King, or any else, but only of this latter Charter, sealed with his Bull of Gold. 3ly. King John himself, his Bishops, Barons, in their Appeals and Invectives against him, hereafter cited, mention only the latter Charter, without any intimation of a precedent. 4ly. Matthew Paris himself, in his ensuing passages Anno 1231. concerning Stephen Langhtons protestation and appeal against it, and the vacating of the new Chancellors election by the Pope, and the Ambassadors and Proxy of King Henry the 3d. and the whole Kingdom in the Council of Lions, Anno 1245. mention only one Charter then casually burnt; and the Parliament of 40 E. 3. do the like: Therefore but one. 5ly. Because the Popes, Cardinals, Kings Letters and Records concerning it, hereafter transcribed, resolve as much. 6ly. It is very improbable that the Pope would demand, or King John make two distinct Resignations of his Crown and Kingdoms, by two Charters, and take two Oaths of Homage and Fealty to him, and that almost in the self-same words, without any additional clauses, covenants, either by the King or Pope, within the compass of five months, the first bearing date May 15. the other the 3d. of October next following. And if King John was so unwilling, and hardly enforced, persuaded to seal the first Charter, and so much grieved, perplexed, reproached, contemned, derided, as he was, for sealing the first Charter, as Matthew Paris and others relate, & the release of the Interdict continued still as a bridle over him after its sealing, when he expected its final release, he would never have sealed the second, through any menaces, force, or persuasions whatsoever, especially before the Interdict was finally discharged, which continued long after the last Charter was sealed, through the Archbishops and Bishops obstinacy, Treachery, Impiety. 7ly. It is not probable the Barons or Bishops would have permitted him in their presence to have made a second Charter and Homage to the Pope, since they so much detested the first. 8ly. Matthew Paris his relation of his proffer to resign his Crown and Kingdoms to Murmelius the Sarazen, compared with those Messengers relations to him, touching the present freedom of the Kingdom, subject only unto God, after his first supposed surrender of it by Charter and Homage to the Pope, proves this Embassy to be fabulous, or his first Charter of Resignation fictitious, both being inconsistent. 9ly. His own relation what moved King John to send to the Pope to resign his Crown and Kingdoms to him, on purpose to curb the Archbishop, Bishops, and Barons, after their restitution, and to bribe him with a great sum of money to effect it, knowing him to be the most covetous, ambitious, proud person in the world, contradicts the story and inducements for making his first Charter sealed with Wax, upon far different grounds. In fine, I conceive this mistake of two distinct Charters, (the one sealed with Wax, the other with Gold,) surrendering the Kingdoms of England and Ireland to the Pope, and resuming them under an annual rent, grew from this occasion. Pandulphus the Popes first Legate brought a form of an accord of Peace between the Pope, exiled Bishops, and their confederates and King John, drawn at Rome, which if he would submit to, he might be received into the Popes favor, the Churches bosom, and preserve both his kingdoms and life: This agreement he swore to, and sealed the 13th. day of May, and delivered to Pandulphus, recorded by Mat. Paris at large; the Earls and Barons siding with the Pope, were to enforce him to perform and see it duly observed; perchance he then treated with him three days after concerning the resignation of his Crown and kingdoms to the Pope, and had some oath or engagement from him afterwards to ratify it under his seal, which this Monk mistook for the Charter, actually surrendering his crown in October following; which I conceive to be the Charter recited in the Autographum of Pope Innocents Bull under his Seal, witnessed with the Subscriptions and Seals of 12. Cardinals, and 3. Bishops dated Novemb: 4. 1213. a full month after this second Charter October 3. before, and sent to King John; wherein the Pope declared to him, how willingly and joyfully he accepted the Kingdoms resigned to him, and set them again to King John, (which Dr. Crakenthorp mistook for his first Charter) and the same with that in the Manuscript collection of Nicholas Cardinal of Aragon.
There are several Opinions among Popes, their Flatterers, Historians, and others concerning the Popes right to England and Ireland, and these two Charters of King John granting, and resuming from Pope Innocent and his successors his Realms of England and Ireland under an annual Rent; which I think fit here to relate and examine, ere I proceed further, being the grandest Papal encroachment on the Crown.
