Vindication of Ecclesiastical Volume 3

REX S. Cantuariensi Archiepiscopo, &c. Noverit sanctitas vestra quod grata est nobis, & accepta forma nobis nota de Electionibus faciendis, Salvo in omnibus Jure nostro. Dimittemus autem post nos Venerabilem Patrem nostrum P. Wintomensem Episcopum, una cum aliis fidelibus nostris quos deputabimus & potentes faciemus ad assensum nostrum praestandum in huiusmodi Electionibus salva dignitate nostra. Sciatis etiam quod nulla inter nos est controversia. Teste me ipso apud Turrim London. Duodecimo die Jun.

This Charter (though it saved this part of the Kings Prerogative, to petition him and his Heirs for licenses to elect & for his assent) gave a great wound to his Ecclesiastical Supremacy, and made all Chapters, Covents, Bishops, Monks, yea Popes and their Agents to slight his Regal Authority, and licenses too, insomuch that he could prefer no person to any Bishopric, Monastery, or Elective Dignity, but whom the Electors pleased to make choice of; and if he recommended any to them, though never so fit, and with great importunity, courtship, and submission to every Chapter or Covent, yet they to show their pride, power; and preserve their freedom in Elections, would seldom elect any whom our Kings recommended, unless upon some special reasons for their own emolument.

The Archbishop besides this general Charter, obtained from the King this special Charter to him and his successors, of the Advowson, custody, disposition of the Bishopric and Temporalties of Rochester, during the vacancy, and that they should restore the Bishop of Rochester his Regalia, and receive Fealty from him as Patron of this Bishopric, without his regal assent before or after the election, reserving only a Fealty from the Bishop of Rochester, as to his Prince, but not for his Lands▪ whereby he created the Archbishop a petty King, and in some sort unkinged himself as to this Bishopric, giving away all the services due to him and his Heirs out of it; to the Archbishop and his successors, to reclaim him from his Treachery and Rebellion by this transcendent favor, which he presently turned into treachery.

JOHANNES Dei gratia Rex Angliae, &c. Archiepiscopis, &c. Sciatis nos pro saluto animae nostrae, & antecessorum, & successorum nostrorum Regum Angliae, de communi consilio Episcoporum, Comitum, Baronum, & aliorum fidelium nostrorum reddidisse & concessisse Deo & Ecclesiae Christi Cantuar. & Venerabili Patri nostro S. Cantuariensi Archiepiscopo, totius Angliae Primati, & Sanctae Romanae Ecclesiae Cardinali, Patronatum Ecclesiae Episcopatus Roffensis, cum omnibus pertinentiis, dignitatibus, libertatibus, & liberis consuetudinibus suis; Ita quod vacante illa seed Episcopali custodiam, et ordinationem illius Ecclesiae, idem Archiepiscopus et successores sui habeant libere et pacifice in perpetuum ut Patroni. Ita quod in Ordinatione illius Ecclesiae de Episcopo et Episcopy electione, nec ante, nec post electionem Episcopy (marcke it) Regius requiretur assensus, set totum ad Archiepiscopum quicunque fuerit pertinebit. Episcopus autem vel electus loci illius temporalia quae prius vocabantur Regalia, de manu praedicti Archiepiscopi et successorum suorum plenary recipiet, et fidelitatem ei faciet de feodis pertinentibus ad Ecclesiam illam Episcopalem tanquam Patrono ejusdem Episcopatus: servitia autem quae nobis inde et Heraedibus nostris debentur, Episcopus, qui pro tempore ibi fuerit facerit predicto Archiepiscopo & successoribus suis in perpetuum tanquam Dominis et Patronis, et ipse Archiepiscopus et successores sui eadem servitia per manus suas nobis et successoribus nostris facient. Faciet quoque Episcopus Roffensis nobis et Heredibus nostris fidelitatem tanquam Principi, set non propter feodum. Quare volumus et firmiter precipimus, quod predictus Archiepiscopus et successores sui predictum Patronatum Episcopatus Roffensis cum custodia et ordination ejusdem, cum vacaverit, habeant et teneant libere et quiet, pacifice, integre, et plenary, cum omnibus pertinentiis dignitatibus, Libertatibus, et liberis consuetudinibus imperpetuum sicut praedictum est. Prohibemus autem ex parte Dei omnipotentis, et Beatae Mariae, et omnium Sanctorum, et nostra, ne quis contra hanc piam et liberalem redditionem et concessionem nostram venire praesumat. Quod si quis fecerit maledictionem Dei et Beatae Petri, et omnium Sanctorum ac nostram incurrat. Testibus Dominis W. Londonensi, P. Wintoniensi, R. Elyensi, E. Herefordensi, J. Bathoniensi & Glast. H. Hunting. Episcopis, R. Comite Cestriae, W. Marr. Comite Pembroc, W. Comite Arundell, W. Comite Warren. W. Comite de Ferrariis, S. Comite Winton. W. Briwerr. Roberto filio Walteri, Galfrido de Mandevill, Richardo de Muntificher, Thoma de Erdington. Dat. per manum Magistri Richardi de Marisc. Cancellarii nostri, apud Novum Templum London. xxij. die Novembris, Anno Regni nostri Sexto Decimo. How well he requited the King, by betraying Rochester Castle to the Barons, soon after you shall hear more.

The Archbishop, Bishops, and Barons, having by treachery fraud, and force thus wrested all these Charters, and confirmations from King John, thereby in a manner totaly devested him of all his Ecclesiastical and Civil Royal authority in Church and state, deemed themselves, the Church and Kingdom in a most happy secure, flourishing, prosperous condition for the future; when God by his providence suddenly blasted all their hopes, by alienating the Kings heart from them, and by making use even of the Popes usurped power, interest in England, (which they were the principal instruments to promote to dethrone their Lawful King,) the instrument to scourge, excommunicate, punish, and revenge their Rebellions against the King, and null most of the Charters wrested from him, by his Bulls. For King John with drawing and obscuring himself from his Bishops and Barons in the Isle of Wight, sent messengers secretly to Rome, to complain and appeal to the Pope against their Treasons, rebellions, and the Charters forcibly extorted from him, whiles under the Popes protection; who thereupon vacated the Charters, thus recorded by Matthew Paris.

PER idem tempus steterunt Romae in praesentia Domini Papae, nuncij Regis Anglorum; allegantes coram eo rebelliones et Iniurias, quas Barones Angliae (by the Archbishops initigation) excitaverant adversus Regem memoratum, exigentes ab eo quasdam Leges et libertates iniquas, quas dignitatem Regiam non decuit confirmare. Et cum post motam inter eos discordiam, Rex et Barones de pace tractaturi multoties convenissent; idem Rex publice protestatus est coram eis, Regnum Angliae ration Dominii ad Romanam Ecclesiam specialiter pertinere. (which he only complementally affirmed, but the Barons utterly denied it.) Vnde nec potuit nec debuit praeter conscientiam Domini Papae de novo aliquid statuere, vel quicquam in ejus praejudicium in Regno immutare. Quocirca cum interposita appellatione, seipsum et omnia jnra regni sui sub protectione sedis Apostolicae supposuisset; dicti Barones appellationi factae non deferentes, civitatam Londoniarum, quae caput regni sui est, proditione sibi traditam occuparunt, et adhuc detinent occupatam. Quod cum factum fuisset, ad equos convolantes et arma, exegerunt a Rege libertates praescriptas sibi confirmari. Ipseque eorum metuens impetum, quod petebant non ausus est denegare. Porrexerunt ergo nuncij memorati Domino Papae quaedam capitula de charta praedicta, in scriptum redacta, quae causae Regis magis videbantur congruere. Quae cum diligenter inspexisset, cum admiratione respondit, rugis contractis indignationem testantibus: Nunquid Barones Angliae Regem cruce signatum, et sub protectione sedis Apostolicae constitutum, a solio regni nituntur expellere, et Dominium Romanae Ecclesiae ad alium transfer? Per sanctum Petrum, hanc injuriam non poterimus praeterire impunitam. Tunc Papa habita deliberatione cum Cardinalibus, chartam saepe dictam de libertatibus Regni Angliae concessis, in perpetuum per sententiam diffinitivam damnatam cassavit, et in illius rei testimonium, Regi Anglorum privilegium subscriptum transmisit.

(By which sentence, and the several grounds, reasons therein alleged for avoiding the great Charter as obtained from the King through force, fear, circumvention, rebellion, this Pope totally nuls and subverts King Johns Charter of Resignation and oblation made unto himself by like means but the year before.)

INNOCENTIUS Episcopus, servus servorum Dei, universis Christi fidelibus hanc paginam inspecturis, salutem & Apostolicam Benedictionem. Etsi Charissimus in Christo filius noster Johannes Rex Anglorum illustris, Deum et Ecclesiam vehementer offenderit, unde nos eum vinculo excommunicationis innodavimus, et regnum ejus Ecclesiastico subjecimus interdicto; ipse tamen (illo misericorditer inspirante) qui non vult mortem peccatoris, sed convertatur & vivat, tandem conversus ad cor, Deo et Ecclesiiae humiliter satisfecit; in tantum, quod non solum recompensationem prodamnis, et restitutionem exhibuit pro ablatis, verum etiam plenariam libertatem contulit Ecclesiae Anglicanae. Quinimo utraque sententia relaxata, regnum suum tam Angliae quam Hyberniae, beato Petro et Ecclesiae Romanae concessit, recipiens illud a nobis infeudum sub annuo censu Mille Marcarum, fidelitatis nobis inde praestito juramento, sicut per privilegium ejus Apparet Aurea Bulla munitum. Adhuc etiam Omnipotenti Deo amplius placere desiderans, signum vivificae Crucis reverenter accepit, profecturus in subsidium Terrae Sanctae, ad quod se magnifice praeparabat. Sed humani generis inimicus, qui semper consuevit bonis actibus invidere, suis callidis artibus adversus eum Barones Angliae concitavit, ita ut ordine perverso in illum insurgerent, postquam conversus Ecclesiae satisfecit, qui assistebant eidem quando Ecclesiam offendebat. Orta siquidem inter eos dissensionis materia, cum plures dies statuti fuissent, ad tractandum de pace, utrinque interim sollemnes Nuncii ad nostram fuerunt praesentiam destinati. Cum quibus habito diligenti tractatu, post plenam deliberationem scripsimus per eosdem Stephano Cantuariensi Archiepiscopo et Episcopis Anglicanis; praecipiendo mandantes, ut ad reformandam inter utrosque veram et plenam concordiam diligens impenderent studium et operam efficacem, omnes conjurationes et conspirationes, si quae fuerant forte praesumptae a tempore subortae discordiae inter regnum et sacerdotium, Apostolica denuntiantes Authoritate cassatas, et per excommunicationis sententiam inhibentes netalia de caetereo praesumerentur a quoquam. Magnates et Nobiles Angliae monendo prudenter, et efficaciter injungendo, ut per manifesta devotionis et humilitatis indicia, ipsum Regem sibi placare studerent: ac deinde si quid ab eo ducerent postulandum, non insolenter sed humiliter implorarent, regalem conservantes ei honorem, et exhibentes servitia consueta, quae ipsi et praedecessores eorum sibi et praedecessoribus impenderunt: cum ab eis ipse Rer non debet absque judicio spoliari, ut sic quod intenderent, possent facilius obtinere. Nos enim eundem Regem per Litteras nostras Rogavimus & monuimus, & per praefatos Archiepiscopum & Episcopos nihilominus rogari & moveri mandavimus, in remissionem sibi peccaminum injungentes; quatenus praedictos Magnates, et nobiles benign tractaret et justas eorum petitions clementer admitteret; ut et ipsi congaudendo cognoscerent eum in meliorem statum divina gratia esse mutatum, ac per hoc ipsi et Haeredes eorum sibi et Haeredibus suis deberent promptius et devotius familiari: plena eis in veniendo, morando et recedendo securitate concessa, ita quod si forte nequiret inter eos concordia provenire, in Curia sua per pares eorum secundum leges et consuetudines regni suborta dissensio sopiretur. Verum antequam Nuncii cum hoc provido & justo mandato rediissent, illi juramento fidelitatis omnino contempto, cum et si Rex eos unjust gravasset, ipsi tamen non debuissent sic agere contra eum, ut in causa sua iidem judices et executores existerent. (Was not himself so in all his proceedings against King John? ) Vassalli contra Dominum, et milites contra Regem, publice conjurantes non solum cum aliis, sed cum ejus manifestissimis inimicis praesumpserunt contra eum arma movere: (And did not the Pope, Archbishops, Bishops and their partizans, then join with the French to invade and depose King John their lawful King, though his vassals and soldiers?) Occupantes et devastantes terras illius ita quoque quod civitatem Londinensem, quae sedes est regni, proditione sibi traditam invaserunt. Interim autem praefatis Nunciis revertentibus, Rex obtulit eis secundum formam mandati nostri justitiae plenitudinem exhibere, quam ip •• om • ino spernentes, caeperunt manus extendere ad peiora. (And did not the Pope and exiled Bishops the like before?) Vnde Rex ipse ad audientiam nostram apellans, obtulit eis exhibere justitiam coram nobis, ad quem hujus causae judicium ration Dominii pertinebat: quod ipsi sunt penitus aspernati. (Not acknowledging the Popes Dominion over them by King Johns Charter.) Deinde obtulit illis, ut tam ab ipso quam ab illis quatuor viri eligerentur prudentes, qui una nobiscum subortam inter eos discordiam terminarent; promittens, quod ante omnia revocaret vniversos abusus quicunque fuissent in Angliae suo tempore introducti: sed nec hoc illi dignati sunt acceptare. Tandem illis Rex proposuit, quod cum regni dominium ad Romanam Ecclesiam pertineret, ipse non poterat nec debebat absque nostro specially mandato quicquam de illo in nostrum prejudicium immutare. Vnde rursus ad nostram audientiam appellavit, seipsum ac regnum cum omni honor, ac jure suo Apostolicae protectioni supponens. Sed cum nullo modo proficeret, postulavit ab Archiepiscopo et Episcopis, ut nostrum exequeretur mandatum; Ius Ecclesiae Romanae defenderent, ac tuerentur eundem secundum formam privilegii Cruce signatis indulti. Porro, cum ipsi nihil horum facere voluissent, (Though they readily Interdicted the whole Realm, excommunicated the King, and deprived him of his Crown upon the Popes command before) videns se omni auxilio et consilio destitutum; quicquid illi ausi sunt petere, non est ausus ipse negare. Vnde compulsus est per vim et metum, qui cadere poterat in virum etiam Constantissimum, compositionem inire cum ipsis non solum vilem et turpem, verum etiam et iniquam; in nimiam derogationem ac diminutionem sui juris pariter et honoris. (And was he not thus compelled by force, fear, more vilely to resign his Crown, kingdoms, to this Pope and resume them from him by his Charter?) Quia vero nobis a Domino dictum est in Propheta. Constitui te super gentes & regna ut evellas & destruas, aedifices, & plants. (spoken to Jeremiah not the Pope, not then in being as I have largely proved) Itemque per alium Prophetam: Dissolve colligationes impietatis, solve fasciculos deprimentes. Nos tantae malignitatis audaciam dissimulare nolentes, in Apostolicae sedis contemptum, Regalis Iuris dispendium, Anglicanae Gentis opprobrium, et grave periculum totius negotii crucifixi; quod ubique immineret nisi per Authoritatem nostram revocarentur omnia, quae a tanto Principe Crucesignato 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 eam observare presumat, aut Barones cum complicibus suis ipsam exigant observari; tam Chartam, quam obligationes seu cautiones quaecun{que} pro ipsa vel de ipsa sunt factae, irritantes penitus ex cassantes; ut nullo unquam tempore aliquam habeant firmitatem. Datum Agnaniae nono Calendas S ptembris Pontificatus nostri Decimo Octavo. A direct Judgment in point against King Johns own Charter to this Pope.

