The estate of the Church with the discourse of times, from the apostles vntill this present: also of the liues of all the emperours, popes of Rome, and Turkes: as also of the Kings of Fraunce, England, Scotland, Spaine, Portugall, Denmarke, &c. With all the memorable accidents of their times. Translated out of French into English by Simon Patrike, Gentleman.

Pluralitie of Benefices.

Pluralitie of Benefices beganne about this time, and after [ 1056] neuer ceased in the Church, Fascic. temp.

The yeare of our Lord 1056. Henry the third dyed the [ 1056] tenth yeare of his Empire, and of his age 39. leauing 3. daugh∣ters and two sonnes: that is to say, Henry which succeeded him, and Conrade Duke of Bauiers.

Henry Emperour, fourth of that name,* 1.1 obteined the Em∣pire, and raigned fiftie yeares. [ 1057]

Stephen Pope, 9. of that name, borne of Lorraine,* 1.2 Abbot of Montcassin, called Fredericke, brother of the Duke of Lor∣raine, ruled at Rome ten moneths. Naucler. After others foure moneths.

* 1.3He brought vnder the obedience of the Romane seate, Millane: which since the time of the Apostles hath neuer sub∣iected, saith Platin. and R. Barns. Others, as Naucler. and Supp. Chron. say 200. yeares.

Stephen accused the Emperour Henry the fourth, of heresie, because he diminished the authoritie of the Romane seate. Platina. And hauing heard that the Churches of Italie and Bur∣gongne were corrupted with Symonie, he sent Hildebrand to roote out that Cockle. Hildebrand and hauing made his commis∣sion returned to Rome, and found the Pope very sicke: who thinking to die, caused his Churchmen to come vnto him, and made them sweare that they should neuer suffer any to sit in the Apostolike seate, vnlesse he were chosen by the consent of all: yet comming againe to his health, he came to Florence, and cal∣led a Councell: but he died there eight monethes after. Nau∣clerus.

A Scottish Monke called Patermis, being in Almaine in a Towne called Paderbrune, fire was put in the Abbey wherin he was: yet though he might, he would not come out: chusing rather to be burnt for the vow of his obedience, then to shunne the daunger by going out. Sigeb.

The opinion or obstination of vowes is founded vpon such ex∣amples.

[ 1058] Benet Pope. 10. of that name, of Campania in Italie, was a Bishop of Vileterne, before called Mincius, and ruled at Rome 9. monethes.* 1.4

The Romanes corrupted by siluer, elected him against the Canons, although the Cleagie were against it, but he was con∣strained to giue ouer the Popedome. For Hildebrand returning from Florence,* 1.5 brought with him Gerard Bishop of Florence, who after was chosen at Senes. And after his election was as∣signed a Councell in a Towne called Sutry, against Benet. And thither came Goafred Duke of Italie, the first husband of Ma∣tilde, and Guillebert great Gouernor. Item, the Bishops of Lom∣bardie and Hetruria, and others. Which thing Benet vnderstan∣ding,

fled, putting off his pontificall habit, and after led a pri∣uate life.

Nicholas Pope, second of that name, borne of Sauoy,* 1.6 called Gerard, Bishop of Florence, gouerned three yeares, and sixe mo∣nethes. [ 1059]

He was eleced at Senes, by the instance of Hildebrand, be∣cause he thought it no sure thing that the election should bee at Rome, seeing Benet the tenth and his friends were there pre∣sent.

Nicholas comming to Rome, assigned a Councell nigh La∣terane, of an hundreth and fortie Bishops. Wherin it was or∣dained that the election of the Pope should be made by Car∣dinalls, Clarkes, and the Romane people: And that whosoe∣uer should attempt to come to the Popedome, by siluer, fa∣uour, ambition, or other vnlawful meane, and not by Canonike election, that he should be held for an Apostare, and an ex∣communicated person, deiected of euery one, without any aide or fauour. Dist. 33. cap. In nomine Domini.

That ordinance endured not long: For afterwards Car∣dinalls alone without either Cleargie or people vsurped that election.