(a) Lelius Zecchus, (b) Marta, (c) Alvarus Pelagius, (d) Augustinus Steuchus, and other Popish parasites, as they assert in general, That the Pope is absolutely the Lord of the whole Christian world, and that Kings and Emperors must acknowledge their Empires and Kingdoms to be held of him, the whole world being his territory: So they assert, that the Emperor of Rome, Germany, the Kings of France, Aragon, Naples, Granado, Portugal, Spain, Sicily, Jerusalem, Bohemia, Hungaria, Denmark, Swecia, Norway, Croatia, Dalmatia, and Scotland, are the Popes Vassals, Tributaries, holding all their Crowns, Kingdoms from him as his Feudatories, under several annual rents and tributes, and an Oath of Homage and Fealty. It is no wonder therefore if they pretend the like Title under the like Tenure and Vassallage to the Realms of England and Ireland. Pope Alexander the 2d. had the impudency to affirm, That ever since the kingdom of England received Christianity, it hath been in the hands and power of St: Peter, if his Epistle be not forged by (e) Baronius. If this were a truth, then King John's resignation of his kingdom to the Pope, was only a restitution of that ancient right the Pope had thereto before in Recognition of the Popes Sovereign Dominion over it; and his resuming of it from the Pope under an annual rent, nothing but an revival of the former Service due to Rome, as ( f ) Marta, ( g ) Carerius, and ( h ) Schioppius argue in the cases of Constantine's pretended Donation, Charles the Great, Pepins, and others grants of Lands and Territories to the See of Rome. But none of our Monks or Historians of that or any age since, though professed Votaries to the Pope, ever made such a pretence or conclusion as this. Therefore it is a mere forgery.
( a ) Cardinal Bellarmine and other Romanists falsely aver, That the kingdom of England was semper Beneficiarium et Tributarium Romano Pontifici; because King Ina and Offa, Anno 740. Adelphus Anno 847. paid a penny for every house to Saint Peter by way of Tribute, confirmed by several Laws: And King Henry the 2d. acknowledged the Pope to be his Temporal Lord, himself his Feudatory, and his Kingdom the Popes Patrimony: The falsehood of which having at large refuted, I shall pretermit as fabulous; only if true, it quite subverts or enervates this Charter of King John and reservation of the annual rent, as a New thing, honor, rent, not formerly acknowledged by his predecessors. But their principal Title to England and Ireland is from King John's Charter under his golden Bull, which they boast to be yet extant in the Vatican; by which the Pope hath (as Bellarmine and Marta assert) Directum Dominium in Regnum Angliae et Hiberniae, that King John and his Successors are thereby made Feudatories and Vassals to the Pope, whence b Pope Innocent the 3d. in a vaunting manner said of King John, Vassallus noster est Rex Angliae, et Romanae Ecclesiae .
To counterplead and enervate this Grand pretended Title of the Pope, I shall desire the Readers to consider;
1. That Sir Thomas Moor Lord Chancellor of England (who ( c ) lost his head under King Henry the 8. his Master ( in defense of the Popes Supremacy in England) is so far ashamed of Pope Innocents proceedings against King John, that he avows it in print, ( d ) to be utterly UNTRUE; that King John did make his Realms thus Tributdry to the Pope, or that ever such pensions were paid to Rome for them; (wherein doubtless he mistakes) Adding, That if he so did, or any other English King should so do, such an act was of no validity at all; as Rossius Warwicensis also resolves.
2ly. That ( e ) Edmond Campian (a great Advocate for the Papacy) writes; Such Instruments might happily then be moved and drawn, and yet die unratified, though the copies stand recorded; denying any annual pensions paid thereby for England or Ireland to Rome.