The Pope after this sentence pronounced to null the great Charter and Charter of the Forest, thought meet to write another Letter and Bull to the Barons of England, severely censuring them for their rebellion and desobedience to the King and his commands, and opposing his Papal interest in the Realm.

CAssatis hunc in modum Libertatibus praedictis, idem Papa Baronibus Angliae scrip ••• in haec verba.

INNOCENTIUS Episcopus servus servorum Dei, Nobilibus viris Baronibus Angliae spiritum consili • sanioris. Utinam in persequutione quam temere commovistis adversus dominum vestrum Regem, attendissetis prudentius fidelitatis praesiitae juramentum, jus Apostolicae sedis, nostrae provisionis mandatum, et privilegium Crucesignatis indultum. Quia proculdubio non sic processistis ad factum, quin omnes qui illud audiunt, quasi facinus detestantur; praesertim cum in causa vestra vos ipsos judices et executores feceritis eodem Rege parato Curia sua, vobis per pares vestros secundum consuetudines et leges regni, justitiae plenitudinem exhibere, vel coram nobis, ad quem hujus causae judicium ration Dominii pertinet, vel etiam coram arbitris eligendis hinc inde una nobiscum in ipso negotio processuris. Vnde cum nihil horum dignati fueritis acceptare, ad nostram audientiam appellavit, seipsum ac regnum cum omni honor et jure suo Apostolicae protectioni supponens: publice protestando, quod cum ejusdem Regni dominium ad Romanam Ecclesiam pertineret, ipse non poterat nec debebat quicquam de illo in nostrum praejudicium immutare. Cum igitur illa compositio qualis qualis ad quam per vim et metum induxistis eundem, non solum sit vilis et tur • is, verum etiam illicita ex iniqua, ut merito sit ab omnibus reprobanda, maxim propter modum: (and was not Kings Johns Charter to himself and successors much more such upon the same account?) nos qui tam Regi quam regno tenemur et spiritualiter et temporaliter providere, per Apostolica scripta vobis praecipiendo mandamus, & in recta fide consulimus, quatenus facientes de necessitate virtutem, renuncietis compositioni hujusmodi per vos ipsos, et satisfaciatis eidem Regi ac suis de damnis et. injuriis irrogatis: ut jdem Rex per manifesta devotionis et humilitatis indicia placatus a vobis, per seipsum emendet et benign concedat quicquid de jure fuerit concedendum. Ad quod etiam & nos ipsum efficaciter inducemus. Quoniam sicut nolumus, quod ipse Rex suo jure privetur: ita volumus ut ipse a vestri gravamine desistat: nec per consuetudines pravas et exactiones iniquas, sub nostro dominio regnum Angliae opprimatur. Eritque firmum et stabile in perpetuum, quod tali modo fuit ordinatum. Inspiret igitur vobis ill qui neminem vult perire, ut adquiescatis humiliter nostris salubribus consiliis et mandatis, ne si secus egeritis, in eum incidatis necessitatis articulum quem tandem evadere sine multo gravamine non possitis. Quemadmodum ut de caeteris taceamus, nulla ration dissimulare possemus grave periculum totius negotii Crucifixi quod utique emineret, nisi per Authoritatem nostram revocarentur omnino, qu • a tanto Principe Cruce signato taliter sunt extorta, etipso volente illa observari. Quare dum apud nos Archiepiscopus & Episcopy Angliae praesentes extiterint in Concilio generali quod ad expediendum crucis negotium principalius intendemus celebrare; procuratores idoneos ad nostram presentiam destinetis, secure vos nostro beneplacito committentes, quia nos ea favente Domino statuemus per quae gravaminibus & abusibus de Regno Angliae prorsus exclusis, Rex suo sit Iure et honor contentus, et tam clerus quam populus universus debita pace ac libertatelaetetur. Datum Agnaniae nono Calendas Septembris Pontificatus nostri Anno Decimo Octavo. Cumque tandem Rege Anglorum procurante magnates Angliae has literas tam commonitorias quam comminatorias accepissent, noluerunt desistere ab ineaeptis, sed adhuc insurgentes eum acriter infestabant, dicendo de Papa illud propheticum. Ve qui justificatis impium, &c. So much did they (together with the Archbishop their ringleader) then slight and Contemn the Pope with his Bulls, mandates and A postolical Authority when they crossed their own interests, and humors.

In the mean time the treacherous Archbishop, to demonstrate his gratitude to King John for the Patronage and Royalty of the Bishopric of Rochester newly conferred on him and his successors, delivered up Rochester Castle with all the ammunition therein to the Barons: Erat autem paulo ante castrum illud a Rege Archiepiscopo fiducialiter commissum: veruntamen qua conscientia nescio. Dominus scit, regis illud tradiderit inimicis. Such an ingreatfull Archtraitor proved he to his indulgent Sovereign; who after 3. Months seige took it by force out of the Barons hands; who principally by his encouragement proceeded most obstinately in their Rebellions against the King: whereupon the Pope proceeded to excommunicate them.

EOdem tempore Papa Innocentius, videns Baronum rebellionem, quod videlicet a persequutione Regis desistere contempserunt, excommunicavit eosdem, atque sententiae executionem Episcopo Wintoniensi, Abbati de Redinge, & Pandulpho Ecclesiae Romanae Subdiacono, sub hac forma commisit. Innocentius Episcopus, &c. P. Wintoniensi Episcopo, Abbati de Redinge & Pandulpho Ecclesiae Romanae subdiacono salutem & Apostolicam benedictonem. Miramur plurirhum & movemur, quod cum charissimus in Christo filius noster Johannes illustris Rex Angliae, supra spem Domino et Ecclesiae satisfecerit, et presertim fratri nostro Stephano Cantuariensi Archiepiscopo, et Episcopis ejus, quidam eorum minus quam oportuerit et decuerit ad sanctae Crucis negotium, Apostolicae sedis mandatum, et fidelitatis praeftitae juramentum debitum, imo nullum habentes respectum; ei contra perturbatores regni, (quod ad Romanam Ecclesiam ration dominii pertinere dinoscitur) auxilium non praestiterint vel favorem, quasi conscii, ne dicamus socii conjurationis iniquae: (A true character of these Traitorous Prelates, himself formerly made use of against the King,) quia non caret scrupulo societatis iniquae, qui manifesto facinori desinit obviare. Ecce qualiter patrimonium Romanae Ecclesiae Pontifices praefati defendunt? qualiter Crucesignatos tuentur, imo qualiter se opponunt his qui distruere moliuntur negotium Crucifixi? Pejores proculdubio Saracenis existentes; (so he reputed these Bishops) cum illum conantur a regno depellere de quo potius sperabatur quod deberet succurrere terrae sanctae. Vnde ne talium insolentia non solum in periculum Regni Angliae, verum etiam in pernitiem aliorum regnorum, et maxim, in subversionem totius negotii crucifixi valeat praevalere, Nos ex parte Dei omnipotentis, Patris, & Filii, & Spiritus sancti, authoritate quoque Apostolorum ejus Petri & Pauli, ac nostra; omnes hujusmodi perturbatores Regis et Regni Angliae, cum complicibus et fautoribus suis excommunicationis vinculo innodamus, et terras eorum Ecclesiastico subijcimus interdicto; prefato Archiepiscopo et Coepiscopis suis in virtute obedientiae districtissime injungentes, (who yet neglected to yield him any obedience therein,) quatenus nostram sententiam singulis diebus Dominicis et festivis, pulsatis Campanis, et candelis accensis, solemniter per totam Angliam publicare procurent; donec satisfacerint Domino Regi de damnis et injuriis irrogatis, et ad ejus obse quium fideliter revertantur. Universis insuper ejusdem Regis Uassallis in remissionem peccatorum ex parte nostra jungentes, ut contra perversores hujusmodi, praefato Regi tribuant consilium et juvamen. Si qui autem Episcoporum, hoc nostrum praeceptum neglexerit adimplere, sciat se ab Episcopali officio suspensum, et subjectorum obedientiam esse subtractam: quia justum est ut eis inferiores non obediant, qui suo superiori obedire contemnunt. Ne igitur mandatum alicujus tergiversatione valeat impediri, excommunicationis causam praedictorum, cum ceteris quaead hoc negotium pertinuerint, vobis duximus committendum; per Apostolica vobis scripta mandantes, quatenusprotinus omni appellatione postposita, procedatis sicut videritis expedire.

The Archbishop and some of his Suffragans, cordial to the Barons, though pressed by the King, refused to excommunicate any of them; whereupon to leave him void of any excuse, the Popes agents gave him a personal command to execute the excommunication which he delayed to do, whereupon they suspended him.

HAC praeterea tempestate, P. Wintoniensis Episcopus, & magister Pandulphus, ad Archiepiscopum Cantuariensem, personaliter accedentes, ex parte Domini Papae firmiter praeceperunt, Ut sententiam sedis Apostolicae in Barones Angliae Romae generaliter latam, Suffraganeis Cantuariensis Ecclesiae committeret publicandam: et ipsemet, quantum ad ipsum spectabat, singulis diebus Dominicis et festivis per totam Cantuariensem diocesim faceret publicare. Erat autem jam idem naves ingressus, ut Romam ad Concilium properaret, unde postulavit inducias, quousque Domini Papae colloquio frueretur, ad sententiam publicandam, constanter affirmans, quod tacita veritate sententia fuerat in Barones lata; et ideo nullo modo se illam publicaturum respondit donec super praemissis viva voice summi Pontificis cognosceret voluntatem. At memorati hujus rei executores, cum Archiepiscopum Domini Papae praeceptis inobedientem cognovissent, authoritate qua fungebantur usi, ipsum ab Ecclesiae ingressu acdivinorum celebratione suspenderunt. Quam ill suspensionem humiliter observans, sedem Apostolicam suspensus petivit. Cunc Episcopus Wintoniensis cum conjudice suo Pandulpho, Barones Angliae omnes, qui Regem a Regno depellere moliebantur, excommunicatos denuntians, singulis diebus Dominicis et festivis, latam sententiam innovavit. Sed Magnates quoniam in Authentico Domini Papae nullus eorum fuerit nominatim expressus, dictam sententiam non observantes, inanem et nullam reputabant.

Hereupon King John complained to the Pope of the Barons obstinacy, in rejecting all his proposals of peace and reconciliation to them, though never so reasonable, and that yet the Archbishops refused to excommunicate them.

DOmino Papae salutem, & debitam tanto Domino ac Patri cum devotione reverentiam. Sanctitati vestrae grates referimus multiplices, de Literis vestris pro nobis a paternitate vestra Domino Cantuariensi Archiepiscopo & ejus Suffraganeis porrectis, ne • non Magnatibus & Baronibus terrae nostrae, pro certo scituri, quod Barones ipsi Literas vestras in nullo exaudierunt; Dominus vero Cantuariensis Archiepiscopus, et ejus Suffraganei mandatum vestrum executioni demandare supersederunt. (Though they were very forwards to pronounce the Popes Interdict against the whole Realm, and Excommunication of King John himself, and promote his deposition at the Popes command.) Nos vero attendants praemissa, asserebamus Baronibus nostris▪ Quod terra nostra Patrimonium erat Beati Petri, (A gross mistake, since St. Peter was never actually possessed of it in his life time, nor transmitted the inheritance thereof to Popes, as his Children or Successors.) et eam de Beato Petro et Ecclesia Romana, et de vobis tenebamus. (When as the Barons would never acknowledge England to be St. Peters Patrimony, nor yet this King but only in complement and policy, to gain the Popes assistance to suppress the Bishops and Barons insolencies and Rebellions, St. Peter having no Patrimony at all therein.) Adjecimus etiam, Quod cruce signati eramus, & pet • bamus beneficium & privilegium cruce signatorum, ne turbaretur terra hostra, (therefore the Kings, not St. Peters Patrimony, nor the Popes) & ne consumeretur in malos usus quam in subsidium terrae Sancta expendere proposueramus, & appellavimus, per W. Maraschallum, Comitem Pembrock, & W. Comitem Warren. contra perturbatores pacis terrae nostrae. Verum quia cruce signati fuimus volentes in omnibus cum humilitate & mansuetudine procedere, salva appellatione nostra, obtulimus Baronibus illis, quod omnes malas consuetudines suscitatas, et per quemcunque introductas temporibus nostris penitus aboleremus, nec non et malas consuetudines tempore Regis Richardi, fratris nostri, subortas extirparemus; de consuetudinibus autem tempore Patris nostri suscitatis, si quae essent quae eos gravarent, per consilium fidelium nostrorum operare • ur. Sed nec hiis nec aliis supradictis contenti, omnia praemissa recusarunt. Videntes igitur quod ipsi manifest nitebantur ad turbationem Regni nostri, rogavimus Dominum Cantuariensem Archiepiscopum, et ejus Suffraganeos, quod exequerentur mandatum vestrum, scilicet, quod secundum tenorem Literarum vestrarum consueta nobis exhibere et servitia. Et postea si quae a nobis petere vellent, cum humilitate et sine armis ea a nobis peterent, denunciantes eos excommunicatos qui p • st praedicta eis oblata pacem Regni nostri perturbarent. Et videbatur Episcopa Exon. et Magistro Pandulfo qui praesentes erant, quod de jure per sententiam excommunicationis eos compescere debebant: sed Archiepiscopus respondens ait, quod sententiam excommunicationis in eos nullo modo proferret, quia been sciebat mentem vestram, et videbatur nobis similiter, quod ita facere debebat, quia mandavimus gentem copiosam de terris extraneorum ad succursum terrae nostrae. Et promisit nobis quod si eos revocare vellemus, non solum sententiam excommunicationis in eos inferret, verum etiam in quantum posset eis resisteret: Vnde gentem nostram revocavimus. Postmodum autem obtulimus eis per Literas nostras Patentes, per Dominum Cantuariensem Archiepiscopum, & duos vel tres Suffraganeos ejus eis delatas, quod nos eligerimus, ex parte nostra quatuor, & ipsi ex parte sua quatuor; Ita quod vos superiores constitueremini, de omnibus querelis Libertatum quas ipsi proponerent et ad suas nos responderemus, quod quicquid vos una cum illis Octo statueretis super omnibus quae ipsi peterent a nobis, nos gratum haberemus et teneremus. Et quamvis se humiliare noluerunt versus nos sicut debuerunt, nos tamen pro servitio Dei, et succursu Terrae Sanctae in tantum nos humiliavimus, quod haec praedicta eis obtulimus. Et praeterea eis obtulimus quod de omnibus petitionibus suis per considerationem Parium suorum Iustitiae plenitudinem eis exhi • eremus. Quod ipsi recusarunt. Ad haec Domine, die Veneris in crastino Ascensionis Domini, venit ad hos frater Wilhelmus de Camera vestra, vester familiaris, deferens nobis Literas vestras continentes, quod disposito peregrinationis nostrae itinere sanctitatis vestrae pedibus aliquem de nostris in Concilio representaremus, paternitatem vestram de processu nostro et itineris nostri expeditione certificantes, super quo pie paternitati vestrae taliter respondemus, quod cum perversis Baronum praedictorum inquietationibus ut ex praemissis vobis innotuit affligamur, nec possumus in eis bonum pacis invenire, quosal • em concordes afficiamur, ut sic facilius proposito insisteremus, vos de itinere nostro, et itineris nostri expeditione certos reddere non possumus: Unum pro certo scientes, quod multi signatorum qui ad Terrae Sanctae succursum se accinxerunt de partibus longinquis, viri magni & nobiles ut in consortio nostro eos reciperemus benign per suas Literas & Nuncios postulaverunt, quos pro praedictis incommodis super mandatis suis adhuc certificare non potuimus. Praeterea Pater Reverende in praesentia praedicti fratris Willielmi vestri familiaris, nec non & Venerabilium Patrum Wygorniensis & Coventrensis Episcoporum, obtulimus praedictis Baronibus, quod de omnibus petitionibus suis quas a nobis exigunt in vos benignissime compromitteremus, ut vos qui plenitudine potestatis gaudetis, quod justum foret statueretis, et haec omnia efficere renuunt. Igitur pie Pater dominationi vestrae praesentia duximus declaranda, ut de consueta benignitate vestra quod nobis videritis expedire inde statuatis. Teste meipso apud Odiham, xxix. die Maii.

