Vindication of Ecclesiastical Volume 3

Circa hos dies, cum denique Barones, qui jam omnia amiserant, quae propensius in mundo diligebant, & spem bom melioris penitus non habebant, ut per se recuperarent amissa, tacti sunt dolore Cordis intrinsecus, & quid agerent ignorabant, maledicentes Regis versutiam, tergiversationes et infidelitatem, et ducentes suspiria geminando: Veh tibi Johannes Regum ultime, Anglorum Principum Abominatio, Nobilitatis Anglicanae Confusio. Heu Anglia jam vastata, et amplius vastanda: Heu Anglia, Anglia omnibus bonis hactenus Princeps provinciarum, facta es sub tributo, non tantum flammae, fami, et ferro, sed servorum ignobilium et advenarum imperio subjecta, et suppeditata: cum nihil infelicius quam servorum subjici servituti, Legimus quod multi alii Reges, immo ut Reguli, usque ad mortem pro liberatione terrae suae subjectae dimicarunt: sed tu Johannes (lugubris memory pro futuris seculis) et terra tua ab antiquo libera, ancillaret excogitasti, et operam impendisti, et ut alios tecum traheres in servitutem, quasi cauda serpentina medietatem stellarum a firmamento te ipsum primo depressisti, factus de Rege liberrimo, Tributarius, firmarius, et vassalus servitutis; terrarum nobilissimam Chirographo servitutis aeternae obligasti, nunquam a Compede servili liberandam nisi miseratus ill, qui nos et totum mundum, quos sub pecc Iugo vetusta servitus tenuit, dignetur quandoque liberare. ati Et quid de te Papa? qui pater sanctitatis, speculum pietatis, tutor Justitiae, & custos veritatis, toti mundo deberes lucere in Exemplum, tali consentis, talem laudas, & tueris? Sed hac causa Exhaustorem pecuniae Anglicanae & Exactorem Nobilitatis Britannicae tibi inclinantem, defendis, ut in Barathrum Romanae Averitiae omnia demergantur: sed haec causa & excusatio, est ante Deum culpa & accusatio; Et sic Barones Lachrymantes, & Lamentantes Regem & Papam maledixerunt, peccantes inexpiabiliter, cum scriptum sit. Principi non maledices; & veritatem & reverentiam transgredientes, cum illustrem Johannem Regem Angliae servum asserverunt, Cum Deo servire regnare sit Tandem decretum est, ut aliquem potentem in Regem eligerent per quem possint ad possessiones pristinas revocari, credentes quod nullus Johanne pesor vel durior possit dominari, & tale miserabile statuentes Argumentum,

Cumque aliquandiu, quem oligerent haesitassent, demum in hec pariter consenserunt, ut Lodovicum filium Philippi Regis Francorum sibi praeficerent, & ipsum in Regem Angliae sublimarent.

Besides King John himself in his Letters to the Pope complains, that his Earls and Barons were devout and loving to him till he had subjected himself to his Dominion, but since that time, & specialiter ab hoc, they did all rise up against him. And, when he alleged to them, that the Realm of England was St. Peters patrimony, and held of the Pope, &c. they slighted it so, as to return no answer to it. Yea Pope Innocent himself in his Epistle to all Christian people wherein he Nulls the Great charter of Liberties complains thus of the Barons; ut ordine perverso in illum insurgerent postquam Ecclesiae satisfecit, qui assistebat eidem quando Ecclesiam offendebant. And the French Kings Barons, H. the 3. and his Proctors in the Council of Lions, with the Parl. of 40 E. 3. peremptorily affirm, that the Barons never assented to it: Therefore this clause inserted into the Patent that it was made, Communi Consilio Baronum Nostrorum, must needs be a false suggestion and untruth, which makes it Null in Law.

〈1 page duplicate〉 〈1 page duplicate〉 8ly. There is an ancient Manuscript styled Eulogium in the famous Library of Sir Robert Cotton, which records, that in the year 1214. (soon after this Surrender and Charter of King John) there was a Parliament called at London, wherein Stephen Archbishop of Canterbury, and all his Clergy, cum tota laicali secta, with all the Lay sect being present▪ Per Domini Papae praeceptum illa obligatio praefata, quam Rex Domino Pap • secerat, cum fidelitate et homagio relaxatur omnino, primo die Julii. i • then Pope • nnocent himself in full Parliament totally released King John's Charter, Obligation, Rent, Homage and Fealty made him for these kingdoms, immediately after their making (upon the Archbishops appeal against it, • or as extorted from him by such atheistical impious Interdicts, Excommunications, menaces, frauds, circumventions, Crossadoes, and foreign forces raised against him, and fraught with nothing but untrue suggestions, not upon any real considerations, as the Author of this Treatise positively asserts) How any of his Successors or Roman Advocates (especially in this Age) can in justice or equity insist thereon to entitle themselves to the Sovereign Temporal Dominion, Jurisdiction of England and Ireland as St. Peters Patrimony, without the greatest absurdity and shameless impudence, no rational creature can discover.

9ly. After King John's surrender of his kingdom, and confirmation of the Charters to the Kingdom and Bishops, with the Popes ratification of them too, his friends, courtiers, flatterers, soldiers, and common people; for this his Resignation of his Crown, did thus deride and jeer him to his very face, to exasperate him against the treacherous Bishops and his Barons, as well as against the Pope, and raise New Commotions.

HIS peractis & ex utraque parte approbatis, exultaverunt omnes, credentes Deum, misericorditer Cor Regis tetigisse, Cor ab eo lapideum abstulisse, & Cor Carneum addidisse, & ut in eo fieret optima dextrae Excelsi permutatio. Speraveruntque omnes & singuli Angliam quasi Aegyptiaco Jugo, quo diu ante premebatur, per Dei gratiam suis temporibus liberatam, tam per Romanae Eccesiae protectionem, cujus alis se credebant obumbrari, & sic velut sub Clypeo Divinae Militiae, cui servire regnare est, pace & libertate gaudere, tum propter Regis humilitationem desideratam; quam speraverant omni mansuetudini & paci faeliciter inclinatam. Sed longe aliter, proh pudor, et proh dolor, et nimis dissimili quam speratum fuit evenit. ( Treachery, Perjury, Fraud, Rebellions, Hyporcrisy and Accords obtained by wicked Machivilian Policies, never ending in expected Tranquillity and security ) Credebatur fortuna arridendo Nectar propinasse, cum fellita pocula, & venena preparavit. Ecce enim filii Belial (diabolo procurante) qui successibus hominum ex antiqua sua consuetudine, videlicet ruptarii nequissimi qui bella potius quam pacem voluerunt, regiis auribus verba discordiae susurrando instillarunt. Dixerunt enim grunniendo et derisionibus multiplicatis subsannando: Ecce vigesimus quintus Rex in Anglia, ecce jam non Rex nec etiam Regulus, sed Regum opprobrium: malle deberet non Rex: quam sic Rex esse. Ecce Rex sine regno: Dominus sine dominio: Ecce Alficus nauci et angularis, rota quinta in plaustro: Regum ultimus, et populi abjectio. Heu miser et servus ultimae conditionis, ad quam servitutis miseriam devolutus es? Fuisti Rex, nunc faex: fuisti maximus, nunc minimus. Nihil infaelicius quam fuisse foelicem. Et sic iram provocantes, addendo flammam vento ab igne sulphureo scintillas excitarunt. Therefore there was certainly no common universal consent to this surrender, Charter, but a general detestation of, and declaration against it in the highest degree; which made it null in Law.

10ly. Whereas it is recited in the Charter: Nos gratia Spiritus Sancti inspirante, non vi inducti▪ nec timore coacti, sed nostra bona et spontanea voluntate offerimus et libere concedinius Deo et Sanctis Apostolis. &c. & Domino nostro Papae Innocentio tertio, ejusque Catholicis Successoribus, totum Regnum Angliae, & totum Regnum Hiberniae, &c. This is most false and untrue: For as King John was enforced to it sore against his will to his great grief, as the premises evidence; So he was so much ashamed of, and exceedingly discontented at it, that rejecting all the English, he deeply lamented that ever he was born into the world, or that ever his mother nursed him to do such detestable, unroyal, shameful actions, and was almost quite distracted with the thoughts thereof; which Matthew Paris thus expresseth.

TUnc Rex nimis credulus susurris abominabilium Ruptariorum, quos ex consuetudine in propriam perniciem nimis libenter, abjectis naturalibus suis hominibus, educaverat, animum summutavit; & cor ejus pessimis consiliis inclinavit: leve est enim sluctuantem movere, & proclivum ad mala, ad flagitia praecipitare. Tunc Rex ab alto ducens suspiria, concepta indignatione maxima, caepit in seipso tabescere, lamentationibus multiplicatis conquerendo dicere: ut quid me genuit mater mea infoelix, et impudica? Vt quid genibus exceptus? ut quid uberibus ablactatus infaustum accepi incrementum? Ferrum mihi potius quam Alimentum debuit praeparari. Caepit frendere dentibus, oculis torvis intuitum retorquere, arreptos buculos et stipites more furiosi nunc corrodere, nunc corrosos confringere. Et inordinatorum gestuum plurimis argumentis, conceptum dolorem, imo furorem manifestare. &c. And when he heard Tidings of the defeat of his Forces in France by King Philip, soon after this surrender and Charter, (where * Matthew Paris observes; In hoc autem casu Rex Anglorum, qua raginta Millia Marcarum, quae tempore Interdicti à Monachis Cisterciensibus, consilio Ricardi de Marisco & similium aulicorum impudenter abstulerat, consumpsit, ut fidem faceret Proverbio, quo dicitur,

Non habet eventus sordida praeda bonos,)

animo nimis consternatus, astantibus dixit; Postquam Deo reconciliatus, me ac mea regna, proh dolor, Romanae subjeci Ecclesiae, nulla mihi prospera, sed contraria omnia advenerunt. Yea the shame and infamy of it stuck upon his spirit till his dying day.

11ly. Philip King of France, together with his Son Lewis, & his Proctor, and all the Nobles of France Anno 1216. with one mouth, protested against this Charter and resignation to Walo the Popes own Legat, (when purposely sent to them by Pope Innocent to dissuade them from invading England, as being then St. Peters Patrimony ) not only as null, void in itself for several reasons, but of most pernicious example to all kingdoms; thus at large recorded by Matthew Paris.

SUb his diebus, Magister Walo a Domino Papa missus venit in Franciam, ut Lodovici progressum in Angliam authoritate Apostolica impediret. Qui cum▪ ad Regem Philippum pervenisset, porrexit litteras ex parte Domini Papae deprecatorias; in quibus continebatur, ne praeter mitteret filium suum Lodovicumi Angliam hostiliter adire, vel Regem Anglorum inquietare in aliquo: sed ipsum, ut Romanae Ecclesiae vassallum protegeret, defenderet, et diligeret; cujus regnum ad Romanam Ecclesiam ration Dominii pertinebat. Rex autem Francorum, cum haec verba intellexissit, incontinenti respondit: Regnum Angliae patrimonium Petri nunquam fuit, nec est, nec erit. Rex enim Johannes, multis retroactis diebus, volens fratrem suum Regem Richardum a regno Angliae unjust privare, et inde de proditione accusatus, et coram eo convictus; damnatus fuit per judicium in Curia ipsius Regis: quam sententiam pronunciavit Hugo de Pusat, & Episcopus Dunelmensis. Et ita nunquam fuit verus Rex, nec potuit regnum dare. Item si aliquando fuit verus Rex, postea regnum forisfecit per mortem Arthuri; de quo facta damnatus fuit in Curia nostra. Item nullus Rex vel Princeps potest date regnum suum, sine assensu Baronum suorum, qui regnum illud tenentur defendere: et si Papa hunc errorem tueri decreverit, perniciosissimum regnis omnibus dat exemplum. Tunc quoque magnates omnes uno ore clamare coepernnt: quod pro isto Arriculo starent usque ad mortem, ne videlicet Rex vel princeps per solam voluntatem suam posset regnum dare, vel tributarium facere, unde nobiles regni efficerentur servi. Acta sunt haec apud Lugdunum die Decimo quinto post Pascha.

IN crastino itaque procurante Rege Francorum supervenit Lodovicus ad colloquium, & torvo vultu respiciens Legatum juxta Patrem suum resedit. Quo facto, Legatus multis precibus caepit rogare Lodovicum, ne iret in Angliam ad invadendum, vel occupandum patrimonium Romanae Ecclesiae, et patrem ejus, ut prius fecerat, ne ipsum permitteret ire. Rex autem Francorum Legato protinus respondit, dicens; Ego Domino Papae, & Ecclesiae Romanae devotus semper fui, & fidelis, & in omnibus agendis suis negotia sua omnia efficaciter hucus{que} promovi: Sed nec modo per consilium meum, vel auxilium Filius meus Lodovicus contra Romanam Ecclesiam aliquid attentabit. Veruntamen si jus aliquod de regno Angliae sibi vendicat, audiatur, & quod justum fuerit, concedatur eidem. Ad haec miles quidam, quem Lodovicus procuratorem suum constituerat, surgens, audientibus cunctis respondit: Domine Rex, res notissima est omnibus, quod Johannes dictus Rex Angliae, pro Arthuri nepotis proditione, quem propriis manibus interemit, in curia vestra, per judicium Parium suorum ad mortem sit condemnatus: ac postmodum a Baronibus Angliae pro multis homicidiis & enormitatibus aliis, quas ibidem fecerat, ne regnaret super eos reprobatus. Unde Barones contra eum guerram moverunt, ut ipsum a solio regni immutabiliter depellerent. Praeterea Rex saepe dictus, praeter assensum Magnatum suorum, regnum Angliae Domino Papae contulit et Ecclesiae Romanae, ut iterum illud reciperet ab eis tenendum sub annuo tributo mille marcarum. Et si coronam Angliae sine Baronibus alicui dare non potuit, potuit tamen dimittere eam. Quam statim cum resignavit, Rex esse desiit, et Regnum sine Rege vacavit. Vacans itaque regnum sine Baronibus ordinari non debuit. Unde Barones elegerunt dominum Lodovicum ration uxoris suae; cujus mater, Regina scilicet Castellae, sola ex omnibus fratribus & sororibus Regis Angliae vivens fuit. Tunc Legatus proposuit, quod Rex Johannes erat Cruce signatus, unde ex constitutione generalis Concilii pacem habere debuit usque in quatuor Annos, & omnia sub protectione sedis Apostolicae secura permanere: unde medio tempore Lodovicus non debuit guerram dicto Regi movere, nec eum a regno privare. Ad haec procurator Lodovici respondit: Rex Johannes ante crucem sumptam guerram moverat Domino Lodovico; & castrum de Buncham obsederat & illud destruxerat, &c. Legatus itaque his rationibus non contentus; prohibuit, sicut prius, sub paena excommunicationis, ne Lodovicus Angliam intrare praesumeret: & patrem ejus, ne ipsum ire permitteret. His auditis, Lodovicus Patri suo dixit: Domine: etsi ego homo vester ligeus sum de feudo quod mihi dedisti in partibus Cismarinis, de regno Angliae ad vos non pertinet statuere quicquam: unde me subjicio judicio Parium meorum, si debetis cogere me ne prosequar jus meum: quia pro haereditate uxoris meae usque ad mortem, si necessitas coegerit, decertabo. Et his dictis Lodovicus cum suis a colloquio recessit: Quod videns Legatus, Rogavit Regem Francorum, ut salvum sibi conductum praeberet usque ad mare. Cui Rex respondit: Per terram nostram propriam conductum libenter praestabo; sed si forte incideris in manus Eustachii monachi, vel aliorum hominum Lodovici, qui custodiant semitas maris; non mihi imputes, si quid sinistri tibi contingat. Haec audiens Legatus, iratus a Curia recessit.

By which passages it is apparent, that the King of France, his Son Lewis, and all the Nobility of France, unanimously resolved, with highest indignation and detestation, this Charter to be a mere nullity, because made by King John, then no lawful King, and without the Barons consent, and of dangerous president to all other Kingdoms; thereupon thus slighted the Popes command, and his Legates, not to War upon King John, or invade England, being St. Peters Patrimony. And dare any Pope or other Champion of the Church of Rome, now own or justify such a universally condemned Charter as this?

12ly. King Henry the 3d. (King Johns heir, and next successor) though much devoted to the Pope and his Legate, as instrumental to Crown and restore him to the actual possession of his Kingdoms, after his Fathers death, not only disclaimed and endeavored by the assistance of his Chancellor and whole Kingdom, to free himself from the Vassallage of this pretended Rent and Charter, Anno 1231. as you have heard, but in the general Council of Lions, Anno 1245. (about 31. years next after this grant and Oblation) by his Ambassadors and Advocate, made a special protestation against it, as a mere Nullity, extorted by War, Force from King John, against the Archbishops protestation, and against the Barons consent; thus related by (a) Matthew Paris, and ( b ) Matthew Westminster.

PEr idem tempus, Rex sano fretus Consilio, ex quo certificabatur de Concilio generali in proximo Lugduni celebrando, Nuncios solennes ad Concilium destinavit; videlicet Comitem Rogerum Bigod, Iohannem filium Galfridi, Gulielmum Cantilupo, Philippum Basset, Radulphum filium Nicholai, Milites, et Gulielmum de Powic, Clericum: ut Domino Papae, et toti Concilio gravamina exponerent quae Regno Angliae in multis a Romana Curia diatim inferentur: Praecipue de Tributo in guerrae tempore extorto, in quod nunquam consensit Regni universitas, cui contradictum fuit et aperte per Stephanum Archiepiscopum Cantuariensem, reclamantem. Quod in posterum factum est.

In this Council when assembled, on the very day that Pope Innocent the fourth propounded his complaints against the Emperor Frederick, to depose him, Gulielmus de Powic, qui cum Nobilibus Domini Regis Angliae procuratoribus Comite Rogerio, et aliis sociis praesens affuit, volens haec praedicta, per interruptionem differ, surgens in medio, gravamina Regis et Regni Angliae proponens satis eleganter: CONQUESTUS EST GRAVITER, QUOD PER CURIAM ROMANAM EXTORTUM EST TRIBUTUM INJURIOSE NIM IS TEMPORE GUER RAE A REGE JOHANNE, DUM SUMMA MENTIS ANGUSTIA TORQUERETUR, CUI ETIAM MANIFESTE CONTRADICTUM FUIT, ET EX PARTE UNIVERSITATIS REGNI; RECLAMATUM, QUOD TALIA NULLO MODO FACERE POTERAT, PER OS VENERABILIS STEPHANI CANTUARIENSIS ARCHIEPISCOPI, QUO NON ERAT TUNC MAJOR IN REGNO. IN QUOD TRIBUTUM NUNQUAM PATRES NOSTRI CONSENSERUNT, VEL ALIQUO TEMPORE CONSENTIENT, UNDE SIBI PETIT INSTANTER EXHIBERI JUSTITIAM CUM REMEDIO. Ad quod Papa non oculos elevans, nec vocem, dissimulavit, donec quae magis eum angebant primitus exuperasset.

From the consideration of which passage, and that of Simon Langhton Archdeacon, and of his Brother Stephen Langhton Archbishop of Canterbury, thus recorded by Archbishop Parker his Successor, in his Life, Sed Stephanus Langton et si has injurias & cala nitates tam Regi quam Regno conflavit, tamen cum rebus composit is in Cantuariensi Archiepiscopatu cum Regis benevolentia sedisset quietus, victus amore atque charitate Patriae, cum Johannes Rex in Pandulphi manus Sceptrum et Diadema Regium concessisset, iniquissimo id animo ferens, accedens ad altare, ob tam indignum Papae facinus continere se non potuit quin in appellationis vocem, a tam grandi illato Angliae praejudicio prorupit. I am clear of opinion, that Archiepiscopo dolente & reclamante, applied by Matthew Paris and others to the Archbishop of Dublin, at the sealing of the first Charter, and Legates trampling on the earnest money or rent, was in verity the appeal of Stephen Archbishop of Canterbury, at the sealing and delivering of the second Charter, (unless one of them appealed for Ireland, the other for England ) since the Archbishop of Dublins appeal was never insisted on in the Council of Lions or elsewhere, but only this of Archbishop Langhtons; which had it not been true as well as the other Allegations, the King and his Advocates would never have propounded them so solemnly in this general Council, and Pope Innocent the 4th. for his own and his Predecessors honor ( Innocent the 3d.) would have there denied this appeal to be true; but his stupid silence, without the least reply either then or afterwards, is a convincing argument of their verity, and this Charters nullity.