3ly. ( f ) M. Antonius Coccius Sabellicus informs us; That this pretended Rent out of England and Ireland was granted by King John out of a Religious Vow, to expiate his gaining these kingdoms by fratricide; without mentioning any Charter or resignation. Ha • d m • ri • o post Johannes Rex Angliae, Ricardum fratrem interfecit, Regnumque parricidio adeptus, à Ludovico Philippi filio, qui tum in Gaul regnabat gravi bello petitus est. Tum vero novisse fertur, si regnum sibi incolume mansisset, futurum ut Anglia et Hybernia vectigales essent Apostolicae sedis, magnumque auro pondus voto nuncupavit, quod duae illustres Insulae quotannis Romano Pontifico penderent; sui itaque Voti damnatus, quum ipse, tum Successores plerique ut rite actum erat, ratum habuere. But this voluminous Historian is utterly mistaken in his whole relation of this pension: For 1. King John did not murder his brother, King Richard, who died of a shot out of Chaluz Castle, as all our ( g ) Historians record. 2ly. He obtained not the Realm by parricide, but by his Brothers special bequest at his death, and heir to him. 3ly. This Rent was granted before Lewis the French Kings Son warred on him; upon Philip's intended invasion; but admit it true, the very force of war nulls it. 4ly. None of our Historians mention any such Vow of King John, as the cause of this grant. 5ly. Not one, much less many of his Successors acknowledged it rightly granted, nor ever confirmed, but protested against it, as null; though one or two of them now and then voluntarily paid it, upon other grounds. Raphael Volaterans Geogr. l. 3. f. 54. concurring with Sabellicus records, that Johannes cum gravi bello à Ludovico Gallorum Rege premeretur, EX VOTO Angliam, Iberniamque Romano Pontifice Vectigales fecit, ut auri Marcas 70. quotannis penderent, Anno salutis 1208. he being mistaken in the occasion, quarrel, sum, year of the grant, which was not till 1213. and Lewis his war above a year after that: And admit it true, this Vow, Grant being made by Duresse and force of Warr, can be of no validity.
4ly. ( h ) Polydor Virgil a Stranger, (but yet the last collector of the Popes Peter-pence in England, who pried into our Histories, Annals) and the ( i ) Century writers out of him, write thus of this Rent and Grant: reciting King John's surrender of his Crown, Nunquamnisi à Romano Papa recepturus (sic enim fieri jusserat Nocentius crudelis et sanguinis Anglici▪ sitientissimus, add the Centuriators) ex quo fama est Johannem cupientem perpetuare memoriam muneris accepti (therefore a mere free gift, not tribute, in their judgments) ea lege fuisse se Beneficiarium (not tributarium) ut Reges deinceps à Pontifice duntaxat Romano jura regni consequerentur. Caeterum has reconciliations Leges qui secuti sunt Reges mimme servarunt, neque Annals Anglici de hujusmodi donatione loquuntur. Iohanni tantummodo qui deliquisset imposita, non item Successoribus sustinenda fuisse satis constat. So that by this resolution of the Popes own Collector in England, the grant of these annual rents obliged only King John himself, the delinquent, who imposed them, not his heirs, successors or kingdoms in the least degree: To which the Century collectors assent.
5ly. ( a ) Matthew Paris, and Matthew Westminster themselves, (both Monks, extraordinary Votaries to the Popes, and inveterate Enemies to King John ) deride & scorn his Charter to the Pope, which they first inserted into their Histories, styling it Lugubrem, detestabilem, non formosam, sed famosam subiectionem, Scriptum toto mundo execrabile, &c. And relate the Judgments of the English, French, and others, who reputed it Null, void, and a most detestable example; thereby sufficiently intimating their own concurrence therein.