In this Councell Berengarius Deacon thinking rather to saue his life then to maintaine the truth, denied it,* 1.7 submitting himselfe to the will of the Councell. His confession (or rather recantation) is contained Deconsecrat: dist. 2. cap. Ego Beren∣garius

It was at this Councell of Rome, that transubstantiation was decreed; that is to say, that after the bread is consecrated, we must beleeue the bony of Christ to be so in the Sacrament, that sensibly and really he is between the hands of the Priests: broken & bruised with the teeth. And the Pope Nicholas con∣strained Berengarius so to say & confesse: the said Nicholas be∣ing so taught and perswaded by Lanfrancus. Vadian.

But the first opinion of Berengarius which he pronounced for temporall feare, was this that followeth, as Lanfrancus

himselfe reciteth in his booke of the Sacrament of the Eucha∣rist,* 1.8 against Berengarius. The sacrifice of the Church (saith Be∣rengarius) is made of two things: that is to say, visible and in∣uisible, of the Sacrament, and of the thing of the Sacrament. Which thing yet (that is to say, the body of Christ) if it were before our eyes, if it were present, it should be visible, but bee∣ing eleuated vnto heauen, and being set at the right hand of the Father, vntill the restoration of all things (as saith S. Peter the Apostle) it cannot be drawne from heauen: for the person of Christ consisteth of God and man. But the Sacrament of the Table of the Lord (that is to say) the bread and wine consecra∣ted, are not chaunged but remaine in their substances, hauing Similitude with the things whereof they are Sacraments, &c. He said moreouer, that the bread and wine after the consecrati∣on were onely the Sacrament, and not the true body nor the true bloud of the Lord: and that they could not sensibly, but sacramentally be administred of the Priests, or broken and bruised with the teeth of the faithfull. In the same Chapter, Ego Berengarius.

Golfred, Count of Pouille and of Calabria died, leauing his sonne Bagellard his heire: but Robert brother of the said Gol∣fred, and vncle of the said Bagellard, hauing taken from him all that his father had left him, vsurped Beneuent, which belonged to the Romane seate. Wherefore the Pope excommunica∣ted him. Robert then knowing that he had taken the aforesaid Countries from his said Nephew, did what he could to returne into the Popes fauour, and prayed him to come into Calabria for the good of peace. Being come, he absolued Robert of the Bond of excommunication. After, he adiudged him Pouille and Calabria, vpon condition he would yeeld him Beneuent and Troy, Townes of Pouille, and all that which belonged vnto the Romane seate. Item, that he would giue him helpe in his necessities. Robert promised all this, and gaue him an Armie by which the Pope recouered many places about Rome, and made them subiect to the seate. As Prenesta, Tusculum, Numen∣tum, and beyond Tiber certaine Castles, euen vnto Sutri. Rob. Barns.

The Pope is content to make his profit to the damage of Orphelius: he consented vnto the Rapines of Robert, so that he might haue his helpe.

Ancelmus the disciple of Lanfrancus, succeeded his maister in the Priorie of Bec, and Lanfrancus was made Archbishop of Canterburie in England. Chron. Sigeb.

Phillip the 38. King of France, sonne of Henry,* 1.9 raigned 49. yeares. [ 1061]

Alexander Pope, second of that name, of Millaine,* 1.10 ruled at Rome a yeare and fiue monethes, whose Historie is this. After [ 1062] the death of Pope Nicholas, one Ancelme Bishop of Luques was chosen for the renowne of his vertues, without the Empe∣rours knowledge, and was chosen being absent from Rome. For he resided in his Bishoppricke of Luques. After the election, the Cardinalls went for him and conducted him to Rome, and was named Alexander. But some Bishops of Lombardie (whom Alexander pleased not because he was not of their band) stir∣red a schisme, and vnder shadowe that they said he entred by Simonie, they would needs haue an other, such as they liked: and at the instigation of Gilbert Bishop of Parme, a man migh∣tie amongst others, they drew towards the Emperour, to shewe that the election hath alwaies appertained vnto the Emperors. Briefly, they obtained of him to chuse an other Pope at theyr pleasure, seeing Nicholas the second was chosen without his knowledge. As soone as they were returned into Lombardie, they assembled a Councell, and did chuse one called Cadolus of Parme, a rich and maruellous puissant man, vnder whom all Italie bowed, except the Countesse Martilde, or Mehaut. Cadolus then beeing so chosen Antepope, drew towards Rome with a strong band, and the power of the Lombards.