3ly. Matthew Paris relates, that the Pope setting his Study in Lions on fire, a little before this Council, to burn some lose papers and things of small value, that so by pretext thereof, Occasionum Dominus Papa acciperet pecuniam petendi & extorquendi à Praelatis ad Concilium properantibus; the fire exceeding his intended bounds, Cumbusta sunt etiam quaedam quae habebuntur chariora. Et fuit multorum assertio, quod detestabilis illa Charta, quae de tributo Angliae, sub flebilis memory Rege Iohanne confecta fuerat, eodem incendio in cinerem est redacta. And if so, (as is most probable by his fore-mentioned silence in the Council, to Powics complaint against it) how a Charter thus burnt, nulled by divine providence, gotten by such sinister, forcible, fraudulent means, should be still in force, no Lawyer or Statesman can resolve.

4ly. The Pope returning no satisfactory Answer at all to the Procurators of the King, and generality of England, touching this Charter, exacted Rent, or other grievances then complained of, thereupon they departed thence with indignation. The Pope soon after (as Matthew Paris informs us) being conscious of the burning and invalidity of King Johns Charter, sent a Transcript thereof (no man can suppose he would send the original 31. years after its date) to all the Bishops of England to subscribe and seal, to give it the best countenance he could thereby.

MIsit igitur ad singulos Episcopos Angliae, praecipiens districtissime, ut quilibet eorum illi Chartae detestabili, quam lachrymabilis memory Rex Anglorum Johannes, reclamante Archiepiscopo Cantuariensi Stephano, infoeliciter confecit de tributo, signum suum appenderet, ut magis roborata perpetuaretur. Quod ipsi Episcopy timore inexcusabiliter effaeminati, non sine enormi Regis et Regni, (proh dolor) fecerunt praejudicio. Vnde cum Dominus Rex hoc audisset, in maximam iram excandens juravit, quod etsi etiam ipsi Episcopy turpiter fint incurvati, ipse firmiter staret pro Regni libertate, nec unquam dum vitales carperet auras, censum sub nomine tributae Curiae Romanae persolveret. Porro Episcopus Londinensis F. ultimus et invitus in arcum pravum versus, signum suum dictae Chartae apponens, minus aliis meruit reprehendi. Simili quoque modo, cuidam amplae Chartae transcriptae de verbo ad verbum, (as that of K. Johns Charter was) secundum Chartam Bulla Papali communitam, de sententia depositionis in Imperatorem Fredericum lata, apposuerunt omnes Praelati signa sua, tam ad majorem roborationem quam memoriam rei sempiternam.

From whence I shall observe: 1. That King Johns original Charter was then either actually burnt or lost, else what needed this desired subscription and sealing a new transcript of it? 2ly. That this Pope held it invalid (if not burnt) for want of the Bishops seals and subscriptions to confirm it. 3ly. The unparalleled Treachery, Unworthinesse, Cowardice, Slavery of all the English Archbishops and Bishops in that age, who fearing the Pope more then either God himself or their King, (against God's and St. Peters peremptory commands) out of an Unenglish, Unmanly, Unchristian fear of his indignation, after such a general complaint against this Charter and Tribute, made by the King and whole Kingdom in the general Council of Lions, and the protestation of Archbishop Langhton himself, in the name of all the people of England, durst thus presume upon the Popes Decree, Mandate, without the Kings, Barons, Kingdoms privity, and against their resolutions, Trayterously to subscribe, seal, and as much as in them lay ratify this detestable Charter; such broken reeds were they then for the King, Church, Barons, Kingdom to depend on; yea so perfidious to them, as upon all extremities to desert, betray them, to advance the Pope and his interest, to the Kings, Kingdoms, Churches, their own prejudice and inthralling. 4ly. Their like unworthy compliance in setting all their seals to the Popes excommunication of the Emperor Frederick, the Kings alley, though his Ambassadors protested against it in the Council of Lions. 5ly. The Kings just indignation against the Bishops, for this their Treachery, Cowardice, and Unworthy compliance, and his magnanimous resolution to unburthen the Kingdom of Papal exactions, and never to pay this Rent or Tribute to Rome whiles he breathed. 6ly. That neither the King nor Barons ever subscribed or ratified this Transcript, but only the degenerous, craven Bishops▪ and that in a clan destine manner▪ Therefore it neither obliged the King, Barons, Kingdom, or Commonalty of the Realm, and was but a mere insignificant nullity.

15ly. That the Parliament of England, Anno 40 Edw. 3. was specially summoned for this particular occasion of King Johns Charter, and the Rent therein granted, which the Pope (after above 50. years discontinuance and non-claim) intended to revive and put in execution, by issuing out a Processe against the King and Kingdom, to demand the Homage and Rent reserved to him and his Successors by virtue of that Charter; whereupon the King craved the advice of the Bishops, Dukes, Earls, Barons, Knights, Citizens, and Burgesses then assembled, in case the Pope should proceed against him or the Realm for this cause, and what they would do therein; who upon mature deliberation severally resolved, that King John had no power at all to make such a Charter, or grant such a Rent, without his Barons and Commons consents: That it appeared by several evidences, they never gave their assents thereto, and so the Charter null and void: and that if the Pope should issue out any Processe to demand the Homage or Rent against the King or his Kingdoms, they would resist him with all their might. I shall here present you with a true Transcript of the Parliament Roll itself, thus Recorded in French.

ET ceste chose fait feust command as Grantz & Communes q'ils se depertisont & q'ils y feussent lendemain, cest assavoir, les Prelatz & Grantz en la Chambre Blanche, & les Communes en la Chambre de peintz, an quele lendemain nostre Seigneur le Roy, les Prelatz, Ducs, Counts, Barons en mesme le Chambre blanche, les Chivalers des Countees, Citiens, Burgeis demurrantz en la Chambre de peintz, feust monstre a eux per le Chanceller, Comment ils avoient entendug les causes du summons du Parlement en general, mes la volunte le Roy fust, que les causes feussent monstres a eux en especial. Loux disoit, coment le Roy avoit entendu, que le Pape per forcedun fait quel il dit, que le Roy Johan fesoit au Pape, de lui fair homage pur le Royalme Dengleterre, et la terre Dirlande. Et que per cause du dit homage qil lui deveroit paier chescun an perpetuelment mill Marcs, est en volunte de fair process devers le Roy, et son Roialme pur le dit service, et ceus recoverir, de qel le Roy pria as ditg Prelates, Ducs, Countees et Barons, lour avys et bon conseil, et ce qil efferroit en cas que le Pape vorroit proceder devers lui ou son dit Roialm pur celle cause. Et les Prelates requeroient au Roy qils se purroient sur ce per eux sont aviser, et respondre lendemain, queux Prelatz le de lendemain, a de priems pur eux mesmes, & puis les auters Ducs, Countz, Barons & grantz responderent, & disoient, que le dit Roy Johan ne nul autre purra mettre lui, ne son Roialme, ne son people en tiele subjection saunz assent et accord de eur. Et les Communes sur ce demaundez et Avisez, respondirent en mesme le manere: Par quoi feust ordain et assentu per Commune assent, en manere qeusuyt: En ce present Parlement tenuz a Westm: lundy prosche in apres la invention de la Seint Croice, la • du Regne le Roy Edward quadrantessime, taunt sur lestat de Seint Eglise come des droitz de son Royalme, et de sa Corone meinteinur, entre auters chooses estoient monstres, Coment ad estee parley et dit, que le Pape per force dune fait qiele il dit que le Roy John iadys Roy de Engleterre fesoit au Pape, au perpetuite de luy fair Homage, pur le Royalme Dengleterre, et laterre de I • eland, et pur cause du dit homage de lui render un annuel cens, ad este en volunte de fair process devers le Roy pur les ditz services, et ceus recoverer, la quele chose monstre as Prelatz, Ducs, Countz, Barons, et la Commune, pur ent avoir lour avys et bon Conceil, et demand de eux, ce qe le Roy enferra en cas que le Pape vorroit proceder, ou rien attempter devers lui, ou son Roialme pur celle cause; queux Prelatz, Ducs, Countz, Barons et Communes eu surce plein deliberacion, responderent et disoient dune accord, que le dit Roy Johanne, ne nul autre, purra mettre lui ne son Roialme, ne son people en tiele subjection, sanz assent de eux, et come piert per pluseurs evidences, que si ce feust fair, ce feust fait sanz lour assent, Et encountre son serement en sa Coronation. Et outre ce les Ducs, Countz, Barons, Grants et Communes accorderent et granterent, que en cas que le Pape se Afforceroit ou rien attempteroit per process, ou en autre manere, de fait de Constreindre le Roy ou ses Subjects de perfaire ce qest dit, qil voet clamer cella party, qils resistont et contre esteront oue tout leur puissance.

Since this unanimous gallant peremptory resolution of K. Edward the 3d. and all his Bishops, Dukes, Earls, Barons, Commons assembled in this Parliament, against this Charter, thus resolved to be null and void, and to resist the Pope with all their power in case he should demand or issue any process against the King or his kingdom to recover it, (being 297. years past) No Pope ever presumed (for ought I can find) to demand this Homage or Rent of any of our Kings, or to send out Processe to endeavor its recovery; And a discontinuance, non-claim of this Charter, Homage, Rent for so long a space, upon such a solemn deliberate Parliamentary resolution, entered with special care in the Parliament Rolls, must needs be a perpetual bar in point of Law and Justice, against such a void, injurious Charter, procured with so much perjury, treachery, impiety, fraud, force, circumvention, as you have already heard.

16ly. All our Histories, Chronicles, generally Old and New, declaim against this Charter as most detestable, infamous, illegal, null in Law, and no ways obligatory to our kings or kingdoms in the least degree; yea the Author of the Answer to Bellarmine's Apologia, cap. 3. and learned Dr. Richard Crakenthorp in his Treatise of the Popes Temporal Monarchy, cap. 12. p. 245. to 262. proves the Nullity of it by 4. strong Arguments, and Mr. John Speed in his History of Great Britain, London 1623. p. 577, 580, 581. proves both Charters void by many more Reasons; the sum of them is, That this was an act in King John I. Of manifest perjury against his Coronation Oath. 2ly. Of Constraint. 3ly. Of Combination. 4ly. Of fear, he being drawn thereto by the Pope himself, who had set up both the French power, and his own Barons and Prelates against him. 5ly. An act of a person actually interdicted, excommunicated by the Pope himself; and so unable to avouch or grant anything to the Church or Pope. 6ly. The witnesses, if any were, stood excommunicated for conversing with him. 7ly. Neither the Barons. 8ly. Nor the Clergy. 9ly. Nor the body of the Kingdom, people. 10ly. Nor his next heir and successor to the Crown ever consented thereto. 11ly. Fraught with many false untruths; as done freely and voluntarily, without fear or force, in a general assembly of the Barons by their advice and consent, by the inspiration of the holy Ghost; because the King had nothing fit to give away to God or the Pope for the satisfaction of his sins, but his crown and kingdoms. 12ly. From the proviso of exception in the Grant, Salvis nobis & haeredibus nostris, Justitiis, Libertatibus, & Regalibus nostris, extant in both charters (if there were two) which saves the right of Sovereignty, Kingship, and Sovereign Dominion in and over the Kingdoms of England and Ireland entirely to the King; which he never transferred to the Pope. The Liberty of a King is freely and absolutely to rule his Subjects according to Law, without being subject or servant to any Superior, and the very essence of Regality, Independency of Authority, on any but God alone. Now these being expressly reserved, excepted▪ utterly made void whatsoever was before mentioned, either as granting Sovereignty, and doing homage and fealty by his Successors for the Kingdoms to the Pope, as his Subjects; and the subsequent clause of losing the right and inheritance of the crown, in case of contradicting ought therein mentioned▪ after due admonition, a mere Nullity, inconsistent with Monarchy, or the Kings or kingdoms Rights.

To which reasons I shall subjoin, I. That this Charter was procured by the Popes own wrongs and Duresse against King John; I. By interdicting his whole kingdom; 2ly. Excommunicating him by name; 3ly. Absolving all his Subjects from their Oaths of Allegiance and Fealty; 4ly. By depriving both him and his heirs of their kingdoms, and giving them to the French King and his heirs. 5ly. By publishing a general Crossado for all Christian Barons, Knights, to assist the French King to deprive him of his kingdoms by force of arms. In all which Antichristian proceedings the Pope being both Judge and Party, & K. John the only person injured; these his own wrongs, frauds, force, can give him no just Title by any Laws; Frauds and circumventions being expressly ( a ) prohibited Christians in the Gospel, especially towards one another. It is an old teceived Maxim in all Laws, (b) Fraus & Dolus nemini patrocinantur; whence Charters, Dowers, Remitters gained by fraud, collusion, circumvention, force, are mere Nullities. That (c) Nemo in propria causa potest esse Judex (especially if Judex & Testis too.) Yea Pope Gregory the I. and a whole Council denouuced an Anathema against the Pope himself, or any other that should presume to be a Judge in his own cause, sive in rusticano, sive in urbano praedio; (much more then in case of two kingdoms;) whence Bartholomeus Buxiensis, Dr. John Thierry and other Canonists in their Glosses on Gratian, caus: 16. qu. 6. resolve downright Papa in sua causa Judex esse non debet; yet Alvarus Pelagius De Planctu Eccles: l. I. Artic: 34, 35. affirms the contrary upon this strong presumption and supposition: Quod non debet aliquam causam a se remittere, immo non potest (licet suspectus) quamdiu est Papa, Papa enim aut sanctus est aut sanctus praesumitur; non enim praesumendum est quod alias faciat Papa quam Christus vel Petrus cujus est Vicarius & Successor; Which presumption ceased in King Johns case, neither of them being ever Judges in their own case, but submitting to the Judgment and execution of the Civil Magistrate; and never denouncing such Interdicts, curses against any, nor procuring such a surrender, charter of temporal kingdoms to themselves as the Pope did here; much less by such unchristian practices. To which I shall add, that this is a Maxim frequently resolved in Law-books by all the Judges of the Realm, That none can be judge in his own case, who have further adjudged, that d if an Act of Parl: make any person Judge in his own case, the very Act itself is void in Law, being against the Law of Nature, which ought not to be violated, and all Judgments given thereon are void. Since therefore all these Judgments of Interdict, Excommunication, Deposition, transferring his Crown to the French, this Agreement from Rome, and oath to perform it, were all made by the Pope himself, both Judge, Party, chief Witness, and his professed Enemy too, and that upon his Legates and Bishops bare Informations and false Suggestions; in Kings John's absence, without Oath, Summons, or Liberry to purge himself before any Lawfull, indifferent Judge, Arbitrator, or Tribunal; thereupon the Charters on this Account are mere Nullities in Law to all intents and purposes.

2ly. If Pope Innocents deprivation of King John and his heirs, and giving away his Crown to the King of France and his heirs were good in Law, (as he reputed them) then King John after this Sentence and grant to the French King had no power to resign to, or resume his Crown and Kingdoms from this Pope; nor he to approate them to himself as St. Peters Patrimony, against his grant to the King of France, who by his own command was at so prodigal expense in raising an Army to take possession thereof. And so this Resignation, Charter void by his own Act.

3ly. It is a received Maxim in the Laws of [ a ] England, (seconded by sundry Statutes, hundreds of Resolutions by all the learned Judges of the Realm from age to age ) That if the King be misinformed, circumvented▪ or mistaken in the considerations, grounds, motives of his Grants, especially by the circumvention of those to whom they are made; the Charters of grant in such cases are merely void to all intents. Therefore this Charter must be so above any I ever yet read. For 1. it recites, That King John publicly acknowledged, he had offended God, and his holy mother the Church (meaning the Pope and his Traiterous exiled Bishops) in many things, for which he much needed God's mercy; to wit, in not admitting Stephen Langton, unduly elected, to be Archbishop by this Popes own practices, force, fraud, against the just rights of his Crown and Liberties of the Church of England; in not submitting to his impious Interdict, but commanding all Bishops, Priests, to celebrate divine Service, Sacraments notwithstanding it, and punishing those who disobeyed; in not subjecting himself to his Excommunications, unreasonable demands, seising the Temporalties, goods of his Treacherous Bishops, and refusing to restore them, for interdicting his Realm, and depriving him of his Crown, &c. When as this Pope and they on the contrary by these impious proceedings, had more highly offended God, his Church, & the King, for which they more needed mercy, and to make public acknowledgement and satisfaction thereof to the King by some humble Addresse; rather then to extort this Charter from him upon such a false surmise. 2ly. That he needed to humble himself and both his kingdoms, for these his pretended personal sins, whereof his kingdoms (especially Ireland ) were not guilty, and so needed not to be humbled for them. 3ly. That he had nothing fit or worthy to make satisfaction to God or his Church for these his surmised sins, but the humbling of himself and his Kingdom so far as this (against all rules of Law, Justice, and without president in any precedent age whatsoever in sacred or profane story) to resign both his Crown, kingdoms to this Pope and his Successors, resume them from his Legat as his Tributary▪ under an annual rent; and to swear homage and fealty to him and them; when as God himself (the King of Kings ) never required any such satisfaction from the worst of the Kings of Israel and Judah; and this satisfaction was neither actually made to God, nor yet to his Church, but merely to Pope Innocent himself and his Successors, who was then neither God, nor his Church, but a professed Enemy to both; as his above six years continued Interdict and proceedings demonstrate. Besides, the Church offended by his proceedings, if any, was the Church only of England, by the Archbishops, Bishops, and Monks of Canterburies, confiscations and exile; not the Church or Pope of Rome, who had no Right to dispose of the See of Canterbury, or any of the Bishops and Monks seised Temporalties: Therefore the satisfaction and Charter should have been only made to the Church of England, and those Bishops, Monks, not to this Pope Nocent, and his Successors. 4ly. The satisfaction that was made▪ by the King to the Archbishop, Bishops and Monks, in admitting, restoring them to their Temporalties, goods confiscated, and what ever unreasonable damage they could pretend to, (though Arch Traitors, Rebels, Enemies to him, deserving rather a Gibbet, after so many successive Treasons and Practises against him;) was more then sufficient, (being then made and secured to the Church he had offended ) without this resignation, or oblation of his kingdoms to this Pope, by this charter, and swearing homage to him. And so the charter void upon this account. 5ly. That this Charter was made by the inspiration of the holy Ghost, is as direct a lie and blasphemy against the holy Ghost, as that of Ananias to St. Peter; who lied not only to men, but to God. For, 1. The holy Ghost never instructed any King to resign up his Kingdoms, without his Subjects consents, to any who had not the least right or pretence thereto. 2ly. He never taught any Pope, Prelate, Apostle, or Clergy-man, to receive Crowns, Scepters, kingdoms, or Oaths of Fealty, Homage, and subjection from Kings to them, as their Vassals, but expressly prohibits them to do it; commanding them to live in subjection to them, and not entangle themselves in though affairs of this world; as I have largely demonstrated. 3ly. The premised, passages of Mat: Paris, Mat. Westminster, and others assures us, That Pope Innocent, and his Legate Pandulphus inspired those motions into King John, which induced him to make this Charter; which were full of Antichristian menaces, and untruths, (As that near all the Barons and Commons of England, had by their Charters promised homage and fealty to the King of France, and to assist him to seise his Crown and kingdoms by force of arms, &c. ) Now whether such an insolent Impostor as Pandulphus, such an Antichristian Pope as this Innocent, were in truth the holy Ghost, or their false fraudulent menaces, surmises, infused into this King, by the inspirations of the holy Ghost, or can be so reputed without blasphemy, let all sober Christians judge; they really proceeding from the very father of Lyes, the Devil. 6ly. This pretended holy Ghost inspired him, to insert these 8. notorious Lyes, and false Suggestions together into the very next words of the Charter: 1. That he did it, non vi inducti; so the later Charter, but the first, non vi interdicti; 2. Nec timore coacti; 3. Sed nostra bona spontaneaque voluntate; (which 3. all the premised passages disprove.) 4. Ac Communi consilio Baronum nostrorum offerimus, as the last; or conferimus, as the first Charter. (Contradicted by the Barons themselves, King Henry the 3d. the whole Kingdom, and their Proctors to the Popes face in the Council of Lions, King Edward the 3d. and his whole Parliament, by our Historian, yea the French King and all his Nobles, as you have heard.) 5. Libere concedimus, &c. 6ly. Deo, & Sanctis Apostolis Petro & Paulo, (who neither required, approved, nor accepted this satisfaction, nor to whom King John ever intended it.) 7ly. Et Sanctae Ecclesiae Romanae matri nostrae, (she being then his and our Churches stepmother, enemy, not mother) all made stales to usher in this clause; which hath the sole color of truth: Ac Domino ( nostro is added in the last, not in the first charter) Papae Innocentio, ejusque Catholicis successoribus, totum Regnum Angliae, & totum Regnum Hyber niae (the word nostrum is omitted in both Charters, and annexed to neither; therefore void in Law) cum omni jure, & pertinentiis suis: 8ly. For this pretended end; Pro remission omnium peccatorum meorum (the only supposed delinquent) & totius generis nostri, tam pro vivis, quam pro defunctis; the later whereof were no ways privy to, not guilty of his surmised offenses against the Pope and Church. Which Charter being against his Oath, trust, office, duty, and the Laws, increased his Sins, but could no ways tend towards the remission of them, as this Pope and Pandulphus untruly suggested. 7ly. Its Nullity in Law is most apparent, from these 3. grand defects: 1. King Johns surrender of his Crowns, kingdoms to Pandulphus at least 5. days before, was only by word of mouth, not Patent, or Charter, and so void in Law. 2ly. Pandulphus had no special Letter of Attorny from the Pope, either to receive this charter or surrender to the Popes use, or regrant his kingdoms to King John under this special annual rent, homage, and other conditions. 3ly. Here is no reconveyance of them from the Pope or his Legat to King John by any special Bull, but only King Johns bare charter to the Pope. Therefore all a mere void Pageantry, passing just nothing. 8ly. The Tenure of King John in the last Charter quite subverts the Popes Title: For whereas the first runs; Et amodo illa ab eo, (to wit, Pope Innocent ) the later is, amodo illa A Deo, & Ecclesia Romana tanquam feodum (the first is secundarius ) recipientes & tenentes. That the Kings of England hold their Crowns, Kingdoms, immediately and only from God (and King John as well as his Predecessors, not from the Pope or Church of Rome) I have formerly evidenced: Therefore he by this Charter holding and receiving it only from God (not the Pope) to whom he here granted it, (as concedimus Deo evidenceth) by whom alone Kings reign, & receive their kingdoms, the Pope being not mentioned in this clause, and the Church of Rome no party to this Charter, nor Proprietarie of our Realms, nor exalted so as to out God himself of the Kings immediate Tenure of his Crown from him alone, as his Sovereign Lord, the Charter must needs be void; 9ly. Upon this account, the Oath of Homage made and sworn by the King to Pope Innocent in the presence of his Legat Pandulphus, seeing all the branches thereof relate only to him and his Successors, not to God, St. Peter, St. Paul, or the Church of Rome (only inserted for a blind, in the prologue, not in any branches of the Oath) must necessarily be void in Law and conscience; else God the Supreme Landlord, and his Church alone commanding one thing, and the Pope another contrary thereunto, (as oft he doth) the King and his Successors by his Oath and Homage should be bound to obey the Pope, before God or the Church, under pain of forfeiting their right in the two kingdoms, which were both irreligious and absurd. 10ly. The Clause whereby the King obligeth his heirs and successors to do homage to the Pope and his Successors, and not to contradict anything in this charter under pain of forfeiting his Right to these kingdoms, is contrary to the Rights and Prerogatives of the Crown, specially excepted out of this grant, yea contrary to the coronation Oath, and Laws of the Realm: Therefore it makes the Charter Null to all intents, of which anon more largely. 11ly. It is observable, 1. That the thousand marks yearly pension for England and Ireland at two several feasts, Michaelmas and Easter, is no reservation made by the Pope, (and so no rent-service at all) but a special grant of the King himself. 2ly. That he granted it only as an indicium, or token of this his perpetuae oblationis, (so the last Charter, not obligationis as the first) & concessionis thrice stiles it: Therefore being only an Oblation (not obligation ) made by him unto God to expiate his sins; it could not be a Tribute, rent-service or rent-charge, but a mere voluntary pension. 3ly. That he granted it only de propriis & specialibus redditibus nostris (not haeredum nostrorum, a great flaw) praedictorum regnorum (without the word nostrorum in the first, inserted into the last) and so out of his Exchequer only, not his Demesnes. 4ly. That it was in lieu of all other services; pro omni servitio & consuetudine ( quae in the first, but quod in the later charter) pro ipsis facere debemus; except only Peter-pence: Therefore no Tribute, but a pension, to exempt him from all other duties formerly exacted out of either kingdom, not a rent, or service now due by his resignation & resumption of his Crown and kingdom from the Pope. 5ly. That this Annual oblation is not granted by the King to God, or to St. Peter, and St. Paul, (the chief pretended Landlords) and which is more considerable, not to Pope Innocent himself and his canonical Successors, but only Ecclesiae Romanae; Now although Alvarus Pelagius informs us, Ubicunque est Papa, ibi est Ecclesia Catholica; Yet whether the Pope alone, or the Pope with his Cardinals, or the Pope with his Cardinals and Diocesan Bishops, or the Pope and a General Council jointly; or a General Council alone, or the Cardinals, and Clergy of Rome, without the Pope, be the Church of Rome, is yet unconcluded, undecided by their great Doctors; and so the grant void for uncertainty. 6ly. There is no grant or clause of Distress, Interdict, Excommunication, Sequestration, Entry into the demesne of these Realms, or any other coercive means to recover this Rent in Law or Equity, if in arrear and unpaid at the terms in this Charter mentioned, (a very great oversight) and so a mere voluntary pension, oblation to be paid at will, but no Tribute or real rent, as hath been generally mistaken.