Soon after this Letter of complaint to the Pope (whose power and usurpations increased by the Barons Rebellions) there was a General Council held at Rome, to which the Archbishop was summoned, and there suspended from his Archbishopric upon the Kings complaints against him.

EOdem Anno celebrata est Romae, Sancta & universalis Synodus in Ecclesia Sancti Salvatoris, quae Constantiana appellatur, mense Novembri, praesidente Papa Domino Innocentio tertio, Pontificatus ejus Anno Decimo octavo.

In hoc Concilio steterunt contra Stephanum Archiepiscopum Cantuariensem, procuratores Regis Anglorum; Abbas videlicet de Bello loco, Thomas de Hundintona, & Godefridus de Croucumbe, Milites, constanter accusantes eum de conniventia Baronum Angliae, quodque ipsius favore et consilio iidem Barones dictum Regem a solio depellere molirentur. Et cum a seed Apostolica Literas accepisset, ut dictos Magnates per censuram Ecclesiasticam a persequutione Regis refraenaret, ipse id facere dissimulans, ab Episcopo Wintoniensi, et suis conjudicibus a divinorum celebratione et ingressu Ecclesiae suspensus: sicque ad Concilium prop • rans, manifestis indiciis se fuisse praeceptis Apostolicis rebellem ostendit. His & aliis multis, in hunc modum allegatis, Archiepiscopus quasi convictus, & non mediocriter confusus, nihil respondit; nisiquod a suspensione petiit absolvi. Cui Papa cum indignatione tale fertur dedisse responsum: Frater, per Sanctum Petrum non ita de facili beneficium absolutionis impetrabis, qui non solum ipsi Anglorum Regi, (This was no crime in him heretofore, but a virtue, by this Popes resolution) verum etiam Romanae Ecclesiae, tot et tales injurias irrogasti. (This indeed was the only cause of his indignation, not his injuries to the King.) Volumus quoque cum plena fratrum nostrorum deliberatione decernere, qualiter tam temerarium puniamus excessum. Tandem habito super hoc cum Cardinalibus tractatu, suspensionis sententiam in ipsum Archiepiscopum subscriptis Literis confirmavit. (A just, divine retaliation for all his former Treasonable compliances with this Pope, and after that with the Barons against King John, from whom he had received so many obliging favors.)

When this suspension of the Archbishop was executed, the Pope commanded all his Suffragans and Subjects to disobey him, till by his humiliation and giving sufficient caution for his future deportment, he should demerit it, as this Bull, or Letter to all the Clergy and Laity of his Province evidenceth.

INNOCENTIUS Episcopus, &c. Dilectis filiis Clericis & Laicis per Cantuariensem Provinciam constitutis, salutem & Apostolicam Benedictionem. Ad communem volumus notitiam pervenire, quod nos suspensionis sententiam quam Venerabilis frater noster P. Wintoniensis Episcopus, & dilectus filius P. Subdiaconus, & familiaris noster Norwicensis electus, in Stephanum Cantuariensem Archiepiscopum authoritate Apostolica protulerunt, ratam habemus, & praecipimus inviolabiliter observari, donec idem Archiepiscopus, qui eam humiliter servat, mereatur ipsam juxta formam Ecclesiae Canonice praestitam relaxari, uno vinculo in aliud commutato. Quocirca universitati vestrae per Apostolica scripta mandamus quatenus & vos ipsi praescriptam sententiam firmiter observetis, cum interim nullam debeatis eidem obedientiam exhibere. Datum Laterani, 2. nonas Novembris. Pontificatus nostri Anno xviij.

Here we cannot but with admiration consider, the just retaliation inflicted by God's wonderful providence on this Arch-traitor to King John. 1. The whole Kingdom must be Interdicted by the Pope at this Arch-prelates instigation, for the Kings not admitting him to the actual possession of the See of Canterbury, against the rights of his Crown and Kingdom. 2ly. The King himself must be personally Excommunicated and not conversed with. 3ly. All his Subjects absolved from their allegiance and obedience to him, till his humiliation to the Pope: And now this Pope even at Rome itself, not only suspends, but ratifies this Archbishops actual suspension from his Archbishopric, absolves all Clerks & Laymen in his Province from their obedience to him, and commands them to yield him no obedience at all, till he should humble himself to, and give satisfaction and caution to him for his future good behavior. 2ly. That this Archbishop (the Popes chief instrument to humble, depose K. John, & set up the Pope in his Throne) should become the greatest stickler against this Pope, the contemner, slighter of his Interdicts, Excommunications, Censures, wherewith himself so much terrified the King and Kingdom before. 3ly. That this Pope who had been the Kings professed Enemy and Dethroner, should now become his prime Protector against those Bishops and Barons which himself first engaged to Rebell against him; though not upon King Johns own account as their lawful King, yet as his Vassal and Tributary to the Church of Rome, much against his will, which providentially proved his greatest advantage in some respects, though most prejudicial and dishonorable to him in others. 4ly. The just punishment inflicted by God and this Pope upon Simon the Archbishops Brother, a great stickler for him, and professed Enemy to the King, and that at this very time, upon this occasion.

The Archbishopric of York becoming void, the King by his Letters Patents granted the Chapter of York a License to elect a new Archbishop, in the presence of five Commissioners, therein specially named, and with their consents, to prevent the election of this Simon Langhton, the Archbishops Brother, a great Enemy to the King, this being the first License granted by him, after his forecited Charter to the Archbishop and Bishops for the freedom of Elections.

REX Decano & Capitulo Eborac. &c. Cum Ecclesia vestra jamdiu Pastorali fuerit regimine destituta, nos in hoc compatientes, Pastorem sibi praefici idoneum, Deo acceptum, et nobis et Regno nostro utilem, salva dignitate nostra, vehementer afectamus, unde Venerabiles viros R. Eborum, H. Belli loci Regis, & R. de Seleby, Abbates, una cum fidelibus nostris Willielmo Briwer, & Willielmo de Cantilupo, Senescallo nostro, loco nostro ad vos transmittimus, ut ipsis praesentibus et assensum praebentibus Pastorem vobis eligatis idoneum, et nos ratum habebimus et stabile quicquid in praesentia ipsorum de assensu eorundem, super hoc factum fuerit. Quod si non omnes interesse valeant, quod inde factum fuerit in praesentia praefati W. Briwere, una cum uno vel duobus praedictorum Nunciorum de assensu eorundem, ratum esse volumus et inconcussum. Et in hujus rei Testimonium, &c. Vobis mittimus. Teste meipso apud Porec. Vicesimo sexto die Januarii, Anno Regni nostri xv.

odem modo scribitur
• Priori & Conventui Coventr.
• Priori & Conventui Rames..
• Capitulo Exon.
• Decano & Capitulo Cicestr.
• Priori & Conventui de Sancto Edmundo.
• Priori & Conventui de Burgo.
• Priori & Conventui Dunolm.

• n relation to Elections to be made by them of Priors and Bishops, to their then vacant Churches.

After which the King sent this Patent of Appeal to the Chapter of York, in general terms, not to elect any person for their Archbishop suspected to be an Enemy to him, to avoid all misconstructions of his former Charter for freedom of Elections.

REX dilecto sibi in Christo Capitulo Eboracensi, salutem. Sciatis nos appellasse, ne quis de gremio Ecclesiae vestrae, vel alterius in Archiepiscopum Eboracensem eligatur, vel postuletur, qui nobis sit suspectus. Hancque appellationem nostram per has Literas nostras Patentes renovamus. Teste meipso apud Waling. Decimo tertio die Maii. Anno Regni nostri xvi.

And because these two former inhibitions were general, the King by his express Charter secretly prohibited them to elect Simon La • ghton by name, to whom he would never give his Royal assent.

UNiversis & singulis Capituli Eboracensis salutem. Prohibemus ne quis vestrum S. Decanum Eboracensem, eligat in Archiepiscopum Eboracensem, quia hoc esset contra honorem nostrum, et commodum Regni nostri: si quis autem ipsum elegerit, nunquam poterit sperare se pacem aut amorem nobiscum habiturum. Hoc autem secretum esse volumus.

The Chapter notwithstanding the Kings and Popes inhibition likewise, to gratify Stephen Archbishop of Canterbury, elected Simon La • ghton his Brother Archbishop of York: Vir quidem parum habens gratiae popularis, • tinam Dei: sed procurante Rege cito cassatus est. Poterat enim Rex jam factus Tributarius Papae, difficilia impetrare; Timebat autem Rex, ne si Stephanus Cantuariae Archiepiscopus in Australibus, & frater ejus Simon Ebor. Archiepiscopus factus in septentrionalibus dominarentur, quasi maximi Praelati in Anglia, omnia ad votum eorum disponerentur, et alter alterius auxilio fulciretur. So Matthew Westminister. Of which Matthew Paris renders us this larger account.

CIrca dies istos, Canonici Eboracensis Ecclesiae, m • lto jam tempore Pastore viduati, impetrata a Rege licentia, ad electionem faciendam pariter convenerunt. Et licet a Rege multis precibus fuissent rogati, ut Walterum de Gray, Wigormensem Episcopum, sibi susciperent in Pastorem; tamen reclamantes illiteratum, ipsum eligere distulerunt. Veruntamen in electione procedentes, elegerunt Magistrum Simonem de Langetona, fratrem Archiepiscopi Cantuariensis, sterantes in eo scientiam, quam appellant sapientiam, scilicet morum aromate conditam scientiam, insuper favorem Domini Papae obtinere. Sed cum facta electio ad Regis audientiam pervenisset, misit Nuncios ad Curiam Romanam, qui contra electionem illam in praesentia Domini Papae exceptiones hujusmodi induxerunt. Allegabant enim Archiepiscopium Cantuariensem Regis Angliae hostem esse publicum, ut qui Baronibus Angliae incentivum contra Regem eundem praebuit et consensum. Vnde si dictus Simon, qui frater ejus est Archiepiscopi memorati, ad Archiepiscopatum Eboracensem promoveretur, par Regis et Regni diu stare non poterit. Haec igitur & similia allegantes incommoda, Papam ad consensum induxerunt: Unde Capitulo Eboracensi scripsit in haec verba.

INNOCENTIUS Episcopus servus servorum Dei, &c. Cum Magister Simon de Langetona, cum quibusdam aliis Canonicis Eboracensibus, in nostra nuper esset praesentia constitutus, nos ei viva voice interdiximus, ne ad obtinendum Archiepiscopatum Eboracensem intenderet, quia id certis ex causis minime pateremur, & ipse quidem, quantum verbis expressit, huic annuit reverenter. Vnde mirari cogimur et moveri, si ipsum ambitio adeo ercaecaverit, ut cum sciret se post nostram prohibitionem, et suam promissionem expressam de jure eligi non posse, si tali praestiterit electioni consensum, quam, nullo alio contradicente, nos irritam haberemus. Sed ne hac occasion fiat in Anglia novissimus error pejor priore, vel Eboracensis Ecclesia diutius maneat pastore viduata, de communi fratrum noftrorum consilio, per Apostolica vobis scripta praecipiendo mandamus, et in virtute obedientiae district praecipimus, quatenus electione hujusmodi non obstante appellatione, cum insolentias et machinationes hujusmodi sustinere nolumus, nec debemus, omni occasion ac tergiversatione cessantibus, aliquos ex vobis cum communi omni potestate ad instans Concilium destinetis, qui saltem usque Calendas Novembris nostro se conspectui repraesentent, personam idoneam, cum nostro electuri vel postulaturi consilio in pastorem. Alioquin extunc nos ipsi curabimus de idoneo vobis Praesule providere, contradictores, si qui fuerint, vel rebels, per districtionem Canonicam graviter punituri. Si vero praefatus Simon electioni de se factae consensit, nos poenam, in poenam suae praesumptioni statuimus, ut intelligibilis fiat, ne de caetero, absque dispensatione sedis Apostolicae specially, ad Pontificalem eligi valeat vignitatem. Datum Idibus Septembris, Pontificatus nostri Anno xviij.

The Canons of York, notwithstanding this Bull, appearing in the Council at Rome, were so bold as to justify their election, and present Simon Langhton to the Pope for their Archbishop elect, and press his confirmation of him: Which Matthew Paris thus relates, together with its event.

HIS ita gestis, Canonici Eboracensis Ecclesiae praesentaverunt Domino Papae Magistrum Simonem de Langetona, postulantes ut ejus electionem confirmaret. Quibus Papa: Noveritis quod ipsum non habemus pro electo, qui illum ad tantam dignitatem promoveri certis • de causis non patimur. Et cum praecipue contra prohibitionem nostram ista sit electio celebrata, nos eam cassamus penitus, et in perpetuum damnamus; decernentes utique ut intelligibilis fiat, ne absque dispensatione sedis Apostolicae ad Pontificalem eligi valeat dignitatem. Cassata igitur electione praedicta, dominus Papa Canonieis praecepit ut statim in electione procederent, sin minus ipse eis pastorem provideret idoneum. (By his newly usurped power of provisions.) Tunc Canonici sicut prius provisum fuerat, postulaverunt Walterum de Grai Episcopum Wigorniensem, propter carnis munditiam, ut asserebant, ut qui ab utero matris p • rmanserat us{que} in praesentem diem. Ad hoe dicitur Papa respondisse: Per sanstum Petrum, virginitas magna virtus est, et nos eum damus vobis. Itaque accepto Pallio Episcopus memoratus, rediit in Angliam obligatus in Curia Romana de decem Millibus Librarum legalium Esterlingorum. (Which he Payd to this Pope for his Pall, as a true successor to Simon Magus, not to Simon Peter, in his Symonical extortions.) In fine autem, soluto Concilio, extorsit Papa de unoquoque Praelato infinitam pecuniam: quam cum viaticis cogebantur ab usurariis suis mutuo duris conditionibus sumere.