6ly. As the Archbishop of Dublin openly protested against the first Charter and the Legates insolency when he received it, and the money he trampled under his feet, as [ b ] Matthew Paris himself records: so he writes, That Stephen Langton the Archbp. the Popes own Legate, great creature, and a Cardinal, though he underhand consented to and abetted it, to render King John despicable, detestable to his Barons, Subjects, and all foreign Princes, to accomplish his own designs and wreck his malice upon the King, yet (to preserve the hereditary Rights of the Kingdom inviolable, and accompiish his own ends the better) so soon as this Charter was sealed, and presented at the high Altar in Paul's, and delivered to the Popes Nuntio, he stepping out in the presence of the King, Legate, Barons, and all there present, in the name of the Clergy and Kingdom, boldly and earnestly presented at the same Altar in solemn manner his Appeal against this Charter, so detestable to the whole world, as Rossius Martinus, Dr. Beard, and others relate. But hear [ d ] Matthew Paris himself. Ralph Bishop of Chichester, then Chancellor of England being elected Archbishop of Canterbury by the Monks after the death of Richard, and the Monks of Canterbury pressing the Pope to confirm his election, Anno 1231. thereupon the Pope made diligent inquiry of Simon Langton ( Stephens Brother, elected, but rejected by King John, and the Pope too at his request, to be Archbp. of York: ) concerning Ralphs person and disposition; thereupon Respondit, illum curialem esse, & illiteratum, rapidum in verbis, & festinum: & quod durius est, si ad illam dignitatem promoveretur, moliri volentem, ut anhelante ad hoc Rege, cum toto regno juvante, excuteret Angliam de sub jugo domini Papae et Curiae Romanae, qui eidem tenetur sub tributo; ut soluto vinculo tributi, quo irretivit eam Rex Johannes, solita Deo et Ecclesiae sanctae serviret libertate. Et ad hoc vellet usque ad expositionem capitis decertare, innixus juri et appellationibus Stephani Cantuatiensis Atchiepiscopi; quas fecit solenniter idem Stephanus ante Altare Sancti Pauli Ecclesia Cathedrali Londinensi, cum redderet coronam Angliae memoratns Rex Johannes in manns Legati, conficiens scriptum toto mundo execrabile. Papa autem his auditis sermonibus, postulatione cassata, concessit, ut Conventus Cantuariensis alium Archiepiscopum, ac talem eligerent, qui sibi esset Pastor Animarum salubris, et Ecclesiae utilis Anglicanae, et Romanae fidelis ac devotus tus. Monachi igitur domum reversi, Conventui retulerunt quomodo fuerant a sno desiderio defraudati. And after the Election of two others, whom the Pope rejected, were enforced to elect St. Edmond whom the Pope recommended to them.
In this Historical passage, there are seven most observable circumstances considerable. 1. That Simon Langton, brother to Stephen Archbishop of Canterbury, his principal agent for his restitution, privy to all his Actions, being made Archdeacon of Canterbury by him, and at this time holding that office, informed the Pope of these Appeals of his brother Stephen Archbishop of Canterbury, publicly made at Paul's Church London, when King John there summoned his Barons, and sealed his Charter to him: Therefore no fiction, but a real truth. 2ly. That this information was within 16. years after the resignation and charter thus made. 3ly. That King Henry the 3d. and the whole kingdom then groaned under, and resolved to cast off this unjust Tribute, Charter, and to protest against it as invalid. 4ly. That if Ralph were admitted and consecrated Archbishop (the design in electing him to that place) he would certainly with the peril of his life protest against this reserved Rent and Charter as void in Law, because Stephen his predecessor had thus appealed against it at the very sealing and delivery thereof, as not only void, but detestable, and therefore the King and kingdom would wholly exempt themselves from it; which had been a vain surmise had there been no such appeal. 5ly. That Simon himself, as well as his Brother Stephen, acknowledged this Charter and Tribute, to be not only detestable in itself, and to the King and kingdom of England, but even to the whole world; and therefore certainly most illegal and invalid. 6ly. That Pope Gregory the 9th believed both the truth of this relation and Appeal, and upon this information and ground alone vacated the election of Ralph, to prevent this design of the King, kingdom, and Archbishop elect, to shake off this Tribute and yoke of bondage, enforcing them to elect another more complyant with his designs, to preserve his interest in this annual Rent, though reserved by such a most detestable Charter. 7ly. That it was afterwards insisted upon in the Council of Lions, and not gainsaid by the Pope.
8ly. That the English Barons themselves, though they were present, and & connived at this charters sealing and delivery by the King, the better to effect their own designs against him, being made most contemptible and quite devested of his Royal honor, and most of his authority thereby, yet they abominated, declaimed, protested against it and him with highest Indignation and detestation when executed, witness these passages and Speeches of theirs recorded by ( a ) Matthew Paris, First, within few months after this second resignation and Charter, Anno 1215. All the Nobles assembled in a Great Council at London, together with the Archbishops, Bishops, Abbots, Priors and Clergy (where the King ratified the Great charter, and Charter of the Forest, and Charter concerning the freedom of Elections to Bishoprics and Monasteries) perceiving King Johns heart both by his gestures and speeches to be totally averted from them, and himself almost distracted with sad melancholy thoughts, for sealing his second Charter to the Pope, and Confirmation of the Great Charter, and that of elections) antequam ipsum Concilium solveretur continua mente praesaga futuros eventus ponderabant;