Now because I found no mention in our Histories of any payment of this Annuity or oblation to this Pope or his Successors, by King John himself, or any of his Successors, but only an intimation by King Henry the 3d. and kingdom (complaining against it in the Council of Lions, and endeavoring an exemption from it) that it was demanded, and paid too as a kind of Tribute and public Grievance; I did for my own satisfaction make diligent search in the Liberate, Clause and Patent Rolls, to discover what demands and payments were heretofore made thereof by any king; which I shall here ptesent you with as a rarity not formerly observed by any.

Upon my strictest search, I can find no payment thereof to Pope Innocent by King John himself which granted it, but only † for one year beforehand when he sealed his Charter; who dying about 3. years after, during which his kingdom was infested with civil Wars between him and his Barons, invaded by Louis of France made King by the Barons in his stead, his Lands, Rents seised, his treasure exhausted, and the people everywhere miserably plundered, it is probable there neither was nor could be expected any other punctual payment of it. His Son and Successor H. the 3d. being an Infant, crowned at Gloucester by Walo the Popes Legat, (who was very instrumental to restore him to his Crown, and expel Louis, only to preserve the Popes interest rather then the Kings) after his Coronation Oath, by this Legates means, fecit homagium Stae Romanae Ecclesiae et Dom: Innocentio Papae de regno Angliae et Hiberniae; et juravit, quod mille marcas quas Pater ejus tulerat Romanae Ecclesiae ( therefore his Fathers mere grant, not Popes reservation ) fideliter persolveret quamdiu praedicta regna teneret; as Matthew Paris records; yet notwithstanding this Oath (made by an Infant King not ten years old, and so void in Law) I cannot find in the Liberate Rolls (where all warrants for payments of all Pensions granted by the King, or sums of money issued out of his Exchequer to any persons are carefully entered) any warrant to pay this oblation, till the 12th. year of King Henry the 3d. (full 15 years after its first grant by King John ) when the King upon an extraordinary occasion to work his ends with the Pope and Cardinals, and to advance, gratify his Chancellor, issued this ensuing Warrant.

REX E. Thesaurar: & Camerariis suis salutem; Liberate de Thesauro nostro Magistro Stephano Clerico Domini Papae, ad opus ipsius Domini Papae, de Annuo Censu, eidem Domino Papae debito, de termino Sancti Michaelis Anno, &c. xi. et de Termino Paschae, Anno &c. xii. Teste Rege apud Westm: 21 die Febr: Anno &c. xii.

The ground of this Warrant I conceive to be this: After the death of Stephen Langton, the Monks of Canterbury gaining the Kings license to elect an Archbishop, chose Walter de Hevesham a Monk, whom the King refused to allow of for sundry reasons, resolving to make Richard his Chancellor Archbishop: Walter posting to Rome to get confirmation and consecration from the Pope, and the Kings Proctors there excepting against him▪ pressing the vacating of his election, and making Richard Archbishop with much importunity, they could not prevail with the Pope or Cardinals to stop Walters confirmation, or promote Richard, till Habito tractatu detestabili de praemissis, promiserunt Domino Papae ex parte Regis Anglorum Decimationem omnium rerum mobilium, ab universo Regno Angliae & Hyberniae, ad guerramsuam contra Imperatorem sustinendam, ut eos in Regis proposito exaudiret: whereupon the Pope and Cardinals forthwith vacated Walters election for his insufficiency, and made Richard Archbishop. No doubt the same occasion drew on the payment of this Pension, being both the same year, and the warrant after the tenth promised, was most probably seconded with a promise of paying this pension, else the Pope and Cardinals would not have so readily gratified the King in this his importunate suit: which being fully granted, the King by way of gratitude made this other Warrant for payment of this annual Pension the very next year, for one moiety at Michaelmas 12. and another moiety at Easter 13. of his reign.

REX W. Thesaurario & Camerariis suis salutem Liberate de Thesauro nostro Magistro Stephano Capellano Domini Papae ad opus ipsius Domini Papae Quingentas Marcas de termino sancti Michaelis Anno Regni nostri Duodecimo▪ et Quingentas Marcas de termino Paschae Anno, &c. Decimo Tertio de Annuo Censu suo Mille Marcarum. Teste Rege apud Westmonasterium Quinto die Maii, Anno, &c. Decimo Tertio.

The King having now obtained his end, by these two successive annual payments, had no mind nor care to pay it afterwards, the rather because the Pope and his Cardinals fell at variance about it; the Cardinals demanding the moity thereof, as reserved not to the Pope and his successors, but to the Church of Rome, of which they were the most noble members and Pillars, they being much displeased with King Henry for paying the whole thousand marks to the Pope alone, and not paying the moity thereof to them. Whereof the King being informed, to avoid the Cardinals causeless displeasures, and continue in their favors of which he had then special occasion, and withal to please the Pope whose Counsel and assistance he then needed, and implored, writ thus unto the Cardinals in the 19th. year of his reign.

VIris venerabilibus & amicis in Christo Karissimis, universis Dei gratia sanctae Romanae Ecclesiae Cardinalibus, H. eadem gratia, Rex Angliae, &c. salutem, & sinceram in Domino dilectionem. Quia ex quorundam relatione ad nos pervenit, quod aegre fertis et indignanter quod de annuo Censu sanctae Romanae Ecclesiae debito, a Regno Angliae et terra nostra Hiberniae quingentas Marcas non percipitis, cum ejusdem Ecclesiae membra sitis nobilia, et collumpnae, set in Summi pontificis cedit indivisus. Ne a vobis indignationem ea de causa reportemus, tanquam pro voluntate nostra Censum illum dividere possimus, & ne solutio talis nobis imputetur, universitati vestrae significamus, quod in prima concessione illius Census, insertum fuit in Charta Domini Johannes Regis patris nostri inde consecta, quod sanctae Romanae Ecclesiae redderetur census memoratus pro indiviso. Nosque innitentes tenori ejusdem Chartae, hucusque Censum illum Domino Papae n • mine memoratae Ecclesiae solvere consuevimus, per certum Nuncium suum literas suas nobis deferentem; penitus ignorantes bucusque, utrum Domino Papae integre remaneret, aut divise. Ut igitur appareat innocentia nostra in hac parte, & habita de nobis tollatur suspicio, rogamus attentius quatenus erga Dominum Papam instare velitis & procurare, quod nobis det in mandatis, quod de Quingentis Marcis illius Census divisim, vobis respondeamus, & nos promptos invenietis & paratos inde gratanter vobis respondere: In aliis & aliis gratiam a vobis promereri Cupientos & favorem. Teste Rege apud Westmonasterium Vicesimo Quinto die Februarii.

At the same time the King writ and sent several Letters to the Pope, and to every Cardinal severally, closely sealed, and a general letter to all the Cardinals, unsealed, by his Procurators, imploring an extraordinary favor from them, which partly induced him three years after to pay this pension as formerly, and leave it to themselves to divide, as these letters to them more then insinuate, compared with the former.

REverendo Domino ac patri in Christo sanctissimo G. Dei gratia summo Pontifici H. eadem gratia Rex Angliae, &c. Salutem & tanto Patri debitum honorem & reverentiam. Sperantes ob affectionem sinceram, quam erga personam nostram, & Regnum nostrum similiter vestri gratia geritis, quod paternitati vestrae placere debeat, si de statu nostro simul & Regni nostri tranquillitate laeta ad nos perveniant, significandum vobis duximus: quod quoad personam nostram in bona (benedictus Deus) sumus prosperitate, & quoad Regnum nostrum, in quiet & optata pacis tranquillitate consistunt universa. Magnatibus de terra nostra singulis & universis cum Clero votis nostris unanimiter concordantibus, nobis in mera & mutua dilection permanentibus. Ita quod spem habemus in Domino certissimam a duritia temporum praecedentium quibus hucusque enormiter gravatum est Regnum nostrum, tum per hostilitates, tum per discordias pluries exortas respirare, & statum nostrum & regni nostri, in melius reformare. Nec est ad presens quod prosperitati terrae nostrae gravius se opponat, quam sterilitas anonae precedentis simul & presentis, & defectus eorum sine quibus stare fragilitas humana non potest. Hac quidem adversitate gravius impeditur status regni nostri quo melius in plena consistit prosperitate. Cum autem quaedam Negotia habeamus specialia pro quibus necesse habemus sedis Apostolicae consilium & auxilium implorare, dilectos Clericos nostros Magistrum Willielmum de Kilkenny, & Robertum de Summercote, quibus negocia ipsa commisimus sanctae Paternitati vestrae plenius exponenda, commendamus Rogantes attentius & devote, quatenus ipsos vel alterum eorum, si ambo presents esse non possint, benign ac mansuetudine solita admittentes, negotia illa favorabiliter prosequi velitis, & nos tanto favorabilius exaudire quanto Sanctae Romana Ecclesiae (quae honorem nostrum sui reputare debet honoris incrementum) filii sumus specialiores, & ad eaquae in omnibus suum respiciunt profectum sumus promptiores. Memorati quidem Clerici nostri vel alter illorum causas sufficientes & tationes supplicationis nostrae efficaces sanctitati vestrae plenius exponent. Quae quidem ad favorem & gratiam nobis impendendam vos non immerito inducere debent & movere, de incolumitate vestra, quam Ecclesiae suae & nobis Conservet Altissimus, petimus si placet, vice versa certificari: Teste Rege apud Westmonasterium Vicesimo Quinto Februarii.

Eodem modo scribitur singulis Cardinalibus per Literas Clausas, & universis, per Literas Patentes.

The next warrant I find in Record for paying this pension, is in the Liberate Roll of 22. Hen. 3. wherein I desire the Reader to observe, that notwithstanding the Kings complemental Letter to the Cardinals concerning his accustomed manner of paying this mighty pension to the Popes special Nuncioes: Yet it was not at all paid by him, from the 16. year of his reign, till the 22. year; and then only for his 16th. year and no more, so that he and his Cardinals needed not to have quarreled about dividing it, when it was not at all paid; and that not as a rent, but bare voluntary oblation or Annuity payable at pleasure, not of mere right or duty.

REX Thesaurario & Camerariis suis salutem: Liberate de Thesauro Bonacurs Ingelesk, Amery Cosse & sociis suis Mercatoribus Florentinis, mille Marcas ad opus Domini Papae de Annuo Censu su • , videlicet de termino Paschae Anno. XVI. et de Termino sancti Michaelis Anno eodem. Teste P. Wintoniensi Episcopo apud Westmonasterium, Vicesimo Tertio die Jan.

From 22 H. 3. this Pension was detained and not paid, by the general consent of the King and Kingdom, as appears by Matthew Paris his forecited passages, Anno 1231. and 1245. their complaint against it in the Council of Lions, and the Kings resolution never to pay it more whiles he lived: For which general complaint, Pope Innocent the 4th. Anno 1246. was so incensed against the King and English, that he studied to be revenged of the King and Kingdom, endeavoring to engage the French King to War against them, as Matthew Paris thus informs us.

EOdem tempore ortus est rumor sinister, & ex rumore suspicio non modica, quod Dominus Paparancorem in Corde retinuit, cum tamen non subfuisset causa rationabilis: iratus est valde, et multiformiter ampullose coepit comminari Anglorum Regi et Regno, ut si posset Fredericum edomare, et per consequence recalcitrantium Anglorum qui de oppressionibus Romanae Curiae, et maxim de Tributo in Concilio conquesti sunt, insolentem superbiam conculcabit. Non enim, ut ei videbatur, licuit miseris Anglis, pro multiformi etiam injuria (so they reputed this Annual Pension amongst the rest, as the greatest) flagellatis lachrymari vel mutire. Conabaturque in illo diuturno ac secreto Colloquio, quod habuit apud Cluniacum cum Rege Francorum, persuadere & acuere Regem ipsum, ut insurgeret ad tantae injuriae vindictam tantam, ut ipsum Regulum Anglorum, vel usque ad exheredationem impugnaret, vel enormiter laesum sese omni mode voluntati Romanae Curiae, vellet, nollet inclinaret. Et ad hoc juvaret eum omni conatu Ecclesia et Papalis Authoritas. Quod constanter Rex Francorum dicitur renuisse, tum quia ipsi Reges consanguinei sunt, & eorum Reginae sorores: tum quia jus non habet Rex Francorum in Regnum Angliae manifestum: tum quia Treugae inter ipsos Reges initae sunt quas maluit prolongare, ration peregrinationis suae, quam proditiose rescindere: tum quia instabat validior inimicus & Ecclesiae Romanae nocivior, videlicet Fredericus edomandus: tum quia antequam Regnum Angliae, Francis cederet, non modicus sanguis Christianus effunderetur: tum quia Christiani in terra Sancta jam a Paganis oppressi & obsessi Regis Francorum adventum desideratum, quasi naufragantes aurae lenioris prosperitatem praestolantur.

Before all which sober, serious, Christian Considerations, this Antichristian Pope endeavored to prefer his own private Revenge, and thousand Mark Annual Pension out of England and Ireland, thus complained against and then detained.

The very next year after, 31 H. 3. I find this Warrant issued for its payment, to the Treasurer of the New Temple, as a mere voluntary Annual Pension issuing out of his Exchequer.

REX Thesaurario & Camerariis salutem. Liberate de Thesauro nostro fratri Roberto de Sukelinghall Thesaurario Novi Templi London. mille Marcas de anno XXXI. de Annuo Censu mille marcarum quem idem Dominus Papa percipit ad Scaccarium nostrum: primo die Octobris Anno Regni nostri XXXi.

This Warrant was granted only (as appears by Matthew Paris his History of this year) to induce the Pope to indulge this frivolous privilege, that when ever the Pope conferred any Bishopric or Benefice in England upon his Cardinals or Nephews, or any Italian by his Provisions, they should earnestly petition the King, it might be thus provided: by which he was the more enslaved to the Popes Usurpations, instead of being exempted from them.

The next warrant I have found for its payment, is 4. years after, and that only for that year, (35 H 3.) without styling it a duty, which was to issue only out of the Kings Exchequer, like other ordinary pensions. This payment was (as I suppose) to obtain the Popes favor to confirm Aethelmare the Kings Brother Bishop of Winchester, which he did this year at the Kings solicitation, Non obstantibus juventute, & literarum ignorantia, & omnimoda ad tantam dignitatem, & tot animarum regimen insufficientia. Concessa est etiam eidem ab Domino Papa tantagratia, ut prius obtentos redditus retineret, Procuravit enim haec omnia urgenter Domini Regis vigil diligentia.

REX Thesaurario & Camerariis suis salutem, Liberate de Thesauro nostro ad opus Domini Papae, mille Marcas, de Termino Sancti Michaelis, Anno &c. xxxv. de Annuo Censu mille Marcarum quas percipit ad Scaccarium nosirum. Teste Rege apud Westmonasterium Decimo Nono die Octobris.

Per Regem.

For above 9. years next ensuing I find no warrant at all for its payment; but in the Liberate Roll of 45 H. 3. I meet with this warrant for paying One thousand Marks, not for that, but the precedent year 44.

REX Thesaurario &▪ Camerariis suis salutem; Liberate de Thesauro nostro fra • i Iohanni de Kanciae de Ordine Fratrum Minorum Nuncio Domini Papae in Angliam, mille Marcas ad opus ipsius Domini Papae de Anno Regni nostri quadragesimo quarto, de Annuo Censu mille Marcarum quas percipit ad Scaccarium nostrum. Teste meipso apud Winds. sexto die Februarii.