Matthew Paris in the Life of William Abbot of St. Albans, present in this Council, relates that, Idem Abbas Wilhelmus, cum soluto Concilio, accepta licentia cum benedictione, vellet recedere, in muneribus non respecto, dixit ei Papa: Nonne tu es Abbas Sancti Albani, qui tot privilegiorum beneficia a nostra seed toties obtinuisti? Siccine decet talem ac tantum virum, me non respecto recedere? Et cum obtulisset quinquaginta Marcas, amice redargutus, coactus est antequam exisset a Camera (in quam poenituit eum intrasse) non sine turpi convitio, super solutionem Centum Marcarum satisfacere, quas mutuo ab usurariis Curiae, non sine duris accepit conditionibus. Levius tamen hoc tulit Abbas et aequanimius, quia hoc idem fecit Praelatis universis. Quam pecuniam numeratam, cum per aliquem de suis ante pedes Papales humiliter ac devote obtulisset, dedit ei cum su • benedictione sic comparata, remeandi licentiam. Et sic recedens, Romam murmurando salutavit, ibique reliquit eum Magister Rogerus Porretanus, (one of his Monks who▪ accompanied him to Rome ) vir supra modum ambitiosus, (who advised this Abbot whiles at Rome ) ut Abbas resignaret Abbatia •• suam in manus Papae, sub obtentu sanctitatis, s • iturus quod majorem & uberiorem, pro certo reciperet dignitatem, si Papa in tanto viro, talem videret humilitatem, & tam evidens sanctitatis argumentum. Sed Abbas nolens certa pro incertis commutare, consiliis ejus nullatenus acquievit: Dixitque ei, Magister, dictum est in proverbio vulgari:

Hoc fecisti tu de redditu tu • Bathoniensi quem dimisisti, inhians uberiori, quem tamen nunquaem consequi valuisti. Et silui • Rogerus redargutus & confusus. There being nothing given, but every Ecclesiastical preferment sold by this Pope, to those that would give most money for it, yet no Simony nor crime in this Innocent.

King John after all these proceedings against the Baron • , Bishops, and his good successes:

AUdiens autem Rex Barones Angliae esse excommunicatos, Archiepiscopum C • ntuariensem suspensum, Simonem fratrem ejus cassatum, Walterum de Gray promotum, & quod de Castro Roffensi pro lubitu disposuisset: elevatum est nimis Cor ejus, & continuo Castra movens, apud Sanctum Albanum cum festinatione perrexit. Quo cum pervenisset, praesente Conventu Capitulum intravit, Liter as de suspensione Cantuariensis Archiepiscopi fecit manifest recitari; constanter exigens a Conventu, quatenus sub testimonio sigilli sui praefatae suspensionis confirmatio ad omnes Angliae Ecclesias, tam Cathedrales quam Conventuales, publicanda mitteretur. Iurta illud Poeticum: Stricto supplicat ense potens. Quod cum ei a Conventu concessum fuisset, forte invito, continuo post Capitulum in Claustro cum paucis Consiliariis sedrsim recedens, disposuit qualiter inimicos suos, Magnates scilicet Angliae confunderet, et quemadmodum exteris nationibus, quae sub ipso militabant, stipendia provideret. Tandem Rex duos ordinavit exercitus: ut videlicet ex uno Baronum irruptiones Londini morantium reprimeret; ex altero, ipse Aquilonares Angliae provincias igne simul & ferro, quaeque sibi obvia conterendo, de • eret. These Soldiers of the King were so incensed against the Rebellious Priests and Clergy▪ Ut Sacerdotes ipsis altaribus • stantes, signum Sancta Crucis manibus bajulantes, vel ipsum Dominicum corpus tractantes, sacris vestimentis venerabiles, altaribus astantes religione deferendi; irreverenter capiebantur, cruciabantur, spoliabantur, vulnerabantur: nec fuit Pontifex, Sacerdos, vel Levita, qui vulneribus inflictis oleum infunderet vel vinum: They likewise pillaged the Cathedral Church of Eli, which they entered with drawn Swords, and forced the Prior to pay them 200. Marks of silver to save their lives, and Church from burning, and wasted all the Barons Houses, Manors, Lands with fire and sword.

King John by reason of these high contests between the Priesthood and Kingship, the Barons Liberties and his own Prerogative, was necessitated to resign up almost all his Ecclesiastical, as well as Temporal Jurisdiction, to the Pope and his Legates, retaining only his ancient right of granting Licenses to Chapters, Covents, to elect Bishops, Abbots, Abbesses, Priors, Deans, and of assenting to their Elections when made; which yet must be left arbitrary, with a si placet to the Pope and his Nuncioes approbations, who rejected or confirmed the person recommended, elected, assented to by the King, at their pleasures, who could hardly procure any Chapter or Covent to elect any person he had a mind to prefer, but with many petitions, solicitations to them by himself and his instruments, and by other unkingly shifts and devices, being oft crossed, affronted, and seldom gratified therein, but with much difficulty and entreaty, as these ensuing Records demonstrate.

REX Venerabili Patri in Christo, N. Dei gratia Tusculanensi Episcopo, Apostolicae sedis Legato, &c. Noverit prudentia vestra Priorem & Conventum de Burton, secundum Deum & consuetudinem Regni nostri, eligisse sibi in Abbatem S. Priorem Wintoniensem, et Nos electioni eorum assensum praebuimus, ipsumque electum ad vos mittimus, Rogantes quatenus electionem eius SI PLACET, confirmare velitis. Et in hujus rei Testimonium, vobis mittimus. Teste me ipso apud Clarens, Vicesimo tertio die Januarii, Anno Regni nostri xv.

MANDATUM est Domino Wintonienfi Episcopo quod omnem curam & sollicitudinem apponat ut Amita Roberti Ross, Monialis de Berking. promoveat in Abbatissam ejusdem domus; Et si hoc fieri non potest, quod soror Johannes de Basingburn, Priorissa de Elleschirch, promoveatur in Abbatissam, & si neutra illarum possit promoveri, quod Priorissa ejusdem domus in Abbatissam promoveatur. Et quod nullo modo permittat, quod soror Roberti filii Walterii in Abbatissam ejusdem domus promoveatur. The Kings hands and Perogative being so bound up by his Charter for free Elections, that he could not so much as promote, or hinder the promotion of any Abbess, Dean, Bishop, but only by his instruments, in such a disjunctive manner as this, and such a precarious way as was below a King, as he used this next ensuing for the Dean of York.

REX Capitulo Eborac, &c. Quoniam de honestate dilecti nostri Magistri W. Archdiaconi Noting. certi sumus, & de fidelitate confidimus, vos Rogamus attentius, quatenus cum Ecclesiae vestrae utilis, et nobis dignoscatur esse fidelis, omni cessante Contradictione unanimi assensu ipsum eligatis in Decanum, quia nos in personam ejus favoribiliter assentimus. Tantum igitur inde facere velitis intuitu nostri et obtentu precum nostrarum, maxim cum justae sint et honestae, ut ad uberrimas vobis pro eo teneamur gratiarum actiones.

REX Domino P. Wintoniensi Episcopo, &c, Quoniam de honestate dilecti nobis Magistri W. Archidiaconi Notingh. non dubitamus, ut de ejus fidelitate confidimns, nec possit ad praesens effectum capere voluntas vestra quam gessimus in cord de Nepote vestro in Decan. Eborum promovendo, quod moleste ferimus, ut omnis sopiatur contentio in praedicta Ecclesia, Uolumus, et vobis mandando injungimus, ut non obstante quod Nepos vester praedictus Decanatum illum non adeptus est, efficiatis quod dictus Archidiaconus Noting. ad Decanatum Eborum promoveatur, quia nos in personam ejus assentimus. Nec sit vobis haec res molesta, quoniam dicto Nepoti vestro alibi per Dei gratiam sufficienter providebimns et decenter. Apud Parten. Uicesimo die Septembris.

REX Domino P. Wintoniensi Episcopo Justiciario Angliae, &c. Quoniam arduis perplexi negotiis in partibus Pictaviae petitioni Prioris & conventus sancti Albani nobis factae, de eligendo sibi Abbate operam non potuimus ad praesens dare efficacem: Mandavimus eisdem, ut ab electione facienda cessent donec in Angliam venerimus, et post 15. diesex quo audierint nos advenisse in Angliam, coram nobis compareant nobiscum locuturi. Uos igitur eos inducatis ne dilationem istam moleste ferant, providentes ne interim electionem facere praesumant. Terr as autem eorum, tenementa, Nemora & homines, & omnia sua, sub protectione & Custodia nostra tuta esse faciatis & tranquilla, it a quod in nullo vastentur, destruantur, vel minuantur; Teste me ipso apud Niort. vicesimo primo die Septembris. To such shifts was the King put by his Charter for free elections, to obtain his ends.

How much the Covent and Monks of Durham opposed, affronted King John in the election of their Bishop, whereupon he was enforced to make use of the Popes and Legates plenitude of power, and yet could not effect his ends, but the Pope obtains his, to dispose of all Elections and Bishoprics at his pleasure, will appear by these Records.

REX Priori & Conventui Dunolmensi, &c. A temero proposito resilire Quomam mandatum vestrum quod nobis fecistis de Decano Sarum, Deo et dignitati nostrae et voluntati domini Papae repugnare dignoscitur, cum preces vobis jamdudum fecerimus pro alio, pro quo etiam Dominus Papa scripsit Legato suo Angliae, ut vos induceret ad ipsum postulandum; post quidem postulaveritis eundem, et nos Regium praebuerimus Assensum vestrae postulationi, & nos insuper inde Domino Papae, cui super hoc nobis scribere placuit significaverimus voluntatem nostram, quae eidem ut credimus grata erit & accepta, cujus adhuc responsum non audivimus plene; plane vobis asserimus, quod nec mandatum vestrum gratum habemus, nec ei favorem adhibemus, nec assensum. Teste meipso apud sanctum Maxen. Sexto die Septembris.

INNOCENTIUS Episcopus Servus Servorum Dei. Charissimo in Christo filio Johanni illustri Anglorum Regi salutem & Apostolicam Benedictionem. Credentes utilitati & honori tuo plurimum expedire si Venerabilis frater noster Norwicensis Episcopus, quem tibi omnino devotum coguovimus et fidelem, ad Dunolmensem Ecclesiam transferretur, ignari capitulum illius Ecclesiae dilectum filium Sarisburiensem Decanum, virum praefecto scientia, vita & fama praeclarum concorditer eligerint in Pastorem, Venerabili fratri nostro Thusculan. Episcopo Apostolicae Sedis Legato, direximus scripta nostra, ut faceret Dunolmense Capitulum Norwicensem Episcopum praedictum in suum Episcopum postulare. Cumque Legatus ad eorum accessisset Ecclesiam, ipsi decretum electionis quam fecerant praesentantes, ab eo confirmationem cum instantia postularunt. Legatus autem habens profecto Zelum sed non secundum Scientiam, in hac parte cum nos consuluisse debuer it, sine nostri exquisitione mandati, ex quo videbat electionem concordem fuisse processum apud idem Capitulum plurimum institit ut Norwicenscem praedictum in Episcopum postularent, set illis electoni firmiter innitentibus, tandem ad hoc eos per multam coartavit instantiam, ut salvo jure electionis, postulatio fieret, & utrius{que} electionis & postulationis videlicet, praesentaretur Apostolicae sedi decretum. Accedentes autem ad sedem Apostolicam Duo Monachi ex parte Dunolm. praesentato nobis utroque decreto apud nos pro electionis affirmation sicut in mandatis acceperant, institerunt, eidem firmiter inhaerendo, praesertim cum in majori concordia electio quam postulatio celebrata fuisset, prout ex subscriptionibus apparebat. Nos vero electionem protinus confirmare distulimus, quia non fuerat Regius requisitus assensus. Verum memorato Decano monendo & suggerendo Mandavimus, ut quantum in eo est negotium ipsum omnino transferat in nostrum arbitrium, ita ut sive de juris rigor, sive de moderamine providentiae prout expedire viderimus procedamus. Cum igitur sit idem Decanus plene sufficiens ad officium pastorale, ac nos providere intendamus, utraque transcripta Literarum quas accepimus a Legato, nec non utriusque decreti regali excellentiae mittimus praesentibus interclusa; & nihil ominus consulentes, ut super ordination Dunelmensis quam Norwicensis Ecclesiae, si eam vacare contigerit, te penitus nostro committas Arbitrio, quia quantum cum Domino poterimus, libenter et efficaciter intendemus ad ea quae tuum respiciant commodum et honorem. Caeterum dilectus filius Magister Annuncius tuus, vir providus & fidelis, serenitati Regiae viva voice plenius exprimere poterit super hiis & aliis sicut a nobis accepit, nostrae beneplacitum voluntatis. Tu ergo beneplacitum tuum nobis differas intimare. Dat. Romae apud Sanctum Petrum, ii. Idus Maii. Pontificatus nostri Anno Septimo Decimo. (You may here behold the Popes juggling with the Dean, Chapter, and King too.) To which the Popes Legate returned this Answer.

SAnctissimo in Christo Patri ac Domino J. Dei gratia Pontifici, suus J. Dei & sui gratia Episcopus Tusculanus se ipsum ad pedes & ejus orationibus commendari. Peracto negotio Eboracensis Ecclesiae, per Dei gratiam concorditer & in pace sicut per alias Literas vestrae beatitudini nunciavi, ad Dunolmensem Ecclesiam subsequenter accessi, Priori & Conventui ejusdem Ecclesiae diligenter proponens, ut juxta mandatum vestrum eidem Ecclesiae cum meo consilio de persona Idonea providerent: Ipsi vero licet affeveranter proposuerint, se Authoritate quarundam Literarum vestrarum electionem fecisse, quas Literas & decretum eorum, qualiter Decanum Saresburiensem elegerant in Praelatum, mihi in Capitulo ostenderunt, tamen propter Literas vestras quas mihi misistis pro Venerabili fratre Episcopo Norwicensi, eisdem Literis & meo consilio coartati, salvo tamen jure si quid habent in electione praedicta, praefatum Norwicensem Episcopum in suum duxerunt Episcopum concorditer postulandum, & decretum inde solenniter factum per suos Nuncios vobis mittunt, a sanctitate vestra mecum humiliter deposcentes, ut inde quod vobis inspiraverit Dominus, faciatis. Dat. apud Midleham vi. Kalend. Marcii.