The Pope Alexander met him,* 1.11 accompanied with his Romanes, and the batraile was hard and sharpe, nigh Neron vn∣der the golden Mountaine, where was a great slaughter: but finally the victorie turned on the part of Alexander. Yet Cadolus for one euill encounter lost not courage, but before a

yeare was passed, by the meanes of certaine friends which held his part (which he had gained by force of siluer) entred into Rome. The Romanes yet ranne to Armes: but Cincius the Prouost, his sonne of Rome, put Cadolus in the Forte of S. An∣gilo. The war betwixt those two, endured the space of 2. yeares. Finally, Cadolus was constrained to yeeld himselfe, and re∣deeme his life with 600. Markes of siluer. After to content the Emperour who fauoured the said Cadolus, a Councell was assembled at Mantua, where were the Emperor and the Pope Alexander,* 1.12 & there in the presence of all the Prelates, the Pope purged himselfe both of Simony & Ambition & matters were agreed both of the one partie and the other. Iohn le Maire. 11.

* 1.131 In the said Councell was ordained that none should heare the Masle of a Priest that had concubines. 17. dist. c. Preterhoc.

2. Whosoeuer wittingly should be promoted by a Simoniake, he should be reiected and deposed. 1. q. 2. c. De caetero.

3. That Cloister Monkes should not be admitted to the of∣fices of Clarkes. 16. q. 2. c. iuxta calced. tenorem.

4. That Clarkes should take no Ecclesiasticall Benefice of a secular person. 16. q. 1. c. Perlaicos.

5. That men should giue Benefices & Ecclesiasticall orders to learned people, without selling or buying any of them with any contract. 1. q. 3. c. Exmultis.

6. That he which should be excommunicated, cannot ex∣communicate an other. 14. q. 1. c. Audiuimus.

7. That Alleluia should be banished out of the Church from Septuagesima, vntill Easter.

Whilest this Councell was held at Mantua, Richard the Normane with his sonne William, tooke and occupied certaine places of the Romane seate, as Capua, Beneuent, and others. Hil∣debrand was sent against Richard, and constrained him to yeeld vp againe such places as he had taken. The Pope attending Hil∣debrand at Pise, they returned together from thence vnto Rome, R. Barns.

This Pope Alexander gaue Lanfrancus Archbishop of Can∣terburie, for the victorie obtained against Berengarius, touching Transubstantiation, two Archiepiscopall Mantles, or Palls, the

one of honour, and the other of loue.

Histories recite at length how the Pope Alexander was handled by Hildebrand, who succeeded him, and how finally he detained him in great miseries, after hee had beene beaten and outraged of him. And after this time Hildebrand retained to himselfe all the reuenewes of the Church of Rome, & assembled great summes of siluer. After then that Alexander was dead, vnder the miserable seruitude of Hildebrand, the yeare of our Lord, 1074. the same day at night he was Inthronized in the Papall seate by his souldiers, without the consent of the Clear∣gie or people, least if he had tarried too long, an other had pre∣uented him. In his election none of the Cardinalls had subscri∣bed. Wherevnto when the Abbot of Clugny was come, Hilde∣brand said vnto him: Thou hast tarried too long brother. The Abbot answered. And thou Hildebrand hast made too much haste, that occupiest the Apostolike seate against the Canons, before the Pope thy Lord be buried.

But how Hildebrand was put in possession, in what maner he liued, how he drew Cardinalls to him which should be wit∣nesses of his life and doctrine, how miserably hee tormented them, and with what heresies he infected the world, what per∣iuries, what great treasons he committed, hardly can many de∣scribe them. Yet the bloud of so many Christians shead, where∣of he was author and principall cause, cryeth yet higher then all that. Behold what Benno saith.

Hanno the second Archbishop of Colongne, caused both the eyes to be put out of certaine Iudges which had condem∣ned a poore woman: of which, one Iudge lost but one eye, for that he brought the other vnto triall. In memory of this Iudge∣ment, were erected Images without eyes. Naucler.

Nauclerus also and others do tell here of a rich and mightie [ 1271] man, who was so persecuted with Rats, that finally he was con∣sumed, yet no man touched that was with him.

Gregorie Pope, 7. of that name, before called Hildebrand,* 1.14 borne at Siennes in Tuscane, ruled at Rome 12. yeares, and one [ 1074] moneth: rather a Monster in nature then a man.