The principal cause of this warrant was (if I mistake not) to procure the Popes dispensation with his Oath made to the Barons for observing the Statues made by them at Oxford, which he solicited for and received this year, as Mat. Paris informs us, Poenituerat eum jam jurare taliter, metuens quodammodo notam perjurii, misit igitur ad Papam secrete, rogans, ut ab hoc se juramento absolveret, quod facillime impetravit; and thereupon issued this warrant for this years Pension.

After this Warrant it continued unpaid for 7. years together, whereupon the Pope to allure and enable the King to pay him the 7. years Arrears, with a greater overplus to his own Coffers, gave him a Tenth to be collected of the Clergy and Religious persons throughout Ireland; whereupon the King issued these two Patents in the 51. year of his reign to the Collectors of this Tenth, to make payment thereof without delay out of the Tenths collected, which should be allowed them on Account, being the first warrant of this Nature.

REX dilecto Clerico suo Magistro Willielmo de Bakepuz, & soci • suo Collectoribus Decimae sibi a sed • Apostolica concessae in Hibernia, salutem. Cum sanctissimo Patri Domino Clementi Papae quarto teneamur in septem Millibus Marcis de Areragiis Annui Census Mille Marcarum quas de nobis percipit ad scaccarium nostrum, quam quidem pecuniam, de Decima nobis concessa in Hybernia persolvi volumus sine mora: Vobis mandamus quod predicta septem Millia Marcarum Magistro Senicio ipsius Domini Papae Clerico, vel ejus certo Nuncio has literas deferenti modis omnibus Liberetis de decima aute dicta, & nos ease in eadem decima volumus allocari; In cujus, &c. Teste Rege apud sanctum Paulum London. Vicesimo sexto die Julii.

REX Venerabilibus Patribus O. sancti Adriani Diacono Cardinali Apostolicae sedis Legato, & W. Eborum Archiepiscopo Angliae Primati, & discretis viris Magistris S. Cantuar. & R. Cleiveland in Ecclesia Eborum Archidiaconis salutem. Cum sanctissimo Patri Domino C, Papae teneamur in septem Millibus Marcarum de Arreragiis annui Census mille Marcarum quas de nobis percipit ad scaccarium nostrum, Quam quidem pecuniam de Decima nobis concessa in Hibernia persolvi volumus sine mora. Uos rogamus quatinus predicta Septem Millia Marcarum eidem Domino Papae omnibus modis assignetis de Decima antedicta▪ Et nos ease in eadem Decima faciemus allocari; In Cujus, &c.

After this for two years space and an half this Annuity remained unpayd, and then the King at the Popes importunity Anno. 54. of his reign, sent these Letters Patents to the Bishop and Dean of Lincoln, to pay it without delay or difficulty to the Nuntio of the Sea Apostolic and Church of Rome, out of the Tenthes of the Diocese of Lincoln, promising to allow it, and allowing it on their Account by this Patent.

REX Episcopo & Decano Lincolniae salutem. Cum vos assignaverimus ad satisfaciendum Magistro Sinicio Apostolicae sedis & Ecclesiae Romanae Nuncio et procuratori, nomine ipsius Ecclesiae, de Duabus Millibus Quadringentis et Uiginta et una Marcis quatuor solidis sex denariis et obolo in quibus eidem Ecclesiae tenemur pro Arreragiis Annui Census Mille Marcarum, quas dicta Ecclesia de nobis percipit ad scaccarium nostrum, quam quidem pecuniam de Summa nobiscum pro Decima Lincoln. Dioc. conventa persolvi volumus sine mora; vobis mandamus quatinus pecuniam predictam prefato magistro Sinicio, vel ad ejus mandatum nomine predictae Ecclesiae sine dilatione, vel difficultate aliqua, modis omnibus vos vel alter vestrum plenary liberetis de summa predicta. Nos enim pecuniam ipsam quam eidem vel ad ejus mandatum solveritis, unde liter as suas de Acquietancia penes vos habueritis, vobis in Summa predicta nobiscum conventa volumus allocari, & per presents Literas allocamus; In cujus, &c. Teste Rege apud Westmonasterium Decimo die Novembris.

This is the last payment during King Henry the 3d. his reign, who paid it with much reluctancy and unwillingness, delaying it many years together, and never issuing out Warrants to pay it, but when he had extraordinary pressing occasions to make use of the Popes and Cardinals favor and assistance, whereby he might reap far greater advantages then the damage of its payment now and then at his own pleasure, amounted to.

King Henry the 3d. deceasing in the 57. year of his reign, and King Edward the 1. succeeding him, Pope Gregory the X. in the 3d. year of his reign, sent this complemental Bull unto him, (the original whereof I found in the White Tower, with sundry other Bulls of consequence, long buried under dust and cob-webs) humbly requiring and beseeching the King to assist and advise Nogerius his Chaplain, in collecting the Tribute of the Church of Rome, and Peter-pence, in England, Wales, Scotland, and Ireland, to give him a safe conduct whenever desired, and particularly to assign unto him freely and fully seven years arrears, formerly due, and that present years Annual Pension, wherein he stood bound to the Church: The Transcript whereof I shall here present you with.

GREGORIUS Episcopus Servus Servorum Dei, Charissimo in Christo Filio Edwardo Regi Angliae Illustri, salutem & Apostolicam Benedictionem. Quod ad benevolentiam tibi, & favorabilem matrem tuam Romanam Ecclesiam reverentiam jugiter exhibens filialem, non solum de juribus in quibus teneris eidem promptitudine sibi respondeas liberali, immo etiam ubicunque de suis pertractandis Negotiis agitur fructuosus Adjutor & propitius habearis, firmam spem gerimus & infallibilem fiduciam obtinemus. Cum itaque dilectum filium Magistrum de Nogeriis, Capellanum nostrum, nobis & fratribus nostris merito suae probitatis acceptum, pro Censibus Colligendis, et denario Beati Petri, ac debitis praefatae Ecclesiae requirendis, aliisque nostris, et ipsius Ecclesiae Negotiis, ad partes Angliae, Walliae, Scotiae, & Hyberniae, jamdudum duxerimus transmittendum; Celsitudinem Regiam requirimus attentius & rogamus, quatenus Capellanum ipsum benign recipiens, & honest per tractans Annuum Censum, in quo Constat eidem Ecclesiae te teneri, pro instanti et septem transactis annis, in quibus non fuit Census hujusmodi persolutus, Capellano ipsi nostro, et Ecclesiae memoratae nomine Llberaliter facias, et integre assignari; dictum Capellanum praefata negotia promoventem, habens circa illa pro nostra, & Apostolicae sedis reverentia propensius commendatum, eidem super hiis ac etiam in securo conductu per Reginum tuum cum ab ipso fueris requisitus auxilium opportunum & consilium impensurus. Ita quod proinde serenitatem Regiam dignis laudrbus gratiarum actionibus prosequamur. Dat. Lugduni viii. Idus Novembris. Pontificatus nostri Anno Tertio.

I cannot find in the Liberate or other Rolls, that those arrears were ever satisfied by King Edward the 1. which incurred in his Father King Henry the 3d. his reign: But by Pope Martin the 4th. his Bull, and his Nuncioes solemn acquittance to him, declared by his agreement before Witnesses of quality, and attested under their Seals, it appears, that King Edward the 1. after a Treaty about these 8. years arrears, was contented and promised to pay 4000. Marks for 4. years incurred during his reign, at the Feast of Michaelmas, Anno 1277. by the hands of foreign Merchants there named, the receipt whereof he acknowledged by his Bull, in form following.

MARTINUS Episcopus servus servorum Dei, Karissimo in Christo filio Edwardo Regi Angliae Illustri salutem & Apostolicam Benedictionem. Exparte tua fuit propositum coram Nobit, ut cum de Annuo Censu Mille Marcarum Argenti in quo Ecclesiae Romanae teneris pro Dctennio jam transacto in festo Beati Michaelis de mense Septembris tunc currente Anno Domini Milesimo Ducentesimo septuagesimo septimo, terminato, ipsi Romanae Ecclesiae fuerit pro parte tua per diversas solutiones integre satisfactum, nec fueris de satisfaction hujusmodi a seed Apostolica opportunas quietationis literas assecutus. Petebatur a nobis ut providere tibi in hac parte paterna diligentia curaremus. Nos igitur Petitioni tuae, utpote justae benignius annuentes, praesentium tenore fatemur, de Censu hujusmodi pro prefato Dctennio fore prefatae Romanae Etclesiae satisfactum. Ad tuam tuorumque Heredum cantelam & futuram memoriam presents tibi Literas concedentes. Dat. apud Urbem veterem 11. Non. Feb. Pontificatus nostri Anno primo.

UNiversis presents Literas inspecturis Gifredus de Vezano Canonicus Cameracensis, Camerae Domini Papae Clericus, Apostolicae sedis in Anglia Nuncius salutem in Domino.

Noveritis nos Litteras apostolicas vera Bulla & integro filo bullatas recepisse in haec verba.

Et Memorandum quodistae duae Literae precedentes Liberatae fuerunt Thomae de Gunneis, apud Cestriam die Sabbati proximo ante festum Apostolorum Petri & Pauli Anno &c. Decimo per manum Johannes de Langeton, in Garderoba Regis custodiendae.

King Edward was very backwards to pay this Pension anymore, so that Pope Martin the 4th. dying, Anno 1285. and Hmorius the 4th. succeeding, sent Letters to the King, requesting him to pay 3. years arrears then due unto him, which he refused or neglected to do during his Papacy: whereupon Pope Nicholas his Successor in the 17. year of his reign, sent this Bull unto him, entered in the Clause Rolls, requiring him to pay the said 3. years arrears, and 2. years more since incurred, entirely and freely, that so he receiving it gratetully, might from thence deservedly commend his Munificence: Intimating thereby, that it was rather a voluntary bounty, then duty in this King to pay it, who thereupon issued a Warrant to his Treasurer for payment thereof, and to receive an acquittance for it; the Transcript whereof I shall here present you with.

NICHOLAUS Episcopus Servus Servorum Dei, Charissimo in Christo Filio Edwardo Regi Angliae Illustri, salutem & Apostolicam Benedictionem. Honorem tuum fili Charissime decere credimus, ac tui & Regni tui profectibus expedire, ut quod juste debes Sacrosanctae Romanae Ecclesiae, Matri tuae, sic promptus exolvas, quod gratiam acquiras ex debito, & commendari mereatur Celsitudo Regia ex affectu. Cum igitur Census Annuus Mille Marcarum sterlingorum a te, sicut nosti, eidem Romanae Ecclesiae debeatur, ac felicis recordationis Honorius Papa quartus, Predecessor noster super solutione ipsius Census, de tribus Annis debiti facienda a te sub certa forma tibi direxerit scripta sua, et nondum Camerae sedis Apostolicae de dicto Censu pro eisdem tribus Annis satistactum existat, Serenitatem Regiam requirimus et rogamus attente, per Apostolica tibi scripta mandantes, quatenus Censum ipsum pro eisdem tribus Annis jam praeteritis et etiam pro duobus sequentibus terminandis in proximo futuro Festo Beati Michaelis, dilecto filio Magistro Giffredo Camerae nostrae Clerico in Anglia commoranti, has tibi Literas praesentanti, nostro et Ecclesiae praedictae nomine facias integre et liberaliter assignari. Ita quod nos id gratum habentes Magnificentiam tuam possimus exinde merito commendare. Dat. Rome, apud Sanctum Petrum, iv. Kalend. Maii. Pontificatus nostri Anno primo.

Et memorandum quod die Veneris proxima post Festum Assumptionis Beatae Mariae, Anno Regni &c. Decimo septimo apud Ledes, liberata fuit ista Bulla, Magistro Willielmo de Luda, tunc custodi Garderobae Domini Regis, in eadem Garderoba custodienda.

Upon receipt hereof, the King to gratify this Pope, (of whose favor and assistance he was then to make extraordinary use, about his great affairs in France and Gascoign, as is evident by his Letters and Proxies to him and his Cardinals, entered in Rot. Vasconiae Anno 17 E. 1. pars 2. m. 2. dorso) issued this Warrant to his Treasurer to pay these arrears.

REX Thesaurario & Camerariis suis salutem. Liberate de Thesauro nostro Magistro Giffredo de Vezano, Domini Papae Clerico, Quinque Millia Marcarum per manus suas eidem Domino Papae Liberand. de Annis Regni nostri Duodecimo, Tertiodecimo, Quartodecimo, Quintodecimo, et Sextodecimo, videlicet de quolibet Anno Mille Mat cas, de Annuo Censu Mille Marcarum, quem idem Dominus Papa percipit ad Scaccarium nostrum: Et recipiatis ab eodem Magistro Giffredo sufficientem quietanciam de pecunia suptadicta. Teste Rege apud Ledes, Decimo octavo die Augusti.

This is the very last demand and payment of this Annual Pension I can yet discover, by King Edward the 1. or any of his Successors; the contests between this King Edward, his Successors, Nobles, Parliaments, and Popes, growing so high concerning the title to Scotland, Provisions, First-fruits, and other Usurpations on the King, Crown, Kingdom, Church, people, that they would never pay this pretended, illegal Tribute anymore; and when the Pope intended about 58. years after this, to demand it and the arrears thereof from King Edward the 3d. you have heard how he and his whole Parliament Anno 40 E. 3. resolved to withstand him therein with all their might, as being void and un-obligatory either to the King or Kingdom.

Now left any Pontificians should conclude from these recited voluntary payments of it by some of our Kings now and then, that they admitted it a just right and duty, to which they were bound by King Johns Charter, the premises quite refute it, not one of our Kings paying it constantly, willingly, cordially, as a duty, but merely as a Political bribe or gratuity, to get the quicker dispatch of their affairs they were then necessitated to transact at Rome, where nothing would succeed well without money, and Annual Pensions too, (of 50. 60. 100. Marks by the year, besides other gratuities) given and paid by our Kings as well to Cardinals and Popes Notaries, as to the Pope himself, without which our Kings themselves could hardly, and that with much expense and delay, obtain their justest suites. There are many presidents of such Annual Pensions given and paid to Cardinals, Notaries, Officers of Popes, in our Patent and Liberate Rolls, for the foresaid ends. I shall present you only with these few instead of many others.

REX omnibus ad quos, &c, Salutem; Sciatis quod concessimus Venerabili Patri Domino M. Sanctae Mariae in Porticu Diacono Cardinali Sexaginta Marcas singulis Annis ad Scaccarum nostrum percipiendas, viz.) Unam medietatem ad Scaccarium nostrum Paschae, & aliam medietatem ad Scaccarium nostrum Sancti Michaelis, donec per nos eidem uberius provideatur. In cujus, &c. Teste Rege apud Westmonasterium Decimo Octavo die Januarii.

REX Thesaurario & Camerariis suis salutem. Liberate de Thesauro nostro dilecto Clerico nostro Magistro Angelo Domini Papae Notario Decem Marcas de Termino Paschae Anno regni nostri 13. de annuo feodo suo viginti Marcarum quod de nobis percipit ad Scaccarium nostrum. Teste Rege apud Westmonasterium Vicesimo Octavo die Maii.

REX eisdem salutem. Liberate de Thesauro nostro eidem Angelo Triginta Marcas, de Termino sancti Michaelis Anno Regni nostri Nono, et Viginti Marcas Anno regni nostri decimo, de annuo feodo suo Viginti Macca rum quod de nobis percipit ad Scaccarium nostrum. Teste ut supra.

REX omnibus ad quos, &c. Salutem. Attendentes affectionis sinceritatem & diligentiae sollicitudinem quas vener abilem Patrem Lucam de Flisco sanctae Mariae via lata diaconum Cardinalem Consanguineum & amicum nostrum Carissimum erga nos & negotiorum nostrorum expeditionem gerere novimus et habere, quinquaginta Marcas sterlingorum annuatim per aequales portiones ad scaccarium nostrum, videlicet in festis Paschae et sancti Michaelis percipiendas duximus concedendas: In cujus, &c.

Consimiles Literas habet venerabilis Pater Dominus Petrus de Piperna sanctae Mariae novae Diaconus Cardinalis, Amicus Regis Karissimus, de quinquaginta Marcis sterlingorum annuatim percipiendis ad scaccarium praedictum in festis predictis. Teste ut supra.

Consimiles Literas habet venerabilis Pater Dominus Wilhelmus de Pergumo sancti Nicholai in carcere Tulliano Diaconus Cardinalis Amicus noster Karissimus, de Quinquaginta marcis sterlingorum annuatim percipiendis ad scaccarium praedictum in festis praedictis. Teste ut supra.

Consimiles Litteras habet Venerabilis Pater Franciscus sanctae Mariae in Cosmodii Diaconus Cardinalis et amicus Regis Karissimus de Quinquaginta Marcis sterlingorum annuatim percipiendis ad scaccarium predictum in fest is predictis. Teste ut supra.

REX omnibus ad quos, &c. Qui sincerae Affectionis fervore, & gratuitae binevolentiae studio nostris utili atibus procurandis invigilant & insistunt, dignum duximus & naturali consonum esse novimus aequitati, ut eis mutuae vicissitudiais beneficia rependamus. Attendentes igitur venerabilis patris Domini Gentilis, titulo sancti Martini in montibus Presbyteri Cardinalis, amici nostri Charissimi circumspectam industriam, et sollicitudinem operosam quas in nostris negotiis in sancta Romana Curia promovendis hactenus adhibuit, eumque adhibiturum speramus Deo propitio in futurum, pensionem annuam Quinquaginta Marcarum sterlingorum ad scaccarium nostrum percipiendam, ad duos Anni Terminos, videlicetin festis Paschae et sancti Michaelis per aequales portiones sibi duximus tenore present ium concedendam; In cujus; &c. Teste Rege apud Odynham Vndecimo die Januarii.

In all these Pensions and Annuities, I shall desire the Readers to observe; 1. That they are granted out of the Kings Exchequer only; payable half yearly at the feasts of Easter & Michaelmas; just as King Johns pension of a thousand Marks by the year to the Pope was; 2ly. That the warrants for payment of the one & other run in the same form. 3ly. That the sole motive or ground of our Kings granting and paying these pensions, was only to get the easier dispatch of their businesses in the Court of Rome by the assistance of these their Pensioners, which otherwise (for Rome's and the Popes credit) they could not obtain, were their suits never so reasonable. And this was the sole reason why any of our Kings paid this annuity, first granted by King John, at any time to any Pope, even to procure a speedy auspicious answer, or else assistance from him in their affairs with foreign Princes, or relating to their own Rebellious Prelates, Subjects, or complaints against the Popes and his Legates intolerable Usurpations, Exactions on their Crowns, or Subjects; Not that they ever reputed King Johns Charters valid, or obligatory to him or them in the least degree, they protesting, resolving the contrary, as the premises demonstrate.

Now to evidence this Charter and Rent yet more fully to be null in Law beyond contradiction, I shall desire the Popes learnedest Advocates pleading for their validity to take notice of these particulars:

1. That the whole 8. Council of Toledo in Spain under King Recesuinthus, and this King himself about Anno 660. decreed, That not only the ancient Crown-lands of the kingdom, but whatever Lands and Revenues their Kings acquired, quae pro solo constat eos imperii percepisse fastigio, should not descend to their sons, but to the Successor of the Realm; and not be alienated from the crown, nor subjected to the Kings person, but Regal power; Regem terrenum jura faciunt, non persona, quia non constat sui mediocritate, sed sublimitatis honor. Quae ergo honori debentur, honori deserviant, & quae Reges accumulant Regno relinquant, ut quia eos regni gloria decorat, ipsi quoque regni gloriam non extenuent, sed exornent, by enlarging, not extenuating or alienating the Revenues thereof; which this Council enjoined their succeeding Kings by Oath to observe.

2. That it is the general received Resolution of the learnedest Doctors and Professors of the Civil Law, That no Emperor or King elective or hereditary, can alienate or subject the Royalties of his Crown, kingdom to any other person whatsoever, (especially to a foreign Prince or Potentate) without the general consent of his Nobles, Barons, Subjects; they being in truth but Trustees, not Proprietors of all their Crown-lands, Rents, Revenues, for the Defense, Government and Benefit of their kingdoms, not absolute Inheritors of them; and the alienation thereof a direct breach both of their Oaths, Trusts; and their Supreme Sovereign power, essential to, inseparable from their Regalities: This they resolve in the cases of Constantine, Charles the Great, P • pins, and Othoes pretended Donations of Rome and Italy to the Pope and his Successors, the same in substance with King Johns.