IN Nomine Patris & Filii & Spiritus Sancti, Amen. Omnibus sanctae Matris Ecclesiae filiis, praesentis Decreti paginam inspecturis, W. humiles Prior & conventus Ecclesiae Dunolmensis, salutem in Domino. Sicut praevio bono pastore ingrediuntur & egrediuntur & sibi pascua inveniunt Oves dominicae, ita quidem fure vel mercenario aliunde quam per hostium intrante, eodem veri Pastoris destitutae sollicitudine Lupis rapacibus expositae extra loca pascuae devagantur errabundae. Nos igitur attendants quod Ecclesia nostra jampridem boni Pastoris solatio privata, per multos inutiles pastores, nec non & longam vacationem magnis sit honoribus & multis libertatibus turpiter mutilata, cura quoque & consilio pene penitus destituta, ut juris ordine per omnina observato, de dei vultu Ecclesiae nostrae dudum Pastore carentis procederet electio; ita tandem Ecclesiae nostrae duximus. Post trinam ammonicionem E. bonae memory quondam Archiepiscopi nostri, praecedente etiam mandato Apostolico super electione facienda ad nos facto, nec non domini Regis assensu saepius super hoc requisito, porrectis nobis insuper a Domino Rege precibus pro quibusdam personis Ecclesiae nostrae minus inutilibus, et ad tanti honoris Dnus portandum minus sufficientibus, convocatis ad hoc fratribus nostris, in Capitulo convenimus, & ibidem consistentes, Spiritus sancti gratia vitae invocata, & matura deliberatione praehabita, virum venerabilem Richardum Decanum Ecclesiae Saresburiensis, unanimi consensu & sine Contradictione elegimus in Pastorem. Uirum utique integrae famae, cuide Canonicis nihil credimus obviare institutis, in temporalibus been providum, & in spiritualibus multum devotum, moribus & literatura praeclarum, quem credimus & scire & velle Ecclesiae nostrae deperdita restaurare, ac restaurata diligentius custodire, parati pro ipso quantum patitur justitia, & res exponere & personas: appellantes insuper tam pro electione quam pro electo nostro, ne inimico homine machinante aliquid in praejudicium hujus facti attemptetur. Ut autem factum nostrum debitae robur obtineat firmitatis stabile manens & inconcussum, praesens decretum sigillorum subscriptionibus roboravimus, & sigilli nostri appositione vallavimus. Ego W. Prior Subscribo † Ego Henr. Subprior Subscribo † Robertus Hostellarius Subscribo † Ego Johannes Subscribo † Ego Willus Subscribo † Ego Ambrosius Elmosinarius Subscribo † Ego Radulphus Subscribo † Ego Thomas Subscribo † Ego Oswaldus Subscribo † Ego Johannes Subscribo † Ego Robertus Subscribo † Ego Rogerus Subscribo † Ego Willus Subscribo † Ego Robertus Subscribo † Ego Andreas Subscribo † Ego Michael Subscribo † Ego Galfridus Subscribo † Ego Anketinus Subscribo † Ego Hammond Subscribo † Ego Simond Subscribo † Ego Petrus Subscribo † Ego Johannes Subscribo † Ego Thomas Subscribo † Ego Henericus Subscribo † Ego Rogerus Subscribo † Ego Johannes Subscribo † Ego Heneri. Subscribo † Ego Robertus Subscribo † Ego Germanus Subscribo † Ego Robertus Subscribo † Ego Bartholomeus Subscribo † Ego Willus Subscribo † Ego Johannes Subscribo † Ego Willus Subscribo † Ego Willus Subscribo † Ego Radulphus Subscribo † Ego Gilbertus Subscribo † Ego Germanus Subscribo † Ego Robertus Subscribo † Ego Hammond Subscribo † Ego Robertus Subscribo. This Decree and Appeal they all thus sealed and subscribed, in direct affront and opposition to the Kings Letters and requests unto them.

The same year with some struggling the King procured R. de Marisco to be elected Bishop of Winchester, as these Records attest.

REX dilectis sibl Abbatibus Eborac. & de Bello loco Regis & de Seleby, & Willielmo Briwer, & Cantalupo Senescal salutem. Sciatis quod quicquid vobis alias Mandaverimus de assensu vestro communiter vice nostra prestando in Electione Wintoniensi Ecclesiae, in personam tamen dilecti et fidelis nosiri Magistri R. de Marisc. Archid. Northumb. Ecclesiae illi praeficiendum firmiter assentimus, et constanter, volentes proculdubio quod hoc mandatum nostrum speciale generali mandato nostro derogat prius vobis facto, maxim cum tempore illo sedes dictae Ecclesiae dignoscatur non vacasse. Mandamus igitur vobis quod in ejus personam cujuslibet alterius persona exclusa, assensum vice nostra praebeatis, quem quidem ratum habebimus, et inconcussum. Et in hujus rei testimonium, &c. Teste meipso apud Volvent. Vicesimo secundo die Maii Anno Regni 16.

REX Priori & Conventui sancti Swithini Wint. salutem. Cum omni consonum sit rationi quod Principis Petitio, maxim pro pace et tranquilitate Regni porrecta, de facili debeat exaudiri, confidentes devobis quod nihil attemptare velitis nostrae contrarium dignitati, universitatem vestram audacter imploramus, attentius exhortantes, dilectum et fidelem nostrum Magistrum R. de Marisc. Archidiaconum Northumbr, Virum utique providum, Literatum, & honestum, nobis fidelem, Regno utilem ad consilium et Auxilium efficacem, vobis in Episcopum intuitu Dei et nostri liberaliter eligatis, maxim cum Dominus Papa sui gratia ejus affectet promotionem, scituri proculdubio, quod in ejus personam firmiter assentimus et constanter, nullatenus vol entes ab hoc proposito resilire. Et ut facilius huic petitioni nostrae condescendatis, ipsum R. ad vos destinamus a nexibus curiae penitus absolutum. Et in hujus rei testimonium, &c. Vobis mittimus. Teste ut supra. Eodem modo scribitur Priori sancti Swithini Wint. sine Conventu.

He being elected upon these importunate Letters, and approved, the King thus Writ to the Popes Legat to confirm him.

DOmino N. Tusculanensi Episcopo Apostolicae sedis Legato J. Dei gratia Rex Angliae, &c. Noveritis quod monachi Wint. Ecclesiae dilectum & fidelem nostrum Magistrum R. de Marisc. Archidiaconum Northumb. unanimi assensu Capituli sui elegerunt, & nos huic electioni praebuimus et praebemus assensum, unde paternitati vestrae devotissime supplicamus, quatenus & vos manum con •• rmationis apponatis, cum constet nobis hanc vobis a Domino Papa concessam fuisse potestatem; Dominum autem Cantuariensem Archiepiscopum super hoc sollicitare nolumus, aestimantes quod ejus confirmationem maliciose differ attemptaret. Teste meipso apud Niors. Vicesimo octavo die Junii. Anno Decimo sexto.

I find not in any of our Historians, nor in Godwins Catalogue, that he was ever consecrated Bishop of Winchester, notwithstanding his election, and the Kings approbation and Letters on his behalf, so that he miscarried in this design, as he did in this of Hugo Foliot to St. David's.

REX R. Hereford. Episcopo, &c. Quoniam ex fideli Magnatum & fidelium nostrorum didicimus testimonio, dilectum & fidelem Hugonem Foliot, Archidiaconum Salop. magnae honestatis virum esse, scientia etiam & moribus been ornatum, necnon Ecclesiae Menevensi, nobis & Regno nostro utilem, vos attentius rogamus, quatenus pro amore nostro ad Ecclesiam Menevensem, cum Literis nostris quas Capitulo ejusdem Ecclesae de memorato H. in Ecclesia promovendo destinamus, accedentes, ipsum Capitulum moneatis, et modis omnibus quibus poteritis inducatis, ut huic petitioni meae favorem praebeant benignum, ut ob meritum hujus nostrae petitionis ab eisdem exauditae, tam in rebus Ecclesiae suae alienatis revocandis adjutores, quam in aliis Ecclesiae suae negotiis suis promovendis benigni ipsis existere debeamus. Placeat discretioni vestrae ita dignitati et honori nostro in promotione praefati fidelis nostri insistere quod diligentia vestra a nobis merito debeat commendari. Apud Gendef. Decimo sexto die Januarii.

REX dilectis sibi in Christo Capitulo Menevensis Ecclesiae, salutem. Quoniam ex fideli Magnatum nostrorum didicimus testimonio, dilectum & fidelem nostrum Hugonem Foliot, Archidiaconum Salop. magnae honestatis virum esse, scientia etiam & moribus ornatum, necnon Ecclesiae vestrae et Regno nostro utilem, nullis laboribus et expensis nostris parcere volentes, universitatem vestram attentius rogamus, quatenus tam Ecclesiae vestrae, quam nostrum et Regni nostri honorem pensantes, et utilitatem, ipsum H. in Pastorem, et Episcopum Ecclesiae vestrae eligere velitis. Hanc autem petitionem nostram tam benign exaudire velitis, ut in jure Ecclesiae vestrae confovendo, et negotiis vestris efficaciter promovendo ob meritum praesentis petitionis nostrae exauditae nos benignos, et benevolos invenire debeatis. Apud Ge • def.

I cannot find that he succeeded in this suite, nor yet in this his recommendation of three several persons to the Prior and Covent of Ramesy.

REX Priori & Conventui de Rames. &c. Audito rumore quod Ecclesia vestra Pastore est destituta, eidem ad honorem Dei providere affectantes, pro dilectis nostris Abbate Eborum, Priore de Coventr. & Priore de Coldingham, universitatem vestram duximus rogandam, quatenus unum istorum trium vobis in Pastorem invocata Spiritus Sancti gratia unanimiter eligere non differatis. Speramus enim unum praedictorum virorum, praecipue cum magnae sint Authoritatis, & bonae famae nobis et Regno nostro utilem, et Ecclesiae vestrae Gubernationi, necnon et omnium rerum vestrarum dispositioni necessarium. Adquiescentes igitur taliter consilio nostro Petitiones nostras exaudientes, quod id ad honorem Dei cedere valeat & vestrum commodum, & quod proinde vobis gratias exsolvere debeamus. Teste meipso apud Farnham, Decimo nono die Aprilis.

What interest King John claimed in giving his Royal assent or dissent to the uniting of Bishoprics and Abbeys, whereof he was Patron, appears by these Records, concerning the union and disuniting of the Bishopric of Bath and Wells, and Abby of Glastonbury, wherein the Pope had exercised the principal Jurisdiction by Usurpation.

SAnct • ssimo Patri, &c. J. Dei gratia, &c. Et tam debitam quam devotam ut Domino & Patri in omnibus reverentiam. Quoniam nostri et Haeredum nostrorum plurimum interest ne unio Bathoniae et Glaston. Ecclesiarum dissolvatur, parati sumus jus nostrum defendere sicut decet habita opportunitate. Ad quod tamen ea diligentia intendere non possumus ad praesens, tum propter statum & negotia Regni nostri, tum propter expeditionem quibus nos oportet omnem & continuam diligentiam adhibere. Quapropter Sanctitati vestrae supplicamus cum omni qua possumus instantia, quatenus negotium super unione praedicta, saltem suspendi velitis quousque a peregrinatione nostra nos reduxerit miseratio divina. Teste Domino P. Wintoniensi Episcopo, apud Walling. secundo die Maii.

SAnctissimo Domino & Fratri J. Dei gratia Rex, &c. salutem. Quoniam ea quae Apostolicae Authoritatis deliberatione provide statuta sunt consistere decet stabilitate perpetua, ut nullatenus infirmentur, eo confidentius Paternitati vestrae duximus supplicandum pro conservatione unionis Bathoniae & Glastoniae Ecclesiarum, quam de assensu R. quondam Regis Angliae fratris nostri, Sanctae recordationis Dominus E. praedecessor vester stabilitat. Et postmodum vestra prudentia multiplici Authenticorum vestrorum beneficio roboravit: Cui etiam multis a retro Annis nostrum praebueramus assensum. Meminimus autem nos vacante s • de Bathoniensi & Glastoniensi sublimitati vestrae scripsisse pro ipsa unione rescindenda. Et similiter ad magnam instantiam nostram, et Regni nostri Magnates, Episcopy quidem, et Abbates, quamplurimum etiam Bathoniensis et Wellensis Capitula ob idem nobis supplicarunt. Quod proculdubio minime fecissemus, si tunc mem • res fuissemus assensus nostri quem eidem unioni adhibueramus, aut si multiplex praejudicium quod nobis et Haeredibus nostris, et dispendium quod Ecclesiis memoratis Bathoniensi et Wellensi, et etiam Glastoniensi imminere dignoscitur▪ animadvertissemus, sicut nunc clarius intuemur. Quodque vobis super eodem iterato scripsimus id nos fecisse recolimus ob iram et indignationem, quam adversus Uenerabilem Patrem nostrum I. Bathoniensem et Glastoniensem Episcopum, conceperamus, eo quod cum inimicis nostris Interdicti temporibus Angliae, fuerat in partibus transmarinis, nondum insuper intendentes ad praejudicia et dispendia praedicta, quae nunc videmus, sed nec etiam assensum nostrum quem praediximus ad memoriam reducentes. Placeat igitur Sanctitati vestrae, ut praedictarum unio Ecclesiarum indultam sibi firmitatem obtineat in perpetuum, ne ad successionem maliciosam tantae tamque sollempnis Authoritatis ordinem enervetur. Quod in non modicum nostri et Haeredum nostrorum similiter in Bathoniensis et Glastoniensis et Wellensis Ecclesiarum cederet praejudicium. Apud Walling. secundo die Maii.

Hereupon the Pope referred the examination of this cause to his Legates in England, before whom King John constituted his Proctor by this Writ.

REX N. Tusculanensi Episcopo, & Magistro Pandulpho, Domini Papae Subdiacono & Decano Sarr. salutem. In causa super unione Bathoniae & Glastoniae Ecclesiarum vobis a Domino Papa commissa, ad diem Jovis proximam ante Dominicam in Ramis palmarum in Capella Sancti Thomae juxta Oseneyam, apud Oxford. dilectum & fidelem nostrum Henricum de Ver, procuratorem nostrum constituimus; ratum habituri quicquid dictis die & loco in dicta causa mediante justitia fecerit, ad appellandum etiam si necesse fuerit dictum H. procuratorem constituimus. Judicatum solvi promittimus pro eodem idem parti adversae significamus. Teste meipso apud Oxford. Octavo die Aprilis, Anno Regni nostri xvi.

Sub eadem forma scribitur Episcopo Cicestriae, & Magistro Pandulpho. Teste eodem. Dat. eadem. Anno eodem.

The conclusion was this: That the Monks of Glastonbury prevailed with money and importunity to have their Abby severed from the Bishopric, and to be governed by an Abbot as formerly, parting with no less then 4. Manors, and the Patronage of 6. Benefices to Ioceline Bishop of Bath and Wells, and his Successors, by way of composition, to obtain this disunion.

The Pope and his Legates having stripped King John of his Crown, and most of the Prerogatives thereto belonging, seemed to make him some kind of recompense, by these two insignificant empty Privileges which they indulged to him, to give him some content, being mere Cyphers in themselves, without any substance.

In this 16. year of King John, Robert de Corcu • a Cardinal of Rome, by the Popes Authority, held a Council at Burdeaux in France, wherein he made sundry Decrees concerning Jews, Tithes, and other particulars, enchroaching upon the Rights of Temporal Princes and Barons, subjecting their persons to Excommunications, and Lands to Interdictions: and that in particular. From all which Statutes and Canons this Legate specially exempted King Johns and his Heirs rights, as no ways to be impaired thereby, but rather preserved; which was but a mere Complement, neither he nor his Kingdoms or Subjects being obliged thereby.

