Honor military, and ciuill contained in foure bookes. Viz. 1. Iustice, and iurisdiction military. 2. Knighthood in generall, and particular. 3. Combats for life, and triumph. 4. Precedencie of great estates, and others.

CHAP. 44.

The Inauguration of Pope Gregorie. x.

IN the yeere 1268. Pope Clement the fourth died at Viter∣bo. After whose death the Papacie (by discord of Cardinals) was voide two yeeres, and nine moneths.

The Cardinals then present in Court, were seuenteene, whose disconformitie continued the seat voyd almost three yeeres: yet did they assemble often, but euery one ambitiously affecting the Papacie for himselfe, nothing could be concluded: for in those dayes the Cardinals were not shut vp in the conclaue, (as since hath beene the vse) but euery one went at libertie and at his pleasure.

The creation of the Pope thus deferred, Phillip the Frence King, and Charles king of Sicill came vnto Viterbo, to sollicite the election: yet they preuailed not.

One day, these Kings being present in the Conclaue, the Cardinall of Porto seeing the frowardnesse of the other Cardinals, who seemed to pray ayd of the holy Ghost in that action, said vnto them: My Lords, let vs vntile the roofe of this chamber, for it seemeth the holy Ghost cannot enter, if the house be still couered. And so soone as he heard that Gregory was pronoun∣ced Pope, he framed these verses of that election, viz.

Papatus munus tulit Archidiaconus vnus, Quem patrem patrum fecit discordia fratrum.

This Pope before his ascension was called Theobaldus, an Archdeacon, no Cardinall: being also, at that time, beyond the sea at Ptolemaida in Syria: whether he was gone with Edward the King of Englands eldest son. From thence they intended (among other pilgrims) to go vnto Ierusalem. But hearing he was pronounced Pope, returned from Syria into Italy: and being come to Viterbo he receiued the Ensignes of Papacie. From thence he passed to Rome, and was there crowned by the name of Gregory the tenth. He liued Pope sixe yeeres, sixe moneths, and tenne dayes: and finding

fault with some orders of the Church, chiefly in electing the Pope, he fra∣med diuers Canons of which these are part.

First that the assembly of Cardinals for choise of euery new Pope, should be at a place fit for the purpose, and where the Pope defunct, with his Court, did die. But if the death hapened in any village or small towne, then the next citie to be the place of election.

That no election of any new Pope should be, till after ten dayes that the other Pope departed, to the end the Cardinals absent might appeare.

That no Cardinal in his absence should be permitted to haue any suf∣frage or voice in the conclaue.

That euery Cardinal absent, and euery other person of any condition, should be capable of the Papacie.

That no Cardinal entred into the Conclaue, should goe out, before the new Pope were created.

That no Cardinal or other person should ambitiously endeauour to compasse the Papacie by money or other corruption, vpon perill of the Popes curse.