Lucas de Penna, a most eminent Professor of the Civil Law, resolves, Imperii Regalia sunt inalienabilia; and although the Emperor should swear, that he would not revoke such Royalties as were alienated to the prejudice of his Crown and dignity, posset tamen ea, non obstante Iuramento revocare; because the Emperor at his Coronation swears, Iura regni sui et honorem Coronae illibata servare. From whence he (and others) infer; That by virtue of this Oath, the Emperors are strictly obliged in duty both to God and to the Empire, to take unto themselves not only those fair and large Territories which the Pope hath either by fraud or force invaded, decking himself with the plumes of their Eagle; but especially they ought to resume that Dominion and Sovereignty of Authority in those very Lands which the Pope now challengeth as his own. For this Sovereignty being the most proper and essential Privilege belonging to any Imperial Crown; by virtue of this their sacred Oath, they ought utterly to refuse ( as they may ) that other coacted Oath whereby they are most injuriously tied to permit the Pope ( that man of sin ) quietly to enjoy their Imperial Possessions, Rights, Royalties, and tread both themselves and their Crowns under feet. The Romish Gelders of all passages in Books that make against their Roman Pontif, or Religion, have gelt this masculine passage (of no less then 178. lines in folio) out of Penna, which comes home to King Johns case.

Baldus Perusinus a learned Civilian, writing of the pretended Donation of Constantine to the Pope, delivers this as his own and other Doctors resolutions therein. They determine, Hanc donationem quoad expropriationem territorii, Dignitatis et Iurisdictionis, non valere, nec possibilem esse. The commodities, profits, and profitable Dominion may be granted, salva semper ab Imperio recognitione et fide. For to say, that the Emperor could by this donation mutilare Imperium, and cut off the Members thereof, est species fatuitatis; it being never his intention: nor yet King Johns, as the Saving in the Charter fully demonstrateth:

Fr. Aretinus a Grand Doctor of the Civil Law, not only assents unto; but highly applauds the judgment of Baldus hereiri; Eleganter tradit Baldus, quod Imperator non potest dare quotam Imperii, neither a third, nor a fourth part, nor half of his Empire; whereby Baldus means, That the Empire being an entire and universal power, the Emperor by giving ought, ceaseth not to be the Universal Lord of all belonging to the Empire.

Franciscus Vargas lays down these 2. Positions, 1. Suprema Principis Jurisdictio est prorsus inabdicabilis. 2. Impossible est Imperatorem facere aliquem vel parem sibi, vel superiorem; citing Baldus, with divers other Lawyers concurring with him herein: His reasou is, Quia Lex Regia contradicit; and that it is inconsistent with Regality: Therefore King John could not alienate his Regality, nor make the Pope his superior in his own Realms.

Didacus Co • arruvias writing of the Supreme Sovereignty belonging to a King or Emperor, resolves; Nullo modo alienari potest, though in giving Lands, Cities or Territories, the King use never so ample and abundant words in his charter, Because this Sovereignty is essential to Regal Majesty. He and Vargas citing Gulielmus Benedictus, Carolus Degrassatus, and Felinus concurring with them herein.

Boetius Epon. professedly, and at large discusseth this point, and thus resolves it, The Donation of Constantine did no way concern the alienating or giving up of the Roman Empire; but only the alienating of all the places in Italy, and in the whole West. Constantine did not Abdicate his Empire, or give it to the Pope ne per Occidentem quidem, no not in the West, nor in Italy, nor in the very City of Rome; he honored the Pope as much as he could, citra imperii vel abdicationem, vel alienationemullo modo, without either abdicating, or any way alienating the Empire. He gave to the Pope a certain right of Jurisdiction, and Rule in the Western Regions, Imperio Romano inferius atque minutius, but inferior and less then Imperial Authority. He gave to the Pope Imperium honorarium duntaxat et secundarium, sed minime supremum, an honorable and secondary Government, but not the Supreme. That supreme Authority in solidum penes Constantinum remansit etiam in Occidente. And in his Commentary, which for the honor and credit of Constantine's Donation he hath made upon it, he sets this down with a Memorandum, Notabis hinc, That the Empire or Sovereignty in Italy and in the West, was not transferred by Constantine to the Pope, and very often he repeats the like.

Albericus de Rosate, a famous Civilian, is most punctual in this particular. Let us see (saith he) whether Constantine's Donation could be offarce to the prejudice of his Successors? Accursius holds it could not: so doth John de Parisiis, Because none being deputed to an Office, may do ought against his own Office. But it is against the Office deputed to the Emperor, to impair his Empire, or to cut and take away any one part from it; For by the same reason that he may cut away one part, he may cut away also another, and so may his Successors; and so the Empire should at last be brought to nothing and utterly destroyed, which is against the Public good, and the end why the Empire is ordained. Ex quo vere credo, Whereupon I do truly believe, that the aforesaid Donation De Iure, cannot be of force to prejudice the Empire, or the Successors. He adds, That praescriptio dat utile Dominium Ecclesiae, (praestitis tamen Tributis & Censibus Imperatorum) Directum non tollit. Contra Principem non nisi quoad utile Dominium praescribitur; because the Pope in using this Dominion, doth it as the Emperors Deputy or Minister, and in the Emperors name, and so the Sovereignty still rests in the Emperor, against which there is no prescription. As for prescription by the Canon Law, that is least available for the Pope: For by the Canon Law there is required to a valid prescription, TITULUS, & BONA FIDES; Both which (in this case of Constantine's Donation, and so in King John's too) he saith, seem to be wanting, for there is a Title pretended, where there is no Title at all, quia datus per eum quidare non potuit, and because the alienation is made contrary to Law, as we have shown: Bona fides also is here wanting, because the Pope and his Successors knew, Res esse alienas, hoc est Imperii. Thus Albericus most clearly resolves; whose words and reasons extend as fully to King Johns Charter, as to Constantine's pretended. Donation to the Pope.

Antonius Rosellus, (noble both for his birth and learning in the Civil Law, and other Literature,) though he defends the Donations made to Popes by Constantine, Charles, Louis and Otho; yet after long debate, he concludes thus: Firmiter teneo, That as to those lands and territories which the Pope hath from ancient times possessed by virtue of those gifts, they are good for the possession, profits, & utile Dominium, seeing therein the Imperial right is not taken away, SED DIRECTUM IMPERIUM EST PENES CAESAREM. Directum Imperium est in ossibus Caesaris, irremovibile, vel inalienabile; Habet ergo Papa executionem potestatis, in the Territories given him, but he hath not the Sovereign power over them, that belongs to the Emperor, who in all temporal goods and possessions is the Sovereign Prince; For as we daily see the Emperor gives Dukedoms, Earldoms, or Kingdoms, et tamen retinet in directo Dominio ipsam Inrisdictionem et Jus Imperii in ipsis bonis, aut commissis; even so in those gifts given by the Emperors to the Church or Pope JUS IMPERII et Jurisdictionem retinuit, et retinet, quamvis utile Dominium ejus, et executionem potestatis Pontifici commisit. He subjoins. The Donation to the Pope is good, quoad proprietatem & dominium particular, sed non quoad Jurisdictionem totalem & Jus Imperii. Although the Pope be capable of Imperial right quoad subsidium, non tamen est capax principaliter, & ideo impossible est per viam praescriptionis. Nay it is impossible, that in the same person should subsist the Imperial Authority and the Priesthood; & ideo impossible est per viam praescriptionis. He further resolves, If there happen a controversy betwixt the Pope and the Prince concerning any mere temporal matter, I think the Emperor himself ought to be Judge herein; seeing in Temporal matters he is above all, even the Pope himself; & ipse est Judex suae causae, the Emperor is Judge in his own cause, as the Law teacheth. (Therefore King John, his Successors and Parliaments are meet Judges in the case of England, by like reason, who have adjudged this Kings Charter void.) He proceeds one step further.

Whereas the Popes to make sure that Authority which they use in the Patrimony of St. Peter, cause the Emperor to swear, that he will not exercise that Imperial Authority which he hath in those Lands, but permit the Popes to enjoy the same as they have used, (tying the Emperors by this Oath from the exercise of any Imperial Jurisdiction in those Territories) this learned Lawyer teacheth; That Emperors indeed after they have once taken this Oath, cannot intermeddle in those Lands, but ought by virtue of their Oath, leave the Jurisdiction therein to the Pope; But withal he adds, that seeing the Emperor retaineth still the direct dominion in those Lands, which dominion he cannot possibly pass away to the Pope, his Successors need not to take that Oath, and not taking it (saith he) they may actually use their own Imperial Rights, and Jurisdiction in the same, and it were better they would do so.

Hugo Grotius, (one of the learnedest, most judicious Lawyers, Scholars of this later age) positively concludes. Rex partem populi alienare non potest, nisi etiam pars de qua alienanda agitur consentiat; accedente populi consensu libero, alienari posse etiam à rege, quid obstet non video. Quare subscribere non possumus Jurisconsultis, qui de non alienandis Imperii partibus adjiciunt exceptiones duas, de publica utilitate, & de necessitate, nisi hoc sensu, ut ubi est eadem utilitas communis, & corporis & partis, facile etiam ex silentio etiam non longi temporis, consensus & populi & partis intervenisse videatur, facilius vero si etiam necessitas appareat. At ubi manifesta est in contrarium voluntas, aut corporis aut partis, nihil actum debet intelligi. Sub alienatione merito comprehenditur & infeudatio, sub onere. Quare videmus a pluribus populis irritas habitas ut alienationes, ita infeudationes Regnorum quas populis inconsultis Reges fecerant. Populum autem consensisse intelligimus, sive totus coiit, quod olim apud Germanos & Gallos fieri solebat, sive per Legatos partium integrantium mandato sufficient instructos: Nam facimus quod & per alium facimus. ( d ) Sed nec pignori dari pars Imperii poterit, nisi consensu simili, non ea tantum de causa quod ex pignoris datione sequi alienatio soleat, sed quod et Rex teneatur populo ad exercendum per se summum Imperium, et populus partibus suis ad conservandum hoc exercitium in sua integritate, cujus rei gratia in societatem civilem coitum est. Patrimonium quoque populi, cujus fructus destinati sunt ad sustentanda Reipublicae, aut Regiae dignitatis onera, a Regibus alienari nec in totum nec in partem potest: Nam in hoc jus majus fructuario non habent. Nec admitto distinctionem, si res modicum videat, quia quod meum non est, ejus nec exiguam partem alienare mihi jus est, sed in rebus modicis quam in magnis consensus populi ex scientia, et ex silentio facilius praesumitur. Existimat Barclaius, Si Rex regnum alienet, aut alii subjiciat, amitti ab eo regnum. Ego hic subsisto. Nam talis actus si regnum electione aut successoria lege deferatur, Nullus est; quae autem nulla sunt, nullum habent Juris effectum. Unde & de usufructuario, cui Regem talem similem diximus, verior mihi videtur Jurisconsultorum sententia, si extraneo Jus suum cedat, nihil eum agere. Et quod dicitur ad Dominum proprietatis reverti usumfructum, intelligen • um legitimo tempore. Si tamen Rex re ipsa etiam tradere regnum, aut subiicere moliatur, quin ei resisti in hoc possit, non dubito. In fine, he resolves thus, That the contracts of Kings prejudicial to their kingdoms, bind neither their Successors nor kingdoms, but are void. Apud Sapientes cassa habebantur, quae neque dari, neque accipi salva republica poterant. Si quo casu contractus incipiat vergere non ad damnum modo aliquod, sed ad perniciem publicam, ita ut ab initio contractus in extensione ad illum casum censendus fuisset injustus & illicitus, tunc non tantum revocari eum contractum posse, quam declarari eum non ultra obligare, quasi factum sub conditione sine qua juste fieri non potuit. Illud quoque a multis traditum, beneficia Principum quae liberaliter sunt concessa semper posse revocari, sine distinctione transmittendum non est; i. e. nisi quod subditos attinet ad poenam, aut ob utilitatem publicam, Contractibus vero eorum qui sine Jure Imperium invaserunt, (the case of King John as to the Pope) non tenebuntur populi aut veri Reges, nam hi jus obligandi populum non habuerunt. And in his Adnotata he recites these examples of revocations of such gifts made by the Roman and Graecian Emperors, and Kings of France, Aragon, and Poland. Laudat & applicat, Mariana, ad immensam munificentiam Friderici Regis Neopolitani xxiv. 16 à Nerone donata etiam ab emptoribus repetiit Galba relicta decima. Tacitus Historiarum 1. & Plutarchus. Pertinax etiam à libertis ea exegit, quae sub specie venditionis Commodo principi lucrifecerant. Macedo Imperator repetiit quae Michael Imperator elargitus fuerat. Zonaras de eo. Communi consensu placuit, ut qui pecunias multas nulla probabili ex causa accepissent, partim totas, partim dimidium redderent. Vide eundem Isaacio Comneno de donationibus Ludovici xi. Vide Serranum Carolo 8. de ejusdem donationibus etiam quae Ecclesiis facta non servatis Philippum Cominaeum lib. 9. Marianam. vero de donationibus quas Arragoniae Rex Ramirus fecerat, rescissis, Libro 10. cap. 16 de Isabellae donationibus rescissis per ipsam 272. Cromerum de Casimiti Regis Poloniae testamento partim probato, partim improbato xii. So that by Grotius his own Resolution, with the resolves of the Historians, Emperors, Kings, and near 20. famous Civilians cited by him in the Margin, King Johns Charter and Pension must needs be void in Law to all intents, against himself, his Successors, kingdoms, their reasons, and resolutions extending punctually thereunto.

Francis the 1. King of France being taken prisoner in the battle of Pavia by the Emperor Charles the 5th. to procure his Liberty Anno 1525. by Articles under his hand and Seal ratified by his Corporal Oath, promised to consign and deliver up unto the Emperor the Dutchie of Burgundy, for his ransom: Whereupon being enlarged, the Emperor pressing him to perform his Articles and Oath, he returned this Answer, to which he adhered; That it was not in the power of a French King to bind himself to the alienation of any Lands, Towns or Territories belonging to the Crown, without the consent of the General Estates of France, and of his Sovereign Courts and Officers, in whose hands the Authority of the whole Realm remained: And that he had no power to release his Right to any of the territories belonging to the Crown of France, without his Kingdoms and Parliaments consents; no not to purchase his own freedom and ransom thereby; wherein all the Civilians of France concurred with him. Much less then could King John surrender and alienate both his kingdoms to the Pope without any consideration at all.

I shall conclude with the Authority of that most famous Grand Lawyer and Statesman John Bodin, in his Book of Commonwealth, translated into most Languages; where he thus resolves at large, with abundance of Reason and ingenuity, against the power of Kings or Republics to alienate the public Revenues, discovering the manisold mischiefs, frauds ensuing thereupon.

OF the Reg • l Revenues, some are public, some are private; the last may be sold and made away, the first never. And to the end Princes should not be forced to overcharge their Subjects with Imposts, or to seek any unlawful means to for feit their Goods, All Monarchs and States have held it for a general and undoubted Law, That the public Revenues should be holy, sacred, and inalienable, either by Contract or Prescription. In like sort Kings (especially in this Realm of France ) granting their Letters Patents for the re-union of Crown Lands, declare, That they have taken an Oath coming to the Crown, in no sort to sell or make away the Revenues. And although it were duly and directly made away, were it forever, Yet is it always subject to be redeemed, and in such sort as the Prescription of an Hundred years, which gives a just title to the possessor, doth not touch the Revenues of the Crown: The Edicts, Decrees, and Ordinances of this Realm are notorious, not only against private men, but even against Princes of the Blood, who have been put from the division of the Revenues, and the Prescription of an Hundred years: And this is not peculiar to this Realm alone, but common to the Kings of England, Spain, Poland, and Hungary, who are accustomed to swear not to alienate the Revenues of the Crown. The which is also observed in Popular and Aristocratical States; and even at Venice the Law allows no Prescription. (the which many would limit to sixscore years) nor yet the Cantons of the Swissers. For King Henry 2. having requested the Seigniory of Lucerne to engage themselves for a certain sum of money, Hugo the chief Magistrate made answer to the Ambassador, That both the Senate and Commons of Lucerne had sworn never to pawn nor engage their Lands. We read also that the same Ordinances were religiously observed in the two most goodly Common-weals that ever were, Athens and Rome, wherein two Great Personages Themistocles and Cato the Censor, caused all the public Revenues to be seized on, the which had through tract of time, and sufferance of Magistrates, been usurped by private men; saying in their Orations, Nec mortals contra Deum immortalem, nec privatos contra Rempublicam praescribere posse: That mortal men could never prescribe against the immortal God, nor private men against the Common-weal. And therefore the Court of Parliament upon a civil request obtained by the Kings Proctor General, against a Decree made in favor of the Successors of Felix of Nogaret, to whom King Philip the fair 260. years before had given the Lands and Seigniory of Calvisson, for his virtues and well deserving of the Common-weal, whereby it was revoked unto the Council, showing thereby, That Prescription hath no place when there is any question of the Revenues of the Crown. And the Court of Parliament at Rovan, by a sentence given the 14. February 1511. betwixt the Kings Proctor, and the Religious of St. Omer, adjudging the possession of certain goods unto the King, allowing the Religious to relieve themselves by some other means, and to prove it duly by way of Inquest, and for cause; which words (and for cause) are not to be understood for the poor subjects of the Country only, but generally for all. And oftentimes the Treaties made betwixt Princes, have no other difficulties but for the preservation of the Revenues, the which Princes cannot alienate to the prejudice of the public. Henry the 8. King of England, in a Treaty made with the Pope, and Potentates of Italy, in the year 1527. caused this clause to be added, That they might not give away anything of the Crown of France, for the redeeming of King Francis; and upon this point the breach of the Treaty of Madrid was grounded; for that the ancient custom of this Realm, conformable to the Edicts or Ordinances of other Nations, requires the consent of the three Estates, the which is observed in Poland by a Law made by Alexander King of Poland, according to the disposition of the Common Law, unless the sale were made at such time as the Enemy had invaded the Country; and that the form be observed from point to point, as in the alienation of Pupils goods, (the Common-weal being always regarded as a Pupil) and if there be anything omitted, it is all of no force, or at least it is subject to recission, without restitution unto the Purchaser of the thing purchased: Neither can the Prince challenge that unto himself which belongs unto the public, no more then a Husband can his Wives Dowry, wherein the Prince hath less right; for the Husband may abuse the fruits of his Wives Dowry at his pleasure, but a Prince may well use, but not abuse the fruits of a public Dowry: As the Citizens that were in society with the Athenians complained, That the public money was to be put in Apolloes Treasury, and not to be wasted by the Athenians. Our Kings have and do acknowledge, that the propriety of the Crown Lands is not the Princes; for King Charles the 5. and 7. would not have the Crown Lands pawned, unless the Parliament at the instance of the Kings Proctor had so decreed, as we may see in the ancient Registers of the Court of Parliament, and Chamber of Accounts: And the reason is, for that the Revenues belong unto the Common-weal, as wise Princes have always acknowledged. And when as K. Lewis the 8. died, (having given much by his Testament to poor Widows and Orphans) he commanded all his Jewels and moveables to be sold, to p • rform his Legacies, least that anything belonging to the Crown should be sold, as having no Interest in it. And for this cause Pertinax the Roman Emperor caused his name, being written upon the public Lands, to be rased out, saying, That it was the very Inheritance of the Common-weal, and not the Emperors, although they enjoy the Rents for the maintenance of their houses and the Common-weal. And we do also read that Antonius Pius lived of his own Inheritance, applying nothing that belonged to the public to his private use. Whom K. Lewis the 12. (called the Father of his Country ) doth seem to imitate▪ who would not mingle his Patrimony and Revenues with that of the public, erecting the Chamber of Blois for his Lands at Blois, Coussy, and Monfort; and yet many have erroneously confounded the public with the Princes private Lands. Neither is it lawful for Sovereign Princes to abuse the fruits and Revenues of the Crown Lands, although the Common-weal be in quiet, and free from all trouble, for that they have the use only, and ought (the Common-weal and their house being maintained) to keep the surplusage for public necessity. Although that Pericles said to the Ambassadors of the Confederates, That they had no Interest in the employment of the Treasure, so as they were maintained in peace; for it was contained in the Treaty of Alliance, that the money which should be raised in the time of peace, should be guarded in Apolloes Temple, and that it should not be employed but by a common consent. But there is great difference between the Treasury or Exchequer in a Monarchy and in popular States; for a Prince may have a Treasury of his private Patrimony, the which was called Fiscus by the Ancients, and that of the public Revenues Aerarium; the one being divided from the other by the ancient Laws, the which can have no place in a popular or Aristocratical Estate. Yet there never wanted Flatterers to persuade Princes to sell their Revenues of the Crown, to make a great benefit; the which is a Tyrannical Opinion, and the ruin of a Common-weal. For it is well known, that the public Revenues consist chiefly in that which Dukes, Marquesses, Earls, and Barons did sometimes possess, the which either by Succession, Dowry, or by Confiscation have come unto the State, in Lordships, Copy-holds, in Fees, Alienations, Sales, Seisures, Rents, Amercements, Rights, Confiscations, and other Regalities, the which are not subject to Imposts and ordinary Charges, and oftentimes are gotten by them which are free from all Charges. Moreover, Commissioners granted to sell the public Revenues for the making of money speedily, allow it to be sold for Ten Years purchase, when as private Lands in Fee with Justice, are sold for Thirty Years purchase, and those that have Dignities at Fifty Years and more; so as some with the purchase of the public Lands, reap in one year more profit by the Jurisdiction, then they paid for the Land. Others have paid nothing at all, taking the Valuation of the Revenue by Extracts from the Chamber of Accounts, given in by the receivers in Ten Years, who oftentimes have not received anything, for that the profits of inferior Justice is made in the chief and Regal Court. As for Sales the purchaser hath more profit then the Interest of the money which they have paid can amount unto; As also the receivers of the Revenues are not accustomed to give any account of Casualties, but for a small part. And in Farming out the Crown Lands the Farmers are liable to Subsidies, and are charged according to their abilities.