ITem si Barones vel quicunque alii per Quadragintos dies veleo amplius excommunicationem in eos latam sustinuerint, eorum subditi ab eorum fidelitate absolvantur, & eorum terra Interdicto supponantur, & nihilominus per eorum Dominos & Praelatos, & communes totius Provinciae contra eos directas puniantur, eorum Principe prius Convento, Feoda vero & terrae excommunicatorum in potestate Dominorum suorum consistant, quousque injuriam passis & Ecclesiae ab eisdem satisfactum fuerit competenter. Item, non compellantur inviti viduae vel alii per Principes ad Matrimonia contrahenda, &c. Attendentes autem devotionem & obedientiam Charissimi nostri Johannes illustris Regis Angliae, Domini Hiberniae, Ducis Norman. Aquit. & Comitis Andegaviae, nolumus quod per haec statuta nostra, vel alia quae fecerimus vice legationis in Regno Franciae, aliquid juris sui vel Haeredum suorum depereat; Sed potius jura sua volumus per omnia conservari. Et in hujus rei testimonium, haec Statuta nostra eidem Domino sigillo nostro signata habenda concessimus. Ita scilicet quod non noceant sibi vel Haeredibus suis.

Besides, the Pope to gratify King John by putting a Feather in his Cap, when he had wrested his Crown from his head, and Scepter out of his hand, granted him this pretended new privilege, exempting his Chapels from Episcopal Excommunication and Jurisdiction, without the Popes special command; which in truth were by the Laws of the Realm exempted from them long before, by the Kings inherent Regal prerogative; by which kind of grants of pretended privileges the Pope came to challenge and enchroach new Jurisdictions in the Realm, which they never exercised nor claimed before.

IN NOCENTIUS Episcopus servus servorum Dei, Charissimo in Christo filio Johanni illustri Regi Anglorum, salutem & Apostolicam Benedictionem. Apostolicae sedis ampla benignitas sincere obsequentium vota fidelium favore benevolo prosequi consuevit, & illustrium virorum personas quas in devotione sua promptas invenerit & ferventes, quibusdam titulis decentius decorare. Vt igitur ex specially devotione quam ad Romanam Ecclesiam et personam nostram habere dignosceris, Apostolicum tibi sentias accrevisse favorem, statuimus ne a quoquam tua possit Excommunicari vel Interdici Capella sine mandato sedis Apostolicae specially. Tu ergo ne inde nascantur injuriae unde jura nascuntur, talem te super hiis satagas exhibere, ne per abusum (quod absit) privari ab hujusmodi beneficio merearis; quia juxta Canonicas sanctiones, privilegium mererur amittere, qui permissa sibi abutitur potestate. (And had not this Pope by this rule forfeited all his pretended privileges and right in England long before, by his Interdict, Excommunication, and dis-inheriting of K. John and his Heirs forever?) Nulli ergo omnino hominum liceat hanc paginam nostrae constitutionis infringere, vel ei ausu temerario contra ire; si quis autem hoc attemptare praesumpserit, indignationem Omnipotentis Dei, et Beatorum Petri et Pauli Apostolorum ejus, se noverit incursurum. Dat. Romae, apud Sanctum Petrum, xviij. die Kalend. Maii. Pontificatus nostri Anno xvij.

This privilege was made the ground of exempting the Kings Free Chapels from the ordinary Taxes of the Clergy, Provisions of the Pope, Procurations, Tenthes, Archiepiscopal and Episcopal Visitations, as will hereafter appear; when as in truth the Common Law of England, Prescription time out of mind, and the Great Parliamentary Council of Clarendon, gave them this exemption without the help of this Bull.

The greatest and best advantage King John gained by the surrender of his Crown, and most of his Regal Jurisdiction to the Pope, was his real assistance of him against his Arch-enemy Stephen Archbishop of Canterbury, and his Rebellious Barons, rather to preserve his own usurped interest in England then King Johns. In pursuance whereof, he having formerly excommunicated all the Barons in general, which they slighted as null, proceeding still more obstinately in their Wars and Rebellions then before; the Pope at the Kings request, proceeded to excommunicate some of them by name, with all others that should assist them, or that should invade or enter the Realm to deprive him of his Crown, he being the Church of Rome's Vassal, and the Realm of England belonging thereunto; and Interdicted all the Barons Lands.

Circa dies istos, fummus Pontifex Barones Angliae, quos prius excommunicaverat in genere, ad instantiam Regis Anglorum, per subscriptas Literas excommunicavit nominatim & in specie.

IN NOCENTIUS Episcopus, &c. Abbati de Albendune, Archidiacono Pictaviensi, & Magistro Roberto Officiali Norwicensis Ecclesiae, salutem. Ad vestram volumus pervenire notitiam, quod nos nuper in generali Concilio constituti, excommunicavimus & Anathematisavimus ex parte Omnipotentis Dei Patris, & Filii, & Spiritus Sancti, authoritate quoque Beatorum Petri & Pauli Apostolorum ejus, ac nostra, Barones Angliae cum adjutoribus & fantoribus suis, qui Johannem illustrem Regem Anglorum Cruce signatum, & Vassallum Romanae Ecclesiae persequ •• tu • , molientes ci Regnum auferre, quod ad Romanam Ecclesiam dignoseitur pertinere. Insuper excommunicamus et Anathematisamus onnies illos, qui ad occupandum vel invadendum Regnum ipsum, aut impediendum euntes in ejusdem Regis succursum, operam vel opem impenderunt, et terras eorundem Baronum Ecclesiastico subjicimus Interdicto. Aggravamus etiam in eosdem fortius manus nostras, st nec sic a suo dessiterint iniquo proposito, cum in hac parte pejores sint Saracenis: decernentes, ut si quis Clericus cujuscunque dignitatis aut ordinis, praedictas excommunicationis aut Interdicti sententias violare praesumpserit, Anathematis se sciat mucrone percussum: et ni quantocius resipuerit, ab omni officio et beneficio deponendum. Quocirca discretioni vestrae per Apostolica scripta praecipiendo mandamus, quatenus per totam Angliam publicari faciatis praescripta, eademque faciatis authoritate nostra, sublato cujuslibet conditionis et appellationis obstaculo inviolabiliter observari. Volumus etiam nihilominus & mandamus, ut quosdam Barones Angliae, quos Venerabilis Frater noster Wintoniensis Episcopus, & dilecti filii Abbas de Ridding, & Magister Pandulphus Subdiaconus & familiaris noster, delegati a nobis, excommunicatos personaliter nominaverunt, quia ipsos in praescriptis culpabiles invenerunt, videlicet, Cives illos Londinenses, qui fuerunt Principales praenominatae perversitatis auctores, & Robertum filium Walteri, S. Comitem Wintoniensem, R. filium ejus, G. de Mandevilla, & Willielmum fratrem ejus, Comitem de Clare, & G. filium ejus, H. Comitem de Hereford, R. de Percy, E. de Vesci, J. Constabularium Ces • riae, Willielmum de Mumbray, Willielmum de Albineto, W. fil um ejus, R. de Ros, & W. filium ejus, P. de Brus, R. de Cressi, Johannem filium ejus, Ranulphum filium Roberti, R. Comitem Bigod, H. filium ejus, R. de Ver, Fulconem filium Warini, W. Malet, W. de Monte-acato, W. filium Marescalli, W. de Bello Campo▪ S. de Kime, R. de Monte Begonis, Nicholaum de Stutevilla, necnon et alios in praedictorum praejudicium sententia nominatim expressos, cum complicibus et fautoribus eorundem, Authoritate Apostolica excommunicatos per totam Angliam publice denunciare faciatis, et ab omnibus arctius evitari, singulis diebus Dominicis et festivis solemniter innovari hujusmodi sententiam facientes ac denunciantes inviolabiliter observari: Civitatemque Londinensem Ecclesiastico suppositam Interdicto, contradictores per censuram Ecclesiasticam appellatione postposita compescendo. Magistrum etiam Bervasium Londinensem Cancellarium, qui sicut a Judicibus praefatis accepimus, dicti Regis, et suarum manifestissimus extitit persecutor, excommunicatum publice denuncietis ac suspensum, graviori etiam poena, nisi congrue satisfecerit, puniendum. Quod si nos omnes, &c. Datum Laterani xvij. Kalend. Januarii. Pontificatus nostri Anno xviij.

How these Excommunications were executed by them he thus informs us.

CUmque omnes Judices praedicti Literas memoratas accepissent, scripserunt omnibus Angliae Ecclesiis Cathedralibus sive Conventualibus sub hac forma.

INNOCENTIUS Episcopus, &c. Hujus igitur Authoritate mandati, vobis district praecipiendo mandamus, quatenus Barones Angliae cum omnibus adjutoribus et fautoribus suis, qui Dominum Iohannem Regem Angliae persequuntur, et omnes illos qui ad occupandum vel invadendum Regnum ipsum, vel impediendum euntes in ejusdem Regis succursum operam vel opem impenderunt, excommunicatos denuncietis; et terras eorundem Baronum Ecclesiastico Interdicto suppositas publicetis. Denuncietis etiam excommunicatos omnes Barones, qui in praemisso Domini Papae rescripto personaliter nominantur; cum aliis omnibus in praedictorum Iudicum sententia nominatim expressis. Videlicet, Walterum de Nor • una, Osbertum filium Alani, Oliverium de Wallibus, H. de Braibrock, R. de Ropesse, W. de Hobruge, W. de Manduit, Mauritium de Gaunt, R. de Berkele, Adam de Lincolana, R. de Mandevilla, W. de Lanvaleie, Philippum filium Johannes, Willielmum de Tuintuna, W. de Huntingfield, Alexandrum de Pointuna, R. de Munfichet, R. de Gressei, Galfridum Constabularium de Meutuna, W. Archidiaconum de Hereford, J. de Fereby, R. Capellanum Rob. r • i filium, W. Alexandrum de Suttuna, W. de Coleville, R. filium ejus, Osbertum Giffard, Nicholaum de Stanevile, Tho. de Muletune, Cives illos Londinenses, Magistrum G. Cancellarium, & Civitatem Londinensem, Ecclesiastico suppositam Interdicto, publice denuncietis. Has vero excommunicationis et Interdicti sententias in Ecclesiis vestris, tam Conventualibus quam Parochialibus ad vos pertinentibus publicari, ac singulis diebus dominicis et festivis faciatis solemniter innovari, ita diligenter singula Capitula mandati Apostolici exequendo, et quantum ad vos pertinet firmiter observando, ne in poenam Canonicam et contumacibus debitam incidatis. Valete.

His igitur excommunicationis & Interdicti sententiis per totam Angliam in brevi publicatis, cum ad omnium notitiam pervenisset; sola Civitas Londinensis per contumaciam multiplicem illas adeo contemnendo desperit; quod nec ease Barones observare, nec Praelati publicare decreverunt. Dicebant enim generaliter, omnes Literas falsa suggestione fuisse impetratas, et ideo nullius ease esse momenti; et ex hoc maxim, quod non pertinet ad Papam ordinatio rerum Laicarum: cum Petro Apostolo et ejus successoribus non nisi Ecclesiarum dispositio rerum a Domino sit collata potestas. Vt quid ad nos se extendit Romanorum insatiata cupiditas? Quid Episcopis Apostolicis, et militiae nostrae? Ecce successores Constantini, et non Petri: non imitantur Petrum in meritis vel Operibus, nec assimilandi sunt in potestate: justus enim est Deus in meritorum recompensatione. Proh pudor! marcidi ribaldi, qui de armis vel liberalitate minime norunt, jam toti mundo propter excommunicationes suas volunt dominari, ignobiles usurarii, et simoniales. O quantum dissimiles Petro, qui sibi Petri usurpant partem? Sic igitur blasphemantes et recalcitrantes, ponentes os in Caelum, ad interdicti sive excomunicationis sententiam nullum penitus habentes respectum; pertotam civitatem celebrarunt divina, signa pulsantes et vocibus altisonis modulantes. Such was their high contempt of this Popes Authority, Excommunications, Interdicts, and just censure of his usurped Authority, degeneracy from St. Peters Doctrine and example.

Upon the noise of this Excommunication and Interdict, the Barons slighting them with highest indignation, reviled K. John for enthralling himself, them, and the whole Realm to the Pope, and him for countenancing the King against them, refused to own him any longer for their Sovereign, and elected Louis of France for their King, in such manner as I have formerly related; who thereupon, notwithstanding this Popes, and Walo his Legates forecited Inhibitions, Excommunications, Interdicts, soon after entered England with a potent Army to aid the Barons.

In the mean time the Archbishops suspension was taken off, upon caution given, and a condition not to enter England till a peace concluded between the King and his Barons; and the Excommunication and Interdict against the Barons, Londoners, and their Complices, renewed.

EOdem tempore, Stephanus Cantuariensis Archiepiscopus; Romae da •• cautione quod staret judicio Domini Papae de rebus superius expressis, a sententia suspensionis absolutus est: ita tamen, quod ante pacem inter Regem et Barones Angliae plene reformatam, Angliam non intraret.

Per idem tempus, instant festo Paschali, cum Abbas Abbendunensis, & conjudices ejus, contumaciam Baronum et Londinensis Civitatis cognovissent, manus suas in eosdem ertendentes, iterato edicto, omnibus Angliae Ecclesiis Conventualibus dederunt in mandatis, ut latam sententiam sub hac forma publicarent.

H. Dei gratia Abbas Abbendunensis, &c. Exequentes mandatum Apostolicum nobis sic impositum, sicut tenor Literarum nostrarum, quas nuper vobis transmisimus, vobis plenius intimavit: Sancti Pauli, Sanctique Martini Capitulis, G. de Boclande ejus Ecclesiae Decano, & Conventui Sanctae Trinitatis Londonensis, Literas nostras Domini Papae, rescripti verba continentes, non solum semel, sed saepe misimus, ejus Authoritate Apostolica district praecipientes, ut Excommunicationis et Interdicti sententias latas in persequentes Dominum Regem et Civitatem Londinensem, diligenter publicantes, inviolabiliter Observarent. Qui adeo irreverenter Apostolicum vi • pendere mandatum praesumunt, quod easdem sententias publicare vel etiam observare per contumaciam contempserunt: in divinis obsequiis excommunicatis scienter communicantes, sententiarum Domini Papae violatores, et mandati ejus contemptores manifestos omnino se in omnibus exhibendo. De quibus per Patentes ••• eras Capituli Sancti Pauli, Sanctique Martini, Clericos & Nuncios ejusdem Decani nobis specialiter destinatas; & per alias sufficientes probationes plenam habentes certitudinem, constiterit. Praeterea de Regno Francorum quidam Nobiles advenerunt, cum armata manu Militum & Clientum; quos omnes proculdubio eadem excommunicationis sententia volumus esse ligatos. Nam contra Dominum Regem et Sanctam Romanam Ecclesiam invadunt Regnum Angliae, quotidie depraedantes illud, et pro parte detinent occupatum, quod est cunctis in Anglia et multis alibi manifestum. Quocirca jam dictos Nobiles, Castellanum scilicet de S. Audemaro cum suis sociis, qui contra Regem ad occupandum vel invadendum Regnum Angliae opem vel operam impenderunt; Insuper praedictum Decanum, necnon & omnes Canonicos, & Clericos, cujuscun{que} dignitatis aut ordinis, de Ecclesiis praefatis & Civitate, ad quorum notitiam mandatum pervenerit, vel qui se absentaverunt, vel quocun{que} modo procuraverunt, quo minus perveniret ad illos; Authoritate Apostolica, qua fungimur in hac parte, denunciamus excommunicatos: vobis eadem authoritate injungentes, quatenus omnes praedictos excommunicatos publice denuncietis, et faciatis per totam Parochiam vestram publicari, tam Decanum, quam Nobiles supradictos personaliter nominando. Ita & circa hoc & illud quod in primis Literis vobis directum continetur mandatum, solliciti existentes, ne penes summum Pontificem quod absit, possitis redargui negligentiae, sed potius de diligentia commendari. Valete.