Hauing abandoned the Monasterie of Clugny, where hee

was a Monke, and being come to Rome, he insinuated himselfe into the familiaritie of Laurence an Archpriest, of whom hee learned Magike Arts and Negromancie: which Arts the said Laurence being yet young, had learned of that diuellish Mon∣ster Syluester, Pope, second of that name, with certaine others. There was a certaine particular intelligence betwixt this Lau∣rence Thoaphilacte, Iohn Gratian, and Hildebrand, all Archpriests or Cardinalls of the Sinagogue of Rome.* 1.15 Wherfore Hildebrand did whatsoeuer he would with Theophilacte, whilest hee was in the Popes office, vnder the name of Benet the ninth. But which is more, vntill he came to be Pope, nothing was done vnder the other Popes but at his pleasure. When hee list (as Benno saith) he would shake his skirtes, and fire would come out like sparkes: and by such miracles he abused the eyes of simple people, as if it had bene some signe of sanctetie. And therefore saith Benno, when the diuell could not persecute publikely Ie∣sus Christ by the Painims, he disposed himselfe fraudulently to destroy his name by that false Monke, vnder the shewe and colour of religion.

Authors rehearse that this Hildebrand poysoned seuen or eight Popes, by the seruice of Gerard Brazut, to the ende by that meanes he might the sooner come vnto the Papacie. Yet during those great troubles, he handled all things so sub∣tilly, that none doubted he by any meanes aspired to the seate. And although he was not Pope by name, yet in effect he was the Organe and onely Instrument of him that was ordained Pope, or of all his wicked inuentions: and by litle and litle, he practised vnder the other Popes, that which he executed in his owne Popedome. This notable Hypocrite vnder the co∣lour of Canons, and a certaine pietie, hee did whatsoeuer hee would, although he was the most vniust and the wickeddest in the world. He accused Alexander the second his Lord and Maister, because he had sought succours and helpe of the Em∣perour against his aduersaties: and said it was not reasonable (according to Canons) that he should enioy the Papall digni∣tie, which had demaunded succours of a prophane Prince. Ha∣uing dismissed the said Alexander of his dignitie, he imprisoned

him, and caused him secretly to die, and incontinently vsurped the Papall seate, whilest men prepared for the obsequies and funeralls of the dead. He communicated his siluer and counsell with Brazut, and certaine Iewes his familiars, by the meanes of which, he found many tongues at his hire, which cried with an high voyce (yea euen before Alexander was buried) S. Peter the Apostle hath chosen Hildebrand: and they placed him in the Papall Chaire vnder the name of Gregorie the 7.* 1.16 And this was done the 1000, yeare after the destruction of Ierusalem: In the which yeare the 6. Vicars of Sathan began to attribute vnto themselues openly the name of God, and the office and vertue of Iesus Christ, true God, and true man. For as soone as the said Gregorie had bin declared and ordained Pope, the same was proclamed, that the true Vicar of Christ Iesus was chosen. And also the same Gregorie appropriated vnto himselfe that which is said of Iesus Christ in the second Psal. Hee ouerthrew the lawes of God in forbidding marriage to Priests, and casting kings out of their seats.* 1.17 It was he which shead out the first seeds of the warre of Gog & Magog, which were the most pernitious and bloudie that euer was, and which his familiar Vrbain 2. of that name, afterward pursued. Baleus Anglus.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Henry. 4.
• * 1.2

  Stephen. 9.
• * 1.3

  Henry. 4.
• * 1.4

  Benet. 10.
• * 1.5

  Schisme.
• * 1.6

  Nicholas. 2.
• * 1.7

  The pusilla∣nimitie of Berengarius.
• * 1.8

  The words of Berengarius touching the Sacrament.
• * 1.9

  Philip.
• * 1.10

  Alexander. 2.
• * 1.11

  Homicide committed for the Pope∣dome.
• * 1.12

  A Councell At Mantua.
• * 1.13

  The determinations of the Councell.
• * 1.14

  Gregorie. 7.
• * 1.15

  Archpriests & Cardinalls.
• * 1.16

  The 1000. yeare after the destructiō of Ierusalem.
• * 1.17

  Apoc. 20. c. 8. Croisaides a∣gainst the Turkes.