There are infinite more abuses which the Common-wealth sustains by Sales of their Revenues; but the greatest is, that the money which is made is not put out to Rent, (like to those that think to be good Husbands) but is most commonly wasted and given unto them that have least deserved; and so for want of money to redeem this Land, the Common-weal falls to decay, then do they also sell the Commons, whereby the poor are relieved. It were more fit to sell the wast Lands of the Common-weal, the which no man will hire, and brings no benefit to the Common-weal, to the end the Treasury may be enriched, and that the Citizens may profit by the tilling thereof: But if they may have a Farmer it is not lawful to sell it: Although that Aristotle commends them of Constantinople, who sold their Lands for a continual Rent, the which is a mere Alienation, and money taken before, diminisheth the Rent; the which was expressly defended by an Edict made by Charles the Ninth. And although that afterwards he made another Edict for the renting out of waste Lands, and paying of Fines, by the persuasion of such as sought to make money; For the Parliament of Paris upon the Verification of the said Edict, decreed, That the Rents should not be redeemed, and that there should be no Fine paid at the beginning; and for that the Commissioners for this Sale did sue unto the King that it might be lawful to give money at the entry: The Court (all the Chambers being assembled) decreed, That the purchasers might not give above a third of the sum at the entry, in regard of the value of the Lands; the which third part should be received by the receivers of the Revenues, a part to be employed to redeem the revenues that are sold imposing a Quadruple penalty to be Levyed as well upon Receivers, as those that had gotten any assignation of the said Moneyes. And it is not here needful to relate what losses the King and Common weal have sustained by such Alienation of the Wast Lands. King Francis the second coming to the Crown, Commanded his Proctors and Magistrates to redeem the public Revenues from private occupyers, wherein he Complained, that the Crown Lands and Revenues were so dismembered and wasted; as that which remained did not suffice for the charges that were laid upon them. But our King hath far greater cause to Complaine now, when as there scarce remains anything that is to be sold. In the general Accounts of the Treasure made in January, in the year 1572. there was no receipt made of any Revenues, although there was six and Thirty Tousand Crowns in the Receit, When as King Francis died, as it appeareth by an Account of the Treasure made in the year 1569. and by the same Estate the Alienation of the revenues, Impositions, and subsidies amounted to Foureteen Millions Nine Hundred sixty and one Thousand Four Hundred and seventy Livres fiften Soulz and eighty deniers, not comprehending Twelve Hundred Thousand Livres, for the fourth and half fourth, and Four Hundred and fifty Thousand Livres upon the strike of salt, the which the Country Guienne redeemed in the years 1549. and 1553. Whereby it plainly appears that the Kings Revenues are almost all engaged and made away, for fifteen or sixteen Millions at the most, the which is worth above Fifty Millions, for that Earldoms, Baronies and other seigniories have not been sold for above nine years purchase: and if it were redeemed and let to Farm it would amount yearly to almost Three Millions, the which would suffice to maintain the Kings house in state, and to pay most of the officers their wages, not meddling with any of the other ordinary or extraordinary charges. And if we may compare a small Kingdom with a greater, the revenues of the Crown of England comprehending the Land, subsidies, Tares, Customs, Imposts and all other charges amount to little more then sixscore and ten Thousand pounds sterling a year, having a good part of the temporal Lands of the Church annexed to it, and yet the Queen doth maintain her Court, and the estate of her Realm very Royally, and redeemed the Revenues ( not selling any. )

3dly. As all these Civilians, States, Kingdoms, Statesmen abroad; so our own Parliaments, Laws, Judges, Lawyers at home from age to age, have unanimously resolved, That the Kings of England cannot give, grant, alienate, sell, mortgage their kingdoms, nor the Manors, Lands, Rents, Revenues, Forts, ancient Jewels, Ships, Magazins belonging to the Crown, settled on them in trust for the maintenance of their Government, the safety of the kingdom, and ease of the people from public Taxes, without common consent of their Parliaments, Lord's, Subjects; and that if any alienations be made of them they may and ought to be resumed; as not only void in Law, but contrary both to the Oath, and duty of those Kings who alienated them.

1. This is most apparent, by the description of our Kings Office used at their Coronations (the substance whereof still remaineth in the Oath yet taken) thus expressed in the Laws of King Edward the Confessor, Lex 17. ( a ) Moreover, The King by his Right, and by his Office, ought to defend and conserve fully and wholly in all ampleness, WITHOUT DIMINVTION, all the Lands, Honors, Dignities, Rights and Liberties of the Crown of his kingdom: And further to reduce into their pristine state all such things as have been dispersed, wasted and lost which appertain to his kingdom. Therefore this Surrender and Charter of King John was expressly against his Office, Duty of a King, and he and his Successors might and ought in justice to recall it, as void, prejudicial, and dishonorable.

2ly. By the several Acts of Resumption in all ages of lands given or alienated from the Crown by our Kings. The first I shall mention, is that of King Henry the 2. thus related in Brompton, Nubrigensis, and others, Anno Dom: 1155. Quomodo Dominica Regis redintegrantur. Considerans autem Rex (Henricus secundus) quod Regii redditus breves essent, qui avito tempore uberes fuerant, eo quod Regia Dominica per mollitiem Regis Stephani ad alios multos{que} dominos majori ex parte migrassent, praecepit ea cum omni integritate, à quibuscun{que} detentoribus resignari, et in jus pristinum revocari. Et hi quidem qui regus oppidis seu vicis hactenus incliti fuerant; Chartas quas a Rege Stephano vel extorserunt, vel obsequiis emerant, quibus tuti forent protulerunt: sed quoniam Chartae invasoris Juri legitimi Principis praejudicium facere minime debuerunt, eisdem Instrumentis esse tuti minime potuerunt. So Neubrigensis; or as Brompton. Quidem vero in dies Chartas Regis Stephani protulerant: Quibus à Rege responsum est, Quod Chartae Invasoris praejudicium legitimo Principi minune faccre debeant. (The case of K. Johns Charters in relation to his Successors.) Itaque primo indignati, deinde conterriti, et contristati aegre quidem, sed tamen integre Usurpata, et diu tanquam solido jure detenta resignarunt. Cumque in cunctis Regni provinciis, omnes usque ad unum (de quo post pauca dicetur, ) voluntati Regiae paruissent, Rex transhumbranas Provincias adiit. Comitemque Albemarlensem Gulielmum, qui ibidem sub Stephano Rex verior fuerat, de re consimili, eodemque, & cateros ponder authoritatis convenit. Ille diu haesitans multumque aestuans, tandemcorde saurius, potestati succubuit, et quaecunque ex Regio dominio pluribus jam annis possederat, cum ingenti anxietate resignavit, maxim famosum illud, et noble Castrum quod dicitur Scarcheburch, quod idem Comes in Eboracensi provincia super rupis planiciem & turrim Infantium augustius fabricavit. In eadem ergo Piovincia Rebus ad votum gestis, Rex ad superiora Angliae remeans, solum Hugonem de Mortuo Mari virum fortem, & nobilem rebellem invenit, Castrum Regium de Brugenorth retinendo. Qui cum juberetur propriis esse contentus, & reddere quae de jure regio possidebat pertinacissime renuit, & se ad resistendum modis quibus potuit, praeparavit. Rex vero Exercitu celeriter congregato, Brigiam obsedit, & post tempus modicum fortiter oppugnatum in deditionem recepit, & dicto Comiti, cujus cor paulo ante quasi cor Leonis fuerat, humiliato & supplici veniam largitus est. After which to complete this resumption, Item repetiit a Rege Scotorum Northumbriam, Regi quoque Scotorum, qui boriales Angliae regiones, scilicet Northumbriam, Cumberlandiam, et Westmerlandiam nomine dictae Imperatricis et Haeredis ejus olim ad David Regem Scotorum adquisitas tanquam jus proprium possidebat, mandare curavit, regem Angliae non debere tanta regni sui parte fraudari, justumque est reddi quod fuit suo nomine adquisitum. Ille vero Rex Scotiae Regem Angliae in hac parte prudenter praevalere, Considerans, praenominatos fines cum integritate restituit, repetenti et ab eo vicissim Comitatum Huntingdoniae, prisco sibi Jure competentem recepit.

By his Example King Richard the First, selling and demising much of his Crown-lands to raise monies towards his Voyage to the Holy Land, upon his return thence Anno Dom. 1193. by persuasions and entreaties rather then force, resumed and got surrenders of them again, as void in Law, and prejudicial to the Crown. (c) Illi autem emptores mox Regio metu attoniti, nulla habita quaestione de sort non percepta omnia resignarunt. Dunolmensis etiam Episcopus qui Comitatum Northumbriae gravi summa comparatum per aliquot annos possideret, resignando, desinens esse Comes, in simplicem Episcopum rediit, ut prius. Nec in hac parte prae caeteris privilegium habuit. Anno Dom: 1224. All the Nobles and others of England, who had any of King Henry the 3d. his Castles and Lands, were enjoined to surrender them up to him by the Pope and Bishops, under pain of Excommunication. Saluberrimo usi consilio venerunt apud Northamptonam ad Regem universi, & a Comite Cestrensi incipientes, reddiderunt singuli Castella & Municipia, honores & custodias Regi quae ad Coronam spectare videbantur. So in 1 R. 2. rot. Parl. n. 48. 10 R. 2. c. 1. 1 H 4. rot. Parl. nu. 100. 6 H. 4. rot. Parl. n. 14. 8 H. 4. rot. Parl. nu. 29. 52. 1 H. 5. rot. Parl. n. 9. 1 H. 5. c. 3. 26 H. 6. rot. Parl. n. 54. 29 H. 6. n. 17. 31 H. 6. c. 7. 35 H. 6. n. 47. 4 E. 4. rot. Parl. n. 39, 40. 7 E. 4. rot. Parl. n. 8. 8 E. 4. rot. Parl. n. 26. 13 E. 4. rot. Parl. n. 6. There are several resumptions and revocations made by Acts of Parliament, of the Grants of our Kings, of the Lands and Revenues of the Crown, to the public prejudice, and restitution of them made to the Crown, for the better support thereof, and ease of the people in their public Taxes; as being not valid nor obligatory to those Kings who made them, much less to their Successors; especially when made by those who (though Kings de facto) had no just Title to the Crown. Therefore King Johns Charters upon this account might more justly be declared void, and repealed (if ever valid) then any others repealed by these Acts, which conveyed not the whole Kingdoms of England and Ireland, but only some parcels of the Crown Lands and Revenues, still held of our Kings by rents and services, as supreme Lord's.

3ly. By this resolution of (f) Matthew Paris himself, and the Lawyers of England, Anno Dom. 1251. in the case of King Henry the 3d. his secret mortgage of his Realm to the Pope, for monies borrowed of him in his Wars, and disbursed therein by the Pope; which they declared to be null, void, and blasted at least by God's divine Judgment: Ipso quoque tempore Rex secus quam deceret aut expediret, se, suumque Regnum sub poena exhaeredationis, quod tamen facere nec potuit, nec debuit, Dom: Papae obligavit, ad solutionem totius the sauri, quam in expeditione sui belli pro ipso Rege foret expositurus. Unde Papa nulla gerens super Anglia viscera pietatis, large, imo prodigaliter, mutuo pecuniam ab Italicis Usurariis (quos Mercatores vocant) accepit. Quam ipsomet Papa extorquente, & mulgente a Rege, Anglia ultimae servitutis pedissequa, solvere cogeretur. Sed justo Dei judicio tota illa innumerabilis pecunia, rapta & praedata, penitus nullum vel Papae vel Regi commodum suscitavit. If this King could not mortgage his kingdom to the Pope for monies lent, much less could King John surrender his kingdoms of England and Ireland to the Pope and his Successors, and resume them under an annual Rent, without any consideration.

4ly. The (1) Title of the Crown and kingdom of France being devolved by mere right upon King Edward the 3d: there grew some fears and jealousies in the Nobility and Commons of England, that they should be put in subjection to the Crown and Realm of France, against Law, and their ancient privileges: to prevent which, the King and Parliament in the 14 of Edward the 3d. Statute 4. passed a special Act, printed in our Statutes at large, declaring, That the Realm of England never was, nor ought to be in subjection, nor in the obeisance of the Kings of France, nor of the Realm of France. And then Enacted, That the King of England or his Heirs, by color of his or their Titles to the Crown, Seal, Arms and Title of the King of France, should not in any time to come put the Realm of England, or people of the same, of what estate or condition soever they be, in subjection or obeisance of him, nor his heirs or successors, AS KINGS OF FRANCE: nor be subject nor obedient, but shall be free and quit of all manner of subjection and obeisance, as they were wont to be, in the times of his Progenitors Kings of England FOR EUER. If the Kings of England themselves could not thus put the Realm, or all or any one of their English subjects in subjection and obeisance to the kingdom and Crown of France, as they were Kings of France, when rightful Kings both of France and England, as this Act declares and resolves; much less then could King John, without their assent, subject both himself, his Crown, kingdoms of England and Ireland, and all his Successors to the Pope, under Homage and an Annual Tribute, he having not the least color of Title or Right to either, and to whom they were not formerly subject, as the English were to King Edward before the Crown of France descended to him, being their lawful King.

5ly. In the Parliament of 2 E 3. The excessive Dower of Queen Isabel, the Kings Mother, was by common consent of Parliament resumed into the Kings hands, as prejudicial to the King, kingdom, and not settled by Parliament, and she reduced to an annual pension of One thousand pounds by the year in lieu thereof; or 3000. Marks, as Henry de Knyghton stories; No Joyntures of our Queens being irrevocable in Law, unless confirmed by Parliament, as most have been.

6ly. All the Commons of England in their Petition, with the King, Lord's, Commons, and whole Parliament of 16 R. 2. in c. 5. of Praemunire, declare and resolve, That the Crown and Kingdom of England hath been so free at all times, that it hath been in subjection to no Realm, or foreign power, but immediately subject to God, and to none other. Which by Popes Provisions and suites in the Court of Rome for Benefices and other particulars (restrained in this Act under the penalty of a Praemunire) should in all things touching the Regality thereof be submitted to the Bishop of Rome, and the Laws and Statutes of the Realm be by him defeated, and frustrated at his will, to the destruction of the King, his Sovereignty, Crown, Regality, and of all his Realm; in defense whereof in all points, they would live and die, against the Popes usurpation theron, restrained, highly punished by this Law. If then the Resolution of this whole Parliament, King & kingdom be true, King Johns subjecting and resignation of his Crown, kingdoms to the Pope and his successors, and Homage to them as their Vassal and Feudary by this Charter, must needs be void, null, as being most destructive to his Sovereignty, Crown, Regality, and both Realms of England and Ireland; and the ground of all Papal Encroachments complained of in this Statute of King Richard.

7ly. It is often adjudged, resolved in our Law-Books, Histories, and the Statutes of 16 R. 2. c. 1. 4. 1 H 6. c. 5. 1 H. 6. rot. Parl. n. 18. 21 R. 2. c. 9. 7 H. 4. 6. 25 H 8. c. 22. 26 H. 8. c. 13. 35 H. 8. c. 1. 1 Mariae, c. 1. & Parl. 2. c. 1, 2. 1 Eliz: c. 13. 13 Eliz: c. 1. 1 Jac. c. 1.

8ly. It is declared, adjudged by several Acts of Parliament, and all our Lawbooks, That Feofments or Obligations made by menaces, force and Duresse, are voydable, and not obligatory in point of Law. To instance in particulars of greatest public concernment. In the Grand Parliamentary Council about the year of Christ 536. under our famous British King Arthur, wherein were sundry Kings, Princes, Dukes, Earls, Nobles, Archbishops and Bishops present; this King receiving a Letter from the Roman Senate, and their Procurator Lucius Tiberius, exacting the payment of the annual Tribute due to the Roman Senate and State from the Britons, which the Roman Emperor Julius Caesar reserved and commanded them annually to pay to the Romans upon their conquest of them: The Letter being read before the King and this Great Council, they all unanimously adjudged: That this Tribute was exacted exirrationabili causa, because it was exacted by Julius Caesar, who, invited by the divisions of the old Britons, arrived in Britain, and by force and violence subjected it to their power, shaken with domestic commotions. Now for that they obtained it in this manner by force, Uectigal ex ea unjust ceperunt; Nihil enim quod vi et violentia acquiritur, juste ab ullo possidetur, qui violentiam intulit. Irrationabilem ergo causam praetendit, quamvis Iure sibi tributarios arbitratur. Whereupon they all peremptorily resolved not to pay id quod iniu • tum est, being thus extorted by force. The very case of the Rent, Pension, annual Tribute and Surrender of King John, extorted from him both by force and fraud. 2dly. Upon this very ground, King Harold receiving a Message from William the Conqueror before he actually invaded England, That according to his covenant with, and Oath made to him whiles in Normandy; that the Realm of England should remain unto him after the death of Edward the Confessor, he would deliver him the possession thereof, to avoid effusion of Christian blood; returned this answer to him, That he made this Oath through force and fear of death, whiles under his power in Normandy: That a forced Oath is not to be kept; For if an Oath which a Virgin had knowingly made concerning her body in her fathers house, without her parents assent, was revocable and void: much more the Oath which he being under the Scepter of the King, had made without his knowledge, by compulsion, ought to be nulled and made void. Moreover he affirmed, Nimis praesumptuosum fuisse, quod absque generali consensu Regni haereditatem vobis juraverat alienandam. That King Edward being then living, he could neither give away the kingdom in possession or reversion to him or any other, without the Kings consent, ET SINE POPULICONSENSV, SENATUS DECRETO super Regnum Angliae mulierem extraneam inconsultis Principibus me non debere, nec sine grandi injuria posse adducere, novit. That however he and Edward had tampered for the Kingdom, yet Edward himself coming in by Election, not by any title of Inheritance, His promise ( that he should enjoy it after him ) was of no validity; for how could he give that, wherein he was not interested? All which Allegations militate most strongly against the validity of King Johns Charter, Pension, and Oath of Homage to the Pope, gotten by mere force, from one who had no right to grant, or alienate his kingdoms, or prejudice his Successors. 3ly. The * Barons having by force of arms extorted the Confirmation of the Great Charter from King John, Pope Innocent the 3d. himself upon King Johns complaint unto him against this force, repealed and nulled the Great Charter of their Liberties by his Bull, upon the account of force and fraud, Videns se omni consilio & auxilio destitutum, quicquid illi ausi sunt petere, non est ausus ipse n • gare. Unde compulsus est per vim et metum, qui cadere poterat in virum etiam constantissimum, compositionem inire cum ipsis, non solum vilem et turpem, verum etiam illicitam et iniquam; in nimiam derogationem ac diminutionem sui juris pariter et honoris, &c. Nos tantae malignitatis audaciam dissimulare nolentes in Apostolicae sedis contemptum, Regalis juris dispendium, Anglicanae gentis opprobrium, &c. nisi per authoritatem nostram revocarentur omnia, quae a tanto Principe Cruce signato taliter sunt extorta; et ipso volente ea servare, ex parte Dei omnipotentis Patris et Filii et Spiritus sancti, authoritate quoque Apostolorum ejus Petri et Pauli ac nostra, de communi fratrum nostrorum consilio, compositionem hujusmodi reprobamus penitus et damnamus, sub intimatione Anathematis; prohibentes ne dictus Rex ease observari praesumat, aut Barones cum complicibus suis ipsam exigant observari; tam cartam quam obligationes, & cautiones quaecun{que} pro ipso vel de ipsa sunt factae, irritantes penitus et cassantes, ut nullo unquam tempore aliquam habeant firmitatem. Therefore from this Popes own resolution against the Great Charter, within two years after King Johns most detestable Charter to himself of his kingdoms surrender, homage, and annual pension, made with greater evidences of external and internal force, fear▪ (besides apparent fraud) more injurious to the Kings Crown, opprobrious to the English Nation, then his Grand Charter to the Barons thus nulled, repealed, as never to be observed by the King or Barons, must much more then be void, and the observation thereof to be never exacted by the Pope or his complices. Upon this Account the Great Charter was afterwards reconfirmed by New Oaths, and several Parliaments, without any force or fear upon our Kings, to take away all disputes concerning its validity. 4ly. Judgments, Acts of Parliament themselves when obtained by force, fear, fraud, circumvention, derogatory to the Kings Prerogative, and Rights of the Crown, have been totally repealed, nulled, and declared void by subsequent Parliaments for these very reasons; wiinesse the Parliament of 15 E. 3. reversed by 15 E. 3. Stat. 2. in the print, but in truth by 17 E. 3. rot. parl. nu. 3. the Parliament of 10 R. 2. reversed by 11 R. 2. c. 3. & rot. Parl. nu. 70. 113. & 21 R. 2. repealed by 1 H. 4. c. 3. the Parliaments of 38 & 39 H. 6. & 17 E. 4. c. 7. 1 Rich. 3. reversed by 1 H. 7. c. 1. Therefore much more ought King Johns forced Charters to be null and void upon this account, by the Fundamental Laws of England, wherewith the Civil Law accords, it being a principle in that Law ratified by a perpetual Edict, Interpositas metu transactiones ratas non haberi. And the Emperors Honorius and Theodosius in their Code of Laws, command, That those Sales, Donations and Transactions shall be void, quae per potentiam extortae sunt, which are extorted by power, as King John's Charter was.