The Londoners and Barons slighted this Excommunication as much as the former, and so doth Louis of France the Inhibition of the Pope and his Legate, not to invade England, for which undertaking having furnished himself, and his Father Philip by the Legates importunity inclining to dissuade him from it; thereupon,

LOdovicus postea in crastino Sancti Marci Evangelistae apud Melun, veniens ad Patrem suum; rogavit eum cum lachrymis, ne sui itineris propositum impediret. Addit etiam, quod Baronibus Angliae juramentum praestiterat, quod ipsis veniret in succursum: unde praeelegit ad tempus excommunicari a Papa, quam crimen incurrere falsitatis. Videns autem Rex constantiam filii sui, & animi augustiam, mente, voluntate, & adjutorio consensit: sed praevidens futurorum eventuum pericula, palam assensum non adhibuit: Et sic non quasi volendo vel persuadendo, sed quasi permit endo licentiam concessit, & cum benedictione dimisit. Tunc Lodovicus, missis ad Curiam Romanam nunciis, qui ibi jus, quod sibi de Regno Augliae vendicabat, coram Domino Papa protestarentur: sub omni celeritate cum Comitibus, Baronibus, Militibus, & servientibus multis, qui secum iter Anglicanum juraverunt, festinavit ad mare, ut Legatum in Angliam praeveniret. Where he arrived with 600. Ships and Vessels from Calais, in the Isle of Thanet, June 12. and thence marching to London, cum ingenti omnium Baronum laetitia susceptus est; who together with ihe Citizens of London did all Homage and Fealty to him as their King. Ille vero tactis sacro-sanctis Evangeliis juravit, quod singulis eorum bonas leges redderet, simul & amissas haereditates: To gratify the Archbishop his great friend, then absent at Rome, and promote his designs against King John, Constituit dictus Lodovicus, Magistrum Simonem de Languetuna Cancellarium suum; cuius praedicatione tam Cives Londinenses, quam Barones omnes excommunicati divina celebrare fecerunt, qui etiam ipsum Lodovicum ad consensum traxerunt. So little did they value the Popes Thunderbolts or Interdicts.

EOdem tempore, cum Walo Legatus de progressu Lodovici in Angliam certificatus fuisset, ipse ut diligens mandati executor Apostolici, ipsum sequuturus transfretavit, atque illaesus inter hosts transiens, apud Gloverniam ad Regem Iohannem pervenit. Quem Rex cum magna alacritate suscipiens, spem suam totam in eo posuit hostibus resistendi. At Legatus, Episcopis, Abbatibus, cum Clericis, quos habere poterat convocatis; Lodovicum nominatim cum complicibus et fautoribus suis, et praecipue Magistrum Simonem de Languetuna, pulsatis campanis et candelis accensis, excommunicavit; praecipiens Episcopis et aliis universis, ut singulis dominicis diebus, ac festivis per totam Angliam sententiam publicarent. Sed ad haec Magister Simon de Languetuna, et Magister Gervasius de Hobrugge, Ecclesiae Sancti Pauli Londinensis Praecentor, cum quibusdam aliis, dixerunt se pro jure et statu Lodovici appellasse, unde sententiam illam irritam habuerunt et inanem. Such a pitiful Bug-bear was it.

In the mean time Louis his Proctors at Rome endeavored to satisfy the Pope that King John had no good Title to the Crown of England, and to make good his own Title thereunto, craving Justice against him therein, which put Pope Innocent to a great dilemma, as this account of these proceedings evidenceth.

CIrca dies istos Lodovici nuncii, quos ad Curiam Romanam miserat, eidem scripserunt sub hac forma.

Excellentissimo Domino suo Lodovico, Domini Regis Francorum primogenito, D. de Corbolio, I. de Montevisito, & G. Limeth, nuncii, salutem & fidele servitium. Noverit excellentia vestra, quod nos die Dominica ad mensem Paschae venimus ad Dominum Papam, salvis personis nostris & rebus; & eodem die intravimus statim ad ipsum. Quem hilarem invenimus, sed vultu tristem se nobis exhibuit. Et praesentatis Literis nostris, & proposita salutatione ex parte vestra, ipse nobis respondit: Dominus vester non est dignus salutatione nostra. Ego vero statim respondi: Pater, credo quod auditis rationibus & excusationibus Domini nostri, invenietis eum dignum salutatione vestra, utpote Christianum Catholicum, vobis & Romanae Ecclesiae devotum. Et sic illa die a praesentia Domini Papae recessimus. Sed in recessu nostro benignissime nobis dixit Dominus Papa; quod nos libenter audiret, quando & quoties vellemus. Sequenti die Martis, Dominus Papa misit servientem quendam ad hospitium nostrum, ut veniremus ad ipsum, & statim venimus ante eum, & ipse multa dixit contra nos, cum proposuissemus causam nostram, & quae vid bantur impugnare factum vestrum, & rations vestras. Et statim finito sermon, percusso pectore suo cum magno gemitu, infremuit spiritu, & dixit: Heu mihi, quia in hoc facts Ecclesia Dei non potest evadere confusionem. Si enim Rex Angliae vincitur, in ipsius confusion confundimur: quia Vassallus noster est, et tenemur eum defendere. Si Dominus Lodovicus vincitur, quod Deus avertat, in ipsius laesione laeditur Romana Ecclesia; et ipsius laesionem propriam reputamus. Secure enim semper habuimus, et adhue habemus; quod ipse in omnibus necessitatibus debeat esse brachium, solatium in oppressionibus, et refugium in persecutionibus Ecclesiae Romanae. Et in fine dixit, quod melius vellet mori, quam aliquod malum vobis accideret in hoc facto. Et sic illa die recessimus. Praeterea de consilio quorundam Cardinalium expectamus diem Ascensionis, ne quid statuatur contra vos, quoniam illa die solet Papa innovare sententias suas. Dixerat enim nobis Papa, quod ipse expectaret Nuncios Domini Walonis. Valete.

After this Louis his Advocates propounded three Objections against King John before the Pope, to invalid his Title to the Crown of England, which the Pope himself answered, with their replies to make them good; thus exemplified by Matthew Paris.

PRima propo sitio contra Regem Angliae fuit in praesentia Domini Papae, a nunciis supradictis quod Arthurum nepotem suum propriis manibus per proditionem interfecit, pessimo mortis genere, quod Angli murdrum appellant. Pro quo facto, idem Rex condemnatus fuit ad mortem in curia Regis Francorum, per judicium Parium fuorum. Ad hanc objectionem opponit dominus Papa, quod Barones Franciae non potuerunt judicare eum ad mortem condemnari▪ quia sit Rex inunctus, & ita sit superior: per Barones, tanquam inferiores, non potuit ad mortem condemnari; quia major dignitas quodam modo absorbet minorem. Et praeterea incivile videtur, & contra Canones esse; in hominem absentem, non vocatum, non convictum, nec confessum mortis ferre sententiam. Ad hoc nuncii supradicti responderunt: Consuetudo est in regno Francorum, quod Rex habet omnimodam Jurisdictionem in homines Ligies suos: & Rex Angliae erat suus homo Ligius, tanquam Comes & Dux: Ergo licet esset alias Rex inunctus, tamen tanquam Comes & Dux, erat de Jurisdictione Domini Regis Francorum. Sed si Comes & Dux in regno Francorum delinqueret; posset & deberet judicari ad mortem per Pares suos. Imo si non esset Dux vel Comes, vel homo Ligius Regis Franciae, & deliquisset in regno Franciae, ration delicti in regno perpetrati, potuerunt Barones eum judicare ad mortem. Alioquin si Rex Angliae, quia Rex erat inunctus, non posset judicari ad mortem: impune posset intrare regnum Franciae, & interficere Barones Franciae, sicut interfecerat Arthurum.

Hujus autem negotii veritas talis est: Revera non fuit Rex Johannes juste vel rite abjudicatus a Normannia: quia idem Rex non Judicialiter sed violenter spoliatus, misit propter restitutionem Regi Francorum Phil. nuncios solemnes & prudentes, videlicet Eustachium Episcopum Elyensem & Hubertum de Burgo, viros disertos, & facundos, significans ei quod libenter veniret ad curiam suam juri per omnia super illa re pariturus ac responsurus; sed ut provideretur ei salvus conductus. Et respondit Rex Philippus, sed non sereno vultu vel cord: Libenter. In pace salvus veniat. Et Episcopus: Domine, & redeat. Et Rex: Ita sit, si Parium suorum judicium hoc permittat. Et cum supplicassent omnes nuncij Regis Angliae ut liceret ei salvo venire & redire; Rex Franciae iratus, cum juramento solito respondit: Per Sanctos Franciae, non nisi mediante judicio. Et cum adderet Episcopus pericula quae possent contingere per adventum ejus, ait: Domine Rex, non posset Dux Normanniae ad curiam vestram venire, nisi veniret Rex Angliae, cum una persona sint Dux & Rex, quod non permitteret aliquo modo Barnagium Angliae, etsi ipse Rex hoc vellet: eminerent enim pericula, ut nostis capturae vel caedis. Cui respondens Rex, dixit. Et quid hoc Domine Episcope? Bene scitur quod Dux Normanniae qui meus tenens est, Angliam sibi adquisivit violenter. Ec si subdito aliquid accrescit in honorem, perdatne per hoc Dominus Capitalis? absit. Ad quod cum Nuncii nihil poterant rationabiliter respondere, redierunt ad Dominum Regem Angliae, quae audierant & viderant nunciantes. Rex autem noluit se Committere dubiis casibus, & Judiciis Francorum qui illum non diligebant, maxim cum timeret, ut ei de turpissima morte Arthuri objiceretur, juxta illud Horatii:

Magnates autem Franciae nihilominus processerunt in judicium, quod rite non debuerunt facere, ex quo judicandus abfuit, qui adesse voluit si posset. Unde si Rex Johannes abjudicatus fuerit per adversarios suos non rite abjudicabatur. Ad haec Papa, multi Imperatores, & Principes, & etiam Francorum Reges, multos in Annalibus occidisse leguntur Innocentes, nec tamen quenquam illorum legimus morti addictum. Et cum Arthurus apud Mirebel Castrum, non ut Innocens, sed quasi nocens, & proditor Domini & avunculi sui, cui homagium, & ligantiam fecerat, captus fuerit, potuit de Jure morti etiam turpissimae sine Judicio condemnari.

SEcunda objectio contra Regem fuit, quod saepe citatus non personaliter juri pariturus comparuit, nec sufficientem responsalem pro se ad curiam Franciae destinavit. Ad hoc dicit Papa, quod si Rex Angliae fuit tantum contumax, quia citatus non venit nec misit, sed propter contumaciam non solet quis puniri ad mortem, nec debet. Ergo Barones Franciae, non potuerunt judicare eum ad mortem, sed saltem alio modo punire eum; per ablationem scilicet feudi sui. Nuncii responderunt: Consuetudo est in Regno Franciae, quod ex quo aliquis accusatur coram suo judice, de tam crudeli homicidio quod Murdrum appellatur; & ill qui accusatur non venit, vero modo legitimo se excusat, pro convicto habetur, & tanquam convictus per omnia judicatur, & etiam ad mortem, ac si praesens esset. Ad haec Papa respondit: Quod pactio potuit esse inter Regem Franciae, & Ducem Normanniae, vel antiqua consuetudo, quod Dux Normanniae non debet venire ad citationem Regis Franciae, nisi in Marchiam: Unde si non venit citatus, nec deliquit, nec propter hoc potuit taliter puniri. Item dicit Papa: Quod si sententia lata fuerit contra Regem Angliae, non tamen mandata fuit executioni, quia non fuit occisus; unde proles, quam suscepit postea, debet ei in Regno succedere: quia Rex Angliae non commisit crimen laesae Majestatis, nec crimen haereseos, pro quibus tantum filius exhaeredatur, pro delicto Patris. Ad haec Nuncii responderunt: Consuetudo est in Regno Franciae, quod ex quo aliquis est damnatus ad mortem, quod proles suscepta post sententiam damnationis, succedere non debet, geniti tamen ante sententiam succedere debent. Sed tamen super hoc, Nuncii litigare noluerunt. Item dicit Papa, Quod Rex Anglorum judicatus esset ad mortem, & etiam filii de carne sua geniti, non ideo Blanca deberet ei succedere; sed propinquiores de genere ejus, videlicet proles fratris primogeniti, & ita soror Arthuri, vel Otho, qui fuit filius sororis primogenitae. Et si ponatur, quod Regina Castellae debeat succedere, & ita Blanca filia ejus, non est verum: quia masculus debet praeferri, Rex scilicet Castellae. Et si nullus esset masculus, praeferri deberet Regina Legionum, tanquam primogenita. Ad haec Nuncii dixerunt: Filii fratris non debent succedere, ex quo tempore latae sententiae frater non vivebat: & ita neptis, soror scilicet Arthuri, non debet succedere, quia non est in linea descendenti, cum sit filia fratris: Similiter tempore latae sententiae mater Othonis non vivebat, ergo non successit, ergo Otho non debet succedere. Sed Regina Castellae vivebat, quae soror erat, & ideo successit: Ergo mortua Regina Castellae, proles successit, & succedere debuit. Ad haec dicit Papa: Quod Rex Castellae, succedere debet, quia masculus est; vel Regina Legionum tanquam primogenita. Nuncii dixerunt: Quod cum plures sint haeredes, qui alicui debent succedere, & ill qui primo loco debet succedere, taceat; vel haereditatem investiri debet haereditate illa secundum consuetudinem approbatam, salvo tamen jure alterius, si reclamaverit. Et ideo Dominus Lodovicus intrat Regnum Angliae, ut suum. Et si quis propinquior velit super hoc reclamare, Dominus Lodovicus faciet inde quod debet.