5. Pope Pascalis the 2. being in the Army of the Emperor Henry the 5th. almost in nature of a prisoner, about Investitures per Annulum & Baculum, of which he endeavored to deprive the Emperor, after many contestations about them, did resign up the right of Investitures to the Emperor when he crowned and anointed him, Dato sibi in praesenti per manum Apostolico sub ttstimonio astantis Ecclesiae, privilegio investiturae Ecclesiasticae, juxta quod utriusque praedecessoribus placuerat, & permanere consueverat, cuius invulsibilem stabilitatem Dominus Papa mox sub Anathemate confirmavit: Whereupon they all sang Gloria in excelsis, &c. supposing all schisms and scandals utterly abolished thereby out of Christ's kingdom. After which the Pope with all his Bishops, Cardinals, Clerks, as well great as small, prospera Imperatori imprecantibus, & nimio amoris vinculo eum aliquandiu deducentibus per Longobardiam ad Alps, inde ad terras Germanicas foeliciter est reversus. The very next year this Pope calling a Council of Bishops to Lateran, Gerhard Bishop of Engolesm read the Popes Writing made to the Emperor before all the Council; Privilegium illud, quod non est Privilegium, sed vere dici debet PRAVILEGIUM pro liberatorum captivorum Ecclesiae, à Domino Paschali Papa, per violentiam Regis Henrici extortum. And upon this pretext, that it was extorted by force, they all passed this sentence upon it; Omnes hoc in sancto Concilio congregati canonica censura, et autoritate Ecclesiastica iudicio sancti Spiritus denunciavimus, et irritum esse iudicamus, et omnino ne quid autoritatis et efficacitatis habeat penitus excommunicamus: et clamabant omnes Amen, Amen. 6ly. After him, Pope Boniface the 8. Ann. 1301. in his Bull to K. Edw. the 1. (relating some things done by the Kings of Scotland, which seemed prejudicial to their Rights, whereof the King of England took advantage to prove his Sovereign Dominion over Scotland ) resolved; Et licet contra morem solitum aliqua fuerint hactenus in prejudicium▪ ea tamen utpote per vim et metum, quae cadere poterunt in constantem, illicita, nequaquam debent de Iure subsistere, aut in eiusdem Regni praeiudicium redundare. If then Pope Paschal the 2. and the whole Lateran Council adjudged his Charter or Bull of Privilege, surrendering up to the Emperor only his ancient, just right of Investitures, to be null, void, and of no efficacy at all, because extorted from the Pope by violence of the Emperor, notwithstanding his confirmation of the irrepeleable efficacy thereof with an Anathema, his, and all his Bishops, Cardinals, and Clergyes approbations thereof, prayers for the Emperor, and great expressions of love and loyalty to him when and immediately after it was made, but the very year before. And if by Pope Boniface his resolution, things done through force or fear ought not to stand in Law, or be prejudicial to the Realm of Scotland, All Popes and their Advocates, unless strangely intoxicated or blinded with partiality, must now at last acknowledge, that King Johns Charter extorted from him, with greater force, violence, fear, then that from Pope Pascalis, detestable to all the world, dishonorable to the King, destructive to the Crown and its Regalities, prejudicial to the whole Kingdom, and so frequently condemned, abominated in all ages; and the Annual Pension, Oblation granted in it, was originally null, void, unobligatory in itself both to King John, his Successors and Kingdoms, for all the premised reasons and Authorities.

I have thus largely insisted on the proof of this Charters nullity for 2. reasons. 1. Because Popes and their Parasites have so much vaunted of, and insisted on it in former and late times, as intitling the Pope to the supreme Dominion and Sovereignty of England and Ireland, and the Annual Pension of one Thousand Marks, as the grandest evidence of our Kings and Kingdoms vassalage to the Church of Rome. 2ly. Because it was the principal ground, occasion, introduction to all subsequent intolerable Usurpations, Enchroachments, Exactions of Popes upon our Kings, Kingdoms, Churches, Rights, Privileges, Properties; the subverting, nulling whereof, will null and invalid all other Usurpations founded on, or springing from it. Which considerations may justly excuse my prolixity in discussing its invalidity, and dipressing somewhat therein from my Chronological order.

I now return to my Historical method, from the time of this Charters sealing.

The Pope and his Legate Nicholas having by this Charter in a manner dethroned King John of his Regal Dignity, Authority, and made themselves more then Kings, Lord's both of England and Ireland in their own apprehensions, began forthwith to play REX, to show themselves professed Tyrants, usurping the sovereign Authority both in Church and State, presenting to all Bishoprics, Abbeys, Spiritual Promotions, and Benefices then void, without the Patrons consent, by way of Provision and Collation, (which they oft attempted, but never could effect till now) to the prejudice of the Crown, and inthralling of the Church of England, not vouchsafing to consult either with the King himself, the Archbishop or Bishops concerning their disposal: Thus storied by Matthew Paris.

EOdem tempore Innocentius Papa, Nicholao Apostolicae sedis Legato, Literas sub hac forma direxit. Cum non possit Ecclesiis Domini melius provideri, quam si eis Pastores pr • ficiantur idonei, qui non tam praeess ••• piant quam prodesse; fraternitati tuae, de qua plenam fiduciam obtinemus, per Apostolica scripta mandamus: quatenus Episcopatus et Abbatias Angliae nunc vacantes, facias cum tuo consilio de personis idoneis per electionem vel postulationem Canonicam ordinari; qui non solum vita, sed et scientia sint praeclari, verum etiam Regi fideles et Regno utiles, nec non ad auxilium et concilium efficaces, assensu Regio requisito. (Now inserted only to court the King out of his right, rather then to preserve it, as the sequel proved.) Cum ergo vacantium Ecclesiarum Capitulis, nostris Literis demus in mandatis, ut tuo consilio adquiescant; tu Dominum habens prae oculis, consulas super his viros providos et honestos, qui plene norint merita personarum; ne te cujusquam astutia circumvenire contingat. Si qui vero contradictores fuerint vel rebels, tu eos per Censuram Ecclesiasticam, appellatione remota, compellas. Datum Laterani Calendis Novembris, Pontificatus nostri Anno Decimo Sexto▪ Legatus vero cum hujusmodi authenticum à Domino Papa accepisset▪ factus de Rege Tyrannus, spreto Archiepiscopi et Episcoporum Regni consilio, • um Clericis Regis et Ministris ad vacantes accedens Ecclesias, ordinationes earum, secundum antiquum Angliae abusum, de personis minus idoneis celebrare praesumpsit. Nonnullos vero diversi ordinis, pro gravamine manifesto ad audientiam summi Pontificis appellantes, sed suspensos ad Curiam Romanam destinavit. Quibus adeo se inhumanum exhibuit, quod de rebus propriis, nec quidem denarium unum ad expensas itineris portare permisit. Parochiales insuper Ecclesias in locis diversis vacantes, Clericis suis distribuit, Patronorum consensu minine requisito. Vnde multorum indignationem, et multorum maledictionem pro benedictione promeruit: dum justiciam in injuriam, judicium in praejudicium commutavit.

This was the very original of Popes Provisions, and disposals of Bishoprics, Abbeys, with all sorts of spiritual Promotions and Benefices in England, ( formerly attempted▪ resisted, but not obtained till now) no Pope presuming to confer any Bishopric, Benefice, or Prebendary, in France or England, Usque ad tempora Domini Innocentii • . qui primus assumpsit sibi jus istud in tempore suo; as the French Agent remonstrated to Pope Innocent the 4th. These Provisions after this Legate had thus once introduced with an high Tyrannical power, by pretext of Pope Innocents Bull▪ soon over-flowed the whole Church of England (and France too) like a general deluge, for many succeeding ages, notwithstanding all oppositions and bootless complaints against them. Which the Archbishop & Bishops fore-seeing, (though the chief instruments to dethrone their lawful indulgent King, and set up these Romish Tyrants in his Throne) to obviate this intolerable Papal innovation, and crush this Crocodile in the shell, perceiving withal the Legate more ready to gratify the King and his Clerks in the disposal of Bishoprics & Ecclesiastical preferments, then themselves or their Confederates, meeting together at Dunstaple, drew up an Appeal against his proceedings, which he slighting, and sending to Rome by Pandulphus, together with K. Johns Charter, so highly magnified the King, and made such complaints to the Pope against the Archbishop and Bishops, as frustrated their Appeal; witness this relation.

DEinde post octavas Epiphaniae convenerunt apud Dunestapliam Stephanus Cantuariensis Archiepiscopus, cum suis Suffraganeis, ut de negotiis Ecclesiae Anglicanae tractarent ibidem. Moleste enim supra modum ferebant, quod Legatus supradictus, ut praediximus, illis inconsultis, Regiis favens voluntatibus, in Ecclesiis vacantibus Praelatos minus sufficientes posuerat, intrusione magis quam electione Canonica. Tandem cum hinc inde varia sort tractassent, Archiepiscopus Cantuariensis duos Clericos, apud Burtonam super flumen Trente, ubi tunc Legatus erat, misit, qui eidem ex parte Domini Cantuariensis interposita appellatione prohibuerunt, ne contra dignitatem suam, ad quam ordinatio Ecclesiarum suae Diocaesis de jure spectabat, Praelatos in Ecclesiis vacantibus instituere praesumeret. Legatus autem appellationi factae non deferens, misit assensu Regio Pand • lphum jam saepe dictum, ad Curiam Romanam, ut Archiepiscopi et Episcoporum propositum irritaret. Quo cum pervenisset, famam Archiepiscopi Cantuariensis in conspectu summi Pontificis non mediocriter denigravit: Regem{que} Anglorum tantis ibidem extulit laudum praeconiis; asserens se Regem tam humilem tamque modestum eatenus non vidisse, ut in oculis Domini Papae idem Rex gratiam admirabilem obtineret. Restitit autem Pandulpho ibidem Magister Simon de Langetuna, frater Archiepiscopi Cantuariensis. Sed quoniam Charta Regis auro Bullata, Domino Papae de subjectione et Tributo Regni Angliae et Hyberniae a praedicto Pandulpho nuper delata fuerat, Magister Simon in suis contradictionibus non potuit exaudiri. Asserebat praeterea Pandulphus memoratus, in praesentia Domini Papae, Archiepiscopum et Episcopos in exactione, et ablatorum restitutione tempore Interdicti, nimis esse rigidos et avaros, quodque ipsum Regem et Regni Libertates plus aequo deprimebant. Et sic propositum Archiepiscopi & Episcoporum ad tempus accepit dilationem. A just reward for their former complyances with the Pope, against their most humble and modest King, thus highly applauded by Pandulphus, though most untruly aspersed by the Bishops and our Monkish Historians.

Upon Pandulphus his information of the extraordinary covetou • nesse and unreasonableness of the Bishops, touching the Kings satisfaction of all their particular damages, beyond the rates of Justice or Conscience, before the Interdict released; and at the earnest solicitation of the Kings Ambassadors and Procurators, sent to the Pope to reduce the Bishops damages to certainty; and the Kings caution both by his Oath and Patent to pay them, that so the Interdict might be released: The Pope upon hearing all parties, made this agreement between them▪ which he sent to his Legate, with orders to release the Interdict, the more to ingratiate himself with the King, Nobles, and Commons of the Realm, now become his Vassals.

Clirca dies istos Papa Innocentius, Nicholao Thusculanensi Episcopo, pro relaxatione Interdicti, scripsit in haec verba.

INNOCENTIUS Episcopus, &c. Venerabilis frater noster Johannes Norwicensis Episcopus, & dilectus filius noster Robertus de Marisco, Archidiaconus Northanhumbriae, & Nobiles viri Thomas de Hundint • na, & Adam Nuncii, Charissimi in Christo filii nostri Johannes Regis Angliae Illustris, ex una parte, necnon Magister Stephanus de Langetuna, A. & G. Clerici, Nuncii Venerabilis fratris nostri Stephani Cantuariensis Archiepiscopi, ex altera parte, nuper in praesentia nostra constituti, asseruere concorditer & constanter, quod pro vitando grandium rerum dispendio, et gravi periculo animarum, expediebat quam plurimum, tam Regno, quam Sacerdotio, ut sine dilatione relaxetur sententia Interdicti. Vnde nos pro affectu paterno, solicit in Anglia intendentes ad salutem et utilitatem communem, super his quae pacis sunt, tunc inde cum illis tractavimus diligenter, et tandem ipsis adquiescentibus, formam invenimus et statuimus infra scriptam: Sane praefatus Rex tantam pecuniam Archiepiscopo Cantuariensi, Londinensi et Eliensi Episcopis, vel aliis quos ad hoc assignare voluerint, faciat assignari: computatis his quae idem Rex noscitur persolvisse, quod summa Quadraginta Millia Marcarum implerit. Quibus solitis, & cautione praestita inferius annotata, protinus sublato cujuslibet conditionis et appellationis obstaculo, relaxes sententiam Interdicti. Ac deinde singulis Annis, duodecim Millia Marcarum, in duobus terminis, in Commemoratione videlicet omnium Sanctorum, sex Millia Marcarum, & totidem in Festo Dominicae Ascensionis, apud Ecclesiam Sancti Pauli Londinensis eisdem faciat exhiberi, donec tota summa fuerit persoluta: Quae nobis Taxarint per Inquisitionem & mandato nostro perinde faciendam: Et ad hoc fideliter exequendum obligavit se ipsum, ipse Rex per proprium juramentum, et per Literas Patentes, suo sigillo communitas, necnon pex fide jussionem Wintoniensis et Norwicensis Episc. Cestriensis, et Wintoniensis Episc. et Willielmi Mareschalli, Comitum, ita quod tam Haeredes ipsius Regis, quam successores eorum tenebuntur astricti. Quocirca nostra per Apostolica tibi scripta praecipiend • mandamus, quatenus secundum formam praescriptam procedere non postponas, nisi de mera & libera voluntate partes aliter duxerint componendum. Datum Laterani.

The Charter Roll thus differs from Matthew Paris: Cestriae & Wintoniae Comitum, & W. Briwere, & W. Marr. Com. de Pembrock, si in Anglia fuerit, & Com. de Ferrariis, vel de Arundell. Et si absens fuerit dictus Marr. ita quod tam Haeredes ipsius Regis, quam successores eorum pari obligatione tenebuntur astricti. Quocirca mandamus quatenus secundum praescriptam formam procedere non postponas, nisi forte in aliam formam partes convenerint de mera & libera voluntate. Et si quid fuerit attemptatum circa personam dicti Regis occasion Juramenti praestiti Archiepiscopo ab eodem Rege in Pasch. praeter formam mandati nostri, acceptata forma ista denuncies illud penitus non valere.

The King receiving from his Agents the Popes Letters and Agreement touching the release of the Interdict, whiles he was demolishing the Castle of Melesin in France, which he had newly taken, dispatched Letters to William Earl Marshall, all the Barons, Knights, and Subjects of England in general, and to several Corporations in special, to inform them thereof, and to give their uttermost assistance for the speedy discharge of the Interdict, which had so long continued on the whole Realm, which I shall here insert out of the Records, being not extant in our Historians.

REX dilecto & fideli suo W. Comiti Maresc. salutem. Sciatis quod sani Dei gratia & incolumes apud Rupellam, applicuimus die Sabbati proxima, &c. Dum adhuc moram fecissemus circa Castrum illud funditus prosternendum, venit ad nos a Curia Romana Wilhelmus de Sancto Andreno, afferens nobis Literas Domini Papae de forma Interdicti relaxandi in Anglia, quas Venerabili Patri nostro Domino P. Wintoniensi Episcopo destinavimus, unde vobis mandamus rogantes, quatenus ad negotium illud exequendum ad honorem Dei & nostrum & vestrum, consilium & auxilium efficax impendatis, & faciatis super negotio isto quod Dominus Wintoniensis Episcopus, Justiciarius noster vobis dicet, ad fidem et commodum nostrum, ut honorem inde habeamus et Regni nostri status in melius commutetur, unde merito vobis ad perpetuas teneamur gratiarum actiones. Teste meipso apud Rupellam, Octavo die Martii.

Eodem modo scribitur omnibus Comitibus, Baronibus, & Magnatibus Angliae. Data eadem.

REX Baronibus, Militibus, & omnibus fidelibus suis totius Angliae, salutem. Sciatis quod die Martis proxima ante mediam quadragesimam suscepimus Literas Domini Papae in partibus Pictaviae de forma relaxationis Interdicti Angliae, quas destinavimus Venerabili Patri Domino P. Wintoniensi Episcopo, Justiciario nostro: Et vos rogamus attentius tanquam dilectos & fideles nostros, de quorum dilection & fidelitate plene confidimus, quatenus secundum quod idem Episcopus vobis dicet, consilium et auxilium vestrum ad honorem nostrum et vestrum, et statum Regni nostri in melius commutandum efficaciter super hoc apponatis, ut vobis inde ad uberes teneamur gratiarum actiones, & ut dilectio quam hactenus erga nos habuistis in hoc merito debeat commendari. Unicuique vestrum si fieri posset Literas nostras super hoc transmissemus, sed ut negotium istud quod & nobis & vobis ad commodum cedet & honorem, cum majori expediretur festinatione, has Literas nostras Patentes vobis omnibus decrevimus destinare. Teste meipso apud Rupellam, Sexto die Martii, Anno Regni nostri Decimo Quinto.

REX probis hominibus suis Cantuariae salutem. Sciatis nos & fideles nostros quos nobiscum adduximus, in Pictavia sanos esse & incolumes, &c. Recepimus & ibi suscepimus per manum fratris Willielmi de Sancto Andreno, Liter as Domini Papae de forma relaxationis Interdicti in Anglia, quas destinavimus Venerabili Patri nostro Domino P. Wintoniensi Episcopo, Justiciario nostro. Et vos rogamus attentius quatenus secundum quod idem Episcopus vobis scire faciet ad Interdictum illud relaxandum, in praestito nobis subsidium efficaciter impendatis, ita quod dilectionem vestram merito commendare debeamus; scituri quod praestitum quod nobis ad hoc feceritis plene vobis reddi faciemus cum gratiarum action. Et in hujus rei, &c. Vobis mittimus.

Eodem modo scribitur Majori & Baron. London. Majori & probis hominibus Wintoniae, probis hominibus Northamptonae, Linc. Eborac. Oxford. Glouc. Hereford. Exon. Wigorniae, Cantabridgiae, Hunting. Bristol. Norwic. Data eadem.

Eodem etiam modo scribitur Burgis & Dominicis Domini Regis. Teste eodem.

By virtue of these Writs and Commissions the Legate and Nobles proceeded in this business during the Kings absence, and brought it to effect, which Matthew Paris thus relates.

TEmpore vero, quo Nicolaus Tusculanensis Episcopus & Apostilicae sedis Legatus, per nuncios memoratos Domini Papae, authenticum acceperat, Rex Anglorum eratin partibus transmarinis. Sed quoniam idem Rex in recessu suo ab Angliae Legato jam dicto, & Willielmo Maraschallo, vices suas in hoc negotio commisserat, idem Legatus, in Urbe Londinensi Apud sanctum Paulum grande congregavit Concilium: Ubi congregatis Archiepiscopis, Episcopis, Abbatibus, Prioribus, Comitibus, Baronibus, & aliis ad hoc negotium Interdicti spectantibus, proposuit coram omnibus formam restitutionis super ablatis, & damnis a domino Papa partibus consentientibus Romae provisum, praecipiens constanter, ut certificaretur de quantitate solutae pecuniae Episcopis & aliis quibuslibet, a Ministris Regis causa Interdicti, quatenus per pecuniam solutam sciret quantum unicuique ad solvendum restaret. Probatum est igitur ibidem certa computatione, Archiepiscopum & Monachos Cantuarienses, simul cum Londinensi, Elyensi, Herefordensi, Bathoniensi, Lincolniensi, antequam ab exilio in Angliam redirent, per manum Pandulphi Duodecim Millia Marcarum Legalium Esterlingorum accepisse. Post adventum quoque eorum in Concilio Septimo Idus Decembris apud Radingum celebrato, quindecim Millia Marcarum, iidem Episcopy cum Monachis supradictis, inter se dividenda perceperunt, ita quod tota Summa simul conjuncta Viginti septem millium marcarum, quae ad supplementum Quadraginta Millium Marcarum praedictorum solven da restant sub fide jussione Wintoniensis & Norwicensis Episcoporum remanserunt, Additis Literis Regis Patentibus, ad majorem securitatem, juxta quod in Literis Domini Papae continebatur expressum.

HIS ita gestis Nicholaus Thusculanensis Episcopus, & Apostolicae sedis Legatus, in die Apostolorum beati Petri & Pauli in Ecclesia Cathedrali relaxavit sententiam solenniter Interdicti, postquam duraverat annis sex, mensibus tribus, et diebus quatuordecim, ad Irrestaurabile damnum Ecclesiae, tam in temporalibus quam in spiritualibus. Qua relaxatione facta gaudium per totam terram pulsando, et hymno Te Deum Laudamus cantando, exortum est. And were not the Pope and English Bishops most Atheistically Impious, who continued this Interdict on the whole Church and Realm, so many years, months, days together, to God's disservice, Religions scandal, the prejudice of the people's souls, and irreparable damage of the Church both in spirituals and temporals, out of mere ambition, pride, avarice, Rebellion, obstinacy and usurpation? The King (as a reward for this service, as I conjecture) bestowed the custody of the rich Abby of St. Edmond's upon this Legat, by these his Letters Patents.

REX omnibus Vicicomitebus, ballivis, & fidelibus suis, &c. Mandamus vobis quod manuteneatis, protegatis & defendatis Abbatiam Sancti Edmundi, & homines, terras, res, & omnes possessiones ejus, nec eam vel bona ipsius in aliquo molestare praesumatis, quamdiu fuerit in manu venerabilis patris nostri Domini N. Thusculanensis Episcopy, Apostolicae sedis Legati, cui eandem Abbaciam commisimus custodiendam quamdiu nobis placuerit, retentis nobis excaetis & donationibus Ecclesiarum vacantium. Et in hujus rei testimonium vobis fieri fecimus. Teste me ipso apud Clarendon. Vicesimo Quinto die Januarii Anno regni nostri Decimo Quinto.

He likewise at this Legates petition, granted his safe conduct into, and in England to one of his Agents, so as she gave security to the King, that no mischief should happen to the King or his Realm, by her or by any other persons she should bring along with her.

REX dilectae sibi Martil▪ de Curtenay, &c. Sciatis quod ad petitionem Domini N. Thusculanensis Episcopy Apostolicae sedis Legati, licentiam vobis dedimus & salvum conductum nostrum in veniendo ad nos in Angliam, & in morando, & in rediendo. Ita quod securitatem nobis faciatis quod per vos aut per alios quos vobiscum addureritis nullum malum nobis vel regno nostro eveniet. Et in hujus rei Testimonium, &c. Teste meipso apud Oxford. Decimo Quinto die Novembris Anno regni nostri Decimo Quinto.

King John having satisfied and secured the damages of the exiled Bishops and Monks before the Interdict released, according to his agreement, other Abbats, Priors, Clergymen and Laymen repaired to the Legate, craving full satisfaction too for their damages sustained, by the Kings proceedings during the Interdict, though never insisted on before.

RElaxato itaque ( ut dictum est ) Interdicto venerunt ad Legatum Abbates, Priores, Templarii, Hospitillarii, Abbatissae, Moniales, Clerici & Laici, scilicet innumera multitudo petentes de damnis & injuriis Interdicti tempore sibi illatis, fieri restitutionem. Asserebant enim quod licet ab Anglia non exierint, remanserant tamen in continua Regis & ministrorum ejus persequutione corporum suorum, & rerum non indemni fatigatione: Legatus vero universae multitudini conquerenti ita respondit, quod videlicet de damnis eorum & injuriis in literis Domini Papae nulla mentio facta fuerat. Unde nec debuit, nec de jure potuit mandati Apostolici fines praeterire. Sed tamen consilium dedit, ut de injuriis & damnis coram Domino Papa querelam deponerent & peterent sibi Justitiae plenitudinem exhiberi. His igitur auditis Universitas illa conquerentium Praelatorum sine spe melioris proventus ad propria sunt reversi.

The King in pursuance of his Agreement issued these two writs on behalf of the Archbishop of Canterbury, and Bishop of Lincoln, to restore them to the possession of their Temporaltes in the Cinqueports and other places.

REX Custodibus Portuum ••••• ae Mandamus vobis quod habere faciatis Venerabili Patri nostro S 〈◊〉 Archiepiscopo talem seisinam Custodiae Portuum de Sandwych, & de H • th, & de Rumenel, qualem Praedecessor ejus quondam Cantuariensis Archiepiscopus • nde habuit die quo obiit. Teste meipso apud Novum Templum London, •• r • io die Octobris.

REX Vicecomiti Nottingham, &c. Praecipimus tibi quod diligenter inquiri facias si aliqui in feod. Venerabilis Patris nostri, H. Lincolniensis Episcopy, vel in feodo Ecclesiae suae absque assensu et voluntate ipsius vel ex empto, vel ex vadio, vel alio modo se miserint. Et siquos tales inveneritis, illos a feodo illo amoveas, & praedicto Episcopo feodum ill • d in bona pace habere facias. Volumus etiam quod si qua certa tenementa vel feoda sua post inchoatam discordiam ad detrimentum ipsius Episcopy vel suorum immutata inveneneritis, ei sine dilatione emendari fac. Teste meipso apud Porcest. Decimo Septimo die Julii Anno Decimo Quinto.

You have heard how this Archbishop and his Suffragans were restored to their Bishoprics, and all damages sustained out of the Kings Coffers, and otherwise rewarded for their unparalleled Treasons and Rebellions against King John. Yet on the contrary, all the Bishops and Clergy men who faithfully adhered to, complied or communicated with him, or any other excommunicated person, or received any Benefices from them during the Interdict and Excommunication, were by these Trayterous Prelates (made their Judges) and Popes censures, ordered to be suspended from all their Ecclesiastical Offices, Benefices, Preferments, and ordered to appear personally at Rome, before the Pope to be examined, ere their suspensions released, except only such as had given satisfaction to the Church for this offense, as this Record attests, mitigating this rigor in some part only.

N. Tusculanensi Episcopo, Apostolicae sedis Legato. Olim (prout been meminimus) Venerabilibus fratribus S. Cantuariensi Archiepiscopo, Sanctae Romanae Ecclesiae Cardinali, W. London. E. Elyensi, E. Herefordensi, & H. Lincolniensi Episcopis, nostris dedimus Literis in mandatis, ut viros Eeclesiasticos qui Charissimo in Christo filio I. Regi Angliae Illustri, tunc excommunicationis vinculo innodato, Ministerium, consilium vel auxilium praestiterunt, in hiis quae sunt contra Justitiam et libertatem Ecclesiasticam attemptata: Illos quoque qui ab eodem Rege post excommunicationem, vel ab aliis excommunicatis scienter per collationem vel praesentationem Ecclesiastica beneficia sunt adepti, et similiter eos qui ob causas excommunicati praedictas, excommunicationis suae tempore beneficia contulere, similiter Clericos et viros Religiosos qui publice communicaverunt praefato Regi, et aliis exc • ommunicatis Authoritate Apostolica nominatim in Casibus non concessis, ab officiis et beneficiis Ecclesiasticis suspenderent, donec se Apostolicae conspectui praesentarent, cum suarum testimonio literarum plenam et meram continentium veritatem. Illis duntaxat exceptis qui per satisfactionem condignam ad mandatum Ecclesiae redierunt. (This was the first sentence denounced against them, which because it now seemed too severe and burdensome, was thus qualified.) Quia vero divina gratia inspirante idem Rex ad mandatum Ecclesiae rediit, propter quod ejus meruit gratiam & favorem, et nimis onerosum esset ac durum ut tanta Clericorum multitudo, praesertim cum quidam illorum minus, quidam vero gravius in praemissis deliquisse noscantur, ad nostram praesentiam elaboret. Mandamus quatenus cum eis quos minus excessisse constiterit, misericorditer agas, prout pensatis undique circumstantiis videris expedire.

How mercifully these Ecclesiastical persons were dealt with for their Loyalty to the King, is evident by the fore-mentioned proceedings against the White Monks, but especially against Alexander Cementarius, (enforced to beg his bread) who had many other fellow sufferers in a very high degree, instead of being advanced, rewarded, or at least indempnified, for their fidelity to their Sovereign.

Illis diebus, per praedictum Legatum depositus est Radulphus de Arundel, Abbas Westmonasteriensis in crastino Sancti Vincentii per N. Abbatem de Wastham, missum ex parte Legati; fracto ipsius sigillo in capitulo. Cujus loco substitutus est Willielmum de Humes; Prior Frontoniae Monachus Cadonensis; by this Legates usurped power, who plaid the part of a Pope as well as King in England.

The turbulent, traiterous Archbishop after the Interdict released, out of malice and discontent, stirred up the Barons to a new insurrection against the King about their Liberties, the ground-work whereof he had laid the year before; in pursuance of which, Convenerunt ad colloquium apud Sanctum Edmundum Comites & Barones Angliae, quasi orationis gratia, licet in causa aliud fuisset. Nam cum diu & secretius tractare coepissent, producta est in medium Charta quaedam Henrici Regis primi, quam iidem Barones à Stephano Archiepiscopo ( ut praedictum est ) in Urbe Londoniarum acceperant. Continebat autem • harta quasdam Libertates, & Leges Regis Edwardi Sancti, Ecclesiae Anglicanae pariter & Magnatibus Regni concessas, exceptis quibusdam Libertatibus quas idem Rex de suo adjecit. Itaque convenerunt Universi ad Ecclesiam Sancti Edmundi, & incipientibus Majoribus, juraverunt super majus altare, quod si Rex Leges et Libertates jam dictas concedere diffugeret, ipsi ei guerram tam diu moverent et ab ejus fidelitate se subtraherent, donec eis per Chartam sigillo suo munitam confirmaret omnia quae petebant. Atque in hoc tandem, communiter consenserunt, ut post natale Domini simul omnes ad Regem venientes, Libertates praescriptas sibi peterent confirmari. Atque interim in equis sibi et Armis taliter providerent quod si forte Rex a proprio vellet juramento, quod been credebant, resilire propter suam duplicitatem, ipsi protinus per captionem Castrorum suorum, eum ad satisfactionem compellerent. Et his ita gestis unusquisque ad propria remeavit.

After the Nativity, Anno 1215. they all coming to the King, demanded the confirmation of this Charter, who craved time to advise thereon till after Easter, being a great and difficult matter, highly concerning both himself and his Crown; the Archbishop and two more becoming his sureties, that then he should give satisfaction to all of them. The Barons against the time, rather preparing themselves for a Battle, then Conference with the King, assembled together at Stamford, with an Army inestimable for number, having Archbishop Stephen their principal Abettor and Conspirer, who yet seemed to side with the King, and was most assiduous about him: The Barons marching as far as Brackly, the King sent the Archbishop to treat with them, who brought back a Schedule of their claimed Liberties, with this Message; That if he presently confirmed them not to them by his Charter, they would force him to it, by seising all his Castles and Possessions. Whereupon the King replied, Why do they not also demand the Kingdom; swearing never to enslave himself to such a concession? The Archbishop returning with this peremptory answer, the Barons forthwith seized Bedford Castle, and were admitted into London, the Citizens siding with them: whereupon the King appointed to treat with them at Running-meed, whither the Barons came with armed multitudes from all parts of the Realm; where after some parly, the King granted them their utmost desires, not only for their Liberties specified in Magna Charta, and Charta Forestae, which he then sealed, and by his Writs commanded to be put in due execution, but also that 25. Peers elected by them (to whom all were sworn to obey) should force the King to observe these Charters, if ever he receded from them, by seizing all his Castles, Juratum est etiam a parte Regis; Quod Anglicana Ecclesia Libera sit, & quod omnes homines de Regno nostro habeant & teneant omnes Libertates praefatas, jura & consuetudines been & in pace, libere & quiet, plene & integre, sibi & haeredibus suis, de nobis & haeredibus nostris, in omnibus rebus & locis in perpetuum: Et quod omnia supradicta, bona fide & sine malo ingenio, observabimus. All the Barons and Commons of the Realm then and afterwards taking the same Oath.

The Archbishop and Barons thrust into this new Charter many Articles, Clauses for their own, the Churches, and Popes advantage, not extant in the Charter of King Henry the 1. For whereas the first branch of his Charter runs thus: Sanctam Dei Ecclesiam liberam facio: Ita quod nec eam vendam, nec ad firmam ponam, nec mortuo Archiepiscopo, vel Episcopo, vel Abbate, aliquid accipiam de dominio Ecclesiae, vel de hominibus, donec successor in eam ingrediatur. This clause is thus altered and enlarged in King Johns Charter: In primis concessisse Deo, et hac praesenti Charta nostra confirmasse pro nobis et haeredibus nostris in perpetuum, quod Anglicana Ecclesia libera sit, et habeat jura sua integra, suas et libertates illaesas, et ita volumus observari, quod apparet ex eo, quod libertatem electionum quae maxima et magis necessaria reputatur Ecclesiae Anglicanae, mera et spontanea voluntate, ante discordiam inter nos et Barones nostros manifest motam, concessimus, et Charta nostra confirmavimus, et eam obtinuimus a Domino Papa Innocentio Papa tertio, confirmari: quam et nos observabimus, et ab haeredibus nostris in perpetuum bona fide volumus observari. By which Clause the Archbishop and Bishops cunningly obtained and wrested a new Charter from the King, concerning the freedom of Elections to Bishoprics and Abbeys, (never insisted on before) to deprive the King of his ancient Right and Prerogative of recommending such as he though fit and faithful to him and the Kingdom thereunto, as right Patron of them. And whereas no Archbishop, Bishop, Abbot, Clerk, or Religious person could go out of the Realm, or repair to Rome, or to the Pope upon any occasion or Appeal, without the Kings special license first obtained, nor return without it in cases of contempt; they inserted this Article into this Charter: Liceat unicuique de caetero exire de Regno nostro, et redire salvo et secure per terram et per aquam, salva fide nostra; nisi in tempore guerrae per aliquod breve tempus, propter communem utilitatem Regni; exceptis Imprisonatis et Utlagatis, secundum Legem Regni, et gente contra nos guerrina et Mercatoribus. By which they obtained liberty to depart the Realm, and repair to the Pope or Court of Rome, to all foreign Monasteries, Councils, and to return again freely at their pleasure, to the great prejudice of the King, Kingdom, and enlargement of the Popes usurped power and encroachments on the Crown. They likewise inserted for the Clergies advantage: Nulla Ecclesiastica persona amercietur secundum quantitatem beneficii sui, sed secundum Laicum tenementum suum, (of which they had seldom any) & secundum quantitatem delicti. Moreover the Archbishop and Clergy would not be satisfied with this Great Charter, thus ratified and sworn unto by the King, without another special Charter to themselves concerning the freedom of Elections, which the King himself must not only confirm and seal, but the Pope too: Concessit insuper eodem Anno Rex Johannes, ut pronius corda Praelatorum et Magnatum sibi conciliaret, liberas in omnibus Ecclesiae Angliae electiones. Et procuraverunt tam ipse Rex, quam Magnates et Praelati, ut illa sua similiter hac Charta et concessio, A PAPA CONFIRMARETUR, (an Innovation not formerly usual, much advancing, countenancing the Popes usurped power above the Crown, as if his ratification were more valid then the Kings Charter under his Great Seal) unde ad maiorem securitatem, Regalis▪ Charta in Papali confirmatione inseritur Bullata. Volens autem Rex Johannes ad maiorem securitatem et robur diuturnitatis haec inviolabiliter observari; (as if the Popes Bull were then more valid and perpetual then his own Charters) misit ad Dominum Papam Innocentium: rogans constanter, ut huic piae concessioni et confirmationi suae favorem dignaretur exhibere, et eandem Bullae munimine confirmare. Quae quia jam factus fuit obsequens Papae vassallus (an honorable Title for a King of England ) et Rex Apostolicus, meruit quae petiit citius impetrare sub hac forma.

INNOCENTIUS Episcopus, &c. Venerabilibus fratribus & dilectis filiis universis Ecclesiarum Praelatis per Angliam constitutis, salutem & Apostolicam Benedictionem. Dignis laudibus attollimus magnificentiam creatoris, postquam idem, qui est mirabilis & terribilis in consiliis super filios hominum, aliquamdiu tolleravit ut per flando discurret per Areolam horti sui spem tempestatis quasi ludens, taliter in orbe terrarum, ut sic ostenderet infirmitatem & insufficientiam nobis, statim cum voluit, dixit & Aquiloni, da, & Austro, noli prohibere, imperansque ventis per mare, statuit procellam in aura, ut nautae portum inveniant praeoptatum. Cumque enim inter Regnum et Sacerdotium Anglicanum, non sine magno periculo atque damno, super electionibus Praelatorum gravis fuerit controversia diutius agitata; illo tandem, cui nihil impossible est, quique ubi vult spirat mirabiliter operante, Charissimus Johannes Rex Anglorum illustris, liberaliter ex mera et spontanea voluntate, (Therefore an Act of grace, though forced, not of right, duty to the Bishops and Church) de consensu communi Baronum suorum, pro salute animae suae, et praedecessorum suorum et successorum, nobis concessit, et suis Literis confirmavit: ut de caetero in universis et singulis Ecclesiis ac Monasteriis, Cathedralibus et Conventualibus totius Regni Angliae, in perpetuum liberae fiant electiones quorumcumque Praelatorum, majorum et etiam minorum. Nos igitur hoc gratum et ratum habentes, concessionem hujusmodi vobis et per vos Ecclesiis et successoribus vestris, prout in eisdem Literis Regis perspe • imus contineri, authoritate Apostolica confirmamus, et praesentis scripti patrocinio communimus. Ad majorem autem firmitatem, et perpetuam memoriam hujus rei, praefatas Regis Literas super hoc confectas, praesentibus misceri fecimus, quarum tenor talis est.

JOHANNES Dei gratia Rex Angliae, Dominus Hiberniae, Dux Normaniae & Aquitaniae, Comes Andegavensis, Archiepiscopis, Episcopis, Comitibus, Baronibus, Militibus, Ballivis & omnibus has literas visuris salutem. Quoniam inter nos et venerabiles patres nostros Stephanum Cantuariensem, totius Angliae Primatem et sanctae Ecclesiae Romanae Cardinalem, Willielmum Londinensem, E. Elyensem, E. Herefordensem, Iohannem Bathoniensem et Glastonensem, et Hubertum Lincolniensem Episcopos super damnis et ablatis eorum tempore interterdicti, per Dei gratiam de mera et libera voluntate utriusque partis plene convenit; volumus non solum eis quantum secundum Deum possumus satisfacere, verum etiam toti Ecclesiae Anglicanae salubriter et utiliter in perpettum providere. Inde est quod qualiscun{que}