TUnc dixit Papa: Quod Regnum Angliae suum proprium est, et est in possessione Dominii ration fidelitatis, quae super hoc est ei facta per juramentum, et etiam ration census, qui jam ei solutus est de Regno: Unde cum in nullo delinqueret, non deberet sibi guerram movere Lodovicus, nec deberet eum spoliare a Regno Angliae per guerram; maxim cum Rex Angliae multas habeat terras in feudo Regis Franciae, de quibus potest ei movere guerram. Ad haec Nuncii: Mota fuit guerra & justum Bellum contra Regem Angliae, antequam Regnum illud esset Domini Papae. Sed de Regno Angliae venit Wilhelmus de Longa spata, & multi alii cum eo, in manu valida & armata; qui damna multa & injurias intulerunt Domino Lodovico in terra sua propria; & ideo Dominus noster potest movere justum Bellum contra Regem Anglorum. Ad haec Papa dixit: Quod licet Rex Angliae tanquam Vassallus ejus Lodovico, non ipse tamen deberet ei movere guerram; sed deberet conqueri Domino superiori, scilicet Papae, cui subest Rex Angliae, tanquam Vassallus ejus. Ad haec Nuncii responderunt. Quod consuetudo est, ex quo aliquis Vassallus alterius movet guerram alicui authoritate sua, ill cui mota est guerra, potest ei movere guerram authoritate sua, nec tenetur conqueri Domino illus. Et si Dominus vult defendere Vassallum suum quamdiu movet talem guerram, ipse Dominus dicitur facere guerram. Item dicit Papa: Quod in generali Concilio statutum est, quod inter omnes discordantes debet esse pax vel treuga usque ad quatuor annos, pro succursu Terrae Sanctae; & ideo tempore medio Lodovicus non debet Regno Angliae guerram movere. Nuncii dixerunt: Quod in recessu suo a Francia Lodovicus non fuit requisitus de pace vel treuga: & si requisitus esset, crediderunt tantam esse malitiam Regis Angliae, quod noluit pace vel treuga gaudere. Item dicit Papa: Quod Rex Angliae, cruce signatus est: unde ex constitutione generalis Concilii, ipse Rex & omnia sua debent esse sub protectione Ecclesiae. Ad hoc Nuncii responderunt: Quod Rex Angliae aute crucem sumptam guerram moverat Domino Lodovico, & damna multa fecerat, Castra sua ceperat; & adhuc Milites suos & servientes incarceratos retinet, & hucusque in guerra est contra Dominum Lodovicum, nec pacem vel treugam cum eo habere voluit, super hoc etiam saepe requisitus. Item dicit Papa: Quod de communi consilio generalis Concilii excommunicaverat Barones Angliae, & omnes fautores eorum, & ita Dominus Lodovicus fententiam incurrisse videtur. Nuncii dixerunt: Quod Lodovicus non adjuvat Barones Angliae, nec fovet eos, sed jus suum prosequitur: nec etiam credit Lodovicus, nec credere debet, quod Dominus Papa, vel tantum Concilium, unjust velit aliquem excommunicare. Nam tempore latae sententiae Dominus Papa nesciebat, quod Lodovicus haberet jus de Regno Angliae, & cum hoc illi constiterit, non credit Dominus Lodovicus, quod Concilium possit ei jus suum auferre. Item dicit Papa: Quod Rex Francorum & Lodovicus filius ejus, post sententiam a Baronibus Franciae in Regem Angliae latam, ipsum Regem appellaverunt, & pro Rege habuerunt: & cum eo tanquam cum Rege Angliae treugas statuerunt. Ad haec Nuncii responderunt: Quod post latam sententiam a Baronibus in Regem, nunquam illum pro Rege habuerunt: sed ipsum Regem depositum appellaverunt, sicut, Abbas depositus, & quilibet alius dici solet. Novissime vero dicit Papa: Quod ipse statuet super hiis antequam veniant Nuncii Domini Walonis.

By which relation we see the Pope himself became King Johns Advocate, as well as Judge, not as King of England, but only because he was his Vassal, (as he frequently stiles him) and the Kingdom of England his Kingdom, not Johns, in point of Interest. Whiles these things were agitated at Rome, England was miserably wasted and harried by Louis and his Army in the East and South, and by King John in the West and North; whereupon 40. of the Barons, considering the miseries of their native Country, the power, successes of K. John, became sensible of their errors in rejecting him, and calling in and Crowning Louis for their King, and being likewise informed by Viscount Melun on his death-bed, upon his salvation, That Louis and 16. others of his chief Earls and Barons, whereof himself was one, had taken an Oath, That if ever the Crown of England were quietly settled on his head, he would condemn to perpetual exlle all the English who now adhered to him against King John, as Traitors to their lawful Sovereign, and would actually extirpate all their kindred; counseling them, timely to prevent their miseries, and lock up his words under the seal of secrecy; thereupon addressed their Letters of submission to K. John, hoping that Royal blood was ever ready to show mercy to such who were ready to yield and prostrate themselves, as solicitors for mercy. But before these Letters delivered, or any answer returned, King John fell suddenly sick at Swinshed Abby, being at the mercy of an higher Sovereign. When he perceived that his death approached, he with penitent confession of his sins, and great devotion, received the blessed Eucharist, having the Abbot of Croxston both for his bodily and ghostly Physician; and then not only gladly forgave all his mortal Enemies and Persecutors, (though very difficult to flesh and blood) but also sent command to Henry his son to do the like, to whom he caused all present to swear Fealty, as next heir to the Crown, and sent Letters to all his Officers abroad to assist him. After which he commended his soul to God, and his body to be interred in Worcester Church, where he was afterwards solemnly buried, near the body of Bishop Wolston, renowned for his constant fidelity to his Prince, against the Nobles of his time. Our Historians much differ about his sickness, and true cause of his sudden death; some relate he died of grief, others of a fever, a third sort of a flux, a fourth of a surfeit, a fifth of poison: the most probable opinion is, that he was poisoned by a Monk of Swinshed Abby, where he died, being of the Cisteaux Order, which the King had formerly much oppressed and incensed; whereupon by way of revenge (to prevent further miseries to the Church, Realm, and gratify the Rebellious Bishops, Monks, Clergy, Barons, his professed Enemies, then highly enraged against him) this Monk presented the King with an envenomed Cup, whereof the King commanded him to be the Taster, of which both of them drinking, this Votary became the Diabolical instrument of his own and his Sovereigns destruction. Some of our Monkish Historians themselves relate, that the Monk revealing his intention of poisoning the King to his Abbot, though he poisoned himself to effect it, and saying, That he would suffer this voluntary Martyrdom for the public, as Caiaphas said of Christ, better one perish then a whole Nation; the Abbot at this resolution and constancy of his, wept, and praised God for joy: whereupon the Monk being absolved before hand by the Abbot, resolutely took the Cup wherewith he poisoned both himself and the King. For a reward and memory of which his execrable Treason, after his decease, five Monks of that Abby did sing for this their Brothers soul specially, and so would do whiles the Abby stood, as the Manuscript Chronicle of St. Albans, Caxton, Eulogium, ( ) Mr. Fox, ( ) Speed, and others more at large relate: whereas on the contrary these Monks fable, That it was revealed to a Monk, That King John was in Hell, though a Poet for so saying is censured by Matthew Paris himself as Reprobus versificator, who (though a bitter Enemy to K. John, as if he thought ill of, and renounced his Religion) gives us this final judgment of his death and future estate, only for his liberality to two Monasteries. Cum autem regnasset Rex Johannes annis octodecim, mensibus quinque, diebus autem quatuor, ab hac vita post hujus saeculi multas perturbationes, & labores inutiles, in multa mentis amaritudine subtractus, transmigravit; Nihil terrae, imo nec seipsum possidens. (Such was his infelicity througst his Prelates, Subjects Treachery.) Sperandum est autem, et certissime confidendum, quod quaedam bona opera, quae fecit in hac vita, allegabunt pro eo ante Tribunal Jesus Christi: construxit enim Abbatiam Cisterciensis ordinis de Bello loco, et moriturus domui de* Crokestuna decem librarum terram contulit, opulentam. Yet the malice of many of his Bishops, Monks, Clergy, and other Enemies against him was such, that they would neither permit him to enjoy his Temporal Crown and Kingdoms on earth whiles he lived, nor permit God himself to bestow on him any Crown, or share at all in the Kingdom of Heaven, after his untimely death.

I have now with all possible industry and integrity presented you out of our Histories and Records with the exactest Chronological History hitherto published, of the Popes and Prelates manifold, unparalleled, grand Usurpations upon the Crown, Kingdoms, Churches of England and Ireland, during the reign of King John, with his strenuous various oppositions against them for sundry years, till by armed violence, fear, fraud, treachery, perjury, rebellion, enforced to resign up his Crown, Scepter, Kingdoms, to his grand Enemy Pope Innocent the 3d. who afterwards undertook his protection against his Rebellions Prelates and Barons, not out of any love or respect unto him as King of England, but merely as his sworn Vassal and Tributary, by an enforced Charter, the nullity whereof both in Law and Conscience I have at large demonstrated, against all Popes and their Parasites pretences. The new Usurpations made by this Pope, and the English Bishops confederating with him, upon this Kings supreme Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction, during his unfortunate reign, are reducible to these heads.

1. An usurped arbitrary power for the Pope to examine in the Court of Rome, the Elections of Archbishops, Bishops, Abbots, though duly made by the Electors with the Kings license. 2ly. A Jurisdiction for the Pope to compel some few members of Chapters and Covents in England to elect whomsoever he recommended to be their Archbishop, Bishop, Abbot, without the consent of the majority of the Chapter or Covent, even in Rome itself, against their Oaths, Trusts, Charters, Privileges. 3ly. A Jurisdiction without the Kings previous Regal license to elect, or subsequent assent to such Elections, to compel the King himself to invest Bishops in the actual possession of their Temporalties, by Ecclesiastical censures, and force of arms, against the Rights and Privileges of the Crown. 4ly. A new Prerogative for the Pope or his Legates by their own Provisions or Translations to promote whom they pleased to any Archbishopric, Bishopric, Abby, Deanery, Benefice, in England or Ireland, whereof the King himself or any other was rightful Patron, without and against his Royal assent, or the Patrons. 5ly. A mere arbitrary Jurisdiction to Interdict the King and Kingdom of England, to prohibit all Divine Service and Sacraments therein for sundry months, yea years together, against God's and the Kings express commands; and that not for any personal or national scandalous crimes, found in the King or Kingdom, but merely for opposing the Popes apparent encroachments on the Rights of the Kings imperial Crown. 6ly. A power personally to excommunicate the King himself, and all others who should either eat, drink, discourse or communicate with him, only for disobeying the Popes illegal commands, against his ancient Rights and Privileges. 7ly. An Authority to absolve all his Subjects from their Oaths of Allegiance and Obedience to him, till conformable to his Papal pleasure; and to dispence with the Kings own Oaths to his Barons and people. 8ly. A pretended supreme Antichristian Papal authority, actually to deprive the King and his Heirs of his very hereditary Crown, Kingdoms, and give them away to other foreign Princes. 9ly. To command foreign Kings, and all Christian Nobles, Knights, Soldiers, by force of arms to seize upon and expel him his Kingdoms, and issue out Crossadoes to War against and dethrone him, as if he were a mere Saracen and Turk. 10ly. A Jurisdiction to deprive, suspend, sequester, excommunicate the Archbishops, Bishops, Abbots, Priors, Ecclesiastical and Temporal Peers, and Cities of the Realm at his Papal pleasure, and summon them to attend the Pope personally at Rome, to undergo his Papal censures. 11ly. A liberty inserted into the Great Charter for all Bishops, Clergymen, Monks, and others to depart out of the Realm, resort to Rome, or to the Kings Enemies, without his Royal license first obtained, and to return again at their pleasures. 12ly. A liberty for all Chapters, Covents, Monks, Clergymen, freely to elect whom they pleased to Bishoprics, Monasteries, Deaneries, and other preferments in the Kings Donation, and to reject whatever persons the King should specially recommend unto them, though never so deserving; so as the King could prefer no person to any elective Dignity within his Realms, but whom the Chapters, Covents, Clergy should voluntarily elect, and the Pope or his Legates actually confirm at their pleasures. 13ly. A power to sequester, suspend, deprive, excommunicate, and reduce to extreme necessity all such Scholars, Clergymen, and Loyal Subjects, who had so much loyalty and courage as to appear in defense of the King and his Cause, against the Popes illegal injurious encroachments; and to protect, advance, reward, encourage all Traitors and Rebells against the King, to advance the Popes Usurpations. 14ly. A power to sell Archbishoprics, Bishoprics, Monasteries, and all other Ecclesiastical preferments, Palls, to those who would give most money for them; to extort monies for Papal Benedictions, Valedictions, dismissions from attendance in General Councils, or the See of Rome, upon summons thither. 15ly. An over-awing authority over all the Bishops, Clergy of England & Ireland, to obey the Popes most unjust, treasonable commands, against the express commands, protestations of the King, Barons, Kingdoms, to the Kings, Realms, and Churches prejudice. 16ly. A power to hear and determine, by Appeal or otherwise, all causes and controversies concerning elections, unions or disunions of Churches, or other Ecclesiastical Offices.

As to the Kings and Kingdoms Temporal Rights and Jurisdictions, Pope Innocent made these unparalleled encroachments on them. 1. An actual Interdiction of the whole Realm sundry years, for a pretended personal contempt in the King alone; and after that the like Interdict of the Londoners and Barons temporal Estates, for their Rebellions and civil offenses against the King. 2ly. An Antichristian power to dethrone, dis-inherit the King and his Heirs of their hereditary right in the Crown, Kingdoms of England and Ireland, and to transfer them to foreign Kings and Enemies, without the Kings or Kingdoms consent, or any trial, hearing of the King or Kingdom. 3ly. A forcible wrested resignation from the King of his Crown, Scepter, Kingdoms to the Pope and his Successors, without his Barons or Kingdoms consents, by a void, illegal, extorted Charter. 4ly. A resuming of them by King John and his Heirs from the Pope and his Successors, under an Annual Rent or Pension; and extorting of an Oath of Homage and Fealty from the King, as a mere Vassal and Tributary to the Pope and Church of Rome, directly contrary to the Rights of the Crown, and freedom, Office, Royaly of a King. 5ly. A power to confirm, null, repeal the Kings own Temporal Charters, yea Great Charters of Liberties and the Forest, and judge of their validity or invalidity at his Papal pleasure. 6ly. A power to examine, hear, determine the Right and Title of King John and others to the Crown of England, and decide them in the Court of Rome, as the supreme Judicature in such cases. 7ly. A Jurisdiction to hear and determine all civil controversies touching Privileges, Rights, Franchises, between the King and his Barons, and excommunicate them for not submitting to his Papal Edicts therein. 8ly. A power to make Truces, and prohibit Christian Kings to War upon each others Kingdoms, under pain of Excommunication and Interdiction. 9ly. A pretended right to protect all Kings and Nobles who took up the Cross, from any civil proceedings, Wars against each other, during the Crossado, and to recommend, promote, grant, prescribe Taxes, Tenths, to maintain those Wars against the Turks, but in truth to fill his Papal coffers. 10ly. A power to exempt Treacherous, Rebellious Clergymen from being Out-lawed or Interdicted by the King, and force the King by public Patents to disclaim this his ancient Prerogative, with his power of detaining any Clerks in Prison, for capital Crimes or Felonies, if demanded to be delivered by and to their Ordinaries. All these with some other Usurpations of less concernment, reducible to these heads, were introduced by Pope Innocent the 3d. during the reign of King John, never practiced in England before by any of his ambitious Predecessors; and so fastened upon the necks of the King, Kingdom by wholesale, by means of King Johns forced resignation of his Crown to the Pope, intestine Wars, differences between the King, his Bishops, Barons, this Pope and his Legates policies, that his Successors for many years after, though they frequently complained, petitioned against them, with much earnestness and regret, yet were hardly able with all their power or policy to resist, much less to shake them off, but only by piece-meal and inches as they had strength and opportunity to do it.

I shall now proceed to his Sons and Successors long, yet troublesome reign, by like unhappy contests between the Cros • er and Scepter, the King and his Barons, upon pretext of public Liberty, and our Ecclesiastical affairs under him.

THE FOURTH BOOK.